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Category: Television (1-10 of 77)

Feb 9 2010 04:03 PM ET

White Stripes vs. Air Force Reserve ad: Musician addresses controversy: 'It's my responsibility'

Categories: Legal Troubles, News, Television

With the White Stripes threatening “strong action” against a U.S. Air Force Reserve Super Bowl ad that they say ripped off their song “Fell in Love With a Girl,” both the Air Force Reserve and the company that produced the spot have denied knowingly copying the Stripes’ tune. Now a musician who worked on the ad, which has since been pulled from TV and the Web, is taking the blame — but he, too, insists any wrongdoing was unintentional. “It’s my responsibility,” Kem Kraft tells EW. “I’m the one who composed the music. And I had no idea it was like that [song].”

Kraft, 56, who earns his living in Salt Lake City composing and recording music for advertisements and films, was hired to work on the Air Force Reserve ad around last Christmas. “They said they wanted some high-energy music, and I gave them three demos, all of them a little bit different. They asked me to tweak the one that they preferred, so I beefed up the drums or whatnot, added some echo to my guitar part.”

Kraft says he was “absolutely” surprised to hear of the Stripes’ accusations this week. “I went to the website and I go, ‘Yeah, that kinda sounds close.’ [But] I don’t even listen to those guys.” Asked if he had ever heard “Fell in Love With a Girl” prior to the controversy, Kraft replies, “God, I might have somehow or somewhere. I don’t know. That’s not the kind of music I listen to.”

Now Kraft says he’d like to speak with Jack White to clear things up. “I would say, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it sounded like your song. I had no intention whatsoever of copying you. If you need me to pay the money back that I made, which was 2,000 bucks, to you, I will do that if you want me to.’ This has gotten way out of proportion.”

Earlier:
White Stripes declare war on the U.S. Air Force Reserve
White Stripes vs. U.S. Air Force Reserve ad: Who’s to blame?

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

Feb 8 2010 09:31 AM ET

Super Bowl goes indie rock: Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear soundtrack ads

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Television, What's That Song?

My friends and I just about stood up and cheered when Volkswagen’s big Super Bowl ad aired last night. Not just because we’re fans of Tracy Morgan and Stevie Wonder, who make cameo appearances in the spot, or because we enjoy the immortal sport of punch buggy — but because the ad was accompanied by the bright piano chords and sweetly rising harmonies of Grizzly Bear’s “Two Weeks,” one of the best singles of last year. Great tune + funny ad = win.

Speaking of Wins, indie rock got some more shine last night from all those NFL promos using Arcade Fire’s 2004 breakout song “Wake Up.” (In a generous gesture, Arcade Fire donated all of the no-doubt hefty licensing fees to Haiti relief.) Who knew the Canadian band’s emotional music would go so naturally with the all-American macho display of the Super Bowl?

Watch the Grizzly Bear/Volkswagen ad again below, then let us know: What was your favorite music moment in last night’s Super Bowl ads?

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

Feb 7 2010 08:27 PM ET

Super Bowl XLIV halftime show: Were the Who football wizards?

by Clark Collis

Categories: Music, Reviews, Television, The Who, Things That Are British

Why did I volunteer to write about the Super Bowl halftime show? Because I was looking forward to making some cheap gags about old age, decrepitude, and people who threaten to leave us before they get old, and yet never do.

Alas, Brett Favre didn’t make it to the Super Bowl. So, let’s talk instead about The Who, the latest in a now fairly long line of veteran rockers entrusted with the task of entertaining an audience of millions without repeating Janet Jackson’s mistake of flashing too much flesh.

Actually, it could be argued Who guitarist Pete Townshend failed on the latter point given he repeatedly exposed his stomach as the band performed a set that included snippets from “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Riley,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” But mostly it seemed to me that the whole shebang served as a reminder of what a terrific live act they remain, as well as freshly proving there are few things cooler than drum cymbals decorated in a “mod”-stylee.

What about you? Did the British legends talk to all the generations out there? Or was this just The Who by the numbers?

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

Feb 5 2010 05:59 PM ET

Vh1's 'Soul Train' documentary: don't miss it

by Leah Greenblatt

Categories: New Stuff, R&B, Soul, Television, Things We Love, Uncategorized, VH1

I am not usually one to shill for Vh1 programming on this blog, unless it’s for the music Tom Sizemore hears in his head on Celebrity Rehab, but the channel’s Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America, which airs Saturday night at 9:30pm ET/PT, should not be missed.

Terrence Howard narrates the documentary, Roots drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson scores it, and countless icons spanning the show’s 40-year run, including Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Sly Stone, Smokey Robinson and Snoop Dogg, appear as talking heads.

But the real star of Hippest Trip is the show itself: Archival clips from its early beginnings as a local program in Chicago in 1970 and on through its move—both geographical and cultural—to Los Angeles, where its social impact reached far beyond hair styles and hot-minute singles.

Soul Train’s producer and host, Don Cornelius, is still the man with the best baritone this side of James Earl Jones (and his snazzy outfits leave Darth Jones in the dust). The guests, from Ike & Tina to Public Enemy, are amazing—not to mention some of the first musicians to appear live on TV in a time when lip-synching was considered de rigueur. And the dancers, future stars Rosie Perez and Jody Watley among them, are insanely fun to watch. If you can toot your caboose half as well this crew on the infamous Soul Train Line, while looking one-tenth as fashion bananas, you are a champion.

Or, you could just make love to a red rose, rock the bejesus out of a pair of yellow poly pants and a brown silk arm sling, and be Al Green:

Seriously, tune in tomorrow night. If you have ever loved R&B, soul, hip hop, music, television, or joy, it is worth your time.

Jan 31 2010 07:55 PM ET

Grammy Awards 2010: The winners list

by Mike Bruno

Categories: Awards Shows, Grammys, Music, News, Television

Album Of The Year
I Am…Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé
The E.N.D., The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame, Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King, Dave Matthews Band
WINNER: Fearless, Taylor Swift

Best Female Pop Vocal
“Hometown Glory,” Adele
WINNER: “Halo,” Beyonce
“Hot N Cold,” Katy Perry
“Sober,” Pink
“You Belong With Me,” Taylor Swift

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“Ego,” Beyonce and Kanye West
“Knock You Down,” Keri Hilson, Kanye West, Ne-Yo
WINNER: “Run This Town,” Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Rihanna
“I’m on a Boat,” The Lonely Island and T-Pain
“Dead and Gone,” T.I. and Justin Timberlake

Best Rock Album
Black Ice, AC/DC
Live From Madison Square Garden, Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
WINNER: 21st Century Breakdown, Green Day
Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King, Dave Matthews Band
No Line On The Horizon, U2 (Read full post)

Jan 21 2010 04:56 PM ET

Heidi Montag has big boobs, tiny album sales: her flop album sells fewer than 1,000 copies its first week

by Tim Stack

Categories: Heidi Montag, MTV, Music, Music Biz, New Stuff, News, TV Shows & Movies, Television, Whoopsies!

Despite a media blitz (mostly detailing her recent plastic surgeries), Heidi Montag’s Superficial s a total stiff, selling fewer than 1,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. To put that grim number into context, Vampire Weekend topped the charts the same week with 124,000 copies of their disc Contra. Montag told EW just last week that she had spent more than $2 million on the album, leaving her broke, but still wasn’t worried about the album’s success. “I think it’s gonna do great,” said Montag. “I have a million twitter followers and they’re all very excited. So that’s at least a million people right there. It also takes time. I don’t expect it to be instant. Maybe it’s the biggest album in a couple months. Maybe it’s the biggest album in a year. This is the first album of many to come. As long as I can keep affording it and keep doing it, I will because it’s my love and my passion.” EW contacted Montag for comment, but her rep said she was “unavailable for interviews due to Hills filming for the next couple weeks.”

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

Photo Credit: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com

Jan 15 2010 04:17 PM ET

'Glee' star Matthew Morrison on his upcoming album: 'I'm drawing inspiration from Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis, Jr.'

by Tim Stack

Categories: Glee, In the Studio, Music Biz, New Stuff, News, Television, Things That Are Awesome

Matthew Morrison, nominated for a Golden Globe this weekend for Glee, is busy shooting the hit Fox series but took a break to talk about his new deal with Mercury Records and his upcoming album. The actor says that Mercury was the label who best understood his musical taste. “To be honest, they really were the people that got my vision,” admits Morrison. “What I’m creating has yet to be defined yet but I want it to be something very diverse. For me, music is about creating a mood. The best songs for me are songs that I just lose myself in.” While it’s tentatively scheduled to drop later this year, Morrison says he’s a little nervous about recording an album so quickly. “That seems pretty fast,” admits Morrison. “I don’t wanna put out a crap CD. I want it to be with substance. I don’t wanna be singing about money or handbags.” So, what will the album sound like? Think old-school. “I’m drawing my inspiration from like Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. All those people that kind of did it all: film, TV, Broadway. I’m just so influenced by that music.”

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

Jan 13 2010 05:57 PM ET

'Jersey Shore' earns juicy tribute tune from Sarah Bareilles? Fuggetaboutit. Or don't!

by Joseph Brannigan Lynch

Categories: Guilty Pleasures, MTV, Television

Left-field hit-maker Sara Bareilles (you know, the one who wasn’t going to write us a love song) has penned her own loving tribute to the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore. Watch her perform it live here, but beware some NSFW language (hey, it’s a Jersey Shore tribute, what did you expect?)

Set to the tune of Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Bareilles tells a Christmas-themed Joisey tale from the perspective of Snooki, The Situation and the rest of our grammatically-challenged, follicularly spectacular friends. With lines like “I have perfect abs/They’re above my crabs,” this might not become her next chart-topping hit, but it certainly has a future in the viral video vein.

What do you think? Does it make you laugh/giggle/guffaw or is it time we all lay off the poor, persecuted stars of the Garden State?

Jan 13 2010 06:50 AM ET

Heidi Montag says new album cost almost $2 million, left her broke, is as good as 'Thriller'

by Tim Stack

Categories: An EW Exclusive!, Guilty Pleasures, MTV, Music, Music Biz, New Stuff, News, Television, Uncategorized

It’s taken three years, nearly $2 million, and one very questionable Miss Universe pageant performance, but Heidi Montag, star of the The Hills and wife of reality villain Spencer Pratt, finally released her debut album yesterday. Superficial, which Montag and Pratt are putting out on their own label, is an electro-pop collection of 12 tracks with party-friendly titles like “One More Drink” and “Hey Boy.” Montag chatted with EW about the album’s delay, her monetary issues, and why she thinks Superficial is as good as Thriller.

EW: Why did it take three years to put this together?

HEIDI MONTAG: Well, I did it independently. If you look back at the superstars throughout history it used to take that long to put albums together. Now it’s more manufactured. I really wanted to take my time, and every song means so much to me. And every song was a true journey. I had to track down the songs myself, because it was just Spencer and I doing it independently. We really took our time with every single process, because we wanted it to be the highest quality possible. I wanted it to be back to the Thriller days, to that kind of sound. It’s timeless music, so whenever it comes out was the right timing.

EW: Do you think Superficial holds up against something like Thriller?

HM: I definitely do. I think people might not see it now, because it’s my first album coming out. But I’ve spent as much time–maybe more, even–than Thriller. Every detail was very important to me, because I take this very seriously. Most artists, it’s not their own money, but I’ve actually gone broke putting every dollar I’ve ever made and my heart and soul into this music. For me, I have a different appreciation, a different understanding, and a different love of my music and for my album than any other artist possibly could. Because this is my money. This is my gamble. This is my chance.

EW: You’ve gone broke? (Read full post)

Jan 11 2010 01:30 PM ET

Flea, ZZ Top, and Andrew W.K.'s reworking of the 'Simpsons' theme tune: Best. Cover of a TV show song. Ever?

by Clark Collis

Categories: Let's Argue!, Music, Television, Uncategorized

Last night’s Morgan Spurlock-fronted Simpsons documentary began with Andrew W.K., ZZ Top and Flea, amongst others, playing the yellow ones’ theme song (and also featured Moby’s cheesily wonderful hip-hop reworking by of Homer’s “Mr Plow” jingle). But was their version the best TV show theme tune cover of all-time? Well, let’s consider the competition.

The first stop when exploring this small but colorful patch of pop’s rich pageant has to be the 1995 CD Saturday Morning: Cartoons’ Greatest Hits on which Juliana Hatfield and Tanya Donelly tackled the theme song from Josie and the Pussycats, the Butthole Surfers infused “Underdog” with their own particular brand of terpsichorel dementia and Matthew Sweet asked, with Byrdsian sweetness, “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?”

Outside of that, I’ve always personally loved the Dickies’ version of the Banana Splits song, or “The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)” to give the sucker its unnecessarily full title. Apparently someone involved with the forthcoming superhero movie “Kick Ass” agrees as the track features heavily in the film’s foul-mouthed, hyper-violent red band trailer. Also worthy of your attention is Jamie Foxx’s version of The Brady Bunch theme song, a reinterpretation deliberately designed to assist his courting of the laydeez. Rather less smooch-inducing are the various covers of the M*A*S*H* tune—AKA “Suicide Is Painless”—by the likes of the Manic Street Preachers and Marilyn Manson.

We’ve embedded a selection of clips after the break. Check them out and tell us which you think is the best. What covers of TV theme tunes have we forgotten?

(Read full post)