American Idol 9: Chicago Auditions
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories:
American Idol 9 visited the Windy City, opening this audition episode with a montage of angry, rejected contestants. It was an auspicious beginning. Shania Twain was the guest judge for this city, a development which seemed to thrill Kara DioGuardi.
The crowds who waited chanted “Yes, We Can,” in honor of Barack Obama, who called the city home until taking up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania in Washington, D.C. Viewers were quickly taken into the story of Katelyn Epperly, a pretty blonde (dyed) with pretty ringlets. Her low, sultry voice quickly proved that there’s more to her than what meets the eye, and Katelyn earned praise from the judges. “I think you have a voice that could sing a hit song, I think,” Shania Twain generously told her. Epperly earned her golden ticket, and the Chicago auditions were well under way.
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Simon Cowell Hiring Paula Abdul and Cheryl Cole?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Rumors, Video,
The Hollywood Reporter says Simon Cowell is in talks with Paula Abdul and Cheryl Cole for his new, US-based X Factor.
The well-known singing judge has worked with both females in the past. Abdul was a fellow panelist with Simon for eight seasons of American Idol, while Cole currently serves the same duty on Britian’s X Factor.
The show is scheduled to premiere on FOX in 2011.
Read More 
| Entertainment Weekly
American Idol 9: Atlanta Auditions
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Video,
Mary J. Blige was the guest judge for the Atlanta auditions, which were taped during American Idol’s summer scramble to negotiate contracts and fill Paula Abdul’s spot on the panel.
Dewone Robinson was the first contestant to be featured, and it seemed pretty clear early on that he was going to tank. He was predictably horrible and incredibly strange, reducing the female judges to laughter. Simon Cowell called it “one of the worst original songs” he’s ever heard. Robinson then launched into a few bars of Rick James. Randy Jackson, fed up, finally started screaming for security. Dewone sang himself on down the elevator.
The next auditioner, Keia Johnson, is a former Miss Congeniality and positively adorable. She belted out Celine Dion powerfully, immediately shutting up the panel. “She can sing,” Mary J. Blige stated. Keia grew increasingly excited as each judge, one by one, gave her the “yes” vote. Her audition is viewable in the video above.
Miriam Lemnouni chose a Miley Cyrus song. Noel Reese belted Whitney Houston. Tisha Holland delivered a little soul. All three became part of a “you’re going to Hollywood” montage.
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American Idol 9: Boston Auditions
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Features, Gossip, Video,
Never one to shy away from its own press, American Idol re-capped the events of the past year at the top of the Season 9 premiere. Clips highlighting Paula Abdul’s departure from the show, as well as the announcement that Ellen DeGeneres would replace her, were part of the opening montage. After a few brief highlights, it was time for the show to begin.
The Boston auditions were conducted on a very rainy day, but nothing seemed to dim the spirit of the waiting hopefuls who grinned and waved at reality TV cameras. This episode marked Victoria Beckham’s stint as a guest judge, the first to be called in when last summer’s negotiations with Paula Abdul started to go south.
The first auditioner to be featured, Janet McNamara, honed her singing skills with the American Idol game. CGI Simon often tells her that she’s “got it,” in fact. She had a thick Boston accent and tons of energy, talking at great length about her Idol gaming skills. Predictably, she was terrible and got a no across the board. Still maintaining high spirits, she claimed the experience was “wicked awesome.” Her audition is viewable in the clip above.
Janet was only the first in a long line of hopefuls, some of which would leave with their dreams still intact. Others would simply leave…many, in tears.
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DeGeneres, DioGuardi React to Simon Cowell’s Idol Departure
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Rumors,
Talk show maven and newest Idol addition Ellen DeGeneres is “very, very sad” that Simon Cowell is leaving the show, and who can blame her? With Cowell gone, it’s safe to assume that American Idol’s future is now on a downward spiral, and Ellen’s new job is likely to become a very brief blip on the map of her career.
“He announced he’s leaving on my first day - I’m trying not to take it personally,” Ellen cracked jokes, as usual, while talking to her audience. “He’s a huge part of that show, but he wanted a change.”
And so sounded the death knell of America’s most popular reality TV series.
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Read More | Entertainment Tonight
Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, News,
Was it something Ellen DeGeneres said?
Although American Idol 9 hasn’t officially started, we already know how the season is going to end: with a goodbye to Simon Cowell.
FOX execs - with help from Cowell himself - officially announced today that the judge we love and/or hate will be leaving the program after the next winner is crowned. Simon, as rumored, will focus his attention to an American version of The X Factor. (It was the British program that helped launched Susan Boyle’s career.)
Cowell will serve as both executive producer and judge on the series launching in Fall 2011. If other rumors prove true, we could also see his former coworker, Paula Abdul, sitting right there beside him.
Read More | The Live Feed
Simon Cowell’s Animated Ambition
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Animation, Comedy, Prime Time, FOX, Gossip,
Simon Cowell wants to create a cartoon series.
The music mogul - who earned an estimated $75 million last year - is a big fan of The Simpsons but admits he is jealous of its worldwide success.
“Their appeal is broad and it makes a lot of money. You kind of hate them for making so much money. It makes me physically sick knowing how much money they have made over the years,” he said. “Maybe I should start a cartoon one day.”
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Ryan Seacrest on Simon Cowell’s Idol Departure
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Rumors,
So, is Simon Cowell really leaving American Idol? Reporters caught up with Ryan Seacrest, who’s in New York preparing for his stint on the Rockin’ Eve holiday broadcast, to ask him directly.
“As far as I know, those are just rumors,” Seacrest said of Cowell’s departure from the show. “He has not told me anything about leaving the show.”
Read More | Entertainment Weekly
Quote of the Day: Will Ferrell on Playing Simon Cowell
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: American Idol, Gossip,
“I would love to play Simon Cowell in a movie - heck I would love it. It would be my dream role. He’s become a legend in five years. Nobody in the States knew who he was five years ago and now he is one of the most famous people on TV. It wouldn’t be that hard for me to play him because I see a lot of Ron Burgundy in Simon Cowell. Like Simon, Ron was the biggest thing on TV, loved himself and had that whole irresistible middle-aged man thing going on. I could play Simon, but to be honest Simon could play Ron. They are like long-lost twin brothers separated at birth. Simon Cowell and Ron Burgundy are pretty much the same role, apart from Simon being ruder.”
-Anchorman‘s Will Ferrell on why he’d be the perfect person to play the American Idol judge in a movie.
(Make sure to check out our other notable quotes.)
Read More | The Sun via New York Post
VIDEO: Paula Abdul Impersonates Ellen DeGeneres
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music, Specials, Cable, Video,
Paula Abdul may have moved on from American Idol, but will she ever stop talking about?
On yesterday’s VH1 Divas special, the former judge used her hosting position to reference her old job not once…but twice. In the clip above, the choreographer hit the stage while doing her best Ellen DeGeneres impersonation. (Although the dancing was admittedly funny, Abdul should have stopped right before making the Simon Cowell comment.)
After the jump, you can also see Paula do her best impersonation of someone who lip synchs and dances at the same time. (Note: If you’re pretending to sing, don’t tilt the microphone away from you.) If you make it to the “Opposites Attract” section, you’ll catch an additional nod to Cowell there.
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Read More | TV Guide
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