February 2008 Archives

So, when I was picking my predictions for which of the two girls would be sent home tonight, I knew Alexandrea Lushington was a given. I debated that the second elimination would be between Alaina Whitaker, Kristy Lee Cook or Kady Malloy.  The three girls, while all equally cute, are so similar looking I figured they would cancel each other out. I ultimately went with Kristy because she performed so close to the top of the show and was a bit older than the other girls. 

 

Alaina being eliminated was a little bit of a shock because I thought her young innocence would appeal to other young kids – the ones who obsessively text and vote for the contestants. So, there goes that theory. 

 

What a great moment though when Ryan said she would be going home and she screamed, “I Can’t Sing!”  I thought it was really sweet that he gave her a choice to sing or not to sing.   I talk every year about how horrendous it is that they force them to sing their exit song through tears and disappointment.  I loved when the rest of the girls yelled, “Do it!”  Those are the moments that I think make reality shows so compelling to watch. 

So, like last night the person who went last is now up first.  She may have had a major recording deal in the past but Carly Smithson, as it turns out, is now just a waitress.  So, hopefully that will settle all debates about her being a current professional.  I hate the tattoos but the girl sure did rock it out tonight finally proving why she is a frontrunner in this competition.  I guess I was watching a different show than Randy Jackson who thought it was only "alright" or as the dawg says "aw-right."

Will Simon eat his words later in the show after saying to her, "I don't think any of these girls can touch you vocally?"  We'll see. 
 
Apparently, I'm watching a different show as the judges tonight because I thought Syesha Mercado was fantastic. In her "people would be surprised" admission, Syesha  threw out that she had acted in commercials.  I wonder if this confession was because many of her commercials can be seen on YouTube.  There was even one she did for Ford.  Could this be a conflict of interest when they start filming those cheesy Top 12 Ford commercials?
 
So, Brooke White confesses that she went to beauty school.  Well, how come up until last week her curls were full of frizz? Ah ha because she didn't finish! Well, this beauty school drop out is still one of my favorites this season.  She definitely hit a few rough spots during her song but overall sounded great yet again. I'm so excited she chose to bring out the guitar.  I think it's a great addition to this aging franchise.      

Well despite the fact that Madonna showed up for jury duty at a Beverly Hills courthouse yesterday and was sent home shortly after arriving - for anyone paying attention, I am still on jury duty!  It's day five of an estimated fourteen days.  How did I get this unlucky?  Well, lets put it this way. I'm no Madonna. 

Sitting here watching "American Idol" at least takes me out of thinking about all those rial facts and figures running through my brain.  So, indulge me as I yet again break down tonight's performances.  Right off the bat I have to comment about the fact that this week the contestants are being asked to talk about "something we may not know about them."  Um hello.  We have only seen these people 3 or 4 times in the last few weeks we don't know ANYTHING about them.
 
From the last spot last week to the first spot this week - Up first was Aussie Michael Johns who bores us with his "something you didn't know about me" rhetoric about tennis.  The first thing I notice is that he is wearing a wedding ring.  Have I just not been paying attention up till this point and not know he was married?  Last week he pulled off a great performance that reminded many of the late Michael Hutchens (lead singer of INXS). This week tackling Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way" put him behind the curve. While Randy and Paula both thought he was consistent and sound decent. Thankfully, Simon brought it back to reality and told it like it really is when he told Michael it was, "by far your weakest performance of the whole competition." 
 
Jason Castro again busts out his guitar for his performance.  It takes a brave sole to multitask like that on a stage where he knows 25 million people are watching. 
There has been much debate on message boards about whether or not playing instruments hurt or help the contestants.  For Jason I think it helps.  I hope he doesn't listen to Paula's advice and leave the guitar at home next week.  Did Simon convert to Judaism when he called Jason's performance "shmaltzy."  For those non Jews I'll translate.  Schmaltzy (adj.) Sentimental; corny.  Not to be confused with Schmaltz (n.) Chicken fat:

The curse of no airtime strikes again for three out of the four contestants voted out of “American Idol” tonight. Though I didn’t agree with the two choices for the boys, I think when Garrett Haley re-sang his song “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” he proved why he was voted out. To borrow a phrase from Randy Jackson, "dude that was awful!"

 

Same goes for Amy Davis who re-mangled "Where The Boys Are." Why do they make them re-sing when they get voted off? Is this so they are not the only one feeling tortured? The audience has to re-listen to this mess?

 

Ok, back to my original point, which was that, if you get no airtime during the audition shows you are pretty much sunk. Amy, Garrett and Colton proved that theory tonight. The guys had it rough because there were four of them with no airtime (including Luke Menard and Jason Yaeger).

 

The girls faired much better this season with just one of them not being shown… and that of course was Amy. 

 

So, after having to serve my civic duty today and dealing with hours of staring at grey walls in LA Superior Court, I was actually looking forward to tonight’s show. I’m not looking forward to jury selection on Thursday either so this is a nice distraction right now  Now why did they mention that the contestants were hit with the flu tonight but not last night?  Did it only affect the girls? Unfair.
 
First up for the girls is Kristy Lee Cook who we are supposed to feel bad for her that she sold her horse to audition. That’s your decision sweetheart. She looks pretty but I needed rescuing from her cheesy performance, which I’m sure Simon will call karaoke. Nope. He went for “robotic.” I dare say I enjoyed the background singers more than her. She sure does have straight teeth though. 
 
Next up was Joanne Borgella who has actually already won a reality competition. In 2005, she was the winner of “Monique’s Fat Chance” season one on the Oxygen network. The bad news is she won’t be winning another reality show. The good news is she already has a fabulous career as a plus sized model. 
 
Alaina Whitaker to me looks like a perfect cross between Anna Paquin, Carrie Underwood and Jamie Lynn Spears. Her mom kind of looks like Lynn Spears too. She sounds pretty good or maybe it’s just because I like that song and was getting into the beat like a total nerd. Let’s hope her family is a little more stable than Spears.

Two TMZ photographers were arrested by cops last night in Hollywood. Whether they were technically in violation of any specific law or not, what is for certain is that TMZ is essentially a paparazzi outfit with an editorial division.  

TMZ is an establishment Hollywood production... The two camera operators apprehended last night are Warner Bros./Telepictures employees from a show that airs on a broadcast network.

 

TMZ is the first example of a Hollywood establishment getting into the renegade hounding business that the paparazzi have created.

 

All shows have shot on the sidewalk before, but not as a result of following a star wherever they go, every day, every hour... While that may not qualify as "stalking" legally, it's something pretty darn close in my opinion.

 

It's pretty outrageous.

 

In this world, since Warner Bros. is home to a lot of stars, you have the hunters and the hunted on the same company payroll. 

 

My understanding is that most of the TMZ photographers are young kids, handed cameras and told to go out and get it. It's kind of a fun post-college gig at first look. What do they tell their parents, "I'm a videographer, mom!"

 

If they're straight with themselves, it's, "Mom, I'm a paparazzo... don't tell dad."

So, here we are again. Another year of sitting at my house critiquing people I don’t know on their singing capability. First off, I notice that the information I gave about the new stage being revealed this week was slightly inaccurate. While there is a new stage, as Seacrest pointed out, this is not the Top 12 set up. The Top 12 stage will have a mosh pit and this clearly did not.

 

Up first is David Hernandez -- I can’t even remember what he sang because I was so focused on his bad buzz cut. I can’t wait for the “American Idol” stylists to step in and glamorize these contestants. He’s still got cute dimples though.

 

It will be interesting to see what happens this season with the hair on the contestants since "Idol" booted hair guru Dean Banowetz for talking to the media too much.

 

Oh Chikeze! No. No. No. I think my grandpa wore that suit to a wedding one time.  Chikeze is now going by one name?  Give me a break.  Bono, Madonna, Cher… you are not! At least now he will forever be known as “Jacuzzi” thanks to Cowell.

 

As David Cook starts singing I begin to think, “Is anyone else as bored as I am with this show so far?” The formula is really starting to wear thin. This performance reminds me of when Constantine Maroulis sang “I Think I Love You” by The Partridge Family. That was at least mildly amusing thanks to his smugness.

 

It’s our first look at the audition of Jason Yaeger, who, up until last week had zero airtime. The guy has got his work cut out for him if wants to make an impression. His son was cute, but singing “Moon River” did not help him stand out. I think it will be back to the Hard Luck Diner in Branson, Missouri for this singing waiter.

 

By Whitney Frink, Access Hollywood Producer

“Please, please, pleeeeease pick me, Bret!”  “Flav, I'll do anything to keep my clock tickin'!”  “Of course I'll accept this rose!”

Such are the most common, most belittling begs of reality television today. And boy are people watching. VH1's "Rock of Love" was the highest rated cable reality show on television. Twenty women vying for the love of Bret Michaels? The makeup-wearing, bandana-obsessed (could there be any other reason than a thinning and receding hairline?), 44-year-old "Poison" band member. 

Be it the build up of living with, and competing against, other women desperate for Bret's attention, or the appeal of having a real-life rocker boyfriend, these twenty, thirty, and on occasion, forty-somethings, give it all they've got in order to receive one-on-one dates with his Highness. 

How these women validate it to their parents is beyond me.

"Well mom and dad, I'm going on 'Rock of Love,' you know, to compete with other women for the adoration of Bret Michaels. 

"What do you mean, 'Who?'  The guy that was really popular when you were in labor with me! Duh."

I've just come from the CBS studios where "American Idol" tapes and got my first glimpse at some of the contestants up close and personal. As I was waiting to talk to Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe, in walks Chikeze Eze in a white leather jacket. I might not have recognized him had it not been for a moment later when a very recognizable Syesha Mercado walked in just moments afterward. Even dressed down in sweats and wearing huge sunglasses, carrying what looked like her laundry in a bag, I knew it was her right away.  

 

Then out the door comes Robbie Carrico, his long hair covered by a beanie hat, to make a cell phone call. It took everything I had in me not to go introduce myself. The publicists would have booted me off the lot had I done so. So, instead I tried to eavesdrop. 

 

Out walks "the rock n roll nurse," Amanda Overmyer, dressed in blue sweatpants and a khaki green Harley Davidson sweatshirt, smoking a cigarette. She's on her cell phone telling what sounds like a friend to TiVo the show. Unlike the other contestants, she has a bodyguard with her. Apparently, they finally realized the media cannot be trusted. Her very large bodyguard gets wise to my eavesdropping too and moves her away from me. A few minutes later Colton Berry joins Amanda for a cigarette break. I'm very disappointed with their bad habits! Isn't Colton like… 16? 

 

Michael Starr of the NY Post caught me. He wrote in his column today that I have been off the air for a week and a half due to a staph infection in my Larynx.

It's like the ultimate curse on a professional talker.

Michael e-mailed me last Friday inquiring about my absence (nice of him to notice), and not wanting to encourage speculation I did what always happens in Hollywood I told it to him straight.  

I think its been festering for months, but now, with 72 hours of a strong antibiotics in my bloodstream, the base in my voice is returning. I seem to finally be healing.

In October and November, I was conscious of strained vocal chords. In January, it was almost totally unmanageable. Early this month, I was done. I prayed, I pleaded, I went to the doc every day.

A few weeks ago, after church, I walked around to the "prayer rail," where trained healers help people pray for whatever ails them. I shared in some moment.

I knelt at the rail, laid my hands into those of a stranger, and when I briefly looked up into the eyes of this person, I recognized him.  He was a regular cast member on “The West Wing.”  

So there's faith in Hollywood! It was classic.

In this process, I have also learned something about doctors that I'd like to share with you: Many of them are not receptive to the idea that there might be "something more" to what are some standard symptoms. They see a problem and they throw out a solution or worse, give you a quick fix (I took EVERY medication imaginable).

Many doctors have lost the intellectual curiosity that lured them into the field in the first place. You can see it in their demeanor.

Neil LaBute isn't a gentle playwright.

I've just got off a conference call with the Executive Producer of "American Idol," Nigel Lythgoe, who had much to say about the newly chosen Top 24.   
 

Many of the callers wanted to know about the controversy over contestant Carly Smithson, who had a record deal with MCA when she was 18-years-old. The company spent over 2 million dollars to market her debut album, "Ultimate High" which in the end sold only a few hundred copies. Things got very heated between Nigel and several reporters over the topic. 

 
A very defensive Nigel said, "She is not breaking any rules of the competition. I don't see the logic. The rules of the competition state you do not have a contract now. I mean goodness me if Elvis Presley came back and was out of contract and was able to participate through age then he would be in the competition.  Nobody said this is an amateur competition."

 
So, does this mean that we could see a celebrity "American Idol" edition? Think of all the singers who have been dropped by their labels! Come to think of it, Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks were recently dropped by their labels. Maybe this means they could come and audition again. Oh wait I guess they are too old now. 

Ah, the manipulative power of television. I've just gotten off the phone with Josiah Leming who, thanks to the producers of "American Idol," is now enjoying his 15 minutes of fame in a big way. I'm not sure why 18-year-old Josiah was the chosen one this season to become the person they gave so much airtime too (and then send packing!) but believe me he is not complaining. OK, well he sort of isn't complaining,

 

"My belief is that they were trying to make me look bad. They were trying to make me look like a crybaby and then trying to make me look like I was overconfident - but I'm thankful. If I could see them right now, I would give them the biggest hug ever because they have launched my career." 

 

It's true! Josiah told me, thanks to this publicity, he has sold over 1,000 albums on his MySpace page and has earned himself a cool $9,000 in the process. Not a bad take for a kid who lives in his car. Although, he doesn't live there anymore, Josiah tells me. It sounds like those days are over. Mostly, it's because his car is broken down. Not to worry. A local car dealership in his hometown of Morristown, Tennessee has come to the rescue and offered him a car to borrow while he pursues his dreams.

 

Apparently, some Internet bloggers don't know a joke when they see it. Last night on "Chelsea Lately" on E!, talk show host Chelsea Handler made a "big announcement" about her friend Jenny McCarthy, who's been dating Jim Carrey for the past two years.

"And by the way, Jim, Jenny wanted me to tell you — she's pregnant."

It happened when Chelsea mentioned she had spent the morning with Jenny (they work on a very cute 'Web only' sitcom together called "In The Motherhood") and wanted to give a shout out to an organization that both she and Jim are heavily involved with, generationrescue.org. 

Anyone who knows Chelsea's irreverent humor would have known she was joking. Her sarcastic tone was evident. Yet, that didn't stop bloggers from picking it up and shouting from the rooftops that McCarthy was pregnant. 

We are just hours away from the “American Idol” Top 24 being revealed.  I’ve poured over the eight audition shows and carefully watched the Hollywood rounds.  Here is the list of the ten singers I think will be garnering your votes this season.   I’ve based it on a number of factors from 1 to 10 – likeability, vocal ability, airtime and star quality.  



David Archuleta – Considering he won Star Search at age 12, David already has a leg up on the competition.  This 17-year-old’s vocal paralysis has not kept him down, he wowed the judges singing “Waiting on the World To Change” in San Diego and then nailed “Heaven” during the Hollywood rounds. His significant amount of airtime will help him sail through to the Top 12 and his young fan base will keep him there.   He already has a group of fans that are calling themselves the ‘Arch Angels.’ 

Likeability – 10

Vocal Ability – 10

Airtime – 9

Star Quality –9

Idol Déja vu – Jon Peter Lewis

Asia’h  Epperson – This 18-year-old from Joplin, Missouri (pronounced Asia like the continent) brought me to tears when she sang “How Do I Live” by Lee Ann Rimes as a tribute to her father who passed away two days before the audition in an car accident.  This girl oozes star quality. With significant airtime, an interesting breathy voice that earned her three yeses from the judges and a beautiful smile she’s my number one female to watch.

Likeability – 10

Vocal Ability – 8

Airtime – 9

Star Quality – 10

Idol Déja vu – Lisa Tucker
 
Syesha Mercado – This 20-year-old from Miami, Florida already proved she can make it to the big time appearing as a contestant on ABC’s “The One”(an “Idol” rip off).   If she can power through a song like she did in Hollywood with a sore throat she’ll power right through to the Top 12. She’s a triple threat actress, singer and model who has already appeared in a slew of commercials including one where she was behind the wheel of a Ford - something she’ll be doing again soon when we see those cheesy Ford commercials.

Likeability – 8

Vocal Ability – 9

Airtime:  9

Star Quality – 9

Idol Déja vu - Nadia Turner

Brooke White - This 24-year-old nanny from Van Nuys will surely have two very unhappy twin girls when she sails into the Top 12 and out of her job as their caretaker.  Her soulful rendition of “Like A Star” by Corrine Bailey Rae earned her three yeses from the judges and her brave piano performance during the Hollywood rounds has upped her already significant airtime and will surely help her win fans.

Likeability – 8

Vocal Ability – 9

Airtime:  10

Star Quality – 8

Idol Déja vu – Carmen Rasmusen

Kady Malloy - There were plenty of cute southern blondes this season but none stood out to fans more than this 18-year-old from Houston, Texas who can do vocal impressions of singers like Britney Spears, Shakira and Gary LeVox (can’t wait to hear that one).  As we have learned from Carrie Underwood, country and American Idol go together well which is maybe what made Simon utter “I’ve got a feeling about you” during her audition.  

Likeability – 9

Vocal Ability – 9

Airtime:  7

Star Quality – 9

Idol Déja vu –  Carrie Underwood

I just received another release from another desperate magazine trumpeting their possession of some really "juicy" Jamie Lynn Spears news. I shouldn't have opened it.

 

They have details on the different things she has purchased for her boyfriend [and assumed father] of her unborn child, Casey. They also have new photos and in the "personal" note attached by the publicist, "you can see her bump more than any other." Personal to us and any other TV show that might mention their name.

Long has it been said about Britney and many other young celebs that they are as much at fault as the paparazzi who follow them because they seem to flaunt it in public.

 

In other words, if they were to "go away," the hounds would too.

 

Jamie Lynn Spears, most importantly, is 16 years old. She is a child.  She is also pregnant, which you can imagine carries with it a truckload of emotion, uncertainty, prematurely activated hormones, and so on.  But, she HAS gone away to little old Kentwood, Louisiana. She's walking around her sleepy little town in sweats.

 

Leave her alone. Now it’s plain and simply stalking a minor. Whether that can be defined legally or not, we all know its true. 

 

Too many celebrity news outlets -- that kind of supply makes the standards of demand all but disappear.
                                            

 

Kanye West's bid during his acceptance speech to stop the "wrap-up" music last night was another example of his contentious relationship with the music industry.  He has never felt that he is given the proper respect. Not just Grammy, but MTV VMA's and AMA's too.

 

The fact that he lost Album of the Year to Herbie Hancock will drive him crazy for another year.  He wants respect from the Grammy's.  Two armloads of gramophones in one night is how he defines it I think.

 

"Is this what you've been waiting for?" he yells into the crowd during his performance.  The crowd was ok, but they're wearing suits, they aren't going to go nuts.  "Stronger" was not his strongest....but he did make a major impact.

 

That in a moment.

I just interviewed the illustrious Cher last night.

 

She told me her friend and a true American icon, Farrah Fawcett, is cancer free.  I asked when she last spoke to Farrah and cher said "a few days ago".  This is excellent news and I will pray for Farrah Fawcett as well all others in that fight.

 

Cher was outstanding...very interesting to talk to, approachable I guess, quite beautiful too.  She said Tom Cruise, whom she dated in the 80's was a true gentleman and yet with a "bad boy" streak.  That's good press.  She was shocked at the interest in that topic. 

 

Having just submitted the below posting about Rob passing on the exclusive photos of the apartment in which Heath passed away -- I walked over to the stage, got my suit on, and while I was doing make-up, I heard this:

 

"Inside the Hotel room where Anna Nicole died." It was coming from the mouth of Tony Potts, who has been covering Anna Nicole since day one. 

 

I ran into the control room where I found Rob and I asked, "What's the difference?" He replied, "a year."

 

I said, "It's still the same thing."

 

He held strong and since he has ultimate approval as to what gets on the air at Access, I backed away. That train had left the station.

I understand his point to a degress, but I still, personally, file it in the, "Gross -- leave it alone," column.

I am sitting in our Executive Producer's office, where he answers all calls on speaker phone -- he just got one from our photo editor who said there is an agency out there looking to sell exclusive photos of the apartment Heath Ledger died in to a news magazine. 

 

She was gauging his interest. My ears perked up; I peered over my computer monitor, which faces his. I watched as he did the right thing.

 

He said 'No' -- too exploitive, and -- gross.

 

I wonder if it will pop up somewhere else?

If it does, they should get a big break on the price, because there's not competition.

I guess being a judge or a host on "American Idol" just isn't enough for Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul or Ryan Seacrest. They are all knee deep in many other projects. Paula's got her QVC jewelry line among other things and is now working on a brand new album. Ryan has a gazillion gigs, including recently starting a production company of his own. Simon's got his hands on his other shows including "America's Got Talent" and I think he is still technically a record executive. And now Randy is turning media mogul as well. Could this be a sign that even they know the "Idol" reign is coming to an end?    

 

Last night, I visited Randy on the set of a new show he is executive producing for MTV, "Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew." It's the first dance competition series for dance crews rather than individual dancers. The top hip-hop crews from around the country battle it out on the stage floor for dance supremacy, a cash prize and a touring contract. If you are big fan of the movie "Step Up" this is a show right up your alley. It's young. It's hip. And with dance shows doing well on TV, it's a perfect fit for MTV.

 

Unfortunately, you won't see very much of Randy in the show though because it would conflict with his "Idol" gig, but he says he will be a hands on boss. Instead you'll get Mario Lopez hosting and judges JC Chasez and choreographer Shane Sparks who is being borrowed from, "So You Think You Can Dance."

 

What I really wanted to talk to Randy about though was "American Idol." He's a smart cookie though and knew if interviews went down that road his MTV show would get no love. So, I had to agree to ask him one question (and no follow up!). Randy has been always been good to me since I met him back in "Idol" Season Two, so I held up my end of the bargain and asked him just one thing that's been bugging me about "Idol." What gives with all these contestants who have had professional record deals in the past?   

 Apparently, there are not enough good men right here in the good old US of A.  "The Bachelor" has chosen their next victim for season twelve and he's a Brit. Matt Grant, a 6'5 brown haired, blue eyed business development manager from London, England will the show's first non-American Bachelor.

 

Wait  a minute. Grant? Is he any relation to Hugh Grant? He looks kind of like him in his photo don't you think?  Hugh only has one brother named James. I looked it up.  So, no relation there. Plus, I'm sure Grant in England is kind of like Smith in the U.S.

 

This photo does not do him justice.  He's much cuter than his cheesy smile and bad sweater portrays. U.S Viewers got their first glimpse of him when he was introduced on last night's "Dance War: Bruno vs.. Carrie Ann."   I don't watch that show but curious as to who he was I grabbed my DirecTV remote and searched for the segment. 

 

He's definitely sexy and the accent only amps it up even further.  I can see the cat fights on this one are going to be massive. Of course, in the end whomever he chooses he will most likely break up with immediately after the show airs like 90 percent of the Bachelors have done.

 

 

On fashion week kick off day, Sophia Bush, Cheryl Hines, Christina Milian and Joss Stone headed backstage to meet and pose with the man behind the BCBG magic - Max Azria - before heading to their front row seats. Just like the BCBG Spring 2008 Collection, the fall '08 collection is big on belts. Every outfit was accented with long, leather belts, which were tied at the waist-a nice masculine touch -- to an otherwise, feminine collection (Love the pleated jersey).  

Later that day at Cipriani - Giselle Bundchen set off a mass paparazzi pandemonium with the photogs going crazy for her as she took her front seat at the Rag and Bone show. We asked her where she was going to watch her beau, Tom Brady play at the Super Bowl - and she just laughed and said, 'I don't know!' Giselle sat next to Julianne Moore - Ellen Pompeo and her husband were also on the front row -- as was "Ugly Betty's" Becki Newton and Vogue's Anna Wintour.... sans her signature sunglasses. I met Scott Schuman, the guy behind the cult fashion Web site "The Satorialist," he's so nice and down to earth! Not much street style action for him- as it was pouring rain!  As for the Rag and Bone collection -- very masculine, lots of military detailing, very dark palette of black and charcoal.

 

Before the Herve Leger show, Mandy Moore, Joy Bryant and Sophia Bush all waited and relaxed backstage in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge. Other stars at the show -- Rose McGowen, Joss Stone, Christina Milian, Ginnifer Goodwin. The runway featured lots of interpretations of the famous "bandage" dress, which was embellished with appliqués, beaded details and feathers.

 

Feathers were also all over Carolina Herrera's runway. You felt like you were invited to a very swanky fox and hounds hunt in the British countryside with this classic collection, which featured tweed, bird prints, riding pants and a lot of fur. My favorite thing - the amazing fedora hats - all with feathers. Some with over-the-top pheasant plumes, which were 3 feet long!  A lady like collection with true autumnal colors -- browns, mustard yellow and rust.

As our Super Bowl XLII coverage continues, Access Hollywood is live on the scene from the Maxim Super Bowl party at the luxurious Scottsdale Princess resort. Dubbed by some of the stars as “THE” party to be at on Super Bowl weekend, here’s a live breakdown of all the action on the red carpet…

 

8:30PM – Before we hit the red carpet, Access Hollywood goes inside the party for an exclusive sitdown with Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, as we put the “Hills” couple through one of our “Couples Uncensored” interviews, allowing the lovebirds to grill each other. Heidi looks more than red carpet-ready in a sexy blue mini dress, while Spencer is looking very dapper, decked out in a suave suit.

 

As the two arrive for the interview, Spencer is boasting a boom box on his shoulder that is playing Heidi’s new single.

 

Wonder if the boom box could make a fashion comeback???

 

OK, now onto the action from the red carpet!

 

9:52PM – Our first star of the night has arrived, and it’s… drum roll please…

 

David Spade.

 

The comedian hits the red carpet and (just like last night when we saw him at Nick Lachey’s party at Axis/Radius… and frankly, like just about every other time we’ve seen him) he’s rockin’ the baseball cap. David quickly makes his way down the press line, does a quick interview with Covino and Rich Show on Maxim radio and heads into the party.

 

Who will be the next star to come keep David company? We wait anxiously to find out…

 

10:12PM – It’s a good thing “E” isn’t inside, because everyone’s favorite cantankerous director Billy Walsh (aka Rhys Coiro) from “Entourage” has arrived. And who is Rhys picking to win in the big game on Sunday…

 

He won’t say.

 

That’s no fun. We'll let him off the hook since we’re huge “Queen’s Boulevard” and “Medellin” fans.

 

 

It’s not as bad as the headline makes it seem but I’d like to take a moment to tell “American Idol” reject Chris Bernheisel that he is not being “flown out to Los Angeles by Access Hollywood” as he was quoted in the Omaha World Herald as saying. Now Internet sites all over the place have been picking up the story including Defamer and Reality Blurred. I’m not sure it’s a lie, a hopeful prophecy or just a simple miscommunication -- but it’s not true.

 

Chris was the exuberant 25-year-old who was first to audition for the judges in Omaha, Nebraska, only to be told by Simon Cowell that his singing was not good enough to get him a trip to Hollywood. Instead, Cowell told him that he should ask the Fox affiliate (KPTM, Fox 42) in Omaha to hire him as red-carpet reporter for the “American Idol” finale. 

 

For the record, one of our producers did speak to Chris last week - and what we told him was that we might use footage (that Fox 42 had shot of him) in our show the night after the Omaha auditions aired. We never offered to fly him out. Never offered him a red-carpet reporter job.

 

Apparently, in his over exuberant state on the phone Chris got the message wrong. He also was surrounded by a roomful of people who had gathered to watch the show. So, maybe he wasn’t hearing clearly. There is no offer to appear on Access Hollywood at all.   

 

Sorry buddy, to crush your dream. However, all may not be lost. KPTM news director Joe Radske told us that they are indeed "in discussions with him" about reporting for them at the “American Idol” finale.  

 

It was killing me yesterday that no one around here, other than me, had seen last night’s thrilling new episode of “Lost before it aired”  I wanted to scream from the back of the trailer (yes, we work in a trailer) “I’m one of the Oceanic Six.” But no one would know what the heck I was talking about, since I was the only one who had a chance to watch the preview screener.  The “Access Hollywood” Lostees around here after each episode send around an email where we debate the merits of each episode.  I think it’s always a fun read if you are a fan. 

 

EM: Welcome back, “Lost.” You have been missed.  Just thought I'll bring some things up from last night's premiere, “The Beginning of the End” (episode's title). Hurley had a Flash-Forward. 6 islanders got of the island; 3 that we have seen (Jack, Kate & loveable Hurley). "I am one of the Oceanic 6!" We got a glimpse at a breadless, pre-"We've got to go back" Jack.  Jack's dad was rocking out in Jacob's chair in the cabin in the jungle. Hurley picked the wrong team when the islanders split up. Was the "it" Hurley was referring to in his flash-forward the island or some other mysterious force we have yet to see? Jack was really going to shoot Locke (okay, so maybe this isn't something of importance, but how cool was that moment). Matthew Abbaddon, Oceanic lawyer, is introduced (played by Lance Reddick from “The Wire” [great show on HBO])

Abbaddon, or Abaddon as found in the Book of Revelations, is the chief of the demons of the seventh hierarchy, often called the Destroyer and referred to as the King of the Locusts in the Revelations. Burning question: What the HELL happened on the island?, that no one wants to talk about it!!

 

BB: Very happy it's back for a teasy 8 episodes, but didn't enjoy that they opened with a Hurley episode and a “Dukes of Hazzard” scene at that. Was anyone at all disappointed?? For me, it seems like every three seconds someone is jumping out of the bushes to challenge the group or take the gun advantage away from the current big person on campus.

 

AJ:  Funny. My wife immediately said is this “Lost” or “Dukes of Hazzard?” Also-- Island seemed very small last night-- everyone found each other so quickly. So close. I am just glad it's back!

 

BB: Exactly. One thing I think the show needs to do is chill out a bit. There are so many switcheroos that real big moments don't feel as big. Example: Naomi climbing a tree with a knife in her back or knife wound and then dying right after she makes an important phone transmission is lame. These nick of time moments are getting overdone.

 

Access Hollywood was on the scene as Nick Lachey and NASCAR racer Jimmie Johnson hosted a pre-Super Bowl part at Axis/Radius in Scottsdale, Arizona. Here’s what we saw…
 
 
9:20PM - As the stars begin to trickle in, the R&B group Next arrives. Their hit song “Too Close” starts to rain from the club speakers. How did the DJ know they were here?!? Truly Hollywood magic at its finest.
 
9:30PM - Proving the red carpet can indeed be a laughing matter, funnyman David Spade arrives donning a baseball cap as usual. A few smiles for the cameras and the fans and he quickly makes his way inside.
 
9:42PM - Showing his propensity for the outdoors and an apparent immunity from mother nature, a sleeveless “American Gladiator” Wolf storms the red carpet with a smile....and a howl. Get it? Mother nature… he’s a wolf. No? Ok, moving on…
 
9:53PM – As we’ve seen all week in the Phoenix area, the line between sports and celebrity has once again been blurred as a plethora of pro baseball players arrive, including the likes of Reggie Sanders, Geoff Jenkins, Matt Kemp and Aaron Boone.
 
10:23 – About an hour after their arrival, Next is now on stage and that same hit song has played about three times since their arrival, prompting most to ask the obvious yet unavoidable question -- what's NEXT?!?

 

10:50PM – The red carpet is buzzing in anticipation. Something is coming. What could it be?