Sunday, December 5, 2010

'Megamind'

Though it treads upon familiar territory, this anti-superhero tale is superbly entertaining.


Angelina Jolie Robert Pattinson

Cee Lo Remembers His Odd Jobs On 'When I Was 17'

'F--- You' belter recalls high school hustles on episode premiering Saturday at 11 a.m.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Cee-Lo
Photo: MTV News

Cee Lo's latest hit, the Grammy-nominated, lyrically bird-flipping jam "F--- You," is all about unapologetically sticking it to a former flame. But back when the MC was a teen, he was fairly well-behaved, spending a lot of time toiling at a bevy of random gigs.

"When I was 17, I did just about every odd job that you can think of. I worked for a temporary agency called Talent Tree, and they would call you as availabilities came in," Cee Lo recalls in the latest episode of "When I Was 17," which premieres Saturday at 11 a.m. "I worked at a bank. I worked at a shoe warehouse. I worked for Xerox. All we do is make copies of documents all night. It paid pretty good to do that too."

The ex-Goodie Mob MC also remembers a gig at a snack-packaging facility that churned out compact cartons of assorted salty munchies.

"I remember one that was really funny — I worked in a warehouse where they were putting together the Frito-Lay variety boxes of chips," The Lady Killer singer explains. "I was on the end and I would push them through the plastic part where they would kinda do the overlay of plastic."

The "Closet Freak" belter recalls an incident in which the chips took a messy detour on their road to plastic-wrapped destiny.

"One time I look back over the conveyor belt, and I just remember potato chips just falling all over the floor," he says. As the chips slid from the conveyor belt, Cee Lo decided it was time to make his exit as well.

"I was like, 'Oh, no. I'm out!' " he says.

"When I Was 17" — this week featuring Cee Lo, Audrina Patridge and Miss J — premieres Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV.

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Saturday, December 4, 2010

#10 Morning Glory - $3.9 M

Weekend: $3.9 M, Total Domestic Gross: $26.3 M


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Barbie Rocks Lady Gaga's Outrageous 2010 Outfits

Iconic doll models Mother Monster's zaniest looks of the year in an Entertainment Weekly photo spread.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Cher and Lady Gaga Barbies at the 2010 VMAs
Photo: EW.com

One unique hallmark of pop-culture superstardom is getting a doll fashioned in her super-fabulous image. But when we're talking about Lady Gaga, one plastic figurine suited up in a signature costume just isn't enough. That's also what the folks at Entertainment Weekly thought, so they tricked out an assortment of Barbies in miniature versions of some of Gaga's most memorable 2010 looks.

In a tribute to one of the magazine's Entertainers of the Year, stylists re-created six of Gaga's most headline-grabbing ensembles for the foot-tall diva. Barbie is wrapped up in strips of raw meat for a doll-size take on Gaga's meat dress from the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, her fleshy booties affixed to her feet with dental floss and a miniature Cher with big hair and a skimpy bodysuit handing her a Moonman in front of a VMA step-and-repeat.

Barbie is also outfitted in her own version of the lacy beekeeper-chic look Gaga rocked to attend her sister's high school graduation. Lending the image a sense of authenticity, the picture of Barbie in a cream-colored jumpsuit and voluminous black veil was actually snapped at the Germanottas' alma mater on New York's Upper East Side.

Another of the songstress' show-stopping NYC appearances is revisited, as Barbie dons a mini-dress made of brown human-hair extensions and ropes of sparkly jewels with a mic attached to her hand, paying homage to Gaga's intimate show at the Plaza Hotel's Oak Room in September.

Both Gaga and longtime CNN anchor Larry King get the Mattel treatment in black-and-white collared shirts, suspenders, spectacles and slicked-back locks to commemorate the pop sensation's interview in June.

Barbie gets raunchy on a jail-cell bed — legs askew and hand on her crotch — swathed in a few strategically placed slivers of a yellow rain poncho similar to Brian Lichtenberg's creation for Gaga and Beyoncé's "Telephone" video. Gaga's cigarette-packed shades and chain-link body jewelry are also scaled down for Barbie for another "Telephone" scene. The iconic doll also gives a sartorial shout-out to Gaga's partner-in-music-video-crime, sporting bangs and a cowboy hat like Beyoncé's character, Honey B.

What do you think of Barbie rocking Gaga's looks? Let us know in the comments!

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Mel Gibson's "The Beaver" Trailer

While his personal life has been quite the mess, Mel Gibson is gearing up for the release of his new movie "The Beaver".

Giving interested viewers a glimpse of what to expect from the Jodie Foster directed flick, the trailer for the comedy/drama has just been released.

Also starring Miss Foster, Jennifer Lawrence and Anton Yelchin, "The Beaver" tells the story of "a troubled husband and executive adopting a beaver hand-puppet as his sole means of communicating."

While no U.S. release date has been announced thus far, the movie first will hit theaters in the Netherlands on January 6, 2011, with scheduled debut dates of January 14th for Norway and February 11th in the UK.

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Ronald Isley, Anita Baker Honored At Soul Train Awards

Rihanna, Eminem, Usher, B.o.B, Alicia Keys among winners at event celebrating 40th anniversary of classic music show.
By Joel Hanek and Gil Kaufman


Anita Baker at the 2010 Soul Train Awards
Photo: Moses Robinson/ Getty Images

Only at the Soul Train Awards could you have a tribute to R&B icons such as Anita Baker and Ronald Isley alongside a segment in which rap legend Doug E. Fresh attempts to teach CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer how to do the Dougie.

It was that kind of night at the 2010 Soul Train Awards, as rookies, veterans and legends came together in Atlanta for the second annual event — which was taped November 10 and aired Sunday night on BET. The show, hosted once again by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, featured a night of performances from some of the biggest names in soul and R&B.

Host Howard told MTV News that the show is meant to be an extension of the long-running and legendary '70s TV series that brought soul, disco, R&B and rap stars into viewers' living rooms. "It reminds me of the advancement black people have made over the years because 'Soul Train' really was the beginning of that Black Power movement when we could actually see ourselves — and to have an awards show based upon that 'Soul Train' — it's headed somewhere," Howard said. "We have a black president now. The country seems to be more tolerant towards the diversity inside of it so it seems like the train is moving well down the tracks."

The awards show marked the 40th anniversary of the classic music showcase hosted by Don Cornelius, and celebrated the careers of Baker and Isley, while handing out trophies to such contemporary stars as B.o.B (Song of the Year for "Nothing on You"), Melanie Fiona (Best New Artist), Eminem and Rihanna (Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year for "Love the Way You Lie"), Usher (Album of the Year for Raymond vs. Raymond) and Alicia Keys (Record of the Year for "Unthinkable [I'm Ready]" and Best Female R&B Soul Artist).

Though top winners such as Trey Songz, Usher, Ciara, Eminem and Rihanna were not in the house, Blitzer graciously agreed to accept Slim Shady's award for him, joking, "Who better to accept this award on behalf of Eminem ... I know he's thrilled."

Weaving through a series of skits involving magic tricks and jovial bickering by the hosts, the performance-heavy program delivered on talent. R. Kelly opened by teasing the crowd with his classic "Bump n' Grind," then diving into his new single "When a Woman Loves" — transforming the song from a slow jam into an all-out '50s rock-and-roll epic. Ne-Yo kept the show moving with a showcase of his singles from this year, including "Champagne Life" and "One in a Million."

The tribute to Baker featured an all-star cast, with artists like Chrisette Michele, Goapele, Lalah Hathaway, Dionne Farris, Kem, Tamia, Faith Evans and El DeBarge covering a medley of the singer's greatest hits. Baker told the crowd that the biggest honor of the night for her was that real musicians were performing live with an actual band. "It's amazing because you've got children behind you singing 'Rapture' — it's lovely," she said, adding, "Let's do it again!"

Ronald Isley, co-founder and lead singer of the Isley Brothers, also received a special homage that featured Jeffrey Osborne, Freddy Jackson, DeBarge, Tank, Eric Benet, Bilal and Peabo Bryson. Isley also came out to perform his own medley of hits and was joined onstage by Chanté Moore and R. Kelly for a rendition of "Contagious," their 2002 single that featured the Isleys. In addition, Cee Lo Green closed the show with a duet on the Isleys' classic 1959 hit, "Shout."

Among the event's other highlights was Cee Lo's performance of his smash "Forget You," which took place on a golden stage that resembled a cross between Kanye's Egyptian fusion and an OK Go video, and found the singer gliding down conveyor belts while belting his number.

Erykah Badu delivered a stripped-down version of her 2010 breakout "Window Seat" that featured the singer perched on the floor over a web of lights while appearing to orchestrate the vibrations of light flickers with her hands.

Soul singer Eric Benet performed "Sometimes a Cry" — a song that Lil Wayne cited as one of his favorites while in prison — bringing down the house with a soaring falsetto that bested his studio rendition of the track.

The evening's other performers included Bruno Mars, who sang his new hit "Grenade," and Jazmine Sullivan, who did a medley of "10 Seconds" and "Holding You Down (Goin' in Circles)."

Did you watch the 2010 Soul Train Awards? Tell us about your favorite highlights in the comments.

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Olivier Martinez Gets Into Nasty Fracas with Paparazzo

Bringing a dramatic end to what was a relaxing lunch together, Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez had a run-in with the paparazzi at at Mirabelle Restaurant in Los Angeles on Friday (December 3).

Upon exiting the popular local eatery, the "Dark Tide" co-star couple decided to have words with a photographer who they thought was overstepping his boundaries.

Showing his machoism, Olivier walked around his car and got in the face of the photographer before proceeding to shove the shutterbug violently.

Yelling profanities as he hopped in the car, Martinez reportedly backed his car out of the property at a high rate of speed which caused the photographer to fall to the ground.

Insiders tell that the Los Angeles Police were called to the scene, with the belief that Olivier might just get into a bit of trouble for his aggressive driving.

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Friday, December 3, 2010

Dead Awake, Rated: R, Opens: 12/03/2010


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Katy Perry Weighs In On VH1 Divas 'Boobgate'

'Firework' singer says she was the one who asked for her promo shots to get a digital breast reduction.
By Gil Kaufman


Katy Perry in a VH1 "Divas" promo
Photo: VH1

Is it really fair for one pop diva to have two different "boobgates" in one calendar year? Well, is it, Katy Perry? First, there was flap over the cleavage-exposing outfit the "Firework" singer wore for her "Sesame Street" appearance opposite Elmo, and now the pop star has weighed in on another scandal involving her ample assets — this one involving VH1's "Divas Salute the Troops" TV special, which is set to premiere on December 5.

Us Weekly reported last week that Perry posed for pinup-girl-style shots for a poster to promote the special that depicted her harnessed into a parachute while wearing a snug camouflage jumpsuit. While the other divas participating in the program — Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, Nicki Minaj, Grace Potter of the Nocturnals, Keri Hilson and Paramore's Hayley Williams — were all shot wearing revealing clothes as well, an unnamed source who spoke to the magazine said Perry's reps felt her pics were just too much.

"Her team thinks her boobs look too big," the source reported. By Wednesday, VH1 had released a retouched photo that appeared to have digitally reduced Perry's bust.

While prepping for her fiery "Firework" performance at Sunday night's American Music Awards, Perry sought to clear the air about the digital drama, taking to her Twitter on Friday page to explain what happened. "I was the one who asked VH1 to tone down my DIGITALIZED image on the poster, particularly the size of my chest," she wrote, admonishing the "silly press" to check their facts.

"I don't have handlers... but someone @VH1 offices is a gossipmonger & thought they could use a little extra press planting the story," she added.

What's your opinion about Perry getting deflated in her "Divas" promo pic? Tell us in the comments.

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Ron Santo, 'Eclipse' Grammy Commentary, And 'Black Swan' Reactions In Today's Twitter-Wood

Today marked a sad day of remembrance for Chicago Cubs fans with the passing of former third baseman Ron Santo. Unless you're an avid Twitter reader, however, you may not have known that the Major League Baseball legend played a big role in actor Gary Sinise's life. You can read about that among the retweets [...]

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Nicole Scherzinger Flaunts It for Fabulous

She?s certainly going to make her race car driver boyfriend proud as Nicole Scherzinger poses for the UK?s latest issue of Fabulous Magazine.

The former ?Pussycat Dolls? babe struck seductive poses on and in a swift orange car while working her magic for the camera.

In other news, Scherzinger is reportedly close to signing a deal to join the US version for ?The X Factor.?

Nicole was a guest judge on the UK version of the competitive singing show when regular judge Cheryl Cole was struck ill with malaria.

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Conan Wears Jeggings: Late Last Night

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Dane Cook Sizes Up New-Release Rivals Kanye West, Justin Bieber, More

Comedian drops I Did My Best - Greatest Hits the same week as new albums from Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha and a load of other megastars.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Matt Elias


Dane Cook
Photo: Getty Images

With all the hype surrounding MTV News' musical Mega-Release Week — Bieber! Kanye! Nicki! Ke$ha! Jay-Z! MCR! — you might not be aware of yet another album hitting stores this week: Dane Cook's I Did My Best - Greatest Hits.

Lucky for us, the man behind the album stopped by our office to discuss his just-released comedic stylings, as well as his thoughts on the other big albums dropping this week. So why release a greatest-hits album?

"I've been doing stand-up comedy 20 years altogether — ten years of recording tracks and club sets and arena sets," Cook explained. "So I thought it would be a great way to close out the decade, a great 'thank you' to fans to say, 'These are the high-water marks that we shared,' remaster it, make it sound great. To new fans that are always discovering me saying, 'Where do I start?,' this is really the collection of what I think are the highlight moments," he said.

And for the die-hard fans out there who already have some of those greatest hits, he included a bunch of unreleased tracks on the album as well. "There's something for everyone on there," he assured us.

Regarding his competition in the new-releases category, we asked Cook to share his thoughts on some of the big names. First up, Kanye West. "Never heard of him. What is he about?" Cook deadpanned. "Kan-J? Kanye? I'm just going to call him West. That's great. I'll definitely look him up."

With Nicki Minaj, Cook pretended that we were asking about something suggestive — "Oh, no, I'm thinking of a ménage a trois that I once had" — but then praised the talents of that "guy or girl."

What about Ke$ha and Justin Bieber? "Ke$ha is like mini-Gaga," Cook said. "I think whatever outfits Gaga doesn't end up using, she probably just gets those and spins them into hits.

"Justin Bieber is, first of all, he's adorable," he said, sincerely. "That Bieber hair that caught on for a little bit, and he enchants the little girls. That 2- to 5-year-old demographic I think is really where he's at. And he's going to have a really long career, or until they turn 8 or 9," he quipped. "As long as they stay 2 to 5, I think that kid's going to be around for a long time."

Open the floodgates! It's Mega-Release Week, with Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Ke$ha, My Chemical Romance and Lloyd Banks all dropping new albums. Stick with MTV News for everything you need to know about the brand-new music.

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Taylor Swift's "Back to December" Ellen Performance

Paying a visit to the "Ellen Degeneres Show," Taylor Swift treated the talk show host's audience to a musical performance for Thursday's episode (December 2).

The country star received a warm welcome before delving into her hit song "Back to December" to the crowds delight.

The Ellen visit comes just as Miss Swift racked up another honor - as she was selected as Entertainment Weekly's Entertainer of the Year for 2010.

Garnering the title largely due to her successful album "Speak Now," Taylor told press, "Sometimes I would laugh because I would see it in print and it would say, 'This song, which is written about her ex, so-and-so ...' And they would write about it as if it was fact," she says. "The fact is, I haven't ever confirmed that any song is about any particular person. There's something kind of freeing about that. As far as I'm concerned, it's all still up in the air."

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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Lady Gaga Says Born This Way Will Be 'Greatest Album Of This Decade'

Singer also says there may be up to 20 new songs on the new album.
By James Dinh


Lady Gaga
Photo: Paul Morigi/ WireImage

It has been months since Lady Gaga first started hyping her forthcoming album, Born This Way, and the pop visionary recently raised the stakes. During a Monster Ball tour performance in Poland on Friday, the always bold singer promised fans that she'd deliver "the greatest album of this decade," with possibly up to 20 new tracks. She also revealed that Born This Way doesn't follow current trends.

"I promise you, I'll never let you down. And not for nothing: The album's finished and it's f---ing really good," Gaga tearfully told the audience, who simultaneous held up signs that read "Born This Way" backward. "So whatever this is, whatever you just did for all of us ... I promise to give you the greatest album of this decade, just for you."

The singer, who is prepping a promotional campaign for the album, also touched base on what sounds like a possible dig at her pop competitors, saying, "The funny thing is that some people have reduced freedom to a brand. They think that it's trendy now to be free. They think it's trendy to be excited about your identity. When in truth, there is nothing trendy about Born This Way."

Describing the new album as "a spirit" and "this connection that we all share," the pop star confessed that her new music "is something so much deeper than a wig or lipstick or an outfit, or a f---ing meat dress. ... Born This Way is about what keeps us up at night and what makes us afraid."

Gaga isn't the only who has been talking up the new material, as everyone from the singer's manager, Akon, Elton John and Monster Ball opening act Semi Precious Weapons have also gushed about the album.

While the songstress told the crowd that the LP will consist of mostly "f---ing sledge-hammering dance," she's still unsure of the length of Born This Way, but plans to give fans as much music as possible.

"I'm still deciding, the album could be longer than you would imagine ... I'm not sure," she said. "I can't decide, really, because I think that times are different, you know. It used to be kind of a faux pas to put out too much music on your album, but I feel like you guys deserve all of the records I do, 'cause I work hard on them. So who knows, you might get, like, 20 new Gaga songs."

Do you think Gaga's new album will live up to her promise? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Emily Blunt And Ricky Gervais Join Long, Distinguished List Of 'Muppets' Movie Cameos

The list of "The Muppets" movie's cameo appearances might soon outnumber the list of actual Muppets in the film. The Hollywood Reporter has the scoop that Emily Blunt and Ricky Gervais are the latest celebrities to sign on to the film, though their roles are being kept under wraps. Sounds like the Muppets might be [...]

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Justin Bieber Calls Lil Twist His 'Homey'

'We're working on stuff for fun,' singer say of upcoming mixtape with teen rapper.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Tim Kash


Justin Bieber
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ AMA2010/ FilmMagic

Justin Bieber has been known to dabble in the world of rap. Not only does he perform the rap portion of "Baby" when he sings the song live — since Ludacris isn't always available to hit the stage with the singer — he even dropped a rap song this fall under the rap pseudonym Shawty Mane in which he raps over Vado and Cam'ron's "Speaking in Tungs."

Now fans are waiting for what Bieber and Young Money MC Lil Twist will share with the world on their mixtape, some of which Lil Twist teased might drop very soon. When MTV News caught up with Bieber on Sunday at the American Music Awards, he said he had no further details to share about the collaboration. "I don't know man," he said, with a smile on his face. "Lil Twist is my homey and we're working on stuff for fun."

Of course, even if the mixtape never sees the light of day, Bieber has plenty of projects already under way, including the releases of My Worlds Acoustic this Friday and his 3-D movie, "Never Say Never," next year. "I think this is only the beginning," he said. "There's so much more to come and I just hope that I have the career that Usher, my mentor, has had."

It's a sentiment that Usher shares. "There's so much more in store for the future, or at least there's a ton of things we can do and will," he said. "And with the support of his fans, who will continue to just grow and grow and grow."

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The 2011 Grammy Nominees Revealed ... Possibly

Eminem, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and more Grammy guesses, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery


Eminem and Jay-Z
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

On Wednesday night (December 1), CBS will broadcast one of my favorite events of the year: the annual Grammy Nominations telecast/concert/thingy. Not only is it the unofficial kickoff of the self-congratulatory season, but it gives me a chance to wager on another largely arbitrary and oft insane awards show. So, you know, I'm pumped.

After all, it's not exactly news to readers of Bigger Than the Sound that I fancy myself quite the prognosticator, particularly when it comes to shows like the Grammys (or the VMAs). This is partially because I consider myself an expert on these kinds of things, but also because I have a huge gambling problem. Sometimes, I even manage to hit the nail on the head, like I did with my predictions for last year's Grammys (who among us can forget my triumphant 4-for-5 performance in Record of the Year?!?), though, more often than not, I fail miserably.

Still, I keep trying. It seems I cannot turn down the opportunity to pick the nominees at crazy awards shows, and the 2011 Grammys (which will air Sunday, February 13) are perhaps the craziest in recent memory. After all, back in April, the Recording Academy — the folks behind the Grammys — decided to randomly extend the eligibility period to 13 months (from September 1, 2009, to September 30, 2010), which meant a whole lot of albums that I practically forgot about (Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3, Muse's The Resistance, John Mayer's Battle Studies) were all of a sudden back in play.

All of that is a rather longwinded way of saying that these picks are nothing more than informed guesses, really — though, in keeping with the general WTF-ery of the Grammys, I suppose that makes them strangely perfect. In an attempt to save myself from total humiliation, I've decided to tackle only the so-called Big Four categories: Record, Album and Song of the Year, plus Best New Artist. So here, for your wagering pleasure (and mine) are my predictions for the 2011 Grammy nominations.

Record of the Year
This is the Grammy for song of the year (in olde-tyme speak — and hip-hop — songs are referred to as "records"), though they might as well call it the Group of Death, since over the past 13 months, so many massive artists released so many massive songs. Last year, Academy voters gave the award to the Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," though this year, I have a feeling it could be a rapper taking home the hardware. My picks:

» Eminem (featuring Rihanna), "Love The Way You Lie"
» Florence and the Machine, "Dog Days Are Over"
» Jay-Z (featuring Alicia Keys), "Empire State of Mind"
» Train, "Hey Soul Sister"
» Usher, "OMG"

I'm pretty confident that Em, Jay and Train are mortal locks here, since their respective songs were so huge. Usher had himself a mega-year too, and since I see him getting shut out pretty much everywhere else, I penciled "OMG" in for a nom. I have a creeping suspicion that Florence and the Machine's "Dog Days" could be the dark-horse darling of this year's Grammys, since it's done nothing but gain momentum (and radio play) over the past six months or so. Of course, Grammy voters may just decide to go big, and if that's the case, forget Florence and pencil in Katy Perry's "California Gurls" (or Taylor Swift's "Mine") for the fifth slot.

Album of the Year
The award for the year's best album — according to the Recording Academy, at least — infamously went to Taylor Swift's Fearless at last year's show, a move that had Grammy naysayers howling that the category had more to do with album sales than album quality. Which sort of begs the question: Had any of those people ever watched the Grammys before? My predictions:

» Eminem, Recovery
» Carole King/ James Taylor, Live at the Troubadour
» Jay-Z, The Blueprint 3
» Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
» Sade, Soldier of Love

Recovery is the year's best-selling album, so it's a given that it will land a nod here. Same goes for Lady Antebellum's massive Need You Now. Jay-Z actually won two Grammys last year, but BP 3 missed the nomination deadline, and it will be honored here. Sade's Soldier of Love was her first album in nearly a decade, a return made even more triumphant when it topped the Billboard charts for three straight weeks. And that Carole King/ James Taylor album? Dude, it's the Grammys. If one of those five stumbles, look for Usher's Raymond v. Raymond to pick up the nom or even (pleasepleaseplease) the Arcade Fire's The Suburbs.

Song of the Year
This one is given to the composer, not the performer. At last year's Grammys, Beyoncé's fantabulous "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" shook its way to victory in this category, ending a two-year run of wins by British acts (Coldplay and Adele, just in case you were keeping score). Let's just say no one with a funny accent is gonna be winning this year, unless you count Lady Antebellum. Here's who I've got:

» Eminem (featuring Rihanna), "Love the Way You Lie"
» Jay-Z (featuring Alicia Keys), "Empire State of Mind"
» Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now"
» Lady Gaga, "Bad Romance"
» Train, "Hey Soul Sister"

Much like Record of the Year, Em, Jay and Train all seem like sure bets. Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" will get a nom here (shoot, it may get one in Record of the Year too). I think the wild card is Lady Gaga, who has to snag a Big Four nomination somewhere. Katy Perry and Taylor Swift could easily replace her, though. And don't count out Florence and the Machine, either.

Best New Artist
Last year's winner? The Zac Brown Band. I don't even see a country act getting a nom this year, though. Instead, this looks like a two-horse race between Drake and Justin Bieber, neither of whom — rather inexplicably — have been nominated in this category yet. Sure, Drizzy got a pair of nods last year, but thanks to the so-called "Lady Gaga rule change," he's eligible for BNA this year. You gotta love the Grammys. My picks:

» B.o.B
» Drake
» Florence and the Machine
» Justin Bieber
» Mumford & Sons

I almost put Eminem and Jay-Z in this category out of habit. Like I said, there are definitely two front-runners here, though B.o.B had enough hits to at least warrant consideration too. Mumford & Sons and Florence both enjoyed rather modest success here in the States, though it's entirely possible they'll split votes between Academy members, meaning one of them might not get in here. If that's the case, write in Ke$ha or even the Black Keys, who are not only the kind of band Grammy voters love, but have actually been around for nearly a decade now, which sort of makes them the perfect act to win the Best New Artist Grammy.

Did we get it right? Share your Grammy predictions in the comments!

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Justin Bieber, Usher Top American Music Awards Winners List

Eminem, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna also nab trophies.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Justin Bieber wins Breakthrough Artist, Pop/Rock Favorite Male Artist and Artist Of The Year Award during the 2010 American Music Award
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

The 2010 American Music Awards dished out hardware to many of pop, R&B and country music's biggest names. Like most high-profile awards shows, there were showstopping performances, off-the-runway fashion and emotional moments. Unlike most trophy fests, the AMA winners aren't determined by the inner circle of music-industry professionals, but rather the fans who plunk down cash for hit records.

This year, fans handed over pyramids to the artists who also cranked out many of the biggest hits. Justin Bieber made off with the most AMA booty, nabbing four trophies. Taylor Swift, Rihanna, the Black Eyed Peas, Eminem and Bieber's mentor Usher also snagged AMA loot.

Check out the list of AMA winners below:

Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Male Artist
Justin Bieber

Favorite Female Artist
Lady Gaga

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas

Favorite Album
Justin Bieber, My World 2.0

Country Music
Favorite Male Artist
Brad Paisley

Favorite Female Artist
Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Lady Antebellum

Favorite Album
Carrie Underwood, Play On

Rap/ Hip-Hop Music
Favorite Male Artist
Eminem

Favorite Album
Eminem, Recovery

Soul/ Rhythm & Blues Music
Favorite Male Artist
Usher

Favorite Female Artist
Rihanna

Favorite Album
Usher, Raymond v. Raymond

Soundtracks
Favorite Album
Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers

Alternative Rock Music
Favorite Artist
Muse

Adult Contemporary Music
Favorite Artist
Michael Bublé

Latin Music
Favorite Artist
Shakira

Contemporary Inspirational
Favorite Artist
MercyMe

Artist of the Year
Justin Bieber

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist
Justin Bieber

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Neve Campbell's Secret Divorce

Seemingly unable to work through their differences, Neve Campbell is single again after secretly filing for divorce from her actor husband John Light.

Calling it quits after three years of marriage, reports tell that the "Scream" actress filed her legal papers at Los Angeles County Superior Court in June 2010 while citing "irreconcilable differences".

According to TMZ, the divorce has not yet been finalized, with a source telling the website, "They're still really close friends, and it was a very amicable divorce."

With another hearing on the matter set for later this month, it's also reported that Miss Campbell has made it clear that she wants the court to block Light from being awarded any spousal support.

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