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Michael Phelps Named VMA Presenter

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:41:58

Fresh off winning a record eight gold medals at the Olympics in Beijing, Michael Phelps has announced his plans for further world domination including hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, presenting at MTV's Video Music Awards, and writing an autobiographical book just in time for Christmas. Joining Phelps as presenters at the VMAs ...more
Replacements Drummer Passes Away

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:33:29

Steve Foley, The Replacements' final drummer before their breakup in 1991, was found dead in his Minneapolis home on Monday. Foley's co-workers were looking for him after he didn't show up to his car salesman job. According to an interview with his sister Colleen in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Foley had accidentally overdosed on prescription ...more
Break It Down: Sam Champion

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:24:42

There's no denying a band's high hopes when they name themselves Sam Champion. A runner-up's moniker this is not. Now with the release of their second album, Heavenly Bender, the Brooklyn four-piece seem to be tapping into the potential needed to carry the tag. In reality, the band say they borrowed the name from a high school principal in Texas, ...more
Jack Osbourne Reveals Ozzy Doc Plans

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:07:12

Jack Osbourne has started work on a documentary about his father Ozzy, in hopes of clearing up the caricature created by MTV's popular reality show. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Jack explained, "My dad's not an idiot; he's nothing short of a genius. He does have huge flaws, and we're trying to really paint an honest picture of that. I think The ...more
Three-Fourths of Led Zeppelin Start Working on New Songs

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:01:29

Jason Bonham has confirmed that he is currently working on new Led Zeppelin songs with John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page. (Robert Plant still has more than a week of tour dates with Alison Krauss in late September and early October.) In an interview with the Detroit radio station 94.7 WCSX, Bonham said, "At the moment, all I know is I have the great ...more
Police Arrest Guns N' Roses Blogger

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:09:15

Los Angeles police have arrested Kevin Cogill, a 27-year-old blogger who leaked nine pre-release Guns N' Roses tracks in June. The incident has left him accused of violating federal copyright laws. In a statement posted on Cogill's site, www.antiquiet.com, a certain Johnny Firecloud writes, "In all likelihood, [Chris will] be back ...more
Things Get Hairy for Kate Hudson in Lawsuit

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:11:30

Actress Kate Hudson tried to do her part for the "green movement," but her efforts have come back to haunt her. Hudson and business partner, celebrity hair stylist David Babaii, are being sued by a company called 220 Laboratories over David Babaii for Wild Aid, the eco-friendly hair care products that the duo launched in June. In the suit filed in ...more
MTV Launches 'Top Pop Group' Show

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:10:58

Mario Lopez has signed on as the host of MTV's Top Pop Group, his second gig at the station. (The other was America's Best Dance Crew) While the show will premier on Thursday, September 11, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, a buzz-stirring preview called MTV's Top Pop Group: The Casting Special will air on Thursday, August 28, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. According to ...more
Steven Spielberg Still a "Tintin" Man

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:05:36

Steven Spielberg is still up for directing Tintin for DreamWorks. This film would be the first installment of a planned trilogy. However, Brussels' Herge Studio, which manages the rights to the famed comic strip character, said that Peter Jackson, a director of Spielberg's caliber, had been selected to helm the film. Despite such a statement, ...more
Warner Brothers Isn't Budging on Towelhead

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:54:28

Warner Brothers is refusing to change the title of its upcoming film, Towelhead, despite protest from Islamic civil rights groups who feel the name is a disrespectful slur against those of Muslim faith and Arabic origin. The studio was steadfast in its claim that it will keep the title as is and has said it stands by the filmmakers. The title is ...more
Antony and the Johnsons Announce New EP, Album

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:45:53

Antony and the Johnsons have finally emerged with news of an EP, as well as fall tour dates alongside orchestras in Portland, Los Angeles, London, New York, Milan, and Zaragoza, Spain. The Another World EP will be out on October 7 through Secretly Canadian. As for a new album, that'll arrive sometime next year in the form of The Crying Light. ...more
Tyler Perry Empire to Expand

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:43:38

Actor. Producer. Writer. Director. Playwright. Those roles festoon the resume of Tyler Perry. He is about to add "studio complex owner" to his list of deals and duties, with plans to open Tyler Perry Studios this October. The complex will be located on a 28-acre property outside of Atlanta, and Perry completely financed the facility himself. Perry ...more
Ryan Adams Readies Book Release

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:29:56

Ryan Adams has posted some details about his print debut, the Akashic Books-published Infinity Blues. In a post on his blog, foggy.ryan-adams.com, Adams shared the book's tentative cover art and wrote, "I guess this dream is coming true. My grandparents, who taught me to write, and type and dream, I am so proud of all your hard work today... Man, ...more
Elizabeth Taylor Recovering

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:26:55

Violet-eyed actress Elizabeth Taylor is recovering after a hospital stay last month, according to reps for the star who have finally commented on the matter. The 76-year-old actress was rumored to be near death, suffering from heart failure and on life support, claims which were apparently false and originally issued by tabloid TV shows. Taylor has ...more
Interview: Tegan and Sara

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:04:05

Tegan Quin loves talking about her music. She laughs, "No part of me ever hates doing interviews. I get excited about them. In fact, I always volunteer! I'm always like, 'I'll do the next set of interviews!'" Even after a few minutes of conversation, Tegan's unbridled passion for her art comes through. More importantly, her benevolent side is ...more
CineChart: 'College' director Deb Hagan's Top 10 Collegiate Films

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:48:05

Off-color adolescent comedies are in high demand these days, with the success of last summer’s Superbad having fully resurrected the genre. Contemporary films of this breed owe a lot to similar movies of yesteryear, from rowdy ‘80s classics to modern day films making their way into the higher education canon. College is a raunch-fest that will ...more
DragonForce Confirm First Headlining Tour

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:48:21

Now that they're done with a stint on the main stage of the first-ever Rockstar Energy Mayhem Fest, DragonForce has committed to a six-week headlining tour of North America. Set to start on November 1 in Honolulu, the trek will run right through a December 19 date at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. The band's latest LP, Ultra Beatdown, ...more