MSN TV Blog - Reality TV

Maria Menounos and Derek Hough eliminated, miss out on the finals

By Kate Mulcrone May 15, 2012 8:13PM

'Dancing With the Stars'/ABCIt 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

By Sona Charaipotra May 15, 2012 3:50PM
Photo courtesy MTV

They're back!

The original stars of MTV's hit reality mama drama "Teen Mom" are back for a fourth -- and final -- season this June, and today the network released a sneak peek at what we can expect. Which seems to be a lot more the same, actually.
 
  • 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.
Here's a look at the trailer.


Are you planning to tune in to the trials and tribulations of "Teen Mom" this season? Or are you over the mama drama? Tell us on MSN TV Facebook and follow MSN TV Twitter.

"Teen Mom" premieres Tuesday, June 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
 

Shock jock proves honest, charming and non-controversial

By Corey Levitan May 15, 2012 8:43AM
 

'America's Got Talent'/FOXDuring 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:

As expected, Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne -- both frequent guests on Stern's radio show -- were deferential and non-combative. The only real dissension was Mandel's support of the cockatiel lady, and Stern was playful in his disrespect of that support.

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

By Kate Mulcrone May 14, 2012 7:44PM

'Dancing With the Stars'/ABC

After the first dance, Len predicted that this would be the best semifinals in "DWTS" history. He just might have been right! This round had it all ... spills from Katherine, chills from Donald and thrills from Maria. William? Well, he shook his booty.

 

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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!


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

 

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.

 

Winner Spradlin says taking the sole 'Survivor' title was surreal

By Sona Charaipotra May 14, 2012 4:22PM
Photo courtesy CBS
Facing off as men versus women on "Survivor: One World," San Antonio bridal shop owner Kim Spradlin set her sights on an all-female final three on day one. "Everyone forms alliances," she says, "but very few follow them through to the end." And Spradlin, too, wavered now and again. But this season's sole "Survivor" says she's "incredibly proud" of the bonds she formed with her fellow castaways. 


MSN TV: You revealed on the show that in the past year, you'd been through a difficult divorce. Is this win coming full circle for you? 

Kim: Yes, in a way it really about rebuilding my confidence and remembering who I really am. It's been incredibly surreal, and I'm working on very little sleep, so it almost feels like I'm still dreaming. But it's given me a renewed sense of self, of knowing that I can do this. And now I can really support myself and my family and invest in my small business. It's really a gift. To be able to relax and not worry about paying bills and to be able to be generous, it's such a good feeling. 

Were you expecting to take the title, or were you worried about a backlash?

I had really built a one-on-one bond with pretty much every person out there, so I knew there were a lot of people who felt betrayed and backstabbed. I just didn't know whether they'd be in a forgiving mood or not. Watching the show from week to week, I couldn't decide if I'd won or lost. I'd talk to Sabrina about it on the phone, and it could have gone either way. But in the end, I was hoping that the jury would remember that it's a game and respect the way I played the game. From the start I'd said it's a game, and I still say it's just a game. 

Given that, it would have been so easy to take Christina and let the chips fall...

Of course I thought about it. But in a way, I'd already made my big moves. So now it was just a matter of dealing with the fall out. It all came down to whether or not the jury was mad, or whether they were down to respect the way I'd played the game. Because if they were mad, they'd vote for the third person in the scenario anyway, right? So rather than take Christina to the final three, I decided to take two people that I'd started this whole thing with, two people I'd have been proud to lose to.

Troyzan still seemed to be holding a grudge. Did you ever figure out what the right answer was?

I guess in the end it didn't really matter whether or not I'd earned his vote, since I earned enough to win anyway. But I don't think he's really holding a grudge. We've talked since then, and it's been friendly enough. I just know that he really, truly loves the game -- maybe even more than me -- and so going out the way he did must have been rough.  

So given the win, would you play again. 

Definitely. In a heartbeat. But I'm glad I don't have to leave tomorrow. 

 

The season 24 runner up on why she was the one Kim had to beat

By Sona Charaipotra May 14, 2012 2:41PM
Photo courtesy CBS
When it came down to the final three on "Survivor: One World," frontrunner Kim Spradlin thought her buddy Chelsea was the one to beat. But as the votes showed in this week's finale, her toughest competition was actually straight-shooter Sabrina Thompson, a Brooklyn high school teacher. Sabrina spilled on her alliance, her play-it-straight strategy, and whether the best woman won. 


MSN TV: You guys decided that you would be the final three on day one -- and that's exactly how it played out. Surprised? 

Sabrina: Yes and no. I mean, we literally made our alliance on day one. People always say that, but in this case it was true. And throughout the game, I really tried to respect it. I know Kim was talking final three with just about everyone there, but luckily, she actually meant it when it came down to me and Chelsea. I was so proud of the way we played it. I didn't want to be there with anyone else. Right from the beginning, my theory was, if I don't win, I want to be able to look to my left or to my right and be proud of my choices, to be able to say either of these women are deserving of that money and that they'd do good things with it. 

Going up against Kim, did you think you had a shot?

It changed week to week. Kim and I would be on the phone after watching, discussing it and thinking it could go either way. I knew that it was all riding on whether it was a bitter jury or not. If it was a bitter jury, I would take it. If not, Kim was going to be sole "Survivor." And it turns out it was a very forgiving jury. But I have to say, if I had to lose it to anyone, I'm glad it was to her. She's just a beast -- there's no two ways around that. I truly respected her gameplay. She won four challenges! And as far as social game goes, she knows exactly how to work it, like Julia Roberts. She has this amazing ability to really just look through you and make you believe whatever she's selling. If she says the sky is red, you believe the sky is red.

Kim thought Chelsea was her stiffest competition, but in the end, Chelsea didn't get any votes. What happened?

Honestly, I think it was all about strategy this season. Chelsea's little speech in the final tribal didn't sell anyone on her. She didn't really have her own strategy, she was mostly coasting on Kim's. But I had something very different from Kim to offer. I was always very clear in how I wanted to play this game -- Kim was a smooth talker, she had something for everyone, she was really about making that connection. But I was more honest in my approach, and when something didn't seem right to me, I spoke up. I wanted to play the game in a way that my family and friends could respect, and I think I did that. I'm proud of how I played.

You also stated that you intentionally laid low -- why that strategy?

In studying the show, I knew there was a long history of black women not representing themselves in a way I respected. I tend to have an overly aggressive personality, and I wanted to not fall into that stereotype that exists, not only on "Survivor" but in media across the board. I wanted to play in a way I could be proud of. So I decided pretty early on that I'd have to tone down the more aggressive side of my personality, in terms of how I represented myself, and also so I didn't end up with a target on my back immediately. In the beginning, the women especially were looking to me as a leader, and I knew that was a way to get myself sent home. So it was very much strategy. 

In addition to teaching, you cofounded an organization, WEEN. Tell us about it. 

It's a non-profit called  Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, and it's about media training and promoting a balanced, positive image of women in the media, which is why the way I represented myself on "Survivor" was so important to me. We've been working hard, and each summer we're doing a training camp with hundreds of applicants across the country who are interested in learning more about media. We've got some funding, but we haven't found a home, so I was hoping to use some of the money toward that. But I'm hopeful my time on "Survivor" will mean good things for the future of the organization. 
 

Former Disney pop princess and Britney Spears to be formally announced Monday

By Corey Levitan May 14, 2012 8:13AM
celebbuzz.com

"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

By Corey Levitan May 11, 2012 1:44PM
nationwideblast.com

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.