Amy Winehouse TV Special

Tune in Tuesday, July 26 at 8 P.M. on Palladia to celebrate her talent as she is remembered at the 2008 Oxegen Festival in Ireland with the premiere of "MTV Live: Amy Winehouse." Then tune in for encore performances on Wednesday July 27 at 11:30 P.M. EST and Thursday July 28 at 7:00 P.M. EST on Palladia.

Joshua Jackson Rushed To The Hospital

(TMZ) Joshua Jackson was rushed to the hospital Thursday night in Santa Monica ... after an intense allergic reaction ... Jackson's rep tells TMZ.

No word on what caused the reaction -- but he didn't seem too worried about the situation as he casually strolled out of the hospital soon after with his girlfriend Diane Kruger by his side.

TMZ spoke with Jackson's rep who told us, "Josh had an allergic reaction (not asthma attack)" ... adding, "[He] is perfectly fine." more on this story

Former NBA Star Steve Francis Accused of Sexual Assault

(TMZ) Former NBA star Steve Francis is being accused of sexual assaulting a woman in Texas last year ... TMZ has learned.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Francis allegedly "groped" a 20-year-old woman through her clothing in May 2010 ... and the woman immediately went to the cops to file a complaint.

The alleged victim tells TMZ ... she is a singer who was signed to Steve's record label and on the day of the alleged incident, she had met Steve at an office to discuss her contract. more on this story

Dancing With The Real Stars?

(TMZ) Say goodbye to the likes of Ralph Macchio and Kendra Wilkinson on "Dancing with the Stars" ... TMZ has learned producers are on the hunt for more "high profile" celebs next season ... in the hopes of cutting down on the gimmicky stars they've booked in the past.

Sources connected to the show tell TMZ ... producers are under direct orders to find "more high profile" people than in the past seasons ... after booking a string of D-listers like The Situation, Kate Gosselin, Audrina Patridge, Jake Pavelka and Holly Madison.

In order to lock down the BIG names, we're told producers are offering A-listers complete control over their rehearsal schedule -- telling them there's NO minimum rehearsal requirements ... and they can practice as little or as much as they want.

Celebs will also have final say on music selections and costume design ... including colors, cuts and styles.

So far, no word if producers have signed any of the "high profile" people in their crosshairs. more on this story

Jackie DeShannon Hits Revisited

(Conqueroo) When You Walk In The Room, which revisits Jackie DeShannon's hits will hit stores on September 27 on Rockbeat Records.

The revisited Jackie DeShannon classics featured on this package are like mile markers on pop's journey through the decades. "When You Walk in the Room," with words and music by the singer, and "Needles and Pins" represent the early 1960s Jackie. Her long tenure with Liberty/Imperial Records was best expressed by her work with eclectic arranger-composer Nitzsche, a close friend and artistic collaborator. U.K. Mersey Beat band the Searchers hung their star over both sides of the pond with covers of the DeShannon tunes that would become rock standards. But on her versions, Jackie reads the lyrics with a wider range of emotions, revealing a deep, evolving artist.

As the '60s evolved, DeShannon grew as a writer and recording artist. She had the good fortune to join the Beatles in 1964 as an opening act on their first U.S. tour, performed with blues guitarist Ry Cooder at the legendary Ash Grove, and wrote with fellow Metric Music Publishing song scribe Randy Newman. Folk-rock pioneers the Byrds featured Jackie's original "Don't Doubt Yourself Babe" on their debut album. In England, she composed and recorded with a pre-Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page, and subsequently wrote one of British songbird Marianne Faithfull's signature songs, "Come and Stay With Me." Back home, Jackie was a frequent presence on hip television music shows such as Shindig! and sang with Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and the Everly Brothers. more on this story

Reason Behind Kim Kardashian's Battle With Old Navy?

(TMZ) We now know what's really behind Kim Kardashian's lawsuit against Old Navy -- protecting a HUGE deal the Kardashian clan has with Sears ... sources close to the fam tell TMZ.

As TMZ first reported, Kim filed suit against Old Navy because she felt they were trying to intentionally deceive people into thinking she was a spokeswoman for the company by using a girl who looked just like her in their commercials.

But our sources say ... the suit was filed because Sears felt the Old Navy commercial compromised it's ad campaign for the Kardashian Kollection -- an exclusive line of clothing and bedding that launches in about a month and a half.

We're told Sears execs actually questioned if Kim was part of the Old Navy ads. The company feels the ad creates confusion in the marketplace and that happens to be exactly what Kim needs to prove to win her suit.

Bottom line -- Kim doesn't care about KK wannabes ... but she cares a lot about a deal that could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. more on this story

Casey Anthony's Parent Want To Meet With Rascal Flatts

(TMZ) Casey Anthony's parents are trying to arrange a meet-and-greet with the band Rascal Flatts -- all to give the lead singer one big thank you for writing an emotional tribute to Caylee Anthony.

TMZ has learned ... George and Cindy Anthony reached out to the band's reps this week after hearing the song, "She's Going Places" -- which lead singer Gary LeVox co-wrote with another singer named Cledus T. Judd.

But the band isn't exactly in a hurry to respond -- a rep for Rascal Flatts tells us the band is mulling it over and has yet to decide if they'll meet up with the Anthonys.

If you haven't heard the song, the lyrics are pretty heartrending -- "She was just a baby, barely 2 years old / A story that shouldn't have to be told" -- so if you're in the mood to tear up, take a listen. more on this story

Miles Davis Bootleg Series Kicks Off in September

Legacy has set a September 20th release date for Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 will be the launch of new Miles Davis Series offering rare and previously unreleased live recordings from around the world.

The explosive transformation of Miles Davis' "second great Quintet" with Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Tony Williams (drums) is laid bare on Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1.

Culled from original state-owned television and radio sources in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden, the program spans five northern European festival performances over the course of nine days in October-November 1967. more on this story

Gossip Girl Leighton Meester Sues Her Mother

(TMZ) "Gossip Girl" star Leighton Meester is suing her mother, claiming her mom diverted money Leighton sent to her little brother and used it for plastic surgery, Botox and hair extensions.

According to the suit ... obtained by TMZ ... Leighton's mom refused to work, but Leighton felt badly for her younger brother Lex, who has severe medical issues. So Leighton sent her mom $7,500 a month so she could provide for Lex.

But the suit claims the mother, Constance Meester, used the money for cosmetic procedures and other personal expenses. more on this story

Amy Winehouse Post-Mortem Today- Bond Girl Dies- Kid Rock Wants Better Strippers- New Drake Album Coming- New Kelly Clarkson Soon- No Doubt Dance Hall- more

(BBC) A post-mortem examination into the death of Amy Winehouse is set to take place later on Monday, authorities confirm. more

(BBC) Actress Linda Christian, a 1940s Hollywood starlet who went on to become the first Bond girl, dies at the age of 87. more

(FMQB) New updates from teen singer Demi Lovato include the release date of her new album on September 20, as well as plans for a potential tour. more

(Jam!) Kid Rock is considering vetting the strippers promoters hire to join him onstage at shows - because some of them are a little "shaky" close-up. more

(FMQB) In early June, Drake posted a message on his blog saying that his sophomore album, Take Care, will be out on October 24. Now the rapper/singer is in the Toronto studio of his longtime producer, Noah "40" Shebib, putting the finishing touches on his second full length. more

Lights Over Paris have released their brand new video "I'm Not A Ganasta" featuring The Game. Check it out here

(FMQB) Fans won't have to wait much longer for the release of Kelly Clarkson's fifth album. In a recent twitter post, Clarkson exclaimed that the single from the new album would drop this August. An hour later, she regrettably posted again that her "calendar was messed up" and that it may not come out until September. more

(FMQB) Continuing work on their first album in almost a decade, No Doubt has welcomed the help of dancehall/electro production duo Major Lazer.more

Amy Winehouse Death: Paramedics Found Signs Of Life?

(TMZ) Sources connected with the Amy Winehouse death investigation tell TMZ that paramedics found "signs of life" when they arrived Saturday afternoon, but she died before they could transport her.

Our sources were not specific as to the exact nature of the "signs of life." According to our sources, law enforcement "is operating under the suspicion" this an overdose, although police will not say on the record it's an overdose until the first postmortem exam Sunday morning.

As TMZ first reported, police on the scene determined there were no signs of foul play and there is nothing suspicious about the death. more on this story

American Idol's Kris Allen To Be KIDZ Star Judge

American Idol 2009 winner Kris Allen has been named an official celebrity judge and mentor for the second annual KIDZ Star USA Talent Search.

KIDZ Star USA is KIDZ BOP's talent competition for kids and teens ages 15 and under. In this role, Kris will offer expert advice and tips to contestants and help select the contest's four semi finalists.

Comments Kris Allen: "I'll be looking for obviously a great voice but also someone original and unique — someone who stands out among the other contestants and grabs my attention." more on this story

Former American Idol Contestant Accused of Robbery

(TMZ) Former "American Idol" wannabe Bucky Covington has been accused of one of the most UN-AMERICAN crimes ever ... stealing $1,500 from a guy during a 4th of July week concert ... but Bucky says it just ain't so!!!

Bucky -- who placed 8th on "Idol" back in 2006 -- was set to perform at the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach, Florida on June 30 as part of a July 4 NASCAR race week celebration ... when the promoter suffered chest pains and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

With the promoter out of the picture, Bucky allegedly saw an opportunity to raid the cash box -- and instructed his brother and his brother's wife to pull off a snatch and grab.

The promoter filed a police report, obtained by TMZ, claiming the Covington gang made off with roughly $1,500 bucks that night ... which they refuse to give back.

TMZ spoke to Bucky ... who adamantly denies the allegations ... but adds, "I'm just glad I'm big enough to be on TMZ! Thanks!"

An investigation into the alleged incident is ongoing. more on this story

Tori Amos Announces North American Tour

Tori Amos has announced a North American leg for her Night of Hunters Tour that will take place this fall.

The trek begins November 29 at Atlanta 's Cobb Energy Performance Arts Center and concludes December 22 at Dallas's Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie.

The tour is in support of her album Night of Hunters due out in September on celebrated classical label Deutsche Grammophon. more on this story

Rehab Worker Claims She Needs Surgery For Lindsay Lohan Injury

(TMZ) Dawn Holland claims she was injured so badly when Lindsay Lohan twisted and pulled her wrist for 8-10 seconds during their Betty Ford confrontation ... she needs surgery to repair the damage.

Holland's lawyer, Owen McIntosh, tells TMZ ... ever since the alleged showdown last year, his client has been suffering from De Quervain syndrome.

According to Dr. Wik E. Pedia, De Quervain syndrome is a "tendinosis of the sheath or tunnel that surrounds two tendons that control movement of the thumb." Symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling and difficulty gripping.

McIntosh says Holland's surgery is scheduled for this Thursday the 28th.

Lindsay maintains she never TOUCHED Dawn ... insisting Holland concocted the story in an effort to get money from the actress. more on this story

Notar Sets Album Release Date

Notar has announced the release date of his debut full-length CD, Devil's Playground, as September 13, 2011.

Devil's Playground follows Notar's self-titled 2010 EP, which garnered much attention from press and fans alike. Counting Crows' Adam Duritz who discovered and signed Notar to his label, Tyrannosaurus Records, found Notar's "words so clear, so lucid, and so brilliant" that he knew he had no choice but to work with the gritty genre defying performer.

On Devil's Playground, Notar pushes the boundaries of hip-hop music, unafraid to blend rock, funk, and pop, with his roots in jazz and formal training as a trumpet player. more on this story

Flo Rida Says He Can Prove He's Not The Daddy

(TMZ) Flo Rida is in the middle of a paternity war -- even though the rapper claims he has scientific PROOF he's NOT the baby daddy.

Mr. Rida is accused of fathering a son with a woman named Gloria Halloway. The kid was born earlier this year.

Flo's attorney, Sandy Belcher, tells TMZ ... the rapper took a paternity test last month that ruled him out as the boy's father ... but he used a pseudonym to protect his identity.

But Halloway isn't buying it -- claiming she has yet to see a document with Flo's REAL NAME on it ... and her lawyer, Damon McDougal, tells us, "There is absolutely nothing to indicate that [Flo Rida] was sampled."

McDougal adds, "I really do feel that the only way we are going to get a reliable paternity test is going to be within the confines of some sort of court order." more on this story

Maria Shriver 911 Call

(TMZ) Maria Shriver called 911 herself -- calmly -- when her son Christopher Schwarzenegger was injured in a boogie boarding accident in Malibu last weekend.

Maria told the operator, "He can't move off the beach ... maybe like a broken ribs or something like that."

She explained, "It's my son ... he's awake and breathing .... he just can't move. He's having trouble breathing."

Christopher was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for multiple broken bones and a collapsed lung. Listen here

Moe Green Delivers New Video

The latest video from Moe Green's Lionheart EP for the track "Extra Extra" gives a different view of Green, one that we didn't see with previous videos like "707."

Instead of spitting verses in back alleys and under overpasses in Vallejo California, Green takes it down to San Francisco to rub shoulders with the white-collar crowd on Montgomery Street.

Myke Ward, who directed the video, pits Green against the city of wealth, just out of reach of the cars and money that surrounds him. As Moe's lyrics, with lines like "I'm living life hella hassled, but making me grow/ And I'm just trying to get my cake up/ And have fun 'till the day come," play out over producer Cash Martin's melancholy beat, shots of Moe traversing the city create a powerful, truly aspirational visual. Watch it here