Amy Winehouse in rehab? Yes, yes, yes

Amy Winehouse in
rehab? Yes, yes, yes

LONDON — Amy Winehouse, beset by allegations of substance abuse, entered a rehabilitation facility Thursday to battle drug addiction. The announcement came just days after the 24-year-old singer was pictured in British tabloid The Sun inhaling fumes from a small pipe. Police have launched an inquiry into the matter. “Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors,” Universal Music Group said in a statement.

Winehouse, who is nominated for six Grammy Awards for her acclaimed “Back to Black” album, seems to be as famous for her drug problems as for her music.

Since the album’s U.S. release last year, she has canceled a slew of appearances amid reports of drug use. The album’s most popular song, “Rehab,” references her struggles, and is a defiant anthem against entering a treatment facility.

Petty couldn’t refuse
playing Super Bowl

NEW YORK — Tom Petty says he’s not much of a football fan, but playing the Super Bowl halftime show was an offer he couldn’t refuse. “The most significant thing about it is the people watching worldwide ... it’s probably the biggest audience you can have, I would imagine,” the 57-year-old singer told The Associated Press. “It’s quite an honor to be asked; if you look at the people who have done it, it’s a very elite crowd ... it’s a great opportunity to play for the whole world at once,” Petty said.

Tickets for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ North American tour go on sale the day after their Feb. 3 performance at the Super Bowl halftime in Glendale, Ariz. Steve Winwood is slated to be the special opening act.

Metropolitan Opera
drops pay-per-view plan

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Opera dropped plans for pay-per-view telecasts on In Demand this season after objections from theater owners who felt it would take away revenue from their broadcasts.

The Met and In Demand announced their agreement in November, saying it would be similar to a movie rollout. Theaters would air the eight live telecasts, which began Dec. 15, and have replay rights of up to 30 days for each opera. In Demand would then broadcast the operas for 30 days and, after that, the programs would shift to PBS stations.

“The movie theaters objected strenuously,” Met general manager Peter Gelb said Wednesday. “They are used to this model that has been established between the major movie chains and the major studios in Hollywood, which has a 120-day window.”

Gelb said this season’s theater transmissions are on track to sell a total of 800,000 to 1 million tickets. The series can be seen at Tinseltown in Boardman, Ohio.

New James Bond film:
‘Quantum of Solace’

IVER HEATH, England — “Quantum of Solace” is the title of the new James Bond film, the 22nd Bond adventure. The title was revealed to reporters Thursday at Pinewood Studios outside of London, where the movie is being filmed.

Producer Michael G. Wilson said the title, chosen only a few days ago, was taken from a story by Bond creator Ian Fleming that appears in the collection “For Your Eyes Only.”

“We thought it was an intriguing title and referenced what happened to Bond and what is happening in the film,” he said.

Daniel Craig is returning as Agent 007. He picks up where 2006’s “Casino Royale” left off, with Bond contemplating revenge after his betrayal by his true love, Vesper Lynd.

“It is not a revenge movie,” said co-producer Barbara Broccoli. “It’s a lot more complicated than that. It has lots of action but it also deals with the inner turmoil Bond is feeling.” “Quantum of Solace” is set to open in Britain and the United States on Nov. 7.

Today’s birthdays

The former president of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze, is 80. The former president of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino, is 75. Blues singer Etta James is 70. Movie director Tobe Hooper is 65. Actress Jenifer Lewis is 51. Actress China Kantner is 37. Musician Matt Odmark (Jars of Clay) is 34. Rhythm-and-blues singer Alicia Keys is 27.