Music | Tag Archive

Latest Gear Live Videos

Subscribe:

YouTube

iTunes High Definition

iTunes Standard Version

RSS

EA Partners With MTV, Harmonix

Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Corporate News, Electronic Arts, Music,

EA announced at the GDC that they would be publishing a new title from the MTV/Harmonix partnership. While Harmonix has been booted off of the Guitar Hero franchise with Activision’s acquisition of Red Octane, the next title from one of the big names in the music game genre is drawing a lot of attention. Unfortunately, aside from the detail that EA is publishing this next mystery game and that the parties involved believe that this is their most ambitious title to date. It may be hard to follow up the fantastic success of the the Guitar Hero games, but Harmonix may be the developer to do this.

‘5th Grader’ Game Show a Huge Ratings Hit

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Games, Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Ratings,

Apparently lots of people tuned in to find out if they are indeed smarter than a fifth grader. Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy and created by Mark Burnett, proved the silly concept can translate into superb ratings. It did so well, in fact, that it was the highest-rated series premiere on any network in nine years. That’s kind of crazy, if you think about it, especially for a game show. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to have uber-popular American Idol as your lead-in either. Idol has been bringing consistently high numbers and you’ve got to think that a majority of them will stick around for the next show. Overall Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? grabbed 26.6 million viewers. Idol led the night with 30.4 million viewers. Interestingly, it bested the previous winner for best series premiere—Jesse on NBC, which debuted in 1998. Remember that show? Nah, me neither.

Idol Cutie Embroiled in Nudie Scandal?

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Internet, News, Rumors,

Beautiful, 20-year-old Antonella Barba got camera attention early as one of the two best friends auditioning for American Idol together. Both bombshells drew questions and comments from Simon Cowell (“I bet you two are very popular”) and managed to snag golden tickets to Hollywood. While Barba’s best friend half didn’t make it past Group Night, Antonella managed to survive through Hollywood week and find her way to the big Idol stage. Almost immediately thereafter, questionable photos began to surface of a scantily clad Barba (hem, allegedly of Barba) on the Internet. Antonella hails from Point Pleasant, NJ, a town that carries its own notoriety already – Point Pleasant is the home of the Mothman. There’s no word yet from American Idol execs on whether or not Antonella Barba will be asked to leave the competition, though Playboy founder Hugh Heffner did comment that he might ask her to pose in his famous magazine, when all her Idol business is said and done. Judging by the way Barba sings, he might not have to wait too long.

Idol Producers, Judges Speak Out About Antonella Barba Pics

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Internet, Rumors,

Simon Cowell If you’re an Internet surfer, chances are you have seen some mention of the American Idol contestant’s scandalous pics—or maybe you’ve even seen them. Racy photos of Antonella Barba have been circulating online, and until now Idol producers have not made a comment about her status in the competition. Producer Nigel Lythgoe is now saying that she will not be disqualified from the show, saying it will be up to voters to determine her fate. On Inside Edition, he said, “It won’t affect anything, Antonella is about her looks and her talent and that’s the only thing that will affect her journey on American Idol.” The other players on American Idol—Ryan, Randy and Simon—are supporting the singer:

Simon: “[The photos should] not affect her standing on the show, and if the public wants to keep her in, they’ll keep her in.”
Randy: “Nobody’s clean in the entertainment business. “There are definitely some moral things that go on with this show.”
Ryan: “If American Idol is a true representation of American youth, we’re going to find imperfections. And it’s OK to be imperfect.”

Will the Idol Men Shine This Week?

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Editorial, Features, Gossip,

When the sixth season of American Idol began, it seemed the males were going to outshine the ladies hands down. They came, they sang, they conquered. Group night impressed audiences, and surprise contenders on the male side seemed ready to prove that they had definitely earned their honor to compete. And then…Hollywood round ended, and it was time to perform. One by one, the men filled the stage. One by one, Simon Cowell shot them down. Most of the males didn’t seem at all ready for the big stage, the big crowd, and the big TV cameras. Even Paula had trouble finding positive remarks to make -–a rare enough occasion for American Idol. The very next night, the female contestants blew judges (and audiences) away with powerful pipes.

Click to continue reading Will the Idol Men Shine This Week?

Go Behind the Scenes of American Idol

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Drama, Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, DVD, Gossip, News, Rumors,

American Idol Unauthorized will give fans a long-anticipated behind-the-scenes look at America’s favorite reality show. This documentary-style movie features little-known facts, reveals rumors, shows backstage footage, and will interview former contestants and performers on the show. Ever wondered what happened to all those AI losers? This unauthorized look at life after Reality will detail what happened to contestants that we remember fondly, and some that we don’t remember at all. The cast features names like Kimberly Caldwell, Lindsey Cardinale, Kennedy, Marilu Henner, Ed McMahaon, and Mindy Sterling. Scheduled to hit the streets for public sale in April, 2007, American Idol Unauthorized is not affiliated with American Idol or the FOX network. Will the unauthorized nature of this documentary flick gives fans even juicier secrets and surprises than FOX can offer?

American Idol Announces Big Name Guests

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Music, Prime Time, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Ratings,

American Idol logo As if American Idol needs any more fuel for the already astronomical ratings, the producers have announced some very special guest stars. If you tuned in last night for the first eliminations, you saw former American Idol Fantasia Barrino perform. But wait—there’s more! Ryan Seacrest also announced last night that there would be many big name stars showing up as special guests this season. Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Jon Bon Jovi, Martina McBride, Diana Ross, Barry Gibb and Lulu and Peter Noone. It’s unclear what the theme will be for each show these performers contribute to, but the star wattage is impressive. Other fun tidbits from Thursday’s program include the announcement that Fantasia will star in The Color Purple on Broadway (with a quick glimpse of producer Quincy Jones), as well as the use of Chris Daughtry’s (another former Idol) song “Home” for the send-off of the eliminated contestants. Another former finalist will show up next Thursday—Kellie Pickler will be on hand to perform her single “I Wonder.”

(You can find all the American Idol 6 posts here.)

Switcheroo for ‘Deal’ and ‘Crossing Jordan’

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, Games, Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, NBC, American Idol, Apprentice, The - Donald, Medium, Ratings,

Here’s one of those things that totally confuses viewers—moving a show to another day and time. The latest is the switch in days between Deal or No Deal and Crossing Jordan. So, the Wednesday night edition of Deal will move to Sundays, and Crossing Jordan will get the bump to Wednesdays at 9 p.m. The change will make Sundays a bit different, with Grease: You’re the One That I Want at 8:00, Deal or No Deal at 9:00, and The Apprentice at 10:00. Whether or not the move will increase ratings, we’ll just have to see. Jordan will now be in good company with the other Wednesday dramas: Friday Night Lights and Medium. Of course, that also puts Jordan in competition with American Idol, which is currently the ratings king.

American Idol Suffers Hit to Ratings

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Ratings,

Well, okay, so American Idol didn’t take a huge ratings hit, but it did suffer a dip nonetheless. The show titled “Best of the Rest” earned them the lowest ratings of the season. Of course, the dip was just a drop in the bucket. The talent show still grabbed 27.9 million viewers, and that’s for their lowest rated episode. Still not too shabby. The show is certain to rebound nicely, as we are now moving beyond those dreadful first-round auditions and focusing on the Hollywood “boot camp.” This is the point where I can start watching the series. I just can’t bear to sit through the horrible singing, for just a glimpse of the people who actually have some talent. They say it makes good TV, I just think it’s tedious to sit through. I like American Idol, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t have the patience for those early shows. Once the finalists are selected, I’m in in for the long haul.

(You can find all the American Idol 6 posts here.)

Kellie Pickler’s Dad Arrested

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Rumors,

Remember cutie American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler? Seems her dad is the one making headlines now, given his latest arrest. Clyde Raymond Pickler Jr. was arrested on February 7 for assault. The arrest occurred in Albemarle, North Carolina, and he allegedly assaulted someone with a steak knife. He had several misdemeanor charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a female, and communicating threats. During her time on Idol, Kellie recounted how her dad had done jail time, including a stint for stabbing his neighbor in 2003. Seems his days of crime are not behind him. Kellie is doing well, despite the family trouble. Her debut album, Small Town Girl, sold 500,000 copies. She is also scheduled to appear in a sitcom pilot in the fall.

Welcome, Guest