reality blurred + archives + April 29 to May 5, 2007

week of April 29, 2007

Jessica Sierra charged with cocaine possession, aggravated battery; works at Hooters
American Idol 4 finalist Jessica Sierra was arrested and charged this weekend with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of cocaine, and introduction of...

All-star Amazing Race has its final three teams
On its penultimate episode, The Amazing Race 11 finally eliminated a team. Thus, it now has its final three teams, and those include just one...
Trump gives Schwarzenegger $10,000 but says it's not for Apprentice appearance
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on an episode of The Apprentice 6 in March, and "a little more than a month" later, "Donald Trump gave...
Elvis performed with Celine Dion thanks to rotoscoping, a body double
Was last week's Idol Gives Back duet between Celine Dion and long-dead Elvis Presley a hologram? A body double? CGI? Actually, it was a combination...
Viewers will select five men for I Love New York 2, which tapes in July
Viewers will select five cast members for a second season of I Love New York 2. A new casting web site for the show allows...

Charla and Mirna's box of supplies was used during an actual relief effort
An anonymous correspondent, who uses the word "we" suggesting that s/he is part of The Amazing Race 11's production, writes in with corrections about my...
Simon Cowell says he made "a very significant, very significant six-figure" donation
During Idol Gives Back, the only celebrity who said they were donating money to the cause was guest host Ellen DeGeneres, who pledged $100,000. Beyond...

Bravo relentlessly teases, then includes, Doug Blasdell's death on Work Out
Three weeks ago, an AP story said that Work Out trainer Doug Blasdell's death would be addressed in the show's fourth episode. Instead, that aired...
Principal demoted for allowing teacher to appear on Bachelor 10
The principal of the school where Bachelor 10 contestant Amber Alchalabi taught fourth grade has been demoted for allowing Amber to appear on the show....
Simon Cowell kisses LaKisha before George W. and Laura Bush appear on Idol
Halfway into the second performance episode for the top six American Idol 6 finalists, during LaKisha's critique, Simon Cowell said, "LaKisha, I could actually kiss...
Real World 20's "final castmate" will be selected via new casting web site
Days after launching an online casting competition for I Love New York 2, MTV Networks launched a similar casting site for The Real World 20....

Mookie unapologetic about searching Yau-Man's bag, says "there is no privacy"
The last two episodes of Survivor Fiji have featured some of the most ingenious, if not intense, strategic moves ever used on the show. The...
Principal resigns after being disciplined for allowing Amber to appear on The Bachelor 10
The principal who was demoted for allowing one of her teachers to appear on The Bachelor 10 has resigned, and the school district says it...
Chris and Phil leave American Idol; songwriting contest voting begins
Ryan Seacrest started last night's American Idol 6 results show with some honesty, although it was delivered sarcastically. "Once again, we'll be stretching this show...

Taylor Hicks gives newspaper "the bored-and-jaded-superstar act"
During Taylor Hicks' tour, The Orange County Register arranged to interview the American Idol 5 winner, but they didn't get much of an interview. Instead,...
Tamyra Gray joining Rent on Broadway
American Idol season one finalist Tamyra Gray will join the Broadway production of Rent at the end of this month. Starting May 29, she'll appear...
Apprentice 6's Kristine Lefebvre did Playboy to help other cancer survivors
The June issue of Playboy, which is out today, features Apprentice 6 star Kristine Lefebvre on the cover and fully nude inside, and Playboy's web...
Bravo brags that Doug's death episode of Work Out "delivers in the ratings"
Bravo's promotion of Work Out's most recent episode, which featured trainer Doug Blasdell's death, may have been sensational, but it's nothing compared to what the...
Phil Stacey may be deployed with the Navy Band
Now that he's been eliminated from American Idol 6, Phil Stacey is scheduled to join the tour with the other top 10 finalists this summer....