Saturday, December 31, 2011

Reader Reviews

The movie tie-in edition of "20 Times a Lady"—now called "What's Your Number?"—is now available wherever fine books are sold!

To celebrate its publication, a few of my favorite readers came up with these great reviews...

"What's Your Number? is like Harry Potter minus the wizards, wands, and Lord Voldemort." —Michelle Bell

 

"‎What's Your Number? is like Gone With the Wind except with less hoop skirts and poverty and more beaus..." —Karen Meyer

 

‎"What's Your Number? is like To Kill a Mockingbird without all the racism and children." —Julie Stone

Thanks ladies!

Please add your review in the comments!

Ashley Greene Ashley Olsen Ashley Scott Ashley Tappin

Livie and Luca Debuts Shoes for Moms

Livie and Luca debuts women's footwear, plus check out their adorable new winter styles for kids and babies.

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'Hunger Games' Hopes And More: 2012 Movie Wish List

MTV Movies team has high hopes for 'The Avengers,' 'Looper' and more.
By MTV News staff


Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate

As we while away the last few days and hours of 2011, looking back upon all the great, unforgettable fare that descended upon our cineplexes this year, we can't help but get excited for what the new year will bring us.

We might not get another "Harry Potter," but there's a lot coming down the pike to fill the void: a new "Alien"-esque film in "Prometheus," the gritty and ruthless "Hunger Games," the superhero spectacle "The Avengers," and a brand new Batman, via "The Dark Knight Rises." Here's a brief rundown of what we hope delivers on the hype and makes our "Best of 2012" lists this time next year.

A Successful "Avengers" Assembly
I have a lot of high hopes for movies in 2012. I need "Prometheus" to be as awesome as it appears to be, and Christopher Nolan has to send Batman off in style, but perhaps my biggest concern comes in the form of "The Avengers." Bringing Earth's Mightiest Heroes together under one cinematic roof is a lofty idea, and one that could easily explode in Marvel's face. A successful "Avengers" would mean ambitious, world-building films that extend across multiple franchises can exist. An "Avengers" that fails both critically and commercially is nothing short of a gut shot for comics on the big screen. Too much effort and passion, both from filmmakers and fans, has been put into "The Avengers" over the past few years. Marvel absolutely has to get it right ... and I've got all my fingers, toes and what-have-you's crossed that they will. - Josh Wigler

Taylor Kitsch Solidifies His Movie-Star Status
Fans of the dearly departed drama "Friday Night Lights" know Taylor Kitsch as big Tim Riggins, the football-playing, bad-boy-with-a-big-heart from Dillon, Texas. But if you've never spent four quarters with the state champion Panthers, you may not be well-acquainted with Kitsch's sizeable acting chops (and even bigger biceps). After all, his big-screen turns ("X-Men Origins: Wolverine," "The Bang Bang Club") haven't left such an indelible mark as his TV alter ego. But that could (and should) all change in 2012, as the 30-year-old headlines two big-budget popcorn flicks: Disney's "John Carter" and the boardgame-cum-potential-blockbuster "Battleship." Here's hoping clear eyes and full hearts really can't lose. - Amy Wilkinson

"The Hunger Games" Takes Out "Twilight"
The end of the "Twilight" film franchise is bittersweet. We'll miss our favorite vampires and werewolves, but 2012 marks the arrival of a new franchise that deserves just as much attention and adoration as Stephenie Meyer's fangtastic fantasyland. "The Hunger Games" is not "Twilight" and shouldn't ever be compared as such, but it deserves that blockbuster status. This is a story about survival, self-reliance and discovery, with a female protagonist who is strong, resilient, independent, intelligent and real. In short, Suzanne Collins' creation has everything modern youth-targeted fiction lacks. I pray to the movie powers for Gary Ross' big-screen adaptation to be the biggest success story of the year and that the fan fervor for the "Games" doubles that of "Twilight." - Kara Warner

Luck For "Looper"
Looking ahead to 2012, it's impossible to not stop in awe when considering the sheer number of blockbusters I can't wait to see. This is "stars aligning" material. We're talking Batman, Bilbo and Bond, but if I have my way, people will turn out in droves to see a movie they probably haven't heard of yet: Rian Johnson's "Looper." A sci-fi/crime movie hybrid, "Looper" takes place in the near future where mobsters send their enemies back in time where waiting hitmen finish the job. In the film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis play the younger and older versions of the same character, and if that and the story don't completely sell it, I'm afraid you're lost, my friend. Test screenings left critics raving, and Johnson has made consistently interesting work since his indie debut "Brick." If there is any justice at the movies, people will see "Looper." - Kevin Sullivan

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Ke$ha, Adam Lambert, Ne-Yo Have A Few Royal Wedding Gift Ideas1662928

From 'guyliner' to American delicacies like Uncrustables, Kathy Griffin, Mike Posner and more tell us what they'd get Will and Kate.
By Terri Schwartz


Kate Middleton and Prince William
Photo: Ben Stansall/ Getty Images

What kind of wedding gift do you give the royal couple who has everything? The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is on Friday (April 29), so MTV News reached out to some of our favorite Hollywood celebrities — from Ke$ha to Adam Lambert. Fortunately, they had some solid ideas!

"I haven't met them, so it would be kind of awkward," the "Tik Tok" singer admitted to MTV News. "I might paint them something. Maybe I'll paint them a guitar." Like Ke$ha, other celebs had suggestions that were from the heart, even if they weren't the most practical. "I will go out on a limb and say these two individuals maybe haven't had Uncrustables before in their life. I would get them a strawberry Uncrustable," Mike Posner said about the pastry. David Cook followed up on the all-American food idea. "I feel like they have everything except maybe they probably don't have an Applebee's gift card. I'll go [with an] Applebee's gift card," the "American Idol" alum said. Other stars said they'd gift the British prince and soon-to-be-princess with an item they were personally best known for. "I'd probably buy William some eyeliner," Lambert said. "He could do that, he could rock that look. I think." Ne-Yo was more empathetic, saying he would give gifts that could help shield them from photographers and blend in with everyday people. "Three years' supply of sunglasses. Yeah, put them on. A bunch of baseball caps, throw those on, and try to move around like regular people," the singer said. "I can't imagine what it would be like having to live under that big of a magnifying glass your whole life ... and fake mustaches, that's what I'd give them." Brooke Burke went the more traditional route, saying she would get Will and Kate a journal to record the big event. "I would ask them to really take the time to write down thoughts and phrases and wishes," Burke said. "And not really to lose sight of how they feel about each other now and to really hold on to that feeling." Kathy Griffin had good intentions but the comedian couldn't resist a puke joke. "If I had to get the royal couple a gift, I would get them the Royal Couple Vomit Bag, which someone sent me a photo of," Griffin told us. "So you can actually buy vomit bags with their image on it, and I think that that is an honor and I hope that they see it as such." What would you give to William and Kate? Share your ideas in the comments section!

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Conrad Murray Not Expected To Serve Full Four Years1675080

Legal expert Mike Cavalluzzi tells MTV News he isn't surprised by sentence but doesn't think it's justified.
By Gil Kaufman


Dr. Conrad Murray sits in court after he was sentenced for the involuntary manslaughter of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on November 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Judge Michael E. Pastor sentenced Murray to four years in the Los Angeles County Jail for the involuntary manslaughter of Jackson. A restitution hearing has been scheduled for January 23, 2012 to determine the amount of restitution to be paid to the Jackson family.
Photo: Mario Anzuoni-Pool/ Getty Images

Though he dodged a potential four-year prison term, former Michael Jackson physician Conrad Murray was sentenced to an equal amount of time in Los Angeles County Jail on Tuesday (November 29) in the death of the pop singer.

But the same overcrowding problems that spared the cardiologist from doing time in a federal pen might also save him from serving his entire sentence in county as well. Shortly after the sentence was handed down by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, Los Angeles Sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore told E! News that Murray would likely end up serving "a little less than two years." Due to overcrowding, most county jail sentences are immediately cut in half, and given the 46 days credit Murray has already been given, he is looking at even less than that. Do you think Conrad Murray deserved the maximum sentence? Let us know on Facebook. Murray's lawyers said afterward that they believed the sentence was unnecessarily long. "Yes, of course [Judge Pastor] was harsh. He gave the stiffest penalty he was entitled to give under the law," Murray's attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, told reporters. "He was openly hostile. ... [Murray has] led 56 years of exemplary life. He was really dreading [sentencing]. I think anybody would dread going into it. He's an honorable man, and he'll get through this. The family is suffering more than Dr. Murray is. ... Dr. Murray is the provider in that family." Pastor had leeway in the sentencing, with options ranging from probation to the full sentence, but in a lengthy ruling from the bench, he said Murray's lack of remorse and negligent behavior called for the highest possible penalty. "He is and remains dangerous ... the request of probation is denied, the court imposes the high term of four years imprisonment in this case," Pastor said during the 90-plus-minute hearing. Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney Mike Cavalluzzi told MTV News that he wasn't surprised by the sentencing but that he didn't believe it was justified. Cavalluzzi said Pastor had incentive to give the full sentence because of the prominence of Jackson and his family and to create the perception that he is tough on crime. "He gets that perception by sentencing him to the max while not having to surrender the defendant to the full sentence," said Cavalluzzi, who was not involved in the case. "He gets the self-satisfaction of being perceived as being tough on crime and making the Jackson family happy, but I don't think it was a fair sentence." Cavalluzzi said when deciding prison versus probation, judges have to look at someone's criminal history and whether a person is likely to complete the terms of their probation, which he believes Murray would. "I'm not seeing aggravating factors here, and I think it was just a chapter in [Murray's] life and he does not have a history of being a mercenary doctor always after money, but of being a good, responsible doctor who was seduced by the celebrity and money that Jackson offered," he said.

As to why Pastor gave such a dramatic, lengthy explanation for why he was sentencing Murray to the max, Cavalluzzi said the judge has to have a justification for his actions in the public record. "Because he doesn't have the discretion to give a high prison term, [Pastor] has to justify his sentence in the record and have very specific reasons for it. I don't think there's any way that anyone truly believes that from this day forward Dr. Murray truly represents a threat to society. That's just ludicrous." And while he doesn't agree with the four-year term, Cavalluzzi said the high-profile nature of the case and the glare of the media could have played into the sentence. "It probably gives [Jackson's family] great comfort to have someone to blame," he said. " 'If not for this awful man, my son, brother, father would be alive.' But it's not fair to do that and it feels like a capitulating judgment in favor of feeding the emotional needs of the family." Upon leaving the courthouse, Michael's brother Jermaine, when asked if the four-year sentence was enough, shook his head and said, "No." Mother Katherine Jackson told local TV station KTLA, "Four years is not enough for someone's life. It won't bring him back. But at least he got the maximum, and I thought the judge was very, very fair." The prosecution, however, was satisfied with the ruling. "We're pleased. That's what we thought was appropriate. The judge obviously agreed with us," deputy district attorney David Walgren said. "It was our position that it was not a simple, one-time mistake; it was a series of mistakes culminating in the abandonment of Michael Jackson when he died ... the judge agreed with that sentiment. A brother and a son and a family member was killed, and whatever the sentence may be, the family of the victim deserves justice. And we did everything to bring them that justice." As for how much time Murray will spend locked up, Cavalluzzi said it is likely to be less than two years and, frankly, he predicted, the doctor could be out even sooner than that. "He might be eligible for house arrest very quickly," he said.

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Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Celebs At Sports Games!

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Kendra Wilkinson Calls Crystal Harris ?Mean?

All's fair in love and ... puppies? The battle between Hugh Hefner and his almost-wife Crystal Harris continues to rage as the Playboy playmate is now calling for Hef to return their Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy Charlie to her six months after their split.

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Beyoncé - Best Thing I Never Had

Best Thing I Never Had

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  • Label: Columbia
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Friday, December 30, 2011

Photos | Love Is In The Air At The 2011 VMAs

Love Is In The Air At The 2011 VMAs

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Britney Spears - Till the World Ends

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Cory Monteith's Down Under Meet and Greet

Tending to promotional duties Down Under, Cory Monteith hosted a meet and greet at Westfield City Shopping Mall in Sydney, Australia yesterday (December 29).

Making time for each of his eager fans, the casually clad "Glee" hunk could be seen doling out hugs and autographs to the never-ending line of awaiting females.

Just last week (December 21), Cory took a break to head back to his homeland of Canada - where he partook in some old fashioned outdoor fun.

Monteith hit the slopes of Cypress Mountain in Vancouver, British Columbia, the same place the 2010 Olympic Winter Games were held.

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Lady Gaga Drops New Track, "Stuck on F***in You"1676461

'It's such a timecapsule of the spirit of our creativity.' singer tweeted.
By Christina Garibaldi with additional reporting by Andréa Duncan-Mao


Lady Gaga steps out from Louis Vuitton Matsuzakaya Ginza store on December 22, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan
Photo: Jun Sato/WireImage

It's a merry Christmas for all of Lady Gaga's Little Monsters. Mother Monster herself played Santa to all her fans when she presented them with an unreleased song at midnight on Christmas Day.

"Been racking my brain on what to get Little Monsters for Christmas!! I finally figured it out!!" Gaga tweeted on December 22. "On Christmas Day I will leak to you an unreleased Song off Born This Way! It was recorded live, in one take, on the tour bus. Uncensored." "Stuck on F***in You," which was recorded on the road in Minnesota during her Monster Ball tour, captures the feeling of a late-night jam session, where Gaga's voice soars over just a guitar and drum machine. It's a stripped down, bluesy joint that showcases her humor and flair for improvisation. "We were all wasted on the bus making records," Gaga tweeted Saturday (December 24) night, "It's such a timecapsule of the spirit of our creativity. I wrote, sang and freestyled the last minute + half of the song." Gaga is spending at least part of her holidays abroad. "Well, I'll be in Japan right up until Christmas Day," Gaga told MTV News earlier this month. "So I'll be eating with all my Japanese Little Monsters. I like shabu shabu [a form of Japanese hot pot]." Lady Gaga, who was MTV News' Top Newsmaker of 2011, will be ringing in the new year in her hometown of New York. The "Marry the Night" singer, along with Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO and Florence and the Machine, will watch the ball drop at the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." The event will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, with appearances by Fergie and Jenny McCarthy.

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Photos | Chris Brown And Usher Perform In Jamaica

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Fabolous Buries The Competition On New Mixtape

Fab rounds out his There Is No Competition mixtape series with third installment, in Mixtape Daily.
By Rob Markman


Fabolous
Photo: MTV News

Main Pick
Headliners: Fabolous and DJ Drama
Representing: Brooklyn, New York
Mixtape: There Is No Competition III: Death Comes in 3's
Real Spit: Funeral Fab takes no days off — not even Christmas. On Sunday while many were celebrating the holidays with family, Fabolous decided to gift-wrap his latest mixtape and release it online as a free download. There Is No Competition III: Death Comes in 3's is the third installment of the popular series that Fab and DJ Drama started in 2008.

"The theme of There Is No Competition III, it has the subtitle Death Comes in 3's, which plays along in the trilogy of this tape," Fab told Mixtape Daily.

The death-themed tape doesn't disappoint. On "Black City," Fabolous dons appropriate mourning attire and rides Tyga's "Rack City" beat to take shots at his rap competitors. The killing spree continues on the Lloyd Banks-assisted "Get Down or Lay Down" when F-A-B-O spits, "Money over bitches, dirt on top of bitch, n---as/ Put you in ya place, it happens to be a ditch, n---a." The Street Fam general calls upon more rap comrades on "B.E.T," which features Styles P and Jadakiss, and then again on "Unf---witable" with Red Café.

Things begin to get personal on "Death in the Family." Over an eerie-sounding track, Loso partners up with his brother Paul Cain and together they bid farewell to an unnamed former friend. "I be sayin' to myself as I put on the gloves, it hurts when you gotta kill a n---a you love," Fab raps on the hook.

It isn't all slow singing and flower bringing though. Fab and Meek Mill trade witty bars on "You Don't Know 'Bout It," and on "Spend It," Loso hooks up with Trey Songz as they deliver their take on 2 Chainz's underground hit of the same name.

With Fab's sixth studio album, Loso's Way 2, due out next year, TINC III is the perfect way to end a notable year for the Brooklyn MC, who made a killing in the streets.

Joints to Check For
» "Death Comes in 3's" - "It's like the wake; it's like the thing before the funeral. It's just me, a little bit of my sh-- talking, my letting know they're in for a ride with this mixtape."

» "You Don't Know 'Bout It" - "It started out just being a beat that I liked. I heard it, it was a Travis Porter song, actually. I just jumped on it and hit Meek up."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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Photos | A Very Bieber Christmas

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Michael Jackson - Hold My Hand

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Britney Spears' Engagement Begins 'A New Chapter'1676266

It's a 'good step' toward happiness in her life, Jordan Miller of Britney fan site Breatheheavy.com says.
By Christina Garibaldi


Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in Las Vegas
Photo: Denise Truscello/ WireImage

Britney Spears is "still glowing" after longtime boyfriend Jason Trawick popped the question to the pop star on Friday. The two spent the weekend in Las Vegas, where Spears flashed her Neil Lane engagement ring as they celebrated their upcoming nuptials and Trawick's 40th birthday.

Friends and family have been showing their support and well-wishes for the couple's upcoming wedding, including Spears' ex-husband Kevin Federline, who told TV Week magazine that he was "really happy for her." Yet it seems that no one is as happy for Spears than her die-hard fans. MTV News spoke with Las Vegas-based webmaster Jordan Miller, who runs Spears' biggest fan site, BreatheHeavy.com, and he told us just how thrilled he is about the news. "I was pretty excited for Britney when I found out she was engaged," Miller said. "I think it's a good step for her to have some sort of relationship where she can share her feelings and thoughts about her life, so I'm happy for her."

And it seems all of his followers agree. "The overwhelming reaction from fans about the news of Britney's engagement is that they're really happy for her," Miller said. "They think it's such good timing for her, to finish the tour and kind of have a break and be able to start a new chapter in her life. So I think the majority of fans are really happy for Britney and that it's definitely a good step for her." The news doesn't come as a big shock to Miller, since rumors of Britney's engagement have been swirling for months. "There were rumors for the last six months pretty much saying he was going to do it in December," Miller said of the couple, who have been dating since 2009. "So it's cool to see that it actually happened and she's going to get married." Details have not been released as to when Britney will tie the knot, but it seems Miller already has the perfect wedding gift in mind from all of her fans. "If fans could get Britney a cool present, it would be a vacation to a tropical island where she didn't have to be around anyone but Jason," Miller said. What do you think of Britney's engagement? Let us know in the comments.

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Taylor Armstrong Reveals Her New Year's Resolution for 2012

Taylor Armstrong had a tough 2011: The year has seen the disintegration of her marriage amid allegations of domestic abuse, the subsequent suicide of her estranged husband Russell Armstrong, and the media hoopla that followed. Not surprisingly, the reality star is eagerly looking forward to a fresh start in 2012.

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Michael Jackson - The Behind The Mask Project

The Behind The Mask Project

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Emma Watson & Justin Bieber Have Most Influential Hair

Move over Jennifer Aniston, there are new hairstyle icons in town! Emma Watson and Justin Bieber have been named the most influential celebrities of 2011 when it comes to popular hairstyles.

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Justin Bieber's Snake To Lady Gaga's Egg: 2011 Red-Carpet Highlights1676575

Beyonce's baby bump was one of the year's most-memorable moments.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber at the 2011 VMAs
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

Anything can happen on the red carpet at any given awards show, and in 2011, it felt like anything that could happen did. As MTV News reflects on some of the biggest moments of the year, we decided to remember some of the most-memorable things A-listers did live right in front of us all.

Lady Gaga's Egg
In February, Gaga had everyone guessing how she would arrive to the Grammys. Given her penchant for crazy looks, no one would have guessed she would have showed up in an egg. Designed by Hussein Chalayan, Gaga later emerged from the structure to proclaim that she was "Born This Way." What was your favorite red-carpet moment of 2011? Vote in our Newsroom poll! Snooki
Speaking of the Grammys, the reality star joined MTV News' own Sway Calloway to talk to all the stars at the show. After helping us out on the 2010 red carpet, we learned that anything is possible with Snooki, and 2011 solidified that she's the fieriest "meatball" to grace the "Jersey Shore." We wonder if she and Bruno Mars ever ended up dating. Paul McDonald and Nikki Reed
"Twilight" star Nikki Reed surprised everyone when she hit up the MTV Movie Awards in June. No, she hadn't borrowed Gaga's egg: She was rocking an engagement rock from her beau and "American Idol" alum Paul McDonald. The couple used the red carpet as the platform to announce their engagement, and married in October. Beyoncé's Baby Bump
She might have rubbed that burgeoning baby bump onstage at the Video Music Awards in August, but hours before she took the stage, donning a bright orange gown, Beyoncé let the paparazzi know she was expecting her first child with hubby Jay-Z by flaunting her pregnancy glow. Justin Bieber's Snake
While Beyoncé shared with the world her baby news, Bieber not only planted a kiss on VMA pre-show host and real-life lady love Selena Gomez, but also introduced her to his pet snake. His name? Johnson. She seemed less interested in the snake than perhaps he would have liked. What was your favorite red-carpet moment in 2011? Share your pick below!

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Matthew McConaughey Shows Off His Newly Engaged Bliss!

Love is in the air thanks to Matthew McConaughey & Camila Alves! Plus, check out more stars' cute, candid and crazy Twitter photos

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Usher - Promise

Promise

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  • Label: Sony Music Entertainment
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'Glee' Michael Jackson Episode: Rumored Set List Leaks1676521

Perez Hilton reports that January 24 episode includes a 'Beat It' and 'Billie Jean' mash-up.
By Jocelyn Vena


Darren Criss, Damian McGinty, Chord Overstreet, Mark Salling, Cory Monteith and Harry Shum Jr. perform on "Glee"
Photo: Adam Rose / FOX

"Glee" has already dedicated entire episodes to Madonna, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, and come 2012, it's the King of Pop's turn. A rumored set list for the January 24 "Glee" Michael Jackson tribute episode has hit the Web, and it features some of the late singer's greatest hits. Perez Hilton reports that 14 tracks have made the final cut, although the list has yet to be confirmed by anyone connected with the show.

The set list (along with who will perform the track) reportedly includes "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " (Blaine), "Bad" (the New Directions and the Warblers), "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (Finn and Rachel), "Smooth Criminal" (Santana and Sebastian), "Never Can Say Goodbye" (Quinn), "In the Closet" (Brittany and Santana), "We Are the World" (the New Directions and the Warblers), "Black and White" (Puck), "Ghost"/"Monster" (New Directions), "Beat It"/"Billie Jean" (Warblers), "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Kurt) and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (Artie). This is hardly the first time the show has paid homage to Jackson. Back in 2010, the New Directions performed his track "Thriller," complete with zombie garb, during an episode that aired after the Super Bowl. The show has also previously covered "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" and "Man in the Mirror." Back in 2010, the cast of the hit Fox show had only imagined what it would be like to have an entire episode dedicated to Jackson. "I would love to do a Michael Jackson episode," Amber Riley told MTV News at the time. "You know, it's so many [songs that I love], but my favorite song by him is 'Human Nature.' I love that song." While Riley seemed psyched about the opportunity, castmate Jenna Ushkowitz found the possibility a little more daunting. "That's a scary, scary episode to do," she said. "[But] that would be absolutely amazing." Are you happy with the rumored set list? What's missing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Britney Spears' Engagement Ring: How Does It Stack Up?1676248

From Kim and Kris' monster-size rock to Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 18-carat mega-sparkler, we dish on the diamonds.
By Jocelyn Vena


Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in Las Vegas. Inset: her Neil Lane enagement ring.
Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

After Britney Spears confirmed her engagement to longtime beau Jason Trawick last Friday, fans wanted to know everything about the ring, a four-carat diamond designed by Neil Lane. Trawick — Brit's former agent — popped the question after working with famed jeweler Lane on the design, according to People.com. The site also reported that Trawick wanted a crown-like band. In addition to the mega-sparkler at the center of the tiara-style setting, the hubby-to-be also had 90 small round diamonds added around the band. Spears debuted the ring during a trip to Las Vegas over the weekend to celebrate her fiancé's birthday.

"Jason is a romantic and when I asked him to tell me about Britney and what the ring would represent to them so I could find inspiration, his response was always the same — she is his princess!" Lane told the website. "Jason didn't want an over-the-top ring with a giant stone." Minya Oh, the author of "Bling Bling: Hip Hop's Crown Jewels," told MTV News she was pleasantly surprised by how understated the rock is. "The ring is so damn classy! It's [four] carats, which by Hollywood standards these days is practically microscopic," Oh said. "The setting is a tiny crown but both that and the thin diamond-studded band are done so delicately, from afar the focus is still on that bright white center stone. Nothing about the ring overwhelms her hand, and nothing screams, 'Please believe my relationship is real!' " She added, "This is the kind of ring a pop icon has when they're ready for something that means more than just the ring." This is hardly Spears' first engagement ring, however. When her ex Kevin Federline popped the question back in 2004, the former back-up dancer gave the pop princess a five-carat diamond ring. All this talk about rocks got us thinking about some other celebrity proposals, so we decided to spotlight a few memorable engagement rings. Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries
When it comes to size, Spears' ring from Trawick is small compared to Kim Kardashian's monster-size rock. When Kris Humphries popped the question earlier this year, he gave her a 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond. Of course, the size of the ring didn't guarantee lasting marital bliss: the couple split after 72 days of marriage. Beyoncé & Jay-Z
Like Humpdash, Jay-Z, who is expecting his first child with wife Beyoncé, also went the Lorraine Schwartz route. He gave his pop-star lady love an 18-carat ring back in 2007. The couple kept their wedding ceremony under wraps. Kristin Cavallari & Jay Cutler
While it has been a bumpy engagement for former "Hills" star Kristin Cavallari and her football player fiancé Jay Cutler, the couple announced they were engaged again last month. Cutler opted to use the same 5.2-carat ring he'd given the MTV reality star back in April when he first decided to put a ring on it. Hilary Duff & Mike Comrie
Before Mike Comrie asked mama-to-be Hilary Duff to be his blushing bride last year, he reportedly spent $1 million for the sparkler, said to be about 12 to 13 carats. Katy Perry & Russell Brand
Russell Brand also gifted Katy Perry with a ring of about 12 to 13 carats when he proposed last year to MTV's 2011 Artist of the Year. The comedian asked the pop star to marry him while the two were in India. The couple would later re-create that magic when they also married in the country in October 2010. Share your well-wishes for Britney and Jason in the comments!

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Britney Spears' Big 2011: From A Smash Album To A Ring On Her Finger1676352

A decade into her career, the pop megastar reinvented herself this year as the ultimate Femme Fatale and made a big commitment to Jason Trawick.
By Jocelyn Vena


Britney Spears
Photo: Getty Images

Maybe Britney Spears' lucky number is 30. The singer turned 30 this year, marking the landmark birthday on December 2 with a fan-voted MTV News tournament that crowned the Best Britney Video of All Time. But her 30th year also proved to be an incredibly successful period in her career.

For the first time in a while, she seemed comfortable being the pop megastar that she is. More than a decade into her career, Spears re-emerged as a Femme Fatale, giving fans a fist-pumping album, embarking on a flashy tour and dropping more memorable music videos. Britney Spears fandom was reenergized as the singer came out of her shell, opening up about this phase in her career as well her personal life in several high-profile interviews. So it's probably not surprising that Spears will cap off the year at #4 on MTV News' Top Newsmakers of 2011 list, just behind Lil Wayne. "When I was younger, I was busy, busy, and I was always singing and dancing all the time. I was just really creative," she recalled in the MTV special "I Am the Femme Fatale." "That's when my mom realized I'm a really creative person." She let that creativity shine over the past 12 months. From "Hold It Against Me" to "Till the World Ends" to her Chris Marrs Piliero-directed "I Wanna Go" and "Criminal," Britney made headlines every time she dropped a music video. But no vid stirred up as much controversy as her "Criminal" clip, which featured real-life boyfriend (now fiancé) Jason Trawick — and his abs. "At the end of the day, Jason killed it," Piliero told MTV News of Trawick's cameo. "That was one of those things I was really stoked [about], as much as I went into it like, 'Wow, he's not an actor. This is going to be interesting,' but I really do like a challenge, and I really do like the idea that I'm a director and my job is to direct and get the performance. For me, it was a fun challenge to be like, 'I'm gonna make sure that you are awesome,' and he was." Between video shoots, Spears hit the road with the likes of Nicki Minaj, Joe Jonas, and DJ Pauly D. Spears fully embraced her sensuality on the Femme Fatale Tour, a spectacular show full of costume changes, elaborate stage setups and stunning mini-films.

And while much of the 2011 VMA buzz was about Beyoncé's baby bump and Jo Calderone, Spears stole the spotlight by walking away with a Moonman for Best Pop Video and the prized Video Vanguard Award. She also had tongues wagging after an onstage kiss from Jo (a.k.a. Lady Gaga), just before she was honored with an electrifying dance tribute that highlighted some of biggest career moments. "It was really crazy. I had no idea what to expect," Spears told us backstage at the VMAs. "The kids were amazing and so entertaining, and it was a really fun night. It was really cool. I was like, 'Wow, that's really sweet!' " As 2011 came to a close, Spears wrapped up her tour, and MTV News threw her a birthday bash in the form of the "30 Videos for 30 Years" tournament. The competition was heated but in the end, Spears' iconic "I'm a Slave 4 U" took home the prize. And just when it seemed things couldn't get any better, Britney confirmed she was engaged to Trawick after dating for two years. She showed off her Neil Lane ring during a celebratory weekend in Las Vegas. MTV continues our Best of 2011 coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our Best Artists, Best Songs, Best MTV Live Performances and Best EDM Artists of 2011.

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Do Foo Fighters Know Robert Pattinson From Robert Plant?1665146

During band's rehearsal break for Sunday's Movie Awards, we put Foos to the test.
By Ryan J. Downey, with reporting by Jim Cantiello


The Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl
Photo: MTV News

UNIVERSAL CITY, California — Hard rock, heavy metal, hardcore and punk have long gone hand-in-hand with evil wizards, magic, vampires and werewolves. And with a collective sub-cultural pedigree that includes stints in the Germs, No Use for a Name, Sunny Day Real Estate, Scream and some band called Nirvana, you'd think the Foo Fighters — set to perform at Sunday's Movie Awards — would know their "Potter" from their Zeppelin. Certainly they can recognize a "wand" reference and pinpoint its origin?

Right? Before we put MTV News' magically crafted trivia to the band, it seemed safe to assume the Foos would accurately distinguish between the words of Harry Potter, a "Twilight" character and Led Zeppelin. But was their underground nerd cred blown to shreds? Read on — and click the video! — to see how the Foo Fighters fared when we caught up with them on the Universal Studios lot, shortly after they finished rehearsing their Movie Awards performance. Our own Jim Cantiello played dungeon master as Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear were given a series of semi-famous lines and asked whether they originated with "Harry Potter," the "Twilight Saga" or the lyrics of hard-rock pioneers Led Zeppelin. Here's a sampling of a few of those one-liners: » "The elder wand, the most powerful wand ever made." » "Why don't you let me be yours ever truly? Can I make your garden grow?" » "You're lying, Dolores! You mustn't tell lies!" Can you guess whether the lines above came from the "Potter" flicks, "Twilight" or Robert Plant? Watch as the Foos try their best to do exactly that. Then tune in to the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday to catch the Foo Fighters rock the stage with their new single, "Walk." Will wizards, vampires or dream thieves steal the 2011 MTV Movie Awards? Find out June 5, when the 20th annual show airs live at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Tune in at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT that night for the "America's Best Dance Crew" finale and Movie Awards pre-show, loaded with live action from the red carpet, exclusive movie clips and a special edition of "After Hours."

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What's Your Number? Premiere!

The What's Your Number? premiere is tonight in Los Angeles! I have my dress and I'm super excited!

I'm gong to be tweeting live from the red carpet at 6:30 PM PST for US Weekly magazine, so make sure to follow them and me on Twitter:

@usweekly

@karynbosnak

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'The Adventures of Tintin': The Reviews Are In!

Film has been wildly successful overseas, but critics wonder if it's worth the hype.
By Kevin P. Sullivan


"The Adventures of Tintin"
Photo: Paramount

It has already made a killing overseas, but now it's time for "The Adventure of Tintin" to make a splash in the States. Though not as widely known in the U.S., Tintin has the help of two of today's most popular filmmakers, director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson.

The reviews are generally positive for "The Adventures of Tintin," with 75 percent of critics' approval, according to RottenTomatoes.com. We've taken our own sampling of the critical response, so here's a rundown on what they have to say.

The Story
" 'The Adventures of Tintin' derives mainly from three World War II-era books, 'The Crab With the Golden Claws,' 'The Secret of the Unicorn' and 'Red Rackham's Treasure.' These titles mean a great deal to Tintin's European fan base — the film has already made close to a quarter-billion dollars overseas — and less so to the average American multiplex visitor. The script, by Steven Moffat and the team of Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish follows Tintin (who looks either 12, 22 or somewhere in between) and his faithful dog Snowy as they come into possession of a model sailing ship, the Unicorn, containing a clue to the whereabouts of a vast treasure. Kidnapped and bundled on board a steamship commanded by the career alcoholic Capt. Haddock, our boy-man hero becomes the pawn in an age-old duel between Haddock, a good old sot, and the sinister Sakharine." — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

The Performance Capture
"I'm not one of those people with a knee-jerk disdain for motion capture (I enjoyed 'The Polar Express' and loved Jim Carrey in 'A Christmas Carol'), but in 'Tintin,' the technique that renders all that movement so flowing and frictionless also makes the characters come off as if their souls were made of sponge. Is this the 'uncanny valley' — the much-discussed phenomenon whereby motion-capture characters look just human enough so that what's missing from their eyes is subtly disquieting?" — Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

The 3-D
"I was surprised by how much I enjoyed myself. Spielberg not only uses 3-D but bases his story on one of Europe's most beloved comic characters. The 3-D he pulls off, just as Scorsese did in 'Hugo,' because he employs it as an enhancement to 2-D instead of an attention-grabbing gimmick." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Actors
"If the mocap technique falls somewhere between live-action and animated moviemaking, the same goes for the performances, which are altogether fluid yet sometimes (especially in certain dialogue-heavy sequences) give the impression of watching a very realistic video game with the sound turned up a few thousand notches. [Andy] Serkis ('King Kong,' 'The Lord of the Rings') nonetheless manages to turn Haddock into what will surely be the trilogy's most memorable personage, while [Jamie] Bell ('Billy Elliot') makes Tintin about as interesting as he can be, which is to say sometimes less so than his dog." — Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter

The Final Word
"Though the acting is uniformly strong, the story just isn't engrossing, particularly for those not familiar with Tintin comics. There are a few spectacular scenes, such as a biplane flying into a lightning storm and a crash-landing in the Sahara, but the thrills are sporadic. Chases abound but none is breathtaking. ... The much-publicized collaboration between producer Peter Jackson and Spielberg sets high expectations. But while the technical artistry is there, the film lacks a sense of magic, intrigue and mystery." — Claudia Puig, USA Today

Check out everything we've got on "The Adventure of Tintin."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Van Halen Confirm David Lee Roth Reunion Tour

New video shows band reunited with original singer.
By Gil Kaufman


Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

Van Halen fans got the best Christmas present of all over the weekend when the legendary Los Angeles rockers confirmed the long-standing rumor that they will be reuniting for a tour with original madcap lead singer David Lee Roth.

The announcement came via a video released on Monday on the band's official site in which the 57-year-old Roth is seen unleashing some of his classic high-kicking stage moves alongside his former bandmates guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen, as well as the group's current bass player, Eddie's son, Wolfgang.

Photos: Van Halen's early years.

The black and white video shows the band mugging along to their iconic hits "Jump," "Panama" and "Hot for Teacher" amid a shower of confetti and balloons on a club stage. The easy camaraderie belies the infamously testy relationship between Eddie Van Halen and Roth, as the pair seem to be getting along as they run around the stage of the Roxy Theatre on L.A.'s legendary Sunset Strip.

The site promises that the first tickets for the reunion tour will go on sale on January 10.

Van Halen's original bass player and backing vocalist, Michael Anthony, was booted from the band in 2006 after 32 years and replaced by teenager Wolfgang. After parting ways with Roth in 1985, Van Halen rebooted with singer Sammy Hagar in 1985, enjoying a string of hit albums and songs through 1996, when Hagar was shown the door and briefly replaced by former Extreme singer Gary Cherone, who only lasted three years in the slot. After bringing Hagar back in from 2003 to 2005, Van Halen invited Roth back into the fold several years ago and toured with him in 2007 and 2008.

In addition to the tour, the group are working on their first album of new material with Roth in 27 years. They recently signed to Interscope Records after spending their entire career on Warner Bros. Records.

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Rihanna, Usher Added To Grammy Nominations Concert1674539

Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco and the Band Perry also scheduled to perform at November 30 event.
By Jocelyn Vena


Rihanna performs in concert (file)
Photo: WireImage

Rihanna and Usher have been added to the performance lineup for "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," set to go down November 30. They join already announced acts Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco, Sugarland and Jason Aldean. Country crossover act the Band Perry will perform a full concert of their own after the Grammy nominations concert wraps up at L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre. LL Cool J will again host the show, which will air at 10 p.m. on CBS, Billboard.com reports. This marks the fourth year the Recording Academy had held one of these concerts. As some of music's biggest names take the stage during the special, the nominations for major Grammy categories will be announced. The awards ceremony will go down February 12 at the Staples Center, and will air live at 8 p.m. Over the course of her career, Rihanna has taken home four Grammy Awards including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Umbrella," two trophies for "Run This Town" (including Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration) and Best Dance Recording for "Only Girl (In the World)." Rihanna is currently riding high on the forthcoming release of her new album, Talk That Talk, and two buzzworthy singles, "We Found Love" and "You Da One." In the thirteen years he's been nominated for Grammys, Usher has amassed seven, including wins for Best R&B Vocal Performance Male for "U Remind Me," Best R&B Vocal Performance Male for "U Don't Have To Call," Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah," Best Contemporary R&B Album for Confessions, Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo/Group for "My Boo," Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "There Goes My Baby" as well as Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond. Recently, he has been taking over airwaves with his David Guetta track, "Without You."

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Tuesday, December 27, 2011

'We Bought A Zoo': The Reviews Are In!

'It's actually surprisingly charming and more emotionally understated than the material would suggest,' writes AP critic Christy Lemire.
By Kara Warner


Scarlett Johansson and Matt Damon in "We Bought A Zoo"
Photo: 20th Century Fox

After a seven-year hiatus post-"Elizabethtown," writer/director Cameron Crowe is back in action with his new film "We Bought a Zoo." Based on a true story and the book of the same name, Matt Damon stars as Benjamin Mee, a widower who buys a failing zoo in an attempt to reconnect his family after the death of their mother.

The critical masses always seem eager to offer up opinions on any new Crowe feature, and this time around, the likes have edged out the dislikes, earning the film a "Fresh" rating over at Rotten Tomatoes. Without further ado, let's wander through the "We Bought a Zoo" reviews!

The Story and Its Schmaltz Factor
"Sometimes, reacting to a movie is all about the expectations you bring with you walking into it. 'We Bought a Zoo' is about a family that buys a zoo. It's as high-concept as you can get, outside of maybe 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes' or 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,' and it's equally straightforward in wearing its heart on its sleeve. We know to expect this ahead of time because 'We Bought a Zoo' comes from Cameron Crowe, the writer-director of 'Say Anything ...,' 'Jerry Maguire,' 'Almost Famous' and, more recently, the 2005 flop 'Elizabethtown.' We know there will be some poignantly phrased life lessons in store for this family as they struggle to reconnect after the mother's death. The whole exercise could have been agonizingly mawkish, and/or filled with cheap, lazy animal-poop jokes. And yet, it's not. It's actually surprisingly charming and more emotionally understated than the material would suggest. — Christy Lemire, The Associated Press

The Writing and Direction
"Crowe takes a lot of heat for his portrayal of adorable kids, and already there's been a lot of online grousing about the Rosie character [Benjamin's daughter] being a female variant on the aggressively lovable Jonathan Lipnicki in Crowe's 'Jerry Maguire.' What Crowe doesn't get enough credit for is his continuing insight into and empathy with teen characters, and one of the really engaging things about 'Zoo' is how conscious it is in showing the thread between characters who shared an adolescence together (Damon's foil, a frequently sympathetic one, is an older brother played by Thomas Haden Church) and how that contributes to the hard-earned wisdom of characters trying to bridge generational misunderstanding. Which is to say that the scenes between Damon and Ford [Benjamin's teenage son Dylan] are among the best-written (Crowe collaborated on the screenplay with Aline Brosh McKenna) and best-played scenes in the film." — Glenn Kenny, MSN

The Performances
"The ups and downs of survival while hanging on by their fingernails are too linear for spontaneity and the happy ending is nothing short of contrived, but the performances are sincere and Mr. Damon actually seems to be having a ball, giving one of the best and most mature performances of his career. The relationship between Ben, still hiding from the pain of loss, and Kelly [Scarlett Johansson], a 28-year-old animal lover with no personal life, wisely avoids the Hollywood clichés that too often furnish easy solutions for loneliness, while Dylan sees fate in a restorative way when he discovers romance with Kelly's cousin (Elle Fanning, who, like her sister Dakota, is growing from child actor to leading lady with sex appeal faster than a flying bullet). The roles are mere outlines for meatier characters, but Mr. Damon brings a depth of humanity to the zealous but underwritten zoo owner that is guaranteed to inspire confidence." — Rex Reed, The New York Observer

The Final Word, Pro-Con-Pro Style
"Don't confuse the film's modest goals with a lack of gravity. Damon's father-son confrontation with Ford potently disproves that. As Benjamin says, 'all it takes is 20 seconds of insane courage to change your life.' There's a lot of fun waiting at 'We Bought a Zoo,' but it's the feelings that run through every scene that'll make you glad you came." — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"Does 'We Bought a Zoo' jerk tears and warm hearts effectively? Sure, dead moms and fuzzy critters will do that, especially when choreographed by a proud manipulator like Crowe. Perhaps it's churlish to complain about a filmmaker who pours so much — his taste, his tunes, his worldview, his good humor — into each movie. But watching the overlong, overfeeling, overdirected 'We Bought a Zoo' made me glad to return from Cameron Crowe's world to the real world, where things aren't quite so simple." — Dan Kois, Slate.com

"If you see it and you reject the sweetness or you can't hang with the open-hearted nature of the thing, I'm not going to argue with you. But I've seen what naked manipulation looks like, and that's not 'We Bought a Zoo.' It's just a film that wears its emotions right out front, and somehow, Crowe is able to brush aside any thoughts of what people will or won't think and just focus on building those moments that he does so well, those heartbreaking little moments of magic that have been the main currency of his career. Cameron Crowe remains, as always, uncool. And wonderful for it. 'We Bought a Zoo' is lovely, delicate, and absolutely worth seeing with your family this holiday season." — Drew McWeeny, HitFix.com

Check out everything we've got on "We Bought a Zoo."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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