plus 4, Enough already - Los Angeles Times

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• Enough already - Los Angeles Times
• Talentless teens take UK by storm - Skynews.com
• Simon Cowell targets X Factor-style politics debate - Daily Telegraph
• Ne-Yo Live In Manila’ at SM Mall of Asia - Manila Bulleting Online
• It's OK patriarchy, I understand Adam Lambert made you feel funny - Feministing

Enough already - Los Angeles Times Posted: 28 Nov 2009 11:31 PM PST Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Los Angeles Times, 202 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, California, 90012 | Copyright 2009 This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Talentless teens take UK by storm - Skynews.com Posted: 28 Nov 2009 11:53 PM PST Updated: 19:08, Sunday November 29, 2009 They are two starry-eyed, blond Irish teens who can't sing or dance but have taken Britain's most popular TV talent show by storm. Since first appearing on The X Factor a few months ago, John and Edward Grimes - or Jedward, as the media have dubbed them - have made the country laugh, shriek in horror and cheer in their attempts reach the grand final. Despite singing out of tune and dancing out of sync, Jedward managed to make it through to the last six acts, seeing off far more talented performers. But their luck finally ran out last week when the judging panel - the show's creator, Simon Cowell, Australia's Dannii Minogue, band manager Louis Walsh and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole - voted them off The X Factor. And now I, and no doubt many of their fans, fear the show will be much duller for losing them. For whatever Jedward's dubious talents, they certainly managed to surprise and entertain each week - whether it was dressing in red shiny suits as they (badly) sang and danced their way through Britney Spears's hit Oops! I Did It Again, rapped to Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice or donned grey overalls and goggles for a catchy rendition of Ghostbusters. You might have grimaced in bewilderment at what they were doing and how they had progressed so far, but for some reason you couldn't take you eyes off them. The 18-year-olds, who sport 8cm-high quiffs, have a boundless energy and an admirable ability to shake off the torrents of criticism, boos and abuse their critics have thrown at them. Cowell initially described them as 'vile little creatures who would step on their mother's head to have a hit' and threatened to leave the country if they won. Hundreds in the studio audience booed as they performed each week. But it seems the twins will have the last laugh. Cowell has managed to come round to the Jedward phenomenon, describing their Ghostbusters performance as 'sort of good' and stepped in to save them from being voted off the show a few weeks ago. Celebrities including Paul McCartney and Robbie Williams are even fans. There is now talk about bidding wars between publishers for their life story, gigs as kids TV show hosts, hair product endorsements as well as requests for concerts and personal appearances. Their managers have even had to hire a private jet to ensure the boys keep up with their tight interview schedule in Britain and Ireland. Some industry experts believe the boys could make STG2 million ($A3.6 million) in the next year alone - and they didn't even win the competition! The twins say they are living their dream and want to carve out a career in music - after returning to high school to finish their exams. While they weigh up their options, one thing is certain - The X Factor will never be the same without them. This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Simon Cowell targets X Factor-style politics debate - Daily Telegraph Posted: 29 Nov 2009 12:14 AM PST Published: 2:47AM GMT 29 Nov 2009 There have been numerous calls for a televised debate between the leaders of the main political parties in the run-up to the next general election, to boost voters' interest. Music and TV mogul Cowell told the forthcoming issue of GQ magazine that there could be music and ''loads of spotlights'' to inject more ''fun'' into the proceedings. Cowell is forging an entertainment empire with Arcadia retail boss Sir Philip Green, leading to speculation over the possibilities of Cowell winning back rights to existing programmes, developing new shows and forging merchandising deals. Asked if the pair would entertain the idea of staging a debate between David Cameron and Gordon Brown, Cowell responded: ''I wouldn't mind doing it. Like the presidential debates in America. I'd like to produce that here. I would! Just for the hell of it! Make it a bit more fun. ''Like we have on The X Factor. Down the steps, and some music and loads of spotlights.'' But Sir Philip said he would ''probably not'' be interested. Mr Brown signalled willingness to take part in a series of television debates with the other main party leaders in October. Discussing his upcoming plans for shows, Cowell said: ''I never talk about them in advance, for obvious reasons. ''But there are a couple of things coming up. ''One of them non-music related that probably excites me more than anything I've ever done.'' The pair also spoke of plans to take The X Factor to Las Vegas. ''The plan is to take it to Vegas,'' Sir Philip said, later adding: ''We'll have a store. And it'll be online. ''You have 20, 30, 40 million people tuning in twice a week. You bring two or three hundred million viewers to a venue - off we go! ''It's taking it up a peg. The rest of the world is Part Two.'' He continued: ''Vegas is tailor-made for this show. To sing in Vegas? I mean, f****** hell. You get to the final 12 - your dream's come true. ''You're going to sing in Vegas!'' Cowell added: ''I like the model of what (motor racing boss) Bernie Ecclestone has done with F1. ''The Singapore race is as good as the French race is as good as the English race.'' He added: ''We've got to work out the rest of the territories. But Philip has showbusiness in his blood. ''He reminds me of one of those guys from the 30s. Louis Mayer. Or Jack Warner.'' Cowell also spoke of the popularity of Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent audition, which saw her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream viewed 100 million times in its initial days on YouTube - without any kickback for him. ''That will change,'' he told GQ. Because, eventually, if YouTube are not paying, they're not getting the clip. ''But at the moment I'm very happy to get promotion around the world. She'll sell 10 million albums this year because of YouTube.'' Cowell told GQ that a year ago he may have been interested in buying ITV ''just out of ego''. Speaking about what they would do with the broadcaster, Cowell responded: ''Make better shows''. Asked if there would be an X Factor game, Cowell said: ''We should have 20 games. If you've got a game that's worth more than our shows, and we're in 100 countries, something is a bit out of control. ''X Factor should have been the initial vehicle to have had (Guitar Hero publishers) Activision come to us and say: 'You've got all the traffic. Can you help launch Guitar Hero?''' Cowell also described Robbie Williams' recent comeback performance on The X Factor, which received mixed reviews, as ''a bit like the Britney Spears performance. Something you would not be able to see anywhere else''. He continued: ''With the expectations singers have, it's only when you go on that live show that you know if it's going to work,'' adding: ''And it sort-of worked.'' Cowell was propelled to household name status in 2001 with the launch of Pop Idol. He told the magazine that the success of Popstars in 2000 made him ''mad''. ''I was so mad,'' he said. ''I thought: 'I've got to do something to retaliate. I want Popstars off the market. I want to be on the show that's going to kick it off the air.'' Sir Philip was asked if he planned to make Cowell richer than Oprah Winfrey. ''We'll give it a whirl,'' he said. ''You've got to be prepared to fight. And I think I'm prepared to scrap hard.'' On whether he thinks he and Cowell will be good partners, Sir Philip said: ''I think he can't do what I do, and I don't want to do what he does. Doesn't that made for a good partnership? He knows he's got someone who'll go into the battle, go fight the war for him.'' Despite Cowell and Sinitta having previously dated, their relationship remained unconsummated, according to the magazine. Sinitta told GQ: ''He loved being stroked and petted on the head. 'Oh stroke me darling,' he'd say.'' :: The full interview appears in the January issue of GQ, out on Thursday. This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Ne-Yo Live In Manila’ at SM Mall of Asia - Manila Bulleting Online Posted: 28 Nov 2009 09:01 PM PST Eagerly awaited is the coming over of Ne-Yo in January 2010 which indeed promises to start the New Year with a big bang. Ne-Yo is of course the Ameircan pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor Shaffer Chimere Smith. His show aptly entitled, "Ne-Yo Live In Manila" will be held on Jan. 9, 2010. Get to know more of the music icon from the following: Ne-Yo emerged into the recording industry as a member of the Las Vegas-based Quartet Envy. After the group disbanded in 2000, Ne-Yo was signed up Columbia Records, but after recording his first album, was dropped from the label before he could even release it. American singer Marques Houston happened to hear one of Ne-Yo's tracks, "That Girl," which was supposed to be the latter's debut single off his then-unreleased album. Houston re-recorded "That Girl" and released it as a single to his 2003 album MH. The release of the song led to Ne-Yo being recognized as a top songwriter. For the next two years, Ne-Yo continued writing songs, some of which have not been officially released. He contributed songs to American singer Teedra Moses's 2004 album "Complex Simplicity," Christina Milian's "It's About Time," and the American boy band Youngstown, though all of which failed to give Ne-Yo much attention from the mainstream. Ne-Yo has also contributed songs to American singer Mary J. Blige, B2K, Faith Evans and Musiq, among others. Ne-Yo broke into the industry after "Let Me Love You," a song he wrote for American singer Mario, reached No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100, and later stayed on the top spot for nine weeks. After the successful release, Tina Davis, former A&R representative for Def Jam Recordings, arranged an informal meeting with label head L.A. Reid. Originally, Ne-Yo was not seeking a new contract, but, after he had performed to them, he was signed up by American hip-hop artist Jay-Z, then-CEO of Def Jam. "Ne-Yo" was coined by a producer Ne-Yo once worked with, Big D Evans, because Evans claimed that Ne-Yo sees music as Neo. As a joke, Evans started calling him Ne-Yo until everybody was accustomed to it. Since his debut, Ne-Yo has had five top 10 songs on The Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist and two No. 1 albums on The Billboard 200. Ne-Yo has also amassed a catalog of chart-topping songs that he has written for other artists. Ne-Yo broke into the recording industry as a songwriter, penning the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario. The single's successful release in the US prompted an informal meeting between Ne-Yo and Def Jam's label head, and signing a recording contract. In 2006, he released his debut album, "In My Own Words," which contained the US No. 1 hit "So Sick." Then in 2007, he released his sophomore album, "Because Of You" which contained the US Top 3 hit, "Because Of You." In 2008, he released his third album, "Year Of The Gentleman," which contained the Top 10 hits "Closer" and "Miss Independent." Ne-Yo's third album, "Year Of The Gentleman," was first released on Sept. 11, 2008, in Japan. The album sold 250,000 copies in its first week in the US, debuting on The Billboard 200 at No. 2. Reviews for the album were positive: In one of which, Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone Magazine wrote of him: "Actually a superb concept album about what a great boyfriend he [Ne-Yo] can be." The first two singles, "Closer" and "Miss Independent," have peaked at No. 7 on The Billboard Hot 100. The album was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B album and Album Of The Year at the 2009 Grammy Awards, "Closer" for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and "Miss Independent" for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. "Year Of The Gentleman" has been certified platinum By Riaa for a shipment of more than one million copies. The third single, "Mad," peaked at No. 11 on The Billboard Hot 100. In September 2009, Ne-Yo released his greatest hits album "Ne-Yo: The Collection." The album was also released with a limited edition CD+DVD Edition complete with the music videos of singles. His latest single "I Never Knew I Needed," original soundtrack of Walt Disney Pictures animated feature "The Princess And The Frog" is now available at all record bars nationwide. Ne-Yo has also written songs for Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Anastacia, Ciara, Corbin Bleu, and Enrique Iglesias. He also collaborated with Lindsay Lohan on her new material, having already finished "Bossy," a pre-single for her new album "Spirit In The Dark." Ne-Yo confirmed that he had been contacted by producer Will.I.Am to work on what would have been Michael Jackson's new album. Ne-Yo is backed up by an entourage of more than 30 artists composed of band members, dancers, lighting designers and special effects personnel. The 1 ½ hour show promises to sizzle with Eurasia, a group of beautiful, talented performers as his front act. Special early bird tickets are available at Ticket World and at Alchemy and at Ticket World until Dec. 16 only. With prices at VVIP – P7,500, VIP – P5,500, Platinum – P4,000, Gold – P2,500, Silver – P1,500, Bronze – P500. Tickets are available at Ticket World and at Alchemy in Silver City Corner Julia Vargas Ave. * * * An emotional Mommy D meets idol Imelda Papin Mommy Dionisia was teary-eyed and emotional when she finally met her idol Imelda Papin in Las Vegas, Nevada. The celebrity mom was fetched by a limousine, which was sent by her idol, and was driven to the Orleans Hotel and Casino where she was treated to a sumptuous dinner. The international recording artist and music icon has been reaping praises and adulation for her world-class performances at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, where she is the only Filipino included in its roster of international artists such as Englebert Himperdinck, Gladys Knight, Neil Sedaka, Melissa Manchester, Boys II Men and Paul Anka, among others. Imelda remarked that she was as thrilled as Mommy D in meeting her, adding that the latter should be commended for raising up and guiding her children towards the right path and direction. Now known by her other moniker "Pacmom," she has boasted that her ipod is filled with her idol's songs, where listening to it is her way of relaxing. She even showed her idol her terpsichorean skills by doing some nifty dance moves and finally launching into a duet with her idol with the era-defining hit "Bakit." The two were also present during the mini concert of the newly crowned WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. The Undisputed Jukebox Queen happily reported that she has recorded a duet with Mommy D, who gamely showed her musical pipes under 618 International Records, a division of 618 International Entertainment, Inc. Imelda also recorded her latest CD "Voice of the Heart" under the same recording company, which is distributed in the United States and Canada, while Philippine distribution is under Viva Records with the title "I Love You." Hall of Famer Imelda arrived Sunday to prepare for her forthcoming performance with Grammy winner Melissa Manchester. It will be held at the PICC on Dec. 19. This is a special Christmas show that will surely delight fans and music lovers. The two had a successful three-day concert at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, which despite simultaneous shows from Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart and Donny and Marie Osmond, they drew in the crowds. The two international music icons were accorded a special commendation in fitting ceremonies by the mayor of Las Vegas due to their successful show. * * * Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, Nov. 30, go to Justice Andres Narvasa, Rosalinda L. Orosa,Kristine Yang, Ladine Roxas, Norma Fontanilla, Justa K. Tantoco, Ma. Martha Sibal-Bonoan, Marian Campos, Bonn Mowie C. Lasaga, Lynn Villarosa, Lourdes S. Bautista, Dr. Alex Tensuan, California-based Lutgarda P. Landingin and Vincent P. Tuazon, Atty. Rudegelio D. Tacorda and twin brother Ronald of San Francisco, CA. and Ms. Cristina Decena, head of Rural Bank of Norzagaray… Happy wedding anniversary to Jun and Norie Basuel… This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

It's OK patriarchy, I understand Adam Lambert made you feel funny - Feministing Posted: 28 Nov 2009 06:59 PM PST So you may have heard Adam Lambert performed at the American Music Awards on Sunday (the video has been removed from YouTube). And then Good Morning America canceled his appearance on the show scheduled for this morning. Why? "Given Adam Lambert's controversial live performance on the AMAs, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning," a spokesperson for the network said. Because Adam Lambert doesn't understand the difference between 11 at night and hour I don't want to be awake in the morning? The performance was apparently "controversial" because of some (very theatrically) simulated oral sex and a same sex kiss. Hasn't Janet Jackson incorporated simulated oral sex into her performances for years? Didn't Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera already do that same sex kiss thing? Bondage-themed performances seem old hat at awards shows (except, hmm, they are usually headlined by female performers). Seriously, what's the big deal? Oh right. Adam Lambert's male. And gay (not just for pretend!). In patriarchal culture we assume a (straight cis) male gaze. The Madonna/Britney kiss is not processed as a threat to straight male supremacy because it dovetails nicely with acceptable straight male desire. Women are seen as objects of male desire, and therefore the culturally acceptable object of sexual desire, period. So a same sex kiss between women is fine - maybe a little "controversial," but in a good way. Especially if the women kissing are perceived as straight and cisgender - Britney may have kissed a girl and liked it, but it was understood mostly as an act. After all, the kiss is more about male desire than the desire of the women actually involved. I'm sure there was some outrage over the Madonna performance, but even Rush Limbaugh focused his criticism on how Al Qaeda, which he presents as representing an inferior culture, would react to the kiss. I remember most of the reaction being more like ZOMG MADONNA AND BRITNEY KISSING SO HOT. Some folks in the media called the kiss a publicity stunt, but this view recognizes that a same sex kiss between women gets positive attention. The move seemed to help Britney's career, and was read as Madonna recognizing her as the queen of pop's successor (seriously Madonna, you couldn't wait for Beyoncé?). Adam Lambert's performance, on the other hand, is seen as a threat, enough to have an appearance canceled on him. If audiences admitted they thought Adam Lambert leading a guy around on a leash, getting fake oral sex from a guy, and kissing a guy was hot it would call into question male supremacy as reinforced through heterosexuality. The number positioned men as the objects of male sexual desire, and men objectifying men calls the most simplistic understanding of gender hierarchy into question. I mean, if straight male viewers didn't let homophobia dictate their reactions, if they actually let themselves enjoy the performance that might make them *gasp* gay! It would at least complicate their understanding of desire. Plus the glam-inspired performance had a male presenting but femmed up Lambert dominating strong, muscular men. And we could never accept femme as empowering, especially for a dude person! The view of this performance as controversial in a bad or icky way is down to a very traditional form of sexism, in which women can be objectified for a mainstream audience but men can only be objects of desire if it's in a clearly heterosexual situation (and usually one that reinforces gender norms and power dynamics - Twilight, for obvious example). When folks react negatively to this performance it's clear something got to them. Hey male gaze, your arousal is showing. Related: Feministing Community blogger erin-tc points out that the double standard regarding male and female displays of homosexuality, which Adam Lambert called out during an interview on the CBS Morning Show today, was repeated in that show's coverage. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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