Britney will kick off MTV awards show

September 5, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

NEW YORK — Despite her train-wreck performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last year, the network confirms Britney Spears will kick off the show once again. But it won’t be a performance. Instead, MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler said Wednesday, it’ll be something “fun and unexpected” on Sunday night’s show.

Unexpected is probably the kindest way to describe Spears’ performance at last year’s VMAs. In what was heavily promoted as the troubled singer’s comeback, she instead gave an unfocused, almost unwatchable performance of “Gimme More,” one of the many low points in her year of debacles.

3 Doors Down postpones Pittsburgh, Cincy shows

PITTSBURGH — Because of acute vocal laryngitis, singer Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down has been advised by his doctors to postpone three shows on the band’s tour, including Saturday’s concert at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, and Sunday’s concert at Post Gazette Pavilion in Burgettstown.

The band will announce rescheduled dates in the near future, according to a press release from the promoter, Live Nation.

Store sues Winfrey’s mom

MILWAUKEE — A high-end clothing store in Brookfield, Wis., is suing Oprah Winfrey’s mother for failing to pay her bill.

The civil complaint says Vernita Lee of Milwaukee owed Valentina nearly $156,000 for purchases and interest as of July 1 and has failed to make the monthly minimum payment of $2,000.

Store attorney Joseph Niebler Sr. says his client tried to resolve the matter with Lee before filing the lawsuit in Waukesha County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit says Lee told store officials she doesn’t think she owes the money. A nonbinding mediation session is set for Sept. 16.

Today’s birthdays

Comedian-actor Bob Newhart is 79. Actor George Lazenby is 69. Actor William Devane is 69. Actress Raquel Welch is 68. Singer Al Stewart is 63. Cartoonist Cathy Guisewite (“Cathy”) is 58. Actor Michael Keaton is 57. TV personality-musician Dweezil Zappa is 39.