‘I don’t believe it was a contributing factor,’ Dr. Paul White testifies. By Gil Kaufman Dr. Conrad Murray Photo: Pool/ Getty Images Testimony from the final defense witness resumed Monday (October 31) in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson ‘s former doctor, Conrad Murray. Once again, jurors heard from Dr. Paul White , an expert on the surgical anesthetic propofol, who tried to convince the court last week that Jackson had injected himself with a fatal dose of the drug while Murray was absent. As he did Friday, White also offered that Murray’s conduct was unusual and broke protocol but didn’t rise to the level of involuntary manslaughter. The Witness
What the hell?!?! According to TMZ reports : Rihanna is currently hooked up to an IV drip at a hospital in Sweden … and has canceled a performance scheduled for tonight … blaming the whole thing on a case of the flu. Rihanna was scheduled to perform in Malmö, Sweden — but a rep for Live Nation claims the show has been canceled because the singer is “not in condition to conduct the concert.” Rihanna tweeted an apology an hour ago, writing, “Sorry Malmo!” — attaching a picture of her arm with tubes coming out of it. The singer also released a statement saying, “I am sorry to everyone who was coming out to my show in Malmo [Sweden]. I was so excited to perform for you all.” She adds, “It would have been a great time…so much better than being sick with the flu, ugh! I’m really disappointed I couldn’t be there.” Story developing … These entertainers have to remember to take care of themselves while they’re ridin’ around and gettin’ it.
Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures will feature previously unreleased tracks. By Gil Kaufman Amy Winehouse Photo: MTV News The world will finally get to hear the music Amy Winehouse was working on before her unexpected death earlier this year. According to a press release from her English label, a posthumous collection of unheard studio tracks, Lioness: Hidden Treasures, will be released on December 5. The 12 tracks on the disc were put together by Winehouse’s longtime collaborators, producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, and will include songs she recorded before, during and after the releases of her two studio albums, 2003’s Frank and her smash 2006 breakthrough Back to Black . “It was said by all who worked with Amy that she never sang or played a song the same way twice,” read the release announcing the disc. “It quickly became apparent to Salaam and Mark that they had a collection of songs that deserved to be heard, a collection of songs that were a fitting testament to Amy the artist and, as importantly, Amy their friend.” The disc is a “chronicle of her musical development” and will feature alternate takes of previously released songs, including a demo version of “Wake Up Alone” and mellower takes of “Tears Dry on Their Own” and “Valerie,” as well as her recently released Tony Bennett duet, “Body & Soul.” It will also have a number of covers, such as the Shirelles’ “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” Donny Hathaway’s “A Song for You” (with just Amy and her guitar, recorded at her London home in the spring of 2009 in the midst of the singer’s struggles with drugs and alcohol) and a 2002 reggae version of the classic ’60s doo-wop song by Ruby & the Romantics “Our Day Will Come.” Winehouse died in July at age 27 as a result of excessive alcohol intake. “I spent so much time chasing after Amy, telling her off, that I never realized what a true genius she was,” her father, Mitch Winehouse, said. “It wasn’t until I sat down with the rest of the family and listened to this album that I fully appreciated the breadth of Amy’s talent, from jazz standards to hip-hop songs, it really took my breath away.” Among the unreleased songs are “Halftime” and “The Girl From Ipanema,” which were cut during sessions for Winehouse’s debut, Frank . The standard “Ipanema,” in fact, was the first song an 18-year-old Winehouse sang when she flew to Miami to record with Remi, who said in the release that Amy’s reinterpretation of the bossa nova classic made him realize that, “I was dealing with a very special talent. Her approach to the song was so young and fresh, it really inspired the rest of our sessions.” Mitch Winehouse said he’d never heard the “incredibly beautiful” song “Halftime” before, but that if the family “had felt that this album wasn’t up to the standard of Frank and Back to Black, we would never have agreed to release it and we believe it will stand as a fitting tribute to Amy’s musical legacy.” One of the most recent tracks is a duet with Amy’s hip-hop pal Nas titled “Like Smoke,” which was recorded in May 2008. Another unheard song, “Between the Cheats,” is reportedly a take on Winehouse’s troubled marriage to ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, recorded in May 2008 for possible inclusion on her third album. Fans will also hear “Best Friends,” a Remi-produced track from 2003 that used to serve as Amy’s live show opener. Winehouse had been working on her follow-up to Black for two years before her death, but it is unknown if the upcoming release represents the totality of the music she recorded during that period, of if there could be another collection in the offing sometime in the future. Some of the proceeds from the sales of the album will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, a charity set up by the singer’s family to fight addiction. Related Photos Amy Winehouse: A Life In Photos Related Artists Amy Winehouse
SMH: Pop star Michael Jackson caused his own death, a defense witness argued on Saturday. Dr. Paul White said, based on the coroners’ report, that Jackson gave himself the fatal dose of propofol and also gave himself an sedative orally after an original propofol infusion by Dr. Conrad Murray failed to put him to sleep, the Associated Press reported. Murray, Jackson’s personal doctor, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter in the singer’s death. White said that Murray’s original dose would have taken 10-15 minutes to work, giving Jackson ample time to inject himself with more once Murray left the room. That, combined with additional drugs in his body, is what killed him, according to the witness. “It potentially could have lethal consequences,” said White. “… I think the combination effect would be very, very profound.” The prosecution argued last week that Murray gave Jackson as much propofol as he requested, no matter the consequences. Dr. Steven Shafer testified that Jackson would have been groggy from the medicine Murray had already administered – and could not have given himself the drug, according to the AP. He can’t give himself an injection if he’s asleep,” Shafer reportedly said. What do y’all think?? I this a valid argument? Source
The cops were called to Nicki Minaj’s Hollywood home after Nicki allegedly got into an altercation with her ex-maid. TMZ reports “Nicki’s maid took a photo of the singer out of the trash and then asked Nicki to sign it. Nicki got p****d and fired her.” Family Dinner Night – Peruvian-Style – at Pio Pio The maid later came back to the residence where Nicki became enraged and told her to leave. A source claims “the maid stood her ground, demanding not to be “treated like an animal” — at which point, Nicki allegedly said, “I’ll show you how to treat someone like an animal … get the f**k out of my house!” Nicki’s alleged boyfriend jumped into the mix and shoved the maid. The maid’s boss called the cops and filed a battery report. According to TMZ “One source says — contrary to what the cops say – Nicki actually made a mistake, saw another maid and assumed she was the one Nicki had fired.” Either way it seems like Nicki is becoming bit of a diva. Nicki Minaj: “I Was Scared Of Sex” Nicki Minaj Reveals Past Suicidal Thoughts: “What Would Happen If I Just Didn’t Wake Up?” Caught On Tape: Nicki Minaj Attack [AUDIO]
Nicki Minaj was involved in another incident that required police assistance yesterday. As first reported by TMZ, the singer fired a maid a few weeks ago because the employee fished a photo of Minaj out of the trash and asked her boss to sign it. Fast forward to yesterday afternoon. Nicki allegedly grew enraged because she saw this maid around her property and screamed at her to “get the f-ck out of my house!” But there was a problem: Neighbors confirm Minaj made a mistake and this was a different maid! Still, under a case of mistaken identity, Nicki’s boyfriend approached the woman and actually shoved her. Police were called to the scene, a battery complaint was filed, but no one was taken into custody. In July, cops also intervened in an incident involving Minaj, as she got into it with a man outside a Dallas hotel.
The new Breaking Dawn sneak peek , which features Edward carrying Bella into their honeymoon suite? Hot. But the fashion taste of the new Mrs. Cullen, who we can only assume picked out the dresses donned by her bridesmaids for her wedding to Edward? You tell us. Summit Entertainment has released a photo from the big day. It features Ashley Green as Alice Cullen (joined by Jasper Hale and parents Carlisle and Esme Cullen) and she’s wearing a purple frock that Greene tells People was partly based on her character’s past.” See it you yourself now and then vote on the outfit: What do you think of Bella Swan’s fashion sense?
Dear Marc Anthony: you are a complete and utter moron. Jennifer Lopez covers the latest issue of Glamour and let’s just say that if her ex-husband didn’t regret letting her go before, he most definitely will now. Yowza! Lopez is reportedly dating Bradley Cooper and while she doesn’t mention him by name in the magazine’s interview, the singer does make it clear that she’s ready for love again. “I think I’ve finally learned the biggest lesson of all,” she says. “You’ve got to love yourself first. You’ve got to be okay on your own before you can be okay with somebody else. You’ve got to value yourself and know that you’re worth everything. And until you value yourself enough and love yourself enough to know that, you can’t really have a healthy relationship.” Amen, J. Lo. We wish you the best of luck on this journey, and we encourage many more cleavage-based spreads in the future.
Horror-movie icon ushered in the modern era of slasher films — but is he the best cinematic killer of all time? By Kevin P. Sullivan Michael Myers in “Halloween” Photo: Dimension Films We’re just about halfway through MTV’s Killer Halloween , and the competition is just heating up in the battle to find out which movie murderer tops them all. So far, we’ve profiled Freddy , Jason , Leatherface , Chucky and Ghostface , but now we look at the man who ushered in the modern era of slashers. Which horror-movie baddie has the best personality? Make your pick in our MTV Movies Blog poll! Michael Myers Occupation : Homicidal boy, homicidal adult Weapons : Knife, inability to ever freaking die Archenemy : His family, his psychiatrist, anyone who gets in the way of him killing his family and his psychiatrist Profile : Michael Myers was a bit of a prodigy in the ways of serial killing, changing the game even as a young boy. Pre-teen Michael may have been the first to don a mask — a creepy clown one for his first murder — and go after the babysitter, his sister Judith. He spent the remainder of his youth in an institution for the mentally disturbed under the close observation of Dr. Sam Loomis. After Michael escaped, stealing a mask, jumpsuit and knife from a hardware store, movie serials have never been the same. The target of most of Michael’s deadly attention has been his surviving sister, Laurie, the lead played by Jamie Lee Curtis in the first two films and “Halloween: H20” and Scout Taylor-Compton in the Rob Zombie remakes. The early films simply focused on Michael’s obsession with finding his long-lost baby sister, but later in the series, the true origin of Michael as an embodiment of pure evil added a supernatural element to the villain. There has never been too much to Michael Myers’ tactics. He stalks. He walks. He kills. His style of murder will be remembered for a number of reasons. His mask, an old William Shatner “Star Trek” mask painted white, has become a horror icon. His slow gait and silent disposition directly inspired dozens of imitators — Jason Voorhees, most famously. Modern slasher films owe a debt to Michael Myers and his creator John Carpenter, whose work has affected the genre for generations. Where do you think Michael Myers falls in the scope of horror-movie psychopaths? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we’ve got on “Scream.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
German man who returned Leslie’s stolen laptop says he wasn’t paid as promised. By Rob Markman Ryan Leslie Photo: Getty Images While $1 million might sound a bit steep for a laptop, that’s how much Ryan Leslie said he would pay to whomever returned his MacBook, which was stolen last year. Armin Augstein said he returned the computer to the “Diamond Girl” singer but claims he has yet to receive the reward, so now the 52-year old German man has filed a suit in U.S. District Court in New York, the Daily News has reported. “It’s unfortunate that my client has to go to such lengths to recover the reward,” Michael Fischman, Augstein’s U.S.-based lawyer, told the paper. MTV News reached out to Leslie’s rep for comment, but haven’t heard back as of press time. Leslie appeared on “RapFix Live” via Skype last November, shortly after he lost the computer and offered the reward. “I lost my computer out here in Germany. I actually had my whole new album on there, which I had been working on in secret, and it got stolen. So right now, I got a million-dollar reward for anybody that can return my intellectual property to me,” Leslie explained at the time. The computer and hard drive that accompanied it contained unreleased material from R.Les’ upcoming Less Is More album, and recovering the music was important to the singer. After claiming that the MacBook was stolen from the back of his car while he was in Cologne, Germany, Leslie offered a $20,000 reward but later upped the pot to a whopping $1 million. He even posted a video on YouTube to announce the reward increase. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Lloyd Banks Related Artists Ryan Leslie
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