BuzzSugar

American Idol: Interview With Season One's Justin Guarini

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:30:35 PDT

So I'm roaming around the San Francisco American Idol auditions, having no problem getting people to sing for me, when who should I bump into but Justin Guarini! You may recall Justin lost to Kelly Clarkson in the first ever Idol finale, but that hasn't stopped him from trucking along in his career: He's currently covering all things Idol for TV Guide and doing a little singing as well (check out his MySpace page for a sample of his songs).

I asked the Idol forefather a couple of questions including how the addition of instruments has changed the show and which David he was rooting for last season.

And you know what? I'm not gonna lie, he's pretty cute in person.

To watch my short video,

American Idol: A Morning in the San Francisco Auditions Line

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:30:28 PDT

It's baaaa-aack! Just when you think you're out, they pull you back in! OK, that's a bit melodramatic but that's a little how I felt when I headed down just south of San Francisco to check out the first set of folks lining up to audition for the eighth season of American Idol. Feels like just yesterday we crowned David Cook the winner and yet, here we are, back at the beginning.

And for some people, this beginning couldn't come quickly enough. Despite the fact that it was very early (6 a.m.!) and the line was very long, the folks I met were as pumped as ever, clearly inspired by last season and ready for their chance at singing stardom.

As I approached the line to talk to some of the auditioners, I thought I might have to pry them to sing for me - not so! Turns out, wielding a microphone and a camera around thousands of people hoping to be famous is like holding a magical singing wand. They saw my mic as I wandered by and just started belting away! It was. . . amazing, and their enthusiasm was contagious.

After the jump, watch my video of hopefuls, including a guy whose journey to the auditions made the front page of his local paper, a self-proclaimed "Trader Joe's Idol," and my favorite: A lovely rendition of Boyz II Men's "End of the Road." To judge for yourself if the next Idol will come from this city by the bay,

Pilot Scoop: Smash

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:04:40 PST

NBC is getting in on musical madness with new show Smash, a drama that follows the production of a musical about Marilyn Monroe and the two ingénues vying for the lead. With high production value and an ensemble cast that includes Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston, the show is a colorful, splashy, and tune-filled entrant into the midseason lineup. Before you check out tonight's premiere, check out my first impressions below.

What it's about: The first episode charts the early development of the musical Marilyn, the brainchild of a few theater producers (including Messing and Huston). As the idea germinates, the showrunners have to make the difficult decision of who to cast as Marilyn Monroe: the seasoned, Ivy (Megan Hilty), who's also a dead-ringer for Marilyn, or inexperienced Karen (Katharine McPhee) who comes in at the last minute and knocks their socks off.
Where it works: Former American Idol contestant McPhee is an inspired choice here; we've all heard her sing, but it turns out that she can also act. She's charming and plucky as Karen, the girl who's a waitress by night so she can nurture her dream of making it big on Broadway. I also enjoyed seeing her home life with her supportive (and dashing) boyfriend played by Raza Jaffrey.
Where it doesn't: It's unclear how much of the musical the series will be. In the opener, we hear numbers from Marilyn and familiar tunes like "Beautiful" in auditions, but when Ivy and Karen break into song at the end of the hour, it doesn't feel that organic - or necessary.
When it's on: Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC, starting Feb. 6
You might like this show if: You like Glee, but this show is even more appealing to theater fans.

See a preview for Smash and photos after the break.

Simon Cowell Calls Off His Engagement

Allie Merriam — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:19:51 PST

Simon Cowell breaks off his engagement after two years - Wonderwall
All the details on Kobe Bryant's divorce settlement! - People
Are Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz happy in their current romances? - Lainey Gossip
George Clooney's rules for directing - Huffington Post
Rihanna's 10 best bikinis! - The Daily Beast
Heidi Klum's dad speaks out about their split - Us Weekly
How cute are Ricky Martin's sons? - TooFab
Kate Beckinsale has a hit on her hands! - Rotten Tomatoes
Good news for Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana's movie project - Hollywood Reporter
Claire Danes is the Hasty Pudding woman of the year - Lifeline Live
Jim Carrey's daughter Jane auditions for American Idol! - Zap2It
Are the latest rounds of Jennifer Aniston pregnancy rumors true? - Celebitchy
Do you want Katherine Heigl back on Grey's Anatomy? - BuddyTV

The 10 Best Quotes From the American Idol Panel

Shannon Vestal — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:19:48 PST

American Idol returns for an 11th season later this month, and Fox brought out the perennial hit to close out their TCA day. Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, and Ryan Seacrest joined producers to talk about the upcoming season, but the panel was mostly dominated by talk of the rivalry between Idol and other singing competition shows, particularly The Voice. Strongly opinionated, snarky, and funny, here are the best quotes from the panel.

"I think that Idol still is the best TV show of its kind anywhere. We're the original, we kind of invented this whole game that everybody's now copying." - Jackson, on the profusion of singing reality shows
"I like to juggle balls. Career balls." - Host Seacrest, who is in contract renegotiations for Idol, admitted to being very busy
"Leona Lewis was kind of a one-and-a-half hit star for 10 minutes . . . this is the show that produces the stars." - Producer Ken Warwick, on why he thinks American Idol is the best of its genre
"It's a compliment to Idol because we have created the superstar. We're not hiring a lot of people from The Voice to be on our show." - Fox president of alternative entertainment Mike Darnell, on The Voice's recent hiring of Kelly Clarkson
"It's a juggling act like any, you know, single mom. They come first." - Lopez, on balancing her career and children
"The question is who, who are you wearing." - Seacrest, correcting a reporter for asking "what" Lopez was wearing
"It's like second-chance theater over there." - Jackson, criticizing the fact that the winner of The Voice had a failed record contract before winning
"They don't have the depth." - Jackson, on why other shows don't air their auditions with hopefuls that are not good
"I've always wanted to get in her pants, and every once in a while she lets me." - Tyler, about Lopez, who then added, "to wear them," after the audience laughed
"It hasn't changed. I'm still an emotional person." - Lopez, assuring the audience that she won't be any harder on contestants, despite criticism

Jennifer Lopez Gets a Surprise Visit From Casper During AI's Hollywood Week

Katie Henry — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:20:04 PST

Jennifer Lopez arrived for the third day of American Idol Hollywood Week auditions in Pasadena yesterday. She waved to fans and entered the arena solo, and later in the day she got a visit from her boyfriend, Casper Smart. Casper made a low-key entrance though a back door. It wasn't apparent, though, if he arrived in the Bentley Jennifer allegedly gave him as a gift!

J Lo and Casper's relationship seems to be going strong following their romantic Thanksgiving trip to Hawaii. One person, though, might not be thrilled. Her ex-husband Marc Anthony is reportedly unhappy about Casper and is very "stressed" over the situation. Jen's surprising split from Marc grabbed major headlines back in July, and it ranks among the most shocking celebrity breakups of 2011.

Jennifer Lopez Returns to Work While Casper Gets a New Ride

Katie Henry — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:55:00 PST

Jennifer Lopez was back to work for her second day in a row at American Idol's Hollywood Week auditions held in Pasadena, CA yesterday. She arrived in another sexy and sophisticated outfit following the bright yellow ensemble she wore for Tuesday's taping. Jen was chauffeured to set by a black SUV, but it's a convertible J Lo gifted to Casper Smart that's getting all the attention since she recently surprised him with a white Bentley. The couple's relationship seems to be cruising smoothly into 2012, but their unexpected hookup and her surprising breakup with ex Marc Anthony both landed on our list of biggest headlines of the year.

Jennifer Lopez Shines Bright For American Idol's Hollywood Week Auditions

Katie Henry — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:30:00 PST

Jennifer Lopez stepped out of her black SUV in a bright yellow coat and white Milly trousers at Pasadena's Civic Center before cameras started rolling on American Idol's Hollywood Week auditions. Fellow judges Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler also arrived in separate chauffeured cars and joined J Lo inside with the show's hopeful contestants and host Ryan Seacrest. The singing competition returns to primetime starting January 18 with hopes of finding another chart topping winner. Last year's champ, Scotty McCreery, is already following in the footsteps of successful winners like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson by taking home his first ever music honor earlier this month at the American Country Awards.

There have been big changes since Idol wrapped on its 10th season last Spring. Since then J Lo announced her shocking split from Marc Anthony, and has since been romantically linked to Bradley Cooper and more recently Jen vacationed in Hawaii with backup dancer, Casper Smart. Fans can look forward to seeing twice the amount of J Lo in 2012 as she balances her Idol responsibilities in addition to shooting her new talent series Q'Viva! The Chosen.

American Idol's Chris Medina's Heart Wrenching Audition

PopSugar — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:02:46 PST

Watch Chris Medina's talked-about American Idol audition!

Simon Cowell Talks X Factor Judge Rumors, Idol Judges, and Why His New Show Will Be More "Fun" Than Idol

Molly Goodson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:02:00 PDT

Simon Cowell is gearing up to take over the world of reality TV yet again this Fall when he brings The X Factor to the States - amid rumors that he's dropping out of the UK version. Auditions have already kicked off in LA - and booths around the country for contestants who can't make it to big cities -with New Jersey coming up this week. Simon says the stateside series will be more "fun" than American Idol; although, he admits that he hasn't been keeping up with the Idol drama. Simon isn't ready to announce who will be joining him and L.A. Ried at the judges' table, but everyone from Jessica Simpson to Fergie to Gloria Estefan are apparently still in the running. He says he'd happily hire any of them and discussed the qualities that make for good hosts, contestants, and judges on these huge-scale talent shows. Check out our chat, and stay tuned for part two - when he describes why Justin Bieber is responsible for some of the best performers they've seen so far:

Buzz: How are auditions going for The X Factor?
Simon Cowell: By all accounts, really, really well, actually. Big numbers, lots of talent, coupled with a lot of crazy people, which I like. So all things that will make a good show, I hope.

Buzz: What are you looking for in a host?
SC: I think somebody who likes the fact they're making live TV, isn't afraid of things going wrong, isn't afraid to stick up for the contestants or argue with us, and who's fun to be with. And doesn't behave like a normal host.

There are lots of rumors going around about the judges. Is there anyone you would be particularly excited to get?
SC: Everyone who I've met, I've kind of wanted on the show, which is why it's difficult to make our minds up at the moment. I'd hire everyone. They really have been great fun, and every day we get approached by somebody new. It's really difficult when you're in that position to know who to hire. We just got to give it some time, meet everyone, and then try to come to a decision.

Buzz: Some fans are saying that the American Idol judges are all too nice this year, do you think there's anything to that?
SC: It's difficult. When I was on the show, everybody said we were too mean and now everyone's saying [the judges] are too nice. For me it's a good thing, because I was always concerned that the two shows were going to be similar, and they are very, very different shows. [The AI team] seems very happy with it, and hopefully people will like the difference in our show when it comes on. Because it really will be different.

To read more of what Simon had to say about what makes a good judge, and why The X Factor is more "fun" than Idol just

read more. Buzz: What makes a good judge on a competition show like this? SC: You can't be a snob, and you can't be afraid to say no. You've kinda got to say what people at home are thinking. Otherwise we'd just end up putting music teachers on the show who would say "you're sharp or flat," and it would be the most boring show in the world. I like people who are slightly mad as well, because most of the people in the music business are crazy, so the panel has to reflect that. And you can't take yourself too seriously. Buzz: Are there going to be big changes between the UK and US versions of The X Factor? SC: A few. I mean you have to be very careful when you make a show like this. If you announce what you're going to do, other people copy you. So I like to keep things close to my chest when I can. Then when the show opens, it feels fresh, and no one has had the chance to do the same thing. Because that's what happens when you make these reality shows. All the other producers watch you, and you end up seeing your show on other shows. You've got to be really careful nowadays. Buzz: You have said that you think The X Factor is going to be more "fun" than American Idol, what do you mean by that? SC: Well it's got this massive age range for a start, so when you sit through the auditions - I've sat on both shows and auditions are boring - but when you can sit there and one minute you're watching a 14-year-old followed by somebody who's 75 followed by a group, it's a more interesting show to judge, and therefore I think it's a more interesting show to watch. It's difficult to describe until you see both shows, but it has a different feel to it. It's more unpredictable. The fact that you haven't got 12 contestants who are of a similar age range just makes it more fun. Photo courtesy of Fox