Rihanna, Chris Brown: Reunion on ‘Birthday Cake’ in question

REUNION?: Um, Rihanna must not be following the U.Va. lacrosse murder trial, per MissInfo.tv, “(She) has recorded a remix to her song “Birthday Cake” featuring Chris Brown, her Grammy-winning ex-boyfriend who was also convicted of assaulting her 3 years ago this month. Recently, the song’s co-producers, Da Internz, hinted to MTV News, that “the feature on [the remix] is gonna shock the world.” They didn’t exaggerate. Ttwo independent sources (say) Rihanna has Chris Brown featured on the song. He recorded both a singing verse, and a rap verse.” http://bit.ly/zgOOTo

BUT WAIT: There’s subterfuge afoot, per PerezHilton, “Thankfully, Da Internz didn’t let things get too out of hand before he took to his Twitter again to confirm that Chris will NOT be featured in the song.” http://bit.ly/zVE9EE

HE’S BACK: And Charlie Sheen’s not pretending, as he calls TMZ Live and blasts ‘Two and a Half Men,’ per the Los Angeles Times, “”I’m tired of lying,” Sheen said. “I’m tired of pretending the show doesn’t suck. I’m tired of pretending Ashton [Kutcher] doesn’t suck. I’m tired of pretending that they’re not completely adrift. Because when you take away the anchor of your show, which they stupidly did, you go adrift. And these guys are approaching salvage vessel.” http://lat.ms/Aiqj7c

THE JANET FACTOR: Never underestimate the power of a Jackson, per the Hollywood Reporter, “Any talks are currently in the preliminary stages, as (X Factor) creator Simon Cowell holds meetings this week with potential candidates to fill the shoes of ousted judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones. Another source tells THR that pop bad girl Pink is high on Cowell’s wish list.” http://bit.ly/xa1jbq

CRAZY TRAIN: It’s temporarily derailed, per Rolling Stone, “In a major blow to Black Sabbath’s reunion plans, the band has announced it will now play just one European show, at the U.K.’s Download Festival in June. Due to guitarist Tony Iommi’s ongoing treatment for lymphoma, the remaining European shows will be billed as “Ozzy & Friends.” http://bit.ly/z5bZB0

GLAD THAT’S CLEARED UP: Uh, yeah, per TMZ, “Whitney Houston made three visits to the doctor in the week prior to her death, but the trips had NO illicit purpose — she had a sore throat and got her teeth whitened. Both family and law enforcement sources tell TMZ … Whitney was recording the title track to “Sparkle” and got a sore throat … so she went to a doctor to get it checked out. We’re told the doctor gave Whitney an Rx for Amoxicillin.” http://bit.ly/z6cqFN

MEANWHILE: Aretha Franklin weighs in on national TV this morning, saying she truly thought Houston had harnessed her demons, per the AP, “I was sitting on the side of the bed,” she said in an interview on NBC’s “Today” show Friday. “I just jumped up off the side of the bed: `What?! This could not be!’ ” http://apne.ws/xU9uAL

GROUNDED?: Not yet, but dwindling ratings tell the tale, per the Los Angeles Times, “Pan Am” hasn’t officially been grounded by ABC, but the skies don’t seem so bright for the 1960s drama. . . Its season finale, which could also be its series finale, airs Sunday to make room for midseason replacement “GCB.” Official word on “Pan Am’s” future on the network is expected to come in May.” http://lat.ms/wm4nop

FIGHTING BACK: Apparently bogus report doesn’t prompt a mere roll of the eyes, per E!, “Adele has enlisted a team of power lawyers to launch legal action against a French tabloid that published photos allegedly from a leaked sex tape featuring the British Grammy magnet with the ex-boyfriend who inspired her greatest hits.” http://eonli.ne/wTAuh7

TAKING A BREAK: Mariah’s man makes the call, per People, “Health issues have caused Nick Cannon to step down from his New York City radio show Rollin’ with Nick Cannon on 92.3 NOW, he has announced.” http://bit.ly/yswevA

AND FINALLY: Today’s mystery music video. http://bit.ly/xqJIa