Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Officer And A Gentleman Is The New THE BACHELOR - Premieres April 2nd

Andy Baldwin - A Real-Life "Officer And A Gentleman," Plus A Doctor And An Accomplished Triathlete - Challenges Himself To Find True Love When THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN Premieres, Monday, April 2 On ABC

The Tenth Edition of ABC’s Popular Romance Reality Series Begins With a Special Rose Guaranteed to Bring the Claws Out: U.S. Navy Lieutenant Andy Baldwin, M.D., 30, an undersea medical officer for a special operations dive unit stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - a real-life "officer and a gentleman" - faces the most exciting mission of his life -- finding true love -- when the tenth edition of ABC’s popular romance reality series, THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, premieres Monday, April 2 (9:45-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Andy, an accomplished triathlete and winner of recent humanitarian awards for his work in Laos last summer -- on a military mission where he treated over 600 Laotians in remote mountain villages -- grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he was valedictorian in high school and a competitive swimmer who made All-American. He was even named ESPN’s National Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1995. The Navy offered him a full ROTC scholarship, which he took and went to Duke University, where he was a varsity letter winner on the men’s swim team and began training for marathons, all while taking a pre-med course load and earning a degree in biology, with a concentration in genetics. After graduating Duke with honors, he enrolled in the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine and was a surgical intern at Naval Hospital San Diego, where he graduated in 2003.

In this premiere episode, "1001," a yacht anchored off Los Angeles becomes Andy’s private refuge, while the women take over their own house. And so the handsome doctor begins his marathon run to find the woman of his dreams. When the bachelorettes arrive to party and meet Andy, they are quick to find out that the competition starts immediately - right as they get out of their cars. This time it really is a "first impression" rose that Andy must deliver to one lucky lady as she arrives, and it’s enough to send daggers flying between the 25 new bachelorettes.

As the party begins, Andy lets slip that it’s his birthday and the news spreads like wildfire around the room. One woman shares a special bonding moment with the Bachelor when she reveals it’s also her birthday. What will two other bachelorettes cook up when they sneak off to the kitchen to whip up something for Andy’s special 30th birthday?

The bachelorettes pull out all the stops to impress Andy: One female body-builder challenges Andy to a push-up contest, an acrobatic bachelorette is so taken by the Bachelor she literally does back flips for him in her evening dress in a must-see demonstration, and yet another woman treats Lieutenant Baldwin to a patriotic serenade of "The Star Spangled Banner."

The pressure mounts as the evening goes on and sparks fly between two tipsy bachelorettes when one falls down. Andy must eliminate ten of the 25 women the first night, leaving 15 to compete for his affections. In the end, one woman explodes in a tirade when she misses out on the last rose.

A list of the bachelorettes will be released shortly.

In bringing the iconic romantic movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" to real life, the women during the course of this season’s "Bachelor" must be prepared to participate in a high energy "boot camp," complete with a "drill sergeant," plus triathlon events (swimming, biking and running) and race car driving. With Andy’s true humanitarian spirit a large factor in his life, the bachelorettes will also participate in a charity event for an inner city school in Los Angeles. Many other adventurous dates will test the ladies’ perseverance in pursuing their romantic objective, along with fun, exciting and exotic dates that will elicit real and raw emotions.

As in the past, women will continue to be eliminated each week, but if, at any point along the way, a woman should decide that she’s no longer interested in the Bachelor, she can reject his invitation to continue dating. Some lucky women will meet his family, and he will visit their hometowns for a slice of their life in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible.

At the end of the journey, the Bachelor may quite possibly have found true love. But the big question is: After all of this, will he pop the question, and will she say yes?

Monday, March 19, 2007

Mark Burnett And Steven Spielberg′s ON THE LOT Premieres May 22nd

Mark Burnett And Steven Spielberg′s ON THE LOT Makes Its Special Two-Night Series Premiere Tuesday, May 22, After AMERICAN IDOL And Thursday, May 24, Following SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE On FOX

Series Moves to Mondays and Tuesdays Starting May 28 and May 29

Record-Setting 12,000 Aspiring Filmmakers Submitted Films to thelot.com

After receiving a record-setting 12,000 video submissions from aspiring filmmakers on thelot.com, FOX has officially entered the summer movie blockbuster race with the new filmmaking competition series ON THE LOT from Mark Burnett, Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television. ON THE LOT will now premiere with one-hour audition episodes: on Tuesday, May 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following AMERICAN IDOL (8:00-9:00 PM, ET live/PT tape-delayed), and Thursday, May 24 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following the third-season premiere of the hit series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

"Steven and I are enormously thrilled with the response we’ve had to the call for film submissions via our website thelot.com," said ON THE LOT creator and executive producer Mark Burnett. "This confirms our notion that there is an incredible amount of talented filmmakers in the world looking for their big breaks. We are very excited that our partners at FOX have scheduled the launch of this series with the powerhouse AMERICAN IDOL finale and the premiere of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. Coming off of the success of ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?, launching out of AMERICAN IDOL is a terrific move."

A special two-hour "Film Premiere" episode, featuring the first films produced by the finalists, will air Monday, May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The initial group of finalists to be eliminated from the competition will be announced the following night on the expanded first "Box Office" results show Tuesday, May 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). ON THE LOT’s weekly "Film Premiere" episodes air in their regular time period beginning Monday, June 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and the weekly "Box Office" results shows will air on Tuesdays (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) starting Tuesday, June 5.

ON THE LOT affords aspiring filmmakers the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to win a $1-million DreamWorks development deal. Each week, the hopeful filmmaker finalists will produce short films from a chosen genre, running the gamut from comedies to thrillers, personal dramas to romance, sci-fi to horror. They′ll have access to the best resources the industry has to offer - professional writers, actors and crew - to help create their films.

After the teams have battled time frames, budgets and all the usual chaos that goes along with filmmaking, their films will debut and be critiqued in front of a live audience during the "Film Premiere" episodes.

But the filmmakers ultimately will be judged by the harshest critics of all ... the public. It will be America whose votes determine which films should be left on the cutting-room floor. On each "Box Office" results show, the director whose feature garners the fewest votes will be sent home.

ON THE LOT is produced by Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television and Amblin Television. Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg are creators and executive producers. David Goffin serves as executive producer with Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey and Conrad Riggs co-executive producers.

LITTLE PEOPLE BIG WORLD Returns To TLC With New Episodes April 9th

TLC Announces that LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD is back with all-new episodes, starting Monday, April 9 at 8 PM (ET/PT)!

In the most in-depth television documentation of the lives of little people, TLC cameras follow the Roloff family- an extraordinary family comprised of both little and average size people- presenting an intimate view of life as a little person.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Major Shake-up On Next SURVIVOR FIJI With A Special Episode This Wednesday Night

The Castaways Face A Major Shake-Up When New Tribes Are Formed On SURVIVOR: FIJI, Wednesday, March 21, 8:00-9:00 Pm ET/PT

"I’ve Strength Now To Carry The Flag" - When two all-new tribes are formed, some of the castaways experience true hardship while other newfound luxury and strategy changes when one Survivor realizes their old alliance no longer has the majority in their new tribe on SURVIVOR: FIJI, Wednesday, March 21 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

CASTAWAYS:

MOTO TRIBE: Alex Angarita, Kenward "Boo" Bernis, Cassandra Franklin, Liliana Gomez (4th Voted Out, 5th member to leave the island), Andre "Dreamz" Herd, Stacy Kimball, Lisi Lisette, Edgardo Rivera, Gary Stritesky (forced out of game due to illness)

RAVU TRIBE: Yau-Man Chan, Earl Cole, Jessica deBen (1st Voted Off), Erica Durousseau (2nd Voted Off), Sylvia Kwan (3rd Voted Off), Mookie Lee, James "Rocky" Reid, Anthony Robinson, Rita Verreos (5th Voted Out, 6th member to leave the island), Michelle Yi

SURVIVOR: FIJI is hosted by Jeff Probst and produced by SEG, Inc. Mark Burnett and Tom Shelly are the executive producers. Doug McCallie and Kevin Greene are co-executive producers. For more detailed information on SURVIVOR: FIJI and the 19 new castaways, visit http://www.cbs.com/.

Brandon Rogers Is Next To Be Eliminated From The AMERICAN IDOL

Brandon Rogers Is Eliminated From The AMERICAN IDOL Competition

Top 11 Finalists Will Compete On "1960s British Pop Invasion"-Themed Performance Show Tuesday, March 20, On Fox

Lulu and Peter Noone to Perform on Results Show Next Wednesday, March 21

The incredible sixth season of AMERICAN IDOL reigned supreme this week, when the Top 12 finalists on Tuesday performed songs made famous by the legendary Diana Ross. Wednesday night, Ross performed "More Today Than Yesterday" from her new album "I Love You." Approximately 28 million votes were cast after Tuesday’s performance show, ending the quest of one of the Top 12 finalists to become the next American Idol. It was revealed that the journey ended for Brandon Rogers after he received the fewest votes. Rogers, 28, from North Hollywood, CA, sang the Diana Ross & the Supremes hit "You Can’t Hurry Love."

So far this season, AMERICAN IDOL 6 is outperforming the same nights last year by +3% among Total Viewers. AMERICAN IDOL is also up compared to last week’s telecast by +6% among Adults 18-49 and +5% in Total Viewers.

Next week, the competition on television’s hottest show heats up when the Top 11 finalists (Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Haley Scarnato, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey) compete head-to-head again on Tuesday, March 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). The theme for the performance show will be hit songs from the 1960s British pop invasion, with special appearances by British music icons Lulu and Peter Noone. Tune in the following night to see Lulu and Noone perform and find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who must go home on the live results show Wednesday, March 21 (9:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

AMERICAN IDOL Charity Benefit Show Coming In April On FOX

"Idol Gives Back" Two-Night Special To Benefit Children And Young People In Need In America And Africa Tuesday, April 24, And Wednesday, April 25, On FOX

Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, Il Divo And Borat Sagdiyev Among Many World-Renowned Artists to Appear

Ford Motor Company Leads Corporate Sponsors

During Thursday’s live broadcast of AMERICAN IDOL, it will be announced that FOX, AMERICAN IDOL and the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF) have partnered on an historic television event - IDOL GIVES BACK - a two-night special raising awareness and funds for organizations that provide relief programs to help children and young people in extreme poverty in America and Africa.

The AMERICAN IDOL performance show airs Tuesday, April 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) and the expanded results show airs Wednesday, April 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

On Tuesday, April 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top 6 finalists will sing songs that can be considered "Life Anthems." In keeping with the IDOL GIVES BACK theme, all the songs performed will be about compassion and hope. After the performance show, viewers will vote for their favorite contestants via toll-free numbers and text messages, as usual. On this special night, however, viewers will also help change the lives of the truly needy. For every vote cast, AMERICAN IDOL sponsors Coca-Cola and AT&T, along with a range of additional partners, will donate money to the charity.

The Ford Motor Company will also contribute to the cause in connection with its weekly music video, details of which will be announced soon.

The special two-hour results show on Wednesday, April 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) will be a star-studded evening featuring world-renowned artists and celebrities, including Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, Il Divo and popular Kazakhstan journalist Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) among many others who will take the AMERICAN IDOL stage.

During the Wednesday event, adding to the corporate contributions, viewers will be able to make their own donations via toll-free lines and the Internet.

The money raised by the two shows will equally benefit the U.S. and Africa. In the U.S., the money will be distributed via CPEF to Save the Children and other U.S. organizations working to deliver programs to children living in extreme conditions in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. To find out more about poverty here in America, please visit www.savethechildren.org. In Africa, the money will be dedicated to delivering health and education programs and will be distributed via CPEF to a number of organizations, including U.S. Fund for UNICEF, The Global Fund, Save the Children, Nothing but Nets and Malaria No More. For viewers interested in learning more about how to get involved in efforts to fight AIDS and extreme poverty around the world, IDOL GIVES BACK is also providing a link on its website (www.americanidol.com/idolgivesback) to ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History (www.one.org).

"Richard Curtis is a remarkable man and the Red Nose Day charity on BBC TV is an amazing humanitarian effort. Richard approached me a couple of years ago and asked how we could work together to launch a major new televised charity initiative in the U.S. following on from the $820 million that he has raised in the UK with Red Nose Day," stated Simon Fuller, creator and executive producer of AMERICAN IDOL. "After lengthy discussions it occurred to me that we should use AMERICAN IDOL as an existing platform to premiere this idea. Thanks to the huge support of FOX and the enthusiasm and energy of Nigel Lythgoe, Ken Warwick, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Simon, Ryan, Paula and Randy, it has finally become a reality. Red Nose Day is an extraordinary institution and I am hoping that IDOL GIVES BACK is an enormous success, raising awareness and huge amounts of money for all these wonderfully deserving causes, and allowing us to continue to make these important, world-changing shows for many years to come."

"When we were approached by Richard Curtis, Simon Fuller, Simon Cowell and CPEF about this project, we felt it was a natural fit," said Peter Chernin, president and chief operating officer, News Corporation. "For the past five seasons, viewers have fulfilled the dreams of the contestants. Now they have the chance to help us change the lives of children and young people in need and at risk, here in the U.S. as well as in Africa."

"We are thrilled to have this unique opportunity to work with AMERICAN IDOL to bring the issue of extreme poverty in Africa and in America into the hearts, minds and homes of millions of Americans," said Richard Curtis, co-founder of the UK’s Red Nose Day charity and renowned writer/director of such films as "Love Actually," "Notting Hill" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Curtis was a founding member of the Make Poverty History coalition and worked throughout 2004 and 2005 on the campaign and "Live 8" with Bono and Bob Geldof.

U2’s Bono, co-founder of the One Campaign to Make Poverty History, said, "We’ll see worlds collide when Africa appears on America’s most-watched TV show. This is a big deal, a little bit of pop history ... I wouldn’t underestimate the reach of this show or the impact its audience can have."

"The IDOL GIVES BACK premiere provides an excellent opportunity for AMERICAN IDOL viewers to engage with the issues of poverty and health in Africa. People all across Africa are fighting back against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and there is optimism and hope everywhere. AMERICAN IDOL viewers will be able to learn more about these successes and contribute directly to them. It is a wonderfully exciting opportunity, and I thank Richard Curtis, Simon Fuller, Peter Chernin and the many others who are launching IDOL GIVES BACK," said Sir Richard Feachem, executive director of the Global Fund.

"Using the power of the worlds most popular television event, AMERICAN IDOL, to benefit millions of needy children around the globe, is a remarkable and extraordinary achievement. On behalf of 25 million children in Save the Children’s programs worldwide, we are all deeply excited and appreciative," said Bill Haber, board trustee of Save the Children.

"AMERICAN IDOL has given so much to this network and we don’t take that for granted," said Peter Liguori, president of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company. "To quote a famous superhero, ’with the gift of power comes great responsibility,’ which is why we feel so fortunate to partner in this special television event, giving back."

Executive Producers Nigel Lythgoe, Ken Warwick and Cecile Frot-Coutaz added: "This is going to be a television event unlike any other. We are planning two nights of amazing, star-studded entertainment, and we’re using the power of AMERICAN IDOL to raise needed awareness and funds. Our fans can give directly if they want, but they can also impact the lives of people in this country and in Africa just by voting as they do every week. It’s that easy and it’s that important."

Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest traveled to Africa and personally witnessed the poverty and disease there, as well as the extensive programs that are underway to fight them.

"Having witnessed some of the appalling conditions in Africa firsthand, I’m especially proud that our show is offering Americans the chance to help those most in need," said Cowell. "Ensuring that American charities will equally benefit from these efforts was one of my priorities, and I’d like to thank our sponsors for their support and generosity in making this possible."

Seacrest added: "I thought I was prepared for what I would see in Africa, but the level of poverty was beyond anything I could have imagined. You see it, you smell it, you taste it. However, despite the extreme conditions, you feel an incredible sense of hope from the people ... especially the children."

Additionally, Cowell and Seacrest will be joined by Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, visiting areas such as Kentucky and parts of Mississippi and Louisiana devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Although it has been over a year since the hurricane hit, many people’s lives are still in turmoil despite the efforts being made.

"Children and children’s charities have always played such an important part of my life and career," said Abdul. "I am extremely excited to be a part of this new project, which I believe can truly make a difference. Visiting the sites of these tragedies will certainly bring a renewed awareness to these children’s plight and I look forward to meeting so many of them in the coming weeks."

Jackson added: "I’m so happy and proud that we are part of trying to get all of America back on its feet and tend to the problems here at home, in addition to those abroad. I grew up in the proud state of Louisiana and it breaks my heart every time I think about the devastation to both Mississippi and Louisiana. I’m looking forward to taking part in making a difference and helping to create awareness for the devastated areas."

These trips will be highlighted in the specials, demonstrating what can be achieved by communities working together and how even small donations can make a life-changing difference.

A website for teachers and students created by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, will be available at www.scholastic.com/idolgivesback. It was designed to inspire students about the importance of global citizenship. The tools provided will help young people understand how they can take action in small and big ways to help make the world a better place for everyone.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Exclusive Interview With Samantha Francis - Second Model Voted Off On AMERICAS NEXT TOP MODEL 8

Last Wednesday night, Samantha Francis, a sales associate from Pinson, Ala., was the second girl eliminated during the eighth cycle of The CW’s hit reality series AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, reducing the pool from 12 girls to 11.

During the judging, Tyra expressed her concern about Samantha’s lack of confidence and comfort level. "I saw your film and you did some more sexy stuff; you just seem so unsure." The judges all noticed Samantha’s lack of personality, noting that while she had potential, she needed more time to develop. "You take beautiful pictures, but a lot of the judges look at you and say, she seems 15, maybe in three years she’ll be ready," Tyra said to Samantha, before eliminating her from the race to become AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

Our own RealityTVWebsite.com Elaine James caught up with Samantha in this exclusive one-on-one interview.

Elaine James: How did you try out for the show?

Samantha Francis: I watching an episode with my boyfriend and he basically told me that I could do it and that I needed to try out. So we figured out that there was a casting in Atlanta and so I drove to Atlanta and tried out.

Elaine James: You seemed like you came to a realization that you weren’t ready for the model life. What were your expectations coming into the show?

Samantha Francis: I knew it was a reality show and that sometimes they edit you to make you look a certain way and that it’s all for TV. I tried to be myself and I was myself and they didn’t show a lot of that. They showed me being very quite and very reserved. They didn’t show me being with the other girls and that it looked like I didn’t belong there. It wasn’t true at all. I was outgoing and I talked all of them.

Elaine James: So you weren’t happy with how you were edited?

Samantha Francis: No, not really. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to be in the reality TV show setting. Obviously I can model because my pictures were great. Tyra saw something in me since I made it into the house. It hurt to hear her say that they saw something beautiful inside of Natasha and but they didn’t see something beautiful inside of me. But yet, I can translate it to film and she can’t. This is supposed to be a modeling competition. I just wasn’t meant to be AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, but that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t meant to be on the cover of a magazine.

Elaine James: What are your plans for the future? Will you try to go back into modeling?

Samantha Francis: I’m definitely going to continue modeling. I’m going to work on my portfolio and go up to New York and try to meet with some of the agencies and see if they want me.

Elaine James: What did you think about the prom fashion show?

Samantha Francis: The prom fashion show was fun, it just really seamed like something you would do in high school. Most of the girls were really worried about trying to get the routine down. We were all practicing in the back while we were changing outfits. My shoes were too big and that was the worst part.

Elaine James: You stated that you weren’t the right type to play "The girl with the bad reputation." Which class cliche do you think you should have played?

Samantha Francis: I think they should have had one called "Girl who skipped school too much." That would have fit me perfectly. I used to skip school all the time in high school. I would have loved to do Renee’s just because I’m pretty silly.

Elaine James: That’s funny because during the show, she said she wished she had gotten to do yours.

Samantha Francis: We had talked about that. We both wished we could switch.

Elaine James: What did you think about the other girls in the house?

Samantha Francis: They were all great girls. They were all beautiful and had good personalities. For me Jaselene didn’t care about the other girls. She was only there to compete.

Elaine James: Who are you rooting for to win?

Samantha Francis: Renee or Brittany. Either one would be good.

Four More Are Eliminated From The AMERICAN IDOL Last Night - Including Antonella Barba

Jared Cotter, Sundance Head, Antonella Barba And Sabrina Sloan Are Eliminated From The AMERICAN IDOL Competition On The Show’s Milestone 200th Episode

Top 12 Finalists To Take The Stage Tuesday, March 13; One More Goes Home On The Next Results Show Wednesday, March 14, On Fox

On last night’s suspenseful AMERICAN IDOL results show, the Top 12 finalists for the record-breaking sixth season were revealed as four semifinalists - two guys and two girls - were eliminated from the competition. Nearly 37 million votes were cast this week following Tuesday and Wednesday’s performance shows. The semifinalists who went home after receiving the fewest votes were Jared Cotter, Sundance Head, Antonella Barba and Sabrina Sloan. Cotter, who sang "If You Really Love Me," hails from Kew Gardens, NY, and currently lives in West Orange, NJ. Head, from Porter, TX, performed "Jeremy." Barba, of Point Pleasant, NJ, sang "Put Your Records On," and Sloan, a resident of Studio City, CA, entertained the audience with "Don’t Let Go (Love)." Also on last night’s show, which marked AMERICAN IDOL’s milestone 200th episode, Season Four winner Carrie Underwood performed her new single, "Wasted."

Next week, AMERICAN IDOL will celebrate the music of Diana Ross. After being coached by Ross herself, the Top 12 finalists will perform songs from the Diana Ross songbook Tuesday, March 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The following night, Ross will perform and one finalist will be eliminated from the competition on the live results show Wednesday, March 14 (9:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).

In a remarkable career spanning over 40 years, Ross has proven to be the consummate music artist, as well as one of the iconic female singers of all time. Beginning in the 1960s as lead singer of the world-renowned group The Supremes, and later as a solo performer, Ross achieved the unprecedented feat of 18 No. 1 singles in the U.S., rivaled only by The Beatles for the position of the biggest hit group of that generation. Other accomplishments include an Oscar nomination for her first film role, an extraordinary performance as Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues." She recently returned to the U.S. charts with her highest-debuting album in two decades, "I Love You."

TOP 12 FINALISTS:

Melinda Doolittle (29) - Currently lives in Brentwood, TN. Doolittle is a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville and has a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Music. She is a backup singer on stage and in the studio.

Stephanie Edwards (19) - Currently lives in Savannah, GA. Edwards sang at the famed Apollo Theater when she appeared on "It’s Showtime at the Apollo." She has won every singing contest she has ever entered.

Gina Glocksen (22) - Currently lives in Naperville, IL, and works as a dental assistant. Glocksen also performs in a cover band. She tried out for AMERICAN IDOL last season and made it to Day 4 of the Hollywood Round.

Lakisha Jones (27) - Grew up in Flint, MI, and began singing at age 5. Gospel is her Jones’ favorite type of music but she has trained formally in classical music.

Blake Lewis (25) - Currently lives in Bothell, WA, and began "beat boxing" in his senior year of high school. Lewis was a member of a youth choir group that traveled to Europe.

Sanjaya Malakar (17) - Currently lives in Federal Way, WA, and comes from a family of singers. He spent four years in Hawaii performing with the Hawaii Children’s Theater.

Chris Richardson (22) - Currently lives in Chesapeake, VA, and is a supervisor at a restaurant. He was born in Belgium into a military family and performs at local clubs.

Brandon Rogers (29) - From North Hollywood, CA, but spent six years in Dallas. Rogers has been singing for as long as he can remember. He works as a voice coach, wedding singer and background singer. His mother is a published songwriter.

Haley Scarnato (24) - Currently lives in San Antonio, TX. Scarnato, who recently became engaged, has been performing as a freelance singer since she was 15 years old and considers Celine Dion her hero.

Chris Sligh (28) - Currently lives in Greenville, SC, and is the son of missionaries. Sligh spent 10 years with his family in Germany. Since attending Bob Jones University, he has traveled and performed with a band.

Jordin Sparks (17) - Currently lives in Glendale, AZ. Sparks began singing when she was only 18 months old. She won the "Arizona Idol" contest. Her favorite band is Something Corporate.

Phil Stacey (29) - Currently lives in Jacksonville, FL; however, he grew up in Cincinnati. Stacy has a degree in vocal performance and is a singer in the Navy. He is married with two children.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

New Episodes Of National Geographic Channel’s THE FINAL REPORT Announced

New Episodes Of National Geographic Channel’s THE FINAL REPORT Offer Fresh Insight On Headline Events Of Our Time

Go Beyond the Initial Media Glare of Iconic Events Including Watergate, the O. J. Simpson Trial, Columbine Massacre, Ruby Ridge Standoff, Bombing Over Lockerbie and Clinton’s Impeachment

They are front-page news events that still conjure stark memories and incite consuming debate. But after the initial glare of media attention has faded, stories continue to unfold with ongoing investigations, trials and fresh testimony, new reasoning and even final clearing of consciences. National Geographic Channel’s (NGC) critically acclaimed series THE FINAL REPORT returns with new episodes, answering some of the most pressing questions behind these headline-grabbing events of our lifetime. Drawing from a wide range of sources, including interviews with experts, investigators, eyewitnesses and survivors, THE FINAL REPORT presents a comprehensive and compelling perspective.

New world premiere episodes include the following:

The Final Report: Standoff at Ruby Ridge
Tuesday, March 13, at 9:00 PM ET/PT
August 1992. On a remote ridge in northern Idaho, federal agents surround Randy Weaver and his family in their rural, mountaintop cabin. After U.S. marshals attempt to arrest Weaver and incur a casualty, the FBI launches a military-like siege of the cabin and institutes a controversial shoot-on-sight policy. Weaver, a father of four and a former Green Beret, refuses to surrender. After an 11-day standoff, three people are dead: U.S. Marshal William Degan; Weaver's wife, Vicki; and their 14-year-old son, Sam. The incident led to one of the most intensive reviews of the FBI. Who fired first? And how did events at Ruby Ridge spiral out of control? Go inside the sequence of events with varying perspectives from Randy Weaver and his daughter, U.S. marshals, FBI snipers and the negotiator on the scene.

The Final Report: O. J. Simpson Trial
Tuesday, March 13, at 10:00 PM ET/PT
Following the recent cancellation of O. J. Simpson’s controversial book and related television special, The Final Report takes viewers back to the night Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman were murdered, and re-examines the case as it unfolds. From the infamous white Bronco chase to the criminal trial and acquittal, this episode of THE FINAL REPORT goes beyond the Hollywood media circus by examining the criminal justice system, legal strategies, racial politics and the Los Angeles Police Department’s methods. What did the crime scene indicate about the killings? Why wasn’t evidence from the Bronco chase presented in court? Did the jury and television viewers see the same trial? Get insight from reporters following the story, the LAPD, law professors and the L.A. district attorney’s office.

The Final Report: Bombing Over Lockerbie
Tuesday, March 27, at 10:00 PM ET/PT
December 21, 1988: Pan Am Flight 103 explodes over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing everyone on board. Investigators suspect terrorism and are soon following a trail of clues recovered from a debris field spread over 845 square miles. Minuscule pieces of evidence lead detectives across the globe and ultimately, to the African nation of Libya. Why would Libyans want to bomb an American airliner? And why did the United States choose diplomacy over a military response? The FBI, Scottish investigators, reporters on the case and family members of those killed add insight nearly two decades later. THE FINAL REPORT looks at the amazing detective work and political maneuvering that produced two indictments in the case and a conviction.

The Final Report: Columbine
Tuesday, April 3, at 10:00 PM ET/PT
It was one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history: the Columbine High School massacre. On April 20, 1999, two teenage students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, carried out a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Jefferson County, Colorado killing 12 students and a teacher, and wounding 24 others before committing suicide. Did they have a methodical plan? What warning signs were missed? As the eighth anniversary of this tragic day approaches, THE FINAL REPORT investigates the full story with the help of former students, journalists, FBI special agents, the district attorney and the killers’ own diaries and home videos.

The Final Report: Watergate
Tuesday, April 10, at 10:00 PM ET/PT
On May 28, 1972, five burglars many of them ex-CIA agents broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., to plant listening devices. It was the beginning of a political scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. THE FINAL REPORT peels back the layers of the Nixon administration’s two-year struggle to contain the scandal at any cost. The show also reveals how Woodward and Bernstein, two young and tenacious Washington Post reporters, unraveled the tangled trail of illegal tactics and the president’s own involvement. First-person insights include G. Gordon Liddy, who oversaw the burglary; former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee; CBS News reporter Leslie Stahl; and former members of the Nixon administration.

The Final Report: Clinton Impeachment
Tuesday, May 1, at 10:00 PM ET/PT
As former First Lady Hillary Clinton continues her quest for the White House and looks to put her husband’s impeachment behind her, THE FINAL REPORT looks back at the most troubling days of his presidency. THE FINAL REPORT answers some of the most pressing questions about the time in 1998 when President Clinton was accused of lying under oath about a sexual relationship with 22-year-old intern Monica Lewinsky. After an independent counsel investigation, President Clinton became the second president in American history to be impeached. Were his actions criminal, and did they warrant the series of events they unleashed? Now, with the perspective only time can offer, hear from White House staff and members of Congress on this front-page scandal and its impact years later.

Season Finale Of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY Next Tuesday Night

Expect No Less Than Dramatic Perfection On The Spectacular Season Finale Of Bravo’s THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY, Tuesday, March 13 At 10 P.M. ET/PT

"I’ve been doing a lot of wondering if my relationship between myself and Jo (De La Rosa) was worth it," says Slade Smiley. "The toll that it has on me emotionally, it’s not a good thing." Will the relationship between Slade and Jo survive? Find out on the dramatic season finale of Bravo’s THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY airing Tuesday, March 15 at 10 P.M. ET/PT.

In the emotional season finale, Jo and Slade go to therapy to discuss their tumultuous five-year relationship. Says Jo to the therapist, "I just found myself becoming and molding into this other person, a housewife in training if you will. I lost who I was." Meanwhile, Lauri Waring and fiance George Peterson throw a joint birthday bash for her daughter Sophie and his daughter Bree, and both girls make out nicely. "Sophie had a great birthday," says Lauri. "What nine-year-old gets a cell phone and a horse?" And all hell breaks loose at Vicki Gunvalson’s backyard barbeque when an unexpected guest shows up on Slade’s arm prompting juicy gossip amongst the ladies. "He thrives on drama," says Lauri. "I mean Slade thinks he’s the next Real Housewife." So, how does Jo handle his sexy date? "I didn’t know they were there until I heard all the gasps," she says.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Exclusive Interview With Kathleen DuJour - First Model Voted Off On AMERICAS NEXT TOP MODEL 8

Last Wednesday night, Kathleen DuJour, a hairstylist from Brooklyn, NY, was the first girl eliminated during the eighth cycle premiere of The CW’s hit reality series AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, reducing the pool from 13 girls to 12.

During the judging, Tyra expressed her overall disappointment with the results of the shoot. The judges were concerned the most with Kathleen and were not sure she would be able to handle the intensity of the modeling world. "The girl with a bright spirit and hair to match that just lost the map," Tyra said to Kathleen, before eliminating her from the race to become AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

Our own RealityTVWebsite.com Elaine James caught up with Kathleen in this exclusive one-on-one interview.

Elaine James: Was it like when Tyra called your name as a finalist?

Kathleen DuJour: Oh my god! I thought I could actually win this thing. I thought that I had made it already.

Elaine James: During the political photo shoot, you had a hard time grasping the concept of "anti-fur." Tell me what that was like.

Kathleen DuJour: I understood the whole political issue, what I didn’t understand was what type of facial expression they wanted me to give them. I wish they had been more specific with me.

Elaine James: When you arrived at the house, were you inspired by the photos and quotes on the walls from past winners?

Kathleen DuJour: Oh definitely, it motivate you even more to watch these girls. You know that if she can make it, you can make it.

Elaine James: Tell me about the dynamics in the house. How did everyone get along?

Kathleen DuJour: First, we got there and it was early on and everyone was being nice to each other. Everyone was trying their best to get along with each other.

Elaine James: You rocked the thrift shop challenge! What kinds of items were you looking for in your three minutes?

Kathleen DuJour: I had no plan. I was just grabbing. I was looking more for colors.

Elaine James: When Tyra stated that she was disappointed in everyone’s photos, what was going through your head?

Kathleen DuJour: I knew that they didn’t get out of me what they wanted, so I knew that she wasn’t happy about our photo shoot. I knew that I could be going home today.

Elaine James: Was there anything that you had wished you had done differently?

Kathleen DuJour: I have no regrets at all.

Elaine James: So what have you taken from the experience?

Kathleen DuJour: I just learned that it’s not easy to be a model. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It is more than just taking pictures. It is an art.

Elaine James: So what have you been doing since the show?

Kathleen DuJour: Now that I am back home, I will be working with my photographer to take more pictures. I’m going to pursue that.

Elaine James: Who are you rooting for to win?

Kathleen DuJour: I’m rooting for Cassandra. I just love her attitude.

Carrie Underwood To Perfom On AMERICAN IDOL This Thursday

Carrie Underwood Returns To AMERICAN IDOL To Perform Her New Hit "Wasted" Thursday, March 8, On Fox

Two-time Grammy Award winning Carrie Underwood returns to the AMERICAN IDOL stage this week, performing her new hit "Wasted" on the results show Thursday, March 8 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).

Carrie Underwood returns to the Idol stage where she was crowned AMERICAN IDOL in 2005. Underwood′s debut album SOME HEARTS has sold over 5 million copies and contains four #1 singles. Since winning AMERICAN IDOL, Underwood has taken home 2 Country Music Association Awards, 2 Academy of Country Music Awards, 2 CMT Awards, 2 People’s Choice Awards, 1 American Music Award and 8 Billboard Awards. She also claimed a most coveted trophy in 2006 by receiving her college degree after graduating Magna Cum Laude with high honors in mass communications with an emphasis in journalism from Northeastern State University.

Tune in Wednesday, March 7 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) for performances by the Top 8 girls. On the results show airing Thursday, March 8 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), Underwood will perform her new hit "Wasted" and four more contestants will go home, ending their quest to become the next American Idol.

Second Season Of DRIVING FORCE With NHRA John Force Returns March 27th

The A&E Network Real-Life Series DRIVING FORCE Returns For A Second Season On Tuesday, March 27, 2007 New Season Focuses On John Force’s Pursuit Of An Unprecedented 15th NHRA Championship

As Well As Ashley Force’s Headlines-Making Announcement As First Female In Funny Car Competition Since 2000

Get set for more heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat action! DRIVING FORCE, A&E’s high-velocity real-life series starring racing legend John Force, his wife Laurie, and their three beautiful drag racing daughters, returns for a second season of high stakes drama on Tuesday, March 27 at 10:00pm EST/PST.

A dominant figure in drag racing for both his winning reputation and charismatic personality, John Force has shattered every major record on the drag strip, exhibited extraordinary skill as a team owner and businessman and is now gearing up for his greatest challenge - raising three daughters, Ashley, 24; Brittany, 20; and Courtney, 18; who are following in his footsteps and competing in the male-dominated field of high-speed drag racing.

The July 17, 2006 series premiere of DRIVING FORCE attracted 1.2 million A18-49 and 1.1 million A25-54 viewers, making it at the time the best series premiere performance on A&E since Dog the Bounty Hunter.

In the first season we watched as John, whose career kept him on the road throughout most of the girls’ childhoods, worked at rekindling his relationship with them by bringing them into the family business.

This season focuses on John’s pursuit of an unprecedented 15th NHRA Championship, as well as Ashley Force’s long awaited move up in ranks to compete with and against her father in the Funny Car division.

The Forces made headlines last month when it was announced that second oldest daughter, Ashley, would move up in classification this season to drive a fourth Ford Mustang Funny Car for John Force Racing, Inc, Castrol and Automobile Club of Southern California.

* There are four different professional categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle) in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).

* With Ashley’s addition to the Funny Car ranks there are now women competing simultaneously in all four professional categories for the first time in NHRA history.

* Ashley is the first woman to compete in the Funny Car division since Cristen Powell in 2000.

* A woman has never reached the final round in the Funny Car division. Ashley is expected to achieve this feat in 2007.

* A woman has never finished in the top 10 in points in the Funny Car division. Ashley is expected to finish in the top 10 this season.

* Ashley and John Force would be the first ever father - daughter match in the history of the NHRA if and when they meet in eliminations.

Many experts and pundits believe that Ashley’s move to the Funny Car division will have a profound impact on the sport of drag racing and will be the biggest story in the NHRA’s 50 year history. A&E′s cameras are there to capture it all as the drama and excitement surrounding drag racing′s premier family unfolds on the new season of DRIVING FORCE.

Friday, March 02, 2007

DOG WHISPERER Begins New Nationwide Search For Problem Pooches

National Geographic Channel’s DOG WHISPERER Begins New Nationwide Search For Problem Pooches And Their Frustrated Owners

NGC’s Popular Series Seeks Troubled Dogs from New York to Miami to Los Angeles and Other Select Cities Across the U.S. for Upcoming Episodes

Does your dog take you for a walk? Is your dog possessive, aggressive or obsessive? Does your dog have quirky phobias or unusual problems? Are you at your wit’s end with your loveable pooch? Well, the answer to your canine crisis is coming to a city near you! National Geographic Channel’s (NGC) Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan the man Patti LaBelle called "a miracle worker" is currently looking for show submissions in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami for filming later this year.

The Emmy-nominated series Dog Whisperer currently in its third season on NGC is the hugely popular series that follows Cesar as he goes directly into the homes of dog owners without any prior information about the dog’s case and documents the remarkable transformations that take place under Cesar’s calm, assertive guidance. After traveling to Texas, Nebraska, New York and Ohio this season, the show is expanding its nationwide search as it continues to look for dogs to rehabilitate and owners to train.

"One of the best parts of the show is helping owners and their dogs with an even wider range of problems," comments the Dog Whisperer himself, Cesar Millan. "Now we are looking to showcase more people, more places and more dogs than ever before."

With more than 20 years of experience working with canines, Millan has been called "Dr. Phil for dogs," and for good reason. He has a unique gift of rehabilitating dogs and training their owners. A favorite of "Oprah Winfrey," Cesar was also parodied on "South Park" and "Saturday Night Live," and his book "Cesar′s Way" (Harmony Books, 2006) has been a fixture on the New York Times best-seller list. The second season of Dog Whisperer received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy award. Millan was recently made an honorary member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.

The series is now scouting the country looking for new and exciting stories!

Directions to submit your problem pooch:

If you would like to be considered for the show, please send a five- to seven-minute video featuring you and your dog. Please state your name, age and occupation, as well as the dog′s name, age and breed. Tell us the problems your dog is having and how these issues are affecting your life. Also, let us know what you love about your dog.

We would like the video to capture at least three instances of your dog′s bad behavior, but please do not take any risks, for you or your dog, while trying to film the behavior.

When sending in your video, you must include a bio sheet and release forms (personal release and materials release), available for download at: http://dogpsychologycenter.com/submissions.php. Everyone seen in the video must sign a personal release form to be considered for the show. Video footage can be submitted in all formats except for files from digital still cameras and cell phones. Videotapes will not be returned.

Tips

Tips to keep in mind when making the video:

* Keep the cameras as still as possible.

* Avoid having the date and time on the screen.

* Don′t zoom in too close to the dog; we want to see as much of the environment as possible.

* Avoid backlighting on subjects around doors and windows.

Submissions

Please send your videos and submission materials to:

MPH ENTERTAINMENT
Attn: Dog Whisperer Submissions (name of city)
1033 North Hollywood Way
Suite C
Burbank, CA 91505.

NOTE: Only videotape submissions will be accepted. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Dog Whisperer is produced by MPH Entertainment and Emery/Sumner Productions for the National Geographic Channel. Executive producers for MPH Entertainment are Jim Milio, Melissa Jo Peltier and Mark Hufnail. Sheila Possner Emery and Kay Bachman Sumner are producers. For the National Geographic Channel, senior executive producer for season three is Char Serwa; senior vice president of special programming is Michael Cascio and executive-in-charge of production is John Ford.

For more information, visit www.ngcdogwhisperer.com.

Four Are Eliminated From The AMERICAN IDOL Competition Last Night

Alaina Alexander, Leslie Hunt, Nick Pedro And A.J. Tabaldo Are Eliminated From The AMERICAN IDOL Competition

Top Eight Guys Take The Stage Next Tuesday, March 6, Followed By The Top Eight Girls On Wednesday, March 7; Top 12 Revealed On The Thursday Results Show, March 8 On FOX

The second week of audience voting produced yet another highlight for the record-breaking sixth season of AMERICAN IDOL. Last night, on the results show, the four semifinalists - two girls and two guys - who received the fewest votes were eliminated from the competition. It was revealed that the AMERICAN IDOL journey has ended for Alaina Alexander, Leslie Hunt, Nick Pedro and A.J. Tabaldo.

Alexander, from West Hollywood, CA, sang "Not Ready To Make Nice," while Hunt, of Chicago, IL, sang "Feelin’ Good." Pedro, who currently lives in Taunton, MA, entertained the audience with "Fever," and Tabaldo, from Santa Maria, CA, also sang "Feelin’ Good." Also last night, Season Five finalist Kellie Pickler had the audience on its feet with her new song "I Wonder."

Next week, the Top Eight guys (Jared Cotter, Sundance Head, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Brandon Rogers, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey) will take the stage once again, singing for America on Tuesday, March 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Then it’s the ladies’ turn, as the Top Eight girls (Antonella Barba, Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, Haley Scarnato, Sabrina Sloan, Jordin Sparks) perform in hopes of winning America’s vote on Wednesday, March 7 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Tune in the following night to see who receives enough votes to stay in the competition, and who goes home. Another two guys and two girls will be eliminated on the live results show Thursday, March 8 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Hairstylist Kathleen Eliminated During Two-Hour Premiere Of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL

Kathleen Eliminated During Two-Hour Premiere Of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL On The CW

Kathleen, a hairstylist from Brooklyn, NY, was the first girl eliminated during the eighth cycle premiere of The CW’s hit reality series AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, reducing the pool from 13 girls to 12. Catch an exclusive interview on www.cwtv.com with Kathleen on "America’s Next Top Model Close Up" presented by CoverGirl on Friday, March 2.

After the field was narrowed down to 13 finalists, the girls were sent to their first photo shoot with Nigel Barker as their photographer. Jay Manuel assigned each of them a different political view, and while several of the girls struggled with their shoots, Kathleen had an especially difficult time as she attempted to portray "anti-fur." Though Jay and Nigel offered numerous suggestions, they felt that Kathleen was falling short. "I think Kathleen was confused by the whole anti-fur concept. She didn’t embrace that it was a political view," Nigel said.

The next day, the girls were sent to a runway challenge and charity fashion show for Goodwill Southern California, where they were met by J. Alexander. After choosing their own outfits, they walked the runway to auction off their clothes to the highest bid. Kathleen felt very comfortable during the whole challenge. "I rock at thrift shops. I felt like I rocked on that runway. The crowd was loving me," said Kathleen. "She was straight up Brooklyn hoochie with a twist. The twist is that she has a great personality," J. said. At the end of the runway challenge, Jael received the highest bid, and won a style make-over with fashion stylist Phillip Bloch.

During the judging, Tyra expressed her overall disappointment with the results of the shoot. The judges were concerned the most with Kathleen and were not sure she would be able to handle the intensity of the modeling world. "The girl with a bright spirit and hair to match that just lost the map," Tyra said to Kathleen, before eliminating her from the race to become AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

In addition to a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl, this year’s prize package for the winner of The CW’s AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL will include a contract with Elite Model Management and a cover and six-page fashion spread in Seventeen magazine.

The eighth cycle of the hit series AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL on The CW follows 13 young women as they attempt to prove they have what it takes to make it in the high-stress world of modeling. Banks, who created the show, also serves as executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Anthony Dominici ("The Amazing Race").