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Separated at Birth: "Don't Forget the Lyrics" and "The Singing Bee"
Fox and NBC kicked off their karaoke wars this week with the premieres of "The Singing Bee" and "Don't Forget the Lyrics." While I was secretly hoping the shows would slink away into "National Bingo Night"-style obscurity, "The Singing Bee" became the summer's most-watched program on Tuesday, and "Lyrics" held its own on Wednesday (it also airs another new episode tonight). Lest you be confused by the similar-sounding shows, I've put together this handy guide to help you tell them apart:
"The Singing Bee"
"Don't Forget the Lyrics"
Network
NBC
Fox
Host
Joey Fatone
Wayne Brady
Prize Money
$50,000
$1 million
Cute Mascot
Cartoon bumblebee
None
Use of "Walk Like an Egyptian"
Yes
Yes
Philosophy
"You don't have to sing it well; you just have to sing it right"
"Can you keep singing when the music stops?"
Buzz News Roundup, 7/11
- Kevin Spacey is all set to reprise his role as Lex Luthor in the next Superman movie — though the film won't go into production until director Bryan Singer completes his movie based on the life of Harvey Milk, says Variety.
- According to Hollywood Reporter, Guy Pearce and Don Cheadle will star together in an espionage thriller called Traitor.
- "The Knights of Prosperity" will return to TV for its final four episodes in August, writes the Futon Critic.
- Bruce Springsteen is planning to release another album with the E Street band, Fox News reports.
- Claire Danes is set to play Eliza Doolittle in a stage production of Pygmalion, the play that inspired the musical My Fair Lady, Variety reports.
- Peter Berg will adapt his cousin Buzz Bissinger's Barbaro story into a movie, Zap2it reports; a similar arrangement between Bissinger and Berg spawned the Friday Night Lights movie.
- Breakout hip-hop star T.I. is dominating the music charts, according to Billboard.
- The AP reports on a new James Bond novel titled Devil May Care, written by Sebastian Faulks and due to come out in 2008.
- TV Guide tells us that Tuesday's premiere of "The Singing Bee" was the most-watched network program in six weeks, ever since the "House" season finale.
Fox and NBC Launch Karaoke Wars
Earlier this week, I mentioned that "Don't Forget the Lyrics," Fox's new singing reality show, sounded an awful lot like "The Singing Bee," a similar show that NBC has planned for fall. Well, NBC thought so too, and it's going to hustle and throw its show on the air early, so it will premiere July 10 — beating Fox's show by one day. Given that it wasn't supposed to air till fall, the show currently has no host, prizes or rules.
Other Search Results
"Stayin' Alive" Keeps Man Alive
A seemingly silly public service announcement helped Debra Bader save her husband's life. The couple was walking in the woods when 53-year-old Christopher Bader suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest, the same heart problem that recently led to Michael Jackson's death. Thankfully, Bader recalled the American Heart Association's campaign from last year, teaching people that the Bee Gees song "Stayin' Alive" has a perfect tempo to match the recommended pace of chest compressions.
Ruth and Rob Record For Comic Relief!
Comic Relief 2009 launched today, with Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon and Joanna Page taking centre stage at the event in Leicester Square. They were sporting the classic red noses, with a slightly new design for 2009, alongside other celebs like The Saturdays, Jo Brand, Claudia Winkleman, Steve Jones and Alesha Dixon. Rob and Ruth have recorded a special version of their classic Gavin and Stacey song moment "Islands In The Stream" to release as the single for this year's Comic Relief night of music and mayhem which will fall on 13 March this year.
Pop Watch: Pushing Daisies, Episode 4 "Pigeon"
We're on episode four of Pushing Daisies, and the show's getting more fantastical by the week. I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this latest installment, so make sure you leave some comments after reading some of mine:
- Most heartbreaking line of the series so far was from poor Ned – "What's a rooftop full of bees compared to someone who can catch her when she falls?" Bless.
- Investigations this week surrounded the reason a crop duster crashed into a luxury apartment, which was far more complicated that it sounded, and Olive pondered what to do about Chuck's secret.
Jessica Simpson Loves Burping in Front of Us
Jessica Simpson played it casual arriving at LAX yesterday while Daisy looked pretty glamorous in her Gucci carrier. Most of you weren't fans of Jess's new beer ad or her comments about Carrie and Tony, but she's still trucking along with a smile. The singer is performing at the California State Fair tonight and talked to the Sacramento Bee to get everyone ready for her performance.
Flashback: Bee Gees Stayin' Alive
Word on the street is that the remaining two Bee Gees brothers (RIP, Maurice) are threatening to hinting that they may reunite for a tour. So in anticipation of that sweet moment, I thought we'd take a look at the boys in their prime. It takes a real man to put on tight white high-waisted jeans, blow-dry his hair until it resembles cotton candy, and sing in a falsetto.
GiggleSugar Best of the Week
- Anderson Cooper: please be my boo!
- Spelling Bee kid is hilarious.
- News reporter rethinking the whole "live reporting" thing.
- The brides (and grooms, and priests) are falling!
- Batman sings G'n'R's "Patience." Oh, was that what that was?!
- Little girl questions fairytale endings. That a girl!
- Carry on, you crazy dancer!
- Foul-mouthed chihuahua scarier than he looks.
NBC All Star Party Includes Friday Night Lights Secrets
The hit stars from NBC's new shows and current shows came out last night to schmooze with the press as their two days at the TCAs came to a close. We saw the cast of Heroes (Ali Larter is gorgeous in person), Las Vegas (yay yummy Josh), John Stamos, The Hoff, all those adorable Friday Night Lights kids and their handsome coach. My new favorite, Zachary Levi from Chuck (more on him soon) won the Singing Bee competition.
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