American Idol changes for season eight
When the new season of American Idol kicks off next month, there will be some noticeable changes.
An internal Fox memo listed several changes that the hospital will undergo, including:
– There will be 36 contestants during the semi-final round, instead of the usual 24.
– The original audition episodes will be reduced, and the Hollywood round episodes will increase.
– The Wild Card round will return.
– The focus on the terrible singers will be reduced.
– The Idol Gives Back episode will not air this season. Instead, it will air every two years.
I applaud the producer’s efforts to renovate the show. American Idol is entering into its eighth season, and the ratings are starting to drag, so it was essential that producers did something to make the show more interesting.
My personal favorite change is the return of the wild card round. This where contestants who were kicked off the show during previous episodes can return to audition for a chance to return to the show.
The most significant change is on the judges panel. Kara DioGuardi has been added as the fourth judge. As you can see in the photo above, it will take some getting use to seeing four judges on the panel.
Tim Henley
Paula Abdul says American Idol producers and Simon Cowell tried to ruin her career
In an interview with Barbara Walters’ XM radio show, American Idol judge Paula Abdul reveals how furious she is with the Idol producers.
Remember when Paula’s stalker committed suicide outside of Paula’s home last month? The stalker (Paula Goodspeed) auditioned for American Idol awhile back.
Paula said she warned producers not to let her on the show, but they did it anyway.
Paula said, “I said this girl is a stalker of mine and please do not let her in. She had been writing disturbing letters for 17 years, almost 18 years. We had restraining orders at times. It’s fun for them to cause me stress. This was something that would make good television.”
Paula also said the stalker sent her naked pictures of herself and said “the only way I will serve her purpose is when I’m up in heaven being her guardian angel.”
But Paula wasn’t done yet. She still had more to tell Barbara Walters.
She said, “This was an attempt by Fox Broadcasting, the producers of American Idol and Simon Cowell to ruin my career.”
She’s still wasn’t done yet. Remember how Paula always appears spaced out and crazy on the show?
Paula said, “Part of it is what people don’t realize is that Simon is in my ear while I’m talking. He says crazy things while I’m trying to formulate something with grace and dignity. He’s saying it over and over again and I start to laugh, and Ryan’s says what are you laughing at?” and it makes her look nutty.
She went on to say, “I put up with so much BS, that I’ve had to crawl on my belly and rise like a phoenix. I don’t have to dignify and stoop so low to that of what Simon say. Believe me I’ve lost a lot of money. I’ve lost endorsements, and all Simon had to do was retract what he said, but he didn’t.”
It sounds to me like the producers are slowing trying to push Paula out of the American Idol door. She is still under contract, but I don’t think she will return when her contracts expires.
Maybe that’s the reason why producers have brought in another female judge to be part of the American Idol judging panel during the upcoming season.
Kara DioGuardi will be the new judge sitting next to Paula when the new season airs next month. There will be a total of four judges now. But if Paula leaves the show, then Kara will be the lone female judge, and that’s probably how the producers would want it.
Kara is an attractive woman, but I don’t think she can hold a candle to Paula Abdul’s dynamic on the show. If Paula leaves the show, I don’t think the viewers will accept Kara because Paula is irreplaceable.
Yes, Paula might act a little crazy from time to time, but that’s what makes the show interesting.
Tim Henley
Fantasia Barrino’s house has been foreclosed
Season three American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino’s home has been foreclosed in North Carolina.
Media Take Out printed the foreclosure report, and it looks like the R&B singer’s home will be placed on the auction block.
When Fantasia won American Idol, she received a $1 million record contract.
Apparently, that $1 million didn’t last long. Fantasia’s first album was released in 2004, and it sold two million copies worldwide.
However, since then, Fantasia has had difficulty selling her music.
The economy is struggling in the U.S., and many Americans are struggling to pay their bills. I guess famous celebrities are struggling too.
Her home will be auctioned. If anyone is interested in bidding on the home, the picture is posted below.
Tim Henley
Donny and Marie Osmond’s nephew makes it on American Idol
David Osmond, the nephew of Donny and Marie, was successful at making it past the first round of auditions on American Idol.
Although the show hasn’t aired yet, the New York Post is reporting that the Osmond guy auditioned and made it through.
Michael Castro (the brother of season seven contestant Jason Castro) also made it passed the first round of auditions.
Instead of American Idol, maybe the show should now be called Nepotism Idol because now they are allowing famous offspring to be on the show.
If you come from a famous musical family, I don’t think you should be allowed on the show. That means they shouldn’t allow anyone who is part of the Osmond, Jackson, DeBarge, Houston or Partridge families.
Tim Henley
A dead body was found outside of Paula Abdul’s house
A young woman believed to be in her 30s was found dead in her vehicle right outside of American Idol judge Paula Abdul’s home in Los Angeles.
According to People magazine, the police department officials believe it was a suicide, but they have to wait for the coroner to investigate before an exact cause of death is determined.
According to TMZ, the victim’s parents called the police and told them that they’re daughter was missing and that she had a natural obsession with Paula Abdul.
TMZ is also saying that the victim auditioned for American Idol in front of Paula in 2006, but she was rejected. Click here to watch her audition, and you’ll see why she was rejected.
To be continued……
Simon Cowell and his girlfriend Terri Seymour broke up
The cruel American Idol judge Simon Cowell and his beautiful love interest Terri Seymour have broken up.
According to People magazine, after six of years together, Seymour broke it off with Simon via the telephone. 
A spokesperson for Simon said “In the past Terri has said that she wants kids but that just isn’t Simon.”
Although I don’ t wish break-ups on any couple, I do understand why Terri wanted break up with him. She is 34 years old and her biological clock is ticking and she wants kids.
On the other hand, Simon is 48 years old and he’s not looking forward to raising any little kids at his age.
Hopefully, she can find someone who is equally interested in having kids, and hopefully Simon can find someone who is equally as mean as he is.
It’s hard for me to feel sorry for Simon getting his heart broken. After all, he does make $36 million a year for being an “American Idol” judge.
Tim Henley
American Idol contestant says Simon Cowell made her drug addiction worse
Season one American Idol contestant Nikki McKibbin says she used to be a drug addict and an alcoholic, and she suffereed from depression, and Idol judge Simon Cowell is to blame.
In an interview with US Weekly, McKibbin says Simon’s cruel comments affected her.
She said, “I came out of Idol with a lack of self-confidence. I think I had my first solo in school when I was 5, and I got more as I got older: That’s the biggest compliment in choir. I had never been told I wasn’t good enough. Having to hear it for so many weeks from Simon Cowell killed me inside. I couldn’t get the s–t he had said to me out of my head. It drove me deeper into my depression. I wouldn’t say that this was Simon’s fault. It just added to the addict that I already was.”
McKibbin placed third on the first season of American Idol. She did receive alot of harsh criticism from Simon, but she wasn’t the only one. Simon is harsh toward alot of contestants.
Although Simon’s comments are usually cruel, he is not responsible for any of her addictions. I think she might be using him as an excuse.
Tim Henley
Simon Cowell makes $22,000 per minute
American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told the “New York Post” that Simon Cowell is earning $22,000 per minute for being a judge on American Idol.
That equals about $36 million per season. He makes $22,000 for every minute that he spends at work. It must be nice. I sure wouldn’t know.
In the article, Lythgoe hinted that there might be a little jealousy among the other judges because Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul make a lot less than Simon.
He said, “But there is always jealousy in every job. Why is he getting more than the other two judges? Because it is believed that he brings more to the table.”
I agree. Simon does bring more to the table than the other two judges. Randy is known as the cool one, Paula is known as the nice and crazy one and Simon is known as the cruel one.
Let’s be honest. We all like to watch someone on television being cruel more than someone who is being nice.
Tim Henley
American Idol watch
—- When season 8 of American Idol kicks off in January, a new judge will be added to the mix. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi will be the fourth judge alongside Randy, Paula and Simon. DioGuardi has written songs for Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears Pussycat Dolls, Celine Dion, Gwen Stefani, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson, Avil Lavigne and Jonas Brothers.
—- American Idol season 5 contestant Paris Bennett, 20, gave birth to a 5-pound 15-ounce baby girl whom she named Egypt. Her Christmas CD “A Royal Christmans” will be released Oct. 14.
—- Season 6 contestant LaKisha Jones married, 28, married financial adviser Larry Davis. Some of her fellow idols were in attendance, including Gina Glocksen, Melinda Doolittle and Sanjaya Malakar.
—- David Archuleta, 16, filmed a guest appearance on Nickelodeaon’s “iCarly. ” The episode will air in the spring. His self-titled CD will be released Nov. 11.
—- Season 3 contestant Jennifer Hudson will star alongside Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning and Alicia Keys in the upcoming film “The Secret Life of Bees” which will be in theaters Oct. 17.
—- Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood will host the 42nd annual Country Music Association awards Nov. 12 along with Brad Paisley.
Paris Bennet, from left, and LaKisha Jones with her new Husband Larry Davis. (Associated Press photos)
Jennifer Hudson vs. Kellie Pickler
Two former American Idol contestants will go head to head this week on the Billboard charts as they have both decided to release their self titled albums on the same day(Sept. 30)
Hudson placed seventh during the season 3 of American Idol and Pickler placed sixth during season 5. Which one of the idols will sell more albums?
Jennifer Hudson
Strength:Hudson appeared in the musical film “Dreamgirls” where she won an Oscar and a Golden Globe award for best supporting actress. Her powerful vocals in the film lead audiences to give her a standing ovation in movie theaters across the country.
Weakness:Hudson has since slid into obscurity since her Oscar win. She hasn’t been in a leading role since “Dreamgirls.” Sure, she played a small role in the “Sex in the City” movie, but no one will remember her for that. Not to mention, her new song titled “Spotlight” isn’t getting much airplay on the radio.
Kellie Pickler
Strength: She comes across as being somewhat of an airhead, and that works to her advantage like it did with Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson. Her vocals are strong, and this is her second album. She has already built a fan base when she released her first album last year.
Weakness:Pickler is not necessarily a cross-over artist, so people outside of the country music community might not know who she is. Her song “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” has made it in the top 30 on the country charts, but I’m afraid that might not be enough strength to make the album sell well. For a while, Pickler was the newest American Idol contestant to make a splash on the country music scene. However, fellow American Idol alum Kristi Lee Cook has a country album that was recently released too, and the idol viewers might flock to Cook’s album instead.
Check back on Oct. 8 to find who sold the most albums.
Tim Henley
Jennifer Hudson is enaged to a reality TV star
American Idol star and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson is engaged and you’ll never guess who her fiance is. She’s engaged to a guy who went by the name Punk, on the reality show “I Love New York” on the VH1 channel.
Jennifer’s representative confirmed the engagement to People magazine. Punk’s real name is David Otunga. He came in third place on the VH1 reality show.
Jennifer Hudson won her Oscar last years for the musical “Dreamgirls.”
Several months ago, I heard that they were dating, but I always thought it was a false rumor. I guess I was wrong. There are still some unanswered questions that I would like to know. Where did they meet? How long have they been dating? etc. etc.
Maybe they will tell us soon.
Tim Henley
Ryan Seacrest survives shark attack
The annoying American Idol host Ryan Seacrest was bitten by Jaws while he was swimming in four-feet of water in the ocean.
On his radio show, Seacrest said the shark bit him on his toe and left a tooth in his skin.
(sigh) I’m very disappointed in the shark. He had the once in a lifetime opportunity to take Ryan Seacrest out of our lives forever, but instead he only chose to bite him on the foot.
What a wuss of a shark. He must have not been the real Jaws.
