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Works of music journalist Palmer collected

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

The works of the late U.S. music journalist Robert Palmer, best known for his books on the blues, are out in anthology form, the editor behind the book said.

Rolling Stone magazine contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis said he compiled the works of Palmer, who died in 1997 at the age of 57, to reflect Palmer's love and dedication to music, the rock magazine reported Friday.

Bob deserved that treatment, DeCurtis said. This is somebody who really believed that music could take you to another world.

Blues & Chaos: The Music Writing of Robert Palmer presents Palmer's works, ranging from his interviews with music stars like Eric Clapton and Jerry Lee Lewis to album liner notes to his books like Deep Blues, about the history of Mississippi Delta music.

Palmer wrote regularly for Rolling Stone and The New York Times, but to truly encapsulate his works, DeCurtis said he also gathered information from scores of old clips he tracked down.

Model Klum takes on Seal's last name

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

German model Heidi Klum has officially changed her name to Heidi Samuel, assuming the surname of her husband, singer Seal, her representative said.

People.com said the 36-year-old model got permission for the name change Friday from a Los Angeles commissioner, more than four years after she married the British singer, whose full name is Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel.

Klum appeared in the Victoria's Secret lingerie fashion show in New York this week, six weeks after giving birth to the couple's fourth child.

Klum's unidentified representative told People magazine it remains unclear if the Project Runway host will use Heidi Samuel as her professional name.

Lambert insists 'Idol' did not create him

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

Adam Lambert says he is not a creation of American Idol, insisting he remained true to himself while performing in the U.S. TV singing competition.

The runner-up from the eighth season of Idol said there is a misconception that being on the Fox program results in contestants undergoing an identity shift as they seek to become professional singers, Billboard.com reported Friday,

I think that may be the perception because certain people that have gone through the system didn't have a strong idea of what they wanted to do visually. I think the minute you do, they respond to that. And I've been very verbal and opinionated about what I want to create, and they've been nothing but supportive of that, Lambert, 27, said.

Lambert told Billboard magazine he feels it is important to remain dedicated to one's music, while providing entertainment that appeals to others.

I think there's some artists that are really focused on the music and the artistry, but I also think being a showman and being an entertainer is more than just being a musician, he said. It's everything -- it's something to look at and to listen to.

Singer Bieber appearance causes near-riot

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Nov. 21 (UPI) --

An appearance by Justin Bieber at a New York mall resulted in a near-riot by the Canadian singer's young fans and the arrest of a record label executive.

James Roppo, a 44-year-old Island Def Jam Records senior vice president of sales, was arrested Friday after he allegedly urged more than 3,000 Bieber fans to come to the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City despite police having just dispersed the hyperactive young teen fans, the New York Daily News reported Saturday.

Authorities said Roppo allegedly sent out online messages urging more fans to show up for the Bieber autograph session.

The record executive could face charges of reckless endangerment, criminal nuisance, obstruction of governmental administration and endangering the welfare of children.

The appearance by Bieber, 15, was to promote his new album My World. Aimee Macchi, 13, told the Daily News a stampede ensued after scores of fans arrived.

People started screaming 'Justin' and they ran forward and the ropes collapsed, Macchi said.

Everyone was pushing, there was no room to breathe. I was literally on the floor.

Christmas scripts for 'EastEnders' stolen

LONDON, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

Scripts for the special Christmas episodes of EastEnders were stolen from the home of one of the British TV series' writers, the BBC reports.

EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer said files containing the twists and turns of our exciting 'EastEnders' Christmas were on a laptop computer taken from the writer's home, the BBC reported Friday.

The plot lines of the soap opera's Christmas editions have been a closely guarded secret with series actors destroying their scripts following filming to avoid leaks to the media.

The series' annual Christmas Day specials are a major ratings draw in Britain and have previously been used to unveil vital show secrets.

The BBC said the 2007 holiday episode revealed a long-running affair between two series characters, Max and his daughter-in-law Stacey.

The 2007 special earned the highest ratings for the entire year, drawing in 14 million viewers.

Lady Gaga signs onto Royal Variety show

BLACKPOOL, England, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

U.S. singer Lady Gaga will be among the stars performing for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the upcoming Royal Variety Performance.

The BBC reported Friday the Poker Face singer will join fellow singers Miley Cyrus, Bette Midler and Michael Buble at the Dec. 7 performance at the Opera House in Blackpool, Britain.

The annual event, which benefits the Entertainment Artists' Benevolent Fund, will be hosted by comedian Peter Kay.

The BBC said the queen and her husband Prince Philip will also watch a performance by the urban dance group Diversity, which won the right to perform at the Royal Variety show by winning the TV series Britain's Got Talent.

Singer Madden says Richie out of hospital

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

Ex-reality TV star Nicole Richie is out of a Los Angeles hospital and at home recovering from pneumonia, her boyfriend, Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden, says.

Writing on the Good Charlotte Web site Friday, Madden said he delayed recording vocals for a new album to spend time with Richie at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

So I stepped off the plane after a month out of the country, and basically went straight to the hospital for the week, Madden, 30, said. But don't worry, all is well and we are home with no problems.

Richie, who once appeared in The Simple Life, said on the social networking service Twitter last weekend she was prepared for her bout with pneumonia to end, People.com reported.

Ok cold, it's been 6 days. Lets part ways graciously & keep it moving, Richie, 28, posted on Twitter last Sunday.

'New Moon' sets midnight sales record

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

New Moon, the Twilight vampire movie sequel, broke the U.S. record for midnight ticket sales with $26.3 million, a distributor said.

Distributor Summit Entertainment said the horror film's gross sales from Thursday night's grand opening in Canada and the United States set a record and helped put it on pace to set a record for the highest single-day domestic ticket sales, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Several film industry officials said New Moon ticket sales for Friday would likely be more than $70 million, the Times said. Such a total would put it ahead of the current single-day domestic ticket sales king, The Dark Knight with $67.2 million.

New Moon, based on a book by author Stephenie Meyer, is also expected to enjoy the highest domestic weekend gross for a 2009 film with a predicted weekend gross of more than $110 million.

The Times said that weekend tally could be increased to more than $150 million once ticket sales from 25 other countries showing it are added.

New evidence in Andrews' stalker case

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

A lawyer for Erin Andrews said in a Los Angeles courtroom the man who allegedly stalked the ESPN sportscaster also stalked another woman.

Appearing in a Los Angeles federal court this week, attorney Marshall Grossman said the man suspected of videotaping his client, Andrews, through a hotel keyhole, also stalked an Arizona woman, the New York Daily News reported Saturday.

While the woman's identity was not released, Grossman read a portion of her five-page statement in court Friday.

I have had terror dreams that he was coming through my door. I put a chair at my front door and on my bedroom door nightly, the woman said in the statement regarding the impact Michael Barrett's alleged stalking had on her.

I have had severe anxiety attacks, slept with a bat under my bed, developed high blood pressure and I'm sure other psychological damage.

Barrett, 48, had no comment regarding the allegations from his alleged second stalking victim.

The Daily News said Barrett is facing interstate stalking charges for allegedly following Andrews, 31, to multiple U.S hotels in order to secretly videotape her and post some of those videos online.

Lachey says no lip-syncing on new series

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) --

Singer Nick Lachey says his new U.S. TV series will be an a cappella singing competition between eight groups, all forbidden from lip-syncing.

The former 98 Degrees singer said NBC's The Sing-Off will have the groups competing against one another without instruments in a bid to win a Epic Records/Sony Recording contract, People.com reported Friday.

There is nowhere to hide when you're doing an a cappella song, Lachey told People magazine. There's no band behind you and dubbing. It's just you. It's just them naked on stage and what they have done to prepare is what will show through in that moment.

The four-night TV competition is to debut Dec. 14.

Wasikowska, Fassbender up for 'Eyre'

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender are in talks to headline a big-screen version of the classic British novel Jane Eyre, sources told Variety.

Cary Fukunaga is to direct the latest adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's 19th century book about a young governess hired to care for the ward of an austere, secretive aristocrat named Mr. Edward Rochester.

Moira Buffini penned the screenplay, the entertainment industry newspaper said.

Wasikowska, who is up for the role of Jane, will soon be seen playing the title character in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

Fassbender previously starred in Hunger, Inglourious Basterds and Fish Tank. He was also a cast member of the British supernatural series Hex.

'Chuck' to return to NBC in January

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

The U.S. action-comedy spy series Chuck is to begin its third season on NBC in January, the network announced.

Starring Zachary Levi as the titular secret agent, the show will return to the NBC lineup Jan. 10 with back-to-back new episodes.

It will start airing on Mondays Jan. 11.

This season will feature guest appearances by Angie Harmon, Brandon Routh, Robert Patrick, Kristin Kreuk, Armand Assante, Steve Austin and Vinnie Jones, the network said.

Josh (Schwartz) and Chris (Fedak) and the writing team are doing a great job this season, and we think the loyal fan base for this show will be happy to see it back on the NBC schedule, Angela Bromstad -- president of prime time entertainment at NBC and Universal Media Studios -- said in a statement.

Jackson doctor bought propofol in Vegas

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

Investigators in Michael Jackson's homicide case say they have linked Dr. Conrad Murray to propofol bottles found at the pop star's Los Angeles home.

Murray, Jackson's personal physician, allegedly bought the anesthesia from a Las Vegas pharmacy a month before the singer's June 25 death and had it shipped to Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times cited court records unsealed Friday as saying.

Investigators in the case say the lot numbers on bottles found in Jackson's rented mansion matched those on a receipt found in Murray's Las Vegas office.

The 50-year-old entertainer's death was ruled a homicide after lethal levels of propofol and sedatives were found in his system.

Murray told police he administered the anesthesia to Jackson shortly before his death to help him sleep. The doctor also said the recording artist was addicted to the drug and he had been trying to help Jackson kick the habit.

No criminal charges have been filed in connection with Jackson's death.

Super model Kim found hanged in Paris

PARIS, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

Supermodel Daul Kim left messages on her Web site saying she was depressed and lonely before her body was found hanging in her Paris apartment, police said.

Police said the 20-year-old South Korean model was found dead Thursday by a friend, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Despite her success in the fashion-promotion industry where she presented the latest lines of Chanel, Dries van Noten and others, Kim had recently indicated her deep despair on her Internet blog, the Telegraph said.

In late October she announced, I left Seoul and I'm in Paris -- I'm happy! But then Nov. 5 she wrote: I already accepted that I relate to nothing. The more I gain the more lonely it is ... I know I'm like a ghost.

In her final entry Nov. 18, she posted an entry titled Say hi to forever.

Rentrak: 'Ugly Truth' is No. 1 VOD

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 20 (UPI) --

The romantic comedy The Ugly Truth was last week's top pay-per-view, video-on-demand title in the United States, Rentrak Corp. said Friday.

According to Rentrak's OnDemand Essentials service, the No. 2 movie for the period Nov. 9-15 was The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, followed by The Proposal at No. 3, Land of the Lost at No. 4 and Aliens in the Attic at No. 5.

Rounding out the Top 10 for the week were The Orphan at No. 6, I Love You, Beth Cooper at No. 7, Drag Me to Hell at No. 8, Monsters vs. Aliens at No. 9 and X-Men Origins: Wolverine at No. 10.

Whitney's debut album to be re-released

NEW YORK, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

Arista Records/Legacy Recordings said it plans to release a special 25th anniversary edition of the popular U.S. album Whitney Houston.

The Whitney Houston -- 25th anniversary Edition CD/DVD package, set for release Jan. 19, includes the chart-topping original Arista album remastered in its entirety, along with five bonus tracks, including Whitney's a cappella recording of How Will I Know plus a live performance of Greatest Love of All.

The set will also feature a new DVD collection with some of the iconic music videos for songs on the album, as well as her breakout national TV debut singing Home from The Wiz on The Merv Griffin Show in 1983.

Exclusive and newly filmed interviews with Houston and producer Clive Davis round out the bonus DVD portion of the collection, the record label said.

Whitney Houston includes the hits You Give Good Love, Saving All My Love for You, How Will I Know and Greatest Love of All. The original version of the album sold 25 million copies worldwide.

I cannot believe it has been 25 years since my first album, Houston writes in a letter to fans appearing in the packaging for the re-release of her debut. I could never have done this without the support, encouragement and unconditional love from my fans all over the world. I love you all!

McCartney to appear on Starr's next CD

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

British rock 'n' roll icon Paul McCartney has recorded a track with his former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr for Starr's upcoming CD Y Not.

The album, which Starr also produced, is set for release Jan. 12 on Hip-O Records/UMe, Universal Music Enterprises said Friday.

Starr and McCartney collaborated on the CD's first single, Walk with You, a song about the power of friendship.

Starr's decision to take a stronger role in the recording of his latest solo album was a significant one, his record label said.

I didn't do it at the start, Starr said in a statement. I was the least involved in the production of the Beatle records. And then with my solo records, I worked with some other great producers like Richard Perry, Arif Mardin and Don Was. So it just seemed like that's the way that it goes. Then suddenly, it's another point in your life, and you say, 'I'm going do this now.' So I'll be producing anything I make from now on. That's the good news. It's a confidence thing, I suppose. And 'Y Not' is really another way of me saying, 'Yes, I can.'

'Dirty Dancing' TV marathon planned

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

TV Guide Network says it plans to air a 12-hour marathon of the U.S. film classic Dirty Dancing this Christmas.

Starring Jennifer Grey and the late Patrick Swayze, the 1987 romance will be shown continuously Dec. 25 from 12 p.m. EDT/PDT through midnight.

Sometimes a movie encapsulates a period or a moment in all of our lives in such a way that it never dies. And I think 'Dirty Dancing' did that, Swayze commented in an interview featured on the film's 20th anniversary edition DVD.

Fans of Dirty Dancing can also visit TVGuide.com to share their favorite moments and quotes from the film, view behind-the-scenes photos, watch rare cast interviews online, and interact with other super-fans, the network said.

Report: Efron and Hudgens still dating

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

A source close to Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens says the U.S. celebrity couple's relationship isn't on the rocks, contrary to a tabloid report claiming it is.

Efron, 22, and Hudgens, 20, have been dating since 2005, and have co-starred in three installments of the High School Musical franchise.

They spent months together up in Vancouver, where they are both filming movies, an unidentified source told Usmagazine.com. Things are going well with them. ... They are happy.

Poll: Bono wanted as substitute teacher

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) --

Thousands of voters indicated in an online survey Irish rocker Bono is their dream substitute teacher, the National Education Association said Friday.

Those NEA members from across the country and the general public who participated in the U.S. teachers union's third annual Substitute Educator's Day poll were asked to choose a fantasy substitute teacher from among Bono, journalist Katie Couric, former South Africa President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Twenty-six percent chose Bono as the person they'd most like to see in the classroom as a substitute teacher. The organization did not say what percentage of the vote the other potential subs earned or how many people participated in the survey.

The association said it has reached out to Bono and invited him to spend the day as a substitute educator, taking over a classroom at a public school.

Substitute educators are honored on the Friday of American Education Week, celebrated this year Nov. 15-21.

As a math teacher, I can't tell you how important it is to have a well-qualified, well-respected substitute to cover lessons, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said in a statement. That's why it's so important to pay tribute to substitute educators who step in at a moment's notice to carry on lessons in the classroom when teachers are absent.