MTV News Round-Up 14/05/2004

*** Usher is set to star in a new movie with the horrendous title of 'Step In The Name Of Love'. The multi-talented star is also on board to be executive producer for the film, billed as an urban 'Saturday Night Fever'. Usher also has a role in the upcoming flick 'Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story'.

*** Prosecutors in the Michael Jackson trial have urged the court to uphold a gagging order preventing any jurors from talking about the case. They submitted a letter to the court in response to a request from media organisations to lift the gag order. Prosecutors claimed that a gag was the only way to maintain a pool of unbiased potential jurors.

*** Courtney Love has appeared in court to plead not guilty to charges that she threw a microphone stand into a crowd in March, injuring Gregory Burgett. Talking to reporters outside, Love claimed the alleged victim was motivated by money. "I don't think I hurt anybody," she said. "If I did, I'm sorry." Love faces two misdemeanour counts of assault and reckless endangerment and up to a year in jail if convicted.

*** Speaking of multi-talented musicians, Alicia Keys is to make her big screen debut playing a piano prodigy in a film based on the life of Philippa Schuyler, a mixed-race pianist born in 1939 who was composing when she was four years old and performed at Carnegie Hall at 13, but encountered racism as she grew older and was largely shunned by white America.

*** Morrissey has slagged off David Bowie during his first TV interview in 15 years, labeling him a "showie businessman". Morrissey also recently laid into Bowie in an interview with GQ Magazine. "He is no longer David Bowie at all," said Morrissey. "Now he gives people what he thinks will make them happy, and they're yawning their heads off. And by doing that, he is not relevant. He was only relevant by accident."

*** Gabrielle has announced a UK tour to coincide with her new album. The dates are as follows: Portsmouth Guildhall - November 11, Cardiff Arena (13), Nottingham Royal Centre (15), Newcastle City Hall (19), Manchester Apollo (23), Oxford New Theatre (26), Doncaster Dome (29), Ipswich Regent - December 1, Plymouth, Pavilions (4), London Hammersmith Apollo (6), Cambridge Corn Exchange (13) and Brighton Centre (14).

*** Lemon Jelly, Coldcut and Asian Dub Foundation have been announced as performers at The Big Chill, taking place on July 30-August 1 in Herefordshire. The festival, in its tenth year, also includes the Body And Soul Arena, the Media-Mix Tent and a children's area. The Big Chill takes place at Eastnor Deer Park in the Malvern Hills, with tickets on sale for 105.

DL