As far as televised national anthems are concerned, we’ve certainly seen a wide range of performances over the past few decades, haven’t we? From Whitney Houston’s triumphant rendition at the 1991 Super Bowl to Roseanne Barr’s bastardization of the gift of sound at a 1990 Padres game, it’s easy to feel like we’ve heard it all at this point.
But every once in a while, if we’re lucky, a performance comes along that catches us by surprise, sweeps us off our feet and and restores our sense of wonder — a rendition so bold, so unexpected,...
But every once in a while, if we’re lucky, a performance comes along that catches us by surprise, sweeps us off our feet and and restores our sense of wonder — a rendition so bold, so unexpected,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
Chris Stapleton delivered a monster rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl Lvii earlier this year, bringing grown men to tears and giving even those who think the U.S. is in a downward spiral a reason to feel optimistic. Consider it Stapleton’s “Whitney moment.”
Now, just in time for Independence Day, the country vocalist has officially released his version of the National Anthem. And while the song, written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 and notoriously difficult to sing, may not scream “BBQ playlist,” we say Stapleton’s...
Now, just in time for Independence Day, the country vocalist has officially released his version of the National Anthem. And while the song, written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 and notoriously difficult to sing, may not scream “BBQ playlist,” we say Stapleton’s...
- 6/30/2023
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
On July 25th, 1990, as Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold flew high above Jack Murphy Stadium, the San Diego Padres waited to face the Cincinnati Reds in the last of a four-game homestand. But before they would take the field, they would be graced with the presence of one of TV’s biggest stars performing the American National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As the helicopter neared, Arnold looked over the crowd of more than 25,000 and tried to convince his wife that maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Soon before the first pitch, Roseanne belted her take on Francis Scott Key’s anthem, spit on the field and grabbed her crotch. It would be her most controversial moment…until decades later…
Let’s find out: Wtf Happened to…Roseanne Barr?
But to truly understand what the fuck happened to Roseanne Barr, we go back to the beginning. And the beginning...
Let’s find out: Wtf Happened to…Roseanne Barr?
But to truly understand what the fuck happened to Roseanne Barr, we go back to the beginning. And the beginning...
- 6/16/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Coda star Troy Kotsur performed the national anthem alongside Chris Stapleton ahead of Super Bowl Lvii on Sunday (12 February).
Kotsur made history at the 94th Academy Awards last April by becoming the first-ever deaf male to win an acting Oscar.
The actor was back in his home state of Arizona for the sporting event to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” in American Sign Language (Asl).
Speaking to Variety ahead of the Super Bowl, Kotsur said he was hesitant about performing until learning that the match would be hosted in Arizona.
“I was on the fence for about two weeks and then I learned that it was my hometown that was hosting the Super Bowl, so I said, ‘Hell yes, I’m in,’” he said.
“I’m adding a little salt and pepper that will make it even more poetic, even more delicious. It’s a visual art,” Kotsur added of his performance.
Kotsur made history at the 94th Academy Awards last April by becoming the first-ever deaf male to win an acting Oscar.
The actor was back in his home state of Arizona for the sporting event to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” in American Sign Language (Asl).
Speaking to Variety ahead of the Super Bowl, Kotsur said he was hesitant about performing until learning that the match would be hosted in Arizona.
“I was on the fence for about two weeks and then I learned that it was my hometown that was hosting the Super Bowl, so I said, ‘Hell yes, I’m in,’” he said.
“I’m adding a little salt and pepper that will make it even more poetic, even more delicious. It’s a visual art,” Kotsur added of his performance.
- 2/13/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - Film
Coda star Troy Kotsur performed the national anthem alongside Chris Stapleton ahead of Super Bowl Lvii on Sunday (12 February).
Kotsur made history at the 94th Academy Awards last April by becoming the first-ever deaf male to win an acting Oscar.
The actor was back in his home state of Arizona for the sporting event to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” in American Sign Language (Asl).
Speaking to Variety ahead of the Super Bowl, Kotsur said he was hesitant about performing until learning that the match would be hosted in Arizona.
“I was on the fence for about two weeks and then I learned that it was my hometown that was hosting the Super Bowl, so I said, ‘Hell yes, I’m in,’” he said.
“I’m adding a little salt and pepper that will make it even more poetic, even more delicious. It’s a visual art,” Kotsur added of his performance.
Kotsur made history at the 94th Academy Awards last April by becoming the first-ever deaf male to win an acting Oscar.
The actor was back in his home state of Arizona for the sporting event to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” in American Sign Language (Asl).
Speaking to Variety ahead of the Super Bowl, Kotsur said he was hesitant about performing until learning that the match would be hosted in Arizona.
“I was on the fence for about two weeks and then I learned that it was my hometown that was hosting the Super Bowl, so I said, ‘Hell yes, I’m in,’” he said.
“I’m adding a little salt and pepper that will make it even more poetic, even more delicious. It’s a visual art,” Kotsur added of his performance.
- 2/13/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - TV
When Troy Kotsur won Best Supporting Actor at the 94th Academy Awards for his role in "Coda," he was only the second deaf actor ever to win an Oscar. His win also marked the first time a deaf actor won an award at the ceremony in 36 years, after his "Coda" co-star Marlee Matlin's historic win for "Children of a Lesser God." Needless to say, he's made his mark.
Kotsur is about to make history in a brand new way tonight, as he is slated to perform a major part of the 2023 Super Bowl. Country singer Chris Stapleton will perform the National Anthem before the football game begins, while Kotsur will perform his own interpretation of the song via American Sign Language (Asl). Even though it has been customary for an Asl interpreter to perform the anthem alongside the central performer, this will certainly be the first time it has...
Kotsur is about to make history in a brand new way tonight, as he is slated to perform a major part of the 2023 Super Bowl. Country singer Chris Stapleton will perform the National Anthem before the football game begins, while Kotsur will perform his own interpretation of the song via American Sign Language (Asl). Even though it has been customary for an Asl interpreter to perform the anthem alongside the central performer, this will certainly be the first time it has...
- 2/12/2023
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
It’s been two years since Troy Kotsur pulled on the heartstrings of Sundance audiences with his supporting performance in “Coda,” and one year since his Oscar win for the role made him a household name. Now, he’s found his way back to his home state of Arizona, where the whole country will watch him perform the national anthem in American Sign Language during Super Bowl Lvii on Sunday.
When “Coda” — an acronym meaning “child of deaf adults” — rose to popularity, it sparked a larger conversation about our widespread failure to acknowledge Deaf culture and make efforts to accommodate and include deaf people.
Ahead of his Super Bowl performance, Kotsur spoke to Variety about the visual art of interpreting music into sign language and his thoughts on the progress our culture has made.
How did your involvement in this year’s Super Bowl come together?
It’s a funny story.
When “Coda” — an acronym meaning “child of deaf adults” — rose to popularity, it sparked a larger conversation about our widespread failure to acknowledge Deaf culture and make efforts to accommodate and include deaf people.
Ahead of his Super Bowl performance, Kotsur spoke to Variety about the visual art of interpreting music into sign language and his thoughts on the progress our culture has made.
How did your involvement in this year’s Super Bowl come together?
It’s a funny story.
- 2/12/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Naomi Ackie gives audiences a glimpse into the life of Whitney Houston in director Kasi Lemmons’ new biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and the new film is packed with a number of Houston’s hits.
Working with movement coach Polly Bennett and vocal coaches Tangela Large, Bridgette Jackson and Denise Woods, Ackie also underwent physical transformation with the help of numerous wigs and false teeth to cover the natural gap in her two front teeth.
Ackie doesn’t sing most songs in the film — she lip syncs to Houston’s perfect tracks instead — but she mimics Houston’s style of singing with great detail. She steps in for performances by Houston that were not recorded, such as “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” and “Jesus Loves Me” from her choir-singing days. Ackie also portrays a nervous Whitney who is thrust onstage by her mother, who knows Clive Davis is in attendance,...
Working with movement coach Polly Bennett and vocal coaches Tangela Large, Bridgette Jackson and Denise Woods, Ackie also underwent physical transformation with the help of numerous wigs and false teeth to cover the natural gap in her two front teeth.
Ackie doesn’t sing most songs in the film — she lip syncs to Houston’s perfect tracks instead — but she mimics Houston’s style of singing with great detail. She steps in for performances by Houston that were not recorded, such as “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” and “Jesus Loves Me” from her choir-singing days. Ackie also portrays a nervous Whitney who is thrust onstage by her mother, who knows Clive Davis is in attendance,...
- 12/28/2022
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
[[tmz:video id="0_5pdha8tr"]] Migos rapper Quavo doesn't want to tamper with the Og national anthem, he's got bigger plans for one. There's a petition going around to have Quavo ad lib on the 'Star-Spangled Banner' track. 7,600 people are already on board. We got Quavo at Lax Tuesday, and he thinks the song that's impossible to sing needs some serious updating with new messaging ... he thinks the point should be unity and equality. Fun Fact -- Francis Scott Key...
- 8/23/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Ten days after declaring war is a lousy time for a party, let alone a Super Bowl.
On Jan. 17, 1991, an armed coalition led by the United States commenced Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf, marking the first major military action of the post-terrorism age. Less than two weeks later, the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills prepared for their own conflict as Super Bowl Xxv kicked off in Tampa, Florida. Fears that Saddam Hussein would target this, the most American of sporting events, led some NFL officials to consider rescheduling. The big game would proceed as planned, but the festive mood of Jan.
On Jan. 17, 1991, an armed coalition led by the United States commenced Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf, marking the first major military action of the post-terrorism age. Less than two weeks later, the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills prepared for their own conflict as Super Bowl Xxv kicked off in Tampa, Florida. Fears that Saddam Hussein would target this, the most American of sporting events, led some NFL officials to consider rescheduling. The big game would proceed as planned, but the festive mood of Jan.
- 2/11/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
[[tmz:video id="0_12kgpors"]] Al Sharpton says Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem protest reminds him of Jackie Robinson -- because the Mlb legend also said he refused to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner." It's true ... As Sharpton pointed out in NYC Wednesday, Robinson made his feelings clear in his 1972 autobiography, 'I Never Had It Made.' "As I write this twenty years [after my Mlb debut], I cannot stand and sing the anthem," Robinson wrote ... "I cannot salute the flag; I know that...
- 9/1/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
John Legend is standing with Colin Kaepernick. Or, rather, not standing. The 37-year-old singer tweeted his support for the controversial 49ers quarterback, who has been refusing to stand for the national anthem until there is a "significant change" in the oppression of people due to their race in the United States. After tweeting an article about the "Star Spangled Banner" that claims an often unsung verse in the Francis Scott Key tune "literally celebrates the murder of African-Americans," Legend called the song "weak." "My vote is for "America the Beautiful," he said, offering the song as a new national anthem.
- 9/1/2016
- by Dave Quinn, @NineDaves
- PEOPLE.com
John Legend is standing with Colin Kaepernick. Or, rather, not standing. The 37-year-old singer tweeted his support for the controversial 49ers quarterback, who has been refusing to stand for the national anthem until there is a "significant change" in the oppression of people due to their race in the United States. After tweeting an article about the "Star Spangled Banner" that claims an often unsung verse in the Francis Scott Key tune "literally celebrates the murder of African-Americans," Legend called the song "weak." "My vote is for "America the Beautiful," he said, offering the song as a new national anthem.
- 9/1/2016
- by Dave Quinn, @NineDaves
- PEOPLE.com
Minister Louis Farrakhan says he -- and the entire Nation Of Islam -- are 100% behind Colin Kaepernick ... praising the Qb's American flag protest as a "courageous stand." Farrakhan released a statement via his Facebook page in which he thanked Kaep for taking a stand, and lauded his courage in the face of intense criticism. "Courage is one of the great characteristics of great men and women. And at the root of courage is love for...
- 8/30/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Oh say can you see… that we’re nearly at the end of Sleepy Hollow‘s third season? And that it looks like the Witnesses are headed back to the catacombs? And that yet another person in their lives is privy to the secrets of the impending apocalypse?
This week’s National Anthem-centric episode drafts FBI boss Daniel Reynolds onto Team Wtf, a development that both scares and emboldens Abbie to make like Oprah and live her best life. (“You get a mystical jug! And You get a mystical jug!”) Meanwhile, Jenny’s not ready to make nice with her dad,...
This week’s National Anthem-centric episode drafts FBI boss Daniel Reynolds onto Team Wtf, a development that both scares and emboldens Abbie to make like Oprah and live her best life. (“You get a mystical jug! And You get a mystical jug!”) Meanwhile, Jenny’s not ready to make nice with her dad,...
- 3/26/2016
- TVLine.com
There is a saying in Baltimore that crabs may be prepared in fifty ways and that all of them are good. • H.L. Mencken
“There is only so far that you can push people into a corner… We’re frustrated and that’s why we’re out there in the streets.” • Charles, Member of the Crips gang
“I would never want to live anywhere but Baltimore. You can look far and wide, but you’ll never discover a stranger city with such extreme style. It’s as if every eccentric in the South decided to move north, ran out of gas in Baltimore, and decided to stay.” • John Waters, Filmmaker and Writer
“This is a skewed portrayal of the protests; it is what the media chose to portray – the media that consumers bewilderingly seem to want. The real revolution is thousands of people across America standing in solidarity against police brutality.
“There is only so far that you can push people into a corner… We’re frustrated and that’s why we’re out there in the streets.” • Charles, Member of the Crips gang
“I would never want to live anywhere but Baltimore. You can look far and wide, but you’ll never discover a stranger city with such extreme style. It’s as if every eccentric in the South decided to move north, ran out of gas in Baltimore, and decided to stay.” • John Waters, Filmmaker and Writer
“This is a skewed portrayal of the protests; it is what the media chose to portray – the media that consumers bewilderingly seem to want. The real revolution is thousands of people across America standing in solidarity against police brutality.
- 10/5/2015
- by Mindy Newell
- Comicmix.com
The valiant defense of Fort McHenry on the night of Sept. 13, 1814, during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812 inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The song eventually was declared the national anthem of the United States by Congress in 1931. In commemoration of 200 years of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” PBS will air a live, two-hour broadcast featuring various performances of patriotic tunes — including, of course, America’s national anthem. John Lithgow (pictured) hosts the event, held at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, and is joined by co-host Jordin Sparks. The concert, called … Continue reading →
The post PBS special commemorates “The Star-Spangled Banner” bicentennial appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post PBS special commemorates “The Star-Spangled Banner” bicentennial appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 9/12/2014
- by Jeff Pfeiffer
- ChannelGuideMag
Foxcatcher
Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman
Directed by Bennett Miller
USA, 2014
John E. du Pont (Steve Carell) speaks to his newly-founded wrestling squad about patriotic values as if reciting a sport-oriented “Star-Spangled Banner.” But du Pont is no Francis Scott Key — his words are weak, but his money is strong. This is du Pont’s America in Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher: a grand team that he’s accidentally but proudly charging through his money, a game that can be bought. Yes, the film intends to talk about America as much as it does the disquieting personalities of this bleak true story. Though saturated with grandiose metaphors and a message worn carelessly on its sleeves, Foxcatcher confirms Bennett Miller as one of the best character directors working in Hollywood.
Dave (Mark Ruffalo) and Mark (Channing Tatum) Schultz slither their way into various contortions and show off their...
Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman
Directed by Bennett Miller
USA, 2014
John E. du Pont (Steve Carell) speaks to his newly-founded wrestling squad about patriotic values as if reciting a sport-oriented “Star-Spangled Banner.” But du Pont is no Francis Scott Key — his words are weak, but his money is strong. This is du Pont’s America in Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher: a grand team that he’s accidentally but proudly charging through his money, a game that can be bought. Yes, the film intends to talk about America as much as it does the disquieting personalities of this bleak true story. Though saturated with grandiose metaphors and a message worn carelessly on its sleeves, Foxcatcher confirms Bennett Miller as one of the best character directors working in Hollywood.
Dave (Mark Ruffalo) and Mark (Channing Tatum) Schultz slither their way into various contortions and show off their...
- 5/19/2014
- by Zach Lewis
- SoundOnSight
Fresh off the record-breaking debut of her music video for "We Can't Stop," pop princess Miley Cyrus now has 766 more reasons to rejoice.
That's number of people who have so far signed a petition asking that her song "Party in the U.S.A." become the new national anthem.
Posted to the White House's "We the People" site two days before Independence Day, the petition reads, "Obama please make Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" our national anthem. It is what is best for this country."
To paraphrase a succinct summary from Mashable's Brian Anthony Hernandez, "Party In The U.S.A.," which has been watched over 342 million times on YouTube, is the energetic tale of a young Jay-z and Britney Spears fan who moves to Los Angeles. It's the American Dream, wrapped in bedazzled, American flag Daisy Duke shorts.
Despite the song's undeniable commercial success, it's probably not...
That's number of people who have so far signed a petition asking that her song "Party in the U.S.A." become the new national anthem.
Posted to the White House's "We the People" site two days before Independence Day, the petition reads, "Obama please make Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" our national anthem. It is what is best for this country."
To paraphrase a succinct summary from Mashable's Brian Anthony Hernandez, "Party In The U.S.A.," which has been watched over 342 million times on YouTube, is the energetic tale of a young Jay-z and Britney Spears fan who moves to Los Angeles. It's the American Dream, wrapped in bedazzled, American flag Daisy Duke shorts.
Despite the song's undeniable commercial success, it's probably not...
- 7/10/2013
- by Meredith Bennett-Smith
- Huffington Post
As Americans get ready to celebrate the 237th birthday of the United States tomorrow with picnics, barbeques and firework displays, we can’t help but thinking about the broad stripes and bright stars of the American flag. Fashion trends have come and gone, but putting on an outfit —no matter how skimpy!— that proudly displays the red, white and blue will always be a timeless way to show one’s belief in the values that Americans hold closely. (Well, that and for some of our more shameless celebrities, it’s also a great way to capture a photographer’s interest!)
To both of those ends, please take a spin to check out the following 50 Star-Spangled Hotties, an alphabetically-organized gallery chock full of gorgeous patriots like Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Kate Upton, Mr. T and even a few Real Housewives of Orange County! We’re pretty sure Francis Scott Key would’ve wanted it this way.
To both of those ends, please take a spin to check out the following 50 Star-Spangled Hotties, an alphabetically-organized gallery chock full of gorgeous patriots like Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Kate Upton, Mr. T and even a few Real Housewives of Orange County! We’re pretty sure Francis Scott Key would’ve wanted it this way.
- 7/3/2013
- by Mark Graham
- TheFabLife - Movies
R. Kelly's "Ignition (Remix)" turned 10 recently, and a group of intrepid fans have found quite the way to celebrate the occasion: Change the national anthem of the United States to the timeless party tune.
That's the notion behind a White House petition filed on the administration's website. Full text and a screenshot of the petition is available below, but essentially the "undersigned" are asking Obama to "recognize the need for a new national anthem, one that even a decade after its creation, is still hot and fresh out the kitchen."
"Ignition (Remix)" was released on Jan. 22, 2003 and begins with Kels telling the listener that he "doesn't normally do this" before memorably noticing that "it's the freaking weekend" and accordingly "having [him] some fun."
At the time of this writing, the petition had nearly 2,000 of the 100,000 signatures it needs to reach by its April 2 deadline. If it reaches that number, the...
That's the notion behind a White House petition filed on the administration's website. Full text and a screenshot of the petition is available below, but essentially the "undersigned" are asking Obama to "recognize the need for a new national anthem, one that even a decade after its creation, is still hot and fresh out the kitchen."
"Ignition (Remix)" was released on Jan. 22, 2003 and begins with Kels telling the listener that he "doesn't normally do this" before memorably noticing that "it's the freaking weekend" and accordingly "having [him] some fun."
At the time of this writing, the petition had nearly 2,000 of the 100,000 signatures it needs to reach by its April 2 deadline. If it reaches that number, the...
- 3/5/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
There were quite a few records set at last night's Big Game from network ratings to incredible touchdown runs, but Alicia Keys' soulful take on the national anthem was the real standout. The R&B superstar's piano rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" officially was the longest in Super Bowl history, according to USA Today, after it clocked in at 156.4 seconds. Keys' pitch-perfect version surpassed Natalie Cole's milestone 152-second salute to the Stars and Stripes at the 1994 Super Bowl. The last artist to best the two-minute mark with Francis Scott Key's patriotic (and octave-challenging) song was Jennifer Hudson at the 2009 Super Bowl....
- 2/4/2013
- E! Online
Finally! We've reached the end of the audition rounds for season 12 of American Idol. Tonight the judges make their final stop in Oklahoma, home of American Idol superstar Carrie Underwood.
Will they find talent? Or tumbleweeds? Let's find out now...
The first to audition is Karl Skinner from Joplin, Mo. He's very emphatic. And when Keith asks him who he wants to be as an artist he says he wants to be "uncomparable." Mission accomplished, Karl. For reasons completely unbeknownst to me, the judges send him to Hollywood.
Nate Tao is an American Sign Language teacher. Both of his parents are deaf. He sings Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life" and there's a sweetness about him that's very likable. His voice isn't bad either. He gets four yes votes. And then Nate's dad teaches Ryan a couple of signs. I like him.
Ventriloquist Hayley Hilburn shows up with...
Will they find talent? Or tumbleweeds? Let's find out now...
The first to audition is Karl Skinner from Joplin, Mo. He's very emphatic. And when Keith asks him who he wants to be as an artist he says he wants to be "uncomparable." Mission accomplished, Karl. For reasons completely unbeknownst to me, the judges send him to Hollywood.
Nate Tao is an American Sign Language teacher. Both of his parents are deaf. He sings Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life" and there's a sweetness about him that's very likable. His voice isn't bad either. He gets four yes votes. And then Nate's dad teaches Ryan a couple of signs. I like him.
Ventriloquist Hayley Hilburn shows up with...
- 2/1/2013
- by miranda.wicker@gmail.com (Miranda Wicker)
- TVfanatic
Many have chimed in on Beyoncé's lip-syncing controversy, but here is the final word, straight from the lips of the most reliable (and surely, the sassiest) newsman on air: Anderson Cooper. "I am releasing a statement right now saying, I just don't care," Mr. Cooper argued during The Ridiculist on last night's AC360. "We got to look at Beyoncé's beautiful face and hear Beyoncé's beautiful voice singing the national anthem. There is one thing we should be saying today and that's, 'Thank you, Beyoncé.' Francis Scott Key himself would send her a fruit basket." Amen! And we cosign his most poetic statement: Bey posts pics of rehearsal...
- 1/23/2013
- E! Online
Unless you’re the late, great Whitney Houston, it’s tough to perform a “Star-Spangled Banner” that people actually like. Take risks, and you’ll sound too screechy; concentrate on bombastic vocals, and you’ll mess up the words; play it safe, and some may accuse you of being boring. So we can hardly blame The Fray for trying to curry favor by mashing up two things Americans love more than anything: patriotism and the Muppets.
The Grey’s Anatomy-approved band was drafted to perform the national anthem at last night’s Ncaa basketball championship game. But instead of doing a traditional,...
The Grey’s Anatomy-approved band was drafted to perform the national anthem at last night’s Ncaa basketball championship game. But instead of doing a traditional,...
- 4/3/2012
- by Hillary Busis
- EW.com - PopWatch
Since Steven Tyler performed a cat-scratch rendition of the national anthem at yesterday’s Afc Championship game, the performance has gone viral and been met with an Internet response about as hospitable as New England Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick’s “What’s that smell?” face. Which brings to our attention for the trillionth time that, Man, that song is tricky. Since Francis Scott Key penned the rousing lyrics in 1814, many have been felled by its one-and-a-half-octave range and flummoxing verbiage (“O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming”? That’s old-time speak!). For fairness, I’ve mainly stuck...
- 1/23/2012
- by Lanford Beard
- EW.com - PopWatch
Adorable New Girl star Zooey Deschanel has caught some flak as of late for being, well, adorable New Girl star Zooey Deschanel. Let the record show, however, that the girl did Francis Scott Key proud last night when she sang the national anthem at Game 4 of the World Series. Decked out in a red, white and blue mini-dress, Deschanel took the field at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas before launching into her simple, pitch-perfect take on "The Star-Spangled Banner," with nary a lyric flub nor an Aguilera-esque vocal embellishment. Although Zd had to leave the game early to catch a flight home, as seen on TV when cameras panned to her empty seat during the seventh-inning stretch, the network's attempt at cross-promotion was hugely successful for both Fox and the Texas Rangers, who tied the series last night by beating the Cardinals 4-0. Deschanel's performance, [...]...
- 10/24/2011
- Nerve
On the second day of Sarah Palin's family vacation/testing the waters bus tour, the former Alaska governor offered some hints about what her potential campaign might look like-and kept reporters scrambling to catch up.
Greeting supporters, touring the country in a bus, jabbing at your opponent, jousting with reporters, and taking unexpected questions from people on rope lines: These things are all part of a presidential campaign. On Day 2 of Sarah Palin's bus tour she did all of that and still stayed coy about whether she would run.
Related story on The Daily Beast: How Palin's Winning the Media War
On Monday, Palin toured historical sites around Washington, D.C., with her family, as reporters scrambled to keep up. Her team kept the schedule under wraps, leading some to wonder what a Palin presidential campaign would look like.
The former Alaska governor seemed to have given it some thought.
Greeting supporters, touring the country in a bus, jabbing at your opponent, jousting with reporters, and taking unexpected questions from people on rope lines: These things are all part of a presidential campaign. On Day 2 of Sarah Palin's bus tour she did all of that and still stayed coy about whether she would run.
Related story on The Daily Beast: How Palin's Winning the Media War
On Monday, Palin toured historical sites around Washington, D.C., with her family, as reporters scrambled to keep up. Her team kept the schedule under wraps, leading some to wonder what a Palin presidential campaign would look like.
The former Alaska governor seemed to have given it some thought.
- 5/31/2011
- by Shushannah Walshe
- The Daily Beast
Welcome to No Fact Zone’s weekly roundup of cultural references on The Colbert Report. From Darcy to Danger Mouse, String Theory to Shakespeare, we’ve got the keys to this week’s obscure, oddball, and occasionally obscene cultural shout-outs (hey!).
Howdy Zoners! What a whirlwind week this was! It was a really fun ride for me – almost as fun as the rides at Great Adventure (which I have been to as well, Stephen)! I have to admit a soft spot for Stephanie Coontz, because as a Women and Gender Studies minor in school, I had the opportunity to read some of her work, and really enjoyed it. So, I was especially giddy when she was on. What was your favorite segment this week?
Monday:
Rick Santorum Internet Search
In response, friend of the show and even better friend of Dorothy, Dan Savage…
The phrase “friend of Dorothy” is a...
Howdy Zoners! What a whirlwind week this was! It was a really fun ride for me – almost as fun as the rides at Great Adventure (which I have been to as well, Stephen)! I have to admit a soft spot for Stephanie Coontz, because as a Women and Gender Studies minor in school, I had the opportunity to read some of her work, and really enjoyed it. So, I was especially giddy when she was on. What was your favorite segment this week?
Monday:
Rick Santorum Internet Search
In response, friend of the show and even better friend of Dorothy, Dan Savage…
The phrase “friend of Dorothy” is a...
- 2/28/2011
- by Toad
- No Fact Zone
Christina Aguilera flubbed the lyrics of the national anthem, spawning a public uproar. But how many Americans could have done better? To try to figure that out, The Daily Beast offered a cash prize.
The Super Bowl this week became the most watched sports spectacle in American history, so when Christina Aguilera flubbed the national anthem in front of hundreds of millions of viewers on live television, she took flack on a massive scale, from newspapers columns to snarky blogs to outraged Tweets by the tens of thousands.
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In Christina's words: What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last-reaming? "I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through," Aguilera said in a statement.
"Isn't that sad," one sighed.
In fairness, though,...
The Super Bowl this week became the most watched sports spectacle in American history, so when Christina Aguilera flubbed the national anthem in front of hundreds of millions of viewers on live television, she took flack on a massive scale, from newspapers columns to snarky blogs to outraged Tweets by the tens of thousands.
Related story on The Daily Beast: The Kids' Author Who Loved Child Porn
In Christina's words: What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last-reaming? "I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through," Aguilera said in a statement.
"Isn't that sad," one sighed.
In fairness, though,...
- 2/10/2011
- by Clark Merrefield
- The Daily Beast
There’s a whole lost of tut tutting going on this morning after the hours-long Superbowl extravaganza — Christina Aguilera botched the anthem lyrics and the Black Eyed Peas were botched up by bad mikes. Enough already!
Come on guys — you are spoiled by the extravagance of riches on Superbowl night. Not only was the football spectacular with both teams — the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Stealers — playing Oscar-worthy games, but it was a non-stop feast of celebrity sightings.
Between the anthems, the ads, the halftime show, the glimpses of stars in the crowd — Cameron feeding popcorn to Arod in the stands — the Superbowl has seriously turned into as high wattage a night as the Oscars, Grammys or Golden Globes.
Even if you don’t know a wide receiver from a tight end, Sb evening is riveting! In fact — don’t hate me football fans — there’s barely enough football time between the star -infested ads,...
Come on guys — you are spoiled by the extravagance of riches on Superbowl night. Not only was the football spectacular with both teams — the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Stealers — playing Oscar-worthy games, but it was a non-stop feast of celebrity sightings.
Between the anthems, the ads, the halftime show, the glimpses of stars in the crowd — Cameron feeding popcorn to Arod in the stands — the Superbowl has seriously turned into as high wattage a night as the Oscars, Grammys or Golden Globes.
Even if you don’t know a wide receiver from a tight end, Sb evening is riveting! In fact — don’t hate me football fans — there’s barely enough football time between the star -infested ads,...
- 2/7/2011
- by Jennifer Murray
- HollywoodLife
Oh say can you see... where Christina Aguilera went wrong?
The Grammy Award-winner sang the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl on Sunday night, but had some trouble with Francis Scott Key's famed lyrics. Here is what she should have sang:
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
As it happened, instead of of "O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming," Aguilera sang "What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last gleaming.
The Grammy Award-winner sang the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl on Sunday night, but had some trouble with Francis Scott Key's famed lyrics. Here is what she should have sang:
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
As it happened, instead of of "O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming," Aguilera sang "What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last gleaming.
- 2/7/2011
- by Jordan Zakarin
- Huffington Post
Kat DeLuna's rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner has topped a new online list of the most awful National Anthem performances ever. The singer hit the low notes when she belted out America's patriotic tune at a 2008 Dallas Cowboys football game - and now her take on Francis Scott Key's poem put to music has been named the Worst National Anthem Performance by Billboard.com.
The poll was compiled to coincide with the Independence Day weekend. Editors call the Dominican star's attempt at the anthem "a spectacular failure". They write, "She tries too hard to hit the notes that only a rarefied circle of divas can, then takes us on a painfully bumpy roller coaster ride of vocal runs. She half-forgets the lyrics. She completely botches the last note. And she does it all with the swagger of something who believes she's positively killing it."
Roseanne Barr's infamous...
The poll was compiled to coincide with the Independence Day weekend. Editors call the Dominican star's attempt at the anthem "a spectacular failure". They write, "She tries too hard to hit the notes that only a rarefied circle of divas can, then takes us on a painfully bumpy roller coaster ride of vocal runs. She half-forgets the lyrics. She completely botches the last note. And she does it all with the swagger of something who believes she's positively killing it."
Roseanne Barr's infamous...
- 7/2/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
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