Mariah Carey has become a different person ever since she undressed in her 1997 video for "Honey." Out with the old, in with the new.

Over the past months, things have not been easy for the singer, who made a surreal appearance on MTV's Total Request Live show earlier this month, dressed in little more than a T-shirt and pushing an ice cream cart filled with Popsicles for the audience. Um...whack?

Ever since the 31-year-old singer and aspiring actress checked herself into a Connecticut clinic on July 27, rumors that she had tried to commit suicide due to her recent breakup to Latin singer Luis Miguel started to erupt. Carey denies these rumors.

Her hospitalization lasted less than two weeks, but her spokeswoman has sent out conflicting messages about her health. First, spokeswoman Cindi Berger said that Carey was exhausted. A week later, Berger said Carey had endured an emotional and physical breakdown. Earlier this week, Cindi Berger told The Associated Press that Carey's situation hadn't changed. The next day, Berger said the singer was reportedly "feeling better."

I'm still scratching my head over this.

In a letter to her fans on her official Web site, the pop diva said, "All I really want is to just be me and that's what I should have done in the first place. I don't say this much but guess what, I don't take care of myself."

Well, Mariah, maybe this is a good time to reassess your career, perhaps go back to your roots, and leave the skimpy clothing in the wardrobe--your fans might begin to take you seriously again.

D12 and Esham kicked off Warped Tour

First it was tension between East and West Coast rappers, but now it is Detroit musicians who are having problems keeping their dirty laundry indoors.

Eminem's protégés D12 reportedly threw a few punches at rappers T.N.T. and Esham, who suffered a ruptured eyeball, a broken nose, and concussion.

Ouch!

Needless to say, their stay at the Vans Warped Tour was shortened after they were kicked off after their Aug 3. Show in Camden, N.J., show.

Are boxing lessons some of the requirement these artists take while preparing for a tour?

D12 member Proof claimed the group "whooped" the other rappers after they threw some "stuff" on their bus.

Is that a reason why you have to beat someone to a pulp?

Esham told New Jersey's WPVI-TV that D12 were "attempting to take our life--it was actually attempted murder."

Well, Esham, rest easy, you can always write a song about D12. After all, seems like dissing people in rap is the "cool" thing to do nowadays.

My advice to D12? Some anger management classes would be good now that your tour is over.

Can Macy Gray sing?

It's getting harder and harder to find a musician who can give a good rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner."

Most of the time, the "boo's" they receive come louder than their own voice. Macy Gray's so-called "fans" booed and laughed at her as she attempted Aug. 6 to sing the anthem before the Pro Football Hall of Fame in her hometown of Canton, Ohio.

Ah, but at last someone listened to my prayers!

It was about time that someone saw that she is not only obnoxious, annoying, but also has problems seemingly standing on her own two feet.

Rock show at the movies!

Ever thought of having Mark McGrath's face only inches from yours?

Well, now you can.

Sugar Ray will broadcast their Aug.15 show from the Tabernacle in Atlanta to movie theaters throughout the United States The Cinemark chain will simulcast the show in cities like Arizona, Orlando, Michigan, and Rockester, N.Y. More cities to be announced soon.

I mean, do you really want to wait in line, pay $10 for a slice of pizza, and get trampled over while you attempt to hold your spot on the front row?

Didn't think so.

Maybe this "concert at the movies" deal won't be a bad thing. One can simply enjoy an air-conditioned venue, sit on comfy chairs, and feel like you are literately onstage with the band.

And if the show cancels--which happens to be the trend of the summer tours this year--here are always refunds.

Name that tune!

If you have caught yourself pondering who sings a cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal," the answer falls in the new alternative band Alien Ant Farm.

And word has it that the King of Pop likes it.

Now the band wants to join the bill of performers for the two Michael Jackson tribute concerts scheduled for Sept. 7 and 10 to perform the rendition of the song.

"I know there's a lot of bands that are on it that aren't even playing Michael Jackson's songs," Alien Ant Farm's singer Dryden Mitchell told Launch on Tuesday. "But if anyone deserves to be there, we do too. It we're a band that helps [kids] appreciate good music like his then we're glad to do it, you know?" he said.

Known for their debut single "Movies," the band gained a spot on the Vans Warped Tour this year as well as the American Pie 2 soundtrack. Not many bands have played any Michael Jackson songs over the years, so it would be cool to have them featured on the event. Like Mitchell said, playing the tribute show would bring a whole new audience through the band. I hope Michael has reserved a spot for them onstage--they actually deserve it.