Mariah Carey's New Year's Eve Performance More 'Rocky' Than 'Rocking'

(image via screen capture)

Just before the ball dropped in Times Square on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve last night, Mariah Carey took to the stage for a "live" performance of two of her hits, "Emotions" and "We Belong Together."

But things turned out a bit more 'rocky' than 'rockin.'

Seconds after making her entrance, Carey seem out of sync or having technical problems with the sound.

At first, it appeared that the music was off, and she was supposed to be lip synching. Soon though, Carey almost seemed to give up saying she couldn’t hear.

So the audience was left with La Carey walking the stage as her dancers continued on. At one point, Carey announced that she was just going to let the crowd sing instead as she tried to explain she couldn’t hear.

Along the way, Carey put on her game face trying to just survive the debacle saying, “I’m trying to be a good sport here.”

When the cringeworthy six minutes were up, Carey exited the stage saying, “Guess it doesn’t get better than this.”

The Hollywood Reporter shares from a backstage source:

The singer had suffered from a tight and difficult rehearsal schedule earlier in the night was unable to hear through her in-ear monitor … She didn’t have the kind of time that she usually gets for her “Mariah-ness.’

Not so sure about all that. When you're making a major, national TV appearance how "tight" can your schedule be?

I think what was more off-putting was Mariah's cavalier attitude throughout the "performance." She didn't seem to attempt any kind of effort to put something out there.

And if she couldn't hear, why were her dancers having no problem being in sync? I'm guessing they could hear something?

I'm not going to crucify Carey, but I will say this: if you get paid millions of dollars to perform before a national TV audience minutes before the New Year, perhaps you could make time to do your due diligence and show up for a 10 minute sound check?

If you can cash the check, do the sound check.

In the end, it's not really very important in the big scheme of things.

A short time after, Mimi tweeted "Shit happens 😩 Have a happy and healthy new year everybody!🎉 Here's to making more headlines in 2017"

Shit happens 😩 Have a happy and healthy new year everybody!🎉 Here's to making more headlines in 2017 😂 pic.twitter.com/0Td8se57jr

— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) January 1, 2017

Of course, the Twitterverse couldn't wait to chime in:

Even Milli Vanilli is embarrassed by Mariah Carey's debacle. pic.twitter.com/8179cHu7jA

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) January 1, 2017

The last death of 2016... @MariahCarey's career. #RockinEve Happy F'ing New Year.

— Laurice Marier (@TheRealLaurice) January 1, 2017

Mariah Carey's New Year Resolution's list:
1. Show up to practices#MariahCarey #NewYearsFail

— Christopher Tosado (@CT_ThatRapper) January 1, 2017

Looks like the Russians hacked Mariah Carey's performance. #MariahCarey

— Joshua Watkins (@joshkins95) January 1, 2017

Zero sympathy for #MariahCarey.
You get paid millions to sing 2 bloody songs & lip-sync? Pathetic. https://t.co/LRiVN0Urw4 #nye2016

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 1, 2017

The last victim of 2016? #MariahCarey's career. Oh Mariah.

OMG Mariah.

— ♥️ Sassy Mouth ♥️ (@SassyMouth2012) January 1, 2017

CNN's Don Lemon To Kathy Griffin On The Air: "Nice Rack"

During a stroll through Times Square with Anderson Cooper during the CNN coverage of New Year's Eve, comedian Kathy Griffin dropped her coast to walk sans blouse.

CNN's Don Lemon remarked from New Orleans to Griffin, "nice rack - didn't know you had all that going on up there."

Lemon, who is openly gay, was also sipping from a cup during the evening which his co-host Brooke Baldwin took from him after the comment.

Anderson Cooper (also openly gay) responded to Griffin dropping her coat with "you've got a rocking bod, I have to say."

Thoughts? Was this a bad thing? Was it just New Year's Eve antics? Does it matter that Lemon or Cooper are gay? If a straight male news anchor told a guest they had a "nice rack" would that fly?

Or are folks just bored and making a mountain out of two nicely "racked" mole hills?

Gus Kenworthy Welcomes The New Year With Boyrfriend Matthew Wilkas

12:01am January 1st, 2016. 😘👬✨🎉

A photo posted by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Jan 1, 2016 at 10:53am PST

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy made an appearance during CNN's lead-up to the New Year with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin last night.

No surprise, Griffin was in her usual "forward" mode during Kenworthy's time on the air, kissing him whenever she could and giving a definition of what it means to be "pansexual." The silver medalist did try to evoke a New Year's kiss from Cooper, but to no avail.

During the drop-in, Kenworthy revealed he is in fact dating actor Matthew Wilkas, sharing this pic via Instagram shortly after the stroke of midnight.

(h/t The Gaily Grind)

Watch The Ball Drop In Times Square As The Clock Strikes Midnight

Ever wonder what it's like to be in Times Square as the ball drops on New Year's? Check out this video from last night from the comfort of your home.

See? Just like being there. Only more comfortable :)

Happy New Year!

(h/t JMG)

Australia Welcomes 2016 With Huge Fireworks Display

Always one of the first and best fireworks celebrations at the New Year, Sydney didn't disappoint this year.

Video: 100 Years Of New Year's Style

 

 I've seen this video floating around the past couples of days, but didn't give it a try until this morning.

I have to say - excellent pairing of music and fashion to each decade. Completely resonated for me. Fun 3 minutes.

Clip description:

"As we prepare to ring in 2016, Mode is showcasing 11 dapper decades of gentlemanly New Year's Eve style, from 1915 to today. Raise your glass as 100 years of men's party attire evolves before your eyes."

Gorgeous Time-Lapse Video Of Time Square On New Year's Eve

Gorgeous combination of time-lapse photography and music capturing the excitement of thousands who gathered in Time Square to ring in 2015.

Production Notes:

Total Photos 36,809
Final Video: 2:21
Production Hours (10:30am to 1:30am) 14 Hours
Post Production Hours 33 Hours (Coloring/Processing 18 Hours) & (Editing 15 Hours)
Rendering/Exports (5 Hours)

(h/t JMG)

Photo: Times Square At Noon Today

Times Square, already packed, at noon today.

Sooooo happy to be home in front of the fire with a nice bottle of Chardonnay :)

(h/t kenneth-in-the-212)

Sydney Serves Up Ferocious Fireworks Display Ringing In 2015

It's hard to beat Sydney, Australia, when it comes to full-on fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Check out this fantastic light show from Down Under. Happy New Year's Eve everyone!

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Happy New Year From The International Space Station

Just a couple of astronauts floating around the International Space Station wishing you a Happy New Year:

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Commander Barry Wilmore and Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA wish the world a happy New Year during downlink messages from the orbital complex on Dec. 17.

Wilmore has been aboard the research lab since late September and will remain in orbit until mid-March 2015.

Virts arrived at the station in late November and will stay until mid-May 2015.

(h/t JMG)

Kristin Chenoweth in Concert in Las Vegas

Kristin Chenoweth with audience member Ray Winters singing "For Good" from WICKED

I had a great time seeing the fab Kristin Chenoweth in concert last night at the Smith Center here in Las Vegas.

One of the highlights of the evening came when Kristin, as she now famously does, asked if a member of the audience knew the words and music to the duet "For Good" from her hit Broadway show WICKED.

Immediately, a voice yelled out "I know it!"

A male voice.

Kristin engaged the young man, Ray Winters, asking a few question about him and his background (Las Vegas native, currently studying musical theatre in NYC) before she said "well, I have to sing with you now."

Kristin shared that it was the first time in all the concerts she's welcomed someone from the audience up to sing the song that she had a male duet partner.

Ray did great (appropriate green shirt and all); the audience loved it.  Pretty fabulous moment.

Congrats Ray on a fine job.

Kristin sang a set-list that ranged the gamut from gospel, Christian, Broadway, country, disco and novelty numbers.  My favorite moments were from the Broadway catalog.  Highlights for me were "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables; "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera; her songs from WICKED; a moving rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You;" and a terrific "Over the Rainbow" for her finale encore. 

Congrats to the luminous Kristin Chenoweth for a terrific evening directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. What a voice, what a night!

Just before the lights went down...

Kristin singing with audience member Ray Winters

At the end of the concert, Kristin popped open a bottle of champagne and shared with audience members

Kristin and company toasting the audience on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas

Times Square Applebees New Years Eve Celebration - $375 per person

Applebee's restaurant in the heart of New York’s Times Square is offering a $375-a-person New Year’s Eve bash that’s billed as “a night to remember.”

Wait - $375 for one person at Applebee's?

But wait - this isn’t your standard Applebee’s bill of fare, says the franchisee:

The party, which starts at 8 p.m. and wraps up at midnight, features an extensive buffet, a “premium” open bar, a house DJ, a dance floor, plus party favors galore.

And for those eager to see the ball drop, the restaurant lets patrons “make their way to the streets of Times Square.”

As for the vittles themselves, be prepared for “a ton of food” (steak and shrimp included) prepared by “some fairly sophisticated culinary people,” says Zane Tankel, who heads up all 38 Applebee’s restaurants in the New York metro area.

Add in the décor and “you wouldn’t know you were at an Applebee’s for that one night,” Tankel says.

Or you can sit at home with a nice bottle of wine, watch the ball drop on your 60" TV and have a much more relaxing time - in my humble opinion...

(via NY Post)

Australia: Sydney rings in 2013

Auld Lang Syne - Straight No Chaser

Vanessa Williams - New Year's Eve, Las Vegas

For the past 27 years, Vanessa Williams has been a successful model, a television, stage and film actress, a producer and a singer.

Perhaps you saw her in Kiss of the Spiderwoman on Broadway in 1994, Into The Woods in 2002, Sondheim on Sondheim in 2010,  in Eraser with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1996, on Ugly Betty in 2006 or the past two years in Desperate Housewives. Or in ANY of the long list of credits she has amassed over a stellar career.

But it’s her singing career that brings her to Las Vegas this month. Williams is kicking off the New Year in Las Vegas, where fans can expect to hear her hits and more. She’s known in the singing arena for “The Way That You Love,” “Save the Best for Last,” perhaps her biggest hit, and “Colors of the Wind,” from the movie Pocahontas.

She has also been nominated and won more awards than I can count, and she's still making fantastic music.

Don’t miss this opportunity for a fabulous New Year’s Eve. That's where I'll be.  Singing along with a true diva.

The Riviera, 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31, $70-$150 plus tax and fee. 702-794-9433