Jeers to Fox for allowing American Idol to tarnish its Super Bowl pre-game show. The network enlisted Ryan Seacrest to emcee insipid red-carpet coverage of celebrities arriving at the big game. He annoyingly referred to Hugh Laurie (who looked like he was being held at gunpoint to promote House's supercool post-Super Bowl episode) as "Dr. House." Have a little respect, Ryan — the guy's an award-winning actor, not Urkel! Then Paula Abdul debuted her new single, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" (if only that were true for her career) with a pre-taped performance so listless, it made Britney's VMA sleepwalk look like Michael Jackson at Motown 25. (Watch video here.) Randy Jackson, whose new album (!) includes the song, stood off to the side and played bass, despite earlier threats that he, too, would dance. And last season's Idol champ, Jordin Sparks, "sang" the national anthem (though it looked suspiciously like lip-syncing). They all could learn a lesson from Tom Petty and the H...
read more
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been tapped to pick up where Prince left off — minus the obscene silhouettes, and in the dry comfort of a domed arena. The classic-rock group will perform the halftime show at Super Bowl XLII, to be held Feb. 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Fox announced during its Sunday football coverage. Petty's first halftime number, "Don't Come Around Here No More," will be dedicated to Janet and Justin.
read more
