Saturday 17 April 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for April 17th thru 30th, 2010

The Weekend MetPod

for April 17th thru 26th

with DON MORTON, KALEB JAMES, ROB SCHWARTZ, MARIKO LOCHRIDGE, SARAH CORTINA, NEIL BUTLER, RICH WHITWORTH and KAMSAMI KONG

Our ever-cranky and highly-opinionated film critic Don Morton will surprise if you’re planning to see Tim Burton’sAlice in Wonderland,” and he’ll also tells you about his new favorite movie actress whom he calls the best female actress since Audrey Hepburn! And finally, our lovable Critical One, the man our navigator Lauren Shannon calls a “walking-talking pillar of judgment,” gives us his candid opinions about the highly controversial movie –especially here in Japan- titled “The Cove.”

Special guests this week include members from the musical group DadaDa, Kate and Shige who will be performing at Dan Grunebaum’s upcoming SAIKO CHICK show. Mariko Lochridge introduces us to the founder of BBQ Records, Mr. Take. And, Kristi Hemmer joins us to talk about her V-Day documentary movie event.

And, as always, our musician in-demand Kaleb James brings us up to date on all the concerts coming to Tokyo both this weekend and in the future plus, BILLBOARD magazine correspondent Rob Schwartz calls-in from”pantheon territory” at Nippon Budokan to give us his review of the recent JAMES TAYLOR-CAROLE KING concert.

Finally… … … there’s been much speculation about heads-rolling at METROPOLIS. Hear our GM Neil Butler arguing with our Production Manager Rich Whitworth about this weeks magazine.

Sunday 11 April 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Saturday, April 10th, 2010

The Weekend MetPod with SARAH CORTINA, LAUREN SHANNON, KONISHIKI, RICH WITWORTH, NEIL BUTLER, MARIKO, DON MORTON, CHRIS BETROS and

KAMASAMI KONG


Gentlemen, listen up as our three savvy ladies of the MetPod share their likes and dislikes about men trying to score at “konkatsu” parties. These are truly some timely tips for gentlemen hoping to get lucky at this Sunday’s CUPID PARTY.
Sumo legend KONISHIKI tells us the amazing story about his trip to Dubai at the invitation of SHEIK MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM.

Saturday 3 April 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for April 3rd thru April 12th

While you’re doing your Spring cleaning this weekend, hit PLAY and enjoy your chores while you listen to our fast-moving, magazine-style podcast. From this point forward to make our podcast more useful to you, we’ll always be giving you our best suggestions for two weeks ahead. In this MetPod we’ll be looking forward all the way to April 11th offering our very best suggestions for things to do in Tokyo along the way.

The Weekend MetPod

for the weekends of 4/3 and 4/4 up til 4/11

with SARAH CORTINA, JAMES HADFIELD, DON MORTON, KALEB JAMES, ROB SCHWARTZ, LAUREN SHANNON and KAMASAMI KONG

BOB DYLAN just completed his 9th concert here in Tokyo at a venue called Zepp and our Japanese movie critic, ROB SCHWARTZ had a chance to go to one of the concerts in which Schwartz claims the usually somber Dylan laughed and smiled at his audience! (I can’t believe I just wrote that last sentence.) Schwartz, by the way, has credibility as he is also the Japan representative for BILLBOARD magazine.
Looking for some great food? How about a smoked bacon burger or a Philly cheese steak barbecue dog both made with American beef? You’ll find these thick, mouth-watering, ballpark delights at the MLB CAFÉ in Ebisu. We had a chance to talk with MASSA, head-chef and producer of this classy, very upscale, high tech sports bar.
Thinking about what to do this weekend? Our musician-in-demand, KALEB JAMES provides his best suggestions for concerts in and, our film critic DON MORTON gives us his “must-see” and his “must miss” movies opening in Tokyo this weekend.
And there’s more, Assistant Editor and MetPod navigator SARAH CORTINA chats with Editor JAMES HADFIELD about the cover and contents of this weeks magazine which features manga of fantasy men as drawn by female manga artists.

Sunday 28 March 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Friday, March 26th, 2010

The Weekend MetPod

with

SARAH CORTINA, LAUREN SHANNON, DON MORTON, KALEB JAMES, CHRIS BETROS and KAMASAMI KONG

This week, your magazine-style podcast is filled with our very best suggestions for things to do this weekend and on into the near future. SARAH CORTINA and LAUREN SHANNON navigate and along the way introduce us to some very funny guests who include;
IAN GIBB and BOB WERELY from the Tokyo Comedy Store who tell us about their next performance at the Crocodile in Shibuya, and they also share their thoughts on women, dating, turn-offs and the Personal Classified section of METROPOLIS magazine.
And, while we’re talking about comedy, you should know that soon there will be another comedy event in Tokyo happening at the PINK COW in Shibuya. Comedian JAZZ TREMLOW and musician TREVOR FERDY tell us about their event and then describe themselves as they would in a METROPOLIS classified ad if they were really trying to get…
On the serious but entertaining side, KIM FORSYTHE-FERRIS informs us that SCOTT MacINTYRE, of AMERICAN IDOL fame, will give a special performance at BILLBOARD LIVE for the Tyler Foundation. And of course, she’ll explain how YOU can get tickets.
TWO SCOOPS! Hawaiian born, sumo legend, AKEBONO has been a champion sumo wrestler, a K-1 boxer, a wrestler and now he tells about his amazing new career as a drummer in a rock band. And another legendary sumo giant, KONISHIKI tells us about his luxurious trip to Dubai by invitation of the King!

Thursday 18 March 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for March 12th, 2010

The Weekend MetPod

with

SARAN CORTINA, DON MORTON, KALEB JAMES, CHRIS BETROS & KAMASAMI KONG

As always, we share some of our best suggestions for things to do this weekend in Tokyo and for things to do in the coming weeks. We have info about movies, concerts and some clubbing events.
This week, our special guests include;
INES LIGRON, Japan National Director of Miss Universe Japan, tells us all about the newly chosen beauty queen, 25-year-old MAIKO ITAI who will represent Japan in the international Miss Universe competition. Ines says she’s currently “too skinny” and that she has to make her eat double! Plus, she speculates on what the Miss Universe pageant owner, DONALD TRUMP might think of our thin rep from the land of the rising sun. And, will Ines create another outrageous costume for this year’s global competition? Listen, and you’ll hear what she plans to do this year.
KEVIN MCGUE – Editor of a new section of our magazine that features avaunt-guard and independently made films and fills us in about an all night ALICE IN WONDERLAND event to get Tokyoites ready for the release of TIM BURTON’s new “Alice” movie.
COACH KARDAN, a motivational speaker has some spcific ideas about how you acn make your life better by focusing on 3 basic concepts.
DWAYNE WAYNE, club DJ provides info about a big party this weekend and also presents his HIT LIST report.
PRESENT FOR YOU! We still have many tickets left for the Philippine Fiesta! Great music, delicious foods, and FREE tickets if you send your email -before- March 16th deadline. Send your email to metpod@metropolis.co.jp Put the word “tickets” in the subject and include your mailing address in the body and we’ll mail the free tickets to you!

Sunday 7 March 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for The Weekend Starting Friday, March 5th, 2010


The Weekend MetPod

with

Sarah Cortina, Lauren Shannon, Don Morton, Kaleb James and Kamasami Kong

Welcome to our Weekend MetPod with navigators SARAH CORTINA and LAUREN SHANNON. This time we have lots of fascinating guests;
TRACI CONSOLI – Proprietor of The PINK COW, one of Tokyo’s most famous and friendly watering holes.
PHILIP WOO – Musician who’s played with Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Jeffrey Osborne, Kenny G, Maze, Roberta Flack, Grover Washington Jr., James Ingram and has a concerts coming up with the legendary ROY AYERS.
LYRA CEDENO – of the Philippine Fiesta with her special musical guests, GENE-Z and KIKURI.
JOSEPH TAME – The man who just made the news by running the Tokyo Marathon with a iPhone camera strapped to his head. We do this interview via an iPhone speaker phone.
And we have lots of presents to give away in this podcast!
Adult toys from M’s!
100 tickets to the Philippine Fiesta!
For your chance to win, send an email to metpod@metropolis.co.jp

Saturday 27 February 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for February 26th, 2010

The NEW Weekend MetPod

with

SARAH CORTINA, LAUREN SHANNON, DON MORTON, KALEB JAMES and special guests; CHRIS WELLS, SORCHA CHISHOLM and CHARLES GLOVER

By your overwhelming popular demand, we’re going back to making a once-a-week podcast, and… this is it. You guys told us the daily podcasts were too short and too frequent, and so…we’re back to providing you with a longer, more content rich cast that contains all your favorite features, like Morton’s movie reviews, Kaleb’s concert calendar, special guests and our savvy navigators, Sarah Cortina and Lauren Shannon.
If you’d like to communicate with us, check us out The Tokyo MetPod in Facebook.

The Tokyo MetPod for Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

SHOWBIZ NEWS

with

CHRIS BETROS

Hollywood celebs visiting our metropolis include JUDE LAW and HUGH GRANT and our reporter, CHRIS brings up up to date on what they were doing while here.
And then there’s the strange story about a UK girl who has become a YouTube phenomenon here in Japan, 14-year-old BECKII CRUEL.
And, if your Nihongo is up to parr, there might be a part for you as a voice-actor in a Disney movie.

Sunday 21 February 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Friday, Feburary 19th, 2010

MOVIE REVIEWS!

Our film criric goes to alol the moveis so you don’t have to -and- he has an opinion about each one. Save money, save time. Listen.

The Tokyo MetPod for Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

The MidWeek MetPod

with SARAH CORTINA and LAUREN SHANNON

Every week at this time, our hosts help you navagate your way through the coming weekend by offering their best suggestions for movies, concerts, events and parties happening in Tokyo. Thinking about a movie, out film critic, DON MORTON offers a must-see and a must-miss, or how about a concert? Our musician-in-demand, KALEB JAMES has some tasty suggestions.
Plus, hear how navagator LAUREN had a chance to shake the hand of BARRACK OBAMA in D.C. last week!
Our special musical guest this week is Avex recording star, KAT McDOWELL!

The Tokyo MetPod for Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

The ShowBiz Report

with

CHRIS BETROS

Hear about the Hollywood stars now visiti Tokyo, such as; TOM CRUISE, TAYLOR SWIFT and WHITNEY HOUSTON. Plus, hear about next week’s cover girl, CHIAKI KURIYAMA.KURIYAMA.

The Tokyo MetPod for Monday, February 15th 2010

BURGER KING

(Advertorial)

Listen to hear the President of BURGER KING JAPAN, Mr. HITOSHI ARIMOTO describe the all new tasty new WHOPPER’s we have at the 18 various BURGER KING locations around the greater Tokyo area.
WIN A WHOPPER IN THIS PODCAST
WE HAVE
10
FREE WHOPPERS TO GIVE AWAY!

The Tokyo MetPod for Friday, February 12th 2010

The Weekend MetPod
with DON MORTON and KAMASAMI KONG

We’re keeping in short and close to the bone in this edition as our film critic, DON MORTON Skype’s in his reviews about the two movies opening in Tokyo during this Valentine’s weekend.

Sunday 14 February 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

The MidWeek MetPod with
Sarah – Kaleb – Don – Chinatsu – Mariko and Kong

We had waaay too much fun making this podcast with everything you need to know about the MAGNETIC KISS party.

The Tokyo MetPod for Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

The ShowBiz MetPod
with Chris Betros

Hear about the Hollywood stars visiting Tokyo and hear about the “Madonna of Japan” who will be in the American TV series “BONES.”
TAYLOR SWIFT was here over the weekend, Chris has the story and he tells us about the BACKSTREET BOYS and WHITNEY HOUSTON’s upcoming concert at Saitama Super Arena.
Also hear about pianist and NHK star NAO MATSUSHITA.

A MetPod Extra: Banco Itau

MetPod Extra:

BANCO ITAU S. A.

(Advertorial Content)
Have you ever needed to send money back home? In our brief interview with Analyst KARLO COHELLO hear how easy and cost-effective it can be by using the services of BANCO ITAU S.A., especially if you are from Brazil or Peru.
www.itau.co.jp

Saturday 6 February 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Friday, February 5th, 2010

The Weekend MetPod

with

DON MORTON – JAMES HADFIELD – KAMASAMI KONG


Film critic, Morton provide harsh criticism for the films opening in Tokyo this weekend. Editor, Hadfield shares views on some of the more unusual stories from our magazine this week and Kong interviews our special, musical guest, WAYNE JONES Skyping in from Australia.
Where’s Kaleb? Well, as we often say…”Kaleb is a musician in demand!” He’s been out gigging again this week, but he promises to be back next week. To hear his best picks for this weekend, listen to the first 5-minutes our our MidWeek MetPod from this past Wednesday, Feb. 3rd.

The Tokyo MetPod for Monday, February 3rd, 2010

The MidWeek MetPod

with

SARAH CORTINA and LAUREN SHANNON

Listen to hear our plugged-in navigators provide you with their best suggestions for things to do in Tokyo this weekend starting Friday, February 5th. Also, hear concert suggestions from KALEB JAMES and movie suggestions from film critic, DON MORTON.

The Tokyo MetPod for Monday, February 1st, 2010

MetPod EXTRA!

The BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS

from BILLBOARD LIVE

Tokyo, Japan



Hear the very first report about the big awards ceremony and event held at Tokyo prestigious BILLBOARD LIVE club in Roppongi’s MidTown complex. In this brief podcast we’ll be talking with the MC of the show, J-WAVE’s MIBU MINAMI, we’ll also get a special report from BILLBOARD magazine correspondent for Japan and Asia, ROB SCHWARTZ and JAPAN TIMES writer ROBERT POOLE.
Musically, we’ll have a special introductory interview with Miss JUDITH HILL who was featured in MICHAEL JACKSON’s movie “This Is It.” Plus our music director for the MetPod, KALEB JAMES has rounded-up some of the background singers from soul, J-pop diva’s AI’s band OLIVIA and YURI to harmonize with a little “Music.”

Saturday 30 January 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Friday, January 29th 2010

The Weekend MetPod

MOVIE REVIEWS

with

METROPOLIS Film Critic, DON MORTON



Once again, our cranky critic DON is calling-in from the USA via Skype to tell you his opinions about all the movies opening this weekend in Tokyo. If you’re considering a movie…you’d be wise to listen ’cause, as he always tells us, he “goes to all the movies — so you don’t have to.”

The Tokyo MetPod for Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

The MidWeek MetPod

with

SARAH CORTINA and LAUREN SHANNON






Hear about all the cool things you can be doing in Tokyo this weekend as our navigators, SARAH and LAUREN turn you on to the very best suggestions.
Also in this podcast you’ll hear how YOU can win a FREE pair of tickets to the biggest party of the year…The METROPOLIS GLITTERBALL. You’ll be asked to send an email to MIHO and CHINATSU at glitterball@metropolis.co.jp

To see easy instructions on how to find the party, check the quick video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=lcdmRAgh9oo

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Live-streaming video from tonight’s Live Music & Art Event

Friday, 22 Jan 2010
As Metpod listeners will know, tonight we have a very special event happening at Tokyo Main Dining in the Shidax biru (along the road from Tower Records) MAP
Music will be provided by the multi-talented Kaleb James and his band, with artist Tom Reyes producing live art based on the what we hear!
The art will later be auctioned off to raise money for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Campaign.
If you can’t join us at the event yourself, don’t worry, we’re live-streaming it right here!
EDIT (11:00pm)

The live show has just finished, and what a show it was!
Thanks so much to all of you who tuned in to watch our live video stream. If you missed the show, don’t worry – it’s all been recorded and available for you to watch – just click the image below.
We’ll also be releasing a professionally shot video soon, and of course, you can tune in to the Metpod to hear Kong’s report!
Click here to watch the gig live!
Stay tuned – we’ve got another live event coming up soon!

The Tokyo MetPod for Thursday, January 21st, 2010

SHOWBIZ NEWS

with

CHRIS BETROS



Hear all the latest showbiz news and find out about all the Hollywood celebs visiting our metropolis -and- hear an interview with our effervescent special guest and METROPOLIS cover girl, AKO KOIZUMI.
AKO only
See a video interview with AKO. CLICK HERE!

Saturday 16 January 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Friday, January 15th, 2010

The Weekend MetPod

with

DON MORTON, KALEB JAMES and KAMASAMI KONG

Special Guests

BLUE LOU MARINI of THE BLUES BROTHERS BAND

TONY MAIDEN of RUFUS

Hear about what’s happening in Tokyo this weekend with movie reviews and concert information. METROPOLIS magazine film critic, DON MORTON goes to all the movies so you don’t have to (he’s saving you money, folks!) And, musician, KALEB JAMES talks honestly about all the concerts headed our way with his special guest, SHANTI! (Kaleb and Shanti’s segment will be uploaded later tonight.)

MetPod for Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

MidWeek MetPod

with

SARAH CORTINA and LAUREN SHANNON

Get up to date with what’s happening in Tokyo this coming weekend of January 15th thru 18th as our MetPod navigators, Assistant Editor of METROPOLIS magazine, SARAH CORTINA and restaurateur and self-described foodie, LAUREN SHANNON. We also have a couple of movie suggestion from our film critic, DON MORTON and a concert suggestion from our musician-in-demand, KALEB JAMES.
Live from Monsoon Cafe (20)

The Tokyo MetPod for Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

SHOWBIZ NEWS

with

CHRIS BETROS


Terry Gilliam
Movie director, TERRY GILLIAM (pictured above) is visiting Tokyo this week and we met at WOLFGANG PUCK’S restaurant in Roppongi with our intrepid showbiz reporter, CHRIS BETROS to bring us up-to-date on why Gilliam is here. Plus, we’ll have a short chat with our cover girl for this weeks METROPOLIS, super model, BRENDA.


BRENDA-posing (240)

CLICK here to see short video of METROPOLIS cover model, BRENDA

And, we’ll hear a little about the just-announced concert tour of Japan and Asia by legendary JULIO IGLESIAS.
Julio_Iglesias (240)

Monday 11 January 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Monday, January 11th, 2010

MetPod Update:
Movie Reviews with
DON MORTON



Right wing, commentators are already rumbling about the movie AVATAR and our METROPOLIS film critic. DON MORTON is on it, reporting from his EarthRoamer (see pic) from somewhere in L.A. Don also has poignant opinions to share about other movies just opening in Tokyo, including PLANET B-BOY and 500 DAYS OF SUMMER. If you’re thinking about taking in a movie this weekend or any weekend, it’s worth your time (and money) to hear what Don has to say first.


Don Morton with Earth Roamer (for MetPod)


PARTY
! This one is for those of you who are single and looking. Our Events Director, CHINATSU SUZUKI has some info our upcoming Valentines party at ALIFE on Feb 11th.

Sunday 10 January 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Friday, January 8th, 2010

The Weekend MetPod with JAMES HADFIELD and KAMASAMI KONG

Get updated and hear our best ideas for things to do during this first THREE day holiday weekend -2010- in Tokyo. Our plugged-in team of METROPOLIS editors, writers, reporters, plus a musician, a DJ and a film critic provide you with concert suggestions, movie reviews, event info, and much more .
Our usual hosts (navigators) SARAH CORTINA and LAUREN SHANNON are still out, but will be back next week, meantime Editor, JAMES HADFIELD fills-in and navigates with KONG offering some of their own best suggestions for this extended weekend.

MetPod logo with iPod (black bckgrnd SMALLER) - 240

What are the Top 10 things Japanese girls don’t want their boyfriend to see? Listen and find out.

Wednesday 6 January 2010

The Tokyo MetPod for Tuesday, January 5th 2010

SHOWBIZ REPORT

with

CHRIS BETROS


We’re back! Happy 2010!
In this, our first showbiz report for 2010, we hear about recent visits to Tokyo by Mr. JAMES CAMERON director of AVATAR, the world’s new box-office champion -and- the New Year’s visit of the world’s #1 most-viewed YouTube star, Ms. SUSAN BOYLE. Among other things during her first Japan visit, two different men proposed to her while she was here and our reporter on the scene, Betros-san has details in this podcast.
Also in this report, Club DJ, DWAYNE WAYNE presents his first MetPod Hit List for 2010. Listen now and get updated with both showbiz and music news in Tokyo.
MetPod logo with iPod (black bckgrnd) - 240