JLo's Skintight Catsuit Grabs Eyes, Headlines

Critics split on Jennifer Lopez as host, agree on singer as musical guest

(NEWSER) - The Jennifer Lopez image-rehab train pulled into Saturday Night Live station last night, to mixed reviews.

• "Her appearance on the show—bizarro Hallmark lyric songs included—was a very obvious attempt at rebranding herself as a down-to-earth, un-diva-like sweetheart, but it just came across as weird and overly acted," Hortense writes for Jezebel . Although there were some high points, "overall, it was a pretty craptacular show."

Teen queen snags artist of the year in an upset

(NEWSER) - Taylor Swift unexpectedly captured artist of the year honors at tonight's American Music Awards, preventing a sweep by Michael Jackson. The 19-year-old country-pop crossover sensation called being included in the same category as the King of Pop an "unimaginable honor." She won five awards; Jermaine Jackson accepted two of his brother's four trophies wearing a sequined glove on his left hand, the AP reports. More»

Materials by Patti Smith, Ramones showcase cultural shift

(NEWSER) - New York’s Museum of Modern Art is showcasing the gritty glamour of the city’s 1970s and early ’80s music scene, where punk, New Wave, DIY, and noise rock ruled, Rolling Stone reports. New Yorkers were feeling alienated—the city was bankrupt in 1975; President Ford told it to “drop dead"—but that helped inspire “completely honest” art, says one rocker. More»

Memorabilia displayed in city he loved

(NEWSER) - A new exhibit of John Lennon memorabilia includes a bloodied hospital bag holding the clothes he wore the night he was shot to death, reports the Guardian. The bag is the most jolting display of the new show launched by Lennon's widow at the Manhattan annex of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "John came back to me in a brown paper bag. I want the world to know that," said Yoko Ono. More»

Times Square orb hits centennial

(NEWSER) - The ball you watch drop in Times Square at midnight will be twice as bright as any of its predecessors, the New York Times reports, to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The first ball rang in 1908 with 216 light bulbs stuck to its 5-foot iron frame. Tonight, 1,200 pounds of crystal, aluminum, and LEDs will shine 30,000 watts across the crossroads of the world. More»