Headlines: OJ vs American Idol, Bye Bye Birdie pushed to 2019

Fox using O.J. special to tackle ‘American Idol’ – In a throwback to Fox’s tabloid past, the network has scheduled a two-hour special, “O.J. Simpson: The Lost Confession?,” in what appears to be a transparent move to undermine the premiere of “American Idol” on ABC. The program — like “Idol,” scheduled for 8 p.m. on March 11 — is being culled from videotapes that were to be used for the 2006 special “If I Did It,” based on a book that featured O.J. Simpson discussing the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. – Read more at CNN

Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ Pushed to 2019 at NBC – Picked up in October 2016 to air in December 2017, Lopez’s busy schedule prompted NBC to push the live musical to December 2018. That is no longer the case, as Lopez’s scheduling as well as that of producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have prompted Birdie to be pushed to 2019. NBC is said to be searching for a new musical to fill the December 2018 opening. Should that not happen, the Bob Greenblatt-led network would go two holiday seasons without one of its trademark live productions. – Read more at Hollywood Reporter

American Idol 2018: Everything You Need to Know About the Singing Series Relaunch – Perry says that she and Bryan are the whoopee-cushion pranksters, while the vet Richie is the designated room monitor. “Katy asked, ‘Can we call you papa?’ and I said, ‘You can call me daddy!’” says Richie, himself the father of three (including Great News actress and former reality star Nicole, 36). – Read more at Parade

‘American Idol’ notes: season 16 schedule, talks with ‘Vote for the Worst’ creator, MJ’s Big Blog, Michael Slezak – And for folks who read MJ’s Big Blog, I had the honor to speak to MJ Santilli, the Quincy, Mass.-based blogger who has run her site since 2006, which now includes coverage of the most popular reality competition shows such as “The Bachelor,” “Survivor” and “The Voice.” (She gets my kudos for keeping her blog viable this long.) She has mixed feelings about the “Idol” return. “I love the show,” she said. “I’m glad to see it back. But I worry.” She sensed the desperation on the part of the “Idol” producers to get the show back so quickly. – Read more at MYAJC

Kelly Clarkson on How a Stranger’s Advice Inspired Her Career in Music – The turning point came when she was 13 and performed Mariah Carey’s “Vision of Love” at her school talent show. Clarkson says after the show, a stranger, who she assumed was a classmate’s grandfather, approached her and said, “That was so amazing, you’re gonna do this for the rest of your life.”
She was stunned. “I don’t even think I said ‘thank you.’” she says. “I was taken aback because I’d never received any kind of compliment like that.” That compliment gave her the inspiration to pursue a career in music. – See the Video at Parade

Fort Wayne’s Addison Agen on life after ‘The Voice’ – “I just got back from the recording studio with Karly Webster, who was my battle partner on the show,” she said. “I had an interview earlier today — an onscreen interview — and then Karly recorded her harmonies for two of the songs that she’s gonna sing on the album.” There’s no normal day anymore, Agen explained in a rushed voice — or perhaps hers was simply the tone of a fast-talking 16-year-old. “It’s whenever the guys at the studio are available and when I’m available. … It’s a jumble of everything,” she said. Agen is “right in the middle” of tracking her second album, which will include six of her own original songs, three from other songwriters and a cover (of what, she couldn’t say). Read more at Goshen News

Katharine McPhee seeks a tenant for classic 1930s home in the Hollywood Hills – Singer-actress Katharine McPhee, whose hits include the song “Over It,” it hoping someone is into her Spanish-style home in Hollywood Hills West. The 1930s estate, now up for lease at $12,500 at month, opens to a stone turret entry and has more than 3,500 square feet of Old Hollywood detail. A step-down living room with wood-beamed ceilings, skylights and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace serves as the interior centerpiece. – Read more at LATimes

“Jekyll and Hyde,” rock and theater, it’s all the same to Constantine Maroulis – “Let’s face it, some people thought, and still do, that I was a badass, but I studied at Boston Conservatory and came from a family that was steeped in music, so all that was on the good side of the record. But they gave me a rough time at the conservatory. It was good for me. I always had a plan, from the 20s to now.” “I’m 42 now and I know the score. … I carry a guitar in one hand and a briefcase in the other. I have a hustler mentality. I’d like to be a lifetime rocker, but you got to think about paying the bills. It’s just that way.” – Read more at PilotOnline

About mj santilli 34833 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!