When "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" debuted in experimental 48 frames per second (FPS) reports came out that the new technology was making audiences sick, causing headaches and dizziness.  

If you're unfamiliar with the high-frame rate vernacular, films are normally distributed at 24 fps. With Jackson's distribution of 48 fps in select theaters, viewers are processing double the amount of images on images on screen in the same amount of time.  

When initial reviews of the high-frame rate came in some directors including Bryan Singer of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" delivered initial jealousy:

And, critics revealed a mixture of praise and dismay at Jackson's decision to film at 48FPS. 

Variety's film editor Josh Dickey was blown away:

"The Book of Eli" and "The Walking Dead" screenwriter, Gary Whitta seemed skeptical:  

And, then there was Slate's review:

Sure, the high-frame rate wasn't perfect.  

Quick motions on screen looked too fast. If people scurried too hastily or if too many moving subjects were present up close in the foreground, it delivered a slight jolt to the visual cortex. 

Love it or hate it, high frame rate movies aren't going anywhere. 

At the least, Jackson's two impending Hobbit sequels, "The Desolation of Smaug" and "There and Back Again" will also debut at the high frame rate.  

Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment, told Business Insider 48FPS isjust the beginning of what we can expect to see on the big screen in the next few years.  

"We haven't begun to see the potential in high frame rate on film," said Gomez. "In the years to come, possibly even with Cameron's second Avatar film, we're going to see creatures and other computer generated characters move completely naturally, without that animated "judder" or almost subliminal strobing motion that tells us that what we're seeing is somehow fake. " 

More than a month prior to "The Hobbit" release, Jackson said in a Facebook post the shift to 48 fps is simple.  

"We haven't begun to see the potential in high frame rate on film," – Jeff Gomez, CEO, Starlight Runner Entertainment

We've been watching films in 24 fps for more than 80 years. Science tells us that humans see the world in 66 frames per second (though the amount of what we can actually perceive is estimated to be closer to 40 moments / frames per second). Jackson says his high-frame rate experiment is to evolve the movie-going experience to provide what he refers to as an "illusion of real life."  

Chief technology officer at projection company Christie, Paul Salvini, told Fast Company while HFR certainly isn't necessary to a film, it will become an option directors will have—like 3D—to expand and aid to the storytelling process.  

"It’s a new opportunity to do things in a new way and a better way," says Salvini. "It’s not something that you have to use. It’s something that when it makes sense you have the creative freedom to use and over time we will see more directors and more cinematographers understand the medium and explore the medium." 

Like the eventual transformation of silent films to include sound and black-and-white to color, high-frame rate films still have miles to go technologically, but, in time, can be utilized more frequently. 

"The 'soap opera effect' that some people are complaining about won't be as prominent as filmmakers learn how to light, stage and process their shots," said Gomez. "On the contrary, the combination of technologies like HFR, 4K (which is a quantum leap in terms of picture resolution), 3D, and advanced computer generated imagery will bring us these stunningly detailed vistas that ultimately will look photorealistic. No stylization needed." 

And, if you think 48 frames per second is too much to handle, there are still others who back shooting in 60 and even 120 fps.

SEE ALSO: Roadmap To The Future

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Matt Damon defended his new anti-fracking feature, Berlin film festival contender "Promised Land", Friday against poor reviews and ticket sales and said it was getting harder to make "issue movies".

Damon, who co-wrote the script and stars in the picture directed by Gus Van Sant, said he was bewildered by critics who found the story of a natural gas executive wrestling with his conscience implausible and incoherent.

"It didn't get the reception that I would have hoped for but that happens sometimes," he said. "I've had movies bomb worse than this one and then make their money back later."

Damon said he was trying nevertheless to take the knocks seriously, warning that having the major major Hollywood clout that he enjoys could be blinding.

"I'm leery of becoming one of those people who lives so much in a bubble, who thinks that everything I do is great," he said after a press screening of the film that drew polite applause.

"But with this one I just really love it and a big part of my heart is in it... and I don't understand what I'm hearing back."

Damon plays a top sales executive working for a company seeking to unlock natural gas from shale rock formations through a process known as hydraulic fracturing or "fracking".

He promises down-on-their-luck Kentucky farmers millions in exchange for their land rights, pitting their immediate economic survival against safety and pollution risks.

Damon, a longtime environmental advocate, said the issues were close to his heart "because the stakes are just so incredibly high and the debate is really raging right now everywhere all over the world."

The actor lamented that pulling together financing for movies not targeted at "13-year-old kids" was much tougher than just five years ago.

"It's getting harder and harder to make movies about things," he said, adding that many of his favourite collaborators were seeking refuge in television which is less expensive to produce and seeing a creative renaissance in the US.

Van Sant, who made the 1997 film "Good Will Hunting" for which Damon and his childhood friend Ben Affleck won a screenwriting Oscar, said he was attracted to the script because none of the characters are what they initially seem.

"He is perhaps a perfect combination of hero and non-hero," he said of Damon's salesman.

The movie, which Damon said cost less than $18 million to make, has only drawn about $7.6 million at the US box office since its late December release, according to trade magazine Variety.

"The authenticity of Van Sant's portraiture has the effect of exposing a certain inauthenticity at the story's core," a Variety critic wrote.

Energy firms have suggested the film was also marred by a conflict of interest because some of the financing came from the United Arab Emirates, a giant oil exporter for which gas extraction is a major threat.

Fracking has become one of the most divisive environmental issues in the energy sector, particularly in the United States.

Since 2007, it has made possible the cost-effective exploitation of immense oil and gas reserves beneath subterranean shale strata, driving down energy prices.

But campaigners argue fracking pollutes the water table and soil with the chemicals it requires and has even triggered earthquakes.

"Promised Land" is one of 19 contenders for the 63rd Berlinale's Golden Bear top prize, to be awarded on February 16.

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Before the season four premiere of "Community" last night, Joel McHale did an Ask Me Anything on Reddit.

McHale ingeniously posted under the guise of "Oct19isTonight"— a reference to the date the fourth season was originally supposed to air. 

For one hour, the actor and host of "The Soup" opened up on what "Community" is like without creator Dan Harmon, his favorite moments, and what goes on during filming.

You can check out the full AMA here.

We've curated some of the best bits we learned:

Joel McHale really wants to do a "Community" movie:

"I really would love to do a Community movie. Hopefully will have more seasons after this."

What McHale's ideal "Community" movie would contain:

"I would like it to be shot like Les Mis and take place in the same era."

Donald Glover raps on set:

"In between take Donald wears head phone and composes on his lap top. He quietly raps to himself and sings. I didn't know what he was doing in first season when he did that. Turns out he was making some of the best music out today."

McHale's favorite episodes to shoot:

"I loved "Modern Warfare," "Blanket Fort," "Remedial Chaos Theory," "My Dinner with Andre," "Kiss from a Rose," "Foosball," ... The list goes on and on."

How the the attitude of the set has changed since Dan Harmon's departure:

"We as a cast have become more vocal on about jokes in scripts and such. Since we've lived with these characters for four years we have a pretty good sense of what they might say or do. Or I like to think I have a pretty good sense. Damn, I hope I do by now."

SEE ALSO: 15 method actors who refuse to break character >

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Using just 140 characters, Twitter has revolutionized the way news is distributed.

Instead of visiting a handful of news sites every morning, people can simply check their Twitter feed where media outlets are constantly tweeting out their latest headlines.

Now in the same vein as Twitter, Vine —  a mobile video-sharing service launched by Twitter last month — is looking to revolutionize news distribution and consumption.

But instead of a character limit, the app forces users to tell their story via video in just six seconds with any number of cuts. The video is repeated on an endless loop when posted.

"Like Tweets, the brevity of videos on Vine inspires creativity," read a statement from Twitter announcing their newly acquired feature. "Now that you can easily capture motion and sound, we look forward to seeing what you create."

"The Today Show," news anchors, and dozens of online and local news stations have already started using the free app.

"Today" has used its three Vine videos to tease upcoming segments, replay a popular on-air segment and even give a brief office tour.

Last week, Turkish journalist Tulin Daloglu successfully used Vine to cover the suicide bombing terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy in Turkey.

TDaloglu, a columnist for Al-Monitor and a contributor for the New York Times, posted the videos to her @TurkeyPulse Twitter feed where they were later picked up and used as news items.

"Daloglu's films are one of the first attempts to use Vine for journalism purposes," says Fast Company.

Here's one of her videos from the scene of the attack in Turkey:

[VIDEO] Tulin Daloglu on the scene at the US Embassy in #Ankara RT @turkeypulsevine.co/v/b1MHUJz77gu

— cale salih (@callysally) February 1, 2013

On a lighter note, fashion journalists have been using Vine to cover New York Fashion Week.

After officially beginning on Thursday, #NYFW is already a featured tab on Vine's "Explore" home page — and the only newsy hashtag among a sea of "Popular Now" topics such as #cute, #pets and #food.

@MTVStyle has already posted ten videos documenting runway shows, scenes from backstage and after parties. 

Scenes from backstage @kimberlyovitzvine.co/v/bnIhd6Lrbrh

— MTV Style (@MTVstyle) February 7, 2013

And while @MTVStyle currently only has 351 followers on Vine, their videos are then automatically tweeted to the account's nearly 80,000 Twitter followers.

As Vine just launched in January after being acquired by Twitter in October, surely the outlet's followings will quickly increase.

One outlet doing this well is NowThis News, a mobile and social news network and early adapter of Vine.

"We had our company account and most of our staff on Vine the moment it launched," Drake Martinet, Social Editor at NowThis News, tells Business Insider.

As for how the web-based company has been successful with their videos, Martinet says "like with most other social networks, it seems like things that are clever, funny and that are high-effort seem to do the best. Stop-motion animation is super popular, but it takes a lot of effort to do well."

But, as Martinet notes, Vine is making it easier for citizen journalists to produce high quality videos.

"Most people don't realize how high quality the video they are used to actually is, especially how many cuts are in it," explains Martinet. "The product visioneers over at Vine did a great job identifying the 'long, shaky and boring' shortcomings of regular iPhone videos to build a product that forces brevity and encourages quick cuts. In a small way, it forces regular folks to make video a lot more like pros."

Martinet further explains that NowThis News sends their own VJs to news scenes often with nothing but their iPhones.

"Our VJ Cyrus Moussavi (@CyrusVJ) is heavily involved in following the Sandy recovery story. It's something we've continued to cover. Right after Vine launched, he went out to the Rockaways on his own to see how folks were getting along, and he used Vine to document what he saw."

And despite the mobile and social outlets having an advantage over TV news when using apps like Vine, don't count out big networks and local newscasts just yet.

"There are some great social media folks pushing the ball forward at local news stations where management gives them freedom," explains Martinet. "But organizations like NowThis News do have an advantage being native to the web. We think about web-first, social-first and mobile-first, which means we aren't constantly trying to shoehorn stuff that was made for TV into the social web. That rarely turns out spectacularly. Vine is a prime example of that growing divide."

Ultimately, says Martinet, "People who keep thinking of great ways to tell true stories are the future of news. But Vine is pretty cool, and we're just now starting to see the power of Instagram to tell stories around events and turn the process of user generated content on its head."

Here's how some other news outlets are already starting to utilize Vine:

• @PeopleMag has cleverly posted a sneak peek into an upcoming issue: 

Sneak peek at Tim McGraw's (hot) new body in this week's PEOPLE! vine.co/v/bJYuBAjWv3Z

— People magazine (@peoplemag) January 30, 2013

• @RollingStone did a montage of magazine covers.
• @BuzzFeed documented the long line outside of a Trader Joe's as New Yorkers anticipate the blizzard.
• @HuffPostLive has posted teasers for upcoming segments, like this one with Khloe Kardashian:

WATCH: Girl talk with @khloekardashian on HuffPost Live huff.lv/14zFTuWvine.co/v/b1Zb1BXe9pO

— HuffPost Live (@HuffPostLive) January 31, 2013

But while the social media savvy outlets and citizen journalists are already a few video posts deep in Vine, many of the major news outlets have yet to utilize the app to their advantage.

CNN only just joined Vine one day ago and has fewer than 20 followers.

Most other major networks — NBC, CBS, ABC— have accounts set up but few followers, minimal posts and seemingly no strategy for news delivery.

And unless Vine's little #porn problem takes them down, it's not going anywhere, so TV news outlets better come up with a plan fast.

SEE ALSO: Prepare to see even more films in high frame rates >

SEE ALSO: Roadmap To The Future

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Fortune found an SEC filing that shows a Hollywood talent agency, Creative Artists Agency, wants to begin representing startups.

It's raising up to $20 million for a new venture capital fund. In 2007, CAA tried to invest in startups through a partnership with VC firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson, but the plan fell through.

CAA declined to comment on the filing, but Fortune notes the paperwork was signed by its managing partner, Michael Rubel. CAA is one of the top agencies in Hollywood, representing actresses like Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston.

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Kate Upton is apparently the cover of the 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, at least according to this allegedly leaked cover from FashionCopious. 

It's the second-straight year she landed the cover if it's the real deal:

SI is making a big deal out of the fact that it took models to all seven continents this year. So putting a picture from Antarctica on the cover would make sense.

We also know Upton did a photoshoot there a few months ago because TMZ wrote about it at the time. Upton appeared to be wearing the same bikini she is in the "leaked" cover above:

The "leaked" magazine could certainly be fake. But there's no real red flags about it that we can see.

Upton's celebrity took off after she landed on the cover last year, when she posed in a considerably warmer climate:

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Winter storm Nemo hasn't even come down in full force yet, but its effects are already taking a toll on Hollywood. 

From awards shows to the box office, here's who's affected this weekend in Hollywood:   

• The New York City Mayor's office has suspended all filming permits for Saturday. 
• Weather could delay travel to the BAFTA awards in London Sunday. More than 4,000 flight cancellations have been reported. 
• AMC, Regal, and National Amusements are shutting down movie theaters from New York up to the Boston area. 

That last note could put a dent in what has already been a slow start to the box-office year.  

Out this weekend are Melissa McCarthy's "Identity Thief" featuring Jason Bateman and Rooney Mara's "Side Effects." 

The former is already getting awful reviews sitting on Rotten Tomatoes with a 26 percent rating. Though it's anticipated to earn between $20 and $25 million this weekend, a weak Friday start could make way for the positively reviewed Steven Soderbergh directed film to inch its way to number one.  

"Identity Thief" will clearly have the edge as it's opening in 3,141 theaters compared to "Side Effects" 2,605. 

Remember, Soderbergh's previous early 2012 release, "Magic Mike," debuted to $39.1 million thanks to star power from Channing Tatum and the "Fifty Shades of Grey" craze of last year.  

Right now, "Side Effects" has the added boost of Oscar-nominated Bradley Cooper and Rooney Mara ("The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"). 

From the looks of the trailers, it doesn't look like Cooper's in the film for long, but he's been prominent in the movie marketing, a smart move since his "Silver Linings Playbook" is still going strong at theaters after 12 weeks.  

Despite what has been a difficult-to-grasp plot from trailers, both Cooper and Rooney Mara's allure along with an 85 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes may bode well for "Side Effects." 

Nemo's expected to bring ticket sales down as much as ten percent on McCarthy's first stand-alone film. Coupled with poor word-of-mouth, "Identity Thief" could prove an upset. 

SEE ALSO: 15 actors who refuse to break character on screen >

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A top assistant to a Univision news boss trashed Sen. Marco Rubio on his aide's Facebook page, calling the Republican lawmaker a "loser" and "a token slave boy."

It's the latest attack in a lengthy feud between the Florida senator and the powerful Spanish-language network that conservatives charge is anti-GOP and anti-Rubio.

The latest incident began Wednesday night after Rubio's spokesman, Alex Burgos, announced the high-profile Florida senator would give the GOP's first-ever bilingual rebuttal to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech.

That led Univision employee Angelica Artiles to let loose a string of partisan criticisms.

"Oh. wow, the loser is going to speak after our President," Artiles wrote on spokesman Alex Burgos' Facebook page at 9:33 p.m. Wednesday. "Anything to get publicity. Ask him to do us a favor and stay home that night."

Sentiments like that reflect the prevailing political feeling among Univision's higher-ups at its Doral headquarters, say Univision insiders. Artiles is executive assistant to Daniel Coronell, Univision's vice president of news.

The network is owned by a major Democratic donor who has accused Rubio and other Republicans of having an "anti-Hispanic" stand on immigration that's "despicable."

In August, someone used Univision's official Facebook account to attack Rubio during the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

"Beyond his ideology, Rubio is a mediocre politician who contradicts the values he says he represents. Jeb Bush is more Latino and talented than him," the Facebook posting said.

When first alerted by the website BuzzFeed, Univision announced it struck the statement and replaced it with a statement in Spanish that said: "An unpleasant comment not authorized by Univision News was posted on this page. That comment does not represent the views of Univision News and we have taken steps to ensure that this situation does not happen again."

And a year before that Facebook incident, Rubio clashed with Univision's news chief, Isaac Lee, when his news team decided to run a story about a quarter-century-old drug bust involving the senator's brother-in-law.

Univision began reporting the drug-bust story after Rubio rebuffed repeated interview requests with the network, which had been critical of Rubio's opposition to liberal immigration policies that Univision personalities have promoted.

Univision insiders and Rubio staffers told The Miami Herald that Lee offered to soften or kill a story about the drug bust if the senator cooperated with the network by sitting down for an interview. Rubio refused. The story about the drug bust ran on its national news broadcast.

Lee denied offering a quid pro quo. He wouldn't speak with The Miami Herald for its original piece, and instead issued a statement.

But after the report, Lee sat down with the New Yorker and admitted he did offer "options" to Rubio's staff, including Burgos, concerning his cooperation.

For this latest tussle, Burgos refused to comment.

Artiles didn't return an email, calls or a text message. Her Facebook account appeared inactive and she deleted her comments on Burgos' Facebook page, but not before others copied them and sent them to The Miami Herald.

Univision had no comment.

Both Artiles and Burgos were far more talkative on Wednesday. After Artiles called Rubio a "loser," Burgos responded with an attack on Obama.

"While you may be content with mediocrity under this President, I am not," Burgos wrote. "And fortunately neither are patriots like Marco Rubio who have opportunities like next Tuesday night to offer an alternative way forward. I am proud to work for him and actually feel sorry for you for writing this."

Artiles shot back: "Patriot? LOL Alex Burgos."

She then used a diminutive term for Rubio's first name, "Marquito," and proceeded to compare him to a Disney dwarf, a "token slave boy" and a "fool" who was passed over by Republican Mitt Romney on his presidential ticket last November.

Burgos stopped responding, but others took up Rubio's cause and attacked Artiles for being a "troll," Internet slang for someone who posts inflammatory statements to gin up responses. The conversation went back and forth in English and Spanish.

"I see that all the mojoncitos ['little turds'] have come out to defend the principal turd, Marquito," she wrote in Spanish. "I am laughing all the way to the White House :)."

Carlos Curbelo, a Republican Miami-Dade School Board member, joined the fray. Curbelo said he didn't realize Angelica worked for Univision until the day after the fact, when he confirmed her employment.

" Que chusmeria," Curbelo wrote Wednesday night, which roughly translates to something like "what riffraff."

Artiles: "Curbelo, the riffraff might be you. I haven't said anything 'riffraffy.' Wake up and join the Democratic Party unless you want to remain losers all your lives."

Curbelo: "I think it's riffraff to call 'losers' people who disagree with you on political matters. Your tone is deplorable and it's that same tone that keeps our elected officials from agreeing to take on great challenges that threaten the viability of our country. Lastly, even more riffraff is the use of the word 'little turds' to refer to professionals and parents who are expressing their opinions."

Artiles: "Curbelo, losers are the ones who lost the elections, this is what is called freedom of expression. We are all professionals and being parents is nothing out of this world, nor because of that does one stop being a little turd. And Marquito only wants to talk about immigration NOW because he lost. I know well all his lies and his vanity."

The exchange underscores the passion that Rubio and the issue of immigration provoke both outside Univision and inside its newsroom. It also heightens conservative concerns that the network, the most-watched by Spanish-language viewers in North America, tilts its coverage in favor of Democratic-leaning immigration policy.

Some Republicans have complained that Univision's recent treatment of Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez -- a liberal immigration reform leader under FBI investigation -- has been far kinder than the network's interview of Rubio last year. Rubio and Menendez have joined forces to fashion a bipartisan immigration-reform plan.

After tussling with Univision in 2011, Rubio finally granted the interview with Univision's Jorge Ramos, who has crusaded for the pro-immigrant DREAM Act that Rubio opposes.

Rubio had rebuffed Ramos numerous times before that, only to face the story about his brother-in-law's drug bust and the clash with Lee, the Univision news chief.

In the New Yorker piece, Lee acknowledged the network covers immigration with a bias.

"According to Univision's news president, Isaac Lee, the network is openly committed to 'pro-Hispanic' immigration reform," the New Yorker wrote.

The owner of Univision, major Democratic donor Haim Saban, was more partisan than Lee and fumed in an email to the New Yorker over the way that the GOP presidential candidates boycotted a proposed Florida debate in January in retaliation for the network's report on Rubio and his brother-in-law.

Said Saban: "The fact that Rubio and some Republican presidential candidates have an anti-Hispanic stand that they don't want to share with our community is understandable but despicable."

For Republicans like Curbelo, the comments undercut the work of many good reporters.

"I was shocked to learn this was a Univision Network employee," Curbelo told The Herald. "This again points to an unfortunate anti-Rubio, anti-Republican culture at Univision which threatens the network's credibility."

Miami Herald staff writer Patricia Mazzei contributed to this report. ___

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The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hits newstands next week.

SI confirmed Friday that blonde bombshell Kate Upton will grace the cover for the second year in a row, which should excite tons of readers who giddily await the glossy's once-a-year release featuring page after page of barely-dressed models on beaches.  

But for Time Inc., the publication's parent company, the Swimsuit Issue means something more: a billion-dollar business that's bigger than the sports magazine that spawned it.

Since becoming a stand-alone issue in 1997, the magazine has become "one of Time Inc.’s biggest revenue drivers over the years, bringing in more than $1 billion," according to Forbes. 

Here's how it all started. 

The first Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition debuted on Jan. 20, 1964, as a five-page supplement. It was designed by then-editor, Andre Laguerre to increase readership during the winter lull between popular sports seasons. The premier cover featured Babette March in a white two-piece.

Fashion reporter Jule Campbell was chosen as SI's first swimsuit editor. During her 31-year reign from 1965 to 1996, Campbell transformed the publication from a provocative glossy featuring a few bikini-clad women into a commercial behemoth.

In 1997, SI's swimsuit edition received special-issue status. It has since become the single best-selling issue in Time Inc.'s magazine franchise.

Source: Slate.com and CNBC

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What can we expect at the 55th annual Grammy awards show this Sunday night on CBS? Traditionally there is no tradition here.

A show composed of musicians not actors tends to be the most "spontaneous" of the awards season. The Grammy red carpet has always been more outrageous than its Oscar counterpart – remember Lady Gaga in the egg? Performances can be unplugged or unscripted. Remember Kanye? It can feature unexpected singers. Remember Gwyneth and Cee Lo Green?

This is a show that rarely drags and is filled with color. Here are some things to look for.

1. Costumes will be much more subdued—no "thong-type" costumes allowed.

Costumes can be completely out there, but they have to be on YOU. CBS issued you a wardrobe guide for everyone appearing on camera on Sunday night.

No commercial endorsements, no plugs for any causes on your t-shirts or anywhere else. But the best part is the paragraph that deals with decency which we share with you in its entirety.

"Please be sure that buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered. Thong type costumes are problematic. Please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack. Bare sides or under curvature of the breasts is also problematic. Please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples. Please be sure the genital region is adequately covered so that there is no visible "puffy" bare skin exposure."

2. The Sandy Hook elementary school choir will perform.

They appeared at the Super Bowl singing America the Beautiful with Jennifer Hudson. Now they're back with the song of last summer, Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe.

Choir director Sabrina Post describes the children's public performances this way:

"This opportunity to do something positive lets the kids know that although a lot of things happen in our world that are not pleasant, like this that happened with us in Newtown, there are many giving people and wonderful things that can come out of life, so don't get discouraged."

3. Justin Timberlake might perform an unreleased song.

Not Bieber but Timberlake. Timberlake will be performing at the Grammys for the first time since 2009 (when he stepped in at the last minute to sing Let's Stay Together with Al Green after Chris Brown and Rihanna dropped out.)

Fans are hoping he'll sing the newly released soul single Suit & Tie, featuring Jay-Z, but word from the Grammy people is that he sent them something newer that he's considering.

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The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which will be on newsstands next week, debuted in 1964 as a five page supplement meant to increase readership during the winter sports lull after the Super Bowl.

The very first cover featured a model in a conservative, non-revealing bikini. The photo was shot at a wide angle, almost focusing more on the beach background than the model.

Throughout the '60s, '70s, and '80s, the covers remained fairly tame; they generally featured a beautiful model wearing a bathing suit any young woman would wear to the beach.

In the '90s and 2000s, a trend began. The models started wearing less and less, and the camera focused more and more on their bodies, and less on the surrounding scene.

Here's the first swimsuit cover from 1964. The bathing suit is hardly revealing and the camera angle is wide

A few years later in 1969, the model wore a skirt over her bikini and someone else was in the background of the shot

In 1970, the model wore a very conservative long sleeve top

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Now that we know we'll be getting "Star Wars" spinoff films in addition to episodes VII, VIII, and IX, everyone wants to know which characters will appear on the big screen. 

There have been rumors and reports that characters from Han Solo to Yoda will get their own feature, but until we hear from Lucasfilm, it's anyone's guess which characters will be getting their own film.

We're rounded up ten characters we'd like to see in theaters from the obvious to a few you may not be familiar with unless you know the extended "Star Wars" family.

And, no, you won't find Admiral Ackbar here. The character's great for a gag, but any film with him would be a trap.

Mace Windu

Sure Samuel L. Jackson has another Disney franchise on his hands right now with "The Avengers," and there's the slight issue about his character getting axed in "Star Wars—Episode III: Revenge of the Sith"; however, the actor's made it clear he wants in on the new installments, even if he has to come back as a hologram.

Chewbacca

Han's Wookie sidekick has a family back on his home planet of Kashyyk. And, in the books, Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader imprisoned most of the Wookies to help build the Death Star.

Han Solo

Though Disney has yet to confirm, EW reported Han will get his own movie.

Harrison Ford's a little old at 70 to reprise the role, but if the film was to follow a younger Solo in all of his smuggling glory alongside Chewy, then we could get a peek at his adventures before joining up with Luke and Leia. 

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Taylor Swift just opened up the 2013 Grammys with "We Are Never Getting Back Together." 

This photo sums up her performance:

When we get video, we'll put up her entire stellar opening.

SEE ALSO: Chris Brown and Rihanna sitting next to each other at the Grammys >

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Rihanna and Chris Brown may have showed up to the Grammy red carpet solo, but the two are awfully cozy next to each other in the front row. 

The Barbados native recently confirmed to Rolling Stone that she and Brown were dating again.

SEE ALSO: The image that sums up Taylor Swift's opening performance at the Grammys >

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Just two days after it was announced that Justin Timberlake would become the "creative director" for Bud Light Platinum, the brand aired this commercial on the Grammys tonight starring the singer performing "Suit & Tie." The ad agency is Translation, whose CEO Steve Stoute has longstanding ties to the music business. AB InBev spends $32 million a year on Platinum.

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On a night where the stars dress up to the nines in gowns, Beyoncé decided to stand out with a simple Osman black and white jumpsuit.

The look is a surprise after her less-than-conservative outfit during her Super Bowl half-time performance. 

The result? She still owns the night.

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CBS' wardrobe memo didn't scare Jennifer Lopez. 

The singer showed up at the 55th annual Grammys wearing an Anthony Vaccarello dress that showed off a lot of leg. The outfit brings to mind images of Angelina Jolie's Oscar dress from last year. 

The last time Lopez created such a stir at the Grammys was in 2000 when she wore a low-cut green Versace gown that dipped down to her stomach.  

Earlier last week, an internal CBS memo leaked warning talent to avoid "thong type costumes" and asking that "buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered." 

When Lopez took the stage with singer Pitbull to present, she addressed her bare leg.  

"As you can see, I read the memo," said Lopez. "Whatever you're wearing, or not wearing, this party is worldwide." Watch the clip below:

SEE ALSO: The Photo that sums up Taylor Swift's opening Grammys' performance >

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Jay-Z surprised the crowd when he joined Justin Timberlake on stage at the Grammys to sing "Suit & Tie."

Timberlake then went on to perform another song from his upcoming album "The 20/20 Experience," "Pusher Lover Girl."

And, no, your television wasn't broken. "Suit & Tie" was shown in black and white on CBS.

Check out Timberlake and Jay-Z below:

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If you missed last night's mid-season premiere of "The Walking Dead," AMC has decided to stream it online for free.

Last night's return of the hit zombie series earned the show its highest ratings yet. 

Despite the Grammys, the season return recorded a huge 12.3 million viewers in the 9 p.m. time slot, surpassing the fall's premiere of 10.9 million viewers.

Since season one, the series has attracted an exponential growth in audience viewership.

The episode will be online for an entire month until March 10.

Watch it below:

And, if you've already seen last night's episode, here's a look at next week:

SEE ALSO: The most talked about celebrities during the Grammys >

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Beyoncé is beautiful on the cover of Vogue's upcoming Power Issue.

Fresh off of her amazing Super Bowl performance and Grammy win, "The Queen B" is at the top of her career. 

Photos from the cover shoot hit Vogue's website today.

Here's the full cover:

SEE ALSO: The Best And Worst-Dressed At The Grammys

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