So Much News, So Little Time

Staggin’ It
How do you celebrate your upcoming nuptials? Why, by having a stag party and inviting Ozzy Osborne and Lulu, of course! That’s what Sir Elton John and fiancé David Furbish did in London Monday. The pair are tying the knot Wednesday, when civil partnerships become legal in the UK. Read about it here.

Boy George’s White Christmas
Boy George can relax this Christmas; he’s got a few months before he’s due in court on cocaine charges stemming from an incident in October. A New York judge granted a court postponement at both George’s and the prosecution’s request. He was excused from appearing in court Monday because he is working on “literary and recording projects” in the UK. Hmmm…well, Fulsom Prison Blues was a Johnny Cash classic; maybe George has a similar project up his sleeve?

What Fresh Hell is This?
Now here’s something I find absolutely shocking and chilling. Michael Jackson could lose his stake in some enormous publishing rights, jointly owned by himself and Sony. We all know Jackson purchased the rights to about 200 Beatles songs back in 1985 (which angers a lot of Beatles fans). What I didn’t know until I read about it on the blessed BBC is that in addition to this catalog he bought from Sony, he also owns “Blowing in the Wind” by Dylan—and songs by Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks. Oh the humanity!! I literally had no idea about the Dylan and Joni thing and am…well, shocked and shaken!

At any rate, Michael Jackson has until, oh, Tuesday or so, to start paying. “Michael Jackson could lose his 50% stake in The Beatles' back catalogue if he fails to meet an imminent deadline to repay $200m (£113m) in loans,” says the Beeb.

He borrowed heavily against these assets and has yet to pay. And the fact that his “Greatest Hits” CD released last week (was it? Really?) sold only 8,000 units in its first week indicates that his reign as King of Pop is as over as it can be, really.