Wednesday, November 30, 2011

'The Dirty Picture' about rise and fall of 1980s dancing star


New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) Vidya Balan made a gainful start with 'No One Killed Jessica' in 2011 and at the end of the year she is ready to rock the box office with 'The Dirty Picture'. Releasing Friday, the film will see her shedding all inhibitions to breathe life into her character of sex symbol, Silk.
Intense roles are her most characteristic traits that she portrayed in films like 'Paa' and 'No One Killed Jessica', but Vidya has left all that behind to play a sex symbol in director Milan Luthria's 'The Dirty Picture', which will open with 2,000 prints across the globe.
This is for the first time that the 33-year-old will be seen in a dare to bare act in her six-year long career that has encompassed roles of a single mother, a grieving sister and a lover.
'The Dirty Picture' was not an easy choice, says Vidya, adding 'There was a certain amount of mental preparation about being uninhibited and being unapologetic about being uninhibited.'
Vidya has done everything - from wearing garish clothes to showing meat to making provocative dance moves - for the role of Silk, a make-up girl who graduates to be an extra and then the most wanted heroine of the 1980s.
Set in the southern film industry, the film revives the era of 1980s by encompassing the rise and fall of the screen sensation Silk who knew her audiences, and it didn't seem like anything would stop the fiercely ambitious starlet, till it did, in the shape of unrequited love.
To the world, she was the queen of sensuality, but at heart, Silk was just another woman craving true love. Luthria said: 'There is fun in knowing unknown things, exploring a woman's mind, body and spirit in such a way as has never been done before. So, when the idea came to me, I was like why not?'
But all this comes to an unfortunate end when Silk encounters deceit and infidelity.
It is no surprise that the film is coming from Balaji Motion Pictures stable as its head honcho Ekta Kapoor is known for breaking norms and promoting unconventional themes with films like 'Ragini MMS' and 'LSD: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha'.
The small budget movies raked enough moolah for the producer and now 'The Dirty Picture' has generated enough curiosity, courtesy the promos and the song 'Oh la la'.
A lot is riding on the film made at Rs.30 crore - if Vidya has taken a risk by stepping out of her comfort zone, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah too will be seen playing something he has not done before. Tusshar Kapoor and Emraan Hashmi are also cast in important lead roles and the film's performance is expected to play an important role in their career too.

'Hollywood can't afford animation films for kids only'


Panaji, Nov 28 (IANS) Hollywood, despite its burgeoning budgets, can no longer afford to make animation films exclusively for children, says Academy Award winning producer Hugh Welchman.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji, during the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where his latest film 'The Flying Machine' was screened, Welchman Monday also said that the Indian animation hubs should now look to create their own products, rather than churn out work for foreign projects.
'Hollywood can only make animation films for both children and adults now. They cannot make films only for children, because they need to cater to a bigger market of adults too. They cannot leave that segment out,' he said.
He also said that one of the reasons why Disney, one of the most popular animation brand in the world, was struggling in face of competition from Pixar animation studios, was the overwhelming domination of computer graphic (CG) animation.
But times are changing in the animation landscape, according to him.
'The audience for animation is getting more and more diverse. Puppet animation is gaining in popularity and is very lucrative,' he said.
Welchman, who won the Academy Award for his film 'Peter and the Wolf' in 2005, also said that a large part of his latest film 'The Flying Machine' was put in place in a Chennai animation studio and that it was time that Indian animation studios started investing in good scriptwriters.
'They are servicing animations for external studios to make their money, but they need to back their own products. They need to invest in young scriptwriters which is needed here,' he said.

"Twilight" film surpasses $500 million worldwide

Cast members Robert Pattinson (L) and Taylor Lautner pose before the German premiere of the movie "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" in Berlin November 18, 2011.   REUTERS/Thomas Peter
(Reuters) - "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" broke the $500 million mark at worldwide box offices on Monday after its release only 12 days ago, film distributor Summit Entertainment said on Tuesday.
"Breaking Dawn", the fourth installment in the vampire romance franchise based on the "Twilight" novels by Stephanie Meyer, generated has generated $508 million worldwide, of which $223 million came from U.S. box offices, after record ticket sales over the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the success of this film and a franchise that the fans have continued to support over the past several years," Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger, co-chairmen of Summit Entertainment, said in a statement.
The success of "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" comes after the first three films in the "Twilight Saga" series collectively earned more than $1.8 billion at the worldwide box offices.
Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, the fourth film sees young lovers Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen finally unite in marriage and embark on their highly anticipated honeymoon, before their wedded bliss is cut short by an unexpected life-threatening pregnancy.
The second part of the film, which will be the conclusion of the "Twilight Saga," is due for release in 2012.

Bono: Alicia Keys has 'lioness energy'

Bono, left, and Alicia Keys attend the premiere of the Showtime documentary "Keep a Child Alive with Alicia Keys", in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
NEW YORK (AP) — Bono is afraid of Alicia Keys.
While Keys talked about being pregnant and empathetic when filming her documentary about AIDS in Africa, the U2 singer chimed in and said: "She's scary, isn't she? She's scary."
Bono went on to say that Keys has "lioness energy" and that her role as a new mother won't allow her to "let other mothers suffer."
He made the comments at the premiere of "Keep a Child Alive with Alicia Keys," a documentary which followed a visit to South Africa during last year's World Cup with a pregnant Keys and five Americans. It airs on the cable television Showtime channel on Dec. 1, which is World AIDS Day.
Bono said he met Keys when they recorded a cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" — with dozens of other musicians — in 2001.
"I was terrified the moment I met her. I was shaking in my boots," he said. "I was very moved by her singing of course, but what was interesting was the hard questions afterwards, and I think it's those hard questions that she asks that lead her."
Keys started her charity, Keep a Child Alive, in 2003. It assists those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
She says she hopes the film reaches out to those who want to help, but can't make it to Africa.
"Even if you never have been able to travel there, or if you never can, that doesn't mean you can't travel with us and really see it for yourself," she said.
Bono says Keys has what it takes to make a difference in Africa, and around the world.
"Everyone's got heart, but actually you have to have the head for this," he said. "You have to be tough and strategic, you have to be demanding, (and) the money has to be spent well." If the money isn't spent well, he said, people get annoyed, "and so all these things take a certain intellectual rigor."
Keys has composed music for the Broadway play "Stick Fly," which debuts next week. When Bono — who along with the Edge wrote the music for "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark" — was asked what advice he could give Keys, he said: "You know, it's an amazing American tradition, Broadway, and she can do anything she wants."

Glee: Santana's Coming Out and 8 Other Things We're Grateful for in "I Kissed a Girl"


Naya Rivera, Dianna Agron | Photo Credits: Frank Micelotta/FOX, Adam Rose/FOX
And that's how you come out in Lima Heights Adjacent. It wasn't until Finn brought out her competitive edge (hello, sectionals!) that Santana considered re-entering Mr. Schue's choir room and letting her friends help her out of the closet. And even then, she didn't get any warm fuzzies after being serenaded with Kurt and Blaine's cutesy performance of Pink's equally earnest "F---in' Perfect" because being gay doesn't mean she's going soft.
Instead, after Finn created a safe haven for her to the sounds of the more appropriate "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Santana paraded proudly down the halls of McKinley, ladies in tow, to the no-shame anthem "I Kissed a Girl." Abuela hasn't come around yet, because not everyone can be Burt Hummell, but it was so nice to see her show Brittany some affection outside of Breadsticks.
Because we so enjoyed this week's Glee — and because we're still in the Thanksgiving spirit as we polish off Turkey Day leftovers — eight other things we're super thankful for in no particular order (Psycho Quinn, you are not one of them):
1. Both elections are over. Sue's congressional campaign only stuffed her futher down the rabbit hole of insanity — Sue's best at McKinley dealing with McKinley-sized enemies. As for the student body election... at least we got Brittany's "Run the World (Girls)" out of it. Wonder how much of Brittany's new pro-sugar, anti-tornado policies we'll see enacted at McKinley.
2. Coach Bieste's singing debut with "Jolene" (because we don't acknowledge "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," and neither should you). The song was a great choice for those deep vocals, and dammit, didn't it just break your heart? We would never have picked Bieste and Sue for a love triangle, but it works brilliantly as Bieste continues to embrace her uniqueness and Sue finds something besides New Directions to obsess over.
3. We'll always have Mr. Schue's facial expressions. He's been given a great big nothing to do so far, unless you count inviting Emma's ginger supremacist parents over and then singing her off the ledge after, and whatever it was that he did as Burt's "campaign manager." But at least we still get some priceless reaction shots. Watching him rock out to Puck's "I'm the Only One" in that cheesy way only Mr. Schue can was still gold.
4. Shelby and Santana. k.d. Lang's "Constant Craving." The end. We're still not sure what to feel watching Shelby hook up with Puck, besides slightly mortified. But listening to Shelby sing about it in the most perfect closing song possible for this episode? Yes, please. Bonus points for a nice (but brief) cameo from Kurt, now struggling to find his place after losing the election and watching his father win.
5. Rachel won't compete in Sectionals. Hold on! Here's why: Every year there has to be something to make Sectionals difficult for New Directions (the lack of Mr. Schue, Kurt joining the Warblers). This year we've got The Troubletones vs. a Rachel-less New Directions. That's interesting.
6. Every single song in the episode. That said, we're calling for a moratorium on Katy Perry. (Unless Artie gets to do the Kayne West rap on "E.T.")
7. Finn's back and better than ever. Just us or does he actually have the best stuff this season? It was no fun going several episodes without hearing a solo, but now we've got an entertaining bromance between Finn and Rory, dashed college dreams, potential heartbreak with New York-bound Rachel, growing animosity for golden boy Blaine, and tonight, the earnest way he reached out to Santana.
8. The slam on Blaine's "hideous bow ties." Just because he doesn't have his Warbler Wear, doesn't mean he needs to dress like a clown.
In the same spirit of giving, a speedy list of things we're not so grateful for: An overall lack of Rory (by our count, the kid only has 4 episodes left!)...Rachel not having enough common sense to stuff the ballot box with, er, fewer ballots... Schue-Be-Do-Be-Do, where are you?... The decision to make Quinn a raving lunatic (Puck's speech was nice, but she was a mean girl last spring, not an insane one.)
What did you think of Santana's coming out? What kind of a president do you think Brittany will make? Can Sectionals happen without Rachel? How can this Shelby and Puck thing end except for badly? Why are the writers doing what they're doing to Quinn? Tell us in the comments.

Jaime Pressly Happy to Go From Villain to Victim on I Hate My Teenage Daughter


Jaime Pressly | Photo Credits: Greg Gayne/FOX
Who's the dummy now? She spent years regularly hurling insults onMy Name is Earl, but for Jaime Pressly's return to TV, the tables have turned.
"In order for me to come back to TV — being that Earl  is still on [in reruns] and that Joy was such a strong character — I have to be able to play something that was completely opposite of her," Pressly told reporters on a conference call last week for her new series I Hate My Teenage Daughter. "And this character is definitely that."
On the Fox sitcom, premiering Wednesday at 9:30/8:30c on Fox, Pressly is now the one being bullied as a single mother who begins to realize her spoiled teenage daughter is morphing into the type of girl that made her life hell in high school. While Earl's Joy was known for her high hair, big ego and even bigger mouth, Pressly describes her new character Annie as "grounded" and "a bit of a dork."
"It's been incredible to be allowed to play a character against type. In this business, you can be pigeon-holed very easily," she said. "If people see that you're good at doing something, they either assume that that's all you can do, or they assume, 'Oh, that's just who she is.'"  
Pressly has found inspiration this time from being a mother herself. "I am a single mom, so in reading it, I loved the relationship between myself and Katie [Finneran]'s character, because, honestly if it wasn't for my best friends, I don't know how I would have gotten through all these tough times," she said. "You just do your best to deal with every situation and when you have a best friend with you to help you deal with it, it just makes things that much easier."
Her own son, four-year-old Dezi, has a long way to go before hitting puberty, but Pressly sympathizes with her on-screen alter-ego."It's hard raising a teenager. They are in hormone hell. They think they know everything," she said. "It's not a mean-spirited show, but it is something that goes on. Quite frankly, the daughters bully their moms more than anybody."
Although she says the show itself isn't mean-spirited in nature, Pressly embraces the sitcom's harsh title for its honesty about the parent-child bond. "Whether it's upsetting them, or they like it and agree with it, its grabbing people's attention and that was the point of it in the first place," she said. "We're just saying it for you, because it's a moment that every parent has actually had where they just want to say, 'Oh, my God, I hate my teenager,' but you don't really. Just, on occasion, they can do things that make you want to want crawl into a fetal position."
Will you watch I Hate My Teenage Daughter?

Los Vazquez Sounds HD - Rolling in the Deep

Justin Bieber - Fa La La ft. Boyz II Men

Alicia Keys - No One

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Lady Gaga Wants a Well-Endowed, Harvard-Educated Man

Lady Gaga Wants a Well-Endowed, Harvard-Educated Man
What turns Lady Gaga on? "It ranges from a really big d-ck to a degree at Harvard," the 25-year-old singer tells The Sun.
Explains the native New Yorker (real name: Stefani Germanotta): "That's a bit more difficult than a box of Milk Tray and Tesco flowers."
Among the pop star's other requirements: "Talent and perseverance and pushing the boundaries of love and acceptance."
Ironically, the singer's latest love, Vampire Diaries starTaylor Kinney, 30, didn't attend Harvard. He studied studied business management at West Virginia University before deciding to become an actor.
The couple met on the set of Gaga's "You and I" video in July and have been dating ever since. "Gaga can't be too committed because she works 24/7," an insider recently warned Us Weekly. "But she think's he's super cute!"

Hugh Laurie: I'm Done With TV After House


House, Hugh Laurie | Photo Credits: Adam Taylor/Fox
When House eventually wraps its run, it won't just be the end of a long-running series, it will be the end of a 30-year TV career.
Star Hugh Laurie tells Scotland's The Daily Record that he plans to leave television acting when House concludes. "I think I have been rather spoiled here," the 52-year-old actor told the newspaper. "I can't imagine there will be another one quite like this. ... I wouldn't go looking for lightning to strike twice."
Laurie's small screen career dates back to the 1982 British sketch special The Cellar Tapes. He went on to star in several other sketch series in the United Kingdom, including A Bit of Fry & Laurie andJeeves and Wooster, each of which ran for four seasons. The 2012 Guinness Book of World Records lists Laurie as the highest paid actor in a TV drama and also the most-watched leading man on television.
A two-time Golden Globe winner, Laurie said he thinks he is "no longer a desirable commodity for TV," but said he would be open to doing work behind the camera. Laurie directed an episode of Housein 2010. "I think I will probably be as interested by either writing or producing or directing, or some other aspect. I find the whole field of it fascinating," he says, noting that he's gained new confidence over his eight-year (and counting) run on House. "That's a huge amount of experience and that sort of experience gives you a confidence in a way. I think that I have a confidence that I might not have had."
Laurie, who released his first music album earlier this year and plays in the group Band on TV, said he hopes to work more on his music. "My big source of solace and comfort is music. If the record company is up for it, I certainly am up for doing a second album," he says. "I'd jump for it like a shot."
Do you think Laurie should leave TV after House?

Tobey Maguire, others settle over poker winnings

FILE - In this May 24, 2010 file photo, actor Tobey Maguire arrives to the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 37th Chaplin Award Gala honoring Michael Douglas in New York. Maguire has agreed to pay $80,000 to settle a lawsuit seeking repayment of more than $300,000 he won from a convicted con man during high stakes private poker games. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tobey Maguire has decided to fold 'em and settle a lawsuit over his winnings from a convicted con man during high-stakes Hollywood poker games.
The "Spider-Man" star agreed to pay $80,000 to settle the lawsuit filed over more than $311,000 he was paid by a convicted Ponzi scheme operator in Texas Hold 'Em matches that included celebrities, businessmen and others, court documents state.
If approved by a judge next month, Maguire will pay the money to a bankruptcy trustee who is trying to recoup money that former hedge fund operator Bradley Ruderman bilked from investors to finance his lavish lifestyle.
The money will be used to repay victims of the scheme, which Maguire and other players were unaware of.
Court records show that 14 of the 22 people sued to recoup poker winnings have settled their cases. Howard Ehrenberg, the bankruptcy trustee who sued the group, said Monday the poker settlements total more than $1.7 million.
Ehrenberg said Maguire's payout to resolve the case is in the same range as others who agreed to settlements.
"He did not end up with any better settlement than the others," Ehrenberg said.
Maguire's settlement states he "strongly disputes that he violated any laws, rules or regulations in regard to participating in the poker games" but was agreeing to the payment to avoid fighting the case, which would be costly.
The actor signed the settlement on Nov. 22 and it was filed a day later with a bankruptcy court handling the lawsuits.
The trustee alleged Maguire and others had no right to keep their winnings from the unlicensed poker games held at upscale hotels and private residences. Maguire and others have denied there was anything improper about the matches.
In court filings, Maguire noted that he lost $168,500 to Ruderman, who is currently serving a 10 year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of investment adviser fraud and willful failure to file taxes.
Several of those sued are fighting the cases, most notably actor-director Nick Cassavetes. His attorney has said the games were not illegal and the statute of limitations has long passed for pursuing any criminal charges for the games held between 2006 and 2009.
Ehrenberg said he expects the remaining cases will be resolved before trial.
Filings show that billionaire Alec Gores and "Welcome Back, Kotter" star and poker aficionado Gabe Kaplan have also settled cases filed against them.
Gores, who along with his brother attempted to buy Miramax films last year, has agreed to pay $49,908 to settle a $445,500 lawsuit over Ruderman's poker payments.
Kaplan has agreed to pay $26,900 after he was sued to try to recoup nearly $63,000 in winnings.
Ehrenberg filed the lawsuits in late March, attempting to recoup money on behalf of people who invested in the scheme by Ruderman.

Kate Gosselin: I Didn't Get a Facelift!

Kate Gosselin: I Didn't Get a Facelift!
Think Kate Gosselin looks like she's gone under the knife -- again?
She's flattered! The former reality star happily took to her CouponCabin.com blog to address the rumors that she'd had a facelift. 
"I will confirm that I have not had one," the mom of eight wrote. "I am only 36! But, I will take all of the talk about how rested and young I look as a compliment! So thanks!" 
Earlier this month, a source told Us Weekly that Gosselin was "consumed with her appearance."
To stay looking young, the single mom -- who got a tummy tuck in 2007 and breast implants in 2009 -- relies on thrice-weekly tanning sessions. Last June, she even gave herself Botox injections.
Although Gosselin denies surgery allegations, New York City plastic surgeon told Us that based on recent photos, Gosselin's defined jaw line and changed eye shape "suggest a facelift."
So if Gosselin hasn't gone under the knife, how does she look so young? The CouponCabin.comblogger shared "some great skin care deals," including discounts to Bliss World spa, Beauty.com and SkinStore and YSL Beauty.
Tell Us: Do you believe Kate that she hasn't had a facelift?

FX releases midseason schedule; 'Justified' back on


LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Fear not, law-and-order fans; U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens will be back on the case January 17.
FX released its midseason premiere dates Monday, including for "Justified," "Archer" and its new animated comedy "Unsupervised."
"Justified" returns for its third season Tuesday, January 17 at 10 p.m., and will continue on Tuesdays at 10. The animated spy spoof "Archer," meanwhile, will kick off its third season on January 19 at 10, and will continue to air Thursdays at 10 thereafter.
The new animated effort "Unsupervised," which is produced by FX in association with RCG Productions -- headed by "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" stars Rob McElhenny, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton -- will launch right after the "Archer" premiere on January 19 at 10:30, and then air after "Archer" on Thursdays at 10:30.
The series revolves around Gary and Joel, two best friends who attempt to navigate their teenage years without parental supervision. The series is created and executive produced by "Sunny" writers/producers Rob Rosell, Scott Marder and David Hornsby.

Scorsese's "Hugo" faces tough road to profitability


LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Martin Scorsese's first effort at a family film, big-budget 3D movie "Hugo," now has a big hill to climb at the box office.
Debuting at just 1,277 theaters in the U.S. and Canada last Wednesday, the PG film grossed only $15.4 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday period.
Graham King's GK Films produced "Hugo" at a cost of well more than $150 million. Paramount is distributing the film, and scaled down the ambition of the its North American debut amid soft pre-release tracking on the eve of the premiere.
While "Hugo" actually surpassed Paramount's conservative five-day opening prediction of $10 million - $12 million, the film's budget will make profitability on the Scorsese project a longshot, a film producer told TheWrap.
"At that budget, you have to do $450 million theatrical," the producer said. "And there's no franchise, there's no ancillary rights, there's no merchandising, there's no DVD because the 3D is intended to be seen in the theater."
So what happened?
This producer questioned "Hugo's" star power, which was led by Ben Kingsley and Sacha Baron Cohen.
"Sacha Baron Cohen is not going to get anyone in the theater," he said. "Not to have a star is rough."
A marketing executive at a rival studio, meanwhile, acknowledged that people who see "Hugo" generally like it.
"But when somebody says, 'What should I see with my kids,' people say, 'I don't know. 'Happy Feet' or 'The Muppets.'"
Paramount executives still insist the movie will be fine.
"As we play through December we are going to continue to expand, we're going to continue to support the movie, and we're going to continue to find both of those audiences responding to the movie," Paramount president of marketing and distribution, Megan Colligan, told TheWrap.
She pointed out that Paramount intentionally opened "Hugo" at only 1,277 locations, compared to 3,440 for Disney's "The Muppets" and 3,376 for Sony/Aardman's "Arthur Christmas," both Thanksgiving PG competitors.
Based on per-theater average, Colligan noted, "Hugo" compared favorably to "The Muppets," which had a $41.5 million opening -- "Hugo" had a per-location average of $12,043, while "The Muppets" averaged $12,209.
But "The Muppets" cost a modest $45 million to make, and re-launched a merchandising juggernaut. "Arthur Christmas" had a heftier $98 million budget, but its anemic $16.3 million weekend in North America is being mitigated by solid play in Aardman's European homeland.
Colligan noted that the movie has been extremely well reviewed and, as of Monday, had a remarkable 96 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
She expects the critical acclaim to translate into a raft of awards nominations -- which she believes will translate into more people watching the movie.
Defending the studio's platform-release strategy, Colligan said Paramount will expand "Hugo's" release to about 1,800 locations next weekend and even more on the weekend of December 9.
"We have real opening money to be spending these next two weeks," she said. "This is not just holdover money. This was a plan that was created by design for a long life in the marketplace."
As for Graham King, Colligan said he offset his risks by pre-selling international territories and "doesn't have humongous numbers in there. I think he's going to be able to get where he needs to be."
Other box-office watchers aren't so optimistic.
"It's expanding?" one marketing executive asked TheWrap. "Good luck. See where that per-screen average goes."
He said that "Hugo" is a tough movie to market. Based on a children's book, it is set in France in the 1930s and is about an orphan who lives in a train station and finds himself working alongside a robot while investigating his father's death.
Added another producer: "It's like trying to get kids to see an animated version of 'Amelie,'" he said. "There are a great many films that don't work out at the box office and many bad movies that do."

Who Won The Sing-Off?


Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles and Shawn Stockman | Photo Credits: Lewis Jacobs/NBC
[Warning: This story reveals the winner of Season 3 ofThe Sing-Off. Read at your own risk.]
After 16 groups and 11 weeks of competition, it came down to the final three groups on the Season 3 finale of The Sing-Off Monday.
Urban Method, from Denver, CO, was the first group eliminated after they sang Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts" and performed with judge Sara Bareilles on her new single "Gonna Get Over You."
Dartmouth Aires, the 16-person club from Dartmouth College, was named runner-up. They chose "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf as their final performance and collaborated with judge Ben Folds on his classic chart-topper "Not the Same." The Aires would have been the first college group to win the singing competition.
Finally, host Nick Lachey named Pentatonix the winning group of The Sing-Off's third season. The five-person ensemble from Arlington, Texas walks away with a Sony recording contract and $200,000.
Before their victory lap, the group sang a rendition of David Guetta's "Without You" and took on 98 Degrees' "Give Me Just One Night" with former 98 Degrees lead singer Lachey.
"I don't even know what to say, I can't believe it," member Scott Hoying said. "I'm just so humbled to share the stage with my best friends. They're my family. These were 16 amazing groups — I can't believe this has happened."
Do you think the right act won The Sing-Off?

Dick Clark Productions slapped with Class-Action Suit

Dick Clark stands onstage during a tribute to him at the 58th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles August 27, 2006.  REUTERS/Mike Blake
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Dick Clark Productions' legal woes continue to mount.
The production company was hit with a class-action lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court Monday. It was filed by a stagehand at the American Music Awards who claims that his paycheck was delayed for more than two months.
In the suit, Charles Griffin claims that he was hired for the 36th Annual AMAs to work the ceremony on November 22, 2008 -- but didn't receive payment for his services until February 5, 2009.
And Griffin figures he's far from the only one to receive such allegedly shabby treatment.
"DCP routinely fails to devote sufficient resources to the payroll accounting function, with the result that such late payment of wages is customary rather than exceptional," the complaint reads.
The suit includes all crew members who've worked for Dick Clark Productions in the past three years -- a number that the suit estimates to be "more than 50 but fewer than 1,000."
Meanwhile, DCP's legal entanglement with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association continues.
In August, a federal judge ruled that the HFPA's case against Dick Clark Productions will go forward to trial. The HFPA, which puts on the Golden Globe Awards, filed suit against Dick Clark Productions last November, alleging that DCP improperly negotiated a new contract with NBC to air the awards for seven more years, despite the fact that DCP's contract with the HFPA was set to expire after the 2011 AMAs.
TheWrap is awaiting response from a Dick Clark Productions spokesperson.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

Ex-fiance focus of 'People's Court' missing case


ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Orlando's police chief says a former fiancĂ© is the primary focus of the investigation into a woman who went missing after appearing on "The People's Court" with the suspect to resolve a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring.
Thirty-three-year-old Michelle Parker of Orlando was last seen Nov. 17. It was the day the previously taped episode aired of the case between her and 40-year-old Dale Smith. The abandoned SUV of the mother of three was found the next day.
Chief Paul Rooney said at a news conference Monday that Smith of Orlando is the probe's focus and there are no other suspects.
He says Smith has refused to take a lie-detector test. The Orlando Sentinel reports that court papers show the couple has a history of violence.
Attempts to find a telephone listing for Smith were unsuccessful.

Top prize at Gotham Film Awards ends in tie


New York (AP) — In truly independent fashion, the Gotham Independent Film Awards ended with a tie for Best Feature. Terrence Malick's highly imaginative "The Tree of Life," and Mike Mills' flashback comedy, "Beginners," both received the night's high honor.
The unprecedented ruling was announced via video screen to the audience by jury member Natalie Portman who said her peers were "stuck" when it came to selecting a winner, so they "chose to honor both."
"The Tree of Life," starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, also won the Palm d'Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. "Beginners" was released last year and stars Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer.
The Gotham Film Awards kicks off the award season, and has honored many Oscar-nominated films, including the 2008 winner for Best Picture, "The Hurt Locker."

"Beginners," "Tree of Life" win Gotham Film Awards

Cast members Brad Pitt (L), Jessica Chastain (C) and Sean Penn pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of the film "The Tree of Life", by director Terrence Malick, in competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, May 16, 2011.  REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life" and the Christopher Plummer film "Beginners" shared the top prize for best feature film on Monday at the Gotham Awards, a key event for independent movies which also marks the start of the film-awards season culminating in the Oscars.
The honors for "The Tree of Life," a mystical period drama starring Brad Pitt, and "Beginners," which stars Ewan McGregor as a man whose elderly father (Plummer) comes out of the closet, scored upset victories.
Alexander Payne's "The Descendants," a well-reviewed Oscar front-runner which stars George Clooney in a family drama set in Hawaii, was nominated in three categories but won none.
Instead "Beginners," directed by relative neophyte Mike Mills, also won best ensemble performance at the New York-based awards, co-hosted by Edie Falco and Oliver Platt.
Mills lauded his cast, singling out Plummer by saying there was "no good reason for Christopher Plummer to believe in me. But he did."
The best documentary honor went to "Better This World," about two boyhood friends from Texas accused of attempting to bomb the 2008 Republican convention.
The Gotham Awards are held annually by the Independent Feature Project, a nonprofit organization founded in 1979 that supports independent filmmaking. The awards provide a focus on the year's top independent movies heading into award season.
Felicity Jones took the prize for breakthrough actor for her work in "Like Crazy," playing a British student separated from her American boyfriend after her visa expires.
Dee Rees won the breakthrough director award for her debut non-documentary feature, "Pariah," about a New York City African-American teenager confronting her sexual identity.
"Girlfriend" won the audience award, while "Scenes of a Crime," the story of a man appealing a life prison sentence, was named best film without a distribution deal.
Special tribute awards were given to Charlize Theron, Gary Oldman, "A Dangerous Method" director David Cronenberg and Fox Filmed Entertainment CEO Tom Rothman.
Films and performances singled out at the Gothams often reflect those nominated for Independent Spirit Awards, another key set of honors for indie movies organized by Los Angeles-based group Film Independent, which announces its annual nominations for the year's best on Tuesday.
Last year's top Gotham winner, "Winter's Bone," an ultra-low-budget indie that cost about $2 million, went on to score four Oscar nominations including best picture.
Presenters at the awards included Alec Baldwin, Stanley Tucci, Melissa Leo and Tilda Swinton.