Lena Dunham, the creator and star of HBO’s Girls, served as host for this episode of Saturday Night Live, with musical guests The Nationals. The show also featured surprise cameos from Liam Neeson and Jon Hamm, adding extra star power to an evening of sharp sketches and memorable characters. Cold Open: Obama (featuring Liam Neeson) … Read more

Tony Lucca and Chris Mann arrived at The Voice finale as perceived frontrunners, but when the votes were tallied they finished third and fourth, respectively, behind runner-up Juliet Simms and the surprising winner, Jermaine Paul. Fans and contestants alike wondered what changed between expectations and the final result. The two singers have suggested the public … Read more

Music News Roundup One Direction Announce 10th Anniversary Plans: New Site, Archives and Rarities One Direction have announced plans to mark their 10th anniversary on July 23 with a major digital celebration aimed at longtime fans. The anniversary commemorates the moment Simon Cowell assembled the five solo auditioning contestants into a group during The X … Read more

Jennifer Hudson Nominated for a Golden Globe Golden Globe nominations were announced today, and as widely expected, Jennifer Hudson earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Effie White in the film Dreamgirls. This nomination recognizes Hudson’s powerful vocal and dramatic presence in a role that has already captured attention from critics … Read more

The Amazing Race — Live Recap: Prague, Czechia (Double U-Turn) A new episode of The Amazing Race aired tonight on CBS. Below is a live recap of the leg that sent teams to Prague, Czechia, where a Double U-Turn loomed and strategic choices reshaped the field. After celebrating their engagement, Lucas & Brittany learned they … Read more

The NBC production of Jesus Christ Superstar Live! has announced its first major casting: rock icon Alice Cooper will take on the role of King Herod in the network’s live staged rock concert, scheduled to air on Easter Sunday, April 1. Alice Cooper, whose theatrical approach to rock performance has made him a headline act … Read more

It’s official: Kristopher Pooley, best known as Katy Perry’s band leader, has been named music director for American Idol. ABC confirmed the appointment in a press release on Wednesday, January 24, and also announced that talent manager Phil McIntyre will join the series as an executive producer overseeing music. This marks a significant musical leadership … Read more

American Idol Premiere Ratings Lead the Night but Decline Year-Over-Year The season premiere of American Idol led broadcast television in ratings for the night, but the show opened at a lower level than last season. The initial overnight rating registered a 3.0 in the key adults 18-49 demographic — down 0.4 points from the previous … Read more

Tuesday TV Ratings: The Voice Dips While World Series Numbers Climb Tuesday night’s broadcast ratings showed mixed results for prime-time programming. After a strong Monday performance for The Voice, the show’s Tuesday edition slid from last week’s levels, while live sports coverage of the World Series continued to draw a sizable audience. Below is a … Read more

Kelly Clarkson Recalls How Season One of American Idol “Wasn’t Fun” at First Kelly Clarkson has openly reflected on the early experience of competing on the inaugural season of American Idol, describing the beginning as far from enjoyable. As one of the show’s first breakout stars, she said that being the program’s experimental case—what she … Read more