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Peas' Benefit to Be DVD Timblerlake, James Brown, Maroon 5 lend their pipes to tsunami relief The Black Eyed Peas plan to bring their star-studded tsunami
relief benefit to DVD. "Everything that we do today is being
documented by eight high-definition cameras," the Peas' Will.I.Am
said backstage at Los Angeles' Avalon Friday, two nights before
the Grammys. The DVD -- which, like the concert, will benefit tsunami relief
-- is slated to be the first release from the new Will.I.Am Music
Group. "This will also be the first record that we don't
make any money off of," Will.I.Am said, laughing. "It's
all good though."
Grammy Moments You Didn't See The Black Eyed Peas gave the media a bit of news about their
upcoming album, telling reporters that they are trying to complete
a song with Justin Timberlake and producer Timbaland called
"Monkey Business," which Will.I.Am described as "funky
fresh."
Jamie Foxx, Diana Ross Rock Clive Davis' Annual Party Imagine a dinner party where R&B divas Janet Jackson, Diana Ross and Mary J. Blige each commanded tables side by side. Elsewhere in the room, Oscar nominee Morgan Freeman, Robin Williams and Sharon Stone each had the attention of their own circles of eight, while rock legends Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and all of Earth, Wind & Fire were busy accepting kudos and signing autographs. I think Vanity Fair's Graydon Carter would trade a truckload of his most beloved cigarettes to get that kind of action on Oscar night. Clive Davis only had to wave his magic wand last night for his annual pre-Grammy bash at the Beverly Hills Hotel and it all came true. Among the things for which Davis is famous in the music industry is topping himself with this event, and last night he did not disappoint — even as the Beverly Hills fire marshal was about to have a stroke when he saw so many famous, black-tied folks sucking in their guts so they'd fit into the ballroom. Of course, the irony is that Davis is the head of BMG Music North America, which encompasses his own J Records, and RCA and Jive Records. Ironically, though, BMG is merged with the company that Davis commanded during the late '60s and early '70s, Sony Music (formerly Columbia Records), before he left in 1974 to start Arista. The result is that his introduction was made last night by Sony Music chief Andy Lack, who called Davis "the greatest star of them all," which Sony Entertainment head Sir Howard Stringer applauded enthusiastically. It was a sweet moment that Davis, 73, must still be savoring. All over the room were stars of varying degrees and legend. From the record industry: Quincy Jones, Ahmet Ertegun, Joe Smith and Mo Ostin. From the hip-hop world: Mos Def, Jay Z, Beyonce, Nelly and Jermaine Dupri. From rock: The Foo Fighters, Rob Thomas, John Mayer, Slash, Gavin DeGraw and Sheryl Crow (with boyfriend Lance Armstrong). From the media world: Les Moonves and Julie Chen, Jackie Collins, Grammy producer Pierre Cossette and his classy, beautiful wife, Mary, as well as Larry King and his wife, Shawn. From music in general: Chaka Khan, the Backstreet Boys, J.C. Chasez of 'N Sync, Kid Rock, Anthony Hamilton, Peter Asher, David Foster and a late-arriving, early leaving, Mona Lisa-smiling Prince. (Prince had good reason to exit "early," though: He was hosting his own middle-of-the-night show and party up in the Hollywood Hills, the first of many this week, according to friends.) Did I mention newlyweds Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey with Jessica's dad, Joe? Or Ross with all six of her kids; plus Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds; Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe; Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick; Sally Kellerman; Evander Holyfield; Sugar Ray Leonard; "Rush Hour" star Chris Tucker; and director Brett Ratner (who brought his grandmother as his date)? Even the unlikely Steven Seagal showed up, as did "American Idol"-ators Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest; uber-producers Richard Perry and Phil Ramone; plus all the people who hopped on the stage to perform after dinner: Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Fantasia, Usher, Gretchen Wilson, Maroon 5 and the aforementioned Kahn. Yes, even as you read this, Carter is firing someone on his staff. Not since his more-revered predecessor, Irving "Swifty" Lazar, threw his celebrity orgies at the old Spago has anyone assembled a group like this in one place. And the funny thing is, I've left out dozens more. I've no doubt their names will turn up elsewhere. Oh, right, Graydon, how about the biggest star of the upcoming Academy Awards, Jamie Foxx? Davis presented Foxx at his party last year, then signed him to a recording contract. Last night Foxx returned and performed "Love Changes" with Blige, plus an extended comedic rap, soul and straight-on singing number (Ray Charles "I Got a Woman") with Babyface that put this ordinarily jaded audience in the palm of his hand. And, yes, let me tell you, the schmoozing took so long that four hours passed between the start of cocktails and the beginning of the "concert" part of the evening. Some of my favorite moments: John Mayer playing air guitar for Kevin Bacon while they discussed music; the oft-confused Dupri and Anthony Hamilton, each wearing hats, hugging and posing for pictures; Keys' mom, Terri, showing off her own beautiful voice; Jay Z chatting up his whole entourage during Usher's performance of the ballad "A Song for You"; and Kid Rock huddling with Ahmet and Mica Ertegun at dinner. Rock — aka Bob Ritchie — is full of bon mots. He told me: "I ran into Bruce Willis last night at a bar. I told him, 'You stop making music and I won't make any movies.' He was pissed, but he understood." About the huge number of people the fire marshal was trying to seat before the show began: "There are a lot of half-stars here. Some of these people have only sold 4 million records. I had to wait until I sold 20 million." And what of the music? Keys turned Santana's "Black Magic Woman" into a smoldering first-person jam with Santana himself leading the band right into "Oye Como Va." Keys also wowed the crowd with her Grammy-nominated best song, "If I Ain't Got You," after beating yours truly in Marvin Gaye song trivia. Keys continues to be the most important pop artist of her generation, tantalizing audiences with bravura performances and setting the stage at age 24 with an even more enormous career to come. "American Idol" winner Fantasia was the revelation of the night, continuing to outdo the vets (Khan, Ross) she's paired with and even herself; she's going to be bigger than she knows. And, of course, Ross, who feigned surprise when she was called to the stage for a big finale of Supremes songs, then reluctantly joined in and showed off her legendary still-perfect voice. More tomorrow, after that other show. What's it called? Oh, yes,
the Grammys.
TSUNAMI AID: Denise Rich producing charity song; will.i.am
hosts all-star concert. *Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Wyclef Jean and Patti LaBelle are among the artists scheduled to participate in a new benefit single for the victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami. Songwriter Denise Rich and actress Sharon Stone are producing and co-writing the single, which will also feature Lionel Richie, Mya, JoJo, Gavin DeGraw, Brian McKnight, Kelly Price, Lindsay Lohan, Peter Gabriel and Paulina Rubio. Rich wrote Mandy Moore's hit "Candy" and the Grammy-nominated "Don't Waste Your Time," recorded by Aretha Franklin. Rich and Stone plan to establish a foundation for tsunami victims. *Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am hosted a hastily-arranged concert
at the Avalon in Hollywood to launch his new I.Am.Music record
label, as well as to raise money for tsunami relief efforts. John
Legend performed his hit single “Ordinary People,” Herbie
Hancock and Carlos Santana did a rendition of Hancock’s “Watermelon
Man” and “Rockit,” and Macy Gray, one of the first
artists to sign on to I.Am.Music, reworked her 2000 breakout hit
"I Try" into a reggae groove that morphed into Bob Marley’s
"No Woman, No Cry." Earth, Wind & Fire followed
with a set, featuring guests Floetry; then Justin Timberlake
took the stage for a spirited "Senorita." Floetry and
Peas gal Fergie joined Timberlake for a few songs, as well as
surprise guest Adam Levine of Maroon 5, who threw in a little
of his band’s “This Love” during Justin’s
set. James Brown, Pink, india.arie and Nikka Costa also performed.
The finale featured the Peas and Timberlake singing their combined
studio effort, "Where is the Love?"
Howe Denim Launches "Indie Executive" Collection
for Fall 2005 Jade Howe Upgrades Men's Style and "Metrosexual" Concept
by Creating Luxurious Rock 'n' Roll Looks for the Fashionable
Entrepreneur Designer Jade Howe's new relaxed executive line caters to a fast-growing new market of entrepreneurial men -- independent, artistic, globally minded, fashion-aware -- by providing premium denim, blazers, wovens, accessories, tailored details, and fierce graphics with a tasteful edge. Howe, who pioneered the English-Country-Gentleman-Rockstar look now claims to have a more masculine, sophisticated answer to, 'metrosexual' and the limitations of the much-used term. "Metrosexual describes what he does, but 'Indie Executive' describes who he is and defines Howe's customer -- the fact that he is independent is key," says Howe. Howe also sees men beginning to take more interest in their clothing and style, and feels with the Indie Executive concept and his recently opened lifestyle tailoring shop, 'Howe Homme,' not only has he created a language but an environment in which to help men define their personal style. "The Indie Executive Collection is a great opportunity to expand the reach of the Howe brand and to continue my personal mission to upgrade how men dress," adds Howe. About Howe: Jade Howe created his eponymous collection of premium denim jeans,
sophisticated printed wovens, tailored blazers, and sweaters,
with the goal of, "upgrading the way men dress," back
in 2001. The Howe collection is a blend of slim-fit denim, fierce
graphics, and maintains a cutting edge, luxurious aesthetic that
signals, "English-Country-Gentleman-Rockstar." The brand
is a favorite of fashion-forward media personalities including
Coldplay, Mars Volta, Jesse Metcalfe (Desperate Housewives), Tony
Hawk, Queens of The Stone Age, Hoobastank, Radiohead, Steven Tyler,
Pharell Williams (N.E.R.D.), Usher, LinkinPark, Orgy, and Justin
Timberlake. The brand can be found in trendsetting shops such
as Fred Segal, Kitson, Black & Blue, Metropark, and Madison.
In November 2004, Howe opened its first free-standing retail concept,
Howe Homme. Howe Denim is a division of Blitz Distribution, located
in Huntington Beach, CA.
Meet JC Chasez, singer and actor TFK Kid Reporter Brandon talks to former 'NSNYC star JC Chasez about his role in 'A Scooby-Doo Valentine' What more could you want from a Valentine's Day TV special than love, mystery, suspense, and....Scooby Doo? 'A Scooby Doo Valentine,' has all that and former 'NSYNC star JC Chasez making an animated appearance as himself! Chasez plays the new boyfriend of Shaggy's ex-girlfriend and stars with the old Scooby Gang, including Velma, Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, and of course, Scooby Doo. 'A Scooby Doo Valentine,' premieres Friday night on The WB. TFK: What do you think of your character? Does the artist’s
drawing resemble you? TFK: Were you a Scooby Doo fan growing up? TFK: Did you enjoy doing this part? And would you consider doing
a voiceover again? TFK: If you could choose, who would be your favorite character
to supply the voice for? TFK: What other projects are you working on? TFK: When can your fans expect your new single to be released?
TFK: Why do you think your music connects with kids? TFK: Do you still hang out with any of the members from the N’SYNC
band? TFK: Do you still participate in the annual N’SYNC Charity
for the Children fundraiser? TFK: How can celebrities help the community and give to others?
Peas, Timberlake And James Brown Get Funky For Tsunami Relief
HOLLYWOOD — There was no questioning where the love was Friday night as star-studded functions leading up to Sunday's Grammy Awards continued around Los Angeles. Artists such as the legendary James Brown, Justin Timberlake, Pink, Carlos Santana and the Black Eyed Peas came together for a old-fashioned jam session at the Avalon Hollywood nightclub. Half tsunami-relief concert, half party to celebrate the launch of the Peas member Will.I.Am's new label, I.Am.Music, the show started off with enough energy to light up Times Square for weeks and ended with an even more electric charge. The Peas kicked the night off with extended renditions of their hits "Let's Get It Started" and "Hey Mama," incorporating back flips, jumps, clown dancing and improv singing to keep the audience's interest piqued. When the Peas exited, Will, who also held down hosting duties, introduced John Legend. "Some cats can't sing, but he's the real McCoy/ Know he's going to give you something you can enjoy," Will freestyled. Legend slowed the pace with another he-got-skillz display at the piano and mic, bolstering Will's claims by belting out "Ordinary People," a song he co-wrote with the Peas frontman. The new school then made way for legends as Herbie Hancock came out to replace Legend on the piano for a short set with the house band. Hancock then played the ultimate game of name-drop when he told the crowd he wanted to introduce a friend of his, Carlos Santana. Immediately Santana's guitar licks consumed the room as he added onto a funk groove that Herbie and the band were playing. Will, standing in the sonic epicenter, expressed his approval by scrunching his face as though he smelled a dirty diaper. Hancock then took all the way back to the days when MTV was just an infant, performing "Rockit" while jumping from piano to keyboard and then back to piano, giving his classic a jazzy tinge. Santana and Hancock later handed the reins over to Macy Gray for a brief spell before the spotlight was passed to the combination of Floetry and Earth, Wind & Fire. The two groups formed one harmonious whirlwind and collaborated on the latter's "Shining Star." Later, with Will.I.Am once again the only person holding a mic, the dreadlocked music man began beatboxing and Justin Timberlake casually walked out, bobbing his head. With the drummer banging his sticks to assists Will's b-boy soundscape, J.T. sat at the keyboard and started a call-and-response with the crowd. "Say 'Woo, woo!' " Timberlake told them as he began playing. "Say 'Oh la, oh la aaayyy!' " "Señorita" followed, and as the record closed out, the Peas' Fergie and Floetry came out to sing the ladies' part of track's call-and-response. "It feels like something's heating up/ Can I leave with you?" J.T. told the fellas to sing. His female peers had their own lyrics for the honeys in the audience. "I don't know, but I'm thinking 'bout/ Really leaving with you," they sang. That was just the start of Timberlake's show-stealing collaborations. Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine came out, and he and Justin shared center stage and lines on "This Love." Once the stage cleared again, Will began repeating, "Ain't it funky," foreshadowing the arrival of James Brown — but not until after Raphael Saadiq came out to play some bass. "You ain't never gonna see nothing like this again in your life!" one audience member excitedly told his friend, sounding a bit like Chris Tucker on helium. "Come here, sister ... Papa's in the swing," Brown began singing before pushing the mic stand almost to the ground, spinning around and then bringing it back up in mere milliseconds. "He ain't too hip about that new breed, babe/ He ain't no drag/ Papa's got a brand new bag." Then Timberlake re-emerged and traded lines with the Godfather of Soul. "Come here, mama, and dig this crazy scene/ He's not too fancy but his line is pretty clean/ He ain't no drag/ Papa's got a brand new bag." "You gotta rock with the funk, if you wanna have a good time," Brown began singing shortly after. "You gotta shake with the funk if you wanna have a good time." The concert closed out with a stream of singers heading back to the stage — Floetry, the Peas, John Legend, Musiq, Nikka Costa, Pink and India.Arie, who started a cipher of melody. "Old pirates, yes, they rob I/ Sold I to the merchant ships," she sang. "Minutes after they took I/ From the bottomless pit/ But my hand was made strong/ By the hand of The Almighty." Pretty soon, each of the singers was adding their flavor to Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." "Won't you help to sing/ These songs of freedom?" the
collective sang in unison with the audience. " 'Cause all
I ever have/ Redemption songs/ Redemption songs."
Last Chance for Teens to Sign Petition to Save Music Education - February 25 is Last Chance to Join Justin Timberlake,
Nick Lachey, Amber CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- A national online
petition drive
Justin John Sir Elton John is lining up Justin Timberlake to play him in a new movie about his life. The flamboyant star has struck a deal with Disney to make a biopic charting his meteoric rise from his humble beginnings as Reg Dwight through to becoming one the world's biggest stars. Elton, 57, admits he is desperate for the pop heartthrob, who previously played him in the music video for his track 'This Train Don't Stop There Any More', to star in the biopic. He said: "We're making a film with Disney about my life. They'll need about three different people to play me at various stages. Hopefully Justin will be one of them, because he did so well in the video." A host of Elton's celebrity friends are also expected to film cameos for the as yet untitled film, including Liz Hurley, Catherine Zeta-Jones and her husband Michael Douglas. Meanwhile, Elton has revealed he is waiting for a change in British law to wed lover David Furnish. The 57-year-old singer, who has been with David for 11 years,
says he is desperate to marry his partner but wants it to be at
a legitimate ceremony in the UK so his boyfriend has legal rights
over his fortune.
With No Fanfare The good ol’ days All is kind of quiet on the pop music front. Remember the boy band craze? Those were fun days. Not just the boy bands like N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys, but Britney and Christina, and, oddly enough, Eminem. He kind of balanced out the whole equation, MTV’s way of saying they were sorry. Now music is pretty boring. Even Eminem is boring. I mean, I don’t miss the music (god no), but where’s the scandal, the rivalries, the staged mayhem of it all? They should all take a cue from Michael Jackson – he’s been at this for almost 40 years now and just look at how he still controls the camera. The lengths to which he’s gone are a little extreme, but hey, it’s worked — the guy’s a pro. Joey Fatone and the rest could learn a thing or two from him. And now we’ve finally got all these new and accessible MP3
players that are designed for random, shuffled music — but
nothing to play on them! Those crappy, throwaway singles all those
acts used to make were made for the iPod age! Now we have to settle
for Ashlee Simpson and Yellow Card? And why — of all those
trashy “musicians” from the turn of the century —
is J. Lo the only one who seems to have survived?
Alex G on Ringyringy.com and MusicFreedom Alex G Here givin an update on 2 things, music freedom and RingyRingy.com www.ringyringy.com has been redone to V2.0, now you don't need
a credit card (The charge goes right on your phone bill, Unlike
jamster it doesnt keep charging you 8 bucks a month until you
quit their service) and we support worldwide phones and carriers.
Only bad news is Sprint users still have to pay by credit card
(bastards!). Until we intergrate credit card and phone bill billing
you will not see sprint suported until Tuesday. On to the second "Music Freedom v2.0 (Coming Soon)"
Be Good! Alex G Alex Again here. Sorry for the scare! Alex G
Alex G
MTV Cooks Up Another Season Of The Sunday Stew Premiering Sunday, March 6th Featuring The New Series "Damage Control," Plus Returning Favorites "Punk'd," "Pimp My Ride" & "Viva La Bam" MTV Cooks Up Another Season Of The Sunday Stew Premiering Sunday, March 6th Featuring The New Series "Damage Control," Plus Returning Favorites "Punk'd," "Pimp My Ride" & "Viva La Bam" New York, NY (February 10, 2005) – MTV’s popular Sunday Stew line-up will return on March 6th with an all-new fourth season featuring a recipe of returning favorites including “Pimp My Ride” at 9pm ET/PT, “Punk’d” at 10pm ET/PT, and “Viva La Bam” at 10:30pm ET/PT, along with the series debut of “Damage Control” at 9:30pm ET/PT. The Sunday Stew continues to be one of MTV’s most successful destinations, especially among young male viewers. Last season, the Sunday Stew block was the most watched in its time period (Sun 9-10:30p) among males 12-17 versus all of television, even out-delivering broadcast. In addition, the Sunday Stew block ranked number one in its time period among P12-24 versus all cable programming reaching 30.5 million viewers. As part of the new Sunday Stew line-up, MTV will debut “Damage Control,” wherein one all-American teenager is left home alone for the weekend while MTV’s hidden cameras follow every move. Faced with compromising situations thanks to the Damage Control team of actors, the parents watch from next door with host, and Simple Plan lead singer, Pierre Bouvier, trying to guess just what their son or daughter might do next. When guest star/rapper Fat Joe stops by and offers to buy the family’s house, will the subject of the prank sign the deal – without checking with his parents first? Will another subject star in a local politician’s commercials after finding out that the politician isn’t quite the upstanding citizen he appears to be? With cash at stake, how well do these parents know their kids, and how honest will these teenagers be with their parents when the parents return home. Guest stars include Vanilla Ice, Kelly Clarkson, Hulk Hogan, Vanessa Carlton, Omarion, J.C Chasez, Rob Schneider, Wee Man, T.I., the band Simple Plan, and many more. After another unforgettable season of turning less-than-luxurious rides into pimped out masterpieces with “Pimp My Ride,” MTV will head back into the garage with rapper and car enthusiast Xzibit and the guys from West Coast Customs to make the dreams of a few young automotively-challenged fans come true. Ashton Kutcher will also return to host another season of “Punk’d” as he once again takes aim on his hapless celebrity friends with more over-the-top pranks. Finally, also returning are the antics of skateboarding pro and former “Jackass” star Bam Margera as he lives at home and wreaks havoc on his unsuspecting friends and family in a new season of “Viva La Bam.” For complete information on all of MTV’s Sunday Stew line-up including behind the scenes footage, pictures, games, cast information and more, visit www.MTV.com. MTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming
services MTV: Music Television, MTV2, mtvU, Nickelodeon/Nick at
Nite, TV Land, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, and Spike TV,
as well as The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a package of thirteen
digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks.
MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing
agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be
seen worldwide.
Mario's Valentine: 'Love' Still Rules U.S. Charts LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Romance is in the air as Valentine's Day approaches, with Mario's "Let Me Love You" ruling the U.S. pop singles chart for an eighth straight week. His play to capture the heart of an unappreciated woman in a bad relationship led Ciara's "1, 2 Step" featuring Missy Elliott, which was No. 2 on the Hot 100 for a seventh week. Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" inched closer to the Hot 100 summit by rising one place to No. 3. "Boulevard" was also immovable on Billboard's airplay-based rock charts, staking its claim at No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks list for a seventh week and an 11th atop the Modern Rock Tracks tally. Back on the Hot 100, albums chart-topper the Game's "How We Do" featuring 50 Cent was two rungs higher at No. 4, as was 50 Cent's "Disco Inferno" at No. 5. 50 Cent's "Candy Shop" featuring Olivia rocketed 22 places to No. 8. Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz's "Lovers and Friends" featuring Usher and Ludacris slipped one place to No. 6, while Destiny's Child's "Soldier" tumbled four to No. 7. Rounding out the top 10, Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" stayed at No. 9 for a second week and Snoop Dogg's "Drop It Like It's Hot" featuring Pharrell dropped two to No. 10. Rob Thomas' "Lonely No More" was the Hot 100's top debut at No. 78. The cut is drawn from the matchbox twenty frontman's solo debut "...Something To Be," due April 26 via Atlantic. Also debuting this week were Snoop Dogg's "Signs"
featuring Charlie Wilson and Justin Timberlake (No. 83), Jo Dee
Messina's "My Give a Damn's Busted" (No. 91), Bowling
For Soup's "Almost" (No. 95), Ben Folds' "Landed"
(No. 97) and Jamie O'Neal's "Trying To Find Atlantis"
(No. 98).
Justin Timberlake to play Elton? Sir Elton John is lining up Justin Timberlake to play him in a new £20 million movie about his life. The flamboyant rocker has struck a deal with Disney to make a biopic charting his meteoric rise from his humble beginnings as Reg Dwight through to becoming one the world's biggest stars. Elton, 57, admits he is desperate for the pop heartthrob, who previously played him in the music video for his track 'This Train Don't Stop There Any More, to star in the biopic. He said: "We're making a film with Disney about my life. They'll need about three different people to play me at various stages. Hopefully Justin will be one of them, because he did so well in one of my videos." A host of Elton's celebrity friends are also expected to film
cameos for the as yet untitled film, including Liz Hurley, Catherine
Zeta-Jones and her husband Michael Douglas. Meanwhile, Elton has
revealed he is waiting for a change in British law to wed lover
David Furnish. The 57-yeard-old singer, who has been with David
for 11 years, says he is desperate to marry his partner but wants
it to be at a legitimate ceremony in the UK so his boyfriend has
legal rights over his fortune. He said: "We should have the
same rights as heterosexual people who are married. There's a
civil union coming in Britain which will let us pledge our lives
to each other."
New York fashion shows run the gamut of over-the-top styles New York · A few weeks ago Andre Leon Talley's name was a headline for guiding Melania Knauss-Trump toward a grandiose Dior wedding gown and then splaying that gown all over the cover of Vogue magazine a week before the Palm Beach ceremony. But Saturday night -- at the beginning of New York's fashion week for the fall 2005 season -- the editor-at-large couldn't get into the Baby Phat show in the Ace Gallery. Citing fire code violations, the security staff halted all access -- after, of course, Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Ashley Olsen, Paula Abdul, JC Chasez, Shannen Doherty and Tori Spelling took their front-row seats. And then -- adding insult to injury -- the security parted like the Red Sea to make way for Usher, sending the paparazzi out front into a flashing feeding frenzy that seemed to go on and on. And let it be said of Mr. Usher: He wears the spotlight well. The clothes? Who really cares? As Talley tartly told Women's Wear Daily (before seeking refuge in Zac Posen's nearby studio): "It was out of control. It's just not about the clothes anymore, it's all about a party now." By the way, Baby Phat designer Kimora Lee Simmons took Bond girls as her theme for fall 2005, which somehow translated the glam characters in the spy movie franchise into oh-my-goodness miniskirts, cleavage-baring tops and deadly pantsuits. Of course this is Baby Phat and this is most definitely Kimora Lee, so there were also mesh hot pants and patent leather bikinis worn under fur coats while the DJ "worked" the James Bond theme song. We should care about some designers, however. There are those on Seventh Avenue who can accurately forecast the future of fall fashion. For monied dandies, that person is Douglas Hannant, whose menswear line is every bit as luxe as his women's collection. On Friday he showed his sophomore collection of menswear to a group of press, buyers and clients in a private midtown club called Frederick's. Like Simmons, Hannant doesn't exactly hold back on the over-the-top-ness. "If it's understatement you want, I'm not your guy," Hannant said while nodding toward a tableau of male models wearing velvet tuxedos, brown and orange three-piece pinstriped suits, mink peacoats and cashmere sport coats. Not everyone will snap up what Hannant's Park Avenue clientele does, but the luxe look is shaping up to be a major trend at the shows, even among designers at a more accessible price point. At the Ellen Tracy showroom, a bronze suit was shown in a basket-weave silk, and cashmere was everywhere from crocheted tops to slip dresses. The eveningwear had a particular burnished patina to it that looked ... well, it must be said plainly and simply ... very rich without being ornate. Are you listening Melania? Not so with another fave rave of the seriously trust-funded, Zang Toi. His show notes said the designer was inspired by silver screen goddesses such as Dietrich, Hepburn and Kelly, with more than a nod toward Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett (all customers of Toi), and that was all fine with his beaded tweed suits, cashmere cardigans, satin organza skirts and lace miniskirts. But mink seaming on taffeta skirts and beaded peacock feathered gowns and dresses seemed excessive at best. How much can one woman dress up ... and not be in an actual movie? Seriously, are you listening Melania? Carolina Herrera's eveningwear also had that old Hollywood/new couture look to it. The designer got the work-it week off to a good start Monday morning with a taut show of classy tweed skirt suits, herringbone pants with cashmere twin sets and dresses with trumpet hems that fluted out at the knee, a look that's far younger and less severe than this past fall's big hit: the pencil skirt. By fluting her skirts, Herrera can more gently evoke the silhouettes
of the '40s as designers did a year ago. That was a simpler, happier
time -- when Andre Leon Talley actually got into the fall 2004
Baby Phat show.
EZ Scores Delivers Big at Super Bowl ... With Huge Giveaway and Co-Sponsorship With Hawaiian Tropic and Corporate Sport With Corporate Sport and Hawaiian Tropic already using EZ Scores
to
CHASEZ SCOOBY DOO ROLE JC CHASEZ will appear in a special Valentine's Day (14FEB05) episode of WHAT'S NEW SCOOBY DOO? - and he is far more impressed with his new animated incarnation than his cartoon form in THE SIMPSONS. The 'N SYNC star made an appearance on a 2001 episode of MATT GROENING's hit comedy - but he was disappointed with the work of the hit show's animators. But Chasez found the Scooby Doo experience a far more satisfying and enjoyable one. The 28-year-old says, "I've seen it The Simpsons way and I have to say, the Scooby Doo way was animated a little bit better. They did a better job. It was really cool. On The Simpsons, you end up looking like a cousin of the Simpsons. "I loved the cartoon as a kid. My favourite character is SHAGGY, which is pretty funny, because in the story, him and I beef a little bit. I thought, 'That's fun. I get to play an enemy to probably my favourite character.' "It's pretty hilarious to see how people act in front of
the microphones while they're doing these voices, because you
have to create characteristics just through your voice. In order
to exaggerate your vocal even more, you exaggerate your actions
more as well, so people look pretty funny."
Jay-Z, Justin, No Doubt, Linkin, Blink, Peas To Play Tsunami
Benefits In California In the six weeks since tsunamis ravaged the coastlines of Southeast Asia and East Africa, governments and global organizations have pledged almost $4 billion in aid. The music community has been equally up to the task, organizing charity singles, nationwide telethons and benefit concerts — and yet again, an A-list group of musicians is answering the call, this time for two benefit concerts in southern California. Linkin Park, Jay-Z, Blink-182, No Doubt, Ozzy Osbourne and Jurassic 5 are among the artists confirmed for Music for Relief's Concert for South Asia, to be held at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California, on February 18. All proceeds from the concert will benefit Music for Relief: Rebuilding Southeast Asia, the organization formed in part by Linkin Park (see "Linkin Park Establish Charity To Help Tsunami Victims") that has raised more than $1.5 million for victims of the tsunamis. "When we started Music for Relief, we hoped to mobilize artists and fans to contribute to the massive relief effort in South Asia," Linkin Park guitarist Brad Delson said in a statement. "Due to the incredible support and generosity of so many of our peers and supporters within the music community, Music for Relief has played a vital role in helping get aid to people who most need it. "We are deeply honored to participate in what will likely be our biggest event to date, Music for Relief: Rebuilding Southeast Asia," he continued. "With so many amazing artists on one bill, we expect this concert to be incredibly powerful in its ability to raise both money and awareness for the long-term rebuilding effort we must all support." Tickets for the concert are set to go on sale Friday, with a special pre-sale promotion scheduled to air Wednesday on Los Angeles radio station KROQ-FM. Organizers hope the concert will raise more than $1 million for tsunami relief. "A disaster of this magnitude that affects so many people forces you to ask yourself, 'What can I do to help?' " No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal said in a statement. "We were compelled by that question to come together for this show and do what we do best to make the most impact in both dollars and awareness. We are looking forward to giving the fans a great show, and in return, needed funds that will head to South Asia to rebuild the broken communities of our brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe." On Friday, Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and his new label, Will.I.Am Music Group, will host a tsunami-benefit concert at the Avalon in Los Angeles. The show will feature performances and a jam session by the Peas, Justin Timberlake, James Brown, John Legend, Macy Gray, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Earth, Wind & Fire and others. The event will also consist of an online auction, via eBay, where fans can bid on VIP tickets to the event as well as celebrity-donated items. All the proceeds from the event will go to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support tsunami-relief efforts. To find out more about how you can help, see "Tsunami
Relief: What You Can Do To Help."
Cowell rates Usher over Timberlake British music mogul Simon Cowell deems Usher a better performer than Justin Timberlake - because the 'N Sync frontman tries too hard to "make himself black". The heart-throb singers have been longtime chart rivals, prompting fierce debate among their respective fans, but Cowell believes Usher is the better of the two. He says: "If I had to have one of the two, I would take Usher any day. The interesting thing about Justin is, he is a white boy who has tried hard to make himself black over the years. So you get the impression sometimes that he wants to be something he's not." But Cowell is quick to shoot down any talk that Usher is the new Michael Jackson. He adds: "I don't think he's as good as Michael Jackson
at his peak, because you're not going to be listening to the Usher
records in 10 years in the same way we listen to Thriller and
Billie Jean, because they still sound amazing. But he's at the
top of his game at the moment."
A SCOOBY-DOO VALENTINE LOVE AND MYSTERY ARE IN THE AIR AS THE SCOOBY GANG RETURNS TO THE WB FOR THE PRIMETIME SPECIAL "A SCOOBY-DOO VALENTINE" FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11 JC CHASEZ OF MEGA-GROUP 'NSYNC MAKES ANIMATED APPEARANCE AS HEARTTHROB PARAMOUR OF SHAGGY'S EX-GIRLFRIEND BURBANK, CA (February 7, 2005) - Love is in the air - and so is suspense and mystery - when everyone's favorite cowardly Great Dane and the rest of the Scooby Gang return to The WB for the heart-stopping fun themed special "A SCOOBY-DOO VALENTINE," on Friday, February 11 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET/PT). The primetime special also will have an encore presentation during The WB's "Easy View" on Sunday, February 13 (5:00-5:30 p.m. ET/PT). "A SCOOBY-DOO VALENTINE" talent roster includes JC Chasez, from mega-group 'NSYNC, making a special animated appearance as himself - and the star-studded love interest of Shaggy's ex-girlfriend, along with the regular Scooby Gang voice cast of Casey Kasem (Shaggy), Frank Welker (Fred and Scooby-Doo), Mindy Cohn (Velma) and Grey Delisle (Daphne). The primetime special also includes special guest-voice appearances by Joey Lauren Adams (Rachel - Shaggy's ex-girlfriend), Dan Castellaneta (Officer McBride), Harland Williams (George), Dee Bradley Baker (Mike and Inmate Arnie) and Rachel MacFarlane (Sheila). After ALL these years - and what seems like an interminable road trip solving mysteries, the Scooby Gang finally returns home to Coolsville, just in time for Valentine's Day - and a little R&R. With no time to relax, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby immediately get back into solving-the-crime mode when they learn that several local teenage couples have disappeared from Lover's Lane. At the same time, Shaggy gets a whiff of bittersweet love in the air when his ex-girlfriend Rachel, who is the local reporter, fills them in on the strange goings-on...and tries to prove that she is over him by introducing them all to her new boyfriend, JC Chasez, from the mega-group 'NSYNC. Back at the crime scene, they soon discover that they've all received Valentine's Day greeting cards from a secret admirer, but their investigation is cut short when they are suddenly chased by evil look-alikes - incriminating them with the bizarre kidnappings. When the only way to clear their names is to go "undercover," the real gang poses as sweetheart couples - Daphne with Fred...and Scooby with Shaggy, of course - to help lure whomever or whatever is out there causing this mischief. "A SCOOBY-DOO VALENTINE" is produced by Warner Bros.
Animation under the guidance of executive producers Joseph Barbera
and Sander Schwartz, producer/director Chuck Sheetz, producer
Margaret M. Dean, associate producer Kathryn Page, creative executives
Christopher Keenan, Kim Christianson, Amy E. Wagner and Megan
Casey, and is written by Nahnatchka Kahn.
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