Montco Chef To Appear On ‘Food Network Star’

English: Logo for Food Network (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

AMBLER, PA — One local man will be cooking up quite a bit of national attention for the area now that he’s earned a spot as a contestant on a new reality show this summer.

Chad Rosenthal, 37, of Ambler, has been chosen to appear as a contestant on the Food Network’s ninth season of the “Food Network Star” competition, which begins airing Sunday, June 2, at 9 p.m.

Featuring celebrity judge mentors Alton Brown, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis, the show pits 12 contestants against one another in a series of weekly challenges for a chance to earn their own television show on the channel.

Born and raised in Upper Dublin, Rosenthal said he’s putting his hopes for stardom on his highly popular barbecue comfort food-style menu.  The owner of the former Rosie’s restaurants in Jenkintown and Ambler said patrons said his face belonged on the small screen.

Read more:  
http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130531/ENTERTAINMENT01/130539895/montco-chef-to-appear-on-food-network-star-#full_story

Candice Glover Wins Season 12 Of American Idol

Logo of the Fox Broadcasting Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“I can’t even … Oh, my God … Three years.”

For three years, Candice Glover traveled from her South Carolina home to try out for American Idol. Thursday night, her efforts paid off. She became the 12th winner of the Fox singing competition, beating out Kree Harrison to become the show’s first female winner in six years.

Glover, 23, not only had the night’s final big moment, she was involved in some of the other highlights of the two-hour-plus finale, singingInseparable with Jennifer Hudson, then getting a shout-out from Aretha Franklin, who told her, “Candice, you’re a winner — win or lose, you’re a winner.”

Read more: 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/idolchatter/2013/05/16/american-idol-winner-third-times-the-charm-candice-glover/2192781/

Amish Experience Halts ‘Amish Mafia Tour’ After Legal Threat

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hold on chust a minute: “Amish Mafia” fans won’t get to see Lebanon Levi’s “office” or his crew of enforcers’ stomping grounds after all.

Producers of the hit “reality” show have threatened legal action against Bird-in-Hand-based The Amish Experience, which had plans for an extensive tour of the show’s local sites, beginning this month.

Many scenes for the Discovery Channel series — which just wrapped a second season of filming — were shot in Lancaster County.  The tour, its organizer said, would have included a behind-the-scenes glimpse of filming locations while debunking the show’s portrayal of a group of violent Amish protectors.

Read more: 
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/847682_Amish-Experience-halts–Amish-Mafia-Tour–after-legal-threat.html#ixzz2Sv2jfUcK

Randy Jackson Leaving ‘American Idol’

LOS ANGELES — Jackson out.  Randy Jackson, the lone original “American Idol” judge, says he won’t be returning to the Fox talent competition.

“To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on ‘American Idol,’ I have decided to leave after this season,” Jackson said in a statement Thursday.  “I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry.”

The 56-year-old record producer and bassist called the experience a “life-changing opportunity.” He said he’s leaving “Idol” to focus on his record label and other business opportunities.

Read more:  
http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130509/ENTERTAINMENT01/130509227/later-dawg-randy-jackson-leaving-american-idol-#full_story

Hysterical Interview Of Ryan Lochte On Good Day Philadelphia

The interview is funny but after Ryan is done watch Sheinelle Jones laugh so hard she cries, snorts and they go to break.  Ryan has a new reality show on E! which he is promoting, hence the interview.

Click here:  
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8787217

Nonprofit Group Forming To Reduce Crime In Reading Area

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Two Roy’s Rants thumbs up to Berks County and the City of Reading for tackling crime head on!

A Reading law firm has begun paperwork to form a new nonprofit group to focus on crime initiatives in much the same way that a private group did in the Altoona area.

The move comes after a January crime summit in which Gov. Tom Corbett urged local leaders to study a Blair County program called Operation Our Town, which was started by business leaders to help fund law enforcement and community efforts to stop young people from becoming criminals.

Daniel B. Huyett, a partner in the Reading law firm Stevens & Lee, said Wednesday that the group will be incorporated as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

That decision was made at a meeting this week among Berks County business leaders with Michael A. Fiore, owner of an Altoona construction company who started Operation Our Town in Blair County after a series of shootings there.

Read more:  
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=465771

Hellertown’s Dolce Patisserie Owner, Alan Pitotti, Wins $10,000 On Food Network’s ‘Sweet Genius’

English: Logo for Food Network (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chef Alan Pitotti, owner of Hellertown‘s Dolce Patisserie, won $10,000 on the Food Network on Thursday night and proved what his customers already know: He is a sweet genius.

Ron Ben-Isreal, host of the show that’s also called “Sweet Genius,” told Pitotti, “You are like me and belong in my world of desserts.”

It was high praise for Pitotti, who has watched the program since it began and admires Ben-Israel’s work.

But winning that $10,000 wasn’t easy for the pastry chef who revealed a side as sweet as his creations.  He told viewers he left a budding career in the pastry world’s limelight to return home to be with his mother after his father died unexpectedly.  It has been nearly five years since he began creating extraordinary chocolates and cakes in quiet little Hellertown.

Read more:  
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-chef-wins-10000-20130118,0,4267715.story

‘American Idol’ Ratings Plummet In Season 12 Premiere

The Mariah Carey-Nicki Minaj feud might not be enough to rescue “American Idol”s” ratings.

Fox‘s singing competition entered its 12th season Wednesday with three new judges and sharply lower viewership.  An average of 17.8 million total viewers tuned in to the two-hour premiere, slumping 19% compared with last season, according to Nielsen.

Read more:  
http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/la-et-st-american-idol-ratings-plummet-20130117,0,4166712.story

Judges Steal Most Of Screen Time In New ‘American Idol’ Season

Logo of the Fox Broadcasting Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

FORT WASHINGTON — If the first two episodes of the new Season 12 of “American Idol“ are any indication, the show is looking to make big stars of two talented female singers who are great performers and have big personalities.

That would be new judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.

That’s because the episodes, shown Wednesday night in special sneak peek theater presentations for an invited Philadelphia-area crowd and at eight other cities nationwide, focused far more on the show’s new judges than on any – or all – of the contestants.

The new season of “Idol” starts with the two-night premiere on Fox at 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday.

Read more:  
http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/tv/mc-american-idol-preview-20130110,0,3751780.story

Presence Of ‘Amish Mafia’ Felt In Lancaster City

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In Discovery Channel’s popular television show “Amish Mafia,” the lead character, Lebanon Levi, is portrayed as a sort-of Amish Vito Corleone.

“Lebanon Levi is the cops,” another character, Esther, says in one of the episodes. “He is the courthouse, he is the bank and he is the insurance company.”

Karin Meacham is making the most of her Lancaster city store’s 15 minutes of fame — delivered in an unmarked envelope by “Amish Mafia.”

Visitors to Art & Glassworks, 319 N. Queen St., are greeted at the front door by a sign bearing a photo of Levi and the faux warning — “This store is protected by Lebanon Levi.”

Read more: 
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/796915_Presence-of–Amish-Mafia–felt-in-Lancaster-city.html#ixzz2GIZXGlas

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Chef To Sizzle At Roma Ristorante

English: City of Allentown from east side (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While farm-to-table is a notable dining trend, Roma Ristorante is about to introduce TV-to-table fare to the culinary lexicon.  A special dinner hosted by the Allentown restaurant on Jan. 21 will feature a live demonstration by chef Clemenza Caserta, an alumnus of Fox Broadcasting’s popular “Hell’s Kitchen” series.  Caserta, who hails from Staten Island, was among the contestants in this year’s 10th season of the cooking competition that stars fiery-tempered celeb chef Gordon Ramsay — the sole judge of the show.

Eighteen initial contestants, chosen from 200,000 applicants, according to Caserta, are divided between two teams, with one chef eliminated each week.  The final six compete individually and receive a coveted black chef’s jacket.  Caserta withstood the blistering harangues of Ramsay to enter this elite group of finalists, exiting the show in the number four spot.

Read more:  
http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/restaurants/blog/mc-hells-kitchen-chef-to-sizzle-at-roma-ristorante-20121227,0,2815477.story

Lancaster County Residents Find ‘Amish Mafia’ Debut Fun, Entertaining

English: Discovery Channel logo, used 1985-1995 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wednesday night’s premiere showing of Lancaster-based “reality” show “Amish Mafia” was as outrageous as advertised, locals agree.

Many locals who watched the series debut — allegedly based on the unseen workings of Amish law enforcement here — found the show entertaining and fun.

Most said they’ll watch the next episode, which, according to Discovery Channel’s trailer, will feature a clash between rival Amish men from separate families.

But how much of the show is actually legit?

Depends on who you ask.

Read more: 
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/792549_Lancaster-County-residents-find–Amish-Mafia–debut-fun–entertaining.html#ixzz2EzUfhqic

Lancaster County Chef To Appear On ‘Cupcake Wars’

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chef Susan Notter, program director of pastry arts at The Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts and owner of Susan Notter Pastries, will appear on “Cupcake Wars” at 8 p.m. Sunday as a competitor in a special edition episode, “Cake Wars,” which will unite cake makers, sweet specialists and special effect artists.

Read more: 
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/743503_Local-chef-to-appear-on–Cupcake-Wars-.html#ixzz27hY0dIit

“Snooki Law” Would Let NJ Towns Regulate Reality TV

Map of New Jersey highlighting Ocean County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – A New Jersey lawmaker wants towns to have a say in the filming of reality TV shows within their boundaries before a Situation develops.

Ocean County Republican Assemblyman Ronald Dancer on Monday introduced legislation for a Snookiville Law. The law would let towns impose conditions including requiring TV crews to pay for additional police officers to assure public safety during filming.

Read more: 
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20120924_ap_snookilawwouldletnjtownsregulaterealitytv.html

Christina Aguilera And Cee Lo Green Taking ‘Voice’ Hiatus; Shakira And Usher To Fill Their Chairs

You have to hand it to “The Voice. ” Last week, the show added a third Wednesday episode to ruin “The X Factor‘s” big premiere night.  And now, with the new “American Idol” and “X Factor” judges having had hardly any time to bask in their publicity, already “The Voice” is stealing both shows’ thunder once again–with breaking news that two new singularly named superstar judges, Shakira and Usher, will replace Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green for Season 4.  Both Christina and Cee Lo will be back for Season 5 in fall 2013, according to NBC.

Rumors have swirled for months that NBC’s overkill decision to air “The Voice” twice yearly would at least temporarily drive away some or all of the show’s regular judges, causing the lineup to be revamped for the spring 2013 season.  Apparently such is the downside of hiring judges who, you know, are still relevant hitmakers and have other important things to do with their time, like touring and recording, besides sitting on an NBC soundstage six months out of the year. (And this is why talent shows should consider hiring non-celebrity judges, but I digress.)  In fact, just last week when talking to Ryan Seacrest, Christina admitted that she’d first assumed her “Voice” gig would be “kind of like a side project…then it kind of took off, and there goes my free time!”

With Christina getting ready to release her comeback album, Lotus, in November (her new single, “Your Body,” debuted last week to positive reviews), and the ubiquitous Cee Lo working on a Christmas album and a new sitcom, it’s no surprise that they are the first “Voice” judges to take official leaves of absence.

Read more: 
http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/reality-rocks/christina-aguilera-cee-lo-green-voice-hiatus-shaira-231943068.html

Katie Couric: ‘American Idol’ Judges Include Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Randy Jackson

We don’t know how she knows, but Katie Couric, during the taping of Friday’s “Katie,” told former “American Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez who will be filling the panel in the singing competition’s upcoming season: Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey and Randy Jackson.

Bing: Katie’s new talk show draws big numbers

So far, only Carey has been confirmed by FOX, which has not responded to TheWrap’s request for comment or made any public announcement.

“What do you think about the new group of judges?” Couric asked Lopez, according to a Thursday morning press release from “Katie.”

Read more: 
http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=757303

Phillipsburg, New Jersey Chef Wins Top Prize In ‘Hell’s Kitchen’

After a nail-biter of a dinner service that went down to the wire, Phillipsburg native Christina Wilson was named the winner of the 10th season of Fox‘s “Hell’s Kitchen” on Monday night.

As winner, Wilson, 32, will take the $250,000-a-year position as head chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.

“I’ve never met a more passionate chef,” celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay said.  ”Her passion and talent are undeniable. She is the real deal.”

As Wilson hugged her mother and friend amid cheers and confetti, she said the moment was overwhelming.

Read more: 
http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/tv/mc-hells-kitchen-christina-wilson-20120910,0,3541297.story

Randy Jackson Returning To “American Idol” — Simon Cowell Says

Randy Jackson is returning to “American Idol,” according to former judge Simon Cowell.

“Just heard randy is back on idol,” the “X Factor” executive producer, who judged “Idol” for nine seasons alongside Jackson, tweeted today (Sept. 10).  ”Right decision,” he added.

Just heard randy is back on idol.  Right decision.

Read more: 
http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/zap-randy-jackson-returning-to-american-idol—-si-20120911,0,5635482.story

‘Jersey Shore’ Ending After This Season

August 30, 2012 (TheWrap.com) – MTV is ending the fist-pumping cultural phenomenon “Jersey Shore,” the network says.

The decision comes amid skyrocketing salaries for the cast of former unknowns that have made MTV’s most successful series increasingly expensive to produce. MTV said “Jersey Shore” will end after its sixth season, which premieres Oct. 4.

MTV will commemorate the end of the show with farewell programming beginning next Thursday, with a one-hour retrospective called “Gym, Tan, Look Back” that will air before MTV’s Video Music Awards.

The series, which has followed a group of self-proclaimed “guidos” and “guidettes” from the Jersey Shore to Italy, has popularized such phrases as “grenade” (an unattractive person), “smush” (have sex with) and “GTL” (gym, tan, laundry).

Read more: 
http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/tv/sns-rt-ending-jersey-shoremt1thewrap54106-20120830,0,4120365.story

Strasburg Chef Out On ‘Hell’s Kitchen’

Logo of the Fox Broadcasting Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Barbie has left the kitchen.

Strasburg resident Barbie Marshall made it all the way to the final four on FOX‘s “Hell’s Kitchen,” but the chef was eliminated at the conclusion of Monday night’s broadcast.

In its 10th season, “Hell’s Kitchen” is hosted by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.  Marshall was one of 18 contestants competing for the head chef’s position at the Gordon Ramsay Steak restaurant in Las Vegas’ Paris Hotel.

At the end of Monday’s episode, Ramsay told Marshall, 34, that he considered her improvement to be significant.  He called her a smart woman who should take her experience on the show “and run with it.”

Read more: 
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/722446_Strasburg-chef-out-on–Hell-s-Kitchen-.html#ixzz24sHpOd2Y