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Posted on Wed, Feb 17, 2010 : 9:49 a.m.

UMS growing online; Family Guy under fire; Dale Hawkins dies; and more

By Bob Needham

The University Musical Society, the nonprofit, semi-autonomous arts-presenting group at the University of Michigan, is expanding its online presence.

In addition to its regular website, the group is starting to introduce a new site called the UMS Lobby, at www.umslobby.org. It's more interactive and social-media-focused than the regular UMS site, and it features things like a blog, backstage video and a Twitter widget for commenting on events (use the #umslobby hashtag to get your comments to appear on the page).

An introduction on the new site's home page explains, "By combining online and live components in everything UMS does, we’ll enable more people to engage more continuously and more deeply with each other, with the extraordinary history of UMS, with the artists we now present, and with the life of UMS in Ann Arbor and throughout the region."

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Bela Fleck, right, and Bassekou Kouyate

The new site gets a public unveiling tonight in an event after the Bela Fleck's Africa Project concert at Hill Auditorium. In the Hill lobby (naturally) UMS will have laptop stations set up to introduce the site. "Share your views with fellow concert-goers both online and in-person, chat with UMS staff and volunteers, and check out our special giveaways," the event announcement says.

We'll be writing about (and linking to) UMS Lobby more in the weeks and months ahead. Take a look; it's going to be really interesting.

Other entertainment news of note around the web this morning:

TELEVISION

• The Los Angeles Times' "Show Tracker" blog reports on a controversy arising from Sunday's episode of "Family Guy," which made an apparent oblique reference to Sarah Palin's son who has Down syndrome. EW.com's Popwatch thinks that Palin is off base, while BuddyTV points out that the show has done far worse in the past. And let's not forget that Palin defended Rush Limbaugh for using a slur for the mentally challenged (he was applying it to Democrats).

• Some details are coming out about Jay Leno's return to "The Tonight Show," including the fact that bandleader Kevin Eubanks won't be around for long, and the show will use the soundstage of the short-lived, prime-time "Jay Leno Show," EW.com reports.

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"The Vampire Diaries"

• TVGuide.com says that the CW network has given early renewals to five of its shows, including "The Vampire Diaries" and "Gossip Girl."

• EW.com's "Lost" writer is very enthusiastic about last night's episode.

• "American Idol" is getting down to the selection of its top 24 contenders, with 7 being settled on last night.

MTV will premiere a new original movie about a disco club called "Turn the Beat Around," ETonline reports.

Oprah Winfrey has no interest in a repentant John Mayer appearing on her show. And if I was her, neither would I.

MUSIC

Rockabilly great Dale Hawkins, of "Susie Q" fame, has died. He was 73.

• At the Brit Awards, MTV.com reports, Lady Gaga paid tribute to the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. An inquest has concluded that McQueen hanged himself.

• A report says that the legendary Abbey Road Studios is for sale.

MOVIES

• EW.com says that the nominees for Best Song won't perform at this year's Oscar ceremony.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese spoke to the Tribune Newspapers about their latest collaboration, "Shutter Island," which opens Friday.

AND FINALLY ...

Scottish terrier Sadie won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. She had been the favorite going in.

Renee Tellez contributed to this roundup. Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at bobneedham@annarbor.com or 734-623-2541, and follow him on Twitter @bobneedham.

Comments

sh1

Thu, Feb 18, 2010 : 7:49 a.m.

It's important to note that The Family Guy episode FOLLOWED Palin's exoneration of Rush Limbaugh's use of the word "retard" for the sake of satire.