When tickets for Michael Jackson’s This Is It went on sale on Sept. 27, hundreds of shows around the globe sold out in less than 24 hours, without anyone knowing quite what it even was — a concert movie? A documentary? “It’s somewhere in between,” says Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascal of the film, which consists of behind-the-scenes footage of Jackson rehearsing for his planned comeback concerts at London’s O2 arena. “It’s a movie about rehearsing for a concert that never happened. It’s heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. It gives you chills.”

Now, with the October 28th worldwide release of the movie fast approaching, the late pop star’s collaborators open up about working with Jackson during his precarious last days. At age 50 Jackson hadn’t toured in more than a decade, but while his team worried at times about his health, his imagination was as active as ever.

In fact, as the production got under way, it quickly became clear that Jackson’s creative ambitions for the concerts were beyond anything he’d ever attempted. With the budget already past $24 million, Jackson told his team he wanted to recreate one of the world’s largest waterfalls — Victoria Falls in southern Africa — on the stage. “I was ready to jump off the balcony of my office,” says Randy Phillips, president of the concert promotion firm AEG Live. “We went and met with Michael, and [director] Kenny [Ortega] said, ‘Michael, you’ve got to stop. We’ve got an incredible show, we don’t need any more vignettes.’ Michael said, ‘But Kenny, God channels this through me at night. I can’t sleep because I’m so supercharged.’ Kenny said, ‘But Michael, we have to finish. Can’t God take a vacation?’ Without missing a beat, Michael said, ‘You don’t understand — if I’m not there to receive these ideas, God might give them to Prince.’ ”

For more on the upcoming Michael Jackson movie, including exclusive photos, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly on stands Friday, October 16th

Daughtry 'Life After You' Video Premiere

The new Daughtry video for the band's single, 'Life After You,' a "bittersweet" song about life on the road and the tough personal balance that comes along with it. "We try to keep it as connected as possible -- it is all about trying to make both worlds work together. We manage to do that, but it doesn't make it any easier," said frontman Chris Daughtry

'Lottery winner' causes riot at Ohio coat store

Police say an Ohio woman being driven around in a limousine announced at a coat store she'd won the lottery and would pay for everyone's purchases but ended up causing a riot when customers realized it was a hoax. Columbus police Lt. Michael Deakins says the woman announced Tuesday she'd spend $500 on everyone at a Burlington Coat Factory, prompting customers to gather at registers and call relatives.

When police arrived, 500 people filled the store and another 1,000 were outside.

Cashiers rang up sales before discovering the woman had no money. Angry customers grabbed clothes without paying.
The limo driver turned the woman in.

Embedded video from CNN Video

Police say she was arrested on three outstanding warrants but wasn't charged for the coat store chaos pending a mental health evaluation.

A spokeswoman for the Burlington, N.J.-based coat store had no comment. They may not have a comment but I sure do have one. I think this is frickin' hilarious!!! And the people deserve exactly what they get. It seems that these days everyone is looking for a free lunch. And the store should NOT have begun ringing anyone up until AFTER they confirmed that the lady actually had the means to make good on her claim and had that been done THEN and only then announce it over the in store speakers to customers.

So, for Burlington making a fool of itself I give you a big HOOORAAAH! To the lady posing as a lottery winner I give you a HAAA HAAA HAAA LOVE IT! For the people who were jumping at the chance to get some free stuff and being so tacky as to call others I say - HA HA HA on you you cheap ass bastards! LOL

Chrysler retiree saves two men in fiery pickup crash with his power washer

Retired Chrysler worker Stipe Botica is a hero today after putting out an engine fire after a single-vehicle accident, likely saving the life of the passenger. The accident occurred at 4 am when two men in a Ford Ranger crashed into a vacant house next door to Botica's residence at Forest Glade in Windsor, Ontario.

When Botica went outside, he found the two men crying for help, so he helped pull the driver out of the vehicle. He then discovered that the passenger was wedged against the dashboard and unable to move while a fire was brewing in the Ranger's engine compartment. Botica ran into his backyard and grabbed a power washer that he'd been using to clean his pool and returned to the wreck, where he doused the engine bay and the passenger. Botica claims it took about five minutes to extinguish the fire, and it later took about an hour to remove the passenger from the wrecked Ranger. Botica told the Windsor Star that the area around the vehicle smelled of alcohol and there were no obvious signs of braking in the area around the incident.

We weren't at the scene of the accident, but we're thinking that two young men were mighty lucky Botica was home, alert and had a power washer handy when they crashed in the middle of the night. Who knows, perhaps Chrysler could fly Botica and his power washer to Auburn Hills to put out some fires at his former employer!

Jake Pavelka Named Next 'Bachelor': Is He the Right Choice?

Calling all single ladies: Jake Pavelka is ABC's next 'Bachelor.'

The commercial pilot from Dallas, Texas, will headline the show's 14th season (premiering in 2010) after appearing on the 'The Bachelorette' season 5.

Season 14 -- titled 'The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love' (Yes. REALLY.) -- begins taping in a few days.

In case you forgot: Pavelka was eliminated during episode 6. He later returned to inform Jillian that Wes had a girlfriend, an accusation Wes confirmed.

Did ABC make the right call in selecting Jake? We say: heck, no -- and here are three reasons to prove it:

Tina Fey 'Couldn't Give' Virginity Away

Tina Fey was on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' to talk about her Emmy-winning show '30 Rock' coming back, and somehow, talk quickly diverted to an article on when Fey lost her virginity. During the conversation, Fey admitted that it wasn't so much a moral choice as it was "being homely." Watch the awkwardly funny video below!

Kanye, Beware: Taylor Swift to Host Saturday Night Live

Kanye West apparently is not on the invitation list, leaving the stage wide open for Taylor Swift, who will host Saturday Night Live on Nov. 7, NBC has announced.

Swift, who performed on the 35-year-old satirical program in January, will be hosting for the first time, an opportunity she calls "mind-blowing," according to a statement. She adds, "I love being around people who I feel have a different kind of creative genius. And the funny genius is definitely a fascinating one to be around."

Of course, it wasn't so funny on Sept. 13 when West interrupted Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards while she was accepting for best female video. Days later, he officially apologized.

While it made for bad manners, it also made for good TV. The incident will also likely serve for inspiration for some laughs at West's expense come the SNL gig.

"I've been thinking about skit ideas for a long time," Swift, 19, tells the Associated Press. "There are definitely some hilarious things that have happened to me over the past couple of months that I think will be pretty substantial skits."

Besides SNL, Swift will also perform on Dancing with the Stars, in an appearance scheduled for Oct. 27.

'Supernatural' first look: Sam and Dean check into Seattle Grace!

They don’t literally check into Seattle Grace. ABC would never allow that. Instead, the Nov. 5 episode — appropriately titled “Changing Channels” — finds the brothers Winchester trapped in some very familiar TV settings. In addition to their Grey’s Anatomy cameo (pictured), Sam and Dean cross over into a CSI-type series as well as a traditional sitcom. Word on the street is that the cheeky Grey’s bit features several nods to the actual ABC drama, including one that Supe fans will find particularly amusing. Guesses?

Leona Lewis 'punched' at book signing

Transatlantic chart-topping singer Leona Lewis was assaulted at a book signing in London, reports the BBC.

Lewis had been signing copies of her new autobiography when the incident happened. A witness told the BBC the alleged attacker “walked up there with the book, she signed it, and as she looked up he just punched her.”

The “Bleeding Love” singer ran out of the room covering her eye while security dragged the man out of the bookstore, who, according to another eyewitness, “Was just laughing—he thought it was funny.”

Lewis did not require hospital treatment, but her spokesman said the X-Factor winner was “understandably badly shaken.”

What do you make of this weird incident?

Meredith: 'I'm an Old Horny Woman'

First she's "naked" on the nightly news, and now this.

On an episode of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?,' one of the guests got Meredith Vieira all hot and bothered.

The 'Today Show' host, pulling double duty on 'Millionaire,' called up Navy pilot Max Sherman to the show, and really liked what she saw. "Ok Max, you are one handsome guy," she exclaimed. "I don't normally like to fly but I am changing my mind."

Watch What Happens Next:



"Listen we don't have much time, so we want to play OK?" she said. "I'm ready to play anytime with you, Max."

"Look, you don't get 'em like this that often," she explained before starting the game. "I have even more respect for the military," Meredith added.

She continued to shamelessly flirt with the contestant during the segment. "I know, it's pathetic. I'm an old horny woman, all right? Give me a break."

The next question provided for additional laughs. "The childhood prank known as a 'wet willie' involves putting a wet finger in someone's what?" Meredith read, prompting her to say, "Anywhere you want to put it, Max!"

Max, of course, knew the answer. "Fortunately, I never quite grew up, would it suffice if I just gave you one?" He then proceeded to give her a 'wet willie.'