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Top Story
The on-again off-again discussions between Michael Jackson and Dick Clark regarding whether or not Jackson will appear at Clark's upcoming American Music Awards verses the Grammys are officially off. Again. Jackson has made a diplomatic move: he'll appear on the AMAs, but will not perform. The American Music Awards broadcast airs Jan. 9. The Grammys ceremony airs on Feb. 27.
In General
Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler magazine, filed a lawsuit on Friday against the U.S. Defense Department, arguing that reporters must be present on the front lines in the war in Afghanistan. Flynt wants Hustler to cover the war...for some reason. The Country Music Grammy nominations were announced on Friday. Leading the pack is "Timeless -- Hank Williams Tribute," a re-recording of his top tunes that features several country favorites, including Johnny Cash and Lucinda Williams. Brian McFadden, a member of the boy-band Westlife, married former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona on Saturday in Ireland. TV producer Julie Christy is suing FOX Broadcasting, claiming that the network's upcoming series The Chamber is a direct rip-off of her upcoming ABC show The Chair. On Friday, a spokeswoman for singer Waylon Jennings told the press that the country star had his left foot amputated on Dec. 19. The amputation was necessary due to complications with diabetes. For the first time since SoundScan has been tracking annual album sales, 2001 saw a drop in sales, according to USA Today.