--The Muppets musical number has reportedly been cut from the upcoming 2012 Academy Awards telecast. The Brett McKenzie (of Flight of the Conchords)-penned song Man or Muppet from the new Muppet movie was one of only two songs nominated for Best Original Song award, which should have guaranteed it a performance slot in the award ceremony. However rumors have spread that due to the small number of nominated songs (the only other nomination being Real in Rio from the film Rio) the live performances for the original songs may be cut altogether. This may be related to the backlash following the new nomination process, which left only two, of 21 possible songs, eligible for inclusion. Original songs from Elton John, Lady Gaga, Chris Cornell, Zooey Deschanel, Mary J. Blige, the National, Willie Nelson and Brad Paisley, were all ruled ineligible under the new voting process which has voters rate the songs on a scale of 6 to 10, and then allows only songs with an average of 8.25 to be even nominated.
-- Legendary country singer/songwriter Randy Travis was arrested early for being drunk and disorderly in front of a Baptist church in Dallas, Texas. Travis claims that he had been "drowning his sorrow" following a fight with his girlfriend. Travis has issued an apology, saying, "I apologize for what resulted following an evening of celebrating the Super Bowl. I'm committed to being responsible and accountable, and apologize for my actions."
--American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert has quashed rumors that he will be replacing the late Freddie Mercury as the lead singer of the band Queen. According to the UK's Daily Star, Lambert reveled that he would be joining Queen for a performance at the Sonisphere Festival in July, quoting his as saying ""The intention is to pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some f---ing great songs, It's to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that Freddie would have been proud of." However, Lambert claims that he was taken out of context, saying on his Twitter "I haven't confirmed any guest appearances. I was talking about [my previous performance with Queen] at the [European Music Awards]" Lambert's new solo album, "Trespassing" is due out in March.
--Frances Bean Cobain, the daughter of late Nirvana front man Curt Cobain and Hole singer Courtney Love, claims that her mother's drug addiction killed her pets. In newly released details from Frances Bean Cobain's 2009 restraining order against her mother, Cobain's cat died after becoming entangled in piles of trash, fabric, and refuse Love left strewn around their house; as well as losing a dog who accidentally overdosed after eating bottle of Love's prescription medication.
--Black Sabbath have vowed to continue with their upcoming recording and tour, with, or without, drummer Bill Ward. Last week Ward announced on his website that he may not be joining his former band-mates in their much hyped reunion if he was not presented with what he called "a signable contract." The band responded to Ward's announcement on their website by issuing their own statement saying "We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans." They went on to say "We have no choice but to continue recording without him, although our door is always open." This will however put the band in an awkward situation, as the upcoming tour, and subsequent album, were being touted as a full reunion of the original line-up, a claim that can no longer be made if Ward declines to take part.
--And if you're even keeping track at this point, Sinead O'Connor is back with her husband, marking the fourth reversal in the status of her whirlwind marriage in less than six weeks. We wish them luck, as they're going to need it.
