Search Posts

about this blog

  1. Obsessively blogging about pop music, pop videos, pop stars, and pop culture from inside the MTV headquarters in Times Square. We also have a slight Jonas Brothers problem. And a little fixation with Tokio Hotel.

    Contact us as buzzworthy@mtv.com and follow us on Twitter at @MTVBuzzworthy.

Follow Us

  1. Get the latest updatest in your favorite RSS feed reader.

The "American Idols Live!" tour may be done and gone -- booooo -- but Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, and Allison Iraheta are onto bigger and better things. Adam Lambert is putting the gloss on his debut album, featuring the Twitter- and Idolsphere-busting single, "Time For Miracles" from the upcoming disaster flick, 2012. Kris Allen is living life as a winner, about to release his debut, and covering his favorite shower song, "Hit Me… Baby One More Time." Meanwhile Allison Iraheta's "Friday I'll Be Over U" could catapult her into the ranks of Pink, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, and Fefe Dobson (and did I hear a little Berlin in there? "The Metro," anyone?)

But let's look back at a time when it was easier to get Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, and Allison Iraheta all together in the same room (without Simon Cowell, hm?)

Check out this Walmart Soundcheck interview with Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, and Kris Allen, to see the always amicable Idols, on the "American Idols Live!" tour, discuss spending life on the road together, and the good-natured teasing that goes with the territory.

Word around the campfire is that Rihanna's ready to make the follow-up to Good Girl Gone Bad, an album whose various incarnations has spawned more hits than a mafia war.

According to MTV News,  Rihanna's gonna enter the studio with some familiar faces -- "Umbrella" writer/producer Tricky Stewart, Justin Timberlake -- and some new ones as well, like The All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter. With those past and future Rihanna collabos in mind, I started daydreaming about who else could make this good girl even better. (And whether or not she'll wear a see-through dress to the studio.)

1. Hot Chip
While it may often be broken, Rihanna has a New Wave heart. You can heart it in her Soft-Cell-sampling early hit, "S.O.S." or in the bum-bum-be-dum's of "Disturbia." She's ready for some synths, electro leanings, and all the attendant eyeliner and Flock Of Seagulls hair that goes with it. (Wait! Rihanna HAS Flock of Seagulls hair!) So why not work with some of the finest purveyors of neo-New-Wave? Hot Chip could expertly combine R&B, dance and pop for Rihanna.

2. Katy Perry
Katy Perry and Rihanna are basically already besties, so why not get in the studio together. If Rihanna lacks anything (and she doesn't lack much) it's a defined personality. Her whole thing is the blank stare, the elusive, untouchable girl. Maybe Katy could giver her something there. Like a sense of humor, or a more human, normal vibe. Not that there ain't a lot to love in Rihanna's current robot-diva-from-the-future thing. Or maybe they could both cake dive together.

3. Ryan Tedder
The OneRepublic singer/songwriter might be accused of ripping himself off (Beyonce's "Halo" begats Kelly Clarkson's "Already Gone"), but it's a heck of a blueprint to work from. This seems like a no-brainer, right? I can already hear Rihanna singing "Apologize" in my head. Her airy, pleading voice would work great with his melodies.

Not that this bit of frosting should overshadow everything Jordin Sparks' new video has going for it, but we must -- MUST! -- discuss the nails. Strands of gold chains are glued to Jordin's nails, right? They're freaking "weapons of choice." Jordin even texts with those things!

Now when she's not going all creationist on me, I'm a die-hard Jordin Sparks fan: next to Kelly Clarkson, Jordin is my favorite of the Idol crop; and "Battlefield" was pretty lifechanging. While her new "S.O.S" track -- a revamping of 1980s freestyle singer Shannon's "Let The Music Play" -- could have easily gone to a less talented singer, I'm psyched ballad-leaning Jordin took on a sassy, sexy, pop star number. Whether or not Jordin went into this video shoot feeling she had something to prove, she knocks it out: it's everything you could want from a diva, with those moves and that hair!

I mean... we'll see if the nails catch on, but the video's a keeper -- watch it below, and watch Jordin perform "S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)" on VH1 Divas 2009. And watch Shannon's "Let The Music Play" after the jump.

Read more...

+ We're having (slightly nightmarish) flashbacks to our uber-Christian, ultra-conservative childhood after stumbling upon this gem, a duet with gospel group Mary Mary and R&B songmaster Ne-Yo. (Rap-Up)

+ Celebrity Twitter fights are fun for the whole family, especially when they're brought to you by parenting gurus Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler. (Evil Beet Gossip)

+ If you haven't seen the VMA promos that MTV has been running for this year (the full-length West Side Story-themed ones that feature Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Cobra Starship, Leighton Meester, and Russell Brand all singing their own verses...) then stop what you're doing right now (unless you're searching YouTube looking for fan vids of Britney's performance last night at MSG like we've been doing all morning) and WATCH the full length version here!

+ Oh -- and how cute are Katy and Taylor having dinner together the other night in England?? (Socialite Life)

+ It was just announced today that Paula Abdul's first post-Idol gig will be hosting VH1 Divas later this month, which will star Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis and more. (Pop on the Pop)

+ And in case you missed yesterday's totally fun NYC scavenger hunt hosted by Britney via Twitter, check this out! (Perez Hilton)

+ File this one away in the "Whitney, what were you thinking?" category: Until the August 31 street release date, Whitney Houston is leaking her entire brand-new CD on, QVC.com??????

+ Slightly weird megastar Celine Dion is pregnant again at the age of 41. Talk about taking chances! (Bitten & Bound)

+ Our girl Britney Spears is starting back up on her Circus tour (woohoo!) and is making a special appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman.  No doubt she will dazzle and amaze legions of fans worldwide as she <deep breath> reads the Top 10 list. Strong Britney! (US Magazine)

+ Kelly Clarkson and Joe Jonas plan to be celebrity judges on an upcoming episode of American Idol. Should be pretty cool for Kelly to be sitting next to fellow judge and songwriter extraordinaire Kara DioGuardi (who's penned several of her hits including the most recent"I Do Not Hook Up"). (PopCrunch)

+ Who's ready for a new Radiohead single? We are, too.  You're welcome. (The Tripwire)

+ Bet there are two things that you don't know about pop star Selena Gomez (and reigning Queen of Disney). (Blogamole)

+ As a little girl, Buzzcrush Katy Perry prayed to the Lord for big boobies, and boy did He answer her prayers. In fact, Katy talks an awful lot about her boobies most days, but we're not mad at it. Or her. Or them. (Socialite Life)

Unless you've been living in a cave without cable, you'll know that MTV's been featuring your favorite artists in promotional TV spots for this year's VMAs. After seeing Cobra Starship and Taylor Swift do their rendition of West Side Story's "Tonight," sultry songstress Katy Perry is up next.

Her VMA promo debuts next week, but until then, we've got a behind-the-scenes interview of Katy on the set of her "Tonight" shoot. She tells us about how she can relate to playing the character of Anita (because "Anita is hotter, cooler and sluttier") and how she purposefully peeled the banana on her outfit from last year's VMA performance in a "seductive" way.

Watch the full interview clip below, and check out photos from the shoot. (And don't forget to tune in on Sunday, September 13 at 9pm to see if Katy wins Best Female Video against Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga and Pink.)

+ Kelly Clarkson reminds you that if you're talking about her weight, you're the one with the problem, not her! We tend to agree, but remind her that bell-bottom stretch pants and silk triangle tops are never okay. (US Magazine)

+ HOT PHOTO ALERT: We're loving watching Britney looking as good as she's looking lately. AND she's got a performance at the Teen Choice Awards right around the corner? <lick> (Daily Mail)

+ The rave reviews of the $200+ million G.I. Joe are pouring in like manna from heaven (nevermind that they're via Heidi Montag's Twitter). Bahahahahha! (PopWatch)

+ P.S. if you're in the market for a not-nude -- yes, you read that correctly -- Playboy spread of Heidi, you're welcome. (NY Post)

+ And while we're talking about G.I. Joe, here's Ciara and Aubrey O'Day looking hot (separately, but together) at the premiere. (Rap-Up)

+ Gossip just dropped a new video for "Love Long Distance," complete with balloon-head people, roller skates, and spandex body suits. Beth Ditto will you marry me please? Yes I know you're gay.  (The Rad Report)


The 2009 MTV VMA nominees are OUT! And sorry, Britney fans, but Lady Gaga and Beyonce are the big earners so far with NINE NOMINATIONS EACH for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring on It)," "Poker Face," and "Paparazzi" leaving Britney in the dust with a "paltry" seven nominations for "Womanizer."

Also, WTG, Drake! What up, dude. Hope that knee heals. He's up on the leaderboard with his first-ever nomination for Best New Artist!

Check out the 2009 VMAs categories below, and go vote!

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Lady Gaga: "Poker Face"
Eminem: "We Made You"
Kanye West: "Love Lockdown"
Britney Spears: "Womanizer"

BEST NEW ARTIST
3OH!3
Lady Gaga
Kid Cudi
Drake
Asher Roth

BEST MALE VIDEO
Eminem: "We Made You"
Kanye West: "Love Lockdown"
Jay-Z: "D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune)"
T.I. featuring Rihanna: "Live Your Life"
Ne-Yo: "Miss Independent"

BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Lady Gaga: "Poker Face"
Taylor Swift: "You Belong With Me"
Kelly Clarkson" "My Life Would Suck Without You"
Katy Perry: "Hot 'N Cold"
Pink: "So What"

BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO
Eminem: "We Made You"
Kanye West: "Love Lockdown"
Flo Rida: "Right Round"
Asher Roth: "I Love College"
Jay-Z: "D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune)"

BEST POP VIDEO
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Britney Spears: "Womanizer"
Cobra Starship featuring Leighton Meester: "Good Girls Go Bad"
Lady Gaga: "Poker Face"
Wisin y Yandel: "Abusadora"

BEST ROCK VIDEO
Coldplay: "Viva La Vida"
Kings Of Leon: "Use Somebody"
Green Day: "21 Guns"
Fall Out Boy: "I Don't Care"
Paramore: "Decode"

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Britney Spears: "Circus"
Ciara featuring Justin Timberlake: "Love Sex Magic"
AR Rahman & Pussy Cat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger: "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)"
Kristina DeBarge: "Goodbye"

BEST DIRECTION
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Lady Gaga: "Paparazzi"
Green Day: "21 Guns"
Cobra Starship featuring Leighton Meester: "Good Girls Go Bad"
Britney Spears: "Circus"

BEST EDITING
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Britney Spears: "Circus"
Miley Cyrus: "7 Things"
Coldplay: "Viva La Vida"
Lady Gaga: "Paparazzi"

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Gnarls Barkley: "Who’s Gonna Save My Soul"
Lady Gaga: "Paparazzi"
Eminem: "We Made You"
Kanye West ft Mr. Hudson: "Paranoid"

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Coldplay: "Viva La Vida"
Green Day: "21 Guns"
Britney Spears: "Circus"
Lady Gaga: "Paparazzi"

BEST ART DIRECTION
Beyoncé: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Britney Spears: "Circus"
Lady Gaga: "Paparazzi"
Gnarls Barkley: "Who’s Gonna Save My Soul"
Coldplay: "Viva La Vida"

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO
Death Cab For Cutie: "Grapevine Fires"
Gnarls Barkley: "Who’s Gonna Save My Soul"
Anjulie: "Boom"
Cold War Kids: "I've Seen Enough"
Chairlift: "Evident Utensil"
Bat For Lashes: "Daniel
Major Lazer: "Hold The Line"
Passion Pit: "The Reeling"
Matt & Kim: "Lessons Learned"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: "Heads Will Roll"

BEST VIDEO (THAT SHOULD HAVE WON A MOONMAN)
U2: "Where The Streets Have No Name"
Dr Dre: "Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang"
Beastie Boys: "Sabotage"
Bjork: "Human Behavior"
Radiohead: "Karma Police"
George Michael: "Freedom"
Foo Fighters: "Everlong"
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: "Into The Great Wide Open"
OK Go: "Here It Goes Again"
David Lee Roth: "California Girls"

+ Kid Rock thinks that Twitter is gay. Like, "stupid" gay. Not "homo" gay. (The Blemish)

+ Sucks to be a big-wig at huge corporation lately. Lawmakers (Democrat and Republican alike) are heavily scrutinizing Ticketmaster's wish to merge with LiveNation, which would create this superpower of concert tickets. Nice to see the government is actually doing what it's supposed to do. (The Tripwire)

+ Are Chris Brown and Rihanna secretly dating or is it just soyyyyyyy rannndom (said in best Ja'mie accent from Summer Heights High) that they keep getting photographed within feet of each other, all throughout NYC? Isn't there a restraining order against that fool? (Socialite Life)

+ Rihanna should be doing some more hanging out with Katy Perry, eating lollipops all sexy and whatnot. (Pop on the Pop)

+ Now super-producer Ryan Tedder is releasing an official statement regarding the whole Kelly Clarkson/Beyonce fiasco that has unfolded over the past few days. Nothing like a non-admission of guilt and a compensatory compliment to win people over. (RyanSeacrest.com)

Virginia indie-pop band My Favorite Highway made a name for itself without a label push -- a name as in 100,000-plus in digital sales -- and while a record deal is usually the pot o' gold, it's nice to know you can make it without them.

That's not to say the gigs always flowed freely for this crew; they still recall playing venues in meth lab-ville. But come on -- that just indicates a band with the ultimate band experience -- and is part of why My Favorite Highway is totally Buzzworthy Obsession-worthy. (And I swear I won't just talk about the hot drummer ... although I am following his Twitter now.)

If the self-made story's not enough for you, know that the debut video from My Favorite Highway, "Say So," is a tribute to Ferris Bueller's Day Off -- which sold me faster than you can say "Rooney!"

I also love "Say So" because it's the ultimate in solid melody-writing: With clear vox from lead singer David Cook (uh, yeah... I'm not saying he should have changed his name, but I wonder if he voted for Archuleta...), listening to "Say So" is just a sing-along, top-down good time.

And yes, this video and My Favorite Highway's album, How to Call a Bluff , have some extra shekels thanks to backing by Virgin Records, but the new record's not all that different than the one the boys self-released in July 2008. There was a little re-mastering involved, and the addition of two new songs "Go" and "Dreamer," but David's songwriting got play on The Hills and The City on its own merits.

And no more meth den appearances for this crew! The guys are currently touring with The Cab and will team up with HelloGoodbye in August. My Favorite Highway also recently confirmed a few opening dates in September with one, Kelly Clarkson. Sweet!