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HOT
Ouija Consider a Phoner With Elvis?
The BBC has apologized for a guffaw the Drudge Report would be proud of. For a story on Reggae legend Bob Marley's song "No Woman, No Cry" (following a popular piece about Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"), producers figured they'd go straight to the source ... and request an interview with the icon himself. An e-mail requesting comment from Marley (who, as 90 percent of the earth's population could tell you, has been dead for two decades) was sent to the Bob Marley Foundation. The U.K. media kings said they were embarrassed but that the Foundation was "good-humoured" about the whole mess. And they hope their fall-back subject, Janis Joplin, doesn't hold it against them.
WARM
Drunk or Sick?
After speculation about his health and sobriety (and possibly his patriotism), Country star John Michael Montgomery has issued an explanation on his Web site concerning his ugly performance of the National Anthem at a NASCAR race in Atlanta recently. The Net lit up with admonishments of Montgomery — his performance was slurred and off-key, and reports say he stumbled on the stage and read the lyrics off the back of his laminate. A racing news Web site put him on the same level as those godless liberals, calling him unpatriotic: "At a time when our nation has thousands of troops in harm's way," the editorial read, "(Montgomery's performance) is unacceptable." Montgomery's Web post denied alcohol was involved, saying he suffers from a nerve disorder called "Acoustic Neuroma" that affects his hearing and balance. Which makes the naysayers' quick judgment akin to criticizing Stevie Wonder for "not making eye-contact" with the audience.
Coachella East? Lollapalooza is back! Well, sort of. After last year's overly ambitious, two-nights-in-every-city tour was shelved as a result of weak ticket sales, organizers of the pioneering AltRock traveling circus have abandoned the idea of a "tour" altogether and announced one two-night stand in Chicago in late July featuring "70 bands on five stages." So far, rumored participants like The Killers and Beck aren't exactly exciting cross-country pilgrimage plans like the popular Cali fest Coachella or Tennessee's Bonnaroo. But key headliners like The Pixies, Wilco, Morrissey and The Flaming Lips (all slated to perform at last year's Lolla) and low ticket prices (two-day passes for $35 are being pre-sold now) could change that quickly. The full lineup is to be announced April 22 through the fest's site (lollapalooza.com).
COLD
Pity the Fools
The rise of the Web as a main source of information around the globe is great and all, but those looking for the latest legit scoops last Friday (April 1) were probably about ready to throw their computers out of their windows. Among the fake news that made rounds: P. Diddy collaborates with O.J. Simpson on a Johnnie Cochran tribute record; Kelly Osbourne is a secret headliner on this summer's Ozzfest Metal tour; Apple is unveiling new iPod off-shoots (this included everything from a shaving attachment to iCopulate, a ribbed-for-her-pleasure transfer contraption); and rapper 50 Cent simultaneously has four singles in the Top 10 on the Billboard singles chart (oh, wait — that actually happened). We're all for showing a sense of humor, but if you're reliable only 364 days of the year, credibility suffers. Good thing the pope didn't die a day earlier.
