Justin Timberlake To Narrate Documentary Featuring Kobe Bryant and Lebron James
newsroom.mtv.com
5.20.09
Justin Timberlake isn’t a stranger to the basketball court. Remember the days when he would do charity basketball games alongside Britney Spears?
Justin, who has spent many an evening at a Lakers game, has been tapped to narrate the NBA Entertainment doc “Dream Season: 23 & 24,” presented by Nike and highlighting Kobe Bryant’s and LeBron James’ pursuit of this year’s championship, and intensifying the hoops debate of “Who’s better?” according to the press release.
Timberlake, who is referred to as the “King of Pop” in the release (if they say so — we’re not sure how Michael Jackson feels about that), will narrate the doc about the “Kings of the Court.”
In the past, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Terrence Howard, Djimon Hounsou and Chris Rock have narrated basketball specials. Justin’s special airs tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
Justin hosted the ESPY Awards for the channel last year. “I am starstruck. I mean, I grew up such a sports nut, and I’m still such a sports nut,” he said. “If we would have had a conversation when I was 14 years old, I mean, you could not convince me that I was not going to play in the NBA.”
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 20:06
Kanye West Says Justin Timberlake The New Michael Jackson
newsroom.mtv.com
5.20.09
One thing you have to say for Kanye West: His stream-of-consciousness thoughts tend to lead to interesting places. On Wednesday, he somehow managed to transition from talking about the low aesthetic quality of paparazzi photographs to saying that Justin Timberlake is the new Michael Jackson, Lil Wayne is the new Jimi Hendrix, Jay-Z is the new Frank Sinatra and more — all in less than 150 words! Check out Kanye’s blog here, and the post (as usual in all-caps, which we’ve put into sentence case) right here, which accompanies a classy paparazzi shot of Rihanna:
“Fresh a– picture!!! Yo why can’t all paparazzi photos be this good? Well obviously because most celebs just aren’t Rihanna LOL! … But on the real, this pic is hardcore. Peep the perspective shot of the city in the back. Sometimes the paps overexpose the lens or have the flash too high taking all the emotion out of the moment. This moment is captured in time now. I look at our current superstars like legends in the making … Like Justin is the new Mike, Beyoncé’s the new Tina Turner, [Lady] Gaga’s Madonna, Jay is Sinatra … Wayne is Hendrix, [Radiohead's] Thom Yorke is [Pink Floyd's] Roger Waters, these are the champions and should be documented as such. That said, it would be dope if the paps operated with the same integrity and attention to their craft as the legends they photograph … Good job on this one!”
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 20:00
Justin Timberlake Getting Sued for Sexual Discrimination
www.hollyscoop.com
5.16.09
Justin Timberlake may be headed to court soon as he is facing legal action from an ex employee of his restaurant.JT is being sued for sexual discrimination by two of the managers at his New York restaurant.
In papers filed on Thursday at Manhattan Supreme Court, Alison MCDaniel, a former manager at Southern Hospitality, accuses JT's business partners Eytan Sugarman and Ronnie Kaplan of "vile and discriminatory conduct."
The lawsuit claims that MCDaniel got fired after writing to bosses to complain of harassment.
The lawsuit states, "One or more of Southern Hospitality's owners and/or executive managers bullied, degraded, harassed and ultimately discharged MCDaniel... because of her gender. In at least one instance, defendants Sugarman and Kaplan viewed... pornography while in a locked room with MCDaniel and made fun of her when she began crying."
A representative for the restaurant says, "We will vigorously defend any allegations of wrongdoing or improper behavior." JT must be pissed about this one. Although it has nothing to do with him per say, JT certainly hates negative publicity associated with his name.
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 19:56
'Motherlover' Justin Timberlake On His 'SNL' Return
www.etonline.com
5.16.09
Justin Timberlake hosted "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend and ET talked to him about his time on "SNL" and the buzzworthy Mother's Day digital short that cast actress Susan Sarandon in some sexy scenes with the singer.
"It really is an amazing forum to throw creativity at the world," Timberlake says of the show.
Timberlake reunited with "SNL" cast member Andy Samberg to create the digital short, titled "Motherlover." The short acts as a sequel to the Emmy award winning "D--- in a Box" that Timberlake and Samberg made in 2005.
In the short, the guys decide to romance each other's moms for Mother's Day -- Timberlake's mom being played by Patricia Clarkson and Samberg's mom being played by Sarandon.
The hilarious sketch has the singer in a kitchen, cuddling up to Sarandon who is propped up on a counter wearing oven mitts. Meanwhile, Samberg seduces Clarkson with red roses and a tandem bike ride.
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 19:54
Jusint Timberlake's Five Best 'SNL' Moments
newsroom.mtv.com
5.11.09
By Brian Jacks
Those who tuned in to “Saturday Night Live” this past weekend were treated to the return of Justin Timberlake, who has joined the likes of Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin as a regular host of the popular late-night series.
As in past episodes, his presence brought yet another digital short that’s setting the Internet on fire. “Motherlover” celebrated Mother’s Day as only JT and Andy Samberg could, with an ode to doing the nasty with the other’s mom.
But “Motherlover” is only one of many memorable Justin Timberlake “SNL” appearances. Here are five others that top our list.
1. “Di– in a Box” (12/16/06) It starts out innocently enough, with Samberg toasting his girlfriend by a roaring fireplace, but it quickly devolves into one of the raunchiest, funniest skits in the history of “SNL.” The concept is simple, as Samberg and his bearded singing partner (Timberlake) spell out the easy-to-use instructions: “One, cut a hole in a box. Two, put your junk in the box. Three, make her open the box.” The result? One of the biggest viral sensations of the decade.
2. “Single Ladies” (11/15/08) Timberlake makes a surprise guest appearance in this Paul Rudd-hosted skit featuring none other than Beyoncé. JT, Samberg and Bobby Moynihan don skintight leotards for their roles as Beyoncé’s background dancers for her “Single Ladies” music video. Expectedly, hijinks ensue as the trio get a little too up-close-and-personal for Beyoncé’s taste.
3. “Hip Hop Kids” (12/16/06) A motivational hip-hop dance troupe is inexplicably trapped inside a cave, with only one way out: busting a move. Timberlake leads the pack of exaggerated street kids as the group, which includes Amy Poehler, tries to escape. Their numbers are quickly diminished from falling rocks and subterranean carnivores, leading to one of the skit’s classic lines: “You getting served, cave creatures!”
4. “The Barry Gibb Talk Show” (10/11/03) In a takeoff of PBS political gabfest “The McLaughlin Group,” Jimmy Fallon plays Bee Gees frontman Barry Gibb as host of the roundtable. Joining him is a younger Timberlake in his first stint as “SNL” host, playing the part of Barry’s brother, Robin. In a glimpse of what was to come, Timberlake shows off his comedic chops with a little song and dance to balance things out.
5. “Give It on up to Homelessville” (12/16/06) He’s donned one-piece unitards, cheesy satin suits and bell bottoms, but Timberlake’s most hilarious getup was easily in “Give It on up to Homelessville.” In the sketch, a Salvation Army Santa finds his corner hogged by none other than Timberlake dressed as a giant cup of soup. Things quickly come to blows as the two compete for donations, leading to JT exclaiming an undeniable truism: “Christmas isn’t about Santa kicking a cup of soup in the croutons.”
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 19:26
'Saturday Night Live' host Justin Timberlake could win second Emmy for 'Motherlover&#
goldderby.latimes.com
5.11.09
[Justin Timberlake earned rave reviews from the likes of the Chicago Tribune and Entertainment Weekly for his third time hosting "Saturday Night Live" this weekend. He sang, danced, played piano and acted with gusto, but won't be eligible to compete for an Emmy Award for all his efforts. That's because the Emmys have nixed the prize for variety performers this year.
The title of the category eliminated by the Emmys is "outstanding individual performance in a variety, music or comedy program." Last year, Tina Fey became the first host in the three-decades-plus history of "Saturday Night Live" to earn an Emmy nod in that race. She lost toDon Rickles, who won the first Emmy of his 50-year career in television for "Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project." Emmy-darling Fey would have been a certain nominee this year for her recurring role as Sarah Palin on "SNL." And the well-received Timberlake could have contended as well.
However all is not lost for Justin Timberlake, as he and his "SNL" singing partner Andy Samberg are likely Emmy nominees for the music and lyrics to "Motherlover." In an "SNL" digital short, the pair reprised their roles as the goateed guys who sang the little ditty "... in a Box." That tune took the Emmy Award for best song two years ago and they shared in the prize as co-lyricists.
This time around, Timberlake and Samberg sing of their love for their mothers as played by a pair of very game actresses — Oscar nominee Patricia Clarkson ("Pieces of April") and Oscar winner Susan Sarandon ("Dead Man Walking"), respectively. Realizing too late that it is Mother's Day, the boys decide to give themselves as presents to each other's mother.
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 19:20
Justin Timberlake: Jessica Biel is incredible
www.nowmagazine.co.uk
5.02.09
Justin Timberlake has opened up about his relationship with Jessica Biel.
The singer, who’s been dating the actress for 18 months, admits he’s smitten.
‘I’ve been very lucky to find a woman as dynamic and as loving as Jessica,’ says Justin.
‘Work has always been a huge focus in my life but now I realise how beautiful it can be to have someone incredible to share it with. I’m so happy to have a great woman in my life.’
Justin, 28, reckons he and Jessica are a perfect match.
‘The first thing we noticed when we started going out is how easily we make each other laugh,’ he tells Hello!
‘Sometimes when you meet someone it feels right from the beginning. Jessica has a very engaging personality and we have a natural way of being together. I’m a lucky guy.’
Justin has previously dated Cameron Diaz, 36, and Britney Spears, 27.
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 19:03
Adalian Column: Learning the Lesson of 'Less Is More'
www.tvweek.com 5.01.09
The TV business could learn a lot from Justin Timberlake.
Mr. Timberlake, who became famous as part of the boy band *NSYNC, has gone on to become one of the best-known musicians and celebrities in the world. Whether he’s promoting his new MTV reality show “The Phone,” hosting “Saturday Night Live” or being plastered all over the covers of celebrity magazines, Mr. Timberlake is an unavoidable presence in the pop culture landscape.
And yet, for all his success, Mr. Timberlake has released exactly two solo albums during his nearly decadelong career outside of *NSYNC. And he recently told Entertainment Weekly that he has no plans to release a new disc any time soon.
“Right now, I like the idea that things can just kind of pop up and if they feel right I can do them,” he said.
But just because Mr. Timberlake hasn’t put out an entire collection of new tunes doesn’t mean he’s coasting on the vapors of his last CD.
Nor is he simply playing the part of a Very Famous Person, taking advantage of the modern media’s thirst to turn even the most untalented and unproductive members of our society—from Paris Hilton to anyone associated with “The Hills”—into self-contained gossip generators.
Instead, Mr. Timberlake has kept up his cultural relevance by becoming the king of collaborations. In the last two years alone, he’s teamed up to produce major hits with Madonna (“4 Minutes”), 50 Cent (“Ayo Technology”), Rihanna (“Rehab”), TI (“Dead and Gone”) and, most recently, Ciara (“Love Sex Magic”).
Rather than accepting the traditional music industry business model that calls for a new album every couple of years, Mr. Timberlake has decided to limit his musical output to only those projects that make creative or commercial sense. He doesn’t try to fill some predetermined quota for creativity.
TV networks, particularly those on the broadcast side of the business, would be smart to learn from the Timberlake model: Less is clearly more.
Truth is, there’s simply too much original content on TV these days. The explosion of quality scripted dramas on cable, combined with the Tribble-like multiplication of reality projects, has created an impossibly overcrowded environment for entertainment-seeking consumers.
Sure, the era of DVRs has allowed viewers to watch more TV than ever. But no machine yet invented has given audiences the power to add more hours to the day.
And yet this month in New York, most networks will continue to behave as if nothing has changed. They’ll announce schedules packed with very expensive programming, most of which will disappear in less than a year.
Even cable has been infected with the must-have-more disease.
Networks including A&E, TNT and USA seem to be in a race to see who can have a primetime schedule that looks more like that of one of the old Big Three broadcasters. Every day seems to bring news of another scripted cable drama getting ordered.
But where cable once seemed invincible, lately the flops have been piling up. TNT’s splashy failure with “Trust Me,” USA’s inability to keep “The Starter Wife” alive and the collapse of A&E’s “The Beast” should be taken as warning signs that viewers can handle only so many new shows, even by the lower-audience-level standards of the cable world.
And yet, networks can’t help themselves. TNT’s Web site is currently hyping no less than seven premieres of new and returning dramas between June 8 and July 15—a network-style rollout I fear has little chance of working.
Perhaps I’m just a sucker for the professorial-like passion FX President John Landgraf brings to a discussion. But his comments to my TelevisionWeek colleague Jon Lafayette last month rang true.
“When was the last time you had a broadcast network that had eight original dramas on the air and you thought they were all good?” he said. “If a broadcast network can’t do it, then I think a basic-cable network’s never going to be able to do it.”
Mr. Landgraf’s comments underline why NBC, which has taken a lot of heat for abandoning 10 p.m. dramas in favor of stripping Jay Leno, might actually be on the right path.
Mr. Leno’s show might not get huge ratings. And a number of knowledgeable industry insiders insist that the short-term cost savings associated with Mr. Leno’s broadcast won’t be nearly enough to offset the advertising revenue NBC will lose by not running advertiser-friendly, high-quality scripted shows at 10.
But even if stripping Mr. Leno turns out to be a bad idea, the notion of cutting back on original scripted programming is one that just makes sense.
Series have become so expensive and ubiquitous across the TV landscape, why should networks continue to operate as if the old three-hours-per-night model is the only one that works? Why assume that viewers want such an abundance of first-run fare?
Showtime recently seemed to cast a vote in favor of programming (and fiscal) discipline when it opted not to greenlight any of its most recent batch of pilots to series. Maybe none of the shows were that great—or perhaps Showtime executives decided they have enough good shows on their schedule right now. Why rush more on?
I’m not suggesting a one-size-fits-all solution. CBS, with its broad demographics and strong sense of identity, seems to be having little trouble competing three hours a night, seven nights a week. If the old model is still working for it, God bless.
Networks need to get out of the mindset that churning out the same amount of programming each year is the only way to succeed. They ought to take a cue from Mr. Timberlake and realize that sometimes you can accomplish more by producing less.
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 19:00
Randy Jackson's America's Best Dance Crew Back for Season 4
www.people.com
5.01.09
America's Best Dance Crew is coming back to MTV for a fourth season, PEOPLE confirms.
Casting calls will begin on June 6 in Los Angeles before heading to Chicago, Orlando and New York City, where producers hope to find the nine crews ready to take the title away from current champs Quest Crew.
"I am excited about season four and looking forward to seeing all of the amazingly hot talent out there," executive producer Randy Jackson tells PEOPLE. "Every season just keeps getting better."
In March, L.A.-based Quest Crew beat out the all-female Beat Freaks to win the title of America's Best Dance Crew. Quest's leader Hok, 24, who also achieved fame on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance, told PEOPLE his win felt like "seeing a dream."
Season three also had the first clogging crew on the show. That, judge Lil' Mama told PEOPLE, should encourage everyone to try out. "They have definitely set a bar for our new season," she says. "But basically, for cloggers to come out for the first time, it's gonna inspire other cloggers and tap dancers to want to come out and actually take it up a notch."
• Reporting by ALYSSA DIKITANAN
Comments (0) 06.10.2009. 18:58
Celebrities React to Prop 8 Decision
www.hollyscoop.comMay 26, 2009 by: Bridget Daly
Many people are feeling angry over California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Prop 8, which bans same marriage. Now several celebrities, some of who are openly gay, have stepped forward to express their discontent with the decision. Here are what some of them are saying.Lance Bass: “The decision to uphold Prop 8 is deeply disappointing. I can only hope to one day live in a country that grants equal rights, opportunity, and freedom to all citizens.”
Ellen Degeneres: “I’m sure you heard the Prop 8 news. One day when everyone is treated with full equality, we’ll look back and realize how wrong this was.”
Melissa Etheridge: “So, will anyone be sleeping better tonight? Those full of hate and fear will surely be disappointed that 18,000 same sex couples will be living in wedded bliss, kissing their spouses goodnight, checking off those little ‘married’ boxes on all those forms we fill out nowadays. That’s really going to drive them crazy.”
Kathy Griffin: “My 89 year old mother has asked me to get her a wheelchair to take her to a protest tonight, even though she isn’t in the greatest of health. She is neither gay, nor the parent of a gay person, but she is as passionate about this decision as I am. I am so proud to march with her. Shame on the CA Supreme Court for this decision that history will not look back on fondly.”
Kim Kardashian: "This really makes me sad. I thought we were more forward thinking than this, and I'm disappointed in the Supreme Court for being so close-minded. Everyone...gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered -- EVERYONE should have equal rights to marry who they want to."
Holly Montag: "BOO CALI! Our Bill of Rights and Constitution intended equal rights for ALL regardless of race, gender, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, age or creed!"
Eliza Dushku: "Shame on California Supreme Court!"
Comments (0) 06.08.2009. 20:31