Quite A Scarecrow
(03.29) Source - Entertainmet Weekly: 'OZ' 'N EFFECT: Fox's ambitious plan to contemporize "The Wizard of Oz" is getting farther down the yellow brick road of development, with *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake in talks to play the Scarecrow. Directed by Randal Kleiser ("Grease"), "The O.Z." tells the tale of a successful hip hop music producer in L.A. named Dorothy who finds herself in a strange land after a massive earthquake. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is exec-producing the musical, which wouldn't begin production until August if Timberlake signs on. A Fox spokesman wouldn't comment.
�����Meanwhile, the net is busy rounding out the rest of the cast for "The O.Z." Sources say John Leguizamo is being considered for the role of the Wicked Warlock (instead of the Wicked Witch), and Broadway tap dancer Savion Glover may also make an appearance. Other stars previously reported to have agreed to make the trip over the rainbow are Busta Rhymes as the Cowardly Lion and Little Richard as the Wiz. This isn't the only retelling of "Oz" in store for network television: Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron plan to make a small screen version of Broadway's "The Wiz" for ABC.
*NSYNC's Justin In Oz
(03.22) Source - Variety: *NSYNC heartthrob Justin Timberlake hopes to mesh his acting and singing talents for a new Fox musical. Justin is in talks to star in a TV movie titled "The O.Z.," a hip-hop version of "The Wizard Of Oz," Variety reports.
�����The young singer and boyfriend to Britney Spears would take the role of the Scarecrow if negotiations are successful.
�����Pop/TV star Brandy was originally expected to play the main role of Dorothy but quit the project. Executives at Fox are now reportedly courting R&B/pop singer Mya for the role. Other stars being mentioned in connection with the project include John Leguizamo ("Romeo & Juliet") as an evil warlock and Little Richard as The Wizard.
�����According to The Hollywood Reporter, the updated version of the movie revolves around a lonely L.A. hip-hop producer named Dorothy. She and her friend Toto eventually find themselves in a land called the Big O.Z. after a huge earthquake.
�����The TV movie is expected to begin filming after the possible Screen Actors Guild strike this summer.
�����"The O.Z." won't be Justin's first acting experience. He starred on Disney's "The Mickey Mouse Club" with Britney when he was young and has also appeared in episodes of "Touched By An Angel," "Clueless" and "Saturday Night Live".
98 Degrees Dodges Comparisons, Mothers
(03.21) Source - Wall Of Sound: If there were such a thing as boy-band rankings, 98 Degrees would hold a solid third behind the two behemoths who dominate the scene. From their slow-roasting beginning with 1997's self-titled debut to their five-times platinum 1998 follow-up, 98 Degrees and Rising, and their recently released double-platinum disc, Revelation, the boys in 98 Degrees (brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre) have sought to avoid the inevitable comparisons, claiming their style is more Boyz II Men than Mickey Mouse Club.
�����However, avoiding similarities is easier said than done. Despite a promising headlining tour (with the Baha Men, Debelah Morgan, and Dream) playing smaller arenas in smaller markets, 98 Degrees has once again been overshadowed by news of *NSYNC's massive stadium undertaking, as well as the Backstreet Boys, who last week announced an intimate arena tour of their own. The ante has definitely been upped, but according to Drew, 98 Degrees refuses to follow in any footsteps.
�����"No, we're not a stadium group," he says. "I think music fans have unreal expectations of the music business now. Right now, we have basically three phenomena going on: Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and Britney Spears.
�����"It's very rare you see this in your lifetime, let alone see three of them at the same time that can go out and sell the type of records that they do, and the type of tours that they can put together, and sell consistently back to back to back. A group that goes out and sells small arenas of 7,000 people a night is doing great business. So I think for us, we just want to continue to do good business and not try and live up to unreal expectations."
�����Drew's modest approach regarding 98 Degrees' place in the pop world is somewhat misleading considering the group has sold nearly 10 million albums to date. They appear to be more concerned with surviving the eventual pop bear market than exploiting it for all its current worth.
�����So far, 98 Degrees has successfully carved out their own niche of mature romance, which just so happens to be marketed to the teenage girl demographic. Despite the publicity associated with Nick's high-profile relationship with pop princess and proud virgin Jessica Simpson (this fact often leads fans to link 98 Degrees with virginity � "I think they know better than that," quips Drew), the 20-something guys in the band find the fan adulation often crosses a line, which could provide unique opportunities from, so to say, forbidden fruit.
�����"You just really kind of have to put things in perspective as to what is important to you," says Drew, who tied the knot with his sweetheart four months ago. "And to a certain extent, the thrill of the chase is what makes it fun and there isn't too much chase anymore."
�����However, there's a somewhat disturbing trend that never appealed to Drew.
�����"There have been some times when mothers have approached us," he discloses. "There have been a couple of instances where mothers and daughters together have approached us. That's not my thing. A lot of guys' fantasy is two women, whether it be twins or two strangers. [But] a mother-daughter [experience] is a little tough; bridging the generation gap is a stretch for me."
*NSYNC Set Hearts On 'Popstars' For Tour
(03.21) Source - MTV: Having a weekly TV series does have its perks.
�����The WB-birthed girl group Eden's Crush, whose debut, "Get Over Yourself," topped SoundScan's singles sales figures on Wednesday, have been tapped to open for *NSYNC on their summer tour. Though the *NSYNC excursion kicks off on May 12 in Miami, the five ladies will hook up with the five fellas as of their June 19 date in Toronto.
�����Eden's Crush, formed during the course of the WB Television Network's reality series "Popstars," are finishing their as-yet-untitled first album and say they're trying to narrow down the 16 tracks they've recorded to an LP-lean 13.
�����The group sold more than 77,000 copies of "Get Over Yourself" last week, rendering it the top-selling single in the U.S.
*NSYNC Look To Neptunes For New LP
(03.20) Source - MTV: *NSYNC have enlisted the galaxy's hottest producers, the Neptunes, for their follow-up to No Strings Attached, tentatively set for a June release.
�����The quintet is in a New York studio this week with the Virginia-based production duo, which has worked with rappers Mystikal, Jay-Z and Ol' Dirty Bastard, R&B diva Kelis and pop-rockers No Doubt.
�����*NSYNCers Justin Timberlake and Chris Kirkpatrick recently said the album will dip into such genres as electronica, hard R&B, "straight-up dance music" and even country.
�����The boys, who have already recorded material in Orlando, Florida, and Los Angeles, have said they hoped to produce the bulk of the effort themselves.
�����While gearing up for *NSYNC's first-ever full stadium tour, set to kick off May 12 in Miami, Lance Bass is filling his schedule with a role in "On the Line," which is shooting in Canada. And the group inducted Michael Jackson into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday night in New York.
�����The Neptunes comprise Chad and Pharrell, who also have an eclectic group called N*E*R*D with their friend Shay. The trio will release its debut, 'In Search Of...', this summer.
*NSYNC Proud To Honor Michael & Janet Jackson
(03.20) Source - Launch: *NSYNC had the honor of inducting Michael Jackson into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on Monday at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Singer Justin Timberlake stepped up to the podium and gave a poetic turn to Jackson's introduction.
�����"For more than 35 years, Michael Jackson has been the 'Man In The Mirror.' He thrilled us with the Thriller, the largest-selling album of all time, beat us at our own game with 'Beat It,' he rocked us to our souls with 'Rock With You.' He's 'Bad,' he's 'Dangerous,' and if he thinks we're gonna let him stop because we've had enough, as they so often say in this city, 'Fugheddaboutit!' There ain't no stoppin', there ain't no enough. He's the 'King Of Pop' - the one, the only Michael Jackson."
�����Backstage, Chris Kirkpatrick said that *NSYNC was honored to toast Jackson after paying tribute to his sister Janet Jackson earlier this month when she was celebrated as the first-ever "MTV Icon": "It's such an honor for us to get to do Janet and then to be here with Michael. It's incredible."
�����Timberlake added that *NSYNC would proudly show up for any event that pays tribute to the Jackson siblings: "You're talking about a whole family that inspired us as a group, so it's an honor to honor them - any of them."
�����Since *NSYNC has spent so much time with the Jacksons, reporters asked *NSYNC if there was any truth to the rumor that Michael would duet with the group on its upcoming album, due in June. Timberlake said with a smile, "Who said that? Keep saying it...maybe it will happen." Reporters then asked Timberlake if *NSYNC would collaborate with Michael if he offered, and the singer responded, "You're asking us if we would do it? Are you kidding? Is that like a joke?"
�����The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony airs on VH1 March 21 at 9 PM ET.
Michael Jackson Receives Rock Hall Salute From *NSYNC
(03.20) Source - Launch: Teen pop stars *NSYNC had the honor of inducting Michael Jackson to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on Monday night (March 19). They spoke eloquently about Jackson's career and the unparalleled heights he's achieved, including his two Rock Hall records - he's both the youngest person inducted as a member of a group (the Jackson 5), and the youngest solo act enshrined. Jackson took the stage to one of the loudest, longest ovations of the evening and seemed genuinely moved, both by *NSYNC's speech and by the audience's reception. He thanked his parents, his brothers and sisters, and three of his biggest influences.
�����"Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy," Jackson said. "I just have to say thank you. He was so important in our lives, and he is really my real inspiration, and I owe him so much. Quincy Jones, thank you. We talk about a 'Thriller,' it's Quincy. You're incredible. I love you, Quincy. He is the man. The glamorous and talented and beautiful Diana Ross, who is my second mother - I thank you."
Michael Jackson, Aerosmith Inducted Into Rock Hall
(03.20) Source - Wall Of Sound: Michael Jackson might have been the first to moonwalk that way, but it was the members of Aerosmith who walked into history as the big stars of the 16th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions.
�����Tom Hamilton, whose tenure as the Boston band's bass player has exceeded 30 years, thanked his parents, saying, "I promise when I finally get this out of my system, I'll go to college!"
�����Aerosmith and Jackson � who did no moonwalking, thanks to a cast on his broken foot � were among 11 inductees honored at Monday's ceremonies, held at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York. The others were Steely Dan, Queen, Paul Simon, Latino-rock pioneer Ritchie Valens, doo-wop greats the Flamingos, and R&B legend Solomon Burke. In the second round of sidemen inductees, Chuck Berry keyboardist Johnnie Johnson and "chicken-pickin'" Elvis Presley and Rick Nelson guitarist James Burton gained entry, and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell was inducted in the non-performing category. Both Jackson and Simon, who already entered as members of the Jackson 5 and Simon and Garfunkel, respectively, were honored for their solo work.
�����Induction duties were handled by a varied array of stars. Perpetual toastmaster Bono praised Blackwell, who brought Bob Marley and reggae music to the mainstream; *NSYNC recognized Jackson, and Kid Rock hilariously rapped about Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer. Foo Fighters Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins both lauded and performed with Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor (an ailing John Deacon was unable to attend), with Grohl making for a credible Freddie Mercury stand-in. Marc Anthony sang Simon's graces; Four Seasons falsetto Frankie Valli recalled the Flamingos' heyday; and Moby made sure the world knew the source of erudite jazz rockers Water Becker and Donald Fagen's band name � a dildo in William Burroughs' seminal beat novel Naked Lunch.
�����R&B songstress Mary J. Blige inducted Burke, while Latino sensation Ricky Martin honored the late crossover pioneer Valens. Keith Richards, who spearheaded a campaign for the creation of the sidemen category, affectionately recognized Johnson and "Suzie Q" riffman Burton. Wearing a glittery black jacket, Richards said his opportunity to induct Burton and Johnson was "the reason I am here � and sporting this jacket � that's how important it is to me."
�����Simon thanked a long list of inspirations and influences, including "Art Garfunkel, for sharing the early days of our success."
�����"The sound of his voice with mine was how I imagined the songs I wrote," said the "Bridge Over Troubled Water" author. "I regret the ending of our friendship and I hope one day before we die, we will make peace with each other."
�����He added, "No rush."
�����Jackson also delivered a long list of thank-yous, mentioning his current guru, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, and "Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy." Jackson, the youngest inductee into the rock hall, hobbled backstage with *NSYNC to pose for photos but refused to answer questions.
�����Steely Dan, in contrast, posed questions to the audience, asking, "Who was the original drummer in the Mothers of Invention?" Someone shouted out the right answer (Jimmy Carl Black) and got a "very good" from Becker.
�����While inducting Queen, Taylor Hawkins recalled, "Queen were my first concert, and every concert since has been a bit of a letdown." Dave Grohl added that he once told an interviewer after playing in front of 250,000 people "that if you want to learn how to connect to an audience that size, you either watched the pope or Freddie Mercury."
�����Inducting Chris Blackwell, Bono said, "For some, music is an excuse to make money. For others, money is an excuse to make music." Among his thank-yous, Blackwell singled out former Spencer Davis Group and Traffic member Steve Winwood, "the cornerstone of Island Records," as well as Blackwell's home country, Jamaica.
�����Saving the best for last, Steven Tyler zinged possibly the greatest line of the night. Just before delivering his own rhyming speech, in which he thanked everyone from The Beatles, Stones, and Kinks to Nat King Cole, the Pretty Things, God, Louis Armstrong, and Clive Davis, he said, "I wonder if this'll put an end to 'Hey, aren't you Mick Jagger?'"
�����As they joined the show-ending inductee jam (which included self-proclaimed sideman Richards, Robbie Robertson, Bono, Melissa Etheridge, Blige, Jann Wenner, Dion, and assorted others), Aerosmith seemed thrilled that its career as America's Stones was validated at last.