Idol navigates a double Diamond
Not only were we lucky enough to dive into Neil Diamond's catalogue on American Idol last night, but each contestant got to sing two of the 70s crooner's hits (with David Archuleta somewhat selfishly laying claim to his two best known tunes, Sweet Caroline and America). It was a bit of a bizarre night with Paula apparently forgetting how many songs she'd heard (or maybe she was listening to the music in her head). Someone's going home tonight, although after my last failed prediction, I'm staying out of this one.
By the way, is anyone else completely dumbfounded by the celebrity mentors this season? I mean Mariah Carey made sense. She has the whole "new CD" angle to work, and she's right in the wheelhouse of Idol's target audience. But Dolly Parton and Neil Diamond?
Not to diminish their standing in the music industry, they're both legends. But when was the last time either of them had a mainstream hit, and how are the contestants and the show's target audience supposed to relate to either of them?
Ok, I'm done ranting now, on to the Quick Hits.
Quick Hits
* CSI actor Gary Dourdan (Warrick Brown) is in some hot water. Yesterday he was spotted sleeping in his car by Palm Beach, CA cops who reportedly found cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and prescription drugs on him. He's free on $5,000 bail.
* You have a chance to own a piece of music history. John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to All You Need is Love are going up for auction. Experts clearly have no idea whatsoever what the libretto could be worth, they put sale estimates at $400 - $600,000.
* On Dancing With the Stars last night actress Shannon Elizabeth waltzed out the door as the latest "star" to be eliminated.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The Justin Files, 4/29/08
Jordin speaks...kind of
When the doctors put Jordin Sparks on "complete vocal rest", they weren't kidding. She recently released an email statement saying how hard it's been not to speak, laugh, or even giggle. She thanked her fans for their support and get well wishes, and says, "I'll be better in no time".
Cristián de la Fuente dances right into the hospitalTwo interesting stories came out of last night's Dancing With the Stars. First, Kristi Yamaguchi was not the highest scoring contestant, that honor went to football player Jason Taylor. Also, soap star Cristián de la Fuente ended up in the hospital. It's nothing serious, apparently just a severe muscle cramp in his arm, but it didn't do him any favors, he got the lowest marks for the day.
Quick Hits
* Bon Jovi will break tradition. They normally wrap up their tours at Giants Stadium. This time, however, they'll rock Central Park to round out their schedule.
* Britney's appearance on How I Met Your Mother a couple weeks ago was so well received that she'll be back on the show on May 12th.
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Justin Files, 4/28/08
Miley's photo scandal continues
You might remember a week or two ago, there was some controversy around candid photos of Miley Cyrus. In one, she was showing off a peek of her bra, in another she was cuddling up with a male friend. Now the gossip is surrounding professional photos. In one of the pictures, taken by celeb photographer Annie Leibovitz, the 15 year old is seen covered in nothing but a sheet. In another, she is cuddling up with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus. Both the photographer and the subject have released statements. Miley said,
As for Annie Leibovitz, her statement read,
What do you think? Is she too young to be showing skin and too old to be curling up with Dad? Feel free weigh in with a comment.
A power couple in the making?
An interesting celebrity couple sighting took place in Miami over the weekend. Both have been linked to any number of superstars so it was probably only a matter of time before Jennifer Aniston and Point balladeer John Mayer hooked up. They were apparently seen at lunch and at dinner together, and they supposedly ended the night hand in hand going back to the same hotel.
Quick Hits
* Amy Winehouse, who was arrested late Friday in London, was released on Saturday. She wasn't charged with anything. Apparently she just slapped a guy.
* The finale of Scrubs on NBC is only two weeks away, and then the show goes off the peacock network forever. But, if you're a fan of the show, no need to worry. It'll supposedly be showing up with new episodes next season over on ABC. The unusual move is more or less an open secret in Hollywood, with ABC expected to confirm next month.
You might remember a week or two ago, there was some controversy around candid photos of Miley Cyrus. In one, she was showing off a peek of her bra, in another she was cuddling up with a male friend. Now the gossip is surrounding professional photos. In one of the pictures, taken by celeb photographer Annie Leibovitz, the 15 year old is seen covered in nothing but a sheet. In another, she is cuddling up with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus. Both the photographer and the subject have released statements. Miley said,
"I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed"
As for Annie Leibovitz, her statement read,
"Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it. The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful."
What do you think? Is she too young to be showing skin and too old to be curling up with Dad? Feel free weigh in with a comment.
A power couple in the making?
An interesting celebrity couple sighting took place in Miami over the weekend. Both have been linked to any number of superstars so it was probably only a matter of time before Jennifer Aniston and Point balladeer John Mayer hooked up. They were apparently seen at lunch and at dinner together, and they supposedly ended the night hand in hand going back to the same hotel.
Quick Hits
* Amy Winehouse, who was arrested late Friday in London, was released on Saturday. She wasn't charged with anything. Apparently she just slapped a guy.
* The finale of Scrubs on NBC is only two weeks away, and then the show goes off the peacock network forever. But, if you're a fan of the show, no need to worry. It'll supposedly be showing up with new episodes next season over on ABC. The unusual move is more or less an open secret in Hollywood, with ABC expected to confirm next month.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Justin Files, 4/24/08
I make one lousy prediction
The bottom two ended up being Syesha and Carly. Carly went home. For those who were Carly fans, I wouldn't be too worried. Just ask Chris Daughtry, you don't have to win Idol to do just fine in the music business.
The late night shuffle seems to be shaping up
It's no secret that next year Conan O'Brien will take over Jay Leno's chair on The Tonight Show. The question has been, however, what happens to Conan's old Late Nite slot? If rumors are to be believed, apparently Saturday Night Live alum Jimmy Fallon will slide into the slot. They're just that right now, rumors, but apparently NBC will make an announcement next month.
If that's what ends up happening, just remember, you heard it here first!
Quick Hits
* Paul McCartney will play a free concert this summer. If you want to go though, you'll have to do some traveling. He'll be playing Kiev's Independence Square in the Ukraine on June 14th.
* Clay Aiken has conquered Broadway, so what's next for him? Well QVC of course! He'll show up on Monday evening to hawk his new CD and sing a couple tunes.
* New episodes return to ABC tonight with fresh Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Lost.
I don't think I'm going on much of a limb by predicting that Brooke's time has come to an end.Yes, those were my exact words taken right out of yesterday's entry. And I still contend that it wasn't going out on much of a limb by saying it...I was just wrong. In a shocker, Brooke didn't even land in the bottom two this week (clearly even she was shocked, see below)
The bottom two ended up being Syesha and Carly. Carly went home. For those who were Carly fans, I wouldn't be too worried. Just ask Chris Daughtry, you don't have to win Idol to do just fine in the music business.
The late night shuffle seems to be shaping up
It's no secret that next year Conan O'Brien will take over Jay Leno's chair on The Tonight Show. The question has been, however, what happens to Conan's old Late Nite slot? If rumors are to be believed, apparently Saturday Night Live alum Jimmy Fallon will slide into the slot. They're just that right now, rumors, but apparently NBC will make an announcement next month.
If that's what ends up happening, just remember, you heard it here first!
Quick Hits
* Paul McCartney will play a free concert this summer. If you want to go though, you'll have to do some traveling. He'll be playing Kiev's Independence Square in the Ukraine on June 14th.
* Clay Aiken has conquered Broadway, so what's next for him? Well QVC of course! He'll show up on Monday evening to hawk his new CD and sing a couple tunes.
* New episodes return to ABC tonight with fresh Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Lost.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Justin Files, 4/23/08
Who took their final bow on Idol?
Last night was Andrew Lloyd Webber night on American Idol. So it was showtunes all around. The performance that stood out the most had to be Brooke White's. And that's not a good thing. For the second time this season she started, stumbled, and re-started. You might remember a couple weeks ago when she did Every Breath You Take, the same thing happened. This time, the judges weren't nearly as forgiving. You could practically see smoke coming out of Paula's ears as she was struggling to find something positive to say. I don't think I'm going on much of a limb by predicting that Brooke's time has come to an end. We'll find out tonight.
Richie strikes a deal
Richie Sambora won't be spending any time in jail due to his recent DUI arrest. He's come to a plea agreement that will cost him nearly $2,000 in fines and fees, he'll be on informal probation for three years, and he'll be required to attend an alcohol education class. Child endangerment charges are not being pursued.
Quick Hits
* Oprah's most wanted - The Jonas Brothers will be on Oprah's show tomorrow. She said that the Bros are her most requested guest, with nearly 5,000 emails reaching her staff asking O to book the boys.
* Remember a couple years ago when Star Jones made such a big deal about her wedding on The View? Going so far as to plug her sponsors on the show. Well, she's filed for divorce, commenting, "several years ago I made an error in judgment by inviting the media into the most intimate area of my life".
* Marlee Matlin danced her last jig, leaving Dancing with the Stars last night.
Last night was Andrew Lloyd Webber night on American Idol. So it was showtunes all around. The performance that stood out the most had to be Brooke White's. And that's not a good thing. For the second time this season she started, stumbled, and re-started. You might remember a couple weeks ago when she did Every Breath You Take, the same thing happened. This time, the judges weren't nearly as forgiving. You could practically see smoke coming out of Paula's ears as she was struggling to find something positive to say. I don't think I'm going on much of a limb by predicting that Brooke's time has come to an end. We'll find out tonight.
Richie strikes a deal
Richie Sambora won't be spending any time in jail due to his recent DUI arrest. He's come to a plea agreement that will cost him nearly $2,000 in fines and fees, he'll be on informal probation for three years, and he'll be required to attend an alcohol education class. Child endangerment charges are not being pursued.
Quick Hits
* Oprah's most wanted - The Jonas Brothers will be on Oprah's show tomorrow. She said that the Bros are her most requested guest, with nearly 5,000 emails reaching her staff asking O to book the boys.
* Remember a couple years ago when Star Jones made such a big deal about her wedding on The View? Going so far as to plug her sponsors on the show. Well, she's filed for divorce, commenting, "several years ago I made an error in judgment by inviting the media into the most intimate area of my life".
* Marlee Matlin danced her last jig, leaving Dancing with the Stars last night.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Justin Files, 4/22/08
Jordin Update
I have an official update on the extent of the vocal cord injury that Jordin Sparks is suffering from. A spokesperson for 19/Jive Records, the American Idol's record label, said that she, "is on vocal rest and is expected to make a full and complete recovery. . . she's going through the normal course of learning how to manage and care for her voice".
Obviously it's good news that they're talking about her making a full recovery but, at the same time, it seems to me that they're trying to diminish the seriousness of the issue by suggesting than an injury such as this is all in "the normal course" of things.
First films of families of the famous
A pair of teens with famous families are getting ready to make their film debuts.
Connor Cruise, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's 13 year old son will be appearing as a young Will Smith in The Fresh Prince's next movie.
Lindsay Lohan's 14 year old little sister, Ali, will be in her first movie when she appears in the upcoming teen flick Mostly Ghostly.
She does it allMiley Cyrus sings, acts, and dances...now she's apparently getting ready to become an author as well. Disney announced that she's working on a book to share her "inspiring" story. It'll start with her roots in Tennessee and follow her all the way up to her current status as a teen superstar. We can expect the volume next Spring.
Quick Hits
* Dancing with the Stars last night, Kristi finally scored that elusive perfect 30. Marlee might be in trouble, she had the lowest grade of the night, scoring only 21 points.
* Simon likes to say that contestants sound like they're singing showtunes on American Idol, but that won't be an insult tonight. The remaining six hopefuls will be singing the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Justin Files, 4/21/08
Scary news for Sparks
Reigning American Idol champ Jordin Sparks is currently dealing with a career threatening condition. She was forced to cancel a number of recent and upcoming shows, including the kickoff show of the Alicia Keys tour which she was scheduled to open, due to "an acute vocal cord hemorrhage". From reports, it sounds like the condition can be treated. But if she were to perform or strain her voice before she is completely healed, it could cause a career ending permanent injury.
What a shame considering the fact that her star has been rising very quickly since winning Idol last year.
Danny Federici followupLast week I reported on the sad death of original E Street band member Danny Federici after battling melanoma for a number of years. A fund has been set up in his memory to benefit The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, the hospital where he was treated. If you'd like more info, click on http://www.thedannyfedericimelanomafund.com
His longtime friend and bandmate Bruce Springsteen postponed a number of Florida concerts last week after the news of his death.
Quick Hits
* Point living legend Madonna isn't releasing her new album until next week, but it's apparently already being leaked online. It's getting good advance press, though. Rolling Stone gave Hard Candy four stars out of five.
* NBC is getting presidential. The commander-in-chief makes a video appearance on tonight's episode of Deal or no Deal. Tomorrow morning, First Lady Laura Bush will co-host The Today Show. Maybe they're practicing for possible post-White House careers.
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