MSN TV Blog - Reality TV

Judges decline to use Save as Deandre Brackensick departs the contest

By MSN TV Apr 5, 2012 7:14PM
'American Idol'/FOX

By Carla Patton

BuddyTV

 

This week, the top 8 performed songs from the 1980s. And, unlike in weeks past, there was a clear division of talent. Some people were amazing. Some failed to live up to ghosts of performances past. And some contestants sounded just too much like previous performances. Phillip Phillips is becoming a notable offender of sounds-the-same syndrome. The big question on this night is: Who will go home? Or will the judges use the Save? I think the real problem at hand is that no one sang a Hall and Oates song. Maybe they're saving that for an entire Hall and Oates-themed week! In my dreams.

 

Bing: More about 'American Idol' | Photos: See the top 8 singers

 

Oddly, I think Deandre bought himself a ticket into next week with his DeBarge performance. Even though he went first, Jennifer made sure to continue mentioning his performance and how good he's getting. Now that Heejun is gone, she has to focus on preserving Deandre for as long as possible.

 

More: 'American Idol' on BuddyTV | Video: Watch 'American Idol' clips and more

 

Hollie was in the bottom two last week, and her performance of the song from "Flashdance" was arguably one of the worst this week. It seems like the viewers aren't sure what to make of Elise yet, and her off-kilter performance of "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner may not help. I arbitrarily chose Joshua in my predictions to round out the bottom three. But after further consideration, I think Phillip Phillips could spend a little time in the bottom, just to get a quick feel for it. We'll see what the all-knowing, all-seeing Jimmy Iovine has to say.


Ryan stops the show mid-filler to ask Joshua how he's feeling. He's lightheaded and sick! Joshua, you can't pass out on us! "Live TV -- anything can happen!" Ryan would say. But before anything happens, a world-premiere Jennifer Lopez video. She describes it as "fun" and "dancy." Ryan asks Jennifer about chemistry with any of the dancers, and she giggles like a little girl. It was actually quite endearing. Then she tells us the song has a "great message" -- one that I will be searching for among the shots of a diamond dust-covered J. Lo. The video preview ends with a "to be continued," as though it had any plot whatsoever.

 

Oh, the contestants "went on a little scavenger hunt," only to find a terrible Ford Music Video premise! They look tired and bored in the video. These are not the attitudes that sell cars, kids.

To make Joshua feel better (how?), Ryan shows a Twitvid of some preschoolers in Vietnam wishing him luck. They're delivering results in pairs on this night -- a great move. Jessica and Joshua move to the center first. I can only assume they're both safe. Jimmy says Joshua seemed a little over-affected but has reined it in and found his sweet spot. "Tens all around," Jimmy says, bored by this whole thing already. Jimmy says Jessica was great but needs bigger, more powerful songs. Joshua picked a better song than Jessica this week, in Jimmy's opinion. Oh, phooey. Joshua is safe, so he can go back to feeling sick on the couch. Jessica is also safe. Well, isn't that nice!


The Wanted are here to sing "Glad You Came," which sounds like something Jennifer Lopez would like to sample. If only it featured Pitbull. Tommy Hilfiger clearly wasn't around to intervene with the Wanted and all that gray in their wardrobe. These guys look bored, too. One of them tiredly ground against Jennifer. Then they sauntered back to the mainstage. Bring back Lauren Alaina!

 

"Did you go to first base with Jen?" Ryan asks that one guy, once he mistakenly thought his microphone was off. Such a creep.

 

Next up: Skylar and Colton. I'm guessing they are both safe, too? Jimmy is glad Skylar didn't sing "9 to 5" and is convinced that Skylar, too, is a power singer. Jimmy says Colton was good but not great. Well, whatever. I'm sure Colton's fine. Ryan brings up Hollie and Deandre to the center of the stage, probably because they are both in the bottom three? We revisit Hollie's performance first, which Jimmy says "wasn't even a great high school performance." Jimmy thinks Hollie will be "fighting with Deandre for who's packing." Jimmy does not give a %*#&. Jimmy insists that, "No! ... Deandre was not great! ... Deandre is growing marginally." Oh, I just love Jimmy.

Dim the lights. Deandre is in the bottom three. Colton is safe. Skylar is safe, and Hollie is in the bottom three. Jimmy is at the top of his game!

 

Next, Kellie Pickler sings her new country hit, "Where's Tammy Wynette?" She looks less bored than everyone else on this night, myself included. In a classic, returning country "Idol" move, Kellie sits herself between two boys on the results couch. She didn't linger like Lauren Alaina did, because she's a bit more seasoned. She knows when her time on the couch is up. After her performance, Kellie declares that "everyone on this season gon' get a record deal!" If you say so, Pollyanna!

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Phillip and Elise are up next. Jimmy says there are three versions of yourself, and this was Phillip's "good version" of himself. It was safe and not great. He can't stop progressing in this competition or he'll stall out. As for Elise, she was "not incredible" on stage. It's "an old-fashioned choke," Jimmy declares. OK. Ryan asks Phillip if he's worried about complacency and Phillip says, "Naw, man. I'm just bein' myself." He's adorable.

Elise is in the bottom three. Phillip is safe. That's a lot of pleats on that skirt. Ryan reveals that Hollie is safe and can go back to the couches. So it will be Elise or Deandre. I hope it's Deandre, and then we don't have to think about the Save.


Jennifer and Randy feel "half and half" that America got one person right in the bottom. And the journey could end for ... Deandre. Deandre's family just loses it, and someone in the audience shrieks, "What!?" Oh, don't be so surprised, little girl. Deandre tells his sister to stop crying then launches into a performance of "Master Blaster." A poor choice for his final song, but maybe he knows he isn't worth the Save.

It was good for a performance under duress -- outstanding, really, given his family's emotional state. The audience is chanting, "Save! Save! Save!" But they'll get over it. Jennifer says Deandre is an amazing performer who has a lot to show the world, but she only gets one vote so Deandre is eliminated. "What!?" the person in the audience goes again. Oh, my god. Someone is going to start a riot.

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Jam on, Deandre!
 

What do you think of Thursday night's results? Did American and the judges get it right?

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

 

The buff banker is the latest castaway to be blindsided off the island

By Sona Charaipotra Apr 5, 2012 3:52PM
'Survivor: One World'/CBS
Blindside alert! Buff banker Michael Jefferson, 30, was definitely not expecting to be the next castaway voted off "Survivor: One World," especially because he thought he had two strong alliances going. But the women's team trifecta of Chelsea, Kim and Sabrina seems to be calling the shots these days -- and they're all about eliminating the threats. 
 

MSN TV: You seemed genuinely surprised to see Jeff call your name as the next castaway eliminated. 

Michael: I was truly surprised. I didn't see this coming at all. I really thought I'd covered all my bases. I had an alliance with the men, but I was also in pretty tight with the Salani ladies. Or at least that's what I thought anyway. Turns out I was wrong. But I was hurt by that. I really trusted Kim. I thought we were all tight. 

It's funny. Last week they really Jonas tried to get you out, but no go. What changed this week?

I guess they saw me as the biggest threat. This season has definitely been unique. We've seen a lot of the strongest players get taken out really earlier -- Matt, Bill, Monica. So I knew I had to watch my back a bit, but I felt so confident about Salani, I thought I had a free pass for a while. I thought I could coast. But Jonas really put the spotlight on me on his way out, so it was my turn this week.

Troy seemed really upset when Kim told him you were plotting against him, which clearly was a ploy. What's up with that?

Actually, Troy and I didn't really get along, unfortunately. He and Jonas really didn't want to have anything to do with me. I made the effort. They would not reciprocate. So that was that. 

Did you see Jonas as a threat?

I don't really see at all how Jonas would be a threat. He was a really nice guy, but he was really about following the leader. I didn't understand what that was all about. For me, it made sense to get rid of the dead weight. I thought they'd send Christina home, or maybe Tarzan. 

You and Jay were pretty tight, but he voted against you. Surprised?

No. I can't really blame him. He's trying to cover his ass, and that means going with the flow, at least for now. It's strategy, and it's a smart way to play it, at least for now. He knows who's got the power at the moment, so it's like he's driftwood, just floating along, hoping he's not the next target. He may eventually have to make a power play if he wants to stay in the game, but when you're out there, you've got to do what you have to do to make it to the end. 

Do you think he has it in him to make a big move?

I do think he can -- I think he may have too eventually. I think with the guys, right off the bat, it was me and Matt and Jay who were the contenders. Matt got taken out of the game really quickly, and that set the tone, really. So it's smart to lay low for now. But I think Jay may have to do something to undermine this girls' alliance. 

"Survivor: One World" airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
 

Colton Dixon, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez continue to lead the pack

By MSN TV Apr 4, 2012 8:09PM
'American Idol'/FOX

By Carla Patton

BuddyTV

 

Put on your acid-wash jeans and your spandex because this week, the "American Idol" top 8 take on hits from the 1980s. It should be a great week for people like me, who love the '80s. So many great choices! I'll be so disappointed if no one sings a song by Hall and Oates. But there are only eight solo performances, so I should probably prepare myself for disappointment. I hope they won't try to throw duets or trios at us again. Save that mess for the results show!

 

Bing: More about 'American Idol' | Photos: See the top 8 singers

 

But, according to recent spoilers, they are singing duets, and I'll have to settle for the Pointer Sisters instead of Hall and Oates. And no one is singing any Tears for Fears? I'm flabbergasted. A wasted opportunity, top 8! At least someone is singing "Flashdance ... What a Feeling."

 

More: 'American Idol' on BuddyTV | Video: Watch 'American Idol' clips and more

 

Last week, the sunshine of our lives, Heejun, left. I don't want to remember the pain of losing my precious! Oh, well. If we can count on one thing it's that "American Idol" won't dwell on it. It will, however, dwell on all those '80s pictures of Randy Jackson. I typed that before Ryan even pulled up the picture. Oh, well. Hooray for the '80s! And Colton dyed more parts of his hair. Ugh.

 

Deandre Brackensick misses his car. He will be singing "I Like It" by DeBarge. Mentor Gwen Stefani notices that Deandre looks really nervous when he sings. He starts out in the audience, and the girls next to him try to look into it. He walks by the crowd and high-fives ol' Nigel Lythgoe, who is standing in the front.

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This is the Deandre I like -- laid-back, casual and not too falsetto. His lower register is nice, too, so I like when he mixes it up. Good song for Deandre. He's still relying a little heavily on the falsetto, but this was an improvement from the last two weeks. Jennifer, whose hair looks marvelous tonight, thought it was a great start to the show. Steven forgot where he was, but that's probably normal. Randy thought DeBarge would have liked it, and appreciated that it wasn't too much falsetto.

 

Elise Testone originally chose "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, and I am so glad she opted for "I Wanna Know What Love Is" by Foreigner instead of that tired, easy win song. Gwen Stefani likes Elise, but I'm not sure America has made up its collective mind on her yet. I don't know that I really care for this performance. It's a little sappy and not exciting enough to be memorable in that second slot. I still like her voice and Elise as a performer. She's completely natural. But it got even weirder when the choir came out to sing behind her and the key changed. It felt a little shouty and pushed, like she yelled almost the entire thing. Steven wasn't sure it was the right song, Jennifer said Elise looks beautiful and is a powerhouse but it "wasn't totally right every single moment." Randy said she never quite hit the pitch right. Wuh oh.

Ryan Seacrest is in quite the jovial mood tonight, isn't he? He is on fire!

 

And now, Skylar Laine and Colton Dixon sing "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, which shows off Skylar a little better than Colton. They didn't have much chemistry, but the song sounded great. Skylar pretty much owned it. It was ... better than I anticipated? Randy thought it was "sweet and nice."

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Coca-Cola has already received "thousands of lyrics" to help Jason Derulo finish his song "Undefeated," and I hope they were all about his neck brace. I am obsessed with it.

Phillip Phillips misses his brother. He's singing "That's All" by Genesis. It did not go well in rehearsal, but the mentors have complete confidence. I'm glad he's singing this song. I love it. Phillip gives this song the typical Dave Matthews Band treatment, but he's really coming into his own as an artist, I think. Some of the parts were too high for him, and he started sweating almost immediately. But overall it was another good Phil Phil performance. Steven thought it was great. Jennifer thought he found it, eventually. And Randy likes the "brotherly love thing." I, too, like the brotherly love thing. It's cute! Did I just fall in love with Phillip Phillips?

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Singing my karaoke favorite, "I'm So Excited" by the Pointer Sisters, are Deandre Brackensick and Hollie Cavanagh. Lord, Hollie has looked better. Hollie sounds great on this song, and Deandre sounds weak. The harmonies are all right, though. I hope they're "so excited" to be going home in the next four weeks or so! Could anyone really be that excited by a guy who is singing the higher harmony on the song? It was a cheese fest, but Hollie and Deandre know that it doesn't really matter. Hollie won this battle, though, if anyone is keeping score.

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Somewhere behind the cameras, the producers are making the "stretch" gesture to Ryan Seacrest. That is the only explanation for all this extra filler and chitchat with the judges.

Joshua Ledet is singing "If You Don't Know Me By Now" as performed by Simply Red. The choir is back, of course, to open up this song. It's obviously a great choice for Joshua, but I think now is right around the time that we know what to expect from him. And things could get too predictable. It had that churchy feel and lots of vocal pyrotechnics. So, yes, it was great. But it's starting to feel like the same thing every week from him. And, as they do every week, the judges got on their feet. The judges loved it, and Randy wanted to stand up from beginning to end. He did sing the you-know-what outta that song.

 

Yes! Jessica Sanchez is singing "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston. We all know she can slay a Whitney song. Jessica has an alter ego, "Bebe Chez." Or is it B.B.? Whatever, B.B. is comin' out. And look at that little denim jacket. Work it, girl. I love that she's giving the dance-hit genre another shot this week. While I'm not sure she will win, I think Jessica absolutely deserves to. She is such a good singer, plain and simple. She killed it! Jennifer can't believe how good Jessica's voice is and how small her body is. Randy reminded us that he had the pleasure of working on that song. Jessica is mature and effortless. "She's gotta have it, too," Randy says like he's gotta have a nap.

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Elise Testone and Phillip Phillips are the perfect pairing, especially to sing "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks. It's like they went back in time and recorded this so that Elise and Phillip could have something to sing for this meaningless '80s duet night. The judges really loved it.

Hollie Cavanagh is singing "Flashdance ... What a Feeling" by Irene Cara. Jimmy still probably thinks it's cheesy, but it's up to Hollie to feel it emotionally. Ryan stalls while they set up the keyboard on stage. Don't throw her off before she performs! So weird. She looks a little unsure of herself, and it doesn't seem like the keyboard is fully functioning after all. The performance is lackluster, and a few notes are just flat. At the end, she looks like she knows it didn't go very well. Even Steven tells her the pitch was all over the place. The judges try to encourage her and tell her not to think about it so much. She looked better last week.

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Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez bring us "I Know You Were Waiting for Me" by Aretha Franklin and George Michael. They got the choir to back them up, too. This is a match made in heaven. I thought Phillip and Elise were good together, but Joshua and Jessica are unstoppable. The dream team! What fun we're having here! But I'm still mad about the duets. The judges stand for this duet, as though it meant anything anymore.

 

For whatever reason, Ryan Seacrest pulled a bunch of teen cheerleaders up on stage to introduce Colton Dixon's clip package. He's singing "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper, which is both ambitious and a great choice. Colton was actually super charming in his rehearsal, and maybe there's room in my confused heart for Colton and Phillip this week. I think Colton has the goods to take himself further than James Durbin did last season. Colton has a little more poise. My inner teen cheerleader squealed when he sang, "Go slow." All right, Colton, my heart is a hot tub from "The Bachelor" this week: There's room for everyone (and it's full of disease?). Come on in! Steven thinks Colton could cut a record right now. Jennifer thought it was amazing. And Randy likes that Colton made it his own. I like that Colton admitted he ripped off the Quietdrive cover of this song.

 

Last but not least, it's the adorable Skylar Laine. I'm pleased to see her in the pimp spot this week, which means her performance could knock our socks off. She's singing "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler. She brought in "9 to 5"! Oh, be still my heart. But I suppose she could take on a ballad. She already sang some Dolly Parton earlier in the night. I got chills just from the beginning of the song. Skylar knows when to keep it simple and how to make it feel country without seeming hokey. I could have done without the literal flaming bird/feather backdrop behind Skylar, but that is a mild complaint. She sounded great when she took the song up. She has such a powerful voice. My other mild complaint is that the arrangement and accompaniment overpowered her a bit at the end. But she was awesome.

I'm really happy to see that some contestants can still surprise us. Some of them are getting a little one-note, and a few are falling behind the pack. What do you think? Should we all match our hair to our dresses? Randy mentioned everyone except Hollie in the category of "good performances." Ouch!

What did you think of Wednesday night's performances?

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

 

Naia Kete, Charlotte Sometimes, Sera Hill and Moses Stone are booted off

By Vinnie Penn Apr 3, 2012 8:17PM

'The Voice'/NBC

Blake Shelton used the word "suck" a record amount of times in this initial round of eliminations, but never more eloquently than when Carson asked him how tough deciding on one getting to stay would be, a last-minute decision - and a first for the show: "It's not tough, it's sucky."

 

Bing: More about 'The Voice' | Photos: Meet the contestants

 

But, first, the saves. America rang the phone lines, and while Daly pointed out that the three saves in each team were "in no particular order" it just didn't ring true.

 

Last Night on TV: Watch recaps | Video: Watch full episodes and clips

 

Team Blake

Erin Willett

Jermaine Paul

RaeLynn (who shouted "s***!" upon hearing her name announced)

 

Team Christina

Jesse Campbell

Lindsay Pavao

Chris Mann

 

Then came the performances that could save only one from each team. Shelton's "leftovers" took the stage.

 

Naia Kete did "If I Were a Boy" -- begrudgingly, stating she couldn't find anything reggae, which coach Blake had said he'd wished she did. Charlotte Sometimes gave an (overly) emotional performance of the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris." Then, finally, Jordis Unga brought more classic rock, going from Heart on Monday night to some Stones ("Wild Horses"). Levine, Cee Lo, and Christina all agreed (as did I, for what it's worth): Jordis. And that's who Blake went with, looking genuinely pained to see the others go all the way through.

 

Xtina's crew: Ashley De La Rosa simply tore it up, taking the sizzle of Grace Potter & the Nocturnals' "Paris (Ooh La La)" up several notches. Sera Hill got gutsy with Maria Carey ("Vision of Love")! Moses Stone clearly listened to Levine from the night before, and although it seemed at the time he wouldn't, he sang. A Script tune no less. No rapping to be had. Despite listening to Levine, Adam voted for Ashley. Ditto, Blake. Cee Lo was odd man out with Sera. Aguilera gave Ashley the pass. 

 

Team Levine versus Team Cee Lo is up next. Daly called what they had coming their way "the hot seat." For some, it's an ejector seat.  

 

What did you think of this episode? Tell us on Facebook

"The Voice" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

 

Actor Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya are the next to be eliminated

By Kate Mulcrone Apr 3, 2012 8:15PM

'Dancing With the Stars'/ABC

This week's elimination was tough. Jack Wagner had a rough time in the last round, but turned in a cheerful samba this week that the judges called his best to date. Unfortunately for him, all of the dances were also excellent this week and someone had to be the one to go.

 

Bing: More about 'Dancing With the Stars' | Photos: Meet the cast of Season 14

 

Jack wished the rest of the contestants good luck and he and Anna danced a sweet little waltz together.

 

Last Night on TV: Watch recaps | Video: Watch clips and more

 

Here's how the remaining stars did this week:


Katherine Jenkins

Katherine's elegant, emotional waltz was the best dance of the season so far. She turned in a performance worthy of one of the pros and got a nearly perfect score for her trouble. Katherine is a gorgeous dancer with great musicality. She could end up being the brightest star this show has ever seen.


Maria Menounos

Maria's sexy rumba was a revelation! The routine was full of tricky spins and dips that Maria pulled off beautifully. Also, she and Derek might have kissed at the end. They're both denying it, but not too strenuously. Bruno compared Maria to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and he wasn't wrong. This was easily Maria's best performance.


Roshon Fegan

Roshon's Michael Jackson-themed samba was nonstop fun. He brought a ton of swagger and style, and honestly looked like he was having the time of his life. His hips were open, his knees were loose and his spins were right-on. Roshon really knocked it out of the park with this one.


Sherri Shepherd

It was an open question whether a slow dance like the rumba would suit bubbly Sherri. Well, it did! She sold every bit of the dance, from the rather intricate slow spins to the moody, sensual spirit of the routine. Sherri is awfully tough on herself in rehearsals, but it seems to be working. I can't wait to see what she does next week.


Jaleel White

Jaleel played it cool during his rumba, but there were some tough spins and lunges in that dance! He's a talented dancer with great stage presence and the crowd loves him. It was nice to see Jaleel back up in the heights of the leaderboard after last week's so-so jive.


William Levy

William's open-shirted salsa was so intensely intricate and demanding that Len nicknamed the Cuban actor "William the Conqueror." His energy was incredible and his feet were flying. He even grazed the top of Cheryl's head with his thigh during a floor spin! Katherine topped the leaderboard, but William probably won everyone's hearts and ... minds.


Donald Driver

Donald's elegantly brooding rumba really showed us his emotional side. Carrie Ann called the routine mesmerizing, though she pointed out that there were "a few little lifts" thrown into the choreography. Donald has been steadily climbing the leaderboard, so look out above.


Melissa Gilbert

The jive is a tough dance but Melissa really put her mind to it and turned in amazing performance. She's still having a tiny bit of trouble keeping up with Maks, but ... it's Maks. This was definitely a comeback for Melissa, but can she keep the momentum going?


Gladys Knight

Gladys' foxtrot was stately and elegant, if a bit simple. Her stage presence continues to impress and her footwork was clean and precise. This is a really competitive season, however, and she and Tristan will have to shake things up a bit if they want to keep dancing.


Gavin DeGraw

Gavin's rumba was a big improvement over his other dances this season. He totally sold the dance emotionally, which is key with the rumba. Len praised his hip work and musicality and noted that Gavin has improved every week. One more good dance could make his disastrous Week 1 foxtrot fade from our collective memory, so let's hope he puts in the rehearsal time.


Who won the week: Katherine, William and Maria

Who needs to step it up: No one and everyone -- we had a four-way tie for last place this week.


"Dancing With the Stars" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

 

Things get real as 'Giuliana & Bill' face the C word on the show's Season 5 premiere

By Sona Charaipotra Apr 3, 2012 12:20PM
Photo courtesy Style Network
Along with a healthy dose of irreverent cat fights, shopping addictions and random hook-ups, reality TV has shown us its fair share of true drama, centering on issues like teenage pregnancy and addiction. 


And thus, with Tuesday night's Season 5 premiere (at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Style Network), the usually light-hearted look at celeb coupledom that is "Giuliana & Bill" gets really, well, dramatic as the pair of TV talkers face the biggest obstacle in their marriage thus far. 

That's saying a lot, since the couple have already been quite open about their battle with infertility on the show. But as part of her treatment for breast cancer, E! reporter Giuliana, 37, underwent a standard mammogram -- and was diagnosed with breast cancer last September. Ever-candid, she and Bill decided to allowed the cameras to document how she and her husband of nearly five years handled the situation, including her wrenching decision to have a double-mastectomy and postpone her IVF plans while coping with cancer. 

Here's a sneak peek at the premiere: 
While the episode is sure to be a weeper, the season also promises a lot of light-hearted moments -- including sleepovers with Giuliana's mom, the opening of the couple's new restaurant, and maybe, just maybe, some strides on the fertility front. 

"Giuliana & Bill" airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Style Network.
 

What you didn’t see or hear during the Week 3 performance episode

By MSN TV Apr 3, 2012 10:42AM

'Dancing With the Stars'/ABC

By Minh Nguyen

Special to MSN TV

 

MSN TV was in the audience last night as the stars performed dances that symbolized the most memorable year of their lives. There were a lot of tears on and off the dance floor as the stars shared their special stories with the judges and the audience. We’re not sure who will be going home Tuesday night but Jack Wagner, Gladys Knight, Melissa Gilbert, Sherri Shepherd and Gavin DeGraw all received the same low score of 24, putting them in a five-way tie for last. By the way, we're still confused by Jaleel White’s comment to Brooke Burke after his performance, "Stefan Urquelle and Steve Urkel, that's my Mickey Mouse." Can anyone explain this to us?

 

Bing: More about 'Dancing With the Stars' | Photos: Meet the cast of Season 14

 

Our early prediction is that it will either be Gladys Knight (without her Pips…and because unfortunately, she just hasn't been that memorable on the floor) or Jack Wagner (because all the female votes are going to hunk, William Levy). One thing for certain so far this season was best summed up by Judge Bruno Tonioli who said,“I think this (season) will turn out to be the battle of the hunks."

 

Last Night on TV: Watch recaps | Video: Watch clips and more

 

The stars (we're using this term loosely) we spotted in the audience last night included Ricki Lake (who is keeping her weight off), Chaz Bono (who never got the weight off), Robin Antin (the Pussycat Dolls troupe founder), “Happy Endings” actors Eliza Coupe and Damon Wayans Jr., "Community" actress Yvette Nicole Brown (who was rooting for friend, Sherri Shepherd) and veteran actress Florence Henderson.

 

Top Ten Things Seen and Heard at “Dancing With the Stars”
 
1. Carrie Ann Inaba lifted her dress up so the audience could see her beautiful silver rocker shoes as she walked out. Bruno Tonioli was gyrating down the stairs to "I'm Sexy and I Know It."
 
2. When Jack Wagner blew the kiss after he got off the judges' table during his performance, Carrie Ann Inaba caught it.
 
3. During one of the breaks, the Warm Up Guy (WUG) was advising the audience how to cheer: “If the judges give the dancers a 9, you can cheer, below 7 you can start booing, if it gets lower than 5 just throw stuff.”

Judge Len Goodman pointed to himself, laughed and said, “Why are you looking at me?”
 
4. Karina Smirnoff standing on the dance floor and yelling to a random audience member right before her performance: “How are you?”

Audience Member: “Good! How are you?”

Karina Smirnoff (Smiling): “We'll see in about a minute.”
 
 5. The WUG was talking to a six year old African American boy named Jeffrey from New York. When the WUG asked who he was there to support, Jeffrey said “Mommy.”

WUG (jokingly): “Your mom’s Melissa Gilbert? No, mom is…?”

Jeffrey: “Mom is great.” (He was referring to Sherri Shepherd)
 
6. Marc Ballas was hugging and holding Katharine Jenkins on the dance floor while her package about her dad was playing on the screen. She was covering her hands over her ears to block out the sad story.
 
7. Sherri Shepherd had her fingers in her ears and was smiling before her performance and was dancing with Val Chmerkovskiy jokingly. After her performance, she was crying as she walked up the stairs with friend and fellow actress, Yvette Nicole Brown standing up and cheering her on.
 
8. Before William Levy’s dance, the female members of the audience were standing up and cheering him on.

WUG: I don't know if you guys know this but William hasn't danced yet.

Carrie Ann Inaba was still fanning herself off with her hands after the dance.

WUG (After William Levy’s performance): Bruno didn't watch the whole dance... The minute he (William Levy) took his shirt off; Bruno just gave him a 10.
 
9. WUG: Who wants a "Dancing With the Stars" shirt?

Yvette Nicole Brown (who is as cute as you can imagine) raised her hands and signaled to the WUG.

WUG: You know people! You don't need me to get you a t-shirt Yvette!

 

10.  WUG (to the audience): Fix your hair! Your lip gloss! You’re about to be on camera.

Tom Bergeron turned around to the audience, licked his forefinger and pretended to fix his eyebrows and hair in a comical manner, then did a perfect golf swing.

 

Check out the bonus moment of the night on MSN TV on Facebook.

"Dancing With the Stars" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

 

Get your phone finger ready and let the voting begin

By Vinnie Penn Apr 2, 2012 8:15PM

'The Voice'/NBC

Blake Shelton said it best at the outset of this first of the live shows: "It's up to America now." My daughter took it from there about twenty minutes later by saying "Girls rule, boys drool." You know what -- the girls did have a better night than the guys.

 

Let's look at it Team versus Team...

 

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TEAM BLAKE

 

Jermaine Paul "Livin' on a Prayer": The Alicia Keyes back-up singer worked the stage, but I thought it was a clumsy take on the Bon Jovi hit. Xtina wondered the same as I-: "How does this song fit Jermaine?" The results show will obviously reveal if we're alone.

 

RaeLynn "Wake Up Call": The absolute surprise of the night. This tiny little blonde growled as she turned the Maroon 5 tune into a country rocker worthy of Carrie Underwood. Again Xtina and I shared a page: "You're a sassy little thing!" she exclaimed, adding she was impressed. I suspect America was, too.

 

Naia Kete "Turning Tables": With guitar in hand, the reggae street performer went a different route with Adele's song, and here's where Aguilera and I began to disagree. Xtina (looking stunning, by the way) wasn't having this one, and said as much. Awkward.  

 

Jordis Unga "Alone": I am constantly surprised by singing competitions tackling Heart. Ann Wilson has, arguably, the strongest female voice in rock, and pop star wannabes across the country have been singing this song it since "American Idol" began ... and to typically lackluster results. Still, Unga declared it "redemption." We'll see.

 

Erin Willett "Livin' for the City": Willett brought it, again. She brought the house down, first from behind the piano, and then out front. Great performance, even if all was well in her life. The fact that her father just passed during all this only makes her performances that much more dumbfounding.

 

Charlotte Sometimes "Misery Business": Levine, sitting next to Cee Lo, who was in a Gladys Knight-meets-Elvis costume, called the performance both unique and flat.

 

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TEAM CHRISTINA

 

Chris Mann "Bridge Over Troubled Water": The 29-year-old opera singer merged "Phantom of the Opera" with Josh Groban for the Simon & Garfunkel classic.    

 

Moses Stone "Stronger": Stone found his groove in the second half. Levine reiterated that he thinks singing suits him more than rapping, which no one else seemed to agree with. We'll see if America does.

 

Lindsey Pavao "Somebody That I Used to Know": The Cirque de Soleil shenanigans continued, but Pavao stood out in the midst of it, whereas Stone was leaping around. Levine gave an honest criticism, which Pavao was clearly devastated by. She stared at the floor for the remainder of her time on stage, with Carson Daly finally asking if she was all right. Kinda comical.

 

Sera Hill "Find Your Love": Flanked by what Shelton called "male strippers," Hill's nervousness was apparent on the Drake ditty. Maybe the strippers were the reason.

 

Ashley De La Rosa "Right Through You": Assigning Ashley an Alanis rocker was a good move by Aguilera. The band being spot-on helped, too.

 

Jesse Campbell "What a Wonderful World": Christina kept the fitting song assignments coming, forgoing the crowded stage silliness. Cee Lo told Campbell his voice was "as beautiful as my hair." Of course, Green had a wig on so ... was it really a shot? I doubt it.

 

This is everyone's shot.  

 

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"The Voice" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.