When actors become breakout stars of a television series, they inevitably want out of their contract to star in movies. Studios get angry, actors become defiant, and finally, after a predicted media meltdown, the network and studio decide they would rather have to rewrite a story-line than deal with a difficult, unhappy actor. But the actor soon discovers that the movie business brings more fame than money, because offers, no matter how big, are few and far between. Such was the case with Katherine Heigl, who kicked and screamed her way off of Grey’s Anatomy until she was finally released from her contract. And like the many actors before her (see David Caruso) — she wants back in. Shonda Rimes is probably tickled pink.
Category: Television
Will Nicole Scherzinger & Steve Jones Leave X Factor? — Fired?
Most television shows go through major changes after season one, and I predict that X Factor will be no exception. When recently asked about her return, Scherzinger prepped for the potential public relations cleanup, saying it’s more difficult than she expected to publicly reject people. Translation? — She fears she’ll get fired and she’s planting the seeds to make people think she quit. As for Steve Jones, he will likely get the boot as well, given the enormous amount of negative criticism he’s received. Apparently, Jones was only hired as a last minute replacement for Corbin Bleu, because Scherzinger refused to work with him, and the network therefore had to scramble for a new co-host. They chose Jones because of his chemistry with Scherzinger, but when Scherzinger replaced Cheryl Cole as a judge, the reason for Jones’ hiring became moot. The truth is, neither Scherzinger nor Jones will know about their status with the show until “pick-up letters” are sent out for the new season. If no such letter arrives, then they get the axe. Until then, only the network executives know the plan. I suggest firing Scherzinger and Jones, leaving the judging panel at three, and then hiring Brian Dunkleman as the new co-host (okay, that last part is a joke . . . sort of).
SNL Makes Fun of Tim Tebow — Out of Line?
I’m told by my religious friends that atheists are the most judgmental of other people’s choices. They often site comedians and actors as the biggest culprits of such judgment. If that’s true, then Saturday Night Live’s Tim Tebow sketch is a great example. Sure I think it’s ridiculous to believe that God has time to worry about football, but shouldn’t Tim Tebow be allowed to believe what he wants without the ridicule?
Howard Stern Will Judge America’s Got Talent! — HOORAY!
Howard Stern fans everywhere have something to celebrate today. We finally will see more of him — and this time he’ll be on mainstream television. NBC confirmed today that he’s officially signed on to judge America’s Got Talent, and they are even moving production to New York to accommodate him (everyone knows Stern hates to fly). Stern has famously complained for years that he wants to judge a talent show, calling the format “easy money,” and saying that he’d lecture the contestants on the ability to make money off their craft. In fact, he recently told Sharon Osbourne that last year’s America’s Got Talent winner was a mistake, as “no one needs a Frank Sinatra impersonator.” Since Stern and Simon Cowell (the show’s creator) are friends, it only makes sense that he’d be courted. I must admit I’m shocked he took the job. He doesn’t need the money, and at this stage in his career I figured he’d want less work — not more. But the man always surprises me.
‘The Talk’ Panel Tells Howard Stern Why Leah Remini & Holly Robinson Peete Were Fired
Howard Stern is the only man who could get to the bottom of why Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete were fired from The Talk. Sara Gilbert, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne appeared on Howard Stern’s radio show to promote The Talk, and Stern grilled them for an explanation. Though Stern implied that Chen was to blame because of her marriage to CBS honcho Les Moonves, Gilbert quickly came to her defense and explained that the studio and the network made the final decision, and Chen didn’t have a say. Stern then pressed Osbourne, who is always honest. She quickly said that the chemistry was clearly off with the prior panel, and she therefore had a feeling they’d get the boot. Stern also asked Chen to confirm whether she insisted on being present when hot-button subjects were discussed, and she admitted that because of her journalist background, she was the only one who knew how to avoid a lawsuit. So what have we learned from all of this? We learned that the television industry is very similar to high-school, so you better make nice with the popular girls, especially when one such popular girl is dating the captain of the football team.
Alec Baldwin Addresses Airplane Debacle on SNL — BRILLIANT!
Alec Baldwin is the king of public-relations-damage-control. You’d think the guy would go into hiding until the dust settled from his verbal spar with the American Airlines crew over Words With Friends. But Baldwin did the opposite. He appeared on Saturday Night Live as the pilot, insisting that “Alec Baldwin is a national treasure.” Watch below.
Rachel Crow Collapses on X Factor — Children Should Not Compete!
Rachel Crow’s emotional breakdown on X Factor proves why children do not belong performing on television competition shows. She’s certainly a superb singer who far exceeded her fellow contestants. That being said, she is not emotionally equipped to handle a nationally televised rejection. She cried hysterically and fell to the floor while asking for her mother. Simon Cowell attempted a rescue, which I surmise entailed his verbal assurance that she will get a record deal despite losing the prize. But this show crossed a moral line, and I can only hope that Rachel’s painful reaction will serve to increase next year’s age limitation. I’ve posted the elimination video below, along with her incredible final performance where she sang for her life. And one more thing before I go — Nicole Scherzinger needs to be fired. Watch the video after the jump.
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Quote of the Day — Daniel Craig Bashes the Kardashians
“‘Ooh I want to be alone.’ F*** you! We’ve been in your living room. We were at your birth. You filmed it for us and showed us the placenta and now you want some privacy? They’re worth millions. I don’t think they were that badly off to begin with but now look at them. You see that and you think, ‘What, you mean all I have to do is behave like a f***ing idiot on television and then you’ll pay me millions?'” Daniel Craig on the Kardashians
J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff — Best Freestyle — DWTS!
J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff won last night’s Dancing With the Stars freestyle round by a landslide. Though I love Derek Hough and Cheryl Burke, they barely compared. Burke’s freestyle was far too contained, and Hough’s lacked the originality and fun that he’s known for. Plus, Karina has never won the competition, and this is her year. Did I mention that she has one of the best bodies I’ve ever seen in my life? First I’ll buy that tiny little outfit as motivation, and then I’ll start ballroom dancing. Watch below.
Elizabeth Hasselbeck Attacks Bill Maher — Wildly Inappropriate
It’s time for Elizabeth Hasselbeck to leave the television business. She hogged Bill Maher’s entire segment on The View to address a joke he once made about her, insisting that “she knows funny” and “that wasn’t funny.” The joke in question involved journalist Lara Logan who was captured while covering Hosni Mubarak’s resignation in Egypt. At the time, Maher said that they should trade Hasselbeck for Logan. When she asked if Maher would say that joke again knowing what he knows now, Maher said, “if I knew I’d have to dedicate my entire segment to discussing it, then no.” Their fight reminded me of a bad relationship argument, where the man apologizes for “hurting” the woman, who then insists that she’s incapable of being hurt as some ploy to feign strength. I have to congratulate Bill Maher for being an extremely kind gentlemen to Hasselbeck. Personally, I would have told her to piss-off and stop chirping in my face. She should have just admitted that she can’t get over the boy who pushed her on the playground. Might I also point out that this isn’t the first time Hasselbeck has taken a comedian to task that’s insulted her. Remember when she awkwardly confronted Kathy Griffin? Did she not learn her lesson? I also have a message to The View’s producers. If you invite a guest on your show, then instruct your whiny host to keep her mouth shut. You don’t invite a guest to your party only to set them on fire.