Did the Top 7 find the 'Keys' to success?![]() testing captions My top three tonight? Crystal Bowersox, Michael Lynche and Lee Dewyze. The song choices weren't totally inspiring, but I was moved by MamaSox's performance and her tears. I was less so by Siobhan Magnus' nature walk. I thought Alicia Keys was a pretty good mentor, though at this point, I think there is only so much any of the mentors can do with this group. Who do you think is in danger of getting the boot? 'Idol' Top 7 try to inspire![]() testing captions 8:55 p.m. - As with Alicia Keys, Crystal Bowersox is one of my favorites this season. Aww, heck. Who am I kidding? MamaSox is my favorite. Her version of "People Get Ready" was practically flawless. No instrument, just her incredible voice. She is overcome with emotion and can't finish the song for crying. She explains that she was so moved by seeing her Dad in the audience. She really loves her PapaSox. Finally, someone has a moment on this show. I swear this chick can do no wrong. 8:47 p.m. -I love that "Big Mike" put together a list of songs over the years that he wanted to sing on "Idol." He's cocky, but he's good. He TORE IT UP on "Hero." He did what I kept waiting for Andrew Garcia to do. Take a song, flip it and knock it out of the park. Say what you will about "Big Mike," but I think he knows who he is and when he stays in his lane he's a contender. Who cares if the song is about Spiderman? I loved it! 8:37 p.m. -You have got to have some serious guts to take on Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey at the same time. Kudos to Siobhan Magnus for even attempting it on "When You Believe." Alicia gives her good advice about her "money spot" with her upper register. For me, there is something just off with Siobhan. Her voice isn't bad and for once she didn't screech us to death. But the performance just fell flat to me. Even her speaking voice when she gives her long-winded explanations as to why she chose the song is starting to bug me. And what was up with the nature girl/forest nymph outfit with the butterflies attached? 8:28 p.m. – It was only a matter of time before someone pulled out R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly," and Aaron Kelly is that one. I have seen this song sung at more graduations than I care to remember, and at first, I think that's what Aaron's going to give us. But somewhere along the way, Aaron started really bringing it home. I forgot that youngster has such pipes. It was a little bit country and a little bit more pop. Not too shabby. And sure enough, Aaron says he sang it at a preschool graduation. How precious A. Kelly! 8:22 p.m. – Wow. Capt. "Sully" Sullenberger is in the audience. Who knew the hero was an "Idol" fan? Tim "Turban" Urban sings the Goo Goo Dolls "Better Days." The lead singer for that group is cute, too, but that's about all Tim has in common with him. It was not a great performance and yet Tim just keeps smiling. As always. 8:13 p.m. - Why does Ryan Seacrest always have to mention that Lee Dewyze used to sell paint? He chooses to perform the classic Simon & Garfunkel song, "The Boxer." Not what I would have expected from him and while it wasn't bad, it may not have been the best choice for him though the judges dug it. We need more excitement from Lee, and this song didn't quite showcase that for him. Kara thought he had a "moment." but I didn't feel it that strongly. I did like it though. Actually, when I closed my eyes, I could swear I heard a little bit of "Counting Crows" in there. Lee has a ton of fans this season, and I suspect they loved that performance. 8:03 p.m. – Alicia Keys is the hotness. No doubt. Good Lord, "Big Mike" Lynche lifted her in the air. We so didn't see that coming (massive eye roll). Casey James leads us off with Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow." Right off the bat, Alicia says he is going to need to bring some personality. Hasn't that been everyone's advice so far this season? Translation: You guys are somewhat boring. I liked the performance, but I agree with Randy that Casey did this week exactly what he did last week. Nice playing on the guitar and he rocked it. Simon thought it wasn't inspiring and a "lazy song choice." Stop dissing our cutie Casey! Kicking it off with 'Idol' Top 7
![]() testing captions I have made a vow to myself that this week that I will try to be more open toward Tim Urban. I have not been a major fan of that kid, and I probably never will be, but in the spirit of generosity of Wednesday night's "Idol Gives Back," I will attempt to be more charitable. The show just started, and we get a quick shot of some of the cast off contestants and the judges are already seated. Let's roll. Will Alicia Keys inspire the 'Idol' Top 7?![]() testing captions I can only pray that the “American Idol” Top 7 find some inspiration tonight. The gang will be mentored Tuesday night by Alicia Keys, who will help guide them through the week's theme: inspirational music. Now, that could mean just about anything - from gospel to a song that just moves you - so I am anxious to see what MamaSox and the gang come up with. Because, honestly, at this point isn’t that really how we are thinking of them now? 'Sex and the City 2' ticket sales already brisk
Get them while they’re hot: Tickets to ‘Sex and the City 2’ are already selling weeks before the May 27 release, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Since tickets went on sale Wednesday at Regal Cinemas locations, they’ve been “nearly 20 percent of our daily sales when it first went on sale, outpacing ‘Kick-Ass,’ which was 17 percent of sales,” Fandango spokesman Harry Medved told the entertainment trade publication. A Warner Bros. exec said he'd describe the sales as "brisk." Regal is taking advantage of what will presumably be a girls night out, if 2008’s blockbuster ‘Sex and the City’ serves as any indication. The movie grossed more than $415 million at the box office worldwide, and industry experts are expecting the sequel to do even better. “Based on our experience with the first film, this can become quite an elaborate and fun-filled evening,” Dick Westerling of Regal Cinema marketing told THR. “Women across the country are anxious to plan events and activities related to their evening out to see the film, and they want confirmation that they have tickets.” Grace Jones latest artist unimpressed with Lady Gaga
Cultural icon Grace Jones doesn’t work with other artists as a personal rule, and that includes Lady Gaga, she told the U.K.’s The Guardian. “I've seen some things she's worn that I've worn, and that does kind of piss me off,” Jones said, but she added, “I really don’t think of her at all. I go about my business." Although the “Bad Romance” provocateur asked to collaborate with Jones, the 61-year-old explained she turned her down because she’d “just prefer to work with someone who is more original and someone who is not copying me, actually,” Jones said. Scarlett Johansson says she's no party girl
The actress appears on the cover of the May issue of InStyle Magazine and tells the publication that she is not much of a party girl. "You're not going to find me at 4 a.m. hitting up the club, bottle full of bub …,” Johansson said. “Maybe on a rare occasion. But I've just never been much of a clubby, nightlife kind of person.” Peter Jackson on 'Hobbit' progress![]() testing captions Peter Jackson is nothing if not busy. Aside from promoting "The Lovely Bones," which came out on video Tuesday, the "Lord of the Rings" director is neck-deep in several other films - Steven Spielberg's "The Adventures of Tintin," for which he's a producer; "Halo," a long-gestating project he's executive-producing; and "The Hobbit," from the J.R.R. Tolkien book that set up "The Lord of the Rings." Rumors have swirled around the latter, from its casting - will Ian McKellen return as Gandalf? who's going to play Bilbo Baggins? - to its timing (what's taking so long?). Jackson cleared up some of the mysteries in an interview with Moviefone.com. '24' recap: Suffering from 'acute Bauer-citis'
Spoiler alert: You know the drill. If you haven't seen this week's episode of "24," don't read any further! 24: Day 8 - 9 to 10 a.m. With another episode of "24" in the books, we need to discuss my condition. Since last night's show, I've been experiencing edginess, impatience and angst. I'm pretty sure this can't be normal, and I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the way things went down. I believe I'm suffering from some sort of "acute Bauer-citis" where I constantly seek action-packed intensity from every passing moment of the show. As a result of the condition, if I don't receive the "rock em' sock em' thrill-ride-kind-of-fix" for sixty minutes each Monday night, I suffer from the symptoms, and I'll have a bad day at the office on Tuesday (co-workers, you have been warned). FULL POST Movie night on 'Dancing With the Stars'![]() testing captions If you happened to tune in late to “Dancing With the Stars” last night, you may have seen Jake Pavelka, a.k.a “The Bachelor,” in his underwear, frantically trying to put on his pants in the middle of the ballroom. No, it wasn’t a horrible wardrobe malfunction. Welcome to the “movie night” edition of the show, where the contestants danced to music from films and tried to channel big screen characters - thus Pavelka’s unfortunate attempt to mimic Tom Cruise in “Risky Business.” He did finish his cha-cha fully clothed and actually received compliments from the judges, but it will be hard to forget his, um, brief moment in the spotlight. It will be easy to forget Kate Gosselin’s performance, on the other hand. She danced a lackluster Foxtrot to the theme music from “The Breakfast Club,” yawning in the rehearsal footage (but no tears!), and looking like she might need an energy boost for the main event as well. Her costume – a flowing pink dress - really didn’t help things since it didn’t evoke anything from the movie, and once again she seemed to be walking through the routine. FULL POST |
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Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.
Robin Gibb of Bee Gees dies http://t.co/OndiHlJ6 1:09 am UTC, May 21 2012
Transgender Miss Universe candidate: stunt or triumph? http://t.co/Hrl6M3Mg 1:09 am UTC, May 21 2012
Will Smith slaps guy moving in for kiss http://t.co/LnFGSICt 5:57 pm UTC, May 20 2012
'Sons of Anarchy' creator's doc http://t.co/7VRvoYBu 8:06 pm UTC, May 18 2012
Summer died of lung cancer http://t.co/C55HKqUo 8:06 pm UTC, May 18 2012
Marquee's lists to follow:
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