March 2009 News Archive (Page 7)

Following last night's Wild Card round on American Idol, a few of the finalists sat down with Entertainment Weekly.

They were were asked about the show's unexpected twist, as a baker's dozen now comprises the final round, as opposed to the typical number of 12 contestant vying for the top prize.

Here's what each had to say about the surprise:

Lil Rounds: I'm excited! I think we made a little history here tonight.

Danny Gokey: I think American Idol did it right. When it got down to [Matt Giraud and Anoop Desai], how the heck do you split those two people up?

Who is your favorite American Idol finalist?

Adam Lambert: I think it's really exciting, because I think both Anoop and Matt are incredibly talented, and I'm glad they're both part of the crew this year. It was a surprise - we had no idea. Our mouths just dropped open.

Matt Giraud: This is a bad bunch, man. Some of these cats are so talented. I'm just honored to be considered. That's how I feel right now.

Scott MacIntyre: That threw me for a loop. How are they going to fit that in the schedule? I'm waiting to find that out.

Week by week, the Rock of Love Bus is carrying fewer and fewer groupies willing to get drunk, naked or drunk and naked for Bret Michaels.

This Sunday, Bret hands the girls special, skimpy clothes to wear when they visit the “Redneck Riviera.

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American Idol didn't go the route of The Bachelor last night; no finalist was named, only to be replaced by a fellow contestant minutes later.

But the show did come up with a surprise for viewers: an additional singer was added to the customary dozen finalists.

Indeed, at the end of last night's Wild Card round, the judges - not the fans - decided that a trio of new finalists simply weren't enough.

There, Jasmine Murray, Megan Joy Corkrey, Matt Giraud and Anoop Desai were all named to the finals. They join the following crooners there:

• Alexis Grace
• Michael Sarver
• Danny Gokey
• Jorge Nunez
• Scott MacIntyre
• Lil Rounds
• Allison Iraheta
• Adam Lambert
• Kris Allen

Kris Allen and Megan Joy Corkrey are two of 13 - yes, 13! - American Idol finalists this season.

Jewel and Nancy O'Dell, we hardly knew you!

The pair of previously-announced contestants on the new season of Dancing with the Stars have been forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury.

“When the doctors told me my injuries were so severe that I couldn’t walk, let alone compete, I was devastated that I couldn’t continue the show,” said Jewel, who was diagnosed with a fractured tibia in both legs. "I have every intention of being at Dancing with the Stars this season supporting my husband, Ty [Murray], and his partner, Chelsie Hightower. I hope to be back on the show in the future."

Holly Madison will join the show on Monday night's premiere. Who will fill the other vacant slot?

We'll have to tune in and find out.

Shockingly, Jason Mesnick choosing Molly Malanay over Melissa Rycroft, and Jillian Harris being named The Bachelorette, aren't the only pieces of reality TV news this week.

Here's something not Bachelor-related:

Things are heating up on I Love Money 2! On the next installment, Tailor Made strengthens his alliance, while The Entertainer loses his grip.

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And then there were nine.

Three-quarters of the season eight finalists on American Idol have been named, following last night's results show. The final trio will be selected by fans after tonight's Wild Card round.

Those three will join the singers voted through last night, which were:

• Lil Rounds (pictured)
• Scott MacIntyre
• Jorge Nunez

Say hello to Lil Rounds, aka "the clear favorite on season eight of American Idol."

Season eight of Dancing with the Stars premieres on Monday.

But will Jewel be a part of it?

The singer has been diagnosed with tendinitis in her knee, though she blogged this week: "Don't count me out, as I am in this for the long run."

If Jewel can't make it, Us Weekly reports that a replacement has been found: Holly Madison!

We might have to wait until Monday to find out just who is paired with newcomer Dmitry Chaplin, but if Madison joins the show, she'd be following in the naked footsteps of other Dancing with the Stars celebs that have posed for Playboy.

They include: Kim Kardashian, Lisa Rinna, Brooke Burke, Denise Richards and Belinda Carlisle. That's a lot!

Personal emails between Jason Mesnick and Melissa Rycroft in January reveal one pissed-off Bachelorette, but one who saw her engagement's demise and her fiance's feelings for Molly Malaney coming.

In the first of several emails, Melissa Rycroft expressed anger at Jason following the After the Rose special (taped in mid-January), in which Jason dumped her and asked for a second chance with runner-up Molly.

Melissa Rycroft may have seen it coming, at least in part. Yet she was still far from pleased with Jason Mesnick, writing:

"Last night didn't go NEAR how I thought... I still can't believe how you can't give reasons other than 'It changed.'... You know as well as I do that you didn't give 100% to me or the relationship. I don't understand how you can walk away form something without giving it your all. But I am walking away knowing I did."

Jason gives Melissa an engagement ring and a lot of false hope.

In the initial e-mail after the taping, Melissa Rycroft seemed well aware of Jason's feelings for Molly Malaney prior to his TV confession:

"And getting confirmation about Molly in front of people like that was a complete classless move if you ask me - how could you do that to me after I repeatedly asked you about it? I'm not stupid, I knew about Molly... and you lied to me about it. I can't even tell you how much respect I lost for you... but it makes this whole process from here on out much easier for me."

Hard to argue with that! Follow the link to continue reading Jason Mesnick's reply and the ensuing Bachelor email exchange ...

Far be it for any of The Real Housewives of New York City to turn down a publicity opporunity.

The reality TV stars were recently asked a few questions by OK! Magazine. Here are their revealing answers:

Alex McCord, on the label "housewife:" "Well, I do live in a house, and I am a wife, but I don't like the word. You know, I do a hundred other things."

Bethenny Frankel, on current season drama: "Maybe I was hormonal or menstrual, but I certainly got into it with a few ladies this season. I went through a breakup. People have never seen me single, so that will be interesting to watch."

Kelly Killoren Bensimon, on franchise ignorance: "I watched a little of the O.C. and Atlanta series, but I hadn't watched the NYC show before I was put on int. I just didn't want to watch it; I wanted everything to be real, authentic and genuine."

Young fans of Dancing with the Stars may not be familiar with Belinda Carlisle... but they soon will be!

The former lead singer of The Go-Gos is paired with Jonathon Roberts on the new season. She recently spoke to TV Guide about the show:

How are rehearsals going?
Belinda Carlisle: They're going really, really good. It's very exciting and it's quite the experience. I feel really good. My first dance is the waltz.

How hard was it learning choreography at first?
Carlisle: I think the hardest part was the mental aspect of it — concentrating too hard and burning myself out physically with that. Now I've kind of found a balance and try to let it go after rehearsals. I was bringing it back to my hotel room, waking up in the middle of the night and doing rehearsals in my head. It just got to be way too much.

You've performed in front of millions of people before. Does that help ease the nerves?
Carlisle: I'm musical and I've done 30 years of live performance, but choreography is a totally different thing, so we shall see.