A Star Is Born: Meet Brenton Thwaites From 'Blue Lagoon' Remake

I'm not convinced that Blue Lagoon, the 1980 film starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins (where he teaches himself to yank on his winkie, in a career-defining scene) ever needed to be remade, but if there's a net to handle it, why not Lifetime, the ultimate in cheese whiz flicks.

This Saturday, June 16, the channel premieres Blue Lagoon: The Awakening, starring precious Aussie newcomer Brenton Thwaites as the dude and Indiana Evans as the gal. Denise Richards plays her mamer, while (a weathered) Chris Atkins makes a cameo. (I sure hope he'll sing a chorus or two of his almost-hit "How Can I Live Without You" from The Pirate Movie.

Unlike the original, where Brooke and Chris are little tykes when they are shipwrecked on a deserted isle, Emma and Dean are high school students on a class trip to Trinidad. They don't like each other a bit. Blah blah and they end up on the island all alone. Eventually they learn to like each other... a lot. Scenes from filming and publicity shots reveal that a star is born: Thwaites has the goods to be a new-generation teen idol, for sure.

Next up, he's hitting the big time, playing the Young Prince in 2014 film Maleficient, starring Angelina Jolie. The Blue Lagoon trailer is right 'chere for your convenience, cool cats. *

The Future Of The Music Business @ New York's 'New Music Seminar'

As I've mentioned previously, cool cats, the past six weeks have been consumed with a wondrous freelance project for the 2012 New Music Seminar, as editor of its 150-page Guidebook. Deadline met! The convention takes place this coming Sunday, June 17 through Tuesday, June 19, and I hope to live blog from the premises... or at least offer reports of the goings on throughout its duration. I will also be filing regular reports with RadioInfo.com.

The NMS is truly the gold standard of the new music industry, with more than 160 speakers addressing the future of the biz, including Pandora, Spotify, SoundExchange, Clear Channel's iHeartRadio, YouTube and so many more; as well as Grammy winners Wyclef Jean, Desmond Child, Bob Ludwig, Peter Asher, Ron Fair, Andy Wallace and Rico Love.

This is the one music industry convention where you're not going to be hearing the same old woe-is-me tales from dusty veterans that continue to focus on age-old platforms in an effort to appeal to millennial music fans. Forget about suing those dastardly individuals who dare to swipe songs online. How can forward-thinking companies inspire consumers to spend their hard-earned $$ on quality music that is readily available—and ultimately monetize those players that have an eye (and ear) on the digital future?

The NMS is commandeered by its co-founder & president Tom Silverman, who is also founder & chairman of Tommy Boy; and executive director Dave Lory (right), who have spent decades in the label and artist management sides of the biz... celebrating its heyday and then witnessing the standard model collapse. Their focus for NMS is clearly focused on tomorrow. Tom's mandate for the 2012 gathering: "Appetite for Disruption." Hear that, Clive?

Stand by as The Smoking Nun regains its mojo after several weeks of admittedly slim pickings. We're back in full force, with a rejuvenated focus on radio, music, artists and the industry that fueled my years at Billboard.

Admittedly, these past couple months have taken a slight toll, as I've been holed away in near total isolation, between duties for RadioInfo.com, the Brooklyn Heights Blog and NMS. But I'd say the changes are ever so slight, right? See you soon... and much more often (again), cool cats. Thanks for standing by. *

Celine Dion Covers Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep'!

As Celine Dion returned to Las Vegas for the latest leg of her Casear's Palace residency, she added new material, including this killer version of Adele's "Rolling In the Deep." Man, does she nail the soulful signature of this indelible song.

My god, even the perpetually snarky Gawker.com has nuttin' but nice to say: "What I love about this is how well someone who is widely considered to be the antithesis of cool can slide back in and completely own something as culturally approved as the contemporary standard that is 'Rolling in the Deep'."

In addition, EW, which typically loathes anything without an overt hip factor, is also offering kudos: "Covering Adele: Just another reason Celine Dion is amazing. I’m shocked this cover took so long to happen. The two women’s vocals are so similar, and many of Adele’s tracks would feel right at home on Let’s Talk About Love or Falling Into You. I especially love the darker tone Dion adds to the chorus."

Jesus, when the hell did the rest of the world finally realize that Celine Dion is among the finest singers of our generation? Man, when I reviewed her at Billboard all through the 1990s, I always felt like I stood solitary in recognizing her as the most emotive, sincere vocalist of the era... while every other critic was ripping her to shreds. Nice that a decade later, uh, I was right all along. Better listen quick: This will likely be removed from YouTube any minute! *

Quite Possibly The Most Precious Image I've Seen... Betty & Barrack

Words don't express how endearing this is. So who needs 'em? Precious: Betty & Barrack. *

Quite Possibly The Most Horrendous Image I've Seen... Millions Protest!

There are soooooooo many things wrong here. So many. So. many. Where to begin? Justin Bieber showing any signs of sexuality. Ew. Ewwww! Worse: His lips are touching the face of pop music's biggest skank. Oh, I hope lil' Biebs washed out his mouth thoroughly with lye soap. Third: Nicki Minaj. That's it. Gross-out. Period.

And the biggest offense of all: A mother fucking duet between the two least talented pop stars of the generation, which is included on Bieber's upcoming Believe CD. I do believe... that I'm going to have to swallow hard not to barf.

As you can see in the image to the left, millions of citizens around the world have taken to the streets to protest this offensive image: "Yuk!" we're hollering with unified fervor. I'm the one in the green shirt to the left. I really like that shirt. See it, with the plaid collar?

Now here's the clencher, and I am willing to admit defeat: “Beauty and the Beat” is a damn good song. A party anthem with awesome beats and an adhesive chorus... Bieber (although processed beyond recognition) is actually singing like a pop star instead of all that phony R&B "I'm down wit dat" crap" that he learned from Usher... I am 100% serious.

Unfortunately, just when I was starting to have a damn fine time... here comes Nicki's faux squawky squeak, with typical intellectual zest: “Justin Bieber, you know i’mma hit ‘em with the ether, Buns out, weiner, but I gotta keep my eye out for Selen-er." What? Huh? What the fuck are you talking about? If I were Selena Gomez, I'd be running for the hills... Oh, what a world. (Hear the track for yourself here.) *

Sign That Petition To Save ABC's 'Good Christian Bitches'!

While ABC bowed to pressure from grumpy Southern Christian evangelicals who couldn't see the self-effacing irony and laugh-out-loud humor in the genius freshman series Good Christian Bitches, the network's cancellation appears to fly in the face of its enduring popularity.

The first-season DVD for GCB, which was released today, Tuesday June 12, is flying off the shelves at Amazon,  where over the course of a single day, it has jumped from No. 44 among Comedy Series to No. 22. Because it is also categorized as a Drama, its sales are split between the demos: It's No. 39 in the latter slot. So take that, bitches!

Meanwhile, a "Save GCB" petition has generated more than 100,000 signatures. I certainly added my name to it and encourage you do the same: SaveGCB.com. In addition, fans have been encouraged to mail Bibles to ABC President Paul Lee in protest. How fucking clever is that?

GCB starred Leslie Bibb, Kristin Chenoweth and Annie Potts—and a bunch of awfully hot dudes. The adapted-for-television dramedy is based on Kim Gatlin’s novel Good Christian Bitches about catty, Bible-thumping Dallas socialites.

Such viewer-driven protests have worked in the past for shows like Cagney & Lacey, Designing Women, Arrested Development and even Star Trek... where nets pulled the plug either without allowing the series to grow legs or—as in this instance—bowed to pressure from fringe groups that simply didn't like the way characters were portrayed. Power to the people, cool cats!

SaveGCB.com founder Randy Bragdon says, “We hope ABC or other networks like TBS, Lifetime or USA can see there is a loyal and devoted base of fans and viewers want GCB. To date over 103,000 signatures have been acquired: not bad for a show that only aired 10 episodes at 10 p.m. on a Sunday." *

Praise God: Apple Bestows Its MacBook Pro With A Dazzling Update

At last, cool cats... Papa has been hungry for a new laptop computer. My more-or-less trusty MacBook Pro turned three years old in February—which is essentially, in computer years, the age of your toothless, bald-headed granny. While I had my hard drive replaced in December—two months before my blessed three-year Apple warranty expired—my poor overworked laptop now operates about as fast as a crowd of tourists shuffling through Times Square. That little endlessly spinning icon is seemingly part of every app I open. Sigh.

Monday, I was like a kid checking under the pillow for the Tooth Fairy (again, like your granny) to discover what Apple had in store for the MacBook Pro line with its grandiose announcement of upgrades, new products and the usual blah blah bravado. And like most of the tech world, I am practically starry eyed with the news regarding the MacBook Pro's first major overhaul since 2008.

First, the new gen sports a hi-res "retina" display that actually supersedes the iPad... nice and all, but what matters most to me are 1) Intel’s third-generation Core i-series processor, which adds speed and reduces start-up time and 2) its ultrabook-thin body (0.71 inch thick) and reduced weight (4.46 pounds).

Apple has also finally added an HDMI port, allowing plug-in to external monitors and plasma TVs—which, for some reason, they've always forced on consumers as an add-on extension. The idea of working here in my office and doing my daily duty plugged into a meaningfully large screen brings all the advantages of an old-fashioned mega-display desktop to the laptop realm. Bring it on.

The biggest caveat: Apple has done away with the optical disc drive, meaning that users can no longer slip in a CD or DVD to play or record... The company's take is that it slims down the MacBook like its AirBook. My take: Apple arrogance that we've already entered the post-era of needing physical media. Sadly, my 5,000 CD collection begs to disagree (although, yes, most everything I listen to is on iTunes). Still, I am not amused at the notion of having to purchase an external disc drive to record a CD or download pics onto a DVD.

As usual, you pay for what you get. While one can lap up a PC laptop for under $1,000, really, why would you opt for your great-great-Granny's plodding Window's technology in 2012? I've been a Mac user since1995 and would never consider turning back. The new MacBook starts at $2,199, with an amped processor version for $2,799. Yes, please, to the latter. I will willingly sacrifice Five Guys for the next 27 years to load this baby onto my credit card.

Hope to see you soon with a brand new laptop to type all these damn words with joyous post-millennial abandon. If nothing else, it will be a relief to no longer deal with this damn cracked "C" on my computer keypad. And to get that fucking spinning wheel to take a break for a good long time. *

William Levy's 'Venue' Cover Shoot Redux

What the hell do you do when William Levy is the subject of your mag's cover shoot and every single pic is perfection? Every angle, each expression, every pose... Aha, you release the outtakes so that the world at large can swoon, sigh and partake in the beauty of the Sexiest Man Alive. Indeed. These shots by Kike San Martin from Will's 2011 spread for Venue are among his most alluring, bar none. Soak it in, cool cats. (Photos: William Levy World Italia) *

Luscious ST Cover For Jordin Sparks/Whitney Houston's 'Sparkle'

Whitney Houston's final flick Sparkle heads to theaters August 17. Meanwhile, the film soundtrack hits July 31 from RCA. The movie is a remake from 1976 (which starred a pre-Fame Irene Cara), and stars Jordin Sparks as one of three daughters during Detroit's Motown era vying for musical fame, with Whitney playing their single mama.

The 13-song soundtrack includes the (alleged) final recordings from Whit, as well as new songs from Jordin Sparks and—ugh—Cee Lo Green. The first single is a wondrous, life-affirming uptempo duet between Houston and Sparks (produced by R. Kelly), "Celebrate." Listen to the full track here! RCA will also release Houston's take on the gospel classic "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." Hear the track here. The film is directed by Sam O'Steen (The Graduate, High Risk, Kids Don't Tell). *

Wowsah: The Sheena Easton Collage Of My Dreams

Genius! Not one word is necessary... via Sheena's Facebook group here.

Joey Lawrence Shows What Manhood Is All About In Chippendales

Mercy, almighty. Longtime Smoking Nun sex god Joey Lawrence began strutting his buff stuff Friday, June 8, as the special guest host with the Chippendales at the Rio in Las Vegas. His run is through June 24th, for two shows a night, Thursdays through Sundays.

Make sure you give me a call if you need someone to accompany you, cool cats. Read more about what's going on with Joey on his official blog & website here. (Thanks, Randy Report.) *

Webbie Of The Day: The Clever Offerings At Decal Designer 'Blik'

But I can dream, can't I? I just re-discovered a page I ripped out of a home magazine way back in Winter 2008(!) for a company called Blik, and its vinyl decal Grandfather Clock, one of the most clever home accessories I've seen. In fact, now that I have a dime or two in my pocket, I'm seriously considering making the investment... And who'd believe it's still available four years later. Act now, before it's too late, right?

I'm also loving the decal headboards below (despite the fact that that's the last thing I need, thanks to Dear Genevieve).

The entire webbie for the array of home goods at whatisblik.com, in fact, offers so many unique and clever accessories that I've totally redecorated my apartment—in my head. Blik creates removable wall graphics, in lieu of the irritating task of applying wallpaper or worse, painting with decals and multiple colors of paint. They also allow you to create custom coverings. Soooo cool. *

'EW' 'True Blood' Cover Series Features Joe Manganiello

To celebrate the new season of HBO's True Blood, Entertainment Weekly has issued 11 different covers this week featuring fang-tastic photos of the cast—including Joe Manganiello. Bite me, Joe! Joe also donned his "Big Dick Mike" costume from Magic Mike for MTV's Movie Awards telecast on Sunday. Oooooh, la la! *