The second season of Smashhas been firing on all cylinders with great new characters and story lines. I’m really loving it and I wish the ratings were higher. However, I will enjoy it as long as it’s on the air and one of the biggest reasons is the fantastic guest arc by Oscar/Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson. Playing a Broadway star looking to grow as an artist and leave her mother’s (the great original Dreamgirls star Sheryl Lee Ralph) controlling shadow, Hudson is wonderful. She’s sweet and sincere with a nice undercurrent of frustration and fear. Her pipes are in glorious Dreamgirls form and last night’s episode featured her character Veronica Moore doing a “one night only” show. I’ve got the amazing final number for you below, “Can’t Let Go”, which I immediately bought at iTunes when the show ended last night. After watching a number like this, I don’t know how Smash can let go of Hudson. Her guest stint is set to end soon, but hey, maybe she’ll grab an Emmy nomination for the role. Better yet, she could win and be 3/4 of the way to an EGOT! … We will see. In the meantime, enjoy Hudson’s thrilling performance of “Can’t Let Go” below and watch the fantastic and underrated Smash Tuesday nights on NBC. Oh and PS~ Emmy winner Sean Hayes joins the show next week~ even more of a reason to watch Smash!
Smash~ Veronica Moore (Jennifer Hudson) “Can’t Let Go”
My favorite moment of Sunday’s Oscar telecast was the musical medley of the fantastic and Oscar-winning musical films Chicago, Dreamgirlsand Les Miserables. Oscar winner Catharine Zeta-Jones did a nice job opening the segment with “All that Jazz” but it really kicked into gear with an astounding performance by Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson singing her iconic Dreamgirls song “And I Am Telling You I am Not Going”. It was a brilliant moment that netted her a much deserved standing ovation. Following J Hud, was the wonderful ensemble of Les Miserables featuring newly minted Oscar winner Anne Hathaway, Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crow, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveitt, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter with a medley of “Suddenly/I Dreamed a Dream/One Day More” that also yielded a standing O. I have to say that Barks and Tveitt stole that number which is not too surprising considering they’re the seasoned stage performers of the group. All in all, I absolutely loved the whole musical shebang and I’m thrilled that these amazing movies and performers were singled out again. It’s an incredible moment and I have it for you again below. Enjoy!
On what was a night many said there could be several big upsets, tonight’s Academy Awards was actually rather predictable. With only Christoph Waltz beating out Tommy Lee Jones and Robert DeNiro in the Supporting Actor race, most of the other winners were pretty easy to guess. Argo took Picture, Editing and Adapted Screenplay while Daniel Day-Lewis, Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway won their respective races. Ang Lee topped Speilberg for Best Director while Quentin Tarantino won Original Screenplay for Django Unchained. One big surprise was a tie (only the 6th tie in Oscar history) for Sound Editing between Zero Dark Thirty and Skyfall… Take a look at all the winners below and watch here for more on the show, Seth MacFarlane’s decent hosting debut and the amazing performances by Jennifer Hudson and the cast of Les Miserablestomorrow.
2013 Academy Award Winners:
Best Picture: Argo
Director: Ang Lee (Life o Pi)
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)
Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables)
Original Screenplay: Django Unchained
Adapted Screenplay: Argo
Editing: Argo
Cinematography: Life of Pi
Score: Life of Pi
Song: “Skyfall”- Adele (Skyfall)
Production Design: Lincoln
Makeup & Hair: Les Miserables
Costume Design: Anna Karenina
Sound Editing: TIE~ Zero Dark Thirty & Skyfall
Sound Mixing: Les Miserables
Visual Effects: Life of Pi
Documentary: Searching for Sugar Man
Animated Film: Brave
Foreign Film: Amour
Doc Short Subject: Innocente
Animated Short: Paperman
Live Action Short: Curfew
Most Wins~
Life of Pi: 4
Argo: 3
Les Miserables: 3
Lincoln: 2
Django Unchained: 2
Tuesday night, the delightful musical dramedy Smash returned for its second season on NBC and I have to say I’m thrilled at the improvements. Gone were the annoying tertiary characters (Buh bye Dev and the horribly annoying Ellis. And we won’t miss you when you disappear Frank) and they were replaced by some great newcomers including Broadway standout Jeremy Jordan ( a Tony nominee last year for Newsies) and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson who was simply fantastic and should expect a Guest Actress Emmy nomination in September. The storytelling was also streamlined and it looks like the show will live up to its great promise from its brilliant pilot. So, here’s to a much improved Smash and enjoy some of my favorite musical moments from the show below…. For more on Smash, head here.
Smash “Broadway Here I Come” (Jeremy Jordan)
Smash “Caught in the Storm” (Katharine McPhee)
Smash “They Just Keep Moving the Line” (Megan Hilty)
And while I couldn’t find any video for it, please enjoy Jennifer Hudson simply killing it on “Mama Makes Three”
February 5th marks the highly anticipated second season premiere of the Golden Globe nominated musical dramedy Smash, and I can’t wait. The new season has jettisoned four unlikable characters (good riddens Ellis!) and added a ton of new faces (Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Emmy winner Sean Hayes, Newsies Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan, Law & Order and Rent vet Jesse L. Martin to name a few). It also has some new show runners and is attempting to correct the uneven yet immensely watchable and fun first season. I, for one, can’t wait. Now, a second preview of the second season has hit the web following NBC’s Smash panel at the TCA this morning. Check it out below and watch Smash Feb. 5th on NBC!
So, if you watched last night’s episode of The Voice, you saw the show’s best and most talented contestant, Amanda Brown, get eliminated. It was horrifying and upsetting and another in a long line of singing show voting injustices. Following in the footsteps of singers like American Idol’s Jennifer Hudson, Carly Smithson, Pia Toscano and Chris Daughtry getting the boot before they should’ve, Brown was sent packing. With that news, I am sending the show packing. If you read my recap from Tuesday night, I was very dissatisfied with the show as it devolved into an overproduced X-Factor type mess (much like its first two seasons). So, with the show’s continuing decline and the wonderfully talented Ms. Brown no longer in the running, I am done with The Voice. There’s really no reason to watch for me anymore. So, sorry but my recaps are done for this season. We’ll see if I return in the Spring when there will be some new judging blood in Usher and Shakira (replacing the delightful but derivative Cee Lo and the incredibly rude, egotistical and annoying Christina Aguilera). Until then, I would recommend mjsbigblog for good recaps and news on the show…. And I’ll just look positively towards a new season of the only talent show that actually produces successful pop stars and remains the gold standard, American Idol.
I have to say I almost didn’t write this recap… I was so disappointed and irritated with last night’s episode of The Voice, I had to wait until this morning to calm down and be a little more objective… Unfortunately, the top 6 show in season 3 brought up everything I hated about the show from the previous seasons. It was as if the show had turned into the atrocious X Factor again. There was the over-production of all the numbers, the emphasis on dancers, props, lighting and staging over the singing. There was Carson Daly at his worst and the useless Christina Milian babbling away with the stupid “social commentary” of the show. There were all four judges being producers’ puppets and overly praising and hyping their pre-ordained winner Cassadee Pope (who’s good but not that good people). There was no true criticism and the judges were making it all about themselves again. Plus, Christina Aguilera could’ve have been more full of herself and rude again last night, and what on Earth does she have against Amanda? Jealous much? And don’t get me started on Xtina’s wigs and costumes. As a former big fan, she is on her last legs with me… I could go on and on, but I just want to count down the performances and be done with it because I am honestly worried about tonight’s results. As America has proved time and again with talent shows, they often get it wrong and I’m really worried that might happen tonight.
The Voice Performance Rankings for the Top 6 1. Amanda Brown- “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman”: Simply brilliant. The best performance and vocal of the night by a mile. 2. Amanda Brown- “Here I Go Again”: her rocking take on Whitesnake’s 1987 # 1 hit was inspired and awesome. This girl is in a class of her own people! 3. Nicholas David- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”: just when I thought I would never hear a new interpretation of this classic, I was wrong. This was a lovely interesting version of the song that had me rather pleased and surprised. 4. Cassadee Pope- “I’m With You”: Avril-lite finally got to do an Avril Lavigne song with her nice if uninspired version of this # 3 hit. Sure, Cassadee has a lot of potential to be the first real hit maker from The Voice, but I’m sorry I’m just not buying the Cassadee juice the producers are selling. 5. Trevin Hunte- “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”: while this was his best performance in weeks, I’m sorry Trevin, but you are no Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Holliday or even Jessica Sanchez. 6. Terry McDermott- “I Want to Know What Love Is”: I wasn’t blown away by Terry’s take on this 1985 # 1 hit by Foreigner like the judges were. However, it was pretty good. I would’ve liked more variation and tenderness in his choices and less hollering the whole time. 7. Cassadee Pope- “Stand“: this was another solid performance, but um, Blake she’s not a country artist and stop trying to make her one. Plus the glowsticks in the audience made me want to hurl my tv out the window. Stop it Voice producers! These people are not stars yet! 8. Nicholas David- “September”: this was an ok version of the Earth Wind and Fire classic. Nicholas always exhibits smooth soul and good vocals, but it was a bit boring. 9. Terry McDermott- “Stay with Me”: um, that was fine…. That’s all I have to say cuz I’ve already forgotten it. 10. Trevin Hunte- “Walking on Sunshine”: what the hell was that? Please never again. 11. Melanie Martinez- “The Show”: oh dear that was bad and the rainbow in the background too? Really? 12. Melanie Martinez- “Crazy”: CeeLo should’ve been pissed. She utterly ruined his song with another atrocious pitchy performance. Just terrible.
Should go home: Trevin, Melanie Will go home: Trevin and um… I don’t know… I think the only person who’s safe is Cassadee. Nicholas, Terry and Melanie are charting well on iTunes, so that will help them. Unfortunately, the best contestant by a mile, Amanda, may end up the loser tonight. Blargh!
So, there’s my recap and if America does the wrong thing and sends Amanda home, I’m done with the show. So, I’m gonna end it here and just wait and see. Hope ya’ll voted for Amanda!!!
Last season, Smash was the show I anticipated most and while I loved a lot about the show, it also drove me nuts. Following a brilliant pilot, Smash became incredibly uneven. There were great highs (loving Megan Hilty, Debra Messing, Christian Borle and a surprisingly good Katharine McPhee) and some deep lows (Ellis was the arguably the most hateful character in TV history), but the show was always entertaining. The final few episodes of the season improved greatly and now we have our first look at this intoxicating show that chronicles the rise of a new Broadway musical and the people behind it. Take a look at the preview below and I think you’ll be as excited as I am that we are getting much improved Smash in its second season. Gone are four annoying and needless characters (Ellis, Raj and Messing’s boyfriend and husband), while there are some great new additions. Joining the cast full-time is Broadway hottie and Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies) while Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls), Emmy winner Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), and Broadway vets Jesse L. Martin(Rent) and Daniel Sunjata (Take Me Out) will all do recurring arcs on the show. Things look juicier than ever and it also seems like the storytelling will be more streamlined and focused. I can’t wait! … Season 2 of Smash premieres in February, but you can get a taste right now below.
We lost a legend earlier this year with the passing of my favorite vocalist of all time, the most-Awarded female singer of all time, Whitney Houston. While “the voice” has officially been silenced, her legacy lives on with her new Hits collection, I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston out November 13th. Lucky for us, we will get some new music on this collection that will include her 11 # 1 Hits and more. Earlier this fall, I shared the new duet version of her single “I Look to You” with R. Kelly and now we get another new track “Never Give Up”. The inspirational mid-tempo R&B track sounds like it would’ve gone perfectly with the music of her last album, 2009′s I Look to You. The song, written by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael-Cox, will be available for purchase next week at all digital retailers, but you can listen to it below. Enjoy…. And watch for the CBS Whitney special We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Tribute to Whitney Houston featuring performances from Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Celine Dion along with classic Houston clips to air Nov. 16th. For more on all things Whitney, head here and check out “Never Give Up” below.
The voice of this season’s American Idol will not be denied, and tonight that voice declared “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going”. It was a fitting sentiment for Jessica Sanchez who was shockingly almost eliminated a few weeks ago as she utterly destroyed the competition on tonight’s show with that iconic Dreamgirls number and a wonderful Etta James cover. I was thrilled that she threw down the gauntlet and proclaimed her rightful place at the top of this race with those numbers. It’s even more incredible considering Joshua Ledet gave arguably his best performance to date as well…. So, what does it all mean for tomorrow’s elimination? Well, you can probably guess who’s safe… But for more clarification, let’s take a look at my rankings and predictions from tonight’s Idol where they tackled “Songs they wish they had written” and “Songs by Californian artists.” (Yes, I thought those were pretty odd themes too in case you’re wondering.)
American Idol Performance Rankings 5-9-11
~the great 1. Jessica “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going”: singing the ultimate diva anthem, Jessica literally blew the roof off the joint. She made wonderful versions of this song previously sung on the show by the likes of Tamyra Gray and Lakisha Jones seem pedestrian in comparison and I’d say she made both Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson proud. This vocal was simply brilliant. Everything about this performance was perfection. Simply astounding. And she finally got her much deserved standing ovation from the judges. I believe it was her first since her brilliant “I Will Always Love You” rendition months ago! 2. Joshua- “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”: holy crap was that one fantastic performance?!! It was easily Joshua’s best, most nuanced, emotional and vibrant performance. He really interpreted the song perfectly and his vocals were naturally amazing resulting in yet another standing “O”. And this standing ovation I totally approve of for once! 3. Jessica- “Steal Away”: singing Etta James classic blues number “Steal Away”, Jessica showed a sexy and powerful side that easily was the best of the “California” numbers. She was mature beyond her years in this number, and it still felt so natural for her. Fantastic! ~ the good 4. Phillip- “Volcano”: I was truly surprised at how much I liked this one. Our heart-throb really gave a layered and moving performance of this great song by Damian Rice. The background singer helped a bit too, but it was still one of his best numbers of the season…. And I say all that despite him still sounding very much like Dave Matthews on it. 5. Hollie- “Faithfully”: our cutie patootie really sang this Journey power ballad beautifully, especially the second half. While I wish she had picked something younger and fresher (perhaps No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” or “Hella Good”) for her “Cali” song, I still really liked this. And she looked so pretty doing it! (love the wind fans!) ~ the ok 6. Joshua- “You Raise Me Up”: singing Josh Groban’s iconic uplifting ballad, Joshua was predictably good. However, it was all so predictable. And I felt his gospel’d up arrangement stripped the song of some of its simple true emotion. It was a nice vocal, but the whole thing felt a bit forced. 7. Hollie- “I Can’t Make You Love Me”: Hollie sang this beautiful song very well. Unfortunately, she paled in comparison to the heart-breaking original by Bonnie Raitt, not to mention the amazingly haunting versions by George Michael, Adele and original recipe Idol Kelly Clarkson. It was lovely, but rather forgettable in the end. 8. Phillip- “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”: Phillip did a fine job on this Credence Clearwater Revival hit and he clearly seemed to be enjoying himself throughout. I liked that it didn’t evolve into a Dave Matthews song, but overall, it was rather unremarkable. Thus, it ends up at the bottom of the list.
Duets & Group Performances: 1. Joshua/Phillip- “This Love”: this version of Maroon 5′s # 1 hit really got moving as it went along and by the end it was pretty darn entertaining. I think this one was a million times better than their duet from last week too. 2. Hollie/Jessica- “Eternal Flame”: I liked this one a LOT more than the judges. It was quite pretty, thank you very much. And how can you not love this # 1 smash from 1989 by the Bangles? 3. Hollie/Jessica/Joshua/Phililp- “Waiting for a Girl/Boy Like You”: um, that was plain weird. Sorry
Predicitons~ Bottom 2: Hollie and Phillip (yes, I think he may finally land here!!!) Buh Bye: Hollie
Well, it looks like Hollie’s long and rather roller coaster run on Idol may finally come to an end tomorrow night. This dark horse has survived long after many thought she would fall and I have to give her big props for that… Now, if she can make it one more week and knock off Phillip, I would be over the moon! …. We will see. Now, let me see what you thought of tonight’s show. Sound off below.
The second season of Smash has been firing on all cylinders with great new characters and story lines. I’m really loving it and I wish the ratings were higher. However, I will enjoy it as long as it’s on the air and one of the biggest reasons is the fantastic guest arc by Oscar/Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson. Playing a Broadway star looking to grow as an artist and leave her mother’s (the great original Dreamgirls star Sheryl Lee Ralph) controlling shadow, Hudson is wonderful. She’s sweet and sincere with a nice undercurrent of frustration and fear. Her pipes are in glorious Dreamgirls form and last night’s episode featured her character Veronica Moore doing a “one night only” show. I’ve got the amazing final number for you below, “Can’t Let Go”, which I immediately bought at iTunes when the show ended last night. After watching a number like this, I don’t know how Smash can let go of Hudson. Her guest stint is set to end soon, but hey, maybe she’ll grab an Emmy nomination for the role. Better yet, she could win and be 3/4 of the way to an EGOT! … We will see. In the meantime, enjoy Hudson’s thrilling performance of “Can’t Let Go” below and watch the fantastic and underrated Smash Tuesday nights on NBC. Oh and PS~ Emmy winner Sean Hayes joins the show next week~ even more of a reason to watch Smash!
