It’s not Abdul. It’s DeGeneres!

By Paula Berg

American Idol’s newest judge, Ellen DeGeneres, joins the FOX TV top-rated competition in its ninth season, replacing Paula Abdul and bringing her extraordinary charisma and talent to the show... but not until sometime after the shows debut. What is it about Ellen that attracts us to her? Is it her quick wittedness, gentle sense of humor, pleasant smile, or hilarious observations on life? It’s all the above, and a whole lot more.

Her list of achievements and awards is impressive and includes twelve Emmys: four for Comedy Writing and four for Outstanding Talk Show Host, among others; and American Comedy Awards for Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic and two for Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special. DeGeneres has hosted the Academy Awards and Prime Time Emmy Awards. She has starred in her own television series and appeared as a guest on numerous television shows. She is a film actress and voice actor, and is well known for the voice of Dory in the Disney/Pixar animated film “Finding Nemo.”

Ellen was born in Metairie, Louisiana, on January 26, 1958, and in her teens moved to Atlanta, Texas, where she graduated from Atlanta High School. She attended the University of New Orleans and majored in communication studies, but left school after only one semester, to work in a law firm. She also worked as a clothing sales clerk, waited tables at TGI Friday’s, was a house painter, hostess and bartender. Much of her comedy is based on her childhood and job experiences, and early on was strongly influenced by Woody Allen and Steve Martin.

She began her stand-up career performing in small clubs and coffeehouses and eventually turned to national touring in the early 1980s. She was named Showtime’s Funniest Person in America in 1982 and was the first female comic to be invited to join Johnny Carson at his desk after her performance on his Tonight Show. In the late 80s and early 90s she landed roles in television’s Open House and in the film Coneheads. From 1994-1998 her comedy material was exposed to millions on the sitcom Ellen, which was often described as a “female Seinfeld.” Ellen “came out” in February 1997 on the Oprah Winfrey Show and shortly after, her character on her sitcom Ellen also revealed that she was gay. That episode had the highest rating of the season but, unfortunately, failed to keep up the ratings and was cancelled, whereby Ellen returned to the stand-up comedy circuit. Currently, Ellen’s film series Ellen’s Energy Adventure, is one of the attractions at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center.

Ellen reached her biggest audience when she hosted the Emmy Awards in November 2001. The show had been twice cancelled following the September 11 attacks, but Ellen was praised for her sensitivity and received several standing ovations for her performance. Two years later, she launched her daytime talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show which was nominated in its first season for eleven Emmy Awards, winning four, including Best Talk Show. The show won a total of 25 Emmy Awards in its first three seasons, and has maintained a consistently high rating. Ellen’s warm personality spills over even during the show’s commercial breaks when she engages with her studio audience. She even broadcast the show when she was in the hospital due to a torn ligament. In May 2009, Ellen celebrated her 1,000th episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

A life-long animal lover, Ellen became a vegan after reading about how animals were raised and slaughtered for human consumption. Animal rights causes are high on her list of philanthropic donations. She and her partner, also a vegan, live in Beverly Hills with their three dogs and four cats. Ellen’s mother, Betty DeGeneres, is one of her strongest supporters and an active member of several gay rights organizations. She, herself, is a breast cancer survivor.

Ellen has signed a five-year contract with “American Idol.” Her association with the show will undoubtedly bring her to the attention of millions of younger viewers who may not yet be acquainted with her work. Judging young vocalists will be another challenge in her long and successful career.

“So You Think You Can Dance” Season 5 Dancers’ Predictions for Season 6 Come True!

Success of TV Show Might Be Causing Delay for Season 6 U.S. Tour

By Andy Lee

Last season, FOX TV’s hit dance competition “So You Think You Can Dance” SYTYCD Season (5) was on tour at the same time SYTYCD Season (6) was airing live. It was an unusual situation having both the touring company and the live show happening simultaneously.  

It was a dilemma for some of the show’s serious fans/ticket holders who had to decide whether to see the live tour of Season 5 or stay at home and watch Season 6, for free, live on FOX TV!  I’m sure it was also a unique situation for the show’s producers, as well as the touring Season 5 dancers, who sometimes had to record the live Season 6 shows so they could watch them while traveling on their bus. 

Now, it appears that a similar scheduling dilemma is causing the Season 6 Dance U.S.Tour to be postponed, while SYTYCD Season 7 has already begun auditioning in Miami and New York City. A spokesperson for the show recently released this statement. "It has been a very unique year for “So You Think You Can Dance” with Season 5 & 6 airing back to back and Season 7 auditions starting in January. Each season we strive to deliver a stellar tour for the fans and are still open to touring opportunities with the Season 6 dancers in the future, but nothing has been set at this time."

We were the only media outlet that got an interview with SYTYCD Season 5 Tour at the San Diego Sports Arena last November, the night before they performed. It was going to be their thirty-third performance with seven more to go in the next eight days. Here’s a bit of our conversation:  

Q: Was there a time while you were competing on the show that you actually wanted to know how many votes you got?

Evan: Absolutely. I think everyone on the show would like to know the number to see how close they were.

Q: Did you have a chance to find out how many votes you got?

Evan: No we didn’t get a chance to see the actual votes per dancer. In the finale we had 23 million votes, which was unheard of for the show.

Q: If you would have known how many votes you got, do you think it would have changed how you were going to perform during your dance routine?

Philip: I think it would probably add more to the nerves than actually benefit you. I think it would only add to the stress, because there are so many things to think about already. I’m actually glad I didn’t know exactly how many people were voting.

Evan: Me too. 

Q: How much did you rehearse for the tour before going on the road?

Ade: We rehearsed like three to four weeks on a mock stage in Burbank California. That was brutal, non-stop. We were pretty much running the show three times a day.

Q: Was this right after the TV Show ended?

Ade: We had like two weeks off for a break; then we started an intense tour rehearsal with long, long days to put the show together. I guess it was worth it because the show’s so successful and we’re having a good time. 

Q: What’s been your favorite city on the tour? Do you have time to go sightseeing? And I know you just arrived today, but how do you like San Diego so far?

Phillip: We’ve had some days off in various cities but sometimes we’re just sleeping on the bus going venue to venue, so we don’t get a chance to enjoy some cities. Toronto and Miami were a lot of fun. Any time we had a hometown for one of the people on tour we often got to meet their family and got a better feel for the place.

Melissa: My Grandma lives in Encinitas, so I’m used to the area. It’s a great place. Everybody is laid back. It’s kind of nice. 

Q: What’s your favorite part of the show?

Jeanine: I think my favorite part is the very first moment that the audience sees us. The lights come up. They see us and they go crazy. It’s a great feeling to have upwards of 10,000 people coming to see us …. and that they love us. It’s an applause you can’t ever imagine. 

Q: What’s the average age of the tour’s audience?

Jeanine: I think that’s the great thing about our show. We have such a large age group. We get just as many women as we get males and as many toddlers as we get older fans. It’s fun to have such a range to dance to, because there are dance pieces that appeal to almost everyone. 

Q: Was there ever a moment during your show that someone shouted something at you and made you pause?

Jeanine: We call them the hecklers! I think at some of the venues people are allowed to drink and that always makes it interesting.

Melissa: Sometimes the fans can get a little rowdy. And there’s a lot of screaming “I love you!” They also shout our names and some people talk back to us during a skit. It has thrown us off a couple of times where we forget what comes next. 

Q: Has there ever been a moment during the tour that you really blew a routine?

Ade: Wow. I think Jeanine can take the cake for that one!

Jeanine: I (pause) flat out ate it one time with a turn, in Melissa’s hometown. We were in Milwaukee and I was in the middle of a turn, and I have an injury on my calf, so I was on a lot of Advil that night, and when you are on a lot of drugs sometimes your muscles tense up, and my knees just gave out on me. I felt them just disappear for a second, and I pretty much killed myself. But was able to compose myself afterward.... and then during the L.A. show a couple of nights ago, my skirt fell, and I may or may not have mooned seven thousand people. 

Q: You’re on tour now, and Season 6 is live. It’s only November 12 and Season 6 still has a way to go until the final show Dec 16. Last night the judges, especially Nigel Lythgoe, were comparing Season 6 to your Season 5, and really got down on the performers. He told them that they had to pick it up and do much better. Do you think it’s possible that Season 6 can do better than Season 5?

Melissa: For us, we were on the show for a long time. We were on for literally nine weeks. It was an amazing process, and we had a lot to live up to because of Season 4. We knew we had to bring it and we had to push. I feel for Season 6 because it is so close to us. I’m glad we left such a good impression. At the same time, they’re just getting warmed up. And at this point, where they are now, we were nowhere near how we did those last two weeks. So I think we just need to give them time, and they’re going to definitely grow into their own. They have the potential to blow America away, and they’ll do it.  

Q: Do you have any favorite dancers on Season 6 that you think will make it to the top or possibly win?

Ade: It’s different. It seems like a whole new show. It has a new set and a new set up. And we saw a taping of it this last week. I really liked Billy but he got hurt. Russell is really good. He’s a crumper. He’s really cool, and I like Ashley too. She’s the ballroom dancer. I think Jacob will do well too.

Melissa: That’s why we’re partners. Those three are my favorites also. Jacob’s facility is absolutely awesome and it’s amazing to me what he does. I like Ashley also. She and her husband are the nicest people I ever met, and she’s doing really well so far. And, also Russell... he brings something really different and he’s so likeable. But you never know with America; they might find someone different so we’ll just have to wait and find out.

Jeanine: I’m a little biased because Jacob is my best friend. I’ve grown up with him, learning with him...his facility is just flawless. It’s beautiful to watch him dance and he has a lot of the things I strive for. I think Russell and Ashley are also absolutely amazing. And Ellenore really also stands out in the group. She’s quirky and also a beautiful dancer. I really appreciate everything she brings. They’re all amazing! 

So, with still five weeks left to go for Season 6, Ade, Melissa, and Jeanine were right on with their predictions. Russell Ferguson won the title “America’s Favorite Dancer,” with Jacob Karr as runner up. Ellenore Scott, Kathryn McCormic, and husband and wife Ryan and Ashley Di Lello made up the top six in the show’s finale! And, what a fabulous finale it was! 

At press time, a date for FOX TV’s live SYTYCD Season 7 hasn’t been set yet, but we are guessing it will be sometime this spring or summer. Stay tuned. We’ll keep you posted!

An appeal from Wikipedia founder, Jimmy Wales

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