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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.
Chelsea, from what I saw and heard, simply wants to support her mother at this crucial time. She is passionate about her mother’s quest, the social improvement she believes her mother can achieve for the country and in the overall well being of the world. I have been told by those who have seen Chelsea lecture publicly that she is gifted to the point she could hold office herself one day - "if" she were so inclined. Needless to say, I was sensitive to Chelsea’s reluctance to speak to media, yet intrigued over the opportunity to gain a closer look.
Click Here to watch the video of Maria with Chelsea Clinton!
Keeping up with Chelsea wasn’t easy. Most of the campaigns are spread extremely thin in terms of manpower and money, which makes matters difficult enough. Factoring in the constant swerves and changes that arise on a minute-by-minute basis during the primaries makes it increasingly difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where members of a candidacy will be. Luckily, the good old Internet gave me the clues I needed to track the campaign to the best degree possible and enabled me to keep up with Team Chelsea efficiently.
All matters considered, I knew any kind of “official” interview with Chelsea would not be possible. But, through her and her handlers, we would be able to say hello. More importantly, we were granted the proper access to be able acutely observe her throughout her day.
Like the rest of the candidates' children, Chelsea’s day was stacked with various rallies and events. However, because Chelsea is also well-known, she had even more pressure and less time. Where others in her position could, at least, enjoy minute breaks during what little downtime exists, Chelsea is continually inundated with small talk as well as requests for handshakes, photos and answers to questions that range from the political to the mundane. Her meals came in the form of a bag lunch which was placed in her car, to be consumed in what is her only chance to eat: during drives to later destinations. She flies commercially as well which may not seem so grand a gesture except when you consider, again, the fact that she is a well known public figure. Through it all, like her father and mother, the positive energy, and the patience she displayed, never ceased to exude.
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,
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.
“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.While some dismiss him as merely a shock jock for the live stage, his body of work reflects a nuanced & powerful writer who also happens to have an amazing command of the English language.
His latest stage production, "Some Girl(s)," just opened at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, and I recently got a chance to check it out.
This is the third production of "Some Girl(s)" to date, all of which have starred former male NBC sitcom stars as their lead. Yet LA's is the first production of "Girl(s)" that LaBute has directed himself. The original London production starred David Schwimmer ("Friends") as 'Guy,' a writer who is about to be married, but before he takes the leap decides he's going to go visit four ex-girlfriends in an effort to, "make things right between them."
Click Here To Watch A Clip from "Some Girl(s)"
The New York production starred Eric McCormack ("Will & Grace"). The LA production stars an endearing Mark Feuerstein ("Good Morning, Miami").
As with his previous works ("In The Company Of Men," "Fat Pig," "The Shape Of Things"), "Girl(s)" asks the LaBute-ian question of, "When is it OK to hurt somebody?"
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.
"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
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.
It seems poor Simon is losing his magic "mean" touch. During this season of auditions he seemed way less cranky. I lost count of how many times he told people 'I like you" before sending them packing. Was it all creative editing? Did the producers tone down cranky Simon of yore? I guess we will never know. He was, however, not without a few zingers this year. Here is my list of my top ten favorite Simon-isms from the cross-country auditions.
10. "My pen has got more charisma."
Said to 20-year-old Auburn, Alabama boy J.P. Tjelmeland who tried his luck auditioning for a second time. Two seasons ago, he was sitting two seats away from Carrie Underwood. Unfortunately, none of her star power rubbed off on him when he auditioned in Atlanta this season with "Me and My Gang" by Rascal Flatts.
9. "This is like something out of a Science Fiction movie."
Poor Jared Wiley from Louisville, Kentucky just couldn't impress Simon with his strangely high-pitched female sounding vocals when he auditioned in Atlanta.
8. "It was a very disturbing slightly demonic audition."
Kyle Reinneck creeped Simon out with his guy liner, bad tan and scary version of Kelly Clarkson's angry revenge song, "Never Again." Simon added further insult by telling him he does something "weird with his face" and his eyes are "menacing" when he sings. The kids who know this 20-year-old camp counselor probably 'get him' better than old man Simon.
By Alex Bandy
Earlier
today, I was sent to the Beverly Hills Hotel to interview Clive Davis about his
preparations for this year's Grammys. I'm waiting in the lobby for Clive's
people to come get me and bring me to his bungalow. I'm messing with my
blackberry, trying to pass the time, and I notice that Maria Shriver is in the
lobby with me as well.
As
I am about to e-mail this information to my Access headquarters, I hear
rustling at the door. I look up and see a face anyone here at AH
knows all too well -- Britney Spears!!! -- coming into the hotel, literally
being pushed by a trail of paparazzi!
The
doors fly open and Britney almost takes a spill as the overzealous paparazzi
come tumbling into the lobby behind her. Security is scrambling and literally
tossing out the paparazzi and basically anyone else that looked at all
interested in Britney (When I say tossed I mean -- literally threw them out,
fighting with many of them).
It
was a very loud and violent scene; one which took over the
normally peaceful ambience of the hotel. I quickly retreated to the
nearest corner, phone in hand, to discreetly call the Access offices
without being kicked out myself.
Britney
walked over and stood next to the reception desk wearing her purple dress, a fedora
hat, and sunglasses looking like a scared little girl. For the first time
in my 8-year career at Access, I actually felt bad for Britney.
The
scene was enough to make even the most sane person crazy! At this point, Maria
Shriver walked up to Britney and said a few words, but in all the
hustle-and-bustle, I couldn't make out exactly what was said.
The
next thing I know, 3 or 4 huge hotel security guards came and whisked Britney
away while the rest of security kept the paps out. Truly one of the most
surreal celebrity experiences I've ever had! Unfortunately none of this is
on camera because the interview with Clive was done using his personal crew!
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?