Spin Cycle presents another installment of "All The News That's Fit to Razz" ...
• Singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his 1992 single "Achy Breaky Heart," recently told Rolling Stone Country he is changing his name: "After August 25th, I will be the artist formerly known as Billy Ray. I'm just going by my last name, Cyrus. I always went by Cyrus, and I begged Mercury Records to call me Cyrus in the beginning because that's what I was comfortable with. I'm going to the hospital where I was born in Bellefonte, Kentucky, and legally changing my name."
Like it matters. We've already been calling him by a different name for years now: "Miley's Dad."
• Coming to a TV near you in March 2018: American Idol. The singing competition will be back on network TV, only on a different network. It's moving from Fox to ABC. Reportedly Ryan Seacrest (who already has about 84 other jobs) is in talks to host the Los Angeles-based show, even though he'll be hosting Live With Kelly in New York from Monday through Friday and will have to travel from coast to coast multiple times a week.
Instead of "Seacrest OUT!" it's going to be "Seacrest IN ... SOMNIAC!"
• According to The Associated Press, Paris' younger brother Conrad Hilton was arrested for violating his ex-girlfriend's restraining order -- again -- and allegedly stealing a car from her father. (And to make it weirder, the father happens to be Paris' ex from her sex tape back in 2004). Conrad, who at age 23 has been on probation for various offenses, could go to jail for stealing a Bentley (this when his family owns fleets of them). And sister Paris briefly went to jail for violating her probation (stemming from a reckless driving charge) when she drove on a suspended license.
When it comes to transportation, perhaps the Hilton heirs should stick with hotel shuttles.
• Rapper Kanye West, who has been keeping a low profile since his a November hospitalization and world tour cancellation, this week deleted his Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Fans have expressed concern, but his Caps Lock button breathes a major sigh of relief.
• While West is off Twitter, rapper Nicki Minaj has been in overdrive on the social media site. But not for her usual feuding. Responding to a fan who asked for help with college tuition, Minaj offered to pay for fans' schooling with proof of transcripts and bill statements. According to TMZ, several fans confirmed they had received funds from her. She concluded her giving spree by saying: "Ok u guys. It's been fun. Let me make those payments tmrw then see if I have any money left. I'll do some more in a month or 2."
It's a generous gesture from a performer who usually gets a bad rap.
• Luxury accessories company Kate Spade was bought last week by a competitor for $2.4 billion
So much for calling a Spade a Spade; it's now a Coach.
• According to Radar Online, 95 year-old Golden Girl Betty White recently broke up with her boyfriend. A source was quoted as saying, "Betty was really into this guy, but after the initial lust period cooled off, she just wasn't satisfied. ... He was a great guy and madly in love with her ... but she'll never remarry, and he was definitely angling toward it. She knows her days are numbered, and she just wants to have fun."
We hope she broke it to him gently and told him, "(Ba-da-da-da) Thank you for being a friennnnnnd!"
You're a pal and a confidant, if you email:
jchristman@arkansasonline.com
Spin Cycle is a smirk at pop culture. You can hear Jennifer on Little Rock's KURB-FM, B98.5 (B98.com), from 5:30 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Style on 05/14/2017