fuseblog

Cruel and Sadly All Too Usual

From Mother Jones via Can't Stop The Bleeding comes this intriguing and ultimately wretch-inducing playlist inflicted on military detainees and prisoners. The Deicide track seems particularly offensive to the more religious-minded defendants, while the Barney tune is a choice that only the most maniacal - and genius - interrogator DJ could make. As for any post-Justice For All Metallica - one note of that and we'd give up our Grandma. If our enemies knew that we were subjected to some of this music on our radios, computers and TVs each day, they may be more quick to take pity on us.

Super Tuesday... Rocks

As Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead said over the weekend, these are desperate times, and we are a desperate people. So hey... time to vote. For the first time in years, the candidates, on both sides of the aisle, are somewhat palatable. So who do musicians support? Democrats mostly, unsurprisingly, and the more indie the artist, the more likely that they are Obama supporters (but not necessarily young, as the indie-as-you-can-get Grateful Dead show). But what is interesting to see is that some artists who once represented youth and rebellion have moved on to more "experienced" candidates; a case in point being Elvis Costello, husband of American Diana Krall and Hillary Clinton supporter. The Guardian in the UK has an article today on American musicians and their political loyalties, while the Music Slut points us to this awesome Obama/Morrissey shirt [see above], as worn by Moz last week in London. And now, a rundown of who's supporting whom:

HILLARY CLINTON
Madonna
Elvis Costello
Carly Simon
Jon Bon Jovi
Melissa Etheridge

BARACK OBAMA
Win Butler of Arcade Fire
Wilco
Craig Wedren / Shudder To Think
Conor Oberst
Joanna Newsom
Grateful Dead
Will Smith
Macy Gray
Ne-Yo
Babyface
Stevie Wonder

Obama/Wentz in '08

If you are on the fence about who to support this election year, let Fall Out Boy be your guide. Specifically, guyliner guy Pete Wentz. Dude's all about Barack Obama. But not about capitalizing state names. From Punknews.org:

I have been an Obama supporter from day one. After watching the new hampshire primary, I couldn’t just be an observer anymore. I had to act. We’ll pass on the string quartet, DJ Whiteshadow will put a new spin on politics as usual. Forget the wine and champagne. I will be pouring the night’s specialty shot, the O-bomb(a).

This isn’t your parents’ fundraiser, while these changes to the traditional fundraiser are unconventional, they represent the kind of shake up that I believe Barack Obama can bring to Washington. Change we can believe in.

G-Unit Is Everywhere

Here's a bizarre, unsettling image from today's New York Times. Attacks today in two Sunni neighborhoods in Baghdad killed at least 29. Sadly, such news is somewhat common. Also, apparently somewhat common? Marketing images. In this photo, a survivor walks through the rubble in his G-Unit jersey. The American corporate machine's tentacles reach far deeper, and more successfully, than even military might. What a world we live in.

More Britney Crap

Britney apparenly likes to join the Mile High Club in style; no leather seats? No way she's flying. Britney demanded to be let off an airplane that had no leather seats with the same fervor that fans at her recent shows demanded she play more than five songs and not lipsync.

What can we say? Apparently she likes her leather.

Britney Spears reportedly threw a temper tantrum on a United Airlines flight en route from Los Angeles to Miami on Friday night because the plane didn’t have leather seats, according to the New York Post's Page Six based on info from Splash News.

As a result, just minutes before takeoff, Britney reportedly demanded to be let off the flight.

“She just said, ‘I don’t want to fly on this plane. It hasn’t got leather seats,’ ” passenger Tony Sanchez reportedly told Splash News. “Some people were getting really annoyed.”

According to the report, the plane's captain and crew accommodated Britney’s request and let her off the flight.

Britney was scheduled to perform at the House of Blues in Orlando on Saturday night, followed by a Sunday performance in South Beach.

The trek to Florida marks the latest stops in Britney's abbreviated tour which has so far hit San Diego, Anaheim and Los Angeles.

Photo via.

More Breaking Paris News

Remember when Paris Hilton fired her publicist because she blamed him for her getting sent to the big house for 45 days? Well, she rehired him.

The many moods of Paris Hilton shifted again when the jail-bound socialite rehired the publicist she blamed for her 45-day sentence.

Elliot Mintz confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that he is again representing the 26-year-old socialite, who was ordered to report to county jail by June 5 for violating the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

Mintz, 62, wouldn’t elaborate on why he reunited with Hilton. The publicist, whose clients have included John Lennon and Bob Dylan, issued a statement Sunday night that he and Hilton had parted ways over an apparent “misunderstanding she received from me regarding the terms of her probation.”

Photo via.

Paris Not Checking Into A Hilton

Well, the sh*t has finally hit the fan - Paris Hilton is going to jail. Though moralists and subscribers to varied karmic concerns will argue that this is a just and expected comeuppance for years of shameful celebrity, her time of incarceration is due mainly to driving with a suspended license. Which she blames on her publicist. He told her she could drive. She could not. And now she's going to the big house! She fired the publicist. And the publicist, being a publicist, released a statement claiming he still has the utmost respect for Paris and her family, blah blah blah.

In her first public comments since she was handed a 45-day jail sentence for a driving related offense, celebrity heiress Paris Hilton has described her punishment as cruel and unwarranted.

She also fired her spokesman, veteran publicist Elliot Mintz, whom she blamed for getting her into the mess.

Visibly shocked and tearful, the 26-year-old socialite was sentenced to 45 days in a suburban Los Angeles jail after a judge ruled she knowingly violated her probation on a previous traffic offense by driving without a valid license.

At the hearing, Hilton said Mintz had told her she was permitted to drive for work-related reasons. But Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer rejected her claims and ordered her to turn herself in by June 5.

"I told the truth," Hilton told photographers waiting outside her Los Angeles home on Saturday night.

"I feel that I was treated unfairly and that the sentence is both cruel and unwarranted. I don't deserve this."

In a statement published on Sunday by news web site TMZ.com, Mintz was said he was "deeply and profoundly sorry" for giving his client bad advice.

"Due to this misunderstanding, I am no longer representing Paris. For the record, I have nothing but love and respect for Paris and her family. Paris is a wonderful person and does not deserve the punishment that was handed down by the court. I only wish her my best."

Hilton's troubles began last September when she was arrested for drunk driving. In January, she pleaded no contest -- the equivalent of a guilty plea -- and was sentenced to three years' probation and had her license suspended. In February, she was pulled over again for driving without headlights. Police impounded her blue Bentley when they discovered she was driving on a suspended license.

Crow and Rove Go At It

But not that way. Sheryl Crow, the Santa Monica Boulevard-strolling star, and Karl Rove, the brains of the Bush Administraation, faced off on Saturday night at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner. Crow and Laurie David, wife of Larry David and complete hottie, have been on a global warming awareness tour that culminated in Saturday evening's high-powered event. And sparks ensued...

Karl Rove's debate with singer Sheryl Crow and producer Laurie David about global warming heated the atmosphere at a black-tie Washington dinner.

On the eve of Earth Day, Crow and "Inconvenient Truth" producer David walked over to the presidential adviser's table at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night at the Washington Hilton.

Their differences on global warming quickly bubbled over, the Washington Post reported Sunday.

"I am floored by what I just experienced with Karl Rove," David said later. "I went over to him and said, I urge you to take a new look at global warming. He went zero to 100 with me. ... I've never had anyone be so rude."

Rove said: "She came over to insult me and she succeeded."

As the debate intensified, Crow tried to calm things down but was drawn into the debate with Rove instead.

"You work for me," she told Rove, according to the Post column "The Reliable Source."

"No," was his response. "I work for the American people."

Heather Lylis, a spokeswoman for Crow and David's global warming tour, said Sunday that Crow's response for Rove was: "Yes, and I'm an American citizen."

Photo via.

Britney Parties, Fires Manager

In the latest chapter of The Britney Spears Saga (available soon on DVD), our favorite pop tart has up and blamed all of her recent misadventures on some alleged unspectacular advice from now ex-manager Larry Rudolph. Probably not a smart move, as Brit has just signed a big contract with him. Not to mention the fact that he's not responsible for Britney shaving her head, getting a divorce and flashing her privates. Wait, could he be? Nah.

Also note that Britney has hired the same spokesperson used by Lindsay Lohan. Nice.

Britney Spears must be mistaking herself with some kind of puppet if we are to listen to the latest rumors: she’s fired her manager because he got her into partying.

According to anonymous sources, the pop princess has fired her manager, Larry Rudolph, the man who kept us up to date on her going-ins and coming-outs of rehab.

It seems Britney had only re-hired Rudolph in November after she filed for divorce from husband Kevin Federline. And now that the divorce is almost final, no more Rudolph?

She is said to blame the music mogul for a string of recent career mistakes (shaving her head in front of paparazzi, getting a new tattoo, entering a rehabilitation clinic, sparking lots of nonsensical rumors about her emotional balance).

A source told a US newspaper: “There may be legal ramifications as she just signed a multi-year deal with Rudolph.”

Leslie Sloane Zelnik — who was re-hired by Spears recently to be her spokeswoman — was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Photo via.

O. M. G.

It's happened - Britney Spears has up and gone Valley Girl on us. In a confessional video shot for X17 Online, the newly single pop tart (a trademarked phrase, I'm sure) rambles on and on about her love for attention and paparazzi. That's right, Britney watchers, it's sarcasm. Well, we hope it's sarcasm. It's the over the top Valley Girl accent that is the tip-off.

At left is a pic from the good old days, when she actually looked like a Valley Girl. Poor Brit.

She's Out

She's out. Britney Spears has completed her stint in rehab and, like her new website, is ostensibly a whole new poptart. And what a week to return to the real world - Kevin Federline is celebrating his 29th birthday! If you'd like to wish him a happy birthday, head to Eleven in West Hollywood tonight or Pure in Las Vegas on Saturday. I'll be there in spirit. Or not.

After nearly a month of seclusion in a luxurious rehabilitation center, Britney Spears has moved on.

The pop star checked out of Promises Malibu Alcohol and Drug Rehab Treatment Facility "after successfully completing their program," Spears' manager, Larry Rudolph, said in a statement released by Jive Records late Tuesday.

He asked that Spears' privacy be respected.

Spears, 25, entered the facility Feb. 22, after a bout of bizarre behavior that included shaving her head, getting tiny lips tattooed on her wrist and beating a car with an umbrella. Photos of the incidents were instantly beamed worldwide.

Federline, who released his debut album in November, is celebrating his 29th birthday on Wednesday. Two bashes have been planned — one on Wednesday at West Hollywood nightclub Eleven and another on Saturday at Pure Nightclub in Las Vegas, said Federline's publicist Marilyn Lopez.

"Shaving her head and getting a tattoo. It's the same as people cutting themselves with razor blades, cutters," Howard Samuels, a clinical psychologist at Wonderland residential treatment center, told The Early Show. "It's a way of acting out so you don't deal with the underlying issues that you're feeling at the time. To me, that's what that was all about."

With her stay there, Spears joined a long list of other celebrities who have trekked to the facility to overcome addictions. Promises alumni includes Ben Affleck, Charlie Sheen, Diana Ross and Matthew Perry.

Photo via.

New Brit Site, New Brit Brit

Let the P.R. cycle begin. Recently aerodynamically-headshaved and rehab-entered (and exited) Britney Spears has a whole new site, and it looks Britney. The old Britney, that is. Splashed right across the front page is a photo of the classic Spears - no sign of the current Britney. More importantly, the most prominent item on the page is a place to send your notes of inspiration to the demon-battling pop star. 2007 - the year of the new old Britney?

Your Friday Rehab Report

This is nice and condescending: Joe Simpson, father and manager of Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson vows her daughters will never end up like Britney Spears:

While Joe feels sorry for Spears' predicament, he believes his daughters would never follow the same path as the troubled Toxic star.

He says: "I would never let that happen to my daughters. Hopefully, her family will take care of the situation."

In other Britney news, Timbaland and ex-bf Justin Timberlake have volunteered to revive Britney's music career:

"I asked Justin, 'How would you feel about me working with Britney?' I had to ask him that. I said, 'Would you do it with me?'

"He said he would. Britney's just got to be serious. I just want to hold her hand. I want her to be in my camp, to be around Justin. I need Justin to talk to her. Help her, please!"

And finally, Eddie Van Halen [above] may have indefinitely delayed the proposed Van Halen reunion with David Lee Roth (but no Michael Anthony, which is BS) by entering rehab:

"I have always and will always feel a responsibility to give you my best. At the moment I do not feel that I can give you my best," Van Halen wrote.

"That's why I have decided to enter a rehabilitation facility to work on myself, so that in the future I can deliver the 110 percent that I feel I owe you and want to give you."

Van Halen's move seems to confirm earlier speculation that his band's ballyhooed summer tour, featuring the return of David Lee Roth on vocals, was off.

Photo via.

Madden Gets Violent...

...Film at 11. According to Bevery Hills Police Dept. sources, Good Charlotte vocalist Joel Madden is under investigation following an incident in which he allegedly struck a photographer. Not good. Also, the reporter is female. Really not good. The phemale photog claims he struck her on her left breast. Really, really not good. Good Charlotte? Really, really, really...

The Beverly Hills Police Department is investigating rocker Joel Madden, after a female photographer filed a "crime report" claiming he attacked her during a violent confrontation Sunday night, tmz.com reports.

According to police sources, the woman claimed Madden struck her on the left breast "with the heel of his hand" as the rocker tried to escort his girlfriend, Nicole Richie, out of the back door of Mr. Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills. The photographer told tmz that she has a welt to prove it.

Police representatives told tmz that they take every claim seriously, and a crime report was taken on this incident.

Madden, the lead singer for the band Good Charlotte, dated singer-actress Hilary Duff for 2 – years, but their relationship ended in 2006.

Photo via.

Jared Leto Breaks Nose

That Jared Leto can take a licking and keep on ticking. The 30 Seconds To Mars frontman rushed into the crowd at an El Paso Taste Of Chaos show and was promptly trampled. Note to self: Never run into an El Paso crowd. Of course this isn't the first time Jared's gotten physical; last fall he famously scuffled with Elijah Wood. The moral of the story? Stay away from 30 Seconds To Mars shows. Or maybe the moral of the story is avoid El Paso. Or perhaps it's pass the old El Paso. Actually, here goes: if you're too popular, you'll break your nose.

Jared Leto suffered a broken nose after being trampled by his fans.

The 'Fight Club' star was performing with his band 30 Seconds to Mars when he ran into the El Paso crowd and was "rushed by fans". He suffered a broken nose and minor injuries to his foot, face and body.

Tour manager Kevin Lyman said: "In all my 25 years of producing shows this was one of the scariest moments I have seen. We all hope Jared has a speedy recovery."

Despite his injuries, Leto, 35, finished the show, even declaring it one of his best ever.

He later checked into hospital to discover if his injuries required surgery.

The 'Chapter 27' star and his band were performing in the Taste of Chaos tour, with other band including The Used and Senses Fail.

Last October, Leto had an altercation with Elijah Wood at an MTV awards ceremony after Elijah told him he wasn't impressed with his band.

Wood said: "He was basically upset at the fact that I said I didn't like his band.

"He said that initially and then walked away. I guess he thought I was laughing at him, but I was more shell-shocked and telling people around me, 'Whoa, I just got told off by Jared Leto for not liking his band.' And that's when he came back and grabbed me."

Don't Be, Um, Cruel

Life is one big reality show. Or you could be forgiven for thinking so, especially following this bizarre episode from the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts (I watched The Practice too much) - Bobby Brown was arrested while watching his daughter compete in a cheerleading contest. He went to jail. He was bailed out by a radio station. They wanted to interview him. He said no. He paid them their bail money back. He is even more pathetic now than ever. Oh and he was arrested for failing to make child support payments.

Almost as soon he was sprung from jail by a radio station's money, Bobby Brown and Hot 99.5 FM bailed on the deal.

The 38-year-old R&B singer spent three nights in a Massachusetts jail last week for failing to pay child support. He was released after the station paid the US$19,150 he owed on the condition that Brown appear on "The Kane Show" for a week. He was to discuss the case and how he could turn his life around during studio appearances beginning Monday.

But Brown backed out of an on-air phone interview with the morning show Friday, saying he hadn't agreed to be an employee of the station.

"That wasn't our deal," said Brown, who hung up after Kane pressed him.

"We thought we clearly communicated to Bobby our intentions, but once we had him on the air this morning it was clear that we were not on the same page," said Kane, who goes by one name.

Both the station, which broadcasts in the Washington area, and Brown's attorney decided the deal wasn't in the singer's best interest and that Brown will return the money.

"We feel that there are better things we can do with the money locally," said Kane.

Brown was arrested while he was watching his daughter's cheerleading competition in Massachusetts.

Phaedra Parks, Brown's attorney in Atlanta, has said the singer has been struggling to meet monthly payments to Kim Ward, of Stoughton, Mass., the mother of two of his children.

Brown and pop diva Whitney Houston, who are divorcing after 14 years of marriage, have a 13-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

It was the latest in a series of child support troubles for Brown, a Boston native best known for the solo hit "Don't Be Cruel." In 2004, he was sentenced to 90 days in prison for missing three months of payments, but the sentence was suspended after he paid about $15,000. He also paid $11,000 in delinquent child support in October after being threatened with arrest.

Photo via.

Diddy Done It Again

Looks like Eddie Murphy wasn't the only guy causing trouble in and around the Oscars. Apparently, Diddy AKA Puffy AKA Puff Daddy - born Sean Combs - got into a bit of a ruckus post-show. The reason? Alas, a woman. Apparently, Diddy saw a hot chick and invited her to a party. Unfortunately for Diddy, the hot chick was engaged. And her fiancee was right there. Naturally, Diddy punched him in the face. That wasn't so smart.

A 27-year-old real estate broker claimed rapper Sean Combs punched him in the face at a post-Academy Awards party in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police confirmed the man filed a complaint against Combs, who uses the stage name Diddy, E! News reported Wednesday.

"Officers took a report and the investigation is ongoing," an LAPD spokeswoman said. TMZ.com identified the alleged victim as Gerard Rechnitzer.

The alleged incident occurred about 2:30 a.m. Monday at the Roosevelt Hotel, across the street from the Kodak Theater where the Academy Awards were presented hours before.

Combs allegedly invited Rechnitzer's fiancee to a party and then struck Rechnitzer when he tried to extricate his bride-to-be from the party, TMZ.com reported. Combs left before police arrived.

Rechnitzer was not seriously injured and refused medical treatment.

Oh and don't call him Diddy in Britain:

Combs' legal woes extended across the Atlantic. He lost a dispute over the use of his "Diddy" nickname in Britain.

London's High Court ruled Wednesday that Combs broke an agreement with record producer Richard "Diddy" Dearlove, who sued the entertainer last July for using the moniker "Diddy" in the cut "The Future" from Combs' latest release, "Press Play."

Image via.

Well, That Was Fast

And now, she's out. Britney Spears has left the rehab building. According to reports, Britney left the Promises Rehab Place Thingy in Malibu yesterday after less than day... apparently, it was a circus. After rehab it was off to the Beverly Hills Hotel where she assured everyone she was great. Great. What's next for Britney. Who knows. Sigh.

A day after entering Promises, a residential rehab facility in Malibu, Britney Spears has checked out of the treatment center, a source confirms to PEOPLE.

"It was against their advice," says the source. "If she comes back for treatment, Promises will have to assess the situation. Sometimes people come back, but it doesn't look good."

After checking out, Spears arrived at the Bel-Air Hotel on Wednesday. When asked by PEOPLE how she was doing, she replied, "Great. I'm great."

Promises is not a locked-down facility, so a patient is able to leave the program if he or she wants to.

Spears checked out of the rehab facility because, the paparazzi turned it "into a media circus over there," another source tells PEOPLE. "She is going crazy and they still won't leave her alone, even in rehab."

Entertainment Tonight and TMZ.com were first to report that Spears had left rehab.

Detoxed Toxic Spears

Things have gone from bad to worse. No jokes for now, just some more developments. According to manager Larry Rudolph, Britney Spears has entered an inpatient rehab clinic in California, Federline continues to assert that he'll be a good father (they share custody), psychiatrists are suggesting Britney may be suffering from post-partum depression, and the hair she shaved off, as well as a cigarette lighter and the Red Bull she drank at the salon, is on sale for a million bucks. Bad times.

Britney Spears has been ridiculed for everything from her 55-hour first marriage to backup-dancer second husband and her recent pantyless partying escapades. Now that she's entered rehab, though, the joke is over.

This is a new frontier even for Spears, whose well-documented gaffes and personal traumas have played out in excruciatingly public fashion, including photos published of Spears driving with her son Sean Preston on her lap and another time almost dropping him.

Spears' manager, Larry Rudolph, told People magazine's Web site on Tuesday that Spears had voluntarily checked herself into an undisclosed treatment facility.

"We ask that the media respect her privacy as well as those of her family and friends at this time," Rudolph was quoted as saying. He didn't disclose why she entered rehab.

The 25-year-old pop star has been seen wearing skimpy outfits and partying heavily since filing for divorce from Kevin Federline in November, after two years of marriage.

On Friday night, Spears, the mother of two young sons, shaved her head bald. But that didn't send her into hiding as she was later seen wearing an inexpensive blond wig.

"You know, for these celebrities, it's really tough," New York-based psychiatrist Gail Saltz told The Associated Press. "They have no idea if anybody likes them for them. … Everybody wants a piece. Everybody wants to make something off of her, get somewhere by her."

Spears' very public divorce isn't helping matters, said Saltz, who also suggested that Spears could be suffering from postpartum depression.

Federline's attorney had earlier confirmed that Spears and Federline would continue to share custody of 5-month-old Jayden James and 17-month-old Sean Preston this month, following terms of a January custody agreement.

"I'm a good father," Federline has said. "I love my kids and I'll always be here for (them)."

Photo via.

Fugly Britney Hits the Town...

Is Britney Spears ashamed of her new shaved look? Apparently not. Brit Brit hit the town for some lowkey dinner with dear old Dad before crashing a private party some random sketchy was having at LA club The Roxy. Britney went unrecognized, and ended up alone in a booth. And what of Paris Hilton and that crowd? They were up in Vegas partying, and commenting on how fugly the aerodynamic Britney is. Good times.

Less than 48 hours after snagging the world's attention by shaving off all her hair, troubled pop tart Britney Spears cut a pathetic figure Sunday night, when she crashed a stranger's party, only to be left sitting alone in a black leather booth.

The freshly shorn singer, wearing a cheap blond wig, embarked on a sad party crawl, her constant entourage - hired help that included bodyguards and backup dancers - nowhere in sight.

From there, it was a hop, skip and jump to the neon-lit Roxy, a classic L.A. music hot spot. That night, however, no raucous concert was scheduled: Spears stumbled upon a mere mortal's karaoke birthday party.

"It was a private party," says a club spokesperson. "There were 80 people there."

The staff of the club, where the late comedian John Belushi spent his final hours, didn't notice the wigged-out star's arrival - and never even offered her a drink. "She spent most of her time sitting alone in a booth," said the stunned staffer.

One party guest, caught up in the karaoke, requested Spears' "... Baby One More Time," unaware Spears was in the building.

The crestfallen crooner left around 1 a.m. with a brunette friend, who drove her in a sedan. The two made one more stop, dropping by the upscale Beverly Hills Hotel, where paparazzi following the car had to be removed from the driveway.

Reps for the hotel refused to comment on whether Britney stayed for cocktails in the Polo Lounge or checked in for the night.

"We think she might still be there," said a representative for the X17 photo agency. As of last night, the photogs were staking out the hotel, waiting for Spears' reappearance.

Since her embarrassing public hair "don't" on Friday, Spears has avoided former party pals like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. Spears' previous posse cavorted in Las Vegas over the weekend at Hilton's over-the-top 26th-birthday bash, where the singer was a hot topic of conversation.

"Britney was the butt of everyone's joke. All the girls kept saying how fugly she looked as a baldie," one Hilton pal snickered.

Larger photo at X17online.

Oops, Blah Blah Blah

If this is the planned 2007 comeback we've all heard about then I'm down wid it. As you have no doubt heard, Britney Spears went and had herself a nice little weekend, shaving her head and getting some new body art. The action all went down in the Valley, far from the lights and wealth of Beverly Hills (actually, not all that far). Basically, Britney went into a salon and asked that her head be shaved. The salon workers refused. So Britney paid (with a nice tip) and shaved herself. How's that for taking her career into her own hands. And the aftermath?

"Afterwards she looked in the mirror and said with tears in her eyes, 'Oh, my God, I shaved it all off. My mom is going to be so upset with me.' "I asked her if the buzz cut was a symbol of a new beginning and she said, 'Yeah, something like that.' "

Of course, said shorn locks (doubt if they're real) are already on eBay.

The story:
Britney Spears appeared in a tattoo parlor in the San Fernando Valley with her head shaved completely bald.
Eyewitness News shot video of the newly shorn Spears, with tiny tattoos on the back of her neck, sitting for a new tattoo, a pair of red and pink lips, on Friday night.

"She just wanted something real small on her wrist, something dainty," Max Gott, the tattoo artist at Body and Soul in Sherman Oaks, said. "She got some cute little lips on her wrist."

Derrik Snell, who works at the tattoo parlor, said Spears showed up without notice and stayed for about 90 minutes as about 60 fans, photographers and gawkers gathered outside.

"She seemed fine," Snell said. "I didn't really notice (the hairdo) at first, she had a hood on when she showed up."

Before heading to the tattoo parlor, Spears grabbed an electric clipper and shaved her own head at a San Fernando Valley salon Friday night, it was reported.

"I tried to talk her out of it. I said, 'Are you sure you're not having a bad day and tomorrow you'll feel differently about it? Why don't we wait a little bit?"' salon owner Esther Tognozzi said.

"She said, 'No, I absolutely want it shaved off now.' Next thing I know, she grabbed the buzzer and she went to the back of my salon and she was shaving off her own hair," Tognozzi said.

The appearance came the same day as reports on TV and Web sites that Spears, who has drawn criticism for her recent partying and sloppy behavior, had briefly checked into rehab.

Larry Rudolph, Spears' manager, couldn't be reached for comment.

Angelique Uram, a Spears fan who stood on the tattoo parlor's sidewalk for Friday night's spectacle, was aghast at the singer's new look.

"We could see her in the mirror, and her head is completely shaved," she said. "It looks terrible."

Police arrived to control the crowd and helped Spears' bodyguards guide her into a waiting SUV, her head covered by a hooded sweatshirt.

A.I. With M.J.? No Way...

As the recently-reunited Police was intoned, When the world is running down, you make the best of what's still around. Still, we, as a mass, culture-imbibing society, are scraping the bottom of the barrel here. Word on the street is that kid-loving, glove-wearing, Bahrain-baiting Michael Jackson may be headed to American Idol for an episode or two. If you'll recall, MJ is planning on relaunching his career in Las Vegas. With, it turns out, Idol creator Simon Fuller at his side. Think Michael didn't see the possibilties? The MJ-imbued Idol episodes will no doubt rate among the most-watched creepy things in television history. Barf.

Courtney Love on "American Idol" -- intriguing. Michael Jackson on "Idol" -- shocking!

It could happen, though, if certain hints dropped by "Idol" producers are to be believed. Realitytvmagazine.com reports that "several signs" point to the possibility that Michael Jackson will have his own "Idol" theme-week, and might even "mentor" the impressionable young talent on the show.

Why all the Jackson buzz? First of all, "Idol" producers have hinted for weeks at a "big event show" during this season. Also, reports have swirled that Jackson has turned to "Idol" creator Simon Fuller to help revive his flagging career, perhaps involving a comeback show in Las Vegas. Finally, in a recent conference call, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe explained the show's impenetrable wall of silence around contestants, and used Jackson as an example, saying they wouldn't want it to "slip out with somebody telling their mom that Michael Jackson is coming."

Would a savvy operator like Lythgoe really let such a big scoop just slip? Reps for the show had no comment. A rep for Michael Jackson could not immediately be reached.

Photo via.

It's An American Idol World

Thoughts on the 49th Annual Grammy Awards (Scarlett Johannson: "See you at the 50th!"):

The Police were a bit ragged but will undoubtedly kick butt on their upcoming tour, and no one drums like Stewart Copeland...

Carrie Underwood is definitely sleeping with American Idol creator Simon Fuller (especially if this is public knowledge I don't know about - is it?)...

Gnarls Barkley rules...

Christina Aguilera can sing James Brown tunes nearly as good as James Brown could...

Dixie Chicks are overrated, and are NOT comparable to Woody Guthrie, despite Joan Baez's empty claims...

Chris Brown can slap himself and run all over the stage as much as he likes, but he's no Smokey Robinson, or even Lionel Richie...

Mary J. Blige is a legend...

Al Gore and Queen Latifah should date...

James Blunt performed You're Beautiful for the 27 thousandth time...

Props to Red Hot Chili Peppers for their "Love To Ornette Coleman" banner and, erm, not much else...

Don Henley is getting OLD...

Quentin Tarantino has got to calm down...

That high school violin player riffed circles around every other performer of the evening...

Can someone please send Rascal Flatts to another planet, thank you...

Justin Timberlake looks pretty good with a white guitar...

T.I. has charisma to burn...

The interview clip with the late Ahmet Ertergun, founder of Atlantic Records, underscored the fact that the old music industry, for better or worse, is gone...

And finally, an observation on our increasingly American Idol (show specific, as well as theoretical) dominated world: for every Kelly Clarkson, there are a hundred Carrie Underwoods, singers with blandly pretty voices with no personality. Underwood used every Idol cliche in the book, ruining Cowboy Bob Wills' San Antonio Rose, and embarrassingly grinding with the singer from Rascal Flatts, who shouldn't be grinding with any lights on, mush less than onstage at the Staples Center. So there was Underwood singing Desperado with none of the gentle pathos and character Don Henley gave the original, and later awkwardly shimmying about to Life In The Fast Lane.

Of course, the Idol-ization of the evening was most evident in the contest involving three women in the running to perform with Justin Timberlake. Was this really necessary? Sure the winner, Robyn was OK, but that's all she was. Vocalists, want some real inspiration? Watch, and listen, to Christina Aguilera.

Photos via.

Britney Single, Not Into Orgies

Several pieces of news today on the Britney Spears homefront (keep the panties burning). First of all, her lil' fling with the male model is over:

Although the couple had had been on-and-off, the “Toxic” singer recently was so smitten with the model that she reportedly was ready to convert to Judaism.

Now, according to Cohen’s spokeswoman, that won’t be necessary. “They are no longer an item,” Brandi Lord, Isaac’s agent at L.A. Models told OK! magazine.

Isaac reportedly broke the news to Spears in a phone call Sunday night, but apparently he’s been looking to get out of the relationship for a while.

Ah, the sunday night phone call...

Though Britney is single again, she will NOT be attending any orgies to ease her pain.

Britney Spears has denied that she's a lesbian, a fan of pornography and has taken part in wild orgies with women.

The denial from the 'Toxic' singer comes after a friend of her estranged husband made the allegations in a US magazine.

"Britney was into threesomes and girls," said Omar 'Iceman' Sharif, a friend of Kevin Federline and rap producer.

"There was tons of porn in the house — but it was mostly Britney's," he said of the Malibu home Spears shared with Federline.

Not a fan of pornography? EVERYONE'S a fan of pornography. Well, at least MOST of the porn in the house was not K-Fed's. Spears claims all of this talk is simply present to help Federline in the battle for custody of the children. You mean like the following talk?

That home, Sharif told In Touch magazine, also played host to risqué parties.

"They were friends of her who she would invite to her house and they would drink and party," the producer claimed.

"They had their hands all over each other," he said

"Sometimes it was three girls, and sometimes there were more like six," claimed another source.

"I heard about her being with girls at least 20 times while they were married."

The 25-year-old Spears issued a denial through her record company.

"It is not true," said a spokesperson for Jive, Gina Orr.

Photo via.

Your Groundhog Day Britney Spears Update

Ever get the feeling you were living the same day over and over again? Like everyday, you're pissed off that your ex is still on good terms with your family and friends? How about trying to buy out your ex for sole custody of the kids - every single day? Or:

Vainly attempting reconciliation with Fed Ex.

Trying to find a new sound to get back to the top of the charts.

Partying up a storm in Vegas while finding that new sound.

Being accused of spreading her panty-less ways across the pond.

Today in Malibu, Britney saw her shadow... Does this mean six more weeks of trashiness?

Photo via.

Uh, What?

Celebrities - will they ever cease to amaze us, or at the very least, make us feel kinda creepy? Whitney Houston is here to tell us, No, they won't. Check it: recently single Whitney Houston has moved on from the craziness of Bobby Brown's World to the absurdity of dating Ray J. If you are unfamiliar with the name of Ray J, and who isn't, it may surprise you to learn that Ray J is the younger brother of Brandy. And if you know who Brandy is, and who doesn't, then it won't shock you to learn that Ray J is young. Really young. Like, 26 years old. So cheer up, youth of America... bagging over the hill damaged goods is still possible in 2007.

Gossip columnist Janet Charlton and numerous other bloggers are currently claiming that 43-year-old diva Whitney Houston (who recently separated from her husband of 14 years, Bobby Brown) is already dating 26-year-old R&B singer Ray J, the younger brother of Brandy.

While Houston and Ray J (real name: William Ray Norwood Jr.) have not admitted that they are romantically involved, paparazzi photos of the pair leaving the Beverly Hills eatery Maestro's Steakhouse together--after reportedly having dinner there on Sunday, January 21--seem to substantiate rumors of their supposed May-December romance.

According to Charlton, "Whitney Houston is in LOVE," Houston and Ray J have already moved in together, and Houston spent the holidays with the Norwood family. Charlton also writes on her website, janetcharltonshollywood.com, about alleged Houston/Ray J spa vacations in Santa Barbara and plans for Ray J to appear on Houston's much-anticipated comeback album.

Might As Well Yawn

This would have been interesting, say, ten years ago. At this point, half of Eddie's mouth is gone, his 15 year-old son is playing bass, and they've gone through all the trouble of bringing Diamond Dave back just so he can watch Michael Anthony, harbor of the true spirit of Van Halen, not to mention killer backing vocals, be given his (bass) walking papers. Pretty lame. Fascinating. But lame. And I gotta agree with Sammy Hagar (who is the man, btw) on this one: what the hell Is Eddie doing putting his teenage kid on the road for a Van Halen tour with all of its concomitant pressure? Unreal.

Sources tell Billboard.com a contract could be signed as soon as today for Live Nation to produce a 40-date amphitheatre tour by Van Halen this summer, with original frontman David Lee Roth back in the fold for the first time in more than 20 years.

As previously reported, guitarist Eddie Van Halen's 15-year-old son Wolfgang has stepped in for original bassist Michael Anthony in the new incarnation of the group, which also features drummer Alex Van Halen.

Van Halen last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. Hagar refused to collaborate further with Eddie and Alex Van Halen after the tour's completion ("I don't get along with Eddie anymore, and that's all there is to it," he told Billboard.com in August 2005), although he has consistently played live with Anthony in recent years. The warring factions may wind up meeting in public in March when Van Halen is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Hagar recently told Billboard.com he was concerned Eddie Van Halen was asking too much of his son to have him join the band and promptly perform in front of thousands of people every night.

"That's a lot of pressure for Wolfie. Just 'cause he's Eddie's son doesn't mean he can go out and play in arenas and perform and entertain an audience for two hours," he said. "I would love to see Eddie and Alex get behind Wolfie, with a kid of his age singing, and produce the record for him and help him launch a career. I'd rather see it go that way than come out and say 'Wolfie's the bass player in Van Halen and maybe singing, too.' Van Halen's got way too much history to have that put on him."

7 Seconds To Love, and Money.

Sometimes the good guys win after all. Coca Cola (you may have heard of it) had been using a song called Ninja by a band called 7 Seconds Of Love. Fine, right? Wrong. It turns out the Coke had used the UK band's song without permission. Obviously, this is a big no-no. Coke claims they had no idea, and to give them credit, they're probably telling the truth. The Atlanta-based megabrand immediately pulled the spots in question and settled with the band. And all the attention is paying off for the band - they plan on using settlement money to record more professionally. And the band is giving some money to charity! C'mon, this story rules.

Coca-Cola Co. has reached an agreement with an unsigned London ska band over the global soft drink giant's use of the band's material in TV ads.

The band, called 7 Seconds of Love, had argued that Coke used their video and song "Ninja" without permission in a South American commercial for Coca-Cola Light.

Coke agreed Monday to an out-of-court settlement. The ads have been taken off the air, and the band retains all the rights. The amount of the financial settlement wasn't disclosed.

"They (Coke) have a policy of not litigating against bands and we came to a nice agreement," said lead singer Joel Veitch, animator of the video.

The band had only learned of the advertisement when a fan asked about it.

In a statement, the company said: "The Coca-Cola Company has a long history of working with some of the best artists around the world. The creative talent of 7 Seconds of Love is quite evident and we wish them all the best in their musical endeavors."

Veitch said "Ninja" will be rerecorded and released in the next few weeks.

"It's really good for the band. You never know, maybe we could get into the charts," he said. "We've never had the money to do a very good job, but now we've got into a good studio and have got a fantastic management team behind us."

Veitch said the settlement could mean that 7 Seconds of Love can finally play in front of big crowds.

"Getting the band going would be brilliant, jumping around in front of thousands of people is better than fiddling with computers," said Veitch, who works as a freelance animator.

A substantial amount of the financial settlement will go to two British charities, while the rest will go to the band.

Photo via myspace.com/7secondsoflove

Insurance Against Taste

That was fast. Mere months after being ditched by his one claim to celebrity, Z-lister Kevin Federline has already agreed to spoof himself, though admittedly in a high-profile gig. America's Most Hated is set to appear on America's Most Watched annual television event, the Super Bowl. In an ad for Nationwide Mutual Insurance, Fed-Ex will play himself, a former rapper down on his luck and forced to short-order cooking to make ends meet. Previous celebrities to appear in Nationwide's Life Comes At You Fast series of ads include MC Hammer and Fabio. K-Fed, you're in good company, er, hands (wait, that's Allstate).

Britney Spears no longer wants him as her husband and audiences have been cool to his attempt at a rap music career, but Kevin Federline has Nationwide on his side.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., known for its "On Your Side" slogan, plans to run a national ad during the Super Bowl, and K-Fed has been tapped to star, the Columbus-based company announced Wednesday.

The 30-second spot, to air during the third quarter of the Feb. 4 game, will be the latest installment in Nationwide's "Life Comes at You Fast" ad campaign. Previous celebrity ads in the series have featured Fabio and M.C. Hammer.

In the new commercial, Federline, 28, goes from starring in a rap video surrounded by beauties and bling to working at a fast-food joint.

"No one has personified ‘Life Comes at You Fast’ in the media better than Federline," said Steven Schreibman, Nationwide vice president of advertising and brand management. "Our partnership with Kevin shows the world that he has a great sense of humor."

His debut rap album, "Playing With Fire," sold a dismal 6,500 copies in its first week of release last fall.

Photo via.

Beckham + Jacko = Backo

Completing David Beckham and the former Posh Spice Victoria Beckham's transfer into the Hollywood meta-universe, the soccer star and his glamo-spouse were contacted by King of Flop Michael Jackson in the hopes that they could be duped into buying his retreat-cum-zoo Neverland. Posh Spice wisely told him to park it where the sun don't shine. Which is not to say the Beckhams are averse from real estate haggling with 80s pop superstars - apparently, they are eyeing a property once owned by Lionel Richie.

Michael Jackson is reportedly desperate for Victoria and David Beckham to buy his Neverland ranch.

The singer, who left the property 18 months ago after being cleared of child abuse charges, wants the Beckhams to buy the 2,800-acre property for £10 million [$20 million].

Michael has asked estate agents to show the property details to Victoria, who has been house hunting ahead of David's summer move to the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team.

However, Victoria is said to have no interest in Neverland, because it is in Los Olivos, California, 150 miles away from David's new training ground.

Victoria, 32, is expected to look at around 35 properties in total, all valued between £5 million and £10 million.

She reportedly has her eye on a £7.5 million [$15 million] mansion previously owned by Lionel Richie and is determined to find the perfect home for her family.

Victoria said: "I want to make sure I pick the right one for David and the kids. I've seen some beautiful places, but we want somewhere that looks like a nice home."

Photo via.

Our Long, National Nightmare Of Awards Shows Continues

For shame. Hollywood's best and brightest, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, turned out for that annual awardsy boozefest, the Golden Globes. The timing? This year's awards took place on Martin Luther King Day. The tragedy? Monday was a sea of white. When will we ever learn to heal, America?

The Golden Globes lived up to its reputation as the most relaxed of the major awards shows as Hollywood's leading ladies from both the movie and TV worlds chose flowing gowns, tousled hair and funky dangling earrings.

The red carpet-turned-runway at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Monday night was largely a sea of white with the glitz coming more from a smattering of metallic dresses and embellishment instead of blinding diamond necklaces.

Among the stars who wore white to the black-tie event were Jennifer Garner in a beaded V-neck dress, Heidi Klum in a strapless gown, Kyra Sedgwick in a chiffon gown with amethyst crystal trim by J.Mendel that she picked straight from the catwalk, Salma Hayek was in a draped short-sleeve gown with an open portrait neckline, Ellen Pompeo wore a Versace high-neck gown with an open back and silver trim, and Kate Winslet was dressed in a strapless white Azzaro gown.

PS: Man, people really love Grey's Anatomy.