Adele’s ’21’: U.K.’s top-selling album of the century
Adele has yet another achievement to celebrate: According to the Daily Mail, her album “21” is now the United Kingdom’s biggest-selling album of the century.
Released in January in the U.K., “21” has officially surpassed Amy Winehouse’s 2006 album “Back to Black” in U.K. sales.
Britain’s Official Charts Company confirms today that Adele’s sophomore effort has created a new record of 3.4 million sales.
Comparatively, “Back to Black” achieved its recent 3.3 million sales level over the course of five years (and numbers surged following Winehouse’s death in July).
“21” has been a chart-topper since its release, but was boosted by last week’s six Grammy nominations, including album of the year.
Adele — who had a throat-related surgery last month — blogged Saturday that she was “lost for words.”
“A couple days after finally being able to talk again I’m pretty speechless,” the Brit beauty wrote of the Grammy recognition. “This has been the best year as it is but to end 2011 with this incredible achievement and honor is beyond anything I can express.”
-CNN
‘Simpsons,’ ‘Boardwalk Empire’ top Writers Guild TV noms
Two new series, HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and Showtime’s “Homeland, broke into the top categories for the 2012 WGA Awards for Television and both were for drama.
The dramas will face off with “Boardwalk Empire,” “Breaking Bad” and “The Good Wife”– proving the domination of cable networks in the general categories ofthis year’s nominees. The Writers Guild of America announced the nominees Wednesday for achievement in television, news, radio, promotional writing and graphic animation.
On the comedy side, “Louie,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Parks and Recreation” replaced last year’s nominees “Glee,” “The Office” and “Nurse Jackie.”
Many of the usual faces filled many of the category slots — AMC’s “Breaking Bad” also has two episodes in the episodic drama category; and “Modern Family,” a big winner last year, is a multiple-nominee.
In the new series category, Fox’s “New Girl” was the sole broadcast network nominee — it’s up against Showtime’s Matt le Blanc laffer “Episodes” and “Homeland,” AMC’s “The Killing” and HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”
Overall, Fox’s “The Simpsons” received the most nominations (all in the animation categories) — a total of four. Receiving three nominations each were “Breaking Bad,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Modern Family” and “Homeland.”
-Tribune Newspapers
Sinead O’Connor to wed for fourth time
Irish singer Sinead O’Connor will wed for the fourth time this week, choosing the occasion of her birthday to tie the knot, she said on her website Wednesday.
“With enormous joy myself and my beloved boyfriend Barry Herridge will be getting married tomorrow, December 8th 2011, at ‘an undisclosed location’ in my absolute dream wedding ceremony,” O’Connor said in a statement on the site.
The singer, who will turn 45 on Dec. 8, achieved worldwide success with her 1990 cover of Prince’s song “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
She married musician and long-time collaborator Steve Cooney in July 2010, but the relationship ended in divorce earlier this year. Her previous two marriages also ended in divorce.
In August, the singer well known for creating controversy and raising eyebrows revealed her sexual frustration in a series of Web postings.
“I am in the peak of my sexual prime and way too lovely to be living like a nun. and it’s VERY depressing,” wrote O’Connor in a blog post at the time.
A representative for O’Connor could not be reached for comment on the singer’s wedding plans.
-Reuters
‘Jersey Shore’ season 5 trailer: Business as usual
From the looks of “Jersey Shore’s” new season five promo, Snooki and Co. couldn’t be happier to be back in Seaside Heights.
All the culture and architectural history in Florence was really just holding them back last season.
And here’s a treat for viewers: In addition to “Shore’s” usual bar fights, fist pumps and binge drinking, the coming season features … wait for it … a surprise party, a milk fight and a giant bunny costume to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Back in October, we were privy to a sneak peak of what’s to come. So far we know Pauly D burns his face off at the tanning salon, Snooki thinks twice about wearing a pair of booty shorts with Jionni’s name on them and Ronnie blends one of his mystery shakes.
We also know that Vinny decides to take a break from Seaside at the start of the season. But speaking of Vinny, the budding actor is expanding his theatrical resume with a Syfy movie he should be able to relate to: “Jersey Shore Shark Attack.”
Entertainment Weekly reports that Syfy’s film will be set during a Fourth of July weekend at the Shore, when underwater drilling forces hordes of ticked off sharks to converge and start attacking people.
The cable channel has lined up quite a cast for this feature, including Paul Sorvino (“Goodfellas”) to play the “possibly corrupt mayor”; Tony Sirico (“The Sopranos”) to portray a “wise veteran of boardwalk…lore”; and ‘N Sync’s Joey Fatone, who’ll play himself.
And Vin? He’ll be portraying the on-scene reporter.
“Jersey Shore Shark Attack” is scheduled to air next summer, but before that, season five of the reality show will air on MTV Jan. 5.
-CNN
