September 05, 2002 |
WITH ALL DUE R-E-S-P-E-C-T
We hate to say we told you so, but doggone it, we did tell you so. On last night's first-season finale of American Idol, the search for a superstar ended with Kelly Clarkson being awarded a recording contract worth a cool $1 million. Don't feel too bad for runner-up Justin Guarini, though: As the ostensible loser, the lucky stiff won't have to fill his first CD single with "A Moment Like This," the lachrymose power ballad that the show commissioned to ensure the victor's chart success. Um, is it too late to tack on Clarkson's ballsy cover of Aretha Franklin's "Respect"? Pretty please? Clarkson's single is due Sept. 17. |
MORE IDOL
The show may be over, but the American Idol phenomenon will continue well into the fall. Kelly Clarkson's debut album will be released Nov. 26; a compilation release of the 10 Idol finalists is due in stores on Oct. 1; the original 30 Idol semifinalists will reunite onstage in Las Vegas for a two-hour Fox special to air Sept. 23; and a 28-city tour for the 10 finalists starts Oct. 8 in San Diego. American Idol 2, meanwhile, will premiere in February 2003. |
EVEN MORE IDOL
Ratings for last night's American Idol finale are due later today, but if the Nielsens for Tuesday's penultimate episode are any indication, the two-hour swan song could land Fox in the record books. Tuesday's performance edition attracted a series high 18.2 million viewers. |
HOME SWEET HOME
This is going to make Eminem really cranky: The short-fused rapper has been knocked off the top of the album charts by three girls! Home, the new CD from country trio the Dixie Chicks, debuted at No. 1, selling nearly 780,000 copies. The Eminem Show fell to No. 2. |
AND BABY MAKES FIVE
Kelly Ripa is expecting her third child with hubby Mark Consuelos in February. The soap star-turned-talk-show spitfire made the announcement on Wednesday's Live with Regis and Kelly. |
CONSOLATION PRIZE
Lance Bass may not be going into space, but rocker-turned-outdoorsman Ted Nugent is offering the 'N Sync singer the next best thing. According to The Associated Press, for a measly $1 million, Nugent has invited Bass to join him on a weeklong hunt at his Michigan ranch, "where he'll be taught a greater appreciation for nature and gravity as he hunts, kills, cleans and cooks for himself... Bass needs to quit worrying about going into outer space and embrace and celebrate life by learning how to kill his own food. A slab of flesh on the back of a deer is the finest source of protein on the planet." Nugent says he'll even throw in a "few guitar lessons." |
HER BIG FOLLOW-UP
My Big Fat Greek Wedding's break-out star Nia Vardalos will next star in a female buddy comedy for Disney titled Connie and Carla Do L.A. Vardalos, who also penned the script, reportedly will make seven figures. No word on who will co-star. |
FRANCESCA'S IN MOURNING
A fire Tuesday destroyed the famous covered bridge that served as the setting for Robert Waller's best-selling novel The Bridges of Madison County. The Cedar Bridge, located in central Iowa, was built in 1883 and was only one of six covered spans in the U.S. still open to vehicular traffic. |
TOGETHER AGAIN
Rumor has it that Today show host Katie Couric has reunited with her former TV producer beau Tom Werner. The bicoastal couple — who reportedly split in June — were recently spotted at a Red Sox game. |
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