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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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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In semirelated news, Paula Abdul has signed on for another three years as an Idol judge. In her official statement, the "Straight Up" song stylist mentions that the Kelly and Ruben wannabes "truly inspire and amaze me each week." What her statement neglects to mention is how happy she is that the show's producers are always so quick to refill her glass with... um... Coke.
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UnanimousThis show started off like a bad joke. Nine stereotypes walk into a bunker... and the religious stereotype says to the gay stereotype... well, you get the idea. Didn't The Real World cover all that religion-versus-gay stuff like 15 years ago? Been there, done that, and with much better-looking people. After watching the pilot, the only player I want to see with the $1.5 million is Steve, the trucker — everyone else came across as either vile or bland. Then again, Steve's "big!hidden!secret!" is probably that he kicks puppies as a hobby. So Kelly the minister said money was the root of all evil, but then goes on a reality show that gives away a huge cash prize and once claimed bankruptcy while hiding a six-figure nest egg in the bank. What, does she think God doesn't watch bad reality show
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As the mystery of the bus crash deepens on UPN's Veronica Mars (Wednesdays at 9 pm/ET), how and when will viewers learn more about the students who died? Will Sheriff Lamb get what's coming to him by season's end? And is another showdown between Alyson Hannigan and Charisma Carpenter in the works? In this exclusive Q&A — and to tide you over until new episodes return in early March — Mars creator Rob Thomas provides plenty of clues in response to these and other burning questions from TVGuide.com readers.
Question: One thing I really liked about last year were the flashbacks. Are there going to be bus-crash flashbacks? And what are Lilly's chances of returning next season?&
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