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Competition finally starts to heat up as final five take the stage for two songs
By John Kubicek
In the late 18th century, America kicked England's butt in the Revolutionary War. Now they're finally getting their revenge because it's British Week on "American Idol." It makes me wonder if "Pop Idol" in the U.K. ever does American Week. I also wonder if Hollie Cavanagh is actually a mole sent from Liverpool to steal our nation's singing competition secrets. To make this episode even more enjoyable, sing "For British eyes only!" from "Arrested Development" every time Hollie walks on stage.
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Anyway, as you may have noticed, BuddyTV's "American Idol" expert Carla Patton is out for the week on vacation. I'm filling in for her to recap the top 5 taking on British songs as well as music from the '60s -- two themes that have nothing in common. Maybe next week it will be Broadway musicals and the Tupac songbook. Or country songs and music by artists whose names start with the letter "P."
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And who better to mentor the kids for this week than Little Steven from the E Street Band, a man who is neither British nor a '60s musician. But he was on "The Sopranos," so it's probably best if I don't insult him. Now swap out your beer and pretzels for some tea and crumpets, because this is British "American Idol"!
OK, that "New Girl" promo of the cast talking about watching "American Idol" was hilarious. I wish the "New Girl" cast was with us for the whole show, "Mystery Science Theater 3000"-style.
One girl in the audience has a sign asking Ryan to do her hair. I know those people are probably planted by FOX, but I don't care because that was genius. It turns out Steven Van Zandt is Jimmy Iovine's BFF, which explains why he's the mentor.
Round 1: The '60s
Hollie Cavanagh: "River Deep, Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner
Once again, all the advice is for Hollie to stop thinking so damned much. I assumed this would be a disaster, but it's actually pretty darn entertaining. The girl can definitely sing. And for the first time all season, she steps it up as an entertainer and not just a singer. But I still don't see her in this role. It feels like she realized she couldn't beat Jessica Sanchez on ballads, so now she's trying to beat Skylar Laine on energy and spunk.
Phillip Phillips: "The Letter" by the Box Tops
He's changing it up, big time, and Jimmy kind of hates it. It's worth noting Lee DeWyze sang this song in Season 9. In case you don't know what a letter is, the screen behind Phillip has envelopes falling. The "Idol" graphics department needs to stop being so literal. The song itself is exactly what you'd expect because Phillip does the same thing on every song. Jennifer Lopez doesn't know the song, and the judges point out there was no melody. But they don't care. Ryan Seacrest then steals the spotlight by making a joke about how Julianne Hough called Phillip "yummy." It turns out Phillip has a girlfriend, and she's a brunette. I hope that doesn't hurt his votes.
Skylar Laine: "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes! This is so Skylar it hurts -- a down and dirty piece of rocking country goodness. She's like the Tasmanian devil of country rock. Please, America. Let her win -- because I'm kind of in love with her.
Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips: "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" by the Righteous Brothers
These two should not sing together ... ever. Even the "funny" banter before they sing is awkward because Phillip is playing up his "Aw shucks, I'm just a country boy who don't know nothing" act, and Joshua doesn't seem to know what to do with it. When Phillip sings "Something beautiful's dying," I feel the same way. Imagine if, instead of an iceberg, the Titanic crashed into the Hindenburg. Then double it. That's how bad this was. I think Steven Tyler had a stroke because he rambles endlessly about how much he loved it. Did we hear the same song?
Jessica Sanchez: "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival/Tina Turner
Little Steven hates this song because he's heard it so many damn times. I kind of agree, especially because this means all three girls basically sing the same style of song for round one (since this song was famously done by the artists who did Hollie and Skylar's songs). I'm really torn on this one. Jessica sings it amazingly, of course. And she has a ton of energy. But, somehow, it feels artificial, like this isn't really who she is and she's just playing a role. Maybe it's because she did so many old-fashioned ballads early on, but I don't buy her as a fun teenager, even though she is one. Randy Jackson is right to criticize it, and Jennifer Lopez is awful because she thinks everything is sunny all the time.
Joshua Ledet: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by the Temptations
This is almost too easy for him. It's so in his wheelhouse. Joshua could nail this song in his sleep, and he does. For some reason, I'm bored of Phillip doing the same thing every week. But I don't mind that Joshua does it. But as good as it is, I keep waiting for another "When a Man Loves a Woman" moment. Steven Tyler calls him one of the two best "Idol" singers of all time. I wonder who the other one is. Stefano Langone maybe? Randy compares him to Terence Trent D'Arby, which seems like a backhanded compliment.
Round 1 Verdict
The judges agree that Joshua, Hollie and Skylar all won. So basically they're saying Phillip and Jessica sucked. That seems about right to me.
Round 2: Brit Pop
Hollie Cavanagh: "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
She's once again trying to sing a huge song. And wow. That is what I like to call a moment. At the start of the top 13, I thought she was a dark horse. Then she went off track, and I turned on her. But this is the girl I saw at the start of this competition. This is the girl I thought could sneak in and win the whole thing. Steven Tyler has never heard of this song, and Randy Jackson is so passive aggressive about it (as he should be since Leona Lewis won "The X Factor" in the U.K., a show that happens to be from Simon Cowell). Steven Tyler should be fired during the next commercial break for saying something so damn stupid.
Phillip Phillips: "Time of the Season" by the Zombies
Holy crap. Little Steven was right: Phillip is singing melody! Wait, I think I punctuated that wrong. Phillip is singing(?) melody. If this is what happens when Phillip steps outside of his tiny Dave Matthews box, he should go back in and never leave it. Seriously, that falsetto was just plain wrong. I feel like the judges know that Phillip is going to win this competition, so they're going out of their way not to say anything too mean.
Jessica Sanchez, Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh: "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson
Is it wrong that I associate this song with the "Ghostbusters 2" (when they use it to activate the goo and make the Statue of Liberty walk across New York City)? That movie is awesome, and this song is actually pretty good, too. All three girls sang the same style in the first half of the show, so they blend much better than the guys.
Skylar Laine: "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield
The common theme of the mentor sessions seems to be that Jimmy and Little Steven are having fun, which annoys me because it should be about the singers not Jimmy and his BFF. And Skylar just did the same thing Hollie did, which is slow it down and give an amazingly powerful performance. I love that Skylar can actually sing beautifully and tell stories. She's not just a spitfire. I'm glad Randy Jackson points out how silly it is that the sets are starting to involve actors sitting on benches. That was just weird.
Jessica Sanchez: "You Are So Beautiful" as performed by Joe Cocker
Huh. This is an interesting choice for her, and Jimmy is worried that it might sound like Muzak. In the end, I can't decide if I liked it or not. The girl is definitely an unbelievable singer, and her control and notes are insanely perfect. And it's slow and emotional and should be a real moment. But I don't feel it. There's a disconnect here between the beauty of her singing and the actual story. Even the final close-up of her face made it look like she was trying to force out a tear to prove how good she is. The judges, naturally, love it. Then we get yet another "Ryan cross-dressing" joke as he helps Jessica put on her high heels.
Joshua Ledet: "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees
Thankfully, this marks the last time we have to see the Jimmy and Steven comedy hour, which is the most annoying, self-serving nonsense this show has ever subjected us to. I don't care about Jimmy Iovine, and I certainly don't care about him and his friend joking around. Anyway, Joshua does his best to put his gospel spin on this song. And after a rather boring and tepid first half, he takes us to church! Preach on, Reverend James Brown! That's the Joshua I love, but what I don't love is that the judges give their boy his 100th standing ovation of the season.
I'm so over the judges standing for Joshua, and it kind of makes me resent him, even though he's very good. Jennifer Lopez says he's one of the best singers in 50 years. They gave him the Pimp Spot already. They don't need to keep pimping him this hard. Like I said, it was really good. But the judges act like he just cured cancer while bringing peace to the Middle East.
Final Verdict
This is going to be hard to predict. Realistically, Phillip Phillips probably did the worst out of the top 5, but we keep on being told how much everyone loves him, and he's never been in the bottom. I think we could be in for some crazy results tomorrow night along with Carrie Underwood and Coldplay.
What did you think of Wednesday night's performances? Who's in trouble?
"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.
You mean to tell us reality television isn't real?
By Michelle Strub
MSN TV
Dashing all of our hopes and dreams that reality TV might in fact (or at least even a little bit), be real, the cast of the "Real Housewives of NYC" was caught allegedly staging and re-filming scenes over the weekend. Shocked. We're shocked.
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According to onlookers in Southampton where the show was filming, Heather Thomson and Carole Radziwell were acting like actors when they took instructions from producers, took breaks in dialogue to wait for camera setups and shot multiple takes.
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"Carole and Heather stood on Meeting House Lane and waited for the crew to call 'rolling,' before walking toward the camera and sitting on a park bench. They even shot the scene twice!" observed a concerned citizen.
It's not the first time a "Real Housewives" cast -- or any reality show for that matter -- has been accused of faking reality, but we still can't help feeling like we just found out all over again that Santa Claus doesn't exist.
Will you still watch knowing this about the show? Tell us at MSN TV on Facebook and Twitter.
'Bachelor' and Catherine turned down offer for even more screen time
WENN
Former "Bachelor" Sean Lowe has revealed he and fiancée Catherine Giudici were offered another shot at reality TV stardom, but they decided to turn it down. Just one week after Lowe proposed to Giudici on the season finale of the hit dating show in March, Lowe continued his run on ABC by joining the cast of "Dancing With the Stars." While he didn't nab the Mirrorball Trophy, his extended run on reality TV had critics believing he was just in it for the fame. Lowe slammed the reports at the time. And during a recent interview with talk show host Katie Couric, he backed up his statement by revealing network bosses offered the couple even more screen time with a new series - which they turned down.
Lowe divulged, "ABC approached us about doing a six-episode miniseries a while back, and at the time, it wasn't really something that we wanted to do only because we need time to be ourselves and to be normal and not to have cameras around. I don't know if that's something we would entertain in the future or not." Giudici added, "Camera chapter is done. This is a new one. It's nice to be quiet and get to know each other on a different level." Despite the fact the happy couple turned down the miniseries offer, Lowe and Giudici still have plans to have a televised wedding on the network but have yet to set a date for the big day.
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'X Factor' judge wishes she was as straightforward and courageous as her boss
WENN
Demi Lovato has confessed she admires "X Factor" creator Simon Cowell's honesty and wishes she was as courageous as he is when it comes to telling wannabes the truth. The "Heart Attack" singer has returned for a second season as a judge on the singing competition, reclaiming her place next to fellow mentor and frequent rival Cowell. And, although the two playfully butt heads on the show, Lovato does commend him for having no filter when it comes to doling out usually harsh criticisms to poorly performing hopefuls.
She tells Heat magazine, "Whatever he has to say, it's the honest truth. Sometimes I don't agree with him, but most of the time he says what I'm wanting to say but, like, I just physically can't because it's so mean! He knows what he's talking about. He knows that he's doing, and he's gonna tell you straight up, whether you want to hear it or not." Lovato and Cowell are currently in the middle of auditions for Season 2, along with new judges Paulina Rubio and Kelly Rowland. They will hit three more cities across the U.S. this summer before the live shows premiere this fall.
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Host confesses he hated having to eliminate teary child contestants
WENN
"Amazing Race" host Phil Keoghan regrets filming a family version of the series, admitting he found it extremely difficult to eliminate the kids competing on the show. After 12 years, 22 seasons and 13 Emmy Awards, "The Amazing Race" is still one of the most popular reality series on television. And having been with the series since its inception, Keoghan has been through many ups and downs. But the one thing he wished had never made it to air was Season 8's family edition where families of four competed in the race around the world, including the youngest contestant at the age of 8.
During a roundtable discussion with the Hollywood Reporter, he admits, "I wish we hadn't done the family version of 'Amazing Race,' but I'm proud that we tried it. It didn't work, and it came back to the whole thing of having to eliminate kids. It's hard enough to eliminate anybody because they want to be there so badly. And I had to look into a kid's eyes with the tears pouring down with a raised eyebrow and dramatic pause, cameras coming in: 'I'm sorry to tell you, you've been eliminated.'
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'The Wanted Life' honcho knew right away Brit band's lifestyle would translate well
WENN
The Wanted are perfect for reality TV because of their unapologetic, wild and crazy rock star lifestyle, according to reality TV kingpin Ryan Seacrest. The Brit boy band broke onto the U.S. music scene last year with their hit "Glad You Came" and landed an E! series, "The Wanted Life," which follows their journey in America. Seacrest, who is the brains behind the new show, tells "Access Hollywood" that he knew the fivesome was perfect for reality television.
The "American Idol" host, who is also responsible for bringing the Kardashian clan to E!, reveals, "We had been playing their music on the radio, and they came into the office one day. And a lot of people that you meet with are a little bit guarded when they're in a meeting or when they're gonna do a television show. The Kardashians are not guarded, and I noticed that the Wanted are not guarded at all. They really will let you shoot anything. And they're wild. And they are unapologetic about being crazy rock stars, 20-something-years old and not caring if they're diving into fountains in Las Vegas and getting into trouble for it. And so, when I saw that, I thought, 'This is a TV show!'"
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Host fretted that hit series was going to be another 'karaoke show'
WENN
"Voice" host Carson Daly initially turned down the offer to host the singing competition, confessing he didn't want to be part of a "karaoke show." The 39-year-old has built his career around his love of music -- as a radio DJ, the former host of MTV's "Total Request Live" and now as a host on NBC's hit singing contest. But it was as a devoted music fan that he declined the role on "The Voice" when he was first offered the gig. During an interview with late-night TV host Jay Leno, Daly, who also serves as a producer on the show, confessed he was apprehensive about joining the series in 2011, especially with similar shows like "American Idol" and "The X Factor" already on network TV.
Daly admitted, "I was pitching some dumb idea to NBC bosses to keep me around, and they said, 'We think we finally found the right prime-time vehicle for you, and it's a singing competition show.' And I said, 'No, thanks. I love music. I need to keep it credible. I'm not interested in a karaoke show.' They showed us a tape from Holland where they had 'The Voice,' and it was just great... I got goose bumps. I said 'If you'll have me, I'm in.' And really, people thought we were crazy because the market's been flooded with these types of shows. But we just felt we could put a show with the names of like Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green, real people who really wanted to help people and not just tell them they sucked. Maybe it could be uplifting, and it could work. And it did."
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'Teen Mom' and sex tape star feels she shines both personally and professionally
WENN
Farrah Abraham has slammed comparisons between her and Kim Kardashian, insisting she's a "smarter person" than the reality TV star. The 22-year-old, who is arguably the best known of the "Teen Mom" cast members, recently released a sex tape with adult film star James Deen. Now that the single mom is reaping the benefits of her newfound fame following her X-rated debut, many critics have likened her to Kardashian, who most gained notoriety when her sex tape with ex-boyfriend Ray J was leaked in 2007. However, Abraham tells New Jersey's Metropolis Nights magazine that she could not disagree more with the comparisons between her and Kardashian, insisting she has and will make smarter decisions in her life, both personally and professionally.
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Abraham asserts, "I definitely feel it's an unfair comparison. I have been very successful with other things in my life besides just being a reality TV star. I have books and other things going on in my life that outshine Kim Kardashian. I feel I just outshine her when it comes to both our personal and professional lives. That's why I don't like being compared to her. We're two really different people. I don't for see myself getting married more than once. I don't see myself making the same choices that she has made. Good or bad, I just feel I'm going to be a smarter person. I don't want to be negative. We're just different people. I wish her the best, but I'm going to focus on my life."
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'Tamar and Vince' star takes to Twitter on Father's Day to share the news
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Tamar Braxton has finally revealed the name of her first child with husband Vincent Herbert. More than a week after announcing the arrival of her newborn son, the singer and reality TV star has shared the name of the newest Braxton family member: Logan. On Sunday, she took to Twitter and posted a photo of their little one's hand grasping at Herbert's, writing, "Happy Father's Day to the love of my life, my best friend, my husband Vincent Herbert! Our son Logan Vincent Herbert & I are proud to share this day with you!! We love you soooooo much!!"
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Last Thursday, the first-time mom to share the happy news with fans, writing, "HE'S finally here!" alongside a snap of a group of blue teddy bears with the words "baby boy" printed on their feet. This is the first child for Braxton and Herbert, who wed in 2008 and star in their own WEtv spin-off show, "Tamar and Vince," which recently was renewed for a second season.
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