Morning Links: 'We Are the World' remake was 'inspired chaos'
More than 70 singers took part in the remake of "We Are the World" yesterday in Los Angeles. None of the original performers from 1985 were invited to participate in this version. In an unusual move, 15-year-old Canadian teen pop idol Justin Bieber opens the song with the line originally sung by Lionel Richie.
A musical cross section of stars including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Lil Wayne, Josh Groban and Carlos Santana performed. Groban called it 'inspired chaos.'
"Everybody left their ego at the door. To be smack-dab in the middle of a sandwich between Barbra Streisand and Weezy (rapper Lil Wayne) was personally a creative experience I don't think I'll ever have the pleasure of having again," Groban said.
Noticeably missing were a representation from country music, as well as some big stars such as Jay-Z and Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, who all left L.A. immediately after the Grammys.
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Conan O'Brien is stepping up to take care of his former stagehands, who were left out of NBC's severance package. About 50 workers will receive 6 weeks of severance paid by O'Brien himself. The union that represents the stage hands say that the workers are "very happy" about the way the situation was handled.
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Matthew Fox says he is quitting television once 'Lost' wraps up in May. Fox says that he's worked on two shows that each lasted 6 seasons, and that it was a lot of work. He says his plan is to work in films with directors he wants to work with, or to enjoy his family back in Oregon.
Evangeline Lilly, who plays Kate, also says that she is done with acting. Lilly said at the premiere of 'Lost,' "Acting is something I appreciate, and I think it's been an amazing experience. But I'm not passionate about acting the way you probably should be to call yourself an actor." Lilly says she may look for an off-camera career in Hollywood, but for now, she just wants to find "some quiet space" and "drop off the radar a little bit and enjoy a little bit of normalcy again."
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Dr. Conrad Murray, who was linked to Michael Jackson's death, could be charged with 'involuntary manslaughter' as soon as this week as high level meetings in the L.A. County District Attorney's office have been taking place.
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Tila Tequila has joined the movement of celebs quitting Twitter. Tequila, who rose to fame on social networking site MySpace, has ditched this social networking site because of the negativity. "What's the point of having a Twitter when everyone twists things I say around?," Tequila said.
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Rip Torn was released on $100,000 bond and was headed to rehab in Manhattan after his arrest over the weekend. Torn broke into a Salisbury, Conn., bank on Friday night, in an intoxicated state, and was charged with trespassing, possession of a firearm without a permit, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, criminal mischief and burglary. Torn did not enter a plea, as his arraignment was continued to Feb. 17.
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Sandra Bullock and hubby Jesse James won a small victory in court yesterday in their ongoing custody dispute with James' first wife, Janine Lindemulder. Lindemulder gains no visitation with 6-year-old daughter, Sunny, but she can make daily phone calls. Lindemulder is in a halfway house after violating her parole related to a tax evasion charge.
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Gen. Larry Platt took his "Pants on the Ground" act to the air yesterday after passengers on the Los Angeles to Atlanta flight recognized him. Platt gave in to their pleads for his original song, and he gave them a performance in the aisle. Even the pilots and crew wanted to meet Platt, who was the last to leave the plane in order to shake hands. Platt performed the song during "American Idol" auditions capturing the hearts of viewers.
Speaking of "American Idol," join Anne Neville here at Pop Stand tonight at 8 PM as she chats live during Denver auditions.
