St. Louis Cardinals#39; David Freese tosses a baseball during spring training, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Jupiter, Fla. The Cardinals are limiting Freese during early workouts this spring after injuries shortened what the team had hoped would be the third baseman#39;s breakout season last year. David Freese had a pretty odd Thanksgiving afternoon. Around 2:30 p.m., the Cardinals third baseman and 2011 World Series MVP crashed his Range Rover into a tree in an attempt to avoid hitting a deer, ac
Early conclusion of World Series allows Fox to bump up the reality singing competition. By Kara Warner “X Factor” judges Britney Spears, Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid Photo: Nino Munoz / FOX
Google on Tuesday announced “Google Play,” a cloud-based multimedia service for distributing and syncing apps and data across Android devices. The announcement comes on the heels of reports that numerous Google services haven’t performed up to expectations. With Google Play, users can store up to 20,000 songs for free, download more than 450,000 Android apps, browse Google’s selection of eBooks and… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Boy Genius Report Discovery Date : 06/03/2012 13:36 Number of articles : 3
This new ad by by Deutsch/LA for PlayStation’s MLB 12 The Show is pretty sweet—or bittersweet, maybe, if you’re a Chicago Cubs fan. It shows the North Side of Chicago erupting as the Cubs finally win the World Series again—a chain of events about as plausible as that diamond-encrusted panther traveling the world for Cartier. Indeed, the twist ending reveals that Cub fans’ misery endures—for a few… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : adfreak Discovery Date : 06/03/2012 14:00 Number of articles : 2
There’s a Haley, a Hollie and a Hallie. There’s also the daughter of a World Series pitcher and a young woman who auditioned five years ago and has now made a triumphant return. Indeed, it’s a mixed, talented bag of female American Idol semifinalists. They’ll perform live for the first time on Wednesday night, so now is the time to place your early bets. Sort through the following Fox promotional pics and then select a favorite and let’s see if one of these females can break the string of male Idol champions… WHO IS YOUR FEMALE FAVORITE?
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
This year saw the Disney star experiencing professional and personal breakthroughs. By Jocelyn Vena Demi Lovato Photo: Denise Truscello/ Getty Images Demi Lovato will be on hand for MTV’s New Year’s Eve festivities to rock the night with a performance. But before the party kicks off, it seems fitting to look back on her big 2011, which wasn’t just a banner year for Lovato’s career, but also her personal life. After leaving treatment in January, Lovato opened up about her issues (which included eating disorders and self-mutilation) and was on the mend. She thanked her fans for standing by her while she sought treatment and focused on getting healthy. “I can’t tell you how much light you brought into my life in probably the darkest time of my life,” Lovato said shortly after being released. “Without you guys I wouldn’t be here today.” The former Disney princess decided to step away from her Hollywood career to focus on her pop career when she left her hit Disney show “Sonny With a Chance.” ” ‘Sonny’ was a chapter in my life I will be forever grateful for,” she said in April. “Thank you all for watching.” By July, she was fully in pop-star mode, dropping not only the single for “Skyscraper” but also the equally empowering video for the stirring ballad. “I’ve been pretty honest,” Lovato told MTV News about the track. “My whole journey has been about telling my story and hoping that when I share my story, it inspires somebody. So when I decided to come out with a single that was honest and about my journey and about standing strong and tall like a skyscraper, I hope that it inspired people. “I thought that there was a bigger opportunity for me to come out with a song that would inspire people, rather than it be just another dance song on the radio,” she added. The song was the lead single off Unbroken, which she dropped in September. “I think it’s grown-up, but it’s not too grown-up,” Lovato explained about the album. “It’s not tasteless. It’s growing up with my fans. It’s [like] I’m not a kid anymore, but I’m also not a full-grown woman either. So I’m in that in-between stage, trying to figure out where that is. So I’m figuring it out, just like my fans are.” In addition to causing a stir with her own music, Lovato had everyone going crazy over her cover of Lil Wayne’s “How to Love.” She also performed a heartfelt rendition of the national anthem at the World Series and recently returned to the Illinois treatment center where she spent time as a guest speaker . As the year wraps up, Lovato’s fans will have a new single to look forward to, the feel-good track “Give Your Heart a Break.” Related Videos Demi Lovato’s Year In Review
Reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun has reportedly tested positive for a banned substance and is appealing to Major League Baseball, according to reports. ESPN cited two sources Saturday in first reporting the news, saying the 28-year-old Milwaukee Brewers star tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. A spokesman for Braun said in a statement that “there are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan’s complete innocence.” “There was absolutely no intentional violation of the program,” Matthew Hiltzik said in a statement sent by the four-time All-Star left fielder’s representatives. “Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further.” “we are confident that he will ultimately be exonerated.” The case is still being appealed to an arbitrator under MLB’s drug program. Major League Baseball does not announce positive tests and penalties in drug cases involving initial positives until all arbitration issues are concluded. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the appeal is still ongoing and said Braun has known about the positive test since late October. One of the people involved said that the appeals process regarding the outfielder’s case is not likely to be concluded until January at the earliest. That person said after being informed of the positive test, Braun asked to have another urine test taken, and that test was within normal range. If suspended, Ryan Braun wouldn’t be eligible to play for the NL Central champions until May 31 at Dodger Stadium, barring any postponements. The 50-game suspension means he would miss the first 57 days of the major league season, losing about $1.87 million of his $6 million salary. He hit .312 with 33 homers and 111 RBIs in 2011 and led Milwaukee to the NLCS, where the Brewers lost to the eventual World Series champion Cardinals.
Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan of the NBA’s LA Lakers and VH1’s Basketball Wives fame, respectively, have announced their split. They had a nice run together, mostly. After calling off their engagement last year, but convincing the public they’re still a couple, the two confirmed the breakup we ALL knew was coming this week. Matt emailed out a statement today about the split from Gloria Govan (sister of Gilbert Arenas baby mana/Shaq mistress Laura Govan ), saying the following: “I’d like to address rumors surrounding mine and Gloria’s relationship. We’ve reached the difficult decision of ending our relationship and will be going our separate ways. We will work together to raise our sons and wish each other only the best.” Gloria just tweeted her statement saying: “I’m sure you guys are hearing a ton of buzz about Matt and Me breaking up, sorry to say… its true!!!!!! But the most important thing is focusing on my kids and continuing to have a good relationship with their father, thanks for your support!!!” A heated Twitter exchange this month between Matt and a fan – who suggested Barnes should Govan or else someone else will – was a bad sign. Responded Barnes: “He can have her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Classy. Meanwhile, she Tweeted Saturday: “If someone is dumb enough to walk away, be smart enough to let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you.” Well spoken, Gloria Govan. Well spoken. [Photo: WENN.com]
