Brit Awards apologize for cutting off Adele
The Brit Awards apologized Wednesday for cutting off Adele’s speech as she accepted the main prize of the ceremony, a move that prompted the British singer to raise her middle finger at the crowd.
Adele said the gesture was not aimed at her fans but was an indication of her frustration at the “suits” who ran Britain’s top music awards, held at London’s O2 Arena.
The 23-year-old’s success at the Brits capped an incredible year, which has seen her second album, “21,” top the charts around the world and saw her win six Grammys at Los Angeles last week.
But as she stood on stage late Tuesday to collect her Brit Award for best album, having received the best British female solo award earlier in the night, she barely had time for a few thank-yous before she was cut off.
The presenter, comic actor James Corden, apologized for stepping in, explaining that Blur were waiting to play a set.
“We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short due to the live show overrunning,” the organizers said in a statement after the event.
“We don’t want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night’s biggest award, that tops off what’s been an incredible year for her.”
Speaking to reporters backstage, the singer explained: “I flipped the finger but it wasn’t to my fans. I’m sorry if I offended anyone, but it was the suits that offended me.
“Thank you all very much and thanks to my fans. I don’t want them to think I was swearing at them.”
Judge to Lindsay Lohan:
’You’re in the home stretch’
Lindsay Lohan drew praise Wednesday from a judge who said the actress is one court hearing away from putting a long-running drunken driving case behind her.
“Ms. Lohan, you’re in the home stretch,” Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner told the actress. “The probation officer is pleased with your progress.”
The former Disney star has progressed under strict probation guidelines imposed by Judge Sautner last year, including weekly stints working at the morgue and therapy sessions.
Miss Lohan, 25, now has to work 14 days at the morgue and attend five therapy sessions before the judge ends her probation on a 2007 drunken driving case that has dogged Miss Lohan for years.
She is due back in court on March 29 for what could be her final court appearance if she stays out of trouble.
Miss Lohan would remain on informal probation for a case filed after she took a necklace without permission in January 2011 but would no longer have to report to a probation officer or appear in court for frequent updates.
“You seem to be getting your life back on track,” Judge Sautner told her.
Court rules against widow over rights to Miller’s music
A federal appeals court has said the widow of country music legend Roger Miller doesn’t own the rights to some of his biggest hits, including “King of the Road.”
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Wednesday that Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns the renewal copyrights to the songs the artist published in 1964. In addition to “King of the Road,” the songs include for “Dang Me,” “Chug-A-Lug” and “You Can’t Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd.” The decision struck down a lower court’s ruling in widow Mary Miller’s favor.
She has been in a years-long legal battle with Sony over the rights to her husband’s music. Miller died from cancer in 1992 at the age of 56. He was inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995.
Artist Christo postpones plan for Arkansas River
Christo, the artist famous for wrapping world landmarks, announced Tuesday he is postponing for a year his next project, suspending silvery fabric over the Arkansas River, Agence France-Presse reports.
“Over the River” will see eight sections of the river covered with a total of 5.9 miles of billowing aluminized panels that will change shade over the course of each day.
It was to be in place between Salida and Carson City in Colorado in August 2014, but after various scheduling changes, the artist has decided to delay the project until August 2015.
“Christo understands that this news may be disappointing to thousands of local residents and many thousands of art enthusiasts around the world who are looking forward to experiencing ’Over The River,’ ” he said in a statement.
“Nonetheless, this change will result in a better informed public and an improved installation schedule.”
Formal approval for the ambitious undertaking was given last November by the Bureau of Land Management, the federal agency within the Department of the Interior that administers public lands in the United States.
Seen from above, the panels - to be hung 6 1/2 to 26 feet above the river - “will resemble waves at sea,” the Bulgarian-born artist told Agence France-Presse at the National Gallery of Art in the District in November.
“It’s a fabric with many folds, but not always horizontal because one river bank can be higher than another,” he said, adding that from below, kayakers will get a sense of clouds and rolling mountains.
“Over the River” will be financed entirely by Christo, who is selling preparatory drawings to the public.
• Compiled from Web and wire service reports.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.