First Paula, now Simon. At the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., American Idol judge Simon Cowell announced that he is leaving the show to focus on a new talent search, The X Factor. “The X Factor will launch in 2011,” said Cowell. “Because of that, this will be my last season on American Idol.”

Former New Jersey Nets star Jayson Williams has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his limo driver with a shotgun and has agreed – as part of his plea deal – to serve 18 months to five years in jail. Click here for the details.

This weekend, Alicia Keys made her musical guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, the first episode of 2010, with Charles Barkley co-hosting and introducing her performances. Watch her drunk dialing sketch here, which seems inspired by her video, “You Don’t Know My Name.”

More than a thousand African workers were put aboard buses and trains in southern Italy over the weekend and shipped out to immigrant detention centers, following some of the country’s worst riots in years. The clashes began Thursday night in Rosarno, a working-class city amid citrus groves in Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot, after a legal immigrant from Togo was lightly wounded in a pellet-gun attack in a nearby city.

Fantastia Barrino’s new VH1 reality show ‘Fantasia For Real’ debuts tonight, but you can watch the full episode right here! On episode one, the 25-year-old singer takes us inside her recording studio where she is seen working on her new album. She also gives us a sneak peak listen of a brand new song which is titled ‘Move on Me’.

As we previously reported, Sade has completed its long-awaited sixth studio album. "Soldier of Love," the band's first collection of new material since 2000's "Lover's Rock." The new album will be released Feb. 8, 2010 worldwide on Epic. Check out the video for the album's lead single, "Soldier of Love."

NBC has confirmed what the television world already knew — that the network would end Jay Leno’s prime-time show in one month and return him to 11:35 p.m., bumping “The Tonight Show” and its host, Conan O’Brien, to 12:05 a.m. Leno’s last show at 10 p.m. will be Feb. 11

At noon Dorothea will be answering questions regarding your love life, finances, employment, and much more.<!--more-->

The winter weather is leading some schools to remain closed. Click here for a list.