Reality TV

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

Jerry Springer appeared on Good Morning America yesterday (Wednesday, February 21, 2007) and announced the celebrities who will be appearing on the fourth season of Dancing With the Stars. Springer himself was a contestant last season. He was partnered with Aussie hoofer, Kym Johnson.

The celebs and their partners are: boxer Laila Ali (Maksim Chmerovskiy), singer/actor Billy Ray Cyrus (Karina Smirnoff), former NBA player Clyde Drexler (Elena Grinenko), singer/actor Joey Fatone (Kym Johnson), ex-Miss USA/game show hostess Shandi Finnessey (Brian Fortuna), talk show host Leeza Gibbons (Tony Dovolani), model turned activist – and soon to be ex-wife of Paul McCartney – Heather Mills (Jonathan Roberts), 5-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno (Julianne Hough), actor Vincent Pastore (Edyta Sliwinska), supermodel Paulina Porizkova (Alec Mazo) and actor Ian Ziering (Cheryl Burke).

For more info on the stars and their partners, click HERE. The fourth season of DWTS premieres on Monday, March 19 at 8pm ET.

Britney Spears checked into Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Rehab center in Antigua last week. A day later, she checked out. She returned to Los Angeles, shaved off all her hair – reportedly because K-fed told her he’d have her hair tested for ‘illegal substances’ and re-entered rehab. Now, Kevin is heading to court with his attorney for an emergency hearing. Speculation is high that he’s seeking full custody of the boys.

On a lighter note, Trista and Ryan Sutter met and fell in love on The Bachelorette. They got married in a two-hour special which aired on ABC back in 2003. Now, the happy couple is going to have a baby. Trista told People magazine, “We are so happy after two years of trying.”

Trista, who told Ryan after he returned from a mountaineering trip in Argentina, is currently 14 weeks along. She’s experiencing “horrendous morning sickness.” The couple expects their little bundle to make his or her debut sometime this summer.

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

Paris Hilton visited Austria. She hit the Alpine slopes for a pre-birthday treat. She was in Vienna at the invitation of Richard Lugner, a 74 year old married 'construction magnate' to attend the Vienna Opera Ball. Apparently, the "Stars are Blind" singer is not a fan of this musical genre. By all account, she looked bored and was caught "resting her head in her hands, absentmindedly flipping through the program and fiddling with her mobile phone."

On Friday, the celebutante made her way to Las Vegas and a birthday bash at the Hard Rock's Body English, an uber cool club. The 26 year old sported some weird-looking, red marks on her chest according to gossip rag, TMZ.

She spent the night with her beau, Stavros Niarchos. Jamie Foxx, Pink, Carey Hart and Ludacris were all present for the festivities.

Wanna see a slideshow? Click here!

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

Tiffany “New York” Pollard found the time to chit-chat with wrestler, Viscera, on WWE.com’s Superstar to Superstar. She says that “it’s just glorious living in the moment.” Perhaps, a big reason for that is ‘cuz New York has found love. After being ditched not once, but twice, but Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, New York has finally gotten the opportunity to be with a man who’s really feeling her.

New York is in love with the winner of her reality TV show, I Love New York, which is currently airing on Vh-1. Unfortunately, New York couldn’t say who the lucky dude is – and the two haven’t had any physical contact since the show wrapped in the fall. However, they do keep things “spicy” by sending “dirty pictures” back and forth via their cell phones.

She admits that this could really be the real thing and has used the “M-word,” but laughs that "Something like that is not gonna happen until I'm a lot older and grayer."

New York tells the New York Post, appropriately enough, that fame hasn’t changed her. "I've always been fabulous, I've always been over the top, I've always marched to my own beat.” She also defends her show, saying it’s “not garbage, it’s well-rounded and if the kids are watching it then the parents are watching it and if something risqué happens, I hope they’re there to kind of explain not to do it.”

However, Tiff preferred being on Flav’s show than doing her own because she “liked competing with the other girls.”

Don’t count Miss NY out of the reality TV game anytime soon, folks. Tiffany wouldn’t mind doing a show with her new love based on the My Fair Brady concept. Of course, she would want her loverboy to “be comfortable” with the idea, but she’d “encourage him to say yes.”

Mr. Boston, Whiteboy, Tango, 12-Pack, Real, and Chance are still in the action on I Love New York. Don’t forget to check it out on Vh-1 each Monday at 9pm ET or read the latest recap here at Suite101.com.

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

Cheryl Burke has appeared on two seasons of ABC’s smash reality-hit Dancing with the Stars. The 22 year old dancing diva, who is of Filipino/Irish/Russian descent, won both of the seasons she was on. No other dancer worldwide has repeated that feat. (DWTS franchises air in other countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Spain and Sweden.)



First, she was paired up with Drew Lachey (and made headlines with a short-lived romance with his big brother, Nick – post-Jessica, of course). Then, she and Emmitt Smith hoofed their way to the top in Season Three.

Now, Burke has found love with another castmate’s brother. This time, Burke is dating Matthew Lawrence (27). He’s the younger brother of Joey Lawrence. Joey was partnered with Edyta Sliwinska and finished in third place during Season Three.

People magazine reports that “They are definitely together,” and “Cheryl is very happy.” Apparently, the two didn’t start hanging out together until the DWTS tour started. They were spotted dancing at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa after the tour wrapped up in Atlantic City. Later on, Cheryl supposedly ordered a cake, champagne and strawberries to be delivered to her room. The cake said “Happy Birthday Matt.”

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

I love Flavor of Love just as much as anyone. I sat through two seasons and enjoyed myself immensely. I am currently watching – and recapping – spinoff #1, I Love New York, for y’all here. I will recap spinoff #2, Charm School, too.

Charm School, in case you hadn't heard, takes some of Flav’s divas from both seasons and teaches them some manners. Comedian Mo’Nique (Fat Chance, The Parkers) totally has her work cut out for her. (And I can't wait!) Hopefully, they'll have a special class on not pooping in the house.

I thought both of these spinoffs were fantastic ideas. Now, I’m wondering if Vh-1 is dipping into the Flavor pool once too often. C’mon, how many ways can you twist this idea around without getting redundant – or boring?

Well, Vh-1 has decided they’ll try at least once more. Why not? Three times the ‘charm’ so to speak, right?

In July, the network that used to show videos exclusively – those were the good old days – will begin airing a total of ten episodes of Rock of Love with singer/songwriter Bret Michaels of Poison. Poison is an 80s hard rock/glam metal band that had hits with “Talk Dirty to Me” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”. (Yes, I am a fan.)

Mr. Michaels is looking for love with a lady who understands that his first love is performing. She has to be beautiful and secure. She can’t be the jealous type. This, coming from a man who made a video with Pamela Anderson.

Good luck finding her, Bret. I'm sure I'll wind up watching.

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

In the late 80s and all throughout the 90s, boy bands reigned supreme. They were at the top of the charts and on top of the world. Vh-1 is bringing four former boy-banders out of retirement (whether it’s self-imposed or not), putting them in a house – they’re hanging in Chris Kirkpatrick’s crib in Orlando, y’all - and filming them for a month.

The dudes have formed a boy band supergroup called Sureshot. They’ll work on writing, performing and producing their music, with the help of music industry professionals and their manager, Katie McNeil in the Vh-1 series.

Sureshot has already performed during halftime at an Orlando Magic game (January 23, 2007) and at the Mansion in Miami, FL (January 30). The show was shot for over a month and ended on February 2, 2007. The show is set to air in July 2007.

So, who’s in it?

Chris Kirkpatrick – formerly of ‘N Sync, Kirkpatrick was known for being the oldest member of the world-famous boyband (He was born in 1971). Recently, he’s done the voice of Chip Skylark on The Fairly Odd Parents and started his own clothing line.

Rich Cronin – the front man of LFO (Lite Funky Ones) used to date Jennifer Love Hewitt and sing about Summer Girls. He’s also battled leukemia and released an album in 2006 with a band called Loose Cannons.

Bryan Abrams – formerly of Color Me Badd, Abrams has been married and divorced twice. His exes have alleged that he has failed to pay child support. Bryan, for his part, would rather contend with that in court than in the press. He, Jordan Knight, fellow Sureshot-er, Jeff Timmons and other boyband luminaries recorded a tune called Believe to aid Hurricane Katrina victims back in ’05.

Jeff Timmons – Timmons founded 98 Degrees with his pals Nick and Drew Lachey. He’s also divorced and shares custody of his two young children. Jeff has toured as a solo artist with Jim Brickman and his 2004 CD, Whisper That Way, hit the adult contemporary charts. In 2006, Timmons was arrested for DUI in Brevard County, Florida. He’s also slated to host Vh-1’s version of Top of the Pops.

Want to learn more about Sureshot, check out their page at MySpace.

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

Anna Nicole Smith passed away on Thursday February 8, 2007. Speculation is high that the former Playmate of the Year succumbed to drugs. However, the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office will have the final say in that matter. They’re currently doing an autopsy on the body.

Anna Nicole was at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino when she collapsed. A bodyguard tried to revive her. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Her companion, Howard K. Smith was not with her at the time although he traveled to Florida with her. Her child, Danielynn Hope, remained in the Bahamas.

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Katharine McPhee has a natural affinity with coming in second. The reality TV darling finished behind Taylor Hicks on the fifth season of American Idol. Now, her highly-anticipated debut album has earned the number two spot on the Billboard 200 album sales chart. She’s a step behind Norah Jones and one step ahead of another season five Idol, Chris Daughtry.

Katharine’s self-titled CD sold 182,000 copies in its first week out. Taylor Hicks’ self-titled debut, also hit #2 its first week out back in December 2006. It sold 298,000 copies, but who's comparing?

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Jessica Simpson swears she’ll never do another reality TV show again. However, she denies that the cameras, which followed her and ex-hubby, Nick Lachey, around for their MTV series, Newlyweds, contributed to the divorce. Here’s what she had to say:

“No. I do not agree with that. We had a really good time until the last week in the last season when we were just over having all the cameras around. You become anxious, always thinking someone is watching you. It's like being bugged and everyone knows your every conversation... No more reality TV for me!"

Jessica would also like to be more like Angelina Jolie. She is very impressed with Angie’s humanitarian work and wants to pledge support to orphanages. She has admitted that she will probably adopt a child too at some point.

Hey, Jess, how about some acting lessons too?

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

Lauren Conrad has just turned 21. The gal, who first shot to fame on MTV’s Laguna Beach and is currently starring in a spin-off centered around her, has obviously recovered nicely from her split with ex-Princes of Malibu hunk (and former Nicole Richie flame) Brody Jenner – rumor has it that Lindsay Lohan currently has her sights set on him - and is moving forward with her career.

The fashionista has just signed a contract with mark, “the boutique beauty and fashion brand from Avon.” The mark product line is geared towards younger women. It was launched in 2003. You can check it out online at http://www.meetmark.com.

Lauren will be featured “in the brand's magalog (a combination magazine and catalog reaching over six million customers every month), and in the online community.” She’ll also collaborate in both ‘beauty and fashion initiatives’ – whatever that means.

Here’s the press release for more info on that.

LC, who’s been hanging around New York during Fashion Week – she was spotted at the Heatherette show and backstage at the W Lifestyle Lounge before the Luca Luca show, told the New York Daily News that she is not interested in acting as a career. She had a small role in Epic Movie and is not looking to hit the big screen again anytime soon.

As she says, "I don't want to act…I don't enjoy it, and I can't make a career out of something I don't really like. It's not that fun, and I'm not that good at it."

LC also dishes about her heart-breaking separation from her first love, Jason Wahler, in the March issue of CosmoGirl, "Breaking up with Jason was the hardest thing I've ever done. I still wanted to be with him but I knew that I couldn't be."

She admits that she was lucky to have her best pal, Heidi Montag to help her through the experience. "It was important for me to know that I could still have a good time without a boyfriend. I slept in her bed for a month because I couldn't go into my room. The only thing that heals a broken heart is time. But it really helps hanging out with your girlfriends as much as possible."

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

RockStar might have helped revitalize INXS’ career. However, the same can not be said for RockStar: Supernova. The Tommy Lee driven vehicle is struggling under weak ticket and album sales. Of course, the band, which chose Lukas Rossi to be its frontman, hasn’t had an easy ride of it.

First, they had troubles with their name. Another band had rights to Supernova. Hence, the moniker RockStar: Supernova. Then, they faced a major setback with the loss of bassist Jason Newsted. During rehearsals for their tour, Newsted busted the rotator cuff in his shoulder. He required surgery for the injury.

The band’s self-titled album was released on November 21, 2006. So far, sales have been dismal. It’s also failed to produce a Billboard Top 100 hit. Currently, the band is touring with Dave Navarro’s The Panic Channel and Toby Rand’s Juke Kartel. Venues have been hardly selling out…and critics pan the group at every tour stop, it seems.

However, Lukas remains positive about the band’s future. As he told the Boston Herald, “I’ve done a thousand interviews and no one has asked about the next record. No one seems to get it. We’re going to be around a long time. We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with. And I’ll tell you this, there’s going to be a lot more of me on the next record.”

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Dilana, who has hooked up with RockStar: Supernova on several of its tour dates, is still rocking it out. The lady with the smoky, sultry voice was taken to task for her ‘honesty’ on the show. The ballsy beauty told the DesMoines Register that American Idol “is the ultimate definition of cheesy.”

She is also hard at work on her new album. The as-yet unnamed disc will feature appearances by both Dave Navarro and Gilby Clarke as well as No Doubt’s Adrian Young. Dilana has no regrets about doing RockStar: Supernova. As she mentioned to theLantern before her gig last week at OSU, "It's the best move I made to get my music and my voice out there. I want to use my voice not only for singing but for getting a voice out there for a generation."

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Although RockStar: Supernova couldn’t wait for Jason Newsted to recuperate before heading out on tour – they replaced him with former Black Crowes’ bassist, Jonny Colt - Jason is not without a rock n’ roll home these days. The former bassist for Metallica will continue to work with Canadian metal legends Voivod. The band will not release its new album until Newsted is fully recovered and can lay down his tracks.

Posted by Deanna Couras Goodson

I love Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. Chance. In both 2005 and 2006 I watched the Oxygen network air the two-hour specials. For those of you who don’t know what Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. Chance is, you’re in for a treat. Mo’Nique, the plus-sized Queen of Comedy and former star of The Parkers, chooses a group of lovely, full-figured ladies to compete in a unique beauty competition. These women are not like your standard beauty queens. Neither is the average American woman, myself included.

F.A.T. takes a word that is derogatory to many and gives it a new – and sexy – spin. Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. means ‘Fabulous and Thick’. A woman who heads to her beauty pageant will learn to appreciate her curves – and rolls if she’s got ‘em. She’ll discover that beauty isn’t a number as in a number on a scale, y’all.

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and the F.A.T. beauty will not be ignored no more. Oxygen has seen the specials put up some serious ratings numbers. Now, they are going to let Mo’Nique take a new crop of her babies and turn them into beauty queens. The gals are descending on Paris where they’ll vie for the title of Miss F.A.T.

The episodes will air in seven, one-hour installments. I will be watching – and recapping – it here for you.

To get updates on Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. Chance in the meantime, check out this link.