The performance of The Immortal – the Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show – kicked off in Montreal, Quebec last night, and it’s drawing rave reviews. With several members of the Jackson family among the 13,000 (!) screaming fans, the Cirque performers did their thing to MJ’s greatest hits catalog. If you enjoy Cirque and/or Michael Jackson’s music, the stunt filled show looks like it meshes the acrobatics and songs effortlessly and entertainingly. The Immortal tour is set to roll through 47 cities before setting up shop in Vegas. It’s nice to see some positive MJ news unrelated to Conrad Murray . Check out this sneak preview of the MJ Cirque de Soleil show … Michael Jackson – The Immortal (By Cirque Du Soleil)
LP will feature Jackson songs and mash-ups from Cirque du Soleil show of same name. By Gil Kaufman Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour Photo: Sunshine Sachs/ Cirque du Soleil The second posthumous Michael Jackson album is slated to hit stores on November 21. But unlike last year’s Michael, which featured unreleased tracks from the late pop icon, Immortal will serve as the soundtrack to the just-launched Cirque du Soleil show of the same name. The album, sorry, “musical tapestry,” is entitled Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour, and it will feature reworked versions of some of Jackson’s most beloved hits, mash-ups and never-before-released outtakes of the late King of Pop’s tunes. Among the latter is an alternate take on the Jackson 5 staple “ABC” and a choir-assisted rendition of “They Don’t Care About Us.” The visually stunning show — in the tradition of previous Cirque musicals featuring the music of Elvis and the Beatles — kicked off in Montreal on Sunday and is slated to travel throughout North America and the rest of the world. It will hit 60 North American cities before wrapping up in June in Chicago and taking up a residency at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Cirque writer/director Jamie King recently told Billboard that the idea was to be as inventive as possible with the MJ arrangements, treating them like Cirque did the “Love” soundtrack to the Beatles show, in which the Fab Four’s tunes were reshaped in previously unheard ways to create a seamless mixtape of trippy sounds. “Definitely all the hits that the fans want to hear are there,” King said. ” ‘Beat It,’ ‘Thriller,’ ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ ‘ — the big, iconic songs are there, with some other songs mixed and matched throughout. There’s some younger Michael in there as well, ‘Ben,’ the Motown stuff. … It’s a mixed bag of tricks in terms of songs. It’s a music-driven show, so we’re making sure the music is the narrative that drives us and takes us on the journey.” The collection will come in several versions , including a deluxe $50 set that features the CD, a T-shirt and show program. It will feature more than 40 of Jackson’s greatest hits. In a statement, Kevin Antunes, musical designer of the Cirque du Soleil show, added, “Michael’s legacy as the greatest entertainer of our lifetime is inspiring beyond words. It was clear from the start that Michael’s voice and overall musical essence was the sole/soul source of creative energy driving the project. From the studio to the stage, there’s an undeniable integrity and resolute truth in Michael’s vocal performances that are highlighted in the Immortal arrangements. It was built with love and respect for Michael’s music, his family and his millions of fans around the world.” Among the songs included on the deluxe version are: “Working Day and Night,” “Ben,” “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground),” “Beat It/ Jam/ State of Shock,” “Remember the Time/ Bad,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Can You Feel It/ Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough/ Billie Jean/ Black or White,” “Human Nature/ Speechless,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “I’ll Be There,” “Gone Too Soon” and “Is It Scary/ Thriller/ Ghost/ Somebody’s Watching Me/ Threatened.” In other MJ news, in the midst of the manslaughter trial of former Jackson physician Conrad Murray , the Michael Forever tribute concert is slated to take place in Cardiff, Wales, on October 8. The show, hosted by Jamie Foxx , will feature performances from the Black Eyed Peas , , Ne-Yo, Cee Lo Green , Jennifer Hudson , Leona Lewis, Craig David, Pixie Lott, Alexandra Burke, Alien Ant Farm, Motown legend Smokey Robinson and the first live performance by Jackson sibling LaToya in more than 20 years. Related Videos Cirque Du Soleil’s Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour Related Artists Michael Jackson
Is this woman single-handedly bringing down the value of posh Los Angeles homes with her ‘Star Map’ shenanigans??? Her name is Linda Welton, and she was on the corner of Sunset and Carolwood Drive long before Michael Jackson arrived. She remembers well the days when he stood on a balcony of the rented chateau-style mansion and tossed autographed pillows to screaming fans. She remembers that he ordered pizzas for them and that his father, Joe Jackson, would come visiting but wouldn’t be let in. She also remembers the hordes that descended in June 2009, when Jackson died on the eve of his comeback concert tour. …A third-generation purveyor of the dishy tourist maps, Welton has good reason to be skittish. The owners of the mansion, fashion executive Hubert Guez and his wife, Roxanne, have taken her to court. The homeowners filed suit in June, calling Welton’s Star Maps business “a highly visible eyesore” and charging that she is tanking their property value. They are asking a judge for an injunction kicking the Star Maps lady off the corner. A hearing has been set for October 11 before Judge Gerald Rosenberg in Santa Monica, according to the court file. Welton’s family has sold Star Maps from the corner since the 1930s — long before such things as tour buses, paparazzi and TMZ. They survived past attempts to shut them down or make them move. And Welton has long been a Michael Jackson fan — so much so that she traveled the 90 minutes to Santa Barbara a dozen times to attend his 2005 child molestation trial. She celebrated when he was acquitted. Although she may be a nuisance to the neighbors, Melton is not a money-hungry, celeb-stalker out to harrass people. She’s stil a huge fan enraptured with MJ and his music. When speaking about the Jackson’s mansion where she sits selling her ‘Star Maps’ she says: “It came alive in a way no other place came alive through the years of map selling or that kind of thing,” she says. “It’s Tourist Central. Really, nobody lived there except Sean Connery, a while ago.” The fans came because Jackson engaged them, she said. And then there was the live music that poured out of the house every time Jackson practiced in his studio, which was often. “We all heard the music that came out from behind those walls,” Welton said. “So a lot of fans would park their cars here. They were trying to hear the music, but they didn’t really tell a whole lot of people because they didn’t want Michael to stop playing. So we had the time of our lives. This was actually the biggest thrill we’ll ever have. The music was absolutely beautiful.” The bougie a$$ white folks neighbors in the community contend that Melton is nothing but a pain in the cakes. “It is unpleasant and inconvenient to constantly be forced to navigate illegally stopped traffic in front of the plaintiffs’ home and to be daily and frequently forced to view defendant’s business activity,” the lawsuit states. The couple is trying to sell the mansion and, the lawsuit charges, Welton’s presence is hurting their chances. “The property is made unattractive,” the suit charges. “Potential buyers are bothered upon approach by the quite visible and annoying constant illegal stopping and/or parking of cars in front of the home that would otherwise be on a quiet residential street.” Melton say’s her family has been sued several times over the years. However the Supreme Court of California’s 1978 decision that ruled a city ordinance unconstitutional helped them maintain a family business that has prospered for over 40 years. What do you think of Ms. Melton and her business? Is she infringing on the rights of the the homeowners in the neighborhood or just living the American dream?? Source
Welcome to THG’s Week in Review! Below, our staff takes a look back at the stories, stars and scandals that made these past seven days so memorable. If you don’t already, you can FOLLOW THG on Twitter and Facebook for 24/7/365 news. Day in and day out, let us be your entertainment news source! Now, a rundown of the week that was at The Hollywood Gossip : Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore battled pesky divorce rumors, again. The latest report, which he sort of denies, involves nailing Sara Leal . Eric Johnson got Jessica Simpson pregnant ! Probably! Not denied! Lindsay Lohan and Philipp Plein : Business, not sexual partners. Kat Von D and Jesse James are over. Again. Like for good. Kelly Clarkson is not gay . Glad we could clear that up. Michael Jackson 911 Call Week One of the Conrad Murray trial featured this MJ 911 call (above). The physician’s defense actually claims Michael Jackson killed himself . Herman Cain and Morgan Freeman clashed over racism, Tea Partiers. The White House mixed up Colorado and Wyoming on a map. Justin Bieber planned the best date with Selena Gomez ever. Everyone still hates Casey Anthony . Lady Gaga – Marry the Night (Single) Lady Gaga is preparing to marry her husband (N.Y. City, above). This week’s Jersey Shore was (big shocker) another smush-fest. Elisabetta Canalis got the pink slip from Dancing With the Stars . Sister Wives returned in a new city and with a new pregnancy. In sports, John and Krista Lackey’s divorce made headlines. As did Delonte West’s new career . 50/50 Trailer Cancer comedy 50/50 looks like one of the year’s best films. Chris Brown did not knock up Karrueche Tran . Pheeew. Patti Stanger’s anti-gay comments sparked criticism. An Irish farmer was not pleased to see topless Rihanna . Tareq Salahi chose the house over Michaele’s boobs . Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler have reconciled.
Impossible! Sacrilegious! Totally and utterly absurd! Those were likely the reactions of many young X Factor viewers last night, after Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell both told Drew Ryniewicz that they preferred her version of “Baby” to that of Justin Bieber. Is the 14-year old really that talented? Listen to the original HERE , watch Ryniewicz in action below and then vote in our poll… Drew Ryniewicz X Factor Audition Whose version do you like best?
Michael Jackson’s security guard Alberto Alvarez testified in Dr. Conrad Murray’s involuntary manslaughter trial today, recalling that fateful day in 2009. Alvarez was the one who called 911 after Jackson’s vital signs fell. The 911 call is included below. But his testimony delved into much more than that. Murray asked Alberto Alvarez to remove several vials of Propofol before he called an ambulance on June 25, 2009, according to the witness’ tesitmony. Michael Jackson 911 Call Alvarez claims he quickly arrived at the scene and saw Murray performing one-handed chest compressions on Michael Jackson, who was still in the bed. According to Alvarez, Murray immediately asked him to pack up several vials and an IV bag – one that contained a vial with a “milky white substance.” Murray THEN asked Alvarez to call 911, at which point the dispatcher ordered him to move the singer from the bed to the floor in order to perform CPR. According to Alvarez, paramedics arrived soon after. He was grilled on the timeline of these key events by Murray’s lawyer, but he remained steadfast. Murray’s defense hinges on the theory that Michael Jackson killed himself with a lethal dose of Propofol while the physician was (briefly) out of the room. They have to try something. Your take? Dr. Conrad Murray is …
Sidenote: SMH at this guy’s fingerwaves… Members of the pop star’s inner circle described a chaotic scene in Jackson’s bedroom the day he died, CBS News national correspondent Ben Tracy reports. Dr. Conrad Murray, they said, was hunched over Jackson on the floor while his distraught children looked on. Faheem Muhammad, head of security for Jackson, said in court, “Paris is on the ground, balled up, crying. And Prince, was just standing there, and he was just, he had a real shock, just slowly crying. Dr. Murray asked the question, ‘Does anyone know CPR?’” “The prosecution is trying to create in the jury is a sense that this is a doctor who had absolutely no idea what he was doing,” says CBS News legal analyst Trent Copeland. “It’s an emotional setting. The children are on the ground, they’re crying. Dr. Murray is sweating, doesn’t call 911.” Once Dr. Murray got to the hospital, there was no evidence he told anyone Jackson might have overdosed on the powerful anesthetic propofol. And what he did say, according to witnesses, was odd. Michael Amir Williams, Jackson’s personal assistant, said during testimony, “(Murray) said he was hungry. He hadn’t eaten all day or night, something to that effect. And he wanted a ride to get some food.” Copeland says of Murray: “He sat there in a waiting room, rather than banging on the doors and telling the hospital personnel and the life-saving doctors who were working on Michael Jackson exactly what Michael Jackson had in his system.” It’s not looking good for your boy Conrad. Watch the video below:
Welcome, gossip fans, to another edition of THG’s Caption Contest ! What did The Vampire Diaries ‘ Nina Dobrev say to Joe Jonas and vice versa? That’s not a joke, we’re asking you to tell us the answer based on this photo! All you have to do to play is click “Comments” below and submit your best caption(s). Go to it! We will announce a winner Thursday . Best of luck, all …
The most annoying celebrity on the planet is late, folks. For her next red carpet appearance? No. “She was supposed to get her period and didn’t,” a source close to Kim Kardashian (VERY close to Kim Kardashian, apparently) tells OK! Weekly . Of course, nowhere on this cover does it actually say Kim is pregnant, just that it’s “baby time,” a child is “on the way” and that the reality star is “showing already.” If Kardashian were actually knocked up, the Internet would have exploded hours ago. “Kim always thought she’d have several kids by age 30, so in her mind she’s behind schedule,” an insider tells the tabloid . “Kim’s been going through all the K names. She even has a baby-name book and looks up the meaning of each one.” Considering the family into which this kid will be born, permit us a suggestion: klusterfuck. Kim, you can call us for the meaning of that one.
In day two of the Dr. Conrad Murray manslaughter trial, Michael Jackson’s personal assistant Michael Amir Williams took the stand to describe panicked voicemail Murray left on Williams’ phone the day Jackson died. The key points from Williams’ testimony : Jackson’s final rehearsal, on June 24, 2009, was “amazing.” The following day, Williams received a panicked message from Murray at 12:13 p.m. saying, “call me right away.” Murray told Williams that MJ had some sort of “bad reaction” and to “get somebody here immediately.” Williams arrived to see MJ on a gurney and Murray “frantic.” After learning of Michael’s death, Murray asked Williams to take him to Jackson’s home to get “some cream Michael wouldn’t want the world to know about.” Williams and MJ’s director of security decided not to do this. It was “normal” to have oxygen tanks in MJ’s house. It’s unclear whether his testimony will help or hurt Murray’s controversial defense theory that Michael Jackson killed himself with a lethal dose of Propofol. Yesterday, the prosecution also played this recording, allegedly made by Jackson, a month before he passed away, to illustrate what Dr. Conrad Murray knew about the state of the patient he was medicating improperly: Michael Jackson Recording at Dr. Conrad Murray Trial Dr. Conrad Murray …
