TV Scoops Archives

American Idol
Syesha Mercado
Age: 21
Hometown: Sarasota, FL
Audition City: Miami
Voted Off: May 14

You really improved throughout the competition - it was kind of like you held back. Was that always your game plan?
Syesha: I am a hard worker and always rehearsing and trying to improve. At first I was in a shell, and that kind of separated me from everyone else. I felt I was never at my full potential because of the negative mindset I was in, so I focused on that and it harmed my performances. But as I got back on track and felt more comfortable onstage, that feeling of being overlooked subsided. I started enjoying myself more every week and trusted myself to let go.

In your opinion, what's special about having the two Davids in the finale?
Syesha: David Archuleta has that beautiful smile and a great connection with the younger audience. David Cook has a connection with the younger audience and the older, too — the women go crazy over him, as he is really charming. I feel like an older and younger sister to them both. I got closer to them and really have a brotherly-sisterly love for them. The competition could go any way, and I wish them both the best of luck.

What did you learn from your experience on American Idol?
Syesha: Where do I begin? I learned there is a fine line between overworking, just trusting in yourself and letting go, and letting it be the way it is. We worked so hard every week, to the point I couldn't enjoy myself, so I wasn't able to relax. But I learned how to — be it talking to someone close or reading a book. I learned how to deal with stress and how to deal with performing and enjoy what you are doing.

What are your plans after the tour is done, and any wedding plans in your future?
Syesha: I'm goal-oriented and want to do everything. I want to make an album, star in film, do Broadway and open an organic restaurant along with a homeless foundation. I have them planned out and will take whatever opportunity comes along. I am the type of person that lives in the now, and my fiancé is so supportive. We have a mutual understanding about everything, so when the time is right, we will. But right now, we are focused on career and what is the next move to make there.

You amazingly went from the bottom three throughout the show to top three. How did you deal with that roller coaster?
Syesha: Every week was new and I never packed my bags. They told us to, but I was like, "I'm not packing my bags — I don't want to go home yet." I think if you want something, it'll happen for you. I dealt with it by talking to my family a lot — they helped me stay strong. I just tried to stay positive and I became a lot stronger by being there.

Do you think the focus was on the guys this year, and did that make it hard over the weeks?
Syesha: I never focused on that because what everyone wants is going to be obvious in the end. It is what it is and whoever wins... that is who it is supposed to be. I am proud to have been the last girl standing and the honor to have this opportunity. I appreciate the fans and their support. I'm just so excited. I'm ready to take on the world — so ready! And to take on so many different things and be working.

Dancing With the Stars
Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani
Eliminated May 13

Everyone is so sad to see you go, but is dancing in your future now?
Marissa: Let me tell you, I have already made Tony promise that after we left, he would teach me another dance because I feel like I want to do one more. I can't wait to get into dance class. The one-on-one is so incredibly intense that I want to be in a class where I can see other people. It's more fun to hang out in the back until you feel more confident to go up front. This is like hanging at the back of the class and then going on TV in front of 24 million people. It was crazy. And he has schools everywhere.
Tony: I had such a blast with her and that was all I focused on. I didn't care about what the judges said, I just thought every week about teaching her a new dance and I will continue to explore that. This lady is wonderful.
Marissa: We wanted to do our freestyle, but that is okay because we are two young chickadees here so we will get to do the freestyle somewhere at some point. We may do it on the finale anyway — forget the paso doble. Can we do that?
Tony: No... YES! [laughs]
Marissa: I am glad it's the paso because that is one I might remember.

What's the worst thing about leaving the show for you?
Marissa: Nothing, honestly, I really am good. I have had so much fun and it's not like I am going home and being shot, or like we are at the Colosseum [in Rome], where you have to live or die. But you wake up the next day and Tony and I will be friends forever. It's been a whirlwind experience and I have zero regrets. — it's all good and has all been fun. But I am not leaving. I already told the wardrobe people that I'll be upstairs on Monday BeDazzling the other people's costumes, so I am not leaving. But there are so many big things in life and this is one thing. It's not cancer or children or hearing — it's a fun variety show and we had a blast, but there are bigger things in life and I made great friends.
Tony: What is BeDazzling?
Marissa: It's putting the rhinestones on costumes.

So how are your BeDazzling skills?
Marissa: Oh, I practiced and practiced. Even more than in the beginning. I hadn't BeDazzled in a very long time, and there are many more people who BeDazzle better than I do. I watched the professionals BeDazzle. I wish I could keep these dresses, as I don't know who else will ever wear them. Maybe they will cut up my dresses and make two more for other girls.
Tony: Oh, well there are some things my wife just won't let me do — and that is one of them.
Marissa: Oh? So Tony is too much of a man to BeDazzle — it's all up to me, then.

How did you surprise yourself doing this show?
Marissa: We had such a rocky start. I messed up and was overwhelmed, and the things I thought I would excel in, I didn't. I felt like we hit our stride and felt confident that I could do this, and had fun.
Tony: I knew she had it her because when we started, this was the attitude she had.
Marissa: And the judges beat it out of me.
Tony: But after her third week, she came in and was back to being Marissa again.
Marissa: People told me to tone it down, but I can't do that. I am me. I can't believe what we accomplished.

What is next for you both?
Marissa: We have a lot of press to do for the next few days in New York and I attend a luncheon for Harvey Fierstein. Then It's home, lay in bed, and then paint my nursery and get ready for the finale. Honestly, I have been so busy I have not had time to do anything and I am having a baby in less than two months!
Tony: I'm going home to New York and get my nursery ready for the twins — I have so much to do. They are due in August.
Marissa:We are both totally panicking about the babies because we have been spending the last three months dancing, thinking we'd get kicked off soon, and deal with it then. I never expected it to be three months.
Tony: There is so much to do and so little time to do it in — I just realized that.
Marissa: Every week I thought, "Oh, I can paint this week," and then we'd get voted through. But I made it further than anyone ever thought. Before this, it was "Marissa who?" Now, I have a talk show, I'm a dancer and about to be a mom — who knew? I really feel we achieved so much and thank the fans for all their support.

Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites
Erik
Eliminated May 8

What was it like being the last man standing?
Erik: It was pretty weird. I thought it was going to be great, but it wasn't. You would think it's every man's dream to be surrounded by a bunch of beautiful, bikini-clad women. But three or four hours passed and I realized, "This is a nightmare."

Why did you give away the immunity necklace?
Erik: There is no one answer that could help explain it. My strategy was getting overthrown by emotions and inexperience and by what the girls had to say. I was out there for so long, and I considered them to be my friends. Everybody loved Erik, but then all of a sudden I was in between them and the $1 million prize. The attitudes changed toward me and it really started to hurt.

How does it feel to have made the dumbest move in Survivor history?
Erik: There is no question giving up the immunity necklace was the dumbest move ever. It was way dumb! No one is ever going to let me live that down. The only way I can get over that is if someone does something worse in the future. But I don't know what you'd have to do that would be worse than that. It was just really dumb.

Who do you think deserves to win?
Erik: All of them had good reasons for voting me out because I was making deals with each of them. In terms of voting, I have no idea at this point. I would have voted for Amanda two weeks ago, but now, I'm just not sure.

Who's been playing the game the smartest?
Erik: Parvati — without a doubt. She's playing it very smart. Cirie is a close second. It's crazy to see how my opinion changed watching the show as opposed to when I was on the island. I learned so much from the episodes. Cirie is a totally different person than how she presented herself on the island. I was amazed to see all of the things she was saying. From what I knew of her, she was a nice lady who happened to slide by every vote. In reality, she was calling the shots from the beginning!

Do you think the fans were at a disadvantage going into the game?
Erik: Going into the game, no, I didn't think that. I assumed the fans had a chance. But it became glaringly obvious that there was no comparison to how much experience they had over us.

Which favorite were you most excited to get to know?
Erik: It was cool to know Ozzy. I'll put that out there because I think everyone got to see that on the show. It was really great to get to know James. He's a really cool guy. After I got voted off, he came up to me and thanked me for taking the stupidest- move-in-Survivor-history crown away from him.

What was the hardest part of the game?
Erik: Starving was pretty damn bad. I was really hungry. I had a metabolism that was going nonstop. I got to the island weighing 160 pounds and when I left I was down to 147 pounds. I ate all sorts of stuff like chicken feed and even leaves. I didn't care. All the girls were complaining about missing their families. I only missed my family if they had food with them!

What are you doing now?
Erik: I'm not changing my life all that much. I'm still working as an ice cream man. Since the halfway point of the show, the customers have been going crazy. Everybody wants a picture with me. But after last night's episode, I had to turn my phone off because everyone's calling to ridicule me!

American Idol
Jason Castro
Age: 20
Hometown: Rockwall, TX
Audition City: Dallas
Eliminated: May 7

Simon thought you forgot the words on purpose and wanted to go home. Is there any truth to that?
Jason: I definitely did not do that on purpose. I couldn't believe I forgot such a popular line, but somehow it slipped my mind. As of yesterday I wanted to win, and the day before I wanted to win. I think it came down to inexperience and once we doubled up on songs, I wasn't able to focus and my mind was just split, and I couldn't deliver.

Was it hard to do your second song after Paula's flub a few weeks ago of judging in advance of your performance?
Jason: Well, that was kind of funny and I was confused. I thought, "The second song? Is that David?" But I don't think it affected my next performance.

Now that you are going home, what are you excited to be getting back to?
Jason: I am not sure when that is happening, as I am hearing I go to New York next week and then I am back for the finale. But I just miss home and love being there in the summer. I miss working with my dad in the summer. He has a company that designs and builds custom swimming pools and I have been working with him since I was 15, doing drafting and outside work, also cleaning pools and stuff like that.

What did you learn from your experience on Idol?
Jason: I've learned I can do a lot more than I thought. Before this, I wasn't really confident as a performer and hadn't been doing it a whole lot. Now I did it for a few months straight, and on TV! So I gained a lot of confidence and that is cool.

Did you get further than you thought you would?
Jason: Oh, I made it further than I could have imagined. I didn't consider it a real possibility that I could win until these last few weeks. I did kind of just wander in and see where it would go, and it just started going. I was like, "All right, I am here and I'm in it to win it." I was giving it my best. Still, I never had the mindset of winning, more the mindset of every week, giving it my best, and that leads to winning it.

Were you relieved to be going?
Jason: Well, yeah, I was as happy last night as I was to make the top 24. This whole time I have had a blast, but it has really been hard. I was really starting to fear the week ahead and remember thinking, "How am I going to do three songs — I can't even do two right." But with the hometown visit it was going to be a lot of work — even though it would have been so much fun — I was freaking out about it. That was all building up, so I was ready to go either way. My natural reaction was relieved that the pressure was off. I loved my time there, and would liked to have gone further, but I don't think I could have handled it.

Dancing With the Stars
Mario & Karina Smirnoff
Eliminated April 6

How did you feel after some of the harsh comments you got from Len over the weeks?
Mario: I have already sent the invite for Len to meet me in the boxing ring, so we are going to settle our problems on the stage. The finale could be a boxing match. But those comments just made me want to work harder.
Karina: I wanted to take Carrie Ann out last season, and if Mario also takes out Bruno, next season there will be no judges. But Bruno can stay, we love Bruno.

But how did it feel when you got your first 10 a few weeks ago?
Mario: It felt great; just climbing up that ladder. I always wanted better comments from the judges for us, but it felt great to be able to come back every week and get into the dances.

What will you take from the show?
Mario: It was a great opportunity and was a lot of fun. I made some cool new friends, and Karina and I are hitting the studio to make an album [laughs]. I always said when I get kicked off the show, I am putting Karina on the payroll and will get a salary every week to teach me to dance.
Karina: Oh, so sweet — I can be your private dancer, a dancer for money.

What did you like best about working with Karina?
Mario: I had fun with her. Good times, bad times. Even when the stuff was really tough for me, I still had fun with her. I feel like she is a great teacher and really has a love for ballroom dancing. I have a love for music and there is a strong passion there, and when I saw her passion for dance, it made me want to do it more. If I could teach her how to sing, I would.
Karina: But I am absolutely hopeless. There is no chance for that.

Did your body change from all the dancing?
Mario: I lost 7 to 10 pounds and feel I am in the best shape I have ever been in my life. I am also learning how important rest is and eating is. I feel great. It was great training, especially the group dances we did, as it helped your brain to retain more information. The more you can retain, the better, and that is what dance is about. And it's fun performing with everyone.

What's next?
Mario: The tour is next and my album. I am working on a new project that should be done this summer, and I am looking to have a new single out by the end of the year. Films, anything I can get my hands on. I am going hard, man — never stop. I have a lot of stuff going on and love to express myself in different ways, so you will definitely see more of me. Definitely in my stage performance, I will be incorporating some of the moves I have learned. Performance has a whole new meaning to me now. When it comes to focus and flexibility, I am noticing all that more now.

How are you two going to keep in touch?
Karina: We will pretty much move in together.
Mario: We will see each other pretty much every day.
Karina: But I will miss his attitude — he's always positive, strong-minded, but always kind. Oh, and him licking his lips, that is my favorite thing he ever did.
Mario: But I will be back for the finale. I have no regrets at all.

Interview with Matt Grant before he makes his final choice on The Bachelor: London Calling

Did you think American girls acted differently than British girls would have?
Matt: I think that they did pretty well considering the format and the situation they were put in. British women would have been pretty similar. You obviously watch the reality TV from England, and it’s very similar if you watch both shows. Just like if you watch The Office in the U.K. and The Office in the U.S.

Do you watch any of the other dating reality shows?
Matt: I’ve watched Bret Michaels and Flavor Flav and I couldn’t stop laughing. For all the tea in China, you wouldn’t have seen me on their shows. When they bring back the exes — it's just so funny.

Are you discouraged by how many Bachelor couples don’t make it?
Matt: No, I’m not bothered by it. I was never one for statistics anyway. I’m an optimist. My glass is always half-full, if not completely full. I’m confident we will survive and succeed.

Are you two going to live in London?
Matt: Either way, it’s going to be tricky. It’s not easy for an American to live in the U.K. and it’s not easy for a British guy to live in the U.S.

What proved you wrong about the girls? Specifically, what proved you wrong about Shayne?
Matt: It wasn’t until the skiing in Idaho that I saw a different side of her. She was talking about her family a lot and her friends a lot and I saw this side of her that was different from the Hollywood girl that I thought was there. And the icing on the cake was the hometown visit, when I saw she was the key person in the family — looking after her family and her sister and her mother, and it was obvious that I got it wrong.

What happened with Amanda? Everyone thought she was going to be the one.
Matt: I didn’t get death threats, but I got some harsh words thrown at me for the Amanda thing. And I can understand a little, because people watch week after week, and the first-impression rose went to Amanda. Wwe had good chemistry there — whatever — but hand on heart, it wasn’t anywhere near enough. She is a great girl, she’s very attractive and a nice person. She’s a genuine, warm, sincere, nice person. But she wasn’t for me and I wasn’t for her. Sometimes, in relationships, I can’t give a detailed report on why emotionally it wasn’t there for me.

Are you in love now?
Matt: Yes, definitely. Without a doubt. But I wasn’t anywhere near there with Amanda.

Any regrets of the girls you let go?
Matt: No. I was worried that I would be looking back and regretting it, but I tried to stay focused. I was just a bloke on a TV. I could have made mistakes, but I definitely know that the one I’m with is the right one. So if there were some mistakes on the show, I made them, but fundamentally, I’m with the right one.

Was it love at first sight with the one you chose?
Matt: I knew when I first saw her that I was in trouble — in a good way. And that it could happen.

Have you been kept away from each other?
Matt: No, we both really pushed to have lots of secret rendezvous! So we’ve seen each other loads of time. We have spoken every single day.

Will you really make it to the altar?
Matt: Would I be the super bachelor if I pull this off? Do you think maybe I’d get an award from the state? Yeah, we are both realistic. It’s not the ideal way to meet, and we had fun doing it. And we have the relationship and the communication to laugh it off, and get over it. We are both looking forward to next Monday evening when we can go out together and start life normally. Time is important as well, and the worst thing you can do is rush. This has been rushed already, so we can work out our plans and our future, whether it be the U.S. or the U.K.

Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites
Alexis
Eliminated May 1

Were you blindsided by the elimination?
Alexis: Are you kidding? Did you see my expression? Yes, I was very blindsided. Goodness, I didn't see that coming at all. In fact, what you don't see is Amanda coming up to me crying and asking me to give her the "respect" of knowing whether she was going home. I hadn't lied in the game yet, and I wasn't going to lie to her face, so I told her that people were voting for her that night. I spent the rest of the day just feeling awful for sending her home and then she freaking sends me home!

Did you have any idea that Amanda had the immunity idol?
Alexis: No. Not at all. I totally believed her.

How did it feel to get to spend time with your brother, Nate?
Alexis: It was one of the best moments of my life. I know that sounds a little dramatic. But, really, at that point we'd been deprived of any sort of unconditional love. You're basically going through the trenches with people that you don't know and who at the end of the day are your competition, so to have the unconditional love of a family member for a little while was just breathtaking.

You won the reward challenge, so what was it like to swim with the jellyfish?
Alexis: It was incredible! To get to explore something like that was amazing. It was paradise. When we saw the thousands of jellyfish swimming below us it was mind-boggling. Nate had the time of his life.

What was the hardest part about Survivor?
Alexis: Being away from my family was hard. By the end of the first week, I was over how difficult it is physically. But I'd never been in a situation before where I was deprived of love. It really is detrimental.

Do you think the fans were at an disadvantage?
Alexis: Absolutely. Our island was terrible compared to the one the favorites were on. On top of that, all of them were playing the game a second time. If I got to do it again, it would be totally different because there's such a huge learning curve when you first get out there. I needed to learn how to find food and gather coconuts. The everyday life would be a breeze now that I've already done it.

Who do you think deserves to win?
Alexis: My girl Natalie. We have that Texas bond that goes down to your DNA. I think she's played a phenomenal game. It makes me sad that she's been edited to look like a crazy girl because she's got a heart of gold. I really respect her.

What's next for you?
Alexis: I'm starting an online magazine for girls. It launches on May 11, so check it out at iam.girl.com.

Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites
James
Eliminated May 1

How are you feeling?
James: I've got a couple of antibiotics and some finger exercises and I'm all right.

Considering you're one of the strongest players ever, how did it feel to have an infected finger knock you out of the game?
James: It sucked. It was kind of weird to think that I could be kicked out of the game because of my finger. But I did, and that's something I had to deal with.

How serious was it?
James: To me, personally it wasn't that serious. But apparently it was near the joint, and if it went into my bloodstream I could have died. I watch a lot of Westerns, so I think I could have just sucked out the infection and been okay. [laughs]

You ate anything and everything that was put in front of you, including bat soup. Were you just that hungry, or is that normal for you?
James: No, I'll pretty much eat anything. One of my friends makes something with fresh duck breast and cilantro and mixes it with the duck blood and it's honestly really good. The bat tasted like wet rabbit. It wasn't seasoned very well but as long as you don't eat the fur, it's all good.

Did you like Micronesia better than China?
James: Definitely. Micronesia was great. I was on the beach. We had a cave and food falling from the sky. There were clams, sharks and everything else you could imagine to keep you well-fed. And, there were attractive women on the island. Needless to say, I was way happier. I was all smiles in Micronesia. I didn't even mind the rain because we had a cave. In China, if it was raining, we were getting rained on. This was like a vacation, for real. China was hard by comparison.

After you left, Eric was the only guy on the island. Do you think he stands a chance against those women?
James: Eric's a young guy. It's going to be rough for him. Young guys, like Jason who got voted out last week, believe anything the pretty girls say. There are some grown, strong-minded women who are going to run all over him. I think he's going to fall for it.

You're on the jury, so who's got your vote right now?
James: Amanda. She got me in China, but there is something about her I really do enjoy being around. I hope she does the best.

What's next for you?
James: I'm moving to Malibu beach and just going to hang out. Being a beach bum is my dream.

Brooke White
Age: 24
Hometown: Mesa, AZ
Eliminated April 30

Is it true your husband vowed not to cut his hair while you were on the show?
Brooke: Yes, it's true. He says I can cut it whenever I get around to it, so I will be the one cutting it. I am just not sure when that is going to happen, I'll have to pencil it in somewhere. It'll probably be about three in the morning sometime.

You were so emotional last night — what was going through your mind?
Brooke: Everything. I anticipated it in a strange way and had a feeling in my gut. I thought I was strong and so grateful and all of a sudden — boom — it hit me. This is done, this is over. The finality of the experience being over was sad. Then there was fear of going back into the real world, and what does the future hold, which was exciting. So there were a lot of feelings. I hoped I could have been stronger, but I am an emotional girl and passionate, and I guess that came across onstage. I can't believe I made top five. It was such an amazing journey.

Did you hear from any of your own music idols while on the show?
Brooke: I spoke to Carly Simon this morning during an interview, it was amazing. She was incredibly supportive and very generous in her comments and she really boosted my spirits. It gave me the motivation to keep going in the direction I want. Those singer-songwriters of the '70s... I just connect with what they do and I hope I can make that happen in a more modern way.

Was it hard being up against the boys, as they are so popular this year?
Brooke: Well, the boys are awfully popular this year and I know that because their fan mail came in great humongous stacks, while we girls got like three a day. The boys are very talented and very charming. Oh, to be a boy this year — it would probably have been helpful [laughs]. They are all great, but so are the girls. I have to give them all props. Everybody was so good.

Is there a sense of relief to be off the show?
Brooke: Well, yes and no. I think after Tuesday I was re-energized and wanted to keep going. Then I woke up Wednesday and knew, "Brooke, you are going home, weird." Part of me wanted to keep going and part of me was thinking, "This is has been amazing." It is kind of a relief. Song selection and the pressure is increased with two songs, and preparing for the finale. It does feel kind of good to be done with that, but I was welcoming the challenge as well. Now I am just dying to see my family.

Dancing With the Stars
Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough
Eliminated April 29

You were nervous in the beginning. How did you conquer that?
Shannon: I zoned out. I barely remembered anything, and would sometimes zone in and be like, “Oh, we're halfway through this dance.”
Derek: Shannon had a gradual rise, man. It was great to see.

What’s the worst thing for you about having to leave?
Shannon: Not getting to learn and do the other fun dances. I wanted to learn. Being under that light is horrible and it sucks. I hated it.
Derek: I just said, "If you need me, squeeze my hand." It’s fun, actually [laughs], but you do sweat for the time you have to wait.

Will you keep dancing?
Shannon: No, now I am out, I am done. Well, not right away. I need a break. But everything about the show was a challenge and new and I looked forward to all of it.
Derek: That is a lie. This show really takes it out of you, though, and it's grueling.

Derek, you had a weird season with getting sick and hurting your neck. Did you cross a black cat or something before the season started?
Derek: I know it was a weird season. I was thinking maybe we’d see a limb fly off or something. But everything is better now.
Shannon: I was starting to get used to it and if he wasn’t on his way to the hospital, I’d think something was really wrong. And what would be next?

What was the highlight of the show for you?
Shannon: Ripping his shirt open.

Was that a wardrobe malfunction, or did you mean to do it?
Derek: Oh, no. I definitely did not.

So, if you have to leave the show tomorrow, are you going to hang up your dancing shoes?
Shannon: Well, we'll see.
Derek: Maybe for like a vacation, but then come back and dance a bit more.

After Dancing With the Stars, what's up next?
Shannon: I'm reading some scripts right now. I'm weighing my options. I really don't know because we didn't know when I was going to be done with it so we've kind of been holding everything else off. I kind of want to go on vacation and rest a bit after these intense weeks.

What are you going to miss the least about the show?
Shannon: Wearing heels. I will miss that the least.
Derek: But I want you to wear heels after this.
Shannon: Really, around you?
Derek: I like it when women tower over me.