Howard Stern never officially confirmed he was in any remotely serious talks with “Idol” but did gab about it on Monday’s show, saying he’d love to do it at the right price. He also suggested ways he could mock the contestants.

No matter how much I like Stern as a radio host, he’d alienate way more people than he’d attract if he were to be on “Idol.” But Stern, stuck on satellite radio (which never became as big as he had hoped), is getting more press than he has in years. He’s got to be loving that. I listened to him yesterday a bit on my Sirius radio and he was very funny mocking Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson and Ellen DeGeneres. (He’d ask Ellen whether she wears men’s briefs under her pants–you know, stuff like that.)

As MJ suspects, he may have planted the story himself just to get himself press. That wouldn’t surprise me one iota. Plus, his contract with Sirius/XM is up at the end of the year so this is negotiating posturing to boot. And “Idol” is keeping things very …

Continue reading Stern stokes the fire, Carrie Underwood joins ‘Sesame Street,’ speculation about Randy Jackson’s future »

Here’s the latest “Idol” promo with Ellen DeGeneres:

And Broadway World is intimating that Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young are likely replacement cast members for Broadway’s “Hair.” Diana has been tweeting about a potential job coming soon. Diana’s resume is now packed with great theater gigs. This would be one of the biggest for her so far.

Carrie Underwood looked like she was singing live last night doing the National Anthem for the Super Bowl. And apparently, she’s the first one to do so in many many years. I heard her just miss the last note but otherwise, she sounded smashing.

Continue reading Latest “Idol” promo, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young in ‘Hair’? Carrie Underwood does NOT lip synch »

What is Simon Fuller thinking? The New York Post reports that the show has talked with Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell.

I like Howard Stern, have been listening to him since I was a teen-ager. But really? I mean, he’s polarizing in a way that isn’t necessarily endearing. He would clash with the other judges and be suitably nasty but his trademark crass nastiness, I can’t imagine, would sit so well in Middle America.

Stern, as MJ speculated may simply be using this as leverage with Sirius/XM. His monstrous deal with them is up at the end of the year.

-And that “Italian” girl on “Idol” seemed like a fake from the get go. “Nicci Nix” wasn’t even that good. TMZ found out she’s a reality show vet, having been on at least four other shows. She’s been on “Fear Factor,” “Making the Band,” “Next” and “Date My Mom.”

-Carrie fans: here she is on the cover of Cosmo:

Continue reading Latest rumor: Howard Stern replacing Simon Cowell? Latest cover: Carrie Underwood on Cosmo »

There are 1,000 reasons to love Kelly Clarkson. Here’s 1,001: in a blog Thursday, she defended “American Idol” from Taylor Swift’s record label president Scott Borchetta, who was defending Swift’s off-key Grammy performance with Stevie Nicks.

This is what Borchetta said:

“This is not ‘American Idol,’” Borchetta said, in response to mounting criticism over Swift’s less-than-stellar vocals during her duet with Stevie Nicks. “This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note. This is about a true artist and writer and communicator. It’s not about that technically perfect performance.”

This is what Kelly said today:

I understand defending your artist obviously because I have done the same in the past for artists I like, including Taylor, so you might see why its upsetting to read you attacking American Idol  for producing simply vocalists that hit ‘the high notes’.

Kelly Clarkson’s response

• A fine defense of “American Idol”
• There …

Continue reading Another reason to love Kelly Clarkson as she lashes out at Taylor Swift defender »

AP

Carrie Underwood: singer, variety show comic, sitcom guest star (an upcoming “How I Met Your Mother”) and now: movie star!

She’s getting married, too, right?

Variety reports that Carrie will be starring in a film with Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt called “Soul Surfer” about teen surfing champ Bethany Hamilton, who survived a shark attack. (She lost an arm.)

Teenager AnnaSophia Robb (”Race to Witch Mountain,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’) plays the surfer. Carrie will play a church youth leader. I wonder if that means she’ll be able to show off her pipes.

-Ouch! Clearly, “Idol” audition fatigue really set in big time Wednesday night, despite the fact we regulars liked seeing fewer crazies, more talent. “Idol” hit an audition low with just 20.8 million viewers and 7.7/20 in 18-49. This is down a whopping 20 percent from a year ago. Last year, we had only seven audition episodes (including an extra Thursday version week three.). So any comparison to a year ago is with a …

Continue reading Carrie Underwood nabs first film role; Idol ratings take a major dive »

We are almost done with the audition episodes and yes, I’m as tired of them as you are.

Fortunately, we got more good singers than bad in this one. Ryan said 181 singers ended up going to Hollywood. That’s typical. But it’s going to be brutal cutting it down to 12 gals and 12 guys.

They open with the phenomenon that is “Pants on the Ground.” Go Larry!

Anyway, Jessica Furney sings a schmaltzy ballad co-written by Simon Cowell “Footprints in the San.” She did Janis Joplin last year. This year, she sounds great, without needing to pour sugar on the schmaltz. Posh is amazed he can write any song. “You definitely improved,” Randy said.

Amanda Shechtman from Roslyn, N.Y. can do a good imitation of Britney Spears but she does a pretty ballad. She’s got vocal style but she looks too serious. “You’re such an actress,” Simon said. He mocks her but gives her a yes in the end.

Lee Dewyze from Mount Prospect, Ill. does “Ain’t No Sunshine” with some soul. Crystal Bowersox has nice vocal …

Continue reading Final Idol audition episode- phew! »

Ellen DeGeneres, who makes her “Idol” debut next Tuesday, told ET: “I had one idea of Simon when I came in, and it’s changed. He’s actually meaner than I thought. … It’s hard to listen to him tell people things and me not to go, ‘You poor thing!’”

I know that’s hardly news but there isn’t much today. Just cobbled together this:

-Ratings Tuesday night held steady from a week ago at 24.4 million and an 8.9 18-49 ratings. A year ago, the show drew 26.3 million and a 9.9 rating. So it’s down about 10 percent across the board. Overall, this season to date, the show is down about 4 percent.

-Top Idol album this week is Carrie Underwood’s “Play On,” with 18K sold and 1.263 million total, according to USA Today. Adam Lambert’s album is down a bit to 15K sold last week and 492,000 total. Daughtry sold 9K and is at 916K. He’s going to need another big radio hit to even hit one million.

-On the mediabase24/7 top 40 charts, Kris Allen finally breaks into the top 20 with “Live Like We’re …

Continue reading Ellen DeGeneres says Simon is ‘meaner than I thought’ »

Victoria Beckham actually provided some entertaining insight at times tonight in Denver. The producers frontloaded the best talent in Denver into day one and packed day two with more of the wackies. The final total going to Hollywood was a respectable 26 contestants. This is the last of the seven cities. (Tomorrow will be a mish mash from the seven cities).

Ryan notes that Denver has twice as many people auditioning as 2005, making it “twice as hard to get to Hollywood.” I don’t know if that’s actually the case but it sounds good.

First up: The man who thinks he looks like Jack Black and likes cheese named Mark Labriola is sometimes offkey and has poor breath control doing “Tempted” by Squeeze. But it’s not half bad. “That was a nice surprise,” said Beckham. I’m surpised they liked him that much.

Mario Galvan, the nervous giggler (imitated by Simon), tries to imitate Elvis and he’s loud and annoying. (giggle).

Single mom Kimberly Kerbow is charming in an old-school, sexy …

Continue reading Denver Idol auditions »

Simon Cowell’s charity single and cover of R.E.M. song “Everybody Hurts” is on YouTube. You can download it on Feb. 7. It’s a pretty faithful cover of the original song.

LYRICS
Leona Lewis
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,

Rod Stewart
When youre sure youve had enough of this life, well hang on

Mariah Carey
Dont let yourself go, cause everybody cries and everybody hurts

Cheryl Cole
Sometimes…. sometimes everything is wrong.

Mika
Now its time to sing along

Michael Buble
When your day is night alone,

Joe McElderry
(hold on, hold on)

Miley Cyrus
If you feel like letting go

James Blunt
If you think you’ve had too much of this life, well hang on..

Gary Barlow
Cause everybody hurts..

Mark Owen
Take Comfort in your friends

Jon Bon Jovi
Dont throw your hand, oh no

James Morrison
Dont throw your hand.
If you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

Susan Boyle
If youre on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,

Aston Merrygold
When …

Continue reading Simon Cowell’s Haiti single ‘Everybody Hurts’ is out; Fantasia, Carly Smithon have new singles, too »

Carrie Underwood won her fifth Grammy for her collaboration with Randy Travis “I Told You So.” Kelly Clarkson and Mandisa as well as the folks from “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” lost in their respective categories.

MJ compiled photos of folks ranging from Justin Guarini to Matt Giraud on the red carpet, during the performances and afterwards last night.

Jennifer Hudson and Katharine McPhee are two of up to 100 artists set to be recording the Quincy Jones/Lionel Richie “We are the World” remake, using the Grammys as a convenient meeting point.

Bono, Lady Gaga, sometime Atlantan Toni Braxton, Jason Mraz, Atlantan Akon, Carlos Santana and Enrique Iglesias are among the others participating.

-T-Pain wants to work with Carrie Underwood, according to USA Today. Will it happen? I can’t tell.

“Next on my list is Carrie Underwood. I swear to God. Everybody else can suck it until I get to Carrie Underwood.”

- The Grammys featured Hudson and Underwood as part of a tribute to Michael Jackson. The …

Continue reading Carrie Underwood nabs fifth Grammy, Haiti ‘We are the World’ song to be taped today »