Channing Tatum
Photo: Getty Images

This year is shaping up to be a huge one for Channing Tatum. With five movies set for release in 2012 — the next being "The Vow" with Rachel McAdams on February 10 — it's makes sense that Tatum is about to reach a pretty big milestone in his career: hosting "Saturday Night Live" for the first time, alongside musical guest Bon Iver.

MTV News caught up with star during rehearsals on the "SNL" set, where he seemed to be a little anxious taking on his newest role as host.

"I'm more nervous then I could probably tell you," Channing admitted. "It happened so sort of constant and fast, you don't really get a chance to think about it all too much. Like, you go home, you think and think and think, then you pass out and your alarm goes off, and then you come and do it again."

The "SNL" cast is trying to put Tatum's nerves at ease. "They take care of you so much, so they really set you up to succeed," he said. "Everyone is so at the top of their game as far as writing and acting, and this is a machine like I've never seen before. I wish movies ran this efficient; we would make them better."

Tatum, who revealed that his favorite past "SNL" castmembers are Dan Aykroyd and Chris Kattan, got some unusual advice on what he should do Saturday night from onetime host Kelly Ripa.

"She said to put Vaseline on my teeth because she said your mouth goes dry when you say your name and your lips are stuck to your teeth," Channing said. "If I can remember it, I'll do it, but maybe I'll Vaseline the lips instead of the teeth."

Are you excited to see Channing Tatum host "Saturday Night Live"? Let us know in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "The Vow."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video
Photo: Interscope

On Friday (February 3), Madonna dropped the highly anticipated video for her lead MDNA single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'." Directed by Megaforce, the clip is a feast for the eyes, specifically those who only have eyes for the Queen of Pop.

Featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. in cheerleader uniforms, the clip is full of various references to her past work. It's funky, surreal and a touch tongue-in-cheek. Only a few hours into the premiere, her fans had already formed their opinion about the video. So, what are they thinking?

"Congratulations, Madonna. Thank you for you are always beyond the edge," Fabio Pamplona wrote on Madonna's Facebook page. But, he wasn't the only Madge fan putting his two cents in on her site.

"Great and funny video. The song didn't grow on me yet, but it's a fine pop gem, indeed, like the ones Martin [Solveig] usually does!" Alex Meyer added. "But, can't wait for hearing the tracks with William [Orbit]!"

Jennifer Sargent-Ormston had quite a lengthy response to the video. "LOVE IT!!! It was fun! I also like your hair like that, both ways.. and I thought the old school touches of yourself was a smart idea - or maybe you did it naturally? Even the album cover is your old school ways, and I thought it was smart," she wrote. "I hope you do well with this album. I like that it's dance as well. People respond well to FUN! Good luck with the superbowl, just kick ass and don't be nervous - just do your 'thang'!"

Charlie Richey added, "The vid is super fun and the song super catchy!"

Fans have also been taking to several of Madge's biggest fan sites to praise the Queen's latest video offering. Giannis Mdna Haralabidis noted on Madonnarama, "OK MADONNA IS OFFICIALLY BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER."

"Wow shes back and the fever is running through my veins," Richard Wilson wrote on Madonna Tribe's Facebook page. Meanwhile, another fan noted that visually the video couldn't have been more intriguing.

"Well, she said different than what's going on in music today, and she did," Trace Jenkins said. "Art direction in the video is amazing."

What did you think of the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below!

• MTV Rough Cut: Madonna

• Madonna

All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter in the "Beekeeper's Daughter" music video

It's been a while — like, almost three years — since the All-American Rejects have made a music video, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that, when they got the go-ahead to shoot a clip for "Beekeeper's Daughter" (the first single from their upcoming Kids in the Street album), they decided to go all out.

"This was the first video where, when we got [the treatment], everyone said 'yes' and I said 'yes ... but could we please have some of this?' And I proceeded to sort of expel every fantastic idea I could think of," frontman Tyson Ritter explained. "From, like, a hipster fight — beards versus mustaches, a lot of plaid, had to be like 'West Side Story' — to some she-devils. Everything we could ever sort of think of for a video that was impractical is in this one.

"And the whole thing is floating on a through-line of a man walking through his day, experiencing every random encounter from every random walk of life," he continued. "And at the very end, there's a big parade with Wayne Newton."

And Ritter's not exaggerating either. Because the "Beekeeper's" video — which premiered Friday (February 3) — is most certainly jam-packed with every one of his notions and then some. It's a big, buzzy clip, brimming with dancing she-devils, cheerleaders, cops, ticker tape, a mariachi band and Mr. Newton (to name just a few). And while everything in the video elicits a thrill, it's Newton's cameo that takes the cake.

"Yeah, I think [Tyson's] email ended with, 'Oh, and Wayne Newton.' And I thought that was to sum up that this video needs to have all kinds of outrageousness," guitarist Nick Wheeler laughed. "But two days before, we got this phone call: 'Hey, Wayne Newton's going to be in the video.' I have his business card in my wallet."

Speaking of business, now that the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video has been released, there remains one rather sweet sponsorship deal AAR are very interested in securing — one that's a lot tougher to land than you'd imagine.

"This song was dubbed 'Beekeeper's Daughter' because that was the brand of honey that we had in the cabin in the Sequoia Grove National Forest when we first wrote it," Wheeler said. "It's really just our desperate attempt at a honey sponsorship."

"And those are not easy to get," Ritter laughed. "We still haven't gotten any of that honey."

What do you think of the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video? Share your reviews in the comments!

• The All-American Rejects

Adam Lambert
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images

Adam Lambert dropped his new video for his first Trespassing single, "Better Than I Know Myself," on Friday (February 3).

The video takes a look at the two sides of Lambert: a leather-wearing, liquor-swilling bad boy and a sweater-donning, tea-drinking homebody.

During the video, the two personas seem to battle it out in different apartments connected by a clear wall and one oxygen supply.

In the end, as the bad Lambert sets his apartment on fire, killing good-guy Lambert's air supply, the wall breaks down. The good seems to seep into his apartment as he rescues his better half. The video ends with one Lambert, walking down a sun-drenched street, seeming to be at peace with himself.

"It's about the relationship you have with yourself between your dark and light side," Lambert, who will reportedly hit the road with Queen this summer, explained to MTV News. "It's about duality. It's about that balance and finding it and struggling to maintain it and what that means. It's an emotionally complicated video and I hope people are open-minded about it. I thought really hard and long about what was covered in it and what I was trying to say with it."

The video does seem to nod to his "Whataya Want From Me" clip. "It's a cousin to that. ... There is something similar to 'Whataya Want From Me.' I think that domesticated version of myself is my idealistic better version of me," he explained. "It's the me I want to be in my right mind. It's the most happy, content, peaceful, wholesome version of myself."

The clip was directed by Ray Kay (who also worked with Lambert on his "For Your Entertainment" video), and Lambert came up with the treatment with his "Whataya" director, Diane Martel. "I just think visually [Kay's] so great. He's so great. He creates great pictures," he said, adding a big "thank you" to Martel for her help. "It's a big collaboration of a lot of different ideas."

• Adam Lambert

Katherine McPhee
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images

It's been a while since we've seen Katharine McPhee in the spotlight. Now all eyes are on her as the "American Idol" alum takes on the leading role as Karen Carpenter in the highly anticipated NBC musical drama "Smash."

But the road to "Smash" hasn't been an easy one for McPhee. After coming in as runner-up in the 2006 season of "American Idol" and starring in "The House Bunny," McPhee has had a rough road on her career path. She was dropped from her record label in 2008 and struggled with getting other movie projects off the ground. But her determination paid off, which is something she could relate to when playing her character on "Smash."

"My character, Karen, is the biggest dreamer of them all, she dreams big. Our show is about dreaming big," McPhee told MTV News at the New York premiere of "Smash." "She has a big heart, she has a lot of drive and she's very determined about what she wants in her career and what she wants out of it and how she's gonna go about doing it, and keeping a real strong moral code. I think she is a little green when you first meet her. She's not quite sure how things go and how things are worked in the business, [and] she learns a lot throughout the course of the first season."

The show centers around the making of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. In the first episode, viewers will see McPhee's struggle with several auditions before getting a callback to compete against newcomer Megan Hilty's character for the part of Marilyn. But according to McPhee, her audition for the role of Karen was nothing like the one you will see during the premiere on February 6.

"I did have to audition for this," McPhee said. "It was actually one of the more simple auditions I've been through. I auditioned, put myself on tape, flew to New York the next week, was testing for it. I waited two days for Mr. Spielberg to watch the tape and I got the part."

Yes, that's right. McPhee had to audition for Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, who is a producer on the series. So we had to ask: Who is more intimidating to audition for, Spielberg or former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell?

"I would say neither," McPhee declared. "Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all. He's the most lovely, wonderful, gentle man."

Are you excited for Monday's premiere of "Smash"? Let us know in the comments.

• Katharine McPhee

Katharine McPhee
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images

It's been a while since we've seen Katharine McPhee in the spotlight. Now all eyes are on her as the "American Idol" alum takes on the leading role as Karen Cartwright in the highly anticipated NBC musical drama "Smash."

But the road to "Smash" hasn't been an easy one for McPhee. After coming in as runner-up in the 2006 season of "American Idol" and starring in "The House Bunny," McPhee has had a rough road on her career path. She was dropped from her record label in 2008 and struggled with getting other movie projects off the ground. But her determination paid off, which is something she could relate to when playing her character on "Smash."

"My character, Karen, is the biggest dreamer of them all, she dreams big. Our show is about dreaming big," McPhee told MTV News at the New York premiere of "Smash." "She has a big heart, she has a lot of drive and she's very determined about what she wants in her career and what she wants out of it and how she's gonna go about doing it, and keeping a real strong moral code. I think she is a little green when you first meet her. She's not quite sure how things go and how things are worked in the business, [and] she learns a lot throughout the course of the first season."

The show centers on the making of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. In the first episode, viewers will see McPhee's struggle with several auditions before getting a callback to compete against newcomer Megan Hilty's character for the part of Marilyn. But according to McPhee, her audition for the role of Karen was nothing like the one you will see during the premiere on Monday.

"I did have to audition for this," McPhee said. "It was actually one of the more simple auditions I've been through. I auditioned, put myself on tape, flew to New York the next week, was testing for it. I waited two days for Mr. Spielberg to watch the tape and I got the part."

Yes, that's right. McPhee had to audition for Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, who is a producer on the series. So we had to ask: Who is more intimidating to audition for, Spielberg or former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell?

"I would say neither," McPhee declared. "Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all. He's the most lovely, wonderful, gentle man."

Are you excited for Monday's premiere of "Smash"? Let us know in the comments.

• Katharine McPhee

Alex Russell in "Chronicle"
Photo: 20th Century Fox

With "Chronicle," found footage comes to the superhero genre. It's a fun and exciting take on a story you've probably heard before, and the critics agree. You can check out MTV's review over at the Splash Page.

We've rounded up a mostly spoiler-free sampling of the reviews out there for your reading pleasure. Check out what the critics are saying about "Chronicle."

The Story
"Told mostly (we'll get to that in a bit) through the video-camera lens of a pasty Seattle high school loser named Andrew (Dane DeHaan), the film "documents'' the aftermath of his encounter with a mysteriously glowing space rock. Along with friends and fellow discoverers Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), Andrew realizes he can levitate objects and possesses super-human strength." — Ty Burr, Boston Globe

The Leads
"From the start, there's an undertow of cruelty to the teenagers' high jinks as they learn what they can do, as when they levitate a stuffed animal to frighten a child. Mr. Trank brings a light touch to these self-discovery scenes — the three are flexing fast-evolving muscles — as well as a creeping sense of menace. In this respect, Mr. DeHaan, whose vulnerability and physical awkwardness here can evoke the young Leonardo DiCaprio in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' is invaluable. Mr. Russell and Mr. Jordan are as likable as their characters, but it's Mr. DeHaan who pulls you uneasily in." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

The Writer and Director
"Sometimes a movie arrives out of the blue that announces the arrival of considerable new talents. Josh Trank is 26, and this is his directing debut. Max Landis, also 26, has written a couple of shorts. His father is the director John Landis, but connections don't teach you how to write." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Found Footage
"One of the cleverest conceits is the way in which shots are framed so that it really does seem as if we're seeing everything through Andrew's lens. Helped by the keen eye of cinematographer Matthew Jensen, mirrors — really, any shiny surface — help fill in the settings." — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times

The Final Word
"Bolstered by the natural performances of a trio of little-known actors, the very watchable 'Chronicle' keeps us captive throughout." — Claudia Puig, USA Today

• Talk Nerdy

Jasika Nicole on "Fringe"
Photo: FOX

There's a running gag on "Fringe" about good-natured FBI agent Astrid Farnsworth: Even though she spends almost all her screen time assisting and taking care of the delightfully delirious Walter Bishop, the kooky scientist can never quite remember her name. "Aspirin," he's called her, or "Asteroid" or any other number of "A" names.

Sadly, fans can relate to Walter's repeated mistake. Sweet and mysterious though she may be, the alluring Astrid is relegated to supporting status so often that it's far too easy to forget her name. But that all changes with "Making Angels," the new episode of "Fringe" airing Friday (February 3).

Forget Olivia, Walter and Peter — this one is all about Astrid.

Actress Jasika Nicole, who plays Astrid on "Fringe," spoke with MTV News about both versions of her character taking center stage in "Making Angels," the challenges of merging two versions of the same person for the first time and much more.

MTV: We've been waiting forever for the Astrid episode of "Fringe." What took so long?

Jasika Nicole: I've been waiting so hard and long, just like the fans have! [Laughs.] I don't know why it took so long. It would be one thing if it seemed like Astrid didn't have a lot of fan support and people aren't interested, but I feel like fans have been begging to learn and see more of this character. I don't know for the life of me why it took so long.

At the beginning of the season, I called ["Fringe" show-runners Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman] and said, "I want you guys to know that I'm so happy on this show, but I would really, really love to know if there's an Astrid episode coming up. It would really give me something to look forward to." They were super vague about it. And I assumed that whenever she did get her episode, it would be a situation where Astrid figures out [the episode's mystery] at the last minute, or everyone's on LSD and she has to go out and save the day. That would be an easy way out. But I'll tell you, I was really surprised with the episode. It's so beautiful. It's personal, it's sweet, and it's really sad at the same time. I don't know why it took so long. But I think all the support the episode has been getting is going to make them feel really crappy that they didn't do this sooner. [Laughs.]

MTV: You've always been vocal about who Astrid is and what she's about. For the audience, though, we've had to piece things together: You get a bit of Astrid here and there, but she's not at the forefront the way Olivia and Peter are. When you got your episode, did Astrid measure up to your vision of her? How did the episode change your perspective on the character?

Nicole: I think [the writers and I] were on the same page. But before with Astrid, we just got the CliffsNotes version of her. She's kind, thoughtful and a great caretaker. The other Astrid is very smart and she's a little bit vacant in terms of emotional relationships and isn't the best communicator. That was kind of it. You didn't know anything about her family, what it's like when she got home ... it was just overviews of these two characters. But this episode delves into them much more. You see to what extent this Astrid is a caretaker. She does something that's just really beautiful. She's such a sweet, caring, sincere woman. It made Astrid seem like a real person. Before, you see her taking care of Walter. She laugh at his jokes and there's this weird husband-wife, father-daughter thing going on. [Laughs.] But now we get to see her in relation to someone who is not Walter. It's the first time in the four seasons we've really seen her interact with another person and putting herself out there so much.

The alternate Astrid has been a little one-note because you've only seen her at work, very focused on her job. She delivers her information and that's pretty much it. But the truth is, she has a life and she has a family. Something traumatic happens where she comes from in that universe, and she's so distraught and incapable of handling what's going on by herself, that she comes to this universe to seek out our Astrid. That's definitely a side of her you've never seen before. I always wanted to know what she's like in personal situations instead of professional ones. You get to see that. This episode is really about alt-Astrid.

MTV: One of the beauties of "Fringe" is that we get multiple versions of the same character — even though they're literally the same person, they're very different in many ways. With the two Astrids coming face to face in this episode, how do those differences and similarities come into play?

Nicole: What's interesting about having an alternate universe is trying to figure out where your paths went differently. What went on here that didn't go on there? Why aren't we the exact same person? With the Astrids, it's a little different because they're fundamentally different to the core — possibly at a genetic level, if you're of the theory [that alt-Astrid is on the autism spectrum]. That changes your relationships with your family members, which is something that's essential to the story of this episode. Not only are the two Astrids different, they're so different that they have different relationships with the people in their lives. They're the only constant. Everybody around them is different, but this connection that they have is the only solid thing that they have between them. That's going to help the alternate Astrid to figure out what's going on in her life in this crazy, tumultuous time.

MTV: "Making Angels" isn't just the first Astrid-centric episode of "Fringe," it's also your first chance to get in on some of the fun your co-stars have been having: acting opposite yourself for pretty much the entire episode. On one hand, that's got to be pretty cool. On the other, it has to be pretty tricky, right?

Nicole: You're right, it was a double-whammy. It's like you're sticking two days into one. You have to know exactly what you're going to do, you have to know so well how you're going to play those characters in the beginning of those scenes. It takes a lot of foresight. The emotional part is really tough, but then there's the technical stuff. You have to stand and make sure your outline is the same every time. There's a point where [the two Astrids] shake hands, and I could not for the life of me figure out how they were going to make it work. It's too big of a concept for me to grasp. But what was really cool is that they were able to merge the split screens on the monitors in video village, so they were watching it in real time. I'm doing it with my stand-in, but they're watching both Jasikas on the screen.

At one point, we'd been doing this one scene for like eight hours or something. We were tired. It was a big scene with two Olivias in it, two Astrids, Walter and Peter. There's all this stuff going on. We ended up not being able to finish the green screen that night. We had to come back and finish the next day. But they only needed to stick me in the scene. There are four or five other characters in the scene, but they're just filming me in front of the green screen playing off of dialogue that we had recorded the day before. Because we had done it for eight hours, I knew it like the back of my hand. I smiled at imaginary jokes being pulled, I watched imaginary people walking in — it was just so surreal. It's like you're playing a pretend game while you're drunk by yourself, but there are people watching you do it! [Laughs.] Nothing about it makes sense, but the end result is phenomenal.

The new episode of "Fringe," "Making Angels," airs Friday (February 3) at 9 p.m. ET.

Check out everything we've got on "Fringe."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Madonna
Photo: Getty Images

Madonna debuted her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," on Friday (February 3) as part of a massive multimedia push ahead of her halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has also revealed the track list for her much-anticipated 12th studio album, MDNA.

The Queen of Pop's single was rolled out across Clear Channel's many platforms, a promotional push that the company estimates will reach 150 million people around the world. In addition to radio, the song hit online venues like iHeartRadio.com, Clear Channel's customized online radio service, and 1,600 digital billboards in the United States, France, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, Belgium, Finland and the United Kingdom, according to NPR.

"This first-of-its-kind multimedia premiere with Madonna demonstrates the unequalled scope and strength of the entire Clear Channel platform," Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman said in a statement.

The full-length Megaforce-directed video for the track also hit the Web Friday and features Her Madgesty and collaborators Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. taking to the streets in cheerleader-chic attire.

"Luvin' " is a bouncy dance-pop track reminiscent of Madonna's Grammy-winning "Beautiful Stranger." Driven by glittery synths, marching band drums and claps, the song features guest raps from Minaj and M.I.A. and a deep nostalgia streak. With its simple, impossibly catchy chorus and "dance our lives away" message, the song, which was written and produced by Madonna and dance music master Martin Solveig, feels like classic Madonna re-imagined by the production dynamic that brought her widespread acclaim beginning with her 1998 electro-dance album Ray of Light.

On her official website, Madonna revealed the track titles that will be featured on the deluxe edition of her new album, MDNA, which hits stores March 26 and features production work from Solveig and Light producer William Orbit.

The deluxe edition will include 15 songs:

» Girls Gone Wild
» Gang Bang
» I'm Addicted
» Some Girls
» I Don't Give A
» Turn Up the Radio
» Give Me All Your Luvin'
» B-day Song
» Superstar
» I'm a Sinner
» Masterpiece
» Falling Free
» Love Spent
» I F---ed Up
» Beautiful Killer

• Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video

• Madonna

Wiz Khalifa
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Wiz Khalifa is riding high off of his success, but it isn't all good. On his sophomore album, O.N.I.F.C., Wiz will celebrate his victories, but he promises to give fans the other side, too.

"It's the Only N-Word in First Class," Wiz said, breaking down the much-speculated upon acronym when he appeared on "Sway in the Morning" on Shade 45 on Friday (February 3). "It's inspired by Prodigy's H.N.I.C. When he dropped that, I felt like that sounded so strong."

When broken down, the title of Prodigy's 2000 debut stands for "Head N---a in Charge," so for his Only N---a in First Class, Wiz took cues from the Mobb Deep MC. There is a clean version of the album, too:

One Night in First Class. Still, for Wiz the explicit title has so much more meaning. "I was just talking about me being a young rich dude and being black," Wiz told Shade 45 hosts Sway and Devi Dev about his experience in airports. "It looks crazy to them when I walk up to them and show them my ticket or I'm going in priority seating, They're like 'You're sure?' "

On one hand Khalifa is glad that he's made it; on the other, the racism that he's experienced has left a bad taste in the rapper's mouth. "It's a good feeling and then it's like a bad feeling because it's like, 'Damn, why do you feel like that about me,' " he said.

Wiz Khalifa wants to motivate Pittsburgh artists with his success.

Earlier in the interview, the Pittsburgh spitter told Sway how his next album will differ from his first. "When I did Rolling Papers, I was like, I'm gonna make these big songs, I'm gonna make these big records," he said. "What I did before when I made my music was I just went in there and made music and it was what I really liked and what I felt at the time. I kinda developed a pattern of what I was going towards and that's what I did on this album."

No word on when O.N.I.F.C. will be released, but Wiz says it is pretty much done. He didn't confirm any guests, but he did reveal that he worked with at least one pretty accomplished producer. "I got production from Pharrell on there. I worked with a lot of different people on this one, but I kept the sound really consistent," he said. "I made sure everybody that I worked with and everything that I did, they all came to my world with it."

Catch MTV News' Sway Calloway on "Sway in the Morning," on Sirius XM Radio's Shade 45, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon ET.

• Wiz Khalifa

Sayez and Mac Miller
Photo: MTV News

Contrary to popular belief, Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller didn't grow up together. Though they both hail from Pittsburgh, are signed to Rostrum Records and have jumped out into the national spotlight, the bond that they share didn't start in the streets of the 'Burgh — but instead at ID Labs music studio.

E. Dan opened ID Labs in 2003, and since then he's recorded some of the city's biggest hits inside the dusty, vinyl-laced studio. Wiz Khalifa's classic 2010 mixtape Kush & Orange Juice and a huge chunk of his gold major-label debut Rolling Papers were recorded in ID Labs, as was Mac's Best Day Ever mixtape and his #1 debut Blue Slide Park.

The studio has been pivotal in Mac's development, so a few hours before his first homecoming show on December 9, he took MTV News on a tour of ID Labs.

"There's definitely a sound within the people that work out of here," E. Dan says of his studio and its in-house producers, Big Jerm and Sayez. "It's hard for me to say what an actual definitive sound of Pittsburgh is; I think it's probably a combination of a lot of stuff. We're not in New York; we're not in L.A.; we're not in one of the epicenters of hip-hop. I feel like, we're, if anything, a combination of all that."

Mac Miller returns to Blue Slide Park.

Sledgren, who isn't technically a part of the ID Labs production team but frequently works out of the studio, remembers what it was like coming up with a sound for Wiz's Kush & Orange Juice. "We were just young goin' to the club, knowing what everybody wanted to hear, and we just gave that our own twist," he said of how he and Wiz came up with tracks like "Never Been." For Sayez to think that two artists of Wiz and Mac's magnitude just so happened to come out of ID Labs is mind-blowing. "That's just crazy that two of the major players in today's hip-hop culture, music culture are doing it so big that they just happened to come through this building," he said.

"Everybody who worked in this building ... put in ridiculous amounts of work and sacrificed so much to be able to put out good music and be there and try and get the city movement goin'."

Wiz Khalifa motivates Pittsburgh's up-and-coming artists.

The fact is, both Khalifa and Miller have the option of working in higher-end studios with more notable producers, but the fact that they choose to keep coming back to the 'Burgh to work in ID Labs speaks fathoms. "It felt great, Wiz coming back to work on his album because he could've worked with anybody," Big Jerm said of the Rolling Papers sessions that took place in ID Labs. "He could've been in with Pharrell, but he chose to come back here. I think it's just comfortable for him, he's comfortable with us. I think it's a good situation for everybody really."

Stick with MTV News all week as Mac Miller takes us back to the 'Burgh and spotlights the city's vibrant hip-hop scene.

• Back To The 'Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa

• Mac Miller

Photo: Marc Broussely/ Redferns

The coroner who headed up the official inquest surrounding the death of Amy Winehouse has resigned, and a judicial investigation has been launched over her qualifications, raising concerns that the circumstances of the singer's death may need to be re-examined.

According to the British newspaper The Guardian, Suzanne Greenaway — the coroner who ruled in October that Winehouse died of "misadventure" — has become the subject of an investigation headed up by the Office of Judicial Complaints, after concerns were raised that she did not possess sufficient legal experience in the U.K. when she was appointed by her husband (a fellow coroner who chaired the inquest) to serve on the legal investigation into Winehouse's death.

Greenaway resigned from her position as an assistant deputy coroner in November after it was discovered she had not been a registered lawyer in the U.K. for the required five years. Her resignation was announced on Wednesday. According to British law, Greenaway would have needed either five years with the Law Society or five years of experience as a qualified medical practitioner. She has met neither set of criteria.

Her husband, Andrew Reid, said in a statement that he believed that Greenaway's legal and medical experience in Australia qualified her to lead the legal inquest, but admitted in a statement that he "had made an error in good faith."

Reid also said that, while he was "confident" all the inquests handled by his wife were done so correctly, he would be writing to the 30 families whose relatives were subject to those inquests (including Winehouse's) "to personally apologize and offer for their cases to be reheard if requested."

It is not known whether the Winehouse family will opt to have the late singer's inquest reopened. In a statement released to the Independent newspaper, the family said they were "taking advice on the implications [of the investigation into Greenaway's qualifications] and will decide if any further discussion with the authorities is needed."

Winehouse's father, Mitch Winehouse, later took to his Twitter account to add, "Don't worry about coroner nonsense. We are all okay."

• VMA 2011: Amy Winehouse Tribute

• Amy Winehouse: A Life In Photos

• Amy Winehouse

Bruce Springsteen
Photo: WireImage

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will join the already superstar-heavy lineup of performers booked for the Grammy Awards on February 12. The 20-time Grammy-winning rock icon will take the stage to promote his upcoming studio album, Wrecking Ball, the first release since the death last summer of saxophone player and Springsteen right-hand man Clarence Clemons.

In addition to Springsteen, the producers of the 54th annual Grammys announced another round of presenters as well, including actor Jack Black, Fergie, Roots drummer ?uestlove and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Other presenters include Drake, Gwyneth Paltrow, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley.

The Springsteen announcement came just a day after Katy Perry was also added to the show. The currently blue-haired pop star is up for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her feel-good empowerment track, "Firework."

Adele announced her Grammy appearance on Tuesday. The long-rumored performance marks her first since a November vocal surgery. "I'm immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year's Grammy Awards," Adele said. "It's an absolute honor to be included in such a night and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all."

Rihanna, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean and Nicki Minaj are also confirmed to perform live at the show, which will be hosted by LL Cool J. What Grammy performance are you looking forward to the most? Leave your comment below!

• 2012 Grammy Performers

• Bruce Springsteen

Diddy and Red Cafe
Photo: By Any Means

The Bad Boys invaded Miami this past weekend when Red Café gathered Diddy, French Montana and 2 Chainz for his "Let It Go" remix video shoot. "It's a beautiful day, historic thing goin' down right here," Red told MTV News on the set Sunday.

It was definitely a family affair, even if the rappers on set aren't technically part of the same crew. Both Café and French hail from New York and are signed to Diddy's Bad Boy while Atlanta's 2 Chainz just announced his new deal with Def Jam on Wednesday's "RapFix Live." But different record labels didn't stop the MCs from showing one another love. Even Maybach Music's Meek Mill appears in the video riding his dirt bike, even though he doesn't vocally appear on the song.

"That's my dog, we came up together so I want him to win like he wants me to win," French said of Red Café. "The same goes for my dog 2 Chainz, and that's Phil Jackson right there," he added, comparing Diddy to the famed NBA coach.

The set wasn't glamorous at all. The dirt bikes and multiple bonfires suggested that when it is done, the "Let it Go" remix video will serve as a nod to the gritty rap videos of the 1990s. It's an aesthetic that Red could have achieved in his hometown. So, why Miami? "It was mainly just to have great energy in it. We still wanted to be able to wear a lot of different outfits and in NYC it's a little chilly right now so it hinders us from doing the things that we wanna do, but we always New York regardless," he said. "We just wanted to come down here and get some great energy goin'."

Diddy's Bad Boy once boasted the brightest of rap and R&B superstars. (The Notorious B.I.G., Ma$e, Faith Evans and the LOX have all called Bad Boy home.) Now with Café, French and Machine Gun Kelly on the roster, the energy surrounding Diddy's label seems to be growing, and Puff isn't humble about it either. "It ain't the '90s; we in 2012 and we getting it. It's Bad Boy bitch you know what it is," he boasted. "Sh-- is like air, you grew up with air in your life, when you wake up, you pray to God there is air, that's Bad Boy, we're like f---in' air. Breathe it."

What are you expecting from Red Café's "Let It Go" remix video? Tells us in the comments

• T.I. And Red Cafe Shake Down 'RapFix Live'

• Diddy
• Red Cafe
• T.I.

Leon Thomas III and Victoria Justice in "Victorious"
Photo: Lisa Rose/ Nickelodeon

Things at Hollywood Arts High School are certainly heating up on this season of Nickelodeon's hit show "Victorious." During the premiere episode, "The Breakfast Bunch," Victoria Justice and the rest of the cast paid homage to the 1985 classic "The Breakfast Club."

And it seems that the adventures are just beginning. Leon Thomas III, who plays Andre Harris, spoke exclusively to MTV News about why season three is the best "Victorious" yet.

"This season, just in general, I feel like we've come into our own as a cast, we've just gotten so comfortable with each other," Thomas said. "It's a whole new level of comedy. It's a little more random this season; we all love it. It kind of reminds us of the old-school Nick with 'All That' and 'The Amanda Show,' where reality was kind of suspended for a second and we got the chance to be the goofy people we truly are." This month on "Victorious" marks a milestone for Thomas, who is set to perform his new original song, "Countdown," on the February 18 episode, "Andre's Horrible Girl."

"Andre dates this horrible person, she's just not a very nice girl, she's extremely mean to Andre and just cocky," Thomas said. "But the only reason that he's dating her is because her dad is a very famous producer and Andre wants her dad to hear his music, but at the end he feels pretty bad about it. It's a pretty good episode with a lot of twists and turns."

Thomas is set to perform "Countdown" alongside Justice. "It's just always cool singing with Vic," Thomas said. "We have such a great chemistry, our voices really blend well together. It's been great."

So now that Thomas is writing and performing his own songs, could we expect an album out from the Nickelodeon star? "I'm really hoping to have something out soon." Thomas revealed. "It's just really all about timing and making sure we have the right records. I've been in the studio working really hard making sure my sound is right, I want to come ready to compete with some of the greatest artists out right now like Bruno Mars, Adele, B.O.B. I want to be able to contend with the "now," really hit the pop charts proper."

Before we can see Thomas perform "Countdown," fans should be prepared for a "Victorious" break-up just in time for Valentine's Day. Spoilers ahead! On February 11's episode, "Worst Couple," Jade (played by Elizabeth Gillies) and Beck (played by Avan Jogia) break up after appearing on a dating show.

Are you excited to see Leon Thomas III perform his new song "Countdown" on "Victorious"? Let us know in the comments.

Steven Tyler on "American Idol"
Photo: FOX

In popular music, St. Louis might be known as the home of Chuck Berry or Nelly, but in the world of "American Idol," it's the city that hosted Carrie Underwood's audition.

"Idol" returned to the Gateway to the West on Thursday (February 2), hoping to find the show's next megastar. And they got off on the right foot with contestant Johnny Keyser, 22, from Pompano Beach, Florida, who blew the judges away with his rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." "Should we just vote now?" Steven Tyler asked only a few bars into the song. Keyser was quickly sped through to Hollywood and set a good tone for St. Louis.

As did Lauren Gray, who works at her family's one-stop wedding shop and sings in a wedding band with her father. Gray's version of Adele's "One and Only" left Jennifer Lopez's mouth agape and had Randy Jackson calling her "fearless." Lopez called her "one of the best female voices we've heard" and the three of them sent her on her way to Hollywood; later, when summing up the St. Louis auditions, Lopez said, "I have two words for today: Lauren Gray."

In all, 46 contestants were passed through to the Hollywood round. Among them was 20-year-old Reis Kloeckner, whose version of "Lean on Me" brought a tear to Tyler's eye. "That was so beautiful. You made me cry. That's how good that was just now," Tyler said. Lopez and Jackson agreed and sent the pizza maker — whose name is pronounced "Reese" — through to the next round.

Next up was 22-year-old Ethan Jones of Pontoon Beach, Illinois, a singer in a country band who belted out Edwin McCain's "I'll Be" and bled through his audition, due to a cut on his forehead he accidentally opened up while in the waiting room. (Seriously, no one had a Band-Aid?) Jones earned three yes votes from the judges and hopefully stopped bleeding somewhere on the way to Hollywood.

Rachelle Lamb, meanwhile, joined Portland auditioner Britnee Kellogg by singing a song directed toward an ex who did her wrong. The 26-year-old construction worker sang Faith Hill's "Dearly Beloved" (which she referred to as "Find Somebody New") and earned a passing grade from the judges; maybe she and Kellogg can team up come Hollywood.

With the audition phase now over — in voice-over, Ryan Seacrest called them "the most successful road auditions we've ever had" — the dreaded/ feared/ beloved Hollywood Week kicks off next week.

What did you think of Thursday's "Idol"? Were these "the most successful road auditions ever"? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Madonna
Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Madonna definitely has football on her mind — not only for her upcoming performance at Sunday's Super Bowl, but also in the video for her new single "Give Me All Your Luvin'."

A 60-second preview of the video, which premiered on Thursday's (February 2) "American Idol," opens with the track's guest stars, M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj, dressed in cheerleader uniforms and spelling out "L-U-V Madonna! Y-O-U, you wanna?"

Madonna then appears, kicking down the door of a suburban home, clad in a long rain coat, sunglasses and fingerless gloves, pushing a baby stroller. She turns onto the street where Nicki — who appears to have Adidas logos covering her breasts — and M.I.A. are waiting for her along with a team of cheerleaders. As Madonna prances down the street, a football player appears and barrels through a street-hazard marker in her way. A phalanx of football players then appear with umbrellas, shielding her from what looks like a storm of acid rain, and lay down their coats for her on the sidewalk as she struts in the slinky black outfit she had on underneath her coat. They'll do anything to make sure her path is clear, even tearing apart a taxicab that's in her way. She leans back and lets them lift her above their heads, and they prop her up against a wall that she appears to walk along sideways.

The suburban football scenes are cut against flashes of Madonna, an oversize cross around her neck, performing and shaking her booty in front of a brick wall, lit by a spotlight.

The video, for the first single from Madonna's upcoming MDNA, was directed by Megaforce, who has helmed videos for Kid Cudi, Two Door Cinema Club and more. The full video is scheduled to debut Friday at 9 a.m. ET on Madonna's YouTube channel.

What did you think of Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video teaser? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• MTV Rough Cut: Madonna

• Madonna

K'Naan
Photo: Getty Images

Don't expect to hear any more K'Naan songs at Mitt Romney's campaign events as the Republican presidential hopeful heads into the Nevada and Maine primaries this Saturday.

The Somalian/Canadian rapper released a statement Wednesday that he planned to seek legal action if Romney's camp continued playing his song "Waving Flag" at events. A spokesman for Romney's campaign told CBS News that although the song has been used through the campaign's regular blanket license, they'll stop playing it out of respect for K'Naan's wishes.

When MTV News caught up with K'Naan via Skype on Thursday (February 2), he said his song has nothing to do with Romney's political views.

"Mitt Romney makes the sort of statements that are the antithesis of the very music that I make," K'Naan said before referencing a comment Romney made to CNN on Wednesday after his Florida primary win that he isn't worried about the very poor. " 'I'm not very concerned with the very poor' — my music is concerned with the very poor."

While this certainly isn't the first time an artist has taken issue with their music being used during campaign events, K'Naan felt Romney's use of the track was distorting the mood it had come to represent — including being used as Coca-Cola's theme song for the 2010 World Cup. "It bothers me when music is appropriated in the wrong way. It's not in the same spirit that I create the feeling and the statements that I get from his campaign."

K'naan, however, does not mind his song being used at political events as long as a candidate's values align with his own. "President Obama has ideas and convictions that I can get behind," he said.

When asked if he had any message for Mitt Romney, the artist thought for a second before smiling, "Romney, we might disagree with policy, but you have a good choice in music."

Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season.

• Florida Primary: The Race Is On!

• K'NAAN

Leslie Carter and Nick Carter
Photo: Chad Buchanan/Getty Images

The day after 25-year-old Leslie Carter was found dead in her upstate New York home, the Chautauqua County Coroner's Office announced that an autopsy was inconclusive and that his office is awaiting toxicology tests to determine what caused the death of
the onetime singer and younger sister of Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter.

E! Online reported that coroner Richard Mackowiak said there were no visible signs of trauma to Leslie Carter's body and that toxicology test results are pending. "The body has been released to the family," he said on Wednesday. "Results of the toxicology test are made public at the discretion of the family."

It could take four to six weeks for those results to surface.

TMZ speculated on Wednesday that prescription medications could have played a role in Carter's death. Citing unnamed sources close to Leslie, she had recently moved from Canada to upstate New York to live with family members as she struggled with prescription drug issues.

She leaves behind her husband, Mike, and daughter, Alyssa Jane Ashton, born last April. While her career had always been on a lower profile than her famous siblings, who include Backstreet Boys member Nick as well as singer Aaron Carter, she had attempted several times to jumpstart her own singing career.

Leslie recorded a never-released debut album under the Dreamworks Records label back in 1999, at the height of BSB fandom. Two years later, her song "Like Wow!" appeared on the soundtrack for the first "Shrek" movie. After several stops and starts to her music career, she might best be remembered for appearing alongside her siblings on the E! reality show "House of Carters," which aired on the network in 2006.

• Leslie Carter
• Nick Carter

Lana Del Rey
Photo: MTV News

To look at her, you'd think Lana Del Rey's inspirations come mostly from 1940s detective movies and sepia-toned Hollywood pinups. But the "Video Games" singer told England's Magic 105.4 that one of her big fashion and music icons is Britney Spears.

"I'm not really interested in a ton of female musicians but there is something about Britney that compelled me — the way she sings and just the way she looks," Del Rey said. And even though she's just released her major-label debut under the Del Rey name, she added that she's already kind of over music-making.

"The thing that makes me happy now isn't really singing," she said. "Music was once the be-all and end-all, but when you lose everything you have over and over again, it's not so important."

It might be a bit early for her to bail on the whole music thing though, since her album, Born to Die, topped the iTunes album charts in 14 countries this week, including the U.S., U.K., Italy, France, Germany, Ireland and Mexico.

The chart triumph — and a possible #2 debut next week on the Billboard albums tally — came despite a rash of negative or middling reviews
 of the album as well as the continuing fallout from her shaky "Saturday Night Live"
 debut last month.

The haterade has gotten her label boss, Interscope's Jimmy Iovine, to chime in on the flack his latest protégé has been taking. "It's a drag," Iovine told The Hollywood Reporter. "Maybe this is a new sport. It's something we've never seen before. Or maybe it's [like] the Giants and the Jets." Del Rey herself told Rolling Stone that she thought she looked "beautiful" and sang "fine" on the show, saying that "that's just the way I perform, and my fans know that."

Say what you want about Del Rey's looks, attitude and performance ability, but Iovine said there is one thing you can't mess with.

Musically, he thinks Die is "really good. Great lyrics and great songs. I don't care what anybody says, 'Video Games' is a great song. When she sings that song, it moves me. It's how we signed her — she sang and it was beautiful. I think she's really talented. Period."

• MTV News Extended Play: Lana Del Rey

• Lana Del Rey
• Britney Spears

Robin Antin
Photo: MTV News

With so many people wondering if the New York Giants or the New England Patriots will win the Super Bowl on Sunday, there's one team that could perhaps upset the whole game. That team? Well, it's Team Madonna — and it's a fierce, road-tested force that has proven it can stand the test of time.

When the Pussycat Dolls stopped by the MTV News offices recently to chat about their Go Daddy ad airing during the big game, they noted that the only team they want to see win is Team Pop led by MVP Madonna, who will certainly dazzle everyone when she takes the stage during the halftime show.

"I definitely say Madonna," PCD creator Robin Antin said, with new Doll and U.K. native Lauren Bennett adding, "Madonna all the way! I can't understand football. It just looks like they're running into each other! Sorry guys, but it is a guy's thing, I think, and leave it to them. That's their time. I'm like, 'Enjoy it.' "

While that spirit may seem stoutly un-American, Antin joked, "She's a Brit! We'll be watching for the commercial ... and Madonna. It's exciting. Well, hopefully the Pussycat Dolls will be on the next Super Bowl performing, you know?"

Does Bennett think that it could happen one day? "[You have] high hopes," she said with a chuckle.

Well, until the PCD get upgraded to halftime-performer status, they should take notes from Madge, who may be taking the stage with any number of folks, including her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " pals, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., as well as Cee Lo Green and LMFAO.

Could Madonna win the Super Bowl? Leave your comment below!

• Madonna
• Pussycat Dolls

Jennifer Lopez
Photo: MTV News

On Thursday (February 2) night, Madonna will world-premiere a teaser for her highly anticipated new video on "American Idol." The preview of "Give Me All Your Luvin' " comes in advance of the clip's official Friday-morning debut.

But if you think that the "Idol" judges are getting any special treatment and are seeing it first, think again.

"I have not seen it yet," Jennifer Lopez told MTV News earlier this week. "I'll see it with all you guys on Thursday." When asked whether she'd even heard any of the finished track, she further dished that she hasn't heard a thing — and that includes a leaked version of the song that hit the Internet last fall.

"I hate when the demos leak," J. Lo added. "It's so unfair."

Now that Madonna is in the "Idol" family, is there any chance she might come on the show to mentor the contestants before her album, MDNA, drops in March? "I don't know. I mean, that would be awesome," Lopez said. "And if it was me, she would be the one person I'd probably want to come and mentor me if I was a contestant on 'Idol.' "

With so much mystery surrounding the track and the video, which also feature Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., MTV News got some exclusive insight into the vibe of the clip from its directors, Megaforce.

"We said, 'Wow, it's quite interesting that it's a mix between these three artists.' They are not a part of the same universe for us," Raphael Rodriguez said of the Martin Solveig-produced track. "So it was interesting to hear this mix and different kind of music." He later described the video as "about happiness and something really sunny."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• Jennifer Lopez
• Madonna

Dwayne Johnson in "G.I. Joe: Retaliation"
Photo: Paramount

In recent years, the Super Bowl has given movie fans an entirely different reason to look forward to the big game. Movie studios have been using the highly coveted ad space to spread the word about their high-profile releases set to the hit theaters in the coming months.

Super Bowl XLVI is guaranteed to be no different, with some of the summer's biggest blockbusters already lined up to have spots during the big game. Some of the ads have even hit the Web in the days leading up to the game.

Paramount unveiled both of its ads — for "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" and "The Dictator" — online prior to Sunday's big game. The second preview for "G.I. Joe" shows more of the same over-the-top action that made the first trailer a hit, while the clip from "The Dictator" comes with a special Super Bowl message from star Sacha Baron Cohen in character.

Super Bowl trailer for "The Hunger Games" early on Thursday (February 2) when Yahoo! posted the full-length video featuring new footage from the adaptation of the best-selling novel.

Fans of America's favorite sport will get a realistic glimpse into the lives of America's greatest heroes. "Act of Valor" is a fictional military film that stars real-life Navy SEALS in the roles of the onscreen soldiers. The ultra-realistic military action film will debut a new preview at some point during the game.

On top of all the film previews set for the Super Bowl's commercial breaks, a good number of other ads use some of the movies' most iconic characters to spice up their products. Volkswagen will continue their use of "Star Wars" characters in their car commercials, with two new spots featuring music and characters from the films.

Additionally, Honda's ad featuring Matthew Broderick in a Ferris Bueller-inspired day off from acting found a lot of traction online when a 10-second teaser and eventually the entire commercial hit the Web in advance of game day.

And for all the "Twilight" fans out there, unfortunately, Edward and Bella won't be making an appearance, but an Audi ad takes a lot of inspiration from the film series in its vampire parody ad.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

2 Chainz on "RapFix Live"
Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News

Now that 2 Chainz is officially on the Def Jam roster as a soloist, fans can expect some high-powered collaborations — a few of them with labelmate Kanye West.

"One thing that people may not know is that I've been working with Kanye West for the past year," 2 Chainz said on Wednesday during his appearance on "RapFix Live." "We have records together, we have ideas that we're planning on releasing to the world real soon. I'm tryna get my 'N in Paris' swag up."

Chainz is aiming to drop his official solo debut, tentatively titled T.R.U. 2, later this year. When broken down, T.R.U. is an acronym for The Real University, so working with the College Dropout makes sense for the "Spend It" MC.

"For the most part, when we started building our relationship, we found out we had more things in common than different from a musical standpoint," he said. "It's no secret that I came from the hustle background, from that trap, and it's no secret that he's maybe more of a hipster swag, backpack kinda guy. So I think it'll be interesting when you just drop that in the pot, in the blender, and see the outcome and results of some of that."

The rapper formerly known as Tity Boi has been in high-demand over the past year collaborating with just about every big rap name there is. Still, fans have yet to hear him and Yeezy in tandem, so there is still much to look forward to.

"I been fortunate enough to work everybody in the game, some of the best talent in the game from Luda to Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane, everybody in Atlanta, T.I., Jeezy," he said. "I think this was just another angle that I could appreciate, that I can maybe learn from."

2 Chainz is looking forward to experiencing some artistic growth during his sessions with West. He also believes that when all is said and done, Kanye will walk away from the collaborations with a new sense of his artistic self as well.

"I'm one of those people that feel like you're never too old to learn new things and even bruh, he still can learn new things from the avenue and path that I come from," 2 Chainz said. "It'll be cool, we gonna shake up hip-hop a little bit, shake up rap a little bit. You see what I did on my own."

• 2 Chainz Signs In To 'RapFix Live'

• 2Chainz
• Kanye West

Kit Harington in "Game of Thrones"
Photo: Nick Briggs/ HBO

For those of us counting down the days until April 1, when we can return to Westeros and the intensely captivating world of George R.R. Martin's creation for season two of HBO's "Game of Thrones," the wait is a torturous one.

Luckily, there has been a flurry of "Thrones" activity of late, via an enticing teaser trailer released over the weekend and recent chats with stars Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke and Lena Headey.

Our latest encounter was with Kit Harington, a.k.a. Jon Snow, who revealed a few romantic hints about his character and that he and his castmates have been feeling a swell of fan support for the show recently.

"It keeps getting more momentum," Harington told MTV News at the SAG Awards of the show's increasing popularity. "I think it's one of those things — a TV show, the longer it's out there and is doing well, word of mouth spreads it around, and then more and more people watch it. It's one of those things that keeps snowballing, which is fantastic for us."

With respect to what's in store for Snow in season two, we asked Harington for his thoughts on new character Ygritte, a wildling woman who we know becomes particularly close to Lord Snow. "Yeah, Ygritte [pronounced E-greet or E-grit, according to Harington], it's a tempestuous relationship. I'm not allowed to go into details," Harington said. "But I will say that it's nice for Jon to meet a woman."

We then asked if there was anything he could tease about episode 10, which we've been told is particularly shocking.

"Episode nine is a big episode," Harington revealed, before stopping himself. "Actually, I can't tease anything. Jon gets to fight more," he offered. "In the first season, it was all training-yard stuff, and the world he's going into [this season] is very much more real. The fighting he has to do, it's for real. It's not play fighting."

With regard to the scene partners Harington worked with most this season, he was sorry to admit he doesn't cross paths with Tyrion (Dinklage) but had high praise for two new faces in "Thrones."

"[There are] no more with Peter, but there are new faces who came in," Harington said of which actors to look out for. "There's Simon Armstrong [Qhorin, a.k.a. Halfhand]. He's a fantastic actor. He's going to be brilliant this season. And Rose Leslie who's playing Ygritte. Watch this space, honestly — she's amazing."

Check out everything we've got on "Games of Thrones."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• 5 Key Scenes From 'Game Of Thrones' Season Two Preview

Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence
Photo: MTV News

Here at MTV News, we are counting down the days until "The Hunger Games" arrives in theaters. If you've been spending any time with us recently, you know we've been keeping a close eye and ear on all the details about the big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins' dystopian best-seller.

Last week, we capped off a month of juicy interviews with stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, for which all the questions were supplied by you, the fans. We're going to keep our coverage rolling with another new chat with Lawrence and Hutcherson, in which they address the hot topics of their first meeting and that infamous "chemistry read."

When MTV News asked the two obvious real-life friends to recall their first meeting, we inadvertently started a playful debate.

"When was the first time we met? I remember it like it was yesterday," Hutcherson joked.

"When was that? You were at a dance-floor something, and I came up to you like, 'What's up?' " Lawrence recalled, making motions with her arms like she approached Hutcherson mid-dance. "I freaked you out, because I started telling you that thing ... "

"Are you sure that's when we met?" Hutcherson chimed in.

"Yeah, at the SAG Awards," Lawrence said. "You were on a dance floor."

"Yeah, the SAG Awards, but we weren't dancing at the SAG Awards," Hutcherson corrected.

The two clearly had differing opinions on the meeting. They went back-and-forth on a few blurry details and couldn't even remember what color dress Lawrence was wearing at the time.

"I met you in a hot-pink dress," Hutcherson said.

"No, I met you in a white dress!" Lawrence countered.

"Same thing!" Hutcherson said with a laugh.

Since that discussion was getting us nowhere, we asked the two about their "chemistry read," the point during the audition process when the two actors read their respective roles together for an audience of filmmakers and studio representatives.

"They had hired Jennifer, and they were trying to find Peeta. I had gone in for the first round of auditions, and a few weeks later, they brought me back," Hutcherson said. "We did a chemistry read and kind of hit it off right away, I felt, for the second time, third time," he joked, playing up the foggy memories of their first meeting. "So that's the first time we got to play the characters together."

"We had tons of chemistry," Lawrence insisted with a laugh. "He was Peeta," she added of her first impressions of Hutcherson as "the boy with the bread." "I had heard the director, I had heard Gary [Ross] say, 'He is the only one who is actually Peeta,' and then [Josh] came in, and he was. He's charming and nice and sweet, like a dog licking your face."

"A dog licking on your face?" Hutcherson asked, wondering if Lawrence was paying him a compliment or not.

"It is! That's what it's like hanging out with you, it's like, 'Eeeeee!' " Lawrence said of her excitement being around the 19-year-old.

So what does Hutcherson think of hanging out with Lawrence? "Like a dog licking your face, but 'Oh, God, get this away,' " he joked. "No, it's hard to get things done when we're together. I'm amazed this interview we've gotten as many questions in as we have. We just start going and end up talking about the most random things."

"We always play off each other," Lawrence added.

"It works," Hutcherson said.

Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: Jennifer Lawrence And Josh Hutcherson
• The 'Hunger Games' Cast Answer Your Burning Twitter Questions

• The Hunger Games

Julianne Hough
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

add link: Julianne Hough is building quite the film résumé. In the big-screen adaptation of Broadway musical "Rock of Ages", the triple threat sings and dances alongside Tom Cruise. But for her next role, she'll get to show off a serious side as a religious woman who begins to question everything she believes in.

"I'm actually in pre-production right now and I go to New Orleans in about three weeks and start shooting," Hough told MTV News of the upcoming Diablo Cody film. "It's really cool. It's very different than anything I've done and anything that people [have] seen me do."

As the leading lady in Cody's still-untitled project (originally called "Lamb of God"), Hough's character suffers a crisis of faith after surviving a tragic accident. She begins to live a life of sin in, well, Sin City, before finding God again. Hough revealed a bit more about the kind of pain and strife she'll have to act out in the film.

"It's strictly acting — no singing or dancing," she said. "In fact, I'm way more restricted in physicality because I actually play a girl that's been burned over two-thirds of her body, so I don't have a lot of movement, which is very different for me. So I'm excited. [It's] a big challenge and I like that. I have all the expression from my physicality trapped up [and it's] going to really help my emotion, I think."

Another thing that may ease her acting challenges is reuniting with "Rock of Ages" co-star Russell Brand in Cody's flick. "I'm super excited because in 'Rock of Ages' ... we had scenes together, but we never actually spoke to each other in the scenes," she explained. "So it'll be a whole new thing."

"Ages," which also stars a pitch-perfect Tom Cruise, Catherina Zeta-Jones and Alec Baldwin, opens in June. Hough's dance flick "Footloose" hits DVD on March 6.

Check out everything we've got on "Rock of Ages."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Madonna at a press conference for the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show on Friday
Photo: Getty Images

Madonna wowed the crowd with some impromptu moves at a press conference today in Indianapolis, Indiana, readying the world for the spectacle she's planning for Sunday's halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI.

Intimating that she's rooting for the New York Giants (she famously got her start and currently resides in New York City, after all), the Queen of Pop complimented Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz on his end-zone salsa dancing, telling reporters, "I have absolutely no criticism of his moves. In fact, he's inspired me. I'm going to show 'em to you and you tell me what you think." She then stepped away from the podium and playfully began to salsa, eliciting hoots and applause from the assembled press. "You think he'd approve?"

The often-provocative diva also assured curious reporters that her focus was firmly on putting on the best show she could. "The envelope I'm pushing is just for a spectacular show, which I think will entertain all age groups and hopefully will be a feast for the eyes and the ears," she said. Judging from early glimpses of her reported stage design, there's no doubt she's got quite the spectacle planned for Sunday.

She also revealed that she's performing four songs — three classics and her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," the video for which will be previewed on "American Idol" Thursday (February 2) ahead of the single's release Friday on iTunes. "I promise I will be singing three old songs and one new one," Madonna told reporters. If an early leaked set list and photos of rehearsals are any indication, the vintage Madonna songs audiences can expect to hear will be "Vogue," "Ray of Light" and "Music."

She would not divulge any further details about the show, however, explaining that she didn't want to "give anything away" because she wants viewers to be "knocked out of their seats from beginning to end."

"I'm so excited to be here," a clearly excited Madonna told the crowd. "This is a Midwesterner girl's dream to be performing at the halftime show."

Making the press rounds ahead of what is certainly one of the biggest performances of her three-decade career, Madonna has not been shy about admitting she is nervous and contentious of how big a deal the Super Bowl is.

"Oh my God, I'm so nervous, you have no idea," Madonna told Anderson Cooper during a pre-taped appearance Thursday on his daytime talk show. "First of all, it's the Super Bowl. I mean the Super Bowl is kind of like the holy of holies in America right? ... I have to put on the greatest show on earth, in the middle of the greatest show on earth. I have eight minutes to set it up and seven minutes to take it down and 12 minutes to put on the greatest show on earth. That's a lot of pressure."

It sure is.

Are you excited for Madonna's Super Bowl halftime show? Tell us in the comments below.

• Madonna Gets Psyched For Super Bowl

• Madonna

Seniors pledge support for Mitt Romney
Photo: Emmanuel Dunand/ AFP

LADY LAKE, Florida —The citizens of the Villages in Lady Lake, Florida, are used to visits from big politicians. How do I know? Because before Mitt Romney took the stage a day before Tuesday's Florida primary, we were treated to a Hollywood-style greatest-hits reel spotlighting past visits from former President George W. Bush, Senator John McCain, 2008 presidential candidate Fred Thompson and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

The town square of the Villages was out of central casting for a Steven Spielberg movie, with patriotic bunting hung with care, rows of pimped-out golf carts lining the spaces of Main Street and the smell of hot dogs, elephant ears and popcorn wafting on the cool night breeze. As far as the eye could see, more than 1,000 fit and fired-up seniors mingled and watched the montages on a series of large video screens.

A giant "Florida Is Romney Country" banner framed by towering palm trees served as a backdrop to ... pretty much the same thing we saw twice earlier in the day. Except this time, we not only sang the national anthem, but we also recited the pledge of allegiance.

The feelings of good cheer and patriotic spirit didn't last long, though.

At one point before Romney took the stage, a crowd member interrupted a shoot with MTV's Andrew Jenks by yelling at him to speak up. I went over to speak to the gentleman, and he asked who we were with, since he'd never heard of MTV and was sure we were mocking him and his neighbors.

When I explained that we were traveling with the Romney campaign for the day and covering the election from a youth perspective, he shouted, "He's with Obama! They're Obama!"

I wasn't really sure how to react to that, so I shook his hand and wished him well. But I totally should have introduced him to that woman with the "don't believe the liberal media" sign.

You hear a lot about how the candidates give the same stump speech every time, but there are some telling nuances if you really pay attention. At the Villages, Romney mentioned that he watched President Obama's State of the Union address the other night and that he heard the Obamas had been to Orlando's Disney World recently. Then, he wondered, was the president living in Fantasy Land? Big cheer.

And this time, instead of just reciting his favorite verses of "America the Beautiful," he asked the crowd to join him in singing it.

MTV is on the scene in Florida! Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season.

• Florida Primary: The Race Is On!

Matthew Broderick in his Honda CR-V commercial
Photo: Honda

Super Bowl kickoff is just days away, and while we couldn't be more psyched to watch the New York Giants dismantle the New England Patriots (because, folks, that's what will happen, end of story), we're nearly as pumped to check out the game's high-profile movie ads.

Every year, corporate America pours millions of dollars into movie-related spots — some starring Hollywood A-listers, others riffing on classic films — in an attempt to convince inebriated football fans to buy cars, beer, junk food, deodorant and whatever else we probably don't need but which might make our sad, empty lives have more meaning. At least that's how we think ad agencies approach the biggest sporting event of the year.

In preparation for the commercial excellence coming our way Sunday, we took a look at Super Bowls past — as well as this year's pigskin classic — to pick the 10 greatest movie-related ads of all time.

10. Honda's Riff on "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
This one sneaks onto the list neither because it's a great commercial (it's not) nor because it's hilarious to see Matthew Broderick once again telling us that life moves pretty fast (it's just depressing). No, this 2012 Honda ad makes the cut because there's never, ever going to be a "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" sequel, and if this is a close as we get, hey, we'll take it.

9. Nissan's "Top Gun" Pigeons
Imagine being inside an ad agency when some creative exec pitches an ad in which a bunch of flyboy pigeons take flight, to the tune of "Top Gun" hit song "Danger Zone," and attempt to poop all over a Nissan Maxima, but the car is too damn speedy and the birds — one of them voiced by "Cheers" mailman John Ratzenberger — can't unload on it. And the Nissan suits say, "Hell yes! Let's fork over a million dollars and air this baby during the Super Bowl." The late '90s were weird. And awesome.

8. Budweiser's Alcoholic Dog
Would a dog's most traumatic memory be the time he tried to chase after a Bud truck? Would this be the recollection a dog, in the best tradition of a method actor, turns to on a movie set to cry on cue during a maudlin death scene? Do dogs drink beer? Listen, it's the Super Bowl. These things don't have to make sense.

7. Visa's Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon
Everyone's favorite movie-related drinking game made a very amusing appearance in the 2002 Super Bowl, as Kevin Bacon attempted to pull off what just might be a bit of credit-card fraud. Now drink!

6. Heineken's Brad Pitt Beer Run
We suppose there's a world in which Brad Pitt doesn't have an army of underlings to send out on a beer run and instead has to stroll, under cover of darkness and as a thousand rabid paparazzi converge on him, to the market to pick up a six-pack. In a far different world, Heineken spent roughly the GDP of a third-world country to hire Pitt, license the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" and produce a classic Super Bowl a classic Super Bowl ad in 2005.

5. FedEx's "Cast Away" Resolution
Who didn't want to ring Tom Hanks' neck in "Cast Away" and be like, "Dude, just open that FedEx box, 'cause there's totally a satellite phone, a GPS locator, a fishing rod and a water purifier in there"? This 2003 Super Bowl ad gave us the next best thing.

4. Noxema's Cream Ad with Farrah Fawcett and Joe Namath
This ad, starring the movie star and the New York Jets QB, might not make it by today's network censors. So it's simply amazing that it aired during the 1973 Bowl and had Namath cooing, ''I'm so excited, I'm going to get creamed!" as Fawcett slid into frame.

3. Pepsi's Michael J. Fox Apartment: "Apartment 10G" (1987)
In 1987, Michael J. Fox had it all — except some Diet Pepsi to offer his very new, totally bodacious next-door neighbor. So MJF does what anyone in his position would do: He jumps out his window in the rain to fetch her some calorie-free pop. Gentlemanly! Of course, when he returns with soda can in hand, he learns the new gal has an equally gorgeous roommate. Both of them love Diet Pepsi. And Michael J. Fox. City living is the best!

2. Volkswagen's Bark Side
Eleven dogs. One "Star Wars" theme song. Nothing more needs to be said. In fact, nothing is said the entire time (in the same, savvy style as Budweiser's 1995 frog spot). Just watch it before it airs during this year's game. Genius.

1. Volkswagen's Force
When a little boy clad as Darth Vader held up his hands, attempting to use the Force to start a Passat, he also jumpstarted the hearts of every Super Bowl viewer on the planet. Last year's classic ad was the perfect synthesis of everything a Big Game spot should aspire to be: cute but not too cute, funny without trying too hard, nostalgic yet utterly fresh. Though we somehow doubt parents raised on "Star Wars" rushed over to the local VW dealership seeking the sense of familial togetherness apparent in the commercial, that's not really the point (at least outside ad agencies and automobile manufacturers). Honestly, most of the people talking about the ad probably couldn't even name what kind of car the kid Force-ifies. What's key is people were talking — and still are talking a year later.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Iggy Azalea
Photo: MTV News

Iggy Azalea made quite a splash with her fall 2011 mixtape, Ignorant Art — not to mention the risqué videos that accompanied it — and now the Australia-born rapper will spend the month of February recording her debut album, set to be released through Interscope Records in June. While she hasn't locked down a production team, Azalea tells MTV News that T.I. will serve as executive producer for the album, currently titled The New Classic.

"T.I.'s gonna be helping me with it, kind of A&R-ing, kind of executive producing," Azalea said. "He called me up like, 'Please?' and I was like, 'Definitely. You're Tip; I love you — of course.' So he's gonna be helping me out, just reaching out to people and helping me find production and pointing me in the direction of things that I might like."

This will be Azalea's first time working with the Atlanta rapper and Grand Hustle Records CEO, and she's certainly looking forward to it. "Hopefully, that will be really dynamic and it'll help speed things along.

"I'll probably fly out to Atlanta and we'll do it there because he's weird with traveling and stuff. I understand. See we're in touch with each other. I have legal issues; he has legal issues. I get it," she said, joking about T.I.'s legal issues and her own immigration woes, which have prevented her from performing many U.S. shows until recently.

"In terms of writing the record, that's not the part that really worries me; that's easy," she said. "It's finding the production and finding something cohesive that's right for the direction of the album. It could happen next week or I might go until the end of February and not find it. You just never know when you're gonna have that magic."

In January, the 21-year-old rapper signed a deal with Interscope Records, under the guidance of Chairman Jimmy Iovine, who took notice of her raunchy singles "P---y" and "My World."

"If all goes to plan, my album will be out in June and I'll have it recorded by the end of the month."

What are you hoping to see from Iggy Azalea's debut album? Leave your comments below!

• T.I.

Don Cornelius in 1973
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images

There will never be another Don Cornelius. With his television show "Soul Train," the iconic producer and host put audiences on to the latest music, fashion and dance steps every week. Artists like Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye and Run-DMC all took to Cornelius' stage and delivered some pretty memorable performances.

Cornelius was found dead in his Los Angeles home after police responded to a shooting call on Wednesday. While the cause of death has not been established, multiple outlets have reported that it appears to have been a suicide. In the wake of his death, the "Soul Train" host has been remembered by many in the music community, including Rev Run, who spoke to MTV News on Thursday (February 2) about Cornelius' impact.

"What he did at his height, he was brilliant. He was the Jay-Z of his time," Run said. "He was cool. He was the coolest of the people dancing in his crowd."

Love, Peace and "Soul": Don Cornelius Remembered in Photos

Run recalled watching the show as a kid and seeing iconic performances by Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye. The rap icon was such a fan of Cornelius' "Soul Train" that when he finally appeared on the show in the 1980s with his group RUN-DMC, the magnitude of his appearance didn't quite sink in.

"As a kid, before I had any experience in it — Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye — it was just cool; it was just big," Run said, still humbled by his appearance on the show more than 30 years later. "I was happier watching it from home. ... It was bigger than me and more cooler than me."

The "Run's House" star marveled at Cornelius' contributions to pop culture. "Not only was he a great businessman, but he brought us what the cool was," Rev Run said. "He knew James Brown and Marvin Gaye, he'd knock on their bedroom door and say come do my show. Well connected, he was the man, like I said, Jay-Z."

Share your condolences with Don Cornelius' friends and family, as well as you favorite "Soul Train" memories on our Facebook page.

• Iconic Host Don Cornelius Dead At 75

• Don Cornelius: A Life In Photos

Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate

Anytime we see anything new from "The Hunger Games," it's like Christmas came early around here. On Thursday (February 2), we were gifted with a brand-new teaser trailer for the film, which is set to air on Super Bowl Sunday.

The one-minute spot features some familiar elements shown in the first full-length trailer, but there are also several juicy new items to look out for.

Here are the five key scenes in the new "Hunger Games" teaser:

Silver-Tongued Caesar Flickerman
Finally, we're starting to get sneak peeks at more key "Hunger Games" players. In this case, we get a good long look at (and listen to) Stanley Tucci as sweet-talking official "Games" interviewer Caesar Flickerman. Think of an over-caffeinated, duplicitous Matt Lauer, if you will. Flickerman's job is to get the tributes to open up to him and "perform" for the Capitol audience. There is a perfect example in the teaser, as Tucci-as-Flickerman asks Katniss a loaded, personal question: "What did you say to your sister when you volunteered at the reaping?"

"I told her I would try to win for her," Katniss answers sincerely.

"And try you will," Flickerman adds with dramatic intonation in his voice, before bending down and kissing Katniss' hand.

Katniss Gives Prim The Mockingjay Pin
For the book lovers out there, yes, this scene is different from how Suzanne Collins wrote it in the book, but it makes sense in the emotional context of the film. We see Katniss give her little sister a mockingjay pin and say, "As long as you have it, nothing bad will happen to you, I promise." This is significant because the mockingjay is seen as a rebellious symbol to the Capitol. It should also be familiar to fans who've read the books, as the symbol graces the cover of "The Hunger Games."

Cinna's Secret Gift
This one relates to the opening scene of the teaser. Just before Katniss is sent up to the arena for the start of the Games, her intuitive stylist Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) pulls out the mockingjay pin that she gave her sister back in District 12 and pins it underneath Katniss' jacket. It's a powerful moment, in that it shows how in tune Cinna is with his tribute and that he believes in her strength, along with the fact that Prim somehow sent it along, because Katniss promised her that "nothing bad will happen" to her if she wears it.

Katniss in Her Yellow Dress
Again, this one is for our fellow readers of the book, but holy cow, they show Katniss in her yellow dress! It's a very brief moment, but a loaded one. Without going into spoilers, because there are more than a few surrounding this particular look, the yellow dress Katniss wears is her most innocent-looking. Cinna designed it to showcase the softer side of the "girl on fire," and the color was to be more like candlelight than flames.

More President Snow And Effie Trinket
We'll take as many teases of the supporting players as possible, like the brief glimpse we get of Donald Sutherland's likely first scene in the movie as President Snow. "Welcome! And Happy Hunger Games!" he says via a big-screen monitor transmitting the opening of the games from the Capitol. His voice has the perfect amount of gravitas and disturbing excitement for the upcoming bloodbath. And the puffiness of his white hair only adds to his menacing-but-stately look. Plus, we get a little more from uppity type-A escort Effie Trinkett, who eats up anything and everything official from the Capitol. "I just love that!" she says breathily after President Snow kicks off the reapings.

Head to NextMovie for a chance to win a "Hunger Games" prize pack, including two tickets to the premiere!

Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: Jennifer Lawrence And Josh Hutcherson

Sunkrish Bala, Elisabeth Hower and Jordan Carlos
Photo: MTV News

The characters on MTV's new scripted series "I Just Want My Pants Back" are young, occasionally romantically challenged and always up for a good time. The show, set in New York, is a nonstop party that follows the lives of several twentysomethings trying to find love and find themselves in the Big Apple.

The characters each play a role (sassy, neurotic, lustful) in their circle of friends, the same way that those other "Friends" did back in the 1990s. The show focuses on Jason, Tina and the rest of their Brooklyn-dwelling crew as they struggle with unemployment and general disaffection. But are the actors anything like their characters on the show? MTV News investigates.

Jordan Carlos and Elisabeth Hower play the show's only couple. Their characters, Eric and Stacey, are extremely driven (she goes to law school, he goes to med school) and very much in love, but for Carlos the similarities begin and end with only one trait. "I am a black person," he joked. "I am like my character in that I am black."

Hower, almost on cue, added, "I am also a girl in real life," before noting that there's some part of those people in their real-life personas. "No, I think there's a little bit of all of us in the characters. We all have to connect to our characters."

Meanwhile, Sunkrish Bala plays Bobby, the gang's pal and the owner of their local bodega. Always quick with some sassy advice, Bala notes that, well, he's not quite like Bobby. "I'm nothing like my character," he said. "But I know a lot of guys like [him]. I have a relationship with guys [like that]."

While one half of the cast finds it harder to relate to their small-screen counterparts, Kim Shaw and Peter Vack seem to relate a bit more to their characters on the show.

With notes of "Sex and the City" thanks to the characters' ups and downs in the romance department, Shaw plays the sexy, Samantha-esque Tina, while Vack plays Jason, the male hipster equivalent to Carrie Bradshaw.

"We're probably too much like them!" Shaw laughed. "I wish I was a little quicker with my words like Tina is. She says exactly what she's thinking all the time. I think [Vack is] not as sexually deviant as Jason is on the show."

"Jason's not a sexual deviant," Vack protested. "I'm a romantic like Jason."

"I Just Want My Pants Back" premieres tonight at 11 p.m. ET, right after "Jersey Shore." Stick with MTV's Remote Control blog for more coverage of the show.

• I Just Want My Pants Back | Sneak Peeks

MTV News' James Montgomery and Cobra Starship's Gabe Saporta and Ryland Blackinton
Photo: MTV News

On the surface — or, really, any level — Cobra Starship don't appear to be "sports guys" (and girl). Which is why it's sort of strange to hear them discuss this Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI ... and even stranger to hear them say they're heading to the host city (Indianapolis) to play the big game.

"Yeah, I will be on the New England Patriots. It's super-scary; I lost a bet and now I have to put on the gear and I'm going to get the sh-- kicked out of me, and it's not cool," guitarist Ryland Blackinton deadpanned. "No, we're playing a Super Bowl party the night before with LMFAO, Lupe Fiasco and Gym Class Heroes. It's a real-deal party in the least partyful place in the world, next to Kenosha, Wisconsin."

No offense to the good people of Kenosha, of course. But, yes, Cobra Starship will join Lupe, LMFAO and Gym Class at Saturday night's extravaganza. And since they're officially taking part in the Super Bowl festivities, we had to ask them about their (apparent) love of football, which, not surprisingly, seems to be largely nonexistent.

"We love the uniforms," Blackinton explained. "And I like all the masculinity and high-production gloss of the Super Bowl stuff; the logos crashing together and lightning striking a helmet, and the one with the robot football players ... it's like that sh---y Hugh Jackman movie, 'Real Steel.' "

And, much like we did a few years back with die-hard Steelers fan/transplanted Arizona resident Bret Michaels in the lead-up to Super Bowl XLIII (which pitted the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals), we asked Blackinton and Cobra frontman Gabe Saporta to give us their predictions for Sunday's game. And based on what they told us, let's just say they're probably not going to be as prescient as Michaels ended up being.

"The Giants are going to win, 72-60," Saporta said. "Seventy-two is a real good number."

"The Patriots will win 34-28," Blackinton added. "But maybe that's in overtime or whatever."

Leave your predictions for Super Bowl XLVI in the comments below!

• Cobra Starship

Madonna
Photo: MTV News

Madonna has examined love a lot over the course of her career. She's written numerous songs on the subject. So, it comes as no surprise that when it comes to her work as a film director, the pop superstar enjoys breaking down complex, historical romances.

Her new film, "W.E.," which opens Friday, is all about one very famous, scandalous romance. It focuses on the tabloid romance between American divorcée Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII in the 1930s. In a parallel story, the film also follows Wally (played by Abbie Cornish), a modern-day woman who becomes obsessed with their headline-making fling.

Right now, Madge's plate is a bit full (with her new album, MDNA, dropping in March), but there's another great romance she wouldn't mind adapting for the big screen one day.

"There's a lot of stories that I'm interested in," she told MTV News. "I'm obviously always going to be drawn to stories about strong females 'cause we need, I need them, for inspiration. Well there's a story, but you won't even know about this person, Jane Digby."

She went on to give a lengthy history lesson on Jane Digby. And, it seems that her story veers into some similar territory as "W.E."

"She was in the English aristocrat in the [19]th century and she was excommunicated or outcast from society because she had an affair and she had a child," she said. Madge then went on to explain that after Digby's husband took her child from her, she began breeding horses in Greece. On her frequent trips across the Sahara to sell her horses, she had to dress like a man and be accompanied by Bedouin.

"One of her Bedouin guides became one of her closest friends and confidants," Madge continued. "And she ended up falling in love with him and he fell in love with her. But he did have several other wives and he wanted to marry her."

So Digby said she would marry him on two conditions: He leave his other wives and the couple live half of the year in the desert as Bedouin and the other half in the city.

So, does her story have a happy ending?

"He did agree to that and they lived together for the rest of their lives until she died. It's an incredible love story. Lady Jane Digby," she said, before joking, "It's a comedy."

Would you see a movie about Jane Digby's love story? Leave your comment below.

• MTV Rough Cut: Madonna

• Madonna

Lil Wayne
Photo: Streets Talk

Lil Wayne has always put his music first, but Weezy's passion for his skateboard may come in a close second. Tunechi was pretty bummed when he learned he had to stay off the ramps for a week after injuring his shoulder in a skateboarding accident at his Miami home.

"Unfortunately I was skating and I tried to do an ollie down one of my banks and I tailed out at the end of it," Weezy said in a clip from DJ Scoob Doo's upcoming "The Nino Brown Story" DVD that was given exclusively to MTV News.

On Sunday, Weezy put out the third installment of his viral video series "Weezy's Sports Corner," sitting in front of the camera with his arm in a sling. In the clip provided to MTV News, the Young Money boss broke down the injury. "I kinda didn't separate it — hopefully I didn't separate my shoulder, but if it was separated I wouldn't be able to move it," he said, showing off his new Trukfit tee for the camera. "I probably strained a muscle. I don't know the name of the muscle, my therapist told me the name of it — I'm not sure. We were thinking I probably sprained the muscle, which is like a slight tear, which will probably take a few days to heal. A few days and I'll be back."

Looks like Wayne is already back. On Wednesday Justin Bieber tweeted a picture of him and Wayne standing by a skating ramp, though it is unclear whether Weezy actually got on a board or whether he is wearing his sling.

It's not the injury that has him down. In August 2011, Weezy had to get nine stitches after a skating accident in St. Louis during his I Am Still Music Tour. But that spill didn't keep Weezy off the ramps. "I ain't worried about the pain, it hurts like hell but the worst thing is that I couldn't really skate," he said. "I always get injured but I never get an injury where I can't get back on the board. Remember we had the nine stitches? That didn't mean we couldn't skate the next day, so we skated the next day."

Check back with MTV News for more exclusive Lil Wayne clips from DJ Scoob Doo's "The Nino Brown" DVD.

• Lil Wayne

The Dr. Manhattan cover of "Before Watchmen"
Photo: DC Comics

Who watches the "Watchmen," you ask? Right now the answer appears to be everyone.

DC Entertainment announced Wednesday (February 1) that a new "Watchmen" prequel series is officially in development. Titled "Before Watchmen," the project spans seven different miniseries starring popular characters from Rorschach to Doctor Manhattan. The continuation of "Watchmen" had been rumored for quite some time, but today's announcement turns rumors into facts — and the reaction to those facts is divided, to say the least.

Some fans believe that more "Watchmen" is a great idea, especially considering the involvement of top-tier comic book talents including Darwyn Cooke and Brian Azzarello. For others, even excellent creative teams won't wash away the panic some are feeling at the prospect of revisiting the most successful, self-contained graphic novel of all time. Indeed, "Watchmen" writer Alan Moore has already spoken out against the existence of "Before Watchmen," telling the New York Times that it's "completely shameless." Artist Dave Gibbons' stance, meanwhile, is considerably warmer: "I appreciate DC's reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire."

From fans to creators and all the onlookers in between, arguments about whether or not "Before Watchmen" should even exist are sure to rage on in the coming days, weeks and months. But the MTV Movies Team is focused on a different question: Will "Before Watchmen" lead to more "Watchmen" movies?

Up front, it should be noted that the film adaptation of Moore and Gibbons' graphic novel wasn't a smash success at the box office, only yielding $185 million worldwide against a $130 million budget. But the film's high-profile release drew renewed attention to the "Watchmen" brand, propelling its ranking as the top-selling graphic novel for 11 straight months. "Watchmen" also pulled in strong initial DVD sales and rental figures. An unconventional success, perhaps, but success all the same.

Even with all those factors considered, would the "Watchmen" movie's creative team be on-board for sequels? Actors Patrick Wilson and Malin Akerman, who played Nite Owl and Silk Spectre respectively, spoke with MTV News about the topic in 2009, and both expressed skepticism. "I just don't know where you would go," Wilson said. "You would need one good idea."

"I don't really know how [a sequel] would ever be possible," Akerman added. "Because 'Watchmen' is 'Watchmen,' and we covered pretty much the whole novel."

Clearly, there is now more ground to cover than Akerman once realized, so future "Watchmen" movies based on original comics material are certainly possible. But if "Watchmen" does have a future on the big screen, director Zack Snyder will not be involved — if comments he made three years ago still hold weight, that is.

"I know that I wouldn't have anything to do with it," Snyder said in February 2009. "It would be like me going to ['No Country for Old Men' author] Cormac McCarthy and going, 'I have an idea for a [sequel]: You write a book, and I'll write a movie, and you can release it. You'll win a Pulitzer; I'll win an Oscar. It'll be awesome.'

"The attitude toward comic books, they show their hand a little bit," he added. "They would never say that about a real novelist, but they would about a comic book."

So will we see more "Watchmen" on film? At this point, it's simply too early to say. But where one would have thought the prospect impossible just three years ago, the possibilities are virtually endless today.

Do you want to see new "Watchmen" movies? Tell us what you think of "Before Watchmen" in the comments section!

Check out everything we've got on "Watchmen."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

Katy Perry
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Katy Perry will take the stage at the Grammy Awards on February 12. The two-time nominee was announced as the latest performer on Wednesday (February 1).

The currently blue-haired pop star is up for Record of the Year for her feel-good empowerment track, "Firework." The Teenage Dream single is also up for Best Pop Solo Performance. This is hardly her first time performing on the show.

At the 2011 Grammys, she performed her songs "Not Like the Movies" and "Teenage Dream." The Valentine-themed performance also included the debut of footage from her wedding to her now-estranged husband, Russell Brand. In 2009, Perry performed her breakthrough hit "I Kissed a Girl" surrounded by giant, glittering pieces of prop fruit. And in 2010 she took the stage at the Grammy Nominations show and sang her ubiquitous candy-coated track, "California Gurls."

The same day that Perry was announced as a performer, fellow nominee Drake was announced as one of the night's big presenters, along with Gwyneth Paltrow, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley.

Adele announced her long-rumored Grammy performance on Tuesday. It marks her first performance since a November vocal surgery. "I'm immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year's Grammy Awards," Adele said. "It's an absolute honor to be included in such a night and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all." Rihanna, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean and Nicki Minaj are also confirmed to perform live at the 54th annual awards show, which will be hosted by LL Cool J.

What performer are you most excited for at this year's Grammy Awards? Leave your comment below!

• 2012 Grammy Performers
• Katy Perry's First Performance As A Newly Single Girl

• Katy Perry

Katy Perry
Photo: Splash News

Katy Perry is in talks to bring Candyfornia to a Cineplex near you -- in 3-D.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount has reached out to the pop star's camp to do a documentary-style 3-D film a la the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber and "Glee" before her.

While the deal is still in its early stages, according to sources, both sides are excited by the prospect of bringing Perry's colorful, over-the-top stage spectacle to the big screen. Right now, sources added, it's a matter of working out the logistics for the potential film.

Perry is not currently on tour: She wrapped up her California Dreams trek less than two weeks ago in Manila, Philippines. So, how and when Perry would tape the concert portion of the film is up in the air. This wouldn't be her first foray on the big screen: She voiced Smurfette in 2011's "The Smurfs."

Regardless of what happens with the project, Perry does have a busy few months ahead of her. She is up for two Grammy Awards on February 12 and will re-release her successful Teenage Dream album March 13.

Dubbed Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection, producer Tricky Stewart said he and Perry re-worked a TD leftover for the release. "This song is really special. It's called 'Dressing Up,' so it's going to be a big record, I think," he said. "It definitely fits. It's right there in what her sensibilities are as a musician and a songwriter. She doesn't change much. She has a very keen musical taste. It'll be really good."

In between projects, Perry has kept everyone guessing about her hair. Currently, it's a sparkling shade of turquoise, which her colorist, Rita Hazan, said really does her justice: "I felt like it's the perfect color for her because her eyes are blue and she has the perfect skin tone to be a really vibrant, really cool, intense blue," she explained to MTV News.

Are you excited about the possibility of a Katy Perry 3-D concert movie? Tell us below!

• Katy Perry Returns To The Spotlight At 1Oak In Las Vegas

• Katy Perry

Don Cornelius on "Soul Train" in 1973
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images

"Love, peace and soul." Don Cornelius would sign off with those words after every episode of his famed dance/music program "Soul Train," and now the television show host and producer is dead.

On Wednesday morning (February 1), Cornelius was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Mulholland Drive after police responded to a shooting call, the LAPD confirmed to MTV News. According to TMZ, Cornelius was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Sources told the website that Cornelius' death appears to be a suicide, however the LAPD could not confirm this information as the investigation is still ongoing.

Police discovered Cornelius' body at around 4 a.m. PT on Wednesday and he was later taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 75 years old.

Love, Peace and "Soul": Don Cornelius Remembered in Photos

A former radio disc jockey, Cornelius created, wrote and produced "Soul Train," a popular dance/music show which spotlighted soul, R&B, and later, rap music. "Soul Train" was patterned after Dick Clark's "American Bandstand," but it helped to shine a light on black artists who many times didn't get the recognition they deserved. James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson all appeared on the show as well as more contemporary artists like Chris Brown, Alicia Keys and Ludacris.

"Soul Train" was most famous for its dancers who would show off the newest moves while partying to the latest hits. The "Soul Train" line, where dancers would line up on the left and right of the dance floor, allowing for one performer at a time to shimmy down the aisle, became a staple in American pop culture. Cornelius would go on to host the show for 22 years, between 1971 and 1993. He eventually handed over the reins to new hosts. The show ultimately went off the air in 2006.

Share your condolences with Don Cornelius' friends and family, as well as you favorite "Soul Train" memories on our Facebook page.

• Iconic Host Don Cornelius Dead At 75

• Don Cornelius: A Life In Photos

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach in the "Gold on the Ceiling" music video

The Black Keys continue to roll with their El Camino album, and now, they're taking MTV along for the ride. On Monday, February 6, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, the band will premiere their brand-new video for "Gold on the Ceiling," during "MTV First: The Black Keys." And then, immediately following the clip's debut, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney will sit down for an exclusive 30-minute interview that will stream on MTV.com.

In that interview — filmed last weekend before the Keys' sold-out show in Berlin, Germany — the dynamic duo discuss their rather improbable rise to fame, the current state of rock music, and what's next (a new album already?!?). They also answer questions submitted by fans via Twitter.

After the premiere of the "Gold on the Ceiling" video (which features footage from the band's album release concert, which streamed live on MTV Hive), the clip will go into rotation on mtvU and MTV Hits, and will premiere on MTV.com, VH1.com and AMTV the following morning. The video will also debut on "MTV2's 120 Minutes With Matt Pinfield" on February 10 as part of a special Grammy-themed episode, and VH1's "Top 20 Countdown" on February 11.

It all gets underway Monday, February 6, at 7:54 p.m., with the world premiere of the "Gold on the Ceiling" video on MTV, and then rolls on with MTV News' 30-minute interview following immediately after on MTV.com. It's been quite a ride for the Black Keys so far, but trust us, you haven't seen anything yet.

What are you hoping for from the "Gold on the Ceiling" video? Leave your comments below!

• The Black Keys Are Coming To 'MTV First'

• The Black Keys

Reese Witherspoon
Photo: MTV News

Hopefully you tuned in to MTV on Tuesday night for "MTV First: This Means War," during which acclaimed actress and MTV Generation Award winner Reese Witherspoon presented an exclusive clip from her upcoming film and stuck around for a lengthy chat to discuss her diverse career and various leading men, the most recent being Robert Pattinson and "War" co-stars Chris Pine and Tom Hardy.

Witherspoon also talked about being a mom to daughter Ava, 12, and son Deacon, 8, and whether they have started to watch any of her movies together.

"Not really. I think it's weird," Witherspoon admitted. "I don't encourage it, but if it comes on, we'll watch it. They kind of find it entertaining. They're kind of fascinated with a movie I did when I was 14. They really want to see 'The Man in the Moon,' because that's sort of starting to be the age that they are."

Seeing as how many celeb kids choose to follow in their parents' footsteps, we asked Witherspoon if her children caught the acting bug or talked about wanting to act.

"It just doesn't enter the picture. I encourage their artistic abilities at home, but they've never said that it's anything they wanted to do," Witherspoon said.

The busy actress and mom also dished about her encounter with Kate Middleton at the California launch of Tusk Trust, an organization designed to preserving Africa's culture, back in July.

"That was very cool," Witherspoon gushed of meeting the Duchess of Cambridge. "There's such a history there, and I think there's also a fascination with [Kate]. She carries herself so beautifully, keeps her composure, and under a lot of stress, I'm just kind of fascinated with how people handle different modes and lifestyles and all that. She's very smart and sweet."

Stick with MTV News as we roll out more from our exclusive "MTV First: This Means War" interview with Reese Witherspoon!

• MTV First: This Means War

Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson in "American Idol"
Photo: FOX

"American Idol" went looking for contestants in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday (February 1) and came up big — especially in the case of Jermaine Jones.

The soft-hearted Jones, measuring in at a mighty 6-foot-8-and-a-half inches, was dubbed the "gentle giant" by the judges. The self-described mama's boy sang Luther Vandross' "Superstar" and instantly made a fan out of Jennifer Lopez, who praised the warmth of the low end of his voice. Steven Tyler agreed. "You have a really spiritual voice. It took me away," Tyler told him, as the three judges sent the 24-year-old through to Hollywood.

Jones was one of 45 contestants in Portland to receive a Golden Ticket to Hollywood. Among those joining him for Hollywood Week is Jessica Phillips, a 25 year-old dental hygienist from Brooklyn who in the last year has taken to caring for her boyfriend, who suffered from a stroke last Easter and did not know who she was when he awoke from a coma. Phillips' version of Faith Evans' "Again" was good enough to earn her a trip to Hollywood, though Lopez criticized her breath control in the song's closing moments. Her boyfriend, D'Angelo Perry, was outside waiting for her when she came out with the good news, and their story made for the one of the most touching moments of the young season.

On the other end of the spectrum is Brittany Zika, a 21-year-old from Portland who claims her clumsiness has earned her the nickname "Tripster the Hipster." The funky, free-spirited Zika, wearing a fedora and a pair of oversize glasses, sang Brandi Carlile's "The Story" in "one of the prettiest voices we've heard," according to Lopez. She sailed through to Hollywood; no word yet on if the fedora is coming with her.

Mother of two Britnee Kellogg, 27, had a bit of a Britney Spears thing going on with her look, and the blonde sang a fiery version of "You're No Good" aimed squarely at her basketball-player ex-husband, whom she said cheated on her, breaking up their marriage. The feeling of the song came through in her words, and Randy Jackson complimented her on the attitude in her voice. The Vancouver, Washington, singer earned a Golden Ticket and has plenty of spurned-lover tracks to cull from if she needs inspiration going forward.

Naomi Gillies, 22, of Boston had the moxie to audition with Aerosmith's "Cryin' " in front of Tyler, and she passed her test with flying colors. "You belted it out!" Tyler told her, while Jackson chimed in, "If you've got it, you've got it, you've got it." Somewhere, even Alicia Silverstone was happy.

The final singer showcased Wednesday was 22-year-old Romeo Diahn of Portland, who was born in Liberia. He sang Bob Marley's "Is This Love," and though Lopez expressed trepidation about passing him through, considering she wasn't sure how or where he'd fit into the competition, the three judges stamped his ticket to Hollywood and sent him on his way.

Thursday's "Idol" focuses on the St. Louis auditions and is the final audition episode before Hollywood Week begins.

What did you think of Wednesday's episode of "American Idol"? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Taylor Swift imagined in the role of Eponine in "Les Miserables"
Photo: Broadway/ MTV News

Taylor Swift won't be getting her "Les Misérables" on. After Swift was offered the role of Eponine in January, the part has now gone to Samantha Barks.

Barks' name might not be as recognizable as Swift's, but she is no stranger to the part. The 21-year-old U.K. native and stage actress played it twice before: Once during the 2010 London production of the musical, and again during the 2011 25th Anniversary Concert at the 02 Arena, which co-starred Nick Jonas, to whom she was romantically linked at the time.

Barks not only beat out the likes of Swift, but also several high-profile Hollywood starlets including Evan Rachel Wood, Scarlett Johansson and Lea Michele, who were all vying for a part in the Tom Hooper-directed big-screen adaptation of the stage show. Barks joins Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Eddie Redmayne and Anne Hathaway, among other Tinseltown A-listers, in the flick.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barks learned of the good news from theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh, who made the surprise announcement onstage during a curtain call after her performance in "Oliver!" at England's Manchester Palace.

In an interview with the BBC shortly after the news was announced, Barks said, "To have that news, it still surprised me now. I'm really shocked. It's an incredible cast. ... I'm very excited to meet them and to work with them all.

"I've had such an amazing journey with the character. I feel so excited to get to explore another side of her. ... Now it's the film, so it's a big, old journey. ... To get to do the film is absolutely amazing."

She also took to Twitter to express her joy over the chance to star in the film: "Words cannot express how much I appreciate all the amazing support I have received from everyone! I haven't stopped smiling!"

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• Taylor Swift

Justin Timberlake
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

Who needs a music career when you have a bustling movie career? Right, Justin Timberlake?

The singer has added another role to his growing docket of movies. He's next set to star alongside screen legend Clint Eastwood in "Trouble With the Curve." The guys will be joined by Amy Adams in the film, which revolves around an aging baseball scout (played by Eastwood) who goes on a road trip to Atlanta with his daughter (Adams) to check out a potential recruit.

Timberlake is set to play Eastwood's friend Johnny Flanagan, a former baseball player himself who is now a Yankees talent scout. Flanagan may also turn out to be Adams' potential love interest.

Eastwood will not be directing this project. That honor will go to his longtime producing partner, Robert Lorenz, making this his directorial debut, Variety reports.

Before Timberlake hits the set for this project, he's first slated to star in the Coen brothers' next film, "Inside Llewyn Davis." MTV News recently caught up with co-star Oscar Isaac, who shared his excitement about the project, which is set during the folk movement in New York City during the 1960's.

Though Timberlake won't be singing alongside Eastwood, he will get the chance to croon in the Coen brothers flick. The music is being written and produced by the likes of the Punch Brothers, T-Bone Burnett and Marcus Mumford. "It's folk from the '60s — old songs passed down for many generations — but new takes on them," Isaac said.

"Obviously we have the hindsight of now and so we kind of revisit these old songs. They're hopeful and beautiful and in contrast [to] the life of a folk singer, which is not very beautiful at all. It's very drab and dire. It's a screwball comedy."

Will you be seeing "Trouble With the Curve"? Leave your comment below.

• The Evolution Of: Justin Timberlake
• Acting, Log-Rolling, Quilting: Justin Timberlake Can Do It All

• Justin Timberlake

K'Naan
Photo: MTV News

Throughout Mitt Romney's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, he has been quoting "America the Beautiful" and reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance" along with his supporters. Also, seemingly in honor of the old red-white-and-blue, Romney has been playing K'Naan's "Waving Flag" at some campaign events. But K'Naan himself released a statement Wednesday (February 1) making it clear that Romney didn't ask to use "Flag" and that he plans to seek legal action if the camp continues to play his song.

"I have not been asked for permission by Mitt Romney's campaign for the use of my song," the Somalian/Canadian rapper said in a statement to MTV News. "If I had been asked, I would certainly not have granted it. I would happily grant the Obama campaign use of my song without prejudice."

"Waving Flag" became an international sensation back in 2010 when it was played at that year's World Cup. With assists from will.i.am and David Guetta, the soaring tune camouflages a song about poverty and oppression in a heart-stirring call to arms to let your banner fly.

This is far from the first time a politician has used a song without an artist's permission — actually, this isn't even the first incident this week. According to TMZ, Survivor filed a lawsuit Monday against Newt Gingrich for using their song "Eye of the Tiger" at his events. During the 2008 presidential election, Jackson Browne sued John McCain for his use of "Running on Empty," and John Mellencamp asked McCain to stop scoring his campaign stops with "Our Country."

After a decisive win in Florida on Tuesday, Romney will duke it out with his fellow GOP presidential hopefuls at Saturday's primaries in Maine and Nevada.

Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season.

• Florida Primary: The Race Is On!

• K'NAAN

Emma Watson
Photo: Getty Images

No, this is not about another "Harry Potter" movie, but a potential re-teaming of superstar Emma Watson and director David Yates for a new drama called "Your Voice in My Head."

According to Deadline New York, Watson is in discussions to play the role of a young woman who attempts suicide before being saved by a New York-based psychiatrist who's dying of cancer. The film is based on author Emma Forrest's memoir of the same name, the screenplay for which Forrest also wrote, and it is expected to be Yates' next project. He and Watson worked together on the final four "Potter" films, and Watson has always spoken very highly of Yates' abilities as a director and the environment he creates on set.

Warner Bros., the studio reportedly shopping the project for Watson and Yates, is said to be looking at heavy hitters like Tom Hanks and George Clooney for the role of the psychiatrist.

While we wait for the official details to be confirmed, Watson can currently be seen in Oscar hopeful "My Week With Marilyn" and will appear later this year in the much-buzzed-about adaptation of Stephen Chbosky's coming-of-age novel "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

"It's so funny because I never thought I'd make another sort of high school-esque movie," Watson told us of her role as Sam, the love interest of main character Charlie (played by Logan Lerman). "And here I am in this coming-of-age, American teen [movie]. But it's very witty, and it's very funny and it's very moving, so I'm excited."

In addition to being up for "Your Voice in My Head," Yates, who was also rumored to be in talks for taking on the big-screen version of "Dr. Who," will make "A Reliable Wife" for Sony.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: Emma Watson

Tom Cruise in "Rock of Ages"
Photo: Courtesy Tom Cruise

If you were wondering whether Tom Cruise can deliver in the singing department, his "Rock of Ages" co-star has the answer, and it appears to be a resounding "Yes." The film's leading lady, Julianne Hough, raved about Cruise to MTV News just this week.

"Oh, he's fantastic," Hough said. "If I remember correctly, I hear his ... grandparents or something were opera singers, so he has this tone and this pitch that is incredible."

The actress, who hopped on the phone with us to dish about the March 6 DVD release of "Footloose," also gushed about the A-lister's work ethic. "Anybody who knows Tom knows that he literally is the most hardworking and intense and committed actor out there," she added. "He, literally, would do lessons every day for hours trying to perfect it and perfect it and he really did it. He was fantastic."

And Hough should know. As Sherrie Christian, she shares the screen with Cruise's fictional rock-star character, Stacee Jaxx.

"There's a lot of songs that I'm singing, and I know a lot of its being cut out because of time and everything," she explained. "I'm scared to say what my favorite one is because it might not even be in the movie now [laughs], but I loved singing [the Scorpions song] 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' with Tom. That was really unbelievable. I sing a lot with Mary J. Blige and, I mean, anything I sing with her, I'm like dying. She's incredible. A lot of songs are really fun."

"Rock of Ages" — based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name — is directed by Adam Shankman and follows Hough's Sherrie Christian, who falls in love while trying to navigate Los Angeles in the 1980s.

"It's an incredible film to be a part of," she said. "I think the musical was so fun, people had such a blast going and seeing the show, that it was kind of an obvious decision that they should make it into a film. And, I mean, these songs are so iconic. ... It's very cool to be a part of and the cast is incredible and my character is fun. I got to show a little bit more comedy in this one, which is really fun."

Alec Baldwin, Malin Akerman, Russell Brand and Catherina Zeta-Jones also star in the movie, set to hit theaters in June.

Do you think Tom Cruise can really sing? Tell us in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Rock of Ages."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Madonna directing "W.E."
Photo: The Weinstein Co.

Madonna has given the whole thespian thing a try several times over. So, the idea of hitting the big screen again in front of the camera doesn't really appeal much to the "W.E." writer and director.

"No [I don't want to act], but I do [act] every day of my life," she told MTV News, before waxing a bit more philosophical about her future ambitions for a career on the big screen. "I like directing better," she further explained. "If I write it and direct it, then it's my voice. If I'm the actor, I'm just ... I'm a pawn."

As Madonna embarks on yet another chapter in her always-evolving career, she explains that she hopes that people will be able to love her for every project she's attached herself to in her decades-spanning career. "I'd rather not divide things up into categories, but I prefer the idea that people would say that I contributed to the culture, the zeitgeist from a female perspective as a musician, as a songwriter, as a filmmaker, in my political point of views of the issues that I've stood by and fought for," she said. "I hope that I consider all of these things to be a part of my body of work and I'd rather not go, 'Oh, she'll be remembered as a great filmmaker, a great songwriter.' "

"W.E." opens Friday and follows two parallel love stories. It focuses on the vintage, tabloid romance between American divorcée Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII in the 1930s and the modern-day woman, Wally (played by Abbie Cornish), who becomes obsessed with their headline-making affair.

This Friday she also releases her first MDNA single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," as well as its video. She's set to take the stage for the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A, who also appear on the track.

Should Madonna return to the big screen in an acting role? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

• MTV Rough Cut: Madonna

• Madonna

Mac Miller in Pittsburgh
Photo: MTV News

Mac Miller wasn't always this popular, and his concerts weren't always quite so packed.

"I performed for five people at a 'hood-ass club, and no one looked at me," Mac recalled of one of his earliest shows as a teen in Pittsburgh. "They were like, 'Who's this little-ass white kid?' "

How times have changed. On December 9, the Blue Slide Park MC returned to his hometown to perform a pair of sold-out shows at Stage AE, with a gang of hits and a #1 album under his belt and a legion of new fans.

A year prior, in December 2010, he opened for Rostrum Records labelmate and buddy Wiz Khalifa at the same venue, but for Mac, things didn't go so well.

"I was opening for Wiz at Stage AE, like, the same exact show, his homecoming," Mac remembered. "I actually had just came off my first little tour. I did, like, a two-week run, and I lost my voice on it. So I did both those Pittsburgh shows with no voice, and I sounded like sh--."

Mac Miller returns to Pittsburgh's Blue Slide Park.

Mac's voice wasn't a problem during his concerts in December. Before the first show, anxious concertgoers chanted, "We want Mac, we want Mac," as the now 20-year old MC made his way from his backstage dressing room to the stage, where he led a prayer circle with his Most Dope crew right before the curtains opened. Miller ran through crowd favorites like "Best Day Ever," "Knock, Knock," "Donald Trump" and "Party on Fifth Ave."

The crowd jumped-up, pumped their fists and sang along all night throughout both shows — then again that's the standard for a Mac Miller concert. But even the slow and personal "Missed Calls" from his BSP album got a nice reaction, which to the young MC proved that his music is really connecting with his audience.

"I'm like the fun rapper, right? Me, Mac Miller, the symbol of fun, but when I do 'Missed Calls,' it's like cool, good music," he told MTV News backstage after his December 9 show. "It's dope to see that vibe in the room of people just enjoying a song that's not about fun, that's not a party anthem, that's just a song about some real sh-- that I made about a relationship."

It's his favorite song on the album, by the way.

Wiz Khalifa motivates Pittsburgh's up-and-coming artists.

For Mac, going back to the 'Burgh was a high like no other. "Last night was like my first real Pittsburgh show where I'm somebody now," he said December 10 as he took MTV News on a tour through his beloved Blue Slide Park. "I just wanted to say 'Pittsburgh' over and over again — not to get the crowd hyped, but to able to say that, man. I was home. I'm home, and there's 3,000 people rockin' with me."

Stick with MTV News all week as Mac Miller takes us back to the 'Burgh and spotlights the city's vibrant hip-hop scene. Then tune into RapFix Live" today at 4 p.m. on MTV.com for exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Mac's hometown shows.

• Back To The 'Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa

• Mac Miller

Travis Barker
Photo: MTV News

Blink-182's Travis Barker is giving a boost to Boston rock trio Twin Berlin's EP release Wednesday (February 1). The veteran drummer handpicked the unsigned band out of a sea of submissions for Guitar Center's "Your Next Record" contest. As part of the grand prize, Twin Berlin got to record a three-song EP produced by Barker himself, resulting in There Goes My Virtue.

MTV News caught up with Barker and the band back in November, when they were tinkering away at Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles. Although he's a percussionist at heart, Barker said he wasn't just looking for the next great drummer.

"There were some bands in the Guitar Center contest that were amazing drummers, but it was more a song thing for [Twin Berlin] — a great song," Barker said. "They seem hungry, and they all have great personalities and attitudes about the whole thing. I just wanted to help emphasize what they were already doing and clean things up, maybe suggest arrangement ideas, just little things that will make a difference."

For Twin Berlin, the contest was a natural fit.

"[Bassist] Sean is a huge Blink fan and everything, and we all really like Travis a lot," drummer James Janocha said. "So we just figured, 'Hey, why not enter?' "

Barker recalled, "When they gave me all the bands' songs, I didn't know what the bands' names were, I didn't know what the guys looked like, I didn't know how many people were in the group — it was purely based on one song, and that one song just won me over. I listened to the CD probably every day for three weeks, and that song just resonated with me."

The song Barker refers to, "Can't Take, Take, Take," ended up as the first track on the new EP, rounded out by "Don't Hang Around" and "Give Up on Me." While the trifecta of songs represents Twin Berlin's gritty, unapologetic style of rock and roll, the recording process was far from their familiar DIY surroundings.

"To get the chance to be able to work in a studio like this, it's incredible," guitarist/vocalist Matt Lopez said. "We used to record in this guy's shed, so this is pretty insane."

Share your review of Twin Berlin's new EP in the comments below!

Reese Witherspoon
Photo: MTV News

Let's take a trip back in time — further back even than 1991, when an adorably precocious 14-year-old Reese Witherspoon, star of "The Man in the Moon," sat down for her first-ever MTV interview.

Instead, let's jump straight into the '80s, as we did during Tuesday's "MTV First: This Means War" live stream event, to learn a little bit about what the future Oscar-winner was like before showing up on the Hollywood scene. Because it was back then that Witherspoon was just a tween with a dream — a dream named Johnny Depp.

Regarding the first celebrity object of her affection, Witherspoon confessed during the interview, "I have to say probably Johnny Depp in '21 Jump Street.' I just had a really major crush on him. I used to pull pictures out of Teen Beat and put them on my wall."

And now, a couple of decades later, she's finally admitting it to the world, because she certainly has never told Depp. "I don't think he knows," she said, laughing. "I'm not sure it would faze him: I'm sure he's heard that quite a bit."

Depp, of course, graduated from "Jump Street" to big-screen icon, never once joining in a traditional, shoot-'em-up action flick — much like Witherspoon herself, until "This Means War." The decision to sign on to one at this point in her career (opposite Chris Pine and Tom Hardy) stemmed from never wanting to repeat herself.

"I try not to make the same movie twice," she explained. "I try to explore and push out in new areas, and I thought it was a nice way to get comedy and action together. I've never really been in a movie with a bunch of guns and action sequences. I'd turn to Tom and Chris and say, 'The bad guys are chasing us — this is hysterical!' It would just make me laugh. I think it's ridiculous — me running from the bad guys. But it was really fun."

Check out everything we've got on "This Means War."

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• MTV First: This Means War

Machine Gun Kelly
Photo: MTV News

Tech N9ne and Machine Gun Kelly have built a pretty good friendship since meeting last fall, but let's see what happens after the two perform 90 shows in 99 days together.

After pre-taping the cypher segments for BET's Hip Hop Awards show last fall, Tech Nina and MGK went out and enjoyed New York City's nightlife with a few famous friends. Now, Tech and MTV's 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC will embark on the Hostile Takeover 2012 Tour, beginning in March and making stops in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Las Vegas.

"Me and Tech went to one club that Rick Ross told us to come to and we couldn't get in," Kells revealed to MTV News on Monday. "French Montana was stuck outside. We were like f--- this, so we all went to a strip club and met up with Waka Flocka."

The bond that the two fast-spitting rappers formed that day lead to a collaboration that will be featured on MGK's upcoming Bad Boy debut album and, of course, the Hostile Takeover Tour.

"He was like, 'You know what? You're crazy, I'm crazy, let's just take it one step further. Let's do like a world-record-breaking tour,' " MGK recalled Tech Nina saying to him.

After signing on to hit the road with the Missouri MC, Kells learned about the rule book issued by Tech's Strange Music label, which lists the do's and dont's of the tour — and accompanying fines. "It's like, no smoking weed, no everything. Anything you would think of — no, zero. Everything that we do, no way," MGK said.

Still, the "Wild Boy" rapper, who was recently arrested in Florida and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, isn't fazed.

"Rules were meant to be broken, Machine Gun Kelly was meant to break them," he boasted.

And what about the fines? "I don't care about money either," he said. "It doesn't even matter. I have the money. Stories on the road are priceless."

Will you catch MGK on tour with Tech N9ne? Tell us in the comments!

• Machine Gun Kelly
• Tech N9ne

One Direction and Miranda Cosgrove on the set of "iCarly"
Photo: Nickelodeon

Wondering what One Direction is going to look like when they appear on "iCarly"? Well, wonder no more. MTV News has a photo of the guys hanging out on set with the show's star, Miranda Cosgrove.

The guys taped their appearance on the show on Monday, and a rep for the band said that fans lined up outside the Nickelodeon show's set 12 hours before the group arrived to film the episode. More than 500 fans were reportedly waiting for the guys at LAX when they landed. The episode will air during the show's fifth season.

According to a show synopsis, "Carly returns home sick after a trip and discovers that One Direction has accepted an invitation to perform on their web show. Not long after arriving, bandmate Harry becomes sick and we see Carly doting over him. Realizing Harry is playing sick for the attention, they hatch a plan to get him back in the group by telling him Gibby has become their newest bandmember. Meanwhile, Spencer becomes a personal trainer and gives a bratty girl a makeover."

In other news, One Direction has moved up the release of their debut album, Up All Night, one whole week to March 13. The guys confirmed the news Wednesday (February 1) on Twitter. The album dropped in their native U.K. last fall.

The members of One Direction, who got their start after appearing on the British "X Factor" in 2010, are already pop megastars back home, and now they are ready to take over the hearts of teen girls here in the U.S. 1D, as their fans call them, will be touring with Big Time Rush starting later this month.