Greg Giraldo Remembered By Louis C.K., Dane Cook, More

Patton Oswalt and Michael Ian Black among the latest comedians to offer condolences following Giraldo's death.
By Gil Kaufman

Greg Giraldo
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

Tributes continue to pour in for comedian Greg Giraldo, who died on Wednesday at the age of 44 after an apparently accidental overdose of prescription medication. A beloved stand-up performer and expert roaster, Giraldo initially was honored on Wednesday by such peers as Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, Aziz Ansari, "30 Rock" star Judah Friedlander, fellow Comedy Central roaster Lisa Lampanelli and one of the targets of his laser-guided roast zingers, David Hasselhoff.

Also weighing in on Giraldo's passing was Dane Cook, who tweeted, "Greg Giraldo may you RIP. My thoughts & prayers go to his family, friends & fans."

Patton Oswalt, meanwhile, expressed disbelief at the death of his pal. "Really, Universe? Greg Giraldo?," he wrote on Twitter. "F--- off." He added, "Just went way out of my way not to drive past Laugh Factory. If I see Giraldo's name on that marquee, gonna lose it."

Twitter tributes also came in from "Tosh.0" star Daniel Tosh, fellow stand-up veteran Jim Norton and the incomparable Bob Saget, who wrote, "Greg Giraldo. Love and peace. So f---ing funny."

Another modern stand-up icon, "Louie" star Louis C.K., tweeted, "Greg Giraldo was a good guy. The kind of you're always glad to see. Also a funny comic and person. He died today. Goodbye friend."

Michael Ian Black, a veteran of MTV's "The State" and Comedy Central's "Michael & Michael Have Issues," had a similar reaction, writing, "F---. Greg Giraldo died. Hung out with him several times. Amazingly funny and kind. Never saw him clean shaven. RIP."

Giraldo's Facebook page was inundated with hundreds of comments from fans, fellow comedians and those who'd been touched by the 44-year-old funny man's stint as a judge on "Last Comic Standing." One message came from comedy duo Rev. Bill and Betty Holland, who wrote, "You voted yes for us on last comic standing this year ... You got it. I was hoping someday to meet you to say thanks ... We are deeply saddened we'll never get that chance and more so that all of us have lost [someone] special."

Giraldo appeared on many Comedy Central roasts, and the network released a statement about his death as well. "The tragic news of Greg's passing hits us very, very hard. Greg has been a close member of the Comedy Central family for years, injecting his energy and wicked sense of humor into countless projects. The comedy community lost a brother today. Our thoughts are with his family."

And, of course, in the storied tradition of vicious takedowns in celebrity roasts, one of Giraldo's frequent dais companions, parrot-voiced comedian Gilbert Gottfried, issued a totally inappropriate Twitter statement on his friend's passing.

"If Greg Giraldo is cremated, will that be the 'Greg Giraldo Roast'?" he joked.

• Greg Giraldo: A Career In Photos

Rihanna’s Loud Has ‘Lots Of Island Flavor’

Preview of new album reveals Nicki Minaj collaboration, Avril Lavigne sample.
By Jocelyn Vena

Rihanna
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ WireImage

If the first single from Rihanna's Loud, "Only Girl (In The World)," is any indication, the "Umbrella" singer has got her groove back. And a recent report on a few other songs from her forthcoming album indicates that the album will be as "sassy, fun, flirty [and] energetic" as she promised it would be when she announced its title.

Just Jared, which got a preview of nine tracks from the album, reports that the singer is channeling her roots on Loud, saying that it has "lots of island flavor."

And a little bit of sex appeal, too. The track "S&M" is reportedly "the naughtiest song of all," and it features these raunchy lyrics: "I may be bad but I'm perfectly good ... There's sex in the air. I don't care, I love the smell of it ... Sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me."

The track "Cheers" samples Avril Lavigne's 2003 single "I'm With You." Just Jared predicts the song will be a hit, saying, "This song will be so huge in clubs, bars, and everywhere that serves alcohol. Everybody will be raising a glass!"

Another track, "Man Down," includes siren noises and the lyrics, "I pulled out my gun ... Oh mama, mama, mama, I just shot a man down in central station. Never thought I'd do it. Whatever ever happened to me. Why did I pull the trigger. What am I gonna do?"

The website reports that the songs "California King (Bed)" and "Fading Away" are both "beautiful ballad[s]." And while Drake let slip that he's been working on the album, the fruits of their collaboration weren't played during the preview. What was previewed, however, was a duet between Ri and Nicki Minaj. Called "Raining Men," it has a chorus that plays on the children's counting rhyme "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe." Perhaps Rihanna and Nicki are paying tribute to Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber?

JustJared reported that "What's My Name?" will be the second single. Rihanna was recently spotted shooting a video for that song in New York. The leaked song "Who's That Chick?" won't appear on Loud, but it's also fairly uptempo.

• Rihanna

Katy Perry Tweets About ‘Sparkling’ New Music Video

Perry reveals new details about video for the next single from Teenage Dream.
By Jocelyn Vena

Katy Perry
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

While she's keeping the name of the tune a mystery, Katy Perry is tweeting about what fans can expect from the next video off her Teenage Dream album.

"About to start sparkling in my new music video," she tweeted on Tuesday, adding later on, "And that's a 6am wrap! Need to recharge now so I sparkle just as much for tomorrow. I gotta show em what I'm worth. Make them go ahhhh!"

She updated fans on the clip's progress on Wednesday, writing, "Day TWO of music video! Not gonna stop shooting till the sun comes up cause we are a LIGHT in a dark place!" She wrapped the shoot late Wednesday, giving some more hints at what the video and the song might be. "I want to thank all the magical people that brought their sparks to this video the past few days ... your light reminded me of my purpose."

The pop star has been open about wanting to create eye-popping videos for this album, which she's hoping to support with a flashy new stage show. "I guess I'm looking forward to making music videos on this new album ... and I'm really excited about incorporating the look and the idea of some of the songs on tour and making a massive production of it," Perry told MTV News. "I'm gonna want a lot of visuals. I want it to be 10 times better than when I was on tour last."

While nothing is confirmed, the hints about the new clip might lead fans to think that Perry's next single could be the track "Firework," which she's said is her favorite song on Teenage Dream.

"People are coming back and almost adopting it as their own anthem, and it's hard, I think, to write an anthem that's not cheesy," she explained. "And I hope that this could be something in that category. I hope this could be one of those things where it's like, 'Yeah, I want to put my fist up and feel proud and feel strong.'

"But I also don't want to be cheesy," she reiterated. "It's a fine line, and I think 'Firework' ... would be like the opus or my one song — if I had to pick a song to play — 'cause it has a great beat. But it also has a fantastic message."

What Katy Perry song do you want her to make a video for next? Talk about it in the comments.

• Katy Perry's Teenage Dream: Track By Track

• The Evolution Of: Katy Perry

• Katy Perry

Christopher Nolan Confirmed To Direct ‘Batman 3′

'It's becoming inevitable,' the 'Inception' filmmaker says.
By Josh Wigler

Christopher Nolan
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty

Riddle me this, riddle me that ... who's afraid of a big, black bat? While Jim Carrey is no closer to finding an answer to the puzzle he put forth in "Batman Forever," we do know one person who isn't afraid of the Caped Crusader: critically acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

The "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight" director has finally confirmed that he'll be back in the director's chair for a currently untitled "Batman" film, tentatively scheduled for a July 20, 2012 release date. In an interview with Empire Online, Nolan revealed that he's currently working on the screenplay to "Batman 3" alongside his brother and frequent collaborator Jonathan Nolan.

"It's becoming inevitable, I'll put it that way," the "Inception" helmer said of crafting a third "Batman" tale. "I feel myself falling into it, I guess. And getting it all figured out and I'm pretty excited about what we're doing so. ... If I haven't announced it, I think that people probably all know at this point that I'm doing it."

Pressed on whether or not it's safe to assume that Nolan will direct the feature himself, he replied: "I think you can at this point, yes."

Nolan's continued involvement with the series, at least from a producer standpoint, was all but guaranteed, with his return as director considerably less certain. Now, not only is Nolan making a Gotham City comeback, fans can also count on a production start date as Michael Caine, who plays Alfred in the series, told Coming Soon that shooting will "probably start in May next year."

Once again, it's a good time to be a fan of the Batman.

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

• "The Dark Knight"

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong Rocks Broadway In ‘American Idiot’

Frontman thrills theatergoers while filling in as St. Jimmy.
By James Montgomery

Billie Joe Armstrong
Photo: Slaven Vlasic/ Getty Images

If this whole rock-and-roll frontman thing doesn't pan out, Billie Joe Armstrong could have a pretty decent career on Broadway. That much was clear on Wednesday night (September 29), when he took the stage as St. Jimmy in "American Idiot," the big-budget play based on the smash album he and his Green Day mates released back in 2005.  

Armstrong, who is filling in for actor Tony Vincent (away on a "family matter") all week, leapt into the role of Jimmy — a sinister specter who tries to corrupt protagonist Johnny (played by John Gallagher Jr.) — with aplomb, grimacing and goofing, menacing and mucking about, belting out songs with a sneer and never once screwing up a line (though, to be fair, he didn't really have many). It may have been just his second performance (his first was Tuesday), but he already appears very much to be a natural.

Of course, when Green Day fans — and the odd tourist — filed into the St. James Theatre, it wasn't exactly clear if Armstrong would be appearing. He wasn't listed in the playbook (aside from his already established "Lyrics and Book By" credits), and it wasn't until the house lights dimmed that it was announced he'd be filling in for Vincent. That news was greeted with a rather lusty round of cheers and whoops from the packed house.

Armstrong's character doesn't actually show up onstage until the middle section of "Idiot," but when he finally did — stage left, perched on a fire escape hanging high above the actors — the audience went wild. Armstrong then leapt into action, descending two sets of rickety stairs and ripping into his character's title track, "St. Jimmy." Dressed in a dingy black jacket, his hair spiked, Armstrong prowled the stage, stepping in and around Gallagher (and the rather large cast of "American Idiot" dancers), before finishing the number, which was received with such a lengthy round of applause that the action had to be halted for an extra minute.

The rocker made several more appearances throughout, handing Gallagher's character heroin, pushing him to abandon his newfound love interest (played by Rebecca Naomi Jones), always lurking in the background. He threw his weight behind numbers like "Last Night on Earth" and "Know Your Enemy" (the latter of which was particularly searing), and then, during St. Jimmy's death scene — certainly not a spoiler if you've ever heard the American Idiot album — he removed his shirt (which prompted lots of whoops from the audience), carved a heart into his chest, blew his brains out with a toy pistol, then fell dramatically, expertly, to his demise. And as he was being carried off by extras, Armstrong got an extra second of mugging in, briefly coming back from the dead to flash a goofy grin, which, of course, was also met with laughs and applause.

At show's end, Armstrong bowed with the rest of the cast, and after the curtain had risen again, he played guitar on the evening-ending "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." He then joined his fellow performers in a second bow, this time dipping so low that the people in the front row could touch his sweaty brow. He shook a few hands, blew a giddy kiss to the folks in the balcony and strode off stage, still beaming.   Like we said, the guy's a natural.

• The Evolution Of: Green Day

• Green Day

Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler Open Up About Judging ‘Idol’

Lopez describes her evaluation process as 'tough, easy and fair.'
By Jocelyn Vena

Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ WireImage

We now know what Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez look like alongside Randy Jackson at the "American Idol" judges' table. But how do they feel about judging the would-be talent? Well, don't expect Lopez to be as harsh on the contestants as former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell.

"I don't want to let anybody really great [not make it through] because they're nervous, and not get to see what they could have did," Lopez told reporters at an audition stop in New Jersey on Wednesday (September 29), according to the New York Daily News. "They're going to come in here and be a little bit nervous in the beginning, and then you realize, 'Wow, that person is really talented.' So we work them a little bit more than maybe you've seen in the past. We've given them more of a chance."

Describing her judging style as "tough, easy and fair," she explained how she understands the emotions that go through auditioners' heads. "We know what it's like to be out there," Lopez said. "I was energized by all of their spirit when they come in here, and they're so hopeful about what could happen and how it could be."

Tyler also spoke to the press on Wednesday, and noted that he'll look to Lopez for tips on evaluating the hopefuls. "I take my cues from you," he said to her, adding, "Some of the kids are so young that I'm not sure if they can get how long it's taken me to be successful. They were all on fire. They were spunky and crazy and over the top."

It seems that Tyler and Lopez seem to be making a seamless transition to the "Idol" judges' table. How does the show's only remaining original judge feel about the newbies? "We're all completely different," Randy Jackson said. "But we're all hot."

• 'American Idol' Announces Its Season 10 Judges!
• Jennifer Lopez: From The Block To 'American Idol'
• Before Steven Tyler Was An 'American Idol' Judge ...

• Jennifer Lopez
• Aerosmith

Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler Open Up About Judging ‘Idol’

Lopez describes her evaluation process as 'tough, easy and fair.'
By Jocelyn Vena

Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ WireImage

We now know what Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez look like alongside Randy Jackson at the "American Idol" judges' table. But how do they feel about judging the would-be talent? Well, don't expect Lopez to be as harsh on the contestants as former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell.

"I don't want to let anybody really great [not make it through] because they're nervous, and not get to see what they could have did," Lopez told reporters at an audition stop in New Jersey on Wednesday (September 29), according to the New York Daily News. "They're going to come in here and be a little bit nervous in the beginning, and then you realize, 'Wow, that person is really talented.' So we work them a little bit more than maybe you've seen in the past. We've given them more of a chance."

Describing her judging style as "tough, easy and fair," she explained how she understands the emotions that go through auditioners' heads. "We know what it's like to be out there," Lopez said. "I was energized by all of their spirit when they come in here, and they're so hopeful about what could happen and how it could be."

Tyler also spoke to the press on Wednesday, and noted that he'll look to Lopez for tips on evaluating the hopefuls. "I take my cues from you," he said to her, adding, "Some of the kids are so young that I'm not sure if they can get how long it's taken me to be successful. They were all on fire. They were spunky and crazy and over the top."

It seems that Tyler and Lopez seem to be making a seamless transition to the "Idol" judges' table. How does the show's only remaining original judge feel about the newbies? "We're all completely different," Randy Jackson said. "But we're all hot."

• 'American Idol' Announces Its Season 10 Judges!
• Jennifer Lopez: From The Block To 'American Idol'
• Before Steven Tyler Was An 'American Idol' Judge ...

• Jennifer Lopez
• Aerosmith

Dr. Dre Says Eminem/Jay-Z Shows ‘Inspired’ Him To Work On Detox

Crowd response at Home and Home concerts 'made me want to hurry up and get back in the studio,' the Doc says.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Candida Boyette-Clemons

Dr. Dre
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

When Dr. Dre surprised the crowd at Eminem and Jay-Z's historic first Home and Home Tour stop in Detroit, fans greeted the elusive rap king with epic chants of "Detox!" after he spit memorable bars from his last LP, The Chronic 2001. During a recent sit-down, Dre said the warm response motivated the beatmaster to hit the lab and get his much-anticipated and long-delayed follow-up into the hands of those screaming fans.

"Being on the stage with Eminem and Jay-Z was one of the most incredible feelings I've felt in a long time. It inspired me, it made me want to hurry up and get back in the studio and put more effort and more work into my own project," Dre told MTV2's "Sucker Free" on Wednesday during an event for his latest successful venture, Beats by Dre.

The much-lauded producer said rocking the stage with his protégé-turned-pop phenomenon, Eminem, and his "Under Pressure" collaborator, Jay-Z, validated his current efforts and demonstrated that more than 10 years into the wait for Detox, hip-hop heads are still hungry for more Dre-helmed bangers.

"The response from the people out there was just incredible," Dre said. "It let me know that I still got love out there and I'm not wasting my time in the studio with what I'm doing, with the music or with all the Beats product that we're putting out."

After stacking hip-hop hits for decades, nurturing the careers of superstar MCs such as Snoop Dogg, Em and 50 Cent, releasing two almost undeniably classic solo efforts, 2001 and 1992's The Chronic, and shaping the way the latest generation of rap lovers hears music with his Beats by Dre headphones, the Doc has crafted a game-changing legacy. Even boasting that singular résumé, the deafening shouts from die-hard Dre acolytes still excite the rap icon.

"I can't explain it," he said. "It's an incredible feeling. It's not something that can be bought. You have to earn it, and it just made me feel just amazing."

What do you think Dr. Dre's Detox will sound like? Sound off in the comments!

• Jay-Z And Eminem Make History In Detroit

• Dr. Dre
• Eminem
• Jay-Z

Kanye Suspends ‘G.O.O.D. Friday’ Series After ‘Lost In The World’ Leak

'It's messed up that one hacker can mess everything up,' he says.
By Gil Kaufman

Kanye West
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

Way to go, hackers — now you've gone and messed up a G.O.O.D. thing.

Kanye West has decided to suspend his "G.O.O.D. Fridays" series — in which he planned to provide fresh tracks every week through Christmas — for one week after a track from his forthcoming album, the Bon Iver-sampling "Lost in the World," hit the Internet on Wednesday (September 29).

"Due to blogs leaking unfinished songs from my actual album I've decided to pass of Good Fridays this week," West tweeted late Wednesday. He continued: "It's messed up that one hacker can mess everything up for everyone ... I love to take a year to finish my songs and deliver them to you guys in there most completed form.

"It would have seemed like since I give free music every week even the lowest form of human being would respect that enough not to leak unfinished songs from my real album," an agitated West added.

While West did not specify what had set him off, it appears that the leak of "Lost" angered him. The haunting song samples folkie Bon Iver's "Woods" and includes lyrics from legendary urban poet/musician Gil Scott-Heron. The song is the third from the rapper's still-untitled upcoming album to make its way online, following the rousing "Power," which surfaced in May, and the sardonic "Runaway," which 'Ye premiered during the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.

Earlier, West had agonized over his inability to decide on a title for the album. He is also still contemplating its release date, which is rumored to be November 22. "I'm finished with it, but when should I drop?" he asked. Although there are still a few finishing touches to be made: He later added that four engineers are mixing the album so it can be finished as soon as possible, and he's talked about corralling some guests.

"In the lab with Soulja Boy and Cudi," he wrote early Thursday morning. "2 of my favorite most genius artist. Even in my disappointment about the leaks I feel blessed."

• Kanye West

Anna Kendrick Grooves In LCD Soundsystem’s ‘Pow Pow’ Video

'Up in the Air' and 'Twilight' actress says she's a 'pretty lame dancer.'
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Matt Elias

Anna Kendrick
Photo: MTV News

To follow up the quirky, yet warm and fuzzy (because it's full of guys in panda suits) video for "Drunk Girls," LCD Soundsystem have enlisted some top-notch talent for their second video off This Is Happening, "Pow Pow." James Murphy and company have David Ayer ("Training Day") in the director's chair, along with Oscar-nominated actress Anna Kendrick as their clip's ingénue.

MTV News was lucky enough to visit the Los Angeles set of the video recently, where we chatted with Kendrick about how she came to be a fan of the British electro-dance group, as well as the star of "Pow Pow."

"I didn't have their new album," Kendrick admitted. "But this song is really cool too. The first time [I heard it], I was expecting straight-up melody or something. ... I can hear it every time we do a take, in my head. I'm kind of grooving. I can't help but groove to this song."

Kendrick added that she's a "pretty lame dancer," but that the opportunity was too good to pass up.

"It sort of came out of nowhere," she said of getting the gig. "David [Ayer] came up with this idea and asked me to do it. I've never done anything like this at all, so I was really excited about it. It's been really fun."

The "Up in the Air" and "Twilight" actress said her character in the video is just a normal, unassuming girl, but she's surrounded by enormous bodyguards, and the viewer isn't really sure why. Kendrick added that Ayer encouraged her to turn to a Hollywood classic for inspiration.

"He told me to watch 'Sunset Boulevard,' " she said. "He used that as a reference as what's going on underneath this girl."

Stay tuned for more from our visit to the set of "Pow Pow" and news on when you might expect to see the finished clip.

Are you excited to see Kendrick in LCD Soundsystem's new video? Tell us in the comments!

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