Rolling Stones tunes supply 'Idol' surprises
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tim Urban couldn't get any satisfaction on "American Idol." The judges dismissed Urban's reggae rendition of "Under My Thumb" during a night of Rolling Stones tunes in the Fox singing competition's first round of finals Tuesday. "Idol" judge Randy Jackson dubbed the 20-year-old college student's take on the 1966 classic "weird," and Simon Cowell affirmed it was a "crazy decision." Urban shrugged off their criticism.
Sony bets MJ fans won't stop 'til they get enough
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The man who spearheaded the record-breaking deal in which Michael Jackson's estate will get up to $250 million in the next seven years said Tuesday that Sony Music Entertainment bought a treasure trove of new Jackson music, some of it recorded "quite recently," some in collaboration with other artists. John Branca, who negotiated the deal along with co-executor John McClain and team of attorneys, was clearly elated about the deal. He said in an interview with The Associated Press that this is only the first of more deals that will bring Jackson's music to his fans and introduce it to a world of potential new fans.
Jessica Simpson investigates standards of beauty
NEW YORK (AP) — Singer and sometimes actress Jessica Simpson has paid the price of beauty, and now she's examining people's obsession with looking good. She made headlines last year when photos of her performing suggested she might have gained a few pounds. That sparked a national debate on TV news channels, talk shows and in print asking if Simpson was, indeed, fat.
Warrant issued for Lil Wayne in Arizona case
YUMA, Ariz. (AP) — An Arizona judge issued a bench warrant Tuesday for Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne after he failed to appear for a hearing on drug and weapons charges because he is serving jail time in New York. A Yuma County Superior Court judge issued the warrant after the entertainer, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, failed to appear in court for a final trial management conference.
Winfrey due in Philly for 2-week defamation trial
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is expected to spend two weeks defending herself at trial in a defamation case linked to the sex-abuse scandal at her girls school in South Africa. A federal judge this week refused to dismiss the suit filed by Winfrey's ex-headmistress, paving the way for a March 29 trial in Philadelphia.
Expect huge TV audiences for Woods' Masters return
NEW YORK (AP) — CBS Sports' president thinks that Tiger Woods' return to golf will be one of the "biggest media spectacles in recent memory." Sean McManus told The Associated Press last week before Woods announced when he would play again that he believed only President Barack Obama's inauguration would rank higher as a media event.
Charlie Sheen back at work on `Two and a Half Men'
NEW YORK (AP) — Charlie Sheen is back at work and shooting has resumed on "Two and a Half Men." His agent, Stan Rosenfield, says Sheen returned to the Warner Bros. set in Burbank, Calif., on Tuesday morning.
NBC's prime-time viewership improves without Leno
NEW YORK (AP) — Two weeks into non-Jay Leno programming, NBC's audience for the final hour of prime-time TV has increased by 45 percent. While NBC doesn't necessarily have any hits in that hour, the instant response by viewers indicates they are more comfortable with the traditional mix of drama, news and reality rather than a late-night show moved into prime time.
Judge OKs settlement in deadly Lear jet crash
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge approved a multimillion-dollar legal settlement Tuesday involving the wife and young son of former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker's assistant, who was killed in a 2008 plane crash in South Carolina. The settlement with Learjet Inc., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and other companies involved in the ownership, operation and making of the jet will pay for college for Chris Baker's 3-year-old son and establish an annuity giving him more than $17 million over his lifetime.
Girlfriend of Michael Douglas' son sentenced in NY
NEW YORK (AP) — The girlfriend of actor Michael Douglas' wayward son was freed Tuesday after spending seven months in jail for becoming embroiled in Cameron Douglas' downward spiral with drugs. A judge in federal court in Manhattan sentenced Kelly Sott to time served for misdemeanor drug possession. She had pleaded guilty last month.
