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Fireworks explode over England as Emily goes 'West Virginia hood rat' on one bachelor
By Diane Vadino Special to MSN TV
This surprisingly entertaining season of "The Bachelorette" continues this week in London and Stratford Upon Avon, where, conveniently, we get to see the guys humiliated by Shakespeare, which was always going to be a pleasure. (It's like a 16th century revenge, played out 500 years later.)
Bing: More about Emily Maynard | 'The Bachelorette'
But we're skipping ahead: First up on this week's one-on-ones is Sean. Is Sean the dark horse this season? He barely even spoke the first couple episodes, until Emily's friends sexually harassed him and made him (a) take off his shirt and (b) do push-ups for their own personal amusement. But he's proven to be a mature, level-headed guy, and Emily can't get enough of his Olympic swimmer looks: "Guys that look like you are usually really boring," she tells him. But he's not! Supposedly. They head to Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, and he gives an impromptu (?) speech about love: "My parents have shown me great love, and I'm searching for that great love. I haven't found it yet, but I'm hopeful that I will." Emily's all, can we please make out immeeeeediately. They have dinner in the Tower of London. "As you know, I have a six-year-old daughter," Emily says. I'm sure that made sense in context, but it sounds like, "As you know, I have blond hair" or "As you know, we breathe oxygen" or "As you know, I'm a corporeal human being." Not shockingly, Sean did know that, and equally unsurprisingly, he's totally down with the dad thing. He, of course, gets the rose.
Photos: 'Bachelorette' stars: Where are they now? | This season's contestants
Back at the ranch, the guys get the group date card: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Alejandro makes his sole contribution to the season by identifying the writer as Shakespeare -- which means that we're headed to the Bard's hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon. The group daters are Chris, Arie, Ryan, Doug, Alejandro, Travis, John, and Kalon, who's put in an extremely bad temper by missing out on his chance for a one-on-one and sits in the back of the room stewing like Patrick Bateman before a kill. Though these outings inevitably reward a good sense of humor and penalize taking things too seriously, Kalon -- improbably cast as Romeo -- hasn't gotten that memo: "He needs to chill out and realize he's not on Broadway," Emily says. He doesn't do either, so Arie steals the show, good-humoredly tramping his way through a performance as a “Romeo & Juliet” nurse. Ryan similarly impresses Emily by finding a way to make out with her on stage.
Shakespeare might actually be proud to know that the real drama came after the play -- with the cocktails. The evening begins typically enough, with Emily and Arie making out, and Ryan continuing to swing the pendulum from douche lothario to smooth operator. (He accomplishes the latter by pulling a necklace out of his pocket and giving it to her: "I'm sorry this is not some nice box or something," he says.) We've already seen a bit of Kalon's bad behavior, when he said that he was waiting impatiently for a one-on-one date -- but that every date's a group date when you're dating a single mom. (As, Emily will soon remind us, Kalon's mom was.) The slow-motion blow-up begins when Kalon complains to Chris about waiting for his chance to talk to Emily: "I'll get a chance to talk to an exhausted sick mother who has a daughter waiting for her." Oh, and? Kalon thinks six-year-old Ricki is baggage. Chris talks this over with Arie, and probably nothing would have come of it except Doug becomes involved -- and single dad Doug thinks that Emily needs to know. Doug actually tackles this the most mature way possible: He asks Kalon if he actually did call Ricki baggage. (He did. He's "not going to apologize for it.") Thus reassured, Doug tells Emily. "I'm trying to to think of the most ladylike way to handle it," she says. Then, she says, "I want to go out there and rip his limbs off and beat him with them." Confronted with his own words, Kalon tries to reframe "baggage" as "responsibility," but it's not working. "She's the furthest thing from baggage, and anyone with the tiniest heart could see that," Emily says. (Her best line is actually "I love to hear you talk, but not before I'm done -- I got that line from you.") Emily kicks him out, but all the drama leaves her in an unhappily contemplative mood. "I'm worried about my judgment," she says. "No one said anything. It makes me wonder, whose back do you have?" Well, except for Doug, right? There will be no roses on this night. "My dream guy would be willing to fight for me," she says. "And I don't know if I have someone who would have my back like that."
Emily, therefore, is even more under the weather when she meets Jef for afternoon tea. And an etiquette lesson. "I realized my one-on-one turned into a two-on-one with [the etiquette expert] and Emily," Jef says, disheartened. It looks incredibly, incredibly painful. "I'm not used to someone correcting me after everything I do on a date," Jef says. The etiquette lesson seems to be cut short: "I'm ready to get the hell out of here," Emily says. They go for fish and chips at a local pub, and then head up the London Eye for dinner and views over the city. Emily tells Jef that she “questions if you're into me all the time,” which seems to utterly mystify Jef. He scores the best Ricki-related answer of the night when Emily asks him if -- when she and Ricki move to Salt Lake City to be with him -- “the party's over.” “No,” he says. “It's like the party's just begun.” Well played, sir. Jef, obviously, gets a rose.
The rose ceremony follows, and is most notable for Ryan recovering from his lame-o showings the previous two weeks, with a dramatic interpretation and bunch of kissing. Emily's not totally buying it ... but she sort of is: “He's so smooth he thinks he can get any girl, and here I am falling for it.” As for the roses, they're going to ... everyone but Alejandro. It's gotta be a little more embarrassing when you're the only guy who's not going home. “Gosh,” he says. “I was definitely not expecting to go home tonight [and not go to Croatia].” We hardly knew ye, friend.
"The Bachelor" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Oscar-winning actress first former contestant to land the job
Jennifer Hudson is coming back to "American Idol."
The Oscar-winning actress and one-time contestant will be a judge when the beloved singing competition returns for Season 13, E! Online reports.
Bing: More on 'American Idol' | Jennifer Hudson
As reported earlier this week, FOX and the producers behind "American Idol" are hoping to recruit more past winners and competitors as judges. Other candidates include Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken. But Clarkson's camp told THR the "Stronger" singer will have no part on the judge's panel next season.
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"American Idol" is in need of new judge blood and bringing back former competitors could do the trick. Season 12 lost 33 percent of its viewers from last year and 10 million from 2011, due in part to the success of NBC's "The Voice." According to The Wrap, all four judges from Season 12 -- Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban -- and even producer Nigel Lythgoe are getting the boot. But so far, Jackson has been the only one to officially bow out.
"American Idol" Season 13 returns to FOX in 2014.
| Tags: | American Idol |
'X Factor' head doesn't rule out working with original 'American Idol' judges in the future
WENN
"X Factor" honcho Simon Cowell is open to reconstructing the original "American Idol" judges panel with Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul sometime in the future. For now, Cowell is slated to judge alongside Demi Lovato and new additions Kelly Rowland and Paula Rubio on "The X Factor" next season. But one day he could see himself reuniting with the team of judges that made "American Idol" a global sensation when it began in 2002.
He told "Extra," "I wouldn’t rule it out. I don't know on what show, but I think we've probably all got a desire to do something together again." As for his current trio of females, Cowell thinks their chemistry -- or perhaps lack of chemistry --- will only intensify the drama. He explained, "Putting a load of girls into one situation and seeing how they get on, I like that. I think it's fun."
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Rep for the Season 1 champ confirms she'll play no part on the show next season
WENN
"American Idol" champ Kelly Clarkson won't join the FOX singing competition show as a judge for Season 13. The "Stronger" singer's rep confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter she will have no part on the panel of the show next season. Clarkson was at the center of rumors suggesting show producers were eyeing an all-alumni judging panel, with Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert also reported to have been contacted.
Bing: More about 'American Idol'
FOX network bosses are scrambling to find a fix for the TV contest after the Season 12 finale saw a 33 percent drop in viewers compared to last year. Longtime judge Randy Jackson has jumped ship. Reports suggest that Nicki Minaj won't be returning. The futures of Mariah Carey and Keith Urban uncertain.
Plus: 'Bachelorette': Where are they now? | Celebrities playing celebrities | Summer shows we're excited about
Nick Carter developing series with fiancée, A.J. McLean looking to go 'Dancing'
WENN
Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter is developing his own reality TV series. His untitled series, which will center on the pop star and his fiancée Lauren Kitt as they plan their upcoming wedding, is winning over executives at several cable networks, according to reports. Carter tells blogger Perez Hilton, "It will also be about the growing-up phase of my life."
He isn't the only member of the grown-up boy band with his sights set on reality TV. A.J. McLean is desperate to show off his dancefloor skills on "Dancing With the Stars." Bandmate Howie Dorough explains, "The same year that Nick's brother (Aaron Carter) did it ("Dancing With the Stars"), I was approached about doing it but obviously couldn't do it because of the fact we were embarking on a new record and touring. I know A.J. has always said he's wanted to do it, for sure. He has almost begged to be on the show."
Plus: 'Bachelorette': Where are they now? | Celebrities playing celebrities | Summer shows we're excited about
'The Clintons' will showcase ongoing copyright battle on 'Osbournes'-like series
WENN
Funk icon George Clinton has vowed to use his new reality TV show to highlight his various legal battles over the copyrights to his songs. The Funkadelic legend is embroiled in numerous ongoing lawsuits over the use of his back catalog, and in January he was ordered to hand over the rights to four of his classic tracks to pay off a $1.5 million debt to his former lawyers. Earlier this year he announced he'd be following in the footsteps of rockers Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne by launching his own family-based reality show, called "The Clintons." Now the star has revealed his legal battles will be at the core of the program.
Bing: More about George Clinton
Clinton tells Uncut magazine, "I'm doing a reality show with my family, with my son Tracy, my six grandkids, Scott Thompson, Brandi ... It's a big family thing. A bit like ("The Osbournes"). But most of them are, like, musicians, rappers and everything ... We got to come up with new ways to get the music across, so we're doing this reality show, so we can expose all the noses out there, stealing the copyrights and taking people's music and money. This is all gonna be part of the reality show, the copyright fight."
Plus: 'Bachelorette': Where are they now? | Celebrities playing celebrities | Summer shows we're excited about
Amy's Baking Company adds immigration proceeding to public relations quagmire
WENN
Amy's Baking Company restaurateur Samy Bouzaglo, made infamous for his stint on Gordon Ramsay's show "Kitchen Nightmares," is facing deportation for withholding information about his criminal past. The Moroccan-born Israeli citizen was apparently less than forthcoming with immigration officials about drug distribution and extortion charges that landed him in prison before he came to the United States 13 years ago.
Bing: More about Amy's Baking Company
Bouzaglo is now mired in ongoing immigration court proceedings that could result in his expulsion from the country, AZ Central reports. His attorney, David Asser, says the matter began two years ago and is unrelated to his unflattering portrayal on FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares." His residency was the subject of a removal hearing on Monday in Arizona. Samy tells the Arizona Republic, "The FBI knows all about me ... The IRS knows. I want people to know about me. But not today, not tomorrow. I have nothing to hide."
Plus: 'Bachelorette': Where are they now? | Celebrities playing celebrities | Summer shows we're excited about
'Starting Strong' to chronicle what it means to live, eat and breathe Army life
WENN
Actor Ricky Schroder and his production company have joined forces with the U.S. Army to produce an unscripted series that will shed light on the different aspects of Army life. "Starting Strong," which is directed, narrated and produced by Schroder, aims to educate Americans about daily life in the Army and potential careers within the organization. Viewers will be introduced to more than 150 military occupational specialties by Army prospects who will share their personal on-the-job experiences. Schroder tells the Hollywood Reporter, "This is sort of new for the Army to give this behind-the-scenes, open-door look at what it means to live, eat and breathe Army life. Viewers are going to see real young men and women getting real experience in living, eating and breathing Army culture and jobs."
Bing: More about Ricky Schroder
One focus for the series will center around the expectations of military candidates and how they match up with reality. The series will follow trainees through the challenges of their chosen profession until they ultimately decide to join the Army or return to civilian life. Schroder explains, "Sometimes what the families want the young man or woman to do is different than what they end up doing. And the Army's standards are higher than ever. So, in some cases, the Army may not want you because you are just not up to standards. You will see some of that, but it will be handled in a very delicate and gentle way." The 10-week chronicle is set to debut on FOX stations on June 2, with four additional episodes available online.
Plus: 'Bachelorette': Where are they now? | Celebrities playing celebrities | Summer shows we're excited about
'Who Do You Think You Are?' to return in July on TLC
WENN
Lisa Kudrow's family tree-themed "Who Do You Think You Are?" has taken root at a new network after bosses at NBC axed it last year. Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon and Lionel Richie were among the celebrities who investigated their ancestral history on the series, which ran for three seasons and was executive produced by former "Friends" star Kudrow. NBC executives decided to cancel "Who Do You Think You Are?" last May, but it has now been picked up by TLC.
A statement from Kudrow reads, "I've never stopped hearing about how much people love 'Who Do You Think You Are?,' and I've always known that we've had more great stories to share. TLC is a great home for the series, and we join our excited celebrity participants as we unearth some amazing background and surprising histories." The new eight-part reality series will kick off on July 23.
Plus: 'Bachelorette': Where are they now? | Celebrities playing celebrities | Summer shows we're excited about
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Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.
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