Morning Shots iPad Apps, Charlie Sheen, And Fighting About 'Rednecks'

First, two iPad tidbits from yesterday. Netflix is bringing instant streaming to the IPAD 4 CASE, via a new app. There were early questions about whether it was an April Fool's joke, but it's for real.

? In other tablet news, one of the few downsides noted yesterday as the praise for the device built was that the apps are more expensive than iPhone apps. In some cases, they're quite a lot more expensive.

? It's safe to say there's a lot going on with Charlie Sheen these days, and the latest news is that some reports have him wanting out of his incredibly successful sitcom Two And A Half Men. True desire to leave or negotiating tactic? As always, nobody knows. Hey — a lot of us didn't take Paula Abdul seriously about leaving Idol, either.

? So Robin Williams called Australians rednecks, and Australian Prime Minister was all, "We're not rednecks, rednecks are from Alabama!" and then the Alabama governor was all, "Don't pick on Alabama!" and what this really goes to show is that you don't want to start fights over things said by Robin Williams.

A sad departure, big ratings news, and a product-placement controversy, after the jump.

? I can't claim to watch Law & Order much anymore, but I have watched hour upon hour of S. Epatha Merkerson in reruns, and her departure — if the show itself returns, that is — is hereby noted with sadness. Thanks, Lieutenant.

? I really recommend, in some ways, that you watch the video of Sandra Bullock trying to leave her house Wednesday. I think the behavior of famous people is often very difficult to understand, but it's worth noting that there's a lot more to it than getting massages and living the high life. This looks genuinely terrifying to me, and I have to admit, I look at it and wonder why it's legal.

? There's been a lot of talk about Wednesday night's Modern Family episode, which centered around Phil getting an IPAD 4 CASE. (Okay, wait — one more iPad item.) It turns out Apple didn't pay for a product placement, according to producers, which means they had all the characters gather around the IPAD 4 CASE at the end and universally admire its greatness simply because that was their creative vision. In one way, I feel better, and in another way, I feel worse.

? Dancing With The Stars has bested American Idol for the first time, according to some preliminary numbers. Apparently, the Pam Anderson strategy is paying off.