Bow Wow and Omarion at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards on Sunday
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

There were surfboards and gleeful squeals aplenty Sunday night at the Teen Choice Awards — not to mention a whole lot of plugging going on from the stars MTV News caught up with on the red carpet at the event, which took place in Universal City, California. "American Idol" champ Jordin Sparks let it be known that even though she plans to record the majority of her yet-untitled debut after she wraps the Idols Live Tour at the end of September, she's still hoping to have it in stores on November 20. Actress Emmy Rossum promises that her upcoming album Inside Out will package "ambient pop ... in a really sexy, new and fresh way," and Bow Wow and Omarion said that their upcoming album Face Off will be a guest-star-heavy good time: "We just left Chicago, working with R. Kelly, and we still got to work with T-Pain, Timbaland, Lil Ronnie (who produced 'I'm a Flirt'), so we're definitely bringing the noise," Bow Wow said. "We got the chance to give people what they want: There's been a drought in the music, there hasn't been a lot of fun in music, so with the videos and everything, we're gonna do that." ...

(Catch up with Fergie, Bow Wow, Omarion, Jordin Sparks, Emmy Rossum and more at the Teen Choice Awards in these video clips.)

Vincent "Don Vito" Margera saw his first court date on two counts of sexual assault on a child once again pushed back on Monday (August 27) — to October 22. But the news wasn't all positive for Bam Margera's uncle, as he was hit with 12 counts of violating his bail-bond conditions. Pam Russell, a spokesperson for Colorado's Jefferson and Gilpin County district attorney's office, confirmed that each unspecified violation is a felony, but said she was not allowed by law to provide specifics on how Margera is alleged to have violated his bail. A hearing on the bond-violation charges is slated for September 5. Margera, 51, has been out on $50,000 bond since last year, when he was charged in the incident that allegedly involved inappropriate contact with two underage girls at a promotional event in Colorado. He was ordered to return to his home in Pennsylvania, submit to random urine tests, have no contact with children under 18 and supply his bond supervisor with his itinerary if he travels for business. Margera's attorney could not be reached for comment. In addition to a maximum of six years in prison on the assault charges, The Associated Press reported that he could face up to 18 months in prison for the bail violations. ...

Britney Spears' and Kevin Federline's lawyers appeared at a last-minute hearing on Monday to discuss a Department of Child and Family Services child-abuse investigation and the former spouses' child-custody battle. According to a Los Angeles Superior Court clerk, the hearing was closed to the public and held in the judge's chambers, with documents on both sides filed soon thereafter. The documents remain sealed while the judge determines whether they may be released to the public. According to a source in Federline's camp, he could end up with temporary custody of his two children with Spears, Sean Preston and Jayden James. There's no word yet on who filed the complaint that prompted the DCFS investigation, the third the pop singer has faced since having children — the first was prompted when she was photographed driving without a car set for Sean Preston, the second when the child fell out of his high chair. The custody battle will continue September 4. ...

In the meantime, Spears' former manager Larry Rudolph doesn't want to be involved in the child-custody dispute for fear that he might have to reveal certain information about the singer, People reports. Ryan Seacrest said on his "On Air With Ryan Seacrest" radio show on Monday morning that he was in contact with Rudolph over the weekend and that the lawyer "doesn't want to have to go under oath and talk about certain things that might hurt [Spears]." In related news, the singer was cleared by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after questions were raised about a leg injury sustained by Spears' Yorkshire terrier. The group said Spears had been cooperative and that the dog received proper medical attention. ...

Authorities unearthed the remains of two more dogs that had been buried in the backyard of DMX's residence in Cave Creek, Arizona, and discovered a half-pound of what they believe to be illegal narcotics, Maricopa County sheriff's office spokesman Captain Paul Chagolla told MTV News on Monday. At a press conference on Saturday, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said more information regarding the raid will be released Tuesday. ...

Nick Bollea, Hulk Hogan's 17-year-old son, was discharged from a hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Monday morning after being involved in a car accident the previous evening. Police said Bollea, who was featured in VH1's "Hogan Knows Best" reality series, was driving his Toyota Supra at a high speed along state Route 60 when he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a raised median at 7:30 p.m. in Clearwater. The car reportedly flipped over, and the rear of the vehicle collided with a palm tree. Bollea and one of his car's passengers, 22-year-old John Graziano, were airlifted to the Bayfront Medical Center following the crash. The nature of both Bollea's and Graziano's injuries was not immediately known, but a police spokesperson characterized them as serious. Graziano remains under the hospital's care in critical condition. Alcohol is not believed to have played a role in the accident, but police continue to investigate the crash. No criminal charges have been filed. "My son Nick and a friend were involved in a car accident last night," Linda Hogan said in a statement reportedly obtained Monday by TMZ.com. "Nick suffered minor injuries and has been treated and released from the hospital. At this time, his friend John Graziano remains hospitalized. Nick is currently at the hospital with John and his family. His sole concern is for the well-being of his friend. On behalf of my family, we ask that your thoughts and prayers be with John and his loved ones." ...

The White Stripes have a full fall ahead, as they plan to continue to back their recent Icky Thump LP with additional touring. But that's not stopping the tireless Jack White from giving some love to his other project, the Raconteurs, as well. He and bandmate Brendan Benson posted a humorous and slightly enigmatic exchange on their band's Web site on Monday morning, letting slip a few details about the follow-up to last year's Broken Boy Soldiers. "The 'Teurs have a lot of new songs in the works people, the writing and structure of them has dissipated and reinvigorated and many times over since we came home from our last shows," the post read. "The new songs are coming together strong, I hate to even attempt to describe them." ...

The Cure have put the brakes on their planned September/October tour in North America, deciding instead to push it to April/May. "The schedule as it stands only gives us a couple of weeks to finish our new double album before we hit the road again, and we know this just isn't enough time to complete the project to our total satisfaction," the band said in a statement posted on its site, TheCure.com. Tickets purchased for the originally scheduled shows will be honored. ... Phil Spector's top lawyer, Bruce Cutler, announced Monday that he is leaving the case due to a "difference of opinion between Mr. Spector and me on strategy," according to AP. Spector later told reporters that it was his decision for the attorney to leave, saying Cutler "shouldn't do the closing argument because it wouldn't be in my best interest to stay on. He agreed. ... I thought he would be a target with the judge and prosecutors and that he wouldn't be taken as seriously as he should. With his television show, he wasn't here as much as he should have been." Defense lawyer Roger Rosen is taking over as Spector's top lawyer. Also on Monday, the defense called two witnesses — Lana Clarkson's friends Jennifer Hayes-Riedl and Elizabeth "Punkin Pie" Laughlin — to reiterate their testimony. Defense lawyers also started showing jurors e-mails recently extracted from the hard drive on the deceased actress' computer. In the messages, Clarkson detailed her depression over her acting career and turning 40, and wrote about her use of pain pills and alcohol. ...

Madonna and her family are planning to head back to Israel in September — and this time Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and possibly Bruce Willis are expected to go participate in the trek, The Jerusalem Post reports. The celebrities will join thousands of Kabbalah Center students for the 10-day High Holiday pilgrimage, which begins with Rosh Hashanah (September 12-14) and ends with Yom Kippur (September 21-22). The paper reports that the press will be asked to keep its distance from the celebrities after Madonna — who only plans to go to the first few days of the event — was hounded by media when she made a similar visit three years ago. ... Kevin Smith is no stranger to TV — from subbing for Roger Ebert on "Ebert & Roeper" to cropping up on "Veronica Mars," he's definitely made his presence known on the small screen. Now the "Clerks" director is set to helm episodes of "Heroes: Origins" — a spinoff of the action show — "Reaper" and "Battlestar Galactica." Smith told AOL TV he's especially excited about "Battlestar": "It's cool, but it is scary because it is like, 'What the f---?' I can't bring anything to that show." ...

Matt Costa is putting off his second album a bit longer — Unfamiliar Faces, produced by No Doubt's Tom Dumont, has shifted to January 15. But the California singer/songwriter is staying busy — he's tacked onto his schedule a handful of dates opening for Modest Mouse: Monday (Portland, Oregon); September 10 (Salt Lake City); September 14 (Santa Barbara, California); and September 15 (Las Vegas). ... Rousing indie-rockers the Hold Steady and Art Brut are ganging up for NME's Rock 'N' Roll Riot Tour, which will hit the States this fall for the first time. The run stretches from an October 21 gig in Providence through a November 21 concert in New York. ... My Bloody Valentine are close to signing a deal that would reunite the seminal shoegazer band for a performance at next year's Coachella in April — and a subsequent tour to boot, TheDailySwarm.com reports. The band hasn't been active for a dozen years, but reports have suggested that a new album might be in the works.

08.24.07

Jordin Sparks doesn't have a name for her debut album yet, but she's got a release date set in stone: November 20. In anticipation of the 19 Recordings/ Jive disc, the "American Idol" champ drew back the curtains on her first single on Friday, debuting "Tattoo" on AOL's Pop Eater blog. The track hits radio Monday. Sparks told The Associated Press that the effort was partly modeled after one of her own idols, Kelly Clarkson — but that she's a bit nervous to be following in the wake of Clarkson and Carrie Underwood's success. "They've risen the bar so high and I'm like, 'I hope I can reach it,' " she said. "Hopefully [my LP will] sell well and people will like it." ...

The runner-up to Sparks, Blake Lewis, is following suit — he just signed to 19 Recordings/ Arista and is planning to drop his first album late this year as well. Hit-maker du jour J.R. Rotem is already on board for the effort. ...

It's no McDonald's parking-lot tour, but Missy Elliott will be featured in a new Doritos ad campaign debuting September 17, Billboard.com reports. In the clip, she is seen working on a new song and snacking on Doritos Collision, different-flavored chips that spur her to fuse a little country into her hip-hop track. A contest to be held on SnackStrongProductions.com will allow visitors to create their own mash-ups using Elliott's track, although the prizes have yet to be determined. The site also features a help section in which Elliott will give tips. ...

Listen up, punk-rockers: Unreleased and rare tracks by Panic! at the Disco, Gym Class Heroes, the Used, Cute Is What We Aim For, Sparta, Head Automatica and more fill up Press Play: Volume 1, a new comp that was put together by Photo Finish and Alternative Press. A portion of the proceeds from the September 25 release will go to the Keep a Breast Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fights breast cancer. ...

The Disney Channel will air a special dance-along version of "High School Musical 2" on September 8 at 8 p.m. ET, People reports. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and other castmembers will instruct viewers on how to mimic their dance moves during the opening and closing numbers. ... Russell Simmons has stepped down from his post as CEO of Phat Fashions, the company he founded in 1992 that spawned Phat Farm clothing. "I leave the division and the brand in great hands. There are so many things I want to achieve, and this is the appropriate moment for me to move on to my next business venture," the hip-hop mogul said in a statement. ...

Mos Def is sounding off about José Padilla, the Guantánamo detainee who was convicted earlier this week of supporting terrorism. "We all know the history of insufficient evidence or testimony under duress — at the very least, legal circumstances that demand some sort of reinvestigation ... basically saying these people are not the criminals they're being made out to be," he told The Associated Press on Thursday. Mos Def will participate this weekend in the 10th annual Black August benefit concert at New York's Nokia Theatre. The event serves to create awareness about people who its organizers, the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, believe have been unfairly convicted — Talib Kweli, Saigon and Dead Prez are also on the bill. ...

Music, martial arts and chess ... how could members of the Wu-Tang Clan not be involved? RZA and GZA are participating in the Hip-Hop Chess Foundation's first-ever Chess Kings Invitational, set for October 13 at the San Francisco Design Center. The rappers will talk on the tournament's Life Strategies panel about how music, martial arts and chess — activities the organization uses to promote nonviolence — have affected their lives. ...

Muse have plotted a handful of September dates with Juliette and the Licks: Seattle (September 9); Portland, Oregon (September 10); Orem, Utah (September 12); Dallas (September 16); Morrison, Colorado (September 18); Mesa, Arizona (September 20); and Irvine, California (September 21). Muse will also hit the San Diego Street Scene on September 22. ... Ben Kweller just squeezed out a new seven-track live EP, Ben Kweller: Live and Solo at the Artists Den, that was recorded December 13 at New York's Solo House. The disc of rarely performed songs is available now at digital outlets. ...

System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian will shoot a video for "Praise the Lord, Pass the Ammunition," from the rocker's solo debut, Elect the Dead, at an undisclosed venue in Hollywood next week with director Greg Watermann (Mudvayne, Lamb of God). Extras are needed for the video — those interested in auditioning can e-mail Watermann at serjvideo@gregwatermann.com. ... The track list for Thrice's upcoming LP The Alchemy Index: Vols. I & II - Fire & Water has been revealed. Fire will boast six cuts, including "The Messenger," "Backdraft" and "Burn the Fleet"; Water will also contain six tunes, among them "Open Water," "Night Diving" and "Kings Upon the Main." Look for the discs to hit stores October 16. ...

A writer/producer who worked on "In Living Color" and created Nickelodeon's "Roundhouse" is suing the Walt Disney Company, claiming it stole his idea for "Hannah Montana," Reuters reports. In the suit, Morris Taylor "Buddy" Sheffield says he pitched Disney Channel executives the idea for a kids' show about a high school student who leads a secret life as a pop star. Sheffield also claims Disney could owe him and his production company millions in lost profits and damages, and he wants compensation for legal fees. A Disney Channel spokesperson told the news service the network had no comment. ...

Kirsten Dunst's penthouse suite at a hotel in Manhattan, New York, was robbed earlier this month, according to court records obtained by AP. Thieves got away with a $13,000 handbag, cell phone, $2,500 in cash, an iPod, two digital cameras and ID cards belonging to the actress, who had been in the city to shoot scenes for her upcoming flick "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People." One suspect was arraigned Wednesday on burglary and grand-larceny charges, and is being held on $50,000 bond. ...

Hellyeah — the band featuring members of Mudvayne, Pantera and Nothingface — are on the hunt for a dozen women they'd like to act as their "Hellyeah girls." The winners will be featured in the band's 2008 calendar — to enter, contestants need to post an audition video to Break.com and send a link to the clip to hellyeahtv@gmail.com. ... The Dillinger Escape Plan will headline a U.S. tour this fall set to kick off October 4 in Cleveland, Ohio. Just five dates have been confirmed, but more will be announced in the coming weeks. The trek will also feature A Life Once Lost, Behold ... the Arctopus and Genghis Tron. Dillinger's forthcoming LP, Ire Works, lands in stores November 13. ...

The resurrected Jesus & Mary Chain are heading back to the studio to record their first studio album in nine years. The band will also treat four West Coast cities to more concerts: Las Vegas (October 20); Anaheim, California (October 22); Los Angeles (October 23) and San Francisco (October 26-27). ... Queen guitarist Brian May has finished his doctorate in a crazy little thing called astrophysics — he was awarded his Imperial College qualification on Thursday in London. May had been an astrophysics student before joining the band 37 years ago but dropped out as Queen became successful. His thesis? "Radical Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud." ...

Ted Nugent is at it again. The controversial right-wing rocker went on a profanity-spewed tirade at a concert last week, according to video footage posted on LiveLeak.com. With machine guns in his hands, a camouflaged Nugent yelled, "Obama, he's a piece of sh--, and I told him to suck on my machine gun. ... And then I was in New York. I said, 'Hey Hillary, you might want to ride one of these into the sunset.' " He also went off on Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer before saying, "Any questions?" and shouting, "Freedom!"

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My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero was forced to return to the U.S. Thursday morning (January 11) due to "a sudden attack of illness," according to a spokesperson for the band. The spokesperson would not discuss Iero's condition or the nature of his malaise. The New Jersey rockers were in Tokyo, where they were expected to launch a four-gig tour, and they've since called on Drive By guitarist Todd Price to fill in for their fallen comrade. After leaving Japan on Sunday, the band is expected to hit New Zealand and Australia between January 19 and February 4, then launch a U.S. tour February 22. ...

Oprah Winfrey had to settle for a satellite feed, but when it comes to New York school kids, Madonna will make the trip across the Atlantic. The London-based singer hosts a special screening of "Arthur and the Invisibles" — which features her voice-acting skills — Thursday for students from two New York charter schools. The animated feature hits theaters Friday. ... What Alicia Keys wants, Alicia Keys gets. John Legend and John Mayer have been confirmed as the "mystery guests" to be featured on the singer's upcoming album. ...

Pink's directorial debut is about to see the light of day. The singer, who partnered with Glamour magazine to put a spotlight on emerging female artists via the Nissan-sponsored Reel Music contest, took the helm for "Hello Bonjour," a music video for winning duo Pretty Boys. (Check out photos from the set right here.) "Pink made us feel gorgeous and charming and fun and we loved working with her!" the band wrote of the August shoot on its MySpace blog. Fans in the Los Angeles area can sign up at Glamour.com/ReelMusic for free tickets to attend Tuesday's video premiere event. The site is also hosting behind-the-scenes interviews from the set and will debut the video Wednesday. ...

Gwen Stefani is a girl in a gilded cage in her video for "The Sweet Escape," directed by Joseph Kahn (Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away," Britney Spears' "Toxic"). In the clip — which premieres Thursday on "TRL" — Stefani dreams of making a jailbreak with the help of stolen keys, Rapunzel-like braids and a getaway car driven by Akon. Her Harajuku Girls double as accomplices and pursuers/jailers. ... "The Real World" is heading down under. Bunim-Murray Productions announced Wednesday that the 19th season of the reality series will begin production in Sydney, Australia, in the coming weeks. "The Real World: Sydney" will premiere later this year. ... Nine Inch Nails have set Year Zero as the title of their forthcoming album, due in April. ... AFI will perform on "Saturday Night Live" January 20. "Entourage" actor Jeremy Piven is hosting. ... Joaquin Phoenix, Naomi Watts and the cast of "Heroes" have been added to the ever-growing list of Golden Globe Awards presenters. The ceremony will air live on NBC Monday at 8 p.m. ET. ...

Steve-O has teamed up with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to voice his concerns about the treatment of circus animals. "In my career, and in my life, I only intend for there to be one victim — ME!" he explained in an e-mail. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College graduate said he witnessed the mistreatment of animals firsthand during his time under the big top. "I'm just a guy who used to need to be in the circus to make a living, was horrified by what I saw, and am now in a position to say something about it." Steve-O's video rant is posted at PETA2.com, where you can enter to win his autographed T-shirt. ... Coheed and Cambria have been added to the lineup for this summer's Warped Tour. Bad Religion, Paramore, Cute Is What We Aim For, Tiger Army, the Almost, the Gallows, Big D and the Kids Table, K-os and the Fabulous Rudies are also on the festival's bill. ... Slash will be inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk Wednesday. Metal singer Ronnie James Dio and Frank Zappa drummer Terry Bozzio are also getting sidewalk honors. ...

Months before users even get their hands on Apple's new iPhone, the latest game-changing gadget from the company has inspired a lawsuit. Network equipment leader Cisco Systems filed suit against Apple Inc. in San Francisco federal court Wednesday, claiming that the computer company's iPhone violates Cisco's trademark on the term "iPhone," which it has held since 2000, according to an Associated Press report. Cisco said that it has been using the name for its own Internet-enabled phones, which began shipping last spring and officially launched three weeks ago. It also said that Apple approached the company several years ago with an interest in using the name, and that the two companies have been negotiating ever since to hammer out a licensing agreement, but that talks broke down just hours before Apple boss Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone on Tuesday at the Macworld Conference. Apple has argued that it is entitled to use the name because the products are "materially" different. A spokesperson for Apple called the lawsuit "silly." ...

A California high school has banned the image of late rapper Mac Dre from its halls. Riverbank Unified School District board members voted unanimously on Tuesday to add a Mac Dre ban to Riverbank High School's dress code on the grounds that he glorified drug use, The Modesto Bee reports. Principal Ken Gesick said the decision is an answer to shirts with images of the later rapper apparently smoking marijuana. "It's glaringly obvious," he said. ... Former glam rocker Gary Glitter, who was convicted in March of molesting two Vietnamese children, could end his three-year prison term early, AP reports. Glitter is on a list of inmates whose sentences may be reduced as part of next month's Lunar New Year celebrations. He could be released as early as May. ...

Tegan and Sara continue to work on new material with Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla, who has also produced Hot Hot Heat and the Decemberists. The band is working on the follow-up to 2004's So Jealous, but a title and release date for the next LP have yet to be revealed. ... Bright Eyes will head out this spring for a spate of live gigs in support of the act's forthcoming LP, Cassadaga, which drops April 10. The tour gets under way in Chicago on February 25 and runs through a March 11 show in Seattle. ...Kevin Devine and the Manchester Orchestra are supporting Brand New on a 33-date U.S. tour. The trek kicks off March 15 in Buffalo, New York, and wraps April 25 in Philadelphia. ... ATO Records labelmates Gomez and Ben Kweller are joining forces for a co-headlining North American tour kicking off February 15 in Seattle and wrapping up March 11 in Northampton, Massachusetts. Each artist will also perform select, separate headline dates.

01.10.2007

Forget the Rock Hall: Jay-Z is headed to the Football Hall of Fame. Record-breaking running back Larry Johnson is donating his Jay-crafted cleats — Reebok S. Carters, to be exact — to the Hall, putting Hova alongside names like Joe Montana and Walter Payton. ...

HBO is developing an unscripted series that will star Kanye West, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Details are sketchy, but the still-untitled project from Larry Charles ("Borat," "Curb Your Enthusiasm") will focus on a day in West's hectic life. Producer Rick Rubin is also reportedly attached as an executive producer on the show. ... Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee is off the market. The singer is now engaged to her boyfriend, a psychiatrist she has been dating for a year. The couple announced the engagement during a live appearance on Canadian network MuchMusic on Tuesday. Lee's beau popped the question the night before. ...

Mary J. Blige and Lionel Richie have joined the lineup for the Essence Music Festival, which returns to New Orleans from July 5-7. Blige and Richie will headline the fest's closing night, while Beyoncé is scheduled to perform the second day. ... Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is unveiling a new "American Idol" wax attraction on Tuesday, the day the sixth season begins. The exhibit will feature wax replicas of Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest as an interactive element tied in to "Karaoke Revolution Presents: 'American Idol.' " ...

Already a purveyor of rhymes, branded water and G-Unit attire, 50 Cent is getting into the latex business. The rapper — whose G-Unit Books debuted Tuesday — will release his own line of condoms. "The kids become immune when you constantly beat them over the head — read a book, read a book," 50 said in an interview with The New York Post. "We have to be a little more creative about it. It's the same with safe sex. As opposed to being part of a safe-sex campaign, I'm going to make condoms and donate a part of the proceeds to HIV awareness." There's no word yet on when the prophylactics will hit the market. ...

Dipset associate Charly Wingate, a 28-year-old rapper known by the stage name Max B., was remanded to New Jersey's Bergen County Jail on $2 million bail set Tuesday, Newark newspaper The Star-Ledger reports. Prosecutors said Wingate organized the robbery and murder of a man in Fort Lee on September 22 after his girlfriend told him she had met two men who were carrying large amounts of cash and driving expensive cars. Wingate is alleged to have recruited a friend to help him rob the two men, David Taylor and Allan Plowden; Taylor was killed by a gunshot to the head, while Plowden was bound with duct tape. Wingate's lawyer questioned the validity of the evidence against his client and maintained that Wingate wasn't even in the state at the time of the shooting. ...

Who doesn't love Johnny Depp? The swashbuckling actor was the big winner at the 33rd annual People's Choice Awards Tuesday night, scooping up prizes for favorite male star, male action star and onscreen matchup (with Keira Knightley) as "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" was honored as favorite movie and favorite movie drama. The awards, voted on by fans, also honored Jennifer Aniston (female star), Cameron Diaz (leading lady), Vince Vaughn (leading man) and Halle Berry (female action star). Former "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood was named favorite female singer, while Nickelback took the favorite group award. Justin Timberlake won favorite R&B song prize for "SexyBack," Shakira took the pop song award for "Hips Don't Lie," and Eminem grabbed the hip-hop honor for "Shake That." Perennial favorite "The Simpsons" took the animated comedy category, "American Idol" won for best competition/reality show and "Grey's Anatomy" took the TV drama prize. Though she wasn't nominated for anything, Britney Spears may as well have won an award — for being the butt of most jokes thanks to her recent spate of underwear-less adventures, which were a running gag during the show. ...

Spears did get a mention at the top of one list Tuesday — Mr. Blackwell's annual ranking of the year's worst fashion offenders. The self-imposed arbiter of style — and self-styled poet — lumped Britney and Paris Hilton together as the "Screamgirls," noting that the "style-free and fashion-deprived" women are "two peas in an overexposed pod." Ranking at #3 on the worst-dressed lineup is Lindsay Lohan, who went from "adorable to deplorable" in Blackwell's estimation. Mariah Carey and Meryl Streep (huh?) also made the dishonorable cut, while Blackwell named Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie and "The Queen" star Helen Mirren "Fabulous Fashion Independents for 2006" — and spared them his creatively worded putdowns. ... On Wednesday (January 10), a lawyer for George Michael entered a not-guilty plea in a London court on behalf of the singer, who is facing charges of being unfit to drive and marijuana possession stemming from a September arrest. The Associated Press reports that arguments will be heard March 7 to determine whether the blood sample taken from Michael at his arrest is admissible as evidence. The judge set a provisional trial date of April 23. ...

Nominations for the NAACP Image Awards were announced Tuesday, and while the film "Dreamgirls" and TV series "Everybody Loves Chris" lead the field with eight nominations each, there's no topping Beyoncé when it comes to individual achievement. The singer is up for best actress honors, as well as four music prizes: best female artist, video and song ("Irreplaceable") and album (B'Day). Other multiple nominees include Mary J. Blige — who faces off with Beyoncé for the four music trophies — Fantasia and Jamie Foxx. ... More than two weeks after his death, soul legend James Brown has still not been buried as his attorneys and family continue to work on settling his estate and deciding where he will be laid to rest. According to AP, Brown's body is lying in a sealed casket under the watchful eyes of security guards at his home in Georgia, which has been locked up since hours after his death to protect his memorabilia and personal items. ... Yvonne De Carlo, who played Lily Munster in TV's "The Munsters," died Monday of natural causes, AP reports. She was 84.

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