Linkin Park Live on SNL

I’ll admit to liking Linkin Park but there is something rather off-puting about their new single. Maybe it’s the fact that Linkin was one of the pioneers of the pop rock generation and I expect more from them, but “What I’ve Done” sounds like every other song that Linkin Park has ever done. Actually, it sounds like every song they have done, remixed, and re-released as a new album. I mean, you have to respect a band that is so bad-ass that people are willing to buy their same album twice. But, at a certain point, you’d think that Linkin --who haven't released new material in four years-- might want to step it up a notch.

Comedians at the Oscars

In retrospect, last night’s Oscars seemed to be a rather dull spectacle of showmanship and inside-the-theatre humor. As a host, Ellen was better then expected, though she failed to really maintain energy and interest in the show. So when Will Farrell and Jack Black bust out a tag team tribute to comedians at the Oscars, many sat wondering why the multi-talented jokesters weren’t hosting this year’s ceremony.

Watching this clip again, I still can’t decide which was better, Will Farrell’s hair or John C. Reilly’s high notes. I’d give you the Oscar, Will. Hell, I'd give you your own category. Just promise to never make Anchorman II -- and don't ever take yourself too seriously.

Prince is a Superbowl Half-time God

I have never sen a live show give a song such meaning! Prince’s performance of Purple Rain at the Superbowl was mind-blowing. During his twelve-minute set on a mondo stage shaped like his iconic symbol, the man won back some street cred with killer chord combinations and a legendary performance.

The rain, the power, the emotion: it was all a tease of the greatness to come. Prince ended his set with his own legendary hit "Purple Rain," and there couldn’t have been anything more beautiful. A purple glow emanated from his being as the harsh rain poured down upon him. The sweet melody echoed through the stadium. A silk curtain elevated to silhouette Prince as he performed his larger-than-life guitar solo. I can’t breath just thinking about it.

Apple iPhone

It may only be two and a half inches wide and a half and inch thick, but the new Mac phone has the entire tech world creaming their pants. With no buttons or click wheels, the sleek black design does the one thing that consumers have been waiting for: combine their entire music library music, cell phone, internet, personal organizer, and camera to create one end-all-be-all device.

Some of the coveted device's patented features include multi-touch support, a sensor that turns off the screen when it's close to your face, 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth, WiFi, and 4GB or 8 GB of storage. Apple quotes 5 hours of battery life for talk or video and a full 16 hours in music mode.

As some one who relies religiously on Mac technology, has owned an iPod since its initial release, and whose job it is to watch hundreds of videos a day, I think my future husband may have some competition in the upper-right ventricle of my little techie heart.

David Bowie Turns 60

With a few years left before Bowie reaches senior status, today we celebrate the rockers 60th birthday. To celebrate his coming of age, BBC News has put together “60 facts about the iconic singer, actor and artist.”

Born as David Robert Jones, Bowie has lived both a rebellious and influential life.

My favorite factoid is number eleven on the list, “At the age of 17, he was interviewed on a BBC programme as the founder of The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-haired Men. He complained: ‘It's not nice when people call you darling and that’.”

The Shins- Phantom Limb

In the spirit of the holiday season, this new Shins video reminds the populace of how easy life is now in comparison to yesteryear. Remarkably similar to the Jib Jab Year in Review, the Shins use the context of a school play to explore a vivid and public history. With children acting out graphic historic events, there are moments that you forget that A) these events actually happened and B) these are children playing with swords and dying in horrific ways.

Visually stunning, I find myself unable to fully appreciate the weight of these images when combined with the harmlessly melodic track.

Taking Back Sunday 12 Days of Christmas

Take a peek into the demented minds of Fred and Adam, two members of Taking Back Sunday, as they call out the senselessness of bird-gifting. This video is brilliantly animated and features giant blue elves, an ugly holiday sweater, and Donnie Bonaduce.

"The 12 Days of Christmas" is one of those songs that became a classic not because it has any music merit, but because it's obnoxiously long and easy to spoof. Taking Back Sunday’s unique rendition of the holiday carol is perfect example of how outrageous holiday songs can become.

Justin Timberlake on SNL

This weekend, Timberlake hosted SNL, and it was actually entertaining. I will admit I have always thought that Timberlake took himself a little too seriously. Maybe it was because he was the lead singer of a hot-to-trot boy band or because he got REALLY mad that time he was Punk'd, but Timberlake always seemed a little self-involved and just... not funny.

Apparently, I might have been a little harsh, 'cause the boy's got some skills. Timberlake's hosting duties this Saturday included battling Santa for charitable donations while dressed as a giant Cup of Noodle, digging up some early 90’s raps like Salt 'N Pepa’s "Shoop" in order to do so. After Timberlake dressed up as a dolphin during a Flaming Lips concert, it's clear that the public doesn’t mind the pop star covering up that hot bod is a big plushie suit. But while he man-dressed-like-soup shock value is definitely worth your time, that's not the only reason to watch. Turns out that Timberlake is actually kind of funny.

Nuckin Futs- A JibJab Year In Review

The latest addition to the JibJab pop culture collection proves that the world is, indeed, Nuckin Futs.If you were cryogenically frozen earlier this year and just woke came out of a deep-seeded coma, JibJab’s “Year in Review” will guide you through '06. Google buying YouTube, Brangelina reproducing, and the Dems winning the Senate -- this elaborate animated dance number has it all... Read more

Give My Regards to Doogie

Good thing Doogie came out of the closet, because this musical outburst on The Megan Mully Show may have raised a few eyebrows otherwise.

Who knew that my favorite drunk from Will and Grace had her own daytime Talk Show? Or that it was still on the air? The show claims to combine the classic talk and variety shows and feature a mix of celebrities, real people, music and comedy. And this clip that includes CBS's How I Met You Mother’s cast proves all of the above.

Earlier this week, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel broke out in operatic song, performing "Confrontation" from Les Miserables. With very little encouragement needed to convince these seasoned actors to put on a show, I love how seriously the duo belts out their favorite show tune. A big fan of Segal on Freaks and Geeks, I couldn’t stop laughing at his serious, quasi-professional performance.

House of the Rising Sun

The first song since 1962 by a British band to hit #1 in America that was not written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, this soulful ballad has been covered by major recording artists for at least four decades. About a brothel in New Orleans, "The House Of The Rising Sun" seems much darker than these men in matching suits appear to represent.

With generations passing since this song was recorded by The Animals, its word have become timeless and its melody is still haunting. The who-sang-it and where-are-they-now was never relevant in my mind. I had formulated my own perception of its origin: desert cowboys passing along stories and the long and torture road, the sun beating down on them as they ride into the horizon. Or maybe a band of men tainted by the inner city street, with dark secrets and tainted smiles.

The power of YouTube has put a face to the voice that haunts me and added a context to the song that defined a generation. I am not sure if this newly discovered knowledge was an informed remedy for my disillusions or an unwanted end to my imagination.

iPod Shuffle

A welcome accessory to any outfit, the new shuffle is small enough to clip to any shirt of pocket; you'll forget it's even there. Just in time for the holiday season, this gigabyte-sized mp3 player can play up to 12 hours of continuous music and weighs about a half an ounce.

For this new spot, Apple abandoned their rockstar attitude and went with an anyone/anywhere vibe. A fresh change from previous iPod campaigns, this ad features a composite of torsos putting on different layers of clothes and attaching an iPod shuffle to them.

Another obvious change from iPod’s previous ad campaign, the song Who's Gonna Sing? by the Prototypes is in French. Roughly translated, the lyrics mean: "I really like what you're doing, I like your style, I like your game."

Alice’s Restaurant Massacre

Sung by Arlo Guthrie, Alice’s Restaurant is possibly the only 20-minute song that I've ever heard on the radio.

Growing up in Massachusetts, this little Mass-a-cre would play on the classic rock station every year; listening to the painfully long broadcast became a family tradition. It's been several years since I left good old Mass, yet I can’t help but scavenge for the song every Turkey Day.

The song, which is more of a ballad, was written by Alro, son of folk legend Woody Guthrie, and released as the entire A-side of his first record in 1967. Based on a true story of warrants and trash-heap hauling, Guthrie’s song was made into a movie in 69.

Since many radio stations have stopped playing the song, this Thanksgiving tradition is honored on the web where the original recording of “Alice's Restaurant Massacre” is streamed on Turkey Day each year. Unable to find the song without buying the entire album, I opted for this festive little mash-up.

And if this cutesy collage is too much, there is also a live recording of Guthrie singing Alice.

Ruth Brown- Dies at Age 78

The 50’s R&B star, Ruth Brown died Friday at a Las Vegas-area hospital due to complications from a stroke and heart attack. Dominating the rhythm-and-blues charts in the 1950s, "Miss Rhythm" will be remembered for her soulful voice and historic music career.

A pioneer of the genre, Ruth Brown built the foundation of the fledgling Atlantic Records, making it the R&B powerhouse that it is today.

“Miss Rhythm” sang with power and personality that steamed from the soul of her generation. Honored recipient of a Tony, Grammy, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Brown will also be remembered for her role as the feisty deejay Motormouth Maybelle in the 1988 cult movie "Hairspray."

"Ruth was one of the most important and beloved figures in modern music," singer Bonnie Raitt said in an official statement released by the Associated Press. "You can hear her influence in everyone from Little Richard to Etta (James), Aretha (Franklin), Janis (Joplin) and divas like Christina Aguilera today."

Watch the R&B advocate and legend sing her 50’s chart topper (“Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean," a rare clip from the height of Brown’s stardom.
For more on Brown career, read the AP release.

Emmitt Smith Wins Dancing with the Stars

Last night in the Dancing with the Stars Season Finale, NFL legend Emmitt Smith beat former Saved by the Bell star, Mario Lopez.

With both competitors achieving a perfect ten for two consecutive dances on Tuesday Night, the nation was torn-- forced to vote and take sides between sitcom star AC Slater and the three-time Super Bowl champion who holds the world's all-time rushing record.

“He ‘s the cutest thing and just puts you in a good mood,” said on TDR staffer about her dance crush Emmitt.

It has always been rumored that some football players practice ballet to become more agile and in control, but no one could have guessed that the former Dallas Cowboy superstar could freestyle and be this good at it.

Over the course of the Dancing season, the nation has fallen in love with the Pro sweetheart all over again. A family man whose wife and kids come to support him off the field and on the dance floor, Emmitt’s personality and chemistry with his dance partner made him the Viewer’s choice.

Emmitt Smith, Congrats! I must admit you’ve got “moves that (we) have never seen” and America loves it.

Don't be a Douche

This PSA sounds like it straight of of Jack Black's Tenecious D album, all it needs are some repetative G-tar cords to beef up the background.



Speaking of background, what is my dear friend Jack doing in this vid? Did he join the Union Grip's department (these are the guys who help adjust the lighting and mount stuff to well stuff...its sort of hard to define, but they are the meat of the set and the electricians are the potatoes. Together they make people and places look pretty and well light.)I was so distracted by the c-stand and flags that I couldn't quite focus on what Jack was saying. Flags...maybe thats it, pirate ships have flags maybe some one's off-sided humor thought it would be funny to make a obsure industry joke. Not so funny.

Don't be a douche, your a rock star turned actor Jack, and wouldn't make it a day as a grip or a pirate. Nice try tough, and I love the reading rainbow-esc star at the end.

Free Hugs Campaign

With life so consumed by professionalism, busy schedules, firm hand shakes and an affirming nod, I have noticed increasingly less social interaction between myself and those I encounter in my every day life.

It is easy to ignore one’s lack human contact especially in a big city that surrounds you with similar unaffectionate people.



Free Hugs is a real story of Juan Mann, whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives. Instead of offering money or advice, Mann targeted those in need of affection. Such unsolicited affections may be prejudged and misunderstood in a society full of paranoia and mistrust.

Many, including myself, would fall to scheptism upon the idea of welcoming the arms some a stranger on the street. Who is this guy? What does he expect in return? Who else besides some “sicko” would spend their time donating hugs to people they have never seen before and may never see again? I think that for this reason, the callous and mistrust of society, free hugs were banned.

Featuring music by the Sick Puppies (sort of ironic that the band would be called this), Mann proves that a hug can be a sign of affection, welcome, or the willingness to accept people for their similarities and differences. The campaign for Free Hugs has become popular on several user-generated sites to become the most watched videos currently on the web.

Hugging My Grudge

I’m impressed with Boy Least Likely To for a number of reasons. Primarily because their videos rock my world.



The English indy rock band also self-produced, self-mixed and self-promoted debut album The Best Party Ever. A success in England, the album was released in the United States in late spring, following their tour opening for James Blunt.

According to musicOMH.com, “If there was an advert for how to achieve homespun success in the music business in 2006, The Boy Least Likely To are it.”

After reading various articles on the band, I would have to agree. But also mention that their videos, are an advert for their already promising career. Having never heard of the band, I found the video title "Hugging My Grudge" on YouTube and instantly went looking for more info on the colorful British duo.

“It's really important for us to have a good video” said singer and lyricist Jof Owen. “We'd rather be known for our videos and record sleeves and things like that than for our live show."

If you like this happy-go-lucky music video, check out I’m Glad I Hitch my Apple Wagon to your Star which features Playmobiles and flowers.

White and Nerd

For most pop culture artists, it would be difficult to keep a niche genre alive twenty three years after they started it.



But Weird Al takes Chamillionaire's popular song "Ridin (Dirty)" and transforms it into cult-worthy comedic farse.

Best known for song parodies, Yankovic's cheeky humor is most effective when contrasting the style of the song with its content or when pointing out trends that have become pop culture clichés. "White in Nerdy" is from "Weird Al" Yankovic's new album "Straight Outta Lynwood" that's available in stores Sept. 26.