Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest

For the fourth year in a row, Doritos presents the “Crash the Super Bowl” contest, incorporating user generated videos and potentially shelling out a lot of do-re-mi.

Six finalists have been selected from more than 4,000 entries and the stakes this year are bigger and bolder than ever. Contestants are not only competing to have their self-made Doritos commercials aired during the Super Bowl XLIV broadcast, they are shooting to make history by beating the ad pros and garnering the top three spots in USA TODAY’s annual Ad Meter. If they can do it, Doritos will award the winners a shared $5 million cash prize.

Online consumer voting will determine which three of the six finalists will air as Doritos’ Super Bowl commercials during the big game on February 7, 2010.

Not sure why there aren’t any female filmmakers represented. C’mon girls where are you? In any case, we kinda like House Rules by Joelle De Jesus. Fans  can vote for their favorite finalist once a day at www.crashthesuperbowl.com until January 31, 2010.

NBC to air Skating & Gymnastics Show Jan. 10

The Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular was filmed and presented live at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center back in October and the show will be broadcast on NBC, Sunday, Jan. 10 from 4-6 p.m. (check local listings).

Olympic champion Nastia Liukin celebrated her 20th birthday during the show’s taping and producer Steve Disson hired a DJ and threw a party for Nastia at the hotel after the show. “I was so happy to be able to spend [my birthday] with some of my really great friends!” Nastia wrote on her website.

Shawn Johnson is also part of the all-star cast, which includes Ivan Ivankov, Raj Bhavsar, Courtney Kupets, Samantha Peszek, Paul and Morgan Hamm, and acro Mixed Pair extraordinaire Arthur Davisand Shenea Booth.

The skating cast features Michael Weiss — whose father, Greg Weiss, was a member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic gymnastics team — Todd Eldredge, Elvis Stojko and Emily Hughes among others.

Actress-singer Ashley Tisdale performs “Crank It Up” live for the show’s opening.

Announcing the show are Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci, Peggy Fleming and Nastia.

Although the sports barely resemble each other, figure skating and gymnastics share a common bond. They both combine art and athleticism, are subjective and have provided some of the most iconic moments of the Olympics.  And, women generally command the majority of attention.

They’re also glamour events, sports people watch and often find themselves talking about the next day. The fact that there’s usually a big-name rivalry to spice things up — real or imagined, friendly or icy — only adds to the fun.

So this could be a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon – especially if it’s as cold and snowy as it’s been in most parts of the country. Happy weekend!

Get ready for Winter X Games Europe

ESPN announced the first wave of athletes invited to the Winter X Games Europe March 10-12, 2010. The event will be the first Winter X Games held outside the United States.

Invited X Games athletes include:

SuperPipe Women

Torah Bright (AUS)
Gretchen Bleiler (USA)
Ellery Hollingsworth (USA)

Slopestyle Women

Jenny Jones (GBR)
Jamie Anderson (USA)
Janna Meyen-Weatherby (USA)
Cheryl Maas (NED)
Sarka Pancochova (CZE)

The event will bring together eight different competitions over three days, including Ski and Snowboard SuperPipe and Slopestyle for men and women as well as a Snowmobile demonstration.

Natalie Coughlin rocks the Rumba

Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin keeps on rolling at Dancing with the Stars. This week, she and partner Alec put together a steamy Rumba en route to a total score of 26. In addition to being a fan favorite, she’s become one of Carrie Ann Inaba’s picks as well.

Here’s Natalie’s segment from this week’s show for those who missed it:

Throughout the season, Natalie will be sharing her DWTS experience through her Twitter (@nataliecoughlin) and Facebook pages so be sure to follow along and VOTE for Natalie all season long.

Natalie and Alec’s official voting number is 1-800-VOTE4-13 or 1-800-868-3413. You may also vote online at www.abc.com starting from the opening of each episode on the East Coast and until 12:00 Noon, ET the following day.

Degrassi in NYC Sweepstakes

If you’re a Degrassi fan (admit it – you know you are),  you can enter to win a chance for you and your BFF to fly to New York City to meet the cast of Degrassi, as well as a shopping spree with a TeenNick stylist!

With the new season kicking off this Friday (Oct. 9th) this is a great promotion to jump start the new school year.

Who’s your fave character? We’d want to meet Jane (Paula Brancati), whose football skills put her center stage. Some people act tough, but she’s the real thing.

If you’re from the Dallas, Austin, San Antonio area, click here to enter: http://www.timewarnercable.com/Dallas/promotions/teennick_degrassi.html

And if you’re from the Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, or Sacramento area, you can still enter here: www.comcastdegrassisweeps.com

(Sweepstakes ends on October 16^th, so submit your entry ASAP!)

What to do this holiday weekend

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated by labor unions in New York City in the 1880s with a grand parade in honor of the working class. Now most people just think of it as a day off work and a chance for a last end-of-summer family outing.

As the heat wave continues here in SoCal beach activities are definitely on the agenda this weekend. The 28th annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off and Carnival kicks off tonight and goes through Monday.

Also at the beach this weekend is the Supergirl Jam which takes place Sunday in Venice. There will be live-streaming of the competition at http://thewb.com/supergirl and we’ll provide highlights of the event later.

Other Options:

Tennis: If you’re a tennis fan but can’t make it to Flushing Meadows this weekend, you can catch U.S. Open third and fourth round action on The Tennis Channel, ESPN, and CBS.  Check the TV schedule for listings.

Golf: NBC airs the Deutsche Bank Golf Championship on Sunday and Monday.

Football: College football fans have a plethora of choices this weekend. The NCAA season kicks off the 2009 season so if you want to trade the beach for the gridiron, ESPN will present no less than 28 games on their networks.

There’s a full slate of games on Saturday so no matter where you live or who you root for you should be able to find something Must-see games include Navy at Ohio State (12:00 ESPN), Missouri vs. Illinois (3:30 ESPN),  BYU vs. Oklahoma (7:00 ESPN), and Maryland at California (10:00 ESPN2). If you’re still in the mood for football on Monday check out the Miami vs. Florida State game (10:00 ESPN).

Also, my annual neighborhood block party is this Sunday evening featuring a halfpipe at the top of the cul de sac and a bicycle parade. Good times.

Swimmer Natalie Coughlin among new “Dancing with the Stars” cast

Natalie Coughlin can do the backstroke and the breastroke in world record time, but can she do the paso doble or tango?

Coughlin, who has made a big splash in the Olympics, will attempt to excel in the ballroom during the upcoming season of ABC’s “DWTS.” She was among the 16 celebrities named to the “Dancing with the Stars” cast, as announced Monday morning. She’ll compete against former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay, pop singer Donny Osmond, and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.

Other hopefuls include singers Mya, Macy Gray and Aaron Carter; actors Melissa Joan Hart, Debi Mazar and Ashley Hamilton (son of George); models Joanna Krupa and Kathy Ireland; reality stars Kelly Osbourne and Mark Dacascos (”the Chairman” on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America”); mixed martial artist Chuck Liddell; and professional snowboarder Louie Vito.

The contestants were announced on Monday’s “Good Morning America” by “Dancing” host Tom Bergeron, who also unveiled a new competitive twist.

“In the middle of our season, over three weeks, we’re going to have double eliminations,” said Bergeron. “We’ll lose about half of our cast within that period. It will be a ballroom bloodbath.”

Coughlin  represented the United States at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2008, she became the first American female athlete to win six medals in one Olympics.

After taking a break from swimming competition after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Coughlin will be extending that break with time logged on the dance floor. She appears to be in good company on “Dancing” as three Olympians have won the reality show’s coveted title. Speed-skater Apolo Anton Ohno captured the prize in Season 4, while figure skate Kristi Yamaguchi prevailed in Season 6 and gymnast Shawn Johnson won the disco-ball trophy in Season 8.

The ninth season of the hit ABC show premieres Sept. 21 with a three night event.

Update: Natalie will be paired with Alec Mazo on this season of DWTS.

Shawn Johnson, Stephanie Gilmore win Teen Choice Awards

The Teen Choice Awards won’t air until tomorrow, but we’ve got a list of all the winners. If you don’t mind spoilers, check ‘em all out after the jump.

MOVIES

CHOICE MOVIE: ACTION ADVENTURE
X-Men Origins: Wolverine

CHOICE MOVIE: DRAMA
Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE: ROMANCE
Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE: BROMANTIC COMEDY
Marley & Me

CHOICE MOVIE: COMEDY
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

CHOICE MOVIE: HORROR/THRILLER
Friday the 13th

CHOICE MOVIE: MUSIC/DANCE
High School Musical 3: Senior Year

CHOICE MOVIE ACTOR: DRAMA
Robert Pattinson, Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE ACTRESS: DRAMA
Kristen Stewart, Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE ACTOR: ACTION ADVENTURE
Hugh Jackman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine”

CHOICE MOVIE ACTRESS: ACTION ADVENTURE
Jordana Brewster, Fast & Furious

CHOICE MOVIE ACTOR: COMEDY
Zac Efron, 17 Again

CHOICE MOVIE ACTRESS: COMEDY
Anne Hathaway, Bride Wars

CHOICE MOVIE ACTRESS: MUSIC/DANCE
Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana: The Movie

CHOICE MOVIE ACTOR: MUSIC/DANCE
Zac Efron, High School Musical 3: Senior Year

CHOICE MOVIE: VILLIAN
Cam Gigandet, Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE: FRESH FACE FEMALE
Ashley Greene, Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE: FRESH FACE MALE
Taylor Lautner, Twilight

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE: DRAMA
My Sister’s Keeper

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE: COMEDY
Up

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE: ROMANCE
The Proposal

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE: ACTION ADVENTURE
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE STAR: MALE
Shia LaBeouf, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE STAR: FEMALE
Megan Fox, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

CHOICE MOVIE HISSY FIT
Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana: The Movie

TELEVISION

CHOICE TV SHOW: DRAMA
Gossip Girl

CHOICE TV SHOW: ACTION ADVENTURE
Heroes

CHOICE TV SHOW: COMEDY
Hannah Montana

CHOICE TV: ANIMATED SHOW
SpongeBob SquarePants

CHOICE TV: REALITY
The Hills

CHOICE TV: REALITY MUSIC COMPETITION
American Idol

CHOICE TV ACTOR: DRAMA
Chace Crawford, Gossip Girl

CHOICE TV ACTRESS: DRAMA
Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl

CHOICE TV ACTOR: ACTION ADVENTURE
Tom Welling, Smallville

CHOICE TV ACTRESS: ACTION ADVENTURE
Hayden Panettiere, Heroes

CHOICE TV ACTOR: COMEDY
Jonas Brothers, JONAS

CHOICE TV ACTRESS: COMEDY
Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana

CHOICE TV: PERSONALITY
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol / E! News

CHOICE TV: BREAKOUT SHOW
JONAS

CHOICE TV: BREAKOUT STAR FEMALE
Demi Lovato, Sonny With a Chance

CHOICE TV: BREAKOUT STAR MALE
Frankie Jonas, JONAS

CHOICE TV: MALE REALITY/VARIETY STAR
Adam Lambert, American Idol

CHOICE TV: FEMALE REALITY/VARIETY STAR
Lauren Conrad, The Hills

CHOICE TV: VILLAIN
Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl

CHOICE FAB-U-LOUS!
Miss Jay, America’s Next Top Model

CHOICE TV: SIDEKICK
Emily Osment, Hannah Montana

CHOICE TV: LATE NIGHT SHOW
Chelsea Lately

CHOICE TV: PARENTAL UNIT
Billy Ray Cyrus, Hannah Montana

MUSIC

CHOICE MUSIC: SINGLE
Miley Cyrus, “The Climb”

CHOICE HOOKUP
Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis, “Just Dance”

CHOICE MUSIC: MALE ARTIST
Jason Mraz

CHOICE MUSIC: FEMALE ARTIST
Taylor Swift

CHOICE MUSIC: R&B ARTIST
Beyonce

CHOICE MUSIC: BREAKOUT GROUP
Paramore

CHOICE MUSIC: BREAKOUT ARTIST

CHOICE MUSIC: LOVE SONG
David Archuleta, “Crush”

CHOICE MUSIC: R&B TRACK
Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”

CHOICE MUSIC: RAP/HIP HOP TRACK
The Black Eyed Peas, “Boom Boom Pow”

CHOICE MUSIC: ROCK TRACK
Paramore, “Decore”

CHOICE MUSIC: ALBUM (MALE ARTIST)
Jason Mraz, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

CHOICE MUSIC: ALBUM (FEMALE ARTIST)
Taylor Swift, Fearless

CHOICE MUSIC: ALBUM (GROUP)
Jonas Brothers, Lines, Vines and Trying Times

CHOICE MUSIC: SOUNDTRACK
Twilight

CHOICE MUSIC: TOUR
Demi Lovato / David Archuleta

SPORTS

CHOICE MALE ATHLETE
David Beckham

CHOICE FEMALE ATHLETE
Shawn Johnson

CHOICE ACTION SPORTS MALE
Ryan Sheckler

CHOICE ACTION SPORTS FEMALE
Stephanie Gilmore

OTHER

ULTIMATE CHOICE AWARD
Britney Spears

CHOICE MALE HOTTIE
Robert Pattinson

CHOICE FEMALE HOTTIE
Megan Fox

CHOICE RED CARPET ICON FEMALE
Selena Gomez

CHOICE RED CARPET FASHION ICON MALE
Jonas Brothers

CHOICE WEB STAR
Fred

CHOICE COMEDIAN
George Lopez

CHOICE CELEBRITY ACTIVIST
Hayden Panettiere

CHOICE CELEBRITY PET
Bo Obama

CHOICE VIDEO GAME
Rock Band 2

CHOICE CELEBRITY BABY
Honor Marie Warren

Shaq vs. Serena Williams in tennis?

 ABC  is set to air “Shaq Vs.,” a reality show pitting four times hoops champion Shaquille O’Neal against top athletes in their own sports.

O’Neal, who he’s scheduled to report for NBA training camp Sept. 15 as he joins the Cleveland Cavaliers next season,  began filming this week in Pittsburgh, where he’ll take on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in football. 

Other episodes will pit O’Neal against Michael Phelps in swimming, Oscar De La Hoya in boxing, Albert Pujols in baseball, Serena Williams in tennis and Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh in beach volleyball.

O’Neal says he came up with the idea as a fun way to help train for the NBA season and figured sports fans “would really want to see an athlete play another sport.” He knew most of the athletes and recruited some of them on Twitter. He is hoping to book pal Lance Armstrong for a cycling competition once the Tour de France ends.

Each episode will include preliminary challenges along with some comical “trash talking.”  But  when it comes to competing, there is no joking, O’Neal says.

At the finish is the marquee event, usually on the athlete’s home turf, but there’s no cash prize: “Bragging rights are always better than any monetary prize,” O’Neal says

Set your DVRs. The series is set to premiere Aug. 18 and will air Tuesdays at 9 ET/PT.

Sounds like….girl power

Oxygen is breaking into song this summer, launching a new music initiative designed to introduce the network’s girl-power demo to a roster of emerging artists.

On Wednesday, July 15, the net flipped the switch on “Sounds Like Oxygen,” a multiplatform campaign featuring on-air vignettes and a standalone microsite. Among the first group of musicians profiled are: Atlantic Records recording artist Laura Izibor, Danish alternative duo The Asteroids Galaxy Tour and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Caitlin Crosby.

“Music is integral to our audiences’ life,” said Jason Klarman, Oxygen’s general manager, by way of announcing the initiative. “Delivering a curated music experience that allows them to discover new artists fits perfectly with our strategy to reimagine Oxygen as a multiplatform lifestyle brand.”

The 30-second on-air plugs offer a glimpse at each artist’s current videos––Izibor sings snippets of her single “From My Heart to Yours,” while Crosby bops along to her song “Still Have My Heart”––before directing Oxygen viewers to the microsite.

The Sounds Like Oxygen site features full-length music videos, as well as photo galleries, biographical material and interactive quizzes. Each month, a new batch of artists will be added to the mix.

“Oxygen has developed a really creative and unique place to hear about other new artists,” said Crosby. “As a musician, it’s so cool to be a part of this project and have exposure to the network’s audience.”

Crosby is a particularly apt pick for the Sounds Like Oxygen roster, as her work confronts many of the body-image/self-esteem issues that plague young women. (Among the tracks on her debut record Flawz are “Imperfect is the New Perfect” and “Don’t Play Me Hollow.”)

Let us know what you think!

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