The X Factor tried to shake things up this week by sending TWO contestants home – but the only real surprise was that the show featured Howie Mandel in the audience. Isn’t he a NBC guy? Indeed, the two performances given the boot were the most obvious selections of the remaining nine, one a group, the other an over-30 hopeful. So long, Lakoda Rayne and LeRoy Bell. You had a decent run. Rayne was sent packing early on in the broadcast – which also featured performances by Kelly Clarkson and Bruno Mars – as that group received the lowest number of votes following last night’s performance show. Paula Abdul now has no more proteges remaining. Bell, meanwhile, was in the bottom two alongside Marcus Canty . The judges tried to instill some tension in the second elimination, deadlocking their votes and leaving the singers’ fate up to the audience. Steve Jones promptly read Bell’s name off a card and the elder crooner took his ousting like a man. You tell us: Did the right contestants get sent home?
Plus: Nicole Scherzinger’s Over 30’s step it up after Stacy Francis’ ouster. By Jim Cantiello Astro on “X Factor” Photo: FOX MTV News’ own Jim Cantiello is exclusively covering “The X Factor” rehearsals. Read on for his fly-on-the-wall backstage report! We’re five weeks into the “X Factor” live shows, and sleep deprivation has finally caught up with everyone. Not just the contestants, mind you, but the crew too. With Thanksgiving shifting the production schedule up a day, Team X has been working for almost two weeks straight without a day off. During rehearsals, contestants are cramming in this week’s performances as well as next week’s songs to allow for a day or two off this holiday week — not to mention a double elimination looming over everyone’s heads. And you thought last week’s Astro drama was intense. Speaking of ‘Stro, the young MC is ready to accept any backlash headed his way after his defiant moment in the bottom two. He’s already apologized on his Facebook wall and on Twitter, but I’m also hearing rumblings of an apology in his pre-performance package. Plus, as he always does, he’ll be performing an autobiographical original verse, so you might want to pay extra-close attention to his sly wordplay. Fresh off sending Stacy Francis home , Nicole Scherzinger is pushing her remaining Over 30’s to be as bold as possible. Perhaps that’s why one dude’s tackling an instrument — a live-show first! — and the other dude is trying his hand at a girl’s song. Will the risks pay off? (They certainly did in rehearsals.) Over the weekend, one of Simon Cowell’s girls got a taste of movie magic as she performed in front of a giant green screen. Creative director Brian Friedman shouted descriptions to her to help situate her in a virtual world, which was then digitally added in postproduction. She won’t be performing in front of a green screen come Tuesday night, however. All that work was just for a background graphic that will play behind her as she sings live. Thanks to everyone’s exhaustion, some “X Factor” team members are getting even punchier and zanier. Stylist June Ambrose popped outside of her trailer in a glittery head wrap that would have been perfect for Gloria Swanson had she ever visited Studio 54. “I’m disco, darling,” she proclaimed to the crew members walking by. Her playful antics caught the eye of judge and mentor Paula Abdul, who quickly ran over to the trailer for an impromptu dress-up play date. If only I got an invite … In other Paula news, the mentor all but gave away country-pop group Lakoda Rayne’s song choice during a Ustream broadcast with fans. “It’s a song by someone who did pretty great these past 24 hours. And won lots of awards,” she coyly said. (One only needs to check out the list of 2011 American Music Awards winners to be able to whittle down what artist Lakoda Rayne will be paying homage to in Tuesday’s live show.) And I’ll leave you with my biggest burning question of the week: Will the paint dry in time? Seriously! Hours before showtime, one particular set piece was being slathered with a new coat at the last minute. And considering a contestant will be performing on this Aggro Crag-like structure, will her outfit get soiled by wet paint? Keep your eyes peeled, those of you with HD TVs! You can catch Jim on the “X Factor Pepsi Pre-Show,” streaming at 7 p.m. ET tonight on TheXFactorUSA.com !
Darn? Bristol Palin’s upcoming reality show for the BIO channel is no longer upcoming. It’s been scrapped, according to reports, leaving Bristol without a job. Oh well. No official reason has been given as to why Bio axed the project, but if we had to guess, it could be because WHO WOULD WATCH A BRISTOL PALIN REALITY SHOW? It’s unclear if she’s still dating Kyle Massey , but Bristol needs to find something new to do besides hilariously tell teens that they should really remain abstinent. So what’s next for the Sarah Palin spawn? Beauty school. No, really . Sources reveal that Bristol Palin is looking into some beauty programs, as her new life goal is to be a Hollywood hair and makeup guru. A “friend” reveals: “She plans to find a school near her home in Arizona so she can get away from the Alaska winter. After graduating, she’ll look for jobs in the movie industry.” “Bristol’s realizing that her bout of fame and big-money job offers is dwindling since her mother isn’t in the spotlight as much, so she needs a backup plan.” “Right now she has money from Dancing With the Stars to live off of while going to school. Then she’ll try her luck in L.A. again, this time behind the scenes.” Hard to blame her for that, actually, if it’s true. So many people would try to milk their 15 minutes long past relevancy. Good for her for thinking of a Plan B. We just hope Levi Johnston tries to enroll in the same classes to mess with her.
Ricki Lake was very good Monday night on Dancing With the Stars . The question is, will very good be enough against the two men she’s competing against? Ricki and Derek Hough earned all 9s for their cha cha and all 9s for their freestyle, for a combined total of 54. “We’re very, very happy,” she said. “I’m thrilled!” Fan favorite J.R. Martinez has 54 as well, though, and upstart Rob Kardashian garnered 57. So it’ll take quite the popular vote victory to propel Ricki to the Mirror Ball. Will it happen? Check out her routines below and vote on who you think will win: Ricki Lake on Dancing With the Stars (Finals – Cha Cha) Ricki Lake on Dancing With the Stars (Finals – Freestyle) Who will win Dancing With the Stars tonight?
We’re down to nine contestants on The X Factor , as this singing competition airs a special Tuesday installment this evening and then gives two finalists the boot tomorrow night. Hey, at least they’ll be home in time for sweet potato! As we head toward the home stretch of the first season, let’s stop and assess those still around. Who has the best shot at taking home the $5 million grand prize? Who might as well give up now? Read on for our rankings. 1. Melanie Amaro . The best voice, the right look, a positive attitude. There are similarities here to Pia Toscano, who was voted out earlier than expected on American Idol last season, but the judges get the final way here. Melanie will be safe for awhile. 2. Drew Ryniewicz . Simon’s mission has been to prove that his 14-year old charge can sing beyond her years, and we’d say he accomplished that with her cover of ” With or Without You .” Moving stuff. 3. Josh Krajcik . Would have been number-one if we were basing this solely on Rock Week, considering he’s the only contestant who actually rocked . May not have the look of a star, but has the voice and the backstory. 4. Marcus Canty . He can’t hit every note, but the guy can dance and entertain! Hard to believe he wouldn’t be a successful solo artist, although the professional R&B field is quite crowded. 5. Chris Rene . Loved his take on “Gangsta’s Paradise” and the Bob Marley medley last week , even if it made little sense under the Rock theme. Lacks vocal range, but not charisma. 6. Rachel Crow . Fading a bit, as Ryniewicz has stolen her young contestant thunder. How far can simply being adorable get her? 7. Lakoda Rayne . A bit over-the-top. There are so many costumes, so much crazy lighting, so much going on at all times. It’s hard to know where to look. 8. Leroy Bell . He’s not going to win. 9. Astro . Based on talent alone? Of course he deserves a higher spot. But last week’s antics were nauseating and he only gets a slight pass for being 15. Drew and Rachel are even younger – and can you imagine either one reacting that way?
