BuzzSugar

Ellen DeGeneres to Join American Idol as the Fourth Judge!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:15:14 -0700

Those of you holding out for Paula Abdul to return to American Idol this season can stop holding your breath: Ellen DeGeneres is taking Paula's spot as the fourth judge!

Fox confirmed the news this afternoon in a press release, with Ellen saying:

I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I’ll save from not having to text in my vote.

Ellen tweeted her excitement, and I'm excited, too, as this solves the mystery of who will be the fourth judge since Paula confirmed she was leaving Idol early last month over contract negotiations.

Ellen had a memorable run as a guest on this past season of So You Think You Can Dance, so I'm looking forward to her as a judge. (It's rumored to be a five-year deal.)

What do you think of the announcement of Ellen as AI's new judge?

Paula Abdul Will Play Hostess For VH1 Divas

BuzzSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:30:32 -0700

Now that Paula Abdul's American Idol days are over, she's moving onto ~~bigger and better~~ other things. Yesterday she twittered about her next gig, hosting VH1 Divas on Sept. 17. The live concert will feature performances by Jordin Sparks, Adele, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, and Leona Lewis.

Paula was a constant source of entertainment on Idol, but I'm not exactly rushing home to set my DVR for her next appearance. On the other hand, I am curious about whether or not people will tune in simply because of the hubbub she's created over the past few months. Are you guys still on team Paula or are you over her completely?

Channing Tatum's Stripper Past, Paula and Simon's New Deals, A Peek at 90210/Gossip Girl!

Molly — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:14:28 -0700

Channing Tatum secret stripper past now includes video of his impressive moves. Plus, we discuss Paula's next career steps and what's in store for some of our favorite shows when they return this Fall. You won't want to miss the latest 90210 news. Watch PopSugar Rush now!

Paula Abdul's Next Move: Ugly Betty?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:10:21 -0700

After Paula Abdul stepped down from American Idol last week, the entertainment industry started rumbling with thoughts about where she'd go next. At TCA, there wasn't a network that didn't want to claim her in some way, shape, or form. But I still wasn't expecting this: Abdul is reportedly in talks to guest-star on Ugly Betty for an episode in the upcoming season.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Abdul would play a temp at the Mode offices who becomes close with Becki Newton's Amanda.

Though Abdul is known as a singer, dancer, judge, and general reality TV personality, I wouldn't have put "actress" at the top of her resume. Then again, she has had a number of roles in various shows and movies and has lately been filming a couple of appearances on Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva. Maybe now that Idol's done, she wants to concentrate on her acting. What do you make of this story? A promising idea? Or just bizarre?

Video of Nigel Recruiting Paula, a Britney Opera, and Who Made VF's Best Dressed!

Molly — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:15:57 -0700

Last night Paula Abdul took to her Twitter to announce that she is not returning to Idol. BuzzSugar was attending a SYTYCD taping in LA and was able to get Nigel Lythgoe's comments on the big news - watch what he has to say below! That's not all we have in today's PopSugar Rush. Check out Fab's take on this year's VF Best Dressed list, a Britney opera, and Robert Pattinson's arrival in LA. Watch it now!

Paula Abdul Confirms That She's Leaving American Idol

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:55:10 -0700

We've been hearing rumblings about Paula Abdul leaving American Idol for a few weeks now, but things just got a lot more interesting. Tonight she took to her verified Twitter account to tell the world that she's made the decision not to return to the show. In a string of tweets, she said:

With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon. What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me . . . It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month . . . I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all

FOX has confirmed that Paula will be leaving the show, stating, "Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best." Most of you prefer Paula over Kara, so how do you feel about the reality of an American Idol judges' table without Paula's wacky antics? Will you still tune in next season?

Which Judge Should Idol Keep: Kara or Paula?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:30:00 -0700

Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson are both in for the next season of American Idol. But will either of this year's female judges be back to join them at the table? Newest judge Kara DioGuardi doesn't have a contract yet for season nine, nor does Paula Abdul, whose manager recently said he doesn't expect she'll return to the show.

Now, this isn't necessarily a Kara vs. Paula situation. There's no reason they couldn't both come back. But let's pretend for a moment that Idol wants to go back to three judges, and only one of the ladies can make the cut. Which judge would you pick?

Photo courtesy of Fox

Could American Idol Really Ditch Paula?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:30:47 -0700

It seems like we've heard some variation on the Paula-Abdul-might-leave-American Idol rumors for years now, and every time, Paula's returned to her place at the judging table come January. But this year, Paula's own manager is saying he doesn't think she'll be back on the show - unless something changes fast with the show's producers.

Her manager told the LA Times that Paula doesn't even have a contract offer yet: "I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven't stepped up and said what they want to do," he said. She and Kara DioGuardi are the only two Idol judges not under contract: Simon Cowell's deal runs through next year, while Randy Jackson's on board through 2011. Plus, Ryan Seacrest has a new contract that includes a huge raise.

Meanwhile, according to her manager, Paula has never been particularly well-paid for her work on Idol. (Though that's gotta be relative . . . ) Even if the producers do propose a contract, he said she's "not a happy camper" at the way she's been treated and is already tossing around ideas for new shows she could do after Idol.

A lot of times, this kind of thing is just a PR negotiating tactic (Remember Katherine Heigl?), but still, Idol and Paula don't have a ton of time. The first round of auditions is nearly done for season nine, and the LA Times said the judges are supposed to get to work on Aug. 6. So tell me: Do you think Idol would be the same without Paula? Would you miss her judging antics? Or do you think it's time for her to sign off?

Photo courtesy of Fox

TCA Tidbits: Paula Abdul, Human Lie Detectors, and More

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:15:28 -0800

Today CBS and Showtime are taking the stage at TCA, but before things get too busy, I wanted to wrap up some of the highlights from Fox's jam-packed Tuesday of panels (and parties). Here were some of the highs, lows, and most awkward moments:

I think I already love Glee, Fox's upcoming hourlong comedy about a misfit glee club from Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy - and, judging from the warm reception it got in the room during its presentation, I'm not alone. I caught an advanced screening of the show earlier this week, and it's a quirky mixture of snark and show tunes. It might not appeal to everyone, but if you like Freaks and Geeks and "Don't Stop Believing," it will be worth checking out when it premieres this Spring.
Speaking of singing, things threatened to get a little tense at the afternoon American Idol panel, with lots of questions about Paula Abdul's future with the show. Luckily, attention shifted quickly to the new dynamic on the judging panel now that Kara DioGuardi is adding a second female voice. About having someone to help her take down Simon Cowell, Abdul said: "Kara finally sees what it's like for me, my own private hell." She later said of Simon, "He's the bully brother that sometimes we love each other, and sometimes I try to change seats. He's annoying sometimes. I have to reel him in."
Interesting tidbit for Damages fans: FX President John Landgraf said that even though the Glenn Close drama doesn't meet the ratings standards set by previous FX hits, he's "confident" that Damages will be on the network's schedule even beyond the three seasons that have already been ordered.

To hear whether Dollhouse will bring the funny, what Mary Lynn Rajskub had to say about having fellow comedienne Janeane Garofalo on board for 24, and what's a surefire sign your relationship is about to end, just read more.

Having real-life "human lie detector" Dr. Paul Ekman around certainly made Fox's Lie to Me something beyond just the standard panel. At one point, Ekman dispensed advice on how to tell if your relationship is about to be over: A look of anger on your significant other's face is fine and normal, but if it crosses into disgust, you're out of luck.

Mary Lynn Rajskub said she's been happy to have fellow funny lady Janeane Garofalo join her on the 24 set - though it's not always easy for them to stay serious. "We tried not to laugh when we were in scenes together," she said, and it was tough for them to make eye contact without chuckling. Fun fact: Rajskub replaced Garofalo on The Larry Sanders Show.
Joss Whedon - visiting TCA via satellite from Boston - said that while Dollhouse might not be outright silly, it will still be humorous. "The show is much more straight-ahead dramatic than what we've done before," he said. "However, it is me we're talking about here. We can't fight the funny. The funny is going to win, partially because it makes it more diverting and partially because I believe that's how people react to difficult situations. I couldn’t make a show that’s relentlessly serious and I don’t think anybody would watch it ."
Also, Whedon on the possibility of another Dr. Horrible: "Yeah, we'd like to do that again." He said it's a matter of getting everyone together and finding the time.
I'll share more from the House panel later, but for now, it's worth noting Omar Epps's simple reaction to his character finally having a romantic life: "Foreman. Love life. Great!" He later elaborated: "It's great being in those scenes with Olivia [Wilde], because she's hot." Fair enough.

Photos courtesy of Fox

TV Tonight: American Idol Is Back!

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:30:03 -0800

I know this will sound a little doomsday-ish of me, but lately it's hard to shake the feeling that each new season could potentially be American Idol's last. There's always some foreboding sign that the end is near: bad ratings buzz (though even when it's down, it's still been bigger than anything else on TV), rumors that Paula ~~has totally lost her mind~~ is leaving the show, the departure of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, the simple fact that few shows ever go beyond eight seasons, etc.

So I'm greeting tonight's return of Idol with joy and relief. The Idol powers that be are always promising improvements, but this year a lot of things are being changed up, including a return to the wild card round, a longer Hollywood Week, and adding a new fourth judge. It seems to me that if these things don't make the this-could-be-the-end vibes go away, nothing will, so I'm curious to see how it turns out.

Are you ready for a new season of American Idol? Do you think a fourth judge will make a difference? What part of the show are you most looking forward to? I personally want to see if any of the San Francisco hopefuls I hung out with make it on the air!

The Phoenix auditions kick things off tonight. For a reminder of how American Idol spins dreams into a reality for a destined few plus a couple of other promo clips for season eight, just read more.

Photo courtesy of Fox