PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

MICHAEL JACKSON’s reign as the King of Pop continues in Europe - the late superstar has scored a triple triumph at the top of the albums chart.
The appropriately-titled King of Pop CD has jumped from number five to claim the top spot, while other Jackson compilation discs The Collection and The Essential remain popular in second and third place, respectively.
Jackson’s smash hit Thriller is at number six, while seventh and eighth position on the chart are occupied by the singer’s Number Ones and The Motown Years.
Meanwhile, the European singles chart remains largely unchanged from last week (ends24Jul09) - Pitbull’s I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) sits at number one, followed by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland’s dance hit When Love Takes Over.
The only change in the chart is at number 10 - Kanye West’s protege Mr. Hudson makes his debut with Supernova.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

OPRAH WINFREY’s TV studio in Chicago, Illinois was caught up in a bomb scare on Friday morning (31Jul09) when a suspicious package was discovered outside the building.
Experts from the Chicago Bomb and Arson Unit were called to investigate a backpack, which had wires sticking out of it, that had been left unattended in a flowerbed directly outside the office of Harpo Productions at around 6am local time.
Staff at the studio, where Winfrey’s daily talk show is filmed, were not evacuated, reports TMZ.com.
Police gave the backpack the all-clear after discovering it was not a bomb, and removed the bag without incident three hours after they were called to the scene.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MICHAEL JACKSON’s concert promoters have followed through on their promise to contribute to the cost of policing the late pop superstar’s Los Angeles memorial - they’ve handed over $90,000 (£60,000) to authorities.
The Thriller hitmaker’s life was celebrated at a star-studded event at the Staples Center on 7 July (09), just days after his untimely death on 25 June (09).
Reports suggest at least $1.4 million (£934,000) was spent by the city to cover costs for the mammoth task of arranging the celebrity bash while keeping control of the legions of fans who descended on L.A. to pay their respects.
More than 3,000 police officers were deployed on to the streets to ensure the mourning crowds didn’t descend into madness.
The high expense of the memorial prompted representatives for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office to appeal for fans’ donations to contribute to the cost, while local councilman Dennis Zine called on Jackson’s family and concert promoters AEG to foot the bill.
AEG bosses promised to make a donation - and on Friday (31Jul09) the company handed over a cheque for $90,000 to the L.A. Police Foundation.
The cash will go towards building a memorial for cops killed in the line of duty at the downtown L.A. police headquarters.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

KATIE HOLMES has shot down rumours she’s been offered a role in the upcoming SEX AND THE CITY movie sequel.
The Hollywood star was alleged to be the favourite to land a part as a feisty businesswoman rivalling Kim Cattrall’s maneating character Samantha Jones in a follow-up to the 2008 box office smash.
An insider told Britain’s The Sun newspaper, "The character they want her to play is a really ballsy, high-powered company executive who tangles with Samantha." But Holmes’ representatives are baffled by the reports, insisting there is "no truth" to the claims, according to GossipCop.com.
The Sex and the City movie sequel is expected to begin shooting in late August (09)/early September (09).

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Rockers KINGS OF LEON shut down New York City’s Rockefeller Center on Friday (31Jul09) after thousands of fans turned out to welcome the band back to America.
The Sex on Fire hitmakers, from Nashville, Tennessee, took more time to build a fanbase in their native U.S. after enjoying massive success in the U.K. and abroad.
On their return from Europe, organisers of breakfast programme the Today Show informed the musicians more than 20,000 fan pass requests had been made for the free performance - a new record for the ongoing summer concert series.
And frontman Caleb Followill admits the rockers are happy to return stateside: "We’ve been touring for well over a year now. It feels like we never get off tour. We’re coming to the point where we finally can get to play and spend more time in America. It’s a little easier to travel around home."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Rockers from British bands THE VERVE and GOLDFRAPP have joined forces to form a new music group.
The Verve’s Nick McCabe and Simon Jones are rocking out with Goldfrapp violinist Davide Rossi after forming The Black Ships.
The musicians have recorded their first track, Black Ships On Auto, which is available for download via social networking website Myspace.com.
Rossi writes on the site’s blog, "After The Verve finished touring in August 2008, it was decided that something new should emerge… That took shape in November 2008 in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the band met for the first time to play and record new material straight away.
"It was then that Nick brought with him long time friend and collaborator Mig Schillace, to complete the rhythmic section and with it the core line-up of the band.
"Since then the boys have been and are still working on it! It’s a slow process, which needs the care and time that it needs, but music fans out there should expect some teasers real soon!" The band has yet to announce a schedule of live performances or recording plans.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

The future of the PUSSYCAT DOLLS has been thrown into doubt after singer ASHLEY ROBERTS reportedly sobbed to fans about the group’s break up.
The Don’t Cha hitmakers have long been dogged by rumours of tension between the members after their last two singles were released under the name The Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger.
The reports were further fuelled when bandmember Melody Thornton publicly criticised Scherzinger onstage at a gig in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year (09), while other members have also spoken out about feeling sidelined by their record label.
Now Roberts is alleged to have confirmed the band is no more - according to Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, the star broke down in front of fans during her recent trip to London and revealed all about the split.
She reportedly sobbed, "This is the last time we’ll be in the U.K. as a band. We’ve broken up. We’re sorry." But representatives have added to the confusion by dismissing Roberts’ comments, insisting the Pussycat Dolls are still going strong.
A spokesperson says, "The girls are still together. They are in Beirut for a gig."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actor JAMES SPADER found himself in a panic during a recent doctor’s appointment when he realised the paparazzi had trapped him inside the same building as a patient with swine flu.
The Secretary star checked himself into a Los Angeles clinic after suffering for weeks with his own cold-like symptoms.
Spader refused to wait for a doctor after discovering he was a few paces away from a man with the deadly disease - but his exit plan was thwarted when snappers pounced on him as soon as he stepped outside the building.
He explains, "I’m a bit phobic… I told him (the doctor), ‘You should be shutting down the whole street!’ So I go out, I flee the building, I’m standing outside and there are the paparazzi snapping photos and video. I can’t go anywhere, there’s no car, so I’m faced with that dilemma: the paparazzi or go back in the building with the swine flu. I went back in the building."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actor SHIA LABEOUF showed his generosity at a recent charity bash in Los Angeles when he wrote out a cheque for $10,000 (£6,665).
The Transformers star was a big spender at the Riders for Health auction on 11 July (09) when he placed bids on items including a $3,000 (£2,000) hand-painted racing jacket and a $2,500 (£1,665) helmet.
Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the international non-profit, which provides health-care to rural African villages using motorcycles.
A source tells America’s Star magazine, "He was the talk of that party!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

TWILIGHT actress RACHELLE LEFEVRE is preparing to take movie bosses to court in a dispute over pay following her dismissal from the vampire film franchise.
The redhead, who plays villainous vampire Victoria in the box office smash and its upcoming sequel New Moon, was left "stunned" and "deeply hurt" when studio executives at Summit Entertainment announced she was being replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard for the third film, Eclipse.
Producers claimed Lefevre failed to tell them in advance that she had signed up to star in independent movie Barney’s Version and that shooting on the project would overlap with production on Eclipse.
Explaining their decision earlier this week (29Jul09), they said, "Ms. Lefevre took a role in the other film that places her in Europe during the required rehearsal time, and at least ten days of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’s principal photography. This period is essential for both rehearsal time with the cast, and for filming at key locations that are only available during the initial part of production." Now the fall out is about to turn ugly - Lefevre has called in her lawyers to secure the salary she was due to receive for the third installment of the Twilight films, citing breach of contract.
She alleges her agreement with Summit Entertainment allows her to pursue small independent films while still being involved in the vampire franchise.
One source tells Eonline’s Marc Malkin, "Rachelle’s contract says she’s allowed to do smaller projects like Barney’s Version." But studio bosses are claiming otherwise and insist Lefevre is owed nothing.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

PENELOPE CRUZ was left shame-faced as she walked down the red carpet in a scarlet suit - but blamed losing her luggage on a flight to London for the fashion faux pas.
The Spanish beauty jetted in to the British capital from Madrid to attend a glamorous event at the city’s Somerset House with her Broken Embraces director, Pedro Almodovar.
Instead of donning a full-length gown for the glitzy bash, Cruz was forced to pull on a red suit she kept in her hand luggage - after the airline she was travelling with misplaced her bags.
But she wasn’t fazed by blending in with the garish red carpet, and seemed more concerned with the unpredictable English weather.
She told reporters at the event, "I looked up at the sky and said, ‘Don’t you rain on me - I’m Penelope Cruz!’" However, filmmaker Almodovar was sure a conspiracy was at work - he is convinced an avid fan is behind Cruz’s missing possessions.
He tells Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, "’I think it’s a plot. I think someone take it (sic). They bring it with him or her to home (sic). I think it was stolen for a fetishist."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

KANYE WEST sent concertgoers in New York into a screaming frenzy on Thursday night (30Jul09) when he joined CLIPSE for a surprise collaboration.
The Grindin’ hitmakers hit the stage at Webster Hall as part of the line-up on the Diesel:U:Music tour and they stunned fans by bringing West out to join them for their track Kinda Like A Big Deal.
The crowd was given another treat later on in the night when headliners The Roots formed an unlikely collaboration with Swedish star Lykke Li.
The Grammy-winning group was heavily rumoured to be teaming up with Jay-Z for the exclusive show - but the rap superstar was nowhere in sight and instead, The Roots played a unique set with the Swedish pop/rock singer.
Rising rapper Drake, who was billed for the event, was another no-show - he had to pull out of the concert after failing to recover in time from a knee injury.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Concert promoters in Germany are taking legal action against 50 CENT’s booking agents amid allegations they were charged $125,000 (£83,330) for a show that never materialised.
Bosses at Major Movez claim they handed over the negotiation fee to agency executives at William Morris Endeavor as they tried to organise a summer (09) gig in Graz, Austria for the rapper.
But a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court earlier this week (begs27Jul09) states when the deal fell through, the agents failed to refund the cash to Major Movez as agreed, according to TMZ.com.
The owners of the German company are seeking compensation for breach of contract.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

KELLY CLARKSON bowed down to her record bosses on Friday (31Jul09) - after performing the new single she’s dubbed a "rip off" of BEYONCE’s hit HALO at a free show in New York.
Clarkson claims songwriter/producer Ryan Tedder sent her the ballad Already Gone without telling her he’d already offered the melody to Beyonce.
Sony Music executives ignored Clarkson’s pleas not to release the track because it sounded too much like Beyonce’s Halo - prompting her to publicly criticise Tedder and her bosses at the label.
But the Since U Been Gone singer has consented to promote the tune, which she performed at a free concert on U.S. TV show Good Morning America, drawing thousands of fans to New York City’s Central Park.
The singer explained earlier this week (begs27Jul09), "In the end, they’re releasing it without my consent. It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over. I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a s**tty situation, but… you know, you learn."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

The two Ohio police officers accused of plotting to break into the home of SARAH JESSICA PARKER’s surrogate have pleaded not guilty to a string of burglary charges.
The actress and her husband Matthew Broderick, who welcomed twin girls via a surrogate mum on 23 June (09), have been swept up in the ongoing investigation surrounding an alleged tabloid scam to dig up dirt on the woman who carried their babies.
Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter and Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack were arrested in Ohio on Wednesday (29Jul09).
Carpenter was charged with two counts of burglary, receiving stolen property, theft in office, tampering with evidence, and unauthorised use of property or services. Dojack was booked on two counts of complicity to burglary and one of complicity to receiving stolen property.
A third man, identified as Bruce Callarik, the son of Bridgeport’s mayor John Callarick, was also arrested in connection with the case - he is facing one allegation of complicity to receiving stolen property.
The three suspects appeared at an Ohio court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to all counts, reports TMZ.com.
If convicted on the burglary charges, the police chiefs face eight years behind bars.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Pop singer CHRISTINA AGUILERA has devised a new way to hide from the paparazzi - she’s set up a recording studio in her own home.
The Genie in a Bottle hitmaker has been stalked by photographers since her career took off, and she first installed the booth so she could complete tracks for her newest album at any hour.
Now she has discovered another advantage to working from home in Los Angeles - celebrity snappers have very few opportunities to target her.
Aguilera says, "We moved into our new house about a year ago but since I started working on the record, I have a studio in the backyard… and it just has been so perfect for me to just wake up in the morning, put on my flip-flops and sweat pants, and just go back in the studio and pretty much get into my creative cave and zone out that way, so it’s been really convenient.
"So the paparazzi have probably been upset with me. I know they told my husband - they’re like, "Is she ever going to leave the house?"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Former HOLE rocker MELISSA AUF DER MAUR has thrown COURTNEY LOVE’s plans to reform the band into doubt - insisting there will be no reunion.
Love recently announced she wants to release new material as Hole, the group she co-founded with Eric Erlandson in 1989.
But the news came as a shock to the guitarist, who claimed Love would have to go through him if she wanted to use the Hole name - because she signed away her rights to the band in 2002.
Love hit back, insisting the group belongs to her - but bass player Auf der Maur has finally put the rumours of a reunion to rest.
She tells NME.Com, "My loyalty to the legacy of Hole is eternal. But there is no reunion mapped out at this point. I liked the idea of singing with her again, so I said yes, but no singing has happened and I am not aware of any plans for it. I have nothing to do with, and know nothing about, the legal beagle name game." Auf Der Maur admits she is back in contact with Love, but is adamant it is only as friends.
She adds, "It is true that Courtney and I have been in touch for the first time in a decade, in the context of female humans with significant history of sisterhood. We both love music and magic and are reconnecting because it’s been too long."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

PORKY’S actor-turned-bartender ROGER WILSON has gotten a career boost after nearly giving up on the movies - restaurant bosses sent him back to Hollywood after discovering they hired a celebrity.
The star has struggled to land another role in a film equally as successful as his 1980s flicks and recently began serving up drinks at Chinese restaurant Philippe East Hampton.
Restaurant owners were stunned when patrons began to recognise the star, and decided to promote him to a position at their Los Angeles branch, where he’ll mingle with more A-listers.
Owner Stratis Morfogen tells the New York Post, "The story I heard was, he was a struggling musician trying to make it. But then every A-list patron who walked in the door knew him… we spoke in detail about his past - amazing guy and amazing story. Now I’ve decided to bump Roger up to manager in our new Philippe location in Los Angeles opening this September (09). He is so happy to go back to Hollywood… I knew none of this."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)