Madonna new target of rant

London — It seems Elton John isn’t a Madonna fan.

Taking the stage at a music awards show Monday, John accused the queen of pop of lip-synching and said he was astonished that she had been nominated for best live act at the Q awards, sponsored by a British music magazine.

“Since when has lip-synching been live?” he said. “Anyone who lip-synchs in public onstage when you pay 75 pounds ($134) to see them should be shot.”

“That’s me off her … Christmas card list,” he added. “But do I give a toss? No.”

Madonna’s spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, rejected John’s allegations. “Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists,” Rosenberg said in a statement.

Madonna didn’t win the best live act award. It went to British band Muse.

An update on ‘Update’

New York — “Saturday Night Live” unveiled the newest face on “Weekend Update” on its season premiere Saturday. Cast member Amy Poehler joined Tina Fey for the first all-female “Update” team in the show’s history.

Poehler replaces Jimmy Fallon on the segment. Fallon left in May after six years on the NBC live sketch-comedy show.

Poehler became a regular cast member in January 2001. Fey has been head writer for five years, and also starred with Poehler in the Lindsay Lohan comedy “Mean Girls.”

Sharpton celebrates the big 5-0

New York — The Rev. Al Sharpton celebrated his 50th birthday with speeches, musical acts and a rendition of Happy Birthday with James Brown and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs onstage at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.

Brown performed at the Sunday afternoon program, which also featured gospel singers and rappers Doug E. Fresh and Foxy Brown, who paid tribute to the preacher, former Democratic presidential candidate and political fixture.

James Brown performed a soul version of the Lord’s Prayer. After Combs took the stage and hugged Sharpton, James Brown was called back, two cakes were brought out and the crowd sang for Sharpton, who led a chorus of “amens” before blowing out his candles.