Press from Conversations with Maria Menounos.
‘Conversations with Maria Menounos’: Avril Lavigne on Today’s Pop Stars
FROM EXTRA (SEPTEMBER 27, 2013)
Singer Avril Lavigne appeared on “Extra’s” Maria Menounos’ new online talk show, “Conversations with Maria Menounos,” discussing touring with her husband, Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, along with her thoughts on Pink, Britney, Christina and Miley.
Avril Lavigne Avoids Slamming Miley Cyrus’ VMA Performance
FROM PEREZHILTON.COM (SEPTEMBER 25, 2013)
Believe it or not, our favorite blushing new bride from The Great White North is almost 29!!! Avril Lavigne performed for the Extra crowd yesterday and then sat down with Maria Menounos to discuss a few topics way more controversial than the Here’s to Never Growing Up singer’s birthday! These days every lady musician is asked to comment on Miley Cyrus’ lines-blurring performance from last month’s VMAs and this episode of Conversations with Maria Menounos was no exception! Sadly, though, as Cher’s flubb-ish faux pas proved, saying what’s truly on your mind leads to serious backlash! So, did Avril appreciate MileyBird’s stage antics? She coyly revealed: “A lot of people are talking about [the VMAs] so I guess that’s a good thing for her.” Well, that’s a non-answer if we ever heard one!!! Maria also asked the recently wed rocker about colleague Pink. Avril revealed: “I think Pink’s a really good singer… She was signed before I was to LA Reid and he discovered me as well and so I remember when I first got signed to Arista Records when I was 15 and getting a copy of her CD. Her sound was so different back then to how it is now. Now she’s more like pop rock. I’ve seen her change. I just feel really grateful to still be here today making music.” You’ve seen her change, eh? That’s cryptic! Then Maria wanted to know if Avril was even friends with her, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera, all of whom are considered members of the same pop generation! Chad Kroeger’s wife simply responded: “Nope (laughs) But it’s kind of cool that everyone’s still around.” Whoa!!! Another skillfully diplomatic, but not super complimentary answer!! Maybe there’s a career in politics in her post-rock future! She should totally run for Mayor of Canada, LOLz!! See how cute Maria and Avril looked together (below) and CLICK HERE to see more of the Conversations with Maria interview!! – See more at: http://perezhilton.com/2013-09-25-avril-lavigne-extra-maria-menounos-miley-cyrus-vma-la-reid-christina-aguilera-pink-britney-spears#sthash.GwjcWhlg.dpuf
When TV Shows End, Maria Menounos’s AfterBuzz TV Kicks In Online
FROM VIDEO NUZE – September 16, 2013 (written by Will Richmond)
A great example of how online video is enabling talent to create new forms of programming targeted to particular audiences is “Extra” co-host Maria Menounos’s “AfterBuzz TV.” Formed with her partner Keven Undergaro, AfterBuzz TV features live and on-demand “post-game” discussions of dozens of TV shows and movies. AfterBuzz TV is the ultimate water cooler for super-fans who want to drill down on every twist and turn of their favorite shows and characters.
As Maria told me recently, this is in fact how AfterBuzz TV got its start: she and Keven were die-hard “Breaking Bad” fans, but couldn’t find a place online to discuss each episode after it aired and connect with other super-fans. They started small, but as AfterBuzz TV has found its groove, they’ve added after shows about more and more TV series and movies. The studio now has 3 recording booths where discussions begin within 10-15 minutes of an episode’s airing. Maria said the studio has become a hangout for both the super-fans/after-show hosts and also for actors/writers who often stop by to participate in the discussions.
All told, AfterBuzz TV now delivers 40-50 hours per week of programming that drives 20 million downloads per week of its podcast recordings. Video viewership is not up to that level yet since it only launched a year ago, but Maria sees this as the future direction. To help it scale its live and on-demand streaming model, AfterBuzz TV has partnered with Akamai to use its Sola Media Solutions for CDN, stream packaging, video player and site acceleration. In addition to the desktop, AfterBuzz TV has recently optimized for iOS and Android viewing.
Another part of Maria’s and Keven’s motivation for AfterBuzz TV is to help young, aspiring hosts develop reels that they can use in their professional development. In addition to their on-air time, hosts also get to participate in training seminars and networking.
AfterBuzz TV also demonstrates how online and TV can be synergistic. Though there’s a lot of buzz about how online could displace TV viewing, After Buzz TV allows TV shows to deepen their connection with fans and help build audience. That Maria and Keven have been able to do all of this without clearing the myriad hoops of traditional TV underscores how online video is a wide open field of opportunities for creative talent.
– See more at: http://www.videonuze.com/article/when-tv-shows-end-maria-menounos-afterbuzz-tv-kicks-in-online#sthash.iSlJczhR.dpuf
Vin Disel Reveals Marvel Movie
FROM COMIC ADDICTZ (SEPTEMBER 10, 2013)
In an interview with Maria Menounos , Diesel says he and Marvel are still discussing the role for the mystery 2016 Phase 3 film .
Riddick & Vin Diesel Extra Promo for Conversations with Maria Menounos
A promotional clip that Extra aired September 9th, 2013 about Vin Diesel’s interview on Conversations with Maria Menounos.
Conversations with Maria: Barbara Eden, Up Close and Personal
FROM EXTRA TV (AUGUST 21, 2013)
“I Dream of Jeannie” star Barbara Eden sat down with “Extra’s” Maria Menounos to talk about working with her former co-star, the late Larry Hagman, and Hollywood leading ladies who’ve given her the cold shoulder, plus the men who have wooed her!
The week in Tech: 5 must-know things
FROM USA Today – http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/2664443
by Julia Ryan, USA TODAY
This week in Tech we took a look at the Hyperloop, new TVs, iPhone rumors and more. Here’s what you need to know about the week in Tech:
1) ‘Hyperloop’: L.A. to San Francisco in 30 minutes?
Yes, you read that right. Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to implement a revolutionary new “Hyperloop” transportation system that would connect major cities at lightning-fast speeds.
How it works: The Hyperloop would be a series of people-size pods that move through air-free tubes. The pods would move through the tubes with the help of magnets.
Building stage: Musk says the project would take seven to 10 years to complete and would cost $6 billion, a fraction of the price of another proposed high-speed rail system in California.
So, when will it be built? Too early to tell. Musk said he would “publish an open-source design” for the Hyperloop, but if no one starts on the project he will build a prototype himself.
2) Samsung brings dual view feature to OLED TV
We told you last month that massive (and high-priced) OLED TVs were finally arriving in stores. Samsung is following LG’s lead this month with their own 55-inch OLED TV.
But how is it different from LG’s OLED TV?
•Price: Samsung’s TV is priced at $9,000, significantly less than LG’s $15,000 price tag for their TV.
•Multiview feature: Two people can watch two different programs simultaneously on the TV while wearing 3-D glasses and headphones.
•Amphitheater display: The half-inch thick display has a concave shape that “mimics an arena or amphitheater.”
3) Apple expected to show next iPhone on Sept. 10
A new iPhone is almost here! The company is expected to unveil a new version of the iPhone on Sept. 10, ahead of the big holiday sales season.
But don’t get too excited: Analysts tell USA TODAY’s Jefferson Graham that this new iPhone won’t be too radically different from the iPhone 5. The new “iPhone 5S” (that’s just an expected name for now) will most likely have a faster processor, improved camera and more storage.
But there’s much better news for other Apple products. Perhaps next year, analysts expect Apple will unveil a new Apple TV and a smartwatch that would communicate with the iPhone.
4) Remember podcasting? It’s back — and booming
Talk radio is still alive and well, but it’s found a new home online in the form of podcasts. The podcast world has evolved from a small niche offering tech-related talks to a large, diverse community of programs dealing with everything from relationship advice to comedy.
Who: Popular podcasters include Aisha Tyler, host of comedy and lifestyle podcast Girl on Guy; Marc Maron, comedian and host of the WTF podcast; and other recognizable names in the entertainment world including Joan Rivers, Alec Baldwin and Maria Menounos.
What: The most popular categories for podcasts are politics, news and sports, but comedy podcasts are gaining popularity. Podcasts help comedians market their material and fill seats at comedy clubs.
Where: You can download most podcasts directly from iTunes, or you can download an app that streams podcasts directly to your phone. Popular podcast apps include TuneIn Radio, SoundCloud, Stitcher and iHeartRadio.
5) Here’s what’s new with ‘Call of Duty’ multiplayer
Activision released the first details about the next Call of Duty game earlier this week, and USA TODAY’s Brett Molina got the scoop on how the game is different from its predecessors. Here’s what you need to know about Call of Duty: Ghosts:
•Customization: The game comes with a Create-A-Soldier feature that lets players choose weapon loadouts, physical appearance, gender and more.
•’Pick 10 system’: The system introduced in last year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops II now uses points for perks — special battlefield abilities — as well as for choosing weapons and gear.
•Rewards: The new game eliminates rewards for multiple deaths, but it also adds a guard dog as a Killstreak award.
Copyright 2013 USATODAY.com