Spike TV Announces 2008 'Guys Choice' Winners

31 May 2008 06:39 Africa/Lagos


Spike TV Announces 2008 'Guys Choice' Winners

SECOND ANNUAL SHOW HOSTED BY "HAROLD & KUMAR" STARS JOHN CHO AND KAL PENN

PREMIERES ON SPIKE TV SUNDAY, JUNE 22 AT 10:00 PM, ET/PT

DOUBLE MANTLER WINNER MATT DAMON NAMED THE ULTIMATE "GUY OF THE YEAR" AND "BIGGEST ASS KICKER"

LEGENDARY ACTOR HARRISON FORD GIVEN "BRASS BALLS" AWARD

"THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY" INDUCTED INTO "GUY MOVIE HALL OF FAME"
Show Features Performances And Appearances By Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Anne Hathaway, Steve Carell, LeBron James, Marisa Miller, Eva Mendes, Tila Tequila, Eli Manning, Snoop Dogg, Disturbed, Katy Perry and Many More
To View Exclusive Footage From "Guys Choice" Log-On to www.spike.com

LOS ANGELES, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Winners were announced last tonight during the second annual Spike TV "Guys Choice" (http://www.spike.com/guyschoice/) held at the Sony Studios in Los Angeles. Hosted by stars John Cho and Kal Penn, the show that pays homage to the best in "guydom" premieres on Spike TV (http://www.spike.com/) Sunday, June 22 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO )
Matt Damon netted two of the night's top honors as he was voted "Guy of the Year" by Spike TV viewers, and his portrayal of Jason Bourne in "The Bourne Ultimatum" earned him "Best Ass Kicker" bragging rights.

Box office smash hit "Iron Man" garnered the "Guy Movie of the Year" honor. Star Robert Downey, Jr. and director Jon Favreau were on hand to receive the award.

Playboy editor-in-chief and chief creative officer and American icon, Hugh Hefner, was given the first ever "Alpha Male Award" for his pioneering vision and ground-breaking achievements that forever changed the face of entertainment for men.

The show also honored one of the most successful comedies of all time, as "There's Something About Mary" was inducted into the "Guy Movie Hall of Fame" with Bobby and Peter Farrelly, as well as castmembers Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz, Lin Shaye and Markie Post on hand to accept the honor. Diaz was also there to receive the "Decade of Hotness" award.

In addition, fresh off winning Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning took home two awards, "Most Unstoppable Jock" and sharing "Badass DNA" with his brother Peyton. Spike TV's "GUYS CHOICE" also included a house-shaking performance by Disturbed, and appearances by Chuck Liddell, Harrison Ford, Marisa Miller, Robert Downey, Jr., Anne Hathaway, Steve Carell, Kim Kardashian, LeBron James, Eva Mendes, Tila Tequila, Snoop Dogg, and Jeremy Piven, among others.

In addition to honoring the sexiest women and coolest guys from the past year, the show featured unforgettable tributes to legendary entertainers, rockers and babes, as well as edgy stand-up comedy and ground breaking musical performances. A full list of winners is included below:

GUY OF THE YEAR ALPHA MALE GUY MOVIE OF THE YEAR
Matt Damon Hugh Hefner "Ironman"
BRASS BALLS NEXT BIG THING HOTTEST GIRL ON THE PLANET
Harrison Ford Megan Fox Jessica Biel
BALLSIEST BAND FUNNIEST M.F. GUY MOVIE HALL OF FAME
Linkin Park Steve Carell "There's Something About Mary"
BIGGEST ASS KICKER SEXIEST SIREN MOST UNSTOPPABLE JOCK
Jason Bourne Rihanna Eli Manning
KING OF COMEDY MOST DANGEROUS MAN DECADE OF HOTNESS
Chris Rock Anderson Silva Cameron Diaz
HOT N' FRESH PLAY OF THE YEAR OUTSTANDING LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT
Marisa Miller David Tyree Slash
REAL SPORTS MIRACLE BADASS DNA TOP FANTASY LEAGUER
Kevin Everett Eli/Peyton Manning LeBron James
HOTTEST EVA SO HOT THEY'RE FAMOUS PRESIDENTIAL VOTING CATEGORY
Eva Mendes Tila Tequila Barack Obama
FEMME FATALE HOT & FUNNY FIERCEST FEMALE
Jessica Simpson Sarah Silverman Milla Jovovich ("Resident Evil")
VIRAL VIDEO LUCKIEST BASTARD HILARIOUS DOT COM AWARD
I'm F**king Ben Brian Austin Green Funny or Die
Affleck
SICKEST RHYMES KILLER QUOTE FOXIEST PRESIDENTIAL GROUPIE
Kanye West "Don't taze me, bro." Hillary Hottie

To view exclusive footage, interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and more from the "Guys Choice," log-on to www.spike.com
The official sponsors of Spike TV's "Guys Choice" (http://www.spike.com/guyschoice/) are Cingular, now the new AT&T, Corona, Degree Men, Pizza Hut, Sega: "The Incredible Hulk Video" Game, SoBe and the U.S. Army.

Casey Patterson, Spike TV's senior vice president, event production & talent development, Carol Donovan and Beth McCarthy-Miller are executive producers.

Spike TV is available in 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Spike TV
CONTACT: Shana Agron, +1-917-952-4106, shana.agron@spiketv.com;
AileenBudow, +1-917-842-9653, aileen.budow@spiketv.com,
both of Spike TV
Web site: http://www.spike.com/
http://www.spike.com/guyschoice

Dima Bilan Clinches Russia's First Victory in the Eurovision Song Contest

Dima Bilan clinches Russia's first victory in the Eurovision Song Contest. The show, held this year in Belgrade, drew a television audience of some 100 million for the annual glitz-fest now in its 53rd year.

© 2008 Reuters

Embassy of Jordan in Washington, DC Hosts Special Screening for Award Winning 'Captain Abu Raed'

21 May 2008 06:17 Africa/Lagos


Embassy of Jordan in Washington, DC Hosts Special Screening for Award Winning 'Captain Abu Raed'

WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan hosted a special screening last evening for the award winning Jordanian film, "Captain Abu Raed," marking the first time the film is shown to Washington's diplomatic and policymaking circles.


"Captain Abu Raed," the first Jordanian feature film ever exported to the world's cinemas, is a winner of the Audience Award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and the Dubai International Film Festival. "We are very proud of the film's success here in the United States' vast and competitive movie industry. Films are indeed a potent intercultural weapon that we hope to use more often to enhance people's understanding of the complex beauty of our region," said His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra'ad, Jordan's Ambassador in the United States, as he welcomed guests at the screening. He added, "We can only expect more Jordanian winning films in the near future; especially given the rich pool of young and talented Jordanians aspiring to become part of the world of film and the arts."


"Captain Abu Raed" presents a universal story of friendship, inspiration and heroism set in contemporary Jordan. It is also a story of everyday people intersecting across social boundaries and of individual destinies coming together into one. The film also captures breathtaking footage of Amman and especially of East Amman, where the first settlers of the Capital gave life to the city.


The special screening was followed by a vibrant discussion with the talented writer and director Amin Matalqa and the esteemed executive producer David Pritchard. The discussion was moderated by Foreign Editor of the Washington Post, Scott Wilson who lived in Amman-Jordan as well as Jerusalem as the Post's chief Middle East correspondent.


The special screening is part of the Embassy's cultural program, organized by the Jordan Information Bureau, which aims to introduce the American audience to Jordan's rich cultural heritage and its hospitable and complex people.


For More Information, Contact 202-265-1606 or jordaninfo@aol.com


Source: Jordan Information Bureau

CONTACT: Jordan Information Bureau, +1-202-265-1606, jordaninfo@aol.com

COMEDY CENTRAL'S 'The Gong Show With Dave Attell' Holds Open Call Auditions in New York City on Thursday, May 22 From 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. ET

19 May 2008 17:56 Africa/Lagos


COMEDY CENTRAL'S 'The Gong Show With Dave Attell' Holds Open Call Auditions in New York City on Thursday, May 22 From 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. ET

Auditions Held At Arlene's Grocery at 95 Stanton Street in New York City

'The Gong Show With Dave Attell' Premieres Thursday, July 17 At 10:30 P.M. ET/PT*

NEW YORK, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The most original and wonderfully bizarre comedy variety show is now casting! The New York open casting call for "The Gong Show with Dave Attell" will take place Thursday, May 22 at Arlene's Grocery at 95 Stanton Street in Manhattan, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.

Performers should submit their name, phone number, type of act and any links or videos to gongshowcasting@aol.com or call 310-840-5721 to register for the open call audition.
COMEDY CENTRAL and host Dave Attell are looking for the wackiest, wildest, most bizarre, unique performers out there! All acts are welcome -- from cutting edge variety to stupid human tricks and animal tricks, from the dark to the daring to the downright insane! "The Gong Show with Dave Attell" premieres Thursday, July 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.

*All Times ET/PT
Source: COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications
CONTACT: Jamie Lee of COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications,+1-212-767-3949, jamie.lee@comedycentral.com
Web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/

Updated - The 'Hottest Ticket on Television' Has Been Announced: The BET Awards '08

The official press release on the 2008 BET Awards was sent out last night, but I waited to preview the preparations and nominees before reporting it.
I bet you that indeed BET Awards '08 is the hottest ticket on TV this summer.


Quincy Jones Will Be Honoured With The 2008 BET Humanitarian Award

17 May 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos


Updated - The 'Hottest Ticket on Television' Has Been Announced: The BET Awards '08

T-Pain Leads the Pack with Five Nominations, Chris Brown Follows Closely with Four Nods, Kanye West and Keyshia Cole with Three and Mary J. Blige, Flo Rida and Alicia Keys Hold Steady with Two Each

The Eighth Annual BET AWARDS '08 Will Be Televised LIVE from Los Angeles' Famed Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 24 with Performances by Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne and Nelly.

Legendary R&B Icon Al Green to Receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award and Celebrated Producer/Arranger/Composer Quincy Jones Set for BET's Humanitarian Award


T-Pain

NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA; VIA.B), today announced the nominees, performers and recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian honors for the BET AWARDS '08. The BET AWARDS '08 is raising the stakes and promises to be the "hottest ticket on television" for the eighth year running, as the biggest stars in music, sports and entertainment unite in Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of explosive LIVE performances on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. As in years past, the BET AWARDS '08 will continue its landmark tradition of hot performances by some of today's heavy hitters, including Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne and Nelly. The host, along with additional presenters and performers, will be announced shortly.


Chris Brown

At this year's most hyped event, BET will recognize the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 15 categories. Hip hop R&B singer, songwriter and producer T-Pain tops the line-up with five nominations for his collaborations with Chris Brown, Kanye West and Flo Rida, followed by Chris Brown with four nods and rapper/producer Kanye West earning three nominations with his successful third album, "Graduation," in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration and Video of the Year categories.


Kanye West

Among the other multiple nominees are R&B songstress Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B, as well as Video of the Year for "Just Fine," along with Ne-Yo, Flo Rida, Alicia Keys and Keyshia Cole.


Keyshia Cole

Those nominated for the second straight year include Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne for Best Male Hip Hop; Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B; last year's Best Male R&B winner Ne-Yo; Angela Bassett and Chandra Wilson for Best Actress; last year's winner, basketball sensation LeBron James, boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and golfing phenomenon Tiger Woods for Male Athlete of the Year; smash hitter and four-time category winner Serena Williams and b-ball superstar Tamika Catchings for Female Athlete of the Year.


In keeping with the history-making track record of the most highly anticipated night in Black entertainment, BET is pulling out all of the stops in naming this year's special honorees. Legendary R&B icon Al Green will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining him will be celebrated producer/arranger/composer Quincy Jones, who will be honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African- Americans through the Listen Up Foundation, a charity which connects youth with music, technology and culture. In addition, Jones helped launch the We Are the Future project, giving hope to children in poor and conflict-ridden areas.


For the past seven years, the BET AWARDS has boasted unforgettable moments such as Michael Jackson's surprise appearance during James Brown's tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus' first lady of funk; Destiny's Child's steamy lap dance; the reunion of one of hip hop's most beloved trios, The Fugees; and last year's touching opening performance with Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday and Public Enemy's tribute to James Brown.


BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, will executive produce the telecast.


BET AWARDS '08 will be sponsored by Dodge, Pepsi, Verizon Wireless, General Motors, P&G, Target, CIROC Vodka and Ford.


Log onto BET.com for BET On Blast video highlights, photos and continuous BET AWARDS '08 updates at www.bet.com/betawards.


BET AWARDS '08
NOMINEES AND CATEGORIES

Best Female R&B Best Male R&B Best Group
Mary J. Blige Chris Brown Danity Kane
Mariah Carey Raheem DeVaughn Day 26
Keyshia Cole J. Holiday Gnarls Barkley
Alicia Keys Ne-Yo Playaz Circle
Rihanna Trey Songz UGK

Best Gospel Artist Best Female Hip Hop Artist Best Male Hip Hop Artist
The Clark Sisters Missy Elliott Common
Kirk Franklin Eve Jay-Z
Deitrick Haddon Kid Sister Lil Wayne
Marvin Sapp Lil Mama Snoop Dogg
Trin-I-Tee 5:7 Trina Kanye West

Best New Artist Best Collaboration
Estelle Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
Flo Rida Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim "Let It Go"
Chrisette Michelle Flo Rida f/ T-Pain "Low"
Soulja Boy Tell'em Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
The Dream DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes,
Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross
"I'm So Hood (The Remix)"

Best Video Director Video of the Year
Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"
Benny Boom Erykah Badu "Honey"
Gil Green Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"
Chris Robinson Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"
Hype Williams UGK f/ Outkast "International Player's
Anthem (I Choose You)"
Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"

Best Actress Best Actor Female Athlete of the Year
Angela Bassett Anthony Anderson Tamika Catchings
Halle Berry Don Cheadle Cheryl Ford
Queen Latifah Idris Elba Candace Parker
Jill Scott Terrence Howard Serena Williams
Chandra Wilson Denzel Washington Venus Williams

Male Athlete of the Year Viewer's Choice Award
Kobe Bryant Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
LeBron James Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. "Let It Go"
Chris Paul Alicia Keys "No One"
Tiger Woods Lil Wayne f/ Static "Lollipop"
Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown "No Air"
Soulja Boy Tell'em "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)"

Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Tracy McGraw, BET Networks, +1-212-205-3013,
tracy.mcgraw@bet.net; or Bobbi Marcus, +1-310-889-9200, BOBBI MARCUS PR,
bobbi@bobbimarcuspr.com


Web site: BET


NOTE TO EDITORS: To apply for media credentials, please visit http://betawards2008.iwebreg.com/massapply/BET_Awards_2008/Media

Review: 'Speed Racer' A Mind-Numbing Extravaganz

About Speed Racer


From the Wachowski brothers and producer Joel Silver, creators of the groundbreaking "The Matrix" trilogy, comes the high-octane, live-action family adventure "Speed Racer," which follows the adventures of the young racecar driver Speed (Emile Hirsch) in his quest for glory in his thunderous Mach 5. The Wachowski brothers directed "Speed Racer" from their own screenplay. Joel Silver, Grant Hill, Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski are the producers, with David Lane Seltzer, Michael Lambert and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers. The film stars Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Benno Furmann, Hiroyuki Sanada, Asian pop superstar Rain, and Richard Roundtree. Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action "Speed Racer" will showcase the kind of revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge storytelling that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowski brothers' films. "Speed Racer" is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, of a Silver Pictures Production, in association with Anarchos Productions. This film is rated PG. www.speedracerthemovie.com


PRNEWSWIRE

Showbiz News Extra

Multi-Platinum Rapper and Actor T.I. Speaks to Toure about His Trouble With the Law in a BET News National Exclusive: 'T.I. Speaks' on May 7 @ 7: 30PM

6 May 2008 11:00 Africa/Lagos


Multi-Platinum Rapper and Actor T.I. Speaks to Toure about His Trouble With the Law in a BET News National Exclusive: 'T.I. Speaks,' Premiering Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30PM*

NEW YORK, May 6 /PRNewswire/ --

In his first televised interview since a plea bargain on weapon charges, multi-platinum recording artist and actor T.I., a.k.a. Clifford Harris, Jr., speaks exclusively to BET News in the half-hour special T.I. SPEAKS, premiering Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30 PM*. He directly answers the tough questions from host Toure and at-risk youth about his life and future after being sentenced to a year in prison. In a compelling moment, he explains why someone who seems to have everything -- money, power and fame -- would risk it all.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/NETU045 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

On October 13, 2007, T.I. was set to perform at BET's second annual HIP HOP AWARDS in Atlanta, but he never made it to the stage. Just hours before the show, the Grammy Award winner and budding actor was taken into custody by federal authorities who alleged that he gave his bodyguard cash to buy firearms. Never bashful in his lyrics about his days of drug dealing and guns, this arrest was just another line in the 27-year old Atlanta native's already long rap sheet.


While not making excuses for his poor decisions, the rapper discusses his best friend's murder in 2006 and explains how being a celebrity has its drawbacks and "ignites a certain paranoia." He says, "Every one knew me and I knew no one ... you can't tell if a person is a fan or not until the (car) window winds down." With a new baby on the way, a forthcoming marriage, a new album and the one-year jail sentence awaiting him, T.I. details how this entire ordeal has changed his life. Claiming a new understanding for life and its meaning, T.I. delivers a strong message about decision-making to a group of at-risk students and reveals his thoughts about going back to jail and his career's future. He says, "I must be a man and stand up and accept responsibility. I exercised extremely poor judgment, and for that, I must be willing to pay whatever price that comes before me."


For more on T.I. SPEAKS, viewers can go online to www.bet.com.

* All times ET/PT.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which offers ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/NETU045
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Tricia N. Newell of BET Networks, +1-212-975-8230,
tricia_newell@bet.net


Web site: BET NETWORKS