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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,

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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,

Photo courtesy of Fox

American Idol: Was the Right Person Voted Off?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:10:01 PDT

Let's get right to the most important part of this week's elimination show, the homecoming of one of American Idol's finest graduates: Taylor Hicks. Oh right, I guess Kris Allen was there too, and after a couple contestants were sent to the dreaded bottom three stools, LMFAO treated us to a performance of their new single, "Sorry For Party Rocking."

Hollie Cavanagh, Elise Testone, and Colton Dixon were in the bottom three. Hollie and Elise had been there before, but this was Colton's first time . . . which made it especially shocking when he was sent home! The person who was most disappointed? Probably Phillip Phillips, whose teary expression they panned to after it was announced that America had ousted his bro. Personally, I didn't see Colton winning this season, but he got pretty far for a guy who didn't even plan on auditioning in the first place. What do you think, was it too soon to send Colton home?

Photo courtesy of Fox

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.

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 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.