Miami-bred rapper Flo Rida has a lot to celebrate as of late – his single “Right Round” has broken digital sales records, and tonight, he’s performing on American Idol.
So, when I spoke with him at his official concert afterparty in LA, he was in great spirits. Likewise for a candid Danielle of E!’s Candy Girls and the ever-energetic Flavor Flav!
The term “bromance” has been floating around for the past year or so – defining the brotherly bond that close male friends often feel for one another, but the film I Love You, Man just might be the freshest and most honest bromantic comedy ever!
Much like bromantic comedies before it, such as Wedding Crashers, I Love You, Man emphasizes the laugh-inducing friendship that its two male central characters, Sydney (Jason Segel) and Peter (Paul Rudd) have, and uses the guys’ romantic relationships with their girlfriends/fiancees as side plotlines.
True, I’ve never talked to my boys about some of the same explicit stuff that Sydney felt so comfortable talking with Peter about, but I totally bought the whole on-camera chemistry between these pals. Sydney’s character is nonchalant and painfully blunt, while Peter, who desperately enlists Sydney as his Best Man, managed to make me squirm during his awkward attempts to be cool – incredible!
To top off the experience, the movie gives its viewers a profound glossary of slang to adopt including terms like “man-date” – used to describe an occasion comprised of two dudes hanging out. Had this come out later in the year, it would’ve been a perfect Father’s Day flick!
Que’s gotten a lot of screen time on this season’s Making the Band, but not all of it has been flattering.
And while the arguments seem to intensify with each episode, we know a fact that the season must have a somewhat happy ending – since the new Day 26 album is already slated to be released on April 14. Which means they can’t split, right?
So for now, I’m listing 5 significant quotes (from last night’s episode) by the members of Day 26 that reveal how each individual probably feels about this pivotal season thus far:
Que: “I feel…They’re trying to find a reason to make me look like a bad guy. So that makes me mad.”
Will: “Que ain’t Que dog. So that’s why I forgive him. … He’s not even a human being to me. He’s like an alien.”
Brian: “Should everybody suffer for one person’s choice or their decision?”
Robert: “We ain’t *bleep-bleep* Danity Kane!”
Mike: “I just got a compliment from last night, ‘I appreciate y’all so much for being positive young black men.’ I just said, ‘Wait ’til this season come on.’”
At this defining time, which band members do you think have the right attitude?
This season, more than ever, it seems like the American Idol judges are placing a tremendous amount of attention on sculpting the artistic and commercial identities of the crop of contestants, and I think that many of the hopefuls are beginning to blossom. Here’s a rundown of my first impressions from the Top Downloads theme week.
Anoop (“Caught Up” by Usher) – I like Anoop’s confidence and the fact that he knows he wants to sing R&B, but his reactions to the judges’ critiques may cause some non-fans to think that he’s flirting with cockiness – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Megan (“Turn Your Lights Down” by Lauren Hill and Bob Marley) – I’m relieved to see that Megan changed her swaying up this week, but like Kara, there were moments during this performance where I could imagine her doing a decent cover of Adele’s “Chasing Pavements”. Perhaps it has something to do with Megan’s distinct way of pronouncing certain syllables when she sings.
Danny (“What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts) – This song is the reason why I purchased a Rascal Flatts album two years ago. Danny lured us in with his restrained vocals during the opening verse, but he took us to another plain when he bombastically tackled the track’s chorus and bridge – all the time remaining in control of both his voice and his microphone stand.
Allison (“Don’t Speak” by No Doubt) – Allison brought a thickness to this track, and I wasn’t as offended by her ensemble as the judges were. After all, pop artists are wearing wild things right about now – Lady Gaga, anyone?
Scott (“Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel) – Way to make a rebound with a new look. Scott proved that even if he stays behind his piano, his chops can still make us sit up in our seats!
Matt (“You Found Me” by The Fray) – I, too, think that he could’ve slayed One Republic’s R&B/pop hit “Apologize” had he chosen that over this more rock/pop selection. I did, however, enjoy the staging of this number.
Lil (“I Surrender” by Celine Dion) – Lil is trying ardently to please the judges, and it seems like the only way to do it might be to give them a Keisha Cole or Mariah performance. I dig you either way Lil!
Adam (“Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry) – I respect Adam’s guts. He’s not my favorite contestant, but when I get past his hysterics, I can appreciate how comfortable he seems on the stage. He’s good for the competition.
Kris (“Aint No Sunshine” by Bill Withers) – I was afraid that Kris’ shine would be marred after following Adam, but talk about a rejuvenating arrangement! We’ve heard this song played and lip-synced several times – including once during an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – but Rickey Minor really put his touch on this one.
Who took the night’s crown for you?
MTV’s Taking the Stage has my favorite soundtrack on television right now – point blank, period. The latest episode’s mix of cuts from artists like John Legend, Jazmine Sullivan, Robin Thicke swept me up in the kind of R&B rapture that I hadn’t encountered on the tube since BET retired Midnight Love.
While spotting a complete music video on MTV is a rarity nowadays, the network has managed to keep music running through the veins of its programming by prominently infusing music into its reality show roster. And Taking the Stage is a prime example of how the spirit of music television can still thrive through forms of entertainment other than the traditional music video.
In addition to its bumpin’ soundtrack, I commend the show for consistently spotlighting the artistic skills of its talented cast. In just two episodes, we’ve already witnessed singer-songwriter Mia show off her vocal chops in two live sets and caught dancers Tyler, Jasmine, Malik, and Shaakira heat up both a talent show stage and a dance floor.
I dig how the show balances both the glossiness of The Hills and the swagger of America’s Best Dance Crew. Yes, there’s still petty drama thrown in for kicks, but the cast’s simple arguments have yet to overshadow their energetic performances.
Now, let’s hope that Harlem Heights takes a page from Taking the Stage and starts giving its cast more opportunities to flex their creativity on camera.
Provocative, smooth, steamy, flexible, entrancing…I’m just trying to find eloquent ways to express how appealing Ciara is in her video for “Love Sex Magic” featuring Justin Timberlake is without using the word “sexy”, but I guess I should just call a spade a spade!
Oh yeah, moments seem derivative of Beyonce’s latest videos, but I’m A-OK with that – in what world is a wealth of seductive songstresses a bad thing?
VH1 and Bravo are both airing shows centered around colorful matchmakers and their quests in helping singles to land their mates mates, but which cupid would you rather have coaching you on a date?
Patti Stanger from Bravo’s The Millionaire Matchmaker treats her wealthy clients to meet-and-greets with women who’ve been handpicked to cater to their tastes. Patti often smacks her bachelors on their wrists and scolds them for their dating snafus.
Patti says:
- Age-ism is a problem in America. Every guy wants the 20-something airbrushed beauty that sits on the cover of magazines and on the internet. The problem is that she doesn’t exist.
- Finding love on TV is possible, but your intentions must be pure, and you can’t be on the lookout for fame.
Meanwhile, VH1’s Tough Love profiles matchmaker Steve Ward as he schools a group of lovelorn women who are having a rough time landing their knights in shining armor. Steve promises the ladies that if they can survive his boot camp, they’ll find their true loves.
Steve says:
- Never bring up your ex on a date. Past relationships are a lot like passing gas in public, you like to pretend it never happened.
- Discussing marriage when you first meet a date is a one way ticket to Old Maids’ville… population: YOU!
Because of his humor and frankness, I’d choose to have Steve as my aid, but which matchmaker’s advice suits your style best?
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