Bitten and Bound » American Idol

Ellen DeGeneres New American Idol Judge!

Andrea — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:06:35 +0000

Ellen DeGeneres will be Paula Abdul’s replacement on American Idol, Fox announced on Wednesday.

Ellen will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge for season nine of Idol, which begins in January.

At a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show scheduled to air on Thursday, DeGeneres told the audience she will continue with her Emmy-winning show, but would have “a day job and a night job.”

“The times we’re living in,” she quipped, “we’re all doing that.”

“I have not missed one episode,” DeGeneres says of American Idol.

“Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” she said on her show. “I sit at home and I watch it, and I don’t have that technical … I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.”

Paula Abdul abrubtly left American Idol in August, announcing her decision on Twitter.

Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller says, “Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel.

Kara DioGuardi Records Studio Version of No Boundaries (VIDEO)

Meg — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:45:22 +0000

Kara DioGuardi, fourth judge last season on American Idol, wrote a song that was to be the first recorded single of winner Kris Allen. He received the scorn of the Idol judges when he performed it during the season finale and was told that it really didn’t fit his voice. Cowell was the most critical, even taking a few snipes at DioGuardi during the live broadcast.

When the American Idol Summer Tour launched in July, No Boundaries was set to be part of Allen’s nightly performance selections. He dropped the tune after a week, citing the fact that it slowed down the momentum of the show. OUCH!

Since nobody else appeared willing to turn her song into a hit, DioGuardi took the initiative to record No Boundaries herself, with a studio version popping up on YouTube this week. Check it out below.

Related Articles:

Paula Abdul Lands A New Gig

Missy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:01:06 +0000

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul’s future has been all the talk lately and now she has ‘tweeted’ about her latest job.

“Hi guys! im really excited 2 announce ill b hosting this year’s “Vh1 Divas”! The show will be live on Sept 17th @ 9 pm EST.”

She also reported that the show will honor Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus. Paula said that she is excited!

Photo: WENN

Related Articles:

Dancing with the Stars Wants Paula Abdul

Missy — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:08:18 +0000

Will Paula Abdul go right from judging FOX’s American Idol to judging the hit reality show Dancing with the Stars? ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson sure hopes so.

McPherson attended the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena yesterday and weighed in on Paula leaving AI and hinted there might be a spot open on DWTS. “Absolutely, I would love that. I was a little stunned by the decision, and we would love to have her.”

Stephen believes Paula is a huge talent and said she can pretty much do whatever she wants on the show–participant, dance or judge…it doesn’t really matter. Wow!

We wonder what the current judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli think about that? McPherson says that Paula has that sensitivity and empathy that he thought was a good balance for AI.

Would you like to see Paula on Dancing with the Stars?

Photo: WENN

Related Articles:

Kirstie Alley Twitter: I’m Replacing Paula Abdul on American Idol

Andrea — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:40:36 +0000

Kirstie Alley announced on her Twitter page that she will be replacing Paula Abdul on American Idol.

Kirstie Tweeted:

I WANTED TO ANNOUNCE FIRST ON TWITTER…that I AM REPLACING PAULA ABDUL ON IDOL!!!!!!!!! THe network will kill me but THERE IT IS FOLKS!!3:39 PM Aug 5th

DEAD SERIOUS! I AM REPLACING PAULA ON IDOL..CAN’T WAIT TO F SIMON UP…BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR MONTHS! PAULA ANNOUNCED LEAVING TODAY VIA TWIT3:48 PM Aug 5th

Yes,PAULA IS going to be the new lead PUSSYCAT DOLL..that is exactly what she is leaving to do..oops, pussy out of the bag4:00 PM Aug 5th

GOING TO CALL PAULA AND TELL her she has loads of loyal fans…tweet ya later angel babies…4:03 PM Aug 5th

FIRST SHELLY LONG, NOW PAULA ABDUL…AM I ALWAYS SLOPPY SECONDS…P.S. …IT IS WAITING FOR GODOT…sorry…4:58 PM Aug 5th

Although we think Kirstie is kidding around, RadarOnline is reporting that there may be some truth to her Tweets:

When asked about his client’s twittering, Alley’s rep told RadarOnline.com exclusively, “She is ecstatic at the prospect.”

We asked him exactly what that meant, to which he repeated, “She is ecstatic at the prospect.”

Kirstie just may be the perfect person to replace Paula. She certainly seems to have the wackiness down, and it could be fitting that she made the announcement on Twitter, since the first anyone heard that Paula was leaving (including show producers) was via the social networking site.

Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry have been confirmed as guest judges for next season’s Idol audition process, however, Fox Broadcasting says by the time the show starts in January, there will probably be a fourth judge.

Meanwhile, TMZ is reporting that Paula will come back to the show IF the price is right — the price being $10 million.

Attempts to contact Kirstie Alley’s rep were unsuccessful.

Related Articles:

Victoria Beckham Confirmed as American Idol Judge (PHOTOS)

Meg — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:06:06 +0000

On the heels of the Paula Abdul Twitter message to the world yesterday that she will not be returning to the top-rated FOX reality show American Idol, we discover that Victoria Beckham WILL be a judge….but only as a guest.

The publicist for Posh Spice confirmed that the 35-year-old musician, model and fashionista will join judges Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi sometime during the new season, though her busy schedule will preclude her from making it more than a short-term gig.

It was revealed yesterday that Abdul, 47, couldn’t come to terms with FOX, who reportedly offered her a 30% increase over the $2 million that she made last season, while she was holding out for $12 million. Ryan Seacrest recently signed a $45 million three-year deal, and Cowell was paid $57 million for his last stint.

Related Articles:

Paula Abdul Twitter News: Judge Quits American Idol (PHOTOS)

Meg — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:33:23 +0000

American Idol judge Paula Abdul announced on her Twitter page yesterday that she will not be returning to the hit FOX reality show in the fall. She had been negotiating a new contract, reportedly demanding $20 million for the 2010 season after learning that Ryan Seacrest had just inked a three-year deal worth $45 million.

The announcement came just two days before the ninth season taping was to begin. FOX has confirmed that Kara DioGuardi, who rocked a bikini during the eighth season finale, will return to sit on the judges panel alongside Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell.

Paula tweeted, “With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to Idol. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon. What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month. I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.”

This may have been Paula’s opportunity to save face amid rumors that the network did not offer her a new contract.

View more photos below.

Photos: WENN

Related Articles:

Daniel Bark Arrested in Alexis Cohen Death

Andrea — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:38:30 +0000

23-year-old Daniel Bark has been arrested and charged with the hit-and-run death of former American Idol contestant Alexis Cohen.

Bark, from Toms River, NJ, ran over Cohen with a 2005 Mitsubishi Gallant in Seaside Heights, NJ, and fled the scene. Cohen’s body was discovered by two passersby about 300 yards from her car.

Cohen, who was reportedly enrolled at Montgomery County Community College studying veterinarian medicine, was visiting the Jersey shore beach town.

Dubbed ‘Glitter Girl’ by the media after her American Idol season 7 audition, Cohen uploaded a video to Funny or Die the day before her death.

Daniel Bark is being held in Ocean City. His bail has been set at $35,000.

Watch Alexis Cohen’s Funny or Die videos

Watch Alexis Cohen’s American Idol Season 7 & 8 auditions and video rant

Related Articles:

Alexis Cohen Uploads Funny or Die Video Hours Before Death

Andrea — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 04:55:31 +0000

Former American Idol contestant Alexis Cohen uploaded a video to Funny or Die on Friday — the day before she was found dead in Seaside Heights, NJ.

Cohen, dubbed ‘Glitter Girl’ by the media, was apparently trying her hand at stand up comedy after being denied a golden ticket to Hollywood three times. The video is one of two, titled “Practice Stand Up Comedy, Practice Media Reel, Improv: By Alexis Cohen.”

The 25-year-old auditioned for seasons seven and eight of Idol, and was turned away at the door for season nine.

Cohen’s death is currently under investigation. She was found was found lying in the street around 4 a.m. by two passersby who called 911, according to Deputy Chief Michael Mohel. She was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ, where she was pronounced dead around 6:35 a.m.

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Cohen appears to be the victim of a hit-and-run.

WARNING: Alexis Cohen’s Funny or Die video contains mature language and is not suitable for all audiences.

Watch Alexis Cohen’s Funny or Die video.

Watch Alexis Cohen’s American Idol auditions.

Related Articles:

American Idol ‘Glitter Girl’ Alexis Cohen Found Dead

Andrea — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:06:42 +0000

Alexis Cohen, the former American Idol contestant dubbed ‘Glitter Girl’ by the media, was found dead at 4 a.m. this morning in Seaside Heights, NJ.

Cohen, 25, auditioned for seasons seven and eight of American Idol. She explained her eccentric look, likening herself to a pirate, saying “I like things that shine,” and continuing with “I’m a lady.”

Cohen compared her voice to Janis Joplin, Grace Slick and Pat Benatar.

Cohen’s body was found on the street and her death is under investigation. No cause of death has been given. An autopsy was scheduled for today.

Developing…

UPDATE: Alexis Cohen uploaded a video to Funny or Die the day before her death.

UPDATE 2: Daniel Bark arrested in hit-and-run death of Alexis Cohen.

Watch Alexa Cohen’s season 7 & 8 American Idol auditions below:

Watch Alexis Cohen (Glitter Girl) American Idol season 7 audition video.

Season 8 audition below:

alex 12 @ Yahoo! Video

Related Articles: