ARTICLE: What's Going On MTV?
As is usual with the release of MTV's VMA nominations, controvery and consternation has arisen over the last few hours. With the news that current it girl Katy Perry has scored nine nods, record-breaker Adele a surprisingly high seven and Billboard Hot 100 queen Rihanna a shocking zero, came the expected complaints from the fans. We intend to discuss our thoughts; our findings, if you will, on just why the VMA nominations are what they are.
First, it is completely understandable why Katy Perry has managed to score herself nine nominations. With the great videos she's given us this year (from the brilliant Teenage Dream to the beautifully strange E.T. visual), as well as the four #1s (matching legend Mariah Carey's long-standing record), she deserves every nod she has received.
However, for the first time, we found ourselves agreeing with much of what is being said by understandably angered fans. It is beyond us how Princess Brit only garnered two nods (and both of those for Till The World Ends rather than the superior Hold It Against Me video), and Lady Gaga and the Queen B (with one of the best videos of the year - and her esteemed career - Run The World, being ignored for the biggest award of the night; Video Of The Year) only scored three noms respectively, while Adele got seven for a video in which she does little more than perch on a chair.
What we also can't understand is how Bruno Mars's #1 smash The Lazy Song and LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem could be up for Best Choreography, while Chris Brown's Yeah 3x - one of the best dance videos of the last few years - has been ignored completely ignored.
And this is all before we even discuss how Rihanna - whose S&M video alone deserved at least three nods - has been snubbed for the second year running. We were surprised last year when MTV completely ignored the visually interesting Rudeboy and emotive Russian Roulette, but we are even more so this year. If the VMAs are indeed based on popularity (as it has become increasingly obvious over the last few years), then shouldn't Rihanna with her three #1s and platinum-selling LOUD have been considered for at least one category?
We also can't get past the seven nominations that were given to Adele. While we love and respect Ms Atkins as an artist (being one of the best vocalists and songwriters of this generation and her record-shattering 21 standing as one of the best albums of the last few years), we can't pretend that we expected her to be nominated at all. Indeed, with Rolling In The Deep featuring Adele doing little more than sitting on a chair in a black dress, it is difficult to see exactly what aspect of the video MTV views as award-worthy. And 'Video Of The Year'? Really?
It is Windex-sprayed-glass clear to us that the only reason Adele and Bruno Mars received nominations for the biggest awards of the night, is because MTV is desperate for them to perform on the night. With MTV's desire to make a comeback from last year's poor showing, nominating the year's biggest female act for awards she arguably doesn't deserve, is a political choice rather than an artistic one. Indeed, the likelihood of getting Adele in particular to perform at the ceremony without giving her a good enough reason to, is infinitesimally small.
On the other hand, while we may be puzzled as to why the Queen B's Run The World only scored three nods, Lady Gaga's Judas only sees two, and Chris Brown's Yeah 3x and Princess Brit's Hold It Against Me were ignored completely, we are comforted by the fact that their new eras have only just begun and that 2012's VMAs will most likely see them receive considerably more nominations.
Alternatively, Rihanna is seeing the LOUD era draw to a close with nary a nomination for some admittedly great videos, and, as with the snubbing of Rude Boy, we can't help but feel disgruntled. As the VMAs are now plainly down to popularity, it is arguable that, as Rihanna has seen just as much as her bff, Katy, should she too not be entitled to at least five or six nominations? Subsequently, one would be justified in asking just why RiRi hasn't seen a solo VMA nomination in over three years. Artistic integrity is one possible answer, but we have a slightly more controversial one in mind.
Ultimately, we have drawn several, painful conclusions:
1) VMA nominations are no longer based on the quality of videos. They are given out on the song's respective chart success.
2) In order to ensure certain artists shows up and/or perform at the ceremony, MTV will nominate the aforementioned for any and every award going.
3) Whether an artist's video is worth a damn is now irrelevant. It's all about politics and popularity.
4) Certain artists will always go ignored, regardless of chart success, the quality of their videos and their respective position in the pop world.
5) By nominating new, relatively unknown acts (such as Tyler The Devil's Spawn Creator) now, MTV ensures that their network is 'owed one' should the act hit it big in the future.
It simply is what it is.
www.twitter.com/tha_phoenix
OUTTAKES: Outtakes From Lily Allen's Classy 'Elle' Cover Shoot...
One-time singer Lily Allen recently posed in a classic shoot for the latest issue of ELLE UK. Featuring the new mother in a gorgeous, starry Dolce & Gabbana gown as well as a skin tight navy dress, peep the remainder of the outtakes after the jump.
NEW TRAILER: First Trailer For 'The Amazing Spiderman' Released - Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans...
Ahead of its debut at SDCC 2011 next week, the trailer for the much-anticipated The Amazing Spiderman has been released. Starring The Social Network's Andrew Garfield, and - one of our favourite young actresses - Emma Stone, watch it after the jump.
R.D. 03.07.12
OUTTAKES: Jessica Alba Is In The Wilderness In 'Allure' Cover Shoot...
Actress and mother Jessica Alba recently posed in a (fake) wilderness for the latest issue of Allure magazine. Peep another outtake from the cover shoot after the jump.
INTERVIEW: 'Pretty Little Liars' Ashley Benson Talks To Jimmy Kimmel...
Pretty Little Liars actress Ashley Benson recently stopped by Jimmy Kimmel to discuss the hit series. Having been our favourite from the beginning (and we are more than here for Queen Hanna as well), we couldn't be happier that Ms. Benson is finally getting these primetime interviews.
Watch the interview in its entirety after the jump.
VIDEO: The Queen B Discusses Marriage & Babies With Access Hollywood...
The Queen B recently sat down with Access Hollywood and discussed both marriage and babies with Access Hollywood in one of her most open interview yet.
Watch the clip after the jump.
CHART: The Top Ten Of The Billboard 200 - Week Of 30th July 2011...
1) Red River Blue - Blake Shelton
2) If Not Now, When? - Incubus
3) 21 - Adele
4) Neon - Chris Young
5) 4 - Beyoncé
6) All Of You - Colbie Callat
7) My Kinda Party - Jason Aldean
8) The Truth Is.... - Theory Of A Deadman
9) Yours Truly - Sublime With Rome
10) A Year Without Rain - Selena Gomez & The Scene
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CHART: The Top Ten Of The Billboard Hot 100 - Week Of 30th July 2011...
1) Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
2) Give Me Everything - Pitbull ft. Afrojack, Ne-Yo & Nayer
3) Last Friday Night - Katy Perry
4) Rolling In The Deep - Adele
5) Super Bass - Nicki Minaj
6) How To Love - Lil Wayne
7) The Edge Of Glory - Lady Gaga
8) Good Life - OneRepublic
9) Tonight Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae
10) Skyscraper - Demi Lovato
www.twitter.com/tha_phoenix
OUTTAKES: The Queen B Is Live In Living Colour In Complex Shoot...
The 4 era has seen some of the best photo shoots from the Queen B to date. Between the fabulous Dazed shoot and now these photos for Complex, we couldn't be happier with the current artistic direction Her Majesty has taken.
Peep the remainder of the outtakes after the jump.
SHOUTOUT to the incredible Beyoncelite, from whom we got the pictures.
NEW MUSIC: Neon Hitch's First Single 'Bad Dog' Is Released...
Neon Hitch's first single Bad Dog has finally been released to radio. Selected from her debut album, 'Beg, Borrow & Steal', the song was written by Neon and produced by Benny Blanco (Ke$ha’s “TiK ToK” and Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”.
Listen to Bad Dog after the jump.
OUTTAKES: Outtakes From Heidi Klum's Cover Shoot For 'GLAMOUR'...
Supermodel and mogul Heidi Klum recently did a cover shoot for the latest issue of GLAMOUR. Shot by Matthias Vriens, check out another outtake after the jump.
CHART: The Top Ten Of The Official UK Albums Chart - Week Of 17th July 2011...
1) 21 - Adele
2) 4 - Beyoncé
3) 19 - Adele
4) Born This Way - Lady Gaga
5) Skying - The Horrors
6) Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor - Caro Emerald
7) Doo WOps & Hooligans - Bruno Mars
8) Wassting Lights - Foo Fighters
9) Progress - Take That
10 ) LOUD - Rihanna
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CHART: The Top Ten Of The Official UK Singles Chart - Week Of 17th July 2011...
1) Glad You Came - The Wanted
2) Louder - DJ Fresh ft. Sian Evans
3) The A Team - Ed Sheeran
4) Best Thing You Never Had - Beyoncé
5) How We Roll - Loick Essien ft. Tanya Lacey
6) Don't Wanna Go Home - Jason Derulo
7) Changed The Way You Kiss Me - Example
8) Bounce - Calvin Harris ft. Kelis
9) Give Me Everything - Pitbull ft. Afrojack, Ne-Yo & Nayer
10) Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) - Katy Perry
www.twitter.com/tha_phoenix
NEW TRAILER: First Trailer For 'The Dark Knight Rises' Released....
Warner Bros has just released the first teaser trailer from the most anticipated film of 2012, The Dark Knight Rises. Featuring a bed-ridden Commissioner Gordon, and a torn Bruce Wayne; watch it after the jump.
OUTTAKES: Justin Timberlake & Mila Kunis Steamy Cover Shoot For 'Elle'...
Arguably the two most talked-about celebrities in the world this week, Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis - costars in the upcoming feature Friends With Benefits - recently posed in a steamy cover shoot for the August issue of Elle.
Peep the remainder of the outtakes after the jump.
FILM POSTER: First Poster For 'The Dark Knight Rises' Unleashed...
Even with the release of the most anticipated film of 2012 release just over a year away, as usual with Warner Bros, the promo train has left the station. The studio has released the above poster for the epic Dark Knight Rises; leaving us breathless and even more excited than we already were.
We actually can't take how brilliant this film is going to be. And the poster, with its 3D imagery and iconic bat symbol formed against the sky by the crumbling buildings, is simply everything.
R.D. 20.07.12
www.twitter.com/tha_phoenix
FILM CLIP: New Clip From 'Cowboys & Aliens' Released - Daniel Craig...
Moviefone recently released another clip from Jon Favreau's Cowboy & Aliens. Starring Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde; watch the clip after the jump.
NEW TRAILER: First Trailer For 'Sherlock Holmes: Game Of Shadows' Released...
In anticipation of the much-awaited release of the sequel to the 2009 hit, Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes: Game Of Shadows), Warner Bros has delivered unto us its first trailer. Starring Jude Law and the brilliant Robert Downey Jr., read the synopsis below and peep the trailer after the jump.
Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room...until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large - Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) - and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective.
