Cameron Diaz Says Playing Crappy 'Bad Teacher' Was Refreshing

Actress jokes to MTV News that her gold-digging character has absolutely 'no redeeming qualities.'
By Eric Ditzian


Cameron Diaz in "Bad Teacher"
Photo: Gemma LaMana

It's almost a Hollywood storytelling imperative: Make your main character likeable. Even if he or she starts off as the most loathsome of humans, be sure by the time the credits roll that your protagonist learns a lesson and reveals a more attractive personality.

Not so in "Bad Teacher," the June 24 comedy in which Cameron Diaz's couldn't-give-a-hoot educator — she routinely sleeps through class and lights up a joint afterward — remains largely unchanged. And it was the character's essentially static arc, Diaz told us recently, that attracted her to the movie, even if she initially thought she wanted nothing to do with it.

"The first 30 pages, I'm like, 'I am not playing this. There is no way I can play this character. There [are] no redeeming qualities to this character,' " she recalled of the script. "And by the end of it, I'm like, 'Oh my god, this is genius! There's no redeeming qualities to this character!' We got to the end of the script and we're not apologizing for anything she said. It's a very modest arc."

See, the teacher she plays, Elizabeth Halsey, begins the film with one goal in life: to put her bank account above love and marry a dude she honestly has no respect for but who can buy her a slick sports car without blinking an eye. Quickly, though, the guy ditches her, and she sets her mind to roping in a new rich boy, a substitute teacher played by Justin Timberlake.

A hefty heap of pot, some unscrupulous test-taking techniques and a whole lot of other bad behavior later, Halsey's plans pan out in a very unexpected manner. But by film's end, one thing remains hilariously the same: She's still kind of a crappy teacher.

"It's amazing that it exists in this movie because it is so rare," Diaz laughed. "I'm thrilled because it is so refreshing."

Check out everything we've got on "Bad Teacher."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666191/cameron-diaz-bad-teacher.jhtml

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Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash Light Up Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show

Foursome is joined by special guests and tons of lights for smash-hit medley.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Black Eyed Peas perform during the Super Bowl XLV halftime show
Photo: Getty Images

The Black Eyed Peas promised a party at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (February 6), and the pop supernovas definitely delivered, with a performance teeming with lights, dancers and surprise appearances from celebrity pals.

Following a Chatter.com commercial that showed animated versions of the Peas showing off their social-media skills, the group kicked things off with their 2009 smash "I Gotta Feeling," descending from the ceiling on illuminated platforms onto a stage surrounded by a cluster of dancers clad in white bodysuits. The foursome led the team of fist-pumping troops in "Tron"-like getups, with Taboo sporting an outfit covered in flashing lights, will.i.am rocking a shiny hairpiece, Apl.de.ap wearing huge bright studs and Fergie vamping it up in bling-laden shoulder pads.

When the speaker-busting bass of "Boom Boom Pow" dropped, the dancers dispersed across the field to create arrow-shaped formations as the glow-in-the-dark lights on their suits illuminated the stadium. Then rumored surprise guest Slash of Guns N' Roses rose from below the stage for a "Sweet Child O' Mine" duet with Fergie. The GNR great rocked a finger-searing solo in a studded version of his signature black top hat as more angular platforms and dancers moved across the gridiron. The platforms were bearing scores of marching-band musicians who blasted their horns and pounded away on their drums as the Peas went into "Pump It" and blue lights splashed across the production.

Quick streams of fog heralded the arrival of the Peas' second surprise guest, Usher, who swooped in on a long chain to bust out his will.i.am-assisted joint "OMG." Rocking a sparkly collar on an otherwise all-white ensemble, the R&B hitmaker cranked out several counts of energetic choreography, enlivening moves from his "OMG" video and at one point jumping over Will and landing in a split.

A spray of pyro ushered in the collective's breakout 2003 hit "Where Is the Love?" as the oddly shaped platforms spelled out the word "Love" in bright-red letters. The team of dancers, which appeared to have multiplied to over 100, formed hearts across the field as will updated the lyrics of the smash with lines like, "Obama, let's get these educated."

Then the group jumped ahead to their most recent single, 2010's "The Time (Dirty Bit)," as several back up hoofers rocking cubed helmets joined the Peas onstage and dancers lined up along the gridiron to simultaneously bust out the Running Man, a move which drew cheers from the crowd.

The platinum-selling Peas wrapped up the performance with a reprise of "I Gotta Feeling," as the quartet triumphantly signed off amid of blitz of fog, firepower and flashing lights.

Ripping the halftime show was clearly a touching moment for will, who tweeted beforehand, "Me and apl started the peas when we were 16 yesterday we were dreamin now were livin it. Wow. I'm not crying out of sadness or nervousness its joy and pride and memories and the journey."

And once the crew left the stage, the frontman was not only proud, but pumped. "That was so freakin sick," he wrote. "Wow...!!!"

What did you think of the Black Eyed Peas' Super Bowl performance? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657356/black-eyed-peas-usher-slash-super-bowl.jhtml

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Bam Margera Takes Offense To Roger Ebert?s ?Jackass? Comment About Ryan Dunn?s Death

Yesterday morning we learned the sad news that Jackass star Ryan Dunn and a passenger were killed in an early morning car accident in Pennsylvania. The last photos of Dunn, posted himself online, showed him partying with friends at a bar while drinking alcohol just hours before the accident. As a result, film critic Roger [...]

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'Green Lantern' Stars: Don't Try Superhero Fashion At Home!

At the movie's Hollywood premiere, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and others weigh in on when it's cool to wear spandex.
By Kara Warner


Ryan Reynolds at the "Green Lantern" premiere
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD — No matter how different the characters, costumes and mythology, there are a lot of similarities among comic book superheroes, especially those of the big-screen variety. The latest entry into the comic book movie annals is this week's "Green Lantern," in which star Ryan Reynolds sports a fashion commonly associated with superhero types: spandex.

Well, his co-star Blake Lively insists the Green Lantern isn't wearing a suit of spandex, but rather a suit of "energy." Still, given the fact that these characters seem so comfortable sporting outfits of the stretchy, pliant variety, we asked the stars and attendees at Wednesday's "Green Lantern" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre when they think it's cool for dudes to wear spandex — outside the superhero realm, of course.

"Ooh wow, that's good," Ryan Reynolds said of our query. "Ballet. Definitely ballet. That's in the top five at least."

Mark Strong, who plays the soon-to-be-evil Sinestro, suggested that the appropriate time is "on a bicycle. And that's about it."

"I wear spandex every day," revealed NBA All-Star Blake Griffin. "So I'd say 24/7. I have red, white, blue, green, orange, purple, navy, pink," he joked, before correcting himself. "I just wear white and black under my basketball shorts. I don't really go that far."

Reynolds had a definite idea of when not to wear the fabric: "I don't think when it's sexy time. That's probably not a good idea."

Maybe it depends on what color you wear for said sexy time?

"[Maybe] lavender, with little gold flecks?" Reynolds allowed, with a smile.

"If people could walk around in suits of energy, that would be cool," Blake Lively said, taking our question seriously. "Other than that, I don't think men should wear spandex."

Check out everything we've got on "Green Lantern."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1665869/green-lantern-premiere.jhtml

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Justin Bieber, Eminem Dominate Billboard Music Awards

Teen superstar and rapper each won six trophies at Sunday night's show.
By Gil Kaufman


Justin Bieber at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

Justin Bieber tied with Eminem as the top winner at Sunday night's Billboard Music Awards with six trophies. But it was his embrace of reported sweetie Selena Gomez that set the Internet on fire after a night that saw splashy performances from Rihanna, an upside-down Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha, Mary J. Blige with Lil Wayne, Taio Cruz, the Black Eyed Peas and Pitbull.

Bieber's awards included trophies for Top New Artist, Top Social Artist, Top Streaming Artist, Top Digital Media Artist, Top Pop Album and Top Streaming Song at his first-ever trip to the show. Meanwhile, veteran Eminem (who was not in Las Vegas for the show) nabbed Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Song and Top Rap Album for his smash comeback, Recovery.

Six artists were just behind with three wins each, including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Usher, Mumford & Sons and Cruz. Though Bieber and Gomez have kept their relationship under wraps for months, the "Baby" singer kissed and hugged Gomez before taking the stage to accept an award.

The show featured a number of performances, two of which included surprise appearances from a lip-synching Britney Spears. The pop diva literally popped up out of the floor to join Rihanna for "S&M," writhing on a stripper pole while brandishing a pair of diamond handcuffs. The two finished things off with a pillow fight and a kiss. She also topped off a performance of Minaj's "Super Bass" with a bit of her own "Till the World Ends."

Weezy teamed up with Blige for the remix of "Someone to Love Me (Naked)." Green wore a sparkly outer-space outfit while playing piano and singing a medley of his hits ("Crazy," "Bright Lights Bigger City" and "Forget You"); he levitated over the stage and pounded the keys of his silver piano while hanging upside down at one point.

But perhaps the biggest moment of the night was when Beyoncé was presented with the prestigious Billboard Millennium Award, which was preceded by a video honoring her with testimonials from First Lady Michelle Obama, Bono, Lady Gaga, Bey's parents and sister Solange, Stevie Wonder, The-Dream and Barbra Streisand.

She accepted the award after an eye-popping performance of her new single, "Run the World (Girls)," which was highlighted by a breathtaking digital background featuring a shifting array of effects that produced a legion of virtual backup dancers and CGI-like movie effects.

Out of breath from her performance, Beyoncé thanked her mother and father for teaching her about hard work, as well as former Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, past DC members and, in a break with their usual low-key nature, husband Jay-Z.

"I'd also like to thank my best friend, and I don't want to put you on the spot because I know they're probably putting a camera in your face right now, but I love me some Jay-Z," she said with a smile.

A number of artists also took home two awards apiece, including Katy Perry, Shakira and Train.

Complete List of Winners:

Top Artist: Eminem
Top New Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Male Artist: Eminem
Top Female Artist: Rihanna
Top Duo/Group: The Black Eyed Peas
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist: Katy Perry
Top Digital Songs Artist: Katy Perry
Top Radio Songs Artist: Rihanna
Top Touring Artist: U2
Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Streaming Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Digital Media Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Pop Artist: Lady Gaga
Top R&B Artist: Usher
Top Rap Artist: Eminem
Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Rock Artist: Train
Top Alternative Artist: Mumford & Sons
Top Latin Artist: Shakira
Top Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady Gaga
Millennium Award: Beyoncé
Touring Award: U2
Icon Award: Neil Diamond
Top Billboard 200 Album: Eminem, Recovery
Top Pop Album: Justin Bieber, My World 2.0,, Katy Perry, Teenage Dream
Top R&B Album: Usher, Raymond v. Raymond
Top Rap Album: Eminem, Recovery Top Country Album: Taylor Swift, Speak Now
Top Rock Album: Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More
Top Alternative Album: Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More
Top Latin Album: Enrique Iglesias, Euphoria
Top Dance/Electronic Album: Lady Gaga, The Fame
Top Christian Album: Skillet, Awake
Top Hot 100 Song: Taio Cruz, "Dynamite"
Top Digital Song: Taio Cruz, "Dynamite"
Top Radio Song: Bruno Mars, "Just the Way You Are"
Top Streaming Song (Audio): Nelly, "Just a Dream"
Top Streaming Song (Video): Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris, "Baby"
Top Pop Song: Taio Cruz, "Dynamite"
Top R&B Song: Usher featuring will.i.am, "OMG"
Top Rap Song: Eminem featuring Rihanna, "Love the Way You Lie"
Top Country Song: Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now"
Top Rock Song: Train, "Hey, Soul Sister"
Top Alternative Song: Neon Trees, "Animal"
Top Latin Song: Shakira featuring Freshlyground, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)"

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664389/billboard-music-awards-winners-justin-bieber.jhtml

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