'American Idol' Recap: It Will Take A Miracle To Beat Bo Bice
MTV
It seems everyone has something to say about "American Idol," and MTVNews.com is no different. Here's the latest edition of our weekly performance-night roundup:
Surprise performance: Someone needed to step up with this season's answer to Fantasia's show-stopping "Summertime," and Bo did just that — but topped it tenfold with his goosebumps-inducing a capella rendition of Badlands' "In a Dream."
Fashion hits and misses: Mirroring the music, it was a night of hits, with each exemplifying their image. Vonzell was fun. Bo was cool. And Carrie was cute.
Judging the judges: Simon delivered one of his best lines of the season after "In a Dream": "You may have just put 34 musicians out of work." Does Randy know that Arsenio Hall actually started the Dawg Pound? Paula seemed back to normal. Clive Davis reminded us how boring guest judges are, but at least he criticized Vonzell — even if it was for the wrong song. The judges were unanimous about Bo making it to the finale, an easy pick, but seemed partial to Carrie.
Best audience sign: "Bo Is Pure Southern Comfort."
Who will go: Carrie failed to step it up, but she's been a favorite for so long, she'll edge out Vonzell.
Who needs to step it up: Carrie would be lucky to be in the finale. To beat Bo, she's going to need a miracle.
Who is the one to beat: Bo not only gave the performance of the season, he gave arguably the second and third best, and all of the songs were completely different. He's got versatility, personality and on top of that, he seems genuinely humble
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Topher Grace Joins Cast Of 'Spider-Man 3' ... But As Who?
MTV
Marvel Studios Chairman/ CEO Avi Arad announced Thursday (May 19) that Topher Grace is joining the cast of the upcoming blockbuster "Spider-Man 3." Scheduled for release on May 4, 2007, the third movie in the "Spider-Man" saga will unite the "In Good Company" star with previously announced participants Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco and Thomas Haden Church.
"First we had Tom, [now] we have a very interesting guy joining the cast," said a smiling Arad at MTV's West Coast headquarters. "His name is Topher."
Arad said the presence of Grace — whose role is not yet known — will continue a Marvel movie tradition of casting actors who might not immediately come to mind to portray comic book characters. "That's the fun in this universe. We have a good rule about this: There is no against type. You find someone who brings the role of the individual, not the costumed individual, to life. Before we put Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, if you had said Peter Parker ... if you just did a [survey], I don't think you would have heard too many Tobey Maguires coming to mind."
While Arad and Marvel continue to refuse comment on which characters Grace and Church will play, the 57-year-old Arad did hint that Grace had been cast contrary to the typical nice-guy roles that have made him a household name. "That's a good question," is all he'd say when asked for the identity of Grace's alter ego. "Just before I came here, we were all on the phone with [other Marvel executives] and I said to them, 'Are you nuts? We can't tell anybody who he is. This is all the fun. The fun is figuring out.'
"That's how you have to look at it," Arad said about keeping the fans waiting. "Topher, we believe, is joining the ranks of the incredible actors."
With Church, Arad remains similarly tight-lipped, side-stepping fan rumors that the Oscar-nominated "Sideways" star will take on the villainous role of Sandman. "I don't know," he smiled. "[Church is] all confused, you know, these Texans. Yes, of course he [knows who he's playing]. You know what? The movie is 2007; to be straight about it, it's taking all the fun away. I just love the fact that there are such guessing games going on."
In a statement from Marvel, series director Sam Raimi expressed similar enthusiasm for the casting news. "I couldn't be more excited about the direction we are taking the continuing adventures of Peter Parker. Topher Grace is an extraordinarily talented actor and will be perfect for the complexities of the role we are developing."
While discussing the film, Arad also dismissed rumors that the next two "Spider-Man" movies will be filmed simultaneously, following the cost-cutting formulas of the "Matrix" or "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequels. "Not true," he insisted. "No, it doesn't make sense ... I don't believe it. I don't believe you really save money. What you do, in essence, is you ensure that you book your stars for long enough."
Still, he said excitedly, Peter Parker's next adventure will be the most ambitious one yet. " 'Spider-Man 3' has to be bigger than '1' and '2,' " Arad said, "So storywise it's already bigger, the characters in it are already bigger ... it will already be a handful to [complete it by] May 2007."
More than $1.5 billion worldwide has been taken in by the "Spider-Man" film franchise with its first two installments. "Spider-Man 3," which will be working off a script penned by second-installment writer Alvin Sargent, begins filming early next year.
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Justin Timberlake Signs On For 'Will & Grace' Role
MTV
Neil Sean of Sky News reports that Justin Timberlake has signed on to star in three episodes of 'Will & Grace' as the gay boyfriend of Sean Hayes' character Jack. A source said, "He loved the fact he was playing against type and still proved a big hit. He was thrilled to be asked back." Sean added that the *NSYNC star's next solo album will be released in November
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