abnervaught

Friday, January 6, 2012

Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Zombie Pop Stars

Amanda Righetti Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci Amber Brkich

Oh No!! Fleetwood Mac Guitarist Found DEAD!

Bob Weston, a once guitarist and songwriter for Fleetwood Mac has DIED! So SAD!!
The 64 year old lived alone. Suspicion was raised when he never showed up to work on a new album with Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.
So they called the cops to investigate, and sure enough, he was found dead in [...]

Source: http://perezhilton.com/2012-01-06-bob-weston-fleetwood-mac-guitarist-dead

Jamie Lynn Sigler Janet Jackson January Jones Jennie Finch

Watch This Awesome Impromptu Jam Session On A NYC Subway!

And in The World Really Isn't A Bad Place news, these two strangers had a totally spontaneous jam session with a ukelele, some bongo drums, and a killer voice!
Seriously, that girl has some talent! And the bongo player needs a studio job if he doesn't already have one.
By the way, these people didn't [...]

Source: http://perezhilton.com/2012-01-06-nyc-subway-jam-session-spontaneous

Arielle Kebbel Ashanti Ashlee Simpson Ashley Greene

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Pop Stars At The Airport!

MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Pop Stars At The Airport!

January Jones Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Gareis

Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: How Our Favorite Pop Stars Celebrated New Year's

MTV Buzzworthy Blog: How Our Favorite Pop Stars Celebrated New Year's

Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell

'The Dark Knight Rises' Prologue: Bane Explained!

MTV News walks you through the garbled dialogue and intricate plot of the Batman teaser.
By Kevin P. Sullivan

Bane in "Dark Knight Rises"
Photo: Warner Bros.

Even two weeks after "The Dark Knight Rises" prologue debuted before select IMAX showings of "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," everyone who saw it can't seem to stop talking about Bane and what he says — or at least what people thought he said.

Ever since the preview's premiere, there has been talk of tweaking audio levels and lowering background noise in order to make Bane more intelligible. Just Tuesday, a rumor circulated that Warner Bros. had provided IMAX projectionists with an adjusted soundtrack for the prologue. Warner Bros. denied the claim, but talk of changes persists.

If you've already seen the prologue, adjusting audio levels now won't help you until the July release of the finished film, so we've gone over the footage and decoded each story element and every line of Bane's dialogue for you. (Major spoilers ahead!)

The Setup
Most of the confusion about what's going on starts before we even see Bane. We jump right into the story without much explanation of what's going on. "Leaked" CIA documents, used as part of a viral campaign, fill in some of the blanks.

Dr. Pavel, a missing Russian nuclear physicist, seeks asylum in the United States with the help of the CIA. Pavel believes he is in immediate danger and goes into hiding. A group of mercenaries find him and negotiate with the CIA to deliver the scientist over to them safely, at the cost of $3 million. The prologue begins with that exchange.

Bane
The mercenaries bring along three unexpected guests to the party with the CIA. The leader of the soldiers informs the head agent that the men work for Bane. Eager to learn more about the masked man, the CIA agent brings the three men onto the airplane but only promises safe passage to the one who talks the most. Bane then speaks his first line as the agent threatens his men.

"Or perhaps he's wondering why someone would shoot a man before throwing him out of a plane."

Bane and the agent exchange some words, during which we get some background on his character. His mask keeps him from experiencing severe pain caused by a yet-unknown ailment. It also was what made people pay attention to Bane in the first place.

"No one cared who I was until I put on the mask."

The Plan
From here, we see Bane's master plan play out. A large plane hooks onto the smaller one flown by the CIA and drags it into a nosedive. There's a small fight inside, but Bane and his men win handily. They lower a dead body in a bag into the plane and perform a transfusion with Dr. Pavel, so when the wreckage is found, the DNA matches the missing doctor.

As the group prepares to exit, Bane informs one of his younger partners in crime that he must stay behind in order to avoid suspicion. When the man asks Bane if they have started a fire, he replies with the now-famous line: "The fire rises."

Pretty straightforward, right?

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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Usher Gets 'Emotional' On David Guetta's 'Without You'1670301

DJ/producer calls their collabo the 'biggest record' on his just-released Nothing but the Beat.
By Akshay Bhansali

Usher
Photo: Todd Williamson/ WireImage

David Guetta recently told MTV News that the Usher collabo "Without You" is the "biggest record" on his just-released Nothing but the Beat.

It's a rather bold statement, considering his latest album also features Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, will.i.am, Akon, Timbaland, Nicki Minaj and Jennifer Hudson, just to name a few. But Guetta has a soft spot for the cinematic team-up with Ush, which he says is equal parts sentimental and hands-in-the-air euphoric. "It's just totally emotional," Guetta said. "Some of the record is a proper ballad, and then it goes to that crazy dance beat. It's perfect for him, because he's famous for his ballads. And he's also now famous for those big club records that he comes with. He's an amazing dancer, so I felt like he was the artist that I needed." Usher and Guetta first previewed the song in Ibiza, Spain, earlier this summer, with the crowd demanding an encore performance of the sure-to-be-hit song. "It was amazing," Guetta gushed. "We were not supposed to do this. I always do these kinds of stupid things, playing records when I'm not supposed to play them. And Usher was so excited for this time to be in Ibiza performing in front of those people. He called me onstage and said, 'Come on. Let's do it.' So we did it, and, yeah, they loved it. We had to do it again! They asked for one more." For some, the combination of Usher and Guetta might seem out of left field. While the DJ/producer works with a variety of artists, he has a pretty tight-knit musical family — but it may come as a surprise that Guetta has known Usher the longest. "I actually speak very often about how thankful I am to will.i.am because he called me to produce 'I Gotta Feeling'; Akon, when we started to work together, because I wasn't famous in America; Kelly Rowland and all those guys that came to me when I was not known yet," Guetta said. "But I have to say that the very first time when someone big from America asked me if I want to work with him, it was Usher. Like, a really long time ago, but we never had the time to do it. So I was so happy to be finally in the studio with him, because he spotted me when I was really not famous yet." Usher and Guetta already shot the video for "Without You" in Ibiza. The song will follow up Guetta's current single, "Little Bad Girl," which features Ludacris and Taio Cruz.

Anne Marie Kortright April Scott Arielle Kebbel Ashanti

Beyoncé - Best Thing I Never Had

Best Thing I Never Had

Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia
Director:

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=671258

Emma Stone Emma Watson Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier

Beyoncé - Why Don't You Love Me

Why Don't You Love Me

Artist: Beyoncé
Label:
Director:

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=514842

Elisabeth Röhm Elisha Cuthbert Eliza Dushku Emilie de Ravin

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Madonna & Family Ski Up A Storm In Switzerland

Last week we saw photos of Madonna and her much younger boytoy Brahim Zaibat hitting the slopes in Switzerland and today we get to see new photos of Maddy and her children (Lourdes Maria, David Banda and Chifundo Mercy James) doing the same. It would appear that Madonna and the family have settled in Gstaad, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/psmC1LgopN8/

Brooke Burns Busy Philipps Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson

Photos | 2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations

2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/2011-pre-grammy-celebrations/1657727/5687439/photo.jhtml

Amanda Righetti Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci Amber Brkich

What Stories Will 'Pop' In 2012?1676582

From music to TV to celebrity babies, MTV News looks ahead to all of the big releases expected in the coming months.
By Jocelyn Vena

Beyonce
Photo: Getty Images

It's a new year and that means that there's lots of ooey-gooey pop goodness all ready to pour out in 2012. Between celebrity babies, music and Hollywood, fans should gear up for some really big stuff in the coming year. But if history has taught us anything, as hard as we might plan, pop culture always has a way of sneaking up and surprising us. Not that we're complaining. So get your planners out: MTV News is looking ahead at what to expect in the world of pop culture.

Music
There are lots of big album releases slated for 2012. Crossover queen Nicki Minaj will release Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded just in time to show her Barbz and Kenz some love on Valentine's Day. Madonna already has confirmed that she will drop her next album come spring. Fans already got a taste of it when the single "Gimme All Your Luvin' " leaked on the Internet. "American Idol" alum Adam Lambert is readying the release of his next album, Trespassing, set to drop in March. Willow Smith's fans should whip their hair back and forth as the tween's long-simmering debut album, Knees and Elbows, will finally drop in April. Justin Bieber has teased his Believe album for a summer release. He's shared that it will pick up where Justin Timberlake left off before he decided to focus on his acting. Basically, he's bringing sexy back. There are two forthcoming albums that don't have exact release dates but are highly anticipated nonetheless. Lady Gaga is already thinking about her next album and recently revealed to MTV News that she even has a title for her Born This Way follow-up in mind. Taylor Swift is knee-deep in and working hard on her follow-up to her phenomenally successful Speak Now. TV
In between pumping out tunes, some big shows will also return in 2012. Everything from "The Secret Circle" to "2 Broke Girls" to "New Girl" will be back for more fun come the new year. After a break, "Pretty Little Liars" will be back midseason. Will we finally find out who "A" is when season 2 resumes on January 2? Well, only that texting antagonist knows the answer. There are many other mysteries on "The Vampire Diaries" that will also have to be resolved once that show picks up again on January 5. And if all that drama is too much to handle, "Glee" will be back for more sing-along good times on January 17, with the Michael Jackson tribute episode airing one week later.

Celebrity Babies
2012 is poised to be a big year for famous babies. OK, so 2011 saw Mariah Carey and Dem Babies, but some of the most famous ladies in La La Land and beyond will become first-time moms in the new year, giving MC and her family a run for their money. Beyoncé and Jay-Z will welcome their first child into the world any day now. The twosome revealed they were in the family way at the VMAs back in August. Jessica Simpson and her fiancé, Eric Johnson, will also welcome their first little bundle of joy. The news of the pregnancy came after a lot of speculation about Simpson's expanding midsection. As it turns out, it's a big year for triple-threat moms-to-be, with Hilary Duff also expecting a baby come 2012.

Ashley Olsen Ashley Scott Ashley Tappin Ashley Tisdale

Usher - There Goes My Baby

There Goes My Baby

Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Candy Valentine

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=544989

Ciara Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura

Beyonce, Britney Spears And More: 25 Best Songs Of 20111675901

We count down the year's most memorable musical moments, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery

Britney Spears on the cover of "Till the World Ends"
Photo: Jive

In 2011, we shuffled and shook it out. We found love and decided to dance until the world ends. We rolled in the deep and celebrated the boys with the booming systems. Shoot, at one point, we even went to Paris with Will Ferrell. It was, to say the very least, an interesting 12 months.

So, how else to sum up the year than with my picks for the 25 Best Songs of 2011: odes to partying and pumped-up kicks, songs of sadness and beauty, tunes about getting loaded and getting revenge. Pop, hip-hop, rock, bed-tronica, they're all here, and they're all important in some way, mostly because they all helped guide us through a rather tumultuous time. But that's enough from me, let's get to the songs. Oh, and I'd like to hear your picks too — drop me a line in the comments below. So now, on with the countdown. 25. Nicola Roberts, "Beat of My Drum": Supremely saccharine single from erstwhile Girls Aloud member mashes together every notable pop moment in recent history, yet somehow manages to be better that the sum of its parts. That's thanks mostly to the supercharged, sing-a-long chorus, where the whole thing comes together in a head-spinning rush. She should go solo more often. 24. Against Me!, "Russian Spies": Searing, surging punk from Gainesville lifers proves their time on Sire Records didn't soften them one bit. It only made them more resolute. And, strangely, sadder too. 23. Kreayshawn, "Gucci Gucci": Either the smartest song of 2011 or the dumbest, the beauty of "Gucci Gucci" — and Kreayshawn, for that matter — is that the answer is probably both. The goofy, horror-movie synth squiggle, the dollops of low-end whomp, the part where Kreay claims to have swag coming out her ovaries ... it's all good. Even if it's not. 22. Gospel Music, "This Town Doesn't Have Enough Bars for Both Of Us": Peppy, poppy, pocket-rock that laments the lack of quality drinking establishments in Owen Holmes' hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, and dares to ponder one of life's great post-breakup quandaries: When does our place become just my place? He's not smart enough to know the answer; instead, he spends his genius on barroom bon mots like, "I'm not drinking anymore/ But I'm not drinking any less." Works for me. 21. Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper": For about a week, this was the biggest song in the world (or the Internet), a fact that had nothing to do with irony, our nascent sense of superiority or kittens, and everything to do with the startling connection Lovato makes with the track itself. Oh, and the fact that she sings the absolute beejezus out of it. Given everything that's happened in Lovato's life, that connection makes sense, but it's the maturity she shows on the song — and that final, chill-inducing chorus — that opened eyes, and served notice. Welcome to the club, Demi. 20. Lykke Li, "Get Some": Overlooked, otherworldly single off Li's equally overlooked (and otherworldly) Wounded Rhymes album, this one is very much about sex. Thumping, bumping, panting ... and then Li pushes it all over the top with her smoldering, sumptuous vocals. The kind of song that requires a cigarette and a cold shower after repeat listens. 19. The Black Keys, "Lonely Boy": After spending portions of their breakout Brothers album getting slightly contemplative, the Keys roar back with "Lonely Boy," a song that only contemplates how best to make a guitar rev like a V-8 engine. A hard-charging, and even harder-chugging treat (with an equally hard-partying music video), it's the kind of classic claptrap you always knew they were capable of making. 18. Chris Brown, "Beautiful People": Folks can talk about Brown's hip-hop turn on "Look at Me Now," but this single represents his biggest reinvention to date. A slippery, shiny club track helmed by Benny Benassi, like most of Breezy's work it is undeniably sexy, but it's also subtly smart too. And that's where he made his biggest strides. Also, unlike "Look at Me Now," he doesn't even mention Mr. Miyagi once. 17. YACHT, "Dystopia (The Earth Is on Fire)": Every day the sky gets lower (lowerlowerlower!) And every day the flames get higher (higherhigherhigher!) So, with apologies to Rock Master Scott and the Dynamic Three, this disco duo just decide to let the motherf---er burn. 16. Washed Out, "Eyes be Closed": Massively ebbing and echoing bed-tronica (or, you know, "chillwave") from some dude in Perry, Georgia. Bonus: Sounds nothing like Perry, Georgia. 15. Lil Wayne, "6 Foot 7 Foot": Weezy and producer Bangladesh may still hate each other (or maybe they've made up, I can't remember), but there's no denying that both men are better off together. "6 Foot" starts with Harry Belafonte's "The Banana Boat Song," then twists it into something else entirely. Knotty and slightly seizure-inducing, it's like "A Milli" times, well, a million. 14. Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass": The unlikely champion of the Summer Jam Sweepstakes, it started life almost as an afterthought (a bonus track on the Pink Friday deluxe edition) and ended up being Nicki's breakthrough hit. Sometimes things just work out that way. Here's to the guys with the booming systems. 13. LMFAO, "Party Rock Anthem": It's either the stoopidest song in recent memory, or perhaps LMFAO's magnum opus (or maybe both), but why ponder points like that when the end result is this good. From its ebola-catchy hook to party-hearty machinations, this one is just begging to be blasted ... and shuffled to. 12. Foster The People, "Pumped Up Kicks": The year's catchiest rock tune was actually last year's catchiest too — it just took folks a while to realize it. Hazy, loping and scratchy like a mohair sweater, it recalls a headier era when bands wrote ultra-hooky singles about ultra-dark things (Eels' "Novocaine for the Soul," the Smashing Pumpkins' "Today," etc.) and earned repeated spins on radio as a result. Also known as the 1990s. 11. Rihanna, "We Found Love": A few weeks ago, someone told me that this would ultimately end up being Rihanna's signature hit and, at the time, I sort of laughed him off. I mean, did he remember "Umbrella"? But, the more I think about it, he may be right. Or at least on the right track. From the icy synth strains to Calvin Harris' hard-charging pre-chorus, it most certainly is the song that best represents pop, circa 2011, and given RiRi's standing in the field, perhaps in time, it will become her set-closing number too. For now, at least, I'm content to bask in "Love's" masterful mix of the carnal and, well, the club. 10. Britney Spears, "Till the World Ends": I have been accused (many times) of being a Brit basher and, sure, that's probably true, but not even I could deny this song. Super-charged star-burst synthesizers, robo-vocals and, of course, that iconic "Woah-Oh-Oh" chantalong, it's the party jam for the post-apocalyptic future. And because of all that, it's also an important song; not only a reminder that Britney is still capable of making truly terrific pop music, but that, really, she never stopped. And coming from one of her most ardent critics, that's high praise indeed. 09. Beyoncé, "Love on Top": You wanted a throwback jam, you've got a throwback jam. Big, bold, brassy and blissed-out, it represents everything B was going for on her 4 album, recalling roiling old R&B classics and the supreme diva-tude of the all-time greats. Sure, I could've gone for something like "Run the World (Girls)" or even "Countdown," but "Love on Top" is where it all clicks, sublimely so. Joy for days, which, given our dire times, made this one an absolute lifesaver. Oh, and as is the case with all of her best tunes, Beyoncé belts here. And really, what else do you need? 08. Nickelback, "Bottoms Up": Take away my cred card, but I am unapologetically in awe of this song. I wrote an entire column about its boozy brilliance earlier this year, but suffice to say, it is without a doubt the greatest thing Nickelback will ever do, in that they are first and foremost a party band, and this is their ultimate party jam: a song about getting supremely sh--faced, about drinking everything from Jim Beam to "straight gasoline," complete with a crushing, ALL-CAPS chorus and appropriately chugging riffs. Oh, and at one point, Chad Kroeger rhymes "bar" with "fire," mostly because he can. Hammer down, now and forever. 07. Bright Eyes, "The Ladder Song": For as much noise as Conor Oberst is capable of making, it's often the quieter moments where his rickety, ramshackle genius shines brightest. And "Ladder Song" — a heartbreakingly raw tribute to a friend who committed suicide — is not only his quietest, it's one of his best. Backed by little more than a piano and a handful of otherworldly room tones, Oberst plumbs the depths of despair, his voice reedy and wavering, and, when he reaches bottom, discovers there are small beauties that make life worth living. It's too bad, he ultimately laments, that his friend didn't discover them too. The year's most achingly beautiful song, by a hair-raising mile. 06. Drake, "Take Care": There are no short

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'Devil Inside' Exclusive Motion Image Is Eye Opening

Consider this a fair warning. When you see the image below move, that isn't you losing your mind or the devil taking over your computer screen.

This is an exclusive motion image from the upcoming horror film "The Devil Inside," the latest entry into the found footage subgenre.
This footage takes a look at the wacky [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/01/01/devil-inside-exclusive-motion-image/

Erica Leerhsen Erika Christensen Estella Warren Esther Cañadas

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Justin Bieber - Mistletoe

Mistletoe

Artist: Justin Bieber
Label: Island Records, RBMG
Director: Roman White

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3187077&vid=700933

Ashanti Ashlee Simpson Ashley Greene Ashley Olsen

Ryan Gosling Spent New Year?s Day With His Mama

Yesterday we saw photos of lovebirds Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes celebrated New Year’s Eve together after the pair traveled from LA to NYC last weekend. Today we get to see who Ryan spent his New Year’s Day with … it turns out, Ryan decided to share the first day of 2012 with the woman [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/gWGhoW8MKJk/

Aaliyah Abbie Cornish Adriana Lima Adrianne Curry

Diddy Blocks Rosie From His Miami Party For Having An Entourage (Bigger Than His)

Did you hear the latest goss from NYE? Rosie O?Donnell was refused entrance into Sean ?Diddy? Combs? New Year?s Eve bash on Miami?s Star Island for turning up with an entourage. Who would have thought that Rosie would be one of those? The Diddy soiree was the party of the night and when Rosie was [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/aLu6JD1qWm4/

Ivana Bozilovic Ivanka Trump Izabella Miko Izabella Scorupco

Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premiere After Party

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premiere After Party

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/michael-jacksons-this-is-it-premiere-after-party/1624956/4354557/photo.jhtml

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Photos | MTV Style | Stars At New York Fashion Week 2011

MTV Style | Stars At New York Fashion Week 2011

Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler Aki Ross Alecia Elliott

Katy Perry And Russell Brand's Split 'Upsetting,' Fans Say

'I was just so sad because they're so funny together. I just can't see them with anyone else,' fan tells MTV News.
By James Dinh

Katy Perry and Russell Brand
Photo: Jeff Vespa/ Getty Images

It may be the beginning of a new year, but it's also the end of Katy Perry and Russell Brand's 14-month marriage. And despite the apparently steady chemistry, fans of both the stars have voiced their thoughts on the couple's sudden divorce, which was announced Friday morning.

"It's upsetting," Khrystyna Luchka, 23, told MTV News during Saturday night's "NYE in NYC 2012." "They're perfect for each other: They're quirky, and they're cute."

Another fan, Emily, confessed that it's hard to imagine the power stars without each other, saying, "I love Katy Perry, so I was just so sad because they're so funny together. I just can't see them with anyone else."

See a timeline of Katy Perry and Russell Brand's relationship.

However, some weren't too saddened by the news, as one follower admitted: "Congratulations to them for making it for that long. Give it a year, I think, for anyone in Hollywood is kind of good."

As expected, the blogosphere was buzzing when news hit that Brand had filed for divorce from the pop darling, citing "irreconcilable differences." Facebook user Randy Michael Ramirez confessed that the breakup may give the pop star inspiration for her forthcoming material. "At least she'll have something to write about for her next album!" he said.

Like Ramirez, Vincent E. Onyeche tied Perry's music and personal life together, writing, " 'The One That Got Away.' She knew it was coming and sang that hit."

Fan Jessica Villarreal was disappointed with the announcement, as she admitted the duo was one of few Hollywood couples she really enjoyed: "This really makes me sad," she wrote on Facebook.

While Twitter user CheeYinYang expressed her disbelief, writing, "Whaaaaaa I don't believe it ... Well at least she didn't pull a Kim Kardashian," another fan felt that there still might be a happy ending for this California girl: "She can find better. ... She's beautiful, bubbly and he might just regret it," JR tweeted.

Share your reactions to Katy Perry and Russell Brand's divorce announcement in the comments below.

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Monday, January 2, 2012

Conrad Murray Sentenced To Four Years In Jail1675062

Former Michael Jackson doctor faces another hearing in January to potentially provide more than $101 million in restitution to the Jackson family.
By Gil Kaufman

Dr. Conrad Murray listens as he sits in court during his sentencing for the involuntary manslaughter of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on November 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Judge Michael E. Pastor sentenced Murray to four years in county jail for his involuntary manslaughter conviction of Jackson.
Photo: Pool/ Getty Images

Former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray was back in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday morning (November 29), where he was ordered to serve the maximum of four years in county jail. The cardiologist, who was found guilty of one felony count of involuntary manslaughter November 7, was facing up to four years in state prison in the death of the pop icon, but due to recent changes to alleviate overcrowding in California prisons, the judge in the case said he was was unable to send the doctor to state prison for his crime.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor had leeway in the sentencing, with options ranging from probation to the full sentence, but in a lengthy ruling from the bench he said that Murray's lack of remorse and negligent behavior argued for the highest possible penalty. Do you think Conrad Murray deserved the maximum sentence? Let us know on Facebook. "He is and remains dangerous ... the request of probation is denied, the court imposes the high term of four years imprisonment in this case," Pastor said during the 90-plus minute hearing. Murray will serve his time in the Los Angeles County Jail, as well as pay nearly $900 in court fees and face another hearing in late January 2012 on a request by the prosecution to provide more than $101 million in restitution to the Jackson family. Murray was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors convinced them that Murray's reckless use of the surgical anesthetic propofol led to the singer's death. Before Pastor's ruling, prosecutors not only asked for the maximum sentence, but also that Murray pay Jackson's children more than $100 million in restitution, which is the amount they believe the singer would have earned had he lived to perform his "This is It" comeback tour, in addition to nearly $2 million in funeral expenses. Prior to handing down the sentence, a peeved-looking Pastor answered a defense question regarding a last minute notice from the prosecution noting that two previous cases suggest that involuntary manslaughter could be considered a "serious" offense and thus should subject Murray to federal prison time. "I don't think these cases have any impact on the realignment statute," Pastor ruled, referring to the new rules regarding sentencing that he believed superseded the earlier cases. Attorney and friend Brian Panish read a statement from the Jackson family at the beginning of the proceedings. "There is now way to adequately describe the loss of our beloved father, son, brother and friend," Panish said. "We still look at each other in disbelief, is it really possible that he is gone? As Michael's parents we never could have imaged we would live to witness his passing. It is simply against the natural order of things. As his brothers and sisters we will never be able to hold, laugh, or perform again with our brother Michael. And as his children, we will grow up without a father, our best friend, our playmate and our dad. We are not here to seek revenge, there is nothing you can do today that will bring Michael back. But we will keep the love in our in our hearts that Michael embodied throughout his life. His passion was for unifying the world through the gift of his artistry. We respectfully request that you impose a sentence that reminds physicians that they cannot sell their services to the highest bidder and cast aside their Hippocratic oath to do no harm. As we all know from this tragedy, doing so can have devastating results. The bible reminds us that men cannot do justice they can only seek justice. And that is all we ask as a family and that is all that we can ask for here." As in the past, Murray, 58, sat stone-faced, listening to the statement and prosecutor David Walgren's quick rehashing of the facts in the case. "He looked out for himself and not Michael Jackson," Walgren said, going on to argue why the court should deny the defense's request for probation. He quoted Pastor's own comments about the dangerous nature of Murray's action following the verdict as evidence that Murray should face a more serious penalty than probation. He said Murray's abandonment of a vulnerable Jackson in the time of the singer's need, as well as the planning the doctor underwent to procure the propofol and to not keep clear medical records about their administration were also reasons to deny probation. "It is the people's position that prison is warranted," Walgren said, adding that it was Murray's negligent actions before, during and after Jackson's death, as well as his lack of remorse and failure to take personal responsibility — as evidenced in clip from a documentary interview nine days before the verdict in which he denied culpability — that call for the longer term. A number of Jackson's family members, including mother Katherine and siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Randy and Rebbie, were reportedly on hand for the court date. When asked by the judge if the new sentencing laws allowed Murray to be sent to prison for the full term, Walgren said they did not. While the defense did not call any witnesses to testify — and Murray did not wish to speak — defense attorney Ed Chernoff did reference more than 30 pages of support memorandum from friends, family and patients in his brief statements. He agreed that Murray's actions do warrant punishment, but asked how the court viewed the book of Murray's life, versus one chapter. "He shouldn't have done it," he said of Murray's actions. "We're going to be honest about vulnerability. Michael Jackson was a drug seeker and he sought it out from Dr. Murray who was wrong in providing it." Chernoff painted Jackson as a rich, powerful person who had the means to do whatever he wanted and asked the court to consider Murray's life before the doctor began working for Jackson. He described Murray's currently cloistered existence in jail in protective custody and asked, "but what about the rest of his life? What about before Michael Jackson asked for propofol?" he wondered, noting that for 56 years Murray had never run afoul of the law and had raised a family following his destitute beginnings on the island of Grenada. "Does any of that matter at all?" Chernoff asked dramatically as he unspooled his client's rise from poverty and what he described as a professional life dedicated to helping poor and disadvantaged patients. "I think it should matter," he answered. "But when the glow of vengeance has faded, he still is someone else's problem. And Dr. Murray can do things for the community on probation that he could never do sitting in that room." Pastor noted that he had discretion in sentencing in this case and that he took into account that both sides have said that Murray's actions did result in the death of Jackson, though pointedly noted that Murray did not take responsibility in the MSNBC documentary that aired days after the guilty verdict. Because the case involved criminal negligence, which requires more than carelessness or mistake in judgment, but reckless actions that result in death, Pastor said it was important to focus on those factors. "This is not a question about what might have happened or what if someone else had been involved if not for Dr. Murray," he said. "That is an insult to the medical profession. The fact is that Michael Jackson died because of the action of and the failure to perform the medical duties of Dr. Murray." The judge said he had taken into account the full story of Murray's life, but said the "unconscionable lies" to medical personnel and a series of "inconceivable" decisions the doctor made on June 25, 2009 jeopardized the life of his patient and superseded what the doctor had done before. "Why give probation to someone who is offended by the whole idea that that person is even before the court," he said, referring to a "failure of character" on behalf of Murray, most specifically, a secret recording the physician made of the singer that Pastor characterized as a type of "insurance policy" against a potential future conflict between the doctor and patient that seemed beyond the pale. The day before the sentence was handed down, Murray's mother, Milta Rush, reportedly wrote a letter to judge Pastor asking him for mercy, saying, "his [Murray's] compassion and his soft heartedness for others led to this dilemma." Pastor said he could find no reason to grant probation to Murray, whose actions he called a "gross, continuing deviation" from medical standards, and who he claimed is and remains a danger to the community. Without the legal authority to send Murray to state prison, Pastor said, "the court has determined that the appropriate term is the higher term of four years imprisonment ... because I find that Dr. Murray had abandoned his patient, who was trusting him ... he has absolutely no remorse." A future date in January was set to begin discussing the prosecution's request for restitution. After being given credit for 46 days of time served and good time credit, Murray was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. The Los Angeles County Sheriff will determine how much time Murray will actually do in his equally overcrowded jail and Murray's lawyers have indicated that they plan to launch an appeal at a later date.

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Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675062/conrad-murray-sentence.jhtml

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Celeb New Year's Resolutions: Shaved Heads For Charity, Tattoos

'I make resolutions every five minutes and then I never stick to them,' Florence Welch admits.
By Kara Warner

Jessie J, who may be shaving her head for charity in 2012
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Can you hear that? It's the final hours of 2011 winding down, getting ready for a bright and shiny 2012. And what better way to welcome the new year than with another round of celebrity New Year's resolutions?

MTV News recently sought out a few of our favorite movers and shakers, including Mac Miller, Florence Welch and the boys of Blink-182, to see what they're resolving to achieve next year.

"I make resolutions every five minutes and then I never stick to them," Welch admitted.

"My New Year's resolution is to be more patient and observant," said 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC nominee Roscoe Dash. "I feel like if you're patient, you're going to be more observant anyway because you've got nothing but time on your hands."

"[I resolve] to have more fun, gain some weight and I want to make a difference in the world. I'm shaving my head next year for charity," 2011 VMA House Artist Jessie J revealed. "I just want to bring more good [to the world]."

Fellow Hottest Breakthrough MC nominee French Montana vowed to keep on keepin' on. "Definitely not to change," he said of his resolution. "Everything I've been doing has been working so far, so definitely not to change."

"My New Year's resolution is to be healthier in every aspect of my life," Mac Miller said with a smile.

We're impressed by all the warm and fuzzy do-good-esque commitments, but Tom Delonge of Blink 182 gets special commendation for his specificity and honesty.

"I want to get another tattoo," Delonge announced. "But I need to exercise before I get it because I want to be able to show it off and look really awesome. It's mostly on my genital area," he joked. "No, no, I want to do a back piece."

"Travis, do you have a New Year's resolution?" Blink 182 frontman Mark Hoppus asked his bandmate Travis Barker. "I'm down with Tom's," Barker said, prompting Hoppus to also throw his support behind Delonge.

"Our New Year's resolution is for Tom to get a back piece," he said.

Before making those resolutions a reality, many celebrities will be out and about on New Year's Eve looking to break loose at a number of big New Year's parties. And MTV will also be getting in on the fun during "NYE in NYC 2012," which will feature Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Mac Miller and more. The show airs live at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday from Times Square, where the famous ball drops.

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Watch: Zooey Deschanel & Joseph Gordon-Levitt Perform ?What Are You Doing New Year?s Eve??

We are just one day away from New Year’s Eve and by now many of your close family and friends have been asking you the immortal question … What are you doing New Year’s Eve? The question has been asked to many times over the years that it was turned into a song that was [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/NwHZjLM8Oq8/

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What Does Hip-Hop Have In Store For 2012?

Here's our rundown of the huge year ahead in hip-hop album releases, tours and new artists.
By Rob Markman

Photo: MTV News

The new year has just started and already 2012 is shaping up to be huge for hip-hop. Not only did Jay-Z hint that we'd be getting separate solo albums from him and Kanye West, Hov told MTV News that we just may get another Throne album. Will another tour follow?

Jay and Yeezy aren't the only ones gearing up for huge releases this year. Rick Ross, T.I., Nicki Minaj and Nas are all on deck to drop in 2012, and there rumors of an OutKast reunion — then again, there are always rumors of an OutKast reunion. What about Dr. Dre's Detox? Will 2012 be the year it finally drops?

Drake will begin his Club Paradise tour in February. What better way to bring his platinum-selling Take Care to life than by hitting the road, right? What about Diddy? Seems the Bad Boy head honcho is building his rap roster and looking to once again dominate with music. Can Machine Gun Kelly, Red Café and French Montana put the storied label back on top?

Only time will tell what the next 12 months will bring, but 2012 already seems to be filled with so much hip-hop promise.

Albums We're Looking Forward To
Hov released his last solo album, Blueprint III, in 2009, and quite frankly, going three years without a Jay solo feels like a crime. After captivating fans with his and Yeezy's WTT team-up, Jay told MTV News that he and 'Ye will not only drop separate solo LPs, but possibly a new Throne LP as well. Oh yeah, and who could forget Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music compilation?

T.I.'s Trouble Man should return the King of the South to his top spot, and Rick Ross will be looking to prove that his 2011 health scare couldn't slow him down with his upcoming God Forgives, I Don't. Nas may have scrapped the Life Is Good title for his 10th album, but based off of the LP's first single, "Nasty," MTV News has high hopes just the same. 50 Cent and Fabolous are both riding high off of their respective 2011 mixtape releases, so expect them both to be in album mode in the coming months.

Nicki Minaj and Wiz Khalifa will also look to prove that they can overcome the dreaded sophomore jinx with their respective albums, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded and O.N.I.F.C. Speaking of sophomore albums, can Eminem lend his Midas touch to the upcoming Slaughterhouse LP? Hell, we'll be happy as long as it's super-lyrical!

As far as Dr. Dre's Detox and OutKast's always-rumored reunion album, we can only hope.

Must-See Tours
For the most part, artists don't go announcing tours too far in advance, but fans have already begun looking forward to Drake's Club Paradise Tour, which begins on Valentine's Day in Miami.

With Nicki, Tyga and Lil Twist all scheduled to drop albums, is it too far-fetched to expect an all-YMCMB tour? Now that would be something.

The Rise of New Artists
It seems rap is breeding more new stars than ever before. Wiz Khalifa earned himself a gold debut, and his Rostrum Records labelmate Mac Miller snagged the #1 album with his first LP, Blue Slide Park. Big Sean and J. Cole took their mixtape grind to the major label, and Wale rejuvenated his career with his sophomore LP, Ambition.

Wale's Maybach Music partner-in-rhyme Meek Mill is set to drop his first album and capitalize off of his deafening street buzz, and MTV News' 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC Machine Gun Kelly hopes that his deal on Bad Boy Records will enhance his cult fanbase.

Speaking of Bad Boy, Diddy seems to be building quite the roster. Can Red Café and the recently signed French Montana rekindle Puff's musical flame? You gotta stay tuned.

What hip-hop music are you looking forward to in 2012? Tell us in the comments!

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Fabolous Buries The Competition On New Mixtape

Fab rounds out his There Is No Competition mixtape series with third installment, in Mixtape Daily.
By Rob Markman

Fabolous
Photo: MTV News

Main Pick
Headliners: Fabolous and DJ Drama
Representing: Brooklyn, New York
Mixtape: There Is No Competition III: Death Comes in 3's
Real Spit: Funeral Fab takes no days off — not even Christmas. On Sunday while many were celebrating the holidays with family, Fabolous decided to gift-wrap his latest mixtape and release it online as a free download. There Is No Competition III: Death Comes in 3's is the third installment of the popular series that Fab and DJ Drama started in 2008.

"The theme of There Is No Competition III, it has the subtitle Death Comes in 3's, which plays along in the trilogy of this tape," Fab told Mixtape Daily.

The death-themed tape doesn't disappoint. On "Black City," Fabolous dons appropriate mourning attire and rides Tyga's "Rack City" beat to take shots at his rap competitors. The killing spree continues on the Lloyd Banks-assisted "Get Down or Lay Down" when F-A-B-O spits, "Money over bitches, dirt on top of bitch, n---as/ Put you in ya place, it happens to be a ditch, n---a." The Street Fam general calls upon more rap comrades on "B.E.T," which features Styles P and Jadakiss, and then again on "Unf---witable" with Red Café.

Things begin to get personal on "Death in the Family." Over an eerie-sounding track, Loso partners up with his brother Paul Cain and together they bid farewell to an unnamed former friend. "I be sayin' to myself as I put on the gloves, it hurts when you gotta kill a n---a you love," Fab raps on the hook.

It isn't all slow singing and flower bringing though. Fab and Meek Mill trade witty bars on "You Don't Know 'Bout It," and on "Spend It," Loso hooks up with Trey Songz as they deliver their take on 2 Chainz's underground hit of the same name.

With Fab's sixth studio album, Loso's Way 2, due out next year, TINC III is the perfect way to end a notable year for the Brooklyn MC, who made a killing in the streets.

Joints to Check For
» "Death Comes in 3's" - "It's like the wake; it's like the thing before the funeral. It's just me, a little bit of my sh-- talking, my letting know they're in for a ride with this mixtape."

» "You Don't Know 'Bout It" - "It started out just being a beat that I liked. I heard it, it was a Travis Porter song, actually. I just jumped on it and hit Meek up."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676593/fabolous-death-comes-in-3s-mixtape.jhtml

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Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber Top 'Celebs Gone Good'1676499

DoSomething.org's annual list ranks the 20 most charity-friendly stars.
By Terri Schwartz

Lady Gaga
Photo: Scott Gries/ Picture Group

Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and George Clooney better have received something nice from Santa this year, because they certainly weren't on his naughty list. Those three toplined DoSomething.org's Top 20 Celebs Gone Good, the organization's annual roundup of the most charity-friendly stars in the business.

This is Gaga's second year in a row at the #1 spot. In 2011 she dedicated much of her time to putting an end to bullying and even started a new charitable organization called Born This Way. The "Marry the Night" singer did plenty more to help out those less fortunate in 2011, including auctioning off a nude sketch for charity and performing at the Bill Clinton Foundation fundraiser. However, this was really Bieber's year to shine. He rocketed up DoSomething.org's list from #10 last year to #2 this year. It helps that Bieber donated some of his profits from his Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe, and his self-named perfume to various charitable organizations. Bieber also kept up his work with Pencils of Promise, a group that has built 41 schools in Laos, Nicaragua and Guatemala and was founded by his manager's brother.

Rounding out the top five were Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio. This was a year for celeb power couples, with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie clocking at #8, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore at #12 and newlyweds Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert at #14. Other notable standouts this year were Demi Lovato at #10, Lea Michele making her charitable debut at #16, Daniel Radcliffe at #17, Miley Cyrus at #18 and Taylor Swift rounding out the list at #20. What do you think of DoSomething.org's list? Leave your comments below!

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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Michael Jackson - Thriller (Long Vers.)

Thriller (Long Vers.)

Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Epic Records
Director:
Album: Kicking Cans

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1102&vid=26726

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Where Will Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga Party On New Year's?1676540

From New York to L.A., celebs have plans to ring in 2012 with a bang.
By Jocelyn Vena

Kim Kardashian celebrate New Years Eve at TAO Nightclub at the Venetian on December 31, 2010 in Las Vegas
Photo: Denise Truscello

New Year's Eve is the last chance you'll have to party in 2011. And as the days to plan out your big night begin to dwindle, MTV News is rounding up some of the biggest parties on the planet. From Los Angeles to New York, there's something for everyone. The Kardashians will be hosting several parties all over Las Vegas. Kim will be at Tao (for a fee of reportedly $600,000), Kourtney, along with the Madden Brothers, will party it up at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris while Rob has it on lock at Tryst.

Other big Sin City parties include Chris Brown's shindig at Pure, Mary J. Blige's bash at RPM Nightclub, Bruno Mars at The Bank and B.o.B at LAX (the club, not the airport). Fergie and will.i.am will both be in Vegas to ring in 2012. The Black Eyed Peas' leading lady will be at 1OAK, while will.i.am be DJing at Surrender. Professional party rockers LMFAO will be shufflin' all night long at Haze Nightclub at Aria. Newly engaged John Legend will perform at the Palms with T-Pain and Paul Oakenfold. As celeb-filled as it may seem, not all the stars will be in Vegas. In Los Angeles, Mario Lopez is hosting a party at Hollywood & Highland that boasts performances by Lupe Fiasco and Cobra Starship. And in Chicago, "American Idol" alum Lee DeWyze will be at the Hard Rock Hotel with DJ Chris Kennedy (Chris Masterson) spinning tunes. Kanye West's plans have yet to be determined, but he recently tweeted he's looking for a place to DJ right into 2012. We're sure someone will find a place for him at their party.

New York is the home of all things New Year's. Lady Gaga has been booked to perform on two NYE specials: the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" and the Japanese program "Kohaku Uta Gassen." For those who want to snuggle up on their couch and avoid all the partying madness, MTV has your back. This year Demi Lovato, Mac Miller, Selena Gomez, J. Cole, Jason Derulo and more will be on hand for "NYE in NYC 2012," which will air live at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday (December 31) from Times Square, where the famous ball drops on, you guessed it, MTV. What are your New Year's Eve plans? Let us know in the comments!

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