Elizabeth Banks, Kristen Bell among other stars urging fans to vote for their favorites before June 3 show. By Kevin P. Sullivan Liam Hemsworth Photo: MTV Movie fans from around the world, have you heard the call? It’s not a time to idly let your favorite movies go unrecognized. Is it time for Rupert Grint and Emma Watson to steal the Best Kiss glory away from repeat winners Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson? Was Jon Hamm a bigger dirtbag than Jennifer Aniston? You have to rise up, sit down and make your voice heard for the 2012 MTV Movie Awards , and this isn’t just us telling you. A new promo for the awards features the likes of Captain America himself, Chris Evans, and someone you may know as Effie Trinket, Elizabeth Banks, and they have the very same message for you. A number of stars have assembled to spread the message of this year’s MTV Movie Awards. Not only are Evans and Banks on hand, but Chlo
‘Monday proved for sure is this is the show where he belongs,’ writes one critic about Stern’s debut on ‘America’s Got Talent.’ By Gil Kaufman Sharon Osbourne, Howard Stern and Howie Mandel Photo: NBC Prepare for the worst and the results can only be better than you expected. That’s the lesson naysayers learned on Monday night when radio talker Howard Stern made his long-awaited debut as the new judge on “America’s Got Talent.” Stern, a huge fan of the show who has been talking up his new gig for months on his SiriusXM satellite radio show did exactly what he promised : he was a fair, sometimes silly, sometimes harsh judge with a heart of gold and a soft spot for sappy stories. Hell, the notoriously Purell-addicted germaphobe even lumbered up onto the stage to huge a particularly sweaty, not-so-great singer after giving him a second chance at fame. After dismissing the pre-debut hand-wringing by the Parents Television Council that Stern’s penchant for R-rated humor might leak over into the family-friendly show as “a foolish presumption,” Los Angeles Times writer Robert Lloyd wrote that such fretting, “sells short the show’s producers and misreads Stern, who has shown himself perfectly capable of good behavior on other people’s turf.” Despite an introductory montage set to the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” that set up his bad-boy reputation and a joke about how NBC execs must be “out of their mind” for taking a risk on him,” Lloyd said it was quickly evident that, “like fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel, he [Stern] meant to play the game the way the game is meant to be played, because, to a deep degree, he believes in it.” In a headline in which it said the shock jock, “becomes a beloved uncle,” the Washington Post ‘s TV reviewer mixed the sweet and sour in offering backhanded praise to the radio veteran. “Somewhere along the way to the collapse of Western civilization, pioneer shock-jock Howard Stern became a sweet old man, perhaps staving off our multimedia Armageddon,” wrote critic Hank Stuever. “At least that’s the story line presented along with Stern’s canny decision to join — at a reported fee of about $20 million — NBC’s goony amateur performance competition, ‘America’s Got Talent,’ as its newest judge.” Stuever yawned at Stern’s rehashing of old bits about his looks and the size of his manhood, and said he did “dish out a tiny bit of brutal honesty,” but mostly came to “bask in the show’s trademark combination of awkwardness, ingenuity and love” and delivered “apple-pie pronouncements more typical of presidential candidates.” The embrace was slightly warmer at the New York Daily News , which explained that, “to appreciate Howard Stern’s debut as a judge on ‘America’s Got Talent’ Monday night, just remember this: Inviting Stern on ‘AGT’ is not like inviting the Sex Pistols to crash ‘La Traviata’ at the Met. ‘America’s Got Talent’ didn’t hire Stern to inject outrageous and wacky. It didn’t need to. It has ’em already.” Critic David Hinckley said that Stern settled in quickly and comfortably on the show, praising him for being honest and getting caught up in the show’s “figurative group hugs and four-handkerchief moments.” The question remains of how Stern will deal when the goofy acts are gone and he has to make tough decisions between talented acts with widely differing skills. “There was no indication he can’t do it. But all Monday proved for sure is this is the show where he belongs.” People magazine seconded those emotions, writing, “Stern showed a lot of heart and proved he’s got talent — for judging!” What did you think of Stern’s debut on “America’s Got Talent?” Let us know in comments below.
R&B superstar will also debut exclusive ‘Climax’ and ‘Scream’ performance footage during ‘MTV First: Usher,’ airing at 7:54 p.m. ET. By Kara Warner Usher Photo: RCA Music Group For all the Usher fans out there who have been eagerly awaiting the release of the seven-time Grammy winner’s new album, Looking 4 Myself, MTV News has you covered: The R&B superstar will be offering fans a sneak peek of exclusive performance footage of his first two singles, “Climax” and “Scream,” as well as the never-before-heard track “Twisted” produced by Pharrell during “MTV First: Usher.” This special event goes down Wednesday, May 16, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, when the man himself, Usher Raymond, will be on hand to introduce the footage and the new single and will stick around for a meaty interview with MTV News’ Sway Calloway to discuss his new album and more on MTV.com. Fans can submit questions via MTV.com or Twitter @MTVNews with the hashtag #MTVFirst or #AskUsher. The performances featured in “MTV First: Usher” were shot exclusively by MTV News during a special album-listening experience with the off-Broadway show “Fuerza Bruta” in New York City. “I felt like the natural elements as well as the emotion of ‘Fuerza Bruta’ would definitely speak or be significant to some of the stories and I guess hopefully a connection [was there],” Usher told MTV News last month of tying the performance to his album. “When we began to explore different directions [for the performance like] maybe we use some of their music, maybe we use some of mine … and before you knew it the idea came together.” Looking 4 Myself will be released June 12 and is available for pre-order now at select retailers in both standard and deluxe editions. Don’t miss “MTV First: Usher” on Wednesday, May 16, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, followed by a lengthy interview with the singer on MTV.com! Related Videos Get Ready For ‘MTV First: Usher’! Related Artists Usher
Islamic hard-liners worry that sexy clothes and dancing will corrupt youth. By Gil Kaufman Lady Gaga Photo: Lady Gaga’s Twitter Lady Gaga lives to provoke and push the envelope. But not everyone is up for her antics. The “Americano” singer has been forced to cancel her sold-out June 3 “Born This Way Ball” show at the 52,000-seat Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia after Islamic hard-liners and conservative lawmakers said her sexy costumes, suggestive dance moves and “vulgar” style could corrupt the nation’s youth. According to the Associated Press , a spokesperson for the national police said on Tuesday (May 15) that the permit for the show has been denied after religious conservatives worried that the concert could undermine the nation’s moral fiber. Some of the critics actually threatened to use physical force to prevent Gaga from getting off her plane. Though Indonesia is a secular state, it has the world’s largest population of Muslims and a small extremist fringe of religious leaders has been more vocal in recent years. “She’s a vulgar singer who wears only panties and a bra when she sings and she stated she is the envoy of the devil’s child and that she will spread satanic teaching,” said Salim Alatas, the Jakarta head of hardline Islamic Defender Front (FPI), according to Reuters . “This is dangerous.” Local police worried that they might not be able to guarantee security at the show and suggested to national police that the permit for what was to be Gaga’s biggest gig on her current Asian tour be pulled. Every seat at the Karno stadium had been sold, with half of them going in the first two hours. The AP reported that permits for shows are typically issued three weeks before concerts in Jakarta, so it is not uncommon for tickets to be sold well ahead of receiving a final permit. Gaga’s Asian tour started last month and the Indonesian flap is not the first bump she’s faced along the road. Gigs in South Korea were 18-and-over because conservatives in that country also raised objections over the concert’s content. Related Artists Lady Gaga
Several major shifts indicate that the network, currently at fourth place, is looking to rebuild from scratch. By John Mitchell “The Voice” judges Cee-Lo, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton Photo: Getty Images Ahead of its upfront presentation on Monday (May 14), NBC has released its 2012-2013 primetime schedule , and it is heavy on shakeups as the struggling network attempts to refocus and make itself “Must-See TV” again. The biggest and strangest move is the shift of comedies “Whitney” and “Community” to Fridays at 8 and 8:30 p.m., respectively. NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, did not beat around the bush when addressing how industry pundits interpreted the move. “I know that most people in our industry think Friday is a graveyard but we don’t really believe that,” Greenblatt said about the move. “If you don’t build it they won’t come.” Dramas and crime procedurals aimed at an older audience (think “Ghost Whisperer” and “Medium”) have historically been the only shows able to maintain an audience on the difficult night, and it’s telling that the network made this same move with another low-rated cult hit comedy, “Chuck,” on its fall schedule last year. Beyond “Community,” there are several major moves on NBC’s lineup that indicate a long-term, full-scale programming overhaul that execs no doubt hope will help the network move out of fourth place and restore the Peacock to its former glory. Below are some of the biggest changes and what they might mean for the future of your favorite shows. “The Voice” returns in the fall to anchor Mondays and Tuesdays “The Voice” has been one of the few true hits NBC has been able to launch in the last several years. Its overall ratings are strong and it is a leader in the 18-49 demographic that advertisers covet. NBC is banking on the show big time next year, airing two cycles (fall and spring) instead of just one, and pairing it with its three most buzzed-about new shows, hoping that its ratings lead-in will spell success across the board. On Mondays, “The Voice” will toss to J.J. Abrams/Eric Kripke’s hotly anticipated thriller “Revolution” and on Tuesdays to comedies “Go On” and “The New Normal.” “Go On” marks Matthew Perry’s return to NBC after several well-liked but low-rated attempts (“Studio 60,” “Mr. Sunshine”) to rekindle his TV stardom and he’s not taking any chances — the show, a single-camera comedy about a struggling sportscaster, was written and created by his former “Friends” showrunner Scott Silveri specifically for him. Like “Revolution” and “Go On,” “The New Normal” comes from the mind of another TV giant, “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy. About a gay couple (Andrew Rannells and “Hangover” star Justin Bartha) and their attempts to start a family with a surrogate (Georgia King), who herself is hoping to give her 8-year-old daughter a new start, “Normal” was considered such a sure thing based on its strong pilot and Murphy’s clout that the show began staffing before NBC had even officially announced its pickup. “Go On” and “Normal” — along with new Wednesday comedies “Animal Practice” and “Guys with Kids” — represent NBC’s push to develop new comedies as it looks to find shows to replace those currently holding down its low-rated, award-winning Thursday lineup. Thursdays stay the same … for now NBC has already announced a shortened, 13-episode final season for “30 Rock,” though it pleased many by announcing it was sticking by “Up All Night” and “Parks and Recreation.” Neither show has ever been an all-out ratings winner, but both have been consistent performers, drawing better ratings on Thursdays than the aging “Rock.” While “The Office” is experiencing series-low numbers, it remains the top scripted comedy on the network (that’s how tough things are for NBC right now), and “Parks and Rec” held on to more of its “Office” lead-in audience than either “Rock” or “Night” did in the 9:30 timeslot, so it’s no surprise NBC is keeping the acclaimed comedies where they are. But with ratings flagging across the board, NBC’s move to keep its Thursday lineup is probably an attempt to appease the very fans they will court for new shows. (“The New Normal” is aimed squarely at the same young adult-to-early-30s audience that got riled when the net didn’t announce an immediate pick-up for “Parks.”) With so many new comedies in the works at NBC, fans of its Thursday shows would be silly to think that — unless they experience a major ratings turnaround next season — this won’t be the last season of both “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” “Up All Night” could benefit in the long term if “The New Normal” or any of the family-centric sitcoms the net is launching on Wednesdays take off. NBC execs reportedly like the show, and it is new enough to thrive if paired with the right lead-in. Say farewell to “Community” and “Whitney” When it comes to “Community,” Greenblatt perhaps protests too much. The show enjoys a devoted cult audience, but it simply isn’t large enough to justify keeping the show on the air much longer, and it’s very unlikely the small audience it does have will follow it to Friday nights. That said, as with “Parks and Rec” and “The Office,” the net doesn’t want to alienate the show’s fans, so it will — just as it did with its cult-favorite “Chuck” last year — let the increasingly troubled comedy burn off its remaining episodes and go out with a planned-for conclusion. Need more proof that the show is on its way to the graveyard? Consider its haphazard, ill-fitting lead-in, “Whitney.” The two shows are not only polar opposites on their own, they are aimed at entirely different audiences. (Interestingly, don’t be surprised if “Whitney,” which skews older, does better on Fridays than “Community.”) After both shows inevitably bite the dust, we wouldn’t be surprised if NBC shifted “Law & Order: SVU” to Fridays to let the show, which has seen its own ratings fall dramatically since Christopher Meloni’s departure, either wind down or enjoy a small-scale resurgence. “SVU” is a more logical fit with the net’s current Friday procedural fantasy “Grimm” and the two shows could prop each other up. What do you think of NBC’s programming changes? Let us know in the comments below
‘Breath of Life’ clip features Florence Welch recording the epic song at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios. By James Montgomery Florence Welch records “Breath of Life” Photo: Universal/ Island Records When Florence Welch spoke to MTV News back in March about recording “Breath of Life” — her single off the “Snow White and the Huntsman” soundtrack — she couldn’t hide her excitement about writing an anthem from the perspective of Charlize Theron’s Evil Queen Ravenna … or getting to spend the day working with a 60-person choir in London’s historic Abbey Road Studios. “It was amazing to see the music we played being turned into this amazing orchestral thing,” the Florence and the Machine frontwoman gushed. “You feel in a bit of a way like you’re kind of making it up as you go along, and then when you see it done, laid out before you in such a beautiful, orchestral fashion, it’s really incredible. “And then we all went into Abbey Road and it was one of the best days of my life,” she continued. “I love choirs and I love choral music, and there was a 60-piece choir singing the vocal parts that I had written. When the baritones came in, I nearly wept, it was so emotional.” So it’s somewhat fitting that the video for “Breath of Life,” which premiered Monday (May 14), documents that day in the studio (there’s no weeping, however). Shot in arty black-and-white, and implemented with bonus battle footage from the film itself (plus plenty of scenes of Queen Ravenna’s quest for youth), the clip showcases Welch belting out the tune, backed by a booming orchestra and a keening chorus. And much like the song, it packs a punch. You can practically feel Welch’s emotion as she brings “Breath” to life, and for a song so massive, the video provides viewers with a rather intimate look into its creation. Combine that with the fact that the clip — and the song — perfectly match the film’s epic, ethereal scope, and the anticipation to see the final product only grows. The “Avengers” can assemble all they want … with “Breath of Life,” Welch and “Snow White” pack more power than anything in Iron Man’s arsenal. What do you think of the “Breath of Life” video? Tell us in the comments! Check out everything we’ve got on “Snow White and the Huntsman.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV First: Snow White And The Huntsman Related Photos Snow White And The Huntsman Related Artists Florence + the Machine
The Weekly Rising takes a closer look at the comic inspiration for Christopher Nolan’s final Batman film. By Kevin P. Sullivan Batman #497: The breaking of the Bat Photo: DC Comics Throughout his tenure as the commander of the big-screen Batman, Christopher Nolan , along with writing partners Jonathan Nolan and David S. Goyer, have pulled selectively from the vast library of books for inspiration in the films. “Batman Begins” borrowed a handful of elements from Frank Miller’s “Batman: Year One,” while “The Dark Knight” took some character notes from “The Long Halloween.” When it was announced that Bane would make his triumphant return as a respectable villain in the finale, ” The Dark Knight Rises ,” comic books fans were just as quick to shout “Knightfall,” in reference to the trilogy of stories that played out during 1993 and 1994. It appeared Nolan and company had found their inspiration, but what exactly would they use from those books? Bane The masked villain was the clear giveaway to “Knightfall” ‘s presence as an influence, and it’s clear why. Bane only showed up on the DC Comics scene four months before the beginning of the “Knightfall” story line, and once the show got on the road, he made his introduction count. As he appears to be in “The Dark Knight Rises,” the Bane of the comics was a hyper-intelligent behemoth of a man, capable of besting Bruce Wayne. Prison Break Part of Bane’s plan in gaining the upper hand over Batman involved releasing all of Arkham Asylum’s worst inmates on the city. Batman wears himself down, rounding up the likes of the Joker, the Scarecrow and Poison Ivy, and this series of bouts leaves him severely weakened when he finally has to face off against Bane in the Batcave, leading to the most significant scene from “Knightfall.” The Break If Bane is remembered for anything, it is the central moment of “Knightfall” when he takes a physically and mentally exhausted Bruce Wayne and breaks his back with a knee to the spine. It was a critical blow in more than one sense of the word and significantly changed the shape of the Batman titles for years to come. The scant footage we have actually seen from “The Dark Knight Rises” hints that Christian Bale ‘s Bruce Wayne does suffer some similar injury during the course of the film. He appears to be walking with a cane, and while we can’t conclusively blame Bane, the timing sure is something! Catwoman Selina Kyle’s appearance in both “Knightfall” and “The Dark Knight Rises” most likely is a coincidence, since her role in the former is not terribly significant. It does matter, however, that she attempts to help Bruce Wayne with his paralysis, demonstrating that there are many facets to her allegiances. The New Batman While Bruce Wayne was on the mend thanks to Bane’s handiwork, a new Batman, Jean-Paul Valley, took up the cowl in his absence. Since the tag line of “The Dark Knight Rises” leaves little doubt that the “legend ends” with this final movie, fans have been pondering whether the new film will mean the death of Bruce Wayne. If that’s the case, the symbol would have to live on. A new Dark Knight would have to rise. 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 .
‘The guys — they had no unity,’ fourth-place finisher Christina Cha tells MTV News of scoring show’s first ever all-girl finale. By Josh Wigler Kim Spradlin Photo: MTV News Kim Spradlin isn’t the only “Survivor: One World” winner . OK, technically she is — that cool $1 million is firmly in her bank account — but the season’s four finalists can also take comfort in knowing that they made “Survivor” history together: For the first time in 24 seasons, there was not a single man left standing among the final five contestants. The feat is all the more impressive considering where the women began. At the outset of “One World,” the two tribes were separated on gender lines , with the men of Manono showcasing their clear physical advantage with two early immunity wins. It certainly didn’t help that the women of Salani were turning on each other , with in-fighting dominating much of their air time in the season’s earliest episodes. Eventually, the women pulled themselves together to stage one of the most impressive comebacks in “Survivor” history, knocking five men out in a row and cutting out the final male — the unforgettable Tarzan — one vote later. So after such a rocky start, how did Salani find the strength to rally together and get rid of the men? “I think it’s because we had a rocky start, I believe that’s why we ended up with five women at the end,” Kim told MTV News at the “One World” finale on Sunday night. “We had to learn to trust each other. We really had to get each other’s backs and become a group.” “There was a day when we all just stood around. We held each other’s hands. We were like, ‘You know what? We can do this,’ ” third-place finisher Chelsea Meissner said. “I think it was that first challenge we won against the guys, where they were really ahead of us and we came out of nowhere and won it. We all hugged and it was that moment where we realized, ‘We can do this. We can so do this.’ ” Christina Cha, who finished the season in fourth place, credited the women’s success to the men’s willingness to cannibalize each other. “That was what I noticed about the guys — they had no unity,” she said. “The guys weren’t united from day one.” Another factor, according to runner-up Sabrina Thompson: The men simply were not needed. “You don’t need a man in this game to come get [you] fire, to do this or do that,” she said. “Once we started winning challenges, we knew we could do this.” In a season dominated by precisely one person, one would think that the plan to get rid of all of the men stemmed from winner Kim. But one of her fellow finalists remembers things differently. “You know what? I’m going to take credit for this one Kim, OK?” fifth-place finisher Alicia Rosa weighed in, recalling the fall of the men with the same firecracker glee that made her such a memorable competitor all year long. “I [outlined] who the five girls were, from the beginning, and that we were going to wipe [the men] off the island. That, to me, was my biggest dream come true, to do that. I always said that on the island: ‘We have to do this. We have to do this. Do not play with those men. It is not going to happen! ‘” Not to say that the self-proclaimed mastermind of the men’s demise isn’t without some regrets. “I will say I wish Matt had used a little bit more of his Southern charm. Maybe he would’ve lasted a little bit longer,” Alicia laughed. “He was really nice to look at!” Previously On MTV News’ “Survivor” coverage :
Box-office expert looks at possible competition from ‘Dark Knight Rises,’ ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ and more. By Kara Warner Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson in “Avengers” Photo: Marvel Studios Now that so many of us have seen “Marvel’s The Avengers” and helped make it this summer’s box-office blockbuster to beat , it’s time to look ahead at the rest of the season’s cinematic offerings to see which tentpole has the power to compete with Earth’s mightiest heroes. The likeliest contender competing for some of the “Avengers”-size box-office haul is “The Dark Knight Rises,” Christopher Nolan’s dark, brooding, third and supposedly final Batman movie. Other buzz-worthy potential moneymakers to keep an eye on are Ridley Scott’s “Alien”-esque prequel “Prometheus,” Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man,” Rupert Sanders’ “Snow White and the Huntsman” and Barry Sonnenfeld’s “Men in Black 3.” To be fair, the “Avengers” haul is going to be very difficult to duplicate, particularly the record-breaking opening-weekend take of $207.1 million, which beat the $169.2 million set by previous champ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” MTV News consulted Boxoffice.com editor Phil Contrino for his wisdom on the subject and to see if any other summer fare has a chance at besting the records set by “Avengers.” “I don’t think anything other than ‘Dark Knight Rises’ can pull it off,” Contrino said. “With ‘Spider-Man,’ every time a franchise is rebooted, it takes a while for the fans to dip their toes in the water and get a feel for it. ‘Spider-Man’ will be the same thing, maybe worse, because it’s so close to the [release] of the original. ‘X-Men: First Class’ and even ‘Batman Begins’ didn’t open to huge numbers, and a lot of people forget that. ‘Prometheus’ is [rated] R. For an R-rated movie to do $200 million would be something really monumental, almost impossible, I think.” Contrino went on to say that “Dark Knight Rises” has a couple of factors that will prevent it from catching “Avengers,” but that it does have a chance of besting the #2 best opening-weekend gross set by “Deathly Hallows, Part 2.” “It’s not in 3-D, so it doesn’t have the bonus financial boost, and it’s not nearly as family-friendly; it’s dark and broody. Disney did a good job of turning ‘Avengers’ into a family-friendly movie. I think that’s ultimately what pushed it as far as it’s gone,” Contrino said. “I don’t see anything else this summer beating it.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Marvel’s The Avengers.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘The Avengers’ Related Photos ‘Avengers’ Assemble At Los Angeles Premiere ‘Avengers’
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