There are a few hot bits of news to kick off this week.
First of all, Fox announced Monday that Simon Cowell will be leaving “American Idol.” Suprisingly, it’s not because he was sick to death of Ryan Seacrest or appalled by talentless contestants. He’ll be bringing his popular U.K. talent show, “The X Factor,” to American audiences on Fox.
“I want to leave ‘Idol’ this year bigger and better than it was in the past,” Cowell said on Monday.
Will America keep watching? Of course. Will anyone ever criticize a contestant again? Maybe, but it won’t be very funny.
In the sports world, it looks like female Yankees fans everywhere are going to have to give up hope. Veteran Yankees shortstop and team heart-throb Derek Jeter is engaged. According to the New York Post, he and his lovely girlfriend Minka Kelly are getting married Nov. 5 on Long Island.
Well, maybe. A reporter, acting on a tip, pretended she was getting married so she could look at the calendar for the Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y. She spotted the words "JETER wedding" on the calendar. The reporter mentioned it to the sales manager, Rick Bellando, but he insisted celebrities aren’t listed by their real names.
The final, most troubling tidbit. Former vice presidential candidate, Alaska governor and, in case you didn’t know, former sportscaster Sarah Palin will be joining Fox News as a political commentator. She’ll also be the occassional host of “Real American Stories,” a new series Fox said will tell inspirational true stories about Americans who overcoming adversity.
Honestly, the latter seems more like Palin’s cup of tea. Political commentary? How can anyone take her seriously when she completely destroyed the McCain campaign, resigned as governor and has repeatedly and publically embarrassed herself?
Whether or not we’re excited — I’m sure many people actually are — Sarah certainly seems pumped.
“I am thrilled to be joining the great talent and management team at Fox News,” Palin said in a statement posted on Fox’s Web site. “It’s wonderful to be part of a place that so values fair and balanced news.”
Hilarious? You betcha.