Odds & Ends: Bobbi Kristina Brown, Shirley Manson, Grammys

As the only child of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown remains in an Atlanta, Ga., hospital, her father issued a statement saying that reports issued by various media outlets claiming that the family is about to pull the plug on the 21-year-old are far from the truth.

Bobbi Kristina Brown was taken to a hospital after she was discovered lying face down in a bathtub Jan. 31.  Since then, she has been the subject of news reports by media outlets citing family members and others as sources of inside information.

The New York Post’s famed “Page Six” gossip purveyor reported earlier today that Brown’s relatives had decided to remove her from life support Wednesday, which is the third anniversary of Whitney Houston’s death.

“The Browns gave their blessing to pull the plug at the stroke of midnight to align the date with the 2012 passing of the legendary singer at the Beverly Hilton Hotel,” The Post reported, citing “sources” for its information.

Gossip vendor TMZ also reported that Brown would be removed from life support Feb. 11, citing “Brown family sources.”

According to TMZ, a source “connected with Houston’s family” said Sunday that Whitney Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, wanted Brown taken off of life support tomorrow to “bond mother and daughter for eternity.”  However, TMZ added that it had not confirmed that piece of information.

Meanwhile, Bobby Brown issued a statement claiming that reports about taking his daughter off of life support are far from the truth.  Brown’s lawyer relayed the message to at least one news outlet, and seemed to suggest legal action might be taken against the media companies involved.

“We support the candlelight vigil for Bobby Kristina.  The Brown family is amazed by the love and support from all that attended,” Bobby Brown’s attorney Christopher Brown told E! News.

“However, the false reports that continue to appear in print and on the internet are egregious, false and will be dealt with at an appropriate time.  In particular, the false reporting of TMZ, The National Enquirer, The Atlanta Journal Constitution and the U.K.’s Daily Mail citing police sources, family sources and Bobby Brown himself, will receive my attention.  The desire to be first has clouded the judgment of many reporters as they forgo accuracy.”

Held at the Amphitheater at Riverdale Town Center Monday night, “Shining A Light For Healing For Bobbi Kristina Brown” attracted hundreds of people who prayed for the young lady.  Among those attending was Riverdale Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon.

Event organizer Corey Punzi noted that the venue opened in 2010 and that its very first performer was Bobby Brown.

Another Grammys Awards spectacular has come and gone, yet Kanye West’s behavior is still making news. 

West’s latest escapade began when he started to walk onto the stage while Beck was accepting the album of the year Grammy for Morning Phase, leaving audience members and TV viewers wondering if they were to witness a repeat of West’s 2009 antics at the VMAs when he told best female video winner Taylor Swift that Beyoncé deserved the award.

Although West wasn’t happy with Beck snagging a best album Grammy, he saved his ire for after the awards when he talked to an E! News reporter.

“I just know that the Grammys, if they want real artists to keep coming back they need to stop playing with us,” West told E! News. “We ain’t going to play with them no more. Flawless, Beyoncé video. And Beck needs to respect artistry and he should have given his award to Beyoncé. And at this point we’re tired of it. Because what happens is if you keep on diminishing art and not respecting the craft and smacking people in the face after they deliver monumental feats of music you’re disrespectful to inspiration. And we as musicians have to inspire people who go to work every day and they listen to that Beyoncé album and they feel like it takes them to another place.”

 Now Garbage singer Shirley Manson has thrown her two cents into the discussion via an open letter to West that she posted on Facebook.

Dear Kanye West

It is YOU who is so busy disrespecting artistry.

You disrespect your own remarkable talents and more importantly you disrespect the talent, hard work and tenacity of all artists when you go so rudely and savagely after such an accomplished and humble artist like BECK.

You make yourself look small and petty and spoilt.

In attempting to reduce the importance of one great talent over another, you make a mockery of all musicians and music from every genre, including your own.

Grow up and stop throwing your toys around.

You are making yourself look like a complete twat.

Ps. I am pretty certain Beyoncé doesn’t need you fighting any battles on her account. Seems like she’s got everything covered perfectly well on her own.

Speaking of the Grammys – it appears the annual celebration of musical achievements isn’t drawing TV viewers like it did in past years.

Saying the broadcast on CBS drew the smallest audience since 2009, the Nielsen company reported that the total amount of viewers dropped to 24.8 million.  That’s approximately 4 million less viewers than the telecast drew during the last two years.  Grammy viewership rose to 39.9 million in 2012 when it aired one day after Whitney Houston died.

Lawyers and zombies might have helped dent Grammys’ ratings.  The return of “The Walking Dead” attracted 15.6 million viewers and the debut of AMC’s “Better Call Saul,” the TV prequel about “Breaking Bad” lawyer Saul Goodman, scored 6.9 million viewers.