Blue by First Aid Kit, It’s So Hard by Big Pun, Hol’ Up by Kendrick Lamar TIED for top song of the week honors in our last edition of “In the Mixtape”. This week’s release features tracks from the late great Whitney Houston, Alanis Morissette, Foo Fighters, Grouplove, and Broken Social Scene. Music Man Al Jones takes a look at the Bonnaroo lineup, DMB’s upcoming tour, Green Day’s upcoming album, and the ridiculousness that is Chris Brown. Click to read more and to vote for your favorite song!

Last week, Fiona Apple edged out Ellie Goulding to take Top Song of the Week honors. This week, we feature tracks from First Aid Kit, Sharon Van Etten, Kendrick Lamar, Big Pun, and Electric Guest along with a look back at the passing of Whitney Houston, Simon Cowell’s cuts, and a peek ahead at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. Click to get in the mixtape.

Simon Cowell‘s broader, more inclusive version of American Idol, “The X Factor” is scheduled to premiere in September on FOX. Yesterday, several media outlets reported that British X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole would be hosting the show, however, it’s been confirmed that she will act as judge alongside former AI panel member Paula Abdul and producer LA Reid. While Cheryl’s name might not ring a bell, we can assure you she’s a woman who will wow American audiences. Check out her best “O” faces from the British X-Factor after the jump!

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See more awesome links after the jump!

This week’s viewing schedule is jam-packed with action, adventure, and bad vocals. There are some new shows premiering this week as well as some old favorites returning. So warm up your channel-changing thumb and get ready for some action!

Former MTV Real World star Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin recently surprised fans by cashing in his Money In The Bank contract and snagging the WWE Championship from Randy Orton in the process. The Miz’s journey has been a long one and, to be honest, almost no one took him seriously when he’d parade the Real World house with his fake championship belt. He’s like the Kurt Warner of the WWE. Actually, he’s one of a kind. No other reality TV star has achieved such a feat. It made us wonder, are there ANY other reality TV stars that could make it in the squared circle? Here are our nominees.

Growing up is hard. Especially when you’re famous at a very early age. Many child actors are unable to lead a normal childhood and turn to the fast lane, Hollywood lifestyle of drugs and booze. Some, like Drew Barrymore, are able to pull out of the tailspin, some fade into oblivion (to the dismay of their fans), and others look like they’ve never aged! Hell, you might be watching a child star on your TV or in the theater later and not even know it! So, buckle up, hop in our DeLorean, ‘cuz we’re doin’ a little time travel with these “Then and Now” pics of famous faces.

• Darth Vader’s history of crime

• Sexting is now a college class

• Someone’s not playing for team USA

• Detroit Tigers have hygiene problems

• 5 D-bags to replace Simon Cowell

• How to text girls

• The real reason Steve Carell is leaving the office

The big news across Twitter, the Interwebs and every other celebrity gossip site this past week is that Paula Abdul is leaving her role as judge on American Idol, presumably to focus on her other hobbies like ingesting enough prescription medicine to hallucinate that cartoon cats are dancing beside her. With her exit, it’s time to take a look at some possible… Click to read more

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- Iceland’s Jeep That Rides On Water