By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, November 4, 2015
I'm back and here is what I missed in "Idol" land while overseas:
Simon Cowell will be back on American TV for the first time in nearly three years in 2016 when he takes over for Howard Stern as the fourth judge on "America's Got Talent."
He had been an executive producer of the show for many years but was under contract with Fox with "Idol" and 'The X Factor," which prevented him from joining the show on camera.
"I kind of always wanted to be on it… I also enjoyed producing it," he told Billy Bush of Access Hollywood. "When this opened up and they asked me, I went one hundred percent yeah. Why wouldn't you?"
Cowell wasn't certain he'd return to "Idol" for anything but surely he'll make some sort of cameo, probably on finale night.
I've kind of missed him. It'll be nice to see him back. "AGT" remains the summer's biggest show as it enters its 11th season in 2016.
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Carrie Underwood will be at Infinite Energy Arena (formerly Gwinnett Arena) February 1 for her upcoming tour. She performed at that arena her last go-around as well. More details here.
She's everywhere this week promoting her new album "Storyteller," which was her sixth No. 1 album on the country chart. It came in No. 2 on the overall sales chart behind 5 Seconds of Summer's latest. She is also co-hosting the CMA Awards tonight for the eighth time with Brad Paisley. And she's on the cover of Cosmo, noting that her marriage is great: "Everyone is getting divorced. They're dropping like flies! But we are good." She also said: "Women have to work harder to get half the recognition. I am one of the lucky ones."
Her hit single "Smoke Break" also climbs to No. 4 on the country chart.
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NBC's Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade will feature Jordin Sparks and Daughtry.
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Ahh... nostalgia. The latest Fox promo video with "A Moment Like This" as the musical bed. Sniff.
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Don't forget that CMT's "I Love Kellie Pickler" debuts tomorrow night!
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Nick Fradiani did a "spontaneous" concert in mid-air on a Southwest Airlines flight:
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TMZ had a couple of juicy "Idol" related items while I was out:
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