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American Idol 9: Top 12 Girls Perform

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


walked down an aisle made by American Idol’s Top 24 of the season to open the show, the first that would mark performances we as a nation are allowed to vote upon. Tuesday’s episode would feature the Top 12 girls only, since time doesn’t allow for all 24 of them to sing at once. The long introduction for the girls was mostly a long parade of blondes, pretty dark-haired girls and standout Lacey Brown.

The Top 12 men (which included Michael Lynche, thought to be from the show) waited on the sidelines as the judges were introduced at the big desk for the first time of the season. “I heard the big news. I saw the New York Post,” Ryan Seacrest smiled to Simon Cowell, calling him out for his prediction that a girl would win this season. Since gossip has held that the producers are determined that a girl shall win the year, consider this so-called banter the first seed that has been planted to sway your vote.

“This is make it or break it right here,” Randy Jackson observed. “You gotta be great, or you gotta be mad at yourself.”

“You’re all good, but now we’re looking at, what’s going to keep people glued to the television?” Ellen DeGeneres explained.

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American Idol 9: Top 24 Revealed

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


American Idol 9’s Hollywood session finally came to close Wednesday night, when the remaining members of the season’s Top 24 contenders was slowly, painfully revealed. How close is the reality to the that were released weeks and weeks ago? There’s only one way to find out.

Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, Didi Benami, Casey James, Todrick Hall, Lee Dewyze and Katelyn Epperly were all revealed as Top 24 contestants at the end of Tuesday’s two-hour . Wednesday would narrow the remaining 37 would-be Idols down to a mere 17.

Janelle Wheeler was the first to be featured on the episode. The pretty blonde auditioned in Orlando and won her shot to Hollywood on a split decision from the judges. Wheeler was disappointed in her final solo performance in Hollywood, admitting that she “couldn’t take the pressure” once it was all over. led Wheeler’s interview. “It’s hard to tell somebody that has a great voice that they’re not going to go through,” she said, then surprised Janelle by giving her the good news - Wheeler is indeed in the Top 24.

Tyler Grady, who has something of a Jim Morrison vibe, was the next to face the judging panel. Kara DioGuardi remarked on his 70s-ish performance style, then smilingly welcomed him into Top 24.

Click to continue reading American Idol 9: Top 24 Revealed


Mrs. Butterworth’s First Name Worth $500

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Commercials, Gossip, Video


That’s right, the most recognizable syrup bottle in the world has a first name. Can you guess what it is? If you can, you just might get a cool $500 - almost enough to buy a magical, talking bottle of syrup of your very own. The Mrs. Butterworth contest is here - and if you can guess her first name, you could be a winner.

I say Bertha. I’m not sure why I say Bertha, it’s just the first thing that came to mind and seems to go with the surname Butterworth. Got a good name of your own to enter? You can sign up to participate in the contest .

Read More | Entertainment Weekly

Idol’s New Judge on Season 8

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

Kara DioGuardi

The premiere of ’s Season 8 is now only days away, and everyone’s trying to get the scoop before the show airs. So what does the reality show’s newest judge have to say about her first season with the show?

, along with the other judges in the panel, has been doing the promotional blitz in the weeks leading up to the show. But DioGuardi is one of the biggest stories of the year - she’s the one who’s new. “I hope people find I bring something to the show that’s different, and I can help these contestants learn something, whether they win or not,” she recently told reporters.

Many are honing in on the fact that DioGuardi will now share a unique position with longtime Idol judge . The latter is no longer the sole female on the panel, but does that mean we can expect catfights? “I’ve never been of the thinking that women should drag each other down,” DioGuardi said. “There’s definitely times Paula and I voice our opinion and it’s of the same ilk,” she admitted. “But it’s all fun. Nobody’s going back to their room crying.”

Ah, but will anyone run off the stage crying? That’s what we’re all waiting to see.

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

Read More | MSNBC

Gearing Up for Mad Men’s Second Season

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories:

Mad Men

For those of you still unsure about joining the bandwagon, there are several ways you can sample the series before the program returns:

  • Rent Season One. (It was just released on DVD earlier this week.)
  • Watch the marathon airing on July 20.
  • View the first 15 minutes of the pilot episode after the jump. (You watch the full show here.)

Already a fan? Well, then I have a few interesting tidbits for you after the jump.

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Read More | Mad Men

American Idol Review: Top 10 Girls

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

American Idol logo

So it seems that, largely, 70s week was a bust for the contestants. The theme of both the Tuesday and Wednesday performances seemed to be “pick a better song next time.” But for four of them, there will be no next time.

Carly SmithsonCarly Smithson ended last week’s performances, slating her in the first place position Wednesday night. I loved her black outfit and the power she put into “Crazy On You,” but there were times when everything didn’t quite sound in key. called her performance “good toward the end,” but said that she “over-hit” some of the notes. Paula told Carly, “you are an amazing singer” which started off the tone of her mostly generic comments for the rest of the evening. Simon liked Carly’s performance better than last Wednesday’s, but thinks she hasn’t quite found the right song. He did give her one piece of praise, saying none of the other girls in the competition “can touch you vocally.”

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Read More | American Idol Official Site

American Idol 7: The Top 12 Women Perform

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

American Idol, Top 12 Women

I’ll go ahead and admit it: American Idol, while it’s my primary television obsession, has truly disappointed me. For weeks I listened to promos and comments that this was the best season ever, the most talented performers to date, blah blah blah. Then, I saw the Top 12 men perform. I was not blown away. Not even close.

So it was with great trepidation that I sat down to watch the women take the stage, fully expecting that Wednesday night’s performances surely would not disappoint. It started out pretty rocky, but the girls pulled it together at the end.

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Read More | Baltimore Sun

New Style for ‘American Idol’

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

American IdolWeeks before of started, judges and producers came forward to talk about the show’s new direction. Lackluster record sales and a bit of sag in the last year meant a change had to happen. Instruments will be added this season (at some point), and this year there’s much more focus on the singers instead of celebrity guests. More back story, more tears, more focus on the contestants. So…how’s it working out for Idol this year?

The reality show is consistently winning at the ratings game, though some of this is no doubt due to instead of entertainment value. But there is a subtle difference this year in the Idol auditions. Sans celebrity judges, the camera does seem to be finding contestants instead of stars. Early promises before the season started said viewers would see more talent than ever before…perhaps even the best Idol season ever. This week’s auditions ended in Miami (with Atlanta to begin next week). Have viewers already seen the next American Idol?

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Read More | LA Times

American Idol: Simon Cowell on Season Seven

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

Simon CowellThe audition portion of - arguably the best part of the whole bloody show - will begin airing next week, and judge (my personal favorite) will no doubt light into singers with his usual acerbic tongue.  But Cowell says even his criticisms are meant to be constructive.

Speaking from London (don’t worry - he’ll be Stateside in time for Idol’s seventh season), Simon explained it all in an interview: after listening to bad singers for seven years, it can all get rather trying - and sometimes, words probably do come out a little harsh. Really? Tell me more.  I can’t wait to listen to the Dreamcrusher at work.

The host said this year’s crop of talent is strong, young and more interesting. Than who - ? That’ll be hard to beat. Cowell called the cast “fresh” and “memorable,” but admittedly they don’t have a tough act to follow.

The judge went on to say that he might be finished with Idol when his current contract expires in two more years.  Good - maybe then he’ll do his own show.  That’s something I’ve been waiting on for years.

(You can find all the American Idol 7 posts here.)

Read More | LA Times

Debut Review: American Gladiators

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Prime Time, Reality, NBC, Renewals

American GladiatorsZap. Nitro. Lace. Gemini. I’m not just being random here, I’m naming the original . For those of us whose memories stretch back that far, American Gladiators was a great show to watch - and it‘s even better to remember. Original, inspiring and chock-full of muscle-bound beauty, Gladiators ran from 1989 to 1996 and won viewers from a wide range of demographics. Young, old, scrawny or buff, everyone likes to see a single contestant best all the power that strength has to offer.

But I have to make a confession: when I heard was bringing this one back, I rolled my eyes and made a crack about this network’s sheer desperation to find programming. (Frankly, I stand by and maintain I’m not far from wrong. We are talking, after all, about the network which brought back and …I mean, come on).

But I was wrong. There, I said it. I’ll give this one - just this one - to NBC. It was a good idea to bring back , and after Sunday night’s two-hour debut I’m already hooked. and are the perfect hosts, both personable and professionally known for their musculature, and the new gladiators are just as ripped and menacing as the former muscle-bound group who once sent challengers toppling.

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Read More | NBC

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