American Idol

Is Randy Jackson’s departure from American Idol today the final nail in the coffin for the once mighty series?

The show certainly isn’t the behemoth it used to be. It was unstoppable in the days of Jackson, Cowell and Abdul, owning the #1 position in its US timeslot from 2003-2011.

Nowadays, the show pulls an average of 11 million per episode, which is less than half of what it was managing a few years ago.

Modern Family now regularly beats it head-to-head. Continue reading »

An American Idol contestant with cystic fibrosis has inspired Wayne Rooney to invite him over to watch a Manchester United match.

16-year-old Kayden Stephenson received four “yeses” when he auditioned on American Idol in front of judges Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson.

Rooney tweeted Stephenson after seeing his audition, inviting him over to the UK to watch Manchester United play Real Madrid.

“Your story inspires me, reminds me of a friend I know,” Rooney said. Continue reading »

Strictly and X Factor pull similar ratings

Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor posted similar ratings on Saturday evening, with the BBC One series attracting 8m and the ITV1 talent series drawing 8.6m.

Ferguson contributing to Downton Abbey LP

Former X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson will appear on the upcoming Downton Abbey” The Essential Collection compilation album. Ferguson has contributed one track to the LP. Continue reading »

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler has announced that he is leaving American Idol.

The show will yet again be faced with getting a new judge and winning over audiences with that person and their camaraderie with the other judges.

The worst part of it is that Tyler may also be taking fellow judge Jennifer Lopez with him.  Lopez has publicly announced that she is not sure whether to continue with the series after two stints on the show.

The show in the US has faced dwindling ratings and will now have to re-jig its line up in a bid to get back on top but where can the once powerful show go from here?

Continue reading »

Jay leaving Geordie Shore

Geordie Shore’s Jay Gardner has announced his exit from the MTV reality series. He said his exit from the show will screen later in this season.

Mel C to become permanent Superstar judge?

Mel C has reportedly signed on to become a permanent judge on Superstar after appearing in the first episode as a guest judge. Continue reading »

Thursday, 19 January 2012, 9:00PM – 11:00PM

Ryan Seacrest presents the brand new eleventh series of the American singing competition. 

Returning judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are ready to hear from some of the thousands of hopeful performers who have lined up around the US hoping to impress the panel and bag that life-changing prize.

Pop diva Jennifer and Aerosmith legend Steven were new to the show last year but they quickly proved their mettle, and now they and Randy are back to sort out the high notes from the bum notes. 

The series kicks off with the audition stages. Tryouts have been held across America from coast to coast, but which performers will manage to impress the panel and make it through to the next round? 

Previous contestants have gone on to great things, and this year’s crop of contenders will no doubt be hoping to follow in their footsteps. 

The very first winner, Kelly Clarkson, has released several big-selling albums and won two Grammy Awards, while 2004 finalist Jennifer Hudson has become a true crossover star, bagging both a Grammy for her debut album and an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls. 

Can this year’s contestants match their talent and success?

Label pays to not feature clothing

Fashion label Abercrombie & Fitch are offering the cast of Jersey Shore money in order to stop them wearing the label as they feel it could do “significant damage” to the company’s image. The company says a connection to the likes of The Situation goes against the “aspirational nature” of its brand.

Celebrity pulls out of Big Brother?

There are rumours that one of the Celebrity Big Brother contestants has pulled out at the last minute. The Daily Star reported that a contestant bailed on the show, leaving execs scrambling to fill their place.

X Factor warned

X Factor bosses have been told by OFCOM to keep the show family-friendly this season after last season drew a large number of complaints over raunchy material.

Lopez returning to Idol

American Idol has finally confirmed officially that Jennifer Lopez will return to the series as a judge next year. Lopez will re-join Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson on the judging panel.

Devenne leaves B&INTM

Hannah Devenne (pictured bottom left) has become the latest model to be voted off Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model. The 21-year-old Dublin student didn’t impress in the falcon photo shoot with Barry McCall.

Moore departs Show Me The Funny

Alfie More has been eliminated from Show Me The Funny after he performed poorly at a rowdy rugby gig in South Wales.

X Factor judges axe hopefuls at Boot Camp

The new judges from The X factor have axed a number of contestants on the spot at Boot Camp in a shock twist. The judges told the gathered contestants that they had reviewed everyone’s audition tapes and decided some weren’t up to scratch.

Levine slams Idol’s gay stance

The Voice’s Adam Levine has slammed American Idol for its treatment of gay performers over the years. “What’s always pissed me off about Idol is wanting to mask that, for that to go unspoken,” he says. “C’mon. You can’t be publicly gay? At this point? On a singing competition? Give me a break. You can’t hide basic components of these people’s lives. The fact that The Voice didn’t have any qualms about being completely open about it is a great thing.”

Rihanna to perform at Boot Camp?

Rihanna has reportedly agreed to perform at the Boot Camp stage of this year’s X Factor competition. The singer will perform for the contestants before they in turn perform for her and the judges.

Judges’ Houses confirmed

The locations of three the judges’ houses for the X Factor have been revealed by Olly Murs. Louis Walsh will head to the South of France, Gary Barlow will be based in LA and Kelly Rowland will take her crew to Miami. Tulisa Contostavlos’s location is yet to be confirmed. 

Big find for Antiques Roadshow

A brooch that was going to be sold for “perhaps £10″ has fetched £31,000 at a Leicestershire auction house after its owner discovered its real value on Antiques Roadshow.

Anderson for Celebrity Big Brother?

Reports are suggesting Pamela Anderson is close to signing a deal to take part in Celebrity Big Brother. It would be the actress’s third appearance in a Big Brother house if so.

Lopez returning to Idol

Jennifer Lopez is said to have agreed to a $20 million deal to return to the judging line-up on American Idol alongside Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson.

Guest stars announced for Hustle

Sheila Hancock, Paterson Joseph and Martin Kemp will guest star in the eighth season of Hustle, the BBC has announced. Filming began yesterday on the new season.

Coogan producing new Sky1 series

Steve Coogan has confirmed he will be producing a new Sky1 family sitcom called The Starlings. Brendan Coyle and Lesley Sharp will play the parents on the show.

Lopez close to new Idol deal

Jennifer Lopez is believed to be close to signing a new deal for American Idol next year. Fellow judges Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson have already confirmed their returns to the show as judges.

Updated Amy Winehouse doco to be screened

Channel 4 will screen an updated version of the Amy Winehouse documentary Amy Winehouse: What Really Happened tonight at 11.05pm. The doco will feature new footage and interviews.