Justin Timberlake...can he save MySpace from blogosphere oblivion?

The startling news that MySpace was sold for $35 Million to a little-known digital firm based in Irvine - known as Specific Media -  came as quite a shocker yesterday afternoon!

After all, in its heyday - Parent News Corporation (headed up by high-flying Rupert Murdoch) - once paid a whopping $580 million to get into the MySpace social-hub game a scant few years ago.

When Murdoch first negotiated the transaction (2005), MySpace was the fifth-most popular destination for web surfers on the net (a sure thing?) who were attracted to the glittering array of cutting-edge musical artists packing a wallop within the delicious confines within the site.

And, by 2007, MySpace was catapulted into the blogosphere to become the leading social network boasting 100 million users strong each month.

Staggering success at first blush, eh?

But, by October 2008 the axis of the musical universe went tilt up.

Since that time, the trendy mainstay on the Internet slowly began to slip, then eventually lost its grip.

Then, MySpace earnings dipped this past year to $184 million, to clearly signal a death knell.

So, it came as no surprise to industry-insiders when the word came down from on-high to "dump".

On the heels of the surprising purchase, there was still an optimistic note resonating (crying out?) at the MySpace site, though.

When Specific Media announced that Justin Timberlake had been brought on board to help salvage MySpace, a buzz streaked across the blogosphere because there was cause for celebration.

The Pop Icon - who negotiated a financial stake in MySpace with the new owners - is pretty upbeat about the social hub's latest incarnation (and chances for a full recovery).

"There's a need for a place where fans can go to interact with their favorite entertainers, listen to music, watch videos, share and discover cool stuff, and just connect. MySpace has the potential to be that place," Justin underscored in a recent press release the past 24/7."

You betcha!

Justin, wanna be my friend?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Lady Gaga...guest talent on SNL! Justin Timberlake hosts zany comedy hour!

Die-hard fans of Pop Diva Lady Gaga have been braving the elements since Tuesday in the mean streets of New York in a last-ditch effort to snatch up a "stand by" seat  for the sseason finale of  Saturday Night Live tonight.

The coveted tickets may be hard to come since they are only issued in the event of a "no show" at the theatre.

At the crack-of-dawn today, little monster were treated to a sneak preview of Lady GaGa's eye-popping fashion statment for the evening.

Sporting what appeared to be a blood red shiny slicker - with matching hood - the slightly eccentric stage phenomenon appeared for-all-the-world to be a fashionista's charismatic idea of a modern-day Little Red Hiding Hood!

Justin Timberlake - no slouch in the style department - hosts what is expected to be a thrilling night of entertainment sure to resonate with the fans, tourists, out-of-towners, you name it!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Justin Timberlake...Haiti telethon features Bono, Taylor Swift & Jennifer Hudson! Broadcast & iTunes release...

Justin Timberlake will appear alongside "the Boss" (Bruce Springsteen), Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, and Bono (to name a few) tonight on a live! Telethon to raise funds for earthquake-torn Haiti still suffering aftershock and homelessness after a big one struck the tiny Nation earlier this week.

The broadcast kicks-off @ 8 p.m. in New York City & has been listed on the TV schedule as:

Hope for Haiti Now:  A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief

A myriad of stations, cable outlets, and major networks will carry the high-profile benefit concert - including NBC, Fox, CNN, and HBO - to name a few.

"Coldplay" will contribute from a London stage, while Bono is slated to jam with a handful of talented musicians in a group effort to raise the consciousness over the isssues (and much-needed funds, too).

George Clooney and MTV, who knocked heads to organize the landmark musical event, have arranged for the music featured in the spectacular extravaganza, to be released on iTunes tomorrow (Saturday January 23rd).

Three of the hosts will broadcast live from separate locations:

* George Clooney (Los Angeles)
*Wyclef Jean (NYC)
*Anderson Cooper (Haiti)

All proceeds collected go to a myriad of charities in the loop.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Ellen DeGeneres...hot men swagger by show! Dennis Quaid, the Bachelor, Colin Firth...

Was it just a coincidence that throughout the upcoming week Ellen has slated a bevy of buffed studs to guest on her highly-rated afternoon talk fest?

Or, just maybe, the perky hostess-with-the-mostest has jumped ship!

For viewers who are into a little eye-candy in the afteroon, I gather there will be ratings leap at the network, that should  have the suits rubbing their hands with glee.

On Monday, Ellen has invited " Bachelor" Jake Pavelka, to grace the hot seat.

Just betcha, that scandals revving up this season, will be titillating fodder for viewers at home to sink their teeth into.

Same afternoon, country super star - KEITH URBAN - is slated to gab  about his four deserving Grammy nominations.

Can the persuasive little tease convince Keith to pluck on his guitar for her appreciative audience?

Tune in and find out!

On Tuesday, an average guy will be applauded for risking his life to save an elderly woman, who was accidentally pushed off a platform at a train station.

He'll get a hero's welcome, 'fer sure!

And, Justin Timberlake's musical find - Matt Morris - will discuss the  recording contract he just signed with the Pop Icon's label.

But, I expect die-hard Justin Timberlake fans will surf over to Ellen, for one fantastic reason only!

Why,  to catch the sexy crooner snuggling up to Ellen, of course!

Dennis Quaid, known for having the best abs in the business, swaggers in on Wednesday (amid a flurry of frenzied wolf whistles and cat-calls).


The handsome actor will share productions notes on his upcoming feature "Legion".

Colin Firth, riding high on great reviews for his stellar portrayal of the "Single Man" (mine included) strides in on Thursday to bask in the glow.

If the glare of the spotlight turns him to booze and drugs, by golly, I expect he could pull aside the doc from the popular hit - "Celeb Rehab" - for some theapeutic advice (appearing that day, too).

The week closes out with Sean Hayes (Friday).

Since the talented actor (known to play gay characters to the hilarious hilt) hasn't been on the show in four years, you can bet your sweet bippy he'll be updating Ellen with every salacious tidbit.

As they say at Warner Brothers:

That' all folks!

www.julianayrs.com

Justin Timberlake...to rustle up dollars with scents! "Play Intense" seductive Givenchy tribute to star...

Trusting that their instincts about the seductive allure of Justin Timberlake are right on, Givenchy signed the pop sensation to tout two scents under their prestigious perfumery label.

"We were looking for a man who's recognized all over the world, someone new to the world of perfumery, and with great seductive potential," noted Pamela Baxter, the President and CEO of LVMH Perfumes (who also wears a second hat as President & CEO of Christian Dior, Inc.).

More succinctly, she gushed:

"Most importantly we needed to find a man who could embody the modern elegance specific to the Givenchy brand as well as all the facets of "Play".

"Play" and "Play Intense" (foreplay & "in like Flynn"?) have all the overtones of an erotic sexual adventure - with a little bit of kink tossed in - if you ask moi.

To think I've been splashing down with a cheap cologne on a rustic woodsy end of the spectrum.

But, I was on the right smell track, though.

According to Alain Lorenzo, wood (preferably a stiff one!) is the key.

"We told the perfumers to take the Caribbean amyris wood note and make one scent, which is more polarizing (!) and one which is more accessible ("in like Flynn", told 'ya so), " he noted matter-of-fact without batting-an-eye or smirking just once.

At least Americans were spared the humiliation of being guinea pigs when the "play intense" perfume experiment revved up.

"Because the U.S. is one of our largest markets , we wanted to work out any kinks in "Play" before bringing it to the U.S."

Well, Givenchy can start with Timberlake's hair, if they're truly sincere about snatching up any potential problems by the short-and-curlies come fall when the splashy advertising campaign (shot by Tom Munro) will break into September magazines around the country.

"Play" will land in select retail outlets wrapped-to-perfection in aestheticaly-pleasing white outer-foil, while "Play Intense" will make a seductive entrance in black (symbolic of the dark side of man's nature, get it?) .

Since "Play Intense" sold twenty percent above plan in the U.K., Givenchy is expecting the much-anticipated scent to sky-rocket on these shores when it hits the shelves at retail outlets such as Macy's, Nordstrom's, Dillard's, and Sephora when autumn leaves fall.

Executives were sly when it came to predicting sales, but hinted that industry analysts in-the-know have been forecasting $15 million in sales over the counter the 1st year.

That's a lot of nose candy, eh?

Heck, I'm in the wrong business.

Tell 'ya a funny story.

I was in an elevator one day, when a classy well-heeled woman turned in my direction, and quizzed me about the cologne I was wearing.

"Obsession?" she slyly winked.

Gosh, it hit me like a lightning bolt.

I didn't spritz on anything that day before I dashed out the door for an intense (there's that word again) work-out at the gym.

"Eau de Julian," I quickly reslponded, with barely a straight face.

Heck, I could bottle my body scent, and a make a bloody fortune on eBay.

Folks, ready for some foreplay - or should we just go for the main course - straight away?

Givenchy, watch your sexy back!

http://www.julianayrs.com

RAGE...nightclub, Sunday dance party!!! West Hollywood.

When you slip into RAGE - suddenly - you are swept up into a sea of toned sexy twenty-somethin' bods - amid a swirl of scintillating fashions - undulating to the latest pop beat.

On Sunday nights, in particular, there's a lot of high-energy, in-your-face gettin' down on the dance floor, sure to conjure up an adrenalin rush.

Maybe a handful of politicians should drop by and take a gander; after all, there's no racial tension here. Attitudes are left at the door, and a crowd of party-goers - Asians, Latinos, Blacks, and Whites - all mingle and mix for a night of sheer unadulterated fun.

Last night, there was quite a bevy of young beauties on hand - sipping on exotic cocktails, chatting up friends, and sashaying about - casting come-hither looks.

Oh yeah!

In my youth, I wiled away many an hour here; then, usually headed home blasted.

Uh-huh, they didn't call the bar on the corner - "Lost on Larrabee" - for no good reason!

Warning: the trendy crowd is prone to rush the dance floor when the likes of Britney, Justin, Madge, and Alicia pop up on the wide-screens overhead, amid a jubilant laser light show.

Get there early, no cover.

See ‘ya!

Rage West Hollywood...nightclub, Sunday Dance Party!!!

When you slip into RAGE - suddenly - you are swept up into a sea of toned sexy twenty-somethin' bods amid a swirl of scintillating fashions undulating to the latest pop beat.

On Sunday nights, in particular, there's a lot of high-energy in-your-face gettin' down on the dance floor sure to conjure up an adrenalin rush.

Maybe a handful of politicians should drop by and take a gander; after all, there's no racial tension here. Attitudes are left at the door and a crowd of party-goers - Asians, Latinos, Blacks, and Whites - all mingle and mix for a night of sheer unadulterated fun.

Last night, there was quite a bevy of young beauties on hand sipping on exotic cocktails, chatting up friends, and sashaying about - casting come-hither looks.
Oh yeah!

In my youth, I wiled away many an hour here. Then, usually headed home blasted.

Uh-huh.

They didn't call the bar on the corner - "Lost on Larrabee" - for no good reason!

Warning: the trendy crowd is prone to rush the dance floor when the likes of Britney, Justin, Madge, and Alicia pop up on the wide-screens overhead amid a jubilant laser light show.

Get there early, no cover.

See ya!

Grammy Awards...50th Anniversary show! Justin Timberlake & Bruce Springsteen nominated!

The Grammy Awards sauntered into middle age this week.

A staggering 50 years of musical innovation is cause for a special celebration, indeed!

Not unlike the Oscars in many respects, the Grammy Awards are the top glitzy glamour event of the year - albeit - solely in the musical arena.

Without doubt, there will be quite a bit of wild cheeky fashion spirit on display this year.

The award-getters are determined by 12,000 music industry professionals who belong to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Only albums released between October 1st (2006) and September 30 (2007) are considered for the Awards.

Kanye West heads up the nominations with a staggering 8 in total.

Amy Winehouse - amid a swirl of publicity over reports of drug abuse - will appear via satellite telecast from London due to the controversial denial of a Visa.

Understandably, because of the logistics and time constraints involved, Winehouse handlers were forced to offer up the next best thing.

"I'm raring to go and really excited to be performing at my first Grammy Awards," the vocalist gushed at a recent press junket.

"I'd like to thank everyone for their support over the last couple of weeks. I'm really sorry I can't be there, but I appreciate that I'm being given a second chance via satellite."

She will take a brief leave from her drug rehab to rehearse Friday and Saturday and be rarin' to go Sunday.

Many will tune in on the old boob tube, nonetheless, to catch the much-anticipated performance, if only for curiosity's sake.

According to producers, the ratings-grabber is expected to grace the airwaves on Sunday Night without much of a hitch. (CBS 8 o'clock)

The final lineup of presenters and performers for this weekend's Grammy Awards has been set, according to the producers.

Despite speculation, the organizers have vehemently denied that the much-loved "Gloved One" or a former Beatle, will show despite planned tributes to the legendary work of each.

There will be a few high-wire hairy moments, though.

For example, performers from Cirque du Soleil's Grammy-nominated - "Love" - have scaled down a high-flying stage act (normally performed at the Mirage in Las Vegas) to fit the comparatively narrow confines of a circular stage at the Staples Center.

But, the heart of the event has always been the music.

The 2008 Grammy Awards will not disappoint.

On hand to perform live will be the likes of Feist, the Foo Fighters, Carrie Underwood, and Aretha Franklin.

John Fogerty - who has waited awhile to perform at the Grammy Awards - will realize his dream to strut his stuff on stage in front of peers. At 62, he'll finally step out of the wings.

Fogerty, the former frontman for Creedence Clearwater Revival, will be part of the show's - "Cornerstone of Rock" tribute - with Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard.

The old-timer won a Grammy in 1997 - and in addition to singing Sunday night at the Grammy show - will be considered for rock album of the year category with his recent offering "Revival."

How apropos!

The Golden Anniversary show is sure to entertain - what with the likes of A-list presenters like Prince, Ludacris, Bonnie Raitt, Miley Cyris , and Kid Rock - on tap to perform.

There will definitely be an '80s flashback zest to the Sunday Grammy Awards when Jimmy Jam revisits his musical roots in a one-night-only reunion with the musical band "The Time"

"We can't remember the last time we all played together," the 48-year-old record producer said.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (former high-school classmates in Minneapolis) formed a band called Flyte Time that evolved into The Time.

In 1981, they were joined by Morris Day and toured with Prince as Morris Day and the Time.

Pop hits included "Cool," "Get It Up" and "The Walk."

By the end of the decade, Jam and Lewis moved on to produce a string of hit albums for Janet Jackson.

Jam, chairman of The Recording Academy, is working on new albums with Usher and Jennifer Hudson, currently.

Jam rehearsed Wednesday for the Grammy Show.

"I'm shocked at how quickly it all came back," Jam said.

"We're having a great time. We're getting along so good. We're just soaking up the whole atmosphere."

An alleged rift with Prince has been mended, he noted on an upbeat end note.

In spite of these look-backs at the Industry, and a few gem performances, Grammy producer Ken Erhlich assured industry-professionals this past week that his creative team was doing their utmost best to avoid a show that was too nostalgia-inclined.

"We made a conscious decision back in November not to do so much looking back but to stay current. Give it a touch of connecting," he said.

"You got to connect the dots in music, as you well know, and that's what we're going to do on Sunday."

Yes, while it is important not to forget the musical roots of the great industry - first and foremost - it is essential to surge forward.

Especially in view of the fact many new and exciting talents on the turf now, are wallowing in innovative trends, with the advent of a myriad of rich media proliferating on the Internet and elsewhere.

Now, for a look at some of the vote-getters

Best Album nominees include "Foo Fighters" for "Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace"; old-timer Vince Gill for "These Days"; and Herbie Hancock for "River: The Joni Letters." Rounding out the category are vocalists Amy Winehouse and Kanye West for "Back to Black" and "Graduation", respectively.

Best New Artist?

Heading up the noteworthy list are Feist, Ledisi, Paramore, Taylor Swift, and Amy Winehouse.

The song of the year includes recordings by Carrier Underwood (Before he Cheats), Plain White T's (Hey There Delilah), Corinne Bailey Rae (Like a Star), Amy Winehouse (Rehab) and Rihanna (Umbrella).

In the hotly-contested record of the year category the musical choices are "Irreplaceable" (Beyonce), "The Pretender" (Foo Fighters), "Umbrella" (Rihanna) "What Goes around comes around" (Justin Timberlake), and "Rehab" (Amy Winehouse).

Rock album of the year nominees include "Daughtry", by Daughtry; "Revival", by John Fogerty; "Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace", by the Foo Fighters; "Magic", by Bruce Springsteen; "Sky Blue Sky", by Wilco.

For the first time in Grammy Award history, the pre-telecast awards presentation will be broadcast live online on Sunday, February 10 at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

To catch the warm-up show, surf to Grammy.com from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. (PST) and you will be able to view awards given in each category announced during the pre-tel, including the following:

Best Metal Performance:

AS I LAY DYING - "Nothing Left"
KING DIAMOND - "Never Ending Hill"
MACHINE HEAD - "Aesthetics Of Hate"
SHADOWS FALL - "Redemption"
SLAYER - "Final Six"

Best Hard Rock Performance:

EVANESCENCE - "Sweet Sacrifice"
FOO FIGHTERS - "The Pretender"
OZZY OSBOURNE - "I Don't Wanna Stop"
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE - "Sick, Sick, Sick"
TOOL - "The Pot"

Best Rock Instrumental Performance:

METALLICA - 'The Ecstasy Of Gold
RUSH - "Malignant Narcissism"
JOE SATRIANI - "Always With Me, Always With You"
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "Once Upon A Time In The West"
STEVE VAI - "The Attitude Song"

Rock on, eh!

50 Cent...Justin Timberlake (MUSIC VIDEO)

Justin Timberlake...male artist of year?

Next week, fans of Justin Timberlake will be tuning in to HBO to watch a special concert performance.

Timberlake has been nominated for the prestigious MTV award for the "Male Artist of the year"...but was also was given the nod in six other MTV musical categories.

Unlike most break-away stars in all-male bands, Timberlake chucked out the bubblegum tunes - and chose instead - to gravitate towards a sly, distinctive, talky beat with obvious roots in a vibrant Afro-American Culture; which was ready, able, and willing to propel him forward in the ranks.

Looks like the gamble has paid off for his handlers.

To some he's an oddity.

White-skinned, but underneath, moving to a rhythmic, black beat.

He's not alone in his musings.

Whenever I'm out in the mean streets of L.A, it baffles me a little when I encounter teenage white boys referring to their "homie" or ranting about some guy in the hood who's been disrespectin' them.

Yeah, Black culture has gloriously surged forward, in myriad manifestations; so "on the cuttin' edge of cool" that anxious, vulnerable teens are inclined to jump on the bandwagon.

You see it in all the trappings: the sloppy, oversize T's; the sulky, loose-fit dungarees hangin' down to expose designer boxers; the dazzlin' eye-poppin' bling. And, in a swagger that's animal in nature.

The handshake that bonds is all deft knuckle-bends and clever finger work, gliding over skin surface.

And, the musical staging for the tribunal is distinctive as ***:

There are a lot of fluid, confident moves, talky moments, and splashy, sensual sexual images.

Yo, what attitude!

The early days of Rock 'n Roll - which generated a lot of hysteria - seem so tame by comparison.

Yes, when Elvis Presley first busted out on the radio, before he performed publicly, everyone thought he was a Black, Gospel singer.

Even still, he faced a couple of obstacles on his meteoric rise to Pop Icon status.

Yes, Little Richard gyrated in what amounted to a wild, tribal ritual on stage.

But the idea of Elvis in that posture was too much for Puritanical, middle-class censors to digest.

The hip-swivellin' was too overt, and the sneer way too denigrating - "a bad influence on the youth of America" - critics argued.

When Presley first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show cameramen were instructed not to shoot below the waist!

Today, just about anythin' goes - innovative musical artists in the limelight now - cross-mix, draw on, and influence each other's musical styling - without boundaries.

As they should.

Music is an International language.