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Home | Music

Madonna Thinks Tom Cruise Is Getting a Raw Deal

Madonna talked with New York Magazine about lots of interesting things. She thinks Tom Cruise is getting a raw deal in the press, even if he does worship turtles and frogs. Wait, what?
Interviewer: Tom Cruise was at a recent fund-raiser [for Malawi]. Do you sympathize with him?

Madonna: I do. I don't care if people worship turtles or frogs--if they're good people, that's all I care about, and he is a good person. I think he gets a raw deal, just as I think the orphans in Malawi get a raw deal, just as I think a lot of marginalized people get a raw deal.
How big a check did he write to Raising Malawi? Ok, that's pretty cynical of us. We just can't help ourselves. But we do love Madonna.

Posted on April 21, 2008
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Kelly Clarkson Sings for Pope Benedict

Kelly Clarkson was asked to sing "Ave Maria" for Pope Benedict during his American visit. "Ave Maria" is usually sung by a trained opera singer for such occasions and Kelly is a pop singer, but she really has a fabulous voice. We think she did a great job. The Pope was quite pleased with her closing performance at a giant youth rally today in Yonkers, New York: he reportedly got up to greet her at the close of her performance, which is quite an honor (in addition to leading the world's Catholics, he is also a head of state). Here's a video of her performance:



Posted on April 19, 2008
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Madonna's Video Message to Her Fans

Madonna has a message for her fans who are making their own videos to her new single "Four Minutes to Save the World." We're a little shocked: Madonna remembers how to use a vacuum cleaner??? We're impressed, because surely she has a veritable army of housekeepers at this point in her life.


Posted on April 17, 2008
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Ashlee Simpson Eating For Two Now

Despite Pete Wentz's denials, it looks like Ashlee Simpson is pregnant, after all. People magazine reports:
Ashlee Simpson is pregnant and plans to get married next month at a private residence in Southern California, a source close to her family tells PEOPLE. Simpson, 23, is engaged to Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, 28, who initially blasted pregnancy rumors as a "witch hunt."

But on Tuesday, Simpson, sidestepped the rumors during an interview with MTV after taping TRL in New York, saying simply, "Some things you want to keep personal." And now the source tells PEOPLE that not only is Simpson pregnant, but that she's planning to have her wedding in May at a friend's house in La Jolla, Calif., north of San Diego.
People doesn't print stuff like this without a good source, so....congratulations to the happy couple!!

Posted on April 15, 2008
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Amy Wnehouse's New Addiction

Amy Winehouse has a new addiction: ironing. Yes, that's what we said. Ironing.
The troubled star, 24, has been ironing everything she can get her hands on - even towels, sheets and scarves.

A source said: "She has become absolutely obsessed with ironing things. Not just her clothes but also towels, sheets, scarves. Anything really. She's a very obsessive person and has always been addicted to something. We've had cannabis, cocaine, crack, heroin and her husband Blake Fielder-Civil."

"All the others have been rather more destructive, apart from knitting, which she has also had an on/off love affair with. But ironing is definitely her new favorite."
An on again, off again affair with knitting? Obsessive ironing? This is just eight kinds of crazy. Still, the OCD cleaning thing is better than crack or heroin. We're just saying.

Posted on April 13, 2008
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Rumors of a Shakira Sex Tape Hit the Net

Photo of ShakiraInternational superstar singer Shakira may be facing a sex tape scandal. A videotape supposedly exists which records Shakira and two men.
A home-made tape could involve Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz, Colombian pop diva Shakira and her boyfriend, Antonio de la Rua, in sexual intercourse together aboard a yacht owned by Sanz. According to Internet portal Infobae.com, the tape is being held by the prosecutors evaluating the case against Carlos Gonzalez and his wife, Sylvia Alzate, Sanz ex-employees who are accused of extortion against the artist.

This morning, People en Espanol released an article citing that both artists' agencies have denied the existence of such a tape. In a recent interview, Javier Ceriani, host of the radio show "Zona Cero", said "there's word of a private video taped in a yacht, which could involve Alejandro Sanz, Shakira and Antonio de la Rua, but this material is in the prosecutors' hands".

He stated that, according to the prosecutor, "if some of this tape's content would be made public, it could seriously threaten the singer and couple's private life".

Besides trying to commit extortion, Gonzalez and Alzate also stole a yacht, a jet ski and a computer. In their declaration, they testified that Sanz would force them to work more hours than permitted by the United States' laws. By the end of 2005 there was a rumor that Shakira had ended her relationship with de la Rua and initiated a romance with Sanz, around the same time they recorded their hit, 'La Tortura'.
Because Shakira's rep denied the story to People en Espanol, we'll reserve judgment on this one. But the Internets are going crazy with speculation.

Posted on April 2, 2008
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Amy Winehouse Moving Because of Demons

Photo of Amy WinehouseAmy Winehouse is moving again. This time it's because her house has "demons" in it.
AMY WINEHOUSE is set to move house for the third time in less than four months. She is said to be tormented by "demons" in her new pad in Camden, North London.

*****

Wino wants to quit her home just a few weeks after moving in because she feels her surroundings have contributed to her disturbed state of mind. But as she stepped out yesterday I worry there may be other nasties lurking - what scars may those long black gloves be covering? A pal said of her latest pad: "She feels it is full of bad vibes and demons bringing her down."

The star quit Camden for Bow, East London, late last year to escape bad memories. Amy then collected more bad memories in Bow, where The Sun's shock video of her smoking crack cocaine was filmed in January. She then went back to Camden, but believes the demons followed her.
Ah, the old "demon-infested home" complaint. We can't tell you how many times we've had to move because demons kept reappearing. Perhaps a nice exorcism is in order.

Posted on April 1, 2008
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The Allure of Mariah Carey

Photo of Mariah CareyMariah Carey is on the cover of Allure magazine. She talks about her new album, her childhood and how she knows everyone thinks she's a ditz. And she just doesn't care.
Carey says it's hard to reconcile her achievements and her bombshell persona. "It's a dichotomy, I understand," she says, "I understand that people think I'm a ditzy moron."

The singer owns an estimated 1,000 pairs of shoes-Manolo Blahniks, Jimmy Choos, and Diors in every color imaginable-and has been known to entertain guests in pink pom-pommed "house" heels.
Our favorite Mariah moment is the classic episode of MTV's Cribs when Mariah worked out on the stepper in four inch heels. Now that's a Diva! Mariah is on track for another #1 hit with her single "Touch My Body".

Posted on March 31, 2008
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Amy Winehouse Bares All for Charity

Photo of Amy Winehouse


Amy Winehouse posed naked -- except for some strategically place duct tape and her guitar -- to raise breast cancer awareness among young women in the new issue of Britain's Easy Living magazine.

Posted on March 24, 2008
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Jessica Simpson Entertains Troops in Kuwait

Actress and singer Jessica Simpson visited U.S. troops in Kuwait last week. The AP says she signed autographs and performed songs, including "God Bless America." She also visited with troops in Iraq in 2005 with Nick Lachey.



Posted on March 16, 2008
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Paula Abdul is Dancing Like There's No Tomorrow

Paula Abdul shows that she's still got it going on in her new video "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow." That's Randy Jackson playing the guitar in the background. Paula looks great, sounds great and she's still got the moves. Time for a comeback!



Posted on February 20, 2008
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Amy Winehouse Wins Big at Grammys

Photo of Amy WinehouseAmy won five awards, but was beaten out for Album of the Year by Herbie Hancock.
Ms. Winehouse won awards in two of the three most prestigious categories, for the writing and recording of the single "Rehab," about her refusal to seek treatment for substance abuse. She performed on the program via satellite from London, where her tabloid-ready lifestyle recently prompted her to enter a rehabilitation center.

Looking stunned and strangely sad as she learned she had won for record of the year, she thanked her record label, her parents and "my Blake, my Blake incarcerated," referring to Blake Fielder-Civil, her husband, who has been jailed for his involvement in a pub brawl. Ms. Winehouse also won for best new artist, best female pop vocal performance for "Rehab" and best pop vocal album for her CD Back to Black.
Amy finally got her visa approved by the U.S. State Department, but by that time it was too late to make it in time for the show. So she performed via satellite. She seemed quite surprised at her wins. We were just happy she got that missing tooth replaced.

You can see all of the winners here.

Posted on February 11, 2008
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Spice Girls Apology to Fans

The Spice Girls apologize to their fans for having to finally end their world reunion tour. They also address those rumors of them fighting tooth and nail.



Posted on February 6, 2008
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Britney Spears in Lockdown Psychiatric Ward

Britney Spears has been hospitalized at the Cedars Sinai psychiatric unit where she is under lockdown for a mental evaluation and suicide watch. Britney was strapped down to a gurney and hauled away by paramedics after a three-hour standoff with police when she refused to turn over Jayden James to Kevin Federline's bodyguard when her visitation time had ended. Britney is seriously ill and is in danger of permanently losing custody of her children. Here's the video of her being taken away by ambulance.



Posted on January 4, 2008
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Janet Jackson Gets Feedback

Photo of Janet JacksonJanet Jackson has a new album dropping on February 26 2008 called Discipline and Miss Jackson is looking mighty fine. The first single off the album is a hot dance track called "Feedback." The official video isn't out yet, but you can hear the track at Janet's official website. Feedback will be available for purchase on January 7, 2008 at iTunes.

This album has comeback written all over it. We can't wait to hear the rest of the tracks.

Posted on December 20, 2007
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Britney's New Video: Piece of Me

Here's the video for Britney Spears' new song "Piece of Me." It's certainly better than the "Gimme More" video, but still....we miss the old Britney.



Posted on December 15, 2007
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Britney Loses Louis Vuitton Lawsuit

Britney's legal woes continue. LVMH the giant corporation that owns Louis Vuitton won its lawsuit to ban the viewing of Britney's video for the song "Do Somethin'" which is notable mostly for how shockingly in shape Britney was (this is in 1995). During one scene Brit and friends are riding in a pink Hummer that has a faux Murakami cherry print dashboard, which infuriated Louis Vuitton. We watched the video and you can barely see it. Anyway, they won big damages and the right to pull the video from the Interwebs.
LVMH's Louis Vuitton unit has won 80,000 eur in damages and the banning of a Britney Spears video which uses an unauthorised close-up shot of Louis Vuitton fabric, Le Figaro reported.

In the video, Spears appears in a car upholstered with Louis Vuitton fabric. The tribunal found the director of the video had clearly emphasised the Louis Vuitton brand, the report said. The tribunal ruled that responsibility for the unauthorised use of the Louis Vuitton brand lay with Sony BMG and its subsidiary Zomba as well as MTV Online, and not the singer herself.
That's about $120,000. You can see the video on YouTube here -- at least until Louis Vuitton pulls it down.

Posted on November 19, 2007
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Hannah Montana Fans Are Furious

Photo of Miley Cyrus as Hannah MontanaMiley Cyrus' fans are furious at her and are actually suing her fan club in a potential class action lawsuit. The disgruntled fans say that they were promised that they would get priority in purchasing tickets to Miley's big concert tour if they joined the fan club. Thousands were unable to get tickets for the sold out tour. (In case you don't know any obsessed tweens, Miley is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus and stars in the hit TV show Hannah Montana.) In the concert, Miley spends half the show as herself and the other half in a blond wig portraying her pop star alter ego, Hannah Montana. Got all that?
Tickets for Cyrus' 54-date Best of Both Worlds tour sold out within minutes starting in August, sending desperate wannabe concertgoers-and scalpers-to the Internet, where sellers were asking for as much as $2,000 a pop for $63 seats. According to court documents filed on behalf of New Jersey resident Kerry Inman in U.S. District Court in Nashville, Interactive Media Marketing Inc. and Smiley Miley Inc. couldn't back up the promise of easier concert access in exchange for an annual $29.95 membership fee. The suit claims that tens of thousands of people like Inman could possibly join the suit, based on the popularity of the club's official Website, mileyworld.com. Inman states that she tried to get tickets to an Atlantic City show right when tickets went on sale, but came up empty-handed.

"They deceptively lured thousands of individuals into purchasing memberships, based on the understanding that by joining, they would be able to purchase tickets before they were offered for sale to the general public, and that's why we're suing," Inman's attorney, Rob Peirce, said in a statement. Peirce is based in Pittsburgh but filed the suit in Tennessee, where the defendants operate. "While the club and the Web site do not guarantee ticket availability, they explicitly state that members who log on shortly after tickets become available will have a good opportunity to get tickets," Peirce said. "In reality, the vast majority of club members, including those who logged on at the appointed time or shortly thereafter, were unable to obtain concert tickets."
Clearly, Miley has taken over for Hilary Duff and her fans are fierce.

Posted on November 14, 2007
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New Spice Girls Video

Here's the new Spice Girls video for the song "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)." They look fabulous. They sound fabulous. We can't wait for the tour!



Posted on November 2, 2007
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Britney's Record Label Gives Up on Her

Britney Spears has a new album coming out, but you'd never know it. Her record label is furious with her for doing no promotion at all. She just goes clubbing, drinking and who knows what else.
The singer's label has officially given up on getting the troubled pop tart more involved in marketing her own album, "Blackout," sources tell us. There are no plans for a tour, for example - highly unusual for a star who once cranked out hits like widgets and is riding high on the charts with her single "Gimme More." "They can't get Britney to do anything!" said a source close to the label and Spears. "They did get her to do one photo-shoot for some promotional materials, but beyond that, they can't trust her to even show up. This album could've been so much bigger with Britney involved.

"This is the one opportunity they have to try and sell a million records. They were forced to [go on with] their marketing plan" — without her. "They don't feel they need her if she's going to keep blowing them off. She's already on the cover of every gossip magazine, and she's on Perez Hilton nearly all day, every day for her antics. "Jive is just hoping to continue riding the Britney wave. The label can't afford to waste their money hoping to get some of her time to help promote this. She's too busy [hanging out] in a club somewhere."

It must be frustrating for the label, since "Gimme More" skyrocketed to No. 1 on iTunes. Critics praised some of the cuts — though it might be that anyone, and not just Brit, could shoot to the top with music produced and mixed by the Neptunes, Bloodshy and Nate (Danja) Hills. A Jive spokeswoman told us: "We absolutely stand behind Britney." Still, it raises the question: Doesn't Spears want to make money anymore? With her worth estimated at $100 million this year, maybe not. She may not even care.

In her recent child custody case, L.A. Court Commissioner Scott M. Gordon called the 25-year-old singer a "habitual drug and alcohol user" and ordered her to undergo random drug-testing twice a week. Just yesterday, Gordon ruled that Britney's ex, Kevin Federline, would continue to have primary physical custody of their two children, with Spears having just three monitored visits with them per week.
At the hearing the judge quoted portions of the court-ordered monitor's testimony. The monitor said Britney clearly loved her children, but that she is distracted, that the kids have no schedule and that she engages in activities that aren't child-centered when she has custody. Britney ignores the child monitor and her suggestions on parenting. She now cannot even see her own children without the court monitor being present.

Posted on October 31, 2007
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It's Official: Madonna Leaves Warner Bros.

Photo of MadonnaIt's official. Madonna has left her record company, Warner Bros. who she's been with since the beginning of her career and signed with Live nation, the world's largest concert promoter. For an artist of her importance to ditch her record company and turn over her entire range of ventures to a concert promotion firm is unprecedented. It's a fascinating business development. Between Madonna defecting and Radiohead offering its music directly to fans on the Internet, the music business is changing rapidly. Leave it to Madonna to be in the vanguard.

From the official press release:

Live Nation's President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Rapino officially confirmed today that Madonna has entered into an unprecedented global partnership with Live Nation and will become the founding artist in its Artist Nation division.

"The paradigm in the music business has shifted and as an artist and a business woman, I have to move with that shift," commented Madonna. "For the first time in my career, the way that my music can reach my fans is unlimited. I've never wanted to think in a limited way and with this new partnership, the possibilities are endless. Who knows how my albums will be distributed in the future? That's what's exciting about this deal — everything is possible. Live Nation has offered me a true partnership and after 25 years in the business, I feel that I deserve that."

"Madonna is a true icon and maverick as an artist and in business," stated Mr. Rapino. "Our partnership is a defining moment in music history. I am thrilled that Madonna, who is also now a shareholder in our company, has joined with us to create a new business model for our industry. Bringing all the varied elements of Madonna's stunning music career into the Artist Nation and Live Nation family, moves her future and the future of our company into a unique and extraordinary place."

The first-of-its-kind partnership between Madonna and Live Nation encompasses all of Madonna's future music and music-related businesses, including the exploitation of the Madonna brand, new studio albums, touring, merchandising, fan club/web site, DVDs, music-related television and film projects and associated sponsorship agreements. This unique new business model will address all of Madonna’s music ventures as a total entity for the first time in her career.

Arthur Fogel, Chairman of Live Nation's Global Music Division and Chief Executive Officer of Global Touring, who has produced the artist’s last three worldwide tours with the company which generated close to $500 million in the last six years commented, "Madonna is without a doubt one of the most fiercely original artists in history. It is a great opportunity for Live Nation and Artist Nation to build upon our years of success with Madonna as a touring artist."

Artist Nation was created to partner with artists to manage their diverse rights, grow their fan bases and provide a direct connection to fans through the global distribution platform and marketing proficiencies that have made Live Nation the world's largest live music company. Headed by the division's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Cohl, Artist Nation has significant infrastructure in place to execute additional revenue streams including recorded music, merchandise, studios, media rights, digital rights, fan club/website and sponsorship divisions.

Joining with Artist Nation to work with Madonna will be Live Nation's unmatched global distribution platform and artist-to-fan-reach, including over 80 offices in l8 countries, over 200 national and local sponsorship personnel, over l60 venues, access to over 35 million fans that attend well over l0,000 shows that Live Nation produces, promotes and/or hosts each year for over l,000 artists including fan access via Live Nation's growing database of over 25 million fans.

"I've been fortunate enough to work with Madonna for half my life. She has always encouraged me and set a great example for me to push the boundaries to reach our full potential. This partnership exemplifies just that," commented Madonna's co-manager Guy Oseary.

Angela Becker, Madonna's co-manager added, "The partnership and vision for the future that Artist Nation along with Live Nation presented to us assured me that this is the ideal home for Madonna. It is with great trust and optimism that we collectively move ahead together."

In regard to Madonna's relationship with her current label, the artist commented, "My time with Warner Bros. Records has been great. I appreciate their hard work and value the many relationships I have developed over the years with the label in the U.S. and around the world. I have an album coming out with them next year and I'm excited about it. We still have work to do together."

Posted on October 16, 2007
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The Reasons For Britney's VMA Disaster

Page Six has more scoop on all the reasons why Britney's VMA performance went so poorly.
On Saturday, the day before the VMAs, Spears was scheduled to arrive at rehearsal at around 1 p.m. Our spy said, "She didn't even get to Las Vegas until 4:30 p.m. It was ridiculous . . . The production people at MTV were freaking out . . . Nobody can tell Britney what to do anymore. No one can control her. She is a mess."

To make matters worse, when she arrived in Vegas, Spears didn't go straight to rehearsals. "She went to her hotel room and ordered a bunch of food and some frozen margaritas," the spy said. "She came down, like, an hour later with a frozen margarita in her hand." When Spears preformed on Sunday, she stumbled a couple times and couldn't remember the words she was lip-syncing. She covered her mouth at one point but by the end of the song had simply given up any pretense of singing.

"The dance number was spectacular - without her," said our spy at rehearsal. "When the stand-in was rehearsing with the dancers, in the hours they were all waiting for her, it was amazing. Then Britney showed up and refused to do anything. The dancers were supposed to lift and twirl her in the air a few times, and that just wasn't going to happen. The more complicated dance moves had to be erased because she couldn't do them." Meanwhile, Spears was agitated because she didn't like the outfit MTV had selected for her. "MTV wanted her to wear a corset outfit. It would have looked great and covered a lot of things up, but she hated it and didn't think it was sexy enough."

Instead, Spears changed into a spangly bra-and-underwear outfit she'd brought with her that emphasized her weight gain over the last year. MTV execs weren't the only ones worried about Spears' impending debacle. Another spy said, "The dancers were texting pals, asking them to pray for them. They were worried."
Her dancers were asking friends to pray for them that Britney wouldn't ruin their big break??? What a Showgirls moment! But it gets better...or worse, really. After the performance, Britney was seen crying hysterically, and was then photographed getting out of a car sans underpants. What is her problem with undergarments? She was in the car with her brother. All we can say is, ewwwwwwwww.

Posted on September 11, 2007
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Britney Disappoints At VMAs

Photo of Britney SpearsThe VMAs were absolutely painful to watch from beginning to end. We really hated the ADHD Format -- cutting from the insanely-laid out main stage room to the various hotel room parties. The show zigged and zagged and generally nearly gave us vertigo. The clang of the slot machines that pinged and zinged continually like a bad Greek chorus behind some of the commentators were annoying. The whole thing gave us a headache.

Britney's opening was lackluster. It wasn't an absolute bomb, despite what some people are saying. A total bomb is if she had fallen off the stage, passed out or run off the stage in tears. None of that happened. She looked better than she's looked in quite awhile, although perhaps a black diamante bra and panties wasn't the best choice. Her face looked pretty, although that first shot -- a close-up of her hair extensions in the back -- was not flattering. Not nice, MTV crew.

Britney looked really nervous and nearly fell twice at the beginning of the routine and we think those stupid stiletto boots were to blame. A close up shot of her right heel seems to show it's nearly broken off, so perhaps she was just trying to get through the routine without falling. The old Britney would have stripped off those boots seductively and continued the number in bare feet. But this wasn't the old Britney, not by a long shot. She wasn't energetic at all and didn't seem to know all the steps to the routine. Her lip synching was off. We hear rumors that this was the not-much-rehearsed B number -- the Criss Angel illusion routine got cut by either MTV or The Palms. Her backup dancers were amazing, by the way. They really gave it their all. The song was good, the choreography was good and the set design worked. But Britney needed another week of 6 hour a day rehearsals to really nail it.

US Weekly says Britney knew the performance was a pale imitation of her past ones and that she was "crying badly [backstage]. She's devastated. She was really nervous and knows she screwed up." What was so heartbreaking about the performance is that there were flashes of the old Britney who could really dance and ignite a crowd with her enthusiasm. Dancers are athletes, and Britney isn't in fighting form. Reportedly, she hadn't eaten in three days but went out every night drinking. If so, that's a huge problem. Maybe this will be the wake-up call she needs to get some help and get her career back on track. Because second chances like getting to open the VMAs don't come very often.

Oh, yeah. Sarah Silverman is not funny at all: it's time to drop her from awards shows completely. She was a total disaster. Where were the actual jokes? Calling a performer's two little boys "adorable mistakes"? Announcing that Britney at 25 has already accomplished everything she's ever will for the rest of her life? Those aren't jokes, they're just vicious comments. And as for that last number -- where a blond Nelly Furtado did that awful medley with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland -- now that was painful to watch.

You can see Britney's performance here.

Posted on September 10, 2007
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Britney to Launch Comback at MTV Video Awards

Photo of Britney SpearsYes, it's true. Britney Spears really will open the MTV Video Music Awards tomorrow night. Criss Angel is supposed to help provide some dramatic illusions and the song she'll be performing is "Gimme More." Here's the official release from MTV:
After weeks of mind-blowing media speculation, MTV confirms today that Britney Spears will be opening the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. Celebrating her long awaited comeback to her fans, Spears will be performing LIVE her new song "Gimme More" from her highly anticipated new album due on November 13th. The star studded awards show will air live Sunday, September 9th at 9PM Live ET/Tape delayed PT.

Immediately following Spears' performance, fans who want more of the superstar can download two ringtones available exclusively through MTV Mobile for two days prior to any other service. The tones -- one for "Gimme More" and the other featuring the much discussed "It's Britney, B****" catch phrase from "Gimme More's" intro -- are available for fans who text "Gimme" or "Brit" to 33633. MTV Mobile also will carry a live simulcast of the show, a first ever for an awards show.

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The star-packed event will also feature one night only performances by Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Chris Brown, Foo Fighters, Rihanna, Common, Nelly Furtado, Gym Class Heroes, Akon and Soulja Boy, T-Pain, Cee-Lo, Daniel Merriweather, Lil' Wayne, Alicia Keys, T.I., Adam Levine, Mastadon, and Serj from System of A Down. Diddy, Sarah Silverman, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, Kid Rock, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Pamela Anderson, the cast of Entourage, Shia Labeouf, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Megan Fox, Jennifer Hudson, Rosario Dawson and Eve are set to present at the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards." In addition, Justin Timberlake with Timbaland are set to host a Fantasy Suite party, while critically acclaimed producer, artist and DJ Mark Ronson will rock the party in The Pearl with help from his turntables, horn section and surprise guests. This year, Timbaland will also find himself working overtime as the official Maestro of the VMAs, responsible for creating several show-stopping and unexpected artist collaborations.
So MTV is counting on Britney actually showing up and performing. We wish her well and will be tuned in to see what happens. But we're a wee bit nervous that the whole thing will be a disaster.

Posted on September 8, 2007
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Burning Man Arson Caught

Photo of Burning Man arsonThe guy who ruined everyone's Burning Man festival by burning the giant effigy too early has been arrested.
Burning Man became Burnt Man four days early on Tuesday, and a San Francisco performance artist was arrested on suspicion of igniting the signature figure of the counterculture festival in the remote Nevada desert. The early morning fire scorched about 85 percent of the structure, Burning Man spokeswoman Andie Grace said. Event engineers decided it would be best to dismantle it and rebuild a less elaborate version, accomplishing in two days what normally takes weeks so the figure would be finished in time for Saturday night's scheduled burning, she said.

The approximately 40-foot-tall wood and neon structure was supposed to go up in flames in the ceremonial climax of the weeklong annual event. Burning Man, an art, music and performance festival that draws thousands of people, began in San Francisco in 1986 and moved to Nevada's Black Rock Desert in 1990. Many festival-goers who were awake watching Tuesday's lunar eclipse said they saw a man deliberately ignite the figure at about 3 a.m., Grace said. "It was in plain sight of many people," she said. "Everyone is looking at it this morning, this big black figure in the sky and that wasn't supposed to burn, saying, 'Now what do we do?'"

*****

Paul Addis, 35, of San Francisco, was booked into the Pershing County, Nev., jail on suspicion of arson, illegal possession of fireworks, destruction of property and resisting a public officer, according to the sheriff's department. He posted a $25,632 bond, a sheriff's dispatcher said. Sheriff's officials did not know whether he had a lawyer. No one answered at two phone numbers listed in his name.

Addis is an actor and writer who is active in the San Francisco arts scene and recently portrayed Hunter S. Thompson in a play about the late journalist known for his drug-fueled lifestyle, according to entertainment listings posted on the Internet.
Burning Man will go on as planned on Saturday with a smaller Burning Man. You can learn more about the Burning Man Project (which runs this year from August 27 - September 3, 2007) here. And all we can say to buzzkill king Paul Addis is: not cool dude. Not cool at all.

Posted on August 30, 2007
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Elton John Wants the Internets Shut Down

Elton John is no fan of the Internets. That pesky series of tubes is apparently ruining music; therefore Sir Elton wants it shut down. Yes, that's right. He wants the Interweb to be closed for business.
Pop legend Sir Elton John wants the internet CLOSED DOWN. Never one to keep his opinions to himself, the Rocket Man has waded into cyberspace with all guns blazing. He claims it is destroying good music, saying: "The internet has stopped people from going out and being with each other, creating stuff. Instead they sit at home and make their own records, which is sometimes OK but it doesn't bode well for long-term artistic vision.

"It's just a means to an end. We're talking about things that are going to change the world and change the way people listen to music and that's not going to happen with people blogging on the internet. I mean, get out there - communicate."

"Hopefully the next movement in music will tear down the internet. Let's get out in the streets and march and protest instead of sitting at home and blogging. "I do think it would be an incredible experiment to shut down the whole internet for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span. There's too much technology available. I'm sure, as far as music goes, it would be much more interesting than it is today."

Multi-millionaire Elton, who turned 60 earlier this year, has admitted in the past that he is a bit behind the times. The Grammy award-winner was once quoted as saying: "I am the biggest technophobe of all time. I don't have a mobile phone or an iPod or anything. I am such a Luddite when it comes to making music. All I can do is write at the piano." Sales of Elton's last album The Captain & The Kid were disappointing - it barely shifted 100,000 copies. And in the past Sir Elt has opposed illegal downloading of his music from the net.
Someone should get on this immediately. Because it should be fairly easy to disrupt those tubes. After all, who wants the freedom to compose their own music at home using cool new software and other technology? Not us.

Posted on August 1, 2007
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Spice Girls Add More Concert Dates

Photo of the Spice Girls


A new promotional photo of the Spice Girls has been released and our beloved Victoria is clearly at the top of her game - and the photo! Everyone but Victoria looks airbrushed to death, but they look fabulous. Well, except for Geri Halliwell: the expression on her face is a bit odd.

Three million fans have already registered on their website, TheSpiceGirls.com, to be eligible for tickets. So far the group will play Las Vegas, Los Angeles, China, South Africa, German, Spain, London, Canada and another location to be determined by fans voting on the website.

Posted on July 27, 2007
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Writers Write, Inc. Launches Singers Sing

Writers Write, Inc., the parent company of ShoppingBlog.com, Watchers Watch and Writers Write, has announced the launch of SingersSing.com. SingersSing.com is a daily music blog featuring music news and music video clips. Recent posts include:

  • Nunatak's Live Earth performance from Antarctica.
  • Katharine McPhee's hot new single Love Story.
  • Merriam-Webster's addition of crunk to its dictionary.
  • Avril Lavigne and Lil' Mama's hot remix of "Girlfriend."
  • The Spice Girls' World Reunion.
  • The top ten most irritating songs.
  • Hillary Clinton's campaign song selection.
  • The Obama Girl's music video.

    Posted on July 13, 2007
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    Dolly Parton Honored by Girl Scouts

    Photo of Dolly PartonDolly Parton blew some minds when she appeared in a Girl Scout uniform, complete with honorary sash full of merit badges. Dolly was honored by the Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council over the weekend at Dollywood, her East Tennessee theme park. Dolly was awarded lifetime membership in the Girl Scouts, which is really cool.
    Parton was with more than 1,000 Girl Scouts as she made the famous Girl Scout Promise and proudly received a lifetime membership pin. "When I was a kid, I wanted to be just like you," she told the Girl Scouts. But troops were not yet available in rural areas of her native Smoky Mountains. "About all we had were our dreams, and I started dreaming early," said Parton. At just 10, Parton was a regular guest on a local television variety show. At 18, she left the mountains of East Tennessee for the promise of country music stardom in Nashville.

    "Plan your life and do what you do best," Parton encouraged the girls. "I'm here to tell you that you can be absolutely anything you want to be. You may not want to be a star, but you do want to star in your own dreams." Alone on a stage with her guitar, Parton sang her favorite song, "Coat of Many Colors," It tells the story of other children laughing at a coat Parton's mother had lovingly sewn from scraps of cloth and rags.

    "Don't ever make fun of people," a suddenly serious Parton told the girls. "Encourage people. Remember, their little hearts are just as tender as yours." The icon then honored East Tennessee girls who have earned Girl Scouting's highest honor: the Gold Award. Girls build on years of growth and spend more than 100 hours on a community service project to reach this pinnacle of Girl Scouting. Parton gave each Gold Awardee a certificate and complimented them on the badges and patches adorning their uniforms.

    Finally, Parton was presented with her own honorary Girl Scout sash full of badges and patches symbolizing many achievements, including musical accomplishments and philanthropic work. "I'll have to work awfully hard to earn all of these!" Parton said. "No," corrected the Girl Scout making the presentation, "These are achievements you've been earning all your life."
    We love Dolly! So what happened to all those horrible little witches who made fun of her coat of many colors? No doubt they all had miserable little lives and can only dream of the kind of fame and fortune that Dolly has. And that makes us laugh and laugh, because we are not as sweet and forgiving as Dolly is. You can read the lyrics to "A Coat of Many Colors" here.

    Posted on June 21, 2007
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    Justin Boots Jessica Biel From Summer Tour Plans

    Justin Timberlake has some harsh words about Jessica Biel's insistence that she go on tour with him this summer. Britain's Mirror claims that Justin says she text messages him all the time, but she's not "the one."
    The pop heart-throb called Jessica, 25, his "very dear friend" and said she texts him all the time. But when asked who the love of his life is, he replied: "I haven't met her yet." Ouch! And although he claimed he couldn't say no to her "pretty face" when she asked to accompany him to Europe while he toured with his FutureSex/ LoveShow, he has now put his foot down and told her it's business before pleasure...

    Justin said: "She truly insisted that she came with me on tour. I don't know how to say no to a pretty face. But it wasn't really a good idea. This time I'm putting the machine before everything else. Jessica met up with me in Manchester, but for Paris I told her categorically no. This tour is very important for me. I'm doing it really seriously so there's no question of playing sweethearts!"

    Poor Jessica. Still there is one person who Justin is in love with - himself! He is not exactly bashful when it comes to assessing his appearance. Asked what he dislikes about his body, he bragged: "Physically nothing. I'm well proportioned and nothing offends me when I look in the mirror." He added: "I defy a girl not to fall for me if I'm on a surfboard or snowboarding. It's my secret weapon if a girl resists me." And he also reckons he's irresistible to men saying that "plenty" of male stars hit on him, too.

    Maybe that's why his four-year romance with Cameron Diaz went down the pan - she got fed up of him having to constantly swat away his many admirers. Talking of his ex, Justin insisted they are still great friends, even though Cameron was said to be furious after spying him cosying up to Jessica at the Golden Globes Awards. He said: "Cameron is without doubt one of my best friends. I adore her and I hope it will always be like that."
    If this is true, then Justin is completely and obnoxiously full of himself. It sounds like there isn't a hotel in Europe big enough to house him and his ego. You can do better, Jessica! Leave his scrawny, scruffy self behind and find someone else.

    Posted on June 15, 2007
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    Omg, Is Like Britney Like Okay Like?

    Photo of Britney Spears websiteBritney Spears is asking her fans to help her name her new album. So, she posted a few suggestions on her website.

    1. Omg is Like Lindsay Lohan Like Okay Like

    2. What if the Joke is on You

    3. Down boy

    4. Integrity

    5. Dignity

    If she doesn't get rid of that stupid stripper picture on her site, we are going to scream even louder than when everyone reported this morning that Shar Jackson is carrying another of K-Fed's spawn (Shar denies the horrifying rumor).

    Posted on June 13, 2007
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    Elton John Turns 60

    Elton John celebrated his 60th birthday in style.
    After a private party on Saturday, the Rocket Man landed at Madison Square Garden on the night of the big day. The Sunday concert, conveniently, also marked his 60th performance at the Garden, where he first appeared back on Sept. 23, 1973. John has now played the Garden more times than any single artist. John was introduced by fellow baby-boomer icon Bill Clinton, who congratulated the singer on "joining my favorite club — the 60-year-olds."

    Elegant in a long, black coat over a white shirt and tie, John took his seat at the piano and let loose a string of golden oldies, beginning with, fittingly, SixtyYears On and the title track from Madman Across the Water. The set list was heavy on fan favorites, including signature singles Levon and Daniel.

    After performing Empty Garden, a posthumous tribute to John Lennon, John was joined on stage by Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams, who provided a cheeky tribute. Noting John's understated dress, Williams quipped that the singer "used to make Liberace look Amish." Then another surprise guest appeared: John's partner in music for 40 years, Bernie Taupin, and he led the audience in singing Happy Birthday to You.

    The concert will be broadcast April 5 on MyNetworkTV. The two-hour special, Happy Birthday Elton, also will feature celebrity interviews. If Saturday's party is any indication, there will be no shortage of footage. Held at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in uptown Manhattan, the black-tie affair (hosted by John's partner, David Furnish, and Sandra Brant and Ingrid Sischy of Interview magazine) featured an eclectic assortment of celebs: musicians Tony Bennett, Lou Reed, Brian Wilson, Bette Midler, Mary J. Blige, Yoko Ono, Kid Rock, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, James Blunt, and Ozzy Osbourne; actors Richard Gere and wife Carey Lowell, Elizabeth Hurley and new husband Arun Nayar, Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan, Kiefer Sutherland, Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway and Chloe Sevigny; designers Donna Karan and Donatella Versace; media personalities Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters; and tennis great Billie Jean King.
    Sir Elton just keeps on rockin' -- and he shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

    Posted on March 26, 2007
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    K-Fed Launches His Own Search Engine

    Tired of using Google or MSN or Yahoo to search? You're in luck. Britney Spears' soon to be ex-husband Kevin Federline has launched his own search engine. Gizmodo explains:
    If Google isn't sleazy enough for you, perhaps you'd like to try Searching with Kevin. Federline, that is. Yes, the guy who somehow escaped his marriage with Britney Spears looking like the sane one now has his own branded search engine that offers you chances to win prizes (going to Kevin's birthday party, OMG!) every time you search. There's even a Search with Kevin toolbar you can install, always keeping Kevin's famous research skills at your fingertips. Surprisingly, you can search for things other than porn, bling, and rhyming dictionaries, which seems to go against the whole spirit of the affair.

    Watch out, Google! If K-Fed is as good at developing search algorithms as he is at rapping, you've got… well, nothing to worry about, I guess.
    Actually, we still don't understand this at all. But we do know that you won't want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to Search With Kevin. After all, who could resist a search engine which has as its motto "Play With Fire" (in Ye Olde English Font, no less)?

    Posted on March 19, 2007
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    Britney's Record Company Not Jiving With Her New Album

    Britney Spears at Pure in Las VegasBritney has headed off to an Arizona spa after her disastrous New Year's Eve, when she either passed out, fell asleep or fainted at the end of her party at Pure in Caeser's Palace in Las Vegas. But Cindy Adams has the real scoop about what's happening in the pop princess' downward-spiraling life. And it's not pretty:
    YOU'VE maybe heard about Britney Spears' sort of fall-down meltdown in Las Vegas just after the stroke of the new year. What I have heard that you haven't heard is that her seeming out-of-control spiral personally might be the downbeat of major inharmony professionally. And whether the one affected the other or which one caused the other, who knows?

    While in New York she was in the studio recording for Jive Records. She worked some nights until 4 a.m. laying down tracks for a new CD. She thinks it's the makings of a really great album. They don't.

    Talk inside the company is that either it's redone, or they need to drop it - and her. When this recording session began, she'd just dumped Federline the Insect. It was not a good time in her life. To recharge her career, she reconnected with her long-ago first-time manager, the one who originally brought her to the heights, Larry Rudolph.

    But constant headlined misbehavior is stoking the problem. Jive fears she's alienating her fan base. Their fan base. Jive caters to a young music-buyer, and the continued atmosphere - drinking, bingeing, partying, whatevering, photos with no panties for a mother of two infants - is hitting sour notes. Besides, Jive is not in sync with the five tracks Brit delivered. Conversation in their offices is: If we bear the expense of a redo, is it possible that, down the road, because of the way she's going, we could end up with a really bad product? Or one that won't sell?

    The recording has stopped midway. Nothing more's been done because the company doesn't yet know what it wants to do. But that recent front page ain't helping.

    I called manager Larry Rudolph, who now has the job of gluing these broken pieces back together. I got him on a beach in Mexico. He very politely said: "I don't know where your information came from, but I can only tell you we're in the middle of recording an album. And you can quote me on that." And in the parlance of others meeting up with a load of bull: Olé.
    Britney, you are actually teetering on the edge of the abyss now! Below waits Tara Reid, Tiffany and Debby Gibson. Don't let it happen -- go to rehab. Get a new producer on your album. Get pap shots of in the park with your kids looking happy and healthy. And call Justin right now! Beg if you must, but he's the only one who can save you now.

    (Photo courtesy PURE.)

    Posted on January 3, 2007
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    Mushroom Picker Saved by iPod

    MushroomsThe Associated Press reports (via Listening Post) that a lost mushroom picker was saved by the glow of his iPod screen.
    An iPod screen glowing in the middle of the night from thick underbrush led rescuers to a mushroom picker lost in the woods.

    The search leader said Pini Nou, 25, of Vancouver, Wash., was on his first outing and got separated from his mother, an experienced mushroom hunter. At nightfall, she called Benton County authorities for help.

    Nou used his cell phone to describe the landscape to rescuers as best he could in the darkness, said Peggy Peirson, acting county emergency management coordinator. They finally located him after 1 a.m. Friday when a member of a search and rescue team saw the light from the iPod, she said.
    The moral of the story: never go mushroom picking without your iPod.
    (photo by the_greateastern)

    Posted on November 19, 2006
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    Writers Write, Inc. Launches VideoNacho.com

    Writers Write, Inc. announces the launch of VideoNacho.com. VideoNacho.com features the Web's hottest short videos and film clips. Video Nacho's editors find the best videos on the Web so you don't have to: music, comedy, pets antics, social commentary: it just has to be entertaining. Enjoy a delicious short new video snack every afternoon. Calorie-free, it's sure to give you a lift!

    VideoNacho.com is the twentieth blog to join the Writers Write Lifestyle Network. It follows the launch in May, 2006 of WatchersWatch.com, a blog covering what's hot in movies and television.

    Posted on October 18, 2006
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    K-Fed Bans Male Dancers From Britney's Videos

    Photo of K-FedKevin Federline has forbidden wife Britney Spears from using male backup dancers in the videos for her comeback album.
    Britney Spears has been banned by husband Kevin Federline from having male dancers in her new video. Britney - who has just given birth to the couple's second son, Sutton Pierce - is keen to re-launch her pop career and had hired dancer Matt Felker, who appeared in her 'Toxic' video, to work with her on the promo for her new single.

    But Kevin, who met the 'Toxic' singer when he was a dancer on her world tour, was far from happy with his wife's choice and demanded she axed all the male performers because he is worried she will find love with another dancer. A source told In Touch Weekly magazine: "Kevin insisted that Britney fire Matt and all of the other male dancers she'd hired and replace them with females. "He is surprisingly insecure and secretly terrified she will leave him if her career takes off again."

    Kevin has also reportedly told Britney - who he has another son, Sean Preston, with - not to worry about losing her baby weight in a bid to deter potential suitors. The source added: "He's even telling her she doesn't need to lose all of her pregnancy weight. Kevin doesn't want Britney to be making sexy moves again."
    So long as she doesn't hire any straight male backup dancers, what's the problem? We know K-Fed and Cris Judd both married pop stars by being the only straight male within miles when Britney and JLo went on tour. So why not fire up the gaydar and screen carefully? Or could it be that K-Fed wants to meet the hot female backup dancers?? We're just askin'...

    (Photo via Splash News.)

    Posted on October 13, 2006
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    Free Hugs

    Free HugsOne of the most popular online videos this week has been the Free Hugs video, which has been seen by over a million people already. The video, which is based on a true story, is about a man named Juan Mann who is trying to get give out some free hugs.
    Sometimes, a hug is all what we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whos sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives.

    In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal.

    As this symbol of human hope spread accross the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring.
    The video is backed up with a great song from Sick Puppies. The video was uploaded to the PeaceonEarth123 channel.

    Posted on October 3, 2006
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    YouTube and Warner Music Strike a Deal

    Warner Music has signed a deal with YouTube that will allow Warner's material to be used legally.
    It means interviews and videos by Warner's artists can be used in return for a slice of advertising revenue. The agreement also covers the use of material in homemade videos, which form a large part of YouTube's content.

    Both companies hailed it as a landmark agreement, coming days after Universal Music said it was considering legal action over sites such as YouTube. A royalty-tracking system has been developed by YouTube to detect when videos on the site are using copyrighted material and work out how much Warner is owed in advertising revenue.

    The technology would also enable Warner to review homemade videos and decide whether to approve or reject them. Chad Hurley, who helped set up YouTube in a Californian garage just 19 months ago, said: "We are very excited. This is a real landmark for our company." Warner Music Group, the world's fourth largest record company, includes artists such as Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day, as well as vintage names like Led Zeppelin, The Doors and Ray Charles.
    All you amateur videographers: it's time to strut your stuff.

    Posted on September 18, 2006
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    SpiralFrog Takes on iTunes

    Universal Music Group has announced that it will be launching a free music download service to compete with iTunes. The format will be Windows .wmv and probably won't work on an iPod. The downloads will be free, but you'll have to sit through ads and return periodically to the site in order to be allowed to keep your music. Oh, and you won't be able to share or copy the songs.
    A new online music company said yesterday that it would make a huge catalog of songs from the world’s largest record company, the Universal Music Group, available for consumers to download free. The company, called SpiralFrog, said its intention was to wean music fans, especially young people, away from illegal downloads and pirate music sites by offering a legitimate source, supported by advertising instead of download fees.

    SpiralFrog is the latest to offer a challenge to Apple Computer’s hugely successful iTunes service, which allows consumers to download songs legally for 99 cents each, and its many smaller imitators. Though the venture is not the first to try a free ad-supported approach, the backing of Universal, with millions of songs in its catalog from thousands of artists like Eminem and Gwen Stefani, Elton John and Gloria Estefan, Count Basie and Hank Williams, promises to give it instant credibility and scale.

    SpiralFrog, which is privately held and headed by Robin Kent, a former advertising executive, said it expected to start testing its service in the United States and Canada by the end of the year and would extend its service to Britain and other European markets next year. The announcement reflects the music industry's eagerness to experiment with various digital business models and to find a way to overcome piracy and illegal copying, which remain a big problem despite the record companies' efforts to enforce their copyrights in court. While the industry has tried to encourage the growth of legitimate alternatives like iTunes, some record executives have begun to chafe at Apple’s dominance in the online market, particularly its insistence on a “one size fits all” pricing model, saying it has restricted the growth of digital sales.

    For consumers, SpiralFrog's free downloads will come with many more strings attached than Apple's paid ones. Users of SpiralFrog will have to sit through advertisements and will be prevented by special software from making copies of the songs they download or from sharing them with other people. They will have to revisit the SpiralFrog Web site regularly to keep access to the music they download. And the songs will be encoded in the Microsoft WMA format, meaning they will probably not work on Apple iPod portable music players.
    The success of SpiralFrog will be directly correlated as to how annoying it is to use. If the ads are endless, the music expires after a week and the selection isn't good, we expect dismal failure. On the other hand, being free is a great motivator, so we'll be interested to see how SpiralFrog sets up the service.

    Posted on August 30, 2006
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    OK Go Hits the Treadmills

    Photo of Ok Go on treadmillsThis is the video that launched a thousand new exercise plans. If you haven't yet seen the hilarious and clever early video of OK Go singing "Here It Goes Again" while dancing on treadmills.

    The lead singer of OK Go, Damian Kulash, appeared on The Colbert Report last week to discuss why they originally put their videos on YouTube and how they gained such a following. Damian is funny and articulate; this band is going places. And we wouldn't be suprised if one Stephen Colbert did a cameo in a future video sometime. And -- joy! -- OK Go will be permforming the treadmill dance on August 31, 2006 at the MTV Video Music Awards. "Watch your sexyback, JT!" says the band.

    You can read the group's blog, which is mostly written by guitarist Andy Ross, here.

    Now, hit the treadmill, people!

    Posted on August 28, 2006
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    Pink Wins Best Musical Buddy Award

    Pink With AOL Running ManPink has won the second annual Best Musical Buddy award. That's Pink in the photo holding the award and standing next to AOL's eyeless Running Man. The award means singer/songwriter Pink was the music artist that AOL instant messenger users most want to add to their AIM Buddy List feature. AOL's AIM and ICQ general manager Marcien Jenckes explains just how special the award is.
    "This award showcases just how popular Pink is," said Marcien Jenckes, vice president and general manager for AIM and ICQ, AOL. "For AIM users, the Buddy List is a very powerful social tool with their screen name being an essential part of their social identity. By selecting Pink as their 'Best Musical Buddy,' AIM users told us they admire her honest, no-nonsense personality in addition to greatly enjoying her music."
    We like Pink and we are glad she one this totally rad award from AOL. Pink looks like she is pretty happy she won too. Pink is currently on tour promoting her I'm Not Dead album. Kelly Clarkson won the Best Musical Buddy award last year.

    Posted on July 29, 2006
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    It's Hard Out Here For A Material Girl

    Photo of MadonnaShe may have sold 1.5 million of her new album and is breaking records for her sold-out Confessions tour, but top 40 radio stations aren't playing Madonna songs anymore. Why is that, you might ask. It's because mainstream pop music is only hip hop now. Not dance music. Which certainly explains Justin Timberlake's obsession with being identified with hip hop now.
    Madonna is in the midst of a sold-out North American trek that may end up being the top-grossing tour ever by a female artist. But this on-the-road success is not carrying over to American radio, which largely snubbed the first three singles from her latest album. "Hung Up" got middling airplay on mainstream top 40 outlets, "Sorry" was barely played, and "Get Together" has been all but ignored by pop stations. (Her album, "Confessions on a Dance Floor," has sold a healthy 1.5 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.)

    Naturally, the disconnect has left executives at her Warner Bros. label -- and more than a few fans -- wondering, what gives? More than 3,300 fans have signed an appeal at http://www.petitiononline.com. The "End the Madonna on U.S. Radio Boycott" petition is addressed to Clear Channel Communications CEO Mark P. Mays. Message boards at Entertainment Weekly and VH1, among others, are rife with everything from support for Madonna to conspiracy theories about why she can't crack the radio dial.

    Warner Bros. was aware that the songs on "Confessions" could present challenges at mainstream top 40 radio, acknowledges Tom Biery, the label's senior VP of promotions. "Top 40 radio is so hip-hop-driven," he says. "We were coming in with a global pop star who made a dance record." Guy Zapoleon, president of radio consulting firm Zapoleon Media Strategies, calls it an "interesting dilemma for the woman who certainly held the 'Queen of Pop' title for almost 15 years." Madonna's ability to redefine herself is well-documented, and Zapoleon says that this has helped her keep a "leading edge" to the new group of pop music fans that comes along every three to five years.

    But this time, Madonna may have turned left while the pop climate was turning right. Other pop chameleons such as Nelly Furtado and Mariah Carey reinvented themselves with recent rhythmic/hip-hop-leaning singles. Madonna opted instead to return to her dance-pop roots.
    We say, it's time to sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/mmad3306/petition.html. Because Madonna rocks.

    Posted on July 21, 2006
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    Christina Aguilera is a Genie Out of Her Bottle

    Photo of Christina Aguilera as a genieChristina Aguilera is a genie out of her bottle in her new Pepsi commercial, which features the singer in an amazing assortment of outfits from all over the world.

    That smart husband of her is really making sure she's banking the cash while she's young. And she never appears out in public without her hair done and some red lipstick. Because you just know she laughs and laughs and laughs every time she sees another horrifying picture of poor Britney at the McDonald's drive-thru, throwing her gum out the open window. Nice.

    Posted on July 14, 2006
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    Don't Call Him Diddy: It's Puff Now.

    A Socialite's Life reports that P. Diddy changing his name again. He now wishes to be referred to as "Puff."
    And this just brings me back to a point I've been making for years, which is that certain people simply shouldn't be allowed to give themselves nicknames. They abuse the privilege and go overboard. From now on, Mr. Puff (or whatever), let everyone else decide what's distinct about you. For me, it's the image of Puff Daddy hawking Proactive Solution, emphatically declaring, "I ain't want no bumpy skin!"
    Page Six reports that the pedicab drivers of New York City are less than impressed by Combs' new nickname:
    Combs still seems to be agonizing over his nickname. The man previously known as Puff Daddy, Puffy, P. Diddy and just Diddy, sharply corrected a heckling pedicab driver he ran into Sunday afternoon on Central Park South. "While Puffy and his posse waited for the light to cross, maybe over to Trump International or Time Warner Center, a pedicab driver wearing a yellow SpongeBob T-shirt, a red and white Santa hat and black bike tights, yelled out, 'Hey, P. Diddy, how about ride, help the working man out?,'" our spy reports. "Puffy replied, 'I always help the working man out. And it's Puff, brother!'" After Combs started crossing the street, the driver yelled, "Yeah, Diddy, how cool is a guy that changes his nickname more than a baby changes diapers?" Our witness reports: "A crowd was laughing at the driver's crack, and some other pedicab drivers started ringing the bells on their bike. I don't know if it was to show solidarity with the driver or what, but it was surreal."
    This is just getting ridiculous. Don't his attorneys have something better to do than filing change of name forms at the Manhattan courthouse all the time? According to Wikipedia (which has at least a 50% accuracy rate) Puff originally got rid of the Puffy moniker because he ran into trademark problems with a Japanese band with "Puffy" in the name. Which just goes to show that the savvy rapper always has his intellectual property attorneys run a database check for possible conflicts before he decides upon an appropriate name for himself. So now, Puff, is this it for good now? Because surely you have that IP attorney of yours on speed dial now.

    Posted on July 11, 2006
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    Mariah's Carey's $1 Billion Legs

    Photo of Mariah CareyMariah Carey has insured her legs for $1 billion.
    Reports indicate that songstress Mariah Carey, who has seen her career revive with the success of her latest album "The Emancipation of Mimi," has insured her famous legs for over $1 billion. The singer has signed up to front Gillette's Legs Of A Goddess campaign, according to the Daily Mirror.

    A source close to the 36-year-old reveals: "The sum reflects her popularity. "She's about to start a US tour and she'll have to be careful."
    We hope she doesn't cut herself shaving with her Gillette razor -- that could be very expensive.

    Posted on June 1, 2006
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    Madonna Tour Kicks Off With A Crucifixion

    Photo of Madonna on a cross Madonna's new summer tour kicked off with a bang: in one part of the show she hangs from a giant mirrored cross as pictures of world poverty play across the screens.
    She insulted George Bush, simulated sex and suspended herself from a giant mirrored crucifix, head adorned with a designer crown of thorns (provided by Cotter Church Supplies, LA) in an all-out attempt to get someone, anyone out there, riled. Before one can go further, mention must be made of her body - the most amazing feat of engineering since the Golden Gate Bridge.

    The show, a mixture of old hits plus numbers from her last album, Confessions On A Dance Floor, was split into four themes, starting with the Equestrian Section.... Proving she has no ill effects from last year's fall from a horse, images of Madonna, riding crop in hand, and horses cantering across windswept plains were played on big screens for her first number, Future Lovers, looking like a kinkier version of a Lloyds TSB ad. And as Madonna appeared in vaguely horsey black bondage gear, a group of male dancers crawled around, leather bits in their mouths, simulating, one assumes, the movements of horses.

    So far, so very S&M. Dressed in black Jean Paul Gaultier trousers and lacy blouse, Madge didn't take long to whip out her suggestive groin movements to the big screen accompaniment of her writhing on the floor, showing off her well-honed physique. Well, if you spent three hours a day exercising, doing Ashtanga yoga, weight training and cycling, you'd want everyone to see your body too. But she gave the insurance men palpitations by clambering on to a motorised saddle high above the crowds in Yves St Laurent highheeled boots while hanging on to her microphone and performing simultaneous acrobatics.

    *****

    Next, a montage of world leaders was flashed up as Madge sang: "I've listened to your lies", images including Nixon, Pinochet, Hitler and Blair. But Madonna had bigger fish to fry, in the shape of George Bush. She urged fans to perform a certain sexual act on the President. More writhing around on the floor and simulated sex ensued for her rendition of Let It Will Be. By now she looked a bit tired. And no wonder. A boundlessly energetic performance over two hours with seven costume changes would tax someone half her age. Indeed, one worried what effect such gyrations would have on her convalescence from a recent hernia operation. She exhorted us to sing along. But few did. A visibly irked Madonna screamed: "Come on you lazy mother******s! Sing!" The show ended - rather abruptly - with no encore and with the lights immediately going on, leaving us all looking at one another in a slightly embarrassed fashion, as though we'd just been caught doing something we shouldn't have been.
    Needless to say the Catholic Church is not amused: clearly Madonna wa