Seems like they did get it right, but it seems like Wayne should have gotten even more nominations, but 8 is enough I guess. Here's the story...
LOS ANGELES – Lil Wayne — the most prolific, ubiquitous and successful performer on today's music scene — was the most rewarded by the Recording Academy on Wednesday, receiving eight Grammy nominations including album of the year for "Tha Carter III."
Following close behind with seven was Coldplay, whose "Viva La Vida" is one of the year's best-selling CDs. It was in album of the year contention, along with Radiohead's groundbreaking "In Rainbows"; singer-songwriter Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman"; and Robert Plant's collaboration with Alison Krauss, "Raising Sand."
Nominations were announced in a brand-new format this year, with an hourlong live prime-time CBS concert special that featured a brisk procession of performers and LL Cool J and Taylor Swift as hosts.
Coldplay and Plant & Krauss were also nominated in the coveted record of the year category for the respective songs "Viva La Vida" and "Please Read the Letter." Other record of the year nominees were British songstress Leona Lewis for "Bleeding Love"; another British newcomer, Adele, for chasing pavement; and M.I.A. for her breakthrough hit, "Paper Planes."
Some surprising omissions: Katy Perry, who had one of the year's biggest hits with "I Kissed a Girl," was shut out of the top categories, including record of the year and best new artist. Metallica got three nominations, but their huge comeback record "Death Magnetic" didn't get a nod for album of the year despite being one of the year's top sellers.
Shut out was Swift, last year's best new artist nominee. She has had a sensational year thanks to the continued success of her 2006 self-titled debut album and her latest top-selling CD, "Fearless." While neither were eligible for consideration, her recent singles were.
While Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" was not regarded by critics as his greatest CD, it was the album that made the highly regarded veteran a pop superstar, thanks to massive hits like "Lollipop" and "A Milli." The CD was the only record this year to sell 1 million copies in its first week.
Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" was its first album in three years, and was also a huge hit.
Radiohead's "In Rainbows" didn't break sales records, but it was as revolutionary as it was critically acclaimed. First released last fall in a pay-as-you wish format on the band's Web site, "In Rainbows" was an instant viral sensation, and shook up an industry struggling with its traditional business model (although Radiohead later released the album traditionally via a record label).
Plant linked up with Grammy darling and bluegrass artist Krauss for a CD that pushed both in different musical directions, while Ne-Yo, who has produced several smashes for other artists, had success with "Year of the Gentleman."
"When I was putting it together, I was trying to do something that everybody could get into, as opposed to just my pop and R&B core group," Ne-Yo, who got six nominations, said after the ceremony. "I was trying to do something that the world could enjoy and I think that the Grammy people paid attention to that."
Also nominated were The Jonas Brothers for the best new artist category. While they have already released two CDs, their latest, "A Little Bit Longer," was their biggest yet in their breakthrough year. The teen sensations join Duffy and Adele, both singers with a soul bent; singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan; and breakout country act Lady Antebellum.
Sullivan, who has drawn comparisons to Lauryn Hill with her hit "I Need You Bad," had a breakthrough night, with five nominations. Other multiple nominees included Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, who had six each; Krauss, who has numerous Grammy wins, got five nominations.
Another Grammy favorite, John Mayer, netted five as well.
The Recording Academy typically has announced nominations like most top awards shows, during a morning news conference. But in an era where awards shows are as commonplace as reality shows, even the top-tier events are finding it hard to stand out.
So they put on the prime-time event, which kicked off with past Grammy winner Mariah Carey singing a song from her classic Christmas album, decked out in a short red minidress to give some holiday cheer. Christina Aguilera sang "I Loves You Porgy," while the Foo Fighters rocked up Carly Simon's classic "You're So Vain."
Held at the Nokia Theatre, the show also celebrated the Saturday opening of the new Grammy Museum next door.
The Grammy Awards are scheduled for live broadcast on CBS on Feb 8. Last year's show drew 17.2 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Grammys and continuing the trend of shrinking awards-show audiences.
___
On the Net:
http://www.grammy.com
___
AP Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody contributed to this story from New York.
Are you kidding me? All of these people are supposed to be educated. Harvard grads even! How do they need that kind of money? How can they call themselves legit businessmen? Jesus. Are you a good businessman if you run up a 18 billion dollar deficit? Then they want our government to bail them out?
Advertisement
This is ridiculous! How do you pay back a $12 billion dollar loan? Am I overreacting or is everyone else underacting? I just think we (as a nation) would be idiotic to bail out millionaires who have mismanaged their money and company and in the process probably destroyed millions of people's lives.
I just hope Obama, Congress, and the Senate are smart enough to figure something else out. This is just crazy. Here is the story...
By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it needs $12 billion in government loans to keep operating, telling Congress in a bluntly worded report that its collapse could have "severe, long-term consequences to the U.S. economy."
GM said it would seek up to $18 billion from the government: $12 billion in loans, including $4 billion by the end of December, and a separate $6 billion line of credit in case market conditions worsen.
"Absent such assistance, the company will default in the near term, very likely precipitating a total collapse of the domestic industry," GM said, contending its collapse would have "a ripple effect that will have severe, long-term consequences to the U.S. economy."
"There isn't a Plan B," said Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson. "Absent support, frankly, the company just can't fund its operations." He said GM would need $10 billion to $12 billion by late March.
GM, along with Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, submitted detailed plans to Congress in hopes of winning support for at least $25 billion in loans to keep the battered U.S. auto industry afloat.
GM said it would take significant steps by 2012 to restructure, including the reduction of 20,000 to 30,000 workers, the cutting of nine plants and the slashing of 1,750 dealer locations.
Advertisement
It would focus future efforts on four core brands — Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac. Henderson said the company was conducting an "expedited and strategic review" of its Saab brand and was discussing options with dealers about the future of Saturn. Pontiac would become a specialty niche brand.
The plan supports the formation of a government oversight board to ensure that taxpayers are protected and the company is restructured. GM would negotiate swapping some of its $66 billion in debt for equity stakes.
GM would seek concessions from the United Auto Workers union to help it survive. Areas under discussion include job security provisions and manpower levels.
CEO Rick Wagoner will work for $1 per year and top executives will take major pay cuts. Henderson said GM would "immediately cease all corporate aircraft operations," meaning company leaders would travel by commercial aircraft.
GM said the loans could be fully repaid by 2012, but if market conditions deteriorated, the company would need more time.
Giants' Plaxico Burress suspended, placed on reserve list
2 December, 2008, 07:11 pm in "Sports"
Look, I am not going to judge anyone. Do you. I am not even mad at Plaxico about his stupidity with this whole gun mess. I am mad that this a**hole is messing up my fantasy teams!! He is my number 1 receiver in both of my leagues and we are about to head to the playoffs without all of our bullets!
Yeah, I am being selfish... SO WHAT! I want to win! I always do well with fantasy football, but this was going to be the first time that I was going to win in multiple leagues at the same time and he just seriously screwed me! Anyway, here's the latest chapter in this saga...
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress is done for the year.
The Giants fined and suspended Burress on Tuesday after he accidentally shot himself in the right thigh over the weekend at a Manhattan nightclub.
The wide receiver was charged with illegal weapons possession Monday, and on Tuesday the Giants placed him on the reserve non-football injury list.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
I don't have anything better to do, so why not pay tribute to the great Santino? I have included 3 videos: 1. His latest materpiece from a few weeks ago with him rapping. 2. A collection of some of his best work. 3. His confrontation with Chris Jericho on Raw. Santino is the funniest man in wrestling today, I always have time to pay my respects. Enjoy...
Just thought this story would be interesting to post. We only hear about rappers involved in doing something wrong, so I decided to post something a litle different. I am not on some high-horse, I just like to hear about justice no matter what. Anyway, I am happy for Johnson's family and TI so here's the AP story...
CINCINNATI (AP) – A Cincinnati man has been found guilty of murder in the 2006 shooting the friend of Grammy Award-winning rapper T.I.
Hosea Thomas was found guilty Wednesday of murdering T.I.'s entourage member, 26-year-old Philant Johnson. The 34-year-old Thomas was also convicted of felonious assault and illegally having a gun after a felony conviction.
T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, testified last week in Thomas' trial. The rapper told jurors that he believes the bullets fired at his entourage during the gun battle two years ago in Cincinnati were meant for him. He wasn't injured.
The rapper was in Cincinnati on May 3, 2006, to perform.
Thomas faces up to life in prison at his Dec. 23 sentencing.
___
Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com
Review: This Christmas is just like every other Christmas
27 November, 2008, 03:01 pm in "Movies"
Netflix is man's best friend... PLEASE remember that for future reference! Here's the particulars before my thoughts...
This Christmas
Director: Preston A. Whitmore II
Release Date: 21 November 2007 (USA)
Genre: Comedy | Drama | Romance
Starring: Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Regina King
This is the story of a solidly middle-class African-American family that reunites for Christmas for the first time in seveal years. Ma'dere (Loretta Devine) is the Matriarch who's Los Angeles home is where the vast majority of the story takes place. As with any family gathering there are topics that are best not discussed. When they are discussed here they end up in fights -verbal or physical (an excellent sister-on sister catfight stands out here). One sister is encouraging the siblings to sell the family dry cleaning business and split the profits. One bother is running from loan sharks. One brother is AWOL from the Marine Corps and One sister has brought along the man she's dating at a historically Black college.
Despite what the trailers and TV commercials may lead you to think this is not a warm syurpy comedy. There are dramatic moments, violence and course language. It is however very much a slice-of-life that not enough hollywood features present. This family, warts and all, is definitely not a hollywood feel-good film with blackfaces. It is authentic in it's portrayal of themes facing African-Americans in particular but Americans in general. IMDB
The Pimp
This movie has a ton of good actors/actresses, a feel good premise and a mysterious theme; which are all things that you would think would be key ingredients for a great movie. This movie has all of those things, but it is not a great movie by a long shot. I am already skeptical when it comes to the “traditional” African-American ensemble cast movie, but in this instance none of the typical pitfalls caught my eye. This just isn’t a great movie, and to be honest I don’t even think they pretend to be anything other than what they are: A feel-good BAD movie.
The Players
Loretta Devine (Shirley Ann ‘MaDere’ Whitfield) plays the mother of and head of a family of divergent siblings who are going through their own individual trials and tribulations. Devine was plain and ordinary and played the stereo-typical mother that we have always seen in these types of family movies. Her long-time boyfriend, played by Delroy Lindo (Joseph ‘Joe’ Black) probably had the best performance. He is the long-time boyfriend and defecto father to the kids and all around problem solver who keeps his cool under almost all circumstances. Idris Elba (Quentin Whitfield Jr.) is one of my favorite actors, but he really didn’t have much here to work with and show his considerable talents.
Regina King (Lisa Moore), Chris Brown (Michael ‘Baby’ Whitfield), Columbus Short (LCpl. Claude Whitfield), Sharon Leal (Kelli Whitfield), and Lauren London (Melanie ‘Mel’ Whitfield) are the clan who help to bring this movie full circle. Chris Brown takes a huge leap by playing a son who wants to (and can) sing. Regina King probably gave the second best performance of the entire movie, and the rest of the children were just ordinary at best. Veteran actor Mekhi Phifer (Gerald) makes a forgettable appearance and rapper David Banner (Mo) stopped by with his partner Ronnie Warner (Dude) to provide some much needed comic relief.
The Hustle
Don’t allow me to give you the wrong idea, this isn’t a bad movie, just not great. It is a holiday movie that serves its purpose. You are supposed to feel good and love your family even more after watching this movie, and for most people that will happen. I am getting a little sick and tired of all of the lovey-dovey crap surrounding families portrayed on the big screen, especially the stereotypical “American Black Family” but I will get over it. I did like the fact that Devine and Lindo were together and not married due to her hang-ups over her ex-husband – That’s real stuff that makes for good drama.
A mother’s unwillingness to change is another good plot point found in this movie, but there were a ton of bad things. For instance, as I watched this movie, I never got the feeling that this black family was racist but Columbus Short (Claude) hadn’t told them that he was married. To my understanding, he hadn’t divulged this because she was white, but nobody seemed to care after they found out, so why did he hide it in the first place? Also, Regina King (Lisa) ends up whipping her husband with a belt because he cheated on her, but if she had cheated on him would it had been OK for him to whip her?
My problems with this movie were minor. The plot was predictable, a lot of things didn’t add up, some things were placed in certain spots just to create conflict, and love is relative throughout the entire movie. Overall I would be able to watch it over and over again just because there are tons of funny spots and a good holiday movie is never really theatrically classic. Rent this around Christmas time only!
I have been wanting to get something on this blog about Frank Caliendo for awhile now. He is the best imitation comic in Amercia and does a good job with sports characters. The first clip is an interview he did with the TNT Inside The NBA staff (Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith). In this interview he does several imitations and is very entertaining.
The second clip is from the Fox NFL Sunday Show, and is a clip of Frank imitating ESPN's Jim Rome. Good stuff - Enjoy...
| 
