Sad news out of Los Angeles today, legendary host Don Cornelius was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, California home at 4 A.M. this morning of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound.  Although he stopped hosting the show in 1993, when the show ended in 2006 “Soul Train” became one of the longest-running nationally syndicated shows in television history at 35 years.

Check out some vintage footage of Don in action after the jump.

Sad news for the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin today, it appears that after announcing she was getting married a couple weeks back she’s decided she was moving too fast. Aretha released a statement today:

“Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly. There will be no wedding at this time. We will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it. We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends.”

If you don’t remember Aretha originally met Willie 27 years ago…….what happened here?!

It looks like one of our favorite Hollywood couples Seal and Heidi Klum are headed for divorce according to TMZ.  Supermodel Heidi Klum (who made a whopping $20 Million) last year is said to be gearing up to file for divorce as early as next week and will cite irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.  The couple have 4 kids together.  What the heck happened here?

[Etta James In The Studio 1967]

CNN Reports:

Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as “The Wallflower,” “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and the wedding favorite “At Last,” has died, according to her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon. She was 73.

She died from complications from leukemia with her husband, Artis Mills, and her sons by her side, De Leon said.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California. She would have turned 74 Wednesday.

Beyonce Knowles played Etta James in the movie Cadillac Records that was released in 2008, and Beyonce also sang Etta’s song “At Last” at the inauguration ball of President Obama and Michelle.

R.I.P. Ms. Etta James.

We would say we don’t watch this show as much as before, but we don’t want a lawsuit from Donald Trump followed by a verbal lashing about his high ratings going into the fifth season. So, this season’s cast of Celebrity Apprentice has just been announced and it ranges from B to Z listers. Check it out after the jump.

Clay Aiken
Marco Andretti
Tia Carrere
Adam Carolla
Lou Ferrigno
Deborah Gibson
Teresa Giudice
Victoria Gotti
Arsenio Hall
Penn Jillette
Dayana Mendoza
Aubrey O’Day
Dee Snider
George Takel
Paul Teutul Sr.
Cheryl Tiegs
Patricia Velásquez

Who’s watching?

This comes as quite a shocker that comedian and actor Russell Brand has filed divorce papers in Los Angeles from his wife pop star Katy Perry citing irreconcilable differences.  The couple were married last October 2010 in a large ceremony in India.  Crazy!

People

[YouTube Link]

This just in from Philadelphia, after nearly 30 years one of the most publicized death penalty cases ever has ended in former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal living out the rest of his life in prison rather than be executed. From the NYT:

In April, a federal appeals court ordered a new sentencing hearing for Mr. Abu-Jamal because instructions given to jurors during his 1982 trial had been potentially misleading. In October, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Mr. Williams said the appeals court ruling — and others that have spared Mr. Abu-Jamal’s life over the years — had led him to think about dropping his pursuit of the death penalty. He said he made the decision after discussing it with Maureen Faulkner, the widow of Daniel Faulkner, the slain police officer.

Ms. Faulkner, who appeared at the news conference with Mr. Williams and other city officials, said she had agreed to give up her advocacy of Mr. Abu-Jamal’s execution because the case had dragged on for so long. Ms. Faulkner said the case had taken a toll on the health of her family members.

If you’re not up on the case, check out this archive clip from BET and get a little background.

This just in. After much speculation and rumors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have announced their separation today. Here’s the statement from Demi:

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton,” says Moore in a statement. “As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life. This is a trying time for me and my family, and so I would ask for the same compassion and privacy that you would give to anyone going through a similar situation.”

The couple who have a 16 year age difference have been together for six years as husband and wife.  See what Ashton had to say on Twitter after the jump.

From GQ’s Man Of The Year issue.  At Penn State they call this the Sandusky…now it’s your turn.

GQ

Oh man…. we are saddened to report that legendary rapper Heavy D has passed away at age 44.  No cause has been given for his passing just yet, but he was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital from his Beverly Hills home today and pronounced dead this afternoon.  The overweight love had just recently made an appearance at the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta just last month. Story still developing…

TMZ

This just in – Dr. Conrad Murray has been found GUILTY of involuntary manslaughter in the murder case of Michael Jackson just moments ago.  The case has been looming since the top of the year and now hopefully the Jackson family who have all made appearances during the trial can have some closure.  Murray never took the stand during the trial.

Reactions to the verdict?

Apple has confirmed that former CEO and inventor Steve Jobs – the man behind the iPod, iPhone and iPad has passed away at the young age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.  Here are reactions from Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates and Apple.

Apple: “Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives,” Apple said in a statement. “The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.”

Mark Zuckerberg: “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”

Bill Gates: “The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come.  For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook: “Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.”

Jobs Family: “Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.

“In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

“We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.”

Check out a CNN video of Steve throughout the years after the jump.

Everyone seemed pretty sure that drugs played a role in the tragic death of singer Amy Winehouse last month, but according to the toxicology reports there were no “illegal drugs” in her body at the time of her passing.

A statement released by spokesman Chris Goodman on the family’s behalf said “toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy’s system at the time of her death.”

It said the family awaited the outcome of an inquest that is due to begin in October.

Winehouse’s father, Mitch, has said his daughter had beaten her drug dependency three years before her death, but he admitted she was still struggling to control her drinking after several weeks of abstinence.

Regardless of the toxicology reports, we still lost one of the most talented stars of our generation.  Hope your are Resting In Peace Ms. Winehouse.

USA Today

We are saddened to hear that Motown recording artist Nick Ashford of the legendary R&B group Ashford & Simpson passed away tonight in a New York City hospital from his battle with throat cancer.  The singer was 70 years old and leaves behind his wife Valerie Simpson and two daughters Nicole and Asia.  May he Rest In Peace.  Check out a video of one of the groups classics – “Solid” after the jump.

Violence, riots and lawlessness have gripped London since a 29 year old man was shot dead by police in Tottenham, North London on Saturday. Mark Duggan was said to have fired at police, and they shot back, killing him. Ballistics reports have since confirmed Duggan’s firearm had not been discharged.

A peaceful protest was held by locals for Duggan on Saturday, but was then followed by riots and increasingly criminal behavior which had nothing to do with his death. Soon young people from ten to forty years old were seen covering their faces with hoods and bandanas, smashing windows and looting shops.

More riots have broken out in the West, South and other parts of London as well as other parts of the country over the last three days, which have been condemned by the British Government.

16,000 police officers have been drafted in and called back from holiday to try to control the riots tonight.  Using intelligence gathered from Blackberry Messenger broadcasts and Twitter messages, they have been able to try and predict which area will be hit next.

Continued After The Jump.

I was evacuated from my office building at around 2.30pm today, as local police instructed us that rioters were heading our way, to Hatton Garden the diamond district of London, not far from Kings Cross. At a friend’s house in an affluent suburb of Ealing, West London, he told me police vans have been parked outside since 3pm in preparation for whatever may come tonight.

Businesses will be left devastated, families homes have been burned down and now it’s nothing but mindless crime, wide spread fear and pictures of politicians with brooms in hand, pretending to sweep the devastated streets with locals. London and parts of the UK, rest uneasy tonight.

Mel X