Los Angeles Times –
From the Los Angeles Times’ Ministry of Gossip blog:
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NICKI MINAJ TO PERFORM WITH MADONNA IN SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW
Slowly but surely, the plans for Madonna’s big Super Bowl halftime show are coming into focus, and the latest bit to fall into place is Nicki Minaj. In response to a fan’s Twitter question, “What does your agenda contain today, Nic?” the singer replied, “Super Bowl rehearsals w/the Queen ;).”
Because it’s highly unlikely that Queen Elizabeth will be bringing herself to Indianapolis on Sunday, Minaj can only mean Madonna, the so-called Queen of Pop.
Madonna’s 12-minute set, which is also to include a guest performance by party-boy rockers LMFAO, may have already been semi-revealed by NFL Magazine, which wrote, “Though Madonna’s set list was not officially announced at press time, fans might expect her to give all her luvvin’, provide a ray of light and be in vogue with her music.” (What are the chances fans will be hearing her new single “Give Me All Your Luvvin,” “Ray of Light” and “Vogue” during the show?)
“Give Me All Your Luvvin” is a collaboration between Madonna and Minaj.
The Queen recently confessed to some performance nerves to ABC News, revealing that she’s challenged by the physical and time constraints of the Super Bowl gig. “I have eight minutes to set up my stage, 12 minutes to put on the greatest show on Earth, and I have seven minutes to take it down. So, that football field is clean for the second half of the game,” she said. “How do you do that?”
She mentioned her plan to have 100 drummers descend from the roof of Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, thwarted because the structure would not have been able to support them. But she’s been thinking and planning away since then, so it’s assured she’s come up with something she’s satisfied with.
Or, in the words of Minaj, answering another question about how the rehearsal went, it will be: “Epic of course.”
—Patrick Kevin Day
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BRAD AND ANGELINA DINE, ‘THE HELP’ SHINES AT SAG AWARDS AFTER-PARTY
The Screen Actors Guild Awards serve as a halftime whistle in Hollywood’s busiest season, between January’s Golden Globes and February’s Oscar gold — making the SAG after-party something of a halftime show.
A lot of stars were blowing off steam as big winners including “The Help,” “Modern Family” and “The Artist” mingled on Sunday evening.
The guild’s annual gala, a partnership between People magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, awaited guests from the telecast in a tented space just off the Shrine Expo Hall. An Old Hollywood theme permeated the event, enhanced by thick drapes, velvet booths and a throwback jazz band.
Brad Pitt didn’t take home the night’s big acting prize — that went to “The Artist” lead Jean Dujardin — but he seemed plenty comforted by partner Angelina Jolie. The actress-director picked at salad while chatting up Brad’s “Moneyball” costar Jonah Hill.
If quality time with Jolie wasn’t enough for Hill, the conversation was interrupted by an enthusiastic Armie Hammer, who like Jonah was nominated for male supporting actor in a drama.
“Well done!” Hammer offered Jonah.
“The Descendants” cast camped right next to Team Pitt as Judy Greer and Shailene Woodley laughed and people-watched together. (George Clooney and Stacey Keibler made only the briefest party appearance.)
Always a good time, “Modern Family” star Julie Bowen entertained her cast with bawdy jokes a few feet from a mixed bag of “30 Rock” and “Bridesmaids” stars. These combined forces were pleasing to a svelte Jane Krakowski, who snapped tons of pictures with her smartphone.
Yet no one had a night like the stars of “The Help” had: Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer considered their statuettes in the cast’s private booth, while Emma Stone and Allison Janney chatted up director Tate Taylor.
—Matt Donnelly
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CHRIS COLFER ON HIS FASHION SHOWDOWN WITH MERYL STREEP
Awards fashion can be just as competitive as any nominee categories when it comes to shows like Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony. Just ask Chris Colfer and Meryl Streep.
We were tickled to learn both stars were sporting looks from British designer Vivienne Westwood, Colfer in a black tux from the Spring 2012 collection and Streep in a belted couture creation.
While the two certainly weren’t in the same style garment and wouldn’t likely compete for fashion press, we asked the young “Glee” guy anyway: Who wore Westwood best?
“She did! She did!” Colfer told us emphatically at the the People/Entertainment Industry Foundation SAG Awards after-party, shocked to learn they’d been outfitted by the same house. “But I hope they put us in a magazine together.”
Streep lost the female actor trophy to Viola Davis of “The Help,” and the folks of “Modern Family” kept the “Glee” cast in their seats on Sunday. But looking good is the best revenge, yes?
Streep will continue on the road to the Oscars with her Margaret Thatcher biopic, “The Iron Lady.” Colfer remains a regular on Ryan Murphy’s high school musical, and is hoping to release his feature “Struck by Lightning” in the fall.
—Matt Donnelly
