Paula Abdul News

Hosted by Steve Jones, THE X FACTOR made its highly anticipated debut with a two-night series premiere event Wednesday, Sept. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Be there as THE X FACTOR judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger begin their search for undiscovered talent 12 years old and over - both solo artists and vocal groups - who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.

THE X FACTOR just premiered on American television last night, September 22,and the first episode featured the talents of Broadway veteran Stacy Francis, who starred as Rusty in the original Broadway cast of FOOTLOOSE! Check out Francis' performance of 'Natural Woman' by click ing below!

Returning to the very same format that made him internationally famous - and, to many, infamous; with the same network that brought AMERICAN IDOL by way of POP IDOL to the USA - Fox; alongside the compatriot IDOL judge whose palpable rapport with him made them one of TV's unlikeliest couples - Paula Abdul; yes, indeed - with last night's grandiose season premiere of THE X FACTOR on Fox, Simon Cowell proved why he is one of the most powerful forces in the entertainment industry and why he is the sole reason to watch reality competition programming on any level. THE VOICE hasn't got a note on THE X FACTOR - and, most of all, IDOL is mere idolatry compared to the solid gold Buddha of Simon. THE X FACTOR delivered on its promise and hype - and how!

THE X FACTOR is the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger will travel the nation searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over - both solo artists and vocal groups - who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.

An all-new extended preview of THE X FACTOR, the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group, will debut following the NFL ON FOX late doubleheader match-ups this Sunday, Sept. 11 on FOX. The 8-minute preview will feature never-before-seen footage including an exclusive first look at the auditions from Los Angeles and Seattle, as well as an inside look at the drama, raw emotion and behind-the-scenes action of THE X FACTOR. Fans can get a double dose of the preview when it airs again later that evening during a special expanded FAMILY GUY (8:30-9:37 PM ET/PT).

Talk show listings for Tuesday, September 20.

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards were last night, September 18. Executive-produced by Mark Burnett, the 63RD PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS were hosted by GLEE's Jane Lynch. Check out all the best and worst red carpet fashion of the night below!

According to Deadline.com, Simon Cowell, who will soon launch his new seris 'The X Factor' in the United States, is currently working on developing a stage show based on the series. Cowell has reportedly joined forces with comedian Harry Hill and music producer Steve Brown to create the book and music for the project, which is being created to open in a West End theatre. Additional details on the premise of the musical have not not been announced.

Today we have the penultimate entry in our twelve-part series dedicated to Lifetime's hit dramedy DROP DEAD DIVA with an all-encompassing chat with the show's heavenly agent himself, Fred, portrayed by stage and screen star Ben Feldman! In this illuminating conversation we talk all about his three years on DROP DEAD DIVA and what the future holds for Fred, Jane, Stacey and company, as well as his favorite guest stars and memories so far. Additionally, Ben and I discuss his training for the stage and his work on Broadway, opposite Kathleen Turner in THE GRADUATE, as well as his performances in the recent remake of FRIDAY THE 13th and shooting the avant garde thriller CLOVERFIELD, in addition to his thoughts on various pilots with the likes of Christine Ebersole, Fran Drescher, Marc Blucas, Amy Smart and more!

Talk show listings for Tuesday, September 20.

The Paley Center for Media just hosted FOX's Fall Previw, which featured a panel with:From Andrew Mogel, Jarrad Paul, Will Forte, Brannon Braga, Rene Echevarria, Sherry Bilsing Graham, Kevin Rahm, Liz Meriwether, Zooey Deschanel, Rob Wade, and Paula Abdul.

An all-new extended preview of THE X FACTOR, the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group, debuted following the NFL ON FOX late doubleheader match-ups this Sunday, Sept. 11 on FOX. The 8-minute preview features never-before-seen footage including an exclusive first look at the auditions from Los Angeles and Seattle, as well as an inside look at the drama, raw emotion and behind-the-scenes action of THE X FACTOR. Check it out below!

Today we are continuing the male-centric portion of our ongoing series of interviews with the stars of Lifetime's DROP DEAD DIVA with the boss of the legal practice on the show and the main love interest for Kate Levering's character, Kim: the affable and charming stage and screen star Josh Stamberg. In addition to dishing all about Season 3 of DROP DEAD DIVA and the future for Parker, Kim and company at the legal firm, Stamberg and I also discuss many of the various guest stars on the show this season and seasons past - Liza Minnelli, Sharon Lawrence and Faith Prince included - as well as how he sees Parker himself, his own insights into the complex character and what he feels the future holds for his relationships on the show - Kim, Jane and beyond. In addition to all things DIVA-related, Stamberg and I also discuss his many past stage and screen appearances, including: his unforgettable work as Sarge on SIX FEET UNDER and what it was like working with creator Alan Ball, as well as his role on the Aaron Sorkin-scripted series STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, plus: working at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Atlantic Theatre Company, doing the workshop of A STEADY RAIN (and eventually getting replaced by Hugh Jackman), doing FRACTURED with Ryan Gosling and Anthony Hopkins, acting alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Naomi Watts in Clint Eastwood's forthcoming film J. EDGAR, his favorite work experiences so far, roles he is yearning to essay in the future both near and far and much, much more! Over the course of the last several weeks, we have been taking an extensive look at the sights and sounds both onscreen and onset of the hit TV dramedy series DROP DEAD DIVA - new episodes airing Sunday nights at 9 PM on Lifetime - featuring exclusive interviews with the leading lady divas and stalwart supporting men on the LA-based supernatural legal series. Featuring a memorable collection of musical performances and Broadway guest stars over the years - Paula Abdul, Rosie O'Donnell, Delta Burke and many more included - DROP DEAD DIVA is the quintessential TV series for Broadway babies looking for some laughs and levity - the latter available in many more ways than one, given the show's heavenly aspirations. DROP DEAD DIVA centers on a legal eagle named Jane whose body acts as the means for the indomitable spirit of a model, Deb, who loses her life, to make a second chance and how the girl inside must learn to adjust to looking like the woman on the outside that she is now. In other words, a model finds out what it means to look like everybody else in a delightfully quirky twist of fate - and learns to be a lawyer along the way, as well. Season Three picked up with the cliffhanger car crash that closed last season in a dark and shocking way. Questions and posed and answered so far: What will Grayson remember of the conversation he had with Jane pre-crash? What will Jane do to save him? What about his engagement (to somebody else)? What will happen back at the office with Teri, Kim and Parker? What about Stacy and Fred? Indeed, all of these questions and many more will most assuredly be answered come the next two Sunday nights! Plus, as always, there's always a musical number or two not too far off if you stay tuned - such as last month's BroadwayWorld exclusive world premiere of "Lean On Me"! Will there be a musical grand finale after all? We shall soon see! Also, don't forget to check out the past interviews in this BRIDGING TV & THEATRE series - Margaret Cho, Kate Levering, April Bowlby, Sharon Lawrence, Faith Prince and Jackson Hurst included! There are only a few episodes of Season Three left - airing Sundays at 9 PM on Lifetime, as always, throughout September until the finale on September 25 - so be sure to check back here in coming weeks for chats with Ben Feldman and the titular diva herself, plus maybe even a surprise or two, too!

Today we are talking to the new Roxie in CHICAGO on Broadway best known for her status as one of the most successful songwriters of the twenty-first century, having had hundreds of songs featured on albums by the likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Pink and many, many more - with a significant number of them topping the charts in a variety of genres from pop to rock to country and beyond. In this all-encompassing conversation, DioGuardi and I dissect her career thus far - in front of millions and behind the scenes - and she generously sheds some light on how some of her most famous songs came to be - including the modern-day Gwen Stefani classic "If I Were A Rich Girl", famously sampling a song from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Additionally, we talk about her two-year stint on AMERICAN IDOL and what working with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul was like, as well as her opinions on Simon's new talent competition premiering later this year, THE X-FACTOR, and how she looks back on her experience doing the hit show and her own reality series, PLATINUM HIT. Additionally, we discuss DioGuardi's Broadway baby roots and her formative theatrical experiences, as well as what taking the stage at this point in her career means to her - and, all about wearing Ashlee Simpson's costume. Plus, DioGuardi's thoughts on entertainment legends ranging from CHICAGO composer John Kander to rock icon Jim Steinman to Broadway legends like Liza Minnelli, Gwen Verdon, Stephen Sondheim and many, many more. We also have news on her upcoming songs and collaborations to look out for, featuring a vast array of artists such as Jason Mraz, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo and more - many featured through her music publishing company, Arthouse Entertainment. As if all of that weren't enough, DioGuardi also shares her affection for GLEE, Broadway song craftsmanship and gypsies!

An all-new extended preview of THE X FACTOR, the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group, will debut following the NFL ON FOX late doubleheader match-ups this Sunday, Sept. 11 on FOX. The 8-minute preview will feature never-before-seen footage including an exclusive first look at the auditions from Los Angeles and Seattle, as well as an inside look at the drama, raw emotion and behind-the-scenes action of THE X FACTOR. Fans can get a double dose of the preview when it airs again later that evening during a special expanded FAMILY GUY (8:30-9:37 PM ET/PT).

Today we are kicking off the male-centric portion of our ongoing series of interviews with the stars of Lifetime's DROP DEAD DIVA with the heartthrob of the show and Jane's former fiancee in her past life, legal eagle Grayson, played by the dashing and suave Jackson Hurst. In addition to talking all about Season 3 of DROP DEAD DIVA and the future for Jane and Grayson - as well as the hiccups and roadblocks in his relationship with Deb, before, and, now, Jane, that have cropped up so precipitously along the way - we also analyze the various guest stars on the show over the seasons - everyone from Kathy Griffin to Samuel L. Jackson to Elliot Gould to Liza Minnelli and more! In addition, Hurst and I also discuss his past and future stage and screen roles and his experiences on sets and backstage - including a thorough discussion of working with director Terrence Malick on THE TREE OF LIFE and his starring role in the forthcoming September release, A BIRD OF THE AIR, by CHINATOWN scribe Robert Towne - as well as Hurst's own favorite films and ultimate career aspirations - plus much, much more!

THE X FACTOR is the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger will travel the nation searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over - both solo artists and vocal groups - who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. Go behind the scenes of a photo shoot with the show's judges below!

Last night DoSomething.org celebrated young do-gooders, celebrities and organizations that have made a commitment to social change with the star-studded 'Do Something Awards' LIVE on VH1. Hosted by comedic genius and 'Glee' star Jane Lynch, the show featured musical performances by Natasha Bedingfield, Lifehouse, and Travie McCoy with special guest Bruno Mars and an all-star red carpet before the award show at The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The night concluded with revealing Jessica Posner as the grand prize winner of the $100,000.

Today we continue our series of conversations with the stars of DROP DEAD DIVA with a special guest on all three seasons of the show, portraying the essential character of Jane's biological mother, Elaine Bingum, and a Tony-winning Broadway leading lady in her own right - the hilarious and accomplished stage and screen veteran, Faith Prince.