SNEAK PEEK: Heather Locklear returns to Melrose Place

Amanda Woodward will
(Save Melrose, that is)

Check out this just released - and very brief - glimpse of Heather Locklear's return to Melrose Place as the legendary Amanda Woodward.

Her first ep airs in the US in November 17. In Australia? Lord knows.



PS: The original video we wanted to bring you - which is seconds longer and that actually shows Heather's face - has blocked embedding so have a look here.

Scott Keenan
Watch your back o'clock

John & Edward X Factor update

They're baaaaaaaaack
Lock up your daughters!
Okay, that's it. I'm now convinced that John and Edward Grimes should win The X Factor. Singing talent be damned. THESE are the contestants bringing the goods.

As if last week's slice of perfection "Oops ... I Did It Again" wasn't the best thing ever, the Grimeseses - who have now had "makeovers" that seem to consist of them both having the same hair as Kid of Kid 'n Play - have almost outdone themselves with their breath-taking rendition of Ricky Martin's seminal hit "She Bangs".

It even features one of the twins' trademark key changes, in which the music changes key, but their singing doesn't.

The girls dancing with them (especially the one in the middle) deserve medals. Or their therapy bills to be paid for.

Watch now and be taken straight to heaven.


PS: I love when Louis compares them to Zig and Zag and says "these boys are better than them!" Better than... puppets. Thanks Louis!

Scott Keenan
It's the Grimes' time to shine o'clock

HEAR new music: Donnie Wahlberg featuring Aubrey O’Day - “I Got It” & Guy Sebastian and Jordin Sparks – “Art Of Love”

New Songs ALERT!
DDub and The Artist Formerly Known As The 'Fro

It’s new music day again, readers! And today we see a New Kid go solo (sort of) and two Idols team up.
Donnie Wahlberg, New Kid On The Block and “star” of the Saw franchise, has released his first (sort of) solo single, 25 years into his music career – that’s if you don’t count “The Right Combination” his amazing 1990 duet with Japanese songbird Seiko.

Anyway, while NKOTB are on a “break” following their successful comeback album and tour (you know, the one they were set to bring to Australia before unceremoniously cancelling), Donnie has teamed up with always controversial former Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day (last seen on The ‘Brain trying to destroy Eddie Murphy’s musical legacy) for “I Got It”.

It’s not half bad, neither (it’s also not an update of NKOTB’s “You Got It (The Right Stuff)”), even if I can’t decide if the lyrics (“we can start a family/you can make the band with me” and name checks for Twitter and TMZ) are genius or appalling.

Let's go with genius. Hey, I can't stop listening to it.

Fellow New Kids Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Jordan Knight are all also working on new solo material, but I think we have learned that NKOTB’s strength is as a team, as opposed to a gaggle of self-indulgent solo nonsense (Jordan’s brilliant “Give It To You” not withstanding), so hopefully they get to recording a new group album soon (seriously, The Block was great).

Take a listen.


Guy Sebastian, the first ever Australian Idol, has followed up his recent No.1 “Like It Like That” with “Art Of Love”, a duet with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and – cliché alert! – it has international hit written all over it.

While undoubtedly talented, Guy’s output has been a bit of a mixed bag in the past and has at times suffered from dodgy production and record company whims forcing him in directions that didn’t fit (Record company guy: "Hey Guy, how about you go ROCK?!"). Although it should be noted that while 2007’s covers record The Memphis Album was a typical record company money spinner, the production was brilliant and Guy’s interpretations – with Booker T. & The MG's no less – were spot-on.

That said, as far as R&B pop goes, “Art Of Love” is pretty much amazing.

Sorry readers, that sounded a bit reluctant.

What it should have said was: “Art Of Love” is AMAZING.

From the faux T-Pain “hey-ey” vocals to the soaring chorus, Guy and Jordin’s vocals work perfectly together and the US will have no choice but to jump on the Guy train if they know what’s good for ‘em.

Oh, and Guy’s new album Like It Like That came out yesterday, so do yourself a favour!


BONUS VIDEO ALERT!

Scott Keenan
Wanna know 'bout who you Tweetin' o'clock

The 'Brain salutes Don Lane

Vale Don Lane
American born Australian TV legend Don Lane was today laid to rest after passing away yesterday.

Nine brought Don, nick-named the "lanky yank", to Australia in the ‘60s to host Sydney variety show The Tonight Show. He followed the show up with Tonight with Don Lane, Sydney Tonight, and appearances with Graham Kennedy on IMT.

But it was The Don Lane Show, which ran from 1975 until 1983, that really made him one of Australia’s biggest stars. His teaming with Bert Newton was TV gold.

“Don was a very important influence in my life – both as an entertainer and a friend,” says Bert. “He was the most generous performer I have ever worked with, always happy to share the camera and the comedy.
“Before Don and I worked together on The Don Lane Show, we had actually never met. Our friendship began on camera and lasted for more than 30 years. Australian television and, in particular, variety television, owe so much to Don. He gave it new life and his show became one of the most prestigious and important programs in history.

“My memories today are of an outstanding performer and a friend I loved very much.”

Don’s show has lived on in frequent best of specials over the years, and as a kid I was a big fan of his late ‘80s Ten hidden camera show You’ve Got To Be Joking. He also worked as a commentator of American football (hosting several Superbowl telecasts) and basketball, spruiked on TVSN and made some fondly remembered appearances on The Late Show with The D-Generation.

He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.





Scott Keenan
I love your faces o'clock

HEAR new music: Rihanna's "Russian Roulette" & Lady GaGa's "Bad Romance"

New Song Alert!
All we need is Radio GaGa, Radio RiRi, Radio ... something

Today we present new songs from two of the hottest females on Planet Pop (pause to appreciate word perfect patronising late '90s record company press release jargon). We kick off with the brand new hot-off-the-interweb first single from Rihanna's long-awaited new album. Titled "Russian Roulette" the song has been met with bad buzz on the net, with fans complaining that it is boring. I think it's a decent song, but it sure is an odd lead single. Leaked RiRi songs like "Hatin' On The Club" and "Emergency Room" were both much better. Also, this is the second Ne-Yo-penned Rihanna single concerned with murder (remember "Unfaithful"?), is he trying to tell us something? And is it not a bit weird to have lyrics about guns and the sound of barrels spinning and a shot being fired considering her association with violence this year? A bit creepy, really.

Rihanna has also decided to wear pretty much only barbed wire on the single cover. She seems to get away with near-nudity in a way that not many other mainstream pop artists can. Nobody seems to even bat an eyelid. Good on her. It comes as no surprise, then, that her new album is titled Rated R.

Anyway, have a listen and see what you think.



Our second new song is Lady GaGa's "Bad Romance", which is the first release from her repackaged debut album. Rather than release a whole new album, GaGa is re-releasing The Fame as The Fame Monster with eight new songs.

"I think re-releases are unfair," GaGa pips. "It’s artists sneaking singles onto an already finished piece of work in an effort to keep the album afloat. Originally [my label] only wanted me to put out three songs and now it’s much more than that. It’s a new album’s worth of material."

In the digital age re-packages are even weirder, but I appreciate that she has put in the effort to make it a worthwhile purchase.

The song is a real grower, and let's be honest, much better than Rihanna's effort. Methinks they should work together.



Scott Keenan
Woah you got me hatin' on the club / Because it took my love o'clock

AMAZING VIDEO: The X Factor's John and Edward

Putting the "why?" in The X Factor
Ireland's got more talent than this ...
Ever since Susan Boyle wowed the world with her combo of impressive warbling and bag lady chic (sort of), people haven't been able to get enough of Britain's Got Talent and now its de facto sister show The X Factor. The X Factor discovered the likes of Leona Lewis, JLS and Alexandra Burke, all talented you may agree, but for mine this year's best discovery have been Irish twins (as in twins from Ireland, not siblings born within a year of one another) John and Edward who are possibly the worst act to have ever made it to the finals of "reality" talent show. And yet, they are so bad they're amazing.

You MUST see the below video of their performance of Britney's "Oops ... I Did It Again" to understand.

Get ready to laugh.



PS: As you may have noticed (just pretend), due to what I'm calling "technical difficulties", I haven't been on The 'Brain for a couple of weeks. Apologies and big thanks so much to CS for her awesome updates.

Scott Keenan
Been a long time, shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to o'clock

NEW Heath Ledger book

Check out Lickshot, the personal photo book and travel diary of NY-based photographer Ben Watts - that's Naomi Watts' brother to you.

The cover features the late Heath Ledger (I'm sure you'll recall Heath dated Ben's sis) and, inside, includes everything from professional ice-skaters to biker gangs plus other celebrities such as Tobey Maguire, Coldplay and Guy Pearce. Thanks to the magix of the interwebs, you can scroll down through many mesmerising pages from the book within the below box... just scroll... see? Magix!





The action-packed book is already out of stock with many retailers but Amazon seems to have it in stock if you're interested: CLICK ON ME!

--
Carolyn Stewart
Who needs affection when I have blind hatred? o'clock, October 19, 2009

PICS! Marge Simpson Playboy pics & interview

Marge reveals all!

Marge Simpson's animated cover of Playboy has been floating around the interwebs this week but now all the pics - and the interview - are here...


Who knew Marge was so saucy?!

--
Carolyn Stewart
There is no emoticon to describe how I'm feeling o'clock, October 19, 2009

BEST EVER: Zombie Wedding Cake!

This place is so dead!

As the world goes zombie mad once more thanks to Zombieland, I think it's fair to say that this, friends, is the best cake ever...


Loves it.

Borrowed from (and The 'Brain salute): noblerobinette

--
Carolyn Stewart
Do you want anything from the shop? Cornetto o'clock, October 18, 2009

Which other pop star did Michael Jackson not want God to give great ideas to???

MJ verses Prince!

Entertainment Weekly is down with all things MJ so they've pieced together a fascinating read about the logistical nightmare that was going on behind the scenes of the upcoming Michael Jackson's This Is It. Read all about what to expect from the movie as well as all the drama over at: MTV.

However, I have to tell you this passage from the story involves the best quote ever - mainly because it acknowledges his well-documented rivalry with the Purple One:

"In fact, as the production got under way, it quickly became clear that Jackson’s creative ambitions for the concerts were beyond anything he’d ever attempted. With the budget already past $24 million, Jackson told his team he wanted to recreate one of the world’s largest waterfalls — Victoria Falls in southern Africa — on the stage. “I was ready to jump off the balcony of my office,” says Randy Phillips, president of the concert promotion firm AEG Live. “We went and met with Michael, and [director] Kenny [Ortega] said, ‘Michael, you’ve got to stop. We’ve got an incredible show, we don’t need any more vignettes.’ Michael said, ‘But Kenny, God channels this through me at night. I can’t sleep because I’m so supercharged.’ Kenny said, ‘But Michael, we have to finish. Can’t God take a vacation?’ Without missing a beat, Michael said, ‘You don’t understand — if I’m not there to receive these ideas, God might give them to Prince.’"

Freaking. Awesome.

--
Carolyn Stewart
If I'm not there to receive ideas, God might give them to Prince o'clock, October 16, 2009

NEW MUSIC Leighton Meester

LISTEN NOW!
Leighton Meester's first single

Following on from her guest appearance on Cobra Starship's "Good Girls Go Bad", Gossip Girl Leighton Meester has released her first single "Somebody To Love". The track features 'Brain favourite Robin Thicke so we certainly had high hopes. Have a listen now...






"I really wanted to make something that's completely different from anything that's on the radio right now," says Leighton of the song. "I feel like it's really dancey and fun, but it's still laid back and relaxed and moody and sexy."

Hmmm, first listen did not totes win us over but the second listen was far better. Let's hope it's a creeper...


--
Carolyn Stewart
Is there somebody who still believes in love o'clock, October 14, 2009

New Michael Jackson movie trailer!!

Michael Jackson's This Is It

The second trailer for Michael Jackson's This Is It has been released and features MJ singing "Human Nature" in rehearsals. Have a look...





What a voice. Yup, I'm a teensy bit excited...


--
Carolyn Stewart
I like lovin' this way o'clock October 14, 2009

The Black Eyed Peas NEW VIDEO CLIP!

"Meet Me Halfway " - The Black Eyed Peas

--
Carolyn Stewart
Night and day o'clock, October 13, 2009

NEW VIDEO: Zach Braff "I'm alive!"

Zach Braff is NOT DEAD!

When our unpaid Melbourne correspondent Kashia contacted 'Brain headquarters this morning to inform us that Zach Braff was, in fact, alive (and not dead as per some mental's idea of a fun web-based rumour), nobody could have been happier at the news... apart from Zach Braff himself. Zach was so thrilled to be discovered to be alive that he quickly took to his Facebook account to prove it...

"Hi. I'm very much alive. Total internet rumor. Amazing how fast one douche can spread a lie. Be careful out there on the internets friends. Please spread the word... Video of me holding todays paper to follow... Love, zb"

When fan reaction wasn't exactly what he'd hoped, Zach then made the following hilarious video to accompany the message. Check out the footage:



(it's a must-see clip... but note: a better quality version of this clip can be found on Zach's official Facebook page: CLICK ON ME!)


--
Carolyn Stewart
Did you ever know that you're my hero? o'clock, October 13, 009

LISTEN IN FULL Michael Jackson "This Is It"

Michael Jackson "This Is It"

And here is the full single:



--
Carolyn Stewart
It feels as though I've known you for a thousand years o'clock, October 12, 2009

Hear a sample of Michael Jackson's new song, This Is It

Four months after his death, Michael Jackson's new single "This Is It" will be released online in full later today. If you can't wait until then, TMZ have already got their hands on a 47 second snippet. Check it out...


--
Carolyn Stewart
Here I stand o'clock, October 12, 2009

RIP Boyzone's Stephen Gately

This morning, The 'Brain were beyond horrified to learn of Stephen Gately's untimely passing. Details of his death remain unclear but the boybander, aged just 33, was on holidays in Majorca with partner Andrew Cowles. The rest of Boyzone are devastated and flying out there as we speak (the band's statement confirming Stephen's passing is up on their official web site: http://www.boyzonetour.com/).


Former rival boybander Brian McFadden spoke via Twitter: "heartbroken! R.I.P the beautiful stephen gately. life is so unfair. we loved you and you'll be in our hearts forever"

In our sadness, The 'Brain couldn't help but dig up some of our fave Boyzone memories and clips....

No Matter What live @ Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Royal Albert Hall Celebration

Picture of You with intro by Stephen

Stephen singing a cover of Michael Jackson's "You Are Not Alone"

Love You Anyway

RIP, Stephen.

--
Carolyn Stewart
No Matter What o'clock, October 10, 2009

NEW MASH UP! Miley Cyrus v Notorious B.I.G.

PARTY MASH-UP ALERT!

I often change my mind over whether mash-ups are a good idea or the death of music. Anyway, pro-skiier Andrew Hathaway took some time off from hitting the slopes - I know not why - and mixed the Miley Cyrus hit and The 'Brain favourite "Party In The USA" with the Notorious B.I.G. "Party And Bulls***"

So while Miley continues her hissy fit departure from Twitter, you might as well have a listen. Is it any good? Look, it's not as dreadful, blasphemous nor heinous as the idea sounds (ie. it's already on my iPod). Check it...





--
Carolyn Stewart
But all we wanna know is where the party at o'clock, October 9, 2009

NEW VIDEO! Kylie Minogue teaches YOU to dance

Dance with Kylie!

Got your dancing shoes on? Always! Well, it's time to learn how to dance to Kylie Minogue's new song "Better Than Today"... and "Miss Minogly" will be your guide! Observe...




For more Kylie US tour fun head to kylie.com/blog

So. Fun.

--
Carolyn Stewart
Come on and dance with me. Yeah, slow. Skip a beat and move with my body. Yeah, slow o'clock, October 9, 2009

From The Vault: The Muppets

From The Vault: Muppets Sales Pitch

As is blatantly obvious, here at The 'Brain we're firmly pro-Muppet. In keeping with our love, check out this clip that was brilliant creator Jim Henson's original sales pitch that got The Muppet Show picked up by US network CBS after every other major network passed on it (yes, passed on The Muppets. Smart much?). It recently appeared on the season 1 DVD and is, well, freaking awesome. See for yourself...





--
Carolyn Stewart
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me o'clock October 8, 2009

NEW VIDEO! Backstreet Boys Swine Flu Shock

SWINE FLU STRIKES BSB

Brian speaks... from his sick bed!

There was a time when I wanted to know every single living thing about the celebrities I was obsessed with. Now, through the powers of the Grayskull, the interwebs and suddenly-eager stars, it is possible... but I wonder if knowing less was actually a whole lot betterer. Check out Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell telling fans about the band being struck by swine flu... while he actually has swine flu...



"My job is to protect you guys." Awww, Bri. What a super-hero. So heartfelt. So sick-looking. So icky. So... too much information, honey.

--
Carolyn Stewart
Oh my God, we're back again o'clock, October 7, 2009

From The Vault: Couples Retreat's Jason Bateman 1986 video

From The Vault:
Justine & Jason Bateman lost video

Last night I came here to post a "from the vault", only to find my esteemed coworker SK had beaten me to it. Not to be put off, I plan to follow through with my vault discovery anyway... mainly because it involves Batemans and Muppets.

Now, when it comes to entertainment, it's no secret that I love anything to do with the surname Minogue. Same with Jackson and, dear readers, Bateman.

I want to take you back to a time long before Jason went on a Couples Retreat with Vince Vaughn and back when Justine was less worthy and a hell of a lot more fun. Interested? You see, from a young age, I was obsessed with Jason Bateman and would purchase ridiculously over-priced US teen mags just to get my hands on tiny black and white newspaper print photos of said-Jase cos they were the only ones to be found. Hey, it was pre-internet and they didn't print on nice colour paper back then, yo.

Anyway, Jase and sister Justine were the brother-and-sister acting duo of the time - him thanks to the hit sitcom Valerie and her thanks to her role on Family Ties. They were the Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal of their time. Sort of. But on TV.

Anyway, I stumbled across this ace video of them hosting a music video show, Friday Night Videos, back in the day (1986 to be precise) and... although nothing much happens, I just find it enthralling as they chat away about their seemingly scary father, disrespecting one's body (creepy!), how they got into the business and how Jason got away with holding secret house parties. Check out the video now:

PART ONE:


PART TWO:


Unreal! So '80s. I am not lying to you when I say I could watch that kind of stuff all day!!



The pair have worked together more recently, most notably on Arrested Development (above) and less notably on this comment on the recent writers strike. Observe...



Ahem. Lucky they're hot.

I would be remiss not to mention my recent REdiscovery of their involvement with the Muppets (do you know how long I've been looking for these photos??) Well, Jason turned up in the 1988 Muppet Magazine. Why? Hard to say. Erm, cos he likes the Muppets?



Reason enough for me! Man, anybody who ever dissses the '80s in front of you deserves a big whallop to the head. Look at him, man. So cute!!

Not to be outdone, Justine followed suit by appearing in the mag. Alright, fine! She actually was the trendsetter who appeared in the magazine 3 years earlier than her younger bro in 1985.

She's with Janice, people!!! In fact, Justine was such a Muppet-lover that she appeared as herself in the 1989 half-hour special Miss Piggy's Hollywood. I am yet to find that clip... but give me time!!

Does anyone else remember it? Justine was sititng by a pool and waiting for an interview with Barbara Walters or something and then she found out it was all a trick played by Gonzo who really wanted an interview with Miss Piggy the whole time... anyone? Ohhh, I found a pic... This means someone out there in interwebs land has the full episode... right? Right?



Baby steps... wish me luck!



--
Carolyn Stewart
Life is such a sweet insanity o'clock, October 5, 2009

Neighbours Royal Variety Performance 1988

FROM THE VAULT: Neighbours The Musical
(Or something)
Youtube really is one of the best inventions ever, readers. Every now and then I will think of a song or movie or TV show from my childhood and low-and-behold it will usually be on there.

Today it suddenly struck me that I really needed to see the cast of Neighbours at the Royal Variety Performance in 1988. I'd never seen it before, but as a Neighbours tragic even in my single digited days I knew all about it and even had one of those dodgy UK-made poster mags featuring pap shots of the cast from the event.

For those who don't know the "Performance" - which used to be called "The Royal Command Performance" - is where the British Royal Family "command" their favourite minions to entertain them for the evening. Very progressive.

In 1988 Neighbours was the second top rating show in the UK, and so the Royals decreed that some chosen colonials should be shipped back to the "mother country" to supply some colour and movement on stage.
Anyway, finally I have seen it, and it is every bit as tragic as I had been lead to believe (the script, Neighbours producers were keen to point out, was written by folk from the BBC).

While it was billed as the "whole cast", Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce are notably absent as are Vivian Grey (Mrs Mangel) and the mentioned-a-lot-for-some-reason Ernie Bourne (Rob Lewis). Kylie Minogue was too cool - yawn - to perform with the cast at this stage (and had actually left the show but was still on screen in the UK) and instead introduced them.

In a back-from-the-dead moment Elaine Smith, whose character Daphne had died by this stage in Oz, was reunited with daggy hubby Des (played by Paul Keane) on stage.

Current (younger) viewers will probably only recognise Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) and Harold Bishop (played by Ian Smith) (and possibly Fiona Corke, who was Paul's long-suffering second wife Gail, mother of Elle).

Watch it already! (And listen out for the dodgy notes as the cast sing the theme song - methinks there may have been hidden professional singers helping them out)


Scott Keenan
These Neighbours really were my friends - even if they didn't know it - o'clock

VIDEO! Kelly Clarkson covers Kings of Leon! + Michael Bublé new video

Queen of Leon?

Kelly Clarkson is no stranger to covering songs by other artists but this time she's really outdone herself by doing a cover of, well, two songs!

During her current tour, KC's done an amazing version of Alanis Morissette's "That I Would Be Good" that merges with the Kings of Leon hit "Use Somebody". Check out the video now:





--

NEW CROONER-TASTIC VIDEO!

While you're at it, have a quick look at the new Michael Bublé video for "Haven't Met You Yet", which also stars his girlfriend and model Luisana Lopilato (who he claims is more famous than him... riiight).

Anyway, the clip is really cute, y'all. Observe:





--
Carolyn Stewart
I'm so moving on yeah yeah o'clock, October 4, 2009

US tour: Kylie Minogue heads to LAS VEGAS!

Vegas, baby!

We're getting a bit spoilt now... another day, another Kylie Minogue video... this time the gang are leaving San Fran and off to Las Vegas... check out the short clip...




Also, have a look at some US fun footage:


BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, OAKLAND



BURNING UP/VOGUE, OAKLAND



HEARTBEAT ROCK/WOW, OAKLAND


OPENING US TOUR - LIGHT YEARS


Plus, here's a selection of Kylie's latest US photos from her official blog kylie.com/blog:

Willie and Kylie looking at the 'new' tour merchandise !
Merchandise Stand at Fox Oakland Theatre

A huge Kylie sign at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas!
Night time in Vegas

--
Carolyn Stewart
I've got some friends who say boys are all the same o'clock, October 3, 2009