Ozzy Osbourne seems to be enjoying the elevation of his fame, which came about from the runaway success of the MTV series �The Osbournes�. It seems we can�t go a day without the metal madman making headlines. So here are the latest developments in the new mass media phenomenon known as Ozzy Osbourne (some of us have been fans a lot longer than the TV series has been on the air, but that is a different story). 

Ozzy Inks Book Deal. 

Daily Variety is reporting that Ozzy has signed a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster�s Pocket Books for over $3 million dollars. The first book is scheduled for release in November and is said to be a paperback tie-in to �The Osbournes� television show and the second book, a hard cover memoir is expect to hit book stores next spring. 

The Osbournes Soundtrack

Epic Records plans to release a soundtrack album to the hit MTV series that will include daughter Kelly�s rendition of Madonna�s "Papa Don't Preach" that she recorded with Incubus members Mike Einzinger and Jose Pasillas. A video for the song has already been shot but a release date for the album has yet to be announced. 

Bush Jokes About Ozzy at the 88th annual dinner of the White House Correspondents Association.

Ozzy and his wife Sharon were two of the most unusual guests to attend the annual event in dinners long history. They were there as guest of Fox News Network�s Greta Van Susteren. 

Before the formal remarks got underway Ozzy made his way towards the stage where Bush was seated, grabbed his brown and pink hair and shouted to the President, "You should wear your hair like mine!" President Bush turned a little red and then put on a face of mischief and responded, "Second term, Ozzy!" 

During the formal remarks both Bush and actor Drew Carey mentioned the madman of metal which Ozzy acknowledge both times by standing on his chair and blowing kisses to the crowd.  

"The thing about Ozzy is, he's made a lot of big hit recordings," Bush joked during his remarks. " 'Party With the Animals.' 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.' 'Facing Hell.' 'Black Skies' and 'Bloodbath in Paradise.' Ozzy, Mom loves your stuff." 

Drew Carey decided to focus on the surreal experience of having Osbourne and Bush in the same room by pointing out that the two have something in common, "First of all, they both love their families. They both partied a little too hard when they were younger. Half the time you can't understand a word either one of them is saying. And neither one of them can make a move without their wife's approval."

Bush also poked fun at Ozzy�s infamous urination incedent at the Alamo, a revered landmark in Bush's home state of Texas. While Bush was showing humorous �never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes� photos taken at the White House, one photo appeared on screen showing Vice President Dick Cheney urinating on the door of the Oval Office. "Dick, I hope you're not doing what it looks like you're doing," joked the President as the slide came on the screen. 

So it appears that Ozzy is enjoying the additional notoriety that the hit television series has brought to him, not to mention the monetary gains, including a reported $20 million pay check for two more seasons of the show. It�s worth noting that Ozzy is shrewd enough to take the money and run. When he was fired from Black Sabbath, which had sold millions of records, he found himself broke, living in a Hollywood motel until Sharon came along and helped him put his life back in order and launch his successful solo career. But for long time Ozzy fans it's a bit surreal to see him embraced so warmly by the general public, there was a time when some parent's considered it dangerous for their children to listen to Ozzy's music and attend his concerts. Oh how things change...

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