CKX Deal: What’s American Idol Worth?
A lot less, it appears, than what it might have fetched two years ago.
Robert F.X. Sillerman, chief executive of CKX Inc., the owner of the blockbuster television enterprise “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance, ” is nearing an offer to buy out CKX for roughly $6 a share, sources tell the Wall Street Journal.
Sillerman and another insider offered $13.75 a share for CKX in 2007, but the deal was scuttled by the credit crisis.
Back then, the company’s stock hovered in the mid teens. But the past two years have not inspired investors’ confidence in CKX. Earlier this year, Simon Fuller, the creator of American Idol and head of 19 Entertainment Partners, the company’s television unit, left CKX.
Gokey coming to town for eyewear commercial
Danny Gokey, Milwaukee’s first shot at “American Idol” fame, will be in town for two days next week to shoot a commercial for a local eyewear firm.
Gokey, 29, who has been living in Nashville pursuing a career in country music, will be in town Tuesday and Wednesday at an undisclosed location to make the commercial for New Berlin-based Wisconsin Vision. No public appearances or performances are planned while he’s here.
The singer, known for his distinctive glasses, made it to the top three during Season 8 of “Idol” last year. His debut CD, “My Best Days, ” opened at No. 3 on Billboard’s country albums chart earlier this month.
Underwood driver ID’d as Conn. truck crash victim
STONINGTON, Conn. — A truck driver killed in a fiery crash on a Connecticut highway has been identified as a Kansas man hauling concert equipment for singer Carrie Underwood.
Connecticut State Police say 48-year-old Robert Allen O’Bleness (Oh-BLEH’-nes) of Wichita died in the March 20 crash in Stonington. His tractor-trailer went off Interstate 95 and down an embankment. The vehicle caught fire when its fuel tanks ruptured.
The man’s identity was released Friday after being confirmed through dental records.
More Headlines after the JUMP…
‘Idol’ Casey James — The Brad Pitt Effect?
“American Idol” contestant Casey James may have an unfair advantage in the competition — his hotness!
The “Idol” was at the Grove in Hollywood yesterday — and we asked if his Pitt-esque looks are getting him all the ladies’ votes, he flashed a smile, slipped on his shades and gave us an unassuming “No”.
Kara DioGuardi would probably say otherwise.
Why Andrew Garcia can’t get his mojo back
American Idol Season 9 poses more than its share of perplexing stumpers. For starters, is this really the best talent that turned up at last summer’s auditions? Why can’t more than three or four of these finalists sing in tune on a given night? Why does Ellen DeGeneres seem so much more uncomfortable on Idol than she does on her own show? Who let Paige Miles think singing Against All Odds was a good idea? What is Tim Urban still doing here?
Perhaps no question, however, is more mystifying than this one: What in the world has happened to Andrew Garcia?
Adam Lambert: ‘If I Had You’ is Next Single!
Adam Lambert: ‘If I Had You’ is Next Single!
Adam Lambert keeps it fierce as he leaves a bowling alley in London on Friday (March 26).
The 28-year-old singer is across the pond promoting For Your Entertainment! Adam also made stops at Heat magazine offices and Mirror Group Newspapers during the day.
DeWyze Balancing Fun, Focus In Hollywood
“When I have a little down time, it’s nice, ” Mt. Prospect native and American Idol contestant Lee DeWyze told the Journal in a telephone interview from Hollywood this week.
DeWyze, who has advanced all the way to the top 10 of the FOX television singing competition, said he’s not exhausted, but admitted that being a contestant can be hectic at times.
“We move really fast and we go from one thing to another. It gets tiring, but what we are doing is so huge, ” the 23-year-old said. “You never think how tired you are, you just have to remember why you are here, and this is a good reason to be tired.”
Carly Smithson and We Are the Fallen on Fox Philadelphia
Aired: 3/26/2010 9:40AM EDT
CELEB PlayBlogger Ace Young: March 26
It’s been a real pleasure being able to not only get to know, but get to work with my fellow “American Idol” alum Diana DeGarmo. After learning the show with her, I can’t imagine doing it with anyone else. And, it’s an amazing thing to be part of the first show to have two “American Idols” on a Broadway stage. So if you’re a fan of Diana’s or a fan of mine, or just a fan of the show, we hope to see you at Hair.
Birthday partys and more!!
Good morning everybody! Well I had a wonderful birthday yesterday… being out of the country and jet lagged ever since didn’t leave a whole lot of time to plan anything so I had to throw a last minute birthday party! I woke up around 4pm and texted all my friends and family to come over and have a tennis tournament! Haha random right? Only until you find out that I got a new tennis racquet for my bday! I plan on taking my tennis game on the road so I needed to gear up! The tournament never really got started.. haha but everybody played and we had a blast.
Syesha Mercado Interview with Good Day LA
In Carrie Underwood’s Own Words
I know I say this every time another Carrie Underwood cover story hits the newsstands. But this time, I swear she is opening up like never before. This story in Allure magazine really gets to the heart of who Underwood is and who she is not. Like when she talks about how she’d gladly go back on American Idol even though she’s not contractually obligated to do so. “Of course, I will, because I’m not a little snot, you know?” she said.
Simon Still Won’t Sign
SIMON Cowell has still not signed his new £12million contract with ITV – putting a question mark over this year’s X Factor.
The music mogul was expected to tie up a two-year deal in January, just as he announced plans to take The X Factor to the US.
Simon is expected to start filming this year’s UK show in just three months time.
Insiders claim he has agreed his personal fee – believed to be around £6million a year – but is holding out for an extra £3million production budget to make The X Factor.
The extra cash would mean £300, 000 more for each of the 10 live final shows.
A show source said: “Simon is committed to the show but only if ITV will pay up.
