American Idol 8‘s auditions have ended after seven episodes and nine hours–and just in time, because the show ran out of people so fast they had to double-up audition cities in a single hour-long episode, never mind spending time on… continue reading
Archives for January 2009
Debra Beebe: “I’m kind of upbeat so negativity kind of grinds on my nerves”
Survivor Tocantins cast member Debra Beebe may be a middle school principal–she was Alabama’s middle school principal of the year in 2007 for her work at J. F. Drake Middle School in Auburn–but have you ever known a middle school… continue reading
Gordon Ramsay says he’s never watched Hell’s Kitchen because “I’ve lived the nightmare once”
Gordon Ramsay insists he’s never watched an episode of his Fox reality competition Hell’s Kitchen, which returned last night for its fifth season, because he doesn’t want to relive the “nightmare.” Because he’s Ramsay, though, he says it in a… continue reading
Jerry Sims: “I don’t want to” be a leader
During our conversation, Jerry Sims described himself as someone who is “just laid back, [doesn’t] get rattled real easily, can deal with stressful situations calmly.” That’s absolutely true; in a group of relatively easy-going contestants, he was easily the most… continue reading
American Idol apologizes to those “offended by” contestant’s “be careful” comment
The producers of American Idol 8 have apologized to viewers via their web site over the editing of an audition, admitting to a “misinterpretation” of comments portrayed as threatening, and saying those comments “took everyone by surprise.” Last Wednesday during… continue reading
Hell’s Kitchen’s fifth season is more of the same great insults, incompetent chefs
Gordon Ramsay returns tonight to berate another group of incompetent chefs when Fox debuts Hell’s Kitchen 5 at 9 p.m. ET. If the first episode is any indication, this season will be practically identical to the preceding four seasons, which… continue reading
HBO’s The Trials of Ted Haggard debuts tonight
Tonight at 8 p.m. ET, HBO debuts The Trials of Ted Haggard, Alexandra Pelosi’s documentary that explores the former National Association of Evangelicals president and former minister’s current life. Now, he’s a traveling insurance salesman; last year, he was fired… continue reading
Donny Osmond won’t be on Dancing with the Stars, at least not until fall
A day after Donny Osmond said he’d be on Dancing with the Stars 8, he now says he’s not on the show after all–and he may not have even been asked. “I’m definitely not doing this upcoming season. If there… continue reading
JT Thomas: “I’ll play the dumb role if I feel like it’ll push me farther in the game”
“Most time, I’m underestimated. I think some people that judge my intelligence are wrong right off the bat,” James “JT” Thomas Jr. told me. However, the cattle rancher from Alabama won’t mind if it happens during Survivor Tocantins–“I hope they… continue reading
TAR 14 teams include nude model, three gay men
CBS announced the cast of The Amazing Race 14 on Monday, but while the network’s press release and web site highlighted some interesting characteristics of its cast, it left out a few fascinating details. For example, while CBS identified Mel… continue reading
Brian Dunkleman pitching fictional series about his post-American Idol life
American Idol season one co-host Brian Dunkleman famously quit the show because it was too cruel to its contestants, and now he’s mocking that response and his decision in a fictional series based upon his life that he’s pitching to… continue reading
Former contestants suggest Bob Harper is gay
Is Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper gay? Although he appeared as a trainer in the Queer Abs workout DVD, Bob has apparently not publicly discussed his sexual orientation, although he has discussed topics such as religion (“I love being a… continue reading
Solitary pods touring malls as part of the show’s third torture-filled season
Fox Reality Channel’s most-popular original series, Solitary, recently returned for its third season, which airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET and is on Hulu, and now an interactive version of the show is visiting malls across the country. If you’ve… continue reading
Donny Osmond will be on Dancing with the Stars 8
Three seasons after his sister appeared on the show, Donny Osmond confirmed he will be on Dancing with the Stars 8. He revealed that on the episode of Bonnie Hunt’s syndicated talk show that airs today. Asked if he’d ever… continue reading
Carolina Eastwood: “you can’t really bullshit me”
Carolina Eastwood is a 26-year-old bartender from West Hollywood who once wanted to be an actor and was reluctantly recruited to be on Survivor Tocantins. That doesn’t make her sound like an ideal cast member, but Carolina had a way… continue reading