Pop Culture Buzz

This last weeks installment of “Saturday Night Live” marked the return of skit queen Scarlett Johanssen. If you remember Scarlett appeared on SNL a year ago and filmed one of the best episodes in years. Each skit crackled with wit and left me in stitches. In this episode Johanssen delivered a perfect set of skits that took off where she left them. An added bonus to this episode was the debut performance of Bjork’s new material from her latest c.d. “Volta”. The energy and fun sound of this song is a great change from the ethereal sounds of her last two records.

This week it was announced that rap pioneer and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons wants the music industry to ban or label 3 words he considers “extreme curse words”. The 3 words in question are “bitch”, “ho” and “nigger” (I hate typing that word, eeewwwww!). I somewhat disagree with the idea that people should be censored, but agree that those epithets have no real value in music. I am on the fence with “ho” and “bitch”, but I am a guy, so who am I to say what it offensive to women? It seems that some people are trying to tell us what is offensive, when in reality we all have lines that we will not let people cross. How come these words illicit this reaction from the hip-hop community and media (granted the N word is the ugliest of slurs and I would never defend the use of it), what about the other words that are just as offensive?

These days you are allowed to call gay people a “faggot” (Anne Coulter, Isaiah Washington) without people asking for someone to be fired or without questioning by the media. You can call someone fat and make fat jokes, and people think it is funny (Donald Trump and Rosie O’donell). One of the most offensive words around, “retarded” is used so much without any regard for the handicapped it has now become o.k. to throw around in pop culture (The Black Eyed Peas song “Let’s Get Retarded”). I know many people who will not tolerate the use of that word because they have family that are handicapped. I for one detest people using the word “faggot” as a way to put someone down, but myself use it in jest. I think it is a slippery slope, if you say these 3 words are too offensive, then who is to say that other words are not just as offensive to them?

I understand what Russell Simmons is trying to say, but think that it is just bad timing coming right off of the heels of the Don Imus incident. I also think that the rap community is the sole reason why this “bitch” and “ho” culture has become so popular. Why hold other genres of music up to those standards? I think this movement to blacklist words in pop culture is futile. People will say what they will, they just need to think hard about how people interpret them. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that it’s not what you say half the time, but it’s how you say it!

I am excited for the upcoming summer music release schedule. Many of my favorite artists are putting out new material in the next few months. And with new music comes a fresh concert season. So far this year is looking to be a great year for music. With new music coming out from Daft Punk, Manu Chao, Annie, Kelly Clarkson, The Avalanches, Blur, Coldplay, Chemical Brothers, Moby, Portishead, The Postal Service, JC Chasez, Hard-Fi and more. The artists below have c.d.’s dropping within the next 4 weeks. I am excited to review them here on this blog. Check out the c.d. art for these artists below:

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT:

BJORK:

TORI AMOS:

TRAVIS:

PARIS BENNETT:

FEIST:

TIESTO:

Morrissey will undertake a 40-date tour of North America beginning April 27th of this year. Venue details and ticket prices will be announced within the next two weeks. Tickets for all concerts will go onsale on the same day. If he has mutiple shows scheduled in the San Francisco bay area I will buy a ticket for each one.

If you do not know about my fixation with Moz then you will soon see how big of a fan I truly am. Witnessing Morrissey in concert is the closest to a spiritual experience I have ever come to. I could easily faint, get kicked out for jumping on stage or be moved to tears….I have not decided yet. Of course I am kidding, kind of.

Worldwide pop star (except in the U.S.A.) Robbie Williams checked into a U.S. rehab center for prescription drug addiction. Robbie turned 33 this week as he entered rehab for a second time. The first time he entered rehab was in the 90’s for drug and alcohol abuse.

Robbie’s rep released a statement this week that said “Robbie Williams has today been admitted to a treatment center in America for his dependency on prescription drugs. There will be no further comment on this matter.”

From drug and alcohol addiction to anger management, Williams is the latest in a laundry list of stars to announce that they were seeking professional help. In the past few months, Lindsay Lohan, Miss USA Tara Conner, Mike Tyson and “Grey’s Anatomy’s” Isaiah Washington have all checked into rehab. As a hardcore fan I hope that Robbie feels better soon.

According to “The Sun Online” Robbie Williams is planning on coming to the U.S. to perform in Las Vegas. Apparently he has another swing album coming out this summer. His last swing inspired outing “Swing When You Are Winning” was a huge worlwide success and super fun. Robbies voice is perfect for this genre and style of music.

I have never seen Robbie perform live, and consider myself to be one of his biggest fans. I would drop everything to go see him and pay whatever it costs to hear him sing live. This would be the chance of an opportunity for any Williams fan. Just the thought of this concert actually happening has me spinning in euphoric frenzy.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS ARTICLE IN “THE SUN ONLINE” BELOW:

ROBBIE WILLIAMS will launch his swing album in August with a spectacular showcase gig in Las Vegas. The singer had vowed to take a year off after his punishing tour schedule in 2005.

But the disastrous performance of his experimental Rudebox album last year has forced him to make an early comeback to appease frustrated label bosses. It’s not a bad idea for the star to make the most of the huge success of Swing When You’re Winning. And Robbie in Vegas will be a ticket in massive demand.

Get ready America, Lily Allen is here and she will be making a huge splash here in the states very soon. She is sexy, cute, and talented. Her funky, breezy, hip hop pop is infectious. Her look is more relevant than Gwen Stefani’s tired sense of fashion these days and her debut c.d. is way better than anything Gwen has ever put out, seriously.

Good god I am so excited for Coachella this year. Last year definately had a much better line up. But I am really excited for the addition of a third day. Here is a list of some of the scheduled acts so far. Last year there were a lot of last minute additions like Madonna, so lets hope we see Morrissey added in there at some point. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gwen Stefani was added as well. So, here is a list of my favorites in order of how much I want to see them (the first being the most anitcipated).

1.) Bjork
2.) Lily Allen
3.) Manu Chao
4.) Regina Spektor
5.) Rufus Wainwright
6.) Travis
7.) Air
8.) Felix Da Housecat
9.) The Jesus And Mary Chain
10.) Faithless
11.) The Arcade Fire
12.) Tiesto
13.) Peaches
14.) Benny Benassi
15.) Brazilian Girls
16.) Paul Van Dyke
17.) Happy Mondays
18.) Willie Nelson
19.) Soulwax
20.) Infected Mushroom

Here is a clip a friend took of me at the Flaming Lips/Gnarls Barkley/Cat Power show the day before New Years Eve. I have many pics and a long story to add to this, but it is coming soon. So for now let me just tell you I was in the show with The Lips and Cee-Lo. I am dressed as the inflatable Santa dancing on stage. See if you spot me!

Record Of The Year
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer):

Be Without You
Mary J. Blige

You’re Beautiful
James Blunt

Not Ready To Make Nice
Dixie Chicks

Crazy
Gnarls Barkley

Put Your Records On
Corinne Bailey Rae

Album Of The Year
(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer):

Taking The Long Way
Dixie Chicks

St. Elsewhere
Gnarls Barkley

Continuum
John Mayer

Stadium Arcadium
Red Hot Chili Peppers

FutureSex/LoveSounds
Justin Timberlake

Song Of The Year
(A Songwriter(s) Award):

Be Without You
Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jason Perry, songwriters

Jesus, Take The Wheel
Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, songwriters

Not Ready To Make Nice
Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison & Dan Wilson, songwriters

Put Your Records On
John Beck, Steve Chrisanthou & Corinne Bailey Rae, songwriters

You’re Beautiful
James Blunt, songwriter

Best New Artist (The first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist):

James Blunt

Chris Brown

Imogen Heap

Corinne Bailey Rae

Carrie Underwood

Best Dance Recording
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances):

Suffer Well
Depeche Mode

Ooh La La
Goldfrapp

Get Together
Madonna

I’m With Stupid
Pet Shop Boys

Sexy Back
Justin Timberlake & Timbaland

Best Electronic/Dance Album
(For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only):

Supernature
Goldfrapp

Confessions On A Dance Floor
Madonna

A Lively Mind
Oakenfold

Fundamental
Pet Shop Boys

The Garden
Zero 7

Best Alternative Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental):

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
Arctic Monkeys

At War With The Mystics
The Flaming Lips

St. Elsewhere
Gnarls Barkley

Show Your Bones
Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The Eraser
Thom Yorke

So when this American Idol season 3 C.D. came out, I listened to this track EVERY morning, noon and night. This version of the Gladys Knight hit is chill inducing and lovely! I love Jennifer Hudson, always have. She deserved to win, she deserved to be bigger than that “Jesus Take The Wheel” bitch, thats for sure!

Fantasia won the year Jennifer was booted out early, actually she was up against Fantasia in the bottom 2 when she was voted off. And now Jennifer is getting Oscar buzz for “Dreamgirls”, now who is looking more like the winner?!

Check out here for yourself why she is getting Oscar raves. The interview after her performance on this clip with these douche bag news people, shows how down to earth she is. I love everything about her, especially since she will be rubbing Beyonce’s nose in her talent come awards season for her role in “Dreamgirls”. Ha Ha!

Fuck all of those Courtney Love haters, I love the shit out of her. I have seen her perform on heroin whacked out 2 months after Kurt Cobain died and I saw her clean and Hollywood ready when she toured with Marilyn Manson, and she always delivers the goods live!

Here Courtney Love is with Miss Linda Perry who has saved MANY pop stars careers; Pink, Britney, Christina Aguillera etc. by writing huge hits. That also looks like billy Corgan to Linda’s left, but I could be wrong. Then again the guy next to Courtney looks like Audioslaves Tom Morello, so don’t listen to me. This isn’t the best quality video, and they don’t sound perfect, but man do I wish I was at this show! Rock on girls!

Here are some fun links to some fun entertainment stories that at swirling around Hollywood at the moment:

“The Hobbit” - The web site below says that Sam Raimi is the perfect choice for making a possible “Hobbit” movie, and I agree! Now that Peter Jackson has vowed to not work with New Line Studios or MGM, Raimi is the next best choice. But is this a good idea at all? Those three movies are perfect in every way, is a fourth really needed? I am curious to say the least. Check out the link with the info below:

“THE HOBBIT” STORY HERE

“THE DA VINCI CODE” MOVIE PREQUEL - I liked the book, liked the movie and am now pretty tired of all the hoopla and controversy surrounding the whole premise. I enjoyed the movie mainly due to the performances and location shoots, but will Tom Hanks really be suckered into another one of these? I doubt it!

“THE DA VINCI CODE” PREQUEL NEWS STORY HERE

“COACHELLA” MUSIC FESTIVAL EXPANDS TO 3 DAYS! - This is the best news I have heard in days! I went to my first Coachella concert last year and was blown away by the venue, huge list of performers and the fun time I had camping there! I am so excited for this, I can’t explain it enough in words! WOO FUCKIN’ HOO!!!!

READ THE “COACHELLA” FESTIVAL STORY HERE

We all know about the drama surrounding The Dixie Chicks and the comments made by lead singer Natalie Maines. My good friend watched the new documentary in New York last week and gave it rave reviews. Ebert & Roeper give it two thumbs up, and these girls have talent coming out of the wazoo!

The Chicks have had a bumpy road so far with their new concert tour. In the past The Dixie Chicks would have had a #1 single, the #1 album and would be selling out concerts at the same time. But due to widespread ignorance and conservative thinking The Chicks have had to cut corners in order to maintain the need of rabid fans.

Apparently, there is a scene where The Chicks explain how they have had to sell tickets for more than what they used to in the past due to corporate sponsor pull outs. Normally a company like “Lipton” would sponsor the tour, and then they would turn around and charge reasonable ticket prices to the fans. Now with a HIGH demand still out there for The Dixie Chicks, as proven by the success and legs of their latest c.d. “Taking The Long Way”, they must charge an average of $100.00 per ticket for arena seating.

In light of all of this I have decided get on my high horse once more today and ask that people support The Dixie Chicks Tour and their upcoming movie! If you are not a fan, take a chance on their new c.d. you might be pleasantly surprised at the polished and mainstream sound they have created.

The Weinstein Company has moved back the release of “Shut Up & Sing�? by one week in many cities. The movie continues to play in LA and New York. It opens on Nov. 10 in Dallas, TX and will now open Nov 17 in these additional U.S. cities:

Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Nashville, Austin, Denver, San Diego, Indianapolis, San Antonio, Knoxville, Tampa, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Portland, Cleveland and Las Vegas

I’ve posted it here before, but here is the trailer one more time below! Look for my review of The Dixie Chicks concert that I will be attending this Friday night at The Oakland coliseum, here in the bay area.

Britney & K-Fed are divorcing! It is about time….if you listen very quietly you will hear a million “I told you so’s” being echoed across the planet. Maybe this is too little too late for Britney’s career. It’s reported that Federline may make out like a bandit in the divorce!

I’d hate to say it, but they both deserve this debacle. What a mess that marriage was! I hope she doesn’t think this means the public will forgive her! She has been dead to me ever since I saw pictures of her walking out of public restrooms with her bare feet!

The Los Angeles County Superior Court filing cites “irreconcilable differences”. Spears, 24, married rapper Kevin Federline, 28, in 2004. They have a 1-year-old son, Sean Preston, and an infant son who was born Sept. 12. The divorce papers identify the baby as Jayden James Federline.

The couple, who married in Sept. 2004, has an iron-clad prenup. Not surprisingly, Spears is waiving her right to spousal support. She’s also asking the judge to make each party pay their own attorney’s fees. Spears gives the date of separation as yesterday, the same day she flaunted her incredible revamped physique during a surprise appearance on David Letterman’s show (sorry, I don’t buy the publicity stunt). This is the second marriage for Spears, and hopefully the last for a while.

BELOW IS THE LETTERMAN CLIP AND SHE SURE LOOKS HAPPY AS HELL!