As Randy Jackson would say, "Check this out." "American Idol" opened Tuesday night with Ellen DeGeneres sitting in Simon Cowell's lap whispering sweet nothings in his ear. Were they trying to put the kibosh on the rumors that they don't get along? It wasn't clear, but it was a fun way to add fuel to the fire.
Then the talent portion of the night was launched with Katie Stevens performing a song by the first "American Idol" -- Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway." Randy Jackson wasn't blown away. He said, "I think Kelly Clarkson is one of the best contestants we have ever had. This paled in comparison. It was like karaoke." Ellen was kinder, saying, "You took our note and sang a young song. I think it was a great song choice. You have a great voice. I didn't feel the words. I didn't feel you breaking away." Kara DioGuardi commented, "You have a great radio voice. I can hear you. What is going on this year is we have people who really know themselves and people who don't. You don't really know who you are as an artist. You will get it, but the singing needed to be perfect tonight to stand out." Simon concurred with Kara, adding, "I think this is confusing to you. To be fair, you took the advice. I think your issue is you haven't worked out what kind of artist you want to be. The problem is the second half of the song didn't go as it should have. You sucked the energy out of it. I have to give you 10 out of 10 for trying."
In a tribute to her father, who taught her how to sing, Siobhan Magnus performed "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals. Randy complimented, "You know I am a fan. You come out every week and surprise us. I love what you do, because you take every risk. We give you advice. I don't think you listen to us. Keep doing it because it is hot." Ellen told her, "You are why I love music -- because it is supposed to move you. I was captivated. I love what you did with the song. You made it current." Kara pointed out, "I loved the a cappella vibe at the front. That was a brilliant choice. The thing about you is you are so unique and different. Week to week, I am surprised by you. You are doing great." Simon wasn't as big a fan. "If this was the first time I had seen you, I would have doubts," he said. "You didn't do anything different with the song. I was under-impressed. You did better last week. You didn't have a moment like last week."
First Lady Michelle Obama has given away the glamorous gown she wore last year to a number of balls commemorating President Barack Obama's inauguration.
Mrs. Obama donated her one-shouldered, white dress by Jason Wu to the Smithsonian Institute. The gown will be displayed at the National Museum of American History as part of an exhibit showcasing gowns worn by first ladies from Mamie Eisenhower to Mrs. Obama.
"I am very honored and very humbled, but I have to say that I’m also a little embarrassed by all the fuss being made over my dress," the First Lady said while presenting her gown to the museum on Tuesday. "Like many of you, I’m not used to people wanting to put things I’ve worn on display."
'Twilight''s Rob Pattinson is headed back to the big screen in a romantic new role -- and he tells ET all about filming love scenes!
Pattinson stars in the new drama, 'Remember Me,' and he says of filming love scenes with "Lost"'s Emilie de Ravin, "It's always scary, I think much more scary for girls."
But he says, "Emily's just like completely comfortable in herself so it makes you feel more comfortable with yourself."
A North Carolina judge considered sentencing Andrew Young and his wife Cheri to jail on Tuesday, but John Edwards' former aide avoided the slammer.
Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones expressed interest in jailing the Youngs for up to 75 days by holding them in contempt of court, says the Associated Press. Ultimately, Jones gave Young until Friday to fully explain how he’d handled certain materials -- including an alleged sex tape featuring Edwards -- sought by Edwards' ex-mistress Rielle Hunter.
"My intent is for him to be truthful to the court and be thorough with the court," the judge said.
With less than two weeks to go until Kate Gosselin makes her big "Dancing with the Stars" debut, she and her fellow competitors are going glam!
Watch as the stars and their professional partners are transformed through "DWTS" trademark glitzy looks as they pose for the opening title sequences for the show.
Kate says of her new dancing mission, "It's just a matter of getting my body to do what my brain is telling it to do."
An attorney for former "The Bachelor" contestant Rozlyn Papa say that a clip alleged to feature her is "absolutely, unequivocally not Rozlyn" and that it is actually from a 2004 adult film.
Papa has denied that she appeared in what was claimed to be a sex tape, and now her attorney tells ET, "A cursory Internet search reveals that the clip appears to be from a 2004 [adult film]."
David Letterman is speaking out following Tuesday's news that Robert Halderman has pleaded guilty of attempted grand larceny.
"I would like to thank the District Attorney of Manhattan, Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., the former District Attorney, Robert M. Morgenthau, the Special Prosecutions Bureau in the D.A.'s Office, and the New York City Police Department," Letterman told ET. "When they became involved with this case, I had complete faith that a just and appropriate result was inevitable. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for their tireless efforts."
According to the Associated Press, Halderman will serve six months in jail and complete 1,000 hours of community service .
Get an eyeful of all the candid and behind-the-scenes photos from the 82nd Annual Academy Awards and the glittering Governors Ball. And get a glimpse of rarely seen backstage photos of Bradley Cooper, Julianne Moore, Barbra Streisand and more of the celebs who didn't make it onto the Oscar red carpet!
A TV producer who threatened to reveal indiscretions of talk show host David Letterman unless he was paid $2 million entered a plea on Tuesday.
Robert Halderman pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny, a felony, in New York City, and also apologized publicly to Letterman and his family. Halderman will serve six months in jail concurrent with five years of probation. He will also complete 1,000 hours of community service in the form of helping young adults newly out of prison as well as formerly homeless people with literary and vocational skills.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. said, in part, Tuesday, "Robert Joel Halderman’s guilty plea today to the attempted extortion of David Letterman sends a strong message: If you commit this type of crime in Manhattan, whether you threaten to extort a celebrity or any other citizen, you will be investigated, prosecuted and you will almost certainly go to jail."
Rumored to be dating Billy Corgan, Jessica Simpson opens up about her relationship with the Smashing Pumpkins frontman, referring to him as a "very, very dear friend."
"I can't find good enough words to speak about Billy," she tells Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS FM radio show. Corgan worked on a song with Simpson for her new VH1 show "The Price of Beauty."
She says of her time in the studio with the rock star, "For him to give his time and talents and share them with me, it was a great experience and I hope we can do more music together."
From Mo'Nique backstage with her Academy Award to Tina Fey answering Facebook questions on the red carpet, we have the Oscar night moments you haven't seen!
Featuring everyone from Zac Efron and Matt Damon to Anna Kendrick,Steve Carell and the Gyllenhaals, Oscar.com captured all of the hottest stars both before and after the big show! Check out the video for more!
And for your full Oscar coverage, check out ETonline's Academy Award minisite!
Lindsay Lohan is suing the financial company E-Trade, claiming the boyfriend-stealing, "milkaholic" baby in their Super Bowl commercials was modeled after her.
The suit was filed in Nassau County Supreme Court in New York on Monday and the actress/socialite is asking for $100 million for her "pain and suffering."
The commercial shows a talking baby boy trying to convince his baby girlfriend that he wasn't hanging out with a "milkaholic Lindsay" the night before. "Lindsay?" says the boy as a baby girl's head pops up and slurs "Milk-a-what?"
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