Madonna drew boos and triggered a walkout by several concertgoers after she endorsed US President Barack Obama at her concert in New Orleans. The pop star told the audience during her Saturday performance: "Who's registered to vote? I don't care who you vote for as long as you vote for Obama." Drawing boos, Madonna added: "Seriously, I don't care who you vote for. Do not take this privilege for granted. Go vote." Her concert in Paris in July drew ire when a video showed a swastika on a politician's forehead. - AP
Adam Levine defends Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera has recently been the subject of criticism on tabloids, blogs and social networking sites for her apparent weight gain. Defending his co-host on the reality singing show The Voice, Maroon 5's lead vocalist Adam Levine told reporters: "The one thing about celebrity culture right now is people feel like they can just say nasty things about other people, whether it's Christina or whether it's me. She gets a lot and it pisses me off. Some people should grow up." Aguilera recently spoke out about the issue, telling People magazine, "I've always been one to make it very clear, love me or hate me, take it or leave it, this is who I am. I embrace my body, and I embrace everything about myself." - IANS
Arcade Fire working on new album
In an interview with an Ottawa radio station on Sunday, Arcade Fire's drummer Jeremy Gara said the Canadian rock band is currently in the studio working full-time on their follow-up to their critically acclaimed album The Suburbs, which won the 2011 Grammy for Album of the Year. Gara said the new record should be out by the end of next year. "We are just working like we always have. We took a couple months off and we've been writing songs. Now we're in the studio pretty much full-time," he said. "We haven't really gone out and done anything in over a year now. We haven't done photos or interviews or anything. We're just working on music and growing beards. We are under no pressure from record labels or management to do anything on any sort of schedule. " - The National staff
Snoop Dogg wants to star in sitcom
Snoop Dogg is planning to return to acting and says he's scouting for a TV sitcom to star in. "I had a sketch show called Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, which was on MTV in 2003. I've always wanted to figure out a way to do a great sitcom like a Good Times or What's Happening - you know, some things from the 1970s that really had an effect on me as a kid," he told the Daily Star. The rapper says he wants to star in a more family-friendly programme. "If it's written correctly and the role for me is appropriate for what I'm going through at this time and if I can bring a positive message - most definitely." - The National staff
Hurricane stops production on NY sets
As Hurricane Sandy bears down on America's east coast this week, the production houses Warner Bros, CBS, Showtime and NBC Universal have all suspended production on their New York-based TV series. Shows affected include Gossip Girl, Person of Interest, 666 Park Avenue, The Good Wife, 30 Rock, Elementary, Law & Order: SVU and Smash. The late-night programmes, including those of Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman, are still scheduled to tape. A representative from the Los Angeles-set Jimmy Kimmel Live, which is doing a week-long stint in New York this week, told Deadline.com: "We are bringing in backup generators and will be able to do our show in the event of a power failure. We have had no audience dropouts so far despite news of the storm." Several Broadway shows have also cancelled performances this week. - The National staff