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'American Idol' To Continue With Or Without Simon Cowell
24 December 2009 6:28 AM, PST
Show will reportedly get renewed whether Cowell is onboard or not.
By Gil Kaufman
Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage
Paula Abdul might get her second chance yet. Just two days after "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell's brother Tony announced that the notoriously prickly British judge will leave the talent show at the end of his contract in 2010, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the Fox network is close to a deal that would keep the #1 show on American television on the air for at least three more seasons, whether Cowell is onboard or not.
Fox's current deal with the producers of "Idol" runs through the end of 2011, but the network is reportedly hashing out a new arrangement that could include three more seasons of the star-making program. Neither "Idol" producers nor Cowell have officially commented on the rumors of the judge's plans to leave the show.
Cowell, who makes »
Brittany Murphy To Be Buried On Christmas Eve
24 December 2009 6:19 AM, PST
Actress' body was transferred to a Los Angeles cemetery Wednesday.
By Gil Kaufman
Photo: John Shearer/ Getty Images
A private memorial service and funeral for actress Brittany Murphy is slated to take place Christmas Eve (December 24) in Los Angeles.
According to TMZ, Murphy's body was transferred to Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, four days after the 32-year-old actress died at her Hollywood home of what the coroner's office has deemed natural causes. An autopsy was performed Monday, but the determination of a cause of death has been deferred, pending toxicology tests.
With no public memorial announced, the private funeral appears to be the only chance friends and family will have to pay their final respects to the "8 Mile" co-star.
According to a report written by a Los Angeles County Coroner's office investigator, Murphy's mother and husband frantically tried to save the actress before she died. »
Amy Winehouse Arrested And Charged With Assault
23 December 2009 9:59 AM, PST
Singer was released on bail after an incident at an English theater.
By Gil Kaufman
Photo: Sylvia Linares/ Getty Images
Troubled British singer Amy Winehouse was back in familiar surroundings on Wednesday when she was arrested and charged in connection with an alleged assault that occurred on Saturday at an English theater.
According to the Associated Press, Winehouse, 26, turned herself in to Thames Valley Police on Wednesday and was promptly arrested after appearing at the police station with her lawyer.
Police charged Winehouse with a public order offense and common assault under her married name, Amy Civil, following an alleged incident at the Milton Keynes Theatre on Saturday. Though police did not provide details of the alleged event, the British media have reported that Winehouse struggled with a member of the theater's staff after she began to heckle a performance of the show "Cinderella," starring Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney. »
Susan Boyle Tops Billboard For Fourth Week, With Alicia Keys At #2
23 December 2009 8:33 AM, PST
Boyle has sold nearly 2.5 million albums to date in the U.S.
By Gil Kaufman
Susan Boyle's <i>I Dreamed a Dream</i>
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment
Taylor Swift might be sweeping up all the year-end awards, but it's "Britain's Got Talent" runner-up Susan Boyle who is dominating the charts. According to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan, Boyle's debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, will lord over the Billboard 200 chart yet again next week, notching an impressive fourth consecutive week in the #1 position thanks to another 661,000 units shifted. Since its release last month, Boyle's disc of covers and holiday favorites has sold nearly 2.5 million copies, making it one of the year's top sellers.
After a series of delays, Alicia Keys will come out strong at #2 with The Element of Freedom, which sold 417,000 copies, pushing another swiftly selling holiday album, tenor Andrea Bocelli's My Christmas, down to #3 on sales of 390,000.
The »
Michael Jackson's FBI Files Reveal Death Threats
23 December 2009 6:45 AM, PST
FBI also helped run interviews in singer's child-molestation investigation.
By Gil Kaufman
Photo: Carlo Allegri/ Getty Images
During more than a decade of monitoring, the Federal Bureau of Investigation helped set up interviews over child-molestation allegations and investigated a possible terror attack and an alleged assassination plot against Michael Jackson, according to newly released FBI files.
Despite monitoring Jackson for more than a decade, the files don't contain any major revelations about the late pop singer's private life and the bureau never uncovered any solid evidence against him in connection with two different molestation allegations, according to The Associated Press.
The documents made public on Tuesday date from 1992 to 2005, and though the FBI said they number about 600 pages, only 333 were released due to privacy rules and a desire to protect investigative techniques.
Though they don't contain many bombshells, they do reveal that the 1993 sentencing of Frank Paul Jones »
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler In Rehab For Painkiller Addiction
23 December 2009 6:16 AM, PST
Singer pledges to get back onstage with the band after rehab.
By Gil Kaufman
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler
Photo: Kevin Kane/ WireImage
After months of rumors, back-and-forth accusations, denials and threats of moving on from his bandmates, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler has entered a rehabilitation facility to treat a painkiller addiction.
"With the help of my family and team of medical professionals I am taking responsibility for the management of my pain and am eager to be back on the stage and in the recording studio with my bandmates Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford," the singer said in a statement released on Tuesday. "I love Aerosmith; I love performing as the lead singer in Aerosmith. I am grateful for all of the support and love I am receiving and am committed to getting things taken care of."
In an additional comment to Rolling Stone, Tyler also quashed »
Lil Wayne Raps Over Other MCs' Tracks 'Because It's Cheaper'
23 December 2009 3:50 AM, PST
'The producers be wanting their money,' Weezy says in 'The Nino Brown Story Pt. 2' footage.
By Steven Robert, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes
Lil Wayne and his audio engineer
Photo: MTV News
All this week, MTV News has been bringing you behind-the-scenes peeks at all the hard work Lil Wayne put into his No Ceilings mixtape. DJ Scoob Doo provided us with the preview footage (showing the Mc recording and talking about his early years in the game) from his DVD, "The Nino Brown Story Pt. 2," and he recently told us that he was amazed to observe Weezy's much-talked-about work ethic.
"It's phenomenal to see somebody at 7 o'clock in the morning or 8 o'clock in the morning, after being in the studio a good 10, 12 hours, and still having fun," he said. "You're going to see him laughing at himself. He's not listening to anybody tell jokes. He's listening to his own words, »
Lady Gaga Picks Her Favorite Artists And Song Of 2009
23 December 2009 3:50 AM, PST
Everyone else's favorite artist of the moment shares with us just what inspired her.
Photo: MTV News
Over the past few weeks, MTV News has been asking some of the biggest stars in music to name their favorite artists, songs and albums of the past year. And, not surprisingly, they all kept repeating the same two words: "Lady Gaga."
It's not exactly a surprise, considering that, over the past 12 months, Gaga was everywhere. Her hits topped the charts. Her tours wowed audiences. And her album (or, more specifically, albums) were in constant rotation on iPods everywhere. It's no stretch to say that in 2009, Lady Gaga was your favorite artist's favorite artist. She inspired them to write and record, to take their songs and tours to the next level. She pushed them to work harder, because they had to.
But who pushed her? We decided to find out, »
Frances Bean Cobain Court Papers Reportedly Mention Domestic Violence
23 December 2009 1:45 AM, PST
Papers were filed in a motion to seal the guardianship proceeding of Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain's daughter.
By Gil Kaufman
Courtney Love and Frances Bean Cobain
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ WireImage
More details have emerged about the flurry of activity that recently resulted in Frances Bean Cobain filing a restraining order against her mom, rocker Courtney Love, just days after Love lost guardianship of the 17-year-old.
According to papers filed Monday in a motion to seal the guardianship proceeding, there are allegations of "personal problems in the family." TMZ allegedly obtained a copy of the papers, which discuss "a minor and allegations of domestic violence."
The nature and the instigator of the alleged domestic violence are not mentioned in the papers. Love was stripped of legal guardianship of Frances Bean on December 11, and a judge later issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Love from having contact with her only »
Susan Sarandon And Tim Robbins Call It Quits
23 December 2009 1:41 AM, PST
The couple apparently split over the summer, according to a statement.
By Cara Alwill
Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins
Photo: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
Few Hollywood relationships are able to stand the test of time, and Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon's relationship was seemingly one of them. However, " target="_blank">People reports that the couple, who have been together for more than two decades, are calling it quits.
"Actress Susan Sarandon and her partner of 23 years, actor Tim Robbins, have announced that they separated over the summer," her rep Teal Cannaday said in a statement. "No further comments will be made."
The couple, who have two sons together é Jack, 20, and Miles, 17 é met on the set of "Bull Durham" in 1988. Despite their 12-year age difference, the couple remained solid for years and raised their children together, including actress Eva Amurri, Sarandon's daughter from a previous relationship.
Sarandon and Robbins shared many commonalities, »
Johnny Knoxville, Naomi Nelson Welcome Baby Boy
22 December 2009 11:18 PM, PST
Son Rocko Akira Clapp was born Sunday night in Los Angeles.
By Cara Alwill
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/ FilmMagic
Congratulations are in order for Johnny Knoxville and girlfriend Naomi Nelson, who welcomed a baby boy on Sunday night in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times. Rocko Akira Clapp weighed in at 8 pounds and measured 20 inches long. Both mother and baby are reportedly doing fine.
Back in August, Knoxville announced on his blog that he and Nelson were expecting their first child together, and that he was "excited as hell" to meet his new baby. "[Naomi and I] have been together a few years now and felt it was time to start reproducing (if you know what I mean). Anyway, we are excited as all hell, and can't wait 'til the little booger gets here," the "Jackass" star wrote.
The couple, who have kept a low profile, are very supportive of one another, »
Brittany Murphy's Husband, Simon Monjack, Finds Himself In Media Spotlight
22 December 2009 9:18 AM, PST
The actress and screenwriter/director were married for two and a half years.
By MTV News Staff
Simon Monjack and Brittany Murphy
Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Brittany Murphy's sudden death at the age of 32 has thrust her husband of two and a half years, Simon Monjack, into the media spotlight for the first time without his wife by his side. So who is Monjack?
Monjack started his career as a commercial director and went on to become both a screenwriter and film director. The 39-year-old's most high-profile exposure came via story and executive producer credits on 2006's "Factory Girl," the Sienna Miller-starring biopic about '60s It girl Edie Sedgwick. Before then, he directed and co-wrote "Two Days, Nine Lives," an indie film one critic likened to "The Breakfast Club," only "with more crack."
Murphy and Monjack got engaged in 2006 and married the following year at their »
Kid Cudi Held At Gunpoint By L.A. Police
22 December 2009 9:07 AM, PST
Rapper was leaving a magazine photo shoot when Lapd reportedly responded to call about looting.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Kid Cudi (file)
Photo: MTV News
Kanye West protégé Kid Cudi was stopped by the Los Angeles Police Department on Monday in a case of mistaken identity during a magazine photo shoot, according to an online report.
The "Day N' Nite" star was being snapped for a spread in an upcoming issue of British magazine New Music Express. According to the magazine's site, after the shoot ended, Cudi and his entourage piled into two SUVs and a Jeep, but before they got very far two police cars closed the road ahead of the crew. Police then ordered everyone out of the car and forced the passengers to the ground on their knees, reportedly responding to a call from a neighbor in the area saying that a group of men were looting.
Writer »
Justin Bieber Drops Acoustic Version Of 'One Time'
22 December 2009 8:16 AM, PST
'One Time (My Heart Edition)' has singer's Twitter followers requesting acoustic versions of all tracks from My World.
Photo: MTV
The week before Christmas doesn't typically bring a new-release bonanza, but this week is atypical: Eminem's new album, Relapse: Refill, hit stores on Monday, and today sees the release of new albums by Mary J. Blige, Hurricane Chris and Lil Wayne's Young Money Crew. But one song currently making its way up the iTunes singles chart is Justin Bieber's "One Time (My Heart Edition)," an acoustic rendition of the singer's breakout hit.
The 15-year-old Canadian is no stranger to going unplugged, as he regularly breaks out an acoustic guitar for a stripped-down rendition of his song "Favorite Girl" during his live set. "One Time (My Heart Edition)" strips away the original track's synths and technology and leaves only Bieber's able voice. Though the »
Adam Lambert Clears Up Rumors On 'The Jay Leno Show'
22 December 2009 7:25 AM, PST
'My father was rumored to be mortified by what I did [at the AMAs],' the 'American Idol' runner-up said.
By Jocelyn Vena
Adam Lambert appears on "The Jay Leno Show" on Monday
Photo: NBC
Adam Lambert appeared on "The Jay Leno Show" on Monday night, where he discussed how dramatically his life has changed since he competed on "American Idol," performed at the American Music Awards and released his first album, For Your Entertainment.
"I'm hanging on white knuckles. It's a good ride. I mean how hasn't [life changed since 'Idol']?" he said. "It's wild. I have people that are so supportive of me that are buying the CD."
Lambert said the new season of "American Idol," set to begin in January, will be very different without Paula Abdul sitting at the judges' table. "I think Paula's amazing," he said. "It's bound to be different. She provided so much warmth and positive critiques. [Simon's] great at what he does. »
Brittany Murphy's Husband Speaks About His Loss
22 December 2009 6:29 AM, PST
Simon Monjack says his 'world was destroyed' by his wife's death.
By Jocelyn Vena
Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack
Photo: Riccardo Savi/ WireImage
Brittany Murphy's husband, Simon Monjack, spoke to "Access Hollywood" about the loss he suffered after his wife of two years passed away over the weekend. Monjack spoke about her death, as well as the rumors surrounding their relationship.
"My world was destroyed yesterday," he said on Monday, adding that he never understood why anyone thought he was controlling his wife. "I don't know why anyone would think that. She found love. We found love. Brittany didn't get to where Brittany was with anyone controlling her. ... Brittany was Brittany."
Monjack said that he found Ashton Kutcher's tweet about his former co-star and girlfriend touching in the wake of the tragedy, although he never met Kutcher personally. "I loved what Ashton wrote on Twitter. It was comforting to me, »
Brittany Murphy's Last Morning Outlined In Coroner's Notes
22 December 2009 6:18 AM, PST
Actress reportedly experienced shortness of breath and severe abdominal pain for days before her death.
By Jocelyn Vena
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ WireImage
Although a conclusive determination of Brittany Murphy's cause of death has been deferred for now, details about the morning of her death on Sunday have begun to emerge. According to notes written by a Los Angeles County Coroner's office investigator, Murphy's mother and husband frantically tried to save the actress before she died.
In notes reportedly obtained by TMZ, Investigator Blacklock noted that Murphy, 32, "had been complaining of shortness of breath and severe abdominal pain" in the seven to 10 days leading up to her death. Other reports had said she'd been experiencing flu-like symptoms in the days before her passing.
The notes go on to say that Murphy then went into the bathroom at around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Her mother, Sharon Murphy, went »
Lady Gaga Reveals Details Of Revamped Monster Ball Tour For 2010
22 December 2009 3:50 AM, PST
'This is definitely going to bring [showbiz] back,' Gaga says.
Photo: MTV News
If you've been meaning to check out Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour, but haven't found the time yet, get thee to a Stub Hub, stat. Because after she wraps the U.S. leg of the jaw-dropping jaunt in January, Gaga is planning on scrapping the entire thing in favor of a brand-new show, which she'll unveil during her run of U.K. arena shows the following month.
It may sound crazy — and certainly, those close to the singer maintain it is — but, as Gaga sees it, re-vamping the Monster Ball Tour is just something she has to do, especially since the current version of the tour came together at the very last second.
"It's kind of funny because, after Kanye and I split up for this tour, I was really unsure »
Lil Wayne Shows You How And Where He Records His Rhymes
22 December 2009 3:50 AM, PST
By Steven Roberts with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes
Lil Wayne
Photo: MTV News
On Monday, DJ Scoob Doo gave MTV News a behind-the-scenes preview of his new DVD, "The Nino Brown Story Pt. 2," featuring Lil Wayne reflecting on his past. Now Scoob graced us with another preview, showing us how Wayne really gets down in the studio.
You would imagine that a Lil Wayne recording session would involve a smoke-filled room and Weezy bobbing spastically in the booth, spitting an onslaught of lyrics at the mic. The fact that Wayne doesn't write anything down only adds to the legend but it's the small things that set Wayne apart from the rest.
Wayne is shown listening to the playback of a freestyle he spit over Jay-z's "D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune)" for his No Ceilings mixtape, and he's not sure if he's getting his point across.
"Say, because I said, »
Adam Lambert Reveals His Favorite Albums And Songs Of 2009
22 December 2009 3:50 AM, PST
Lady Gaga, Pink, Kings of Leon, more make the 'American Idol' runner-up's list for the year.
Photo: Kevin Parry/ WireImage
If there's a poster boy for success in 2009, it's probably Adam Lambert. Over the course of 12 months, he went from unknown L.A. theater kid to #3 on MTV News' Man of the Year list. His personal life filled the tabloids, his performances riled up the censors, and his talents — not just as a singer, but as a showman — won him millions of devoted fans.
And while Lambert was one of the biggest names in pop culture this year, we had to ask for his impressions of 2009. Who inspired him? Who pushed him to be great? And what was on his iPod? Here's what he told us:
Song of the Year
"Oh, it's difficult for me to pick one, because I make lists," Lambert told MTV News. »
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