Famous faces from the entertainment industry and politics honored civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, taking to Twitter and other social media platforms to salute him and his legacy.
Twitter has also launched a #Mlk emoji, which can be activated by using hashtags such as #Mlk, #IHaveADream, #MLKDay, #MartinLutherKingJr, and #MartinLutherKing.
President-elect Donald Trump wrote, “Celebrate Martin Luther King Day and all of the many wonderful things that he stood for. Honor him for being the great man that he was!”
Former president Bill Clinton shared a famous quote from the activist: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is,...
Twitter has also launched a #Mlk emoji, which can be activated by using hashtags such as #Mlk, #IHaveADream, #MLKDay, #MartinLutherKingJr, and #MartinLutherKing.
President-elect Donald Trump wrote, “Celebrate Martin Luther King Day and all of the many wonderful things that he stood for. Honor him for being the great man that he was!”
Former president Bill Clinton shared a famous quote from the activist: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is,...
- 1/16/2017
- by Stephanie Petit
- PEOPLE.com
John Ford's best war movie does a flip-flop on the propaganda norm. It's about men that must hold the line in defeat and retreat, that are ordered to lay down a sacrifice play while someone else gets to hit the home runs. Robert Montgomery, John Wayne and Donna Reed are excellent, as is the recreation of the Navy's daring sideshow tactic in the Pacific Theater, the 'speeding coffin' Patrol Torpedo boats. They Were Expendable Blu-ray Warner Archive Collection 1945 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 135 min. / Street Date June 7, 2016 / available through the WBshop / 21.99 Starring Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed, Jack Holt, Ward Bond, Marshall Thompson, Cameron Mitchell, Paul Langton, Leon Ames, Donald Curtis, Murray Alper, Harry Tenbrook, Jack Pennick, Charles Trowbridge, Louis Jean Heydt, Russell Simpson, Blake Edwards, Tom Tyler. Cinematography Joseph H. August Production Designer Film Editor Douglass Biggs, Frank E. Hull Original Music Earl K. Brent, Herbert Stothart, Eric Zeisl Writing credits Frank Wead, Comdr. U.S.N. (Ret.), Based on the book by William L. White Produced and Directed by John Ford, Captain U.S.N.R.
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
They Were Expendable has always been appreciated, but hasn't been given a high roost in John Ford's filmography. Yet it's one of his most personal movies, and for a story set in the military service, his most serious. We're given plenty of service humor and even more sentimentality -- with a sing-along scene like those that would figure in the director's later cavalry pictures, no less. Yet the tone is heavier, more resolutely downbeat. The war had not yet ended as this show went before the cameras, yet Ford's aim is to commemorate the sacrifices, not wave a victory flag. By 1945 Hollywood was already rushing its last 'We're at War!' morale boosters out the gate and gearing up for production in a postwar world. Practically a pet project of legendary director John Ford, They Were Expendable is his personal tribute to the Navy. Typical for Ford, he chose for his subject not some glorious victory or idealized combat, but instead a thankless and losing struggle against an invader whose strength seemed at the time to be almost un-opposable. They Were Expendable starts at Pearl Harbor and traces the true story of an experimental Patrol Torpedo Boat unit run by Lt. John Brickley (Robert Montgomery), his ambitious second in command Lt. Ryan (John Wayne) and their five boat crews. The ambience is pure Ford family casting: the ever-present Ward Bond and Jack Pennick are there, along with youthful MGM newcomers Marshall Thompson (It! The Terror from Beyond Space and Cameron Mitchell (Garden of Evil, Blood and Black Lace) being treated as new members of the Ford acting family. Along the way Ryan meets nurse Sandy Davyss (Donna Reed). Despite their battle successes, the Pt unit suffers casualties and loses boats as the Philippine campaign rapidly collapses around them. Indicative of the unusual level of realism is the Wayne/Reed romance, which falls victim to events in a very un-glamorous way. There's nothing second-rate about this Ford picture. It is by far his best war film and is as deeply felt as his strongest Westerns. His emotional attachment to American History is applied to events only four years past. The pace is fast but Expendable takes its time to linger on telling character details. The entertainer that responds to the war announcement by singing "My Country 'tis of Thee" is Asian, perhaps even Japanese; she's given an unusually sensitive close-up at a time when all Hollywood references to the Japanese were negative, or worse. MGM gives Ford's shoot excellent production values, with filming in Florida more than adequate to represent the Philippines. Even when filming in the studio, Ford's show is free of the MGM gloss that makes movies like its Bataan look so phony. We see six real Pt boats in action. The basic battle effect to show them speeding through exploding shells appears to be accomplished by pyrotechnic devices - fireworks -- launched from the boat deck. Excellent miniatures represent the large Japanese ships they attack. MGM's experts make the exploding models look spectacular. Ford's sentimentality for Navy tradition and the camaraderie of the service is as strong as ever. Although we see a couple of battles, the film is really a series of encounters and farewells, with boats not coming back and images of sailors that gaze out to sea while waxing nostalgic about the Arizona lost at Pearl Harbor. The image of civilian boat builder Russell Simpson awaiting invasion alone with only a rifle and a jug of moonshine purposely references Ford's earlier The Grapes of Wrath. Simpson played an Okie in that film and Ford stresses the association by playing "Red River Valley" on the soundtrack; it's as if the invading Japanese were bankers come to boot Simpson off his land. Equally moving is the face of Jack Holt's jut-jawed Army officer. He'd been playing basically the same crusty serviceman character for twenty years; because audiences had never seen Holt in a 'losing' role the actor makes the defeat seem all the more serious. The irony of this is that in real life, immediately after Pearl Harbor, Holt was so panicked by invasion fears that he sold his Malibu beach home at a fraction of its value. Who bought it? According to Joel Siegel in his book The Reality of Terror, it was Rko producer Val Lewton. John Wayne is particularly good in this film by virtue of not being its star. His character turn as an impatient but tough Lieutenant stuck in a career dead-end is one of his best. The real star of the film is Robert Montgomery, who before the war was known mostly for light comedies like the delightful Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Montgomery's Brickley is a man of dignity and dedication trying to do a decent job no matter how hopeless or frustrating his situation gets. Whereas Wayne was a Hollywood soldier, Montgomery actually fought in Pt boats in the Pacific. When he stands exhausted in tropic shorts, keeping up appearances when everything is going wrong, he looks like the genuine article. Third-billed Donna Reed turns what might have been 'the girl in the picture' into something special. An Army nurse who takes care of Wayne's Ryan in a deep-tunnel dispensary while bombs burst overhead, Reed's Lt. Davyss is one of Ford's adored women living in danger, like Anne Bancroft's China doctor in 7 Women. A little earlier in the war, the films So Proudly We Hail and Cry 'Havoc' saluted the 'Angels of Bataan' that stayed on the job, were captured and interned by the Japanese. Expendable has none of the sensational subtext of the earlier films, where the nurses worry about being raped, etc.. We instead see a perfect girl next door (George Bailey thought so) bravely soldiering on, saying a rushed goodbye to Wayne's Lt. Ryan over a field telephone. Exactly what happens to her is not known. Even more than Clarence Brown's The Human Comedy this film fully established Ms. Reed's acting credentials. The quality that separates They Were Expendable from all but a few war films made during the fighting, is its championing of a kind of glory that doesn't come from gaudy victories. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, the Navy, Army and Air Corps units in the Northern Philippines that weren't wiped out in the first attacks, had to be abandoned. The key scene sees Lt. Brickley asking his commanding officer for positive orders to attack the enemy. He's instead 'given the score' in baseball terms. In a ball club, some players don't get to hit home runs. The manager instead tells them to sacrifice, to lay down a bunt. Brickley's Pt squadron will be supporting the retreat as best it can and for long as it can, without relief or rescue. Half a year later, the U.S. was able to field an Army and a Navy that could take the offensive. Brickley's unit is a quiet study of honorable men at war, doing their best in the face of disaster. According to John Ford, Expendable could have been better, and I agree. He reportedly didn't hang around to help with the final cut and the audio mix, and the MGM departments finished the film without him. Although Ford's many thoughtful close-ups and beautifully drawn-out dramatic moments are allowed to play out, a couple of the battle scenes go on too long, making the constant peppering of flak bursts over the Pt boats look far too artificial. Real shell bursts aren't just a flash and smoke; if they were that close the wooden boats would be shattered by shrapnel. The overused effect reminds me of the 'Pigpen' character in older Peanuts cartoons, if he walked around accompanied by explosions instead of a cloud of dust. The music score is also unsubtle, reaching for upbeat glory too often and too loudly. The main march theme says 'Hooray Navy' even in scenes playing for other moods. Would Ford have asked for it to be dialed back a bit, or perhaps removed from some scenes altogether? That's hard to say. The director liked his movie scores to reflect obvious sentiments. But a few of his more powerful moments play without music. We're told that one of the un-credited writers on the film was Norman Corwin, and that Robert Montgomery directed some scenes after John Ford broke his leg on the set. They Were Expendable is one of the finest of war films and a solid introduction to classic John Ford. The Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray of They Were Expendable looks as good as the excellent 35mm copies we saw back at UCLA. This movie has always looked fine, but the previous DVDs were unsteady in the first reel, perhaps because of film shrinkage. The Blu-ray corrects the problem entirely. The B&W cinematography has some of the most stylized visuals in a war film. Emphasizing gloom and expressing the lack of security, many scenes are played in silhouette or with very low-key illumination, especially a pair of party scenes. Donna Reed appears to wear almost no makeup but only seems more naturally beautiful in the un-glamorous but ennobling lighting schemes. These the disc captures perfectly. Just as on the old MGM and Warners DVDs, the trailer is the only extra. We're told that MGM shoved the film out the door because victory-happy moviegoers were sick of war movies and wanted to see bright musicals instead. The trailer reflects the lack of enthusiasm -- it's basically two actor name runs and a few action shots. The feature has a choice of subtitles, in English, French and Spanish. On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, They Were Expendable Blu-ray rates: Movie: Excellent Video: Excellent Sound: Excellent Supplements: DTS-hd Master Audio Deaf and Hearing Impaired Friendly? Yes; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish Packaging: Keep case Reviewed: June 6, 2016 (5135expe)
Visit DVD Savant's Main Column Page Glenn Erickson answers most reader mail: dvdsavant@mindspring.com
Text © Copyright 2016 Glenn Erickson...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
They Were Expendable has always been appreciated, but hasn't been given a high roost in John Ford's filmography. Yet it's one of his most personal movies, and for a story set in the military service, his most serious. We're given plenty of service humor and even more sentimentality -- with a sing-along scene like those that would figure in the director's later cavalry pictures, no less. Yet the tone is heavier, more resolutely downbeat. The war had not yet ended as this show went before the cameras, yet Ford's aim is to commemorate the sacrifices, not wave a victory flag. By 1945 Hollywood was already rushing its last 'We're at War!' morale boosters out the gate and gearing up for production in a postwar world. Practically a pet project of legendary director John Ford, They Were Expendable is his personal tribute to the Navy. Typical for Ford, he chose for his subject not some glorious victory or idealized combat, but instead a thankless and losing struggle against an invader whose strength seemed at the time to be almost un-opposable. They Were Expendable starts at Pearl Harbor and traces the true story of an experimental Patrol Torpedo Boat unit run by Lt. John Brickley (Robert Montgomery), his ambitious second in command Lt. Ryan (John Wayne) and their five boat crews. The ambience is pure Ford family casting: the ever-present Ward Bond and Jack Pennick are there, along with youthful MGM newcomers Marshall Thompson (It! The Terror from Beyond Space and Cameron Mitchell (Garden of Evil, Blood and Black Lace) being treated as new members of the Ford acting family. Along the way Ryan meets nurse Sandy Davyss (Donna Reed). Despite their battle successes, the Pt unit suffers casualties and loses boats as the Philippine campaign rapidly collapses around them. Indicative of the unusual level of realism is the Wayne/Reed romance, which falls victim to events in a very un-glamorous way. There's nothing second-rate about this Ford picture. It is by far his best war film and is as deeply felt as his strongest Westerns. His emotional attachment to American History is applied to events only four years past. The pace is fast but Expendable takes its time to linger on telling character details. The entertainer that responds to the war announcement by singing "My Country 'tis of Thee" is Asian, perhaps even Japanese; she's given an unusually sensitive close-up at a time when all Hollywood references to the Japanese were negative, or worse. MGM gives Ford's shoot excellent production values, with filming in Florida more than adequate to represent the Philippines. Even when filming in the studio, Ford's show is free of the MGM gloss that makes movies like its Bataan look so phony. We see six real Pt boats in action. The basic battle effect to show them speeding through exploding shells appears to be accomplished by pyrotechnic devices - fireworks -- launched from the boat deck. Excellent miniatures represent the large Japanese ships they attack. MGM's experts make the exploding models look spectacular. Ford's sentimentality for Navy tradition and the camaraderie of the service is as strong as ever. Although we see a couple of battles, the film is really a series of encounters and farewells, with boats not coming back and images of sailors that gaze out to sea while waxing nostalgic about the Arizona lost at Pearl Harbor. The image of civilian boat builder Russell Simpson awaiting invasion alone with only a rifle and a jug of moonshine purposely references Ford's earlier The Grapes of Wrath. Simpson played an Okie in that film and Ford stresses the association by playing "Red River Valley" on the soundtrack; it's as if the invading Japanese were bankers come to boot Simpson off his land. Equally moving is the face of Jack Holt's jut-jawed Army officer. He'd been playing basically the same crusty serviceman character for twenty years; because audiences had never seen Holt in a 'losing' role the actor makes the defeat seem all the more serious. The irony of this is that in real life, immediately after Pearl Harbor, Holt was so panicked by invasion fears that he sold his Malibu beach home at a fraction of its value. Who bought it? According to Joel Siegel in his book The Reality of Terror, it was Rko producer Val Lewton. John Wayne is particularly good in this film by virtue of not being its star. His character turn as an impatient but tough Lieutenant stuck in a career dead-end is one of his best. The real star of the film is Robert Montgomery, who before the war was known mostly for light comedies like the delightful Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Montgomery's Brickley is a man of dignity and dedication trying to do a decent job no matter how hopeless or frustrating his situation gets. Whereas Wayne was a Hollywood soldier, Montgomery actually fought in Pt boats in the Pacific. When he stands exhausted in tropic shorts, keeping up appearances when everything is going wrong, he looks like the genuine article. Third-billed Donna Reed turns what might have been 'the girl in the picture' into something special. An Army nurse who takes care of Wayne's Ryan in a deep-tunnel dispensary while bombs burst overhead, Reed's Lt. Davyss is one of Ford's adored women living in danger, like Anne Bancroft's China doctor in 7 Women. A little earlier in the war, the films So Proudly We Hail and Cry 'Havoc' saluted the 'Angels of Bataan' that stayed on the job, were captured and interned by the Japanese. Expendable has none of the sensational subtext of the earlier films, where the nurses worry about being raped, etc.. We instead see a perfect girl next door (George Bailey thought so) bravely soldiering on, saying a rushed goodbye to Wayne's Lt. Ryan over a field telephone. Exactly what happens to her is not known. Even more than Clarence Brown's The Human Comedy this film fully established Ms. Reed's acting credentials. The quality that separates They Were Expendable from all but a few war films made during the fighting, is its championing of a kind of glory that doesn't come from gaudy victories. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, the Navy, Army and Air Corps units in the Northern Philippines that weren't wiped out in the first attacks, had to be abandoned. The key scene sees Lt. Brickley asking his commanding officer for positive orders to attack the enemy. He's instead 'given the score' in baseball terms. In a ball club, some players don't get to hit home runs. The manager instead tells them to sacrifice, to lay down a bunt. Brickley's Pt squadron will be supporting the retreat as best it can and for long as it can, without relief or rescue. Half a year later, the U.S. was able to field an Army and a Navy that could take the offensive. Brickley's unit is a quiet study of honorable men at war, doing their best in the face of disaster. According to John Ford, Expendable could have been better, and I agree. He reportedly didn't hang around to help with the final cut and the audio mix, and the MGM departments finished the film without him. Although Ford's many thoughtful close-ups and beautifully drawn-out dramatic moments are allowed to play out, a couple of the battle scenes go on too long, making the constant peppering of flak bursts over the Pt boats look far too artificial. Real shell bursts aren't just a flash and smoke; if they were that close the wooden boats would be shattered by shrapnel. The overused effect reminds me of the 'Pigpen' character in older Peanuts cartoons, if he walked around accompanied by explosions instead of a cloud of dust. The music score is also unsubtle, reaching for upbeat glory too often and too loudly. The main march theme says 'Hooray Navy' even in scenes playing for other moods. Would Ford have asked for it to be dialed back a bit, or perhaps removed from some scenes altogether? That's hard to say. The director liked his movie scores to reflect obvious sentiments. But a few of his more powerful moments play without music. We're told that one of the un-credited writers on the film was Norman Corwin, and that Robert Montgomery directed some scenes after John Ford broke his leg on the set. They Were Expendable is one of the finest of war films and a solid introduction to classic John Ford. The Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray of They Were Expendable looks as good as the excellent 35mm copies we saw back at UCLA. This movie has always looked fine, but the previous DVDs were unsteady in the first reel, perhaps because of film shrinkage. The Blu-ray corrects the problem entirely. The B&W cinematography has some of the most stylized visuals in a war film. Emphasizing gloom and expressing the lack of security, many scenes are played in silhouette or with very low-key illumination, especially a pair of party scenes. Donna Reed appears to wear almost no makeup but only seems more naturally beautiful in the un-glamorous but ennobling lighting schemes. These the disc captures perfectly. Just as on the old MGM and Warners DVDs, the trailer is the only extra. We're told that MGM shoved the film out the door because victory-happy moviegoers were sick of war movies and wanted to see bright musicals instead. The trailer reflects the lack of enthusiasm -- it's basically two actor name runs and a few action shots. The feature has a choice of subtitles, in English, French and Spanish. On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, They Were Expendable Blu-ray rates: Movie: Excellent Video: Excellent Sound: Excellent Supplements: DTS-hd Master Audio Deaf and Hearing Impaired Friendly? Yes; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish Packaging: Keep case Reviewed: June 6, 2016 (5135expe)
Visit DVD Savant's Main Column Page Glenn Erickson answers most reader mail: dvdsavant@mindspring.com
Text © Copyright 2016 Glenn Erickson...
- 6/11/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Lil Wayne didn't end up using the footage that shows him walking all over the American flag in his music video for "God Bless Amerika." Weezy uploaded the video to his YouTube account, and it doesn't feature a single shot that shows his unpatriotic gaffe.
The music video, though released earlier in the day on Lil Wayne's YouTube earlier in the day, has since been pulled. "This video contains content from quarterlab, Umg and Umpg Publishing, one or more of whom have blocked it on copyright grounds," the message on the pulled video reads.
Though Lil Wayne got a lot of flak at the time for his flag-trampling incident, he later came forward to confirm that it was nothing but an accident. "I didn't step on the flag on purpose! It's a scene in a video where the flag drops behind me and after it drop it's just there as I perform,...
The music video, though released earlier in the day on Lil Wayne's YouTube earlier in the day, has since been pulled. "This video contains content from quarterlab, Umg and Umpg Publishing, one or more of whom have blocked it on copyright grounds," the message on the pulled video reads.
Though Lil Wayne got a lot of flak at the time for his flag-trampling incident, he later came forward to confirm that it was nothing but an accident. "I didn't step on the flag on purpose! It's a scene in a video where the flag drops behind me and after it drop it's just there as I perform,...
- 7/16/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Video of Lil Wayne stepping all over an American flag while shooting the music video for "God Bless Amerika" has spread around the Internet in the days after it was posted, and the rapper finally responded to the seeming insult to the United States. So did he walk on the flag on purpose? Weezy claims it's all a big misunderstanding.
"I didn't step on the flag on purpose!" Lil Wayne tweets. "It's a scene in a video where the flag drops behind me and after it drop it's just there as I perform."
Even though he claims it wasn't an intentional slight, it's hard to believe that Lil Wayne didn't see the flag as he rapped on it. In the video released, he doesn't even attempt to avoid the flag that served as his backdrop after it falls to the ground as he performs "God Bless Amerika."
It doesn't help...
"I didn't step on the flag on purpose!" Lil Wayne tweets. "It's a scene in a video where the flag drops behind me and after it drop it's just there as I perform."
Even though he claims it wasn't an intentional slight, it's hard to believe that Lil Wayne didn't see the flag as he rapped on it. In the video released, he doesn't even attempt to avoid the flag that served as his backdrop after it falls to the ground as he performs "God Bless Amerika."
It doesn't help...
- 6/18/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
He’s no stranger to controversy, and Lil Wayne is raising eyebrows with footage from his latest music video shoot.
The “Mrs. Officer” rapper is featured in a new clip walking and jumping on an American flag while he raps along to “God Bless Amerika” on a set in New Orleans.
Wayne’s lyrics include, "My country 'tis of thee / Sweet land of kill 'em all and let 'em die / God bless Amerika / This ole' godless Amerika."
And while his past stunts have been widely overlooked, it seems this time Lil Wayne may have gone too far.
The “Mrs. Officer” rapper is featured in a new clip walking and jumping on an American flag while he raps along to “God Bless Amerika” on a set in New Orleans.
Wayne’s lyrics include, "My country 'tis of thee / Sweet land of kill 'em all and let 'em die / God bless Amerika / This ole' godless Amerika."
And while his past stunts have been widely overlooked, it seems this time Lil Wayne may have gone too far.
- 6/17/2013
- GossipCenter
Lil Wayne didn't show much respect for the American flag while shooting his new music video for "God Bless Amerika" in New Orleans. During a video taken while on set over the weekend, Weezy can be seen walking all over the flag that had served as his backdrop after it fell to the ground.
It seems doubtful that Lil Wayne didn't realize what he was walking on, though it's unclear if standing on the American flag was an intentional part of the music video. "God Bless Amerika" already has some controversial lyrics, including, "My country 'tis of thee / Sweet land of kill 'em all and let 'em die / God bless Amerika / This ole' godless Amerika."
Thus far Lil Wayne hasn't commented on the flag-stepping incident, and it remains to be seen if that take makes it into the final cut of the music video. Who knows, maybe this is just some unintentional rudeness after all.
It seems doubtful that Lil Wayne didn't realize what he was walking on, though it's unclear if standing on the American flag was an intentional part of the music video. "God Bless Amerika" already has some controversial lyrics, including, "My country 'tis of thee / Sweet land of kill 'em all and let 'em die / God bless Amerika / This ole' godless Amerika."
Thus far Lil Wayne hasn't commented on the flag-stepping incident, and it remains to be seen if that take makes it into the final cut of the music video. Who knows, maybe this is just some unintentional rudeness after all.
- 6/17/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Lil Wayne trampled the American flag over the weekend ... and there's footage.Weezy performed the stunt while shooting his new music video for "God Bless Amerika" in New Orleans. During the shoot, Wayne begins rapping in front of a giant American flag ... which is released to the ground. After it's on the floor, Wayne continues to rap ... while stepping all over the stars and stripes. The lyrics to Wayne's song are just as controversial ... "My country 'tis of thee...
- 6/17/2013
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Beyonce's music peers are chiming following reports that the singer gave a lip synced performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the presidential inauguration on Monday.
Aretha Franklin, who sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" four years ago at Obama's first inauguration, found the reports of a taped performance funny.
"When I heard the news this evening that she was pre-recorded I really laughed. I thought it was funny because the weather down there was about 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather," the Queen of Soul told ABC News. ...
Copyright 2013 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Aretha Franklin, who sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" four years ago at Obama's first inauguration, found the reports of a taped performance funny.
"When I heard the news this evening that she was pre-recorded I really laughed. I thought it was funny because the weather down there was about 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather," the Queen of Soul told ABC News. ...
Copyright 2013 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- 1/23/2013
- by nobody@accesshollywood.com (AccessHollywood.com Editorial Staff)
- Access Hollywood
Of the many highlights yesterday's presidential inauguration provided (Sasha and Malia photobomb!), this has to be one of the best.
Post performance, Kelly Clarkson, who put on an impressive show singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee," tweeted this to die for photo of her and Queen Bey, who sang the national anthem.
"Me and B just hanging' out ....don't worry about it," captioned the "American Idol" alum. "Seriously, God did good. She is so beautiful!"
Me and B just hangin' out ....don't worry about it. Seriously, God did good. She is so beautiful! twitter.com/kelly_clarkson…
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) January 21, 2013
Oh, to be a fly on the wall. But since we're not, we're so grateful for the behind-the-scenes tidbits the megastars throw our way. We call for a collaboration!
Post performance, Kelly Clarkson, who put on an impressive show singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee," tweeted this to die for photo of her and Queen Bey, who sang the national anthem.
"Me and B just hanging' out ....don't worry about it," captioned the "American Idol" alum. "Seriously, God did good. She is so beautiful!"
Me and B just hangin' out ....don't worry about it. Seriously, God did good. She is so beautiful! twitter.com/kelly_clarkson…
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) January 21, 2013
Oh, to be a fly on the wall. But since we're not, we're so grateful for the behind-the-scenes tidbits the megastars throw our way. We call for a collaboration!
- 1/22/2013
- by Liat Kornowski
- Huffington Post
News broke Tuesday morning that Beyoncé was lip-syncing her performance of the National Anthem at President Barack Obama's second inauguration on Monday. Adding insult to injury for Bey, Kelly Clarkson's inauguration performance was reportedly live.
TMZ reports that a U.S. Marine Corp Band rep noted that Clarkson's rendition of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was performed "without the help of a backing track.
Clarkson was celebrated for her strong performance. The singer tweeted, "Wow ....I was incredibly nervous and cold ha! I just wanna officially thank President Obama for opening for me haha!" when she finished.
TMZ reports that a U.S. Marine Corp Band rep noted that Clarkson's rendition of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was performed "without the help of a backing track.
Clarkson was celebrated for her strong performance. The singer tweeted, "Wow ....I was incredibly nervous and cold ha! I just wanna officially thank President Obama for opening for me haha!" when she finished.
- 1/22/2013
- by Madeline Boardman
- Huffington Post
Beyoncé stunned the world with her performance of the American national anthem at Obama's inauguration on Monday - but it has now been reported that she mimed the whole thing.
Well, if it's good enough for Cheryl Cole, it's good enough for Bey we suppose.
According to The Times, the singer opted to lip-synch her rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Monday's event.
A spokesperson for the Marine Corp Band appeared to confirm the speculation over her vocals when they told the paper it was was "standard procedure" to record a backing track, with the Destiny's Child singer only choosing to use it just before taking to the stage.
Kelly Clarkson also sang a rendition of 'My Country 'Tis of Thee' at yesterday's swearing-in ceremony.
Huffpost UK Celeb On Facebook | Follow Us On Twitter...
Well, if it's good enough for Cheryl Cole, it's good enough for Bey we suppose.
According to The Times, the singer opted to lip-synch her rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Monday's event.
A spokesperson for the Marine Corp Band appeared to confirm the speculation over her vocals when they told the paper it was was "standard procedure" to record a backing track, with the Destiny's Child singer only choosing to use it just before taking to the stage.
Kelly Clarkson also sang a rendition of 'My Country 'Tis of Thee' at yesterday's swearing-in ceremony.
Huffpost UK Celeb On Facebook | Follow Us On Twitter...
- 1/22/2013
- by Ashley Percival
- Huffington Post
Beyonce Knowles' breathtaking performance of the national anthem at the presidential inauguration on Monday was reportedly not live.
A spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Band confirmed to London's The Times that "it was standard procedure to record a backing track and Beyonce decided shortly before her performance to rely on the studio version rather than risk singing it live on the Capitol."
Update: The Marine Corps Band has now released a second statement on the matter: "The Presidential Inaugural Committee requested that the Marine Band accompany Beyonce Knowles-Carter in the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at the 2013 Inaugural Ceremony. However, there was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the Inauguration so it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event. Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the Inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure...
A spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Band confirmed to London's The Times that "it was standard procedure to record a backing track and Beyonce decided shortly before her performance to rely on the studio version rather than risk singing it live on the Capitol."
Update: The Marine Corps Band has now released a second statement on the matter: "The Presidential Inaugural Committee requested that the Marine Band accompany Beyonce Knowles-Carter in the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at the 2013 Inaugural Ceremony. However, there was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the Inauguration so it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event. Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the Inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure...
- 1/22/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
In case you didn't stay tuned for Barack Obama's second presidential inauguration, you missed fantastic performances by both Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce. Clarkson nailed "My Country 'Tis of Thee" but it was also Bill Clinton who stole the show right before the American Idol alum sang out to millions.
"Wow....I was incredibly nervous and cold ha!" Clarkson tweeted afterward. "I just wanna officially thank President Obama for opening for me haha! Just kidding :)"
"What an honor to be a part of history! Obama's presence was powerful and his words unforgettable. It's a proud day for America!" Later adding, "Just partied at the White House ....I kid you not, Michelle Obama stood up and got the party started ....seriously cool First Lady :)"
Check out her performance below:
--
What did you think about the big event? Comment below!
Follow Stephanie Webber on Twitter: @rosewebber...
"Wow....I was incredibly nervous and cold ha!" Clarkson tweeted afterward. "I just wanna officially thank President Obama for opening for me haha! Just kidding :)"
"What an honor to be a part of history! Obama's presence was powerful and his words unforgettable. It's a proud day for America!" Later adding, "Just partied at the White House ....I kid you not, Michelle Obama stood up and got the party started ....seriously cool First Lady :)"
Check out her performance below:
--
What did you think about the big event? Comment below!
Follow Stephanie Webber on Twitter: @rosewebber...
- 1/22/2013
- by Stephanie Webber
- Celebsology
It was a photobomb of presidential proportions. First daughter Malia Obama foiled an attempt by Sasha Obama to capture an adorable shot of their parents, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, kissing on Inauguration Day Monday when she jumped in front of her younger sis' camera and made a goofy face. The 14-year-old's photobomb, which prompted a hilarious reaction from the prez and a do-over on the smooching front, was seen during television coverage and quickly made its way online. But it wasn't the only photobomb to go viral. Bill Clinton's mischievous mug popped up behind Kelly Clarkson as the erstwhile American Idol champ sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" with the...
- 1/22/2013
- E! Online
Katy Perry, John Mayer and Beyoncé were some of the stars supporting or performing at the 57th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of Barack Obama in Washington DC yesterday (January 21). Beyoncé wore a black beaded Emilio Pucci gown with velvet detailing and a pair of statement emerald earrings as she performed 'Star Spangled Banner' in front of a 700,000 strong crowd. The 31-year-old singer was joined by husband Jay-z, looking smart in a Tom Ford suit, and couple Perry and Mayer, who watched as Obama was publicly sworn in for his second term as Us president. Eva Longoria was also in attendance, as was Kelly Clarkson, who sang 'America (My country 'Tis of Thee)' immediately after President Obama's inaugural (more)...
- 1/22/2013
- by By Naomi Gordon
- Digital Spy
Best date night ever! Kelly Clarkson and fiance Brandon Blackstock got all dressed up to attend President Barack Obama's second inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan. 21. After the American Idol winner performed "My Country 'Tis of Thee" with the United States Marine Band, she did a quick costume change and attended the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball at Walter Washington Convention Center. "Me and Brandon in our 'fancy' attire Fun night!" Clarkson, 30, tweeted a photo of the couple, who got engaged in December 2012 after nearly [...]...
- 1/22/2013
- by Nicole Eggenberger
- Us Weekly
Love him or hate him, Bill Clinton is probably the most charismatic former president still around. He also seems to, somehow, be the star of the show wherever he goes. Monday's presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. was no different.
During a performance of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" by "American Idol" champion Kelly Clarkson, Clinton's head popped out from the crowd as he photobombed her. The internet instantly lit up with people passing the photo around and attaching their own jokes to it.
Clinton's photobomb joins the list of other funny moments at today's inauguration, including the president's daughter, Sasha, yawning during his speech.
Oh, they also swore in a new president or something.
During a performance of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" by "American Idol" champion Kelly Clarkson, Clinton's head popped out from the crowd as he photobombed her. The internet instantly lit up with people passing the photo around and attaching their own jokes to it.
Clinton's photobomb joins the list of other funny moments at today's inauguration, including the president's daughter, Sasha, yawning during his speech.
Oh, they also swore in a new president or something.
- 1/21/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Today's Inauguration of Barack Obama was not only a political Who's Who, but also a musical one as Jay-z, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, James Taylor and John Mayer watched as Obama was sworn in to his second term as president.
Photos - The Best Obama Pda Moments
Clarkson and Beyonce had the additional pleasure of performing for the president, with the Stronger singer tackling My Country 'Tis of Thee and Blue Ivy's momma slaying The Star-Spangled Banner.
After the performance, Clarkson Tweeted, "Wow ... I was incredibly nervous and cold ha! I just wanna officially thank President Obama for opening for me haha! Just kidding :)"
In case you missed either, or just want to watch them over and over and over, we've embedded both videos below!
Photos - The Best Obama Pda Moments
Clarkson and Beyonce had the additional pleasure of performing for the president, with the Stronger singer tackling My Country 'Tis of Thee and Blue Ivy's momma slaying The Star-Spangled Banner.
After the performance, Clarkson Tweeted, "Wow ... I was incredibly nervous and cold ha! I just wanna officially thank President Obama for opening for me haha! Just kidding :)"
In case you missed either, or just want to watch them over and over and over, we've embedded both videos below!
- 1/21/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
If there's a musical act "headlining" the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, it's Beyonce. The singer's performance of the National Anthem was a capstone to the official proceedings of the inauguration, and served as the marker between the events on the steps of the capitol and the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Beyonce was hardly the only performer to make an impression over the weekend. Kelly Clarkson sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" immediately after Barack Obama delivered his inaugural address and James Taylor sang "America the Beautiful."
From our earlier reporting:
A host of other musicians and singers were spotted at events surrounding the actual inauguration. Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder and Usher were among those who scored inauguration weekend gigs.
One of the President's favorite genres was celebrated at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, where rappers 2 Chainz and Mc Lyte and singer John Legend were honored at the Sunday night event.
Their...
Beyonce was hardly the only performer to make an impression over the weekend. Kelly Clarkson sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" immediately after Barack Obama delivered his inaugural address and James Taylor sang "America the Beautiful."
From our earlier reporting:
A host of other musicians and singers were spotted at events surrounding the actual inauguration. Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder and Usher were among those who scored inauguration weekend gigs.
One of the President's favorite genres was celebrated at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, where rappers 2 Chainz and Mc Lyte and singer John Legend were honored at the Sunday night event.
Their...
- 1/21/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
She's waited all her life for a moment like this! Kelly Clarkson joined the likes of Beyonce and James Taylor to sing in front of President Barack Obama and nearly one million spectators in Washington, D.C. for Obama's second inauguration on Monday Jan. 21. Attending the festivities with fiance Brandon Blackstock , Clarkson, 30, sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" with the United States Marine Band in advance after Obama's moving address. And, as the very first American Idol champ sang her heart out, another President -- Bill [...]...
- 1/21/2013
- by Justin Ravitz
- Us Weekly
Singer Kelly Clarkson will get a huge honor Monday when she sings "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at President Barack Obama's second inauguration.
It's pretty clear now why she got the invite.
"I love Kelly Clarkson," Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-n.Y.) said Friday during a HuffPost Live appearance. Schumer is the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, responsible for organizing the main inaugural event every four years.
"And I felt very good about myself, because I listened to her and I said, 'I really like her,' and then only later did I learn she had won 'American Idol,'" Schumer said. "So I was very glad that my tastes were the same as most of America's."
His favorite Clarkson song?
"I never walk too far from the sidewalk, what's that called?" (It's "Because of You.")
But don't ask him to sing it. When asked...
It's pretty clear now why she got the invite.
"I love Kelly Clarkson," Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-n.Y.) said Friday during a HuffPost Live appearance. Schumer is the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, responsible for organizing the main inaugural event every four years.
"And I felt very good about myself, because I listened to her and I said, 'I really like her,' and then only later did I learn she had won 'American Idol,'" Schumer said. "So I was very glad that my tastes were the same as most of America's."
His favorite Clarkson song?
"I never walk too far from the sidewalk, what's that called?" (It's "Because of You.")
But don't ask him to sing it. When asked...
- 1/19/2013
- by Ethan Klapper
- Huffington Post
For Beyoncé, 2013 is turning out to be a banner year so far. Having already been tapped to perform during the Super Bowl halftime show next month, Blue Ivy's mom is now set to sing the National Anthem at President Barack Obama's inauguration. The ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on the West Front of the U.S. Captiol on Jan. 21, will also feature Kelly Clarkson performing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and James Taylor singing "America the Beautiful." Of course, the selection of Beyoncé by the Presidential Inaugural Committee doesn't come as a complete shock. The singer has always been an active supporter of Obama and, in 2009, she famously performed "At...
- 1/9/2013
- E! Online
Washington (AP) — President Barack Obama can expect some sweet serenades at his inauguration ceremony, with hit-makers Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor scheduled to perform. Planners of the Jan. 21 event announced Wednesday that Beyonce will sing the national anthem, Clarkson will perform "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and Taylor will sing "America the Beautiful." They said the president personally selected the performers. Richard Blanco, the son of Cuban exiles, is the 2013 inaugural poet, joining the ranks of Maya Angelou and Robert Frost. Blanco's works explore his family's exile from their native country and "the intersection of his cultural...
- 1/9/2013
- by Nedra Pickler (AP)
- Hitfix
Beyoncé will perform at Barack Obama's inauguration later this month. The singer, who campaigned for Obama alongside her husband Jay-z, will perform the National Anthem at the ceremony on January 21, People reports. The singer will be joined by Kelly Clarkson, who offered support for Obama before the election despite being a "Republican at heart" and will sing 'My Country 'Tis of Thee' at the event. Meanwhile, James Taylor will appear to sing 'America The Beautiful'. The invocation will be given by journalist Myrlie Evers-Williams, (more)...
- 1/9/2013
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
President Barack Obama will kick off his second term in office with some great musical performances.Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor were all hand-picked by the Commander-in-chief to perform at his inauguration ceremony on January 21.Knowles will sing the national anthem, Clarkson will take on "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and Taylor will perform "America the Beautiful," according to event planners.After news broke, the original "American Idol" winner tweeted that she was "excited & honored" about the gig.This will be Beyonce's second inauguration performance. She memorably sang Etta James' classic "At Last" for the President and First Lady's first dance back in 2009.What do you think of Barack's choices? Sound off below. Read more...
- 1/9/2013
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
Michelle Obama works out to her music - plus, she's no stranger to the White House - so it's only fitting this year that Beyoncé will be front and center at President Barack Obama's inauguration. The R&B superstar will be performing the National Anthem at the Jan. 21 ceremony, which will take place at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, the Presidential Inaugural Committee tells People. And she will be joined by an equally auspicious roster of singers: Kelly Clarkson will perform "My Country 'Tis of Thee" this year (that honor went to Aretha Franklin ... and her...
- 1/9/2013
- PEOPLE.com
AP:
Livonia, Mich. -- A beige cashmere hat with fur and matching collar and cuffs worn by Aretha Franklin sold for $400 during a sale of dozens of items once owned by the Queen of Soul.
Hats were big draws at a sales event attended Saturday by several hundred people in Livonia, according to sales distributor Jill Pendergast.
"A lot of people found a lot of items," Pendergast said. "Somebody wanted T-shirts that had been stained up. Some people just came for blue jeans. Some people were looking for just shoes.
"They just kept coming in and going out," she said.
One of Franklin's gowns sold for $550.
Pendergast would not say who currently owned the items or how much was raised by the sale which ran from 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m. in a store west of Detroit.
Franklin has said she has no connection to the sale. The Grammy...
Livonia, Mich. -- A beige cashmere hat with fur and matching collar and cuffs worn by Aretha Franklin sold for $400 during a sale of dozens of items once owned by the Queen of Soul.
Hats were big draws at a sales event attended Saturday by several hundred people in Livonia, according to sales distributor Jill Pendergast.
"A lot of people found a lot of items," Pendergast said. "Somebody wanted T-shirts that had been stained up. Some people just came for blue jeans. Some people were looking for just shoes.
"They just kept coming in and going out," she said.
One of Franklin's gowns sold for $550.
Pendergast would not say who currently owned the items or how much was raised by the sale which ran from 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m. in a store west of Detroit.
Franklin has said she has no connection to the sale. The Grammy...
- 11/20/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Aretha Franklin is to release a new record next month. Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love is the soul singer's first studio album since 2003's So Damn Happy. It will also be her first release on her own label Aretha Records, which she founded in 2005. The album will be released through Walmart stores in the Us on May 3. It reportedly features her version of My Country 'Tis Of Thee, a song which she performed at Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony in 2009. According to The AP, Franklin has also confirmed a live show at the Dte Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan (more)...
- 4/28/2011
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.