Russell Brand Becomes A 'Lovable Drunk' On The Set Of 'Arthur'

'I used to be drunk; I remain lovable,' he tells MTV News of channeling the character.
By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Russell Brand in "Arthur"
Photo: Warner Bros.

Russell Brand has the foolproof path (emphasis on the "fool") toward Oscar glory figured out: imitation.

See, 20 years ago, Dudley Moore nabbed an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor based on his turn as a boozy billionaire in "Arthur." For Brand's upcoming remake of the comedy, he plopped on Arthur's top hat and, as he joked, chose simply to ape Moore's performance — hoping, if not to break new big-screen ground, than at least to assure himself some awards-season love.

"What I did is, I've pretended to be Dudley Moore for a lot of this film, because I was thinking perhaps they just might think, 'He's almost the exact same as him. Let's nominate him for an Oscar,' " Brand told MTV News when we visited the "Arthur" set last summer.

But having hung out on the set for a day, we can say this: The new Arthur is an utterly Brandian creation. He's hyper-articulate, with an encyclopedic assortment of historical and pop-culture reference, yet completely, endearingly immature. How else to explain that in one scene, Brand can be spotted in full Batman regalia, leaving an NYPD precinct and stopping in front of a gaggle of reporters but yelling to a cohort, "Don't forget about that cock fight on Thursday! It better be what I think it is"?

For the role, Brand didn't have to do research so much as reference his past misdeeds. "He's a lovable drunk. I used to be drunk; I remain lovable," he said, quick-witted as ever.

The challenge for his co-stars was just trying to keep up when the cameras rolled. "Russell's so quick and so smart, it's like playing comedy speed chess," said Greta Gerwig, who plays one of his love interests. "He's always 12 moves ahead of you."

Said Jennifer Garner, who plays another of Arthur's romantic conquests, "You just have to be ready for whatever he throws at you. And you want to feel like you are throwing enough at him that he's not bored."

Check out everything we've got on "Arthur."

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

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657587/russell-brand-arthur.jhtml

Amanda Righetti Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci Amber Brkich

Coldplay, Led Zeppelin Album Covers Featured On New British Stamps

Album art from Pink Floyd, Blur and David Bowie also included.
By James Montgomery


Coldplay's new British stamps
Photo: Royal Mail

On Thursday (January 7), the U.K.'s Royal Mail unveiled a series of 10 new stamps, honoring the most iconic album covers of the past 40 years.

The albums featured in the new series are the Rolling Stones' Let It Bleed, Led Zeppelin's IV, David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, The Clash's London Calling, New Order's Power, Corruption and Lies, Primal Scream's Screamadelica, Pink Floyd's The Division Bell, Blur's Parklife and — the most recent album on to make the cut — Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head.

Meant to honor "the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people's lives," the series is the end result of a lengthy research process by the Royal Mail, who looked through thousands of album covers by British artists before deciding on the final list. And, during a Wednesday night BBC Radio broadcast, it was revealed that the queen herself actually approved each design.

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page — who helped design the cover for IV — was on hand to celebrate the release of the stamps and recalled the mysterious nature of the album's iconic imagery.

"Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man who featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him," he said. "That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time."

Of course, any great honor is befitting of an equally great contest, so, on the same day the stamps were made available to the general public, Coldplay decided to give one of their Rush of Blood stamps away. In a message on their official site, the band held a contest to send one lucky fan "a letter using a Coldplay stamp, postmarked with today's issue date."

"We visited our local post office earlier today and bought some of the Coldplay stamps," the message read. "Very nice they are too."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629227/coldplay-led-zeppelin-album-covers-featured-on-new-british-stamps.jhtml

Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci

Britney Spears Releases Another 'Hold It Against Me' Teaser

Scenes from 'Slave 4 U' and ' ... Baby One More Time' videos play on monitors in the nine-second sneak peek.
By Jocelyn Vena


Britney Spears in the third "Hold it Against Me" teaser
Photo: Jive

Three teasers down; a bunch more to go! On Friday, Britney Spears kicked off the countdown to her "Hold It Against Me" video premiere by giving fans a sneak peek at the video's space-age, Jonas Åkerlund-directed world. With only a week and a half until the clip drops, Brit is slowly getting fans pumped with more teases.

On Sunday, a day after appearing dressed in red in another teaser, Britney posted a nine-second clip of the video on YouTube. In it, the camera pans to multiple television monitors, as scenes from some of the singer's most iconic videos, including "Slave 4 U" and " ... Baby One More Time," are played. Other monitors show dance rehearsals, and "Toxic" is played before transitioning into "HIAM."

In the room, made up completely of television monitors, the top of Spears head appears — certainly an über-tease about what is still to come. Fans are then told there are 11 days left until the video's release. Along with the clip, Spears tweeted, "Just saw a new cut of #HIAM. SOOOO excited to share it! 11 days to go...."

Brian Friedman, who choreographed the video, recently told MTV News that the clip pushes all boundaries.

"Artistically, this video, I think, surpasses a lot of her other videos," he teased. "So many of her videos are iconic, though. You look at 'Toxic' and you look at 'Slave,' even 'Oops ... I Did It Again': People are gonna remember those videos forever. [In] ' ... Baby One More Time,' she made schoolgirl outfits relevant and so popular. This video is artistically a masterpiece, and I don't think that Britney has pushed the envelope in this way ever in any of her videos."

What are you expecting from the "Hold It Against Me" video? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657421/britney-spears-hold-it-against-me.jhtml

Jenny McCarthy Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Cauffiel

Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian Talk Black Eyed Peas Halftime Show

Celebs including Martha Stewart, comedian Jeffrey Ross and more also tweeted about Super Bowl spectacle.
By Gil Kaufman


Black Eyed Peas perform at the Super Bowl on Sunday
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

The Black Eyed Peas put on an eye-popping spectacle during their halftime performance on Sunday, filled with "Tron"-like flashing suits, dancers with boxes on their heads, a bit of Slash and a cameo from Usher.

In all, it was exactly the kind of over-the-top spectacle we've come to expect from the musical portion of the annual football and advertising spectacle. And since it's the biggest TV program of the year, it feels like everyone is watching and they all have something to say about it.

One of the first stars to tweet their thoughts about the BEP show was Justin Bieber, who weighed in to give props to his mentor, Usher. Though Ush suffered some serious microphone issues during his performance of "OMG," Bieber tweeted, "@BEP and @Slash and my big bro @UsherRaymondIV - #proud of u my dude. That split was crazy. #Halftimeshow," he wrote, referring to the mind-bending jump split Raymond did after leaping over will.i.am's head.

Kim Kardashian, who, like Bieber, was also a star of the event thanks to a buzzed-about Skechers commercial, had some love for BEP singer Fergie, offering, "Wow Black Eyed Peas killed it!!! Fergie looks sooo gorge!"

Even NBC White House correspondent Chuck Todd felt the need to comment on the technical glitches, writing, "I think Fox has messed up the audio, at least that would be my excuse after this." Comedy Central roastmaster and stand-up veteran Jeffrey Ross was not so kind, when he said simply, "Boom Boom Next," followed by "Black eye plea[s]e" and "OK, we had a feeling."

"Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane was equally vicious, tweeting, "This Super Bowl halftime event looks like the talent show from Revenge of the Nerds ... and suddenly it's the Carousel from 'Logan's Run.' "

The medley of five Peas hits included "I Gotta Feeling," "Boom Boom Pow," "Pump It," "Where Is the Love" and "The Time (Dirty Bit)," with Slash and Usher showing up as special guests for "Sweet Child 'O Mine" and "OMG," respectively.

It was all good for home-decorating expert Martha Stewart, who gave her thumbs up with the tweet: "Love the half time show. Fergie looks great. The staging is really exciting."

What did you think of this year's Super Bowl halftime show? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657437/justin-bieber-black-eyed-peas-halftime-show.jhtml

Amanda Bynes Amanda Detmer Amanda Marcum Amanda Peet

Katy Perry Praises Beyonce In Elle

'I think diva is a great and powerful word in the sense of what Beyoncé makes it,' the pop star says in the magazine's cover story.
By Jocelyn Vena


Katy Perry on the March issue of <i>Elle</i>
Photo: Carter Smith/Elle

Katy Perry not only glams up for the new issue of Elle, but she also gets real. The singer — who is gearing up for a big performance on this Sunday's Grammy Awards — dishes on diva behavior, discusses her personal life and even reveals how much she weighs in the fashion magazine's latest cover story.

"I feel like I'm at a point in my life right now where I could potentially stick around," Perry says about her outlook on being a pop star. "I don't feel like a diva, but I think diva is a great and powerful word in the sense of what Beyoncé makes it. And maybe I can't be Beyoncé, but maybe I can be Cyndi Lauper. I mean be like her, not be her. That would just be weird."

The singer also admits to having some ambitions outside of the entertainment world. "I think some people will die on the stage, and I'm not so sure I want to do that. Like, I want to have kids!" she explains. "I'm totally fine with saying that. I think some people are scared because they're worried it's going to ruin their career, but I want to live a full life."

That full life, these days, includes her hubby, Russell Brand, who she says is her perfect better half. "Everything clicked really fast. We kind of instantly got past all the surfacey stuff. And ever since then, there hasn't been a dull moment," she says. "We both needed balance, and we give that to each other. It wasn't about me taming him, which is what everyone always says — it was about timing."

Perry doesn't hold back at all, revealing details about her weight that very few celebrities seem willing to share with the world. "I was shaped like a square at one time. I was! I'm generally around 130 pounds, which is totally fine for me," she confesses. "But when I was a kid, I was the same height and weighed more like 145. And I had enormous boobs that I didn't know what to do with, so I wore minimizers, which were not cute. Those thick-ass straps! I got made fun of for the over-the-shoulder boulder holder ... and all I wanted was to look like Kate Moss. Little did I know ... that these things would come in handy someday."

What do you think about Katy's Elle confessions? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657471/katy-perry-praises-beyonce-elle.jhtml

Danneel Harris Deanna Russo Denise Richards Desiree Dymond

Magic Johnson Makes MAJOR Move With VIBE "Basketball Wife" Jennifer Williams Confirms Divorce Decision

Big news on the table for Magic Johnson and VIBE.  The NBA Hall of Famer turned entrepreneur master has just invested a HUGE stake in VIBE Holdings.  And he's also been named chairmen of the whole group.  

 

We've got the deets on that, plus Jennifer Williams' confirmation of her divorce from Eric Williams...

 

Magic Johnson just made a big move in the media world.  He and Ron Burkle just put in major mula into VIBE Holdings company.  And Magic has been named the Chairman.  VIBE Holdings encompasses VIBE magazine, Vibe.com, Uptown mag, and the whole Soul Train franchise.  

According to the press release just sent out:

Vibe Holdings LLC (“Vibe Holdings”) today announced an investment from Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron Burkle’s The Yucaipa Companies, joining Vibe Holding’s existing owner, InterMedia Partners. Vibe Holdings is a leading multi-cultural media company consisting of treasured and celebrated brands including Vibe Magazine, Vibe.com, Uptown Magazine and the revered and iconic Soul Train TV show and library. This investment transaction will invigorate and further cement these brands as formidable urban media outlets spanning the broadcast, digital, live entertainment, and print mediums.

As part of the transaction Earvin “Magic” Johnson will become Chairman of Vibe Holdings. In the role of Chairman, Johnson, a venerated and proven architect of niche market development, will utilize his unparalleled business acumen to fuel the continued growth of Vibe Holdings through targeted brand extensions and the creation of diversified advertiser-friendly platforms. Through the strategic combination of InterMedia Partners, MJE and The Yucaipa Companies, Vibe Holdings will be positioned as the globally recognized voice of influence, and continue to deliver compelling and relevant content dedicated to magnifying the heart and soul of the rich urban culture."

 

Magic said about the partnership:

“The mission of Magic Johnson Enterprises is focused on building mutually beneficial relationships between corporations and the underserved urban market. Through programs designed to cultivate the existing profit potential of this burgeoning, and frequently neglected demographic, we are able to revitalize and maximize profit margins. Currently the landscape of modern media lacks a platform to serve this community on a global scale

History and legacy are paramount in building brand affinity and we plan to integrate this ideology into the resurgence of Vibe Holdings. Through leveraging established brand equity we will create a pertinent message vehicle for major advertisers. We will redefine Vibe Holdings as the center of influence for the coveted urban audience."

LOVE this.  I'm always a huge fan of blacks investing in BLACK.   Nice!

 

In reality tv news, "Basketball Wife" Jennifer Williams has confirmed sheis officially divorcing her husband, Eric Williams.  Yeah, we kinda figured that after all the foolery between them on the show.  And him seeming not to really care much more about the relationship.

Jennifer tells Life & Style mag that she's planning on filing for divorce in the next couple of weeks:

"It's a new year and I just want to put this behind me,” Jennifer tells Life & Style exclusively. “He doesn't know exactly when I'm going to do it. He’s just waiting for me to pull the trigger.

I really wanted it to work and believed he would change. This whole lifestyle is dysfunctional; it's not a typical marriage. The bad just started to outweigh the good.  I just want to live comfortably and move on, get it over with.  I definitely will not put up with this type of behavior ever again!”

About the rumors a love child that surfaced last summer:

“I wasn't distraught about it, but I really felt bad for the child.”

 

Goodness.  Maybe it's for the best....

The Randomness:

1.  In non YBF news, Ashlee Simpson just filed for divorce and spousal support from husband Pete Wentz! Story

Source: http://theybf.com/2011/02/09/magic-johnson-makes-major-move-with-vibebasketball-wife-jennifer-williams-confirms-divorc

Foxy Brown Freida Pinto FSU Cowgirls Gabrielle Union

Katy Perry: I Used to Hate My "Enormous Boobs"

Katy Perry: I Used to Hate My "Enormous Boobs"

We may be green with envy over Katy Perry's fantastic figure, but the pop sensation say she wasn't always thrilled with the goods she was born with. Like most of us, Russell Brand's wife went through a period when she wasn't thrilled with what she saw in the mirror.

Now, Perry is over it -- to the point where she's doing something many women dread doing: She's revealing how much she weighs!

"I was shaped like a square at one time. I was! I'm generally around 130 pounds, which is totally fine for me. But when I was a kid, I was the same height and weighed more like 145," the "Firework" singer says in the new issue of Elle. "And I had enormous boobs that I didn't know what to do with, so I wore minimizers, which were not cute. Those thick-ass straps! I got made fun of for the over-the-shoulder boulder holder...and all I wanted was to look like Kate Moss. Little did I know...that these things would come in handy someday."

Now that she's embraced her curves and seems to be doing everything right in the music world, Perry says she's getting comfortable with her superstar status.

"I feel like I'm at a point in my life right now where I could potentially stick around. I don't feel like a diva, but I think diva is a great and powerful word in the sense of what Beyonce makes it," she says. "And maybe I can't be Beyonce, but maybe I can be Cyndi Lauper. I mean be like her, not be her. That would just be weird."

Do you think Katy Perry is brave for revealing her weight? Chime in below!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/katy-perry-i-used-hate-my-enormous-boobs/1-a-321573

Anna Paquin AnnaLynne McCord Anne Marie Kortright April Scott