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By Michael Lopez

Time to start practicing those guitar licks. Juanes just announced that he will invite his "most talented fan" onstage during his Unplugged special, IF they can prove they've got the chops to perform one of his songs. The contest will be powered by our very own OurStage site and every Rockero fan has the chance to enter.

The way it works is pretty simple. Record yourself performing either "A Dios le Pido", "Me Enamora", "Fotografía" or "La Soledad" and post it on juanes.tr3s.com by January 9 2012. From December 12 through January 17, OurStage fans will be able to judge the performances and rank the Top 40.

From there, it's in the hands of El Rockero, who'll be selecting the winner himself. If it's you, you'll be sent on an all expense-paid trip to Miami to perform on Juanes Unplugged at the New World Center.

It's all pretty amazing, especially considering that you could be seen by millions when the special airs. And who knows? If you're good enough, you may even wind up on the Juanes live album that'll be recorded that night.

Good luck Rockero fans!

Do you think you're good enough to play with Juanes? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Hot Stuff, Jaunes, Juanes Unplugged, Música, Most Talented Fan Contest, MTV Unplugged, Ourstage, Tr3s Exclusives, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

With his gossip stories and larger-than-life attitude, you knew it was only a matter of time before Perez Hilton popped up on a Spanish-language soap. And what novela could be better suited for the chisme king than Popland? Yup, Carla and company are getting paid a visit by the mighty Perez and he spoke to us exclusively about the experience.

"It was a lot of fun to act in Spanish," he said. "It was actually something I had never done before and I love trying new things. I love doing fun things like acting."

Perez is no stranger to TV. He's got an appearance lined up Beverly Hills 90210 and has done cameos for Victorious and The Hills. Hilton actually confessed that he's quite the fan of the small screen and even has plans to start his own television production company.

"I'm starting my own TV production company because I want to do more in television," he said. "I want something that's my own and that I'm a part of. So far, I've pitched a talk show and a singing competition for female vocalists."

Calling Perez ambitious is an understatement. Outside of his TV work, he's currently managing five successful sites. Besides his flagship PerezHilton.com domain, the wonder blogger oversees Teddy Hilton (for pets), Coco Perez (for fashion), Fit Perez (for health), and his newest venture, Perezitos.

"Having these sites is like juggling," he explained. "I have a lot of balls in the air. And you can't get bogged down if one of the balls drops. You've just got to keep on juggling."

Hilton confessed that he works around the clock to keep his empire running. And the fact that he loves to write certainly makes things easier. Perez even branched out into the world of children's literature, publishing The Boy With The Pink Hair.

And all of you bloggers out there, take note. Hilton offered some sound advice for those looking to break into the world of online journalism.

"The best advice I can give anyone is to get a gimmick," he said. "There are so many blogs out there. You need to stand out and do something different. Come at it from a new point-of-view."

You can catch Perez' big Popland! debut, January 19 on Tr3s! Watch a trailer here:

Who's your favorite online blogger? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrities, Exclusive Entrevistas, Novelas, Perez Hilton, Popland, popnews, Television, Tr3s Exclusives, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

You know your novela is off to a good start when there are tears, cop chases, and naked people in the first episode! And that's exactly what Popland! delivered with its big debut on Tr3s this week. Setting up what looks to be a fascinating story, it's got a sexy cast, a great soundtrack, and a nail-biting cliffhanger keeping us anxious for episode 2!

As the story kicks off, we meet Carla, a play-by-her-own-rules kind of girl who's eager to leave the small-town life behind. The problem is, the small-town life doesn't want to let go! She's got that needy boyfriend Diego and "Missing" posters popping up everywhere that beg for her to return.

The only thing is, Carla doesn’t want to go back. She split to the big city and happened to catch a ride with a very influential person. Katherine (or "K" as she likes to be called) runs the chic tabloid Popland! and happens to see quite a bit of potential in her new stowaway.

It's clear that Carla wouldn't mind mixing her photography skills with the celebrity world, but she's determined to make her own way. Eventually, she lands a gig as a hotel maid and hopes to first establish herself as an independent young woman.

The trouble is, Popland! keeps calling and sooner or later you know those worlds are going to collide. We get a hint of what's to come towards the end of the episode, when Carla takes some "revealing" snaps of a celeb at her hotel. After a dramatic chase (and scenes that are WAY too hot for American TV), we find her in the middle of quite a jam.

It's not a bad setup for Popland! #2 and a great way to introduce the characters. Star Sara Cobo has some celeb potential of her own and we get the feeling this show could be a major launching for an international acting career. Manuela Gonzalez also does a killer job in her role as K. Is she good? Is she bad? We can't wait to find out.

And best of all, Popland! has an awesome set of songs that play along during the action sequences. There's emo jams, alternative punk riffs, and even some English bands that'll get your feet tapping. Stay tuned for more episodes on Tr3s and grab your hankies. We're sure this novela will be one heck of an emotional rollercoaster.

What did you think about Popland’s premiere episode? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Manuela Gonzalez, Novelas, Popland, Sara Cobo, Television, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

What are you doing this Saturday at 12 midnight PST (or 3 am for all you east coast night owls)? If you're a fan of Latin alternative music, you best be turning on Tr3s for our new series, La Hora Nacional! Curated by Nacional Records founder Tomas Cookman, it promises to showcase the hottest alternative jams of the week!

Bomba Estero, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, and "Spot" headliners Los Rakas are just a few of the alternative genre-hoppers you can expect to hear on the series. And seeing how Cookman also helped create the LAMC, you can bet there will be performances culled from that catalog as well.

"We are excited about a new focused program that will highlight rising stars as well as iconic acts across various genres," Tomas said in his La Hora announcement. "As the U.S. Latino demographic continues to evolve, it's essential to recognize the tremendous amount of groundbreaking talent which often do not receive as much attention from the mainstream Latin media."

And judging from episode one's playlist, you can tell Cookman is living up to his word. Expect jams from Ana Tijoux, Mano Negra, and MTV Iggy's newest darlings La Vida Bohéme. Plus with all the CARmaggedon drama going on, it makes a perfect late night escape!

Catch the premiere of La Hora Nacional this Saturday at 12am PST on Tr3s!

Who's your favorite alternative Latin artist? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Hot Stuff, La Hora Nacional, LAMC, Música, Television, Tomas Cookman, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

Thirty-four episodes in, how could you not be hooked on Niñas Mal? There’s outspoken Adela and her mommy issues, Nina and her ability to “bend the truth,” and Greta’s out-of-control eating disorder. But beyond the onscreen drama, the novela has also built a rep for its top-notch soundtrack. And finding musical inspiration for the Niñas was a rather interesting task, as Colombian band Don Tetto explained exclusively to Blogamole.

Already a favorite with MTV Latin America fans, Don Tetto’s videos have been in heavy rotation for more than four years. Formed in 2003, the tight-knit quartet of Diego Puelo, Carlos Leongomez, Jaime Valderrama and Jaime Medina recently released their second album, which features the Mal track, “No Digas Lo Siento.”

“This second album gave us the opportunity to open ourselves more,” bassist Valderrama said. “Our first CD was more related to the punk scene. Now we are influenced by more variations of rock.”

Of course, the “punk scene” was a perfect fit for the bad girls of Niñas Mal. Valderrama went on to explain how many of their lyrics were inspired by the novela’s troublesome trio.

“When we were writing our latest batch of songs, our manager called and told us about MTV and Niñas Mal," he said. "We were really excited! It gave us the opportunity to write about those kinds of girls you meet that your mother doesn’t like. We liked the theme of the show.”

Also included on the soundtrack is Mexican songstress Belinda. Her “Lolita” video featured all three female leads causing trouble in typical Niñas Mal style.

Valderrama mentioned how grateful he and his bandmates were to be part of the musical project.

“All of our fans love the show! A lot of people have commented on it. They really love the actresses.”

By the sounds of things, earning a song on Niñas Mal can benefit both the artists and the show. Jaime also noted that the band’s Twitter and Facebook followings have greatly increased since the series premiere. Likewise, we’re sure Don Tetto’s punk fan base was eager to get wrapped up in the ongoing tantrums of Adela, Nina and Greta.

What is your favorite Niñas Mal song? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Don Tetto, Exclusive Entrevistas, Música, Ninas Mal, Novelas, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

Get ready to clear your Sunday schedule: Reggaeton superstars Wisin y Yandel are taking over MTV Tr3s on Sunday, Jan. 23! For nine straight hours, W y Y will show off their favorite videos, share stories about their early days and perform live renditions of their greatest hits.

Forget sleeping in until noon. Wisin y Yandel's edition of Music My Guey kicks off at 10 a.m. EST with fan-favorite playlists and exclusive photos of the guys. At 10:30 a.m., W y Y’s Videologia will dig deep into the bachata video vaults.

Stick around at 11a.m. to see their favorite female videos on Chicas Arriba: Wisin y Yandel. Then, at 11:30 a.m., tune in for one of our personal faves, Live: Wisin y Yandel. At 12 p.m., W y Y’s Diary episode will showcase their whirlwind trip through L.A. and all of the behind-the-scenes drama from their music video shoots.

At 1 p.m., check out the Top 20 videos of Wisin y Yandel’s career, featuring everything from such classics as “Pam Pam” to hot hits off the Regreso de los Vaqueros album. Tune in at 4 p.m. for Yo-Yo: Wisin y Yandel, followed by the bachata kings on Qiu & Ey at 6 p.m. Trust us, every question will get answered on that special.

So forget all those lame football games. If you really want to get the party started this Sunday, tune into Tr3s for nonstop W y Y. And if that's not enough, the duo will debut their highly-anticipated “Zun Zun Rompiendo Caderas” video on Tr3s on Monday, Jan. 24.

Does entertainment get any better than this?!

Which Wisin y Yandel show are you most excited about? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Hot Stuff, Música, Tr3s, Tr3s Exclusives, Tr3s shows, Wisin y Yandel

By Michael Lopez

If you’d like to watch Ricky Martin tape a special show for Tr3s, book your tickets to Miami now. If you already happen to live there, that's even better. Tr3s is looking for audience members for a private concert performance Jan. 24 that will be broadcast later this year.

If you’re between the ages of 18 and 30 and can't go a week without listening to some Ricky tunes, clear your schedule and send us an e-mail.

Call time for the audience is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24. You only need to send your name and phone number for a chance to sit in the audience.

E-mail us at mtv.latinmiamicasting@hotmail.com or follow @MIACastingMTV on Twitter for casting updates.

Does life get any sweeter than this? We think not.

Would you like to see Ricky Martin perform live? Let us know in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags casting, Hot Stuff, Música, Ricky Martin, Tr3s, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

If you’ve got Friends like Juanes, Calle 13 and Zack de la Rocha, you must be doing something right. But these three superstars aren’t just buddies of Los Tigres del Norte, they’re hardcore fans. Now they’re all set to take the stage for a Los Tigres del Norte and Friends Unplugged special.

With a slew of Grammy Awards and 50 No. 1 singles to their credit, the Norteños have been entertaining millions for more than 40 years. Their bumping bass lines, gorgeous accordions and four-part harmonies have influenced not just the regional Mexican music scene, but also cumbia, pop, rock and even rap (as Rage Against the Machine's de la Rocha would attest). Billboard magazine called them “the most influential regional Mexican band — widely viewed as the voice of the people.”

With all of this acclaim and a 42-year run as a group, Los Tigres are overdue for an Unplugged special. Imagine Juanes sitting in on an acoustic version of “La Puerta Negra” or Calle 13's Residente or Rage's Zack de la Rocha rapping over “Perdonen Mi Canto” in an intimate live setting.

As Juanes put it, “Los Tigres are the rock of the culture. It’s an honor to join them for this Unplugged. I love their music, attitude and career.”

Los Tigres (humble as ever) added their own thoughts about the upcoming special, “We are looking forward to the opportunity to revisit many special moments in our career, while also creating new interpretations with a wide array of special guests.”

The special is set to tape in early 2011 and will be broadcast shortly thereafter on MTV, MTV Tr3s, MTV Spain and VH1 Latin America. Check Blogamole for updates and air times.

What Los Tigres song would you most like to hear Unplugged? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Calle 13, Hot Stuff, Juanes, Los Tigres Del Norte, Los Tigres Del Norte And Friends Unplugged, Música, Tr3s shows, Unplugged, Zack de la Rocha

By Michael Lopez

You wouldn’t think that comedy and skateboarding go hand-in-hand, but in the Rodriguez family they’re very closely aligned. Paul Rodriguez definitely passed down some talented genes to his son, they just got channeled to the skate park instead of the standup stage.

Image: Markisa

In a candid interview with Fox News Latino, both of them spoke about Paul Jr.’s (aka P-Rod) journey to skateboarding stardom. Interestingly, Paul Sr. first envisioned his son to be the next Tiger Woods, buying him a set of fancy clubs at an early age. Obviously that wasn’t in the cards for P-Rod.

“When he came out of summer school…I said to him, ‘Where are your golf clubs?’” Paul Sr. said. “He said, ‘No, golf is too ugly. I prefer you give me a skateboard.'”

The rest, as they say, is history. Paul Jr. admitted that at first it wasn’t easy convincing his dad that he wanted to devote his life to skateboarding.

“Early on, when I told him this is what I wanted to become, he did not support me. He just did not believe me…didn’t believe skateboarding was something you could do with your life and live off of. I started showing that this was something you could make a living off of and do. So he was just like, ‘Okay, son.’”

Now Paul Sr. couldn’t be more proud. From the start, he began keeping all of P-Rod’s trophies, magazine covers, and signature boards in his house. And that was only the beginning. Eventually Paul Jr. became the first Latino to be endorsed by a major shoe company (Nike) and even opened his own skate park in Pacoima, CA.

As Paul Sr. put it, “Not only am I so proud as a dad, but it makes me prouder as a Hispanic because, as you can see, he is a good example in these days when we need positive role model for the Hispanic youth."

Don’t worry Paul, we’re very proud of you too. Especially the hilarious work you’ve been doing on our Mis Videos Locos show. Well worth checking out…Hint, Hint.

Source: [Fox News Latino]

Who are you a bigger fan of, Paul Sr. or Paul Jr.? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Mis Videos Locos, paul rodriguez, Paul Rodriguez Jr. Skateboarding, skate park, Tr3s, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

Be honest, how well can you really speak Spanish? Even if you’re completely bilingual, there’s a good chance that your kids (and their kids) will have a tougher time keeping up with Español. In fact, research group, Pew Hispanic Center, is saying that 71% of third-generation Latinos claim English as their dominant language. That’s why it’s no surprise that novelas and other Spanish-language programming are starting to embrace subtitles en inglés.

Image: MTV

It’s an interesting move and is already getting put to use on networks like Telemundo. Well-known novelas like Decisiones Extremas and Amor Descarado have experimented with the process, and though it’s not completely clear whether it led to increased ratings, most fan reaction has been positive.

Of course, others have spoken out against the idea. Thomas Ihde, a professor in the Departments of Languages and Literatures at the City University of New York said,

“The second, third generations are losing something by relying on the subtitles. Subtitles encourage passive knowledge. That's part of the tradition in America: losing our ethnic languages in opting for the majority one."

So the question is, would you want to see white text on the bottom of your screen when you watch Juegos Prohibidos? Even we have to admit some of those characters talk pretty fast (especially Nacho’s dad, does he mumble or what?), and there are plenty of positive benefits from the idea. Like using it as a tool for those trying to learn English, since they could see translations for Spanish phrases and words.

Source: [L.A. Times]

Do you think novelas should have English subtitles? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Cultura, Juegos Prohibidos, telenovelas, Television, Tr3s shows