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Nicole Scherzinger on I CAN DO THAT! – exclusive interview

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN 06/23/2015

Nicole Scherzinger stars in I CAN DO THAT! on NBC | © 2015 Tyler Golden/NBC

Nicole Scherzinger has been the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, a judge on THE X FACTOR and, with dancing partner Derek Hough, the winner of the tenth season of DANCING WITH THE STARS. Now the multi-faceted Scherzinger, born in Honolulu and raised in Kentucky, is involved in another TV talent competition series. In NBC’s I CAN DO THAT!, Tuesdays at 10 PM, celebrities choose their challenge, choose a partner and then have to learn a new skill like tightrope walking or doing magic tricks. At a press event held by NBC at the Langham-Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California, Scherzinger’s […]Read On »

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TV Review: THE X FACTOR – Season 2 premiere – “Auditions No. 1” (Austin and San Francisco)

By CARL CORTEZ 09/13/2012

Britney Spears, Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid are the judges of THE X FACTOR - Season 2 | ©2012 Fox/Nino Munoz

Stars: Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato Network: Fox, airs Wednesdays and Thursdays Original Telecast: September 12, 2012 Well, here’s a big surprise – THE X FACTOR Season 2 is actually pretty damn good. In fact, it’s the show THE X FACTOR should have been in Season 1. Yes, there are many tropes of the genre still hanging around that prove to be annoying (like purposely bad singers allowed on stage), but with a refreshed judging panel and a different approach in showcasing talent, THE X FACTOR is starting to feel more like an original show called THE […]Read On »

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TCA 2012: NBC says THE VOICE can sustain a Fall and Spring cycle

By A.C. FERRANTE 07/24/2012

Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton in THE VOICE - Season 1 | ©2011 NBC/Michael Desmond

With NBC’s music competition series THE VOICE adding a Fall cycle in addition to a Spring cycle, the question arises can the show sustain its ratings and not over-saturate itself. At today’s NBCUniversal Summer 2012 Press Tour, NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt addressed these concerns saying every network partakes in this practice to some extent – particularly with their most popular series. “Almost every reality franchise does two cycles a season,” observes Greenblatt. “And one could argue that AMERICAN IDOL and THE X FACTOR are the same show in many respects with one in the Fall and one in the […]Read On »

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TCA 2012: Britney Spears is “feisty” on THE X FACTOR says Fox Entertainment President

By A.C. FERRANTE 07/23/2012

While speaking to the press at the Fox Summer TCA Press Tour, Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly says new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato have added a unique mix to the table of THE X FACTOR Season 2 which also includes returning judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid. “I’m surprised at how feisty [Britney] is – she’s not afraid to lay it on the line,” says Reilly. “She’s been around and she’s rough. Plus we have a real spitfire with Demi. Literally on Day 1 she took on Simon.” THE X FACTOR Season 2 debuts this fall. Related: Jennifer […]Read On »

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Interview: Katharine McPhee makes a SMASH with the Season 1 finale

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN 05/14/2012

Katharine McPhee in SMASH - Season 1 | ©2012 NBC/Patrick Randak

NBC’s SMASH, set in the world of Broadway musicals, has its first season finale tonight at 10 PM. Never fear – the show has been renewed for a second season. This year, one of the main plotlines has been the rivalry between veteran musical chorus member Ivy Bell, played by musical theatre veteran Megan Hilty, and New York newcomer Karen Cartwright, played by Katharine McPhee in her first scripted TV series lead. McPhee, a Los Angeles native, shot to pop fame as the runner-up in the 2006 fifth season of AMERICAN IDOL. Since then, she’s appeared in feature films, including […]Read On »

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TV Review: AMERICAN IDOL – Season 11 – “Auditions No. 1 – Savannah” – Season Premiere

By PETER BROWN 01/19/2012

Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson on AMERICAN IDOL - Season 11 - Savannah Auditions | ©2012 Fox/Michael Becker

Cast: Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest Network: Fox, airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays @ 8 p.m. Original Telecast: Jan. 18, 2012 I found the premiere episode of the 11th season of the world’s greatest karaoke competition, AMERICAN IDOL, extremely amusing. No, not because of the lack of talent that was displayed traditionally, but because they focused on how many talents have come through the show in that span. I’m amused because it has been 10 years of going through these painfully bad auditions – again, not talking about the lack of talent, but the very fact that they […]Read On »

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THE X FACTOR Season 1 Recap: Nothing to Crow about as Rachel Crow gets her heart ripped out by Nicole Scherzinger

By CARL CORTEZ 12/09/2011

Rachel Crow (pictured here with host Steve Jones) is eliminated from THE X FACTOR - Season 1 - Top 5 week | ©2011 Fox/Ray Mickshaw

Network: Fox Original Telecast: November 30, 2011 Here’s the problem with having 13, 14, or 15 year olds competing on reality programs – they’re not mature enough and emotionally not ready to take on the big hurdles these kind of shows present. And THE X FACTOR has proven all season, its youngest contestants may be talented, but to be thrust into the dog eat dog world of the entertainment industry is a dangerous, slippery slope. First, we had the arrogance of Astro refusing to perform when he was in the bottom one week. Last week, the judges unfairly ousted Drew […]Read On »

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TV Review: THE X FACTOR – Season 1 – “The Top 5 Perform” Recap

By CARL CORTEZ 12/08/2011

Chris Rene in THE X FACTOR - Season 1 - "The Top 5 Perform" | ©2011 Fox/Ray Mickshaw

Network: Fox Original Telecast: December 7, 2011 THE X FACTOR is down to the Final Five, and I’m so bored with the remaining contestants, going into the latest episode, I was prepared to be bored to tears. After Drew got the boot last week (my fave singer), the five remaining have a lot to prove. Usually I list the judges comments, but it doesn’t matter what they really say tonight. Last week they proved they’re in it for themselves – not for voting for who is most deserving. Yet, even more so, what is necessary now, is to determine and […]Read On »

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THE X FACTOR Season 1 Recap: Astro beats it, and sadly, Drew does too

By CARL CORTEZ 12/02/2011

Drew (next to her mentor Simon Cowell) is eliminated on THE X FACTOR - Season 1 - "The Top 7 elimination" | ©2011 Fox/Ray Mickshaw

Network: Fox Original Telecast: November 30, 2011 THE X FACTOR did its second week of double eliminations during “The Top 7 Perform – Michael Jackson Tribute Week,” with one person who you expected to be booted off and another who was a complete surprise. The four people that made it through easily – Chris Rene, Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik, Rachel Crow. Then, came the automatic booting off of Astro. It was finally his time and surprisingly he was grateful, even as he was ushered off the stage (a complete about face from his attitude two weeks ago). This left Marcus […]Read On »

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TV Review: THE X FACTOR – Season 1 – “The Top 7 Perform” Recap of Michael Jackson week

By CARL CORTEZ 12/01/2011

Drew in THE X FACTOR - Season 1 - "The Top 7 Perform" | ©2011 Fox/Ray Mickshaw

Network: Fox Original Telecast: November 30, 2011 I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. PLEASE put a moratorium on “Beatles” week and “Michael Jackson” week on these competition shows. It’s overdone. Yes, there’s a Michael Jackson Vegas Cirque du Soleil thing going on in Vegas right now, but do we really need to need more butchering of Jackson’s music? Thankfully, there weren’t a lot of obvious songs in the mix on this week’s THE X FACTOR which is now whittled down to The Top 7, but where was the singing? Once again Astro raps (yes, I get that’s all […]Read On »

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