Last night was the Finale for season 9 of American Idol and also Simon Cowell’s last night on the show. Simon is is leaving the show to start his US version of X-Factor which is a music contest show similar to American Idol with him being one of the judges. The show has been a hit in the UK for several years. It is not known who the judges will be on the version of X-Factor, but it was rumored that Simon was in talks with Victoria Beckham. It is also has not been decided who would be replacing Simon next year at American Idol.
On the Finale, Lee Dewyze was crowned the winner and Crystal Bowersox took 2nd place. It was a surprise to many that Crystal did not win as on the night before, the judges seemed to favor Crystal as the winner. Ryan Seacrest announced that the winner won with a difference of 2% in the votes.
Several artists performed at the final, including Alice Cooper, Bee Gees, Christina Aguilera, Alanis Morrissette, Hall & Oats, Joe Cocker, Brett Michaels, Chicago, Janet Jackson, Kris Allen and Carrie Underwood. In addition, several group performances included past American Idol winners and top 10 finalists.
Paula Abdul also was present at the show and came on stage to speak about Simon’s departure.
Over the years the ratings have been steadily dropping for “American Idol” and the juggernaut is not what it used to be. But it still packs a solid punch when it comes to making money.
According to research by the Forbes Magazine, “American Idol” is the number one show when measured in ad revenue sales. For every half hour it broadcasts, the show makes $8.1 million purely out of ad sales. The research does not try to discover “which is the most profitable show?”, but rather which show has the most power in dictating ad prices.
The research broke the time slots into 30 minute segments so that sitcoms, dramas and reality shows could be compared with each other on an equal basis. It also disregarded all sports shows in its survey. The difference between the number one and two spots was a whopping $5 million. Sitting at number two was troubled actor Charlie Sheen’s “Two and a Half Men”. The sitcom is the only one from its genre to even make it to the top ten.
Taking the third spot with $3 million was “24″ the drama series from Fox. The show is in its final season, which probably accounts for the large ad revenue. The fourth spot is tied between an alien sci-fi and medical drama. ABC’s “V” and “Grey’s Anatomy” rake in $2.8 million each. The ad revenue ratings could play a great part in the future of certain shows. “V” is close to its season finale and so far no confirmation has been made of a second season.
It stood for seven long years before Taio Cruz broke the record for the biggest jump to the number one slot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The British newcomer floated 52 places to the top with his collaboration with Ludacris titled “Break your heart” and is a record for the biggest jump by an act with their first chart single. Previously, the record was helped by the first American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, for her victory song “A moment like this” back in 2002 when it jumped 52 places.
Cruz knocked the Black Eyed Peas from the top slot after which the BEP single “Imma be” dropped down to the fifth slot after two weeks at the top. The act most disappointed by this turn of affairs would be country trio Lady Antebellum, who rose to the number two spot with “Need you now” by dislodging Young Money’s “Bedrock”, who in turn slipped to third. If not for Cruz they would be reigning in the top spot. But all is not lost; Lady Antebellum just might hit number one next week if the predicted drop in sales for Cruz does come about.
Waiting in the wings is also Rihanna’s “Rude boy”, currently in the number four slot. Rihanna’s track has been gathering momentum and could spoil the party for Cruz and Lady Antebellum. Ke$ha dropped two places to number six with “Tik tok” and Train dropped one slot to end at number seven with “Hey Soul Sister”. By climbing two places Jason Derulo claimed the number eight slot with “In my head” and the exhibitionist, Lady Gaga fell down to the ninth spot on the charts with “Bad romance”.
Just when you thought the quirky and complaining Jerry Seinfeld was gone for good from TV, he’s back! But this time it’s not a sitcom at least not in theory. What transpires in the “Marriage Ref” does seem sitcom-ish and potentially scripted, but it is not.
The show does not pretend to be anything other than its shallow self and is about squabbling couples who come forward to present their issues to three celebrity judges, who in turn give their verdict on who is right or wrong. Throw in lots of comments from the judges along the way and you’ve got a recipe for a funny show.
The sneak peek so far has revealed a potentially funny show with Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa and Alec Baldwin as the initial judges. However, the judges will change as the show goes along and Larry David, Ricky Gervais and Madonna are all slated to appear on the show. The mediator will be Tom Papa.
Do not expect this show to be anything as enlightening as the Oprah show, as it only intends to provide a comic look at squabbling couples. Like, for instance, in the sneak peek a wife has a problem with her husband who has installed a stripper pole in the bedroom and another does not want their not-so-favorite dog to be stuffed and placed in their home.
So, as you can see this is not very intellectual stuff but merely some reality TV that will bring you some laughs.
Twenty five years after it first swamped the world “We are the world” is back in all its glory and with an all new cast of singers. The original was designed to be a benefit single for African famine relief and was penned by Lionel Richie and the late Michael Jackson. The duo was given the task of writing the song by Harry Belafonte and Ken Kragen.
Richie is once again part of the song, this time as a conductor along with Quincy Jones who was also an integral part of the 1985 effort. “We are the World: 25 for Haiti” was initially not designed for the Haitian earthquake relief efforts, but with the unfortunate events that unfolded in Haiti, Richie and Jones decided to transform the commemorative effort into one that would once again be about relief.
The new version of the song features over 75 artists, updated lyrics and music. It also has a rap segment and a duet between Michael & Janet Jackson. The song was unveiled during the broadcast of the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics on NBC. All of the proceeds generated by the song will be channeled through the We Are the World Foundation to support the relief efforts in Haiti.
The earthquake hit on January 12, 2010 leaving the country devastated with millions homeless. The death toll is eventually expected to top 200,000 in number.
The video, directed by Paul Haggis and the single, are available for purchase on iTunes.
The “Avatar” 3-D trend is spreading everywhere, with the newest venture being a 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson during the Grammy awards. A specially transformed 3-D version of Jackson’s “Earthsong” will be the centerpiece of the Grammys when it airs on 31 January 2010.
First heard in 1995, “Earthsong” was also included in the “This is it” album as well. The story in the video was modified for the series of concerts Jackson was planning to do before his premature death. “There are these incredible images of the beauty of nature, and then they are seen through the eyes of a little girl, and that girl falls asleep and when she wakes up, she bears witness to the destruction of nature,” said Grammy’s co-executive producer Ken Ehrlich. “It is all about questioning what our values are.”
TV viewers do not need to worry about not being at the event, as CBS will broadcast the 3-D video. However, 3-D viewing glasses must be purchased and this can be done at any Target store as they are the exclusive suppliers.
In his glittering career, Michael Jackson won 13 Grammys’ and so it is fit that he will be honored in the special segment by other Grammy winners. They include Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson and Celine Dion. Every time he performed for the Grammys, Jackson did something that was never done before, so it is fitting that such a tribute is accorded to him. Jackson will also be honored with a Lifetime Achievement award at the ceremony.
