There are no limits to Hozier’s talent, and that’s clearly evidenced by his ability to make me like an Ariana Grande song, despite my rabid rage for that pesky pop-tart. Watch below as he performs “Problem” in the Live Lounge for Fearne Cotton and BBC Radio 1.
Nancy Grace v. Dr. Drew: Watch the Crazy Weed Debate
Nancy Grace’s crusade against recreational cannabis use has reached cartoonish proportions, and while I won’t delve deep into my distaste for the drug, even I am capable of calling her out for her outrageous antics. Weed can be harmful, but to quote the gentleman in the video below, “Isolated instances of aberrant behavior,” will not convince anyone of anything. Also, as Dr. Drew rightfully points out, prescription drug abuse is a far greater issue in this country, and no one seems to care. Can Nancy Grace focus on Gun Control instead? Grace is about to date herself out of daytime television. The jig is up.
Bruce Jenner Will Document His Journey — Publicly
Bruce Jenner’s “journey” is the subject of much debate and speculation, and until now — he has yet to address it. TMZ has revealed that Jenner will participate in an E! docu-series about his changing looks, which could make huge strides for the transgender community if it’s in fact true. Watch the video below as Kim Kardashian remains poised and respectful answering media questions regarding her step-father.
http://www.tmz.com/2015/01/28/bruce-jenner-changing-looks-journey-tv-show-documentary-e/
Quote of the Day: David Oyelowo Defends Benedict Cumberbatch
“To attack him for a term, as opposed to what he was actually saying, I think is very disingenuous and is indicative of the age we live in where people are looking for soundbites as opposed to substance.” David Oyelowo on Benedict Cumberbatch’s problematic use of the word “colored” instead of “people of color” in a recent interview.
Young Rising Sons “High” Video — Watch Now
With the success of their single, “High,” Young Rising Sons is on the rise (pun intended). Formed in 2010 and consisting of Andy Tongren (lead singer/guitar), Dylan Scott (lead guitar), Julian Dimagiba (bass) and Steve Patrick (drums), the band signed with Interscope Records in 2014. Listen to “High” below, and click HERE to purchase their EP.
Rashida Jones Called “Tan” at the SAG Awards
When a TNT interviewer at the SAG Awards hilariously told Rashida Jones she looked “tan and tropical, as if she just came off an island,” she responded with poise, professionalism, and humor, saying, “Well you know . . . I’m ethnic.” Rashida is the daughter of famed music mogul Quincy Jones. Watch below.
Kim Kardashian’s Super Bowl Commercial — WATCH NOW
I love a girl with a sense of humor, and Kim Kardashian’s latest Super Bowl commercial severely raised her likability factor. Watch as the selfie diva mused about T Mobile data. Did I mention she finally put down her pencil skirt in favor of a much more flattering ensemble? Looks like she got a second opinion. Enjoy below.
The Bruce Jenner Debate: Transphobia on the Rise?
Many years ago when Perez Hilton ruled the blogosphere, he found great pleasure in outing closeted, famous homosexuals in what Salon appropriately called a “gay witch hunt.” Some of those celebrities included Neil Patrick Harris, Lance Bass, and Wentworth Miller. I use their names in this article because they have since been very public about their sexual preference. Perez justified his bully-tactics with a boast about social change, claiming, “I know there is some controversy about outing people, but I also believe the only way we’re gonna have change is with visibility. And if I have to drag some people screaming out of the closet, then I will. I think that lot of celebrities have an archaic fear that being gay will hurt their career but look at Rosie. Look at Ellen.” The mud-slinging sunk his reputation, and Perez has since made very public pleas for forgiveness. For the record, I no longer read his website, and I severely question his sincerity. It’s easy to to express sadness when your source of income has suffered.
Society has made severe social changes since Perez kicked people out of the closet. Gay marriage is now legal in a majority of states, and the United States Supreme Court is about to decide whether same-sex marriage should be legal on a federal level, which will finally put this bigot-brigade to rest and allow us an opportunity to grieve our history in the same way we do about the world before Loving v. Virginia. But despite the aforementioned social change and objective acknowledgement that “outing” is fundamentally dangerous and irresponsible, there’s still one last group we have yet to respect — and that is the transgender community. When In Touch magazine published a doctored photo of Bruce Jenner dressed as a woman, I found it both shocking and reprehensible. In a world where transgender kids are committing suicide daily, you’d think even a tabloid would take things more seriously. Much like the arguments against Perez, these issues are personal, and if the stories about Jenner are accurate, it is his story to tell — and no one else’s. Grappling with gender identity is a serious issue, and the jokes about Jenner only hurt children engaged in an internal struggle with nowhere to turn. We need more people like Laverne Cox, and it’s clear that despite how far we’ve come, we still have a lot to learn about love, respect, and acceptance.
Tom Petty and Sam Smith Reach Song-Writing Settlement
Sam Smith quietly settled a lawsuit with Tom Petty over “Stay With Me,” with Tom’s team suggesting an undeniable overlap with Full Moon Fever’s “I Won’t Back Down.” Smith’s team acknowledged the similarites but claims it’s simply a coincidence. Petty and co-writer Jeff Lynne have no received a co-writing credit on “Stay With Me,” along with what I presume is a hefty fee. Listen to the tracks below and judge for yourself.
Liam Neeson Covers Cigar Aficionado
Hollywood’s unexpected action star returns this weekend as a Bryan Mills in ‘Taken 3,’ and he talked to Cigar Afionado about his breakout role in Schindler’s List, his action-hero career resurgence, and what he does to escape the limelight. For more, visit Cigar Aficionado.
On his breakout role in Schindler’s List, before he was a household name: “I remember thinking that, if Steven Spielberg thinks I can carry a film, maybe I can.”
On the unexpected success of Taken (which ultimately took in more than $220 million worldwide): “I knew we’d made a good, pacey little European thriller, but I figured that was the end of it…I was totally surprised.”
On film not even being part of the plan in his early days: “I loved movies but I never saw myself being in them. I didn’t even know how you would go about it.”
On how he thinks Hollywood perceives him now: “Hollywood sees me in a different light. I’ve had several scripts come through where I could see that the heroes were meant to be in their mid-30s. But that had been scratched out, so now it said, ‘early 50s.’”
On selecting scripts, whether it’s for newcomers or the giants: “I love writers and writing. I think I’m fairly good at picking up the tone of a script, no matter the genre. But it’s always the writing first for me.”
On itching to get back on the stage: “It doesn’t even have to be Broadway. I’d love to do a play—a new play. Every so often I’m offered a revival, but I’d love to find a new voice, a new piece of writing.”
On being intimidated by Shakespeare roles: “I was always intimidated by Shakespeare. I still am, to a certain extent. It’s the language of course.”
On being reluctant to smoke cigars for a role: “I’d light a cigar for the scene and when the scene was over, I’d say to the props guy, ‘Take this away.’ And Bradley (Cooper) would say, ‘No give, it to me,’ and he’d smoke it.’”
On escaping to his property in upstate NY, where he hikes and enjoys fly-fishing: “There’s nothing like the thrill of casting into a little creek near your own place to see a fish come up to the surface—and he’s going for a fly you made out of a piece of your own hair. It’s one of the great highs in life, that you made something that could catch some creature that’s been around since the Triassic period.”
On advice that’s stuck: “You have to trust the space you’re occupying is enough”