Christmas came late thanks to the insanity of the MTV mailroom around the holidays. But boy, did Santa come through big time!
Although it was delivered a week ago, today I finally received a magical package from the North Pole. And when I say the North Pole, I really mean Arkansas.
Kris Allen’s adorable, beautiful, witty, hilarious, amazing, irresistible, phenomenal, Nobel Peace Prize-deserving perfect mother sent me my very own PajamaGram after catching a silly subliminal message about jammies in a recent “Kris Allen Outtakes” video. Enclosed with the Christmas-themed pajamas? A card that read, “Because you asked nicely.”
Mama Allen and I have shared a fun little Twitter friendship over the past several months. (She started it, Kris. I swear to you on my Paula Abdul “Touched By Evil” DVD.) I’ve been trying to keep our Twitter parties on the DL after Kris jokingly asked me to stop cavorting with his mom in the digital world. But you know what? I’m in love with Mama Allen and I want the world to know.
So from the bottom of my bursting heart: I thank you, Mama Allen! You helped make this Christmas season more kick-awesome than I thought was humanly possible.
To my real mom: Don’t worry. You’re still number one in my book. Also, I’m glad you didn’t buy me pajamas for Christmas, because that would be some “Sophie’s Choice” ish right there.
The end of 2009 is upon us, which means that it’s time to toast to the year that was and make predictions and draft resolutions about the coming 12 months. We caught up with a handful of stars who have vowed to make changes in 2010, including Adam Lambert (he wants to stay positive), Usher (he told “Access Hollywood” he wants to embrace new things), Holly Montag (she is going to cut down on texting) and Emily Blunt (who resolves to not make any resolutions).
Traditionally, resolutions for the new year tend to get dropped before February, but that doesn’t stop people from making them. As proof, we hit the streets of Times Square (where preparations are well underway for the annual New Year’s Eve countdown celebration) to find out what people were resolving for the coming year. Some people want to improve their lives more (there’s a lot of interest in working out and eating better), while others seem bent on self-destruction (many, many people resolving to drink more in 썚).
As for MTV News, we resolve to keep bringing you the stories you need to hear about the people you want to hear about, and we’re going to do it with even more intensity and razor-sharp wit than ever before. Also, we plan to drink some more.
What’s your resolution for 2010? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us @mtvnews!
Don’t miss MTV News’ “Top 9 of ‘09″ — which counts down the year’s biggest stories, from Michael Jackson to Eminem and everything in between — airing New Year’s Eve at 11 p.m. on MTV.
Every day a multitude of stars wanders through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with our intrepid correspondents. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that’s why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild.
It’s freezing cold here in New York, so anybody who has the wherewithal to spend the winter months in warm weather climates has the right idea. Even though Leighton Meester makes her living on “Gossip Girl” (which films on location in Manhattan), she used her time off from the show to head to Miami Beach for the opening of Klutch, a new nightclub. That dress she is wearing wouldn’t fly in the arctic tundra that is NYC right now, but the Florida heat is treating her quite nicely. Meester has plenty to celebrate, as she gave her music career a healthy kickstart with a guest spot on Cobra Starship’s hit “Good Girls Go Bad” (her full-length debut is expected some time in 2010).
No matter what stars were grabbing headlines this year — from Taylor Swift to Jay-Z to Drake to Shakira to Adam Lambert — they no doubt had some sort of encounter with the MTV News team. Whether on location or right in the MTV Newsroom, every star worth talking to sat down for a chat with one correspondent or another.
Some of the best stories of the year came out of our travels around the country. We got the chance to hang out with Paramore in Tennessee and hung out with Lil Wayne and the rest of the crew from the America’s Most Wanted Tour when they kicked everything off in Scranton, Pennsylvania. We rubbed elbows with the Jonas Brothers in Texas and stormed New Orleans in search of the Pussycat Dolls.
But some of the biggest stars ended up right here in the Newsroom, from Alicia Keys and 50 Cent to Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. Through it all, the MTV Newsroom blog brought you the inside scoop on what it has been like hanging out with some of the biggest stars of music, movies, television and beyond.
Producer Akshay Bhansali has been snapping photos all throughout the year, keeping track of where we’ve been and who we’ve talked to. He put together a compendium of some of the best shots. Enjoy the all the inside pics, and know that 2010 will keep bringing more behind-the-scenes excitement, all of which you can find right here on the MTV Newsroom blog.
2009 is coming to a close, which means that it’s time to check in on what the favorite albums, artists, songs and moments were among the fine folks in the MTV Newsroom. Be sure to check out James Montgomery’s definitive year-end list for 썙, and enjoy the “10 In 2009″ series that will be running over the next two weeks.
By Rya Backer
I listened to a lot of good albums this year, and there were a lot of great songs on them. So I’ll make like a girlfriend and give to you, the readers, my 2009 in song. The title of this mixtape? I’mma Let You Finish, But These Are My Favorite Songs of 2009. I’m hilarious?
Side A Jay-Z, “On to the Next One”
I kept hearing this song in clubs and I really liked it, so I finally Googled “Somebody bring me back some money please.” Now I cut a rug to it in the comfort of my own home.
Lightning Bolt, “Funny Farm”
I get that people think all their songs sound alike, but those people just don’t get it. When you listen to this on full blast on the subway, you’ll quickly find yourself with ample elbow room.
Suckers, “It Gets Your Body Movin’”
I knew this was special when I saw them live and during the big crescendo my friend (hi, Andy!) and I turned to each other and high-fived.
No Age, “You’re a Target”
Apart from the fact that Dean is a true Hannukah Hottie, I really like the bigger sound. If I made skate videos, I’d probably use this song all the time.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Zero”
Their drummer, Brian Chase, is a very important Hannukah Hottie as well.
Wilco, “Bull Black Nova”
This is the stoniest, Nels Cline-iest track on their new album. Thus, I enjoy it the most.
Bat for Lashes, “Daniel”
I want this song to be my intro music before I walk into any room, and have it accompanied by smoke machines, wind machines, fog machines and lasers.
Not to readers: This is the part where the first side of a cassette tape is finished, so you have to take it out of the player and flip it over, put it back in the player, close it and press “play” again. Complicated, right?
Side B Grizzly Bear featuring Michael McDonald, “While You Wait for the Others” If you don’t like this great version of an already great song, I don’t know what to tell you. You’re crazy and hate a soulful baritone.
Dinosaur, Jr., “Ocean in the Way” I think this song is really beautiful and drone-y, and I like Mascis’ sleepy vocals. I really grew up in the ’90s, didn’t I?
The Flaming Lips, “Aquarius Sabotage”Embryonic is so good! I like the juxtaposition of all the sounds on this track: Pretty meoldy next to harsh noise and whatnot. And seriously, in 2009, we saw Wayne’s Coyne.
Sonic Youth, “What We Know”
This is my favorite song off of The Eternal to hear live, because I like Lee’s voice a lot and I enjoy how it harmonizes with Kim’s.
Franz Ferdinand, “What She Came For”
Seriously, this album is really good. You can really get into this song’s chorus.
Tyondai Braxton, “Uffe’s Woodshop”
If you close your eyes while you listen to this song, I’m pretty sure you’ll see magical things like ducks playing string instruments, the monopoly man playing the kazoo and the iTunes visualizer.
JEFF the Brotherhood, “U Got the Look”
Fun and summerjam-y. My niece and nephew really enjoy dancing to this.
Animal Collective, “Summertime Clothes”
This is easily my favorite song of the 20ǩ. The lyrics are really illustrative. I went on vacation by myself this summer (it was empowering, not lonely) and I’m pretty sure I spent a good six days walking around London listening to this track on repeat.
And my favorite album of the year was Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 1 by the Beastie Boys (all three songs I’ve heard of it). Glad you’re doing well, MCA!
