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  • Actress Lucy Lawless boards ship to protest Arctic oil drilling

    Actress Lucy Lawless is shown protesting Arctic oil drilling Friday aboard the ship Noble Discoverer at Port Taranaki, New Zealand.

    Actress Lucy Lawless and six other Greenpeace activists boarded an Arctic-bound Shell oil-drilling ship in Port Taranaki, New Zealand, on Friday morning, causing authorities to limit port access.

    The group scaled a 53-meter derrick on the Liberian-flagged Noble Discoverer around 7 a.m. local time.

    Lawless told msnbc.com that her heart was pounding and she was "a little shell-shocked" as they boarded, but that she now felt safe.

    "We don’t need to trash the Arctic to get three more years' worth of oil," she said in a telephone interview from the ship.


    Even as police warned them that they were breaking the law, protesters remained aboard.

    After about five hours, police told the protesters, including Lawless, they were under arrest and should come down.

    Lawless told police the group wasn't leaving and "we feel we have no choice morally but to stay here and get our message out," New Zealands' 3 News reported.

    Earlier, Greenpeace and Lawless tweeted the occupation.

    “I’m on one of the oldest drill rigs on the planet and it’s heading to the Arctic. Tell Shell to stop,” Lawless tweeted.

    Unique species
    James Turner, a spokesman for Greenpeace, told msnbc.com the occupation was the organization's last resort to stop Shell from drilling in the Arctic.

    "We simply don’t believe Shell's reassurances that this is safe," Turner said.

    He said the Arctic is the home of many unique species, and an oil spill would be virtually impossible to contain, given the area's remoteness. Turner also accused Shell of having a "poor record" regarding oil spills.

    Shell says it was "disappointed" with Greenpeace's actions, 3 News reported.

    "Actions such as this jeopardize the safety of everyone involved," the company said in a statement. "While we respect the right of individuals to express their point of view, the priority should be the safety of Noble Discoverer’s personnel and that of the protesters."

    "Shell has undertaken unprecedented steps to pursue safe, environmentally responsible exploration in shallow water off the coast of Alaska," the statement said.

    The ship was due to depart on a 6,800-mile journey to the Chukchi Sea off the coast of Alaska, New Zealand’s 3 News reported.

    A weekend departure was planned, but Shell said the protest halted ship operations.

    Turner said that Shell has a limited drilling window, given the Arctic's extreme weather conditions. Drilling can only take place when the sea ice in Alaska melts, usually between July and early fall, he said. During the rest of the year, thick ice makes drilling impossible.

    Turner said the occupiers have supplies for several days. "We’re there to stop the tanker from leaving," he said.

    'A peaceful protest'
    But Lawless, 43, said she wasn't sure how long they'd last aboard.

    "Our main aim is that this be a peaceful protest, but the law will do what the law has to do," Lawless told 3 News. "We do what we feel we have to do." She told msnbc.com that she and the other protesters have respect for the police.

    One person was arrested at the port gate, 3 News said.

    The police commander for New Plymouth, Inspector Blair Telford, told the New Zealand Herald that his office's role was to ensure any protest was lawful and that owners and crew of the ship were allowed to go about their lawful business.

    "The protesters are clearly breaking the law by trespassing on the ship and we are currently liaising with the Port of Taranaki and the harbormaster to decide the most appropriate course of action. Public safety is paramount.''

    Lawless is best known for her television title role as "Xena: Warrior Princess" and currently stars in Starz's "Spartacus" as Lucretia.

    She told msnbc.com she hopes her children will live in a better world. "Climate change profiteers should not be allowed to destroy our children’s future," she said.

    "Companies are addicted to oil; they’re begging an intervention," Lawless said. "Shell has the technology to be one of the world leaders in a clean energy economy."

  • Aniston, Rudd and Theroux make 'Wanderlust' a pleasant journey

    Universal Pictures

    Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston try to regroup at an "intentional community" in "Wanderlust."

    REVIEW: Stepping away from sketchy experimentalism without making himself bland, director David Wain finds multiplex-friendly happiness in "Wanderlust," a finding-yourself comedy with strong commercial appeal. Stars Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston are at home here, playing against a stock-raising performance by Justin Theroux as the charismatic libertine who prompts their adventure.

    Having seen their upwardly-mobile New York life derailed by a layoff, George and Linda intend to regroup while living with George's brother Rick (Ken Marino, who wrote the film with Wain) in Georgia. But after an accidental pit stop at Elysium, a hedonistic "intentional community" (don't call it a commune) overseen by Theroux's Seth, Rick's crassness and bullying are too much to stomach. The couple puts materialism on hold to try living with the hippies.

    Though we're introduced to Elysium by its resident wine-making nudist (Joe Lo Truglio, enjoyably calm under the camera's R-rated gaze), and the community's rejection of social barriers is extreme (George can't have a bowel movement without company), "Wanderlust's" weakness for anything-goes caricature is balanced by well-rounded performances. Theroux in particular avoids outright parody, demonstrating real interest in his new guests instead of making Seth a one-note cult leader. But similar restraint is shown by Malin Akerman (less Sixties-shallow than others would be while promoting Elysium's free-love ideals) and Alan Alda, playing the place's acid-damaged but not quite clueless founder.

    Though it initially seems Aniston will be stuck in the naysayer role while Rudd embraces local customs, the characters soon trade places. Aniston would have been badly served by an hour of uptightness and criticism, but the character's eventual openness suits her -- the part isn't as big a departure as some of the film's buzz suggests (voyeurs anticipating a topless scene will be disappointed), but she's appealingly loose while George struggles with his deeply ingrained squareness. (In a very funny solo scene, Rudd expands on a gag from "I Love You, Man," testing out lewd slang and finding himself completely unable to pull it off.)

    The screenplay offers the most familiar conflict it can think of as backdrop for the impending marital crisis: Corporate investors arrive, bent on bulldozing Elysium for a massive commercial development. But Wain pays little attention to the perfunctory threat, focusing instead on its potential to widen the gulf between husband and wife. If the ensuing plot beats are easy to chart in advance, they're sold by a good-natured cast and filmmakers who understand they'll get plenty of laughs even without digging too deep in the bag of tricks displayed in outings like "The Ten."

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  • 'Seinfeld's' George Costanza has last laugh on Mitt Romney

    Jason Alexander, second from left, found his "Seinfeld" character being misquoted by presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and fired back.

    Do presidential candidates really want to be taking cues from George Costanza, Jerry Seinfeld's work-avoiding friend who once called himself "lord of the idiots"?

    Republican candidate Mitt Romney thought he did -- but first, he mangled the quote and its source, and later, the actor in question fired back.

    At Wednesday's Arizona debate, Romney paused to let the audience applaud, then cracked, "As George Costanza would say, when they're applauding, stop."

    The crowd laughed, but a better response came that night on Twitter from Jason Alexander, the actor who played Costanza on "Seinfeld."

    "Thrilled Gov. Romney enjoys my old character," Alexander tweeted. "I enjoyed the character he used 2 b 2. If he'd embrace that again, he'd b a great candidate."

    Twitter

    As BuzzFeed points out, the actual quote Romney was reaching for was first uttered by Jerry, not George. The comedian told his friend, "Showmanship, George. When you hit that high note, you say goodnight and walk off."

    Costanza later tried out the technique by walking out of business meetings once he'd delivered a zinger.

    Alexander's Twitter followers then had fun tweeting their thoughts about a world in which Costanza himself was president.

    Joked Bob Bloom, "Just don't use cheap envelopes when sending out Inaugural Ball invitations." (On the show, George's fiancee Susan died after licking toxic envelope glue when he cheaped out on wedding invites.)

    And Mike Biff declared, "Costanza 4 Prez -- Terrorists will now be called 'Moops,'" referring of course to George disputing a Trivial Pursuit answer that's typed as "Moops" instead of "Moors."

    Sadly, the actor who played Costanza's boss in the scenes where he attempted the walk-off technique, Daniel von Bargen, attempted suicide Monday, and audio of his disturbing 911 call has been posted online.

    The New York Daily News reports that as of Wednesday, von Bargen was in critical condition.

    How would George Costanza be as president? Tell us on Facebook.

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  • Zac Efron drops a condom on 'The Lorax' red carpet

    Zac Efron must be 18 by now, right? Not in high school (musical) anymore?

    Yes. Zac Efron is all grown up. (He’s 24).

    But when he dropped a condom on the red carpet recently, it kind of made us titter like teenagers. Even Zac had a little giggle as he turned away from the paparazzi after swiftly retrieving the condom, stuffing it in his pocket, and throwing on a pair of sunglasses.

    The video below captures the moment and appears to show the actor mouthing “Oh my GOD!” to his publicist.

    You know the best part of this story?

    This happened on a red carpet promoting “The Lorax” -- a Dr. Seuss movie. Take it away, Cat in the Hat:

    Look at me!
    Look at me!
    Look at me NOW!
    It is fun to have fun
    But you have
    To know how.

    By the way, Zac Efron is rumored to be dating Snow White. He was spotted holding hands with “Mirror Mirror” star Lily Collins on Valentine’s Day.

    Kind of perfect, right?

    And that’s how you inadvertently steal the spotlight from “The Lorax” star Taylor Swift.

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  • Funeral home: We didn't leak Whitney Houston casket photo

    Whitney Houston in 1999.

    The owner of the funeral home that handled Whitney Houston's funeral is vehemently denying that her staff was responsible for the National Enquirer's photograph of the singer in her casket.

     "I'm going to answer you as the publicist told me to answer you: We have no comment. But it was not the funeral home," Carolyn Whigham told the Los Angeles Times. "Whitney was a personal friend to me and my family. We would not do that."

    She also told the newspaper, "I am very angry, very upset, just like the family, just like the fans."

    She also said that Houston's family would release a statement to the media shortly.

    Whigham owns the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, N.J., where Houston's private funeral service was held Feb. 18. Earlier, she had told the U.K.'s Daily Mail that the Houston family had asked her not to comment.

    The Enquirer's photo, showing a woman who appears to be Houston lying in a casket with her nickname, "Nippy," written on its silk lining, provoked widespread outrage. It appears to have been taken in a viewing room prepared to receive guests for Houston's service. While the photo has not been officially confirmed to be Houston, neither Whigham nor anyone from the Houston family has said that it was fraudulent.

    It "seems doubtful" the photo was leaked by a family member, the Times reports, citing the Houston family's attempts to keep the media away from the service. Houston's funeral was invitation-only to preserve privacy, although an Associated Press camera was allowed to film the service, which was streamed live online.

    Focus does seem to be shifting from Houston's death to the press coverage of her death, especially as it relates to how information is leaking out.  Radar Online is reporting that hotel staffers at the Beverly Hills Hilton, where Houston died on Feb. 11, have been fired for speaking to the media about the death.

    “Hotel employees that talked to the media were fired because they violated hotel policy," Radar Online's anonymous source says. "They weren’t high level employees, but the hotel didn’t want anyone to talk about Whitney’s tragic death.”

    There is still no official cause of death given for the late singer. Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter says an autopsy was performed, but that results are being held until toxicology tests have been performed.

    While the Beverly Hills police department has said the death is not a criminal case and they are not conducting a homicide investigation, Nancy Grace of HLN has brought up that angle, saying "I'd like to know who was around her...and who let her slip, or pushed her, underneath that water." 

    Comedian Lewis Black criticized Grace's speculation, saying "she manages to turn the tragic accident into murder mystery dinner theater."

    No less than legendary singer Aretha Franklin, Houston's godmother and a 50-year friend of Houston's mother Cissy, has pleaded for media sanity, issuing a statement Wednesday saying, "Cissy does not need ridiculous speculation and neither do I.”

    Will people always sell out the deceased to make a buck? Tell us what you think on Facebook.

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  • Jon Stewart: Republican predictions over Obama re-election are nonsense

    Last night on "The Daily Show," Jon Stewart hammered away at dire predictions that had been made about a possible Barack Obama presidency back in 2008, noting, "It appears that Barack Obama has failed to keep many of the campaign promises his opponents made for him."

     

    Stewart's defense may be much to the Republican candidates' dismay, specifically, Newt Gingrich. Back in 2008, Gingrich predicted that Obama will make a point to silence conservative pundits. He didn’t. 

    So what doom and destruction should be expected following a 2012 re-election? Well, Gingrich says Obama will wage a war on the Catholic church the morning after. He also says it will be a disaster for the United States if this president gets a second term. Mitt Romney predicted Americans won’t be able to find jobs, and that Iran will undoubtedly have a nuclear weapon. Rick Santorum said America will not be the land of free enterprise anymore, and Michele Bachmann predicted there will be no future. There will be no hope, she says.

    They’ve all lost their minds, said Stewart.

    Meanwhile, over on “The Colbert Report,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi sat down with host Steven Colbert to talk Super PACs -- or lack thereof.

    Earlier this week Colbert took Pelosi to task about her scathing anti-PAC (and anti-Colbert) ad in efforts to pass the DISCLOSE act. Well, she’s a good sport! Relenting on her oath to not appear on “Report,” Pelosi chatted away, often laughing, about the act which promotes disclosure requirements when it comes to election spending.  

    After that, Colbert sought out her opinion on the current hot topic -- the contraception debate. When the topic of the all-male panel came up, Pelosi responded, “Five Guys! ... May be all right for hamburgers but not for us,” referring to Congress.

    And, after humoring a slew of his slightly sexual jokes, Pelosi and Colbert agreed to put aside their differences and strike a deal. Stephen would throw his weight behind DISCLOSE if Pelosi would encourage Democrats in the House to participate in his “Better Know a District” series.

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  • FOX's Lou Dobbs attacks 'Lorax' and 'Arrietty' as left-wing brainwashing

    Here we go again.

    Apparently, "The Secret World of Arrietty" and "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" represent liberal Hollywood’s attempt to indoctrinate children.

    The accusations from media personalities on the right were probably inevitable, given similar charges leveled at "Cars 2," "Happy Feet 2" and Muppets, where similar political themes are explored to one extent or another.

    This time, the proclamation of left-wing propaganda comes from Lou Dobbs, who hosts Lou Dobbs Tonight on the Fox Business Network.

    PHOTOS: 11 children's movies with political agendas? You betcha, say conservatives

    During his Tuesday night show, Dobbs dubbed Disney’s "Arrietty" and Universal’s "Lorax" “insidious nonsense from Hollywood,” then he announced: “Hollywood is once again trying to indoctrinate our children.”

    "Arrietty," about four-inch people who “borrow” what they need from normal-sized humans, encourages class envy and redistribution of wealth, according to Dobbs, while "Lorax" is just another example of environmental radicalism.

    “So, where have we all heard this before?” Dobbs asks after showing a clip from each of the two films.

    Then he answers himself: “Occupy Wall Street forever trying to pit the makers against the takers and President Obama repeating that everyone should pay their fair share.”

    PHOTOS: Box office politics: The movies and stars Dems vs. GOPers love (and love to hate)

    Dobbs also played clips of Obama repeating the mantra.

    “Wow. Fair share,” says Dobbs. “The president's liberal friends in Hollywood targeting a younger demographic using animated movies to sell their agenda to children.”

    Dobbs hosted three talk-radio guests to discuss the matter. Steve Cochran said he didn’t share Dobbs’ concern, “Because I know the people in Hollywood and, frankly, they’re not that bright.”

    “I just don’t think Hollywood has got that kind of power in the big picture and I refuse to allow parents off the hook to say they do,” Cochran said.

    Dom Giordano disagreed.

    “Parents need a break, also. We need a safe harbor,” he said.

    “What we’re doing is creating occu-toddlers,” said Matt Patrick, who joked that the anti-consumerism, pro-environmental messages should be countered by moviegoers who purchase lots of popcorn and candy then leave the trash on theater floors.

    "Lorax" opens March 2 and "Arrietty" opened Friday and has taken in $9 million domestically thus far.

    Do you think films like these are "indoctrinating" children? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • David Cross: I snorted cocaine near Obama

    Comedian and actor David Cross isn't afraid of addressing issues head-on when asked, whether it's his (terrible) experiences working on a particular movie project, his criticisms on religion or rumors of his drug use. And in a Q&A with Playboy, Cross was rather honest on the subject of illegal substances.

    When asked about rumors that he had done cocaine at the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner, the actor confessed his deed. "It was probably more like 65 feet (from President Obama)" the actor admitted. "It was literally the size of, I don't know, a tick. It was a tiny granule of coke that I put on my wrist and said, 'Watch this. I need a witness.' "

    Cross went on to tell the magazine that he wasn't proud or ashamed of his actions, "it was just about being able to say that I did it, that I did cocaine in the same room as the president."

    But there were consequences. The actor said that thanks to him, his girlfriend Amber Tamblyn won't ever be invited again. "I was her date, her plus-one ... she didn't know I was going to do it," he admitted.

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  • George Clooney to claim best actor Oscar? Bet on it!

    Oddsmakers like George Clooney's chances of claiming an Oscar for his work in "The Descendants."

    Does Brad Pitt have a shot at stealing the Best Actor in a Motion Picture trophy from George Clooney at the 84th Annual Academy Awards Sunday?

    Us Weekly senior editor Bradley Jacobs consulted Johnny Avello, executive director of race and sports operations at Wynn Las Vegas, to find out who's the odds-on favorite.

    PHOTOS: Which Academy Awards nominees are you rooting for?

    "In the past Brad Pitt's looks have worked against him," Jacobs explains. "This year he found a great role for himself playing real life baseball general manager Billy Beane. He showed heart, he was articulate, he was very smart, and for a while there, people thought he might even win the Oscar."

    PHOTOS: Oscar nominees' odd acting jobs

    Unfortunately for Angelina Jolie's partner, "The Descendants'" Clooney, 50, has 5 to 6 odds of nabbing the win. "He played a grieving dad, he had a big crying scene, he gained a little bit of weight -- everybody loves this role for him."

    Jean Dujardin ("The Artist"), Demian Bichir ("A Better Life{") and Gary Oldman ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy") are also nominated in the Best Actor in a Motion Picture category.

    PHOTOS: This year's Best Picture nominees

    Many industry experts predicted Meryl Streep would win the Best Actress in a Motion Picture award for her role as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," but "she hasn't won in 29 years," Jacobs points out.

    "When critics finally saw the movie, they loved Meryl as Margaret Thatcher, but the film? Not so much. That may hurt her on Oscar night."

    PHOTOS: Worst-dressed Oscars stars ever

    The front-runner is "The Help's" Viola Davis, 46, who "gained a lot of momentum for her portrayal of a southern maid in 1962." She has a 14 to 1 lead over Streep (6 to 5).

    Michelle Williams ("My Week With Marilyn"), Glenn Close ("Albert Nobbs") and Rooney Mara ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo") are also nominated in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture category.

    Who do you think will win the best actor award on Sunday? What about best actress and best picture? Give us your picks on Facebook. 

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  • Enquirer publishes photo of Whitney Houston's body in casket

    A photo apparently showing Whitney Houston's body in her casket is on the cover of the National Enquirer this week, and other publications and fans of the singer are reacting with outrage.

    The photo is shown both on the cover and inside the tabloid publication. It has not been verified as Houston, but shows a woman wearing a dark dress lying in a coffin. Houston's nickname, "Nippy," and two treble clefs are emblazoned in blue script on the white lining of the casket's cover. Another photo shows the coffin in what appears to be an empty viewing room at a funeral home suggesting that if the photo is real, it was taken when no mourners were present. The funeral was invitation-only.

    Cover headlines boast, "Inside her private viewing" and claim Houston was "buried in jewelry worth $500,000," "wore her favorite purple dress," and "had gold slippers on her feet."

    Houston was buried from the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, N.J., on Feb. 18, a week after she died at age 48 in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

    Reaction from around the Internet was swift and universally negative. In the Washington Post's Celebritology blog, Sarah Anne Hughes calls the photo "shocking and disturbing." The website Gossip Cop says it "represents the very worst of predatory paparazzi culture."

    "Oh yuck. The National Enquirer's Whitney Houston cover is yet another low," tweeted Lisa Fung, executive editor of The Wrap.

    Comedian Jim Norton wrote a long Facebook post about the photo, a post which has been shared more than 1,400 times. " I would like the same people who perpetually whine and cry about airport security and how it ‘violates privacy’ to refrain from buying the magazine," Norton says. "Or from even looking at the photo while standing in line in the supermarket. Ahh, that’s right; it’s only a privacy violation when it’s YOUR privacy being infringed upon."

    Last week, the Enquirer featured a photo recreation in which a model, photographed in a bathtub and then sprawled on the floor, re-enacted Houston's dying moments. An article on their website features an interview with Tina Brown, sister of Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown, in which she makes disturbing claims about substance abuse with Houston.

    Do you think the Enquirer crossed a line by publishing the photo? Share your thoughts on Facebook.

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  • 'Biggest Loser' trainer Bob slams contestants as 'bullies'

    All that backstabbing, eye rolling, verbal attacks and just plain bad behavior viewers are seeing from the players on "The Biggest Loser" this season? Yeah, trainer Bob Harper is noticing it too. He's not pleased at all, and he's calling it like it is.

    "Bullies, they're bullies," Harper told Radar Online.

    That this latest batch of contestants is less than inspiring is hardly news to fans of the show, who have loudly complained about the bullying -- led by Conda (or as our readers often refer to her, AnaConda) -- being allowed to continue. And they're tired of it.

    "I need encouragement to lose weight, tips and practical helps. I don't need to see bullies at work," wrote reader Rebecca Bugg on our Facebook page.

    "This is the most (sickening group) of people biggest loser has ever had," wrote Earl Edgar Hodgson.

    "The producers have played up the role of Conda, an admitted villian," wrote John Moynihan. "Now it's just two hours of commercials interrupted by petty bickering among angry, unhappy fat people. Where are the moments when a player 'gets it'? What about the uplifting stories of people who are changing their lives? All of it is lost in the hatefulness. I say no thanks. I hope the show survives to see better days."

    Harper, who has been with the show since it kicked off in 2004, agreed with the viewer assessments. "It's nasty and it's tough," he told Radar of the current season.

    But even with all the baddies ruining the game, the trainer admitted that he does like some of the players. "Emily, Cassandra, Chism, I love them, they're really fantastic," he told Radar. Harper also said he likes Buddy, but "the rest of them, they're nasty!"

    Do you think one of the bullies will manage to win the show? If so, who? Share your prediction on our Facebook page.

     

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  • Former 'Seinfeld' actor shoots himself in the head, survives

    Daniel von Bargen, a character actor who played Mr. Kruger on "Seinfeld," is in critical condition after shooting himself in the head, according to a report on TMZ.

    The website has posted audio of a 911 call von Bargen made from his Ohio home Monday morning. During the call, he tells a dispatcher: "I was supposed to go to the hospital and I didn't want to. They were supposed to amputate at least a few toes."

    Von Bargen, 61, says in the call that he shot himself in the temple with a .38 Colt and that he can't open his eyes. He tells the operator that he has already had one leg amputated and was "tired," referring to the procedure slated for his other leg.

    The call ends with police entering von Bargen's apartment and they can be heard telling him to not move his hands and asking whether he has any other guns around.

    Von Bargen's film credits include "Super Troopers," "Basic Instinct," and "O Brother, Where Art Thou" among others. Watch a YouTube video of his work on "Seinfeld."

    Check back with msnbc.com for updates on this story.

  • Wrestler calls Chris Brown 'cowardly little boy'

    Jeff Haynes / Reuters

    Chris Brown

    Another punch has been thrown in the fight between Chris Brown and WWE star CM Punk.

    On Monday, the pro wrestler fired the first shot, tweeting that he "would like @chrisbrown [to] fight somebody that can defend themselves."

    Brown tweeted back, accusing CM Punk of taking steroids. (He's since deleted the tweet.)

    Then the 33-year-old wrestler responded directly to Brown on Tuesday with a confrontational video...

    MORE: Chris Brown and Rihanna together again? Pair unveil two new musical collaborations on Twitter

    "I never intended to include Chris Brown's name in one of my tweets to start some sort of a controversy or to gain publicity or anything like that. [But] now that he's throwing accusations my way about using steroids, I feel the need to reply," CM Punk says in the clip. "I'm a lifelong, proud, drug-free straight-edge individual."

    He continues: "Chris and I come from two completely different worlds. I don't have a manager. I don't have a bodyguard--I don't need a bodyguard. [I don't have] an assistant. I have no need for a PR team to tell me what to tweet or when to delete tweets."

    MORE: Chris Brown sends Rihanna birthday wishes on Twitter

    "And I don't hit women," he says matter-of-factly, referring to Brown's notorious 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna. "Period. In my world, women are to be revered and respected, and I firmly believe that in this life there are consequences and repercussions for people's actions. I don't think Chris has paid for what he's done."

    CM Punk then challenges the Grammy winner to "put some gloves on and get in the ring" to settle their feud. "All proceeds [from the fight] can go to a women's shelter of my choosing."

    MORE: Chris Brown and Rihanna spark trouble... and what else?

    "I will choke you out," he says. "I will make you feel as weak and as powerless and scared and alone as any woman who has had the misfortune of knowing a sad, cowardly little boy such as yourself." Brown was quick to respond. "@cmpunk the video u just posted was cute! It's so funny how defensive u are," he tweeted. "And the fact that I really don't know who you are and could give a s--t is the funny part!"He continued : "Note:today will be the last day I bring [CM Punk's] existence up! The confrontations that people continuously bring my way are very amusing...Cuz honestly, that s--t is too time consuming to argue wit every person who has their own issues to deal with."The 22-year-old singer then clarified to his fans, "I'm never 'ANGRY' when I speak my mind on twitter! They want me to be mad! That's the difference. Love."CM Punk hasn't forgiven Brown for his abusive past, but it looks like Rihanna has. On Monday, she and her former flame unveiled two musical collaborations on Twitter.

    PICS: Chris Brown and Rihanna: A look back

    What do you think of the feud? Tell us on Facebook.

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  • Levine refuses to join Stern discussing Aguilera's weight

    Dan Steinberg / AP file

    Christina Aguilera

    Christina Aguilera wasn't on "The Howard Stern Show" this week, but Stern tried to get her fellow "Voice" judge Adam Levine to comment on the singer's weight anyway.

    Asked the radio host, “This is a sensitive subject for women, but why do you think she's gotten so heavy? Is she upset?... And her clothes are too tight, right?"

    In response, the diplomatic rocker said, “I’m keeping my f***ing mouth shut.”

    Levine does admit Aguilera likes to wear tight clothes and is proud of her womanhood, but he refused to be drawn into comment as to her size.

    “Yeah, but when you're a plus-size woman, you can't wear the tight clothes anymore," Stern continued, estimating that the 5' 2" Aguilera wears something over a size 12.

    Levine, noticeably uncomfortable by the topic, countered, "I wouldn't go that far, actually."

    Earlier this year, Aguilera told press she was fine with her look. "I've been on all spectrums," she said, as reported by Us Magazine. "You can never be too much of anything. You can never be too perfect, too thin, too curvy, voluptuous, this, that. I've been on all sides of the spectrum, as far as any female in this business."

    Some fans immediately came to the singer's defense.  Ijeoma Okere wrote on The Huffington Post, "Good for Adam for having some class. So she's not a stick anymore. She's also not a teen popstar anymore. She's in her 30s, she's had a child and frankly I think she's happier now than she has been in a long time." 

    And others were glad Levine didn't follow Stern down the weight-speculation path. Wrote reader Clara on Gossip Cop: "Glad Adam didn't bite on trying to diss Christina Aguilera. I love all 4 coaches on The Voice!"

    Was Levine right to steer Stern to other topics? Tell us on Facebook.

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  • Report: Bobby Brown peddling tell-all book about life with Whitney Houston

    Vince Bucci / AFP - Getty Images file

    Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston in 1994.

    Less than two weeks after the death of his ex-wife, singer Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown is back in the spotlight. A new report is surfacing that Brown, who wrote a tell-all back in 2008 about his life with the pop star, is working to get the book published.

    While interest in the couple was fading at the time he wrote the book, Brown's recent return to the spotlight after Houston’s Feb. 11 death brings a better market for the story and a chance for Brown to cash in.

    Says one major publisher to the Huffington Post, “Now is the time for a book that details an honest look into the life of Whitney."

    Brown and Houston’s tumultuous marriage began in 1992, around the time her film career took off with “The Bodyguard.” Brown’s musical headlines were soon eclipsed by his ongoing battle with drugs and alcohol, and Houston had her own substance struggles. The two divorced in 2007.

    The road to print may not be so simple for Brown, however, as he reportedly signed a confidentiality agreement as part of the couple's divorce, and he has their 18-year old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, to consider. And after he abruptly left the singer’s funeral on Saturday, Houston's family is already reportedly not fond of her ex.

    Huffington Post commentor Frances Krafthefer writes: “Obviously, if he is thinking of publishing a tell-all book, it could never be accurate. Whitney is gone and we would hear only one side of the story. However, that will not stop book publishers, lawyers and other folks from doing anything they can to get this published.”

    And DJScratch tweets, “If Bobby Brown releases that tell-all book on Whitney, then he'll prove to her family that they were right about him.”

    In other Houston news, "Stomp the Yard" actress Meagan Good may be in discussions to star in a biopic about the singer, a project that began before Houston’s passing and is being hashed over this week, according to E! Online.

    And Houston's biggest film hit, "The Bodyguard," may find new life as a musical. The U.K. Guardian is reporting that a staged musical version of the 1992 film is set to open at London’s West End Theater in November.

    Would you read a book by Brown about his life with Houston? Tell us on Facebook.

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  • Sex, not sax: Jazz station plays porn

    Jazz fans know all the jokes about how their music is hard for the average person to relate to. But surely it's easily distinguishable from, oh, the heavy breathing and panting of a porn movie, isn't it?

    For whatever reason, a British digital jazz radio station on Saturday managed to play five minutes of the panting and moaning that accompanied a gay porn movie at the same time as it was broadcasting its normal programming.

    According to European gay news site Pink News, the London-based station issued an apology saying "Unfortunately we had an unauthorized access to the live feed this evening which resulted in a highly regrettable incident."

    The sound could be heard by all those listening to Jazz FM on Saturday night. Pink News reports that "a broadcast assistant was watching pornography while the recorded show was being broadcast and that they accidentally transmitted the audio of the porn to the nation because their microphone was erroneously active."

    There's no confirmation of that from the station, but that explanation makes sense, since the film's soundtrack was heard over both music and advertisements. A spokesman for a British broadcasting regulator was reportedly investigating whether the station would be fined or lose its license, though Pink News reports that penalty is "highly unlikely."

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  • Stephen Colbert welcomes new Super PAC fan Obama to the dark side

    With success comes imitators, as "The Colbert Report's" Stephen Colbert discovered Tuesday when he learned that his wildly-popular and financially-lucrative Super PAC had earned him the enmity of one politician (Nancy Pelosi) and the most sincere form of flattery from another (President Obama).

    On Tuesday night, Colbert noted, "I have owned this story since last June when I formed Colbert Super PAC with one simple yet noble goal: To raise massive amounts of money. And I did it. ... Now it seems everyone is riding my wallet tails."

    House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has released her own ad -- going after Colbert for his Super PAC as she tries to promote her DISCLOSE Act, which will require some measure of disclosure for election funds. Her PAC ad "attacks" Colbert for, among other things, his evident dislike for kittens. (Colbert then proved he loves Whiskers and "uh, Whiskers 2" by pulling them out from under his desk.)

    But he appeared most pleased by President Obama's "180" turn on Super PACs; having found them dismaying before, the President's campaign committee has now begun soliciting donations to his own Super PAC. Apparently, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. "It's like how Lincoln won the civil war by buying a bunch of slaves," said Colbert, who then welcomed Obama to the dark side: "You are now 'Darth Bama.'"

    Over at "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," FOX News commentator and host of "The O'Reilly Factor" Bill O'Reilly sat down with Leno to share his thoughts on Whitney Houston (again) and the election. Leno got some applause when he admitted he only knew what presidential hopeful Rick Santorum was against, but not what he was for. "I don't understand this anti-gay thing. It doesn't make any sense to me," said Leno. "We're Americans; we should include everybody."

    He asked O'Reilly if religion should play a big role in politics, and O'Reilly replied: "I think people should define their religion and why they believe what they believe if you're running for president ... but I don't think they should be saying my religion is better than yours."

    David Letterman kept things light on "The Late Show" (and found a way to show doctored footage of Mitt Romney's dog begging to be let into the car) by noting that movies other than the new "King of Bain: When Mitt Romney Came to Town" documentary have been made about the presidential hopeful. His "Top Ten Other Movies About Mitt Romney" included "Mitty Mitty Bang Bang," "The Mittrix," "Mittion: Impossible," Mr. Romney Doesn't Go to Washington," "Dog on a Hot Car Roof" (cue footage) and, at No. 1 ... "They're Just Not That Into You."

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  • Former 'Amazing Race' producer Jeff Rice found dead in Uganda

    An American television producer has been found dead in mysterious circumstances while working in Uganda, his brother-in-law told msnbc.com on Wednesday.

    Paul Blackman said that family members had heard that poisoning was suspected in the death of father of two Jeff Rice, 39, who is originally from Oklahoma.

    Blackman, who is the brother of Rice's wife Sally, added that the situation was unclear and relatives were trying to establish what exactly had happened


    Rice, who previously worked for shows including "The Amazing Race" and Animal Planet's "Whale Wars," died on Friday night. 

    Rice's assistant, who Blackman declined to name, also became ill and was taken to a hospital in Uganda.

    "We've sent people up there to get some answers," Blackman told msnbc.com by phone from Durban, South Africa. "Nothing is finalized yet.

    Addressing media reports that Rice had been fatally poisoned, Blackman said: "I don't know where they are getting this 'definitely poisoned' thing."

    Rice moved to South Africa about 13 years ago and holds dual citizenship, Blackman said. His wife is South African.

    Rice's death was first reported by FoxNews.com.

    'Really tough to handle'
    Blackman said Wednesday morning that he was looking after their children, girls aged seven and two, while Sally Blackman tried to get information from the South African police.

    He said his sister was finding the uncertainty "really tough to handle, but, yeah, she's strong."

    "There's so much stuff in the air about possible poisoning, all that kind of stuff," Blackman said. "At the moment, we're trying to get Jeff's body out of there to get some answers."

    Blackman said Rice had been "a historian, tour guide kind of person" in the United States and had started to work in television about three years ago. He and his wife ran SB Productions in Durban.

    He added his brother-in-law was working on either a future show or documentary in Uganda.

    "He was a fantastic producer apparently, a very, very sought-after producer," he said. "The messages (of condolence) coming in have been very, very good actually. It's been fantastic, he's a very well-liked character. He was a good guy, very relaxed and just a very good guy."

    The "about us" section of SB Productions' website says Rice decided there were "better ways to spend his time" after five years "contributing to the stalemate of the 405 in LA."

    "From pie in the sky to looking no futher than his nose, his mind is always churning. If Jeff isn't crunching budgets or breaking down scripts, he can probably be found in some unusual African location with his Power Book and a bottle of the local brew. Jeff has an incredibly calm nature and a wicked sense of humor," it adds.

    More from msnbc.com and NBC News:

  • Obama belts out the blues with B.B. King, Jagger and Buddy Guy

    President Obama took to the microphone again, this time to belt out "Sweet Home Chicago" with B.B. King. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports.

    Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

    B.B. King, left, Buddy Guy and Warren Haynes, right, perform during the White House Music Series saluting Blues Music in recognition of Black History Month, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

    Win McNamee / Getty Images

    President Barack Obama speaks on Tuesday night.

    Chris Kleponis / Reuters

    Blues legend B.B. King signals approval while performing on Tuesday night.

    AP reports: At a concert tonight at the White House marking Black History Month and celebrating the blues, President Obama again took the mic. He was challenged by the musicians on stage to follow up his Al Green "I'm So In Love With You" performance, "You done started something, and you gotta keep it up now." After initially laughing off the offer, the President took the microphone and sang several lines of "Sweet Home Chicago" from his spot in the front row. He tried handing the mic back more than once, but continued singing, even alternating lines with BB King.

    President Obama took to the microphone at the White House's Black History Month Blues Concert, along with B.B. King and Mick Jagger.

    The concert featured music legends and contemporary major artists, including King and Mick Jagger, as a celebration of Blues music and in recognition of Black History Month. The concert, airing next week on PBS, is part of the "In Performance at the White House" series.

     

    Win McNamee / Getty Images

    Shemekia Copeland (L) and Susan Tedeschi (R) perform with an all-star cast on Tuesday night.

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  • Revenge is a dish best not served at all on 'Biggest Loser'

    Chism, Jeremy, Cassandra, Emily, Megan, Christine and Daphne faced a table packed with their biggest temptations.

    The last few weeks have been drama-packed on "The Biggest Loser," and if anyone thought that trend would be over now that Conda and co. booted both Adrian and Roy out of the game, they were mistaken.

    Instead, things got off to desperate start Tuesday night as the players gathered for a temptation challenge – a particularly tempting one. Faced with plate after plate of all of their favorite foods, the contestants had the option to eat their way to power. The one to consume the most calories could switch the game around, deciding which members made up each team and who would train them. And they could do so anonymously.

    The first to eat was Mark, who downed a couple of plates of venison worth 312 calories. (Yes, someone's favorite food was venison. It seems Kimmy loves to eat deer. Good thing, too, as she confessed in a frightening aside that she's mowed down 12 of them in her car! Bambi, beware.)

    Chris, Kim and Cassandra also chowed down, enjoying pizza and peanut butter cups to varying degrees, but really their calorie totals didn't matter. And neither did Mark's. That's because Daphne, the one person in the game who could really benefit from a shakeup, ate nine plates of peanut butter cups -- that's 1890 calories' worth. Needless to say, she won.

    But she didn't share that news with the rest of the game. Instead, Alison Sweeney announced that someone won, and then announced the changes, which were, to say the least, ineffective and underwhelming.

    Rather than put power players together on one team, such as Conda, Jeremy, Chism and Mark, where they would eventually have to break down their alliance and pick each other off, Daphne only chose to swap Conda and Jeremy's places on the red and black teams. In other words, while Daphne annoyed them, the balance of power stayed the same. And while she technically remained anonymous, everyone knew she was responsible for the switcheroo.  

    So tensions remained as high as they ever had, and the target on Daphne's back only grew. Eventually, after trainer Bob Harper pushed her to do it, Daphne admitted that she was the mastermind behind the bad move. But that, too, didn't make a difference. Daphne was the odd player out without her brother, and the fix was in.

    "I think they're trying to purposely sabotage this weigh-in," she noticed. "They have been eating bread all week long. Every time I turn around, I'm seeing somebody put bread in their mouth."

    Which meant the only chance she had to stay in the game was to earn immunity by dropping the most pounds – a particularly daunting task after dropping 12 pounds last week and binging on peanut butter cups this week. Ultimately, it was a task she wasn't up for.

    After the red team sailed through an easy weigh-in, Team Black, with the exception of Chris, put up one bad number after another. Heck, Conda even gained a pound, and Daphne gained two. But if fussing and fighting shed pounds, they would have all had a banner week, because the scale-side showdown was over-the-top with smack talk and finger pointing.

    In the elimination room, doomed Daphne admitted that her decision to swap Conda and Jeremy wasn't gameplay. It was personal and in-part, an effort to get revenge for the way her brother Adrian was treated in weeks past.

    Rather than just let that parting statement go, Conda chimed in.

    "I would just like to say that I don't hold on to grudges," she said in a statement sure to make viewers roll their eyes as much as Conda usually rolls her own. "I don't seek revenge on people. I'm a role model and example to my daughter."

    Ooh, boy. After a bit more bickering, Daphne said goodbye to the ranch and hello to a chance to leave the drama behind and lose weight back home with her family.

    What did you think of the drama-packed episode? Was the black team wrong to throw the weigh-in, or did they just speed up the inevitable by getting rid of Daphne now? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

     

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  • Brit Awards sorry they cut off Adele's speech

    Adele accepts the best album award during the BRIT Awards 2012 held at the O2 Arena on Feb. 21 in London.

    Update, 1:30 p.m. ET: The producers of the Brit Awards have issued an apology to Adele, whose acceptance speech for the Album of the Year award was cut short to make time for a closing performance by Blur.

    Adele, frustrated in the moment, raised her middle finger to the cameras as she was forced off the stage. The singer later clarified that the middle finger was directed at "the suits at the BRIT Awards," and not her legion of fans.

    Blur, Adele win big at Brit Awards

    "We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short this evening due to the live show over-running," said a statement from BRIT Awards organizers. "We don't want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night's biggest award. It tops off what's been an incredible year for her."

     Should they have apologized? Tell us on Facebook.

    Original story from Us Weekly: Star interrupted!

    At the 2012 Brit Awards in London Tuesday, it came as no surprise when Adele took home the big awards for Best British Album and Best British Female artist.

    But what did come as a shock was her indecent gesture on stage during her acceptance speech for Best British Album, when host James Cordon unexpectedly cut in to introduce the next musical performance.

    Photos from Us: See Adele and other stars at the 2012 Grammy Awards

    "I flung the middle finger. That was for the suits at the Brit Awards, not my fans. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but the suits offended me," the 23-year-old singer told the BBC of the instance that was live broadcast.

    Video from Us: See Adele gets standing ovation after her Grammy performance

    During her abbreviated speech, the British star expressed her gratitude about her success. "Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys and then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year. I'm so proud to be British and to be flying our flag."

    After Cordon, who was met with boos from the crowd, stepped in, Adele asked "Can I just say, then, goodbye and I'll see you next time round?" followed by her flipping off the cameras.

    Photos from Us: See M.I.A. flip off the cameras

    On Feb. 5, M.I.A. became the topic of controversy when she flipped her middle finger on live TV to over 100 million viewers worldwide during her and Madonna's Super Bowl performance.

    "It's such a teenager ... irrelevant thing to do," Madonna sniped about the obscene gesture. "There was such a feeling of love and unity there. What was the point? It was just out of place."

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  • 'Mad Men' unzips Joan's season 5 promo

    Christina Hendricks as Joan on "Mad Men."

    Up until now, the promos for the upcoming season of "Mad Men" have focused on the gentlemen -- when any fan knows that the women hold most of the cards.

    AMC dropped the latest teaser spot for "Mad Men's" fifth season, seen first at The Hollywood Reporter, and it pays tribute to one of the series' perennial scene-stealers: Joan Harris (née Holloway).

    Video from THR: 'Mad Men' promos tease the return of Don and Roger

    "Joan is back" follows the Don- and Roger-centric spots that debuted over the weekend, swapping Jon Hamm and John Slattery for Christina Hendricks, seen here in full bombshell mode.

    The ad does its best to recap where viewers last left Joan, nearly a year and a half ago when Season 4 ended its run. Her husband is off in Vietnam. And after Joan and Roger were mugged, their briefly rekindled affair resulted in a pregnancy. She told her boss that she'd "take care" of it, but the finale revealed she had left the abortion clinic without seeing it through.

    Photos from THR: 17 new shows premiering in 2012

    Series creator Matt Weiner recently spoke to THR about the uncharacteristic loose ends in the episode. "I more than anyone know that a lot of pleasure in the show is the accumulation of details," he said, "but I do think that last season’s finale was kind of the most cliff-hanger-y we’ve done -- because it was such an abrupt shift."

    "Mad Men" and SCDP's newly minted director of agency operations return to AMC on Mar. 25 with a two-hour episode.

    Watch the promo below: 

     

    Whose storyline are you most excited for when the show returns? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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  • Lindsay Lohan 'on the homestretch' of probabtion

    Lindsay Lohan appears in court for a progress report hearing in Los Angeles, on Jan. 17.

    And then there were two.

    Lindsay Lohan is due back in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday morning for what -- if all goes well -- will be her penultimate date with the legal system.

    Her last two progress hearings were as brief as they were glowing, so will it go just as smoothly this time?

    MORE: Must-see TV alert! Lindsay's hosting SNL!

    Absolutely.

    Lindsay's rep Steve Honig told E! News that LiLo has been a model probationer and has been keeping pace with the requirements set forth in her seemingly never-ending probation.

    "Once again, Lindsay is completely on track to have fulfilled all of her court-ordered requirements by the time of her hearing," he said. "She is on the homestretch now and eager to move her focus to film and television projects."

    First among which will be her just-announced "Saturday Night Live" hosting gig March 3. But she has to get through Wednesday's hearing first.

    MORE: Lindsay working out a deal with Uncle Sam over tax evasion

    It'll be the third progress hearing for Lindsay, who will once again report to Judge Stephanie Sautner to determine whether she's been in compliance with the terms of her sentence. At the time, Lohan was ordered to complete 12 more days of community service at the morgue and undergo four counseling sessions.

    PHOTOS: Fashion Spotlight: Lindsay Lohan

    As for Wednesday, no surprises are expected, and Lindsay will likely be doled out the remaining terms of her sentence, among them 17 days of community service and four more therapy outings. So far, she has just one more probation hearing on the docket, set for March 29.

    In the meantime, be sure and catch the action as it happens: E! Online will be livestreaming Linday's hearing tomorrow morning starting at 9:30 a.m. PT.

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  • Sugarland lawyer blames fans hurt by stage collapse

    Matt Kryger / The Star file

    The overhead stage rigging collapses into the crowd in front of the stage at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 13, 2011.

    INDIANAPOLIS — Fans who were killed and injured when stage rigging and sound equipment collapsed onto them as they awaited a Sugarland concert at the Indiana State Fair failed to take steps to ensure their own safety and are at least in part to blame for their injuries, the country duo's attorneys said.

    The statement, part of a Feb. 16 response to a civil suit filed by survivors and families of some of those killed, is a clear attempt to cast blame away from the band as investigators continue to search for answers in the collapse that killed seven people and injured 58.

    Calling the powerful winds that toppled the stage on Aug. 13 an "act of God," Sugarland's attorneys said fair officials and Mid-America Sound Corp. were responsible for the stage setup, and that the fans voluntarily assumed risk by attending the show.

    Read the complete story here.

  • Report: Guests at hotel where Whitney Houston died want refunds

    Whitney Houston in 2009.

    Evidently, Whitney Houston’s Feb. 11 death at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., was a tad inconvenient for some hotel guests. 

    According to TMZ, guests staying on the same floor as Houston claim hotel conditions were “unbearable due to the commotion,” saying the circumstances surrounding Houston's death made it impossible for them to get a good night’s rest.

    Apparently the hotel floor where Houston died was locked down after her death, requiring guests on that floor to provide additional proof of identification to reach their rooms.

    TMZ reports that the luxury hotel is refusing to offer any refunds and defends its actions. In a statement, the hotel told the site, "Given the extraordinary nature of the events of last Saturday evening, The Beverly Hilton took every precaution to protect the privacy of the Houston Family as well as the hotel guests who may have been impacted by the incident."

    It's hard to feel a lot of sympathy for a guest who simply had to keep identification handy in a tragic situation that the hotel couldn't have foreseen, but some think it's only good business practice to accommodate complainers.

    “I don't think the Beverly Hilton should be held 'accountable' for the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Whitney Houston's death,” says David Granoff, in a comment left on USAToday.com. “That said, a smart hotel would provide some sort of acknowledgement of the situation by offering something like a complimentary night for a future stay, bonus points (in this case Hilton Honors) or some other vehicle that provides the guest with a sense that the hotel cares.”

    Says Ami Woods, “I think it's unrealistic for any guest of that hotel to have expected a low-key and quiet weekend anyway with the Grammys on Sunday and all the hoopla.” Clive Davis' pre-Grammys gala was held at the hotel Saturday night.

    Less than 48 hours after Houston’s death, the L.A. Times was reporting that the Beverly Hilton had already been added to a tour-bus itinerary for a narrated bus ride of famous death spots in Hollywood.  

    As they say in Hollywood, the show must go on.

    Should the hotel have offered refunds to guests on Houston's floor, or were the guests crazy and rude to have even asked? Tell us on Facebook.

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