Sideshow: At Houston tribute, Bennett calls for drug legalization

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett, 85, appealed to the U.S. government to legalize drugs at an impromptu Whitney Houston tribute held hours after her death, says the Hollywood Reporter.

"First it was Michael Jackson, then Amy Winehouse, now, the magnificent Whitney Houston," Bennett said Saturday night at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hilton. "Let's legalize drugs like they did in Amsterdam. . . . No one's hiding or sneaking around corners to get it. They go to a doctor to get it."

Bennett, like Houston, has battled addiction at various points in his life. Her cause of death has not been established.

He went on to sing "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?"

'Vow' wows box office

Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum charmed a nation into submission with the Valentine's Day product - the real-life-inspired love story The Vow, which opened this weekend atop the box-office heap with a haul of $41.7 mil, according to studio estimates.

Manly action movie Safe House, starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, nipped at the chick flick's heels with $39.3 mil. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's family adventure, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, was in third place with $27.6 mil.

'Artist' wows the U.K.

Sleeper hit - it's black 'n' white and silent! - The Artist dominated Britain's version of the Oscars, the Orange British Academy Film Awards, or the BAFTAs, on Sunday, winning best film, best director for Michel Hazanavicius, and best leading actor for Jean Dujardin. It also picked up BAFTAs for original screenplay, music, cinematography, and costume design. John le Carré's spy remake, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, won for adapted screenplay.

Hugo helmer Martin Scorsese was awarded the honorary Academy Fellowship for "outstanding and exceptional contribution to film."

Madonna tix on sale

Tickets for Madonna's tour, which launches with an Aug. 28 show at the Wells Fargo Center, go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. Info: 1-800-298-4200, http://comcasttix.com or www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com

This article contains information from Inquirer wire services. Contact "SideShow" at sideshow@phillynews.com.