Things I've Learned This Week

I may have graduated from college, but the learning never stops. Here are some things that I've learned this week related to the entertainment industry.

1). Miley Cyrus and I shares something odd in common: We both don't eat green foods. I get made fun of for this trait all the time, so it's nice to know I share it with someone, especially a multi-millionaire Hollywood phenom. Want proof? Check out Miley's interview on Jay Leno's new show:

2). The EMMYs may actually be back. Neil Patrick Harris and Co. did a great job making the show less about the awards, and more about the entertainment factor. It helped that they were able to crack jokes at their own irrelevance for most of the night. To be honest, I don't even care about the winners. Without a Kanye West/Taylor Swift moment there wasn't anything worth a huge headline.

3). I love season premieres...and the internet. Your old favorites make their comebacks, and you get a chance to fall in love with fresh meat all at the same time. The internet and DVRs everywhere allow you to now watch as many as you can without having to miss out on the shows airing in competing time slots. I've been taking advantage of this, BIG TIME. So far I can't get enough of the CW's new lineup, including: Vampire Diaries, Melrose Place, 90210, Gossip Girl, and One Tree Hill.

4). Shows can surivive even when cast members you thought you couldn't live without leave.
I thought I was done with One Tree Hill last season. With Chad Michael Murray and Hillary Burton out, and the perfect ending that was the season finale I thought I'd never see it again and be forever happy. Then I watched the season premiere. I forgot those characters were ever even important. Sophia Bush and company had no trouble carrying on the great OTH tradition and thus they'll have my viewership throughout the season.

5). Following celebrities on Twitter is not a bad thing. I have been thoroughly entertained many a time thanks to my Twitter addiction. Celebrities post the craziest shit on there, and I eat it up. Want to make yourself feel better? Just read the post of a celeb whose making a fool of themself by having an online Twitter feud with another celeb (i.e. Perez Hilton and Demi Moore). Want to live vicariously through a 16 year old phenom? Follow the likes of Miley Cyrus. Want to see a celeb use their popularity for good? Try catching up with Ashton Kutcher.


6). Kelly Clarkson is a bad-ass. Read below to learn why I suddenly love this diva even more now.

Dear Kanye,

What happened to you as a child?? Did you not get hugged enough?? Something must have happened to make you this way and I think we’re all just curious as to what would make a grown man go on national television and make a talented artist, let alone teenager, feel like shit. I mean, I’ve seen you do some pretty shitty things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, asshole ways. It’s absolutely fascinating how much I don’t like you. I like everyone. I even like my asshole ex that cheated on me over you…which is pretty odd since I don’t even personally know you. The best part of this evening is that you weren’t even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. Is winning a moon man that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really??

I was actually nominated in the same category that Taylor won and I was excited for her…so why can’t you be?? I’m not even mad at you for being an asshole…I just pity you because you’re a sad human being.

On a side note, Beyonce has always been a class act and proved again tonight that she still is. Go TEXAS!!

Taylor Swift, you outsell him ….that’s why he’s bitter. You know I love your work! Keep it up girl!

KC

#MusicMonday: "Here We Go Again"

I NEVER would have thought I'd admit to downloading ANYTHING of Demi Lovato's... and yet, here I sit about to write an entire post about her sophomore album.
It started when I first heard "Here We Go Again" on the radio. The song, and title of the new album, made me do an immediate double take. That couldn't be Kelly Clarkson, could it? I have Kelly Clarkson's albums, I'd know if it were on there. So who could be responsible for the catchy pop/rock ballad blaring through my speakers?
I happen to be a proud owner of SHAZZAM, so I stuck my cell out an awaited the display...
Demi Lovato: "Here We Go Again". At first I thought it was broken. There's no way that the Disney starlet could be responsible for this sure-fire hit.
I knew Lovato could sing... you had to be living under a rock to ignore all the promotion that came during and following her Camp Rock debut. When you sing with the Jonas Brothers you tend to get noticed. I just didn't realize that Lovato would be able to so quickly shed her 16 year old skin for a more mature sound.
Now "Here We Go Again" isn't necessarily "mature". But it reminds me more of Kelly Clarkson than... Hilary Duff. It doesn't stray from it's core audience, but at the same time it reaches out to pull in a new, untapped audience.
I figured if "Here We Go Again" was the top seller on iTunes within its first five minutes of coming out, it was worth me checking out.
And here I give my kudos to Lovato. She nailed it. Instead of following in fellow Disney teen queen Miley Cyrus' footsteps, Lovato choose music meant to make her stand out from the crowd.
There's not a hint of country here (Cyrus' songs, on the other hand, reek of it---in a good way). Instead each song pulls from a seemingly different artistic place. For example, "Got Dynamite" sounds more like something you'd hear from Pink (minus all the yelling). "U Got Nothing" is more Mandy Moore and The Weepies, only pop infused. "Remember December" is Lady Gaga minus the techno beat. It's still catchy and a potential dance hit (I'm already anticipated a remix, as is it's just a good car jam).
There are certainly tracks on the album I could do without...the Sonny With a Chance theme song being one of them. "Gift of a Friend" feels like it should be the theme to a Disney princess movie (and maybe it is...). It feels rather out of place and sing-songy for the album.
Unlike her Disney counterparts (with the exception of Cyrus who comes by it naturally--and already with three albums out THIS YEAR, has proven she's a hit maker), this album proves that Demi Lovato can actually sing. In fact, having seen her act I'm fairly certain that her musical skills trump anything she can do on screen.

Kelly Clarkson...back?

Kelly Clarkson pole-vaults to the top of the Billboard charts in a history making leap from 97th to No. 1 within the course of a week! Her new single "My Life Would Suck Without You" holds the No. 1 spot on the Digital Chart as well, also selling 279,605 downloads in a mere week, which just happens to be the third biggest digital song debut for any female artist. The single track comes from Kelly's fourth album, All I Ever Wanted, which is set to drop March 10.

The question is whether or not the former American Idol can re-captivate audiences with the rest of her album. Needless to say, My December, was a flop...especially having ridden the coat tails of an uber-successful sophomore album. "My Life..." appears to give a nod to Kelly's roots. The dramatic pop is what got her to the top, hopefully it's what will keep her there on this latest album. I was disappointed with Clarkson's last attempt. I'll be willing to write it off as a mid-career crisis, though if "All I Ever Wanted" brings her former spark back.

The Buzz: Sandra's latest Smash, Bush's New Deal, Emma 18!, Gossip Girls is back!!!

*Sandra's latest smash not on film
-Sandra Bullock and husband Jessie James were involved in a car accident Friday night. 64-year old Lucille Gatchell is the party responsible for the crash. Witnesses say that Bullock and her hubby were being driven to their hotel when the other vehicle came swerving towards them. The cars crashed at about 15-20 miles an hour and both were eventually towed from the scene. The stars' publicist said that both Bullock and James were unhurt.

*Bush's New Deal
-President George W. Bush will be appearing on an episode of the hit NBC gameshow Deal or No Deal. According to ET: "Bush will deliver a message to one particularly brave contestant: Captain Joseph Kobes, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient who served three tours in Iraq." Is it just me or is this eerily similar to American Dreamz? If Bush were appearing on American Idol I'd really be freaked out.

*Emma Watson 18 and fully loaded
-Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione in the Harry Potter films, has finally become a legal adult. This means it is much less creepy for her to be dating Jay Barrymore, a 25-year-old banker. What's the rule regarding appropriate age differences again? Oh well.

*Gossip Girls is BACK!!!
-I know where I'll be tonight. Actually that's a lie. My hometown cable company is retarded and doesn't host the CW. So I'll be paying two bucks on iTunes to download tonight's new episode of Gossip Girls. Am I the only one that is in love with this show? No way! New York magazine is head over heels for the show too. In fact, the cast was featured in a VERY sexy cover just recently that clearly stated how the magazine felt regarding the show: Best. Show. Ever. I agree! You're nobody until you're talked about!!!

*Kelly Sings for the Pope
-Kelly Clarkson isn't just ANY American Idol winner. This pop star has the voice of an angel. At least the someone thought so. Clarkson sang "Ave Maria" for the Pope during his visit in the States. You can check it out below!

The Buzz: Idol Gives Back-a lot, More Marie, Beckham's Boo Boo, Ashlee Engaged

*American Idol is the gift that keeps on giving. It's been giving Fox great ratings for 7 seasons, it's been giving record execs hot selling artists, and it's been giving back to charity. During Idol's "Idol Gives Back" episode last night Ryan Seacrest delighted fans everywhere by announcing that now Idol will be giving mail too. Fans of the show will soon be able to purchase Idol stamps featuring Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and the rest of the season's winners. Of course, net proceeds will go "Idol Gives Back". You can send Kelly Clarkson's face to your friends by going to americanidol.com or PhotoStamps.com.

*Marie Osmond thinks people still care
-Poor Marie Osmond. She's under the impression that she's still uber-popular. Granted there are still fans left out there from her "Donny and Marie" days (they were kind enough to support her on Dancing with the Stars) but no one under 35 gives a crap about a washed up former musician. Osmond is hoping to chance this by writing a new book, "Might as Well Laugh About it Now". It's set to hit shelves in 2009. How much you want to bet that Marie will promote her own book on the upcoming talk show she's set to host?

*Beckham's Boo Boo
-I love it when celebrities get pulled over. I love it even more when they get a ticket! I'm not sadistic...I just like seeing justice being applied to all. David Beckham is the most recent recipient of police attention. He was pulled over in his Cadillac Escalade while running errands in Hollywood. I hope Becks can afford the fine...

*Ashley Simpson and Pete Wentz engaged
-Jessica's younger sister is finally engaged! The actress/musician* (cough, cough. Sorry I still have doubts she can actually do either) and her rocker beau made it official by offering a statement on a website. Here's the good news: We won't be subject to the whole "I'm a virgin this is a big day for me" bull crap that we suffered through when big sis Jessica got married. I wonder if preacher/dad Joe is going to perform the ceremony...

*I beat you Perez
-This is more a personal pat on the back. I reported yesterday on Natalie Portman's new beau. Today the story appears on PerezHilton.com. It isn't often that I can one up the self-proclaimed "Queen of Media", so when it happens I have to gloat.

The Buzz: Entertainment news from Abroad, More song leakage

*Busy Brits
-British news reports indicate that the very adorable Prince Harry (hey I've seen him in person and can totally vouch for his hotness!) is not off the market. The Prince apparently popped the question to Chelsy Davi while on a safari in Botswana. I didn't know people actually vacationed in Botswana. Then again, when you have as much money as the royal family you can probably vacation wherever the heck you want.

*The Verdicts In...Princess Di's Driver and Paps to blame for Death
-It's been more than ten years since everyone's favorite Princess and Dodi Fayed,boyfriend and son of Harrod's owner, died tragically in a motor vehicle accident in a Paris underpass. The results of an official inquest are out. It was deemed that the actions of the vehicle's driver and the pursuing paparazzi caused the unlawful deaths. Recklass speeds and the lack of seatbelt use also contributed to the crash.

* New music on the Internet..."It Sucks".
-Kelly Clarkson found four yet unreleased songs leaked onto the internet this week. The demos were featured on a music blog and were obviously a work in progress. Kelly voiced her opinion of the leak saying to Billboard that, "The fact that people have heard music that's not ready yet sucks,but I hope they like it." The country inspired tracks (Kelly did just wrap up her tour with Reba McIntire) have already been taken down from the site. Bummer.