Idolator

Like the Timex Social Club, I spend a lot of time lamenting the rumors that surround me every day. How do they get started? And where do they get crazy? In Truthmongerer, I'll try to suss out the kernels of truth in the rumors that are taking up airspace in gossip columns, blogs, and our tips inbox.

THE RUMOR: News Corp is signing 50 Cent and the rest of his G-Unit posse to a $300 million deal that includes "a large stake in every aspect of 50's businesses," 50 signing to MySpace Records, a G-Unit book deal with HarperCollins, and Curtis becoming one of the media company's largest shareholders.

TRUTH THRESHOLD: 20%.

Like the Timex Social Club, I spend a lot of time lamenting the rumors that surround me every day. How do they get started? And where do they get crazy? In Truthmongerer, I'll try to suss out the kernels of truth in the rumors that are taking up airspace in gossip columns, blogs, and our tips inbox.

THE RUMOR: Nate Dogg passed away over the weekend, according to a MySpace post that was picked up by MediaTakeOut earlier today.

TRUTH THRESHOLD: 0%. Yes, that's right—it's a rumor that's been, shall we say, wholly exaggerated.

Like the Timex Social Club, I spend a lot of time lamenting the rumors that surround me every day. How do they get started? And where do they get crazy? In Truthmongerer, I'll try to suss out the kernels of truth in the rumors that are taking up airspace in gossip columns, blogs, and our tips inbox.

THE RUMOR: Motley Crue's "big announcement" today will break the news that the Sunset Strip lifers have signed with touring megaglomerate Live Nation, and that its first tour under the deal will be the traveling hard-rock circus Cruefest, also featuring Buckcherry, Papa Roach, and Sixx A.M.

TRUTH THRESHOLD: 80%.