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Peak Season Insider Blog, Episode 1×5

Joelle Tomlinson — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:14:15 +0000

This Week on Peak Season: Episode Five

Another Monday night has passed, and with it, another drama-filled episode of Peak Season. As I sat down with my twelve-pack of beer and snow globe (the closest I can get to be Whistler local), I realized this episode marks the halfway point of the first season. It’s almost like the six month anniversary of a relationship, when you decide to persist or ditch. Is it worth the emotional investment, the time and the mind games? In my opinion, yes. Sure, it’s maddening when your emotional other can only dedicate thirty minutes to you a week, but sometimes, that’s what these one-ended relationships consist of. I mean, what other show has tractors plowing snow as a riveting opening shot? It’s one-of-a-kind, and I’m excited to see where this season will take the psychologically-insane individuals of Whistler.

What happens:

Stephanie Just: The fearless snowboarder.

In this episode, a lot of focus is put on Steph and her snowboarding. Her pass for the slopes has been reinstated, and she wastes no time getting back on the hill. When watching Steph in the park, hitting every jump and rail possible, it’s hard not to feel inadequate in comparison. I find myself on my feet, carving and leaning as though she is my Wii character (outfitted in my baggy pants and Jamaican toque), and I’m (not her!) garnering points for every trick. It works wonders for temporary self-esteem boosts.

In shows like The Hills, Lauren and Lo can use their powers to bypass lines at celebrity-infested club events. However, in shows like Peak Season, Steph and her friend use their overwhelming star power to wheedle and talk their way into getting spots in full Snowboarding competitions, more specifically, the “Showcase Showdown.” This competition features inflatable Redbull, gnarly tricks and Steph’s announced “aggressive frontside board slide.” I feel as though this is a personality characteristic of girls in Whistler. Instead of long walks on the beach, the new thing to enjoy is aggressively grinding a rail (no inappropriate innuendo implied).

After placing a respectable fifth place in the competition, probably due to a tragic bail on her final run, Steph congratulates her third-placing companion with a reassuring “I told you, if you beat me, I would kill you.. Congratulations!”

It’s truly hard not to love this girl.

Amanda and Stoofie: The conversationalists.

Amanda and Stoofie have a great dynamic as best friends. Within every one of their pointless conversations lies an absolute truth: which is, we (being female, that is) must talk about pointless things in order to exist. They discuss the undefined relationship between Amanda and Denny, Dre, and the volatile situation between Stoofie and Ian. Apparently, dishing about dirty ‘sexts’ is unacceptable in the elegant Ian’s book, and Stoofie believes it just may be over. The poor girl gets to join the Ross-causality list- a lot of brave soldiers have been lost in those trenches, but they persist tenaciously against the enemy with shots in hand and Uggs on feet.

Ian: Always the gentleman.

Apparently, Ian hasn’t mastered the meaning of the word “hypocrisy,” as he so cunningly demonstrates by reading the texts Stoofie has sent him aloud to his motley crew. It is fairly obvious that his short-lived fascination with Stoofie is dwindling, and it’s time to move on for the oversized-hat wearing stud. Even more awkward than this ensemble is the double-date that ensues between him, Stoofie, Amanda and Denny at a restaurant, which I suspect moonlights as a bowling alley.

Sometimes, when I’m walking alone by a shifty-looking character, I’ll pull out the whole immersed-in-my-texts bit, but this act is strictly reserved for strangers. Unfortunately for Stoofie, this rule does not apply to Ian. At one point she could have been naked dancing on top of the table, and her three other technologically-astute companions would have been oblivious.

Elle: the advocate for “Gill’s Night.”

For those of you less accent-inclined, the Canadian translation is girl’s night. This ensues in an evening of pampering, curling 20-inch extensions and donning the biggest sparkly ring you can find. As the ladies, or gills, enjoy their estrogen-only party at Bazooka Joe’s, Elle is understandably disappointed when her Australian hubby, Matt, crashes the party with his posse. Even more disappointing, apparently, is when he proceeds to ignore her and the high-pitched clan. This ensues in the “weirdest” fighting match I have ever witnessed. Case in point:

Elle: “Why are you being such a weirdo to me?”

Matt: “What are you talking about, I’m not being a weirdo!”

Elle: “Yes you ARE, you ARE being weirdo!”

And thus it continues. At the commencement of this vocabulary-infused debate, Elle decides that perhaps Australia isn’t her breeding grounds, and the Switzerland boy in the bar is more to her liking. On a following, more-sober morning, she is inclined to question her relationship and whether staying in Whistler is the greatest option at the moment.

Matt: The perfect boyfriend.

Otherwise his touching display of affection for Elle at Bazooka Joe’s, there is not much of Matt in this episode. What’s the equivalent of a gills-night out? A mates-day-outing! Matt, Dane (his shaggy-haired roommate) and Rory (a visiting friend), go snowmobiling in the beautiful slopes of Whistler. They rip around with accompanying rap music and flurries, a combination that represents the new hot threesome in television.

Best Lines:

“Dude, I know I have you hooked, I can call her anytime of the day and she’d be here.” -Ian, about Stoofie.

“Switzerland!” – Elle beckoning to her new man/country of choice.

“That’s why we have the best group, because we have all the hot people.” -Ian

“It takes typing texts to wheel a chick … that’s sometimes how it goes.” -Ian

“Gnarly, Shred, Bummer, Let’s peace” -Whistler Lingo

“F**k this sh*t, F**ck boyfriends.” -Elle

Overall:

I think it may be virtually impossible to say anything negative about the show itself in throes of a growing addiction. I will say that this episode was surprisingly lonely without Lauren Horton, Dre Morel or Stephanie Weber. I felt a tension throughout the entire show, like something big, sorry…gnarly, was about to happen, and I believe next week will be brimming with an above-average quota of drama. Character descriptions are slowly solidifying, but there still hasn’t been a lot of meaningful advancements in understanding each person on the show. Essentially, Fraggalosch (the creator of the show), is doing his job impeccably, because it seems as though next Monday is light-years away, a far-too long period of time in which I will most likely re-watch episode five an admittedly embarrassing amount of times.

andPOP insider interview with Stephanie Just

Stephanie Just weighs in on the show, her snowboarding, and what it was like growing up in Whistler.

Loving the show, what do you think of it so far?

“I think it’s great! It’s definitely dramatic!”

You just made your big debut on the third episode.. do you think it accurately reflected your personality?

“So far, it’s pretty accurate!”

Describe growing up in Whistler.

“Growing up in whistler was amazing. I feel like I grew up outdoors. I was always doing something outside; whether it was swimming, skiing, snowboarding, or just playing nicky nicky nine doors on the neighbors. It’s a very small town though so you can’t get away with a whole lot. It teaches you to be honest because everyone’s going to know everything you do. My high school was small, and most of us were together since preschool. We’re kind of like a big family! I feel very fortunate to have grown up in such an amazing place. ”

How would you describe your style?

“Hmmm, my style? I don’t really know if I have a style. I like to dress how i feel, mostly comfortable. I love sweat pants. I love big baggy clothing, but i also like to dress like somewhat of a girl. I love hippie shirts! Sometimes when I’m feeling super sexy, I’ll dress like it.”

Have you and the other local on the show, Dre, always been friends?

“Dre and I have been friends for a long time. When I was younger I used to hang out with Dre’s older sister Nat. She’s the funniest girl. Nat, Dre, and I hung out a lot. We even traded pets. I traded my turtle for their two guinea pigs… ha ha!”

What about the rest of the cast? Did you know them all before Peak Season?

“I’ve know Amanda for a while. I met her at a snowboard contest a few years ago. I know Lauren and Ian from around town, and I met Matt and Elle while we were filming.”

What led you to snowboarding?

“My blood, my childhood, and my dad! My dad bought me my first snowboard. It was a rental SIMS for $75. I didn’t really want to snowboard, but I thought I’d give it a shot.”

Your parents are obviously big supporters of your boarding. What do they think of you being on Peak Season?

“My parents are really excited for me! We watch the show together every Monday night, and they love it! My dad calls it freak season. Ha!”

If boarding wasn’t an option what else would you want to do with your life career-wise?

“I think I would be somewhere out in the middle of know-where trying to save animals. Or I would be in architecture.”

You have to give up one thing: partying, guys or snowboarding. Which one would it be?

“I’d like to say boys, but that’s the whole reason we party in the first place. And if I cut boys, who would I snowboard with?”

Have you been signed on to a boarding company?

“I ride for Westbeach, Kombi, OGIO, Mayday, Spy, and Omatic.”

Can we expect anything romance-wise from you in coming episodes?

“Romance in Whistler… hardly. Ha!”

Tell us something about yourself that not a lot of people know.

“I’m kinda obsessive compulsive. I’m obsessed with numbers.”

Anything else you want to say about the show?

“I hope there’s a second season.”

Chris Brown Talks About The Assault Aftermath

Joelle Tomlinson — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:26:34 +0000

Chris Brown opened up about his assault on former girlfriend Rihanna during the MTV News special “Chris Brown: The Interview” on Friday (November 6), elaborating on his destructive behavior, explaining his previous apologies and describing his ongoing therapy sessions.

According to mtvnews.com, Brown told MTV News correspondent Sway that he has finally come to terms with the fact that he was capable of such violence.

“I think you’d be in denial and be totally naive not to,” he said. “And not being able to realize and own up to the fact of your own wrongs. I mean, me, I’ve come to terms with it and I’m working on it. … For that moment or whatever had me at that place, I want to erase that from what my character is. I want to be totally different from now on. I don’t want to be that person.”

“I’m confused right now as far as the public perception [of me],” he said. “Like, I think with my fans, they still love me, they support me, definitely. You have those people who will support you. So it’s kinda like 50/50 for me. I got the people that will come out and support and then the people that don’t wanna see me do anything. They basically want me in jail.”

Brown said he hasn’t been able to maintain a thick skin when it comes to receiving negative comments in public. During a trip to an amusement park, Brown described hearing cries of “women beater.”

“I’m human, so when I hear certain things that they say or if I go somewhere and I hear somebody be rude about it, it’s just like, ‘Man, it’s a mistake,’ ” Brown said. “I made a big mistake. I’m learning from it. Like, I’m not saying, ‘Who are they to judge?’ because, I mean, everybody’s entitled to their own opinion on how they feel, but it hurts.”

‘Peak Season’ Emerges On MTV, Dre And Lauren Fill andPOP In

Joelle Tomlinson — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:25:10 +0000

Beautiful scenery, beautiful people, and drama galore nestled in the slopes of Whistler, British Columbia. Sound intriguing?

MTV’s latest documentary series Peak Season, surrounded by much buildup, debuts Monday night (Oct. 19).

So what’s all the hype about?

First, it’s a bold new approach to Canadian-focused television. It’s also unscripted, raw, and features personal stories that hit closer to home.

MTV Canada has ordered 10 episodes of this fresh series which follows the lives of a tight-knot group of people in Whistler, British Columbia. Peak Season offers an up-close look into their personal struggles and achievements, ranging from a tearful break-up in the first episode, to the distinct possibility that you will always run into that certain someone you were avoiding at the bar. This tight-knit group consists of Dre Morel, Lauren Horton, Amanda Scheller, Ian Ross, Matthew James, Stephanie Just and Elle Hetherington. Each 20-something-year-old has their own story to tell, and all is revealed in the long days, and even longer nights, in the town of Whistler.

Stephanie Just and Dre Morel are ambitious Whistler locals, while others such as Scheller (Morel’s ex-girlfriend) moved to Whistler when she started dating him.

Whistler transplants aren’t rare in the resort town: Horton moved to Whistler from Ontario, while Matthew James and his girlfriend, Elle Hetherington, hail from Australia. Peak Season also stars Ian Ross, the wise-cracking bachelor who takes partying to another level with his crew, whose meaningful conversation about comparing city girls to “expired milk” is just one example of their entertaining behaviour.

Laid-back Morel attributes his presence on the show to fate.

“It was the perfect time and perfect place, and just the right situation,” says Morel, who was in Toronto for the show’s premiere.

In Horton’s case, the process took a bit longer.

“I filled out an application form and went through the process of doing three filmed auditions over the span of 2007,” explains Horton, in Toronto last week for the show’s premiere and launch party. “They called me when I got back for the New Year and were like, ‘yeah, we want you to be part of the show.’”

The cast brings the perfect mix of business, pleasure, friendships and relationships to the set. And unlike reality shows like The Hills and The City, Peak Season has an air of refreshingly authentic situations and people.

“The thing that this show really brings to the table is that it’s not a reality television show; it’s a documentary series. We would just give the crew our schedule, and they would just show up and follow us,” explains Morel, whose genuinely nice and approachable personality will make him a favorite on the show. “It’s not scripted, not at all. It’s just our everyday life.”

“I think a lot of people think of reality shows along the terms of scripts, and with cast members being told to ‘say this’ or that.” Horton, a wise-cracking brunette firecracker, elaborates. “With Peak Season, what you see is what is actually going on with our lives.”

And what you see is a lot. From a tough relationship discussion for Dre in the first scene, to vodka-spewing antics on the slopes, Peak Season holds nothing back from the audience. Another nice touch is that there is genuinely good snowboarding promoted on the show. With the premiere on Monday, and the first episode available online, this show is sure to gain a dedicated fan base from the get-go. Peak Season encompasses a variety of situations, from an inner look into the nightlife, the hilarious conquests of Ross’s crew, international visitors, Morel’s impressive DJ skills, Horton’s burgeoning promotion company to the aspirations of a female boarder (Just) to make it pro.

“We’ve basically said, here’s our lives and our souls, do what ever you want with it,” laughs Horton.

The beauty of Peak Season is also in its location. Whistler, a long-touted tourist spot in Canada, sports pristine mountains, log cabins, and breathtaking scenery. “Growing up, though I have nothing to compare it to, I’m pretty sure I was spoiled with that environment,” says Morel. “From the mountains in the summer, the lakes, there’s endless things to do. It’s unfortunate that people only see the winter season, because all of it is amazing.”

“I’ve sat on the beach with my bikini and seen people snowboarding and skiing on the mountain,” adds Horton.

With such an enclosed environment, relationships are bound to get complicated. Fans can expect a trail of sticky messes concerning the cast members, which ultimately result in everybody’s favorite addiction: drama. Punches are thrown, curses are uttered, hearts are broken, and yes, girlfriends are forgotten at the bar.

“It’s non-stop,” says Horton, who’s feisty side makes an appearance in the first episodes. “From what I’ve seen, they’re using everything. There’s never a dull moment. Personally, I’ve always stuck up for myself, and I’ve always been aggressive, but people can expect to see another side of me as well.”

“Honestly, it gets better and better and better,” affirms Morel, whose relationship with Scheller is largely focused on in the first episode. “I will say that there is a crazy roller coaster ride with my relationship in this season.”

What will truly draw people to the show is the raw element of its production. There is an air of spontaneity that keeps the audience engrossed and guessing, while feeling a real connection to the cast in Whistler. People will root for the ever-unpredictable Horton’s promotion company, appreciate Morel’s love and passion for music (he hopes to begin producing, and recently did sets in Toronto last month), watch the ups-and-downs of relationships on the slopes and become attached to so much more within the bubble of Whistler.

“It’s going to get crazy, believe me, just stay tuned,” promises Morel.

If you miss out on catching the first episode online at mtv.ca, be sure to catch the series premiere of Peak Season on MTV, airing on Monday, October 19 at 10 p.m.

MTV Will Release DJ AM Doc

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:06:12 +0000

The regret surrounding the tragic death of Adam ‘DJ YM’ Goldstein will deepen when MTV airs his eight-episode documentary ‘Gone Too Far’ on Monday, October 12th, MTV reports.

The documentary will feature DJ AM’s meetings with addicts, along with their friends and family, discussing the struggles, causes and possible solutions of addiction. The episodes will also reveal the details of his personal addiction, predominantly to crack cocaine.

Goldstein’s mission to blow open the discussion on drug abuse in North America came to a halt when he died of an accidental overdose at his New York City apartment on August 28th. Many suspect that the excessive drug use was linked to the mental and physical trauma he suffered after a plane crash in 2008.

His death may help cement the documentary’s conveyance of the dangerous toll that drugs take on the lives of addicts, and also those around them. He is a living example of that senseless fate.

Goldstein’s success in life after a rough childhood is a beacon of hope for young men and women all over the world, and this success will endure through this MTV series. In a statement by Goldstein’s family, it is evident that the decision to air the documentary wasn’t easy, but necessary: “Adam was fully aware that if it were not for his own sobriety, he never would have achieved the level of success and happiness he had found. Helping people in their recovery was a huge part of Adam’s life. It is our hope through airing this show that people will get to see the side of Adam that we knew and loved, not just the celebrity DJ, but the honest and caring person who gave so much of himself to help others.”

The music of DJ AM will be enjoyed by his fans for many years to come, but it’s the impact Adam Goldstein has on the struggling addicts he helps, that will maintain his spirit.

R.I.P. Adam Goldstein

Lauren Conrad Tackles The Movie Industry

Joelle Tomlinson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:15:45 +0000

Lauren Conrad’s spotlight may be gone from reality show, The Hills, but she has deftly redirected it to her newest movie-making endeavor.

Conrad has decided to work with the executive producers of Twilight, Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, to turn her novel, “L.A. Candy,” into a film.

“I mean, you can’t do much better, right?” she remarked to MTV News at the launch of her Kohl’s LC Lauren Conrad clothing line.

According to mtvnews.com, she went on to explain that the book was never meant to be a movie. Instead, Conrad had envisioned it as a TV show. The former Hills star knows a thing or two about TV. “Originally, when people started talking to me about turning the books into television, I was really excited,” she explained. “Then we got approached about the movie and I wasn’t really sure it would work. The story is supposed to take place over a couple of years and it’s hard to do with a movie.”

With doubts of a movie deal in her mind, she went on the book tour, and that’s when inspiration hit her. “I was sitting in a room and then it just came to me,” she explained about why she finally decided to turn it into a film. “I came up with a format that worked and discussed it with them. They really liked it.”

MTV’s ‘Over The Bolts’ Brings The Country’s Top Snowboarders Into Your Home

Ilan Mester — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:43:17 +0000

If you mixed “The Hills” with TSN, you’d get “Over the Bolts,” MTV Canada’s brand new reality show that documents the country’s national snowboard team as they vie for 18 Olympic spots.

The show premieres this Sunday at 10 p.m. on MTV, but we got to see the first two episodes before its debut. And let’s just say you can already set the Tivo because “Over the Bolts” is as addictive as they come!

Michael Lambert, one of the country’s top snowboarders who stars in the show, admits there’s just something about reality TV that gets you hooked. “One of my friends was on the show ‘The City,’ Duncan Davies, so I enjoyed watching it and watching him interact with his girlfriend and stuff like that,” shares the athlete. “I think the dangerous thing about any of those TV shows is you can say ‘even though I may not watch them, every one of them is addictive.’ I could just watch two episodes and I could be hooked on any of them,” he laughs.

So when Lambert was asked to be a part of one, it was almost a no brainer. “I think right off the bat I was all over it,” he says. “As an athlete, this kind of opportunity is so rare, you know what I mean…if you’re my age or your age or in your early twenties, nothing is bigger than being part of a reality show.”

However, everything comes at a price. “I gave everything I had and that’s why it’s so hard for me to watch something like that…it takes you back to a place eight, 10 months ago, to a person that I hated and a person that didn’t have a chance at succeeding, a person that nobody respected. That’s the toughest part,” says a candid Lambert. Rest assured he has since changed.

Lambert was so open throughout our interview that he even talked about what it was like having a relationship while filming the show. “I find it really awkward,” he admits. “I think the worst part is that you’re basically asking something of somebody that doesn’t have anything to gain…it makes for something that’s very strange.”

After seeing the show, you’ll understand that Lambert and his confidence play a key part in “Over the Bolts” and making it interesting. But the confidence in the first few episodes is fake according to the alpine snowboarder. “I think that the confidence that I was displaying in the show there, I think it’s fake,” he reveals to andPOP. “I think it’s me just saying the word ‘confident’ and thinking that that’s what’s gonna get me the end result. Whereas now, it’s a completely different confidence that I have beginning in the next episodes… where I got my best results in my life,” Lambert shares. “That confidence was from me being humbled by these types of things and starting to be respectful with myself and just preparing the best that I can which is obviously the most boring athlete story ever, but unfortunately it’s actually what works.”

And for any aspiring snowboarders out there who want to practice the sport professionally, Lambert’s advice is quite simple: go out and compete. “You wanna take it, it’s not some sort of crazy dream. You just go and you do it. I think that’s my advice; compete.”

As for the 2010 Olympic games, it’ safe to say Lambert is more than excited, in fact he’s “very very excited”. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed about doing, and it sounds stupid but you know, I’ve really always wanted it and I think it’s just really really cool to be there and I want it. I’m doing everything in my power to get it this time but if I don’t, I’m going again you know what I mean? I’ve wanted that and I’m not going to die without it.”

“Over the Bolts” airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV with encore presentations every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET on CTV.

Under The Rock: Kanye West Threatened By The Kids These Days

Emma Renda — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:01:28 +0000

We all know what KanyeWest did at the VMAs and it looks like we’ll be talking about it until the Grammys. But shouldn’t we be prepared for this by now?

Kanye has based his career on the unlikely pairing. College student becomes iced-out rapper. Rapper wears sweater vests and horn-rimmed glasses. Prep-school rapper spits rhymes about Jesus and the politics of blood diamonds. Catholic hip-hopper samples Ray Charles for a song about women horny for money. Blues piano samples replaced with electro-house synthesizers and Auto-Tune.

Et cetera.

When he stormed the MTV VMA stage on Sunday, interrupting the sugary acceptance speech of tween country princess Taylor Swift, the event was actually more scripted than offensive. It wasn’t like the time Kanye accepted an MTV Europe award he didn’t win, or refused to accept an award he did win because he felt Outkast deserved it more.

No, it was more of a half-assed display of choreographed ego, just Kanye scoping out the most unlikely character to stand next to and making sure it happened before commercial break. Sure, Kany emay have been upset Beyonce’s video for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” lost out to Swift’s beige video for “You Belong with Me”.

But both Beyonce and Swift are making millions and will undoubtedly be remembered as this decade’s roster of leading ladies, so there is much more to Kanye’s outburst than being a sore loser.

Kanye was nominated for four VMAs this year, three for “Love Lockdown” and one for “Paranoid”, both off his late-2008 release 808s and Heartbreak. It’s safe to say no one expected him to win like they have in the past and considering the comebacks and break-throughs crowding this year’s nomination (Eminem and Lady GaGa, to name a few), Kanye hardly stood a chance.

Certainly four nominations is no small feat, and the genre-bending album isn’t one to shirk. But once 2009 arrived and Kanye’s techno treatments were duplicated and redubbed by nearly every pop act out there, both indie and mainstream, Kanye as a soloist drifted into the wings. It’s a trend that actually summarizes most of this year, as any hit out there has been remixed to a blurry, electronic hilt.

Kanye doesn’t like to share the spotlight, though. While he is content to invite Young Jeezy and Kid Cudi to guest on his album, he doesn’t seem to be taking well to his decreased visibility.

In the video for Jay-Z’s “Run This Town”, Kanye spends the first two minutes of the song bobbing uncomfortably next to Jay and Rihanna who undoubtedly steal the show. His verse is nearly forgotten by the time Rihanna’s last triumphant chorus closes out the song.

So what better time to get some attention on his own terms than the star-studded and media-hounded VMAs? Lady GaGa appeared in indecipherable-themed garb and Madonna somehow manipulated a Michael Jackson tribute into a retelling of her personal history, but Kanye will be the one everyone talks about this week.

Because who wouldn’t gape at the sight of Kanye ambushing the slight Taylor Swift, purer than the Jonas Brothers and most recently famous for gushing at the standing ovation she received when she walked on stage to her first Madison Square Garden headlining gig.

It’s natural to wince when a kitten is eaten by a lion, or when an antagonistic rapper in scary sunglasses brashly steals candy from a baby. But even more natural is this trick pulled from Kanye’s bottomless bag of them.

Kanye’s entire career is based on being looked at. He just spent a year very irrevocably in the spotlight.

The third installment to his career trilogy, Graduation, literally smashed the charts two years ago, dishing 50 Cent a large helping of crow following the challenge as to who would sell more records on opening day. (As if it weren’t enough, the albums hit shelves on Sept. 11, 2007.) Following the break-up with his fiancee, Kanye’s mother Donda, who he rapped about and brought to more events than credibility should allow, died in a plastic surgery snafu. Then his Glow in the Dark World Tour sold out nearly every venue.

He was very busy and very famous, even broaching notorious. 2009 has been noticeably slow for West in comparison. Sure, you can blame him for his cruel grasp at spicing things up. Or, you could try to understand.

He feels old, irrelevant and if you can believe it, threatened by the youth of America. Kanye is no spring chicken – at 32, he would have been introduced to the Internet shortly before college and now he is forced to compete with a generation born into it.

He is still graciously steering the careers of most this year’s youngsters by way of trend-magnet Kid Cudi. But for the man who was hyped as one of the top MCs in the game just a few short years ago, Kanye has become the PR guy rather than the hype itself.

The shoe, so far, doesn’t seem to fit and even the most seasoned rock stars aren’t above a temper tantrum now and then.

Today’s Interview With Jonna and Pat from MTV’s Real World Cancun

Jordan Bortolotti — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:46:12 +0000

Jonna and Pat from MTV’s Real World Cancun. They had a 3some. (Not with Jordan, on the show!)

Nitro Girl Dishes On Nitro Circus

Ilan Mester — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:49:10 +0000

If you haven’t seen the second season of Nitro Circus (which premiered last Thursday at 10 p.m. on MTV), you’re missing out on a half hour of reckless stunts and pure adrenaline. Among the group of record-breaking dirtbikers is Jolene Van Vugt, the only Canadian female member.

Very few people know what they want to do with their lives when they’re still a kid. Jolene, or “Nitro Girl,” is one of those people. She was raised around the Motorcross sport and spent most of her time at the tracks. By the age of 11, Jolene asked her father to teach her how to ride. “But I didn’t start to compete till I was 15,” she tells andPOP.

Since the age of 15, Jolene has been traveling across North America, attending competitions in the CMRC, AMA, WMA and the National Series for Women in Canada, which she helped create. “It started four years ago and I was the first to win the event,” Van Vugt says of the National Series. “It’s a series of five races that cover from the east to the west coast and the top Canadian females race.”

Back in 2005, Jolene had some downtime between races and decided to pay motorcross racer and stunt performer Travis Pastrana a visit. Anyone who’s seen “Nitro Circus” knows that everyone who goes to “Pastrana Land” wants to try their hand at crazy stunts, and it was no different with Jolene.

She tried flipping an 110cc into the form pit and quickly succeeded. However, Jolene was determined to flip her RM125, a much heavier bike, and after two days of trial and error she became the first female to backflip a full-sized dirt bike ramp to dirt.

One thing led to another and soon enough, the Canadian biker became a member of the Nitro Circus Crew, a group that race, ride but most importantly, complete stunts to create extreme sports videos. And let’s just say they mean business.

In May of 2007, Jolene jumped into the Grand Canyon on a street bike with Pastrana driving. She then went on to backflip into the Canyon in a three way jump with two other Circus members. From that moment on, she earned the title of “Nitro Girl.” “I am officially the first and only girl they let into the boy’s club,” Van Vugt explains.

With season two under wraps, Jolene gives a heads up on what to expect. “You can expect us to go above and beyond season one with more car jumps, more airplanes. It will be true Circus fashion,” she says.

And with three Guiness World records under her belt, Jolene reveals she’s trying to “exceed her backflip distance” (which means you might just see her break another record on the reality show!).

As for her other plans, “I’m working on taking a vacation,” she jokes.

Catch “Nitro Circus” every Thursday at 9 p.m. as part of MTV’s “See You Thursday” block.

Degrassi: The Next Generation, Makes The Trek From Toronto To Tinseltown

Jeremy Singer — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:55:09 +0000

Eight seasons running. A cult in Canadian pop culture. Winners of the Gemini, Teen Choice and Directors Guild of Canada Awards.

And now Degrassi: The Next Generation finally boasts its first red-carpet TV movie.

But known as a “show of the people”, the season 8 finale Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood premiere last Wednesday night at Toronto’s Bloor Cinema, allowed tons of lucky special-bracelet-wearing fans bask in Degrassi glory. A free-for-all for snagging autographs and pictures from their favorite cast members, and what’s more- the opportunity to enjoy the movie side-by-side with them too.

And the word got out not only to lucky fans. Among a packed-to-the-brim theatre audience was Camp Rock 2 stars Jordan Francis and Matthew “Mdot” Finley, So You Think You Can Dance Canada winner Nico Archambault, MuchMusic VJ Devon Soltendieck and MTV Live’s Nicole Holness.

Fresh off of an SUV limo, former Degrassi mean-girl star Lauren Collins (Paige), 23, seemed ecstatic by the outcome.

“I’m so used to just walking around in the area, and just grabbing a pita or something,” a smiling Toronto native Collins tells andPOP. “But all of a sudden you’re just showing up in a limo with cameras and fans, it’s bizarre- not really used to it.”

“But I’m so happy everyone came out.”

Collins represents the previous generation of Degrassi members who have left the show to move on in their respected acting careers: Jake Epstein (Craig) is currently the lead in the touring Tony-Award winning musical Spring Awakening, Nina Dobrev (Mia) is set to star in the hyped fall CTV series The Vampire Diaries, Aubrey Graham (Jimmy) is gearing up for his Hip/Hop debut as Drake- signing with Lil’ Wayne’s record label, and Shenae Grimes (Darcy) is shooting her second season of 90210 in Los Angeles.

This time around in Paradise City, old meets the new, as the Degrassi alumnus share the screen with the show’s newest characters. The bunch make the cross-continent trek from Toronto to Tinseltown where they try their fare share at making it big in the industry.

Jason Mewes plays himself as a director, who’s holding auditions for his new movie “Mewesical High”- which causes a stir among the students at school. Paige, who’s been living in Hollywood to become a fashion designer, hasn’t had the best of luck- finding herself rather working as an assistant to a reality star. But when her sudden audition catches the eye of Robbie (Dan Levy), a studio producer, she lands the lead role and invites old friends Marco (Adamo Ruggiero) and Ellie (Stacey Farber) down to come along for the ride.

This also causes Manny (Cassie Steele) to carve out her own journey to L.A. -along with Jay Hogart (Mike Lobel) and Degrassi rock band Stüdz- to claim that lead role which she believes is rightfully hers.

“It was amazing,” says Steele, 19, “you know, hanging with Mike Lobel and all the crew, good times laughing.”

But now what would Degrassi be without a little bit of Drama, eh? Well from Paige letting the celebrity life get to her head, to Ellie running into Craig, a former flame who’s been living out west in Los Angeles, clean from his season six coke addiction- the four-part season 8 finale has a healthy balance of everything on the checklist.

Directed by the series’ very own alumni Stefan Brogren (Snake), the movie was shot both in Toronto and Los Angeles. And it’s obvious that “going Hollywood” requires a few celebrity cameos -which the film delivered, sprinkled throughout the story- including Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, Mewes and Kevin Smith (Jay and Silent Bob), Vivica A. Fox, and celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

“Obviously having Kevin and Jason was so exciting,” recalls Collins. “And also Dan levy and then the L.A. people, I can’t pick one, it was just such a fun experience.”

Known to be avid fans of the show, Smith and Mewes made appearances on seasons 4 and 5, and an on-the-carpet Mewes was in high-spirits about the latest experience.

“It was great,” says Mewes, 35, known for playing the drug dealer Jay, in Jay and Silent Bob. “Those guys were great to have called me, and shooting with all of the cast was awesome.”

Degrassi’s latest Queen-Bee Charlotte Arnold (Holly J.), who was featured only in a brief scene, had nothing but praise toward her fellow cast-mates.

“For me this was exciting,” says the 20-year-old former Naturally, Sadie star, “because I had never seen the movie before, and truthfully, I hadn’t even read the script. So this was brand new, and what they did was incredible, so proud of everyone.”

And for Arnold and the rest of the cast, the fall season is just around the corner, which means back to school at Degrassi Community School for the next two months for season 9 filming. A 22-year-old franchise known to just keep on teaching the lessons of life, but the latest advice now: to catch Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood, on CTV on Sunday, August 30 at 8 pm ET.