Over 50,000 fans showed up to a free LMFAO concert in Indianapolis on Friday night ... causing a stampede in the streets leading to 11 reported injuries. Super Bowl and city organizers believe Friday's free concert starring LMFAO was the biggest draw of the weekend outside of the big game. It is already the biggest crowd downtown Indianapolis has ever seen! There were 780,000 guests in Indy for the weekend ... 50,000 of which were at the LMFAO show ... which resulted in massive crowds and stampedes. 11 injuries (all minor, none requiring hospitalization) were reported at the concert and police reported that 22 arrests were made during the event, mostly alcohol-related.
KELLY CLARKSON NAILED SUPER BOWL NATIONAL ANTHEM
Some of the greatest singers have blown the National Anthem, but Kelly Clarkson nailed it before last night's Super Bowl game. She even remembered all of the words ... in the correct order, which is more than we can say for many past performers.
MADONNA'S SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW!
Madonna performed one of the biggest shows of her life yesterday ... and you would never know she has been suffering from a hamstring injury and a blow to the nose. Madonna's 12-minute set at the Super Bowl halftime show featured appearances from Cee Lo Green, LMFAO, M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj. It kicked off with a rendition of "Vogue" and featured some fancy performances ... like a man bouncing on a wire!
She teamed up with LMFAO for a run through of their hits "Sexy & I Know It" and "Party Rock Anthem." M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj joined Madonna on stage for their first public performance of "Give Me All Your Luvin." The spectacular finished with Cee Lo Green leading a marching band onstage to perform "Express Yourself" with Madonna. The half time show concluded with a choir of 80 on stage to join Cee Lo and Madonna in a rendition of "Like A Prayer."
Madonna disappeared through a hole in the stage and the message "World Peace" flashed in the stadium.
M.I.A. FLASHES MIDDLE FINGER DURING HALFTIME SHOW
Ever since Janet Jackson's Super Bowl halftime show nip slip eight years ago ... all eyes are on the performers and it seems like everyone is waiting to see something they shouldn't see. Madonna's halftime show is getting mixed reviews (mainly good), but while there weren't any nip slips, M.I.A. did flash viewers her middle finger. It went down as she and Nicki Minaj joined Madonna on stage for their song, "Give Me All Your Luvin."
STEVEN TYLER DEFENDS HIS NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMANCE
Despite an overwhelmingly negative reaction to his performance of the national anthem at the AFC Championship Game, American Idol judge Steven Tyler thinks he sounded just fine. Tyler tells the AP he's not sure why people are hating on his performance. "I don't know. As I said before, I put emphasis on, 'In the land of the free' and I went up," he says. "Oddly enough I hit the note so I don't know what they are talking about. I emphasized 'free' which was for freedom. It was well thought out prior to. I wasn't messing with American tradition."
ADAM LAMBERT SHOOTS DOWN QUEEN LEAD SINGER REPORTS
On Friday, reports were buzzing that Adam Lambert was confirmed to join legendary rock band Queen on tour as their lead singer. Adam Lambert has cleared up reports he is the new frontman of Queen, insisting comments he made about joining the band were "taken out of context". In a recent interview, Lambert appeared to confirm he was heading on the road with Queen for a tour later this year.
"Oooh them clever reporters takin my quotes outta context....," he tweeted. "I haven't confirmed any guest appearances. I was talking about the EMA'S. :) That being said, I'm truly flattered by your jump to such glorious conclusions mr journalist!! :)"
So will Adam Lambert be joining Queen this summer to tour? Lambert's new album, Trespassing, is about to drop on March 20. The first single from his new album, "Better Than I Know Myself," was released on December 20 ... but the video coincidentally debuted the same day as the Queen story.
A spokesperson for Queen's label, Hollywood Records, admits there have been discussions about Lambert teaming up with the band, but no official deal has been inked.
SEAN KINGSTON OWES BACK TAXES!
Sean Kingston is the most recent celeb being accused of not paying his taxes on time ... and he's on the line for over $130,000. According to official documents obtained by TMZ, Kingston, real name Kisean Anderson, forgot to pay the IRS $131,379.51 for the money he made in 2009 ... the same year he released the album, Tomorrow. The feds warned him, but after failing to fork over the cash, the IRS obtained a lien on his property. If he doesn't pay up soon, the government can go after all of this stuff.
PUDDLE OF MUDD SINGER ARRESTED FOR DRUGS
Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin was arrested last month ... and word is just starting to spread. January 12, Wes was arrested at 3am after cops found pills and suspicious looking powder in his car. He was pulled over in Culver City, CA for a traffic violation. Scantlin showed signs of being intoxicated and a search revealed Scantlin was in possession of a controlled substance ... which is being reported as some kind of powder and pills. Scantlin was booked for felony possession and released a few hours later after posting $10,000 bail. The arrest comes during a rough couple of months ... he's divorcing his wife and is among a growing number of celebs who are being hit with tax bills after failing to pay on time.
SASQUATCH FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES MONSTER LINEUP
The summer festivals lineup announcement frenzy continued Friday with a press release listing the myriad bands slated to appear at the annual Sasquatch festival, taking place this year May 25-28 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, WA. The extensive and outstanding lineup includes Jack White, Beck, Bon Iver, The Shins, Silversun Pickups, The Joy Formidable, Portlandia and Girl Talk, just to name a handful. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, February 11 at Saquatchfestival.com.
LEE LABELED WOMAN WHO CARES
Talented and caring Evanescence vocalist Amy Lee has been tapped to receive the Luella Bennack Award at United Cerebral Palsy’s 11th annual Women Who Care luncheon on May 3 in New York. The award is presented annually to a celebrity who has dedicated themselves in service to others at home and around the world. Specifically, Lee was chosen to receive the award for her commitment to people living with disabilities as international spokesperson for the Out of the Shadows organization.
METALLICA TEASES TUESDAY ANNOUNCEMENT
Public relations representatives for Metallica issued an email to the press on Saturday with the simple subject line “Save the Date,” The only who, what, when and where that was shared was the following: Who: Metallica. What: Save the date. When: Tuesday, February 7 at 11 AM PST. Where: Metallica.com. A brief teaser video was also released on YouTube.
BUZZ BUILDS AS ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS DEBUT ‘BEEKEEPER’S DAUGHTER’ CLIP
Stillwater, Oklahoma’s own All-American Rejects have released their first video in three years. The clip for “Beekeeper’s Daughter,” the first offering off the band’s fourth album Kids in the Street, features a literal parade of disparate characters, including Las Vegas kingpin Wayne Newton, a barbershop quartet, cheerleaders and mariachi musicians. Singer Tyson Ritter told Billboard, “’Beekeeper’s Daughter’ was the starting point of the journey, and it’s about this guy who’s this crazy, self-absorbed guy who thinks he owns the world and is bullet-proof.”
BLACK SABBATH TAKE NEVER SAY DIE ATTITUDE, WILL WORK WITHOUT WARD
The Black Sabbath reunion will go on with or without original drummer Bill Ward, who last week threatened to sit out recording a new album and tour unless he received a more favorable contract. However, in a statement released on Facebook, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler said, “We were saddened to hear…that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans. We have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open. We are still in the UK… Writing and recording the new album and on a roll…”
SLASH WRAPPING RECORDING OF SECOND SOLO ALBUM
Guitarist Slash last week posted an update on the timetable for completing work on his second solo album - and the time is almost now. The former Guns N’ Roses axeman posted, “It looks like we’ll be finished recording next week. The mixing begins. It’s all going on.” He also confirmed he’ll be headlining the second stage at UK’s Download festival on June 8 and he teased that his own solo tour dates will be announced soon.
TENACIOUS D READY TO RIZE AGAIN
Rock-comedy duo Tenacious D featuring Jack Black and Kyle Gass will issue its third album Rize of the Fenix some time in May. The new collection of kooky cuts will serve as the follow up to the twosome’s previous album, the soundtrack to their 2006 film Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny. Go here to hear a short snippet of a new song.
PIPPA DATING AN EARL?
Pippa Middleton may have landed herself quite a catch. The Sun reports that the Duchess of Cambridge's sister has been linked to one of Britain's richest men, Earl George Percy, the heir to the Duke of Northumberland. Pippa and George, whose family owns Alnwick Castle, which was used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, have been friends since meeting at Edinburgh University, and reportedly had a fling in 2008. A source told the paper, "George is very smitten and completely in love with her.” Rumors of their pairing first began after Pippa split with Alex Loudon last year, but they insisted they were "just friends." But sources say Pippa always had her eyes on Percy. Said an insider, "It was like a shark circling its bait. Some people think she has always set out to do this."
REID STICKING WITH X FACTOR!
Simon Cowell may have gotten rid of Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones, but he is sticking with L.A. Reid. It has been confirmed that the option on L.A.’s X Factor contract has been renewed and he will be back for season two. There’s still no word on who’ll be replacing the ousted parties.
IT'S ALL BECKS IN THOSE UNDERWEAR ADS!
Many fans who've seen David Beckham's underwear ads couldn't help but wonder whether it was all Becks in those undergarments, and the soccer star wants to set the record straight – he is not stuffing his shorts. "I've never…padded out my pants or shoved socks down there," he told The Mirror. "I've never had to for any photo shoots I've done because hopefully I don't need to. Well, let's just say I've been told I don't need any help in that department. I think I'm pretty okay."
The American Idol vs. The Voice smack talk doesn't show any signs of slowing down. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show Friday, Voice coach Adam Levine criticized Idol's Randy Jackson for comments he made in which he called The Voice a competition show for "second chance people." "The winner of The Voice I will remind you, was an artist who had a deal at Capital Records for several years, a failed contract," said Jackson. Well, Levine thinks the statement was insulting to musicians. “Shame on Randy Jackson for saying that,” said Levine. “Because he of anybody should know that if you’re in this business you need second, third, fourth and fifth chances. So we love and embrace having that being part of the show.” He added that Jackson’s comments were “irresponsible.”
DEMI PARTIED WITH MILEY IN EFFORT TO STAY YOUNG!
Gossip magazines have been reporting that Demi Moore's January 23rd hospitalization was a result of Demi's desperate attempt to stay young by spending weeks partying. TMZ reports that just nine days before she was rushed to the hospital, 49-year-old Demi attended the birthday party for Miley Cyrus' boyfriend Liam Hemsworth, 22, the same party where 19-year-old Miley was photographed licking Liam's penis cake. Sources say Demi was hanging out with her daughter Rumer and some young friends, drinking Red Bull all night. A few days later Demi was seen clubbing with Rumer around Hollywood and then on January 23rd she collapsed after inhaling nitrous oxide. Meanwhile, both of Demi's ex-husbands, Bruce Willis and Ashton Kutcher, visited her last week. Insiders say Ashton has sought counseling from his Kabbalah spiritual advisors on how to help Demi and that he and his ex "have been praying together at her house." There are no plans for the couple to get back together, but the source adds that Ashton "loves Demi very much," and "mainly just wants to provide comfort to her right now."
CABLE COMPANY DEVOTES CHANNEL TO RYAN GOSLING!
Ryan Gosling fans better hope they have Time Warner Cable this month. The cable provider announced that from now until February 27th they will be dedicating a channel to the actor. Ryan Gosling On Demand will feature several of the heartthrob's movies, including The Notebook, Drive, Lars and the Real Girl, Crazy Stupid Love and The Ides of March. The movies will cost from $1.99 to $4.99 each.
ROSEANNE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!
Roseanne Barr is running for President. The comedienne filed papers Thursday to be considered as a candidate for the Green Party. "The Democrats and the Republicans have proven that they are servants – bought and paid for by the 1% - who are not doing what's in the best interest of the American people," said Barr in a statement. The Green Party will select their candidate at a convention in Baltimore in July.
BEN GAZZARA DIES
Veteran actor Ben Gazzara died Friday at the age of 81. According to a family friend, Gazzara, who originated the role of Brick in the 1955 Tennessee Williams play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, died after being placed in hospice care for cancer. Gazzara was probably best known to TV viewers for the 1965 series Run for Your Life, which earned him two Emmy nominations during the show’s three-year run. He also had parts in The Big Lebowski,Spike Lee’sSummer of Sam and Lars Von Trier’sDogville.
TV TIDBITS!
● NBC has ordered a pilot from producer J.J. Abrams and Supernatural creator Eric Kripke. The action adventure thriller, titled Revolution, follows a group of people struggling to survive and reunite with loved ones in a world where all forms of energy has ceased to exist.
● Young Adult'sPatton Oswalt will guest star on the February 27th episode of CBS's Two and a Half Men. Oswalt will play the former business partner of Ashton Kutcher's character Walden.
● NBC announced Friday that the new Jason Isaacs drama Awake will premiere Thursday, March 1st at 10 pm. In addition, The Firm is being moved to Saturdays at 9 pm starting February 11th. Repeats of Grimm will air on Thursdays at 10 pm throughout February.
MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS!
● The 2011 thriller Insidious is getting a sequel. The original, starring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, was made for only $1.5 million and earned $100 million, making it the most profitable film of last year. It is unclear whether the sequel will continue where the first left off or whether the original actors will return. Production is expected to begin later this year for a 2013 release.
● Reports last week claimed the planned third installment in the Bridget Jones franchise was in trouble, after Hugh Grant quit due to script problems. Well, on Friday, Working Title, the company producing the film, denied the claims. "Reports that Hugh Grant has exited Bridget Jones's Baby are untrue," said Working Title co-chairman Tim Bevan. "We are still working on the script hence the delay to the start of production, but the film is going ahead as planned." A rep for Hugh confirmed he is still part of the production. “Hugh is keen that Bridget Jones 3 happens, but Renee [Zellweger], Colin [Firth] and he all have some issue with the present script," read a statement from his rep. "They are hoping to help work them out.”
● Oscar nominee Viola Davis has signed on to star in Beautiful Creatures, the big screen adaptation of the 2009 novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. The book, the first of three novels by the pair, follows Ethan, a mortal boy living in the South, and Lena, the girl he loves who has powers she's trying to keep hidden. Davis will play Amma, described as "a seer who looks after Ethan and his father after Ethan's mother's death."
● Chris Rock is reportedly writing a romantic comedy and hopes he can convince Bridesmaids'Melissa McCarthy to star alongside him. "I'm trying to romance her," Rock tells the Los Angeles Times. Rock says he would like McCarthy to play his wife, one half of a dysfunctional duo he describes as a "Jerry Springer couple."
● Al Pacino has signed on to voice the villain in Despicable Me 2. It will be the first time the Oscar winner has voiced a character in an animated film. Details about his character are being kept under wraps.
