Nigel Lythgoe attends Simon Fuller’s Birthday Party
Nigel tweeted about the party, which took place Sunday night. Carrie Underwood and Sons of Sylvia were there.
We have just landed at Bute, Montana on our way to Philipsburg for Simon Fuller’s birthday. Stay tuned for a tweet-a-thon! Apologies to everyone it’s Butte. The Ranch is amazing. We went paint-balling this morning. I looked like a Jackson Pollack painting!!! I had salad for lunch. I just didn’t fancy elk!!! I went horse riding earlier. I’ll never be a cowboy. I’m still waiting for the blood to flow back into my bum! Son’s of Sylvia and Carrie Underwood have just arrived. Idol Executives at the Dude Ranch. http://twitpic.com/1ohtmx
Fox (again) promises half-hour American Idol results shows, delays auditions to Sept.
American Idol 10 will push back its auditions to September, perhaps to give producers time to find a new fourth judge, so they won’t have to have rotating judges like last year. Fox chair Peter Rice told reporters this morning, “We do have some time before we need to have a judge for shooting. We’ll start shooting the auditions probably in September this year.” As to who will replace Simon Cowell, Rice said they want someone who “provides both music credibility and incredible entertainment value.”
Fox president Kevin Reilly told reporters that executives are aware of our complaints: “We’re changing the Idol format next year. We’re heard consistently from audiences they would like more performances, tighter results shows, so that’s what we’re going to do as we get into the spring.” As to its declining ratings, Rice said the 9 percent decrease they expect “in comparison with other television shows, that’s actually pretty good.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
DeWyze beyond his years
“American Idol” loves presenting its contestants as bumpkins brimming with brilliance, green amateurs only now finding their feet in front of 20 million fans. But the reality is that many of the wannabe “Idols” are veterans of record contracts, studio sessions and big stages.
And no contestant this season has a pre-“Idol” resume as impressive as Lee DeWyze, who made it to the final three last week.
Though he’s billed on the show as a simple paint store employee, DeWyze, a 24-year-old native of Prospect Heights, Ill., began writing songs at 16, recorded the first of two albums at 21 and last year led a local Chicago Bears show, “Chicago Huddle.”
Biggest TV drama: upfront ad sales
Meanwhile, hopes are fading fast that Fox will announce a successor for departing “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell during its upfront pitch today. (News Corp. owns Fox and The Post.)
Ratings for “Idol” among adults ages 18 to 49 are down nearly 10 percent this season, adding to the uncertainty around Cowell’s departure. However, Fox doesn’t seem to be feeling the pressure to announce his replacement anytime soon. Rumored contenders have run the gamut from actor Jamie Foxx to singer Elton John to shock jock Howard Stern.
Idol Dream Date With…Michael Lynche
This “American Idol” season, Reality Rocks is visiting the “If I Can Dream” house every Friday to have dinner with that week’s eliminated “Idol” contestant. It’s an “Idol dream date” of sorts, and the most recent dish session was with fourth runner-up Michael Lynche, who with his famously gregarious personality was the ideal dinner party guest…even if Big Mike’s big appetite caused him to dig into Dream House roommate Ben Elliott’s leftover red velvet birthday cake, direct from the tray with a fork, before supper was even served! Somehow only likable Michael could get away with that. As he stated himself between mouthfuls of cream cheese frosting, “It’s nice to be Big Mike.”
Star’s homecoming well worth the wait
I got the opportunity to meet Crystal Bowersox on Friday, and from what I could tell, she’s just as nice and down-to-earth as she seems on “American Idol” and as I’ve been told by people who know her.
I’ve been watching her on the show since February, but the first time I saw her in person was at the “meet and greet” event at the AT&T store near the Franklin Park Mall in Toledo Friday morning during part of her hometown visit.
Presenting The 2010 AfterElton Hot 100!
As usual, the final list is made up mostly of TV, movie, and Broadway actors: 88 in all. Only twelve come from some other field: musicians Adam Lambert, Ricky Martin, Kris Allen, Jason Mraz, and Jay Brannan; athletes David Beckham, Ben Cohen, Gareth Thomas, and Matthew Mitcham; journalist Anderson Cooper; screenwriter Dustin Lance Black; and designer and film director Tom Ford.
Overall, thirty-one new faces made the list, which we think is a nice turnover. Who are some of the new faces? Well, the sensation that is Glee rocketed five entries onto the chart: Jonathan Groff, Chris Colfer, Matthew Morrison, Mark Salling, and Corey Monteith.
5 Questions With Adam Lambert At Wango Tango
We caught up with our favorite glamdroid Adam Lambert on the red carpet of Wango Tango, the day-long concert produced by radio station KISS-FM. And although the pompadoured pop star was in a hurry to prepare for what would turn out to be a thrilling, pitch-perfect four-song set for a cheering Staples Center crowd, we managed to sneak in a few quick-and-dirty q’s with him. Jump below to find out if Glambert (who, FYI, says he’s Team Bowersox!) is putting serious thought into a film career or that little style war he’s in with other spike-minded musicians.
We recently posted a list of all the movie musicals we think you should star in, like a remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show or the American Idiot movie currently in development. Are you on the lookout for a film role?
I think right now I’m just focusing on my music and making videos and touring. I start the Glam Nation tour in June. It’s gonna be all over North America for the next three months, then I think I have some dates in Europe.
Jennifer Hudson to portray Winnie Mandela in controversial biopic
Jennifer Hudson is to begin filming a controversial biopic of Winnie Mandela, which will portray her as a heroic figure who deserves to be as revered as her former husband.
Hudson, the Oscar-winning actress, will play Nelson’s Mandela’s ex-wife in Winnie, a glowing tribute piece which promises to be every bit as divisive as its subject.
When the project was first announced, lawyers for Mrs Madikizela-Mandela, as she is now known, threatened action against what they feared would be a “character assassination”.
Jennifer Hudson: CANNES Crazy
Jennifer Hudson is true blue at the cocktail party for her new movie, Winnie, held at Terrazza Martini during the 2010 Cannes Film Festival on Sunday (May 16) in Cannes, France.
Last night, Jennifer attended the Vanity Fair and Gucci party honoring director Martin Scorsese and the 20 year anniversary of The Film Foundation at the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc.
Cannes Notebook: Jennifer Hudson Talks Baby and Wedding
Long engagement or not, Jennifer Hudson is getting married, folks.
In fact, she says it’s “coming up.”
E! News caught up with her at the Cannes Film Festival where she was promoting her upcoming biopic about Winnie Mandela. Our favorite Dream Girl was looking ravishing in blue as she talked about how much this new film means to her personally.
“I am so excited and so honored and can’t wait to get started. We start in the next week and I’m ready to go to Africa for the first time, ” Hudson said at a reception held along the Croisette at the Terrazza Martini tent.
Daughtry delivers
Considering the relative lack of success for former male American Idol performers, it was fair to wonder if North Carolina rocker Chris Daughtry’s first Regina appearance with his self-named band was going to be more style than substance.
Despite numerous hit singles, the jury was still out for some on Saturday as Daughtry (the band) played to an almost sold-out Brandt Centre, while others clamoured to get closer to the Season 5 heartthrob, who also holds the distinction of being the victim of the most surprising Idol elimination ever.
Southern Exposure: Conversations With Bo Bice and Widespread Panic’s John Bell
May traditionally is a busy month for brick-and-mortar and digital music retailers. Among this month’s future album releases are Bo Bice’s 3 that’s coming out May 18th, and Widespread Panic’s Dirty Side Down that drops on May 25th. The following are interviews with Bice and Panic’s John Bell during which they talk about their new projects, parenthood, the late Vic Chesnutt, a little social consciousness, and The Little Prince’s author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
‘American Idol’s’ Bo Bice and BoDeans falter, but Elizabeth Cook is right on the money
It’s pretty standard country crossover music with a rock edge and there’s no denying that Bice has a strong voice. Sometimes the production work and singing are overblown, as in “Get On and Ride, ” or the soulful shot “Who Knows What.” Sometimes the songs just aren’t there, though the arrangements and Bice’s vocal lift them, like they do in the album’s first single “Long Road Back.”
Underwood opening acts a contrast of styles
Once upon a time early in her career, country superstars Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney gave Carrie Underwood a shot at the big time.
On her “Play On” tour, Underwood is repaying the favor. She’s sharing her stage with newcomers Sons of Sylvia and up-and-comer Craig Morgan, two disparate acts that added some interesting contrasts to the pop-country queen’s show at Tucson Arena Saturday night.
Ryan Seacrest Dishes on ‘American Idol’
OK! caught up with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest on Saturday, who dished on who he thinks may win the competition, what’s in store for the season to come, and his relationship with the soon to be married Simon Cowell.
“Casey, Lee, or Crystal!” Ryan revealed his winner predictions for AI at Wango Tango, “It’s going to be interesting to see what happens this week because I think a lot of girls are voting for Casey and if he has an off night, will they continue to vote because they think he’s cute?…I think that the best voices are Lee and Crystal.”
Ryan Seacrest’s secret date?
Ryan Seacrest has been on another date with former “Dancing With the Stars” beauty Julianne Hough. Despite claims by the country singer last month that she and Seacrest had only met for business with their managers, they were spotted out alone together in Beverly Hills earlier this month. A rep for Hough, who’s previously been linked to Dane Cook and Kings of Leon frontman Jared Followill, said, “We do not wish to comment on Julianne’s private life, ” adding that she’ll release her new album on Universal Music Group’s Mercury Nashville label this fall.
Jane Lynch on ‘Newsweek’/’Glee’ controversy: Murphy and Chenoweth ‘heroic’
EW spoke with Glee star (and out lesbian) Jane Lynch, who applauded Murphy and Chenoweth’s statements but also believes that Setoodeh is allowed to have his own opinions. “The thing is, actors are actors: You can’t play gay anymore than you can play somebody who’s Catholic, ” says Lynch. “Aaron Sorkin wrote a wonderful thing in the Huffington Post. I don’t think you have to slap somebody down for making an opinion that you don’t agree with. But I do think what Kristin and Ryan did was so important, and I’m glad that they said it. It doesn’t mean, ‘Off with [Setoodeh’s] head.’ But I’m very glad, and I thought it was very heroic what the two of them did.”
For ‘Glee’ fans, the Journey is worth it for launch of live tour
And what they had planned, as expected, was equal parts musical theater, giddy pop culture phenomenon and Journey-loving rock show, with taped appearances from the two adult stars of Glee, Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch.
It was Lynch, in fact, who welcomed Glee fans to the table with a withering “Hello suckers. Congratulations …. You’re all idiots!”
‘Glee’ kicks off four-city tour in Phoenix
It was the start of an evening that only a fan would appreciate. Casual or non-viewers who paid upward of $75 per seat surely wondered why they spent so much to see costumes mostly comprised color-coordinated street clothes, or a backdrop of bleachers made to resemble a music classroom. Or perhaps pondered why the set list seemed so disjointed.
The connecting spirit of the show was deeply rooted in fan appreciation, starting with a list of song favorites from the TV show and going all the way to the cast’s dash through an ecstatic crowd as Lea Michele, in character as glee club co-captain Rachel Berry, belted out “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”
“This whole thing kind of feels like a big ‘Thank you’ to the fans because they have made the show such a success so quickly and so early on, ” Kevin McHale, who plays the wheelchair-bound Artie, told The Associated Press. “So this is like giving back.”
Glee at Dodge Theatre
You would not know that from last night’s world premiere of the hit Fox musadramedy Glee’s touring stageshow at Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, where a cadre of stars from the show reprised “Bad Romance” dressed in some of Lady Gaga’s famous space-agey outfits, including that awesome bubble dress. That was pretty cool — possibly the most fun moment in a night that had more than a few fun and entertaining moments. Uncool? Sanitizing the hit song’s refrain to “I’m a freak… baby.”
Sure, the show later featured a (not explicitly worded) joke about jacking off hobos in a boxcar — somehow, in the V-chipped alternate universe the adoring (most teenage) crowd inhabits, it’s the word “bitch” that needs to be censored. Never mind that substituting “freak” for “free bitch” is lazy and obvious and changes the meaning of the entire song.
Miley warned to keep ‘Dancing’ tune tame
Miley Cyrus’ march toward shedding her Hannah Montana image continues Tuesday night on “Dancing With the Stars” when she performs her song “Can’t Be Tamed” for the first time on live television.
In light of a video which shows a then 16-year-old Cyrus giving a lap dance to the producer of her film, “The Last Dance, ” there’s talk that she’s under orders from ABC to keep “Can’t Be Tamed” clean.
Tom Bergeron: ‘DWTS’ Needed an Overhaul, But Not of the Ellen Variety
What kinds of fixes have been done to ‘DWTS’? Well, besides the glass-walled “Celeb-riquarium” and switch of Samantha Harris for Brooke Burke, they include one NOT of the ‘Death Star’ variety, Bergeron says … specifically the addition of a Ellen DeGeneres-like fourth judge without experience in the singing industry.
“I say this with great affection to Ellen, who I think is a wonderful entertainer, I think that the moment they start having people outside of the competition discipline, critiquing, is when you start going off the rails, ” Bergeron tells Fancast. “It would be like us having somebody who didn’t have any dance experience trying to judge a dance contest.”
‘Dancing with the Stars” Erin Andrews Talks Semi-Finals Strategy
ET is inside Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s top-secret rehearsal for tonight’s “Dancing with the Stars” semi-finals, and the duo dishes about having to perform two dances! Are they feeling the pressure?
Erin is admittedly “nervous.” She says, “Bottom line and we all know this, Monday night, it’s between Chad [Ochocinco] and I.” The ESPN reporter is confident that Nicole Scherzinger and Evan Lysacek are shoe-ins for the finals and hopes she can claim that coveted third spot.
Kate Gosselin’s ‘DWTS’ Return a Gift and a Curse?
“Everyone, especially Kate’s old dancing partner Tony, are dreading the return of Gosselin to the dance floor, ” one insider told me. “Kate comes with a lot of drama. She’s the only celebrity who insisted on having a bodyguard with her at all times and put the costume department through hell each week. She tortured Tony and you don’t even want to know what she put the show’s hairdressers through! The day Kate was voted off, everyone was celebrating backstage. It’s been a lot less toxic without her.
More Headlines:
The case for Casey
Staring down Season 9’s Top 50 some five months ago, it’s easy to see how someone such as Casey James could have gotten written off early on and not be taken seriously as a contender for the “American Idol” crown. Sure, the Fort Worth native was a looker, and he made no apologies for it, going so far as to take off his shirt mid-audition, but weeks into the competition, we had yet to see the true charming nature of Casey, or appreciate the man’s masterful guitar skills. In fact, whether he goes home this week (one “Idol” panel has already predicted his exit) or advances to the final two, Casey James’ legacy will be that he was hands down the best musician to ever take the “Idol” stage — and possibly the best-looking, too.
Adam Lambert Says ‘If I Had You’ Clip ‘Gets Kind Of Psychedelic’
Adam Lambert has already dropped some hints about the over-the-top video for his latest single, “If I Had You.” And when MTV News caught up with the singer backstage at KIIS-FM’s annual Wango Tango festival in Los Angeles, the former “American Idol” contestant admitted that all he needed to shoot the clip were some old pals.
“The thing about the video [is] there is a love interest: It’s all my friends, ” he explained. “It’s about the love that you have with your circle of people that you surround yourself with.
Top 10 American Idol Finalist Michael Sarver
One of the most popular weeks on American Idol every year is the “Idol Gives Back” segment, where performers via the show helps raise millions for charities in the U.S. and around the world. With the recent release of 2009-season eight Top 10 American Idol finalist Michael Sarver’s “Ferris Wheel, ” the first single from the country rocker’s highly anticipated upcoming self-titled summer debut, finds his own unique way of embodying the concept.
