If they keep blaming that “47%” for everything , how the hell are we supposed to move on as a nation?? According to The Huffington Post , John Sununu’s grumpy white azz isn’t ready to let this one go anytime soon: If Republicans are trying to shy away from the notion that America is divided between productive capitalists and dependent moochers, they forgot to tell John Sununu. The former New Hampshire governor and Mitt Romney campaign surrogate said Tuesday that Democrats and President Barack Obama won reelection by turning out the moochers. “They aggressively got out the base of their base, the base of their base that’s dependent, to a great extent economically, on government policy and government programs,” Sununu said at a forum with two other Republican governors, according to the Concord Monitor. Sununu’s comment recalled Romney’s infamous statement during the campaign that 47 percent of Americans are dependent on government and would vote for Obama no matter what. The remarks, delivered at a big-donor fundraiser in May, roiled the campaign. “There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims, who believe that government has the responsibility to care for them,” Romney said. “I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.” As it happens, Romney’s former running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), repudiated that notion during an awards dinner in Washington on Tuesday evening. “Both parties tend to divide Americans into ‘our voters’ and ‘their voters,’” Ryan said, according to Politico. “Republicans must steer far clear of that trap. We must speak to the aspirations and anxieties of every American. I believe we can turn on the engines of upward mobility so that no one is left out from the promise of America.” Romney, for his part, initially defended his “47 percent” comment, then said he had been “completely wrong.” But after the election he returned to the idea, saying Obama won by giving “gifts” to blacks, Hispanics and young voters. This is coming from the guy that spent over $600,000 of taxpayer money, for private government jets for himself! SMH Images via facebook
This was, without a doubt, The Voice results show of the year so far. With no idea how things would shake out, the six remaining contestants were waiting on pins and needles to learn if they would earn one of the four semifinal spots. As has been the case since the live shows began, the coaches have no way; it’s all up to America now, and it’s every singer (not team) for himself or herself. So who’s out and who’s on to the final four? Let’s find out: The eliminated two singers leaving The Voice are … Melanie Martinez and Amanda Brown, both of Team Adam. Cassadee Pope and Terry McDermott of Team Blake and Trevin Hunte and Nicholas David of Team Cee Lo are on to the semifinals next Monday night. Melanie was eliminated first, with the final spot coming down to Amanda and Nicholas. Both were deserving of another week, but the voters have spoken. This result will likely be controversial, as will be the debate over which of the surviving stars has the best stuff going forward. We turn it over to you below! Do you agree with The Voice results tonight? Yes, America got it right. No, Melanie was robbed! No, Amanda was robbed! No, they were both robbed! View Poll » Who will win The Voice (of the top four)? Terry McDermott (Team Blake) Trevin Hunte (Team Cee Lo) Cassadee Pope (Team Blake) Nicholas David (Team Cee Lo) View Poll »
The Voice results shows are getting tougher and tougher. After Monday’s performances, all eight of the remaining singers could make a strong case for continuing on, but only six spots were left to be claimed. Brutal. Making matters even more stressful? The coaches have no way; it’s all up to the voters, and it’s every singer (not team) for himself or herself. So who’s out and who’s on to the final six? Let’s find out: The eliminated two singers leaving The Voice are … Dez Duron of Team Christina and Cody Belew of Team Cee Lo. Surprising? Not entirely. As we said, the field was just too strong. Dez and Cody both did fairly well Monday night, and Terry and possibly Melanie could’ve gone home in either of their places, but so it goes; America has spoken. Cassadee Pope was the first singer to be announced as safe, followed by Amanda Brown, Melanie Martinez, Nicholas David, Terry McDermott and Trevin Hunte. What do you think? Agree with the voters? Who will win it all? Tell us in the comments and vote in our surveys below: Did you agree with The Voice results tonight? Yes, it was their time to go. No, Dez got robbed! No, Cody got robbed! No, they both got robbed! View Poll » Who will win The Voice (of the Top 6)? Cassadee Pope (Team Blake) Terry McDermott (Team Blake) Trevin Hunte (Team Cee Lo) Nicholas David (Team Cee Lo) Melanie Martinez (Team Adam) Amanda Brown (Team Adam) View Poll »
How is it THIS late and you STILL don’t know who you are voting for?!?! Chris Rock Offers Advice To Undecided White Voters This ninja is pure fawking comedy!
After complaining about Nicole Scherzinger wearing her see-through dress incorrectly yesterday , you’d think I’d have something to say about her dress being on backwards here. But I’m too mesmerized by her booty to care (and you probably don’t want to be taking fashion tips from a blogger in sweatpants). Anyway, Nicole busted this out for the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards, I’m guessing as a last-minute attempt to sway the voters. I bet it worked. It did for me. » view all 15 photos Related Articles: Nicole Scherzinger Is A SlumDoll Nicole Scherzinger’s Side Boob Spectacular Nicole Scherzinger And The Pussycat Dolls Bikini Pictures There’s No Pussies In Lingerie Here Photos: WENN.com
‘While I’m doing different songs, they’re going to sound country, ‘ latest ‘American Idol’ castoff tells MTV News. By James Montgomery Skylar Laine Photo: MTV News When Skylar Laine was sent packing on last week’s “American Idol,” it was a shock to many. After all, in her run to the top five, she’d always been consistently good (and occasionally great ), and, really, with some lesser contestants remaining (cough, Hollie, cough), it truly didn’t seem like it was her time to head home. Still, to hear her tell it, Laine wasn’t surprised to be voted off the show, and she thinks consistency had a lot to do with it. Then again, she’ll also admit that it was also her biggest asset too. “My struggle was my strength at the same time: I always made the song country, and I got a lot of flak for it,” she told MTV News on Monday (May 7). “I’d watch my YouTube videos back, and I’d read some of the comments, which you’re not supposed to — but that is your voters and that is your fans, so you want to know what they think — and a lot of them would be like, ‘Oh, all she can sing is county,’ and I’m like, ‘No, I sang a Lady Gaga song, I did Soul Train [week], but anything I sing is going to sound country.’ “So that was my struggle and my strength, knowing that I want everything I sing to be country,” she continued. “But people don’t understand that, while I’m doing different songs, they’re going to sound country. Just like when Phillip [Phillips] sings a song, it’s going to have that raspy sound.” And true to her words, Laine said she’s going to remain country to the core in her post-“Idol” career — she’s already making plans to move from Mississippi to Nashville to record her debut album — but with a few weeks off before hitting the road with her fellow contestants, her plans are much simpler: She can’t wait to head home and just enjoy herself. “This will be the first time I’ve been home since February, and I just really want to spend some time with my family and friends,” she said. “I’m so excited, you don’t even know! I want to go all around Brandon and see all my friends and hang out at the car wash, sit on the tailgate of the truck and just talk to people. I just want to be a regular kid for a couple of days; a regular 18-year-old in Brandon, Mississippi.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
The top seven sang for their lives on ‘Now and Then’ night; here’s how they all fared. By James Montgomery Joshua Ledet performs on “American Idol” Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images “American Idol” gave us the best of both worlds on Wednesday night, as the top seven sang something old and something new . That meant dusting off some classic soul tunes and coupling them with the current crop of shiny pop hits, and though you might not believe it, the results were actually pretty good. Yes, no doubt due to last week’s shocking near elimination of presumed front-runner Jessica Sanchez , the remaining “Idol” hopefuls were singing for their lives last night, and delivered a handful of genuinely great performances. Of course, a few tried to go outside the box, and the results… well, they were mixed. Still, a memorable show all around, and not just because of Colton Dixon’s Lady Gaga get-up. So who earned the night’s highest marks? Who should consider hiring a tutor? Read on for our “American Idol” report card! Joshua Ledet : Of course he did Fantasia. And, of course, his version of “I Believe” was amazing: lithe and limber, full of range and emotion, he’s the best male singer by a mile. Ledet also delivered big time with Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” which got off to an unintentionally hilarious start — Seacrest introduced it as “an emotional civil-rights anthem, coming to you live, from Joshua,” which was followed by a shot of Joshua holding a wind-up toy, grinning like a goofball — but no one was laughing by the end. He straight-up murdered it, with jaw-dropping power and prowess that earned him a standing ovation and some overtly sexual critique from Steven Tyler. Randy followed that up by taking shots at “The Voice,” only not overtly at all. Settle down, dawg. A Phillip Phillips : Let’s give a shoutout to Double P, who got out of the grouting business for one week only, first with a soft-core Skinemax take on Usher’s “U Got It Bad” and then a smooth (for him at least) spin through Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour.” Both were perfect choices, playing to his strengths — he is handsome — both left the ladies wanting more, and both had Steven Tyler talking like detective John Shaft (“No chump love, sucka.”) Game on, Colton Dixon. B+ Jessica Sanchez : Her version of Alicia Keys’ “Fallin'” was yet another powerhouse, as she set her intensity level on “simmer” and just let things cook. (Though for a minute, we were worried one of those umbrellas was going to fall on her.) We weren’t as crazy about her take on Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness” — sure, it was big and brassy, but also kinda growly, and seemed like a cruise ship performance. And could there be trouble brewing on the high seas for the formerly indestructible Sanchez? She got the dreaded “you need to connect” advice from Randy et. al, and J.Lo almost forgot the name of her alter ego, which might not bode well for her down the stretch. B Skylar Laine : Wait, she did a Lady Gaga tune?!? Yep. Breaking free of her country container (it’s like Tupperware), Laine took on “Born This Way,” and we loved it. She’s got spark and attitude for days, and when you get the feeling she’s really pushing herself (like Wednesday or “Wind Beneath My Wings” a few weeks back) there might not be a better performer in the competition. On the flipside, her version of Marvin Gaye’s “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” wasn’t exactly great, and perhaps Laine needs to learn that just because you’re jumping around on the stage, it doesn’t mean you’re connecting with the song. Still, another strong week. She’s the dark horse from here on out. B ” Hollie Cavanagh : “No thinking, just singing ” seemed to be her mantra this week, and it worked. She completed her manifest destiny by doing Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” which was not only perhaps the biggest moment of the night, but had Steven Tyler talking about her tail feathers. Her version of Dusty’s “Son of a Preacher Man” was pretty much what you’d expect — faux swagger, some horns, a few nice notes — though the jury’s still out on whether Cavanagh actually connects with any of the voters. B Colton Dixon : For the second week in a row, he surprised with a song choice, taking Gaga’s “Bad Romance” down to the mall for a Hot Topic makeover. It didn’t necessarily work, but the girls loved it, so who cares? Though he needs to stop crouching like Spider-Man when he’s “rocking” out. Meanwhile, his version of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” got lost in an autumnal haze (maybe it had something to do with all the fallen leaves strewn atop his piano?) Not the strongest night for C. Dix… though we suspect he thought it went great. C- Elise Testone : A tale of two Testones tonight. She did Alicia Keys’ “No One” (we almost called it! ) and blew it out the box, with a performance that was restrained in all the right ways, big and booming in the best spots. But her gruff, kinda-goofy version of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” just never got on track and seemed like the worst possible song for her to sing. We love her, but we suspect this might be the week that does her in. C- Do you agree with our “American Idol” report card? Leave your comment below! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
OK guys, who’s hotter: Penelope Cruz or Emmy Rossum ? Now you can make your voice heard as Mr. Skin pits these sexy stars (and many, many more!) against each other in Mr. Skin’s Whack-It Bracket . We’ve seeded 64 of the hottest celebs on Mr. Skin into 4 divisions divided by cup size: A-Cup All Stars: Natalie Portman , Keira Knightley , AnnaLynne McCord and more B-Cup Beauties: Amber Heard , Olivia Munn , Jessica Alba and more Chesty C-Cups: Anne Hathaway , Amanda Seyfried , Emmanuelle Chriqui and more and Heavy Handfuls : Christina Hendricks , Sofia Vergara , Kate Upton and more …and it’s up to you to VOTE on which star’s sex appeal reigns supreme. We’ve got a titillating clip from each star on our Whack-It Bracket page, and after viewing the clips, you can cast your vote on which chick deserves to go to the next round. Starting today, March 13, every five days we’ll start a new round, going from our Sexy 16 to the Enticing 8 to the Foxy 4 until you, the voters, have determined Mr. Skin’s single sexiest celeb. Plus, every vote enters you to WIN an iPad3 and other awesome prizes…and did we mention it’s FREE? Madness! So check out Mr. Skin’s Whack-It Bracket now…we provide the tournament, you provide the seed.
Before Bieber celebrates his 18th birthday on Thursday, we’re counting down his best moments so far. Check out #13 to #6! By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber Photo: Lester Cohen/ WireImage Justin Bieber is one day away from turning 18, and we’re counting down his 18 greatest moments so far in honor of the occasion. This week, we kicked things off by looking back on some of the highlights, from Justin crashing this year’s Oscars to his headline-making romance with girlfriend Selena Gomez. In the latest installment of our Bieber birthday countdown, we pick up with #13 to #6, narrowing down the early achievements that helped shape the teen into the pop superstar we know and love. We’ll celebrate this week until the final reveal on Justin’s big day on Thursday. What will be the #1 moment? You’ll have to keep it locked at MTVNews.com! 13. Bieber Drops “Baby” Video In February 2010, Justin dropped his star-making “Baby” video . Proving he had lots of swag, he enlisted Ludacris and Drake to appear in the bowling-party-themed clip, which featured a romance with his pretty leading lady. The video also displayed Bieber’s budding persona as a charming pop Romeo that no girl can resist. “It starts off, I really like this girl, but we didn’t [get] along; we couldn’t be together,” he told MTV News while shooting the video. “Basically, I want her back and [I’m] kind of going through the whole thing. I’m chasing her around, trying to get her, and she’s kind of playing hard to get, but I’m persistent. I keep going.” 12. Justin’s Voice Changes No one is immune to puberty, and that includes teen stars. As Bieber continued to mature before our eyes, his voice also took a turn for the manly. But he wasn’t too worried about it. “Everyone’s voice changes. Puberty is a natural thing,” Bieber said in 2010. “I have the best vocal coach in the world and we’re working on my voice and doing what I need to do. It’s not like as soon as you hit puberty you stop singing. Usher is the best mentor in the world and he survived puberty. He tells me what to do, what not to do.” 11. Bieber Goes Hip-Hop Between his rap persona, Shawty Mane , and getting love from a number of A-list hip-hop pals like Kanye West, Luda, Drake and Lil Wayne , Bieber has proved that swag is more than just a hashtag to him. This kid can legitimately hang with some of the hardest guys in the game — and hold his own. 10. 2011 Grammy Awards At last year’s Grammys, Bieber seemed poised to take home a trophy, but he famously lost in the prestigious Best New Artist category to Esperanza Spalding . He shook off the loss, though, and vowed that one day he would take home Grammy gold. He’s set to release his next album, Believe, in 2012. Grammy voters, take note! 9. Bieber Drops My World 2.0 For his second EP, My World 2.0, Bieber upped the ante when he enlisted folks like The-Dream to produce. While the record was released in March 2010, only months after his first EP, My World, the follow-up managed to eclipse the original thanks to memorable songs like “U Smile,” “Baby” and “Up.” 2.0 helped spark the frenzy known as Bieber Fever. The teen star even scored an MTV special on the series “Diary.” 8. Bieber Goes Under the Mistletoe He invited us all to premiere his video for “Mistletoe,” the lead single off his holiday-themed Under the Mistletoe. When he sat down with MTV News for his “MTV First” interview , he talked all about shooting the video in Nashville, his desire to make a cool Christmas album and getting the chance to work with heroes Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men. 7. Fans Welcomed to My World In 2009, Bieber dropped his first EP . Full of sugary-sweet pop, the songs launched him from viral Internet sensation to full-on star. The album was rife with puppy-love tracks that displayed Bieber’s ear for melodies and recalled some of the great pop music of the past from stars like New Kids on the Block and even Michael Jackson. 6. First Film, ‘Never Say Never,’ Released Bieber’s first foray into the world of big-screen blockbusters came courtesy of a 3-D film, “Never Say Never,” that served as a documentary and a concert film. It addressed any of his haters with in-depth interviews with the folks who know him best and Bieber himself, who recalled his personal hardships before making it big. If that wasn’t enough for the Beliebers, it also featured a 3-D Bieber shaking his floppy hair around. Share your birthday wishes for Justin and weigh in on the top 18 moments on our Facebook page! Stick with MTV News all week as we count down Justin Bieber ‘s 18 greatest moments leading up to his 18th birthday. On Thursday, March 1 — the teen star’s official big day — we will reveal the #1 greatest moment in his career so far. Plus, stay tuned for even more Bieber as we celebrate the milestone! Related Videos Justin Bieber’s 18th Birthday: Our Favorite Moments! Related Photos Justin Bieber’s Birthday: Countdown To 18! Related Artists Justin Bieber
Academy Awards ballots are due today at 5 p.m. PT, and procrastinators in the actors’ branch might do well to take note: One of your eldest peers has an upset or two in mind. The Los Angeles Times had a fun set of features over the weekend exploring some of the principals and predilections set to influence this year’s Oscar vote, none more illuminating than this profile of 99-year-old (and still active!) actress Connie Sawyer. In a nutshell: Sure, she’s squarely Team Streep in the Best Actress category. But Sawyer’s preferences in Picture and Actor defy the easy generalization of rank-and-file Academy voters as pliant, disengaged blue-hairs: Sawyer, who was a 15-year-old living in Oakland in 1927, when The Artist ‘s story begins, wasn’t so enamored of the black-and-white film. The movie was enjoyable enough, she says, but she frankly doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. “Hasn’t anybody seen old films?” Sawyer asked in exasperation. “They’re easy to make and easy to act. All you have to do is overact. I saw a lot of those films in my day.” For lead actor, the category in which The Artist star Jean Dujardin is favored by some, Sawyer picked Brad Pitt for his starring turn as Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane in the baseball drama Moneyball . The film, she said, “was the best work he’s done.” Of course, this from a former Oakland girl and a woman who calls the Oscar itself “the most legitimate movie award there is in the whole world.” Ahem . Still! No better time than the present for a second wind among contenders and observers alike. I love you, Connie Sawyer. [ LAT ]
