This week, I'm loving... OUTLANDER's Opening Titles

Isn't it beautiful? Totally captures the mystery and romance of the Highlands of Scotland, while cleverly mixing together The Skye Boat Song's melody with lyrics paraphrasing Robert Louis Stevenson's poem Sing Me a Song of a Lad That is Gone (with lad altered to lass).

DOCTOR WHO's 50th: 'What About Everything' music video

This is a superb fan-made video by Babelcolour, expertly editing together clips from Doctor Who's 50 years to match the lyrics of Carbon Leaf's "What About Everything". It's nice to see a video of this nature that has a happy, upbeat, whimsical quality for a change.

Video: Yvonne Strahovski appears in College Humor's "Three Pop Stars, One Song"

"I'm from the year 3000. I'm here to eat your penis."

Chuck's Yvonne Strahovski gets her very own College Humor showcase, in this spoof music video where she takes on the guises of Katy Perry, Ke$ha and Lady Gaga. It's the not-entirely-funny "Three Pop Stars, One Song" music video! But it's worth watching just to see Yvonne wearing a cream-spurting bra and (to a much lesser extent) blowing chunks into a toilet bowl. It's fun seeing her doing something outside of Chuck, anyway.

Advert: 'Virgin Media' (Dan Black's "Symphonies")

Virgin Media have a brand new advert, which you can watch above. It's pretty good, certainly more intriguing and stylish than Sky's commercials, if still very unfocused on telling people what the advantages of Virgin are over their satellite rival! And why are there no adverts for the excellent, cutting-edge TiVo box they have on the market? Crazy.

But anyway, what grabbed my attention about this advert was the beautiful music, which samples the theme from John Carpenter's 1984 sci-fi road movie Starman. It's called "Symphonies" and it's by an artist called Dan Black.

You can hear the full "Starman" theme below, together with other versions:

"Starman" by Jack Nitzsche:

Dan Black's "Symphonies":

Dan Black's "Symphonies" (featuring Kid Cudi) remix:

Dan Black's "Symphonies" (instrumental version):

Pretty great, no? But I wonder if Virgin are happy we're discussing the choice of music over their own cable offerings? Oh well, at least we're discussing the advert in some form. Time to rent Starman again, too.

Dancing Inmates: Michael Jackson's This Is It

Do you remember that viral with the Filipino inmates dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" awhile back? Well, the inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Centre are back, this time tutored by Michael Jackson's choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid. It's all to help promote the DVD/Blu-ray release of Michael Jackson's This Is It (out 22 Feb in the UK) Check it out, it's a fun video. I wonder if these prisoners will reform and get some song-and-dance work when they're released.

Talking Point: Chris or Chris?

Chris Evans took over as host of Radio 2's breakfast show this week, replacing the inexplicably popular Terry Wogan. He's now in direct "competition" with Chris Moyles over on Radio 1. Both stations have their separate demographics to cater to, but Radio 2's been edging towards the younger end of their market in recent years. Putting Evans on their breakfast show is definitely a move towards securing a "mid-ground", of which I guess I'm a part of.

As a 30-year-old, I'm still relatively young and don't feel like Radio 2's target audience just yet. Hey, I'm actually younger than Chris Moyles on Radio 1! But, Chris Evans was a memorable pop-culture figure for me as a teen (on Big Breakfast, Don't Forget Your Toothbrush and TFI Friday), so there's a part of me that feels lured Evans' way.

But then I listen to Radio 2's breakfast show, and I'm not a fan of the playlist -- it's mostly good tracks, but it bounces around from classics of the '60s to run of the mill contemporary picks. I've never really seen the point in playing old tunes on the radio, see. If I want to listen to The Beatles or Queen, I'll buy their albums. New music is the main reason I stick with Radio 1. Sure, there's a lot more crap getting played (repeated ad nauseum throughout the day), but you feel more attuned to "modern music" with Radio 1, in all its forms. And as a 30-year-old, I kind of want to keep one foot in my twenties. If only to know who Ke$ha is. There's plenty of time to turn my back on current music and find solace in the "oldies" from the '80s and '90s. I'll give it another 10 years.

What about you? Are you of equivalent age to me, but swayed to ditch Moyles for Evans now? Were you a regular Wogan listener, who's now appalled "young" Evans has taken his crown? Should Radio 2 have appointed someone older, perhaps? Is the gap between Radio 1 and 2 getting slimmer, or is that just the perception of people in their thirties who are creeping into middle-age but have strong memories of their youth?

Britney Spears: "3"

I thought a few people would be interested to see Britney Spears' new video for her latest single, "3". It's funny, recent Britney vids are less about the music and more a way for us to judge if she's on-form or "sane", following her public meltdowns and breakdowns...

Is the song good enough to rival "Hit Me Baby, One More Time", "Toxic" or even lesser hits like "Boys"? No -- but it does have an infuriatingly catchy chorus. Does Britney look her best? No -- at 27, she's hardly over-the-hill, but having two kids has taken its toll in that indefinable way. Is she performing well? Yes, sort of -- her recent tour has given her back some fitness, although she still doesn't really dance to the ability she did in, say, "I'm A Slave 4 You". She just wriggles around and strikes erotic poses while wearing outfits that make her look like a solo Pussycat Doll on valium. But there are signs of Ye Olde Britney's charisma sprinkled about, mainly in cheeky close-up half-smiles where you're reminded of her early-'00s sweet/sexy heyday. For all its flaws, this is still probably the best video she's done in awhile (I like how it speeds up towards the end), and the song's an earworm.

Sugababes: "About A Girl"

The Sugababes are back with their first single featuring new member Jade Ewen, entitled "About A Girl". Featuring bad stunt-doubles and a trivial "plot", it again showcases their new image intended to sell them to the US market (i.e. they dress in leathers and dance provocatively.) I'm all for the 'babes sexier moves, and Amelle looks particularly re-energized without Keisha around (taking the lead in the vid, again), but I'm sure a lot of longterm fans are reassessing their loyalty now.

I say cut new girl Jade some slack -- Keisha's ousting wasn't her fault, she's easier on the eye than her predecessor, and a better singer (if not as unique sounding.) This track's an improvement on the trashy "Get Sexy", if you ask me -- although I'll admit that summer tune did weedle its way into my head. This one probably will, too, but Jade's long legs distract me from the song too much. Maybe it'll be a grower after copious radio play. What do you think?

The Sugababes Paradox

The Sugababes are a pop conundrum. As I'm sure you've heard, the last original member of the three-piece, Keisha Buchanan, has left the group. She was allegedly forced out by management and awarded a six-figure pay-off, who were in turn advised by band-mate Heidi that her prickly relationship with newest recruit Amelle was heading for a bust-up during their all-important attempt to crack America.

Whatever the reason, Keisha's been kicked out and this year's Eurovision entrant, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's protégé Jade Ewen, was immediately hired to replace her. The new lineup (photo above) are busily re-recording their new album, due for release late-November, which is an exhausting and expensive thing to be doing at the eleventh hour.

And it's amusing to argue whether or not this means the Sugababes are effectively over, now that there are no original members left. It's the Ship of Theseus paradox, given a pop twist. Even weirder, ex-member Mutya Buena (whom Amella replaced) has claimed it's possible she could reunite with the ousted Keisha and original songstress Siobhán Donaghy, to resurrect the original Sugababes ensemble. Therefore, wouldn't Keisha-Mutya-Siobhán be THE Sugababes, and Heidi-Amelle-Jade just the replacements the group gathered like moss along the way?

It's very confusing. Maybe the original trio would have to legally call themselves "The Real Sugababes or "The Original Sugababes"? A perverse part of me hopes this happens, and that the rival 'babes have competing singles in the chart one week. My head hurts.

MTV Video Music Awards 2009

I caught some of the MTV Video Music Awards 2009, but could only manage about 40 minutes before tuning out. What I did see was Russell Brand as host, clutching a top hat and still charming those Americans with his pretentious airs and graces. Like all good Brits, part of me is proud an Englishman has made such an impact Stateside and is the MC for a big event like this, but a bigger part can't wait for the Yanks to grow tired of his neo-Victorian lothario shtick and send him packing (hopefully before he ruins that Arthur remake.)

The Michael Jackson tribute was excellent. It was quite cathartic to have a true celebration of this entertainer's life, instead of funereal speeches (although Madonna's was surprisingly interesting and heartfelt.) The musical medley, with Jacko brought to life on a gigantic screen behind body-popping dancers, was stimulating and exciting entertainment. The moment Janet Jackson appeared and danced alongside her late brother's projection for "Scream" made me smile, although I wish Janet had done likewise.

Beyond that, I was dipping in and out because I have no interest in who wins and loses. You could say it's a sign of getting old, but only if you mean I'm old enough to realize MTV awards mean fuck-all. Who won Best Single last year -- anyone? Exactly. The biggest talking point was seeing Kanye West interrupt Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to claim Beyonce deserved the award instead. I agree, but still... poor Taylor looked gobsmacked and lacked the ability to turn the situation around, but she was rescued by the crowd booing Kanye and giving her a standing ovation. And, I have to say, Beyonce really impressed me by later insisting Taylor Swift join her on-stage to have her moment again, uninterrupted this time. Nice one, B!

I remain undecided on Lady GaGa. She's clearly nuttier than a squirrel fart (did you see the red net entirely covering her face, or the exploding blood-bag?), but I think the music biz need crazy people like her. I just wish she wasn't so aloof with it. I guess she has a sense of humour about herself, but it's hard to say for sure. Yes, she didn't look too upset when Brand started firing off hermaphrodite jokes at her expense, but how else DO you react when a camera's in your face at the time? Best to grin and bear it.

Click here for the full list of winners.


14 September 2009
MTV, 9pm

TRAILER PARK: Michael Jackson's This Is It

Here's the trailer for Michael Jackson's "This Is It", the documentary created using rehearsal footage for his O2 gigs by Kenny Ortega (High School Musical). I'm surprisingly excited about this, how about you? I'm just not sure I'm excited enough to go to the cinema to see it -- but that's definitely the next best thing for Jacko fans who'd intended to see him live. This Is It will be in cinemas for a limited two-week period from 28 October, so I'm guessing the DVD/Blu-ray will be out for Christmas.

Shakira: "She Wolf"

For a while it seemed that Colombian singer/songwriter Shakira was fated to become a one-hit wonder after "Whenever, Wherever" turned the belly-dancing hottie into a global star. And, while she's hardly been churning out Number Ones since then, she's managed to release enough good songs to keep herself in the public eye -- most notably via collaborations with US stars ("My Hips Don't Lie" with Wyclef Jean, "Beautiful Stranger" with Beyonce.) But now Shakira's back with "She Wolf", her third English-language album, the title track of which uses lycanthropy as an allegory for women sneaking out of their bedrooms to prowl nightclubs for men...

As we've come to expect from the lithe Shakira, this is a physical, upbeat, sexy track. She appears to have joints in her abdomen where none should exist, as some of her moves don't even seem anatomically possible! She's a body-popping slinky. It's mesmerizing¹. The video is stirring stuff, with Shakira swinging around inside a gold cage in flesh-coloured tights, or wearing a pair of spray-on trousers that only cover one leg, but it's done with a mischievous attitude and a beaming smile. It's sexy and FUN, not sleazy and dirty², and the song itself slowly worms itself into your head. Awwooooo!


1. See: 1:10:00.

2. Pay attention Sugababes, this is how you do sexy electro-pop.

Sugababes: "Get Sexy"

The Sugababes' attempt to crack America supposedly hinges on this, their latest video, the unsubtle electro-pop track "Get Sexy". It showcases a new sound for the trio, but also a different direction stylistically. The Sugbabes have done sexy music videos in the past, but they've always been quite demure by modern standards, while their live performances haven't really given Girls Aloud much to worry about.

"Get Sexy" finds the 'babes bogling and flashing their legs every two seconds, in a video where only new recruit Amelle seems to be enjoying herself. Is she a bad influence on the others? The main problem is -- as titillating as it is seeing the lovely Heidi bust a move (finally), Amelle prowl inside a giant bird cage, and Keisha spread her legs on a sofa -- the song itself is forgettable toss. The synthesized chorus rudely interrupts whatever flow has built, lyrics are pinched from Right Said Fred ("I'm too sexy in this club, too sexy in this club, so sexy it hurts") and there's just something a bit seedy about seeing this once-sophisticated group devolve into PVC-wearing tramps to try and score themselves a US hit. It has a few good moments, and will undoubtedly play better in a sweaty nightclub without the accompanying video (and several cocktails down your neck), but... where has the Sugababes' sweetness gone?

Michael Jackson: Rehearsal Footage

CNN have released exclusive footage of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his London comeback gigs, two days before his untimely death. Contrary to reports, he seems physically fit and in decent shape to me. Is he just jacked-up on drugs to get him through it, or was he on the verge of pulling off a great concert? I would have loved to see him prove his doubters wrong, but he'll sadly never get the chance to now. Apparently, there are plans to release all the rehearsal footage on DVD, which I'd certainly be tempted to buy. If only to see his planned "Thriller" sequence with animatronic zombie puppets.

RIP Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

It's always sad when icons die. I wasn't a rabid Michael Jackson fan, truth be told. Even as a kid in the '80s I thought he was a bit odd and, while I loved his signature dance moves, he didn't really appeal to me. I only really developed an appreciation as a teenager, looking back on all his classic music videos and realizing the spectacle of his concerts and record-breaking successes. His album "Thriller" has sold 100 million copies, a feat unlikely to ever be beaten. Then came the allegations of child abuse and the mid-'90s slump, which he never really recovered from...

His life got crazier, mud stuck, and the hit singles dried up. Over the past decade, he became a bizarre, lanky caricature of himself. There's probably a whole generation (or two) that equate his fame with nothing but bizarre behaviour, controversy, dangling babies out of windows, court appearances, making his kids wear face-masks, and being mobbed on the street by screeching fans in white gloves. Fortunately, his heyday was so phenomenal that the music cuts through all that nonsense. "Thriller", "Smooth Criminal", "Black Or White", "Bad", "Billie Jean", "Man In The Mirror"... it's quicker to list the singles that weren't hits for Jacko.

Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest at the inconsiderable age of 50, on the eve of 50 comeback gigs at the London O2 Arena that, honestly, nobody thought would go ahead. He'd already postponed the first batch, there were reports he'd barely attended rehearsals in L.A, and it felt like he was being pressured into doing these concerts to pay his bills. The first 10 gigs alone were rumoured to net the singer £50 million.

Upon hearing the news he'd been admitted to hospital after a heart attack, the cynical part of me suspected it was all faked to give him an excuse to cancel his summer shows. That's the kind of outrageous stunt you wouldn't put past him, really. Sadly, I was wrong.

Was the heart attack tied to his general ill health or plastic surgeries? Was it brought on through stress about his final gigs? Or was it just "one of those things"? Maybe we'll find out in a few days, but one thing's for certain: Michael Jackson may have left us, but his music will never die.

The Saturdays: "Work"

I know my musical taste often calls into question my gender, age and sexuality, but I can assure you that I'm only interested in the likes of The Saturdays for one thing -- and it's not to learn their choreography or perfect my karaoke. Here they are with their latest single "Work"; a more mature look and sound after the candyfloss pop of earlier efforts like "Up" (i.e, colour-coded tights are replaced by black skirts or flesh.) The hair, makeup and wardrobe teams have played a blinder, but the video itself is undistinguished and clichéd in its approach. The Sat's just strut around on a stage in a darkened warehouse. The director appears to have realized the group aren't very good at dancing in unison, so halfway through a group of hunky boys arrive and provide some cool moves instead. But hey, I can't complain too much: the song is catchy as a summer tune to be forgotten by September, and the girls look super-sexy in short skirts.

Pussycat Dolls: "Hush Hush; Hush Hush"

No, I didn't accidentally hit copy/paste, that is the title of the Pussycat Dolls' latest single. "Hush" just wasn't street enough, I guess. You need some repetition and a semi-colon, see. Punctuation's where it's at, yo. Is there any point typing anything here? Just enjoy the music video, which features Nicole Scherzinger having a lovely bath, before joining her fellow pussycats for a '70s disco-inspired song that bizarrely segueways into a brief cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" (which was #1 in the UK Singles Chart when I was born, way back in March 1979. Spooky, I know.)

But let's take a straw poll: will the Pussycat Dolls ever split up, as strongly rumoured when diva Scherzinger insisted that their last single "Jai Ho" was credited to The Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger. That did feel like an obvious hint from Ms. S for the 'dolls to sod off, but did any of her bandmates get it? Or do they just persevere with her because, let's face it, if the band did split up... Scherzinger has a potential solo career to get on with, and they'll just go back to burlesque. I reckon Nic's just annoyed she has to split her wages six ways.

Girls Aloud: "Untouchable"

Oh, look! It's Girls Aloud's 21st single, "Untouchable". Their 6-minute album track has been condensed into 4-minutes of sci-fi sexiness here, with the girls floating around Earth in space-orbs, dressed in see-through PVC and tight leathers. If you can put up with the hyper-editing, there's leggy Nadine and curvy Kimberly looking hot throughout, which is the main thing. I wish they'd get back to filming video's where they're together dancing together in a group, though.

The Saturdays: "Just Can't Get Enough" (Comic Relief)

It's The Saturdays, singing this year's Comic Relief single. That's quite an accolade for a girl group that have only been around for 6 months, or so. As expected, their cover of Depeche Mode classic "Just Can't Get Enough" has been dunked in candyfloss, but it does feature all the girls in different coloured tights. So, no complaints from me.

Plus, of course, if you buy this single you'll be donating money to a very good cause. Buy, buy, buy!

Girls Aloud: "The Loving Kind"

Mmmm, I love Girls Aloud. Leggy Nadine... pouty Kimberly... beautiful Cheryl... sexy Sarah... Nicola*. This is their latest single from new album "Out Of Control", co-written by Neil "Pet Shop Boys" Tennant. A good song; catchy, haunting, euphoric, easy to hum along to. The video's also pretty sharp, with the girls trapped in a tenement block of reflective, glossy, perfume boxes. Or something. Whatever, they're still extraordinarily sexy. How do you rate the video?

* Okay, that was a cheap-shot, I apologize. Nicola's vocals actually give this song many of its most effective moments, and her stylist is doing a good job recently.