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We break down the potential nominations for the Caped Crusader in The Weekly Rising.
By Kevin P. Sullivan

Christian Bale on the set of “The Dark Knight Rises”
Photo: Getty Images

Believe it or not, when Oscar night 2013 rolls around, Batman could be donning his dress cape and walking the red carpet as a nominee.

Granted, no one has seen Christopher Nolan’s final Batman film, “The Dark Knight Rises,” yet, but it’s not entirely outlandish to imagine it could have a big night at the Academy Awards next year. If Nolan sticks the landing, it could mean an unprecedented amount of awards consideration for the beloved series.

For an enormously successful movie franchise, Nolan’s Batman films have a frighteningly disappointing number of Academy Awards wins and nominations: nine nods, two wins. That’s right: Aside from Heath Ledger’s well-earned Best Supporting Actor award, the only other Oscar for the series was for Best Sound Editing on “The Dark Knight.”

We here at MTV News would love to see the legend end with a dark victory at the Academy Awards, so here are categories where “The Dark Knight Rises” could see nominations — you know, if it’s any good.

Best Cinematography: Wally Pfister
Nolan’s trusted cinematographer has been with him since the very beginning, shooting every major feature for Nolan since his breakout, “Memento.” Pfister won his first Academy Award last year for “Inception,” but for his next collaboration with Nolan, they’re going even bigger. If the prologue is any indication, IMAX’s role in “Rises” will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen, embracing the large format in new and exciting ways. With IMAX getting a push as the new trendy technology to get people into theaters, Pfister and Nolan’s role in embracing the format could spell an Oscar nomination.

Best Original Score: Hans Zimmer
It doesn’t get more ambitious than collecting the chanting of thousands of people around the world and incorporating it into a film’s score. Zimmer’s worldwide vision for his third time scoring a Batman movie could mark his 10th nomination and his second for a Nolan movie. Sadly, a disqualification due to stiff category rules may be likely.

Best Director: Christopher Nolan
If the Academy collectively loves anything, it’s certainly fond of paying old debts. They’ll award artists who should have won years ago (Scorsese), and they’ll award overall achievements (“Return of the King” wins everything). By the end of all this, Nolan will have done something for the ages. He legitimized a genre and restored an American icon to his rightful place. Not only that, he made two (and hopefully three) excellent and ambitious movies. This is the year you reward him for his efforts and heal the wounds of two egregious snubs for “The Dark Knight” and “Inception.”

Best Actor: Christian Bale
Here’s a wonderful fact about the age we live in: A very recent Oscar winner is playing Batman. One of the greatest actors of a generation is playing one of the most iconic heroes of all time. That fact alone at the very least puts Christian Bale in the mix. But knowing Nolan, he’s not just going to put Bale up against a new set of villains, a flaw of the last set of Batman films. He’s going to tell a story about Batman, one that’s going to push the hero and the man playing him to the edge.

Best Picture
Could “The Dark Knight Rises” be the next “Return of the King”? The only problem there is that the Academy nominated each “Lord of the Rings” film individually before the finale won the big prize. Nolan’s Batman films have always found themselves just outside awards consideration, the closest calling coming after “The Dark Knight” in 2009. Many pointed to “The Dark Knight” as a reason for the expansion of the Best Picture category the following year, so with 10 potential nominees now, statistically, it may finally be its year.

What Oscars do you think Nolan’s Batman franchise should have already won? Let me know via Twitter @KPSull!

Check out everything we’ve got on “The Dark Knight Rises.”

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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From Angelina to Madonna, we reflect back on the good and the bad of this season’s awards-show looks. Did your favorites make our countdown?

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Blow

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• Label: RCA
• Director: Chris Marrs Piliero
• Album: Ireland My Ireland

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Album art from Pink Floyd, Blur and David Bowie also included.
By James Montgomery

Photo: Royal Mail

<P>On Thursday (January 7), the U.K.'s Royal Mail unveiled a series of 10 new stamps, honoring the most iconic album covers of the past 40 years. The albums featured in the new series are the <a href="/music/artist/rolling_stones/artist.jhtml">Rolling Stones</a>' <i>Let It Bleed,</i> <a href="/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>'s <i>IV,</i> <a href="/music/artist/bowie_david/artist.jhtml">David Bowie</a>'s <i>The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars,</i> <a href="/music/artist/mike_oldfield/artist.jhtml">Mike Oldfield</a>'s <i>Tubular Bells,</i> <a href="/music/artist/clash/artist.jhtml">The Clash</a>'s <i>London Calling,</i> <a href="/music/artist/new_order/artist.jhtml">New Order</a>'s <i>Power, Corruption and Lies,</i> <a href="/music/artist/primal_scream/artist.jhtml">Primal Scream</a>'s <i>Screamadelica,</i> <a href="/music/artist/pink_floyd/artist.jhtml">Pink Floyd</a>'s <i>The Division Bell,</i> <a href="/music/artist/blur/artist.jhtml">Blur</a>'s <i>Parklife</i> and &#8212; the most recent album on to make the cut &#8212; <a href="/music/artist/coldplay/artist.jhtml">Coldplay</a>'s <i>A Rush of Blood to the Head.</i> Meant to honor "the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people's lives," the series is the end result of a lengthy research process by the Royal Mail, who looked through thousands of album covers by British artists before deciding on the final list. And, during a Wednesday night BBC Radio broadcast, it was revealed that the queen herself actually approved each design. Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page &#8212; who helped design the cover for <i>IV</i> &#8212; was on hand to celebrate the release of the stamps and recalled the mysterious nature of the album's iconic imagery. "Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man who featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him," he said. "That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time." Of course, any great honor is befitting of an equally great contest, so, on the same day the stamps were made available to the general public, Coldplay decided to give one of their <i>Rush of Blood</i> stamps away. In a message on their official site, the band held a contest to send one lucky fan "a letter using a Coldplay stamp, postmarked with today's issue date." "We visited our local post office earlier today and bought some of the Coldplay stamps," the message read. "Very nice they are too."</p>

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Amid rumors that Spears will appear on Madge’s ‘Girls Gone Wild,’ MTV News looks back at their history together.
By Jocelyn Vena

Photo: Jason Merritt/ FilmMagic

<P>Could it be that <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/madonna/artist.jhtml">Madonna</a> has enlisted her pal <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> for <a href="/news/articles/1678197/madonna-mdna-album.jhtml"><i>MDNA</i></a>? </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:623135.id:1657989" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Well, according to a leaked album jacket, it seems that Spears is making an appearance on the album's lead track, "Girls Gone Wild." This would mark the second collaboration on the album. Madonna nabbed Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for the album's first single, <a href="/news/articles/1678478/madonna-give-me-all-your-luvin-video.jhtml">"Give Me All Your Luvin'."</a> While the leaked jacket, which appeared on Britney fansite <a href="http://www.breatheheavy.com/2012/02/britney-on-new-madonna-album/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed" target="_blank">Breatheheavy.com</a>, can't be confirmed as authentic, a rep for Madge had no comment about the rumor, neither confirming nor denying it. Meanwhile, a rep for Spears never returned MTV News' request for comment. This is hardly the first time that the two ladies have worked together. In fact, they have quite a history with each other. The duo kicked off their nearly decade-long friendship at the 2003 VMAs when, in case you hadn't heard, they <a href="/news/articles/1669706/britney-spears-mtv-vma-history.jhtml">shared an onstage kiss</a> while performing together. It was the kiss seen and heard around the world, and nearly 10 years later it is still often talked about as one of the most memorable moments in the show's storied history. After they shared that smooch, Spears was inspired to get the Queen of Pop on her lead <i>In the Zone</i> single, <a href="/news/articles/1658075/britney-spears-me-against-the-music.jhtml">"Me Against the Music."</a> "I was in the middle of rehearsals for the VMAs and I played her the song, and she was like, 'That's your first single, right?' " Britney recalled in a vintage interview with MTV. "I was like, 'Yeah, hopefully.' She was like, 'I really like it.' I was like, 'Really?' I was like, 'Well, you wanna do it with me?' She said, 'Yeah.' " They later appeared together in the warehouse-set video with one another, playing a pop star cat-and-mouse game that featured a near kiss. Five years later, as Spears was prepping her return to the pop spotlight, she appeared <a href="/news/articles/1598804/britney-spears-justin-timberlake-appear-onstage-with-madonna.jhtml">onstage with Madonna</a> during a Sticky &amp; Sweet Tour stop at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The singer hit the stage with the pop icon to perform "Human Nature" by her side. That same year, Madonna appeared in <a href="/news/articles/1600361/britney-spears-talks-breakups-breakdowns-in-for-the-record.jhtml">Spears' documentary, "For the Record,"</a> where she spoke about the younger singer. "I admire her as an artist," the Material Girl said, adding that she sees a lot of herself in Spears. In 2011, as Spears was prepping the release of her album <i>Femme Fatale,</i> in an <a href="/news/articles/1659522/britney-spears-plastic-surgery-out-magazine.jhtml">interview with <i>Out</i> magazine</a>, she noted that she truly admires her friend. "Madonna. No question. She is an amazing entertainer," she said when asked whose career she most would want to emulate. As Madonna preps the release of <i>MDNA</i> in March, Spears is also the topic of conversation in a recent interview with her. When asked by ABC News what it was like to smooch the pop princess, she commented, "Nice moment, good kisser. Cool," she said, clarifying that she wouldn't do it again. "No, I already did it. I don't like to repeat myself." Well, perhaps a kiss would be "reductive" (her word, not ours), but it seems given the love that Madge and Spears fans have for the two pop stars, they wouldn't mind them cooking up some musical magic. The track, "Girls Gone Wild," was teased in a megamix that dropped last week and it certainly feels like it would lend itself to both Madonna and Brit's musical sensibilities: It's fist-pumpingly dance-y, sexy and all about going out and having a good time, with Madge proclaiming, "Girls, they just want to have some fun/ Get fired up like a smoking gun/ On the floor till the daylight comes/ Girls, they just want to have some fun." <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:728690/cp~id%3D1672718%26vid%3D728690%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A728690%26instance%3Dmtv" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></center> <i>What would you think of a new Britney Spears/ Madonna collabo? Leave your comment below!</i></p>

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MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Saddest Celebrity Breakups

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Criminal

• Artist: Britney Spears
• Label: RCA
• Director: Chris Marrs Piliero

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My sister recently had a talk with my four-year-old nephew Jack about strangers. Here’s how it went:

SISTER: Now, Jack, if a stranger says, “Come here, I want to show you something,” what do you do?

JACK: I turn around and run!

SISTER: If a stranger says, “Come here, I want to give you some candy,” what do you do?

JACK: I turn around and run!

SISTER: If a stranger says, “Come here, I want to show you my puppy,” what do you do?

JACK: Oh, I love puppies…

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/7/26/stranger-danger.html

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First single from Trent Reznor/ Atticus Ross soundtrack is Karen O cover of Led Zeppelin song.
By Gil Kaufman

Rooney Mara in "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Photo: Giles Keyte/Columbia Pictures

<P>You kind of can't go wrong when the soundtrack you've put together for one of the most eagerly anticipated literary adaptations in years kicks off <a href="/music/artist/yeah_yeah_yeahs/artist.jhtml">Yeah Yeah Yeahs</a> singer Karen O's take on <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>'s "Immigrant Song." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:693384" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Fans heard the throbbing industrial take on the rock classic cooked up by former Nine Inch Nails mastermind and O when a trailer for the David Fincher-directed "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" leaked back in May. And on Thursday, Oscar-winning industrial-rocker-turned-film composer Reznor and musical partner Atticus Ross unveiled the full track list for their "Tattoo" score album. The follow-up to their award-winning "The Social Network" score was a labor of love, according to a <a href="http://nin.com/?id=102677" target="_blank">post</a> Reznor put up on the NIN site on Thursday announcing the disc. "For the last fourteen months Atticus and I have been hard at work on David Fincher's 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,' " he wrote about the American version of the tale of pierced and punished hacker <a href="/news/articles/1655879/rooney-mara-dragon-tattoo.jhtml">Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara)</a> and her muckraking journalist compatriot <a href="/news/articles/1667542/daniel-craig-rooney-mara-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.jhtml">Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig)</a>. "We laughed, we cried, we lost our minds and in the process made some of the most beautiful and disturbing music of our careers. The result is a sprawling three-hour opus." The album will be released on iTunes on December 9 in two versions. Right now, you can download the Karen O song on iTunes when you pre-order the 39-track album. That download purchase will also give you a link to the <a href="/news/articles/1675297/girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-trailer-extended.jhtml">eight-minute "Dragon Tattoo" trailer</a>, for which Reznor and Ross created a unique score. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:674399" width="240" height="211"></div><p> But, if you visit the <a href="http://www.nullco.com/GDT/usd.php" target="_blank">NIN online store</a>, Reznor is offering the soundtrack in a variety of forms, from a free six-track sampler to a deluxe 3,000-piece limited-edition signed $300 package with your choice of MP3 formats; the full album on six pieces of 180 gram vinyl; a deluxe book package with a metal cover; an exclusive custom 8 GB metal razor blade USB drive pendant containing the full album; and a fold-out poster. The full album score track list is as follows: <br> <b>&#187;</b> "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin cover) [ft. Karen O]<br> <b>&#187;</b> "She Reminds Me of You"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "People Lie All the Time"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Pinned and Mounted"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Perihelion"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "What If We Could?"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "With the Flies"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Hidden in Snow"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "A Thousand Details"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "One Particular Moment"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "I Can't Take It Anymore"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "How Brittle the Bones"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Please Take Your Hand Away"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Cut Into Pieces"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "The Splinter"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "An Itch"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Hypomania"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Under the Midnight Sun"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Aphelion"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "You're Here"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "The Same as the Others"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "A Pause for Reflection"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "While Waiting"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "The Seconds Drag"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Later Into the Night"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Parallel Timeline With Alternate Outcome"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Another Way of Caring"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "A Viable Construct"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Revealed in the Thaw"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Millennia"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "We Could Wait Forever"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Oraculum"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Great Bird of Prey"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "The Heretics"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "A Pair of Doves"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Infiltrator"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "The Sound of Forgetting"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Of Secrets"<br> <b>&#187;</b> "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" (Bryan Ferry cover) <b>Check out everything we've got on <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/456914/moviemain.jhtml">"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."</a> For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more &#8212; updated around the clock &#8212; visit <a href="http://moviesblog.mtv.com/">MTVMoviesBlog.com</a>.</b></p>

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Miley Cyrus‘ evening attending Oscar parties with her boyfriend, actor Liam Hemsworth, was nearly ruined after receiving death threats on Twitter. Miley had received mean [...]

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Although Sacha Baron Cohen has remained mum on the recent controversy about his planned appearance at the Oscars, his alter-ego from The Dictator certainly hasn’t.

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Our experts pick the best-dressed at the 2012 Academy Awards.
By Christina Garibaldi

Emma Stone arrives at the 84th Annual Academy Awards montage
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

Oscar night isn’t only a huge event for the world of movies; it’s also a big night for fashion. Over the years, it has become known as the hottest runway show of the year, with the top designers clamoring to get their dresses on the night’s nominees, hoping to win a spot on the coveted best-dressed list.

On Sunday night (February 26), all eyes were on the actresses working the red carpet, and they did not disappoint. There were pops of color on the carpet, but the big trend of the night seemed to be ladies in white. Gwyneth Paltrow looked glamorous in a white one-shoulder Tom Ford gown with a matching wrap.

MTV Style picks their best-dressed at the Oscars.

“From what I saw walking down the carpet, Gwyneth Paltrow looked amazing in Tom Ford,” Janell Snowden of VH1 told MTV News. “She was in the color of the night, which was white.”

Rooney Mara, a Best Actress nominee for “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” traded in her typical black garb for elegant white, wearing a lace Givenchy gown with a plunging back.

“I did think a lot about what I was going to wear; it’s a long process,” Mara told MTV News. “I like to wear white also. I wanted to mix it up. This just happened to be the most beautiful dress, that’s why I wore it.”

MTV Style expert Mary H.K. Choi agreed that Mara wowed in her Oscar ensemble. “White was a huge trend on the red carpet tonight, and this stark, architectural Givenchy looked absolutely surreal against the phosphorescence of her alabaster skin,” Choi said. “She looked just pristine, and the fact that her impossibly shiny, jet-black hair was in a tight bun with blunt bangs really anchored the look. She dresses with a certain severity, given her young age, but I’m a huge fan.”

Of course, it wasn’t just the ladies in white who stole the show. “The Help” star Emma Stone turned heads in a stunning red Giambattista Valli gown.

“I just loved this dress. There were titterings on Twitter about how people either loved or hated the bow, but I thought a dramatic, festive accent at the neckline looked stunning and complemented the side sweep of her red hair,” Choi said. “A risk, definitely, but I think it absolutely paid off.”

Stone’s co-star Jessica Chastain also made a lasting impression on her first Oscar red carpet. Chastain, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, shined on the carpet in a black and gold Alexander McQueen gown.

“This is a big moment — probably it’s the biggest moment of my life — so I needed a dress that was a big-moment dress,” Chastain told MTV News. “It’s McQueen, and the embroidery and the way it fits — to me, this dress is how I’m feeling right now.”

Share your favorite Oscar red-carpet looks on our Facebook page. Track all the Oscar Fashion at MTV Style and come back every day for the latest fashion news.

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night’s big winners and the best red-carpet fashion. Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.

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2010 American Music Awards Red Carpet

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Willow Smith is showing off her bald dome once again.

Earlier this month, the 11-year old daughter of Will and Jada shaved her head, posting a photo of Twitter with the simple caption: Dance your feelings out.

Now, the singer is up to more of the same. She made the following picture live last night, giving us a look at her VERY short, blonde hair and including the message: Nerds rule. What do you think of the look?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/02/willow-smith-nerds-bald-heads-rule/

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I’m here! I’m here! And I saw my first gang-banger get arrested yesterday so I feel like a total Angeleno.

I’m getting ready to go to the gym (again, like a total Angeleno!) so I will update later about my run-ins with Alexander Skarsgard, Pauly Shore, and Jeremy or Jason London (I’m not sure which one it was and seeing if I could force him to do drugs to find out seemed unfair. Besides, as it turned out, he was telling the truth?)

Anyhoo, I’ve got a lot to tell you about gardening! (Did you know if you get dirt wet it turns into mud? Yuck.)

And bumpers! (They don’t bump off anything… they go, “Scraaaaaaaatch!”)

And there’s probably more but, again, I have to go because I have to get to the gym!

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/6/9/los-angeles.html

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We look at some of the comedian’s exploits, including his interaction with Ryan Seacrest on the Oscars red carpet.
By Kevin P. Sullivan

Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen at the 84th Annual Academy Awards
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

If Sacha Baron Cohen‘s arrival on the 2012 Oscars red carpet as the Dictator surprised you, you must not be familiar with the comedian known for big, awkward stunts. Baron Cohen has made a career of stunts like the one he “performed” tonight at the Academy Awards.

Here is our rundown of Sacha Baron Cohen’s best stunts.

Oscars Red Carpet
It took a lot of fighting, but after having his tickets revoked, Baron Cohen was allowed to walk the red carpet as his totalitarian alter ego General Aladeen, and he made it count. Almost as if to make the Academy sorely regret letting him on, Baron Cohen spilled the supposed ashes of late North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il onto E! host Ryan Seacrest. Leave it to Baron Cohen to take a mile after the Academy gave him an inch.

2009 MTV Movie Awards
An important lesson taken from the 2009 MTV Movie Awards was that if you’re going to mess with Eminem, make sure you get his approval in advance. Baron Cohen did that before appearing as Brüno, from his movie of the same name, at the Movie Awards. Wearing angel wings and flying above the crowd, the comedian came crashing down with his butt landing directly in Eminem’s face.

Interviewing Ron Paul
It’s hard to imagine that anyone could honestly be fooled by one of Baron Cohen’s many characters after years of pranking unsuspecting targets, but presidential candidate Ron Paul found himself in Brüno’s crosshairs. Paul sat down for an interview with the supposed Austrian journalist, but things quickly turned inappropriate. In the aftermath of the encounter, Paul admitted that he probably should have punched Baron Cohen.

Paris Fashion Week
It wasn’t the first time that security had to escort Baron Cohen out of an event, but it was certainly one of the most public. In 2008, Baron Cohen showed up to Fashion Week in Paris as Brüno and, as usual, made quite the scene. The disturbance was enough to make security force Baron Cohen out of Stella McCartney’s fashion show.

“Borat” Premiere
When it comes to premieres and red-carpet events, Baron Cohen definitely knows how to make an entrance. For the Toronto premiere of his first feature film, “Borat,” Baron Cohen arrived as the title character in a carriage pulled by a team of women. It was a move only Baron Cohen could have gotten away with and one that will certainly be remembered.

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night’s big winners and the best red-carpet fashion. Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.

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2011 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet

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‘The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)’ debuted on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Monday morning.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber in "Mistletoe"
Photo: Island Def Jam

<P>On November 1, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> will take his fans <a href="/news/articles/1672827/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe.jhtml"><i>Under the Mistletoe</i></a> on his holiday album. But he's giving them an early treat by releasing his <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> duet, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," on Monday (October 24). </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="id:1672718" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The song dropped on Ryan Seacrest's <a href="http://ryanseacrest.com/2011/10/24/usher-premieres-duet-with-justin-bieber-chestnuts-over-an-open-fire-audio/" target="_blank">radio show</a>. Its vibe is reminiscent of '90s R&B tracks, and it sounds a lot like it could have been recorded by Boyz II Men, who also appear on the album. The Christmas classic is all about the little joys of the holiday season, including the family get-togethers, the food and Santa bringing presents to children. The song, one of the classics that appears on the album, hits iTunes on Monday. Bieber and Usher previously appeared together on "Somebody to Love" off <i>My World 2.0.</i> "Justin and I did the classic record 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.' This record is going to be remembered for years to come," Usher told Seacrest on Monday morning. "It's a record that has always been one of my favorites, and I'm happy that I was able to share it with Justin, and for us to put it out. The album is full of surprises. Justin's <i>Under the Mistletoe</i> is going to be incredible!" In the lead-up to the release, Bieber <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/justinbieber/status/128163827832467456" target="_blank">released</a> some behind-the-scenes footage of his mentor and him in the studio working on the song. He also shared that he had another surprise in store for his fans. Just one week after dropping the video for "Mistletoe," he <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/justinbieber/status/128479978106003456" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, "Up early to shoot another video for #UNDERTHEMISTLETOE #Nov1st but something else is out this morning…." In addition to Usher, <i>Under the Mistletoe</i> will also feature appearances from the Band Perry, Busta Rhymes, Boyz II Men and <a href="/news/articles/1672767/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe-mariah-carey.jhtml">Mariah Carey, who re-recorded</a> her classic "All I Want for Christmas" for the album. <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:700933/cp~vid%3D700933%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A700933" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></center></p>

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Your Love Is My Drug

• Artist: Ke$ha
• Label: RCA
• Director: Honey
• Album: Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1928-1930)

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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

<P>After <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> confirmed her <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">engagement to longtime beau Jason Trawick</a> last Friday, fans wanted to know everything about the ring, a four-carat diamond designed by Neil Lane. Trawick &#8212; Brit's former agent &#8212; popped the question after working with famed jeweler Lane on the design, according to <a href="http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2011/12/18/jason-trawick-britney-spears-engagement-ring" target="_blank">People.com</a>. 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 fianc&#233;'s birthday. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "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 &#8212; 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 <a href="/news/articles/1676192/britney-spears-engaged-k-fed-comments.jhtml">ex Kevin Federline</a> popped the question back in 2004, the former back-up dancer gave the pop princess a five-carat diamond <a href="http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150527,00.html" target="_blank">ring</a>. All this talk about rocks got us thinking about some other celebrity proposals, so we decided to spotlight a few memorable engagement rings. <big><b>Kim Kardashian &amp; Kris Humphries</b></big><br> When it comes to size, Spears' ring from Trawick is small compared to <a href="/news/articles/1664525/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-engagement.jhtml">Kim Kardashian's monster-size rock</a>. 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 <a href="/news/articles/1673465/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-divorce-statement.jhtml">split after 72 days</a> of marriage. <big><b> Beyonc&#233; &amp; Jay-Z</b></big><br> Like Humpdash, Jay-Z, who is expecting his first <a href="/news/articles/1669849/beyonce-pregnant-vmas.jhtml">child with wife Beyonc&#233;</a>, 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. <big><b>Kristin Cavallari &amp; Jay Cutler</b></big><br> While it has been a bumpy engagement for former "Hills" star <a href="/news/articles/1675147/kristin-cavallari-jay-cutler-engaged-again.jhtml">Kristin Cavallari and her football player</a> fianc&#233; Jay Cutler, the couple announced they were engaged <i>again</i> 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. <big><b> Hilary Duff &amp; Mike Comrie </b></big><br> Before Mike Comrie asked <a href="http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/02/24/hilary-duffs-giant-engagement-ring-details-emerge">mama-to-be Hilary Duff</a> to be his blushing bride last year, he reportedly spent $1 million for the sparkler, said to be about 12 to 13 carats. <big><b>Katy Perry &amp; Russell Brand</b></big><br> <a href="/news/articles/1629130/katy-perry-engaged-to-russell-brand-rep-confirms.jhtml">Russell Brand also gifted Katy Perry</a> with a ring of about 12 to 13 carats when he proposed last year to <a href="/news/articles/1676073/best-artists-of-2011-katy-perry.jhtml">MTV's 2011 Artist of the Year</a>. 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. <i>Share your well-wishes for Britney and Jason in the comments!</i></p>

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From Justin and Selena to Justin and Jessica, MTV News takes a look at the hottest couples from the 2011 Academy Awards.
By Jocelyn Vena

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Photo: Craig Barritt/ Getty Images

The Academy Awards happen to be one of the most glamorous nights of the year, filled with over-the-top acceptance speeches and crazy-expensive couture. It can also serve as the glitziest date night for some of the most famous people in the world. With this year’s Oscars only days away, we decided to take a look back at last year’s show and remember some of the most dazzling couples to hit the Oscar scene.

A very pregnant Natalie Portman took the stage on Oscars night last year to accept her prize for Best Actress for her role in “Black Swan.” In between “thank you’s” for the Academy, her family and her fellow nominees, she also thanked her main man, and the father of her son, ballet dancer Benjamin Millepied.

“I want to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to work from such an early age [and] my beautiful love, Benjamin, who has now given me my most important role of my life,” she told the room. “Most importantly, my family, my friends and my love, thank you so much.”

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez looked like the young A-listers they are when they arrived at the annual Vanity Fair Oscar party, arm in arm. The night was filled with nuzzling, schmoozing and being in love. It also served as the most high-profile appearance the two had made in their time as a couple.

Another Justin and his lady love also dazzled at the same bash. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel chilled at the party, looking stunning in high-end fashion. The two may have broken up not long after the fete, but the photo remained a reminder of their often-speculated-about romance, before they got back together — and reportedly got engaged — later in 2011.

“True Blood” stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer looked like the grown-up version of Justin and Selena (both guys donned formal wear and both ladies wore blood red).

James Franco and Anne Hathaway may not have been romantically involved, but they were certainly trying their best to romance Oscar viewers as co-hosts. While Hathaway brought her high-energy theater-kid charm to the show, Franco opted for the type of charm we might expect from his “Freaks and Geeks” character Daniel Desario: low-key and a bit confused.

Who will be the biggest couples at the 2012 Oscars? Let us know in the comments!

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Stick with us for everything you need to know leading up to the awards show, and on Sunday, February 26, tune into MTV.com at 5 p.m. ET for our two-and-a-half-hour red-carpet live stream and updates on the night’s big winners. To join the live conversation, tweet @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.

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Meeting ‘Mrs. Bieber,’ a 6-year-old fan battling cancer, ‘one of the best things I have ever done,’ teen superstar tweets.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber visits a 6-year-old fan battling cancer
Photo: MSNBC

<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> spent the day before Valentine's Day with a special girl. No, he wasn't with his lady love, Selena Gomez &#8212; instead he visited Monday with a 6-year-old Belieber, Avalanna Routh, who is suffering from an aggressive form of cancer. In a photo posted to his <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/justinbieber" target="_blank">Twitter account</a>, Bieber is seen hanging out with the young fan, dubbed "Mrs. Bieber." And the experience seems to have really affected him. "Hangin out with a special little girl. #MrsBieber," he tweeted about the meeting. "That was one of the best things i have ever done. She was AWESOME! Feeling really inspired now! #MrsBieber." <object width="420" height="245" id="msnbc51c8a7" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=46379783&amp;width=420&amp;height=245" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed name="msnbc51c8a7" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=46379783&amp;width=420&amp;height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object> Avalanna's dream came true after her family started a Facebook campaign for her to meet Bieber, which, along with her pretend marriage to the teen superstar, was reported by a Boston-area news outlet. When the always-charitable Bieber caught wind of the marriage and her family's efforts, the <a href="http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/46379783#46379783" target="_blank">"Today" show</a> reports, he flew Avalanna and her family to New York. The 6-year-old, whose "marriage" to Bieber was orchestrated by the charity the Jimmy Fund, has had an incredibly rare form of cancer called AT/RT since she was a baby. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:712657" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "Got some really great ideas from today. ways to #giveback. #MrsBieber really inspired me. Really," he said, adding, "BEST PART OF MY DAY." Bieber is involved with several charities through his <a href="/news/articles/1673555/justin-bieber-believe-charity-drive.jhtml"><i>Believe</i> charity drive</a>, including <a href="/news/articles/1674628/justin-bieber-new-york-city.jhtml">Pencils of Promise</a>, the organization started by Adam Braun, brother of his manager Scooter, that builds schools for children around the world. The pop star also made headlines recently when he tweeted about a fan who needed an <a href="/news/articles/1677905/justin-bieber-organ-donor.jhtml">organ donation</a>, skyrocketing registrations at the Trillium Gift of Life Network donor bank in Ontario, Canada.</p>

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We ADORE seeing the two of them back together!
As we’ve reported, Alicia Silverstone and her Clueless co-star, Jeremy Sisto, have reunited for the latter’s new comedy Suburgatory, as she’s guest-starring in the season’s final four episodes, and the two were snapped on set together recently by creator Emily Kapnek!
Ch-ch-check them out (above)!
As Kapnek said in [...]

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Sacha Baron Cohen’s ‘Dictator’ stunt has us wishing we could see Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Johnny Depp in costume.
By Gil Kaufman

Johnny Depp in “Dark Shadows”
Photo: Warner Bros

“The Dictator” has spoken. After a flap erupted over Sacha Baron Cohen‘s plans to walk the red carpet at Sunday’s Oscars in the character of Admiral Gen. Shabazz Aladeen, the leader of the fictional Republic of Wadiya, the comedian responded by issuing a stern warning to the “Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Zionists.”

And while the fake war of words is all in good fun (and publicity), it got us thinking: What if some of Hollywood’s other biggest stars decided to ride Cohen’s medal-bedecked coattails and use movie’s biggest night to drum up a bit of hype for their projects?

And so, we give you our wish list of other characters we hope to see come to life once the flashbulbs start popping on Sunday afternoon.

Brad Pitt: We haven’t seen any glimpses of what the “Moneyball” star looks like in his potentially franchise-spawning zombie flick “World War Z,” but how refreshing would it be to see Hollywood’s prettiest face (sorry Angelina, we meant second prettiest) take a stroll with his best gal with flesh dripping off his mug?

Jonah Hill: Speaking of Pitt, his “Moneyball” co-star Hill could leave the tux at home and totally break convention by donning a white T-shirt, fake braces, bleach-blond wig, backpack and baggy jeans to promote his upcoming upcoming turn in “21 Jump Street.” Or he could just wear that short-shorts cop getup. Hot!

Angelina Jolie: As long as Brad’s doing it, Angie might as well get her evil princess “Maleficent” on. Or better yet, get the buzz machine going again for that by donning full regalia and being carried in by a procession of armor-wearing footmen.

Johnny Depp: We’re not saying the cowboy suit and mask from “The Lone Ranger” wouldn’t be amazing, but can you imagine the long fingernails, pasty makeup and badass green trench coat/ purple fedora look from “Dark Shadows”?

Lindsay Lohan: She turns heads either way, but Lohan emerging from a limo dressed as Oscar royalty Elizabeth Taylor would slay.

Owen Wilson: Nothing could get the buzz going for the long-rumored “Zoolander 2″ reboot than “Midnight in Paris” star Wilson slipping into the Hansel duds and Ben Stiller pulling out some Blue Steel as his date.

And it’s not just upcoming movies that these actors could use as hooks to play dress-up. Since many of them get back-end and maybe even DVD cash, why not toss in one more plug for the current movies as well? That might result in famed motion-capture star Andy Serkis putting on the mo-cap suit from “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” Rooney Mara spiking up her hair and slipping into something bondage-y to reprise her “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” character Lisbeth Salander or the cast of “Bridesmaids” taking one more trip down the aisle in those awful pink dresses.

Hell, George Clooney is notorious for pranks, so if he appeared in flip-flops, baggy chinos and a Hawaiian shirt to give a plug to “The Descendants,” nobody would bat an eyelash. And can you imagine the cast of “The Artist” painting themselves up in all monochromatic black and white to throw off the HD cameras? Classic.

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Stick with us for everything you need to know leading up to the awards show, and on Sunday, February 26, tune into MTV.com at 5 p.m. ET for our two-and-a-half-hour red-carpet live stream and updates on the night’s big winners. To join the live conversation, tweet @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.

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After 11 season, this faithful viewer might be trading ‘Idol’ in for new models ‘The X Factor’ and ‘The Voice.’
By Gil Kaufman

Ryan Seacrest with the top 24 of “American Idol”
Photo: Fox

I’m a loyalist at heart. Back in the day, I watched “The X Files,” the original “Beverly Hills, 90210″ and “The O.C.” until the bitter end, convincing myself that my patience would be rewarded well after the shark had jumped.

But after slogging through another interminable pair of “American Idol” cut-down episodes Wednesday and Thursday, I think I’m finally throwing in the towel.

I’ve been there since episode one with “Idol,” reveling in the joy of Kelly Clarkson’s win, cheering Ruben Studdard to his well-deserved crown and scratching my head when clearly inferior champs like Taylor Hicks, Lee DeWyze and Kris Allen took the top prize.

Just a week before the season 11 live shows start, though, “Idol” has lost me, perhaps for good. The bottom line is that the show just feels like it’s on auto-pilot, from the bored looks on the faces of celebrity judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez to the predictable plotlines and not-so-clever editing tricks intended to keep our interest up through the early rounds.

It was bad enough a few weeks ago when an entire episode of the group rounds went by without any discernible footage of, you know, singing. The biggest plot point that week was the exploitation of a sick teenage girl passing out and falling off the stage, which was used as a cruel cliffhanger.

On Wednesday night, we got yet another rehash of the previous audition rounds along with mostly truncated looks at the singer’s final Las Vegas performances (most of which were bland, if not downright boring) before they had to make the long walk to the judgment chairs. Thursday night was more of the same. Sole original judge Randy Jackson seemed to run out of creative ways to torture the painfully eager singers with purposely vague platitudes about how hard it is to cut them at this point, purposely mangling his words to keep them on the edge of confusion.

Watching this spectacle, I just asked myself, “Do I even care if Heejun Han or Reed Grimm make it?” “Do I need to see Jermaine Jones cry again?” “Who is Chase Likens and why haven’t I even seen him up until now?”

In my long experience with “Idol” and writing about music, none of them seem like winner material, in the same way that such paint-by-numbers soul mamas like Jen Hirsch, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Shannon Magrane and stage mom’d Brielle Von Hugel fail to excite. And making Adam Brock — a weepy white dad who brags about singing like a black woman while using his dead grandfather’s handkerchief as a pity prop at every turn — a cliffhanger for Thursday night’s episode just seems pointless. This guy has no chance to win, and if he does, well, “Idol” has way bigger problems.

In fact, the only contestant in the mix at this point who seems even halfway relevant in today’s music biz is skunk-mohawked former castoff Colton Dixon, but he hasn’t gotten nearly as much love as Phil Phillips, whose twitchy Dave Matthews impersonation has already grown unbearably irritating. Even 15-year-old Eben Franckewitz seems promising, but I can already tell his “story line” will be that despite lots of experience on the musical-theater stage, the judges are going to hammer him for his nerves.

Before Wednesday night’s episode aired, I was already firmly in line with Entertainment Weekly columnist Mark Harris, who wrote an opinion piece in the February 24 issue about how he was switching sides. “The opening weeks of ‘Idol’ traffic in humiliation and tears — the neediness of the young, desperate to be extracted from the mob; the familiar weariness of the judges; the talentless clowns pimped as sneerworthy sideshows,” he wrote. “But the opening weeks of ‘The Voice’ are about hope and discovery.”

In essence, he said, we’re at a tipping point where NBC’s upstart show is winning the race not by copying the template of “Idol,” but by purposely running in the other direction. The “Voice” judges are relevant musicians of today from varying genres with a sharp, entertaining rapport that crackles and brings a fresh energy to the show. That show starts from day one with good to great singers from varying backgrounds, singing mostly contemporary chart hits, who are eager to get help from those who are still charting today. Meanwhile, the “Idol” judges are riding the fumes of their fading careers as they continue to struggle to apply their hard-earned lessons in the music biz to mostly teenage strivers who can’t relate to their mother or father’s favorite singers.

The leading contestants so far this year on “Idol” fall into two or three predictable camps: overreaching, throwback R&B belters, quirky imitators of no-longer-relatable stars or ultra-twangy country gals. Where are the edgy R&B divas like Rihanna? The cute boy singers like Justin Bieber? The hip-hop-influenced Drake wannabes? Hell, where are the Carrie Underwoods who can deftly mix pop and country? “The X Factor” and “The Voice” eagerly embrace singers of every color, style and persuasion. So are you telling me that there was not one woman of color out of the tens of thousands who auditioned worthy of the semifinal round? Have we become a nation of (almost exclusively) blond, female Mariah/Christina copycats?

Just look at the talent that has already been signed in the wake of the first “Factor” season: a legitimately powerful soul diva in winner Melanie Amaro, a fascinating redemption story in rapper/crooner Chris Rene, contemporary R&B singer Marcus Canty, white blues man Josh Krajcik, high school cutie Rachel Crow and buzzed-about teen rapper Astro, any one of whom could legitimately blow up.

Meanwhile, the first 24 semifinalists put through by “Idol” this week are almost without exception as blandly interchangeable (and old-fashioned) as Lopez’s spangly tops. And the “surprise” extra boy to be named later is one of the most tired tropes in the “Idol” dream factory bag of tricks.

Sure, it’s very early in the process and nobody knows what could happen. But if you recall, even in the audition stage it was already clear that eventual season-eight runner-up Adam Lambert was destined to be one of the most exciting, unusual performers in the show’s history. It’s not like season-one “Voice” winner Javier Colon has set the world on fire, but at least that show focuses on mentoring and nurturing talent of any age, shape and style, rather than serving up cookie-cutter slot fillers.

The sense of hope, discovery and optimism that Harris said permeates “The Voice” is wholly lacking on “Idol,” which feels more and more like a dated reality competition and less like a singing showcase. Tear-jerking backstories aside, it’s hard to see how any of these singers is going to win America over, not to mention make a case for idolatry or even above-average chart success.

It’s been a fun ride, “Idol,” but unless you can prove to me that you can read the writing on the wall, I’m afraid my TiVo is going to be reprogrammed to NBC from now on.

Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page, where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Circus

• Artist: Britney Spears
• Label: Jive
• Director:

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Bar Refaeli Beyoncé Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell

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The starlet shows off her new lighter locks! Check out more star tress-formations and tell us what you think!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/celebrity-hair-transformations/1-b-364776?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Acelebrity-hair-transformations-364776

Eva Green Eva Longoria Eva Mendes Evangeline Lilly Eve Fergie

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Conrad Murray asks judge for a court-appointed attorney to appeal his involuntary manslaughter conviction.
By Gil Kaufman

Dr. Conrad Murray arrives for his arraignment of at the Airport Los Angeles Courthouse today
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

<P>Just weeks after being sent to jail for <a href="/news/articles/1675062/conrad-murray-sentence.jhtml">four years</a> following a conviction on a felony involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml" target="_blank">Michael Jackson</a>, cardiologist Conrad Murray is throwing himself on the mercy of the court. The doctor had been slated to earn up to $150,000 a month to act as Jackson's personal physician before the pop icon's death in June 2009 from an overdose of the Murray-administered surgical anesthetic propofol. But on Tuesday <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/conrad_murray_in_shackles_asks/280479" target="_blank"><I>E! News</I></a> reported that Murray filed a <a href="/news/articles/1675343/conrad-murray-conviction-appeal.jhtml">notice of appeal</a> in Los Angeles Superior Court in which he claimed that he is "indigent and respectfully requests the appointment of counsel on appeal." Murray, 58, is planning to appeal both his conviction and his sentence, but has not yet filed papers with the California Appeals Court. He had hired two lawyers to handle his manslaughter case, but is now seeking attorneys with appeal experience. One of those former lawyers, J. Michael Flanagan, told E! that he was shocked at how his client is being treated in jail. "It is crazy and unbelievable how [the sheriffs] are treating" Murray in jail, said Flanagan, who claimed he waited over an hour to see Murray, who was brought out in handcuffs and leg chains. Flanagan was further shocked to see Murray handcuffed to the table for their meeting, something the lawyer said he'd never seen before in the case of a low-level, non-violent offender. Charles Peckham, who is handling civil cases against Murray, told the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/doctor-convicted-in-michael-jacksons-death-seeking-court-paid-attorney-for-appeal/2011/12/13/gIQAHIYGsO_story.html" target="_blank"><I>Associated Press</I></a> that his client is under tight security and isolation that is more intense than other inmates at the Los Angeles Men's Central Jail. "Treating him like Hannibal Lecter is offensive," said Peckham. "This man who saved lives made a mistake, and they're going to [make] him pay like a mass-murderer." Sheriff's officials defended the tight security, saying it was for Murray's safety.</p>

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• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

Related Artists

• Michael Jackson

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Alecia Elliott Alessandra Ambrosio Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi Ali Larter Alice Dodd

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Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake Plan Summer Wedding!

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake will reportedly marry this summer after five (sometimes rocky) years together. The singer/actor proposed to his longtime girlfriend over the [...]

Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake Plan Summer Wedding! Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stupidcelebrities/~3/TPA4R25qUfU/

Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum Erica Leerhsen Erika Christensen Estella Warren Esther Cañadas

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‘I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn’t to say I won’t be,’ singer says.
By Chris Harris

Chris Cornell
Photo: MTV News

<P>Former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/soundgarden/artist.jhtml">Soundgarden</a>Soundgarden and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/audioslave/artist.jhtml">Audioslave</a>Audioslave frontman <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/cornell_chris/artist.jhtml">Chris Cornell</a>Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/plant_robert/artist.jhtml">Robert Plant</a>Robert Plant on a proposed <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham. Cornell has been mentioned &#8212; along with <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/foo_fighters/artist.jhtml">Foo Fighters</a>Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/van_halen/artist.jhtml">Van Halen</a>Van Halen frontman <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/hagar_sammy/artist.jhtml">Sammy Hagar</a>Sammy Hagar, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/white_stripes/artist.jhtml">White Stripes</a>White Stripes mastermind Jack White and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/alter_bridge/artist.jhtml">Alter Bridge</a>Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy &#8212; as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour. </p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> <embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:314096" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D314096" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p> "I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour." Cornell's denial comes just a day after <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/aerosmith/artist.jhtml">Aerosmith</a>Aerosmith guitarist <a href="http://aeronewsdaily.com/blog/2008/10/31/aerosmith-guitarist-says-page-trying-to-motivate-plant-to-return-to-zeppelin/" target="_blank">Brad Whitford confirmed reports</a> that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert." Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played <a href="/news/articles/1576186/led-zeppelin-give-fans-a-whole-lotta-love-at-reunion-show.jhtml">a single reunion set</a> last year at London's O2 Arena. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/twisted_sister/artist.jhtml">Twisted Sister</a>Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant. <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/10/13/another-led-zeppelin-rumor-almost-debunked/">According to Snider</a>, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' " "And he can sing the sh– out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in." In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there." But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard." Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/timbaland/artist.jhtml">Timbaland</a>Timbaland-produced solo LP, <a href="/news/articles/1596730/chris-cornell-debuts-timbaland-produced-track-on-tv-show.jhtml"><i>Scream,</i></a> will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider <i>Scream</i> something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way. "It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] <i>Euphoria Morning,</i> my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rage_against_the_machine/artist.jhtml">Rage Against the Machine</a>Rage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like. "It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."</p>

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• Chris Cornell
• Led Zeppelin

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Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie Amy Cobb Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros

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Next To You

• Artist: Justin Bieber
• Label: Jive, JLG
• Director: Collin Tilley

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Chyler Leigh Ciara Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz

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American Idol has named its final 12 men on season 11.

Okay, yes, there will actually be 13 men, but if the show is keeping the final semifinalist secret until he performs on Tuesday night then he can blame producers for being left off this list.

While we still have a slew of live auditions to go through, it’s never too early to start choosing sides. Are you going with the 15-year old dubbed the next Justin Bieber? The guy so nice his family named him twice?

Browse through the following promotional photos now and then cast a vote for your favorite…

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE SEMIFINALIST?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/02/american-idol-men-whos-the-favorite/

Catherine Bell Chandra West Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore Charlies Angels Charlize Theron

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Sarah Jessica Parker walks her little girls to school! Plus, see more photos of celebs spending time with their loved ones!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/star-snapshots-celebrity-kids-and-family-photos/1-b-84707?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Astar-snapshots-celebrity-kids-and-family-photos-84707

Evangeline Lilly Eve Fergie Foxy Brown Freida Pinto FSU Cowgirls

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Conrad Murray asks judge for a court-appointed attorney to appeal his involuntary manslaughter conviction.
By Gil Kaufman

Dr. Conrad Murray arrives for his arraignment of at the Airport Los Angeles Courthouse today
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

<P>Just weeks after being sent to jail for <a href="/news/articles/1675062/conrad-murray-sentence.jhtml">four years</a> following a conviction on a felony involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml" target="_blank">Michael Jackson</a>, cardiologist Conrad Murray is throwing himself on the mercy of the court. The doctor had been slated to earn up to $150,000 a month to act as Jackson's personal physician before the pop icon's death in June 2009 from an overdose of the Murray-administered surgical anesthetic propofol. But on Tuesday <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/conrad_murray_in_shackles_asks/280479" target="_blank"><I>E! News</I></a> reported that Murray filed a <a href="/news/articles/1675343/conrad-murray-conviction-appeal.jhtml">notice of appeal</a> in Los Angeles Superior Court in which he claimed that he is "indigent and respectfully requests the appointment of counsel on appeal." Murray, 58, is planning to appeal both his conviction and his sentence, but has not yet filed papers with the California Appeals Court. He had hired two lawyers to handle his manslaughter case, but is now seeking attorneys with appeal experience. One of those former lawyers, J. Michael Flanagan, told E! that he was shocked at how his client is being treated in jail. "It is crazy and unbelievable how [the sheriffs] are treating" Murray in jail, said Flanagan, who claimed he waited over an hour to see Murray, who was brought out in handcuffs and leg chains. Flanagan was further shocked to see Murray handcuffed to the table for their meeting, something the lawyer said he'd never seen before in the case of a low-level, non-violent offender. Charles Peckham, who is handling civil cases against Murray, told the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/doctor-convicted-in-michael-jacksons-death-seeking-court-paid-attorney-for-appeal/2011/12/13/gIQAHIYGsO_story.html" target="_blank"><I>Associated Press</I></a> that his client is under tight security and isolation that is more intense than other inmates at the Los Angeles Men's Central Jail. "Treating him like Hannibal Lecter is offensive," said Peckham. "This man who saved lives made a mistake, and they're going to [make] him pay like a mass-murderer." Sheriff's officials defended the tight security, saying it was for Murray's safety.</p>

Related Photos

• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

Related Artists

• Michael Jackson

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Eva Mendes Evangeline Lilly Eve Fergie Foxy Brown Freida Pinto

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Spending the day at the red purple celebration, Zac Efron brought his good looks to the 2012 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards on Saturday afternoon (February 25).

The former “High School Musical” hunk rocked a snazzy suit as he meandered about the Santa Monica beachfront venue while in promotional mode for his upcoming movie “The Lorax”.

Drawing plenty of star power, the 2012 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards will see big names such as Jessica Chastain, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elizabeth Banks and Ewan McGregor take the stage as presenters.

Meanwhile, the show will air at 10:00 ET on IFC with Seth Rogen handling the hosting duties.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/film-independents-spirit-awards-2012/zac-efron-hits-2012-spirit-awards-588653

Carmen Electra Carol Grow Carrie Underwood Cat Power Catherine Bell Chandra West

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Romance starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams debuts with estimated $41.7 million, followed by ‘Safe House’ and ‘Journey 2.’
By Ryan J. Downey

Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum in “The Vow”
Photo: Sony Pictures

Moviegoers are clearly feeling romantic in 2012. Bittersweet drama “The Vow” was #1 at the box office over the weekend, with the biggest opening for any movie so far this year. Co-starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, “The Vow” debuted to the tune of an estimated $41.7 million while three other movies opened to more than $20 million each during the weekend before Valentine’s Day.

Denzel Washington’s “Safe House” was #2 with a $39 million debut. “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” which had already performed well overseas, opened at #3 with $27.5 million. The 3-D re-release of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” earned $23 million. Last weekend’s #1 film, the found-footage flick “Chronicle,” rounded out the top five with another $12.3 million for a $40.1 million total.

Overall box-office receipts were up a whopping 30 percent compared to the same period one year ago.

“The Vow” wasn’t written by Nicholas Sparks, but its emotional subject matter is comparable with the Sparks dramas in which each of its stars have previously participated: Tatum with 2010′s “Dear John” and, of course, McAdams in the mega-popular “The Notebook.” “Safe House” came in behind only “American Gangster” in regard to opening-weekend numbers for Denzel. For “Journey 2,” which performed better than industry projections, 3-D ticket sales accounted for roughly 74 percent of business.

“The Phantom Menace” jumped from seventh to fifth place on the all-time box-office scorecard thanks to the additional boost over the weekend. The first of the “Star Wars” prequels — and the worst-reviewed film in George Lucas’ iconic franchise — has now made $454.1 million in the U.S.

This weekend’s new releases include the comic-book sequel “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,” featuring Nicolas Cage returning to the title role; “This Means War,” an action-comedy starring Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy (“Inception”) and Chris Pine (“Star Trek”); and “The Secret World of Arrietty,” a Japanese animated movie with new recordings of American actors voicing the characters.

Check out everything we’ve got on “The Vow.”

For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679132/the-vow-movie-box-office.jhtml

Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum Erica Leerhsen Erika Christensen Estella Warren

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As you may have noticed, all of my blogposts today (with the small exceptions in Les News) have been about Whitney Houston and the shockwaves caused by her untimely death yesterday. Barring any majorly significant news that may break today, I’m keeping the blog all Whitney today. Things will be back to normal tomorrow with [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/rkke0_wtH7U/

Diora Baird Dita Von Teese Dominique Swain Donna Feldman Drea de Matteo Drew Barrymore

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