Paula Abdul is stepping into the dance competition show battle
royal with 'Got to Dance,' which is slated to premiere on CBS as a
mid-season replacement next television season. Abdul is the executive
producer, but also will be the lead judge and mentor for the
contestants. The show is based on a British dance show, and features
contestants of all ages competing in all genres of dance.
In a
press release, Abdul said: "I’ve spent the better part of my life
teaching, mentoring, nurturing —
working with so many talented people — and I consider myself truly
blessed to be able to continue to do something that I hold so dear to my
heart. Each and every week we’ll
showcase the challenges and successes of a fantastic group of dancers,
as they perform and compete — compelling stories, exciting competition
and amazing dance performances are guaranteed."
Abdul also is also slated
to make a guest appearance on 'American Idol' during Wednesday
night's finale.
Speaking of 'American Idol,' join Anne Neville back here tonight at
the Pop Stand at 8:00 pm as she chats live during the final performance night of the season. Idols' finalists, Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, will likely perform two songs each, then it is up to America to pick the winner.
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Brittany Murphy's widower husband, Simon Monjack, was found dead Sunday night at his Hollywood Hills home. Initial reports suggested that the cause of death was natural causes, and now a rep for Murphy's mother says Monjack had cardiac problems which caused his death. "He did have a heart condition [and] he was due for bypass heart surgery," the rep said. Sharon Murphy found Monjack unresponsive and called 911.
• • •
The bassist for rock band Slipknot, Paul Gray, was found dead yesterday in a hotel room in Urbandale, Iowa. Police say they do not suspect foul play, but an autopsy was planned for today to search for the cause of death. Gray had a previous drug arrest in 2003, but no word on whether his death was related to drugs.
• • •
Lady Gaga says that she has been
tested for lupus, in an attempt to find the cause of her recent health issues. The singer says that she had an aunt who died from the disease, which is hereditary. But Gaga tells fans not to worry. While on tour, Gaga has had heart palpitations, collapsed and had trouble breathing. But Gaga says that she's not going to take a break. "People say I should take a break. But I'm like, 'Why
should I take a break? What do you want me to do? Go on vacation?" she told People.
• • •
Lindsay Lohan appeared in court on Monday, and was fitted with a SCRAM anklet, an electronic device which will monitor the alcohol level in her system. Judge Marsha Revel postponed a vacation to deal with Lohan, and she was not in a forgiving mood. Not only did Revel rule that Lohan needed to wear the SCRAM device, but she also ruled that Lohan must submit to randomly drug tests, in Los Angeles, which put the kibosh on several jobs Lohan had set up for out of state. Lohan also will need to complete her alcohol education classes. Her next court hearing is July 6, and any violations will likely lead to jail time.
• • •
Britney Spears is the new queen of Twitter. Spears has surpassed Ashton Kutcher in followers on the social-networking site, much to her surprise. Spears tweeted, "WOW!!!!! #1 on Twitter. Thank you! Tweet me some questions this morning! xoxo –Brit." As of this morning, Spears has 4,960,854 followers to Kutcher's 4,950,352.
• • •
Dennis Quaid has filed suit against drug-maker Baxter Healthcare, which manufactures Heparin, the drug that Quaid's twins were treated with in 2007 to combat staph infections. Quaid's children were given an overdose, which has since been blamed on the packaging of the drug, which appears similar for pediatric and adult dosages. As for damages, the Quaids are seeking to recoup medical expenses, punitive damages and a fund to treat any future medical problems that may come from the Heparin overdosing. The Quaids previously settled a lawsuit with the hospital for $750,000.
• • •
Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas have broken up. The young couple met in 2007 while filming 'Camp Rock' and toured with the Jonas Brothers band after that. A romance developed, but things didn't work out. Jonas told People, "It was my choice to break up but I love her as a friend. She's been
there for me when I needed her. I will continue to be her friend and be
there for her." Lovato also confirmed "Things didn't work out but we'll remain friends."
-- Dave Valenzuela