Adam Goldstein — DJ AM to most of the world — was found dead in his New York apartment on Friday. We at MTV News were shocked by this sudden and tragic news.
We knew DJ AM as a sneakerhead, a VMA performer and a miraculous survivor. He was a tremendously versatile musician and performer who first hit the scene as a member of Crazy Town (remember "Butterfly"?) and who would go on to collaborate with the likes of Jay-Z, Madonna and Will Smith. His tag-team with Blink-182's Travis Barker helped to once again blur the lines between dance music, hip-hop and rock. And he became a superstar for being the the top party DJ for A-list Hollywood stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson and Ashton Kutcher.
What many people didn't know is that AM was also a former hardcore drug user, having used crack for six years. In advance of his new MTV series "Gone Too Far," MTV News producer Matt Elias sat down with Goldstein to talk about his addiction, recovery and his efforts to help other addicts. That interview — his last with MTV News — happened to be close at hand when the news of his death broke.
In retrospect, it seems obvious. Of course Katrina "Bikini Girl" Darrell would be back for the "American Idol" finale.
Of course she appeared in her trademark bikini ("evening gown girl" doesn't quite have the same ring to it). Of course they replayed her audition moment where she sass-mouthed Kara DioGuardi, who later defended her singing talent.
But who knew that Kara would burst out onstage and kinda sorta flash the audience with her own surprise bikini? That was kinda cool and surprising, right?
Surely millions of American hearts were broken back in February when Katrina was booted from "Idol." Well, it was good to see you again, Bikini Girl. We look forward to your eventual appearances in Maxim magazine, reality shows (perhaps "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here"?) and, most importantly, "American Idol" memories. Those live on forever.
Yesterday, we hypothesized about who was missing from the partially revealed Maxim Hot 100 list of entertainment's most gorgeous female stars.
Upon its full reveal this morning, we were immediately struck by a wave of optimism, having correctly put #10 (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and #9 (Jordana Brewster) on our list of nominees.
From there, however, the whiffs begin. We completely spaced on the lovely Rihanna (#8) and are wearing "Watchmen" flavored egg on our face for forgetting Malin Akerman (#4).
Our triumph continued, however, by hitting their #2 spot-on by predicting "Transformers" star Megan Fox.
Our shame peaked at #1 with Olivia Wilde, who didn't even factor into our snap predictions yesterday. We're sorry, Olivia. We really do like you.
Eminem was photographed leaving London's Media Vale Studios today, where the BBC has seven recording facilities. He didn't look very happy and gave the one-finger salute to the photographers taking pictures of him.
The Maxim Hot 100 list was mostly released today. The annual rundown of famous female eye candy sends men to the Internet each and every year. The top 10 won't be revealed until Wednesday, however. So we got to thinking — and studiously researching — who wasn't included among the first ninety gorgeous ladies.
10: Jordanna Brewster. She's fast, she's furious and she's graced their pages with her hotness before. The dark-haired dark horse makes summer even hotter at #10.
9: Gisele Bundchen. Pros: amazingly gorgeous and successful international lingerie supermodel. Cons: already married to the mister wonderful of the sports world, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Her marital vows keep her held down here at #9.
NEW YORK — It could be said (and probably has been) that paying to see electronic music performed is like paying to see someone hit play on their iPod. That view, however, would miss out on the sensory assault that a crowd of heaving, sweaty bodies surged and swayed to on Saturday night at New York's Webster Hall.
In advance of the release of their fourth full album, Divided by Night, electronica veterans The Crystal Method brought their laptops and keyboards and sample pads to town for a pulsing, perspiration-inducing set.
Usher Raymond the fourth has been many things. Multi-platinum recording artist, Grammy winner, actor, amazing dancer and now, a giant outdoor billboard in Atlanta.
As part of the Boys & Girls Clubs' “Be Great” campaign, the people of A-Town were greeted this morning with a shiny new outdoor display featuring a young Usher and the phrase "Be Iconic," which Usher certainly has become.
Like other famous alumni of the Boys & Girls Clubs, Usher found his club in Tennessee to be a place to explore and pursue the skills that would one day lead him to become Mr. Entertainment. "It helped reinforce the values I learned at home, including good character, leadership and giving back to my community, my country and my world," Usher said at the unveiling, according to a press release.
Young people of Atlanta, we wish you the best in fulfilling Usher's challenge.
There was a time when being animated into "The Simpsons" was the cultural badge of honor celebrities aspired to. Although I still tune into Springfield's first family every week, let's face it, it ain't what it used to be. These days visiting the Griffins of Quahog, Rhode Island, is where it's at.
So it should come as no surprise whatsoever that the first lady of "The Hills," Lauren Conrad is stopping by this Sunday night.
From the clips on Hulu.com and the most amazing preview ever on the official FOX site (which isn't snaggable...what's up with that?), we learn that Lauren and Brian Griffin (yeah, the dog) date and apparently fall in love. Lucky dog! Or is he just trying to get over Jillian (voiced on several occasions by Drew Barrymore)?
I don't think I have to tell you it's on FOX Sunday night at 9 p.m. and, as always, viewer discretion is advised.
Whether you call the trip a honeymoon or you call it a "music-video shoot" (as Heidi does), "Hills" co-stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are in Mexico during a dangerous time. The country's swine-flu epidemic is no laughing matter.
Of course, that begs the question why a music-video shoot would be scheduled in a place with a highly contagious disease outbreak. But that's neither here nor there.
So, like any responsible adults, Speidi are taking appropriate precautions against catching, as she put it "pig flu."
The 
NEW YORK — It could be said (and probably has been) that paying to see electronic music performed is like paying to see someone hit play on their iPod. That view, however, would miss out on the sensory assault that a crowd of heaving, sweaty bodies surged and swayed to on Saturday night at New York's Webster Hall.
There was a time when being animated into "The Simpsons" was the cultural badge of honor celebrities aspired to. Although I still tune into Springfield's first family every week, let's face it, it ain't what it used to be. These days visiting the Griffins of Quahog, Rhode Island, is where it's at.