‘American Idol’ Lenders Close to Settling $240M Suit Over Stripped Assets – When Idol was still being broadcast on Fox and was still tops in the ratings, private equity giant Apollo Global Management acquired Idol producer Core Media in 2011. The acquisition was financed by lenders putting up about $360 million. Three years later, Idol’s ratings began cratering, and Apollo came to a deal with 21st Century Fox for a joint venture called Endemol Shine Group, which would hold rights to Idol and other shows including So You Think You Can Dance. Apollo and Fox each had a 50 percent stake in the venture. By 2016, Core Media was in bankruptcy, allegedly robbed of cash and assets and saddled with substantial debt. The lenders, including TCP and Crestview, took over Core and began looking to the 2014 deal as the cause of the company’s woes. On Friday, the parties were scheduled to have an oral hearing on the motion to dismiss, but instead, they informed the court of an agreement reached in principle that would settle all claims. The parties anticipate executing the settlement before the end of the month. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
The Voice Coaches Wish Kelly Clarkson Good Luck on her Talk Show.
Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, and John Legend wish their fellow The Voice coach good luck on her daytime talkshow which premiered on Monday.
She's officially a talk show host. ?@johnlegend, @gwenstefani, and @blakeshelton have a message for @kellyclarkson on @kellyclarksontv premiere day! pic.twitter.com/DQkPK2gBz0
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) September 9, 2019
The King of The Voice – The Voice 2019 (Digital Exclusive)
At ‘American Idol’ auditions in Spokane, high notes abound – As “American Idol” contestants lined up around the Davenport Grand Hotel on a rainy Sunday morning, they rode a wave of nerves. Myles Middlemas, 26, got downtown at 4:30 a.m. and found himself standing behind 30 other hopefuls. As the time grew closer to when the ballroom opened, Middlemas felt himself relax as he talked to the other musicians around him. “It was just really nice to have that company around me,” Middlemas said. – Read more at The Spokesman.com
Singing their hearts out: Hundreds turn out for ‘American Idol’ auditions – There was a camera crew, paperwork, security and a long line of people to get through before the “American Idol” hopefuls could do their thing Saturday. Isaiah Case was among the excited faces in a line that wrapped around the BOS Center in Springfield. Waiting with his mom, fiancee and guitar, the 17-year-old from Woodson was feeling good. That calmness paid off. He made it to the second round of auditions for the ABC television show. “I think it’s going to be a fun time. It doesn’t matter how far I get,” he said. “… I didn’t expect to make it, but I didn’t expect not to.” – Read more at MyJournalCourier
