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Jackson Denies Sex Charges In TV Interview |
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In his first interview since being charged with child molestation, pop star Michael Jackson vehemently denied the allegations but insists there is nothing wrong in sleeping with children, according to excerpts released by CBS News.
"Before I would hurt a child, I would slit my wrists," Jackson told correspondent Ed Bradley in an interview scheduled to be shown Sunday (Dec. 28) on "60 Minutes."
Bradley asked Jackson whether he thought that under the circumstances, it was still acceptable to sleep with children and Jackson answered, "Of course. Why not? If you're going to be a pedophile, if you're going to be Jack the Ripper, if you're going to be a murderer, it's not a good idea. That I am not."
Jackson also said the police search of his Neverland Valley Ranch in central California last month so violated his privacy that "I won't live there ever again. It's a house now. It's not a home anymore. I'll only visit."
During the 30-minute interview, conducted yesterday at a Los Angeles hotel, Jackson also discussed his brief time in police custody, including an injury he said he suffered from the handcuffs, and other details about his arrest, CBS said.
In addition to the "60 Minutes" interview, CBS said that an hourlong Jackson music special that was canceled the day after authorities raided his Neverland Ranch has been rescheduled for Jan. 2.
CBS spokesperson Chris Ender said Jackson's "60 Minutes" interview cleared the way for the network to resurrect the music special. "The timing is better," Ender says. "We wouldn't have rescheduled the entertainment special if he hadn't addressed the situation in the Ed Bradley interview."
The reclusive entertainer was arrested on suspicion of child molestation in November and released on $3 million bail. He was formally charged Dec. 18 with seven counts of committing a lewd act on a minor and two counts of administering an "intoxicating agent" for the purposes of molesting a child.
The charges stem from allegations that he molested a boy under the age of 14 at his Neverland ranch earlier this year.
Jackson, who has three children of his own, calls the allegations a "big lie," and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, has said the case is a "shakedown" motivated by greed and revenge. Jackson's upcoming appearance on "60 Minutes" will mark his first interview since the case broke.
His last television interview was in a controversial documentary by British journalist Martin Bashir that ran on ABC and British television in February.
In it, the singer appeared on camera holding hands with a 12-year-old boy with whom Jackson admitted sharing his bedroom. Jackson said he had spent the night with numerous children but denied there was anything sexual about such sleepovers.
COPYRIGHT: (c) Reuters 2003.
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The 46th Annual Grammy Awards 2004 |
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The 46th annual Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on February 8th 2004.
Nominees include Justin Timberlake for the Album of the year and best male pop vocal, Evanescence for best new artist,
Luther Vandross for best R&B Album, Sting for best male vocal, Dido for best female vocal and Shania Twain for best country album.
Click Here to see the Nominees Full List of the 46th Grammy Awards 2004.
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Eminem EP of unreleased tracks |
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According to Eminem Fansites, seven songs, that will be part of an EP called 'Straight From the Lab', are available online!
These unreleased tracks are: Bully, Do Rae Me, Monkey See, Monkey Do, Come on In, Can-I-Bitch, We as Americans and I Love You More.
The EP is an official Eminem or Interscope product. The music has been circulating on fan sites and chat rooms and most, if not all,
of the tracks on Straight From the Lab appear to be old.
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Bono honored for his humanitarian efforts |
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As reported on U2's fan website, Bono is going to be honored by the family of late civil rights leader
Dr. Martin Luther for his humanitarian efforts.
The ceremony will be held at the King Centre Salute To Greatness awards on Jan. 17 in Atlanta.
Bono's work on behalf of Third World debt relief and the AIDS crisis in Africa were pointed out by the family.
Bono was one of the 150 nominees of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
Last year Bono was honored by the Grammy organization with the MusicCares Person of the Year award,
which was for his accomplishments as both a musician and humanitarian.
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Sophie Ellis to become a Mom |
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Sophie Ellis Bextor is expecting her first child. She is three months pregnant by her musician boyfriend Richard Jones.
The couple got together four months ago after Ellis Bextor split up from Andy Boyd, her manager and boyfriend of six years.
Ellis Bextor released her new album, 'Shoot from the Hip', at the end of October; new single 'I Won't Change You' will be out on 29 December.
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Celine Dion's father dies |
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Adhemar Dion, the father of pop singer Celine Dion, has died. He passed away few days ago at the age of 80.
The cause of death was not released.
Celine Dion, the youngest of his children, was in Las Vegas and not present at the time of his death.
She went ahead with her Sunday-night performance at Caesars Palace.
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Bee Gees: Collectors Edition |
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Eagle Rock Entertainment presents the hits and history of the Bee Gees a 2 DVD set features the amazing biographical program
Official Story, as well as the sensational performance One Night Only.
The collection features live performances of "Massachusetts," "Night Fever," "More than a Woman," "Heartbreaker,"
"Tragedy," "Jive Talkin’," "Grease," "Stayin’ Alive" and many more. Bee Gees: Collectors Edition will be available December 9, 2003.
One Night Only is the smash 1997 performance in which the Bee Gees not only perform all of their hits, but they also perform
hits that they wrote for other artists (which, naturally, went on to be chart toppers).
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Limp Bizkit fears terrorist attacks |
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Limp Bizkit have cancelled the south-east Asian leg of their tour. They were afraid of terrorist attacks and decided not to play in Thailand, Bali and the Philippines.
A Singapore newspaper reported that Limp Bizkit have blamed the American government for warnings of 'increased security risks' in those areas.
Fred Durst and the band have apologised to fans and promise to return once security for their fans can be assured.
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Travis Keep themselves occupied |
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Limp Bizkit have cancelled the south-east Asian leg of their tour. They were afraid of terrorist attacks and decided not to play in Thailand, Bali and the Philippines.
A Singapore newspaper reported that Limp Bizkit have blamed the American government for warnings of 'increased security risks' in those areas.
Fred Durst and the band have apologised to fans and promise to return once security for their fans can be assured.
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Ben Moody teams up with Avril |
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Travis have confirmed final details of their new single 'THE BEAUTIFUL OCCUPATION'.
The single, which will be available on two CDs and 7" vinyl, is the second to be taken from new album '12 Memories', following the Top 10
success of 'Re-Offender' in October. Released on December 15, the single will feature additional tracks 'I Don't Mean To Get High',
'The Score', 'Distraction' and 'Back In The Day' across the formats.
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BluePink 
