Janet Jackson released from hospital

New York – Janet Jackson was released from a Montreal hospital just two hours after she arrived, a spokeswoman for the facility said Tuesday, but it was still not clear why she was admitted.

The 42-year-old singer became “suddenly ill” and was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday night shortly before her scheduled concert in Montreal, which was canceled, according to a statement released by W&W Public Relations.

Jackson was at Royal Victoria but was released two hours later, said Rebecca Burns, representative for McGill University Health Centre, which runs the hospital. Representatives for Jackson would not elaborate on her condition Tuesday, simply saying that she was ill and was “recuperating.”

Meanwhile, Jackson’s shows in Boston and Philadelphia today and Thursday were postponed and she was due to resume her tour in Greensboro, N.C. on Saturday.

Spider-Man still backs Colbert

Stephen Colbert’s presidential bid was never serious stuff in the real world, but in the pages of Marvel Comics, the Comedy Central parodist’s campaign is alive and well.

Next month, in issue No. 573 of “The Amazing Spider-Man,” candidate Colbert not only will meet the world-famous web slinger but also will swing from the rooftops of Manhattan with the hero, according to a page of preview art released by Marvel.

Colbert campaign signs and logos have been popping up in the background of Marvel Comics stories since the company’s editor in chief, Joe Quesada, appeared on “The Colbert Report” in January and announced a plan to weave Colbert’s White House bid into the superhero universe. That playful stunt will peak with the Oct. 15 issue that has the company’s flagship character crossing paths with a dejected Colbert, who is badly rattled by the state of his flagging campaign.

Springsteen, Joel team up for Obama

Washington – Rock stars Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel are teaming up for their first joint concert to benefit Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Obama plans to attend the concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Oct. 16, the day after Obama’s final debate with Republican John McCain at Hofstra University, located several miles outside the city in Hempstead, N.Y.

Seeing the two superstars together won’t come cheap. Tickets start at $500 and range up to $10,000.

The event was first reported by the Huffington Post Web site and confirmed by an Obama aide.

Springsteen also planned to perform Saturday at a Philadelphia rally to boost the Obama campaign’s voter registration drive. Polls show a close race between Obama and McCain in Pennsylvania, a state John Kerry won in 2004.

Joel to aid clammer’s kin with funeral costs

Bayville, N.Y. – Billy Joel, who has championed the cause of Long Island, New York, fishermen in songs like “The Downeaster Alexa,” is helping with the funeral expenses for a clam-digger whose body was found not far from the singer’s mansion.

The body of Edwin Flores was found floating off a Long Island Sound beach in Lattingtown on Monday, six days after he was reported missing. The Nassau County medical examiner has confirmed the man’s identity and says an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Joel, who has a house in nearby Centre Island, says he has made a donation to the North Oyster Bay Baymen’s Association to help Flores’ family with funeral and other expenses. He has declined to say how much he donated.

Winfrey’s mother countersues over bill

Waukesha, Wis. – Oprah Winfrey’s mother should not have to pay a high-end fashion store the more than $150,000 it says it is owed because the store extended credit despite knowing her troubles managing debt, according to a new court filing.

Valentina Inc. sued Winfrey’s mother, Vernita Lee of Milwaukee, in July, contending that she racked up a bill of $155,547.31 in purchases and interest as of July 1. She was required to make a minimum monthly payment of $2,000 to the store, the suit says.

Mediation between the two sides failed last week, prompting Lee to file a counterclaim contending she does not owe the money.

The account is “unconscionable, and therefore, unenforceable because Valentina knowingly and unfairly took advantage of Lee’s lack of knowledge, ability, and/or capacity when Valentina created the account,” the civil lawsuit says.

McCready to serve time for probation violation

Franklin, Tenn. – Country singer Mindy McCready surrendered to authorities Tuesday to begin serving a 60-day sentence for violating her probation on a 2004 drug charge.

McCready’s deal with Williamson County prosecutors was announced Monday by her attorney, Lee Ofman.

The 32-year-old singer was accused in June of falsifying her community service records and charged with violating her probation.

“I am working very hard to put all of this behind me as quickly as possible so I can get back to what I love to do most: sing, write songs and entertain,” McCready said in a statement.

McCready received a suspended three-year sentence in 2004 for fraudulently obtaining prescription painkillers.