award show
09/11/2007
Kanye West VMA Music Awards Backstage Meltdown
A video was posted today of Kanye West’s backstage temper tantrum at the VMAs after he was snubbed for the second year in a row. It’s hard to make much of the footage, presumably because the cameraman was trying to be secretive about it, but the audio is thankfully as clear as day.
What is hard to understand, though, is why Kanye even cares about this kind of stuff. The critics love him, he’s well-respected by nearly everyone, he sells millions of albums (in today's Kanye vs. 50 Cent feud, he is the clear winner). And yet he gets all emotional over a meaningless VMA? Very strange.
But hey, crazy egotistical Kanye rants are like half the reason we love him. Plus, he’s making some of his “Stronger” lyrics look awfully prophetic:
Bow in the presence of greatness
Cause right now thou has forsaken us
You should be honored by my lateness
That I would even show up to this fake shit
So go ahead go nuts, go ape shit.
02/26/2007
Comedians at the Oscars
On a night when Hollywood is at its height and drama at its peak, it is as important to celebrate this year’s talent and achievement as it is to be entertained.
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.
02/12/2007
Dixie Chicks Win Five Grammys
Winning Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, the Dixie Chicks took home the gold in every category for which they were nominated. The countrified pop artists are the first to win album, record and song, since Eric Clapton swept in 1992.
Taking the Long Way Home chronicles the ostracized existence that the Chicks have been living since they alienated a large chunk of their conservative country audience with anti-George Bush remarks. The highly personal and politically powerful album was projected to win several categories, but it was still a bit of a shock to see the Chicks take home three of the “big four” awards.
Here’s a video that sums up the Chicks' undeniable musical prowess and their strong-willed 'tudes.
01/17/2007
Sacha Baron Cohen Makes Fart Jokes
This Monday the man behind Borat - and future People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive according to my mother - accepted the Golden Globe for Best Actor (Musical or Comedy). Cohen delighted and disgusted the audience to a behind the scenes tale of Borat's most notorious scene. In his speech, he truly proves to be the quintessential Jewish comedian - finding that perfect balance between the political, the psychological, and the scatological.
I am proud to have Sacha Baron Cohen as my generation's most venerable
comedian. It isn't often that someone this radically liberal,
fearlessly confrontational, yet still refreshingly sophomoric comes
along.
