Eminem Promises A Double 'Relapse' In 2009

Eminem is making his "Relapse" a double: not only did the best selling rapper reveal the release date for his highly-anticipated return to the rap game, but he announced that the follow-up will drop in 2009 too.

"Relapse," Eminem's first full album of new material in four years, is due from Interscope/Aftermath/Shady on May 19. The album's first single, "Crack the Bottle," is currently at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. A second album, "Relapse 2," is promised before the end of the year. "A lot of people were expecting Relapse to drop last year," said Eminem in a statement. "I was one of them. Then Dre and I went back in the studio in September for a few days, and that turned into six months. We were on such a roll; we wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre."

In an exclusive interview with Billboard last year, Eminem spoke about the studio reunion with producer and mentor Dr. Dre. "Me and Dre are back in the lab like the old days, man," Eminem said. "Just him banging away on tracks and me getting that little spark that makes me write to it. I don't have chemistry like that with anyone else as far as producers go -- not even close. Dre will end up producing the majority of the tracks on Relapse.' We are up to our old mischievous ways ... let's just leave it at that."

Michael Jackson Says London Concerts To Be 'Final Curtain Call'

Michael Jackson has confirmed his July residency at London's O2 arena during a press conference at the venue, describing it as the "final curtain call."

Hundreds of screaming fans turned up for the announcement, as well as members of the media, after promoters AEG Live posted a message on the 23,000-capacity venue's Web site inviting people to attend.

"Thank you all... this is it," said Jackson, who appeared an hour and a half late at 5.30pm. "I just wanted to say, these will be my final show performances in London. When I say this is it, it really means this is it. I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. This is it, this is really it, this is the final curtain call."

He added: "I'll see you in July and... I love you. I really do, you have to know that, from the bottom of my heart. This is it and see you in July."

The first date is July 8 and tickets go on sale March 13. Tickets are priced £50 ($70) to £75 ($106). Full details will be announced later.

Posters advertising 10 shows, also stating 'This is it,' appeared on the London Underground before the announcement.

The statement issued announcing the residency says that Jackson's O2 shows will be "history in the making as the King of Pop Michael Jackson performs in London for the last time."

Rob Hallett, president international touring, AEG Live, said in the statement: "We are delighted to facilitate the return of the King of Pop, long may he reign! Michael at the O2 this summer will surely be the highlight of the musical year.

"When Michael Jackson performs, the eyes of the world will be watching. Look out for an International flavor to the audience, as this will be his only concerts in the world this year."

Billboard.com had already revealed details of the residency and, earlier today, AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke told the audience at the Billboard Music & Money Symposium that Jackson is likely to perform a total of 20 to 25 shows at the O2 Arena once further dates are added to the initial 10 shows.

"We spent two years working with Michael trying to get him comfortable with this," said Leiweke, during his keynote Q&A at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. He added that the singer is "very focused."

Jackson has not released a studio album or played a full concert since 2001. His last major tour was the HIStory World Tour in 1996-1997.

Beatles edition of `Rock Band' video game planned

NEW YORK – Rock Band is getting the perhaps greatest rock group of all time: The Beatles.

The Beatles' management said Thursday that a Beatles version of the Rock Band video game will debut Sept. 9. In addition, they'll sell accompanying instruments modeled after the ones used by the band.

This is the first time Rock Band has based a game on one group, according to MTV Games. It has not yet been determined what Beatles songs will be included in the edition, available for Xbox360, Playstation 3, and Wii video game consoles.

Representatives of the Beatles and Rock Band had been planning a collaboration for months, but initially, the final project was not supposed to be a Rock Band game, but another type of game compatible with the instruments used for the popular series.

But MTV Games said in a statement: "As we moved through the creative process, it just seemed to make sense to clearly highlight the association between The Beatles game and the critically acclaimed Rock Band franchise. The game is being developed by Harmonix and will utilize and build upon the core foundation of Rock Band to create a brand new and innovative Beatles experience."

Giles Martin, son of Beatles producer George Martin, is developing the product. The Beatles, who broke up nearly four decades ago, have been slow in embracing new technology: their music is still not available for sale on iTunes.

The band's management, Apple Corps Ltd., is partners in the project with MTV Games and Harmonix.

Jewel, Nancy O'Dell drop `Dancing With the Stars'

LOS ANGELES – Pop star Jewel and TV host Nancy O'Dell have dropped out of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

Both women sustained injuries during training for the show that prevent them from continuing the competition, the network announced Thursday. Jewel was diagnosed with a fractured tibia in both legs, while the "Access Hollywood" host will need surgery to repair a torn knee cartilage, the network said.

Jewel said in a telephone interview Thursday that she initially dismissed the pain in her legs as soreness from the show's six- to eight-hour daily rehearsals. She eventually sought treatment and was "completely shocked" by the diagnosis.

"The doctor just looked at me and said, 'You're done dancing,'" she said.

The 34-year-old singer-songwriter said she is in pain and using crutches and will have to be seated to perform her next two shows — set for Thursday near Los Angeles and Saturday in Seattle.

"It's my first time sitting down in a concert," she said.

Jewel and O'Dell are still slated to appear on the show's season premiere Monday, when "additional changes to the cast" will be announced.

Jewel's husband, rodeo champ Ty Murray, remains a contestant on the program, though he said it's "a huge bummer" that his wife had to withdraw.

"That's a big part of the reason why we did the show," he said. "It was chance for us to work together and go through this together."

Jewel said she will continue to support her husband and her professional dance partner, Dmitry Chaplin, and she expects to return to the show.

"I think I'll be able to sing this season, so I can sing for Ty on the show if I can't dance for him," she said. "And I hope to dance with Dmitry again and vindicate ourselves."

'Seinfeld' stars guest on `Curb Your Enthusiasm'

NEW YORK – "Seinfeld" isn't coming back, but its stars will be together again this fall on HBO.

The network says that Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards will appear in several episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The HBO comedy stars Larry David, who helped create "Seinfeld."

HBO wasn't giving out any other details about the appearances, which were first reported on the Entertainment Weekly Web site http://www.ew.com. But they are sure to be eagerly anticipated by fans of "Seinfeld," which continues to be shown frequently in syndication.

Robin Williams Needs Heart Surgery, Scraps Tour

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Robin Williams is taking a time-out for "a little tune-up."

The madcap Oscar winner announced today he is postponing the remaining dates of his one-man show, Weapons of Self-Destruction, to undergo heart surgery.

The 57-year-old Williams announced Tuesday he was scuttling two shows in Florida this week after experiencing shortness of breath. Following a checkup, Williams discovered he needed a procedure to replace an aortic valve.

In a statement, Williams expresses optimism that he will be able to resume his show in the fall.

"I'm so touched by everyone's support and well wishes," said Williams. "This tour has been amazing fun, and I can't wait to get back out on the road after a little tune-up."

Previously purchased tickets will be honored at the rescheduled dates, or ticketholders can opt for refunds.

Williams has been on the sold-out 80-city tour since September. Tickets for the Broadway leg of this road trip sold out so quickly that another three dates were tacked on in April to meet demand.