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RIHANNA: DARK ... AND LOVELY?

NEW YORK (AP) — Rihanna's had a tough go of it of late. So it should come as no surprise that her new album has what she calls some "dark" moments and music in it. But she says there are also some tracks that show her lighter side. She says her new project "Rated R" has songs like "Russian Roulette" that take listeners into areas of her personal life she has never shown people before in her music. But she says there are other tracks that work well in a club. All this is part of what Rihanna says is an attempt to give her fans a more intimate look at her as a person with this album. She says people know who she is — but may not really know what she's about and what she stands for.

Sound:

<<CUT …015 (11/24/09)>> 00:12 "really a story"

Rihanna

Rihanna says her new album "Rated R" offers insight into her personal life.

<<CUT …016 (11/24/09)>> 00:13 "as a person"

Rihanna

Rihanna says she wanted to give fans a different perspective of who she is with this latest album.

<<CUT …017 (11/24/09)>> 00:13 "also fun songs"

Rihanna

Rihanna says "Rated R" gets into some deep subjects, but not all of it is that way.

<<CUT …018 (11/24/09)>> 00:12 "like Russian Roulette"

Rihanna

Rihanna says one of her favorite songs on the album is dance oriented. (Cut also refers to another single "Russian Roulette")

MYA: WINNER OF "DANCING WITH THE STARS" TO BE CROWNED TONIGHT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — We'll know tonight if Mya is queen of the ballroom. She ended last night just three points shy of a perfect total of 30. But the judges criticized her freestyle, saying they expected more from her. Mya has been one of the top scorers and among the judges' favorites all season on "Dancing with the Stars." But Donny Osmond has been a consistent fan favorite. His freestyle was the last dance of the competition — and he scored his first set of perfect 10s from the judges. Reality TV star Kelly Osbourne is the third finalist and finished in third place last night. She seems happy just to have made it to the final round.

Sound:

<<CUT …001 (11/24/09)>> 00:08 "amazing, all right (cheers)"

Bruno Tonioli (toh-nee-OH'-lee), judge on "Dancing with the Stars"

The judges can't get enough of Mya. COURTESY: ABC ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT …002 (11/24/09)>> 00:10 "danced it full-out"

Len Goodman, head judge on "Dancing with the Stars"

Head judge Len Goodman can't believe how Mya is handling the stress. COURTESY: ABC ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT …003 (11/24/09)>> 00:09 "because of that"

Mya, contestant on "Dancing with the Stars"

Mya says she's been listening to the judges, especially head judge Len Goodman. COURTESY: ABC ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT …004 (11/24/09)>> 00:07 "''

"Dancing with the Stars" announcer and judges

The judges on "Dancing with the Stars" give Mya her third round of perfect scores for the season. COURTESY: ABC ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT …005 (11/24/09)>> 00:12 "it's the end"

Donny Osmond, contestant on "Dancing with the Stars"

Donny Osmond says even though he's the oldest of the finalists, he's not falling behind. COURTESY: ABC ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT …006 (11/24/09)>> 00:09 "''

"Dancing with the Stars" announcer and judges

The judges on "Dancing with the Stars" give Donny Osmond his first set of perfect scores for the season. COURTESY: ABC ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT …007 (11/24/09)>> 00:29 "''

Excerpt of "Dancing With the Stars" theme

This is archive audio of the "Dancing With the Stars" theme. COURTESY: ABC ((mandatory on-air credit))

CRITICISM, PRAISED HEAPED ON ADAM LAMBERT'S AMA PERFORMANCE

NEW YORK (AP) — When Janet Jackson flashed her breast, courtesy of Justin Timberlake, during the Super Bowl in 2004, people howled in protest. But so far, the number of beefs over Adam Lambert's over-the-top, gender bending performance at the American Music Awards haven't reached that level. ABC says it has received complaints about Lambert's sexually charged performance — especially the parts that flaunted the fact that he's gay. While singing his new single, he kissed a male keyboard player and pulled the head of one of his dancers near his crotch. The network says more than 1,500 people complained — a "moderate" response, according to ABC. And the Parents Television Council says some of its members were "outraged" and in disbelief by what they saw. For his part, Lambert tells CNN the kiss was "in the moment" and anyone who was upset is practicing what he calls "a form of discrimination."

MICHAEL JACKSON: DOCTOR RETURNS TO WORK AT HOUSTON CLINIC

HOUSTON (AP) — Some people might be nervous about seeing a doctor suspected in the death of a famous person. But that didn't seem to be the case for Michael Jackson's doctor when he returned to work yesterday. Dr. Conrad Murray returned to his Houston medical clinic for the first time since Jackson's death in June. His patients welcomed him back — and said they had no qualms about him treating them. One, Ruby Mosley, praises Murray for providing care to low-income patients. And she says she doesn't believe most of what has been written about the doctor since Jackson died. Authorities in Los Angeles have him at the center of a homicide investigation. They believe the doctor gave Jackson what turned out to be a fatal dose of propofol, a powerful sedative that was used to help the pop star sleep.

Murray's lawyer says the doctor also plans to reopen his office in Las Vegas eventually.

MICHAEL JACKSON: TALKS UNDER WAY TO GET BACK $ FROM SINGER'S MEMORIAL

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Will the company that owns the Staples Center end up ponying up at least some of the money for the cost of Michael Jackson's public memorial? Talks are continuing toward that end right now. A Los Angeles official says she's been negotiating with AEG about giving the city back at least some of the more than $3 million spent on the memorial. Councilwoman Jan Perry says those talks have been positive. A recent city report found the memorial ended up boosting the city's economy — and that there was no law that required AEG to reimburse the city. But other lawmakers have been pressing the company to fork over at least some of the costs associated with the event, such as police overtime and money spent to block off streets near the Staples Center.

MARIAH CAREY: GETTING AN AWARD — FOR HER ACTING

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Anyone who saw "Glitter" would find it hard to believe: Mariah Carey getting an award for her acting. But she has gotten lots of props for her role as a frumpy, but sincere social worker in "Precious." And a film event in California is giving her props, too. The 21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will give Carey its Breakthrough Performance Award for her role. The event will be held February 5 and will kick off a two-week long film festival in Palm Springs.

WESLEY SNIPES: CONTINUES BATTLE TO STAY OUT OF PRISON

ATLANTA (AP) — Wesley Snipes continues to fight the power when it comes to his tax case. His attorneys have been back in court, asking a federal appeals court to take another look at the three-year prison sentence he got for his conviction on federal tax charges. His attorneys call the three-year term "unreasonable" and are also arguing Snipes should have gotten a hearing to decide whether the trial should have been in New York instead of Florida. Prosecutors aren't even trying to hear all of this. They claim Snipes had plenty of time to ask for the trial to be moved to New York before he was convicted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Barksdale says Snipes got "a fair trial and a fair sentence" — and no number of appeals will change that.

SHAWN STOCKMAN: JUDGING "THE SING-OFF"

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's been a minute since Boyz II Men have been out there, cranking out hits. So, these days, one of its members is on the prowl for the next big thing out there. Starting December 14, Shawn Stockman he will be one of the judges for "The Sing-Off," a competition that sees eight a cappella groups do battle for a record deal and a $100,000 prize. The show is hosted by Nick Lachey (luh-SHAY'), another former boy group member. He used to be with 98 Degrees.

OPRAH WINFREY: SO, WHO'S GOT NEXT?

NEW YORK (AP) — It will be another year and change before the question will be asked seriously. But already some people are trying to figure out the answer to: "Who will be the next Oprah?" Winfrey announced last week that she would be ending her syndicated TV series in 2011. And that has left people wondering who will fill the void. Of course, there have been a number of people who tried to challenge Oprah for the title of talk show queen or king — only to end up as one of the "other" shows that Oprah dominated during her two-decades-plus reign. Among those in position to grab a chunk of her 7 million-member audience are Dr. Phil, Ellen DeGeneres and Dr. Oz. Other possible contenders for Oprah's audience are Tyra Banks and Rachael Ray. And, you still can't rule out the possibility that Oprah herself may resurrect her own show to give a boost to her startup network, OWN.

LITTLE RICHARD: UNDERGOES HIP SURGERY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Little Richard is promising to come back strong after his hip surgery. The veteran performer is recovering from the operation at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Little Richard is 76 and still performs regularly. A family friend quotes the singer as asking fans to pray that he have a quick recovery from the surgery, which has kept him in some pain. The friend says Little Richard asked him to tell his fans they should "get ready to rock 'n' roll with him in the new year because he's coming back strong."

Sound:

<<CUT …025 (11/24/09)>> 00:16 "''

Excerpt of Little Richard

This is archive audio of Little Richard performing "Good Golly Miss Molly." (The 76-year old performer is recovering from hip surgery at a hospital in Tennessee)

KOBE BRYANT: ONE OF NBC'S "PEOPLE OF THE YEAR"

LOS ANGELES (AP) — He didn't safely land a plane full of people on the Hudson River. Nor did he become an international star because of his singing. Still, it was a pretty decent year for Kobe Bryant. And for leading the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA title, he is among those being named one of "NBC's People of the Year." Bryant will interviewed for the special, set for Thanksgiving Day and hosted by Matt Lauer. Others to be featured are pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who landed a disabled jet off the shores of Manhattan and Susan Boyle, whose singing on a talent search show in Britain made her a worldwide hit.

On the Net:

NBC site: http://www.nbc.com

BARACK OBAMA: AN EARLY OUT?

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama often has to leave events before they end. But yesterday he ended up tipping out of an event when he was supposed to be staying. He was at a White House ceremony to honor the work of a pair of activists in Zimbabwe. After his remarks he and first lady Michelle Obama walked out of the event — only to return a moment later. He said, laughing, "I'm allowed to stay" — then added: "I never know what I'm allowed to do." He ended up leaving again — this time when he was supposed to — after presenting a human rights award named after the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

MICHAEL JACKSON: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1993, Michael Jackson managed to pull off the biggest deal in music publishing history. He moved his publishing operation, ATV Music, to EMI Music Publishing, in a deal worth more than $200 million. Sources said Jackson himself got half that amount in the deal. Among the 4,000 titles under ATV's control are most of the Lennon-McCartney Beatles catalog. At the time, Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a young boy and had claimed he was hooked on pain pills.

BIG JOE TURNER: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1985, Big Joe Turner, one of the forefathers of rock and roll, died at age 74 from multiple causes following a heart attack. Turner had been singing jazz for decades when he recorded such R&B classics as "Chains of Love," ''Honey Hush" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll" in the early 1950's. In later years, Turner returned to jazz singing, performing with such artists as Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie.

ALBERT COLLINS: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1993, blues artist Albert Collins, dubbed "the master of the Telecaster," died in Las Vegas of cancer. He was 61. Collins was one of the first blues performers to appeal to a rock audience after being championed by Los Angeles blues artists Canned Heat in the late 1960's. Collins was a cousin of Lightnin' Hopkins, who helped shape the younger bluesman's guitar style.

DONALD "DUCK" DUNN: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — A member of Booker T and the MG's is marking a birthday today. Donald "Duck" Dunn turns 68. He played bass with the group, which is known for the hits "Green Onions" and "Time Is Tight."

TERRY LEWIS: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — A birthday for hit-maker Terry Lewis. The co-owner of Flyte (correct) Time Records turns 53 today. He started out as a member of The Time, a funk group formed by Prince and Morris Day. Legend has it that Lewis and Jimmy Jam were cut loose from the group for being late and they went on to form one of the most successful songwriting-producing teams in modern music history. They have created hits for Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and a host of others.

by Oscar Wells Gabriel II