The phenomenon that is Idol (American, Pop etc..) has made huge huge music stars out of normal, average people like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Will Young and to an extent Heinz Winkler... And as South Africa braces for its fifth season, the Americans are preparing to crown their next big winner.

That's fab! But now the creators of the show are giving back and last night in the States the show and it's producers called on the general American public to not only vote for their favourite contestants but to also donate money to help those less fortunate than them. The result was amazing! $30million will be donated to Americans and African charities to eradicate problems they are experiencing. Congratulations and well done to those involved in this project. It's refreshing to see that out of all this hype of creating a world class musician, some other good can come out of it too!

Posted by jvonblog at Thursday, April 26, 2007 | Permalink | Comments

Check this out, funny shit! The couple that don't seem to want to have much of a Public Affair eye... John Mayer and Jessica Simpson! They make their 'debut' onto Saturday Night Live. ..

Posted by jvonblog at Tuesday, April 24, 2007 | Permalink | Comments

Step aside ER. MNet you better catch a wake up and get your viewers season 3 of Greys Anatomy... or else! Or else what you may ask? Well there's something new, a show that is set to grab audiences in the first minute and keep them captivated in their seats for a long time to come. The show premiers this week on SABC 3 and the best part about this new show is the fact that it's local. Yip Jozi H premiers on Thursday night at 20:30. The new drama depicts what happens when traditional medical practices and modern, western ideals meet. How? Through the various different characters and their narratives.

Now I'm a firm supporter of the local film and television industry in this country, but I must admit that I have been disappointed in the past by equally anticipated shows similar to this one. So what makes it different? Go and check out the trailer and you'll see. It looks fantastic, and although you may love McDreamy, McSteamy and McVet... I feel there may be characters in this one that you may love too. Check this out the crew hired out a factory in Malboro (north of Johannesburg) gave it a complete makeover and made the set a completely believable hospital ready for action. There are two major production houses involved in the show (Mfundi Vundla's Morula Pictures and Canadian-based Innercity Pictures). So with big companies and partners involved, you must know just how serious everyone involved in the project is! Some of the faces you can expect to see include Tumisho Masa (Top Billing, Isidingo, Blood Diamond...), Thami Ngubeni, Neil McCartney, Irish Canadian Vincent Walsh and American Sarah Allen, to name a few will become apart of your households and lives I have no doubt.

My only concern at this stage is the fact that the premier show is on Thursday night, the night before a public holiday... How many people, who are usually chilling on their couches watching Desperate Housewives, will be at home tuning in to watch this new series? Hmm... well I'm doing my bit to promote it, and I'll most def be watching it. I wish the cast and crew all the success and the best of luck. As I said if the trailer is anything to go by, Eish this show is gonna do good! Baie good :) Hopefully you'll join me in watching! SABC 3, 20:30... let's make it a date!

Posted by jvonblog at Monday, April 23, 2007 | Permalink | Comments

Actor Alec Baldwin lost his cool last week when his daughter Ireland neglected to answer yet another phone call of his. This as he and now ex Kim Basinger divorced in 2001, launching themselves and those closest to them into a horrible custody battle... Now if this phone message is any indication of how that is going, well then good luck to the 12year old...erh... I mean their 11year-old little girl! Here's a little taste of what he mentioned in his message:

"Insulted me"
"No brains of decency"
"Thoughtless pain in the ass"
"Humiliated me"
"Rude little Pig"

Click on this link to hear the message..
www.aolcdn.com/tmz_audio/0419_baldwin_bleeped.mp3

So Kim Basinger apparently didn't take this too lightly, leaking the message to entertainment site TMZ (at a hefty price no doubt?). Am I playing devil's advocate or what but in my mind I can't help but think she's trying to play her daughter against her dad. There's always two sides to every tale and I wouldn't mind hearing from Alec himself... give me a call Al, JOKES.

But seriously I'm sure there will be more on this story. His reps have since released a statement in which he admits he should've used better language But the guy is angry. I'm sure all he wants to do is see how little Ireland is doing; we all have been pushed to the limits where we have no choice but to vent our frustrations: some throw their toys and stamp their feet around, others leave rude messages on their children's phones... Share your thoughts!

Posted by jvonblog at Monday, April 23, 2007 | Permalink | Comments

Okay I admit I've been bad, a very bad blogger and I should be smacked on the hands while typing this... But honestly when you're travelling to new and exciting destinations and cities, neglecting the old blog does tend to happen. At least to me it did, but I am back now in sunny South Africa and ready for new era in jvonbloggin!!!

And with out further ado I bring the first bit of entertainment news to you. The Grammy's are done, so are the Golden Globes, the Oscars and the BAFDA's... Award season over? Hmmmm not so much. This weekend on the local scene it's our biggest night in music because it's the 13th annual South African Music Awards (SAMAs). This is a chance for our local stars to get dolled up and do their thing on the red carpet. I expect it to be much bigger and better than last year's event. That we shall leave for a rainy day, let's just cut it short and say I didn't enjoy it one bit! Kabelo is going to MC the event and I reckon he'll do a fab job! So if you're into local music, which you should in my opinion, and you'd like to know who has been nominated check out some of the nominees below:


Best Female Artist
Maduvha - Maduvha
Rae - Kwenzekile
Simphiwe Dana - The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street
Siphokazi - Ubuntu Bam
Vicky – Halleluyah

Best Male Artist
Bheki Khoza - Getting to Heaven Alive
Kabelo - Exodus
Musa Manzini - Simply Life
Paul Hanmer - Accused No.1 Nelson Mandela
Vusi Mahlasela - Naledi Ya Tsela

Best Duo/Group
Cassette - Welcome Back to Earth
Grassroots - African Moods
Mafikizolo - Six Mabone
Shwi No Mtekhala - Angimazi Ubaba
Trompies - Can't Touch This

Best Newcomer
Lesego – MyMusic
Lucas Senyatso - All of Me
Maduvha - Maduvha
Rae - Kwenzekile
Siphokazi - Ubuntu Bam

Album of the Year
Bheki Khoza - Getting to Heaven Alive
DJ Sbu - Y-lens Vol. 1
Simphiwe Dana - The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street
Siphokazi - Ubuntu Bam
Vusi Mahlasela - Naledi Ya Tsela

Best Traditional Afrikaans Music Album
Klipwerf Orkes - Hantam Kwela
Boeremusiek Groot 5 - Banjo Volume 1
Die Grafsteensangers - Tannie met die Rooi Rokkie

Best Rap Album
Proverb - Manuscript
Flabba - Nkuli vs Flabba
Zubz - Headphone Music in a Parallel World
Tumi - Music From my Good Eye
Tumi and the Volume – Tumi and the Volume

Best Kwaito Album
Kabelo - Exodus
Thebe - Tha Rocka
Sgonondo - Amadragon
L'vovo - Derango
Trompies - Can't Touch This

For the full and complete list of nominees click here
Catch the show live this Saturday!

In other news... it's seems like Angelina is on a mission to grow her little nest with partner Brad Pitt as quickly as possible. Jolie adopted her third child two weeks ago and as if that wasn't enough, there are now reports that she is adopt yet another orphan. What are you thoughts on this? Personally I think she is a wonderful woman, who is offering these youngsters the chance of a better life, but having said that I think she should calm down a little... wait for Pax Thien (Peaceful Sky) to settle down into his new life! Just my thoughts...

In some other news it's alleged that John Mayer and Jessica Simpson are now engaged! This as Jess was spotted hiding her left hand while the paparazzi snapped away... Who knows? Maybe she just has a really horrid looking wart on her hand... rumours? They're a wierd match don't you think? She's a bubblegum popstar, who doesn't know that Chicken-of-the-sea is tuna, and he's a deep, powerfully-talented songwriter who has wierd hair. Jokes. Maybe he just offered her some deep meaningful advice after her divorce from Nic Lachey... Well if they are engaged congratulations to them. I hope they are happy for a long time to come.

That's it for now. Stay tuned, this blog is back!

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, April 11, 2007 | Permalink | Comments