Tonight, 5 more acts advance to the Finals on America’s Got Talent 8/7c PM NBC. Big Brother continues with the PoV competition and results 8/7c PM CBS.
Endemol Beyond USA Launches Video Hub Site (Exclusive) – American Idol season 11 runner-up, Jessica Sanchez, will participate in this new digital venture from Endemol USA: Endemol Beyond USA, the digital content arm of Endemol Shine North America, has taken the wraps off GetBeyond.us — a new direct-to-consumer website consolidating its entertainment properties and talent, and is set to be the home of future exclusive content released from the studio. At launch GetBeyond.us includes programing from lifestyle network Icon, creatively led by YouTube beauty maven Michelle Phan, and original content from talent including Pitbull, Jessica Sanchez, Drea de Matteo, Andy Milonakis and Brittany Furlan. The site soon will add content from Endemol Beyond USA’s forthcoming gaming and e-sports network Smasher and pop-culture net Looksy. – Read more at Variety
‘Empire’ Casts Clarence Williams III as Lucious Lyon’s Mentor (Exclusive) – “Empire” has cast Clarence Williams III in a guest-starring role for season two, TheWrap has learned exclusively. Williams will play Huey Jarvis, a legendary music mogul and mentor to Lucious Lyon. Jarvis hosts a prestigious series of weekly “Living Room” shows, an appearance on which greatly boosts an artist’s chances of winning music’s top awards. Williams is a well-known character actor with a career dating back to the 1960’s. He famously played Linc Hayes on the 1970’s TV series “The Mod Squad.” He also previously collaborated with “Empire” co-creator Lee Daniels on the 2013 movie “The Butler.” – Read more at The Wrap
Martina McBride, Kelly Clarkson Unite for Musicians on Call Tour – A trio of powerhouse vocalists are lending their support to Musicians on Call, the non-profit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities across the country. When the four-city Rock the Room Tour kicks off October 21st in Nashville, the benefit will feature performances by Martina McBride and Kelly Clarkson, along with a special appearance by Reba and other surprise guests. – Read more at Rolling Stone
Taylor Hicks Joins Johnstone Entertainment – American Idol winner Taylor Hicks has joined Johnstone Entertainment for management. Hicks will be represented by Cole Johnstone. – Read more at Music Row
Carrie Underwood Is Planning a New Tour – “We’re working out the details right now,” Carrie tells us during a Nashville press junket. “Tour routing and figuring out who’s going to come out with us and all that stuff—it takes a lot of love and a lot of planning. I feel like within the next couple of months we should be announcing everything. We’ll just put it out there! I’m excited.” – Read more at the Big 98
Scotty McCreery Gives a Big Thumbs Up to “American Idol” Mentor Steven Tyler’s Move to Country – As Scotty established himself as a country singer on Idol, Steven actually showed up during rehearsals one day to give Scotty advice on how to really get the most out of his performance. “I was like, “This is pretty sweet, pretty awesome,'” Scotty recalls. “Steven Tyler’s up here helping me out with a song. Not too many folks can say they got to experience that.” The judges aren’t supposed to be mentoring the contestants…interesting. “If you listen to the song, the production on it, it’s about as country as anything out there right now, man,” Scotty explains. “Good for him for branching out and doing something different. That’s what music’s all about — being an artist is trying new things and seeing what works. Steven Tyler, he can go put out whatever he wants to do.” – Read more at WINS Country
Catching Up with The Voice Alum Matt McAndrew
Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani Getting Support From Fellow ‘Voice’ Coaches After Splits – “I haven’t met one coach that’s been on this show that I wouldn’t consider at this point a really good friend,” Blake told ET, explaining how they support each other on the show. “Any of the coaches that I’ve worked with on this show I can call at any moment and talk to.” Gwen described The Voice as a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing summer. “It’s so amazing!” she said. “Honestly, I’ve had so much fun so far, and it’s so motivating. I think this is the funnest thing I’ve ever done in my whole life work-wise.” – See the video at Entertainment Tonight
Blake Shelton’s Surprising (& Hilarious!) Rihanna Revelation – Rihanna will lend her expertise to all four coaches on Season 9 of “The Voice,” and no one is more excited about RiRi’s arrival than Blake Shelton! “I was amazed by Rihanna. She is so funny… and she’s crazy about me,” Blake told Access Hollywood’s Liz Hernandez in a new interview, along with fellow coach Pharrell Williams, to promote Season 9 (which kicks off September 21 on NBC). “We’ll probably end up hooking up at some point,” Blake smiled. “I’m just saying.” – Read more at Access Hollywood
