EntertainmentTell » Music

Could ‘American Idol’ Look to Alumni To Fill Judge Roles?

Brian Allen — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:34:47 +0000

We know two things for certain about American Idol. Ratings dipped by more than 20 percent this season, and “The Dawg” himself, Randy Jackson, is out. Idol’s judging panel stayed the same for eight seasons. Since then, it has been a revolving door ranging from rockers like Steven Tyler to comedienne Ellen DeGeneres. Jackson is more »

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At the End of the Day: Ke$ha vs. Brent Bozell, Jay Leno vs. Hulk Hogan, and Maureen Dowd vs. Sitcoms

Stephen Silver — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:30:56 +0000

In a battle between two of the more loathsome forces in American life, Ke$ha is feuding with the Parents Television Council, for reasons way too disgusting to go into (Billboard) The best final lines from sitcoms; I’m partial to “sorry, we’re closed.” (Slate) The five strangest celebrity cameos in pro wrestling (Cracked) Maureen Dowd takes more »

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A Door to Perception Has Closed Forever: Ray Manzarek (1939 – 2013)

Bill Gibron — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:40:03 +0000

Ray Manzarek

If The Beatles were the promise of a ’60s filled with peace and love, The Doors closed the decade on a darker, more dour note – and now, an important part of that sound has been silenced forever. Ray Manzarek, founding member of the band and the musician responsible for their signature keyboard sound has succumbed to his battle with bile duct cancer. He was 74.

As part of the LA scene looking to break free from the perfectly preserved pop of the British Invasion, The Doors utilized the remarkable talent and star power of their lyricist and lead singer, Jim Morrison, to redefine the era. Along with Manzarek, and guitarist Robbie Krieger and drummer John Densmore, they became one of…

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Xbox One Wants To Own Your Living Room

Brian Allen — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:23:39 +0000

Microsoft revealed its newest video game console, the Xbox One, to an eager audience today. It’s continuing down the path it started with the Xbox 360, seeking nothing short of total domination where your entertainment options are concerned. All the Xbox Ones will come packaged with an upgraded version of Microsoft’s Kinect. The company promises better voice and physical feature recognition. To demonstrate, they switched seamlessly from playing games to watching TV with vocal commands.

According to presenters, the need to search for a remote or even remember what channel your favorite programs come on will be a thing of the past. The new Xbox home page keeps a running tab of what you did last including your music, TV and gaming…

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Music Review: Flash – Featuring Ray Bennett & Colin Carter (Purple Pyramid Records, CD)

Howard Whitman — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:32:57 +0000

Flash – Featuring Ray Bennett & Colin Carter CD

Here’s a release I never thought I’d see—a new Flash album in 2013, a mere 40 years after the band’s original lineup broke up in 1973. A bigger surprise is that the album is not a disappointment, as such reunions frequently are. On the contrary, this new Flash CD finds the reconstituted band in prime form—creative, adventurous, compelling—a worthy successor to the band’s original three albums. It sounds like they never stopped.

But they did. Flash was formed around original Yes guitarist Peter Banks (who died earlier this year). Joined by vocalist Colin Carter, bassist Ray Bennett and drummer Mike Hough, Flash made music that was similar to Yes due to Banks’ guitar style, as well as Carter’s high-pitched voice and Bennett’s Chris Squire-esque bass. The presence of original Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye on Flash’s debut album…

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Justin Bieber Loses While Winning at Wild Billboard Music Awards

Brian Allen — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:30:54 +0000

Some pop stars are just polarizing. The Bee Gees dominated the charts when disco reigned supreme. Then America woke up one day and decided it absolutely hated disco, and was embarrassed for ever having liked it. People destroyed Bee Gees albums in stadiums while thousands cheered. Now people admit they had some catchy songs. Perhaps then, Justin Bieber just needs to wait 20-30 years.

Because right now people either love him or have post-disco Bee Gees level of hatred for him. Those who don’t like him displayed it openly at Sunday night’s Billboard Music…

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Paulina Rubio, Kelly Rowland Join ‘The X-Factor’

Brian Allen — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:03:05 +0000

It is judge shuffling season for TV singing competitions. Fox has announced that former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and actress/singer Paulina Rubio will join The X-Factor as judges and mentors. Rowland has already been a judge on the British version, and it looks like it was a good working experience for all involved. She more »

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At the End of the Day: President Bulworth, Expanded Stefon, and Saying Goodbye to ‘Smash’

Stephen Silver — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:30:51 +0000

New York’s Hottest Club is I’m Leaving Saturday Night Live

President Obama apparently wishes he could “go Bulworth,” though apparently without the awkward rapping (New York Times)

Since the Stefon character has never even sustained a sketch, you’d think it wouldn’t ever be part of a movie, and Bill Hader confirms that in an interview (GQ)

The Office finale had about 50 people in the guest credits; a primer on who was who (Vulture)

Reasons to be nervous about the return of Arrested…

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Candice Glover Is New American Idol, First Female Winner in Six Years

Brian Allen — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:34:28 +0000

The next American Idol’s album will have an R&B flavor, as 23-year-old Candice Glover won this year’s competition. She is the first woman to win since Jordin Sparks in Season 6. Glover had auditioned for the show three times, a perseverance that paid off big time.

The judges predicted a woman would win this year, leading to talk the outcome was predetermined. Whether by design or by coincidence, this year’s male finalists didn’t have much staying power. The five female…

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Christina Aguilera Negotiating ‘The Voice’ Return, Cee-Lo Green Could Also Be Back for Season 5

Adrian Diaconescu — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:30:31 +0000

Judging only by recent ratings numbers, you’d think NBC’s The Voice is doing better with Shakira and Usher in Christina Aguilera and Cee-Lo’s coaching chairs. But America likes its divas better when they’re born and bred in the good ol’ US of A instead of borrowed from exotic Columbia.

Which is likely why the peacock is reportedly in…

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