Kelly Clarkson takes on Olivia Newton-John and Grease

Today, Entertainment Weekly online had a great post on the end of Kelly Clarkson‘s phenomenal Stronger tour. As I’ve also shared with you, at each stop, she has done an amazing cover song (and fan request) by artists ranging from Heart to Barbra Streisand to Coldplay and Britney Spears (“Til the World Ends” which we saw at her exceedingly brilliant show in LA las week). EW compiled their favorites and the list included one of her last covers, Olivia Newton-John’s Oscar and Grammy nominated # 3 smash from Grease, “Hopelessly Devoted to You”. As you can imagine, two-time Grammy winner Clarkson’s version is amazing, but I have to say I still love four-time Grammy winner Newton-John’s the best. (And yes, I loooooooove me some Olivia!!!) Hey it’s from Grease! It’s a classic. Anywho, I know you’ll love them both. Check them out below and watch for Clarkson this summer on the new ABC singing contest Duets.

Kelly Clarkson “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (live)

Olivia Newton-John “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (from Grease)

The Lost Oscar Footage~ Anne and James do Grease!

While, I think everyone is in agreement that Sunday’s Oscar show was a big letdown, I do think there were some decent moments. One of those came when Anne Hathaway belted out a version of Les Miz’s “On My Own” sung to previous Oscar host Hugh Jackman. I sure wish we had more funny and well performed moments like that on Sunday. In fact there was another musical clip that could’ve livened things up, but was cut. It was a video of Anne and James Franco doing “You’re the One that I Want” from the all time biggest movie musical Grease. Now, I’ve got the lost footage for you below. Clearly Anne is in her element making a delightful Sandy that Olivia Newton-John would approve of. However James, leaves a lot to be desired and is no John Travolta. Anywho, take a look at the clip below and watch the original Olivia/John duet from the film as well… Also, keep your fingers crossed that Anne will be singing again in the film version of the wacky rockin’ Tony Award nominated musical Rock of Ages which is soon headed into production with Tom Cruise and Mary J. Blige under the direction of Adam Shankman (Hairspray).

Anne & James “You’re the One that I Want”

Olivia & John “You’re the One that I Want”

The Top 30 “Summer” Songs of All Time?

Billboard Magazine is considered the bible of the music industry as it counts down the top singles and albums of the week. They also love to compile lists spanning all different genres and their latest countdown focuses on the best summer music of all time! They’ve included not only songs with “summer” in the title, but songs that embody the essence of this wonderful time of year. It’s an interesting list heavy with songs from the 60′s and 70′s. Interestingly, the 90′s only produced one song on the list. I guess we were all too angsty or angry listening to rap and grundge at the time? The most recent decade is represented by 2 songs including the current # 1 smash “California Gurls” by Katy Perry. There are, of course, a host of songs that were ignored. I’d say the most glaring and upsetting omission is The GoGo’s “Vacation”. Other songs I would’ve liked to see included include Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita”, The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” (strange since they’re all over the list), 2Pac & Dr. Dre’s “California Love” and heck even Miley Cyrus’s annoying but fitting “Party in the U.S.A.” Take a look at the list below and let me know if you agree with it or what songs they missed and get the full story at Billboard here.

Billboard Magazine’s Top 30 Summer Songs
1. “Summer in the City”- The Lovin’ Spoonful (1966)
2. “Wipeout”- The Surfaris (1962)
3. “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”- Bryan Hyland (1960)
4. “Surf City”- Jan & Dean (1963)
5. “Endless Summer Nights”- Richard Marx (1988)
6. “Summertime”- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (1991)
7. “Hot Fun in the Summertime”- Sly & the Family Stone (1969)
8. “Surfin’ USA”- The Beach Boys (1963)
9. “Summer Nights”- John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1978)
10. “The Boys of Summer”- Don Henley (1984)
11. “In the Summertime”- Mungo Jerry (1970)
12. “Summer of ‘69”- Bryan Adams (1985)
13. “Under the Boardwalk”- The Drifters (1964)
14. “Summer”- War (1976)
15. “California Girls”- The Beach Boys (1965)
16. “Summer Girls”- LFO (1999)
17. “Saturday in the Park”- Chicago (1972)
18. “California Gurls”- Katy Perry w/ Snoop Dogg (2010)
19. “Summer Love”- Justin Timberlake (2007)
20. “Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer”- Nat King Cole (1963)
21. “School’s Out”- Alice Cooper (1972)
22. “Summer Breeze”- Seals and Croft (1972)
23. “Surfer Girl”- The Beach Boys (1963)
24. “Suddenly Last Summer”- The Motels (1983)
25. “A Summer Song”- Chad & Jeremy (1964)
26. “Summertime Blues’- Eddie Cochrane (1958)
27. “Cruel Summer”- Bananarama (1983)
28 “Wipeout” -.Fat Boys & the Beach Boys (1987)
29. “Summertime”- Billy Stewart (1966)
30. “Surfin’ Safari”- The Beach Boys (1962)

And here are my faves from that list…. plus the GoGo’s!

Bananarama “Cruel Summer”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGYNvx9lqDQ

Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta “Summer Nights”

Richard Marx “Endless Summer Nights”

The Go Go’s “Vacation”

Sweating with Richard Simmons

Let’s just start with the following. I think Richard Simmons broke my shoulder! … Ok, maybe not, broke, but he sure did tweak it and make the rest of me really sore. Now, before you put your head in the gutter, know that this past weekend I went to Richard Simmons ridiculously fun and surprisingly difficult aerobics class in Beverly Hills. Yes, it sounds crazy, but let me tell you, it’s fantastic. First of all, the 80′s fitness icon has not lost any of his energy, flair, humor or heart over the years; and second of all it’s a great workout. Apparently, he does 3 aerobics classes a week at his Slimmons Studio, and it’s only $12! Shut up. No, seriously, shut it cuz you have to try it. A big group of my friends including Ethan, Bryan, Rich, Jeff and Eric (who you see in the accompanying pictures) all took the class together and we had an amazing time. Each week, he has a different theme and this week was Broadway, so we were thrilled. It’s an hour and 15 minutes or so of aerobics, some weight work and some abs work. And it all finishes with an inspirational message from Richard. I can’t recommend it enough and next week, the theme is songs from 1981. Hello, you know you’re gonna get some “Physical” from Olivia Newton-John. So break out your headbands and dove shorts and break a sweat with Richard. For more info on this delightful class and Richard himself, click here. And go get your self slimmed down with Richard Simmons!

Miss GLEE’s Amazing Season Finale? … Check it out here!

Last night Glee aired its wonderful emotional season finale entitled “Journey” which perfectly summed up the show’s first season , not to mention it included some great music by Journey. It was easily one of the best episodes of the season and had me laughing and crying left and right as the club headed to regionals and Quinn had her baby. It was also one of the rare episodes, like the pilot and the Madonna eppy, where I loved every song and immediately purchased them on iTunes. It also included some hilarious Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) one liners (“Kiss my ass Josh Groban!”) and guest appearances by Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John, Jonathan Groff and Idina Menzel. For the full episode, check it out below.

Glee’s Season Finale “Journey”

And here’s my ranking of last night’s songs….
1. “Faithfully”- Lea Michelle, Cory Monteith & Cast
2. “Anyway You Want It/Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’”- The Cast
3. “Dont Stop Believin’”- The Cast (it’d be higher were it not in the pilot… but kudos on the new arrangement and recording!)
4. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”- Matthew Morrison with Mark Sailing
5. “Bohemian Rhapsody”- Jonathan Groff & Vocal Adrenaline

“Grease” is Still the One that You Want!

The all time biggest movie musical, Grease, is coming back to theatres. Before Mamma Mia, Hairspray and High School Musical, there was Grease which catapulted John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John into superstardom. The Golden Globe and Oscar nominated film is still the box office daddy for musicals and now, it is heading back to the big screen with a special sing-a-long version this summer. So, get out there and sing up a storm with Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, Kenicke, and the gang starting July 9. For more info and which cities it’s playing in, click here. And check out the special trailer below.

GREASE SING-A-LONG

Behind the Glee Music~ “Physical”

Another day, another Glee post. I know you’re not surprised. Today I’m here to tell you all about a new youtube GLEE Channel! It’s a channel on youtube exclusively devoted to Glee featuring behind the scenes excerpts, music videos, cast interviews and more. Check it out here.
For a little taste of it, check out this clip of “Glee- Inside the Music: Physical” featuring everything you wanted to know about Tuesday night’s great “Physical” number featuring Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester) and the incomparable Olivia Newton-John.

GLEE Inside the Music “Physical”
http://www.youtube.com/GleeOnFox#p/a/u/2/

And here’s a clip called “9 Things You Need to Know about Jane Lynch”
http://www.youtube.com/GleeOnFox#p/a/f/2/

SPOILER ALERT! ~ I’ve got the tracklisting for the next GLEE Album!

SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! If you’re a Glee fan and don’t want to know what music is coming up in future episodes of the best show on TV, don’t read any farther!

Now, for those of you who just have to know, take a look below at the complete track listing for Glee Music Vol. 3: Showstoppers.

The full song list for Glee Music: Volume 3 ‘Showstoppers’:

1 – Hello Goodbye
2 – Gives You Hell
3 – Hello
4 – A House Is Not A Home
5 – One Less Bell To Answer / A House Is Not A Home
- Kristin Chenoweth/Matthew Morrison
6 – Beautiful
7 – Physical – Olivia Newton-John/Jane Lynch
8 – Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Jonathan Groff
9 – Lady Is A Tramp
10 – One
11 – Rose’s Turn
12 – Dream On – Neil Patrick Harris
13 – Safety Dance
14 – I Dreamed A Dream – Idina Menzel
15 – Loser
16 – Give Up The Funk
17 – Beth
18 – Poker Face – Idina Menzel
19 – Bad Romance

~ Now, you may be wondering where all the Madonna songs are from the 4/20 episode, but remember they’re already available for purchase in the compilation ep Glee~ The Power of Madonna. So, are you super excited about these new cuts? Are you as thrilled as me about the inclusion of Kristen Chenowith, Idina Menzel, Neil Patrick Harris, Johnathan Groff and Olivia Newton-John? It totally makes me super Gleeful! Share your glee below.

Sue Sylvester gets “Physical” with Olivia Newton-John

Sue Sylvester + Olivia Newton-John + Physical = Gleek heaven! That’s right, I’m in Gleek heaven because next week one of my all time favorite singers and first crush (boy how things have changed, ha), the one and only multiple Grammy Award winning mega-star Olivia Newton-John is guest starring on Glee! She will be interacting with the hilarious and brilliant Jane Lynch and ~ SPOILER ALERT~ doing a duet on “Physical”. I don’t want to spoil the whole storyline, but if you want to know, click here. All I know is it will be fantastic. Glee is totally on fire with SAG, Golden Globe Awards, PGA and People’s Choice honors, and the # 1 album in the country (Glee-The Power of Madonna). Now, they add the original “Sandy” from Grease. I think my head is about to explode! And so can yours… Take a listen to the Sue Sylvester/Olivia “Physical” duet below and then the original smash from 1981 that spent 10 weeks at # 1 and helped usher in the 80′s fitness craze.

Sue Sylvester & Olivia Newton-John “Physical”

Olivia Newton-John “Physical”

And while we’re talking about Olivia, I thought I’d count down my top 10 fave Olivia songs (which was no easy feat mind you!) and here goes:
1. “Magic”
2. “Xanadu”
3. “Twist of Fate”
4. “Physical”
5. “I Honestly Love You”
6. “Hopelessly Devoted to You”
7. “You’re the One that I Want” (with John Travolta)
8. “The Rumor”
9. “A Little More Love”
10. “Heart Attack”

And here’s a bunch more I love that missed the top ten:
“Sam”, “Please Mr. Please”, “Have You Never Been Mellow”, “Suddenly”, “Tied Up”, “Livin’ in Desperate Times”, “The Best of Me”, “Soul Kiss”, “I Need Love”, “Deeper Than the Night”, “Suspended in Time”, “Summer Nights” (with the Grease cast), “If You Love Me (Let me Know)”, “Let Me Be There”.

PS- go see her in concert. She still has it. I saw her at LA Gay Pride in 2008 and she was incredible! How is she that gorgeous at that age and can still hit those notes!

Hollywood’s Hot Aussie Invasion

G’day Mate. “Throw Another Shrimp on the Barbi.” Koala Bears, Crocodile Dundee and Olivia Newton-John. What do all these things have in common? Why, they’re all synonymous with Australia. Now, Hollywood has always been interested in the lovely land down under in films like The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert, Australia and Crocodile Dundee and its actors (Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman) and musicians (Kylie Minogue, Midnight Oil, Men At Work,The Veronicas), and now a new wave of hot Australians are about to take over our shores. Seriously, you can’t really watch TV or go to the movies without happening upon a hot and talented Aussie on display. So, I’ve compiled a little guide of some of the hottest new and buzzed about Aussie actors storming the entertainment world. Which one do you wanna do a walkabout with? Let me know below.

Alex O’Laughlin: this hunky stud has been searching for a hit TV series for the last few years. Unfortunately, both Moonlight and Three Rivers tanked. However, he’s back at it with CBS’s reinvention of Hawaii Five-O next fall and he’s currently on the big screen with J Lo in The Back Up Plan.

Abbie Cornish: after receiving a lot of critical plaudits and some Oscar buzz for last year’s Bright Star, it looks like Abbie will be hitting the big time with several features on tap like Sucker Punch and The Dark Fields co-starring Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro. She might also look familiar because she’s the one Ryan Phillipe left Reese Witherspoon for… Alas, that’s over now too.

Chris Hemsworth: We first noticed the ridiculously attractive Chris Hemsworth playing Capt. Kirk’s dad in last year’s reboot of Star Trek. Well, he’s poised to eclipse the star of that pic, Chris Pine, as he steps into leading roles in the Red Dawn remake and as the norse legend Thor.

 

Liam Hemsworth: Chris’s little brother is currently sharing the screen with his real life girlfriend Miley Cyrus in the romance The Last Song. Up next, he shoots the big budget action adventure and potential franchise Arabian Nights.

Anna Torv: Playing straight-laced detective Olivia Dunham on Fox’s Fringe, Torv has to deal with parallel universes, modern-day occult and Joshua Jackson, and she does it beautifully. You can also catch this blonde bombshell in HBO’s latest miniseries The Pacific.

Ryan Kwanten: as the sexy dimbulb Jason Stackhouse on HBO’s guilty pleasure True Blood, Kwanten spends as much time fighting off vampires and beasts as he does naked wooing the ladies. He was also half-naked during his run on Summerland as a surfer. Kwanten has season 3 of Blood on tap along with a couple of indie films Red Hill and Griff the Invisible. And for more hot pics like the one below, click here.

Mia Wasikowska: as the titular character in this spring’s smash hit Alice in Wonderland, Wasikowska tangle with rabbits, cats, scary monsters and Johnny Depp. Up next she tangles with Julianne Moore and Annette Bening in the Oscar worthy comedy-drama The Kids are Alright followed by the iconic role as Jane Eyre. You might also recognize her from her performance on the acclaimed series In Treatment.

Sam Worthington: Ok, fine, he was born in England, but so was Olivia Newton-John. The point is they grew up in Australia and they’re Aussies through and through. You all know him best from Avatar, but he also headlined the recent hot mess Clash of the Titans and last year’s Terminator Salvation. Currently Hollywood’s go to action guy, Sam will be changing gears with the upcoming dramas The Debt with Helen Mirren and Last Night with Keira Knightly.

Teresa Palmer: Teresa first claim to fame in the U.S. were the films The Grudge 2 and Bedtime Stories. Now, she’s poised to hit it big with this summer’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and the upcoming Mad Max re-invention Fury Road.

So, which Aussie is gettin you hot down under? Oh, yeah, I had to go there… And if they don’t do it for you, here are a few more of our fave Aussies~ Emilie DeRavin, Simon Baker, Portia DiRossi, Guy Pearce, Jacinda Barrett, Toni Collette, Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Naomi Watts, Eric Bana, Heath Ledger, Rachel Griffiths.