Tag Archives: chemistry

Nigel Lythgoe Wants Paula Abdul Back On ‘American Idol’

Producer talks about his plans to refresh the show in season 10. By Gil Kaufman Nigel Lythgoe Photo: Mathew Imaging/ Wireimage We still don’t have an update on the judging panel that will greet contestants for the upcoming 10th season of “American Idol.” But now that former executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has confirmed that he’s returning to the show, the witty Brit and “So You Think You Can Dance” judge has hinted about some of the changes he wants to make. One of his first ideas is to bring back one of the show’s most beloved judges: Paula Abdul . Lythgoe told Daily Variety that despite her commitment to headline a new dancing show on CBS, he’d love to get Abdul back in the “Idol” fold. “I still love Paula,” he said. “She’s signed to CBS, probably exclusively, but I’d recommend we have her in a heartbeat.” Lythgoe would not discuss the rumored imminent deals to bring in Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler as replacements for Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell, but Variety reported that he gave a “thumbs up” to both. “They can knock her film career, but (audiences) know she’s a good actress,” he said of Lopez, who has struggled at the box office of late with a string of duds. “And as J-Lo, she has had some great pop records. If she joins, I’m happy.” And despite some recent issues that landed him back in rehab after decades of sobriety, a nasty near split with his longtime band and some erratic behavior, Lythgoe said he likes Tyler for his unpredictable nature. “He has come through that whole rock ‘n’ roll circus,” Lythgoe said of the wiry 62-year-old rock icon. “Why wouldn’t you want a legend there? You never know what he’s going to say. That, as a TV producer, you’re interested in.” Lythgoe shot down rumors that he might seat himself at the judge’s panel, but seemed to secure lone original judge Randy Jackson’s place at the table, referring to the producer and former Journey bassist as a “barnacle.” He did not address rumors that two-season judge songwriter Kara DioGuardi might be on her way out. Spokespeople for Lopez, DioGuardi and Tyler have not returned requests for comment. Once known as “Nasty Nigel” for his sharp barbs on the U.K. shows “Pop Idol” and “Pop Stars,” Lythgoe said the reason “Idol” was criticized last year was because the judging panel simply didn’t gel. “It’s not because I disliked any of them, but the chemistry wasn’t there,” he said. “It almost felt like Simon Cowell turned his back on Ellen. It felt uncomfortable.” He would also like to see a renewed focus on the singers rather than the revolving door on the judge’s panel. “Where did Ne-Yo or Chris Brown come from?” he asked. “Where did Justin Bieber come from? Where are these kids. That has got to be the priority, more than anything. More than the judges’ panel.” Referring to his tweaks as “spring cleaning” rather than a face-lift, Lythgoe also suggested he’d like to pare back the reliance on the telling and re-telling of contestants’ backstories. Though he won’t be sitting behind the table, the music man with the Midas touch, Interscope head Jimmy Iovine (Eminem, U2, Dr. Dre), will have what the Los Angeles Times described as a “significant” role in the show next season as well. Quoting unnamed sources close to the situation, the paper reported that Iovine is unlikely to be a judge, but could serve as “mentor of sorts.” The news comes as “Idol” prepares to switch its record deal from a longtime pact with Sony Music to the Universal Music Group — Iovine is chairman of Universal’s Interscope Geffen A&M label. Iovine’s long tenure at Interscope and impressive track record could help bolster a judging panel that will be missing Simon Cowell’s music business experience. Lythgoe isn’t the only one talking “Idol” these days. Fox boss Rupert Murdoch spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his network’s crown jewel and promised that the show would be better next season. “All I can assure you is that next year’s ‘Idol’ will be different,” Murdoch said. “It will be better, the music will certainly be better. And we got great expectations for it.” As for the eagerly anticipated announcement of the new judging panel, Murdoch was mum, promising only that, “We are very close to announcing who the judges will be. … There are very active negotiations with a number of people.” Related Photos Who Should Be The Next ‘American Idol’ Judge? Related Artists Paula Abdul

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Nigel Lythgoe Wants Paula Abdul Back On ‘American Idol’

DeAnna Pappas to Ali Fedotowsky: Pick Roberto!

Three great guys remain after last night’s hometown dates, and The Bachelorette star Ali Fedotowsky faces tougher and tougher decisions every week. But former star DeAnna Pappas is totally on Team Roberto. “They have so much chemistry,” she says of Ali and Roberto Martinez , whose time in his native Tampa, Fla., featured a (literal) trip around the bases. “You can tell she really likes him,” DeAnna says. “When she gave him a hug and straddled him… He’s good looking and seems like the total package.” “His family was wonderful and [Ali] seemed comfortable.” Will the season end with an Ali Fedotowsky-Roberto Martinez engagement? “Ali is still a little standoffish with everyone,” DeAnna Pappas adds, noting that the star seems nervous. “But for Roberto, I think, she’s coming around. They’re holding hands more, she’s cuddling more, and the kisses seem more natural.” She also had high marks for Ali’s Cape Cod visit with Chris Lambton: “They had a nice little makeout session at the end. He climbs higher and higher in my book. I think the chemistry is growing, but at first it was hard to tell.” “At least on Chris’ part … I think he’s a great candidate for The Bachelor .” No arguments here. “As much as I like Chris L., I don’t think she chooses him in the end,” Pappas adds. “I think Chris is the safer choice, but she’s infatuated with Roberto.” As for the third man left standing, Frank Neuschaefer, DeAnna says run for it! “Frank is leading her on,” Pappas says. Where would she get that idea ? Who should Ali choose on The Bachelorette?

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DeAnna Pappas to Ali Fedotowsky: Pick Roberto!

Britney Spears’ Next Album Will Be ‘Hard-Hitting,’ Danja Says

The producer reveals he’s in pre-production on pop star’s LP; Darkchild also teases Gaga-esque ‘hits’ for Spears, in new online video. By James Dinh Britney Spears Photo: Jeremy Cowart/ WireImage Britney Spears has kept quiet since wrapping up her Circus Tour, a 97-date extravaganza that took her around the world last year. But according to some of the producers helping to prep her next album, it won’t be long before we hear from the pop star again. In fact, a musical storm is brewing, and producer/songwriter Danja told Rap-Up TV of what to expect from Spears’ next project. “We’re getting things together,” Danja revealed. The pair have collaborated on Spears’ last two LPs, and Danja is the man responsible for giving Brit her comeback single “Gimme More.” “I’ve actually been doing tracks that I love, and I can’t wait to go into full production mode, but more or so [we’re in] pre-production than anything,” he said. Asked what direction the pop princess’ material will take, the producer said it was hard to tell; things tended to be unpredictable in the studio. “We can start one way and end up a totally different way, I really don’t know,” Danja told Rap-Up TV. “I’m definitely gonna do my part and try to make it hard-hitting, uptempo, high-energy. That’s what I think we need and that’s what I’m gonna shoot for.” While Danja has worked with the likes of Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, the producer revealed that the chemistry between him and Spears is “so easy and fun.” “It’s one of the easiest — probably the easiest — sessions I’ve had in my career, so I’m looking forward to getting back in,” he gushed. And after all the commotion that erupted after Spears’ demo version of Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” leaked online, it’s maybe not surprising that Darkchild is also onboard for the singer’s next album. The hitmaker, who penned and produced the Gaga/Beyonc

Are Cut Flowers Killing the Wildlife in Kenya’s Lake Naivasha?

Photo via joebeone Flamingos are landing at Lake Naivasha in Kenya. This might seem like a good thing at first – more wildlife is a sign of vitality, right? But there’s one problem. Flamingos like salt water and Lake Naivasha is a fresh water lake. Or at least, it’s supposed to be. The flamingos are one of many signs showing that the chemistry of the lake is changing and that spells bad news for the flora and fauna that call it home. While there is a debate raging on what is causing the pollution and problems for the lake, several fingers point to the flower farming industry. … Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Are Cut Flowers Killing the Wildlife in Kenya’s Lake Naivasha?

‘Thor’ Stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman Talk Chemistry In New Video

Portman calls beefed-up leading man ‘a god’ in new video from movie’s set. By Kara Warner Chris Hemsworth Photo: Entertainment Tonight Hot on the heels of the release of the first official photo (and alleged concept art) from “Thor” comes a video report straight from the Santa Fe, New Mexico, set, courtesy of “Entertainment Tonight.” The clip features a charming exchange between two of the film’s stars, Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Natalie Portman (Jane Foster) : The duo discuss their chemistry and Hemsworth’s impressive build. Portman also expresses delight upon discovering that Hemsworth was on Australia’s version of “Dancing with the Stars.” The topic of Hemsworth’s toughness and physique are played up the video, along with a few brief action scenes. “He’s a god,” Portman says of her co-star, even alluding to his healthy, “big appetite.” Later, Portman pokes fun at herself with a fake teaser: “Chris and that little midget girl, starring in Thor!” Director Kenneth Branagh praised Hemsworth’s dedication to the role, saying the actor worked himself into peak condition. “He took seriously the challenge that had to be taken on by whoever was going to play Thor, to find this combination we wanted of a sort of Herculean strength, and gosh, he’s strong,” Branagh said. “We’ve had him doing all sorts of physical feats on it. Some of it’s practical — lifting people up, lifting two people up, and doing it for a long time over the course of a day. I sort of said, ‘Oh, you’ve got to get your shirt off. Do you mind?’ And he said, ‘Do I mind? I spent six months getting into shape for this! No, I don’t mind!’ ” “It’s pretty exciting,” Hemsworth says in the clip when asked about stepping into the boots of the storied God of Thunder. “The whole thing is surreal.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Thor.” For breaking comic book movie news, columns and more — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com . Related Artists Natalie Portman

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‘Thor’ Stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman Talk Chemistry In New Video

‘Get Him To The Greek’ Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know

Hit the road with Russell Brand and Jonah Hill in the ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ follow-up. By Josh Wigler Jonah Hill and Russell Brand in “Get Him To The Greek” Photo: Universal Pictures In “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” Infant Sorrow frontman Aldous Snow had it all figured out: hit singles in the form of “Inside of You” and “We’ve Got to Do Something,” fans from all across the globe and several years of sobriety. But to quote another great musician, the times are a-changing when an off-the-wagon Snow returns in “Get Him to the Greek,” the “Sarah Marshall” spin-off arriving in theaters Friday (June 4). Russell Brand and Jonah Hill take center stage in the comedy about a disgraced rock singer and a budding talent agent looking to stage a glorious comeback. While that’s the film’s basic premise, the story behind the story has several layers. As the comedy arrives in theaters, MTV News is bringing you a cheat sheet to catch you up on everything you need to go “Greek.” Forgetting ‘Sarah’ and Going ‘Greek’ One of the reasons moviegoers latched onto “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” was the onscreen chemistry of Brand as rock god Aldous Snow and Hill as an aspiring musician and Snow-obsessed fan. Apparently, the chemistry didn’t go unnoticed by director Nicholas Stoller and producer Judd Apatow, as they announced a new comedy project re-teaming Brand and Hill just one week following the release of “Sarah Marshall.” That project would eventually become “Get Him to the Greek,” and while Brand was set to reprise his role as Aldous Snow , Hill took on an entirely new character: Aaron Green, a record-company intern who volunteers to escort the down-and-out Snow from his London home to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for a comeback concert. Madness, debauchery and hilarity inevitably ensue. The Third Greek Although Hill and Brand present quite the dynamic duo on their own, a third player entered the “Greek” arena in the form of Sean “Diddy” Combs as record-company executive Sergio Roma. “We did a table read, and I thought to myself, ‘I wonder how funny [Diddy’s] going to be and how much help he’s going to need,’ ” Apatow told MTV News in 2009 . “And I found out the answer was none. He needs no help. He was riotously funny. As a man with one skill, I was annoyed that he was also funny. You shouldn’t be allowed to be good at so many things.” Dubbed by Hill as “the McLovin of ‘Get Him to the Greek,’ ” Combs endeared himself to his co-stars with a trip to Las Vegas that Brand described as “a hedonism boot camp.” “[Hanging with Diddy in Vegas] means you don’t get enough sleep, and when you go to a restaurant, it’s noisy, and when you go to a club, it’s noisy, and when you’re in an elevator, it’s noisy,” Brand said of the trip. “Hanging with Diddy is noisy.” Sex, Drugs and Rocky Terrain Having survived the Vegas outing with few scratches to speak of, the “Greek” stars barreled on with production, but neither Brand nor Hill were without their share of hardships during the shoot. Brand, a recovering alcoholic and former drug addict, was faced with revisiting his old demons alongside his character. “I don’t take relapsing very seriously as a possibility in terms of thinking of it as ‘Must not relapse. Must not relapse.’ But it reminded me, ‘Don’t do drugs,’ ” Brand said of his experience playing the drug-addled Snow . “It’s not worth it. Not for me.” For Hill, his difficulties were a bit more transparent … one could even say, well, nude . The comedian was able to overcome the awkwardness of filming his in-the-buff scenes by focusing on the bright side: “I had all sorts of thoughts about waxing or what I should do to prepare. And then eventually, I just, I said, ‘I’m just gonna be free and be me and just sort of, you know, let that happen.’ ” Nudity and old ghosts aside, the point of “Get Him to the Greek” isn’t to dwell on the negative; it’s about laughing and having a good time at the movies. On that front, Hill feels that the mission was accomplished. “This movie, to me, is just a pure weekend night movie,” he said. “You go and have a great time, and it’s so full of energy. It’s a road movie, and it’s hysterical, in my opinion.” Don’t miss the live red-carpet coverage, exclusive movie clips and fist-pumping action on MTV News’ “Jersey Shore Blow-Out at the MTV Movie Awards,” airing live from Los Angeles this Sunday, June 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Then stay tuned for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Get Him To The Greek’ Related Photos ‘Get Him To The Greek’ Russell Brand And Katy Perry At The ‘Get Him To The Greek’ L.A. Premiere

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‘Get Him To The Greek’ Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know

Kanye West’s ‘Power’ Lets Fans Know ‘He’s Back,’ Dwele Says

‘All I did was my thing: I added harmonies and lent my instrument for the joint,’ singer tells MTV News. By Jayson Rodriguez Dwele Photo: Getty Images Dwele’s voice has graced two of Kanye West’s moodiest songs, “Flashing Lights” and his most recent number, “Power.” But the Detroit native insists his contributions to the superstar MC’s work are minimal at best, despite their chemistry. “I got there [to the studio], and ‘Ye had an idea for what he wanted for the song,” Dwele told MTV News about “Power.” “So that’s all his creation. Pretty much all I did was my thing: I added harmonies and lent my instrument for the joint.” The singer’s voice highlights the song’s epic bridge, where his melody mixes with the vocal sample from British rock band King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man.” “Now, this would be a beautiful death,” Kanye raps while Dwele sings: “I’m jumping out the window/ I’m letting everything go/ I’m letting everything go.” “I think it’s dope,” Dwele said. “I think [the record] is doing what it’s supposed to do, as far as letting people know he’s back to rapping. He got some bars on that joint. I enjoy it. It’s one of those joints. I roll down the windows and ride out to it. I usually don’t play stuff that I’m on, but that song bangs.” Dwele is prepping the release of his next album, Wants World Women, later this month, June 29. The project is broken up into three sections, the first focusing on his alter ego and the last on classic “baby-making music.” (He directed three different commercials to highlight all three sections.) The middle section ( World ) addresses current events, in the vein of projects by Donnie Hathaway and Marvin Gaye, Dwele said. “It’s an audio time capsule of things going on in the world right now or with the economy, across the world and in our country the past few years,” he explained. “I’ve had a few songs for a few years now that I wanted to get out, and I really didn’t have the platform to get those out. So I felt like making a specific section on this album. It kind of came as an outlet or gave me the role to finally do it.” What do you think about Dwele’s work? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Dwele Kanye West

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Kanye West’s ‘Power’ Lets Fans Know ‘He’s Back,’ Dwele Says

‘New Moon,’ The Taylors Pucker Up For MTV Movie Awards’ Best Kiss

Five smooches battle it out for Best Kiss on Sunday, June 6, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. By Jocelyn Vena Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in “New Moon” Photo: Summit Anything goes in the Best Kiss category at the MTV Movie Awards. Sometimes a heartfelt kiss comes out on top (see 2005 winners Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling for “The Notebook”) and sometimes a silly kiss wins (see 2002 champs Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott for “American Pie 2”). So that means at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards , any of our five nominees has a chance at the Golden Popcorn. First up are Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning in “The Runaways.” Girl-on-girl kisses aren’t anything new at the Movie Awards, but something feels particularly rock-and-roll about this one. And we’re pretty sure Jane and Bella won’t be making out anytime soon, outside of some “Twilight” fan fiction. Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner in “Valentine’s Day” are the next nominees. For the onetime real-life couple, their chemistry offscreen definitely translated into an adorable onscreen connection, which means they might have a good chance at this year’s show. We’d love to see them hit the stage together and accept that award — awkward! Of course “New Moon” is represented, and fan favorites Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson will have Twilighters saying, “Dakota who?” Stewart and Pattinson won Best Kiss last year for “Twilight,” and with “Eclipse” right around the bend, we imagine fans are clamoring for a repeat performance at this year’s show. Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington made interspecies love sexy in “Avatar,” earning them a Best Kiss nod. While they made their relationship work in the film, it’s only a matter of time until we know if lightning will strike twice at the big show. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are nominated for their kiss in “The Proposal.” Will it be steamy enough to beat out their competition? Will the special powers of the “baby-maker blanket” be strong enough to get these two the victory? The fans must decide! Who gets your vote for Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards? Share your thoughts below! Don’t miss the 2010 MTV Movie Awards , airing live from Los Angeles on Sunday, June 6, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

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‘New Moon,’ The Taylors Pucker Up For MTV Movie Awards’ Best Kiss

Rihanna Is Technically Topless

It’s finally the end of what’s been a long and grueling week of writing about boobs and asses and staring at hot women all day, so I thought I’d finish things off with some nice shots of Rihanna kinda topless in Vanity Fair magazine. I can’t really stand her music, but man would I like to lick the foam of this sweet mocha sexuccino. I know that doesn’t make much sense, but it doesn’t have to with all the chemistry that theses inanimate pictures and I have going on together. So hot.

TV Bites: Is Paula Abdul Planning a Return to American Idol?