Tonight stars and starlets gather in L.A. for one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in the industry. The 58th annual Emmy Awards will be hosted by Connan O'Brian at the Shrine Auditorium. Stars are expected to Bling it on at the awards, wearing the best in fashion and well looking like complete alien-like species due to their amazing good-looks, and overwhelmingly strong personalities. Subjective? I feel so. One thing I found quite interesting was an initiative set up by E's Ryan Seacrest . Basically what he did was call on viewers and aspiring tv presenters to enter Ryan's Redcarpet Challenge, in which people were expected to interview who ever they deemed fit i.e. neighbours, friends, stars, dogs, goldfish and so on. The winner was then given a ticket to LA to co-host and interview some of the biggest names in the industry alongside the E presenters live from the Red Carpet. And that happenes tonight, so that should be interesting. Cool idea and a first in reality tv production :) Anyway if you're wondering what the awards are about then look no further...

"The annual Primetime Emmy Awards celebrate excellence in national prime time programming, awarding top honours during the creative arts awards and prime time telecast."

For my American readers out there you can catch the awards live on NBC from 8pm, 7central. We back in South Africa can catch the awards on MNet tomorrow night, so stay tuned. Click on the link to see the full list of nominees. GOOD LUCK to film producer Anant Singh, Director Darell Roodtand and actress Leleti Kumalo. The team has been nominated in the Best Made For Television film category for Yesterday. Represent! For the Emmy winners and more, check in tomorrow...

PS. MTV Video Music Awards coming soon.

Posted by jvonblog at Sunday, August 27, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Unathi Nkayi is fast becoming one of those household names... a celeb in her own right, who seems to be doing it all. She's the mid-morning voice for Gauteng-based youth radio station YFM, she's an up and coming singer-songwriter, a TV presenter. Seem like a lot? Well she's a Mum too. She's also featured on my list of . So I dig her, as do many others... The Captivate Student Media Conference is happening in just over four weeks, and Unathi is heading down to Grahamstown to participate once more. Now we all got a little worried when we couldn't seem to get hold of this obviously woman to confirm all the finer details pertaining to the conference. Eventually Serena did manage to get hold of her, only to find out that sis Unathi had been suspended, wierd. So being the "good journalist" that I am, (LOL) I decided to do a bit of research. It has, interestingly enough, come to my attention that the reason as to why she and Cleo Leshoro are accused of insubordination. It has, interestingly enough, come to my attention that the reason as to why she and Cleo Leshoro are accused of insubordination in an apparent refusal to work on National Woman's Day- 9th of August.

This is the official press release on Y's page:

In light of recent media reports regarding two of our radio’s DJ’s Unathi Nkayi and Cleo Leshoro’s suspension this week, YFM would like to unequivocally emphasize its position on this matter. YFM has always been and will always remain committed to the empowerment and upliftment of all women. Testament to this was the fact that our entire day’s rogramming on Women’s Day was re-scheduled to an all female line up.
As management we have 100% confidence in the caliber and quality of our female DJ’s. The station employs 11 female presenters - amongst the highest in South Africa. As a result it made perfect sense for us to devote an entire day’s programming to hear the views, issues and beliefs of women by women. It is unfortunate that staffing issues still pending management’s decision have been bandied around for media speculation. The station’s current positioning has strong female representation because we strongly believe that this is reflective of where society is headed. Anything that falls outside of these beliefs is erroneous and does not represent the values or management style of YFM.

In response the star's manager Lupi Ngcayisa issued a statement saying that she is "just fighting to be respected as a human being". This is not disrespecting senior management. It's a human rights issue." Rightfully so I would suggest. As a Woman you are entitled to having a day off, but then flip the coin... and there are procedures one needs to adhere to, especially if it's stated in your contract. So what do you intelligent people, reading this entertainment blog think of this matter? Holla...

Images: http://www.lalelamusic.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/yfm.gif
http://venus.biz-community.com/c/article/9773_8.jpg

Posted by jvonblog at Thursday, August 24, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Wanna know the 14 people who will be battling it out on South African TV for a million bux starting in two weeks today? Click on this link for details... and let me know what you think. All the latest news in entertainment and of course Music Musts commences again tomorrow with the lovely Rihanna. But for now as we build up to South Africa's very own Survivor give me some of your thoughts and comments.

Posted by jvonblog at Sunday, August 20, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

This blog is dedicated to entertainment, as I'm sure many of you are aware. So would it not be feesible to bring you up to scratch with the latest in the Survivor installment? Well this time there's a twist. If there are any Americans reading this blog I regret to inform you that entries aren't open to you this time... in fact, entries have closed. And 14 South Africans have been selected, and believe it or not already battled it out in Panama to be be the ultimate Survivor. There's now just under three weeks to go, and my am I excited. Punting MNET here, so here it goes... Survivor South Africa: the Panama first season starts on MNET, 3 September 18:00. I would like to take a brief survey:

Do you think this will be good?
1. Yes
2. No

I am also quite interested to see what host Mark Bayly (right)- a Capetonian has to offer. There is no doubt in my mind that most people are going to compare him to the 'great' Jeff Probst, but as Head of MNET's official productions Carl Fisher says it wasn't an easy task,

“Our mission was to look for someone without any strong association with an existing television programme; possibly a new face that would fit into the Survivor programme's profile. We were thrilled when Mark turned up to audition. He is an intelligent action man, he looks the part and he has an incredible screen presence.”

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, August 16, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Just what is going on with South Africa's third Idol, Karen Kortje? Since her controversial win in November last we've heard well... virtually nothing from her. Sure she had some success with the song "So Ready" that was written for the winner of the search contest, but it never to Kelly Clarkson that long to release an album. Hell it didn't even take Heinz that long. In fact the only sort of press Korkie is getting is based on the fact that she is traumatised by a murder that happened in the middle of July. Korkie's boyfriend Cheslyn Williams was arrested after she and a member of her management team found the body of Renate Kellerman, 35, in a room of the Le Petit Chateau guesthouse where the couple were due to stay. Williams is facing a schedule six case, which means he will have to prove why he should get bail.

And if that isn't enough. Korkie's now ex has also been linked to a house-breaking incident in a luxury Gordon's Bay flat in April this year. How does it affect her? According to the Sunday newspaper Rapport, Karin's been accussed of paying "thousands of rands to have a charge of housebreaking and theft against her ex-boyfriend Cheslyn Williams withdrawn." Look I'm not saying that it isn't traumatising to come home and find the body of someone, or that it being accused of bribery is a good thing. I'm basing this more on the fact that she hasn't released anything other than one single. Many people thought that Gift Gwe was far more marketable as an Idol, and a lot more deserving. But at the end of the day Karin won... and the result was nothing less than one single. But then the music industry is very unpredictable, so perhaps the reason why Karin is in the news at the moment is because they want people to know who she is, again, and then like that hit the general public with an award-winning, record breaking, international successful album??? Any thoughts? I look forward to whatever comes our way.

Posted by jvonblog at Monday, August 14, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

I would just like to congratulate my Mother, my aunt Denise and the six other people who summitted Africa's highest peak yesterday! I'm glad it went well, and am extremely proud of you guys. As soon as I get some pictures I'll stick em up for y'all to check it out... especially if you're wanting to do it one day. Well done again

Posted by jvonblog at Friday, August 11, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

So it's been a while since my last blog post, but I'M BACK! And this time I bring South African fans some news on more international musicians heading to our shores. This October veteran rockers Live return to promote their new album "Songs From Black Mountain", and the good news for the PEness people out there... they'll be in your town too. They'll be starting out in Jozi on the 27th, then onto Durbs on the 28th, Port Elizabeth on the 30th, and finally Cape Town on the 31st October. And if that isn't HOT enough for you Hip-hop heavyweight Jay-Z, and up and coming star Caribbean queen, Rihanna are also heading to South Africa. They’re jetting into South Africa this October, for 3 nights only. Catch them in Cape Town on the 11th, Durban on the 13th, and Johannesburg on the 14th. Now how awesome would it be in Jay Z's boo Beyonce decides to drop in to visit.... Who knows maybe she can give Rihanna some tips and perhaps do a little collaboration. That too much to ask? We'll have to wait and see... Music Musts continue next week, and because she's great we'll be checking out the lovely Rihanna.

Posted by jvonblog at Thursday, August 10, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Do she NOSE what's she's doing? How did people in the NOSE find out? Ashlee can't seem to avoid her negative publicity hey, first the lipsyncing incident, then her little drunkid moment in McDonalds and now her apparent nose job. Well whatever either way Ashlee Simpson's still hot <<<VErge consider her as a contender for hottie of the week>>> and I like her music too, which most people seem to have embraced. This week Jessica's sibling won herself a nomination for an MTV Video Music Award. Nice work Ash. She'll be there along with others like Justin and Beyonce to name a few at the awards on the 31st of August, live from the Big Apple.

Posted by jvonblog at Friday, August 04, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Last year the South African film Yesterday was nominated for an Oscar in the best Foreign Language category. The delagation included producer Anant Singh, Director Darell James Roodt and Leleti Khumalo. The award landed up going to the Spanish film The Sea Inside, but it was the thrill of being nominated and also the exposure that has subsequently opened many doors for South African film-makers. But if you think that was enough for the film, you'd be wrong. Yesterday was awarded the prestigious Peabody Award this year, which is administered by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. In addition to this the film is considered to be the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize of broadcasting. the film has also been nominated in this year's Emmy Awards, which sounds bizarre. It has been nominated in the new category "Outstanding Made For Television Movie." Expect to see the awards on the 27th of August live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angelas. So I'll be following this closely as we build up towards the Emmys later this month.


And if that wasn't enough. This year Tsotsi walked away with an Oscar in the same category and the film still continues to make an impact in other nations. If you head to the official website you'll see just how big this movie is, and all the accolades that have followed in pursuit. What I love about these films is the fact that they deal with prevalent issues in South Africa. the film makers are dealing with true stories that are believable and emotive in their messages. In fact I still get goosebumps thinking about how well done the films are. I encourage those who haven't seen either one of the films too go and check them out.

This may sound like one of those TV commercials when I say "But wait there's more.." yet another film is making it big abroad. Bunny Chow will be shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. I must admit I've never heard of the film, and if I have one criticism it's the fact that the marketing of these films isn't up to scratch. yes Tsotsi and Yesterday has strong marketing campaigns, but most people showed their interests in the film after they were nominated for the prestigious awards. So what am I saying? Well I'm going to be doing a bit of research into some of the films in production at the moment, see who I can speak to and then will be doing my bit to promote and market them. but for now well done to Gavin Hood, Darell Roodt and john Braker for their respective and brilliant SA films.

Posted by jvonblog at Thursday, August 03, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

It's a rainy day in Grahamstown, the kind of weather you like curling up into a ball with coffee and duvets, and now music from Corinne Bailey Rae. I urge you to head to her website, listen to her music and think about how relaxing it is. Well it works for me. So to carry on with the UK Music Must for the week, Ms Bailey Rae says she's had many influences along the way. But the biggest one that she openly speaks about is none other than Led Zeppelin . In fact she became obsessed with the band, "I loved that band during my teens, (and) I wanted, somehow, to follow in their footsteps, and to create music of my own."

When she was 15 Corinne formed an all female indie group called Helen. Helen played many a gid in and around the UK. In addition to these gigs the group became the first indie act to be signed to heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records, which housed artist like Slipknot. But all good things come to an end, the bassist became pregnant and the group disbanded. Corinne was "Gutted" and she had no idea what lay ahead.. the story continues tomorrow. But if you're looking to go to a live act, and Corinne Bailey Rae grabs your attention, Here's a few dates for the next month:

Aug 12- Gypsy Tea Room & Ballroom Dallas, TX
Aug 13- Warehouse Live Houston, TX
Aug 14- Antone's Nightclub Austin, TX
Aug 16- The Loft Atlanta, GA
Aug 18- Ramshead Tavern Annapolis, MD
Aug 20- Birchmere Alexandria, PA
Aug 21- World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA
Aug 23- Webster Hall New York, NY
Aug 25- Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
Aug 27- The Mod Club Theatre Toronto
Aug 29- Park West Chicago, IL
Aug 30- Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, August 02, 2006 | Permalink | Comments