Saturday 17 January 2015

Recap: 'Saturday Night Live' – Kevin Hart and Sia


Kevin Hart and Aidy Bryant
Kevin Hart and Aidy Bryant

It’s only been two years since Kevin Hart last hosted “Saturday Night Live,” and yet Hart will find himself interacting with plenty of new not ready for primetime players. (Nearly half the cast is new in that time.) Hopefully that leads to a better episode, as his initial hosting gig didn’t produce a particularly memorable episode. I’m mostly curious to see if the show can continue the momentum produced by its stellar Fall run, one of the best sustained runs in the past five years. Will we see another great episode, or are the Powers That Be already focused on next month’s 40th anniversary extravaganza?
Only one way to find out: via liveblogging tonight’s episode! Honestly, all I want is another “Z-Shirt” sketch. Then I’ll be happy. I’m easy to please that way. Come back at 11:30 pm EST and follow along!
Martin Luther King Jr Essay: The ghost of Martin Luther King Jr. arrives to help a student with his essay, and is shocked to hear about modern day life. He’s especially upset about the use of hashtags as a form of protest. Kenan Thompson’s increasing exasperation is fun, and having Pete Davidson in the cold open is always a good thing. But this never really gets out of first gear, except for a non-subtle slam at the lack of Oscar nominations for “Selma.” [Grade: B-]
Monologue: I’ve seen Kevin Hart do stand-up. You’ve seen Kevin Hart do stand-up. This is Kevin Hart doing stand-up. His story about the raccoon terrorizing him is pretty fantastic, as his distrust of the amount of light he needs in his driveway. His delivery is relentless, but also accumulates power as he steamrolls through his material. (“This is your journey. This is NOT about me.”) I don’t think he took more than three breaths during the entire monologue, which makes me think he might be the greatest swimmer in Olympics history if he just put his mind to it. [Updated: Apparently he was a swimmer, so I'm just really smart while also being ignorant. It's a gift, really.) [Grade: A-]
Justin Bieber For Calvin Klein: “This tattoo made me say, ‘Owwie.’” Bless you, Kate McKinnon. Too bad this was only 30 seconds long, as I could have watched Cecily Strong get increasing terrified of McKinnon’s Bieber for about half an hour. This may be a runner, but I’m fine if this was the only version tonight. [Grade: B]
Why’d You Post That?: Full disclosure: My Instagram feed is just dogs and sunsets. It’s not good. Moving on! After some initial technical difficulties, what follows is Hart’s talk show host insulting people for posting bad photos. It’s a pretty mean-spirited sketch, even if it’s absurd enough to feature a dungeon as part of the set. That would be fine if it were funny, but it’s fairly one-note and as such goes on waaaaay too long. [Grade: C-]
Bushwick, Brooklyn: Three men on a Brooklyn corner wax poetic about artsinal mayonnaise, spin class, and brunches. It’s a low-key, fantastic interaction between Thompson, Hart, and Jay Pharaoah. The biggest conflict arises from the use of the word “Evite”...and also the fact that Hart’s character actually kills someone during his dogwalking job. And yet $8 mayonnaise gets a bigger rise out of the other two than the tale of murder. Great writing and acting, coupled with a great twist (which came on the heels of the segment-as-twist) make this a season highlight. Like the best “SNL” sketches, it feels like it only could have come at this time with this cast. [Grade: A]
James Brown, 1971: I’m an absolute sucker for ensemble sketches, and James Brown’s “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine,” so I was giggling from second one on this sketch. Hart-as-Brown takes perfect advantage of his energy, and nearly everyone on stage gets at least one moment to shine. (Why does Strong’s character change her FIRST name when she gets married? Why does she want chicken parm…with mustard? WHO CARES?) After a slow start, these last two segments have been absolutely fantastic. Also? Special props to Taran Killam's "flat no" at the prospect of taking it to the bridge. [Grade: A-]
Nancy: FART NOISES ARE FUNNY. FART NOISES ARE FUNNY. FART NOISES ARE FUNNY. Sorry, I was just trying to think of the logic behind putting this sketch on the air. Whatever. People in the audience liked it just fine. I’m OK with stupid humor. I'm OK with potty humor. This one just didn’t work for me. It happens. [Grade: D+]
Justin Bieber For Calvin Klein: A RUNNER! I KNEW IT. I can’t imagine how much fun this must have been to film. “Yo, all this underwear’s making me tired!” [Grade: B]
Weekend Update: Mrs. Santini (Jost’s fictional neighbor) arrives to talk about dealing with difficult neighbors. Her tactic? Passive-aggressive notes. (“Perhaps you have a ‘Jumanji’ in your apartment every night!”) Kate McKinnon will someday leave “SNL,” and that will be a sad day, so let’s try and enjoy every episode involving her that we can. In Jost/Che news: Jost lands a killer joke about the NFL’s domestic abuse policy, and Che’s weekly mid-“Update” monologue is a solid addition to the segment. It’s a short “Update” segment overall (and started later than normal in the show), but the two had a lot of energy and seem refreshed after some time off. [Grade: B]
Dragon Attack: Take THAT, “Galavant”! Oh wait, “Galavant” is really entertaining and this feels like homework. I’m torn: This wasn’t really funny, but damn can Thompson, Strong, Killam, and Sasheer Zamata can SING, y’all. So points here for technical skill if not for actual comedy. Also, LESLIE JONES SIGHTING! I was getting worried. [Grade: C]
Heinz Hall: Hart (playing himself) learns about his 20-year old son (Pharoah) through an old acquaintance (Jones). It’s really just an excuse to unleash Jay Pharaoh’s Kevin Hart impression. I like Pharaoh’s impressions, and Lord knows he’s great at them. But it’s been even better to see what he brings to “SNL” aside from those impressions. In an episode that brought something as unique as “Bushwick, Brooklyn” this feels a bit lazy. The saving grace here is Jones, whose physicality and intensity throughout the segment make Hart seem timid by comparison. [Grade: B-]
Rap Crew: Hart’s rapper wants to thank his crew for their support, so he drops rhymes about their deepest secrets. I can’t believe Hart has this much energy this late in the episode. I’m tired just watching him! Just when I’m getting sick of this sketch, it drops a “Weekend At Bernie’s” reference on me, which is just delightful. This is a step up from the other post-“Update” sketches, but still nothing really memorable. [Grade: B-]
Best Sketch: Bushwick, Brooklyn
Worst Sketch: Nancy
How Was Sia?: Totes arty! She brought out a mime for a muted rendition of “Chandelier,” and “Elastic Heart” featured two modern dancers in song-long comflict with one another. I like the idea of Sia’s music as backdrop for theatrical productions, in that for once having a visual accompaniment helps rather than hurts the overall aural experience.
Overall Thoughts: The one-two punch of "Bushwick" and "James Brown, 1971" was the show at its best, and "Update" was solid if short. The rest felt semi-unformed, with Hart's energy making a lot work in practice that probably didn't work on paper. But only two sketches were true clunkers, so that means this was just an average episode in an above-average season.
Next Week: Blake Shelton. CORPORATE SYNERGY, BABY.

Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/monkeys-as-critics/recap-saturday-night-live-nil-kevin-hart-and-sia#xMkSHRH47kqxPQ0p.99


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Betty White Gets the Sweetest Surprise Birthday Flash Mob



Betty White is officially 93 as of Saturday, and she received one sweet surprise!
Everyday on the Hot in Cleveland set, Betty is greeted by her assistant with a hula. So in honor of her special day, she was greeted not just by her assistant in a hula but an entire hula flash mob including her co-stars on set!
As they drive in the golf cart, she is surprised by the group's dancing complete with skirts, Hawaiian leis and even some ribbon twirling.
She gets emotional by the ride's end when she sees the sign saying "Happy Birthday Betty!"
Always one to make others laugh, she says, "At 93, you shouldn't be doing this!"
Happy Birthday Bettty!
Check out the video below to see 7 surprising facts about the legendary actress.
http://www.etonline.com/news/156457_betty_white_gets_the_sweetest_surprise_birthday_flash_mob/

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Warning: Amber Rose’s New String Pics Are So Hot You Might Catch On Fire

And then there was that next-to-naked chain dress she wore to last year’s VMAs. But these new pics that the model posted to Instagram today top all of those.
In the snaps, Amber is rocking what can only be described as a string bikini—emphasis on the string.




Her captions for the photos include “Fleekin’,” “Milfin’,” “Slayin’,” and “Stifler’s mom.” Hard to disagree with any of that, honestly. And who cares if it’s January, her attire looks like it suits that gorgeous Miami weather. What better way to send a message to your ex than posting some fire pictures on the ‘Gram?
http://www.mtv.com/news/2052564/amber-rose-bikini-pictures-miami/
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After ABC7 breaks news of solicitation arrest in D.C., basketball analyst Greg Anthony suspended by CBS

After ABC7 breaks news of solicitation arrest in D.C., basketball analyst Greg Anthony suspended by CBS | WJLA.com


WASHINGTON (WJLA/AP) - After it was first reported by ABC7 News, District of Columbia police confirmed that CBS basketball analyst and former NBA player Greg Anthony has been arrested and charged with soliciting a prostitute.
Greg Anthony attends the premiere of 'Winning Time: Reggie Miller VS The New York Knicks' at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
CBS announced Saturday morning that Anthony has been suspended indefinitely  following his arrest on solicitation charges.
A CBS spokeswoman says "Greg Anthony will not be working again for CBS this season."
Turner Sports also suspended the TV commentator and says it "will have no further comment."
ABC7's D.C. Bureau chief Sam Ford broke the story Friday night and ABC7's Jennifer Donelan confirmed further details from her sources.
Anthony was arrested at 5:46 p.m. on Friday.
A police report shows that Anthony was arrested inside a room at a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at 1515 Rhode Island NW in downtown Washington, less than a mile from the White House.
The police report says Anthony, 47, is suspected of using a computer as part of the crime.
Anthony issued a statement Saturday apologizing to his wife, family and colleagues.
"I made a mistake," he said. "With this lapse of judgment, I embarrassed many, including myself. I will work to regain the trust that I have lost, and the first step is saying that I am sorry."
Saturday, Lt. Kelvin Cusick told The Associated Press that Anthony faces a misdemeanor solicitation charge that's punishable by up to 180 days in jail.
Cusick says Anthony was released Friday evening. No further details were available.
According to the NCAA website, Anthony was scheduled to announce the Michigan State-Maryland men's basketball game Saturday in nearby College Park, Maryland.
In the NBA, Anthony played 11 seasons with six teams from 1991-92 to 2001-02, including the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers. The guard and defensive specialist averaged 7.3 points per game.
In college he was on the UNLV team that won the 1990 NCAA tournament, with teammates Larry Johnson and Stacey Augmon.


Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2015/01/-breaking-news-cbs-sports-anchor-greg-anthony-arrested-for-solicitation-of-a-prostitute-in-d-c-sting.html#ixzz3PFOUuLuG
Follow us: @ABC7News on Twitter | WJLATV on Facebook
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Whitney Houston Biopic: How Yaya DaCosta Became The Singer

Whitney Houston Biopic: How Yaya DaCosta Became The Singer
Yaya DaCosta in Whitney (left) and Whitney Houston
JACK ZEMAN/LIFETIME TELEVISION; WARNER BROS/EVERETT
Whitney Houston is one of the most recognizable singers in the history of music, so Yaya DaCosta did not take it lightly when she was cast to portray the icon in the Lifetime movie Whitney. 

"I initially wanted to become her exactly. I was just set to do everything in my power to make the audience almost forget that they weren't really watching Whitney," the former America's Next Top Model contestant, 32, tells PEOPLE. "But then I realized that I only had a few days to prepare. It was more important to try and capture her essence than to go crazy because that could have come across as a mockery." 

So just how did DaCosta capture Houston's essence? 

1. She pulled from her own modeling history.
"Whitney modeled too and that really informs the way you carry yourself," says DaCosta, who was the runner-up in cycle 3 of the Tyra Banks-hosted reality competition and was the face of a Tom Ford campaign in 2014. "Even when she wasn't modeling, she looked like a model on stage. And she was so elegant in her music videos." 



2. She worked on her voice – but not in the way you would think!
Though DaCosta lip-synced to recordings of Houston's songs sung by Deborah Cox, the actress still wanted to make sure she sounded like the "I Will Always Love You" singer. 

"I went to my voice coach," she says. "I didn't want to imitate her but I kind of tried to swallow her rhythm. I tend to speak slowly. She spoke quickly." 

3. She practiced her smile.
"Not just how much Whitney smiled, but the way she smiled – it was with her whole being," says DaCosta. "It's not like I don't love to smile but you don't always see all my teeth." 

4. She perfected her poses.
"When she was singing, there were specific things where she would pat her hips and hold the mic a certain way," DaCosta says of Houston. "Her fingers had a lot of life in them. They would kind of flicker. She was like a hummingbird." 

5. She found similarities in their backgrounds.
"We're both from the east coast. We both grew up slender girls in the African-American community, that can affect your psyche," says DaCosta. "She was also spiritual and strong on the outside but vulnerable on the inside. These were things that I saw in her that I completely understood." 

Whitney premieres Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.
http://www.people.com/article/yaya-dacosta-whitney-houston-biopic-how-got-into-character
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Robert Allenby: I was abducted

GA Tour player Robert Allenby said he was kidnapped and robbed Friday night after missing the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Allenby, 43, said he was at a wine bar in Waikiki when he was abducted at around 11 p.m. local time, placed in a car, driven 6½ miles away and robbed.
"I didn't think I was going to survive this one," Allenby told the Australian Associated Press.
"I was separated from my friend (Anthony Puntoriero) in the bar after we had paid the tab at 10:48 p.m., and he went to the bathroom and next thing you know I'm being dumped in a park miles away.
"I only know this part because a homeless woman found me and told me she saw a few guys pull up and throw me out of the car. That is where I got the scrapes above my eye from the sidewalk."
Golf Channel first reported on the abduction Saturday night.
According to the TV report, Allenby said he was robbed of all his cash, credit cards and cell phone. The Golf Channel showed a photo of Allenby that it said he took himself that showed a large scrape above his swollen left eye as well as scratches on his nose.

Robert Allenby was kidnapped from a bar, beaten and robbed last night in Honolulu:

Allenby told the AAP that he was helped by a retired military man in the middle of the night after being found by the homeless woman. The man got him together and gave him money for a cab to take back to his hotel near Waialae Country Club, site of the Sony Open.
"He got me into a taxi and paid for me to get to my hotel and I called police from there," Allenby, a four-time PGA Tour winner, told AAP. "I have his details and will be getting back in touch with him for sure."
As of Saturday afternoon, Allenby and police were reviewing surveillance footage from the bar in an attempt to identify potential suspects, the Golf Channel report said. Charles Goodwin, who is part of the PGA Tour's security staff on site, is spearheading the investigation from the tour's standpoint, according to the Golf Channel. Goodwin is a former FBI agent who lives in Hawaii.
Honolulu television station KHON2 said police were investigating it as second-degree robbery.
"We have some names and numbers and they have some leads to follow up, so I am confident they will get the guys," Allenby told AAP.
"With the FBI guys involved, they're the best, the guys on the tour are awesome, and they'll get to the bottom of it."
Allenby is not sure if he is able to leave the island yet with the ongoing investigation.
Although he hasn't won on the PGA Tour since 2001, Allenby is 27th on the tour's career money list with more than $27 million in earnings.
News of the reported abduction quickly circulated around the PGA Tour on Saturday night.
Tweeted player Ricky Barnes:
http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/12186189/pga-tour-player-robert-allenby-reportedly-kidnapped-beaten

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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WHO’S DRUMMING FOR AC/DC AT THE GRAMMYS?

Mick Hutson / Neil Lupin / GAB Archive, Getty Images
With current drummer Phil Rudd otherwise disposed (and potentially out of a job), AC/DC‘s upcoming Grammys gig raises the interesting question of who’s going to end up playing drums for the band when it takes the stage at the awards show on Feb. 8. None of us have any idea, but that didn’t stop your friends at Ultimate Classic Rock from drawing up a list of serious (and not-so-serious) contenders.

Phil Rudd

 
 
He's had his issues lately, but Rudd is still officially AC/DC's drummer until further notice -- and as he's demonstrated repeatedly throughout his many years behind the kit for the band, when he's bringing his A game, no one's quite as cool as Phil.


Read More: Who's Drumming for AC/DC at the Grammys? | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/acdc-drummer-grammys/?trackback=tsmclip
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