Human Target

Modern Family

How did your faves rank on the "The Biggest Loser" scale tonight?

Here's "The Biggest Loser" weigh-in 411 up to March 9, 2010:

As Randy Jackson would say, "Check this out." "American Idol" opened Tuesday night with Ellen DeGeneres sitting in Simon Cowell's lap whispering sweet nothings in his ear. Were they trying to put the kibosh on the rumors that they don't get along? It wasn't clear, but it was a fun way to add fuel to the fire.

Then the talent portion of the night was launched with Katie Stevens performing a song by the first "American Idol" -- Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway." Randy Jackson wasn't blown away. He said, "I think Kelly Clarkson is one of the best contestants we have ever had. This paled in comparison. It was like karaoke." Ellen was kinder, saying, "You took our note and sang a young song. I think it was a great song choice. You have a great voice. I didn't feel the words. I didn't feel you breaking away." Kara DioGuardi commented, "You have a great radio voice. I can hear you. What is going on this year is we have people who really know themselves and people who don't. You don't really know who you are as an artist. You will get it, but the singing needed to be perfect tonight to stand out." Simon concurred with Kara, adding, "I think this is confusing to you. To be fair, you took the advice. I think your issue is you haven't worked out what kind of artist you want to be. The problem is the second half of the song didn't go as it should have. You sucked the energy out of it. I have to give you 10 out of 10 for trying."

In a tribute to her father, who taught her how to sing, Siobhan Magnus performed "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals. Randy complimented, "You know I am a fan. You come out every week and surprise us. I love what you do, because you take every risk. We give you advice. I don't think you listen to us. Keep doing it because it is hot." Ellen told her, "You are why I love music -- because it is supposed to move you. I was captivated. I love what you did with the song. You made it current." Kara pointed out, "I loved the a cappella vibe at the front. That was a brilliant choice. The thing about you is you are so unique and different. Week to week, I am surprised by you. You are doing great." Simon wasn't as big a fan. "If this was the first time I had seen you, I would have doubts," he said. "You didn't do anything different with the song. I was under-impressed. You did better last week. You didn't have a moment like last week."

With less than two weeks to go until Kate Gosselin makes her big "Dancing with the Stars" debut, she and her fellow competitors are going glam!

Watch as the stars and their professional partners are transformed through "DWTS" trademark glitzy looks as they pose for the opening title sequences for the show.

Kate says of her new dancing mission, "It's just a matter of getting my body to do what my brain is telling it to do."

An attorney for former "The Bachelor" contestant Rozlyn Papa say that a clip alleged to feature her is "absolutely, unequivocally not Rozlyn" and that it is actually from a 2004 adult film.

Papa has denied that she appeared in what was claimed to be a sex tape, and now her attorney tells ET, "A cursory Internet search reveals that the clip appears to be from a 2004 [adult film]."

David Letterman is speaking out following Tuesday's news that Robert Halderman has pleaded guilty of attempted grand larceny.

"I would like to thank the District Attorney of Manhattan, Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., the former District Attorney, Robert M. Morgenthau, the Special Prosecutions Bureau in the D.A.'s Office, and the New York City Police Department," Letterman told ET. "When they became involved with this case, I had complete faith that a just and appropriate result was inevitable. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for their tireless efforts."

According to the Associated Press, Halderman will serve six months in jail and complete 1,000 hours of community service .

Blue Ribbon: John Krasinski is in talks to join Ginnifer Goodwin in Alcon's romantic comedy Something Borrowed, which follows a Manhattan attorney (Goodwin), “the consummate good girl,” who falls for her best friend’s fiancé. Borrowed is based on the first of a series of novels by Emily Griffin; the rights to the second book, Something Blue, have already been picked up by Alcon. Krasiniski’s deal is unusual in that he would have a minimal role in the first film - as Goodwin’s friend - but then become the male lead in the second film… which totally gives away how the first film is going to end, now doesn’t it? [HR]

Cheeseheads!: Robert De Niro will take on the role of Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi in Lombardi, with a script to come from Eric Roth (The Good Shepherd). ESPN Films and the NFL will co-produce the picture with Andell Entertainment and DeNiro’s Tribeca Productions. ESPN will be heavily involved in promoting the film and already has plans to release it the week before the Super Bowl in 2012. It's safe to say Chris Berman and Erin Andrews will be be cameoing in this somewhere. [Deadline]

Post-Precious: Gabourey Sidibe has officially signed on for a recurring role in The Big C, the upcoming Showtime dark comedy series staring Laura Linney as a teacher with terminal cancer. In her first role since earning an Oscar nomination for Precious, Sidibe will play a “smart-aleck student” in Linney’s class. Sidibe really goes for the light stuff, huh? [Variety]

Rare Title That Also Works As Olivia Wilde Maxim Spread Headline: Keri Russell is in negotiations to star opposite Will Arnett in Fox’s comedy Wilde Kingdom. The show centers on a “Beverly Hills jackass” (Arnett) who falls in love with a “tree-hugging woman” (Russell) who can’t stand the way he lives his life. If the tree hugger thing gives you pause, this should make you feel better: Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, is directing and co-writing the pilot. [HR]

Brother Jimmy: Jimmy Smits will star in and executive produce NBC’s untitled John Eisendrath pilot which is focused on a Supreme Court justice (Smits) who leaves the Court to go into private practice and “fight constitutional injustices,” which is something you’re always hearing about Supreme Court justices doing. [HR]

She'll Be Back: Judy Greer will star opposite David Krumholtz (Numb3rs) in the Fox comedy pilot Tax Man. Set at an IRS office in Fresno filled with eccentric characters, the environment is shaken up by the arrival of a former Morgan Stanley secretary nicknamed the Terminator (Greer). Though her character’s nickname gives us hope, we’re just going to assume Greer is - as ever - playing a hotter actress’ BFF, until we see something that proves to the contrary. [HR]

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Filed Under: the industry, david krumholtz, eric roth, gabourey sidibe, ginnifer goodwin, jimmy smits, john eisendrath, john krasinski, judy greer, keri russell, lombardi, mitch hurwitz, movies, robert de niro, something blue, something borrowed, television, the big c, the wilde kingdom, will arnett

Variety reports tonight that 20th Century Fox TV and Fox are ready to pull the plug on 24 after this season, the show’s eighth. Though studio and network execs would not comment for the story, Variety says the decision will be made “in the next day or two.” The studio may shop the series around to other networks, though it is "believed that interest... will be limited." Though the series may be dying, the 24 feature-length movie still has support from Fox. We should know by now you can't get rid of Jack Bauer that easily.

Clock winds down for '24' [Variety]

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Filed Under: endings, 24, 24: the movie, fox

Farrahgate continues tonight, as the executive director of the Academy said Tuesday Fawcett was left off the "In Memorium" segment because she was “better known for her television work.” After lots of hubbub - including a public statement from the Charlie Angels’ star’s longtime partner Ryan O’Neal - the mystery over her omission has now been solved, kind of.

"In every category, you're going to miss some wonderful people," Academy executive director Bruce David told the Associated Press, explaining that "an unusual number of extremely distinguished screenwriters" died this year.

Considering this logic, you may be wondering why Michael Jackson was included. Davis said Jackson’s appearance in the documentary This Is It is what earned him a spot. "Think of all the blogging we would have gotten if we had left him out!" Davis said. He's right: us bloggers are such a rambunctious breed.

Academy: Farrah Fawcett Omitted Because of TV-Heavy Career [PopEater]
Film Academy: Why We Snubbed Farrah Fawcett in Oscar Tribute [US Weekly]

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Filed Under: farrah fawcett, in memorium, omissions, oscars

“That was the greatest Oscar opening dialogue… that I’ve seen since I don’t know when... I was in a room full of a bunch of people. People were just destroyed. Pounding tables... Great jokes, beautifully delivered. A very simple, but difficult thing.” - Jerry Seinfeld, whose Oscar party was definitely more raucous than ours, to Billy Bush on Access Hollywood tonight, offering his assessment of Oscar hosts Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. [Access Hollywood]

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Filed Under: praise, alec baldwin, jerry seinfeld, oscars, steve martin, table pounding

Charlie Sheen will report back to the set of his CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men on March 19, according to his rep. The actor, who was charged with felony menacing, third degree assault and criminal mischief after a Christmas Day argument with wife Brooke Mueller - checked into a rehab facility as a “preventative measure” on February 22. And proving there is nothing Americans love more than watching troubled actors under the spotlight playing fictional characters in a laugh track sitcom, the show earned its best ratings in three years Monday night: a whopping 17.5 million viewers. [EW, NYT]

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Filed Under: two and a half men, charlie sheen, rehab, television