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FOX orders season five of So You Think You Can Dance

SYTYCD logoLooks like next summer we are getting another season of So You Think You Can Dance. The dance competition will continue to rule the summer with its fifth season next year.

This shouldn't come as a big surprise to anyone -- whether you watch the show or not. It's basically the American Idol of the summertime, the off-season Lythgoe/Fuller powerhouse. The ratings are stellar. Both Wednesday and Thursday telecasts rank number one in their respective time periods in all key demographics. Furthermore, the show has been Emmy nominated, earning four nods this year for choreography by Wade Robson, Shane Sparks, and Mandy Moore.

Continue reading FOX orders season five of So You Think You Can Dance

The Next Great American Band: Auditions (series premiere)

The Next Great American Band judges.

(S01E01) Being that I'm an avid viewer of American Idol and So You Can Think You Can Dance, I was pretty sure I knew what to expect with 19 Entertainment's latest reality show, The Next Great American Band.

I expected to see our host and judges traveling around the country giving commentary on some brilliant acts, some mediocre acts, and some atrocious ones for comedic effect. We'd then watch the bands go through a series of auditions where the audience would get a better feel for their talents and some early favorites could take shape.

Finally, the judges would whittle the group down to a dozen or so acts and America would begin casting their votes on who they thought The Next Great American Band was. I figured it would take a good two or three episodes for things to really get moving, but it didn't quite happen that way.

Continue reading The Next Great American Band: Auditions (series premiere)

American Idol's band search to debut in October

American Idol castEarlier this year, Ryan Seacrest announced the American Idol-spinoff titled The Next Great American Band. The show would showcase the best garage talent this nation has to offer and let us vote for the next All-American Rejects or, better yet, Doughtry Daughtry.

We reported this spring that the show was trying to be stopped by the producers of the very similar America's Hot Musician. Apparently, the plan didn't work as Fox announced that the show, created by Simon Fuller of Idol and So You Think You Can Dance? fame, is set to debut October 19 according to Reality TV World.

Continue reading American Idol's band search to debut in October

Idol songwriting competition back on track

Carrie UnderwoodDo you write the songs that make the whole world sing? Do you write the songs of love and special things? Do you write the songs that make the young girls cry? If so, you could be the next person to have your dreams come true courtesy of American Idol.

Producer Simon Fuller announced the launch of American Idol's much anticipated songwriting competition, that was first on, then probably off, but now definitely back on. The contest gives one lucky songwriter the chance to write the single that will be heard by millions on Idol's grand finale show.

Fuller said, "Having an undiscovered songwriter create the winner's single seemed like a natural next step for our show . . . This show has always been, and will continue to be, all about fulfilling dreams."

Continue reading Idol songwriting competition back on track

Report: Posh Spice's reality is coming to NBC

victoria beckham; david beckhamVictoria Beckham is funny? This London newspaper is confirming rumors that Victoria (perhaps better known to Americans as Posh Spice) has signed a deal to star in her own reality show for NBC. It'll be all about her move from Europe to the United States, as her husband, soccer star David Beckham, starts up with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Her manager, Simon Fuller, tells the press that it's a tongue-in-cheek show because, hey, "She's a funny lady".

Now, I don't know if you look at People magazine's Star Tracks every day like I do, but "fun" would probably be the last word I would use to describe Victoria Beckham. First of all, she never smiles. She also appears extremely uptight and full of herself (more than your typical celebrity). Maybe the ice-cold stares are a mask for a woman with a very dry wit. Her manager says it's a great opportunity for people to discover her personality. I have to admit that I am intrigued because I was pretty positive she was a robot.

Does anybody want to watch this?

Does Posh Spice want Paula Abdul's Idol job?

Victoria BeckhamIf we are to believe every rumor we hear in Hollywood, then every guy is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby, and every girl wants Paula Abdul's cushy Idol judging job.

Move over Courtney and Belinda. This week it's Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham who is hoping for Paula's dismissal. According to this exclusive, replacing Paula with Posh is the brainchild of Beckham's manager, Simon Fuller, who also serves as Idol's Executive Producer.

But Paula is not going anywhere as long Simon Cowell remains on her side. Victoria's bid for a spot on the high-profile TV juggernaut was apparently blocked by Cowell.

Continue reading Does Posh Spice want Paula Abdul's Idol job?

Idol finalists won't be allowed to blog

Season Five Top 12American Idol is a show whose popularity and success hinges on some well-kept secrets and big-ass surprises. Which is why the Top 24 Finalists will have to put their MySpace pages on temporary hiatus. There will be no blogging allowed during this part of the competition.

Part of me is disappointed by this rule. I love the behind-the-scenes first hand accounts that blogging provides. But I also understand why the producers need to be such a bunch of paranoid control freaks. Thirty-three million of us are not going to continue to tune in each week if too much vital information is leaked on the Internet.

Continue reading Idol finalists won't be allowed to blog

Can Idol producer save Michael Jackson's career?

Michael Jackson's BadMichael Jackson needs a career comeback in a big way. According to Page Six, Idol creator Simon Fuller may be just the man who can make that happen. Or at least Wacko Jacko hopes so.

Jackson reportedly has met several times with Fuller in Las Vegas to discuss his comeback strategy. Robin Leach called it a "perfect match" with "the world's biggest pop star being looked after by the most successful mogul manager in the world."

Continue reading Can Idol producer save Michael Jackson's career?

Clay, Tamyra and fashion: American Idol round-up

tamyra grayThere are three bits of news involving former and current American Idol stars so I thought I'd lump them into one post. First, President Bush appointed Clay Aiken to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Oh, there's a political joke here but unfortunately this is a television blog. It's not just some random appointment. Clay actually has a degree in special education and worked with disabled kids before appearing on American Idol.

Also, season one star Tamyra Gray got married to a guy who used to be in Color Me Badd. Yes, that '90s group that sang "I Wanna Sex... You Up" (since then he's been a successful songwriter and producer). Tamyra, 27, and Sam Watters, 36, wed in Capri, Italy on Saturday, according to People Magazine. Check out their wedding photo: they look downright gloomy. Tamyra had a short run on Boston Public in 2003, but there's no word on whether she's returning to television.

Continue reading Clay, Tamyra and fashion: American Idol round-up

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