Do you need to be in a professional rock band to be good at ‘Rock Band?’

The question was posed to a couple of actual bands — Panic at the Disco and Plain White T’s — at the ‘Rock Band 2′ concert/promotional bonanza held at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip. Their answer? Well, it doesn’t hurt.

“Consistency and commitment,” Panic bassist Jon Walker said as he and his bandmates wheedled their way through the Allman Brothers’ “Ramblin’ Man,” “Those are the keys to success.”

“I didn’t even know the words to the song we were doing,” PWT frontman Tom Higginson laughed after delivering a yowling version of Nirvana’s “Drain You.” “But I still got 100 percent on ‘Hard.’ I’m like Kurt Cobain here.”

Given that both bands are going to Sunday’s Video Music Awards — Panic is nominated for Best Pop Video — we figured it would be a good time to get some predictions about who’d be taking a Moonman on show night.

“I’d like to see Panic win, because we’re going on tour with them,” Higginson said, while his bandmates wailed through Alice In Chains’ “Man In The Box.” “I don’t know how Britney got nominated for anything though.”

“I think the Jonas Brothers are going to take Best Pop Video,” Panic guitarist Ryan Ross said. “But I’d like it if we won. Jon gave his first Moonman (Panic’s 2006 Video of the Year award) to his parents, and they won’t give it back.”

Stay up-to-date on everything about the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at vma.mtv.com, and don’t miss the big show Sunday (September 7) at 9 p.m. ET/PT or the pre-show red carpet coverage that starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

FROM MTV NEWSROOM: Gearing up for tomorrow night’s glitz and glamour, Kim Stolz decided to scope out the 2008 VMA red carpet runway. It might just look like a red rug to you, but Kim’s learned it takes a small army over a week’s worth of work to bring this year’s carpet to Paramount Studios.

Starting at Bronson Gate and stretching almost a quarter-mile long, this year’s red carpet will be jam-packed with more than 200 media outlets and scores of your favorite celebs (hopefully wearing some forgiving shoes).

For a sneak peek at the red carpet, watch Kim Stolz’s tour at MTV Newsroom.

Stay up-to-date on everything about the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at vma.mtv.com, and don’t miss the big show Sunday (September 7) at 9 p.m. ET/PT or the pre-show red carpet coverage that starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

What happens when fans meet their idols? There are a few opportunities for that to happen here at Paramount, since at least two performances on the backlot require crowd scenes. But even if fans show up early and wait for that elusive opportunity to be in the front row, they usually can’t hope for more than a wink or a smile.

“If I actually met a Jonas Brother, I might hyperventilate,” said fan Samar Reed, who has been waiting outside of the Paramount lot at the side entrance of Van Ness and Lemon Grove since 5 a.m.

So we tried to make Samar’s dream come true, but since the Jonas Brothers weren’t on site yet, we had to do with the next best thing – their paper placeholders for the main show. But on a movie lot where it’s hard to tell the difference between real and fake, they didn’t seem to mind. When presented with her Jonas, Samar actually started kissing him.

Perhaps that was too forward for fellow fan Jenna Lederer.”I’m putting my arm around mine,” she declared. “I can’t kiss him. I just met him!”

Even so, she was more than happy to dance with him, and after a little getting-to-know-you time, accept Kevin’s imaginary proposal. “Oh, you want to marry me?” she asked his placeholder while holding him out in front of her. “Why, yes. I do.”

Unfortunately, we had to take the Jonas Brothers back to Stage 16, but the girls didn’t want to let go. “That’s not your Jonas,” one told the other, trying to yank the paper away. And as we pried the placeholders out of their hands, Lederer pleaded, “Can I kiss him now?”

And here we had thought the paper doll version would be a poor substitute. Who knew?

Stay up-to-date on everything about the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at vma.mtv.com, and don’t miss the big show Sunday (September 7) at 9 p.m. ET/PT or the pre-show red carpet coverage that starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The King of the South played The King of Rock during VMA rehearsals this afternoon. During a break in practice, T.I killed time by playing a little air guitar on set. Keeping things light, the rapper sorted out some sound problems while waiting for Rihanna to rehearse their VMA performance of “Live Your Life.”

But before the rapper could really get things started, Rihanna strolled in with Chris Brown. After getting a hug from his collaborator, T.I. asked Chris if he’s ready for Monday: the morning after the VMAs, the two begin production on the heist caper film, Bone Deep.

With T.I. and Rihanna’s rehearsals underway, Chris took a seat to watch… but not for long. “Chris Brown, don’t you wanna be in the mosh pit?” the stage director called out over the microphone.

She needed some stand-ins for the audience, so Chris waved his arms in the air, pretending to be a frantic fan. It didn’t take much to get Chris Brown to make some moves — a little while later, he made his way to the front of the stage and started dancing.

We can’t reveal much more of what happened at Ri’s top-secret rehearsal, but check out photos of Rihanna’s dancers getting into their supernatural hair and make-up.

Stay up-to-date on everything about the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at vma.mtv.com, and don’t miss the big show Sunday (September 7) at 9 p.m. ET/PT or the pre-show red carpet coverage that starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

VMA party weekend officially kicked started Friday night with Jermaine Dupri’s party at the Avalon in Hollywood. JD — ever the consummate mogul and multitasker — celebrated the launch of Tag Records, and, of course, the VMAs.

With D-Nice spinning — “Put On,” by Young Jeezy and Kanye West, T-Pain and Lil’ Wayne’s “Can’t Believe It,” and Game and 50 Cent’s “This is How We Do,” all were huge for the dance floor — D stood at the booth hyping up the party. Nice played the remix to Dru Hill’s “Sleeping in My Bed,” while Dupri shouted, “Brat I love you!”

“Yes Janet Jackson is here,” JD told some ladies on the dance floor. “Y’all can stop asking me now.”

Back in the crowd, you could spot Paul Wall mingling while the likes of Jazze Pha and Polow Da Don chilled in the V.I.P. section.

Later, Tag Records lead artist Q performed, as did Fabolous. Loso hit the crowd with “Breathe” and “You Make Me Better.”

+ Watch Jermaine dispense some VMA advice for Britney’s big appearance, (which is barely 24 hours from now!)

Stay up-to-date on everything about the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at vma.mtv.com, and don’t miss the big show Sunday (September 7) at 9 p.m. ET/PT or the pre-show red carpet coverage that starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Today the Jonas Brothers are scheduled to rehearse their VMA performance, but they won’t step foot onto the Paramount lot until later this afternoon. However that didn’t stop the fans who’ll appear in their performance from setting their watches to Jonas Standard Time and getting here early. Like 13 hours early.

Today’s scheduled call time for Jonas Brothers extras is 4pm.

These OJD sufferers got here at 3 in the morning.

Check out their photos below — love the “Lovebug” mani! — get a pre-show sneak of the Jonas’ VMA set here and here, and watch just-shot video footage of some of the JBs’ most fearless (and probably most tired) fans.

Stay up-to-date on everything about the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at vma.mtv.com, and don’t miss the big show Sunday (September 7) at 9 p.m. ET/PT or the pre-show red carpet coverage that starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Are they? Aren’t they? Whatever. Rihanna and Chris Brown just rolled by me in a golf cart. Rihanna was all leaned back with her arm draped around Chris’ neck, looking pretty much like an “are” to me.

Now will you kids PLEASE drop the coy cover and hold hands already tomorrow night?

‘Kay, I’m off to watch Rihanna’s rehearsal!

You probably know comedian Russell Brand as that guy with the big hair who’s hosting the 2008 VMAs tomorrow, and who sat next to Britney Spears and an elephant, and who hit on Kim Stolz, and who was in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and who lovingly refers to the Jonas Brothers as “God’s favorite virgins.”

But despite the largesse of his hair, Russell Brand somehow manages to wear yet another hat; Brits also know him as the host of his eponymous Saturday night radio show, The Russell Brand Show, on BBC Radio 2. And he’s not letting a small commitment like the VMAs stop him from hosting his show live today from the Paramount lot with co-host/-hort Matt Morgan, Noel Gallagher live via phone and a very special surprise in-studio guest.

Listen to Russell’s show, featuring special guest, Slash. It’s like Howard Stern but relevant!

Oh, and the show does contain adult humor, so don’t cry to your mommy if you hear a word about poopy and didn’t like it, because you’ve been warned.

The set of T.I.’s “Whatever You Like” performance is going to feature many a resplendent scene: a sexy lady in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired body-hugging dress and furs (by the way, that’s Chanta Patton, who was in Kardinal Offishall’s “Dangerous” video), a swish women’s boutique with choice couture on display, and the requisite velvet rope keeping the unwashed have-nots away from the PYTs inside the swank fake club.

But the set’s most valuable player isn’t even T.I. himself. It’s the Rolls Royce Phantom (a 2007, I think, which I hear was an excellent year for Phantoms) that you’ll see T.I. jump inside during his VMA performance Sunday night.

Sticker price? A mind-bending $550,000, and procuring the car for the show was a nightmare of red tape, contractual woes and lots of acronyms like P.O., C.O.D., and SNAFU. But now the ride’s on lock — literally — and the whole set-up’s about as heavily protected as Britney’s going to be when she shows up tomorrow (and no, i DO NOT KNOW if she’s performing…)

And in case you wanted to rent the ride for prom or a road trip, it runs about $5,000 per day, plus the $150 fee per mile for each extra mile over three miles that MTV rolls onto the Rollie.

Watch video footage shot at T.I.’s rehearsal last night, and check out more photos of T.I. — and the star car –- at his rehearsal last night. And for all you Everybody Hates Chris fans, the “club” in the photo below is actually the hair salon featured on the show. Hollywood magic!

Read more…

On the way back from my not-so-starring role as an extra in Pink’s pyro-packed rehearsal performance (more on that soon), I happened upon this Very Special Fake Brooklyn Brownstone that’ll be sorta-inhabited by the real Jonas Brothers and several hundred of their closest friends and fans during the JBs’ VMA performance Sunday night.

Note that caution tape placed there by the Paramount police to keep people like me from climbing the set? See! I’m risking my life and my job for you people!

+ Check out more photos of the Jonas Brothers’ VMA performance set.

Stay up-to-date on everything about the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at vma.mtv.com, and don’t miss the big show Sunday (September 7) at 9 p.m. ET/PT or the pre-show red carpet coverage that starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT.