Darrell Hammond by Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC
This summer, Saturday Night Live's Darrell Hammond will make his Broadway debut in the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, replacing comedian Mo Rocca in the role of Vice Principal Douglas Panch.... In addition to showcasing numbers from the tuners nominated for best revival and best musical, this year's Tonys will include a special performance by American Idol winner Fantasia, currently starring on Broadway in The Color Purple.... It's a stage smackdown! Producers of a serious adaptation of Frankenstein, described as "a bold new theatrical experience," plan to open their show off-Broadway in October, the same month Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein hits the Great White Way. — Reporting by Raven Snook
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The Color Purple is seeing a lotta green. The Oprah Winfrey-presented musical, which saw its coffers wilt after the holiday rush, has taken in $6 million since it was announced that American Idol champ Fantasia would join the show as Celie, starting April 10. "I was expecting that Fantasia was going to kick things up," producer Scott Sanders tells the New York Daily News. And for their next trick? Clay Aiken channels Danny Glover.
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Previous Idol winner, Fantasia, will perform Thursday on the results show!!! So, we'll at least see one great singer this week! Let's hope the girls can "bring it" tonight! Check back here tomorrow for updates!
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"The winner for outstanding lead actor in a drama series... after this." This might be heard at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards, which will be exec-produced by American Idol bosses Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick. But can we text-vote for the major categories? That is the question....In other Idol news, Season 3 champ Fantasia will perform live — and "make a special announcement" — on this Thursday's results show, airing at 8 pm/ET. Lythgoe teased last week that the show would soon unveil "the biggest thing to happen to Idol in five years," but rebuffed speculation that it involves Michael Jackson.
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Austin Carty, Survivor: Panama---Exile Island
He played the game with true honesty and integrity, but North Carolinian author Austin Carty found his Survivor: Panama — Exile Island (Thursdays at 8 pm/ET on CBS) tribe mates eager to turn the page after his island stay reached the three week mark. TVGuide.com chatted with Austin — who earned the first seat on this season's jury — the day after his snuffing to find out how he managed to survive Exile Island, his voting strategy for the finale and his reality-star crush.
TVGuide.com: What has been the reaction at home to your elimination?Austin Carty: Everyone's incredibly disappointed. The way things started out, people thought I had a chance to win. I thought so, too.
TVGuide.com: You recently admitted to throwing a challenge by not performing to your true ability, in order
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"Chris Daughtry" is the answer to what burning question?
As American Idol's "elite eight" await their fate, TV Guide calls a time-out to ask — and get answers to — some of the more-popular-than-ever contest's burning questions. Such as:
1. Is it us, or are Paula and Randy trying to be tougher this season?Seems so. "People aren't stupid," says American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, explaining that Simon's brand of brutal honesty has rubbed off on both of his less-acidic sidekicks. "Paula and Randy are not just going to sit there and say, 'Oh, you're wonderful' when they know some of the singers aren't." So that explains why Pollyanna Abdul keeps getting tongue-tied: She's just trying to find the sweetest insult possible without having to "dawg" anyone!
2. W
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"Chris Daughtry" is the answer to what burning question?
As American Idol's "elite eight" await their fate, TV Guide calls a time-out to ask — and get answers to — some of the more-popular-than-ever contest's burning questions. Such as:
1. Is it us, or are Paula and Randy trying to be tougher this season?Seems so. "People aren't stupid," says American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, explaining that Simon's brand of brutal honesty has rubbed off on both of his less-acidic sidekicks. "Paula and Randy are not just going to sit there and say, 'Oh, you're wonderful' when they know some of the singers aren't." So that explains why Pollyanna Abdul keeps getting tongue-tied: She's just trying to find the sweetest insult possible without having to "dawg" anyone!
2. W
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Question: There is a movie called "Dream Girls" that's either supposed to come out in theaters or air on TV — I can't remember when. The cast includes Eddie Murphy, Beyoncé Knowles and some girl from American Idol. Can you please let me know the 411? Thanks.Answer: Dreamgirls is a feature-film adaptation of the late theater director Michael Bennett's 1981 Broadway musical chronicling the rise of the Dreamettes (later simply the Dreams), a 1960s singing trio who bear no small resemblance to the real-life Supremes. The original cast included Jennifer Holliday (the show's breakout star) as Effie, the full-figured belter who gets squeezed out in the group's bid for crossover success;
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Kelly Clarkson
48th Annual Grammy AwardsAfter proudly watching my pals Kimberly Caldwell and Rosanna Tavarez on TV Guide Channel's Countdown to the Grammys, followed, of course, by Joan and Melissa Rivers on our Grammy red-carpet show, I made sure my roommate's VCR was taping Idol and my own VCR was set for Lost. All systems go! Time for the Grammys.8:00 pm The animated group Gorillaz open with their hit "Feel Good Inc.," and since I love the song, guess what? It makes me feel good. But I totally picture my mother in Chicago being very confused.8:03 The goddess Madonna enters and I'm loving every minute of it. Can I please look that fabulous when I'm 47? After a brief lip-synched intro, she sings the rest of "Hung Up" live, and her hair looks like Lydia Cornell circa Too Close for Comfort.8:13 Kelly Clarkson s
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Fantasia
Jamie Foxx, out plugging the upcoming film Jarhead, is also stumping for American Idol 3 champ Fantasia (née Barrino) to fill a key and as-yet-uncast role in the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Thus far, besides Foxx, Dreamgirls has recruited Beyoncé Knowles (to play Deena, the Diana Ross part), Tony winner Anika Noni Rose and Eddie Murphy. "If Fantasia does it, it's outta here," Foxx says, referring to the vacant role of Effie, played by Jennifer Holliday on stage. "It's completely in the stratosphere." No pressure though, Fan.
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