AP Source: Michael Jackson Estate in $200M-plus recording deal

The estate of Michael Jackson has landed the late King of Pop the biggest recording deal in history: a $200 million guaranteed contract with Sony Music Entertainment for 10 projects over seven years, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The record-breaking contract through 2017 could be worth up to $250 million if certain conditions are met. One of the albums will be of never-before-released Jackson recordings that will come out in November, the person said.


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Police: Woman in bust hid nearly $26,000 in bra

SPOKANE, Wash. - A fraud bust, indeed: Spokane County sheriff's deputies said a woman was hiding nearly $26,000 in her bra when she was booked into jail for investigation of theft. Lukeisha A. Harris was one of three Seattle-area residents arrested Friday as part of an alleged fraud ring.


[AP]

Star Search to Reboot on ABC: Paula Abdul to Judge/Host/Stumble

Just when I thought we could put some of this reality talent show nonsense behind us, comes the news that ABC will reboot Star Search, and with Ed McMahon gone, who better than Paula Abdul to fill his shoes?

Have we learned nothing from American Idol? We're all out of talent!

Could it get any worse than this? Yes, they could bring back Queen for a Day. Please, no!!!!!

[EW]

Look, it's Hooman Karamian on Blast After DUI Stop: Nik Richie Pic

Real name: Hooman Karamian

Nome de Web: Nik Richie

Don't drink and drive, Hooman.
Nice shirt. Chess King?

Get Your Cheap Pizza: Manhattan Offers .99 Cent Slices

Yes, you can get a slice of pizza in NYC for just $1.00, and for $2.75 you can get two slices and a can of soda.

The 99¢ Fresh Pizza at Ninth Avenue and 41st Street is one of 15 eateries around the city that now sell dollar slices of pizza.


[NYT]

NJ man is arrested after bragging about being a pedophile on YouTube

MIDDLETOWN -- A 21-year-old man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly boasted about having sexual encounters with teenagers on YouTube.com, according to a report by the Asbury Park Press.

[NJ.com]

Dutch Pedophile Party Disbands After Lack Of Success: Your WTF News Item of the Day

AMSTERDAM — A Dutch political party formed by self-described pedophiles has voted to disband itself after failing for the second time to participate in national elections in June.

[AP]

Shortest Man in the World Dead at 21: Tom Cruise May Replace

Sad news from the world of big and tall, Pinyping, the world's smallest man, has died at the age of 21.

Born in China with a a form of primordial dwarfism, Pingping developed a chest malady in Italy and has passed away as a result.

Posh Will Not be Pleased: Beckham's torn Achilles' Tendon

The surgery on David Beckham's torn Achilles' tendon has been completed.

The 34-year-old midfielder was injured in the closing minutes of AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday and is expected to miss the World Cup.

Posh was hoping to use David's Achilles' tendon to firm up the softballs in her chest.

Johhny Weir Afraid of Kate Gosselin on 'Dancing': Really?

The NY Post is reporting that Kate is acting like a "total diva" on the set of Dancing With the Stars, and that her antics have scared off Johnny Weir.

As a general rule of thumb, I don't post gossip items in general, and anything from the NY Post in particular. And not just because it's owned by one of the most vile people on the planet -- Rupert Murdoch (my mortal enemy!) -- but also because the gossip on those pages is so obviously manufactured and thus utterly unreliable.

Nevertheless, I'm posting it here so I can make fun of Kate Gosselin's new 'do, which looks the kind of wig the Hasidic women in NY wear, and because who knew Johnny Weir was afraid of anything?

That's how I know this piece is bull.

Weir has no fear!

Corey Haim Death Update: Same Cause of Death as Brittany Murphy?

The LA Coroner's Office says Corey was suffering from pneumonia. Couple that with the four drugs that were found in the apartment where Corey died -- Valium, Vicodin, Soma and Haloperidol, an antipsychotic drug -- and you have the same basic cocktail (pneumonia and meds) that killed Brittany Murphy.

American iDull: Has American Idol Jumped the Shark?

Paula's gone, Simon's all but gone, Randy Jackson hasn't had an original comment since season 1, Kara looks like she puts her makeup on with a trowel, and Ellen has the crazy eyes.

Plus, and most importantly, the show has only produced two bonafide stars in Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.

This year's current crop of finalists proves that either America has no more stars left in the AI age bracket, or that AI is not the vehicle of choice for those with the appropriate talents.

Remember Star Search? Another star making vehicle that burned bright and then flamed out ingloriously.

We are tired of American Idol and American Idol is tired of itself. FOX has been milking that cash cow for nine seasons, and those teats are raw and dry. Stick a fork in it, this show is done.

The twenty or so million viewers still hanging on like grim death are just circling the drain with Simon Fuller and company. Time to replace this karaoke fest with something else.

I suspect even Simon's new program, X Factor, will be DOA. Enough already!

America is fresh out of talent!