The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan - Anosmia photo

Being only 20 X Factor judge Demi Lavato has youth going for her appeal - Keith Hinkle photo

Christina Aguilera has a salty attitude that has toned down a bit this season as a judge on The Voice - Nick Stepowyj photo

Video Beat - American Idol, X Factor or The Voice are Judging their Judges

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

THE AMAZING RACE IS ON!!! - Once the only game in town American Idol is now playing catch-up with rival shows A Factor and The Voice in trying to hiring judges that will attract viewers and build their ratings and appeal to a young audience - PIERS MORGAN STRIKES AGAIN - CHECK IT OUT - Recommended TV Listings

Monday October 01, 2012

THE AMAZING RACE IS ON!!!

The Amazing Race will air their new season # 21 to be televised in Asia starting today Monday October 1 at 8:05 PM Thailand time and 9:03 Hong King/Singapore time. The program is televised on Sunday, September 30, 2012, on CBS at 8 pm in the USA. The series will have a new twist this season. If the team that comes in first in the first leg wins the race, the prize will double to US$2 million.

There will be 11 teams which include The Fabulous Beekman Boys stars Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, former White Lion and Megadeth metal bassist James LoMenzo, Chippendales dancers Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis, double amputee professional snowboarder Amy Purdy, and former The Apprentice: Martha Stewart contestant Ryan Danz. This season will span 25,000 miles (40,000 km) on travel in three continents and nine countries including visits to China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.

NEW FACES 4 NEW SEASON

Though it was once the only game in town American Idol is now trying to catch up to the competition in showcasing new singing talent including former Idol judge Simon Cowell's X Factor apparently they are in a panic mode. With judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez departing the show after only two controversial seasons Idol is trying to go young and continue their celebrity judge emphasis. With the addition of Marian Carey and Nicki Minaj aka the black Madonna as well as country singer Keith Urban the celebrity mission is accomplished. The show is also returning to a four judge format that was a failure two seasons ago as they talked too much in their comments causing the show to run into overtime and create friction among them. This is another copycat move as their competition also has a four judge system that appear to work.

The young aspect is what is missing. The X Factor has Cowell Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and L.A. Reid as judges also made an adjustment with the departure of Cowell's Idol judging buddy Paula Abdul. Apparently both shows are trying to get it right and build a youthful audience.

Britney Spears who is not so young being in her early 30's but they do have the young aspect covered with the presence of Demi Lavato who is 20. Over the years Idol has lost the plot after having a firm grip on the American viewing public. After over tinkering with the show they are now losing in the ratings race and appear to be about to bite the dust of failure should this season continue the programs downward spiral in the ratings race.

The voice now in season 3 has brightened up their act and stage setting as the set is brighter and more cheerful with better lighting and highlighting the blue against the red and black backdrop. The judges Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera are starting to solidify after ego bumping during the first two seasons where Christina Aguilera was and continues to be outspoken. They are more courteous to each other in permitting each other to critique without interrupting. In that department Aguilera has traveled the greatest distance in achieving this result.

But there's more as solid as the four Voice judges appear to be there is another plan in the mix. Executive producer Mark Burnett has said that that he intends to do another cycle at midseason, but he's not necessarily keeping Levine, Green, Aguilera and Shelton in their chairs as that would leave them with no time to tour, in order to keep the coaches happy. He said, "He's got to let them continue to pursue their own musical careers outside of The Voice and so he's looking into lining up a new group of judges for season four" but he hopes all four will return for season five.

It was announced that Usher and Shakira will join the show as new coaches in the spring of 2013, to replace Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green, who will take a break from the show. Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will remain for the fourth season, and Aguilera and Green will return for the fifth season. The addition of Usher and Shakira will give the producers the ability to mix and match judges as needed in the future.

The bottom line is if its job security you're looking for being a judge on a TV talent show is not the answer.

NOTE:

American Idol takes five of the NR Top 10 spots in our NEW NR TOP 10 rankings @ NR TOP 10 - ENTERTAINMENT TAKES CENTER STAGE

The mouth that roared CNN's pride and joy Piers Morgan did it again in offending another celebrity but this time he couldn't do it on camera. Actor Kelsey Grammer was waiting in the green room to make an appearance on Morgan's show. Prior to agreeing to appear Grammer approved being asked certain questions including talking about his former wife Camille Donatacci. Since their divorce Grammer has remarried but talking about his past was OK. The problem was while Morgan was doing a warm up of the show Grammer was watching the monitor and saw Morgan showed a photo of Camille during the opening credits. This upset Grammer and he walked out as have previous intended guests. Morgan has now banned Grammar from the show. He now joins Madonna as a banned guest. When Madonna was asked her opinion of being banned she replied, "Piers who?"

Check out Scam City Bangkok which will air in East Asia Tuesday night October 2nd on the National Geographic Network at 9 PM in Bangkok and 10 PM on Hong Kong and Singapore. The show focuses scams targeting tourists.

Also worth watching on HBO is Senna a great human interest story about the famed race car driver that lost his life at 34. What make this film so interesting are home videos provided by the Senna family and from interviews with people that knew him. Senna is presented as sublime, spiritual, on occasion ruthless, as well as private, humble and fiercely patriotic, donating millions to his native Brazil and contemplating a life outside motor racing. Check your local listings for the time and date in your area.

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Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia/Thailand time zone. Check our chart or your local listings for time in your area.

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