Maria Menounos and Derek Hough eliminated, miss out on the finals
It was anyone's guess who would be eliminated this week -- all four semifinalists were amazing dancers who brought their all to their performances. As Tom Bergeron put it "whichever way this goes, it's gonna suck." It looks like viewer votes are what sent Maria packing, since she finished first on the judges' leaderboard. To her credit, she had nothing but positive things to say about her experience on the show. Maria said she learned a lot from her "DWTS" experience, and Derek complimented her on being a "champion of life."
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Here's a quick look at how our three finalists did this week
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Katherine Jenkins
Katherine's quickstep was the dance of the season! It had 1920s glamor, lightning-fast choreography and that "magic" that makes a good routine great. The judges had nothing but love for this routine, though a slight hiccup near the beginning kept Katherine from earning a perfect 30. Katherine's sexy salsa was gorgeous, but she stumbled near the end of the routine and hurt her back. After that moment, she couldn't get her composure back, but Katherine actually seemed more upset about her slip-up than the judges.
William Levy
William and Cheryl tore up the floor with their smoking hot tango. His intensity was incredible and his lines were gorgeous, though he had some control issues with his spins near the beginning of the number. Len proclaimed the dance "overall terrific," though he did comment on occasional flat-footedness from William. William's samba was amazing and the judges' choice for this week's encore: He shook his booty and did it with a smile. William's technique was as solid as his attitude and the routine earned him a perfect score.
Donald Driver
Donald's sweet waltz was a real departure from his usual intense numbers. He and Peta maintained body contact throughout the routine and his lines were gorgeous. Carrie Ann loved the emotional content of the routine but found Donald's footwork a bit lacking in the end. Donald's samba was stunning -- as usual, he brought his personality to bear while turning in a nearly perfect performance technique-wise.
Who won the week: William
Who needs to step it up: Katherine
"Dancing With the Stars" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
The fourth and final season of MTV's hit reality mama drama starts this June

- Amber and Gary are still duking it out while their poor little one, Leah, watches in horror. Expect more arrests, violence, an apparent suicide risk and perhaps another lame attempt at making things work between them.
- Farrah and her mom Debra are also still duking it out, except Farrah has actually made the move to Florida, leaving little Sophia in her grandmother's care. So there's plenty of angst on both sides there.
- Caitlin and Tyler have graduated and are still together. But they're still deliberating whether they should stay together. They're also still proud of the fact that they gave their birth daughter, Carly, a better life, but mourning the situation nonetheless.
- Maci's still with Tyler -- and hoping for a ring -- but dealing with her deadbeat baby daddy Ryan. She's also trying to manage school. Maybe she's doing a better job of it now that baby Bentley is three.
Shock jock proves honest, charming and non-controversial
During its Season 7 premiere show Monday night, "America's Got Talent" discovered a father/daughter singing team, a teenage clogging troupe and a music teacher who expertly played strings rigged across an entire Los Angeles theater. However, the real talent America discovered belonged to new judge Howard Stern.
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Piers Morgan's replacement was heavy on his buzzer, usually branding the first "X" to unpromising acts. But he managed to be honest and funny without going over the line -- as critics feared he would.
“If you were on an island and all you had were your birds, would you eat them?” Stern asked a 55-year-old woman who crooned "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" while covered with 22 cockatiels.
Also: What TV shows are returning next season?
Of course, Howard being Howard, he couldn't resist a penis joke. But he used a G-rated word and aimed it at an abominable magician/stripper the audience had already turned against.
"I wanted to see some magic and all I saw is a guy with his pants off and a rather small package, quite frankly," Stern said. "Don't feel bad. I'm in the same boat, my friend."
In fact, the night's biggest insult was leveled not by Stern but one of the rejects. When Stern told the guitarist who butchered "Proud Mary", "I’ve been in radio 35 years and you're too weird for my show,” the guitarist shot back: “That might hurt my feelings if I respected your opinion.”
Check out the video:
If anything, all three seemed a tad lenient, waving forward a man who ate a scorpion, a ventriloquist whose dummy was a dog rigged with a false bottom jaw, and a middling rapper who claimed to be inventing rhymes about the three judges on the spot.
"You don't pre-write that?" Mandel asked.
"That was 100 percent off the top of my head," the contestant said, unchallenged. (Seriously?)
The show was edited tightly -- so tightly that, at times, it resembled a typical previous-episode recap -- so it's possible that Stern wasn't really as consistently funny as he appeared, and that more controversial statements were edited out.
Still, judging the show as broadcast, it's hard not to happily wave Howard Stern onto the next round and wish him continued luck.
"America's Got Talent" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
Maria Menounos takes the lead in the semifinals

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Our four semifinalists finished with just four points between front-runner Maria and Katherine in last place. It's anyone's guess who will be heading to the finals!
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Here's a quick look at how the stars did this week:
William Levy
William opened the semifinals with a smoking-hot tango. He and Cheryl tore up the floor! William's lines were fantastic and his intensity was second to none. Len proclaimed the dance "overall terrific," though he did comment on occasional flat-footedness from William. Bruno called it ace, and Carrie Ann praised the routine as well, though she commented on a slight lack of control near the beginning with William's turns.
William's Technicolor, booty-shaking samba was fantastic. He and Cheryl were really in sync and William's footwork was very nearly as good as his hip shaking. This number had the whole crowd on its feet! Carrie Ann said the routine had her at hello, and Len praised the choreography and William's rhythm.
Tango: 28/30
Samba: 30/30
Score: 58/60
Katherine Jenkins
Katherine's quickstep was lightning-quick and downright incredible! It had 1920s glamor, but plenty of sizzle as well. Her footwork was incredible, her timing was perfect and she really sold the routine. Bruno was left nearly speechless and Carrie Ann said Katherine brought her "A+ game" before declaring the routine maybe the best she had ever seen on the show. Len pointed out a slight hiccup during the beginning of the routine but called it "a fabulous number."
Katherine's belly-dancing-inspired salsa was all quick spins and shoulder shimmies. She and Mark moved well together right up until the end, when Katherine slipped during a tricky spin at the end and couldn't catch her breath afterwards. Carrie Ann loved the routine and praised Katherine for pushing her boundaries. Bruno was blunter, saying that Katherine "unleashed the harlot" and called the routine wonderful in spite of the slipup at the end. It's not clear yet whether Katherine injured her back.
Quickstep: 29/30
Salsa: 27/30
Score: 56/60
Donald Driver
Donald's lyrical waltz showed us his softer side. He and Peta maintained body contact throughout the routine and his lines were gorgeous. He was so solemn and "in character" during the dance that it was a kick to see him grin at the end. Carrie Ann loved the emotional content of the routine but found Donald's footwork a bit lacking. Len called the routine "absolutely charming" and Bruno commented on how well Donald extended his lines.
Donald's tongue-in-cheek samba was more of his usual shtick – great dancing and plenty of sass thrown in. His hip work was excellent and he did a great job staying in sync with Peta. The best part was how he made it look effortless. Honestly, Donald looked like one of the pros out there. Len praised his lines, and Bruno said the routine worked beautifully. Carrie Ann gave out her second A+ of the week, because apparently paddles aren't expressive enough.
Waltz: 28/30
Samba: 29/30
Score: 57/60
Maria Menounos
Maria's smoldering Argentine tango showed off her incredible precision and control. The choreography never let up and Maria matched Derek step for step. There were some jaw-dropping lifts, but what really sold the routine was Maria's intensity. Bruno called the routine "tailored, enticing and exhilarating" and Carrie Ann commented on how much Maria has improved throughout the course of the competition.
Maria's saucy jive never let up for a second! She and Derek really sold it. This routine was fun, flirty and best of all, not something we've seen a bunch of times. Maria's rhythm was excellent and her body contact with Derek during some of the tight turns in the choreography was stunning. She did stumble slightly during the routine, but no one's perfect. All three judges loved the routine. Bruno praised its quirkiness – he said it shouldn't have worked, but it did.
Argentine tango: 30/30
Jive: 29/30
Score: 59/60
Who won over the judges: Maria
Who won over the crowd: William
Who needs to step it up: Katherine
"Dancing With the Stars" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
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Former Disney pop princess and Britney Spears to be formally announced Monday
"The X Factor" has reportedly hired its fourth and final judge. According to E! Online, Demi Lovato, 19, will join fellow former Disney pop princess, Britney Spears, at the judging table -- along with Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid -- when the show's second American season debuts this fall.
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TMZ is reporting that Lovato and Spears are in New York Monday, May 14, to make the formal announcement for FOX's upfront meetings with advertisers. (Its report includes a video of Spears apparently nodding when asked if she's excited to work with Lovato.)
Also: What TV shows are returning next season?
The two singers replace Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul, who were jettisoned earlier this year. Reports had Janet Jackson, LeAnn Rimes, Miley Cyrus, Fergie and Avril Lavigne also in the running for the vacancies.
Season 2 of "The X Factor" will premiere this fall on FOX.
Host and TV executive asserts network, 'Real Housewives' producers not responsible
Andy Cohen absolves himself and his network, Bravo, of any blame in the suicide of Russell Armstrong.
"If anyone in this building or the producers or the production company believed that the show was to blame for what happened, we would not have aired the show no matter what," Cohen tells the New York Times in a new interview.
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Russell Armstrong -- husband to "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor -- hanged himself in August 2011, between Seasons 1 and 2. Bravo did not let tragedy bump its Season 2 premiere, although it did re-edit the episode to acknowledge it.
Also: Is your favorite TV show returning next season?
One month before Armstrong killed himself, his wife filed for divorce. Two weeks before, he told People magazine that the show -- which portrayed him as an abusive husband -- added so much stress to his life, it "literally pushed us to the limit."
Cohen is adamant that Bravo did not contribute to the tragedy, however, explaining that Armstrong even expressed appreciation for what the show had done for his career.
"Well, I mean, concurrently he mentioned to the head of Evolution, the production company, that he wanted to buy them and that being on the show helped his business 110 percent," Cohen says. " A lot came out about a lot of issues that he had going on in his life, and this was just one of them. I think that there was a lot going on with him."
What do you think? Is Cohen right?
Season 3 of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" is expected to premiere this fall on Bravo.
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Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.
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.



