Emily, Chrissy and Olivia spill all to MTV News before the Monday night premiere of their brand-new reality series. By Rebecca Thomas Hip-hop is a lot like the title of Jim Jones’ “Blow Your Smoke.” For all of us ardent followers of this rhyming circuit of storytellers who weave aspirational fantasies about Bentleys and shopping sprees, it doesn’t matter much that the German luxury car is a loaner or that the fresh-from-the runway Lanvin frock is going back to a publicist. To paraphrase the Diplomat boss, sometimes it’s just about blowing smoke. If anyone knows that rap is as much caked-in grime as it is glossy surfaces, it’s the cast of VH1’s brand-new docu-series “Love & Hip Hop,” officially premiering Monday night (March 14) at 10:30 p.m. ET. On Friday, MTV News caught up with three of the principal castmembers — Chrissy (longtime lady of Jim Jones), Emily (mother of Fabolous’ son) and Olivia (ex-G-Unit songstress) — and they spilled details about their lives and the show. “For me, the struggle is mostly the image struggle, keeping up with the image,” Emily said, when asked what the biggest challenge was about being in a relationship with a famous rapper. In the weeks since the “Love & Hip-Hop” teaser trailer hit the Net, viewers have been chirping about the women behind the MCs. But the biggest surprise for many fans is that these rappers have been in serious relationships at all. Seeing iconic or veteran rappers on shows like MTV’s “Run’s House” or E!’s “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” is one thing, but the idea of a domesticated Fab, whose legion of female fans get worked up over his chipped tooth, is another. “Me as a wardrobe stylist, I dress these guys, when they put on their bling and their clothes and their shades, they turn into a character,” Emily explained. “So that’s the biggest struggle for me, the image thing, having to deal with that.” Emily, who describes herself as Fab’s “secret” in the premiere episode, recalled being approached by the execs behind “L&HH.” She was sold on the chance to brand herself as wardrobe stylist “Emily B.” So was Loso supportive? Emily paused for a moment. “Was he supportive? … He said, ‘Eh, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.’ … He said, ‘I’m not gonna tell you not to do it, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea.’ So maybe he was right,” she laughed, adding quickly, “For him!” Meeting Chrissy helped cement the decision, and though Fab and Jim traded barbs on Twitter last April, their female counterparts proved fast friends. “In the beginning, it was a pilot about me and Jimmy [‘Jim and the Family Jones’], and he wasn’t really comfortable with that,” Chrissy explained. VH1 producers volunteered to bring in “some more females, make it more interesting,” and eventually Emily, Olivia and aspiring rapper Somaya Reece were added to the cast; Emily’s close friend Mashonda (ex-wife of Swizz Beatz) also appears. “If I don’t have to work with Jimmy every day, I’m with it!” the ever-bouncy Chrissy, who actually proposes to Jim on the show, laughed. “He didn’t want to be bothered with the cameras every day.” According to Olivia, best known for her turn on 50 Cent’s G-Unit roster, including a feature spot on her ex-boss’ hit “Candy Shop,” the series is also about re-charging her music career. “A lot of people don’t really know the real Olivia. I felt like I was kind of sheltered being in the Unit, so this was a way for everybody to see my personality and see how I really am, especially when you see me with these two women,” she said gesturing at Emily and Chrissy. ” ‘Cause we have a lot of scenes together. So you get to see the relationships and how we bond. … It’s a big deal for me because a lot of people also don’t know that really I can sing, sing.” With fame in the balance — and all the negative press that can come with it already rearing its head — the ladies said they’re just beginning to adjust to the media glare. “I’m not really in the belly of the beast when it comes to the industry. I’ve been playing a supporting role to somebody who’s going through all types of pitfalls, losses and gains,” Chrissy said. “So I can see what it does, but I don’t know what it truly feels like — until now, but this is very new, it’s premature.” Will you be watching “Love & Hip Hop”? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Olivia Fabolous Jim Jones 50 Cent
“Are you taping or writing this down? Because I talk really fast,” director Ava DuVernay politely informs via speakerphone. Ava has been fielding phone interviews since 6 a. m., but six hours later she’s none the worse for wear, eager to chat about her directorial debut with the independent feature I Will Follow . Winner of the Narrative Audience Award at the 2010 Urbanworld Film Festival , I Will Follow is a moving semi-autobiographical drama that stars Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Maye Fisher, a successful make-up artist with a sexy boyfriend (Blair Underwood), whose world is turned upside down by the death of her beloved Amanda (Beverly Todd). WBW: 30 MORE Black Women You Should Know About Audiences are already familiar with Ava’s work as a documentary filmmaker with the critically acclaimed My Mic Sounds Nice which aired on BET, and TV One Night Only: Essence Music Festival 2010. With I Will Follow, Ava has now turned the camera onto herself to explore personal themes of grief, love, forgiveness and renewal. With only her life savings and a rolodex full of professional and personal contacts she’d acquired from running her own P.R. company (The DuVernay Agency), Ava completed her film in just 15 days at the film’s only location, a house in Topanga Canyon, California. Committed to preserving the beauty and legacy of black cinema, Ava has also partnered with various black film organizations to create the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM). The ultimate goal of AFFRM is to empower and foster new black indie talent and provide more truthful and contemporary images of the African-American community. “We all have a story to share,” Ava says. “Just pick up the camera and tell it.” Ava tells The Urban Daily how she transitioned from documentaries to feature film, why we shouldn’t look to the major studios to green light quality black film projects, and her views on Idris Elba’s and Anthony Mackie’s recent comments about Black Hollywood. TUD: Tell us about I Will Follow and the inspiration for the movie. Ava DuVernay: It’s about a woman who’s successful, has a hot boyfriend, career, and then things kind of fall apart. Something happens in her family and she has to pick up the pieces and maintain her balance and kind of save herself. I think that’s something we all experience. This film is based on personal experience—I brought my personal story dealing with loss and loyalty. The actors involved tapped into their own personal experiences. It deals with trying to keep your self in control when things get out of control. It’s something a lot of people will be able to associate with, to identify with. People on the festival circuit around the country come up to me and said “I saw myself in this character.” I Will Follow is based on your relationship with your aunt, Denise. Can you tell us a little bit about her? She was an amazing woman. She was one of the people in my life that meant the most to me. She was an incredible person. Hopefully this movie will be a tribute to her memory. How did you assemble the cast for this film? It was a combination of professional and personal contacts. I first contacted Aisha Coley. She was the casting director of Secret Life of Bees . Omari Hardwick I had seen on Dark Blue and I thought to myself ‘Wow, he’s good.’ So I asked Aisha to reach out to him. Salli Richardson-Whitfield was on a list of actresses I really wanted to work with. I always thought she was underrated–great actress, drop dead gorgeous. Blair Underwood is someone that I knew from working in P.R. and we became friends. I always had him in mind when writing his character. What was the transition from doing documentaries ( This is The Life , My Mic Sounds Nice ) to doing a scripted feature? With a documentary you walk in with your camera and a set of questions. You’re inquisitive and you’re curious. You get in there and just have a conversation with people. With my documentaries I have an idea of where I want to lead them, I’m trying to converse with them and get to the essence of what I’m trying to learn from them and form that into the documentary. You work closely with your editor and try to come out with something interesting. With film, you’ve got wardrobe, actors, production design, and the whole world opens up. Instead of investigating someone else’s world, you’re creating a world from scratch. With documentaries and film you’re using two different muscles, and I’ve been fortunate enough to use both. And I hope to go back and forth between the two. When you decided to do I Will Follow , you looked at your bank account and said “This is my budget” and basically green lit yourself to make this movie. Was it always your intention to have your film as an independent project or did you consider going with a major studio? I always believed in self-distribution and not waiting for people’s permission, particularly with big corporations, to share my story. I’m very much a control freak (laughs). I would like to collaborate with like-minded companies who want to work on distribution ideas. Major studios are looking for different types of stories, and that’s fine. If they want to do Transformers 13 , cool. I want to do something else. So I’m not going to beg or force my vision on corporations, if that’s not their bottom line. As indie filmmakers, the ‘Woe is me, the studios don’t want my stuff’—your job is to do your own projects and to take care of yourself. These people have their agenda and we have our own agenda too. I’m really into self-empowerment and to create and distribute our own stories. I want to be in a position where I’m not asking permission to share my vision. I want to get filmmakers into that cycle. People tend to forget that most A-list directors started off as indie. Right. Martin Scorcese did Boxcar Bertha through Roger Corman that only cost a couple of thousand dollars. You didn’t go to film school like most directors. You actually started in publicity doing campaigns for directors like Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood, and when you’d meet them for lunch you’d pick their brains about filmmaking. What did you learn from them that you were able to apply to your own directing process? I learned that it could be done. The main thing I learned from them, aside from the technical process and dealing with actors is that these directors were just people, like me. They’re just human beings that want to tell a story and they found a way to do it. Why could I not do the same? That’s the best lesson I got from my ‘bootleg’ film school. As a little black girl, who loved movies, I never thought I could make one. Everybody’s got a story; go make that film. There’s someone out there thinking ‘I want to make movies, but I can’t afford film school.’ What would you tell them? Do you think it’s necessary to go to film school to be a good director? Film school is wonderful. It’s creative and allows you to play, to learn theory. I wish I had four years to chill and just learn about film. Film school is a great place to hone your skills. Is it necessary? No. If you’re a 16-year-old girl and want to make films, if you have an iPhone, do it. I just saw an incredible 12 minute short shot on an iPhone. Two of the biggest stories to hit the media are statements from Idris Elba and Anthony Mackie. During a lecture for the Project Lens/Artist Spotlight series at Rutgers University , Elba stated that the Oscars aren’t designed for us and that we should focus on making more films. In an interview with Grio.com , Mackie also said we should make more films and find our own distribution deals. Do you agree or disagree with them? I agree. I think both brothers made a call to action to filmmakers. It’s getting a lot of attention from the press and I think that’s positive. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to not have major studios involved in our projects. I don’t think it’s a doomsday thing. The only movie featuring a black woman so far this year is Big Momma 3. There’s more to come with Madea’s Big Happy Family and Skank Robbers . What are your feelings on that? The studios are looking at big budget pictures, they’re looking at gags, and comedy, and that’s ok. For folks that enjoy that, fine. I don’t hold anyone outside of our community responsible. There are certain (white) filmmakers who think that’s funny. They have a star that thinks that’s funny, who went on record saying, “If you saw the check, you wouldn’t blame me.” Ok. Do you. I don’t blame anyone for what they’re doing. I can only take care of me and the filmmakers and the black moviegoers that think like me. People who tell me Love Jones and Love and Basketball are their favorite films. What that says is ‘I want to see adult dramas, contemporary images of myself.’ The studios are not interested. I Will Follow opens this Friday March 11 th . TO FIND THE AMC THEATER NEAR YOU EXCLUSIVELY SHOWING “I WILL FOLLOW” AND TO BUY TICKETS CLICK HERE You can find Ava ( @AVADVA ) , I Will Follow ( @iwillfollowfilm ) and AFFRM ( @AFFRM ) on Twitter. RELATED POSTS: Salli Richardson-Whitfield Sought New Challenge With “I Will Follow” DuVernay’s “I Will Follow” Called Best Film Of 2010 Yo-Yo Says Album “Can’t Compete With Swallowing Coke Bottles”
Bassist, 44, was found dead in his Salt Lake City home on Tuesday. By Gil Kaufman Mike Starr Photo: Steve Jennings/ WireImage The original members of Alice in Chains reacted to the death of the band’s former bassist Mike Starr . Guitarist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney released a statement on Tuesday in which they said, “Jerry and Sean are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy — and the privacy of Mike’s family — during this difficult time. Their thoughts & prayers are with the Starr family.” Starr, 44, was found dead Tuesday afternoon in his Salt Lake City home. A co-founding member of the pioneering Seattle grunge band, Starr appeared on VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab” in 2009. He was arrested on February 18 for felony possession of a controlled substance. Salt Lake City police said he had several painkillers on him when he was arrested. The bass player’s death unleashed a flood of comments from Alice in Chains fans and fellow rockers including former Guns N’ Roses members Steven Adler and Matt Sorum , as well as ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, M
Rumors are buzzing surrounding a MediaTakeOut report which “confirms” that Nicki Minaj is expecting a child with Safarree Samuels. The article states that a “rock solid” source claims that Minaj called a closed meeting on Friday (Mar. 4) to inform Young Money execs of her pregnancy. Reportedly, Lil#39; Wayne is “furious” with her for choosing to start a family so early in her career. May it be noted that Wayne fathered his first child when he was just a teen. “No one thought that she and Safa
With wireless and computer-based digital music revolutions in full tilt, the need for streaming to alternative devices has exploded over the last two years. In response to this enormous demand, home audio manufacturers have scrambled to build hardware to fit a variety of consumer listening needs and preferences. Whether it’s free internet radio, computer-based MP3 collections , iPod / iPhones or paid services such as Napster, Rhapsody and Slacker Radio, finding the perfect piece of equipment for your home situation requires a bit of investigation. Important factors to consider when making comparisons include: audio quality, file/service compatibility, built-in speaker options versus the need for external speakers, cost, and portability. Below you’ll find our list of the major players in the audio streaming field, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Read on to make your own assessments of each, and broaden your understanding of which hold the potential to finally free your music from its PC shackles. Music Streaming Devices: Guy Gear Bose SoundLink Based on the huge success of their iPod compatible Sound Dock series, it was only a matter of time before Bose created a device to compete in the digital music streaming spectrum. However, unlike much of the competition, Bose’s strategy with the recently released SoundLink is clearly focused on two things: ease of use and portability. Instead of mimicking the strategy of competing players, which seek to provide stand-alone access to digital music content without a computer, the SoundLink relies solely on its plug-and-play USB dongle or auxiliary connected device to output tunes through its wireless speaker. With a battery life of three hours at maximum volume, and a transmission range of 60 feet, it’s designed to appeal to users looking for a hassle-free method of streaming a variety of PC-loaded music to other locations in their home. A hefty price tag of $550 does make it one of the most expensive solutions on the market though; so potential buyers must place a high premium on ease of use and sound quality to justify buying it over other options that include more functionality. Pandora: Yes SIRIUS: Yes Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $550 V-Tech IS9181 Wi-Fi Internet Radio Positioned as the next evolution in desktop radios, the V-Tech IS9181 combines access to thousands of online radio stations, an FM tuner, PC music streaming, and five-day weather forecast information via AccuWeather, into an attractive case with great bass output. Surprisingly, despite its well-rounded connectivity, the IS9181 does lack basic support for Pandora and podcast streaming, meaning music discovery fiends and news junkies will have to look elsewhere get to their fix. Accessing music off of a networked PC is also a complex affair compared to the plug-and-play USB dongle solution found on the Bose SoundLink. Instead of running a uPNP server, the V-Tech uses shared music folders to access remote PC-based content and has a reputation for improperly displaying artist and track information on the units stylish color LCD display. Its navigation, however, is intuitive and uses a top-mounted rotating “disc” to navigate through menus and stations. The ability to save favorite internet radio stations, power the device with 6AA batteries, and listen to an auxiliary connected music device such as an iPod, are also nice touches that round out the unit’s features. Overall, the V-Tech IS9181 is a great option for those seeking a stand-alone wi-fi radio who don’t view alarm functionality or Pandora compatibility as must-have features. Pandora: No SIRIUS: No Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $146 Sonos BU250 Considering its role as a high-end, dual-room wireless digital audio system with expansion capabilities for to up to 32 rooms in total, the Sonos BU250 stands apart from other alternatives on this list both in functionality and price point. This basic setup includes three components: Two are ZonePlayer base stations, which are designed to provide music playback from all manner of digital sources. However, both require external speakers for audio output and only the ZP120 contains a built-in 55-Watt per-channel Class-D amplifier capable of powering external speakers on its own. The ZP90, on the other hand, is intended for streaming use in rooms where there’s already an audio system in place such as a home theater or tabletop radio. The real show stopper, though, is the CR2000 color LED touchscreen remote, which mimics the iPhone to place complete control of the system in the palm of your hands. Despite being a fully wireless system, ironically one base station must still be hardwired to an internet router to provide internet access to the system as a whole. Connecting one base station to the other only involves pressing a few buttons to pair units together, as opposed to dealing with wireless networking hassles. Each operates on a secure peer-to-peer 802.11 mesh network known as SonoNet, meaning it won’t slow down other devices in your home network. Streaming the majority of internet-based content through the system does not require a computer either, and accessing networked storage devices on a computer media library only requires a quick installation of Sono’s proprietary Desktop Controller software. Costing nearly $1,000, this easy-to-use, incredibly flexible system does have a price that matches its robust functionality. Pandora: Yes SIRIUS: Yes Internet radio: Yes Retail: Approx. $1,000 Philips Streamium NP25000 Philips’ take on digital music streaming appears to seek middle ground between functionality, style and price. Sleek and monolithic, the Streamium NP25000’s flat 9.9-inch black face is punctuated by a bright 3.5″ color LCD with album art display capabilities and a full graphical user interface. Like the previous models discussed, this device can stream all manner of internet radio stations, as well as Rhapsody’s premium subscription-based service. Accessing PC-based media is also a relatively straightforward affair thanks to the TwonkyServer software included in the bundle. It even provides support for high-end lossless audiophile song formats such as FLAC and OGG. Pandora, Last.fm and Slacker radio, however, are not compatible with the device. Unlike the Squeezebox Radio or V-Tech IS9181, the Streamium NP25000 does not have onboard speakers, making it totally dependent on external setups to play music. Combined with a fully sized wireless remote, this device is a good choice for audiophiles in search of an attractive home theater component to add lossless streaming from their computer. Anyone not in that bucket, however, will likely be better suited by alternative products. Pandora: No SIRIUS: No Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $200 Popcorn Hour A-110 While all of the other devices on this list can rightly be characterized as out-of-the-box streaming solutions for the non tech-saavy to moderately gadget proficient, the Popcorn Hour A-110 can make no such claims. Built as the ultimate tinkering machine for die-hard geeks, its streaming potential is nearly limitless, for those advanced enough to use it. Whether you’re looking for video or audio streaming at all quality levels from both online and networked sources, BitTorrent downloading or a massive media library storage device accessible through your home theater, the A-110 can make it happen. Unfortunately, one should be prepared to hack and read enthusiast forums until late in the night to get it all up and running. It’s also not portable, and really meant to serve as a component-based networked media tank. Thus most interested in seamless integration with online music services and casual side table portability will not be served by owning this device. However, for ambitious souls bothered by pre-imposed limitations on their media consumption, this device represents the key to unlimited media streaming possibilities. Pandora: Not out of the box SIRIUS: Not out of the box Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $215 Logitech Squeezebox Going directly head-to-head with other wi-fi radios such as the V-Tech IS9181, Logitech has drawn upon its impressive streaming history to create possibly the best wi-fi radio on the market today. Capable of playing computer-based MP3 collections, along with a variety of free and premium music services — Rhapsody, Napster, Pandora, SIRIUS, and Last.fm — the Squeezebox aims to handle just about every piece of digital music content under the sun. This all comes with a price though. Listed at $200 for the base unit, Logitech will nickel and dime you for an extra $50 to buy a supplement pack that includes a wireless remote and battery pack for cordless operation. Its external aesthetic combined with details like the ability to display album art and Flickr slideshows on its color LCD screen, in the end, may make it worth the added premium for true gadget hounds. Pandora: Yes SIRIUS: Yes Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $200 + $50 for battery pack and remote.
With wireless and computer-based digital music revolutions in full tilt, the need for streaming to alternative devices has exploded over the last two years. In response to this enormous demand, home audio manufacturers have scrambled to build hardware to fit a variety of consumer listening needs and preferences. Whether it’s free internet radio, computer-based MP3 collections , iPod / iPhones or paid services such as Napster, Rhapsody and Slacker Radio, finding the perfect piece of equipment for your home situation requires a bit of investigation. Important factors to consider when making comparisons include: audio quality, file/service compatibility, built-in speaker options versus the need for external speakers, cost, and portability. Below you’ll find our list of the major players in the audio streaming field, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Read on to make your own assessments of each, and broaden your understanding of which hold the potential to finally free your music from its PC shackles. Music Streaming Devices: Guy Gear Bose SoundLink Based on the huge success of their iPod compatible Sound Dock series, it was only a matter of time before Bose created a device to compete in the digital music streaming spectrum. However, unlike much of the competition, Bose’s strategy with the recently released SoundLink is clearly focused on two things: ease of use and portability. Instead of mimicking the strategy of competing players, which seek to provide stand-alone access to digital music content without a computer, the SoundLink relies solely on its plug-and-play USB dongle or auxiliary connected device to output tunes through its wireless speaker. With a battery life of three hours at maximum volume, and a transmission range of 60 feet, it’s designed to appeal to users looking for a hassle-free method of streaming a variety of PC-loaded music to other locations in their home. A hefty price tag of $550 does make it one of the most expensive solutions on the market though; so potential buyers must place a high premium on ease of use and sound quality to justify buying it over other options that include more functionality. Pandora: Yes SIRIUS: Yes Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $550 V-Tech IS9181 Wi-Fi Internet Radio Positioned as the next evolution in desktop radios, the V-Tech IS9181 combines access to thousands of online radio stations, an FM tuner, PC music streaming, and five-day weather forecast information via AccuWeather, into an attractive case with great bass output. Surprisingly, despite its well-rounded connectivity, the IS9181 does lack basic support for Pandora and podcast streaming, meaning music discovery fiends and news junkies will have to look elsewhere get to their fix. Accessing music off of a networked PC is also a complex affair compared to the plug-and-play USB dongle solution found on the Bose SoundLink. Instead of running a uPNP server, the V-Tech uses shared music folders to access remote PC-based content and has a reputation for improperly displaying artist and track information on the units stylish color LCD display. Its navigation, however, is intuitive and uses a top-mounted rotating “disc” to navigate through menus and stations. The ability to save favorite internet radio stations, power the device with 6AA batteries, and listen to an auxiliary connected music device such as an iPod, are also nice touches that round out the unit’s features. Overall, the V-Tech IS9181 is a great option for those seeking a stand-alone wi-fi radio who don’t view alarm functionality or Pandora compatibility as must-have features. Pandora: No SIRIUS: No Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $146 Sonos BU250 Considering its role as a high-end, dual-room wireless digital audio system with expansion capabilities for to up to 32 rooms in total, the Sonos BU250 stands apart from other alternatives on this list both in functionality and price point. This basic setup includes three components: Two are ZonePlayer base stations, which are designed to provide music playback from all manner of digital sources. However, both require external speakers for audio output and only the ZP120 contains a built-in 55-Watt per-channel Class-D amplifier capable of powering external speakers on its own. The ZP90, on the other hand, is intended for streaming use in rooms where there’s already an audio system in place such as a home theater or tabletop radio. The real show stopper, though, is the CR2000 color LED touchscreen remote, which mimics the iPhone to place complete control of the system in the palm of your hands. Despite being a fully wireless system, ironically one base station must still be hardwired to an internet router to provide internet access to the system as a whole. Connecting one base station to the other only involves pressing a few buttons to pair units together, as opposed to dealing with wireless networking hassles. Each operates on a secure peer-to-peer 802.11 mesh network known as SonoNet, meaning it won’t slow down other devices in your home network. Streaming the majority of internet-based content through the system does not require a computer either, and accessing networked storage devices on a computer media library only requires a quick installation of Sono’s proprietary Desktop Controller software. Costing nearly $1,000, this easy-to-use, incredibly flexible system does have a price that matches its robust functionality. Pandora: Yes SIRIUS: Yes Internet radio: Yes Retail: Approx. $1,000 Philips Streamium NP25000 Philips’ take on digital music streaming appears to seek middle ground between functionality, style and price. Sleek and monolithic, the Streamium NP25000’s flat 9.9-inch black face is punctuated by a bright 3.5″ color LCD with album art display capabilities and a full graphical user interface. Like the previous models discussed, this device can stream all manner of internet radio stations, as well as Rhapsody’s premium subscription-based service. Accessing PC-based media is also a relatively straightforward affair thanks to the TwonkyServer software included in the bundle. It even provides support for high-end lossless audiophile song formats such as FLAC and OGG. Pandora, Last.fm and Slacker radio, however, are not compatible with the device. Unlike the Squeezebox Radio or V-Tech IS9181, the Streamium NP25000 does not have onboard speakers, making it totally dependent on external setups to play music. Combined with a fully sized wireless remote, this device is a good choice for audiophiles in search of an attractive home theater component to add lossless streaming from their computer. Anyone not in that bucket, however, will likely be better suited by alternative products. Pandora: No SIRIUS: No Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $200 Popcorn Hour A-110 While all of the other devices on this list can rightly be characterized as out-of-the-box streaming solutions for the non tech-saavy to moderately gadget proficient, the Popcorn Hour A-110 can make no such claims. Built as the ultimate tinkering machine for die-hard geeks, its streaming potential is nearly limitless, for those advanced enough to use it. Whether you’re looking for video or audio streaming at all quality levels from both online and networked sources, BitTorrent downloading or a massive media library storage device accessible through your home theater, the A-110 can make it happen. Unfortunately, one should be prepared to hack and read enthusiast forums until late in the night to get it all up and running. It’s also not portable, and really meant to serve as a component-based networked media tank. Thus most interested in seamless integration with online music services and casual side table portability will not be served by owning this device. However, for ambitious souls bothered by pre-imposed limitations on their media consumption, this device represents the key to unlimited media streaming possibilities. Pandora: Not out of the box SIRIUS: Not out of the box Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $215 Logitech Squeezebox Going directly head-to-head with other wi-fi radios such as the V-Tech IS9181, Logitech has drawn upon its impressive streaming history to create possibly the best wi-fi radio on the market today. Capable of playing computer-based MP3 collections, along with a variety of free and premium music services — Rhapsody, Napster, Pandora, SIRIUS, and Last.fm — the Squeezebox aims to handle just about every piece of digital music content under the sun. This all comes with a price though. Listed at $200 for the base unit, Logitech will nickel and dime you for an extra $50 to buy a supplement pack that includes a wireless remote and battery pack for cordless operation. Its external aesthetic combined with details like the ability to display album art and Flickr slideshows on its color LCD screen, in the end, may make it worth the added premium for true gadget hounds. Pandora: Yes SIRIUS: Yes Internet radio: Yes Retail price: $200 + $50 for battery pack and remote.
As NewsBusters previously reported , advocacy media outlets such as MSNBC and the New York Times Tuesday cherry-picked comments by Mike Huckabee to make him look like a birther. On Wednesday, the former Arkansas governor went back on the Steve Malzberg radio show to address his accusors who he claimed are attacking him because they’re afraid he “might end up getting some traction running for president… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : NewsBusters Discovery Date : 03/03/2011 03:39 Number of articles : 2
Spencer Pratt is a known loser. Still, he wants to be part of Charlie Sheen’s WINNING! team so bad that he’ll be the actor’s new publicist for free. After Sheen’s long-time PR man, Stan Rosenfield, quit this past, Spencer has come out of the woodwork, offering to help Sheen mend his image. We wouldn’t hold our breath, Spencer. Then again, it’s Charlie Sheen. Bets are off. We know he’s a role model , but he’s an unpredictable one! Spencer to Charlie: Let me use your scandal for attention help you! Pratt, who’s married to Heidi Montag, says, “I want to be Charlie Sheen’s new publicist . I am offering to be his media point man. I have great contacts with media outlets and will work for free just to be part of his winning team.” Taking media advice from Spencer Pratt is a like getting romantic tips from Mel Gibson, but we’re sure Charlie appreciates anyone reaching out to him.
Event planners imagine what kind of party they’d throw the superstar. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/ Getty Images Justin Bieber is about to reach another milestone in his life: On Tuesday (February 29), the teen star turns 17. Already, he’s had hit albums and singles, a world tour and a successful concert documentary, so he definitely has a reason to celebrate. As he gears up for the fun, MTV News asked some party planners to weigh in on what kind of bash they would throw for the pop superstar. “I think, knowing that he’s such a fan of purple, I would create a purple Willy Wonka fantasy party,” said Bruce Starr, who works at BMF Media Group in New York. “I think we’d do it in L.A. on a studio lot and have the Oompa Loompas in purple. We’d recreate this extravagant fantasy world.” Starr said he’d have a female DJ on the decks, but also would have some musical surprises up his sleeve. “We’d have a surprise stage, and without telling him, work with his friends and have them do surprise sets for him,” he explained. “The party would have just friends and family, about 250 or 300 or 400 people tops — really intimate.” There would even be a fan element to the party. “I think we would do huge screens for all the people who couldn’t be there. We’d have surprise music videos from them, and throughout the candy land, there’d be screens with tweets from his fans,” he added. Taylor Choi, event consultant for Gansevoort Hotel Group, explained that she’d have the perfect Big Apple hot spot for the party. “For him, I would do something more fun and exciting,” she mused. “I would do more like bowling or video games, some sort of 3-D type party with more technology-type stuff for him.” So, what types of social media would that include? “A social-media kiosk where people can take photos,” she explained. “I would do karaoke and do something more fun and interactive. I would have a fun DJ and a fun live performance because a performance would be fun.” As for the venue, Choi said: “If he was in New York, I would throw it in the Gansevoort Park Avenue where we could do a 3-D installation. We can do a performance over the pool. We would deck it out for him with three floors. I’d serve cupcakes, hot dogs, burgers. “I would have like 200 of his closest friends,” she added. “I would definitely do 3-D stuff. He’d have fun with a small group of friends: private, intimate, nothing too crazy. Have his friends perform a song for him.” While it seems these planners would throw elaborate bashes for the star, Bieber recently revealed that he’s hoping for a low-key affair. “I only have, like, four days, so I’m just going to relax, because I start my world tour starting on [March 4] — so just going to mentally prepare and just relax,” Bieber explained. “No birthday bash. … Hopefully my grandparents will be out here, and I’ll be able to spend time, a little bit, with them. My grandma makes the best cheesecake — cherry cheesecake. She made that for my 13th birthday.” How do you think Justin Bieber should celebrate his 17th birthday? Tell us your ideas below! Related Photos Justin Bieber Turns 17! What’s In Store For Him This Year?
Kirstie Alley, Romeo, Kendra Wilkinson, Sugar Ray Leonard and more eclectic celebs will compete on season 12. By Kara Warner Kirstie Alley Photo: Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic It seems like just yesterday that we were awaiting the big “Dancing With the Stars” casting announcement for the popular celebrity dance competition’s 11th season, where bold-faced names like Bristol Palin, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and eventual champ Jennifer Grey became even bolder during their time on the show. Now, just six months later, the famous dance floor has been wiped clean to make way for a whole new crop of aspiring dance champs. Here’s a look at the 12 eclectic new contestants signed on for season 12 of “Dancing With the Stars”: Chris Jericho Jericho, born Christopher Irvine, is very well known to the world of professional wrestling fans . The 40-year-old was the first undisputed champion of the WWE in December 2001 (he beat Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Rock) but put his career on hold recently to focus more on his other passion project, performing as lead singer of heavy-metal band Fozzy . Romeo Although originally signed up to strut his stuff on season two, Romeo was replaced at the last minute by his equally famous poppa, Master P (whose turn on “DWTS” has been touted by many critics and followers as one of the worst in the show’s history; his Paso Doble holds the record for the lowest score ever). With the bar set slightly lower than average, the 21-year-old rapper, who once played college basketball for USC, likely hopes to make it farther than his father. Kendra Wilkinson The decidedly un-shy, already established reality-TV star Wilkinson is no stranger to performing or baring all in front of audiences. Wilkinson, who got her start as a Playboy model, ventured into television as a part of E!’s “The Girls Next Door” before slightly tempering her party-girl ways to settle down with NFL player Hank Baskett, their domestic bliss being the subject of her current show, “Kendra: Bunny Next Door.” Kirstie Alley Before she was the subject of her own reality show, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” first on A&E and now Lifetime, and a Jenny Craig spokeswoman, Alley was known to several generations of TV watchers and filmgoers for her memorable turns on TV shows “Cheers” and “Veronica’s Closet” and movies like “Look Who’s Talking.” The outspoken celeb is a longtime “DWTS” fan, whose entertaining and varied tweets have been featured frequently in our Twitterwood column on MTV Movies Blog . Wendy Williams The self-proclaimed “Queen of All Media” made a name for herself as a radio DJ then became a best-selling author and currently hosts her own syndicated daytime talk show called “The Wendy Williams Show.” Williams has a knack for asking uncomfortable questions during celebrity interviews and will certainly be a force to be reckoned with on the dance floor. Her talk show is reportedly scheduled to go on hiatus while she competes on the show. Chelsea Kane As has been the custom over the course of the past few seasons, the “DWTS” team has welcomed another Disney star into their midst, Chelsea Kane (formerly known as Chelsea Staub, Kane legally changed her professional name back in December). The 22-year-old was a regular on Disney’s “JONAS,” starring the Jonas Brothers, and currently lends her voice to the character Bea on the animated series “Fish Hooks.” Sugar Ray Leonard Leonard, a former professional boxer, follows in the footsteps of a slew of former professional athletes who have danced before him. While athletes have been formidable competitors in “DWTS” seasons past, the boxers haven’t fared quite as well. The 54-year-old’s illustrious career includes winning world titles in five weight divisions, including the welterweight champion of the world, as well as being the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in total purse winnings. Here’s hoping Leonard’s footwork is more like that of Laila Ali than Evander Holyfield and Floyd Mayweather. Ralph Macchio Although he’s had a few memorable parts on TV shows like “Entourage” and “Ugly Betty,” for a lot of people, Macchio will always and forever be the original “Karate Kid.” Sure, Jaden Smith karate-chopped his way to box-office success with his turn in 2010’s remake, but Macchio kicked his way into the hearts of teenage girls everywhere with 1984’s “The Karate Kid” and subsequent sequels. Hines Ward They’re certainly not skimping on the athletes this season! Ward joins the cast as one of three professional athletes competing for the famed discoball trophy. The onetime Super Bowl MVP currently plays wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was born in Seoul, South Korea. In September of last year, President Barack Obama appointed him a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Petra Nemcova This Czechoslovakian beauty is a supermodel with a big heart. The 31-year-old was one of hundreds of thousands of people caught in the devastating South Asian tsunami in 2004, which killed 250,000 people in 14 countries, including Nemcova’s boyfriend at the time, Simon Atlee. When Nemcova visited the site of the tsunami several months later, she was unsatisfied with the structure of how charitable donations benefit those living in states of emergency, so she created the Happy Hearts Fund to help children in post-disaster areas in eight countries: Haiti, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Hurricane Katrina-affected areas of the United States. Mike Catherwood While most TV watchers are familiar with Dr. Drew from his various VH1 shows, his “Loveline” radio partner, Mike Catherwood, might not be as well-known. Catherwood, also known as Psycho Mike, has co-hosted the syndicated radio show for a year now, following Adam Carolla’s exit back in 2005. The muscly radio host — who also works on Los Angeles’ “Kevin & Bean Show” — recently made a memorable appearance filling in for Regis Philbin on “Live With Regis & Kelly.” We’ll see if his smooth-talking skills and time in the gym translate to a successful “DWTS” run. Who’s your early favorite for season 12 of “Dancing With the Stars”? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 12 Cast Revealed
