Green Day
Photo: Bob Berg/Getty Images

Green meets yellow: "The Simpsons Movie" cast was more or less mum about Green Day's appearance in the flick when we spoke with them at the 400th episode party earlier this month, but now comes news that the band has recorded a punk version of the show's theme song for the score soundtrack. Billboard.com reports that Warner Bros. will issue a single of the song on July 24, three days before the flick hits theaters, while Fox Music will issue a digital version of the score through its Web site and Extreme Music will ship 25,000 copies of the set — in pink doughnut cases! — to Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart and Barnes & Noble. ...

Kanye West debuted the Hype Williams-directed video for his first Graduation single, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" on his Web site Friday (May 25). Graduation is due September 18. ...

Linkin Park will headline the Tokyo installment of the Live Earth festival on July 7, RollingStone.com reports. Joss Stone and UB40 will headline the show in Johannesburg, South Africa, while Pharrell will do the honors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Shakira will join Snoop and Chris Cornell at the show in Hamburg, Germany. ... Lily Allen sang a "Heart of Glass" duet with Blondie singer Debbie Harry on "The Today Show" Friday morning. ...

Young Jeezy was arrested outside a strip club in the Atlanta area on Thursday morning. According to police, the rapper was busted for disorderly conduct following a verbal altercation with several off-duty undercover police officers moonlighting as security guards at the Strokers Club in Clarkson, Georgia. Jeezy was charged with the local ordinance violation and was ordered to pay a $280 fine. There's no word yet on whether he will have to return to court to settle the charges. ...

Mickey Leigh, brother of the late Joey Ramone, has joined Courtney Love in speaking out against the Dr. Martens ad campaign that features images of Ramone and Kurt Cobain. "Obviously, we are in the same position as Courtney Love, as well as the estates of the others depicted (in the ad)," he said in a statement. "We were never consulted about this ad. We were never asked for permission to use Joey's image or paid for the use of it. As executor of my brother's estate, I never would have approved this ad as Joey never wore these shoes. And, not that my brother was terribly religious, but the fact that he was Jewish, and this ad is not exactly kosher, makes it that much more inappropriate, inconsiderate and contemptible. Though we were about to formulate a statement to the above effect, Courtney certainly has a louder, more influential voice, and I am thrilled that she got through to them." On Thursday, AirWair Ltd. — the company behind Dr. Martens footwear — fired Saatchi & Saatchi, the advertising agency behind the ad campaign. ...

Nick Cannon will be honored at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday with the Breakthrough Actor of the Year prize at the Studio Magazine/ Chopard Revelation Awards. Cannon, recognized for his work in "Bobby," is the first black actor to receive the award, and will share it with "The Last King of Scotland" star James McAvoy. Evan Rachel Wood will be presented with the Breakthrough Actress of the Year prize at the event. ... Queens of the Stone Age have announced a handful of U.S. dates in support of their forthcoming release Era Vulgaris, which hits stores June 12. The band has lined up four California shows — Fresno on June 7, Ventura on June 8, Mountain View on June 9 and Costa Mesa on July 22 — as well as gigs in Indianapolis (August 4) and Austin, Texas (September 16). ... Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and his girlfriend, Danish actress Connie Nielsen, welcomed their first child together, a boy they've named Bryce Thadeus Ulrich-Nielsen, on May 21 in San Francisco. This is Ulrich's third child and Nielsen's second. ...

Ace Young is gearing up to release his debut album. The #7 finisher on season five of "American Idol" has signed a deal with S Curve Records (Fountains of Wayne, Joss Stone) for the yet-untitled disc, scheduled to drop in September and be preceded by a single in July. Young will be backed by a full band on the album, which is being executive produced by hitmaker Desmond Child (Kelly Clarkson), with songs written by Diane Warren ('NSYNC, Pussycat Dolls) and Andreas Carlson (Nick Lachey, Britney Spears). Young, who helped write pal Chris Daughtry's first hit, "It's Not Over," said he's writing or co-writing all the tunes on his album as well as working on songs with "everyone," though he declined to name names. "You'll hear it when it happens," he promised. ...

Rodrigo y Gabriela have sold more than 100,000 copies of their self-titled debut, and they hope to attract even more new fans with just-announced appearances at Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 3-5 and the Austin City Limits fest in Texas on September 14-16. ... Neptunes protégé Fam-Lay is set to shoot the video for his underground hit, "Da Beeper Record," featuring Pharrell, on Tuesday in Miami with director Hype Williams. ... Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, along with his brother Stephen Marley, will headline the Festival Mizik Jakmel, Haiti's first international music festival, this weekend. Twenty-four other acts will also appear and during the event organizers will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest drumming ensemble, collectively gathering 10,000-plus participants. ...

There's no more Free FM in New York. Almost a year and a half after the Big Apple rock station WFNY (92.3 FM) mostly abandoned music in favor of an all-talk format in the wake of Howard Stern's departure for satellite radio, the station is returning to its former call letters, WXRK, and nickname "K-Rock." The station brought back the music at 5 p.m. Thursday with a spin of Nirvana's "All Apologies." Though the Free FM format experiment will continue in a handful of other cities across the country, the New York outlet will lose comedian Nick Di Paolo, Leslie "the radio chick" Gold and a duo known as Ron and Fez, The New York Times reports. Another pair, JV and Elvis, were fired earlier this month when they made an offensive prank phone call to a Chinese restaurant. The only talk remaining will be the cleaned up syndicated version of the Opie and Anthony radio show. The duo are currently on a 30-day suspension from their XM satellite radio gig after a bit earlier this month in which a character fantasized about sexually assaulting Condoleezza Rice and Laura Bush.

05.24.2007

Melinda Doolittle should have won "American Idol" — and Britney Spears needs to ditch her "stupid friends" if she wants to save her career, Simon Cowell told "Good Morning America" on Thursday (May 24). The "Idol" judge summed up Wednesday night's results ("the singer won over the entertainer"), called Jordin Sparks the season's "most improved" contestant and said Melinda "tried the hardest, was consistently the best, and had the best voice." And as for Britney, Simon says he could have put her on the right path back in 2006. "My advice to her six months ago was to go home to your family, lock the door, don't go out with your stupid friends, have some home-cooked food. Get a sense of reality. ... And then say to yourself, 'There's more good in my life than bad. I'm still a rich, talented girl and now I want to get my career back on track.' End of story." ...

Jordin Sparks is no doubt celebrating her "American Idol" victory, but the show's organizers might not be so happy with the finale results. Reuters reports that 7 million fewer people tuned into the last episode of the show compared with last year. ... Paul McCartney is fed up with hearing rumors that he backed out of appearing on the Wednesday night show, which his ex Heather Mills attended. In a statement released to TMZ.com, a representative for McCartney said the former Beatle was never scheduled to appear on the show in the first place. ...

Write on: Amy Winehouse, Madonna and the Arctic Monkeys scooped up Ivor Novello songwriting awards on Thursday. Winehouse won Best Contemporary Song honors for "Rehab." ... Talk about scary: Marilyn Manson has recorded an acoustic cover of Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around ..." on the BBC, according to Stereogum.com. ... The karmic returns keep coming in for Bono. The U2 singer will be hailed with this year's Liberty Medal for helping to bring attention to Africa's medical and economic problems, The Associated Press reports. He and his Debts, AIDS, Trade, Africa organization will accept the award September 27, with a $100,000 donation going to DATA. ...

Get ready to strap on your axes: The songs that will be featured in "Guitar Hero III" have been revealed, according to GameSpot.com. The game will include a handful of original recordings, including Weezer's "My Name Is Jonas," Smashing Pumpkins' "Cherub Rock," Beastie Boys' "Sabotage," Tenacious D's "The Metal," Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black," Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" and Muse's "Knights of Cydonia." Covers of songs by Heart, Kiss, Alice Cooper and others will also appear in the game, which is due later this year. ...

Scott Stapp has issued a public apology following his domestic violence arrest over the weekend. "I am truly sorry and seek forgiveness from my wife, as she has done the same seeking forgiveness from me," the former Creed frontman said. "We both know we were wrong in how we handled the argument and in some of the allegations that were made. Now we are trying to move forward as a family." Stapp said in the statement that some things said to police in the heat of the moment weren't true. "As in most cases like this, the next day everyone is sorry and wishes they didn't get the police involved and said what they did about their partner. ... We would also like to apologize to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department for calling them to our home and taking them away from the very serious and dangerous job of protecting our community." ...

Lady Sovereign offered an apology of her own to fans who waited until 3:30 a.m for her to take the stage at a show in Brooklyn, New York, last week — only to have the rapper walk off two songs later. "I know how stupid I must have looked on Friday," Sov said in a statement. "I was tired and not in the mood, having a bad day." How bad? According to her rep, the rapper's tour bus broke down on her way to New York from New Jersey's PNC Bank Arts Center, where she opened for Gwen Stefani, making her late for the four-song set she had scheduled at Brooklyn's Studio B. "But that's no excuse for letting fans down," the statement continued. "I"m sorry to those that were at Studio B to see me." ...

Aly & AJ have wrapped up their new LP Insomniac, which is due July 10. The video for the first single, "Potential Breakup Song," was shot by Chris Applebaum (Britney Spears, Hilary Duff). Also keep an eye out for boxes of Honeycomb cereal, which the girls will also be appearing on. ... Snoop Dogg and Chris Cornell have been added to the lineup of the Live Earth concerts set for July 7. Both will take the stage in Germany for Live Earth Hamburg, one of nine worldwide events to raise awareness of climate change. ...

AirWair Ltd., the company behind Dr. Martens footwear, has fired its advertising agency in the wake of controversy surrounding a British ad campaign that includes a photo of Kurt Cobain. In a press release obtained by TheDailySwarm.com, AirWair Ltd. CEO David Suddens said the poster campaign crafted by Saatchi & Saatchi wasn't supposed to go public. "Dr. Martens did not commission the work as it runs counter to our current marketing activities," Suddens said in a statement. Saatchi & Saatchi, in the meantime, is standing by the ad campaign. A representative for Courtney Love previously told People magazine she didn't give permission for Dr. Martens to use a photo of her late husband in the campaign. "She thinks it's outrageous that a company is allowed to commercially gain from such a despicable use of her husband's picture," her spokesperson said. "It does appear that in the U.K. what Dr. Martens has done is allowed. Courtney did not, and would not, approve of such a use of Kurt's name and likeness." ...

Jack Bruce, bassist for Cream, told AP Thursday that the iconic blues-rock power trio will get back together for a series of shows later this year, even though he recently told British newspaper The Scotsman that there was no way the group would re-form. His former bandmates Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker have not confirmed the reunion. ... Liars are saying goodbye to their conceptual material with a more accessible self-titled LP due August 28. The traditionally structured songs include such paradoxical titles as "The Dumb in the Rain," "Clear Island" and "Leather Prowler." ... Dave Navarro said his band, the Panic Channel, plan on recording and releasing their next album without the help of a record label; the band recently parted ways with Capitol Records. In a post on his 6767.com blog, the former Jane's Addiction guitarist said he's eager to break free from record company "slavery." "Our plan is to write, record, mix and make the music available online, DIY-style," he wrote. There's no word yet on when the album might surface.

• Green Day
• Linkin Park
• Kanye West
• Young Jeezy
• Nick Cannon

Taylor Hicks
Photo: Vince Bucci/ Getty Images

"American Idol" is a cultural phenomenon and a ratings juggernaut, but let's face it, it ain't perfect. There are singers who can't sing, judges who don't judge and, well, whatever that whole Meatloaf thing was at last season's finale.

While the show's sixth season is already going strong, critics and fans have questioned how long it can last (see " 'American' Invincible? 'Idol' Watchers Weigh In On Show's Shelf Life"). And since "Idol" does seem to be the thing everyone has an opinion on, we thought we'd ask some people close to the show or the music industry in general what they'd change if they were in charge.

Surprisingly, no one suggested bringing Brian Dunkleman back.

Taylor Hicks, season-five winner: "I would probably allow people to play instruments. For me, there's a couple different aspects to my entertaining, two of them being harmonica and guitar. That could be a cool possibility."

David Bloomberg, editor of fan site FoxesOnIdol.com: "I'm not a big fan of the bad auditions. We could be done with those in a week and it would make me quite happy. Also, let us get to know all of the semi-finalists before we start to vote, to make it fair. I would suggest adding a special hour before the voting shows begin to give us short intros to all the remaining contestants. That way we don't have a situation where we've seen and heard a lot about a few contestants while others are brand new to us when they sing for our votes. Finally, Ryan Seacrest needs to stop taking himself so seriously and trying to outdo Simon with his jabs and insults. Enough already."

Randy Jackson, "American Idol" judge: "I could definitely live without [the celebrity guest judges]. I mean, the show works because it's the three of us on the panel, and what we do and how we interact. I think when people come into the arena that we judge in, it's often a little awkward and a little hard for them. I think people look at the show as a fan and go, 'I could do that. I'd love to be there.' It's almost like saying, 'I could be a pitcher.' Actually, I couldn't. I don't even know if I could pitch Little League. I mean, yes, you could do it, but is it going to be great or are you just there for the TV face time?"

JoJo Wright, on-air personality at KIIS-FM, Los Angeles: "Give out a William Hung Award [to the worst singer] at the completion of the audition process. Perhaps have William Hung present the award, himself."

DJSlim (real name: Brent Natzle), editor of IdolBlogLive.com: "I would eliminate all the auditions we have to watch, and of course there would be a huge overhaul to the voting system. Right now it isn't fair that people can vote literally thousands of times for their favorite Idol. Shows like 'Nashville Star' have been successful and they limit the number of votes people can cast. The biggest thing I would change with 'Idol,' though, would be allowing the contestants to use the Internet to blog about their experience on the show. 'Rock Star: Supernova' allowed the contestants to blog and it really helped to get to know the individual singers. Blogging is huge right now and 'Idol' needs to see that and take advantage of it. Instead of getting upset and suing blog owners, grow up and allow the contestants to blog about the show. Who cares if we find out any of the show's secrets?"

Paris Bennett, season-five finalist: "I love that people can call in and vote, but that is very, very controversial. So I'd redo the voting thing. And the genres they pick — our show was good, but we had these slow weeks, love-song week, and sometimes they're stupid."

Bryan-Michael Cox, songwriter/producer (Mariah Carey, Chris Brown): "I would focus more on the positive in the beginning. We think the negative stuff is hilarious, but when you're in the process of launching careers, you shouldn't take the seriousness out of it. You know, William Hung got a record deal, but that could have gone to someone with talent who could be building a career right now."

Todd Brabec, executive vice president/membership, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP): "It would be great to integrate contemporary songwriters into the show who can help write original material specifically suited to the finalists. They could show a behind-the-scenes look at the songwriting process and how it helps to shape the artist. I understand the producers are introducing a national songwriting competition into the mix this year, and that is a step in the right direction."

Ace Young, season-five finalist: "I'd change the food they gave the contestants. We didn't get much for breakfast, it was all crescent rolls and fruit. And I'd change the sleeping arrangements. We slept on beds smaller than a twin mattress and I shared a room with Chris [Daughtry] with my feet hanging off the bed. That was the worst thing about the whole deal."

Greg Wells, producer (Deftones, the Pussycat Dolls): "If I ran 'American Idol,' I would immediately ban all Broadway show tunes from being performed."

And finally ... you.: Write in to You Tell Us and explain what you would change about "American Idol."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• An Open Love Letter To 'American Idol'
• American Idols Aren't Staying Idle
• 'American Idol' Alumni Report

• "Idol" Hopefuls Line Up For Open Auditions At The Pasadena Rose Bowl

• Taylor Hicks
• Randy Jackson
• Ace Young
• Paris Bennett

Ace Young
Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images

One of the few "American Idol" finalists from season five who has so far not signed a record deal is partially responsible for the biggest single to come from the crop so far.

Ace Young, the smooth, George Michael-influenced seventh-place finisher, actually co-wrote the chorus to his close friend Chris Daughtry's "It's Not Over," a title fitting for Young's own career. "All these songwriters are taking me seriously now as a songwriter," Young said. "And now I'm writing with the biggest songwriters in the world."

Among those collaborators are Diane Warren and Desmond Child, who have worked with several former "Idols" in the past, including Daughtry. "I've played them the songs I've been writing and they believe in it," Young said. "They wanted to make sure we had control, so [a record deal would be] more about promotion and not someone saying, 'Can we have a cowbell through that song?' I don't want a major [label] touching me until the album is ready."

Young has been recording for a few months and describes his album as pop with a soulful R&B vibe, in the spirit of his biggest "Idol" hit, Michael's "Father Figure." "When you hear it, you're gonna want to get into it," Young said of the LP, adding that he's also working with KC of the Sunshine Band. "Every time you hear any of his songs, people get up. And I want to carry that on to the new generation."

With Young co-writing all the material, fans should also expect a very personal album. "The American public knows a lot about me, but there's a lot they don't know about me," he explained. "Things I've gone through, being the youngest of five, it's been rough. I've lived in 14 different houses, 'cause we were always moving when the mortgage increased after each year. We were struggling, financially."

Young released a single called "Scattered" last fall "to see what I can do without [a major label]," and cracked the top 50 of Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary chart. Now, he's setting out to make the rest of the album register just the same. "We're making a theme for a whole album," he said. "I've had a lot of albums I listen to from beginning to end: Prince, Men at Work, Jamiroquai. And that's what we're going for."

Ace has formed a band with former members of Dishwalla, and Jewel and Don Henley's bands, and is playing scattered dates across the country. He also talks with Daughtry almost daily and the two are planning to record a duet for charity when their schedules work out. "I've always been family- and friend-oriented, and we're best friends forever," Young said.

Along with his music, Young has focused his efforts on charity. With help from his fan club he has raised almost $80,000 for a children's hospital in Denver. "A lot of people fly there for heart surgery and the treatment they have there. They're building a family area where families can stay right next to their kids," he explained. "I wanted something that anybody could donate to in the U.S. and it would make sense, but would also hit my hometown."

Before "Idol," Young appeared on UPN's sitcom "Half & Half" and hopes to act again, but music is his priority. "I really want to show that side of me before I show anything else," he said. "That's how everyone knows me and I want to stay true to myself."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• An Open Love Letter To 'American Idol'
• American Idols Aren't Staying Idle
• 'American Idol' Alumni Report

• Ace Young
• Daughtry

"American Idol" season five top 10 finalists
Photo: Ray Mickshaw/Fox

With newly crowned champ Taylor Hicks still basking in the glow of his win Wednesday night, the "American Idol" TV juggernaut isn't the only 800-pound gorilla in the franchise. The American Idols Live Tour has added 16 fresh stops and tacked on second shows in four markets to make it one of the summer's biggest outings.

The now 59-date tour will kick off with a pair of shows in Manchester, New Hampshire, on July 5 and 6, then hit Worcester, Massachusetts, for a two-fer on July 7 and 8, before doubling up a week later in East Rutherford, New Jersey (July 13, 14) and Uniondale, New York (July 15, 16).

The additional September dates will keep the 10 finalists — Paris Bennett, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Mandisa, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Lisa Tucker, Elliott Yamin and Ace Young — on the road through a September 24 date in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, at the Wachovia Center, according to a press release on the official "Idol" Web site. Tickets for the new dates will go on sale Saturday.

American Idols Live Tour dates, according to the show's official Web site:

	Watch the "American Idol" roundtable only on Overdrive
	Scorching-Hot Snaps From The "Idol" Finale Red Carpet
	"Idol" Season Five Performances
	Photos Of The 12 Finalists
	Check out everything we've got on "American Idol"

• 7/5 - Manchester, NH @ Verizon Wireless Arena
• 7/6 - Manchester, NH @ Verizon Wireless Arena
• 7/7 - Worcester, MA @ DCU Center
• 7/8 - Worcester, MA @ DCU Center
• 7/9 - Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center
• 7/11 - Albany, NY @ Pepsi Arena
• 7/12 - Hershey, PA @ Giant Center
• 7/13 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Continental Airlines Arena
• 7/14 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Continental Airlines Arena
• 7/15 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
• 7/16 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
• 7/18 - Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Wachovia Arena
• 7/19 - Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center
• 7/21 - Rochester, NY @ Blue Cross Arena
• 7/22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
• 7/23 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Boardwalk Hall
• 7/25 - Bridgeport, CT @ Arena at Harbor Yard
• 7/27 - Pittsburgh, PA@ Mellon Arena
• 7/28 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
• 7/29 - Richmond, VA @ Richmond Coliseum
• 7/30 - Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
• 8/1 - Charlotte, NC @ Charlotte Bobcats Arena
• 8/2 - Columbia, SC @ Colonial Center
• 8/3 - Duluth, GA @ Arena at Gwinnett Center
• 8/5 - Sunrise, FL @ BankAtlantic Center
• 8/6 - Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum
• 8/8 - Birmingham, AL @ Birmingham Jefferson Arena
• 8/10 - Nashville, TN @ Gaylord Entertainment Center
• 8/11 - Columbus, OH @ Value City Arena
• 8/12 - Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
• 8/13 - St. Louis, MO @ Savvis Center
• 8/15 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
• 8/16 - Detroit, MI @ Joe Louis Arena
• 8/17 - Indianapolis, IN @ Indiana State Fairgrounds
• 8/18 - Louisville, KY @ Freedom Hall
• 8/19 - Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
• 8/20 - Peoria, IL @ Civic Center Arena
• 8/22 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
• 8/26 - Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
• 8/27 - Anaheim, CA @ Arrowhead Pond
• 8/29 - Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena
• 8/30 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
• 9/1 - Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena
• 9/2 - Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
• 9/5 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
• 9/7 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie
• 9/8 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie
• 9/9 - Houston, TX @ Reliant Arena
• 9/10 - Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
• 9/12 - Duluth, GA @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center
• 9/14 - Huntington, WV @ Big Sandy Superstore Arena
• 9/15 - Norfolk, VA @ Constant Convocation Center
• 9/16 - Reading, PA @ Sovereign Center
• 9/17 - Syracuse, NY @ War Memorial at OnCenter
• 9/19 - Hershey, PA @ GIANT Center
• 9/21 - Portland, ME @ Cumberland County Civic
• 9/22 - Providence, RI @ Dunkin Donuts Center
• 9/23 - Bridgeport, CT @ Arena at Harbor Yard
• 9/24 - Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Wachovia Center

To read about all the backstage action on previous Idols Live tours, check out "On The Road Again With 'Idol' " and "On The Road With America's Idols."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• Taylor Hicks
• Katharine McPhee
• Elliott Yamin
• Paris Bennett
• Bucky Covington

Beyonce, Fergie, Miley, More Rock The 2008 Grammy Red Carpet

• Fantasia
• Ace Young
• The Shins
• Joey Fatone
• Mark Ronson

Scorching-Hot Pics From The "Idol" Finale Red Carpet

• Taylor Hicks
• Katharine McPhee
• Daughtry
• Ace Young
• Paris Bennett