Grammy 2011 Snubs Include Adam Lambert, Ke$ha, Big Boi, Rihanna

While Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber were both nominated, they didn't get as much love as some expected.
By Gil Kaufman


Ke$ha
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images

You hear it all the time: "I'm just thankful to be nominated." It's the gracious and polite thing to say, and artists who lose out on major awards always feel compelled to offer it up.

But what if you never even get nominated?

Every year, there are head-slapping omissions from the roster of nominees at the big awards-fests (Christopher Nolan at the Oscars, anyone?), and this year's 53rd annual Grammy Awards (which take place February 13) are no exception.

In the night's biggest category, Album of the Year, there was plenty of griping from critics about the inclusion of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, which many considered too lightweight for the night's top prize. But there was also a bit of talk about Justin Bieber's smash My World 2.0 not making it into the mix in the major categories, even if Bieber can lick his wounds with his Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album love.

Though the rules about the Best New Artist category have since been changed to avoid such a problem in the future, Lady Gaga has been the victim of Grammy snubs before. She earned six nominations this year, including coveted Album of the Year for The Fame Monster, but it was mystifying that her huge hit, "Bad Romance," didn't get any Record or Song of the Year nominations.

What gives?

"They want her for ratings, but I think the Grammys are still a bit freaked out by Gaga," said Entertainment Weekly music writer Leah Greenblatt. "There were so many shenanigans about her not being nominated for Best New Artist that I think the Grammys got shamed over that. It's possible they would try to make it up to her by showering her with nominations and I could see her win in major categories [in the future], but I think they're not quite ready for her." That could, of course, change next year when Gaga's Born This Way is in the running.

Another diva used to serious Grammy love, Alicia Keys, was totally shut out for her The Element of Freedom album. "It's interesting that Alicia Keys got nothing," she said. "Her and John Mayer are practically on the ballots every year whether they qualify for eligibility or not. And I think 'Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart' was one of the year's best singles." And reclusive Grammy bait Sade got a pair of notices for her singles "Soldier of Love" and "Babyfather" in the R&B categories but no chance at any of the big prizes. Greenblatt said she was surprised by both snubs, especially since Sade's Soldier of Love album was one of the top sellers of 2010 and because the enigmatic singer had been away for nearly a decade and came back in fine, mature form, the kind of story the Grammys love to honor.

There were some eyebrows raised over the single nomination for "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert, who had a solid and creatively rich hit album with his debut, For Your Entertainment, but just a single nod for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Whataya Want From Me."

With Perry strutting into a number of top categories thanks to her light-as-air pop confections, it was a wonder that another pop tart with huge digital sales and big chart hits (things the Recording Academy likes to see), Ke$ha, was completely shut out of the game. Greenblatt thought the Lambert dis might fall into the same Gaga territory, with the Academy being a bit freaked out by the singer's out-and-proud persona and over-the-top antics, but when it comes to Ke$ha, she said it's probably a different story. "She had a huge impact, but I think the Grammys think she might go away, and they've chosen not to legitimize her," she speculated.

Speaking of big sales, quite a few people commented on the fact that Train's smash "Hey, Soul Sister," the best-selling single of 2010, got just one notice for a little-heard live version in the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group category.

A couple of well-respected hip-hop acts were also conspicuously absent from the nominations list, including Outkast's Big Boi, whose acclaimed Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty was left out of the Best Rap Album category, along with Rick Ross, whose Teflon Don got no love. "Rick Ross is the kind of artist made to be ignored by the Grammys," Greenblatt said. "He has a sensibility the Grammys will almost never come around to, no matter how beloved he is by rap fans."

But given that she thought Chico Dusty was one of the best albums of 2010, Greenblatt was stunned by the freeze-out of Big Boi, who has been showered with Grammy love in the past. "It's such an achievement, a fully realized album that feels like a real tapestry, a headphones album from someone whose skills are so singular ... [from] one of the most iconic and Grammy-approved hip-hop acts of all time."

Rihanna's Rated R was also eligible but got stiffed in the major categories, landing just a Best Dance Recording nod for "Only Girl (In the World)" for her single from last year's Loud and a number of notices for her work on Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie." And if you thought Kanye West got ripped off when My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy got blanked, don't worry: It wasn't eligible this year but is in the hunt for next year.

The one omission that seemed to make sense was the two small nominations for the kids from "Glee," who are up for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' " and for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Glee: Vol. 1. Though they set cash registers ringing like crazy, it's no wonder that actors singing covers didn't garner attention at a show that ostensibly awards creativity. And no one seemed too shocked that Christina Aguilera's poorly received Bionic was ignored.

Who do you think got stiffed by the Grammys? Share your top snubs in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657248/2011-grammy-snubs.jhtml

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Blake Griffin, Four Celtics Headline 2011 NBA All-Star Reserves

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Blake GriffinNEW YORK (AP) -- Blake Griffin is going to his first All-Star game, and Kevin Garnett matched an NBA record with his 14th straight selection as one of a record-tying four Boston Celtics headed for the midseason event.

Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will accompany Garnett, who equaled Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone for the most consecutive selections. The Celtics joined the 2006 Detroit Pistons as the only teams to have four players picked as reserves by the coaches.

Griffin, the Rookie of the Year favorite of the Clippers, will be playing on his home floor in the Feb. 20 game at Staples Center. Joining him on the Western Conference team were Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili of the NBA-leading Spurs; forwards Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas and Pau Gasol of the Lakers; and guards Deron Williams of Utah and Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, who joins Griffin as the lone first-time selections.

Chris Bosh will go to Los Angeles with Miami teammates LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who were elected as starters. The other East reserves picked Thursday were Atlanta's Joe Johnson and Al Horford.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/02/03/blake-griffin-four-celtics-headline-2011-nba-all-star-reserves/

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Brent Johnson Fights Rick DiPietro: Goalie Fight Video

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With less than 20 seconds to play in Pittsburgh's 3-0 win against the New York Islanders on Wednesday night, Brent Johnson appeared to be on his way to his second shutout of the season, having stopped all 20 shots he faced. Then, out of nowhere, he found himself squaring off in a fight with Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro. It was a fight in name only as it ended when Johnson dropped his fellow netminder with one punch to the jaw.

The exchange started when DiPietro had an encounter with Penguins forward Matt Cooke late in the game in a collision that sent both players crashing to the ice (DiPietro was actually penalized for interference). Johnson, apparently feeling the need to come to the defense of his teammate, skated the length of the ice (and went through a referee that tried to stop him) and engaged with DiPietro in the first fight of his NHL career.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/02/brent-johnson-fights-rick-dipietro-goalie-fight-video/

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'Glee' Stars Stayed Up All Night For 'Thriller' Cover

'It was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done,' Cory Monteith says.
By James Dinh


"Glee" stars film their "Thriller" performance
Photo: Ramey Photo

When "Glee" returns from hiatus in the high-profile post-Super Bowl slot, it's returning in a big way, covering Michael Jackson's "Thriller." On Tuesday, the cast spoke to "Access Hollywood" about remaking the iconic tune, which will reportedly be mashed up with another yet-to-be-revealed hit.

"It was a huge production. We we're shooting that until 6:30 in the morning," Cory Monteith told "AH" at the Television Critics Association press tour. "We shot all night, and it was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done. I was lifting Naya Rivera at one point in the dance. It was really active. We had the whole USC band wrapped in to this number as you can see in the photos. It was awesome."

Photos of the cast filming "Thriller" surfaced on the Internet recently, depicting a prom night-turned-zombie affair. Jackson's tune is just one of the many hits to be covered in the broadcast. Other songs featured in the post-Super Bowl episode include hits by the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.

Kevin McHale revealed that Jackson is his "favorite artist ever" and that he has been continuously requesting to cover a tune by the late King of Pop. "I've been pushing very obnoxiously for a very, very long time, so I'm beyond thrilled that we do Michael Jackson," said the actor.

Like the iconic music video, the "Glee" cover was an extravagant production, which was fitting for star Dianna Agron, who couldn't help smile throughout filming.

"The whole night, everybody kept saying, 'Why are you laughing so much? Why are you smiling so much?' " she said. "I was just in my element. I was in huge makeup, huge hair, huge costume, the stuff that I loved the most, which is why I loved 'Rocky [Horror Picture Show]' so much."

Matthew Morrison isn't in the number, but he watched it being shot. "We actually shot it, like, a couple nights ago," Morrison told "AH." "I actually went out to see it. We shot it in Long Beach and at a high school that we used their football field at. It was stunning. It's so weird with this show. We keep outdoing ourselves. It's like, 'What is there left to do?' This number is just fantastic."

What other MJ songs do you want the "Glee" cast to tackle? Share your ideas in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655797/glee-thriller.jhtml

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The Works: How Joy Division Explains the All-Star Starters

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Today in The Works: Joy Division and the All-Star Game, a match made where time stops moving.

Discography 101

Over at GQ.com, the illustrious Kevin Love has a blog entitled "Love Will Tear Us Apart". That's a reference to the mega-gloomy Manchester outfit whose genius lead singer Ian Curtis killed himself at the height of their powers. On the surface, nothing to do with basketball, right? Except Kevin Love himself really likes that title, which got us thinking: What if we picked a Joy Division song that represented each player in this year's All-Star starting line-ups? Might we not learn something new about these players, this music, and ourselves? And most importantly, would we have so much fun that we would never, ever die, especially not by our own hand?

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/02/02/the-works-how-joy-division-explains-the-all-star-starters/

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Turkish Team Signs D-League Standout Oliver Lafayette to Replace Allen Iverson

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Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul, the Turkish team Allen Iverson was playing for before sustaining a calf injury that will keep him out until mid-March, announced Tuesday that it has signed Oliver Lafayette from the NBA Development League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants to take his spot in the lineup.

It's pretty typical that D-League players leave around this time of year in pursuit of bigger paychecks in Europe, but this might mark the first time that said player is replacing an eventual Hall of Famer in the lineup.

Iverson, a 14-year NBA veteran and MVP of the 2000-01 season, was averaging 12.8 points and 4.2 assists while shooting just 40 percent from the field in 10 games for the Turkish team. He played his last game on Jan. 8 and has since been sitting out due to a calcium deposit on his right calf.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/02/01/turkish-team-signs-d-league-standout-oliver-lafayette-to-replace/

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Justin Bieber To Play In 2011 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

Common, Rob Kardashian and Jimmy Kimmel will also participate in All-Star Weekend game.
By James Dinh


Justin Bieber
Photo: Chris McKay/ Getty Images

If you keep up with Justin Bieber, then you know that the 16-year-old sensation has some basketball skills. On February 18, the Biebster is planning to put them to good use when he hits the court to headline the 2011 BBVA NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Los Angeles.

Bieber is just one of many celebs in this year's basketball game, including Ty Burrell, Rob Kardashian, Zachary Levi, Jason Alexander and Common. NBA luminaries expected to hit the court include Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Bill Walton, AC Green, B.J. Armstrong as well as players-turned sports analysts Chris Mullin and Jalen Rose.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel will serve as the event's general manager for one team, while ESPN columnist Bill Simmons leads the other team. A complete list of participants, including WNBA players, will be announced at a later date.

On MTV's "The Diary of Justin Bieber," which premiered back in March, the singer drained a half-court shot while the cameras were rolling, so it will be interesting to see what he can pull off on the All-Star court.

Whether you're a Belieber or not, it'll be hard to miss the singer in February. Not only will the teen idol be featured in two commercials on Super Bowl Sunday, but his heavily promoted feature-film debut, "Never Say Never," hits theaters nationwide February 11. Days later, the star is set to take the stage alongside Jaden Smith and Usher at the 53rd annual Grammys, where he's nominated for two awards. JB will also return to "CSI" on February 17, where his character may be killed off.

What do you think of JB's basketball skills? Share your thoughts below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657089/justin-bieber-2011-nba-alll-star-celebrity-game.jhtml

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