My Reality TV

ABC Announces Finale Dates
Dancing’s Maria Menounos: Don’t Call Me the Favorite
New opera celebrates imprisoned Maori hero
Comedian Gallagher recovering after heart attack
James Bond returns home in 10-year book deal
Dust first, then kill the boss, in ‘The Maids’
Shannon Magrane Has One Bad Day On ‘American Idol’
‘Hunger Games’ Midnight Premiere: Pack For Survival
Pitbull Reveals His Journey On VH1 ‘Behind the Music’
MTV To Launch Artists.MTV Music Hub
Behind the Scenes of J.Lo’s ‘Shapely’ Photo Shoot
‘The Hunger Games’ U.K. Premiere

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:51 PM PDT

Desperate Housewives will wrap its eight-year run with a two-hour series finale on Sunday, May 13, ABC announced Monday.

Fall TV scorecard: Which shows are returning? Which aren’t?

Also getting a supersized finale is Cougar Town, which will close out its third season on Tuesday, May 15.

Check out ABC’s full list of season finales:

Other Links From TVGuide.com

New opera celebrates imprisoned Maori hero

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:49 PM PDT

Based on a true story spanning nearly 150 years, “Hohepa” lays bare some of New Zealand’s most painful wounds — and seeks to heal them through music.

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Comedian Gallagher recovering after heart attack

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:49 PM PDT

The comedian Gallagher is hospitalized in stable condition after suffering a heart attack at a North Dallas bar before going on stage for a show.

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James Bond returns home in 10-year book deal

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:49 PM PDT

LONDON (Reuters) – Ian Fleming’s estate has signed a 10-year deal with the Random House Group to publish the James Bond backlist both in print and e-book format, the publishing company said on Friday. Random imprint Vintage Books acquired the rights to Fleming’s 14 Bond books as well as two non-fiction titles. The deal, the terms of which were not disclosed, represents a homecoming of sorts for the author whose first 007 novel “Casino Royale” was published in 1953 by Jonathan Cape, a sister imprint of Vintage. …

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Dust first, then kill the boss, in ‘The Maids’

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:49 PM PDT

If you aren’t happy with your employer, why not just kill her? Such was the twisted thinking of the unhappy servant sisters presented in Jean Genet’s 1947 absurdist play, “The Maids,” in which two sadistic, unstable women repeatedly and joyfully act out their grotesque, mistress-murdering fantasies.

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Shannon Magrane Has One Bad Day On ‘American Idol’

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:49 PM PDT

Magrane becomes the second ‘Idol’ booted this week after her version of ‘One Sweet Day’ fails to land her a save from the judges.
By Adam Graham

Shannon Magrane on “American Idol”

Photo: Fox

It was anything but “One Sweet Day” for Shannon Magrane, as the 16-year-old “pride of Tampa” was sent packing on Thursday’s (March 15) episode of “American Idol.”

With her elimination, Magrane missed the opportunity to go on the road with the “Idol” summer tour. Her version of Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day,” which received decent marks from the judges on Wednesday’s performance episode, landed her dead last following America’s votes.

Magrane was given a chance to sing for her life to be the recipient of the judges’ save, but her reprise of “One Sweet Day” was not enough to sway the judges. She became the second contestant eliminated this week, following Jermaine Jones’ exit on Wednesday, after executives discovered he had several warrants out that he failed to disclose.

Though it’s largely thought to be the ladies’ year on “Idol,” Thursday’s episode saw an all-female bottom three. Along with Magrane, Elise Testone and Erika Van Pelt also found themselves facing elimination. Testone, who received a welcome attitude check and recovered from a near-disastrous performance the week prior, was the first let back to safety by host Ryan Seacrest.

In addition to Testone and Van Pelt, the other “Idols” who will be hitting the road this summer are Colton Dixon, Skylar Laine, Joshua Ledet, Deandre Brackensick, Phillip Phillips, Hollie Cavanagh, Heejun Han and Jessica Sanchez.

In defending Sanchez, who stole the show last week with her version of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” but was brought slightly back down to earth this week with her screamy version of Gloria Estefan’s “Turn the Beat Around,” mentor Jimmy Iovine said, “If she goes home, we should all go home.”

Also during the show, Tommy Hilfiger was introduced as the contestants’ “image adviser.” The fashion icon will work with them to help “shape them toward stardom,” he explained.

Demi Lovato also appeared and performed her latest single, “Give Your Heart a Break,” while Daughtry was on hand to debut the band’s new single, “Out of My Head.”

Do you agree with America’s decision to send home Shannon Magrane? Let us know in the comments!

Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page, where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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‘Hunger Games’ Midnight Premiere: Pack For Survival

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:49 PM PDT

Don’t brave the wilds of the theater on March 23 without stashing these Hobnobbing-recommended necessities.
By Amy Wilkinson

Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games”

Photo: Lionsgate

The Tributes of the 74th annual Hunger Games enter the arena in just over a week. We have it on good authority that they’ve been training for weeks now, but we’re more concerned about you. Are you ready?

Sure, you probably bought your midnight premiere tickets eons ago, but that can’t be the only provisions you’ve made for the bloodbath. After all, if we’ve learned anything from Suzanne Collins’ dystopian drama, it’s that preparation (and quick thinking) can be the difference between survival and having your face mauled by a Muttation. And though your local multiplex probably isn’t hiding a hive of tracker jackers under your seat, the wilds of a midnight premiere boast their own perils. Just in case you’re not stockpiled with the proper rations, this week’s Hobnobbing is dedicated to getting you Games ready. Here’s your midnight premiere checklist:

Storage
Before you even think of stepping foot in the cineplex, you need a sturdy, lightweight bag to store your provisions. Take a cue from Katniss, and keep your stuff in a spiffy orange backpack. We like The North Face’s Borealis Backpack, a sleek model with two big pockets, allowing for quick stashing and dashing if necessary. (Not to mention it will probably stand up to an unexpected fire assault better than that old plastic grocery bag that’s hiding under your bed.)

Edibles
You’ll need to keep up your strength while staking your claim on a primo theater seat, so calorie-loading is key. But there’s no reason your foodstuffs can’t be fun too. New York bakery Eleni’s boasts a Down With the Capitol gift box full of “Games”-themed cookies (dibs on Gale!). Or you can bake up your own (just like Peeta!) using a recipe from Fictional Food. Because, really, there’s no need to be hungry in your arena.

Shelter
Whether you’re stuck shivering outside the theater or in an aggressively air-conditioned lobby, you’ll want to keep yourself warm and cozy. We’re pretty partial to this bright pink Team Peeta sweatshirt we found on Etsy. Plus, it can double as a pillow if you want to take a quick Kat nap.

Entertainment
OK, reality check: It is likely — despite the high-stress, high-anxiety conditions of the midnight premiere — that you might get, well, a little bored. Temper a case of the dulls (and psych yourself up even more!) by popping in your ear buds and jamming to “The Hunger Games” soundtrack, which drops March 20. Taylor Swift will thank you.

Inspiration
If all else fails, take encouragement from loyal District 12 stylist Cinna: “I’m not allowed to bet, but if I could, my money would be on you.”

What will you be packing in your “Hunger Games” go bag? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!

Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.”

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

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Pitbull Reveals His Journey On VH1 ‘Behind the Music’

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:49 PM PDT

The Miami native outlines his rise to the top of the charts in the VH1 special.

Photo: Mike Ehrmann/ Getty Images

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Pitbull

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MTV To Launch Artists.MTV Music Hub

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 09:49 PM PDT

New site will be a pro-artist initiative where artists can get heard, promoted and paid.
By MTV News staff

Artists.MTV

Photo: MTV

The awesome thing about the Web is that anyone can upload anything and everything all the time. For music fans, this has provided an endless smorgasbord of discovery and wonderment. But the downside is that … anyone can upload anything and everything all the time, which means lots of dead-ends, wasted time and really, really terrible “discoveries.”

Enter Artists.MTV. While technology has made it way easier for artists to produce and distribute their own music on their own terms (see Radiohead), it hasn’t made it any simpler to find a way to cut through all the Internet noise and speak directly to all of their potential fans.

The summer launch of Artists.MTV is an attempt to help music junkies and musicians close the gap by providing a one-stop place where fans can listen to and buy music and purchase concert tickets and merchandise. For the musicians — both known and not-so-famous — it’s a way to connect with an audience and get a presence across a number of our screens (MTV, VH1, CMT across web, mobile and TV) and tap into our network of 600 million households and 60 million digital fans.

The pro-artist initiative will give established and emerging artists a digital homestead where they can have more access to their presence across MTV Music Group screens to build their fanbase and opt into a number of opportunities that could help them get exposure … and get paid. Part of the program is “Full Frontal,” in which select artists will be chosen through a combination of audience and industry sourcing to be showcased across the Music Group’s TV channels (MTV, VH1, CMT, MTV2, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, mtvU, VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, CMT Pure Country and Palladia) and digital properties for a month. They could show up as an MTV PUSH artist, or in VH1′s “You Oughta Know,” be featured in interviews and news articles on MTV News, VH1 News and CMT News, on MTV HIVE, or in appearances on music programs like MTV2′s “120 Minutes With Matt Pinfield” and MTV Hive’s “Weird Vibes.”

“With Artists.MTV, we want to make music history accessible, open a door to today’s musicians and spotlight the best new music by giving the millions of fans our brands connect with every day access to the most compelling performances, interviews, reviews, artist favorites and whatever else artists elect to port,” said Van Toffler, president of Viacom’s Music Group. “There is infinite choice out there, but with this artist platform, we want to provide a meaningful road map for consumers to weed through the chaos, and discover the musical gems that should break through.”

Beginning May 1, Artists.MTV will launch a private beta for artists that will expand MTV Music Group’s current roster of more than 10,000 artist pages to over 1 million. Artists will be able to claim and customize their pages, including tools to upload music, videos, photographs, as well as sync their social accounts to pull content in from across the Web. An upcoming partnership with Topspin — one of the leading direct-to-fan platforms — will also allow artists to use Artists.MTV to serve as their hub to potentially generate revenue by selling music, merchandise, and more. The best part? Through a revenue split with Topspin, artists will receive a majority of the profit.

Artists.MTV will launch a private beta for music fans on May 16; sign up now on Artists.MTV to be part of and receive additional information on the private launch.

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