Popsquire

For today’s collision between pop culture and politics, check out MA Senator-elect Scott Brown telling Barbara Walters that his daughter deserves a second shot at going to Hollywood.

Technorati Tags: american idol, barbara walters, massachusetts senator, pop culture and politics, scott brown, simon cowell

Like a typical lawyer, Popsquire loves a good feud.  Enjoy these highlights from last night’s American Idol.

Technorati Tags: american idol, celebrity feud, kara dioguardi, katy perry

Feeling sorry for American Idol producers because Simon Cowell’s departure could mean the beginning of the end?  Stop.

[Bauer Griffin Online]

Simon Fuller and his 19 Entertainment reportedly have a minority stake in X Factor, the show Cowell intends to launch in 2011, which means they’ll be making money on all fronts.

Back in 2005, Fuller sued Cowell and the other producers of X Factor for copyright infringement, claiming they stole the idea from Fuller’s Pop Idol.  The case was settled out of court an as part of a settlement, Cowell got to move forward with X Factor and Fuller reportedly took a minority stake in the show.

That’s the power of the law.  Lawsuits and settlements — sometimes, they affect the shows we watch.

Technorati Tags: american idol, copyright infringement, lawsuit settlement, legal expert, pop culture law, simon cowell, x factor

Oh Ellen — Don’t take Simon’s decision to leave American Idol personally.  Lawyers and agents are involved.  It’s just business.  Trust Popsquire. And, PS, don’t pretend you didn’t know it was a possibility when you signed up!

Adam Lambert tweets: “Yes, sadly friends, ABC has cancelled [sic] my appearances on Kimmel and NYE. don’t blame them. It’s the FCC heat.”

[Bauer Griffin Online]

Not so fast!

The FCC typically does not monitor programming after 10 pm, i.e., Jimmy Kimmel Live! and at least part of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.  Moreover, the FCC generally has not fined broadcasters for programming unless it is so “pervasive as to amount to ’shock treatment’ for the audience.”

A fleeting kiss and crotch grind — shock treatment?  Well, probably not if it involved “opposite” (yes, that’s a Carrie Prejean reference) sex performers.

Technorati Tags: abc, adam lambert, censorship, fcc, jimmy kimmel, legal expert, new year's rockin' eve, pop culture law, shock treatment

Think twice about discussing Adam Lambert’s S&M, crotch-grabbing, aggressive kissing performance at work today.  You might find yourself in violation of your company’s sexual harassment policy…

Like a typical lawyer, Popsquire loves a good feud.  On last night’s VH-1 Divas, we may have seen the beginning of a fun one between Paula Abdul and Ellen DeGeneres.  Watch!

Technorati Tags: celebrity feud, ellen degeneres, paula abdul, vh1 divas

Like a typical lawyer, Popsquire loves a good feud.  Unfortunately, there may not be one between Ellen DeGeneres and Paula Abdul.

[Bauer Griffin Online]

Following yesterday’s announcement that Ellen will become an American Idol judge, Paula now says:

“American Idol is a fantastic show that offers an invaluable platform to young talent. Ellen DeGeneres is wildly funny and talented in her own right. I wish her and the show only the best of luck.”

Still, Paula’s gotta be wondering how much Ellen is getting paid.  If she’s making more than Idol offered Paula, you know Paula’s gonna go Twitter mad!

Technorati Tags: american idol, ellen degeneres, feud, paula abdul, pop culture law

Like a typical lawyer, Popsquire loves a good negotiation.

[Bauer Griffin Online]

Thanks to Paula Abdul, we may be witnessing one that involves four different networks!

First, Paula quits American Idol via Twitter.  Next, she: (1) signs on to do another episode of Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva and expresses interest in a recurring role next season; and (2) gets Nygel Lythgoe’s attention for a possible slot on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance.

Now, she’s being courted by ABC and NBC for potential projects.

Could this all be a ploy to get more money from AI producers?  Or, is it just the aftermath following an emotional Twitter encounter?

Either way, it looks like Paula should have a j-o-b soon.  Popsquire will keep you posted!

Technorati Tags: negotiation, nygel lythgoe, paula abdul american idol, paula abdul dancing with the stars, paula abdul future, paula abdul tiwtter, pop culture law

If you missed Popsquire’s segment about Paula Abdul leaving American Idol on yesterday’s episode of HLN’s “Prime News,” here is an encore presentation.  Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: american idol, entertainment reporter, legal expert, paula abdul, paula abdul leaves american idol, pop culture expert, russell wetanson, twitter

Following last night’s Twit-announcement that she is leaving American Idol, Paula Abdul is now set to guest star in two episodes of Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva.

[Bauer Griffin Online]

She already filmed the first episode, which airs Sept. 13, and now has signed on to appear in a second episode on Oct. 11 as well.  Josh Berman, creator of Drop Dead Diva, tells Popsquire that Paula also expressed interest in a recurring role next season.

Duh.  She needs a j-o-b.

Note to Paula: Lifetime ain’t gonna pay anywhere close to American Idol money.

Technorati Tags: american idol, drop dead diva, lifetime, paula abdul, paula abdul leaves american idol, paula abdul recurring role drop dead diva, pop culture law

Popsquire’s entertainment reporter / legal expert, Russell Wetanson, will be LIVE on HLN’s “Prime News” at 2:45 pm PST today.

We’re walking down American Idol memory lane, focusing on Paula Abdul.  Watch!

Technorati Tags: american idol, hln prime news, mike galanos, paula abdul, pop culture law, russell wetanson

In light of the news regarding Paula Adul’s departure from American Idol, check out this video of Paula and Simon kissing on Season 2. Hilarious / gross.

Technorati Tags: american idol, did simon and paula every kiss, paula abdul leaves american idol, pop culture law, simon cowell kisses paula abdul

During a recent Florida stop, the American Idol finalists shared their most embarrassing moments from the ongoing tour with Popsquire.

[Bauer Griffin Online]

Lil Rounds

“I definitely had a trip, but it wasn’t that bad cuz I didn’t fall on my face.  A little trip.  I knew it happened and a few people around me knew, but it wasn’t bad.”

Danny Gokey

“Sure, I’ve forgotten my words.  For some reason, even though I’ve done the songs a million times, I have to go over them in my head.”

Megan Joy

“I’m the only one who had a huge thing happen.  When I was in LA, I gave myself a fat lip with the mic, and couldn’t stop laughing in the middle of my song…I got lucky [it wasn’t on YouTube].  I was like, sorry guys, I think I’m bleeding.  And then right after that I got food poisoning and had to leave and go to the hospital… there was a rumor going around that Lil beat me up and sent me to the hospital!…If they were to air that, it would just crack me up, and my fans would be like, that’s Megan!

It looks like some lucky lawyer was spared working on Paula Abdul’s American Idol contract.

[Bauer Griffin Online]

Paula announced on Twitter tonight that she’s decided to leave the show.  She tweeted (and Popsquire added some punctuation):

With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to [American Idol].  I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all…I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon.

What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me.  It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month.

I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.

It’s not a huge surprise, given that Paula’s rep complained only a few weeks ago that she had not received a proposal for a new contract even though auditions are scheduled to begin August 6.