American Idol To End After Season 15

AMERICAN IDOL will begin its 15th – and final – season this January on FOX. A season-long celebratory event, AMERICAN IDOL XV will feature host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., as they search for the final IDOL superstar and pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of amazingly talented contestants and the millions of fans who tweeted, texted and championed their IDOLs.

See more at: http://www.fox.com/article/fox-announces-new-primetime-series-for-2015-2016-season#sthash.SYlimfN2.dpuf

Steep Membership Decline Prompts WVIA To Sever Ties With Longtime Exec Bill Kelly

PITTSTON TOWNSHIP, PA — With membership down, Bill Kelly is out at WVIA.

But the longtime public broadcasting executive didn’t depart empty-handed, leaving the station he once headed with a nearly $300,000 buyout package, paid for by donations from board members.

“Not one penny of Kelly’s remaining contract payment of $291,878 came from membership contributions or grant support,” Martin Walzer, chairman of the WVIA Board of Directors, said in a message posted on the station’s website.

Kelly’s four-decade association with WVIA ended on Dec. 31.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/51009022/

Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto Goes Undercover On CBS Reality Show To Air Dec. 21

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has his own prime time reality TV show.

Peduto donned a wig with shoulder-length gray hair and a scraggly, long gray beard to star on an upcoming hourlong episode of the CBS Emmy-winning show “Undercover Boss.” The episode is scheduled to air 8 p.m. Dec. 21.

“It will be the only chance that I ever have in my life to hear what people say about me directly to my face, but not knowing who I am,” he said Thursday.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/7307404-74/peduto-cbs-undercover#ixzz3L5PD3Htz
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Pottstown-Area Church Leader Responds To ‘Duck Dynasty’ Controversy

Location of Lower Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, PA — A national controversy hit close to home Friday afternoon after three-year-old videosof Phil Robertson speaking at a local church resurfaced.

Robertson, the patriarch of the family featured on the hit TV show “Duck Dynasty” on A&E, made what some perceived as anti-gay comments in an article in GQ Magazine. The article is published in the January 2014 edition of the magazine.

His controversial comments have started a firestorm of online discussion and led to Robertson’s indefinite suspension from the popular reality show.

But the faith-based comments Robertson made in the GQ article were echoes of statements he made while speaking at events long before the show on A&E started.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131220/pottstown-area-church-leader-responds-to-duck-dynasty-controversy

‘Duck Dynasty’ Dad Preached About Gays At Pottstown Church

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As the Duck Dynasty family was warning it might pull out of the show after patriarch Phil Robertson was suspended from anti-gay remarks in GQ, videos of him preaching similar thoughts at a Pottstown church have surfaced.

In the 2010 videos, Robertson was preaching at a Wild Game dinner at the Berean Bible Church. During the roughly hour-long talk, he weighed in on the immorality of gays, indicating they are experiencing God’s wrath. He also spoke on a range of issues, including his famed duck calls, Terry Bradshaw as his backup quarterback in college, and that he doesn’t believe in evolution.

No one at the Berean Bible Church, which was preparing for its Nativity Scene, was available to comment this morning. The videos were recorded before the Duck Dynasty show began airing.

Meanwhile, it was unclear if the show will continue on A&E.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Videos_Duck_Dynasty_preached_anti-gay_remarks_at_Pottstown_church.html#fEAAMgd0qIcUdyRd.99

Groundbreaking Set For Reading Hotel And Convention Center

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Albert R. Boscov was excitedly making and receiving countless phone calls in his Exeter Township office Monday after getting word that the last of the financing for a downtown hotel and convention center was finally in place.

He immediately began making plans to break ground Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Penn Street across from the Santander Arena.

“It’s been a long wait but we got it,” Boscov said.

The renowned retailer has been working on the block-long, four-star hotel, which will cost at least $56 million, since 2007.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article/20131217/NEWS/312169896/1052#.UrDeuPRDsxI

Lancaster’s James Wolpert Eliminated On ‘The Voice’

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James Wolpert’s run on ‘The Voice‘ came to an end Tuesday evening.

The young man from Lancaster advanced to the final five last week via an instant save.

But on this week’s elimination show to determine the three Voice finalists, he was the first contestant sent home.

Read more: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/entertainment/ci_24696303/lancasters-james-wolpert-eliminated-voice?source=most_viewed

Lancaster County Native James Wolpert Sings “Somebody To Love” By Queen On ‘The Voice’

Lampeter-Strasburg High School graduate, James Wolpert is one the competitors on NBC’s “The Voice” and sang the heck out of Queen’s power ballad, “Somebody To Love”.

Reading Authority Approves 250 Parcels For New Program

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The City of Reading Revitalization and Improvement Zone Authority – working fast to meet a Nov. 30 deadline – on Friday approved 250 parcels spread over 129 acres to be included in the zone.

At its next meeting Monday, the 10-member board will be asked to suggest three or four potential projects on three or four of those sites.

Board members said the projects are realistic but are not set in stone, and will be used as illustrations of how the state’s newest economic development program could help Reading.

That program, aimed at attracting new firms with new jobs, lets cities use the new state and local taxes the zones generate to finance property purchases, infrastructure projects, and even new buildings.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=519968

“Amish Mafia” Star Severely Beaten In Strasburg

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A star of the hit television series “Amish Mafia” was severely beaten by her boyfriend last week in Strasburg, police allege.

Imir R. Williams, 24, is charged with felony aggravated assault for repeatedly punching Esther Schmucker in the head early on Halloween morning, charging documents indicate.

As of Tuesday, police were searching for Williams, listed in court documents as 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds.

A felony arrest warrant was filed Sunday.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/914685_-Amish-Mafia–star-severely-beaten-in-Strasburg.html#ixzz2joJGyYAM

‘American Idol’ Taps Lopez, Connick As Judges

LOS ANGELES — “American Idol” is betting that a judges’ remix with Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban will fare better with viewers than bickering divas Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj did last season.

The rumored addition of Lopez and Connick as judges for season 13 was announced Tuesday by Fox. They’ll join Urban to make up the talent show’s first panel consisting solely of singers — a la NBC’s successful 2011 upstart “The Voice.”

Pop star and actress Lopez will be back on “American Idol” after a two-season run as judge in 2011 and 2012 that was a boon for the show and her career. Connick, a respected jazz singer and musician, proved adept as a mentor in several “Idol” appearances.

Urban’s return to the contest was announced last month by Fox Chairman Kevin Reilly, who said the singer didn’t get a chance to show his personality in his first turn as a judge. Urban appeared overwhelmed last season by the Carey-Minaj crossfire that drew complaints from some viewers.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130903/ENTERTAINMENT01/130909881/-american-idol-taps-lopez-connick-as-judges#full_story

‘Bachelor’ Star Gia Allemand Dies At 29

Reality TV star and model Gia Allemand, who notably appeared on season 14 of ABC’s The Bachelor, died Wednesday of an apparent suicide in New Orleans.  She was 29.

Allemand was discovered Monday night in her home by boyfriend, NBA Pelicans player Ryan Anderson, who dialed 911, it says in the statement released by her family following her death.

“Due to a critical loss of brain and organ function, life support was withdrawn,” the statement says. “Ms. Allemand passed away peacefully with her mother, boyfriend, and other lifelong friends by her side.”

She was taken Monday night to University Hospital following “a serious emergency medical event,” her rep shared in a statement released Tuesday.  The details of her condition were not immediately disclosed.  She was later placed on life support.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/television/Bachelor-star-Gia-Allemand-dies-at-29.html#g0TyHxtYhILBopK2.99

Fox Confirms Keith Urban Will Return To ‘American Idol’

It’s official: Keith Urban is returning to “American Idol” as a judge next season, Fox announced Thursday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Los Angeles.

“I will confirm one thing: Keith is going to return to the show,” said Kevin Reilly, Fox Chairman of Entertainment, as he addressed a room full of reporters.  “Keith’s a really funny guy, and I didn’t think he was able to let his full personality shine through” last season, due to the diva drama [between former judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj] that overshadowed not just Urban, but also the contestants.

Read more:  http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/2013/08/01/fox-confirms-keith-urban-is-returning-to-american-idol/

Anne Beiler (Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Founder) Is A ‘Secret Millionaire’

She called herself a country girl.  Growing up Amish is about as country as it gets.

Anne Beiler said she never lived in a city, but in August 2011 she spent five days in one of the poorest sections of Baltimore.

“Five days is not long, but it is long enough to get a feel for city life,” said Beiler, who will be featured on Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC’s “Secret Millionaire.”

In a unique twist, Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, lived on Washington Street in East Baltimore —one of the most unsafe areas in the city — and worked with people and organizations in need of her help.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/878087_Anne-Beiler-is-a–Secret-Millionaire-.html#ixzz2akO1mPV6

Gordon Ramsay To Visit Forks Township Restaurant For ‘Kitchen Nightmares’

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Feisty celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay will be at Bella Luna Ristorante & Bar in Forks Township this week to film an episode of Fox’s “Kitchen Nightmares.”

According to the network, Ramsay and his team will visit the restaurant at 3417 Sullivan Trail Wednesday through Saturday for a sixth season episode.

The show helps struggling restaurants stay in business by having the fiery Scottish chef scrutinize their inner workings and suggest methods of improvement.  Ramsay diagnoses problems such as bad food, unsanitary practices, mismanagement and lazy or rude wait staff.  It’s up to the restaurant owners to accept his guidance, or face closure.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/restaurants/blog/mc-gordon-ramsay-to-visit-forks-restaurant-for-kitchen-nightmares-20130715,0,7037297.story#ixzz2ZDtple26
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Food Network Won’t Renew Paula Deen’s Contract

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — The Food Network said Friday it’s dumping Paula Deen, barely an hour after the celebrity cook posted the first of two videotaped apologies online begging forgiveness from fans and critics troubled by her admission to having used racial slurs in the past.

The 66-year-old Savannah kitchen celebrity has been swamped in controversy since court documents filed this week revealed Deen told an attorney questioning her under oath last month that she has used the N-word.  “Yes, of course,” Deen said, though she added, “It’s been a very long time.”

The Food Network, which made Deen a star with “Paula’s Home Cooking” in 2002 and later “Paula’s Home Cooking” in 2008, weighed in with a terse statement Friday afternoon.

“Food Network will not renew Paula Deen’s contract when it expires at the end of this month,” the statement said.  Network representatives declined further comment.  A representative for Deen did not immediately return phone and email messages seeking comment on the decision.

Read more:  http://www.timesherald.com/article/20130622/ENTERTAINMENT02/130629884/food-network-won-t-renew-paula-deen-s-contract#full_story

Montco Chef To Appear On ‘Food Network Star’

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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

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“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