Sugababes' Amelle Berrabah reportedly quits group

Sugababes member Amelle Berrabah has reportedly walked out on the group. The singer is said to have quit the band while undertaking promotional work in Los Angeles. Earlier this month, bandmember Keisha Buchanan reacted angrily to claims that she had a bust-up with Berrabah, who's family had previously alerted police that she was missing.

"I can honestly say that we all get along! I'm sure we bug each other at times but I love them girls. And there has NEVER been bullying in Sugababes EVER!" Buchanan wrote.

However, Heatworld.com reports that Berrabah has now left Sugababes, and that former Eurovision Song Contest contestant Jade Ewen has already been drafted in to replace her. Ewen, who represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year, is currently signed to Geffen, who yesterday (September 18) released the following statement:

"Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we regret to inform you that Jade Ewen will be taking time off from all promotional activity for the foreseeable future."

Berrabah replaced Mutya Buena in the Sugababes in 2005. Buena recently told the London Evening Standard she would "love" to rejoin the group, though Buchanan quickly rebuffed her offer, telling Heat "It would just never happen."
source:http://www.nme.com/news/sugababes/47400
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Pearl Jam stream new album 'Backspacer' online before release – audio

Pearl Jam have made their forthcoming new album 'Backspacer' available to hear in full before its official release.

To hear the album in full, made available to NME.COM as a UK exclusive via music streaming site We7, click below. Users outside the UK can hear 30-second clips of each song.

'Backspacer' is officially released on Monday (September 21).
source: http://www.nme.com/news/pearl-jam/47381 View Here...

Dixon Strictly judging debut a flop

New Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon failed to impress TV audiences with her debut appearance on the show - viewers have slated the pop singer's performance.

Dixon, 30, won the TV talent contest two years ago and was drafted on to the show to replace veteran judge Arlene Phillips, 66, who was axed by the BBC.

Her replacement caused much controversy in the press, with accusations that Phillips had been sacked because she was too old.

BBC message boards were inundated with criticisms of Dixon's performance, and BBC's Radio 5 was overwhelmed with text messages just as critical after her stints on Friday and Saturday.

A TV source tells News of the World: "They thought Alesha would come on and steal the show. But they didn't take into account how popular and respected Arlene is. Now BBC1 controller Jay Hunt and the other executives are wondering how they can win the public round."

Former tennis player Martina Hingis was the first contestant voted out of the show on Saturday. source: http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/20092009/364/dixon-strictly-judging-debut-flop.html&e=l_news_dm


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Beatles' photos spark copyright suit

A former Beatles photographer is battling over the copyright for the first publicity photos of the rock group, after the images were used to sell books and DVDs featuring the band.

New York-based snapper Albert Marrion filed suit on Thursday over memorabilia containing copyrighted photos of the group.

Marrion claims he shot the images - which are believed to be the first promo photos of the rock legends - in 1961.

The Manhattan federal court suit says Marrion discovered the photos were featured "without permission" in four Beatles books and a DVD documentary available from Netflix, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Memorabilia dealer Gary Schaeffer claims he has held the rights to the 16 pictures since 2001, reports the New York Post.
source:
http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/19092009/364/beatles-photos-spark-copyright-suit.html&e=l_news_dm View Here...

Jay-Z: 'Kanye didn't kill anybody'

Jay-Z has urged the media to back off his pal Kanye West following his notorious outburst at this year's MTV Video Music Awards, insisting the backlash isn't justified because "he didn't kill anybody".

West has come under savage attack from stars and fans alike for storming the stage during Taylor Swift's Best Female Video acceptance speech last Sunday to proclaim the prize belonged to Jay-Z's wife Beyonce.

The Stronger hitmaker has since apologised both personally and publicly to the teenage country singer - but Jay-Z is stunned by how much media coverage and controversy his pal's behaviour has garnered.

The rap superstar admits it was "rude" of West and "inappropriate at the time" to rush the stage, but can understand why he was moved to do what he did.

Jay-Z says, "Of course it was rude because it was her moment, but that's the way he really felt… I think it was rude, but the way they're treating him…

"He's on the cover of every paper. He didn't kill anybody. No one got harmed. (He's) a super passionate person."
source: http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/19092009/364/jay-z-kanye-didn-t-kill.html&e=l_news_dm View Here...

Fergie accused of copyright infringement

Pop star FERGIE has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit over allegations she stole her song Voodoo Doll from a track recorded by little-known reggae group Groundation.

The singer and her Black Eyed Peas bandmate will i am, who produced and co-wrote the 2006 tune, are being sued by record bosses at Grounded Music.

They claim the stars copied the beat from Groundation's Each One Teach One, a song recorded in 2000 which Grounded Music owns the rights to.

According to legal papers obtained by TMZ.com, Grounded Music executives believe Fergie's Voodoo Doll is "substantially and strikingly similar" to the band's record and they are seeking unspecified damages.

Voodoo Doll was featured on Fergie's debut solo album, The Dutchess.
source:
http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/19092009/364/fergie-accused-copyright-infringement.html&e=l_news_dm View Here...

Janet Jackson Says She 'Had Michael's Back' On 'Scream'

Though Janet Jackson had not performed the choreography from "Scream" since she and her brother Michael shot the video in 1995, it couldn't have been a more fitting tribute to him. Jackson talked about the making of that video along with how she prepared for the Video Music Awards in the half-hour special "The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance," which aired Saturday (September 19), and re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.

According to Janet, "Scream" was a turning point for Michael, who used the video to express frustration over his legal troubles. " 'Scream,' there was so much going on at that time," Jackson recalled. "That's when the — I hate to say this but — the first allegations [of child molestation] came out and the whole bit. He was very upset and very angry and he had so much pent up in him that he wanted to get out and say. And when you listen to the lyrics, that's what it's about."

When Michael asked Janet for her help with the song, there was no way she could say no. "I played the role that I've always played in his life: his little sister that was there by his side, that had his back no matter what," she said. "That's what 'Scream' was for me."

The MTV special followed Janet as she relearned the intricate choreography for the VMA tribute along with her backup dancers, a crew of renowned choreographers including Tyce Diorio, Tina Landon, Jeri Slaughter, Travis Payne, Brian Friedman, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Mia Michaels, Laurie Ann Gibson and Wade Robson.

Sore muscles aside, the group couldn't have been happier to get the chance to honor the man who inspired their own careers.

"As soon as I got the phone call I was absolutely thrilled and on board 110 percent," Slaughter said. "It's an honor to be in this for Michael."

After costume fittings, a cross-country flight to New York and a final run-through in Radio City Music Hall, Janet and company mounted the stage to a standing ovation, performing alongside images of Michael from the 1995 video.

"I know he was watching," Jackson said. "I know he was looking down. I hope he enjoyed it."

"The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance" re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.
source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621925/20090919/jackson_michael.jhtml View Here...

Amanda Seyfried makes movie leap from musical ingenue

Just six years ago, Amanda Seyfried was an Allentown, Pa., high school grad who longed to break into movies. Her dreams came true in a big way. "Mean Girls" (2004) put her on the map. "Alpha Dog" (2006) created buzz. And "Mamma Mia!" (2008) turned her into a household name.

During the last year, she's partied at the Golden Globes with Meryl Streep, performed on the Oscar telecast alongside Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, and been profiled in Allure, Entertainment Weekly and Vanity Fair.
Most significantly, she's snagged starring roles in a quartet of flicks, each with a ritzier pedigree than the last. Up first is "Jennifer's Body," a horror shocker with Megan Fox which opened Friday in area theaters. In February, Screen Gems is releasing "Dear John," a decade-spanning romance with Channing Tatum. Also arriving in the new year are "Chloe," an erotically-charged thriller co-starring Julianne Moore, and "Letters to Juliet," the saga of an American girl vacationing in Verona who sets out to reunite a pair of star-crossed lovers (Vanessa Redgrave, Franco Nero).

Unpretentious and friendly, Seyfried admits during a midnight phone interview from her folks' Allentown home how overwhelming instant success can be.
"I can't really believe it sometimes," she says. "There are so many opportunities and they just keep growing, but sometimes I worry when are they going to stop. But none of this would have been possible without "Mamma Mia!' That movie absolutely changed my life."

So popular was the Abba musical, it smashed records all over the world and, after picking up $600 million at the box-office, became the most successful songfest of all time, outgrossing "Chicago," "Cabaret" and "Grease." So far, Seyfried has done a good job keeping her feet on the ground. Self-deprecating almost to a fault, the actress jokes she's only tracked by the paparazzi if "they're having a slow day." As for Hollywood producers who promise her the moon and the stars, Seyfried says, "You can't actually take anything they say seriously. Half of them are full of (baloney)."
(2 of 2)

Karyn Kusama, who directed Seyfried in "Jennifer's Body," isn't surprised by the actress' fast climb up the Hollywood ladder. "What's lovely about Amanda is she has this expressive face that can be very still. She has so much going on behind her eyes."

If Seyfried had been trying to find a film far removed from her "Mamma Mia!" ingenue role, she couldn't have done a better job than "Jennifer's Body." Written by "Juno" Oscar winner Diablo Cody, the flick stars Megan Fox as Jennifer, a satanically possessed cheerleader who begins feeding on the cute boys in her small Minnesota farming town. It's up to Jennifer's best friend Needy (Seyfried) to slay the beast and save boyfriend Chip (Johnny Simmons) from becoming a meaty snack.
"It's unique because it's woman's film, a slasher flick, a human comedy and a drama all rolled into one," says the 23-year-old Seyfried, who dates her "Mamma Mia!" co-star Dominic Cooper.
"Jennifer's Body" might be fun to watch but it was anything but fun to make. Seyfried was puked on (with paint substituting for black bile), submerged in cold water and bruised on the inside of her legs from straddling Fox's hips for two days straight. And then there was the already-infamous lesbian kiss between the stars. So, what was it like to smooch a sex bomb like Fox?
"It was a little strange," says Seyfried. "She's so feminine; she has such soft, nice, full lips. But she had the same smell as my sister."
Oddly enough, Seyfried has another same-sex make-out session in "Chloe," the saga of a doctor (Julianne Moore) who hires a prostitute (Seyfried) to test her husband's (Liam Neeson) fidelity, only to fall in love with the woman herself.
"I'm so proud of "Chloe,' " says Seyfried. "That's my pride and joy. It was such a difficult movie for me because there's a lot going on with my character. I just saw it and I don't know what the reaction is going to be, but I don't give a damn. It was the best experience for me."
source:http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090920/LIFE/909200313/1041/RSS05 View Here...

Beyonce to perform in Malaysia despite dress code

Beyonce Knowles says she will perform in Malaysia in October, two years after canceling a show in this Muslim-majority country after protesters threatened to disrupt the concert because of her sexy image and clothing.
The R&B superstar's upcoming show is already drawing the ire of conservatives in this country, where female performers are required to cover up from the shoulders to knees with no cleavage showing..

Knowles said on her Web site that she will take the stage at a stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's biggest city, on Oct. 25. "Beyonce for the first time ever has decided to make Malaysia part of her 'I am.' World Tour," her Web site said..

Knowles canceled a planned concert two years ago following protest threats by Malaysia's opposition Islamic party. At the time her talent agency said the show was called off due to a scheduling conflict..

Instead she went to Indonesia, which has less stringent rules about how performers should dress and behave..

Sabki Yusof, youth vice head of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, said Sunday that they would send a protest note to the government over the concert. He said it was the government's "responsibility to protect the people of Malaysia" from what he described as immoral Western influences..

"We are not against entertainment as long as it is within the framework of our culture and our religion," Sabki said. "We are against Western sexy performances. We don't think our people need that.".

He said besides the protest note, the party had no plans so far to disrupt the concert. Organizers for Beyonce's October show could not immediately be reached for comment..

Artists such as Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani have performed in Malaysia under similar protest threats by conservative Muslims, forcing the artists to don attire that revealed little skin..

In the most recent controversy, the government late last month at first barred, then reversed the order forbidding Muslims from attending a Black Eyed Peas concert because it was sponsored by a beer company. With the ban lifted Muslims can now watch the U.S. hip-hop stars at a theme park near Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 25..

In family and personal matters, Muslims, who make up two-thirds of Malaysia's 28 million people, are governed by Islamic law, which forbids the consumption of alcohol. The laws do not apply to non-Muslims.
source: http://new.music.yahoo.com/gwen-stefani/news/beyonce-to-perform-in-malaysia-despite-dress-code--61994233 View Here...

Annoying Music: Beatles Cover Songs

You've probably already heard plenty about the reissue of The Beatles' entire catalog, as well as the release of the new Rock Band video game. So in honor of the Beatles remasters, Weekend Edition host Scott Simon spoke to Jim Nayder — host of The Annoying Music Show! on Chicago Public Radio — about even more Beatles music, but without John, Paul, George or Ringo.

Nayder says that nearly everyone, from Tom Jones to Elvis Presley, has done covers of The Beatles, to varying degrees of success. For many artists, it can be tough to record any popular song, but the bar is higher for a Beatles cover. Some try to put their own spin on it, as in Tiny Tim's Latin rendition of "Hey Jude" on the album Girl with the Brave Combo.

"Who thought doing it as a cha-cha?" Nayder says of Tiny Tim's cover.

Or take the Alan Copeland genre mash-up of "Norwegian Wood," which borrows the distinctive theme from Mission: Impossible, recorded in 1968 by The Alan Copeland Singers.

"You can laugh all you want, but 40 years ago, this won a Grammy award for 'Best Contemporary Pop Paranoid Schizophrenic Arrangement,' " Nayder jokes.

Nayder says that the best annoying music is often produced when two great forms of music are combined and it "creates music so annoying, it's actually dangerous." Nayder points to Cathy Berberian's cover of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" as an example.


"Cathy Berberian in the 1960s did operatic versions of contemporary songs, and luckily for The Annoying Music Show! she chose The Beatles," Nayder says.

"That's the beauty about the best annoying music," he adds. "It's when it's a serious attempt. For whatever reason, you know it when you hear it when it goes awry."
source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112966018&ps=cprs View Here...

Nuns at Lady Gaga's school aghast at her video

New York, September 19 : The nuns who teach at a New York-based school where pop star Lady Gaga once studied were reportedly far from happy when shown a video of her performance.

The nuns at the Convent of the Sacred Heart girls school were shown the video of the singer’s performance at VMA Awards.

The singer, real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, is presently known for her scanty costumes and such lyrics as "I wanna take a ride on your disco stick."

"When someone showed the nuns a video of her bloody performance at Sunday night''s VMA Awards, the good sisters were not amused," the New York Post quoted a source as saying.

A spokesman for the school was not available for comment. View Here...

Michael Jackson's Mother Allowed Permission to Challenge Executors of His Estate

Michael Jackson's mum Katherine has been given permission to challenge the executors of the King of Pop's estate without jeopardising her position as a will beneficiary. The superstar appointed attorney John Branca and business associate John McCain to take charge of his affairs, while his mum Katherine Jackson was left 40 per cent of the net value of his assets.

Since Jackson's death in June (09), Katherine has reportedly been fighting to have a say in all decisions regarding her late son's estate.

The conditions of the will stipulate the Jackson matriarch risks losing her share of the singer's fortune if she attempts to challenge the appointment of the executors to gain more control over his affairs.

A lawyer for the star's mother has previously denied the 79 year old is looking to contest her son's will, saying: "Despite false reports, neither Mrs. Jackson nor any of her lawyers has or will be contesting the will. Nor has she decided whether or not to raise any challenge to the appointment of the executors named in the will or whether to seek the appointment of an additional co-executor. Her top priority remains the care of her son's three children."

However, a probate judge ruled on Friday (18Sep09) that Katherine is allowed to challenge Branca and McCain's appointment on the grounds of "undue influence", should she choose to - and still remain a beneficiary, reports TMZ.com.

The court decision comes just one day after the star's mother landed a monthly allowance of US$86,000 to cover living expenses for her and those of the singer's three children, who she was given guardianship of in July . View Here...

Mariah Carey Talks ‘Precious’ And Marriage With Nick Cannon On Oprah

Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show today live from New York’s Central Park to give their first ever joint interview. The two lovebirds sat down to talk about everything from when they first met to how Nick popped the question. Nick, who says his celebrity crush was always MC, said that he credits the “power of faith” with bringing them together. “I wake up feeling like the luckiest, most blessed man every morning seeing my beautiful wife,” he told Oprah.

Before Nick came out, Mariah spoke with Oprah about her buzzworthy role in the powerful film, Precious. View Here...

Natalie Imbruglia's nude handycam caper

SINGLE and proud of it, Natalie Imbruglia wasn't joking when she proclaimed she was going to get sexy on her new record Come To Life. Imbruglia films herself half-naked in the video for her new single Want, which has been steaming up websites since its debut.

The song - a kiss-off to a former lover who may or may not be her ex-husband Daniel Johns - has struggled for support from radio stations in Australia and the UK.

But the video, which also features Imbruglia's face stained by tears and mascara, should do the trick.

Just hours before shooting the video, the Australian pop artist revealed the clip was going to be "pretty full-on''.

"Once again, it's not what people would expect me to do. It's just me in the video so it's going to be intense; very personal, very raw and it's pushing me out of my comfort zone,'' she said.


"I always look at videos as a chance to make mini-movie so emotionally, this one is stretching me a bit." View Here...

Beyonce tells fans 'her special purpose'

THE flick of her weave was pure Diana Ross, the strut and her phenomenal pins every inch Tina Turner, but last night Beyonce Knowles - and her stage alter ego Sasha Fierce - made Acer Arena her own. The moment the wind machine caught her first curl and the spotlight turned her crystal-corsetted body into a human disco ball, it was clear the world's best female performer was in the house, Sydney Confidential reports

Telling the Sydney crowd her "special purpose was to empower women", there wasn't a single lady, or married one for that matter, who was not entirely on board the Beyonce soul train.

The all-woman band somehow kept pace with this force of nature who swept on stage to Crazy in Love and almost three hours later - seemingly without drawing breath - left the audience panting and spent.

The fashion icon changed into one incredible costume after another - from a Mad Max look that would have had Mel Gibson on his knees, to an angelic wedding dress for a rendition of Ave Maria guaranteed to have raised the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

All the single ladies loved her tortured torch song mixed with samples of Alanis Morissette's You Oughta Know and Sarah McLachlan's Arms of an Angel.

The single blokes appeared to squirm in their seats and on to their feet for Irreplaceable as Knowles put every bloke with an ego and a mistress in his place with her staggering self confidence and sheer strength of personality.

And that booty? That just had a life of its own, coming alive for Bootylicious and Single Ladies.

Whether crumping, sweeping across the stage in towering heels, or simply standing still, Beyonce was dynamite, blasting the benchmark for concert performers forever. Good luck trying to follow that act whoever you are. View Here...

The Top 10 Songs For Writers

Writers are a funny breed. They are often depicted as eccentric recluses who go for days without eating, sleeping or bathing because they are completely obsessed with getting their ideas on paper. Musicians have a never ending love affair with the written word. After all, songwriters must be just as adept at putting words together as they are at putting chords, melodies and rhythms together. That is unless you're a musician focused solely on instrumental music. It's no surprise that the very best lyricists are also serious fans of books. The lives of authors and the stories found in novels have inspired countless songs.However, for this playlist I wanted to put together songs that are specifically written about the act of writing itself, or the writer in general. As opposed to songs inspired by a particular novel or author..

What's your favorite song about writing?

Songs For Writers:

1. Every Day I Write The Book - Elvis Costello

2. Paperback Writer - Paul McCartney

3. Lady Writer - Dire Straits

4. Writer's Minor Holiday - Calexico

5. Shadow Stabbing - Cake

6. Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen

7. When I Write The Book - Nick Lowe

8. There She Goes, My Beautiful World - Nick Cave

9. Wrapped Up In Books - Belle and Sebastian

10. Screenwriters Blues - Soul Coughing
source:http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/yradish/41948/the-top-10-songs-for-writers/ View Here...

Tickets to Michael Jackson movie go on sale September 27

The film about Michael Jackson's final three months, which uses video of rehearsals for his concert comeback, will run in theaters worldwide for two weeks only beginning October 28, according to Sony Pictures.

Tickets for "Michael Jackson: This Is it" go on sale Sunday, September 27, Sony said in a news release Thursday.

"Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, and genius as he creates and perfects his final show," Sony said.

Kenny Ortega, who was working with Jackson to create the "This Is It" concert, is also directing the documentary.

"As we began assembling the footage for the motion picture, we realized we captured something extraordinary, unique and very special," Ortega said. "It's a very private, exclusive look into a creative genius' world."

Ortega said "This Is It" "may go down as the greatest concert that no one got a chance to see," since the pop singer died three weeks before it was to debut in the O2 Arena in London, England. "But with this film, we get a rare portrait of Michael as he prepares for his final curtain call and what I believe was going to be his master work."

Sony began editing the film last week after concert promoter AEG Live handed over about 100 hours of video it shot during April, May and June 2009.

The initial release date was set for October 30, but Sony said it decided the "special, limited, two-week engagement worldwide" would be moved up two days.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge approved the deal last week to allow the special administrators of Jackson's estate to sign a contract with Sony and AEG Live to allow the production.

The judge has yet to decide on a deal that would allow AEG Live to conduct a three-city tour of a Michael Jackson memorabilia exhibition to coincide with the film's release.
source:http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/20/michael.jackson.movie.tickets/index.html View Here...

Kanye West Finally Apologizes to Taylor Swift

After Taylor Swift's Tuesday appearance on The View, the country singer received a telephone call from rapper Kanye West, who apologized for his behavior Sunday night at the MTV Video Music Awards.

"Kanye did call me, and he was very sincere in his apology, and I accepted that apology," Swift told ABC News Radio.

She added that she believes there won't be any conflict in the future.

Earlier in the day, Swift appeared on The View and said that while she would accept a face-to-face apology from the rapper – "Sure!" – he has made no effort to get in touch with her since disrupting her best female video award acceptance speech at Sunday's VMAs.

"He has not personally reached out or anything," she said, "but if he wanted to say hi..."

The singer explained what was going through her mind Sunday night as she watched West grab the microphone and announce that her award should have gone to Beyoncé.

"My overall thought process went something like, 'Wow, I can't believe I won. This is awesome. Don't trip and fall. I'm going to get to thank the fans, this is so cool ... Oh, Kanye West is here! Cool haircut! What are you doing there? And then, ouch. And then, I guess I'm not going to thank the fans.' "

West apologized on his blog later that night, and on Monday, he told Jay Leno that he'd like to apologize.

"I'm not going to say that I wasn't rattled by it," said Swift on The View, "but I had to perform live five minutes later so I had get myself back to the place where I could perform."

Swift said she was touched by the outpouring of support from fans and fellow singers like Kelly Clarkson, who blogged that West was "a sad human being."

"I just never imagined that there were that many people out there looking out for me, so it was really wonderful to see that people were out there defending me so I didn't have to."
source:
http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20302940_20304567,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn View Here...

Civility: A thing of the past?

A politician, an athlete and an entertainer. What do they have in common? Some would say rude behavior. In less than a week, millions of people witnessed displays of anger and rage that have many wondering whether decorum is a thing of the past.

Kanye West's behavior at the MTV Video Music Awards was widely condemned.
"I think we're seeing a decline in our protocol and etiquette skills,'' said Pamela Eyring, director of the Protocol School of Washington.

Last week on Capitol Hill, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson yelled "you lie!" at President Obama as he addressed Congress on heath care.

"It was an obvious breach of decorum. There's a time and a place for everything, and that was obviously not the time or the place," said Sen. John Cornyn, D-Texas.

Wilson apologized to Obama but has balked at the idea of giving a formal apology before the House of Representatives.

Just days later, in a heated display of frustration over a questionable call, tennis star Serena Williams threatened a line judge at the U.S. Open.

The outburst, like Wilson's, was seen by millions on live television. Williams later issued an apology and has tried to put the incident behind her.

One day after the Williams meltdown, it was Kanye West's turn. But this wasn't a fit of rage; it was an outrageous display by the rapper toward singer Taylor Swift.

The 19-year-old was accepting her award at the MTV Video Music Awards ceremony Sunday when West took the microphone from her hand and told the audience that singer Beyonce Knowles' video had been better. West was booed off the stage.

Eyring says these three high-profile incidents serve as reminders to public figures and regular people alike to watch their behavior.

"They're mentors, like it or not. They are mentors, and they need to show their good side," she said.

It's one thing for a public figure to have a bad or very bad moment. But more and more Americans are wondering whether rudeness has become the norm in society in general.

"Everybody's lashing out for no apparent reason. It's starting to be this virus that's going on these days now," said David Stuart of Washington.

How did it get to this point? Eyring blames technology. "Blogging, texting, the twittering; we're finding that people aren't focused on their people skills any longer, and so they're doing outbursts. They're just saying what they feel and what they want to say, when they want to say it."

Eyring is quick to point out that not all of society is lacking in people skills. But she does stress a return to simple gestures: opening a door for someone, giving up your seat for an elderly person or simply saying "thank you."

"I think actions are more powerful than words. We have to learn this, and you can do it, and it doesn't cost anything. You can do it. It costs nothing to be nice or civil or polite. It's easy, and it makes you feel good."
source: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/18/disappearing.civility/index.html#cnnSTCText View Here...

Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley Separate

Life's going to be a little less complicated for Avril Lavigne. Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley married in California in July, 2006.After months of facing rumors about trouble in their marriage, the pop star and husband Deryck Whibley announced Thursday that they are separating on good terms.

"Deryck and I have been together for 6-an-a-half years. We have been friends since I was 17, started dating when I was 19, and married when I was 21," Lavigne, 24, wrote on her Web site. "I am grateful for our time together, and I am grateful and blessed for our remaining friendship."

She added: "I admire Deryck and have a great amount of respect for him. He is the most amazing person I know and I love him with all my heart. Deryck and I are separating and moving forward on a positive note."

In a message on the MySpace page for his band Sum 41, Whibley also posted a message about the split. "The past 6 and a half years have been the most amazing years of my life. It's sad it has come to an end but Avril and I are still family and moving forward in the most positive way possible," the note read.

"Our decision to part ways is amicable and she holds a special place in my heart and forever will be a great and amazing friend," Whibley added. "Thanks to all our family, friends and fans for all the support."

Whibley, 29, and Lavigne, who are both from Canada, tied the knot in July 2006 at a private estate in Montecito, California. But save for one appearance together last month, the pair had been living apart for some time.

"They really want the best for each other," a source tells PEOPLE. "They're handling everything as amicably as possible."

In fact, says the source, Whibley produced much of Avril's upcoming album.
source:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/18/avril.lavigne.divorce/index.html?section=cnn_latest View Here...