Monday, October 31, 2011

News from the Producers of Bones on Season Seven


The big question for viewers of Bones is whether or not the sexual tension between Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) will dissipate now that the two have gotten together and Bones is pregnant. 

During a conference call with reporters, two of the show’s executive producers, Hart Hanson and Stephen Nathan, said they knew the answer to that question as soon as Deschanel brought them the news of her real-life pregnancy.  (She had a baby boy with husband David Hornsby in September.)

“At that moment, we knew what replaced sexual tension was an actual human being,“ Hanson said.

Bones, which returns to FOX for an abbreviated season of 17 episodes on Thursday, November 3rd at 9 p.m., is in its seventh season. (Here's a clip.)


“We knew that Booth and Brennan would get together euphemistically in Season 6 and we knew it would be over the death of a beloved Squintern (Vincent Nigel-Murray played by Ryan Cartwright) and then we sort of got this big gift,” Hanson said, referring to Deschanel’s announcement.

Nathan added the writers are going to great lengths to make sure Bones and Booth don’t erode into the typical couple in love, who go out to dinner and can’t keep their hands off each other.  When that’s the case, said Nathan, “you want to kill them and never have dinner with them again.  So we wanted to avoid that dinner.  And we successfully did.  We have a couple who we can invite over every week for dinner and they’re great company. “

Hanson also said the characters’ previously theoretical discussions about the existence of God versus science will be taken to a new level since the two will be raising a child together. 

“It has to do with the upbringing and shaping of a human being.  That’s what I mean about it being such a gift to us.  It’s like, ‘Oh wow!’  This brings a whole new level to the disagreements these two radically different people have about the way the world works and where people fit in the world.”

In addition to the main romantic storyline, and the corpses whose murders they solve of course, the producers said there are some back stories they'll explore.  Hodgins’ (T.J. Thyne) brother will be introduced and the audience will learn more about his family, including some interesting tidbits about his grandfather.  Later in the season, the character of Dr. Camm Saroyan (Tamara Taylor) will have further problems with her daughter.

The writers have also been digging around to introduce new forensics technology so essential to the series, which the producers claim is true to real science. 

“I would say that 90% of the stuff that we do in the show is completely real and scientifically accurate.  We might stretch or shrink the time as necessary, but the science is correct and usually is mind boggling to us,” said Nathan.

Bones returns initially for six episodes.  There will then be a break because of Emily Deschanel’s pregnancy leave, and the series will be back in the Spring.  In the interim, FOX will launch The Finder, with appearances by Bones’ Dr. Sweets (John Francis Daley) and possibly T.J. Thyne.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Ratings for The Chew Week Four Flat and Still Behind All My Children


We’ll continue to report on ratings for The Chew, which replaced All My Children, as long as there’s interest and boy is there interest.   (See comments in previous posts.)

AMC lovers will be interested to know that its replacement had ratings only slightly higher than the previous week and, again, is not beating its predecessor. Though, as many have noted, ABC is still making more money since it’s plenty cheaper to produce The Chew than it was to produce All My Children.

Here are the ratings for each show, year to year, and the comparisons for the weeks The Chew has been on the air.

All My Children vs. The Chew


10/11/10 – AMC
10/10/11 –The Chew
Change
Viewers Overall
2.31 million million
1.94 million
-19%
Women 25-54
.2 rating/ 8 share
0.9 rating/ 5 share
-33%
Women 18-49
0.8 rating/ 6 share
0.6 rating/ 4 share
-33%
Women 18-34
0.5 rating/ 3 share
0.4 rating/ 2 share
-25%

The Chew (ABC) Trend:


Week of 9/26/11
Week of 10/3/11
Week of 10/10/11
Week of 10/17/11
Viewers
2.10 million
1.78 million
1.86 million
1.94 million
Women 25-54
1.0 rating/6 share
0.8 rating/5 share
0.9 rating/ 6 share
0.9 rating/ 5 share
Women 18-49
0.7 rating/ 5 share
0.6 rating/ 4 share
0.6 rating/ 4 share
0.6 rating/ 4 share
Women 18-34
0.5 rating/ 3 share
0.4 rating/ 3 share
0.4 rating/ 3 share
0.4 rating/ 2 share

Friday, October 28, 2011

Justin Bieber on Dancing with the Stars

Dancing with the Stars has lined up Justin Bieber for this Tuesday's edition.  He'll perform two songs, one with Boyz II Men.

In a promotion for Bieber's Christmas album, "Under the Mistletoe," which goes on sale the very next day, the Bieb and Boyz will perform "Fa La La" together.

Mark Ballas and Chelsie Hightower will dance to the song.

Also on the broadcast, Bieber will sing “Never Say Never,” and Christina Perri will sing “Arms.”

Tuesady is resutls night, of course, so a couple will be eliminated following the entertainment.

On Monday, ABC reports the six remaining dance couples will be split into two for group dances.

Team Tango with J.R. Martinez, Nancy Grace and David Arquette will dance to Rihanna’s “Distrubia.”

Team Paso will have Ricki Lake, Rob Kardashian and Hope Solo dancing to Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life.”

The six celebrities and their partners also will perform Halloween-themed dances.  Costumes and "spooky music" included.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pan Am Filming on Long Island

For those on Long Island, New York, the ABC show Pan Am is currently filming at Farmingdale's Republic Airport.  Note only the fuselage is dressed up for the show.  The tail shows a kangaroo, making it an old Quantas plane.

Thanks to one of this blog's most ardent supporters for snapping this shot on a rainy day in New York.

There are many trailers and there's a lot of equipment on the tarmac, so it looks like they'll be filming for awhile, for those who want to take a look.

P.S. A number of readers have informed us that this plane is owned by actor John Travolta who is an "Ambassador at Large" for Quantas  (see photo).  It is a Boeing 707.  The aviation blogs have apparently been buzzing about this. 

Here's the story behind the plan from the aviation blog, FlightStory:  http://blog.flightstory.net/45/john-travoltas-boeing-707/

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Twitter Voting on X Factor and the Top 12

Last night's episode of the X Factor saw the elimination of five acts, two from Simon Cowell, since he had an extra, and one each from the other judges, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and L.A. Reid.  Going no further in the competition are: Simone Battle, Tiah Tolliver, The Brewer Boys, Dexter Haygood and Phillip Lomax.


Below are the remain 12 contestants.

FOX also announced yesterday that viewers will now be able to vote for their favorites via Twitter.  To use Twitter, go to twitter.thexfactorusa.com and follow the instructions. If you're already a Twitter member, you can follow @TheXFactorUSA and cast votes via Direct Message. Direct Messaging is a private way to communicate on Twitter and votes will not be publicly visible. Tweets will not count as votes.

Verizon, the show’s official voting sponsor has four additional voting methods: 1) Verizon Touch Voting on The Xtra Factor App on Verizon Android devices; 2) toll-free calling; 3) text messaging for Verizon Wireless customers; and 4) online at TheXFactorUSA.com 

Fans with valid Facebook accounts can also vote at Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA.




Mentored by Simon Cowell (girls):

Melanie Amaro, 19 
Hometown: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Currently Resides: Coral Springs, FL/Sunrise, FL
www.twitter.com/itsmelanieamaro
(@ItsMelanieAmaro)
www.facebook.com/pages/Melanie-Amaro/117865004985741
“It was really big, as well as shocking, because the many years I’ve watched Simon, he has never done something like that. I feel very honored that he came to my home to ask me to come back on the show. The whole process is just mind boggling. It’s so amazing."


Rachel Crow, 13
Hometown: Longmont, CO/Mead, CO
Currently Resides: Burbank, CA
www.twitter.com/IamRachelCrow
(@IamRachelCrow)
www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Crow
"This whole experience has been a dream come true and I can’t believe I made it this far because I went into the competition with no expectations. I can’t believe this is happening to me. I think what I am really trying to work on is finding out who I am as a singer. I am trying to find my style and my edge.”


Drew Ryniewicz, 14
Hometown: Chino Valley, AZ
Currently Resides: Chino Valley, AZ
www.twitter.com/drewryniewicz1
(@drewryniewicz1)
www.facebook.com/pages/Drew-Ryniewicz/251573518221876
“The girls in my category are nothing but amazing, every single one. From the start I have loved them all. We are almost like a big family. I mean, we are competing, but we spend so much time with each other and it is nice to be around so many people you can relate to.”



Mentored by L.A. Reid (boys):

Astro, 15
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
www.twitter.com/Astronomicalkid (@Astronomicalkid)
www.facebook.com/theastronomicalkid
 “So far THE X FACTOR experience has been amazing and pretty fun. It definitely makes me feel like a star. Coming here and being the only MC in this competition, I believe in myself and that is going to bring me through.”

Marcus Canty, 20
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Currently Resides: Bowie, MD
www.twitter.com/IamMarcusCanty (@iammarcuscanty)
www.facebook.com/officialmarcuscanty
“I think this experience has nurtured me and made me realize that life is too short and to live through the moment. These are once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can’t get back. I am going to keep having fun and bringing who I am.”


Chris Rene, 28
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Currently Resides: Santa Cruz, CA
www.twitter.com/MrChrisRene (@mrchrisrene)
www.facebook.com/ChrisReneMusic831
“The advice I have been getting is to stay original, stay yourself and do my thing and also go out of the box and do things that are difficult. The way I prepare is to stay in the moment, relax and practice as much as I can. Staying in the here-and-now is what is best for me.”

Mentored by Nicole Scherzinger (over age 30 acts):


LeRoy Bell, 60
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Currently Resides: Edmonds, WA/Seattle, WA
www.twitter.com/LeRoyBell (@LeRoyBell)
www.facebook.com/LeRoyBellMusic
“The experience has been wild and exciting, at the same time a little bit scary…One of the things I’ve learned is you can teach an old dog new tricks. I can still learn something. The show has taught me that I am more flexible than I thought I was.”

Stacy Francis, 42
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
www.twitter.com/StacyFrancis (@StacyFrancis)
www.facebook.com/officialStacyFrancis
“Being a part of the show so far has been an emotional rollercoaster. Every feeling I could feel, I have felt during this journey…I am happy and so excited. The momentum is just incredible. It’s like I’m a 10-year-old and it’s Christmas and I’m so excited.”


Josh Krajcik, 30
Hometown: Wooster, OH
Currently Resides: Columbus, OH
www.twitter.com/theJoshKrajcik (@theJoshKrajcik)
www.facebook.com/joshkrajcikmusic
 “THE X FACTOR experience has been really great. It has been a serious challenge and any time you challenge yourself it is a good thing. The experience on THE X FACTOR has given me a lot of insight into who I am and a lot of things that I didn’t know.”


InTENsity
Nick Dean, 15 - Hometown: Rochester, NY
Francesca Duncan, 17 - Hometown: Orange Co., NY Resides: Brockport, NY
John Lindahl, 15 - Hometown: Travuco Canyon, CA
Emily Michalak, 13 - Hometown: Pine Brook, NJ
Austin Percario, 15 - Hometown: Warren, NJ
Arin Ray, 16 - Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Lauren Ashley Redmond, 17 - Hometown: Houston, TX Resides: DeSoto, TX
Ellona Santiago, 15 - Hometown: San Lorenzo, CA
Ma’at Bingham Shango, 12 - Hometown: Houston, TX
Emily Wilson, 15 Hometown: Warren, NJ
www.twitter.com/its_inTENsity (@its_inTENsity)
www.facebook.com/itsInTENsity
“Being in a group is amazing. When you are a solo artist, you only have yourself to rely on. But when you are in a group you have however many other people who have your back. So it is better to be in a group of ten, plus it is more fun and we have more people to hang out with and it’s just not as stressful.”

Lakoda Rayne
Cari Fletcher, 17
- Hometown: Wall Township, NJ
Dani Knights, 22
- Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Paige Ogle Age: 18 -
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Hayley Orrantia, 17 - Hometown: Highland Village, TX
www.twitter.com/Lakoda_Rayne (@lakoda_rayne)
www.facebook.com/lakodarayne
“Starting out as four solo artists, it was a shocker that we were going to be in the group category together but it has been an incredible experience. They’ve taken four strong solo artists and made this super group.”

The Stereo Hogzz
Kregg Gibson (aka KG), 25
- Hometown: Houston, TX
Jonathan Glenn (aka Jon Glenn), 25 - Hometown: Houston, TX
George Jenkins III (aka Trae Badd), 25 - Hometown: Houston, TX
Leeland Stephenson (aka Trace Kennedy), 24 - Hometown: Houston, TX
Justin Williams (aka Just’n), 25 - Hometown: Houston, TX
www.twitter.com/theStereoHogzz (@thestereohogzz)
www.facebook.com/thestereohogzz
“This X FACTOR experience has been something that we have been dreaming of for a long time. You can’t ask for more, and they provided this platform for us and we are running with it, taking it all the way.”

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Netflix Subscribers Not Happy Campers; Earnings Show It

Netflix lost 800,000 U.S. subscribers in the third quarter, the result of its decision to raise prices and split its DVD and streaming businesses.  Its projection for the fourth quarter is a loss of 2.6 million DVD accounts.

Despite that news, Netflix posted $822 million in third quarter revenue (up 49% year over year ) and net income of $62 million (up 63% from a year ago).  It does expect fourth quarter revenue and net profit to drop.

Customers are not happy that they have to pay separately for a DVD subscription ($7.99) and for a streaming subscription (also $7.99), though there is a bundled price of $15.98, savings of one penny.

They're also disappointed that the streaming video library is quite limited, especially when it comes to TV shows.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has promised to expand the streaming library, but whatever he does, it might be too late.

The company has also expanded into foreign markets, which may help with its earnings, but not necessarily with American customers.


Katie Couric Will be on in 60% of U.S., Per ABC

Disney-ABC is reporting that the new nationally-syndicated talk show, "Katie," with none other than Katie Couric, will air in 60% of the country.

The network has lined up eight of its own stations, the O&O's (owned and operated by ABC), including New York, LA, Chicago, San Francisco and Philly.  Affiliates which have agreed to take the show include Dallas (WFAA), Boston (WCVB), Atlanta (WSB), Washington, D.C. (WJLA), Detroit (WXYZ), Phoenix (KNXV) and Tampa/St. Pete (WFTS).

There's even an NBC station signed up, which is unusual considering ABC owns the show - KING-TV in Seattle.

Couric is the former anchor of the CBS Evening News.  Katie, sure to have a somewhat softer tone, is slated to premiere in September 2012.

There has been word that General Hospital will be canceled to make room for the show, but now that The Chew, ABC's latest afternoon addition is not doing well, there is some speculation that GH is safe.  That's not a given, because it will still cost ABC more to produce GH than it will to produce any talk show, including Katie.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Comedy is Back, According to The New York Times

Bill Carter has a great story in today's New York Times about the return of the sitcom.  He says the economy, the success of Modern Family and new female stars are the reason. Plus, the natural cycle of things has just come around back to comedy after drama and reality have had their day.

Zooey Deschanel pulling a gag on her date in "New Girl."

Chord Overstreet to Return to Glee

Chord Overstreet will return to Glee's McKinley High as underdog Sam Evans for a multi-episode arc beginning this December, said FOX today.

“We love Chord and have always said that we wanted him back,” said Ryan Murphy, executive producer and co-creator of Glee. “So here's an early Christmas present for all the Gleeks—Sam is coming back to McKinley, and just in time for sectionals!”

"I had the best time on Glee and couldn't be more excited to be returning,” Overstreet added.

Overstreet’s character was introduced last season as a transfer student at McKinley, discovered by then-football captain Finn Hudson (Corey Monteith) while singing Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” in the locker room. Later in the season, 

Sam revealed that his dad had lost his job, and that his family was living in a motel. In Season Three’s premiere, viewers learned that Sam and his family had moved out of state.

Glee returns with all-new episodes beginning Tuesday, November 1st.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Chew Ratings Week Three: Up Slightly, but Not Beating All My Children


The Chew Executive Producer Gordon Elliot
and members of the cast
The Chew did slightly better in its third week than it did the previous week with 80,000 more viewers overall, but the ratings still aren’t beating those of All My Children which got knocked out of the 1-2 p.m. time slot to make way for the talk show about food.

[See the latest - TV Takes All: Ratings for The Chew Week Four Flat and Still Behind All My Children]

While the numbers are nothing to smile about, from ABC’s perspective the move has been a money-maker, since it costs a lot less to produce talk than it does to produce daytime drama.

Fans are not happy, however, so the following report will offer some solace to those still pining for the folks in Pine Valley.

According to the Nielsen ratings for the week of October 10th, The Chew averaged 1.86 million viewers, with a 0.9 rating/6 share among target women 25-54.  Both numbers were up slightly from the previous week, but ratings with women 18-49 and women 18-34 were flat.

Compared to All My Children one year ago, the week of October 11-15, 2010, the ratings have fallen.


10/11/10 – AMC
10/10/11 –The Chew
Change
Viewers Overall
2.41 million
1.86 million
-23%
Women 25-54
1.3 rating/8 share
0.9 rating/6 share
-31%
Women 18-49
0.9 rating/6 share
0.6 rating/4 share
-33%
Women 18-34
0.6 rating/4 share
0.4 rating/3 share
-33%

The Chew (ABC) Trend:

Week of 9/26/11
Week of 10/3/11
Week of 10/10/11
Viewers
2.10 million
1.78 million
1.86 million
Women 25-54
1.0 rating/6 share
0.8 rating/5 share
0.9 rating/ 6 share
Women 18-49
0.7 rating/ 5 share
0.6 rating/ 4 share
0.6 rating/ 4 share
Women 18-34
0.5 rating/ 3 share
0.4 rating/ 3 share
0.4 rating/ 3 share

Another Actor Signs on to the new All My Children

Darnell Williams, who played Jesse on the old All My Children has signed on to the new Prospect Park version set to debut online in January.

He joins Cameron Mathison and Lindsay Hartley, who have joined the new cast as well.

This news comes via a Tweet from Hartley.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Brian Frons: The ABC Villain Responsible For All My Children's Demise

FYI, I just came across this TVLine article reporting that Lucci's upcoming memoir,"All My Life" has a passage that blasts ABC daytime exec Brian Frons whom she holds responsible for the downfall of All My Children: 

Many of this blog's readers have posted comments indicating they agree with Lucci's opinion that Frons is the Simon LeGree of television, with good reason.  Not surprisingly, there have been a number of petitions signed by viewers calling for ABC to fire Frons.

(The ratings for The Chew, AMC's replacement are down from those of All My Children [see TV Takes All: Ratings for The Chew Week Four Flat and Still Behind All My Children].)

A little digging has shown that Frons may indeed be responsible for the whole debacle and that he moved the show to Los Angeles, despite the fact that he was counting on a cancellation, a huge betrayal to those of the program’s employees who uprooted their lives and lost money to do so.  While he made those physical changes to the show, he did not bring in the right writing team to keep the show up to date in the new media landscape of the 21st century that competes with reality shows, the Internet, mobile devices and more.

Frons has been a huge failure at ABC and, inexplicably, he’s been kept on.

Named president of Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group in 2006, Frons had been head of ABC Daytime since 2002.  Since then, he had been responsible for AMC, One Life to Live, Port Charles and The View, three of which are now DOA.

He also took on the roll of head of SOAPnet, another Disney holding, which is now on its way out as well.  It will go off the air in 2012.

How does this guy survive?

Frons’ order to move All My Children to California lasted a little more than year.  According to Wikipedia, he told the cast and crew that in order to save the program, it was vital that the show move to LA to cut down on production costs.  All the players and production team members were asked to take pay cuts.

In a move of solidarity, they all decided to relocate, so the show and other employees’ lives would not be compromised.

Many people left friends and family and left their homes behind – some losing a good deal of money due to the real estate bust, since they sold in a down market.

Even though ABC confirmed that production costs were cut by 25%, the show was not making enough money for the network and it was cancelled.

Frons, notoriously, has said the cancellations were a year in the making, meaning the move to Los Angeles was just window dressing.

Many AMC followers blame poor writing for the downfall of the program.  That could have been fixed if new, more talented scribes had been brought in – by Frons. 

It’s a new world and there’s no doubt the show needed updating and storylines in keeping with the times.  Surely, there are writers out there who could have updated the look of the show and the plots/writing, making it right for today’s younger viewers while preserving the characters for older ones.  Unfortunately the last head writer, Lorraine Broderick, and her predecessor, Chuck Pratt, were not able to do so.

Now that the show is moving online in January 2012 – at least according to the production company that bought it, Prospect Park – the new producers should be able to do just that.

Susan Lucci to Army Wives

TVLine is reporting that Susan Lucci will perform in a multi-episode arc of Army Wives on Lifetime.  Her character will play the wife of a retired general who offers advice to Claudia (Kim Delaney) about how to deal with a rival.

All My Children fans know that Lucci and Delaney worked together on that show back in the day, 1981-1984.  Delaney played Jenny Gardner.

Lucci will appear in at least two episodes, which is cold comfort to those disappointed that she will not be joining AMC when it resurfaces online in January.

Army Wives also stars Catherine Bell (JAG).  The show is a soap opera built around the wives of guys serving the the military and will commence its sixth season shortly.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Scorecard for "The X Factor" - Listing of 17 Acts Moving on to Live Broadcasts

If you’re following The X Factor on FOX, this handy scorecard may be for you.  Provided by the network, it’s a rundown of who’s who in the remaining 17.

You’ll note that the number of acts making it to live performances was supposed to be 16, but Simon Cowell decided to reverse himself and bring back a performer he particularly liked and believed had been eliminated unnecessarily.  Her name is Melanie Amaro.  She’s 19 and lives in Florida, though she’s originally from the British Virgin Islands.

The acts have all been assigned mentors, who were handed out according to category: girls, boys, over 30 and groups. 

Mentored by Simon Cowell (girls):

Melanie Amaro, 19 
Hometown: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Currently Resides: Coral Springs, FL/Sunrise, FL
www.twitter.com/itsmelanieamaro
(@ItsMelanieAmaro)
www.facebook.com/pages/Melanie-Amaro/117865004985741
“It was really big, as well as shocking, because the many years I’ve watched Simon, he has never done something like that. I feel very honored that he came to my home to ask me to come back on the show. The whole process is just mind boggling. It’s so amazing."


Simone Battle, 22
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
www.twitter.com/simonebattle
(@simonebattle)
www.facebook.com/simonebattleonfb
“I am blown away by how much talent there is in the girls’ category. At this point, it’s not about impressing the judges, it’s about impressing the world and everyone who is watching.”

Rachel Crow, 13
Hometown: Longmont, CO/Mead, CO
Currently Resides: Burbank, CA
www.twitter.com/IamRachelCrow
(@IamRachelCrow)
www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Crow
"This whole experience has been a dream come true and I can’t believe I made it this far because I went into the competition with no expectations. I can’t believe this is happening to me. I think what I am really trying to work on is finding out who I am as a singer. I am trying to find my style and my edge.”


Drew Ryniewicz, 14
Hometown: Chino Valley, AZ
Currently Resides: Chino Valley, AZ
www.twitter.com/drewryniewicz1
(@drewryniewicz1)
www.facebook.com/pages/Drew-Ryniewicz/251573518221876
“The girls in my category are nothing but amazing, every single one. From the start I have loved them all. We are almost like a big family. I mean, we are competing, but we spend so much time with each other and it is nice to be around so many people you can relate to.”


Tiah Tolliver, 20
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA
Currently Resides: Bremerton, WA
www.twitter.com/TiahTolliver (@TiahTolliver)
www.facebook.com/pages/Tiah-Tolliver/204902059581635
“I am extremely happy to have him [Simon Cowell] as my mentor because he fought for me. I feel like he is going to lead me in the right direction and I sincerely believe him when he tells me stuff.”

Mentored by L.A. Reid (boys):

Astro, 15
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
www.twitter.com/Astronomicalkid (@Astronomicalkid)
www.facebook.com/theastronomicalkid
 “So far THE X FACTOR experience has been amazing and pretty fun. It definitely makes me feel like a star. Coming here and being the only MC in this competition, I believe in myself and that is going to bring me through.”

Marcus Canty, 20
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Currently Resides: Bowie, MD
www.twitter.com/IamMarcusCanty (@iammarcuscanty)
www.facebook.com/officialmarcuscanty
“I think this experience has nurtured me and made me realize that life is too short and to live through the moment. These are once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can’t get back. I am going to keep having fun and bringing who I am.”

Phillip Lomax, 22
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Currently Resides: Seattle, WA
www.twitter.com/@philliplomax (@philliplomax)
www.facebook.com/PhillipLomaxMusic“THE X FACTOR experience has been incredible. The thing that has resonated the most with me is that it is important to find my own voice and to be true within my music. I don’t want to be anyone but me.”

Chris Rene, 28
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Currently Resides: Santa Cruz, CA
www.twitter.com/MrChrisRene (@mrchrisrene)
www.facebook.com/ChrisReneMusic831
“The advice I have been getting is to stay original, stay yourself and do my thing and also go out of the box and do things that are difficult. The way I prepare is to stay in the moment, relax and practice as much as I can. Staying in the here-and-now is what is best for me.”

Mentored by Nicole Scherzinger (over age 30 acts):


LeRoy Bell, 60
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Currently Resides: Edmonds, WA/Seattle, WA
www.twitter.com/LeRoyBell (@LeRoyBell)
www.facebook.com/LeRoyBellMusic
“The experience has been wild and exciting, at the same time a little bit scary…One of the things I’ve learned is you can teach an old dog new tricks. I can still learn something. The show has taught me that I am more flexible than I thought I was.”

Stacy Francis, 42
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
www.twitter.com/StacyFrancis (@StacyFrancis)
www.facebook.com/officialStacyFrancis
“Being a part of the show so far has been an emotional rollercoaster. Every feeling I could feel, I have felt during this journey…I am happy and so excited. The momentum is just incredible. It’s like I’m a 10-year-old and it’s Christmas and I’m so excited.”

Dexter Haygood, 49
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Currently Resides: Chicago, IL
www.twitter.com/DexterHaygood (@dexterhaygood)
www.facebook.com/officialDexterHaygood
“It is going to be exciting; I’m gonna set the place on fire, but not literally. There is nothing like THE X FACTOR. I have never experienced anything like this.”


Josh Krajcik, 30
Hometown: Wooster, OH
Currently Resides: Columbus, OH
www.twitter.com/theJoshKrajcik (@theJoshKrajcik)
www.facebook.com/joshkrajcikmusic
 “THE X FACTOR experience has been really great. It has been a serious challenge and any time you challenge yourself it is a good thing. The experience on THE X FACTOR has given me a lot of insight into who I am and a lot of things that I didn’t know.”

Mentored by Paula Abdul (groups):

The Brewer Boys
Justin Brewer, 17
- Hometown: Temecula, CA
Nathan Brewer, 14 - Hometown: Temecula, CA
www.twitter.com/theBrewerBoys (@theBrewerBoys)
http://www.facebook.com/thebrewerboysmusic
“We never really thought about going this far. It has been pretty shocking. This has been an incredible experience. I’ve learned a lot about the industry. I love it.”

InTENsity
Nick Dean, 15 - Hometown: Rochester, NY
Francesca Duncan, 17 - Hometown: Orange Co., NY Resides: Brockport, NY
John Lindahl, 15 - Hometown: Travuco Canyon, CA
Emily Michalak, 13 - Hometown: Pine Brook, NJ
Austin Percario, 15 - Hometown: Warren, NJ
Arin Ray, 16 - Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Lauren Ashley Redmond, 17 - Hometown: Houston, TX Resides: DeSoto, TX
Ellona Santiago, 15 - Hometown: San Lorenzo, CA
Ma’at Bingham Shango, 12 - Hometown: Houston, TX
Emily Wilson, 15 Hometown: Warren, NJ
www.twitter.com/its_inTENsity (@its_inTENsity)
www.facebook.com/itsInTENsity
“Being in a group is amazing. When you are a solo artist, you only have yourself to rely on. But when you are in a group you have however many other people who have your back. So it is better to be in a group of ten, plus it is more fun and we have more people to hang out with and it’s just not as stressful.”

Lakoda Rayne
Cari Fletcher, 17
- Hometown: Wall Township, NJ
Dani Knights, 22
- Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Paige Ogle Age: 18 -
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Hayley Orrantia, 17 - Hometown: Highland Village, TX
www.twitter.com/Lakoda_Rayne (@lakoda_rayne)
www.facebook.com/lakodarayne
“Starting out as four solo artists, it was a shocker that we were going to be in the group category together but it has been an incredible experience. They’ve taken four strong solo artists and made this super group.”

The Stereo Hogzz
Kregg Gibson (aka KG), 25
- Hometown: Houston, TX
Jonathan Glenn (aka Jon Glenn), 25 - Hometown: Houston, TX
George Jenkins III (aka Trae Badd), 25 - Hometown: Houston, TX
Leeland Stephenson (aka Trace Kennedy), 24 - Hometown: Houston, TX
Justin Williams (aka Just’n), 25 - Hometown: Houston, TX
www.twitter.com/theStereoHogzz (@thestereohogzz)
www.facebook.com/thestereohogzz
“This X FACTOR experience has been something that we have been dreaming of for a long time. You can’t ask for more, and they provided this platform for us and we are running with it, taking it all the way.”