The Jane Report 2-3-10
The “highlight” of the “American Idol” auditions in Denver last night came at the end when a guy named Ty Hemmerling came on set in a bikini and began to speak/sing Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart”. It resulted in the judges fleeing the set. As they beat feet Kara DioGuardi told Bikini Boy, “Don’t move your hips like that, honey. It’s not a good look.” Bikini Boy responded to the flight with, “That’s kind of rude. I think you should at least stay. Kara, please stay! Can I get a hug?” …
At the Denver “American Idol” auditions, Kenny Everett was trying to prove to the judges that he’s the world’s best singer, but he was more like the world’s most-annoying singer. Simon told him he sounded like he’d just been punched, then said Kenny will never be a great singer.
The first episode of “American Idol” with Ellen DeGeneres airs this coming Tuesday. And Ellen might already be fed up with Simon Cowell. At a photo shoot with Simon, Randy, Kara, and Ryan Seacrest, Ellen said Simon is actually meaner than she thought he was.
The charity single organized by Simon Cowell has found its way online. It’s a cover of the R.E.M. song “Everybody Hurts,” and it features Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, Miley Cyrus, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Buble, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, James Blunt and Susan Boyle, to name a few. Proceeds will benefit earthquake victims in Haiti.
Las Vegas odds makers are making Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock the early favorites to win Oscars in the top acting categories after the Academy Award nominations were announced. “Avatar” is the favorite to win best picture.
Don’t confuse your Ryan Binghams on Oscar night. There are two of them nominated, sort of anyway. George Clooney is nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Up in the Air”, in which he plays a character named Ryan Bingham. Elsewhere, singer/songwriter Ryan Bingham scored an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for co-writing the theme for “Crazy Heart”.
In another Oscar quirk, directors James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow will make Oscar history when they become the first previously married couple to go up against one another in both the best picture and director categories. Cameron is up for “Avatar” and Bigelow helmed the war movie “The Hurt Locker”.
John Mayer has been rehearsing at a venue in Columbia, South Carolina and that brought fans to the area hoping they’d get a glimpse of him. Last night he surprised University of South Carolina students with a free 2-hour show. At 6 p.m., he Tweeted: “USC students: come watch us run the show tonight. Free.” The Tweet instructed students to pick up their free tickets at the Russell House student union on campus and show up for a concert two hours later.
Some executive at FOX are thinking about the possibility of hiring Conan O’Brien for a late-night talk show, but they have to convince the man at the top, Rupert Murdoch, that it would make money. “We’re giving it a lot of thought and a lot of examination,” says Murdoch. Most of FOX’s 200-plus affiliates air reruns of syndicated sitcoms from 11 to midnight that make them a lot of money.
Jon Stewart is going on Bill O’Reilly’s show. His appearance will be spread over Wednesday and Thursday’s shows.
When Oprah Winfrey’s cable channel makes its debut in January, she will still be hosting her syndicated talk show, but until the syndicated show ends in September 2011, the show will be the subject of a reality series on OWN, (Oprah Winfrey Network). “Behind the Scenes: Oprah’s 25th Season,” will be a weekly reality show about Oprah’s final year in syndication. The new show will begin in January 2011, the same month that the Discovery Health Channel becomes OWN and begins showing programming.
Word has it the cast of the “Jersey Shore” will appear on Jay Leno’s show on March 3. That is two days after his return to late night.
The top artists of the past decade will be highlighted during a special live musical event on October 10 (10/10/10). For the first time ever, MTV, VH1 and CMT are joining forces to air the event. Details are scant at this point, but the artists will be selected by the viewers of the three networks.
Ringo Starr, 69, drummer for the Beatles will be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, February 8th. He’ll be the third member of the group to get an individual star. The date also marks the 50th anniversary of the construction of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which honors more than 2,400 celebrities. The late John Lennon and George Harrison each have their own stars where a collective star for the Beatles is placed. Paul McCartney remains the only “starless” individual member…(but he got Knighted by the Queen to make him a “Sir” so Ringo can suck it.)
No date has been announced, but it looks Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, will be charged with involuntary manslaughter any minute now, according to L.A. prosecutors.
Alicia Keys and Shakira will perform during halftime of the NBA All-Star game. Usher will perform his single “More” during the player introductions. The game is scheduled for February 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Santana’s “Supernatural” will be re-issued as a two-disc “Legacy Edition.” It will be accompanied by seven previously-unreleased tracks plus re-mixes and instrumental versions.
Johnny Depp is slated to direct a documentary film about Keith Richards. Depp modeled his Jack Sparrow character in the “Pirates Of The Caribbean” on Richards.