Saved By The Bell reunion: Tiffani in, Screech out

The Saved By The Bell cast reunite! Tiffani makes hilarious video!
But where the hell is Screech? People magazine have managed to do what Jimmy Fallon has so far failed to do: reunited the cast of Saved By The Bell!

Yes, even Tiffani Theissen, who previously showed reluctance to revisit her Bayside roots.

But hang on a minute … where is Screech?

Rumour has is that the five hot stars of the show made it clear that they didn’t want Dustin Diamond, the only actor to appear in all of the show’s incarnations, to participate. Something to do with a dodgy sex tape, perhaps?

People even brushed him out of a 1989 cast shot – leaving a rather glaring empty space.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar tells Newsweek that he and Dustin are no longer close, but he does keep up with DD’s personal issues – like the fact he owes $14,000 in taxes and the aforementioned tape – on TV.

“That's a disaster on so many levels,” he says of his former TV sidekick. “I don't know where his head is. I know probably as much as you know from watching things on TV. It's as entertaining as hell. I watch it. But it's not great.”

Meanwhile, Dustin is planning to write a tell-all book about his time on the show and Mark-Paul says he’s not worried about what will be revealed.

“What is he going to say?” he asks. “We were banging groupies at 14? I can't wait to read his book, because I don't have a memory of a lot of the shows. Maybe it was because I was doing lines off of the audience members' asses? I'm sure he's going to write something crazy like that. The truth is – the reason why the show worked and why it's still on today – we were good people and good to each other. We were innocent, naive kids. We were not jaded. So him writing a book, I'm not really afraid of what he has to say. There are not too many skeletons in my closet.”

The original SBTB cast. Remember Max? No? Fair enough.

So did People steal the reunion idea from Jimmy? Apparently not.

“Everybody knew the 20-year anniversary was coming up,” Mario Lopez says. “This People story has been in the works for over a year, long before Jimmy Fallon started talking about it. We were all excited about it.”

But the shoot almost didn’t happen because Mario is so busy.

“I'm so busy,” he concurs. “I was concerned about my schedule.”

Because photo shoots are known to take as much as an entire day.

So where does all this leave the Jimmy reunion?

“Jimmy has never gone into detail about what he has in mind for the reunion,” Mark-Paul says. “I'm more for a reunion if we're completely in character and we can do a skit about it. That would be something the audience would yearn for than just seeing us.”

Anything to add Mario?

“All of us dated at one point or another.”

Even Mr Belding? Hawt.

Meanwhile, the awesome Tiffani has had a laugh at reports that she was reluctant to participate in the reunion by making this hilarious video for Funny Or Die. Damn she needs a show – STAT!

Tiffani Thiessen is Busy from Tiffani Thiessen

Scott Keenan
I'm at the corner just in time to see the bus fly by o’clock

Kelly Clarkson and Ryan Teddar at war; Beyonce silent

Already sung?
It’s too late to apologise … it’s toooo laaaaate
Kelly Clarkson is fighting mad. Oh yes. It all stems, you see, from the fact that she worked with hitmaker Ryan Tedder (also known as the frontman of OneRepublic) on her recent album and her discovery that one song - her new single - “Already Gone” sounds rather a lot like Beyoncé’s “Halo”, also written by Ryan.

“We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called ‘Halo’,” Kelly told Canada’s CBC. “Her album came out when my album was already being printed. No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyoncé and Kelly the same track to write to.’ No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’”

Kelly was so furious about the similarity that she tried to prevent her record company releasing it as a single. As a compromise she will only perform it acoustically in promo spots.Now Ryan Teddar has come out firing, insisting that the world is hearing wrong because there is NO WAY that “Already Gone” sounds like “Halo”.

Hear that, ears?

“‘Already Gone’ is one of the best songs I’ve written or produced since ‘Bleeding Love’ and stands tall on it’s own merits apart from ‘Halo’,” big-notes Ryan. “They are two entirely different songs conceptually, melodically and lyrically and I would never try to dupe an artist such as Kelly Clarkson or Beyoncé into recording over the same musical track, the idea is both hurtful and absurd. I think when people hear ‘Already Gone’ they will hear what I hear — one of the greatest female vocalists on earth giving her most haunting and heart-breaking performance on a song she helped write. I challenge people to listen and form their own opinions.”

Look, it’s not unusual for songwriters to come up with songs that sound the same – Max Martin has done it for a decade – but Ryan could have been a bit more honest and released a statement more along the lines of “Oops! My bad.”

Otherwise people might point out the fact that the structure of the recently leaked “Strangers”, a song he wrote for Leona Lewis, is spookily similar to “Battlefield”, his recent offering for Jordin Sparks.

What do you think?




Scott Keenan
Thank you sleep-ins o'clock

Jennifer Love Hewitt begs for Twilight role

Jennifer Loves Robert Pattinson
And she loves to shareI love Jennifer Love Hewitt. I really, really do.
I love her shows (well, before Ghost Whisperer) and movies (Um, sort of) and her music (actually, I really like her music. Post Japanese kiddy pop that is).
But the thing I like most about her is her complete lack of shame. She will say anything, and the fact that it sounds a little on the desperate and/or crazy side doesn’t worry her one tiny bit.
And so it was when she turned up to Comic-Con and found out she had missed meeting the cast of Twilight.
“I wanted to see them so badly, but they were here before I got here, so I was bummed that I missed them,” she (almost) sobbed. “But I’m hoping that some of the True Blood people are still here so that I can see them, 'cause obviously I have a vampire thing.”
Run Ryan Kwanten, RUN!
Maybe JLH can have some vamps written into Ghost Whisperer? Camryn Manheim would make an awesome vampire.
But Love hadn’t finished with her outbursts, no that would be too easy. Next she decided it was a great idea to publicly beg for a role in the next Twilight film:
“I want a part so bad. Any part’s fine,” she titters. “I will be the vampire who carries Robert Pattinson’s luggage in the airport, that is the part that I will play if they need it.”
Her enthusiasm is endearing, no?
But let’s be honest, she has an agent to do this sort of thing for her. And she’s kind of successful. She stars in a hit show (whether we like it or not), which she also produces. At the age of 20 she was also the youngest ever producer of a TV show when she starred in the short-lived Time Of Your Life. She has had aforementioned TV, film and music success. Sure, she’s not partying like it’s 1999 when she was one of the world’s biggest teen stars, but she’s still – surely – above begging for roles in the media.
Robert Pattinson, on the other hand, has starred in one solitary hit movie. Yes, he has at least another three up his sleeve, but in the scheme of things, he should really be carrying his own bags.

I see dead people... but I'd rather see undead people.

Oh, did I act like J-Love had stopped blabbing about how much she loves Robert Pattinson? My bad.
“I’d pass out,” blabs Jen at the mere thought of meeting Rob. “I can’t talk about it, ‘cause I’d pass out. It’s because he’s Edward. Listen, Edward can fly you through the forest. He’s like Aladdin with vampire teeth – there’s magic-carpet rides. He can sing. He can watch you sleep. He plays music. He sniffs your neck. I mean, please!”
He can watch you sleep?
You mean, like a boogie man?
He sniffs your neck?
Is anybody writing this stuff down?
Oh, she’s not done.
“Who’s not Team Edward?” she asks. “There is not a girl in the world who’s not Team Edward! Have you met girls who are not Team Edward? Well, they are not girls! They’re aliens from another planet who should not be allowed to exist.”
No, I’m not a girl. And I’m totally Team The Werewolf One.
Oh J-Love, will you ever learn?
I sort of hope not.

Scott Keenan
I’m barenaked and I know life’s what you make it o’clock

NEW VIDEO Avril Lavigne Perfume Commercial

Avril Lavigne stinks?

Remember when Avril Lavigne was all "I hate Britney Spears and girlie things cos I'm a punk rocker, y'all"? Well, years later, the former successful singer pretty much looks like Britney and has just launched her very own perfume line. My, how things change... when you haven't had a hit in 47 years. Here's the commercial for her perfume, Black Star...

It's a pretty scary ad. The scariest part? The voiceover at the end that threatens "Black Star... the first fragrance by Avril Lavigne."

I'm sorry, *FIRST*?

Why use a word like that when "last" or "only" would suffice?

--
Carolyn Stewart
Cos she's like so whatever o'clock, July 29, 2009

Madonna Celebration Cover & Tracklisting!

Madonna reveals new album artwork

Madonna's September-release greatest hits, Celebration, has a cover and, erm, this is it...



What's with the crazy big forehead, woman? I realise it's a combo of two old pics but still...

Oh yeah - these are the two pics:

Weird, hey?


Meanwhile, DrownedMadonna is reporting the rumoured and alleged (have I covered enough yet?) tracklisting will be:

2-CD Edition

CD1

“Vogue”
“Express Yourself”
“Into the Groove”
“Papa Don’t Preach”
“La Isla Bonita”
“Everybody”
“Lucky Star”
“Holiday”
“Like a Virgin”
“Borderline”
“Material Girl”
“Crazy For You”
“Open Your Heart”
“Cherish”
“Like a Prayer”
“Justify My Love”
“Deeper and Deeper”
“Erotica”
“Rain”

CD2

“Celebration”
“Music”
“Get Together”
“Frozen”
“Hung Up”
“Ray of Light”
“Beautiful Stranger”
“Don’t Tell Me”
“Hollywood”
“Human Nature”
“Secret”
“Take a Bow”
“American Life”
“Die Another Day”
“Sorry”
“4 Minutes”
“Give It 2 Me”
“Revolver”

1-CD Edition

“Vogue”
“Express Yourself”
“Into the Groove”
“Papa Don’t Preach”
“La Isla Bonita”
“Lucky Star”
“Holiday”
“Like a Virgin”
“Material Girl”
“Crazy for You”
“Like a Prayer”
“Erotica”
“Music”
“Frozen”
“Hung Up”
“Ray of Light”
“Don’t Tell Me”
“Take a Bow”
“Sorry”
“4 Minutes”
“Celebration”

Inneresting!

--
Carolyn Stewart
I know a place where you can get away/It's called a dance floor and here's what it's for o'clock, July 28, 2009

NEW DOCTOR WHO VIDEO! The David Tennant & John Barrowman kiss

The Doctor Who Kiss!

Comic-Con 09 has certainly delivered the goods. Just today, for example, departing Doctor David Tennant and Torchwood's John Barrowman kissed. And then they kissed again. I assure you the video speaks for itself...





--
Carolyn Stewart
I'm taking AWESOME back to London with me o'clock, July 27, 2009

THE TOP 5 NEW VIDEOS! (yes, including that JK wedding entrance!)

From The Vault

Here's The 'Brain's Top 5 YouTube videos from the week that was...

1. Katie Holmes much-hyped performance on SYTYCD. It's OK and everything but somehow it makes her seem MORE robotic not less. There's a whole lot of waffle so tune in at about the two minute mark to catch the lip-synching fun.



2. Someone was certainly thinkin' at Comic-Con and remembered to record the two sneak peeks of the Twilight sequel, New Moon. Given the situation, it's better quality than you'd think (aside from the understandable squealing at the mere sight of Robert Pattinson's face)...




3. Have you ever wondered what happened to Jake Lloyd - you know the kid that played the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace? No, me neither. However, this is what he looks like now and it's also worth a listen since he's understandably pretty bitter and twisted.



4. Hot on the heels of a series of cool stills, the official Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland trailer finally hit the interwebs. Looks *amazing*!



5. I'll leave you on the *GREAT* video from the wedding of Jill and Kevin Heinz in case you're one of the few people left on Earth that hasn't seen it since it started doing the rounds about a week ago... if that's the case, I strongly suggest you do cos it's just about the best 5 minutes you'll have all weekend (incidentally, the song is "Forever" by Chris Brown - and it's the greatest publicity CB could hope for given the current climate - and he didn't even have to do anything!). Enjoy... seriously:




LOVE. IT.

--
Carolyn Stewart
It's gonna be me, you and the dance floor o'clock, July 25, 2009

Robert Pattinson vs Johnny Depp

What stars are really thinking...
By Psychic Scott

Just tonight I discovered a gift - I can read the thoughts of celebrities.
That's right, the actual minds of almost actual celebrities.
I actually know EXACTLY what they are thinking at any given time. Spookily enough, it is usually the kind of thing they are far too scared to say aloud.
Lucky I'm here to share their deepest thoughts on their behalf!

Robert Pattinson

"Hello I'm Robert Pattinson! I'm kinda like 1989 Johnny Depp, but no charisma or shampoo."

Shakira

"Hello I'm Shakira! My new single 'She Wolf' has disco guitars AND disco strings in it. Brilliant, right? Unfortunately it also has me singing. FAIL."

Sugababes

"Hi we're the Sugababes! We were so busy ripping off Right Said Fred in our new single 'Get Sexy' that we forgot to write a chorus. Oops!"

So there you have it readers - the TRUTH!
You can bet Psychic Scott will be back with some more readings soon!

Scott Keenan
Zing! o'clock

FIRST LOOK: MADONNA "CELEBRATION" VIDEO!

SHE'S BAAAAAACK!

Madonna's upcoming greatest hits was rumoured to be titled Iconography, which I thought was brilliant... so naturally they're not going with that. Word on the street is that the first single "Celebrate" will be worked into the overall title, which is now apparently Celebration. It's no Iconography but I'll learn to deal. In time.

Today the first two promo clips for the release hit the interwebs. They're way-short (don't say you weren't warned) but also kinda exciting. Observe:

TEASER 1:

TEASER 2

This latest Greatest Hits in a long line of Madonna's Greatest Hits will be out... September 22.

PS: What songs are you hoping will be on the GH? I mean, it's only really recent stuff that wouldn't have already appeared on one of the previous ones, right?? In that spirit, I'm hoping "Love Profusion", "Jump", "Miles Away" and the JT collab "4 Minutes" get a nod as well as the golden oldies.

--
Carolyn Stewart
May angels protect you and sadness forget you, little star o'clock, July 22, 2009

VIDEO Chris Brown Apology

A message from Chris Brown

It's about "the incident", y'all. Or as others might call it: the bashing.

And as Chris Brown TOLD Rihanna countless times... and now he's TELLING you: he's sorry. I have to say, it's all a bit aggressive, for mine.

Anyway, check it out for yourself... because Chris is TELLING you to.




What do you think? Does that (above) make up for this (below)?



PS: What the hell is he wearing in the video? Is it an old Star Trek costume?

--
Carolyn Stewart
Don't tell me you're sorry cos you're not/And, baby, when I know you're only sorry you got caught o'clock, July 21, 2009

Laura Leighton talks new Melrose Place

Sydney speaks
And gives Lisa Rinna new hope

With the debut of the all-new Melrose Place getting ever closer, Laura Leighton has spoken to the New York Post about returning to her character Sydney Andrews.

“It's funny because from the minute the remake was announced, people would ask if I was doing it and I had honestly never thought about it,” she says. “I just assumed they wanted a whole new cast. Then all of a sudden I got the call and it was a total surprise.”

The network is still pretending like the show’s major plot twist hasn’t leaked absolutely everywhere, so *SPOILER ALERT* Laura avoided mention of the fact that Sydney dies in episode one and is then seen in flashback. Also that her role was originally meant for Heather Locklear's character Amanda.

“I think their vision was very unique and I was really intrigued by the ideas they had for me,” she says. “I think what they came up with was a really fun way to bring Sydney back and tell the story about what's happened to her in the years since versions one and two. Not many actors get the chance to play a character 12 years later, so that's been fun.”

Guess she won’t be in season two, though.

The Melrose 2.0 cast

She also talked about reuniting with Thomas Calabro – who plays the awesome Dr. Michael Mancini – and sharing a scene with him in the first ep.

“We definitely laughed standing there, looking into each other's eyes again,” she laughs. “It was so weird, neither of us expected to ever be doing this again so we had a good giggle about it. The cool thing was that scene was the first one either of us shot, so the surreality of that was definitely not lost on either of us.”

With Josie Bisset (who played Sydney’s sister Jane) and Daphne Zuninga (Jo) both returning, Laura was also asked whether her real-life hubby Doug “Matt” Savant, who currently plays Tom on Desperate Hornbags would consider coming back.

“Well, he loves his job so his focus is definitely there,” she says. “The Melrose producers would love to have any and all of the original cast members come back if they're willing, so he's open to the possibility. But it would have to be with all respect to his role on Desperate Housewives.”

Hang on, any and all? Somebody get Lisa Rinna on the phone!!!

Scott Keenan
I want candy o'clock

HEAR IT: La Toya Jackson's Michael Jackson tribute single!

The Return Of La Toya

She’s back and she’s bringing a ghost with her

Following the death of Michael Jackson, the always entertaining (although very often for all the wrong reasons) Jackson family have been splashed across the media, with Jermaine, Tito and scary old Joseph all finding their ways back into the spotlight. It was only a matter of time before everybody’s secret favourite Jackson – La Toya of course! – did the same.

Of all the Jacksons, middle sister La Toya's career has been the most dubious. Despite releasing dozens of albums (actually 10) since 1980 and working with the likes of Full Force and Stock Aitken Waterman (and even Michael and Janet) she failed to ever deliver a single hit. Hell, even eldest Jackson sister Rebbie had a hit with "Centipede" (and what an awesome song that is).

"Hello boys!"

La Toya instead became infamous for her numerous Playboy shoots, her ill-fated marriage to her manager/dubious type Jack Gordon, writing her tell-all book La Toya: Growing Up In The Jackson Family (a New York Times #1 best seller, no less) holding a press conference to announce she thought Michael was possibly guilty of kiddie fiddling (oops!) and her subsequent estrangement from the Jackson clan. Given the competition, to be considered the Jackson family screw-up is quite the (somewhat undeserved) achievement.

Rather miraculously all was forgiven on the family front after La Toya split with Gordon, who has since died, in 1997. In fact she was considered the closest sibling to Michael when he died and even signed his death certificate.

A recent pic of La Toya and her late bro Michael

Unperturbed by her lack of musical success, La Toya has been hawking a "comeback" album, titled Startin' Over, since 2002. Despite the release of two singles (which her devout fans insist were "club hits"), numerous release dates and even the appearance of a media promo disc, the album has so far failed to materialise.

But then a strange thing happened: Michael died.

Suddenly La Toya is in the news, in demand for interviews and some clever clogs goes; "Remember that song 'Home' Toy-Toy recorded in 1943? That could almost be a tribute song to Michael!"

And so we have La Toya's "brand new" (seven years old) single - "Home".

An even more recent pic of La Toya and her late bro Michael

Lest she be charged with cashing-in on her brother's death, there is every chance the release is being spear-headed by her record company, who are no doubt keen to make some cash out of La Toya after years of recording and approximately no sales. Indeed La Toya will not be doing any promotion (just paid interviews about her belief that Michael was murdered) and has donated all proceeds to charity (AIDS Project Los Angeles, which was apparently one of MJ's favourites).

(Poor Jermaine, who I suggested should release a version of "Smile", which he performed at Michael's memorial service, has really missed the boat)

But, um, what about that single cover?

La Toya strikes an MJ-style move as his ghost looks down upon her from heaven…

Classy.

And what's the song like?

Well, it's schmaltzy American mid-tempo pop ... and it kinda doesn't suck. Even her voice - while not as strong as her brothers', but possibly more so than Janet's (come ya'll, you know it's true) - doesn't suck. In fact, Michael would probably even love it (although he'd no doubt find La Toya's performance a bit understated – she doesn’t do a single “sha-mon”).

The lyrics appear to be about her estrangement and subsequent reunion with the Jackson clan.

Ch-ch-check it out...

While we're feeling the La Toya love (are we?) why not have a look at/listen to her S/A/W produced non-hit "(Ain't Nobody Loves You) Like I Do". It's almost enough to make you think she could have been a proper pop star in the '80s if she'd got a decent song and if not for her dodgy husband.

Scott Keenan
The P.Y.Ts ain't so young nowadays o'clock

NEW VIDEO! The Killers team with UNICEF

NEW VIDEO!

The Killers - "Goodnight, Travel Well"

Just the other day The Brain's UK correspondent Fiddy and I were discussing the fact that The Killers have been knocking out new singles - and matching video clips! - from the album Day & Age at lightning speed.

And here's another one!

The band's latest effort is certainly a very quick follow up to "A Dustland Fairytale" but there's a big difference. This time, Brandon Flowers & Co have joined with UNICEF, MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) and the US Agency for International Development to lend their celebrity to a cause that is certainly worth drawing attention to. Starting earlier this week, MTV viewers will see the band's latest video for "Goodnight, Travel Well" that is aiming to raise awareness about sex trafficking. I will let them do the talking...

"We are deeply shocked and appalled that women and children are forced into such exploitative situations," said a spokesperson for The Killers. "We hope that through MTV's efforts, and this powerful video, millions of people across the world learn about this tragic form of modern-day slavery."

Here's the clip...






The video is the second in a series that launched last year with the video for the Radiohead single "All I Need".

Oh, and before you go, here's an old clip of The Killers cover of the Dire Straits hit "Romeo and Juliet" because we all might need a bit of cheering up after all that! Observe...





--
Carolyn Stewart
Oh Romeo, you know I used to have a scene with him o'clock, June 18, 2009

TRAILER! Where The Wild Things Are

Movie Trailer Recap

Like half the known universe, I was at the movies to see Harry Potter when the trailer for Where The Wild Things Are came on. I already saw the clip a few months ago on the interwebs but I totally forgot about the Spike Jonze movie version of the famous kids book and I also forgot completely how damn excited I am to see it. Squeeeeee! I can't wait. But I will have to as it seems to be out in the US in October and in Australia in December. Sigh. Anyway, here's the trailer in case you're in the same boat. Observe...






--
Carolyn Stewart
The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another o'clock, July 18, 2009

New Twilight star Xavier Samuel

Vampire X
Aussie cast in Eclipse
Well, well, well, look who has been cast in the third Twilight fillum Eclipse - it's Newcastle star Xavier Samuel!
What? You weren't one of the four people who saw the rather good Aussie flick co-starring Blue Water High/Home and Away actor-types Lachlan Buchanan - why isn't he more famous? - and Rebecca Breeds and Kenny's Shane Jacobson and set in the New South Wales town of the same name?
Well go get it on DVD already.
That way you can pretend you knew Xavier before he was a big star. (Which, despite having cheated, you will)
Plus you'll see him a little bit in the nudd.

Xavier, looking all emo bottom right, with the cast of Newcastle

Adelaide-born Xav, 24, has also had a role in McLeod's Daughters and the flicks September and the upcoming Road Train.
In Eclipse Xavier will play Riley, a newborn vampire sent to kill perma-sulky Bella. Which, of course, Edward isn't all that happy about. All the dudes are so into Bella, which is weird because she gives off a lesbian vibe to me and nobody else seems to notice. Seriously Jacob, not even you?
Never mind.
Anyway, good onya Xavier!

Scott Keenan
Total eclipse of the heart o'clock

OFFICIAL PHOTO! Channing Tatum's wedding

Channing Steps Up:
Official Wedding Pic!!

GI Joe hunk Channing Tatum and Step Up co-star and longtime love Jemma Dewan got hitched last Saturday in Malibu and the first official photo from the big day has surfaced thanks to People mag. Looooooooooook:





Awww. Congrats, you guys. So cute.


--
Carolyn Stewart
It's CHATUM! o'clock, July 16, 2009

NEW VIDEO! Jonas Brothers/Kelly Clarkson/Coldplay

Cover-tastic!

The musical world has once again gone "cover" mad and I, for one, am all for it. For starters, Kelly Clarkson paid tribute to Janet Jackson's awesome hit "If" during an intimate gig at the PC Richard and Son in New York. Observe...








Not to be outdone, the Jonas Brothers had a crack at Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" during the Washington leg of their tour. Observe...








On top of all that, Coldplay gave a nod to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, with yet another cover of "Billie Jean" while they were in Washington... which I would be more excited about if Chris Martin - who, don't get me wrong, I love - would look like he was playing a gig in front of zillions of people instead of jamming in his loungeroom. I know it's the bit of the concert where they go into the audience but I still wanted him to do a bit more performerering. Observe...








Who's next to cover what song? I can't wait to find out!




Carolyn Stewart
I'm still scarred by the MJ Pepsi fire footage o'clock, July 16, 2009

VIDEO: Michael Jackson's Hair On Fire

Pepsi Max
The shocking MJ footage finally released

In 1984, whilst shooting a commercial for Pepsi to coincide with The Jacksons' Victory Tour, Michael Jackson was involved in a pyrotechnics accident that saw his hair catch on fire. The story made worldwide news and while one blurry photo turned up (above) until now the footage has never been seen.

Us Weekly is to thank/blame for the footage - something I have been obsessed with almost my whole life and never thought I'd see - which features two takes of the shot. In the first the pyro goes off according to plan, but in the second it goes off too early and MJ's head catches fire. The poor guy doesn't even realise what is happening as stunned crew rush to his aide.

The accident has often been blamed for everything from his plastic surgery to his use of wigs and now his drug abuse.

Shocking stuff.



Scott Keenan
Will be service as usual soon o'clock

Vintage Gavin Rossdale

From The Vault
...photo edition

We're sorry to report that The 'Brain are officially tired and broken. Shells of our former selves. So we apologise for our uncharacteristically lax performance.

You see, MJ died. Did you hear?

Ahem.

Anyway, we decided to let a photo do all the talking (word on the street is that they tell approximately 1000 words, right?? Here's hoping!) and finally settled on this classic that was sent to us by our happenin' Melbourne correspondent Kashia, which she seems to have swiped from Peter Robinson's - the real name of '80s D-List pop star Marilyn - interview with InTouch mag earlier in the year.

The pic is of Gwen Stefani's currently-straight-but-allegedly-rumoured-then-gay-lover-of-Marilyn-according-to-Marilyn-and-also-Marilyn's-other-ex-Boy-George, ie. it's Lleyton Hewitt's tennis pal Gavin Rossdale!




.... a-ha-ha-nd he's wearing mesh.

While Marilyn has stated that former Bush frontman Gav was the "love of my life" and Boy George reported on the topic in his book, Take It Like A Man, Gavin has been noticably less chatty on the topic and repeatedly denied, well, everything.

Not that we necessarily always believe what Boy George has to say, however he *did* teach us all that "loving would be easy if your colours were like my dream" so he certainly knows stuff. And that.

In closing, here is yet another pic of Gav and Maz back in the day (because I found it just then) for you to peruse...



Yes, I allegedly think they are allegedly wearing matching lipstick too.



--
Carolyn Stewart
I'll Tumble 4 Ya o'clock, July 15, 2009

VIDEO FIRST! New awesome Michael Jackson cover

NEW! Michael Jackson cover

There have been plenty of Michael Jackson tributes and covers since the sudden death of King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, but this one has The 'Brain offices in a bit of a frenzy. So, check out the amazing acoustic cover of The Jackson 5 song "I Want You Back" by talented Aussie singer BJ Brady as his tribute to MJ. Observe...





If you like what you hear, check out other covers from the same artist here: CLICK ON ME!



--
Carolyn Stewart
Oh baby, give me one more chance o'clock, June 10, 2009

Jason Bateman's wild past PLUS Arrested Development movie details

All the Details:
Jason Bateman's wild past!

Here at The 'Brain, we love Jason Bateman (and sister Justine) and have been a big fan of him, well, forever. Now, former child star Jase has spoken of his drug-fueled wild past many times before but he goes into a lot more detail in the August issue of Details magazine... but you're forgiven if you don't read the quotes for a while and prefer to take in his hotness on the cover first. Jase says...

On going off the rails: "It was like Risky Business for 10 years. My parents were out of town, they left me a bunch of money, the car, and the house, and I didn't know when they were coming home. I'd worked so hard that by the time I was 20, I wanted to play hard. And I did that really well."

On how his wife's (Amanda Anka) ultimatum saved his marriage: "I was never at a place where rehab would have been appropriate. Booze was what would make me want to stay out all night and do some blow or smoke a joint or whatever, so shutting that off was key. It's like ketchup and French fries — I don't want one without the other. So that's the moment: Do you want to continue being great at being in your twenties, or do you want to step up and graduate into adulthood?"

The Baster costar Jennifer Aniston also commented on Jason's "freakish youthfulness" saying: "Maybe it was all the drugs. What have the rest of us been doing wrong?"

Jen on Jason's wild days: “Even though he was pretty wild in those days, something about those dimples and that sweet face made you go, ‘Oh, it’s okay that you just drove up the street backwards in a Range Rover with the door wide open.’ I don’t know what was happening there. You feel instantly safe in his company.”


And the most important news of all - further confirmation fo the Arrested Development movie!

"We're gonna make the movie. Mitch Hurwitz is just starting to write it. It'll be out in a year and a half," confirms Jase. Allow me to speak for us all when I say: WOOT!





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From the vault

From yesteryear: Once in a Lifetime - Kermit the frog

Speaking of things we love... on a short break from our stream of MJ-related clips, correspondent Annie reminded us of this freaking awesome clip of Muppets cutie Kermit the frog singing the Talking Heads song "Once In A Lifetime". It's soooooooooo good that you may have to watch it at least 14 times to truly appreciate it. Observe:



Fact: Muppets Tonight host Kermit performed the number to fill in for Giganticus, who was unable to make it for the show. The suit worn by Kermit in the number was made for Giganticus, which parodies the suit Talking Heads band member, David Byrne, wore on stage and in music videos.

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Carolyn Stewart
Same as it ever was... same as it ever was... o'clock, July 10, 2009

Is Jermaine Jackson set for a comeback?

Jermaine Jackson
Is it time to get serious again?
Could Jermaine Jackson’s amazing performance at his brother Michael Jackson’s memorial service have set him up for a comeback?
His rendition of “Smile”, written by Charlie Chaplin and covered by MJ on his HIStory album, was the highlight of the service.
It was raw and emotional, free from poser-y showmanship (take note Usher) and despite Jermaine being on the verge of tears, sounded great.

I’m sure someone must be mulling over whether it would be appropriate for it to be released on iTunes, as it could probably be a No.1 hit if it was.
I have read plenty of opinions that have been sarcastic about the service being a boost to Jermaine's flagging career. I’m sorry, but I don’t think there is anything even remotely odd about singing at your brother’s memorial service and I think it would have been a bit strange (although understandable) had a member of the family not sung.

Check out the hair! Jermaine and Michael back in the day

In the ’70s and early ‘80s Jermaine, while never quite reaching the levels of his younger brother (but nobody ever has), was considered a noted solo artist in his own right. Like Michael, he released solo records with Motown while still in The Jackson 5, scoring a big hit with “Daddy’s Home”.
When his brothers left Motown for Epic in mid-’70s, Jermaine left the group and stayed – something to do with being married to Berry Gordy’s daughter. Awkward.
Throughout the rest of the the decade his brothers churned out hits like “Blame It On The Boogie” and starred in their own variety TV series, while Jermaine served up a series of dependable if underwhelming fare.
Then, in 1980, he offered up one of my favourite songs of all time in “Let’s Get Serious”.

Written for him by Stevie Wonder, if only Jermaine had another 10 songs as good he may never have drifted into semi-obscurity.
The song hit No.1 on the US R&B chart and the album of the same name scored Jermaine a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
He followed it up with the slightly dubious “Dynamite” and in 1984 a duet with Michael titled “Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)”. When Epic wouldn’t let it be released as a single, Jermaine (now signed to Arista) chucked it on the b-side of “Do What You Do” (a No.1 AC hit itself) and radio and clubs played it anyway, eventually allowing the song to reach No.1 on the dance chart.

His last solo hit was 1989's “Don't Take It Personal” which was another R&B No.1.
Of course his greatest moment was when he came to Australia to shoot the Nine Network’s 1990 “Shout” promo. Damn I used to love a good network promo. They just don’t make ‘em like this any more.

I have also watched the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special several times this week – it seems to be rerun every day – and the highlight was without doubt The Jacksons’ reunion. Brilliant. (Why did they never perform “Boogie” live?)

I would be more than happy for the brothers to do a new album. They could still do it. Plus Katherine would probably be okay with giving them some of those mystery MJ tracks to use (I seem to be giving them to everyone of late, but it’s just because it’s one of my more brilliant ideas).
Either way, I would like to see a whole lot more of those Jacksons.

Scott Keenan
S-E-R-I-O-U-S baby let’s get serious o’clock