Ryan Seacrest’s Stalker Headed to Prison
Ryan Seacrest’s stalker — 26-year-old Chidi Uzomah — was sentenced to two years in prison today — after pleading no contest to felony stalking back in March.
The judge threw the book at Chidi — who went after Seacrest outside of an Orange County hospital back in September … armed with a knife.
Chidi then showed up the E! building where Seacrest shoots his daily TV show a month later in violation of a restraining order … also armed with a knife.
Adam Lambert – If I Had You Music Video premiers today at 12 pm ET on VH1 and Adamofficial.com
Adam Lambert announced the the debut of his new Music Video on twitter last night, “The IF I HAD YOU Video premieres on vh1.com and adamofficial.com at 12pm (EST) tomorrow!!!”
Chat with Michael Lynche, Tim Urban, Katie Stevens at 5PT/8ET pm on Ustream.
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Lythgoe tells ‘American Idol’ to focus on music
“American Idol” shouldn’t try to replace Simon Cowell now that the sharp-tongued judge has left to helm a new reality series, says former “Idol” producer and “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Nigel Lythgoe.
The variety show guru, who worked on “Idol” until 2008, says the singing competition should stick with three judges and pay more attention to the music after a lacklustre season.
“It’s never been my opinion that four judges work on that program because it should be about the talent, ” Lythgoe said in a recent interview from New York before heading to Alberta for the Banff World Television Festival.
“The team took their eye off the ball a little bit and was more worried about the judges and what was happening with them than it was regarding the talent last year. It became about Kara (DioGuardi) joining and making the fourth judge, Paula (Abdul) leaving, Ellen (Degeneres) joining and Simon leaving and much more about them and concentrating on that than on the talent that they were finding.”
“It wasn’t a vintage year.”
Reality TV proves meaner than fiction
Reality shows such as “American Idol” and “Apprentice” have almost no physical violence, but a new study suggests their rampant displays of name-calling and snarky gossiping still make for a much meaner TV-viewing experience compared with watching fictional TV shows.
The realistic portrayal of aggression on reality TV shows might even encourage viewers to imitate the non-physical aggression in real life , according to some theories. That verbal or relational aggression typically slips past TV-rating systems and media watchdog groups, which focus instead on condemning the physical violence of gunfights and fisticuffs.
American Idol: 15 ways to Fix it
REBOOT THE JUDGES’ PANEL, BUT (GULP!) KEEP KARA
After nine seasons, Randy still hasn’t learned the fine art of giving succinct, honest, witty feedback to contestants. Ellen, meanwhile, seems to have lost interest in giving any feedback whatsoever (aside from calling everything ”great!”). Idol’s producers should give ’em both the hook, and replace them with folks who’ll inspire formerly annoying Kara to further raise her game, not drag her into a pit of mealy-mouthed ineloquence. As Project Runway has proven, a judges’ table can sustain more than one tough, opinionated panelist.
Ice cream social to thank donors
The balloons have dropped and the confetti has been swept away, but the Crystal Bowersox star power is still alive in Elliston.
Trinity U.C.C. and Bowerstock invite you to an ice cream and dessert bar social to help thank the numerous donors. The social will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity U.C.C. in Elliston.
We will be distributing funds to Diabetes Youth Services, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Ottawa County Agricultural Society/Fairgrounds. Trinity’s T.L.C. ladies will also be announcing the future plans to help fulfill Crystal’s dream.
For more information, visit www.trinityuccelliston.org.
Kris Allen Unplugged
Kris Allen’s debut self-titled album initially sold 80, 000 copies, the lowest debut of all eight Idol winners.
So, how did Allen, who will perform at the free SUMMERTHING! concert on June 27th in SF’s Golden Gate Park, feel about that initial effort?
“There was definitely enough creative control for me and all that, ” Allen told Idol Chatter last week during a tour stop in Mobile, Ala. “But it was quicker than I wanted it to come out. We had four months to make an album and it didn’t happen exactly the way anyone wants to have it happen. but you have to get it out as quick as you can.”
Country goes uptown for CMA Music Festival in Nashville
Speechless:American Idol’s Danny Gokey got his first taste of the fest as an artist and was left a little floored by the immensity and pace of the week. “I mean, really, wow. It’s such an honor to be here, and I know that’s such a cliché answer, but what else can you say?” Gokey says. “I thought (country fans) wouldn’t accept me because I’m a pretty soulful singer, but (Randy Travis) said it was the thing that the fans would love, and he was right.”
IN THIS ISSUE: Carrie Underwood’s Wedding Showdown
American Idol winner, turned country music superstar Carrie Underwood and her soon to be husband Mike Fischer have been facing off in a last-minute wedding showdown, sources reveal to OK!
The couple was forced to move the date of their ceremony to the later half of summer rather than June, as they duke it out over some of the final nuptial details.
So far the 27-year-old singer has gotten her way on the wedding location, set on a Tennessee farm, and even the size of the wedding, now capping at over 250 people.
Still up for debate is the menu at the now reasonably large ceremony.
The hockey pro, 30, wants a five-course meal served to the pairs’ guests, while Carrie would rather keep it low key with a Southern BBQ and grilled veggies.
Asides from the cuisine, there is the question of Carrie’s dog, who she wants to be the ring bearer no matter what Mike thinks.
Jordin shows she’s got still got Spark
Jordin Sparks had everything in place at the House of Blues last night – except a packed house.
Having opened for such mega-acts as Britney Spears and the Jonas Brothers, 20-year-old Sparks seems to have fine-tuned her live show. No word on where all the dedicated “American Idol” followers who made her champ in 2007 were, though, as Sparks played to a less-than-half-capacity crowd largely comprised of youngsters and their chaperones.
Not that she noticed. Sparks’ hour-long live show was a dynamic, family friendly affair, dominated by her powerhouse vocals and bubbly enthusiasm. Sparks worked in some minor choreography into her set, but kept the focus on the vocal technique that nabbed her the “Idol” title.
Sparks Shines At Hartford’s Webster Theater
For “American Idol” winners, the possibilities for future notoriety fall on a wide spectrum, from chart-toppers like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, to lesser-known idols, like Taylor Hicks. The season-six winner, Jordin Sparks, has fallen in the more successful range, packing Hartford’s Webster Theater on Saturday night with an audience comprised of many children, teens and families.
Sparks’ hour-long set began with two backing vocalists, dressed in gladiator-era helmets, serving as hype-men as they marched in time to the drum intro of her current radio single, “Battlefield.”
Lakisha Jones Comes To Feinstein’s 6/14
FEINSTEIN’S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed “Best of New York” by New York Magazine and “an invaluable New York institution” by The New York Post, will continue its all-star Spring 2010 season with the New York concert debut of LaKisha Jones, the “American Idol” finalist and star of Broadway’s The Color Purple, on Monday, June 14. For her show at Feinstein’s, Ms. Jones will present an evening of music from “American Idol” favorites and Broadway hits to classic standards and selections from her debut CD, So Glad I’m Me. The show, which features a four-piece band, will be performed at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).
Hollywood comes to Cincinnati Opera to celebrate 90th anniversary
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Opera always does it up in grand style for its Summer Festival, but this year there’s some hollywood glamour added to the mix.
The Opera announced “American Idol” Host Ryan Seacrest will host the Cincinnati Opera’s 90th Anniversary Gala Concert scheduled for June 19 at Music Hall.
“Ryan Seacrest is one of the finest and best loved television hosts. We’re thrilled that he’ll be joining us to lead our anniversary celebration, ” said Cincinnati Opera’s Artistic Director Evans Mirageas.
A crowning moment for the king of ‘reality’
Nigel Lythgoe may be able to make or break careers on his hit show So You Think You Can Dance, but try telling that to the people running the box office for the Broadway musical he’s trying to get into. Lythgoe’s on his cellphone from New York, and figured while doing an interview, he would stroll over and pick up his tickets, arranged for him by one of the show’s stars. Alas the comps aren’t there. Don’t they know who he is?!
“They’ll give me a lifetime-achievement award, ” he laughs, “but I can’t get tickets to Promises, Promises.”
Lythgoe (whose assistant eventually gets to the bottom of the ticket debacle) is referring to the Award of Excellence, which he’ll receive at the Banff World Television Festival on Tuesday.
Paula Abdul says there’s life after Simon
NEW YORK – Paula Abdul is optimistic that “American Idol” will survive after the departure of Simon Cowell.
“I don’t see an end to Idol, I see that there will be many changes, ” said Abdul. “I tell people don’t use the word ‘replacement’ because you can’t replace Simon.”
The former judge of the popular reality television singing competition was at the Tony Awards Sunday night where she presented the award for best Choreography.
Abdul, who left the show in 2009, says she’s remained in contact with Cowell, and that, “He’s over in the U.K. doing great.”
Which popular TV actress refused to tape video encouragement message for AIDS Ride?
The annual AIDS/LifeCycle ride culminated in Los Angeles Saturday (June 12), which benefits research for a cure for the disease. This year it raised $10 million for the cause.
A reliable source tells The Dish Rag that celebrity soundbites were compiled for a video reel encouraging participants who undertook the grueling seven-day bike ride.
The stage and TV actress, who stars in an uber-popular genre series with an exuberant fan base, was asked to participate while she was on set for a shoot. When the diva actress was asked if she would mind looking to camera to tape a message for the California AIDS Ride celebrity encouragement reel she refused to do it and didn’t give a reason why!
Is ‘Glee’ Making Show Tunes Cool Among Young People?
“Something weird and profound has happened in the four years since the original ‘High School Musical’ movie was first shown on the Disney Channel and surprised everyone with its smash success: the musical-theater idiom has regained its currency, and is enjoying what may be its greatest popularity among young people since the pre-rock era. We’re raising a generation of Broadway babies.”
Well, at least he is: “My daughter … has seen ‘Hair’ four times, ” Kamp explains. “She spends summers at a theater-arts sleepaway camp in the Catskills … She … watches ‘Glee’ raptly.”
‘Glee’ is starting to sound out of tune
I don’t plan to jump, but there were definitely moments in the spring episodes of “Glee” when I had to question the blind loyalty to a show where the initial critical response ranged from “brilliant” to “phenomenal.”
Nothing drove that doubt home more than the penultimate season episode, “Funk.” Maybe it was the stench of desperation punctuated by the use of Beck’s “Loser, ” but the episode lost sight of character development. “Funk” didn’t advance a single story, and simply had the characters moping around between musical numbers, depressed about the upcoming singing competition. It marked another example of how the tendency to put musical numbers before the stories has weakened the series.
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5 reasons ‘Glee’ beat the musicals curse
It’s been quite a first year for Fox’s shouldn’t-have-happened musical hit. Bringing down the curtain June 8 on its first season, “Glee” — which launched on May 19, 2009 — has had great ratings, a slew of Top 10 hits, Golden Globe nominations, SAG and Peabody wins, guest stars lining up like sophomores for try-outs, a Hot Topic tour, sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall and appearances at the Super Bowl, the White House Easter Egg hunt and “Oprah.”
Not bad for a show about a bunch of singing high-school misfits that stars some Broadway staples, the guy who played Attila the Hun in the “Night at the Museum” feature films and a journeywoman actress best known for playing the strict Granny in “Talladega Nights.”
Carrie Underwood Shows Off Her 6′ 1″ Prize
Carrie Underwood walked away the big winner during the 2010 CMT Music Awards when she took home the “buckle” for CMT Performance of the Year and Video of the Year. But even before she accepted her first award, Carrie says she already had one prize, fiance Mike Fisher, by her side.
“It’s really great having him there because no matter what happens, I go home a winner, ” Carrie said backstage at the awards. “I have the biggest prize — it’s the guy sitting next to me. Win or lose, I know he’s proud of me, and that’s really nice. But, of course, it’s nice to share the good times with him, too, and to have him here for anything.”
