Disney’s first African-American Princess

It seems Obama isn’t the only one breaking traditions. The pic above is from Disney’s upcoming animated musical “The Frog Prince.”

James McAvoy in “The Hobbit”

Rumor has it that Del Toro wants James McAvoy (Atonement, The Last King of Scotland) to star as young Bilbo Baggins in the new prequel to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, “The Hobbit.” Well, he does look hobbit-ish, and he’s a good actor on top of it, so I’m game.

Free Duffy Podcast

Brit sensation Duffy performed live for The Interface this week, and they are offering the podcast for free. Her set includes her smash hit “Mercy,” as well as several other songs from her new album including “Stepping Stone,” “Warwick Avenue,” and “Syrup & Honey.” There is also an interview. You can download the video or just the audio (or both) below.

Audio: Duffy Podcast

Video: Duffy Podcast

Right click, download linked file. This is a legally free download from AOL/Spinner.

Headlines – 5/30

Here are a few of the day’s entertainment headlines:

Elizabeth Berkley joins ”Donnie Darko” sequel

”American Idol” dominates the music charts

Review: Not so fair ‘Sex’ - (“Sex in the City”)

Rapper 50 Cent home destroyed by fire

Will Smith’s divorce challenge

Lawyer: Spears not fit enough for court

Foot issues send Aerosmith’s Tyler to rehab

Have a great day!

Free Music – Mates of State

Check out this song from the indie group Mates of State. It’s got a nice, relaxing, sound that is something between Feist and The New Pornographers. The song is called “My Only Offer.”

“My Only Offer” – Mates of State

This is a legally free download courtesy of AOL/Spinner.

First Listen – Rihanna “Disturbia”

The above is the next single off Rihanna’s current album, “Good Girl Gone Bad.” The single is called “Disturbia.” Personally, I like some of her other material better (Breakin Dishes, Sell Me Candy, Lemme Get That), but this is ok, and will probably do well coming off the success of Don’t Stop the Music and Take a Bow.

Discovery Music: Craig Lyons “California”

Check out this beautiful song, which was used by one of the dancers on “So You Think You Can Dance” last night. It’s by an artist named Craig Lyons. Never heard of him before, but there seems to be a lot of interest in the song after last night’s show. Check out the music video above. I’m not sure if there is anyplace to download this track, but I will get back to you if there is.

Update: Sure enough, it is available on iTunes.

Headlines – 5/29

Here are a few of the day’s entertainment headlines.

David Cook on baiting cougars - what?

Rainn Wilson cast in ”Transformers 2”

Michael Bay doing ”Ouija” movie - a lot of Michael Bay news today, oddly.

Short ”Harry Potter” prequel being auctioned

Robert Downey Jr. to play Hugh Hefner?

SAG resumes talks after AFTRA deal

Eddie Murphy back in ‘Beverly Hills’ - 4th movie?

Have a nice day!

Dance Recap 5/28 – Breakers are the Ones to Beat

Week Two of the fourth season of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” and once again the breakers are the ones to beat.

Utah is the place (where apparently EVERYBODY has at least 20 billion children by the time they’re 27), and the night starts with a ballroom dancer named Chelsie Hightower, who has probably THE best legs I have ever seen in my life. Nigel, oddly enough, seems more interested in her ability to “move her eyebrows” – so it’s up to Mary to compliment her on her most outstanding feature.

Nigel also seemed strangely uninterested in the night’s inspirational candidate, a young man with Down Syndrome. Whereas last week he got all teary with Dance’s first legally blind auditioner, this week it sounded as if he was completely fed up with all compassion whatsoever. “You don’t want me to patronize you, do you?” he asks, while his tone seemed to say “will somebody get these bloody crazies off my show??!!!”

The highlight of the first hour was undoubtedly a returning breaker named Gev. He was cut last season because he lacked versatility, but I’ll be darned if he didn’t go home and get things in gear. Besides learning some classical technique almost freakishly quickly, he has become what I assume to be the first ice-skating break dancer in history (yes, you heard correctly). His audition may not have been quite as jaw-dropping as fellow contestant Robert Muraine’s last week, but maybe that is strategic. After all, it’s never good to peak too early.

Kelli Baker’s mother is a “big deal” (she choreographed “High School Musical” . . . which apparently makes her a big celebrity? . . . news to me). Luckily, she lives up to her last name (oh wait, she doesn’t even share her mother’s last name . . .) due in part to her great extensions. Probably the most promising contemporary dancer so far, although that’s not saying much.

The award for the tallest contestant clearly goes to Ryan, who makes money to pay for his hobby by . . . DJ-ing at a strip club? Well that’s cool. What else is cool is his fluidly beautiful hip-hop style.

Matt Dorame is the first male dancer this season to actually have some potential to follow in the footsteps of great male contemporary dancers like Travis, Danny and Neil. Once again, though, Nigel had to spoil the fun by lambasting him . . . for his choice of pants. Granted, the red gym shorts did nothing for his lines, but really? I’m more worried that there’s something wrong with Nigel’s pants at this point.

The second half of the episode seems more about the drama than the talent. It does take place in Texas, after all (oooohhhh!). First we have Chad, a boxer/ballroom instructor (who would have thunk that was possible) who rips his hamstring “all to hell” just moments before going on stage for his audition. In a true display of professionalism stupidity, he decides to go on anyway. Big surprise, he doesn’t make it.

Paige really likes the color pink, looks like Elle Woods, and (SHOCKER!) loves pageants (the cutest thing about her is she thinks the interview portion of the pageant is the most important. Oh the naivety!). Strangest of all, she even acts like a Barbie when she dances! You know . . . how Barbie has those stiff arms that don’t move like a normal human being’s . . . (ok, maybe I’m trying a little hard with this analogy, but it was just TOO hard to pass up). It doesn’t seem to bother the judges, however, as they send her to Vegas after testing her choreography chops.

Joshua Allen knocked my jaw to the floor with a crazy spread-eagle leap, but I’m doubtful he’ll be able to pull off any of the more graceful styles the show requires. The judges seem skeptical as well, for they send him to the choreography round.

Cassidy should see if Ryan can get her a job.

The judges had no problem splitting up John Dix and Arielle Coker, the pair Nigel referred to as “the beauty and the beast (or the window-cleaner)”. They send Arielle straight to Vegas. Dix, on the other hand, must stick around for choreography, where he is eliminated.

Steven Arner seems to think that “chair dance” is a really original and unique style. Which is funny, considering I think he touched the chair about twice in the whole dance. Big surprise therefore that he ended up being a little delusional when it came to his opinion of his own dancing. Then he called Mary a “b!tch,” which needless to say wasn’t the smartest decision.

Tune in tomorrow at 8:00 for the Charleston and Washington D.C. auditions.

Exactly How Bad of a Dancer is Mariah?

Apparently, pretty bad.

Stick to singing, Mariah. It gave me a good laugh, though.