Do We Even Need American Idol Judges Anyway?

The latest news about the revamp of the American Idol judging panel is that over-demanding J.Lo is out as a replacement for Ellen DeGeneres. Now's the time to ask: Why do we even bother having judges in the first place? More »

5 Things You May Have Missed On TV This Week

In this week's (abbreviated holiday edition) compilation of pop culture crap, Ryan Seacrest has a new beard and if you can run the WWE, you can run for senate. [Jezebel]

Ryan Seacrest Will Be the Next Oprah

If Les Moonves has anything to say about it, at least. Also today: a disproportionate amount of theatre news involving elves and vampires, that idiot movie casts another idiot, and the woeful tale of D.L. Hughley. More »

American Idol: Death at a Funeral

One more down on Idol last night, so three lonely souls remain. We've only two weeks left until this flaming sparkletrain pulls into the station, wheezes, gasps, and dies. Maybe forever. Until then, let's sift through the ash. More »

American Idol: Those of Us About to Die Salute You

You know what's so nice about American Idol? It really respects our time. As a thank you to its loyal viewers, the show has gotten so efficient! Like, last night's broadcast was two hours, and we learned seven whole things. More »

American Idol: Doing It in a Group Is Better Than Doing It Alone

Hollywood Week has ended its first week! Yes, there's more than one week to this single week. Similarly, all the American Idols are German. It's just how things work — time bends, reflections change — in Ryan Seacrest's imagination world.

Hollywood's Spooky Stalker Week Continues: Timberlake, Seacrest, and Cyrus

Celebrities deal with all kinds of ghouls: fans, paparazzi, tabloid media (Hi!), D-Listers, agents, etc. But the spookiest? Stalkers. Certifiable crazies who can't get enough of you. Literally. Everyone's got one lately: JT, Ryan Seacrest, Miley Cyrus, and...Bret Easton Ellis? More »

The Defamer Guide to Saving the Oscars

The show may or may not get higher ratings than the American Idol finale, but the subject of who will host and produce the 82nd Academy Awards telecast remains Hollywood's perennial obsession. More »

Paula Abdul and American Idol Divorce, TVs Nationwide Implode

American Idol charming kook Paula Abdul has not, we repeat, NOT received a contract for next season, which starts shooting in, um, three weeks. Is it the end of television? Will FOX fold? It's Armageddon! More »

Just In Case You Needed Another Reason to Loathe Ryan Seacrest

The LA Times reports tonight that American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has received a three year, $45 million contract extension, plus a $300,000 annual "expense account." Maybe those rumors about Simon Cowell getting $144 million are true? [Company Town]

Syndication: The Enormous Gift That Keeps On Giving

Today TV stars get very very rich. TV stars you love like Tina Fey! And TV stars you may not want to love but do anyway despite everything, like Ryan Seacrest. Also news of Robin Hood. More »
It's not that we don't sympathize with Ryan Seacrest. The Oscar red carpet is a relentless stream of thin-skinned celebrities. But the celebrity interviewer seemed especially cringe-inducing this year. More »