Mickey Rourke was out for a bite to eat at the popular Urth Cafe today in Los Angeles. Mickey, lucky for him, didn’t see Steven Tyler’s National Anthem performance, but he did have a thought about the late Joe Paterno!
Clip doesn’t premiere until Monday, but you can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look right now! By James Montgomery Evanescence Amy Lee in her video for “My Heart Is Broken” Photo: Wind-Up Records Last month, Evanescence invited MTV News to the set of their “My Heart Is Broken” video, where frontwoman Amy Lee told us about the dreamlike inspiration behind the clip (the 1988 British horror film “Paperhouse”) and the nightmarish reasons she wrote the song in the first place: namely, the ongoing issue of sex trafficking. “A lot of times when I write, I just sort of make up words, and something will stick, and I’ll be like, ‘Oh, that’s from my subconscious. That’s what I need to write the song about,’ ” she explained. “And that’s sort of what happened [with the song]. I was like, ‘I think I’m writing about this thing; it’s on my heart,’ just imagining being in such a trapped place and how that might feel, so the song was actually inspired by that idea.” So obviously, the video means an awful lot to Lee and her bandmates — which is why they chose to work with noted director and photographer Dean Karr, who filled the video with imagery that recalls both dreams and nightmares. And though the full “My Heart Is Broken” video doesn’t premiere until Monday, Evanescence is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the clip’s creation, with a making-of clip they sent exclusively to MTV News. As you’ll see — and hear — making “My Heart Is Broken” was a labor of love, for both the band and their director, one filled with fiber optics, elaborate costumes and, of course, striking, surreal imagery. But why don’t you just have a look for yourself: Above, direct from Evanescence to you, is an exclusive look at the making of “My Heart Is Broken.” What are you expecting from the new Evanescence video? Let us know in the comments below! Related Videos MTV First: Evanescence Related Artists Evanescence
Shorter audition episodes and less judge talk are among suggestions. By Gil Kaufman “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson Photo: Tony Duran/ FOX It’s hard to know what needs fixing on a show that has held the #1 spot in the ratings for seven consecutive seasons. But every year around this time, Monday morning quarterbacks line up to suggest ways for “American Idol” to get its groove back. Yes, “Idol” is starting to look gray around the temples in comparison to hipper, flashier competitors such as “X Factor” and “The Voice.” But maybe that’s the way producers want it, and unlike last season — when they dropped the age cutoff to 15, added new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, took the top 60 to Las Vegas and returned the “wild card” round — there has been no hint yet that big changes are slated for season 11, which kicks off Wednesday night (January 18) with the first audition episode. Whether they take our advice or not, MTV News asked a few of our favorite “Idol” experts to make five suggestions for how “Idol” can keep the fire burning. Village Voice music editor Maura Johnston Shorten the audition period : “Something that gets people invested in the contestants earlier,” said Johnston, pointing to the quicker triggers on competing shows. “In any reality show where there’s more than 10 people competing, it does get confusing, so they really need to get to the point faster.” Shake up the results show : “It’s so long now. I know it does well in the ratings, but two minutes of content in a 60-minute bag creates its own viewer fatigue. They could put all the Ford ads and fake suspense in there in a half-hour and use the extra half-hour for something else.” Sing the same song : “When it gets down to 10 people, what if you had them all sing the same song to see the different ways they approach it?” Johnston wondered. “In the post-David Cook era, with its emphasis on artistry and transformation of songs, it would be great to see a side-by-side comparison [of the contestants’ styles] to see their strengths and weaknesses.” Less judges talk : “The judges should talk about themselves less. They would get mired in discussion about themselves and try to elevate themselves above the singers. The same thing happened on ‘The Voice,’ too, where ‘Moves Like Jagger’ [became bigger than the contestants]. It was great for Maroon 5 and Christina, but it took the shine off Javier [Colon]’s win.” On the road : “Maybe take the show on tour for a week and bring it to New York and set it up at Radio City Music Hall and have a live audience made up of completely different people. It would be special because it would be the first time in ‘Idol’ history they’ve done this, and you’d get the same vibe because it’s live on TV in front of an audience, but you’d also get a mystique surrounding it that would be a lot more charged.” Hollywood Reporter music editor Shirley Halperin had some similar ideas, with a few added twists to mix it up Real talk from judges : “I would like to see them talk to the contestants the way they were talked to coming up. I want them to give more constructive advice and be more critical, but not be mean for the sake of being mean. These kids are not perfect, and if you listen to the judges’ comments from last year, you would think they were.” Yes, she added, Tyler and Lopez are there to, respectively, entertain with flashy wordplay and outfits, but both have had heavy doses of the realities of the music industry that Halperin said they could and should share with the budding stars. More pizzazz? : While “The X Factor” had so much flash and bang that it looked like the Grammys or VMAs every week, “Idol” has long held the spectacle aspect of performances to a minimum. “If any show should have that kind of production, it’s ‘Idol,’ because it’s the moneymaker,” she said. “But ‘Idol’ doesn’t seem interested in [messing] with the formula. They could have kicked it up any time over the past five years, but they’ve let the audience dictate how far they’ll go. At this point, the performances still look good because they are focused on the performer, not distracting fire and dancers.” Pull back the curtain : “One reason people got to know the ‘X Factor’ contestants is because the press and bloggers had unfettered access to them early on and it was not limited or constricted in any of the ways ‘Idol’ is,” she said. “They’re very precious about it on ‘Idol,’ but when we did get access to [the contestants], it allowed us to get to know them better and tell their story and get excited about them because we were invested in their backstories.” While “Idol” has loosened the reins a bit over the past few years and allowed the contestants to have a light social-media presence and Twitter feeds, Halperin said the show needs to rethink their lockdown mentality. Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. 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In season 11, show faces increased competition from ‘The Voice.’ By Gil Kaufman Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson on “American Idol” Photo: Michael Becker / FOX Back in the day when “American Idol” was the lumbering 800-pound gorilla of the reality-singing-competition world, it was hard to imagine a time when the top-rated show on TV could ever be toppled. But like any smashingly popular series that eventually loses some of its luster (see “Lost,” “Deal or No Deal” and “Two and a Half Men”), this year, “Idol” is facing a turning point of sorts. Still a ratings juggernaut, season 11 of the show will launch Wednesday night in an atmosphere ripe with other singing shows that could start nipping at its heels. “For nine years, ‘Idol’ had the entire airwaves to itself with lesser rivals like ‘Nashville Star’ … [but now] the world feels much more cluttered with singing shows,” said veteran entertainment journalist Richard Rushfield, author of “American Idol: The Untold Story.” Among the shows Rushfield pointed to are former “Idol” judge Simon Cowell’s recently concluded “X Factor,” NBC’s “The Voice” (which launched in late April last year but will debut after the Super Bowl on February 5) and NBC’s Broadway musical drama “Smash,” which stars “Idol” alum Katharine McPhee and Debra Messing (February 6). Even with all those shows competing for eyeballs and threatening to create singing fatigue, Rushfield still feels “Idol” has a good chance of continuing its ratings dominance. “This year, after ‘The Voice’ and ‘X Factor,’ I think it’s really clear what slice of the pie ‘Idol’ has and that they’re all very different shows going after very different audiences,” he said. “‘Factor was making a very deliberate attempt to position itself as young and contemporary for an audience more open to an edgier, harsher show, and ‘Idol’ has doubled down on being the middle-American, older, feel-good, soft, nonthreatening show.” While ratings did continue their slow decline last year, “Idol” remained the overall champ, even as some critics complained about the sometimes too-sunny face put on by new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. As “Idol” prepares to bombard viewers with eight audition episodes featuring the predictable mix of potential stars and wackadoodle nobodies over the next month, Village Voice music editor Maura Johnston suggested perhaps it’s time the show’s runners take a look around and tweak the formula. “One thing the success of ‘The Voice’ speaks to is that people want the action to start earlier,” she said of the two-and-out round of blind auditions held by the competing show last season. “The audition episodes on ‘Idol’ get ratings … but at the same time, it’s grueling. ‘The Voice’ was so exciting because they put the competition and head-to-head stuff in so early.” Ratings history has shown that as programs like “Idol” continue on into their double-digit years, their audience invariably get older. The show has also failed to launch another superstar on the rank of winners Kelly Clarkson or season four’s Carrie Underwood, with last year’s winner, country teen Scotty McCreery, becoming the first platinum-selling champ since season seven’s David Cook. With “The Voice” and “X Factor” both putting a more musically and racially eclectic roster of winners and top finishers in the mix, is this the year the “four cute white guys in a row” factor might catch up with “Idol”? Johnston doesn’t think so. “One thing ‘Idol’ is speaking to over the past couple of years is the hunger among a certain demo for male pop singers who aren’t operating in a hip-hop idiom, but in a more guitar-centric way,” she said. There was a fear that with main meanie Cowell gone, viewers might turn their backs en masse at the sunshiny vibe of Tyler and Lopez, but Rushfield said that “Idol” could end up like such perennial ratings-getters as the World Series, sticking around year-after-year through ratings booms and busts. “It could lose two-thirds of its audience and still be a strong hit show by contemporary standards,” he said. “They found their most successful singer in half a decade, so you can’t look at it as on the course of decline. [With Tyler and Lopez] it also has new life, but the only question is … is there just singing-competition fatigue?” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Interviews From The ‘American Idol’ Red Carpet ‘American Idol’ Finale Highlights
Oh, it is on between American Idol and The Voice . During their panel discussion at yesterday’s Television Critics Association winter press tour session, judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler left little doubt that they don’t care much for NBC’s singing competition, which gets underway on February 5. Among the disses lobbed at The Voice by this trio and/or Fox executives: “It’s a compliment to Idol. We’re not hiring a lot of people from The Voice to be on our show.” – Fox reality president Mike Darnell on Kelly Clarkson joining The Voice as a mentor “It was almost like second chance people; it wasn’t some new artist.” – Randy Jackson on The Voice champion Javier Colon having had a contract with Capitol Records
How was your New Year’s Eve? Probably not as good as it would have been had you been at a restaurant in Maui, watching Steven Tyler , Alice Cooper and Weird Al Yankovic sing “Come Together.” Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Gossip Cop Discovery Date : 01/01/2012 12:26 Number of articles : 2
Steven Tyler is engaged to Erin Brady, according to reports. TMZ spotted a rock on her finger this weekend and cites sources claiming it is in fact an engagement ring. It is a rather large diamond, for sure. Tyler, 63, and Brady, 38, were in Maui on Christmas day along with her massive ring. It’s unclear if Tyler proposed before or during the vacation. Erin Brady with Steven Tyler at an event in 2010 . The two have been dating since 2006. The American Idol judge and Aerosmith rock legend has been married twice before. Liv Tyler is his daughter. Congratulations to the couple if the happy news is indeed true! [Photo: WENN.com]
Jennifer Lopez, whose new single Papi (off her latest album Love) is now out, briefly referenced her soon-to-be ex-husband Marc Anthony. “I call everybody #39;Papi,#39; ” Lopez said of the inspiration for the song. “I used to call Marc #39;Papi.#39; We wrote the song about loving somebody and celebrating that.” No more Ms. Nice for American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez. The singer admits that she and her cohorts on the panel – Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler – recently had their most combative d
Two-day fest, set for September 23-24 in Las Vegas, also features the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and others. By James Montgomery Lady Gaga Photo: Jag Gundu/ Getty Images It’s being billed as “the biggest live music event in radio history” (whatever that means), and so, the organizers of the brand-new I Heart Radio festival have pulled out all the stops, delivering a lineup that’s appropriately loaded with some of the biggest stars in the business. Lady Gaga , Coldplay , Nicki Minaj , the Black Eyed Peas , Alicia Keys , Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler are just some of the acts set to appear at the inaugural I Heart Radio fest, scheduled for September 23 and 24 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They’ll be joined on the bill by the likes of Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Lopez , David Guetta, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson and John Mayer (to name just a few). Organizers promise that even more artists will be added to the bill as the summer stretches on. The eternally busy Ryan Seacrest will host the event, which will stream live online and via mobile devices at IHeartRadio.com, and across the websites of all Clear Channel-owned radio stations. If you’d prefer to be there in person, you can get a first crack at tickets by liking I Heart Radio on Facebook . The pre-sale ends at 1 a.m. ET this Saturday, with tickets going on sale to the general public later that same day (at 1 p.m. ET) through Ticketmaster.com . Of course, given that this is a radio fest, Clear Channel is also giving listeners plenty of chances to win a free trip to Vegas for the event. For more information on how you can score yours, check out I Heart Radio Music Festival’s official site . Related Artists John Mayer Steven Tyler Carrie Underwood Black Eyed Peas Coldplay Kelly Clarkson Nicki Minaj Lady Gaga
Rocker was joined by legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde for heavy metal performance judges called ‘outstanding.’ By Kara Warner James Durbin performs on “American Idol” Wednesday Photo: Fox The buzz surrounding this week’s episode of “American Idol” was especially high, given the major elimination shocker of assumed front-runner Pia Toscano last week. And while the contestants are always dealing with the looming pressure of elimination, there seemed to be an extra sense of anxiety coming from the eight remaining “Idol” hopefuls. Nevertheless, there were a few standout performers who sang their hearts out during the always-interesting Songs of Cinema theme week. One in particular was heavy metal enthusiast and all-around rocker James Durbin . Durbin made “Idol” history earlier this season when he sang the first Judas Priest track “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” marking the first time Priest was ever performed on the main stage. On Wednesday night (April 13), he went raw rocker again and, against the recommendations of mentors Jimmy Iovine and wil.i.am, performed Sammy Hagar’s “Heavy Metal,” from the ’80s movie of the same name. “Give metal a chance!” Durbin said to the camera in the preview package that aired before his performance. Joining Durbin onstage for his loud, energetic and guitar-solo-heavy performance was legendary Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, who said afterward that Durbin “sang his ass off.” “That felt really, really real!” a very excited Jennifer Lopez exclaimed. “I really loved that. I don’t know what these are sounding like at home but here they are killing it dead,” she said. “Who would have ever thought that on ‘Idol’ we would have heavy metal?” Fellow judges Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler were equally impressed. “My God, you guys were just at a James Durbin concert, at a Zakk Wylde concert,” Jackson told the audience. “I’m happy you stuck to your guns,” he told Durbin of going against mentor Iovine’s wishes. “We always tell contestants to ‘do you’ and tonight you did you. … I can see you onstage with Ozzy at the next Ozzfest! Durbin rocks!” “Outstanding, Durbin,” Tyler said. “I’m glad you went with your feelings. … Nice lip to Jimmy, man.” Don’t miss “Idol Party Live” every Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, 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 10 Performances ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Top 24 Related Artists Jennifer Lopez Steven Tyler
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