By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Ryan Seacrest has found a new hosting job with "American Idol" ending its run next year.
He is both executive producer and host of "Knock Knock Live," a wish fulfillment challenge show that is more "aspirational" and positive than past Fox reality TV shows. It will debut later this summer. He is working with "Idol" creator Simon Fuller.
Here's how The Hollywood Reporter describes it:
Seacrest will be based in a Los Angeles studio, while the Knock Knock team criss-crosses the country, surprising unsuspecting people at their front doors with life-altering opportunities, including major cash prizes or a chance to meet their favorite celebrities. The idea goes something like this: someone knocks on your door and offers you thousands of dollars for naming nine kids who live on your block; or your favorite pro basketball player knocks on your door and challenges you to a game of H-O-R-S-E, with a chance to win court-side seats.
Seacrest's most recent game-show hosting effort in 2013, NBC's "Million Second Quiz," was a bust though I'd hardly blame Seacrest for that.
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Katharine McPhee, despite being a full-on actress on CBS's "Scorpion," hasn't given up her music career. She challenges her inner Katie Perry with this cutesy pop-dance song "Lick My Lips." Not sure it really works for her but here ya go:
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Season 13's Alex Preston did a kickstarter campaign to raise funds for his album and his single "Break My Heart."
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Did "Idol" make a mistake by only going once a year vs. "The Voice"? I don't agree but this Forbes story claims "Idol" made a mistake because it allowed fans to move on to other things. It even thinks "The Voice" could potentially make more $$ than "Idol" thanks to frequency. It might eventually do so but I think it would take years.
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Nick Fradiani sang a lovely version of the National Anthem for the PBS Memorial Day concert:
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May 25 was the 10th anniversary of Carrie Underwood's victory over Bo Bice.
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