ABC

Mariah Carey, who looks as stunning as ever, appeared on ‘Good Morning America’ to talk about heart health month, Dem Babies, new music and of course, the loss of fellow diva Whitney Houston and her recently hospitalized husband Nick Cannon. Carey and Cannon had a serious scare when he went into mild kidney failure in January.

Carey was quite candid during her chat with Robin Roberts, speaking from the heart about the late, great Houston, who passed at 48 just over a week ago.

“It was great and I don’t think people could ever understand our relationship,” Carey mused. “There was this supposed rivalry in the beginning, then we did the duet and became friends. I loved her.”

It’s been a rocky month for people in Carey’s life. Roc and Roe’s mother also spoke about Cannon’s health scare, saying, “We didn’t know how big a deal it was at that moment” about Cannon’s first stay in the hospital. Then things got worse. She admitted, “It was a gradual thing. We ended up in a couple hospitals this year already.”

Carey voiced her support for Cannon, who quit his morning drive radio show last week, since he was working way too hard and neglecting his health. She said, “The best thing I think was the choice that he made to leave the radio show and just focus on ‘America’s Got Talent’ and ‘Up All Night.’ The thing is, he’s a young healthy person. It’s about changing the lifestyle and just an awareness of what can really happen to you no matter how young or in great shape you are.”

Cannon’s missus did express that she believes he will make a glass of lemonade out of this lemon, saying, “I think, like he always does, he’s going to turn something that happened into a positive thing.”

That’s great news.

Watch Mariah Carey on ‘GMA’

Source: PopCrush.com

American Mustache Institute

When someone grows a mustache, all of society benefits, since the visually pleasing facial hair is now on display for all to see. Yet the costs of maintaining a proper lip sweater falls only on the mustachioed individual.

The fine folks at the American Mustache Institute want to change this. So they recently proposed the “Stimulus To Allow Critical Hair Expenses,” or the STACHE ACT, which awards a $250 tax credit to every mustached American. They are also calling for a Million Mustache March in support of the act that will take place in Washington DC on April 1st. (Yup, always a bit suspicious.)

The AMI, who partnered with H&R Block on the proposal, even  drew up a white paper on why the STACHE act is necessary. Here is its summery:

In summary, the grooming habits of Mustached Americans are a clear example of financial, social and environmental responsibility—the triple bottom line. It is appropriate that Congress allow a limited number of deductions to people of Mustached American heritage in recognition of the value that their lifestyle provides to the economy, to society, and to the environment.

Of course since we are talking mustaches, you’re probably wondering what John Oates thinks of all of this. And yes, Daryl Hall’s more hirsute half did weigh on The STACHE act, which he whole-heartily supports. Check Hall’s explanation below.

[via American Mustache Institute]

Source: TheFW.com

Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images

Believe it or not, there are still some members of the American public who don’t own Adele‘s ’21′ album. However, that pool is a lot smaller than it used to be, after nearly three-quarters of a million people purchased the record last week, giving ’21′ by far its biggest sales week yet.

As reported by Billboard, the 730,000 copies eclipses the album’s previous best week, when it sold 399,000 during the Christmas shopping season. The surge in sales comes after Adele was the star of the 2012 Grammy Awards, taking home all six awards for which she was nominated, including Album of the Year.

Appropriately, ’21′ has now spent 21 weeks at No. 1 on the album chart. That passes the 20-week reign of Whitney Houston‘s ‘The Bodyguard’ soundtrack. It ties for the 8th-most weeks at No. 1 in history with MC Hammer‘s ‘Please, Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em.’ The next targets for Adele: Prince‘s ‘Purple Rain’ and the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ soundtrack, which both spent 24 weeks atop the chart.

Here’s another interesting piece of trivia: Not counting albums that have been out for less than a month, and excluding the Christmas season (when album sales typically go through the roof), the 730,000 copies Adele sold of ’21′ this week are the second-most by any album in any week in history, behind only the 848,000 the ‘Titanic’ soundtrack sold during Valentine’s week in 1998.

Adele’s debut album, ’19,’ also sees a huge sales surge, shooting up to No. 4. The remarkable vocalist’s remarkable success just won’t quit!

Source: PopCrush.com

Twitter

Calling all Lovatics (aka Demi Lovato fans). The teen queen tweeted a promo photo from her upcoming, top secret MTV special, set to air March 6. The image is striking, but it’s not of Lovato’s beautiful face or expressive eyes. It’s of her hands.

Lovato’s wrists are face up, with her swirly “Stay Strong” script tattoo in full view and adorned by a heart and a lipstick kiss on either side. She’s also sporting dangerous, sharpened-to-a-point, black lacquered dagger nails. Those things could do some damage.We hope Demi doesn’t wear contacts or she’d need a personal assistant to help her remove them thanks to those talons.

The photo is certainly meant to capture Lovato’s fierce, never-give-up quality, which made her a role model for teens dealing with eating disorders and bullying. She posted this tweet along with the image: “Lovatics-I wanted to tell you FIRST about a special I worked on with @MTV. It premieres March 6th at 10pm!”

Further details about the special are scarce, but one can surmise that it’s going to detail her 2010 rehab stint. Lovato has been dogged by return-to-rehab rumors for several weeks, all of which she and her handlers have denied. Demi is indeed staying strong.

Source: PopCrush.com

When the word cult is used it is typically intended to infer something negative and in many cases it is.  But let’s pull out a dictionary and apply the definition before making any firm judgments or accusations.   First let’s get a look at what CrossFit is.

Isaac Alameda, owner and trainer at FSU (Fit Strong United) says, “It’s the community and the different style of workouts that are involved. Most people who do CrossFit are very successful in their careers too. It’s for people who want or need that extra push.  When it comes to the community everybody is there for the same reasons: To become healthier and fit.”

~Ray Bazan, owner and trainer at CrossFit 302 says, “Crossfit to me in one word: RAW.   There is nothing out there like this. It is for you or it’s not. To me it brings people closer together. It’s also healthy for you.  When you see the time on that clock you know it brings out the competitive side in you, and when you see your time finished you start thinking I can do better. Then your are hooked.

A cult a club or chapter of a local motorcycle group in the end we are there for one another to push for that next rep or personal record. We are family.”

Cult is defined below according to Websters:

• great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work

Let’s break that down.  Part’s of that definition can apply.

Am I devoted to a person?  Yes, I am finally devoted to myself, specifically my health.

Am I devoted to an idea?  Yes, I’m devoted to the idea that building strength, health, endurance, and in the process gaining more self confidence is a GOOD thing.

If the movement is fitness – yes, I’m devoted to getting myself healthy and fit.

And work? CrossFitters are definitely devoted to the work it takes to get to their personal goals.

So based on that version of the definition anything that we devote or commit our time to is considered a cult.

I think we can all apply that to many areas of our lives that are not negative.

Next version of the definition of cult states:

• a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

Is CrossFit a ‘usually small group of people characterized by such devotion’?  Well, it’s not a small group but there’s that word again – devotion!  CrossFitters could definitely be characterized by devotion.  Most definitely!

Look, if one feels the need to define CrossFit as a cult that’s fine.  But with the negative inference it does not apply and is only a reaction to something that is not understood.  I hope this has been enlightening for all.  Now join your local CrossFit!  Or don’t!

TwitVid / Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Remember Chris Brown‘s Twitter feud with pro wrestler CM Punk? It just got deeper. CM Punk just released a TwitVid slamming Brown.

“I’m not here to start controversy, or to gain publicity, or anything like that,” pro wrestler CM Punk said in the clip (could’ve fooled us). “And now that he’s thrown accusations my way of using steroids, I feel the need to reply.” And reply he did.

Some background: On Sunday night (Feb. 19), CM Punk tweeted, “I would like @chrisbrown fight somebody that can defend themselves. Me curb stomping that turd would be a #wrestlemania moment.”

When Brown saw the tweet he lashed out. Though the message has since been deleted, Brown wrote, “@CMpunk needs more followers. He’s such a leader! Not to mention the roids hes on has made it utterly impossible for him pleasure a women [sic].” This is the part that ticked CM Punk off.

“I’m a lifelong, proud, drug-free straight edge individual,” CM Punk said, “so Chris and I come from two completely different worlds.” What are you implying, CM Punk?

“I don’t hit women.” Oh boy. “You just don’t hit women, period,” CM Punk said. “In my world, women are to be revered and respected. I firmly believe that in this life there are consequences and repercussions for people’s actions,” he ranted on. “I don’t think Chris has paid for what he’s done.”

“Picking up trash on the side of a highway does not make amends for repeatedly striking a woman in the face and sending her to a hospital,” he said, growing visibly heated. “So Chris wants to throw stones my way now? I say, that’s fine. But put some gloves on and get in the ring.”

“I will make you feel as weak and as powerless and as scared and alone as any woman who has had the misfortune of knowing such a scared, cowardly little boy such as yourself.” Them’s fightin’ words! “All proceeds can go to a women’s shelter of my choosing, if you want to pick up more trash on the side of a highway to make some amends, that’s fine. Maybe you should donate some more time, telling kids that exactly what you did isn’t right.”

CM Punk recognizes that this may all be a pipe dream, however. “I’m also a realist,” he grumbled, “and I know none of these things will happen because Chris Brown isn’t a man. And that’s fine.” Daaaaaaaayum!

“But I know that someday, somehow, somewhere, somebody will put Chris Brown exactly where he belongs, and it honestly doesn’t have to be me,” CM Punk said, calming down. “I would just really like it to be.”

As righteous as CM Punk’s arguments are, his timing is awfully convenient for someone who claims to not want publicity. Here’s hoping Breezy takes the extremely high road here and doesn’t fight CM Punk. Either way he’ll get a nose bleed, but one will come with a lot better PR.

Watch CM Punk Threaten Chris Brown

Source: PopCrush.com

Dave Hogan (2), Getty Images

Adele‘s awards show dominance shows no signs of letting up. The British superstar won twice at today’s 2012 BRIT Awards in London, while Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and One Direction also nabbed trophies.

Adele took home Best British Female Artist and Album of the Year for ’21.’ After winning the latter award, presented by George Michael, Adele said, “I’m so proud to be flying our flag,” before being cut off by producers trying to keep the show on schedule, according to The Guardian.

The only nomination Adele lost was British Single of the Year. That award, which is decided by sales and airplay throughout the year, went to One Direction’s ‘What Makes You Beautiful.’ Newcomer Ed Sheeran won both British Male Artist and British Breakthrough Act, while Coldplay took Best British Group.

As for the international awards, Rihanna won for Female Artist, Bruno Mars captured Male Artist, the Foo Fighters took Best Group, and Lana Del Rey won International Breakthrough Act.

Complete list of 2012 BRIT Awards Winners:

British Male Solo Artist
Ed Sheeran — WINNER
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Professor Green

British Female Solo Artist
Adele — WINNER
Florence + the Machine
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling

British Breakthrough Act
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran — WINNER
Emeli Sandé
Jessie J
The Vaccines

British Group
Arctic Monkeys
Chase & Status
Coldplay — WINNER
Elbow
Kasabian

British Single
Adele – ‘Someone Like You’
Ed Sheeran – ‘The A Team’
Example – ‘Changed The Way You Kissed Me’
Jessie J feat. B.o.B – ‘Price Tag’
JLS feat. Dev – ‘She Makes Me Wanna’
Military Wives & Gareth Malone – ‘Wherever You Are’
Olly Murs feat. Rizzle Kicks – ‘Heart Skips A Beat’
One Direction – ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ — WINNER
Pixie Lott – ‘All About Tonight’
The Wanted – ‘Glad You Came’

Mastercard British Album of the Year
Adele – ’21′ — WINNER
Coldplay – ‘Mylo Xyloto’
Ed Sheeran – ‘+’
Florence & The Machine – ‘Ceremonials’
PJ Harvey – ‘Let England Shake’

International Male Solo Artist
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars — WINNER
David Guetta
Ryan Adams

International Female Solo Artist
Beyoncé
Bjork
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna — WINNER

International Group
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters — WINNER
Jay-Z & Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5

International Breakthrough Act
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey — WINNER
Nicki Minaj

British Producer
Paul Epworth
Flood
Ethan Johns — WINNER

Critics’ Choice
1st: Emeli Sande — WINNER
2nd: Maverick Sabre
3rd: Michael Kiwanuka

Outstanding Contribution to Music Award
Winner: Blur

Source: PopCrush.com

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Whitney Houston may have had one of the most recognizable voices in pop music, which brought her great success, fame and fortune. Apparently, the singer’s financial resources may have dwindled down to almost nothing, since her family sold footage of her celebrity-attended funeral to a variety of global media outlets.

Apparently, the family elected to sell the footage in order to raise money for the singer’s sole heir, daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18. That’s why it would seem that Houston didn’t leave much behind.

The funeral took place on Saturday, Feb. 18 in Houston’s Newark, N.J. hometown. She was eulogized by her ‘The Bodyguard’ co-star Kevin Costner and serenaded by Alicia Keys. The funeral aired on CNN and several online outlets via The Associated Press, but all footage was offline and non-viewable the very next day.

A spokesperson for the family told TMZ that the executors of Houston’s estate “agreed to license footage to several media outlets for customary fees.” Those “customary fees” are being set aside to “maximize the estate for the benefit of Bobbi Kristina.”

Hmm, that sounds like jargon-heavy way to say that Houston was broke and/or didn’t leave much behind for her only child in terms of money. Why else would the family need to sell private footage on Bobbi Kris’ behalf?

At least this money-making endeavor is for a good cause, since Bobbi Kris is in a lot of pain over the loss of her mother at such a young age; Houston was just 48. However, an auction of Houston items is set for next month, and that feels a little tacky and entirely too soon after the pop diva’s death, even though the auction house claims that their sale is helping to preserve the singer’s legacy and history.

Yeah, there’s a better way to preserve Houston’s legacy and history. Those are called albums.

Source: PopCrush.com

Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images/Jemal Countess, Getty Images/YouTube

With Oscars season upon us, it’s anyone’s guess who will take home the gold. Each year, some newcomers crash the party among veteran actors who command the red carpet at the Academy Awards. The annual event draws Hollywood’s biggest stars, and millions more around the world. The press always puts together some basic information about this year’s nominees, but how much do you actually know about the Oscars ceremony? Here’s a list of fun facts and trivia you can use to impress your friends this awards season.

Why’s it called Oscar?

Nobody knows for sure. The most commonly cited origin dates back to actress Bette Davis, who said that the backside of the statuette looked like her first husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson. According to another theory, the name came from Academy secretary Margaret Herrick who claimed it looked like her Uncle Oscar. However it came to be, the Oscar officially got its name in 1939, 10 years after the annual ceremony began. The official name of the Oscar is the Academy Award of Merit.

What are the statues made of?

Originally, they were gold-plated solid bronze. Then they moved over to Britannia metal, a pewter-like alloy that was then covered with copper, nickel silver, and 24-carat gold. But when WWII hit, and a metal shortage followed, the Academy had to make do with what materials they had available. So they resorted to painted plaster for three years. After the war ended, recipients were invited to exchange the plaster awards for gold-plated metal ones. Fun fact: Oscar statuette weighs 8 1/2 pounds and is 13 1/2 inches tall. (Watch a video on the making of an Oscar below.)

Hardly anyone attended the first Academy Awards

With what the awards have turned into today, it’s hard to imagine Hollywood’s humble beginnings. But that was the case for the first Academy Awards in May 1929, which was a small dinner held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for 270 guests. It cost $5 a head, and the guests dined on broiled chicken.

Oscars.org

There have only been a few sweeps of the top categories

‘Hugo’ leads this year’s Best Picture crop with 11 nominations, but only three films in the history of the awards have ever won all five of the top categories (Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, Actress in a Leading Role, Directing, Writing). They are: ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934), ’One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975) and ‘Silence of the Lambs’ (1991). 37 other films have been nominated in all of the “Big Five” categories, but have fallen short of ultimate Oscars glory.

Vince Bucci, Getty Images

A sound mixer is the biggest loser in Oscars history

Sound mixer Kevin O’Connell has 20 nominations yet still no wins, making him “the unluckiest nominee in the history of the Academy Awards,” according to The Guardian. Basically O’Connell is the Susan Lucci of the Oscars, with nods spanning from ‘Terms of Endearment’ to ’Transformers.’ “If I ever did get an opportunity to make a speech, one of the things I’d say is to all you nominees, don’t consider yourselves losers. You guys are winners and don’t let anyone tell you differently,” he told Entertainment Weekly. O’Connell can take solace in his recognition from the Academy in other ways — he sits on the Board of Governors, representing the sound branch. (Watch an interview with O’Connell below.)

A toothbrush is Billy Crystal’s good luck charm

Expect this year’s host Billy Crystal to be armed with a toothbrush in his tuxedo pocket, but not because of a fear of bad breath. As a kid, Crystal would pretend to make an Oscar speech using his toothbrush as a microphone, and each of the eight times he’s taken the stage as the show’s host, he’s brought along his toothbrush to help ease his nerves.

Selling Oscar trophies is forbidden

Fame is fleeting, and so are Oscars apparently. Many celebrities have given their Oscars way or lost them over the years. But according to Moviefone, they can’t hock them at the pawn shop — the Academy banned the sale of the statuettes in 1950. Heirs to the statuettes must, according to the established rule, sell the trophies back to the Academy for $1. Pre-1950 Academy Awards have sold for millions.

Jemal Countess, Getty Images

Someone streaked the Oscars

During the 1974 Academy Awards, while actor David Niven was calling up Elizabeth Taylor to present the Oscar for Best Picture, a streaker emerged from the back of the stage and interrupted the festivities. Niven ad-libbed, ”Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen. But isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?” The streaker was Robert Opel, a photographer and art gallery owner who had snuck backstage posing as a journalist. You can thank him for the delay imposed on the televised broadcast. Watch the famous moment below.

Marlon Brando turned down an award

When Marlon Brando won Best Actor in a Leading Role for ‘The Godfather’ in 1972, he declined to accept the award and instead sent Native American actress Sacheen Littlefeather to represent him on the stage. Littlefeather explained that Brando didn’t appreciate the way that Native Americans were portrayed in the movies. While some didn’t like Brando’s political statement, others believe that Brando’s stand helped improve the treatment of Native Americans in Hollywood. The Academy subsequently banned the use of proxies to speak on anyone’s behalf at the ceremony.

Oscar wins raise the divorce rate

A recent study found that women who were nominated for Best Actress were more likely to get divorced sometime after their Academy Award nods. Many recent winners – including Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, and Sandra Bullock – feel prey to the curse. (See a recent list of actresses here.) “Winning an Oscar can be construed as a big jump in professional status that an actor or actress has in their world and in the eyes of the broader audience…You are never the same after you’ve secured an Oscar for Best actor or Best Actress,” explained one of the scientists.

Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

Source: TheFW.com

20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox/Columbia Pictures/United Artists/United Artists

For every role that can be considered “Oscar bait,” there are the roles that are completely out of the norm for the Academy Awards.  The actors on our list all gave performances that have transcended Oscars and are more well-known for their contributions to pop culture.

While the Academy tends to ignore genre movies in favor of stuffy period pieces and weepy dramas, occasionally they honor an offbeat character beloved by moviegoers. Whether it’s a tough-as-nails alien fighter, a telekinetic kid or a Jedi master, these are 10 iconic characters from movie history that were surprisingly nominated for an Oscar.

Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, ‘The Karate Kid’

Columbia Pictures

‘The Karate Kid’ is an ’80s staple that launched three sequels (plus a Jackie Chan reboot) and a bonafide kids classic. Much of the film’s success was due to Pat Morita’s portrayal of wise sensei Mr. Miyagi. Morita, who gained notoriety on ‘Happy Days,’ received his first and only Oscar nomination for the role, losing to Haing S. Ngor for ‘The Killing Fields.’  (It’s also not the only surprising Oscar nomination to come from the ‘Karate Kid’ cast– William Zabka (aka “Sweep the leg Johnny” ) was nominated for Best Short Film, Live Action in 2004.)

Anne Ramsey as Mrs. Lift, ‘Throw Momma From the Train’

Orion Pictures

Anne Ramsey had a long career dating back to 1971 before she became famous for her role as the nasty Mrs. Fratelli in ‘The Goonies.’  It was that role that led Danny De Vito to cast Ramsey as another nasty mama in ‘Throw Momma From the Train.’  While the film otherwise didn’t make much of an impact with critics or audiences, Ramsey was singled out for her performance and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.  Though she may have looked much older, Ramsey died just a few months later, at the age of just 59.

Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil, ‘The Exorcist’

Warner Bros.

‘The Exorcist’ is remembered for a lot of things: pea soup showers, spinning heads, spider walks. But many people forget that Linda Blair, the 13-year-old actress who played possessed schoolgirl Regan MacNeil, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The film received a total of 10 total Oscar nominations (including two for stars Ellen Burstyn and Jason Miller) but it was Blair’s that was the most surprising. She was, at the time, one of the youngest actors nominated for an Oscar. Coincidentally, Blair lost that year to 10-year-old Tatum O’Neal (‘Paper Moon’) who still holds the record for the youngest Academy Award winner.

Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, ‘Aliens’

20th Century Fox

Few action heroes are nominated for Oscars. Very few action heroes in sequels are nominated for Oscars.  Very, very few female action heroes in sequels are nominated for Oscars. That’s why Sigourney Weaver’s nomination in James Cameron’s ‘Aliens’ was so remarkable. As remarkable as it was, though, few people remember it happened, likely because the next year, Weaver was nominated for two Oscars in the same year (for ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ and ‘Working Girl’).

Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, ‘Rocky’

United Artists

‘Rocky’ launched the super-stardom of Sylvester Stallone who went on to become one of the biggest stars in the world. He eventually drove ‘Rocky’ into the ground (see: 1990′s ‘Rocky V’) and the franchise devolved into self-parody, but in the beginning, the underdog boxing film was a hit at the Oscars. Stallone was nominated for Best Actor and, perhaps most surprising, for Best Original Screenplay. Sly has yet to be nominated for an Oscar since, though he does hold the record for the most amount of Razzie nominations. (He can thank ‘Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot’ for that.)

Sir Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi, ‘Star Wars’

20th Century Fox/Lucasfilm

Though Sir Alec Guinness was a widely respected actor prior to ‘Star Wars’ (he won an Oscar previously for ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’), his Oscar-nominated turn as Obi-Wan Kenobi was no doubt his most memorable. With all the ‘Star Wars’ lore, it’s easily forgotten and perhaps Guinness would’ve wanted it that way.  Though the role made him very rich, he hated the fame that came along with the success and, moreso, disliked the films themselves. Guinness told a reporter in 1999 that he suggested to George Lucas that Obi-Wan should die because he “just couldn’t go on speaking those bloody awful, banal lines.”

Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, ‘Carrie’

United Artists

Sissy Spacek’s nomination as Best Actress for ‘Carrie’ is easily forgotten because a) it’s a horror film and b) Spacek went on rack up an impressive six Oscar nominations over her career (winning in 1981 for ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’).  Like comedy and sci-fi, horror films are rarely honored by the Oscars. ‘Carrie’ was rewarded with nominations for both Spacek and her on-screen mother Piper Laurie.

Madeline Kahn as Lili von Shtupp, ‘Blazing Saddles’

Warner Bros.

Despite the Academy doing the right thing and nominating Melissa McCarthy for ‘Bridesmaids,’ comedic performances (particularly ones given by women) rarely get Oscar love. But stage-trained actress Madeline Kahn had already been nominated (1973′s ‘Paper Moon’) before her first collaboration with writer/director Mel Brooks. Her performance in ‘Blazing Saddles’ stood out amongst a cast of comedy heavyweights and may still hold the record for the funniest character name ever nominated for an Oscar.

Gary Busey as Buddy Holly, ‘The Buddy Holly Story’

Columbia Pictures

When you watch ‘The Buddy Holly Story,’ it’s not surprising to think that Gary Busey’s performance would be nominated for an Oscar. But when you watch Gary Busey in everything since then, it’s very surprising to think that the actor — currently best known for ‘Celebrity Rehab’ and otherwise just being a little crazy — was ever nominated for anything. But there was a time when Busey was a talented actor and parlayed his former career as a musician into a powerful performance.

Al Pacino as Alphonse “Big Boy” Caprice, ‘Dick Tracy’

Touchstone Pictures

Over his legendary career, Al Pacino has scored eight Oscar nominations, delivering iconic performances in movies like ‘The Godfather’, ‘Dog Day Afternoon’, ‘Serpico’ and ‘Scent of a Woman’. So it’s a little surprising to see, among those nominations, his performance as mob boss Alphonse “Big Boy” Caprice in the cartoonish ‘Dick Tracy.’ Pacino wore heavy makeup and chewed the scenery (as he is wont to do) as the foil to Warren Beatty’s square-jawed detective. It probably won’t go down as one of his best performances, but for one year, the Academy saw fit to recognize Pacino’s work underneath a rubber nose.

Source: TheFW.com

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

A musical play based on Whitney Houston‘s 1992 film ‘The Bodyguard’ is currently in the works, reports The Guardian. Producers from the Adelphia Theatre in London are developing the stage production about a blossoming relationship between a popular singer Rachel Marron and her bodyguard (played by Kevin Costner in the film).

Tony and Grammy Award-winning singer Heather Headley will portray the Rachel character which Houston played in the movie. The play is expected to bow for London audiences in November.

The musical will also feature some of Houston’s biggest songs from the film’s soundtrack including the centerpiece ‘I Will Always Love You.’ Veteran director Thea Sharrock will helm the musical, which will have a book written by playwright Alex Dinelaris.

The project has been in pre-production for over a year, way before the late pop icon’s unexpected death. Obviously, since her passing, interest in the play has peaked.

Casting for other roles including the bodyguard character are still ongoing. No word if the London musical will travel its way to the U.S. shores on Broadway.

Source: PopCrush.com

CBS

Conan O’Brien is pretty hard to miss, due to his 6’4 frame and bright orange pompadour. So if you happened to be watching ‘How I Met Your Mother’ last night and thought you spotted the late-night host for a brief moment in the background of the gang’s favorite bar, you certainly weren’t imagining things.

Before the show aired Monday, ‘HIMYM’ star Neil Patrick Harris gave his Twitter followers a hint that something like this was brewing.

“Watch the new episode of HIMYM tonight and try to spot the awesomest of dudes randomly hanging out at MacLaren’s. #dontblink,” Harris tweeted.

In fact, if you caught Harris’ appearance on ‘Conan’ last June, you would’ve known that an O’Brien cameo was coming. During their chat, the two revealed that Conan had won a walk-on role on ‘HIMYM’ in a charity auction they had both attended. When the show’s producers heard that it was Conan who out bid everybody for the prize, they wanted to expand the role from the cameo it had been offered as.

However, Conan told them he thought it would be funnier if it remained a brief un-credited walk on. So that’s the story behind Conan’s very short stint on ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ Check it out below, courtesy of HuffPo.

Source: TheFW.com

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Justin Bieber is hard at work recording his upcoming album, ‘Believe,’ as well as a feature on Far East Movement‘s ‘Live My Life’ track. Finally, Beliebers, we can hear some of it!LMFAO rapper Redfoo premiered ‘Live My Life’ during a DJ set in Las Vegas last week. Bieber’s voice sounds much more mature than it did on his breakout hits like ‘One Time’ and ‘Baby,’ and accompanied by the ultra-dancey beat, this is a surefire radio hit.

Producer RedOne dished on the track last week. “The Bieber thing, I don’t know if I’m allowed to mention it right now, but … I did a few songs with Far East Movement, and one of the songs … to me, it’s a smash,” he told MTV. “And Justin sang the chorus. It’s a really good song, and I think people are gonna dance like crazy to it.”

While we don’t know if the song will appear on ‘Believe,’ we do know that RedOne is a Belieber. “He’s very positive and he’s an amazing singer. Amazing everything!” he gushed. “He’s Justin Bieber. He’s a sensation. I think he’s becoming a man with his voice. He’s an incredible singer. So it’s not just the dance or the looks or the ‘Justin’ factor. He’s a real singer musician … He’s a real artist.”

Take a listen below and let us know if you love the track as much we do. It’s stuck in our heads already!

Watch Redfoo Play Far East Movement feat. Justin Bieber, ‘Live My Life’

Source: PopCrush.com

Twitter / Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Another day, another Chris Brown Twitter drama. Country singer Miranda Lambert lambasted Brown and the Grammys for allowing him to perform in light of his assault on Rihanna in 2009. She continued her verbal and PR assault on Brown at one of her concerts. While Brown was relatively quiet in regards to her specific comments, he spoke out the best way he knows how yesterday: his oft-controversial Twitter account.

At a concert on Thursday (Feb. 16) at the University of Massachusetts, Lambert was about to launch into her song ‘Gunpowder and Lead,’ about a woman who kills her abusive husband. Before she began the tune, per E! Online, she spotted a sign in the audience that read ‘Take Notes Chris Brown.’ Lambert held the poster up, and, in what can arguably be considered an antagonistic move, instructed her crowd to take photos and tweet them.

And tweet them they did. Her photo above went viral quickly, and word eventually got to Breezy, who, as expected, didn’t take it well. “Using my name to get publicity? I love it! Perform your heart out!” he tweeted on Saturday (Feb. 18). He immediately followed it with, “Go buy @miranda_lambert album! So motivational and ‘PERFECT’!”

Lambert isn’t the only one who can’t forgive Brown for the ill-fated 2009 pre-Grammy incident. Music editors and fans alike went nuts when it was announced that Brown would feature on Rihanna’s ‘Birthday Cake’ remix. Brown responded to that backlash, as usual, on Twitter as well, writing, “Let them be mad!!!! We make music. Don’t like it, don’t listen! Turn up the music remix is coming soon too! Guess who’s on it?”

While we agree that Lambert may be capitalizing on Brown’s notoriety, we do wish he’d learn to let things go. Perhaps if he had a little more self-control and self-censorship, the world would forgive him as easily as Rihanna did.

Source: PopCrush.com

DavidMartynHunt, Flickr

Freelancing allows you to make money on your own terms without permanent employment, but it also means you don’t have access to certain perks like group insurance, administrative support and job growth assistance. Though, since a reported 30 percent of the US workforce is now freelance, that has changed.

A group called Freelancers Union is just one of many organizations whose mission is to help freelancers have access to the same perks that full-time employees receive. For example, a member of the Freelancers Union can pay a standard employee premium and receive the same kind of insurance coverage he would have in a full-time position. The union also has a job board members can use to connect with possible employers.

Other sites like Elance.com, freelancer.com and odesk.com also give freelancers a place to post profiles, find opportunities for work and even download paperwork and contracts to use. Now, even local chambers of commerce and job assistance programs can help freelancers access opportunities, benefits and administrative support.

No longer does freelancing mean you are navigating the business world on your own. Small businesses are what will keep our economy growing, and supporting the smallest of small businesses benefits everyone.

[via Wall Street Journal]

Universal Pictures

The Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds thriller ‘Safe House’ kept movie-goers on the edge of their seats this holiday weekend, earning $28.4 million to land at the top of the charts in its second week of release.

‘The Vow’ took in $26.6 million for the runner-up spot, barely squeaking past ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,’ which sold $26.4 million in tickets for third.

Rounding out the top five? Nicolas Cage’s ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance’ and the Reese Witherspoon rom-com ‘This Means War,’ which netted $25.7 million and $20.4 million, respectively.

Here’s a list of the top 10 movies at the box office Friday through Monday with estimated grosses, along with how much each movie has made since its release:

1. ‘Safe House’ – $28.4 million, $82.6 million total
2. ‘The Vow’ – $26.6 million, $88.5 million total
3. ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ – $26.4 million, $59.5 million total
4. ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance’ – $25.7 million, new release
5. ‘This Means War’ – $20.4 million, $22 million total
6. ‘Star Wars: Episode I – Phantom Menace’ – $10.1 million, $36 million total
7. ‘Chronicle’ – $9.2 million, $52.6 million total
8. ‘The Secret World Of Arrietty’ – $8.1 million, new release
9. ‘The Woman in Black’ – $7.9 million, $46.5 million total
10. ‘The Grey’ – $3.7 million, $48.6 million total

[Box Office Mojo]

Scott Gries, Getty Images

The ‘Birthday Cake’ remix is three times the length of the original brief ‘Talk That Talk’ track. The raunchy bedroom anthem is extra steamy considering the couple’s rollercoaster history. Based on rampant rumors of their downlow hookups, when Breezy sings, “Girl I wanna f— you right now / It’s been a long time / I’ve been missing your body,” you believe him.

Rihanna is just as reminiscent, rapping, “Remember how you did it? / Remember how you fed it? / You still wanna kiss it? / C-C-Come and get it.”

Breezy’s own ‘Turn Up the Music’ remix was released today, also featuring RiRi. While critics and fans were both wary of the collaborations (and understandably so), from a purely musical standpoint, they duo makes an effective team.

Whether you believe or agree with the allegations of a reignited romantic flame, the heat between these two is undeniable. We blame the birthday candles.

Listen to Rihanna feat. Chris Brown ‘Birthday Cake’ Remix

Source: PopCrush.com

The new edition is set for release on March 22 and will join the original version, Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Rio and Angry Birds Facebook in Rovio’s Angry Birds’ franchise. If all games and platforms are included, Angry Birds has been downloaded over 700 million times since first launching in 2009.

While the trailer doesn’t give anything away about the game play, it is reported that Angry Birds Space will feature zero gravity levels, slow motion puzzles and some completly new birds. Rovio will also be partnering with two familiar names on the project.

“Science and education are very important to us, and we’re very excited to have NASA and National Geographic as launch partners on Angry Birds Space,” Andrew Stalbow, GM of Rovio North America, told Yahoo Games.

According to Stalbow, more details about the latest of their highly addictive bird-flinging game will be released in early March.

[via Yahoo]

Source: TheFW.com

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

The coaches are eager to fill their teams with the required 12 singers, so spots filled up on Week 3 of the Blind Auditions of Season 2 of ‘The Voice.’ We see them still encouraging each other to push the button for singers they think are right for the other, with Christina Aguilera often encouraging Adam Levine and Cee Lo to push their giant buzzers, while Blake Shelton muses about contestants being good-looking.

Host Carson Daly has a hard job, stationing himself backstage with the singer’s families and friends, expressing frustration and bewilderment when the judges don’t turn their chairs around. He’s in an unenviable position of having to comfort families when contestant dreams are destroyed. But he remains likeable and supportive the whole time.

We’re wondering if the judges are getting whiplash from turning around so fast, too.

We’ve noticed that Shelton almost always turns his chair around immediately. He just knows from the get-go. Levine is incredibly picky and bends over his button while absorbing a perf. Xtina and Cee Lo also take quite some time to smash their buzzers. Shelton truly makes this show funny. One question though. What’s with the cat that Cee Lo was cradling during his interviews?

Here’s your PopCrush recap of the third week of ‘The Voice’ and the blind auditions.

Ducky: He’s 26 and from Carlisle, Penn. He’s a painter of murals and possessor of a curly-cue mustache. He sang ‘Tighten Up’ while wearing red shoes. He sang with a strong, smoky, rock ‘n’ roll voice but none of the coaches turned their chairs around. WTF, coaches? He was good.

Jonathas: This well-coifed 23-year-old is a father of two and his kids are too freakin’ cute. He is also from South America and emigrated north knowing absolutely no English. He sang ‘U Got It Bad’ in a buttery, silky smooth voice like Usher, while his gyrating pelvis got the ladies on their feet. Cee Lo and Christina wanted him, since he played to their urban sensibility. He chose Xtina. [Watch It here]

Monique Benabou: A Nor Cal girl with loads of curls who took care of her breast cancer-riddled mother while in college, Monique is perkier than a cup of coffee and looks a bit like Gloria Estefan. She sang Kelly Clarkson‘s ‘Mr. Know It All’ with a crystalline, femme voice and remained consistent throughout. Xtina chose her. [Watch It here]

Naia Kete: This dreadlocked artist is a street musician at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. She performed ‘The Lazy Song’ by Bruno Mars, strumming her guitar and showing range in an earthy style. Blake turned his chair around immediately, and was followed by Cee Lo. She sounds like a Blake-preferred singer (remember Dia and Xenia?) so she chose him. They are a perfect fit. [Watch It here]

Charlotte Sometimes: A disintegrating jaw nearly stopped this fairytale-monikered New Jersey singer from doing her thing. She had her jaw wired shut and wrote songs on the guitar while recovering, humming the melodies. She sang ‘Apologize’ and sounded like Lana Del Rey, Florence Welch and last season’s Xenia. All four coaches wanted her and she chose Blake. Another wise choice, since he really does have the magic touch with the female singers.

Erick Macek: Erick’s parents came from the former Czechoslovakia to give him a better life. He is pursuing the American dream and sang ‘Free Fallin” in what we thought was an Adam Levine-approved voice but no one was fallin’ for him or turned around. For the second time tonight, WTF coaches?

Tony Vincent: ‘Rent,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘American Idiot’ litter his resume. He’s a Broadway veteran at 38, but his heart is in the pop world and he wants to be on ‘The Voice’ because of its integrity. He bravely sang ‘We Are the Champions’ and had dramatic range like Freddie Mercury. Cee Lo chose him. It is a perfect match, since Cee Lo is, as Shelton put it, the king of over-the-top. [Watch It here]

Anthony Evans: A pastor’s son, 33-year-old Anthony has gospel singer history. He sang ‘What’s Going On’ and Cee Lo was thisclose to picking him when Christina snatched him up. [Watch It here]

Jamie Lono: The sandwich maker who had a lung removed soulfully sang ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ and Adam Levine turned around within seconds, which is rare for him. Cee Lo followed suit. Lono said “I make sandwiches for a living” to which Cee Lo replied, “I eat sandwiches” so that’s cosmic proof they should hook up, professionally speaking. That sealed the deal. [Watch It here]

Dylan Chambers: His mother has a Broadway background. He sang ‘Valerie’ in a show tune style with a falsetto. But no judge chose him. For the third time tonight, WTF, coaches?

Justin Hopkins: He was the guitarist in the house band for ‘Last Call With Carson Daly.’ He sang a rugged version of ‘Babylon’ and before he did so, he said he wanted Cee Lo to chose him. Well he got ‘em. [Watch It here]

Nicolle Galyon: Nicolle wants to be the girl who brings piano to country music, to which everyone tells her she needs to take up the guitar. She has a sweet girl twang like Taylor Swift. She offered up a sensitive rendition of Kenny Chesney‘s ‘You Save Me.’ The always-picky Adam Levine chose her, calling her “special.”

Ashley de la Rosa: Xtina chose her for her version of ‘Sharks in the Water.’ This was a truncated audition, so we saw like 10 seconds.

Jordan Rager: Great name. He sang Zac Brown Band‘s ‘Chicken Fried’ and of course the country coach Shelton chose him, calling him a “real, genuine country singer.” See above re: shortened audition.

Karla Davis: She sang The Band Perry‘s ‘If I Die Young,’ which got her drafted to Adam’s team. Another 10 second performance.

Alyx: Blake selected her after her version of ‘Just Like a Pill’ by Pink. We saw about 11 seconds of her aud, but we know Blake and the ladies do well.

Eric Tipton: At six feet tall and 300 lbs., he sings old school soul. He could have been this season’s Nakia! He sang ‘You Make My Dreams’ by Hall and Oates but no one chose him. Boo. We liked him. That’s the fourth WTF, coaches?

Mathai: She is from a family of doctors, but chose music over med school. Her dreamy (and ballsy) take on Adele‘s ‘Rumor Has It’ had all the male coaches turned around for her. She chose Adam. [Watch It here]

Source: PopCrush.com

Vanity Fair

The English costume drama ‘Downton Abbey’ is taking over America. Well, not really. But it certainly seems like it, especially since Vanity Fair printed up a series of ‘Downton Abbey’ trading cards to coincide with the show’s final episode of the second season.

Each card features a humorous painting depicting one or more of the show’s characters. Over on Vanity Fair’s website, they also offer up predictions on what will become of the residents of the Downton Abbey estate in season three.

Kidding about ‘Downton Abbey’s’ dedicated fanbase aside, the show is supposed to be quite good. In fact, the Guinness Book of Records recently recognized ‘Downton Abbey’ as the most critically acclaimed show on television, marking the first time a British show has ever been awarded the designation. Which was surprising, since we had no idea the Guinness Book of Records even doled out those kind of awards.

Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair

[via Vanity Fair]

Source: TheFW.com