Today’s Idol Appearances
- Jennifer Hudson performs at a fundraiser for Rahm Emanuel, House of Blues, Chicago IL.
- Jennifer Hudson will appear on the Early Show, CBS 7-9 am.
- Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest and Steven Tyler appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. NBC 11:35/10:35c
- Kim Caldwell guest stars on the premiere of the VH1 reality series, “You’re Cut Off” 9 pm.
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Crystal Bowersox is confirmed for the industry-only Triple AAA Sunset Sessions, taking place Feb. 17-20 in Carlsbad, CA.
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What ‘Idol’ needs to do in Season 10: Focus on the contestants
Over the next several days, I plan to take a look at the things American Idol needs to do if the show hopes to successfully reinvent itself in its 10th season. So far, I’m generally optimistic that the changes the show’s producers have announced will at least give Idol a chance to recapture some of its past glory. But if that’s going to happen, several less tangible things need to occur.
Read more at USA Today
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More Headlines after the JUMP…
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Carrie Underwood Announces New Addition to the Family!
Carrie Underwood has been married for only six months to Ottawa Senators hockey player, Mike Fisher, but she announces they are already adding to their family!
“Actually, I have some news. We did get a new dog, ” the singer reveals to Seattle radio station KMPS . “That’s about the only expanding we’re going to do anytime soon!” The new puppy will join Carrie’s beloved chihuahua, Ace, who played the role of ring bearer at her summer nuptials. “She’s actually a shelter mutt, but she’s at least half dachshund. Her name’s Penny, because she’s copper, ” Carrie adds.
While the superstar may not be anxious to become a parent herself anytime soon, her extended family continues to grow. “I just became a great-aunt, ” Carrie reveals. “My nephew just had a baby. I’m so old. My sister, who is 40, is a grandmother, and my mom’s a great-grandmother.”
Read more at The Boot
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Simon Fuller Congratulates David and Victoria Beckham
DAVID and Victoria Beckham’s mentor and long term business partner, Simon Fuller, has spoken out to congratulate the couple on their impending arrival!
Fuller — who created the Spice Girls and American Idol — is delighted Victoria is pregnant with her and David’s fourth child.
“I’m absolutely thrilled for them, ” Fuller said. “Family means everything to David and Victoria and this is simply the best news they and the boys could have wished for at the start of 2011.”
Read more at ShowBiz Spy
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Carrie Underwood Soothes Baby (Funny!)
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Kristy Lee Cook signs record deal, celebrates birthday early
Kristy Lee Cook, who recently signed to Broken Bow Records, celebrated her birthday early Friday night at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. The former American Idol Season 7 finalist, who turns 27 on Jan. 18, invited fellow songwriters, label executives and friend — including fellow former Idol contestant Bo Bice — to the gathering.
Read more at USA Today
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Cream’s Jack Bruce calls for Simon Cowell’s ‘extermination’
And so much for peace and love — Jack Bruce, founder member and bassist of 60s supergroup Cream, has let his feelings been known about ‘X Factor’ supremo Simon Cowell and the vibes are far from good. Indeed, Cowell has got so far up Bruce’s nose that he’s seemingly called for the flat-headed pop svengali’s death.
Speaking to music magazine Uncut (via the Daily Telegraph), Bruce considers Cowell to be a greater threat to the evolution of music than illegal downloading. He said: “[Cowell] should be exterminated.”
Read more at AOL
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Joan Jett and Kellie Pickler Rock and Lull Camp Buehring
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait—Over four hundred service members stormed the picnic tables here an hour before the concert was due to begin in an attempt to obtain front row seats Sunday night, Jan. 9.
Hard rocker Joan Jett and country music artist Kellie Pickler conducted a crowd pleasing 2 hour show at Camp Buehring as part of a week-long USO entertainment tour for American Armed Forces serving in the Middle East.
Read more at dvidshub
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Inside ‘American Idol’s Big Gamble: New Judges, New Night, New Look
It’s back to the beginning for “American Idol, ” which is trying to shake up its timeworn formula while returning to its roots for its 10th season.
Though the show kept its No. 1 primetime spot last season with an average 24 million viewers, the ratings were lackluster, sliding nine percent.
Now the veteran talent show is returning with new judges, its original executive producer Simon Lythgoe and a renewed emphasis on the program’s original mission — finding the next music superstar.
Read more at ABC News
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Church of Idol
The “American Idol” ministry continues.
The wife of a southern California preacher — who says she was “sent by God” to provide spiritual and financial help to the show’s contestants — attended last month’s Hollywood Week tapings to support the newest members of her flock.
Over the past four seasons, Leesa Bellisi and her husband Denny have opened their two Los Angeles homes to the families of Jason Castro, Syesha Mercado and dozens of other hopefuls, while their kids sang for votes on TV’s biggest reality show.
Read more at the New York Post
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GLEE’S Matthew Morrison reckons he has Simon Cowell to thank for making him a global superstar
But Matthew – drama teacher Will Schuester in the C4 musical hit – believes the British mogul’s shows can HARM young performers.
Matthew, 31, told TV Biz: “I don’t think Glee would be around if X Factor and American Idol did not exist. It was inspired by those shows.
Read more at The Sun
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Young Hollywood Stars React to Attempted Assassination in Tucson
“Our fans are really just very respectful and kind and I have not encountered any kind of hostility like that, ” said Mark. “But I don’t think you have to be recognizable or not to be concerned with your safety. I mean, we all travel and we all go to airports and grocery stores and everything else… I think fear is what you don’t need to do… You can’t be scared ’cause you could die right now walking across the street.”
Chord cited minor nuisances that he has encountered since finding fame on the hit show, saying, “Since they see [me] all the time on TV, they feel like they can just come up to me and grab [me].” But Chord agreed with Mark that gleeks are respectful for the most part.
See the Video at ET
