Grammy Hits And Misses: Ke$ha Shut Out, Bruno Mars Cleans Up

Big Boi and Alicia Keys are also left out, but Florence and the Machine and Ray LaMontagne get some much-deserved love.
By Gil Kaufman


Ke$ha
Photo: Kristian Dowling / PictureGroup

What would the annual Grammy nominations announcement be without the next-day quarterbacking and bellyaching about who got dissed and who got just the right amount of Academy love?

While this year's batch of contenders is mostly devoid of the WTF factor of past nomination seasons, when veteran acts such as Steely Dan, Robert Plant and Herbie Hancock sucked most of the air out of the room, there were still plenty of surprises, omissions and flat-out questionable choices to go around.

The one most people were buzzing about Thursday (December 2) was the blank delivered to Ke$ha, who earned a grand total of zero nominations for her debut, Animal, despite launching several hits and earning a major spot in the pop-culture universe in 2010. The snub was even more noticeable because one of her producers, Dr. Luke, was nominated in the producer category and four of the eight songs that earned him that spot were from Ke$ha's debut.

We spoke to Entertainment Weekly music critic Leah Greenblatt about that oversight and many others in this year's nominations. She said the Ke$ha situation was surprising, especially considering the love that the similarly poptastic Katy Perry got for Teenage Dream, which has sold well but, like Animal, was not critically adored upon release.

"But I think it's really cool to see Florence [and the Machine] get that nomination [for Best New Artist], and I think it's awesome that Esperanza Spalding also got nominated [in that category]," she said of the little-known jazz singer who likely sent many people to Google on Wednesday night.

Greenblatt was also excited that raspy-voiced singer Ray LaMontagne snagged a spot in the Song of the Year category for "Beg Steal or Borrow" and another in the Best Contemporary Folk Album category.

"As fogie-ish as the Grammys are, it seems like this year they went more towards a Teen Choice Awards direction with a noticeably younger group of nominees," she said, wondering if it was a conscious decision to try and make the show hipper or if it's a signal of the changing demographic of Grammy voters. "And I think Bruno Mars deserves all of his nominations," she added about the singer/songwriter/producer who scored seven nods. "He only had one hit, but he really shaped popular music this year with the songs he did for Travie McCoy, B.o.B and Cee Lo. He brought so much musicality to R&B and pop. He's making music and playing instruments and he's insanely melodic. He's not just jacking samples."

As for how Eminem ended up with the most nominations at 10, she chalked it up to the "Sandra Bullock factor," speculating that Grammy voters might have just thought it was Marshall Mathers' time to shine again. "He's not universally liked for his sparkling personality, but it seems like it's his time," she said of the rapper, who had the year's best-selling album with Recovery and stormed back with some of the most melodic, accessible music of his decade-plus career. "It almost seemed like he was deemed safe enough for the Grammys this year ... and the album is so incredibly commercial. It's as safe as Eminem gets."

As for who got left off, Greenblatt said she was surprised at the lack of "American Idol" names on the list, with season-eight winner Kris Allen getting shut out and that season's runner-up, Adam Lambert, only getting a bid for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Whataya Want From Me."

And for a song that was one of the best-selling singles of the year, it was surprising that Train's "Hey, Soul Sister," Grammy bait if there ever was, managed only one nod for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals — for a live version of the tune.

There were other glaring omissions to be sure: no love for rappers Rick Ross and Big Boi, just a pair of nominations for last year's big winners Kings of Leon, a shutout for Lady Gaga's smash "Bad Romance" in the Record and Song of the Year categories (it did show up in Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) as well as for B.o.B and Hayley Williams' mega-hit "Airplanes," which scored only a Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals acknowledgment.

Greenblatt was also disappointed that Alicia Keys' The Element of Freedom got blanked, despite the handfuls of Grammys the singer has taken home in the past. And considering its major impact on the pop-culture landscape, "Glee" only got noticed in the Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media category and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals for "Don't Stop Believin'," which Greenblatt said may have had something to do with the fact that the songs on the show are covers and not original compositions.

In the end, though, she said this year's Grammys were mostly devoid of the giant head-smacking omissions and inclusions of past years and with the strong recognition to a new generation of singers, another potential sign that the show might be inching in a new direction.

Which artists or albums do you think got too much (or not enough love) this year? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653445/20101202/kesha_.jhtml

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Justin Bieber Posts 'It Gets Better' Video

'I just wanted to say there's nothing cool about being a bully,' singer says.
By Gil Kaufman


Justin Bieber in his "It Gets Better" video
Photo: Warner Bros.

Justin Bieber has joined the ranks of stars speaking out against bullying. The 16-year-old American Music Award-winning singer recently spoke to talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres about his own bullying experience, and in an "It Gets Better" clip that debuted on DeGeneres' site on Monday, he urged his fans to take action if they see someone being bullied.

In the 20-second video, Bieber, wearing a black T-shirt and backward black baseball cap, says, "Hey guys, I'm Justin Bieber. I just wanted to say there's nothing cool about being a bully. And if you're getting bullied, make sure to tell someone and, you know, it gets better. And if you're a bystander, make sure to step in and, you know, help out."

The clip appeared to have been filmed during Bieber's appearance on DeGeneres' show earlier this month, when he discussed his own experiences with bullying.

"Everybody goes through bullying," he said on the show. "Everybody has, even me. On my YouTube page, there are so many haters. They just say crazy stuff. Like, I'm not mad, I'm 16 and I don't have chest hair. I'm not angry about it at the moment. That will come. People are like, 'Look at him, he puts helium in his voice before he sings.' You just have to laugh at yourself. It's funny." His appearance on the show came shortly after he was reportedly bullied while playing laser tag in Canada in October.

Bieber also had a similar message for those who see bullying going on around them. "There are so many bullies. It goes on so much," he told DeGeneres. "I think that you should ... especially if you are a bystander, you definitely should help out because it could be you next."

In the laser-tag incident last month, a 12-year-old boy allegedly used an anti-gay slur against Bieber after overzealously targeting the "Baby" singer during a heated match.

Bieber joins a long list of stars and politicians who have joined the "It Gets Better" anti-bullying campaign, including President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, Adam Lambert, Aubrey O'Day, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington and Katy Perry, who dedicated her "Firework" clip to the campaign.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653033/20101124/bieber_justin.jhtml

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Natalie Portman Recalls 'Awkward' Mila Kunis Sex Scene In 'Black Swan'

'I didn't really think through the fact that I was going to have to have sex with her,' she tells MTV News of suggesting her good friend for the role.
By Brianne Riviello, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Natalie Portman
Photo: MTV News

Darren Aronofsky's much-anticipated "Black Swan," which is set to hit theaters Friday, has the movie world abuzz. The ballet flick, starring Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers, promises to be both disturbingly dark and stunningly beautiful, as the prima ballerina fights for the coveted lead role in "Swan Lake." When a new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), vies for the top spot, Portman's character is swept into an intense psychological competition, rife with sexual connotations, including the much buzzed-about love scene between Portman and Kunis.

From what we've seen, the battle of the wills between the dancers is ruthless, and their ensuing sexual encounters are equally intense. One would be hard-pressed to believe that Portman and Kunis are, in fact, close friends in real life. When MTV News caught up with the lead actress recently, she discussed the experience of shooting such difficult scenes with someone she knew so well.

Portman was quick to praise her friend in the villainous role, revealing that it had been her suggestion to Aronofsky that led to Kunis being cast in the part. "It was really crazy, because Mila and I were very good friends," she said. "And when Darren asked me, 'Who do you think could do this part? Who has sort of a similar height, coloring, physique?' I was like, 'Oh, Mila, Mila, Mila!' He met her and obviously flipped over her, and she's super talented and does an amazing job in the movie." Portman later realized what the pairing would entail, however. "I didn't really think through the fact that I was going to have to have sex with her in the movie," she admitted.

The actress revealed that it was slightly uncomfortable to work on those scenes but said that having Kunis around was a positive experience as well. "It was pretty awkward. I almost feel like it would be easier to do it with someone you didn't know," she said. "But, having said that, it was great to have a friend there who, we could laugh and make jokes and get over it together."

Despite Aronofsky's efforts to increase the rivalry by separating the pals on set, the pair stayed in close contact. "He didn't want us to be friends while we were shooting, because we're rivals in the movie," Portman said of the director. "So we both had to do this ballet training, but he would make it at different times, and then he would tell me, 'She's doing really well,' and then tell her, 'Natalie's doing so much better than you,' " she laughed. "But we would share the information, so we were like, 'He's messing with us. This isn't real, this isn't real.' "

Check out everything we've got on "Black Swan."

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

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653290/20101130/story.jhtml

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Antoine Walker Signs With D-League, Set to Join Idaho Stampede

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Antoine Walker, a 12-year NBA veteran and three-time NBA All-Star, has cleared the standard NBA Development League background check and was placed on waivers Friday, according to a league source, clearing the way for him to join the D-League's Idaho Stampede when he clears waivers Tuesday afternoon.

The Idaho Stampede, the only winless team in the D-League with an 0-4 record, are expected to use their top choice in the waiver claim preference order to claim Walker, which they received after having the last pick in November's D-League Draft.

Walker's expected signing with the D-League was first reported by FanHouse Sunday, though his contract only now becomes official.

Walker averaged 17.5 points and 7.7 rebounds over the course of his NBA career that began after becoming the sixth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, but he wasn't able to earn an NBA training camp invite with the Charlotte Bobcats earlier this year after showing up to practice with them in September.

While it isn't surprising that Walker wasn't able to earn a training camp invite amid their glut of tweener forwards, ESPN's Marc Stein reported at the time that Walker was in very good shape, that multiple witnesses who had seen Walker playing and working out with famed trainer Tim Grover in Chicago said "that Walker looks as fit as he has for some time."

Walker will have plenty of company in former NBA players trying to get back to the NBA through the D-League with the Stampede. Luke Jackson, the 10th overall pick in the 2004 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers will man one wing while Salim Stoudamire, the 31st pick of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, will be on the other wing. Point guard Dontell Jefferson, who was recently acquired via trade, spent the end of the 2008-09 season with the Charlotte Bobcats.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/03/antoine-walker-signs-with-d-league-set-to-join-idaho-stampede/

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Natalie Portman Talks 'Black Swan' Masturbation Scene

'So disgusting,' still-squeamish actress tells MTV News of filming scene.
By Kara Warner and Irene Lee, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Natalie Portman in "Black Swan"
Photo: Fox Searchlight

"Black Swan" has been generating awards-season buzz for months, much of it focused on Natalie Portman's chilling performance as a self-destructive and psychologically unstable ballerina, Nina Sayers. When the movie opens this Friday, audiences will finally get to see the physical and emotional extremes that Portman portrays onscreen.

One of the more memorable physical moments involves an especially graphic scene in which Portman's character is masturbating and nearly gets caught by her mother. When MTV News caught up with the possible Best Actress contender, we asked for her thoughts on that part of the film.

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

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653233/20101130/story.jhtml

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A Year After Scandal, Tiger Finds His Rhythm -- and Fans -- at Chevron

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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The sun was shining, the Southern California air was crisp, gaggles of paunchy men in cargo shorts and golf shirts were clapping - and Tiger Woods was atop the leaderboard. It almost felt like, well, anytime before a certain driveway car crash turned Woods' life upside down a little over 12 months ago.

The atmosphere here at Sherwood Country Club, home of the $5 million Chevron World Challenge, was certainly more upbeat than it was a year ago. Back then, Woods was in hiding and the speculation about his extra-marital affairs was just tipping into outright mania. He skipped this tournament, which benefits his charitable foundation, and his absence cast a pall over the event - even if it did inspire some entertaining conversations among fans.

Woods was again the main topic of discussion at Sherwood on Friday, but for an entirely different reason: his play. The 34-year-old golfer, who has not won a tournament this year, shot an eagle on the second hole, part of a six-under-par round that extended his lead atop the 18-player field. He's now four strokes ahead of Graeme McDowell and five over Luke Donald and Rory McIlory, the 21-year-old phenom from Northern Ireland who was Woods' playing partner on Friday.

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2010/12/03/a-year-after-scandal-tiger-finds-his-rhythm-and-fans-at-c/

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Mila Kunis Bans Her Dad From 'Black Swan' Sex Scenes

'I don't think any dad should see,' she tells MTV News. 'It's just not necessary.'
By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Mila Kunis
Photo: MTV News

It seems the only thing anyone can talk about when it comes to "Black Swan" is the much-hyped sex scene between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. Even Kunis and her dad found themselves discussing the nitty-gritty details.

Their conversation amounted to this: Mr. Kunis was banned from watching the scenes in question.

"He was like, 'I don't think I should see the movie,' " Kunis told MTV News. "I was like, 'See the movie. There's going to be a point; get up and leave.' "

And so that's exactly what happened. When the no-holds-barred sex session came up — a scene Portman previously told us was "not explicit in any way," but which is undeniably steamy — Kunis gave her dad the signal, and off he went. "I don't think any dad should see. It's just not necessary," she explained.

While Kunis avoided some familial awkwardness in that situation, she's found it more than a little uncomfortable to constantly discuss the sex scene with the press. "Doing [the scene], you never judge your character, so you always have justification for it," the 27-year-old said. "When you do it, it makes sense while you're doing it. You don't feel like it's you doing it."

She added, "The more I talk about it, the more I have to think about it. We never discussed it. It was like the pink elephant in the room that was never touched upon until it was the day to shoot. Then we just did it really quickly and called it a day."

Check out everything we've got on "Black Swan."

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

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653266/20101130/story.jhtml

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