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Tag: Jimmy Kimmel

  • MHW Liveblogs the 2008 American Music Awards: Alicia Keys, Kanye & A Whole Lotta Jonas

    The American Music Awards are the “fun” awards. They’re the show that honors the boy bands and the less critically-acclaimed artists. Why? Because the fans vote, and that’s why Milli Vanilli (or at least the one who’s still alive) and C&C Music Factory have shelves filled with AMAs, while U2 has like2 or 3 of ’em. This show has a lengthy performance lineup. It’ll be interesting to see if they can actually squeeze some award giving into this show. It’ll be even more interesting if someone does a face plant like one of the Jonas Brothers did last year.

    8:00: Christina Aguilera opens the show. She’s singing live, unlike her lame VMA performance. She’s also pale as a sheet. Get thee to a tanning salon, Christina.

    8:02: “Sometimes I’m a super bitch!” They would’ve bleeped that back in the day on the AMAs…anyone remember when Slash and Duff dropped F bombs on live TV?

    8:03: Xtina has gone from “Beautiful” to “Keeps Getting Better” to “Genie in a Bottle” to “Dirrty”. Apparently she’s gonna perform her entire Greatest Hits album.

    Hey, where’s Redman? He couldn’t have possibly had anything else to do.

    8:07: Two brothers up front ain’t even clapping. Come on, fellas, give Christina some dap.

    8:08: Jimmy Kimmel is hosting, which I’m cool with as long as he doesn’t bring out his lame-ass girlfriend. He immediately drags out a Jay-Z/Beyonce joke, a Clay Aiken joke, and a Kanye-throwing-a-tantrum joke.

    8:10: Dave Archuleta is in the crowd. His dad is next to him. Belt and switch not shown.

    8:12: Jamie Foxx is presenting the award for Favorite Soul/R&B female. He cracks a circa-1999 independent women joke and then plugs his own album. Yawn. Nominees are Alicia Keys, Mary J. and Rihanna. My money is on A. Keys.

    8:13: Ri-Ri wins, and she’s wearing a tablecloth. Whassup with that Rihanna?

    8:15: NKOTB are on, and they’re getting the biggest screams of the night…20 years later!

    8:18: The New Kids bust out with the crotch grab. 20 years ago, that would have been a national outrage if anyone other than Michael Jackson had done that.

    Hey, I had to work an MJ reference in there somewhere.

    8:23: Incongruous pairing of the night: Paris Hilton and T-Pain. They’re presenting Favorite Pop Male. Nominees are Chris Brown, Kid Rock and Usher. I say the Kid takes this one.

    8:25: Chris Breezy wins this one. My prognosticating skills aren’t on point this year. I’ve still got time to change my luck.

    8:26: Scott Weiland is HIIIIIIIIIIIIGH….soooooo HIIIIIIIIGGGHHHHHHHH!!! He’s introducing Pink, performing “Sober”. Irony much?

    8:27: Pink is wearing a ball gown. She cleans up pretty good! Have I mentioned that I’m madly in love with Pink?

    Have I also mentioned that I have seen every act that’s performed at this show so far live in concert? Yes, I’m bragging.

    8:34: David Cook is presenting Taylor Swift. I’ve actually never heard this chick sing before. Could be interesting. Especially if she walks down and bitch slaps the Jonas kid who broke up with her in 27 seconds. I wonder if David is mad that Donnie Wahlberg stole his hairstyle.

    8:35: Her performance set looks like the lobby of the hotel I stayed in 2 weeks ago in Portland, ME. Does the AMA show have furnishings by Marriott?

    Taylor is very clearly looking at someone in the audience. Wonder who it is??? Wait, is she sobbing? Damn you, Jonas!!!

    8:38: Lance Bass is presenting the Award for country group: Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and SugarLand are the nominees. I go with SugarLand and this is going way too fast for me to make a Lance Bass joke, damn it.

    8:39: Rascal Flatts wins the award. The fat dude from Rascal Flatts kinda looks like Lance, if he ate Justin, JC, Joey and Chris.

    8:41: Ne-Yo pops up with a tux and a horn section. He’s taking this Rat Pack thing and running with it, no?

    Ne-Yo gets the second standing O of the night, although I’d have given the claps to the dancing chick who stretched her leg behind her head. Wait, that didn’t come out right.

    8:48: Wait. Didn’t Jimmy Kimmel used to be funny?

    8:49: Nickelback is presenting the Best Rap Album award. The three guys not Chad Kroeger are very happy to have face time. Jay-Z, Kanye and Lil’ Wayne are nominated. I go with Kanye. I was right!!!

    Have I mentioned that I FUCKING LOVE KANYE??? That was an excellent speech. Shut everybody the hell up, Kanye.

    8:52: Jesse McCartney (no relation to the Beatle) introduces Leona Lewis. I guess in this case, calling her “beige” has multiple meanings, eh?

    Shes pretty boring, but she’s performing from what looks like the old “Solid Gold” set. Looks like she dug up the Solid Gold dancers, too!

    8:55: This performance isn’t exactly gonna differentiate her from Mariah Carey. Just saying.

    9:01: The de-mulleted and soul patched Billy Ray Cyrus, introducing Miley on her 16th birthday. 2 more years and he can start legally whoring her out.

    9:02: All jokes aside, Miley’s singing live, and she’s not so bad. More than I can say for Britney, who I’ve seen sing live…never.

    I’m almost ashamed to say…I enjoyed that.

    9:04: Some random chick and David Archuleta are presenting Favorite Country Male: Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. Paisley’s in the audience, I say he wins. Ding! Got it right again.

    Either random chick is REALLY tall or Archuleta is like 3 foot 9.

    Have I mentioned Brad Paisley is smokin’ hot? He can play the fuck out of his guitar too.

    9:06: Miley Cyrus is blowing…out the candles on her birthday cake.

    9:11: Why is Chris Martin performing with a 25-year old Magnavox TV next to him?

    9:12: Confetti pours from the ceiling-always a crowd pleaser. Doesn’t take away from the fact that Chris is not only in very poor voice but he’s prancing around like a wanna-be Bono.

    Wait a second…

    9:15: Richie Sambora and Colbie Caillat are presenting Favorite Pop/Rock Album. Nominees are Alicia Keys, Coldplay and The Eagles. My money’s on The Eagles. Holy shit, A. Keys wins it. I’m wondering who’s gonna clean up all that confetti. Like clockwork, some guy with a broom sneaks out of the shadows.

    9:17: Alicia, what’s up with the bindi? Also, don’t act surprised. The long-standing rumor has been that the AMAs notify winners in advance so they’ll show up at the ceremony.

    9:23: After a fairly funny skit with Kimmel, RZA and Raekwon, Terrence Howard comes out to introduce Mariah Carey and give her a special award. Did we have to remind anyone that Terrence put a record out? Jamie Foxx he ain’t.

    9:24: Why are Mariah and Nick suddenly reminding me of Whitney and Bobby? Up next, Nick is gonna make a reality show and talk about how he pulled a doody bubble out of Mariah’s ass and Mariah’s gonna go “THAT’S LOVE! BLACK LOVE!!!”

    9:27: This is like watching paint dry. Is Mariah done singing yet? Whoa. She brings back some ancient Mariah screamin’ and hollerin’ to at least make the end interesting.

    9:28: Nick Lachey and Elliott from “Scrubs” are introducing the accountants and presenting the award for Favorite Country Female. Nominees are Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. I go with Carrie on this one. Nope, I’m changing my pick to Taylor Swift. Right on time, too! She wins!

    All the confetti has yet to be cleaned up from Coldplay’s performance.

    9:31: Here’s Daughtry presenting the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female. The other 4 guys in Daughtry are grateful to hahve some face time. Mariah, Alicia and Rihanna are nominated. I go with Ri-Ri again…and I’m correct. See, after a slow start, I’ve figured it all out.

    9:38: I was totally not paying attention, but this chick is introducing The Fray, whom I love love love.

    What’s up with all the rock guys in poor voice tonight? At least Isaac Slade is cute. Chris Martin? Meh.

    9:42: Big Girl Jordin Sparks and mole-less Enrique are announcing Favorite Rap Male: Weezy, Yeezy and…Flo-Rida?? Kanye should win again. And he does.

    He gets a standing O. I’m down with that. And he gives his award to Lil’ Wayne. Selfless Kanye? Say it ain’t so.

    9:44: Ashley Tisdale is presenting Best New Artist. Nominees are Colbie Caillat, Flo_Rida, Jonas Brothers (who are gonna win), Paramore and The-Dream. The Jonases win. More beigeness ensues.

    9:47: The-Dream cracks a jook about wanting to strangle the Jonas Brothers (I don’t blame ya, bro) and introduces Beyonce, who’s performing “Single Ladies”.

    Someone gave that girl a lot of chicken and pancakes when she was growing up. God damn. Someone gave a double helping to that sista dancing with her, though. Now that’s some ass. Jonny Ice would definitely appreciate that one.

    9:50: Beyonce asks the single ladies to put their hands up. Queen Latifah, you lie! I bet your wife ain’t gonna give you none when you get home.

    Some white lady in the audience is trying to dance like Beyonce. Lawd lawd lawd. She gon’ break something.

    Beyonce gets a standing O. Any woman who can do that deserves more than a standing O.

    9:56: Akon and Julianne Hough are presenting Favorite R&B Album. Akon is plugging his album. Class. Alicia, Mariah and Mary J. are nominated. Alicia will win this…and she does. Damn, I’m good. Akon plugs his album again. Sigh.

    9:57: Alicia breaks out with the Flavor Flav “WOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW”.

    9:58: Demi Lovato comes out to introduce The Jonas Brothers. Face-plant, face-plant!!

    OK, it was more like a knee-plant. Whatever, shit was still funny.

    10:02: The Pussycat Dolls are now performing. Guess what I learned a little earlier? I learned how to pronounce Scherzinger!!!

    Speaking of Nicole, why is she wearing the boots from Michael’s “Rock with You” video? Two hours in and only two Michael Jackson references. I’m getting better!

    10:05: Are they saying “boobies” or “groupies”?

    10:12: It’s Justin Timberlake, y’all! And I was just singing “It’s Gonna Be Me” to myself!!

    10:15: Annie Lennox is receiving the Award of Merit. Best female blue-eyed soul singer of all time.

    …and “Why” is one of the best songs of the Nineties. Justin was right. Watch and learn.

    10:19: Annie just took everyone to school. Amazing. Standing O very well deserved.

    10:28: The personality-free Natasha Bedingfield is performing. I guess it’s time to take a piss.

    10:29: Wait, is she singing “Unwritten”? How OLD is that song?

    10:31: There is STILL confetti on the ground.

    10:32: Rihanna comes out to sing “Rehab” and I swear she looks more like Prince than ever before. Complete with studded eyepatch.

    10:34: Someone OD’ed on the smoke machine. Maybe they’re using it to cover up the confetti.

    10:39: Motley Crue presents Favorite Pop Group: Nominees are Coldplay, Daughtry and The Eagles. I say Daughtry wins this one.

    10:40: Mick Mars looks better than Scott Weiland. That’s sayin’ something.

    As predicted, Daughtry wins. Chris, thanks for showing me a bald guy can rock the thick chops.

    10:42: Is Kanye lip-synching? No, but he’s got a Daniel Boone coonskin thing hanging out o his jeans. Is that the new style or something?

    10:44: You know, I hate to say it, but Kanye’s not a terrible singer.

    10:46: Kanye is followed by…Sarah McLachlan? Now, THAT’s incongruous. Sarah is singing the 10-year old “Angel”. Why, exactly?

    10:47: Pink is singing with her. This is a nice touch. I would listen to Pink sing the bloody phone book.

    10:53: Steven Tyler and Joe Perry are presenting Artist of the Year. Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Coldplay, The Eagles and Lil’ Wayne are nominated. I can’t call this one. Chris Breezy wins in a shocker! Teenage girls must’ve killed the voting. Do Chris and Rihanna have the same ugly neck tat?

    10:56: Alicia Keys is closing out the show with “Superwoman” with two “special guests”. The mind wanders…

    …can Alicia do ANY awards show performance without special guests?

    10:57: I think it’s time for Latifah to make another rap record.

    10:58: Kathleen Battle. Wow.

    I’ve got to give this show props. Just about every genre of music has been represented and the performances were tight as hell. The Grammys have to step their game up next year. We are signing off. Seacrest out! (sorry GG)

  • Music News Wrapup: Kanye/50 Pt. Deux, R. Kelly’s Embarrassing BET Interview & More!!

    If I can turn off the snark for a second, I wish a speedy recovery to Travis Barker and DJ A.M. and also send my heartfelt condolences to those that were killed in the plane crash in South Carolina Saturday morning. While no one would choose the alternative, can you imagine the memories those two guys are going to carry with them for the rest of their lives?

    OK, snark back on. Here are this week’s most interesting stories from the world of music:

    Kanye vs. 50 Part 2: Guess He Didn’t Learn The Last Time

    With Kanye’s new “808’s and Heartbreak” album coming out on December 16th, 50 Cent has decided to revisit the “battle” that put his last album, “Curtis” against Kanye’s “Graduation” and release his fourth album, “Before I Self Destruct” at the same time…sort of (50 will release his album on December 9th). For those that don’t remember how that one ended, Kanye sold something like 30% more than 50 did in its first week, and has sold about 60% more over the cycle of release. So, unless Curtis has one hell of a publicity stunt in his pocket (which isn’t outside the realm of possibility), I think it’s fair to say that Kanye will whoop his ass once more. How much you wanna bet 50 sells less in two weeks than Kanye does in one?

    (more…)

  • 2007 American Music Awards: The Cure For Your Insomnia!!

    When I was a kid, there was one night I knew I would be allowed to stay up past my bedtime for-the American Music Awards. While I didn’t appreciate the Grammys until much later (too serious, too much non-pop music), the AMAs were the fun award show. Over the past couple of years, though, it’s gotten a bit boring. Whether it’s because the marginally talented Jimmy Kimmel has hosted for the past four years or whether it’s because a sizable chunk of winners have stopped showing up (it’s become abundantly obvious lately that winners are now notified before the ceremony, guaranteeing their appearance), the show has lost some of it’s luster. Or maybe I’m just getting older.
    Unlike the MTV VMAs and the Soul Train Awards, both of which completely jumped the shark this year, the AMAs found themselves in a holding pattern. Here were this year’s Top 5 highlights and lowlights.
    Highlights:
    1) Alicia Keys turning in a spirited performance of the remix to her hit “No One”, featuring cute choreography and guest appearances from reggae legends Beenie Man, Junior Reid and Chaka Demus & Pliers. If you were from New York (or Jamaica), you probably stood up and cheered (because all of the songs they performed were HUGE hits in the NYC area). If you were anywhere else in the country, you probably scratched your head and wondered who those folks were.
    2) Beyonce’s performance of “Irreplaceable” with country duo Sugarland. When I first heard “Irreplaceable”, I thought it sounded a little bit country. Hell, the song’s writer, Ne-Yo, said in several interviews that he wanted to write country music. But who knew it would work so well with a twangy arrangement? Hell, she’s already made a Latin album. Could Beyonce’s next step be a two-step to Nashville?
    3) Mary J. Blige, who turned out a stellar performance of “Just Fine”. MJB has come a long way from dodgy notes, shakin’ her booty while singing the song perfectly. I had to chuckle when she soft-tossed her sunglasses to the side. They must have been too expensive to chuck into the audience. While “Just Fine” in no way shape or form sounds like a typical Mary J. song, it has grown on me a great deal. It wa also funny how ABC’s cameras tried their best to shoot from the chest up, considering she was wearing a fairly sheer top.
    4) The “Soulja Boy” skit, featuring Kelly Pickler and Jordin Sparks, along with host Jimmy Kimmel. Oh come on, you didn’t laugh at that?
    5) Rihanna and Ne-Yo’s classy duet of “Hate That I Love You”. Who knew she could sing live? Rihanna did a very nice job.
    Lowlights:
    1) Jimmy Kimmel. Despite the “Soulja Boy” skit, almost everything else he did fell flat (wow, guess he really does need writers). When your comic trick bag consists of yet more jokes about Snoop getting arrested and smoking pot and a punching match with Kid Rock, you’re in pretty bad shape. Kudos for not making any Britney jokes, though.
    2) The Soul/R&B category. While I don’t have a problem with Justin Timberlake winning Favorite Soul/R&B Album over R. Kelly and Beyonce (it was certainly the best album of the three), what’s up with Rihanna winning Favorite Soul/R&B Female? Last I checked, she wasn’t exactly an R&B singer. Even SHE expressed surprise at winning the category.
    3) The Jonas Brothers-one of only two acts that lip-synched (Chris Brown was the other, and considering the choreography, I’m willing to give him a pass there).
    4) Usher’s presentation to Beyonce of the International Artist Award, in which he stumbled over the TelePrompter and the award inscription at least five times. Yo, Ush…it’s called “rehearsal”.
    5) Duran Duran’s lame performance of “Hungry Like The Wolf”. While I admire the fact that bassist John Taylor seems to have not aged in the past twenty years, it seems like Simon LeBon was more hungry than the wolf was and probably ate it.
    If you must know, it was “American Idol” night at the AMAs. Chris Daughtry (oh, excuse me. The “band” Daughtry) and Carrie Underwood won three awards each. Kelly Pickler, Jordin Sparks and Ryan Seacrest also made appearances. They tried to bring Ruben out, but he wouldn’t leave the catering tray.
    Justin Timberlake won two awards via satellite and seemed completely unenthused.
    Here’s a full list of winners:
    Favorite Male Artist, Pop/Rock: Justin Timberlake
    Favorite Female Artist, Pop/Rock: Fergie
    Favorite Group, Pop/Rock: Nickelback
    Favorite Album, Pop/Rock: “Daughtry” Daughtry
    Favorite Male Artist, Country: Tim McGraw
    Favorite Female Artist, Country: Carrie Underwood
    Favorite Group, Country: Rascal Flatts
    Favorite Album, Country: “Some Hearts” Carrie Underwood
    Favorite Male Artist, R&B: Akon
    Favorite Female Artist, R&B: Rihanna
    Favorite Album, R&B: “Futuresex/Lovesounds” Justin Timberlake
    Favorite Rap Artist: T.I.
    Favorite Rap Group: Bone Thugs ‘n Harmony
    Favorite Rap Album: “T.I. vs. T.I.P” T.I.
    Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist: Daughtry
    Favorite Alternative Artist: Linkin Park
    Favorite Latin Artist: Jennifer Lopez
    Favorite Inspirational Artist: Casting Crowns
    Breakthrough Artist: Daughtry
    International Artist Award: Beyonce
    T-Mobile Text-In Award (for favorite artist of the year): Carrie Underwood