American Idol fans are upset that season 8 contender Joanna Pacitti reportedly already has an album and a Broadway show on her resume, MSNBC reports. Pacitti, who was sent through to Hollywood on Wednesday night’s episode of Idol, was cast in a Broadway production of Annie at age 11 and released the 2006 album This Crazy Life on Geffen. She also appeared on the soundtrack for Legally Blonde, sang “Out From Under” from the Bratz movie, and was featured in one of MTV’s True Life episodes. Several former Idol contenders have caused controversy due to their past experience in the business, including last season’s Kristy Lee Cookand Carly Smithson, but some fans feel that Pacitti’s experience is too deep for her to compete on the show.
Archive: January 2009 (41-50 of 75)
Jan 23
2009
01:21 PM ET
Jan 23
2009
01:12 PM ET
Kelly Osbourne checks into rehab
Kelly Osbourne has checked into an unnamed rehab center in the Los Angeles area for a 30-day stay, People reports. Last night, Osbourne’s mother Sharon was quoted on RadarOnline.comas saying, "Yeah, Kelly’s in rehab. What else can we say? She knew thatit was the right thing to do at this point and we’re proud that she didit. The family is all standing behind her. Kelly knew that she neededhelp and she’s getting it."Earlier this week, People reported that Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter was arrested for allegedly slapping a journalist at a London nightclub, and five years ago the singer-reality TV star checked into a rehab center to treat an addiction to painkillers.
Jan 22
2009
11:45 PM ET
Keira Knightley, Colin Farrell tapped for crime drama
Keira Knightley and Colin Farrell will star in the crime drama London Boulevard, which will mark the directorial debut of The Departed writer William Monahan, Variety reports. The story, adapted from Ken Bruen’s novel, is about a South London ex-con (Farrell) who tries to give up the gangster life by becoming a handyman for areclusive young actress (Knightley). Shooting is scheduled to start this summer.
Jan 22
2009
06:00 PM ET
'New Moon': Dakota Fanning in talks to play Jane?
Dakota Fanning is in talks to play Jane in the Twilight sequel New Moon, according to E! Online. The role would have the 14-year-old actress playing alongside Twilight stars Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. The E! report says a source claims the part has been offered to Fanning outright, without auditions, and that the two sides are now in negotiations. Director Chris Weitz is scheduled to start shooting on New Moon in March for a Nov. 20 release.
More ‘Twilight’:
‘Twilight’: Taylor Lautner keeping Jacob role
‘Twilight’ sequel: New details on ‘New Moon’
‘Twilight’ sequel: Chris Weitz to direct ‘New Moon’
EW’s Twilight Headquarters
Twilight sequel: Who would you recast?
Twilight Trivia Challenge
Twilight: The EW Photo Album
Jan 22
2009
04:28 PM ET
Sarah Palin to recruit Obama campaign manager's book agent?
Looks like literary agent/attorney Bob Barnett is tackling both sides of the party line. Former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is rumored to have teamed up with Barnett for a future television or book deal. (When reached by EW.com, Barnett declined to comment, but sources in the publishing industry say the partnership is likely.) Barnett’s other current client? Interestingly enough, that’s President Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, who is currently working on his book, tentatively called The Audacity to Win. In fact, Palin would be a bit of a departure for Barnett, who previously has handled books by famous Dems like Obama, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton — and even landed TV deals for the Obama Administration’s possible Surgeon General, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Jan 22
2009
01:42 AM ET
George Clooney back to the ER?
According to an Internet report, ER alum George Clooney will return to the medical drama this week to shoot a cameo for the departing show. NBC would neither confirm nor deny the story to EW, but it seems highly likely, especially given what executive producer David Zabel told EW exclusively last year. To wrap the show’s final season, Zabel said he wanted to revisit characters that have existed in the ER over the years and say where they are now. "We’d love to get them all back in some way, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to," says Zabel of actors like Clooney (Doug) and Julianna Margulies (Carol). "But we’re gonna try."
The producers already convinced Anthony Edwards (Mark Greene), Alex Kingston (Elizabeth Corday), Laura Innes (Kerry Weaver), and Paul McCrane (Dr. Romano) to return to the ER this season, while Noah Wyle (Carter) was already contracted to make several appearances. Eriq LaSalle, who played Dr. Benton, directed the Edwards episode. The series finale is April 2.
Jan 21
2009
06:38 PM ET
'The Love Guru' leads Razzie award nominations
Mike Myers’ spiritual comedy The Love Guru was the big, er, loser as the nominations for the 29th Annual Golden Raspberry Awards were announced today. The actor’s summer flop scored nods in seven categories, including Worst Actor (Myers), Worst Actress (Jessica Alba), and Worst Picture — where it appeared alongside Meet the Spartans, Disaster Movie, The Happening, The Hottie and the Nottie, and In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. Al Pacino garnered a Worst Actor nomination for his work in 88 Minutes and Righteous Kill, while Paris Hilson was cited three times for her performances in The Hottie and the Nottie and Repo: The Genetic Opera. The "winners" will be announced on Feb. 21, the night before the Oscars ceremony. The full list of nominations is after the jump.
Jan 21
2009
06:10 PM ET
Kevin James: Following 'Paul Blart' success, the actor cocreates web series
Hot off the smashing debut of his latest film comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Kevin James is turning to the Internet for his next big production. The actor has cocreated a series of web shorts called Dusty Peacock, which will star comic Gary Valentine as an illusionist who can’t conduct a successful trick, Variety reports. The series is due to run on Crackle.com, with James possibly directing some of the episodes. Valentine is James’ brother, and he has appeared in The King of Queens, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.
Jan 20
2009
08:30 PM ET
William Balfour pleads not guilty to killing Jennifer Hudson's family members
William Balfour, the estranged husband of Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson’s sister, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of first-degree murder and home invasion, according to the Associated Press. Balfour is accused of killing Hudson’s mother, brother, and nephew in Chicago last October. He is currently being held without bail in Illinois, and is due to appear in court next on Jan. 27.
Hudson has kept a low profile since her family tragedy, but she is due to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.
Jan 20
2009
10:36 AM ET
Susanna Foster dies at 84
Susanna Foster, the singer-actress who starred in 1943′s Phantom of the Opera, died last week of heart failure at the age of 84. Other notable films include Star Spangled Rhythm, Top Man, This is the Life, The Climax, Bowery to Broadway, Frisco Sal, Top Man, Follow the Boys, This Is the Life, and That Night With You. She also landed the lead role in the Los Angeles Civic Light Operaproduction of Naughty Marietta, and married the show’s leading man,baritone Wilbur "Wib" Evans, in 1948. The duo toured together putting on musicals andoperettas. Foster is survived by a son and two grandchildren.
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