It looks like David Beckham really can have his cake and eat it, too. In a last minute deal with the LA Galaxy, AC Milan has successfully brokered a deal with the MLS team to keep Beckham in their employ until the Italian soccer season ends in May. After that, Becks is said to return to SoCal to finish out the rest of the MLS soccer season with the LA Galaxy and then buy out his contract with the team and return to Europe once again:

If you wanted to find David Beckham on Monday, then the fashionable Via Poerio Carlo in Milan was the place to look. There, in the altogether appropriate setting of Dolce and Gabbana’s oh-so-very-ritzy Gold restaurant, Beckham dined with several other international soccer celebrities while mulling his latest coup. The England international star apparently has settled the contractual tug-of-war between the Galaxy, which owns him, and AC Milan, which wants him, by grabbing both ends of the rope. It will cost him a little bit, but he has gotten his way. In an unusual agreement that will be finalized this week — possibly today — Beckham will remain with the Serie A club until the end of the Italian season May 31 and then rejoin the Galaxy in mid-July, staying for the rest of the Major League Soccer season. After that, Beckham will exercise the buyout clause in his five-year, $32.5-million contract with MLS and bid the Galaxy and the league adieu before rejoining AC Milan. In effect, Beckham has cast his lot with the Italian club and is being “loaned” back to Los Angeles for four months. Complicated? Sure, but for Beckham it is the best of both worlds. First, he can continue playing at a high level with AC Milan as it seeks to finish in the top three in Serie A and thereby qualify for next season’s lucrative European Champions League. The team is currently in third place behind Inter Milan and Juventus. Second, staying with Milan for another dozen league matches will significantly help Beckham’s chances of remaining on the England national team as it tries to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Playing in a fourth World Cup has long been a priority for Beckham, who played for England in the 1998 cup and then helped England reach the quarterfinals at Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006. England Coach Fabio Capello has said Beckham, who will turn 34 in May, needs to play regularly and at a high level to be considered for the team. England has six World Cup qualifying games and three friendly matches on its schedule for the rest of 2009. Third, by returning to Los Angeles, even if it is for less than half a season, Beckham will fulfill his promise of coming back to the Galaxy, something he said he would do when he engineered a short-term loan to AC Milan in December. Just what the reaction of Galaxy fans will be remains an interesting point of conjecture. The agreement was hammered out during weeks of negotiating amid a flurry of disinformation leaked to the media on both sides of the Atlantic. It appears to save face for all concerned. Although financial details of the deal have not been revealed, it is said to involve more than the $10 million to $15 million that the Galaxy and MLS were seeking for allowing Beckham to leave on a permanent basis. Part of the money will come from AC Milan as payment for the extended loan, with a further payment coming at the time of the eventual transfer. Milan’s total is more than the $3 million the club initially was offering. A larger amount will come from Beckham himself as compensation for leaving MLS with two years remaining on his contract. On Monday, only the fine points of the agreement remained to be ironed out. All parties — the Galaxy, AC Milan, Galaxy owner AEG, MLS and Beckham himself — supposedly were satisfied. Beckham was to have rejoined the Galaxy next Monday but now will stay with AC Milan through May 31. After that, he hopes to be called up for England’s World Cup qualifying matches on the road against Kazakhstan on June 6 and at home against Andorra on June 10. He can then take a brief break because he cannot join the Galaxy until the MLS international transfer window opens July 15, although he can train with the team before that date. The bottom line for the Galaxy is that Beckham would miss the first 17 games of the 30-game season. His first match for Los Angeles would be July 18 at the New York Red Bulls. On the surface, the Galaxy would appear to be getting very little out of the settlement. But there are benefits. Beckham’s $6.5-million salary will not count against the salary cap until he returns, nor will he count against the 24-player roster limit. That means Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena is free to use the money saved and the position opened to sign another player. Also, with Beckham — or Beckham-lite — back for part of the season, the Galaxy and AEG will be able to keep key sponsors satisfied and, just perhaps, revive flagging season ticket sales. For Beckham, meanwhile, the jet-set lifestyle will continue. His next match is Wednesday night — not in Milan, not in Los Angeles, but in Doha, Qatar, where AC Milan is playing a money-spinning friendly against the Qatari club Al Sadd.

Blah! All this whiny dramatic bullshizz on David Beckham’s part has really soured me on him as an athlete. His whole attitude about his multi-million dollar contract with the LA Galaxy strikes me as so unprofessional that I cannot even look at him in the same way anymore. While I seem to be the only person in the entire US of A who even cares about Beckham playing for the LA Galaxy (I understand the local sports press here in SoCal is glad to be rid of him), I can’t help but feel some disappointment in knowing that he is not a man who seems willing to fulfill his obligations to a team that has invested so much in him. I suppose the LA Galaxy honchos are to be blamed for loaning him out in the first place … then again, they prolly counted on Becks actually honoring his agreement with them to return after his 2-month loan out. At this point, I think AC Milan should keep him and should enjoy having him as much as they can … honestly, he doesn’t even really want to be with them anyway. His real goal appears to get back in favor with the English team that expunged him for his lackluster performance with them. Ever since then, he’s been trying to weasel his way back into leading the English team. Overall, I can’t say that I blame him for wanting to play for his beloved home team but I personally feel that it would be more honorable, more professional for him to fulfill his commitments to his new teams before jumping ship when the going gets tough. I guess he’s Milan’s problem now … and I wish them all the luck in the world.

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Sky News is reporting that Michael Jackson has signed on to take up a performance residency at the O2 Arena in London, England this Summer in an effort to jump start his dying music career. The report reveals that the dates will be announced at a press conference at the O2 Arena and that Jacko himself is likely to be hand at this week’s press conference:

Sky News understands that, after years of rumours, Michael Jackson has finally agreed to perform a string of concerts in London this summer. The 50-year-old will end his exile as a live performer by staging a residency at the 02 Arena this summer, in one of the biggest comebacks in pop history. While the exact dates of the shows are yet to be revealed, Sky sources say that Jackson has exchanged contracts with the venue and is now committed to return to live performance. The first dates of the concerts will be confirmed at a press conference on Thursday at the 02 and it’s understood the star may appear there to make the announcement. A small number of shows will be released initially but more dates will go on sale, emulating Prince’s successful 21 night stay at the venue in 2006, if interest in the shows is as high as promoters expect. It seems inevitable that the concerts, which sources say are the only live shows he is planning, will sell out instantly but what is never certain with Michael Jackson is his behaviour. In his prime he was unquestionably one of the all time greats: a sublime singer, a thrilling dancer and a songwriter whose gifts were such that he wrote the highest selling album of all time in Thriller. However, that peak was a long time ago. Since the 80s Jackson has appeared to be increasingly damaged in every area of his life. The surgery has robbed him of his looks, the eccentricities have robbed him of his cool, the recurrent child abuse allegations (all of which he was cleared of any wrongdoing) and the money worries have clearly taken a huge toll. When Jackson last appeared in London at the World Music Awards in 2006 he was able only to mime to a few bars of We Are The World before leaving the stage. And when he appeared in public in Las Vegas just before his 50th birthday last August he looked weaker than ever, dressed in pyjama trousers he appeared gaunt and frail. It’s long been said that Jackson’s health was the main reason that he had not agreed to stage a comeback tour, with various rumours surrounding the reason for his weight loss. Whether he has been able to work on his fitness to sustain a residency will be one of the key questions ahead of this series of dates. But it may be that Michael Jackson’s finances are now in such a state of disrepair that quite simply has no choice but to go back to work … If he were to emulate Prince’s record residency at the 18,000 capacity 02 Arena then he could play to an estimated half a million fans, which are according to some experts could generate in theory up to £50m. If he will be able to repair his finances or his reputation through this residency remains to be seen but there is no doubt it will be fascinating to watch him. Whether it’s a car crash or a triumph as always with the former child star it will undoubtedly be compelling. Many will be astonished just to see him back on a stage and cynics will say, regardless of contracts, that there is plenty of time for Jackson to have second thoughts before he steps out on the stage of Britain’s biggest arena. Ultimately, as with all the greats, what remains is the sheer quality of the music and Jackson’s best work is up there with the greatest musicianship of the 20th century. If Jackson can reclaim just a little of his genius to do them justice then this residency would be the most unlikely of triumphs. We shall see.

While I find it VERY hard to believe that a guy who looks like THIS will be able to successfully pull off a residency like this in such a massive venue, I must admit that I am very intrigued by the notion. I personally have zero interest in making the trek out to the UK to see Jacko in person for myself but I am curious to know if he can actually pull this off, if indeed this report turns out to be true. I must clarify that I have no interest in having the man crash and burn on stage. I’d much rather he not attempt this venture than to get up on stage and look a fool. BUT, altho I’m not a fan of his by any stretch of the imagination (except for his superb debut album Off The Wall, I’m not a fan of any of his big hits) a part of me would love to see him stage a successful comeback. My gut tells me that his time has come and gone but if he is able to pull off this coup of a comeback, I’m all for it.

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Target has announced that they have teamed up with Prince to be the exclusive retailer of his new albums LOTUSFLOW3R and MPLSOUND as well as the debut album, Elixir, by his new musical protégé Bria Valente. In fact, Target will sell all 3 albums together for the low, low prince of $11.98:

Prince has found an outlet for his latest collection of songs, recorded without a major label, by partnering with Target for a three-disc set, the retail chain said on Monday. The album will be available at Target stores March 29. The collection has two original studio albums called “LOTUSFLOW3R” and “MPLSOUND” and a third disc titled “Elixer” by his latest protege, the singer Bria Valente. The three-disc set from Prince, which will sell for $11.98 at Target, is the latest instance of a recording artist partnering with a major retailer to release an album. Anglo-Australian rock band AC/DC released their chart-topping album “Black Ice” in October exclusively through Wal-Mart stores and rock icon Bruce Springsteen gave the retailer exclusive rights to release an anthology of his greatest hits in January. Prince in recent months sought to showcase his latest recordings as he worked without a major label, as he premiered songs for a Los Angeles radio station and on the Internet. Prince has previously tried out alternative ways to distribute his music. Copies of his 2007 CD “Planet Earth” were delivered with British newspaper The Mail on Sunday. Prince, whose hits include “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry,” was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and he has won six Grammy Awards.

Now this is a great deal. I had a feeling that Prince would be working out an exclusive deal with a retailer but I guessed it would be Amazon.com. I LOVE that he’s chosen to work with Target — my fave store ever. I really didn’t anticipate that all three albums would be bundled together and for such a low price! Altho he gave away his previous album, Planet Earth, for free in the UK I am not at all bummed he is not doing the same thing here. Three albums for $12 is a pretty good deal. Woot!! I can’t wait to pick up this new bundle of Prince music at my friendly neighborhood Target store come March 29.

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Yesterday we saw photos of Madonna and her reported much younger paramour Jesus Luz stepping out together on the snowy streets of NYC on their way to a quiet date together. It would seem that Madonna is not the only member of her family that is a fan of playing in the snow. Here are a few photos of her youngest child, David Banda, having the time of his life with his nanny as the pair played in the freshly fallen snow in NYC’s Central Park yesterday afternoon:

Aww … he really looks like he is having a blast. It’s too bad his mommy’s friend Jesus couldn’t come out to play with him … after all, David and Jesus are much closer in age (and maturity?) than Maddy is to the lad … but I guess he had other things to do. I don’t suppose they get much snow in Malawi so yesterday’s outdoor excursion was prolly one of David’s first experiences with the white stuff. As much as I kinda loathe the snow, I’m glad to see that little David enjoys it so much. Honestly, he can have it ;)

[Photo credit: Splash News]

A shady-looking character was spotted milling about outside Britney Spears’s New Orleans, LA hotel late yesterday that, at first, looked to me like a questionable degenerate … and then I realized that it was her former husband and current leech Kevin Federline:

As you may recall, Britney’s people had to strike a deal with K-Fed in order for her to be allowed to bring her sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, on tour with her … a deal that resulted in more money going into K-Fed’s pockets AS WELL AS an all expenses paid vacation that allows him to follow Britney while she is on tour. With all that moolah that is being paid to him in this deal, the least you think he could do was spend some of it on suitable clothing. Blah! I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of The Federline as Britney makes her way around the country on her new tour. Unfortunately, this scenario appears very similar to the last time she was on tour … Spederline met while she was on her Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004. Very fortunately, I don’t think these two will end up together like they did the last time. Thank the gods for small miracles.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Last December, we learned that an altercation of some sort took place during the taping of the reunion special for Rock of Love: Charm School that pitted host Sharon Osbourne against contestant Megan Hauserman. At the time, Megan alleged that Sharon grabbed her by the hair and pulled & scratched her … she even showed off her scalped weave as proof. In January, VH1 aired the reunion special and showed the altercation (tho, heavily edited) which also included Sharon dumping a drink all over Hauserman … before she proceeded to seemingly whip the poor unsuspecting girl’s ass. As a result of this incident, Megan Hauserman has just filed a civil lawsuit against Sharon Osbourne and is asking that a jury be allowed to determine her damages:

Sharon Osbourne has been sued by the woman she attacked on her VH1 reality show, “Rock of Love: Charm School.” Megan Hauserman claims Sharon went ballistic during a taping, punching and grabbing her by the hair and refusing to let go, and scratching her to boot. Osbourne opened the can of whoop ass after Megan told Sharon she was famous only because she managed a brain dead rock star. In a lawsuit filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Hauserman is suing Osbourne for battery, negligence and infliction of emotional distress.

After the jump, check out the legal paperwork that was filed by Megan in LA court yesterday and see the charges leveled against Sharon spelled out in full …

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Today’s the day, y’all!! Britney Spears makes her long-awaited, much anticipated return to the concert stage as her new concert tour The Circus starring Britney Spears officially kicks off its first performance in New Orleans, LA TONIGHT! Britney’s tour bus rolled into town over the weekend and the final preparations were taken care of yesterday ahead of a huge dress rehearsal which took place last night. Britney’s friends and family are excited for her new tour but I suspect not quite as excited as her legion of rabid fans (me, included). Here are a few photos of some of the tour prop promo items that have been unpacked in NoLa ready for our dear Britney’s return to the concert stage:

On Tuesday, Britney Spears will kick off her anticipated Circus tour in New Orleans surrounded by fans – and touched by the support of her family. “I am so excited for her, and I wish I could be there,” Spears’s aunt, Linda Ann Brandon-Kjos, tells PEOPLE. “All the family is there and supporting her. I’m sure that she is going to be just fine. I think it is going to be something really special.” After spending the weekend with family in Kentwood, Spears, 27, has arrived in New Orleans in advance of her show at the New Orleans Arena. The singer’s set-list, which was revealed Monday, shows that she’ll perform a mix of old and new hits. Spears, who is the new face of Candie’s, also released a short video preview of the concert on her Web site, with a longer version on the Candie’s site. Sources close to the pop star have said that she has been working hard preparing for the show, which will include a three-ring circus set-up and magic tricks. While expectations are high, some in Spears’s inner-circle have expressed some hesitation – even nerves – about her return to the stage. “[Her family] is worried that this might be too much pressure for her,” says a family friend. “Is it too soon? It wasn’t that long ago that she was falling apart and now the pressure is on and it’s a lot.” Adds the family friend: “It’s hard because she is such a pleaser and has always worked hard. When she was younger, she was a perfectionist and went over and over things in her routines to get them just exactly right. She says she is ready, but who is she doing this for?” One possibility: Her fans. And they are excited about the shows. “A lot of people got tickets really early,” Travis Bergeron, 24, a New Orleans resident, and Spears fan, tells PEOPLE. “I’ve got seats on the eighth row right above floor level. One of my friends knew I was obsessed and got me tickets as a Christmas gift. I’m a huge, huge, huge Britney fan.”

Personally, as a huge Britney fan myself, I don’t feel that she needs to prove anything to us or to anyone else. That being said, I am really thrilled that she feels confident and ready enough to hit the road again. While I am glad that she is hittin’ the concert trail again, I truly hope she is really taking on this huge endeavor for herself. Whatever the reason, I cannot wait to see the show for myself!!!

In other great Britney news, we learned yesterday that Candie’s has selected Britney Spears as their 2009 Candie’s celebrity spokesmodel. After the jump, check out a couple of new promo pics released by the company of Britney in her new role as Candie’s Girl …

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