National TV ratings last weekend: MMK and Goin’ Bulilit topped primetime while Eat Bulaga! and ASAP Rocks topped daytime race.

JANUARY 21, 2011 – FRIDAY
(ABS-CBN vs GMA)

Daytime:

Gising Pilipinas (1.0%) / Kape’t Pandasal (1.7%) vs. Rescue (Replay) (1.6%)
Umagang Kay Ganda (4.8%) vs. Unang Hirit (4.5%)
Dora The Exporer (5.3%) vs. Doraemon (7.6%)
Spongebob Squarepants (6.7%) vs. Jackie Chan Adventures (9.2%)
Mr. Bean (5.8%) vs. Shaman King (10.2%)
Banana Split Daily Servings (7.2%) vs. One Piece (10.9%)
Kapamilya Blockbusters ‘Close To You’ (10.1%) vs. Love Ni Mister Love Ni Misis (6.0%) / Kapuso Movie Festival ‘Ikaw Naman Ang Iiyak’ (12.5%)
Showtime (12.1%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (18.7%)
Malparida (10.2%) vs. Little Star (11.2%)
Juanita Banana (9.6%) vs. Koreana (13.3%)
Shoutout (7.2%) / Alyna (11.1%) vs. Temptation Of Wife (22.7%)

>> Top 3 Daytime Programs:

1. Temptation Of Wife (GMA) – 22.7%
2. Eat… Bulaga! (GMA) – 18.7%
3. Koreana (GMA) – 13.3%

Primetime:

Sabel (20.7%) vs. Bantatay (19.5%)
TV Patrol (27.1%) vs. 24 Oras (21.2%) vs. Willing Willie (12.6%)
Noah (27.2%) vs. Dwarfina (23.9%)
Mara Clara (31.2%) vs. Jillian (19.7%)
Imortal (27.3%) vs. Beauty Queen (18.0%)
Kristine (20.3%) vs. The Baker King (18.3%)
Cinderella’s Sister (11.8%) vs. Bubble Gang (12.8%)
SNN Showbiz News Ngayon (6.2%) vs. Saksi Liga Ng Katotohanan (6.2%)
Bandila (4.8%) / S.O.C.O. (4.1%) vs. Tunay Na Bahay (2.7%)

>> Top 3 Primetime Programs:

1. Mara Clara (ABS-CBN) – 31.2%
2. Imortal (ABS-CBN) – 27.3%
3. Noah (ABS-CBN) – 27.2%

JANUARY 22, 2011 – SATURDAY
(ABS-CBN vs GMA)

Daytime:

Salamat Dok (2.7%) vs. Pinoy MD Mga Doktor Ng Bayan (3.3%)
Kabuhayang Swak Na Swak (3.9%) vs. Hanep Buhay (3.9%)
Honey Watch Out (3.1%) vs. Tamagotchi (4.8%)
I Got It (4.2%) / The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius (5.5%) vs. Bakugan Battle Brawlers (5.7%)
Avatar The Legend Of Aang (7.2%) vs. Art Angel (5.6%)
Spongebob Squarepants (8.0%) vs. One Piece (7.5%)
Boys Over Flowers Forever (8.6%) vs. Maynila (8.1%)
Kapamilya Holiday Blockbusters ‘Toy Story’ (14.8%) vs. Kapuso Megahit Festival ‘Superman IV’ (11.8%)
Showtime (14.8%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (Saturday) (21.2%)
Entertainment Live! (8.9%) vs. Startalk (8.0%)
Kapamilya Saturday Blockbusters ‘Legend Of Sudsakorn’ (13.9%) vs. Misteryo (10.1%) / Wish Ko Lang! (14.5%) vs. Willing Willie (Saturday) (12.0%)

>> Top 3 Daytime Programs:

1. Eat… Bulaga! (GMA) – 21.2%
2. Kapamilya Holiday Blockbusters ‘Toy Story’ (ABS-CBN) – 14.8%
Showtime (ABS-CBN) – 14.8%
3. Wish Ko Lang! (GMA) – 14.5%

Primetime:

Failon Ngayon (14.5%) / TV Patrol Weekend (18.9%) / Star Circle Quest (16.4%) vs. Kapuso Movie Festival ‘Enteng Kabisote 3′ (19.6%)
Wansapanataym (22.5%) vs. 24 Oras Weekend (17.3%)
Maalaala Mo Kaya… (24.3%) vs. Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho (21.4%)
Laugh Out Loud (11.2%) vs. Imbestigador (14.0%)
Banana Split (6.2%) vs. Comedy Bar (7.5%)
The Bottom Line With Boy Abunda (2.2%) / Sports Unlimited (1.2%) vs. Walang Tulugan With Master Showman (2.2%)

>> Top 3 Primetime Programs:

1. Maalaala Mo Kaya… (ABS-CBN) – 24.3%
2. Wansapanataym (ABS-CBN) – 22.5%
3. Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho (GMA) – 21.4%

JANUARY 23, 2011 – SUNDAY
(ABS-CBN vs GMA)

Daytime:

The Healing Eucharist (3.8%) vs. In Touch (0.7%)
Kabuhayang Swak Na Swak (2.4%) vs. Pinoy MD Mga Doktor Ng Bayan (3.6%)
Salamat Dok (3.9%) vs. Blazing Teens 2 (4.2%)
Beyblade (4.0%) vs. Bakungan Battle Brawlers (5.7%)
Matanglawin (8.0%) vs. AHA (6.0%)
Kapamilya Sunday Blockbusters ‘The Pacifier’ (13.4%) vs. Kapuso Movie Sunday Festival ‘Matakot Ka Sa Karma’ (12.0%)
ASAP Rocks (15.4%) vs. Party Pilipinas (9.5%)
Your Song Presents Kim (10.0%) vs. Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts (9.1%)
The Buzz (11.1%) vs. Showbiz Central (8.2%)

>> Top 3 Daytime Programs:

1. ASAP Rocks (ABS-CBN) – 15.4%
2. Kapamilya Sunday Blockbusters ‘The Pacifier’ (ABS-CBN) – 13.4%
3. Kapuso Movie Sunday Festival ‘Matakot Ka Sa Karma’ (ABS-CBN) -12.0%

Primetime:

TV Patrol Weekend (21.3%) vs. 24 Oras Weekend (14.5%)
Goin’ Bulilit (21.5%) vs. Pepito Manaloto Reality Sitcom (18.8%)
Rated K Handa Na Ba Kayo? (20.5%) vs. Kap’s Amazing Stories (20.5%) / Mel & Joey (13.6%)
Mega 2011 The Sharon Cuneta Birthday Special (15.0%) vs. Show Me Da Manny (9.5%) / Sunday Night Box Office ‘Anatomy Of A Disaster Himagsik Ng Kalikasan’ (5.8%)
Urban Zone (2.7%) vs. Diyos At Bayan (1.0%)

>> Top 3 Primetime Programs:

1. Goin’ Bulilit (ABS-CBN) – 21.5%
2. TV Patrol Weekend (ABS-CBN) – 21.3%
3. Rated K Handa Na Ba Kayo? (ABS-CBN) – 20.5%
Kap’s Amazing Stories (GMA) – 20.5%

Source: Kantar Media

The newest boy group in the country, 3AM, gives pop-alternative sound a different thud as Mica Caldito, James Torres and Kyle Amor gear up for their debut album under Star Records.

The boys, who are the best of friends in real life, first appeared on ABS-CBN’s Music Uplate Live, the network’s late night musical-interactive show, paved the way to their popularity. They were originally ‘nameless’ when they first appeared on the “Break Mo ‘To” segment on the said late-night show. Through a poll started by the Music Uplate Live hosts namely Yeng Constantino, Tutti Caringal and Gee Canlas, the group earned the tag, “3AM” (CLICK HERE FOR RELATED ARTICLE).

The boys, who are managed by Cornerstone Talent Management Center, instantly became a sensation among their market and have captured a strong following in Youtube and forums. In fact, in less than a month after their initial appearance, 3AM had its fans day and was asked to return to the said show to grant an outpour of requests. Moreover, the boys have already played front act on several tours and gigs of Piolo Pascual and Yeng Constantino.

Kyle has graced a number of print and television commercials. James and Mica, on the other hand, have played as a duo in different schools in Metro Manila where they have received an overwhelming reception from the students. Also, Kyle, James and Mica were part of the defunct series, “Idol,” as Da Vince Code, Sam Milby’s band in the story. Aside from their good looks and undeniable talent as musicians, no doubt, these three will go far.

The boys are now regulars of the newest teen variety show on ABS-CBN, ‘Shout Out’ and they are part of the Tuesdelicious group. Soon, Kyle, James and Mica will be seen and heard in the upcoming movie of Maja Salvador and Mateo Guidicelli entitled “Basted.”

‘3AM’ the album is packed with a distinct acoustic sound. Four original tracks composed by Mica and one cover song are included in the audio CD: “Come Around,” “Mapapansin Mo Ba,” “Hindi Mo Lang Alam,” “When I Gave It Up Too Soon,” and their version of Justin Bieber’s “Baby”. Watch out for their first and carrier single “Hindi Mo Lang Alam” as it conquers the airwaves, and also their first ever music video made by Director Raffy Francisco which will be seen on the top music channels.

Hear a different kind of music as 3AM puts the acoustic sound to a higher notch via their first album under Star Records. Now available in record bars nationwide. Watch out as 3AM invades the malls and campuses. They are also part of Sam Milby and Yeng Constantino‘s Nationwide Rockoustic Tour. For more updates, log on to cornerstonetalents.com and www.facebook/3AM.

Digital formats of the tracks are available at www.starrecords.ph.

Who is this kapamilya hunk who likes to join ‘picture taking’ of other people.

Many people will surely raise their eyebrows when a stranger suddenly joins them inside a photobooth. But what if this stranger is handsome hunk Jon Avila?

Watch out for Jon as he surprises the oblivious people midway through their photobooth sessions this Saturday (Jan 22) on “Laugh Out Loud.”

Tune in also to the funny scenario involving a sexy woman hailing a cab to fetch “someone” from somewhere. Little did the cab driver know that the woman is fetching a corpse! Will the cab driver allow the sexy woman to bring the corpse inside his car?

This episode will surely tickle your funny bone in “Laugh Out Loud” with Luis Manzano and Alodia Gosiengfiao, this Saturday (Jan 22) after “MMK” on ABS-CBN.

GMA’s “Temptation of Wife” garnered a very strong rating in the daytime race nationwide while ABS-CBN’s “Mara Clara” dominated the primetime race.

JANUARY 19, WEDNESDAY
(ABS-CBN vs GMA)

Daytime:

Gising Pilipinas (0.5%) / Kape’t Pandasal (1.0%) vs. Reporter’s Notebook (Replay) (1.3%)
Umagang Kay Ganda (5.4%) vs. Unang Hirit (4.6%)
Dora The Explorer (5.4%) vs. Doraemon (7.5%) / Jackie Chan Adventures (8.8%)
Spongebob Squarepants (6.0%) / Mr. Bean (5.6%) vs. Shaman King (9.0%)
Banana Split Daily Servings (6.0%) vs. One Piece (10.3%) / Love Ni Mister Love Ni Misis (6.8%)
Kapamilya Blockbusters ‘D’Sisters (Nuns Of The Above)’ (10.6%) vs. Kapuso Movie Festival ‘Gabriel Lorenzo Berdugo’ (11.8%)
Showtime (12.5%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (19.7%)
Malparida (11.8%) vs. Little Star (11.9%) / Koreana (14.2%)
Juanita Banana (11.1%) / Shoutout (7.8%) vs. Temptation Of Wife (24.0%)

>> Top 3 Daytime Programs:

1. Temptation Of Wife (GMA) – 24.0%
2. Eat… Bulaga! (GMA) – 19.7%
3. Koreana (GMA) – 14.2%

Primetime:

Alyna (13.2%) / Sabel (22.3%) vs. Bantatay (21.1%)
TV Patrol (27.7%) vs. 24 Oras (22.1%) vs. Willing Willie (13.6%)
Noah (26.3%) vs. Dwarfina (21.2%)
Mara Clara (30.4%) vs. Jillian: Namamasko Po! (19.7%)
Imortal (25.7%) / Kristine (18.9%) vs. Beauty Queen (16.5%)
Cinderella’s Sister (12.1%) vs. The Baker King (16.6%)
SNN Showbiz News Ngayon (5.9%) vs. Saksi Liga Ng Katotohanan (9.4%)
Bandila (2.9%) vs. Born To Be Wild (3.8%)

>> Top 3 Primetime Programs:

1. Mara Clara (ABS-CBN) – 30.4%
2. TV Patrol (ABS-CBN) – 27.7%
3. Noah (ABS-CBN) – 26.3%

JANUARY 20, 2011 – THURSDAY:
(ABS-CBN vs GMA)

Daytime:

Gising Pilipinas (0.6%) / Kape’t Pandasal (1.0%) vs. Born To Be Wild (Replay) (1.9%)
Umagang Kay Ganda (5.6%) vs. Unang Hirit (5.1%)
Dora The Explorer (6.5%) vs. Doraemon (6.6%)
Spongebob Squarepants (7.5%) vs. Jackie Chan Adventures (8.4%)
Mr. Bean (5.8%) vs. Shaman King (8.4%)
Banana Split Daily Servings (6.8%) vs. One Piece (9.8%)
Kapamilya Blockbusters ‘Asero’ (11.6%) vs. Love Ni Mister Love Ni Misis (5.2%) / Kapuso Movie Festival ‘Lovestruck’ (10.7%)
Showtime (12.9%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (19.1%)
Malparida (11.1%) vs. Little Star (13.2%)
Juanita Banana (10.8%) vs. Koreana (15.6%)
Shoutout (7.3%) / Alyna (12.1%) vs. Temptation Of Wife (24.2%)

>> Top 3 Daytime Programs:

1. Temptation Of Wife (GMA) – 24.2%
2. Eat… Bulaga! (GMA) – 19.1%
3. Koreana (GMA) – 15.6%

Primetime:

Sabel (21.5%) vs. Bantatay (20.6%)
TV Patrol (26.3%) vs. 24 Oras (21.0%) vs. Willing Willie (13.6%)
Noah (26.7%) vs. Dwarfina (22.5%)
Mara Clara (29.8%) vs. Jillian: Namamasko Po! (18.2%)
Imortal (26.8%) vs. Beauty Queen (17.6%)
Kristine (18.3%) vs. The Baker King (17.8%)
Cinderella’s Sister (13.1%) vs. Saksi Liga Ng Katotohanan (7.9%)
SNN Showbiz News Ngayon (6.5%) / Bandila (4.7%) vs. Rescue (4.0%)

>> Top 3 Primetime Programs:

1. Mara Clara (ABS-CBN) – 29.8%
2. Imortal (ABS-CBN) – 26.8%
3. Noah (ABS-CBN) – 26.7%

Source: Kantar Media

Thousands of never-say-die “Sharonians” filled the big dome (Araneta Coliseum) recently to witness the Mega 2011, much-awaited birthday concert of the one-and-only Megastar Sharon Cuneta.

Mega 2011 once again enthralls everyone as it airs this January 23, Sunday, after Rated K on ABS-CBN. Featuring her highly celebrated family and showbiz friends, Mega 2011 is undeniably a night to remember. Humorous comedienne K Brosas, Pop Prince Erik Santos and Kapamilya Hunk Zanjoe Marudo are hosts for Mega’s big offering.

Mega will astonish the audience with her blazing opening dance number. Together with the acclaimed G-Force dancers, Mega will showcase her best moves and ageless vocal prowess. Sitting with the audience is her husband Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, together children Frankie, Miel, who are very supportive of their Mega mom.

The most-talked-about Mega daughter KC Concepcion will leave everyone in awe, as she does a breathtaking acrobatic dance number with acoustic heartthrob Sam Milby. KC will be more daring this year. Swinging and flipping in the blanket-like cloth hung in the coliseum’s trusses, the Mega daughter will perform her difficult stunts with flawless precision.

Big surprises will also shock Mega. She didn’t expect some of her closest friends in the industry to make it to her Mega concert. Mega’s friend, showbiz radio commentator Manny Castañeda and comedian Chokoleit will do a classy yet still funny jazz performance. Actors Roderick Paulate and Bayani Agbayani, directors Jose Javier Reyes and John Lazatin, and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista will deliver their heartwarming birthday messages for the Megastar.

Another number which will astound Mega is the hot and sexy performance of OPM queens Pilita Corales and Mitch Valdes, and Randy Santiago. Mega’s “BFF” Comedy Concert Queen Aiai delas Alas will also surprise Mega. Just like KC, Aiai swung and flipped. But this time, she was accompanied with sizzling hot men and sexy back-up ladies.

Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha makes a comeback in the Mega concert. Together with the Megastar, Lani will sing Mega’s timeless hits such as “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” “Bituing Walang Ningning” and “Pangarap na Bituin.”

The Megastar’s movie themes will also be remembered through sweet duets. by Piolo Pascual and KC in their rendition of “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?” , Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga sings “Pagdating ng Panahon” while Jericho Rosales and Karylle will do an inspiring version of “Kahit Wala Ka Na.”

Today’s most-talked-about Star Power Final 5 Akiko Solon, Monica Sacay, Angeline Quinto, K-La Rivera and Krissel Valdez will also sing with their ultimate mentor, the Megastar.

Never miss Mega 2011, the biggest, brightest and most spectacular birthday concert of the year this January 23, after Rated K on ABS-CBN.

Dubbed as Asia’s hottest flower boys, two of K-pop boyband SS501 members are coming to Manila.

Greenlights Events and Productions Phils., Inc. is bringing to Manila two of SS501’s members, Kim Kyu Jong and Heo Young Saeng – Asia’s hottest Flower Boys.

SS501, (pronounced as double S-501) is one of Korea’s most beloved boy bands who became popular across Asia including the Philippines because their songs were featured in the hit tv series “Boys Over Flowers.” Their leader, Kim Hyun Joong, portrayed the role “Yoon Ji Hoo” in said series and it made the group more popular than ever. Yahoo Buzz Asia dubbed them as “Asia’s Most Popular Idol Group” in 2009.

Heo Young Saeng and Kim Kyu Jong will be touring Asia for their fan meet and showcase tour. The tour brings them all over Asia with stops at South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

In the Philippines, the event is called “Kyu Jong and Young Saeng and Story in Manila” and it’s an interactive-type concert with fan participation. It will be held at The Forum 2 of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila on February 5, 2011 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

GMA’s rising star–Solenn Heusaff–is now a recording artist aside from being an actress and a model.

After being one of the castaways of the Kapuso network’s Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown where she is one of the final three, a lot of opportunities came to fashion designer and make-up artist Solenn Heusaff.

She signed a recording contract with MCA Universal Philippines, a movie contract with Regal Entertainment, and a television contract with GMA Network and GMA Artist Center.

The Half-French Half-Pinay is about to star in her first movie–”My Valentine Girls”–as one of Richard Gutierrez‘s leading ladies. She is also set to record 3 albums for MCA Universal in a span of 3 years. Not to mention her upcoming projects on GMA-7.

Since Solenn is becoming popular, intrigues will not be left behind. A French TV Network recently tagged her, together with Anne Curtis and Ruffa Gutierrez, as “Bimbos.” The report came from the French Channel M6 titled “Stories of Gangsters, Drug Lords and Bimbos”.

According to the dictionary, a Bimbo describes a woman who is physically attractive but is perceived to have a low intelligence, poor education or sexually promiscuous.

Solenn, being half-French, reacted to the said report:

“I was very offended since my dad and I had helped them organize their documentary here as well as provide for their transportation. They wanted to film several sides of the Philippines and they just totally exaggerated the differences between the poor and more fortunate.”

“They made my friends and I sound like total spoiled brats and uneducated and made us look like we don’t work and all we do is live the lifestyle. All my friends are very well educated, respected, self-accomplished, down-to-earth and successful women,” she added.

With her blossoming career, intrigues included, Solenn is definitely one of the breakthrough stars of 2011!

Image courtesy of MCA Universal.

The BAFTA, United Kingdom’s equivalent to the Oscars, has just released their nominees for this year’s edition.

Here is the full list of nominations for the 2011 BAFTA Awards:

Best Film

Black Swan
True Grit
Inception
The King’s Speech
The Social Network

Best Director

Darren Aronofsky – Black Swan
David Fincher – The Social Network
Tom Hooper – The King’s Speech
Christopher Nolan – Inception
Danny Boyle – 127 Hours

Best Actor

Jesse Eisenberg – The Social Network
Colin Firth – The King’s Speech
James Franco – 127 Hours
Javier Bardem – Biutiful
Jeff Bridges – True Grit

Best Actress:

Annette Bening – The Kids Are All Right
Julianne Moore – The Kids Are All Right
Noomi Rapace – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Natalie Portman – Black Swan
Hailee Steinfeld – True Grit

Best Supporting Actor:

Christian Bale – The Fighter
Pete Postlethwaite – The Town
Andrew Garfield – The Social Network
Mark Ruffalo – The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush – The King’s Speech

Best Supporting Actress:

Amy Adams – The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter – The King’s Speech
Barbara Hershey – Black Swan
Lesley Manville – Another Year
Miranda Richardson – Made in Dagenham

Outstanding British Film:

127 Hours
Another Year
Four Lions
The King’s Speech
Made In Dagenham

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer:

The Arbor – Clio Bernard (director), Tracy O’Riordan (producer)
Exit Through The Gift Shop – Banksy (director), Jaimie D’Cruz (producer)
Four Lions – Chris Morris (director/writer)
Monster – Gareth Edwards (director/writer)

Best Foreign Language Film:

Biutiful – Mexico/Spain
The Secret in Their Eyes – Argentina
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Sweden
I Am Love – Italy
Of Gods and Men – France

Best Animated Feature Film:

Toy Story 3
How To Train Your Dragon
Despicable Me

Best Original Screenplay:

Black Swan – Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John McLaughlin
The Fighter – Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson
Inception – Christopher Nolan
The Kids are Alright – Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg
The King’s Speech – David Seidler

Best Adapted Screenplay:

127 Hours – Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Rasmus Heisterberg, Nikolaj Arcel
The Social Network – Aaron Sorkin
Toy Story 3 – Michael Arndt
True Grit – Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Best Original Score:

127 Hours – AR Rahman
Alice in Wonderland – Danny Elfman
How To Train Your Dragon – John Powell
Inception – Hans Zimmer
The King’s Speech – Alexandre Desplat

Rising Star Award:

Gemma Arterton
Andrew Garfield
Tom Hardy
Aaron Johnson
Emma Stone

The BAFTA Awards is happening at London’s Royal Opera House on February 13, 2011.

What is it about Katy Perry‘s songs that they sound better when sung by a man?

After the hit Darren Criss cover of “Teenage Dream” on Glee, the best-selling Glee track on iTunes ever, Boyce Avenue featuring David Choi rendered another cool male version of a Katy Perry song. It’s the inspirational hit–”Firework”–and it made me go oh oh oh!

Boyce Avenue is a Puerto Rican band composed of acoustic-singing brothers Alejandro, Fabian and Daniel Manzano. David Choi, on the other hand, is a Korean-American who is also a YouTube sensation.

Firework Lyrics:

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep?
Six feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there’s still a chance for you
‘Cause there’s a spark in you?

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, oh oh oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, oh
You’re gonna leave ‘em falling down

You don’t have to feel like a waste of space
You’re original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you’re reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it’s time, you’ll know

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

‘Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, oh
You’re gonna leave ‘em falling down

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It’s always been inside of you, you, you
And now it’s time to let it through

‘Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, oh
You’re gonna leave ‘em falling down

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Kristen Bell (“When in Rome”) plays star dancer Nikki, whose attitude and self-destructiveness turn the backstage into drama-filled turmoil, in Columbia Pictures’ dazzling musical, “Burlesque.”

“I don’t think you can ever come into a part that is seemingly the antagonist and, as the actor, believe that they’re bad,” Bell says of her character. “You have to look for the reasons why Nikki thinks what she’s doing is right. She’s just more entitled than everyone else. She’s had it easy, she’s also worked very hard to get where she is, and she’s going to defend her territory. Nikki doesn’t think she’s bitchy. She thinks she’s trying to cope with everyone around her.”

Much of Nikki’s protectiveness and insecurity is wrapped up in her relationship with Tess (Cher), the owner of the Burlesque Lounge. Bell explains: “Nikki admires Tess so much. Tess is this beautiful, gorgeous, talented woman who owns this club and who gave Nikki her start. She allowed Nikki to dance, and they have been friends for a long, long time. When Ali (Christina Aguilera) weasels her way into the relationship and Nikki’s no longer the favorite, it really makes her angry.”

Playing bad has its charms, especially for someone who typically finds herself playing good. “It’s fun to play the mean girl,” Bell says. “There are fewer rules. You can do what you want because bad people don’t have much of a conscience.”

In a confrontation between Nikki and Tess, Bell had to dive right into one of her most dramatic scenes mere moments after meeting Cher. “Shooting the parking lot scene was kind of bizarre because I hadn’t known Cher at that point,” Bell recalls. “We both knew this was a pivotal point in our relationship, so it had to be good and it had to be real. We sat down and talked first and we said, ‘Obviously we’re best friends. We’ve had a million movie nights where I’ve burnt the popcorn and you’ve made gin and tonics and we’ve painted each other’s nails and you’re my idol and I’m your protégé and this has been going on for years and this is how it works and tonight’s the night of our break-up.’”

Despite the level of fame Cher and Aguilera brought to the production, Bell found her work environment to be exceptionally supportive. “They’re both so down-to-earth, which I hate to say is surprising, but it was,” Bell recalls. “You don’t know what kind of personality someone’s going to have when they’re that iconic, but they’re both lovely and so much fun to work with and so blunt and easy to be around. It’s become like a really nice family, kind of like these girls actually have at this burlesque club.”

Bell held her own with Aguilera and the team of seasoned dancers. “They danced with Michael Jackson and they dance with Beyoncé. These girls are the best of the best. You would think that it might be a giant catfight with this many women, but it’s not. It’s such a supportive environment. I’m very much trying to keep up with them in the dance department. I can pull one aside and say, ‘Can you show me that step again?’ They’re ready and willing to make it the best it can be,” Bell says.

Opening across the Philippines on Feb. 2, “Burlesque” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.