‘Linkin Park, watch out, ’cause we’re Sleigh Bells and we’re badass,’ frontwoman Alexis Krauss promises first-round foe. By James Montgomery, with additional reporting by Rya Backer Sleigh Bells’ Alexis Krauss Photo: Michael Burnell/Redferns On Monday, we revealed the bracket for the 2011 Musical March Madness tournament, an NCAA-style battle that pits the 64 bands that matter most in rock against one another, with ultimate glory — and a really nice trophy — up for grabs. Vote for your favorite bands now over on the Newsroom blog.
Linkin Park and Foo Fighters also nab #1 seeds in our second annual tournament — vote for your favorite! By James Montgomery Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars Photo: MTV News/ Graham Denholm/ Getty It’s finally here. After 12 solid months of endless debate, speculation, open campaigning and a whole lot of accusatory e-mails from Tokio Hotel fans, at long last, we have reached the tip-off of MTV’s 2011 Musical March Madness tournament. Get ready for a bit of band bracketology that pits the 64 acts that matter most in rock against one another, with ultimate glory (and a really nice trophy ) on the line. So, after a yearlong wait, which bands got their golden tickets punched and which were left hoping for a lousy NIT invite?
‘I am in the crucible right now,’ Tony-winning director told TED2011 conference. By Terri Schwartz “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” Photo: Don Emmert/ AFP To say “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” has had its share of problems is to say “Avatar” was fairly successful or “The Twilight Saga” is moderately popular. It seems that anything that could possibly have gone wrong with the show has. There have been delays , injuries , bad reviews , script issues and actors leaving , and all before the show has officially opened. Fortunately, the preview shows are selling out across the board, but the musical is struggling and director Julie Taymor knows it. The Tony-winning director hasn’t made a public statement about the problems in production since aerialist and stunt double Christopher Tierney was severely injured back in December. But during the TED2011 conference in Long Beach, California, on Wednesday, Taymor discussed the current state of the musical with an audience of more than 1,000 people. “I am in the crucible right now. It is my trial by fire. It’s my company’s trial by fire. We have survived because our theme song is ‘Rise Above,’ ” Taymor said, according to The New York Times . “Anyone who creates knows — when it’s not quite there. Where it hasn’t quite become the phoenix or the burnt char. And I am right there,” she added. At the moment, the show runners are deciding whether to continue with the planned March 15 opening or delay the musical for a sixth time. Lead actress T.V. Carpio talked to MTV News about the constant changes going on behind the scenes of the show and how she refuses to give in to the negative thoughts pressing on “Turn Off the Dark” from the outside. Both she and Taymor seem to feel that the musical is on the precipice of greatness, and they have the faith to continue on until it reaches that goal. “It’s right there in the palm of my hands,” Taymor said. “In all of my company’s hands. I have beautiful collaborators. We as collaborators only get there all together. I know you understand that. You stay there going forward and you see this extraordinary thing right in front of your eyes.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com .
From where she’s sitting — literally, high above the rafters — T.V. Carpio must finally feel like she’s found her calling. The multitalented actress has taken a circuitous and almost accidental route to stardom, turning in stints as a would-be Olympian, a Law & Order guest star, and a professional dancer along the way, but currently she’s poised to make her name in the biggest, riskiest manner imaginable: As the female lead in Julie Taymor’s Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark .
The jury is still out on whether Ricky Gervais conquered last night’s monologue or if Glee deserved to win Best Comedy Series, but there was one group that unquestionably swept last night’s 68th Annual Golden Globes: Bedheaded celebrities. Take a look at some of the most (expertly) tousled tresses that traveled in limos to the Beverly Hilton last night and then please, let me know: Are Hollywood hair stylists on strike? Thanks.
This past weekend, Cee Lo Green, riding high on his hit song “F*ck You,” was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live . His appearance resulted in a sketch in which music executives contemplated how to promote his song with such a glaring expletive in the title, which was really a riff on SNL itself contemplating how to let Cee Lo Green sing his ever-popular ditty on live television. The word was danced around this past Saturday, but never uttered. But! During the long history of SNL , that word has made it out to the live audience on more than one occasion. Here’s a brief glimpse at the cast’s strange relationship with the F-word.
