'The Voice' Gamble Pays Off With New Coaches Shakira, Usher (Analysis)

NBC is looking to double-down on its biggest non-sports ratings hit The Voice by introducing some new blood to its coaching lineup. For this season (at least), Usher and Shakira will be filling in for Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera as they pursue their own projects, but there was a network nervousness over how these new coaches might work with veteran coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.

PHOTOS: More Than Just Man Candy: Photos of Adam Levine 

Spectacularly, it turns out. Shakira and Usher energize the show and seem to do the same for Shelton and Levine, both of whom have mentored competition winners in the past. The new coaches are playing the part of upstarts, getting playfully ribbed by the veterans while also, as Shakira says over and over, potentially benefiting from "beginners luck." Of course, Usher has also had success in mentoring one singer who's done alright for himself outside of The Voice … Justin Bieber.

STORY: TV Ratings: 'The Voice' Premiere Grows From Fall, 'Dancing With the Stars' Takes a Big Hit

From the start, both new coaches established their personalities (and their bribery techniques). Shakira (the "pregnant, hormonal Colombian") typically played the "I'm the only female here" card to suggest better and more nuanced understanding of those she will mentor (Shelton countered at one point with "Well, I have a wife in the business," to which Levine shot back, "Blake just said he has a wife, so, because you are sisters, you're just like him. What?")

Whereas Shakira is serious and passionate, Usher is cool and flirty, often sitting with one leg up in a kind of "come hither" position that the other coaches make fun of, though both new coaches bring a glamor and sexiness to the show that infuses it with a sleek energy.

STORY: 'The Voice' Season 4 Premiere: Blind Auditions Begin, Usher and Shakira Debut

Among the contestants, when Shelton is in the mix, he seems to be the most popular (possibly because of his winning touch), but Usher and Shakira also get a lot of positive attention from contestants and the crowd. Levine is so conservative in his approach in the first part of the this two-part premiere he doesn't get much into the competition of convincing the singers to choose him over his cohorts, which is when the claws come out (literally -- Levine says to one singer, "I'm going to claw everyone's face off until you realize I should be your coach.")

The banter among the coaches shows a lot of genuine good will, though whether this is just a honeymoon period or not remains to be seen. While Levine and Shelton seem the most comfortable bantering with each other, there's no denying that the new coaches have been accepted into their ranks. Levine is still the funniest, with the sharpest barbs, but Shakira shows no hesitation in going up against him. As Shelton goads at one point early in the show, "She just ripped your ass wide open!"

Series like The Voice don't need to try too hard to get an audience -- they're inherently fun and easy to get drawn into, but the judges or coaches do matter when it comes to keeping some skeptical viewers (like this one) early on. But NBC appears to have kept a good thing going, backing the right players in this game.

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Celebrity Apprentice's Omarosa: I'm Suing La Toya Jackson Over Michael Clarke Duncan Crack

by Natalie Finn Tue., Mar. 26, 2013 8:08 PM PDT

NBC 

 The most shocking boardroom decision ever made on Celebrity Apprentice may result in a lawsuit.

After La Toya Jackson was fired on the show's March 17 episode, she cracked during her complimentary cab ride away from Donald Trump's lair that ex-teammate Omarosa had probably "pulled the plug" on fiancé Michael Clarke Duncan. (The actor died in September, two months after suffering a major heart attack.)

And that's not sitting well with the woman who's said to be the nastiest reality-TV villain of all time.

Miss La Toya vs. Omarosa on Celebrity Apprentice? Read our recap

"She said really nasty things about Michael. She said 'he had a heart attack and I know that she caused it. He was on life support and she went and pulled the plug,'" Omarosa said this morning on The Howard Stern Show when asked why she was planning to sue La Toya.

Howard questioned whether La Toya's comments were actionable or not, but Omarosa said that they were in this case because the Jackson family sister had "repeated it subsequently" on various talk shows since shooting Celebrity Apprentice back in October.

"I mean, do you really want people to think that you harmed the person that you loved?" Omarosa asked, noting that she would be suing for emotional distress, for starters.

Asked "for the record" by Howard if she had indeed "pulled the plug," Omarosa replied, "God no, I loved that man...She's sick and demented. The lawsuit is going forward. We gave her the time to retract it and now we'll both be spending money on lawyers."

Contacted by E! News for comment, La Toya's rep said they had no knowledge of any such lawsuit.

Omarosa also said today that her camp had received a letter from La Toya's lawyers saying that her comments were "the producers' fault."

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'Smash's' Debra Messing to Star in CBS Comedy Pilot

 With Smash relegated to Saturdays, star Debra Messing already has moved on.

The Will & Grace Emmy winner has landed the starring role in CBS' untitled comedy pilot from Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Based on an Israeli format, the single-camera effort centers on Shira (Messing), a happily married but harried mother struggling to balance family, life and work. Between her job as a ghost writer for a demanding celebrity chef and having three children -- ranging in age from preschool to 7 -- she feels like the world's worst mother because of her tendency to cut corners.

PHOTOS: The Faces of Pilot Season 2013

Messing, who is the first person cast in the pilot, also will receive a co-executive producer credit on the comedy from CBS Television Studios. Her casting is in second position to Smash, which is not expected to return for a third season on NBC.

Sex and the City and Smash alums Rottenberg and Zuritsky will write and executive produce the pilot. Avi Nir, Ran Telem, Daniella London-Dekel and Dana Eden also will serve as EPs.

The role marks Messing's return to series comedy, following two seasons playing beleaguered playwright Julia Houston on NBC's Smash and starring as Molly Kagan for a season on USA Network's The Starter Wife.

STORY: TV Pilots 2013: The Complete Guide

Messing is a six-time Emmy nominee: five for her role as Grace Adler on NBC's Will & Grace -- including a 2003 win -- and one as lead actress in a miniseries or movie for Starter Wife. She's repped by Gersh, 3 Arts and Stone Meyer.

The casting further cements the demise of Smash, which NBC banished to Saturdays starting April 6. The pricey Broadway drama crashed and burned in its second season. Since opening its sophomore season to a disappointing 1.2 rating in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic, Smash has continued to slide, most recently drawing a measly 0.8.

Messing becomes the latest actor this point season to book an insurance policy in second position. Southland

's Ben McKenzie (CBS' The Advocates) and Shawn Hatsoy (CBS' Reckless), Deception's Tate Donovan (CBS' Hostages) and Up All Night's Will Arnett (CBS' unauthorized Greg Garcia comedy), among others, have all booked CBS pilots this season.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; 

Twitter: @Snoodit

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Joel McHale Talks Hosting the Oscars: "They're Not Gonna Call Me"

by Bruna Nessif Tue., Mar. 26, 2013 7:45 PM PDT

  Dimitrios Kambouris/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images for E!

 Have a little faith, Joel McHale.

A fan submitted a question to The Soup host via Facebook, to be answered during his appearance on Larry King Now, about whether or not McHale would ever entertain the idea of hosting the Oscars.

And, well, he answered in true McHale fashion.

Justin Timberlake hosting rumors heat up

"Would I entertain the thought? I just entertained it. I was very entertained," he joked, "So was the thought, the thought was like, ‘This was a great time.'"

Yes, very funny, but in all seriousness, would the comedian take the gig if it was offered?

"They're not gonna call me," McHale insisted. "Look, I work on E! I'm trying to host a celebrity roast of some sort. Look, I'm happy. I would be a seat filler. I thought [Seth MacFarlane] was amazing, so I hope he does it next year."

We're not so sure they'll be calling Seth, however, and the Family Guy creator probably wouldn't answer even if they did. Justin Timberlake is the latest rumored frontrunner to host the show, though sources in his camp told Gossip Cop that idea was "premature and ridiculous."

Who would you want to see host the Oscars? Sound off in the comments!

Oh, you didn't know? Joel McHale's also a male model

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Margo Martindale on Her 'Americans' Beat-down, Elvis at the 'New Girl' Set

Margo Martindale seems to be a little busy. Since playing Mags Bennett on Justified earned her an Emmy in 2011, the film, TV and stage veteran has popped up on more than a half-dozen series -- and currently counts herself as a regular on FX's The Americans.

"I'm a little too busy, honesty," Martindale tells The Hollywood Reporter, pausing a moment to laugh and knock on the nearest piece of wood. "I never thought I'd be able to say that."

Still finishing up the freshman season of the renewed Cold War drama, Martindale recently took a week off to fly out to L.A. and play Jake Johnson's mother on New Girl. She'd previously worked with ep and episode director Jake Kasdan on Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

PHOTOS: Up Close and Adorkable With the Cast of 'New Girl'

"I said, 'Well, is it funny?,'"she says, recalling the ambiguous offer. "He said, 'Of course it’s funny!' And only when I got there did he tell me I needed to do a Chicago accent. So I did my phony-bologna Chicago accent as best as possible."

Martindale makes for a convincing Mrs. Miller, who turns to her comparatively competent son to plan her late husband's (Dennis Farina) funeral. The actress also got the early heads-up that her character would not mesh well with Zooey Deschanel's Jess. Martindale gives an aggressive cold shoulder throughout the episode but has only the most-glowing things to say for her co-star.

"She's a hilarious Elvis, isn't she?" Martindale says of Deschanel, who goes in drag as the King during the episode's funeral. "She is so much like the icon that I had when I was in high school, watching Marlo Thomas as That Girl or Sally Field in Gidget. She’s that for people now -- and not just because everyone wants her hair."

But it was one of Martindale's fellow guest stars, 94-year-old Ellen Albertini Dow (The Wedding Singer), who seemed to give everyone the most entertainment while she was on set.

"Oh man, she has some stories," says Martindale. "At one point she got out of a van and asked for a flashlight. When someone offered to help her instead, she said, 'I don’t need any help, I just need a flashlight. I thought this show was supposed to be a hit.'"

Martindale, who was recently cast to play Will Arnett's mother in one of Greg Garcia's CBS comedy pilots, says she anticipates any future TV plans should accommodate a return to The Americans for the already green-lit sophomore run. She says it's been a pleasure, aside from brawling with Keri Russell in her first episode.

"She beat the shit out of me," says Martindale, laughing again. "It was freezing cold on the river, in the dead of night, in a warehouse with no heat -- but it was fine because the stunt double took most of the pain. It looks so good that I hate to say that, but I mostly just stuck my hair in water and fell backwards."

She also admits that she's quite at home on FX, where she is still a bit nostalgic for her role as the endearing neighbor to Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver's undercover gypsies on The Riches

.

"Of all of the parts that I have played, that is the closest to me," she tells THR. "I could be me, without the smoking dope and being married to a drag queen. I had a lot of freedom in that."

Martindale goes to "Chicago" during Tuesday's New Girl, which airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.

Email: Michael.OConnell@THR.com; 

Twitter: @MikeyLikesTV

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David Letterman Reveals to James Franco Why He Banned Harmony Korine (Video)

 Harmony Korine, left, and David Letterman

Before Harmony Korine went (semi) legit with Spring Breakers, he was a young, trouble-making wunderkind best known for directing inaccessible avant garde films and giving bizarre, non-sequitur-filled interviews to a bemused David Letterman.

Between 1997-98, Korine appeared on Late Show air three times, always disheveled and slightly unhinged in a skater-stoner kind of way. It began with an interview to promote the controversial film Kids, which he wrote at age 18, and then in support of his directorial debut, Gummo, and finally, a book he wrote, A Crackup at the Race Riots.

Seriously, watch those.

PHOTOS: 'Spring Breakers' L.A. Premiere: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens Celebrate in Hollywood

Korine was due on Late Show for a fourth time soon after -- he even made it to the studio -- but was infamously banned under mysterious conditions. On Monday, his good friend and Spring Breakers star James Franco appeared on the show, where he proceeded to prod its host into explaining just why Korine had gotten the boot.

Letterman played coy, pretending not to remember the three interviews, but then asked Franco to tell him what he had heard about the mysterious incident. Franco responded that Korine told him he was banned for pushing Meryl Streep backstage, but "he said he was a little out of it...Harmony is a very sane guy now, a great artist and great person to work with, but I think he had a period where he was going a little off the rails, so maybe he was on something that night."

Letterman then spilled the beans.

"I went upstairs to greet Meryl Streep and welcome her to the show, and I knock on the door...and she was not in there. And I looked around, and she was not in there, and I found Harmony going through her purse," he said. "True story. And so I said, 'That's it, put her things back in her bag and then get out.'"

With Franco's assurances, the host then said he would be "more than happy" to have Korine back on the show.

Let's hope that happens, ASAP.

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Tom Cruise Dines in Argentina: Chef Says Actor Was a "Very Kind Person"

by Bruna Nessif and Sharareh Drury Tue., Mar. 26, 2013 6:46 PM PDT

Splash News

Tom Cruise is a man of manners. 

The actor has been in Argentina promoting his new movie Oblivion in Argentina and, in between appearances, Cruise made sure to sample the local cuisine—and he was apparently a very welcome patron.

"I was sent to prepare the menu especially for Mr. Tom Cruise," Ken Shiizu, chef of M Buenos Aires restaurant, told E! News.

Have you seen the latest Oblivion trailer?

"He was a very kind person who thanked all the time, did not drink any alcohol while in the menu we offered a variety of drinks," he continued. "The reception was for 35 guests, including actresses accompanying two in the tour."

Shiizu wasn't able to identify the ladies mentioned, but we're going to bet that one of them was Cruise costar Olga Kurylenko.

The executive chef also added that Cruise said he was delighted with the food, and the only dish he was asking for off the menu was strip steak.

Is anyone else suddenly hungry?

Make sure to check out these upcoming movies!

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U-KISS Finds Themselves In Same Room as Backstreet Boys, Idol Meeting Their ... - KpopStarz

Being the first group to participate in the press conference leading up to the Twin Towers @Live 2013 in Malaysia, K-pop group U-KISS graciously answered questions from the Malaysian press.  It is the group's fifth time in the country, although they have yet to hold a major concert in the sub-tropical country.  Showing the popularity of K-pop in the region, the press conference started with a birthday tribute via song for U-KISS members Soohyun and Eli who just celebrated their birthdays recently.  It seemed like the emcee and the press were aware of this occasion and shared in the greeting. 

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As mentioned, U-KISS has yet to hold a major concert in the region, and group spokesperson Kevin revealed that they have no plans for a major concert as of yet.   Then, in line with the popularity of subgroups recently, asking U-KISS whether they have plans for the same became a natural option.  The group shared that in their new album they have some solo and duet songs already, hence it is very likely to have sub-unit groups by this year. 

 

 

 

 

U-KISS then shared their thoughts on their newest comeback offering, "Collage".  They were asked what their favorite track from the album was.  AJ & Eli, got their party on, both choosing the duet rap song "Party All The Time".  While Kiseop and Hoon chose "Standing Still", Kevin chose his own solo song "My Reason" which he said is drawn from his own first love experience.  Dongho chose "Because I Love You" while Soohyun chose "Missing You".

Then, with the mention of collaborations and Backstreet Boys, U-KISS showed their fanboy side saying, "We heard that Backstreet Boys is here. We actually practice their songs a lot during our pre-debut. We're very excited to meet them and we're actually big fans of BSB. Maybe in the future if we get a chance"  It wasn't very long to get their fanboy selves satisfied as right after their press conference was the world boyband's turn. 

It must be fitting for U-KISS to be fans of Backstreet Boys, as can be revealed from the world group's press conference.  Their strength and achievements are definitely something aspirational for U-KISS.  It has been 20 years since Backstreet Boys debuted. Even if they are about to receive their Hollywood Walk of Fame star in April, Backstreet Boys members feel as though nothing has changed for them, apart from some getting married and starting families.  Having grown into men, they remain committed to bringing satisfaction to fans and making good music.   Their description of themselves reflect this, as Brian describes them as "Timeless, Infinite, Season, Old, Refined, Distilled, Ancient" - like aged wine perhaps, getting better through the years.

Demi Lovato, who is the next top star in Hollywood pop, also had her press conference before Backstreet Boys, where she revealed that she finds Malaysia "hot".  She also wishes to write songs that people of all ages, especially younger girls could listen and relate to.

2NE1 was also a  participant for the Twin Towers @Live 2013, but did not attend the press conference due to a very tight schedule.  Find out more about their performance here.

'Petronas Twin Towers @Live 2013' is a Live Concert in conjunction with Formula 1, Sepang 2013, organized by Jojo Events and sponsored by Petronas.

Reporters and Photo Credits: Nik Fatimah & Ain Osman

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Britney Spears Suffers Near Nip Slip in Strapless Dress

by Brett Malec Tue., Mar. 26, 2013 5:05 PM PDT

FAMEFLYNET PICTURES  

Britney Spears can't blame the wind on this one!

Yesterday, the 31-year-old pop star stopped by a friend's house in Malibu for some bikini-clad sunbathing and narrowly avoided suffering a wardrobe malfunction.

The almost-nip slip happened as the former X Factor judge was stepping out of the passenger's seat of a white car.

See Brit's bangin' bikini bod!

Spears was snapped laughing while pulling up her strapless black dress as it headed south. Thankfully, the dress, which had a lacy peekaboo cutout revealing her cleavage, didn't fall down too far.

Afterward, Spears and her pal headed out for lunch at Cafe Habana. Spears suffered a windy wardrobe malfunction the other week when breeze blew her dress up at her kids' soccer game.

So many wardobe malfunctions...

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'How I Met Your Mother' Taps Casey Wilson for Season Finale

How I Met Your Mother is welcoming guests from two other comedies for its upcoming season eight finale.

A studio rep confirms to The Hollywood Reporter

that Happy Endings' Casey Wilson and Key and Peele's Keegan-Michael Key are both set to appear, as first reported by Vulture.

News of Wilson's addition prompts obligatory speculation about the CBS comedy's yet-to-be-identified "mother," but, at the moment, it seems she and Key will just be playing dining partners at the same restaurant as Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Robin (Cobie Smulders).

In addition to his Comedy Central series, Key recently was cast in Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair's USA pilot. Wilson, whose Happy Endings has been off the schedule at ABC since January, returns with her series Friday, March 29.

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Ryan Lochte Does Shots, Hunts for 'The One' in E! Reality Show (Video)

After his breakout stardom at the London Olympics, where his mother awkwardly let it slip that her son prefers one-night stands to serious relationships, it was all but inevitable that Ryan Lochte would land his own reality show.

What Would Ryan Lochte Do?, a docu-series premiering April 21 on E!, promises to catch Lochte in action: on the prowl, in the pool, spewing all sorts of TMI such as: "I got like two golds, two bronze: I don't even remember what I got at the Olympics."

Also, this: "In fashion, I want that little edge: that little Lochte."

And this: "Going out trying to look for a date, I don't really have to do that. They come to me."

A new promo for the show features those Lochte-isms as well as footage of the 28-year-old athlete doing shots and picking up women at a bar and training at 7 a.m. with a hangover. At one point, he tells the camera: "I want to settle down. I want to find that one that I can spend the rest of my life with."

(Clearly, Lochte has missed his calling to be the next Bachelor. You listening, Mike Fleiss?)

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Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination - TheForce.net

Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination

Posted By Dustin on March 26, 2013 

We just got the following news release announcing that Billy Dee Williams will help reveal the arrival of Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination in San Jose, California. The traveling exhibit will officially open in October, but Williams and a supporting cast of Star Wars characters will kick off the excitement at an event on Thursday.

SAN JOSE, CA ? A band of dastardly Stormtroopers challenge the noble Jedi in an epic face-off outside The Tech, where actor Billy Dee Williams, who starred as Lando Calrissian in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, ?Obi-Shawn? and other costumed characters reveal the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibition arrival in October.

Grab a front row seat and join a cast of larger-than-life characters and a few of-this-world guests to unleash the Force of the blockbuster traveling exhibition that is ending its 20-venue worldwide tour at The Tech.

WHO: Billy Dee Williams, Jedi, Stormtroopers, ?Obi-Shawn? and others, along with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who stars as himself, and museum Board Chair Chris DiGiorgio of Accenture acclaim

WHAT: A theatrical face-to-face confrontation between good and evil in the form of Jedi and a small army of Stormtroopers, complete with Lightsabers, a musical backdrop, and custom Star Wars-themed vehicles

WHERE: In a galaxy far, far away?at the intersection of South Market Street and Park Avenue, San Jose, CA. (201 S. Market St., to be exact)

WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2013

Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, presented by Bose Corporation?, was developed by Boston?s Museum of Science and Lucasfilm Ltd.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & ? 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

This material is based upon work supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0307875. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

About The Tech Museum of Innovation

The Tech is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. The museum?located in the Capital of Silicon Valley ?is a non-profit, experiential learning resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing applied technologies affecting their lives. Through programs such as The Tech Challenge presented by Cisco, our annual team-design competition for youth, and internationally renowned programs such as The Tech Awards presented by Applied Materials, The Tech endeavors to inspire the innovator in everyone.

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'The Voice' Season 4 Premiere: Blind Auditions Begin; Usher and Shakira Debut

Returning champion coaches Blake Shelton and Adam Levine welcomed single-name superstars Usher and Shakira to The Voice on Monday night, as season four began the blind auditions with banter, bribery and tear-jerking backstories.

The new quartet of coaches began with a performance of The Beatles’ “Come Together,” further reiterating that this singing competition touts mentors who are working musicians who all play instruments. As the only female coach on the show, Shakira knows she’s got big shoes to fill -- so if you miss Christina Aguilera belting on Cee Lo Green’s “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, Shakira makes up for it with … a harmonica.

VIDEO: 'The Voice': Blake Shelton on Shakira's 'Claws,' Usher's 'Cool'

Meet the first additions to The Voice’s fourth season (and the ones who almost made the cut):

The Morgan Twins
Song: “Fallin’ ”
Coaches who turned their chairs: All four. How else would the show kick off the blinds?
The coaches had no idea that a pair of blond bombshells in red cocktail dresses were standing behind them. But after one sister nailed Alicia Keys' signature opening, Shelton and Usher immediately hit their buttons, with the other two coaches following suit. “This is a dream come true for most … men,” jokes Shelton. “Like a damn Doublemint commercial!” Looks like being a two-time champion is a nice selling point -- the duo opts for Team Blake, even if it does get him in trouble with his wife Miranda Lambert, a 2003 finalist on Nashville Star

.

Jess Kellner
Song: “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Usher and Shakira
Using music to heal emotional scars from an alcoholic mother, Kellner’s brassy tone and patient phrasing departed from typical Voice auditions. Shakira took a nurturing approach -- praising the “haunting” timbre of her voice -- but Usher simply smiled with his leg up on that rotating chair and let his sex appeal ooze out. Clearly, the latter approach works, as Team Usher gained a first contestant.

STORY: 'The Voice': 7 Things to Know About Season 4

Mark Andrew
Song: “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Levine, Shakira
Andrew -- a vocal blend of Voice alumni Tony Lucca and Nicholas David -- was hesitant to give music a second try, after two of his former band members died recently. After Shakira pointed out that Levine only won with a beginner’s luck that she now has (“Don’t be blinded by lust, my friend!” pleaded Levine), the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer successfully recruited Andrew. Looks like sex appeal won again, even when she’s pregnant!

Janetza Miranda
Song: “Titanium”
Coaches who turned their chairs: none
The Bachata singer who rocks bird call wanted Shakira to coach her to a bilingual musical career. After a shaky, nervous performance, the pitchy powerhouse was consoled with hugs from a compassionate Levine.

STORY: 'The Voice': 10 Season 4 Survival Tips from Past Contestants

Danielle Bradbery
Song: “Mean”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Shelton, Usher, Levine
Bullied as a kid for having bad teeth, the 16-year-old stuck it to haters with the Taylor Swift song, and turned three chairs. While Usher tried bribing her with Justin Bieber meet-and-greets, he accidentally referred to the city of Nashville as a state -- a geography flub that must have cost him. Bradbery chose Team Blake, probably with hopes of following last season’s winner Cassadee Pope into the country music scene.

Vedo
Song: “Boyfriend”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Usher
With experiences of homelessness and a mother with stage 4 lung cancer, this R&B singer sang through the whispers of the Justin Bieber hit and received a standing ovation -- and his first-choice coach.

STORY: 'The Voice' Adds Double Dose of Two-Hour Tuesday Episodes

Christian Porter
Song: “Sexy and I Know It”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Shakira, Shelton, Usher
The bar musician (aka a champion of covers) took a creative risk by putting a blues twist on the LMFAO hit that displayed his vocal range and got Shakira all hot and bothered. “The women were going so crazy," Usher said. "I really thought I was gonna turn to a strip show!” Shelton then scolded an audience member who shouted for Porter to choose Shakira. Looks like intimidation worked -- Porter picked Shelton.

Leah Lewis
Song: “Blown Away”
Coaches who turned their chairs: none
Lewis was adopted from China as an infant and hopes to break the country music stereotype as an Asian-American. Although the 15-year-old blew raw and untrained notes throughout the performance, there’s no doubt The Voice will be seeing her again. “If you’re 99 percent amazing and you’re 15, you have nothing to worry about, sweetheart,” Levine said as she left.

STORY: Will 'The Voice' Out-Sing 'American Idol'?

Kris Thomas
Song: “Saving All My Love for You”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Shakira
This pastor’s son fell into depression and alcoholism after losing a record deal and got a wake-up call when he found himself drunk behind the wheel. Only Shakira picked up on Thomas’ feminine timbre and controlled falsettos, while the other three coaches were surprised to see a man standing before them. “I wish I knew you were a guy!” shouted Levine with regret. “Women go crazy over a guy with falsetto; they love that,” Usher (who discovered Bieber) told Shakira.

James Irwin
Song: “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”
Coaches who turned their chairs: none
A carpenter whose twin daughters died only minutes after a premature birth, Irwin’s subdued performance didn’t turn any chairs. “Life, thank God, is full of second and third chances,” said Shakira to Irwin. “You should try it again because you deserve to come back.”

STORY: Inside Adam Levine's $35 Million-Plus a Year Empire

Judith Hill
Song: “What a Girl Wants”
Coaches who turned their chairs: All four
The female duet singer was set to do backing vocals for Michael Jackson’s This Is It tour; she spent two months rehearsing with the King of Pop before he died in 2009. Although offers poured in after she sang at Jackson’s memorial service, Hill said “it seemed like poor taste” and instead opted to try The Voice, putting a soulful spin on season-one coach Aguilera’s early hit. “You’re the first person who’s ever done a Christina song -- and done it as well as Christina Aguilera,” said Levine. After plenty of four-way banter, Hill became Levine’s first contestant of season four.

But all of this is only half the story -- the two-night premiere of The Voice continues at 8 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.

What did you think of the premiere episode of Season 4? Sound off in the comments section below.

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'The Voice' Recap: Blake Shelton Gets No Love on Night Two

After raking in stellar ratings on Monday night, The Voice returns for the second installment of its two-night premiere. The four coaches -- Shakira, Usher, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine -- continue to turn their chairs for big voices and surprising talent.

PHOTOS: 'The Voice' Teams: Season 4's Performers

Tawnya Reynolds
Song: “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Levine, Usher, Shakira
This aspiring country singer couldn't get Shelton to turn his chair, but she got all three of the other coaches to notice her. She went with Shakira, despite Shelton's encouragement for her to choose Usher.

Josiah Hawley
Song: "Sunday Morning"
Coaches who turned their chairs: Shelton, Usher, Levine
He wants to be known as much more than a pretty face, but look at that face! The religious, married model sings "Sunday Morning," a Maroon 5 song. It's a risky move, but he gets Shelton, Usher, and, yes, Levine, to turn for him. Surprisingly, he chooses Usher for his coach! Bold move. Usher serves up some even bolder dance moves in celebration.

Midas Whale
Song: "Folsom Prison Blues"
Coaches who turned their chairs: All four
This geeky, goofy folk duet belts out "Folsom Prison Blues" onstage. The first coach to turn his chair is, surprisingly, Usher, followed quickly by Shelton, Levine and Shakira. "I hope ya'll don't screw up the rest of your lives by going with one of these other coaches," says Shelton. Shakira has a long chat with them in Spanish, which is totally adorable. But the pair choose Levine, making them his first duo ever.

ANALYSIS: 'The Voice' Gamble Pays Off With New Coaches Shakira, Usher 

Abraham McDonald
Song: "Best Thing I Never Had"
Coaches who turned their chairs: None
The 35-year-old grew up shy, but was pushed into the spotlight by his sister, who got him to compete in a karaoke contest for Oprah Winfrey. He has a voice as big as his stature, but his raspy voice doesn't turn any chairs.

Cathia
Song: "No Me Doy Per Vencido"
Coaches who turned their chairs: Usher, Shakira, Shelton
Studying the music business, Cathia is looking for a mentor on the show. She takes a risk by singing in Spanish, her first language. Usher turns first, but we all know that everyone is looking towards Shakira, who turns her chair second. Shelton doesn't understand a word she's saying, but he also turns his chair. The three coaches also give her a standing ovation. Shelton tries to play the veteran card, but Shakira name-drops Gloria Estefan -- her own mentor. Cathia goes with Shakira, naturally.

Sarah Simmons
Song: "One of Us"
Coaches who turned their chairs: All four
After having her dad fall in and out of her life because of addiction issues, Sarah has finally rebuilt that relationship and is ready to perform for the coaches. She hits just the right note early on in her song, and Shakira and Levine quickly hit their buttons. Her cool, unique, powerful voice gets Shelton and Usher to turn, too. "I think you can win this thing, and you may be in my top three singers I have ever heard audition for The Voice," says Shelton. But Adam's charm wins out again, and Sarah joins the Maroon 5 frontman's team.

So Shakira and Levine add two new members to their teams, Usher adds one and Shelton fails to add a single member to Team Blake.

What did you think of night two of Season 4? Sound off in the comments section below.

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Stella McCartney Honored by Queen Elizabeth II, Receives an OBE

by Bruna Nessif Tue., Mar. 26, 2013 4:04 PM PDT

 AP Photo/ Dominic Lipinski/PA Fashion is important to the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth II honored yet another big Hollywood name today, when she pinned designer Stella McCartney with the Order of the British Empire award for excellence and service in the fashion industry. 

The 41-year-old, who told ITV News she felt "really proud and really excited and honored," was dressed to impress (obvs) in a blue pencil skirt and peplum blazer suit, which was, of course, one of her own creations, as she arrived at Buckingham Palace alongside her husband, Alasdhair Willis.

Stella McCartney makes it to the Queen's New Year's Honors List

Along with Adidas, with whom she collaborates on a sportswear line, McCartney created the Olympic 2012 outfits for Team Great Britain, a job which involved creating over 500 individual pieces.

Last year, McCartney told The Telegraph she "really enjoyed the experience" and that her brand "wasn't just plucked from nowhere, we've been doing this collaboration for eight years and it was an honest approach. It wasn't like, let's just get a British fashion designer to chuck some flag on a jacket, it was genuine."

Clearly, her efforts did not go unnoticed.

The stars seem to love Stella McCartney's work, too

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Wiz Khalifa - Word Hard Play Hard

Seth Green Joins Fox's Seth MacFarlane Comedy 'Dads'

 Seth Green is expanding his relationship with Fox.

The actor, part of the core voice cast of the network's and Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy, has landed the starring role in Fox's Dads -- the live-action comedy series from the writers behind Ted, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

PHOTOS: The Faces of Pilot Season 2013

The six-episode series centers on successful video game entrepreneurs Eli (Green) and Warner (The Mindy Project's Tommy Dewey). In their thirties, their lives are turned upside down when their nightmare dads unexpectedly move in with them. Eli's father is played by Peter Riegert, while Martin Mull plays Warner's dad.

STORY: TV Pilots 2013: The Complete Guide

Ted's Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild are on board to serve as writers on Dads, with MacFarlane on board to executive produce the 20th Television multicamera comedy. The Big Bang Theory's Mark Cendrowski will direct the pilot. Brenda Song and Tonita Castro co-star.

The casting reteams MacFarlane with Green, who voices Chris Griffin and a slew of other roles on Family Guy. The deal comes a two weeks after Lucasfilm postponed Green's animated Star Wars Detours series.

Green is repped by UTA, Koopman Management and Sloane Offer. Adult Swim renewed Green's Robot Chicken for a seventh season; the series is set to return this year.

E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; 

Twitter: @Snoodit

View the original article here

Wonder Girls - Nobody

Mark Gordon, ABC Studios Prep Time-Travel Drama

 Mark Gordon is heading into the future.

Through his overall deal at ABC Studios, The Mark Gordon Company has forged a joint venture with Sonar Entertainment to produce Fix It Men, a drama created by John Glenn. Under the terms of the deal, ABC Studios will tackle distribution in North America while Sonar does so for the rest of the world.

The hour-long entry centers on a scientist and a special-forces soldier from a post-apocalyptic future who travel in time to our present day and into their younger selves in an effort to forestall Armageddon. They must alter a series of seemingly random events that form the chain leading to the catastrophe. Miss any one and all will be lost.

“Fix It Men is destined to be a buzzed about series. It’s original and will have trend-setting production values. Combining a brilliant writer like John Glenn with Mark Gordon’s top-notch producing team and Stewart Till’s international sales expertise is the recipe for a high quality drama,” said executive vp ABC Studios creative and production Barry Jossen in a statement announcing the news Tuesday.

Added Sonar Entertainment CEO Stewart Till: “Fix It Men is a fast-paced story that combines action and suspense. It has universal appeal that will grab and hold onto any audience looking to be entertained, captivated and surprised. We are really looking forward to taking Fix It Men out to the international marketplace.”

Glenn’s previous writing credits include the screenplay for the film Eagle Eye, starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan and Rosario Dawson.

For his part, Gordon counts among his small-screen productions Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds and Showtime's upcoming Ray Donovan starring Liev Schreiber as a professional fixer.

Sonar recently teamed with Heroes' Tim Kring to develop a conspiracy thriller entitled The Drake Equation. The company is also working with The Departed's William Monoghan on a period drama for Starz.

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Ne-Yo - One In A Million

TV Ratings: 'The Voice' Premiere Grows From Fall, 'Dancing With the Stars' Takes a Big Hit

With NBC enduring a highly publicized ratings dip this midseason, attention has been fixed on the return of The Voice and whether the fourth season of the network's new flagship could drive numbers closer to the highs from this past fall.

The singing competition finally returned Monday night, and Fast National returns have it delivering stronger numbers than in the fall, though taking an expected plunge from its Super Bowl-driven kickoff in February 2012. The two-hour blind-auditions round averaged a 4.7 rating with adults 18-49 and 13.4 million viewers. In the key demographic, that's half of a point (or about 12 percent) north of the fall opener (4.2 adults).

For those anxious for American Idol comparisons, the number comes in 22 percent shy of the Fox series' January premiere. That pulled a 6.0 rating among adults 18-49. As for this week, however, The Voice seems very likely to outdo Idol. After two months back on the air, Idol pulled a 3.6 rating with adults 18-49 and 12.9 million viewers during last week's Wednesday performance episode.

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV's Returning Shows 2013-14 

NBC's other big return, Revolution, had a lengthy hiatus to combat. The freshman drama brought in a 2.7 rating with adults 18-49. That's two-tenths of a point south of its winter finale (2.9 adults) and a steeper drop from its handsome fall debut (4.1 adults). Revolution also came up 13 percent shy of its recent average. The network topped all other broadcast competition for the night, averaging a 4.0 with adults 18-49. It fell short of ABC in total viewers, however, with 11.3 million.

CBS aired originals of its Monday lineup, kicking the night off with season lows for How I Met Your Mother (2.7 adults) and Rules of Engagement (2.1 adults). The comedies were down a respective three- and two-tenths of a point. 2 Broke Girls (2.9 adults) was up a tenth, and Mike & Molly (2.6 adults) was up by two-tenths. Hawaii Five-0 (2.0 adults) shed a tenth, giving CBS an average 2.4 rating with adults 18-49 and 7.8 million viewers for the night.

Dancing With the Stars might be the biggest casualty of The Voice's return. The ABC competition fell a significant nine-tenths of a point, about 23 percent, from last week's premiere to a 2.3 rating among adults 18-49. But the veteran series still topped in total viewers with 14.1 million. Castle (2.1 adults) was off a tenth of a point from last week, giving ABC a nightly average of a 2.2 adults rating and 12.95 million viewers.

Bones(1.9 adults) and The Following (2.3 adults) were both down by two-tenths from their previous originals, giving Fox a nightly average of a 2.1 rating with adults 18-49 and 6.7 million viewers.

On The CW, The Carrie Diaries pulled a steady 0.4 rating with adults 18-49. The network averaged a 0.3 adults rating and 681,000 viewers.

Univision averaged a 1.5 rating with adults 18-49 and 3.7 million viewers.

View the original article here

Jay-Z ft Kanye West - Niggas In Paris

Lindsay Lohan in Bed With Charlie Sheen, Flaunts Cleavage and Lingerie in New Anger Management Photos

by Natalie Finn Tue., Mar. 26, 2013 4:16 PM PDT AKM-GSI

Anger Management has taken a turn for the Scary Movie 5.

As E! News first reported yesterday, Lindsay Lohan's guest appearance on pal Charlie Sheen's FX sitcom involves the May-December duo ending up in bed together.

And we've got photos!

See Lindsay kissing new boyfriend Avi Snow

Lohan plays a patient of Sheen's anger management counselor and—part of the therapy, we guess—they wind up getting intimate.

A source tells us that Lohan was the consummate professional, even showing up early for both days of shooting. She spent most of her time talking to Sheen and was generous with everyone she worked with, resulting in—it's nice to report—no complaints from the set.

And, judging by these pics of Lohan in cleavage-baring black lingerie and a shirtless Sheen, the costars cozied up to each other right away.

—Reporting by Michelle Falls

See exclusive pics of Charlie and Lindsay in bed

View the original article here

Adele - Someone Like You

David Letterman Presses Brian Williams to Comment on 'Tonight Show' Drama (Video)

 Brian Williams, left, and David Letterman

Brian Williams is remaining tightlipped when it comes to NBC’s reported inner turmoil involving its Today
and The Tonight Show.

David Letterman pushed the NBC anchor Tuesday to comment on reports that NBC is preparing to announce Jay Leno’s Tonight Show departure and that the network experienced even greater turmoil surrounding Ann Curry’s Today’s exit than previously thought, but Williams didn’t betray his thoughts on the subject.

As Letterman broached the subject, Williams played comically horrified that the sensitive topic was being brought up.

PHOTOS: The Most Talked-About TV News Faces

“Am I going to wake up in the shower?” Williams said on the Late Show.  “Please tell me I’m going to wake up and it’s going to be morning and I’m going to say ‘Hey! I’m doing Dave tonight and that was just a dream.’”

Letterman went on to give a muddled version of the Today shake-up, describing it as having “something to do with Ann Curry” and going on to speculate NBC was now stirring up drama with The Tonight Show to draw attention away from Today’s reported troubles.

“If I’m on to something, blink twice,” Letterman said.

Williams didn’t blink.

The Late Show airs at 11:35 p.m. on CBS.

View the original article here

Will.I.Am ft Britney Spears - Scream and Shout

The Anne Hathaway Debate Continues: Why Is She So Polarizing?

by Alyssa Toomey Tue., Mar. 26, 2013 3:59 PM PDT

Whether you love her or hate her, you at least have some opinion on Anne Hathaway. The Oscar-winning actress faced widespread discussion after the Academy Awards, and James Franco—who hosted the award show with Anne back in 2011—shared his take on the "hatha-haters" on Howard Stern's radio show.

On today's Live From E!, Ashlan Gorse, Ken Baker and Melanie Bromley discuss why public opinion on the actress is so polarizing and share their own individual thoughts on the talented star. 

James Franco talks Oscar hosting gig with Anne Hathaway

Also on the show, we discuss Lindsay Lohan's early arrival (no, seriously) to the Anger Management

set and Ken gives an update on the troubled star's well-being. 

Be sure to check us out every day at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT.

And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @LiveFromE and hit us up with your questions using the #LiveFromE hashtag.

Check out the best and worst moments from this year's Oscars

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SHOWBIZ: Competition heats up for Top 7 - New Straits Times

WHEN the four judges gave Lazaro Arbos the thumbs-down for his lacklustre performance, he was crest-fallen. Randy Jackson stuck in the knife and twisted it when he said: “Honestly for me, it was your worst performance ever.”

Randy’s candid but harsh remark blasted Lazaro’s heart to pieces.  When host Ryan Seacrest walked over to talk to him, Lazaro turned his face aside to hide his tears.

Across the world, viewers’ sympathy for Lazaro rose like a mighty biblical tide. So when Lazaro was the first to be saved, the producers probably found out that being cruel is definitely not the way to handle contestants with a physical handicap like Lazaro.

Paul Jolley was the second guy to bite the dust after Curtis Finch Jr. the previous week  — in the bottom three, together with Paul and Devin Velez, was Amber Holcomb.

Randy and Nicki Minaj were visibly upset that Amber was one of the three with the lowest number of votes. Before anyone demanded a recount, Amber was rescued and dropped back in the safe house.

If anyone had been keeping score, they would know that the Top 8 comprises five girls and three boys. It is become increasingly clear that this year is quickly turning out to be a season for the girls.

The five girls — in no particular order — are Amber Holcomb, Angie Miller, Candice Glover, Janelle Arthur and Kree Harrison.

Judging by the voting trend in recent weeks, two of the three boys, Devin Velez and Lazaro, are in danger of making an exit in the next two weeks. Only Burnell Taylor has a fighting chance.

Lazaro has, so far, defied the odds. It was obvious that Lazaro was not at his best during the Top 9 performance. Americans are inclined to root for the underdog and Lazaro right now is the most lovable.

When the Top 8 results were announced, Ryan told the whole world that Aubrey Cleland would be joining the Top 10 for their summer tour.

Charlie Askew had to call it a day even though I thought he was the better singer with an original, Sky Blue Diamond. Aubrey is what some people call “eye candy”. Welcome to the real world, folks, and it has nothing to do with fair-play.

I bet a lot of men in the US almost burnt their handphone circuits by casting their votes for Aubrey. That’s outrageous but good work, guys!

The contestants who stood head and shoulders above their peers in a crucial week were Amber, Angie Miller and Candice Glover.

Candice made it through easily with a pulsating, foot-stomping Come Together. It was a week of The Beatles’ big hits and she couldn’t have chosen a better song.  I too was up on my feet and swaying away on an imaginary dance floor.
 

Angie crooned her way to an enviable triumph with her own stylised version of Yesterday.  While Angie was putting her heart and soul into Yesterday, it was obvious that today the whole world loves her.

I was not familiar with She’s Coming Home even though it was a Beatles’ song but Amber sang it so well that I was completely sold. She continues to be that girl who is determined to make it to Top 3 and she has the support of Idol mentor Jimmy Iovine. My voice is probably lost amidst all that applause in the huge singing hall but my hand is raised up high for her too.

Kree Harrison is a strong contender for the Idol crown. With a Little Help From My Friends, she made it clear she isn’t going home just yet. My eyes tell me that Kree has lost a bit of weight since she made it to Top 10. There is nothing like a killer body to draw in the votes. Every bit helps, so they say.

If Devin Velez doesn’t want to make this his last week, he may have to move it up a notch and switch back to his winning formula of singing something in Spanish again. The Long And Winding Road was good for him but Devin needs to inject some oomph into his performance. This is television land and the sight of all the judges with a standing ovation helps in no small way to shift those vital extra votes in Devin’s direction.

Most of us know about Burnell Taylor’s family situation resulting from Hurricane Katrina but people’s memories are short. Burnell is a very talented young man but unless he comes up with a scorching performance, he may be swept away by the waters of discontent.

Like most people, I like Burnell too but frankly his voice is not magnificent. He needs to make the right song choice and make it four aces in a row if he wants to continue standing in the spotlight.

I was happy that Jessica Sanchez, last season’s runner-up, came to perform. She is beginning to reap the harvest after an astonishing year in her life.

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