Michael Jackson’s Death Is The Top Entertainment Story Of 2009

2009 has been a pretty eventful year. Here are 2009′s top entertainment stories as voted by U.S. newspaper and broadcast editors surveyed by The Associated Press.

1. Michael Jackson Dies: On June 25, Jackson was pronounced dead at the age of 50. One of the most momentous and shocking deaths in pop culture history, the event reverberated in many ways. There was the ongoing investigation: Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide, and his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who says he’s innocent of wrongdoing, is being investigated for manslaughter. There was the gigantic Los Angeles funeral. There was the documentary, “This is It,” of Jackson’s preparations for a comeback concert series. But, perhaps most of all, there was the celebration of his music, on stages and sidewalks the world over.

2. Susan Boyle Becomes Overnight Sensation: Two 21st-century powers – reality TV and the Web – combined to turn the humble, unknown Boyle into an international star. After Boyle sang “I Dreamed a Dream” on “Britain’s Got Talent” on April 11, the clip spread like wildfire online, totaling more than 120 million views on YouTube. Her album, released in November, had the best opening week sales of a female debut in decades.

3. Late-Night Swap: On NBC, Conan O’Brien took over the “Tonight” show, and Jay Leno moved to 10 p.m. All the fanfare may have been overdone, though: At year’s end, neither was receiving good ratings.

4. Walter Cronkite Dies: The passing on July 17 of Cronkite, a paragon of journalism and a father figure to a nation, was not only the sad loss of a universally acknowledged great man but was a reminder of a bygone era in broadcasting.

5. David Letterman Affair: Letterman’s Oct. 1 announcement on his “Late Show” carried two bombshells: He alleged that he had been the victim of an extortion attempt, and he confessed to having affairs with women on his staff. Letterman, who hasn’t shied from the subject on air, saw some of his best ratings in years. The man accused of trying to blackmail Letterman, Robert J. “Joe” Halderman, says he was just shopping a screenplay.

6. Chris Brown Assaults Rihanna: The big story on Grammy night in 2009 didn’t take place on stage but outside the ceremony. Chris Brown assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna, an altercation that led to Brown pleading guilty to felony assault in June. Both R&B stars were in comeback mode before the year was out, releasing new albums just weeks apart.

7. Kanye West Robs Taylor Swift: Bad behavior, not awards, also ruled the story line at the MTV Video Music Awards. When a stage-crashing West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech for best female video, the rapper clearly underestimated the negative reaction he would inspire.

8. Live Video Explodes On The Web: One of the biggest trends in online video was the emergence of demand – and supply – for live video. Live online video particularly suited daytime news events (when people are at work in front of computers). Millions online watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama and the funeral of Michael Jackson.

9. Kate And Jon Gosselin Broadcast Split: One of reality TV’s latest sensations fell apart just as it was reaching fruition. TLC’s “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ was winning its best ratings in its fifth season when the Gosselins – parents of eight children – announced their separation. With more than 10 million viewers, that episode earned the show its best ratings. Arguments in the divorce, which became final in December, have thus far prevented the show from continuing. TLC hopes to debut a show for Kate Gosselin in the spring.

10. Heath Ledger Wins Posthumous Oscar: Ledger, whose death topped the poll of 2008′s top entertainment stories, remained a presence in 2009, when he won an Oscar for best-supporting actor for his performance as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.”

New Video: Rihanna ‘Wait Your Turn’

Rihanna released her first music video for ‘Wait Your Turn’ off of her upcoming album Rated R. Rihanna’s first single ‘Russian Roulette’ failed to spark any interest with fans and her label quickly released ‘Wait Your Turn’, which seems to be suffering the same fate. There’s so much hype surrounding Rihanna’s latest project, but it seems there’s nothing to back it up.

The video for ‘Wait Your Turn’ is extremely self-indulgent and boring. With such a lackluster song, Rihanna’s self-indulgence is a joke.

See for yourself –

New Music: Rihanna Ft Jeezy ‘Hard’

Another song from Rihanna’s upcoming album Rated R has leaked. According to sources, ‘Hard’ was leaked online after Rihanna’s second single ‘Wait Your Turn’ was met with disappointment and first single ‘Russian Roulette’ failed to catch on at radio or with digital sales.

Rihanna’s highly anticipated album is turning out to be a big disappointment. Fans don’t seem to be liking her new direction.

Listen To ‘Hard’ –

What do you guys think of Rihanna’s new music so far?

Rihanna ‘Rated R’ Track List Revealed

Even though Rihanna’s album Rated R isn’t due out until November 23rd, the track list was revealed today.

Track Listing:
1. Mad House
2. Wait Your Turn
3. Hard Ft. Jeezy
4. Stupid In Love
5. Rockstar 101 Ft. Slash
6. Russian Roulette
7. Fire Bomb
8. Rude Boy
9. Photographs Ft. Will.I.Am
10. G4L
11. Te Amo
12. Cold Case Love
13. The Last Song

Noticeably absent is Bubble Pop, a track that appeared online yesterday and had many people speculating if it would appear on Rated R. Turns out that it was recorded for her last album Good Girl Gone Bad, but it didn’t make the cut.

New Music: Rihanna ‘Wait Your Turn’

Rihanna’s reported second single ‘Wait Your Turn’ has hit the internet.

The track is sending mixed signals to both fans and critics. Rihanna’s highly anticipated upcoming album Rated R was set to make Rihanna an even bigger star than she already is, but this second single leaves a lot to be desired from the pop princess.

Listen To ‘Wait Your Turn’ –

Thoughts?

Rihanna Releases ‘Rated R’ Album Cover

The most highly anticipated album of the year is slowly putting all of the pieces together. First, there was an official tweet announcing the album’s release date, which was later followed by the release of the first single ‘Russian Roulette’. Today, the album cover for Rihanna’s upcoming album Rated R was released.

Thoughts?

New Details On Rihanna’s Upcoming Album ‘Rated R’

Rihanna’s new album Rated R is due out November 23rd and new details have emerged from one of Rihanna’s producers, Chuck Harmony, on what fans can expected to hear.

On “Russian Roulette”:

“I sat through mix sessions and I heard some of the songs on the record. It fits in. ‘Russian Roulette’ is definitely taking her to another level. I think she’s a pop icon, so her music should reflect that.”

On remaining true to her fanbase:

“I think Rihanna has captured what her old fans are used to, as well as the growth of an artist. ‘Russian Roulette,’ to me, is a shining example of her growth and her artistic expression,”

On the album as a whole:

“I was actually shocked I got the first single ’cause the album is so great. The way it’s unfolding is so genius. Like, ‘The wait is ova’ [message on her site]. I was waiting too. I wanted to see the cover, I wanted to hear the song. It’s one of those records where you just don’t know. It’s not a faith record. It’s one of those thought-provoking records.”

I can’t wait to hear Rihanna’s new album! ‘Russian Roulette’ has set the tone for Rihanna’s new musical direction. It’s like a teaser of what’s to come, to let people know that she’s risen above the drama in her past and serious about her music and her life.

Are you excited for Rihanna’s new album?

New Music: Rihanna ‘Russian Roulette’

Rihanna’s new single ‘Russian Roulette’ hit the airwaves today and people are definitely talking.

With all of the mystery surrounding Rihanna’s latest project, fans have been eagerly awaiting RiRi’s newest release. They details leading up to it have been very little, but we were told to expect an edgier side to Rihanna’s music and that’s exactly what she delivered. Her vocals are more raw than ever before and, if this is any indication as to what’s to come, we can expect a lot more from Rihanna’s upcoming album Rated R.

Check out ‘Russian Roulette’ –

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

What do you think?

Ryan Seacrest To Debut Rihanna’s New Single ‘Russian Roulette’

Fans have been told “The Wait Is Ova,” but what exactly does that mean? It’s since been revealed that the title of Rihanna’s upcoming album will be Rated R, but there still so many questions and not enough answers for fans who are eagerly awaiting new music from Rihanna.

Yesterday, Ryan Seacrest tweeted “heads up – tomorrow i’ll have @rihanna’s new single “russian roulette” at 8:23am pst/11:23am est. I’ll link u when i get it.”

‘Russian Roulette’ is written and produced by Ne-Yo.

Are you excited for Rihanna’s new single?

Behind The Scenes: Rihanna’s New Music Video

So many questions…so little information.

Rihanna is keeping her fans wondering as she remains practically silent about her upcoming album. She recently tweeted “The Wait Is Ova. Nov. 23 09,” which has turned out to be the release date of her new album.

Rihanna was spotted shooting a music video for what seems to be her first single, although no official word has been giving regarding what that single will be.

Check out these pics from Rihanna’s video shoot –

Next Page »