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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Win Grammy Album Of The Year

Raising Sand, from Led Zeppelin vet and bluegrass superstar, wins five Grammys on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery with MTV News staff

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."

He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.

You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.

Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.

And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.

And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.

To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.

One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.

"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."

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'Glee' Stars Stayed Up All Night For 'Thriller' Cover

'It was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done,' Cory Monteith says.
By James Dinh

"Glee" stars film their "Thriller" performance
Photo: Ramey Photo

When "Glee" returns from hiatus in the high-profile post-Super Bowl slot, it's returning in a big way, covering Michael Jackson's "Thriller." On Tuesday, the cast spoke to "Access Hollywood" about remaking the iconic tune, which will reportedly be mashed up with another yet-to-be-revealed hit.

"It was a huge production. We we're shooting that until 6:30 in the morning," Cory Monteith told "AH" at the Television Critics Association press tour. "We shot all night, and it was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done. I was lifting Naya Rivera at one point in the dance. It was really active. We had the whole USC band wrapped in to this number as you can see in the photos. It was awesome."

Photos of the cast filming "Thriller" surfaced on the Internet recently, depicting a prom night-turned-zombie affair. Jackson's tune is just one of the many hits to be covered in the broadcast. Other songs featured in the post-Super Bowl episode include hits by the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.

Kevin McHale revealed that Jackson is his "favorite artist ever" and that he has been continuously requesting to cover a tune by the late King of Pop. "I've been pushing very obnoxiously for a very, very long time, so I'm beyond thrilled that we do Michael Jackson," said the actor.

Like the iconic music video, the "Glee" cover was an extravagant production, which was fitting for star Dianna Agron, who couldn't help smile throughout filming.

"The whole night, everybody kept saying, 'Why are you laughing so much? Why are you smiling so much?' " she said. "I was just in my element. I was in huge makeup, huge hair, huge costume, the stuff that I loved the most, which is why I loved 'Rocky [Horror Picture Show]' so much."

Matthew Morrison isn't in the number, but he watched it being shot. "We actually shot it, like, a couple nights ago," Morrison told "AH." "I actually went out to see it. We shot it in Long Beach and at a high school that we used their football field at. It was stunning. It's so weird with this show. We keep outdoing ourselves. It's like, 'What is there left to do?' This number is just fantastic."

What other MJ songs do you want the "Glee" cast to tackle? Share your ideas in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655797/glee-thriller.jhtml

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Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler Talk Sex On The First Date

'Just Go With It' stars tell MTV News it's a no-no — except for Dave Matthews: 'I can't think of a reason not to!'
By Eric Ditzian

Brooklyn Decker and Adam Sandler in "Just Go With It"
Photo: Sony Pictures

In "Just Go With It," Adam Sandler and Brooklyn Decker's characters meet at a house party, fall hard for each other, and — in an instance of what the "Jersey Shore" cast would call being "DTF" — spend a sandy night of passion on the beach.

Which begs the question: How does the cast feel about getting down and dirty on the first date? Good idea? Great idea? Or you-gotta-be-crazy bad idea? That's what MTV News wanted to know when we hit the film's red-carpet premiere earlier this week.

"Terrible idea. Don't do it!" Sandler declared. "You got to hold it back."

In fact, Sandler said that if viewers take away one thing from the new comedy, it should be, "Block it! Block it and lock it!"

Aniston agreed. "I don't think it's a good idea," she told us.

Decker, too, approved of that keep-it-in-your-pants counsel, even if her big-screen counterpart did not. "Total no-no. A complete no-no," the model-turned-actress said. "My character, Palmer, did it. Shame on Palmer! Make him wait. That should be something kind of special."

Lest you think everyone involved with "Just Go With It" is advising randy Americans to wait until, say, the second date to bump and grind, one co-star told us that, hey, if it feels good, go for it.

"I think it probably depends. Seems like a good idea at the time, doesn't it?" said Dave Matthews, who has a small but memorable role as an egocentric resort-goer. "If you're both into sleeping together on the first date, I can't think of a reason not to. Good idea!"

Check out everything we've got on "Just Go With It."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657791/just-go-with-it.jhtml

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Britney Spears Set To Reveal 'Hold It Against Me' Video

Spears has been releasing teasers to her highly-anticipated upcoming video for "Hold It Against Me" — which will premiere February 17 On MTV.

Photo: Jive

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1657455

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Britney Spears Hits The Stage In Latest 'Hold It Against Me' Teaser

The bodysuit-clad Britney looks ready to dance, as the countdown to February 17 premiere continues.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears in the sixth "Hold It Against Me" teaser video
Photo: Jive

With only eight days until the release of Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" video, she's sending out another teaser for the Jonas Åkerlund-directed clip that premieres on MTV on February 17 at 9:56 p.m. ET. In Wednesday's sneak peek, Spears not only previews another aspect of her dance sequence, but also gives fans a glimpse of the dark, media-saturated world that the video takes place in.

In a voiceover, Britney says, "Would you hold it against me?" as the words, in neon-colored Def Leppard-esque font, flash up on the screen. Next, shots of huge speakers cut to a view of a stage flanked by bright lights.

The scene jumps again to the speakers, then to Spears, dressed in a skintight black bodysuit. She's standing in profile, looking up, while her dancers are on the ground. Confetti is falling. As the shot fades, Brit is kept in the forefront as fans are reminded "8 days to go."

While the teasers have been super short and revealed, presumably, out of order, they do show that Spears' video relies heavily on dance performance, hearkening back to the dark, futuristic, club-like settings that were captured in videos like "Stronger," "Toxic" and even "I'm A Slave 4 U."

Choreographer Brian Friedman has made it clear that Spears is sexier than ever in the video. "It's not necessarily that she hasn't been dancing, it hasn't been what I get from her, and what I seem to get from her is this tigress quality," he said. "And she prowls. She really dominates when she does my choreography, and that's what I wanted to get back. Excited yes, scared no."

Friedman also revealed to MTV News that there's some nudity in the video and that Britney is at her fiercest. "I can tell you that Britney is wearing a couple of hats in this video — not literal hats, but she's playing roles in this video. That is what I can give you," he explained. "In every role, she is dancing. She is going to be dancing throughout the whole video. Like I said: Dance is the focal point of this video."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657574/britney-spears-hold-it-against-me-teaser.jhtml

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On Taylor Lautner's 19th Birthday, Let's Take A Look Ahead!

We look at the many film projects the birthday boy has in store post-'Breaking Dawn.'
By Terri Schwartz

Taylor Lautner
Photo: Cohen/ WireImage

A very happy birthday shout-out goes to Taylor Lautner, who, just one year into adulthood, is the highest-grossing member of "The Twilight Saga" trio and one of the hottest young adult stars in Hollywood. This coming year will undoubtedly be one of the biggest years of the 19-year-old's career as he finishes filming "Breaking Dawn" and embarks on his journey as a leading man after "The Twilight Saga" is finished.

In honor of his big day, we're taking a look at all the projects Lautner has on the horizon. If his current trajectory is anything to judge by, we have a feeling he will be even more popular and earning even more box-office gold at this time next year.

First up is "Abduction," which is being described as a thriller along the lines of the Jason Bourne films. He's done intense amounts of training for the film and it will be his first chance to show off his chops as an action star. It also helps that his co-star, Lily Collins, is another big up-and-comer (she'll star in the adaptation of "City of Bones") and that their combined star power should propel his first major starring role post-"Twilight Saga."

Rounding out 2011 is the much-anticipated release of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1," which will feature Lautner more than any other film in the series. If the film stays true to the book (and there's no guarantee that it will), about half of it will be shown from his character Jacob's perspective, and it will be up to him and his wolf pack to carry the film. He also ends up with certainly one of the most interesting love interests he's likely to have onscreen during the course of his career.

Aside from the release of "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" in late 2012, Lautner has a couple of other big films on the horizon as well. He returns to the young adult genre in the upcoming adaptation of "Incarceron," and he's shaping up to land a pretty hot co-star for the film. Last we heard, Emma Watson, Blake Lively and Jennifer Lawrence are short-listed for his romantic lead.

And though it's been about a year since we heard major news on Lautner's other upcoming film "Stretch Armstrong," it's likely that he'll start filming it once he's done with "Breaking Dawn" in the next couple of months. It's slated for 2012 and will also likely be his first film in 3-D. It's a good thing, then, that he will "not wear a shirt" during the entire film.

Last but not least, Lautner has his third action film in the form of "Cancun." It's being described as "Taken" meets "Die Hard" and will be produced by Lautner's own production company, Tailor Made. Again, there hasn't been a lot of news on the film recently, but we're excited to see him show off his martial arts skills some more on the big screen.

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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