The DVD of Bruno will be out on November 17th and there are several scenes which were cut from the full length movie. In this scene, LaToya Jackson is interviewed by Austrian TV host Bruno (played by Sasha Baron Cohen), supposedly for a new show he has for American television. Paula Abdul doesn't want to eat sushi off a naked man and leaves the interview. LaToya gamely goes along with the foolishness until Bruno asks to see her Blackberry and has his assistant copy down Michael Jackson's private telephone number. LaToya ended the interview and stalked out. This was the scene that was cut because of Michael's sudden death. One of the things that struck us about this clip is how tough LaToya is on the inside -- she's no pushover. She may have a breathy, light voice but there is clearly a woman of steel underneath. When Bruno asks her to do something she doesn't want to do she just smiles and says "no" and refuses to budge. Take a look:
Stars Walk the Red Carpet for This Is Is Los Angeles Premiere
The stars turned out for the Los Angeles premiere of the Michael Jackson concert documentary This Is It, which was directed by Kenny Ortega (High School Musical). The documentary is getting rave reviews from top critics, such as Roger Ebert who said it was one of the best and most revealing musical documentaries that he had ever seen. Most critics agree that Jackson was fully able to perform and that the concert -- had it happened -- would have been amazing. Take a look:
Lionel Richie Represents Michael Jackson at Tokyo This Is It Premiere
Lionel Richie represented his long time friend Michael Jackson at the Tokyo premiere of the film This is It. Lionel talked about being close to Michael and that he considered him a part of his family. This Is It opened around the world in theaters and will play for two weeks. Take a look:
Elizabeth Taylor Praises Michael Jackson's This is It Film on Twitter
Elizabeth Taylor has tweeted a series of tweets on her Twitter account, @dameelizabeth, about Michael Jackson's This Is It concert that is now being released as a film and an album. Elizabeth Taylor loved the This Is It film and calls it the "single most brilliant piece of filmmaking" she has ever seen.
I was honored with the great privilege of seeing "This Is It" last week. I was sworn to secrecy, but now I can let you know about it.
It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen. It cements forever Michael's genius in every aspect of creativity.
To say the man is a genius is an understatement. He cradles each note, coaxes the music to depths beyond reality.
I wept from pure joy at his God given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again.
And we have this piece of film to remind us forever and ever that once there was such a man. God kissed him.
God blessed him and squandered nothing, but loved it all. Michael knew how to put together every tone, every nuance to make magic.
To say he was a genius seems so little. I wish my vocabulary encompassed what I feel.
You owe it to yourselves and your loved ones to see this again and again. Memorize it and say to yourselves, "I saw genius in my lifetime"
I loved genius in my lifetime. God was so good to me. I will love Michael forever and so will you, if you don't already.
I hope I don't sound condescending. I'm sure you already know what I'm talking about, but go to see it again and again.
I meant to repeat myself. I love you. I remember Michael loved you. He was totally up to now and the message of today in all his songs.
If you listen to his lyrics they are those of a modern day prophet and it beseeches us to listen to him and what he sang.
I won't use words like preaching because that is off-putting, but listen. Listen to his messages.
From "Black And White", "Man In The Mirror". The inspiration behind "We Are The World". We must take his words of responsibility seriously.
We cannot let his life be in vain / and always done with love. Remember that. Remember him and thank God for him and his genius.
Kenny Ortega did a masterful job of directing the process that goes into making a complete show before hitting the stage.
From A to Z you get Michael's input on every level. Michael's genius at work with the dancers. Mr. Ortega catches Michael in his every mood.
You see in front of your eyes Michael's genius blossoming on this piece of film thanks to Kenny Ortega and his crews.
I truly believe this film should be nominated in every category conceivable.
Michael Jackson's Choreographer and Musical Director Discuss Working With the King of Pop
Choreographer Travis Payne and musical director Michael Bearden talk about their time working with Michael Jackson for "This Is It." They discuss how technology made it much easier to brainstorm creative ideas. In the old days, Michael would bring in scores of books for inspiration, but with a laptop he could see any city, monument or historical event immediately. Take a look:
Party City Survey Finds Transformers, Michael Jackson Costumes Popular
Several retailers and organizations conduct surveys and put out lists of the most popular costumes each year. Party City recently released findings of a national costume survey today. With nearly 40 percent of the vote, costumes inspired by Transformers 2, the No. 1 box office film of the year, beat the
inauguration of President Obama, Kanye West taking the microphone from Taylor Swift, and the Hudson River plane landing by Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger as the most "costume-worthy" event in 2009.
Party City says that over half of respondents indicated that Michael Jackson's "Thriller" look will be the most popular Halloween tribute. Fans plan to done , black eyeliner and the red leather jacket he wore in "Thriller." Other popular Michael Jackson Halloween looks include the singer's "Billie Jean" ensemble, featuring white socks, loafers and Michael Jackson's signature white sequined glove. Other will dress like his "King of Pop" look with a military-style jacket, white gloves and aviator sunglasses.
"As the Halloween experts," says Lisa Laube president of Party City, "we know that costume choices are driven by popular culture, including blockbuster films, television shows and, of course, the latest news sensation. We have thousands of costumes and accessories to help our customers transform themselves - from head to toe - into any character they choose."
You can read more about this year's costume trends here, here, here and here.
Six Flags parks are hosting Fright Fest Halloween events this month. Mr. Six and 20 "scare-actors" from Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, recently hit the streets of Times Square to get everyone in the Halloween spirit. The actors, dressed as ghouls and zombies, performed some of Michael Jackson's biggest hits, including "Thriller."
Taylor Swift is Thrilled at Multiple AMA Nominations
Taylor Swift is "walking on a cloud" after she heard that she was nominated for six American Music Awards, Taylor has more nominations than
Michael Jackson, who has five, and Eminem, who has four. Taylor says she's especially happy that she is seen as a cross-genre artist. Take a look:
Paul Anka Says New Michael Jackson Song Was Stolen From Him
TMZ reports that legendary singer songwriter Paul Anka has come forward to claim that the new Michael Jackson song "This is It" was stolen from him. Anka wrote the song for Michael in 1983, but Michael rejected it after hearing the demo tapes. So Anka had singer Safire record it. But Michael kept some of the demo tapes, which he was eventually forced to return under threat of legal action.
Anka tells TMZ in 1983, he wrote a song with Jackson called "I Never Heard" -- and the demo of the song was recorded in Anka's studio in Carmel, CA. Anka says he took the tape to a studio in Hollywood to put the finishing touches on it for Anka's duets album, "Walk a Fine Line." Anka claims Jackson -- who was just blowing up at the time with "Thriller" -- got a big head and "stole the tapes" from the studio.
Anka tells us he called the lawyers who repped both he and Jackson -- ironically one of them was John Branca -- and threatened them with a lawsuit if he didn't get the tapes back. Anka got them back but insists Jackson made a copy of the tapes and used the track with his voice from "I Never Heard" -- and simply retitled it, "This is It."
Anka gave "I Never Heard" to another artist -- Safire -- who recorded it in 1990.
We called Sony Music who released "This Is It" ... no comment so far.
You can hear both versions of the song here. It seems like whoever put this song out after Michael's death didn't check into the ownership of the song. It's very clearly the same song that Anka and Jackson co-wrote in 1983. We think Paul Anka is about to get cut in on the royalties.
Michael Jackson's new single "This Is It" has been released on MichaelJackson.com. The new track is included in the This Is It album that will be released October 27th.
Reaction to the song has been positive. The song is also hitting the airwaves. The track arrived at Sony's headquarters in London accompanied by tight security on Monday.
New Michael Jackson Debuts Online at 12 A.M. EST on October 12th
A never-before released song from Michael Jackson called "This Is It" will be unveiled on MichaelJackson.com on 12 a.m. EST on October 12th. "This Is It" features backing vocals by Michael's brothers. The song plays during the closing sequence of Sony Picture's upcoming film, Michael Jackson's This Is It. It is also on 2-disc CD set Michael Jackson's This Is It, which is the stand-alone companion to the motion picture. The 2-disc set will be released on October 27th. It also includes a new spoken word poem from Michael Jackson called "Planet Earth."
These amazing Thriller inspired headphones won a top spot at a Nokia design competition earlier this year. Shiny Shiny says the headphones will go into production and be sold at select stores. One of the stores rumored to carry them is the Nokia store in London. The headphones would really help top-off that DJ zombie costume you've been planning.
New Michael Jackson Book Uses Augmented Reality Technology
Al Roker gets a look at the amazing new Augmented Reality technology which will be used in the upcoming release of the official Michael Jackson Opus. The 400 page book was in development before Michael's death. In fact the Opus team met with Michael just a few days before his death and said he seemed happy. The Augmented Reality technology is just so cool. Take a look:
New Michael Jackson Song to be Released October 12th
ArtsBeat reports that a song by Michael Jackson called "This is It" will be released on October 12th. The song bears the same name as the concerts that had been planned for Michael Jackson at London's O2 Arena.
A new song by Mr. Jackson, called "This Is It," will be released next month, Sony Music Entertainment said Wednesday in a news release. The song, which shares its title with the comeback tour that Mr. Jackson was rehearsing when he died in June, will be released as a single on Oct. 12, Sony said.
ArtsBeat also says that an upcoming Michael Jackson album - also called This is It - will contain a previously unheard spoken-word poem by Mr. Jackson called "Planet Earth." That album will be released at the end of October.
Madonna Gives Moving Tribute to Michael Jackson at VMAs
Madonna gave a moving tribute to Michael Jackson at last night's MTV Music Video Awards. Madonna said "there is no doubt Michael Jackson was one of the greatest talents the world has ever known." She also said he was a hero and a king. Madonna also mentioned a private, personal "date" she had with Michael Jackson in 1991 where a shy Michael Jackson held her hand.
"I never had a mother, but he never had a childhood. And when you never get to have something, you become obsessed by it. I spent my childhood searching for my mother figures; sometimes I was successful. But how do you recreate your childhood when you are under the magnifying glass of the world for your entire life?
"There is no question that Michael Jackson was one of the greatest talents the world has ever known. ... That when he sang a song at the ripe old age of 8, he could make you feel like an experienced adult was squeezing your heart with his words. ... That the way he moved had the elegance of Fred Astaire and packed the punch of Muhammad Ali. ... That his music had an extra layer of inexplicable magic that didn't just make you want to dance but actually made you believe that you could fly, dare to dream, be anything that you wanted to be. Because that is what heroes do. And Michael Jackson was a hero.
You can read the full text of Madonna's tribute here and watch the video below.
Elizabeth Taylor has tweeted a series of tweets on her Twitter account, 
Several retailers and organizations conduct surveys and put out lists of the most popular costumes each year. 
A never-before released song from Michael Jackson called "This Is It" will be unveiled on 
ArtsBeat 
