Scarlett's Waits Tribute: Unnecessary, But Not Bad

Neil Diamond, Tom Waits among others who join him

(NEWSER) - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is about to get decidedly more rocking: Alice Cooper is among the latest to join its ranks. Neil Diamond, Tom Waits, Dr. John, and Darlene Love will also be inducted, reports the New York Times , citing an announcement expected today. Other than Love, a back-up and occasional lead singer from the 1960s, all are first-time nominees. Some of those nominated this year who didn’t make it in: Donna Summer, LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, and Bon Jovi. Click for more—and to see the biggest Hall of Fame snubs . More»

Even so, the 'beloved iconoclast' puts together an interesting collection

(NEWSER) - With the announcement of Bob Dylan’s Christmas in the Heart, “smirkers got smirkier”—you try picturing Dylan singing the lyric, “How’d ya like to hang a stocking on a great big coconut tree?” without smirking—but in the end, the collection is interesting, if a bit silly; “a surreal and occasionally rousing collection of gooey holiday ballads,” writes Amanda Petrusich for Pitchfork. More»

Response to 'This Is It' tepid from critics, all over the place from fans

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson’s posthumous single was released to much hype, but the critical response is lukewarm and fan reactions are mixed. A sampling:

• In a roundup of fan comments on Michael Jackson’s website, the Times reports that while some are pleased—“This single is great, even better than I thought it was gonna be”—many others are calling it “garbage.”

Crooner's version of You Shook Me All Night Long called 'vile'

(NEWSER) - Celine Dion's rendition of AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long has been voted the worst cover ever, according to Total Guitar magazine. The UK mag called the duet Dion performed with Anastacia in Las Vegas 6 years ago an "offense" against music. "The No. 1 worst cover song—Celine Dion covering AC/DC—is sacrilege," said magazine editor Stephen Lawson. More»

No cocaine for these stars, just chicken wings and cake

(NEWSER) - You often hear about celebrities struggling with addictions … but usually those addictions involve drugs, alcohol, or sex. Not so with these nine stars, rounded up by The Frisky :

• Scarlett Johansson: She's "addicted" to buffalo wings, she admitted recently. "I can't stop eating them, I just can't get enough," she says.
• Salma Hayek: "I'm like an alcoholic," she once said, except she wasn't referring to alcohol … she was referring to breastfeeding. "It is like, I don't care if I cry, I don't care if I am fat, I am just going to do it for one more week, one more month, and then when I see how much good it is doing her and I can't stop."