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Tag: Janet Jackson

  • Janet Jackson Promises She’ll Reschedule Cancelled European Tour Concerts

    Janet Jackson cancelled several dates on her European Unbreakable Tour back in December when she learned she needed to undergo surgery, after a growth was discovered on her vocal cords.

    In recent days, Jackson has cancelled the dates that were rescheduled in December.

    Might this ignite fears that Janet Jackson has cancer? The cancer rumor ran rampant when word of her throat surgery hit the media in December.

    While no news as to why the rescheduled dates on her European tour are now cancelled, Janet Jackson did take to Twitter to promise fans they, too, will be rescheduled.

    Janet Jackson is scheduled to go on her U.S. concert tour beginning on June 24 in New Jersey.

  • Janet Jackson Lip-Syncs In Concert — Less Impressive Than A Drag Queen, Says Elton John

    Janet Jackson is receiving much attention again not only because of her successful comeback in 2015, but also because musician Sir Elton John is accusing her of not really singing in her live performances.

    In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the music legend did not hold back when he said he could not believe fans pay to watch her concerts when she only lip-syncs her songs.

    “You know, f–king music magazines writing a review of Janet Jackson saying, ‘This is the greatest show – four and a half stars,’” John told the magazine. “If it’s f—ing lip-synced! Hello! That’s not a show! I’d rather go and see a drag queen. F— off.”

    Jackson was not the first artist to be criticized by the music man. In 2004, he had called out Madonna for not singing live after the pop songstress was nominated for Best Live Act at the Q Awards.

    “Madonna, best live act? F—k off! Since when has lip-syncing been live?… I think everyone who lip-syncs onstage in public when you pay, like, 75 quid to see them should be shot. Thank you very much,” he said during that time.

    Elton John Disses Madonna’s Lip-Syncing

    John admitted, after twelve years, that he “probably went too far” with his friend. According to him, his dispute with Madonna had already been settled.

    “I say what I feel. I probably went too far with Madonna, and I got very personal and I wrote her – she was very gracious,” he told Rolling Stone, recalling his feud with the pop singer.

    Janet Jackson, who is currently busy with her Unbreakable World Tour, has yet to comment on John’s lip-syncing accusations. She recently announced her upcoming performance at the Dubai World Cup on March 26.

  • Janet Jackson Reportedly Undergoes Tests For Throat Cancer

    Janet Jackson, who recently postponed her Unbreakable Tour, has undergone surgery and is reportedly being tested for throat cancer.

    Radar Online reports that the reason the 49-year-old singer needed surgery and had to postpone her tour is because of a cancer scare.

    Jackson announced the cancellation of her tour on her Facebook page on Christmas Eve.

    “I need you to know, I learned today, from my doctors that I must have surgery soon,” Jackson said. “It breaks my heart to tell you that I am forced to postpone the Unbreakable Tour until the spring.”

    Hey you guys… Happy Holidays to each and every one of you. I need you to know, I learned today, from my doctors that I…

    Posted by Janet Jackson on Thursday, December 24, 2015

    Jackson was scheduled to start the 2016 leg of her tour in Denver on January 9 and continue until the end of June.

    According to the website, sources said doctors “found a growth on Janet’s vocal cords that could be serious” and needs to be taken care of right away.

    Stuart Fischer, a doctor who is not treating Jackson, told the website, “God forbid that this should be cancer of the larynx. That would abruptly end her ability to ever perform again.”

    While speculation continues, Jackson asked for prayers and reassured her fans.

    “Please pray for me, my family and our entire company during this difficult time,” Janet Jackson said in a statement. “I love you all so much and am ever grateful for your understanding and your love. Gon’ b alright.”

  • Joseph Gordon-Levitt Channels Janet Jackson in “Rhythm Nation” on “Lip Sync Battle”

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt channeled his inner Janet Jackson this past week, bringing her hit song “Rhythm Nation” back to life on a special holiday episode of Lip Sync Battle.

    Wearing a replica of the costume Jackson wore in her 1989 hit music video, Joseph Gordon-Levitt even donned a long ponytail to make the performance even more convincing.

    If you haven’t yet seen Joseph Gordon-Levitt channeling Janet Jackson, you must check it out. Once you see it, you’ll understand why it’s the talk of the internet in the days following the show.

    Joseph Gordon-Leavitt has long impressed fans with his lip syncing abilities. Do you remember when Lip Sync Battle was nothing but a fun competition on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon? He was exemplary then. Now that the competition has its own show, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt is the perfect person to compete.

    Prior to his Janet Jackson performance, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt did another lip sync performance to Usher’s hit song “Yeah!”

    Did you catch Joseph Gordon-Leavitt on Lip Sync Battle this past week? Do you agree he’s among the best around?

  • Janet Jackson Makes History With Seventh Number One Album, “Unbreakable”

    Janet Jackson has made history with her seventh album, “Unbreakable,” hitting the number one spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart. She is only the third act to have number one albums in each of the last four decades.

    Only Barbra Streisand and Madonna are ahead of Janet Jackson in this number one albums’ race.

    “Unbreakable” is Janet Jackson’s first album since “Discipline” was released in 2008. It is her eleventh studio album.

    Check out the following statistics Billboard shares about Janet Jackson’s latest album.

    The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

    The new Oct. 24-dated chart (where Jackson is No. 1) will be posted in full to Billboard’s Web sites on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

    Unbreakable — which was released on Oct. 2 — arrives atop the chart with 116,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Oct. 8, according to Nielsen Music. Of that sum, the set sold 109,000 in pure album sales.

    Unbreakable is Jackson’s first studio album since 2008’s Discipline, which also debuted at No. 1. Jackson previously led the list with All For You (2001), The Velvet Rope (1997), janet. (1993), Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) and Control (1986).

    Barbra Streisand and Janet Jackson arein rare company: along with Bruce Springsteen, the three performers are the only acts with No. 1 albums in the last four decades: ’10s, ’00s, ‘90s and ’80s.

    Unbreakable is also Jackson’s first independently distributed album, and it was released on her own Rhythm Nation label through BMG. The set also starts at No. 1 on the Independent Albums chart.

    Have you checked out Janet Jackson’s “Unbreakable?” or any of the singles from the album?

  • Janet Jackson: “Unbreakable” Expected To Top Billboard 200

    Janet Jackson may finally be queen of the charts again.

    On October 2nd Janet Jackson released her long-awaited new album, titled Unbreakable, through her own Rhythm Nation label.

    Janet Jackson already got a taste of the critical acclaim that would later come for her album when she released her single, “No Sleeep”, earlier this year.

    Should Janet Jackson‘s Unbreakable make it to the top as expected, that will make her seventh number one album on the Billboard Top 200 chart in her solo career.

    The chart will be published on Sunday, October 11th.

    It has been a while since Janet Jackson saw the number one position, but she is a pop icon that is no stranger to being on top of the music world. Her solo career saw her first number one album back in 1986 with Control.

    It continued with the incredibly popular Rhythm Nation 1814 in 1989, with janet. following in 1993. Then came The Velvet Rope in 1997 and All for You in 2001.

    In addition to her chart-topping success, Janet Jackson is getting ready to head out for the European leg of her Unbreakable tour.

    North American shows began back in August, and Janet Jackson will return to the U.S. and finish out the tour with the last date being in June 2016.

    In the mean time, Janet Jackson will take her show to Europe beginning on March 30th at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, England.

    The European leg of Janet Jackson’s tour will end on April 18th at the Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany.

    Do you have your tickets to see Janet Jackson? What do you think of her new album?

  • Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott Release New Collaboration

    Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott collaborated on a new single called “BURNITUP!” that was released on Thursday. The song will appear on Janet Jackson’s upcoming album, “Unbreakable,” due out on October 2nd.

    “Working with Janet is unbelievable. Although we are great friends and have been for so long, I am still her biggest fan,” Missy Elliott said in a statement.

    “Sometimes, I still have to pinch myself when I call her and she picks up the phone or texts me because she is still Janet Jackson! The superstar that I would run to the TV to watch her videos and dance moves, so for me I’m honored to be on any Janet record. I’m humbled whenever she asks because she inspires and continues to inspire me, always!” she added.

    “It is always great to work with friends and Missy is a dear friend. It was only natural for the two of us to record a song together. We had a great time and we hope you guys enjoy it,” Janet Jackson said.

    What are your thoughts on Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott’s new song? Will you be picking up Janet Jackson’s new album when it goes on sale next Friday?

  • Joe Jackson Laid Up in Brazil After Stroke, Heart Attacks Make Him Miss His Own Birthday PArty

    Joe Jackson Laid Up in Brazil After Stroke, Heart Attacks Make Him Miss His Own Birthday PArty

    Joe Jackson is still in Brazil, laid up in intensive care after he suffered a stroke and three heart attacks. Doctors are funny about allowing you to fly after you’ve had a pacemaker installed, so Joe could be convalescing in the land of Carnivale for a while.

    Joe Jackson’s publicist said Joe’s heart stopped beating for 10 seconds in the hospital. Obviously, he was revived. Nut that’s not something you just check yourself out and hop on a plane after.

    Joe Jackson, father of Michael, Rebbie, Janet, Jermaine — you know the rest — was in Sao Paulo to celebrate his birthday. He posted an announcement on his website once news broke that he had missed his on party on account of stroke and heart attacks.

    “To my family, friends, acquaintances and fans all over the world. I want to thank you all for your prayers, unwavering support and kind well wishes during these trying times. Through God’s intervention the wonderful Doctors, Nurses and caretakers at the Albert Einstein Sao Paulo hospital have taken great care of me,” he wrote. “God willing, I should be able to make a quick recovery and travel back home soon. Thank you all once again for your prayers and support.”

    Joe Jackson has suffered minor strokes in the past, but this one laid him a bit lower than the rest.

    Sao Paulo holds a special place in the Jackson family patriarch’s heart. He recounted a story about his first trip there.

    “Back in the 70s when I was touring with my sons in Brazil. We had just done a show in Rio and traveled to Sao Paulo for the next show. We run into a problem because our music equipment from Rio did not arrive in time. It had been sent out late from Rio, very late. So we waited, and the crowd waited. Finally the crowd’s patience run out. They became hostile and started throwing stuff at us. I remember all of us with the school teacher “Miss Rose Fine” in tow, running for cover onto a Bus. The crowd was upset. Wow, that was something. Our music equipment finally showed up around 8pm, and we still went out there and put on a show. My boys worked hard and won the crowd back over. But, boy was it tough. From there it was off to Bahia. A few years ago when I visited Brazil, i made it a point of mine to visit “Bahia”. Michael filmed one of my favorite music videos “They don’t care about us” in Bahia. Coming full circle from the 70s.”

  • Joe Jackson, Father of Michael and Janet, in Brazil Hospital After Stroke

    Joe Jackson may be more popular in Brazil than he is in the United States. While the patriarch of the Jackson family of musicians has had to battle a public perception of him as an abusive father and opportunistic promoter, he seems to love going to Sao Paulo, where he is welcomed with open arms.

    In fact, Joe Jackson headed to Sao Paulo to celebrate his 87th birthday. Maybe he has to go that far because his wife won’t celebrate birthdays.

    The news before the party was that “hundreds of revelers” were expected to turn up to honor Joe Jackson. Samba dancers, Brazilian decor and local fare was on the offering — hosted by the Nexxing marketing group. Local celebrities Ivete Sangalo and Claudia Leitte were on the guest list.

    At any rate, according to news out of Sao Paulo, Joe Jackson never made it to his 87th birthday bash. Instead, he ended up in the hospital, where he still has irregular heartbeat issues.

    Joe Jackson issued a statement on his website.

    “To my family, friends, acquaintances and fans all over the world. I want to thank you all for your prayers, unwavering support and kind well wishes during these trying times. Through God’s intervention the wonderful Doctors, Nurses and caretakers at the Albert Einstein Sao Paulo hospital have taken great care of me,” Jackson wrote. “God willing, I should be able to make a quick recovery and travel back home soon. Thank you all once again for your prayers and support.”

    Joe Jackson hopes to leave Brazil early this week, but will have to see if doctors say he is well enough to travel. Joe Jackson has suffered minor strokes in the past and is in intensive care.

  • Joe Jackson, 87-Year-Old Father of the Late Michael Jackson, Suffers Stroke in Brazil

    Joe Jackson, father of the late Michael Jackson and head of the musical family from which The Jackson Five and Janet Jackson hail, suffered a stroke while on vacation celebrating his 87th birthday in Brazil.

    Sunday was Joe Jackson’s 87th birthday, however local sources tell CBS News that he was already hospitalized by then, and unable to attend his own party.

    CBS also reports that they received an emailed statement early on Monday from the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo. It simply states that Joe Jackson is in fact a patient there, in the intensive care unit. It says he was admitted Sunday and is suffering from an irregular heartbeat.

    It’s uncertain which–if any–of Joe Jackson’s family members are with the patriarch in Brazil. Wife Katherine Jackson has custody of Michael Jackson’s children–Prince, Blanket, and Paris Jackson. A short time after Michael died, it was reported that although Katherine and Joe Jackson are still married, they hadn’t lived together in years.

    Surely more information will soon be released to media sources regarding Joe Jackson’s condition. Photos on his website posted prior to his stroke show him enjoying his getaway to Brazil.

  • ‘Good Times’ Actor Ben Powers Dead at 64

    ‘Good Times’ Actor Ben Powers Dead at 64

    Good Times actor Ben Powers died earlier in April at the age of 64. Alton “Ben” Powers passed away on April 6th in New Bedford, Massachusetts, according to his obituary.

    Ben Powers played the role of Keith Anderson, a pro football player, who married Thelma Evans (played by Bern Nadette Stanis) early in the sixth and final season of Good Times, from 1978 to 1979. Good Times was the story of Florida and James Evans and their family. The show was a spinoff of Maude, which was a spinoff of All in the Family. In addition to Ben Powers and Bern Nadette Stanis, it starred Jimmie Walker, John Amos, Esther Rolle, and Ralph Carter. Janet Jackson even starred in Good Times during the show’s 5th and 6th seasons.

    Even though Ben Powers was born in New York City, he was raised by his grandparents in Providence, Rhode Island. He did stand-up comedy in Providence and later landing a gig as part of the Laugh-In cast alongside Robin Williams.

    Powers also starred as Moochie on CBS’s Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer and made many guest appearances on hit shows like The New Odd Couple, Laverne & Shirley, and The Greatest American Hero.

    No cause of death was listed in Ben Powers’ obituary. The Good Times actor is survived by his mother and two sisters.

    Ben Powers’ Good Times cast members are no doubt mourning the actor’s passing.

  • Janet Jackson May Be Headed To Vegas With Diana Ross, Lionel Richie

    Janet Jackson has been keeping a low profile since she got married in 2012, but rumor has it that she’s set to ink a deal to star in her own Vegas residency this year.

    If the stories are true, Janet Jackson would join megastars Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, and Mariah Carey on the Vegas strip in 2015, as they’ve all reportedly signed on for several shows each. According to the Las Vegas Sun, Ross has already completed a deal that will see her begin a mini residency in April.

    “The Venetian Las Vegas has established itself as a premier luxury destination, which includes some of the finest entertainment offerings on the Strip. We are looking forward to adding to that reputation when Diana Ross steps onto the stage of the Venetian Theater on April 1,” said John Caparella, president of the Venetian.

    Janet Jackson and the other stars will reportedly be beginning their shows over the next two years, possibly to fill the void left when Britney Spears takes a break from her long-running and highly successful residency.

    Jackson and her husband, billionaire Wissam Al Mana, released a statement in 2013 asking for privacy after rumors began to fly that they’d enjoyed an insanely expensive and elaborate wedding.

    “The rumors regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true. Last year we were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony,” the couple said in a statement. “Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favourite children’s charities. We would appreciate that our privacy is respected and that we are allowed this time for celebration and joy.”

    Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake have been in the headlines this week as fans remember the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show in which Jackson’s unfortunate wardrobe malfunction occurred. This year’s Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 1, and will feature Katy Perry in a halftime performance.

  • Janet Jackson: Still Not Forgiven For ‘Wardrobe Malfunction’

    It’s been 10 years since the controversy around the performance erupted, but it seems that Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show might have put her on the National Football League’s (NFL) blacklist for a lifetime. TMZ Sports recently approached the NFL to discuss possible acts lined up to perform at the Super Bowl XLIX next year in Arizona and were reportedly told by them that Jackson was definitely not going to be invited in 2015.

    “As for potential acts—we have only ruled out Janet Jackson,” stated the NFL.

    Jackson became embroiled in media controversy when she performed at the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVIII. In an incident widely known as “Nipplegate,” the pop superstar shocked fans and viewers when as part of her act, she had co-performer Justin Timberlake rip off part of her clothing, which exposed her right breast. Meanwhile, Timberlake has not been blacklisted by the NFL despite being part of the performance.

    Relive ‘nipplegate’: Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform at 2014 Super Bowl

    The NFL did not discuss potential acts for Super Bowl XLIX with TMZ Sports, but rumors are circulating that those acts include Rihanna, Katy Perry and Coldplay. The rumors concern artists that are currently raking in millions from concert sales, unlike Jackson, who last toured was in 2011.

    However, the NFL is also rumored to have asked the artists they invited for Super Bowl XLIX to pay for the chance to play, although there is no information on how much the league asked for and no confirmation from the NFL itself.

    The Wall Street Journal reported that the acts who were asked to pay for a spot at next year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show gave the request a “chilly” reception. One reason cited for why the NFL is asking for money from artists says that the Super Bowl bumps up their popularity and sales, but musical performances also promote the event on social media and draw viewers who aren’t regular fans of football. An NFL spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that when they have something to announce, “we’ll announce it.”

  • Janet Jackson: Divorce Rumors Are Lies

    Janet Jackson: Divorce Rumors Are Lies

    Rumors that Janet Jackson and husband Wissam Al Mana are talking divorce have been swirling for a while and although the media continues to speculate on the situation, Janet and Wissam have made it clear that the rumors are simply lies.

    While neither Wissam or Janet have confirmed to the media that they are not divorcing, a source close to the couple has spoken up for them. The source said, “The rumors about their marriage are a lie. They are very happy and very much together. In fact, the couple has recently purchased an even larger home in New York.”

    The couple were married in 2012 but managed to keep it a secret for several months. Their wedding ceremony was small and private, but they did confirm the marriage in 2013.

    “Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favorite children’s charities. We would appreciate that our privacy is respected and that we are allowed this time for celebration and joy,” the couple said in their wedding announcement.

    Janet hasn’t always been lucky in love and her marriage to Wissam makes her third. Janet was not able to find happiness with her two previous marriages, and rumors suggested that she wasn’t able to do so with Wissam either. Wissam is a billionaire, and it was alleged that she had only married him for money in the first place. This is where the divorce rumors first began.

    One source claimed, “She confided to a few close friends and (her mother) Katherine that she’s preparing to leave him. And she’s begun calling friends at all hours crying and saying how miserable she is. . . Janet is getting set to challenge the prenup and demand a flat lump sum payout from his fortune.”

    But friends of the couple insist that these rumors are not true and say that they are happier than ever.

    Do you think Janet and Wissam will end up getting a divorce or do you believe that they are still in love?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Janet Jackson: Are the Divorce Rumors Really True?

    Internet rumors have been running wild that Janet Jackson and her billionaire husband, Wissam Al Mana, are getting a divorce. However, a source that is close to the couple told Entertainment Tonight that the gossip just isn’t true. “The rumors about their marriage are a lie. They are very happy and very much together. In fact, the couple has recently purchased an even larger home in New York.”

    The Grammy Award winning diva married Mana in 2012, however, the couple did not go public with their marriage until February of 2013. In fact, the couple was so adamant about keeping their nuptials private that they released the following statement with their wedding announcement, “Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favorite children’s charities. We would appreciate that our privacy is respected and that we are allowed this time for celebration and joy.”

    Rumors began circulating around the web last week that the near newlyweds were divorcing because Jackson was unhappy and wanted to leave Mana. She also reportedly had her eye on a chunk of his cash. An alleged source stated, “She confided to a few close friends and (her mother) Katherine that she’s preparing to leave him. And she’s begun calling friends at all hours crying and saying how miserable she is. . . Janet is getting set to challenge the prenup and demand a flat lump sum payout from his fortune.”

    This is the 47-year-old pop singer’s third marriage. Mana is a 37-year-old fashion mogul who helps to run his family’s empire alongside his two brothers. His company represents high end fashion brands such as Roberto Cavalli and Giorgio Armani. Most of the family’s retail business is located in the middle east.

    Image via Janet Jackson, Twitter

  • Janet Jackson Is Not Getting A Divorce, Contrary To Rumors

    Janet Jackson Is Not Getting A Divorce, Contrary To Rumors

    Janet Jackson has been the subject of a nasty rumor recently regarding her marriage, but a source close to the singer says it’s just not true.

    Jackson, who wed billionaire Wissam Al Mana in a secret ceremony in 2012, is not headed for divorce, according to the source. The couple reportedly just purchased a new home and have been laying low when it comes to the public eye.

    “The rumors about their marriage are a lie. They are very happy and very much together. In fact, the couple has recently purchased an even larger home in New York,” the source said.

    It’s the third marriage for the 47-year old pop star, and although rumors flew last year that she had accepted a proposal from Mana, the couple released a statement to set the record straight, saying they had wed in a private ceremony months earlier.

    “The rumors regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true. Last year we were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony,” the statement read. “Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favourite children’s charities. We would appreciate that our privacy is respected and that we are allowed this time for celebration and joy.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • FCC Wants Supreme Court To Hear Super Bowl Nip Slip Case

    FCC Wants Supreme Court To Hear Super Bowl Nip Slip Case

    We were all there. That moment in the 2004 Super Bowl when Janet Jackson gave live television a look at what many a man dreams about at night. It was a national scandal. How dare they allow such a thing to happen on live television? There were children watching! In the end, it was chalked up as a wardrobe malfunction and it quickly faded from the national consciousness.

    Well, it’s back again because the FCC is asking the Supreme Court to hear a case surrounding that very wardrobe malfunction and a fine the commission levied against CBS. For those who stopped caring after the scandal evaporated, the FCC slapped a $550,000 fine on CBS saying that the nip slip was offensive to all the families watching the game. CBS filed suit protesting the fine.

    Let’s look at this critically: the actual showing of the breast lasted for less than a second. The majority of viewers are probably not even paying attention to the half-time show and even then, who really cares. Just look at this year’s scandal of M.I.A. flipping the bird during the halftime show. While it caused an uproar for about a week, people stopped caring. The same goes for Janet Jackson’s “debacle.”

    That being said, the FCC really does feel that it has a case. The commission says that the lower courts ruled in favor of CBS because they agreed that the nip slip caused no real harm because it wasn’t long enough to deal any lasting damage.

    This will be a pretty important case if the SCOTUS decides to hear it. Pretty much ever since the inception of television, the FCC has been in charge of regulating its content. They tell broadcasters what they can and can not air. Live events are not exactly easy to regulate so these kind of things can and will happen. If the SCOTUS sides with CBS, then it will reduce the amount of authority the FCC has over television. If the SCOTUS sides with FCC, the commission will retain its power.

    I was going to add some Twitter reaction to this story, but it turns out nobody cares. I think the FCC can stand to not care either. Granted, this is more about retaining their power to police content on television than it is about a little nip slip.

    Do you think that the FCC should have the power it does over broadcast networks? Is CBS right to protest such a hefty fine? Let us know in the comments.

    [h/t: RBR.com]