‘Ellen DeGeneres’ re-ups on NBC stations
Looks like Ellen DeGeneres won’t be replacing Oprah Winfrey on ABC stations anytime soon.
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution has renewed Telepictures’ “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” for three additional seasons on the owned-and-operated stations of the NBC Local Media Division.
‘American Idol’ hopeful Danelle Hayes has dreams dashed by bad behavior — UPDATED
Hayes sure comes across as a likable troublemaker who is trying to clean up her act. She has a misdemeanor criminal history dating back to 2004 and indirectly, that’s what led to her golden ticket being revoked. Danelle says she has a seven year deferred prosecution for drunk driving. That means she’s on probation for a looooooong time. Apparently the Idol folks weren’t willing to get clearance from Danelle’s probation officer every time she needs to leave the state, so they opted to give her the boot instead. She was encouraged to audition again, so hopefully, she’ll get another crack at Hollywood.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Plant Alert: Didi Benami Has Worked With the Cowriter Of The Song She Chose for Hollywood Week
Didi Benami’s performance of “Terrified” on the February 9th episode of American Idol may be gaining her some fans, but there’s something she left out. The song “Terrified” is written by Kara DioGuardi (which Didi mentioned) and Jason Reeves. Jason Reeves is a songwriter who has worked with Colbie Caillat, Demi Lovato, and Katharine McPhee. On Didi’s MySpace, she mentions that she has worked with Jason before, stating, “Special Thanks to Jason Reeves for being a magical genius collaborator. I look forward to seeing you again soon…and keep the magic flowing….”
PTC freaks out about Stern judging ‘Idol’ rumor
The Parents Television Council has extended its broadcast TV neurosis to a new level: issuing press releases about events that have not happened.
Usually, something actually has to occur on television for the PTC to get upset. Dirty language. Boobies. Etc. Now the PTC is upset about rumors that Fox is considering Howard Stern to judge “American Idol” … even though Fox hasn’t said a word.
“Fox should move immediately to repudiate these rumors and instead commit publicly to keeping ‘American Idol’ safe for family viewing…” blah blah.
Kara DioGuardi Strips Down for Maxim, Jokes About Getting “Naked” on Idol
On last season’s American Idol, Kara DioGuardi stripped down to a skimpy bathing suit on live TV to duet with her TV foe Bikini Girl.
Relive the American Idol finale!
How will she top that this year?
“Um, get naked?” she jokes in the March issue of Maxim. The judge, 39, also poses in a number of barely-there getups for the lad mag.
She quickly adds, “But that could actually have the opposite effect, so I think I’ll keep my clothes on…. I would say that was definitely the first time… and probably the last.”
After showing off her bod on the Idol finale, “I got a couple of proposals and thought maybe I’d want to divorce my husband, ” jokes DioGuardi, who wed contractor Mike McCuddy last July.
Producer Quincy Jones and Singer/Songwriter Lionel Richie Announce Plans for the International Release and Distribution of ‘We Are The World 25 For Haiti’ – Fans Urged To ‘Download To Donate’
The world premiere of We Are The World 25 For Haiti will air during NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics this Friday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 C.T. Shortly after the premiere, details about a multi-network international roadblock simulcast will be announced.
Following the world premiere, fans will immediately be able to download the song and view exclusive footage from the recording session on the official website: WORLD25.org. Downloads will also be available on iTunes, and through a partnership with YouTube, the video will be viewable on the “We Are the World 25” YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/wearetheworld). Immediate donations will be made possible by clicking on the “Donate Now” button on YouTube or by downloading the song on iTunes.
Where Are The ‘American Idol’ Coke Cups?
On “American Idol” Tuesday night, new judge Ellen DeGeneres wasn’t the only change on the screen.
In a highly effective bit of product placement, the large Coca-Cola cups have been as much of a fixture on the show as Randy Jackson saying “Dawg!” But thousands of viewers did a double take on Tuesday night when they saw Jackson, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and DeGeneres sipping from orange-and-white Vitaminwater Zero cups. While the change isn’t really that remarkable, it still felt oddly jarring to many viewers of the show. DioGuardi was even asked about the switch during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday (February 10).
DeGeneres judges herself as honest in ‘Idol’ debut
LOS ANGELES — Ellen DeGeneres is glad that her “American Idol” debut drew big ratings and high praise from the show’s creator, media mogul Simon Fuller. But the real test, she says, was judging herself.
She decided she didn’t let the contestants down, DeGeneres said Wednesday, the day after she watched the broadcast of her first “Idol” episode.
“I was honest with them (the singers). I was concerned going into it I would be tiptoeing around too much, but I wasn’t, ” DeGeneres said.
Ellen DeGeneres is an early favorite on ‘American Idol’
If that was Ellen DeGeneres’ American Idol audition, she has earned a ticket to the next round.
Granted, as with the actual Idol auditioners, we’ve seen ludicrously little of DeGeneres so far. Her actual airtime was around three minutes on her opening show, and that was the one designed to showcase her. As for her contestant-focused second show, she didn’t even speak until 24 minutes in.
Gold Kris: Idol Adulation (a review)
I HAVE a confession to make: I was ready to be unimpressed by Kris Allen’s show at Zirca. I was apprehensive about whether the price of the ticket ($99), which I thought was a bit much considering the venue, would put people off, and the fact that I wasn’t convinced that Kris could deliver the goods as such. I mean, I preferred him to Adam Lambert during the whole American Idol run, but that was TV – this is real life.
But interested I did get. Not at first. He’d come on playing tracks from his debut album – and yes, he did save Live Like We’re Dying for the last song of the set proper – and interspersed his material with covers like Michael Jackson’s Man In The Mirror and Ain’t No Sunshine. And he did that competently. Which was par for the course. You’d expect him to do them well enough.
Last year’s American Idol winner Kris Allen gives Malaysia a dose of his soul-meets-pop style of music
SOME one thousand enthusiastic fans of American Idol winner Kris Allen (pix) crowded the ballroom at The Gardens Hotel & Residences in Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur on Monday to watch their idol in action. The winsome Allen, who was the US hit reality show’s season eight champion, did not disappoint them.
At his 45-minute showcase, the singer, who is on a three-city Asian tour to promote his self-titled debut album, entertained his audience with nine songs (and two during the encore). Just before his show started, Emcees JJ and Ean of Hitz FM’s The Breakfast Show regaled the crowd in the standing room only venue for almost half an hour before Allen took to the stage at 9.10pm.
Anoop Desai returns to Nashville
Anoop Desai returned to Nashville Monday to finish recording songs for his forthcoming EP, All Is Fair. Monday night, he also attended an “Idols for Haiti” benefit at Nashville club 3rd & Lindsley, which featured former contestants Brent Keith, Felicia Barton, Ricky Braddy, Ann Marie Boskovich and Alex Wagner-Trugman.
Catching up with Danny Gokey
Season 8 third-place finisher Danny Gokey has been busy making the country radio rounds in advance of his major label debut, “My Best Days” (due out March 2 on 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville). He’s also about to head out on the road as the opener for Sugarland! So before things get totally nuts, the Milwaukee native, who recently moved to Nashville to be closer to his late wife’s family, made some time for us.
Who do you think would make good mentors this season?
Carrie Underwood would be great because she was there, so she knows what it’s like. I think Carrie could mentor like it’s never been done before — it would be a brand new experience and a brand new take. I also think Brian McKnight would do a great job on the show. He’s a great singer and it’s good to go back to people who can just plain sing — it’s not all about the lights and dazzle.
Music That Changed History and Still Resonates
WASHINGTON — Half a dozen legislators sat a few feet away, under the crystal chandeliers of the East Room of the White House, as Bob Dylan sang “The Times They Are A-Changin’, ” poker-faced.
It was part of “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.” The program was the Black History Month event in Michelle Obama’s continuing music series at the White House, and will be broadcast Thursday night on PBS.
The night kept circling back to gospel. Ms. Adams, a gospel luminary, sang Sam Cooke’s hymnlike “A Change Is Gonna Come, ” starting gently and growing joyfully vehement. Jennifer Hudson and Mr. Robinson traded lines on “People Get Ready, ” a gospel song that was remade into a pop hit.
Former American Idol Jason Castro talks tour
Since making it to the final four in Season 7 of American Idol, the career of Jason Castro has taken off like a rocket, as Castro prepares to release his debut album this spring. Ahead of the Jason Castro debut, Castro has been on the road where CNN caught up with the former Idol to see how life has changed post American Idol, his tour, and what fans can expect from the first full length Jason Castro studio album.
Kelly Clarkson champions her fuller figure as she kicks off UK tour in Liverpool
Kelly Clarkson’s weight has become something of a talking point in recent years.
But last night the singer showed she was confident in her skin as she kicked off her UK tour, championing her fuller figure.
The American Idol winner, who shot to fame in 2002, performed to screaming crowds at Liverpool Arena.
Dressed casually in a blue Rolling Stones T-shirt and jeans, the 27-year-old star owned the stage as she strutted around singing her hits.
Brown at Grease Performance
“Grease” was the word for recently sworn-in Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) on Tuesday night, who took in a performance of the popular musical at the National Theater.
Brown was joined by his wife, Gail Huff, who was celebrating her birthday. Some former competitors of their daughter Ayla, a former “American Idol” contestant, have roles in the production: “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks plays “Teen Angel, ” and finalist Ace Young stars as “Danny.”
Paula Reviews Ellen
Ellen DeGeneres has hit a high note with the both fans and critics following her ‘American Idol’ debut Tuesday evening, including praise from the lady she replaced, Miss Paula Abdul.
“Paula thought Ellen is just great, ” a friend of the former ‘Idol’ judge told me. “We all thought it would be a difficult night for Paula, but she watched the show like everyone else in America and thought Ellen was brilliant. She even called her and left her a message telling her just that right after the show ended.”
‘Glee’: Molly Shannon cast as Sue Sylvester’s nemesis
“Glee” won’t return to your TV sets for another two months, but the cast, crew and casting directors are hard at work.
The latest? They’ve landed “Saturday Night Live” supa-stah Molly Shannon.
FOX confirms that Shannon will join the cast for an episode in May, playing a teacher and coach at McKinley High.
Word is she’s got some substance-abuse issues and a serious rivalry with Jane Lynch’s Sue Sylvester.
Bonus SoundScan numbers for Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, more!
Last night, I got some digital-tracks information from SoundScan. A few of them were updates some of you have been requesting for weeks, and they include numbers for tracks from David Cook, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Mandisa and Carrie Underwood.
The big news: Kelly Clarkson’s Since You Been Gone just broke the 2 million mark.
David Cook, Come Back to Me (3, 000 weekly/433, 000 total)
David Cook, Light On (2, 000/1.052 million)
David Cook, Time of My Life (2, 000/1.306 million)
Larry Gatlin, Constantine Maroulis, Vincent Pastore, Alice Ripley, et al. Set for Rockers on Broadway Haiti Benefit
Tony Award winner Alice Ripley and Tony nominees Constantine Maroulis and J. Robert Spencer will be among the performers in Rockers On Broadway’s benefit concert, ROCKS TO REBUILD! For The Children Of Haiti, to be held at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, on Monday, March 1, at 8pm
Featured Rockers will include Grammy winner Larry Gatlin, Rock of Hall member Gene Cornish, and singer/songwriter Kate Taylor. Sopranos star Vincent Pastore will be among the guest stars, and additional Broadway performers will include Tituss Burgess, Ben Cameron, Ta’rea Campbell, John Arthur Greene, Emma Hunton, Sean Jenness, Adam Kantor, Donnie Kehr, Lauren Kennedy, Michelle Kinney, Michael Lanning, Gerry McIntyre, Sarah Schmidt, Jeremy Schonfeld, Matt Stocke, and Clarke Thorell.
Tickets are $40, with proceeds benefitting UNICEF and Save the Children. For more information, visit www.rockersonbroadway.com.
Behind the Scenes: Carrie Underwood’s New Pedigree PSA
Carrie Underwood grew up surrounded by animals. Working in a vet clinic before she hit it big, the country superstar still volunteers at a shelter when she goes home to Oklahoma. And now, as mom to 4-year-old pup Ace, the singer is stepping up to help animals in need through the Pedigree Foundation.
Underwood recently teamed up with Pedigree — a sponsor of her Play On tour — to shoot a public service announcement on behalf of the company’s big adoption drive. “I can’t imagine life without my dog, ” she told Pedigree at the shoot. “Dogs are just beautiful souls that don’t want a thing from you.”
Simon Cowell may have met his match in Mezhgan Hussainy; new lady love is ‘Idol’ makeup artist
Despite appearances to the contrary, Simon Cowell does have a heart — and it appears he has given it to a new woman in his life.
Contestants on “American Idol” and Cowell’s other reality competition shows could stand to learn from Mezhgan Hussainy, who called the cranky judge “a piece of cake, ” and says, “His bark is worse than his bite, ” according to the U.K.’s Daily Mail.
Cowell, who is normally as private about his love life as he is tough on budding performers, has been spotted in PDAs with Hussainy, a makeup artist on “American Idol.”
They were out together over the weekend in London, where Cowell is holding auditions for “Britain’s Got Talent, ” and were even seen smooching at tryouts for the show, according to the U.K.’s Mirror.
Andrew Garcia, Crystal Bowersox Emerge As ‘American Idol’ Front-Runners In Hollywood
Yes, the first two rounds of Hollywood Week have just ended, and there’s plenty of drama that will undoubtedly unfold before we make it to the top 24. But that has not stopped us from tagging some of the breakout stars that have emerged so far on season nine of “American Idol.”
If you can survive the dreaded group round and still have the judges smiling at you, you’ve already won the first battle, and these singers seem poised to rise to the top … for now anyway.
