Tag Archives: Reality TV
‘Idol’ Second Place is the 1st Loser
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coming in second on “American Idol” may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.
Wednesday night’s runner-up, 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, doesn’t have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30,000 in advances for recording singles, according to the “Idol” contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed earlier this year.
The agreement appears to be the first time in the show’s history that producers are not offering the runner-up an album deal that in previous years came with a guaranteed advance of at least $175,000, an Associated Press review of the FOX show’s contracts reveals.
The analysis covers eight of the show’s 11 seasons during which contracts filed for contestants under the age of 18 were available. The contracts were reviewed by judges in accordance with a California law that requires at least 15 percent of a minor entertainer’s earnings be set aside for his or her benefit once he or she reaches adulthood.
The reduced royalty advance covers the period immediately following the show. In addition to recording new music, the series’ winners and finalists are obligated to perform in a concert tour and lend their likeness to a Walt Disney World Resort attraction in Florida.
If Sanchez is given an album deal following the show, she will receive the same $175,000 bonus that Lauren Alaina was paid after placing second in the show’s 10th season. But 19 Recordings Inc., which has the option to handle the albums and recordings of “Idol” contestants for several years after they appear on the show, has replaced a guaranteed album deal for the runner-up with a staggered “Development Period” that requires less music and pays out less in advances.
Sanchez could be paid as little as $30,000 if she is asked to perform four single songs, or $60,000 if she records an EP of between four and 10 songs.
Representatives for 19 Recordings Inc. and “American Idol” producer FremantleMedia declined comment. They also have not disclosed which recording deal would be offered to Sanchez.
“It makes sense. You can’t continue to offer the same sorts of rewards and incentives when the program was averaging 25 to 30 million (viewers), and (now) the finale is barely breaking 20 million,” said Northwestern University assistant professor Max Dawson, who teaches a course on reality television. Wednesday’s finale was the lowest-rated final show for “Idol” in its history.
A&E puts down Dog “The Bounty Hunter” Chapman
via TMZ
Dog “The Bounty Hunter” Chapman will have more time on his hands to catch criminals, because his show on A&E is being canceled … TMZ has learned.
Multiple sources connected with the show tell us … Dog’s people and A&E have been negotiating, but the network has now decided to pull the plug and not do season 9.
One source connected with Dog tells us the cancellation is based on “creative differences.” But here’s the reality … saying “creative differences” is like breaking up with a girl and saying, “It’s not you, it’s me.”
Paris Hilton: I’ve Earned $1.3 Billion Since 2005
Paris Hilton is often criticized for being “famous for being famous,” but the 30-year-old reality star says she’s worked hard to amass her hefty fortune.
“I’m involved in my products every step of the way. My fragrances are doing really well at the moment,” Hilton tells FHM UK’s January issue. “They’ve produced more than $1.3 billion in revenue since 2005.”
“I have 35 stores and 17 product lines. And then there’s my racing team, my 14 fragrances and my new project, the Paris Hilton Beach Club chain. The first one is opening in the Philippines soon. It’s going to have nightclubs, restaurants, bars, gyms. Everything really.”
Hilton, who’s currently dating Dutch DJ and music producer Afrojack, also plans to release a follow-up to her 2006 debut album, despite dismal record sales.
“I have a huge passion for house music,” Hilton tells FHM UK. “I just haven’t been able to focus on it, because I have been doing reality TV for so long now. I’ve been working on the album with lots of other top DJs for a while now and I think people will be really surprised. It’s very modern and very catchy; perfect party music.”
“There are just so many great DJs right now,” Hilton adds. “And I should know — I’ve been to over 100 raves in the past year, so I’ve heard every type of music.”
Kim Kardashian files for divorce from Kris Humphries
After a much publicized multimillion dollar fairytale wedding, Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce after two short months of marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries.
The reality TV starlet cited irreconcilable differences in court papers filed Monday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court. The papers also state that there was a prenuptial agreement, but gave no further details.
Kardashian, 31, and Humphries, 26, wed before some 500 guests on Aug. 20 at a $20-million estate in Montecito, Calif., near Santa Barbara.
The NBA player said he was blindsided by the news that his wife wants out, saying, “I love my wife and am devastated to learn she filed for divorce.”
But the Kardashian family is standing by her decision.
“It’s a very tough time obviously for our entire family, and especially for my sister Kim, but we’re always there as a family, supportive always no matter what decision she makes,” Rob Kardashian said Monday night after his “Dancing With The Stars” performance. “It’s just our job now to be there for her.”
Kim Kardashian, who is in Australia on business, addressed the divorce only through a written statement.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to end my marriage,” she said. “I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. We remain friends and wish each other the best.”
The divorce will be Kardashian’s second. She married her first husband, music producer Damon Thomas, in 2000, when she was 19 years old. The two divorced in 2004.
Kardashian stars on the E! reality show “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” along with sisters Kourtney and Khloe. Humphries last played as a forward for the New Jersey Nets.
Bethenny Frankel’s Real-Life Nightmare: Lost at Sea, Rescued by Coast Guard
If we didn’t know any better, we would have thought Bethenny Frankel was competing on the new season of Survivor.
The reality star and her husband, Jason Hoppy, were lost at sea this weekend.
We kid you not…
“I was on a sailboat on Saturday that was supposed to be eight hours and it ended up being 20 because were lost at sea,” Frankel just told me in her first interview since the harrowing experience.
“The captain had to call the Coast Guard and we were hit by a big wave. It was very scary. It was traumatic. Absolutely traumatic.”
Thankfully, they decided at the last minute not to bring baby daughter Bryn.
Frankel said the boat went off course between Block Island and Nantucket after the GPS malfunctioned. There were about 10 people on the boat, including a camera crew for her Bravo reality show.
“We were in the middle of the deep sea with no land or anybody near us,” she said. “The captain had never, in 30 years, called the Coast Guard.”
A Coast Guard spokesperson confirmed they were guided back to shore at about 4 a.m.
“It was so scary,” Frankel said, whose new E! True Hollywood Story premieres on Wednesday at 10 p.m. “I was thinking, Oh, my God, Bryn! I’m not going to be there at six o’clock in the morning when she wakes up and she’s going to wonder where Mommy is and gosh, if something were to happen to me, what would happen to her. I was having horrendous thoughts.”
Mark Wahlberg considering burger joint reality show
Mark Wahlberg is teaming up with his brothers to open a high-end burger joint, called Wahlburgers, and recently said a series chronicling the restaurant venture might be in the works. But the actor says he would rather work behind the scenes than appear in the show.
According to E! News, he says, “Maybe I’ll be the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ of reality TV. You’ll hear my voice. But obviously it’s something that we’d want to control in every aspect and produce and make sure that we were doing something really quality.”
“We are interested at some point or another doing our own clothing line in the future,” he added. “As well as a health and wellness business that will help people first and foremost feel good, exercise, eat right and then look good … Eighty-five percent of the population doesn’t exercise and eat right, and you want to be able to push them in the direction of extending their lifespan and living healthy lives.”
Simon Cowell is Crazy About Pippa!
Music and TV mogul Simon Cowell is convinced royal wedding sensation Pippa Middleton has what it takes to be a star, and he says he would sign her if given the chance.
The former “American Idol” and current “X Factor” judge has no idea if the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister has any talent, but, like many others, he’s fascinated with her popularity.
He tells Life & Style magazine, “I haven’t heard her sing, but if she walked in and said, ‘I want to be a TV star,’ I would sign her on the spot. She has the x factor. To overshadow your sister when she’s the one getting married? That was impressive.”
TLC has already produced a one-hour special, “Crazy About Pippa,” dedicated to England’s most eligible bachelorette, so maybe a TV career isn’t far behind?
Do you think Pippa has what it takes to be a star? Let us know in the comments!
Bachelorette’s Ashley, JP: We’ve Already Set a Wedding Date!
USMagazine, Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 11:01am (PDT)
The Bachelorette’s Ashley Hebert and her final pick, JP Rosenbaum, can’t wait to say “I do!”
After Hebert extended her last rose to 34-year-old Rosenbaum on Monday’s finale, the couple appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to dish on their future together and update fans on their wedding plans.
Engaged since mid-May, Rosenbaum told Kimmel he had a tough time keeping the show’s result under wraps. In fact, he once sent secret text messages meant for Hebert to his pals, but couldn’t fess up as to the intended recipient.
Having chaperoned dates behind closed doors every two weeks since production wrapped, Rosenbaum says he became dependent on technology to keep in touch with his bride-to-be. “We live on Skype,” he told Kimmel. “I don’t watch any TV any more. It’s work, gym, three hours of Skype, sleep.”
Now that the couple can be affectionate out in the open, Hebert, 27, has plans to move to be with her man in his home state of New York after she finishes dental school in September. And yes, Bachelorette fans, they’ve already set a wedding date!
“We really want to focus on our engagement, but I’m thinking fall of next year!” she gushed. While the couple kept mum on additional specifics, it appears that Hebert’s sister, Chrystie, will likely be invited. Although she bashed Rosenbaum on the finale and disapproved of their engagement, Rosenbaum says their relationship is on the mend. “She’s been nothing but sweet and supportive since we got back,” he told Kimmel. “It’s as is if I didn’t even know who that person was back in Fiji.”
As her sister and fiance mend fences, Hebert is just excited to settle into domestic life with Rosenbaum.
“I’m so emotionally drained that the only thing I want to do is be in New York with him, go for coffee in the morning and get back to a normal life,” she told Kimmel.
Paris Hilton exits stage left on ‘Good Morning America’ interview
Paris Hilton, looking hot in this spread apparently got over heated during an interview for ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’.
Good Morning America’s Dan Harris used the guise of low ratings on “The World According to Paris, ” to gain entry into her home, only to put her on the spot.
After asking the socialite about various topics, including her career and an alleged stalker, when Harris turned to her new reality TV show, “The World According to Paris,” Hilton became visibly irritated.
Paris shook her head when Harris asked her, “There’s talk of ratings in the show being low. Has that upset you?” and when he probed further adding, “Do you ever worry about your moment having passed?” Hilton showed her disapproval and stormed off. She was later heard crying to her publicist, “I don’t want all this stuff used,” before eventually returning to the interview.
We’re not saying she was right or wrong with her actions, but why do interviewers continually hound this girl about issues that are out of her control? At the end of the day, the reporter got what he was looking for. He used a golden opportunity with the one and only Paris Hilton but alas, uses it to insult her in her own home to gain headlines. Yes, her show isn’t doing so well, …right now. And even if it never does, she will always be Paris Hilton.
‘The X Factor’ Takes Seattle
“The X Factor” landed in Seattle this week to wrap up its six-stop audition filming tour. Other stops included Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark and Chicago. MSN TV was there to talk with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger, who as Cheryl Cole’s replacement is the show’s newest addition.
Here are a couple of nuggets we were able to pull out of the reality TV judges:
What songs are you tired of hearing in auditions?
Simon Cowell: “At Last,” Jason Mraz, “Falling” by Alicia Keyes, “I Believe I Can Fly” … Quite a few.
Are you finally satisfied with the panel you have?
Simon Cowell: Yeah, it’s worked out great. I like the fact that we all have different opinions. Paula … It’s been fun working with her again. And with Nicole and L.A., I call them Sylvester and Tom because they’re like bitchy cats, the two of them. A girl came out to the stage in Dallas, and L.A. just turned around said, “D.O.A. (dead on arrival).” But they’re fun.
What’s been the biggest challenge for you in bringing this show stateside?
Simon Cowell: It’s expensive. The show costs a lot of money. That was a big factor. We didn’t want to do it small.
How does “X Factor” compare to other recent additions into the singing competition arena?
Simon Cowell: Truthfully, “X Factor” is better. That sounds conceited, but it really is. It’s more raw. It’s bigger. It’s funnier. The panel’s good. It’s my favorite show to be on. It’s kind of crazy and I like that.
Do you miss Cheryl Cole at all?
Simon Cowell: Cheryl is a friend. But you know, things work out that way sometimes. You know what? She and I, we’ll sort this out.
And what of reports of Ryan Seacrest looking to develop his own music competition series?
Simon Cowell: His plan is to find the next Ryan. Only he enters. He judges it and he produces it. And that’s it. Not narcissistic … at all!
