Did you watch I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here last night?  I won’t even deny that I obviously watched it because I’m a sucker for lame reality TV shows and I have to say that it really held some surprises for me. 

The first thing that shocked me was how down-to-earth, willing to work and knowledgeable former supermodel, Janice Dickinson is.  I had no idea she was as tough as she is and I really gained some respect for her.  She also looks a LOT better without all that makeup on even though her plastic surgery is still a little unsettling…

Predictably, Spencer and Heidi Pratt of MTV’s The Hills were ridiculous.  Spencer really has some major rage issues and all their prayer and excuses just drove me insane.  From the few times that I’ve seen The Hills, I thought of him as a controlling and possibly abusive boyfriend (and now husband) to Heidi and after he freaked out on everyone last night, I am pretty sure that my suspicions were accurate.  They tried to quit twice last night and I’m hearing this morning that they have finally gone home.  Lame.

The biggest surprise (to me) was that Sanjaya Malakar was not a whiner by any stretch of the imagination and he did some pretty gross and scary tasks (like drinking an “intestine milkshake” and laying with his head surrounding by spiders) with relative ease.  I had no idea he was as tough as he is and I was really happy that the former American Idol finalist didn’t make a fool of himself.

Did you watch the show?  If so, what did you think?

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

If you love Sanjaya Malakar (or just enjoy watching “celebrities” get mildly tortured), you might want to tune in to the two-hour premiere of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here tonight. The show (which takes place in Costa Rica) will run from Monday through Thursday until the week of the finale (Wednesday, June 24).

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

If you don’t have the time to watch the shows and also don’t have a DVR, don’t worry!  MTV will be airing a marathon of the week’s episodes each Sunday, starting June 7, 2009.

Along with Sanjaya the following celebs have signed on: Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (MTV’s “The Hills”), NBA star and TV personality John Salley (”Best Damned Sports Show Period”), supermodel and TV star Janice Dickinson (”The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency”), actor Stephen Baldwin (”The Mole,” “Celebrity Apprentice”), professional wrestler and beauty queen Torrie Wilson and the wife of disgraced former Illinois Governor, Rob Blagojevich.

Will you be tuning in tonight?  Have you seen any of the other seasons?  I liked the one with Melissa Rivers and Stuttering John.

Former American Idol finalist, Sanjaya Malakar, has joined the cast of the upcoming season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!  Have you ever watched this show before? I saw the season with Melissa Rivers and Stuttering John and I won’t lie – I secretly loved it. 

It’s an absolutely ridiculous show and, honestly, the celebrities are barely current or noteworthy.  It’s not like they secured Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts for it but I digress…

This season Sanjaya will join newlyweds, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (MTV’s "The Hills"), NBA star and TV personality John Salley ("Best Damned Sports Show Period"), supermodel and TV star Janice Dickinson ("The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency"), actor Stephen Baldwin ("The Mole,” “Celebrity Apprentice”) and professional wrestler and beauty queen Torrie Wilson. 

Embattled former Illinois Governor, Rob Blagojevich, has been invited to participate but, due to the charges pending against him, he may not be able to travel to Costa Rica where it is being filmed.

The action starts on June 1, 2009 with a two-hour premiere, running Monday through Thursdays until the finale on Wednesday, June 24 (8-9 p.m.).  If you miss it during the week, MTV will be airing a marathon of the week’s episodes each Sunday, starting June 7, 2009.

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

I just came back from the private opening of the American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios and I had a blast.  I’m thoroughly exhausted but it really was a lot of fun.  Disney really knows how to put on a show and I am extremely grateful to them for the fabulous trip!

I will cover the event in three parts (motorcade, American Idol Experience show and the after-party) over the next three days.  Today, I’ll kick things off by telling you all about the American Idol motorcade. 

The blue carpet was rolled out for the stars and one by one.  Mickey Mouse got things started but was then followed by Justin Guarini (runner-up, season 1).  He looked great and was all smiles for the fans and the media.
Next was Chris Sligh (finalist, season 6).  He talked a little bit about how his song “Here Comes Goodbye” was picked up by Rascal Flatts and is actually the first single off of their new album.

It was a star-studded event.  Check out more pictures including Carrie Underwood, David Cook and David Archuleta after the jump!

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American Idol season 6 finalist, Sanjaya Malakar, was on Good Morning America last Friday.  Did you guys get a chance to see him?  I’m no Sanjaya hater but, I’m sorry, he looks like he could use a makeover.  What do you think? 

He was on the daytime talk show to talk about his new book, “Dancing to the Music in My Head.”  If you’re interested, you can read an excerpt on the Good Morning America website.  I’m not sure if I’m a big enough fan of Sanjaya’s to read (or buy) his book.  Are you going to get it?

Anyway, MJ’s Big Blog had a pretty good synopsis of the excerpt.  Read the following and tell me what you think: 

• Sanjaya claims he received a $100,000 advance for his book. (His publisher ain’t never gonna make that back.)
• He’s not gay. He’s been dating a 17 year-old high school senior for the past year.
• He lost his virginity at 16
• He’d be willing to pose nude if it were “really classy”
• About Blake bad mouthing him in interviews, Sanjaya said “the guy has his own talents” and that it didn’t bother him..

I feel like most of the stuff that’s going to be in the book could have been covered in a really good, in-depth interview.  I’m not sure if there’s enough there to really make a good page-turner.

I found this short video from his appearance on GMA.  It’s not the best but I couldn’t find anything else.

images: splashnewsonline.com

The sixth season of American Idol brought us a fantastic Top 12.  It also brought me to this site.  I started blogging on Idol Stalker right around the time the Top 12 was announced that year so, it always brings back fond memories.

What do you remember about that year?  Was it Jordin Sparks’ winning moment?  Blake Lewis’ killer performance of “Shot Through the Heart (You Give Love a Bad Name)”?  Sanjaya’s ponyhawk? 

To help jog your memory, here’s the Top 12 list from the sixth season of American Idol (dates indicate when the contestant was eliminated, year was 2007):

• Jordin Sparks – Winner
• Blake Lewis - May 23
• Melinda Doolittle - May 16
• LaKisha Jones - May 9
• Chris Richardson & Phil Stacey - May 2
• Sanjaya Malakar - April 18
• Haley Scarnato - April 11
• Gina Glocksen - April 4
• Chris Sligh - March 28
• Stephanie Edwards - March 21
• Brandon Rogers - March 14

image: Newscom

A little while ago, I posted a behind-the-scenes look at Sanjaya Malakar’s Nationwide Insurance commercial.  Now we’ve got the finished product (see below).  Do you think it’s a good or a bad thing for Sanjaya’s career to be doing stuff like this?  I like the commercial, I think it’s funny, but do you think it will just lead to people considering him a joke?

Nationwide Insurance actually took American Idol finalist, Sanjaya Malakar, to India to shoot the commercial for their newest “Life Comes at You Fast” ads.  Of course, he’s got crazy hair and must sing.  Sanjaya haters -don’t say I didn’t warn you…

American Idol season six contestant, Sanjaya Malakar, will be appearing in a “Life Comes at You Fast” Nationwide Insurance commercial.  They sent me a short interview to share.  Sanjaya talks about why he chose to be in the ads, being on Idol, his big plans and move to New York and that famous hair, of course!  Read it here:

Q. What made you want to star in the new ad for Nationwide?

Sanjaya:   I’ve always liked Nationwide’s ads because I think they are really funny and they have a good message – be prepared for your life to change in the future. The point of the ad is that you have to have a plan for your retirement, which I think is important. Nationwide came up with a concept that I liked a lot. They’re trying to reach Americans of South Asian descent with this ad, but I think everyone will think it’s funny.

Q. The theme of the new Nationwide ad is “Life Comes at You Fast.”  How have you experienced that in your life? 

Sanjaya: American Idol was like a dream come true. When I started, nobody knew who I was. I was just one of the thousands of people with a dream who took a shot. As the season progressed more and more people began to recognize me. It was great to get so much support from fans. The show opened a lot of doors for me. Now I’m looking forward to the next stage of my career. It’s really exciting. I don’t know exactly what will happen, but there are some great possibilities.

Q. What’s next for Sanjaya?

Sanjaya:  I’ve got big plans. I just moved to New York and I’m so excited to be living there. I’m looking forward to pursuing some opportunities in acting and modeling. I’m also beginning work on a new album that will be released later this year. I can’t wait for fans to hear it.

I’m looking forward to showing the world a whole new Sanjaya. American Idol was great, but I think there’s a lot more to me than what you saw on the show. The Nationwide commercial is the first of many exciting projects I have planned.

Q. Will we see the crazy hair again?
Sanjaya:  Actually – you will see it in the Nationwide ad. It certainly got people’s attention on American Idol so hopefully it helps generate more buzz about the new ad.

You might remember Kevin Federline’s commercial which premiered during the Super Bowl.  I thought it was funny so check it out:

image provided by Newscom

Former American Idol contestant, Sanjaya Malakar, performed at a young girl’s bat mitzvah who donated all of her gifts to charity.  Sanjaya got in on the act by performing free of charge as well.  Hmmm… well, it looks like they had a good time!