On Gear Live: 2024 Nissan Z Nismo Review

ABC Don’t be fooled – it’s not a sing-off among our favorite cast members of The Office, but rather the latest reality show concept. I’ve said it before, and I guess I’m going to keep saying it… a reality show can be created about virtually anything. The latest reality concept, called The Singing Office, asks employees of two different companies to audition on the spot. CBS ordered the pilot, so we’ll see how well this baby flies. Reminiscent of American Idol, the best five singers “go to Hollywood” and are vocally trained and assisted by a choreographer to perform their song for a studio audience. The audience chooses the better of the two offices, and the team wins a cash prize. If the show takes off, the season would end with the final winners of each episode competing for the grand prize. The show’s producer, Laurie Girion says, “Everybody knows people at their office who stand up at the Christmas party and sing karaoke. This is a show for these people. We’re not looking for the next pop star, we are celebrating the real people who have picked up a hairbrush and have sung in front of a mirror.”

Read More | Reuters

Gallery: Office Singing Competition


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Chaka KhanPeople just love to see celebrities boxing, dancing, ice skating…and now, singing. Fox TV has announced the professional songbirds that will be paired with celebrities on the new show Celebrity Duets. The big names include: Chaka Khan, Clint Black, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Brian McKnight, Macy Gray, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Randy Travis, and Aaron Neville. The series premieres with a two-hour show on August 29th, and will follow the model of American Idol, allowing judges and viewers to cast their votes for elimination. The b-list

celebrities have not yet been announced, but composer David Foster will be one of the judges. Well, it seems to have a bit more potential than the celebrity skating debacle. I mean, Kenny Loggins and Richard Marx? Gold, baby.

Read More | Yahoo! News

Gallery: Singing…With the Stars


DJ BoydDaniel James “DJ” Boyd - a semi-finalist on Amerian Idol in 2004 - was indicted Tuesday on child pornography charges. Boyd has been accused of having sex with underage girls and videotaping these encounters.

He was first accused last month, after two girls, ages 14 and 15, claimed he gave them alcohol and engaged in “sexually explicit conduct” with them. 

He has been charged with 11 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and two counts of unlawful supply of alcohol to minors, by the Salt Lake D.A.‘s office. Boyd pleaded not guilty to all charges and faces up to forty years in federal prison if convicted. He goes to trial on September 18.

(You can find all the American Idol 5 posts here.)

Read More | Deseret News

Gallery: American Idol Finalist Arrested For Child Porn


American Idol AuditionsAttention Idol Wannabes:  Time to clear your calendars!  The next round of audition dates for American Idol have just been announced:

August 8: Los Angeles
August 11: San Antonio
August 14: New York
August 21: Birmingham
September 3: Memphis
September 8: Minneapolis
September 19: Seattle

Read More | FOX

Gallery: American Idol Audition Dates


Project RunwayToo often the stars of reality television are famous simply for being famous. Their only talent is the shamelessness of appearing on one of these shows. The Real World was originally an experiment in human nature – “what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real?” – but after seventeen seasons it has become simply a pageant for those that want to be on TV but lack the talent and dedication to do so legitimately.

There have been a few exceptions to this rule. American Idol contestants choose to compete on the show not just for a chance at winning, but for a chance at gaining exposure. That is, exposure that they can actually use. Very few cast members of reality shows like The Real World, Survivor, Big Brother, or The Bachelor actually are able to use their “exposure” to jump-start their careers.  However the contestants of talent showcases such as American Idol, America’s Got Talent, or Making the Band have the potential to hold on to their “fame” after the shows end.

Lately there have been more and more shows that take this concept to the next level: the contestants are aiming not just for “fame”, but for success. Programs like the Ben Affleck/Matt Damon vehicle for aspiring filmmakers, Project Greenlight, or Project Runway - which premieres its third season tomorrow at 10pm EST – both focus on people with actual skills such as fashion design.

Other shows that followed people being creative include three cooking programs, Bravo’s Top Chef, FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen, and The Food Network’s The Next Food Network Star. HGTV Design Star, which premieres July 23, will feature competing home designers. 

These shows all have the potential not only to be quality TV, but to serve as stepping-stones for the cast members. Their prize – whether they win or lose – will not simply be fifteen minutes of fame, but hopefully a lasting career. They aspire not to be the world’s next big celebrities, but rather the “next big thing” in their respective fields… even after the cameras stop rolling. 

Read More | Time

Gallery: Finally Some Reality Stars With Skills


Best and WorstIn a recent edition of Broadcasting & Cable, the trade magazine presented a list of the Best Shows on TV for the 2005-06 season.  The 2nd annual poll, based on the views of 111 critics, didn’t reveal many shocking choices overall…but does give much love to some underappreciated gems.  Let’s see how your choices compare:


BEST SHOW

and

BEST DRAMA:
Gold:  Lost (ABC)—Really not much of a surprise on any of these choices.  It’s only shocking to remember that Lost is the only one of these three to be shut out of the Best Drama category for the upcoming Emmys.
Silver:  24 (FOX)
Bronze:  The Sopranos (HBO)

BEST COMEDY:
Gold:  The Office (NBC)
Silver:  My Name is Earl (NBC)
Bronze:  Scrubs (NBC)—Woo hoo!  Even if NBC doesn’t respect the comedic gem enough to give it a regular time slot (and a fall start), it’s reassuring to know that the show is still being noticed.

BEST REALITY:
Gold:  American Idol (FOX)
Silver:  The Amazing Race (CBS)Race may not be able to compete against Idol in the ratings department, but it still wins in my heart.  No popularity contests here.  The prize goes to those who simply stick it out.
Bronze:  Project Runway (Bravo)—Heidi Klum has it all.  Good looks, two cute kids, a sexy husband—and now a highly respected show.  I hate her.  I may enjoy watching her show..but I still hate her.

BEST NEW SHOW:
Gold:  My Name is Earl (NBC)
Silver:  Prison Break (FOX)
Bronze:  Big Love (HBO)—Although I’m personally obsessed with polygamy-based stories, I feared the subject might be too taboo for the average audience.  Regardless of the subject matter, this show has been a hoot to watch..and it doesn’t hurt that Bill Paxton is still quite easy on the eyes.  No wonder three women want to bear his children.

WORST SHOW:
Gold:  Unan1mous (FOX)
Silver:  The War at Home (FOX)
Bronze:  The Apprentice (NBC)—While I will have to admit that my interest in this show has waned over the past year or so, I don’t think it’s one of the worst shows out there.  But if Donald continues to make creepy remarks about the attractive females on his show, I may have to call the FCC myself.

CABLE NETWORK MORE PEOPLE SHOULD WATCH:
Gold:  BBC America
Silver:  FX
Bronze:  The N—- Degrassi, Degrassi, Degrassi.  I’ve said it before and I will say it again.  The N is home to the best drama for teens…ever.

MOST MEMORABLE TV MOMENT:
Gold:  Coverage of Hurricane Katrina
Silver:  Uncle Junior shoots Tony on The Sopranos (HBO)
Bronze:  Michael shoots Ana-Lucia and Libby on Lost (ABC)—I admit, I don’t watch The Sopranos so I may be a bit biased here.  But Michael shot two people.  That should definitely earn him a higher medal than Uncle Junior.  I dare say Michael even deserves the gold, but he can’t compete with Nature.

Read More | Broadcasting & Cable

Gallery: The Best (and Worst) Shows of 2005-06


Shannen DohertyAfter the loss of Meredith Viera and the “gain” of losing Star Jones Reynolds, The View will feature a series of guest hosts for the next few weeks.

Some of the upcoming guests will include American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee (July 19), and Carrie Ann Inaba of Dancing with the Stars (July 10). All My Children‘s Susan Lucci appeared yesterday, while singer-actress Brandy (of Moesha and America’s Got Talent) guest hosted today and Wednesday July 5.

Perhaps the most highly anticipated appearance - in my humble opinion only, I’m sure - is that of Shannen Doherty. Doherty, known for her starring roles in (and allegedly bitter departures from) Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed, is sheduled to guest host July 31 and August 1.

The actress, infamous as being “trouble” due to rumors of stormy relationships with cast members and a shortlived marriage to Ashley Hamilton, is unlikely to be considered as a permanent replacement though. Her new reality show Breaking Up With Shannen Doherty, in which she will help people get out of toxic relationships, premieres August 1 on Oxygen. 

The View won’t be making a permanent replacement until after Rosie O’Donnell’s debut on September 5. (The show will be on a month-long hiatus before that starting August 4).

Meanwhile, no one is quite sure what Reynolds is up to. She posted details on how to contact Barbara Walters, the president of ABC Daytime, and an executive producer of The View on her website recently.  However, as of this Thursday the information was down.

Debbie Matenopoulos, who was fired from The View in 1999, appeared on Fox’s Good Day LA last week and had this message for Reynolds: “It’s called ‘show business.’”

Read More | Just Shannen

Gallery: Shannen Doherty and Others to Guest Host on The View


Katharine McPheeIn the August issue of Teen People, Katharine McPhee reveals that she recently auditioned for the HBO hit Entourage.  The young female character would have a fling with actor Vincent Chase (a.k.a. ‘Aquaman’).  No word yet whether Katharine has landed the role—but I’m actually hoping she doesn’t get it.  Although the show thrives on actors playing true-to-life cameos, I think that bringing on any contestant from American Idol would cheapen the show—whether they are playing themselves or not.  The producers of Entourage should leave the bit parts for the real actors.

Read More | Teen People

Gallery: Katharine McPhee and Aquaman?


This week has two biggies:

First, beginning Wednesday, July 5th, the American Idol Top 10 will start their American Idols Live tour. The 60-day tour will begin in Manchester, New Hampshire and end in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on September 24th. Now’s your time to catch Ace Young’s wicked falsetto again. Of course, I bet the big draw will be Chris Daughtry—the biggest upset of the Idol season.

Second, it’s almost time for the Emmy nominations! On Thursday, July 6th, at 5:39 AM (huh? why not 5:40?), Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brad Garrett will announce the Emmy noms. We’ll have a rundown of the categories here, so check back for details.

Gallery: Big Week Ahead—American Idol and Emmy Nominations


Teen ChoiceThis week teens can vote for their favorite stars in the Teen Choice Awards.

Nominees include new celebs such as Brandon Routh of Superman Returns and American Idol‘s Katharine McPhee, as well as familiar faces like Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, and pop culture icons Flavor Flav (Flavor of Love) and Hulk Hogan (Hogan Knows Best).

The competition between Laguna Beach‘s Kristin Cavallari and Lauren “LC” Conrad continues as they are both nominted for Female “Choice Reality Star”.

Also nominated for an award is Jessica Simpson, her ex-brother-in-law Drew Lachey (for his stint on Dancing with the Stars), and many more.

The awards will air on FOX, August 20 at 8:00 EST, following a “red carpet” pre-show at 7:30. Ballots are available on-line at Teenpeople.com, MySpace.com, IGN.com and FOX.com. Voting will run until August 11 and is open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 19.

Read More | Reality TV Magazine

Gallery: Teen Choice Awards Voting Open Until August 11


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