Pop Stand

Morning Links: Britney Spears not up to trial

Britney Spears may be continuing work on a new album and a planned world tour, but she's not interested in her ongoing court case related to her driver's license. Last year, Spears was charged with driving without a valid California driver's license, although it was later determined that she had an old Louisiana license.

The case is a couple of weeks from trial, but Spears' lawyer is attempting to delay it further, using the conservatorship she is under as an excuse. In court papers filed yesterday, her lawyer said that "The Probate Court has found that [Spears] lacks the capacity to retain counsel, as a result, [Spears] is currently unable to participate meaningfully in this matter."

Janet Jackson became sick during a sound check prior to a concert in Montreal yesterday and was rushed to the hospital. No other information is available about the singer's condition or treatment.

Actress Joely Fisher has adopted a baby girl with husband Christopher Duddy. Olivia Luna Fisher-Duddy joins 4 other siblings in the Fisher-Duddy clan.

The woman that owns the name Rin Tin Tin is suing over a movie called "Finding Rin Tin Tin," which tells the story of the original German Shepherd discovered by American pilot Lee Duncan in France during World War I, and later became one of Hollywood's biggest animal stars.

Poor Ed McMahon is in deep financial crisis already, but now it is getting worse. The estate of Merv Grffin is suing the former Tonight Show announcer for a unpaid loan. The case revolves around a 2005 loan made by Merv Griffin to McMahon in the amount of $100,000. McMahon is said to have never repaid a single dime, and now the estate is suing for repayment.

It's now official, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have confirmed that they will be the Super Bowl half-time show during the Feb 1, 2009 game, which has recently seen such legendary acts as Prince, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and Paul McCartney.

Photos of Heather Locklear's DUI arrest have been leaked and can be seen over at TMZ.

-- Dave Valenzuela

Morning Links: Heather Locklear faces DUI charge

Heather Locklear, who was hospitalized two months ago for treatment of anxiety and depression, was arrested on suspicion of DUI over the weekend in Santa Barbara County. A witness spotted her driving erratically while leaving a parking lot and later stopped on a highway. Her mug shot shows a somber Locklear with running mascara, and TMZ.com reports that police suspect she may have been incapacitated by prescription medication.

Scarlett Johnansson and Ryan Reynolds married over the weekend at "a remote wilderness resort" near Vancouver, according to Reynolds' spokesman. The two, who announced in May they were engaged, started dating after Reynolds ended his relationship with Alanis Morissette.

Paul Newman is being mourned by Robert Redford, who said his grief was "beyond words," among his fans, among fellow car-racers and also in his hometown of Westport, Conn., where he is remembered as being just "a regular guy." People.com posted a photo retrospective of "the man behind the famous baby blues," who died Friday after a long battle with cancer.

Ellen De Generes, who has recorded a series of phone messages that can be left for women in October to remind them to get mammograms, says her marriage to Portia de Rossi makes her feel "really romantic and lovely."

After months of meetings, Heath Ledger's entire estate of some $20 million has been given to his daughter, Matilda Rose, says Ledger's father Kim. An outdated will of Ledger's left his money to his parents and sisters, but, said Kim Ledger, "There is no claim. Our family has gifted everything to Matilda."

Amy Winehouse is accused of punching a dancer and trying to headbutt a photographer in separate incidents at last week's End of Summer Ball in London. During the event, in which she had her 12-year-old goddaughter sing for her, Winehouse also said, "I'm a mess" and was photographed with a white substance in her nose that night. Police say they plan to question Winehouse about the allegations.

Rolling Stone Ron Wood's long-suffering wife, Jo, may have given up on their 23-year marriage and is said to have called a divorce lawyer. Jo is upset over her husband's continued involvement with a 20-year-old Russian who was formerly a bar hostess.

-- Anne Neville

Listen to and vote on David Cook's single: "Light On"

David Cook has completed "Light On," the first single off his as-yet-unnamed album that will drop on Nov. 18. The song, which has been called everything from a "straight-up-the-middle midtempo rocker" to a "full-on, cellphone waving, arena rock schmaltz." The song has an interesting background -- it was co-written by Chris Cornell of Soundlab and Hinder/Puddle of Mudd collaborator Brian Howes. Produced by Rob Cavallo, who has worked with Green Day and Kid Rock, it will be sold on iTunes starting next Tuesday. But you can hear it now:

Some have said that the theme of devotion and separation is particularly poignant for those whose loved ones are serving in the military. Listen to it and tell us what you think!

-- Anne Neville

Morning Links: Shia LaBeouf off DUI hook

"Indiana Jones" and "Transformers" actor Shia LaBeouf will not face DUI charges after the July 27 car crash in which he injured his hand and was hospitalized for more than a week. After the crash, deputies said he was not at fault and that the other driver ran a red light. Deputies say two other people will be charged but would not say who they are. Presumably the other driver and ...?

Jaymes Foster, the mother of Clay Aiken's baby, says her pal is a great dad and she supports his decision to reveal that he's gay. "I love him and I'll support him in any choice that he makes, whether as an entertainer, as a father, human being, of course I support him." She also says, "We love each other dearly and deeply as friends, but I think as parents now, there's an even greater bond, certainly for me."

"Indiana Jones" and "Transformers" actor Shia LaBeouf will not face DUI charges after the July 27 car crash in which he injured his hand, TMZ.com is reporting. After the crash, deputies said he was not at fault and that the other driver ran a red light.

Hayden Panettiere's father, Alan, has been charged with misdemeanor battery after an incident in which Hayden's mother, Lesley, was assaulted in the couple's West Hollywood home.

Lindsay Lohan and her girlfriend Samantha Ronson looked happy enough at Disneyland, amid reports in the tabloids that LiLo is back in trouble -- using drugs, binge-drinking alcohol and cutting her own arms.

Britney Spears donned a wig and red lipstick to portray a waitress in the video she's making for her single "Womanizer." TMZ says that with her black bob wig, she looks like Suri Cruise -- not to mention mom Katie Holmes when she had the same hairstyle. The MailOnline of London suggests she looks more like Kelly Osbourne.

On the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Kid Rock used this explanation for why he no longer travels in the same circles as ex-wife Pam Anderson. "I touched stove, stove was hot, I think I not touch stove anymore." He also said that while he'd speak to her if they ran into each other, the two are "not really" friends. They were married for four months in 2006.

Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie are still friendly -- this, according to Billy Bob. They married in 2000, split in 2003, and he says she's one of his best friends. This is being cited as more evidence that Brangelina is on the rocks.

The MailOnline says that Jennifer Aniston is "longing for a reconciliation" with summer love John Mayer, and the two talk daily by phone.

Morning Links: Reaction to Clay Aiken 'gay' confession

Former American Idol contestants are chiming in about Clay Aiken's confession that he is gay. People.com talks with Rickey Smith, Carmen Rasmusen and Vanessa Olivarez about Aiken's admission. "This news does not change my opinion of him or my friendship with him," said Rasmusen. Olivarez quips:  "I have good gaydar – Claydar! – and it definitely wasn't the shocker of the year!"

Fans at Aiken's official web site have been supportive of the artist's confession.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell cracked to Extra, "Wow, that's a shock. It's like being told Santa Claus isn't real — unbelievable." Cowell then said with sincerity, "Good for him ... it's the right thing for him. I don't think anyone cares. Let's face it. It's 2008."

Nicole Kidman tells Australian Women's Weekly that there must be something in the water in Australia. Or more specifically, the waters in Kununurra. Kidman tells the mag that six women who swam with her in the waterfalls while filming the movie "Australia" all became pregnant soon afterward. "I never thought that I would get pregnant and give birth to a child, but it happened on this movie," Kidman said. "There is something up there in the Kununurra water, because we all went swimming in the waterfalls, so we can call it the fertility waters now."

Former Bachelorette Jen Schefft is headed down the aisle. Schefft was not lucky in love on The Bachelor as a contestant, nor the spin-off Bachelorette, where she was the object of desire. But a blind date was all it took. Schefft will marry boyfriend Joe Waterman someime in 2009, at a ceremony in Chicago.

Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler is suing a blogger he says has been impersonating him and his girlfriend since 2007 on two different blogs. The lawsuit, on TMZ's site, says that the blogger has posted "pictures ... intimate details about [his] private life, including [Tyler's] relationship with his girlfriend, his children and his mother."

Britney Spears' 7,500 square foot Italian Renaissance-style villa is fresh on the housing market. Spears is asking $7.9 million for the home where she was wheeled out on a gurney in January of this year. The home has 6 bedrooms, 6 1/2 baths, a pool and library, among other amenities.

Nick Hogan, the son of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, will be released 3 months early from prison. Hogan was serving an 8-month sentence for felony reckless driving, which severely injured his passenger John Graziano. TMZ says Oct. 21st is the day Hogan will be released, ahead of schedule, for good behavior.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nine finalists eligible for the 2009 Class, to be inducted in 2009. The list includes: Jeff Beck, Chic, Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Run-D.M.C., the Stooges, War, and Bobby Womack. Five artists will be inducted on April 4, 2009, with the announcement made in January 2009.

-- Dave Valenzuela

Morning Links: Clay Aiken: "Yes, I'm gay!"

News flash: Clay Aiken is gay. People magazine reveals the much-rumored news in an article accompanied by photos of the "American Idol" runner-up with his infant son, Parker, born to Aiken's best friend via artificial insemination. In the article, Aiken says he told his mother four years ago that he is gay and that revealing the news publicly was "the first decision I made as a father." He also says, "I cannot raise a child to lie or hide things."

Travis Barker and DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) survived the fiery crash of their Learjet in which four other people died by sliding down the wing on the side of the plane, according to a police officer who saw them minutes after the crash. "They said they were on fire," said Lt. Josh Shumpert, who added, "they tackled each other and put each other out."

Sharon Stone has lost custody of the 8-year-old boy she adopted with ex-husband Phil Bronstein, according to court papers. The judge in the case found that Roan, who lives with his father near San Francisco, has "a more structured, stable, secure and consistent home" with his dad. Stone apparently lives in another city, but the paper did not say how far away she has moved from the child's home.

In his new tell-all autobiography, actor Robert Wagner says he had an affair with Barbara Stanwyck when he was 22 and she was 45. Only close friends, including Frank Sinatra's wife and Spencer Tracy, were aware of the affair. He writes that they met on the set of "Titanic" in 1953.

Rapper DMX was supposed to appear in an Arizona court yesterday but instead turned up in a Florida emergency room, where he was being evaluated for "fear of a stroke," says TMZ. His lawyer refused to confirm that, but said DMX's condition was "serious enough at the time, but ultimately he should be OK."

Two things will be missing from the new James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace" -- Daniel Craig won't say the phrases "Bond, James Bond" and "shaken, not stirred." "It's nice to be open-minded about the Bond formula," said director Marc Forster. "You can always go back to them later on."

Dane Cook, whose landlord went to court to get him evicted because he never picked up after his dog, made a last-ditch effort to stay by filing court papers claiming he was inspired by living in the place Steve Martin and John Belushi had both called home. The judge threw out the plea and Cook finally got booted to the curb.

"The Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools are expecting their third child, due in April, and are "over the moon with the news," said his spokesman. They already have two daughters, Poppy, 6, and Daisy, 5.

-- Anne Nevile

Morning Links: Two casualties of 'Dancing With the Stars'

"Dancing With the Stars" started last night with two injuries -- comedian Jeff Ross got a finger in the eye during rehearsal from Edyta and appeared on the show wearing an eye patch, and Karina Smirnoff, partner of Rocco DiSpirito, sprained her ankle. Kim Kardashian reported "butterflies," and Lance Bass received good advice from former DWTS competitor and ex-N Sync bandmate Joey Fatone: "Don't suck, don't embarrass me."

After the weekend plane crash that injured Travis Barker and DJ AM, whose real name is Adam Goldstein, their exes have stepped up to the plate. Barker's ex-wife, Shanna Moakler, has joined him and Mandy Moore, Goldstein's ex-girlfriend, is at his bedside. Both the men are in a burn center in Augusta, about 75 miles from the crash in Columbia, S.C. The four other people on the Learjet were killed -- the pilot and co-pilot of smoke inhalation and burns, and the two other passengers, Lil' Chris Baker and Charles "Che" Still, who worked with the musicians, of impact-related injuries, says the coroner.

Disturbing police dash-camera video and audio of the burning plane has been televised. It includes screams from Travis Barker pleading for help.

Meanwhile, Barker's company has released a video as a tribute to Baker. TMZ.com has the final photo of Baker, a cell phone photo of him with the plane that would later crash.

The apparent theft of some photos of Jamie Lynn Spears, including one in which she is nursing her daughter and her breast is exposed, has prompted a criminal probe. Because of Jamie Lynn's age, anyone attempting to sell or possess such a photo could face charges. The photos, which include others of various Spears family members, were taken with the camera of baby daddy Casey Aldridge, who then took the photo card to Wal-Mart to get copies.

Denying earlier rumors that she and her dad are trying to get her out of her "Hannah Montana" contract, Miley Cyrus tells People.com that she is "fully committed" to the show. A Disney spokesman said it was "just gossip" that the teen singing phenomenon and Billy Ray Cyrus had been showing up late and arguing with people in an attempt to get fired from the show.

Courtney Love has posted a want ad for a maid -- a "non thieving non freaky housekeeper," to be specific -- on her MySpace page. (Beware, her page contains exactly the kind of language you'd expect from Courtney Love!) She also wants a "documentarist, someone to document our studios." She says the pay is good, adds, "no superfans please," and signs it "wierdo mcgee."

Heidi Klum showed off a huge bruise on her leg after Tom Bergeron dropped her on the stage as an illustration of what makes people laugh.

Former "Full House" star Jodie Sweetin and her husband Cody Herpin are shooting a new reality show about life with their new daughter Zoe, born in April, and her attempts to get back to work. Sweetin promises it will be "Kind of like a 'Tori & Dean' vibe, but we're a little more rock and roll."

-- Anne Neville

Morning Links: Following up The Emmys

There was a minor 'security breach' at the Emmys last night, when police found an aerosol rifle in the trunk of some ceremony guests. Security detained the group, and set the chauffeur carousel off by 15 minutes. Several celebrities abandoned their limos and walked the rest of the way to the red carpet, including 'Desperate Housewives' costar Eva Longoria Parker.

As for the ceremony, '30 Rock' and 'Mad Men' were the big winners, as expected. Here is Alan Pergament's recap of the ceremony and a list of the winners.

Musician Travis Barker and DJ Adam Goldstein were injured over the weekend when the private jet in which they were riding crashed in Columbia, S.C. Both Barker and Goldstein suffered severe burns as a result of the crash. Barker's burns were to his torso and lower body, while Goldstein suffered burns to his arms and head. Both are expected to make a full recovery, but the healing process could be over a year, according to the physician treating the two at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors' Hospital in Augusta, GA.

Singer George Michael was caught over the weekend in possession of drugs by the London Metrolpolitan Police. The police report says Michael was in possession of Class A and Class C drugs. Class A drugs can include 'painkillers such as oxycodone, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.' Class C drugs, meanwhile, can include 'marijuana and other cannabis-related products.'

Michael will not be charged. The police have let him off with a 'caution.'

Michael said in a release through his publicist: "I want to apologize to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them I'll sort myself out. And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them."

A Las Vegas judge dropped charges against Jerry Lewis for attempting to bring a gun on an aircraft back in July. Lewis was carrying a .22 caliber Beretta in his carry-on bag at the time of his arrest, and he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. Lewis' attorney says it was a hand-engraved keepsake from an MDA patron who presented it to the 82 entertainer last year.

TMZ says that Miley Cyrus and her father, Billy Ray, are plotting ways to be fired from the "Hannah Montana" show which made her famous. Sources tell TMZ that Cyrus is ready to move on from the Disney Channel show and focus entirely on her music career, and, as a result, is becoming a prima donna on the set, arriving late and acting unprofessional with castmates.

Natalie Cole was hospitalized over the weekend, after suffering 'a setback' as part of her ongoing treatment for Hepatitis-C.

- Dave Valenzuela

Gordon Lightfoot's triumph at Shea's

When I interviewed Gordon Lightfoot by phone from his Toronto home for the story that appeared in Saturday's newspaper, he had a couple of worries about his Buffalo show.

Jokingly, he fretted over whether the crowd would demand he sing "the hula hoop song," the first tune he ever wrote, as a high-school student, about the hula hoop craze of 1955.

But seriously, he expressed some concern about ticket sales. He was well aware of the size of Shea's Performing Arts Center -- just over 3,000 seats. With that big a house, "It's not going to look too good if there aren't many people there," he noted, matter-of-factly, then added, "Oh well. Whoever comes, we'll have a great show for them."

He needn't have worried. I didn't go into the balcony, but the main floor was almost totally filled, with just a few dozen empty seats in the corners.

As might be expected, many in the crowd were in their 40s or 50s -- of the right age to have had Gordon Lightfoot as a soundtrack to their youth. But there were plenty of people in their 30s and even 20s in the audience.

Gord's age and ill health have affected his voice, as I noted in my review today. But the concert was not only extremely entertaining, but also a poignant experience and a testament to his bravery and fortitude.

Keep on singing, Gord, and we'll turn out to hear you.

-- Anne Neville

More power to Simon Cowell

When "American Idol" added a fourth judge, everybody wondered -- what will they do in case of a tie? If it was supposed to be a drama-building secret, Paula Abdul didn't get the message. She told a radio show this week that Simon Cowell will be sort of a superdelegate, empowered to break ties.

This although sassy Ryan Seacrest has started his flirting/fighting with Cowell already by saying on the Ellen DeGeneres show that Botox has paralyzed Simon's face. "The angry face is the same as the happy face," Seacrest told Ellen. "You won't know because of all the [Botox] shots."

-- Anne Neville