Cowell is busy with his numerous projects, and is smart in deciding that AI would be the one to go.  While I’d be sad to see him go, I realize that we’re in the “fall” part of “The Rise and Fall of the Great American Reality Show.”  Cowell would be wise to get out before the empire collapses altogether.  And I mean really, with Paula growing ever-more incoherent, a new judge who can’t do first grade math, and Ryan Seacrest (enough said),  can you really blame him?  

Click the article’s image* for the whole story at Reuters:

Meanwhile, it’s a different story for everyone’s favorite mess, Paula Abdul.  Click on the picture* for the article from Newsday.com:

Awww, how sweet. How can anyone possibly think they don’t get along?

Anyway, the interview-style article is priceless.  She does manage to say that she would like to keep doing the show. And I have to give the interviewer serious props for deciphering actual sentences.   Like this one:

 ”It’s taken me a while to get comfortable in my own skin with the show.”

And by comfortable she means rambling and messing up lines, re: disco week results show.  Maybe she should go back to being uncomfortable.  I’ve seen clips of the first season on Youtube when they did a tribute to Paula for the group song and she came up on stage with Kelly and the gang, even danced a little.  Fast forward seven years and she probably would fall off the stage…again, re: disco week results show.

Oh, and, interesting fact I didn’t know before this article:  

“Well, I [Paula] started her [Kara DioGuardi's] success. And I’m proud of it. happy of it. I moved a stranger from NY, told her to give 2 week’s notice to billboard magazine, and moved a stranger into my home in LA…”

“I actually think that Simon got mad that we are friends and that I actually knew her and that her humble beginning began sleeping in my guest bedroom and I just believed in her.”

What??  Really?  Why hasn’t this been mentioned??  I’d like to hear more about this, please!

*Disclaimer: Both pictures were posted alongside their articles and in no way belong to me.

PopEater.com: Three’s Company, Four’s a Crowd on ‘Idol’

There are actually several surprising pieces of information in this article I’d like to address.   Yes, Popeater isn’t the most reliable source, and their source – OK! magazine - is worse.  But it’s fun to pretend everything in it is true so I can pick it apart.  Shall we?

First: “‘During breaks, Simon, Randy and Paula would leave the table to talk to the crowd or get food, leaving Kara to swivel in her chair,’ an eyewitness adds.”

While this is intended to diss the other three judges, it also says a lot about Kara.  The other judges ditch her, so she sits around waiting for them to come back?  Why?  Is she asking for sympathy from the audience?  If she wanted to be an adult about it, she should at least act like she doesn’t care.  She could talk to the crowd on her own.  Then again, the article claims that fans haven’t been showing the love for Kara either, so maybe that’s not the best idea. 

Second: “‘Throughout the process, Simon, Randy and Paula would reference previous seasons, and Kara would have no idea what they were talking about. They would just say, ‘You had to be there.’ Kara is clearly the new girl, and they don’t seem to all get along,” another source says.”

Now that is a little mean.  It’s one thing not to accept Kara as their BFF.  But that clearly sends her the message – “we were doing just fine on our own.”  And that’s not fair to Kara.  From the sounds of it, the producers wanted a fourth judge, and Kara was picked.  It’s not her fault there’s now less time for the other judges to say the same five phrases every week. 

Lastly, and most surprising: “Kara’s addition was Idol’s way of preparing for Paula’s departure. The producers were trying to do a transition that wouldn’t be too jarring for the audience — but they didn’t think through the logistics,” someone close to the show reveals.”

Paula’s distaste for Kara is nothing new, and now we finally find out why.  Or at least, I do.  Paula’s contract is almost up, and instead of going quietly, she’s trying to get another one.  So it’s not just an imagined threat from Kara – that threat is very real (My advice to Paula to keep her job?  Cover up the puppies every week – which were popping out at most recent results show – and you should be fine) . 

I don’t know if this is just me, but there hasn’t been a clear-cut reason for adding Kara until now.  Oh, sure, there were plenty of rumors.  I actually thought she was a replacement for Cowell, who expressed interest in leaving the show once his contract was up.  But bringing her in as Paula 2.0 - now with better speaking ability - makes more sense.  If they were to successfully replace Cowell,   they’d need another snarky British guy.  American Idol without an insulting judge is just boring…well, even more boring than it is now.

As for me, I don’t care one way or another.  It’s not like I actually respect what the judges say about the constestants.  To me they’re just entertainment, like counting the number of awkward moments Ryan creates for himself.  The only reason I don’t love the idea of a fouth judge is because now there’s that much more we have to hear of useless judge talk during the show.  I don’t love Kara, but I don’t hate her either, though she seems about as full of herself as Cowell.  She’s just there.

‘Til next time.

‘American Idol’: Is it already time to crown Adam Lambert?

My answer?  Maybe.  Why is that?  American Idol is still pimping Prince Danny Gokey pretty hard.  Danny has been the judge’s favorite for a long time now.  But his consistent praise and good performances have put him in the shadow of unpredictable Adam.  American Idol has proven year after year that solid performances every week don’t guarantee the crown (like Melinda Doolittle from AI 6 and David Archuleta from AI 7).  It puts you in the top two or three, sure, but to get to the very top, you have to grab the audience with drama.  People get bored of/annoyed by/have little sympathy for contestants who become the judges’ pet for the season.   

This is why I believe that in viewers’ eyes, Danny is just a notch below Adam, and lately it’s been showing in the judges’ rave reviews for Adam.  In terms of Idol 8 royalty, Adam is AI’s beloved king, Danny is the spoiled prince, Allison is the kind princess, and Lil…Lil is the poor servant who can’t do anything right.

Personally I’m rooting for an Adam/Allison finale.  Allison being there would make the finale a much better show, and I would be okay if either one of them won.  Plus it would be priceless to see Danny actually booted off before the finale.  10 bucks says that he finally sheds his Golden Boy persona and throws a tantrum like a two-year-old.  

One last note I have to add.  While I didn’t see the show last night (damn Criticism/Review class), I read that Simon said that Allison was the show’s only chance for a girl in the finale.  But…wait for it…on Jay Leno, didn’t Simon predict that the top 3 would be Adam, Danny, and…Lil?  

*Gasp* O-M-G, Simon Cowell was actually wrong! 

And not because Kris isn’t in the bottom three.  I haven’t even seen the performances from last night, but the internet buzz was that he was going home.  That’s what Dial Idol said.  Well…surprise! 

What.  Ever.  The only one I care about this season is Allison.  And Scott, but only because he’s the Vote for the Worst pick (love them!).  Although I have to admit the dude is funny.  In the behind the scenes of the Ford music video (*rolls eyes*) of “Circus” by Britney Spears  tonight, he asked, when handed his costume – “None of this is pink, right?”

Speaking of which, I find it incredibly ironic that the Ford music videos have all been VERY current songs.  When for performances, the Idols are stuck with songs from the eighties or earlier every week.  Go figure.

And, for the record, the group song was absolutely horrible.  This group sounds terrible together.

Anyway, my news clip for American Idol this time around:

New York Post, ”What You Don’t See”  

“Kara and Randy Jackson have an excellent rapport. And Abdul, when she’s not in her own little world, can be seen talking to Simon Cowell, who — reading his facial expressions — treats her like a sometimes-adorable-sometimes-insufferable pet.”

I can see that.

Of course, the big news this week is the most recent (of..many) change up to the show format.  After claiming that fan outrage over contestants being sent home too early, judges are now given the option of saving each contestant only once.  However, I have to point out here…are they really doing the contestants a favor??  It’s clear that those considered to be sent home “too early”, like Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry, did just fine on their own without the Idol crown.

If anything, I’d say this is Idol’s pathetic attempt to make sure that doesn’t happen again.  Hudson and Daughtry have become at least B list celebs, while the actual Idols – who were bound under AI contract – fizzled out.  Sounds to me that American Idol producers are fed up with too many missed opportunities.

Oh, and if anyone cares, Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez went home this week.  I almost feel bad for the top group this year.  With all the changes that keep on coming, viewers might be too busy adjusting to care about the actual contestants as much as they usually do.  I know I probably will, but maybe that’s just because I don’t care too much about the contestants to begin with. 

But I digress.  The more interesting bit of news that managed to stay under media radar:

Will  ‘American Idol’ Phone-Number Snafu Sink Alexis Grace?

Obviously it didn’t, but I just find this hilarious.  All the changes to the show, and they didn’t get the right phone number?  Well, you know what they say-about the best laid plans.

Really, though, think of the media circus if this little “snafu” hadn’t been corrected by show time.  Imagine the headlines!  ”Idol in State of Dis-Grace”…”Idol Voting Number Gives ‘Nasty’ Surprise”… Oh, the law suits.

With all the changes they’ve made this year, more slip ups are bound to happen.  And I can’t wait.

Desperate Housewives, from dailymail.co.uk:

Eva Longoria and Teri Hatcher Share Steamy Kiss

For those immune to the DH craze, Eva Longoria plays Gabrielle, and Teri Hatcher plays Susan.

Move over Kevin and Scotty, ABC’s got a new same-sex pair up.

Okay, okay I’m joking.  I’m sure ABC is screwing with us, and this is just a stupid fight about who’s the better kisser.  If it is, then Gabrielle must’ve been determined to get her way – Eva was instructed to do all the work while Teri stood there.

Speaking of ABC screwing with us, who else was pissed at the Sunday two hour special Troubled Waters on Brothers & Sisters?  Tragic death my butt.  As usual ABC didn’t have the balls to do anything that dramatic.  Well then, what else do you expect from a channel owned by Disney?

Here’s a Youtube video of Rob Lowe, who plays Calista Flockhart’s character’s husband Robert McCallister on Brothers & Sisters, talking to the ladies of the View.  He seemed to get through it in one piece:

Two for one bonus: the ladies ask him about his American Idol viewing habits.  He’s actually a fan, but he admits that he doesn’t vote for surprising personal reasons.

Side note: I like Elisabeth, but man, does she watch a lot of reality TV.  In another episode she shows she’s a die-hard Bachelor fan as well as a Dancing with the Stars fan.

Anyway, while Medium probably gets about one millionth of the viewers Idol gets each week, the sci-fi crime drama that could is gaining popularity:

Little-heralded “Medium” gives NBC a boost in the ratings

I’m sure I’m in the minority here, but Medium is the only reason I ever watch NBC.  Arquette mentions how fans are always asking when it will come back on its off-season, since it is only a mid-season show that runs until May.

While that’s great for reality shows – which can barely keep interest for the length they do run – it’s an annoying quality for an hour-long drama.

Cheap reality shows are always brought back.  But the little-advertised Medium gives fans a collective panic attack every year- since NBC seems to ignore this show, will they bother renewing it?  Then there’s the question of which late-night timeslot Medium will have to squeeze into, and if the next batch of competitors (competition with Desperate Housewives was a big concern of one point) will finally give NBC the excuse to chop it.

That’s all I’ve got for now.  Until next time.

Since it’s the middle of the season for most (except for Medium and American Idol, which just premiered in January), there’s definitely been some behind the scenes drama this season:

Brothers &  Sisters, from Actressarchives.com: 

 Balthazar Getty Only Getting Booted from “Brothers & Sisters” For a Little While

It’s not half as dramatic as it sounds.  Getty’s only getting the temporary boot because of the drama the white collar crimes his character, Tommy, is committing to take back family company Ojai – I’m guessing this means that Tommy is going to be the first Walker sib with a rap sheet (as far as I know). Now, I personally cheered his moves for ousting the show’s resident biotch Holly, but I guess it’s true what they say – no good deed goes unpunished.

American Idol, from mtv.com:

Joanna Pacitti Disqualified From ‘American Idol’; Felicia Barton In

By far the most drama for Season 8 of American Idol has been the controversy caused by Joanna Pacitti (no, not Bikini Girl – she was more an amusement).  The singer has had a major contract in the past that only produced a CD that tanked, and she turned to American Idol for her last resort.   But her connections with Idol execs caused the most uproar, so she was finally booted to  ”avoid the appearance of impropriety” even after she made the top 36. 

My take on this?  Well, it could’ve gone down either one of two ways.  1) This whole thing was staged to create more drama – and therefore higher ratings – for the season after last season’s borefest. 2) Idol bigwigs wanted to see how far they could string her along before public opinion turned too nasty. 

Medium, from TvGuide.com:

Medium‘s Patricia Arquette and Jake Weber Finish Each Other’s Sentences

Since Allison and Joe are my favorite current TV couple (they don’t compare to my fave tv couple of all time, Monica and Chandler from Friends, though), I couldn’t resist posting this fluffy little interview about the upcoming season.  The best, best part is when Jake makes a comment about there being “directorial problems” in the episode that Patricia directed, and Patricia retorts, “You rat bastard.”

Desperate Housewives, from E! Online.com:

Desperate Confession: Who Killed Edie Britt?

Alright, I’m not the hugest fan of this show, but even my eyes widened when I saw this short news blurb.  Edie has always been a source of aggravation for the past five seasons, so it’ll be interesting to see how she finally goes.  The article speculates about her mentally unstable husband, which could be very interesting.