This Week on TV (12/22-12/28)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Drama, Food & Home, Games, Music, Prime Time, Reality, Specials, ABC, Cable, CBS, FOX, MTV, NBC, Prison Break

(You can view TV Envy’s Midseason Programming Schedule here.)
MONDAY 12/22)

• Prison Break (FOX, 9pm):  “Sara is waiting for news of Michael in a luxury hotel, and she’s not enjoying the luxury.” She becomes unreasonably paranoid anytime someone offers to turn down her bed.
• Momma’s Boys (NBC, 9pm):  “The guys go on group dates planned by their moms and individual dates they planned.” Until the big Jay Leno move, NBC will just run MTV’s hand-me-downs.
• The Hills (MTV, 10pm):  Season 4 finale. “Lauren and Heidi run into each other and are reminded of why they used to be friends.” I, quite frankly, could use a reminder as well.
• 17 Kids & Counting (TLC, 10pm):  “The family welcomes the arrival of Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar.” Wake me up when they get to “J.Lo.”

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FOX to Spread the Musical Glee

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, FOX, Gossip, Rumors

It worked for Disney. Disney makes money. FOX likes to make money, too. So why not sort of borrow an idea inspired by Disney, tweak it for TV, and make a truckload of money?

I’m just guessing here, but I feel like the pitch for FOX’s Glee went something like this. The network has ordered thirteen episodes of a new scripted musical series, truly the first of its kind. The maker of Nip/Tuck is behind the High School-based series, which will follow the characters inside a glee club that’s striving toward nationals.

Sources say the series will premiere in 2009, with speculation on the exact date running rampant. Some say it won’t appear until the summer season hits, while others are saying FOX will surely air it earlier to make use of an American Idol tie-in.

At any rate, it’s a musical series (there will be numbers every episode) starring a bunch of young, good-looking people. It’s not High School Musical, it’s Glee.

And it’s probably going to be huge.

Read More | Perez Hilton

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Simon Cowell on Season 8 Changes

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Rumors

Still hard at work promoting the new season of American Idol, judge Simon Cowell hosted a conference call to let loose a series of comments on the upcoming changes for the popular reality program.

“I have no idea whether this is going to work or not,” Cowell admitted, when asked about the addition of Kara DioGuardi to the judges’ table. “The thing I do support is at least trying new things. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Highly critical judge Simon Cowell is even looking forward to bringing back the wild card round - an idea I hotly oppose. “I think it’s a good idea,” the judge waxed optimistic. “I wasn’t crazy about the process we went through the last couple years, where we were given a group of contestants that you were bored with by show five.”

And though no episodes of Idol have aired, Cowell does have the inside track. While we have yet to see any auditions, the judges have already been through Hollywood Week. He called the finalists “an interesting bunch.”

The judge also agreed with the decision to pass on Idol Gives Back this season. “I don’t think it feels right to tell people who are having trouble with their mortgage that they need to be giving money.”

(You can find all the American Idol 8 posts here.)

Read More | LA Times

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American Idol: When the Show is Over

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip

The spotlight may be shining brightly on American Idol, still in the exciting throes of pre-season. But now that the stage is being set for a fresh crop of contestants, where do the former attention-getters end up?

“Standing alone on the curb at the Burbank airport,” was exactly where Carly Smithson found herself once the “Idols Live“ tour came to an end. The Irish-born diva raked in the press during her 13-week stint on Idol, often astounding the crowd and judges alike with her powerhouse vocals.

Every year, the Top 12 Idol contestants become the most important people on television. They live in special housing, they are talked about by everyone. They are the biggest stars out there. They go on tour, they sign autographs, they smile for cameras.

But at some point, the cycle starts over again. Tours end, glory fades, and brand-new contestants sweep in for their shot at fame.

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Simon Cowell Speaks Out

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip

“The show is not an inherently mean show, it is an American dream show,” these were Simon Cowell’s words as he rushed to the defense of FOX and America’s favorite reality program, American Idol. “If you’re not great, you’re going to get criticism.”

Cowell recently spoke out about the show itself, what fans can expect from the new season and the recent tragic events surrounding his fellow judge. “First of all, we’re talking about a tragedy here, and I don’t want to refer to her as a stalker,” Cowell said of Paula Goodspeed, the woman who killed herself just outside judge Paula Abdul’s home. “What happened was awful. It hit us like an express train.”

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Read More | E! Online

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This Week on TV (12/15-12/21)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Drama, Games, Kids, Music, Prime Time, Reality, Sci-Fi/Horror, Specials, ABC, Bravo, Cable, CBS, FOX, MTV, NBC, Heroes

(You can view TV Envy’s Television Programming Schedule here.)
MONDAY 12/15)

• Heroes (NBC, 9:00):  “Mohinder may hold the key to rescuing Hiro.” I’m starting to wonder if Mohinder has the answer to anything.
• 20/20 (ABC, 9:00):  “Teens put on a show in a chronicle of a Virginia high school production of ‘The Wiz’ that uses video diaries and interviews to follow the emotional drama of students.” Sadly, this is the same network that also put together the barely-watched High School Musical: Get in the Picture.
• Worst Week (CBS, 9:30):  “Sam helps Dick choose the perfect gift for Angela after discovering he gets her the same thing every year.” Just for the record: Some things like spa packages and jewelry can be given over and over again.
• The Hills (MTV, 10:00):  “Heidi and Spencer consider eloping during a Mexican vacation.” Whatever you do - avert your eyes.

Click to continue reading This Week on TV (12/15-12/21)

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Nigel Lythgoe Responds to Paula Abdul’s Comments

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, News

Nigel Lythgoe couldn’t have picked a better time to leave American Idol.

Over the past week, Paula Abdul has taken several opportunities to criticize her bosses over the Paula Goodspeed incident. In interviews with Barbara Walters and Good Morning America, the reality show judge said those involved with the Season 5 auditions were fully aware of her frightened state. She also claimed that the fan was intentionally let in because the producers find it amusing to cause her stress.

After listening to the stinging accusations, Lythgoe felt it was time to finally speak up. The former Idol producer, who is currently working on NBC’s show, Superstars of Dance, addressed the controversy at a press event yesterday. “You do not take somebody in that room that you believe is a danger to herself or a danger to Paula. That would not enter our heads.”

Click to continue reading Nigel Lythgoe Responds to Paula Abdul’s Comments

Read More | People

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Is Paula Abdul Burning Her Bridges with FOX?

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Rumors

Paula Abdul’s place with American Idol remains dubious as the former pop princess continues to contribute somewhat negative comments about the show and its producers.

Rumors about Abdul have been rampant since before Season 7 expired earlier this year. After displaying serious confusion during a routine judging (she started to critique a second song performed by Jason Castro before the event actually occurred), the gossip circles started to spin. A survey was released by FOX which asked a series of questions about the hosts, a casting addition was surprisingly announced and a lot of turmoil entered Abdul’s personal life.

On top of this, Abdul is working on another reality project (Paula Abdul’s Rah Cheerleading Bowl - seriously that’s the name of the show) with MTV and a jewelry line she’s going to hock on QVC. When you compare these gigs to number one network show American Idol, it all sounds a little second-tier. When you compare it to Paula Abdul’s career prospects in the late 90s, it’s a huge success.

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Read More | MSNBC

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American Idol: Setting the Stage for Change?

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Rumors

Though there is some possibility that it’s all falsified, new, inside information regarding American Idol has suddenly surfaced. What is allegedly an interoffice memo from inside the walls of FOX has given clues about what fans can potentially expect from Season 8.

The following information might be spoilers…or simply rumors used to guarantee that the show gets a solid first week.

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Read More | MSNBC

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Paula Abdul Continues to React to Stalker’s Death

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Video

There are both perks and peril associated with being a celebrity, and often the public gets to see both sides of the sordid tale. Reality shows and paparazzi depict some celebs, like Britney Spears, enjoying free swank and designer labels. The grim news often shows a darker side of celebrity love and obsession. American Idol judge Paula Abdul has experienced both sides of this coin, and she’s still shaken up by recent events.

Paula Goodspeed, 30, killed herself in front of Abdul’s California home just last month. The event occurred after Goodspeed reportedly stalked the star. After the suicide, Abdul released a statement to the press conveying “shocked and saddened” feelings.

Click to continue reading Paula Abdul Continues to React to Stalker’s Death

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