Police Want to Question Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

Sources close to Jusin tell us, the singer will happily yak it up with cops. Selena's people could not be reached for comment. more on this story

Britney Spears Almost Quit X Factor After Panic Attack

(TMZ) Britney Spears tried to back out of her $15 million "X Factor" deal on the VERY FIRST day of production ... after experiencing a panic attack on the set ... this according to Simon Cowell.

The "X Factor" creator just phoned in to "TMZ Live" ... and told us his people "half-lied" to the media back in May when they said Britney only walked off the set because she had to go to the bathroom.

"No one is going to admit that on the first day your highest paid star after 20 minutes has walked off set," Cowell told us.

So what really happened? Cowell admits Britney "had a moment on the first day where she said to me 'I'm not sure I can do this.'"

Of course, Cowell says he talked Brit back into the gig ... and now she's not only loving it, but she's developed into a kick-ass judge.

Cowell also blasted his rivals at "The Voice" ... claiming "Voice" honcho Mark Burnett was full of crap when he told TMZ he had no idea NBC moved his show to Wednesday night, where it will go head-to-head with "X Factor."

But Cowell tells TMZ he's going to fight back by launching a brand new ad campaign for his show ... complete with a tagline created by one Harvey Levin. more on this story

Lady Gaga's New Album Will Be A Multimedia Experience With App

(popmusiclife) Lady Gaga has revealed her ambitious and cutting-edge plans for the release of her forthcoming album, "ARTPOP."

"I'm excited to tell you all that ARTPOP is going to be a multimedia experience that comes in different forms," wrote Gaga on her social media site, LittleMonsters.com. "The most major way to fully immerse yourself in ARTPOP is through the APP. ARTPOP will be released as an IPAD, iPhone, mobile and computer compatible application (WORLD) that is completely interactive with chats, films for every song, extra music, content, gaga inspired games, fashion updates, magazines, and more still in the works!"

"I will also be able to upload new things to the APP all the time, the same way i upload to twitter and LM.com," she explained. "You inspired me to create something that communicated with images, because YOU do, YOU communicate with me and each other with .gifs and pictures, and artwork, graphics ALL DAY 24/7/ YOU'RE an ARTPOP generation. Im hoping you will all continue to grow together and stay connected through your creativity. much love. love, gaga p.s (start asking for IPADS FOR XMAS!!) its gonna be so fun. but dont worry. it will also be released in the regular physical and digitals which will be unique and different to the app." more on this story

Khloe Kardashian To Host The X Factor?

(TMZ) TMZ has learned that Khloe Kardashian is the front-runner to become the "X Factor" host and we're told the suits want it to happen.

Sources intimately connected to the show tell TMZ ... Khloe is definitely #1 among the women who tried out and is generally considered the best in the entire pack of host wannabes.

Khloe did a screen test that went over well. The suits -- including Simon Cowell (who has probably never worn a suit) -- believe Khloe makes the most sense in terms of audience draw, since they've already invested heavily in Britney Spears and Demi Lovato to attract young viewers.

Producers will make a decision soon. The host won't appear until the live shows air, and that begins next month.

As for the odds ... as one well-connected source tells us, "There's at least an 85% chance she'll get the job." more on this story

The Game Rescues Man After Bike Crash

(TMZ) The Game snapped into hero mode earlier this week ... possibly saving the life of a man who badly injured himself in a bicycle crash on an L.A. street.

TMZ has learned ... Game was driving home from his studio early Wednesday morning when he noticed a man who was lying face down in the street ... with his bike on top of his body.

Game tells us ... he pulled over to see if he could help ... and when he noticed the man was unresponsive, he immediately called 911.

"I couldn't just keep driving seeing a man in pain with his head on the ground."

Game waited with the man until paramedics arrived to the scene ... and says the man was transported to a nearby hospital.

Cops tell us the man is alive and is currently recovering from his injuries. Police also confirm that Game was the person who made the first 911 call.

Game tells us, "If that was me in that situation, I'd want someone to do the same thing." more on this story

Chad Ochocinco Johnson Gets Tattoo Of Evelyn Lozada's Face

(TMZ) Chad Ochocinco Johnson desperately wants to let Evelyn Lozada know he still cares about her ... so he went out and got an image of her FACE tattooed on his right leg with the name "Eve" underneath it.

Johnson posted the photo on his Twitter page this week ... the image is his new profile pic featured at the top of his page. It's unclear if the tat is real ... or of the temporary variety. Sources tell us Chad got the work done this past weekend.

Either way, Chad may not be getting his money's worth from the ink -- sources close to Evelyn say she still feels strongly about divorcing Johnson ... and she's made it clear to friends she will NOT be getting back together with the former NFL star.

As we previously reported, Evelyn filed for divorce last month ... three days after Chad allegedly headbutted her during a heated argument.

Chad was arrested for domestic violence over the incident -- but officials are still deciding whether or not charges will be filed against him. more on this story

MTV VMA Recap and Winner List

MTV held their annual Video Music Awards last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. For those that missed it, the network sent over this recap and the winner list:

The "2012 MTV Video Music Awards" was a night of musical firsts with the debut TV performances of new songs by Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne, P!nk, Green Day and more.

Rihanna, who took home the biggest prize of the night, "Video of the Year," for "We Found Love," opened the show with a sultry performance of "Cockiness (Love It)" featuring A$AP Rocky." She then turned the arena into a huge dance party, performing her VMA award-winning song, "We Found Love," with mega-hit producer and "2012 VMA house D.J." Calvin Harris, who won a VMA of his own for "Best Electronic Dance Music Video." more on this story

Matchbox Twenty Perform on Letterman

(popmusiclife) Matchbox Twenty are making the roads to promote their newly-released album, "North," which hit stores this week.

The band lived together in a house in Nashville last year where they collaborated on the new material before once again joining forces with producer Matt Serletic at his Emblem Studios in Calabasas, California.

On Wednesday, Matchbox Twenty stopped by The Late Show with David Letterman to perform "She's So Mean," the first single from the album. Watch it here.

Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe The No 1 Song of Summer

Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" has topped Billboard "Songs of the Summer" chart.

Billboard's annual Songs of the Summer running tally tracks the most popular songs based on cumulative performance on the weekly Hot 100 chart from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Other artist that made the top 10 include Flo Rida, fun., Rihanna, Katy Perry, David Guetta and Nicki Minaj. You can read the Billboard report here.

Mark Burnett Fires Back At Simon Cowell

(TMZ) Mark Burnett -- the mastermind behind "The Voice" -- says Simon Cowell is delusional to think Mark is going head-to-head with the premiere of "X Factor" to steal Britney Spears' thunder.

Burnett tells TMZ ... he didn't even know NBC added "The Voice" to next Wednesday's schedule until we called to tell him. Burnett said, "There was never ever a meeting or a discussion of what my show was up against. The fact is ... it shows you where our minds are at and where others are because it literally never crossed my mind."

Burnett -- who also created "Survivor" -- tells us, "This is someone trying to read into something that doesn't exist."

Simon claims the folks responsible for "The Voice" have heard how good Britney Spears and Demi Lovato are ... so they're trying to keep the audience away from "X Factor."

And Burnett had this parting shot ... "I'm just glad we're on Simon's mind." more on this story

William Shatner Vs Employees

(TMZ) William Shatner purposely "harassed and berated" a former employee ... all because the employee refused to sign a waiver after getting injured on the job -- this according to new legal docs.

Oscar Alfaro and his wife Delmy filed a lawsuit in L.A. County Superior court today -- claiming they both worked for Shatner for twenty years at the actor's Studio City home.

In the docs, Oscar claims he was injured while working at the house ... but when Shatner wanted him to sign a document to release him from financial responsibility ... Oscar refused.

Oscar claims that as a result of his refusal ... the actor and his wife retaliated against him by harassing Oscar and his wife to the point where they were both forced to quit their jobs.

Oscar and his wife claim they suffered humiliation, embarrassment, and mental anguish in addition to the loss of earnings.

They're suing for unspecified damages. more on this story

Joe Francis Accuses Quincy Jones Of Lying In Murder Plot Trial

(TMZ) "Girls Gone Wild" honcho Joe Francis swears ... Steve Wynn threatened to end his life -- telling TMZ, Quincy Jones just LIED on the stand about Wynn's alleged murder plot in order to protect the casino mogul.

As we reported, Quincy testified yesterday-- insisting he never saw an email from Steve Wynn detailing a murder plot against Francis. Quincy said he never even heard Wynn threaten Francis.

But Francis believes Quincy is in Wynn's back pocket -- telling us, "[Quincy] is lying for Steve Wynn. I swear on my life, God strike me down, that I am telling the 100% truth in this matter."

He adds, "The fat lady hasn't sung yet."

Francis' lawyer is cross-examining Quincy this very moment.

As we reported, Quincy was subpoenaed to testify in Wynn's defamation suit against Francis, in which Francis has claimed Wynn threatened to have him buried in the desert over a gambling debt. more on this story

Airplane Passengers Compensated For Puddle of Mudd Emergency Landing

(TMZ) Passengers on board the JetBlue flight that made an emergency landing in Texas this week -- because the singer for Puddle of Mudd allegedly threw a boozy mid-flight temper tantrum -- are receiving a paltry $50 apology from the airline, TMZ has learned.

As we first reported, a JetBlue flight bound for L.A. made an emergency landing in Austin, TX Tuesday after Wes Scantlin allegedly got in a heated drunken argument with a flight attendant.

The plane was grounded in Austin for more than an hour as a result -- but a rep for JetBlue tells us, the passengers were compensated for their time ... with a $50 JetBlue credit.

According to the rep, if any customer experiences an onboard ground delay between 1 and 2 hours ... he or she is entitled to a $50 JetBlue voucher.

And as everyone knows, $50 is good for a trip to nowhere. more on this story

Dark Knight Director Vs Agents Over Profits

(TMZ) "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan and his wife just filed a lawsuit -- claiming their former and current agents are clawing at the couple over millions in commissions ... and now, they're asking the court to get them out of the middle.

Nolan and his producing partner wife Emma Thomas filed the lawsuit today in L.A. County Superior Court, claiming Nolan's current agency WME is staking a claim on profits from movies that were initially shepherded by his previous agency CAA.

CAA still claims it's still owed money on the same projects -- so there's a massive conflict ... and Nolan's caught square in the middle.

According to the lawsuit, Nolan and his wife are willing to pay the commissions they owe, but they're asking a court to decide who gets the money -- so they don't pay one agency and get sued by the other.

FYI -- Nolan's agent was fired from CAA earlier this year and subsequently signed on with WME. more on this story

Kelly Rutherford Reportedly Believes Ex Violated Court Order

(TMZ) Kelly Rutherford's ex-husband set up a photo op at a French airport on Sunday where the actress arrived to visit her children ... violating a court order in the process -- or so Kelly is telling friends.

One of Kelly's close friends -- who recently spoke to the actress in France -- tells TMZ, the "Gossip Girl" star was shocked when she saw photos of her arrival at the airport in Nice this weekend surfacing on the Internet, and believes her ex is to blame for leaking her location.

The friend says Kelly believes ... if her ex Daniel Giersch really did set up the shot -- it would be a violation of a court order against exposing the couple's kids to the media.

In the photos, Kelly looks happy -- hugging her kids while they wave a sign reading "Welcome Super Mama" -- but now, she's super pissed.

As you know, Kelly and her ex are embroiled in a bitter custody war. A judge recently named Giersch the "residential parent," meaning the kids have to live in France because he's banished from the U.S. Kelly still lives in the States, and has to fly to France to see her kids for her half of the custody share.

Kelly plans to fight the ruling. Giersch's reps had no comment. more on this story

Michael Clarke Duncan and Omarosa Plan To Marry in January

(TMZ) Michael Clarke Duncan and Omarosa Manigault were secretly engaged and the wedding was set for this January, TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with the couple tell us, Michael and Omarosa kept the engagement a secret from the media ... only telling very close friends and family about the pending nuptials.

We're told the couple had just started planning for the wedding when Michael went into full cardiac arrest July 13 and was hospitalized until his death.

We're told Omorosa is just destroyed after waging a valiant fight to save Michael. She had doctors flown in from all over the world but constantly worried if she was doing enough.

Michael died while still in the hospital Monday morning. He was 54. more on this story

Michael Strahan and Fiancee Both Have TV Deals

(TMZ) Michael Strahan and his fiancée Nicole Murphy are having the BEST WEEK EVER ... TMZ has learned Murphy's reality show "Hollywood Exes" just got picked up for a 2nd season.

Sources tell TMZ -- the VH1 show, which stars the ex-wives of Prince, Will Smith, R. Kelly and Eddie Murphy (Nicole) ... will see a 12-episode second run, after its fate remained unknown for weeks.

The news comes on the SAME DAY that Michael officially debuted as Kelly Ripa's new co-host on "Live! With Kelly."

See a pic of Michael and his booty-full fiancee vacationing last week in Jamaica here.

Junior Seau's Family To Attend Tribute At Chargers Opening Game

(TMZ) The San Diego Chargers will honor the memory of fallen NFL superstar Junior Seau during their home opener on Sunday Sept. 16 ... and TMZ has learned his entire family will be on hand to witness the ceremony.

A rep for the Chargers tells us ... Junior's mother, father, ex-wife, 4 children and other family members will be the guests of honor during a pre-game ceremony dedicated to Seau ... the greatest Chargers linebacker of all-time.

We're told the team will officially retire Junior's #55 jersey during the ceremony ... and the family will be presented with a special "surprise gift" from the organization.

The team will also debut the special #55 helmet sticker, which each Chargers player will wear during the game.

As we previously reported, Junior Seau was found dead in his San Diego home on May 2nd from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

He was 43-years-old. more on this story

Barry Bonds Comes To Lance Armstrong's Defense

(TMZ) How's this for irony ... Barry Bonds -- the poster child for steroid abuse in MLB -- is coming to Lance Armstrong's defense after the cyclist was banned from cycling for doping.

Bonds -- who was found guilty last year of felony obstruction of justice for lying during a federal investigation into steroid use by MLB players -- was leaving BOA steakhouse last night in Hollywood, when he was asked what he thought of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's ruling on Lance.

Bonds said, "I think if it wasn't for him, U.S. cycling wouldn't even be here. He was the greatest cyclist of all."

The photog asked Bonds if he thought Lance had been the victim of a witch hunt -- Bonds replied, "I don't know what they're doing, all I know is I love him. He's a great athlete." more on this story

The Situation Vs Promoter

(TMZ) The Situation charges $30,000 A POP to appear in Vegas nightclubs ... so says the "Jersey Shore" star ... who's now suing a promoter for stiffing him to the tune of $60k.

Sitch filed the suit in Miami, claiming he struck a deal with a promotion company last year to make a total of 3 appearances at Vegas nightclubs Chateau and Gallery by June 30th.

According to the lawsuit, the deal was "pay or play" -- meaning Situation was to get paid the full amount ... even if the club decided not to use him all three times.

Situation claims the club only called him in once before the deadline ... and only paid him $30k.

Now, the "Jersey Shore" star is suing the promotion company for the balance -- $60,000 -- insisting it hasn't held up its end of the bargain. more on this story

Sopranos Creator Asked About Possible Movie

(TMZ) There may still be some life left in Tony Soprano ... if he wasn't actually whacked in that diner ... at least according to "Sopranos" creator David Chase.

Chase was at an event in NYC last night, when we asked him if Tony, Carmela, Meadow and the rest of the gang will ever appear on the big screen ... even though the HBO series ended in 2007.

Chase replied, "I would never say there was never a chance ... but uh, nobody's working on it." more on this story

Singled Out: 3how

Today Amith Narayan and Wilson Goh from 3how tells us about "Since You Were Gone" from their new album "The Riverwalk Session". Here is the story:

Amith Narayan: I've known Curtis King an American blues singer/guitarist and harmonica player for a number of years since he has been living in Vietnam. Though we've played gigs together, we'd never really recorded anything. On one of his trips to Singapore in June last year we decided to book some time in a studio and record whatever we felt like playing at that point of time. This quickly involved a few other musicians, singer Wilson Goh and multi-instrumentalist Bani Haykal.

None of the others had even met each other before I invited them to the studio. So what you are listening to here is 4 musicians who have never played together, finding their groove together for the first time. This is indeed an unusual recording, since we never even had a single rehearsal – this was literally the first time we ever played together. We had no notes, chords, ideas, songs in mind and when we started playing everything just fell into place – one of us initiated a few chords or a progression and everyone else just played along. It was magical! I still cannot believe that we managed to get 14 tracks that could be released. At the time of Mixing this entire session – I remember listening to tracks again (for the 1st time months after it was recorded) and I was amazed and even astonished by what I heard. I only remembered the feeling while we recording the session – the one that you have when everything seemed to be going right but didn't realize the actual quality of the output until I was hearing it again. Mixing was a relatively easy job since we had recorded LIVE in the studio with the 4 of us sitting around each other with about 10 -12 microphones all around. There was no possibility of editing anything, no possibility of changing things – all that could be done is balancing the tracks and that was it!

By the time it came to 'Since you were gone', it was the last song we did. The four of us had already found our groove, everyone knew what they were to do –without discussion or prompting. Things just miraculously fell into place! I explained this once to a friend saying that – the entire song and the album as well is in many ways like listening to the best part of a jazz concert – ''the improvised part". In this recording, the improvised part IS THE ENTIRE SESSION. Somehow I also hope that does not take away from the actual quality of the music here – which I honestly do believe is impressive even for a band that has played together for a dozen years.

Wilson Goh: This experiment of mixing four unknown elements to see what happens is downright scary! If I had known the recording would be released, I would not have been able to sing a thing. I am thankful that there had been no expectations and that everyone was willing to just try this. More importantly, the four of us were all seasoned musicians / performers and have all come with our own bags of tricks for such an unusual circumstance.

The standard strategy, in any case of improvisation, is to keep within the key and rhythmic structure, and more often than not, the resulting combination would not be mind-boggling. You'll hear some of that in our tracks but what's interesting is when we start to veer from the comfort of the set up parameters and each of us starts to introduce a new note or a new rhythmic phrase or accent, and the rest of the group picks it up and adds to it. That's when the 'magic', as Amith describes it, happens. The magic for me is how, given the unlimited possibilities, we all kept within the same musical conversation instead of going off into individual tangents.

Being the vocalist, finding the right things to sing is difficult. Finding the words to fit into the music is even more of a challenge. When we consider that all this had to be done in the split second of hearing the first chords and rhythms, I am just amazed at how the appropriate sounds and words came to me. I was, of course, sitting in the corner desperately flipping through magazines and books to find the right words to trigger off sentences. Some of it might even have come from advertisements! The whole session was a real blur to me until I heard the recording again, and then I could remember the mental decisions (aka anxieties) I was making with my melodies: composing what to sing, finding the 'right' place to start, and knowing when to stop.

Usually when there is a voice, the instruments are heard as being the background accompaniment, but what I appreciated about this session was how each of the musicians were on equal footing and created a real amalgamation of our individual musicality. The voice becomes just another instrument, adding to the textures of the collective sound. While this concept is neither new nor unique, the circumstances leading to this recording are certainly special.

I have absolutely enjoyed the process of creating these tracks but I am more curious at how others hear them. Would the almost nebulous atmosphere of creation be perceived or would it just sound like a good jam? This insight would certainly help evolve our future sessions and I am eagerly awaiting comments.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album and how the group and album came together right here!