WENN

 

"Dancing With the Stars" host Tom Bergeron still has high hopes for the long-running ballroom dancing competition, despite the recent decision by ABC to eliminate the results show following a slip in ratings. The veteran presenter celebrated the 300th episode of "DWTS" on Tuesday, but the festivities were slightly marred by the network execs' announcement that they are axing the second night of programming next season, thereby downsizing the show from four to two hours a week. But Bergeron isn't blind to the fact that the ratings aren't as high as they used to be in seasons past, telling OK! Magazine that the condensed show may actually help the struggling series, rather than hurt it.

 

Bing: More about 'Dancing With the Stars'

 

He admits, "I'm a glass half full kind of guy. I get the rationale behind it. There's no denying the numbers have been slipping. On the plus side, we still beat 'The Voice' last night by two million viewers, but they are beating us in the demo, and that's what the advertisers look to and that's the strategy behind (this). There have been times in the past -- and this will not come as a news flash to you -- late in the season we're stretching to fill two hours. It's sort of like, 'How much water can you put in the soup?' This will afford us the luxury of not having to worry about that. We've gone from sometimes stretching to fill the three hours to now saying, 'OK, we've got an embarrassment of riches here with what we can do in two."

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'

 

WENN

 

"America's Got Talent" host Nick Cannon is stepping down as the host of his weekly radio show. The actor is pulling the plug on his syndicated Top 40 program, "Cannon's Countdown," after two years in order to focus on other projects. A statement from the rapper-turned-actor reads: "It has been an amazing experience working with the team these past few years. I've made the difficult decision to step away from my on-air duties in radio in order to have the time to dedicate to (my production company) NCredible Entertainment and the various projects that I have on my plate in film, TV, retail and a new album. It is my plan to return to radio and my listeners very soon through my music."

 

Bing: More about Nick Cannon

 

His last broadcast will air on June 8, one month before Cannon is set to revive his popular sketch comedy TV show, "Wild 'N Out." He has been cutting back on his radio commitments since early 2012, when he quit his New York morning show on doctor's orders after he was diagnosed with acute kidney failure.

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'

 

WENN

 

"Dancing With the Stars" cast-off Ingo Rademacher is relieved he was eliminated from the show on Tuesday because he won't be obligated to learn any more choreography. The "General Hospital" star just missed the cut for the finals and landed in fifth place after Tuesday's results show, but Rademacher is surprisingly at peace with his elimination. He tells People magazine, "I'm really happy that I don't have to learn two or three of those dances next week. I'm sore, I'm tired and this is it. We're going to have a party while everyone else has to worry about choreographing. I'm really going to party." 

 

Bing: More about Ingo Rademacher

 

He isn't the only one partying: The series celebrated its 300th episode on Tuesday. And some of the greatest "DWTS" contestants -- including all-stars Kelly Monaco, Sabrina Bryan and Joey Fatone -- returned to their old stomping grounds to acknowledge the milestone. The final four -- Zendaya, Jacoby Jones, Kellie Pickler and Aly Raisman -- will continue their ballroom journey next Monday, when they give their final dances of the season.

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'

 

 

Us Weekly is reporting that judge Nicki Minaj will not be returning to "American Idol" for Season 13. It's news that should come as no surprise to followers of FOX's once top-rated singing competition series, which has suffered a turbulent year both on set and with the viewing public.

  

Earlier this week, FOX executive Kevin Reilly sounded off on the future of the show, raising questions about the fates of rookie judges Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban (Randy Jackson had previously announced that this season would be his last). Amid rumors that producers have plans to clean house comes this exclusive report that Minaj's tenure behind the judges' table will definitely come to an end after Thursday's season finale.

 

Bing: More about 'American Idol' | Nicki Minaj

 

According to a show insider, the Us Weekly report states, Minaj is turning her focus to her next album, touring and endorsements. "It's safe to say she isn't coming back to 'Idol,'" the source is quoted as saying. "She's OK with it. She had a great time but was only going to do one season anyway." 

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'

 

Attention now turns to Keith Urban and Mariah Carey, with whom Minaj has publicly feuded this season. Ongoing drama between the two female judges is seen as one of the more prominent reasons for the show's ratings decline this year (though "Idol" ratings have generally been on a downward slope for quite some time) and impetus for network executives to want to start with a clean slate next season. Carey has not commented yet on her future with the series. However, she is in preparations for a new world tour. Urban has been silent about his intentions as well. Host Ryan Seacrest is set to return for Season 13.

 

What do you think? Will you miss Nicki? Sound off on Facebook and Twitter

 

 

 

Pharrell Williams is a Grammy-winning producer who has been known to turn heads with his unconventional sartorial style.

 

So it only makes sense that Williams, who dabbles in design, would lend his expertise as a mentor on the Style Network's new offering, "Styled to Rock." Produced by pop star Rihanna, the series will give 12 relatively-unknown designers the opportunity to compete and create fashionable looks for A-list entertainers. The 10-episode series will debut later this year. Williams, 40, who served as a musical mentor on "The Voice," will act as a fashion mentor throughout the show's first season. 

 

Bing: More on 'Styled to Rock' | Pharrell Williams

 

"We are delighted to have Pharrell, who is a driving force in both the music industry and fashion world, serve as a mentor on 'Styled to Rock,'" said Salaam Coleman Smith, Style Media president, in a statement. "Pharrell's unique aesthetic and commitment to individuality combined with Rihanna's vision for this series will enable our aspiring designers to hone their craft and learn from the very people who set the trends."

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'

 

Williams, who has won four Grammys, is the lead vocalist, guitarist and drummer for N.E.R.D. and one-half of the producing duo, the Neptunes. His clothing lines include Billionaire Boys Club, Billionaire Girls Club, Bee Line and ICECREAM and he has designed jewelry and accessories for Louis Vuitton. "Styled to Rock" is executive produced by Robyn Rihanna Fenty and is produced by Shed Media U.S., Overbrook Entertainment and Marcy Media Films.

 

"Styled to Rock" premieres later this year on the Style Network.

 

 

 

WENN

 

Shakira is stepping down from her role as a mentor on "The Voice" to concentrate on motherhood.

 

The singer, who welcomed son Milan with boyfriend Gerard Pique in January, replaced Christina Aguilera in the judge's chair earlier this year for the show's fourth season. She now has confirmed she'll be leaving the competition series after just one season to focus on her parenting duties and the completion of her eighth studio album.

 

Bing: More about Shakira

 

The new mom tells UsMagazine.com, "I'm not going to be able to do next season because I have to get back to my motherhood and also get back to the studio, the recording studio, to finish my album, the one that I started working on before I had to deliver a baby and before I took this gig with 'The Voice.'"

But the Latin superstar hasn't ruled out a possible return to the program in the future. She teases, "You never know, I might come back!"

 

The news of Shakira's departure comes a day after reports emerged suggesting Aguilera would be returning to "The Voice" for the show's fifth season after securing a $12 million deal. The Wrap, however, reported that Aguilera's deal was for $17 million.

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'

 

WENN

 

Singer Adam Levine is sick of the fabricated rivalry between his show, "The Voice," and "American Idol," insisting the FOX series is a "cultural institution" that cannot be measured against. The Maroon 5 star is currently in the middle of his fourth season on NBC's hit singing competition, a show that has proven to be one of the few formidable opponents to long-running "Idol." While each of the shows boast different formats, their main goal is to find untapped talent in singers from across the country -- a process that has forced many viewers and members of the media to draw constant comparisons between the two. 

 

Bing: More about Adam Levine

 

But Levine has had enough, telling radio host and "Idol" emcee Ryan Seacrest that he's tired of questions that would potentially insult the veteran TV show's producers and stars. He attested, "Anytime we do an interview for our show, every journalist tries to get us to talk s--- about 'Idol.' I'm always like, 'Dude, shut up. 'American Idol' is like the biggest show ever.' Why would we compare ourselves to it? And it's like this cultural institution that's been around for friggin' ever. It makes people feel so dumb for even asking. It's just silly, right? It's amazing that they always try to stir the pot with that beef."

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project' 

 

WENN

 

"Teen Mom" star Farrah Abraham has enraged her sex tape partner James Deen by claiming she may be pregnant. The adult film star refuses to play along with what he believes is a "publicity stunt." Abraham, 21, made headlines in the days following the release of her sex tape after she was photographed buying an at-home pregnancy test, leading to speculation she had missed her period. The duo engaged in unprotected sex, and she claims she didn't have sexual relations with anyone else for over a year prior to the shoot. 

 

Bing: More about Farrah Abraham

 

Deen tells Celebuzz, "This is a type of publicity I do not agree with and I do not want to participate in. Joking or lying or using pregnancy to get attention and media is not cool. It involves three people's lives, including the potential unborn child." Vivid Entertainment bosses, who picked up the sex tape and released it online earlier this month, assured the porn veteran that Abraham was taking birth control. Deen adds, "Had I known she was not taking preventive measures I would have never accepted the scene ... She' known for being a 'Teen Mom,' so I was a bit concerned."

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'