Category: American Music Awards
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 4:55 AMAMAs: Backstage laughs with Mr. Lambert
After the American Music Awards ended Sunday night, we all wanted one thing in the press room backstage: to talk to Adam Lambert.
Inquiring minds wanted to know what was with the simulated sex act, the tug of the lady's crotch ring, the misstep and the dude-on-dude kiss.
Seemingly aware of the anticipation, the PR woman backstage came and told us that Lambert wasn't coming to chat with us after all. Sorry, she said.
But fate is a funny thing. By moving snail slow and sticking around after to take pics, I ran smack dab into Lambert on the way out as he chatted up TV reporters. Score!
What was with the simulated sex act, we all asked?
"Everybody likes to have someone's face in their crotch," Lambert joked, refusing to elaborate or apologize.
Was that move intentional, we pondered? And what about the kiss and when you pulled that ring in between that lady dancer's legs?
"Yes and no," Lambert said. "It wasn't something we did in rehearsal but it was something we did in that moment. That's the thing about live performances. Those moments happen."
Wow. Now that's what I call brazen. I love it! Consider me a fan, Mr. Lambert. Non fans include the Parents Television Council, but that's no big surprise considering Lambert's actions.
On Tuesday, "Good Morning America" said the 27-year-old singer could not come on the show as planned, but Lambert reportedly said he didn't care.
What he does care about is ABC's decision to edit out his wilder moments. That includes the moment when he slipped and nearly fell.
"Live TV is just that and I wish ABC would've aired it the way it happened live," he said.
Category: American Music Awards
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 10:52 PMAMAs: Lady Gaga and Eminem got robbed and other funny tales
There is no good reason Lady Gaga shouldn't have won an American Music Award Sunday night.
Thankfully, when I spotted her backstage, she looked like she couldn't have cared less as she strutted around with a black pleather cape with Perez Hilton by her side.
But I feel for her and Eminem. They both should've won at least one trophy.
After the show ended, Will.I.Am came backstage and watched J.Lo fall over and over again on the monitor with us reporter types in the press room.
But the front man for the Black Eyed Peas applauded her for getting back up and dancing until the end.
"It's not if you fall, but how fast you get back up that matters," said Will.I.Am, who had thankfully taken off the crazy Elvis wig he'd worn earlier in the evening.
Category: American Music Awards
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 9:43 PMAMAs: Shakira shakes it up and Drake insults MJB
You gotta love live music and fans of the popular stuff are getting their fair share tonight at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
Highlights so far:
*Shakira shaking it up
*Gaga and the flaming piano
*Jay-Z and Alicia singing about New York
* Black Eyed Peas singing two hits
Lowlights so far:
*J-Lo slipping, falling AND coming out in a boxing get up
*Drake saying Mary J. Blige is his momma's favorite singer
* Will.I.Am's wig
*Rihanna's performance and hair
Category: American Music Awards
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 12:57 PMThe 'American Music Awards' is cool again
As a kid, "The American Music Awards" was right up there in coolness with the Grammys. But something happened along the way and the show fell off.
That's guaranteed to change when the 37th Annual American Music Awards air 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
Not only is the performance roster top notch -- Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Jay-Z, Shakira and more -- but the show will also mark the comeback of Whitney Houston, the late Michael Jackson and Rihanna.
I'll be there at Nokia Theatre blogging so please make sure you come back for all my funniest tales from backstage.
It should be a lot of fun!
Category: Television
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 2:09 PMThe Alphabet Network draws big names
ABC knows how to win a sweeps war.
This month, the network has pulled in some really big names to guest star on a number of its shows.
Last night, Oscar nominated actor Edward Norton made an appearance on one of the season's best new comedies, "Modern Family."
Not to be outdone, Elizabeth Banks of "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" fame also did a cameo on the show.
Nice work ABC.
But the fun isn't over. Look for a guest appearance from award winning actor James Franco when he pops up on "General Hospital" 3 p.m. ET Friday.
Category: Television
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 4:39 PM'Wipeout' contestant loses his life
Sadly, it was only a matter of time but ABC's obstacle-course show "Wipeout" has been accused of claiming a life.
Contestant and newlywed Tom Sparks died of a stroke last week after competing on the show.
His funeral was Wednesday.
Although producers ask that contestants reveal any pre-existing conditions, Sparks, 33, didn't list any.
After completing several challenges, Sparks complained of knee pain and shortness of breath and was taken to a Southern California hospital and he later died in surgery.
Category: Television
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 3:59 PMJudge Wapner is back
Look for the return of the man who started it all when Judge Joseph A. Wapner makes an appearance on "The People's Court" in honor of his 90th birthday today.
Wapner, who fathered the daytime court show genre back in 1981 and arguably reality TV, is also being given his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Judge Marilyn Milian now presides over the show's bench.
"The People's Court" airs locally at 10 a.m. and noon on WKBD-TV (Channel 50), Metro Detroit's CW affiliate.
Category: Television
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 3:28 PMABC cancels 'Hank' and 'Eastwick'
It seems like only yesterday I was telling some work associates that "Hank" was one of the most unoriginal shows on television.
Star Kelsey Grammer is playing another recylcled version of "Frasier," I argued, and it is the weakest link in ABC's Wednesday night comedy lineup.
Well, obviously others felt the same because Alphabet execs announced today that "Hank" is done. No word yet if and when they will air the final five episodes the show has in the can.
ABC has also pulled the plug on "Eastwick."
I actually like "Eastwick" but I often forgot about the show. That's the problem with airing Wednesday nights at 10, it's an easy to overlook timeslot.
All of the show's 13 episodes are supposed to air, and looking at the calendar, "Eastwick" could easily come to an end by the end of the year.
Category: Television
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 2:54 PM'Mad Men' finale was first rate
Wow.
That's the best word for how I felt after watching the season-three finale of "Mad Men" earlier this week.
Brilliant and believable, the scribes and the actors brought the season to a wonderful end.
Like a modernized "Great Gatsby," we saw Betty leave Don for a man with more money and power and Don and his ad men colleagues strike out on their own.
The finale was so good that it almost felt like a series finale. Thankfully it's not.
I can't wait for season four next year to find out what happens next. Hopefully then we'll get Sal back too.
Category: Television
Posted by Mekeisha Madden Toby (The Detroit News) on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 6:26 PMPlaytime is over for 'Dollhouse'
Well, it seems the rumors are true.
After bringing back the Joss Whedon drama for a second and unexpected season, Fox is indeed cancelling "Dollhouse," a source close to the show confirmed.
All signs pointed to the end when the last episode -- boy was that a good one all about Sierra's past -- aired just before Halloween and the announcer said something like "look for the final episodes in December."
Final? Wow. But we fans all hoped against hope that we'd heard wrong.
Now it looks like the final episodes will begin airing 8 p.m. Dec. 4, with back-to-back installments each week. The series finale will air Jan. 22.
In case you haven't been watching (and the low ratings suggest that you haven't, don't they?), the show stars Eliza Dushku and follows a group of beautiful but brainwashed women and men who play roles for hire based on the computer personalities implanted in their brains.
"I'm extremely proud of the people I've worked with: my star, my staff, my cast, my crew," Whedon said on his Web site, Whedonesque.com. "I feel the show is getting better pretty much every week, and I think you'll agree in the coming months. I'm grateful that we got to put it on, and then come back and put it on again.
"I'm off to pursue Internet ventures/binge drinking."
