Miley Cyrus Says She'll Sing Live, Not Focus On Choreography During 'Bangerz' Tour

January 31, 2014, 1:13 pm

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BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Miley Cyrus wants you to concentrate on her voice — not her twerking — when she launches her tour next month.

"Ren and Stimpy" creator John Kricfalusi and contemporary artist Ben Jones have crafted videos to play during the 38 shows as Cyrus prioritizes singing over dance routines. "When it's such a visual show, I'm not going to get up there and dance because I've got to sing live," Cyrus said in an interview Thursday night. "So it's like to have things that people can watch other than me ... not about me trying to keep up with choreography."

The 21-year-old performer spoke at a rehearsal studio two days after performing with — and spanking — Madonna at her "MTV Unplugged" concert this week. She found the 55-year-old star a kindred spirit in displaying unabashed eroticism.

"I'm not trying to replicate her or be her, but we're standing for a similar freedom," Cyrus said. "It's even easier for me than I'm sure it was for Madonna. So I think it's going to get easier and easier, as generations go on, women are going to be more accepted to be free and embrace sexuality."

Her North American tour kicks of Feb. 14 in Vancouver.

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Online:


http://www.mileycyrus.com


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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson at www.twitter.com/ryanwrd

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Miley Cyrus Has Some Advice For Justin Bieber

January 31, 2014, 1:59 pm

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Miley Cyrus knows a thing or two (thousand) about negative media attention. During her visit to "The Tonight Show," Jay Leno wanted to know if she had any words of wisdom for fellow pop star Justin Bieber. The Biebs has had several run-ins with the law in the last month alone. He's facing possible charges in Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto.

"I would just say, you got a lot of money. Pay people to make sure you don’t get in trouble," Cyrus said. "And party at your house. Buy a house, and add a club to it!” Cyrus went on to point out that she has yet to see a mugshot of Miley Cyrus out there, adding, "Look, I get the most flack of anybody.”

It was apparently a hot topic on late-night Thursday. Across the dial on "Late Show," Dr. Phil had similar advice for Bieber. "You would think there’d be people around paying huge sums of money to keep him out of trouble, seriously. And that’s the problem," he said. "You oughta say, ‘Alright, your job today is to keep me from being stupid."

Cyrus is probably too busy to be "stupid" anyway. Her "MTV Unplugged" special just aired, and she's about to head out on a 38-city North American tour, kicking off Valentine's Day in Vancouver.

"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. EST on NBC, while "Late Show with David Letterman airs at the same time over on CBS.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

James Earl Jones Is Hilarious On 'The Big Bang Theory'

January 31, 2014, 2:10 pm

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For his guest appearance as himself on "The Big Bang Theory," James Earl Jones went in a completely unexpected direction. While most of the geek culture celebrities who appear find themselves annoyed by Sheldon and his geeky friends, Jones was ecstatic. He was giddy and energetic like a child, talking "Star Wars" and taking Sheldon out for a wild night on the town.

As a particular highlight, Jones came up with the idea of knocking on Carrie Fisher's door and running away. He knocked on the door, telling Sheldon whose house it was, adding, "And she’s a little crazy, so get ready to run.”

His "Star Wars" co-star came out in her bathrobe brandishing a bat, shouting, "It’s not funny anymore, James!" But it absolutely was. Even better, James invited Sheldon and his friends to attend Comic-Con with him. They'd been unable to secure tickets ... though not for a lack of trying.

“The fact that this show is able to get both James Earl Jones and Carrie Fisher shows just how much nerd currency 'The Big Bang Theory' has, and the writers make great use of the two high-profile guest stars," wrote The AV Club's Oliver Sava. It was easily one of the best uses of celebrity guest stars playing themselves we've seen on television.

"The Big Bang Theory" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

'White Collar' Finale: Neal Gets Kidnapped!

January 31, 2014, 2:28 pm

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Well, that came out of nowhere! "White Collar" is no stranger to a kidnapping story here and there, but never has Neal been the target. For the fifth season finale, though, it was Neal who found himself having a bag pulled over his head. The kidnappers even threw his tracking device into a different vehicle.

Over at The AV Club, Kenny Herzog notes the history of kidnapping on the show. "Elizabeth’s been snatched, Peter’s gotten grabbed, [Rachel/Rebecca] staged her own involuntary holding.” Now it's Neal's turn. Bustle's Christine DiStasio suggested, though, that Burke is going to have his work cut out for him, as we've never before seen these kidnappers.

Could they be working for someone we know? Will we ever find out? Perhaps the biggest thing for fans to ponder is whether or not USA is going to renew the show for a sixth season. After a cliffhanger like that, they kind of have to, don't they?

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

Jimmy Fallon's Last Week Of 'Late Night' Includes More 'Best Of,' Andy Samberg And The Muppets

January 31, 2014, 2:31 pm

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The schedule has been set for Jimmy Fallon's final week as host of "Late Night," February 3-7. After the success of "The Best of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" in prime-time recently, it's not a huge surprise that they're bringing it back. In fact, the first three nights of next week's shows will be "Best of" specials, each with a different theme.

Monday focuses on Fallon's musical sketches -- often with big stars from music joining him. Tuesday night shines a spotlight on Fallon's digital parodies like "Downton Sixby" and "The Real Housewives of Late Night." Then on Wednesday, the special "Best of" editions wrap with comedy pieces featuring various celebrity guests.

For his last two nights, Fallon will be back with all-new content. Thursday he welcomes Colin Farrell, Chris Pratt, and musical guest 2 Chainz. For his final show on Friday, Fallon will be joined by Andy Samberg and The Muppets to say farewell to "Late Night."

Jimmy Fallon takes over "The Tonight Show" after the 2014 Winter Olympics. "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" premieres Monday, February 17 at 11:35 p.m. EST on NBC.

What This Baby Lamb Can Teach Us All About Life (VIDEO)

January 31, 2014, 5:59 pm

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She may be little, but this lamb is already leaps and bounds ahead in the game of life. John Chester, a documentary filmmaker and the manager at Apricot Lane Farms in California, created the above Super Soul Short video to show how the biggest lessons can come in the smallest packages.

Barely 30 seconds old, a newborn lamb already knows how to survive, Chester says. "How is it they know how to stand? How does she know where she needs to go? How does she know not to give up?" he asks. "What they call instinct, we call gut."

A lamb, he says, is "born without a cluttered mind." She doesn't go against her instinct; she's not waiting to act. "It makes you wonder: why do we?" Chester says.

The adventurous spirit of this newborn lamb reminds him of a quote by the poet Mary Oliver: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Super Soul Sunday airs Sundays at 11 a.m. ET on OWN.

Nautilus Design On St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral Church In Boston Sparks Controversy

February 1, 2014, 6:40 am

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The pediment of The Cathedral Church Of St. Paul in Boston has stood empty for 190 years, as the builders of the impressive Greek Revival structure ran out of money during the initial construction phase. It was finally completed in May of 2013, but since then it's come under fire for its unusual design, which features a backlit nautilus sculpture.



Though the original plans for the Episcopal church called for a classical relief of St. Paul preaching to King Agrippa, the current design is absent of traditional Christian iconography, featuring instead the clean lines of a seashell's interior which allude to Oliver Wendell Holme's poem "The Chambered Nautilus," writes The Living Church in a review.

Reverend and Dean of St. Paul's, Jep Streit, told Radio Boston that the nautilus was "the perfect metaphor for a spiritual journey." He elaborated, "The nautilus is evocative of so much more than the church. It creates its shell by outgrowing each previous compartment. It’s always moving into a new, bigger space, and it can never go back."

Father Tim Schenck, an Episcopal priest, explained in a post on his Clergy Family Confidential blog why he finds the choice of a nautilus as a spiritual symbol to be "contrived" and "empty." He wrote, "I’m still not sure why Paul was pushed aside for a seashell."

His post was in response to a video that was recently put online by the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts that explained the story of how the nautilus pediment design came to be. In it, the artist Donald Lipski explained that "I was trying to think of a symbol or an image that would be spiritual but not be religious.”

Tim argues that "A Christian cathedral by its very nature is and must be 'religious.'" Commenter Suzanne Wade agreed, writing "Thank you for articulating so well my own sense of unease with the sculpture. I had a liturgy professor that used to say that if you have to explain the symbol, it’s not working. Symbols are supposed to express meaning without words, but the nautilus on the cathedral makes no sense without 10 minutes of explanation." She continued, "When I read Jep Streit’s quote in the Boston Globe when it was installed, I cringed at the suggestion that we needed to avoid Christian symbols. We seem embarrassed to suggest that as Christians, we might proclaim Christ crucified."

Streit addressed these concerns in a guest blog, commenting:

After two millennia the cross is now an unmistakable symbol of Christianity, it’s something everyone expects to see on a church. But isn’t God the One who surpasses our expectations, not the One who just meets them? Isaiah proclaimed, “Behold, I am doing a new thing.” Is it unfaithful to imagine a new symbol for our faith? It may not be immediately clear exactly what a nautilus atop a cathedral means, but that ambiguity can invite thinking and conversation, much more than if we had done something less provocative, as evidenced by all the responses to Tim’s blog.

The church is a designated National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service official Bonnie Halda told The Huffington Post that as the Church is privately owned, no special permission was required prior to construction. She wrote, "Listing of private property as a National Historic Landmark or on the National Register does not prohibit under federal law or regulations any actions which may otherwise be taken by the property owner with respect to the property."

Other complaints about the nautilus deal with the blue backlighting which illuminates the sculpture after dark. Schenck jokes that he now tells "everyone I now refer to it as St. Paul’s Fish House & Raw Bar since it looks more like the entrance to a fancy seafood restaurant than a cathedral." Father Jody Howard, a priest in Tennessee, agreed, commenting, "I sort of like the plain nautilus on the blue background. I’d especially like it if it were temporary… But the backlighting? It has Joe’s Crab Shack written all over it..."

12 Vintage NASA Photos Showcase The Early Days Of Space Travel

February 1, 2014, 6:51 am

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The picturesque blur of a rocket launch. The surreal isolation of an orbiting satellite. The dreamy crest of a turning moon. These are but a few of the gorgeous images hidden in the depths of NASA's photographic archives. Thanks to a new exhibit at London's Breese Little gallery, however, we can finally feast upon the visual beauty previously beyond our reach.

The show -- "For all Mankind" -- boasts over 100 vintage photographs from NASA's past, spanning the sixties to the eighties. Taken by men, women and machines over a 20-year period, the images illuminate the retro splendor of Gemini missions, the Mars Viking and the Jupiter Voyager, among other feats of space travel.


Harrison Schmitt, Eugene Cernan and the antenna on the Rover, crescent Earth above, Apollo 17, December 1972, Vintage

"The ennobling rhetoric employed by JFK to launch the American space program has been superseded by a new reality," Breese Little notes in the exhibition description, referring to the dawn of the space tourism industry and the commercialization of galactic dreams. "Despite this, the exploration of space is undoubtedly one of the single most important endeavors in humanity’s quest for self-knowledge."

Contemporary video diaries from void-bound astronauts are certainly impressive, but there's something about a washed-out portrait of a distant planet that stirs the inner art-meets-science admirer in us all. Behold, 12 vintage photos that will take you back in NASA history:


Liftoff of the last lunar mission, Apollo 17, December 1972, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.2 x 25.4 cm


Saturn, Voyager 1, 1980, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.2 x 25.4 cm


Russell Schweickart, David Scott climbs through the open hatch of the Command Module, Apollo 9, March 1969, Vintage


Space Shuttle STS-1 at Kennedy Space Center, Shuttle, March 1981, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.2 x 25.4 cm


William Anders, Earthrise, the first ever witnessed by human eyes, Apollo 8, December 1968, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.2 x 25.4


Splashdown of the Apollo 14 command module, Apollo 14, February 1971, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.2 x 25.4 cm


Apollo 11 lift-off seen from the top of the launch gantry, Apollo 11, July 1969, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.2 x 25.4 cm


Crescent Earth from 10,000 miles, Apollo 4, November 1967, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.3 x 25.4 cm


James Irwin, David Scott and the Lunar Rover, Apollo 15, August 1971, Vintage gelatin silver print, 20.2 x 25.4 cm


James McDivitt, Ed White walking in space over Hawaii, Gemini 4, June 1965, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.3 x 25.4 cm


Jupiter and its satellite Io, Voyager 2, June 1979, Vintage chromogenic print, 20.2 x 25.4 cm


Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin’s gold-plated visor reflects Armstrong and the Lunar Module, Apollo 11, July 1969, Vintage

"For All Mankind: Vintage NASA Photographs 1964-1983" will be on view from January 22 until February 22, 2014.

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Here Are Music's 11 Coolest Cats To Celebrate The Kitten Bowl (VIDEO)

February 1, 2014, 6:55 am

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It’s a good week to be a cat. On Tuesday, they got their first ever cat cafe in North America, Cafe Chat Hereux, which is set to open in Montreal this summer. And on Sunday, they will get their very own marquee Super Bowl counter-programming event: The Kitten Bowl.

That’s right. After years of being relegated to the halftime show of Animal Planet’s beloved bonanza of overloading cuteness, The Puppy Bowl, kittens will finally be the stars of their very own vaguely football-related spectacle for the Hallmark Channel.

This is clearly a natural progression for the world’s most revered cheezburger-cravers. Since the golden days of ancient Egyptian civilization, the Felis silvestris catus has been stealthily and unrelentingly working its way into every facet of our art and culture from wall paintings and sculpture to film, skit comedy and, of course, the internet.

Most recently, cats officially conquered the popular music world. This has been a fairly long-standing campaign on our furry friends’ parts, with its roots dating back to their less than holy alliances with artists like The Cure in the early eighties and Paula Abdul a decade later. Over the past few years, though, the cat infiltration has picked up a lot of steam thanks to relationships and magical dances with Bjork and perfume lines with Katy Perry and even the formation of their very own rock all-cat rock band, The Rock Cats.

To celebrate our feline friends' continuing pop culture victories –- and to appease the creatures who are clearly set to become our future overlords –- we’d like to take a minute to look at our favourite musical cats of all time.

12 Ancient African Artworks Give Glimpse Into A Continent's Worth Of Art History

February 1, 2014, 6:58 am

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Whether a graceful maternity figure, a wooden protector against disease or a ceramic soldier mask -- there's something about an ancient relic from another time and place that makes you feel as if you're peeking into another world. That's the sort of feeling you can hope to encounter at the Brooklyn Museum, in their long-term exhibition "African Innovations."


Bamileke. Kuosi Society Elephant Mask, 20th century. Cloth, beads, raffia, fiber, 56 3/4 x 21 1/2 in. (144.1 x 54.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Milton F. Rosenthal, 81.170


Over 200 pieces from the Museum's collection, from ancient Nubia to contemporary Nigeria, constitute the expansive exhibit, spanning Africa's cultural innovation throughout the last 2,500 years. Specific artwork from the 19th and 20th centuries will be grouped according to the ideas of protection, transitions, authority, masquerade and personal beauty. Although thematic and chronological ordering is present, eventually the allure of the works prevails over any distinct artistic direction or evolution.


Yoruba. Beaded Crown (Ade) of Onijagbo Obasoro Alowolodu, Ogoga of Ikere 1890-1928, late 19th century. Fiber, beads, cloth, basketry, 37 3/4 x 9 1/2 in. (95.9 x 24.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Caroline A.L. Pratt Fund, Frederick Loeser Fund, and the Carll H. de Silver Fund, 70.109.1a-b.

Holland Cotter described assistant curator Kevin D. Dumouchelle's skillful curation in his 2011 review. He sets everything within a loose but linear chronological framework," he noted, "which argues against the notion, old and tenacious, that African art is historically mysterious, developmentally static and has no provable past."


Nalu. Banda Mask, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, metal, pigment, 61 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 15 3/8 in. (156.0 x 40.0 x 39.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Caroline A.L. Pratt Fund,

Take a journey through the continent's multifarious cultural history from your work desk with this preview of Brooklyn's finest African artifacts below. We have to warn you, between the expressive faces, generous colors and general stature, the artworks induce smiles almost immediately. Let us know your favorites in the comments.


Chewa. 'Elvis' Mask for Nyau Society, ca. 1977. Wood, paint, fiber, cloth, 11 x 9 1/2 x 7 1/4 in. (27.9 x 24.1 x 18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon Douglas III, Frederick E. Ossorio, and Elliot Picket, by exchange and Designated Purchase Fund


Kongo (Yombe subgroup). Figure of Mother and Child (Phemba), 19th century. Wood, beads, glass mirror, metal, resin, 11 x 5 x 4 1/2 in. (27.9 x 12.7 x 11.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund


Bamum. Funerary Headdress (Tugunga), late 19th century. Wood, rattan, pigment, 33 x 14 3/16 x 14 3/16 in. (83.8 x 36 x 36 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Melville W. Hall


Bamum. Funerary Headdress (Tugunga), late 19th century. Wood, rattan, pigment, 33 x 14 3/16 x 14 3/16 in. (83.8 x 36 x 36 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Melville W. Hall


Punu. Mask for the Okuyi Society (Mukudj), late 19th century. Wood, pigment, 9 7/8 x 7 x 6in. (25.1 x 17.8 x 15.2cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund



Makonde. Lipiko Mask, 19th century. Wood, human hair, fiber, pigment, 13 x 10 1/4 x 11 1/4 in. (33 x 26 x 28.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund



Master of Ntem. Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema-o-Byeri), 1750-1860. Wood, iron, 23 x 5 7/8 x 5 in. (58.4 x 14.9 x 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund


Lega. Three-Headed Figure (Sakimatwemtwe), 19th century. Wood, fiber, pigment, 5 1/2 x 2 x 1 1/8 in. (14 x 5.1 x 2.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund


Ebrié. Snake Pendant, 19th century. Gold alloy, 3 9/16 x 1 5/16 in. (9 x 3.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund

The Black Keys 'Howl' At Super Bowl Show In New York City

February 1, 2014, 7:06 am

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NEW YORK (AP) — Forget Petyon Manning barking "Omaha!" The Black Keys were busy howling for a Super Bowl weekend show.

The Ohio-based band tore through a 90-minute set of their greatest hits Friday night at New York's packed Roseland Ballroom as one of the headliners of a jam-packed weekend full of A-list concerts. The Black Keys cranked out hit after hit off "El Camino" and "Brothers," two of the albums that stuck them on the rock music map and onto the charts as one of the most popular bands of the last five years.

Let Bruno Mars have the Super Bowl. The Black Keys owned New York City.

Dan Auerbach didn't talk to the audience — nor did he need to. Dressed in only a white T-shirt and jeans, Auerbach hit all the right notes and had a packed crowd going wild with each of their biggest songs.

In a weekend stuffed with marquee events — from the Super Bowl to a UFC card to a Times Square football extravaganza that blows away any routine parking lot tailgate — The Black Keys went deep. With their catalog and for their audience.

The band knocked out "Howlin' For You," ''Run Right Back," ''Gold on the Ceiling," and "Little Black Submarines."

Patrick Carney was a stud on drums, and pounded away all night to the rhythmic favorites that had fans singing along with every song.

The show was a perk for Citi Cardholders and The Black Keys were just one of several bands to headline shows in the area leading up Sunday's Super Bowl that pits the Denver Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks.

The early line stretched around the corner and toward Dave Letterman's studio.

The only top 10 list on this night was figuring out which of the Black Keys' songs would make the cut.

Bill Murray's Flying 'Peter Pan' Entrance On Letterman Is Just The Best Thing

February 1, 2014, 8:05 am

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Bill Murray always does something special when he stops by the "Late Show With David Letterman" and Friday night's episode was more of the glorious same.

Dressed head-to-toe in full "Peter Pan" gear, Murray made his entrance soaring high above Letterman's head, singing a tune about how wonderful it is to fly (and to be Bill Murray, probably).

After zipping back and forth a few times, Murray finally landed next to Letterman's desk and explained that since NBC is reviving the eponymous boy-hero for a live musical, he feels this is his moment.

We concur. Watch the clip above.

Pharrell Accused Of Lifting Riff From Franz Ferdinand's 'Take Me Out'

February 1, 2014, 8:30 am

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It's been a big week for Pharrell Williams and his now-iconic hat, but not everyone agrees the 40-year-old singer/producer's recent musical success has been totally ethical.

Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos took to Twitter on Friday to voice concern over the similarities between the Pharrell-produced track "Can't Rely on You," by English singer Paloma Faith, and his band's 2004 hit song "Take Me Out." Kapranos was generally vague about his accusations, and his tone connotes lightheartedness -- even if such allegations are often the stuff of lawsuits within the music industry.

Hey @Pharrell - I love your tunes.

If you want to borrow a riff, just ask...

https://t.co/UInlWYxcKg

— alex kapranos (@alkapranos) January 31, 2014

This isn't the first time Pharrell has been associated with plagiarism allegations. Last year's Robin Thicke-fronted smash "Blurred Lines" was the subject of much dispute -- including back-and-forth lawsuits that have since been settled -- when Marvin Gaye's estate claimed the song was a ripoff of the successful 1977 release "Got To Give It Up."

Pharrell has yet to respond to Kapranos' tweet. HuffPost Entertainment reached out to the producer's rep on Saturday and will update this post upon receiving a response.

For what it's worth, it seems Kapranos was in the mood to pinpoint musical infringements last week. He drew a similar conclusion about Lorde's "Royals" on Monday.

THAT's what it is!

Royals by Lorde sounds like You're The Voice by John Farnham.

A wee bit.

— alex kapranos (@alkapranos) January 27, 2014

Listen to the two songs below and see if you agree with the comparisons.

Dragons, Sochi And An Icy Beach: The Week In Photos, Jan. 26 - Feb. 2

February 1, 2014, 8:44 am

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Nothing quite compares to the power of a photograph to communicate the goings on in the world. Ranging from the serious to the silly, these photos offer a peek into events around the world this week.

1. In the Philippines, dragon and lion dancers perform in celebration of Chinese New Year, in front of a grocery store in Manila's Chinatown district of Binondo, on January 31, 2014.

(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)



2. In Ukraine, an anti-government protester warms himself by a fireplace, in front of a barricade on Hrushevskoho Street in Kiev, on January 31, 2014.

(Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)



3. In South Carolina, icicles hang from a beach sign after a rare ice storm blanked the normally warm historic city of Charleston on January 29, 2014.

(Photo by Richard Ellis/Getty Images)



4. In Poland, a former concentration camp prisoner attends a ceremony at the memorial site of the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau on Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, 2014.

(JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images)



5. In South Sudan, a Sudan People's Liberation Army government soldier skins a fish in Mathiang, near Bor, on January 31, 2014.

(CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)



6. In the Central African Republic, a man waits as displaced Muslims fleeing attacks by Christian militias gather in a hangar at the airport in Bangui, on January 30, 2014.

(ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)



7. In Thailand, a policeman and an anti-government protester hug each other in Bangkok, on January 27, 2014.

(AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)



8. In Egypt, ousted President Mohammed Morsi stands inside a glassed-in defendant's cage during his trial on January 28, 2014.

(AP Photo)



9. In India, Dog Squad personnel from the Border Security Force take part in a march during Republic Day celebrations in Jammu, on January 26, 2014.

(Alok Pathania/AFP/Getty Images)



10. In Russia, the Olympic torch is tested before the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, on January 27, 2014.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

See Photos Of Beyonce Preparing For Her Grammy Performance

February 1, 2014, 9:28 am

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Beyonce and Jay Z's sultry opening number from last weekend's Grammy Awards was the talk of the night. Now, Queen Bey has graced us with behind-the-scenes photos from her preparation for the performance. Revel in these gems below, and head over to the singer's Tumblr page, Beyonce | I Am, for more.

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5 Things You Should Buy At Estate Sales (And 3 To Skip)

February 1, 2014, 9:50 am

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You already know that estate sales are where vintage buyers go to find the "good stuff" -- well-priced antiques straight from the homes that housed them. If you're not necessarily into retro collectibles, you may have driven past sales without a second thought. But, estate sales can be a great place to find more everyday items for a super-cheap price.

Some pro tips before you hunt: Make sure to always have cash on-hand, because you're in for a house-sized garage sale. While estate sale organizers may accept credit cards, you can often get the best deal with cash. If you're not one to scour Craigslist, sign up for a site like EstateSales.Net, which can send you a newsletter with fresh listings.

Ready to get started this weekend? Here's what to take a second glance at -- along with what to pass on.

Silverware The real thing can be pricey when new, but you can often find whole sets for a fraction of the cost. You can also find less-precious (but stylish) sets of everyday flatware for far less than, say, Target prices.

Traditional Kitchen by Thousand Oaks Interior Designers & Decorators The Old Painted Cottage

Big Furnishings Older can be better when it comes to furniture, particularly when we're talking about pieces like bureaus, tables and shelving units. You'll generally find solid wood furniture that's been lovingly kept up at these sales, for what you'd basically pay at IKEA.

Midcentury Living Room by Other Metro Media & Bloggers Hilda Grahnat

Dishware Whether it's fine china or a fine piece to eat take-out on, you can find dishes at a steal.

Eclectic Kitchen

Tablecloths (And Other Niceties) If you ever need to pass yourself off as a more civilized person, here's where you find your props.

Modern Dining Room by Amsterdam Architects & Designers gosto design & lifestyle

Glassware Some of us have never paid more than $1 for glasses (or barware). You can find colorful vintage pieces, or plain old pint glasses.

Eclectic Hall by Los Angeles Home Stagers Madison Modern Home

Bonus Tip For The Ladies Jewelry!

Eclectic Spaces by Chicago Photographers Cynthia Lynn Photography

Though we would never come between anyone and their dream 1960s sofa, there are a few things you should generally skip:

Big Appliances You don't really have a chance to make sure they work properly. And, no warranty means no guarantee.

Upholstered Furnishings One word: Bedbugs. Though we take a more cautious (paranoid) stance on that topic, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Cookware Take a very, very close look before you tote that darling enamelware fondue pot home. If there's even a tiny chip, you run the risk of enamel spoiling your cheese heaven.

Carly Rae Jepsen And Owl City Won't See Royalties From 'Good Time' Due To Lawsuit

February 1, 2014, 10:21 am

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Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City's Adam Young won't see a big chunk of the royalties from their summer 2012 hit "Good Time" -- at least not for now. This comes as a result of a long-standing lawsuit at the hands of singer Ally Burnett, who claimed the collaboration was a copyright infringement of her song "Ah, It's a Love Song."

In order to settle the suit, nonprofit performing-rights organization BMI reached an agreement with Burnett that will place $804,156 of "Good Time" royalties in escrow, according to TMZ. That makes it unattainable to Jepsen and Young until the case is completely resolved. In return, Burnett is expected to drop the suit. In whose hands the money will eventually wind up is yet to be determined. For now, it will sit in an account, untouched until a decision is made as to whether an infringement took place.

"Good Time" hit No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2012. Burnett's Wikipedia page indicates "she is best known for suing Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City for their song 'Good Time.'"

Listen to the two songs below and determine whether you find the lawsuit worthy.

5 Of The Coolest, Craziest Ways To Stand Up For What You Believe In

February 1, 2014, 10:33 am

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From craftivism to hacktivism, passionate people around the globe have been coming up with increasingly creative ways to stand up for what they believe in. These five campaigns go outside the box and prove that when it comes to taking a stand, imagination is your fiercest weapon and your only limitation.

1. Human Luggage: Raising awareness about human trafficking

To raise awareness around human trafficking, Amnesty International got creative with baggage carousels, according to adform. Stuffed in a transparent suitcase, a performance artist rode the conveyor belt at airports throughout Germany. Peering out of her cramped confines at confused travelers, the message ultimately became clear: human trafficking is all around us and it is our collective responsibility to help stop it.



2. Tampon Letters: Protesting for the dignity and hygiene of women in detention centers

When Australian activist group 'Destroy The Joint' discovered that female immigrants in detention centers were being denied reasonable access to sanitary products, an innovative campaign was born. #StopTheTampons encourages Australians to inundate the Immigration Minister with letters of protest written on, you guessed it, tampons and sanitary napkins. The call to arms was met with creative enthusiasm. One thing is for sure: The Immigration Minister's mailbox runneth over.

Dear Minister, refugees deserve bleedin' dignity. @JointDestroyer #StopTheTampons pic.twitter.com/MCNK8yZlze

— Flic (@FlicBuzz) January 10, 2014

@JointDestroyer hey @ScottMorrisonMP stop being so bloody inhumane #StopTheTampons pic.twitter.com/PG2WLuL30A

— neurofluff (@neurofluff) January 8, 2014

3. Selfies Against Suicide Bombers: Taking a stand against terrorism

As the campaign's organizers told HuffPostLive, the #notamartyr movement is an effort by the Lebanese people to set the record straight: suicide bombers are not martyrs. Distraught and angered by a recent spate of suicide bombings in Beirut that cost innocent lives, #notamartyr participants are passionately decrying the violence that has become all too commonplace in their country. This viral campaign has received attention from around the world for it's creativity and massive viral participation.

Very impressing, inspiring and so true #Lebanon #notamartyr (@France24_fr) pic.twitter.com/f4qpCKJoaP

— - Dalia K. (@dahliakarkar) January 22, 2014

"@OmarAmmar24: #notamartyr pic.twitter.com/pq3df9ZcTg" Praying for you.

— Rachel Titus (@Racheltitusk) January 8, 2014

4. Poster Photos: Empowering victims of sexual violence

Project Unbreakable is proof of the strength of survivors. It is also proof that still images still have the power to pack a punch. This ever-expanding photo series features victims of sexual assault holding posters that quote their attackers. While managing to be simultaneously striking, disturbing and inspiring, these photographs will change the way you think about sexual assault... and what it means to be a survivor.







5. Hijacked Underwear: Taking to task rape culture in advertising

Fed up with the use of phrases like "SURE THING" plastered on Victoria's Secret's popular Pink! line on underwear for teen and tween girls, Feminist activist group 'FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture' decided to get a little brazen with the lingerie company. Launching a website that claimed to represent Pink!, FORCE advertised a fake line of products with cheeky slogans endorsing safe, consensual sex. While the blogosphere blew up with praise for VS's new 'approach', the lingerie company itself was none too pleased. They filed suit and FORCE had to shut down the site... but not before causing a noticeable stir and facilitating an all-too important conversation.

Academy Explains How 'Alone Yet Not Alone' Violated Oscar Campaign Rules In Statement

February 1, 2014, 12:43 pm

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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made a rare move this week when it disqualified "Alone Yet Not Alone," a track from an obscure Christian-themed movie that scored a Best Original Song nomination, from the Oscars due to faulty campaigning practices. The Academy latched onto accusations that Bruce Broughton, the song's composer and former head of the Board of Governors' Music Branch, had made personal phone calls and sent emails to colleagues urging them to consider the song.

The nod became one of this year's most surprising, considering the film of the same title received only a bare-bones seven-day qualifying theatrical release. Following the Jan. 16 nomination announcement, insiders began to question Broughton's campaign ethics. Still, in the wake of Wednesday's revelation that the "Alone Yet Not Alone" nomination would be rescinded, many journalists urged the Academy to explain its decision in more detail.

More on Songgate—Member says he “received several calls & emails" from reps of other films” but "not a single call or email” from Broughton.

— Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikLAT) January 30, 2014

In his emails to music branch members, did Broughton disparage others or throw around his weight as an ex-Gov? If not, what did he do wrong?

— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) January 30, 2014

AMPAS won't specify Bruce Broughton's violation. My guess: He used a member email-contact list--which most voters can't access--to campaign.

— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) January 30, 2014

Now, the Academy has released a statement that elucidates the verdict. The rules regarding the nomination process for Best Original Song indicate that the names of composers and lyricists are to be omitted from the DVD of eligible songs sent to voters. The effort intends to maintain integrity in the category, encouraging voters to nominate the most merited songs rather than the most appealing names associated with them. (Still, A-list pop stars are staples of the category. This year alone, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Lana Del Rey, Beyonce and Jay Z are among a long list of snubs.)

Because Broughton allegedly identified which of the DVD's songs belonged to him -- information most potential nominees were not privy to -- when emailing one-third of the Music Branch to ask voters to listen to it, he was deemed out of bounds in regard to the campaign rulebook.

Read the Academy's full statement below.

The Board of Governors’ decision to rescind the Original Song nomination for “Alone Yet Not Alone,” music by Bruce Broughton, was made thoughtfully and after careful consideration. The Academy takes very seriously anything that undermines the integrity of the Oscars® voting process. The Board regretfully concluded that Mr. Broughton’s actions did precisely that.

The nominating process for Original Song is intended to be anonymous, with each eligible song listed only by title and the name of the film in which it is used—the idea being to prevent favoritism and promote unbiased voting. It’s been a long-standing policy and practice of the Academy—as well as a requirement of Rule 5.3 of the 86th Academy Awards® Rules—­­to omit composer and lyricist credits from the DVD of eligible songs that are sent to members of the Music Branch. The Academy wants members to vote for nominees based solely on the achievement of a particular song in a movie, without regard to who may have written it.

Mr. Broughton sent an email to at least 70 of his fellow Music Branch members—nearly one-third of the branch’s 240 members. When he identified the song as track #57 as one he had composed, and asked voting branch members to listen to it, he took advantage of information that few other potential nominees are privy to. As a former Academy Governor and current member of the Music Branch’s executive committee, Mr. Broughton should have been more cautious about acting in a way that made it appear as if he were taking advantage of his position to exert undue influence. At a minimum, his actions called into question whether the process was "fair and equitable," as the Academy's rules require. The Academy is dedicated to doing everything it can to ensure a level playing field for all potential Oscar® contenders—including those who don’t enjoy the access, knowledge, and influence of a long-standing Academy insider.

"I didn't ask anybody to vote for it," Broughton told CBS News after learning his nomination had been rescinded. "I didn't do any promotion about the film. I didn't do anything that I understood the rules to exclude."

Robin Thicke, Kendrick Lamar Perform At ESPN Super Bowl Bash

February 1, 2014, 1:09 pm

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NEW YORK (AP) — Robin Thicke and Kendrick Lamar might be putting in their bids for the 2015 Super Bowl halftime show.

The artists were energetic when they performed Friday night at ESPN's pre-Super Bowl bash at Pier 36 in New York City. Thicke's performance included the upbeat jams "Give It 2 U," ''Magic" and "Blurred Lines," which he closed with and got the audience of a few thousand grooving.

He also slowed it down, playing the piano during "Dreamworld" and standing on top of it. Thicke even sang covers, including Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Stay Together." Thicke is in the midst of a lawsuit with Gaye's children, who say some of his songs, including the hit "Blurred Lines," sound too similar to Gaye's music.

Lamar was also a crowd pleaser, working the stage from left to right and performing hits like "Don't Kill My Vibe" and "Poetic Justice." The audience included a number of celebrities, from Spike Lee to Tim Tebow, Ice-T and Lindsey Vonn with her crutches.

The Seattle Seahawks will play the Denver Broncos on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Bruno Mars is the halftime performer.