Coming June 13: A Talking Head Appearance On ABC-TV's '20/20'

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by an ABC-TV producer named Sunny(!) for the network's long-running news show "20/20." She had eyed me in a segment on lip-syncing for Moscow-based news channel RT's "The Truthseeker," which I interviewed for in November 2013, via Skype. After a lengthy pre-interview

(so that Sunny could vet if I knew what the hell I was talking about), she returned to me several days later to invite me to appear as a talking head on the show. However, there was a caveat: Where can we do this?
She asked if I might be willing to fly to New York or Los Angeles to film the interview. Ironic, eh? As much as I wanted to be included in the show, I fussed that with contractors in my home pretty much every day—and doggies to find care for—it would be difficult. "Could you possibly send a crew to my home in Norfolk, Va.?"

After a couple weeks of back and forth, the good news came: ABC was willing to fly down the segment's producer, Joe Rhee, and have a camera/lighting crew drive down from D.C. Score!

On Tuesday, May 27, all arrived at 11 a.m., scoped out the house and decided to film in the living room, using the grand piano as a backdrop. The interview lasted a good hour... and I enjoyed immensely. Hopefully, I delivered a couple money quotes that will actually appear in the episode. The show's overall theme is "faking it," including a segment on job candidates that lie on their resumes. The finale is supposed to be the lip-syncing topic.

Tentative air date is Friday, June 13. ABC-TV's "20/20" at 10 p.m. Below is the RT "Truthseekers" news segment I appeared on in November. The show has a global audience of 630 million viewers. (I appear around the 8-minute mark.)

Happy Birthday Celine Dion: Juno Awards 3/30, Muppets, 'Incredible'

Given the ghastly results of the 2014 Grammy Awards (one word: Lordes), it's inspiring to see Canada get it right. The 2014 Juno Awards

nominees include four nods for Celine Dion—including the big guys, Album & Artist of the Year for "Loved Me Back To Life."

In all, Celine garnered nods for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Fan Favorite and AC Album of the Year. Unfortunately, she was not nominated in the Aboriginal Album of the Year category. Sigh...

Leading the nominees are Arcade Fire (6), Serena Ryder (5), Michael Bublé (5), Drake (4), Celine (4), Hedley (4) and Tegan & Sara (4). The awards show will stream live via junoawards.ca, beginning at 7 p.m., with the show airing in Canada at 9 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, March 30—which happens to be Celine's birthday.

Meanwhile, “Incredible,” Celine's phenomenal duet with Ne-Yo—chosen as the second single from LMBTL in North America and Italy—was nominated as "World’s Best Song" at the World Music Awards, and chosen by NBC as an official anthem of Sochi 2014 Winter games. Meanwhile, we are still awaiting the release of the music video, which was lensed two months ago. I must say, Sony has not only dropped the ball on this project, but lost it...

And of course, there's Celine's inclusion in the just-released "Muppets Most Wanted," in which she duets with Miss Piggy. That looks awfully hilarious, indeed. *

Celine Dion Demonstrates Her Might On 'The Voice' Finale

"Incredible" isn't just the name of Celine Dion's fabu duet with Ne-Yo... It also describes to a "T" her performance on NBC's live finale of "The Voice" last week. She also performed a sky-scraping scat-packed rendition of classic "Love Can Move Mountains" with newly crowned winner Tessanne Chin. See the performances here and here!

In addition, on December 18, Celine hosted the 15th annual "A Home For The Holidays" special, performing tracks from new album "Loved Me Back To Life," alongside Ne-Yo and Chris Young.

The album LMBTL is now four times Platinum in Canada, two times Platinum in France, two times Gold in the U.K., and Gold in Belgium, Hungary, Poland and South Africa, selling (a comparatively humble) 1.3 million copies worldwide. Following its early

November release, "Loved Me Back To Life" soared to No. 1 on iTunes in 44 countries.

In Canada, the disc has remained a Top 10 hit since its release—selling 105,000 copies in its first week, making it the highest sales chart debut in the country since 2008. In the U.K., the album has also remained lodged in the Top 10 since its release.

To support the release, Queen Celine has blanketed TV, including U.S. appearances on "Today," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "The View," "CBS This Morning," "Ellen," QVC and "The Dr. Oz Show" (yep, I've seen every one of them) and in the U.K., on "Strictly Come Dancing" and "The X Factor." And, of course, she continues her sell-out show in Las Vegas at Caesar's Palace. Bravo, girl!

P.S. No wedding ring on "The Voice." Starting to get anxious about the continuing reports that her marriage with Rene Angelil is troubled. Uh oh. *

Celine Dion's 'Loved Me Back To Life' Strikes Gold In U.K./New Single Is...

Celine Dion's 'Loved Me Back To Life' has been certified gold in the U.K., only three weeks after its November 5 release. The album is still riding high in the Top 10 Official Album Charts, while on the Billboard 200 in the U.S.—ouch—it has fallen to No. 26 after debuting at No. 2.

EXCELLENT CHOICE! Potent powerhouse 'Breakaway' has been announced as the second single in the U.K., a vocal tour de force and absolutely among the best tracks on "LMBTL" which there, is Celine's highest-charting album in a decade, debuting at No. 3 on the Official Albums Chart. "Breakaway" has already earned kudos as BBC Radio 2's "Record Of The Week," following the success of the title track "Loved Me Back To Life," also a BBC "Record Of The Week" and A Listed at Radio 2.

Meanwhile, here in the States, radio airplay of Celine's "Loved Me Back To Life" and second single "Somebody Loves Somebody" have barely registered... It appears that corporate radio still rules the roost here... pitiful.

Celine will perform "Breakaway" on "Strictly Come Dancing" in the U.K., on December 15. In addition, she is hosting and performing on "A Home for the Holidays," co-starring Ne-Yo, Chris Young and others, an hour special spotlighting adoption. It airs on CBS at 8 p.m. December 18.

And coming this spring: Celine makes a cameo in the new Muppets movie, "Muppets Most Wanted," in theatres March 21, 2014. Below, she continues to heavily promote the new disc with more magazine cover interviews. Go, girl! *

Song Of The Week: 'Say Something' From A Great Big World

It's not often that I hear a song on the radio that actually makes the world come to a complete halt for 4 minutes. Today I was listening to Fresh 102.7 New York and the station played a tune that was so haltingly beautiful, so affecting, so simple and universal, that I ran for my iPhone to track it with Songza.

New U.S. duo A Great Big World previously released a song that found its way onto TV's "Glee," from their launch album "Is There Anybody Out There?"—but when Christina Aguilera heard and fell in love with the song, it was re-recorded with her adding background vocals and found critical mass.

The piano-driven ballad oozes heartache over a breakup, as Lover 1 implores Lover 2 to say something... anything... that might save the relationship.

Indie release "Say Something" was first heard on "So You Think You Can Dance," as a dance number between competitors on the "reality" show. When Xtina performed with A Great Big World on "The Voice," it hit No. 1 on iTunes and Billboard's Digital Chart, and ultimately, the top 10 in Canada and top 20 in the U.S.

Wowsah, it's not often that I hear much on radio anymore that fuels me to head to YouTube and explore a new song. This one... is so special. *

Joe Manganiello Releases Porn, Uh, Exercise Manual 'Evolution' December 3

Longtime Smoking Nun fave Joe Manganiello is finally cashing in on that hot bod. The 36-year-old actor’s new book Evolution: The Cutting Edge Guide to Breaking Down Mental Walls and Building the Body You’ve Always Wanted (subtitle: I'm So Damn Hot!) will smack shelves December 3. Merry Christmas, indeed!

RT Moscow's "Truthseeker": See My Appearance On Russian TV!

A couple weeks ago I filmed an interview for Russian TV's "Truthseeker" series. First time I have ever used Skype for an interview—how cool! Not as cool... the fact that I kept on my reading glasses for the shoot. Yikes, almighty! I come in just after the eight-minute mark. Enjoy!

Will Sheena Easton Be Performing At The 2013 Oscars?

The upcoming 85th annual Oscar Awards ceremony is featuring a tribute to James Bond. It's a shoe-in that Adele will perform "Skyfall," but how about Sheena Easton, whose 1981 "For Your Eyes Only" was nominated for the award?

In 1982, Eon Productions co-founder Albert R. Broccoli received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, given to producers for their body of work. There was a "Moonraker"-themed Bond dance number presented as Sheena  sang "For Your Eyes Only." Other nominated Bond songs: Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die" and Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better."

Historically, The Academy has rarely considered the Bond movies award-worthy. Only “Goldfinger” (1964) and “Thunderball” (1965), have won trophies (for, uh, Sound Effects and Visual Effects).... Oh, how I hope! *

Idol Perfect: What A Way To Celebrate The New Year

Dear friend Fredly Bronson returned to NYC once again as the writer for ABC-TV's "New Year's Eve With Ryan Seabreast," and tonight brought together a fab posse of his pals for dinner at NYC's iconic Sardi's... including "American Idol" finalists Diana DeGarmo and her fiance Ace Young, and my beloved Kimberley Locke. Can you imagine a more festive way to usher in 2013? *

Have A Bewitching Christmas!

Another Sizzling Promo For 'Smash' Season 2!

Another new promo for "Smash," Season 2! Ooh la la! This is looking better and better! *

William Levy Signs On To Star In 'La Tempestad' Telenovela

William Levy has signed to star in a new telenovela, "La Tempestad," which will begin filming in February 2013, airing on Televisa. The show will film in Mexico under director Salvador Mejía.

This is the third project the two have worked on together. Levy will play Captain Fabre.

During a press conference in Mexico City announcing the series, Will also said he may be appearing in a four-week run on Broadway in "Chicago." Can you imagine Levy being in New York for an extended time? I'd be camping by the stage door every night. Oh, good god googmooga, the possibilities!!! *

The Return Of Golden Globe-Nominated 'Smash'!

It's been a long time coming, but at last, the second season of NBC's musical series "Smash!" is at last on the way... February 5, 2013 is the launch date, with new cast members Jennifer Hudson and Broadway veteran cuties Andy Mientus & Jeremy Jordan—and complete retooling from "Gossip Girl" executive producer Joshua Safran...

There's irony there, considering that both "Smash" and "GG" regularly film in my Brooklyn Heights nabe.

The show earned a Golden Globe nod in the oddball category of "Best Musical or Comedy," and brings back Megan Hilty, Anjelica Huston, Jack Davenport, Debra Messing, Christian Borle and Katharine McPhee.

Safron tells Entertainment Weekly, "As a viewer, I really loved the show. It's literally just reaching in and moving the tiny pieces that weren't connecting, the gears that weren't fully aligned. If you loved Smash last year, you are not seeing a radically different show. And that was important to me."

Indeed, getting rid of some of the peripheral characters and zzzzz side plots should frame "Smash" for the breakout status it deserves; look at how new musical series "Nashville" has flourished out of the gate: by sticking to a core story.

E! News also reports, "The first 10 minutes of the show’s second season make it clear what is going on with a number of characters... Thankfully, we’ll have the answers to all of your questions in a month and a half, and the show will transition from being something that is a little bit silly into a fantastic portrayal of the world of Broadway." *

VH1 Divas Beefs Up Line-Up (Ever So Slightly)

The upcoming VH1 Divas Live concert, which airs from Los Angeles Sunday, December 16, "boasts" a line-up that is really, truly, honest-to-fuck a sham to the proud term diva, cool cats.

With a line-up comprising Ciara, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, I can only imagine that such past headliners as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and Tina Turner are giggling into their bedpans.

Thankfully, true divas Jordin Sparks and Kelly Rowland are also part of the cast, to save the day, alongside divo host Adam Lambert.

Apparently, VH1 recognized that its roster was as lame as a flaccid winkie, because now the list has grown slightly more robust. Added to the ticket: Kelly Clarkson and Natasha Bedingfield.

That's the good news... Also added are a bunch of no-names: Melanie Fiona, Metric and Havana Brown. And just to stir the pot with a guaranteed tune-out: Pitbull!?! God, this is actually getting worse by the moment.

And appearing as presenters: La La Anthony, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Stacey Kiebler, Kelly Osbourne, NeNe Leakes, Brandy, Keri Hilson, Bootsy Collins, Ledisi and Iggy Azalea.

Thanks to Homorazzi for the update!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from The Smoking Nun. Hope you ate enough to down a horse! *

Celine Dion Pays Tribute To Whitney: 'The Greatest Love Of All'

Watching Celine Dion sing Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All" on Friday's We Will Always Love You tribute telecast on CBS was a complete sensory overload, cool cats. Before she performed, Celine sang a bit of "Saving All My Love for You" a capella. I was slayed right there.

Before launching into "Greatest Love," she offered, "I can't sing it like you, Whitney, but if I may, in celebration of everything you did for me and so many other artists by setting the bar so high, I'd like to sing one of my truly favorite Whitney songs..."

What was particularly surprising to me is that, with Celine now 44 years old, I am beginning to hear tonal differences in her voice. As is typical with most female singers, age brings a deeper richness to the low notes... Listen carefully as she sings the verse line "and if by chance that special place/that you've been dreaming of..." (at the 3:40 mark). So rich, with a new timbre that could only come with the maturing of her vocal talents.

Unfortunately, the other side of vocal maturation is that it can be dangerous for a singer—like Celine—renowned for scorching the clouds with high notes. My other fave vocalist Sheena Easton, whose soprano was always quite high, in fact, lost much of her upper range as she approached 50. God bless her, Sheena has had to reinterpret many of her hits when she performs live... For example, imagine the peak of "We've Got Tonight" where she sings, "Still here we are..." In other cases, she has dropped an octave to avoid the "screechy" effect...

For now, Celine has the best of both worlds. As she sings the peak notes (at 3:12), her voice remains masterful and signature-ready, thank god... (awesome little grunt at 2:35!)

In other Celine news: The Best of David Foster and Celine Dion has been released as an import collection. Good stuff. Hard to fathom that the pair has collaborated on as many as 17 songs...

And of course, Celine's French-language album Sans Attendre ("Without Waiting") was released November 2—her first Frenchie album in five years—and promptly debuted at No. 1 in Canada, France and Belgium. I'm still absorbing what appears to be a very restrained collection. Stand by for a review!

Meanwhile, the CBS special is being released on DVD December 18, just in time for holiday gift-giving! *
More screen shots from Celine below!!!