Janet Jackson axed from Horne bio
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Janet Jackson has been left out in the rain after "Stormy Weather" singer Lena Horne balked at having the younger star play her in a planned television movie.
The 86-year-old Horne reportedly is angry about Jackson's breast-baring stunt at Super Bowl and pressured ABC to drop Jackson from the project, the trade newspaper Variety reported Tuesday.
Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who also produced the TV bios "The Three Stooges," "Martin and Lewis" and the controversial "The Reagans," also quit the project in solidarity with Jackson, Variety added.
ABC executives resisted Horne's demand, but Jackson representatives told the trade newspaper that she left willingly after Horne and her daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley, asked that she not take part.
The network wouldn't comment on the film Tuesday.
In addition to her work as a pop musician, Jackson also has acted in the films "Poetic Justice" and "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps." She was recently photographed in makeup designed to mimic Horne in a Vanity Fair photo spread.
New Who Songs Tipped For Best-Of Set
The Who's first new songs since the 1982 album "It's Hard" will be included on an upcoming best-of collection, Billboard.com has learned. Due March 30 via Geffen, "Then and Now! 1964-2004" will feature the new tracks "Real Good Looking Boy" and "Old Red Wine," alongside 18 of the legendary British rock act's familiar hits.
In November, guitarist Pete Townshend wrote on his official Web site that he and vocalist Roger Daltrey recorded "Real Good Looking Boy" with assistance from drummer Zak Starkey, keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick, bassist Greg Lake and Townshend's brother Simon. No details are known about "Old Red Wine."
Now the group's lone surviving original members, Townshend and Daltrey have been working in earnest on new material since the summer 2002 death of bassist John Entwistle.
"Then and Now" will originally intended to be issued the same day as a DVD-Audio edition of the group's 1969 rock opera "Tommy," but that album has been pushed back to April 27. As previously reported, the Who will play "Tommy" live March 29 at London's Royal Albert Hall, as part of a benefit concert series for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The group is also confirmed to play March 22 and 24-25 at the London Forum and to co-headline the U.K.'s Isle of Wight Festival in June.
In related news, the Who's "I Can't Explain," "My Generation" and "I Can See for Miles" are featured on the boxed set "The British Invasion (1963-1967)," due Tuesday (March 2) from Hip-O/Universal Music Enterprises. The triple-disc package also sports classic tracks from Dusty Springfield, Manfred Mann, the Kinks, the Zombies, Tom Jones, the Small Faces, the Moody Blues and the Spencer Davis Group.
Here is the track list for "Then and Now!":
"I Can't Explain"
"My Generation"
"The Kids Are Alright"
"Substitute"
"I'm a Boy"
"Happy Jack"
"I Can See for Miles"
"Magic Bus"
"Pinball Wizard"
"See Me, Feel Me"
"Summertime Blues" (live)
"Behind Blue Eyes"
"Won't Get Fooled Again"
"5:15"
"Love, Reign O'er Me"
"Squeeze Box"
"Who You Are"
"You Better You Bet"
"Real Good Looking Boy"
"Old Red Wine"
Singer Alanis Morissette to host this year's Juno Awards in Edmonton
EDMONTON (CP) - Alanis Morissette has been pegged to host this year's Juno Awards, securing efforts by organizers for another star-studded evening.
The Ottawa native will be the face of a two-hour broadcast on April 4 when the country will honour the year's favourite musicians. Several years ago the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences got its act together and turned the once-stodgy show into a stellar night featuring high profile acts, starting with the Barenaked Ladies in 2002. The effort paid off in huge TV ratings.
And it hopes to beat previous records, such as the 2.2 million viewers entertained last year when Shania Twain wore various hockey-themed outfits. Juno producers are trying to squeeze in more performances, having already confirmed Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies, Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan and Nickelback.
Morissette, a Juno nominee in the music DVD category, has won 12 Junos and seven Grammys and she has been a presenter at both shows.
"Having been engaged in the music industry in Canada and beheld the evolution of the Junos over the last two decades, I feel so honoured to be hosting the show," Morissette, 29, said in a statement.
"I see this as the least I can do in the way of gratitude for a show and a country that has supported and propelled me over the last few years."
For Morissette the timing couldn't be better. The singer/songwriter/producer will release an album, So Called Chaos, on May 18. The CD's first single, Everything, will hit radio next month.
This year will also mark Morissette's return to the big screen. She will play an actress in a musical film based on the life of American songwriter Cole Porter. Called Just One of Those Things, the film stars Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd.
Furtado, McLachlan and Nickelback lead this year's Juno nominations with five nods each. Celine Dion follows with four and Billy Talent, Our Lady Peace and Sam Roberts are tied with three apiece.
Tickets for the show, to be held at Rexall Place, are nearly sold out.
AP Oscar Predictions: Rings, Penn, Theron
You can never count out surprises at the Academy Awards, but this season is shaping up as fairly predictable. Associated Press movie reviewers David Germain and Christy Lemire, much to their chagrin, agree on many predictions for the top Oscar categories:
BEST PICTURE
Nominees: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "Lost in Translation," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," "Mystic River," "Seabiscuit."
LEMIRE: The hobbits and elves will finally rule Oscar night. "Rings" is a sure thing — not because it's the best picture, which it's not, but because of the vastness of the entire trilogy. Without "Rings," the powerfully tragic "Mystic River" would win, though "Master and Commander" is the kind of classic epic that old-school Oscar voters love. "Seabiscuit" was inspiring and beautifully shot, but it's almost too feel-good. "Lost in Translation" is a small wonder — too small to take the night's biggest prize.
GERMAIN: I could say "Ditto" and be done with it, but what's the fun of coming to work if you can't nag colleagues? "Return of the King" is a virtual lock, and if any other film wins, all of Hollywood will demand a re-count. Yet there's the slimmest of chances a performance piece such as "Mystic River" could win over enough actors, who account for one-fourth of the 5,803 Oscar voters, to steal the precious trophy from J.R.R. Tolkien's gang of hobbits.
BEST DIRECTOR
Nominees: Fernando Meirelles, "City of God"; Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"; Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"; Peter Weir, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"; Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River."
GERMAIN: Let's see, a cast and crew of thousands, a trio of three-hour epics in a two-year span, nearly $3 billion in worldwide ticket sales. Peter Jackson has elevated the fantasy genre to mainstream high art, and the Oscar is bound to be his. Any other year, Weir would have a great shot for his ambitious high-seas adventure. Eastwood and Coppola deliver admirably, but their films' true strength lies in the writing and acting. Meirelles' "City of God" is raw and brilliant, but against Jackson, he hasn't a prayer.
LEMIRE: The "Rings" trilogy is as impressive as it is because of Jackson's sweeping scope. Any other year, Eastwood would have a great shot with his best film since his Oscar-winning "Unforgiven." But I was also wowed by Weir's ability to tell a huge story that's also quiet and intimate. And I'm just glad to see Coppola and Meirelles — two extremely observant directors whose films couldn't be more different — receive the recognition they deserve.
BEST ACTOR
Nominees: Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"; Ben Kingsley, "House of Sand and Fog"; Jude Law, "Cold Mountain"; Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"; Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
LEMIRE: As a father grieving for his murdered daughter, Penn has the showiest role in a film full of showy roles. After three earlier nominations, he should finally get his Oscar. Though I'd like to see Murray win — he brings such nuance to a complex part. Kingsley was startling, but he's already won for "Gandhi." Law wasn't even the best thing in "Cold Mountain." And Depp was a blast to watch, but he won't walk away with the pirate's booty this time.
GERMAIN: Another ditto on Depp, Kingsley and Law. Penn has softened his awards apathy, turning up at Hollywood events and promising to attend the Oscars after skipping the show for his previous three nominations. Good timing, since "Mystic River" should finally bring him his award. Penn's other top-notch role in last fall's "21 Grams" is fresh in people's minds, giving him an extra boost. Murray, one of the finest modern comic actors, does have a shot for a performance brimming with world-weary charm.
BEST ACTRESS
Nominees: Keisha Castle-Hughes, "Whale Rider"; Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give"; Samantha Morton, "In America"; Charlize Theron, "Monster"; Naomi Watts, "21 Grams."
GERMAIN: Naysayers whine that people are suckered in by physical transformations, but Theron's sublime performance makes her the front-runner, not the pounds and makeup she put on to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Theron is frighteningly authentic, redefining herself as a daring actress. Keaton could be a sentimental spoiler for her comic comeback role, while Watts' showy performance gives her an outside shot. Morton and 13-year-old Castle-Hughes are terrific but just along for the ride.
LEMIRE: Theron gives THE female performance of the year — she's an easy choice, even in a small, relentlessly bleak film. And you're right, Dave — it's what's going on inside that truly astounds, the who-knew-she-had-that-in-her? factor. Watts is such an intense, instinctive actress, she'll get her Oscar one day. Keaton was lovely, but she's already been to the Oscar podium.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Nominees: Alec Baldwin, "The Cooler"; Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"; Djimon Hounsou, "In America"; Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"; Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai."
LEMIRE: This one's hard. Baldwin was fabulously sleazy as a Vegas casino owner, and I'd love to see him win. Del Toro was heartbreaking in one of the year's most emotional films. Hounsou and Watanabe each brought quiet strength — and an intimidating presence — to their roles. But Robbins is the heart of "Mystic River," and like his co-star Penn, should finally win his much-deserved Oscar.
GERMAIN: Actually, this one's not hard at all. Robbins has never been better, masterfully embodying an emotional wreck of a man with a few surprises left. Hollywood loves the guy and is just looking for a reason to give him the big prize. The other nominees are brilliant, but Del Toro already won for "Traffic," Baldwin did the slimeball thing better in "Glengarry Glen Ross," and neither Hounsou's nor Watanabe's roles have quite the flash to lift comparative unknowns above an established player like Robbins.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Nominees: Shohreh Aghdashloo, "House of Sand and Fog"; Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April"; Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"; Holly Hunter, "thirteen"; Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."
GERMAIN: Harden would get my vote if she had not won for "Pollock," putting her in the "already-got-one" category. Hunter, an Oscar winner for "The Piano," is a long shot for the same reason. With her third consecutive nomination, Zellweger should win for her role as a plucky Confederate survivor. Aghdashloo runs a close second, bringing tragic grace to her part as a motherly Iranian immigrant. And Clarkson cannot be counted out, a veteran finally getting her Oscar due with a caustically funny role as a breast-cancer victim.
LEMIRE: OK, here comes my maverick pick. The day Oscar nominations were announced, I said, "Renee, Renee, Renee." She's due, and who else could possibly win? But as time has passed, I've come to think Aghdashloo will take it. She gives such a subtle performance, it's as if she isn't even acting. (Plus, this is the category that often provides surprise winners — just look at Harden.) Zellweger will get her Oscar in time, but not for "Cold Mountain," in which her performance is a bit shticky, even though it provides much-needed comic relief.
Prince Will Play Classics on Arena Tour
LOS ANGELES - Prince will return to arena stages for the first time in six years with a national tour featuring classic hits such as "When Doves Cry" and "Little Red Corvette."
"It's older music, but it's going to be played in a newer way," the typically reclusive performer said Tuesday in announcing the tour that begins March 29 in Los Angeles and will hit at least 38 cities.
Prince followed his announcement with a half-hour concert backed by his eight-piece group, the New Power Generation Band. He performed the title song from his upcoming new CD "Musicology" before answering questions from 200 fans and reporters.
The 45-year-old musician is in negotiations with various record labels to release his new disc. Since he parted with Warner Bros. in 1996 after a bitter feud, he has either released his albums on the Internet or through other labels or distribution deals.
His upcoming tour shows the singer is ready to move back into pop music mainstream he dropped out of in the '90s. He kicked off this month's Grammy telecast with Beyonce joining him on his hit "Purple Rain"; this marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking album and movie.