American Idol was always going to do  it tough with Simon Cowell leaving, but I have to confess I am completely underwhelmed about the replacements. In the worst kept secret in the entertainment industry it was announced recently that J-Lo, Steve Tyler and Randy Jackson would be the judges for the next season of the high rating show.

I have never found J-Lo to have much personality so I am not expecting much out of her, and really a nearly has been rocker – sorry American Idol I think you have lost a viewer.

Entertainment Weekly’s Idol guru Michael Slezak also has the same concerns I have.

This year’s American Idol runner up Crystal Bowersox (Lee DeWyze ended up winning it), has broken up with her boyfriend Big Tony.

According to the New York Post, the singer broke up with him last Tuesday morning right before her finale performance.

The article said:

“Big Tony went home,” Bowersox told Ryan Seacrest during his morning radio show. “it was a mutual thing. We’re both logical adults.”

“He’s a small-town guy – that’s fine. I’m a small-town girl, but I want this more than anything.

“I want this career, this lifestyle,” she said. “and I didn’t think he was up for it.

“And he didn’t think he was up for it.”

She went on to say that she was “a little sad he did it on performance day,” but that she used the emotion during her performance of Patty Griffin’s “Up To The Mountain.”

Still Bowersox said that she’s “the happiest girl in the world right now.”

Also according to MSJ Big Blog Crystal is yet to sign a record contract, but there are company’s interested.

On American Idol the judges can use a save to keep an eliminated contestant in the competition. They can use it once, prior to the the top Five, and obviously have to agree.

Last night on Idol the judges used it, but did they use it wisely, I think not.

Big Mike Lynche was up for elimination due to a pretty poor  rendition of Eleanor Rigby. However it was his lucky day and he was told that he would be back next week.

With four more weeks to the top five it was a bit risk for the judges to save this guy who has an OK voice, but does not have the potential to win the competition. It also now means that Crystal Bowesox or Siobhan could be at risk of being eliminated in the next couple of weeks and that would be a travesty.

Cat Deeley’s Star Continues To Rise In The USA

You thought she was pretty successful already with a hosting gig on So You Think You Can Dance, and So You Think You Can Dance Britain, but Cat has really hit the big time stepping in as guest host with Regis Philbin on the morning show Live With Kelly and Regis. One thing I did not realise was that Regis was 78 years old. (Source: Daily Mail)

Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen’s Parenting Book Now Released

Everyone on the Real Housewives of NYC has  some product they are plugging on the show, and the McCord’s/Van Kempen’s have released their parenting tome called Little Kids Big City: Tales From A Real House in New York City.

The Daily News writes a fairly snippy article about the couple and the book. However, there will be people reading it with a critical eye. Yes Ramona I am looking at you.

Real Housewife From Orange County Is Getting A Divorce

The Daily News says Orange County Real Housewife Tamra Barney’s husband Simon has filed for divorce.

What Is It Like In The If I Can Dream House

The Daily Beast has an interesting article about the If I Can Dream House about both the show and what it is like being in the house. I still think it is like The Truman Show, except they know they are on it.

Christian Siriano’s New Reality Show Shows Him As A Business Man

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano’s new reality TV show on Bravo TV portrays him as a business man rather than a fashion diva, however he does have some “moments” according to NYC Daily News.

Top Chef’s Gail Simmons Talks About Her New York City

Gail Simmons who this year will be seen on Top Chef, Top Chef Masters and Top Chef Desserts talks to NYC Daily News about her New York City. Since she is such a foodie she does mention some interesting shops and eating establishments.

This Week On American Idol – The Contestants Will Be Singing The Beatles

The top Nine will be singing Beatles songs on American Idol this week, and there is a rumour David Archuleta will perform on the show

Next Top Chef To Be Filmed in Washington DC

Politico says the next Top Chef will be filmed in Washington DC, hopefully there will be cameos by former contestants Spike Mendelson, and Carla Hall.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 – More  Format Changes

Nigel Lythgoe is really shaking things up for the next season of So You Think You Can Dance in the US. One of the other changes will be ten contestants to be paired by favourites from previous seasons. However the ‘All stars’ won’t be able to be able to be eliminated. (Source Mjs Big Blog)

Reality TV Does Pay – Susan Boyle Got a four Million Dollar Royalty cheque

Susan Boyle’s life has been transformed since coming runner-up in Britain’s Got Talent, BTW who actually won? This week she received her first royalty cheque from her CD I Dreamed A Dream (Source: Indian Express)

I Want Top Chef Master Judge, Gael Green’s Life

New York Times food critic Gael Green is a judge on Top Chef Masters and after reading this i Village1 I have decided I want her life. She eats out six nights a week.

Didi Benami Eliminated From American Idol

Another girl was eliminated from American Idol, and here is Didi’s exit interview

Phillipe From So You Think You Can Dance Australia Is Single

The Courier Mail reveals SYTYCDA top 8 dancer Phillipe is single.  This news may get him to top 4.

So You Think You Can Dance – Changes To Occur In The US Version

Australian SYTYCD producers take note, Nigel Lythgoe has tweeted about changes to the show. He said partners will change each week, and only one person will be eliminated at a time. I don’t know how they are going to do partners if there is an odd number of contestants (Source Inside TV)

Exit Interviews for So You Think You Can Dance  For Matthew and Jess, and Renee and Heath

Here is the exit interview  with Matt and Jess from Who Mag 

Here is the exit interview with Heath and Renee from Who Mag

Gordon Ramsay Bags Out Jamie Oliver

This footage on gossip website TMZ shows Gordon bagging out Jamie Oliver. It is vaguely amusing.

Simon Cowell To Win An International Emmy

Reuters says Simon Cowell will win an Emmy for having reshaped television and music in the 21st century. Some people might think this is not a positive thing.

Paige Mills Eliminated From American Idol

Paige Mills reveals she knew she was bad in an interview with LA Times Blog

Also Diddy will be a mentor next week.

Richard Branson Has Been Branded Sexist In His Reality TV Show

The reality TV show following some Virgin (the airline) Air Hostesses around the world has been labelled sexist the Daily Mail says.

Seriously how good would the Mardi Gras party have been last night, George Michael and Adam Lambert. Adam the runner up from last year’s American Idol closed the party, and above his his performance. Please note it is not the greatest quality but it shows he was getting into the Mardi Gras spirit, with his costume and dance moves.

Also here is Adam Lambert at his signing at Hum records on Oxford St. Just for the record I was not there.

For those who are still in a catatonic state from last night’s men’s top ten semi-final the good news Crystal Bowersox will be performing tonight on the show.  So it probably is worth while tuning in.

You know it was a bad night for the boys when Tim Urban was probably in the top three performances. Unfortunately this is not Australian Idol where the top 12 get through regardless of gender, here it is a strict six and six ratio.

I decided not to waste anymore of my time to do a recap but here is one from EW titled Boys of Slumber that sums it up nicely.

It is still not revealed what her illness is/was, but below Ryan Seacrest chats to the Executive Producer of American Idol about why they swapped the semis on his morning radio show.

Calling on all American Idol savants – apparently the producers of this week show have swapped the shows and the boys top 10 will be singing tonight as one of the girls is ill.

EW reports that Crystal Bowersox is ill with complications with her diabetes and have postponed the girls top ten show to tomorrow night to give her an extra day to recover.

This has never happened before, but then I am not sure if there has been a sick girl or guy at this stage of the competition. Some people on forums are saying Kristy-Lee Cook had to sing, when she had been sick, but I think this was after she had made top 12.

Either way it is a controversial move by the show, and I suspect there is fear and loathing in the American Idol house as it gives the boys one less day to rehearse.

Personally I think they are playing favourites, but then I don’t care as I really like her and think she adds something different to the show. But I suspect if the producers had been ambivalent about one the contestants it would have been the show must go on mantra.

However if the show did somehow contribute to her hospitalisation eg she was not able to get access to regular food, they should definitely moved it.

Your thoughts?

Apparently Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson have been talking that a girl will win this year’s American Idol, and on tonight’s boy’s night I think they might be right. There were a few good performances, but a lot that were completely forgettable.

A few thoughts on the show:

• Todrik’s version of Kelly Clarkson’s version of Since You’ve Been Gone  was a bit strange, but it was kind of likeable. Randy cracked me up and he had a point when he said the song was a hit and you obliterated it and it was unrecognisable. The reason it was a hit was because people liked it.
• How Aaron Kelly got through to the top 24 after completely blowing is final top 100 performance is beyond me, and tonight’s country ballad song did nothing to make me change my mind – clearly I was alone in my opinion as the judges gushed, even Simon Cowell was positive.
• Jermaine Sellers voice was a bit cracky and pitchy, but his voice has some interesting tones, I would like to hear him sing again before I press the delete button on him.
• Tim Urban who got a last minute call up for the top 24, has a cute pop look, his vocals were weak, and he over annunciated his words. I might be twisting the knife, but Simon plunged it in.
• Joe Munoz did nothing for me in his preview interviews, but on stage he turns into a little cutie and a lot of appeal. Lucky for him there is a high hispanic population in the US so should be safe. Simon was not feeling the love for him.
• Tyler Grady was the first contestant who screamed star. However Simon thinks he is a rock star cliche, and the rest of the judges agreed. Ellen thought he lacked charisma. Maybe I am a sucker for the Jim Morrison/Michael Hutchene.
• Lee Dewze was smart and picked the popular song from Snow Patrol, I liked it. But he got a 50/50 split from the judges.
• John Park song was extremely dull, I will be surprised if he is NOT eliminated.
• Michael Lynche Maroon 5 was a good song choice but I thought the guitar playing was superfluous.
• Alex Lambert grew on me once I got over his dreadful mullet, I am not sure if he will make top 12 but he has an unusual voice.
• Casey James who I have been a bit ho hum about, changed my mind a bit with his performance, not sure why Kara is so hot to trot about him.
• Andrew Garcia’s performance was entertaining, and I think he got hit with the “we have high expectations of you” stick by the judges.