Brian Dunkleman profits from former co-host Ryan Seacrest's cheap shot on American Idol

The American Idol studio audience gasped and began to applaud when host Ryan Seacrest announced last night that Brian Dunkleman would co-host next week's Idol Gives Back charity show-- only to mutter in disappointment and distaste when Seacrest quickly said it was merely his latest misguided attempt at humour. It was a cruel, bitter joke from a guy who's profited so greatly from the starmaking Idol gig that he shared with Dunkleman on the show's first season (and which Dunkleman walked away from on moral grounds). Seacrest, who'd developed into a classy television presence in preceding seasons, has fallen apart this time around, with lame attempts to one-up professional comedian Ellen DeGeneres and uncomfortable sexual set-tos with his friend Simon Cowell. This latest display, following his dance with a male former contestant during one hopeful's performance and a reference to gay Adam Lambert's "tongue talents" made last night's episode especially unappealing.


The one who comes out on top, of course, is Dunkleman, who'd already won many new fans and was applauded for his self-deprecating hipness with his fictional comedy series American Dunkleman (produced by our pals at Frozen Pictures). In the aftermath of Seacrest's cheap shot, Andy Denhart writes:

"Brian Dunkleman is the real winner here, especially because he’s self-aware and humble in a way Seacrest will apparently never be."

Now it's up to Idol's producers to do the only right thing: book Dunkleman as a surprise co-host or guest on the Idol Gives Back show. The move will inspire goodwill and bring in the donations.

UPDATE: Click here to check out Lyndsey Parker's follow-up, "Brian Dunkleman back in the spotlight," at Yahoo music.

Bad idea: Idol's Kara DioGuardi poses nude

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi has completed her transformation from savvy songwriting hitmaker to moronic deluded Paula Adbul and the stature of American Idol takes another hit with her ill-advised nude pose in the new edition of Allure magazine. This supposed mentor to young men and women has been working down to this since her skin-and-bones bikini flash last season. Then again, it could have been worse. It could have been Ellen.

Paul McCartney had a booger in his nose on American Idol last night

Thanks to the clarity of hi-definition television, it was all too evident that old Beatle Paul (in his Chris Montez-inspired collarless jacket) had a little something extra in his right nostril when he recorded his brief spot that ran on American Idol last night.

He even made a move to dislodge the nose candy on camera!


But he didn't get it.


Guess the old boy didn't have an extra 20 seconds to spare for a second take.

Video: The Danny Gans of Des Moines shows he's ready for the Las Vegas Strip

We've had great response to our posts about the All-American musical impressionist Rick Ludwig, the Danny Gans of Des Moines, Iowa, who's out there most every night with his "i-man show" when he's not delivering singing telegrams, playing deejay and host at karaoke events or belting out his Two Men And A Tune duet show with Big Al Lauderdale.

The video above shows Rick in performance last month at the Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona, highlighting his impressions of a Toby Keith & Willie Nelson duet, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Johnny Cash and John Denver. The show also included Rick as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Joe Cocker, George Jones, Billy Idol and Ozzy Osbourne.

The video proves the man is a powerhouse performer: a strong singer, excellent impressionist, and family entertainer who should be trading off nights with Frank Caliendo on the Las Vegas Strip. Rick Ludwig is the Terry Fator in waiting!

Rick adds a note: "The camera adds an extra 5-10 pounds to this video. I did a good job of adding an extra 50 over the past 10 years myself!"

UPDATE: Rick Ludwig will be performing his i-man show-- and breaking out new impressions of Joe Cocker and Tiny Tim-- at Trophy's Sports Bar & Grill in Des Moines, from 8 to 10 pm this Wednesday, March 17th (St Patrick's Day!)

Rick Ludwig: The Danny Gans of Des Moines is ready to take his act to Las Vegas

Attention, Las Vegas! Rick Ludwig is prepared to step up to fill a big pair of red socks and black-and-white spectator shoes.

We told you about musical impressionist Rick Ludwig and his "i-man show" as part of our series on artists across America who plow on, inspired by the work, life and example of Danny Gans.

Some rely on a tux, a microphone and a band. Rick Ludwig does it all, with costumes, props, and his own musical accompaniment, and as a result he is the one-man musical impressionism star of greater Des Moines, Iowa, and definitely qualifies as one of the hardest-working men in show business. Definitely a homegrown Heartland talent, he's dedicated to his family and community, while working overtime at entertaining with everything from DJing to karaoke parties to singing telegrams to his locally legendary i-man shows wherever he can pull out his trunk and set up.


Last night, it was the Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Altoona. Tonight, Trophy’s Sports Bar & Grill in Des Moines. Soon, Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip? In an exclusive online interview, Rick Ludwig tells us he’s prepared to bring his act to Las Vegas and, just maybe, fill the void left by the passing of the great Danny Gans. And like Garth Brooks, who took over the showroom Danny Gans left vacant, he’s willing to fly in on weekends so he can have the rest of the week with his wife and kids.

Tabloid Baby’s Sam Peters put up the questions .

So, you’re obviously a big talent. What shows have you got lined up?

All local Des Moines shows for now. Haven't pursued too much nationwide yet, but I wouldn't rule that out for future. Still fine-tuning the show here locally.

How long have you been doing your show?

My very first i-Man show was New Year's Eve 2007, which was the low-quality (I apologize) video that you have seen on YouTube. However, I have been singing since I was 4 in my mom's former church in front of 100 or so (so that would be 1970 roughly).

In 1985, I began as a part-time DJ while attending Central College in Pella, Iowa (Harry Smith's college). In 1991, I purchased my first karaoke system, began doing it at private parties and weddings and then expanded into the clubs in 1993.

In 1994 I left my day job as a computer programmer and in 1995 when full-time into the DJ & Karaoke business.

I began singing in clubs as a performer in about 1996-1997. Began doing Singing Telegrams around 2001.

So you’re a show biz vet. Are you a native of Des Moines?

I’m from Ottumwa, Iowa. That’s the hometown of Tom Arnold and, fictionally, Radar from M*A*S*H. I moved to Des Moines in 1989 to begin a day job at the Principal Financial Group downtown.

Say you get the call from Sin City. Would you be willing to relocate?

If the right opportunity came along, I might be willing to relocate in a few years, once my kids are a bit older. I have four (three girls aged 14, 7 and 6, with one boy, 13). However, I think it would be fun to maybe perform in a Las Vegas casino one or two nights a week-- say a Monday or Tuesday-- and then fly back home to Iowa. Airfare is cheap from DSM to Vegas.

A talent like you was bound to get noticed. Have you ever applied for a show like America's Got Talent?

As for American Idol, was always too old. They need Geezers Got Talent or Old Farts Got Talent and I'd be all over that. Just kidding. I haven't done the America's Got Talent because I'm way too busy with my DJ, Karaoke and Singing Telegram business. I don't know when I'd get time off! I guess it wouldn't hurt to pursue some day and give them a taste of i-Man or something.

I did win $2,500 in a karaoke contest at Prairie Meadows in Altoona back in 2007. I got second place, dressed as my Big Elvis and Disco Dude characters (kind of a pre-cursor to i-Man, I think). I used some of that money to buy additional costume stuff. (See pictures on RickLudwigShow.com.

Of course, it all gets back to Danny Gans. How did The Man of Many Voices inspire you?

A couple visited one of my karaoke shows back in 2006 while I was singing a few Elvis and Johnny Cash songs. I wasn’t in costume, just imitating their voices, and they told me I reminded them of Danny Gans from Las Vegas, who they went to see at least once a year. I said, “Danny who?”

I basically lived under a rock at that time, because I had only been to Vegas twice before that for DJ conventions and still didn't know who Danny Gans was. A few weeks later, this couple returned to the show with a videotape of Danny Gans and loaned it to me to watch. “Wow! That's what I wanna do” I said.

Maybe not Vegas right away, but I loved the idea of imitating voices and also dressing the part.

So that's how I got hooked. I went to see Danny in February 2007 during a DJ convention and I was like a little kid in a candy store. He was awesome!!!

Okay. You run the gamut. But what are your favorite impressions?

Elvis, Johnny Cash, Elton John and I do a split-personality character of half Toby Keith, half Willie Nelson. I sing the duet Beer For My Horses, doing both parts back and forth. lol. People go crazy over that one. It's unique for Iowa.

I also just added Ozzy costume and am still working that one out.

See Rick Ludwig live tonight at Trophy’s Sports Bar & Grill iN Des Moines tonight from 7 to 10, and next Saturday, February 20th at Rookie's Sports Bar & Grill 9-1 in Clive, Iowa.

Idol return puts spotlight on Dunkleman

The debut of the ninth season of American Idol and Simon Cowell's coinciding announcement that he'll bolt when it's through has brought Tabloid Baby pal Brian Dunkleman back to the entertainment spotlight, putting his decision to leave American Idol after its first season in a new, perhaps prescient, light. Dunkleman, who has spent the past seven seasons honing his comedic chops, has developed into a top standup comic and comedy performer, as demonstrated in the proposed series American Dunkleman, produced by our pals at Frozen Pictures, and for some reason in a zucked-up TV world looking for a smart hit, has as yet not gone to pilot.


Dunkleman is showcased in an interview on AOL's Television webpage. Some highlights follow:

Everybody wants to know: What are you up to these days?
What am I up to? Right now I'm on the golf course, so that about sums it up. Doing that and doing standup. Making America laugh is what I'm doing.

What about more recently?
I actually just shot a comedy special for Showtime that should be airing in a few months. I don't have an official air date yet, but that's what I've been working towards for the last few months...

That first season looked fun. Did it seem fun at the time to you?
It was fun sometimes, and sometimes it wasn't so fun. I think that's the same with every job. Some days are good, some days are bad.

That's the reason that you left, right?
It was more than one reason. I mean really, I wanted to have a career as an actor. That's what I had done. This was actually the first time I'd done any kind of hosting. And all my experience was as a standup and as an actor. I hadn't done a ton of stuff, but I'd probably gotten like 12, 15 little guest-star appearances and co-star stuff. [So it was] mainly that reason, and I didn't think ... Here's my poor judgment. I didn't think the whole reality television thing was going to last. And neither did a lot of people, actually...

I saw somewhere that you're pitching a series called 'American Dunkleman.' What is that?
Do you remember a show called 'The Hudson Brothers' many years ago? A guy named Brett Hudson, he's a producer, he was on the show. And he was kind of a teen idol; he and his brothers got very famous, very quickly. So they got approached by McDonald's, who were like, we want you guys to be the McDonald's brothers -- you'd have a big M on your sweaters. And he's like, I'm not gonna sell out, are you crazy? There's no way we're doing that. And obviously they'd be billionaires right now. So he looked me up and had an idea for a show, just kind of like about the situation of my life, kind of a 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'-type, 'Extras'-type show, revolving around me. So we shot a little demo a while ago, and we're in the process of developing it and trying to pitch it.

So why hasn't this gone to pilot? TV genius pals, get in touch with the Frozen boys.

...and a tip of the Tabloid Baby hat to Michael Karp for pointing us to the story...

Les Paul's death takes us about one dead celebrity over the line

Acknowledging the passing of a figure who's had a great effect or influence on pop culture is just something we all do. At Tabloid Baby, just as at the New York Times, the ones we select for tribute, discussion or investigation help define who we are. But with Les Paul's passing today, we've sort of had enough. Les was the innovator, and a part if the New York City music scene over the years. He pioneered multitrack recording; he invented the solid body guitar; when he shattered his right arm in a car crash, rendering it immobile, he had it set at an angle so he could play continue to guitar; they named the Les Paul after him!

But it's thirty-third week of 2009 and Les Paul's is the thirty-eighth celebrity death we've highlighted since January 3rd.

Get a load of this list of the people whose passings we've mentioned in 2009-- so far:

Glenn Goldman of Book Soup
Ray Dennis Steckler, movie auteur
Jon Hager of the Hager Twins John Updike, author
James Brady, newspapermanLeroy Cooper, musician David Fathead Newman, saxmanHank Crawford, musician Dewey Martin of Buffalo Springfield
Tom Brumley of Rick Nelson's band
Lux Interior of The Cramps
Orlando Cachaito López, Buena Vista Social Club bassist
Wendy Richard, Carry On actress
Alan Landers, Winston Man
Altovise Davis, Sammy Davis Jr.'s widow
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Natasha Richardson
Dorothea Holt Redmond, production designer
Peter Rogers, Carry On producer
Danny Gans 
Dom DeLuise
Wayne Allwine, voice of Mickey Mouse
David Carradine, actor, Sam Butera, musician 
Ed McMahon
Farrah Fawcett
Michael Jackson
Steve Brennan, reporter
Allen Klein
Walter Cronkite
Gidget, Taco Bell pup
Alexis Cohen, American idol Glitter Girl
Rev. Ike
Sidney Zion, journo
Billy Lee Riley, rockabilly legend
John Hughes
Willy DeVille
Les Paul

Maybe it's because people are living longer or that we've been creating too many celebrities, but we're getting tired of the deathwatch.

American Idol's Glitter Girl killed in hit & run

This year's accelerated celebrity death cycle has taken a swerve toward the reality genre, bumping into the ridiculous along the way, with word this morning that Alexis Cohen, the middle-finger flashing madwoman wannabe who brightened up two seasons (Seven & Eight) of auditions on American Idol was killed over the weekend in a hit and run accident on the New Jersey shore.

Was she walking in the middle of the road? No matter; whoever hit her didn't stop. Homicide charges await. Internet tributes are already pouring in. Expect a salute on the next season of Idol.

Ryan Seacrest's former American Idol cohost Brian Dunkleman is sitting on his own multi-million dollar goldmine

Word that Ryan Seacrest signed a well-deserved $45 million deal to host three more seasons of American Idol has apparently led to a barrage of Brian Dunkleman jokes on Twitter, the radio and across the universe (Tabloid Baby pal Nili informs us that "Howard Stern was making fun of Brian Dunkleman on his show today... Artie Lange said he was doing stand up in Peoria and Howard said he was cutting coupons out of the Pennysaver...") Dunkleman was Seacrest's cohost on the first season of American idol, but quit the show-- yes, he quit-- because he thought it was "mean to kids."

On the surface, Dunkleman has not achieved the same level of success as his former cohost, but he has carried on an is sitting on a multimillion dollar goldmine in the form of a scripted comedy series about his travails, mishaps and public persona called American Dunkleman. Check out the trailer above and, agent and network pals, set up a meeting.

American Dunkleman makes The Globe!

The Globe, the edgy supermarket tabloid that's scarfed up by millions of Americans each week, is highlighting American Dunkleman!

You remember American Dunkleman. It's the proposed television comedy series starring former American Idol host Brian Dunkleman, was hailed as "hilarious" earlier this year when a trailer for the based-on-real-life laughfest hit the Internet. The series from our pals at Frozen Pictures got great attention from the likes of the Los Angeles Times and The National Enquirer, which had fun with the producers' tongue-in-cheek Facebook campaign.


Now the current issue of The Globe tabloid features American Dunkleman. The fact that the weekly tabloid with a finger on the pulse of Middle America chose to seek out and publish a story on the show is yet another indicator of American Dunkleman's mainstream appeal.

The story is another juicy tease with an A+ tabloid headline:

'IDOL' IDIOT PLOTS SITCOM SALVATION

FORMER American Idol host Brian Dunkleman is attempting a TV comeback by shopping around a sitcom about his life.

Called American Dunkleman, the series plays on Brian's real-life reputation of having made "the biggest mistake in the history of show business" when he walked away from his role as "Idol" co-host after the show's first season.

Since leaving FOX's talent fest, his career has nose-dived, while his co-host Ryan Seacrest went on to make a fortune as a radio DJ and TV producer.

The comedy series follows the fictional Dunkleman as he attempts to get back into the television business.

A source says: "His character embarrasses himself and disappoints his friends while constantly being reminded that he could have been a millionaire if he'd stuck with the show."

So what about the show?

"We're negotiating, we're pitching and we've got one especially hot prospect we hope will become a reality soon, says Frozen's Brett Hudson. "This series will introduce America to a Brian Dunkleman who was never revealed on reality television. He's a true comedy idol!"

National Enquirer boosts American Dunkleman!

American Dunkleman, the new television comedy series created by our pals at Frozen Pictures got a huge boost this week as the National Enquirer is running a prominent story, spread over two pages, that not only promotes the show starring former American Idol host Brian Dunkleman, but gets in the comedic spirit and ratchets the satirical edge one step further!

Ex-'Idol' host resorts to begging
fans to help revive his career

runs the hilarious headline, which spins off the satirical Facebook group, "American Dunkleman is the next great television comedy," that's been promoting the proposed scripted series among the industry movers and shakers who communicate on the site.

The Enquirer article also gets to the heart of the series, which is a takeoff on Dunkleman's real-life plight of making "the biggest mistake in the history of show business," while at the same time showing off the actor's great acting and comedic skills.

"The Enquirer is the best," Burt Kearns, who created the series with fellow writer-producer Brett Hudson, tells us exclusively. "As a veteran of the tabloid industry, I appreciate the humour and spin of the headline-- it'll grab the millions of readers out there in America and will help them identify with the 'Brian Dunkleman' character in the series.

"I mean, it's genius. The Enquirer writes of Dunkleman's 'agony' and desperation when it's the producers who put up the Facebook site as a stunt! They're treating the star as if he's the character, like doing a story on Larry David as if he's really the guy in Curb Your Enthusiasm! Brilliant! Hey, we may even use the article in one of the episodes!"

The full article runs below-- as you can see above, they even showed the Facebook page.

As for the rest of Hollywood... stay tuned... after the release of the promotional trailer (below) led to a tremendous publicity blitz that included raves in places like the Los Angeles Times ("Hilarious!"), the Dunkleman series, including its pilot script, is just now beginning to be shopped.

Ex-'Idol' host resorts to begging
fans to help revive his career
Brian Dunkleman
still can't live down his
'biggest mistake'

FORMER "American idol" co-host Brian Dunkleman has gone from becoming a living room fixture in millions of American homes to begging fans to help him land a new TV show.

Dunkleman was Ryan Seacrest's sidekick when "Idol" debuted in 2002, but to his lasting regret, left the mega-hit s how after the first season. Now he's desperately seeking a new gig-- in a series about himself!

The title: "American Dunkleman"!

"Let's be honest-- I didn't think 'American Idol' would be successful. Had I known, I would have stayed," he told The ENQUIRER exclusively.

After the 37-year-old entertainer announced his departure, Simon Cowell declared Dunkleman had "made the biggest mistake in the history of show business."

In his drive to return to the spotlight, Dunkleman, who's found sporadic TV work, is opening up about his personal agony on the Web site Facebook.

"I'M TRYING TO GET FANS to support a new TV comedy series called 'American Dunkleman.'

"The show is based in how every day of my life I'm reminded of the biggest mistake I've ever made-- leaving 'Idol'-- and how I can't go anywhere without being reminded of that career decision.

"I'm appealng to members of Facebook in an attempt to get one million fans to support the show before we pitch it to the networks."

by LISA LUCHESI

LA Times: American Dunkleman is 'hilarious'

We told you yesterday about American Dunkleman, the great new scripted comedy series starring American Idol veteran Brian Dunkleman. Our pals at Frozen Pictures have just begun shopping the project, and today the Los Angeles Times ran with the story-- and posted the video clip-- on its Idol Tracker blog:

Los Angeles Times
January 23, 2009
Idol Tracker: What you're watching

The return of Brian Dunkleman

"American Idol's" original black sheep is back. It's hard to remember a time when then-surfer dude Ryan Seacrest shared the stage as one of two hosts, but that's how it was in Season 1 of "American Idol." And while we all know what happened with to the Man Who Became Dick Clark, his vanquished other half has largely disappeared from view -- except for the occasional embittered interview.

Now, as seen in the hilarious trailer above, Brian Dunkleman has returned, shooting a series about the travails of being the Man Who Did Not Become Ryan Seacrest. The press release from Frozen Pictures, the show's producer, explains:

"American Dunkleman" is a fictional account of the actor-comic's life, based on his reputation for having made "the biggest mistake in the history of show business" when he walked away from his role as co-host of "American Idol" after its first season in 2002 (Dunkleman's cohost was Ryan Seacrest).

The series follows the fictional Dunkleman as he tries to work his way back to the television industry, embarrassing himself and disappointing his friends while constantly being reminded that he "could have been a millionaire" had he stuck with "Idol."

The episodic arc runs from realism to absurdity, including Dunkleman's misadventures hosting a cable reality pilot; disaster in a stand-up comedy appearance when he offends an audience of young teens; his surprise at a convention event when he's forced to host an Idol-like contest among "furries"; a desperate decision to become a patient on a Hollywood rehab reality show (even though he doesn't have a substance abuse problem); an embarrassing mugshot; and, in a twist, a stalking by a deranged celebrity.

The series pitch tape is running at AmericanDunkleman.com and other industry outlets.

Series was created and written by Brett Hudson and Burt Kearns of Frozen Pictures. Their credits include the 2005 Fox movie comedy "Cloud 9," Showtime's "My First Time" and "The Seventh Python," the Neil Innes film bio now making the film festival circuit.

"Brian Dunkleman is a great comic actor," says Hudson. "He's a very self-aware personality who's got the timing, the face -- and the name -- for comedy. Dunkleman (the character) fits somewhere between Rodney Dangerfield and Charlie Brown. The audience can't help but identify with and root for him."

Check back next week when we hope to bring you an interview with the one-man lost colony of Idol Nation, Brian Dunkleman.

-- Richard Rushfield

American Dunkleman is the next great TV comedy

So say our pals at Frozen Pictures.

We told you the Brian Dunkleman comeback is underway. Check out the trailer for the show they're now shopping. Visit AmericanDunkleman.com and see the news release:

Frozen Pictures Pitches 'American Dunkleman'
First comedy series of the Obama years
features "Guy Who Quit American Idol"

Hollywood, CA (Frozen Pictures) January 23, 2009 -- Brian Dunkleman continues his television comeback with the starring role in 'American Dunkleman,' a new scripted comedy series being shopped by Frozen Pictures.

American Dunkleman is a fictional account of the actor-comic's life, based on his reputation for having made "the biggest mistake in the history of show business" when he walked away from his role as co-host of American Idol after its first season in 2002 (Dunkleman's cohost was Ryan Seacrest).

The series follows the fictional Dunkleman as he tries to work his way back to the television industry, embarrassing himself and disappointing his friends while constantly being reminded that he "could have been a millionaire" had he stuck with Idol.

The episodic arc runs from realism to absurdity, including Dunkleman's misadventures hosting a cable reality pilot; disaster in a standup comedy appearance when he offends an audience of young teens; his surprise at a convention event when he's forced to host an Idol-like contest among "furries"; a desperate decision to become a patient on a Hollywood rehab reality show (even though he doesn't have a substance abuse problem); an embarrassing mugshot; and, in a twist, a stalking by a deranged celebrity.

The series pitch tape is running at AmericanDunkleman.com and other industry outlets.

Dunkleman is featured again tonight (Thursday) in the second two-episode arc of NBC's My Name Is Earl, playing another version of himself.

Series was created and written by Brett Hudson and Burt Kearns of Frozen Pictures. Their credits include the 2005 20th Century Fox movie comedy Cloud 9, Showtime's My First Time, and The Seventh Python, the Neil Innes film bio now making the film festival circuit.

"Brian Dunkleman is a great comic actor," says Hudson. "He's a very self-aware personality who's got the timing, the face-- and the name-- for comedy. Dunkleman (the character) fits somewhere between Rodney Dangerfield and Charlie Brown. The audience can't help but identify with and root for him."

Dunkleman is repped by Susan Haber of Haber Entertainment.

The Return of Brian Dunkleman?

“Dunkleman turned his back on a fortune, and people ridicule him for it. I think he’s a hero. I say we should start a 'Dunkleman for President’ campaign.”

-- Neil Innes, LA Times, June 2008

Pop culture alert: An unexpected resurgence of Brian Dunkleman, the actor-comedian who made show business history when he quit his co-hosting role on American Idol after its first season (he didn't like the sadism inflicted on the young contestants-- Simon Cowell called it the biggest mistake in industry history). Dunkleman's cohost Ryan Seacrest went on to Hollywood prominence and power. Dunkleman went on to the "Where Are They Now?" files. And Celebrity Fit Club.

Until now. Heroic Dunkleman appeared at the top of last night's Idol premiere in what had to be a heart-wrenching half-second cameo (in a reprise of Seacrest saying "This" over seven seasons, leading into his "This is American Idol" open). Tomorrow, he's featured in a new episode of My Name Is Earl, and we are hearing there is about to be some kind of major Dunkleman announcement on Monday.

A major Dunkleman announcement.

Stay tuned.

'Charming and illuminating!" LA Times returns to The Seventh Python hours before world premiere

The LA Times has certainly taken notice of the world premiere of The Seventh Python tonight at the Mods and Rockers Film Festival in Hollywood. Hours after the publication of a full-length feature in the Guide section, music writer Randy Lewis-- who got a sneak preview of the film-- writes this afternoon:

You can tell a lot about a person from their heroes. There are those who cite great statesmen or politicians; others look up to athletes, scientists, philosophers or artists.

For British musician and humorist Neil Innes, it’s Brian Dunkleman, who quit his job co-hosting “American Idol” with Ryan Seacrest because he didn’t like the way contestants were being treated.

“Dunkleman turned his back on a fortune, and people ridicule him for it — I think he’s a hero,” says Innes, one-time member of the inner circle of the Monty Python comedy troupe who’s often referred to as “The Seventh Python.” That happens to be the title of a new film documentary on Innes’ career, which also has included membership in the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and Eric Idle’s Beatles satire project The Rutles, for which Innes wrote all the delightful Fab Four-esque songs.

“I say we should start a ‘Dunkleman for President’ campaign,” he said.

His admiration for a pop culture footnote goes to the heart of the charming and illuminating documentary by director Burt Kearns who, like many of those he interviewed for his film, laments that Innes never has received wider recognition for his creative wit and musical acumen...

“That’s the problem I’ve had all my life,” Innes said, an ever-present lilt in his voice. “The truth is there is a lot of music out there that isn’t trying to be funny, but it still is. The Bonzos used to point this out in the ’60s. There’s that thing that you can’t ignore what you see, and the human condition is funny.”

So is much of “The Seventh Python” — even to its subject. “There’s a wonderful moment when they’re on the street showing a photo of me and no one can identify it. Then one person looks into the camera and says, ‘I know what you’re doing — you’re making a documentary about someone nobody’s ever heard of.’ I just adored that.”

Read the entire article here.

Carly Smithson should have taken our advice

Had failed Irish pop star Carly Hennessy Smithson taken our advice of April 4th, perhaps she would have survived on American Idol past tonight to freak everyone out for another week with her angry Kabuki facial expressions, off-putting tat sleeve, bizarre outfits and nice guy husband. As you recall, we said we'd vote for Carly when

"that lady who's tattooed on her right arm starts singing along like the talking boil on Richard E. Grant’s neck in How To Get Ahead in Advertising!"

Sadly, it was not to be.

While Gawker gawks, Harvey Levin takes 12"

We’ve been keeping an eye on the corporate porn-pushing gossip site TMZ.com for close to two years now, occasionally pausing to point out its unfairness, immorality, illiteracy, crassness, soullessness, perversity, coprophilia and generally bad and wrongheaded execution of the tabloid form— and for too long have gotten the impression that, to paraphrase the hateful TMZ, nobody gave a sh*t.

Well, gradually, the dead-horse beating seems to be paying off. Long after the great Hollywood Reporter columnist Ray Richmond lent his respected support, the New York-based Gawker.com has begun to take notice.

Thanks to recent staff turnover at the influential media site, fresh eyes viewed our criticism of TMZ’s cruel mockery of the death of American Idol good guy Elliott Yamin’s mother, and this week Gawker noticed that TMZ reported on the death of powerful celebrity Cameron Diaz's father, but "has not yet tried to make an awful joke about it.”

This morning, Gawker points out some of the more distasteful, pornographic and disgusting recent TMZ headlines— something we’ve been bringing to your attention for months now:


In addition to making fun of your mother's death and mocking people for supposedly aging prematurely, Harvey Levin's TMZ loves to write oh-so-clever sex-pun headlines. The one pictured ran with a story about Britney Spears being ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawyer's fees… Some more… will help you develop the vital skill of applying a dick joke to virtually any situation:

Nanny’s Folks—Rob Lowe Worked Her To The Bone
Beckham Likes It Tight and Right
Lowe’s Employees Say They’ve Never Met Lil’ Rob
You Can’t Keep Dick Down.

The timing of the post, by the way, cheated Gawker out of this morning’s crop (and this list is real):

Jenna Jameson: Shuck It, Slurp It
Godzilla to Subway: I Got Your 12” Right Here
Dita -- Where'd You Get Those F**k Me Pumps?
Finger It Like Baby Beckham
Lohan's Face Matches the Carpet
Von A-hole Picks the Gayest Fight Ever
Heidi and Spencer -- More Whoring To Come
Posh Pissed on by Kitson Owner?
Dr. Jan In the S**t for Fast Livin'

And that's just this morning. So far. The wives of TMZ’s corporate overlords, as well as AOL and Time Warner shareholders must be very proud to be associated with the site fronted by shaved bronzed midget Harvey Levin.

But there's something even more malodorous and foul that's been reeking from TMZ in recent days: the smell of feet, freed of socks, being licked.

We'll get to that later today.

How Carly Smithson can win American Idol

Yes, we keep track of American Idol, and no, we wouldn't phone in a vote for any of the Top Nine ringers and pros, especially not Carly Hennessy, the failed multimillion dollar contract Irish pop star (with a double entendre tune about oral sex) who's masquerading as "Carly Smithson"-- not unless that lady who's tattooed on her right arm starts singing along like the talking boil on Richard E. Grant’s neck in How To Get Ahead in Advertising!

On a related note, deep in the Tabloid Baby archives, a posting in which we exposed Carly’s past and the show’s conflicts of interest has generated a steady stream of comments, the majority in support of the old gal.

Here’s a sampling:

anonymous said...
fyi, carly is a hardworking waittress at a local pub who sang her heart out for two years for pennies to the utter enjoyment of many patrons who paid no cover . I personally passed the hat for her one night because I have so much 
respect for her hard work & talent.
So give a nice girl a break & just let her sing to the world , you'll be glad she did. Marie N. 
S.D.

anonymous said...
This girl worked in a bar as a waitress to pay her way has sang for buttons so she obviously loves music whats wrong with that????
Its what she loves to do obviously so give her a chance. 
All the Irish americans will be behind her as Ireland and America have such a bond.

princess paddy said...
OK Tabloid Baby, wanna know the facts ? Or are you all about copy and past internet crap ! She did not have $2.2 million spent on her or all the fancy extras that go with having a "deal". A demented revengeful journalist wrote a story that was all crap and it went wild all over the papers internationally saying all this stuff about Carly. So as usual everybody jumps on board and believes all they read. Bull Bull Bull. Do yourself a favour, go down to the pub where she sings her heart out on a Saturday night like the majority of singers looking for that break and see if she can sing ! She has no record deal and wants one just like all the other hopefuls. And by the way there is a constitution in place in case you don't know and when you marry an american man you are entitled to live and work in America. Ever heard of John F Kennedy ? Thank you. I rest my case ! Go Carly. You're a friggin legend girl ! The owner of the pub will be missing out !

anonymous said...
Hi, I saw Carly's audition she is married to Todd Smithson I would guess that's why she used that name, I also think she is very genuine. She deserves some luck she had a deal before and made no money that's probably not her fault, she has a fantastic voice and probably the best in America. What you fail to say is that her career was lunched at the same time that America suffered the second biggest attack since Pearl Harbour, (911) around that time nothing sold and her album failed to make an impression great that it was... I hope she wins I think she is great and i think your being nasty to her unfairly... she is talented and been through the mill try to feel for her and put yourself in her position. I wish her every success, give her a break.

anonymous said...
She needs to go back to Ireland, after all Americans cant go to Ireland and work. Besides now that the setup is out of the bag continuing on with the setup and letting her win is impossible now. But I'm sure thats what they had in mind.

anonymous said...
She may deserve a break, but "AMERICAN" idol is not the place. This if for undiscovered amatuers not record company retreads. For her to be there is an insult to the viewing audience and the real contestents.

anonymous said...
I don't see anyone complaining about the Australian in the competition. Get off the anti-Carly kick, give her a chance to prove herself on stage. If you don't like what you hear then you can vote her off.

anonymous said...
Carly is amazing. Carly has an amazing voice, and wonderful stage presence. Carly deserves a break.
Carly obviously knows how to work hard for a living. 
I hope you sweep the boards Carly.

anonymous said...
...many of the Idol contestants who make it to the finals have essentially already had a shot at stardom, whether it was Kelly Clarkson's record deal that didn't end up producing anything, or others who don't make it on their own, change their name or their image and try again. Don't you want the best singer to be able to produce an album, I do, regardless of other chances they've had...

chase said...
For the record, from one fellow Irishman to all you Irish out there blindly supporting Carly, WAKE UP, she's NO ONE WORTH SUPPORTING!

 Has everyone failed to notice her lack of creativity? Has everyone failed to notice that, besides (in the words of the judges) singing very "nicely" she has nothing to offer the musical world? 

The reason her album went nowhere is because she is utterly forgettable. She attacks every song in the same dreary way, with the same level of non-emotion... I'd say she's a modern day Debbie Boone... and sings in an empty, hollow, emotionless and I dare say BLAH way that leaves one cold on the inside after hearing it.

anonymous said...
WOW...I just wanted to know if Carly had recently gotten married because I didn't realize she was married until last weeks show, but somehow I stumbled onto this crap! Apparently there are WAY too many people stirring up some stories...I'm not even sure what to believe anymore! Can't we find anything better to do?? Don't you all have jobs? Regardless of all of this, I think Carly has a beautiful voice and she deserves to be there just like the rest of them!

luke220 said...
Ok, I'll say it. The reason she was in the bottom three last night was the looks of her friends and husband. Sorry, face tattoos weird me out, and many others I'm sure. She's a good singer but the show is a popularity contest, and people don't like the tattoos.

barahir said...
Her album came out in 2000 and flopped. Since then she has worked hard just like everyone else, ending up waitressing and performing in a pub. I don't see how a flopped record 8 years ago, in any way, negates her ability to compete in American Idol. I have a friend who "cut a CD" in high school and actually sold about $100k worth of them. I certainly would still call him "undiscovered."

anonymous said...
Fully agree 100% that the tattoos are disgraceful and a tremendous turnoff....even worse when we get subjected to pictures of her husband who has totally disfigured his body so hideously that nobody would ever hire him so he will always be a "tattoo artist", a fad that is quickly on the fade out. What was once a competition to find new talent, and fresh-faced ingenues, has become a repository for tired old hacks who have already had their kick at the can and failed, and circus act tattooed ladies.

j mcdade said...
Talent is talent, which Carly does have. Look past the body art and really listen to her voice, it will tell you real talent amongst, the rest of the pack

anonymous said...
congrats carley, i think youre great, have a great time on american idol, cannot vote because i live in EIRE, so go n-ére an t-adh leat,,,,,JJ

anonymous said...
Carly has the best voice in AI7. She like anyone else deserves a second chance whether or not a previous album flopped. She is not only a very talented singer but is a very beautiful person inside and out. GO CARLY!!! You have my vote along with many others.

anonymous said...
For whoever said that Carly leaves one feeling cold inside after hearing her, that is just one person's opinion. I wanted to cry last night when she sang "Here You Come Again." She has a beautiful voice, and she has incredible talent. I feel drawn to her everytime she opens her mouth. I hope she rocks it out to the final 2.

And click here if you want to add your own comment.

TMZ bends over, but refuses to apologize for mocking the death of Elliott Yamin's mother

The Hollywood-hating, celebrity-baiting, AOL and Time-Warner financed corporate porn-pushing gossip site TMZ.com has removed the “offending line” from the cruel, nasty and inexcuseable mockery of the death of American Idol graduate Elliott Yamin’s mother.

Elliott, always the emotional underdog and very much perceived as a nice guy, had tragedy compounded yesterday when the heavily-funded and promoted website mocked the passing of his dear mom with the headline:

Mom of Former "Idol" Finalist Sings "My Way"

The item ended with the line, “Yamin finished in 3rd place in 2006 on 'Idol,' behind Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks -- who, like Mrs. Yamin, will never be heard from again.”

Would that the same be said about the clueless cowards at TMZ. With no moral compass of its own, the site cashed in on the outrage by following up not with an apology but a poll, asking if readers thought they’d-- tee-hee-- “gone too far,” and promising to remove the final phrase if 51% of readers voted in favor.

The big question left hanging is why the site’s frontman and alleged editor, the shaved bronzed midget Harvey Levin, didn’t pull up his pants and put his foot down immediately, removing the offensive post and issuing an apology to readers and the Yamin family (TMZ was among those pressuring Jay Leno to apologize for his distasteful comments about their fellow gays).

But there is no decency at TMZ and its skidmarks are staining the image of its corporate overlords, AOL and Time-Warner. The site almost always missteps when it prances beyond its Twink Male Zone into the lives of real grown-up celebrities-- but the offense is always most egregious in the case of decent ordinary folk like Mrs. Yamin,

TMZ commenters expressed real disgust yesterday:

That is rude. His mother died.

...how the flip low can u go?????????????....DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!...sorry for ur loss Elliot.

TMZ you are an asshole and a douchebag

Entertainment News, Celebrity Gossip and Hollywood Rumours.


This is none of the above.

That last sentence should really be altered. It's cruel, and an exercise in bad taste.

" never heard from again"?! Have some respect TMZ!

That is so disrespectful. There is a difference between reporting entertainment news and being totally out of line and having no respect for human life. It would do you good to remove the last comment you put about not being heard from again. It's sick.

…the joke at the end was out of line. It is never in good taste to make a joke and mention someones passing at the same time.

"who, like Mrs. Yamin, will never be heard from again." WHO EVER WROTE THIS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! shame on you 10000x's

My prayers and condolences to the Yamin family. That was pretty mean. The man's mother just died and you find it neccessary to insult him? Not funny. Just plain disrespectful.

Wow.......a twofer. TMZ displaying their crassness and obsession with American Ido all in one fell swoop.

whomever wrote this article is gonna get bitch slapped by karma. that was just out of line.

TMZ..I BOYCOTTED PEREZ HILTON AND X17 FOR DUMBASS COMMENTS LIKE THIS..I GUESS ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!!! YOUR OWN POOR MOTHERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEIR CHILDREN.

Elliott, my prayers are with you and your family. I'm sorry for your loss.

Yeah, as someone who recently lost her mom to cancer-that last sentence was pretty offensive...

Is there somebody at TMZ who gets a "private hard-on" being so mean? Off handed comments are one thing, but with this comment you've reached an all time low. This time I'm NOT taking the high road - YOU ASS WIPES.

Ah, there are close to 600 similar expressions. But it will take more than that for TMZ to be set straight. At least they took some of our advice since we posted yesterday afternoon, and began to cleaning up their crass, amateurish and lowlife headlines. Here’s a sample of the ones squeezed out this morning:

Rocco Gets Sloppy Seconds

Nickelback Singer to Cops -- Blow Me!

Kooky Lady Rides Naked Cowboy for $10 Mil

Janice: Let Me Fart in Peace

Lisa Rinna is Full of S**t!

Adnan: Driving While Douchebag

Or not.