May 2011

May 31, 2011

Patrick Dempsey's rep: His "Grey's Anatomy" future is unclear
Responding to an Italian Vogue interview in which Dempsey says next season is "gonna be my last," his rep says: "He was referring to the fact that his contract is up at the end of next season and we have no idea what the future holds."


"Idol" Top 2 land on Top 10 iTunes bestsellers list

Scotty McCreeery placed No. 3 and Lauren Alaina nabbed No. 8, two spots ahead of Jennifer Lopez.


Nude photos of Blake Lively are fake, her rep says

Alleged naked iPhone photos of the "Gossip Girl" star hit the web today, but her rep denies they are real. "Blake has never taken nude photos of herself," says the rep.


Mark-Paul Gosselaar is officially single on the eve of his TNT show debut

The "Franklin & Bash" star's divorce was finalized today.


U.S. Attorney Gen. Eric Holder demands a "The Wire" movie, or another season

"I want another season, or a movie," said Holder at a justice department drug panel that featured several of "The Wire's" stars.


"In Plain Sight" star arrested for child neglect

Police early this morning took Nichole Hiltz's young child into custody after receiving a call about a disturbance.


"V's" Morena Baccarin joins Showtime's "Homeland"

After getting canceled, Baccarin will play Damian Lewis' wife on the Showtime thriller.


"Breaking Bad": What to expect in Season 4

"Walt will find himself less enchanted with the world of meth production than he currently does," says creator Vince Gilligan.


Eliza Dushku is bound for "White Collar"

She'll guest on the new season's 9th episode.


Kevin Connolly will direct "Entourage's" penultimate episode

This will mark his 2nd time directing the HBO comedy.


"Once Upon a Time" adds Jane Espenson and "Life Unexpected" creator

Sci-fi fave Espenson will join Liz Tigelaar on the writing staff of the ABC fairy tale drama.


Syfy renews "Ghost Hunters"

The paranormal series will return for an 8th season.

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May 31, 2011

Sam Waterston joins Aaron Sorkin's HBO cable news pilot
The "Law & Order" alum will boss around anchor Jeff Daniels in the tentatively titled "More As This Story Develops."


Fox making an antiques reality show with "Antiques Roadshow" twins

Brothers Leigh and Leslie Keno will scour the country for "Buried Treasure."


NBC gives "The Voice" the post-Super Bowl slot

The Peacock, though, hasn't decided whether to launch the 2nd season after the Super Bowl, or at an earlier date. "There is no better showcase on television than to follow the Super Bowl, and we believe 'The Voice' is deserving of such high-profile exposure," says NBC entertainment boss Bob Greenblatt.


Patrick Dempsey confirms he's leaving "Grey's Anatomy" after next season

"It's gonna be my last," he tells Italy's Vanity Fair. "I do not know what’s going to happen to the other characters, but for me it’s done."


Cat Deeley to host the 1st Critics' Choice TV Awards on ReelzChannel

The inaugural event will also be live-streamed on VH1.com.

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May 31, 2011

Snooki in a neck brace, could face lawsuit from police officers she injured
The "Jersey Shore" star lost her license and could face a civil action suit after hitting two police officers who were escorting her. On Tuesday, meanwhile, Snooki was spotted with a neck brace, though she later laughed while taking it off. PLUS: "Jersey" meets "Thor."


George Lucas: I have 50 completed "Star Wars" scripts for animated prequel

Will they see the light of day?


Watch a preview of J.Lo & Marc Anthony's new Latin-flavored singing competition

Jennifer Lopez and her husband have already begun work on "¡Q'Viva! The Chosen."


Mitt Romney: Scotty McCreery's "Idol" victory was "terrific"

The Republican presidential candidate is a big "Idol" and Scotty fan. "That guy's got talent!" he says.


Did "Wipeout" rip off a bunch of Japanese game shows?

Japan's Tokyo Broadcasting System is alleging that the ABC reality show stole elements from six of its game shows.


Ashley Hebert as "The Bachelorette": A bad idea?

She's annoying and makes insane choices. Was it a bad idea to cast her? PLUS: Producers are clearly setting up the Bentley problem, and Chris Harrison promises: "What you will see next week will easily be one of the most talked about moments ever."


Why did so many beloved characters have to die in season finales?

"Increasingly," says Mary McNamara, "these finale stunners seem rote and calculated — find a character beloved enough to pull the viewers' heartstrings but still replaceable — which means that the deaths will be forgotten by the fall premieres and that some fine character actor is out of work again."


Buy a "Beavis and Butt-Head" sculpture for $6,000

You can buy the "Beavis and Butt-Head's Fifteenth Station of the Cross."


Bravo's "Platinum Hit" has a fundamental flaw

The problem with Bravo's songwriting reality show, says Ken Tucker, is it seems like a lot of the creativity was done beforehand. "I find it impossible to believe that every contestant doesn't arrive with a head-full of hooks that he or she simply attaches, with little or no variation, to some new lyrics suitable to the assigned theme," he says. "As a result of this belief, I don’t find Platinum Hit at all suspenseful." PLUS: The bad songs are excruciating.


Man threatens to blow up TV station over "Two and a Half Men" reruns

NYPD arrested Freddy Caldwell after he threatened to blow up WPIX over its "Two and a Half" block.


TV "Showrunners" get their own documentary

"Showruners" features everybody from David Shore to Kurt Sutter to Damon Lindelof.


Cheryl Cole could end up on Britain's "The Voice" after "X Factor" dumping

The BBC is said to be interested in Cole for its remake of the singing format. PLUS: Simon Cowell shows cleavage at "Britain's Got Talent."


"The Talk" ousts its exec producer after 2 weeks

The creator of "The Other Half," "The View"-like show starring Dick Clark and Mario Lopez, was brought in with little success after only a few days.

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May 31, 2011

"Breaking Bad" returns July 17: Watch the Season 4 trailer
The 13-episode season comes after more than a year-long wait.


Jay Leno accused of stealing a joke from Fox News

Fox's "Red Eye" says a joke from Thursday's show sounded very familiar.


Bravo trying to shut down a "Real Housewives" porn site

"The Real Housewives of Scottsdale" website boasts sex acts from alleged "housewives."


"Cougar Town" boss is again flirting with changing the show's name

Will Bill Lawrence stretch out the name-change drama all summer, like last year?


Introducing Jimmy Fallon as a Universal Studios tour host

Fallon dresses as a 1940s bellhop for a video featurette shown to tourists.


Jackée is "Nurse Jackée"

Watch Funny or Die's spoof of "Nurse Jackie."


Alec Baldwin acquires long blonde hair during hiatus

Check out an image with Baldwin and Russell Brand from "Rock of Ages."


"Heroes" alum Brea Grant joins "Dexter"

"I'm pretty sure you'll be seeing me in a white lab coat," she says.


"Bachelorette" falls 23%, "Extreme Makeover's" weight-loss show has good start

"Extreme Makeover: Weight-Loss Edition was up over last June's premiere of "True Beauty."


"Doctor Who" giving Daleks a rest

"They aren't going to make an appearance for a while … We thought it was about time to give them a rest," says exec producer Steven Moffat.

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May 30, 2011

"Two and a Half Men" won't compete for the best comedy Emmy
After the turmoil over last season, the show decided not to offer up its 16-episode season for consideration.


Christopher Knight & Adrianne Curry separate after 5 years of marriage

The "My Fair Brady" and "Surreal Life" couple — who have a 25-year age difference — are calling it quits, citing irreconcilable differences.


"Criminal Minds" keeps Paget Brewster, dumps Rachel Nichols

After her NBC comedy wasn't picked up, Brewster will return to "Criminal Minds" next season. Meanwhile Rachel Nichols is out.


Snooki accidentally hits an Italian police car

The "Jersey Shore" star was taken to a police station to fill out an accident report after today's Florence fender bender. PLUS: Florence residents call "Jersey" stars "idiots."


Cheryl Cole replaced on UK "X Factor," too — by Kelly Rowland

The former Destiny's Child star will replace Cole, who's gone MIA since being dumped by the American "X Factor" last week. PLUS: Simon Cowell booed on "Britain's Got Talent" for dumping Cole.


Alec Baldwin is now on Twitter

"My first tweet," he wrote over the weekend. "Maybe I needed a glass of wine beforehand. I feel….so shy."


Hackers post a fake Tupac article on PBS over Wikileaks report

The hackers were retaliating over last week's "Frontline" examination of Wikileaks by putting an article claiming Tupac Shakur was still alive on the PBS website.


Niecy Nash weds

She and boyfriend Jay Tucker tied the knot on Saturday.


Jessica Szohr: I was ready to leave "Gossip Girl"

"We didn't know what we were going to do with the characters," she says of a conversation she had with producers. "After playing someone for four years, it can be a little repetitive. So I was ready for a change."


Watch the first 3 minutes of "True Blood" Season 3

Also, take a look at a giant "True Blood" billboard.


"Keeping up with the Kardashians" returns with 15-year-old on the pill

Bruce Jenner is shocked when daughter Kendall is on birth control.


"Entourage's" Jerry Ferrar gets Turtle super-skinny for the final season

The 31-year-old is almost unrecognizable from his hefty former self.


Check out a preview of "The Glee Project"

The Oxygen reality show's winner will get a seven-episode arc on "Glee."

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May 27, 2011

Dr. Drew: Jeff Conaway didn't die of a drug overdose
What actually happened was the former "Celebrity Rehab" star's body gave out after long-term prescription drug abuse. "Jeff is another pharmaceutical death from the overutilization of prescription drugs," says Dr. Drew. PLUS: Conaway, an appreciation. UPDATE: Marilu Henner reacts, and listen to one of Conaway's last interviews.


Randy Jackson: All "Idol" judges will return next year

Despite Jennifer Lopez's uncertainty, Jackson says everybody will return for Season 11.
"We'll all be back next year, man," he said on "Lopez Tonight." "I believe we'll all be back!" He adds: "It was a hot season. We started something. It was our tenth anniversary, so going into Season 11, we've got a lot to prove and show again." PLUS: Randy launches a new talent search website.


Lee DeWyze: "I have no hard feelings towards Nigel"

The "Idol" champ wants to put the so-called feud with Nigel Lythgoe behind him, saying on Twitter, "I respect the decisions made for the finale, and hope alls well that ends well." UPDATE: DeWyze tells his side of the story: "I didn't want them to throw me a bone because I didn't perform…"


Does "Idol" have a "white-guy problem"?

Season 10, says Richard Rushfield, is the year "'Idol's glass ceiling was cemented in place. It's hard to say exactly how many clinical trials one would need to prove the theorem that good looking white males are the only category with any chance of win, but four lab tests seems ample. For the show's first six years, its winners were as diverse a pool of gender and genres as one could have imagined; veering from Kelly Clarkson to Ruben Studdard, Fantasia to Carrie, Taylor and Jordin Sparks. And then, four white male champions, without interruption. At this point it seems safe to say, barring a force of nature appearing on the Idol stage, no one outside of this demographic need apply for the crown." PLUS: Why Emmys snub "Idol."


"Torchwood" in America won't shy away from Capt. Jack's bisexuality

John Barrowman says Capt. Jack "gets to have full-on boy-sex a couple of times." PLUS: "Torchwood" gives Capt. Jack a new coat.


Conan  lobbies Los Angeles for his own street — "Conan O'Brien Way"

"I've been here in Los Angeles for 22 months … isn't it time I get a street named after me," Conan says in calling for L.A. mayor's to rename a street after him.


Ellen makes a plea for Oprah's viewers

"There's going to be a void in your day, and I will be right here to fill it."


"SYTYCD" quickly wiped away the bad taste of "Idol"

After a season of "Idols" staying in their comfort zones, "So You Think You Can Dance" returned with a more challenging reality competition. PLUS: "SYTYCD" disses Oakland.


Drunk Tim offers "Bachelorette" Ashley Hebert "a giant apology"

"The next morning," Tim McCormak says, "was a giant fog about what happened the previous night. My cure was enough Gatorade to fuel a football field." PLUS: Ashley is taking e-mails, and so is The Masked Guy.


Kara DioGuardi still isn't a good judge as "Platinum Hit" rolls out on Memorial Day

The songwriting competition starring DioGuardi and Jewel is as exciting as watching someone bake a cake. PLUS: Why give DioGuardi 2 reality shows?


Jimmy Kimmel has 14 TV sets, but admits: "I would make a wonderful wife"

That's because Kimmel doesn't watch much TV during his free time — he's a foodie who cooks. "My girlfriend, Molly, and I usually spend the day preparing a meal," he says, adding: "It's a lot of work and costs about three times as much as it would to go out to eat, but I enjoy it."

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FRIDAY ODDS & ENDS

May 27, 2011

Documentary Channel examines 857 "F**k" words in the movies

"The Office's" John Krasinski: Check out his high school pics

Alec Baldwin addresses Harvard Law grads: "Jack wants to settle down…"

Watch all the "True Blood" Season 4 "screen tests"

John Tesh's NBA theme endurses years after NBC lost its NBA rights

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

May 27, 2011

Jeff Conaway is dead at 60
The "Taxi" star turned "Celebrity Rehab"-er has passed away weeks after he was found to be in a coma.

May 27, 2011

Lauren Alaina: "America's Got Talent" twice rejected me
Piers Morgan was embarrassed on last night's "Tonight Show" when the "Idol" runner-up made the revelation, though she never made it before the main "Talent" judges.


Nigel Lythgoe: I asked Lee DeWyze to present the "Idol" trophy last week

Contrary to last year's "Idol" winner saying he was asked at the last minute, Lythgoe today says on Twitter: "True, he wasn't asked to sing but Lee knows he was asked to present the trophy a week before."


Fox forced Simon to dump Cheryl Cole — Americans couldn't understand her

Fox never wanted Cheryl Cole, but Simon and his "Cowell PR machine" fought for months to get the unknown British singer on the American "X Factor." And a few weeks ago, the network relented as a favor to Cowell. But reality set in as American audiences couldn't understand her thick Geordie accent. According to the Daily Mail, "They screen-tested her and carried out audience research, but the problem remained: Americans just couldn't understand her – and when they could, they still didn't like her …Some acts reportedly had trouble understanding anything she said. At the LA auditions she constantly had to repeat herself – and was booed on her second day after sending three acts home."


Ex-girlfriend attempting to block Jeff Conaway's family from turning off his life support

Ex Vikki Lizzi claims she has power attorney over the comatose former "Taxi" star.


Lady Gaga flies into "GMA" via zipline

Gaga had a glitch with her song, after not sleeping last night.


"SYTYCD" returns with higher ratings

With Mary Murphy back, the Season 8 premiere was up 7% over last year.


Mariska Hargitay will miss Christopher Meloni "terribly"

"He inspired me every day with his integrity, his extraordinary talent and his commitment to the truth," she says of her former "SVU" co-star.


Is Cheryl Hines dating a Kennedy?

The "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star is apparently being romanced by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.


Kristen Bell & Dax Shephard join the planking craze

Watch them lie down face first on a stairway ramp.


"Ugly Betty's" Ana Ortiz is pregnant

She is expecting a baby boy after wrapping up filming on "Hung."


All of Oprah's favorite things add up $23.8 million

If you add up everything Oprah has given away since 2002, it comes out to $23,809,050. PLUS: Taiwanese animators tackle Oprah's farewell, and Letterman does a final Oprah Top 10 list.

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May 26, 2011

Report: Jeff Conaway's family to turn off his life support
The "Taxi" star, who is still in a coma, has had no brain function, according to RadarOnline. A source says, "The feeding tube has already been removed. The ventilator which is breathing for Jeff, will be removed sometime this afternoon."


Roseanne Barr may appear on NBC's Chelsea Handler comedy

Says Handler: "I'm talking to Roseanne Barr to do some guest episodes as my aunt."


"True Blood" experiments with 3-D

Alan Ball says: "We did a scene in 3-D this season just to take a look at it. HBO asked us to do one. It was pretty cool. I don't think it's going to air. We just did it as an experiment, because I don’t know if they’re going to want to take the show 3-D at some point, maybe like a season premiere or a season finale or something. "


Lee DeWyze: I didn't present "Idol" trophy because I was asked at the last minute

"I was not asked to be involved in the Finale. It wasn't until about 2 minutes before they announced that Nigel had approached me and asked if he could "borrow" me for a second," DeWyze wrote on Twitter. "I didnt feel a last second jump on stage was appropriate. It was Scotty's moment."


The Spelling Bee is moving from ABC to ESPN, without Erin Andrews

She'll be replaced by ESPN's Rob Stone as the Bee moves to get out of the way of the NBA Finals.


Coming to TV: A reality show about swingers

Lionsgate Television is developing "Bedroom Community," a reality show about suburban couples who swap partners.


Drunk, passed-out "Bachelorette" contestant calls his behavior "extremely humiliating"

"I literally had to turn it off, it was nauseating," said Tim, adding: "I don't have any excuses."


Oprah wants you to e-mail her

Now that she has free time — "staying in pj's all day" — Oprah would like her fans to e-mail her at oprah@oprah.com.


"Modern Family's" Season 2 was a mixed but always entertaining mixed bag

"'Modern Family's' second season has been a mixed bag," says James Poniewozik, "but in retrospect its faults have not been that it's not funny, wellwritten or well-acted, but simply that it hasn't always challenged itself. Seeing the number of flashbacks and references to previous episodes, though–handled especially deftly through Luke's video editing–it's a reminder that this has remained a damn entertaining show that has built on its characters over the year, and given many members of a big cast room to shine." PLUS: Let Jay be Mr. Crankypants, will Cam & Mitchell get another kid?, and looking at the "Modern" kids' age differences.

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May 26, 2011

Jon Hamm will direct the "Mad Men" season premiere
He'll make his directing debut, becoming the 2nd "Mad Men" star to direct an episode after John Slattery.


Martha Stewart Living is seeking a new investor to revive the brand

The value of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. has shrunk in recent years, from $2 billion in 2005 to $257 million at present.


Mary Murphy is feeling "really good" as she returns to "SYTYCD"

Murphy talks about leaving the show, her cancer scare and coming back for this season.


Damon Lindelof goes planking on his "Lost" hatch coffee table

The "Lost" co-creator has been obsessed lately with planking.


NBC postpones "Love in the Wild"

The reality show's premiere has been moved from June 1 to June 29.


Watch the trailer for Syfy's "Alphas"

The supernatural crime-fighting drama starring David Strathairn and Malik Yoba debuts July 11.


Which "SNL"-er danced naked to Lady Gaga?

It was Jorma Taccone from the Lonely Island, who was caught with Bill Hader dancing in the buff with Lady Gaga nearby. PLUS: Lady Gaga grabs Nigel Lythgoe's butt.


Is Bristol Palin dating Kyle Massey — and is her mom Sarah furious about it?

If you believe the National Enquirer, Bristol and Sarah Palin are feuding over her new boyfriend, and their reality show in which they live together.


Meet ABC's new doctors from "Combat Hospital"

The Afghanistan-set Canadian-British drama debuts on ABC June 21.


"Vampire Diaries" co-stars Nina Dobrev & Ian Somerhalder sure look like a couple, in Paris

Dobrev and Somerhalder are vacationing in France, with their mothers.

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May 26, 2011

Jane Lynch: I'm going to host the Emmys with Jimmy Fallon as my inspiration
The "Glee" star talks about her new memoir, Sue Sylvester and hosting the Emmys. "I did the opening number of the Emmys last year, and I was in awe of how Jimmy Fallon conducted himself throughout the show," she says. "He had so much fun and I’m going to use him as an example."


Nigel Lythgoe slams last year's "Idol" winner for refusing to present trophy

The "Idol" boss took to Twitter last night to vent his frustration over Lee DeWyze declining to present this year's winners trophy to Scotty McCreery. PLUS: L.A. judge clears way for Scotty and Lauren's payday, Scotty is a "Grade-A eye bulger," and "Idol" audition cities include Portland, Charleston, Pittsburgh and San Diego.


Kara DioGuardi gets another Bravo reality show — "Kara"

"Kara" will follow the "Platinum Hit" star as she juggles her business and professional life.


"Weeds" jumping in time to New York City, with Martin Short and Aidan Quinn

Season 7 will kick off three years after Season 6, with Nancy on probation in the Big Apple.


Check out 21 "True Blood" Season 4 photos

Plus, take a look at three new "True Blood" posters.


Teen Vogue hires "90210's" Shenae Grimes as an intern

She'll be working at the magazine as part of a six-week internship.


Charlie Sheen puts "Sober Valley Lodge" for sale for $7.2M

The Beverly Hills mansion is one of Sheen's several homes.


Take a look at VH1's "Single Ladies"

The scripted drama stars Stacey Dash, LisaRaye McCoy and Charity Shea as single women in Atlanta.


Dick Ebersol's No. 2 leaves NBC Sports

NBC Sports president Ken Schanzer has decided to follow Ebersol out the door.

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May 26, 2011

Disney drops "Seal Team 6" trademark application "out of deference to the Navy"
Disney's decision comes after the Navy responded with its own trademark applications for "Seal Team" and "Navy Seals."


Arnold Schwarzenegger's mistress threatens to sue "Entertainment Tonight"

Mildred Baena's lawyer claims the show paid her ex-husband "in excess of six figures to spew lies."


Golden-voiced Ted Williams tonight gets his own "Biography"

Less than five months after he became famous, Williams has his own hour tonight on the Bio Channel.


Jimmy Fallon as "Neil Young" performs with David Crosby and Graham Nash

Watch them sing Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A."


Ryan Murphy's FX "American Horror Story" adds Frances Conroy

Alexandra Breckenridge is also joining the pilot, playing the same housekeeper role as Conroy.


"Community" returns favor to "Cougar Town"

After two "Cougar Town" stars recently appeared on "Community," one of the stars of "Community" made a cameo last night on "Cougar Town."


Expect E! to televise Kim Kardashian's wedding

"It comes with the territory," sister Kourtney tells E!. "I mean, I would assume it would be…we sell our souls to E!, but that's obviously up to Kim and Kris."


Lisa Kudrow to host the Webby Awards

The former "Friends" star will host as a winner for her online series "Web Therapy."


Ice-T surprised by Christopher Meloni's "SVU" exit

"You gotta understand, when you're No. 1 or on those shows you have no life," he says. "I mean, they're working 14 hours a day. They're not being greedy. It's really hard."


ABC to air unheard Jackie Kennedy tapes from 1964

Caroline Kennedy will participate in the special that will air in September.


Sandra Lee to write food-themed novels as part of a 5-book deal

The Food Network star will also write two cookbooks and an entertaining/lifestyle book.


Read an excerpt from Mindy Kaling's book

"The Office" star is releasing "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)."


BBC America taps Idris Elba to host "Dramaville" block

"The Wire" star will begin hosting the one-hour block on Aug. 17.


Justin Bieber buys a $25K "Family Guy" necklace

Check out his Stewie pendant, which he helped design. PLUS: Check out "Family Guy's" sad Emmy entry.

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May 26, 2011

Scotty McCreery wins "American Idol"
Scotty, however, is not a perfect winner, says Michael Slezak. "His Season 10 run was one that favored a brand of hardwired musical consistency over qualities like artistic derring-do, moment-making creativity, emotional beauty, or vocal explosiveness," he says. "But he certainly took us on a journey, starting as a polite, baseball-playin’ kid who wowed the judges with the impossibly low tones of Josh Turner's 'Your Man,' detouring through a Hollywood Week nightmare that threatened to turn him into a joke ('nuts of wonder') or a pariah (Jacee Badeaux-gate), and then reemerging as a legitimate threat for the crown with a steady stream of country ditties and very few missed notes over 12 weeks of live competition."
Jennifer Lopez: I don't know if I'll return next season
Scotty: "It's amazing what American Idol has helped me do"
"Idol" finale up 17% over last year // Are Scotty & Lauren dating?
Can Scotty beat the "Idol" dude curse? // Scotty wants to duet with Lauren
"Idol" seemed to want to move on from Scotty during the star-studded finale
It was obvious "Idol" rooted against Scotty // Way too predictable
Jimmy Kimmel asks: "How many American Idol winners can you name?"
Kara DioGuardi: I accidentally ate pot brownies at Paula Abdul's house
From Beyonce to Bono: Ranking "Idol" finale performances, from best to worst


Oprah finale was a sermon: She finally came out as a true religious leader

"She is America's high priestess," says Sally Quinn. "Standing for the entire show, in a simple pink dress and hair soft around her shoulders, she spoke openly and unashamedly of God … Oprah Winfrey has discovered one of the most effective ways of imparting her beliefs to others. Not by telling them what to do, but by getting them to decide what to do for themselves. She is the master of 'free will,' an often controversial subject in contemporary religion."
Her 42-minute monologue encapsulated her many baffling contradictions
Subdued, serious, deeply touching // Church of Oprah had its final benediction
How do you separate the message from the messenger, and the BS?
Paul Simon recorded the "25 years" song specifically for Oprah
Conan's Oprah fan taxonomy // Watch the finale in 3 minutes
Oprah finale ratings were her biggest in 17 years

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May 25, 2011

Report: "The X Factor" dumps Cheryl Cole, replaces her with Nichole Scherzinger
Turns out the British singer's thick accent was too hard to understand for American audiences, not to mention her lack of chemistry with Paula Abdul. According to TMZ, Scherzinger will move from co-host to judge while Steve Jones will host alone.


Beverly D’Angelo out at "Whitney," Saffron Burrows leaves "Bones" spinoff

D'Angelo as Whitney Cummings' mom won't be extended to the regular series. She'll appear only in the pilot. Fox will have to recast Burrows' "The Finder" role, which was already broadcast.


No Charlie Sheen for "Entourage"

"I never heard back," says creator Doug Ellin. "Looks like it will not be happening,"


Watch Amy Poehler's address to Harvard grads

"I graduated from Boston College, which some call the Harvard of Boston." PLUS: Check out her high school class photo.

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May 25, 2011

How every TV show ranked this season
"Idol" is No. 1, followed by No. 2 "Sunday Night Football." On average, "Modern Family" was the highest-rated comedy and scripted show, "Grey's Anatomy" was the highest-rated drama. "$#*! My Dad Says" is the highest-rated canceled show, "Shark Tank" is the lowest-rated renewed show. And "Shedding for the Wedding" was the worst-rated show, followed by "Life Unexpected" and "Hellcats."


Scotty vs. Lauren: An "Idol" battle of bland vs. bland

"If you've ever wondered what an 'Idol' episode would be like with all the filler removed, last night gave the answer: quick and boring," says Mallika Rao. "That last wasn't helped by Scotty or Lauren, who are about as spontaneous as a Chuck E Cheese animatronic band. Imagine if Naima or James had ransacked their ways through instead. Surely something would have happened – a stealth Namibian dance attack, random object lit on fire. Instead we got six songs, neither bad nor wondrous. Just sort of there."
Country vs. country: Has "Idol" turned into "Antiques Roadshow"?
Was Lauren's laryngitis a ratings ploy? // That sure played up Lauren as underdog
What happened to the judges judging? // Lauren had the night's best performance
Ratings down from last year // 122 million votes came in


"Dancing's" Hines Ward, Kirstie Alley, Chelsea Kane hit up "GMA"

"Dancing" champ Ward said he was so afraid to dance he skipped his prom, while Alley says she plans to return to acting. PLUS: Hines Ward danced like a champion, and Kym Johnson says an athlete is the best partner.


"Jersey Shore" in Italy: Rude bodyguards, blocked-off street, $500 in fines

In just a few short weeks, the MTV stars have managed to rankle just about everybody. "They have ruined our street," says a criminal lawyer who lives near the "Jersey" apartment. "They are cretins, and they have no business being here." PLUS: "Jersey" stars hawk pizza in Florence.


UK "Jersey Shore" spinoff "Geordie Shore" premieres to big numbers in UK

MTV UK had its biggest ratings in three years last night with the "Jersey Shore" spinoff, which featured lots of drunken nudity. PLUS: "Geordie" stars explain "The Slut Drop."


VH1 announces the return of "Behind the Music," "Mob Wives" and "Love & Hip Hop"

"Behind the Music" will be back in June with episodes on Adam Lambert, Ice Cube, Mary J. Blige, Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias.


CW offers extended previews of "Ringer" and "the Cecret Circle"

Watch three minutes of the Sarah Michelle Gellar drama.


Mark Cuban orders 4 new reality shows for HDNet

Dean Cain will date Tracey Bingham on "Celebridate," hosted by "Blind Date's" Roger Lodge. Other shows focus on a sex-crazed couple who has an open marriage, and a landlord.


Dallas Mavericks star shooting a reality show

Shawn Marion is filming "The Ladies Life," which will revolve around his mom, sisters and publicist.


"Bachelorette" Ashley reunites with her long-lost dad

Now that she's famous, Ashley Hebert has been able to reunite with her deadbeat alcoholic father.


Morgan Spurlock to host "50 Documentaries to See Before You Die"

The Current TV series, debuting Aug. 1, will not only examine the documentary form but will include interviews with famed documentarians like Errol Morris, Penelope Spheeris and D.A. Pennebaker.


Bravo touts its "summer camp" of reality shows

Watch the Britney Spears-backed promo for this summer's 10 new and returning Bravo shows.


HBO launches "True Blood Dig Deeper"

Find all 60 clues, and win a prize.


"Glee's" season-ender felt like a season finale from a better show

"'New York,' the second season finale of Glee, is the second consecutive season finale that feels dropped in from another, better series that's plugging along in an alternate universe," says Todd VanDerWerff. "It probably has much lower ratings, but it also probably has scads more critical support and Emmy wins up the wazoo. I like this series quite a bit, and I’m always glad when we get to drop in on it, even as I've made my peace with the fact that the series we do have is never going to be the other series full time."
"New York" was utterly charming yet dramatically flabby
"Glee" stars make anti-"R-word" PSA // Last 10 minutes gave up the good "Glee"

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May 25, 2011

Leaving on top: Why there will never be another Oprah
"There's a reason this woman is still such a powerful influencer," says Mary Elizabeth Williams, "one who can leave the cattle industry quaking and whose departure is sending the publishing industry into a getting-drunk-at-lunch level spiral of despair. There's a reason her voice still stands out, even in a media world that's been exponentially diluted by cable and Internet. It's because unlike the Jerrys and the Maurys she began with — and unlike the reality show divas and intervention-needing hoarders who came after — Oprah traffics in just one commodity: happiness."
Oprah was the mother/sister/wife/rabbi/friend we never had
Study: Oprah loss will lead to many lonely ladies // 25 things that won't be the same
Oprah to release a  commemorative "bookazine" // Oprah's 20 biggest feuds
Prof: Oprah was responsible for 1 million extra Obama votes
Who will replace her — Gwyneth? Jay-Z? Bethenny?
Oprah: "I never imagined that you could do it this long"
5 things Oprah taught America // Her most memorable giveaways

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May 25, 2011

"Dancing" beats "Idol" in total viewers
"American Idol" beat "Dancing with the Stars" last night in the key 18-49 demo, but for the first time an "Idol" performance show lost to a "Dancing" finale show in total viewers. "Dancing" drew nearly 21 million viewers, while "Idol" had about 20 million.

May 25, 2011

Jimmy Kimmel pays tribute to Oprah — with Boyz II Men
"It's So Hard To Say Goodbye to Oprah Winfrey." PLUS: Rosie serenades Oprah.


Kim Kardashian gets engaged with a $2 million engagement ring

The E! star and New Jersey Nets star Kris Humphries have announced they are tying the knot.


VH1 reviving "Pop Up Video"

The cable network has ordered 60 new episodes after a 10-year hiatus.


"Damages" Season 4 debuts on DirecTV on July 13

Season 4 focuses on private military contactors in Afghanistan.


"Lights Out" star joins "Dexter"

Actor Billy Brown will play a Chicago homicide detective who ruffles feathers when he transrers to Miami Metro police.

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May 24, 2011

"Lopez Tonight" may be facing cancelation
George Lopez's ratings have tumbled in the new midnight slot. As a result, TBS has opted to wait and see if he deserves renewal for a Season 3, rather than give him an early pickup. TBS has until August to decide.


Lauren Alaina sings but is unable to speak after her "Idol" performance

After the hubbub over her vocal problems, Lauren would only speak via note pad at Tuesday's post-"Idol" press conference. PLUS: Lauren's vocal coach explains what happened Tuesday.


Ex-"Prison Break"-er becomes the new "Sons of Anarchy" sheriff

Actor Rockmond Dunbar, who played C-Note on "Prison Break" and also starred on "Terriers," will play the new sheriff of Charming.


"Dancing" ends its most-watched season ever

With this season's cast, most critics expected this to be a dud of a season. Instead, "Dancing with the Stars" averaged about 21 million viewers for both Monday and Tuesday shows, which was its best ratings yet. PLUS: Is this Maksim's last dance?


Vikings to get "The Tudors" treatment

MGM Television is working on a Viking series with the man behind "Camelot" and "The Tudors."


Anna Kournikova officially joins "The Biggest Loser"

She'll replace Jillian Michaels as the reality show shifts its focus to overall well being and health.


Watch Simon Cowell's latest "X Factor" promo

It features the theme from "2001: A Space Odyssey." PLUS: Security-conscious Simon wants to buy the same limo as Obama's The Beast.


"Teen Mom" dad arrested

MTV star Gary Shirley was taken into custody on a suspended license after a cop spotted him and Amber Portwood screaming at each other in a car.


Check out the "True Blood" Season 4 poster

"You know you're hooked."

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