Madonna Praises Lady Gaga's 'Rawness'

Queen of Pop opens up about the Mother Monster on 'The Graham Norton Show.'
By Jocelyn Vena


Madonna
Photo: Jon Furniss/ WireImage

<P>Here in the States, Madonna sat down with ABC News and had some <i>interesting</i> comments about Lady Gaga. In another interview, on Friday's (January 13) "The Graham Norton Show," the singer seemed to take the high road and likened her early days of hustling in New York City to Gaga's beginnings. "When I first saw her, I saw her performing at a very small club in Manhattan a couple of years ago, maybe it was like three years ago," she said. "I was actually really impressed by her. I thought she was really cool and she did remind me of me back in the day. I liked her rawness and there was something fresh about there and ballsy, and when she spoke to the audience, she sounded like she had a similar sense of humor to me, quite ironic, and I liked her. So I do think she is very talented." That was really the end of the subject during their chat, other than when Madonna teased the British talk-show host about naming his dog after her. However, when he said his other dog was named Bailey, she quipped, "Not Gaga?" Some of that sentiment was mirrored in Madge's ABC interview, the rest of which airs on Friday's night's <i>20/20</i>. While she did call Gaga's "Born This Way" song "reductive" when asked about comparisons to her own "Express Yourself," she went on to say that she sees a lot of her own work in Gaga's. "I certainly think she references me a lot in her work. And sometimes I think it's amusing and flattering and well-done," she said, later adding that she thinks Gaga is "a very talented artist" and that she's making a "statement about taking something that was in the zeitgeist, you know, 20 years ago and turning it inside out and reinterpreting it." Madonna is currently making the rounds promoting her next album, M.D.N.A., as well as her film "W.E." <i>What do you think of Madonna's Gaga thoughts? Let us know in the comments!</i></p>

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Black Keys In Berlin: Back To Normal

Backstage during the Keys' European tour, Bigger Than the Sound discovers a band moving forward while still looking to settle old scores.
By James Montgomery


Black Keys' Dan Auerbach
Photo: Jakubaszek/ Getty Images

Berlin and Akron, Ohio, don't have much in common outside of graffiti, several McDonald's and Devo (who always struck me as rather Germanic), yet, for whatever reason, the Black Keys seemed rather at home there this past weekend.

This probably had as much to do with the venue they played on Saturday in Germany's capital city — the Treptow Arena, a cavernous, slightly crumbling brick-and-mortar hall that, in a previous life, served as a bus depot, but now holds the occasional concert (and the occasional auto show) — as it did with Berlin itself, since the Keys never really ventured any farther than the parking lot behind the arena. But on a makeshift stage, in front of a sold-out crowd, on the bleak banks of the Spree River, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney — plus their backing band — positively killed it, seemingly drawing inspiration from their decidedly industrial, dust-and-rust surroundings. Theirs is a sound that simply translates best in these kinds of places, after all: diesel-powered guitars and drums that chug along like an internal combustion engine, flecked with the odd bright moment of classic soul sheen, which recalls nothing quite so much as sunshine on an abandoned lot.

Or something like that. After all, the Black Keys are not exactly the kind of band that lends itself to flowery prose, even though their current status (one of the 10 to 15 biggest rock acts on the planet) and the rise to that status (a decade spent earning it on the road) seem to suggest otherwise. Instead, most folks tend to focus on their Akron roots and their willingness to talk sh-- about other bands, both of which are (admittedly) rather interesting parts of their story and make for killer headlines and pull quotes.

But that focus also reveals another, larger issue: The Black Keys are an exceedingly normal band, albeit one that exists in exceedingly odd times.

Which, I suppose, also makes them an anomaly, and they will be the first ones to admit it, as I learned firsthand when I (finally) sat down with Auerbach and Carney in Berlin, part of a larger MTV News project that we'll be revealing much more about very soon. They play workmanlike music and possess a workmanlike attitude. Because of that, they are, to say the very least, rather puzzled by both the current state of music and their continued successes within that state, which is pretty understandable. They also don't seem to understand why so many people find their backstory to be so compelling, which is slightly less understandable, considering it took them roughly 10 years to perform on "Saturday Night Live," and Lana Del Rey did it in something like 10 minutes.

They were, to varying degrees, willing to discuss both of those things, though you get the feeling they'd rather not. Of course, during our interview, I did raise the fact that the same writers who deride Del Rey for her lack of authenticity and unpaid dues are also the same people who largely ignore the Black Keys — even though they have authenticity coming out of their eyeballs and have racked up more miles in a van than the Scooby-Doo Gang. And, boy, did they (or, really, Carney, since Auerbach is soft-spoken and sort of reserved) have plenty to say about that.

Namely, they think those writers — mostly bloggers — are "pricks," and you can kind of see their point. They also have a few scores to settle with various members of the mainstream media they believe have slighted them over the years. They are the rare band that seems to take criticisms personally, or at least admit that fact (Carney is apparently keeping a running tally of perceived indignities in his head). And that sort of underscores my original point: The Black Keys are exceedingly normal. After all, who among us is willing to let every insult slide off our backs? Who possesses that kind of restraint? If — or, more probably, when — someone calls me a jerk in the comments of this story, I will more than likely want to choke that person. I do not think this makes me ill-adjusted. It makes me a human being. Admit it, you probably feel the same way.

Of course, hours after our interview, I got to spend more time with Carney in a smoke-filled dressing room, where we imbibed long into the night (or so it seemed) and discussed the Keys' contemporaries. I can't really remember everything that was said, and I'm fairly certain the stuff I do was off the record, but you can probably figure out where he stands on, say, Lady Gaga. It was a refreshingly unfiltered chat, one that was made even better by the presence of one of Carney's old Akron friends, who now lives in Istanbul with her boyfriend but flew into Berlin for the show. And long after the dissertations on the current state of popular music had ceased, I sat back and listened as the two remembered old high school acquaintances and laughed at ancient, inside jokes.

It was a pretty nice moment, and not just because I had been drinking Maker's Mark; two friends reunited, Carney, unguarded and at ease, reclining on the back of an easy chair, nodding in knowing ways, his friend ignoring the rather insane journey that occurred since both graduated from high school and just reminiscing. It was also, in a way, more proof that, no matter where they are, or how far they've come, the Black Keys are really just two average guys, a duo who have stumbled onto unforeseen success and are trying very hard to not be incredibly weirded out by that fact. You can say otherwise, but you'd not only be wrong — you'd also probably end up on Carney's hit list. And trust me, there's plenty of room on there. Which is completely normal.

Share your thoughts on the Black Keys and their success in the comments below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678245/black-keys-berlin.jhtml

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James Van Der Beek & Wife: Drinks On The Go

James Van Der Beek and his pregnant wife Kimberly Brook grabbed lunch at Gratitude Cafe in Hollywood, Calif. on Friday (January 27). The couple left the restaurant with their hands full of drinks.

Their second child is due this Spring. They already have a 1 1/2-year-old daughter named Olivia.

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Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2012/01/28/james-van-der-beek-wife

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Celebrity Hairstyle: Shakira

Shakira

Showing off a new look, Shakira debuted her freshly chopped locks after getting styled up on Tuesday (December 6). The "Hips Don't Lie" singer posted a picture of her shortened coif via Twitter, as she wrote, "Hace 4 horas estoy estrenando corte de pelo!! 4 hours ago I got my hair cut!" [gallery=803]

Source: http://www.celebritygossiphollywood.com/general/celebrity-hair/celebrity-hairstyle-shakira/

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Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Sentenced

Conrad Murray faces another hearing in January to potentially provide more than $101 million in restitution to the Jackson family.
By



Photo: Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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Justin Bieber, Usher Drop Christmas Track

'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, Justin Bieber will take his fans Under the Mistletoe on his holiday album. But he's giving them an early treat by releasing his Usher 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 radio show. 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 released 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 tweeted, "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 Mariah Carey, who re-recorded her classic "All I Want for Christmas" for the album. <center></center></p>

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Demi Moore Replaced By Sarah Jessica Parker In 'Lovelace'

Mary-Louise Parker not stepping in as Gloria Steinem in the Linda Lovelace biopic, as had been reported.
By Kevin P. Sullivan


Sarah Jessica Parker
Photo: Getty Images

A report from Us Weekly on Friday (January 27) claimed that "Weeds" star Mary-Louise Parker was stepping in to replace Demi Moore in "Lovelace." However, according to a press release, a different Parker — Sarah Jessica Parker — will step in for Moore as Gloria Steinem in the Linda Lovelace biopic.

Moore dropped out of the film earlier this week after being hospitalized for "exhaustion," and the search for her replacement began soon afterward. The film, which is currently filming in Los Angeles, stars Amanda Seyfried as the famous 1970s porn star.

Photos: Demi Moore through the years.

On Thursday, actress Chloë Sevigny joined the cast of "Lovelace" as a journalist, sparking speculation that she could be the one to replace Moore. When sources confirmed to Us Weekly that Mary-Louise Parker would take the role of Steinem, this no longer appeared to be the case. Hours after Us' initial report, the film's directors, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman ("Howl"), confirmed with Entertainment Weekly that Sarah Jessica Parker was Moore's true replacement, declaring the previous report erroneous. A press release announcing the news was sent to MTV News shortly thereafter.

Moore officially left the film Tuesday amid controversy surrounding her hospitalization, which a rep for the actress referred to as Moore's decision to "seek professional assistance to treat her exhaustion and improve her overall health." Since Moore's hospitalization, rumors have run rampant seeking an explanation for the medical emergency. Claims of drug and nitrous-oxide abuse arose shortly after word of the incident broke.

Check out everything we've got on "Lovelace."

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

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Michael Jackson's Family Not Out For 'Revenge'

'There is nothing you can do here today that will bring Michael back,' Joe and Katherine Jackson say in a statement read at Conrad Murray hearing.
By Andrea Duncan-Mao, with reporting by Gil Kaufman


Katherine Jackson arrives for the sentencing of Dr. Conrad Murray at the Los Angeles Superior Court on November 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Murray was convicted on November 7 for the 2009 death of Jackson from an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and faces up to four years in state prison. (Photo by )
Photo: Toby Canham/ Getty Images

<P>At Tuesday's (November 29) sentencing hearing for Dr. Conrad Murray &#8212; where Michael Jackson's former personal physician received four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter &#8212; a statement from Jackson's parents was read in court. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:708788.id:1673923" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "We still look at each other in disbelief: Is it really possible he is gone? It is simply against the natural order of things," Joe and Katherine Jackson said in the statement, read by Jackson family attorney Brian Panish. "We are not here to seek revenge. There is nothing you can do here today that will bring Michael back." Do you think Conrad Murray deserved the maximum sentence? Let us know on Facebook. Along with Katherine, Michael's siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Randy and Rebbie were also reportedly in attendance at the hearing. In regards to the sentence, the family said in the statement: "We respectfully request you impose a sentence that reminds physicians they cannot sell their services to the highest bidder." The judge agreed, lamenting that due to a new California law to address overcrowding in prisons, he was unable to sentence Murray to state prison. Stating that Murray practiced "horrible medicine" and had "absolutely no remorse," Judge Michael Pastor declined the defense's motion for probation and handed down the stiffest sentence possible &#8212; four years &#8212; which Murray will most likely serve in a Los Angeles county jail or on home confinement. Upon leaving the courthouse, Michael's brother Jermaine, when asked if the four-year sentence was enough, shook his head and said, "No." Katherine 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."</p>

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