American Idol

Nashville – Season 1 Finale – Recap: Whiskey Lullaby via Rickey.org Credit: ABC Recap and review of Nashville – Season 1 Finale – I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive: Nashville has gone through a lot of ups and downs in its first season. For every fascinating foray into the background of the country music business, there were at least two other stories that didn’t seem to matter. Now that we’ve seen a full season, and even with tonight’s prosecution/pregnancy cliffhanger, I’m still not sure what the whole political side of the show contributed to anything. Teddy’s (Eric Close) bid for Mayor could have been interesting stuff, ditto his affair with ex-partner-in-embezzlement Peggy (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) and his power struggle against father-in-law Lamar Wyatt (Powers Boothe). Yet neither of those things really came to pass. Between all the talk of baseball stadiums and Federal Investigations, it’s like the entire plotline forgot to actually be interesting. This means that a significant chunk of the episode is spent on something about which we were never given sufficient cause to care. And, as a result, time is taken away from stuff that is vastly more interesting, such as the tragic downward spiral of Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten). With all that having been said, “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive” is ultimately a pretty solid season finale, filled with moments that bring some characters full circle, while placing others back at square one. The episode has some compelling themes beneath the surface, such as the inconsequential nature of fame within the context of personal crises. Season one of Nashville has, in many ways, been obsessed with the concept of fame. Yet none of that matters once the proverbial s*** hits the fan. In a world where fame often comes first, it was fascinating to see it treated as a such an afterthought here. While this season finale didn’t dig nearly as deep as it could have, it still proved to be a compelling way to close out the first season, while providing intrigue going into the second. Credit: ABC So the secret is out: Maddie (Lennon Stella) confronts Deacon and reveals to him that he’s her father. After largely ignoring Rayna during their performance at the CMAs (alongside Brad Paisley, because why not?), Deacon confronts Rayna. She breaks down and reveals the truth, confirming that he’s Maddie’s biological father. This leads to an argument where Rayna basically reiterates her point from midseason, that she couldn’t bring herself to wait for Deacon because she had no way of knowing that the fifth trip to rehab would be the charm. She loved Deacon, but she also loved Teddy, and so she married him and allowed him to claim Maddie as his daughter in order to give the young girl stability. But Deacon still wants to know why he was lied to for 13 years, and Rayna doesn’t really have an answer. Thus begins the darkest part of the episode, as Deacon completely falls off the wagon, going on a bender in which he gets stupefyingly drunk while ignoring the phone calls of worried family and friends. He then confronts Teddy the next morning, jumping him outside the courthouse and accusing him of stealing Maddie away from him. Guards break up the fight, and Teddy rightly claims that Deacon was in no shape to be a father to anyone. He then declares that Maddie deserves better than Deacon, adding that Rayna deserves better too. Deacon is allowed back up, and he storms off to go buy more liquor to keep the buzz going. Strangely enough, it’s Gunnar (Sam Palladio), looking to ask Deacon about advice on Scarlett (Clare Bowen), who discovers that Deacon has fallen off the wagon. He calls Scarlett, who gets a hold of Coleman (Robert Wisdom), and the trio burst into Deacon’s house to stop him from tearing the entire place apart. But things only get darker. Credit: ABC It’s a

Fifth Harmony – Red – The Idolator Sessions – Video via Rickey.org They’ve covered the track one time before, now here’s Fifth Harmony performing Taylor Swift’s “Red” for the Idolator Sessions. As I always say..when is this new music coming out. We’ve got Tate’s debut and the Emblem3 single, now it’s time for the real stars to shine! The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor

Dancing with the Stars to get ‘radical makeover’; changes coming to judges table – Report via Rickey.org Adam Taylor/ABC Not only are things being shaken up at American Idol, there are potential changes coming to Dancing with the Stars, including the exit of two judges and fan favorite professionals. After 16 seasons, TV’s top-rated competition show is being cut to one night a week and given a radical makeover— which will likely include a shakeup at the judge’s table. “No one has a confirmed contract yet,” a show source tells The Post. “I think Bruno [Tonioli] will be back, but Carrie Ann [Inaba] and Len [Goodman] are probably gone. “The network has been very evasive about it.” “Dancing” will also be losing several of its most popular professionals. Four-time champ Derek Hough will sit out next season to work on a new scripted show about the world of dance for the Starz cable network. Fellow pro Mark Ballas is also reportedly in talks to appear in his own reality show. Fan favorite Cheryl Burke is also unlikely to return, the sources say. “[The producers] will use this time to figure out how to restructure the show and trim fat off the budget,” the insider says. “The show has become too expensive.” ABC has declined to confirm whether the dancers or contestants will be asked to accept pay cuts now that the Tuesday night results shows have been scrapped. Eliminations are now expected to be announced at the beginning of each new episode. “What made DWTS stand out was that it was always a variety show,” the source notes. “Now it has become just a dancing show.” Source: NY Post No Len and Carrie Ann? Should Paula Abdul be on another reality show? Or do you think DWTS even need such a massive makeover? I sort of think all reality competitions are taking a general slide. No matter what stops are pulled out on any of them, they aren’t going to hit their peaks back in the hey-days. But the point I’ve missed – what is a DWTS season without Cheryl Burke!? Oh no! The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor

Demi Lovato to debut on Billboard 200 with career best via Rickey.org Demi Lovato is matching her own records on this week’s Billboard 200 chart. Find out how many copies her album Demi sold. Demi is set to debut at #3 on the chart, her fourth straight album debuting in the top four. It is also her best sales debut ever, selling 110, copies. Her last album, Unbroken opened at #4 with 96,000. Here We Go Again in 2009 debuted at #1 with 108,000 and her first album, 2008′s Don’t Forget debuted and peaked at No. 2, debuting with 89,000 copies. Congrats Demi! Source: Billboard The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor

Ciara feat. Nicki Minaj – I’m Out – MP3 Listen via Rickey.org Ciara and Nicki Minaj link up for “I’m Out” taken from the Atlanta R&B singer’s upcoming self-titled album. Are you on Instagram trying to shade Nicki? This works. Do you like this better than their first collaboration “I’m Legit. Ooo-yeah-yeah-yeah. Ciara will be available soon! The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor

‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ Star Tamra Barney Lands Spinoff via Rickey.org Cindy Ord/ Getty Images The Real Housewives just keep bringing in the bacon for Bravo. Tamra Barney, star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, has landed her own spinoff series documenting the planning of her wedding to beau Eddie Judge. The couple has been dating for over three years and plan to wed this coming summer. The show’s camera crew recently trailed the couple to Vegas in order to catch all of the wild bachelorette and bachelor party shenanigans. In tow were fellow Real Housewives stars Heather and Terry Dubrow, so you know the champs was flowing. Tamra is the fourth housewife granted a spinoff show after news recently broke surrounding a new series for Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Nene Leakes that will similarly chronicle the franchise’s most famous star in the journey to remarry ex-husband Gregg Leakes. The two follow in the footsteps of RHONY’s Bethenny Frankel and RHOA’s Kim Zolciak. Not bad company to be in, Tamra! Congratulations! Check out Tamra talking wedding details with The Huffington Post below! You can read more at The Wrap. The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor

Cassadee Pope – Wasting All These Tears – MP3 Listen via Rickey.org Listen to Cassadee Pope‘s new single “Wasting All These Tears”. I love this! The single from The Voice Season 3 winner will be available on June 4, 2013 on iTunes. Live Version: The Latest on Cassadee Pope Cassadee Pope – Wasting All These Tears – MP3 ListenCassadee Pope to star in reality TV seriesCassadee Pope signs with Republic NashvilleCassadee Pope – Stand – New Year’s Eve with Carson DalyCassadee Pope debuts at #1 on Billboard Heatseekers All posts on Cassadee Pope Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor

Paris Hilton Signs with Cash Money Records via Rickey.org Paris Hilton is giving her career in music another go, everyone! She’s shooting to release her sophomore album this summer. According to The Huffington Post, Hilton has signed with Lil Wayne’s Cash Money Records and is currently working on an album of house music, departing from the pop path. Hilton has recently journeyed across the globe spinning as a DJ while working on her new tunes. The tracks are said to be produced by Afrojack. Mention of Drake and Nicki Minaj have lead many to deduce that she is indeed signed to Young Money Records under the umbrella of Cash Money. Hilton’s first album, Paris, sold approximately 600,000 copies. I have to say, I caught Paris Hilton in a televised interview a few days ago, and the girl does work hard. She might have somewhat stepped away from the limelight, but she’s running a billion dollar fragrance line and has opened nearly fifty Paris Hilton stores across the world. On top of that, she’s in the process of opening her first hotel and making music. Her first album was a very solid pop effort. You can check out a single from Paris, “Nothing In This World,” below! The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor

Picture Courtesy Of The Vulture Oh my – I love my little ‘ole blog. About 4 days ago, I wrote that a panel of judges comprised of Idol Alumni would be the best and innovative idea yet. And now, according to The Vulture, it seems that American Idol may just be heading in that direction. […]

Blake Shelton putting together Okla. benefit show via Rickey.org Blake Shelton says he’s putting together benefit show for Oklahoma tornado victims with NBC LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Shelton and NBC are putting together a benefit for Oklahoma tornado victims. Shelton told reporters about the fundraising effort after Tuesday night’s episode of “The Voice.” Shelton, an Oklahoma native, paid tribute to the thousands affected by Sunday and Monday’s tornadoes by performing an acoustic version of the hit “Over You” with wife Miranda Lambert. He said the benefit would be held soon in nearby Oklahoma City. At least 24 people, including nine schoolchildren, were killed Monday afternoon in Moore, Okla., when an F-5 tornado with 200 mph winds touched down for 40 minutes and destroyed entire neighborhoods. Toby Keith, a native of Moore, also is planning a benefit. His sister’s house was hit by the tornado. More details about both fundraising efforts will be released later. Copyright (2013) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. Users may not download or reproduce a substantial portion of the AP material found on this web site. AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor