Will it be third time lucky for ‘The X Factor USA’?

Creator of the franchise Simon Cowell has revealed that the FOX show will be back for a third season next year, despite so-so ratings and being trounced by rival The Voice week-in-week-out. Taking to Twitter, the media mogul and judge on the show wrote:

I wanted you guys to be the first to know that FOX have confirmed that @thexfactorusa will be back next year for it’s third season.

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) October 22, 2012

It was important for you to be the first to know because it is thanks to your support and enthusiasm we are coming back

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) October 22, 2012

I want to personally thank each and every one of you, it is hugely appreciated and never forgotten

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) October 22, 2012

While FOX may be committed to the show, the network will no doubt be doing so with concrete confirmation that American Idol is their star-player in the reality-singing arena. The Cowell produced show has been averaging 9 million viewers week, far below the 20 million the Mr Nasty predicted upson its launch. What this spells for The X Factor and its budget next year will be uber interesting to see.

For if not awarded the same production budget, will they even bother trying to entice the likes of Britney Spears back for another spell on the judging panel? Then there’s the question of whether Spears’ will even sign again. After all, from a branding perspective, as much as the show hasn’t “hurt” her career, it hasn’t done wonders for it either. What’s more, it does her no favours being on a show that is losing the ratings battle to shows starring diva rivals such as Christina Aguilera.

Needless to say, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out.

Peep one our favourite performances from this series, courtesy of Diamond White below…

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Well, well, well…what do we have here?

As reported here, ‘Clueless’ beauty Stacey Dash received quite the backlash after announcing her support of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney over the past month.  The attacks led Dash to CNN to defend her political views, even still, to unwelcoming reviews.

And, while the heat from that story has somewhat cooled, a recent interview with actress Vivica A. Fox may reignite it and not in a good way.  While on the promotional trail for her forthcoming venture with Lifetime ‘Prank My Mom’, the actress was not exactly joking when she weighed in Dash’s decision to voice her political views.

Sure to get tongues wagging, today’s forecast – as evidenced by Fox – must’ve called for shade.

Your thoughts?

Fergie is telling all.

In what we’d say comes as one Oprah‘s most telling ‘Next Chapter‘ episodes, ‘London Bridge‘ belter Fergie arrived on the show to deliver her story, through her words.

Leaving no topic untouched- her husband’s alleged infidelity  her addiction to crystal meth and feuding with BEP front Will.i.am included- her appearance saw her bare all for Oprah, who enjoyed the company of Fergie’s parents, husband and sister.

Watch above and weigh in below…

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The Houstons forge on with their life sans superstar Whitney Houston and are hoping to invite fans in along for the ride.  The new Lifetime reality series, ‘The Houstons:  On Our Own’, is set to feature the singer‘s beloved family – including mother (Cissy), brother (Gary), sister-in-law/manager (Pat), and daughter (Bobbi Kristina).

The show also introduces Bobbi’s boyfriend/God-brother Nick, who headlines have reported is now her fiance.  Due on screens October 24th at 9/8c (on Lifetime), the family takes viewers on a ride as they attempt to cope with the loss of Whitney as well as keep Bobbi safe from media scrutiny, etc.

See all the drama as it unfolds in the trailer below, where new promo pics also await…

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‘Friday’ funnyman Mike Epps may be constantly building his comedic resume, but recent news may see him step out of character and into that of another comedian – the legendary Richard Pryor.

A role undoubtedly eyed by many, Epps is set to portray Pryor in the forthcoming biopic ‘Nina’ based on the life of singer/songwriter/activist Nina Simone.  As headlines have revealed in the past months, the title role was awarded to ‘Colombiana’ actress Zoe Saldana (despite Mary J. Blige reportedly being a shoo in for years).

And, unlike the biopic itself (which has not received the official blessing of Simone’s family), Epps says the Pryor family’s blessing is what ultimately led him to take the role.

No official word on when the project can expect to be released.

(source)

Your thoughts?

This Thursday brings with it episode 5 of  WE tv hit ‘Tamar & Vince’. And judging by this freshly released teaser, the fun-filled drama continues.

‘Tamar & Vince’ airs every Thursday at 9pm ET/PT only on WE tv.

Your thoughts?

Comedy Central keeps the laughs coming with former Mad TV funnymen Key & Peele via their self-titled hit series.  Leaving no star unparodied, the twosome are winning fans over left and right.  The latest laughs on deck?  Chris Brown and Rihanna‘s “reunion music video”.

Aside from making light of “the incident”, peep the hilarious parody above – keeping an eye on Key’s reenactment of Ri’s signature ‘P-patting’.

Hilarity ensues below…

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In celebration of the launch of her new album ‘Two / Eleven’, That Grape Juice shines a light on Brandy Norwood– the ‘actress’.

Sure, while she’s most renown for her starring role on ‘UPN’s ‘Moesha‘, today’s Retro Rewind sees us journey back to 1998. The year, the ‘Let Me Go’ belle starred in Danny Cannon‘s ‘I Still Know What You Did Last Summer’.

Taking on the role of ‘Karla Wilson‘, Norwood‘s notoriety as one of Pop’s leading starlets saw the flick pull in a sweet $84 million at the Box Office. An impressive feat, considering its budget of $24 million.

Now peep Brandy and co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt  in action below…

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VH1 may not know her as its darling diva anymore, but that definitely hasn’t stopped the hustle of a certain Tiffany Pollard.  Best known as the brazen beauty “New York” (‘Flava of Love’,‘I Love New York’), the once-aspiring actress will now see her name atop a colorful cast on LOGO‘s newest series ‘DTLA’.

A scripted series set to follow the lives of a variety of characters who live, work, and play in downtown L.A., the show (from the directors of ‘The L Word’) will also be starring Darryl Stephens (best known for his work as Noah on the channel’s hit “Noah’s Arc” series), Melanie Griffith, comedienne  Sandra Bernhard, and more.

See the trailer below for ‘DTLA‘ – making its debut October 24th at 11/10 CST…

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Move over Mary Mary!

For, after news that fellow gospel performers Marvin Sapp and Kim Burrell earning their own reality shows, BET now unveils news of plans to introduce their first gospel reality show – starring none other than famed gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard (one fourth of the legendary Clark Sisters).

Joined by daughter/Urban contemporary gospel songstress Kierra Sheard and son/proudcer J. Drew Sheard, the show is one of many new “spiritually themed” programs being added to the channel in the coming months.  Reportedly already a month into taping, no official news has been unveiled of the show’s premiere date.

As ever, you can keep it locked to That Grape Juice for the latest on this story as it develops.

Your thoughts?

Much ado has been about Kim Zolciak‘s role in the upcoming season of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta. Is she still on the show? Is show not?

Well, according to TMZ, the wigilicious star will indeed feature in the 5th season of the Bravo hi , but only as a recurring “character”. ‘Why’, you may ask? Well, according to reports, Zolciak has landed her own spin-off show.

Full story below…

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American Idol has got a new home!

Yes, before the airing of its twelfth season, it has emerged the show will no longer air in the UK’s ITV2 and has been snapped up by rival network Channel 5, in a bid to capitalize on its A List judging panel which boasts Pop icon Mariah Carey and chart topping Rapper Nicki Minaj.

Set to launch in January 2013, the show will now call Channel 5* home, billed as a ‘defining show’ in an official statement released today.

It will continue to air on the FOX network State side.

Unfamiliar with this year’s panel? check them out in ‘Press’ action below…

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