Season seven of So You Think You Can Dance is officially underway, albeit undermanned and with visions of krumper Russell still, er, dancing in our heads.
Not that we aren’t psyched to share this summer’s top 10, revealed Wednesday, all of whom are stunning movers, quirky artists and otherwise awesome in their own ways.
But is it just us, or is 10 new dancers just not enough, even with the promise of 10 all-stars from seasons past returning to partner them every week?
Today we had the extreme pleasure of interviewing Allison Grodner, the executive producer of Big Brother. Allison took time out of her very busy schedule to help get us fans up to speed on the coming season of Big Brother 12.Some of the highlights of the interview are: The Interview:
1) The number of house guests is likely to stay in the same range as previous years, some where around 12 to 14.
‘American Idol’ judge Ellen DeGeneres admits she expects the reality show to change quite a lot now it is no longer ”Simon’s show”.
Ellen DeGeneres thinks ‘American Idol’ will change now it’s no longer “Simon’s show”.
The chat show host – who has just finished her first series as a judge on the talent show, sitting alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi – expects things to be completely different next series now the music mogul has left. » Read more: Ellen DeGeneres reveals Idol changes
It’s often been said that “American Idol” is really just a popularity contest. Sure, singing and showmanship is important, as is a contestant’s back-story and TV persona, but when it comes to advancing in the competition, many an inferior vocalist have managed to make it well past their expiration date. And then comes life after “Idol,” where alumni often have similar options — put out an album, audition for stage roles, take the reality show route — some achieving more success than others. So how do they all stack up?
Last week’s “American Idol” finale certainly added some spice to a slow run on this week’s Billboard charts, with winner Lee DeWyze, runner-up Crystal Bowersox and a number of the show’s guest stars impacting the Digital Songs chart and the Billboard 200 albums tally.
Many of the contestants’ songs have been available to purchase in the iTunes Store for weeks now, but — as has been done in years’ past — their weekly sales are withheld from SoundScan (and from appearing in the iTunes Store’s own popularity lists) so as to not influence the voting public in the course of the season. » Read more: ‘Idols’ Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox Impact Billboard Charts
Bret Michaels returned to the stage last night in Biloxi, MS where Bret dropped a huge piece of info on the crowd — he might be taking Simon Cowell‘s seat on “American Idol.”
Right before Bret played the classic “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” he told the crowd, “I can’t say this is true yet, cause I don’t know. Next year they asked me to possibly be the judge on ‘American Idol.’” Very vague, but still …
As for the rest of the show, one audience member told us, “I figured he’d be wobbly and sitting on a stool. But he was energetic, running around the stage with his guitar. It was like when I saw Poison years ago. It was a awesome show.”
UPDATE: A source close to Bret tells TMZ Bret is “in the running to replace Simon” but that nothing is close to being done yet. A rep for FOX says they are not commenting on any speculation regarding Simon’s replacement. Stay tuned …
Read more at: http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/29/bret-michaels-american-idol-judge-biloxi-concert-video/
It’s aaaaalmost Memorial Day weekend, which means summer is aaaaalmost officially upon us (in terms of weekends at the beach and TV schedules — I know the actual official first day of summer is June 21), which means its time for…”So You Think You Can Dance!”
I know last fall’s experiment with airing it in September sort of ruined the whole strictly summertime feel of the show, but it really is a warm weather series. Mostly because everyone on it is always sweaty and almost naked. And last night’s premiere was no exception! » Read more: ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ premiere recap: Fox show kicks off season seven
There has been hardly time enough to catch their collective breath after the breathtaking American Idol finale when the top two — Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox — signed record contracts today. These incredible reality show singers are among 100 other AI alums who have done the same thing, all with different outcomes. » Read more: Like 100 American Idol alums, Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze get record contracts
The results of the finale were a little disappointing for me as a viewer. I honestly felt like anybody with a semblance of fair play could tell you that Crystal Bowersox wiped the floor with Lee Dewyze, but, it was America’s choice and they decided to go with the young Dewyze. Quite an upset, in my opinion. Let’s take a moment to talk about the runner-up! » Read more: The NGH Report – Thoughts on American Idol 9’s Top 2 Results
Browsing through one of the thousands of articles about the Idol finale last night, I came across one that was entitled Seven Reasons Why Lee DeWyze Won American Idol. Like many of the articles and comments I had come across on the web, the number one reason Lee won was the tween power texting vote.
Ryan Seacrest interviewed our new American Idol, Lee Dewyze, and the runner up, Crystal Bowersox (Who broke up with her boyfried yesterday and arrives with Kara Dioguardi to the interview), this morning on his On Air with Ryan Seacrest show this morning. Videos also include Bret Michaels and Lee Chatting, Ryan interviewing Bret Michaels, Ryan interviewing Simon Cowell, and Lee Greeting his family after the win. Really cool videos from Ryan Seacrest. » Read more: VIDEOS: Ryan Interviews Lee, Crystal, Simon, Bret Michaels and more..
Hey guys, Brian from tooFab here. We’re going to try something new today — because I hit up the “American Idol” finale and wanted to tell you about what you didn’t see on the show.
After straining to see past hundreds of tweens camped outside of the Nokia Theater to see former “Idol” contestants like Kristy Lee Cook and Kimberly Caldwell walk the red carpet, my friend Josh and I decided to go inside and wait — and the show was well worth it! » Read more: ‘American Idol’ Finale — Behind the Scenes
Here’s Lee and Crystal’s initial Auditions. We never saw there during the audition rounds, correct? It is interesting that these two had a combined audition footage, though not shown on the show, it was prepared that way.
This season, I am not at all concerned with who will be crowned The American Idol, so it’s a nice change of pace. I am, however, really excited to see the show. I love that all the Idol Winners will be back (plus a ton of non-winners), and Paula! Think Paula will sit at the Judges table one last time?
Lets get this show on the road…
Both finalists hail from the Chicago auditions.
Will it be Crystal or will it bee Lee????
THIS……….IS American Idol!!!!
TONS of Idols in the audience.
Coming into last night 2% separated the finalists. no mention on if it was close last night (Which means it wasn’t) and no mention on the vote totals.
Ryan talks to the finalists. They are matching in dress. Very cute. School type outfits.
Checking in with the hometown…LARGE crowds for both.
The top 12 singing “School’s Out For Summer” by Alice gooper (Thus, the school outfits.) …And here is Alice Cooper. lol. No lip syncing tonight folks.
Break time
And now KRIS ALLEN!!! He is singing “The Truth”
And now a Simon Tribute…Showing how MEAN he is. lol
Siobhan Magnus and Arron Kelly singing the Bee Gees. And Cue the Bee Gees. amazing to see them. Robin and Barry. No lip syncing here either.
Michael Lynch is now singing the Doobie Brothers,…..And here is Michael McDonald. they are singing Takin it to the Streets.
Now a special song set to some of Simon’s Gtreatest insults performed by Dane Cook. lol All the train wrecks on stage now….William hung, Tatiana, etc.
The Top 6 Girls sing Christina Aquilera’s… “I am Beautiful” and “Fighter”…and Here’s Christina…..Singing “You Lost Me”.
Ricky Gervais says goodbye to Simon via Satellite.
The top 12 boys are singing a Hall and oats montage with Hall and Oats. Ultra cool
We talk to Crystal’s father. Sweet. Crystal is singing a duet with Alanis Morisette.
Carrie Underwood singing “Undo It”
Lee and Crystal gets Ford Fiestas with Custom Graphics that they designed. Neither shows excitement. lol. Kris give them the cars.Now the LAST Ford Video of 2010.
Ryan talks to Lee and Crystal again. Asks how they are doing.
Casey James sings “Every Rose Has its Thorn” with the newest Apprentice and really lucky guy, Bret Michaels. HE is AMAZING!!!! EPIC. Emotional.
Lee Dewyze and Chicago doing a Chicago medley.
Checking in with the Chicago/Mt. Prospect with Matt Rogers. HUGE Crowd.
Back to Simon’s favorite subject. Simon. Cute video montage.
Now General Larry Platt with “Pants on the Ground” with William Hung. God.
Ryan pimping the tour.
Paula video talking about Simon. Cue Paula. she comes on stage and talks to each judge. She looks amazing. She has special words for Simon. Tells him that out of everyone that she has ever worked with he is by far the best. That he made her a better, stronger person. The audience is quiet listening to every word. Very touching. And now a touching montage to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”
Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barino, Taylor Hicks, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen sing.and DOZENS of top 12ers sing with them. WOW, Just WOW. Very Special. One of the greatest Idol moments. And FYI David Cook was already scheduled for a charity event and wouldn’t break the commitment.
Ryan asks Simon to join them on stage. Simon says how emotional he is. How great it is to have Paula back. Simon says that America is the true Jude of the show. He thanks everyone. Very touching moment on Idol. One of the best finale moments ever.
The top 12 are singing a Michael Jackson Montage with Janet Jackson. now she sings her hit, “Nasty Boy”
Ryan takes us back to August 31, 2009 in Chicago and we see Lee And Crystals AI journeys. They started together in Chicago. and sat next to each other. Now we get “A Little Help From My Friends” from Crystal and Lee. Joe Cocker joins them for the song.
AND NOW….THE RESULTS
The envelope is onstage……
Dim the lights.
the winner of American Idol season 9 is……
LEE DEWYZE!!!!!!
Lee is VERY surprised, and is crying. He cannot believe it.
Exclusive: If you thought tonight’s ‘American Idol’ finale was going to be drama free, think again! Inside sources tell me that after after Adam Lambert did not show up for ‘Idol’ rehersals for the big finale and sendoff to Simon Cowell, the controversial alum’s appearance has been canceled, sending the show’s production into bedlam. Find out why things fell apart … after the jump!» Read more: Adam Lambert’s ‘Idol’ Finale Gig Canceled
It’s been a while since I wrote one of these, partially because I have a 6-week-old daughter now, who wreaks havoc on our normal TV schedule, but mainly because—and believe me, I say this as a longtime fan of the show, not as some bitchy rockist guy—the degree to which this season has fallen apart and become largely unwatchable is undeniable. From the severely flawed theme weeks (Shania Twain? Harry Connick Jr.?) and the half-assed performances they’ve wrought, to the early ousting of interesting contestants like Lily, Siobhan, and even that weird kid with the mullet from way early on, the whole thing has been a mess. » Read more: American Idol Recap: In Which I Remembered Why I Stopped Caring About American Idol
All season long, it’s seemed like American Idol was pulling for Lee DeWyze to win — then producers permitted the 24-year-old former paint salesman to sing U2′s “Beautiful Day” on the final competition episode. It’s a song Bono — one of the greatest rock frontmen ever — has performed with tear-jerking, inspiring flair at the post-9/11 Super Bowl and Live 8. It’s one of the most passionate songs in the band’s catalog. And it was a misstep that may have cost DeWyze the victory, especially since Crystal Bowersox stepped up and nailed her pick, Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain.” » Read more: Bowersox Overpowers DeWyze on ‘American Idol’ Finals
American Idol has been plagued with bad news cycles this season. The press pounced on the program like a hungry shark that smelled blood in the water. Choruses of “The worst season ever?” and “Is Idol over?” rang out across the country, and every blogger or critic who posted the queries on their websites and publications only furthered this media pile-on until it became something close to common wisdom. I’ve worked in politics and you would be shocked by how quickly a story is blown out of proportion… but you will also see just how damaging it is when that does indeed happen. The ratings shrank throughout the season. Why? What can explain that? The same phenomenon that explains why people like to back a winning horse and jump off a sinking ship. When something becomes “media common sense” we react in the worst of ways.
For those that that believe in Dial Idol, the evidence is clear. Lee FeWyze has won american Idol 9. DI called it within the first 30 minutes. I’ve never seen that happen before and really thought this would be ultra close. It doesn’t look like it was.
American Idol season 9 is wrapping up and one of these two contestants will be this season’s American Idol winner. The May 25 performances were the last chances that DeWyze and Bowersox had to show viewers and the judges why they should win.
The final two gave three performances each. The songs included one favorite chosen from previous performances, one chosen by Simon Fuller, and the last was the song that will be released by this season’s winner. Crystal Bowersox won the coin toss and chose to perform second. » Read more: American Idol final two: May 25, 2010 performance reviews
t the end of an “American Idol” season called boring and absurd by critics, the departure of Simon Cowell from the judges’ table is likely to trump whatever decision the voters make about the final two singers, Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze.
The show’s producers are making Mr. Cowell’s farewell a major part of Wednesday night’s finale at the Nokia Theater here. Paula Abdul and some former “Idol” winners are expected to be there.
Mr. Cowell’s exit is the biggest material change in the eight-year history of the show. Many people credit him — a caustic, cocky judge — with making “Idol” into America’s most popular reality show and a profit center for the Fox network, and some critics are questioning how compelling the show will be without him. » Read more: Cowell’s Exit Complicates ‘Idol’ Outlook
Our spies at the “American Idol” rehearsal today say Crystal Bowersox was so nervous she forgot the words to the song she’ll release if she wins tomorrow night. And Lee DeWyze got ticked off after he got hit with a violin bow.
Both Crystal and Lee will each sing 3 songs. The first song is their choice, the second was chosen by Simon Fuller and the third song is the one that will be released by the winner.
Crystal chose “Me and Bobby McGee” for her first song. Fuller had her sing “Black Velvet.” As for the song she’ll release … it’s called “Up to the Mountain.” Crystal stopped dead in her tracks in the middle of the song and started over.
As for Lee, he chose, “The Boxer,” and Fuller selected “Everybody Hurts.” As for the song he’ll release if he wins … it’s called, “Beautiful Day.”
As Lee finished “Beautiful Day,” a violinist accidentally hit him in the body with his bow. Lee was upset and walked off the stage …. even before the pretend judges could weigh in.
Clues for Lee DeWyze’s songs (this spoiler has never been wrong):
Song #1: “He is going to be put into a rink and fight it out or he doesn’t have to think outside the box for this song”
Song #2: “Everybody might hurt after this song.”
Song #3: “He might have an awful day.”
“The third song they are both singing. However it was not a song just written for them. It did play a big part in American Idols past.”
Vocal coach, Debra Byrd says the coronation songs will be different: VIDEO
Simon was on the Ellen Show today and once again, predicted a Lee DeWyze win.
For those who place their “American Idol” winner bets based on the wisdom of cantankerous judge Simon Cowell, let it be known that the cagey Brit has placed his odds on late-season favorite Lee DeWyze. » Read more: American Idol: Watch Simon Cowell on The Ellen Show
Is this massive pimping of a favorite? Is this unfair? Is it cheating? Those are all descriptions that some members of Idol nation are using to discuss Lee Dewyze’s top 3 performance of Hallelujah Tuesday night. But the above checklist? It is actually referring to the Crystal Bowersox performance of People Get Ready. Don’t remember that moment? Check out the video on YouTube. It’s all there, but no one called it pimping because it was their favorite contestant. Michael Lynche had the same production set up on Movie themes.
I am hearing that the front rummer (out in front by a mile) is Kiss front man, and reality tv star, Gene Simmons. This actually makes a lot of good sense and I am surprised that his name has not been thrown around before.
Now I know that no one can actually replace Simon, but what are your thoughts on Gene Simmons giving it a whirl? He certainly has the music background, the business expertise and the nastiness. It may make for a really good fit, as long as he doesn’t try to make the show all about him.
Diddy is also pushing hard to replace Simon. He’d be good too.
Anyway, the announcement is actually suppose to be made today or tomorrow.
**Another Rumor is that Ryan will be leaving after this season and Ellen will be taking over hosting duties. (I think this one is strictly rumor, floks)
Here’s an updated post with everything that I could find out – s far – about who will be attending the finale (or, who won’t be attending). I will update the list as more info comes in: (A lot of this info comes from the wonderful MJ’s)
