‘American Idol’ Photo Gallery – Premiere Tonight, Jan. 18
TrendPK.com: ‘American Idol’ comes back to TV on FOX tonight with its 11th Season.
The audition rounds will be first and likely not disappoint as usual. Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler will hit Savannah, Aspen, Galveston, Pittsburgh and more locations with host Ryan Seacrest as they search for new talent. The show has discovered a number of stars over the years, some of which can be seen in our special ‘American Idol’ photo gallery below along with the judges and host.
Enjoy!
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest – “New Year’s Eve” Los Angeles Premiere
From success stories like Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry who have had major music careers to Jennifer Hudson who has gone on to win an Oscar, ‘Idol’ has helped a number of stars find their way through the entertainment industry. Starting with first season winner Kelly Clarkson, both winners and those who were voted off have laid down careers. Some have continued with music, while others like Katherine McPhee have tackled acting as well.
Now, fans are looking forward to seeing who ‘American Idol’ might find with its new season starting tonight.
Images by PR Photos
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chicago blackhawks
June 1, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Hawks win Stanley Cup opener
CHICAGO — Antti Niemi’s expression seldom changes and his demeanor is a constant. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if he’s let in five goals, made a series of stellar saves or helped his team get within two wins of capturing the Stanley Cup.
The Chicago Blackhawks are just glad he’s in goal. The 26-year-old from Finland, who once drove a Zamboni to help pay the bills, is playing in his first NHL postseason and is seemingly not phased by where he’s landed.
“Maybe it’s better he has no experience,” teammate Ben Eager said. “We’re really confident when he’s in net.”
Niemi had 14 of his 32 saves in the final period Monday night, preserving the Blackhawks’ 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup finals.
The series shifts to the Wachovia Center for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Friday.
It was Niemi’s last-period performance that really brought the raucous crowd of 22,275 to its feet when the puck finally slid down the ice and the Flyers wouldn’t score in the final 1:44 after pulling goalie Michael Leighton for an extra attacker.
They chanted Niemi’s name and nearly drowned out an on-ice interview.
“It’s unbelievable feeling how the people react,” Niemi said. “Defense was the key.”
After a wild opener won by the Blackhawks 6-5 when Niemi did indeed give up five goals, the teams tightened up on defense and played a testy and chippy game.
Chicago broke a scoreless tie when Marian Hossa and Ben Eager scored 28 seconds apart late in the second period.
Lurking behind the remarkable playoff run of both previously unheralded goaltenders was the question of which would be the first to see his hot streak evaporate. Actually, it happened to both of them.
The best line came on Hockey Night In Canada from goaltender-turned-analyst Glenn Healy as the red lights flashed: “Last save wins.” That figuratively went to Niemi, who managed to survive for a 6-5 win in the first game of the NHL final by the Blackhawks in front of a roaring throng of 22,312 at the United Centre.
It was the first time since 1973 the Blackhawks, who last won the Cup in 1961, won a game in the final. They were swept in the 1992 final by Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thanks to the Blackhawks’ depth, though, they could fall back on the Marian Hossa-Patrick Sharp-Troy Brouwer line, which had its best game of the playoffs. Brouwer scored two goals, both set up by Hossa, and the trio finished with a total of six points.
“We were getting lots of chances [earlier in the playoffs] but for whatever reason the puck didn’t go in,” Hossa said. “We made those chances again and this time the puck goes in.”
Control of the game swung back and forth between the teams thanks to the shaky goaltending and defensive play.
At one point during the first period, the Blackhawks looked to be completely in charge after a slow start. Dave Bolland, their chief pest, capitalized on a Braydon Coburn turnover at the Chicago blue line for a shorthanded goal on a breakaway and the Blackhawks had a 2-1 lead midway through the period.
The Blackhawks were the faster team, the Flyers were making a few too many mistakes and Leighton was looking ordinary after a long run of excellence. Welcome to the faster, trickier Western Conference, the experts were saying to the Flyers.
duchess
May 23, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Duchess offered access for cash
Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson said Sunday she was “very sorry” for her lapse of judgment after she was recording apparently offering to sell access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew in return for 500,000 pounds ($724,000).
The duchess said in a statement that she had financial problems, but “that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened.”
“I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused,” she said.
The tabloid News of the World posted video on its website that appears to show Ferguson discussing payment terms. She is heard to say “500,000 pounds when you can, to me, open doors.”
Asked if she was referring to the prince, she said: “Yeah.”
The newspaper said Ferguson, 50, spoke to an undercover reporter posing as a businessman.
Andrew is an international British trade ambassador. Both the newspaper and the duchess said he had no knowledge of the meeting.
The report is embarrassing, but there is no suggestion Ferguson did anything illegal.
Ferguson married Andrew, who is fourth in line to the throne, in 1986. They had two children, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, before divorcing in 1996.
The newspaper said Ferguson, 50, spoke to an undercover reporter posing as a businessman.
Andrew is an international British trade ambassador. Both the newspaper and the duchess said he had no knowledge of the meeting.
Buckingham Palace also said the prince had been unaware of the meeting. It said he carried out his trade role with “complete and absolute propriety and integrity.”
The tabloid report is embarrassing for Ferguson, but there is no suggestion she did anything illegal.
Ferguson married Andrew, who is fourth in line to the throne, in 1986. They had two children, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, before divorcing in 1996.
Since then Ferguson has written children’s books, made television documentaries and acted as a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers.
She also has struggled financially and has complained that her divorce settlement was stingy.
Recently the company set up to manage her U.S. career in publishing, public speaking and media work, Hartmoor LLC, collapsed with debts of around $1 million.
Ferguson is scheduled to receive an award for her charity work in Los Angeles on Sunday.
atlanta braves
May 23, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Ryan Doumit(notes) homered with two outs in the 10th inning off Takashi Saito(notes) for his third hit, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Sunday and avoid a three-game sweep.
Doumit’s first career game-ending homer was his fourth of the season and ended Atlanta’s five-game winning streak and Pittsburgh’s three-game losing streak. The Pirates averaged only two runs while dropping seven of their previous eight at home.
Saito (0-2) retired the first two batters in the 10th before Doumit drove a waist-high pitch into the right field seats, only the sixth homer by Pittsburgh in its last 21 home games.
Octavio Dotel(notes) (2-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the victory, stranding two runners by striking out Martin Prado(notes), who went 0 for 5 while twice grounding into double plays.
The Braves had won 10 of 12 overall and their last 10 against NL Central teams.
sinkhole
May 12, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Landslide swallows Canadian home: Bodies of family of four recovered from sinkhole wreckage
Four members of a French-Canadian family were found dead Tuesday – a day after their house was suddenly swallowed by a giant sinkhole.
“They were found very close to one another, some of them lying on the couch in the family room in the basement,” said Michael Dore, Quebec’s emergency management coordinator.
The first body rescue workers found was of the father, Richard Prefontaine.
Later, they retrieved the remains of his wife Lynne Charbonneau, and daughters Anais, 9, and Amelie, who was believed to be 11.
The Prefontaine family was watching television and cheering on the Montreal Canadiens in a playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins when the ground below their home suddenly gave way.
By the time rescue workers got there, only the green roof of the farmhouse in Saint-Jude, a tiny town northeast of Montreal, was visible.
“After digging and going through the rubble we found the four victims,” Dore said.
Sinkholes occur when water undermines the ground or when rock below the land surface shifts.
This one was a monster that also devoured three cars, a stretch of concrete road, and pulled down the cliff over the Yamaska River where the Prefontaine home was perched.
Mayor Yves de Bellefeuille said their village was in shock because the area is not prone to sinkholes.
Terry Bradshaw Spells for Ben Roethlisberger
Terry Paxton Bradshaw born 2 September 1948 he is also known under the nickname “Mr. Steel Arm” is a former American Football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers National Football League. In 1969, he was considered by most pro scouts to be the most outstanding college football player.
Terry Bradshaw quarterbacked the Pittsburgh Steelers the perception among fans. Speech at the annual Terry Bradshaw-KIX Brooks Golf Tournament on Monday. Terry Bradshaw, Hall football player who won four Super Bowl rings while quarterback support.
In other everything, except maybe the part about Roethlisberger do what he wants for his career. Bradshaw became the first player selected in 1970 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bradshaw temporarily lost the starting job to Joe Gilliam in 1974, but Bradshaw took over again in the regular season, was Bradshaw as a presenter when Mike Webster, his center of the Steelers’ four Super Bowl title teams, was admitted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Terry Bradshaw had some words to Ben Roethlisberger: Keep out of trouble. It is sound, if simple, counseling, Roethlisberger has not yet understood. If you are an active NFL player or not. What was that bit about Roethlisberger not pay any attention Bradshaw. Bradshaw also said Roethlisberger, who has twice been accused but never charged with sexual assault.
joe webb
April 24, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Joe Webb is still waiting to hear his name called in the NFL draft
The wait continues for former UAB standout Joe Webb.
Webb was thought to fit somewhere in between the third round and fifth round in the NFL draft. Well, the fifth round just ended and Webb has yet to be selected.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the teams that showed the most pre-draft attention to Webb. The Steelers had a fourth-round pick, three fifth-round picks and another fifth round pick they traded to the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers used none of those picks on Webb.
If he does get picked, Webb won’t be the first quarterback turned receiver to go in this year’s draft. That honor went to Appalachian State’s Armanti Edwards, who was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round (89th overall pick) on Saturday
atlanta falcons
April 24, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Falcons boost both lines in third round
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons added bulk and smarts with Southeastern Conference talent on the second day of the NFL draft.
The Falcons picked defensive tackle Corey Peters of Kentucky and first-team All-America offensive guard Mike Johnson of Alabama in the third round on Friday.
Peters and Johnson join Atlanta’s first-round pick, outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri.
“The three positions we picked were the three positions we wanted to come out with the first two days,” said general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
Each of the three has graduated.
That’s no coincidence, according to Dimitroff, who said each player boasts what the team calls FBI — football intelligence.
“No question, football intelligence is a big part of what we’re trying to develop here,” Dimitroff said. “Our picks fall in line with what we are needing as far as football intelligence and players who are going to handle themselves properly off the field.”
The Falcons did not have a second-round pick.
Peters (6-3, 300) was a three-year starter at Kentucky. He had 49 tackles, including 11 for losses, and four sacks as a senior. He also had four sacks as a junior.
“I think I’m really a heady player and really focused during the week and prepare myself well and know my opponents’ weaknesses,” Peters said in a telephone interview on Friday night. “I think I do a good job taking advantage of that.”
Peters, the No. 83 overall pick, said he visited the Falcons, Titans, Ravens and Jets. He said Atlanta was his last visit.
“I was just hoping and praying for the best opportunity,” Peters said. “I really like the coaching staff down there.
“I’m just looking forward to working hard and possibly working my way into the starting rotation and getting on the field.”
Peters played nose tackle and defensive tackle in Kentucky’s 4-3 scheme. The Falcons also use a four-man defensive front.
Johnson (6-5, 312) completed his career at Alabama by making 41 consecutive starts. He also played offensive tackle and center.
The Falcons chose Johnson, the No. 98 overall selection, with their first of two compensatory picks for losing free agents Michael Boley, Keith Brooking, Domonique Foxworth and Grady Jackson after the 2008 season. The Falcons also have a compensatory pick at the end of the fifth round.
“We are fired up he was there,” said Dimitroff of Johnson. “The fact he’s versatile, he’s a smart football player who was definitely a part of a winning program.”
The Falcons did not have a second-round pick. They traded the pick to Kansas City last year for tight end Tony Gonzalez.
Weatherspoon was introduced at the Falcons’ facility on Friday. Weatherspoon is expected to eventually replace outside linebacker Mike Peterson, who will be 34 this season.
Dimitroff said the team followed Weatherspoon for two years, paying close attention when there were rumors the linebacker would enter the draft as a junior in 2009.
Coach Mike Smith said Weatherspoon’s skills are the perfect fit for the challenges linebackers face on run defense and pass defense.
thaddeus gibson
April 24, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Ohio State’s Thaddeus Gibson drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in fourth round
After a restless night, Ohio State defensive end/linebacker Thaddeus Gibson, a Euclid High grad, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round this morning with the No. 116 overall pick.
Brad Cicala, Gibson’s agent, said this morning he believed going into the draft Gibson would go in rounds two through four but thought he was more likely to go from the late second round to the middle of the third. So there was some consternation in the Gibson camp when he was still undrafted when the third round ended Friday night.
But after making several calls this morning, Cicala felt secure that Gibson wouldn’t slide past New Orleans with the last pick in the fourth round, though he was hoping the Saints would trade up to get him. Pittsburgh also had been looking hard at Gibson before the draft, and the Steelers’ 3-4 defense should provide a great fit for Gibson’s potential skills as an outside linebacker.
Playing the Leo defensive end position at Ohio State, Gibson rushed the passer and dropped into coverage, doing the things that should fit that outside linebacker spot.
“He’ll learn from the best, and we’re happy about that,” Cicala said. “We wish he could have gone a little higher. But that’s kind of the way it goes sometimes.”
Gibson, at 6-foot-2 and 243 pounds, is similar in size to the Steelers’ starting outside linebackers, James Harrison (6-0, 242 pounds) and LaMarr Woodley (6-2, 265), so he’ll fit the system. There isn’t an immediate need there, but it’s easy to imagine Gibson contributing on special teams from the start while biding his time as a backup. He’ll also have immediate competition within this draft class – the Steelers drafted outside linebacker Jason Worilds, a 6-1, 254-pounder, in the second round.
canadiens
April 24, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Montreal goaltender returns to action and turns back 37 shots in 2-1 win over Washington It hardly seemed like typical provincial relations, but Quebec decided to follow Ontario’s lead in the quest to keep a Canadian team moving on in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Montreal Canadiens, down three games to one against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, said they were taking inspiration from the Ottawa Senators, who were down the same to the Pittsburgh Penguins but had somehow found victory the night before in the third overtime.
“It took them two games [Thursday] to beat Pittsburgh,” said Montreal forward Mike Cammalleri, “but they did.”
The Senators had been given little chance in Pittsburgh; the Canadiens had similar prospects in Washington – and yet they came out in a modern version of the old Flying Frenchmen and never touched down until they, too, had won the fifth game of their series, in this case a 2-1 victory over the Capitals.
The hero of this moment was not, however, the Montreal goal scorers, but goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who stopped 37 shots and was simply brilliant in the third period. During one Washington power play, Halak first stopped Alexander Semin on a point-blank opportunity and then deftly slipped to his left to deny Tomas Fleischmann what seemed a sure Washington goal.
Minutes later, he had a save off Ovechkin when it seemed the Washington captain had a lower corner picked.
The vaunted Washington scoring machine now has scored all of one goal in its last 24 power-play opportunities.
“We have to score on the power play,” said Ovechkin after the game. “We had lots of chances.
“Our top guys have got to score goals.”
Thanks to a silly too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty to the Capitals with only a minute left in the game, Halak had some welcome help as he held off the final furious attempts of the east’s top team. Even with goaltender Semyon Varlamov – who was himself excellent, stopping 26 of 28 shots – pulled for one more forward, Washington could not solve Halak.
That bench penalty for too many men on the ice is fast becoming a factor this spring, as hardly a game passes without one or two being called.
When they first skated out, the much-smaller Canadiens looked like an optical illusion on the Verizon Center ice – sort of a hockey equivalent of Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – but they took the game so hard to the larger Capitals that speed and determination more than compensated for size and superior skill.
Washington’s Mike Knuble had warned that the Canadiens were going to be playing “for their season” and they were – desperate to prolong this series at least one more game. The two teams will meet in Game 6 Monday in Montreal.
It was Cammalleri who began matters less than two minutes into the game when he took a seeing-eye backhand pass from Andrei Markov and fired a hard wrist shot past the blocker of Varlamov for his third goal of the postseason.
Cammalleri had told reporters that a first goal would be “a little bit of an uplift” for his team, and it most assuredly was.
