Mariah Carey To Be New American Idol Judge

Mariah has since tweeted about joining the show ... saying, "It's gonna be so much fun working on American Idol. As a singer-songwriter, I'm excited to help find and nurture new talent. LYM! – MC" more on this story

Janet and Jermaine Jackson Face Off After Cops Rush To Family Home

(TMZ) TMZ has obtained a photo of Janet Jackson and Jermaine Jackson in a heated exchange at the Jackson family home-- shortly after Sheriff's deputies responded to an alleged battery there on Monday afternoon.

In the pic, Janet and her brother Jermaine are in front of the Calabasas compound ... clearly engaged in a heavy conversation.

We're told the photo was taken within the same hour LA County Sheriff's deputies went to Katherine Jackson's home ... after someone inside accused someone else of a physical assault.

We do not know if Jermaine and Janet were involved in that dispute.

As we previously reported, Janet and Jermaine have a lot to discuss -- the letter they and 3 other siblings signed, demanding the Executors of Michael Jackson's Estate step down ... and Katherine Jackson's puzzling trip to Arizona. See the photo here.

First Lawsuit Filed Over Batman Movie Massacre

(TMZ) One of the victims in the James Holmes mass murder spree has lawyered up and plans to file a lawsuit ... because he feels the theater dropped the ball in a very fatal way.

Torrence Brown, Jr. was in Century 16 Theater when Holmes let loose. One of Brown's best friends, A.J. Boik, was shot in the chest and died. Brown, who was not physically injured, claims to now suffer from extreme trauma.

Brown has hired attorney Donald Karpel to rep him. Karpel tells TMZ ... he is targeting 3 defendants.

1. The theater. Karpel claims it was negligent for the theater to have an emergency door in the front that was not alarmed or guarded. It's widely believed Holmes entered the theater with a ticket, propped the emergency door open from inside, went to his car and returned with guns.

2. Holmes' doctors. Karpel says it appears Holmes was on several medications -- prescribed by one or more doctors -- at the time of the shooting and he believes the docs did not properly monitor Holmes.

3. Warner Bros. Karpel says "Dark Knight Rises" was particularly violent and Holmes mimicked some of the action. The attorney says theater goers were helpless because they thought the shooter was part of the movie. Karpel tells TMZ, "Somebody has to be responsible for the rampant violence that is shown today." more on this story

Jennifer Lopez Previews Video For Goin' In ft. Flo Rida

(popmusiclife) Jennifer Lopez releases her first-ever greatest hits package, "Dance Again…the Hits," today.

The compilation features features a dozen career-spanning hits and two new chart-topping songs: "Goin' In" (featuring Flo Rida) and "Dance Again."

Jennifer will release the video for "Goin In" later this week, and she's now giving fans a preview of the new clip. Check it out here.

Alicia Keys Posts New Day Lyrics Video Online

(popmusiclife) A few weeks ago, Alicia Keys shared "New Day," and now she's issued the lyric video for the song, which may appear on her next album.

Upon its release, Keys discussed the new music, saying, "I am an animal right now! I am ready to be set free in a whole other way. When it comes to sharing this music with you, I am like a caged animal that is dying to escape."

The track was produced by Keys' husband, Swizz Beatz. Alicia's last album was 2009's "The Element of Freedom." Watch the new lyrics video here.

Silversun Pickups Plan Fall Tour

Silversun Pickups will be hitting the road this fall for a North American headline tour with support from School of Seven Bells and Atlas Genius.

After several festival dates, the band will tour from the Malkin Bowl in Vancouver on September 4th to the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on September 21st.

Silversun Pickups will be embarking on the trek in support of their latest record Neck of the Woods. more on this story

Dierks Bentley Scores 10th No 1 Song

Dierks Bentley scored his 10th career No. 1 song as an artist and songwriter yesterday after his hit "5-1-5-0" topped both the Billboard and Mediabase charts.

"I have to admit, it's been a 5150 kinda summer," said Bentley. "The tailgating before shows has been turned up a notch, and the fans are ready to get crazy.

"You can't ever take for granted the power of a fun, uptempo song that isn't meant for anything other than kicking off a party. I'll also never take for granted having 10 No. one hits on country radio…those guys and the fans have given me an unbelievable career so far." more on this story

The Roys Premiering New Album Today

(Sub) The Roys new album, New Day Dawning, will be world premiered on SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction Channel 61 at 8 a.m. ET today, July 24.

The new disc hits stores on August 28. "It's definitely been a growth process for us," explains Elaine of their unique genre-bending music.

"We have nurtured this sound," adds Lee. "I think the new music reflects that." Fans at The Roys' recent live shows are calling the engaging "Grandpa's Barn," the unforgettable up-tempo "Fast As We Roll," and the poignant "Living Scrapbook" songs to watch. more on this story

Grouplove Plan Online Event and Fall Tour

Grouplove plan to take part in a special online event next week and will also hit the road for a headlining fall tour of North America.

On July 30th, Grouplove will partner with YouTube for a special "YouTube Presents" live performance and Q&A session. The entire event will be live-streamed at www.youtube.com/presents beginning at 1pm PT.

The first round of dates will kick off on September 25th at the Roseland Theater in Portland, OR, and continue into November (see attached itinerary). Support on select legs of the tour comes from Alt-J and MSMR. more on this story

Aaron Neville Plans Christmas Celebration Tour

Santa will be coming a little early this year for Aaron Neville fans as he will be returning to the road in December for his Christmas Celebration tour.

Neville is currently on the road until August 11thand will continue to tour the states this December kicking off the holiday tour in Robinsonville, MS with stops in Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The Christmas Celebration tour will include performances of new songs from Aaron Neville's upcoming full-length album set to be released this Winter on EMI's Blue Note Records. The record, produced by Keith Richards and Blue Note Records President Don Was, finds Neville revitalizing some of his favorite songs from the doo-wop era and beyond. "Aaron Neville is one of the most expressive and soulful artists of all time, it's such a thrill to hear him sing," Was says. "His vocals have a way of reaching into your heart and stirring something really deep inside. It's a huge honor to welcome him to Blue Note Records and to be involved, along with the legendary Keith Richards, in the production of this album." more on this story

Flo Rida Sued in Florida Over Canceled Canadian Tour

(TMZ) Flo Rida screwed over the entire country of Canada by pulling the plug on a concert tour ... at least that's what the jilted promoter is claiming in a whopping $200k federal lawsuit.

The suit was filed last week in Florida (the state) by Spin Artist Agency which claims they had a signed contract for the rapper to perform 10 shows in the summer of 2011 ... but he never showed.

According to the suit, Flo was supposed to perform from July 3 to July 12 -- but just one day before that Flo's reps "wrongfully cancelled the Tour."

SPAA is suing Flo Rida for breach of contract and claiming massive loses in ticket, concession and booze sales. They are demanding damages of at least $200,000.

Not a "Good Feeling." more on this story

Sage Stallone's Cause Of Death 'Deferred' On Death Certificate

(TMZ) Sage Stallone's cause of death is still a mystery ... this according to his official death certificate filed in L.A.

The death certificate lists Sage's C.O.D. as "deferred" -- which means the coroner is waiting for the results of various tests, including toxicology, before proclaiming what killed the 36-year-old.

The coroner notes that Sage's body was found on July 13 -- but does not specify a definitive date of death.

As we previously reported, people connected with the case believe Sage may have been dead for several days before his body was discovered by the housekeeper. more on this story

PBS Fires Fred Willard

(TMZ) It only took a few hours for the fallout to hit Fred Willard after being arrested for lewd conduct ... because PBS just gave him the heave ho.

TMZ obtained the email that PBS honchos sent to affiliates informing them he has been fired from "Market Warriors."

According ot the email the network is telling affiliates not to air any of the unaired episodes featuring Willard.

In fact, PBS says its already working on a new version of the show ... sans Fred. more on this story

Ultimate Warrior Won't Face Criminal Charges For Merch Dispute

(TMZ) Ultimate Warrior won't face criminal charges after allegedly bilking a memorabilia dealer out of valuable wrestling merch ... including ring-worn wrestling trunks -- this according to law enforcement.

TMZ broke the story ... a sports memorabilia dealer named Christopher Elias filed a police report last week, claiming he paid Warrior $28,000 for the giant merchandise collection ... but Warrior never anted up.

Now, a rep for the Sante Fe Sheriff Department tells TMZ, they investigated the matter and can't determine whether any fraud took place.

As a result, police have deemed the merch dispute to be a civil matter -- and the courts can handle it from here out.

A rep for Warrior tells us, "The facts will speak for themselves once presented." more on this story

Mother of One of Michael Lohan's Babies Has Warning for Kate Major

(TMZ) Once a deadbeat dad, ALWAYS a deadbeat dad ... so says one of Michael Lohan's baby mamas ... who says it's a lesson Kate Major is about to learn the hard way.

TMZ spoke with Kristi Horn - who has a 17-year-old daughter named Ashley with Lohan. Horn tells us Michael isn't just an absentee father ... he also owes her more than $300k in back child support.

And Horn says there's a ZERO PERCENT chance MiLo changes his ways with the new kid on the way. "This is a freaking train wreck ... here we go again," Horn says.

"I just feel so bad for Kate. She's going to be a single mother eventually ... he's going to leave her to raise their child alone like he did to Dina and I."

Maybe, maybe not ... but probably maybe. more on this story

Keenan Ivory Wayans' Ex To Join Hollywood Exes Cast

(TMZ) The ex-wife of Keenan Ivory Wayans is about to embark on a brand new adventure ... by playing the ex-wife of Keenan Ivory Wayans ... on the VH1 reality show "Hollywood Exes."

Sources tell us, Daphne Wayans -- who was married to Keenan from 2001 to 2004 and has 5 children with him -- will join the cast for the second season of the VH1 show ... just as soon as they get picked up by the network.

Wayans will be in good company ... joining the exes of Prince, R. Kelly, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy and Jose Canseco as they try to come out of their husbands' shadows and into their own.

Ya know ... by using their famous last names.

We shot Daphne earlier last week hanging out with her future co-stars, and they all seemed pretty chummy. See that here.

Step-Mother Wants Mel Gibson To Pay For Her Divorce

(TMZ) Mel Gibson's step-mother insists it's all Mel's fault she's getting divorced from the actor's father -- and now, she wants Mel to pay her legal bills.

Teddy Joye Hicks Gibson just filed legal docs in L.A. County Superior Court, asking a judge to make Mel a party in her divorce proceedings with Mel's father Hutton Gibson, who filed for divorce back in June.

According to the docs, Mel not only pushed his father to divorce Teddy -- he booted her from her marital home too ... and has been covering Hutton's legal bills.

As a result of his alleged involvement, Teddy wants a judge to order Mel to pay HER legal costs too -- which she estimates will be around $65,000. She says she has already spent $30,000.

Teddy also wants a judge to order Mel to let her back into her house. (As we reported, Teddy is already seeking a restraining order to block Mel from kicking her out, but that hasn't been ruled on yet).

And there's more ... Teddy wants $15,000/month in spousal support from Hutton -- an expense Mel would probably be footing. more on this story

Dez Bryant Charged With Assault For Fight With His Mother

(TMZ) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was officially charged yesterday with assault stemming from the fight he had last week with his mom ... TMZ has learned.

Jamille Bradfield at the Dallas County D.A.'s office tells TMZ ... Bryant was charged with assault, family violence -- a class A misdemeanor. No court date has been set.

As TMZ first reported, Bryant was busted on July 14 after his mom told police the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver hit her in the face with his baseball cap ... and grabbed her by the shirt so hard that he ripped her bra. more on this story

Cat Cora DUI Crash 911 Call Goes Online

(TMZ) TMZ obtained the 911 call placed right after "Iron Chef" Cat Cora drunkenly crashed into another vehicle -- and according to the caller, "She was driving insane."

The caller -- who Cat rear-ended -- tells the operator, "She's just been very aggressive. Her driving style was aggressive. There was a red light. She was just driving insane."

He adds, "She was wavering around the road ... She's yelling and acting really weird."

As we reported, Cora was arrested for DUI on June 17 in Santa Barbara, CA. According to police, she admitted drinking 3 beers and later blew a .19 on a breathalyzer ... more than twice the legal limit in California.

Cat later apologized for the arrest, saying, "I deeply regret my decision to drive that evening after my designated driver became unavailable."

Just moments after the crash, the other driver began videotaping her. Cat angrily responded by calling the driver and his passenger "nerds" with no life. The video's pretty great. Check it out here.

New Amy Winehouse Book Coming

Jake Brown's next compilation book will be published next month and will focus on Amy Winehouse.

Amy Winehouse: Too Young to Die Too Old to Live is said to feature never seen before photos and interviews. We were not provided an exact release date but we were sent these details:

Jake Brown will take you deep into Amy Winehouse's world of record deals, contracts, touring, bands, men, tabloids, drugs and alcohol. Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14th, 1983 in the middle-class London suburb of Southgate to parents Mitch and Janice, who worked as a cab driver and pharmacist respectively. She died of alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011, at the young age of twenty seven years old. Her album Back to Black subsequently became the UK's best selling album of the 21st century in 2012. more on this story