Mr. Pop Culture Report

This Week In History. News, Pop Culture, Entertainment, Technology. A Complete Look At The Week Of February 1, 2011

Thursday, February 17th, 2011 | 2011 And This Week In News And Pop History | No Comments

Compiled By Gary West @ www.mrpopculture.com

Week of February 1, 2011

In The News –

Jordan’s King Abdullah II fired his government Tuesday (Feb.1) in the wake of street protests and asked an ex-prime minister to form a new Cabinet, ordering him to launch immediate political reforms.The dismissal follows several large protests across Jordan_ inspired by similar demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt — calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samir Rifai, who is blamed for a rise in fuel and food prices and slowed political reforms.

Red light cameras are helping drivers remember that red means stop and are saving lives, according to a new study out Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The study concludes that the cameras have reduced the rate of fatal crashes by 24 percent in 14 large cities that introduced red light cameras between 1996 and 2004. “Red light cameras are working,” said institute President Adrian Lund. “There are hundreds of people who are alive because some communities had the courage to use this method of enforcement.”

Syrians are organizing campaigns on Facebook and Twitter that call for a “day of rage” in Damascus this week, taking inspiration from Egypt and Tunisia in using social networking sites to rally their followers for sweeping political reforms. Like Egypt and Tunisia, Syria suffers from corruption, poverty and unemployment. All three nations have seen subsidy cuts on staples like bread and oil. Syria’s authoritarian president has resisted calls for political freedoms and jailed critics of his regime.

More than a quarter-million people flooded Cairo’s main square Tuesday (Feb.1) in a stunning and jubilant array of young and old, urban poor and middle class professionals, mounting by far the largest protest yet in a week of unrelenting demands for President Hosni Mubarak to leave after nearly 30 years in power. The crowds — determined but peaceful — filled Tahrir, or Liberation, Square and spilled into nearby streets, among them people defying a government transportation shutdown to make their way from rural provinces.

The Dow Jones industrial average has closed above 12,000 for the first time in 2 1/2 years — yet another sign that the economy is extending its recovery from the recession.

President Barack Obama appeared on Tuesday to have persuaded his Egyptian counterpart, Hosni Mubarak, to take a middle course of promising to step aside later this year. It was unclear if that would satisfy the hundreds of thousands of protesters who gathered across Egypt to call on Mubarak to immediately relinquish power.

A massive storm billed as the worst in decades barreled toward the northeast Wednesday (Feb.2), leaving vast swaths from Chicago to New York paralyzed by snow and ice, stranding hundreds of motorists all night and shuttering airports and schools. Chicago had 19.5 inches of snow, ranking the storm the third-largest on record to hit the city with still more possible. As much as 1 1/2 feet fell in Missouri, more than a foot dropped on northern Indiana and southeast Kansas, and Oklahoma saw up to a foot.

The United States criticized the government of President Hosni Mubarak and condemned violence in Egypt’s capital as clashes between protesters and pro-government supporters demonstrated there would be no easy resolution to the unrest destabilizing America’s closest ally in the Arab world. A day after President Barack Obama pressed Mubarak to loosen his grip on power immediately, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the U.S. “deplores and condemns the violence that is taking place in Egypt.”

The Republicans effort to sink the Democrats’ health care overhaul fails. The repeal effort sank along party lines, 51-47 as expected. But in the process, Republicans forced Democrats on the record in favor of President Barack Obama’s signature overhaul and launched what they described as a two-year effort to discredit it in the lead-up to a bid for a second term.

Republicans now controlling the House promised Thursday to slash domestic agencies’ budgets by almost 20 percent for the coming year, the first salvo in what’s sure to be a bruising battle over their drive to cut spending to where it was before President Barack Obama took office.

Tens of thousands packed central Cairo Friday(Feb.4), waving flags and singing the national anthem, emboldened in their campaign to oust President Hosni Mubarak after they repelled pro-regime attackers in two days of bloody street fights. The U.S. was pressing Egypt for an immediate start to democratic transition, including a proposal for Mubarak to step down immediately.

Mark Kelly, astronaut husband of wounded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, will keep his seat on the space shuttle Endeavour’s final flight in April – a mission he will also command. Kelly had been debating whether to go through with the mission or stay by his wife’s side as she recovers. Giffords was shot in the head Jan. 8 at a constituent meeting at a Tucson, Ariz., grocery store. Since Jan. 21, she has been undergoing rehab at a hospital in Houston.

The top leadership body of Egypt’s ruling party resigned Saturday, including the president’s son, but the regime appeared to be digging in its heels, calculating that it can ride out street demonstrations and keep President Hosni Mubarak in office. The ruling party leaders who resigned included the country’s most powerful political figures — and its most unpopular among many Egyptians. The move may have been aimed at convincing protesters in the streets that the regime is sincere in implementing democratic reforms they demand.

Seamstresses, set designers and musicians watched in tears as firefighters struggled to control a blaze that raged through warehouses holding many of the elaborate costumes and floats they had assembled for this year’s samba parade. With just a month left before the March 6 start of the competition, there is no way to fully replace them.

Egypt’s vice president met a broad representation of major opposition groups for the first time Sunday and offered new concessions including freedom of the press, release of those detained since anti-government protests began nearly two weeks ago and the eventual lifting of the country’s hated emergency laws.  Two of the groups that attended the meeting said this was only a first step in a dialogue which has yet to meet their central demand — the immediate ouster of longtime President Hosni Mubarak.

Authorities in northeast Ohio say a shooting at a fraternity house just north of the Youngstown State University campus killed one student and injured 11 people, including six students. Youngstown police Lt. Franklin Palmer says the shooting happened during a party early Sunday and no arrests have been made, but police have at least one suspect.

An Iranian court held closed-door proceedings Sunday to begin the espionage trial of three Americans – two in custody and one freed on bail – whose 18-month detention has been the subject of impassioned family appeals and backdoor outreach by Washington through an Arab ally in the Gulf. Iran’s state-run Press TV reported that not guilty pleas were submitted to the court by their attorney, but gave no other details. Details of the nearly five-hour hearing were not made public and it was unclear whether the two Americans in Iranian custody – Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal – were present in the Revolutionary Court, which deals with state security cases like those of people arrested in the violent aftermath of Iran’s disputed election in 2009.

President Barack Obama is telling business leaders that despite some strong disagreements, “we can and must work together.” Obama spoke Monday (Feb.7) morning at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is so close to the White House that Obama was able to walk across the street to make his comments. His appearance comes as Obama aims to smooth his relations with corporate leaders and persuade major businesses to spend their cash, expand hiring and promote economic growth.

Rio de Janeiro’s world-famed Carnival went up in flames Monday for thousands of people who spent nearly a year preparing for the spectacular event.

Technology -

First iPad newspaper launched – News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch and a gaggle of tech and media chroniclers gathered Wednesday (Feb.2) at the Guggenheim Museum in New York for a first look at the debut edition of The Daily, News Corp.’s experimental iPad “newspaper.” Apple has sold 14.8 million iPads since its tablet hit the market in April. Murdoch said he expects the tablet audience to grow to more than 50 million within the next year. “The Daily” will cost about $40 a year.

According to a new Cisco forecast, in just four years two-thirds of the world’s mobile data traffic will be video. How will wireless carriers keep up with this demand? The major providers are pinning their hopes on 4G wireless networks, which they say will be able to handle greater data loads.

AOL has announced that it plans to buy the Huffington Post for $315 million. Arianna Huffington will become editor in chief of all of AOL’s content sites, including TechCrunch  and Engadget. According to Arianna’s memo to site contributors, nothing will be different except “more people reading what you wrote.

Sports –

The NBA fined the New York Knicks $200,000 and team scout Rodney Heard $20,000 on Thursday for conducting illegal draft workouts. The league ruled that Heard, the Knicks’ director of East scouting, violated rules restricting contact between teams and players eligible for the draft in May 2007 and May 2010. Under the rules at that time, players were not eligible to be worked out for teams before the NBA’s predraft camp in May.

Super Bowl XLV scored with viewers, tying for the highest-rated NFL championship game according to overnight television ratings released Monday by Fox. The Green Bay Packers’ 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers earned a 47.9 market rating in 56 metered U.S. markets, an increase of 3 percent over last year’s game on CBS and tying it with Super Bowl XXI in 1987, according to News Corp’s Fox.

Music news –

Justin Bieber hits the court to headline the 2011 BBVA NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, as part of the NBA’s upcoming All-Star Weekend, on February 18 in Los Angeles.

Elton John on his friend Billy Joel and Joel’s rehap… “He’s going to hate me for this, but every time he goes to rehab they’ve been light,” the legendary singer — who went to rehab for drug and alcohol abuse in 1990 — tells the new issue of Rolling Stone, “When I went to rehab, I had to clean the floors. He goes to rehab where they have TVs.”But the Grammy-winner, 63, stresses that his words come from a caring place.

The Recording Academy is finally getting some satisfaction, with Mick Jagger’s first appearance on the Grammy stage. The Rolling Stones frontman will perform at the Feb. 13 ceremony as part of a tribute to soul great Solomon Burke, who died last year. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer opened for the Rolling Stones several times during his career comeback late in life.

Entertainment news –

Halle Berry has pulled out of a film job to prepare for a custody fight over her young daughter.A spokeswoman for the Oscar-winning actress says Berry backed out of a role in “New Year’s Eve” that was scheduled to shoot in New York this week “due to pending custody litigation involving her daughter.”

Television news –

ReelzChannel will air The Kennedys. The pickup comes nearly a month after A&E Television Networks abruptly dropped the project from its History channel — starring Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes as John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, respectively — because it is “not a fit for the History brand.”

The original Ewings — Larry Hagman (J.R.), Patrick Duffy (Bobby) and Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) – have signed on to appear in the pilot reboot of “Dallas.” TNT announced the pilot of the new “Dallas” would feature the trio, who helped thrill America between 1978 and 1991, playing the high-living family from Southforth, Texas.

The red swimsuit that helped make “Charlie’s Angels” actress Farrah Fawcett a 1970s icon became part of the Smithsonian’s collection Wednesday on what would have been her 64th birthday. Fawcett’s longtime companion Ryan O’Neal presented the swimsuit and other items to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington. O’Neal said Fawcett, who died in 2009 after battling anal cancer for several years, always intended to give the suit to the museum.

Beavis and Butthead – MTV announces its once-popular cartoon about channel-surfing, heavy-metal-loving high school losers would return to the network this summer.

Actor Charlie Sheen hopes to be finished with rehab and back on the set of his top-rated TV comedy “Two and A Half Men” by the end of February. Production on the TV show, broadcast on CBS, was suspended after Sheen, 45, went into rehab at the weekend after being hospitalized following a reported 36-hour party at his home last week.

Dana Carvey returned to Saturday Night Live. Music guest was Justin Bieber.

The 16-year-old pop singer brought his million-dollar smile and “angel’s voice” to two sketches, turning both Carvey and Andy  Sambert into fans.

Hot Hits This Week In 2011 –

Grenade- Bruno Mars

Firework – Katy Perry

F**kin’ Perfect – P!nk

Black and Yello – Wiz Khalifa

Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You) – Enrique Iglesias fea. Ludacrus & DJ Frank E

Hold It Against Me – Britney Spears

Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor) – Pitbull fea. T-Pain

Rocketeer – Far East Movement

We R Who We R – Ke$ha

What’s My Name? – Rihanna

Coming Home – Diddy – Dirty Money fea. Skylar Grey

Raise Your Glass – P!nk

The Time (Dirty Bit) – The Black Eyed Peas

Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars

No Hands – Waka Flocka Flame fea. Roscoe Das and Wal

6 Foot 7 Foot – Lil Wayne fea. Cory Gunz

Yeah 3X – Chris Brown

Back to December – Taylor Swift

F**k You (Forget You) – Cee Lo Green

Stereo Love – Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina

Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri

More – Usher

Only Girl (In The World) – Rihanna

What the Hell – Avril Lavigne

Higher – Taio Cruz fea. Travie McCoy

Dynamite – Taio Cruz

At the movies this week –

The Roomate (1^st week – $15 million)

Sanctum (1^st week – $9.4 million)

No Strings Attached

The King’s Spech

The Green Hornet

The Rite

The Mechanic

True Grit

Black Swan

The Dilemma

The Fighter

Yogi Bear

Hip Tuesday night TV (TV Squad)

7PM

Cartoon Network: ‘Sym-Bionic Titan’

8:00

CBS: ‘Live to Dance’
NBC: ‘Minute to Win It’
FOX: ‘American Idol’
PBS: ‘Nova scienceNOW’
Travel Channel: ‘Deep Fried’
OWN: ‘Mystery Diagnosis’

8:30

Food Network: ‘Throwdown With Bobby Flay’

9:00

NBC: ‘Minute to Win It’
FOX: ‘Human Target’
DirecTV 101: ‘Friday Night Lights’
Syfy: ‘Ghost Hunters International’
Travel Channel: ‘Man vs. Food: Carnivore Chronicles’
TLC: ‘My Strange Addiction’
TruTV: ‘Operation Repo’
Showtime: ‘Inside the NFL’

9:30

ABC: ‘Cougar Town’

10:00

ABC: ‘Off the Map’
CBS: ‘Blue Bloods’
NBC: ‘Law and Order: SVU’
Bravo: ‘Top Chef’
TV Land: ‘Hot in Cleveland’
Syfy: ‘Face Off’
Spike: ‘MANswers’
ID: ‘James Ellroy’s L.A.: City of Demons’

10:30

TV Land: ‘Retired at 35′
Spike: ‘MANswers’

11:00

SoapNet: ‘Being Erica’

Late-Night Talk Shows

11:00

PBS: ‘Charlie Rose’: Annette Bening
TBS: ‘Conan’: Kobe Bryant
Comedy Central: ‘The Daily Show’: Matthew Perry
E!: ‘Chelsea Lately’: Rachel Bilson
BET: ‘The Mo’Nique Show’: Antoine Dodson, Will Moss, Dante Lee, the Gregory Brothers and Mindless Behavior

11:30

Comedy Central: ‘The Colbert Report’: Sean Kelly

11:35

ABC: ‘Nightline’: TBA
CBS: ‘The Late Show With David Letterman’: Kate Walsh, Jim Gaffigan and Boxer Rebellion
NBC: ‘The Tonight Show’: Jesse Eisenberg, Jennifer Lawrence, and Ryan Bingham

Midnight

PBS: ‘Tavis Smiley’: Atul Gawande and Blythe Danner
TBS: ‘Lopez Tonight’: Mindy Kaling, Derek Fisher, Jasper Redd, and Arturo Sandoval

12:05AM

ABC: ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’: Josh Brolin and Tinie Tempah

12:35

CBS: ‘The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson’: Jim Parsons and Kurt Metzger
NBC: ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’: Samuel L. Jackson, Larry the Cable Guy and Phantogram

1:35

NBC: ‘Last Call With Carson Daly’: Rich Eisen, The Meltdown and Screaming Females

Top TV Shows –

1.	American Idol” (Wednesday)	FOX
2.	American Idol” (Thursday)	FOX
3.	Hallmark Hall of Fame: “The Lost Valentine	CBS
4.	Pro Bowl: AFC vs. NFC	FOX
5.	NCIS	CBS
6.	Criminal Minds	CBS
7.	Blue Bloods	CBS

Tags: 2011, American Idol, AOL purchases Huffington Post, Beavis and Butthead return, Bruno Mars, Charlie Sheen, Egypt, Halle Berry, ipad newspaper The Daily, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, King Abdullah, Mark Kelly into space, NY Knicks fined by NBA, President Hsno Mubarak, Super Bowl XLV, The Roomate is top movie, Week In History February 1, winter storm Chicago

Mr. Pop Culture Report – November 24… Face Getting A Trademark… Don’t Mess With Sheen… Cowell Loves Tyler… American Pickers Returns… This Week In History…

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 | Hot Pop Culture, This Week In Pop Culture History | No Comments

Facebook has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the trademark on the word “face” when used in the context of online chat rooms or bulletin boards. Facebook filed for this trademark in December 2005. The notice of allowance does not mean that Facebook has been granted the trademark just yet, but it’s getting really close. In the next three months, Facebook must pay a fee and file a statement of use, at which time it must prove that it is actively using the mark to provide goods or services, and then get the approval of an attorney.

Charlie Sheen has countersued Capri Anderson, claiming that the adult-film actress tried to extort him for $1 million after their encounter in a New York hotel room. “This case involves a shakedown and extortion of the internationally known actor and celebrity Charlie Sheen … by an opportunist pornographic film star and publicity-hungry scam artist,” the lawsuit states.

Former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell says he’s happy that Steven Tyler will take his place. Cowell says, “I always said it had to be someone who wasn’t better looking than me and they achieved it.” He poked fun at Tyler before collecting the Founders Awards at the International Emmy Awards in New York on Monday night. Cowell said the Aerosmith frontman seems like a nice guy, and Randy Jackson told him they were having a lot of fun.

Coming In December On History:

History presents all new episodes of “American Pickers.” Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are once again searching the back roads, junkyards, and filled-to-the-brim barns in America for “rusty gold.” AMERICAN PICKERS, the #1 new cable series of 2010, returns for new episodes of its second season beginning Monday, December 6 at 9pm ET on HISTORY.

Traveling along with the duo, viewers will meet an assortment of American originals and watch as a patchwork of history unfolds – one treasure at a time. “We’re caretakers of treasures and the stories behind them,” says Mike.

Tags: American Idol, Charlie Sheen, Facebook trademark, History TV, Simon Cowell, Steven Tyler

Mr. Pop Culture Report – July 29… … Ellen Says Goodbye… Disney Buys Gamer… Paris Hilton Has A New… Phil Spector Still Producing…

Thursday, July 29th, 2010 | Hot Pop Culture, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments

Ellen DeGeneres  is leaving as a judge of the hit talent competition after one season. “A couple months ago, I let Fox and the ‘American Idol’ producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” DeGeneres said. “I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. She said it was a difficult decision, and blamed the heavy work scheduled, but also admitted: “While I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings.”

Walt Disney Co. said it is buying social game developer Playdom Inc. in a deal worth up to $763 million. Mountain View, Calif.-based Playdom is among the leading makers of online social games, including Social City and Sorority Life, and engages an estimated 42 million active players each month, Disney said in a statement released late Tuesday.

Paris Hilton is preparing to release her as-yet-untitled album, a follow up to her 2006 debut, “Paris.” And the star insists she has taken inspiration from “Spinning Around” hitmaker Minogue in the hope her second release will be a bigger hit with fans. She tells Britain’s Heat magazine, “My record is in production now. I recently finished recording it. It’s very like dance, club music.

Imprisoned Phil Spector’s wife, an aspiring singer who just turned 30, is dividing her time between prison visits and promoting her new album, for which he is listed as the producer. For Rachelle, there has been a whirl of clubs, red-carpet openings, travel, interviews and recording sessions, all happily reported on her Facebook page. For Phil, there is life in a tiny cell at a prison in Corcoran, Calif., where he lives on hope that his appeal will be granted and he will get a new trial. He was sentenced to 19-years-to-life behind bars. Spector is 70.

Tags: American Idol, Ellen Degeners, Paris Hilton, Phil Spector, Playdom, Walt Disney Co.

Mr. Pop Culture Report – May 19

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments

Miley Cyrus may sing about how she “Can’t Be Tamed” in her new single, but it looks like the producers of “Dancing With the Stars” ” think that actually can. Miley, who is set to perform the song on Tuesday’s “Dancing,” has been warned by producers to keep things G-rated.  The report comes a week after Miley was filmed giving one of her “Last Song” producers a lap dance. The recent release of the “Can’t Be Tamed,” in which a highly sexualized Miley dances in a birdcage (see video below), also caused controversy.

FOX is changing the “American Idol” ” format after it sagged in the ratings (dropping 9% in young viewership) giving a push to “Glee” and focusing on comedy heading into the next television season. In response to viewer requests for more performances, Fox will increase the Tuesday night competition show from an hour to 90 minutes. The Wednesday results show will be chopped in half to 30 minutes, Fox executives said. Despite the ratings slide, “American Idol” continues as the nation’s most popular TV show.

William Shatner will star in his first sitcom. CBS has given the green light to a show, “Bleep My Dad Says,” on which the son of Shatner’s character has more than a million followers to a Twitter account where he writes down his father’s musings.

Hot Hits This Week -

OMG – Usher fea. will.i.am

Not Afraid – Eminem

Airplanes – B.o.B. fea. Eminem & Haley Williams

Nothin’ On You – B.o.B. fea. Bruno Mars

Break Your Heart – Taio Cruz fea. Ludacris

Hey, Soul Sister – Train

Rude Boy – Rihanna

Your Live Is My Drug – Ke$ha

Tags: American Idol, B.o.B., Glee, Haley Williams, Kesha, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Train, William Shatner

Mr. Pop Culture Report – April 7

Friday, May 7th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments

Only on Comedy Central –  (coming)  – a  Jesus Christ comedy – Titled JC, the half-hour animated comedy will revolve around Christ, who moves to New York City to “escape his father’s enormous shadow” in an attempt to live life as a regular guy, according to a news release.

With Aaron Kelly getting the axe this week – American Idol is down to the final four – Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze, Casey James and Michael Lynche.

Craig Kilborn is heading back to television. Kilborn, who previously hosted CBS’ “Late Late Show,” before leaving the program in 2004 (he was replaced by Craig Ferguson, will host a new show in an earlier time. The show would be syndicated via 20th Television, a division of FOX.

Top Video Games This Week in 2010 –

Super Street Fighter IV (PS3) (X360)

Wii Sports

Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver Version (DS)

New Uper Mario Bros. Wii

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction

Wii Fit Plus

Monster Hunter Tri (Wii)

God of War III (PS3)

Record of Agarest War (X360)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (X360)

Tags: Aaron Kelly, American Idol, Craig Kilborn, Crystal Bowersox, Csey James, Lee DeWyze, Michael Lynche, wii sports

Mr. Pop Culture Report – May 5

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 | Hot Pop Culture, This Week In Pop Culture History, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments

Summer Burger King/McDonalds wars – Many Mickey D’s locations are planning a summer drink promotion where customers can get any sized soft drinks or a 32-ounce sweet tea for just $1. Now the King has counter-punched, with a plan to sell medium-sized Icees in Coke flavor or Fanta Cherry flavor for just $1. The promotion starts May 24 and runs until June 20.

A recording of Britney Spears (pictured) singing Lady Gaga’s hit track Telephone has been proved to be authentic after it was leaked on the internet. Music producer Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jenkins has now confirmed that the track is real.

Harry Connick Jr. mentored “Frank Sinatra” night on “American Idol.”

Debra Winger has signed on as a regular cast member on HBO’s “In Treatment”’ She’ll play one of Dr. Paul Weston’s (Gabriel Byrne) patients when the show returns for its highly anticipated third season later this year.

Tags: American Idol, Britney Spears, Burger King, Debra Winger, Harry Connick Jr., McDonalds

Mr. Pop Culture Report – May 1

Saturday, May 1st, 2010 | Hot Pop Culture, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments

Passing: (The Buck) – Leslie Buck (87) who designed the iconic Anthora coffee cup – popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s has passed away.

Hitmaker Usher says “American Idol” and shows of its ilk are taking a toll on the music business. Usher says, “The true art form of music is being lost, because it seems so easy that everyone can do it, and that it can happen overnight. Television is a lie. It can’t happen overnight. The artist who thinks that it can just comes and goes. The reason why great singers cannot exist in this time is maybe because they’re not properly managed, and maybe they don’t understand the full gamut of what being an entertainer is.” Usher recently made an appearance on “Idol” as a music mentor.

The person who found and sold an Apple iPhone prototype says he regrets not doing more to return the device to its owner, according to a statement provided by his attorney. Brian J. Hogan, a 21-year-old resident of Redwood City, California, says although he was paid by tech site Gizmodo, he believed the payment was for allowing the site exclusive access to review the phone. Gizmodo emphasized to him “that there was nothing wrong in sharing the phone with the tech press,” according to his attorney Jeffrey Bornstein. On April 19, Gizmodo, which is owned by Gawker Media, published a bombshell story about the iPhone prototype, which had apparently been left at the Gourmet Haus Staudt in Redwood City. It was left behind by an Apple engineer named Gray Powell.

Peter Lopez (60), a successful entertainment attorney who was married to actress Catherine Bach was found dead in an apparent suicide.Bach played Daisy Duke in the 1980s TV series “The Dukes of Hazzard.”Lopez was Michael Jackson’s’s music attorney for several years. He also represented The Eagles, Michael Buble and Andrea Bocelli and.

Tags: American Idol, Bizmodo, Brian J. Hogan, iPhone, Leslie Buck, Michael Jackson, Peter Lopez, Usher

Mr. Pop Culture Report – April 26

Monday, April 26th, 2010 | This Week In Pop Culture History, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments

American Idol” raised more than $15 million as part of their “Idol Gives Back” special, and one more contestant was sent home. Despite his good looks and contagious smile, Tim Urban was the contestant who was eliminated. Celebrities including Jennifer Garner, Elton John, the Black Eyed Peas, Joss Stone and Mary J. Blige showed their support at the “Idol Gives Back” charity event.

Music news – Teen sensation Justin Bieber was forced to cancel his only Australian gig on Monday after chaos broke out among fans. Scores of supporters camped overnight at Sydney Harbor to see their idol perform and by Monday morning, thousands of youngsters were packed into the Circular Quay area. The frenzied crowd began to surge, prompting police to cancel the event after “more than 100 teens” became “distressed,” according to officials.

Randy and Evi Quaid showed up in a criminal courtroom two weeks late Monday and were arrested on outstanding warrants, authorities said.The actor and his wife were ordered held on $100,000 bail and told to return for a court hearing Wednesday, Senior Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter said in an e-mail. The couple have repeatedly failed to show up in a Santa Barbara court for hearings in a felony case alleging that they defrauded an inn out of more than $10,000.

Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 1987 –

Sports – NBA playoffs – as Larry Bird helps the Celtics beat the Bulls in a 108-104 victory. Will the Bulls come back?

NBA Expansion – Both Miami and Orlando are awarded franchises and you can add those to Minneapolis and Charlotte. The Miami Heat, The Minneapolis Timberwovles and the Charlotte Sprit will begin play during the 1988-1989 season. The Orlando Magic begin in 1989-1990.

Technology – Apple Computer says it is creating an independent software company to develop, publish and market applications software for its Macintosh and Apple II personal computers. The company also will publish software products developed by other companies.

Entertainment news –

Actress Mia Farrow is pregnant, and the father is her long-time beau Woody Allen. , The baby will be her ninth child, five of whom were adopted. Farrow (42) and Allen (51) began their professional association in 1982 when Farrow made “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy” and have made six movies together.

Elizabeth Taylor teams up with Japanese businessman Ryoochi Sasakawa in an alliance to bring her anti-AIDS crusade to that country. She’s also meeting with Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone.

Tags: 1987, American Idol, Apple, Black Eyed Peas, Elton John, Jennifer Garner, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Mia Farrow, Randy Quaid, Woody Allen

Mr. Pop Culture Report – April 16

Friday, April 16th, 2010 | Today In Pop Culture | No Comments

3D TV Concerns – According to Samsung, children and teenagers may be more at risk to health issues related to 3D viewing. Those with family history of epilepsy or strokes are warned that exposure to flashing lights may cause seizures. Who else should avoid watching television in 3D? Pregnant women, the elderly, the sleep-deprived, those suffering from serious medical conditions and anyone under the influence of alcohol.Samsung also warned people to stop watching 3D if they experience any of the following symptoms: altered vision, lightheadedness, dizziness, – involuntary movements such as eye or muscle twitching, confusion, nausea, convulsions, cramps, and disorientation.

PR Power Play – Ryan Seacrest Saves The Day – American Idol” contestant Crystal Bowersox has been a frontrunner on the FOX reality competition from the start, but she reportedly almost quit the show two weeks ago. She walked off the show and was ready to call it quits, when host Ryan Seacrest saved the day. Crystal reportedly told Ryan, “What’s the point?” and said she couldn’t handle the competition. The singer said she was planning on leaving and returning to Ohio to be with her family.

(Spotting a Trend) Radio Producer Is Looking For This (This Week) - I am looking for someone who can address a recent article on a clothing chain who pulled it’s bikinis because they had padded tops. What does selling this type of product do for a young girls self esteem? Is the media/ marketing companies making our kids grow up faster than they are ready for?

He Loves His Pad - When Norway’s prime minister found himself stuck in New York as a volcanic cloud grounded flights to Europe, he fired up his new Apple iPad and did the job remotely. In what could be a first for the new gadget, Jens Stoltenberg told CNN he used the iPad to manage the situation at home as Norway closed its airspace under threat from the ash.A photograph of Stoltenberg using the device was posted on the Internet by Norwegian officials under the title “The prime minister is working at the airport.

Tags: 3D TV, American Idol, Crystal Bowersox, IPad, Ryan Seacrest

Mr. Pop Culture Report For April 14

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 | Hot Pop Culture | No Comments

Another Trend – A market study says some 800,000 households have left – or shut of their cable TV. This, from a study by Tech Crunch. There’s plenty to watch online or with devices such as xBox. Still, there are still about 100 million subscribers to cable, satellite and similar systems according to the Tech Crunch report.

He’s Out Of There – Kevin Eubanks is leaving as Jay Leno’s sideman in May after 18 years with the late-night host. He told Leno during Monday’s taping of Tonight in Burbank, Calif., that he was ready for a career change of pace, but he didn’t announce specific plans. Eubanks called the NBC late-night show his “home” and said it had been “a wonderful experience” working there.

Last night was Elvis Presley night on “American Idol.”

Dead Show For Dead Man – Reality TV star Jesse James’’ alleged cheating scandal has cost him his hit U.S. show. “Jesse James Is A Dead Man” will not return for a second season on cable channel Spike TV.  A spokesman reveals the decision was made shortly after news of James’ infidelities first broke, and his wife Sandra Bullock walked out on him.

Sweet Tweet – Every 140-character snippet of info you’ve ever shared publicly on Twitter will soon have a home next to the Declaration of Independence. Twitter and the Library of Congress announce that every public tweet posted since Twitter started in 2006 will be archived digitally by the federal library. The purpose, according to a blog post by Library of Congress communications director Matt Raymond, is to document “important tweets” as well as gather information about the way we live through the sheer masses of tweets on the site.

Top albums this week in 2010 –

My World 2.0 – Justin Bieber

Now 33

Raymond V Raymond – Usher

Freight Train – Alan Jackson

Still Standing – Monica

Now Ladies And Gentlemen – Mr. Pop Archives And This Week In 2004…

Weekly radio address – President Bush said that U.S. forces were taking control of Fallouja “block by block” and allied troops were “finding and engaging the enemy” elsewhere in the country despite this being one of the bloodiest weeks of the Iraq war.  He warned that the military offensive against the widespread insurgency could rage for weeks, but reaffirmed his commitment to the June 30 deadline for transferring sovereignty to Iraqis.

Television news –\

Mark Wahlberg is one of the executive producers on a new HBO show called “Entourage.” The series stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Jeremy Piven.

Donald Trump will double his take on the second season of “The Apprentice.” He was getting $50k per episode and now he’ll get $100K.

“The Swan” – getting a nice lead-in from “American Idol” on Fox, beats ABC’s “The Bachelor in the ratings.

Saturday night on USA – “Nashville Star” – as four contenders are left.

Tags: Alan Jackson, American Idol, Donald Trump, Google, Jesse James, Justin Bieber, Kevin Eubanks, Mark Wahlberg, Monica, Twitter, Usher