- 10
- Mar
Bruce Dickinson’s 6 Music show is to be axed, while Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show is going down to three nights a week.
- 10
- Mar
Katie Stevens and Paige Miles appear to be headed home.
By Eric Ditzian, with additional reporting by Gil Kaufman
Crystal Bowersox on "American Idol" on Tuesday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images
The first grade in this week's "American Idol" women's report card goes to the producers for lopping 60 minutes off the show's running time. A+ programming move, folks. The two-hour, filler-heavy live episodes we've seen in recent weeks will not be missed, even if the leaner, meaner show still managed to kick off with a painfully corny, too long bit involving the openly gay Ellen DeGeneres cuddling in the lap of the painfully heterosexual, recently engaged Simon Cowell as some sort of bid to convince us that the two talent adjudicators are BFFs.
Now about those contestants. A few will not be missed either next week, based on their subpar performances on Tuesday night. Others, meanwhile, continued to impress and had us thinking this season is not nearly as dull as we once feared. Who surprised us, who disappointed us and who's in danger of going home? Let's take a look at the top 12 women's report card. (And don't miss Jim Cantiello's recap of their performances in the MTV Newsroom.)
Excellent Didi Benami: Picking up the guitar for the first time since the Hollywood rounds, Benami wins the comeback-kid award for her acoustic folk take on Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon." Her confident strumming and doleful camera stares made the judges fall in love with her again, with Cowell declaring that she'd had her first "wow" moment of the season.
Crystal Bowersox: After last week's health scare, this season's one to beat did it again, effortlessly killing it with a bluesy shuffle through Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason." Though not as revelatory as last week's Creedence Clearwater Revival cover, Bowersox's confidence and chops inspired Cowell to absolutely guarantee she'd be in the top 12 next week.
Good Lilly Scott: Performing in the prime final spot, Scott strummed an electric mandolin for Patsy Cline's classic "I Fall to Pieces." Kara loved how she made a 50-year-old song sound contemporary, and Cowell praised her unique personality and oddball delivery but wasn't sure it was enough to get her through to the next round. Scott won't hoist the trophy in May, but we beg to differ with Cowell: She will live to sing again next week, at least.
Siobhan Magnus: This season's resident quirky girl paid homage to her dad with the Animals' "House of the Rising Sun." In place of last week's soul-wail-heard-round-the-world, she kicked the retro tune off with a strong a cappella section and turned in a solid, if unexceptional, performance that should get her into the top 12 as well. DeGeneres said she was captivated and called the rendition spectacular. The glassblower's apprentice may have kept it in check this week, but make no mistake: She can wail.
Lacey Brown: She'd had very little success mixing it up with Fleetwood Mac and Sixpence None the Richer up until now, so Texas' Brown decided to chuck it all and just do what comes naturally, crooning countryish ballads. From her rooster-like hair to the animal-print cardigan, it was all a bit Beauty School Dropout, but Brown did just enough with Brandi Carlile's "The Story" to impress most of the panel, with Simon giving her props for knowing how to seduce the camera. She'll keep on keepin' on, but just giving good camera face won't get her that far.
Satisfactory Katelyn Epperly: She wanted to up the energy, but with a disco-lite stumble through Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move," all Epperly did was likely make voters second-guess their opinions after two strong weeks. Kara went so far as to say she didn't think Kate had her game face on and was just going through the motions, while just about all Randy Jackson and Simon could compliment was her gorgeous head of blonde curls. She's probably safe for another week, but just barely.
Unsatisfactory Katie Stevens: We've hammered her for many things in the past, but never before for being pitchy. A new week, a new critique. After repeated criticism for picking songs that made her sound older than a 17-year-old high-schooler, Stevens smartly went with Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" ... but it still didn't measure up. Her Benjamin Button-like qualities just make her incapable of communicating any sense of youthful energy. Jackson said the song was too big for her voice, while Cowell called it gloomy, complaining that she too didn't know what kind of artist she wants to be. You could see it in her eyes: She knows she's going home. Voters will likely agree.
Paige Miles: One of the most epic fails in "Idol" history. Miles, who despite scant screen time before the semi-finals has been tagged by the judges as having one of the best voices in the competition, butchered one of Michael Jackson's favorite songs, "Smile," turning it from inspiring to just plain sad and heavy in Ellen's eyes. Cowell said it was like a Holiday Inn lounge-worthy effort and effectively signed her ticket home. Miles broke down and said she couldn't keep her emotions in check during the performance, perhaps a precursor to Thursday night's tears.
What did you think of the women's performances? Who killed it? Who blew it? Who is definitely making it to the top 12? Let us know by leaving your comments below.
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- 10
- Mar
'They built rehabs because of me,' the actor, who died Wednesday of an apparent drug overdose, told us.
By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Cory Haim
Photo: Jim Spellman/ WireImage
Corey Haim made no secret of his past battles with drug addiction and his multiple stays in rehabilitation centers over the years. Now that the '80s star has died of an apparent drug overdose at the age of 38, MTV News went back into our archives to an August 2007 interview during which Haim spoke honestly and insightfully about his struggles with substance abuse and the day he finally got clean.
"They built rehabs because of me," he said during the interview in our New York newsroom.
Haim had submitted to various treatment programs time after time, but none ever instilled in him a true desire to get clean. "It didn't work at the beginning because I was doing it for everyone else," he said. " 'Mom, I love you, I'm going to get clean for you. Dad, I love you, man, gonna get clean for you, gonna go in here for you. I'll do it for you, I'll do it for you.' Everyone but me."
What changed? Haim woke up one day — describing the timeline as "years ago" — and literally couldn't look at himself in the mirror. "I know it's an old, boring story, but it was a day where I looked in the mirror," he said. "It was strange, not because I think I'm God. I looked in the mirror and was like, 'Man, you just don't look good.' And I didn't feel well accompanied with it at all. [His loved ones said] 'That's what we were trying to tell you!' 'Right, but now I get it for me. Not for you, not for you and not for you. For me, I get it.' "
"It wasn't a good day," he added. "But it was the best day of my life, if you want to flip the script. It was an eye-opener." If early reports are to be believed, however, Haim eventually seemed to have relapsed. He died of an apparent drug overdose early Wednesday morning and an autopsy is planned.
In the summer of 2007, though, in the midst of a comeback that had him starring in A&E reality show "The Two Coreys," Haim spoke of his drug addictions as if they were strictly in the past. "I think when a person gets it with themselves finally, however they get it, that's a great day for them, if they're still alive," he said.
Related Videos Related Photos- 10
- Mar
London's Royal Opera House is to host the world premiere of an opera about the life of ex- Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith.
- 10
- Mar
The first official midweek singles chart shows that Tinie Tempah is due to hold on to the number one spot for a second week.
- 10
- Mar
Singer Charlotte Church agrees a £2m deal with a music investment company to finance the recording of her next reccord, it is confirmed.
- 10
- Mar
'Lost Boys' actor was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning.
By Eric Ditzian, with additional reporting by Jocelyn Vena
Corey Haim
Photo: Michael Bezjian/ Wireimage
Following actor Corey Haim's death from an apparent drug overdose at the age of 38, the Los Angeles Coroner's Office told MTV News that it will conduct an investigation and examination, including an autopsy.
Calls to both the coroner's office and the North Hollywood police department, however, revealed contradictory information about the timeline of Haim's death early Wednesday morning. The police department told MTV News that he was transported to Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank around 3:30 a.m. PT and was declared dead at 3:38 a.m.; the coroner's office told MTV News that he was declared dead at 2:15 a.m.
At press time, the Corner's office was unable to provide information about when the autopsy would take place nor when any findings would be released. Toxicology tests can typically take up to six weeks before results are completed and made public.
TMZ reported that law enforcement sources have confirmed Haim died of a drug overdose and that his mother discovered him at his apartment complex and called 911. The site also cited unnamed law-enforcement sources as saying prescription-medication bottles were found near his body, and that Haim's mother said the actor had struggled with prescription drug addiction for years. TMZ also said the LAPD has opened up an investigation into his death.
Born in 1971, Haim rose to Hollywood fame through a string of '80s films like "Silver Bullet," "Lucas," "License to Drive" and "The Lost Boys." He struggled with substance abuse issues throughout his career. In recent years, though, he seemed to make something of a comeback, starring alongside frequent co-star Corey Feldman on an A&E reality show, "The Two Coreys," for two seasons. He also made a cameo in a sequel to "The Lost Boys," "Lost Boys: The Tribe," in which he reprised his role as Sam Emerson.
Related Videos Related Photos- 10
- Mar
Singer teases her 'monsters' with new stills from clip, which premieres Thursday.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga in her "Telephone" video
Photo: twitter.com/ladygaga
Lady Gaga is keeping her fans salivating for the Thursday premiere of her "Telephone" music video by releasing a couple more stills from the Jonas Akerlund-directed clip, which happens to feature her pals Beyoncé, who sings on the track, and Semi Precious Weapons.
In the photos on her official Web site, Gaga is seen talking on a pay phone with soda can rollers in her hair, much makeup and a heavily studded leather jacket. In an additional still, Gaga is in a sparkly strapless dress, with cigarette sunglasses on, covered in heavy chains. Both stills seem to fit in with reports that in the video, Gaga is in jail and Beyoncé helps break her free.
A previous photo, which appeared on a fansite, shows Beyoncé staring at a telephone, perhaps with Gaga on the other end looking for some assistance. The nearly 10-minute clip will reportedly have nods to the films of Quentin Tarantino, including use of the car that Uma Thurman drove in "Kill Bill." The ladies paid homage to Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" in Beyoncé's video for "Video Phone."
Gaga has said that "Telephone," which premieres Thursday night on E!, picks up where "Paparazzi" left off. The slow leak of photos and tiny pieces of information has helped Gaga build anticipation for the video.
In the past decade, however, Haim made moves for a career comeback. He starred alongside Feldman on their A&E reality show, "The Two Coreys," for two seasons. He was also made a cameo in the "Lost Boys" sequel, "Lost Boys: The Tribe," where he reprised his role as Sam Emerson.
According to IMDB, Haim had completed work on two films — "American Sunset" and "New Terminal Hotel" — and had several others in the works at the time of his death, including "Rated 3D," "A Detour in Life," "The Science of Cool," "Decisions" and "The Throwaways," the latter of which he was also planning on directing. He was reportedly filming "The Dead Sea," about mercenaries hunting for a missing naval vessel. At press time, there was no word on the status of those films.
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- Mar
Sheriff said rapper repeatedly violated probation by using illegal drugs.
By Gil Kaufman
DMX (file)
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage
Troubled rapper DMX was arrested on Tuesday in Arizona for five counts of violating his probation on drug charges. According to Phoenix ABC affiliate KNXV, X (born Earl Simmons), was picked up by the Adult Probation Office after admitting to using illegal drugs over the past nine months.
"He admitted to using cocaine, so he's back in our jail," said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "I think it's about time to give him hard time." The get-tough sheriff said if the rapper is serious about kicking his drug habit, the Arizona jail system — where X has already logged time on animal cruelty and drug possession charges — could help him get clean.
"We do have a great drug prevention program in the jail, so if he stays in our jail system I will consider (letting) him go through our program," Arpaio said. In June, DMX, 39, was sentenced to more than a year of probation after pleading guilty in May to attempted aggravated assault for throwing a food tray at a jail officer, an incident that occurred while X was in jail serving a 90-day sentence for felony theft, drug possession and animal cruelty.
According to a Reuters report, the rapper told his probation officer that he'd been regularly using illegal drugs over the past nine months and had not complied with the terms of his treatment plan.
X was given 18 months of supervised probation and ordered to pay fines upon his release in May. Arpaio said after arresting DMX five times, he's eager to see the rapper do some serious time in an Arizona jail.
A spokesperson for DMX could not be reached for comment at press time.
While on probation, X played one chaotic live show in Colorado that ended in a reported near riot, booked and then backed out of an MMA fight in December and was reported to be working on new music that Swizz Beatz said could fuel his long-rumored comeback.
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