Katy Perry's highly anticipated MTV Unplugged performance will be debuting on MTV and MTV.com this Monday, November 16. Rather than sleeplessly frittering away your weekend, hyperventilating and listening to "Waking Up In Vegas" on repeat, we thought it'd be a good idea to give you an Unplugged refresher course.

Here are some of the best performances of MTV's legendary live show, featuring some obscure performances and some unforgettable ones, with nary an amp in sight.

Nirvana, "Come As You Are" (1993)

For their episode of Unplugged, Nirvana revealed an aching vulnerability to their razor-sharp songs. This was an iconic performance, producing some of the most lasting, indelible imagery of Kurt Cobain.

Paramore, "That's What You Get" (2009)

Audience interaction is one of the best parts of these intimate Unplugged performances. In the case of Paramore, it's more about audience participation, as the crowd helps out Hayley Williams with the "whoa-oh's" of "That's What You Get."

Alicia Keys, "Unbreakable" (2005)

Unplugged puts the artist and their artistry at the forefront. In this 2005 performance, Alicia Keys shows the extent of her capabilities as a performer with a gorgeous rendition of "Unbreakable."

+ Watch more performances after the jump.

Read more...

+ *Um, how about Joe Jackson being all crazy on Larry King Live, saying to those who accused him of beating Michael Jackson that "you know what this beat started -- beat started in the slavery days." WTF DOES THAT MEAN? I don't even know, but read on for more... (Bossip)

+ Britney ain't no joke, people. She has the most singles of any artist on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 Chart for this decade. Girl may be a crazy Jew-in-training, but she's on top. (BritneySpears.com)

+ Kelly Clarkson announced fall dates for her All I Ever Wanted tour, which kicks off October 2nd in Connecticut. Will TOTES DEF be going to the show at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. It's ALL I EVER WANTED!! (KellyClarkson.com)

+ I think my head is about to pop off. In separate news, VH1 just announced they're bringing back their Divas Live franchise with four HUGE talents: Kelly Clarkson (duh), Leona Lewis, Adele, and Miley Cyrus. Oh. My. God. (VH1)

+ Tuesday LOLz courtesy of Lady Gaga (who else??): here she is in a Kermit the Frog outfit on German television. It just doesn't get any better than this. (PopCrunch)

+ In case you missed this duet between Cyndi Lauper and Lil' Kim (RUH?), here you go. Don't say we didn't warn you. (Popnography)

+ It's a big day in blogland today, particularly for Miley Cyrus. First, she's been Tweeting a trail of tears all over the place about her alleged breakup with boyfriend Justin Gaston after recently leaving town to go shoot a movie in the South. (Twitter)

+ Then, her EX-ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas confirmed that he and Miley did indeed record an alternate version of a song originally sung by The Jonas Brothers. (Twist)

+ ...though it seems that Nick might have a had a little more to do with the split than they're letting on, as reports surface that the former couple were recently seen goofing around on the set of a music video, and also "writing" a song together in a dark movie theater. Hmms.... (E! Online)

+ If you can believe it, soul goddess Adele (also aMAYzing as MTV's first artist in the resurrected Unplugged series) actually canceled her first tour -- for booze and a boy. (ICYDK)

+ Oh yeah. Adam Lambert is gay. (MTV News)

+ And he had a mancrush on Kris Allen. (MTV News)

+ Photoshop moment of the day: Beyonce hustling hard in these Japanese water ads. (Bossip)

+ If Simon Cowell has his way, Zac Efron will play the lead role in the remake of Saturday Night Fever. How anyone could think John Travolta's performance could be matched, we will NEVER know. (Limelife)

Somebody, please pause this day. It's not supposed to be Monday yet. Didn't Sunday feel awfully short? Doesn't today feel violently early? It does. But don't freak out. I've got the cure, right here.

Today Adele kicks off the reincarnation of MTV Unplugged with a performance that temporarily stops time. Her slow-burning soulful style -- the seductive offspring of Etta James and Lauryn Hill -- saturates the intimate space with emotion so deepdown, it could be 100 years old. What a perfect soundtrack for a reincarnation.

If you still haven't listened to Adele, her MTV Unplugged performance is a fantastic introduction. If you're an old fan, this is essential viewing. Watch Adele perform "Chasing Pavements," "Hometown Glory," "Cold Shoulder," and others, with exclusive interview clips interspersed.

+ Exclusive Adele Unplugged Photos

(Credit: Scott Gries)

Are you old enough to remember what a game-changer it was when Nirvana played Unplugged? I am. I swear to you I took s--- from my mother for four years after that, for wearing this moth-eaten mohair cardigan (just like Kurt's!) I found at Salvation Army (after months of looking!). "Daniel!" She'd squawk. "Some poor old lady died in that thing! Pleeease let me throw it out?" No mom. No way.

Watching Pearl Jam Unplugged, I didn't take my shirt off and write "PRO-CHOICE" all over my bare body, even though Eddie did. And I didn't break down and cry in public after Lauryn Hill's performance. But I'll admit that I was tempted on both occasions.

I've seen a few preliminary clips of the new season of MTV Unplugged, and I can promise you that its emotional pull is still very much intact. The series launches Monday with a smoking set by Adele. Have you heard this bad mother belt it yet? Oh my god. She can sing like you wouldn't believe. She gives her smoky set of old soul torch songs the acoustic treatment in a performance that's actually kind of reminiscent of Lauryn Hill's!

Because I know I'm totally incapable of waiting until Monday, I'm gonna go ahead and pop a playlist of classic Unplugged performances in the bottom of this post. Relive the show's finest moments and come back Monday to see it reborn!

+ Exclusive photos of Adele's Unplugged performance

+ Classic MTV Unplugged photo flipbook

The coffeehouse meets the beach in the easygoing music of boho California-free-spirit Angel Taylor. The closest I can come to classifying her summery sonic melting pot is "the female Jack Johnson," but even that falls woefully short. Her bouncy blend of sleepy reggae, upbeat soul and acoustic pop evokes everything from Third Eye Blind to Sheryl Crow to "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," without actually sounding like any of them. Who do you think she sounds like?

Angel's debut album, Love Travels, got a boost from iTunes, when they named her "Make Me Believe" their single of the week. And it's a fitting match. The breezy go-to track would be right at home in an iPod commercial. The song's success won her opening slots on tour with Adele, Brett Dennen, Brandi Carlile and Gavin DeGraw, among others. Are you impressed yet?

To seal the deal, fall into "Make Me Believe" or any of Angel Taylor's other delicately-plucked perfume daydreams, and keep an eye out for this gently rising talent.

Perhaps I should've attempted to adjust my TV, but aside from that T.I., M.I.A., Jay-Z, Wayne hip-hop all-stars performance and Coldplay's ongoing Fisher-Price-meets-Sgt. Pepper troop trope (yaaaaaaaawwwwwwnnn... and I DID NOT need to see that much of Chris Martin's treasure trail!) the 2009 Grammys might as well have been broadcast in black and white.

From the Jonas Brothers, to Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift and even Kid Rock (who usually doesn't leave the house unless it's in something that demonstrates his affinity for a BeDazzler and a pound or two of rhinestones) kept it a funereal black and white, though they all pulled it off with elegant panache. In short, aside from the few mod metallics, and Katy Perry, the 2009 Grammys were all about sobering, somber chic! For real, I thought I was going temporarily colorblind.

Anyway, let's get to it!

Jonas Brothers: True, the Jonas Brothers didn't win the Grammy they were up for, but getting to share a stage with Stevie Wonder was prize enough, IMO. Fashion-wise, their red carpet tuxedo trio was pretty much what you'd expect from the capable hands of stylist Michelle Tomaszewski. My favorite was Nick Jonas' head-to-toe black Burberry suit. Kevin Jonas' Versace suit subtly set him apart as the elder statesmen of the three. Joe's metallic Versace jacket was a little too Vegasy for my tastes, but I always appreciate that he takes fashion risks. Also, BTW, did you see Denise? WOAH, mama, she looked amazing! As for the Jonas Brothers' performance looks: Nick was in Dior, and I LOVED that his look was a little bit Danny Zucko in Grease, less the schmaltz, a little bit James Dean, a tiny bit old-school Faith-era George Michael, and a WHOLE LOT grown up. Honestly, Joe's performance look wasn't doing THAT much for me. Don't get me wrong -- he looked perfect as always, but Nick really stood out so much that he overshadowed Joe, who could've gone a little farther than just the ripped Requel Allegra tee and Dior vest and jeans. By the way, that eye-popping necklace was by Swiss designer Avakian, and while I'm sure it was stunning in person, it distracted on screen (Was it a cassette tape? A jeweled cracker? Bingo card? Billion-dollar iPod? No clue!) and took away from his Mick Jagger swagger. It would've made more sense for Joe to wear a fitted jacket, especially with Kevin all like "Oh hai, I'm just over here nailing this performance and coming out with a 3D movie and a TV show and we're gonna be on Saturday Night Live and everything" in a swish Versace suit. But back to the Jonas Brothers' performance: Not just ANYBODY gets to cover "Superstition," and this performance completely put the Jonas Brothers on the map... for the two people whose maps the Jonas Brothers weren't already on. Seriously though, that performance was icon-status-sealing and could finalize their move out of the teen-pop mold; it showed skeptics that the Jonas Brothers aren't just bubblegum, they can (for the trilllionth time!) play their own instruments, command a stage, and extend their reach beyond a youth-only audience.

Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift: Miley wore an original Herve Leger by Max Azria dress on the red carpet. Had it been just plain black, it would've been a bit boring, but the bejeweled bodice, criss-cross straps and stacks of bangles kept it fresh, and the massive rosette kept it from being "just another black dress," and though the length was a little overwhelming, the shape was amazingly flattering. Taylor Swift drove home the "we're besties" message in a Kaufman Franco black jersey dress with patent leather detailing. Gotta say: both dresses were way too long. Take a cue from Carrie Underwood and show a little leg while they're still amazing! You can't fault Miley or Taylor for appearing adult while playing the good role model role, but I wouldn't have minded either dress in a more youthful color, like a jewel tone. Also, I can't say I loved either's performance outfit, Miley's especially. Jeans at the Grammys? I know it's not the Oscars, but it's not the CMAs either. (Sorry, CMT!) That top looked like Liza Minnelli's cast-off. Bring back the cute!

Katy Perry: I liked that Katy Perry was strictly business on the red carpet -- her pink dress was by Lebanese designer Basil Soda -- and party on stage, where she chose to wear every color ever in her salute to Carmen Miranda. Her costume was by The Blonds, and her "I Kissed a Girl" performance made me feel like I was trapped inside a pachinko machine. And I kinda liked it.

Jennifer Hudson: Okay, I just need to say it: That white asymmetrical bib on Jennifer Hudon's color-blocked sculptural RM by Roland Mouret Trenet dress made her look like she had an emergency pre-Grammy root canal and forgot to take off the bib. However, I loved her midnight blue shoes. Also, Jennifer Hudson can do whatever she wants because she had the worst year ever and her talent knows know bounds. The black sequined dress she wore during her performance of "You Pulled Me Through" was stellar stuff, and the flamenco-style hair and earrings were really all she needed to complete the portrait-of-the-young-woman-as-a-pure-powerhouse look.

Sara Bareilles: Speaking of pink, Sara Bareilles was totally pretty in pink in her Louisa Beccaria strapless ruffled dress with matching (but not too matchy-matchy!) accents. I wanna write her a love song and thank her for wearing something so sugary sweet.

Audrina Patridge: Audrina usually looks sexy or hot or amazing but "cute" is not usually the first word that comes to mind. But last night, Audrina looked absolutely adorable in teal Tadashi. Her hair and bright lips were also perfection. Yay, color! Finally!

M.I.A.: We get it. You and your boyfriend got bored and decided to act out Juno. But were you hitting the labor drugs early? You do NOT need to dress like a bloated ladybug. Don't get me wrong -- I love House of Holland (who designed her black-and-white performance outfit). I just love Agyness Deyn in it more. And I'm fine with you wearing Golas when you're playing human hotel. But did you really need to go the Dorothy Zbornak route? I'm still not convinced you weren't hiding all FOUR Golden Girls underneath that Manish Arora tarp.

Jordin Sparks: You are SO SO SO cute and SO not an old lady. But that rose-printed Debra Davenport dress was SO not cute and SO old lady!

Carrie Underwood: That performance pantsuit was a little June Carter Cash with those OOC chiffon bell sleeves, but who cares? She's got legs for miles! And was it just me, or did her female guitarist look like Paris Hilton? Speaking of...

Paris Hilton: Yes, Paris. Less is still less. Please send that Versace Spring 2003 mini back to 2003 where it should stay.

LeAnn Rimes: i'm a huge fan of stone embellishments, but LeAnn's cerulean Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti outfit looked like Star Trek Voyager made its maiden voyage to Cyprus. And taupe? Really? You don't wear taupe on a red carpet unless you're going to the pantyhose awards. Or you're Leona Lewis. And speaking of...

Leona Lewis: Leona is such a gorgeous girl, but her tan Randi Rahm gown bleeding bored me.

Duffy: I've read some negatory reactions toward Duffy's Alberta Ferretti jeweled chiffon cocktail dress, but I really loved that she took an ordinary style and made it her own with an asymmetrical cut. It was super glam but subdued and fit her soulful, old-school style perfectly.

Kanye West: Mazel tov! Your transformation into '80s television star Meshach Taylor is now complete!

Estelle: Call us when Kanye's spaceship lands.

++ MORE GRAMMYS PHOTOS AFTER THE JUMP! ++

Read more...

Welcome to Buzzworthy's brand-new series in which we dissect celebrity blogs into delishy little bloggy bites, starting with our fave American Idol second placer (but winner in our heart), and prolific blogger, David Archuleta! His words are in bold, ours are in italics. Follow along, won't you?

Monday, January 26, 2009

Hi all. David here with another blog.
HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

So this week I got to go to the Adele concert!! Adele is amazing amazing amazing amazing, and she sounds so good live!
Totally and completely agree, Archie! We = Adele obsessed.

James Morrison opened up for her, and he sings with so much soul. It's so weird to see him perform because white people usually don't sing like that haha.
Uhm... wow. Ohh kayy. You had us, and then you totally lost us, but you're so cute, so it's okay.

But anyway, I loved how Adele didn't move around a whole lot when she performed.
Hmm...Again, a widdle bit confused. People are supposed to stand totally still? Like as if they were all wrapped up in a Snuggie?

She was all about the voice, and didn't try to change that. What's also cool is that it was at the Murray Theater in Murray, my home town! A few of my friends came with me too, so good times haha.This Saturday was another extremely exciting day, because I got to go to Senior Ball at my high school!!
OH. EM. GEE (we're back now).

I didn't think I'd ever get another chance to go to a school dance, but I asked management and they gave the ok and made time in the schedule for me to go. I had soooo much fun!
Ok, if there is anyone out there in the entire universe who is NOT thinking "I want to go to a dance with David!" raise your hands [no hands]. That's what we thought.

For our day activity, we had breakfast and then played games. We fit in a lot of them too. We played dodge ball, basketball, musical chairs, apples to apples, and crab soccer. I got a good work out from the crab soccer too haha.
Crab soccer? Anyone? (I failed out of gym if you coudln't tell.)

We rocked out at the dance too, and even though I sweat so bad it was worth it.
Ok, not to be gross, but don't front like you aren't wondering what Archie's sweat smells like.

The girl I got to go with was awesome too.
Luckiest. Girl. In. The. World.

After the dance we all watched Mall Cop, but I kept falling asleep lol. I was so tired.
Awww... Sweet, sweepy Archie...

And I had to wake up early in the morning anyway for a flight. So yesterday, we flew back down to LA, and I did some things for Nickelodeon with Miranda Cosgrove. It was something that involved more lines to say, haha. So I was really nervous before we started, but once we got going I had so much fun! It felt like Miranda and I just hung out all day long, and she's such a nice girl.
I now hate Miranda Cosgrove.

But yeah, the lines were for Crush Night that's coming up on February 7th! The day of my acting debut.. when the episode of iCarly I'm on airs.
DVR set.

It really is so much fun working with all of them on that show. I wasn't sure if I'd get to work with them anytime soon, so when I heard I was going to be working with Miranda Sunday, I was pumped! haha.
Still hate Miranda Cosgrove.

But yeah, I'll stop talking about that and save it for the week it comes on. But keep that on your calendars! It's a big day haha. Well for me anyway.
Arch, I think it's pretty safe to say that if it's a special day for you, it's a special day for us.

But yeah I wrote an awfully lot in this blog. But it was a big weekend! Adele, the school dance, and Miranda all in 3 days. But I will post some pictures for you guys. Bye bye.
BYEEEEEE!

Song of the week: Adele "Best for Last." Her album is my favorite right now!
THAT'S OUR FAVE TOO! We're still A LOT too not over you! Until next time, Archie, Archi-voir!

Sorry, but I feel the need to kvell for just a second: MAZEL TOV, Kevin, Nick Jr, and JJ! Oh, hold up -- you ain't hurd? The Jonas Brothers were nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy!

They're up against Duffy, Adele, Jazmine Sullivan (we so called that!), and Lady Antebellum -- no relation to Lady Gaga, who was nominated for Best Dance Recording (though my heart's with Hot Chip's "Ready For The Floor," but I digress...) YAY, JONAS BROTHERS! You three's like sugar on mah heart!

+ Check out the Jonas Brothers discussing their Grammy nom and their celebratory fist pump!

+ Rihanna was feeling kinda sad after her maybe-fainting-episode last week... so her totally platonic "pal" Chris Brown bought her $800 worth of lingerie to cheer her up! Hey, smooth move, Chris! After all, nothing says "We're just friends" quite like the non-refundable purchase of sexy, lacy undergarments. (Mirror - UK, via I'm Not Obsessed)

+ Miley Cyrus sez Barack Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia may be showing off their acting chops -- as her newest Hannah Montana costars! GOBAMA! (MTV News)

+ Unfortunately, the Obama fam says this is the first they've heard of it. Whoopsers! (MTV News)

+ British pop singer Adele isn't convinced those Jo Bros are as chaste as they'd have you believe. "Millions of girls fancy them!" she recently told Glamour. "If the Jonas Brothers are virgins - then I'm a man." (ContactMusic)

+ Usmagazine.com apologizes to actress Kelly Reilly for "any potential embarrassment" caused by their (mistaken!) report that she and Guy Ritchie have been gettin' it on. (Usmagazine.com)

+ Memo to Amy Winehouse: We'll never make another beehive joke again if you promise to ditch the $5 perm once and for all. (Scandalist)