Constantine Maroulis News!

His sitcom project with ABC might have fallen through, but Constantine Maroulis has landed on his feet…and on CBS Soap.

He’ll appear on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful this summer in a plot involving music.

“We’re going to blur reality a la Entourage and have Constantine play a fictional version of himself,” The Bold and the Beautiful executive producer Brad Bell told TV Guide in the magazine’s April 2 issue. “He will become fascinated with online gossip about [media princess] Phoebe Forrester and want to be her music producer. He loves her face, her voice, the whole package and sees her as a way to make money.”
More than a cameo, Bell also said viewers can expect a love triangle between Maroulis, Phoebe and her lover Rick.

So, today marks the day I start watching The Bold and The Beautiful - so, at least by the time Constantine shows up I’ll know who’s who and what’s what.

For those of us who are die-hard Idol fans, we might be in for even more fun.

“Constantine isn’t the only Idol we’ll be bring to show this summer,” Bell cryptically teased TV Guide.

Stay tuned……

Picture Credit: Constantine Online.org - the website recently repaired the problem with their galleries, so it’s all good once more.

Disappointing Idols and Ex-Idols

I realize that when you say something negative about an Idol contestant, you run the risk of offending their fans. I mean, we idol fans are fiercely loyal to our favorites, aren’t we?! I sometimes think I’d poke someone’s eye out if they said something bad about Bo, Chris D., Constantine, Bucky, Jordin, Gina, or Blake. Maybe both eyes, depending upon what they said and how much caffeine I’d had that day.

So, I apologize ahead of time for the following, because I’m probably going to be in trouble - times three!

First of all, I’ve been a fan of Jennifer Hudson’s since the first time I heard her sing on Idol. Amazing voice, amazing presence, amazing smile (that isn’t unleashed nearly often enough) - I’ve always been a fan, and I’m a fan now. However, I’m kind of disappointed in something she recently said in an interview.

She told Esquire Magazine, “On American Idol, you go through this mental thing; you’ve got to get yourself back together. You’ve been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think.”

Hudson also told the magazine that the contestants “become a character,” saying “I became the character in the turkey wrapping,” referring to an hideous outfit she once wore on the show. Then she had the audacity to say, “I don’t believe in looking back, and I didn’t look back.”

Sweetie, you just did!

Come on - Misled?! Abused?! Brainwashed?!

Nope, I wouldn’t word it like that - I’d say, instead that you were Discovered and, literally, awarded a Golden Ticket. Had it not been for American Idol giving you the opportunity, you wouldn’t be beautifully gracing the magazine covers you’re on, you wouldn’t be winning the awards you’re winning, and you wouldn’t be giving interviews in which you come across as a total ingrate.

As for the ridiculous outfit you wore, if you put something on like that without a gun to your head - you’re asking for ridicule. The same kind of ridicule you’re begging for by acting like you’re a victim of abuse and brainwashing. American Idol has been so proud of, and for, you - and to treat them this way just makes you come across as bitter, not better.

Second up: Sanjaya. After I had, on this blog as well as on forums, defended him - he came out the last time with a hideous, stupid hairstyle and a terrible, sort of an “in your face” type of performance. The look on his face was defiant, cocky, and reeked of a “What are you going to do about it?” type of attitude. It turned me totally off and I was very disappointed. Then, when he tried to one-up Simon - what respect I had for the kid died.

Last but not least, Chris Sligh. Like Jennifer, I was a fan of his from the start. In Hollywood, however, he never lived up to his potential. I don’t know what came over him. On the one hand, you have Phil and Gina - who have continued to improve each week - then you have our guy Chris Sligh who seems to keep going downhill. But that’s not what has really bothered me - God knows I couldn’t sing any better - what annoys me is the way he’s handling himself.

Check this out:

“I never came into this wanting to win it,” he told The Greenville News on Thursday. “I made the Top Ten. That was my goal.” He said the reason he decided not to quit was because the top 10 go on tour and, with that, comes a nice paycheck. “I wanted to make the tour. I wanted to be able to make music for my living, so I don’t have to work at the marketing company that I was working at.”

I can’t tell you how much I wish Brandon had made the top 10 instead of him. Especially now!

Can you imagine? Admitting that the only reason you didn’t quit wasn’t for your fans but for money. I’m not saying that he doesn’t like his fans, I’m sure he does. And I’m not saying he isn’t a great guy - I’m just saying that his comments have left me cold, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.

Overall, I think last week’s performances were pretty good, overall, they just didn’t blow me away. At least they were modern songs - unlike next week’s theme! But the only one’s I’ve gone back to rewatch are Gina’s (She has joined Blake and Jordin as my favorites), Blake’s and Phil’s. I thought the three of them stood out. Melinda and Lakisha are flawless - I just didn’t care for their songs. As for Jordin - I just didn’t get it.

I loved seeing Gwen Stefani, though. She’s a favorite of mine and she looked gorgeous.

Nickelback Appreciation Post

Nickelback Poster
Buy at AllPosters.com

If you’re even half as big a fan of Nickelback’s as I am, you’ll want their new cd. Every song on it’s amazing - I literally listen to it over and over again. It’s playing right now as a matter of fact. Someone asked me the other day what my favorite song on it was. After naming 4 different ones, I realized picking one was this side of impossible.

In my opinion, they’re absolutely one of the best rock groups ever - up there with KISS, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, INXS, Guns and Roses, The Stones…. I’m also ready to add Daughtry to the list. You can tell right away if a group has it or not - and they do, in spades.

Beautiful Jessica Sierra Picture

Jessica Sierra is one of my all-time favorite singers on AI - I absolutely love her voice. It’s so original and controlled - and she never missed a note. I also remember her as being really, really cute - but check out this recent pic.

When we weren’t looking, she shifted from really, really cute to knock out gorgeous! Anyone know what she’s up to now - can we hope for a cd soon? (Please, please, please….)

While I’m begging, I’ll go ahead and plead for something soon from some of my other favorites: Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis, and Ace Young. Come on, guys, crack the whip! I hear that Bo’s working on something and that it just might be more country than anything else. I’m really excited about that.

I also hear that Constantine (the newest Broadway sensation, thank you very much) and Ace are (each) working on some really great things. Can’t wait!

Sanjaya Gets a SNL Skit!

Click the link below for a laugh or two or three….

http://www.gofish.com:80/player.gfp?gfid=30-1091869

Chris Sligh’s Weight Loss

Chris Sligh has lost 30 pounds since arriving in Hollywood! He has gotten a lot of advice and help from his pal and “trainer,” Chris Richardson. “I am trying to lose about 40 to 50 more pounds before the end of the season, so we’ll see what happens. I am eating less, eating better and drinking a lot of water. I have gotten soda out of my system for a while now, and I’ve been running and doing a lot of cardio.”

Chris R. also used to be overweight - so he’s anxious to help others out of the situation he once found himself in.

Way to go, Chris S! Now go out there and be the same original and brilliant contestant we saw at the first of this season. Stop worrying about what you do and just do!

That’s pretty much an order.

Sanjaya Malakar

I feel the need to vent a little…maybe a lot. Okay, definitely a lot.

To everyone who is bashing and lashing Sanjaya Malakar - Get. A. Life. As in pronto. To the woman on MySpace who has announced a hunger strike until he’s voted off. You’ve taken another human being and used them as a prop to get publicity for yourself. What’s that? You say you couldn’t get it any other way? You have to make someone else a scapegoat for your stupid little quest for publicity? Wow, maybe instead of anger I should just feel pity.

I’ve read so many negative comments directed toward this kid - and, remember, that’s what he is - a kid. A 17 year old who is doing his very best in a competition that’s supposed to be fun…a competition that isn’t freakin’ life and death, after all. It’s entertainment!

If you’re going to have a hunger strike - why not use it to make a legitimate point on issues that really matter. If you aren’t sure what any such issues might be, get off of MySpace for a few days and find out.

I even read a few places where people have said that Sanjaya was the worst idol ever. Laughable! Come on, that’s not even close. He has a better voice than the last winner! He’s also nowhere near as bad as Mikayla Gordon, Camille, Kevin Covais, Scott Sevall, and too many others to name.

I think maybe he just seems that way to some because of the talent around him - like Blake, Melinda, Lakisha, Stephanie (before her exit) and Jordin. I’d actually rather have Sanjaya in the competition than a lot of the people in it now. He doesn’t have the attitude or chip on his shoulder that a few of the other guys do, and he isn’t painfully boring like a few of the girls are.

No, he isn’t the best singer in the competition - but, then again, the best singer NEVER actually wins. The best singer rarely even makes it in the final 3 (Bo was the exception). I think the main reason everyone is hitting their own personal panic buttons can be summed up in one word: Taylor.

Loyal American Idol fans - those of us who don’t miss an episode and wh vote for the best of the night rather than who we think “needs support,” - we’re scared of another repeat of last season. Scared of one of the worst actually winning because of Vote for the Worst. (Did you know that Taylor has even been photographed, smiling, with a Vote for the Worst t-shirt. What pride?). So, people are overreacting - I guess we’re all still feeling the pain of Chris or Katharine not winning.

There’s still no need to take it out on a 17 year old who doesn’t seem to have a malicious bone in his body. He seems like a totally sweet kid who is giving it his all. And, let’s be honest - his last performance was one of the top three of the night. Sanjaya and my favorites (Blake and Jordin) were the only ones I went back to rewatch. I also love Melinda and Lakisha - I just hope they don’t fall into the same pit LaToya did a few years back. She obviously had one of the best voices (along with a certain Miss Jennifer Hudson), but she kept playing it safe and got as boring as a cereal box. Beautiful girl, beautiful voice…then she put you to sleep.

Chris Sligh is beginning to disappoint me. I thought he was going to be one of the best idols ever - man, is he ever fizzling. He needs to kick it back up. I think he’s worrying too much about the judges and what they’ll think. His performances, lately, seem to be more for the three at the table than they are for his fans. If he’d block out those three and just go out there and entertian, he’d be back to his brilliant self and we’d see the guy we first saw. Fingers crossed. Gina’s kind of in the same boat - she seems worried about what the judges will or won’t say.

Phil - I can’t put my finger on it, but this guy seems like two different performers in every song. He starts out bad - finishes great. He’s very likable and has a great range, but the boy can’t make an entrance to save his soul. Someone needs to work with him on that - he has tons of potential.

In the end, we all have the right to say who we love (Blake, Jordin), who we like (Lakisha, Melinda, Chris R., Gina), and who we think should go home next (Hayley, Phil, or Chris S.). If they have a bad performance or rotten attitude - sure, call them out on the floor!

But when it gets to the point of harrassing a 17 year old like this, it’s time to step back and look at the big picture. It’s just a show - and as last season proved, even if the worst wins, it’s not the end of the world. The cream always rises to the top. Chris outsold Taylor and will have a much, much more successful career. Katharine and Kellie will have better careers than Taylor - as will Ace Young if he ever gets busy!

If you vote for Sanjaya because he was the best of the night (say, if Blake and Jordin lost their voices..) - then, go for it. But if you’re voting because you think you’re doing him a favor - reconsider. Sources say that he is devastated by the backlash he’s getting - if he has to stand there while another singer gets their walking papers as the crowd boos again, it’s just going to make life that much more miserable for him.

Frankly, I think he deserves better than that.

Bucky Covington News and Quotes

One of the most genuine, likable, and purely talented idols ever (and certainly a favorite of mine) Bucky Covington has been in the news quite a bit lately. First of all, the release of his self-titled debut album will be out April 17. It’s a country cd and I think he’ll have a great deal of success in the genre - especially if he has the right music. Hopefully, he’ll do a great deal of Southern Rock. Not only is it what he does best, we need more of it on the radio.

If his personal life factors into his music, though, we may be in for some ballads. Bucky and his wife Crystal have split. He recently spoke about his marriage ending in an interview with People. He said they saw it coming.: “For the past two years we saw it coming. We stopped getting along and then you find yourself working on your relationship more than enjoying it.”

When asked what was on the album: “A good mix of country ballads, straight country and turn-it-up rock-country. One of my songs, “I’ll Walk,” brings the tears out of me. It’s about a girl who gets hit by a car, ends up in a wheelchair and when she’s about to get married she looks up at her father and says, “I’ll walk” down the aisle. There’s another song, “Back When We Were Gods,” about when you’re young and living in the moment.”

When asked what he most remembers about his Idol experience: “When I did ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder, and Simon told me he liked my performance but that I had Jessica Simpson hair. The hairdressers asked me what I wanted. I just grown my hair, so I told them to knock it out. And they did – my hair was huge! So I’m walking around and asking the contestants, ‘Does this look a little much?’ And they’re all like, ‘No, it’s looks good.’ But they’re contestants, so that’s what they’re going to say!”

When asked if he keeps in contact with any of the other idols: “I’m friends with Kellie Pickler and Chris Daughtry. They’ve got the greatest sense of humor. Since the show we just hit it off. In my thank yous on my album I thank them individually.” (Chris also named Bucky in his Thanks on his amazing cd, Daughtry.)

And, finally, when asked about his favorite memory of Simon: “I walked outside one time and saw Simon get into this beautiful black Ferrari – we all know Simon is loaded. He gets into his car and you hear ‘Vrooooom.’ He burnt the clutch out of it. He cannot drive a five speed worth a flip! I, personally, am a fan of Simon, but with all that money get an automatic!”

Bucky, you’re my kind of people, dude.

Dont’ forget - on April 17th, everyone buy his cd. I’d LOVE for him to outsell Taylor Hicks!

Britney Spears Jumps to a New Addiction

Britney Spears, who is still in rehab battling addictions to drugs and drinking has developed a new addiction. Thankfully, it’s a much tamer one this go around. She’s drinking Coke like nobody has ever done before - to the tune of 24 a day. She’s also pretty much making a little ass of herself. An insider was recently quoted as saying:

“Britney has a seriously bad attitude problem. She’s been very demanding; acts like a 12-year-old and throws temper tantrums when she doesn’t get what she wants! She refuses to pick up after herself and even asked if she could hire a maid! She’s asking for this and that, special food, special everything … and she’s not that nice to anyone.” It’s likely that Spears is acting out, reports that mag, because she feels she doesn’t belong in rehab in the first place. “I heard she keeps saying she is just sick from postpartum depression and that she does not have any real addiction problem, which is a joke. She has an addiction.”

She also believes that she’s in a good enough place to form a new relationship. Apparently she’s “fallen in love” with a boy who’s also in reahb for alcoholism, Jason Filyaw. The two plan to move in together when they get out.

***The lovely pic at the top of the post is Britney going ape sh– on a photographer last month. Click to see the larger version….if you’re mad at your eyes or something.

Well, of course they do. C’mon!

Fergie Too Bashed to Board

Fergie, already flying high, when she arrived at the airport was forbidden to board the plane. The other members of the peas were able to board for the flight (headed to London) but Fergie was detained because she was too drunk.

Apparently she was falling around, talking slurred gibberish and totally making an ass of herself. Those who witnessed the spectacle said it was absolutely embarrassing. One onlooker told the British newspaper, the Daily Mirror, “She was falling all over the place and had to be supported. She was in no state to fly. But when she was prevented from boarding she couldn’t believe it. She was drunkenly ranting at staff but could barely string a sentence together. It was very embarrassing.”

She delayed the flight for over an hour.

The pictures in the post are from another time - the Verizon Wireless/Rolling Stone Pre-GRAMMY Party, to be precise. Click the bottom ones to see larger.

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