Category: Music

American Idol Judges Announced — They’re Too Famous

I’m still confused about why Fox thinks Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are good ideas for American Idol judges.  The problem last season was that the show became too judge-centered, and the contestants were an afterthought.  The new panel will just further incite that issue.  It’s not possible to have Jennifer Lopez on the judging panel without her stealing the spotlight.  I still maintain that Tommy Mottola would be the better pick, along with a washed-up pop-star that was very famous in her day.  That’s why Paula Abdul worked.  She had the credibility necessary to judge, and she was no longer too famous to divert attention away from the contestants.  Plus, she was a lovable train-wreck, which always made for great entertainment.  None of this matters anyways, because Simon’s Cowell’s X-Factor will trounce American Idol regardless of the judges.  When he launched X-Factor in the UK, Pop Idol (the original hit-show) only lasted one year before getting canned.  I predict the same fate for American Idol.

Vintage David Letterman — A Very Funny Jim Parsons Interview

I have a couple of confessions to make before writing this post.  First, I tricked you with my title.  Jim Parsons’ Letterman interview was taped in May of this year, which is not exactly “vintage,” but I had to think of a clever title to make up for the fact that I missed this great interview when it originally aired.  To assuage my embarrassment, I’d like to remind you that celebrities often wear dresses on the red carpet that they call “vintage,” which basically just means it wasn’t hand-made with them in mind.  Remember Reese Witherspoon’s “vintage” Chanel dress at the Golden Globes, which was actually worn by Kirsten Dunst the year before?  My second confession is that I don’t watch the Big Bang Theory, despite its incredible success.  But after watching the interview below, I might have to start.  Jim Parsons recently picked up an Emmy for his role on the show, which I’m guessing he seriously deserves.  Watch and enjoy!

Buffalo Springfield Reunites — HOORAY!

Buffalo Springfield is reuniting for the first time in 42 years, for a series of Bridge School concerts. Though it originally surprised me that Neil Young even agreed to this, the explanation became clear when I discovered that Young himself actually started the Bridge School concerts with his wife, to raise money for physical handicaps. Young had previously rejected a reunion tour, and he didn’t show up for Buffalo Springfield’s 1977 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and Richie Foray will perform, as two of the original members (Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin) have passed away. I’ve seen Neil Young perform both solo and with his Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young band-mates. Seeing him perform with Buffalo Springfield might make my life complete. If you don’t know who Buffalo Springfield is, before you start to feel ashamed of yourself, I’ve attached their most famous hit below. You will likely recognize it from the Forrest Gump soundtrack.  If you don’t, I can’t help you.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAkjdwsVazQ&feature=related

Sheryl Crow at The Greek — Concert Review

I’m officially in love with Sheryl Crow.  I’ve been a fan since her debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club, but I have never seen her perform live.  She did not disappoint.  Early on in the show she admitted to having the flu, which made the concert more personal, and I found myself wondering if she’d be able to make it through the concert at full steam.  She did.  I was also surprised by the bluesy feel of the show, because I always placed Crow in the pop genre.  But the jazzy riffs blew me away.  At one point Crow said, “I have the greatest band in the world . . . all I have to do is stand up here and shake my ass.”  She’s right.  Had Crow been absent, I still might have enjoyed the show, by listening only to her band’s jam sessions.  Colbie Caillet opened Crow’s show, and she was also great.  Caillet may be another Crow in the making (and not because they both enjoy wearing extremely short shorts).  She’s currently still climbing her learning curve though, because she doesn’t quite look at home on stage yet.  Unlike Crow, she sang her songs exactly as they were on the album, without changing up the melody.  I have a feeling that Caillet is on track to headlining her own shows.  Overall, a fantastic show, and I imagine that Sheryl Crow will spend the rest of the weekend in bed with tea.

Top Romantic Comedies Liked by Men — A List

There’s nothing worse than strong-arming your boyfriend into seeing a romantic comedy with you.  I’m unequivocally opposed, for fear that he’ll retaliate by forcing me to see The Expendables.  Besides, what’s so wrong with having a date night with my gay friends?  Surprisingly, there are in fact some romantic comedies that men enjoy.  I’m often confused by what makes a guy like a romantic comedy.  Most men can’t even articulate why, often grunting the simple sentence, “I like it when it’s good.”  For whatever reason, the men I talk to like the films below.  I am going to make a feeble attempt at an explanation.

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY When Harry Met Sally might be the best romantic comedy in history. There are no bells and whistles, just great writing, great actors, and a great director. A certain someone I know that detests romantic comedies, insists that they are only successful when directed by a man. He’s either sexist . . . or correct. This film was directed by the Rob Reiner, and written by Nora Ephron. Much of the hilarious dialogue is based on both their lives, such as Meg Ryan’s obsessive ordering (which is something Ephron does), or Billy Crystal discussing his failed marriage while doing the wave at a baseball game (which actually happened to Rob Reiner).

LOVE ACTUALLY Once upon a time, when my brother was single, he decided to add romantic comedies to his movie collection, so that when he brought women back into his apartment, he could get them to stay by suggesting a cheesy film. When he called to ask for advice, he told me all my movie suggestions were nauseating, and he’d rather not get laid than watch Dirty Dancing. When left to his own devices, he came up with Love Actually, which is still one of his favorite films of all time.  The reason? I have absolutely no idea, but most men I talk to agree with my brother.

THE NOTEBOOK No man I know likes to admit that he is a fan of The Notebook, but they all are. The story is always the same. Their girlfriends wanted to watch it, and they got guilted in to what they originally thought would be a torturous experience. After the film ends, they’re confused about having liked it, and they never tell their guy friends about it. It’s the worst kept secret of the male species.

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Rumor Alert: Is Mark Salling Fired From Glee?

EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS: The Hollywood rumor mill has put quite the nugget of gold on my doorstep.  I have to look into this further before I tell you it’s a “reliable source,” but I’ve been told that Mark Salling was fired by Ryan Murphy for pursuing “outside musical interests,” in violation of his contract.  Apparently, Salling recorded an album which pissed off the folks over at Glee.  I’m actually praying that I’m wrong about this, because I think Salling is one of the more talented folks on the show.  Story developing . . .

UPDATE: I have more dirt on this that I cannot share, but let’s just say I find it mighty interesting that Puck was absent from last night’s episode of Glee.

Jewel’s In Memoriam Song — The Emmys’ Best Part

You wouldn’t think that the best part of the Emmy’s would be the In Memoriam section — but it was. For one of the first times in the history of the telecast, a live performance took place while the tribute was playing. Jewel sang The Shape of You, which is an unrecorded song that she wrote for a friend who died of cancer. I loved the performance, and it transformed the tribute into something a little more personal. My only complaint is the clapping from the audience while the pictures are flashing. It becomes a morbid competition as to who will be most remembered. I’m guessing the audience was previously informed not to clap, and some asshole seat-fillers didn’t listen. Actually, the seat-fillers probably listened, and the celebrities were likely the assholes. Anyways, listen to Jewel below. I love her.

John Mayer Slams the Word Slam — He’s my Hero

Amidst John Mayer’s war with the Huffington Post, I noticed something worth mentioning.  After using a clever analogy to attack HuffPo’s negligent “fact checking,” he gave them a title for their next post.  Here it is: “JOHN MAYER SLAMS HUFFPO: ” GO F**K YOURSELF!’”  I imagine that the Huffington Post would have actually used that title, had he not beat them to the punch.  I appreciate Mayer giving me an excuse to slam the word “slam,” because it’s a personal pet peeve.  Almost every celebrity tabloid uses it for their title, even if its completely arbitrary.  I conclude that unless “slam” is used in a sexual context, it should be abandoned altogether.  To prove my point, I’ve listed some recent tabloid titles below.

  • Actor Slams Fabricated Affair with Rimes. Popeater
  • Witherspoon Slams Simpson. Teen Hollywood
  • Kristin Chenoweth Slams Newsweek’s Homophobic Article. Just Jared
  • Boy George Slams Lady Gaga Over Cocaine Confession. Pop Crunch
  • Kelly Clarkson Slams Record Label on Stage. Digital Spy
  • Jennifer Aniston Slammed for Using R Word in Interview. New York Post
  • Taylor Momsen Slams Rihanna.  Teens Press

John Mayer Calls Huffington Post: “A Stripper Wearing Reading Glasses”

The world has officially ended when John Mayer starts to make sense.  Mayer is pissed at the Huffington Post for reporting that he is back together with Jennifer Aniston.  Apparently, HuffPo got their story from a recent Mayer concert, where he said some cryptic words on stage, that led to an arbitrary assumption that he was referencing an Aniston reunion.  Mayer explained the real meaning of the quote, and then went on to attack the Huffington Post, for pretending to be something they aren’t.  According to Mayer, he’s fine with Star Magazine and In Touch, because of their definitive tabloid identity, whereas HuffPo is disguised with a high-brow, hard-news image.  And if his stripper analogy didn’t blow your mind, he also called them “an insolvent law student willing to dance for extra dollars.”  Mayer is slowly removing himself from my Hollywood douchebag list.  Keep the analogies coming!

The Daily Dish — Senseless News Review

  • Spencer Pratt is writing a tell-all book about Heidi Montag.  Gossip Cop
  • Marilyn Manson and Evan Rachel Wood broke up.  She Knows
  • Hilary Swank says her marriage to Chad Lowe was successful.  You Tango
  • Jude Law and Sienna Miller bought a house together.  Daily Mail
  • Kat Von D doesn’t think Jesse James will cheat on her.  Star Magazine
  • Christina Aguilera is singing at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs now.  The Grape Juice
  • The CW released the Season 4 trailer for Gossip Girl.  Entertainment Weekly
  • Jenny McCarthy’s new, male model boyfriend is flaunting their relationship on his facebook page.  Facebook
  • Did Brittany Murphy’s mother share a bed with Simon Monjack?  TMZ
  • Sherri Shepherd is taking over for Carnie Wilson as host of The Newlywed Game.  The Futon Critic
  • Betty White signed a book deal.  Examiner
  • Russell Brand and Katy Perry are going to counseling together.  One Wed
  • Taylor Momsen is an asshole.  Pop Dash
  • Naomi Campbell needs to pay her taxes.  Monsters and Critics