Thursday, December 10, 2015

Madonna 2015-12-09 AccorHotels Arena (Bercy), Paris

I was in Paris to see 1 amazing show by Madonna (Wednesday) from the "Rebel Heart Tour 2015".

Went to the Eiffel Tower on the morning of the show. Took many photos from outside and then inside the Eiffel Tower. Went to the top by elevator and then second floor by elevator, then went down the stairs to the first floor and then by elevator again to the ground. It was a sunny day with a little cold weather.

Some photos I took the day before and then on December 9 (day of the show) in the morning when I went to The Eiffel Tower on my instagram (16):

Getting ready 2 c on Dec 9 the amazing @Madonna #RebelHeartTour in AccorHotels Arena #Bercy #Paris with my #VIPPartyPackage
https://www.instagram.com/p/-4aD0RiS9z/

Almost time 2 go fly 2 Paris @Madonna #AccorHotels #Bercy tomorrow #RebelHeartTour
https://www.instagram.com/p/_CUnouiS_H/

The Eiffel Tour @ 7:45 am. Still night in Paris #RebelHeartTour @Madonna day #Bercy
https://www.instagram.com/p/_D8yllCS-g/

The Eiffel Tower. Almost day time
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EE8WnCS2A/

Crazy me below The Eiffel Tower
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EFP3RiS2Z/

Me near The Eiffel Tower 1 of 5
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EFckUCS2i/

Me again near The Eiffel Tower 2 of 5
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EFlBiCS2q/

Again me near The Eiffel Tower 3 of 5
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EFxz1CS22/

I think it's me close to The Eiffel Tower 4 of 5
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EF8w3iS3F/

I think it's still me close to The Eiffel Tower 5 of 5
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EGC51CS3I/

Inside The Eiffel Tower
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EUjnEiS1Y/

The Eiffel Tower. It's me
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EUtDKCS1j/

The Eiffel Tower. Up Up Up
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EU2TEiS1u/

I was on the top. Here when I got down 2 the 2nd floor. The Eiffel Tower
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EVENPiS2E/

Here when I got down 2 the 2nd floor. The Eiffel Tower
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EVNZliS2R/

Last one from The Eiffel Tower
https://www.instagram.com/p/_EVi99CS2y/

Then went to the AccorHotels Arena in Bercy where I also took a few photos outside the Arena and then many photos inside of Madonna show.

Wed, Dec 9, 2015 in Paris, France @ AccorHotels Arena (Bercy)

I had the "VIP Party Package". With some cool stuff. Like a few presents, food service with complimentary bar before and after the show in a special room just for the VIP members.

First part of the show was by "DJ Lunice" who played for 45 minutes.

Madonna played for 136 minutes.

I was seated in the stands on the left side of the stage. The concert was awesome.

Here it is the setlist:

Joan of Arc / Samurai

- Revolution (video intro; with "Iconic" snippets)
01. Iconic
02. Bitch I'm Madonna
03. Burning Up
04. Holy Water (with "Vogue" snippet)
05. Devil Pray

Rockabilly Meets Tokyo

- Messiah (video interlude)
06. Body Shop
07. True Blue (acoustic)
08. Deeper and Deeper
09. HeartBreakCity (with "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" snippet)
10. Like a Virgin (with "Justify My Love" and "Heartbeat" samples)

Latin / Gypsy

- S.E.X. (video interlude; with " Justify My Love" snippet)
11. Living for Love
12. La Isla Bonita
13. Dress You Up (with "Into the Groove" and "Lucky Star" snippets)
14. Redemption Song (Bob Marley & The Wailers cover) (acoustic; performed with her son David Banda)
15. Rebel Heart

Party / Flapper

- Illuminati (video interlude)
16. Music (with "Give It 2 Me" sample and "La Marseillaise" snippet)
17. Candy Shop
18. Material Girl
19. La vie en rose (Édith Piaf cover) (acoustic)
20. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (Carol Channing cover) (a cappella snippet)
21. Unapologetic Bitch (joined onstage by Jean Paul Gaultier)

- Encore:
22. Holiday

Some photos I took inside the Arena on my instagram (6):

VIP Party with Madonna in #AccorHotels #Bercy
https://www.instagram.com/p/_FIOuGiS7a/

Cool. @Madonna VIP Party. Almost time for dinner
https://www.instagram.com/p/_FIjNDCS8O/

Me & @Madonna @ #AccorHotels #Bercy #RebelHeartTour
https://www.instagram.com/p/_FJrTuiS-A/

#RebelHeartTour stage and catwalk
https://www.instagram.com/p/_FTdOqCS-1/

Me and the #RebelHeartTour 1 #AccorHotels #Bercy #Paris
https://www.instagram.com/p/_FTwq0CS_U/

Me and the #RebelHeartTour 2 #AccorHotels #Bercy #Paris
https://www.instagram.com/p/_FT7bOCS_n/

Videos of Madonna (12):

Madonna-Bitch I'm Madonna, AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/469b7S6zWMQ
And the video:


Madonna-Burning Up, AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/aEm-bN9OEr8
And the video:


Madonna-True Blue (Acoustic), AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/4akiHHcZDUQ
And the video:


Madonna-Living for Love, AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/LMMW-3vqmEQ
And the video:


Madonna-La Isla Bonita, AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/4lr56iPjbUQ
And the video:


Madonna-Dress You Up (IntThGrv & LckyStr), AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/jGw0Y6M07NY
And the video:


Madonna-Redemption Song (With David Banda), AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/GEnw7zeRegw
And the video:


Madonna-Rebel Heart, AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/luWnEpsE3cA
And the video:


Madonna-Material Girl, AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
This video has been removed from youtube

Madonna-LaVieEnRose (Ac) + DmndsAAGBF (Ac), AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/xfAwpK0x4Wo
And the video:


Madonna-Unapologetic Bitch (with JeanPlGltr), AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/7GJU92z7DGM
And the video:


Madonna-Holiday, AccorHotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-12-09 HD
https://youtu.be/iohWewq3y28
And the video:

Friday, November 27, 2015

Daniel Negreanu 2015-11-27 High Stakes Database, ‘Kid Poker’ documentary proves huge hit after Toronto premiere

https://www.highstakesdb.com/6335-kid-poker-documentary-proves-huge-hit-after-toronto-premiere.aspx

‘Kid Poker’ documentary proves huge hit after Toronto premiere

Written by Pete - Friday 12:55 PM, Live poker


The heavily anticipated PokerStars produced documentary charting the life of Canadian poker legend Daniel Negreanu premiered to an exclusive audience at the Toronto International Film Festival last night, and has received some highly positive feedback off the back of its debut screening.

The movie was brilliant! Funny, touching, and such an incredible story. Watching it two seats behind was great!


was incredibly inspiring. For poker players and humanity in general.
Embedded image permalink


Just watched w/ the man himself and I'm totally, utterly, completely inspired.

It also seemed to go down well with the man himself, who before last night had only seen a sneak preview of director Francine Watson’s work at his summer party in Toronto this past summer:

Totally blown away watching didn't think I would cry through half of it but yup. Can't wait for you all to see it!


The film itself, which is scheduled to air in Canada via TV network TSN4 next Tuesday (December 1st), gives viewers a behind the scenes look at the star’s journey from early life in Toronto to the glitz of Las Vegas, where he moved to follow his poker dream aged just 21.

According to Negreanu, ‘Kid Poker’ had actually been planned as an additional part of the PokerStars collection of “mini features” for its Team Pros, but his sponsors wanted to go the extra mile to get his inspiring story out to the world.

PokerStars is scheduled to be releasing the full length documentary via their blog in the near future, but for now you can check out the trailer below:

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

U2 2015-11-11 AccorHotels Arena (Bercy), Paris

I was in Paris to see 2 amazing shows by U2 (Tuesday and Wednesday) from the "i+e Tour 2015" or "iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour 2015".

Took some photos and videos during my passage to Paris, outside the Arena and then inside the Arena of U2.

Wed, Nov 11, 2015 in Paris, France @ AccorHotels Arena (Bercy)

U2 played for 141 minutes.

On this second show I stayed on the left side of the catwalk (South Side - Edge's side), same as on the show the day before but maybe more 10 meters away from the main stage, almost on the middle of the catwalk. The concert was amazing.

Here it is the setlist:

People Have the Power (Patti Smith song)
1. The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
2. The Electric Co. / Send In The Clowns (snippet) / I Can See For Miles (snippet) / Live Forever (snippet)
3. Vertigo
4. I Will Follow / Mother (snippet)
5. Iris (Hold Me Close)
6. Cedarwood Road
7. Song For Someone
8. Sunday Bloody Sunday
9. Raised By Wolves / Psalm 23 (snippet)
10. Until The End Of The World / Love And Peace Or Else (snippet) / Words (snippet)

Intermission - The Fly (Remix)
Inside Screen
11. Invisible
12. Even Better Than The Real Thing / Break On Through (snippet)

"E" Stage
13. Mysterious Ways / Burning Down the House (snippet)
14. Elevation
15. Sweetest Thing
16. Every Breaking Wave (Acoustic)
17. October
18. Bullet The Blue Sky / Ode To Joy (snippet) / 19 (snippet)
19. Zooropa
20. Where The Streets Have No Name / California (There Is No End To Love) (snippet)
21. Pride (In The Name Of Love)
22. With Or Without You

Encore(s):
23. City Of Blinding Lights (Audience member Theo on the catwalk with Bono)
24. Beautiful Day
25. Mother And Child Reunion (snippet) / One / Invisible (snippet)

Some photos I took during the day and inside the Arena on my instagram (6):

2nd show #U2 Nov 11 #U2ieTour Stage
https://www.instagram.com/p/9-FoECCS08/

2nd show #U2 Nov 11 #U2ieTour Cat Walk and Circle
https://www.instagram.com/p/9-F1dbCS1V/

2nd show #U2 Nov 11 #U2ieTour Me #CatWalk
https://www.instagram.com/p/9-GEivCS1q/

2nd show #U2 Nov 11 #Bercy #U2ieTour Crazy me always show time
https://www.instagram.com/p/9-HrERiS33/

2nd show #U2 Nov 11 #U2ieTour Crazy me always show time 2
https://www.instagram.com/p/9-H2O5CS4L/

2nd show #U2 Nov 11 #U2ieTour After the show
https://www.instagram.com/p/9-JudQCS7L/

Videos of U2 (13):

U2-The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone), Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/Y18Po75lGhE
And the video:


U2-The Electric Co. + SITC,ICSFM,LF, Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/LG8jQ6YwlrY
And the video:


U2-I Will Follow + Mother (Snippet), Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/8xvz7p90Fv4
And the video:


U2-Iris (Hold Me Close), Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/svnBBjV8oU0
And the video:


U2-Sunday Bloody Sunday, Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/9LgvDFJn9l4
And the video:


U2-Raised By Wolves + Psalm 23 (Snippet), Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/DKSpRaHNDn8
And the video:


U2-Where The Streets Have No Name + California, AccorHotelsArena,Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/hqNY8UPQqoM
And the video:


U2-Pride (In the Name of Love), Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/rgNjJoOES3g
And the video:


U2-With or Without You, Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/3PYVFXaBSco
And the video:


U2-City of Blinding Lights, Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/XDgCMJWKHjw
And the video:


U2-Beautiful Day, Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/MAqBeqX_PBI
And the video:


U2-Bono Talking HIV Pill+MotherAndChildReunion, AccorHotelsArena, Bercy,Paris,France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/XJZi8fguDck
And the video:


U2-One + Invisible (Snippet), Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-11 HD
https://youtu.be/1PX1d6NIxYc
And the video:

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

U2 2015-11-10 AccorHotels Arena (Bercy), Paris

I was in Paris to see 2 amazing shows by U2 (Tuesday and Wednesday) from the "i+e Tour 2015" or "iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour 2015".

Took some photos and videos during my passage to Paris, outside the Arena and then inside the Arena of U2.

Tue, Nov 10, 2015 in Paris, France @ AccorHotels Arena (Bercy)

U2 played for 135 minutes.

On this first show I stayed on the left side of the catwalk (South Side - Edge's side) near the main stage. The concert was excelent.

Here it is the setlist:

People Have the Power (Patti Smith song)
1. The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
2. Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? (snippet) / Vertigo
3. I Will Follow
4. Iris (Hold Me Close)
5. Cedarwood Road
6. Song For Someone
7. Sunday Bloody Sunday
8. Raised By Wolves / Psalm 23 (snippet)
9. Until The End Of The World / Love And Peace Or Else (snippet) / Words (snippet)

Intermission - The Fly (Remix)
Inside Screen
10. Invisible
11. Even Better Than The Real Thing / Break On Through (snippet)

"E" Stage
12. Mysterious Ways / Burning Down the House (snippet)
13. Elevation (Audience member Bridgit on stage with Bono's phone doing live mobbing video feed of the band)
14. Every Breaking Wave (Acoustic)
15. October
16. Bullet The Blue Sky / Ode To Joy (snippet)
17. Zooropa
18. Where The Streets Have No Name / California (There Is No End To Love) (snippet)
19. Pride (In The Name Of Love)
20. With Or Without You

Encore(s):
21. City Of Blinding Lights
22. Beautiful Day
23. Mother And Child Reunion (snippet) / One

Some photos I took during the day and inside the Arena on my instagram (8):

Getting ready 2 leave Lisbon 2 go 2 Paris #U2ieTour #Sky #TAP time
https://www.instagram.com/p/93iDXCCS6N/

Just arrive 2 #Bercy #Paris 2 the 2 shows Tuesday & Wednesday of #U2 #U2ieTour Number 39 on queue
https://www.instagram.com/p/94A5ePiSx0/

Me after midnight 1 of 2 on #U2 #U2ieTour doing queues, Bercy. Started on Number 39, then 15 and now 4
https://www.instagram.com/p/94eaqBiS5r/

Me after midnight 2 of 2 on #U2 #U2ieTour doing queues, Bercy. Started on Number 39, then 15 and now 4
https://www.instagram.com/p/94epS1CS6G/

Lunch time with #Sandwich #U2ieTour #U2 #Bercy #Paris
https://www.instagram.com/p/956JyfiS0H/

Stressing time. Almost time 2 get in. 2 bracelets #U2ieTour #Bercy #Paris
https://www.instagram.com/p/96NPnYiS1z/

Inside #Bercy #SouthSide #U2ieTour 1 of 2
https://www.instagram.com/p/96YpsEiS6Y/

Inside #Bercy #SouthSide #U2ieTour 2 of 2
https://www.instagram.com/p/96YxfTiS6l/

Videos of U2 (2):

U2-Song For Someone, Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-10 HD
https://youtu.be/T4DjtYWvDWs
And the video:


U2-Invisible, Accor Hotels Arena, Bercy, Paris, France, 2015-11-10 HD
https://youtu.be/tw3hji8n_vI
And the video:

Sunday, October 25, 2015

U2 2015-10-25 U2gigs, List of my U2 concerts with many cool statistics

Here it is my list of U2 concerts I went and go with some cool statistics.

You've seen the following 10 shows (8 with 2 more to go in November 10 and 11):
We found 68 different songs played during these shows.
We found 44 different snippets played during these shows.,
Songs from 15 U2 albums have been played during these shows. Snippets are not counted.,
Opening songs,
Closing songs,
Shows by tour,
Shows by city and
Shows by country.

http://www.u2gigs.com/myshows/27309

Your personal U2 concert statistics


Here is the list of details calculated from your show selection.

If you click a song's name, it will direct you to the song's page, which lists all known performances in U2's history. In brackets beside the song's name is the amount of times it was played at the shows you selected; click this number to see at which selected shows it was played (click on the main link to see the concerts they play those songs).

To create your own personal show charts click here.

You've seen the following 10 shows:

  • 1993-05-15 - Lisbon, Portugal - Estadio Jose Alvalade (22 songs)
  • 1997-09-11 - Lisbon, Portugal - Estadio Jose Alvalade (25 songs)
  • 2005-08-14 - Lisbon, Portugal - Estadio Jose Alvalade (23 songs)
  • 2009-08-14 - London, England - Wembley Stadium (23 songs)
  • 2009-08-15 - London, England - Wembley Stadium (24 songs)
  • 2010-10-02 - Coimbra, Portugal - Estádio Cidade de Coimbra (24 songs)
  • 2010-10-03 - Coimbra, Portugal - Estádio Cidade de Coimbra (24 songs)
  • 2010-10-08 - Rome, Italy - Stadio Olimpico (24 songs)
  • 2015-11-10 - Paris, France - AccorHotels Arena (in 16 days)
  • 2015-11-11 - Paris, France - AccorHotels Arena (in 17 days)

    We found 68 different songs played during these shows.
    We found 44 different snippets played during these shows.
    Songs from 15 U2 albums have been played during these shows. Snippets are not counted.
    • Achtung Baby (9 songs)
    • Pop (9 songs)
    • How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (7 songs)
    • No Line On The Horizon (7 songs)
    • All That You Can't Leave Behind (5 songs)
    • Cover songs (5 songs)
    • The Joshua Tree (5 songs)
    • Rattle And Hum (4 songs)
    • The Unforgettable Fire (4 songs)
    • Unreleased Songs (4 songs)
    • War (3 songs)
    • Boy (2 songs)
    • Non-album songs (1 song)
    • Passengers: Original Soundtracks 1 (1 song)
    • Zooropa (1 song)
    Opening songs
    • Return Of The Stingray Guitar (3)
    • Breathe (2)
    • Zoo Station (1)
    • Mofo (1)
    • Vertigo (1)
    Closing songs
    • Moment Of Surrender (5)
    • Can't Help Falling In Love (1)
    • Wake Up Dead Man (1)
    • 40 (1)
    Shows by tour
    • 360° Tour (5)
    • Innocence + Experience Tour (2)
    • Vertigo Tour (1)
    • PopMart Tour (1)
    • ZOO TV Tour (1)
    Shows by city
    1. Lisbon (3)
    2. Coimbra (2)
    3. London (2)
    4. Paris (2)
    5. Rome (1)
    Shows by country
    1. Portugal (5)
    2. England (2)
    3. France (2)
    4. Italy (1)
  • Monday, October 12, 2015

    The Walking Dead 2015-10-11 Tech Insider, Why 'The Walking Dead' decided to use black and white scenes in the season 6 premiere

    http://www.techinsider.io/walking-dead-season-6-premiere-black-and-white-2015-10

    Why 'The Walking Dead' decided to use black and white scenes in the season 6 premiere

    Oct. 11, 2015, 10:10 PM

    the walking dead season 6Gene Page/AMC
    Warning: There are spoilers if you haven't watched the season six premiere of "The Walking Dead."

    Season six of "The Walking Dead" kicked off Sunday night with a huge episode.

    Not only were fans greeted to the biggest zombie horde we've seen yet on the show, but the episode also played out in black and white as well as color as the episode flashed between the past and present on screen.

    Tech Insider caught up with series executive producer Greg Nicotero, who directed the season six premiere, to learn more about the artistic choice for the episode, and it turns out black and white wasn't always what they had in mind.

    "We took sort of a rather bold move because we wanted to play with our non-linear timeline," said Nicotero. "We wanted to sort of make sure it wasn't confusing for the audience, so we had initially explored the idea of doing a desaturated flashback versus an oversaturated present-day."

    the walking dead season 6 premiereAMC

    the walking dead season 6AMC

    That didn't exactly work, though.

    "The present-day oversaturated makes the trees look very green and the zombies look very beautiful and 'Wizard of Oz,'" he explains. "It's so pretty, and you're like, 'Wow, that's sort of weird.' Adding color to zombies is not something that you immediately gravitate to. So we went with the idea of just taking all the color out instead of just desaturating the flashback ... just so you could easily follow the timeline."

    the walking dead season 6 zombiesGene Page/AMC
    Zombies are even more decomposed during season six of "The Walking Dead."

    The black and white sequences also helped add another level of intrigue and mystery to the season six opener.

    "The episode's a puzzle and what we're doing is we're giving you the final piece of the puzzle at the beginning and we love the idea that as the episode progresses, the audience is putting the pieces together, so by the time we get to the end of the episode, it's like, 'Ohhhhh, now I get what we're looking at and now I see how this is all working," Nicotero continued.

    Nicotero says they were never really interested in doing the season six opener in a linear progression.

    "I think the discussion had come up once or twice about recutting it, but I felt that it would have taken away a lot of impact of the story to just tell it in a linear fashion," he explains. "I know both [showrunner] Scott [Gimple] and I were very sold on just keeping the story structure and just finding a way to tell it visually that was appealing to the audience, and still got us through the story clearly."

    "It really is a bold filmmaking storytelling style, but something that we all feel the show warrants after six years," Nicotero added. "We didn't want to do something that we had done before so we took a big swing and it was very exciting to be able to do that."

    This isn't the first time "The Walking Dead" has played with time in its episodes, and it won't be the last.

    At San Diego Comic-Con, showrunner Scott Gimple revealed we'll see more flashbacks in the first half of the season. Gimple also mentioned there's an entire episode in the works that will be a flashback.

    Maybe we'll see more black and white sequences worked into the season.

    Let us know what you thought of the season six premiere below.

    Wednesday, October 07, 2015

    Family ties 2015-10-07 EW Entertainment weekly, Inside the Keatons' picture perfect Family Ties reunion for EW

    http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/07/family-ties-reunion-ew

    Inside the Keatons' picture perfect
    Family Ties reunion for EW



    (ALEXEI HAY for EW)

    Family Ties


    Posted October 7 2015 — 8:26 AM EDT

    There’s nothing that gives Michael J. Fox more joy than meeting an ardent fan of Alex P. Keaton.

    Though its been years since Family Ties finished its memorable run on NBC from 1982 to 1989, fans still want to engage Fox about the comedy that featured a pair of hippie parents (Meredith Baxter, Michael Gross) and the very different kids (Fox, Justine Bateman, Tina Yothers) who loved them.

    “People grew up with Family Ties,” Fox tells EW. “That’s a very special relationship I enjoy with people. I was there for a lot of big things in their lives. I wasn’t physically there but I was a friend in their lives. It’s really a blessing to be able to have people associate you with something pleasant and positive in their lives.”



    So when EW asked the Keatons to reunite for the magazine’s Reunion issue, the cast was overjoyed to see their “other” family – not that anyone really lost that connection when the show went off the air.

    “We definitely stayed in touch,” says Yothers, now a California-based stay-at-home mom with a husband and two kids. “It’s probably more so than any normal job when you leave an office or workplace. And now with social media, Michael Gross for instance is all over Facebook. He is the Facebook king! My dad passed away 10 years ago and Michael reached out. He’s been my dad. It’s like we’ve never been apart.”

    Looking back, the castmembers are particularly proud at the stories – not just the jokes – they told on the multi-camera comedy.

    “The show was more focused on getting Humanitas Awards than Emmys,” said Justine Bateman, who is studying computer science and management full-time at UCLA. “Think about All in the Family, The Jeffersons, the topics they tackled. That’s what was going before us, you know what I mean? We were in the early ’80s, so we were all of that mind. There was an episode where Mallory’s uncle makes a pass at her. I don’t know if there was anything the [writers] wanted to do that the network said no to.”


    Image Credit: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

    To continue reading more from the cast reunions of Family Ties,as well as those of Misery, Felicity, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Bring It On, and Muriel’s Wedding,, pick up the new issue celebrating Entertainment Weekly’s 25th anniversary, on newsstands Friday, or buy it here.

    Tuesday, October 06, 2015

    Jared Leto, 2015-10-06 - VFHollywood, Will Smith Reveals Just How Intense Jared Leto’s Suicide Squad Transformation Was

    http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/10/jared-leto-joker-suicide-squad-will-smith?mbid=social_facebook

    TRANSFORMATIONS

    Will Smith Reveals Just How Intense Jared Leto’s Suicide Squad Transformation Was



    “We worked together for six months and we’ve never exchanged a word outside of ‘Action!’ and ‘Cut!’”


    For his Oscar-winning role in Dallas Buyers Club, Jared Leto lost 30 pounds, shaved his entire body, and refused to break character while filming the drama. And for his follow-up role in the upcoming Suicide Squad, Leto reportedly took his transformation into the iconic super-villain The Joker just as seriously.

    In a new interview, Leto’s co-star Will Smith, who plays Deadshot, reveals that Leto completely disappeared into his character so much so that Smith still doesn’t know what Leto, the actor, is like in real life.

    “[Suicide Squad] is insane,” Smith said in a Beats 1 interview Monday (via Complex). “I’ve never actually met Jared Leto. We worked together for six months and we’ve never exchanged a word outside of ‘Action!’ and ‘Cut!’ I literally have not met him yet. So, the first time I see him will be ‘Hey, Jared. What’s up?’ He was all in on the Joker.”

    This summer, Leto and Smith’s Suicide Squad cast mate Adam Beach, who plays Slipknot, revealed that Leto sent out gifts in character as well.

    “He sent [Margot Robbie] a nice love letter with a black box with a rat in it—a live rat,” Beach told E!. “It was beautiful. Then he sent bullets to Will [Smith] with a letter.”

    According to Beach, Leto also sent the cast a video and a “dead hog.” Beach explained of the cryptic gestures, “Basically, what he said was, ‘Guys, I can’t be there but I want you to know I’m doing my work as hard as you guys. . . . The video he showed is in character. It blew our minds away. Then we realized that day, this is real.”

    Leto isn’t the first character to disappear into the role of The Joker. While filming The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger kept a diary of the character. Ledger’s father, Kim, has has since revealed, “He pretty well locked himself up in a hotel, in his apartment, for a month or so, to sort of galvanize the upcoming character in his own mind. . . . That was typical of Heath on any movie. He would certainly immerse himself in the upcoming character. I think this was just a whole new level.”

    Ledger was awarded a posthumous Oscar for his chilling performance. Take a sneak peek at Leto’s Joker below in the Suicide Squad trailer.

    Monday, October 05, 2015

    Fear The Walking Dead 2015-10-04 Tech Insider, 'The Walking Dead' is finally going to answer a question fans have had for a long time

    http://www.techinsider.io/fear-the-walking-dead-season-2-will-introduce-a-boat-2015-10

    'The Walking Dead' is finally going to answer a question fans have had for a long time

    Oct. 4, 2015, 11:32 PM

    Warning: If you're not caught up with the season finale of "Fear the Walking Dead," there are spoilers ahead!

    Between "The Walking Dead" comic series, the popular AMC show, and the video games, fans have always had one question about the zombie apocalypse: Why doesn't anyone find a boat and set sail on the ocean?

    Surely, the zombies can't get you out on the water, right?

    Well, it looks like we're finally going to find out!

    During the season one finale of "Fear the Walking Dead," the companion series to "The Walking Dead," we see the group head to the Pacific coast.

    fear the walking dead finaleAMC

    While it looks like the eight are going to spend a lot of time at the mysterious Strand's (Colman Domingo) humble abode, he has a different idea.

    Strand's prepping to take everyone onto his yacht, Abigail, and sail away!

    strand nick fear the walking deadAMC

    abigail fear the walking deadAMC 
    Say hello to your (potential) home away from home, Abigail!

    It seems like a brilliant idea.

    Maybe.

    This is something we've never seen.

    Do walkers swim? How do they deal with water? Will there be a bunch of walkers awaiting them on other ships they may run into? These are all things we don't really have answers to.

    "It was important we ended up on the Pacific," said showrunner Dave Erickson on a special episode of "Talking Dead," "The Walking Dead" after show. "It opens some interesting options to us."

    dave erickson fear the walking dead Alycia Debnam CareJustin Lubin/AMC
    "Fear the Walking Dead" executive producer and showrunner Dave Erickson with actress Alycia Debnam Care on set of "Fear."

    Erickson hinted that they're probably not the only ones with the bright idea to head to a boat.

    If you've been reading the comics, characters have set sail out on the water but we haven't seen any zombies on the ocean or have been taken out to sea — yet! Creator Robert Kirkman hinted in "The Walking Dead" comic series we'll be "seeing some sea travel sooner" than we think.

    the walking dead ocean issue 139Image/Skybound
    A scene from issue #139 of "The Walking Dead."

    However, the bigger issue is whether Strand is someone who should be trusted. This is a guy who abandoned a bunch of people to rot in some makeshift government holding cells to save his own skin.

    "No es bueno," said Cliff Curtis, who plays Travis on "Fear the Walking Dead," when asked about his first reaction to Strand. "I don't like the guy. He's great for the show, but he's the antithesis of Travis. He's just got no morality ... I'd take Salazar any day over that guy."

    "I like the suit, though," said Curtis, commenting on Strand's very overdressed apocalypse attire.

    strand fear the walking deadJustina Mintz/AMC
    Strand seems like a man the group should keep a close watch on moving forward.

    "We will learn much more about Strand in season two," added Erickson. "What was interesting to us was to have a character you don't see very often on 'The Walking Dead' — somebody of means, somebody who has money, a person of affluence. And we see that is his house, that is his boat. He definitely has a con man's charm, which is part of how he accrued his wealth and his fortune, but he's not somebody without his own plans and designs."

    Do you think it's a good idea for our survivors to sail away from Los Angeles with Strand on his boat?

    "Fear the Walking Dead" will return in 2016.

    Thursday, October 01, 2015

    The Walking Dead 2015-10-01 Tech Insider, 'The Walking Dead' season 6 premiere is one of the show's most ambitious episodes

    http://www.techinsider.io/the-walking-dead-season-6-review-2015-10

    'The Walking Dead' season 6 premiere is one of the show's most ambitious episodes

    Oct. 1, 2015, 11:49 AM

    the walking dead rick morganFrank Ockenfels 3/AMC
    Morgan (Lennie James) and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) have been reunited, but is that a good thing for season six?

    Thirty seconds into season six of “The Walking Dead” you’ll be asking yourself, “What is going on?”

    Within a minute, you’re sure to be grinning.

    This is what fans have been waiting for.

    Tech Insider has seen the first new episode of “The Walking Dead,” returning to AMC Oct. 11, and season six wastes no time launching into a huge action sequence which plays across the entirety of the premiere.

    I can't say much, but back in March, at the end of season 5, “The Walking Dead” showrunner Scott Gimple told fans, “for a good while now, humans have been the bigger threat. At the start of our next season, that will change.”

    Gimple delivers on that promise.

    If you’re up to speed with Robert Kirkman’s comic series, you know what’s coming, and the season six premiere sets things in motion perfectly. (To be honest, it’s moving things along quicker than anticipated.)

    Executive producer Greg Nicotero, who’s also responsible for the ever-decaying look of the zombies on the show, returns to the director’s chair for the premiere, so you know you’re in for a good ride. He’s delivered some of the series' best episodes. Season 3's "This Sorrowful Life" and season 5’s premiere “No Sanctuary” stand out.

    the walking dead season 6 zombieGene Page/AMC
    A walker from season six of "The Walking Dead."

    This is Nicotero’s 12th episode directing. He and Gimple have worked together on the previous two season openers, which have both been positively received.

    While the season six premiere doesn't top the anxiety-ridden drama of the season five opener (seriously, how do you compete with an escape from murderous cannibals?), it certainly goes bigger.

    I can’t divulge too much more about the episode without giving much away.

    So what can we tell you?

    The Ricktatorship is back!

    the walking dead rick Gene Page/AMC

    You don’t want to mess with Rick. The fan-given moniker alluding to the way Rick governs over his group — generally it’s Rick’s way or the highway — lives up to its name in episode one. There's a scene with him where he gives a speech which may make fans of the series shiver in glee.

    If you've seen the lengthy San Diego Comic-Con trailer, you've seen a hint:

    And while you're excited and rooting for Rick, there's a part of you that may start wondering whether you're still rooting for the right side. It's slightly reminiscent of how fans binge-watching AMC's other hit, "Breaking Bad," began to struggle with justifying Walter White's decisions toward the end of the series.

    However, unlike Walt, Rick has a few voices of reason on his side.

    Morgan!

    That first awkward moment when Rick and Morgan were reunited at the end of season five.

    What a sight it was to see Morgan (Lennie James) reunite with Rick during the season five finale … at quite possibly the worst moment he could reunite with Rick: Rick had just killed a guy, RIGHT after Morgan gave an entire speech about all life being precious. Talk about awkward.

    Creator Robert Kirkman has already said Rick and Morgan’s interactions will be integral to the story this season and that’s extremely evident in the premiere.

    The return of Morgan from seasons one and three adds a somber voice of reason to the group which may have started to disappear the longer Rick and his crew were on the road, living off of instinct. His scenes with Rick (Andrew Lincoln) have always been some of the series’ best. Fans have a lot to look forward to from his interactions with the rest of the gang, particularly Michonne (Danai Gurira).

    For viewers, the return helps show the group from an outsider’s perspective. Morgan is someone who has survived the apocalypse, and on his own nonetheless. The guy has a zen-like vibe. Now, that he’s in contact with the two very different groups — the laid-back, inexperienced Alexandrians and Rick’s ragtag supergroup of trained zombie warriors — he’s perhaps the most reliable narrator on the show.

    Eugene is so awkward, it's hilarious.

    the walking dead eugeneGene Page/AMC

    There’s really not much else to say about Josh McDermitt's character. His scenes really stick out in the premiere.

    A few new characters are also added to the bunch.

    Be on the lookout for Heath (Corey Hawkins, “Straight Outta Compton”), another big character from the comics whose casting was announced back in June.

    Yes, Daryl will be there.

    the walking dead darylGene Page/AMC 
    The fan favorite, played by Norman Reedus, doesn’t say much, but he doesn’t need to. His actions speak louder than words.

    “The Walking Dead” has a habit of focusing more intently on select characters in single episodes due to the large ensemble. That’s not the case here. You’ll get a nice amount of screen time with most of the characters.

    To be clear, the season six premiere is not the series’ finest. It gets a bit predictable.

    There's a particular style in which the episode is done which adds intrigue and mystery to the set up of the premiere. (Again, spoilers, so I can’t say more.) It's brilliant for the episode’s first half, but once viewers figure out what exactly is going on, the allure starts to fade after the 30-minute mark.

    Despite that, the episode, titled “"First Time Again," has some great moments and will get you excited for where the season is heading over the course of the first eight episodes.

    We’ll leave you with this: Fans, this is a good time to go back and get reacquainted with the "No Way Out" volume — issues 79-84. In fact, be on the lookout for a verbal wink to it in the season premiere.

    “The Walking Dead” returns to AMC Sunday, October 11 at 9 p.m.

    SketchShe - Bohemian Carsody

    This video is so amazing. I love it. A trio of girls in a car dancing with 1 special song by Queen. Second video of them I add to my blog.

    Bohemian Carsody by SketchShe

    Bohemian Carsody: Road trip rock out. (Warning: may contain head banging, boob grabbing and heartfelt emotion.)

    LIKE our Facebook for more videos and sketches!: https://www.facebook.com/sketchshe
    Follow us on Instagram & Twitter!: @SketchShe
    Shae-Lee @Shaeleeshack
    Lana @Lanakington
    Madison @Madisonlloyd

    SketchShe: Australian female comedy trio with a cheeky and brazen mixed bag of sketches and characters to tickle your funny bone.

    Wednesday, September 30, 2015

    PokerStars, 2015-09-30 - PokerStars Blog, World's largest poker business to enter regulated online gaming market in the United States

    http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/en/blog/corporate_blog/2015/worlds-largest-poker-business-to-enter-r-158283.shtml

    World's largest poker business to enter regulated online gaming market in the United States


    MONTREAL, Sept. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Amaya Inc. (TSX: AYA; NASDAQ: AYA) ("Amaya" or the "Corporation") today announced that the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (the "DGE") has authorized it to operate the PokerStars and Full Tilt brands in New Jersey. The approval follows an unprecedented review by the DGE of Amaya's acquisition of PokerStars and Full Tilt in August 2014. The approval enables the entry of the world's largest poker business into the United States.

    "We are very pleased to add New Jersey to the long list of regulated markets that have found PokerStars and Full Tilt suitable to offer real-money online gaming," said David Baazov, Chairman and CEO of Amaya. "I want to thank the DGE for their thorough and fair review of our business. We look forward to bringing our popular brands, innovative technology, marketing prowess and world-class security and game integrity to the growing New Jersey online gaming market. We anticipate providing additional details of our launch plans in the near future."

    Amaya is currently in an agreement with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City to provide online poker and casino offerings in New Jersey through the PokerStars and Full Tilt brands. Amaya has also previously received approvals from the DGE to provide B2B online and land-based gaming solutions in New Jersey.

    New Jersey gaming regulators have a long history of stringent regulatory oversight and enforcement of gaming operations. The DGE's review of PokerStars was extremely thorough and exhaustive, including a detailed review of Amaya's operations and technology, sworn interviews with more than 70 individuals and visits to approximately a half dozen international jurisdictions. This stringent review found PokerStars to be under strong, ethical and trusted ownership and management with Amaya, and worthy of participating in New Jersey's regulated online gaming market.

    "Since the acquisition, we have consistently delivered on our stated strategy," said Baazov. "Today's announcement follows the divesture of our B2B businesses for total gross proceeds of approximately US$524.8 million; the launch of casino games on PokerStars, which we estimate has one of the largest active user bases of any online casino; the refinancing of our long term debt and the reduction of our annual interest expense by approximately US$62 million. We are excited about our new product pipeline and enthusiastic that we will experience growth in existing and emerging markets in the future."

    PokerStars is the world's largest online poker site and Full Tilt is among the world's top online gaming sites. The two brands combined hold a strong majority share of the global online poker market per industry estimates1, and have more than 95 million registered customers. PokerStars recently started to roll out online casino games in select markets and is already estimated by the Corporation to be one of the largest real-money online casino operators in the world as measured by number of unique players.

    About Amaya

    Amaya is a leading provider of technology-based solutions, products and services in the global gaming and interactive entertainment industries. Amaya owns gaming and related consumer businesses and brands including PokerStars, Full Tilt, StarsDraft, the European Poker Tour, PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, the Latin American Poker Tour and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour. These brands collectively form the largest poker business in the world, comprising online poker games and tournaments, live poker competitions, branded poker rooms in popular casinos in major cities around the world, and poker programming created for television and online audiences. Amaya, through certain of these brands, also offers non-poker online gaming products, including casino, sportsbook and daily fantasy sports.
    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, Amaya's anticipated operation of the PokerStars and Full Tilt brands in New Jersey. Forward-looking statements can, but may not always, be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "would", "should", "believe", "objective", "ongoing" and similar references to future periods or the negatives of these words and expressions. These statements, other than statements of historical fact, are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including market and economic conditions, business prospects or opportunities, future plans and strategies, projections, technological developments, anticipated events and trends and regulatory changes that affect us, our customers and our industries. Although the Corporation and management believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable and are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates, there can be no assurance that these assumptions or estimates are accurate or that any of these expectations will prove accurate. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies that could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These risks and uncertainties include those identified under the heading "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in Amaya's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in its Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended June 30, 2015, each available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, Edgar at www.sec.gov and Amaya's website at www.amaya.com, and in other filings that Amaya has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof, and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    Tuesday, September 29, 2015

    Trailer - The X-Files "The Truth Is Still Out There" Promo (HD)

    This is the amazing new trailer of the new "The X-Files" mini-series that will premiere on January 24, 2016.

    The next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES debuts with a special two-night event beginning Sunday, Jan. 24 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, and continuing with its time period premiere on Monday, Jan. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The thrilling, six-episode event series, helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter and starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI Agents FOX MULDER and DANA SCULLY, marks the momentous return of the Emmy Award- and Golden Globe-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.



    Hope you love it.

    Here are the official sites:

    Official Twitter page: https://twitter.com/thexfiles
    Official Twitter page: https://twitter.com/thexfilesfox
    Official Feacebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheXFilesonFOX

    ABOUT THE SHOW from: http://www.fox.com/the-x-files

    Thirteen years after the original series run, the next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES is a thrilling, six-episode event series from creator/executive producer Chris Carter, with stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson re-inhabiting their roles as iconic FBI Agents FOX MULDER and DANA SCULLY. Mitch Pileggi also returns as FBI ASST. DIR. WALTER SKINNER, Mulder and Scully’s boss, who walks a fine line between loyalty to these investigators and accountability to his superiors. This marks the momentous return of the Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.

    THE X-FILES debuts with a special two-night event beginning Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, and continuing with its time period premiere on Monday, Jan. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The upcoming event series will encompass a mixture of stand-alone episodes and those that further the original show’s seminal mythology. In the opening episode, Mulder and Scully take on a case of a possible alien abductee. The all-new episodes will feature appearances by guest stars, including Joel McHale (“Community”), Robbie Amell (“The Flash”), Lauren Ambrose (“Dig,” “Six Feet Under”), Annabeth Gish (“The Bridge”), Annet Mahendru (“The Americans”), Rhys Darby (“Flight of the Conchords”), Kumail Nanjiani (“Silicon Valley”) and William B. Davis, who reprises his role as “Cigarette Smoking Man.” Three of the episodes are written and directed by Chris Carter, with the remaining new episodes written and directed by original series veterans Glen Morgan, Darin Morgan and James Wong.

    THE X-FILES originally premiered in September 1993. Over the course of its nine-season run, the influential series went from breakout sci-fi favorite to massive global hit, and became one of the most successful television dramas of all time. The show, which earned 16 Emmy Awards, five Golden Globes and a Peabody Award, follows FBI special agents Scully (Anderson) and Mulder (Duchovny), as they investigate unexplained cases – “X-Files” – for which the only answers involve paranormal phenomena.

    THE X-FILES is a production of 20th Century Fox Television in association with Ten Thirteen Productions. Chris Carter is the creator and executive producer of the series. Glen Morgan also serves as an executive producer. “Like” THE X-FILES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheXFilesonFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @TheXFiles and join the discussion at #TheXFiles. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @TheXFilesFOX.

    Thursday, September 24, 2015

    Harry Potter, 2015-09-24 - Pottermore, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is in two parts

    https://www.pottermore.com/news/cursed-child-announcement

    Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is in two parts

    By Pottermore staff writer


    Harry Potter and the Cursed Child front

    Thursday 24th Sept 2015

    J.K. Rowling announces that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is in two parts

    J.K. Rowling has just revealed that the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be staged in two parts.

    The new stage play by Jack Thorne is based on a new and original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, and will premiere in London’s West End in summer 2016 at the Palace Theatre.

    At 10pm today, J.K. Rowling tweeted: 'Due to the epic nature of the story we’ve been working on, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be in two parts!'

    Like you, we had so many questions and luckily for us, the play’s director John Tiffany and its writer Jack Thorne were on hand to answer some of them.

    Bafta-winning writer Jack Thorne was elated by the chance to delve deeper into the wizarding world.

    ‘Obviously I loved it when we decided to tell this story in two parts,’ Jack tells us, ‘because I got to spend more time with the characters and what an honour that has been.

    ‘It continues to be unbelievable and amazing that I’ve been given this extraordinary chance to bring Harry Potter to the stage. As a fan, who just devoured the books and the films, this couldn’t be more exciting for me.’

    The significance of the stage play is not lost on Tony and Olivier Award-winning director John Tiffany. He feels that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a unique production, and we’re inclined to agree.

    ‘I’ve never worked on anything quite like this before,’ he says. ‘Usually in theatre you’re adapting existing material or creating an entirely new play. With the Cursed Child we have been given the unique opportunity to explore some of the most cherished books and beloved characters ever written, yet work with J.K. Rowling to tell a story from that world that no one yet knows – it’s exhilarating.

    ‘It shares a scale and ambition with all the Harry Potter stories so in order to do this justice we have decided to present the play in two parts.’

    John and Jack are two of the most successful and respected people working in theatre today. Their utterly charming nervousness about bringing J.K. Rowling’s characters to the stage only highlights what this extraordinary new story means to them.

    'I just hope we do it justice,’ says Jack. 'I’m so constantly aware of respecting the previous seven stories…I hope people love this play like they loved the books. Everything we do is with that in mind.”

    The production doesn’t just mean the world to its director and writer, but also to the entire team working tirelessly to bring the play to London’s West End next summer.

    ‘There are many people working on this production who grew up with the books, or discovered them with their kids,’ John tells us, ‘and it’s been thrilling and humbling to hear them say ‘We never thought we’d get Harry back. But he’s here…’’

    Harry Potter and the Cursed Child comes to London’s West End summer 2016, with tickets going on sale this Autumn. You can register for priority booking at HarryPotterthePlay.com to have the first opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

    Pottermore will be right here to bring you more news, interviews and much more besides.

    Thursday, September 17, 2015

    Madonna, 2015-09-17 - Rolling Stone, Bitch, She's Madonna: NYC Stop Showcases Genius of Rebel Heart Tour

    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bitch-shes-madonna-nyc-stop-showcases-genius-of-rebel-heart-tour-20150917

    Bitch, She's Madonna: NYC Stop Showcases Genius of Rebel Heart Tour

    Sentimental, unapologetic show comes 30 years after her first MSG performance

    By |

    Madonna
    Madonna performs in New York City on September 16th, 2015. Matthew Shelter

    "You know what they say — it's lonely at the top," Madonna told the crowd near the end of her New York show last night. "But it ain't crowded!" And on the second U.S. show of her hotly awaited new Rebel Heart tour, Our Lady spent three hours proving what a goddess she is, not to mention what an Unapologetic Bitch. Damn right it's not crowded, because there's nobody else near her throne. The whole night was a tour of everything only Madonna can do. She's not the same. She has no shame. She's on fire.

    She sang the Edith Piaf ballad "La Vie En Rose" in French, alone on the stage, strumming her ukelele. ("It's en français, though, okay? So try and sing along if you can.") After "Material Girl," she tossed a wedding bouquet to a gay couple up front, then snickered, "Suckers!" She used crucifixes as stripper poles, doing the "Vogue" rap while writhing against a dancer clad in a nun's wimple and feathery hot pants. Her cassocked dancers simulated a group-grope orgy at the Last Supper while the guest of honor chanted "Yeezus loves my pussy best!" And all night long, her banter was the toppest of notch, like when she introduced her gorgeous new acoustic country-hoedown version of "True Blue." "No swear words in this song," she announced. "This is a song about true love. I didn't know what I was talking about when I wrote it." Glad you're the one who brought that up, Madonna.

    She hasn't reached so far onstage, musically or emotionally, since her 2001 Drowned World extravaganza. Her last couple of tours had spectacular performances, but dodgy set lists. This time Madonna has much stronger new songs to play with, from Rebel Heart — and she brilliantly revamps the hits. She played a Flying V for a punked-out "Burning Up," dropping to her knees for her guitar solo — the first time she played Madison Square Garden, 30 years ago, she got on her knees in front of the male guitarist while he played a solo, and don't think she doesn't remember these things.

    Madonna
    Matthew Shelter

    Opening act Amy Schumer helped set the tone — when was the last time you saw a stand-up comedian slay in an arena? Schumer was clearly right at home in a room full of Madonna fans: "I know who's here. It's like taking a warm bath in a tub full of dick that doesn't want you." She talked abut how hot Bradley Cooper's girlfriend is ("She's like a panther fucked a gazelle and they fucked Gisele") and how hot Bradley Cooper is ("you would just grab your ankles and say 'any hole's fine'"). For the encore, she came back out to let Madonna kick her in the ass, right before "Holiday."

    But it was Madonna's night. "Body Shop" was a Fifties-style dance routine where she rolled in on the hood of a vintage Chevy, just like Christie Brinkley in Billy Joel's "Keeping the Faith" video," then frolicked in glitter ankle boots with a harem of hot greaser mechanics, all looking like the boy who knocked her up in the "Papa Don't Preach" video. (So true: Italians do it better!) Then she sat her dancers down on a pile of tires and adopted a Dolly Parton twang to tell them, "Like my grandma always said, if it's got tits or tires, it's gonna give you trouble."

    "Like a Virgin" was one of the night's peak moments — the song got pimped up with the Egyptian-lover electro-beats from "Music," while she took the stage alone to revamp her cowgirl line-dance moves from the "Don't Tell Me" video. She wore fingerless black gloves, reading her 1984 Boy Toy self, yet she humps the stage with enough verve and wit to make the girl she used to be look like the shy type. She also said, "It's so hot in here," which is Madonna-speak for, "You don't mind if I strip this shirt off, do you?"

    She kept getting surprisingly sentimental about playing the Garden, 30 years after her 1985 Virgin Tour. Back then, she always used to ask the crowd, "Will you marry me?" Tonight the girl was in a slightly shadier mood. "I don't know about marriage," she mused, after her bouquet toss. "Do you want to marry me?" When fans screamed, she replied, "No, you probably don't. But maybe it'll be third time lucky." She resurrected long-unheard gems like "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" and "Deeper and Deeper," along with a snippet of "Justify My Love." ("You put this in me, so now what?" — such an underrated but on point Madonna line.)

    "Music" began as a jazz-flapper café ballet, with Madonna in Twenties Gatsby drag, before it blew up to hit the electro-sleaze heights. (As it happens, it was 15 years ago this week that Madonna released Music, still her hardest-rocking and most seductive album.) After the devils-and-bullfighters-and-Minotaurs pageant of "Living My Life," she began the gratifyingly long Latin segment with "La Isla Bonita," stretching into a generous and unhurried medley of "Dress You Up," "Into the Groove" and "Lucky Star."

    "I'm feeling very nostalgic tonight," she told the crowd. "Do you people understand I played Madison Square Garden 30 years ago?" She kissed a fan in a 1985 Virgin Tour shirt who claimed he was there — for all we know, he might have been the goth club kid doing the cobweb dance in the "Into The Groove" video. It led to the emotional highlight of the night, when she picked up her acoustic guitar for one of her saltiest and best Number One hits, a song she hasn't performed since the Eighties: "Who's that Girl," leading the audience in the question "¿Quien es esa niña?" The question hung in the air. "I still don't know," Madonna said after the song. "I still don't know. I think I'm not supposed to know — maybe that's what life's about, figuring out who the fuck you are."

    Madonna
    Matthew Shelter

    In her producer Nile Rodgers' essential memoir Le Freak, he tells the story of taking Madonna to Madison Square Garden in 1984 to see Duran Duran, where she sat unnoticed and unrecognized in the audience. Just a few months later, she returned, except this time she was onstage as the headliner. (Duran Duran were back in NYC this week too — and like Madonna, brazen enough to jumpstart an excellent show with an excellent new song, "Paper Gods." The Eighties are the flattest of circles.) But that's why she's Madonna. She might be still figuring out who the fuck she is — but a stage this size is always the place she goes to look for clues.

    Set List:
    "Iconic"
    "Bitch I'm Madonna"
    "Burning Up"
    "Holy Water"/"Vogue"
    "Devil Pray"
    "Messiah"
    "Body Shop"
    "True Blue"
    "Deeper and Deeper"
    "Heartbreak City"/"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
    "Like a Virgin"
    "Justify My Love"/"Sex"
    "Living For Love"
    "La Isla Bonita"
    "Dress You Up"/"Into The Groove"/"Lucky Star"
    "Who's That Girl"
    "Rebel Heart"
    "Illuminati"
    "Music"
    "Candy Shop"
    "Material Girl"
    "La Vie en Rose"
    "Unapologetic Bitch"

    Encore:
    "Holiday"