May 2009 News Archive (Page 4)

Less than one percent separated her from fellow finalist Gilles Marini, but any margin of victory would have been acceptable for Shawn Johnson.

The medal-winning Olympian captured this season's Dancing with the Stars title last night.

“This means the world to me,” an elated Johnson said after taking possession of the show’s mirror-ball trophy. “We worked so hard just to make it to the finals. This is the best.”

Earlier in the evening, all three finalists performed a final routine for the judges, and all three received perfect scores for their efforts. Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani were then voted off, leaving that tandem in the third place.

"This has been, without a doubt the best season ever," said judge Len Goodman. "We've got the three best dancers here in the final."

As for Johnson's victory, Marini was nothing but a great sport., saying:

"I'm so happy for Shawn and Mark. They worked so hard."

Click on the photos above to relive Shawn Johnson's Dancing with the Stars journey!

You don't need to abandon Dancing with the Stars forever, guys.

In a new interview with People, Julianne Hough says she will eventually return to the show that made her famous.

“I am appreciative to be taking this coming season of Dancing with the Stars off to focus on my other career paths like touring in support of my album and recording my next one. I look forward to returning to DWTS in early 2010," Hough said, clearing up an earlier statement in which she announced her leave of absence from the competition.

Executive producer Conrad Green said he gave Hough his blessing to “take a breather. It’s a really intensive show so we welcome our dancers the opportunity to take a break.”

Just not too long of one, please, Julianne!

“Tom, I had to look at your penis all day today. You coulda gave me half the money just for that alone.”

- Tiffany Pollard, to the owner of a nudist colony after he refused to give her a paycheck.

Pollard has been exposed to a lot of penises in her life - and we mean, A LOT - but the sight of so many elderly ones during this week's episode of New York Goes to Work was too much to take.

The reality star simply couldn't perform her duties well enough to earn a weekly stipend. But she could deliver a couple priceless reactions to full frontal nudity on the show:

Another week, a lot more Stephanie-related drama in The Hills.

The annoying sister of Spencer managed to get fired at work and strung along by a musician, as we actually turned to Speidi in hopes of more entertaining story lines. They delivered, as her dad, Bill, came to town.

Bill's a no-nonsense cowboy who joked multiple times about killing Spencer. In the end, though, he warmed to Heidi's beau and they got engaged.

Click here for our full episode guide!

As previously reported, Jacqueline Laurita is pregnant.

Viewers of last week's premiere of The Real Housewives of New Jersey understand why this is such big news: during the episode, Laurita and her husband, Chris Manzo, openly discussed their struggles to add to their family.

The hour included a visit to Jacqueline's doctor, where we learn she's had five miscarriages over the last seven years.

"I'm due early next month," Laurita told E! News this week. "I'm 50 pounds heavier. I'm ready to pop. I'm like Jiffy Pop."

The reality star and her doctors credit a daily baby aspirin and progesterone therapy for her successful pregnancy.

But while she's excited about the impending baby, Jacqueline isn't set on putting the birth on camera.

"There may have been talk about it, but we're not really sure," she says. "I don't know if I want people to see me like that."

It seems like forever (even if it was only early March) that Jason Mesnick rejected a darling Jillian Harris in favor of Molly Malaney and Melissa Rycroft on the penultimate episode of The Bachelor, setting up a season finale for the ages.

While Jillian lost out in that heartbreaker, she was given a chance to embark on her own quest - as the star of The Bachelorette, which premiered last night!

With a record 30 men to choose from, and many willing to pull out all the stops, the Canadian cutie has her hands full. But she's clearly up to the task.

Follow the link for our episode recap ...

They may be going face-to-face on the American Idol finale stage tonight, but Adam Lambert and Kris Allen teamed up to tackle the media this week.

The two finalists took on a barrage of questions from reporters during a press conference yesterday. Here are a few excerpts of how it went...

Kris, on receiving help from his Christian background: "I hope that having the Christian vote does not help with anything. I hope it has to do with the talent and the performance that you give. It's not about religion and all that kind of stuff."

Adam, on pre-show rituals: "Just get some sleep, which has been tough. We both are used to a lot lower pressure situations…a little bit. I think we're both really excited."

Adam, on his professional, pre-Idol experience: "I've worked in theater. We both have experience. I think the thing that is really cool about this competition is that it's an equal opportunity situation. It doesn't matter. The only rule that is set up is that you cannot be in a recording contract. And, American Idol has played by those rules and so have we."

Kris, on Adam's professional, pre-Idol experience: "He's done the theater thing…and, me, I've had as much experience as he has, just not in Wicked."

Adam, on relationship with Kris: "We're just very different types of artists. And at this point, it's not about out-singing each other. It's not like a direct competition; it's about both of us staying really true to what we do."

Kris, on relationship with Adam: "For me, I'm not going to go out there and out-sing Adam. We are two totally different artists. I do my thing and he does his thing. And, it's whoever America votes for."

Dancing With the Stars didn't merely come down to its three finalists this week.

It came down to its most evenly-matched final trio in show history.

With that in mind, last night's performances didn't disappointment. Based on the judges' scores, the crystal trophy looks to be in the hands of viewers. Which was your favorite routine?

Relive each one now via this Dancing with the Stars recap!

Teyona Anderson was named the 12th winner of America's Next Top Model last week.

But that news was almost overshadowed by the firing of Paulina Porizkova as a judge on the show, a decision that caused the model to blast series creator Tyra Banks in a number of interview.

Earlier today, Banks and executive producer Ken Mok released a joint statement in which they explained the reason behind letting Porizkova go.

"The current state of the economy has forced shows to make major budget cuts industry wide. America's Next Top Model is not immune to these financially challenging times. We've had to make significant cuts in every area of the production and, unfortunately, Paulina was a casualty of these cuts... We really enjoyed working with Paulina, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors."

Porizkova has taken Banks to task for being rude to her on set, a statement we have no doubt is true, regardless of whether or not Paula is simply bitter for being fired.

So You Think You Can Dance fans, get ready to double the dancing this year - FOX confirms the summer staple will also air a fall season in 2009!

In a statement released Monday, the network announced that season six of the series will air on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this fall.

It will be the lead-in to the network's new comedy, Glee, on Wednesday.

Last month, So You Think You Can Dance executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe was tight-lipped about a fall return, but said he'd love it.

"I'd love to do it in the fall. Unfortunately it's not down to us, it's down to FOX," he said. "But they'd have my blessing to do it in the fall."

In the meantime, the wildly popular summer series' fifth season kicks off on Thursday, and the show will celebrate its 100th episode on July 8.

Now that we know the show is returning, and twice at that, how does the newest crop of dancers compare to those talented youngsters of seasons past?

Though Joshua Allen took last season's prize with Stephen "Twitch" Boss close behind, this year "is a season where the girls are extremely strong and very beautiful," Lythgoe - who helped select this year's top 20 dancers.

"It's almost like the America's Next Top Model of dance!"