David Archuleta by Frank Micelotta/Fox
I can’t believe I’m saying this, not exactly being a champion of Fox’s tendency to let American Idol spread across the schedule like untamed kudzu, but Tuesday’s overstuffed Neil Diamond episode should have been at least 90 minutes. Not that it left me wanting more — anything but — but could the show itself have been more of a train wreck? (And I’m not just talking Jason Castro here.) Cramming 10 performances, and the usual inane “mentor” moments, into a single hour had Ryan Seacrest going from 33 1/3 to 78 rpm — for those who remember turntables — and poor Paula Abdul even more confused than usual, thinking she’d heard Jason sing twice. (I get it, though. When Jason sings these days, it’s like time stands still and the world goes into a musical coma.)Didn’t Ryan say when the show started that the judges were going to hold their comments until after the second performance? So maybe he’s at fault for givin...
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American Idol by Michael Becker/Fox
Hey guys So its Neil Diamond night and Ive had Sweet Caroline in my head all freakin day Thanks a lot Neil PS my husband says were related to Mr Diamond Yeah Ill believe that when I get front row seats to his concertRyan introduces the top five Syesha looks amazing Brooke looks like someones mom from the Jersey Shore out for a night of gambling at the Taj Majal and everyone else looks decent Why does Brooke insist on dressing like either an old lady or a fairy princess Please explain Tonight the Idols will be singing two Diamond songs so buckle up and enjoy the ride The contestants gather around the piano and Neil tells them not to be nervous that the songs are meant to be enjoyed Thats cool Ryan tells us that the contestants will be judged after their second song Thats kinda annoying Well see how it worksJason Castro Forever in Blue Jeans OK I know a lot of you love Jason and I used to dig him but how is he still here Really he should
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The Britweek Launch, held Thursday night at the home of the Consul General, was a little like a ball: Nearly everyone, including the five American Idol contestants had a curfew— but forget the Midnight curfew like Cinderella had — the AI gang had to be out by 8:30!None of the Idol contestants are allowed to talk to the press until after they leave the show, so all they could do for the press was smile politely and pose for photos. Off-camera, one journalist asked Jason Castro how long it took to get his dreadlocks. The answer: 15 hours for the initial process (for real?) and a few months to let it all develop. He said he was excited to be doing Neil Diamond songs next week and that no, he wasn't planning on singing "Memory" again any time soon.Inside the garden party, where guests dined on fish and chips, Syesha chatted with friends and was overheard to say, presumably about her fate on the show, "Whatever happens, it's all good."American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe has no...
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Paula Abdul by Sam Jones/Fox
Times like this, I don't miss our office being a stone's throw from 30 Rock. NBC has announced the lineup for Today's annual concert series, and the tourists first will be amassing to catch Paula Abdul in action, on April 25. Neil Diamond picks up the baton the following Friday, followed by Mary J. Blige, a "surprise reunion concert" (the Partridges, dare I hope?) and Alanis Morisette.The B-52s, somewhat appropriately, mark Memorial Day with a May 26 performance, then cede the stage to Donna Summer. June brings on Chris Brown, Kenny Chesney, Rihanna and Coldplay, while July features Ashlee Simpson (or a facsimile thereof), Rascal Flatts, Natasha Bedingfield and one Miss Miley Cyrus.Standing space is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis at Rockefeller Plaza. So, which of these acts might drag you into our fair city? — MWM
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American Idol's top 10 by Frank Micelotta/Fox
Finally, watching the tedious results show paid off! Ryan Seacrest announced last night that the (thank goodness only) four mentors for the top 10 will be Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Neil "Sweet Caroline" Diamond. Each mentor will help the remaining finalists prepare for their Tuesday-night performances and will perform themselves on the Wednesday-night results show. One can only guess what the themes will be with this eclectic group. Dolly could be tapped for a country night, Mariah could do either a Billboard 100 or an R&B night, Andrew Lloyd Webber must be coaching on musical-theater numbers, and Neil Diamond should totally do a karaoke-favorites night... because let's face it, every time I go to a karaoke bar, at least two or three people sing Neil Diamond songs. Great, now I have "Sweet Caroline" stuck in my head. Specific dates for the mentors will be released at a later time, so in the meantime, brush up on your favorite Dolly, Mariah, Webber and D...
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Hey guys Erin Fox here again First off I still have no news about Nina and her baby which means shes dealing with some seriously long labor I thought for sure shed have him last night but alas Baby Boy Hammerling-Smith is a stubborn little guy Send lots of positive thoughts her way Secondly I know all about Chikezie-gate 2008 I swear he was not left out intentionally it was just computer error as in my computer kept crashing and I had to keep re-entering my recap it was not a fun time at my house late last night Poor Chikezie was temporarily dissed but I made sure to add him back as soon as I couldNow I have to admit something I hate the elimination shows I never watch them I just cant stand the cheesy group numbers and bad product placement videos But lets hope they prove me wrong and Im thoroughly entertained We start with Ryan making a pretty huge announcement The four mentors this year include Dolly Parton Andrew Lloyd Webber Neil Diamo
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This weekend's Saturday Night Live will serve up a new slew of previously aired holiday-themed skits. Unfortunately, I have a feeling the title "Thanksgiving Leftovers" will be the cleverest thing about it.... VH1 will debut Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular, featuring everyone from Flavor Flav to George Wendt, on Dec. 5.... On Dec. 23, CBS will go biblical on our asses with In God's Name, a heavy-duty special in which a dozen religious leaders address our the toughest questions of our time.... Neil Diamond has finally revealed that his hit "Sweet Caroline" was inspired by JFK's daughter. And before you go there, let me thank you in advance for not making any assumptions about the substitute TVGuide.com news editor who inspired Michael Jackson's "Ben." — Ben Katner
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Question: I have been searching for the movie The Jazz Singer with Neil Diamond, but all the videos for sale on eBay require you to have a player that can read European videos.
Answer: It's serendipitous that you should have asked this question less than a week after the new 25th-anniversary edition DVD of The Jazz Singer (1980) crossed my desk. It streets in October from Anchor Bay Entertainment. I'm hoping that the fact that you mentioned video doesn't mean you don't have a DVD player; if so, I hate to be the one to break the word, but video is a dying technology, at least as far as the home market for commercial films is concerned.
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