If you’ve been watching ‘American Idol: Rewind’, you’ll remember Jim Verraros.  If you haven’t, well…here’s hopin’ you have a much better memory than I do.  (He’s the guy with deaf parents who signed his song in the audition - awwww!)  Either way, Jim will be starring in the new movie, “Eating Out 2″ - this interview is from The New York Blade Online.  Jim talks about the sequel, his music career, and life post-Idol.  Another example of “Don’t walk away from Idol - RUN!” - good for him!

Part Three of Shirley Kennedy’s interview with Elliott Yamin is up.  Elliott discusses his artistic integrity, paying his dues, and his new “day job”.  Thanks, Shirley, for an excellent interview…I’m desperately jealous…but thanks anyway. 

Kat talks about her new CD with Access Hollywood.

20 Questions with Kellie Pickler from CMT

VH1 has a great interview with Fantasia about her upcoming album ‘Fantasia’.  Aretha meets Tina Turner?  That’s a mighty lofty goal, ’Tasia…

Then again, if anyone can do it, you can! 

I am just sick, sick, sick that I missed this show! How did I NOT know Jennifer Hudson was going to be on Oprah? How much do I love YouTube? Let me count the ways:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBmW4IQ4TiI Beyonce and Jamie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW-r6FcvPDI Beyonce and Jamie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0gVfe6OOxc Jennifer Hudson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIBpgy1nmrg Anika Noni Rose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OPt3bBYKJE Eddie Murphy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V-WXMfEQ4k The Cast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhL2×86geAU Beyonce Performance

This is the best!  A message from Simon: 

“We have our history together, don’t we, Jennifer?” Simon told Jennifer via Oprah. “Now I feel my criticism has probably had a significant part in your career, because the buzz on you is huge. I heard your [version] of ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ today, and I would like to be the first to eat a massive dose of humble pie. Because there are good performances and occasionally there are extraordinary performances. That was extraordinary, Jennifer, and I feel very proud for you. I feel we had a very small part in what’s happened in your life, and please thank me when you get your Oscar®.”

HA! HA! AND DOUBLE HA!

Well, I wasn’t going to post about this because generally my rule is “If you don’t have something nice to say…”, but here goes:

I watched the first ten minutes of Clay’s co-hosting gig on “Live with Regis and Kelly” Friday morning.  I don’t watch the show, but Clay was on and his interviews are always entertaining, so I tuned in.  The first few minutes were fine - they did the Halloween thing, Clay reacted like anyone would who had been lampooned - no problem there.  But he wouldn’t let it go!  I couldn’t believe how rude Clay was to Kelly - honestly, I felt like the real Clay had been kidnapped and this was some snarky, immature, NOT funny impersonator.  Clay has quite a quick wit and comes up with some great zingers, but there’s a time, a place, and a LIMIT!  Sometimes, If you if you just keep the zingers coming for no reason, you move into “just plain rude” territory and in my opinion, Clay crossed the line.  I started to become very uncomfortable with the whole thing and embarrassed for Clay, so I just said “Enough!” and turned it off. 

Good thing I did as it appears the confrontation continued…all the way up to today’s show.  Why, oh why did Kelly have to bring it up? If she had a beef with Clay, she should have taken it up with him IN PRIVATE, not on national television when Clay wasn’t there to defend himself or apologize. I didn’t disagree with her - he was disrespectful and hostile (although not overly) - but talking about it this morning was also disrespectful and hostile (although not overly) and very unprofessional.

And what about the Claymates?  Clay made the reference (to Kelly) “They’re going to mob you” and Kelly said she’s been wearing a bulletproof vest since the Halloween parody.  As a Clay fan, I didn’t appreciate the comments from either of them.  I’ve been on the Clay boards today and the vast, vast majority of the fans on those boards are advocating NOT sending hate mail and NOT behaving like lunatics.  A few (a very few) even agreed that Clay putting his hand over Kelly’s mouth was not a good move.  Yes, Claymates are dedicated and yes, they see him through rose-colored glasses (as all fan bases view their celebrity) and yes, they are the most vocal and organized of the bunch, but to continue this image of “unstable housewives” isn’t fair and it can’t be helping Clay’s career.  Why didn’t Clay say, “Oh, come on?  A bullet proof vest?  My fans are devoted but they are the sweetest people ever - they would never hurt anyone.”  Why wouldn’t he defend his fans? What does he know that I don’t?  Am I giving the ‘Mates too much credit?  Do the “fringe loonies” really outnumber the casual to simply rabid fans?  If they do, that’s really too bad…

Not that I expect it to, but hopefully this will all blow over in the next few days.  Clay certainly doesn’t need more bad press and Kelly shouldn’t have to fear for her life because she overreacted.  I think maybe a fun and fabulous interview on Wednesday’s Tyra Banks Show is just what the doctor ordered…

Please feel free to agree or disagree, but please keep your comments civil and respectful or they will be deleted.  Thank you.

Kellie Pickler’s runaway mother was tracked down by media sources and interviewed by the Charlotte-Observer.  Read the entire story here (subscription needed)  Let’s hope this is the first step to peace…

On Kellie’s new album, ‘Small Town Girl’, Kellie Pickler sings ‘I Wonder’ to her mother, who disappeared eight years ago.  She still wonders in interviews if her mother watched American Idol or if she voted for her.

“I watched every one of them, start to finish,” says Cynthia Morton. “I’d rewind them and watch again because that was the closest I’ve been to my baby.”

Initially refusing to be interviewed, she later agreed on the conditions she be identified by her maiden name. Read the rest of this entry »

Alright, when is the damn tour already?  Like a dealer hanging out at the playground, Rehearsals.com hands out free Taylor, then a little more, then a little bit more, finally sucking us in until we’re sitting at Read the rest of this entry »

In the November issue of Blender magazine, Katharine McPhee reveals her most annoying habit (Dear God it’s a bad one), what she’s like when she’s drunk, and what she really, really wants.  All that and more…oh, yeah, and HAWT pictures.