Entertainment News Page 4533

Pop punk/emo band Panic! At the Disco beat the other potential and strong contenders to bring home the Video of the Year award at the 23rd MTV Video Music Awards, held August 31st at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It was the band's single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" from album "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" that bring them to the attainment.

As of the album, it is their debut released September 27, 2005. It was also this set that indeed brought Panic! to widespread recognition as the album debuted at #112 on the Billboard 200 album chart, #6 on the Billboard independent chart, and #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, with nearly 10,000 albums sold in the first week of release. On top of that, in early August 2006 "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" finally was certified Platinum.

This year MTV Video Music Awards, held August 31st at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, saw the triumph of James Blunt as the singer nabbed the Best Male Video award for his single "You're Beautiful". In pair with him to take home the Best Female Video award was former "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson, thanks to her single "Because Of You".

Also scored an award at the 23rd annual award event was The All-American Rejects who won the Best Group Video category for "Move Along", and Chamillionaire's "Ridin'" which was chosen as the Best Rap Video. In addition to all, music act The Pussycat Dolls won the Best Dance Video award for their hit single "Buttons", while AFI's "Miss Murder" nabbed the Best Rock Video award.

2006 is the actual date that music group Linkin Park eyed for the release of their new album, the follow up to their 2003 "Meteora". Yet, they have to unfortunately delay the release of the new set until next year concerning the recording that fell behind schedule.

Speaking on their website, band member Mike Shinoda said of the Rick Rubin produced album "We're doing well, we just need a little more time." Also he continued, "We have narrowed it down to about 30-50 songs, and some of those are heavy, some are softer and some are in between. So far it has a different sound that I cannot describe."

Harry Morton, Lindsay Lohan's billionaire boyfriend, has sparked engagement rumors after he was reported to have just spotted purchased an engagement ring.

It is said that the hunk was spotted bought an engagement ring at Cartier in Beverly Hills.

Britney Spears has yet lost her charm. Need a prove? It is her half eaten sandwich which has been sold for over $500 on eBay.

Golden Palace, the online gaming company, purchased the sandwich besides also bought the corndog, which was being eaten by her husband Kevin Federline that Spears also took a chomp out of.

Making another good step, Independent distributor THINKFilm has successfully picked up all North American distribution rights to "The TV Set", one of the most talked-about films at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed.

A directorial work of Jake Kasdan who also penned the script, the movie is a dark comedy centering on the story of an idealistic writer who has to watch his dream TV project slowly getting dismantled by a barrage of industry executives. Set to be released by next spring, it features star-studded cast which includes David Duchovny, Sigourney Weaver, Ioan Gruffudd, Justine Bateman, and Judy Greer.

American television personality, who also was Miss Teen USA 1998, Vanessa Minnillo has been chosen to top the poll on Sexiest Stars in America, conducted by In Touch magazine.

The beauty, surprisingly, beats the likes of Beyonce Knowles and Jessica Alba who both have made the list for several times.

A new project is set to bloom under Intrepid Pictures. The company has acquired spec script "Mercy" from writers Carolyn Townsend and Eddie Hartman to develop it into a big screen feature.

While there's no word yet about either the helmer or cast members, it has been revealed that Chris Emerson will take seat as executive producer through his E-Squared production company. As for the story, pic will revolve around a college student who attempts to debunk the urban legend of the Mercy Killer only to find out that he is all too real and has selected her as his next victim.

Grammy winning singer Pink has been slated to become one of the performers to take the stage at the National Football League, takes place Sept. 10 later this year.

On her choosing as one of the event's performers, Sunday Night Football producer Fred Gaudelli said, "We chose Pink as the signature voice because she is a tremendous talent with a crossover appeal that makes her relevant to all segments of our audience".

"Amazing Grace" finally can make its way to U.S theaters. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Independent distributors Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions have secured the U.S distribution rights to this slave trade-drama of Michael Apted's direction. Both companies are set to release the film on February 23 next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the British parliament's vote to abolish the slave trade.

A production of Bristol Bay Prods., "Grace" tells about the real story of William Wilberforce in his effort to end slavery at the turn of the 19th century with the help of his wife and slave trader-turned-abolitionist Rev. John Newton. Cast includes Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Rufus Sewell, Ciaran Hinds, and Michael Gambon. Steven Knight has been tapped to pen the script with Patricia Heaton and Terrence Malick seating as producers.

It was first Britney Spears, and now it's Kevin Federline's turn to sign deal with Sony for the sake of his music career.

The husband of the pop superstar reportedly has inked deal with the music label to release his upcoming debut album, "Playing with Fire."

This summer really belongs to Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." Fantastically collecting $407.5 million on domestic box office up to Sunday, August 27, the company's seafaring sequel has come out as the top moneymaker of this beach season according to stats released Tuesday, August 29 by the box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations.

Though it still has one more weekend to go at the summer box office, the flick's position on the first spot of the list will remain unshakable for it has scored far beyond the sum garnered by Disney/Pixar's "Cars" which firmly takes the second rank with a $240.6 million gross. Rounding up the top three is the third installment of X-Men franchise, "X-Men: The Last Stand" following its success in garnering $234.2 million to its pocket.

Following the footstep of fellow famous figure Eminem, who has just signed deal with Nike to design a range of trainers, Jennifer Aniston also is on the verge of signing a deal with the sportswear giant.

It is said that a major NYC-based ad agency has formed a team last month to work on Nike's Fall/Winter 2006 campaign. And while Aniston has not yet confirmed, the ad agency is still looking to book a slot for a Super Bowl commercial and run with an international ad campaign.

The US album charts for the week ended Sunday August 27th saw the prominence of the MTV-constructed band, Danity Kane, as the music act topped the top spot with their album "Danity Kane" sold 234,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. In the meantime, OutKast's "Idlewild" opened at No. 2 with the LaFace release sold 196,000 units.

With the emerge of the new chart-toppers, reigning champ Christina Aguilera's RCA album "Back to Basics" fell to the 3rd spot with 135,000, ahead of Mexican rock group Mana's "Amar Es Combatir" at No. 4 sold 87,000 copies. With such attainment, the Mexican rock group indeed scored the highest charting and biggest debut for a Spanish-language album for a duo or group on The Billboard 200.

Report on Ashlee Simpson has signed on to play murderous vixen Roxie Hart in the London run of the musical "Chicago" at last ended weeks of speculation on that matter.

A publicist for the young singer even confirms that Ashlee has begun rehearsals for her role this week.