Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter, producer and multi-platinum selling artist Bruno Mars will sit down for an exclusive interview and to premiere his new music video “It Will Rain,” the first single from THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 soundtrack that features a never-before-seen clip from the film, on MTV on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:54pm ET / 6:54pm CT during “MTV First: Bruno Mars.”
After personally introducing the new music video and answering a few fan questions, Bruno will stay on for an additional interview with MTV News’ Sway Calloway on MTV.com. In addition, fans will be treated to a live broadcast from MTV News’ studio, celebrating the upcoming release of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 soundtrack with special guests, including TWILIGHT soundtrack Music Supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, super fans and more.
Fans can get in on the action immediately by submitting video or text questions beginning today via MTV.com or via Twitter (using @MTVNews / #AskBruno)
Over the last few years, David Cook’s life has been punctuated by extraordinary highs and devastating lows. In short order, the 28-year-old singer, songwriter, and musician won the seventh season of America’s most popular television show, American Idol, rewrote chart history with a record-breaking 14 debuts on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart, released his self-titled major-label debut album in November 2008, watched it debut at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart, spawn two Top 20 singles (the platinum “Light On” and “Come Back To Me”), and sell more than a million copies, reaching platinum status.
David Cook is set to rock the Turner Hall Ballroom on Monday, November 21st.
Amy Lee from Evanescence calls in to chat w Van McNeil about their NEW self titled album which just debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album Charts, what fans can expect in concert and lots, LOTS more!
Grammy Award-winning artist Cee Lo Green will join the star-studded musical line-up on THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW, airing Tuesday, Nov. 29 (10:00PM, ET/ 9:00pm CT) on the CBS. Cee Lo Green joins previously announced artists Kanye West and Maroon 5.
Supermodel Candice Swanepoel will open the lingerie runway show, which will also star supermodels Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Erin Heatherton, Lily Aldridge, Lindsey Ellingson and a bevy of other Victoria's Secret Angels, and will also include red carpet interviews, model profiles and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the world's most celebrated fashion show.
The runway looks will include over-the-top lingerie embellished with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, iconic angel wings and the $2.5 million Fantasy Treasure Bra worn by Supermodel Miranda Kerr.
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson graces the Unplugged stage in “VH1 Unplugged: Kelly Clarkson,” debuting online at Unplugged.VH1.com Thursday, November 17 at 8PM ET / 7PM CT. The on-air premiere follows on VH1 Friday, November 18 at 11PM* and on Palladia, MTV Networks’ high-definition music channel on Saturday, November 19 at 9PM*. Kelly’s extremely personal set will include performances from her forthcoming album Stronger as well as other past favorites.
Since bursting onto the music scene 10 years ago, Kelly Clarkson has released 4 studio albums (Thankful, Breakaway, My December, All I Ever Wanted), sold over 20 million albums worldwide, 10 million albums in the US and has had 7 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. She is the recipient of 2 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 2 MTV Awards and 11 Billboard Awards. Clarkson’s last effort, 2009’s All I Ever Wanted debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and produced the smash singles “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Already Gone.”
Kelly joins Thirty Seconds to Mars, Mumford & Sons, Adele and Lykke Li in the 2011 roster of “Unplugged” artists. New episodes will continue to launch throughout the year at Unplugged.CMT.com, Unplugged.MTV.com, and/or Unplugged.VH1.com.
V.V. Brown stops by The Mix Studios to chat w Van McNeil about her forthcoming album, "Lollipops & Politics", how life is on the road and what's up with her mix tape, "The Underground"? Find out about that and lots more in the interview.
Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls joins Van McNeil for a chat about...kicking off their US tour at The Pabst Theater here in Milwaukee, when will a new Goo Goo Dolls record be available, and what "Milwaukee" thing(s) is he obsessed with. Find out all of that and lots more in this interview.
Txt 2 WIN!!!
Text keyword 'GOO' to '30543' to enter to win a pair of tickets see the Goo Goo Dolls | October 12th | Pabst Theater. Winner will be selected and notified Wednesday, October 12th at Noon. Good Luck!
In Novemeber of 2004, Tony Hale (Buster Bluth) called in to chat with Van McNeil about the second season of Arrested Development. In this interview Tony talks about the cast, what his plan were after the show and much more! ***Creator Mitch Hurwitz announced today that a mini-4th season of nine to ten episodes would air, leading up to a major motion picture. Dates on the return of Arrested Development episodes and the film have yet to be announced.
Our friend Bruno Mars will be featured on the new, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1." Soundtrack which is available starting November 8th.
Bruno Mars is featured with his song, "It Will Rain" which you can listen to below. Other artists on the soundtrack include, The Joy Formidable, Christina Perri and many others.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, is in theaters November 18th.
Co-creator of, "The Cleveland Show", Mike Henry joins Van McNeil for a chat about what fans can expect this third season, who will be guest starring and he even gives some Milwaukee love to Milwaukee Brewers 1st baseman Prince Fielder. All that and TONS more!
Wisconsin's very own Skylar Grey stops by The Mix Studios for a chat w Van McNeil. In this interview Skylar talks about her debut record, "Invinsible" (avail in Jan 2012.), how Marilyn Manson helped out with the name of the album, her time on Tosh.O and lots LOTS more!
Chris Daughtry joins Van McNeil for a chat about the band's new album due in stores November 21, a possible upcoming tour and what video game soundtrack will he be a part of? Find out in this interview.
Terra Nova | 7pm | FOX.
TERRA NOVA follows an ordinary family on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race. In the year 2149, the world is dying. The planet is overdeveloped and overcrowded, with the majority of plant and animal life extinct. The future of mankind is in jeopardy, and its only hope for survival is in the distant past.
2 Broke Girls | 7:30pm | CBS.
2 BROKE GIRLS is a comedy about two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner who strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business - if only they can raise the cash. Sassy, streetwise Max Black works two jobs just to get by, one of which is waiting tables during the night shift at the retro-hip Williamsburg Diner. Sophisticated Caroline Channing is an uptown trust fund princess who's having a run of bad luck that forces her to reluctantly give waitressing a shot.
The Sing-Off | 7pm | NBC.
The Sing-Off" features 16 of the country's best a cappella groups performing popular songs like you've never heard them before. There's no lip-synching, backup bands or safety net. They'll be singing for America's vote, with the winner walking away with the ultimate prize - a Sony Music recording contract and $100,000.
Dancing with the Stars | 7pm | ABC.
For 12 seasons, fans have flocked to Dancing With The Stars making it one of the hottest shows on TV. Season 13 is shaping up to be hotter than ever with a few new twists to go with all those tangos.
New this season is a feature called the “Ballroom Battle.†We’ve seen how well the pros dance and teach, but this season we’ll watch a couple trained by a pro go head-to-head with another pro’s couple. All in all, six couples will battle it out in this competition beginning in Week 5.
New Girl | 8pm | FOX.
NEW GIRL is a new single-camera comedy that features a young ensemble cast and takes a fresh and outrageous look at modern male/female relationships.
JESS DAY (Zooey Deschanel, "(500) Days of Summer") is an offbeat and adorable girl in her late 20s who, after a bad breakup, moves in with three single guys. Goofy, positive, vulnerable and honest to a fault, Jess has faith in people, even when she shouldn't. Although she's dorky and awkward, she's comfortable in her own skin. More prone to friendships with women, she's not used to hanging with the boys - especially at home.
Unforgettable | 9pm | CBS.
UNFORGETTABLE stars Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, an enigmatic former police detective with a rare condition that makes her memory so flawless that every place, every conversation, every moment of joy and every heartbreak is forever embedded in her mind. It's not just that she doesn't forget anything - she can't; except for one thing: the details that would help solve her sister's long-ago murder.
The Biggest Loser | 7pm | NBC.
The Biggest Loser kicks off Season 12 features two new trainers - Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince - joining Biggest Loser favorite Bob Harper and 15 contestants competing in a "Battle of the Ages" that will group contestants by age for the first time ever in the history of the show.
Last Man Standing | 7pm | ABC.
Tim Allen returns to ABC in Last Man Standing. Men may have built civilizations, invented the locomotive and created ESPN, but they're about to find out that it's not a man's world anymore. You can't get manlier than Mike Baxter. He's the marketing director for an iconic outdoor sporting goods store, he loves to have adventures while he's traveling for work and, of course, he drives a pick-up truck. While Mike is king of the hill at work, he's the odd man out in a home that is dominated by women -- namely his wife, Vanessa, and their three daughters, 22- year-old Kristin, 17-year-old Mandy and 14-year-old Eve.
The X Factor | 7pm | FOX.
In a departure from other singing competition series, the first time contestants audition for THE X FACTOR judges, Simon Cowell, Antonio "L.A." Reid, Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, they will do so in front of an audience of thousands - raising the stakes and increasing the pressure to impress not only the judges, but also a potential legion of fans. This will be the ultimate test to prove they have the vocal ability, charisma and stage presence that it takes to win an unprecedented $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
Survivor: South Pacific | 7pm | CBS.
SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC, hosted by Jeff Probst, features the return of Coach and Ozzy as well as 16 new castaways.
Up All Night | 7pm | NBC.
"Up All Night," is an irreverent look at modern parenthood.
Christina Applegate ("Samantha Who?") stars as Reagan Brinkley: loving wife, successful career woman, life of the party and, most recently, mom. Determined not to compromise her career or cool reputation to the cliches of motherhood, Reagan adjusts to life with a baby and returns to work with the support of her stay-at-home husband, Chris (Will Arnett, "Arrested Development"). As Reagan and Chris figure out their new life, self-doubt, sleep deprivation and the pressure of today's parenting protocols rattle their confidence. What's more, the endless needs of Reagan's boss, ambitious but vulnerable talk-show host Ava (Maya Rudolph, "Saturday Night Live," "Bridesmaids"), threaten to throw Reagan off balance.
Modern Family | 8pm | ABC.
After six Emmys and countless belly laughs, it's obvious we're not the only ones who fell in love with this hilarious Modern Family.
Meet the Dunphys. Phil is the enthusiastic, "tries too hard" husband/dad who loves his slightly-uptight (but in a good way) wife, Claire, and their three way different kids. Haley is your typical independent, eye-rolling teen. Younger sister Alex is wise beyond her years and little brother Luke, well, isn't.
Bones | 7pm | FOX.
BONES, a darkly amusing procedural entering its sixth season, is inspired by real-life forensic anthropologist and novelist Kathy Reichs.
DR. TEMPERANCE BRENNAN (Emily Deschanel) is a highly skilled forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, D.C., and writes novels on the side. When the standard methods of identifying a body are useless (when the remains are so badly decomposed, burned or destroyed), law enforcement calls on Brennan for her uncanny ability to read clues left behind in the victim's bones.
How To Be A Gentlemen | 7:30pm | CBS.
How To Be A Gentlemen, inspired by the book of the same name, is a comedy about the unlikely friendship between a traditional, refined writer and an unrefined personal trainer. Andrew Carlson (David Hornsby) is an etiquette columnist whose devotion to ideals from a more civilized time has lead to a life detached from modern society. Infectiously optimistic, Bert Lansing (Kevin Dillon) is a reformed "bad boy" from Andrew's past who inherited a fitness center, but can still be rude, loud and sloppy.
Whitney | 8:30pm | NBC.
NBC's new multi-camera comedy "Whitney" is a hilarious look at modern day love, which centers around Whitney (Whitney Cummings, "Chelsea Lately") and Alex (Chris D'Elia, "Glory Daze"), a happily unmarried couple. Together for three years, the duo is in no rush to get hitched, which seems to get a mixed response from their friends.
Charlie's Angels | 7pm | ABC.
Everyone deserves a second chance -- even a thief, a street racer and a cop who got in a little too deep. After all, the three women who solve cases for their elusive boss, Charlie Townsend, are no saints. They're angels... Charlie's Angels.
Set and filmed in Miami, this fun, glamorous, action-packed take on the 1970s smash hit series introduces us to three new angels, all fearless detectives, head-turning beauties and close friends.
Kitchen Nightmares | 7pm | FOX.
World-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay is back for a third course of the ultimate restaurant revival show where he steps out of his own five-star establishments and travels the country visiting some of the most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants in America. For many, Ramsay is their last chance to help turn around their businesses or else they'll be forced to close their doors forever.
A Gifted Man | 7pm | CBS.
When a well-known surgeon begins seeing his dead ex-wife he starts questioning the meaning of life and his place in the world. 'A Gifted Man' begins this Fall on CBS.
Grimm | 8pm | NBC.
"Grimm" is a new drama series inspired by the classic Grimm's Fairy Tales.Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, "Turn The Beat Around") discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as "Grimms," charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures of the world.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition | 7pm | ABC.
Keep a box of tissues handy for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition because…
A) The tears of joy WILL flow. B) You may need to plug your ears when Ty Pennington belts out his famed "Move that bus!!!!"
You’ll see dingy kitchens get completely tricked out, spa-inspired bathrooms built where icky ones once were, and olympic-sized swimming pools installed in what were once shabby overgrown yards. It's stuff we know you’d want at your own pad—and then some. And Ty and his crew do it from the ground up, adding five-star luxuries and the occasional theme park attraction.
The highly anticipated fourth installment of The Twilight Saga, directed by Academy Award® winner Bill Condon, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 reveals the mysteries of this romantic epic that has entranced millions.
In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage, honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child… which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).
With more of the romance, passion, intrigue and action that made Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse worldwide blockbusters, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, based on Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling book series, begins the conclusion of the tale of vampire love, boundless friendship, acceptance, and finding your true self.
The ladies ruled the kingdom at the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards,†broadcast live this evening from Nokia Theater L.A. Live, as Katy Perry and Adele each took home three VMA Moonmen and Lady Gaga two. Katy Perry won the biggest prize of the night, “Video of the Year,†with her pop anthem, “Fireworks,†as well as honors for “Best Collaboration†and “Best Special Effects†for “E.T.†featuring Kanye West. Adding to her reign atop the album charts, Adele won VMAs for “Best Art Direction,†“Best Cinematography,†and “Best Editing.†Genre and gender-defying Lady Gaga kicked off the night as her alter ego Joe Calderone with a show-stopping performance of “You and I,†and later walked away with two VMAs for “Best Female†and this year’s new category, “Best Video with a Message.â€Â
VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
BEST MALE VIDEO:
BEST FEMALE VIDEO:
BEST POP VIDEO:
BEST ROCK VIDEO:
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO:
BEST COLLABORATION:
BEST NEW ARTIST:
The most explosive moment of the night belonged to hip-hop heavyweights Kanye West and Jay-Z . The duo brought funk, flare and the fireworks to the VMA stage with the worldwide television debut performance of “Otis†from their global number one album, Watch The Throne. The kings of hip-hop playfully commandeered the VMA stage with their usual royal swagger through a steady bombastic beat of flames, smoke and pyrotechnics until the patriotic climax as they proudly stood in front of the red, white and blue of a gigantic American flag in a nod to the single’s cover.
Another high-octane performance came courtesy of Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo and Nayer, who transformed the VMAs into a giant dance party with this summer’s mega hit “Give Me Everything.†The hip-hop trio brought Miami heat to the stage with 60 dancers and a laser light spectacle that brought down the house.
The show took a soulful turn with an unforgettable VMA debut from a hauntingly beautiful Adele who performed the heart-breaking “Someone Like You†with only a piano by her side and the glow of a single spotlight. Introduced by Katy Perry, Adele left the audience breathless as she treated them to one of the most powerful voices of a generation and they responded with a standing ovation.
Chris Brown delivered a show stopper with his high-flying aerial journey through VMA history. It was a visual feast as he few from stage to stage while performing his smash dance hit “Yeah 3X†into Wu-tang Clan’s “Protect Ya Neck†into Nirvana with “Smells Like Teen Spirit†and, finally, “Beautiful People.â€Â
In the midst of performances from global superstar artists, the VMAs continued its legacy of introducing emerging talent. This year, the Awards show featured an explosive VMA debut from Young The Giant, who rocked and body surfed the audience with their hit “My Body,†alongside a throng of screaming fans.
The emotional highpoint and poignant moment of the evening was the tribute to the late British songstress Amy Winehouse by the legendary Tony Bennett with a surprise introduction by actor Russell Brand. Bennett unveiled footage of Winehouse’s final performance -- his recent recording session with her of their duet “Body and Soul†for his upcoming Duets II album. The tribute continued with Bruno Mars’s triumphant performance of Winehouse’s hit “Valerie.†With his soaring vocals, horn section harmonies, and smooth and syncopated choreography, Mars and his band’s performance was a joyous celebration of Winehouse’s life and music.
The girls from the “Jersey Shore†presented the “Best Female Video Award†to Lady Gaga and, in an intergenerational twist, was joined by Academy Award®-winning actress Cloris Leachman, who joked that the audience shouldn’t confuse her with Betty White.
Throughout the telecast British pop diva Jesse J commanded the House Artist stage as the VMA House Artist, keeping the crowd moving as she belted out her signature hits as well as a selection of other chart toppers.
Closing out the show, hip hop’s hottest MC and entrepreneurial Young Money Millionaire, Lil Wayne, closed with the seductive “How to Love,†before attacking the stage in full force as the band launched into a Black Sabbath riff and before ripping into “John†from his upcoming album, “The Carter IV,†to be released digitally at midnight tonight.
Presenters at the“2011 MTV Video Music Awards†included Katy Perry, Miley Cirus, Paul Rudd, Shaun White, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Zoe Saldana, Kevin Hart and Victoria Justice join Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas and Jared Leto.
I had a great time hanging and chatting w Colbie Caillat (and her new puppy Mahti) before her show at The Pabst Theater.
In this interview Colbie talks about her new record in stores and available for download called, "All Of You", she touches on a few new TV shows you can see her in this fall, how did she end up singing for the President Of The United States and lots, lots more!
Additionally, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Zoe Saldana, Kevin Hart and Victoria Justice join Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas, Jared Leto, and JB Smoove from HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm†as confirmed presenters. Jessie J was also announced as VMA house artist. The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards†will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT).
To celebrate the life and music of Amy Winehouse, the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards†will pay special tribute to the late British songstress with music legend, Tony Bennett. Winehouse and her hero, Bennett, recently recorded the duet, “Body and Soul,†for his upcoming Duets II album, out September 20th. Marking his first appearance on the VMA stage since 1993, Mr. Bennett, who won one Album of the Year, at the 1995 Grammy Awards for the CD “MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett,†will introduce the tribute, which includes unveiling footage from their recording session together. “Body and Soul†was Winehouse’s final session and took place this past March at Abbey Road Studios in London. The single and video will be released by Columbia Records September 14th, Amy’s Birthday, in support of the Amy Winehouse Foundation established by the late singer’s family to help a number of charities connected with children and young people.
“It was a thrill to record with Amy Winehouse and when you listen to the recording of “Body and Soul,†it is a testament to her artistic genius and her brilliance as one of the most honest musicians I have ever known,†said Mr. Bennett.
Winehouse, known for the depth and power of her soulful voice will be remembered by fans and peers for her awe inspiring talent and classic hits such as “Rehab,†“Back to Black,†“Me & Mr. Jones,†and “You Know I'm No Good.â€Â
Amy’s father, Mitch Winehouse said, “Our family is honored that the VMA’s are giving Amy this wonderful tribute. We know that Amy’s performance of Rehab at the MTV Movie Awards played an important part in Amy’s worldwide success.â€Â
2011 VMA performers include Lady Gaga, Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Pitbull and Young The Giant. Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas, Jared Leto, and JB Smoove from HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm are confirmed to present. Additionally, Jessie J was just announced as VMA house artist. The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards†will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT).
CHECK OUT THE NOMINEES for The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
Lady Gaga announced Friday that she is set to open the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards during "MTV First: Lady Gaga" to thousands of fans in Times Square as her Little Monsters revealed the news via a banner right in the center of New York City. She also introduced her new music video “Yoü and I†for its television premiere and responded to questions from fans on TV and online at mtv.com.
"I have a really big announcement," the New York native told MTV’s Sway, the same night her "Yoü and I" video made its television debut. "But I thought as usual, instead of me announcing it, I'd let the Little Monsters do it for me."
"It means the world to me," Gaga said of opening the 2011 VMAs. "I just feel really blessed every day. I have the most amazing fans."
Lady Gaga joins previously announced 2011 VMA performers including Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Young The Giant. The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards†will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 8pm CT | LIVE!
“You and I†is the fourth single to be released from Lady Gaga’s third studio album, Born This Way. In addition to performing, Lady Gaga is nominated for four Moonmen at the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards,†including Best Female Video (“Born This Wayâ€Â), Best Art Direction (“Judasâ€Â), Best Choreography (“Judasâ€Â) and Best Video with a Message (“Born This Wayâ€Â).
Eariler this year, I had the chance to work w Bruno Mars for a nationwide radio takeover hosted by Kiss Fm's Rahny Taylor.
Rahny handled the interview like a pro, while I was behind the camera and we both found out all about Bruno Mars music, videos, life and what he's all about. Very cool dude!
Now he's nominated for a boatload of MTV Video Music Awards and will be performing at the LIVE broadcast for L.A. on Sunday, August 28th 9/8c.
Get the stories behind the music, watch music videos and find out what his plans are for the future!
Bruno Mars Radio Takeover 1/3 - Bruno talks about the sturggles of breaking into the music biz and almost quitting. Plus, writing or performing? Which does he perfer?
Music Videos: B.O.B - Nutin' On You. Travie McCoy - Billionaire.
Bruno Mars Radio Takeover 2/3 - Bruno talks Cee Lo Green, Awards Shows and who was "Just The Way You Are" all about?
Music Videos: Cee Lo Green - Forget You. Bruno Mars f/ Cee Lo Green - The Other Side. Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are.
Bruno Mars Radio Takeover 3/3 - Bruno describes his "sound" and how the Lazy Song came to be. Plus he talks family, fashion, music and...is Bruno Mars SINGLE?
Music Videos: Bruno Mars - Grenade. Bruno Mars f/ Damian Marley - The Other Side.
MTV announced that Bruno Mars is set to take his talents to the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards†stage as the latest artist added to this year’s amazing lineup of VMA performers. With this performance and four VMA nominations including “Video of the Year,†the multi-talented singer, musician, songwriter and producer continues to add to an extraordinary year of achievements that include: his multi-platinum certified debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, co-writing, producing and performing on the smash-hits B.o.B’s “Nothin’ On You,†Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire†and Cee Lo Green’s “F***k You! (Forget You)†as well as his hit singles, “Just The Way You Are,†“Grenade†and “The Lazy Song.†Additionally, the first round of 2011 VMA presenters have been announced from the world of music and pop culture including: Jonah Hill from the upcoming film Moneyball, the Teflon Don aka The Boss Rick Ross, Seth Rogen from the movie 50/50, platinum recording artist and Emmy Award-winning actress Selena Gomez, Keeping Up With The Kardashians very own Kim Kardashian, and hip-hop’s most innovative alternative collective, Odd Future.
“We’re thrilled to have Bruno Mars bring his exceptional talent to the VMA stage,†said Amy Doyle, Executive Producer of the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards and EVP, Music & Talent, MTV. “He is one of the most exciting live performers today and with his artistic versatility, he will undoubtedly deliver a standout performance.â€Â
Bruno Mars joins previously announced 2011 VMA performers including Adele, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Young The Giant. The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards†will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT.
Viewers can vote for all general VMA categories by visiting vma.mtv.com online or m.mtv.com on their mobile phone through August 16th. In addition, Best New Artist text voting is open to all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 66333. Voting for this category continues through the show, live on August 28th. Verizon subscribers can vote on all categories via SMS by texting VMA to 66333 (standard message rates apply.)
Get to know Rock The Green artist Michelle Branch. I had the chance to chat w her backstage at Summerfest.
Michelle Branch is excited to return to Milwaukee to Rock The Green, September 18th at Veterans Park on the beautiful Milwaukee Lakefront.
What is Rock The Green? Rock the Green is the Midwest’s Premier Near-Zero Waste Music Festival. Our mission is to Entertain, Engage and Educate our audience year-round by combining a world-class concert with an interactive sustainability experience.
Rock the Green will entertain its audience by presenting a world-class concert showcasing a variety of nationally-renowned artists.
Rock the Green strives to put Milwaukee– and Wisconsin– on the map as a leader in sustainable initiatives. It will educate its audience by offering an interactive sustainability experiences and empowering guests with actionable steps to live a more environmentally balanced life.
In a statement, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony say, "We have decided to end our marriage. This was a very difficult decision. We have come to amicable conclusion on all matters. It is a painful time for all involved, and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time.".
Relationships are tough. In Hollywood, even more so. Whatever the reason may be for the split, I wish them both the best.
Donnie Wahlberg joins Van McNeil to chat about the NKOTBSB Tour, his role in the new Kevin James movie, 'Zookeeper', the new Jordan Knight song that features him, "Stingy"and lots more!
Tyrese Gibson joins Van McNeil to chat about Transformers Dark Of The Moon. Plus what happened on set w/ Shia Labeouf and what's next for Tyrese? Find out in this interview.
Van McNeil (Noon-4pm) has your tickets to The Mix Sneak Peek of Zookeeper starring Kevin James. Listen for you cue to call next week! (414.799.1099)
A group of zoo animals decide to break their code of silence in order to help their lovable zookeeper (Kevin James) find love -- without opting to leave his current job for something more illustrious. woman.
AMERICAN IDOL, television’s No. 1 show, begins its 11th nationwide search for the best undiscovered talent in the country in St. Louis, MO on Tuesday, June 28. The search for the next singing superstar continues in Portland, OR, on Saturday, July 2; San Diego, CA, on Friday, July 8; Pittsburgh, PA, on Friday, July 15; Charleston, SC, on Friday, July 22; Denver, CO, on Friday, July 29; and Houston, TX, on Friday, Aug. 26.
AMERICAN IDOL auditions will be held as follows:
Cities | Dates | Venues
St. Louis, MO | Tuesday, June 28 | Scottrade Center
Portland, OR | Saturday, July 2 | Rose Garden
San Diego, CA | Friday, July 8 | Petco Park
Pittsburgh, PA | Friday, July 15 | Heinz Field
Charleston, SC | Friday, July 22 | North Charleston Coliseum
Denver, CO | Friday, July 29 | INVESCO Field at Mile High
Houston, TX | Friday, Aug. 26 | Reliant Park
Here is St. Louis AMERICAN IDOL Audition Information
WHO: Men and women 15-28 years old as of June 26, 2011, who are eligible to work in the U.S. Some restrictions apply – please visit americanidol.com for specific information.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 28
WHERE: Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103
HOW: Wristbands will be distributed from approximately 7:00 AM on Sunday, June 26, until approximately 8:00 AM on Tuesday, June 28. Auditioners will not be permitted to camp out. Once auditioners obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to Scottrade Center by 5:00 AM on Tuesday, June 28.
Audition information, including forms and requirements, will be available online at americanidol.com
Based on an incredible real-life experience, the film is a funny, touching story of friendship and survival starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard and Anjelica Huston. Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is an average guy in his mid-20s when he’s diagnosed with a rare form of terminal cancer. His family and friends – from girl-crazy best buddy Kyle (Seth Rogen), to insecure girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard) and overbearing but loving mom (Anjelica Huston) – attempt to help him through this process in the best way they know how…with some bizarre and funny results. Counseled by a young, supportive psychiatrist (Anna Kendrick) through the months that follow, with his best friend Kyle a constant presence, Adam learns to embrace what is important. Equally humorous and poignant, the film is a dramedy about a second chance at a new beginning.
50/50 stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anna Kendrick ans is in theaters this September. Find out more at http://www.50-50themovie.com
Yabba dabba doo! FOX has picked up THE FLINTSTONES, a 21st century version of the classic animated comedy from executive producer Seth MacFarlane. In a cross-studio collaboration, THE FLINTSTONES will be produced jointly by 20th Century Fox Television and Warner Bros. Television. Warner Bros. is home to THE FLINTSTONES via its ownership of the Hanna-Barbera collection of animated titles. Dan Palladino (“Gilmore Girlsâ€Â) and Kara Vallow (FAMILY GUY) will also serve as executive producers. THE FLINTSTONES will begin production in fall 2011 and will be set in stone on the FOX schedule in 2013.
“The very first cartoon character I drew at age two was Fred Flintstone,†said MacFarlane. “So it’s appropriate that events have come full circle, allowing me to produce the newest incarnation of this great franchise. Plus, I think America is finally ready for an animated sitcom about a fat, stupid guy with a wife who’s too good for him.â€Â
“The Flintstones are among the funniest and most beloved characters in television history, and we can’t wait to introduce them to a whole new generation on FOX,†said Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “FOX has long been home to iconic families like the Simpsons and the Griffins, so I have no doubt that the Flintstones and the Rubbles are going to fit right in on our air.â€Â
The (pre)historic return of THE FLINTSTONES will feature MacFarlane’s modern-day take on the lives of the Flintstones and the Rubbles, two hard-working middle-class families living with contemporary conveniences in the dinosaur-era town of Bedrock. The series centers on hard-headed patriarch FRED FLINTSTONE and best friend and sidekick BARNEY RUBBLE. Fred’s Stone-Age clan includes wife WILMA, daughter PEBBLES and pet dinosaur DINO, while Barney’s brood consists of wife BETTY and son BAMM-BAMM.
MacFarlane’s lineup of animated series continues to dominate Sunday nights. Everyone’s favorite families from Quahog, Langley Falls and Stoolbend will be back for more laughs as FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD and THE CLEVELAND SHOW were recently renewed for a 10th, seventh and fourth seasons, respectively.
Alexis Bledel joins Van McNeil to chat about her new film, "The Conspirator", which is currently in theaters. In this interview Alexis talks about...what you can expect in the movie, her most recent airport incident, what she did after Gilmore Girls and lots more!
We love them as hoodie-rocking, librarian-sweater-wearing, pom-pom-toting teenagers. So much so that it's hard to picture the Glee girls in anything remotely high fashion. But unlike, say, the ladies of Mad Men — whom fans often prefer in costume than in couture — when Glee stars go glam, their on-air personas are all but forgotten. For the Marie Claire cover shoot, the MC fashion team culled together racks of red-carpet-ready gowns from the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Roland Mouret, and Calvin Klein. Sophisticated, so-hot-for-spring lace separates towed the line between young innocent and dangerous liaison. Topping it all off: '70s-inspired accessories—particularly pleasing to vintage fan Dianna Agron. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, the message was loud and clear: "We're not Gleeks, we just play them on TV."
Listen to Van all week at about 3:30pm for your chance to win, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1" on BluRay Combo Pack.
Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality and destruction – the Horcruxes. On their own and on the run, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever…but Dark Forces in their midst threaten to tear them apart. Meanwhile the wizarding world has become a dangerous place. The long-feared war has begun and the Dark Lord has seized control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting all who might oppose him. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort…alive.
David Kim is the CEO of Baja Fresh, the country's leading chain in fast casual Mexican dining.
He chats with Van about his Undercover Boss experience, reveals the company's coveted Salsa recipe and lots more! CLICK ON THE PLAYER or CLICK HERE TO LISTEN:
Baja Fresh has been around for over 20 years. It currently has 400 restaurants operating in 29 states. Per David, Baja Fresh doesn't have freezers -- none of their products are frozen. They use fresh ingredients and everything is made fresh everyday. http://www.cbs.com/undercoverboss
Baja Fresh CEO David Kim Reveals the Company's Coveted Salsa Recipe for the First Time!
David Kim, CEO of Baja Fresh, travels to the front lines of his national restaurant chain during this week's episode of UNDERCOVER BOSS, Sunday, April 10 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) and, among many other tasks, attempts to make the brand's popular tomatillo salsa verde.
Though the recipe is generally made in multiple gallon batches several times daily at Baja Fresh's 255 restaurants, the company's executive chef, Francisco Castellanos, has pared down the recipe to a more manageable serving size for those who may wish to nosh on it at home while watching the episode.
Instructions: Pull the husks from the tomatillos and wash the tomatillos under cool running water until they no longer feel sticky. Cut the tomatillos into quarters and place in a blender or a food processor (fitted with the metal blade).
Roughly chop the jalapeno and poblano chili and add to the tomatillos.
Add the remaining ingredients (lime juice, cilantro, salt, sugar and water).
Process to a coarse puree, and then scrape into a serving dish – and serve with your favorite tortilla chips (or on top of chicken or steak tacos). Always stir salsa prior to serving .
***If making ahead of time store it in a container with a lid and place it in refrigerator. The salsa keeps in the refrigerator for 1 day only.
Wisconsin's very own Kurtwood Smith chats with Van about...the new CBS show he is a part of Chaos, what he did the last time he was in Milwaukee, will there be a "That 70's Show" reunion and lots, lots more!
Officials at Wisconsin State Fair today announced two more exciting shows for the 160th celebration of the 2011 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U. S. Cellular. The Potawatomi Bingo Casino Main Stage lineup will offer Fairgoers even more diversity this year, including classic rock, contemporary country, comedy, old-school hip-hop and more. The 2011 Fair will take place Thursday, August 4 through Sunday, August 14 at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis.
NEW in 2011, all tickets purchased for shows at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Main Stage will INCLUDE FAIR ADMISSION. All of the following shows go on sale Friday, March 25 at 10 am online at WiStateFair.com. The box office will NOT be open, but tickets ordered online can be printed at home or mailed for a minimal fee. All seating is reserved.
A country artist whose career is on fire, Blake Shelton, will bring his six-pack style to the Fair on Wednesday, August 10. Jerrod Niemann will open the show at 7:30pm. Tickets will be available for $45, $35, and $25.
It wouldn’t be the Fair without a wild night of hair bands, and this year is no different. At 7:00pm on Thursday, August 11, legions of 80s hair band fans can prepare to rock with Whitesnake. Whitesnake is slated to release their latest album, Forevermore, on March 25 in the U.S. Skid Row and L.A. Guns will complete the bill. Tickets will be available for $40, $30 and $20.
An opening act for the previously announced Big Time Rush show has also been confirmed. Greyson Chance, the 13-year-old whose fame spawned from a YouTube video of him performing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi,†landing him a recording deal with Ellen DeGeneres’ label eleveneleven Records, will open the show for Big Time Rush on Saturday, August 6 at 7pm. Tickets for the concert are already on sale and are available for $40, $30, and $20.
Don’t forget…NEW in 2011, all ticket prices above INCLUDE FAIR ADMISSION, and all of the above shows go on sale this Friday, March 25 at 10am. At this time tickets can only be purchased online at WiStateFair.com. Tickets can be printed at home or mailed.
The 160th Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, will take place Thursday, August 4 through Sunday, August 14, 2011. The Wisconsin State Fair offers an original experience to all that attend and is a phenomenal value with 30 FREE entertainment stages, thousands of animals, endless family activities, events, contests, vendors and culinary delights. For the most up-to-date information, please visit WiStateFair.com
So You Think You Can Dance Host Cat Deeley chats w Van about the final weekend of auditions in L.A. and what the judges are looking for. Plus she gives advice on what Van should wear for his dance competition and lots more.
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE has been traveling across the U.S. in search of the best and most talented dancers in the country. Hopefuls have one more opportunity to show the judges they have what it takes to be America’s Favorite Dancer as auditions make the final stop in Los Angeles, CA, on Saturday, March 12.
In this interview Kevin Pollak chats about...
-Hosting Million Dollar Money Drop on FOX & the controversy around the show,
-His upcoming movies w Steve Martin & Kevin Smith,
-His fascination w Larry King and more!
CLICK ON THE PLAYER TO LISTEN
MILLION DOLLAR MONEY DROP: Actor/comedian Kevin Pollak hosts the ultimate high-stakes game show that gives contestants $1 million cash as soon as they start playing, and all they have to do to hold on to it is correctly answer seven multiple-choice questions. MILLION DOLLAR MONEY DROP SEASON FINALE TONIGHT 9/8c on FOX.
Meet the newest characters and check out the trailer below!
Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2†when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.ÂÂ
Click on thumbnail to enlarge and get description.
Current GRAMMY® Award nominees Arcade Fire, Eminem, Cee Lo Green, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert and Katy Perry are the first performers announced for "THE 53rd ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®" broadcasting live from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011 (7:00-10:30 PM, CT) on the CBS Television Network. Arcade Fire and Miranda Lambert will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Eminem, Cee Lo Green, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are returning to the GRAMMY stage. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced at a later date.
Eleven-time GRAMMY winner Eminem leads with 10 nominations:
Record of the Year (with Rihanna);
Song of the Year (with Alexander Grant and Skylar Grey);
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Rihanna);
Best Rap Song (with Alexander Grant and Skylar Grey)
Best Short Form Music Video (with Rihanna) for "Love the Way You Lie";
Album of the Year and Best Rap Album for Recovery;
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Airplanes, Part II" (with B.o.B & Hayley Williams); and
Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song (with M. Burnett, J. Evans, Luis Resto & M. Samuels) for "Not Afraid."
Two-time GRAMMY winner Cee Lo Green and Katy Perry are up for four awards each: Green with Record of the Year, Song Of The Year, Best Urban/Alternative Performance and Best Short Form Music Video for "F*** You;" Perry with Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Teenage Dream, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Teenage Dream," and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "California Gurls" (with Snoop Dogg).
Arcade Fire and Miranda Lambert each have three nominations: Arcade Fire with Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album for The Suburbs, and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Ready To Start"; Lambert with Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "The House That Built Me," Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "Bad Angel" (with Dierks Bentley and Jamey Johnson), and Best Country Album for Revolution.
The Green Hornet is in theaters this weekend! How is it? I can't tell you but my friend Justin can! Click to listen.
Britt Reid (Rogen) is the son of LA’s most prominent and respected media magnate and perfectly happy to maintain a directionless existence on the party scene – until his father (Wilkinson) mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire. Striking an unlikely friendship with one of his father’s more industrious and inventive employees, Kato (Chou), they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. To get close to the criminals, they come up with the perfect cover: they’ll pose as criminals themselves. Protecting the law by breaking it, Britt becomes the vigilante The Green Hornet as he and Kato hit the streets. Using all his ingenuity and skill, Kato builds the ultimate in advanced retro weaponry, Black Beauty, an indestructible car equal parts firepower and horsepower. Rolling in a mobile fortress on wheels and striking the bad guys with Kato’s clever gadgets, The Green Hornet and Kato quickly start making a name for themselves, and with the help of Britt’s new secretary, Lenore Case (Diaz), they begin hunting down the man who controls LA’s gritty underworld: Benjamin Chudnofsky (Waltz). But Chudnofsky has plans of his own: to swat down The Green Hornet once and for all.
PAULA ABDUL AND THE "LIVE TO DANCE" EXPERTS SELECT 17 OF THE 18 DANCE ACTS WHO WILL COMPETE IN THE UPCOMING LIVE SEMI-FINAL SHOWS
Fans Will Vote for the 18th and Final Act, Which Will Be Announced on Jan. 12
"Live to Dance’s" experts selected 17 of the 18 dance acts who will compete for the $500,000 prize on the new reality-competition series. The identity of the 18th cast member, who will be selected by fans through voting, will be announced during next week’s episode airing on Wednesday, Jan. 12 (8/7c) on the CBS Television Network.
Starting Wednesday, Jan. 12, the first six dance acts will compete against each other LIVE on CBS in the first semi-final episode with two acts advancing—one chosen by the experts and one chosen by fans. After a total of three semi-final episodes, the six dance acts that have advanced will compete against one another in one final round. Following the final performances, fans will vote for the winner of LIVE TO DANCE, which will be announced LIVE during the season finale, on Wednesday, Feb. 9 (8/7c).
Live To Dance expert Travis Payne chats w/ Van about the show, his passion for dance and the late great Michael Jackson.
MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it’s your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,†“S.O.S.,†“Super Trouper,†“Take A Chance on Me†and “The Winner Takes It All,†with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fourteenth, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at MAMMA MIA!
I had the chance to chat w Chloe Tucker, she plays Sophie Sheridan in the touring production of Mamma Mia at the Marcus Center For The Performing Arts thru this Sunday, Jan 9th.
New Directions performs Britney Spears’ most iconic and memorable songs, including “Toxic,†“…Baby One More Time†and “Me Against The Music,†and the pop princess herself makes a special cameo appearance on an all-new, sure-to-be-fan-favorite episode of GLEE airing Tuesday, Sept. 28 7:00c 8:00e 9:00p on FOX.
“Working on GLEE was an amazing experience,†said Spears. “The cast is so talented, and I really had an incredible time working with Ryan Murphy.â€Â
In the “Britney/Brittany†episode, MR. SCHUESTER (Matthew Morrison) insists that the glee club perform adult contemporary music at the school assembly, but the kids have other plans. As New Directions mounts its campaign to perform Britney Spears’ greatest hits, they learn that their own BRITTANY (Heather Morris) has a connection to the famous performer. Meanwhile, Will meets EMMA’s (Jayma Mays) new love interest, DR. CARL (John Stamos), who sparks a rivalry between the two men as they vie for her attention.
This is the best time of year for me, the kids are back in school, the leaves are turning and another season of The Simpsons is about to hit the airwaves this Sunday night @ 8/7c on FOX.
I am honored to again this year, bring you an exclusive sneak peek at the 22nd season along with Executive Producer of The Simpsons, Al Jean!
In this interview:
-Who guest stars on Season 22?
-Behind the scenes w/ Flight Of The Concords & Cory Monteith from Glee.
-A look back to Season 3.
-How long did this season premiere epsiode take to finish from the idea to completion.
-3 clips from the premiere episode.
-The Simpsons and Family Guy unite?
All of that and lots more!
FRIDAY NIGHTS: NEW! School Pride - 8.7c on NBC.
School Pride is a proactive, alternative series that tells the stories of communities coming together to renovate their aging and broken public schools. While transforming the school, the community also restores its sense of value and school pride.
The cameras follow students, teachers and parents as they roll up their sleeves and rebuild their own schools, concluding with the unveiling of a brand new, completely transformed school.
NEW! Outlaw - 10/9c on NBC.
Few jobs are guaranteed for a lifetime, and a Supreme Court appointment is a position that no one ever quits - unless he is Cyrus Garza (Smits). A playboy and a gambler, Justice Garza always adhered to a strict interpretation of the law until he realized the system he believed in was flawed. Now, he's quit the bench and returned to private practice.
Using his inside knowledge of the justice system, Garza and his team will travel across the country taking on today's biggest and most controversial legal cases.
Outsourced - 9:30/8:30c on NBC
Outsourced is set in a Mumbai, India, call center, where an American novelties company has recently outsourced its order processing. A lone American manages the call center and must explain American popular culture to his employees as he comes to understand Indian culture.
$#*! My Dad Says - 8:30/7:30c on CBS.
Based on the popular twitter feed, Ed (William Shatner) is a very opinionated 72-year-old who has been divorced three times. His two adult sons, Henry and Vince, are accustomed to his unsolicited and often politically incorrect rants. When Henry, a struggling writer and blogger, can no longer afford his rent, he is forced to move back in with Ed, which creates new issues in their tricky father-son relationship.
Bones - 8/7c on FOX.
Bones returns for a 6th season on FOX. The show is based on forensic anthropology and archaeology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) to the forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel).
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: Survivor: Nicaragua - 8/7c on CBS
Survivor: Nicaragua is the twenty-first season of the CBS competitive reality show.This season, the 20 contestants will be divided up into two tribes based on their ages. The Espada tribe will feature contestants over the age of 40, and the La Flor tribe will include contestants aged 30 years and younger.
Law & Order: Los Angeles - 9/8c on NBC.
From Dick Wolf, comes a foray into the glitz, glamour and guilt of Los Angeles. From the tony Beverly Hills to the seedy side of Hollywood, LAPD's elite Robbery Homicide Division is on the case. Fusing classic ripped-from-the-headlines storytelling with the backdrop of LA, the series delves into the high-profile crimes of the West Coast.
Hell's Kitchen - 9/8c on FOX.
Sixteen new aspiring restaurateurs step up to the plate on the 8th season of HELL’S KITCHEN. These culinary contenders will brave not only the heat, but also the sharp tongue of superstar chef Gordon Ramsay as they compete to win a life-changing prize.
As the chefs are winnowed down, only those who catch Ramsay’s eye will get to advance to the next round. Hoping for the coveted black chef jacket, the chefs will compete against one another, striving to survive another week. Eventually two finalists will compete head-to-head to impress Ramsay and one lucky chef will walk away with a head chef position at LA Market at the JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE and the opportunity to be the official spokesperson for Rosemount Estate Wines.
TUESDAY NIGHTS: GLEE - 8/7c on FOX
Entering its second season, GLEE is a biting musical comedy that has quickly become a pop-culture phenomenon. The highest-rated new scripted series of the season boasts critical acclaim, a loyal fan base of “GLEEks,†two certified Gold albums, more than 10 million song downloads and an incredible 19 Emmy nominations – earning it the distinction of being the most-nominated series of the year. To top it off, the genre-defying, award-winning series has been picked up through its third season.
GLEE follows a group of eager and ambitious students as they strive to outshine their singing competition to win Nationals while navigating the cruel halls of McKinley High. Although New Directions lost at Regionals, they now have their sights set on making it to Nationals and defeating their arch rivals, Vocal Adrenaline.
The Biggest Loser - 8/7c on NBC
This 10th season has adopted a theme, called Paying It Forward, which means that the trainers won't only motivate contestants, but whole communities. 21 are selected to compete on the ranch, while others will be brought back during the season, which could lead to a pool of contestants bigger than 21. The trainers traveled to seven cities.
NEW! Running Wilde - 9:30/8:30c on FOX.
RUNNING WILDE is the new romantic comedy series centering on a spoiled, filthy rich playboy who desperately tries to win the heart of his humanitarian childhood sweetheart by helping raise her 12-year-old daughter. The series stars Will Arnett, Keri Russell, Stefania Owen, Peter Serafinowicz, Robert Michael Morris and Mel Rodriguez.
You've got tons of TV coming your way as the fall season gets ready to pop on Monday. I'm here to help you through it w sneak peeks, behind the scenes footage and more! Let's begin, shall we? :)
MONDAY NIGHTS: How I Met Your Mother - 8/7c on CBS.
Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan return for it's 6th season on CBS.
Executive producer Carter Bays said the season will be more like the first two seasons in terms of storytelling and would feature more "game-changing" elements to the plot, starting with the first episode, "Big Day." It has been confirmed that Rachel Bilson will return as Cindy.
House - 8/7c - on FOX.
House is critically acclaimed and has high viewership ratings. It was among the top-ten rated shows in the United States.
The show has received several awards, including a People's Choice Award, a Peabody Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and four Primetime Emmy Awards. House's seventh season is scheduled to premiere Monday, September 20, 2010.
NEW! Hawaii Five-O - 10/9c on CBS.
The idea to bring Hawaii Five-O back to television had been in the works well before the 2010 version was announced. The first attempt was a one-hour pilot for a new series that was made in 1996 but never aired, although a few clips were found years later and are available online.
Hawaii Five-0 will use the original show's theme song as composed by Morton Stevens. Critics received an early copy of the pilot with a rock guitar-based version of the theme. Kurtzman said he and others realized that changing the music was a mistake, and arranged for musicians, including several who had recorded the original, to rerecord the theme "exactly as it was." Original score will be composed by Brian Tyler and Keith Power.
NEW! Lonestar - 10/9c on FOX
Robert Allen (James Wolk) is a Texas con-man who leads a secret double life. As "Bob," he is married to Cat and living in Houston while working for his oil-tycoon father-in-law. Four hundred miles away, he is "Robert" in a second life with girlfriend Lindsey. As he schemes to take control of the oil business and finds himself torn between the love of two women, he must fight to keep his web of lies from falling apart.
NEW! The Event - 9/8c on NBC
The Event follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter), a man who, while investigating the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend, ends up unraveling the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.
In celebration of AMERICAN IDOL’s 10th anniversary season, the No. 1 show on television is offering aspiring singers an additional opportunity to have their voices heard. 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America and FOX have partnered with MySpace to revolutionize the show’s audition process. Beginning today through October 6, hopefuls between the ages of 15 and 28 (as of July 15, 2010) will have the opportunity to submit an audition video exclusively on MySpace at www.myspace.com/americanidol.
Entrants should demonstrate their stellar singing ability by performing one of the songs from the approved list a cappella. Videos are limited to 40 seconds in length, and are limited to one submission per person. Auditions will be judged in a similar fashion to the live audition cities and a select number will advance to the next round of callbacks in Los Angeles. Visit www.myspace.com/americanidol for more information, the song list and the full terms and conditions of the video submission process. Fans will be able to share the videos across various networks and watch highlights in a special gallery on the MySpace page.
An extraordinary line-up of actors, musicians, athletes and journalists have banded together for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), the groundbreaking initiative aimed at raising funds to accelerate innovative cancer research bringing new therapies to patients quickly that will saves lives now.
Stand Up To Cancer returns to primetime TV September 10, 2010, at 8PM EST & PST / 7PM CT.
The one-hour fundraising event will be simulcast live and commercial-free on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Bio, Discovery Health, E!, G4, HBO, HBO Latino, MLB Network, mun2, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, The Style Network, TV One, and VH1.
Cat Deeley of FOX’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE will host the pre-show promotion to kick off the evening as the celebrity phone bank opens at 7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PM PST.
A 30-minute online “after hours†extended play featuring jams with musical guests...
Fitz and the Tantrums, Orianthi, Natasha Bedingfield and Heart will conclude the night’s events.
The pre-show and extended play will be featured on numerous online portals and destination sites (which will all also stream the one-hour special online) including: ABC, ABC News, AOL, Bing, CBS, CBS News, Crackle, Discovery Health, E! Online, FOX, G4, Hulu, Livestream, MLB Network, MSN, mun2, NBC, Style Network, TV Guide, TV One, Ustream, VEVO, VH1, Wonderwall.MSN.com, omg.yahoo.com and YouTube.
PARTICIPANTS CONFIRMED TO DATE FOR THE SEPTEMBER 10TH BROADCAST INCLUDE: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Derek Fisher, Seth MacFarlane, Diane Sawyer, Tatyana Ali, Delta Goodrem, Martina McBride, The Simpsons, Dave Annable, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Mandy Moore, Dave Stewart, Christina Applegate, Michael C. Hall, Aaron Neville, Eric Stonestreet, Lance Armstrong, Alyson Hannigan, Apolo Anton Ohno, Marcia Strassman, Natasha Bedingfield, Tony Hawk, Sharon Osbourne, Alison Sweeney, David Boreanaz, Jon Heder, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Maura Tierney, Abigail Breslin, Marg Helgenberger, Jim Parsons, Gabrielle Union, Chiquis, Terrence Howard, Aubrey Plaza, Sofia Vassilieva, Katie Couric, Ken Jeong, Dr. Ana Maria Polo, Sofia Vergara, Cindy Crawford, Rashida Jones ,Queen Latifah, Brian Williams, Fran Drescher, Minka Kelly, Yarel Ramos, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Elizabeth Edwards, Laura Linney, Naya Rivera, Reese Witherspoon, Donald Faison, Zachary Levi, Robin Roberts, Stevie Wonder, Sally Field, Ray Liotta, Seth Rogen, Ethan Zohn.
The broadcast is dedicated to the 12 million U.S. cancer survivors, illustrating how groundbreaking research can change the tide in the fight against the disease. Updates will be provided on the work of the five Stand Up To Cancer Dream Teams, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, will report on other new medical developments.
SU2C’s star-studded television special builds continuing public support and donations for cutting-edge cancer research that translates at a rapid pace from the laboratory to treatments and technologies benefitting patients. One-hundred percent of all donations received from the public will go directly to cancer research. Viewers will have the ability to donate via a dedicated phone line, the web, or through text.
I had a chance to chat w/ some of the Top 10 American Idols at Summerfest. Milwaukee, WI was the second stop in a three month long tour. Siobhan Magnus shares the stories behind her tattoos. Andrew Garcia reveals his plans for after the tour, Katie Stevens gushes over the Green Bay Packers, Michael Lynche & winner Lee Dewyze get into an arguement mid-interview. All in all, a great time was had by everyone. Plus, if you plan on auditioning for Season 10, they all have really good advice on how to handle the monster that is American Idol. Enjoy the interviews!
In Eclipse, Bella (Stewart) once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward (Pattinson) and her friendship with Jacob (Lautner) -- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.
Kristen Stewart: On how Bella's different in this film.
Robert Pattinson: On Edward in the film.
Taylor Lautner: On Bella and Jacob's relationship in Eclipse.
There was an unexpected surprise at the 2010 Summerfest Opening Ceremony, Thursday at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse.
As President and CEO Don Smiley was at the podium speaking to the crowd, out came Windell Middlebrooks, the Miller High-Life delivery guy from the TV commericals. He had a hand truck full of Miller High Life, which was passed out to the crowd for a Summerfest toast.
Thanks for the free beer Windell.
What a way to kick off the 43rd edition of Summerfest!
Take a look at the Opening Ceremony below!
For complete Summerfest coverage, including how to get in FREE...Click here.
Hard to beleive it's been one year since the passing of Michael Jackson.
Do you remember where you were when you heard the news?
I was covering Opening Ceremoines at Summerfest listening to officals at the podium when my phone started buzzing. It was a text message about the death of Michael.
Though I never had the chance to interview Michael, I did interview those who worked closely with him.
Like...
Orianthi - She was slated to be the guitarist for Michael Jackson on the, "This Is It" Tour.
Ken Ehrlich - He was the Executive Producer of the 52nd Grammy Awards and had talked to Michael about perfroming on the show. Instead a 3D Tribute was produced for the telecast.
Like I said I was covering Opening Ceremonies at Summerfest when I heard the news. Who better to get reaction from than the artists themselves. Gavin DeGraw, Pat Monahan from Train and others shared their thought about the late Michael Jackson.
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us what Michael Jackson songs you'd like to hear on Friday, June 25th, 2010.
Before AMERICAN IDOL, Lee DeWyze worked as a paint store clerk in Mt. Prospect, IL. Kris Allen was a college student from Conway, AR. David Cook tended bar in Blue Springs, MO. Chris Daughtry was a service advisor at a car dealership in Greensboro, NC. Carrie Underwood lived on a farm in Checotah, OK. Jennifer Hudson was a cruise ship performer from Chicago, IL. Kelly Clarkson was a waitress from Dallas, TX. One audition changed the rest of their lives.
Once again, aspiring singers will have the incredible opportunity to audition in cities across the country to become the next AMERICAN IDOL as the No. 1 show on television begins auditions for its milestone 10th season on Saturday, July 17 in Nashville, TN. The search for the next singing superstar will continue in Milwaukee, WI, on Wednesday, July 21; New Orleans, LA, on Monday, July 26; East Rutherford, NJ, on Tuesday, Aug. 3; Austin, TX, on Wednesday, Aug. 11; and San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Aug. 19.
In celebration of the momentous 10th anniversary and in an effort to continue to find the best undiscovered talent in the nation, AMERICAN IDOL is expanding the eligibility age range for the first time ever to include hopefuls from 15 to 28 years old. (The previous minimum age requirement was 16.)
“A lot of young, talented people are now seeking careers and representation before they turn 16,†said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, executive producer of AMERICAN IDOL. “Lowering the age limit allows us to tap into this talent pool.â€Â
Audition information, including forms and requirements can be found at www.americanidol.com
Actor Dennis Hopper, whose five decades in film were highlighted by his starring and directing in "Easy Rider," has died at his home in Venice after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 74.
He died last night at his home surrounded by family and friends, according to a family friend.
According to RadarOnline.com Different Strokes actor Gary Coleman has passed away. Coleman was in a coma and put on life support after suffering intracranial hemorrhage.
He was pulled off life support early Friday morning.
Robin Hood chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard's (Huston) army against the French. Upon Richard's death, Robin (Crowe) travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion (Blanchett), a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marion and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.
RUSSELL CROWE (ROBIN HOOD) On what audiences will like about the film.
On learning to shoot a bow and arrow for the film.
CATE BLANCHETT (LADY MARION) On the relevance of the Robin Hood story.
WILLIAM HURT (WILLIAM MARSHALL) On Robin Hood.
RIDLEY SCOTT (DIRECTOR) On the popularity of the Robin Hood tale.
Grammy Award Winners OneRepublic perform, "All The Right Moves" for Jay Leno on March 31st, 2010.
Watch the performance then click on the screen to get an exclusive preview of their album, "Waking Up."
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is based on the series of books by Jeff Kinney, chronicles the adventures of wise-cracking middle school student Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone’s life: middle school.
Starring, Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris and Zachary Gordon.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid is rated PG.ÂÂ
Steve Zahn on why the Wimpy Kid books are popular:
In The Bounty Hunter (PG-13), Milo Boyd (Butler), a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, gets his dream job when he is assigned to track down his bail-jumping ex-wife, reporter Nicole Hurly (Aniston). He thinks all that’s ahead is an easy payday, but when Nicole gives him the slip so she can chase a lead on a murder cover-up, Milo realizes that nothing ever goes simply with him and Nicole. The exes continually one-up each other – until they find themselves on the run for their lives. They thought their promise to love, honor and obey was tough – staying alive is going to be a whole lot tougher.
Jennifer Aniston on the relationship between Milo and Nicole:
There has been alot of talk about Michael Jackson this week.
First, this Sundays telecast of the 52nd Grammy Awards on CBS will include a special tribute to the King of Pop featuring a portion that will be broadcast in 3-D. I had a nice chat w Grammy Executive Producer Ken Erhlich about the ceremony.
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Second, the release of, "This Is It" on DVD. If you haven't seen it yet and you're a fan of music, that is your homework for the weekend!
I had the opportunity to chill with Orianthi, who is featured in, "This Is It". She was supposed to shred on the guit box alongside Michael on tour. Instead she has released her own album, "Believe" and is talking about her experience with Michael.
Third, June 25th 2009. Where were you when you heard the news about Michael? I was covering opening ceremonies at Summerfest, the world's largest music festival and caught up with some headliners to see what they had to say about Michael's career.
 Lastly, when I went on my trip to Los Angeles in late 2009 I ran into Michael Jackson impersonator Jovan Rameau. He told me was was working on a documentary about being Michael Jackson impersonator. I haven't heard anything yet. We'll see!
How To Help Tornado Victims
The tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, as well the twisters as Kansas and Texas, have killed dozens and left thousands homeless. Officials expect the death toll to rise.
Relief efforts are underway. Right now, the best way to help the victims is a donation to major relief organizations.
Here is a list of organizations that are accepting donations:
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Click HERE to donate online. You can also text REDCROSS to 909999 to immediately donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Fund.
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief: The Oklahoma Baptist Convention says says donations will "go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters." For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website by clicking HERE.
You can send checks to:
BGCO
Attn: Disaster Relief
3800 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK. 73112.
Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is deploying mobile kitchens that can serve to 2,500 people a day. Click HERE to donate via their website. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation from your mobile phone.
You can also donate to the Salvation Army via check: Put the words "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" on the check, and mail to:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK. 73157.
Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
Feeding America - Feeding America says it utilize its 200 foodbanks to deliver food and supplies. Click HERE for their website.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Text the word FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
How To Help Tornado Victims
The tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, as well the twisters as Kansas and Texas, have killed dozens and left thousands homeless. Officials expect the death toll to rise.
Relief efforts are underway. Right now, the best way to help the victims is a donation to major relief organizations.
Here is a list of organizations that are accepting donations:
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Click HERE to donate online. You can also text REDCROSS to 909999 to immediately donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Fund.
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief: The Oklahoma Baptist Convention says says donations will "go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters." For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website by clicking HERE.
You can send checks to:
BGCO
Attn: Disaster Relief
3800 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK. 73112.
Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is deploying mobile kitchens that can serve to 2,500 people a day. Click HERE to donate via their website. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation from your mobile phone.
You can also donate to the Salvation Army via check: Put the words "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" on the check, and mail to:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK. 73157.
Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
Feeding America - Feeding America says it utilize its 200 foodbanks to deliver food and supplies. Click HERE for their website.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Text the word FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Grow Your Own Pickles & Celebrate National Pickle Week
Celebrate National Pickle Week by growing a few of your own cucumbers for pickling.
All you need are a few seeds, a sunny location and a bit of garden space or a large container. Train these large vining plants up a fence, trellis or decorative obelisk to save space.
Consider planting National Pickling Cucumber Seeds developed by the National Pickle Packers Association and Michigan Agriculture Experiment station. These were bred for their versatility and perfect pickle shape. You'll be harvesting cucumbers in about 52 days after planting.
Or save some space with Bush pickle. This cucumber forms a 3 to 4 foot wide mound and produces an abundance of 4-inch fruit. It's a perfect size for containers. And save even more space and grow straighter fruit by training these smaller plants up a cage or trellis. Cucumbers are ready to pick in about 45 days.
A bit more information: Cucumbers are generally ready to harvest in 45 to 60 days after planting. This makes them a great option for mid and late season plantings. Just calculate the number of frost-free days left in the growing season to see how late you can plant. And further extend the season by using floating row covers like ReeMay, Harvest Guard, and Frost Covers to protect plants from frosty weather.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Celebrate Clean Air Month – Grow Some Air-Purifying Houseplants
Celebrate National Clean Air Month by growing a few houseplants to improve your indoor air quality.
NASA teamed up with PLANET (Professional Landcare Network, formerly ALCA) and found adding 15 to 18, 6 to 8 inch diameter container houseplants will improve the air quality in an 1800 square foot house. Keeping them healthy will increase their beauty and ability to cleanse the air.
Consider adding a bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii). Use this large houseplant to create a warm welcome for guests, dress up a blank wall or mix in with other houseplants for an impressive indoor garden.
This palm is an understory plant in Central America. It is hardy in zones 10 to 11 and adapted to the lower light conditions indoors. Grow it in a brightly lit location and keep the soil slightly moist.
Cut off fronds as they die, leaving the leafy stem covering intact. Once it is fully dried, remove to expose the attractive stems.
A bit more information: Start new plants by division. Remove suckers and offshoots that form at the base of the plant. Slide the bamboo palm out of its pot. Use a sharp knife or drywall saw to separate the offshoots from the main plant. Repot the parent plant and offshoots in a container slightly larger than the remaining root ball.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
We get your letters...
What an amazing weekend!
First of all, a very big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Grafton and Mukwonago and waited in line amid cold, windy and rainy conditions for those Wisconsin Dells Season Opener Cards.
For me, it is a chance to meet / hang out with YOU the listener and give you goodies!
Second, got this letter from our 99.1 The Mix Contact Us forum, from the Dawson family of Port Washington and was truly surprised that my "simple gesture" warranted the following...
Question: Your Name:
Answer: Michelle
Question: Your City:
Answer: Port Washington
Comments:
Yesterday I took my parents to Grafton to wait for season opener cards. It was quite a cold morning. We arrived at 10 because in the past there have been huge lines. My mother is recovering from a recent open-heart surgery. She is a very petite older woman.
Van McNeil was interacting with people people in line and I asked him if it would be possible for my mom to going to the bank to warm up. He unexpectedly took my mom's hand and escorted her into the building. He was so kind to her and gave her a hug. He made sure she was warm and dry and took very good care of her.
My mom and dad are thrilled to be going to the Dells. Unknown to Van my dad just got out of The hospital last Friday after 4 1/2 weeks of being in. It's been a very rough couple of months for my parents and their health. My mother was just beaming about how nice Van was.
I wanted to thank you for the season opener cards which will allow my parents and my family to enjoy a vacation in Wisconsin this summer, and send a special thank you to Van for being so wonderful to my parents.
You're welcome and THANK YOU Michelle!
Just doing what I do because that's how my mama raised me!
Enjoy the Dells!
-Van
#everylistenermatters
Perennial Garden Renovations
Give your tired perennial garden a boost without a total renovation. Topdressing your garden with compost every year or two provides most if not all the nutrients your perennials need.
Pull back the mulch if needed. Then spread an inch of compost over the soil surface. You can buy a quality compost or make your own.
Leave the compost on the surface or lightly mix it into the soil. The earthworms, ground beetles, and other organisms will take it from there – moving the compost into the soil and around the plant roots where it is needed.
Or, do a bit of vertical mulching. Use an auger bit on your cordless drill. Simply drill holes into the soil between plants. Then fill the holes with compost. This gets the compost closer to the plant roots and soil organisms that will help mix it into and improve the soil.
Soil preparation and repair will help transform your garden.
A bit more information: Apply a plant strengthener such as JAZ spray to increase plant vigor and their natural ability to tolerate environmental stresses, insect attacks, and disease problems. These natural products aren't fertilizers or pesticides. They can be applied to established plants at the beginning of the season to boost their ability to deal with stress or as soon as problems arise.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Growing Banana Plants Indoors or Out
Add a bit of the tropics indoors or out with a banana plant.
The large leaves are great for screening views and creating a bit of privacy on a balcony, patio or in the yard. Add a wicker planter or chair and you have your own tropical get-away.
The fiber banana (Musa basjoo) is hardy in zones 5 to 11. It grows in full sun. It will die back to the ground and benefit from winter mulch in northern areas of its hardiness zone.
Less hardy and smaller, the blood banana (Musa acuminata 'Zebrina'), has large leaves with red markings on 6 to 8 foot plants. It's only hardy in zones 10 to 11, but can be overwintered as a houseplant or allowed to go dormant in other areas.
Combine these tropical beauties with palms, ginger and bird-of-paradise. Or add some hardy tropical look-alikes such as Japanese forest grass, large leaf hostas and trumpet vines.
A bit more information: Push the limits of your growing region with special wintering techniques developed by Dr. David Francko, author of Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas. And for those in warmer regions check out Creating the Tropical Look.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Preserving the Asparagus Harvest
Preserve the flavor and nutrition of asparagus to enjoy year round.
This flavorful vegetable is low in calories and high in Vitamins A and C as well as fiber. Unfortunately, it is most readily available and at the best price in the spring.
Insure the best flavor with proper harvesting. Select young tender spears 8 to 10 inches tall. Wash, remove the ends, and then cut to fit the freezer bag or container.
Blanch the asparagus before freezing to lock in flavor, color and texture. Dip the asparagus into boiling water. You'll need a large pan with a lid. Blanch small spears for 2 minutes, medium spears for 3 minutes and large spears for 4 minutes.
Remove and immediately set the blanched spears in ice water for 5 minutes to cool. Drain and freeze.
And, if you don't have an asparagus patch, you may want to consider planting one this year.
A bit more information: May is National Asparagus Month. For tips on planting and harvesting asparagus listen to my audio tip. And check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation website for helpful tips and guidelines for preserving your harvest.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida)
Add a little color and flavor to your garden and salads with Mexican tarragon.
This subtle beauty is really a type of marigold, but the leaves and flowers have a tarragon fragrance and flavor.
Wait until after the danger of frost has passed to plant this zone 8 to 10 hardy plant. Grow it in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils. It is somewhat drought tolerant. Northern gardeners can treat it like an annual and those in the northern range of its hardiness zone may see it die back to the ground in a hard freeze. But don't worry its root hardy.
The yellow flowers appear in late summer and persist through fall. The 14 to 20 inch tall plants make a nice addition to herb gardens and flowerbeds.
Harvest the new growth to use fresh. Preserve the flavor by freezing the leaves or storing in vinegar. They tend to lose their flavor when dried.
A bit more information: You can find this plant listed under several common names including Mexican tarragon, Texas tarragon, pericon, and sweet mace. No matter the common name you can use the leaves and blossoms in soups, sauces and chicken dishes as well as salads. Some gardeners even seep it for tea. Visit Bonnie Plants for more information and gardeners ideas for growing and using this plant in the garden.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Year of the Watermelon
Year of the Watermelon
The National Garden Bureau has declared 2013 the Year of the Watermelon. Be part of the celebration and consider planting watermelon in this year's garden.
Don't let the sweet flavor deceive you – these are nutritious as well as delicious. High in Vitamin C, low in fat and calories - it is a great way to boost your energy. Plus, all parts are edible.
You can pickle the rind, eat the fleshy portion fresh or roast or grind the seeds for flavoring. In china they stir fry watermelon while the Russians often pickle it before eating. You may want to try some new ways of enjoying this tasty summer treat.
Grow watermelon in full sun and well-drained soils. Save space by growing these plants on a trellis or decorative obelisk. Just secure the heavy fruit to the support with a cloth or macramé sling. Or plant a few seeds in a container and let the vines wander over your balcony or trellis.
A bit more information: Try planting one of the large picnic-type watermelons that can weigh 15 to 50 pounds. These are sure to get everyone in the family excited about growing and eating this, the largest edible fruit in the United States. Or perhaps you want to try one of the icebox melons that is much smaller at 5 to 15 pounds and easier to squeeze into the fridge. And don't forget about those with unique colored rinds and flesh and of course those that lack seeds.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Clematis Stem Wilt
Clematis Stem Wilt
Your clematis looks beautiful until suddenly the stems and leaves start turning black. Though it looks bad your clematis will survive.
The fungus that causes this disease enters your plant through wounds and cracks in the stem near ground level. Fortunately new growth arising below this point will be disease free.
Reduce future problems by pruning out and destroying infested stems. Disinfect tools between cuts to reduce the risk of spreading this disease.
As new growth emerges from the soil carefully secure it to the support to reduce the risk of cracking and damage. Eliminating the entryways for the fungus will reduce the risk of disease.
In the future consider planting the crown of the clematis below the soil surface. This allows the plant to produce new shoots below the point of infection.
Try growing small flowered clematis that tend to resist this disease. Alpina, macropetala and the viticella types are a few to consider.
A bit more information: For a disease to occur you must have the causal organism (fungus, bacteria, virus) present, disease-promoting weather and susceptible plants. Remove one of these factors and you eliminate the disease. Keep this in mind when managing clematis stem wilt and other plant diseases in your garden.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
I'm a fan, are you?
Who doesn't LOVE a good Roller Coaster? Am I right?! I've been so very lucky to been have rasied in the Midwest, a stones throw away from Six Flags Great America, where I practicaly spent my summers as kid with my best bud Edgar!
Mom and dad would drop us off at open and pick us up at close. 10a-10p. Don't think I could handle that now. Heck, I could barley make it on one run of Batman The Ride Backwards!
Yes, that's right, for a limited time this season, (BTW... I tried to find out when from officials, they wouldn't budge, so get there soon!) Batman The Ride will be running BACKWARDS!!
MOBILE USERS: Click here to WATCH Van rides Batman: The Ride Backwards!
www.SixFlags.com
My Lucky Brewers Socks
I've been wearing these sock to the last few games I have attended at Miller Park and the crew always wins when I have them on. Do you think my socks lucky?
Matt Nathanson AND Plain White T's coming to Festa!
YES! That headline is correct...Matt Nathanson AND the Plain White T's will be performing at Festa Italiana, Saturday night, July 20th and I have the honor of being your ON STAGE HOST!!
I'm super stoked and looking forward to hanging with Platinum-selling singer-song writer Matt Nathanson, and Grammy-nominated Chicago-bred Plain White T's again!
Check out the videos from both groups last visit to The Mix Studios:
WATCH Matt Nathanson Interview and Performance.
WATCH Plain White T's Interview and Performance.
Watch for and Prevent Borers on Trees and Shrubs
Extreme heat and cold, droughts and floods can leave our plants stressed and more susceptible to damaging borers.
These insects are the immature stage of moths and beetles that feed under the bark and inside the stems of plants. Their feeding weakens and in some cases kills the plant.
Many borers are opportunists, attacking already stressed trees. We can't control the weather but we can help reduce stress on our plants. Start by growing plants suited to the climate and growing conditions in your landscape.
Mulch the area under and around the base of trees and shrubs. Organic mulches like wood chips keep the roots cool and moist and reduce competition from grass and weeds.
Be sure to water new plantings thoroughly and as needed the first few years. And do the same for established trees and shrubs during extended drought. This will keep them healthy and help ward off borers.
A bit more information: Incorporate trees and shrubs into perennial planting beds. You will create an attractive garden and better environment for the plants. Plus, planting beds as well as mulching will reduce the need for hand trimming and will keep weed whips and mowers away from the trunks of the trees. And don't pile soil or mulch over the stems of shrubs and the trunks of trees. These practices create entryways for pests and encourage disease problems.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Lawn Revival
If sparse, bare spots or lots of weeds describe your lawn, it is time for a little lawn revival.
Start by evaluating the current state of your lawn. If more than 60% is bare or filled with weeds, it is time to start over. Look at this as an opportunity to properly prepare the soil, select a more drought tolerant lawn or convert it into a no mow or low maintenance lawn or planting bed.
Overseed thin sparse lawns. Core aerate first or use a slit seeder to insure good seed-to-soil contact. For small bare spots use a lawn patch kit or make your own. Mix a handful of quality grass seed into a bucket of topsoil. Remove any dead grass and roughen the soil surface. Then sprinkle the commercial or homemade lawn patch over the prepared bare spot.
Keep the soil moist until the grass seed begins to grow.
A bit more information: Larger areas will benefit from the addition of organic matter into the top 6 inches of soil before sowing the grass seed or laying sod. Keep the soil moist until the sod has rooted into the soil below and the grass seed begins to grow. Consider overseeding the lawn to help create a more uniform appearance in the lawn. For more information, click here.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter, producer and multi-platinum selling artist Bruno Mars will sit down for an exclusive interview and to premiere his new music video “It Will Rain,” the first single from THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 soundtrack that features a never-before-seen clip from the film, on MTV on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:54pm ET / 6:54pm CT during “MTV First: Bruno Mars.”
Over the last few years, David Cook’s life has been punctuated by extraordinary highs and devastating lows. In short order, the 28-year-old singer, songwriter, and musician won the seventh season of America’s most popular television show, American Idol, rewrote chart history with a record-breaking 14 debuts on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart, released his self-titled major-label debut album in November 2008, watched it debut at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart, spawn two Top 20 singles (the platinum “Light On” and “Come Back To Me”), and sell more than a million copies, reaching platinum status.
Amy Lee from Evanescence calls in to chat w Van McNeil about their NEW self titled album which just debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album Charts, what fans can expect in concert and lots, LOTS more!
Grammy Award-winning artist Cee Lo Green will join the star-studded musical line-up on THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW, airing Tuesday, Nov. 29 (10:00PM, ET/ 9:00pm CT) on the CBS. Cee Lo Green joins previously announced artists Kanye West and Maroon 5.
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson graces the Unplugged stage in “VH1 Unplugged: Kelly Clarkson,” debuting online at Unplugged.VH1.com Thursday, November 17 at 8PM ET / 7PM CT. The on-air premiere follows on VH1 Friday, November 18 at 11PM* and on Palladia, MTV Networks’ high-definition music channel on Saturday, November 19 at 9PM*. Kelly’s extremely personal set will include performances from her forthcoming album Stronger as well as other past favorites.
V.V. Brown stops by The Mix Studios to chat w Van McNeil about her forthcoming album, "Lollipops & Politics", how life is on the road and what's up with her mix tape, "The Underground"? Find out about that and lots more in the interview.
Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls joins Van McNeil for a chat about...kicking off their US tour at The Pabst Theater here in Milwaukee, when will a new Goo Goo Dolls record be available, and what "Milwaukee" thing(s) is he obsessed with. Find out all of that and lots more in this interview.
In Novemeber of 2004, Tony Hale (Buster Bluth) called in to chat with Van McNeil about the second season of Arrested Development. In this interview Tony talks about the cast, what his plan were after the show and much more! ***Creator Mitch Hurwitz announced today that a mini-4th season of nine to ten episodes would air, leading up to a major motion picture. Dates on the return of Arrested Development episodes and the film have yet to be announced.
Our friend Bruno Mars will be featured on the new, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1." Soundtrack which is available starting November 8th.
The ladies ruled the kingdom at the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards,†broadcast live this evening from Nokia Theater L.A. Live, as Katy Perry and Adele each took home three VMA Moonmen and Lady Gaga two. Katy Perry won the biggest prize of the night, “Video of the Year,†with her pop anthem, “Fireworks,†as well as honors for “Best Collaboration†and “Best Special Effects†for “E.T.†featuring Kanye West. Adding to her reign atop the album charts, Adele won VMAs for “Best Art Direction,†“Best Cinematography,†and “Best Editing.†Genre and gender-defying Lady Gaga kicked off the night as her alter ego Joe Calderone with a show-stopping performance of “You and I,†and later walked away with two VMAs for “Best Female†and this year’s new category, “Best Video with a Message.â€Â
I had a great time hanging and chatting w Colbie Caillat (and her new puppy Mahti) before her show at The Pabst Theater.
Get to know Rock The Green artist Michelle Branch. I had the chance to chat w her backstage at Summerfest.
May 3rd, 2011...I had the honor of taking over the nation w 
We get you into the best new movie FIRST!
Van McNeil (Noon-4pm) has your tickets to The Mix Sneak Peek of Zookeeper starring Kevin James. Listen for you cue to call next week! (414.799.1099)
Based on an incredible real-life experience, the film is a funny, touching story of friendship and survival starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard and Anjelica Huston. Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is an average guy in his mid-20s when he’s diagnosed with a rare form of terminal cancer. His family and friends – from girl-crazy best buddy Kyle (Seth Rogen), to insecure girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard) and overbearing but loving mom (Anjelica Huston) – attempt to help him through this process in the best way they know how…with some bizarre and funny results. Counseled by a young, supportive psychiatrist (Anna Kendrick) through the months that follow, with his best friend Kyle a constant presence, Adam learns to embrace what is important. Equally humorous and poignant, the film is a dramedy about a second chance at a new beginning.
Elle Fanning chats w Van McNeil about 'Super 8' in theaters this weekend.
99.1 The Mix gets you into the best new movie FIRST!
Alexis Bledel joins Van McNeil to chat about her new film, "The Conspirator", which is currently in theaters. In this interview Alexis talks about...what you can expect in the movie, her most recent airport incident, what she did after Gilmore Girls and lots more!
Listen to Van all week at about 3:30pm for your chance to win, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1" on BluRay Combo Pack.
Wisconsin's very own Kurtwood Smith chats with Van about...the new CBS show he is a part of Chaos, what he did the last time he was in Milwaukee, will there be a "That 70's Show" reunion and lots, lots more!
Green Bay Packers Linebacker & Super Bowl Champion Clay Matthews has some fun w Jimmy Kimmel the other night on his show...or did he?
Cars 2 is in theaters June 24th.
The Green Hornet is in theaters this weekend! How is it? I can't tell you but my friend Justin can! Click to listen.
This is the best time of year for me, the kids are back in school, the leaves are turning and another season of The Simpsons is about to hit the airwaves this Sunday night @ 8/7c on FOX.
An extraordinary line-up of actors, musicians, athletes and journalists have banded together for 
In Eclipse, Bella (Stewart) once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward (Pattinson) and her friendship with Jacob (Lautner) -- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.
Kristen Stewart: On how Bella's different in this film.
There was an unexpected surprise at the 2010 Summerfest Opening Ceremony, Thursday at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse.
Robin Hood chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard's (Huston) army against the French. Upon Richard's death, Robin (Crowe) travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion (Blanchett), a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marion and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is based on the series of books by Jeff Kinney, chronicles the adventures of wise-cracking middle school student Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone’s life: middle school.
