Posts Tagged ‘Paula Abdul’

No Deal for Paula?

According to the Daily Beast, a deal for Paula Abdul to host and judge on a re-booted Star Search on ABC appears to be dead.  And since Paula isn’t  part of the package, the project itself is probably now also dead.

The Daily Beast reports that “ABC had made a rich offer to Abdul. Her decision to pass is said to have stunned network executives.”

However, the Hollywood Reporter claims that Paula passed because the deal was less than the 5m offered to her by American Idol last year.  And, ABC wasn’t willing to up the price in order to launch a new untested reality show into a crowded market.

The Daily Beast wonders if Simon Cowell “swooped in” to claim Paula for his new Fox show, X Factor, which will start in the fall 2011.

The Beast reports that FOX executives would rather not work with the high-maintenance Paula, and are still miffed over hers snub of a generous offer to continue on American Idol.

Either way, it looks like the Star Search deal is dead in the water.  My guess is that we will see Paula on X Factor come fall 2011..

via Daily Beast and Hollywood Reporter

A couple of Idol news updates for ya (and I may be adding more as they arrive.)

Michael Johns performs with David Foster at the Muhammed Ali Fight Night on March 20

Season 7 Idol, Michael Johns tweets, “Playing with David Foster this weekend at the Muhammad Ali Fight Night in Phoenix really one of the best charities ive ever done cant wait”  More info on Muhammad Ali Fight Night HERE.  Randy Jackson will also be in attendance.

Season 2 of Jason Castro Web Series “That’s What I’m Here For” Begins March 30

Watch a trailer introducing Season 2 of Jason Castro’s Web Series, “That’s What I’m Here For” beginning on March 30. This time, Jason answers the question, “What would you be doing now if you hadn’t been on American Idol?” Join Jason every Tuesday as he tries out a bunch of different jobs that could have been. What the trailer HERE. Looks cute!

Daughtry to perform Live Webcast

Daughtry will kick off their U.S. tour w/ a LIVE webcast of their show on 3/18, brought to you by Sony make.believe on DaughtryOfficial.com!

RCA Music Group

Kelly Clarkson Confirmed for 3 Lilith Fair Tour Dates

Kelly Clarkson is confirmed for at least 3 of the upcoming Lilith Fair 2010 tour shows: Chicago (July 17), Indianapolis (July 20) and Toronto (July 24). The shows will also feature Mary J. Blige, La Roux, Sarah McLauchlan plus other arists. via Idol Chatter. Lilith Fair website HERE.

CKX renegotiating Idol contract.

Idol parent company, CKX, is in the midst of finalizing a “long-anticipated” renewal of “Idol” through 2014 that has been in the works since September. The process has been made “tortuously long” due to talks with Simon Cowell as “one factor contributing to the delay.” According to CKX cheif, Robert Sillerman, “Agreements on key deal terms were reached late last year, but ‘an on-air issue’ remains outstanding.”  Hm.  Sillerman expects a deal to be finalized quickly.

One more remaining issue is how exactly Ryan Seacrest will get paid. He signed a contract with 19/CKX last year, but there are questions as to exactly how he’ll get paid. A technicality, I’m sure. Read more about it at The Hollywood Reporter.

Will it be Star Search or X Factor for Paula?

The Daily Beast reports on the rumors that Paula Abdul will soon be hosting a new version of Star Search for ABC. Thing is, if she takes the Star Search gig, she can’t appear on Simon Cowell’s X Factor at the same time.  What will Paula do?  Read more at The Daily Beast.  Paula broke her silence earlier today on twitter, “Once again, until you hear it from me, you can’t believe what you read Lots of love! Paula”

Ruben Studdard stopped by the Wendy Williams Show yesterday to talk about weight loss, what it’s like to go vegan, married life, and what he thinks about this year’s Idol. Plus, he loves him some Paula Abdul.

After, Ruben sings “Don’t Make Them Like U No More” from his album, Love Is. via Idolator.

Video after the JUMP…

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Simon Cowell was interviewed this morning by Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS FM radio show. Listen after the jump:

Simon told the nail-biting tale of driving to yesterday’s press conference, still without an X Factor agreement. Terms were settled at the last minute, and he signed the papers in front of the critics assembled in Pasadena.

“You got to know when it’s time to go,” Simon said. At one point, he planned to do both shows, but in the end decided it would be too much. “You know about overexposure, right?” said Simon, “I genuinely thought people would be sick and tired of me.”

“It all came together in the last few days,”   admitted Simon. And that last minute snafu? Simon blamed it on the lawyers “getting a little bit uptight.”   Simon said, “We all shook hands…there were people around me in tears.”

The X Factor has a host, but Simon would not reveal who it is. “You’ll have to wait to see,” he said. Simon would neither confirm nor deny that Paula Abdul would be joining him on the judges panel.

What will Simon miss on Idol? “Everything,” he said. “We had fun, didn’t we…”

2nd Update: Added Extra interview with Terri Seymour. Simon says the first Season of Idol was his favorite, because he didn’t know what was going to happen.

Update: Added CBS interview with Amanda Holden and Constantine, plus Simon Cowell interview with FOX news.

More media after the JUMP…

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This post is going to be the place for today’s Simon Cowell, so keep checking back here for the lastest developments…

UPDATE:

Melinda Doolittle, Matt Giraud and Brooke White share their thoughts on Simon Cowell with MTV News:

“He was either nothing but love … or, ‘Kaboom!’ ” said Brooke White, who got a bit of both from Cowell during her run into the top five on season seven, the last go-round with the original judging triumvirate of Simon, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. “I mean, he said I was like a hamburger with no meat one time!”

TMZ reports that negotiations with Simon Cowell literally went down to the wire,

As Simon drove to the TCA in Pasadena, final negotiations hit a wall. Lawyers for both sides had a serious disagreement over one of the terms. As Simon was pulling up, he was on the phone and on the verge of aborting the announcement and driving away — the ultimate game of brinkmanship.

Someone blinked … because lawyers came to terms and Simon rolled out of his Rolls and into TV history.

Gossip columnist Courtney Hazlett’s sources tell her Paula Abdul has had conversations with Simon, but no agreement yet:

A source close to Abdul said that she has not come to any agreement with Cowell at this point, but she’s had some conversations about teaming up with him.

“Paula had no hard feelings toward Simon when she left (“American Idol”). There have been conversations about her future. Paula’s considered many opportunities, and is waiting for the right one to come along,” said the source.

Time’s TV critic, James Poniewozik, weighs in on the Cowell matter,

“Will Idol be as enjoyable without Cowell? I’m guessing not. Fox must know that, as reports indicate it basically threw bars of gold at Cowell to get him to stay. But it did the next best thing—ensuring that, should X-Factor kill Idol, or vice versa, Fox will own the winner either way.”

• CNN International “Idol vs X Factor”
• The New York Times asks the media experts HERE.
• PopEater explores all the possible X Factor/Idol scenarios HERE.
• MTV asks the “Idol Experts what they think HERE. (Heh!)
• The Washington Post TV Critic, Lisa Morales, summarizes Simon’s announcement in her typically amusing way HERE.
• MTV asks, “Who Should Replace Simon Cowell?” HERE.   Ryan Seacrest, Ellen Degeneres and others congratulate Simon HERE.
• Fox 411 summarizes the Paula Abdul/X Factor situation HERE.
• The Top 5 reasons you’ll miss Simon Cowell HERE.

Mary J. Blige, Adam Lambert and Carrie Underwood hanging backstage at the AMAs

Taylor Swift won Artist of the Year, beating out Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon and Eminem. Swift won a total of 5 AMA’s.   She shut out both Carrie Underwood (Favorite Female Country Artist) and Daughtry (Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist).   She also won Favorite Female Pop Artist, and her album Fearless won Favorite Country album.

Michael Jackson won 4 awards, Favorite Male Soul R&B Artist, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist. Favorite Pop/Rock album for Number Ones and Favorite R&B album, also for Number Ones.

• Check out the list of nominees HERE.

Daughtry is nominated in the Adult Contemporary ‘“ Favorite Artist category along with Jason Mraz and Taylor Swift.

Carrie Underwood got a nod in the Country ‘“ Favorite Female Artist category.   Taylor Swift and Reba McEntire were also nominated in the category.

Photos and Live Blog after the JUMP…

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Watch your favorites walk the American Music Awards 2009 red carpet via live stream beginning at 6et/3pt PM.

UPDATE: First Idol sighting! Blake Lewis in the House. Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert.

After the jump, check out photos from the red carpet.

• Click this link to watch the LIVE STREAM.

Idols Performing tonight (and appearing on the red carpet): Carrie Underwood, Daughtry and Kelly Clarkson. Adam Lambert is set to close the show.

Presenting tonight: Kris Allen with Demi Lovato, Paula Abdul, Ryan Seacrest, and Leona Lewis, plus, Kelly Osbourne and Donny Osmond from Dancing with the Stars.

Look for multiple posts as the night wears on.

It’s going to be a big night, kids!

Photos from the red carpet, after the JUMP…

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Adam Lambert and Katy Perry at the   Michael Jackson, “This is It” premier in Los Angeles, where Adam’s video for “Time For Miracles” is set to premiere before the movie.

I’ve added more photos of Adam, Katy Perry, David Cook, Nigel Lythgoe, and Paula Abdul

Watch this space for more photos.

Photos after the JUMP…

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Poor Paula Abdul!

The rumors are flying that Simon Cowell is bringing his UK show, the X Factor to America, and that he wants Paula on the judges’ panel.   But nobody has even clued Paula in on the rumors…

After the American Music Awards press conference yesterday, Paula Abdul told MTV News that she has no idea whether Simon is considering her for X Factor, rumored to be launching in the 2011-2012 television season;

“When I call Simon, he’s just laughing on the phone. ‘When the time is right I’ll tell you, but I’m not … confirming nor denying it’…I just came back from London! You’d think I’d get further clarification. No. Nothing. I got zip! Nada….It would have been nice if the ['X Factor'] rumor was told to me. But I find that I am the last person to hear things,”

Simon must be afraid she’ll blab the news on twitter.

Video after the Jump…

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Adam Lambert, Paula Abdul and Snoop Dogg announced the 2009 American Music Award nominees at the Beverly Hilton Hotel today.

• Check out the list of nominees HERE.

Daughtry was nominated in the Adult Contemporary – Favorite Artist category along with Jason Mraz and Taylor Swift.

Carrie Underwood got a nod in the Country – Favorite Female Artist category.   Taylor Swift and Reba McEntire were also nominated in the category.

That’s it for Idol nominations at the AMAs. Season 7 Idols, David Cook,   David Archuleta and Kelly Clarkson were shut out.

Taylor Swift was nominated in 5 categories – Adult Contemporary – Favorite Artist, Country – Favorite Female Artist, Artist of the Year, Country – Favorite Album for Fearless and Pop/Rock – Favorite Female Artist.   She’s truly crossed over.

Michael Jackson received 3 posthumous nods, Pop/Rock – Favorite Male Artist, Artist of the Year and Soul/R&B Favorite Artist.

You can begin voting for your favorites right now HERE.

Nigel Lythgoe @dizzyfeet tweeted a couple of fun factoids today. Paula Abdul says yes:

I saw Paula @ the “Power of Women” event yesterday. I asked her to come on SYTYCD again and she said she would. I hope she means it ?

If she’s got no other gigs, she’ll do it.

Nigel and his new Dizzy Feet Foundation, created to provide underprivileged kids with dance training, are planning a big fundraiser in LA:

The Dizzy Feet Foundation donated $20,000 for 2 scholarships to the Alvin Ailey school yesterday. I am proud to be part of this orginization

We are producing a big show at the Kodak Theater on the 28th Nov. For the Dizzy Feet Foundation. Incredible stars have agreed to participate.

The show will not be televised. Tickets will be onsale Info nearer the date on dizzyfeetfoundation.org All proceeds will fund scholarships.

This is a bit of old news, but still interesting. Nigel dissed the Season 5 Top 20 in a press conference a couple of weeks ago.

Last season I wasn’t too happy with their charisma. I would like to bring personality with talent: I’ll be trying to instill that. You can never guarantee what the dancers are going to do, you can never guarantee that they’re not going to get stage fright. It depends on them.

With the addition of Adam Shankman as the third permanent judge to the panel, will there still be weekly guest judges? Nigel has said on more than one occasion that 4 judges is too many. The answer seems to be, “occasionally”.

It’s difficult to put them in as judges because I want them choreographing. And I still want Paula Abdul to pop in, and Jennifer Lopez has said how much she loves the program. We tried it with Ellen [DeGeneres], it was very successful. I just don’t want four judges every week. When available, when possible, they will judge. We sometimes have six and seven judges, but normally in a place where I can edit and keep everything tight. The only reason I don’t like that many is that it goes on and it waffles.

And lastly, a little publicized fact: The final will have a Top 6 instead of a Top 4 due to time constraints:

Because of scheduling issues, the season finale episode will feature the Top 6, instead of the usual Top 4. This was to avoid starting with a “Top 18″. By my estimations, this would put the finale on December 16, 2009.

I had my own concerns about the final bleeding into Christmas week. Looks like Nigel did too.

There will also be a special show to introduce the Top 20. Read more about it HERE.

VH1 Divas is on right now…this is a place holder for goodies to come. In the meantime…discuss!

• OMG Paula Abdul is singing lip syncing   a medley of her hits. OMG Kat McSkat!   Ok, that was just…special. Ha.
• Paula just called Kathy Griffin a “fire crotch”   Heh.
• So far: Jennifer Hudson performed “Spotlight”, Kelly Clarkson, “Already Gone” and Jordin Sparks, “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play).   Kelly’s stripped down version of   “Already Gone” is gorgeous.
• Adele was INCREDIBLE. That is all.
• Paula in a short blond wig, pant suit and Chuck Taylors dancing through the audience….she’s Ellen Degeneres!
• Ricky Minor and the Band in the house.
• Leona Lewis: A little pitchy.   Her new song “Happy”? Zzz.
• Paula’s hosting tonight? If this is an audition for work in the future…she’s in trouble.   She’s frantic, awkward, and for the most part, the bits aren’t funny.
• Leona Lewis with Cyndi Lauper? (“True Colors”)   Where is Allison Iraheta when we need her? (In Sweden with Max Martin. Heh).
• Kherrington Payne and fellow Fame co-stars are introducing Miley Cyrus.
• What the hell is Miley Cyrus wearing?   She. Cannot. Sing. Meh
• Paula doing a bit with Liza Minelli.   That was painful.
• Palate cleanser:   Adele and India.arie.   They are both so beautiful.
• Jordin Sparks and Martina McBride sing “Broken Wing”.   Jordin performed the song on Idol for Country Week. Oooh. Martina hit some bum notes there…
• Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder hava a melisma-off at the end of “All in Love is Fair”   Jennifer finishes with a big-ass glory note.
• Miley Cyrus croaks and shouts her way through “If it Makes You Happy” with Sheryl Crowe. Oh my.
• Kelly Clarkson and Melissa Etheridge,   closing the show right, are kicking some major ass.   Tear it up bitches!
• BONUS: Paula Abdul as Ellen Degeneres – VIDEO

VIDEOS AFTER THE JUMP…

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Check out the VH1 promo for Paula Abdul’s upcoming hosting gig for the Vh1 Divas special, set to air on September 17. Paula will be introducing performances from the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks and Leona Lewis.

The promo has Paula looking for a job at an employment agency. Super special bonus: a very special cameo from Ryan Seacrest! Lulzy!

Video after the JUMP…

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From TV Guide:

Paula Abdul filmed a guest spot for Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva that’s set to air on Sunday September 13. TV Guide posted a video, and I’ve got it here.

She plays a judge who appears to lead character, Jane (Brooke Elliott) in a dream to critique her courtroom singing and her outfit. No, she does not tell her she looks beautiful!

Paula is playing herself, so no acting skills required. It’s cute, but a little corny in that Lifetime-for-Women sort of way.

She shot a second guest spot that will air next Sunday, September 20.

Video after the JUMP…

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Paula on the set of Drop Dead Diva

UPDATE: Paula tells Access Hollywood that she will be heading to Las Vegas to headline her own show, ‘That will be more’ ¦ really announced later, when everything’s worked (out)…It’s going to happen, but the details have yet to be ironed out.”

Rolling Stone magazine summarizes an exclusive interview Paula Abdul gave to TV Guide magazine–unfortunately, the magazine’s website is off line now.   Here’s the basic jist of the interview:

• Paula will remain loyal to American Idol–she plans on watching Season 9. ‘I’ll watch it as much as I can. I had some really unforgettable moments that hit plateaus for me and I’m very blessed to have been a part of what made television history,’  she says.
• She just finished taping a role–as a judge–on the show Drop Dead Diva.   Next, she’d love to do a talk show. ‘I’d be Paula. It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance,’  Paula tells TV Guide.
• Paula leaving American Idol was more about being “disrespected” by the producers than it was about money. ‘I stand on principle where many people stand on money,’  Abdul says.
• However, if the money is right…well who knows.   When TV Guide asked if there was anything the show could do to get her back–like, for instance, close the salary gap between she and Simon Cowell (reported 45M a year) and Ryan Seacrest (15M a year)–she says, ‘That’s a hard question to answer right now. I mean, I don’t think I can answer that right now.’ 

I think it really is about money. Paula will be back if Idol producers decide to compromise… If, by January, Paula’s prospects aren’t great, she might even take the original 5M dollar offer…

Update: The TV Guide article is back on line now. Read it HERE.