Mary Lynn Rajskub has lined up her first post-24 gig: a guest spot on Royal Pains.

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Last month we got word that the new take on The Thing (previously remade in 1982 by John Carpenter and Howard Hawks) would begin shooting sometime in March. Now we’ve got word from Heat Vision that Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Death Proof, Live Free or Die Hard) and Joel Edgerton (Smokin’ Aces, Animal Kingdom) have joined the cast of the sci-fi thriller. Last we heard, the story was supposed to show the story of the Norwegian camps in the Antarctic that were ravaged by “The Thing” before the Americans (in the original) discovered the decimated camps, but Heat Vision doesn’t allude to this being a prequel.

They have the same premise we’ve heard about, but they don’t mention specifically that this is a prequel, so maybe this is actually some sort of reboot for a potential franchise, or some sort of remake/prequel hybrid like the most recent incarnation of Friday the 13th? Winstead will play a Ph.D. candidate who joins a Norwegian research team in Antarctica after it discovers an alien ship in the ice. When a trapped organism is freed and begins a series of attacks, she is forced to team with a “blue-collar mercenary helicopter pilot” (Edgerton) to stop the rampage. So it could fit into a time before the original story takes place, but it could also be a whole new beginning for The Thing. We’re not really sure what this is. Anyone else have any idea?

Whatever the case, it sounds like it’ll be Edgerton who is stepping into Kurt Russell’s shoes as the resident badass, so we can expect him to be quite an onscreen presence (Alex saw him in the Sundance film Animal Kingdom and he’s apparently great in that,). As for Winstead, not only is she easy on the eyes, but showed some promise in Death Proof and Live Free or Die Hard, and more is yet to be seen from her performance in Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. We’ll keep you posted on this prequel/remake fuzziness, in addition to hoping director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. delivers some killer sci-fi fun. And if you hear any more about what this is actually supposed to be, please let us know as well.

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Blige also performs her version of U2′s ‘One.’
By Hillary Crosley

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Mary J. Blige performs at BET’s “SOS Saving Ourselves: Help for Haiti” telethon on Friday


Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images

At BET’s “SOS Saving Ourselves: Help for Haiti” telethon on Friday (February 5), Mary J. Blige treated the crowd to not one but two songs. For the first track, “We Gonna Make It,” from her new Stronger With Each Tear LP, the singer was joined onstage by R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. The two looked glamorous — Jazmine in a black dress, Mary in a decorated black leather jacket and blond coif — but the message was serious and hopeful.

“Put your hands in the air,” Mary told the crowd. “Tell Haiti they’re gonna make it tonight, because we are their bridge over troubled water.” Mary was referencing Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which she performed during the Grammy Awards on Sunday with Andrea Bocelli; the cover has been released as an iTunes/Target.com download, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross for earthquake-recovery efforts in Haiti.

Following up her duet at “SOS,” Mary performed the U2 track, “One,” which she originally recorded with the band’s Bono for her 2005 album The Breakthrough. The uplifting performance concluded with Blige thanking the audience.

All funds raised at “SOS Saving Ourselves: Help for Haiti” will be donated to several charities, including Project Media Share, Yele Haiti, C.A.R.E. and Procter & Gamble’s Children’s Safe Water Program. To donate, go to SOSHelpForHaiti.org.

Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, and for more information, see Think MTV. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now.

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Wyclef Jean, Keri Hilson, Robin Thicke and Nas also perform at the BET telethon.
By Shaheem Reid

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Justin Bieber and Chris Brown at BET’s “SOS Save Ourselves: Help for Haiti” on Friday


Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images

Queen Latifah, Pharrell and Diddy spearheaded BET’s “SOS Save Ourselves: Help for Haiti” telethon Friday night (February 5) at Miami’s American Airlines arena, encouraging viewers to donate to the quake-ravaged island.

From the onset, the mood was upbeat, thanks to Wyclef Jean’s opening performance of “Hold On” with Mavado. ‘Clef — who told the audience he wanted to teach them “Creole 101″ — also brought out Haitian MCs to rap along. Later, he celebrated his homeland’s culture in an energetic mini-set that started off with him and Akon performing “Sweetest Girl.” ‘Clef then said since he was in Miami, he wanted to do a remix. Haitian singer Black Dada came out and started singing the hook to his single “I’mma Zoe.” Then, Wyclef’s artist Haitian Fresh came out. The performance ended with everyone waving Haitian flags.

The tone of the night’s performances ranged from inspirational, with powerhouse vocalists Mary J. Blige and Jazmine Sullivan singing “We Gonna Make It,” to fun, with Justin Bieber and Ludacris uniting for “Baby” (the Biebs gave a gracious salute to Haiti by singing parts of “One Less Lonely Girl” in French). Robin Thicke did a pitch-perfect rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me,” and Keri Hilson performed her Billboard smash “Knock You Down.”

Hilson delivered a message to the crowd after her song: “No one is paid to be here. We’re all here from the bottoms of our hearts. We’re all brothers and sisters in Christ. No one is exempt. We can all do something.”

Busta Rhymes brought a brand-new, Haiti-themed song to the telethon. Although the rap vet did not announce the title, he rapped with clarity and conviction. “While my heart is racing and I address the topic,” Rhymes rapped. “What’s the reason they facing something so catastrophic/ While I search for answers and balance my thoughts equal/ All I can come up with is God is testing the people/ It’s so incredible to witness the strength of the righteous/ And the clearest example of how we come together in crisis.”

Another powerful lyricist, Nas, also took to the stage with Damian Marley, performing “The Strong Will Continue” from their upcoming Distant Relatives LP. “This is for the strong,” Nas yelled. “This is for Haiti!”

Chris Brown was in top form, breaking out “Crawl” and “With You.” Kirk Franklin brought an all-star triumvirate of India.Arie, Jazmine Sullivan and Chrisette Michele to sing a special version of his Haiti relief song “Are You Listening.” The powerful songbirds brought an even more spiritual vibe to the record, breaking into “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” in the middle of the song.

The show ended with Diddy, Queen Latifah and Pharrell saying good night before starting a “Lean on Me” sing-along. Almost all the night’s other performers — which also included Monica, Robin Thicke and Pitbull — came out, as did stars such as Brian McKnight, Sean Kingston and Gloria Estefan.

Former President Bill Clinton also spoke during the event, driving home the message that our help for Haiti will have to be a sustained effort. “We’ve still got a lot to do to get the people of Haiti back so they don’t have to worry about day-to-day,” Clinton said. “Those people deserve our help. They can have a better future, and you can give it to them.”

Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, and for more information, see Think MTV. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now.

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Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber, Wyclef and more are scheduled to participate in the telethon.
By Jayson Rodriguez

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Drake


Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

The talent roster for BET’s “SOS Saving Ourselves: Help for Haiti” telethon continues to expand as the Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams will join Diddy and Queen Latifah as co-hosts of the proceedings, while Drake, Chris Brown and Nas have been added to the performance slate.

Wyclef, Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson and Akon have also been added to the bill; Pete Wentz, Gloria Estafan and Trey Songz are scheduled to participate at the event, set to take place at American Airlines Arena in Miami on Friday (February 5).

The telecast will be broadcast on MTV, BET, VH1 and Centric beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Money raised will go to organizations providing immediate relief in Haiti, including Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti foundation, C.A.R.E. and Project MediShare. Tickets to the benefit will also be available on Ticketmaster.com and at the American Airlines Arena box office.

The event follows on the heels of George Clooney and MTV Networks’ “Hope For Haiti Now” telethon that was watched by upwards of 83 million people and helped raise more than $61 million in donations. Aid to Haiti is still needed following the devastating earthquake that struck the island last month. It was announced on Thursday that former U.S. President Bill Clinton, now a United Nations special envoy to Haiti, will visit the country to meet with government officials and deliver more supplies.

“More than three weeks after the earthquake, the relief efforts in Haiti have been increasing to meet staggering needs, but the long road to recovery has just begun,” Clinton said in a statement, according to CNN.

In addition to the Wyclef, Hilson and Akon, other performances scheduled for “SOS Saving Ourselves: Help for Haiti” will include Pitbull, Damian Marley, Monica, India.Arie and Kirk Franklin. Common, David Banner, Missy Elliot, The-Dream and T-Pain will also participate.

Previously, Justin Bieber, Ludacris, Robin Thicke, and Mary J. Blige were announced as performers.

Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, and for more information, see Think MTV. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now.

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John Legend and Nick Cannon also weigh in on the night’s most-nominated ladies: Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.
By Eric Ditzian, with additional reporting by Shaheem Reid, Matt Elias, Christina Garibaldi and Kelly Marino

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Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am


Photo: John M. Heller/ Getty Images

MTV News has already taken a look back at some of the oddest Grammy winners of all time, from former Soviet kingpin Mikhail Gorbachev to current White House top dog Barack Obama (not to mention schwing-tastic actress Tia Carrere). Now, with the 2010 awards just days away, it’s time to start looking toward this year’s show.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been asking artists who they think will win big, from perennial champs like Beyoncé to relative newcomers like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. Some were able to make choices, while others couldn’t decide between the talented women.

“It’s tough, because Beyoncé had a great, great year,” Mary J. Blige told us. “But Lady Gaga is Lady Gaga! But Taylor Swift — wow! That’s a tough one. I don’t know, but I wish all those ladies love.”

That was a sentiment echoed by many of the artists we spoke with, though in addition to praising Gaga and Beyoncé, John Legend pointed out, “There are a lot of country fans. Never underestimate the country fans.”

Nick Cannon, too, argued that the country star should have a big Grammy evening. “It’s Taylor Swift’s year,” he said. “Ever since Kanye did what he did [at the VMAs], Taylor Swift has just been scooping ‘em up. I’ll rock with Taylor Swift.”

In the realm of hip-hop, Lupe Fiasco suggested Mos Def had the best album of the year (he’s up for two Grammys, including Best Rap Album) and that Drake should be up for Best New Artist (he only received a nod for Best Rap Solo Performance).

“I think he’s deserving of it,” Lupe said of Drake. “As many accolades as he can accumulate, pre-album, is a phenomenal task. I think that should be rewarded. He has the potential to do great things — not good or mediocre, but great things.”

Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am, meanwhile, declined to make a pick and instead expressed excitement for the night’s performances, ranging from Lil Wayne to Eminem to Gaga to the Peas themselves.

“It’s unpredictable. It’s up in the air,” he said. “You think it’s going to be the obvious one, like, ‘Wow, that was everywhere.’ And it ends up being not. And that’s not cool. I just can’t wait for the performances, because that is not a lie, that is no politics. A rip is a rip, a rocket is a rocket.”

Who do you think will win big at the Grammys? Let us know!

Stick with MTV News all week for our coverage of the 2010 Grammy Awards. We’ll have reports on your favorite nominees, party photos, behind-the-scenes video and much more leading up to and during the big show Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

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