LOS ANGELES – Chris Brown has been getting attention for all the right reasons lately, but a judge said Thursday that he should remain under the watchful eye of a probation officer as he works to complete the terms of his sentence for beating then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.

The Grammy-nominated R&B singer did not appear for a brief hearing during which his attorney asked that Brown’s term on supervised probation be ended because of his good behavior. Superior Court Judge George Lomeli agreed with prosecutors that despite the singer’s high marks so far, he should continue to report to a probation officer in his home state of Virginia.

Brown is in the midst of a remarkable comeback. His multi-hit album, “F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies),” was a top seller, and he is nominated for three Grammys, including best R&B album.

Attorney Mark Geragos’ request came after Brown’s probation officer wrote in a report that the singer has been truthful with officers, passed all required drug tests and “has made great strides” while under probation supervision. He has completed half of the six months’ worth of roadside cleanup, graffiti removal and other manual labor that he was ordered to do after pleading guilty to attacking Rihanna.

Brown was ordered to serve five years on probation. The probation report was written three years to the day after the attack, which left Rihanna bloody, bruised and unable to perform at the Grammys.

Lomeli said he didn’t think it was unreasonable for Brown to remain under supervision until he completes more of his community service hours. Brown has completed anger management and domestic violence counseling, and last year another judge relaxed a restraining order that had prohibited Brown and Rihanna from contacting each other or getting too close at music industry events.

Two men will replace Big Man in E Street Band

NEW YORK – It takes two men to replace The Big Man.

Bruce Springsteen announced Thursday that two musicians — Jersey Shore sidekick Eddie Manion and Clarence Clemons’ nephew Jake — will “share the saxophone role” during the E Street Band’s “Wrecking Ball” world tour, which begins March 18 in Atlanta.

The new “Wrecking Ball” album, which will be released March 6, is Springsteen’s 17th, and the first since the sudden death of the E Street Band’s saxophonist last summer.

The long-awaited sax decision also included news that singers Cindy Mizelle and Curtis King, trombonist Clark Gayton and trumpeter Curt Ramm will tour with E Street, along with newcomer Barry Danielian on trumpet.

Jake Clemons, son of a former Marine Corps band director, began performing with his family as a child, and his career was championed by his famous uncle.

Naomi Watts to play Princess Di in film

LONDON – Producers say Naomi Watts will play Princess Diana in a film about the last years of the royal’s life.

Britain’s Ecosse Films says “Caught in Flight” will focus on the two years before Diana’s death in a Paris car crash in August 1997.

Filmmakers said Thursday the biopic “charts how finding true personal happiness for the first time” allowed Diana to find her role as “a major international campaigner and humanitarian.”

The Australia-raised Watts, who received an Academy Award nomination for “21 Grams,” said she was honored to get the role.