Janet Jackson To Go On Tour With Her Brothers

Janet Jackson is going to be joining her brothers on their world tour later this year. She will filling in her late brother, Michael Jackson, to act as a member of the Jackson 5.

There was a rumor that Janet would be joining her brothers as a tribute to Michael Jackson, but she has not given any confirmation.

According to her brother Jermaine Jackson, Janet is busy getting prepared to perform on the tour.

He says, “We had a conference call and Janet has agreed to join us on tour.”

Would you purchase tickets to see Janet Jackson on tour with the Jackson 5?

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.”

Michael Jackson Wins Record-Breaking 23 American Music Awards

Artist of the Year Taylor Swift may have been the night’s big winner, but The King of Pop broke the record for the artist with the most American Music Awards ever at the ceremony in Los Angeles Sunday night. Michael Jackson posthumously won awards for both Favorite Pop/Rock artist and Favorite Male Soul/R&B artist at the 2009 AMA. The two awards brought Michael’s lifetime total to 23.

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson!

Janet Jackson Interview A Ratings Hit For ABC

Robin Roberts’ tell-all interview with Janet Jackson was a ratings winner for ABC on Wednesday night. The interview for In The Spotlight with Robin Roberts earning the second highest ratings in the 10 p.m. time slot, falling just behind CSI: New York with over 6.7 million viewers. (Check out clips from her interview below.)

Janet’s “Number Ones,” hit stores a couple days ago featuring her biggest hits, single mixes, and collaborations. The 2-disc set features thirty-three of her international smashes, plus the new dance hit “Make Me.”

Woman Connected To Michael Jackson’s Doctor To Testify

A woman connected to Michael Jackson’s personal physician has been ordered to testify before a grand jury in Los Angeles, her attorney confirmed Tuesday.

Nicole Alvarez received a subpoena to appear before the grand jury on Wednesday morning, said Joseph Low IV, adding that prosecutors declined to give him any more details

He also declined to characterize the relationship between Alvarez and Dr. Conrad Murray.

Newspaper reports have called her Murray’s girlfriend and said the pair have an infant son together. Alvarez’s apartment was searched last month.

Murray is the target of an investigation into Jackson’s June 25 death, which has been classified a homicide. He told police he gave the pop superstar the powerful anesthetic propofol and other drugs in the hours before Jackson’s death.

Murray’s attorney has said the doctor didn’t give Jackson anything that “should have” killed him.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which would prosecute the case against Murray if one is filed, declined to comment.

A grand jury subpoena is an effective way to force reluctant witnesses to testify, said Stan Goldman, a professor of criminal procedure at Loyola Law School Los Angeles.

“They can be held in contempt just like refusing in court,” Goldman said.

He said it’s hard to tell what Alvarez’s testimony to grand jurors might mean for Murray.

It’s possible authorities “don’t have such a strong case that they want to do without this woman,” Goldman said. “They’d rather have her.

“On the other hand, it’s not good, because they’re still interested it seems.”

Global Premieres Planned For Michael Jackson Movie “This Is It”

‘This Is It’, a film based on Michael Jackson’s rehearsals and behind the scenes work in preparation for what was to be a 50-date concert series at London’s O2 Arena, will debut with twenty-five worldwide premieres !

According to Sony Pictures, the film will also have 15 simultaneous premieres Tuesday, October 27.

“Michael Jackson has an army of fans everywhere around the world. By rolling out this film simultaneously worldwide, we are giving audiences an incredible opportunity to join together in celebration of Michael Jackson’s incredible career,” says SONY chairman Jeff Blake.

Kicking off with a 6pm PT Los Angeles premiere, ‘This Is It’ will also coincide with a 1am Wednesday launch in the UK.

As previously reported, ‘This Is It’ will run for two weeks beginning October 28.

Tokyo, New York, Rio De Janeiro, Berlin, Johannesburg, Moscow, Paris, Sydney and Seoul will also participate in premiering ‘This Is It’.

Madonna and Janet Jackson To Dedicate Song To Michael

OK! Magazine is reporting that Madonna and Janet Jackson are planning a duet tribute to Michael Jackson. They are reportedly working on a mega hit in honor of the late King of Pop after the two superstars bonded over dinner after the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday.

An insider said: “It was a meeting of two great musical minds. Madonna was so impressed with Janet’s tribute to Michael that they started talking about how great it would be to honor him by doing something together. There was definitely something very interesting being planned between them.”

I think they could create a huge hit! What do you think?

Michael Jackson’s Tribute Concert Is On Pause For A Year!

Looks like Jermaine Jackson finally came to his senses. After Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige and Natalie Cole had no plans on performing, the Vienna concert is now postponed.

Jermaine issued this statement:

“Many artists and performers who I have spoken to personally told me that it would be a great honor to be part of this memorial concert for my late brother – an artist who influenced the music world like virtually no other. However, due to the short time frame it was not possible for many of them to change their schedule so that they could be on stage in Vienna on September 26, therefore we decided, after careful consideration, to change the date of the tribute concert to June 2010 – just a few weeks before the first anniversary of his untimely death. Now we have 8 months to put this monumental show together and not just 8 weeks. Despite the short amount of time we would have been able to stage a great show, in keeping with Michael’s high standards, but numerous stars were just not able to change their schedules to make a live appearance at the Vienna event possible.”

Janet Jackson Opens Up About Michael Jackson

In her first interview since her brother Michael’s June 25 death, Janet Jackson says she been unable to watch television.

“It will drive you crazy,” she tells October’s Harper’s Bazaar. “People can have rhinoceros skin, but there’s a point when something’s going to hurt you. Not everyone is stone, stone. I haven’t watched the news in weeks. I had to ask my chef, ‘How’s Obama doing?’ I haven’t read a newspaper. On top of that, [we've lost] a family member.”

See photos from Michael Jackson’s funeral

At times during the interview, Janet – who will perform a tribute to her late brother at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards – was at a loss for words.

“My brother is, I mean was…” she stammers when talking about Michael’s style. Shifting on the couch and staring at the floor, she adds, “You have to forgive me, because it’s really hard to believe he’s passed.”

Mary J. Blige Won’t Do Michael Jackson Vienna Tribute

Jermaine Jackson’s planned Vienna, Austria tribute to his late brother Michael is beginning to look like a case of wishful thinking – Mary J. Blige has turned the show down.

Jackson announced Blige and Chris Brown would be among the headliners at a press conference on Tuesday, but both have since insisted they won’t be part of the September 26 concert at the Imperial Schonbrunn Palace.

Brown’s spokesperson has said, “Chris is not confirmed to perform or participate in any capacity for this show,” and now Blige’s people have followed suit – an aide insists the singer will be in Italy and not in Austria on the day of the tribute.

Natalie Cole, Akon and Sister Sledge are also on the bill, according to Jermaine.

Meanwhile, promoters are trying to play down reports that the King of Pop’s brother is staging the Vienna show against his mother Katherine’s wishes. Event organizer George Kindel says, “She will be there with Michael Jackson’ s kids.”

Don’t you think Jermaine would have confirmation from the celebrities before holding a press conference?