TV Series World

Trump's Show Left Off Newly Unveiled NBC Lineup

2007-05-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - NBC is close to telling Donald Trump "You're fired," but the network is holding back just in case they could use him at the last minute.

The future of his NBC series "The Apprentice" was cast into extreme doubt on Monday by the network's announcement of a 2007-08 programming lineup that made no mention of Trump or the corporate-themed reality show he hosts.

Such an omission, coming at the outset of the networks' annual "upfront" advertising market, would normally spell doom for a low-rated show like "The Apprentice." But NBC executives refused to absolutely rule out an 11th-hour reprieve for Trump's show.

"The Apprentice," which turned billionaire Trump into a TV star and introduced his catch phrase "You're fired," features a group of young, aggressive entrepreneurs in a weekly game of elimination as they vie for a real-life job in Trump's business empire. But the series has lost nearly two-thirds of its audience since its first and most successful run in the spring of 2004.

Asked whether "Apprentice" was now effectively dead, NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly insisted, "Not yet."

He said NBC would wait until after the other major networks have unveiled their new programming lineups before rendering a final judgment on the fate of Trump's show.

"Donald still wants to do the show. (Executive producer) Mark (Burnett) wants to do the show," Reilly said. "We couldn't find the right spot for it. So we're going to regroup after everybody announces their schedule. We're going to look at everything in context and then make a decision about it."

There was no immediate comment from Trump.

"The Apprentice" achieved hit status during its original incarnation, averaging 20.7 million viewers with help from a huge ratings "lead-in" following the mega-hit comedy "Friends" on the NBC schedule during that show's final season.

But the show has suffered a steady ratings decline since then, hitting an audience low of just 7.5 million viewers for the recently concluded sixth edition set in Los Angeles.

Trump and NBC still have other joint interests, however.

The two announced in March a renewed deal to keep annual broadcasts of the
Miss USA and
Miss Universe pageants, which Trump co-owns, on the General Electric Co.-controlled network through 2010.

"We want to stay in business with Donald in whatever format that will take," Reilly said on Monday. "The guy has a certain magic. We love him."

"King of Queens" Star Looks Back On "Amazing" Run

2007-05-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Critics like to talk about shows using pejoratives such as "formulaic" and "predictable," but CBS' "The King of Queens" turned those negatives into positives.

The show, revolving around the improbable marriage of a blue-collar deliveryman with a monstrous appetite (
Kevin James) and his long-suffering wife (
Leah Remini), ends its nine-year run Monday with a one-hour episode.

Cut from the same cloth as "The Honeymooners," the comedy was dependably funny. Audiences quickly got comfortable with the couple's weekly bickering, knowing that deep down they truly loved each other.

James recently discussed the show's awkward start and the (vague) possibility of a reunion.

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: CRITICS WERE NOT KIND TO "THE KING

OF QUEENS" WHEN IT DEBUTED, SO IT MUST FEEL PRETTY GOOD RIGHT

NOW NOT ONLY TO HAVE PROVEN THEM WRONG BUT TO HAVE SEEN THE NEW

YORK TIMES WRITE ABOUT THE SHOW'S CREATIVE RESURGENCE IN THE

LAST FEW SEASONS.

Kevin James: Whether they like or don't like the show, that's fine, you know? It's very difficult in the beginning to identify with a character. It takes a little while, and if a show can survive long enough for people to really get into the characters and identify with them, that's a great thing. Unfortunately, a lot of decent shows don't get that opportunity, and they're canceled really quick when they could have turned out to be a great show as well.

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE KEY TO THE

SHOW'S SUCCESS? MOST SHOWS DON'T REACH 100 EPISODES, LET ALONE 200 THESE DAYS.

James: I think in the beginning, we were in a hammock spot. We were in between "Cosby" and "Everybody Loves Raymond," and "Raymond" was kind of doing really well, and we kind of piggybacked on them for a while until we got strong enough legs. We kind of developed a little audience that followed us and liked us, and when they moved us, we panicked, but we held on like they couldn't kill us.

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO LEAVE BEHIND A

CHARACTER THAT YOU'VE PLAYED FOR NINE YEARS?

James: No doubt about it, it's amazing. It's longer than I've done anything in my life. I've never held a job for that long, so in that respect it's bittersweet, you know? You look back, and you're proud of what you did, and you're like, "Wow, this was really a great run." But you just miss everybody so much -- it's this feeling of, "How can we re-create this? Can we go on more?" It's so sad because right down to everybody on the crew, I spent more time with them than I did with my actual family in the last nine years.

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: YOU'RE STARRING IN UNIVERSAL'S

COMEDY "I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY" WITH ADAM SANDLER

THIS JULY. ARE YOU PLANNING ON PURSUING FILM FULL TIME NOW, OR

WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER DOING ANOTHER PRIMETIME SERIES?

James: I would! Not right away -- I think people are kind of sick of me in primetime. I'm going to enjoy my daughter, (and) we've got another girl on the way, so I'm going to be enjoying them for a little bit. But definitely, I would never rule out doing a sitcom again because I just had so much fun. The hours are the greatest, and as much as I love film -- and I do -- there's no replacement for that live audience. It's something that I've grown accustomed to over the last 10 years, and it's something I know I'm going to miss. I get it a little bit with stand-up, but I just miss doing a different play every week.

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: IT SEEMS LIKE IT GIVES YOU AN

OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF REINVENT THE SHOW EVERY WEEK. IF YOU'RE

NOT HAPPY WITH ONE EPISODE, YOU'VE GOT NEXT WEEK.

James: Exactly. It's like we did 207 very short movies. When you're working on a movie for what could be two years from writing to (shooting) and editing, if it's something that doesn't do well, it's so brutal. I feel for these people that have movies bomb out of the gate -- it's out of the theater a couple weeks later, and it's gone. It's so much effort for this one night, one weekend. That is the one benefit of a TV show: If you miss one week, you go, "All right, we'll get 'em next week."

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: SO, SHOULD WE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR

"THE KING OF QUEENS" REUNION SHOW IN A COUPLE YEARS?

James: I wouldn't hold your breath, but who knows? You never know. I'll never say never. I'm one of those guys who may just do it for my own benefit, just have them come over -- and we'll just act out a play in my house.

Few Minorities Appear On U.S. News Talk Shows

2007-05-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The influential Sunday news talk shows aired by U.S. television networks are overwhelmingly dominated by white men, with women, blacks and Latinos having little presence, a liberal media watchdog said on Monday.

About one in five guests on the programs were women, said the group, Media Matters for America, which studied four network Sunday news talk shows over a two-year period.

Blacks made up about 7 percent of those appearing on most of the programs, while Latinos made up about 1 percent, Media Matters said. In all, about seven out of every eight guests in 2005 and 2006 was white, the group said.

"Our report demonstrates the all-important Sunday shows are seriously lacking a meaningful presence of women and people of color," said David Brock, president of Media Matters.

The report came a month after radio host Don Imus lost his network television and radio shows for using a racial slur to describe the mostly black women's basketball team at Rutgers University.

The networks and prominent journalists who frequented Imus' show were criticized at the time because they had previously supported the program despite his track record of racist and sexist language.

Some critics said the Imus situation occurred in part because of a lack of diversity in the network newsrooms.

NBC Takes Wraps Off New TV Schedule; Sci-Fi Rules

2007-05-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES - NBC is turning to science fiction this fall to lift ratings and appease advertisers and investors with new dramas whose story lines range from robotics to time travel.

Taking the wraps off its fall prime-time schedule on Monday, NBC executives made it clear that they were hoping to build on the success of the network's supernatural hit "Heroes" by introducing sci-fi dramas "Journeyman," "Chuck" and "The Bionic Woman" for the 2007-08 broadcast season.

The lineup is crucial for NBC, which has languished in a ratings rut since longtime comedy favorites "Friends" and "Frasier" ended three years ago. It trails in fourth place behind News Corp.'s Fox, CBS and Walt Disney Co.'s ABC in Nielsen rankings.

"I really feel great about what we're going to be rolling out today," NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly said during a conference call before the network officially unveils the lineup to advertisers later on Monday.

"We've got quality, and we're going to build out and add some breadth to our schedule, which is what we've needed," he added in introducing the lineup of five new dramas and one new comedy show.

The General Electric Co.-controlled broadcaster is kicking off the annual "upfront" advertising market in which some $9 billion in prime-time commercial commitments for the 2007-08 broadcast will be booked.

Negotiations between advertisers and the networks are likely to take longer than usual this year as both sides try to find out how to best structure deals to fit the changing TV landscape.

The spread of digital video recorders and the broadcast of shows over the Internet have transformed the way Americans watch TV.

Audience measurement standards are also changing. New ratings, slated for wide availability this year, will count how many people watch commercials or recordings of shows.

NBC executives have responded by aggressively pushing digital deals, saying on Monday that all programming will carry features like virtual tours of show sets.

The company's move toward digital was underscored recently when parent NBC Universal reached a deal with News Corp. to launch this summer a free online video site featuring movies and TV shows. Analysts see the venture as an attempt to challenge Google Inc.'s highly popular YouTube.

FALL LINEUP

NBC's schedule will get close scrutiny, given the pressure it is under to improve ratings. Some Wall Street analysts have even floated the idea that GE spin off NBC Universal because of its lackluster performance.

New shows will include a remake of the 1970s series "The Bionic Woman," a drama called "Journeyman" about a time-traveling journalist, and "Chuck," about a young computer whiz who becomes a government agent after espionage secrets are downloaded into his brain.

NBC also has ordered a second season of its critically praised but low-rated teen football drama, "Friday Night Lights," which won the prestigious Peabody Award last month.

Other shows that will be back for another season include "The Biggest Loser," "The Office," "30 Rock," "Deal or No Deal," "My Name Is Earl," "Las Vegas," "Scrubs," "ER," "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: SVU."

Another version of the "Law & Order" crime-drama series, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," will move to NBC Universal's USA cable network for original broadcasts. Repeats will then run on NBC, a reversal of the normal pattern where shows first air on network and then move to cable.

Among high-profile shows, NBC has canceled "Crossing Jordan" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," while saying it has not yet decided on the fate of real estate mogul Donald Trump's "The Apprentice."

Besides "The Bionic Woman," "Journeyman" and "Chuck," NBC is picking up a new drama, "Life," about a wrongly imprisoned police officer returning to the force.

NBC is also picking up variety and game shows "1 Vs. 100" and "The Singing Bee," which will run for eight and six weeks, respectively, in the fall.

Later in the year, NBC will roll out "The Lipstick Jungle," based on a best-selling book by "Sex and the City" writer Candace Bushnell. It will also introduce the "IT Crowd," a comedy about misunderstood techies, during the 2007-08 season.

Bhutan Wonders If TV Really Brings Happiness

2007-05-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

SOBSA, Bhutan - Since cable television first arrived in her tiny village in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan two years ago, 55-year-old Kencho Om keeps getting in trouble with her husband for staying up late watching movies.

"My husband scolds me, he says at this age I should be spending my time saying my prayers," she said, sitting on the bare floorboards of her front room, the walls broken only by a shelf on which her small television set is perched.

"He says that after I die, instead of doing the funeral rituals, he will just put my body next to a television."

Bhutan's citizens first started watching television after then-King Jigme Singye Wangchuck bowed to the inevitable in 1999 and allowed it into his isolated Buddhist realm.

Since then, it has been blamed for destroying family life, bringing crime and juvenile delinquency to this peaceful land and undermining ancient traditions.

This is a country that lived in a mediaeval bubble a generation ago. When the first jeep arrived in the capital Thimpu in the 1960s, locals ran in fear of the fire-breathing dragon. Others brought it cattle feed.

Less than four decades later, Bhutan was suddenly confronted with 45 channels of the outside world.

Wangchuck is famous for proposing that Gross National Happiness was more important than Gross National Product, that traditions, trust and the environment were as important as the ruthless pursuit of material gain.

Yet almost overnight the Bhutanese were presented with an alternative vision -- of glamour and wealth -- and bombarded with advertisements for products they never knew they had missed.

Information and Communication Minister Leki Dorji says the government is beginning to wonder what it has unleashed.

"What we are asking is this: 'does television make you happier or less happy?'," he told Reuters. "It raises your expectations, probably making you more unhappy."

The people of Bhutan do not seem to agree. A study carried out by the information ministry in 2003 found that many people felt television had broadened their minds.

More than 66 percent said television had had a positive impact on society, while just 7.3 percent disagreed.

DESTROYING FAMILY LIFE?

Still, criticism persists. Petty crime and recreational drugs, almost unheard of a decade ago, have arrived in the last decade.

"Advertisements create desires, which cannot be satisfied by people's current economic position," wrote Phuntsho Rapten of the Centre for Bhutan Studies. "Crimes and corruption are often born out of economic desires."

But it is not just television which is to blame. Thousands of people have migrated from the countryside to towns, and many have not found jobs.

There are benefits, too -- television can bring families together in the evening, and keep fathers at home rather than out drinking. Alcohol is the leading form of death in Bhutan and a traditional pastime.

Yet many men share the reservations of Om's husband.

"I hate television," said Chencho Tshering, acting managing director of Kuensel, the state-owned newspaper, reminiscing about a recent night when the cable service went down.

His wife was deprived of her Hindi soap operas and his three daughters missed "Friends" and the Cartoon Network, but the whole family came together and started talking about the past.

"That was the best night I can remember since 1999," he said.

WRESTLING BANNED

The education children get from television is not something all Bhutanese parents relish. A craze for American wrestling swept the country's schools after TV was introduced.

Teachers have complained that city children were watching late into the night and were less focused in class as a result.

The government has responded by banning Ten Sports, which carried the wrestling, as well as MTV and Fashion TV.

It has not been an entirely successful experiment -- wrestling appeared on other channels, while football fans complain bitterly as the ban deprives them of Europe's Champions League.

Tshering Yonten, media director in the information ministry, says there was a need to regulate what people watch.

"The issue is not to deprive people, but the government has to take some responsibility."

Some Bhutanese worry that their traditions are threatened by the march of globalization. Yet national culture is unlikely to roll over and die.

Young people dress like their foreign idols in the evening, but have to go to work in the traditional knee-length gown, or gho, worn with long socks.

Bhutan's public broadcaster, launched in a hurry three months after the king's move to allow television, is now broadcasting its own, increasingly popular soap opera.

And Bhutan has suddenly found its own film industry, which dominates the cinemas of Thimpu.

Back in Sobsa, her teeth stained red with chewing betel nut and her feet caked with mud, Om disagrees with the TV bashers.

Every night she escapes to Bollywood films of
Salman Khan, to wildlife documentaries or American war movies.

"Without television, life is quite boring here," she said. "It is good to see the outside world. I've seen Japanese farmers cultivating rice, and it's almost the same as we do it here."

'American Idol' cuts Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson, reveals Top 4

2007-05-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson became the seventh and eight finalists eliminated from American Idol's sixth season during Wednesday night's live broadcast of the Fox reality show's results show.

Stacey, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, FL, and Richardson, a 22-year-old from Chesapeake, VA, were sent packing after "just over 135 million votes" were cast based on a combination of last Tuesday night's Idol Gives Back performances of inspirational songs and last night's renditions of Bon Jovi songs. Richardson and Stacey were the two finalists who received the least amount of combined votes during the two voting periods.

Stacey was the first of the two to be told he was eliminated after Idol host Ryan Seacrest revealed both Lakisha Jones, a 27-year-old from Fort Meade, MD, and Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN, had both made Idol's season sixth Top 4.

During last Tuesday night's Idol Gives Back performance episode, Stacey sang "The Change" by Garth Brooks. Idol judge Randy Jackson called it a "strong performance on a very nice vocal on a very great song;" Paula Abdul described it as his "best;" and Simon Cowell thought it was nice to see Stacey "with a spring in [his] step" and "confidence." During last night's performance episode, Stacey sang Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory." Jackson thought it was Stacey's " best performance ever on this show" and Abdul called it "the best opening I think we've had all season long." However Cowell said it was just "okay" and described Stacey as "a bad actor playing a role" before cryptically predicting, " I don't think you've done enough to last next week."

"My entire involvement with American Idol is for my children... absolutely," said Stacey -- whose wife gave birth to the couple's second child while he was auditioning for Idol in Memphis this past summer -- during a video montage of his Idol journey. Instead of Idol 5 finalist Chris Daughtry's "Home" playing during the montage, Idol 4 champ Carrie Underwood's rendition of "I'll Stand By You," a performance she'd recorded for Idol Gives Back, was used.

Seacrest then revealed that Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ, was joining Jones and Doolittle as a member of Idol 6's Top 4, leaving only one spot for Richardson and Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA. Before Seacrest revealed who was going home, Bon Jovi performed on the Idol stage. Seacrest then asked Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi, "You want to call it?" -- asking him to predict if Richardson or Lewis were safe. "Not on your life buddy," Bon Jovi responded.

During last Tuesday night's Idol Gives Back performance episode, Richardson sang "Change the World" by Eric Clapton. Jackson said Richardson seemed "in it to win it;" Abdul said she was "really proud... to see [his] journey from the beginning to where [he is] now;" and Cowell thought it was a "good vocal" and "sexy performance." During last night's performance episode, Richardson sang Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." Jackson was glad Richardson put his own "R&B twists and turns on it" and Abdul said it was a "good job." Meanwhile, Cowell was less committal, saying that Richardson "did as much as [he] could possibly do with that song" but -- similar to what he'd previously done with Stacey -- cryptically remarking that "whether it's good enough to stay another week, I'm not sure."

Lewis and Richardson described themselves as "best friends" as they waited for Seacrest to reveal which was safe. When Seacrest announced that Lewis would be the one joining Sparks, Doolittle and Jones as the Idol's only male Top 4 finalist, Lewis and Richardson embraced. "Thank you everybody for keeping me in this long!" said Richardson.

"This is my path, and this is one I've been wanting to go down for a long time," said Richardson during a video montage of his Idol experience, which was accompanied by Daughtry's "Home." "I think it's just the beginning of what I have to offer."

During the results show broadcast, Seacrest also revealed that Idol received 25,000 entries for its songwriting competition, and has selected the 20 original song submissions that remain in the running to become the Idol finale song that will later be recorded and released by the season's winner. Voting will take place on Idol's americanidol.com website and remain open until Tuesday, May 8.

Next week, American Idol's four remaining sixth season finalists -- Melinda Doolittle, Lakisha Jones, Blake Lewis, and Jordin Sparks -- will all perform live on Tuesday, May 8 beginning at 8PM ET on Fox and be mentored by former Bee Gee Barry Gibb. Then on Wednesday, May 9 at 9PM ET the field of finalists will be narrowed to the season's Top 3.

Ex-'Idol 6' finalist Sanjaya Malakar gets cold shoulder from hometown

2007-05-04T14:50:00.001-07:00

Sanjaya Malakar was the talk of Tinsletown, the Big Apple and everywhere in-between during his run as a finalist on American Idol's sixth season. But his hometown of Federal Way, WA won't be erecting a statue of the 17-year-old anytime soon.

"Federal Way has more important things to deal with, and unless a council member tried to push through a proclamation, then that Idol wannabe should not expect a similar honor," Town Manager Neal Beets told a local television station prior to Malakar's Idol elimination, the New York Post reported Tuesday.

A "city hall source" from Federal Way told the Post that suggestions for a day honoring Malakar "came from people on the East Coast" and added the city is hesitant to do anything that would cost its taxpayers.

"Maybe if [the fans] had gone to the chamber of commerce it would be a different story," the source told the Post.

Even if locals did want to honor Malakar for his creative coifs and less-than-sparkling singing abilities it would be a first, as Federal Way Mayor Mike Park said the city has never honored anyone with their own "special day" in its 17-year history. Park's not even sure how close of a connection Malakar and his kin have to Federal Way to begin with.

"It's not as if they have deep roots in the community," Park told the Post.

The roots may not have been deep, but they existed -- most notably growing from the 300-plus marijuana plants Malakar's mom Jillian Blith and his stepfather Charles Quist were both busted for growing in the family's Federal Way garage in February 2005. While Malakar attended area schools before he dropped-out during his sophomore year of high school after passing the GED exam, he's reportedly also called California and Hawaii home throughout his young life. Still, some Federal Way residents aren't as quick as Park and Beets to dismiss festivities centered on the former Idol 6 finalist.

"I would love to do something," Tiffany Archibald, the director of marketing of a mall near Malakar's home, told a local paper according to the Post. "I just can't find him."

After doing the regular press tour following his elimination -- and then some -- Malakar has apparently retreated out of the spotlight for the time being. When he'll emerge is still anyone's guess, but "fanjayas" need not worry, as he'll at least be a member of this summer's Idol 6 tour.

CBS Reveals The Identities Its 'Pirate Master' Buccaneer Wannabes

2007-05-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

CBS has revealed the identities of the 16 buccaneer wannabes who will compete in Pirate Master, a new swashbuckling reality series created by Mark Burnett that is scheduled to premiere on Thursday, May 31 at 8PM ET/PT.

Pirate Master will follow the 16 contestants as they spend 33 days traveling around the Caribbean island nation of Dominica in search of hidden treasure that will total $1 million. When they're not busy embarking on quests to decipher various hidden treasure clues, they'll live on the 179-foot, square-rigged barque that will also serve as their main form of plundering transportation.

One pirate will become the captain of the ship and will assign roles and chores to the remaining crew members, establishing a hierarchy that could lead to mutiny.

All of the contestants that help find each treasure will receive a share of the gold coins found, however like a true pirate ship, the captain and his officers will end up with more than their equal shares, leaving the rest of the pirates to split the remaining scraps.

Each episode will conclude with Pirate's Court, a Survivor Tribal Council-like event that will see one individual eliminated and "cut adrift." In the end, one will be the first to find the largest booty -- worth $500,000 -- and claim the title of "Pirate Master."

Pirate Master's cast consists of eight men and eight women who range in age from 21 to 45-years-old. Hailing from Alaska to Massachusetts and several locations in-between, cast members come from various walks of life, boasting credentials in everything from glass blowing and smoke jumping to law and music, and even features a Chippendale Dancer as well as an ex-NFL player.

The 16 contestants competing in Pirate Master -- who will also be dressed in period costumes -- are:

Barbara Walters, Rosie O'Donnell Criticize Bush's 'Idol' Appearance

2007-05-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

Some big names from the entertainment industry have made appearances on American Idol in the past, but never the President of the United States.

President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush delivered a video message at the conclusion of Tuesday night's live performance episode featuring Idol's sixth season Top 6 finalists, thanking Americans for their "almost $70 million" worth of contributions to the Idol Gives Back charity event.

"Laura and I are pleased to join you tonight, and thank you for raising millions of dollars for children living in poverty in American and Africa," said President Bush. "We thank all of the American Idol viewers who have shown the good heart of America. We thank all the celebrities who participated, including Bono, and all the contestants who sang their hearts out for these children."

"Because of your generosity," added the First Lady, "African children will receive meds to protect against malaria, and some of America's poorest children will get medical care and healthy food."

"Say Laura, you think I ought to sing something?" President Bush asked the First Lady, who replied, "I don't know darling, they've already seen you dance," a reference to the dance moves he showed off last week with a West African dance troupe for Malaria Awareness Day.

While the thank you from the President and First Lady seemed innocent enough, the unusual appearance is also generating controversy. After discussing the performances of Idol 6 finalists Blake Lewis and Lakisha Jones on Wednesday morning's broadcast of ABC's The View, co-hosts Barbara Walters and Rosie O'Donnell criticized the presidential appearance.

"I think that's great... [but] that there are so many things that the President can come on and thank people for, and perhaps we've been talking about how little money goes to [U.S. military] servicemen who come home and who are wounded and to families who have to struggle, that I just think that it's sort of interesting that they go on the most popular television show," Walters remarked after co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck -- responding to O'Donnell's comment that the appearance upset her a little -- attempted to defend the Bush appearance.

"I'm more disturbed that he's thanking the American public for giving up their money," O'Donnell responded after Hasselbeck, a political conservative, began the discussion by uncharacteristically baiting O'Donnell, an outspoken Bush critic, by asking her if she was "disturbed that [Bush] 'invaded' Idol last night."

"We've asked the American public for money during every tragedy, but you know, [he's spending] $500 billion in Iraq," O'Donnell continued. "But he wants to thank America for the $70 million out of their own pockets that they gave but he doesn't mention the $500 billion he's spent in Iraq. I think it's very distorted."

After Hasselbeck responded that she thought President Bush's Idol message was a "positive one," Walters continued her criticism. "American Idol -- I hate to be cynical because I'm such a wonderful person -- but American Idol could have thanked themselves," said Walters. "I just think it's interesting that the President and Mrs. Bush spent their time and effort to come on a popular television show."

When Hasselbeck suggested all presidents would take advantage of what fourth The View co-host Joy Behar termed "a photo-op," O'Donnell criticized Fox -- which has already been receiving criticism for not increasing its parent company's "10 cents for every one of the first 50 million votes cast" donation pledge to include all of the 70 million viewer votes that last week's Idol Give Back performance show ultimately ended up generating -- for only contributing $5 million to the charity telethon.

"Here's what I would respect Fox if they did, if they matched the money. How much money has Fox made off of American Idol? If they said, 'We will match the [entire] $70 million,' I would go, 'Wow. That's impressive... to think that they're not making money by the increased [ad] revenue [Idol Gives Back's two-hour "results show" broadcast generated for them]... you have to look at that,'" said O'Donnell of "I would prefer that the President spend his time at the funeral of a dead soldier than on American Idol."

"I don't think it's a bad thing for [President Bush] to be on American Idol thanking the people who donated $70 million to this country and also to Africa," Hasselbeck responded before Walters reiterated her skepticism about the appearance.

"I don't think it's a bad thing -- I think it's a fine thing -- I just think it's interesting that of all the different outlets and all the different ways of spending money and with all of the time constraints that the President and First Lady have, that this is what they chose to go on," said Walters.

'American Idol's Sixth Season Top 6 Take The Stage And Perform (Again)

2007-05-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

American Idol's sixth season Top 6 took the stage for a second time last night and performed songs from 1980s rock group Bon Jovi while being mentored by its famous frontman Jon Bon Jovi.

The fates of two of the six remaining finalists are at stake, as the "over 70 million" votes cast by viewers based on last Tuesday night's Idol Gives Back performances will be combined with viewer votes from last night, and the two finalists who received the least votes during the two voting periods will be eliminated. As was the case last week, viewers had double the time to vote -- four hours -- following the performance episode. In addition, each finalist was also assigned two toll-free viewer voting phone numbers instead of the usual one.

One of the female finalists found herself living on a prayer following a not-so-stellar performance; another returned to the stage in full force and received a kiss from one of the judges; and one of the male finalists gave as unique a performance as Idol fans have ever seen. Idol host Ryan Seacrest also said the Idol Gives Back charity event -- which was launched last week -- has raised "almost $70 million" to benefit organizations that provide relief to children and young people living in poverty in Africa and America. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush also thanked Idol viewers for their contributions via a video message.

The following is Reality TV World's recap of the performance broadcast in the order which the six finalists sang. Also included are comments from each of the three judges -- Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell -- as well as additional information about each performance.

Wednesday night at 9PM ET, two of the Idol 6 finalists will be eliminated from the reality competition series during a one-hour live results show, in which Bon Jovi is also scheduled to perform.

Phil Stacey, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, FL

Song: "Blaze of Glory"
Randy said: "Yo man. You know what? I'm happy for you for a lot of reasons tonight. I actually recorded that song for Jon Bon Jovi, which is cool, there's a great base on that and it's cool to hear it again (Simon interjects, 'That was the problem with the song.') I think other than country week, this is your best performance ever on this show (wild cheers from the audience). That was the bomb! You know what I caught some [former Journey frontman] Steve Perry on a Bon Jovi song... I love it! I love it!"
Paula said: "You know what Phil, this is a year out of your life that you will never forget... never forget. And you look like you were just living your inner-kid up there. But you want to know something? This is the best opening I think we've had all season long (more cheers)."
Simon said: "I thought it was okay. I didn't hear... (a shower of boos) Give me five seconds and then you can boo! At least let me talk first! (the audience quiets down after some brief laughter) Thank you. I didn't hear any authenticity. I thought in the middle, you were like a bad actor playing a role. I did. I did. Kind of like this is how rock singers are supposed to be. If this was an audition for a rock singer I don't think you'd pass the audition. And I don't think you've done enough to last next week. (Commented Randy, 'We tell the truth,' speaking about he and Paula) It's not the truth. You don't tell the truth. It's not the truth."
Additional Info: Jon originally wrote "Blaze of Glory" for the movie Young Guns... Phil commented "Holy Moly!" when he realized he was "jamming" with Bon Jovi... Jon thought Phil "knocked this one out of the ballpark"... As a kid, Phil said he used to sing "Blaze of Glory" to a mirror using a comb as a microphone, adding "I practiced this song for 15 years."... Phil started his performance in the audience, and walked by a sign that read "Stacey Stays"...Another sign read, "Bald is Sexy/Vote for Phil"... Following Simon's comments, Phil said to him, "I still love you man." Ryan asked, "Why? Why? You don't have to say that." Phil responded, "I appreciate these guys, but they're not the ones keeping me here either."... Prior to Phil's performance, former Idol 6 semifinalist Antonella Barba as well as former Idol 6 Top 10 finalist Gina Glocksen could be seen in the audience.

Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ

Song: "Living on a Prayer"
Randy said: "This is very interesting... you are not definitely the rock girl. When you hit the big notes in the choruses it was cool, but those verses were a little rough. (Interjected Jordin, 'Yes. They were.') But you know what? I could tell by the first note -- that first little note you hit -- that you knew. I was like, 'Okay. At least she knows.' (Commented Jordin, 'I recognize.') It wasn't your best."
Paula said: "None of us know what it's like for you to be in the workshop process and that's what it's... It's hard when you have a band... a hot guys band. But you know what? I give credit because you went for it even knowing it was a little bit out of your range. You know what? You're hot Jordin. You're out there."
Simon said: "Okay, let's just cue the boos in advance because (laughter from the audience) it was like... First of all, the look. It was like something out of The Addams Family. That hair... (Randy commented, 'I like the look.') As for the singing Jordin, I mean it was just out of control. It was verging on shrieking at times. You know, you absolutely completely lost control (boos). Although I do agree with Paula, you know, you've been given guys' rock songs to sing so you're at a massive disadvantage. But it was terrible to be honest with you."
Additional Info: Prior to Jordin's performance, Ryan revealed dates and locations for this summer's Idol 6 tour will be available via the show's website on Saturday, May 19... "Oh my gosh! My mom is going to flip out!" said Jordin upon meeting Jon... Jordin explained her mom put Bon Jovi "in her face from birth"... Jon described "Living on a Prayer" as a "very difficult one to sing," and added "we need to work a little bit on the melodies for her"... Jon commented he couldn't sing "half that good" at 17-years-old... Following Simon's comments, Ryan said, "Thank you Herman Munster," a reference to The Munsters, not The Addams Family... Jordin revealed when she learned it would be a rock-themed week, she felt "really excited" but also unsure of how her performance would go... Trying to explain how her less-than-stellar vocal performance was a one-time deal, Jordin said, "This was my week. I will say, this was my week." Ryan commented, "We like your honesty and your candor on this program Jordin."

Lakisha Jones, a 27-year-old from Fort Meade, MD

Song: "This Ain't a Love Story"
Randy said: "Lakisha man... I got to tell you something guys, Lakisha's back this week. I saw you singing that at Simon man, this ain't a love song, like you got something to prove to him! Listen, you proved one thing tonight. You started out a little rough -- it was a little pitchy in the beginning -- but guess what? By the middle of the song, you sung me and I think sung everybody here in this audience... You blew that out the box. (cheers from the audience) You proved you can sing tonight! Lakisha's back!"
Paula said: "That low, bottom-tone of your voice is like, that's your money in your pocket. And you did give everyone a little something-something."
Simon said: "Lakisha, I actually could kiss you after that. (Ryan then proceeded to walk Lakisha down to the judges' table, where she gave Simon a kiss on the lips to wild applause and cheers from the audience. 'Oh the image of your lipstick on his lips is priceless,' said Ryan.) Lakisha you know what I loved is that you rose to the challenge. I didn't know what the song was. You absolutely nailed it, and I'm so glad that you are back! Nice lips... nice lips. Love them."
Additional Info: A sign in the audience read "Kick-it Lakisha"... Lakisha was the first to answer a fan's question this week, and revealed she had no training prior to her Idol journey, describing herself as "just a church girl singing in church." When Ryan asked if she was going to "take us to church tonight," Lakisha answered, "I'm gonna give you a little something-something"... Prior to answering the fan's question, Ryan asked Lakisha if she was going to sit on the stool, and she answered, "No. I want the camera to get my slim side."... Lakisha said "she'd heard of Bon Jovi and seen him on Oprah"... Jon described "This Ain't a Love Story" as a "soul-singer's song" so he was "glad she found this track"... Jon commented, "I'm not a betting man. But I would bet money this week she's not going home singing this song."

Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA

Song: "You Give Love a Bad Name"
Randy said: "I'll give you the award for the most original version of a song ever on American Idol, and you took a leap of faith. And guess what dog? You won. That was hot baby."
Paula said: "Blake this was the biggest leap of faith. You really put yourself out there and I've got to tell you something. An artist like the band Bon Jovi, they endured monumental success. There was a twinkle in [Jon's] eye and he had a flush face. He was really digging what you were doing. We all did. This was amazing. This was your night."
Simon said: "You know what, there will be half the audience who absolutely hated it and half the audience will love it. (The entire audience booed.) And I think that was absolutely the right thing to do. You're a very brave young man. (Wild cheers from the audience) You took a massive risk and this is what's going to keep you in the competition next week."
Additional Info: A sign in the audience read "Blake You Make My Heart Ache"... Blake said the "game plan" for his performance was, "I kind of don't even want to say because it will give it away."... Jon described it as an "adventurous rendition" and asked if Blake was "ready to the roll the dice with this one."... Commented Jon, "He has to sell his interpretation of a song that a lot of people know and don't want messed with."... Blake realized the "risk," but said it was "fine" because, "If you don't take risks, you'll never see anything new." As if you hadn't guessed by now, Blake beat-boxed and scatted throughout the performance... Blake performed standing next to a percussionist... Paula noticed that Simon's mom -- who was a member of the studio audience -- was "rocking" with Blake.

Chris Richardson, a 22-year-old from Chesapeake, VA

Song: "Wanted Dead or Alive"
Randy said: "Check it out, check it out. You know what man, tonight I was worried about the Bon Jovi songs because it's hard to sing rock and none of you are really rock singers. But guess what man? You did your thing up there, you made it your own, you put little R&B twists and turns on it... That was nice baby, I liked that."
Paula said: "You don't have anything to worry about taking the rap for. You did your thing. And you know what, this is turning out to be a great night. Great night. Good job."
Simon said: "I think you did as much as you could possibly do with that song because this is not your style of music. Whether it's good enough to stay another week, I'm not sure."
Additional Info: A sign in the audience read "Rock on Chris"... Ryan introduced Chris as Justin Timberlake... Chris also answered a fan's question -- or at least attempted to -- when he struggled to describe how he feels before going onstage, the best he could muster was "Just have fun."... Jon said Chris had a "daunting task" because "Wanted Dead or Alive" is one of Bon Jovi's "best known songs"... While performing for Jon, Chris forgot some of the lyrics, which he described as "embarrassing"... Chris was aware former finalist Chris Daughtry performed "Wanted Dead or Alive' during Idol's fifth season, but commented, "You can't go without doing 'Wanted Dead or Alive' on Bon Jovi night, so if I have to take the rap for it, I'm down."... Jon instructed Chris to "find the blue note" to make the song "more sad than glorious."

Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN

Song: "Have a Nice Day"
Randy said: "I don't know if it's your best performance but it's definitely a great performance again from Melinda Doolittle. I like that you had a little Tina Turner attitude in there. That was hot baby, that was hot."
Paula said: "From the first note, we knew the game was on. It was a great workout. You girl, were singing your butt off. How does it feel to be a rock star? (Melinda sighed) You know, you give it up to rock stars don't you. You're a rock star. You're a rock star. She's a rock star. Yeah. You're a rock star."
Simon said: "Melinda I totally endorse what Randy just said, I thought it was like a young Tina Turner. I don't know the song that well, but I thought vocally, in a different league than everyone else tonight."
Additional Info: Right off the bat, Melinda confided in Jon that she's "so bad at rock." He assured her, "I can teach you how to rock."... Jon thought Melinda brought soul to the song and told her to "Just testify. It's church!" Melinda seemed to understand this, commenting, "I was like, 'Okay. I like church.'"... Melinda flashed the metal-sign several times before and after her performance in an effort to show her rock side... Ryan commented Melinda "put her foot down on that one."

'Dancing With The Stars' Cuts John Ratzenberger And Edita Swilinski

2007-05-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Former Cheers star John Ratzenberger and his partner Edita Sliwinski were the sixth couple eliminated from Dancing with the Stars' fourth season during last night's live results show on ABC.

"I'm so excited to have been part of this," said Ratzenberger upon learning he was the sixth celebrity participant eliminated. "Especially under the tutelage of Edita. Her kindness and patience and friendship has really been astounding and I want to thank you all. Thank you everybody!"

Ratzenberger, currently the host of the Travel Channel's John Ratzenberger's Made In America, was a replacement for The Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore, who dropped-out due to the "physical demands" of the competition, giving Ratzenberger and his partner two weeks less preparation time than the season's other couples had. Still, Ratzenberger didn't perform too poorly, considering he was also the oldest celebrity participant at 59-years-old. However entering this past Monday night's performance episode, he and Sliwinski were the only pair out of the six remaining couples who had previously appeared in the bottom two based on a combination of the judges' scores and viewers votes.

On Monday night, Ratzenberger and Sliwinski performed a rumba and foxtrot, achieving a combined score of 45 out of 60 from the judges for their two routines. "You've obviously been to dance rehab," said Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli following the foxtrot, "because the difference in a week is unbelievable."

Despite the improvement, Swilinski's Dancing with the Stars experience came to a familiar end. She is the only professional dancer to appear in all four installments of Dancing with the Stars -- she paired with Evander Holyfield in Season 1, George Hamilton in Season 2, and Joseph Lawrence during Season 3 -- however she's never won the competition.

"I've learned a lot from John. Stay positive, not listen to what anybody says, keep working," said Swilinski when she and Ratzenberger were sent packing. "He's so professional in what he's doing. It was a great lesson for me, so thank you John."

While Ratzenberger and Swilinski were the pair eliminated this week, they did not receive the lowest score from the judges on Monday night. For the third time out of seven performance episodes, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and his partner Karina Smirnoff had the lowest scores from the judges, receiving a combined score of 38 for their samba and waltz. After performing a "Bubba Chicken" jive routine last week, Cyrus joked he and Smirnoff performed the "Hillbilly Waltz" this week. Once it was announced Ratzenberger and Swilinski were in the bottom two, Cyrus sensed (hoped?) he and Smirnoff would be joining them.

"You can ask John, I walked straight over to him and said, 'I'll see you in just a little bit,'" said Cyrus before it was officially revealed that he and Smirnoff were the other pair in the bottom two. Once it was revealed, the country crooner commented, "Understandably so." However they were spared since they received enough viewer votes to counteract their low scores from the judges.

Each remaining couple performed two Dancing with the Stars routines on Monday night, and two pairs stole the show. Professional boxer Laila Ali and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy scored a 29 for their quickstep and a perfect 30 out of 30 for their samba, giving them a combined score of 59. They were tied atop the judges' leaderboard with former N Sync singer Joey Fatone and partner Kym Johnson, who scored a 29 for their foxtrot and a perfect 30 out of 30 for their jive. Tonioli referred to Fatone and Johnson's jive as a "smashing showcase of talent."

"I'm just trying to make things a little more exciting. You've got to raise the bar every time, you've got to step it up," said Fatone.

Just a few points behind the two couples atop the judges' leaderboard were two-time Olympic gold medalist speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and partner Julianne Hough, who scored a combined 54 out of 60 for their renditions of the foxtrot and mambo; and former Beverly Hills 90210 actor Ian Ziering and partner Cheryl Burke, who also scored a combined 54 for their performances of the tango and mambo.

Dancing with the Stars' eighth performance episode will take place on Monday, May 7 on ABC from 8PM ET/PT to 9:30PM ET/PT, with the five remaining couples each being scored on both a ballroom and Latin routine. On Tuesday, May 8 beginning at 9PM ET/PT, another couple will be eliminated from the competition based on a combination of the judges' scores and viewer votes.

Justin Guarini Named Spokesman for Calm-A-Sutra Tea

2007-05-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Five years ago, the American public voted Kelly Clarkson as the first-ever "American Idol," with a young man named Justin Guarini coming in a close second. While Clarkson has gone on to multi-platinum, stadium-filling success, Guarini has also launched a career of his own. That's right, Guarini was just named the spokesman for a new brand of tea called Calm-A-Sutra. Because nothing demands a washed up reality star spokeperson and a sexually suggestive name like tea.

Justin Guarini released the following statement about his new job. If you happen to be drinking tea (or any other beverage) right now, finish your sip before reading this quote, or be prepared to spit it all over your computer.

"As a singer, drinking hot tea has served as an essential part of my daily vocal warm-up routine," said Justin Guarini. "In addition to the fact that tea is an overall healthy beverage, I'm really proud to be working with the Tea Council in support of education in America."

Unfortunately for Guarini, the Marriott Hotel lounge where he generally performs usually only carries fruit punch. Whether or not this new spokesperson gig will affect the filming of From Justin To Kelly 2 is still undetermined. By the way, good work naming a tea Calm-A-Sutra when you're using it to promote education in schools. I was inspired by this story, so I just made my own brand of coffee; it's going to be called "Throw The Shocker Expresso" and I'm using it to raise awareness about poverty in Darfur. Hopefully Brian Dunkelman is available to be a spokesperson.

Ex-'Survivor' Castaway Elisabeth Hasselbeck Expecting Second Child

2007-04-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

The View has been a hotbed of news recently. First co-host Rosie O'Donnell announced she's leaving the ABC talk show in June, and now co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck has revealed she'll be giving birth to her second child this fall.

"I'm totally three months pregnant," revealed Hasselbeck to wild applause from the studio audience during Monday morning's live broadcast of The View. "The baby will come in November." Of course, Hasselbeck's The View cohorts were aware that November is a ratings sweeps period, causing co-host Barbara Walters to comment, "Perfect Timing!"

Hasselbeck, a former Survivor: The Australian Outback castaway, married former Boston College quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, her college sweetheart, in July 2002. In September 2004, Hasselbeck used The View to announce that she and Tim were expecting their first child. Six months later, Hasselbeck gave birth to daughter Grace -- who shares the same birthday as her father Tim -- on April 6, 2005. Hasselbeck told her The View co-hosts on Monday that she's already told Grace that she'll soon be a big sister.

"The other day I was eating watermelon, I said, 'Grace, mommy's eating watermelon. It's yummy, it's going right in my tummy.' And she said, 'Oh. The baby's getting watermelon.' It was like, 'Oh, I guess you're giving that child some watermelon when I should have it,'" explained Hasselbeck. "She knows there's a baby in my belly, but she also thinks there's a baby in her belly. You know, she just thinks everybody has a baby in their belly at this point."

Hasselbeck said that O'Donnell has known about the pregnancy for two weeks, and her other The View co-hosts had grown suspicious. She said co-host Joy Behar grabbed her tummy, and O'Donnell noticed a "glow" before Hasselbeck finally revealed the news.

"I wanted to tell you for so long," said Hasselbeck, "and [O'Donnell] told me one day, 'Don't tell me a secret because it will just come out. Not in a malicious way, but you'll just say it.'"

After some congratulations from her co-hosts, Walters explained how she was initially nervous about Hasselbeck's announcement following O'Donnell's announcement last week that she was leaving the talk show once her current contract expires.

"When you said you had an announcement, my heart sank. We can't take another!," said Walters. But Hasselbeck assured Walters she wasn't going anywhere, and even joked that O'Donnell's absence was cause for conception.

"We're going to be lonely without [O'Donnell], so Tim and I thought we should get busy, and you know, make a little co-host," said Hasselbeck.

Despite revealing her pregnancy, Hasselbeck managed to keep one secret.

"I will be so upset if I find out the gender. I don't like to find out because it kind of gets me through the labor," she said. "It's just hard this time. You're so excited when you find out."

'The Amazing Race' Eliminates Oswald Mendez and Danilo Jimenez

2007-04-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

It was deja vu all over again for Oswald Mendez and Danilo Jimenez, who just like during The Amazing Race's second season, finished in fourth place during CBS' The Amazing Race: All-Stars.

While the pair was "marked for elimination" since they were the last team to arrive at the eleventh leg's Pit Stop, the penalty never came into play as they were also the last team to reach the twelfth leg's Pit Stop during last night's penultimate episode of All-Stars.

"To be able to go through this and survive it twice leads me to believe that I will have Oswald in my life always," said Danny upon finding he and Ozzy were eliminated. "He'll be pushing the wheelchair as I'm going into the home... the gay nursing home that I'm going to open up."

The Amazing Race: All-Stars' twelfth episode began with beauty queens Dustin Seltzer and Kandice Pelletier, the first team to complete the eleventh leg, departing the eleventh leg's Macau, China Pit Stop at 2:15AM and receiving a clue instructing them to fly over 7,500 miles to the island of Guam and then drive nine miles to the United States' Andersen Air Force Base. Due to military security, teams would then select a military escort to drive them to an air traffic control tower where they had to climb the stairs to find their next clue on top.

"We are so pumped for this leg because we realize this is kind of do or die for us," said Dustin. "You win or you go home, and we've gone home before, so we know what that feels like... and we didn't like it."

The beauty queens booked a 3AM ferry that would take them from Macau to mainland China, and they would then travel to the airport. Cousins Charla Baklayan Faddoul and Mirna Hindoyan were the next to leave the Pit Stop at 2:50AM, followed closely by Eric Sanchez and Danielle Turner, who departed at 3:06AM. Both teams were on the 4AM ferry from Macau to mainland China.

"At first, I was a little hesitant on coming back to the race because it is challenging on my body, and having the best racers of The Amazing Race compete against you is even more scary," said Charla. "You have to be tough. There's no other way of playing the game." Eric and Danielle -- who were the victims of both of All-Stars' Yields -- realized, like Dustin and Kandice, that they two were at a crucial point in the race.

"It's definitely down to everything for Danielle and I," said Eric. "It's been a long road, and we didn't come this far and go through all this crap to lose." Ozzy and Danny were the last team to leave the Pit Stop at 4:37AM and took a 6AM ferry to the mainland.

"Danny and I are marked for elimination, so basically, we need to be the first to arrive at the Pit Stop or we have a half-hour penalty," explained Ozzy. "We know that karma was a particular bitch on the last leg of the race, and we got slapped hard for it. However we've asked for forgiveness to the universe and we hope that things will go our way."

Dustin and Kandice were the first to arrive at the airport, and booked a Cathay Pacific flight that would depart Hong Kong at 9:05AM, connect through Tokyo and land in Guam 9:50PM that night. With the beauty queens having their tickets in hand, Charla and Mirna and Eric and Danielle then arrived at the airport. Both were also able to purchase tickets on the same flight as the Dustin and Kandice.

"The beauty of being first," said Kandice, before Dustin finished her thought. "Yeah we did all the work and they go, 'I'll have what they have.'"

With Dustin and Kandice, Eric and Danielle and Charla and Mirna all on the same flight, Ozzy and Danny arrived at the airport and frantically rushed through it towards the ticket counter.

"I've never run so fast in my life," commented Danny. Added Eric -- who was Yielded with Danielle during the last leg by Ozzy and Danny, "The Cha-Chas are not on this plane at this point. Hopefully they get lost or the ferries got canceled for today."

While they were too late to make the same flight as the other teams, an agent informed Danny and Ozzy a 10:15AM flight to Tokyo would also connect to the plane landing in Guam at 9:50PM. However, they received a warning that they had only 45 minutes to make the connection in Tokyo.

"Hopefully there's enough time for the connection," said Ozzy, aware of how tight connections had already spelled doom for other teams such as Uchenna and Joyce Agu. "When we get there, we'll need to haul ass, hopefully we can catch-up."

The three teams on the 9:05AM flight easily caught the connector in Tokyo and wondered aloud where Danny and Ozzy were. Frantically sprinting through the Tokyo airport, Ozzy and Danny were able to get seats on the connector just as the flight finished boarding.

"We have nothing to say to Danny and Ozzy. As far as we're concerned, the sooner they're gone, the better," said Eric as he saw the Cha-Chas board the plane. Commented Ozzy, ""We're not sure whether we landed in Japan or in Alaska, because we felt the cold breeze -- freezing cold -- but we don't care."

With all four of the remaining teams on the same flight to Guam, the plane touched down at 9:50PM. Surprisingly, Ozzy and Danny were the first team out of the airport, followed by Charla and Mirna, Dustin and Kandice and Eric and Danielle. However all the teams found that military escorts wouldn't arrive to take them to the air traffic control tower on Andersen Air Force Base until 7:00AM.

Once the escorts arrived the next morning, the teams raced to the tower where they found a Detour having to choose between "Care Package" and "Engine Care."

In "Care Package," teams made their way to a warehouse to take part in an Air Force humanitarian relief training exercise by filling a box with 500 pounds of essential relief supplies. Once their box reached 500 pounds of supplies, teams would board a massive C-17 cargo plane for a one in a lifetime opportunity to experience an Air Force airdrop exercise. When they returned to the ground the Load Master would hand them their next clue. The task required relatively little physical activity, but the training exercise took roughly 30 minutes to complete.

In "Engine Care," teams had to scour a B-52 bomber by choosing an engine pod, including its sail and wing flap, and wash it clean. Once the Senior Air Force Maintenance Officer was satisfied with their job, he would hand them their next clue.

Dustin and Kandice, Ozzy and Danny and Eric and Danielle all chose "Engine Care," while Charla and Mirna picked "Care Package."

"We decided to do the humanitarian Detour because I like to help people who are in need," explained Charla. With the three other teams suddenly realizing the size of the task at hand in cleaning a B-52, Charla and Mirna quickly threw a wide array of items -- from food and clothing to mathematic books -- into the box, reaching the required weight of 500 pounds and allowing them to board the enormous C-17 cargo plane to make their airdrop. Danny pointed out to Ozzy they should have chosen the other Detour, to which Ozzy replied, "But we're here."

Scrubbing along, the three teams on the ground needed plenty of effort to clean the large wing flap, which was black with dirt. While the beauty queens thought they were the first to be done, the maintenance officer quickly pointed out some missed spots and put them back to work to fully complete the job. "There's no charming the sergeant. The sergeant was all about business," said Kandice. "We weren't getting anywhere with a smile. We had to scrub."

Meanwhile, having already completed the physical portion of their own Detour task, Charla and Mirna sat back in a C-17 cargo plane and enjoyed an experience that Mirna said "was the best thing I ever did in my life." The cargo plane also did a nose dive, and Charla and Mirna experienced "zero gravity."

Although Charla and Mirna's Detour choice was emotionally rewarding and exciting, the time it took to deliver the cargo ultimately left them in last place, as Dustin and Kandice, Eric and Danielle and Ozzy and Danny all left their task as the cousins flight touched down. Upon opening their next clue, the teams discovered they needed to drive 21 miles to the U.S. Naval Base Guam where a naval escort would drive them to the next route marker. Dustin and Kandice drove to the base with Eric and Danielle hot on their heels, followed closely by Ozzy and Danny. The cousins realized the situation they had put themselves in.

"Damn Charla, we've fallen to fourth. We're worried because it's the final elimination before the final three, a race 'til the end," opined Mirna. "We don't want to finish today. It's so awful."

Meanwhile, as Danielle also began explaining how she was "nervous," Ozzy and Danny found themselves lost. Charla and Mirna stopped at a market for directions and followed a women in another vehicle to the base. Unable to find the base on their own, Ozzy and Danny ultimately hired a taxi to lead them.

Dustin and Kandice were the first to arrive at the U.S. Naval Base. Once there, they selected an escort who drove them to their next clue, where they discovered it was time for the leg's Roadblock.

The Roadblock required one team member to take part in a naval search and rescue training exercise. Using a hand held GPS device, they needed to navigate through the jungle and locate one of four Search & Rescue training officer, after which the officer would program the location of a jungle clearing pickup location into their GPS unit. Once there, the team member had to call a helicopter to request "extraction," set off a smoke grenade to signal their exact position and wait to be picked-up and returned to their teammate.

Dustin decided to try the Roadblock, and compared the challenge to "searching for your Easter basket." Since Eric had already hit his Roadblock limit, Danielle was forced to do the Roadblock for her team. Thinking that it would be better if Mirna was still eligible to do All-Stars' final Roadblock, Charla also did the Roadblock for her team. Dustin was the first to find the officer and receive the coordinates for the clearing, while Charla had all sorts of problems.

"You should not press any buttons [on the GPS]!" yelled Mirna at Charla as she embarked. Charla's military escort had to frequently remind her of the same fact. "Ma'am, I told you not to touch the screen," the escort instructed Charla several times. "Oh God help me," replied Charla. "I would be dead if I were in the Navy right now."

Danielle was the second person to find her officer, but became incredibly lost when trying to find the clearing, suffering an emotional breakdown that caused her to cry as she stumbled through the jungle.

Meanwhile, Dustin found her clearing and called for her military helicopter pickup without any major issues. As the helicopter picked her up, Dustin commented that her brothers would be "so jealous" of her. Once the helicopter dropped Dustin back off at the Roadblock starting point where Kandice was still waiting, the pair received a clue instructing them to drive 11 miles to the Pit Stop at Fort Soledad, a 19th Century fortification built to protect Spanish galleons from pirates.

When Ozzy and Danny finally arrived at the base in last place, Ozzy set-off to find his lost officer and with Charla and Danielle having difficulties, appeared to have a chance to catch-up. However while he quickly walked to the GPS location of the officer, he couldn't actually find the officer once he was there and basically wandered around in circles, unable to find his officer in the brush.

At the same time, Dustin and Kandice reached the twelfth leg's Pit Stop and became the first team to become members of All-Stars' final leg -- a finish that will give them the chance to accomplish their oft-stated goal of becoming the first all-female team to win The Amazing Race.

Back on the naval base, Charla and Ozzy still couldn't find their officer, and Danielle still couldn't find the landing. Danielle finally realized she was having the same problem as Charla, pushing buttons on her GPS, which was throwing her off course. She eventually found the landing and the helicopter came to retrieve her. Mercifully, Charla eventually found her officer, as did Ozzy.

"Hello. Did I just pass you like a thousand times?" Ozzy asked his officer, who answered yes. "You were right here? All the time? How much do I not like you?" replied Ozzy to the officer, who could only answer with, "It's good camouflage."

Despite her GPS problems, Danielle still finished the Roadblock well ahead of Charla and Ozzy. After receiving their next clue, Danielle and Eric easily arrived at the Pit Stop in second place, making them the second team who will compete in All-Stars' finale.

Meanwhile, with only one The Amazing Race's finale leg slot remaining, Charla managed to hustle to the helicopter pickup clearing ahead of Ozzy. "Oh my God... the Teletubbies go to war," Ozzy remarked as he radioed his own pickup request in and watched Charla run towards her helicopter dressed in military garb. However despite Ozzy's comment, the joke was actually on Ozzy and Danny, who were now in last place and already "marked for elimination."

While the cousins were the first to leave the base, they went in the complete opposite direction of Fort Soledad, forcing them to turn around. However the snafu wasn't enough to hinder their effort, as Charla and Mirna finished the twelfth leg in third place, making them the last team to secure a spot in All-Stars' finale.

On their way to the Pit Stop, Ozzy and Danny rehearsed how they would react when The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan told them they were eliminated. They reached the Pit Stop and were sent packing.

"I'll tell you who we want to win... we would love for Charla and Mirna to win," Ozzy told Phil. Added Danny, "I sincerely feel like those ladies are a class act." Referring to Phil as "darling," Ozzy and Danny said they had no regrets what so ever about All-Stars.

"We ran the race the way we wanted to run it. We had an amazing time doing it," said Ozzy. "There will be many chapters written about Oswald and Danny and The Amazing Race happens to be a paragraph."

The Amazing Race: All-Stars will air its finale on Sunday, May 6 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS.

Anna Nicole Smith's Daughter's Name Officially Changed to Birkhead

2007-04-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Larry Birkhead has finished the process of having his infant daughter's name officially changed on her Bahamian birth certificate.

He is now officially -- legally and biologically -- Dannielynn Hope Birkhead's father, Entertainment Tonight reported Sunday.

The girl's name was previously Dannielynn Hope Smith.

Virgie Arthur, the mother of the late Anna Nicole Smith, wanted to prevent Birkhead from taking his child outside the country before the next custody hearing in June, but her request was denied.

The judge reportedly said he was "a little perplexed" as to "why this order is in front of us," adding he felt it was "weak" before denying the appeal.

Arthur also also ordered to pay court costs of $3,000, including Birkhead's fees.

This was an "expensive day for her," said Birkhead afterward. "I feel like I just got a divorce from her, and I didn't even know we had a baby together."

He planned to take Dannielynn back to his home in Louisville.

Ex-'Idol' finalist Jessica Sierra Arrested on Drug And Assault Charges

2007-04-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

Jessica Sierra, a former finalist on the U.S. hit TV series "American Idol," was arrested early Sunday on drug and assault charges.

Fox News reported that police in Tampa, Fla., arrested Sierra, who was a finalist in the show's fourth season. She faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of cocaine.

Sierra, who became known for her remake of "Total Eclipse of the Heart," is reportedly being held at a Tampa area jail on $11,500 bond. She faces arraignment this week.

Rachael Ray Founds New Non-profit Yum-o! Organization Charity

2007-04-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

Daytime host Rachael Ray has launched the Yum-o! Organization, a non-profit charity centered around cooking and feeding hungry children in America.

"We've created Yum-o! to introduce more kids to cooking, which can have such a meaningful impact on their lives and health," Ray said in a news release.

Yum-o! will work in three areas: cooking education for children and their families, fighting hunger in America and funding scholarship programs for food-related careers.

"The Yum-o! Organization envisions a country where all kids realize the joy of cooking and eating great food," Ray said in the news release. "Eating habits are formed at a young age and, if kids are given opportunities and knowledge, they will make better food choices."

Stefani and Pink bumped from 'American Idol'

2007-04-30T14:24:00.001-07:00

When "American Idol" producers were preparing the "Idol Gives Back" charity show that aired earlier this week, they booked both Gwen Stefani and Pink to perform. Fans may be wondering why they didn't see either of these two on the show that aired. According to TMZ, Stefani and Pink's performances had to be cut from the final show due to time constraints.

However, both performances were pre-taped (a.k.a., not part of the live charity-themed show), so producers will be able to them in future episodes. Keep an eye out for that.

You know you're a big-time show when you can tell Pink and Gwen Stefani, "Yeah, sorry, not enough time this week, you're cut." By the way, isn't it crazy what extreme lengths this show has to go to just to make up for the loss of Sanjaya?

Sanjaya Malakar, Spoonman

2007-04-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

Just so you know, we're trying to phase Sanjaya out until he proves he can have an actual music career, but this was too funny to pass up.

Sanjaya, despite being voted off "American Idol," plans to continue pursuing a music career. That's funny enough, but check out this quote...

"I'd love to go to Berklee College of Music [in Boston]. I play guitar. I play spoons. Not very well, but I can play them!"

SPOONMAAAAANNNN!!!

Sanjaya also talked about high school, where he would often sing during class.

"Everyone would say, 'Shut up, Sanjaya'... People either loved me or hated me."

Joey Fatone says 'Dancing with the Stars' more "intense" than N Sync

2007-04-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

Some viewers may find it unfair that Joey Fatone is a celebrity participant on Dancing with the Stars' fourth season due to his prior dancing experience as a member of N Sync -- but he said in reality -- they're two different worlds.

"When I was with N Sync, it was demanding, rehearsing constantly. But this? You're doing it every day and it's a different dance every week," Fatone told TV Guide in its April 23 issue. "That's what's really crazy about the whole thing. You're learning those routines and steps that my body is definitely not used to at all. It's intense."

Despite the differences, Fatone has been one of the celebrities to excel during Dancing with the Stars current run. With the aid of his professional partner Kym Johnson, the duo has been ranked the judges' Top 3 scores during all six of the season's first six performance shows. During the fourth week of performances, Fatone and Johnson were the first couple to score a 10 in Dancing with the Stars 4, which was awarded by judge Carrie Ann Inaba. No surprise it came from a Paso Doble performance, since Fatone said he prefers freestyle and Latin dances to ballroom.

"It's tough," Fatone told TV Guide about ballroom dancing. "The posture, the arms, all that technique. It's just fraggin' my brain right now."

Fatone has been married to his wife Kelly since 2004 and said she's not concerned about him forming a romantic relationship with Johnson -- a 29-year-old former champ of Australia's Dancing with the Stars -- because Kelly's "pretty secure with herself and she trusts me." In fact, he said she's also been a big help.

"She danced when she was younger -- ballet and ballroom -- so she understands it," Fatone told TV Guide. "She'll tell me, 'You did okay.' And then she'll critique me a little bit: 'Don't slick your hair back again, it's not attractive. Not attractive at all.'"

The 30-year-old Brooklyn, NY-native said he's also received support from all four of the other members of the now defunct N Sync.

"I was at [Justin Timberlake's] concert in Tampa a couple of weeks before I started the show. And he was like, 'Joey Fatone's in the audience. You'd better win and everybody better vote for him,'" Fatone told TV Guide. "When he was doing the show in Pittsburgh, he held the show [up] so he could watch me dance the first night, which was kind of cool."

Fatone said he's also sticking to the NutriSystem weight-loss plan he started a couple of weeks prior to Dancing with the Stars' rehearsals.

"I lost about six pounds during those first two weeks. And then when I really started dancing with Kym, the weight really started coming off," he told TV Guide. "I was 235 pounds when I started. Now I'm 216. It's pretty cool to see my stomach get smaller."

As he laces-up his dancing shoes prior to performance episodes, Fatone told TV Guide, "Don't screw up, don't screw up, don't screw up" is running through his head. Overall, Fatone said Dancing with the Stars is mentally more difficult than performing with N Sync, and of course, physically more demanding as well.

"Right now my feet are killing me," he told TV Guide.

Second season of 'Who Wants to be a Superhero?' to premiere July 25

2007-04-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Sci Fi Channel has announced that the second season premiere of Who Wants to be a Superhero?, a comic book-themed reality competition series that searches for America's next great crime-fighter, will premiere on Wednesday, July 25 at 9PM ET/PT.

In its second season, Who Wants to Be a Superhero? will be expanded from six to 10 one-hour episodes. Similar to it's first season, the second installment will feature legendary comic-book creator Stan Lee as he tries to find this generation's next superhero among a group of contestants who create an alter ego, all the while living together and competing in challenges. Who Wants to Be a Superhero? will conclude with the winner's character being immortalized in its own comic book.

Casting calls to find various caped-crusaders and masked-martyrs for Who Wants to be a Superhero? 2 recently concluded and asked interested applicants to dress in costume, reveal the true nature of their powers and invoke the noble code by which they live.

Sci Fi Channel renewed Who Wants to be a Superhero? for a second season last October, as its first season averaged 1.5 million total viewers last summer.

Matthew Atherton was crowned the winner of Who Wants to be a Superhero?'s first season. "Feedback," Atherton's alter-ego, is a software engineer who got caught in an explosion that riddled his body with hi-tech cellular shrapnel and led him to discover his body now generates a feedback field that shuts down nearby electronic equipment and can absord the powers of video game characters.

Sci Fi Channel also announced Derren Brown Project, a new reality series starring British mentalist Derren Brown, will premiere on Wednesday, July 25 at 10PM ET/PT immediately following Who Wants to be a Superhero?'s second season debut. In addition, new episodes of Ghost Hunters will begin airing on Wednesday, June 6 at 9PM ET/PT and will be followed by the premiere of Destination Truth, a new Sci Fi Investigates-like reality series that investigates some of the world's unexplained stories, at 10PM ET/PT.

'Real Housewives' ex-husband Louis Knickerbocker dies at age 67

2007-04-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Louis L. Knickerbocker -- the ex-husband of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Orange County second-season star Tammy Knickerbocker -- reportedly died Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack.

He always believed in the art of the possible," Real Housewives creator Scott Dunlop, Louis' friend, told The Orange County Register, which reported the passing.

Tammy replaced original Real Housewives cast member Kimberly Bryant prior to the series' second season premiere this past January and is a longtime friend of one of the series' other stars, Jeana Keough. However Tammy wasn't living as lavish a lifestyle as some of the other housewives, since the business she and Louis co-owned went bankrupt in 2000 and the couple lost their 9,000 square-foot house in Coto de Caza and divorced.

While he admitted that his current businesses had benefited from his family's The Real Housewives appearances, Knickerbocker had said the show also generated some negative exposure for him -- including a public disclosure that, while they had been married, he had cheated on Tammy with one of his assistants.

"One of my customers in Singapore called and said, 'You cheated on your wife.' That was now 15 years ago," Knickerbocker told The Los Angeles Times in March. "It's true, I did have an affair, I can't deny it."

After his company bankrupt, The Register reported Louis attempted to reinvent himself at 62, starting a real-estate company, mortgage company, and also owning a 50% share in another real-estate company. He also remarried and started an "OC Energy" brand of energy drinks. Part of Real Housewives' second season showed Louis hiring some of The Real Housewives stars' daughters as "OC Angels" for the drinks, and he displayed photos of them on the label.

"He believed it was all possible. He was a unique guy," Dunlop told The Register.

Ex-'Idol' finalist Sanjaya Malakar's family has marijuana farming past

2007-04-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

If former American Idol finalist Sanjaya Malakar had made it any further in the sixth season, he might have sported some dreadlocks as his next creative coif.

Malakar's mom Jillian Blith as well as his stepfather Charles Quist were both arrested and charged with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in February 2005 in Federal Way, WA after the Pierce County Sheriff's Department found 310 marijuana plants in the family's garage, TMZ.com reported Wednesday. The bust was apparently a family affair, as Malakar's then 17-year-old sister Shyamali -- who was ousted from Idol's sixth season prior to the competition's semifinals -- was also arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

According to Blith's charging document, "concerned citizens" near the family's house called police in late January 2005 after they had "smelled the odor of marijuana" and also saw her "install a large vent on the roof of the garage." Neighbors also reported the family spent much of their time at the house in the garage and added they appeared to be using "an extraordinary amount of power" based on their electricity meter reading.

In mid-February, officers approached the Malakar's Federal Way compound and "smelled the odor of growing marijuana" and observed that the garage's windows were covered and painted over. After records obtained by the sheriff's department confirmed the family was using an unusual amount of electricity, a search warrant was obtained and the 310 plants were found, according to the document. But Blith and Quist were nowhere to be found, so Shyamali, who apparently had been entrusted with overseeing the operation, was arrested and charged.

According to the government documents, Shyamali then ratted her mom and stepfather out, telling the sheriff's department they were at another residence in Federal Way. Police went to the second location, again "smelled the odor of marijuana outside the house," obtained a second search warrant, and found another "marijuana grow operation."

Since Blith pled guilty to one felony count of unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance, she could have been put behind bars for as long as five years, but TMZ.com reported she somehow only received a relatively minor 30-day jail sentence. In addition to being charged with possession of a controlled substance -- 40 grams or less of marijuana -- Shyamali was also booked for unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

There's no mention of Malakar, who was 15 at the time of his family's bust, in any of the three court documents obtained by TMZ.com. However he's previously stated that he was close to his mom and sister since his parents divorced when he was 3-years-old, and has also acknowledged that his mother's been influential in his life.

"It was actually my mom's idea to get the GED and focus on [my singing career], because I had a little bit of trouble in school," Malakar told reporters during the media conference call that followed his recent Idol elimination. "Not because I didn't know the material. I just didn't really do my homework, which the horrible habit that I had. I wanted to get my GED so that I could move on and focus on what I really wanted to do, which was music."

During the same call, Malakar also said his mom is currently an "independent employee."

Stalker tries to run former 'Monster Garage' star Jesse James over

2007-04-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

Jesse James is a motor-vehicle enthusiast, but the former Monster Garage star presumably doesn't relish the thought of almost being run over by one.

But that's what almost happened last weekend when the 38-year-old came close to being hit by a woman who was stalking his wife, actress Sandra Bullock, outside their Southern California home, People reported Thursday.

"At around 10:40AM [last Sunday] James found the suspect, Marcia Valentine, lying on their driveway," Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino told People. "He told her to leave, but instead she got into her 2004 silver Mercedes and tried to run him over three to four times... Valentine tried to kill him."

The alleged attack by Valentine -- who had been stalking Bullock in the past, according to Amormino -- was witnessed by the 42-year-old actress as well as James' 10-year-old son, Jesse Jr.

"Both Jesse James and Sandra Bullock are fine and it is now in the hands of the authorities," Bullock's representative Cheryl Maisel told People.

While Valentine fled the scene following her attempt to run-over James, People reported an officer recognized her 2004 Mercedes the following morning and arrested her for assault with a deadly weapon. She posted $25,000 bail and is due in court on May 22. Amormino was unable to confirm if Valentine had a previous arrest record or whether any restraining orders had been filed against her, according to People.

Heather Mills stiffs 'Kimmel' and 'The View' after 'Dancing' elimination

2007-04-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

Heather Mills reportedly waltzed back to her native England only a day after being ousted from Dancing with the Stars' fourth season on Tuesday night's live results show on ABC -- a move that not only left her skipping town, but also some scheduled appearances as well.

The 39-year-old former model two-stepped out of scheduled appearances on ABC's The Jimmy Kimmel Show and The View in-order to leave Los Angeles immediately following her elimination on Tuesday night, the New York Post reported Thursday. However she apparently had a change of heart, as she gave an interview with Extra, taped Good Morning America and thanked Dancing with the Stars cast and crew on Wednesday, according to the Post, before flying back to England.

"Normally we have the person who gets eliminated off on our show, but Heather, I guess, just went right back to England," said Kimmel on his Tuesday night show, according to the Post. "She hates America now. So I hope you're happy with yourself.

"Heather Mills was supposed to be on this program by the way and has canceled out," The View host Barbara Walters announced on Wednesday's broadcast of the daytime talk show. "I have very mixed feelings about Heather Mills," Walters continued. "I did a -- I thought -- very positive [interview] piece about her [background and charity work several years ago and] then we began to hear that she was lying about this and lying about that so we did another piece in which I brought up a little of the material that maybe everything she had said was not totally true and a whole other side of her came out. She didn't like that we brought up some of these things."

Mills had previously stated she was curious as to why her current divorce proceedings with estranged husband, former Beatle Paul McCartney, was something the media and American public was criticizing her for, actually breaking into tears as a recent guest on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM morning radio program.

"She was in it to win it," The (London) Sun TV editor Sara Nathan -- who's been "closely following" Mills Dancing with the Stars' journey -- told the Post. "She came over to woo the Americans. Now, she's going off in a huff. She's in a mood."

At least it appears Mills' beef isn't with reality television, as the Post reported she's "talking about" joining the cast of Strictly Come Dancing, the British version of Dancing with the Stars. Maybe she just has a newfound interest in dancing.

Donald Trump taking credit for Rosie O'Donnell's 'The View' "firing"

2007-04-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Donald Trump thinks his archnemesis Rosie O'Donnell was fired as co-host of The View, and of course, he's taking credit for it.

he Apprentice star said he believes that a vulgarity-laced tirade aimed at him and delivered by O'Donnell during Monday's Matrix Awards Luncheon in New York City led to the Wednesday announcement by ABC that she'd be leaving as co-host of The View in mid-June because the two side were unable to reach a contract agreement.

"Rosie is a loser, I told you many times this was going to happen. She self-destructs all the time," Trump told Access Hollywood co-host Billy Bush during Wednesday's broadcast of the entertainment news program. "I find her to be a very unattractive person. I mean, both inside and out. Actually inside, she's less attractive then she is outside, and that's tough."

ABC announced on Wednesday that O'Donnell was leaving The View because the broadcast network wanted her to sign a three-year deal as co-host of the talk show, while she only wanted a one-year deal. The differing contract lengths couldn't be overcome, reportedly causing O'Donnell to walk away from the show.

Not so fast, says Trump, as he pointed out the announcement that O'Donnell was leaving The View came only a few days after she spoke at the Matrix Awards Luncheon, which annually honors women from for their achievements and leadership roles in various media-related professions. O'Donnell's The View co-host Barbara Walters is a past recipient of the award, and was at Monday's luncheon, where O'Donnell spoke.

"It's been my goal, for many years, to give a bald billionaire a [expletive]," said O'Donnell at the luncheon, obviously referring to Trump. "That comb-over wimp-ass goes after [Walters] instead of me. Come here buddy, eat my [expletive]!" As she made that last comment, O'Donnell grabbed her crotch.

"Rosie said something that was absolutely disgusting... she grabbed her crotch, and referring to me said [expletive] in the meanest, ugliest face you've ever seen," Trump told Access Hollywood. "In-front of 2,000 people -- many of them young aspiring women -- and I think that was probably the straw that broke the camel's back. I believe that's the reason she got fired, according to what I've heard."

When Access Hollywood correspondent Billy Bush reminded The Donald why ABC and O'Donnell stated she was leaving The View and also reiterated she wasn't actually fired, Trump said he wasn't buying it and stuck to his allegations.

"I don't believe it. I think ABC wanted her out," he told Access Hollywood. "They were embarrassed by her... and she made Barbara Walters look like her lap dog."

Trump's comments rekindled a feud The Apprentice star and The View co-host had that began in early January when The Donald announced Miss USA Tara Connor would keep her title, which was in jeopardy due to underage drinking. As part of her agreement with Trump, Connor entered an in-patient substance abuse rehabilitation center. O'Donnell said Trump, who is twice divorced, had no right to be "the moral compass for 20-year-olds in America," sparking a string of nasty media exchanges between the pair.

Walters was eventually brought into the fray, which allegedly spilled over onto the talk show's set, sparking another exchange of nastiness...and still another. Just when it appeared everything was cooling down, Trump addressed the feud once again when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in late January.

Sanjaya Malakar says he's not gay, just "understands women"

2007-04-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

Former American Idol 6 finalist Sanjaya Malakar said he's not gay, just a sensitive, straight male.

I got teased in school because people figured I must be gay because I understand women," said Malakar in the April 27 issue of People. "I think that's why guys didn't like me - because I got along with girls so well. When I went up to girls they would give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek like I was their gay friend. But I was the straight guy that understood them."

The 17-year-old Federal Way, WA resident's parents divorced when he was only 3-years-old, which caused him to grow closer relationships with his mom Jillian Blith and his sister Shyamali.

"I've always gotten along with girls better because I was raised by women," Malakar told People.

Even if some viewers didn't believe Malakar was heterosexual while watching him weekly during his run on Idol's sixth season -- which mercifully came to an end prior to the season's Top 6 being revealed -- he was quite the darling of young girls. But if some "fanjayas" are thinking of trying to get closer to the single singer, they may want to back-off a bit.

"I had a girlfriend but she became clingy, and I didn't want to get into a really serious relationship because I was 16," Malakar told People. "I just wanted to date and have fun."

If rumors about Malakar's sexuality begin to grate on him, he could get some advice on how to deal with it from Idol's second season runner-up Clay Aiken, who's been denying rumors he's gay for the past four years.

Sanjaya's mom is a pot dealer

2007-04-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

Perez Hilton is reporting that "American Idol" reject Sanjaya's mother is a convicted pot dealer. According to Perez, Mrs. Malakar was arrested in 2005 with 310 marijuana plants and sentenced to 30 days in jail, forcing Sanjaya to live with his aunt temporarily.

On this season of "American Idol," Sanjaya was asked about living with his aunt and responded by saying that his mother was moving away and he didn't want to leave his school friends.

See, you thought Sanjaya couldn't get any cooler. It's too bad he got voted off; I hear next week is Pink Floyd week on "American Idol." Sanjaya does a sick 52 minute version of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" that he learned from his mom.

Second season of 'HGTV Design Star' to premiere on July 22

2007-04-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

HGTV has announced the premiere of the second season of HGTV Design Star, a reality competition series that pits designers from all walks of life against one another and rewards the winner with his or her own HGTV television show.

HGTV Design Star will begin its nine-week broadcast run with HGTV Design Star Casting Special, a one-hour special that will air on Sunday, July 22 at 10PM ET/PT. Beginning the following week, HGTV Design Star will air weekly in its Sundays at 9PM ET/PT regular time period. Its finale is scheduled to air on Sunday, September 16.

HGTV Design Star's second season will feature a cast of 11 interior designers, artists, architects and craftsmen living in Las Vegas and competing in a series of challenges that test their creativity, ingenuity and skills. In addition, several of the finalists will also learn about the hard work and demands needed to create a weekly-television show.

"Las Vegas is a perfect, visually-stunning backdrop to shoot this new crop of creative talent," said James Bolosh, vice president of event programming for HGTV. "Viewers will find more twists, more turns, fun surprises, fresh ideas and takeaways on the show this season. The finalists are driven and determined to make it to the finish line for a shot at their own show, but they will find that we have raised the stakes on the challenges. This competition isn't for the faint of heart."

HGTV Design Star's second season finalists will be critiqued by the the same judges as the show's first season's finalists -- former Trading Spaces designer Vern Yip, renowned designer Cynthia Rowley, and In Style executive editor Martha McCully. Similar to last summer's HGTV Design Star edition, the judges will whittle the cast down to two finalists during first seven weeks of the competition, after which the show's home viewers will vote and determine which of the two remaining finalists will receive their own HGTV show.

"HGTV Design Star ended its first season as the highest-rated series in the network's history, so we are sure that viewers will embrace this new opportunity to weigh in on who should win their own show on HGTV," said Bolosh. "Last year we discovered David Bromstad - that one special talent who had the potential to be a 'break out' star. He's a star. We're ready to do it again."

Bromstad defeated 10 others during HGTV Design Star's first season -- which marked HGTV's first foray into the reality competition show genre -- and his Color Splash with David Bromstad series premiered on Monday, March 19.

Fox announces identities of 'On the Lot's four first round judges

2007-04-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

An intergalactic princess and three directors will lend some criticism and advice to the hopefuls competing on On the Lot, Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg's new American Idol-like movie-making reality competition series that will look to find the country's next great filmmaker and award them with a $1 million Dreamworks development deal.

Fox announced Star Wars trilogy star Carrie Fisher; X-Men: The Last Stand and Rush Hour 3 director Brett Ratner; longtime actor, producer, director, and writer Gary Marshall; and producer/director John Avnet will all serve as guest judges during the first round of On the Lot.

Fox will premiere On the Lot with two one-hour episodes on Tuesday, May 22 at 9PM ET/PT and Thursday, May 24 at 9PM ET/PT. During the broadcasts, 50 filmmakers selected from the show's thousands of applicants will travel to Los Angeles, where they'll participate in "Hollywood Boot Camp" and pitch and screen their submissions to Fisher, Ratner, Marshall and Avnet. While there, the applicants will also partake in a "24-Hour Film Shoot" that will require them to shoot and edit a short film in a 24-hour window and a "one-page, one-hour" film shoot that will give them an hour to shoot a one-page scene with the help of a professional film crew.

Similar to Idol's own "Hollywood Round," On The Lot's "Hollywood Boot Camp" will end with the four guest judges choosing 18 finalists that will move on to the show's first "Film Premiere" episode -- On The Lot's version of Idol's weekly performance shows. The first films produced by the Top 18 will air on Monday, May 28 at 8PM ET/PT. Once On The Lot's "Film Premiere" episodes start airing, America will vote for their favorite productions and finalists will be sent home during each week's subsequent "Box Office" results show (On The Lot's version of Idol's weekly results shows). On the Lot's first "Box Office" results show will air on Tuesday, May 29 at 8PM ET/PT.

Beginning on June 4, On the Lot will air its "Film Premiere" episode in its regular time period of Mondays from 8PM to 9PM ET/PT. On June 5, the series will air its "Box Office" results show in its regular time slot of Tuesdays from 8PM to 8:30PM ET/PT.

'Idol 6' finalist Chris Richardson dating 'The Hills' star Lauren Conrad?

2007-04-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

Based on what's happened to Jason Wahler since his split from The Hills star Lauren "LC" Conrad, American Idol sixth-season finalist Chris Richardson may want to rethink who he goes out with.

The 22-year-old Chesapeake, VA-native and 23-year-old Laguna Beach and The Hills reaity TV star were seen "getting cozy" in Los Angeles at Les Deux on April 6, In Touch Weekly reported in its April 23 issue.

"It was their first date," a "pal" of Conrad's told In Touch. "And it seems to have gone well." The pal added that Conrad thinks Richardson is "totally hot," according to In Touch.

Conrad also presumably thought Wahler was a hottie, but the two experienced a "dramatic break-up" prior to filming The Hills' second season last fall. Since then it's been all downhill for Wahler.

Last September, Wahler reportedly punched a tow-truck driver as well as a Los Angeles city employee and was accused of using racial slurs against two of the victims who are African-American. He pleaded no contest to one count of battery and received a two-month jail sentence and was also required to attend a one-day program at the Museum of Tolerance.

Not even a week before he was sentenced, Wahler was arrested again in Greenville, NC for underage drinking and resisting a public officer during a raid at a local nightclub. Then in early April he was arrested yet again -- this time in Seattle -- and was booked on charges of assault and criminal trespassing after he punched a hotel security guard in the mouth and then passed out in the building's hallway.

'Apprentice' runner-up James Sun still confused, but didn't want job

2007-04-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

James Sun still isn't sure why he was fired by Donald Trump during the finale of NBC's The Apprentice: Los Angeles, but frankly, his subconscious was telling him he didn't want to work for Trump anyways.

Before Trump fired Sun and hired Stefanie Schaffer at the conclusion of Sunday night's live The Apprentice sixth season finale, Trump told Sun, "I didn't like some of the dialogue... you know what I mean" -- a cryptic comment that has confounded both viewers and Sun, the CEO of Zoodango.com, a networking website for business professionals.

"As of right now, I [still] don't know what the heck Donald Trump was referring to with this 'mysterious dialogue.' He looked at me and said, 'You know what I mean,' which confused me even more. I was completely dumbfounded," said Sun in blog entry he penned for Zoodango on Monday.

Sun says he kept a 150 page journal of "every single day" of the competition, and, after reviewing it, he counted "only two negative comments to me by Donald Trump," and both came following challenges and weren't particularly harsh.

"These were the only references to direct negative statements from Donald Trump to me during the entire season," wrote Sun. "On the other hand, I can give you at least 23 [journal] references when he gave me praise. Even when I took negative heat in the boardroom, Donald Trump stood up for me and did not fire me. So this throws out the theory that this mysterious dialogue occurred during the actual taping of the season."

Although he acknowledges saying some "negative things" about his competitors in his confessional interviews with The Apprentice's producers, Sun also doesn't believe Trump was referring to anything he said in those interviews.
"The reality is that everyone made these kinds of statements," wrote Sun. "The producers ask you all kinds of 'funny' questions that lead you into saying something comical or sarcastic about your competitors... the purpose of this is to make entertaining television. So this throws out the assumption that this mysterious dialogue happened during our personal interviews."

After ruling out the show's tasks, boardroom sessions and his confessional interviews, the 29-year-old Seattle resident thinks Trump might have taken issue with some of the comments he made during a pre-taped personal video the show aired before Trump made his final decision.

"[In the video, I mentioned how] I quit a six-figure job to start my own company and focused on my conviction of why I wanted to be my own boss. I also mentioned how much I enjoy my time with family. Next, I committed the big 'slap on the hand' by answering [a Donald Trump Jr.] question [by noting] that I am the current founder and CEO of Zoodango.com," wrote Sun. "In the real world, this statement would be 100% okay. But on television -- especially on Donald Trump's show where companies pay millions of dollars for product endorsements -- any reference to a company is treated as an endorsement for promoting the company."

While Sun said he was being "100% honest" that he didn't "intentionally bring up" the name of his business, he figures that may been what landed him in hot water with his potential employer. However he still stands by his decisions.

"If I could do the whole finale all over again, would I have created the same video footage of my family, the speech about being an entrepreneur, and promoting Zoodango.com," wrote Sun. "I have no choice... I am who I am. I am a proud family man. I love being an entrepreneur. And I love Zoodango.com."

Sun says he considered Trump "a quite sensible and rational business executive," and thought based on that, his chances of being crowned The Apprentice "looked pretty good." But despite entering the finale believing that he was likely to win The Apprentice: Los Angeles, Sun now says he didn't really want Trump's job.

"During the finale, I made a subconscious decision to choose my life today over the life that Trump's new job could offer," wrote Sun. "Not that Trump's deal isn't great... it's a phenomenal opportunity to work with Donald Trump making $250,000. It just wasn't for me this time around.

"Our subconscious makes all kinds of decisions... we just have to recognize when it happens," wrote Sun. "It's very self-revealing and empowering because it tells you what's important in your life. Did I have to go on The Apprentice and make it to the finale to realize my subconscious priorities? No. But in this case, it all worked out."

"All in all, this was a great experience," concluded Sun's post. "I still wish I had won because I'm just a competitive guy, but I believe Stefani has the right industry background. I live in a world of the Web 2.0 and social networking and the Internet; not quite the world of Donald Trump. I only wish I could have gotten a more clear and definitive reason why I lost this game, but that's the game of life...some things are meant to be in the gray."

Shanna Moakler posts phone and email of old foe Paris Hilton online

2007-04-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Cats have nine lives, and apparently, so do their fights.

Former Dancing with the Stars 3 contestant and Meet the Barkers co-star Shanna Moakler reportedly wrote a blog post over the weekend on her MySpace page -- titled "Put This In Your Pipe and Smoke It" -- that publicly revealed what she claimed to be the email address and phone number of The Simple Life star Paris Hilton.

"This woman is simply desperate for press and attention," Hilton's representative Elliot Mintz recently told People. "Shanna deliberately posted Paris' phone number and email address on her website. It was an unprovoked invasion upon Paris' privacy, which immediately caused her to change her contact information. It was a childish, mean-spirited thing to do. And we are not going to dignify such an action with any additional comment."

The catfight between Moakler and Hilton has a bit of a history. Following a divorce filing by Meet the Barkers co-star Travis Barker from Moakler last August, he was reportedly dating Hilton after the two were seen canoodling in Amsterdam. Hilton denied they were dating, but it still didn't sit too well with Moakler. She and Hilton got into a fight last October outside of a Los Angeles nightclub. Both filed separate police reports on the incident.

With Moakler and Barker trying to rekindle their relationship, they unknowingly attended a part earlier this month that Hilton was also at with her new boyfriend, Desperate Housewives actor Josh Henderson. The couples wisely kept their distance from each other. The tiff seemingly over, Moakler explained the posting of Hilton's email address and phone number on her blog, which also included email addresses for actress Lindsay Lohan.

"I posted this blog back in January to let you all know that my accounts were hacked. ... and since there are 2 little girls with to much time on their hands and no one to love them....id like to share my 'hacked' info as well," wrote Moakler, according to People. "ive tried to disassociate myself from both these parties for some time now and like a fungus they wont go away."

While Hilton's information was apparently correct, Lohan's representative said hers was not, adding, "She and Shanna are not friends." Both Lohan and Hilton's representatives also denied Moakler's "hacking" claims, People reported. Moakler's post has since been pulled, but she's posted again, explaining why she decided to make the information contained within public.

"There are numerous reasons why i posted my last blog and I stand behind every single one of them," she wrote.

Jael Strauss talks about her 'Top Model' experience

2007-04-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

Remember when the girls had an interview workshop and was told there were two types of interviews? "Type #1" interview is when the person will not shut up and "Type #2" is when the person says nothing and you have to pull teeth to get a conversation going. Well, Jael surprised the heck out of me. Guess which type of interview she turned out to be? Will she tell us if she is taking speech classes? Will we find out why 50 cents pushed her in the pool and what will she do next. Read on for the juicy details.

QUESTION: The last thing you said to Tyra is that this has been the best experience ever. What made it a great experience?

JAEL: I learned a lot about myself. I am so proud to see that I am strong and I was able to do it.

QUESTION: When your friend passed away what thoughts were going through your head as to whether you should stay or leave the competition?

JAEL: Definitely not; there was never, never a question in my mind to leave the competition. My friend is gone and I am still here living life to the fullest.

QUESTION: How did it feel to pose nude with cold ice cream and the eye balls of many people watching your every move?

JAEL: I loved it. I totally strive to be fearless. I am not uncomfortable with my body. People should not be uncomfortable with their bodies and learn to be free.

QUESTION: It seemed as though after your male makeover shoot, the judges were not pleased with your photos. Were the shoots more difficult or did you feel you needed more direction from Mr. Jay.

JAEL: I did not have a problem. I guided myself in the shoots and they did not have anything bad to say with the other shoots.

QUESTION: Did you feel they portrayed you correctly on the show?

JAEL: Oh definitely. I don't feel they portrayed me in a wrong way. I looked like a well rounded person. I'm satisfied.

QUESTION: Who pushed you in the pool at the celebrity party?

JAEL: 50 Cent.

QUESTION: Why did 50 cent not want to be bothered with you?

JAEL: He was intimidated by me. He is used to people falling all over him and treating him like a celebrity instead of a real person. I was real and that's what he could not deal with.

Note to reader: Real? Don't you mean... pesky? She was like that pesky fly that keeps buzzing around your head -- you keep swatting it, but it just will not leave you alone. Yup, that's Jael.

QUESTION: What was difficult about doing the Cover Girl Commercial in Sydney, especially when you had cue cards?

JAEL: I was out of my character. I cannot be fake and bubbly; that's not me. I just cannot be like that.

Note to readers: WHAT??? She was not kidding. From what we saw on the show she is more of a silly and goofy character and that's not Cover Girl's character.

QUESTION: How did you feel about the judges always saying that they could not understand you? Will you do anything about your speech?

JAEL: Nope, I am not going to do anything about my speech. You can understand me... can't you? (I said, "yes." I had to work hard to pay attention to her thought process. She seems to think faster than the words can come out of her mouth. Therefore, in this interview I already knew how to keep up with her.) The judges just don't speak Jael. It just went over their heads.

QUESTION: What will you do now?

JAEL: I will have my own reality TV show that will interview underground rock bands and musicians. I will also definitely keep modeling.

I have nothing else to say about Jael. I'm going to keep my mouth closed because I think I've said too much already. She is just a fabulous person in her own mind. Good for her! I do wish her the best of luck in all her endeavors.

'American Idol's sixth season Top 6 take the stage and perform

2007-04-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

American Idol's sixth season Top 6 took the stage last night and performed songs they personally find inspirational as part of the Idol Gives Back charity event.

We've got the same three judges, the same six finalists, but one huge difference," said Idol host Ryan Seacrest at the beginning of the broadcast. "The calls you make will not only save your favorite contestants, they will also save lives."

As usual with Idol, viewers voted for their favorite contestants via toll-free numbers and text messages following the performance show. However because it was also the first night of Idol Gives Back, sponsors donated money to charity for every vote cast, which will go towards organizations that provide relief to children and young people living in poverty in Africa and America.

ews Corporation donated 10-cents for every one of the first 50 million votes cast following last night's performance episode, meaning they could contribute a total of $5 million. Last April, viewers cast more than 47.5 million votes for the results show that revealed Idol's fifth season Top 5, an all-time non-finale American Idol record. In addition to News Corp., Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T also made corporate contributions to Idol Gives Back.

With more than the fates of the remaining six finalists at stake, viewers had double the time to vote -- four hours -- following the performance episode. In addition, each finalist was also assigned two toll-free viewer voting phone numbers instead of the usual one.

The following is Reality TV World's recap of the performance broadcast in the order which the six finalists sang. Also included are comments from each of the three judges -- Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell -- as well as additional information about each performance and comments from each finalist as to why they chose the inspirational song they picked.

Wednesday night at 8PM ET, Fox will air a special two-hour live results show featuring numerous artists and celebrities, including Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Josh Groban with the African Children's Choir, Jack Black, Helen Mirren, Rascal Flatts, Quincy Jones, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, and many more. It will feature performances from both the Idol stage as well as at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where comedian Ellen DeGeneres will serve as host.

In addition, U2 frontman Bono is scheduled to meet with the Top 6 to talk about the work of ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History and how the Idol audience can contribute to the cause. The Top 6 will also perform "American Prayer," a song written by Bono and Dave Stewart about the AIDS emergency in Africa. At the conclusion of Wednesday's results show, Idol 6's Top 5 will be revealed.

Chris Richardson, a 22-year-old from Chesapeake, VA

Song: "Change the World" by Eric Clapton
Chris said: "To me, it sort of defines what the show is all about this week. It's about how one person has the will to change someone's life. So just imagine what millions could do."
Randy said: "Yo Chris! You know what's interesting right now man? This is where I really love the show -- this time of the season -- because I'm here to see who's in it to really win it. And tonight dog, for the first time in a long time for me, dude you were in it to win it. That was great dude! That was really good. Fly jacket too. That's a fly jacket."
Paula said: "To start it off you did fantastic. It was a great song choice. It was really well done, I'm really proud of you to see your journey from the beginning to where you are now. It's really exciting."
Simon said: "I know what you mean Randy. It kind of feels like the competition starts properly tonight. This reminded me of the very first time we saw you. We said at the time, 'This guy's got potential.' It was a good vocal. It had much more soul in it, it was kind of more sexy performance. I think you did really well."
Additional Info: Chris began his performance sitting on a stool before moving around the stage towards the end... Former Idol 6 finalist Brendan Rogers could be seen clapping in the audience following Chris' performance... Ryan said, "That is a nice start to the show this evening. You've got to be feeling good."

Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN

Song: "There Will Come a Day" by Faith Hill
Melinda said: "I chose this song because it not only speaks about the problems that exist in our country and even our world today, but it also talks about the hope for a better tomorrow, and I think that's what tonight's all about."
Randy said: "Melinda, so every week I see you now, every week I see you up there I keep saying you're our resident pro because you're just so dope. You've got it all together every performance. It's just... I don't even know what to say anymore. It's just great. You have arrived... Melinda is here!"
Paula said: "It must feel great, week after week, getting the praise and love and support and the great critiques because Melinda... there's no one like you. You are just... you're magical. You really are. You're magical."
Simon said: "You're not going to look surprised are you? Promise? What I love about that performance was it wasn't a copy-cat performance. You took a song, you absolutely made me believe you recorded it originally. The second half of the song was incredible. I mean, that really was a vocal master class."
Additional Info: The Apprentice: Los Angeles star Ivanka Trump could be seen in the audience during Melinda's performance... a sign in the audience read, "Cincinnati (two hearts were drawn) Melinda Doolitte"... Following the judges' comments, Ryan reminded Melinda, "Don't look surprised, don't look surprised."... Instead of wearing his traditional dark-colored T-shirt, Simon was sporting a white, button-down, collared shirt. Ryan asked, "Simon where's your button?" as his top few buttons were undone. Simon warned, "Stop looking Ryan." But the heckling continued, as Ryan asked the audience, "Anyone seen a button?" Randy also got in on it, adding, "He lost it."

Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA

Song: "Imagine" by John Lennon
Blake said: "I'm very honored to be singing John Lennon's "Imagine." The song's about coming together as one and an ideal world. And we might not be able to accomplish that, but tonight, we can start by making it a better place."
Randy said: "Great choice of song dude. An amazing, amazing song. On the performance side dude it was just kind of alright for me though dog. I was wanting you to do a little bit more with it, but it was just okay for me. I don't know. (loud boos for Randy from the studio audience) Just keeping it real!"
Paula said: "I was thinking that at the beginning, then I was being reminded of how beautiful and simple that song is. And it's the first real sensitive, emotional [performance] from you Blake I've seen and I think that goes a long way. I really enjoyed it."
Simon said: "Blake this is a tricky one because you've chosen one of the big songs of all time, so there's always going to be a comparison to it. And it's not a song you can belt out, so I kind of know where Paula's coming from. You know, it felt sincere, you sang it... the only problem with it was it didn't really go anywhere. It was a little bit like that throughout (making a flat gesture with his hands). But I think the most important part probably was the fact that you sang it with sincerity, so good."
Additional Info: Blake performed after Melinda for a second week in a row... Blake was the first to answer a fan's question this week, and he said the "biggest sacrifice" he's made by participating in Idol is "missing my family and home, my friends." But he added, "Luckily I have their support being here."

Lakisha Jones, a 27-year-old from Fort Meade, MD

Song: "I Believe" by American Idol 3 champ Fantasia Barrino
Lakisha said: "I chose this song because it inspired me and I just believe that if we all unite together we can make a difference. There are a lot of people who are suffering and struggling, and it's time to make a change."
Randy said: "Lakisha, that was another great song choice for you. It had a couple little pitch problems for me. I don't think it was your best performance, but I did like it though (boos from the audience). It wasn't your best, but I did like it. It's a very hard song to sing after Fantasia... I must admit."
Paula said: "Lakisha, there's no doubt about it, you are a powerhouse vocalist (cheers from the audience). You've taken on a monster... we say don't attempt [Whitney Houston], don't attempt [Donna Summers], don't attempt Chaka Khan, don't attempt [Mariah Carey], [Celine Dion]. Even though Fantasia's not been... she hasn't been around a long time, but she is so undeniably and wonderfully and magnificently unique, I just have a hard time getting past Fantasia. (Randy interjected, 'Yeah, you can only hear her singing that.') It doesn't take away from your vocals (boos for Paula from the audience).
Simon said: "Thanks for summing that up so briefly Paula (this brought chuckles from the audience). Look, I kind of think I know what Paula was trying to say, which was that she preferred the Fantasia version. That's what you were trying to say (boos). You were... you were. It was very emotional. Again, I'm having an issue here Lakisha with the shouting, whereas before, I thought that you were... (boos from the audience) Please shut-up! (laughs from the audience, then more boos)."
Additional Info: A sign in the audience read, "Texas (heart) Lakisha" and was written on an image of the state's flag... Following her performance, Ryan reminded Simon that Lakisha "picked [the song] because it inspired her."

Phil Stacey, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, FL

Song: "The Change" by Garth Brooks
Phil said: "[The song] had a profound impact on my life. It was released after the Oklahoma City bombings to commemorate the amazing heroism that emerged in this tragedy. And tonight, each of us are being given the opportunity to become heroes if we'll only get involved and take advantage of this amazing opportunity."
Randy said: "You know what I'm happy about for you dog? What I'm really, really happy about right about now is that since last week -- country week -- you really came back, showed who you were, did your thing. You're back again this week with another strong performance on a very nice vocal on a very great song. Congratulations dog."
Paula said: "I feel like you've really found your comfort. This was fantastic. This was your best."
Simon said: "Phil, you know, I really like you. I'm glad that you had a good week last week and you've come back with a spring in your step, confidence. I thought it was a good choice of song. My only thing I would advise you on is that last week, we heard more of a kind of a country-tone in your voice, which I think suits your voice much, much more than the way you sang it tonight. And I'm going to tell you, if you can connect now with the two elements, you actually could do very well in this show because I think people like you."
Additional Info: Phil also answered a fan's questions, and revealed what he misses most about home are "his two little babies," who had been in Los Angeles during previous weeks of the competition but were currently in Oklahoma with their grandparents. "Even though it's hard being away from them, we know in the long run it will all be worth it," said Phil. "This is going to make for a better life for them." Ryan commented, "Plus daddy's famous... daddy's becoming famous."... Phil's wife could be seen beaming in the audience following his performance... As Ryan read the numbers for viewers to call to vote for Phil, the finalist yelled, "Everybody vote... everybody vote."

Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ

Song: "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for their 1945 musical Carousel
Jordin said: "I chose this song because it has a great message of hope. There's just been so much going on in our country and around the world, and I really hope that this message is comforting to people so they know that no matter what they're going through, they're not by themselves."
Randy said: "You know something? I keep saying it every week, but it's so true this week... I think that's one of the best vocals by any contestant ever on this show ever in six seasons, and it's sung (Randy had to raise his voice to talk over the screaming audience) by someone who's 17-years-old! That was the hottest tonight America! Right there!"
Paula said: "Jordin, you sure picked an amazing song to close the night. It's one of those songs that's very haunting and it swells, and only someone who has great vocals can do it. You did a lovely job. You're glorious."
Simon said: "Well... unlike Randy, I thought you were fantastic (everybody laughed). Really. I've got to tell you, that song is about 60-years-old, I think you'd have a hit record with that (Randy and Paula said, 'Yeah' in agreement). Brilliant."
Additional Info: A sign in the audience read, "Spark It Up for Jordin"... Ryan described Jordin as "the show-stopper"... Following Jordin's performance, Ryan removed his tie and gave it to her so she could dry her eyes. He commented, "I saw the tears coming."

Heather Mills and Jonathan Roberts cut from 'Dancing with the Stars'

2007-04-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Heather Mills expected to be eliminated from Dancing with the Stars' fourth season during last night's live results show on ABC, and that's exactly what happened, as the former model and her partner Jonathan Roberts were the fifth couple sent packing from the competition.

"As you can see, I brought my farewell speech," said Mills, who whipped out a piece of paper upon learning she was the fifth celebrity participant eliminated. "We knew we were going out. Come on... we were in the bottom two last time and our scores were so bad last night."

"I'd just like to say a massive thank you to Jonathan because he's just amazing," Mills said. "What's sad is once the dancers go out, he's not paid. So I feel really bad for that reason, so I'm going to try and get him some great work."

After scoring well with the judges during the first and second weeks of competition, Mills and Roberts fell to the middle-of-the-pack during the third week of performances. Last week, not only did the duo find themselves among the bottom-two based on a combination of the judges' scores and viewer votes, but Mills also fell in the final moments of her and Roberts routine.

During Monday night's performance episode, Mills and Roberts performed the Paso Doble, but were criticized for failing bring the passion the dance needed and only scored 23 out of a possible 30 points from the judges. However Mills --who has been competing with a prosthetic left leg because she was hit by a police motorcycle while crossing a London street in August 1993 -- took her ousting in stride, feeling she was able to inspire people. She also planned on donating any of her monetary winnings from the competition towards animal welfare charities.

"It's just been overwhelming. Everywhere I go -- from 5-year-olds to 85 -- they just go, 'Oh my God! I want to dance now!'" said Mills. "It's just great. But most importantly, it's raised a fortune for our charities, so hundreds of thousands of animals' lives are going to be saved."

A week after they scored the first perfect 30 out of 30 for their samba performance, the judges were once again kind to two-time Olympic gold medalist speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and partner Julianne Hough, who scored a 28 for Monday night's rumba. They were tied atop the judges' leaderboard with professional boxer Laila Ali and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who scored a 28 for the second week in a row following a Monday night performance of the cha-cha. Hot on their heels were former N Sync singer Joey Fatone and partner Kym Johnson, who scored a 27 with their own samba performance.

Just ahead of Mills and Roberts were former Beverly Hills 90210 actor Ian Ziering and partner Cheryl Burke, who performed the Paso Doble on Monday night and scored a 24 for the fourth week in a row.

"It lacked drama, I didn't like your posture, I didn't like your arms," Dancing with the Stars judge Len Goodman told Ziering following the performance. "It's just a little conflicting for me," answered Ziering. "The Paso Doble is full of intensity, strength and confidence... and that's what I brought to the dance."

Fellow Dancing with the Stars' judge Carrie Ann Inaba told Ziering to take an example from country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who despite only scoring a 21 with his partner Karina Smirnoff for their jive, displayed "exuberance, focus and passion." Cyrus said he created some of his own dance moves for the routine, which he referred to as the "Bubba Chicken."

"It's about three-quarters jive and one-quarter bubba," explained Cyrus. "It's a lot of fun."

Rounding out the bottom based on the judges' scores for a second week in a row were former Cheers star John Ratzenberger and his partner Edita Sliwinski, who had received 19 for their samba performance from the judges. Ratzenberger and Sliwinski joined Mills and Roberts in the bottom two, but were spared since they received enough viewer votes to counteract their low scores from the judges.

Dancing with the Stars' seventh performance episode will take place on Monday, April 30 on ABC from 8PM ET/PT to 9:30PM ET/PT, with the six remaining couples each being scored on both a ballroom and Latin routine. On Tuesday, May 1 beginning at 9PM ET/PT, another couple will be eliminated from the competition based on a combination of the judges' scores and viewer votes.

Madonna to appear on 'American Idol's 'Idol Gives Back' charity event

2007-04-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

Madonna has earned some serious dough during her career, and now she's reportedly hoping to help raise some big bucks for a good cause.

As part of the Idol Gives Back charity event, Madonna will deliver a pre-taped message during Wednesday night's special two-hour results show of American Idol, a representative for the singer confirmed to Access Hollywood on Tuesday. The event is designed to raise both awareness and funds for organizations that provide relief to children and young people living in poverty in Africa and America.

"I'm gonna blow [a secret] now: Madonna came on board yesterday," Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said as a guest on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM morning radio program on Wednesday, according to Access Hollywood. "And that is just fantastic."

While the 48-year-old is most recognizable for her work as a singer-songwriter, record producer, film producer, fashion designer, dancer, author, and actress, she is also a well-known humanitarian, having worked with numerous philanthropic organizations over the years.

Madonna will join numerous other artists and celebrities, including Celine Dion, Bono, Ellen DeGeneres, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Josh Groban with the African Children's Choir, Jack Black, Helen Mirren, Rascal Flatts, Quincy Jones, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, and many more, who are all involved with the two-hour Idol Gives Back special.

Mark Burnett, MySpace announce 'Independent' political reality show

2007-04-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

Mark Burnett is expanding his reality empire beyond the realm of television and onto the World Wide Web.

Social-networking website MySpace and Mark Burnett Productions announced that they are teaming up to create Independent, a new reality competition show aimed at finding the next great politician through a multimedia campaign, which will include both the Internet and network television. The concept -- which is expected to launch in early 2008 -- is geared towards engaging youth in America's political process by giving those who visit the site and watch the show a chance to actually select a candidate whom they feel "will best reflect the voice of young Americans."

"Independent represents a giant leap in the re-democratization of American politics," said Chris DeWolfe, CEO and co-founder of MySpace. Added Tom Anderson, president and co-founder of MySpace, "MySpace puts political power back in the hands of everyday people and Independent takes it to a whole new level."

Instead of featuring a traditional reality cast of contestants, Independent will use "candidates" who submit information about themselves via MySpace Video. Once the final candidates are chosen, each will launch MySpace "Impact profiles" that will serve as their soapbox. Over the course of Independent's run, viewers of the show and visitors of the site will be able to discuss important issues with each candidate through an "interactive town-hall environment."

Independent's winner will be selected by viewers and awarded a grand prize of $1 million. But he or she can't keep it, and instead must decide how to correctly spend it. With their decision influenced by viewers and the MySpace community -- who will submit politically-theme spending options -- the winner must pick which cause best suites their message.

"Through this new network television series and the partnership of MySpace, we're going to discover in a big way what America really thinks, and bring to light the issues that are closest to those who now finally have a chance to be heard," said Burnett. "The largest number of eyeballs able to be reached at any one time is still network television. But clearly, the world's largest social networking community is found on MySpace and this huge, powerful group of young Americans will definitely generate strong opinions, and unquestionable influence."

MySpace recently announced community-wide straw polls for Independent will begin taking place in May, and the "MySpace Presidential Primary" is currently scheduled to be held on January 1 and 2, 2008. In addition, Burnett and MySpace will soon begin to shop Independent to networks to determine which is "the most appropriate broadcast partner" for the show.

Sanjaya won't credit Howard Stern for his success

2007-04-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Sanjaya Malakar might have gotten voted off "American Idol" last week, but he refuses to go away. Sanjaya recently appeared on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" (the episode airs today) and told Ellen that he didn't think Howard Stern's constant campaigning had much of an effect on his success. Rather, Sanjaya credited his fans for pushing him into the top seven of "AI."

Said Sanjaya of the Vote For The Worst campaign, "I was fine with it, cause honestly, anyone who was going to vote for me cause Howard Stern told them to isn't going to vote more than like, twice maybe, so that's not gonna make a dent in the system... I was definitely where I was because of the fans."

I'll give Sanjaya a break because I don't think 17 year olds should be held accountable for saying foolish things. Also, considering that 37 million people watch "American Idol," no one is going to make it through on Howard Stern's support alone. But yeah, it definitely helped.

Britney Spears doing a song with Sanjaya?

2007-04-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Star Magazine is reporting (via the Post Chronicle) that Britney Spears may soon be working with "American Idol" laughingstock Sanjaya Malakar.

Reportedly this was Spears' idea, she is "eager" to work with Sanjaya, and she thinks the two would make "beautiful" music together.

In other news, Britney Spears is obviously still on drugs. Or this report is false. Or maybe, this is part of an elaborate plan to make the US Weekly building implode. Probably option #2.

DeGeneres for the "Idol Gives Back"

2007-04-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

Ellen DeGeneres, who has hosted the Oscars, the Grammys and the Emmys, will do the honors at Wednesday's "American Idol" charity event, which will boast appearances by the likes of Bono,Gwen Stefani and Pink.

"Idol Gives Back," a special two-hour results show, will benefit relief programs for children and young people in extreme poverty.

It will feature performances from the "Idol" stage as well as from the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, where DeGeneres will be based. It will air on Fox from 8-10 p.m.

Bono will meet with the six "Idol" finalists to talk about the work of ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History and how the audience can help. The "Idol" contestants also will perform a song written by Bono and Dave Stewart about the
AIDS emergency in Africa titled "American Prayer."

Other participants include "American Idol" alumni Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Josh Groban, Jack Black, Helen Mirren, Rascal Flatts, Quincy Jones, and
Annie Lennox.

On Tuesday's "Idol" performance show, airing from 8-9 p.m., the finalists will sing "life anthem" songs.

'All-Stars' Oswald Mendez and Danilo Jimenez Finish Last But Survive

2007-04-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Eric Sanchez and Danielle Turner managed to overcome being both "marked for elimination" and yielded for the second time during last night's broadcast of CBS' The Amazing Race: All-Stars. Instead, fellow racers Oswald Mendez and Danilo Jimenez became "marked for elimination" when they were the last team to arrive at the eleventh leg's Pit Stop.

While they get to remain competing in the The Amazing Race: All-Stars, Ozzy and Danny must now be the first team to arrive at the next Pit Stop. If they fail to do that, they'll incur a 30 minute penalty, allowing any of the race's three other remaining teams to check-in before them.

The Amazing Race: All-Stars' eleventh episode began with Ozzy and Danny, the first team to complete the tenth leg, departing the tenth leg's Hong Kong Pit Stop at 3:41AM and receiving a clue instructing them to travel 40 miles by turbo ferry to mainland China and the city of Macau. Once in Macau, teams would meet a man in a rickshaw, and he would give them their next clue.

"So far, Danny and I have been incredibly fair the way we've dealt with every single team," explained Ozzy. "We're not going to be one of those people that are going to be stabbing someone in the back to qualify for the final three." The two were concerned, however, because they started off the leg "with minimal funds" after spending much of their money during the ninth leg's Roadblock. Beauty queens Dustin Seltzer and Kandice Pelletier were the next team to head for the ferry at 5:23AM.

"Until we're in the final three, we're going to race like we're in last place because we want to be there so bad, it's almost like wild animals fighting for food," said Dustin. Added Kandice, "Hopefully we can stay ahead of the other teams and get a little bit of a lead, which is great."

Ozzy and Danny were the first to reach Macau. Once there, they learned they needed to travel two miles to the tallest structure in the city, the Macau Tower, which stands over 1,109 feet high. At the tower, teams would find the second of two Yields on the race along with their next clue.

"If we do decide to Yield anyone, it will probably be the person right behind us," said Ozzy. "And I believe the people that came in second place are the blondes." Dustin and Kandice also learned about the Yield -- a race feature they had previously used on Eric and Danielle during the race's ninth leg. "We might be Yielded," guessed Kandice as they made their way to Macau Tower.

Cousins Charla Baklayan Faddoul and Mirna Hindoyan were the next to depart the Pit Stop at 7:06AM, and made their way to the ferry just hoping Charla wouldn't get sick to her stomach for a third time during All-Stars. "People think because Charla's short, they think I'm supposed to treat her in a special way," said Mirna. "She doesn't want to be treated in a special way. Other teams probably see me as a tyrant, but I'm here to win."

Once they arrived at the Macau Tower, Ozzy and Danny found the doors to the structure closed until 10AM. Prior to Dustin and Kandice's arrival, Ozzy and Danny did a money count and realized they had only $16. After taunting the beauty queens that they would Yield them, Ozzy and Danny decided to try and strike a deal with Dustin and Kandice.

"We have a little offer on the Yield," said Ozzy to Dustin and Kandice. "When we ended the last leg of the race, we ended up with zero dollars. So, I mean, we'll Yield whoever you want... but we do need cash." Ozzy called this tactic a "brilliant idea." Dustin and Kandice discussed the offer and decided who to Yield. Kandice realized it would be "crappy" to use the Yield on Danielle and Eric since they're already in last place. While she described it was "kicking them while they're down," she remembered the Yield is a "tool" during the game. After deciding to trust Ozzy and Danny, Dustin and Kandice paid $45 to Yield Eric and Danielle.

"It's not a big deal," said Danny. But Ozzy wasn't so sure. "I feel nauseous for doing this," he told Danny. "I'm not happy." Meanwhile the beauty queens accepted their decision to Yield Eric and Danielle for a second time. "We now officially are the Yield queens," said Kandice. "We just bought a Yield."

Eric and Danielle were the last team to leave Hong Kong, departing for the ferry at 9:31AM and totally unaware of the deal that had just taken place. "I don't like where we are now. It's not a good position to be in," said Eric. "We're fighting from the bottom to try and get to the top. There's no mistakes you can really make right now without risking being eliminated." Danielle added "it really sucks" to be "marked for elimination." "We need to catch-up to them somehow or we're screwed," she said.

Charla and Mirna arrived at Macau Tower just prior to its opening. Kandice told Mirna, "Your hair looks nice." Stunned at the compliment, all Mirna could muster was, "Thanks!" When the tower opened, the three teams still had to wait another hour for the tower's top floor was open.

During the downtime, Charla -- aware that Ozzy and Danny were running low on funds-- volunteered to give them some of her team's money. "I thank you for your generosity," Ozzy cryptically replied. "It would have been heaven-sent if we had this conversation earlier." As Eric and Danielle arrived in Macau, the elevators opened for the other three teams to ascend to the 61st floor of the tower. And when they got to the top of the tower, Ozzy and Danny proved to be men of their word as they Yielded Eric and Danielle.

Ozzy and Danny's move befuddled Mirna. "The Yield wasn't really necessary. Why would you ever Yield a team in the beginning of a leg knowing that they're not that far behind and they can catch-up and pass you at any moment?" pondered Mirna. "It didn't make logical sense to me."

With the deed done, the teams were met by a Roadblock. In this Roadblock, one team member had to step outside of the Macau Tower and walk completely around the outer rim of the observation deck. Then, using the world's highest permanent descender, they had to jump off the building and fall 660 feet to the street below. Host Phil Keoghan called it "the highest jump in the history of The Amazing Race."

As Kandice, Danny and Charla suited up and attempted to complete the Roadblock in that order, Eric and Danielle arrived and learned of the Yield ahead. Eric was confident either Ozzy and Danny or Charla and Mirna would have been able to "Yield the blondes." Kandice was the first to finish the Roadblock. After completing it, her team received a clue instructing them to travel by taxi to Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, where they would search for their next clue.

Meanwhile, as Charla prepared for her Roadblock decent, Ozzy informed Mirna of the Yield deal his team had made with the blondes. "We would have given you the money!" Mirna told Ozzy. "I know," he responded. "We were desperate and honestly, we didn't even want to use our Yield, but it was a decision that we made." Mirna said she was "definitely disappointed" about the deal, and described it "like making a deal with the devil."

Shortly thereafter, Eric and Danielle -- anticipating they'd be able to "make up some ground" on whichever front-running team had been Yielded -- were surprised to discover that they had been Yielded once again.

"You guys are pieces of s**t!" yelled Eric at Ozzy and Danny. "I'm just angry that Ozzy and Danny Yielded us," Eric explained afterward. "You start off trusting everybody for the most part, a little bit, then you see things come out in people that you don't like. So I have no respect for Danny and Ozzy anymore."

As Ozzy and Danny hopped in a cab on the way to the garden, they looked back on their deal. "There's no way to explain to Danielle and Eric what our consequences were for Yielding them," said Danny. "It was 'bad karma' versus 'no money,' and we could have been eliminated this leg."

After Charla completed the Roadblock, she and Mirna also headed off to the garden and gossiped in the cab. "It's going to motivate [Eric and Danielle]," said Mirna of Ozzy and Danny's decision. "People just don't realize sometimes the Yield backfires on you."

Following the expiration of their Yield time, Eric quickly completed the Roadblock. "We've got to keep racing and hopefully we can catch up," said Eric once in a cab. "I feel like the pressure's on. I'm just trying to get things done to make back some time that we lost. I'm so pissed about the Yield. Danny and Ozzy are cowards."

Since Dustin and Kandice got lost on the way, Ozzy and Danny managed to become the first to reach the garden . Upon finding the cluebox and retrieving the leg's next clue, Danny and Ozzy learned it was time for the leg's Detour tasks, "Noodle" and "Dragon."

In "Noodle," the teams had to make their way two miles to the second floor of a building to choose a noodle making station. Then they had to use traditional methods to flatten the dough and cut it. After two bundles of thin noodles were completed, they would receive their next clue.

In "Dragon," the teams had to travel nearly one mile to a nearby warehouse. Once there, they had to choose a dragonhead and a drum and carry these awkward items three-quarters of a mile through the streets of Macau to a dock and find dragon boats. When they attached their dragonhead to the one boat it matched and handed their drum over to the coxswain, they would receive their next clue.

Ozzy and Danny chose "Dragon," which Ozzy described as sounding "fun and easy." As Dustin and Kandice decided to do "Noodle," Danny and Ozzy grew frustrated with their cab driver, who got lost trying to find the warehouse. Charla and Mirna also chose "Noodle." Danielle took a nasty spill in the garden, but she and Eric chose "Noodle" as well.

Dustin and Kandice were the first to arrive at the noodle station at the same time Danny realized their cab driver took them to the end of the Detour challenge, not the beginning. "The Detour has two addresses... where the Detour begins, and where the Detour ends," said Danny. "[The cab driver] doesn't read English, so obviously we go to the end of the Detour instead of the beginning."

Dustin and Kandice were the first to complete the Detour, but were told their noodles were too thick just as Charla and Mirna arrived. However they quickly corrected their mistake and learned they had to travel one mile to a street where a Mini-Moke -- a small car -- would be waiting for them along with their next clue. After arriving at the Mini-Moke, the beauty queens discovered they had to drive five miles to the island of Taipa and find Triho de Taipa Pequena 2000, the site of the race's eleventh Pit Stop.

Danny and Ozzy finally picked-up the dragonhead and drum and headed towards the boat docks. Danny assured Ozzy he knew where the water could be found and had the cab follow them.

Meanwhile, back at the noodle station, Charla and Mirna's first attempt also saw them cut the noodles too thick, for which Mirna blamed Charla (of course). "Charla, I had it so thin!" she yelled at her cousin. "You kept telling me to cut it thick! Good job!"

When they arrived at the noodle station, Eric and Danielle realized that the other teams' difficulties had given them an opportunity to gain some ground. However, despite the chance to gain some ground on Charla annd Mirna, Eric never lost sight of his true goal. "I just want to get this done and kill Danny and Ozzy," said Eric to Danielle. Working like a man possessed, Eric sliced his noodles thin enough on the first try and he and Danielle left in second place.

"You told me to make them half an inch thick. You think that was a good idea in hindsight?" said Mirna, as she continued to berate her cousin. Answered Charla, "We're not all perfect like some people."

While the cousins eventually managed to finish the task and depart for the Mini-Mokes, Ozzy and Danny continued to aimlessly wander the streets of Macau with a dragonhead and drum. As they walked the streets, Danny felt that Ozzy didn't "trust" his sense of direction, and the two asked several people for help to no avail. "This does not feel right," said a confused Danny. "How could we be so lost?" Ozzy referred to their Macau adventure as "an ordeal and a half."

Mercifully, Ozzy and Danny eventually found the dock, delivered the dragonhead and drum and -- using their bad-luck cab driver -- made their way to the Mini-Mokes.

Meanwhile, deciding not to try and make the drive on their own, Dustin and Kandice and Eric and Danielle each got someone (a man on a motorcycle and a cab respectively) to show them the way to Taipa.

Mirna, not surprisingly, crashed her Mini-Moke as soon as she got behind the wheel and tried to get Charla to drive instead. As motorists honked, the cousins received some help and had their vehicle moved off the curb it was stuck on. Eventually, they gave the Mini-Moke another shot and headed back off to Taipa with Mirna back behind the wheel. When they finally found their Mini-Moke, Ozzy and Danny decided to follow the same cab driver that plagued them all day to Taipa.

Dustin and Kandice were the first to arrive at the Pit Stop, followed closely by Eric and Danielle, who had to wait 30 minutes since they were "marked for elimination" from the previous leg. Nervously pacing and dancing around, Eric and Danielle waited anxiously with the beauty queens, who told them how the Yield went down. However they left out the part where it was their decision -- not Danny and Ozzy's -- to Yield Eric and Danielle. It didn't matter in Eric's mind.

"As far as I'm concerned, everyone can go to hell," said Eric."[Ozzy and Danny] suck. I'm so pissed... honestly. I want to throw them off this roof."

Meanwhile, back on the road, Ozzy and Danny continued to feel the negative affects of their Yield karma. Their cab driver led them to the wrong park on Taipa, forcing them to drive to the other side of the island. Although Charla and Mirna were the third team to arrive at the Pit Stop, they actually finished in second place since Eric and Danielle still had to wait another 14 minutes to check in. Eric actually saw Ozzy and Danny's Mini-Moke approach Triho de Taipa Pequena 2000 as their 30 minute delay expired, but he and Danielle managed to run out their time penalty before the best friends could arrive at the Pit Stop mat.

"We right now feel so good. We're so lucky to even be standing here right now after everything we've been through," said Eric. "I'm not used to being an underdog and I really feel like Danielle and I are the underdogs. We've been through hell." Danielle described the feeling as "non-stop craziness."

Having noticed the other Mini-Mokes already parked in the lot upon their arrival at the Pit Stop location, Danny and Ozzy approached the mat already aware they were in last place. However after they solemnly reached the Pit Stop mat, The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan informed them that since the leg was the race's last non-elimination leg, they had not been eliminated from the race.

"We are accountable for our actions. We did what we had to do given the situation that we had," said Ozzy, explaining their Yield deal. "Today was a day when karma bit Ozzy and Danny in the ass. It was not our proudest moment using that Yield that we never intended to use. Money is the root of all evil."

The Amazing Race: All-Stars will air its penultimate episode on Sunday, April 29 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS.

Former 'The Apprentice: LA' Candidate To Grace 'Playboy' Cover

2007-04-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Kristine Lefebvre may have been fired by The Donald, but it didn't take The Apprentice: Los Angeles applicant too long to find work elsewhere.

The 37-year-old attorney from Los Angeles, CA who was eliminated from The Apprentice's sixth season when the Top 4 finalists were revealed will appear on the cover of Playboy's June issue, the website TMZ.com reported Thursday.

While the Playboy cover and inside spread might appear to be an attempt at making a quick buck before her 15 minutes of fame fully expire (if they hadn't already), Lefebvre is a cancer survivor and "sources" told TMZ.com that she plans on using her pictorial to send an encouraging message to other survivors and those still battling cancer.

However it also doesn't hurt that she's previously negotiated Playboy spreads for a some of her law clients, according to TMZ.com, allowing her to create "a very savvy and potentially lucrative" deal for herself.

Lefebvre isn't the first contestant from a Mark Burnett-created reality series to grace the cover of Playboy. Survivor: The Amazon $1 million winner Jenna Morasca and fifth place finisher Heidi Strobel -- both of whom removed their clothes during a now infamous episode of the CBS series for chocolate and peanut butter -- appeared in the August 2003 issue of Playboy.

Stefani Schaeffer Trumps James Sun, Wins 'The Apprentice: Los Angeles'

2007-04-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Stefani Schaeffer was hired by Donald Trump during last night's finale of NBC's The Apprentice: Los Angeles which featured a live boardroom broadcast from the Hollywood Bowl. The 32-year-old attorney from Los Angeles, CA was chosen out of 18 professionals who competed in a 14-week job interview during The Apprentice's sixth season, which was also the first to have four finalists instead of two.

"Stefani you've gone under the radar, but you've gotten along with everybody. You're obviously brilliant based on your academic background, your marks, everything you've done, and I want to really commend you," said Trump before revealing she was the winner. "You've done a fantastic job."

While Trump acknowledged he was "a little bit concerned" Stefani went under the radar for most of the competition, he still decided to hire her during The Apprentice's finale and fire the show's three other remaining finalists: Frank Lombardi, a 27-year-old contracting company founder from Bronx, NY; James Sun, a 29-year-old Internet entrepreneur from Seattle, WA; and Nicole D'Ambrosio, a 25-year-old commercial real estate corporation owner and broker from Chicago, IL.

"Mr. Trump, I think what you've seen from me is someone who's had the respect of every single one of their team members from Day 1 until today," Stefani said when answering how she would explain flying under the radar. "I never took credit for other people's ideas. I contributed my own ideas and made sure my team looked good all the time. If someone was falling below the appropriate standard, I made them look good. I filled in the spaces. I made us work as a team. That's what a leader does."

During the broadcast of The Apprentice: Los Angeles' penultimate episode last Sunday, Stefani and James were paired together and competed against Frank and Nicole in the season's final task, requiring them to write, direct and produce a 60-second commercial for an air-freshener company. Trump told Frank and Nicole their commercial "wasn't good" and also reminded Frank how he was almost fired during the competition's first week. While he loved Frank's "drive," he added there are "certain liabilities" and fired him.

Nicole then met the same fate. During the competition, she developed a relationship with fellow applicant Tim Urban, a 24-year-old tutoring company owner from Los Angeles, CA. Trump told Nicole during the finale that while he is a "believer in romance," he's not a "believer in inter-office romance."

"You love Tim, you like Tim... I think that's wonderful. But you know what? I want you to love me more. It's important because I have to be the boss," explained Trump before firing Nicole.

With the competition down to James and Stefani, The Donald turned to his two children -- Ivanka and Donald Jr. -- who flanked him throughout the finale and much of The Apprentice's sixth season. Ivanka said she was concerned Stefani wouldn't be able to work independently of James since the two relied so heavily on each other.

"I function on a daily basis both from a business perspective and a legal perspective. My line of business requires me to be a leader on a daily basis. I lead hundreds of people through complex litigation where millions of dollars are at risk, defending people just like your father," answered Stefani. "I was the driving force of our team from Day 1. I was not only a creative force, I was the glue that held our team together."

Donald Jr. criticized James for not being able "to see the big picture," especially during the final task, when Donald Jr. thought James "got lucky" when he became "so focused on one aspect of the video" that he "almost forgot about everything else." While James tried to explain he's the "visionary and strategist" of his Internet company, it apparently wasn't enough as he was still fired.

Stefani was also a popular choice among some of the previously fired women applicants from The Apprentice's sixth season. Heidi Androl, a 26-year-old national/international sales manager from Santa Monica, CA, told Trump she thought Stefani should win. "I love strong women... and Stefani is the epitome of strong women," she said. Kristine Lefebvre, a 37-year-old attorney from Los Angeles, CA, agreed.

"I think it's the year of the woman," she said. "You don't have to scream the loudest to be the strongest, and I think watching Stefani from afar, she really led in a silent way -- if we want to say that -- but I think she kept the frat boys under control."

For winning The Apprentice: Los Angeles, Stefani will receive a $250,000 salary for being employed by The Donald as she will oversee the construction of Trump at Cap Cana, a luxurious resort complex in the Dominican Republic that includes a beach club, condominium hotel, private villas, a golf course and 68 private estates.

"I believe I bring not only a legal and business background to it, but also coming at it from the point of view of being in construction, having been counsel for developers in construction, I understand it from the ground up," explained Stefani.

Stefani was the only the second female to win The Apprentice, following in the footsteps of Season 3 winner Kendra Todd. The Apprentice's sixth season finale was also the first to be filmed outside of New York, as the series' entire season was filmed on the west coast. While Trump remains optimistic, NBC has yet to renew The Apprentice for a seventh installment.

The Eighth Girl Sent Home From The CW's 'Top Model 8'

2007-04-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

The six remaining runway wannabes competing on the eighth season of The CW's America's Next Top Model sharpened their interview skills during last night's episode before traveling to Sydney, Australia, where Jael Strauss, a 22-year-old band manager from Detroit, MI, was sent packing back to the States.

"I've been through so much here, and it's been such a learning experience and I'm so thankful to have had it. I am so proud that I have gotten this far," Jael said upon learning she was eliminated. "I am going to miss each and every one of the 13 girls who started off in the house equally and in different ways. I created bonds with each and every one of them, and I might be the only person who's been here fortunate to do so."

Top Model 8's eighth broadcast began with Jael talking with Jaslene Gonzalez, a 20-year-old online college admissions advisor from Chicago, IL, about how they were both among the bottom three in last week's episode, which saw Whitney Cunningham be the seventh girl eliminated. While Jaslene felt the "pressure is on," Jael thought it was "awesome" to have made it as far as she had.

"Everybody in the house is so eccentric and different, that's why I feel I deserve to be here," explained Jael. "I have complete faith in myself because I am the spreading of light."

The girls then received some Tyra Mail and were reminded talking to people isn't as easy it looks. They were then met at the house by Top Model 2 fourth-place finisher April Wilkner, who told them she's been working as a model in the U.S. and abroad, and said she's also enjoyed being employed as a correspondent. She was going to prepare the girls for that kind of work. With the help of actor/comedian Gary Riotto, she explained two types of problem interviews: "timid" interviews, when you don't say enough, and "chatterbox" interviews, when you say too much."

"I know how to talk to people about anything because I'm fearless and I have a lot to say," boasted Jael.

The girls were then paired into groups of two, with one acting as the host of an interview and the other acting as the guest, before they switched roles. Jaslene was paired with Brittany Hatch, a 21-year-old bartender from Savannah, GA, and both struggled to keep the conversation of the interview natural.

Natasha Galkina, a 21-year-old college student from Dallas, TX who is originally from Russia, and Renee Alway, a 20-year-old stay-at-home-mom from Maui, HI, were also paired together. "I would make the best correspondent out of the group because I have the look and I'm able to talk," said a confident Natasha, although April thought the interview with Renee was "ping pong."

Jael was paired with Dionne Walters, a 20-year-old college student from Montgomery, AL, and their interview was confrontational. Dionne noticed Jael "blabs about any and everything," and she was right. Natasha thought their interview was "hot" and "imagined two cats are ready to jump on each other" while watching it, and April commented it was "a little bit combative."

Back at the house, the girl relaxed a little bit in the pool and Jael was topless. "Jael and I had difference in the past," commented Renee. "But it's always been, 'Okay, we can separate and vent.' Now we're back on track, and I'm just kind of letting Jael be Jael. But I don't know if she has what it takes to be a model."

The next morning, April met the girls at the Los Angeles house they'd been living at and informed them they'd be hitting the streets with everything they learned. Suddenly, Top Model co-creator Tyra Banks entered in a kangaroo costume and surprised them with the news that they'd be going to Sydney, Australia. But the trip wouldn't be all fun, as the girls learned that once they arrived in Australia, they'd be putting their interview skills to work on the streets of Sydney. The winner of the challenge would serve as a correspondent on the syndicated talk show The Tyra Banks Show "more than once."

After the girls landed in Sydney, they were met by original Australia's Next Top Model host Erika Heynatz. She told them that for their challenge, they'd be learning some "Aussie slang" which they would then use to do on-the-street interviews with people about American fashion faux pas. Brittany explained she was "nervous" for the challenge because when she was 17, she was "run over by a car," needed eight staples in her head, and it affected her short-term memory.

Although she'd never been hit by a car, Dionne was also nervous. "I'm not at all ready for this challenge because it's like we didn't even get a chance to rest. We didn't get any sleep on the plane! You're asking us to go out and interview people!," said Dionne.

Renee, Jaslene and Natasha did well during the challenge, while Brit and Jael struggled, and Dionne didn't use any slang and instead kept saying, "that's cool, that's cool." Once the challenge was done, Erika told them the winner wouldn't be revealed until the next judging panel.

As they moved into their new Sydney apartment, several of the girls got very excited, but Natasha never lost focus. "I know that there are six of us, but only one is going to be the winner," she said. 'It's the break point of the competition where you have to get serious." Meanwhile Jael began to get nervous because she had been in the bottom two twice now, and Renee was confident because she and Brittany were the only remaining finalists who had not been in the bottom three yet.

The next day, the girls received some Tyra Mail and learned they'd be attending their first photo shoot down under. They were met by Jay Manuel, Top Model's creative director of photo shoots, who told them they'd be filming a Cover Girl commercial but needed to use a fake Australian accent. "I'm very nervous about this challenge because I have an accent, and I have to put my Aussie accent on-top of my Russian accent," explained Natasha.

While they were having their hair and make-up done, the girls rehearsed their lines and accents for the commercial. Once again, Brittany was nervous due to her short-term memory. Renee went first, and Manuel thought it was a "good job." However he thought Dionne sounded like she was delivering "one run-on sentence," and it took her more than a dozen takes. Jael required more than 20 takes, and she had numerous problems. Manuel suggested she try to make it "conversational," but it didn't help.

"Doing the Cover Girl commercial is a bit over the top... it's definitely difficult," said Jael. Manuel "loved her energy," but said the crew "struggled to get a good line read" out of her. Eventually Jael started to tear up. "I know it's hard. If I don't prep you and give you the harsh reality of where it is now, you're not going to get to that end result," he told her.

Jaslene nailed the script and was the first to do so without cue cards. Brittany had even more problems than Jael, requiring 30 takes. Manuel told Brittany to "work through her shortcomings," but it appeared she was already mentally defeated before the shoot even began. "If you let it overtake your emotions -- I can see the tears coming in your eyes and everything -- that's just going to defeat you," explained Manuel. Brittany called it "frustrating" the accident still affected her. Manuel said the problem he had was that "Brit was totally overcome by that emotional scar and baggage," which "totally shattered her performance."

After a few words of encouragement from Manuel, he called Natasha's shoot "genius." "I feel bloody good mate about my Cover Girl commercial," Natasha joked afterward. On their way back to their apartment, Brittany and Jael were both nervous. "I don't want to go home," said Jael. "I'm not finished spreading the joy to the universe."

Later, the girls met Tyra, photographer Nigel Barker, runway expert J. Alexander, former model Twiggy and Erika for the episode's judging panel. After Tyra asked for a "Hollah for the Top 6," she revealed Natasha won the challenge and landed the The Tyra Banks Show correspondent role.

"I cannot believe it!" said an excited Natasha.

As the judges reviewed the girls' commercials Tyra said she was "shocked and amazed" at how good Natasha's commercial had turned out. However Tyra thought Dionne had to "always be camp" and was reminded to have a sense of humor. Tyra noticed Jaslene "committed" to the accent, but was "thinking too much." Alexander thought Renee wasn't very "soft and pretty," and Tyra said the acting was good but there wasn't much modeling.

The judges universally panned Jael's performance. Nigel said she could have smiled and Tyra added Jael "looked like an anarchist making fun of a Cover Girl instead of bringing herself into it."

Brittany explained her short-term memory problem to the judges and couldn't help but crying again. "Fashion has no sympathy or empathy," commented Alexander. Despite fumbling her lines, Twiggy thought Brittany "looked gorgeous."

During deliberations, Jael and Brittany were immediately singled out. Nigel said Jael "does nothing" for him, and Twiggy thought Brittany needed to "conquer" her nerves. Tyra said Brittany has some of the "strongest pictures," but couldn't deliver the Cover Girl commercial, which "scared" the judges. While they tried to be "compassionate" due to her situation, Tyra explained the judges couldn't "favor her" because of it. Tyra said Jael took "beautiful pictures" throughout the competition, but said she presents herself "ghastly" on film and "fell flat," which made the judges "nervous."

After Jael's elimination was announced, she embraced Brittany and whispered, "Go get 'em" before addressing Tyra. "Thank you so much. Honestly, this experience has changed my life tremendously. I love all of you to death."

The eighth season of America's Next Top Model will continue on Wednesday, April 25 at 8PM ET/PT on The CW.

Bravo announces 'Project Runway 4' to premiere in late 2007

2007-04-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

Bravo has announced that the upcoming fourth season of its Emmy-nominated Project Runway reality competition series will not air as part of its Summer 2007 progamming schedule and will instead premiere in late 2007.

Although Project Runway's third edition set all-time Bravo ratings records when it aired last summer, a third season of Top Chef -- the network's Project Runway-like reality culinary competition which premiered its second edition immediately after Bravo's October broadcast of Project Runway 3's finale -- will headline the network's summer programming slate.

Project Runway 4's scheduling means that for the first time since the reality series debuted in December 2004, more than a year will have elapsed between Project Runway edition premieres. (Project Runway 2 debuted a year later in December 2005, however in a move that, at the time, seemed to indicate that the network was considering beginning to air two Project Runway editions yearly, Project Runway 3 debuted in July 2006 -- only four months after the show's second edition finale aired.)

According to Bravo's press release, Project Runway's fourth season will see "only three finalists... face-off.. at New York Fashion Week" -- a change from the third season format that featured four finalists presenting collections. A Bravo spokesperson did not immediately respond to Reality TV World's attempt to confirm "Fashion Week" will be Fall Fashion Week, the February event that served as the finale backdrop for the Project Runway's first two editions. (Project Runway 3 used New York's Spring Fashion Week, which occurs in September, for the filming of its October 2006 finale.)

Last week, Project Runway's producers formally announced that fashion guru and new Liz Claiborne chief creative officer Tim Gunn will return for the show's fourth season. Fashion designer Michael Kors, ELLE Magazine fashion director Nina Garcia and supermodel Heidi Klum will all also return for the show's fourth season.

Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz of Magical Elves -- the same production company that produces Top Chef -- will return as executive producers for the fourth season of Project Runway along with Rich Bye.

In addition to Top Chef's third edition, Hey Paula! -- American Idol judge Paula Abdul's new reality series -- and the third season of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List will be part of Bravo's summer broadcast schedule.

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie Reunited by "The Simple Life"

2007-04-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

E! has announced the premiere of The Simple Life's fifth season, which will follow reunited best friends Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie as they work as counselors at five different camps over the course of five weeks.

Titled The Simple Life Goes to Camp, the fifth season of the reality series is scheduled to premiere on Memorial Day -- Monday, May 28 at 10PM ET/PT -- before moving to its regular time period of Sundays at 10PM ET/PT the following week.

The five camps the 26-year-old hotel heiress and 25-year-old daughter of Lionel Richie will attend are definitely not the traditional summer camps kids normally enjoy. Instead, The Simple Life's fifth season will have Hilton and Richie working at a couples camp, drama camp, survival camp, beauty pageant camp and wellness camp, according to Reuters.

"All the camps were completely different. We would have to do all the challenges that [the campers] would have to do. We had to stay with them in the same rooms, so basically we were living the camp life," Hilton told The Associated Press on Monday. "It was hard, you know, not having cell phone service, being away from our friends and our family, but we had each other, so that was a lot of fun."

"We actually didn't prepare, which I guess was a problem because we were wearing heels and just not camp-appropriate things," added Richie.

The wellness camp Richie and Hilton worked at was overseen by fitness guru Susan Powter, and she made sure they were treated the same as all of her other staff members.

"We gave the campers enemas," Richie told Reuters. "We did it outside, so that was a lot of fun. It probably wasn't that fun for [the campers], but it was definitely interesting. It was something that I never thought I would do before." Chris Alexander, a spokesman for The Simple Life's producer 20th Century Fox Television, told Reuters that Powter ordered the enemas because "she believes the first step in wellness is cleaning yourself out."

"You'll see it on camera," Alexander told Reuters. "It's probably a 10-minute sequence, which according to the producer of the show will have you on the floor laughing."

Richie and Hilton had a well-documented on-again/off-again friendship for a while that was rekindled in October, after which E! announced a few days later that a fifth season of The Simple Life would begin production.

"We've been best friends since we were two years old. I've don't have any friend I've had as long as Nicole. She's my sister," Hilton told The AP. "Everyone has a fight, you know, it's just not going to be publicized, you know, and have things construed and changed around. You know, we're friends. We know the truth. The media made up a lot of silly stories and you just have to not pay attention to it."

Richie agreed with her BFF that their feuding wasn't for public consumption. "We just had a falling out and it happened to be public. It wasn't my choice at all. And the fact that we're friends again, the fact that that's public isn't my choice at all," she told The AP. "I mean, we're human beings and we get into fights, and, it happens. Well, we had one fight in 23 years, so I guess that's a good thing."

After filming five seasons of The Simple Life -- which has seen its stars live on an Arkansas farm, take a road trip while working odd jobs, serve as interns at various companies, and even play homemakers for different families across the country -- both Richie and Hilton said they have learned from their experiences.

"It's funny because a lot of people, as close as they are, when you spend so much time with someone, it's like you see habits that you know, you're just like, "Ugh, I can't spend this much time with someone,'" Richie told The AP. "But I love spending time with her and we have so much fun and, you know, I really just look at it as nothing but fun."

The Simple Life Goes to Camp marked the first time both Richie and Hilton ever went to camp, as neither attended one as a child. While they valued the experience, it's apparently not one they plan on repeating anytime soon.

"I didn't really like the camp life... I'd rather go to Europe for the summer," Hilton told The AP.

'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell already "missing" Sanjaya Malakar

2007-04-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Simon Cowell doesn't smile often, but the American Idol judge has presumably been beaming brighter than the sun since Sanjaya Malakar, the bane of Cowell's sixth season Idol existence, was eliminated on Wednesday night.

"I was on a very happy plane last night. I miss him probably in the same way I miss my favorite horror movie. And I don't mean that nastily. I like horror movies," Cowell said via satellite during an appearance on Thursday's The Oprah Winfrey Show, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "A very sweet guy. Quite entertaining but a horrible singer. That was the problem."

During Idol's sixth season, Cowell had made little secret of the fact that he wasn't a "fanjaya" and frequently criticized the 17-year-old Federal Way, WA native's vocal ability and outrageous looks. But on Thursday, he also felt the need to reiterate his previous comments that he planned on quitting as a judge of the competition depending on how far Malakar made it.

"If he made it to the top three, I'm gone," Cowell told Oprah during his Oprah interview. "But they wouldn't let me."

So if Malakar wasn't Cowell's cup of tea and he also doesn't have Haley Scarnato's legs to look at anymore, then who is he pulling for out of Idol 6's six remaining finalists: Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis, Lakisha Jones, Phil Stacey, Chris Richardson or Jordin Sparks?

"I have a soft spot for Melinda. Very sweet girl. I like her," explained Cowell. "Jordin was sensational this week. Chris I like because he's contemporary. But I'm a little bit worried about singing through the nose... My Top 3 or Top 2 would be Melinda, Jordin and I'm not writing off Lakisha."

In addition to having to suffer through several-too-many Malakar performances than he would have liked, Cowell said there's another aspect of Idol's sixth season that's been bugging him.

"I'm a little bit frustrated. I haven't had enough, 'Oh my God!' moments. I want to see a few more," he told Oprah, adding he thinks fellow judge Paula Abdul has gone "sensible-ish." He explained, "I love when she talks complete and utter rubbish. We haven't had enough of that the past few weeks."

Bravo announces 'Tim Gunn's Guide to Style' reality series casting

2007-04-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

Bravo announced that casting has begun for Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, a new reality series that will feature Project Runway star Tim Gunn helping hapless fashion dilemmas transform into stylish individuals.

In each one-hour episode of the previously announced Guide to Style, Gunn will use his decades of fashion design experience to help ordinary people realize their true style potential. Those interested in applying to appear on Guide to Style must be women at least 21 years of age or older with legal residency in the U.S.. Applicants must also currently reside within 30 miles of New York City to nominate themselves and/or their friends who meet the criteria.

Since the series is based on Gunn's new Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style book -- which he co-wrote with writer Kate Moloney and is scheduled to be published in May 2007 by Abrams Image -- the casting announcement also coincided with Bravo posting the first chapter of the fashion guru's book on their website. The first chapter is titled "Who You Are" and teaches the reader that understanding and acknowledging who you are is the most important key to the content of one's wardrobe.

"This first chapter is like giving fans a sneak peek at the upcoming series," said Jason Klarman, Bravo executive vice president of marketing. "BravoTV.com couldn't be more excited that Tim has shared an exclusive preview of his book with us."

Bravo has yet to announce a premiere for Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, which is produced by Stone and Company. Scott Stone and Sarah-Jane Cohen are executive producers.

Mark Burnett: If NBC doesn't renew 'Apprentice' I'll take it elsewhere

2007-04-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Apprentice's recent lack of ratings success could lead to NBC firing Donald Trump, but show creator Mark Burnett said if that happens, The Donald will simply be end up being employed by someone else.

"If you think I'm going to let The Apprentice end -- even if it's not on NBC -- that's not going to happen. Donald Trump is too big of a name," Burnett told the New York Post this week. "If you look honestly at the numbers, even on a Sunday, with all sorts of [programming] disadvantages... we're still beating The Black Donnellys, Studio 60 and Friday Night Lights."

Given all three of the NBC series Burnett mentioned are also considered to be shaky ground, Burnett's decision to compare his own series to them seems curious at best. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip has been "on hiatus" -- pending an all-but-confirmed cancellation -- for several months while its replacement, The Black Donnellys, was pulled for the air after only a six-week midseason run. The fate of Friday Night Lights, the most critically-acclaimed of the three series, is more uncertain and expected to remain in doubt until NBC announces its 2007-2008 primetime schedule next month.

The Apprentice: Los Angeles, the sixth installment of the Trump reality competition series, currently ranks 101st in the 2006-2007 season-to-date average total viewers ratings. It currently ranks behind numerous other NBC shows -- including other NBC programs Deal or No Deal (14th on Mondays, 42th on Fridays, 47th on Thursdays and 58th on Wednesdays), Heroes (17th), Law & Order: SVU (36th), ER (38th), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (67th), My Name is Earl (68th), and The Office (84th).

Even Grease: You're the One That I Want -- a recently concluded ratings disappointment that ranks 100th and served as The Donald's lead-in for part of The Apprentice's current season -- has bested The Apprentice in the season's total viewership rankings. Studio 60 (80th) also places ahead of The Apprentice: Los Angeles in season-to-date ratings, while The Black Donnellys (120th) and Friday Night Lights (136th) aren't far behind.

For the week ending April 15 alone -- the week that saw The Apprentice: Los Angeles air its penultimate episode -- The Donald's reality competition series ranked 63rd, behind other NBC shows Deal or No Deal (23th on Monday, 37th on Sunday), ER (29th), Law & Order: SVU (34th), Thank God You're Here (39th), Medium (42th), The Office (43rd), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (52th), My Name is Earl (54th), Dateline Sunday (55th), Identity (57th), Raines (59th), and Friday Night Lights (62th). The Apprentice: Los Angeles tied for 63rd with NBC's Crossing Jordan.

In addition, out of the big four broadcast networks -- ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox -- NBC ranked last for the week ending April 15 with a total average viewership figure of 6.81 million. Overall, the network has thus far averaged 9.19 million total viewers over the entire season. Last week's 6.81 million average of total viewers is thought to be lowest weekly average that NBC has recorded during a television season since Nielsen ratings first arrived on the scene 20 years ago, according to The Associated Press.

However according to Burnett, he believes that The Apprentice's significantly stronger performance in some of the more affluent ratings demographics that advertisers increasingly desire -- demographics such as Adults 18-49 living in households earning $100,000 or more -- will continue to make the series attractive to television networks.

"I have no idea what NBC is going to do [with The Apprentice] and I haven't heard a peep about it. They're still within their option time," Burnett told the Post. "But I speak to Donald Trump all the time and we're surprised we're doing as well as we're doing. In the end, network TV is about selling advertising, and I can guarantee you, if you ask anyone at NBC ad sales, it's a fact that they can sell The Apprentice to higher demos."

Last June, Trump announced that NBC had already renewed The Apprentice for a seventh season, however NBC has never formally confirmed the statement. Given Burnett's own Post comments, the pronouncement appears to have just been more false boasting from Trump, who despite the continuing ratings decline of his show's last several editions, has continued to allege that he has "the No. 1 show on television."

If NBC decides against renewing The Apprentice for another season, it won't be the first time that Burnett has tried to move one of his reality shows to another network after an NBC decision to pass on additional seasons. After NBC declined to renew Burnett's The Contender boxing reality series following poor ratings in a Sunday night time period similar to The Apprentice: Los Angeles', it moved to ESPN for its second season.

'American Idol 6' finalist Sanjaya Malakar to attend White House dinner

2007-04-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

After being dragged through the mud by both viewers and critics during his participation in the Fox reality competition, it looks like newly ousted sixth season American Idol finalist Sanjaya Malakar is finally receiving the presidential treatment.

The 17-year-old Federal Way, WA native will attend the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, April 21 at the Washington Hilton as a guest of People, the magazine reported Thursday on its website. Malakar -- who will attend the dinner with his mom -- was asked to join People's delegation to the dinner "within hours of his boot" from Idol on Wednesday night, The Washington Post reported Friday.

It's fitting that Malakar would be invited to the dinner. During his Idol run, current New York senator and 2008 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton was asked "what the United States can do about Sanjaya Malakar" while appearing on a New Hampshire radio station last week.

"That's the best question I've been asked in a long time," Clinton answered, according to The Associated Press. "Well, you know, people can vote for whomever they want. That's true in my election, and its true on American Idol."

Upon being eliminated, Malakar was asked what it was like to have his name bantered about by presidential candidates.

"It's really interesting because... I had no idea really how much impact this show had," Malakar told reporters during a Thursday conference call. "I think it's really interesting that someone like me, a 17-year-old Seattle boy, could have so much impact as to get into the presidential debate."

At the dinner Malakar will join People's other guests -- including Project Runway fashion guru Tim Gunn, whom Malakar's critics no doubt hope will offer the young crooner some style advice.

Abandoned bachelorette Peyton Wright talks about 'The Bachelor'

2007-04-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

Peyton Wright stood on the deck of the USS Midway as The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman star Andy Baldwin took-off in a helicopter with another woman. The 24-year-old Tri Delta sorority marketing coordinator's attempt to find true love through ABC's tenth installment of The Bachelor had officially come to an end.

"It wasn't the most ideal situation for me to be left standing there... but it was part of the date and that's unfortunately how it ended for me," Wright told reporters during a Thursday conference call. She had accompanied fellow bachelorette Tessa Horst, a 26-year-old social worker who currently resides in San Francisco, CA, to the Midway with Baldwin for a two-on-one date where only one of them would receive a rose to stay in the competition. Wright did not receive that rose.

"That whole day and whole evening was so emotional because all that was going through my head was, 'I don't know if I'm going to be here or not.' And so when [Baldwin] chose Tessa -- I was happy for her, I was happy for them -- but at the same time you know, I put myself out there and I told him exactly how I felt and I took that risk and it didn't turn out the way I wanted to, so that was very emotional for me," explained Wright.

Prior to the two-on-one date, both Wright and Horst revealed how they had become friends and were not looking forward to be competing against one another for a single rose.

"It was really tough to know that we were going against each other," she said. "We had formed this great friendship living in the house together, our personalities were very similar, we're both happy-go-lucky girls that wanted to have a great experience out of this. So it was hard going head-to-head with her. Sometimes [on the Midway], I forgot what we were actually doing. I forgot that at the end of the night there was going to be one of us going home because we were having so much fun together."

Wright grew-up in Tennessee before attending the University of Tennessee, from which she graduated in 2005. During her years in college, Wright said she "only had one boyfriend, a fraternity man," and they eventually went their separate ways when he graduated before her.

"I was just really active on campus and active in Tri Delta, and really didn't make time for dating," she said. "I was totally into my friends and wanted to have the ultimate college experience and see what I wanted to do."

Following graduation, Wright said she moved to Dallas and began taking "all these risks."

"I thought the show was a good opportunity for me to take another risk and put myself out there and see if love was the ending result," she said. "I've always been a really guarded person and I didn't know what to expect. I went to it saying I was going to be myself and be completely open and honest because I didn't want to leave and say, 'Oh, I wish I would have done this, or I wish I would have said this."

Wright described herself as a "huge Bachelor fan" and added she's "watched every season that's been on." So it was only natural that after watching The Bachelor: Rome's finale last fall, she discussed with co-workers the following day how ABC had offered viewers a glimpse of the 30-year-old undersea medical officer stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI who would serve as the star of The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman.

"We thought that Andy was a hot man who looked like he had a lot going for him and I had a lot in common with, so I decided to go and audition and see what happens," said Wright. "I really look for someone that puts himself out there and he's done so much as far as going to Duke, swimming there, and then moving across the country to go to med school, joining the Navy, moving to Hawaii... he's just taken a lot of steps in his life to make himself happy and that's something that's very appealing to me. I want someone that's been able to make themselves happy before they're going to settle down with someone else."

Upon meeting Baldwin during Officer and a Gentleman's premiere, Wright described him as "very outgoing, great personality, very easy to talk to and get along with." Being a self-described The Bachelor buff, Wright said she took a few pointers from seasons past as she entered the competition.

"I made sure that before I went on the show that I was going to be myself and be true to myself and not do anything on television that I wouldn't ordinarily do at home or with my friends or with any other man I was dating. I wanted to completely be 100% myself," said Wright.

However being a fan of The Bachelor couldn't prepare her for what it would be like to fight for the affection of one man with 24 other woman.

"I've watched the show, I knew what it was all about, I knew it was a competition, but I don't think it really sinks in until you're actually there," she said. "You actually have feelings for this person, and then seeing him talk to other women, the jealousy just builds from that. You tend to forget that the other women are there. I almost had tunnel vision that when I was with Andy I was the only one there, and then you finish your conversation with him, and he's all of a sudden engulfed in a conversation with another woman. That was really hard to grasp, that you weren't the only one that he was thinking about."

Having spent the two-on-one date with Horst and Baldwin, it's no real surprise who Wright thinks will go far in the competition.

"She's probably the one I'm going to be rooting for to win in the end," said Wright of Horst. "I think Andy is an amazing person. He has worked so hard to get where he is in life, and I just really hope that he found someone through the show. I heard he's engaged, and I heard that they're truly happy, and I really hope to see a wedding come out of this one."

Admitting it's "a little weird to watch" the show, Wright added she hopes "that one day I will meet someone who has similar qualities [to Andy] that I will spend the rest of my life with."

"I think definitely this experience has taught me that you have to open yourself up to new experiences and take some risks. So I think in the future, for relationships with me, I think it will be a little bit easier for me to open my heart and to be honest with people because I'm at that point in my life where I need to be honest with others to find exactly who's compatible with me," she said. "I just think it's really important to put yourself out there and make it known what you want in a person. Other than that, know what you want in yourself, because I think you have to make yourself happy before you can truly be happy with another person."

Sharon Osbourne replacing Brandy as 'America's Got Talent' judge

2007-04-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

Brandy is out and Sharon Osbourne is in, as NBC, confirming previous reports, has announced the former The Osbournes star will join returning judges David Hasselhoff and Piers Morgan on America's Got Talent's second season judging panel.

"Sharon Osbourne is show business personified and she has seen and done it all," NBC executive vice president Craig Plestis stated in the network's announcement. "She will make an excellent fit with David and Piers, who we're delighted to have back for another great season."

During its first season last summer, the Simon Cowell-produced variety-talent competition was judged by Hasselhoff, Morgan and pop singer Brandy Norwood. However last December, Norwood caused a four-car accident on a Los Angeles freeway that resulted in the death of motorist Awatef Aboudihaj, whose two sons have since filed wrongful death lawsuits against Norwood, and she could be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Last month, the New York Post had reported that Cowell was "concerned about the negative impact of having the pop singer [remain] on the show."

"Brandy has enjoyed her association with [America's Got Talent.] However, she felt she couldn't give the new season the attention and commitment it deserved," Courtney Barnes, Norwood's representative, said in a separate statement released to media outlets.

Since Cowell produces and works alongside Osbourne as a judge on the Britain's American Idol-like The X-Factor reality competition series, he is already very familiar with what the former The Osbournes star would bring to his America's Got Talent series (per his Idol contract, Cowell is not allowed to appear on-screen in any non-Fox American television projects).

"On this show, it just had to be Sharon Osbourne," Cowell said in NBC's announcement.

America's Got Talent 2 will debut Tuesday, May 29 at 9PM ET with a special two-hour premiere and will air weekly in the Tuesdays 8-9PM ET/PT time period. Talk show host and former Dancing with the Stars 3 participant Jerry Springer will replace fellow talk show host Regis Philbin as host of America's Got Talent.

"We're very excited about our new ensemble of judges and host this season," said America's Got Talent executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. "I'm certain this extraordinary and dynamic group will prove most entertaining to our growing audience."

America's Got Talent is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Cowell's SYCO TV. Cowell, Frot-Coutaz, Ken Warwick, Jason Raff and James Sunderland are the show's executive producers.

Sanjaya Malakar amazed by "crazy," "surreal" 'American Idol' attention

2007-04-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

Describing himself as "Just Sanjaya from Federal Way," newly ousted sixth season American Idol finalist Sanjaya Malakar said he's still mostly unaware of the celebrity status he's gained from appearing in the competition.

"I had no idea that -- I mean I knew the show was big -- but I had no idea how big it really was and how much impact it had. It's been kind of surreal for me. I mean we're in a bubble -- I'm sure you've heard that a lot -- but we truly are. We don't have the slightest idea of the capacity of the show and the impact it has so I got inklings every once and a while of something going on that I guess was a cultural phenomenon... but I don't think it really has hit me yet, how big it is," Malakar told reporters during a Thursday conference call. "It seems kind of unnatural. I'm just Sanjaya from Federal Way. It's crazy."

The 17-year-old Federal Way, WA native who became better known for his hair than his singing ability was finally eliminated during Idol 6's Wednesday night live results show. Malakar had performed "Let's Give 'em Something to Talk About" during Tuesday night's Idol broadcast. Idol judge Randy Jackson had thought it was "really just like karaoke... bland and boring;" Paula Abdul had called Malakar a "loveable guy" who "thrives on adversity;" while Simon Cowell had described his performance as "utterly horrendous" and added it was "as bad as anything we see at the beginning of American Idol."

"When I saw the show on Tuesday, I kind of had a feeling [I was going to be eliminated]. I was in the dumps all day on Wednesday. I kind of knew," explained Malakar. "I'm kind of content with the fact that I was going to go home at some point, because everyone has to go home except for one."

While Malakar stated the obvious when he said, "everyone of us wants to win," he admitted he "was more focused on the learning aspect" of Idol.

"I got my GED after sophomore year [of high school], and I basically saw [Idol] as my junior and senior year of high school because this is what I want to do with the rest of my life. This is my way of learning it in very quick time. I got a lot further than I ever expected to," he said. "I was kind of to a point in my mind where I was like, 'Okay. I'm good with this. I just need to focus now. This is the end of my high-school career, as I call it. Now I've graduated and am going into my life and starting my life from the beginning.' So I still am focusing on working hard and going out and doing my thing."

Malakar's "thing" caught the attention of both Idol enthusiasts and casual fans of the competition, as well as the national media. Unfortunately for him, a lot of what was being said and written was not too kind.

"It was a little hard, but I tried to turn everything into a positive or tried to learn from it. If it's not possible -- it's that negative -- I just let it roll off my back like a duck with water because I know that if I don't it would drive me crazy," said Malakar.

He said he even got in the habit of reading Internet blogs to gauge his performances while still in the competition.

"I read the online blogs more to balance myself because it was kind of hard not to hear stuff and often times it was negative. So I kind of balanced the positive and the negative just to keep myself grounded. I think I've learned not to let any negativity get you... just keep on trucking I guess and try to find the positive in everything," said Malakar, before adding he's changed his tune now that he's been eliminated. "I think I'm going to stay clear of that for a little bit just so that I can get my mind clear and just focus on my career and what's coming up ahead."

Much of the attention Malakar received focused on the different coifs he performed with from week to week. It was feathered, flat-ironed, curled, and even fixed into a pony-hawk. Malakar admitted the curls were his favorite hairstyle, "minus the grease," of course.

"At a certain point, [my hair] kind of became my thing. I think everyone looks for something to grab onto, each contestant, so I feel like my hair was that for me," explained Malakar. "With my hair, I always had an idea of what I wanted and the hair person would help me to execute it. And with the styling and my cloths and stuff, I just wanted really to capture my personality and put it out there and the stylist really helped me with that. So I did have a lot of help, but the ideas were really mine."

Jackson was a big fan of Malakar's different hairstyles, and many of the judges comments towards the end of his Idol journey focused on his appearance rather than his vocal performance.

"When [the judges] gave me feedback I tried to take the feedback and find something to learn out of it," said Malakar. "And if the feedback wasn't helpful -- and sometimes it wasn't -- I would watch the show and just try to see everything that I did that I could improve."

One of his harshest critics was Cowell, who seemingly gave-up on commenting on Malakar's vocals and even threatened to quit Idol if he won.

"I think Simon saw potential in me, and when I didn't fulfill that potential, he was kind of disappointed. I just want to say to him that he's an amazing person and what he does is awesome. He's very opinionated, but I learned more from him than anyone else when I was on the show," said Malakar. "I think that [Cowell] had gotten to a point where I hadn't fulfilled my potential for long enough to where he didn't think I deserved to be there, which is fine. Everyone has their opinion."

Despite his popularity -- be it for his hair, style or voice -- Malakar could sense that he was going to have some trouble heading into Wednesday night's results show when the season's Top 6 were revealed.

"Obviously, I'm not a country singer and I think that really did it for me. And I didn't have enough really strong performances to have people forgive me for that," he explained. "For example, [fellow Idol 6 finalist and Wednesday night "bottom two" member Lakisha Jones is] not necessarily a country singer either, but she had enough really strong performances to get her through, and I don't think I did."

When Idol host Ryan Seacrest revealed it was Malakar who was being eliminated, the teenager was visibly upset.

"The emotion that came out was... I was being torn away from my family. Everyone's been so supportive of everyone. It's really great to be able to have that in a competition like this," he said. "Everyone is a family. We really truly are, and we're really close. That was actually the hardest part of leaving, was leaving this extended part of my family."

Asked if he ever harbored the idea that he could actually win Idol's sixth season, Malakar said he tried to quell such lofty thoughts.

"I was just focusing on trying to get past each week, not looking to far ahead into the future because I know if I did I'd overwhelm myself," he said. "I was going to stay as long as I possibly could and work every week to try and learn from everything that happened. I got an amazing amount of education I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. I feel like I've grown. I'm more confident because I have this experience and was able to do this every week."

Malakar added his "philosophy" throughout his Idol experience was to "stay true" to himself, as well as to "just try to put [his] personality out there."

"I think that throughout the competition I grew as a performer and also a person because I did have a lot of things to learn from," he said. "I think that I kind of found myself as I progressed. I do definitely think I found myself and became more comfortable in my own skin."

Malakar said he plans on resting and trying to "get back into normal life" as much as he can before going on Idol 6's tour this summer as a member of the season's Top 10. Beyond that, he hasn't really mapped his career out.

"The show just ended and I've been doing publicity, so I haven't really gotten the opportunity to get any offers but I'm sure that they'll come," said Malakar. "I'm more than willing to go into all kinds of entertainment other than music. I'm definitely looking at a music career, but I also want to venture into acting, modeling and possibly Broadway... I just really want to get the full entertainment career."

And make no mistake, Malakar said he has no plans to become the next William Hung -- who never made it past his first audition in Idol's third season -- but still turned a butchered version of "She Bangs" into a singing career that has earned him more than $1 million.

"My main thing that I'm going to look for when I choose endorsements and stuff like that... it's gonna be something that I really feel strongly about," said Malakar. "I'm not going to do something just for money, because I know it's not just about money. It's about having an image and really putting your true self out there. I feel that if I do that, money will come. It's paper. It's not really important. The most important thing I can do is stay true to myself."

Parents upset about school teacher's 'The Bachelor' participation

2007-04-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman star Andy Baldwin has kept suitor Amber Alchalabi around as one of his nine remaining bachelorettes is because she's good with children and he's looking to start a family.

Now it appears the 23-year-old fourth-grade teacher from Sugar Land, TX is in hot water for leaving her class when they needed her the most as well as not being honest about why she left.

Several parents of students in Alchalabi's fourth-grade class at Colony Bend Elementary School have expressed their displeasure that the teacher misled them as to why she was taking a month off, Houston's KHOU-TV television station reported Thursday. In addition to reportedly telling the school's principal she took a month off to "care for a sick aunt" instead of coming clean about traveling to Los Angeles to film The Bachelor's tenth installment, she also was away during an important time in her students' academic year.

"They were in the middle of studying for the [Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)] test. While she was gone they took their writing TAKS test," fourth-grade parent Raquel Flores told KHOU.

Fellow parent Lesley White said "kids are being exploited" so Alchalabi could try to find true love on The Bachelor. According to KHOU, administrators from Fort Bend Independent School District were apparently unaware about Alchalabi's absence during TAKS testing, although the principal signed-off on her leave and a substitute was brought in.

Parents are also upset that the show -- in a move that woud seem to indicate Alchalabi will make it to The Bachelor's traditional "hometown visits" -- reportedly sent a film crew to Colony Bend to shoot scenes at the school.

"I am incensed," White told KHOU. "[The Bachelor] is not appropriate whatsoever for 9 and 10-year-old children."

Following complaints from parents, the district launched an investigation.

"We believe the parents have some legitimate concerns," Mary Ann Simpson, spokeswoman for Fort Bend Independent School Department, told KHOU. "We don't believe any ill intent was ever intended here but we're certainly going to investigate it because we don't want anything like this to ever happen again."

In her defense, Alchalabi said she couldn't reveal the real reason why she was taking a leave of absence due to the confidentially agreement she signed with ABC.

"I cherish my position at Colony Bend Elementary School, holding it with the utmost degree of professionalism and integrity" Alchalabi wrote in an e-mail to KHOU on Wednesday. "I apologize if my participation in The Bachelor created any issues or upset for the parents or my students, all of whom I adore."

Jeff Probst reveals Chinese 'Survivor' edition will use an island setting

2007-04-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Although yesterday's report that Survivor's fifteenth edition will film in China stated that the location would result in the long-running CBS reality show filming its fifteenth season in a non-island setting, that apparently won't be the case.

"I can't even pronounce it, I have to find China on the map first," Survivor host Jeff Probst commented when Live with Regis and Kelly co-host Kelly Ripa -- referencing Wednesday's Daily Variety report that Survivor's Fall 2007 edition will film in the communist country -- asked him what part of China the show would be visiting on Thursday's Live broadcast.

"When I find it then I'll zero in on the little group of islands we're going to," Probst, serving as a fill-in co-host for regular Live co-host Regis Philbin, continued.

As part of its Wednesday report that Survivor's fifteenth edition will film in China, Variety had also reported that although China's 18,000 kilometer coastline includes thousands of islands, the move to China would take the show "away from an island setting" for the first time in several seasons. (Survivor: Guatemala, the show's Fall 2005 eleventh edition, was the most recent Survivor edition to film at an inland location.)

During his Thursday morning Live appearance, Probst also urged Survivor viewers to make sure and tune in for tonight's broadcast of Survivor: Fiji's tenth episode. "I will say we have a great episode tonight, a great episode, a great Tribal Council," said Probst. "If you are a Survivor fan, you're going to like tonight's episode [it's] a very good episode [with a] great Tribal Council."

OMG...No TV?

2007-04-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

A Federal Communications Commission member said Tuesday more must be done to ensure that US viewers are not left in the dark when broadcasters are forced to switch to digital signals early in 2009.

"I am really worried about the entire transition process. We have got to start really taking this seriously," Commissioner Michael Copps, a Democrat, told the National Association of Broadcasters' annual conference.

Broadcasters are required to switch to digital signals from analog by February 17, 2009. If owners of analog televisions do not get a converter box, subscribe to satellite or digital cable, or replace their TV with a digital television by that date, they will not be able to watch television.

The federal government plans to subsidize the cost of buying a digital-analog converter box by offering $40 discount coupons to anyone who owns an analog television.

But Copps, who worked in the Commerce Department when the world was preparing for Y2K, or the Year 2000 software problem, said more planning, preparation, and education had to be done. "I guess the guiding principle has got to be, no consumer left behind here," Copps said.

"Everyone said it was overkill, but at the end of the day there wasn't a crisis," he said, referring to the largely uneventful day when computer clocks hit January 1, 2000. "This DTV transition is a stealth process compared to that."

The Y2K problem was feared to be a ticking time bomb because a practice in early computer program design caused some date-related processing to operate incorrectly on and after January 1, 2000.

The National Telecommunications & Information Administration, the Commerce Department agency responsible for the converter coupon program, expects to have a system in place to accept requests for coupons by January 1, 2008.

However, it remains unclear exactly how the coupon program will unfold. The Commerce Department has said a decision about when to start sending out coupons would be made after it monitors retailers' ability to process the coupons and have stock on the shelf.

At least three manufacturers have announced prototypes for the converter box. Various industry groups have pledged to make the transition as seamless as possible.

"We have to make sure that we are doing the outreach so that consumers know that the hard date is coming," Copps said.

"We need to do what we can so that when consumers go into Best Buy or Circuit City to buy a TV set or TV monitor...they know whether it can or can't receive the digital channel after the hard date."

BBC, Geldof to create Human Planet

2007-04-19T12:16:00.001-07:00

Major project will cover the history of humankind.

The BBC is teaming with Live Aid founder Bob Geldof to create what they claim will be "the biggest sociological and anthropological project in the history of the world," a combined television and Internet content repository that aims to record the history of every human society on the planet.

The BBC will make an eight-part high-definition series The Human Planet to accompany the Dictionary of Man project that will be coproduced by BBC Worldwide and the BBC's natural history unit, creators of such project as Planet Earth, Life on Earth, and Blue Planet.

In addition, Geldof's Dictionary of Man partnership with filmmaker John Maguire and Geldof's own production company, Ten Alps, will make 900 half-hour, broadcast-quality films for television or broadband viewing on the separate groups and tribes that ethnologists and anthropologists identify as the basic building blocks of human civilization.

The Human Planet is not expected to air until 2010, but the Web site and digital archive are already under construction.

Geldof was candid about the potential cost of such an ambitious and open-ended project.

"The budget is going to be f***ing huge, but getting money is a piece of p*ss compared to building it and making it--that is going to be the real challenge," he said. "We'll have grants coming out of our asses for a project like this," he said, but pointed out that costs for the initial Web architecture would be relatively low.

Promising a "time slice" of a humanity whose cultures are being homogenized, Geldof said he had been inspired to begin the project some 20 years ago on a trip to Northern Niger during the Ethiopian famine.

"I was there with the regional governor looking out at something that looked like the surface of the moon with the regional governor who told how 300 different languages that had once existed in the region and had disappeared forever in just two years during the famine," he said.

"Even though I had never heard those voices or those languages I felt a sense of loss, I already missed them," he said.

Trio remaining in Price line

2007-04-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

CBS has yet to name Bob Barker's successor.

Entertainment Tonight cohost Mark Steines, actor George Hamilton, and Las Vegas' The Price Is Right stage show host Todd Newton are still in the running to succeed Bob Barker as host of CBS' venerable game show The Price Is Right.

It is understood that the options on most of the candidates who auditioned for the job expired Friday.

Sources indicated that the options on Steines, Hamilton, and Newton have been picked up. Representatives for CBS and Price producer FremantleMedia North America declined comment.

CBS might hold off on announcing Barker's successor until its two-night prime time send-off to the 50-year showbiz veteran on May 16 and 17. CBS' fall 2007 upfront presentation is scheduled for May 16.

Barker will tape his last Price show in June, when he will retire after 35 years on the show.

Adrian Cohen loses job as 'Survivor' medical director

2007-04-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

Adrian Cohen may be keeping his medical license, but the same won't apply to his job as medical director for CBS' Survivor reality series.

The Sydney-based doctor who has traveled the world serving as medical director on numerous seasons of Mark Burnett's Survivor and Eco-Challenge reality series will not continue in that role following his admission to cocaine use and inappropriately obtaining prescription drugs, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

Earlier this week, Cohen was fined $15,000, ordered to repay the $28,000 cost of the drugs he stole and was told to perform his job for at least a year under the watchful eye of another doctor selected by the New South Wales Medical Tribunal, the Australian medical committee that oversaw his hearing. He must also enter therapy for abuse and pay legal fees associated with his hearing.

Throughout the hearings, which began in late January, Australian medical authorities claimed Cohen "regularly used cocaine" to "self-medicate" from 1998 to 2003. Cohen alleged obtained the pharmaceutical grade cocaine powder by using some of his patients' names to write improper prescriptions. He was also accused of inappropriately obtaining free "Doctor's Bag order" drugs, which are designed to provide doctors with free medication in emergencies, and using them for his commercial business.

Cohen told the tribunal he personally used cocaine recreationally beginning in 1998 and described his use from there as "sporadic and unpredictable" and added it was brought about by the stresses caused by his "unique business."

Sanjaya Malakar cut from 'American Idol,' Top 6 finalists revealed

2007-04-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

America's long national nightmare is finally over. Sanjaya Malakar became the sixth finalist eliminated from American Idol's sixth season during Wednesday night's live broadcast of the smash-hit Fox reality show.

The 17-year-old Federal Way, WA native who became better known for his hair than his singing ability was sent packing after "over 38 million votes" -- which Idol host Ryan Seacrest said was the "biggest Top 7 vote in Idol history" -- were cast based on Tuesday night's live performances.

"I'm fine... this was an amazing experience for me. I never would have been able to do this..." a teary-eyed Malakar said once his elimination was revealed. Trying to comfort him, Seacrest replied, "We won't soon forget you."

Malakar had performed "Let's Give 'em Something to Talk About" during Tuesday night's Idol broadcast. Idol judge Randy Jackson had thought it was "really just like karaoke... bland and boring;" Paula Abdul had called Malakar a "loveable guy" who "thrives on adversity;" while Simon Cowell had described his performance as "utterly horrendous" and added it was "as bad as anything we see at the beginning of American Idol."

Prior to Malakar's elimination, Seacrest split the seven remaining finalists into two groups of three. Chris Richardson, a 22-year-old from Chesapeake, VA who sang "Mayberry;" Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ who sang "Broken Wing;" and Phil Stacey, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, FL who sang "Where the Blacktop Ends," were on Seacrest's left. Malakar; Lakisha Jones, a 27-year-old from Fort Meade, MD who sang "Jesus Take the Wheel;" and Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA who sang "When the Stars Turn Blue," were on his right.

Seacrest then revealed Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN who sang "Trouble is a Woman," was safe and one of the week's top four vote-getters before asking her to pick which group of three finalists she thought shared the same honor. Instead, Doolittle sat on the floor in the middle of the stage.

"That is fair and fitting of you," said Seacrest to Doolittle.

After Doolittle made it clear that she wasn't going to participate in his game, Seacrest eventually revealed that Malakar, Jones and Lewis were the week's bottom three vote-getters and asked the judges what they thought. Jackson said that he thought it was "crazy" that Lewis was up there while Abdul -- without revealing which two she was talking about -- commented she "understood why two of them were up there." Meanwhile Cowell, who Seacrest noted was "grinning ear-to-ear," indicated that he had a feeling Malakar was finally going home. "I'm beginning to sense something here," Cowell gushed.

Despite his obvious vocal shortcomings when compared to the other finalists, Malakar was quite the center of attention during his Idol journey. After Malakar made it to the season's Top 12 finalists, Cowell commented he would quit if Malakar won. Then, within the span of a couple of two weeks, executive producers Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick each independently expressed confidence Malakar would not win; Idol 5 finalist Paris Bennett admitted to voting for him to prove Idol is "losing its taste;" and even Malakar's own sister said she didn't expect him to make it as far as he did.

When Seacrest revealed that Jones -- the other member of the week's bottom two vote-getters -- would get to remain in the competition and Malakar would be the finalist going home, thunderous cheers erupted from Idol's live studio audience and Malakar buried his face in Jones' shoulder and cried as a video montage of his Idol journey played in the background. Then, as he began to perform one last time on the Idol stage, the audience gave him a standing ovation.

Last night's Idol results show broadcast also represented the season's second hour-long extended results show. Fox filled the time with Fergie performing "Big Girls Don't Cry;" having the Top 7 perform "I'm Alright;" showing an extended commercial for next week's Idol Gives Back charity event; airing a video of what music the Idol hopefuls have been listening to lately; sending Seacrest to Hollywood's Kodak Theater (the home of Idol's finale broadcasts) to get some "buzz" from fans on Tuesday night's performances; offering the audience a "behind-the-scenes" look at Dreamwork's Shrek the Third; and Martina McBride (this week's cast mentor) performing "Anyway."

American Idol's six remaining sixth season finalists -- Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey, Lakisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, and Jordin Sparks -- will all perform songs considered to be "life anthems" live on Tuesday, April 24 beginning at 8PM ET to kick-off Idol Gives Back. Then on Wednesday, April 25 beginning at 8PM ET, Fox will air a special two-hour live Idol Gives Back results show featuring numerous artists and celebrities, including original Idol champion Kelly Clarkson, Idol 4 champ Carrie Underwood, Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, Il Divo, Borat Sagdiyev (an in-character Sacha Baron Cohen), and many others. The Top 5 finalists will also be revealed.

Simon Cowell, 'American Idol' explain brow raising misunderstanding

2007-04-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

Simon Cowell raises his eyebrows so frequently during American Idol broadcasts, it was bound to eventually create some controversy.

Following Chris Richardson's rendition of "Mayberry" during last night's live Top 7 performance episode, Cowell commented that the 22-year-old sang the country tune "nasally." Richardson retorted that "Nasally is a form of singing" and implied that he meant for his rendition to sound the way it did.

However after questioning Richardson several times to make sure "it was intentional," Fox cameras caught Cowell raising his eyebrows and rolling his eyes while the Chesapeake, VA-native said, "My heart and prayers go out to Virginia Tech. I have a lot of friends over there. Be strong" -- an ill-timed action that some Idol home viewers (and media outlets) took to be a reaction to Richardson's Virginia Tech comments.

"The truth was I switched off at that point," Cowell told Ryan Seacrest on the Idol host's Los Angeles radio show Wednesday morning, according to E! Online. "Half the time I can't hear what [the contestants are] saying. My reaction was to what he had said previously, that singing nasally is a form of singing...My eye-rolling was what I was saying to [fellow Idol judge Paula Abdul]."

Idol executive producer Ken Warwick backed Cowell's reasoning for his reaction during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday.

"Simon didn't hear it. It's as easy as that. It's quite difficult when contestants are talking on their mic for Simon to hear them. And he was wound-up because Chris was talking about singing through his nose, which Simon hates with a vengeance. For Chris to say it was a deliberate way of singing, Simon just kind of turned off and was reacting to that," said Warwick. "[Cowell] just didn't hear it. He was still kind of smoldering over Chris' comments about singing."

Cowell told Seacrest Monday's shootings on Virginia Tech's campus is a "very, very sensitive subject," and added, "I think Chris was right to have said what he said because he's from that neck of the woods." But he didn't hear the comments, and Warwick said sitting in Idol's control room with the director, even he missed Cowell rolling his eyes and raising his brows while it was taking place.

"Immediately I went to his trailer and he said, 'Oh God. Apparently it looks like I rolled my eyes at the end of it.' I said, 'Well, the fact of the matter is, you'd be a blinking fool if you'd have done that,'" said Warwick, describing Cowell as "mortified" following the realization of what it looked like he was rolling his eyes at. "He'd be the biggest fool on television if he did that. And he's not a fool. Believe me. When you think about it, nobody in their right mind would pull a face like that. He's not stupid, certainly. He wouldn't do that."

Cowell still cautiously approached the subject with Seacrest on Wednesday morning, commenting, "a lot of these things escalate because of the publicity they generate."

"People are always trying to make something out of nothing, no matter what it is," explained Warwick. "And the fact is that if he had rolled his eyes in answer to Chris' statement [about Virginia Tech]... then he would have had something to answer to."

"Everyone at American Idol feels compassion for those affected by this tragedy. We opened the show with those thoughts and Simon later expressed sincere condolences on behalf of the judges, recognizing the challenges we all face in dealing with this horrible event," Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe added in a separate statement released to The Drudge Report on Wednesday.

Some have still suggested that the often sharp-tongued British judge was rolling his eyes at the thought of Richardson trying to get votes by playing on people's sympathy.

"There's a sensitivity to the issue, I don't honestly think he would be silly enough to pull a face after a statement like that... I really don't," said Warwick. "We addressed it earlier in the show, he knew he was going to make a statement at the end... I can't really believe he'd be silly enough to pull a face at Chris' statements."

www.realitytvworld.com

CBS' fifteenth 'Survivor' edition to film in mainland China

2007-04-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

Survivor's next edition will reportedly be going where no American network television series has gone before: China.

According to Daily Variety, next fall's fifteenth Survivor edition will take place in mainland China -- a move that will make the long-running CBS reality series the first American network television series to film entirely in the communist country.

Chinese government restrictions and logistical issues have historically made it difficult for American entertainment companies to film in the country, however with a booming economy and the 2008 Beijing Olympics on the horizon, China has reportedly begun to adopt a more open policy.

Recently some American movies, including The Painted Veil, a 2006 Warner Brothers film that starred Edward Norton and Naomi Watts as a 1920's English couple living in China, have broken new ground by filming entirely in the country. However according to Reuters, The Painted Veil's production was not without controversy, as Chinese government overseers who had final say over the film's content objected to several scenes, resulting in "tense negotiations" between the Chinese officials and the movie's cast and crew.

Although China's 18,000 kilometer coastline includes thousands of islands, according to Variety, Survivor's fifteenth edition will film in a non-island setting -- a move that would make it the first Survivor edition in nine seasons (since 2003's Survivor: The Amazon installment) to not film in a tropical island location.

Despite its inland location, Survivor: The Amazon -- ultimately won by Jenna Morasca -- still featured a water-dominated environment. The season filmed in Floresta da Vida, a private reserve near the Brazilian city of Manaus, and featured tribal camp, challenge and Tribal Council locations set near the banks of the Rio Negro, a large tributary of South America's massive Amazon River.

CBS to debut Mark Burnett's new 'Pirate Master' reality series May 31

2007-04-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

Avast, there! Batten down the hatches and prepare to set sail as CBS has announced that Pirate Master, a new swashbuckling reality series created by Mark Burnett, will premiere on Thursday, May 31 at 8PM ET/PT -- the seventh anniversary of the date that Survivor, Burnett's original CBS reality series, debuted.

"This is high stakes, high seas, high adventure and the life of a pirate," Burnett recently told TV Guide. "It's a huge -- and hard -- adventure, with jumping off waterfalls, swimming up canyon lakes and crossing mud-filled jungles."

Pirate Master, first announced last November and reportedly filmed last month, will follow "16 people who all agree that had they been born 250 years ago, they would have liked to be pirates," according to Burnett, as they travel around the Caribbean island nation of Dominica in search of hidden treasure that will total $1 million. However because only a foolish pirate would bury all their treasure in one spot, different amounts of booty will be found at different locations.

"Of course there is a search for a buried treasure. It maybe at the jungle river, at the mountaintop jungle, or it could be by the ocean," Burnett explained to TV Guide. "Every week there's treasure, and it's worth a lot of money. Most reality competitions finalize with somebody getting half-a-million or $1 million. In this case, it's spread each week! In the first week alone, they're competing for $40,000 U.S.-dollars worth of Spanish doubloons."

The series will begin with the 16 contestants dressed in period costumes to look like pirates and traveling in the black of night via longboats to a 179-foot, square-rigged barque that carries 12,500 square feet of sail, which will serve as their home for the 33-day duration of their high seas adventure.

"It's like you've gone into Disney Land -- into Pirates of the Caribbean -- and you're doing that ride... but it's for real," Pirate Master host Cameron Daddo told TV Guide. "They come onto this pirate ship and I'll introduce them to the Chest of Zanzibar, which is a chest from the late Captain Henry Steel -- who lived in the 1700s, a pirate -- and the journey begins."

According to Burnett, Steel -- a fictional character created by Burnett -- divided his treasure equally among his crew before burying it at different spots on Dominica.

"Each man returned to the ship with a set of maps and hid them in a chest with 14 compartments, and it was only a few weeks ago that the chest was recovered," Burnett told TV Guide. "So the contestants are sailing to a different destination each week around the island looking for the treasure."

As the pirates decipher clues in search of the treasure, some will receive gold coins following each expedition. While the contestants may take the gold coins -- which are real money -- with them once the journey is over, it can also be used to strike deals with fellow contestants in the competition. Burnett said Pirate Master's motto is "Watch your back," a phrase that could definitely come into play in deciding how to use the booty advantageously.

"Pirates have their own rules, and while they need to work as a group on the expeditions, you never know who's going to stab you in the back," he told TV Guide.

The pirate crew consists of eight men and eight women, and while there doesn't appear to be any mention of them being divided into Survivor-like tribes, the contestants will "elect a captain amongst them," according to Daddo.

"What they don't realize is they've elected this captain, the captain takes the largest share of this treasure. So that's going to be a, 'What!?'" Daddo told TV Guide. Added Burnett, "The captain will have to choose two officers to serve under him. The remaining pirates -- who helped him find the treasure -- are splitting scraps that's left and going below deck to act as servants."

Needless to say, the hierarchy on the ship leads to some hostility.

"[The crew has] to cook and serve their captain. So the two officers and the captain sleep in luxury and get all the food while the other guys are eating porridge and swabbing the decks," Daddo explained to TV Guide.

Each episode will conclude on the ship with Pirate's Court, a Tribal Council-like gathering where all of the remaining contestants will have their say.

"Pirate's Court is a place where three pirates are marked with a black spot by the captain, and they have to defend themselves," Daddo told TV Guide. "No one's ever safe... no one is ever safe. There has to be a unanimous decision by the crew, but it could be the captain gets cut loose. Anyone of them can be cut adrift from the ship. There's no censorship. It's you do what you want to do, and damn the consequences."

According to Burnett, being "cut adrift" translates into being put on a raft and sent out of the game.

"If you can't run with the crew, if you can't swim or row or navigate, you're a liability," he told TV Guide. "On a pirate ship, every pirate had their say. If the captain went too far, there could be a mutiny. What really makes this series pop is the democracy element on the ship."

Pirate Master will conclude with one contestant being the first to find the largest amount of booty, which is worth $500,000.

"It's a lot of fun, a great summer yarn," Burnett told TV Guide.

And according to Burnett, the cast -- which includes "a very tough Nigerian who became an American and a former Navy rescue swimmer, who's currently a smoke jumper" -- was definitely up for the adventure. "Everybody's a good athlete, but what they've learned is that to be a great pirate, you have to be really smart," Burnett told TV Guide.

Burnett says he first wrote the format for Pirate Master in 2003.

"It's a big endeavor to pull off," he told TV Guide. According to Daddo, it should be worth the wait for viewers. "What's going to suck people in about this show is the romance, the sea, the adventure, piracy... the freedom of piracy," he told TV Guide.

Pirate Master is produced by Mark Burnett Productions. Burnett and Lisa Hennessy are the executive producers. Eden Gaha and Page Feldman are the co-executive producers.

'American Idol's sixth season Top 7 take the stage and perform live

2007-04-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

American Idol's sixth season Top 7 performed live last night and were mentored by Martina McBride while performing country songs.

Having tackled pop songs, American classics and Latin beats in the last few weeks, the remaining finalists dove head-first into a genre that has proven successful for numerous former American Idol favorites, including Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Josh Gracin. The guys' performances were hit or miss, while two of the three girls sparkled brighter than stars on a clear Texas night.

The following is Reality TV World's recap of the performance broadcast in the order which the seven finalists sang. Also included are comments from each of the three judges -- Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell -- as well as additional information about each performance.

Wednesday night at 9PM ET, one of the finalists will be eliminated from the reality competition series during Idol 6's second one-hour live results show. Martina McBride will also perform her Top-5 single "Anyway" from her new CD "Waking Up Laughing."

Phil Stacey, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, FL

Song: "Where the Blacktop Ends"
Randy Jackson said: "Who would have thought... You know what Phil? Dude from an accomplished producer, you're going to have a career in country music. That was hot baby! That was good. That was really good. I didn't even know? Now I know Phil Stacey!"
Paula Abdul said: "It does seem that this is the genre you feel most comfortable in. It's the first... I can't even critique it by saying, 'Well when it swells into the chorus...'" You sound good from the beginning to the middle to the very end."
Simon Cowell said: "Well it's only taken 10 weeks Phil. But listen, I have to agree with what the guys said. This is the only time that I've heard you in a long, long time where I thought you chose a good song, I thought the style of music suited you and even more surprisingly, we actually saw some personality."
Additional Info: Phil said he picked the song because it reminded him of growing-up in Kansas "and really just getting out and playing in the dirt. Being a country boy"... At first, Martina McBride thought Phil Stacey sounded " a little stiff," but towards the end "he did a great soulful lick" and she wanted to see more of that in the song... Phil Stacey's family held a sign that simply read "Phil"... Idol host Ryan Seacrest asked Phil Stacey if he was surprised by that feedback, to which he replied, "Tonight, I think they gave me that feedback because I just came out and had a good time. It was different. This is my genre..." Simon Cowell jumped in and commented, "I don't know if it's going to be enough to save you Phil but you definitely chose the right kind of song. This suited you."

Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ

Song: "Broken Wing"
Randy Jackson said: "Probably one of the most difficult songs to sing because when the original was done, it was definitely sung right. But guess what man at 17 -- I keep saying at 17 because you just blow me away every week being so young -- I like the way you started it slow and took your time... Dude that was the bomb man. Another great performance."
Paula Abdul said: "You look gorgeous tonight. I love you too and I think you did a fantastic job... the way you just stood there and how you built the song and how you did tell a story. It was all over your facial expressions. It was gorgeous. You did a great job."
Simon Cowell said: "This is the first time since we have met where I actually believe -- based on that performance -- you could win American Idol." (The crowd erupts with cheers)
Additional Info: Martina McBride originally recorded "Broken Wing," and said she "can only imagine" what it must be like to sing a song in-front of an artist that recorded it... Jordin said she was "scared," but Martina thought it was "awesome" and suggested Jordin just "plant her feet strong and sing it"... A sign in the audience read "Jordan Sparkles," incorrectly spelling Jordin's first name... Ryan told Jordin that Simon's comments must have given her chills, and she proceeded to shiver... Ryan Seacreast also told Jordin Sparks, "I think you'll be alright this week."

Sanjaya Malakar, a 17-year-old from Federal Way, WA

Song: "Let's Give 'em Something to Talk About"
Randy Jackson said: "You know the dog always keeps it real man. That was really just like karaoke dude. (Randy gets pelted with boos) Vocally it really wasn't good at all, it was just very bland and boring for me. Just to be honest. Come on... what are we doing up here? Paula what are we doing up here?"
Paula Abdul said: "Well, we're watching somebody who loves adversity. You thrive on it don't you? You love it. You're having fun. You're a loveable guy Sanjaya... you are."
Simon Cowell said: "Utterly horrendous. (The boo-birds come calling again, this time for Simon) I'm being serious... I'm being serious... honestly it was. It was as bad as anything we see at the beginning of American Idol. (At this point, Ryan Seacreast appears on-stage and says, 'Simon, Simon, Simon... Even if it wasn't his best performance, you never liked this guy, so was it the song or you just don't like Sanjaya?') Excuse me?! Who rattled your cage? Oh shut-up Ryan... I know this has been funny for a while. But based on the fact we're supposed to be finding an American Idol, it was hideous. Ridiculous choice of song."
Additional Info: Sanjaya was the first to answer a fan's question this week, and he revealed if he could make one of the judges sing a song he'd have Simon sing "Shiny Happy People" so "he could show his true personality"... Sanjaya said he chose the song he did because he "often gives a lot of people something to talk about" and he "thought it would be fun to actually say that"... Martina McBride thought she noticed Sanjaya was singing "stronger," which made him sound "more confident"... Ryan Seacrest asked Randy if Simon Cowell would ever really like Sanjaya --even if he "nailed it" -- and before Randy could answer Simon replied, "I liked him last week big mouth!"... While Randy reiterated he thought the singing was bad, he complimented Sanjaya for the scarf on his head... Prior to Sanjaya's performance, Idol 4 finalist Constantine Maroulis was seen in the audience.

Lakisha Jones, a 27-year-old from Fort Meade, MD

Song: "Jesus Take the Wheel"
Randy Jackson said: "Lakisha, Lakisha, Lakisha... so check it out... I mean (Randy kept getting cut-off by screams and cheers from the live studio audience) Wow. For me, this had some pitch problems in the beginning. It wasn't my favorite vocal of yours. I'm not sure... (Boos) I think that you could have done more with it and made it more in your wheelhouse of being like a Gospel kind of girl rather than just kind of singing it straight. So it wasn't my favorite."
Paula said: "Coming from where we're sitting, I'm going to have to agree with what Randy said as far as... (Boos for Paula!?!) I believe this is the first time with the swell of the band and everything, you may have heard differently, and I think that a lot of your vocals were powered and it sounded a little bit like you were shouting. But you know what? So what. You're still brilliant."
Simon said: "It's like eating a hamburger for breakfast. It doesn't go together. And I don't think you and that song went well together at all. And I think it was almost like half-way through, you thought, 'I'm going to give it the Lakisha treatment.' And the song couldn't hold that. So it actually ended up like you were shouting at us. It didn't feel that it had a natural song to it. (The trifecta... Simon gets booed) I'm right! You're in the back you can't hear! And I'm going to tell you Lakisha: you absolutely blew us away eight or nine weeks ago... okay. You were the one to beat. And you've got to now choose the right kind of songs because that was the wrong choice of song for you. Sorry."
Additional Info: "Jesus Take the Wheel" was originally recorded by Idol 5 champ Carrie Underwood... Lakisha said she chose the song because "a lot of things that I've been through in my life. Being a single parent and just struggling. And sometimes you just gotta say, 'Oh Jesus.'"... Martina noticed Lakisha was "connected" to the lyrics.. Martina also said Lakisha's performance left her feeling "verklempt."

Chris Richardson, a 22-year-old from Chesapeake, VA

Song: "Mayberry"
Randy said: "So check it out dog... you know what is funny about this? I was wondering how you were gonna do country week because it's not that the songs... actually what Martina said is absolutely, 100% correct. You sang it okay. It was cool; you sang it a little nasally and there were a couple of pitch things but I just didn't feel any sense of connection, any emotion from you. You can sing... it just didn't quite hit me. I felt lost during the song. (Simon commented he "didn't understand" what Randy was saying) I felt no emotion from him... he sang it okay but I felt no emotion. No connection with the song."
Paula said: "I kind of understand what you're saying. The joy and the love that you have on stage didn't come through. As a performer... (to Simon) You would know if you were a performer."
Simon said: "Oh Paula, Paula. I think sometimes this audience and me are hearing different things. I mean they gave you a standing ovation. What I heard was a very nondescript, nasally, tinny vocal which had no impact on me at all. (Boos) I thought it was completely and utterly insignificant... the whole thing."
Additional Info: Chris thought people would be "surprised how comfortable" he is with country music, but reminded viewers he is from Virginia and was raised in North Carolina, so he does have some "country roots"... Martina said she "questioned" Chris's song choice, but thought he was "fantastic" and added he could "definitely be a country singer because he's versatile"... Following Simon's comments, Chris remarked, "Nasally is a form of singing. I don't know if you knew that." Simon replied, "So it was intentional?"... Chris said his "heart and prayers" go out to Virginia Tech because he has a lot of friends over there.

Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN

Song: "Trouble is a Woman"
Randy said: "So all I can say about that is it's another solid performance from our resident pro Ms. Melinda Doolittle."
Paula said: "Once again, a girl who knows how to pick the right song and sing her heart out and perform like there's no tomorrow. Way to go."
Simon said: "Melinda, I'm about to compliment you and I'm going to ask you to lose the surprise... It was fantastic. It was a great choice of song. I think you look much better than last week. I saw a little bit of kind of Tina Turner going on there as well. There was an attitude going back to your whole southern thing. But you have to lose this, 'Well I'm a great singer.'"
Additional Info: A sign in the audience read "Do It Doolittle"... Melinda also answered a fan's question, and recounted an incident where she was frightened by an enthusiastic fan... Melinda thought "Trouble is a Woman" tells a "great story" and is also a "little sassy"... Martina had never heard the song before, but she was "completely glued" to Melinda performing it and described it as a "perfect song choice."

Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA

Song: "When the Stars Go Blue"
Randy said: "I've got a couple things for you dog. You know what I love about you man? I love your sense of style. That's a nice jumper, I love the vest. I also loved that you picked a song, and you also picked the right song for yourself. And also the arrangement suited you, so I love that you know who you are."
Paula said: "You kind of have the whole package. You picked the right song, you have your little isms with your little choreography and different quirky things. It's always fun to watch you and you do pick the right songs, and this was a great song for you."
Simon said: "It wasn't a jumping out of my chair performance... I thought it was okay. I'm with Randy in so much as maybe it was a wise thing not to go down a route that didn't suit you."
Additional Info: "When the Stars Go Blue" is a Tim McGraw song, and Martina said she had recently spoken to McGraw and he hoped somebody was going to perform it on Idol... Blake hoped to "do it justice"... Blake also felt "pressure" because country's not his genre... Martina noticed Blake was a "little nervous" and added he "has a really interesting style"... Following Blake's performance, Simon offered "best wishes and support" to the families involved in the Virginia Tech shootings and said it was a "tricky week" for the contestants because of it.

Smallville - Season 4

2007-04-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

The arrival of another gorgeous young woman with the initials of LL further complicates Clark Kent's (Tom Welling) life in the fourth season of Smallville, the WB's hip and sexy reinvention of the Superman legend. In this case, it's Lois Lane (Erica Durance), a would-be college freshman who's come to the Kansas heartland to investigate the disappearance of her cousin, Chloe. What she discovers instead is a naked, amnesiac Clark Kent in a cornfield, and things take off from there. Durance doesn't appear in every episode--she was credited as a "special guest star"--but her tough spirit and crackling wit provide a great, non-romantic foil to Clark.

That's just as well, because there's plenty of romantic triangulation--or worse--going on. Clark's former love interest--and his first LL--Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), has returned from her summer in Paris sporting a new boyfriend, Jason Teague (Jensen Ackles), as well as a mysterious tattoo that seems to have something to do with a set of Kryptonian crystals as well as Jason's sinister mom, Genevieve (Jane Seymour). Keeping his relationship with Lana a secret, Jason has signed on as Smallville High's new assistant football coach. What's surprising is that the team's new quarterback is none other than Clark, who's grown tired of hiding his super-strength, super-speed, and invulnerability and wants to be part of the team. But nothing's easy for Clark, and he goes through the prom, a marriage, and fatherhood, not necessarily in that order, as well as his secret being discovered, unknown to him, by one of his closest friends. (On the plus side, he does uncover a cool new power.)

But the key to the season is the Kryptonian crystals. They further deteriorate the relationship between the incarcerated Lionel Luthor (John Glover), and his son, Lex (Michael Rosenbaum). Lex may be Clark's best friend, but he reveals more of his dark side in a revelation about his sexual escapades and a split-personality (literally) incident. Lana's frightening dreams actually come to life in a silly Charmed-type episode. Then in the explosive season finale, the main characters are scattered and another meteor shower threatens to wipe out the town.

One of the fun things about Smallville is how producers Al Gough and Miles Millar and their team of writers acknowledge their place in a 70-year Superman mythos (even if Clark is never referred to as Superman). His DC Comics origins receive a nod with appearances by the Flash, Krypto the superdog, and the magical Mxyztplk. And the cast includes not only regular Annette O'Toole (Martha Clark), who had played Lana Lang in Superman III, but guest shots by Margot Kidder (Bridgette Porter) and Terence Stamp (the voice of Jor-El), and the late Christopher Reeve gets a brief but touching farewell in an announcement of the passing of his character, Dr. Virgil Swann.

Smallville - Season 3

2007-04-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

Truth, identity, and responsibility are the cornerstones of Smallville third season. When viewers left Clark (Tom Welling) at the end of season 2, he was feeling his oats in Metropolis with the help of a red Kryptonite ring, but by the opening of season 3, he must return to Smallville to not only help his parents save their farm, but seek some resolution in his relationships with Lana (Kristin Kreuk) and Lex (Michael Rosenbaum), who's returned from his abandonment at the conclusion of the previous season. Lex himself must deal with some shocking revelations regarding his relationship with his sinister father Lionel (John Glover, magnetic as always), and Lana becomes involved with a new figure in town, the mysterious Adam Knight (Lost's Ian Somerholder), who may or may not be a certain caped crusader. And speaking of heroes in disguise, the season's finale introduces Kara, a young woman with powers similar to Clark's--could she in fact be his sister, known best to comic book fans as Supergirl? Season 3 is chock full of such intriguing moments, including an appearance by future Daily Planet editor Perry White (Michael McKean, the real-life husband of series star Annette O'Toole) in "Perry," helmed by Supergirl film director Jeannot Szwarc; the return of villains Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Shawn Ashmore, and Jesse Metcalfe from seasons 1 and 2 (in "Asylum"); the departure of series regular Samuel L. Jones; and a intrigue-fraught final turn by Christopher Reeve as Dr. Swann ("Legacy").

Another 'Idol' producer insists Sanjaya Malakar Is "Not Going To Win"

2007-04-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Add executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz to the infinitely growing number of people who believe that, despite being one of the Top 7 finalists remaining in the competition, Sanjaya Malakar has no chance of winning American Idol's sixth season.

"It's not gonna happen. Trust me," Frot-Coutaz recently told Entertainment Weekly. "Eventually America gets it right. We're not worried. We love Sanjaya, but he's not going to win."

Fellow executive producer Ken Warwick has also stated he's "pretty confident" Malakar won't be crowned Idol's sixth season champ -- as has Idol judge Simon Cowell, who even threatened to quit several weeks ago if Malakar was the eventual winner. Cowell has seemingly given-up all hope of swaying the American public to not vote for Malakar due to his lack of vocal ability.

"I'm not sure there's anything I'm going to say in the 20 seconds I'm allowed that's going to change what he does," Cowell told Entertainment Weekly. "People are going to talk more about his haircut than his singing, so I don't think it's necessary for me to give a proper critique."

Idol judge Randy Jackson asked viewers to harken back to the Top 24, when he described Malakar as "shy and reserved." Now, Jackson told Entertainment Weekly Malakar has "come out of his shell," a comment the 17-year-old Federal Way, WA-native agrees with.

"I'm shy until you get to know me, and then I'm really outgoing and kind of obnoxious sometimes," he told Entertainment Weekly. "I'm turning 18 in September. So basically I see it as, this is my training to be an adult. And when I'm 18, I'll have the training in what I want to do for the rest of my life."

Somewhat brazenly, Malakar even offered his own opinion as to why the judges have stopped offering constructive criticism about his signing.

"I think they gave up because people in America at this point know what they think about me," Malakar told Entertainment Weekly. "They've gotten to a point where they can judge for themselves."

When Cowell has to reference statistics and odds to make his point that Malakar must eventually go, it only adds fuel to the fire that Idol's sixth season cast might be a bit lacking when it comes to talent.

"When you have nine or 10 contestants, only one can go [each week]," Cowell told Entertainment Weekly. "So at this stage you've just got to relax a little bit. There's always going to be that teen vote for the underdog. There's nothing wrong with that, by the way. As long as they don't win."

Paris Bennett voting for Sanjaya, Trying To Show 'Idol' is "losing its taste"

2007-04-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Former American Idol fifth-season finalist Paris Bennett called the "Tone E Fly" morning radio show in Minneapolis, MN last Friday and described the current climate of Idol's sixth season as "very, very funny" due to all the attention -- and votes -- being directed at 17-year-old Federal Way, WA-native Sanjaya Malakar.

"I've been voting for him too. It's a few [former Idol finalists]... it's a few of us from last season who are voting," said Bennett. "We want to see him win because it will kind of prove that American Idol is kind of losing its taste and that it kind of isn't going for talent anymore... it's more for popularity. So we think it's a joke and we're voting because it's funny."

Bennett -- who, like Malakar, was only a teenager while competing on Idol -- has apparently forgotten how the show helped her career. After finishing fifth on Idol 5 last May, she's currently working on her debut album "Princess P" and is also planning an upcoming tour to promote it. She still couldn't resist bashing Idol's sixth season, comparing it to last year's Idol-spoof American Dream starring Hugh Grant.

"I think that definitely -- now having Sanjaya on it -- it kind of reminds me... do you remember that movie American Dream that came out last year?" asked Bennett on the radio program. "Remember how there was the Indian guy? Or the guy from India and then it was Mandy Moore? That's kind of what the competition seems like right now."

When Bennett was asked if she thought Malakar's appearance on Idol would spell cancellation for the Fox mega-hit, she didn't seem to think twice about her answer.

"Well that's all good... as long as Sanjaya's still on American Idol it will continue to be funny," she said.

Sex tape of 'American Idol 2' Contestant Olivia Mojica Being Released

2007-04-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Olivia Mojica never made it to the finals of American Idol's second season, but the 22-year-old Royse City, TX native is still getting a starring role on the small screen.

Olivia Mojica will star in Hardcore Idol, a new 40-minute DVD distributed by adult-movie company Vivid Entertainment that will feature footage of the former Idol 2 contestant having sex with her boyfriend, Daily Variety reported Friday. Appropriately enough, the tag line for the film -- set to hit stores on May 3 -- is "Here's what the judges didn't see."

According to Vivid co-chairman Steven Hirsch, the company "moved quickly" to get the DVD into stores in order to piggy-back on Idol's sixth season, which continues to narrow its field of finalists. Hirsch told Variety Mojica and her boyfriend Adam Roberts filmed the video "just a month ago" in her New York City apartment and within a few days, a "third party" approached Vivid with a copy of it.

Olivia Mojica, who was 18 years old when she appeared on American Idol, was part of the second season's unusual "Wild Card" semifinals group. During its second season, Idol aired four performance shows in which eight of the season's Top 32 semifinalists performed each week and each group's top two viewer vote-getters automatically advanced into the season's finals.

However after all four of the second season's semifinalist groups performed, Idol held a nine-contestant "Wild Card" round in which five seminfinalists that hadn't been voted into the finals and four other second season auditioneers -- including eventual sixth place Idol 2 finisher Carmen Rasmusen -- who hadn't originally made the Top 32 cut were given a chance to compete for the season's four remaining Top 12 finalists slots.

Olivia Mojica -- one of the four non-Top 32 semifinalists who was given the chance to compete in the second season "Wild Card" round -- performed Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me" on American Idol's March 4, 2003 broadcast. Four of the "Wild Card" performers -- including eventual first runner-up Clay Aiken -- subsequently advanced to the season's Top 12, however Mojica was not one of them.

"This was better than any other celebrity sex tape I'd ever seen," Hirsch, whose company is also currently distributing socialite Kim Kardashian's sex tape, told Variety. "The sex is so great that if she were in the adult business, she'd be an instant superstar."

According to Hirsch, the "third party" even agreed to compensate for damages in the event Vivid is sued by Mojica or the Fox Network, which led him to make the deal.

"We're a conservative company," Hirsch told Variety. "We don't move forward until we've dotted all of the 'i's and crossed all of the 't's." He added Vivid has made "repeated attempts" to contact Mojica with the hope she'll agree to promote Hardcore Idol in exchange for a share of the revenues it earns, Variety reported.

Idol has already endured its fair-share of scandal during its sixth season, some of which involved another former Idol 2 contestant.

During Idol 6's semifinals, 20-year-old Point Pleasant, NJ native Antonella Barba remained in the competition despite the emergence of numerous provocative photos that captured viewers' attention. She was eventually eliminated when the season's Top 12 finalists were announced, but not before disqualified Idol 2 semifinalist Frenchie Davis cried foul over the fact that producers allowed Barba to remain. Davis was disqualified over nude pictures she posed for at the age of 18, in which she simulated solitary sexual activity for a kiddie-porn website. Despite a petition to reinstate her into the competition, Fox stood by its decision to disqualify Davis.

'Biggest Loser 3' runner-up Kai Hibbard staying slim, getting married

2007-04-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

Kai Hibbard lost a total of 118 pounds -- an all-time female The Biggest Loser contestant record -- as the runner-up on the reality weight-loss competition's third season. But she said she couldn't have done it without the help of fellow contestants Heather Hansen and Pam Smith.

"There were points where they carried me," said Hibbard in the April 17 issue of Woman's World magazine.

Now she's repaying the favor, as Hansen and Smith will be bridesmaids at Hibbard's October 6 wedding to fiancee Jake Zwierstra. Hibbard said her new trimmer figure will be on display at the wedding, as she's been able to keep off the weight since competing on NBC's The Biggest Loser 3 last year.

"I love my real-world workouts," she told Woman's World. "On Biggest Loser, many days we had to sit in a van waiting to film challenges. Other days, we'd hit the gym, pool and hiking trails for up to six hours."

As the show's third season runner-up, the 28-year-old from Eagle River, Alaska received $50,000. She started the competition at 262 pounds and while at the ranch lost 77 pounds. She then lost another 41 pounds after returning home, giving her a total weight loss of 118 pounds and a finale weigh-in weight of 144 pounds.

"I started the show as a size-26 aerobics instructor, so I knew it wasn't all about exercise," the now size-8 Hibbard told Woman's World. "Diet was 80% of my success. I didn't always eat what my trainer recommended, but I think my results speak for themselves!"

Refusing to skip whole-grain carbs or healthy fat, Hibbard instead enjoys a mix of wholesome foods every three hours. She also encouraged others to combine their diet with exercise, which will speed-up the metabolism.

"You don't have to run a marathon. My sister lost 45 pounds just by walking," she told Woman's World.

Having Smith and Hansen there during filming for The Biggest Loser 3 helped Hibbard, so she's still utilizing a support system for her workouts.

"I run 45 minutes each morning and do strength-training at night with pals," she told Woman's World.

Friends - Season 6

2007-04-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Between Friends' fifth and sixth seasons, Courteney Cox and David Arquette were married, leading to "The One After Vegas" adding "Arquette" after everyone's title credits. Unfortunately, on-screen it's divorce time again despite "The One When Ross Hugs Rachel," since he secretly tries avoiding an annulment of their accidental marriage. Far more out in the open is Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica's (Courtney Cox) relationship. Moving in together creates lots of fun as the others move back and forth into each other's apartments. It also leads to Joey (Matt LeBlanc) finally showing a tender side toward temporary roommate Janine (Elle Macpherson). By now his chat-up catchphrase "How you doin'?" had caught on, but he needed to fall for someone. He kept the fun alive all year, pretending to have a Porsche, starting work on the show Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E., and falling for Chandler's (Matthew Perry) card game Cups in the excellent "The One with the Last Night" (one of many directed by David Schwimmer).

More fun came from Ross (Schwimmer) trying to teach everyone the mental discipline Unagi, popping ridiculous moves with Monica for their childhood dance routine and having a fluorescently dazzling smile in "The One with Ross's Teeth" (also featuring a near-silent cameo from Ralph Lauren). Far more talkative was Reese Witherspoon as Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) sister--another temptation for Ross. What they briefly had wasn't as complicated as later in "The One Where Ross Meets Elizabeth's Dad," who turns out to be an Emmy-winning Bruce Willis (thanks to having become friends with Perry during The Whole Nine Yards). The fans' need for love interest and continuity had established the seasons' format now. Another two-part finale offers jeopardy--then resolution--from Tom Selleck's Richard in "The One with the Proposal" between Chandler and Monica.

Friends - Season 5

2007-04-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Divorce number 2 is immediately on the cards as the fifth season opens with "The One After Ross Says Rachel." As of this point, Ross's character undergoes some extreme personality changes (which apparently lost David Schwimmer many female fans). His incessant whining drives all the Friends to distraction, especially in "The One Where Ross Moves In" with Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc). Later things get uncomfortable both at work and at home when he goes through a period of rage ("The One with Ross's Sandwich"). While all this downplays his failed relationship with Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), the real idea is to allow focus on the secret pairing of Chandler and Monica (Courtney Cox) after a night of passion in London. This made for a return to the show's appealingly silly atmosphere as poor Joey is caught in the middle of everyone's secrets. Building to "The One Where Everybody Finds Out," the silliness pauses for some genuinely touching interplay between Perry and Cox. The previous year's semi-serious thread about Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) birth gets forgotten fast: to distract the viewer she's introduced to Gary (Michael Rapaport) in "The One with the Cop." This leads to some hilarious parodying with Phoebe interrogated about apartment hunting, and the guys excited and then scared in "The One with the Ride-Along." She's more than over him by the time of the two-part finale, "The One in Vegas," though, especially since she missed out on London. Just in case fans thought Chandler and Monica had permanently stolen the spotlight, a cliffhanger shocks expectation again with Ross and Rachel bursting out of a chapel....

Sanjaya blogs don't miss a beat

2007-04-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

Is the blogosphere to blame for the young crooner's success?

American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malaker is, by all accounts, not the most talented performer on the show. But research firm Nielsen BuzzMetrics says the blogosphere has played a large part in making him the most visible.

According to a BuzzMetrics report, Sanjaya--now referred to by only his first name on many sites--has seen blog references increase 338 percent from Feb. 18, when he first reached critical mass, to April 8. Reality TV Magazine is the top blog in Sanjaya traffic, with 40 other blogs linking to its posts on the subject from Jan. 1 to April 8.

Many blog conversations about Sanjaya in late March center on the fact that he "lacks talent" and doesn't deserve to win. Conversations also focus on Howard Stern and VoteForTheWorst.com, two sources that encourage people to skew the votes, suggesting that both have played a large part in keeping him on the air.

On his Sirius Satellite Radio show, Stern tells listeners to vote for Sanjaya and has taken delight in possibly "ruining" "Idol." VoteForTheWorst is a site that encourages its visitors to "have fun with 'American Idol' by voting for the bad and truly entertaining contestants."

The result, thus far, is that Sanjaya has kept his spot on the show despite serious flack from the judges. Simon Cowell told Extra he would quit the show if Sanjaya won and Randy Jackson called one of his performances "unlistenable."

'I Love New York' star Tiffany Pollard rejected by her selected suitor

2007-04-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

Patrick "Tango" Hunter proposed to Tiffany Pollard during the season finale of I Love New York -- but after watching the reality dating competition's broadcast run play itself out on VH1 -- he apparently had a change of heart. After four months of being unable to see each other, Tango withdrew his wedding proposal to New York during last night's I Love New York reunion special.

"This show was just out of the norm. The first thing I said on the show was I'm here to meet... I'm here to get to know Tiffany," said Tango. He further explained how he "went to war" for New York's affection, and "took a lot of verbal and physical abuse." While he tried to be a "good dude," he said all that abuse eventually added up.

"It's bad enough I got to fight off these other dudes on a regular basis, taking whatever I'm taking from them, because I know I've got a goal at hand," he said. "So somebody tell me why I've got to take it from the person I'm supposedly pursuing and supposedly supposed to be loving?"
Watching I Love New York on VH1, Tango said he realized New York was "dissing me harder than the dudes is." He said the one diss that really stood-out to him was when his mother Paula met New York and her mom Sister Patterson. Both New York and Patterson verbally insulted Paula behind her back, taking shots at her age, weight and personality.

"This is not to say I don't love Tiffany. I love Tiffany. I ain't feelin' New York," said Tango. "I'm done with New York. I proposed to Tiffany... but I got New York." A stunned New York asked Tango what that meant, and he was eager to explain. "I sat back and watched New York disrespect me. And I watched New York disrespect my mother... and that ain't gonna fly."

New York shouted, "I should have f**king chose you!" to Kamal "Chance" Givens -- I Love New York's runner-up -- to which he cooly replied, "I would have never done this to you." Shouting then ensured between New York and Tango, as he got the final word. "That's a wrap! When you see Tiffany, tell her to get at me!" he yelled before exiting the stage where the reunion special was being held.

"I don't care," said a teary eyed New York. "I put my heart into this. This is f**cked up that this had to happen to me!"

Having been spurned by Flava Flav on the first (and only) two season of VH1's Flavor of Love, New York was unlucky in love once again, although this does set-up the possibility for another season of I Love New York. The series' premiere was the most-watched series' premiere ever for VH1, drawing 4.4 million viewers (more than Flavor of Love 2's premiere). The finale drew 4.8 million total viewers, making it the most watched episode of the series (but well short of the Flavor of Love 2 finale's 7.5 million viewers).

I Love New York's reunion special wasn't all bad blood between New York and Tango, as one of her old Flavor of Love nemesis also made an appearance. Pumkin -- who finished third during Flavor of Love's first season and famously spat in New York's face -- revealed during last night's reunion that she's been dating former I Love New York suitor Boston. She said the two met at VH1's Christmas Party.

"He's really my boyfriend," said Pumkin, causing New York to curse her out. Pumkin and Boston then kissed. "Bitch get off my set!" New York yelled at her.

Pumkin is one of 13 former Flavor of Love suitors attempting to make a transformation on Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School starring Mo'Nique, which premiered last night following the reunion special.

Friends - Season 4

2007-04-16T14:09:00.000-07:00

Friends' fourth season, one of the very best and most consistently satisfying, begins with Chandler urinating on Monica's leg to relieve a jellyfish sting. It ends with the two in bed and in lust. In between are several benchmark episodes and rich, character-enriching plot developments that keep this series from coasting on comfort level. Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) agrees to become a surrogate mother for her long-lost brother (Giovanni Ribisi). Chandler (Matthew Perry) "crosses the line" after falling in love with Joey's girlfriend, and is forced to spend one memorable Thanksgiving in a box. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston in what should have been her Emmy year) desperately pursues the recently divorced Joshua (then real-life squeeze Tate Donovan). Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Chandler trade spaces with Monica (Courtney Cox) and Rachel, and then, with provocative (albeit offscreen) sapphic compensation, return to their humble abode. And Ross meets the warm and wonderful Emily (Helen Baxendale), setting the stage for a London wedding and classic season finale that revitalizes our rooting interest in the whole Ross and Rachel thing. Especially jolly good in this two-parter are the scene-stealing British character actors, including Hugh Laurie as the unfortunate airline passenger seated next to Rachel as she wings toward London to tell Ross she loves him ("And by the way, it seems to be perfectly clear that you were on a break," he tries to reason with her), and Tom Conti and an absolutely fabulous Jennifer Saunders as Emily's squabbling parents. As Friends winds down, it is a pleasure to return to one of its glory years.

Friends - Season 3

2007-04-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

Friends' peerless writing staff really spreads the wealth in this pivotal third season. Each of this seamless ensemble's cast members was given a story arc that deepened and enriched their characters. Most devastatingly, Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel's (freshly minted Emmy-winner Jennifer Aniston) romance is torn asunder by Ross's jealousy (not to mention his one-night stand while the couple are, now famously, "on a break"). Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) is reunited with her half brother (Giovanni Ribisi) and meets a family friend (Terri Garr; inspired casting) who drops a Darth Vader-esque bombshell about Phoebe's parentage. Monica (Courtney Cox) begins the season reeling from her breakup with Richard (Tom Selleck, who reappears in "The One Where Monica and Richard Are Friends"), but rebounds with Pete (Jon Favreau from Swingers), a millionaire ("He's the perfect guy," she states. "He has everything. Plus he actually has everything"). Chandler is driven to increasingly hysterical attempts to "go through the tunnel" and commit to his relationship with Janice (Maggie Wheeler). And womanizer Joey (Matt LeBlanc) reveals his soulful side when he falls for an initially contemptuous theatrical costar. Also lending memorable support are Alison LaPlaca, as Rachel's self-absorbed new boss, and an Emmy-worthy Ben Stiller ("The One with the Screamer") as Rachel's new boyfriend whose volcanic temper only erupts in front of Ross.

Friends continues its hit-and-miss history with A-list cameos. Robin Williams and Billy Crystal ("The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion") are about as funny as the woeful film they were hyping, Fathers' Day. More memorable is Isabella Rossellini ("The One with Frank Jr."), whom the hapless Ross meets just after crossing her off his "freebie list" of celebrities Rachel would allow him to sleep with. Other classic episodes include the season-opener, "The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy" and "The One with the Flashback," which offers some provocative near-couplings between Monica and Joey, Ross and Phoebe, and Chandler and Rachel. Add a chick and a duck ("The One with a Chick, and a Duck"), and you have a benchmark season in this irreplaceable series.

Shyamali Did Not Expect To Be Such a Sensation...

2007-04-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Consider 19-year-old Shyamali Malakar as one of the people who is surprised her brother Sanjaya has made it this far in American Idol's sixth season.

"I did not expect him to get as far as he did, and I did not expect him to be such a phenomenon, but he could get as far as [the top] four or five," Shyamali Malakar recently told TV Guide. "I did not think Stephanie [Edwards] or Sabrina [Sloan] would get cut out so early, and I did not see Gina [Glocksen] going before Haley [Scarnato]. It is hard to predict."

Shyamali can be frequently seen during in the audience of Idol 6's live performance and results shows, and if she appears familiar it's because she also auditioned for the reality competition series. However unlike her 17-year-old brother, she was unable to crack the Top 24.

"I thought from the beginning that [Sanjaya] would make it through, but I was definitely surprised [that I didn't], since on a professional level I have more experience and am much more able to deal with the pressure," she told TV Guide. "I was not angry but disappointed in the process. I am not resentful. It is definitely a high-pressure thing. The closer I am to it, the happier I am [not to be] the one [enduring it]."

Other than their blood relation and vocal abilities, Sanjaya and Shyamali share something else in common: criticism from Idol judge Simon Cowell.

"I believed Simon more [when he was criticizing me] than Sanjaya believes him [now]," Shyamali told TV Guide. "I admire Simon for being honest, but I do not know that he is right in everything he says. He tries too hard to be mean, and I tried to change [his opinion of me]. If you can't sell yourself, it is hard for other people to accept you in the end."

While Sanjaya might be none-the-wiser of what critics are saying about him because he's living in the Idol bubble, Shyamali said she knows how he would handle it.

"He is thin-skinned as far as being empathetic and having concern for friends and family, but he does not worry about criticism. He has no trouble changing his style and crazy hairdo, he does not care what people say. He says, 'I am confident,'" Shyamali explained to TV Guide. "I am proud of Sanjaya and how he handles the controversy around [Idol]. He doesn't read the blogs and doesn't watch TV -- he's isolated in the environment -- so he doesn't have to be as exposed to it as I am. But it doesn't seem to be getting him down."

She added her family is also dealing with Sanjaya competing on Idol 6 and all the attention that comes with it.

"It has been both a learning experience and a dream come true. I never would have expected to get the exposure and recognition and popularity that Sanjaya has gotten, because there is no other way to achieve it," she told TV Guide. "It is a whirlwind of craziness, random people prying into your personal life. It is hard to prepare for, it all happens so fast. It has definitely changed everybody's lives, for all of my family."
Shyamali said she was studying at Evergreen St. College but is currently preparing to move to Los Angeles and pursue a music career. While she didn't expect her baby brother to make it as far as he has, she hinted it wouldn't surprise her if he made it farther.

"I could see Sanjaya and Melinda [Doolittle] in the end, which would be crazy. It all depends on who is more popular," Shyamali told TV Guide.

Another "Idol" Sex Tape

2007-04-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES, April 15 - Porn promoter Steven Hirsch said he hopes interest in "American Idol" has a halo effect on the not-so-angelic film featuring former contestant Olivia Mojica.

Called "Hardcore Idol," the 40-minute DVD -- with "Here's what the judges didn't see" as a tagline -- hits the stores May 3. Hirsch's Los Angeles-based, adult-movie company, Vivid Entertainment, is the distributor.

Hirsch said Olivia Mojica, an "American Idol" contestant during the second season, and her boyfriend hopped into bed for a camera just a month ago in her New York apartment, Variety reported.

A third party approached Vivid with a copy of the video, Hirsch said, adding the quality was "better than any other celebrity sex tape I'd ever seen. The sex is so great that if she were in the adult business, she'd be an instant superstar."

Hirsch said he struck a deal when the unnamed third party agreed to indemnify Vivid in case Olivia Mojica or Fox Network, home to "American Idol," sued. "We are a conservative company," he said.

"We don't move forward until we have dotted all of the i's and crossed all of the t's."

Hillary Clinton endorses Sanjaya?

2007-04-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

During a call-in appearance to a New Hampshire radio station, Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton got an unexpected surprise when she was asked about "American Idol" and Sanjaya Malakar.

When asked whether people should be voting for Sanjaya Malakar, Hillary Clinton said, "That's the best question I've been asked in a long time. Well, you know, people can vote for whoever they want. That's true in my election, and it's true on American Idol."

I wonder what "First Man" Bill Clinton thinks about Sanjaya Malakar.

Cast of TV Comedy "Frasier" May Reunite Onstage

2007-04-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

The cast of the long-running hit television comedy "Frasier" could reunite, but on the stage rather than the small screen,
David Hyde Pierce, an actor who starred in the show, said.
Pierce, who is starring in a new Broadway musical "Curtains," told Reuters late on Thursday he had met other members of the cast recently while they were in New York. They included
Kelsey Grammer, who played psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane, and
John Mahoney, who played his father, retired policeman Martin Crane.

"Absolutely, we talked about it," the 47-year-old actor said in an interview. "We got together and had breakfast and all we talked about is what plays we might do together."

Mahoney has returned to Broadway after a 20-year absence to appear in the play "Prelude to a Kiss" and Grammer recently starred in a concert version of "My Fair Lady" staged by the New York Philharmonic.

Pierce, who played Frasier's brother Niles, said any reunion would likely be a play rather than a musical.

"We were only talking about plays because we are all getting on in years and there is only so much dancing you can do."

The Emmy Award-winning show, which ran from 1993 to 2005, was shown in countries around the world and continues to appear in syndication.

Shyamali Malakar's...well...Boobs...

2007-04-14T13:24:00.001-07:00

Click the image

While March was the unofficial "Month of Sanjaya," the blogosphere is buzzing about the older Malakar this April. In this video (which has been slowed down for your viewing pleasure) you can see why Shyamali is the talk of the town.

This video further supports the widely held belief that Sanjaya and his sister are space aliens sent to the planet earth to croon us to death. Ok, that's not a widely held belief, but there are no Earth women who can bounce like that!

There were many people who thought that Shyamali was a singer as equally talented as her brother, and that she didn't deserve to be cut in the Hollwood rounds on this season of American Idol. Judging by the looks of things, she won't be riding her brothers coattails long before people take notice of her ample... talents.

Haley Scarnato and Her future Career Options

2007-04-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in an Interview with Entertainment Weekly, Haley Scarnato answered questions about her experiences on American Idol as well as her future ambitions. Scarnato, who made it to the Top 8 of 'Idol' this season, became widely known for her long legs and skimpy outfits- thus replacing the memory of amateur skank Antonella Barba.

When asked about her feelings in regards to Simon's lecherous comments on her wardrobe choices and perceived lack of talent, Haley stated, "It's hard to take [criticism] like that. I just tried to keep going and just know what I know and I know who I am."

"I know what I know and I know who I am?" Really, Haley? After paraphrasing the famous Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians song, Ms. Scarnato justified her mid-season fashion overhaul:

"[Simon said] I was very cabaret for a while -- I thought maybe I should go more trendy and young and look more pop. I thought to focus more on what's in style. And that's what's in style, so that's why I went with shorts and leggings. It just kind of was what it was."

Haley told interviewers that her wedding has been pushed back to January due to the summer American Idol tour, and that she wasn't as apathetic about the contest as viewers might have assumed from her "clock in and clock out" comment a few weeks back.

She also divulged that her amazing legs were the result of makeup rather than an intense workout schedule. Wait a second...now chicks have leg makeup? Push-up bras, fake tans, hair extensions, 6 inch heels, 20 inch nails, and gallons of facepaint weren't enough? Sigh.

New Shyamali Photo a Fraud?

2007-04-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

I had read this post from a certain site. "There seems to be yet another Shyamali hooters photo floating around the net and it a a complete fraud. While I will still post it here for you to decide, if you look closely at Shyamali’s neck you will notice it is photoshopped. Oh well. Once can only wish it was the real deal."

In my own opinion, I think it is edited too.

You can also add your comments, suggestions and violent reactions in this blog. Have fun!

Friends - Season 2

2007-04-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

Stunt casting stumbles (Jean-Claude Van Damme, Charlie Sheen) aside, it was a very good year for this beloved series, ranked by TV Guide as among the top 25 of all time. With the bar set so high from the first season, a sophomore slump could be expected, but, apart from a game Julia Roberts, only the hour-long episode raised the question whether success would spoil Friends. (This episode, "The One After the Super Bowl," convinced some misguided NBC executive that guest star Brooke Shields could carry her own series!) Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (an Emmy-worthy Jennifer Aniston) were the engine that drove the season and produced some of the series' most monumental episodes, including "The One with Ross' New Girlfriend," "The One Where Ross Finds Out" (with R & R's first kiss), "The One with the List," "The One with the Prom Video," and "The One Where Ross and Rachel... You Know." But this was not the only significant story arc.

Enter--and, in the bittersweet season finale, exit--Tom Selleck as Dr. Richard Burke, the family friend ("He's like a brother to... Dad," notes a disapproving Ross) who becomes Monica's (Courtney Cox) lover. Joey (Matt LeBlanc) finds success (albeit short-lived) as Dr. Drake Ramoray on "Days of Our Lives" and moves out ("We're not Bert and Ernie," he tells roommate Chandler). Future Emmy winner Lisa Kudrow's best season is to come, but, as Phoebe, she makes the most of some memorable subplots, including her shocked discovery of sad movie endings she had been shielded from ("The One Where Old Yeller Dies"), her dispute with Ross over evolution ("The One Where Heckles Dies"), and her channeling of an elderly woman who died on her massage table ("The One with the Lesbian Wedding"). Praise is due unsung hero Lauren Tom, so charming and sweet in the thankless role as Julie, the Girl Who Comes Between Ross and Rachel. Adam Goldberg also makes an indelible impression in his three-episode stint as Chandler's new "psycho" roommate. Notable omissions from this set include chapter stops for each episode, and uh, ahem, hel-LOH, how about commentary from the cast?

Friends on DVD

Friends - The Complete First Season

Friends - The Complete Second Season

Friends - The Complete Third Season

Friends - The Complete Fourth Season

Friends - The Complete Fifth Season

Friends - The Complete Sixth Season

Friends - The Complete Seventh Season

Friends - The Complete Eighth Season

Friends: The Complete Ninth Season

Friends - The Complete Tenth Season

Friends - The Complete Series Collection

"The Simpsons Movie" to Re-brand 7-Eleven Stores to Look Like Kwik-E-Marts

2007-04-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

It appears as though the world's largest convenience store will get Simpsonized, though 7-Eleven Inc. said the deal isn't done yet.

But at a company event yesterday in Richmond, officials showcased their planned promotional efforts with major upcoming films, including "The Simpsons Movie."

If all goes as planned, the convenience store chain plans to refit 11 stores across the U.S. -- Richmond is an unlikely choice -- to resemble the front of the Kwik-E-Mart, the convenience store that Homer and other characters frequent in the classic cartoon TV series.
Customers also will be able to buy products inspired by the nearly two-decades-old show, including KrustyO's cereal, Buzz Cola and iced Squishees (the cup says Squishee, but the contents will be Slurpee).

The chain also will use pictures of Simpsons characters to promote 7-Eleven's line of fresh foods, such as placing the face of Homer and his classic "Mmmm . . . sandwich" quip on sandwich wrappers.

Details of 7-Eleven's plans were showed to employees in a booth at a company event at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. It was unclear yesterday which 11 stores of the more than 4,700 nationwide would receive a cartoony facelift or sell inventory of the Simpsons-inspired products.

The movie hits theaters July 27.

7-Eleven also is lining up deals with the "Spider-Man" franchise in advance of the third installment in May. The promotion will feature Black Cherry Lemonade Slurpees and collectible Slurpee cups with three-dimensional graphics on the side.

Finally, the retailer plans to use the June sequel to "Fantastic Four" to promote the Slurpee energy drink it launched last year, called Full Throttle.

Spokeswoman Margaret Chabris said contracts on the promotions have not been signed with movie studios. She didn't give any further details, saying the company will release more information in coming weeks.

"We've done research, and research shows us that our customers like . . . movies, so we're getting involved with some major studios on some of their properties this summer," she said.

Idol Alums to Teach at Idol Camp

2007-04-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

Idol Camp, the world’s first performing arts camp based on American Idol, today announced the beginnings of an all-star line-up of past American Idol alumni tapped to appear at the summer camp this year.

Favorite American Idol finalists Bucky Covington and Kimberley Locke are set to teach special Master Classes. These talented performing artists will call upon their own unique skills and experiences to educate children on a variety of creative disciplines, in partnership with the camp’s impressive staff of performing arts educators.

This summer’s visit to Idol Camp will be just one stop on individual paths to stardom for these Master Class teachers. Bucky Covington will release his self-titled debut CD on April 17th, featuring the hit single “A Different World,” currently climbing the Billboard Country charts and Kimberley Locke will release her second album, "Based On A True Story," on May 1st - featuring the hit single "Change," which currently sits at #13 on the Billboard AC chart.

Other successful American Idol finalists scheduled to teach during the summer include Vonzell Solomon, Jon Peter Lewis and Carmen Rasmusen. Additional talent is to be announced soon.

“This roster of Idol Camp instructors helps to reinforce our commitment to creating a unique American Idol experience while providing children with the ultimate performing arts education,” says Donna Milani Luther, Camp Director. “All of these talented individuals have something special to offer our campers and we’re looking forward to working with them this summer.”

Enrollment into Idol Camp for this summer’s sessions are still open to young, aspiring 12-15 year olds throughout the US. However, there is only one more week left to apply to the camp; the deadline for applications is next Wednesday, April 18, 2007.

Idol Camp begins on July 7th, 2007 in Northfield, Massachusetts, with the first of the summer sessions. For more information on Idol Camp, including how to apply online, visit the official American Idol website.

Idol Camp was developed by FremantleMedia, co-producer and licensor of American Idol, and show creator, 19 Entertainment.

News Courtesy of www.americanidol.com

Martina McBride to Mentor Idols for Country Week!

2007-04-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Multi-Platinum country superstar Martina McBride will mentor the Top 7 finalists next week as they prepare to sing country songs on American Idol Tuesday 8/7c, and will perform her Top-5 single “Anyway” from her new CD “Waking Up Laughing” on the results show Wednesday 9/8c on FOX. During the past several seasons, Martina McBride has been one of the most popular artists to have signature songs covered by American Idol contestants.

Martina McBride, whose powerhouse voice has earned her 23 career nominations and four Country Music Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, tying her with Reba McEntire for the most wins in this category, was the only solo female in the Top-10 country tours of 2006. With over 16 million albums sold and 22 Top-10 hits, Martina McBride has earned her place as the top female country artist. "Anyway" is her first co-writing credit, the fastest-rising single of her career and the debut single from her self-produced album “Waking Up Laughing,” which was released on RCA Records April 3.

For the Love of Shyamali

2007-04-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

For someone who's on TV for mere seconds each week, Shyamali Malakar has made a large impression with searchers. Usually spotted in the audience of "American Idol" rooting heartily for her brother Sanjaya Malakar, Ms. Shyamali Malakar's lovely looks have enchanted viewers.

Although she tried out for the singing competition and didn't make the cut, she's become a success in buzz without having to even make a sound. Searches on "shyamali malakar" spike each Tuesday after the Idol broadcast and are up 211% this week alone. Queries for "shyamali malakar pics" and "shyamali malakar hooters pics" are also making an impression in buzz.

For those who haven't taken the time to properly introduce themselves to Shyamali Malakar, searches on "sanjaya sister" (+304%), "sanjaya's sister pics" (+252%), and "sanjaya malakar sister" (+84%) are sufficing. While she's not pulling down the same number of searches as her oft-derided bro, rarely has someone done so little to earn this much interest. The curvaceous cutie notches about 1/10th of the searches of Sanjaya Malakar, but he might want to consider making her an integral part of his post-Idol plan for success.

Carrie Underwood talks about dating and her search for Mr. Right

2007-04-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

Carrie Underwood has been romantically linked to British singer Oliver Trevena and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, so one presumably wouldn't call American Idol's fourth season winner unlucky in love. But that seems to be the case.

"Guys who would never look at me twice before might ask me out now, so I guess I have better opportunities," said Underwood in the May issue of Cosmopolitan according to a Friday report by People. "But when I do meet a guy, there's this 'Does he just want his picture in a magazine?' factor."

The 24-year-old Checotah, OK native added she's shy and "horrible around guys," but still optimistic about finding Mr. Right.
"I'm not saying I want to get married tomorrow, but I'd like to have someone other than my mom to call when I have good news," Underwood told Cosmopolitan.

Underwood also claimed she has to market herself correctly or she can forget about selling albums, never mind trying to land a date in the little downtime she has.

"The music business is about packaging. People have to be pleased by what they see on TV or they'll change the channel," Underwood told Cosmopolitan.

Critics are apparently easy to please for Underwood, who has won numerous awards since winning American Idol's fourth season in the May 2005. She was most recently awarded two Grammys for best new artist as well as best female country vocal performance for "Jesus Take the Wheel." But it doesn't end with critics and potential suitors, as Underwood added some females fans are often critical of her post-Idol weight loss.

"I gained weight on Idol, but I didn't starve myself afterward," she explained in Cosmopolitan. "I may think about it a little too much. I might feel guilty if I eat a pizza. But I've tried to be healthy and exercise as much as I can. If that's made me lose weight, I guess I needed to."

'American Idol' sends Haley Scarnato home, reveals its Top 7 finalists

2007-04-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Haley Scarnato became the fifth finalist eliminated from American Idol's sixth season during Wednesday night's live broadcast of the Fox reality show's results show.
The 24-year-old San Antonio, TX native was sent packing after "over 35 million votes" -- which Idol host Ryan Seacrest said was the "highest" total of the season -- were cast based on Tuesday night's live performances.

"American Idol truly is a blessing," Scarnato said during a video montage of her Idol journey. "The door opens a little bit, and it's given me the fire to really continue this. I'm living what I've been trying to get to all my life. I just want to enjoy every bit of it."
Scarnato performed "Turn the Beat Around" during Tuesday night's Idol broadcast. Idol judge Randy Jackson thought it was "really karaoke;" Paula Abdul commented "it's not a singer's song, it's a fun song;" while Simon Cowell said he "couldn't understand most of what Scarnato was singing.

Before revealing she was among the bottom vote getters, Seacrest asked Scarnato how she felt about Cowell's other comments from Tuesday night that she was using a "very good tactic" by wearing "the least amount of clothes as possible" because she "can't do well in this competition based on [her] voice because there are much better singers."

"[I was] not necessarily offended... but it hurt a little bit," said Scarnato. "I'm not going to wear anything I feel is completely inappropriate... it was fun."
Prior to Scarnato's elimination, Seacrest had revealed that Chris Richardson, a 22-year-old from Chesapeake, VA who sang "Smooth," and Phil Stacey, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, FL who sang "Maria Maria" were the other two members of the week's bottom three vote-getters. The results marked the third week in a row that both Stacey and Scarnato had been members of the week's bottom three vote-getters.

"I feel good to be here... I'm blessed," Stacey told Seacrest.

American Idol's sixth season Top 8 were mentored by Jennifer Lopez on Tuesday night and performed Latin songs. Last night, J.Lo performed her single "Que Hiciste," marking the first time a guest artist sang entirely in Spanish on the show. Following the performance she told Seacrest she "comes from the Paula school of criticism" and then offered her thoughts on the finalists.

"A lot of them impressed me," she said. "It's such a hard thing. A lot of people don't realize -- you get used to the show, it's been a couples seasons now -- it's so much pressure to come up here and do what they do every week. I really do take my hat off to everybody."

Last night was also the first extended hour-long broadcast of Idol 6's results show. Fox filled the time with rapper Akon performing "Don't Matter;" having Seacrest schmooze with the judges; having the Top 8 perform "Bailamos;" showing some clips of Cowell's trip to Africa to promote Idol Gives Back; airing a video of J.Lo mentoring the contestants; and sending Seacrest to Los Angeles' Farmer Market to get some "buzz" from fans on Tuesday night's performances. In addition, Seacrest said Idol has already received "over 5,000 entries" for Idol 6's songwriting competition.

American Idol's seven remaining sixth season finalists -- Melinda Doolittle, Sanjaya Malakar, Phil Stacey, Lakisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson and Jordin Sparks -- will all perform live on Tuesday, April 17 beginning at 8PM ET on Fox and will be mentored by country singer Martina McBride. Then on Wednesday, April 18 at 9PM ET the field of finalists wil be narrowed to six.

CBS says Couric unaware video essay plagiarized

2007-04-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

"CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric may vividly recall her first library card, but the network says she was unaware that her online video essay about the virtues of libraries was largely a work of plagiarism.

CBS News said this week the April 4 installment of "Katie Couric's Notebook" consisted mostly of passages lifted verbatim from a Wall Street Journal column by Jeffrey Zaslow that was published in March.

The producer responsible for Couric's piece was fired on Monday night, hours after the Journal contacted CBS News to complain, network spokeswoman Sandy Genelius said on Tuesday.

The essay was immediately removed from the CBS News Web site, and a correction was posted in its place. The network did not identify the producer who was fired.

Although the text for the minute-long video was written in first person -- introduced by Couric with the line, "I still remember when I got my first library card" -- Couric did not compose the piece herself and was unaware that much of it was plagiarized, Genelius said.

"She was stunned, and very upset," Genelius said on Wednesday. "It's the same reaction we all had."

The mishap comes as CBS continues to lag in third place in the network news ratings, behind ABC and NBC, seven months after Couric's much-ballyhooed debut as the first woman solo anchor of a major U.S. evening newscast -- for a salary reportedly worth $15 million a year.

Couric, who gained celebrity status co-hosting America's top-ranked morning show "Today" on NBC for 15 years, has had no comment of her own on the plagiarism episode.

Some Internet-based media watchers took issue with the language CBS used in its correction, which acknowledged that "much of the material" in Couric's piece "came from Mr. Zaslow" without attribution, but referred to the transgression as "an omission."

"This is a case of plagiarism, not omission," wrote the Web site Regret the Error, which reports on issues of accuracy and ethics in the media.

The author of The Daily Background blog, Arlen Parsa, faulted Couric for letting others write her own commentaries.

Genelius said Couric met with a group of producers weekly to discuss upcoming topics for her "Notebook" video essays, and "she does write some of them herself."

"Sometimes the text is written by the producer," she added. "That's the way television generally works. It's a very collaborative medium."

Kurt Vonnegut dead at 84

2007-04-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

Kurt Vonnegut, whose dark, satirical vision in works including "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Cat's Cradle" was shaped by the horrors he witnessed during World War II, has died at age 84.
Vonnegut died on Wednesday after suffering brain injuries following a fall weeks ago, said Donald Farber, Vonnegut's friend, lawyer, agent and manager.

Vonnegut wrote plays, essays and short fiction, but his 14 novels were classics of the American counterculture, resonating with the U.S. antiwar sentiment during the Vietnam War era.

The author's Web site, updated after his death, displayed a simple black-and-white image of a bird cage -- a symbolic element in his writing -- empty with an open door. "Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. 1922-2007," the page read.

"He was a beautiful man," Farber said. "I never hung up the phone without having laughed, he always left me laughing, no matter what the circumstances of the world."

"I last spoke to him the day he fell," Farber said. "He was in good spirits. Every time he spoke with me no matter what the circumstances in the world, he had a funny angle on it even if it wasn't a funny thing."

Despite battles with severe depression, Vonnegut was known for his witticisms.

"I've had a hell of a good time," Vonnegut once wrote. "I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different."

Irwyn Applebaum, president of the Bantam Dell publishing division of Random House, said, "By all counts he was one of the great writers of the 20th Century and continued to be one of the great writers in the 21st Century."

Bantam Dell publishes some of the author's seminal works, including "Breakfast of Champions," "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Cat's Cradle," which made him a literary idol in the 1960s and 1970s, especially to students.

A defining event in Vonnegut's life was the firebombing of Dresden, Germany by Allied Forces in 1945, which he witnessed as a young prisoner of war. The bombing killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians.

Dresden was the basis for "Slaughterhouse-Five," published in 1969 against the backdrop of war in Vietnam, racial unrest and cultural and social upheaval.

"There is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre," Vonnegut wrote.

Vonnegut became a cult hero when the novel reached No. 1 on bestseller lists and even more popular among many young Americans when some schools and libraries banned the book for its sexual content, rough language and depictions of violence.

The novel featured a signature Vonnegut phrase, "so it goes," which became a catch phrase for Vietnam war opponents.

After the book was published, Vonnegut went into severe depression and vowed never to write another novel. In 1984, he tried to take his life with sleeping pills and alcohol. His mother had herself committed suicide.

Vonnegut mixed fiction and autobiography in his work, which also blended elements of science fiction and touched on authoritarianism and the dehumanization of man by technology.

Fans said he invented a new literary type but some critics accused him of recycling themes and characters.

"Cat's Cradle" was published in 1963 and initially sold only about 500 copies but it remains widely read today in high school English classes.

Vonnegut's last book, published in 2005, was a collection of biographical essays, "A Man Without a Country."

A fourth-generation German-American who was born in Indianapolis, Vonnegut is survived by his second wife photographer Jill Krementz, their daughter and his six other children. Two of his children are published authors.

Mark Vonnegut, named after Mark Twain whom his father admired and bore a striking resemblance to, wrote "The Eden Express: A Memoir of Insanity" about his own descent and eventual recovery from mental illness. He speculated the illness was partly hereditary.

Daughter Edith Vonnegut, an artist, wrote "Domestic Goddesses," which takes issue with traditional art imagery in which women are shown as weak and helpless.