Blog.WBRU

In more awards show news, the Grammy nominations are set to be released tonight. Normally, the list of nominations is just released to the press, or maybe sometimes a short ceremony is conducted. This year, though, some executive decided, though, that this represented an opportunity to make some easy money, without even having to pay the writers or actors. The result is “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night” which airs tonight at 9 on CBS. The concert will feature performances by Mariah Carey, John Mayer, and the Foo Fighters, and will be hosted by Taylor Swift and LL Cool J. So, if you want to see a bunch of musicians fawning over themselves, be sure to tune in to that.

-Ben Jammin

Diehard Harry Potter fans may have gone into a bit of shock after finishing the 7th book last summer and realizing that there was nothing left to read. Well it’s time for them to come out of their catatonic states, because “The Tales of Beetle the Bard”, JK Rowling’s new kind-of-Harry Potter-related book, is coming out on Thursday. All the proceeds from this book will go to charity, so you’d pretty much be a bad person by not buying it. Don’t feel bad for JK Rowling though, there are still three more Harry Potter movies that have yet to be released, despite the fact that five of the seven books already have movies of their own.

-Ben Jammin

There was exciting news today for people too snooty to watch the Oscars. The Spirit Award nominees were announced today. The awards honor independent films untarnished by big studio suits only concerned with money, which also ensures that you’ve probably never heard of any of these nominees. Nominees for best picture are “Frozen River”, “Rachel Getting Married”, “Ballast”, “Wendy and Lucy”, and “The Wrestler”. I don’t know about you, but the only way I could be more excited over this list of fine films was if I had ever seen or even heard about any of them. In real award news, the Oscar ceremony this year is being held on February 22nd, so go ahead and set your TiVos for that now.

-Ben Jammin

Axl Rose worked hard for 17 years on his new album, and this is how you repay him? You should be ashamed, America. The sales figures are in for the past week, and Chinese Democracy placed not first, not second, but third, beaten out by Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak at the number one spot, and by Taylor Swift’s Fearless at number two. Now Kanye, I can understand, there’s a reason he thinks he’s “the voice of this generation of this decade”, but Taylor Swift? Now it looks like we’ll have to wait another 37 years for the next album. And where’s my free Dr. Pepper?

-Ben Jammin

Grease: The Musical opened its National at the Providence Performing Arts Center last night, and the classic love story of Danny and Sandy has not finished seducing audiences of all ages.

Set in the 1950s in Rydell High School, Grease takes us through the trials and tribulations of high school students in cliques and in love. The T-Birds and The Pink Ladies represent the coolest and the sexiest of Rydell High, so when the sweet and innocent Sandy Dumbrowski moves to town after a summer of lovin’, she’s mostly met with skepticism and mockery. Before long, she finds out that her summer love, Danny Zuko, is none other than the leader of the T-Birds, and that his attitude towards her has completely changed now that he is back with his friends.

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Ann Coulter had her jaw wired shut.
- Maggie

In Germany this guy escaped prison by mailing himself out of jail. Hans Lang was serving time for drug offenses. He hid himself in a large FedEx package of dirty sheets that was going to be mailed out, and then after being delivered he escaped into the woods outside of Dusseldorf. He’s possibly ditched his orange jumpsuit for a bed-sheet toga.
- Maggie

In a real-life version of a Cohen Brothers movie - a teenager in Washington state found a bag full of money in the bathroom of a grocery store. He then turned it into his manager at the store – without knowing that the bag had over ten-grand in it. The owner is planning to give the teen a nice reward – but why was there that much money just lying around? In a grocery store bathroom. In Washington state.
- Maggie