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Ford Optimistic on Auto-Industry Sales

Ford Motor Co.’s sales analyst on Friday said the U.S. auto industry will continue its current pace and finish May on track for an annual sales rate of slightly more than 11 million new cars and trucks. April sales finished at an annual rate of 11.2 million vehicles, and industry analyst Edmunds.com has forecast a May rate of 11.4 million. The market will continue its modest recovery in the U.S., Ford’s George Pipas said. Mr. Pipas said he has yet to see any economic movements that would cause an unexpected sales jump. “May is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get month,” Mr. Pipas said. “This is where the consumer is.” He also said auto makers continue to hold off on incentives as they focus on profitability rather than quickly increasing market share. Much like what you can expect at the UFC 114 live stream this weekend. The forecast came on the same day that Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally sidestepped questions about the auto maker’s plans to kill its slumping Mercury brand. “We have nothing new to add today,” Mr. Mulally said during a meeting with analysts earlier Friday. Mr. Pipas also declined to comment in a meeting with reporters in Detroit. Mr. Mulally and his executives are preparing to ask the auto maker’s board in July to drop the Mercury brand, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Mr. Mulally reportedly has the backing of key Ford family members . Ford executives have publicly supported the brand since 2006, when Mr. Mulally joined the auto maker. Mercury, executives had said, was a brand that appealed to women. Behind the scenes, however, the brand received few new models. Many dealers also support bringing Mercury to an end. Separately, Ford said it continues to work on consolidating its dealer network. Mr. Mulally hasn’t disclosed the target size other than saying his goal is to maker dealers more profitable overall. The focus continues to be on closing some of the weaker dealers in cities where there is a shrinking consumer base. The auto maker had 3,553 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers at the end of 2009. General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC irked dealers last year during their bankruptcies when they presented plans to consolidate their networks. Chrysler cut new-vehicle deliveries to 789 dealerships. About 150 are fighting the move in arbitration hearings. Ford Optimistic on Auto-Industry Sales is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading

‘American Idol’ Finale Ratings The Lowest Since Season One

Just over 24 million people tuned in to see Lee DeWyze crowned the season-nine winner. By Ryan J. Downey Lee DeWyze performs as the new American Idol Photo: Kristian Dowling/FOX/PictureGroup/AP The last time an “American Idol” finale had this few viewers, Justin and Kelly were contestants. Just over 24 million people tuned in to watch last night’s conclusion of season nine, the smallest audience for an “American Idol” season finale since season one in 2002, according to a ratings report in Variety. The first season of Fox’s “American Idol” concluded with Kelly Clarkson winning the title over runner-up Justin Guarini. Since then, the show has created a small army of stars, not the least of which is judge Simon Cowell, who will not return for the show’s 10th season. While the season-nine finale bested the competition from other networks, its overall performance (which included the worst demographic scores in the show’s history, Variety reported) is the latest blow to the pop-culture juggernaut after a season filled with critical groaning over everything from song selections to host Ryan Seacrest’s behavior . It was the first season to feature Ellen DeGeneres as a judge, the first without Paula Abdul and the second with Kara DioGuardi. Lee DeWyze took the crown Wednesday night, though his victory was largely overshadowed by Cowell’s farewell. Also taking center stage was a string of high-profile performances, including ones from Janet Jackson , who sang new ballad “Nothing” and got her groove on for “Nasty”; Christina Aguilera , who transitioned from “Fighter” to Bionic single “You Lost Me”; and Bret Michaels , who told MTV News backstage that he hadn’t cleared his “Idol” duet with third-place finisher Casey James on “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” with his doctors. What did you think of the “American Idol” finale? Let us know in the comments! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos ‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season-Nine Performances Crystal, Lee And More After ‘American Idol’

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‘American Idol’ Finale Ratings The Lowest Since Season One

Facebook CEO Is Sorry You’re So Dumb [Social Networks]

Amid mounting criticism over Facebook’s privacy practices, CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued a Washington Post op-ed to apologize for his simpleton users’ inability to understand Facebook. God, how hard can this be, people? More

Justin Bieber Retakes Top Spot On Billboard Albums Chart

Plus, the National hit #3 with High Violet. By Gil Kaufman Justin Bieber’s My World 2.0 Photo: Island You might slow him down, but you just can’t stop Justin Bieber . The pint-size pop dynamo will be back on top of the Billboard albums charts next week when his second effort, My World 2.0 , makes the leap from #5 back up to the pole position on modest sales of 60,000, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan. Though the total is one of the lowest for a #1 album this year, it is still enough to push 2.0 over the 1 million mark. Hanging tight just behind Bieber is Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now, which is down 44 percent to 54,000, just enough to stave off a strong bid from moody indie darlings the National, whose High Violet notches a career-high #3 debut (51,000). Also debuting in the top 10 is the second effort from White Stripes/Raconteurs leader Jack White’s other side project, the Dead Weather, whose Sea of Cowards hits #5 on sales of 45,000. Filipina pop star Charice lands at #8 with her self-titled debut (43,000), edging out metal act As I Lay Dying’s Powerless Rise, which sneaks in at #10 on sales of 38,000. Rounding out the top 10 are: AC/DC’s Iron Man 2 (48,000), the Carole King and James Taylor Live at the Troubadour collabo, which slips a bit to 43,000, Usher’s Raymond v. Raymond, which ticks up a bit to 43,000, and Godsmack’s The Oracle, which drops eight slots from last week’s #1 debut to #9, as sales fell 63 percent to 43,000. Just outside the top tier, the Deftones take a major tumble in week two as Diamond Eyes sheds 68 percent of its first week sales to fall 12 spots to #18 (20,000). Toni Braxton’s comeback attempt, Pulse, also falls 13 to #22 (18,000), and righteous rockers MercyMe drop 20 spots to #23 with The Generous Mr. Lovewell (18,000). English piano popsters Keane hit #25 with their latest, Night Train (17,000), while classic rock juggernaut Meat Loaf could only muster a #27 debut with Hang Cool Teddy Bear (15,000). And it’s a modest debut for We Are the Fallen’s Tear the World Down at #33 (13,000), as the first effort from former Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody and “American Idol” finalist Carly Smithson fails to impress. Buzzed-about New York noise duo Sleigh Bells make an impressive chart debut at #39 with Treats (12,000), while cameo king Bruno Mars comes in at a modest #99 with his debut EP, It’s Better If You Don’t Understand (5,000). Next week, look for the much-hyped reissue of the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main St. to chart, as well as the fourth “Glee” album and the major label debut from Band of Horses. Related Videos MTV News’ Chart Watch Related Photos Justin Bieber Takes Over The Bodies Of Other Teen Idols Related Artists Justin Bieber The National

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Justin Bieber Retakes Top Spot On Billboard Albums Chart

Conan O’Brien To Launch His TBS Show November 8

‘The plot to ‘Lost’ is more plausible than my last year at NBC,’ O’Brien quips during announcement. By Eric Ditzian Conan O’Brien performs on his “Legally Prohibited” tour Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty images In the end, Conan O’Brien will have been gone from the airwaves for 289 days: the time between his final “Tonight Show” episode and the launch of his TBS late-night program . O’Brien’s new show will debut Monday, November 8, according to multiple news reports . The announcement was made at the TBS upfront presentation Wednesday (May 19) at the Hammerstein Theatre in New York City. O’Brien himself was on hand for the event, cracking jokes and even breaking into song. “The plot to ‘Lost’ is more plausible than my last year at NBC,” he quipped at one point. “I really believe in cable television,” he continued. “I do not want to live in a country with less than five ESPN networks.” The floppy-haired comedian also busted into a revamped version of Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” changing the lyrics to croon, “I just want to be on my own show again.” Not for 173 more days, CoCo! That his new show will air on TBS , rather than Fox, came as a huge surprise to even media insiders when it was announced in April. O’Brien’s reps were deep in negotiations with Fox until the talk-show host made a stunning reversal and decided to take his talents to cable. The show will air Mondays through Thursdays at 11 p.m. ET/PT. “Lopez Tonight,” which currently airs at 11 p.m., will shift to midnight. “Conan has been the comedic voice for a generation,” Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks, said at the time. “TBS already has a huge audience of young comedy lovers, and Conan’s show will give these fans even more reasons to watch our network.” During Wednesday’s upfront, Conan joked to his new boss, “Steve, thanks for the blank creative check … you fool!” Will you watch Conan’s TBS show? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Conan O’Brien’s ‘Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television’ Tour Invades L.A. Conan’s Career In Photos If Conan O’Brien Worked At MTV

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Conan O’Brien To Launch His TBS Show November 8

Project Natal World Premiere E3 Event To Air On MTV

Gamers will get their first look at Xbox 360 device on June 15 at 3:30 p.m. ET. By Russ Frushtick Soccer player Tristan Bowen plays Project Natal at the Xbox Booth during E3 in Los Angeles on June 2, 2009 Photo: Michael Buckner/ WireImage E3 is always an important time for gamers, but the show is limited to members of the games industry, so everyone else is forced to experience the news second-hand. That’ll change this year, as MTV Networks will be airing Microsoft’s world premiere of Project Natal, giving viewers a glimpse at what the future holds for their Xbox 360s. Airing on Tuesday, June 15, the premiere will feature a performance by Cirque du Soleil and will demonstrate new features and games specifically for Project Natal. First shown at E3 2009, Project Natal is a new piece of hardware that attaches to the Xbox 360. Equipped with a camera, the device senses the location and position of players standing in front of it. This allows gamers to control the action on the screen simply by moving their bodies. Unlike the Wii or PlayStation’s upcoming Move motion controller, Project Natal doesn’t require participants to be holding anything while they play, which is good news considering all those unfortunate Wii-mote accidents a few years back. In the announcement, Microsoft Senior Vice President Don Mattrick was enthusiastic about the opportunity to air the event. “We look forward to making entertainment history again at E3 Expo 2010 and can’t think of a better partner than MTV Networks to exclusively share our news, experiences and Cirque du Soleil’s amazing creativity with an entirely new audience.” Before the MTV premiere, brother station Spike TV will be broadcasting Microsoft’s E3 media briefing live on Monday, June 14. Specific details and announcements are usually kept well under wraps until the show actually begins, but previous years have focused on new games and updates to the Xbox 360 platform. Last year’s media briefing was particularly eventful, as it featured an appearance by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, who were on hand to promote “The Beatles: Rock Band.” “The World Premiere Project Natal for Xbox 360” show will be airing commercial-free on MTV, June 15 at 3:30 p.m. ET, and then on Nick at Nite, mtvU, MTV Hits and Logo, at 9 p.m. ET that evening. Microsoft’s E3 media briefing will air live on Spike TV on Monday, June 14 at 1:30 p.m. ET. Both events can also be viewed live on GameTrailers.com .

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Project Natal World Premiere E3 Event To Air On MTV

Remembering 6 Female-Hosted Daytime Talk Show Disasters

With less than a month until the underrated Bonnie Hunt Show drops off the air and four months until the Oprah Winfrey Show ‘s grand finale, the daytime talk show landscape is shifting dramatically. Rosie O’D onnell is reportedly returning to the genre with a show produced on her own terms. Meanwhile, other networks are in various stages of planning daytime programs for Julie Chen, Tori Spelling, Fran Drescher and Aisha Tyler. But before they tape their pilot or race out for a test run this summer, the ladies best study the mistakes made by daytime talk show hosts before them.

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Remembering 6 Female-Hosted Daytime Talk Show Disasters

Facebook Crushes Privacy with Impunity [Social Networks]

After confusing and outraging users with a December privacy rollback , Facebook nevertheless saw its traffic reach new heights. So the social network’s new campaign to reduce user privacy even further should come as no shock. More

Tiger Woods Plane Footage — Banned by ESPN

Filed under: Tiger Woods , TV , ESPN , TMZ Sports Hope you enjoyed the footage of those Tiger Woods airplane banners — ’cause you’ll never see them again on ESPN . TMZ has learned the Worldwide Leader in Sports has instructed staff members that they’re banned from running the footage on their networks… Read more

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Tiger Woods Plane Footage — Banned by ESPN

Mary J. Blige, Drake, Chris Brown Join Forces For BET’s ‘SOS Saving Ourselves: Help For Haiti’ Tonight

Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber, Wyclef and more are scheduled to participate in the telethon. By Jayson Rodriguez Drake Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images The talent roster for BET’s “SOS Saving Ourselves: Help for Haiti” telethon continues to expand as the Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams will join Diddy and Queen Latifah as co-hosts of the proceedings, while Drake, Chris Brown and Nas have been added to the performance slate

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Mary J. Blige, Drake, Chris Brown Join Forces For BET’s ‘SOS Saving Ourselves: Help For Haiti’ Tonight