Hulu Announces Partnership With Disney

Disney, one of the largest media and entertainment companies in the world, has joined forces with popular video hub Hulu--which may mean trouble for rival YouTube, according to an article on CNET.com.

Per the deal, Disney will be provide Hulu with full episodes from its television network affiliates, including ABC. Hulu will host shows such as "LOST," "Grey's Anatomy," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "Private Practice," and "Greek," among others.

Also according to the article, Hulu has snatched up content from three out of the six big-time film studios. The other three, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. and Paramount, leave YouTube with little to vie for. While Sony has agreed to share a small amount of content with both Hulu and YouTube, Warner Bros. keeps most of its content off the web, and Paramount's parent company is currently suing YouTube for copyright infringement.

Disney chief executive Robert A. Iger commented on the Disney-Hulu partnership in a NYTimes.com story: “Disney and Hulu share a focus on delivering the highest-quality entertainment experience, and we look forward to working with Hulu to build value for our consumers, our brands and our shareholders.”

The Twitterverse seems pleased with, and even excited about, the partnership.

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   mitchnetzer 30% of Hulu is now owned by Disney?!?! Ok, well at least we're getting some new shows on there! #Scrubs #FTW
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   elchankdos Maybe Disney will motivate Hulu to fix their drag-ass video streaming.
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   wap05a ABC Shows on Hulu! It's a little sad how excited I am about this.
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   david_henderson Hurray, Disney joining hulu.com, good news for Desperate Housewives and Grey's fans http://tinyurl.com/dbxh9l
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   cardiff_3 Disney and ABC will now be seen on HULU fuck yes! http://tinyurl.com/demojb about time Disney. Need to keep up with the times.
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   TimSchmitz ABC is joining Hulu! Awesome news. http://tinyurl.com/ctextj
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   sgrunenwald thinks that ABC/Disney shares in Hulu are really good news for online video but bad news for YouTube!
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   ryanbrownstar Lost coming to Hulu with new Disney-Hulu deal. Fantastic!
9. 
   goodmanw Disney signing with Hulu is some of the best news I've heard today.

Fans Campaign to "Save 'Chuck'"

According to CNN, fans of NBC's "Chuck" are on a mission to save the show from cancellation. Using blogs, tweets and Faceboook pages, fans are following the lead of similar campaigns enlisted in the past to resurrect shows such as "Jericho" and "Roswell."

"Chuck" stars Zachary Levi as Chuck Bartowski, a computer geek-turned-unlikely government secret agent, and the colorful characters he meets along the way. While the show's co-creator, Josh Schwartz, said he is blown away by the overwhelming support, he is not surprised by the way fans are leveraging social networking sites to get the word out.

"This show is by geeks, about geeks and for geeks, so who better to know how to adapt to emerging technologies," Schwartz says.

Fans took to Twitter to show their love for the show:

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   aaronstewart For those who want to save Chuck on NBC, here is a form. One of the few shows we can watch with the kids. http://bit.ly/10Smfc
   
   


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   botherer I hate campaigns to save TV shows. They normally don't deserve it. But Chuck... Chuck's special. If you care: http://tinyurl.com/d3n43d
   
   


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   scottstead Oh cmon! Everytime I like a show they cancel it. http://bit.ly/8GxnP Save Chuck! (I mean come on Scott Bakula's back!)
   
   


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   Kauza Oh hell yes, Chuck won the USA Today "Save our Shows" poll. Well deserved! http://is.gd/vCzy
   
   


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   CRK1568 Save Chuck on NBC!!! What else are you going to watch on Monday night before Jack Bauer?
   
   

NBC is scheduled to present its fall schedule to advertisers early next week, at which time the cast, crew and loyal fans of "Chuck" will learn its fate.

Ben Folds Releases A Cappella Album

Alternative pop/rock singer-songwriter Ben Folds released his new album "Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!" on Tuesday, according to CNN.com. The album, produced by Epic Records, is a collaboration of 14 a cappella ensembles from universities across the country and features covers of Folds' greatest hits.

Two out of the 16 songs on the album are sung a cappella by Folds himself.

The idea to ditch his trademark--his piano--hit Folds while he was browsing YouTube and came across videos of university a cappella singers performing covers of his songs.

In the article Folds says he was really moved by what he saw. "I thought it was better than what I had done when I first heard it. That's how it struck me because it was so fresh."

The album is already proving to be a hit among Ben Folds fans--it ranks #10 on iTunes Top Albums.

Twitterers are raving about it as well.

1. 
   mommytiller just went out and bought Ben Folds Presents: UNIVERSITY A CAPPELLA! Ben Folds fans MUST PURCHASE! amazing!
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   KJwrites I'm loving the new Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella album! Talk about a great concept. Check it out Folds/a cappella fans!!
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   koroshiya is listening to 'ben folds presents: university a cappella'. surprisingly awesome.
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   duffcampbell Listening to Ben Folds latest album, University a Cappella, musical pure genius. Ben is a modern day legend.
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   mattChevy Go listen to this - Guaranteed to make you feel good! Ben Folds: University A Cappella! http://www.lala.com/album/504684635190071645
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   gsantamaria creaming myself over Ben Folds Presents University a Cappella!
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   caesar113 Listening to the Ben Folds Presents: University a Cappella! album. Very unique. I like it.
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   BriLeit Bought the new Ben Folds University A Cappella cd! So good! =)

Chris Brown Wants Charges Dismissed

Not only has Chris Brown's day in court been moved to May 28, Brown's attorney, Mark Geragos, wants the case dismissed, according to MTV News.

Geragos told reporters due to "high-level leaks in the investigation" the case should be thrown out. One particular leak mentioned is the widely-circulated photo of Rhianna with bruises and scratches.

MTV News is also reporting that a plea bargain may be in works between Brown's attorney and the L.A. County District Attorney's office, which is another reason the later court date is helpful.

Twitter users reacted negatively to the news but some Brown fans are still sympathetic to the singer.

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   Lanice88 Chris Brown's Lawyer Wants Case Dismissed---why am I not surprised http://viigo.im/qBz
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   NPBN @BlackPressRadio I can't believe Chris Brown's attorney wants the case dismissed over leaked pics. I hope that doesn't happen.
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   KikaBlack I hope Chris Brown goes to jail!!!
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   zenjar Chris Brown should get his ass kicked (via #zenjar )
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   hilemmons Praying That Chris Brown Gets Charges Dropped ;; much love<3

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   Cricket6 Just read on Dlisted that the pictures of Rianna that leaked out could save Chris Brown! What a bunch of shit!!!!!
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   trigger_kc This Chris Brown thing is like swine flu. He went from the next Michael Jackson to the next Ike Turner. I hate the media. Parasites
3. 
   Laura_Zim watching oprah about chris brown and rihanna. i don't know what i believe. i don't know if i care.
4. 
   seanmiguelmason Hey @kiddshow chris brown needs to go to jail for a long damn time (kiddlive live > http://ustre.am/2FUW)

Ashanti Follows Yellow Brick Road to NYC

Per the New York Times, R&B singer Ashanti will make her stage debut as Dorothy in Encores! Summer Stars production of "The Wiz."

The songstress, who previously played Dorothy in the made-for-television movie "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz," has yet to learn who will be cast alongside her in the roles of the tin man, scarecrow and cowardly lion.

Twitterers are already offering their own mixed reviews.

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   benadgatemusic i don't really have the words to express my explicit excitement for Ashanti in The Wiz at Encores. and that I'll be seeing it.
   
   


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   blckbettyboop NOOOOOOOO ASHANTI IS NOT PLAYING DOROTHY IN THE NEW PRODUCTION OFTHE WIZ....WHAT R THEY DOING???UGH I CANT WAIT FOR MY TIME TO SHINE!!
   
   


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   albamejia Ashanti princess of defunct murder Inc. will play Dorothy in City Centers Summer stars Encore! the "WIZ". Support her and this great show!
   
   


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   ajuaorangemoon eggghhhhhhhhh Ashanti's playing Dorothy in the Broadway revival of The Wiz...DESECRATION!!!!! WTF?!?!?!
   
   


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   KMCme RT @HUFFPRGirl: Ashanti to star as Dorothy in "The Wiz" on broadway. Starts June 12th. Wahooooo!