Idol Chit-Chat
This is your place to discuss all things "American Idol." The performances, the judges, the past contestants — it’s all right here.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Clay AIken Takes On a "Drop Dead" Different Role

So when you hear that Clay Aiken is guest starring in an episode of “Drop Dead Diva” called “The Prom,” your first guess is that Clay will be the entertainment at the prom and will end up serenading the show’s cast.

But you would be wrong as Sunday’s guest appearance is like nothing Clay has ever done before. Not only is he not playing himself, he is not playing any variation of himself. No singing, just acting. And I think he does a pretty good job of it.

Without giving too much away, I will tell you that Clay is a part of the secondary legal case in the episode, which involves a man who was duped by his mail order bride.

Josh Berman, the show’s creator/executive producer told me that Clay had a lot of input into the character.

“I just got on the phone with him and I said I really want you in this episode, here’s a character I’m considering, and we kind of crafted his character together,” Berman said. “Through the process we actually have become friends. He’s actually flying to LA for the Outfest panel for the episode on Sunday. It’s amazing. You have a show like this that’s very empowering to women, empowering to humanity, it gets people excited. And that’s a unique experience for me.”

Sunday’s episode is a special one because it takes a look at an important issue. Jane (the phenomenal Brooke Elliott) represents two lesbian teenagers who are not allowed by their school to purchase a couples ticket for their prom. The case is inspired by the real-life case of Constance McMillen, a Mississippi teenager who was banned from her prom because she’s gay.

Though the episode takes a stand on the issue, it never turns preachy. And the hour never loses the show’s trademark combination of drama and humor. No matter what side of the issue you fall on, you’ll laugh, yell and cry all within the same 60 minutes.

I had hoped to have some comments from Clay about the episode, but just like every other time I’ve tried to interview him, it didn’t work out.

Someday, my friends. Someday…

“The Prom” episode of “Drop Dead Diva” airs Sunday, July 24th at 9 p.m. on Lifetime…

Photo Credit: Bob Mahoney/Lifetime

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Breaking News: Houston, We Have a Problem

This is not good…

“The Hollywood Reporter” exclusively reported today that “Idol” creator Simon Fuller is suing FOX for money he claims the network owes him.

The lawsuit stems from the settlement of Fuller’s lawsuit against Simon Cowell back in 2004. According to the papers Fuller filed, the settlement—which cleared the way for “Factor” to come to the U.S.—entitled Fuller to a producer fee for “The X Factor,” which he says FOX and Fremantle North America have not paid.

You can read all the details of the suit here.

This is bad because the lawsuit between the Simons nearly destroyed “Idol” and created a lot of hard feelings. I’ve got to believe that Fuller suing the network and the production company is not going to make things any easier.

The “Reporter” article also says that Fuller is angry over how much attention FOX has showered on launching “The X Factor.” Um, I was under the impression that’s what all networks did to launch new shows. Clearly, there’s some touchiness going on here…

Stay Tuned, folks…

Monday, July 18, 2011

JLo and Marc Anthony: The Show Must Go On

It’s a known fact in the world of public relations that if you want something to not get very much media attention, you release it on a holiday or over the weekend. No doubt that’s what Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were thinking when they released the very business-like statement that they are ending their marriage…

Considering how much we saw of Marc during the “Idol” season it certainly is pretty surprising…

So where does that leave “Q’Viva!” their reality show collaboration with “Idol” guru Simon Fuller? According to Fuller’s XIX Entertainment, the show will go on…

In a statement from XIX, the show is set to start filming this fall “with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony as previously announced.” The Internet is already buzzing that the break-up may actually help the show find a network home…

Get Ready to Rock with Scotty and Lauren

Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina got a true indoctrination into the world of country music last month and now we’ll be able to see it all…

Scotty and Lauren will be a part of the ABC special, “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock.” Scotty will sing with Josh Turner and Lauren will sing with Martina McBride. The show will also go behind the scenes with Scotty and Lauren as they experience their first CMA festival.

Kelly Clarkson will also appear with Jason Aldean.

“CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” will air for three hours Sunday, August 14th at 8 p.m. on ABC.

"Idol" Receives A Special Honor

“American Idol” will be inducted into “Broadcasting & Cable”s Hall of Fame this fall.

Bill McGorry, Chairman of the B&C Hall of Fame said in a press release, “‘American Idol’ has been a broadcasting phenomenon from the moment it debuted, and it just keeps getting stronger. This honor is richly deserved for a show that has had such an unprecedented impact on the entire industry.”

The 21st annual awards dinner will be Wednesday, October 26th at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City…

Photo Credit: Tony Duran/FOX

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Listen to Pia's Debut Single

Pia Toscano’s debut single is now available on iTunes...

The song, “This Time,” was written and co-produced by Esther Dean, who has written hits for Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Rihanna and more. Pia is performing the song on the Idols Live! Tour.

Her debut album on Interscope Records will be released later this year.

You can hear a scratchy version of the song, which debuted on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show here. Be sure to let me know what you think.

I kind of like it. Or maybe I’m just happy to hear Pia singing to an actual beat…

Monday, July 11, 2011

New Kelly Clarkson Music Hits the Airwaves

A new Kelly Clarkson song hit the Internet last week and now it’s starting to hit Top 40 radio…

It’s called “Let Me Down.” See what you think…



I personally say, welcome back, Kelly…

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Jordin Sparks Warms Up for Another Anthem

If it’s a major sporting event in Arizona and it’s airing on FOX, you can count on Jordin Sparks being there to sing something…

Jordin will be singing the National Anthem prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tuesday night. Also, during the pregame, you can get a preview of Simon Cowell’s “The X Factor.”

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game airs Tuesday, July 12th at 8 p.m. on FOX…

Photo Credit: Randee St. Nichol/FOX

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Relive the Best of the Top 4

If you didn’t get the iTunes downloads during the season, you can now get the best of the Top 4 at Wal-Mart…

Four EPs containing five tracks each are now available exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com for $5 each. Each EP contains a track never before available for purchase.

Here is the track listing for each EP:

"Scotty McCreery-American Idol Season 10 Highlights"

"I Love You This Big"
"The River"
"Amazed"
"Gone"
"Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not"

Lauren Alaina - American Idol Season 10 Highlights

"Like My Mother Does"
"Flat On The Floor"
"The Climb"
"I'm The Only One"
"Wild One"

Haley Reinhart—American Idol Season 10 Highlights

"House Of The Rising Sun"
"Bennie and the Jets"
"Rolling In The Deep"
"What Is And What Should Never Be"
"You Oughta Know"

James Durbin—American Idol Season 10 Highlights

"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"
"Maybe I'm Amazed"
"Uprising"
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
"Good Riddance"

Photo Credit: Michael Becker/FOX