FOX Bumps “Kitchen Nightmares” Return for “X Factor” Encores on Fridays – LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) — FOX is changing up its Friday plans as encores of “The X Factor” will now lead off the evening at 8:00/7:00c beginning September 28, replacing a planned three-week run of “Kitchen Nightmares” originals. “Touch” then will assume the Friday, 8:00/7:00c slot on October 26 as previously announced while no return date for “Kitchen Nightmares” was given. – Read more at The Futon Critic
Phillip Phillips, Colton Dixon and More Idols Weigh in on Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj Joining the Show – “I think the cheesy side of things is why they brought in Nicki Minaj,” Colton admits to OK!. “When I first heard it, I wasn’t crazy about it, to be honest, but you know it’s a TV show and people want entertainment.” And you better believe entertainment is exactly what AI fans will get this season. “I know there’s going to be bickering between her and Mariah Carey,” the seventh place finisher says. “It’s just inevitable and it’s going to be very entertaining to watch, I’m sure.” While most viewers are excited to tune into Nicki’s TV debut, season ten’s Haley might not be one of them. “I don’t think I’d like to see that. I don’t know if she’s the right fit.” Haley tells OK!, “I’d rather them get somebody, even Keith Urban.” – Read more at OK Magazine
Phillip Phillips: ‘I’m just a normal guy who wants to make it in the world’ – One amazing thing about Phillips is how he doesn’t want to change—how he doesn’t really want to be a celebrity. We all saw this on the show, like when he defied designer Tommy Hilfiger’s fashion advice. During our interview, he proved that he hasn’t changed his perspective. While not really being specific, he said, “There were times when they wanted to change me. They tried to change me a lot of times, and I told them, ‘This is me. I’m going to go out and I’m going to go out as something I’m proud of.’” – Read more at Inquirer.net
Taylor Hicks: ‘I plan to make Las Vegas proud’ with new Bally’s deal – Even when singer Taylor Hicks was at the lowest point of his life stripping and waxing nursing home floors, he never stopped believing that his showbiz break would eventually happen. Even when Taylor’s flight home from New Orleans was canceled because of Hurricane Katrina, he never stopped believing, and instead he used his free flight voucher and traveled to Las Vegas for an “American Idol” audition. “There was never any doubt in my mind. I was convinced that one day I would make it happen. It never was an if; it was always a when,” he told me as Bally’s today officially confirmed our earlier Vegas DeLuxe reports that he would be re-signing to stay on the Strip. – Read more at Las Vegas Sun
Chris Richardson’s first Twitter interview – Chris Richardson did his very first Twitter interview with ANDPOP’s @britt_mahaney. The “Joy & Pain” singer/songwriter and American Idol alum talked about his upcoming album, what he thinks of Nicki Minaj as an Idol judge and whether or not Tyga has taken him to Rack City. Before we wrapped up the interview, we dared him to tweet us a photo. A lot of the fans were crossing their fingers for a topless pic (okay we were too) but we got an equally awesome mobster-chic pic. Check out the interview below!! – Read more at AndPop
Haley Reinhart Finds Out the Fall Fashion Trends in New Series ‘Falling Into Fashion’ – As sad as it is to say goodbye to summer, there is a silver lining to it – fall fashion! Who doesn’t love cute boots, coats, sweaters, all of the above? Nordstrom Rack is summarizing all of the upcoming trends in the new series Falling Into Fashion With Haley Reinhart! Check out Haley as she gets the inside scoop on what trends we can expect to see everyone rocking during the autumn months! – Read more at Hollywire.com
Simon Cowell Really Wants to Sell You These $300 Sony Headphones – Do you wear a lot of plaid, dance on top of cars, swim in your clothes, buy real records and hone the perfect bed head? Then does Simon Cowell have a set of headphones for you, you lovely young thang. A partnership between the acerbic star-maker and Sony Electronics has birthed yet another entry into the jam-packed overpriced-headphones category, this one called X Brand. Expect to see the product become as ubiquitous on The X Factor, Fox’s second-season talent show, for which Cowell is creator-producer-judge, as the Coca-Cola cups (and competitor Beats headphones) are on American Idol. A pair of ads from Omelet Los Angeles and production company Foundation Content will launch the $300 X Brands, clearly aimed at the hip kids who “live music.” – Read more at Adweek
Cee Lo Green Preps Holiday Magic Moment With Christina Aguilera, Muppets – The 14-track disc, due out on October 30, will find Green hooking up with his “Voice” cohort Christina Aguilera for the Christmas classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” as well as rock icon Stewart for “Merry Christmas, Baby.” The Muppets show up for the original tune “All I Need Is Love” and a cappella group Straight No Chaser pitch in on “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch.” Rapper B.o.B. is listed as a contributor, but at press time it was not announced what song he appears on. Promising a “soulful” take on holiday classics, the album will also feature Cee Lo’d versions of “This Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” “White Christmas,” “Please Come Home For Christmas,” “Run Rudolph Run,” “All I Want For Christmas” and “Silent Night.” Other tracks include “What Christmas Means To Me,” “Mary, Did You Know?” and “River.” – Read more at MTV
Cher Lloyd Ready to Swing ‘Sticks’ at U.S. – “The next morning, I was catapulted into a brand-new life,” the 19-year-old Lloyd recalls. “At that time, it was difficult for me to get my head around that and realize how I’m not going to be able to live the life that I did before.” Lloyd came in fourth on “The X Factor,” finishing behind One Direction, Rebecca Ferguson and series winner Matt Cardle. But she was on top of the U.K. singles chart less than a year later with the edgy dubstep-flavored single “Swagger Jagger.” Her debut album, Sticks + Stones, made its U.K. bow last November, debuting at No. 4 on the British chart. – Read more at Billboard.com
Playing in ‘The Voice’ Band: Guitarist on the ‘Overwhelming’ Demands of the Show – What’s harder: being in a touring band or playing in one on television? Rafael Moreira, guitarist for The Voice’s band, says there are pressures and advantages to the latter. “Its very intense and a lot of work because we have to learn the parts and there is little left to improvisation,” the Brazilian-born musician tells The Hollywood Reporter. “The amount of songs we learn and the hours we put in are pretty overwhelming … And I am a bit of perfectionist, so I really dig in.” – Read more at Hollywood Reporter.com
