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 the losers that have been mostly, thankfully absent this year. The general approach–which included concluding… 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 principal who dances on tables with her teenage daughters’ friends? Debra told me that she… 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 much more colorful way. In a video interview with Comcast.net’s Victor Balta, Ramsay first said… 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 relaxed and low-key. At 49, he’s the second oldest Survivor Tocantins cast member (behind Sandy,… 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 the Louisville audition, a distant grandson of convicted Lincoln assassination conspirator Samuel Mudd auditioned and,… 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 is why it’s both awesome and surprisingly boring. In some ways, Hell’s Kitchen is the… 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 and/or resigned from his posts after having an affair with a male prostitute and buying… 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 was an offer on the table, I’d do it in the fall. I would make… 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 do that on the show. Shoot, yeah. I’d like for that to happen, and I’ll… 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 White–a former speechwriter for Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell who later founded Soulforce,… 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 networks. Since Idol, Dunkleman has appeared on Celebrity Fit Club and in mostly bit parts… 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 trainer; it’s something that just fits — it’s hearing God’s calling for me,” he told… 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 never seen the show, it’s basically like a super-stripped down version of Big Brother: it’s… 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 consider being on the show, Donny said, “Well I guess I am making an announcement…. 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 of surprising defying expectations and revealing complexity behind her pleasant exterior. For example, she insists… continue reading
Fresno spent $115,000 on Extreme Makeover but crew spent $750,000 to $1.25 million
Hosting Extreme Makeover: Home Edition cost the city of Fresno, Calif., $115,000, but the crew spent an estimated $750,000 to $1.25 million at local businesses. Besides “[waving] permit and plan-check fees totaling $1,287 for the home, and [donating[ $750 worth of service from its film and entertainment commissioner,” the Fresno Bee reported that the city… continue reading
Miss Indiana Katie Stam, a viewer-selected finalist, wins Miss America
The woman who won Miss America Saturday night was selected as a finalist by viewers of TCL’s reality series Countdown to the Crown. Miss Indiana, Katie Stam, won the title and $50,000. The runner-up, Miss Georgia Chastity Hardman, was also one of four viewer-selected finalists; viewers also voted for Miss South Dakota Alexandra Hoffman and… continue reading
Benjamin “Coach” Wade: “I want to get the four strongest people to the final four because that’s who deserves it”
Benjamin “Coach” Wade is as impossibly arrogant as he is intelligent and accomplished, and after our conversation, I was convinced that he is someone Survivor desperately needs. That’s because he has a plan to alter the now-predictable way people play the game, and his strategy may just work, if his personality doesn’t get in the… continue reading
“Grueling” Amazing Race 14’s cast includes a deaf man, an actor/screenwriter, and stuntmen
The cast of The Amazing Race 14 has been revealed by CBS, which says they will run “one of the most grueling courses ever assembled on the Race — spanning 40,000 miles and nine countries in just 22 days.” It includes “a multitude of extremes” in the form of challenges and locations, including first-time visits… continue reading
Real World Cancun will be the show’s 22nd season
The Real World will switch coasts again for its 22nd season, filming in Mexico for The Real World Cancun. That location should help continue to reverse its reputation as a drunken orgy. The cast’s job will double as product placement, as they’re working for StudentCity.com “as guides for visiting college students,” according to The Hollywood… continue reading