Friday, February 25, 2011
newsmakers
MTV to debut ‘O’ Music Awards
NEW YORK
MTV is naming its new digital-music awards the OMAs — and leaving the “O” up for grabs. The O Music Awards will take place April 28. MTV is leaving the “O” undefined and open to interpretation from viewers.
The awards, the network said, “honor the migration of music to the digital space and celebrate the art, artistry and technology of digital music.” MTV plans to present an untraditional, heavily interactive award show, spread out across multiple screens, including the Internet, social media and mobile.
Prince William, Kate dedicate lifeboat
TREARDDUR BAY, Wales
It was only a lifeboat. But it gave hundreds of people a chance to cheer Thursday as Prince William and fianc e Kate Middleton made an official visit to dedicate the new vessel. In a ceremony in Anglesey, Wales, the prince made a short statement asking that all those who used the boat be blessed, and then Middleton, with a big smile, poured champagne over the lifeboat.
Middleton looked elegant and comfortable in her new role as a princess-to-be. She wore a three-quarter-length tailored beige coat designed by British designer Katherine Hooker and had her long hair swept back and topped by a chic feathery hat.
Mayor to appear on ‘Undercover Boss’
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory’s stint as an “Undercover Boss” will be shown on the CBS reality TV series March 6. The network notes that Mallory is the first elected official to be featured. A release Thursday says Mallory worked as a mechanic on public-transportation vehicles and as a sanitation worker picking up roadkill.
The release has a photo of the mayor disguised in glasses, a beard and dreadlocks. Mallory disclosed his role to city workers last month after taping was completed, saying he was pleased to showcase Cincinnati and its hard-working employees.
‘American Idol’ adds online voting
LOS ANGELES
“American Idol” is taking democracy online. Viewers will be able to cast votes through Facebook, along with the previous options of phone and text message, when the singing contest shifts from judges’ to audience’s choice Tuesday.
It’s the first time Internet voting will be part of the Fox series, which is in its 10th season. Toll-free phone and AT&T text- message voting, at standard rates, will continue, the network said Thursday. Each person can cast up to 50 online votes.
Zeta-Jones receives UK royal honor
LONDON
Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has received a royal honor from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. The Swansea, Wales-born actress became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire at the ceremony Thursday, where she was accompanied by husband, Michael Douglas, and their two children, Carys and Dylan. Zeta-Jones, 41, said she was “very emotional and rather nervous” to receive the honor, which was given for her services to the film industry and her charity efforts.
Vindicator wire services