January 16, 2010

Rap mogul Snoop Dogg has made his first big move as a record company executive - he has signed "Cypress Hill" to Priority Records.

The new creative chairman of the label plans to "open up the doors to new talent as well as turning back time on the old talent - the N.W.As, the The D.O.C.s, the Ice Cubes; the records that made the west coat (of America) what it is", and his first major deal is a big deal. He says, "I just signed west coast's finest off the east side (of Los Angeles), Cypress Hill."

Dakota Fanning has once confirmed that she indeed has a make-out scene with her "The Runaways" co-star Kristen Stewart. MTV recently managed to take a peek at Los Angeles Times' article featured in its upcoming Sunday, January 17 edition, in which director Floria Sigismondi talks about the raunchy scene.

"In 'Edgeplay' [Cherie Currie's memoir], Cherie mentions that Joan [Jett] is really good in bed," the helmer, who also writes the script for the biopic, teases. "I thought, 'I have to pry into this a bit. It will cause an explosion in the film. Why not go there?'"

"Supernatural" has released a well over two minutes clip that reveals how Sam got in a psychiatric ward at the first place. Dean tells the attending doctor that his brother has been talking about the Apocalypse and how he was responsible for it. Sam recounts the real event in the end of season 4 that saw him killing Lilith and unleashing Lucifer.

A former hunter named Martin, who is currently institutionalized, calls Sam and Dean for help investigating a case in the mental hospital. The brothers get themselves admitted as patients to check out the mysterious monster that is attacking the patients, but their incarceration pushes both to the breaking point as they unleash their inner demons against each other.

Ailing actor Dennis Hopper has filed for divorce from his wife of 13 years. Court records reveal the "Easy Rider" star, who is battling prostate cancer, has begun proceedings to end the union, citing irreconcilable differences. Hopper, 73, is preparing spousal support for Victoria Duffy, the mother of his six-year-old daughter Galen.

In 2009, Dennis revealed he had been quietly battling cancer since 2002. Recent tabloid reports suggest his condition has deteriorated and that he was "facing his final days".

CBS Films has released a new international trailer for "The Back-Up Plan" starring Jennifer Lopez. Though it is shorter than the previously released trailer, the new video shares some new scenes including the one which shows Lopez's new lover getting unconscious when they go to doctor to check her pregnancy.

In the movie, Lopez plays Zoe who, after years of dating, has decided waiting for the right one is taking too long. Determined to become a mother, she decides to do it alone and has an artificial insemination. But everything does not happen as she plans after she meets Stan, a man with real possibilities.

Adam Lambert has come clean that he wants to guest star on "Gossip Girl" because of the lead actor. "As long as I can do a scene opposite Chace Crawford, I'd be happy," the singer told PopEater. "I just want a couple moments where I can just look and be like, 'Hmmmm.' Just some eye contact and I'll be really happy."

Adam previously denied an appearance on "Glee" on Twitter and went on having a wish list to make a cameo on other shows. Citing "Gossip", he said at that time that Leighton Meester was the luring factor. Adam elaborated he would be the perfect fit as Blair's shopping buddy.

Chart-topper Ke$ha has hit back at reports she was snapped wearing a fur coat in New York, insisting she's an animal lover and always wears fake animal skin. Paparazzi pictures of the singer arriving at her Manhattan hotel on Thursday, January 14 prompted criticism online from gossips who speculated her outfit was made from real animal pelts.

The criticism prompted Ke$ha to take to her Twitter.com page, proclaiming herself an animal lover - and pointing out her chart-topping new album is called "Animal". Ke$ha writes, "Its ALWAYS fake fur. I don't do the real shiz (s**t). My rekords (sic) called ANIMAL! I dont do fur!"

First look of Justin Bieber's "Never let You Go" music video has been shared by Rolling Stones. It features footage of the YouTube singing sensation filming a scene with a girl who supposedly plays his love interest. He is seen standing close to the girl, singing, dancing and holding her hand.

The video was directed by Colin Tilley and filmed earlier this month while Justin was vacationing in the Bahamas. The song itself will be included in his forthcoming studio album "My World (part 2)" which is due to arrive in March.

Reality TV star Tila Tequila has confirmed she's pregnant, and she won't be handing the child over to her brother and his wife as she previously planned. The singer/model teased fans and followers with a 'tweet' last weekend January 8-10, suggesting she was planning to make a big baby announcement after visiting her doctor.

Her comments came after Tequila recently backtracked on a pre-Christmas pregnancy announcement, in which she revealed she was acting as a surrogate mother for her sibling. She wrote, "That is my xmas present to them." Tequila then told Life & Style magazine she wasn't pregnant: "I'm about to be (pregnant). When I tweeted that, I figured there's not enough space in the 140 characters. (I meant) I'm going to give him a Christmas present that's going to change his life." Tequila, real name Tila Nguyen, added, "I don't have time to take care of a real baby of my own... (but) I feel I am very ready to experience the whole pregnancy process."

British boyband Blue have landed heavyweight help for their comeback album - they're writing with R&B star Ne-Yo. The four-piece split in 2005, but reunited in 2009, releasing a Greatest Hits album. They'll follow that record with a disc of new material in 2010, and they're surrounding themselves with music's biggest names - to ensure they return with a bang.

In an interview on British radio station BBC Radio 1, singer Duncan James reveals, "We have been in the studio. We went back in last year. We went over to New York and recorded with Jay-Z's people, wrote with Ne-Yo and the stuff sounds really different to anything we've done before."

Nick Jonas served as the house band at the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Awards on Friday, January 15 night. Along with his side project The Administration, the Jonas Brothers' youngest member rocked the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

Wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie, Nick performed "Who I Am" with his band. During the commercial breaks, he entertained the attendees with 11 cover songs, such as The Cars' "Just What I Needed", Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", Steve Miller Band's "Abracadabra" and Maroon 5's "Makes Me Wonder".

Lady GaGa was back onstage on Friday, January 15, just hours after illness forced her to cancel a concert, and wowed fans on Oprah Winfrey's TV talk show. The singer was due to perform at Purdue University in Indiana on Thursday night, January 14, but pulled out at the last minute after paramedics discovered she had an irregular heartbeat.

She later logged onto to Twitter to apologize to fans, writing, "I've been crying for hours, I feel like I let my fans down 2nite. An hour before the show, I was feeling dizzy and having trouble breathing. Paramedics came to take care of me, and told me my heart-rate was irregular - a result of exhaustion and dehydration. I can't apologize enough for how sorry I am. I could hear my fans cheering from my dressing room, I begged everyone to let me go onstage."

Bill Murray has stepped in to save Megan Fox's new movie "Passion Play" - as a last-minute replacement for British actor Toby Kebbell. Fox is currently shooting the film in New Mexico, playing an angel in 1950s Los Angeles who helps save a troubled trumpet player, portrayed by Mickey Rourke.

And now Murray has been drafted in to replace "RocknRolla" star Kebbell as a gangster in the drama, according to Production Weekly. The project will see the actor reteam with director Mitch Glazer, who wrote the screenplay for Murray's 1988 cult Christmas movie "Scrooged".

The winners of the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Awards have been announced on Friday night, January 15, revealing the domination of "Avatar". The big-budget movie has managed to grab six awards for Best Action Movie, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.

Being named as Best Picture was "The Hurt Locker", which additionally helped its helmer Kathryn Bigelow to receive Best Director award. Meanwhile, "Inglourious Basterds" has successfully aided its cast to receive Best Acting Ensemble prize in addition to earning Best Supporting Actor gong for Christoph Waltz. Its director, Quentin Tarantino, then also took home one kudo for Best Original Screenplay.

Hip-hop superstar Jay-Z was shocked to discover his friend Eminem wears a bulletproof vest - insisting he feels sorry for the rapper because there is a "dark cloud" hanging over him. Jay-Z teamed up with Eminem in the studio in 2003, a year after the "Stan" hitmaker released his highly-acclaimed record "The Eminem Show".

The "Big Pimpin'" star admits he felt body armor under his pal's clothes when he gave him a hug - and he realized the extent of Eminem's problems. He tells Interview magazine, "I never even told him this, but I remember that Eminem came into the studio when we made "Moment of Clarity", which he produced, on "The Black Album". So here's Eminem. It's 2003, he was, like, the biggest rapper in the world - he sold, like, 20 million records worldwide or some ridiculous number."

Now that Natalie Maines is taking a hiatus from Dixie Chicks, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison decided to rename their band Court Yard Hounds. The name is a reference to Ian Livingstone's best-selling novel "City of Thieves", according to Rolling Stones.

Martie and Emily have started recording their first album and plan to release it in May. Emily will serve as the lead vocalist and team up with Jakob Dylan in a song called "See You in the Spring". This duo will make their debut performance at the South by Southwest music conference in Austin this March and launch a tour after the album is dropped.

Jennifer Connelly, Kirsten Dunst and Michael Stipe have lost their campaign against the construction of a sanitation department in their New York neighborhood, after a judge rejected a lawsuit opposing the project. Manhattan officials have announced plans to erect a $346 million garage complex to store the city's garbage trucks in the trendy SoHo area of the Big Apple.

Famous residents Connolly and husband Paul Bettany, Dunst, Stipe, Lou Reed and John Slattery all took a stand against the proposal, urging city planners to build a smaller facility in another location. But the power of celebrity failed to make an impact - earlier this week, a judge gave the project the green light, according to the New York Post.

Chris Harrison believes Rozlyn Papa is held responsible for making "The Bachelor" scandal big. Therefore, he has every intention to have her back on the show so that she can explain it to him about what really happened behind the scene. For one thing, Chris is friends with producer Ryan Callahan who was accused of fooling around with Rozlyn.

"Hopefully she will come on to the 'Women Tell All' episode and sit down and talk to me," Harrison says via New York Post. Harrison regrets the fact that Ryan's identity and photo were leaked earlier this week. "...because that was never our intention," the host states.

Martin Campbell has dismissed rumors which mention that Jackie Earle Haley is being considered to play Sinestro, who is also the former mentor of Hal Jordan, in "Green Lantern". Speaking to MTV during the junket for his upcoming action "Edge of Darkness", the helmer claimed the news is not true, saying "No, that's completely wrong."

Campbell then revealed, "In fact, we're in negotiations with Mark Strong to play Sinestro." Explaining the reason why the "Sherlock Holmes" actor could possibly take the role of the villainous character, the filmmaker stated, "He's not only a wonderful actor, but he looks like Sinestro. If you look up old pictures of Sinestro, he's very like him."

Rihanna is going to re-record her tracks in the "Rated R" album and release them in February. The revamped effort will be produced by DJ Brooklyn Zoo who spreads the news through his Twitter, "Def Jam hired me to remix 10 tracks of the album for a remix album release in February."

"RockStar", "Te Amo", "Rude Boy" and "Wait Your Turn" among others are some of the songs that have been re-worked by the disc jokey. A sneak peek to the forthcoming remix album is promised to be put out sometime this month.

Ricky Gervais is planning to reprise his "The Office" character in the U.S. version of the hit sitcom, according to tabloid reports. Gervais retired bad boss David Brent after just two seasons of the hugely popular British program, before taking the show to the U.S. where it has become a massive hit with Steve Carell playing paper company executive Michael Scott.

Gervais has always rejected reports he'll resurrect Brent for the U.S. version, but he hinted at a change of mind during a press tour to promote his new HBO stand up comedy special this week, January 15. And Entertainment Weekly columnist Michael Ausiello claims the star is plotting an appearance in the forthcoming sixth season.

Jimmy Kimmel made a joke out of Jay Leno on "The Jay Leno Show" on Thursday, January 14. Appearing via satellite to answer Leno's Ten at Ten, Kimmel said a good impression of Leno that he did earlier this week was a combination of "Sylvester the Cat, Curly from 'The Three Stooges' and Scrappy-Doo."

Later on Kimmel touched the sensitive issue of Conan O'Brien being shoved from the 11.35 P.M. slot in order for Leno to take the spot. Asked whom he would like to have as guest, Kimmel answered, "It would be you and Conan at the same time, because I have a lot of questions for you." Kimmel said it would be a 12 at 12 instead of 10 at 10.

Hip-hop superstar Jay-Z has lost a longrunning legal battle with the boss of a British restaurant - four years after he sued the eaterie in a trademark dispute. The rapper filed suit against celebrity chef Terry Miller in 2006 over the name of his Rockafella restaurant in Newcastle, England, claiming the title would lead to confusion with his Roc-A-Fella Records music empire.

Miller, who launched the business after winning U.K. cooking reality show "Hell's Kitchen" in 2005, fought back and after years of legal wrangling a ruling in England has gone in his favor. The reality TV star has been granted the U.K. trademark for the restaurant and food-branding name Rockafella, and Jay-Z has been ordered to pay Miller's legal costs.

After making use of Twitter to apologize to her "little monsters" for postponing her Purdue gig due to exhaustion, Lady GaGa wrote on the micro-blogging site about her plan to support Haitian Earthquake victims. She has decided to raise funds for the victim on her concert on January 24.

"Jan 24th is GAGA FOR HELPING HAITI day. Go to www.ladygaga.com on the 24th + 100% of all merchandise purchased goes to earthquake relief," she announced. "Monies will be donated immediately, spread the word around the world so we can raise as much money as possible."

The woman who tried to 'out' Ray J as gay has apologized to the R&B singer after admitting she made up the rumors about his sexuality.

Monica Danger, who appeared on his VH1 series "For the Love of Ray J", announced during a radio interview earlier this month, January 10, that the star has been dating rapper Young Buck. Ray J was forced to come forward and set straight the rumors - and now Danger is begging for his forgiveness, confessing she made up the lie after he failed to return her calls.

Martin Scorsese is costing U.S. network HBO a fortune - the pilot of his new TV series "Boardwalk Empire" has reportedly taken a $50 million chunk out of the broadcaster's budget. The legendary auteur is turning his attentions to the small screen, bringing 1920s gangland New Jersey to life in the story of America's Prohibition Era.

And the Oscar-winning director hasn't scrimped on costs for his TV debut - the first hour-long episode of the lavish drama has set HBO bosses back $50 million, according to New York gossip column PageSix. An insider tells the publication, "It's a huge period piece with a gigantic cast."

Rapper Eve took it to her Twitter to announce her departure from Interscope Records. She also reveals that she is working as a free agent on her next studio album which is due to arrive before the end of this year.

"Let me tell u what happened with music so ya'll don't think I quit. Left Interscope, free agent now. Went back in re-doing music. Trust me," she wrote. "Not letting this year pass wit out an ABULM! Can't take the non-sense MUSIK ;)"

"ER" star Noah Wyle is no longer living with his wife, Tracy Warbin. A rep of him confirmed to People that the couple has separated after 11 years of marriage but a friend says they are "cooperative with each other and have put the interests of their children ahead of anything else."

In a statement rep Eddie Michaels said, "Tracy Wyle and Noah Wyle, who separated in late October 2009, have confirmed they have entered into a mediation process." Michaels added, "Neither has legally filed for divorce. Tracy and Noah live in separate residences; however their two children see both parents daily."

Simon Cowell is hoping to sit alongside Mariah Carey's ex-husband Tommy Mottola when he launches his British talent show "The X Factor" in the U.S. The tough-talking music mogul quit his role as a judge on "American Idol" this week, January 11, to concentrate on taking his U.K. singing contest Stateside. And he already has several stars in mind to join him on the show's judging panel - including Mottola, Paula Abdul, and British singer Cheryl Cole.

Cowell tells New York Post gossip column PageSix, "On X Factor, you get to mentor the artists, so you have more of a role. It's frustrating sometimes when you sit there and you haven't been able to change their songs, or how they perform, or what they wear... It's pointless hiring judges who don't know anything about the music business. I'll probably go and find someone who did what I did for a living. I was an A&R guy for 20 years. I thought Tommy Mottola would be a good choice. He was the guy who was the head of Sony - he guided Mariah - very flamboyant, knows what he's talking about."

"Inglourious Basterds" has had its glorious moment at the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Awards. Soon after the awards show was kicked off on Friday night, January 15, the movie has nabbed an award for Best Acting Ensemble. Additionally, the film's actor Christoph Waltz has won Best Supporting Actor prize.

Meanwhile, "Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire" has aided its star Mo'Nique to land Best Supporting Actress award. Also appearing on the stage was Saoirse Ronan who picked up Best Young Actor/Actress gong through her performance in "The Lovely Bones".

It is now confirmed that major networks will accommodate a global telethon to raise money for the victims of Haiti earthquake. MTV, ABC, CNN, The CW, HBO, BET, FOX, and CBS are listed as the networks that will air a commercial-free broadcast on January 22. This means, "Smallville" return will have to be pre-empted.

George Clooney will helm the broadcast from Los Angeles while the New York City and Haiti will be covered by Wyclef Jean and Anderson Cooper respectively. A two-hour special, "Hope for Haiti" will be aired live at 8/7c, featuring musical performances, celebrity appearances as well as live news report from CNN. Names of celebrities participating will be announced soon.

Harrison Ford has come under fire from the Mayor of Chicago, Illinois after wading into a debate about the city's former airport, with the politician calling the Hollywood star "elitist". Ford, a keen pilot, criticized Mayor Richard M. Daley over his controversial decision to bulldoze the city's Meigs Field airport in 2003 and turn it into a public park.

The "Indiana Jones" star told the Chicago Sun Times, "(I am) furious. I don't think I've been as angry about anything in a long time. (Closing the airport was) unthinkable. I'm still livid about it." Daley has now hit back at the actor, insisting Ford has no idea what's best for the people of Chicago.

Performers, presenters and attendees of the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Awards have arrived at Los Angeles' the Hollywood Palladium to witness who will be taking home trophies at the event. Nick Jonas who will serve as the house band of the evening along with his side project The Administration, decks a bow tie and formal suit when arriving on the red carpet.

Other stars spotted coming to the show are young actress Bailee Madison who wears a one-shoulder long dress and actress Emily Blunt who dons Diego Dolcini shoes, Irit jewels and a Cecelia clutch. While Bailee comes alone, Emily is accompanied by her fiance John Krasinski who wears a Prada charcoal two-button suit with white popeline.

In the middle of NBC's late night shows' mess, Jimmy Fallon gave what the audience suppose to have on normal days, a laughter. The host of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" put on his Neil Young costume again to deliver an acoustic and mournful rendition of General Larry Platt's "Pants on the Ground". He previously covered the theme song of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" as the veteran singer.

Platt is the "American Idol" contestant whose self-penned song "Pants on the Ground" made him an overnight sensation after the Atlanta audition was aired on Wednesday, January 13. Judge Simon Cowell said after he sang the song, "I have a feeling it would be a hit."

British supermodel Naomi Campbell has been caught up in the war crimes trial of Liberia's former president - the disgraced ex-leader has been accused of gifting the catwalk beauty with a "blood diamond". Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor is currently on trial at The Hague, in the Netherlands, over allegations he backed rebel fighters responsible for widespread atrocities during the war in neighboring Sierra Leone.

Prosecutors have also alleged Taylor took diamonds mined in the area to South Africa to "sell... or exchange for weapons". They have accused Taylor of handing one of these 'blood diamonds' - a term for jewels sold to finance conflicts - to Campbell in 1997 when she attended a dinner party in South Africa, hosted by then-president Nelson Mandela.

Claudia Schiffer and husband Matthew Vaughn are going to have a new member in their family in the next few months. The Germany-born supermodel is now pregnant with her third child, her representative has confirmed.

"We are thrilled about the good news and can hardly wait to have a bigger family," the married couple said in a statement. The representative additionally informed that the 39-year-old beauty is due to give birth in May.