Michael Jackson to tour, auction personal items

Singer Michael Jackson is arranging an auction at which he plans to sell his personal memorabilia.

Some of the 2000 items include the wrought iron gates from his Neverland Ranch and one of the white gloves he wore in his 1983 Billie Jean video. Auctioneer Darren Julien said Jackson had been sorting through his personal memorabilia and art collection and had "complete control" over the sale. The five-day auction is set to take place in Beverly Hills in April. "We have been working closely with him for five months and he is in complete control of this," Mr Julien said. He added that a similar white glove once owned by Jackson fetched $35,000 (£23,452) at an auction in 2006. A year before that the singer's white socks went for $15,000 (£10,000).

In November, the 50-year-old star lost ownership of the Neverland ranch in California. He filed legal papers which made the Sycamore Valley Ranch Company the new owner. The company is linked to investment firm Colony Capital, which bailed the singer out in March when he owed $24.5m (£16m) on the property. The refinancing deal meant Jackson could keep the sprawling property, but he is still planning to sell off the ranch gates.

"We have not put an estimate on the gates yet. There is a lot of history there," he said. The 2,700-acre ranch once included a zoo, a lake and an amusement park. It was also the place where prosecutors claimed Jackson had molested young boys during sleepovers.

The auction catalogue will sell for $100 (£67), with a limited signed edition available for $500 (£335). A portion of the sale proceeds will go to the charity Musicares. Last month, Jackson was taken to court by an Arab sheik, who claimed the singer owed him millions for reneging on a music contract. They eventually settled out of court. However, Mr Julien insisted the star was not being forced into selling off his items. "This is something that Michael is doing of his own free will. He is not being forced into it," he said. Highlights of the collection will go on a tour expected to include London, Tokyo, New York, Dubai and Santiago.
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Robbie Williams to rejoin Take That ?

Robbie Williams has admitted that he would like to team up with his former band Take That again.

The singer praised the four-piece's new album on his Inner Sanctum blog and wrote that he would like perform with them in the future. He added: "I'm really, really proud. I love the new album too - haven't stopped listening to it. I'd love to be in the band again but I've got some unfinished business of my own." His comments come after frontman Gary Barlow recently told Newsbeat that the band were all in contact again and that they would one day reunite. Earlier this month, Mark Owen also said any potential reunion with Williams would be an "unannounced thing".

Of the band's meeting in the summer, Williams wrote: "The thing that struck me the most was how much fun they're having. It's more rewarding when you're a gang. Ever since I left Take That I've wanted to be in a band. We got together quite a lot over the summer. It was amazing. We've all matured a lot since we parted. I'm very pleased to say the differences we've had have just melted away. I celebrated by getting the Take That symbol tattooed on my right arm. I'm proud to know the boys and I'm proud to have been in the band." The four-piece's new album The Circus is the fastest-selling LP of the year so far. The band also sold around 600,000 tickets for their 2009 summer tour in under five hours, breaking the record set by Michael Jackson's Bad tour in 1987. Williams left the band a month before their last British concert at London's Earls Court on Aug 31, 1995 to launch a successful solo career.

Take That have added even more dates to their Summer 2009 UK tour due to unprecedented demand.

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Britney Spears US, Canada dates revealed !

A North American tour by Britney Spears has been announced, with tickets on sale now. The tour will include dates at the following towns and cities:
New Orleans Arena - March 3rd
Philips Arena, Atlanta GA - March 5th
St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa FL - March 8th
Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale NY - March 11th
Prudential Center, Newark NJ - March 13th
TD Banknorth Garden, Boston MA - March 16th
Air Canada Centre, Toronto - March 18th
Bell Centre, Montreal - March 20th
Verizon Centre, Washington DC - March 24th
Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville CT - March 26th
Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh PA - March 27th
Toyota Center, Houston TX - March 30th
American Airlines Arena, Miami FL - March 31st
Sprint Center, Kansas MO - April 2nd
Target Center, Minneapolis MN - April 3rd
Rexall Place, Edmonton Alberta - April 6th
GM Place, Vancouver BC - April 8th
Tacoma Dome, Tacoma WA - April 9th
Arco Arena, Sacramento CA - April 11th
San Jose Arena, San Jose CA - April 12th
Energy Solutions Arena, Salt Lake City UT - April 14th
Staples Centre, Los Angeles CA - April 16th
Honda Center, Anaheim CA - April 19th
Jobing.com Arena, Glendale AZ - April 24th
MGM Grand Hotel Garden Arena, Las Vegas NV - April 25th
Allstate Arena, Rosemont IL - April 28th

Use TixCompare.com to compare US and Canadian box offices for the best prices and seating positions.

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Profile:
Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears first appeared on national television in 1992 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star on the television series The New Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994. After a brief membership with the pop musical group Innosense, Spears signed a recording contract with Jive Records, releasing her debut album ...Baby One More Time in 1999. The album established her as a pop icon and "bona fide pop phenomenon", credited for influencing the revival of teen pop in the late 1990s. The music video for "...Baby One More Time" and Spears's appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine also established her as an international sex symbol, garnering controversy over the influence of her public image on teenage girls. In 2008 Spears began recording her sixth studio album Circus. Spears is ranked as the eighth best-selling female recording artist in the United States according to the Recording Industry Association of America with 31 million certified albums and one of the world's best-selling music artists having sold an estimated 83 million records worldwide. Spears also holds the title to multiple Guinness World Records.


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Travis Parker, DJ AM to perform again after crash

Punk-rocker Travis Barker and celebrity disc jockey DJ AM will perform together for the first time since the duo survived a fiery plane crash in South Carolina.
The former Blink-182 drummer and DJ AM, whose real name is Adam Goldstein, will headline New Year's Nation's Los Angeles New Year's Eve Party at The Lot in West Hollywood.''I'm ready to get back onstage with AM and continue to rock the house,'' Barker said in a statement. ``I'm very excited to ring in the New Year in my hometown of L.A.'' The performance will be streamed on the Internet and broadcast at other New Year's Nation parties across the U.S. It will mark the first concert for the pair -- who go by TRVSDJAM -- since they performed at a free concert for about 10,000 people in Columbia, S.C., before boarding a private plane Sept. 19 for Los Angeles that crashed and killed four people.
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Madonna to set solo tour record

Madonna's current Sticky and Sweet tour is set to become the biggest selling tour by a solo artist. The 50-year-old will have raked in an estimated $282m (£185.7m) when the tour finishes in Sao Paulo, Brazil, later this month. Tour producer Live Nation said the star's 28-date US leg sold 550,000 tickets and grossed $91.5m (£60.2m). Madonna had held the previous record with her Confessions tour in 2006, having taken $193.7m (£127.5m).

Including her European run, the singer has already made an estimated $207.5m (£136.6m) in ticket sales. Madonna finished the North American leg of her Sticky and Sweet tour last week in front of 50,000 people at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, before heading south to Mexico City. The tour, supporting her album Hard Candy, will conclude with three nights from 18-21 December in Sao Paulo. The singer divorced director Guy Ritchie last month after eight years of marriage.
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Britney Spears 2009 UK dates announced!!

Britney Spears has announced that a number of London dates will form part of her 2009 European comeback tour, with tickets on sale Friday December 5th. The concerts will take place at The O2 in London on June 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 10th & 11th and will be her ONLY concerts in the UK.

UPDATE: US/Canada tour dates & venues announced! Click here to view and buy tickets!

Use BritishConcerts.com to compare UK box offices for the best prices and seating positions.

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Profile:
Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears first appeared on national television in 1992 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star on the television series The New Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994. After a brief membership with the pop musical group Innosense, Spears signed a recording contract with Jive Records, releasing her debut album ...Baby One More Time in 1999. The album established her as a pop icon and "bona fide pop phenomenon", credited for influencing the revival of teen pop in the late 1990s. The music video for "...Baby One More Time" and Spears's appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine also established her as an international sex symbol, garnering controversy over the influence of her public image on teenage girls.

>->->- Click here to buy Britney Spears tickets -<-<-<
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Mamma Mia! Breaks UK DVD Sales Record

Musical film Mamma Mia! has become the fastest-selling DVD of all time in the UK, according to Official UK Charts Company figures. It sold 1,669,084 copies on Monday's release date, breaking the previous record held by Titanic - based on DVD and video sales - by 560,000 copies. Mamma Mia!, which was released in cinemas in July, has taken more than £66m at the UK box office.

Universal's managing director, Ian Foster, said the success of Mamma Mia! was a "testament to the fun-loving spirit of the British public and the universal appeal of this wonderful film". A spokesman for supermarket Asda said 300,000 copies had been sold in its stores with, 15% of shoppers buying a copy on Monday.

Last month, Mamma Mia! became the highest-grossing British film at the UK box office, beating the previous holder of the record, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It is now the second highest-grossing film in UK box office history behind Titanic.

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Madonna, Guy Ritchie get quickie divorce

Pop star Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have been granted a divorce at the High Court in London. The decree nisi was granted less than a month after the couple, who have three children, declared their eight-year marriage was over.

The couple wed at Skibo Castle in Scotland in December 2000, and announced their separation last month after months of speculation. Neither Madonna, 50, nor her film-maker husband, 40, were in court on Friday. The case was listed before District Judge Reid alongside 16 others "for pronouncement of decree or order under the special procedure rule".

It has been reported that the couple did not demand a financial settlement from each other. Madonna is thought to be worth some £300m, while Ritchie is believed to have £30m in assets. The couple are also reported to have agreed to share custody of their two boys, Rocco, eight, and three-year-old adopted David Banda, while Madonna's daughter from an earlier relationship, 12-year-old Lourdes, will stay with her. Madonna is currently in the US playing dates on her Sticky & Sweet tour.
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Michael Jackson to appear in UK court

Singer Michael Jackson is to give evidence at London's High Court to counter allegations that he breached a music contract with an Arab sheikh. The star is due to appear in court next week after his lawyer announced that he had been cleared by his medical advisers to travel from the US. Mr Jackson, 50, is expected to arrive in the UK over the weekend and will give evidence on Monday afternoon. An application for him to appear via video link was withdrawn.

"He has been cleared by his medical advisers to travel in two days' time," said the pop star's barrister, Robert Englehart QC. The King of Bahrain's second son, Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, claims Mr Jackson reneged on a music deal. He is suing the performer for £4.7 million, claiming that under their agreement, an album, stage play and candid autobiography were to be produced. The Bahraini royal gave evidence on Thursday, and agreed under questioning that Mr Jackson is an "emotionally vulnerable" person. But he added that he was a "delightful" person and always "with it".

"I regarded him in the same way as other businessmen. He is a person who is very switched on, a fantastic businessman and fantastic intellectual," Sheikh Abdulla said. He confirmed to the court that he sent Mr Jackson $350,000 (£236,210) and then $1 million (£675,000) during the singer's child abuse trial in 2005.

But he denied the payments were gifts, and told the court they "were sent to help Michael, and many times he confirmed to me he would pay me back". The pop star was invited to Bahrain after his acquittal by the Sheikh, and stayed in the Gulf state for six months. The court has already heard that the sheikh planned to revive Mr Jackson's career with songs he had written himself. Mr Jackson has rejected the allegations, saying there was no valid agreement and that the case was based on "mistake, misrepresentation and undue influence". He added that no project was ever finalised, and any payments he received from the sheikh were "gifts".

Earlier this week, the court heard that Mr Jackson may be suffering from an unspecified medical condition and that "even in a best-case scenario it would be unwise to travel" to the UK to give evidence. A letter from the singer's doctor was shown to the court but not read out. At the time, Mr Jackson's lawyer added that he was awaiting the outcome of test results. The sheikh's legal team contended that the outcome of pathology tests would take no more 48 hours to be determined. The defence team's experts also said that, even if test results were positive, it would be possible for Mr Jackson to fly to London with "suitable dressings". The case is being held in London by mutual agreement of both parties.

(Image, BBC)

Fleetwood Mac album, world tour in 2009

Fleetwood Mac will be releasing a new album in 2009 and will be promoting it with a world tour. Speaking on the BBC's evening talk show The One Show on October 8th, Mick Fleetwood said that the "latter-day line-up" of Mick, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie and Stevie Nicks are in the studio now recording new material and will be taking it out on the road next year. It will be their first studio album since 2003's Say You Will, and the first tour since 2004.

Update: Tickets for the UK tour are now on sale at: www.britishconcerts.com/fleetwoodmac

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High School Musical 3 Breaks Bookings Record, UK Premiere

Screaming fans greeted the stars of High School Musical 3: Senior Year for the film's premiere in London's Leicester Square. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu were joined by dancers and basketball players on the red carpet. Hudgens said she was "amazed" by the number of fans that turned out to see the cast make their appearance. The film will be released in cinemas across the UK on 22 October. "We came here for the first premiere, so coming back and seeing how many more people came and how much of a bigger deal it is, is amazing," Hudgens told the BBC News website.

The BBC's Colin Paterson said you could "almost smell the hormones" in Leicester Square, as young fans turned out to see 20-year-old heartthrob Efron - who plays basketball player Troy Bolton in the film series. "For noise levels, this ranks up there with the screams for Johnny Depp at the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere," our correspondent said. High School Musical 3 follows the pressures of being in the final year of high school before going off to college. Fans will also get to see the two lead characters kiss for the first time in the film's series.


"I've always admired that about them, it builds up the tension and finally in High School Musical 3 it feels well deserved," said Efron on why it had taken so long for the long-awaited scene to happen. "It's about time - we're seniors, we're adults," he said. Hudgens, who stars as maths whizz and love interest Gabriella Montez, added: "It just shows their respect for each other - it's a really sweet and innocent love that doesn't need everything else." The film also introduces British teen actress Jemma McKenzie-Brown as a new character, Tiara Gold. "I had a fantastic time - they welcomed me into the cast right away," the 13-year-old told the BBC News website.

Co-stars Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu both said they were sad to see the end of their High School Musical journey. "It's hard because we love working together and this project is the last chapter for us, but I'm excited to see what the future holds," Tisdale said. Bleu added: "It was sad to move away from the halls of East High but it's good to be able to graduate and move on to some new projects." But with all the cast dodging questions on whether reports of a fourth instalment are true, director Kenny Ortega said he remained hopeful. "If these kids are still reacting this way after High School Musical 3, I think it would be fun to try to imagine how we would do it for the next generation," he said.

This is the first cinematic release for the series - the first two instalments were made-for-TV movies which were initially screened on the Disney Channel. Cinemas have already taken record advance bookings. The original TV movie took the US by storm in January 2006. It went on to become a worldwide phenomenon and its sequel shattered cable TV records last summer, with 18.6m people in the US tuning in for its premiere. The Disney franchise has spawned a top-selling soundtrack album and a 40-date tour of the US, not to mention countless school productions.

Robbie Williams: New Album Out In 2009

Robbie Williams' 'album strike' is over, according to his manager.

In January, Tim Clark said the singer wouldn't deliver a new record to EMI because he wasn't happy with the company's new owners. But he's now told Newsbeat that Robbie is hard at work on a new album and is hopeful it could be released in 2009. He said: "I would certainly hope that a new album will be coming next year. There are never any guarantees but that's what we would hope."

Earlier this year, Tim Clarke was quoted as saying "we have no idea how EMI will market and promote the album". Many people took that to mean that Robbie Williams was on strike. But Tim Clark says the singer hasn't stepped back from music and is gearing up for a new album.

He said: "He's been writing and we heard some wonderful stuff. "I was with Robbie last week. He was at home and he was writing songs and he played some of them to us." Tim says Robbie is on good form. "He's in very fine spirits, in very fine form and I think what he's doing sounds really wonderful," he said.

As for the subject of the album, there have been claims Robbie Williams was working on an alien-themed record due to an interest in UFOs. But Tim Clark says that's rubbish. He said: "It's been pretty much exaggerated in the press, as if that is anything new."
- Frances Cronin, BBC

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Rick Astley up for Best Act Ever at MTV Awards !

Eighties pop icon Rick Astley is no doubt as surprised as the rest of us to discover he's been nominated for Best Act Ever at the MTV Europe Music Awards. The 42-year-old singer hasn't bothered the UK charts in nearly 20 years, and yet this year's Rick-rolling phenomenon appears to be enough to clinch him a place alongside fellow nominees Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and U2. Astley enjoyed a belated return to the limelight when a viral campaign deliberately misdirecting people to one of his music videos made national headlines.

The show's producer Richard Godfrey told the BBC: "Rick's fans have obviously decided that he deserves recognition as a pop icon and no doubt they are determined to make sure he wins on the night."

Astley has never been nominated for an MTV award before and fans will vote online to choose this year's Best Act Ever. But whether tricking millions of internet users into viewing his 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up will equate to actual votes remains to be seen.

The winner will be revealed when the show airs on November 6.

Kylie Win x 2 at Digital Music Awards

Kylie Minogue scooped two gongs at this year's BT Digital Music Awards, which took place at the Roundhouse in London. Minogue was awarded best pop artist and best innovation for the Kylie Konnect site, which allows her fans to create their own profiles on it. Radiohead were crowned artists of the year and Coldplay won best rock/indie artist and best official music website. A panel of experts chose seven award winners while the public voted online for the remaining 13 prizes.

'Cutting-edge' The Sugababes and British Sea Power performed. Last year Radiohead invited fans to decide how much they wanted to pay to download their new album. And Coldplay launched their single Violet Hill on their website as a free download for six hours before it was available anywhere else.

"The music industry is continuing to evolve, with artists and record companies seeking new ways to communicate with fans digitally," said BT's Matthew Dearden. "The BT Digital Music Awards recognises the artists and those in the industry, both established and up and coming, who are delivering the best in cutting-edge digital music entertainment."

Hadouken! scooped best electronic artist and DJ and Wiley was named best urban artist after for his single Wearing my Rolex. Other winners included The Zutons for best video podcast and Vampire Weekend for best breakthrough artist. The show will be broadcast on ITV2 on Saturday and will be presented by Fearne Cotton and Rufus Hound.

George Clooney For ER Return ?

The producers of ER are "optimistic" about persuading George Clooney to appear in the hospital drama's final season, according to reports. "We have a really good storyline for every character from the past," said executive producer David Zabel in an interview with US magazine TV Guide. Former cast members Anthony Edwards and Noah Wyle have agreed to return for the long-running show's last series. Clooney's spokesman, though, reiterated earlier denials of an ER comeback. "He is on record as saying he is not coming back," said Stan Rosenfield. "It is something he has already done."

Set in the emergency room of the fictional Chicago-based County General Hospital, ER was the top-rated drama on US television for several years. The series will end with a two-hour finale in May 2009, preceded by a one-hour retrospective. Edwards - whose character, Dr Mark Greene, died in 2002 - will appear in flashback form in an episode called Heal Thyself. Wyle, meanwhile, is due to appear in four episodes as Dr John Carter. Clooney, who shot to fame as Dr Doug Ross, left the show in 1999 but made a surprise cameo the following year. According to his publicist, however, the 47-year-old actor is now "busy making movies".

Britney Spears dominates MTV Awards

Troubled singer Britney Spears swept the board at the MTV Video Music Awards show in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old, whose performance at last year's show was widely panned, won best video, best pop video and best female video for Piece Of Me.

Full list of winners:
Best video: Britney Spears, Piece of Me
Best pop video: Britney Spears, Piece of Me
Best female video: Britney Spears, Piece of Me
Best male video: Chris Brown, With You
Best rock video: Linkin Park, Shadow of the Day
Best hip-hop video: Lil Wayne, Lollipop
Best dancing: Pussycat Dolls (pictured), When I Grow Up
Best new artist: Tokio Hotel

Spears, who did not sing at the event, thanked "God first and foremost for just blessing me like this". The show was hosted by British comic Russell Brand and featured performances by Kanye West and Christina Aguilera. Rihanna, Kid Rock and the Jonas Brothers also performed at the event, which took place on Sunday evening at the Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

Spears has suffered a year of health problems and legal difficulties which saw her lose custody of her children, while her father James has taken legal control of her affairs. Brand, who has appeared with Spears in advertisements for the show - along with an elephant in the room - praised his co-star in an interview with the BBC's Peter Bowes. "She seems ever so sweet, but some people have been ever so battered by fame," the 33-year-old said.

"She's been kicked in all directions by the media. She's a little bruised, but she's a very sweet, lovely person." Spears' video for Piece of Me beat Chris Brown's Forever, Burnin' Up by the Jonas Brothers, When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls and The Ting Tings' Shut Up And Let Me Go to the coveted prize. She had been nominated 16 times before but never won. Brand said the night marked the "launch of a very new Britney Spears era".

"Consider this the resurrection of Britney Spears," he said. "If there was a female Christ, it's Britney." During his innuendo-laden opening monologue, Brand discussed the upcoming US presidential election.

"Some people, I think they're called racists, say America is not ready for a black president," he said. "But I know America to be a forward-thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retarded cowboy fella be president for eight years. We were very impressed. we thought it was nice of you to let him have a go, because, in England, he wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors."

Kanye West closed the show with a performance, after having fallen out with MTV following last year's ceremony. He had threatened to boycott the awards after losing out in all five categories he was nominated for, while in 2006 he publicly complained about not winning best video at the MTV Europe awards. Last year's big winners were Justin Timberlake with four awards, including top male artist, and R&B star Rihanna, who won video of the year for Umbrella.

Ghostbusters 3 on the way ?

Two writers from the US version of The Office have been recruited to write a third instalment of Ghostbusters, according to trade newspaper Variety. Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky's hiring is seen as a sure sign the long-mooted comedy will finally be made. Ghostbusters and its 1989 sequel saw Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as bumbling scientists who rid New York of paranormal threats. It is hoped the new film will reunite the original cast.

Columbia Pictures has declined to comment on whether a third Ghostbusters was in development, Variety reported. But director John Landis, who worked with Aykroyd on The Blues Brothers and Trading Places, has said the film would definitely be made.

"I'm not involved but I know it's happening," he told the BBC News website at the Venice Film Festival. Eisenberg and Stupnitsky recently collaborated with Ramis on the script for his new film Year One. Last year the original Ghostbusters cast signed up to lend their faces and voices to a computer game based on the hit film series.

The game's storyline was being written by stars Aykroyd (Ray Stanz) and Harold Ramis (Egon Spengler), who also scripted the first two films. But the game's future was thrown into doubt when publisher Activision announced it would not be releasing the finished product. Developers Vivendi insisted the game had not been cancelled, and that it would be published by another company.

Lindsay Lohan: Dad's a bully

Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan has lashed out at her father calling him a "public embarrassment" and a "bully" on her MySpace blog. The star was responding to an interview with her father Michael, in which he said that he thought Lohan's girlfriend Samantha Ronson was "using" her. "His recent attack on my life and my loved ones is simply for an addiction that he has - fame," the actress said. The Mean Girls star and her father have been estranged for many years.

Lohan said she had tried to make things work in the hope "of having a father again" and "wanting things to change". But the 22-year-old added: "Having said that, the people were right and he is yet to change. This time, without his daughter by his side he has become a public embarrassment and a bully to my family, my co-workers, my friends and a girl that means the world to me."

Lohan, who recently filmed a guest role in US sitcom Ugly Betty, added: "If you have something to say to me, say it to my face. That's what I have believed my whole life. Don't be a coward and say it to others first - let alone all the media in the world." The star, who started dating producer Mark Ronson's sister after she came out of rehab, said she did not understand why her father was commenting on her private life.

"If he really cared about me and my life, then he would learn to respect my wishes by staying out of it. Samantha has not and would never sell me out. Nor has my mother, who is wonderful."

In a separate MySpace post on her own page, Ronson said she was angry when she heard what had been said about her. "I really don't want to say anything because I feel like he wins. He, being the man who is so desperate for attention that he goes to the media whenever possible. I feel no need to publicly defend my role in Lindsay's life. I'm just sorry that she likes me more than him."

Bernie Mac Laid To Rest

Film star Samuel L Jackson was among thousands of mourners who gathered in Chicago for the funeral of US comedian Bernie Mac. Jackson, who recently made the movie Soul Men with Mac, said he "was always that kid from Chicago who wanted to make everybody laugh". The service was held at the vast House of Hope church on the city's South Side where Mac grew up. Mac died aged 50 last week from complications caused by pneumonia.

Jackson, who spoke at the church, added that he was aware the comedian was "having some health issues, but always said to me every morning that he was good. He never turned down that kid for an autograph," added the actor.

Chicago mayor Richard Daley also paid tribute to Mac's local roots, saying "he never lost his soul in Chicago", adding that he recently asked how he could help fight crime in the city. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was among those whose letter of condolence was read out at the service.

Some of Mac's comedy routines were played on large video screens at the church, with any colourful language bleeped out. Many local people turned out to pay their respects, which halted traffic for several blocks in the area. Mac starred in his own television show and a number of Hollywood films, including the Ocean's Eleven series after performing for years on the stand-up comedy circuit.

The Banana Splits are back! Groovy!

Children's TV classic The Banana Splits is getting a modern makeover. Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper and Snorky are to star in new comedy shorts and music videos on the Cartoon Network in the US, and its website, from September.

A series of DVDs, live concerts, music CDs, and online games from the anarchic crew are expected to follow. "Everything that made The Banana Splits popular in the '60s is back, including the group's terrific humour and music," said Jordan Sollitto, of Warner Bros. "We take great pride in having carefully updated the look and feel of the original show for today's kids while retaining all of the elements that made the original Banana Splits such a hit."

The Banana Splits came onto the scene in 1968 as hosts of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, a show created by Hanna-Barbera that featured comedy and music videos. They are a costumed rock band made up of Fleegle (a dog), Drooper (a lion), Bingo (a gorilla) and Snorky (an elephant) who hang out in their Banana Pad while playing music and telling jokes. The show's theme song, The Tra La La Song, quickly became a classic.

The new shorts share the same "groovy" look of the original TV series. "The Banana Splits is a classic that has been entertaining kids for years," said Stuart Snyder, president of Turner Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media. "We're thrilled to have this new version on Cartoon Network for our kids to enjoy today."

Ellen DeGeneres Weds in LA

US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has married her long-time partner, actress Portia de Rossi, according to the Associated Press news agency. DeGeneres' publicist confirmed reports that the couple tied the knot at their Beverly Hills home on Saturday. The presenter, 50, and De Rossi, 35, exchanged handwritten vows in a private ceremony attended by 19 guests, reported People and US magazine. The couple have been dating since December 2004. DeGeneres announced plans to wed on her talk show in May after the California Supreme Court overturned a state ban on same-sex marriage. A month later, while picking up her fourth consecutive Daytime Emmy, she said she would show "a tiny bit" of the ceremony on her daytime show.

The pair both wore clothes by designer Zac Posen and exchanged rings by Neil Lane, People reported. US Magazine said De Rossi wore a backless, light pink dress, while DeGeneres dressed in trousers, button-up shirt and vest - all in white. "They were hugging and kissing, and looked ecstatic," a witness told the magazine.

Both DeGeneres' mother and De Rossi's mother, who flew in from Australia, attended the ceremony. DeGeneres made broadcast history in 1997 when her TV alter ego came out of the closet on her self-titled sitcom Ellen, becoming the first openly gay lead
character on US prime-time network television. The presenter came out herself in the same year, and was in a relationship with actress Anne Heche until 2000.

New Harry Potter movie release put back

The release date for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been pushed back by eight months, to July 2009. The sixth instalment of the teenage wizard's adventures was supposed to have its Royal premiere on 17 November.

Alan Horn, president of studio Warner Bros, said the decision was taken to guarantee the studio a major summer blockbuster in 2009. He also blamed the Hollywood writers' strike, which hit the film industry hard earlier this year. Mr Horn said the strike, which ended in February, had "impacted the readiness of scripts for other films." He said: "The picture is completely, absolutely, 100% on schedule, on time. There were no delays. I've seen the movie. It is fabulous. We would have been perfectly able to have it out in November." The move will mean a two-year delay between the film adaptations of books five and six in JK Rowling's fantasy series. But it will shorten fans' wait between Half-Blood Prince and the final two instalments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which are being shot simultaneously next year.

It is thought actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson - who is celebrating getting straight As in her A Levels in English literature, geography and art - will reprise their roles. The release date for part one is tentatively set for November 2010. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince had been chosen for this year's Royal Film Performance, on 17 November.

Last year's performance was cancelled amid controversy about the chosen movie, Brick Lane. It was the first time the annual gala - held in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF) - had been scrapped since 1958. CTBF chief executive Peter Hore told BBC News he was "very disappointed" with the decision to shelve the Potter premiere. But he was hopeful a Royal premiere would still go ahead this year. He said: "The Royal Film Performance has been around for a long time and has a tradition of showcasing the best films. We are confident we will be able to do that again this year." Mr Hore added that he expected to make an announcement shortly.

U2 Warn Fans Over Fake Concert Tickets

Irish rock band U2 have warned fans that concert tickets currently being advertised for sale are not real, as they have not confirmed any live shows. The group said reports claiming they are performing soon were "mistaken".

"There are no tour dates for the band at the moment, so please don't buy tickets for U2 shows you see advertised," they said in a statement. The group added that any future concert announcements will be made first on their official website.

Last year they denied reports that claimed they were planning a series of concerts at the O2 arena in London. The band have been working on new material since 2006, with producers including Rick Rubin, Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. A new album is expected later this year, and many online agencies are advising fans to pre-register for a predicted world tour in 2009.

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Star Wars model sells for $350,000

A miniature model space craft from the original Star Wars film has sold for $350,000 (£177,789) in an auction of iconic film memorabilia. The 18 inch-high T.I.E. fighter featured in the climactic space battle in the 1977 movie.

A hoverboard ridden by Michael J Fox in the Back to the Future films went for $55,000 (£27,938). The sale, by Hollywood auction house Profiles In History, mainly focused on visual effects and props.

Charlton Heston's stone tablets from The Ten Commandments fetched $60,000 (£30,492), while the axe used by Jack Nicholson in The Shining had a closing bid of $25,000 (£12,699). It was used to batter down a hotel door in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film adaptation of Stephen King's novel.

The Holy Grail - the Indiana Jones prop, rather than the Christian relic - was bought for $22,500 (£11,429). The auction allowed collectors to buy more than 1,000 original pieces of Hollywood history, including several superhero costumes - among them Wolverine's X-Men jacket and Ben Affleck's Daredevil costume.

Mel Gibson's William Wallace battle costume from 1995's Braveheart was bought for $30,000 (£15,246). Other sales included the animatronic puppet from Alien 3, made from foam rubber, silicone and fibreglass, which sold for £19,000 (£9,651). A ray gun from 1956 science-fiction classic Forbidden Planet went for $40,000 (£20,328).

Martin Sheen Tops TV Actor Salary List

Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen is the highest paid US TV actor this year, according to TV Guide magazine. The actor rakes in $825,000 (£422,000) per episode, including income from his ownership rights in the show. William Petersen, who plays Gil Grissom on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, is the second highest paid, taking home $600,000 (£307,000) an episode.

Law & Order's Mariska Hargitay was the best paid woman for TV drama, earning $400,000 (£204,000) per show. "[Sheen and Petersen] are at the very top of their game and are the best at what they do," said TV Guide editor Craig Tomashoff. "You'd expect them to be at the top of the scale."

Others making the highest TV salaries list include the cast of The Simpsons, who each earn $400,000 (£204,000) per episode. American Idol judge Simon Cowell earns $50m (£26m) for one season of the talent search show, says the magazine.

Family Guy and American Dad creator Seth MacFarlane's new $100m (£51m) five-year deal with TV network Fox makes him the highest-paid writer-producer creating shows for the small screen. Oprah Winfrey tops TV Guide's list of highest paid TV celebrities, earning $385m (£197m) annually for hosting her daytime talk show.

Mary-Kate Olsen seeks immunity over Heath Ledger

Actress Mary-Kate Olsen will not speak to investigators about Heath Ledger's death unless she is granted immunity from prosecution. An official said the 22-year-old wants the assurance before speaking to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Olsen's lawyer said she has told the authorities all that she knows. She was the first person contacted by the masseuse who found Ledger's body. Ledger was found dead at his home in January after an accidental overdose.

Federal investigators want to question Olsen about how Ledger obtained two powerful painkillers that contributed to his death. Olsen's lawyer, Michael C Miller, added that she "does not know the source of the drugs Mr Ledger consumed".

According to the official - who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing - Mr Miller has twice refused requests for her to speak with them.

Investigators are in negotiations with Olsen's lawyers and the prosecutor's office, it was added. The official said that authorities had obtained a subpoena that could force Olsen to appear before a grand jury if negotiations with her lawyer fail. Other potential witnesses all have answered questions voluntarily, including doctors, Ledger's ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams, and anyone who was in his apartment around the time of his death, the official added.

DEA investigators suspect the painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone found in Ledger's system were obtained with false prescriptions. Police say the masseuse who discovered Ledger's body spent nine minutes making three calls to Olsen before dialling 911 for help, then rang the actress a fourth time after paramedics arrived.

At some point during the calls, Olsen, who was in California at the time, summoned her personal security guards to the apartment to help.

Source: BBC

Hannah Montana fake competition winner

An essay that won a six-year-old girl tickets to a Hannah Montana concert has been exposed as a fake. The essay began with the line: "My daddy died this year in Iraq".

A spokeswoman for the contest's sponsor said the girl's mother told company officials her daughter's father died in a roadside bombing in Iraq on 17 April. The spokeswoman said Priscilla Ceballos had now admitted it was not true. The sponsor, Chicago retailer Club Libby Lu, is now reviewing the matter. Club Libby Lu's chief executive Mary Drolet said the company was considering taking away the girl's tickets.

The top prize included a blonde Hannah Montana wig, airfare for four people to fly to Albany, New York and four tickets to the sold-out concert on 9 January.

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