American Idol

Thursday, May 12 at 7.30pm on FOX8

Before American Idol, Lee DeWyze worked as a paint store clerk in Mt. Prospect, IL. Kris Allen was a college student from Conway, AR. David Cook tended bar in Blue Springs, MO. Chris Daughtry was a service advisor at a car dealership in Greensboro, NC. Carrie Underwood lived on a farm in Checotah, OK. Jennifer Hudson was a cruise ship performer from Chicago, IL. Kelly Clarkson was a waitress from Dallas, TX. One audition changed the rest of their lives. Once again, aspiring singers will have the incredible opportunity to audition in cities across the country to become the next American Idol as the No. 1 show on television begins auditions for its milestone 10 th season. Host Ryan Seacrest will travel the United States with new judges in search of the next American Idol, a pop star that truly shines above all the rest. And with help from the viewers, they will decide from thousands of participants who will walk away with a massive record deal and the fame and fortune that is sure to come along with it.

Ep 34 (Ep 35 on Friday).

Abdul confirmed for The X Factor US

Paula Abdul has been confirmed as the fourth and final judge on the new US version of The X Factor. The former American Idol judge joins Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Cheryl Cole on the panel for the new show.

Scherzinger to co-host The X Factor US

Former Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger has landed the role of co-host on The X Factor US alongside British TV presenter Steve Jones.

Californication signs William and Kate actress

William and Kate telemovie actress Camilla Luddington has landed a recurring role on the new season of Californication. Luddington, who featured alongside NZ actor Nico Evers-Swindell in the Royal wedding special, has been cast as a nanny in the show’s upcoming fifth season.

Glee covers Friday single

The cast of Glee have covered Rebecca Black’s single ‘Friday’ which became a viral hit on the internet for its average vocals and poorly written lyrics. The song will feature on the Prom Queen episode of the series.

NZ picks up AFP

TV3 in New Zealand has picked up Channel Nine’s new documentary series AFP: Australian Federal Police. The series will begin screening across the ditch from May 17.

Cheryl Cole lands US X Factor gig

Cheryl Cole has been confirmed as a judge for American version of The X Factor alongside Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid. One more judge and the host is still to be confirmed.

Tyler announces Aerosmith for Idol final

American Idol judge Steven Tyler has claimed his band Aerosmith will be performing on the season finale of the show later this month.

Teen Mom renewed

MTV reality series Teen Mom will return for another season after the network announced a third season has been commissioned. 

Neil Patrick Harris to host Tony Awards

How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris has been confirmed as the host of the Tony Awards in New York in June. The actor previously hosted the 2009 awards.

E! renews After Lately

E! Channel has renewed Chelsea Lately spin-off mockumentary series After Lately for a second season. The series offers a mostly fictional look behind the scenes of Chelsea Handler’s late night talk show.

The Real Kings Speech, 8.30pm ABC1

After the global success of the film “The Kings Speech”, comes this documentary uncovering the facts. It shows the inspirational story of King George VI’s struggle to overcome his crippling stammer, with the help of Australian born speech therapist Lionel Logue.

Joan Rivers Roast, 9.30pm ARENA

Hosted by the D-lister Kathy Griffin, Rivers faces a gauntlet of celebrity insulters from comedians Brad Garrett and Lily Tomlin to Donald Trump. The 77 year old has given her fair share of grief over the years and now it’s her turn.

How I Met Your Mother, 8pm SEVEN

The gang is mad at Barney when he lies to a girl and says he wants to get married and have kids, just to impress her. Robin starts to date a new guy who seems to possess several canine characteristics.

American Idol, 7.30pm FOX8

The final 5 remain; James Durbin, Scotty McCreery, Hayley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk and Lauren Alaina will fight it out as we head for the finale. See if the Adam Lambert sounding Durbin will beat out the country crooner McCreery to get in the top 4.

Heston’s Feasts, 8.30pm SBS ONE

Even though this has already aired, if you missed it the first time give it a try now. Heston creates a fairytale feast featuring a Cinderella pumpkin and an edible Hansel and Gretel house for dessert. Heston has as much fun as his guests do as does the viewer.

The Good Wife, 8.30pm TEN

Lockhart/Gardner are to represent a small oil drilling company that is owed $86 million by an oil conglomerate. In the process they are told that the President of Venezuela has nationalised that company and are now the plaintiffs. Peters election is only a day away and the other candidates husband has given a sympathetic TV interview, so Eli goes to Alicia for help, who is about to receive devastating news.

Bones renewed for seventh season

Bones actor David Boreanaz has confirmed that a seventh season of the crime series has been ordered. Boreanaz, who plays Seeley on the show, confirmed the news via Twitter: “Oh, Season 7 is GO for Bones.”

Spartacus recast Naevia role

Spartacus execs have recast the part of Naevia after actress Lesley-Ann Brandt decided to leave the series in February. Cynthia Addai-Robinson will take on the role for the second season of the series that hits screens next year.

Tyler to debut video on Idol

American Idol judge Steven Tyler will debut the video for his first ever solo single on an episode of the show next week. The song is believed to feature former Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Nixon to guest on Law & Order: CI

Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon has signed on for a guest role in Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Nixon is best known for her role as Miranda in Sex and the City but has appeared recently on The Big C.

ABC deny Brothers and Sisters axe rumours

ABC in the US has denied rumours that Brothers and Sisters has been cancelled, instead saying that no decision has been made yet regarding the show’s future. Actress Rachel Griffiths fuelled speculation over the weekend by joking at the Logies: “I’m soon to be unemployed, so I checked in with [benefits centre] Centrelink… and said, ‘Looks like I’m out of a job and wanna sign up’.”

Brothers and Sisters facing the axe?

Brothers and Sisters actress Rachel Griffiths has joked about the future of the drama series at the recent Logie Awards in Australia, fuelling speculation it is set to be axed. Griffiths said:  ”I’m soon to be unemployed so I checked in with Centrelink … and said, ‘Looks like I’m out of a job and wanna sign up.’”

Trump snubs Letterman

Donald Trump has cancelled an appearance on David Letterman’s show after the host called him a racist. Letterman said Trump’s recent attacks on President Obama have started to “smack of racism”.

Idol contestant proves popular

Eliminated American Idol finalist Pia Toscano has been paid a six figure sum to perform at a private party. Toscano will receive $100,000 to perform “a small handful of songs” at the birthday party on May 8.

Judge Judy renewed

Legal reality series Judge Judy will continue for at least another four years with news the series has been renewed through until 2015.

Thursday, April 21, at 7.30pm on FOX8

Before American Idol, Lee DeWyze worked as a paint store clerk in Mt. Prospect, IL. Kris Allen was a college student from Conway, AR. David Cook tended bar in Blue Springs, MO. Chris Daughtry was a service advisor at a car dealership in Greensboro, NC. Carrie Underwood lived on a farm in Checotah, OK. Jennifer Hudson was a cruise ship performer from Chicago, IL. Kelly Clarkson was a waitress from Dallas, TX. One audition changed the rest of their lives. Once again, aspiring singers will have the incredible opportunity to audition in cities across the country to become the next American Idol as the No. 1 show on television begins auditions for its milestone 10 th season. Host Ryan Seacrest will travel the United States with new judges in search of the next American Idol, a pop star that truly shines above all the rest. And with help from the viewers, they will decide from thousands of participants who will walk away with a massive record deal and the fame and fortune that is sure to come along with it.

Ep 28 (Ep 29 on Friday)

Condoleezza Rice to guest on 30 Rock

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will guest star in an upcoming episode of 30 Rock. Rice is said to be playing Jack’s (Alec Baldwin) ex-girlfriend.

Cook to return to Criminal Minds

A.J. Cook has closed a deal to return to Criminal Minds after being dropped from the series last year. The actress will reprise her role as Special Agent Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau for the next two seasons.

Katy Perry for American Idol

Katy Perry has been confirmed to perform on this week’s American Idol results show. The singer will perform her new single E.T..

Louis-Dreyfus pilot picked up

Julia Louis-Dreyfus has had her new comedy pilot picked up by HBO. The former Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine actress will play the lead role in the series entitled Veep.

Wilfred pilot gets thumbs up

The new American version of Australian series Wilfred reportedly possesses the “funniest pilot since Modern Family” according to a writer for Entertainment Weekly. The comedy series, which features Elijah Wood, is expected to launch sometime in June in the US.

More criticism for Glee

Novelist Bret Easton Ellis has become the latest critic of TV series Glee, likening the show to “a puddle of HIV.” Ellis tweeted: “I like the idea of Glee but why is it that every time I watch an episode I feel like I’ve stepped into a puddle of HIV?”

Former Idol winner to perform

Former Amercan Idol winner David Cook will return to the Idol stage next week with his new track from his second album. The season seven winner will perform on the results show.

Nickelodeon renews iCarly

Nickelodeon has renewed teen series iCarly for a fifth season. The half-hour sitcom will begin production on the next run in 2012.

$1m for ad spot during Oprah finale

US advertisers are being asked for as much as US$1 million for 30-second ad spots during the upcoming finale of Oprah Winfrey’s daytime talk show. The sum is nearly as much as the $1.22m advertisers shelled out for spots during the Everybody Loves Raymond finale in 2005.

No record deal for Pia Toscano

Eliminated American Idol finalist Pia Toscano has shot down rumours that she has signed a recording deal following her exit from the show. The 22-year-old  says she hasn’t met with anyone yet regarding any contracts.

Grammer launches reality TV production company

Kelsey Grammer has launched a reality TV production company that will produce an upcoming reality series about three single girls in New York. The former Frasier actor is currently shopping the series around the networks.

Twitter ban at Logie Awards in Australia

Attendees at this year’s Logie Awards in Australia will have to do without Twitter thanks to a ban on the social networking website following its misuse last year. Several tweeters posted inappropriate comments during the ceremony last year, leading to organisers of the TV awards banning its use this year.