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| 5/10/04 |
Cameron & Justin's 'Shrek'
Connection There's a wedding in Cameron Diaz's future -- at least on-screen - as the "Shrek" star ties the knot in the sequel. But Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson uncovered a little something about her real-life boyfriend, Justin Timberlake. It turns out whether or not they ever show up together at an event, Cameron and Justin will be forever linked after "Shrek 2" hits the big screen. Viewers will spot a poster of a cartoon version of Justin tacked to Princess Fiona's (Cameron's character) wall. "Oh my God, when I saw it I was like, 'Oh my God, that is hilarious. These guys are so clever," Cameron told Shaun. But believe it or not, the film's directors' swear the shot was put in way before the couple was ever spotted together. "Maybe they knew something?" inquired Shaun. "No seriously. They make decisions for these films years in advance so I think it was made long before it could be what it obviously means now," replied Cameron. "But you know it just makes sense also. I mean girls hang pictures of popular culture on their walls and he's a pop icon. He's popular culture so of course it makes sense that he would be on the wall. And that's very clever of the filmmakers to know what is current." However, co-star Eddie Murphy wasn't buying the coincidence claim, he joked around with Shaun about it. "You sure they didn't know," smiled Eddie. Meanwhile, Mike Myers thought Shaun had uncovered his "Justin Secret." "Lets talk about the Justin Timberlake poster in the movie," said Shaun. "Yes," replied Myers. "The one over Fiona's bed," explained Shaun. "Yes... Oh, I thought you were talking about the one over my bed. I am relieved. I am relieved," joked Myers. "Shrek 2" hits theaters nationwide on May 19.
MTV Plans 'Faking the Video' Hoax LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Mixing the celebrity-fueled pranking of "Punk'd" with the a win-a-job reality format like "The Apprentice" and you get the blueprint for MTV's "Faking the Video," a new offering set to premiere on Monday, May 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET. The show finds six entertainment hopefuls coming to Hollywood to work as production assistants on a big-time MTV video. What they don't know is that the whole video is a hoax. The major crew members all improv actors and there are hidden cameras everywhere. To make matters worse, the set is rigged to that everything that can possibly go wrong, goes wrong. The only question is how the poor PAs are going to respond to each disaster. Every week, one PA is fired until only one remains. The winner will receive a cash prize and the chance to work on a real video with director Wayne Isham. "In that show biz tradition, there's plenty of carnage, deception and laughter along the way," says creator/executive producer Danny Salles. Bubba Sparxxx, JC Chasez, Michelle Branch, Monica, Nick Lachey, Omarion and Sleepy Brown are among the real music personalities involved in the creation of the video "Making My Way" and in the grand prank. In addition to the actors who make up the regular crew and the celebrity cameos, each week will feature a rotating cast of fake agents, managers and groupies eager to make life hell for the PAs. "'Faking the Video' spoofs the excesses of show business with the help of our viewers' favorite artists who aren't afraid to poke fun at themselves and the industry," says Lois Curren, executive vice president, MTV Series Entertainment. "The show also highlights the relatable topic of first jobs by satirizing every viewer's first job fears and potential for disaster."
Rolling Stone Mexico JC interview Schizophrenic is the solo debut of JC Chasez, who began his musical career in the group *Nsync; on the album we find a great song with a strong 80’s new wave influence called “All Day Long I Dream About Sex”. That got us thinking a lot… and we asked ourselves: What’s the best thing to talk to him about? RS: Do you really think about sex all day long? RS: Are you the kind of person who could easily have sex all day
with everyone who wants it? RS: In México, the majority of the girls think you are the
most handsome Nsyncer… RS: If you want to have sex all day, in our country you’ll
have a lot of options… RS: With all of Justin Timberlake’s success as a solo artist,
do you feel pressure to follow in his footsteps? RS: Are you planning on a follow-up with *Nsync? RS: Justin worked with hip hop producers, like The Neptunes. Who
were your producers? RS: What are your plans, a solo tour or will you come back with
a new *Nsync CD?
Whether it is a silent auction during MusiCares' renowned Person Of The Year tribute or an online GRAMMY auction on eBay, GRAMMY auctions have proven to be a huge hit for MusiCares and the auction winners. Bidders are presented with a diverse array of music memorabilia, peppered with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet their favorite artist or attend the GRAMMY Awards VIP style. The generosity of donors is recognized in various ways for their contributions that make such auctions possible. And at the end of the day, MusiCares raises significant funds that help support its valuable programs and bidders get an exclusive item or experience that they can treasure for a lifetime. Everyone is a winner! On April 16, 21-year-old Trey Green of Louisiana had the exclusive opportunity to spend the day on the set of JC Chasez's new video as it was being shot at Los Angeles' Line 204 Studios. Green won this opportunity in February's GRAMMY online auction, which has become very popular for offering authentic music memorabilia and exquisite once-in-lifetime experiences. The video being produced was for the track, “All Day Long I Dream About Sex” from Chasez's debut solo album, Schizophrenic . During the shoot, Green was able to get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the video, hang out with Chasez and the crew, and even eat lunch with Chasez. At the end of the day, Green was given a few special keepsakes: a video production booklet signed personally to Green by Chasez, and the very first, hot-off-the-press, prototype Chasez T-shirt signed and numbered by Chasez. Green will also receive an autographed copy of the video once it is complete...
JC shows signs of solo hope It's hard to believe that, just a few years after the peak of the boy band craze, the entire phenomenon already feels like a cultural footnote. In fact, it's hard to decide which way the success of 'N Sync helped propel singer Justin Timberlake into solo stardom, by setting the stage for his breakout ascent, or by giving him something so easy to rebel against. One thing's for certain: Timberlake's solo career has clearly influenced fellow 'N Sync refugee JC Chasez. If JT's "Justified" offered something unexpected from someone written off as a manufactured idol, JC's willfully weird debut "Schizophrenic" is downright risky. Considering that Chasez isn't quite as naturally talented as Timberlake, maybe it's no surprise that at the House of Blues Friday, at the earlier of two shows that night , he fell back on a few of the crutches that supported 'N Sync, namely a troupe of dancers, some conspicuously canned backing tracks, costume changes and an emphasis on the choreography over the music. But the music was there, for those who wanted to pay attention, courtesy of a tight five-piece band whose cool robo-funk (and medical scrubs) helped Chasez play out his Prince fantasies. Beginning with the propulsive synth-driven disco of "All Day Long I Dream About Sex," Chasez sped through most of his debut, taking the occasional break to change outfits and let his four flexible and scantily clad female dancers show off some impressive gyrations. But to Chasez's credit, the energy level in the packed -- and overwhelmingly female -- crowd diminished as soon as he was out of sight, though all it took was the Basement Jaxx collaboration "Shake It," the lascivious "One Night Stand," or the strip-club psychedelia of "Come to Me" to pump them right back up. Chasez and his dancers matched nearly every track with sexed-up synchronized scenarios, but although Chasez's performance was risque, it was so in a mostly PG-13 way (after all, the singer's mom was in attendance). Chasez seemed to be trying about anything he could to make his shtick stick, but to be fair, there's no reason why most of the songs he sang couldn't be hits, from the ballad "Dear Goodbye" to the Police-esque neo-dancehall of "Everything You Want." Maybe, after all those years of marketing-driven mega-success, Chasez just feels compelled to work for his stardom. Call it pop idol penitence.
'N Sync's JC Chasez shakes it up with his solo record JC Chasez understands why certain people might reflexively recoil at the thought of listening to a solo record from an 'N Sync member. ''They have attached a stigma to what a boy band is,'' says the young man responsible for ''Schizophrenic'' and, next to Justin Timberlake, the 'N Sync member with the highest profile. ''But I'm confident that if you give the record an honest listen, there will be something on it you will enjoy, because my record came from an honest place. A lot of hard work went into it, and people will hear that and appreciate that. Just give me a fair shake.'' Truth be told, if you give Chasez the ''fair shake'' he is asking for, he will return the favor by making at least one part of your body quiver, and possibly several. It may not be cool in some quarters to say so, but ''Schizophrenic'' is a pretty groovy mix of electronica, synth-pop, funk and reggae, and far superior to Timberlake's overwrought solo outing, ''Justified.'' In the coming week Chasez (pronounced sha-ZAY) will be performing club dates in Pittston, Philadelphia and Atlantic City. But at the moment he is in Glasgow, Scotland, ''gigging with Britney,'' as in Britney Spears, who in another universe long ago, got her start opening for 'N Sync. And how are things? ''Life is good,'' says the 27-year-old Chasez, noting the warm response of British crowds on the tour's first two dates. ''Even in London, where we <'N Sync> haven't been quite able to crack the market, people have been totally receptive. One of the papers said that at Wembley it was the first time that an opening act got a standing ovation. That made me feel like a star.'' Asked how his live show compares to, say, the outsize exhibition put on by Timberlake and Christina Aguilera last summer, Chasez says, ''Mine is very different. With Justin and even 'N Sync, you know what you're going to get — everything and the kitchen sink thrown at you. My show is a lot looser. I'm working with a band of five . I do choreography and I have dancers, but not for the whole show. I do it in spurts.'' So what are the advantages of working solo? ''In a group it's always about compromise,'' says Chasez. ''You have to see if they're on the same page as you. But as a solo artist, there's no compromise in the record-making process.'' ''Schizophrenic's'' songs are more mature than anything 'N Sync has recorded. ''It's just a part of growing up,'' says Chasez, ''a natural evolution. I'm not trying to force anything. I had to do what I thought was right.'' Among the record's several surprises: the credible dance-rock track ''100 Ways'' — ''I use it to get in the crowd's face,'' says Chasez — and the convincing, at-the-end-of-his-rope pleader ''Mercy.'' ''I spent some time thinking about that song,'' notes Chasez. ''A woman is like a drug, and with that song I compared being in love with a female to being on heroin.'' ''Schizophrenic's'' sexiest track, however, is ''Some Girls (Dance With Women).'' ''I wanted to have my own club banger, but I didn't want to be too generic. Everybody has a song about poppin' a bottle of champagne and riding in on the rims,'' says Chasez. ''So I went through the course of a night out, from start to finish. … '' is something everybody talks about and everybody sees, but nobody's done a song about it.'' Until now, that is. Just as lusty is the electro-pop tune ''All Day Long I Dream About Sex.'' ''This is my version of 'We Will Rock You,''' says Chasez. ''If you can't figure this song out, there's something wrong with you.'' Sonically, ''It's Gary Numan all the way.'' Chasez admits to a fondness for the music of the 1980s. ''It's what I grew up on,'' he says. ''In the 1980s things weren't so categorized. It wasn't 'If you listened to this, you couldn't listen to that.' It was a creative period. MIDI was a whole new thing. It changed the face of music. People in the dance industry were pushing music as far as it could go. There would be no hip-hop today if it wasn't for them.'' Is that affection for the 1980s why Chasez interpolated Corey Hart's ''Sunglasses at Night'' into the Eurhythmics-flavored ''Come to Me''? ''Corey Hart was a happy accident,'' says Chasez. ''The bass line is close but not identical . But I called up just to be safe, and I gave him credit. … I wanted something where I could zone out, something very hypnotic, something I could drive to on a winding road.'' While Timberlake's solo work seems to use Michael Jackson as a role model, more than one reviewer has mentioned Chasez's guiding light seems to be Prince. ''I think what people is that Prince is an open-minded artist, unafraid to combine rock 'n' roll and R&B, and the fact that I am willing to try and do the same. But in no way, shape or form am I Prince.'' Chasez has been involved in two controversies during his hiatus from 'N Sync, which, he says, will reconvene later this year to begin choosing material for a new disc. First, Chasez was disinvited by the NFL to sing at the Pro Bowl following Timberlake's involvement with Janet Jackson's Super Bowl ''wardrobe malfunction.'' And second, a mental health activist decried ''Schizophrenic's'' title and cover art, which shows Chasez in a straitjacket. Of the NFL's decision, which the singer loudly criticized at the time, Chasez says, ''It's so far behind me, I'm over it. I can't dwell on what happened.'' Of the latter, ''I understand is a serious but treatable disease. But my album title is not about the clinical definition. It's about me and my music, that it's not an 'N Sync record.''
Chasez has winning side PICK OF THE WEEK SCHIZOPHRENIC IN the fab five that was N'Sync, JC Chasez worked as hard as fellow boybander Justin Timberlake. He shared lead vocals on most of the songs, he was a smooth dancer and he had a sexy mug. But even after the group went on hiatus to pursue solo efforts, he ended up playing second fiddle to Timberlake. Timberlake's Nipplegate fiasco landed him a bunch of Grammys and Chasez got his Rose Bowl gig cancelled. Timberlake had Alyssa Milano and Cameron Diaz on his arms, and the best Chasez could muster was a rumoured fling with B-list actress Tara Reid. By the time Timberlake's debut album became a top-selling hit, Chasez seemed forgotten. So will he finally redeem himself? Thankfully, yes. Schizophrenic is a smart, slick album that is well worth the wait. With the help of producers like Basement Jaxx, Chasez comes across as confident, savvy and willing to try a range of styles. In fact, the title couldn't have been more apt. Chasez runs the whole gamut here - from rock to pop to electronica to big, brassy horns. Add in a couple of heart-bleeding ballads and you've got a winner. If Timberlake was trying to copy Michael Jackson, Chasez seems to be channelling an inner Prince here. Tracks like 100 Ways, with the rock boy posturing and sashaying bass lines sound almost like they've been ripped off from the Purple One's repertoire. The ballads, though few, are breezy without being cheesy, but melodious enough to make the frequent request list on mainstream radio stations. What is clear though, is that this is an album that aims to please. The rock pieces will knock your socks off the way the dance numbers are guaranteed to move you on the dance floor. Justin who?
Burke adds Wiseguy edge to Edison If director David Burke's past is any indication, Edison won't be pretty. Burke, who has been wrapping up loose ends on the thriller with the stellar cast (Justin Timberlake, Kevin Spacey, LL Cool J, Morgan Freeman), was responsible for much of what gave the Vancouver-shot late-'80s CBS mafia drama Wiseguy its edge.... "...Justin Timberlake's name was brought up by our casting director," recalls Burke. "I thought it was a stroke of brilliance . . . It's a mistake to think he is a kid. He has been a professional in show business for 12 years. He is diligent, devoted, creative, brilliant artist . . . he wouldn't undertake this if he didn't feel completely confident in the challenge. He is a highly unusual 23-year-old...." |
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