For anyone at all interested in music, pop culture or celebrity, it's impossible not to be well acquainted with Amy Winehouse. Her high points catapulted her to the top of her craft: She won five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year, sold more than 3 million 'Back to Black' albums and brought soul music back on the map.
And then there have been her low points, equally as extreme. Her very public and very excessive drug abuse, on camera racist rants, domestic abuse between her and jailed husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, near naked public appearances showing an emaciated body a covered in scabs, scratches and bruises... and the list goes on.
Most recently her father has come out with news that the troubled pop star has emphysema from smoking cigarettes and crack... and she's only 24. And pictures (above) from her show at the Glatsonbury Music Festival, just yesterday, tell the story of all the tabloids. While performing she spit her gum at the crowd, yelled at them and then jumped into the pit for a scuffle with a fan.
So what's the story with Winehouse? Claire Hoffman wrote a telling piece for Rolling Stone after spending the night at her North London pad, which shows a sad, lonely, deeply troubled Winehouse missing her husband, openly discussing her drug abuse and agonizing over her looks while remaining rather uninterested in discussing her music.
Is it me or does the little robot in the new Pixar movie "Wall-E" remind you of the robot from "Short Circuit?" I remember back in the 80s when I first saw "Short Circuit," I really thought robots would take over the world. Humph! So much for that!
Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenburg starred in this action/comedy/adventure. As you know, the 80s was full of sequels, so "Short Circuit 2" came along and there was a TV series. Talk about milking it for all it's worth!
Check out these old movie trailers for "Short Circuit" and one for "Wall-E."
Classic rock concerts, modern rock concerts, hip-hop concerts, Dave Matthews concerts and country concerts.
One of the best shows I've been to? Toby Keith.
And I feel like my opinion is vilified with the recent news that Keith's country genre brethren Tim McGraw took matters into his own hands at a recent show.
McGraw pulled a man out of the crowd after he says he saw the man assault a woman. Once the man was on stage, security stepped in, but the video shows McGraw was ready to trade blows.
Best part about it? Classic song, and personal favorite, "Indian Outlaw" is playing in the background and McGraw steps back up to the mic after the altercation to the line "I ain't lookin' for trouble."
Just when you thought the debasement of American pop culture had reached its lowest point, along comes this little nugget from Pet Rock office neighbor Bean Dennehy.
"I don't know if you guys are interested, but TMZ just moved something about Mini-Me having a sex tape."
Uh, um, er, hell yeah we're interested!
Brace yourselves, America, you might die (or at least a little part of your soul will) once you click on this photo and go to TMZ.
Last night's BET Awards showcased some of the best performers in the industry. I must say, it was a pretty good show! (See photos)
Nelly came out and wowed the crowd with a new song; EnVogue, my favorite girl group of all time, reunited and sang with super songstress Alicia Keys; and there was a tribute to the legendary Al Green.
I almost lost my mind when Kanye West invited Lil Wayne on stage and thanked him for saving hip hop. "Congratulations on selling over a million records. And they say hip hop is dead." What gives? Kanye is a talented force to be reckoned with, but he must've forgotten to take his meds when he said that.
Of course, there were the losers ... Lil Mama lost the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist to Missy, and then Lil Mama had the nerve to say she should have won! Is she out of her mind too? I mean, "Lipgloss" is catchy and so are the others, but there's no way she could go up against Missy and win.
Am I wrong? Did Lil Mama get robbed at the BET awards? Watch Lil Mama explain why she should've been awarded the honor.
No one is really sure where I pulled this one out of, or more importantly, how. But seeing how school ends for all the kiddies this week, the song title fits.
So enjoy a little "School Days" from The Runaways, circa the late 1970s. And yes, that is indeed Joan Jett on lead vocals and Lita Ford banging away on the guitar. Do a little research and maybe even downloading and you'll learn that The Runaways were a very talented and influential band. It paved the way for Jett to start the Blackhearts, sell records out of her car in Long Beach and force the police to close down the streets outside the Malibu Beach Club when they played there once.
Quite a number of folks balked/vehemently objected when Jay-Z was not mentioned in All-Time Rap MCs installment of Top 5 Thursday.
That's all well and good, and nothing will change my opinion on his noninclusion on that list. However, I give props when props are due and Jay-Z's verse on the Amy Winehouse "Rehab" remix is outstanding. Granted, it's a year old but it's getting nice play on New York radio the past few weeks and something caught my ear this time around.
Jay-Z flows nice on the track, aided in part by the hot beat that is "Rehab," highlighted by this lyric that had me doing some equations on my props calculator:
"Six pairs of kicks is my definition of 12 steps."
Hot lyric, Hova. Dare I say, it may be his best work since his first big hit "Ain't No *****."
Here's the track below, with Jay-Z's verse coming in at the 2:13 mark.
Standup comedian and satirist George Carlin died of heart trouble on Sunday. He was 71. He was known for his routine "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television," which led to a key Supreme Court ruling on obscenity. George Carlin also appeared in several HBO comedy specials.
Share your favorite George Carlin moments in Newsday's guest book and view photos of George Carlin throughout his career.
Michelle Obama's recent TV appearance on ABC's gabfest "The View" apparently struck a chord with many viewers, and not just because of her friendly fist-bumps and sparkling conversation. Women want that dress!
Michelle, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, wore a flirty black-and-white dress that showed off her sophisticated White House style on the show. And men noticed it too. Fellow blogger and officemate Adam Abramson said Michelle was "looking radiant as ever!"
So, where can you snag that dress? The black-and-white leaf print dress is available at a store fittingly called White House/Black Market and costs $148. They operate 322 boutiques and 19 outlets nationwide, but don't even dare try walking into a store to get one.
The dress has been flying off the racks ever since Michelle's TV appearance. Your best bet is to try buying it online (check eBay too) while supplies last: www.whitehouseblackmarket.com or Click here to get the dress!
Designer Donna Ricco, who has a showroom at 530 Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, originally created the dress and is selling it on her Web site for only $99, but it's currently sold out. She's working like crazy to get 3,000 more of the "Obama dresses" made by September, according to reports.
YouTube Friday: Tom Cruise zaps Oprah and other zany moments
OK, I have to admit, I just can't get enough of Tom Cruise. It's like looking at a two-headed chicken or an eight-legged baby, I just can't stop myself from watching! He's so freaky!
Ever since the couch-jumping incident on Oprah, I've enjoyed watching Tom's wacky behavior, proselytizing for the Church of Scientology, and tense tangles with the media ("You're glib, Matt!")
Recently, Tom has tried to better control his public image by launching an official Web site to celebrate his 25 years in the industry -- www.tomcruise.com -- but you won't see any of his hilarious antics. Can anyone say borrriiiiing!
Here's a couple of my favorite zany Tom Cruise moments/parodies for your enjoyment.
Happy Friday!
Tom Cruise zaps Oprah with his maniacal force:
Tom Cruise's insane birthday bash:
Jerry O'Connell impersonates Tom Cruise:
Tom Cruise gives Matt Lauer a tongue-lashing on the "Today" show:
Vinny Vella, known for his New York wise-guy persona in TV and movies (and four spots on "The Sopranos"), won $5 million in a New York lottery scratch-off.
Vinny Vella, known for his New York wise-guy persona in TV and movies (and four spots on "The Sopranos"), didn't win $5 million in a New York lottery scratch-off.
Huh?
He claims there are two 7s on the $500,000,000 Extravaganza ticket. The New York State lottery says it's a 17.
Watch this TMZ video as Vinny Vella tries to explain why he should be $5 million richer today. Thanks to Writer friend Steven for the link. Double thanks to Writer friend Steven for quoting Henry Hill quoting Paulie in "Goodfellas." The "[Bleep] you, pay me" is indeed the first thing that comes to mind after watching the video.
Flavor Flav met the Big Swede on "The Surreal Life," spun it into his own multiple-season reality show and then his own sitcom.
Peter Brady, oops, Christopher Knight, met his wife on "The Surreal Life" and turned that into another two shows. The wife, Adrienne Curry, turned it into a show and two spreads in Playboy.
Wee Man (pictured in NBC photo) kicked himself in the head repeatedly and let Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O have their way with him and now he's walking tightropes on "Celebrity Circus" on NBC.
Yes, indeed, it pays to be a celebrity these days, be that a marginal or major famous face. Not that it never paid off in the past. But ever since reality and celebreality became everyday television programming, B-listers and below are scoring some pretty cool experiences.
It used to be that us journalists had the best perks in town at family and friend gatherings, from standing on the field at Yankee Stadium to being on the red carpet for movie premieres to being backstage at Fashion Week. Now we can all get access to the hip and hot via people who have a few seconds left on their 15 minutes of fame.
And good for us and them. Take a look at some of the things celebs get to do now so long as there's a camera nearby and the chance to be eliminated or to eliminate someone from something:
• Live in a house with a bunch of other former famous people and act as if you're in college again.
• Free access to "date" a dozen or so hot-bodied chicks in the quest for "love."
• Milk cows
• Jump through hoops (literally)
• Lose weight without paying for physical trainer
• Be able to write off the cost of rehab on next year's tax return
• Capitalize on people's endless need to stare at the train wreck your life has become by getting paid to document your career's jump-start.
Just to name a few. Next time you see a promo for a new celebreality show, don't just moan and groan at its inception. Just accept it for now -- you can still moan and groan, though -- and realize we get to live in an age when after-thought celebs will do anything for our amusement and their bank accounts.
Seriously, someone please dust off the mom from "Silver Spoons." Any idea what the twins from "Double Trouble" are up to? Or Nicole Eggert? I smell a new reality series here. Maybe something about when mothers become mother-in-laws. Oh, this could be big.
Last Friday, I got caught up in a big Color Me Badd session on YouTube. OK, so, yeah, I still own their CD and I know all the words. And yeah, DJ Reptile put me on blast at a recent wedding when DJ White Castle played "I Wanna Sex You Up," but, whatever.
After watching the 1992 AMA medley performance from CMB, there it was teasing me in the Related Videos box on YouTube: "Shanice - I Love Your Smile 1991 PV."
I heard it screaming "Click me! Click me! Click me!" So I did. And I hit replay about five times. Sure, I have problems but this is the type of bomb that Old School Tuesday thrives on, so enjoy the 1991 throwback. (I think they used to play this when DJ Reptile worked at Chess King.)
Have you ever heard of Dschinghis Khan? Neither have I. But thanks to a Twitter post (thanks Jeff) I was prompted to check out what was the 'best video ever.'
So I did. I'm not sure if it is the best video ever, but it is pretty awesome. Dschinghis Khan is a German disco band formed in 1979 to a competition. The good news is that they are currently on tour with other Mongolian acts.
As the only legally documented father of the Pet Rock crew (sorry Adam), I wanted to share this commercial from Hallmark. I would have preferred '2 Legit 2 Quit' but that might only be funny to me.
Lil' Wayne dropped his new album "Tha Carter III" this week and it set off some alarms in the Pet Rock office. Adam "Weezie" Abramson professed his adoration for the rapper and all things dirty dirty.
While I acknowledge the effect the Dirty South has had on the rap game, I feel it's my job to educate the junior Pet Rocker and all those out there who believe Weezie is the best rapper of all time.
He's not even close. That's not a dig at him at all, so don't misunderstand. He's got skills (I still recite his verse on "Bling Bling" when need be -- usually once a week), but the five seminal voices of rap came when rocking the bling was called flossing and when there were only old R&B and soul albums to sample from.
In what I believe to be the most entertaining conversation among those raised in the hip -hop generations, I will proudly list my top 5 rap MCs of all time. What the heck, it is Top 5 Thursday anyway, so it makes even more sense.
I stand firmly behind all five, in the order listed, but fully respect everyone's opinion on the matter. Comment instructions are below the list, as are my honorable mentions and a video playlist. Understand that on Top 5 Thursday, we only have room for five (hence the name, so don't overreact to those missing. Rather, make your case in the comments. This is not about who made the biggest-selling songs or the best club-bangers. This isn't voting for the all-star game. This is voting for the Hall of Fame.
5) Guru
Do we begin with "Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is, I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis?" Or should we start with "Don't wanna play the field because I got lovin' at home base?" Or maybe "Furthermore, I implore, that as a soldier of war, I go in only to win, and be the holder of more . . . trophies and titles and triumphs." Backed by DJ Premier, the greatest beat creator ever, Guru was authoritative on the mic and owns a somewhat raspy voice that no one can come close to replicating. Perhaps not the biggest name in terms of mass appeal, true rap heads take it personal when Guru gets slighted by so many.
4) Tupac
Joke all you want about how he put out more albums after his death almost 12 years ago than while he was alive: Tupac controlled the microphone as good as anyone on this list. He was controversial, but I believe that was more of a state of the times in the early 1990s and the public's backlash toward gangsta rap. Tupac had more range in his raps than he gets credit for. In the Biggie vs. Tupac battle -- musically speaking, that is -- Tupac wins.
3) KRS-One
The teacher. The philosopher. The rapper. The freestyler. KRS-One had the bravado and the presence to back it up. On Funkmaster Flex's 1995 CD "60 Minutes of Funk, Vol. I," KRS-One closed it out with a freestyle.
He proclaimed:
"I bet they'll mention me
In the next century
'KRS-One innovator in early rap poetry'
Simultaneously, you will be forgotten
In the year 2000, 'Criminal Minded' will still be rockin'."
Well, in the year 2008 and every year afterward, "Criminal Minded" will still be rockin'. The song was released in 1987.
2) Chuck D
Arguably the most powerful voice to ever rock the mic, Chuck D can still shake the foundation. Not many rappers can produce socially conscious music and classic hits in the same song. Chuck D could. Every time I hear him on "Welcome to the Terrordome," "Fight the Power," "You're Gonna Get Yours" and "Brothers Gonna Work It Out," I wish I had seen Public Enemy in concert during its heyday.
1) Rakim
Anyone who argues against Rakim as the greatest microphone fiend of all-time should be forced to have his or her jaw wired for 12 years. Need proof? "Paid in Full" is one freakin' verse, and it's a gold standard for rap music.
Need more proof? OK, here goes:
• "It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you with a dope beat to step to."
• "Thought I was a donut, you tried to glaze me."
• "Thinkin' of a master plan, there ain't nothin but sweat inside my hand."
• "I'll take 7 emcees, put 'em in a line. And add 7 more brothers who think they can rhyme. Well, it'll take another 7 before I go for mine, now that's 21 emcees ate up at the same time."
Below is a video playlist of some of these rappers' work. (Note: I scoured YouTube late into the night to find as many clean edits as possible. In some cases, the original version is used because the song is integral to the artist, so this is our parental-advisory warning sticker.)
Pet Rock also welcomes your comments on this list, as well as your top 5 lists. Let's hear your case for them, too. I always love this conversation, so let's get it going and no hating allowed.
Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically): Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, MC Lyte, Nas, Notorious B.I.G., Q-Tip.
MTV's recipe for success on display with Tila Tequila
MTV has done it again. They have officially found the recipe for reality success. Here at Pet Rock we have already chronicled the success the Real World cast has had this year and now we got to see their master plan at work on Tila Tequila thanks to the Jersey Jay. Yes, that is him above in the hot tub with Tila and HIS brother
Just like the Real World’s Joey, Jersey Jay is a diminutive Guido with a Napoleon complex that results in anger management issues that manifest themselves in steroid-rage-like outbursts.
In last night’s episode, and I swear I’m not making this up, Jersey Jay brings Tila to his home where all of the following things happen:
>> His brother hits on her
>> His mom makes out with his stepmom
>> His mom flashes Tila
>> His entire family gets in the hot tub for what MTV billed as a “family orgy”
>> His dad and stepdad take turns passing Tila around the hot tub
Of course this means that Jay is not Tila’s type and he gets sent home at the end of the show.
This is where it gets good.
Jay goes crazy, gets into a screaming match with some hillbilly named Bo (Jay reps for ‘Jersey’ while Bo does Ohio proud by simply muttering ‘O-H.’) Jay then proceeds to knock over the key statue, throw a vase and threaten Bo to a fight.
“You know what I’m going to do Bo? I’m going to go home and watch your face on TV and punch the wall! Jersey out!”
But wait, there’s more. In his last confessional, Jay proceeds to tell the world that he doesn’t care that he is going home because he was already, let's say intimate, with Tila. I have no doubt that Jay knows these guys too.
Classy.
Here is a previous Tila fight. Jay is the little guy. Bo is the guy who gets decked. Chad apparently was another cast member who fits the recipe for success model.
The Jonas Brothers rule the teen/tween world these days. Their new Disney movie "Camp Rock" debuts at 8 p.m. Friday, June 20 on the Disney Channel.
While I'm not knowledgeable about the Jonas Brothers' music, I can predict (along with the rest of America) that this movie will be this summer's "High School Musical" in terms of success and placement in the pop culture pantheon.
Have a look at the trailer below. Then help Mitchie save the next Campfire jam. It's more fun than the trailer. And you get to rescue a cowbell (sorry, no Christopher Walken sightings in this game, as far as I can tell.)
I’ll admit it. I’m watching “It’s Complicated” with Denise Richards. Why? I have no idea. Aside from Richards being the girl who kissed Neve Campbell in ‘Wild Things,’ I couldn’t tell you anything about her … at least about her career.
I knew she was married to Charlie Sheen and that there was some drama between her, Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora, but none of that explains why I’m watching.
I usually blame these events on my wife. She does control the remote, but I am oddly drawn to this show. I think it is because I can’t tell if she is crazy, or normal. Let’s look at the evidence.
In the crazy corner we have these facts:
She has bad taste in men. Charlie Sheen, Richie Sambora and (don’t forget) John Stamos aren’t really the best Hollywood has to offer. They can’t be.
She has a pet pig
She likes to confront tabloid journalists. A trait that will surely help with her image. Right?
She doesn’t listen to her friends, or dad, or anyone.
She reportedly recently pre-ordered a tabloid that featured her ex-husband’s latest wedding.
She once threw computers belonging to paparazzi off a balcony, striking an 80-year-old woman.
In the normal corner we have these facts:
She seems to really like being a mom.
She has traits that, according to my wife, all women have. She’s relatable.
Best I can tell, she doesn’t live an extravagant Hollywood lifestyle.
She was in ‘Undercover Brother.’ OK. Maybe that should be on the crazy list, but it was an awesome movie.
I guess the jury is still out. I know I’ll be watching as this continues. Feel free to cast your vote by writing ‘crazy’ or ‘sane’ in the comments below.
I just want to say a few words before I go snag my copy.
It's so easy to hate on the South in the modern hip-hop war. And while many beats and lyrics that come from the South are loaded with gimmicks and cop-out rhymes, the South is winning. In this war, Weezy is the undeniable general that's leading the charge.
Sure, "Lollipop" doesn't carry the depth of Carter's predecessors, but you've been hearing it every time you turn on the radio or TV. His latest single, "A Milli," is among the most gimmicky beats around, but like the song says, "My name ain't Bic, but I keep that flame."
If you're not from the South and don't like it, put out something better. If you can't, then you have no argument.
And just one more note to the Carter haters out there: How can you not be entertained by his raps? I'll leave you with something that should put a smile on your face, as it always does for me:
Don't snooze, been handling the game so long my thumbs bruise.
Ya new girlfriend is old news.
You ain't got enough green and she so blue yeah.
Cash Money Records -- where dreams come true.
Everything is easy baby, leave it up to Weezy Baby.
Put it in the pot, let it steam, let it brew,
Now watch it melt, don't burn ya self.
P.S. -- No, the tats aren't real...but they should be.
P.S.S. -- Sorry, La Monica, who certainly winced as he read this whole thing. I know the purist inside of him is dying. To cope, he should listen to "Dying" by Weezy.
A few weeks ago, for some unknown reason, I sat through a viewing of the entire "Lollipop" video from Lil Wayne. At the time, I proclaimed the official end of rap music being good or ever returning to being good again.
Oh look, another rap video with cars, iced-out wrists, mouths, hands and necks, and of course, scantily clad girls. Can't have a rap video without those.
Ever since MTV debuted Aug. 1, 1981, with "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles, music became a powerful visual medium. So many times in the past 26-plus years, you would engage in or overhear conversations such as this:
"Hey, did you hear that new song by [insert artist name here]?"
"Yeah, it's OK, but nothing special."
"Yeah, but you gotta see the video, it's crazy."
And so an artist gets paid on a marginal song with a extraordinary video. Indeed, music is as much visual now as it is aural.
With Weezie's "Lollipop" we have the exact opposite. A week ago, I heard the song on the radio and said, "Hey, this song is pretty good. The hook is definitely catchy."
It's weird to think that in 2008, a time when you can read the Internet on a phone, watch TV on a computer, and exercise by playing video games, actually listening to music can still be more effective than watching music.
The video, which I just wrote signified the end of the world, is embedded below. Why? Because it's the easiest way for you to hear the song, so please close your eyes for the next 4:56 minutes and just listen to the song.
Jessica Alba has gone from hottie to hot mama. The actress and her husband Cash Warren welcomed a baby girl named Honor Marie on June 7, according to her rep, Brad Cafarelli, to People magazine. This is the couple's first child.
The duo became engaged in late December after an announcement that she was expecting a baby with Warren. They were married at a Beverly Hills courthouse on May 19.
Alba played a diver in "Into the Blue" and a superhero in "Fantastic Four," but what can we expect in her new role as a mom? "I don't want to be my child's best friend. I want to be a mom," she said. "But I do want my child to come to me when they have problems and need to talk, so it's going to be about treading that line," she told Fit Pregnancy magazine.
Alba's latest movie "The Love Guru" will be in theaters on June 20. Watch the trailer.
In Monday's copy of ExploreLI, Newsday movie critic Rafer Guzman does a Q&A with Nina Davenport, the documentary filmmaker who worked on 'Operation Filmmaker.'
The Q&A reveals little -- the film's subject, Iraqi student Murthana Mohmed, clashed with American benefactors, including Liev Shcreiber, who helped him secure an internship on a movie set.
The trailer and clips from the doc, below, tell a bit more.
He says he loves George Bush. He laughs at a Vegan diet. He balks when asked about his experiences in Baghdad during the war. He says he received a death threat. And there's a lot more that is much deeper and more telling.
This all pique your interest? Davenport is showing the film and speaking at Cinema Arts Centre Tuesday night, 7:30 p.m.
There was a time when the Internet was invented strictly for e-mail, sports scores and unmentionable material.
That time has passed. The fourth reason for the Internet came through my e-mail this morning. It's the ability for me to disseminate this information and the chance for you to do some e-shopping.
It's the Frank Vincent 'Mobblehead' doll. Yes, folks, that's correct. It's a bobblehead doll of Frank Vincent as Billy Batts from "Goodfellas." And it speaks, including the world reknown "Go home and get your shine box."
Lindsay Lohan's wardrobe malfunction at MTV Movie Awards
I see London, I see France ...
It looks like Lindsay Lohan is taking her love of Marilyn Monroe to a new level. At the MTV Movie Awards, the singer/actress experienced a wardrobe malfunction when a gust of wind shot up her teeny purple skirt and gave everyone a peek at her undies, which are the very expensive Spanx brand. For those of you that don't know, Spanx are used for sucking in flabby butts and gutts and are beloved by celebrities, such as Oprah, Jessica Alba, and others.
Click here to read more Lindsay Lohan coverage on Pet Rock blog.
Wu-Tang Clan's Rza (aka Robert Diggs) has come out with WuChess.com, a new Web site devoted to chess for the hip-hop crowd.
If you've ever heard a Wu-Tang album, you know the lyrics are heavy on chess moves, so this Web site is a natural fit for the Wu. WuChess.com may even entice young kids and hip hop heads who are unfamiliar with chess to learn this game of strategy.
Here's more about their Web site: "At Wuchess.com you can log-on to watch chess clans do battle and check out exhibition matches with Rza, other Wu-Tang members and stars from across the planet."
Wu-Tang loves the kids and so a portion of the site's revenue will be donated to the Hip Hop Chess Federation's scholarship fund, according to WuChess.com.
I've been Pet Rock MIA for a few days. Stopped in to see boss man McCarthy ask the 
5) Guru
4) Tupac
3) KRS-One
2) Chuck D
1) Rakim
It's Christmas in June for this Lil' Wayne disciple.
