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Guitar Hero 5 Adds Songs To Tracklist
fernanda on July 11, 2009 at 01:26 PM
January 20, 2009
Posted on January 20, 2009 at 09:43 AM
The musical celebrations in Washington, DC continued last night with a Jay-Z led throwdown at the Warner Theatre. Performing with Brooklyn's finest were Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Young Jeezy and Memphis Bleek. In da house: Samuel L. Jackson, Usher, Eric Benet and Diddy, who later was on Larry King Live. Diddy: still everywhere.
And yes, today is Inauguration Day. Read all about it in the Washington Post and the New York Times.
Let's say you win an award. And then, after you've already accepted the award, you find out that you were not the real winner. That's what happened to Katy Perry, who picked up Best International Song at the NRJ Awards, France's biggest music awards. The song in question is I Kissed A Girl, of course, but unfortunately for Katy, organizers later announced that an error had been made, and the correct winner was Rihanna for Disturbia. Embarrassing for Katy Perry. But then again, she was hanging out in Cannes, and is a big, rich star. So she'll be fine.
Paste gives us six albums to look forward to in '09. Wilco's on there, and so is Sonic Youth, whose Matador debut The Eternal is due in June. Prince also deservedly on the list. But no Dirty Projectors? Or Grizzly Bear?
Kelly Osbourne is once again in the news and once again is seeming all bratty-like. She was arrested, and then released on bail, on charges of allegedly slapping a journalist at a London nightclub last August. Why the smackdown? Said journo, Zoe Griffin of the Daily Mirror, had questioned the brainpower of Osbourne's boyfriend, Luke Worrall. Allegedly, he didn't know how earthquakes worked. Griffin wrote that in her column. And so Osboune allegedly did some slapping. And celebrity life rolls on.
Links:
Jay-Z Wins The Popular Vote With Night Of Hits [USA Today]
Katy Perry Wrongly Handed Award At Cannes [NME]
Six Albums To Get Excited About In 2009 [Paste]
Kelly Osbourne Arrested For Assault [People]
Pic via New York Times/Reuters
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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MLK Day '09 - We Are One
Posted on January 19, 2009 at 11:28 AM
The point of yesterday's We Are One Inaugural Celebration Concert was not as much musical, of course, as it was simply to gather and take stock of tomorrow's Big Event. That said, the roll call of musicians was pretty impressive. Bruce Springsteen and a sizable, red-robed choir kicked things off with a gospel-like reading of The Rising (gospel influences were felt throughout the two hour show). U2 were their usual bombastic selves, performing Pride (In The Name Of Love) and also Obama campaign tune City Of Blinding Lights. Stevie Wonder, Usher and a somewhat weak-voiced Shakira delivered a joyful Higher Ground. Jon Bon Jovi and Bettye LaVette performed a quietly wondrous version of Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come. It all ended with a Beyonce-led sing-along of America The Beautiful. Ain't that America, sang John Mellencamp, for you and me? Oh, and Will.I.Am - please let that be the last time you "sing" Bob Marley's One Love.
In other U2 news, Get On Your Boots, the first single from U2's upcoming No Line On The Horizon album, is now streaming at goyb.U2.com. The track is almost arrestingly exciting, sonically, if a bit all over the place. Dry and dirty guitars well complement even drier drums. On first listen, it's definitely a more raw sound that How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb's first single Vertigo. And if this is one of the album's weaker tracks, as Vertigo was, Get On Your Boots could be a very good sign, indeed.
Notorious, the movie about the life of Biggie Smalls, is drawing some of the same, well, notoriety as its subject did: Four men were stabbed at the movie premiere's official afterparty at a club in Brooklyn.
Links:
'We Are One' - Lyrical Messages About An Inclusive America [New York Times]
Get On Your Boots [goyb.U2.com]
Four Stabbed At Brooklyn Nightclub [Newsday]
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Britney's Back, Again
Posted on November 25, 2008 at 10:27 AM
What's the most shocking part of this Britney Spears cover story in the new Rolling Stone? Is it the fact that she feels like "an old fart"? Or perhaps the revelation that it was Kevin Federline who initiated the breakup of their marriage? Maybe it's that her assistant and a minion of manager Larry Rudolph accompanies her on dates? Actually, it's the cover photo, in which Britney looks healthy, fit and NOT CRAZY. Or rather, it's a tie between the cover photo and the creepy dating-chaperoning thing.
Ever heard of rapper/producer John Forte? He worked with the Fugees. He was arrested in 2000 with $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine. He was convicted, and went to jail. And now, he's getting out of jail, thanks to a presidential pardon from the outgoing George W. Bush. That's right - President Bush is pardoning a hip-hop producer convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Why? Intense lobbying by Carly Simon and her son, who went to Phillips Exeter Academy with Forte. BTW, Bush went to Phillips Andover Academy. The old boys network now extends to drug dealer music producers. Good to know.
Guess who wasn't excited about the release of Chinese Democracy by Guns n' Roses? The Chinese. Apparently, they had never heard of it. But they know about it now. And they're not too happy about that title, or about lyrics referring to banned-in-China spiritual group Falun Gong. Or about artwork which includes a painting depicting Chinese as powerless. The BBC spoke to foreign military spokesman Qin Gang, who noted that "According to my knowledge, a lot of people don't like this kind of music because it's too noisy and too loud." The Chinese government may not have heard Chinese Democracy, but their sources certainly have.
R.I.P. MC Breed, who died on Saturday in Ypsilanti, MI as a result of kidney failure: He worked with Too Short on several albums, both as a rapper and a ghostwriter. A chance meeting with Tupac Shakur in a tattoo parlor led to the single “Gotta Get Mine,” which became a hit in 1993. That year Mr. Breed also appeared, alongside Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, on a characteristically wacky George Clinton song, “Paint the White House Black.”
Links:
Britney Returns [Rolling Stone]
Record Producer John Forte's Sentence Commuted [New York Daily News]
China: Roses Album Is 'Venemous' [BBC]
MC Breed, 37, Rapper With Midwest Roots, Is Dead [New York Times]
Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs , Current Affairs , Music
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Movin' Out
Posted on October 17, 2008 at 10:37 AM
The rockin' for Obama continued last night, in the form of a Billy Joel/Bruce Springsteen supergroup at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. The event was a high-priced fundraiser, with some tickets going for $10,000, so the entertainment had better be good. According to Rolling Stone, Springsteen and E Streeters Patti Scialfa and Roy Bittan joined Joel and his band for a rotating setlist of Springsteen and Joel classics. Born To Run, Allentown, Glory Days, River Of Dreams... all played. Joel's "Just The Way You Are" sadly not.
Guess who's back? Eminem. Listen to Eminem's new "I'm Having A Relapse."
Looks like Dr. Pepper is keeping its (his?) word: If Chinese Democracy comes out this calendar year, everyone in America will get a free can of Dr. Pepper.
Links:
Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel Form Supergroup For Obama In NYC [Rolling Stone]
Eminem - I'm Having A Relapse [Yo! Raps]
Yes, We're All Getting Free Dr. Pepper [Stereogum]
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Who Says You Can Use Who Says You Can't Go Home?
Posted on October 16, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Add Bon Jovi to the list of artists who are pissed over that McCain/Palin is using their music at rallies. The band's tune "Who Says You Can't Go Home" has been used at recent Sarah Palin rallies. Jon ain't happy: "Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home.'" Got it. Bon Jovi joins a list of upset, accidental Repub soundtrack-supporting musicians that includes Heart and Jackson Browne. Unfortunately, ASCAP, the publisher of all the songs in question, employs a blanket fee for public performance for many artists at once, meaning that there is little these artists can do. Except complain loudly and make their opinions heard.
Yesterday, we told you about how Ringo Starr will stop reading and answering fan mail. The guy's getting old... leave him be! Now he has to go and explain himself. He shouldn't have to. Trivia question: What is the only Beatles song to contain a drum solo? Answer below.
Oh hey this band Guns n' Roses has a new album coming out (finally! LOLZ) and you can pre-order it here. There's vinyl if you want. Also a few different album covers. Only one there now, though. Welcome to the jungle, blah blah blah blah blah.
Links:
Bon Jovi Complains Over Republican Rally Song [Reuters]
Ringo Starr Does Damage Control Over Fan Mail Controversy [Rolling Stone]
Guns n' Roses, Chinese Democracy [Best Buy]
Trivia answer: The End.
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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To Be Born Again
Posted on October 2, 2008 at 09:38 AM
We knew this moment would come: Phish, the mega-selling jam quartet from Vermont, is reuniting after four years of retirement. The announcement came yesterday, and included news of three dates this March in Hampton, Virginia. Hampton, and its Hampton Coliseum, was the site of the Phish live album Hampton Comes Alive. It was also where the Grateful Dead, in 1989, played two "secret shows" and brought back old faves like Dark Star and Attics of My Life to the live show. Apparently, Phish felt they needed to find some magic in the very same Coliseum. Whether they did or not is hard to say, but there will certainly be plenty of people psyched for the these, and the subsequent, yet-to-be-announced, shows.
Bruce Springsteen has added another date to his Obama Tour - a show in Philadelphia's Ben Franklin Parkway this Saturday, October 4th, that is free to all residents of Pennsylvania. If you want to pay a little money to see Bruce, then save your shekels for the $500 minimum show at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom that Bruce is playing with, erm Billy Joel. That goes down on October 16.
Irish soul mystic Van Morrison will perform his 1968 album Astral Weeks in its entirety on November 7 and 8 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. It is no stretch to say that this album is one of the greatest albums made in the rock era.
Links:
After Four Years, It's Time to go Phishing Again [Boston Herald]
On the Streets Of Philadelphia [Backstreets.com]
Billboard Bits: Van Morrison [Billboard (second item)]
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Captain Timberlake and Tennille Biel
Posted on September 19, 2008 at 10:45 AM
If you've got a girl and you want to impress her, there are several options available. You can surprise her with flowers and gifts, you can taker her out to a nice dinner... or you can write and produce an album for her. The latter is currently going down in the Justin Timberlake/Jessica Biel relationship. And by "for" her we mean this is HER album. Plus, Justin has recorded most of the backing vocals. A snappy name like Timberlake and Biel and they could be this generation's Captain and Tennille.
OutKast's Andre 3000 has been acting, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been thinking about music. In fact, he should have a solo album by the end of this year or early next. Also, he's a fan of Woody Harrelson and thinks Woody would have "shared his stash." Hmmm.
Remember how Lindsay Lohan wanted to stump for Barack Obama, and the Obama camp was all, 'No thanks'? Michael Lohan, Lindsay's dad, had some stuff to say about Obama. And it wasn't nice.
Another entry in Fuseblog's series Great Moments in Awesomeness: Brian Wilson performs That Lucky Old Sun and one verse and a chorus of California Girls in the newest Black Cab Session. Yes, the performance takes place in the back of a London black cab.
Links:
Justin Timberlake to Record Album with Girlfriend Jessica Biel [Gigwise]
OutKast's Andre Benjamin Says New Solo Album Coming Soon [Rolling Stone]
Lindsay Lohan's Dad Slams Obama Over Reported Dis [Fox News]
Black Cab Sessions: Brian Wilson [Black Cab Sessions]
Tagged as: Celebs , Current Affairs , Music
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Chrissie Hynde: Thumbs Up, Candace Bushnell: Thumbs Down
Posted on September 18, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Normally, we keep things fairly music-oriented around here, but is this not completely lame? Sex and the City person Candace Bushnell is writing two teen novels about Carrie Bradshaw's formative years. As Carrie would write, Candace is going back to the well, a well that can be found at the corner of 59th Street and Milking It Avenue. Seriously Candace, stop it. Just stop milking it and just... stop. </rant>
Barack Obama's campaign has turned down Lindsay Lohan's offer to help with any public appearances and stumping they might need. The move risks alienating the youth drunk driver demographic.
And on the other side, Ted Nugent, guitarist, rocker, average to below average songwriter (especially following the Amboy Dukes years), right wing activist, George W. Bush buddy and avid hunter and fisherman, wrote a letter of support to Sarah Palin.
Yes, there is a rock god: The Pretenders will be releasing their first album in six years this fall.
Links:
Zits and the City: Teen Novels Coming about Carrie [AP]
Obama Camp Nixes LiLo [Chicago Sun-Times]
Ted Nugent Writes a Letter to Satah Palin [BrooklynVegan]
Chrissie Hynde Fronts New Pretenders on New Album [Pitchfork]
Tagged as: Celebs , Current Affairs , Film , Music
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Sammy Hagar - Voice of America?
Posted on September 16, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Politics - you can't escape it! The latest rock n' roller to get his name dropped into the whole mess is former Van Halen vocalist/partier Sammy Hagar, who is psyched that the McCain/Palin campaign is blasting Van Halen's Right Now at rallies. Taking the opposite approach from Heart, who are positively enraged that Barracuda has been co-opted by Sarah Palin, Hagar says he's thrilled that a song he co-wrote is being used by ANYONE so high up. By all reports, Sammy's a good guy, but one would imagine that the money they got from Pepsi to use Right Now back in the 90s was equally thrilling. And Eddie hasn't been so quick to note his delight at the whole McCain thing.
As you've probably heard, Tina Fey did an awesomely spot-on Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live. Chevy Chase, for one, loved it. And he wants Fey to keep drilling, baby.
Even more politics: former Nirvana and current Flipper bassist Krist Novoselic writes a political column in the Seattle Weekly.
Very sad news from the UK, and, yes, he did write The Great Gig in the Sky - R.I.P., Richard Wright of Pink Floyd.
Links:
GOP's Use of "Right Now" Leads Sammy Hagar-Eddie Van Halen Phone Tag [Rolling Stone]
Chevy Chase Wants Tina Fey to 'Decimate' Sarah Palin [Fox News]
Krist Novoselic: Contention and Conscious [Seattle Weekly via Brooklyn Vegan]
Gilmour's Tribute to Floyd Star [BBC]
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Blue Monday
Posted on September 15, 2008 at 10:54 AM
If you've checked any newspaper this morning, you are aware that some major S is going down all over the place. Markets are shaking, value is being lost... even the price of crude oil is down this morning! Let's get right to the news:
Britney Spears will release her new album, Circus, on December 2. There - your Christmas shopping is done!
Amy Winehouse looks f***ing ugly, according to Amy Winehouse, which is why she didn't go to her own birthday party. Guests ate her cake without her (seriously). Sad!
Former Nirvana manager Danny Goldberg has written a book about his time with the band and attributes Nirvana's downfall to one person. Here's a hint: this person was married to Kurt Cobain.
Bob Dylan - yes, THE Bob Dylan - has some poetry in the latest New Yorker. It's, erm, pretty much a total downer.
Links:
Britney Spears Announces New Album , Due Dec. 2 [Hartford Courant]
Amy Winehouse Snubs Her Own Birthday Party [The Sun]
Nirvana Manager: 'Courtney Love Marked End of the Band' [NME]
17, by Bob Dylan [New Yorker]
Tributes For U.S. Novelist Wallace [BBC]
Photo by AP/Peter Morgan via.
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music , Television
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Bulls, Weiland, Oasis, Suede on Parade
Posted on September 3, 2008 at 01:31 PM
New Oasis albums mean many, MANY new Oasis soundbites. Today's comes from Noel Gallagher's blog, in which the guitarist announces his admiration for Barack Obama, while giving a little dig to the good ol' USA (classic!). Also, the airline lost his bag and the dressing rooms have not been up to his standard.
And speaking of our cousins across the Atlantic, Brett Anderson of Suede (The London Suede to us Yanks) has a new solo album out. In this lil' piece in the NME, the glam voxman disses Britpop, the mid-90s UK phenomenon dominated by the Blur v. Oasis battle, as well as Pulp's classic Different Class LP, and which also featured countless bands since largely forgotten (Let's see: Sleeper, Menswear, Elastica, Cast, Ocean Colour Scene, etc, etc, etc). Speaketh Anderson: "We could not have been more uninterested in that whole boozy, cartoon-like, fake working-class thing."
Rage Against the Machine have their power taken away by The Man in the currently Republican-held Twin Cities, perform a capella.
Former former ex-Stone Temple Pilots vocalist and current former solo vocalist Scott Weiland will drop his second solo album, Happy, in November via his own label. The release will come days after STP finish their current tour. What luck!
Links:
Oasis' Noel Gallagher Wishes Barack Obama Was British [NME]
Brett Anderson: 'Britpop Was Horrible' [NME]
Ripple Effect Ends in Rage [Star Tribune]
New Scott Weiland Solo Disc On the Way [Billboard]
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Cruel and Sadly All Too Usual
Posted on February 29, 2008 at 12:15 PM
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Super Tuesday... Rocks
Posted on February 5, 2008 at 01:58 PM
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
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Obama/Wentz in '08
Posted on January 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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G-Unit Is Everywhere
Posted on May 22, 2007 at 12:05 PM
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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More Britney Crap
Posted on May 22, 2007 at 08:13 AM
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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More Breaking Paris News
Posted on May 8, 2007 at 01:46 PM
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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Paris Not Checking Into A Hilton
Posted on May 7, 2007 at 10:33 AM
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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Crow and Rove Go At It
Posted on April 23, 2007 at 11:02 AM
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...
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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Britney Parties, Fires Manager
Posted on April 19, 2007 at 09:42 AM
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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O. M. G.
Posted on April 17, 2007 at 09:59 AM
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.
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She's Out
Posted on March 21, 2007 at 09:28 AM
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.
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New Brit Site, New Brit Brit
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 09:56 AM
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?
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Your Friday Rehab Report
Posted on March 9, 2007 at 10:11 AM
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.
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Madden Gets Violent...
Posted on March 8, 2007 at 09:38 AM
...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.
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Jared Leto Breaks Nose
Posted on March 6, 2007 at 03:03 PM
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."
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Don't Be, Um, Cruel
Posted on March 5, 2007 at 01:00 PM
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.
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Diddy Done It Again
Posted on March 1, 2007 at 08:07 AM
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."
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Well, That Was Fast
Posted on February 22, 2007 at 09:50 AM
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.
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Detoxed Toxic Spears
Posted on February 21, 2007 at 10:14 AM
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)."
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Fugly
Britney Hits the Town...
Posted on February 20, 2007 at 10:50 AM
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.
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Oops, Blah Blah Blah
Posted on February 19, 2007 at 09:52 AM
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.
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A.I. With M.J.? No Way...
Posted on February 15, 2007 at 09:40 AM
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.
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It's An American Idol World
Posted on February 12, 2007 at 11:14 AM
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.
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Britney Single, Not Into Orgies
Posted on February 8, 2007 at 11:34 AM
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.
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.
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Your Groundhog Day Britney Spears Update
Posted on February 2, 2007 at 10:48 AM
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?
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Uh, What?
Posted on January 29, 2007 at 09:18 AM
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.
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Might As Well Yawn
Posted on January 26, 2007 at 11:19 AM
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."
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7 Seconds To Love, and Money.
Posted on January 23, 2007 at 01:03 PM
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.
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
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Insurance Against Taste
Posted on January 18, 2007 at 07:05 AM
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.
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Beckham + Jacko = Backo
Posted on January 17, 2007 at 09:04 AM
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."
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Our Long, National Nightmare Of Awards Shows Continues
Posted on January 16, 2007 at 10:36 AM
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.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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She Smells Beautiful...
Posted on January 12, 2007 at 11:08 AM
...No matter what you say. Her body odor can't bring her down. That's right, Christina Aguilera is joining the list of celebs launching their own scent (or really, allowing their name to be attached to an odor). No word yet on a name. Suddenly... I can't breathe..."
Christina Aguilera is launching her own perfume.
The Dirrty singer announced on Thursday (01.11.07) that she is teaming up with Procter and Gamble Prestige Products to create her own signature scent.
Christina said: "I love trying new things in my music and in fashion. To have a perfume of my own is the beginning of an exciting adventure. Procter and Gamble is the ideal partner for this new experience."
The perfume is expected to hit stores towards the end of the year. It is not yet know if Christina will be lending her name to any other beauty products.
The pop superstar is just the latest in a long line of celebrities to release their own fragrance.
Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, David and Victoria Beckham, Beyoncé Knowles, Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue have all brought out their own perfumes.
Um, not to mention Derek Jeter.
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That Goth Dude Gets Around
Posted on January 11, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Recently, we told you about the sad but true divorce of Marilyn Manson and Dita Von Teese. Unsurprisingly, the reasons, rumored of course, for said break-up are starting to come out of the coffin woodwork. Namely, Dita was dee-tered by Manson gallivanting about with women half his age. That woman? Erm, Evan Rachel Wood. Wow.
Controversial rocker Marilyn Manson's relationship with a teenage actor half his age has been blamed for the end of his marriage to burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese.
Manson, 38, has been romantically linked to 19-year-old actor Evan Rachel Wood, who shot to fame playing a drug-taking, sexually-charged adolescent in Thirteen.
Reports in the US said their close relationship was a major factor in the December 29 divorce filing by Von Teese, 34, Manson's wife of just one year.
Manson first met Wood last year when he asked her to be in his coming horror film, Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll.
She also posed for a watercolor that he painted and attended the opening of his new Hollywood art gallery, the Celebritarian Corporation Gallery of Fine Art, in October.
"It came as kind of a shock," Wood told Rolling Stone about being asked to pose. "I was beyond flattered."
Manson, who is in Paris, was unavailable for comment.
Wood, whose representative would not confirm the relationship, had been dating Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell since 2005.
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Style Free And Fashion Deprived
Posted on January 10, 2007 at 09:37 AM
This week, Britney Spears manager Larry Rudolph said that Brit Brit was sorry for her recent club-hopping and her embarassingly neglectful parenting, was in the studio and was ready to make 2007 the year of Britney. That works out perfectly, beecause it turns out that, for yet another notable reason, 2006 was also the year of Britney.
To wit: fashion critic Mr. Blackwell, and his annual list of the best, and worst, dressed celebrities. This year Mr. Blackwell, who seems to be known only for his annual groundhog-like appearances in the Entertainment pages, chose fuseblog favorite and firecrotch monikered Britney Spears and also Paris Hilton as the worst dressed celebrities of 2006. Also shown little mercy:
Christina Aguilera: All crass and no class
Lindsay Lohan: Adorable to deplorable
Mariah Carey: Mariah the fashion pariah [get it, it rhymes]
BBC News: Style Scorn for Britney and Paris
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Tagged as: Current Affairs
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Yet Another Reason To Not Pass Out On New Year's Eve
Posted on January 9, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Remember when our friend Firecrotch passed out due to exhaustion
on New Year's Eve? Well, it's gonna cost her. Britney Spears is set to be docked her appearance fee for failing to perform her duties, namely, staying awake. Though Brit claimed to simply be taking a nap, word is that she was downing sake earlier in the evening. we've said it before and we'll say it again: WOULD BRITNEY SPEARS PLEASE GET IT TOGETHER THANK YOU.
Britney Spears' New Year's Eve collapse could cost her $400,000.
The 'Toxic' singer was contracted to appear at Los Angeles' PURE nightclub for their New Year festivities, but she was forced to leave early after reportedly fainting.
Club bosses are now demanding she hand back her appearance fee.
A source said: "The moment a celebrity gets into one of those deals they are on the clock. They are watched to the minute, and they are not allowed to leave early. It's a contractual obligation."
However, Britney's representative has dismissed the reports and a club spokeswoman has claimed her fee was "less than half" of the suggested $400,000 and insists she was not penalized for leaving early.
The spokeswoman said: "Britney had a great time. We love her and can't wait for her to come back."
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Who Gets To Keep The Nazi Era Espresso Maker?
Posted on January 8, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Surprising news out of Hollywood, because this looked like a celebrity marriage that was made to be, but, alas, all was not bliss in Berlin-On-The Pacific; the unholy union of Marilyn Manson and Dita Von Teese has ended. Von Teese (real name: Heather Sweet) and Manson (real name: Brian Warner) filed for divorce in Los Angeles (nickname: Tinseltown) on December 29th. Von Teese cited irreconcilable differences. Manson presumably was at his palest in years.
Marilyn Manson's marriage is over. The glitzy goth rocker's wife of just over a year, model and burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese, is seeking a divorce.
Von Teese, whose real name is Heather Sweet, cites irreconcilable differences for the split in papers filed Dec. 29 in Los Angeles Superior Court, which were posted on celebrity news site TMZ.com. The break-up was first reported by the New York Post on Friday.
Von Teese and Manson (real name: Brian Warner) were wed Nov. 28, 2005, according to the court documents. They separated on Christmas Eve.
It was the first marriage for both. They have no children.
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Rocky Like Rocky Balboa?
Posted on January 5, 2007 at 01:46 PM
According to Britney Spears, she is very aware that she is undergoing a "rocky moment." Meaning she is like everyone else in the world who is aware that Britney Spears is undergoing a "rocky moment." My favorite Rocky moment is when he caught the chicken in the first Rocky film.
Also, she aims to once again reach the top of the music industry. We wish her the best.
Britney Spears is aware that she is going through a "rocky moment" but knows "exactly what she needs to do" to get her music career back on track, her manager has revealed.
The 25-year-old singer has come in for a lot of criticism in the press recently for her late night clubbing antics since her split from second husband Kevin Federline.
Although her manager, Larry Rudolph, has said that he is "not defending" her behaviour he has sought to downplay some of the more exaggerated rumours.
On reports that she had passed out at a New Year's Eve party and had to be carried out, he told USA Today: "We were sitting there drinking orange juice. She got tired in a club, and we took her back to her room. Suddenly, I'm hearing words like 'collapsed' and 'passed out'."
He added that he understands the "disappointment" of fans but promised she would be back on form this year.
"Britney is increasingly motivated to get out there. She sees this as a challenge, that some fans may be questioning her," he promised.
"She's taking all the right steps. Britney Spears will be back and absolutely at the top of the entertainment industry very soon."
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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NoMoreFutureSex
Posted on January 4, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Not among these two, it seems. Maybe she didn't like the D*ck In The Box she got for Christmas? Word is that Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz are as over Lance Bass' music career. A moment of Timbaland-produced silence, please, for the formerly happy couple.
Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz have called it quits, according to a report in Star magazine.
According to Star, Diaz, 34, spent Christmas with her family in Vail, Colo., while Timberlake, 25, was with his family near Memphis. The magazine quotes a source who says the former N' Sync singer told friends that he and the actress had broken up. The couple were last seen together on Dec. 16 when she introduced his musical performance on "Saturday Night Live."
Diaz and Timberlake started dating shortly after they met each other at the 2003 Kids' Choice Awards.
The magazine also reported that Timberlake has started seeing a former flame, Veronica Finn. The pair dated in the late '90s before he began dating Britney Spears. Finn and Spears were briefly in a girl group together called Innosense, according to music impresario Lou Pearlman.
Tagged as: Current Affairs
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Busta Busted
Posted on January 4, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Is this any way to treat people on Boxing Day? Rapper Busta Rhymes busted a proverbial cap in the ass of some Dickensian dude that had the gaul to ask Busta for some dough on the day after Christmas. "Please, sir, may I have some benjamins?" Money disputes = lame.
Police said Rhymes, 34, turned himself in at a police station in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday night and later appeared in court.
The man told police that Rhymes assaulted him outside a building on Boxing Day in an argument over money, Lieutenant John Grimpel said.
It's the rapper's latest incident in a series of run-ins with the law.
Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, was arrested and charged with kicking a 19-year-old man in the head five months ago.
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