American Idol

She does seem a little too soft for “American Idol.”

That’s exactly why country superstar Dolly Parton said she turned down the chance to be a guest judge on the hit reality series. She’ll leave the judging — and nasty comments — to Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and, obviously, Simon Cowell.

“I couldn’t do that,” Parton said of judging.” I can’t tell people they aren’t doing a good job even if they ask me. To tell someone they’re good or bad, or if they suck isn’t me.”

The 61-year-old country music icon will appear on a special episode, where singers will get to work backstage with the woman who wrote “I Will Always Love You.” That hit, one of many for Parton during her long career, was made more famous when it later was recorded and released by Whitney Houston, arguably the most imitated singer on “Idol.”

Parton, a Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated performer, is the perfect fit as a celebrity guest on the show. The singer’s hits, which also include “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” offers contestants a large catalog of songs from which to choose. She also defines what it means to be a true idol. She’s not only a singer and actress, but she also is an accomplished songwriter, composer, author and philanthropist. Plus, the Tennessee-born superstar also has her own theme park.

After last season’s star-studded season — Celine Dion, Olivia Newton John and Tony Bennett were just a few of the guests — it appears the folks behind the scenes at “Idol” still are counting on the celebrity factor to draw in new fans. Parton certainly is a good start for Season 7.

American Idol, Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Celine Dion

There must be no bad blood between the folks who work on “American Idol” and at least one judge from “America’s Got Talent.”

“Idol” host Ryan Seacrest, fresh from hosting the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards, has announced he will executive produce “Tales of the Hoff,” a fictional look at the life of the “Knight Rider” actor and judge on “America’s Got Talent”

If the show is picked up, Hasselhoff would play himself — though there’s no word on whether he’ll be drunk and eating cheeseburgers in the pilot.

“Tales of the Hoff” isn’t Seacrest’s first time helping out with a show he’s not hosting. An anchor on E! News, he also has worked on “Paradise City” and is involved with the Kim Kardashian show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” That show begins Oct. 14.

Ryan Seacrest, David Hasselhoff, American Idol

Country superstar Reba McEntire was Monday’s guest on “Larry King Live.” The singer promoted her new CD, “Duets,” which features Kelly Clarkson and several other stars.

Clarkson called into the program to talk with Reba about the experience. The two recorded “Because of You,” a song Clarkson wrote and the two sang together on CMT “Crossroads.” The singers revealed they had plans to sing another duet for the CD, which is at No. 1 on the country charts, but someone suggested they hit the studio with “Because of You” after the CMT experience.

“Reba’s always liked that song, she told me,” Clarkson said on “Larry King Live.”

The first “American Idol” winner also talked about a trip she’s making to Australia this week to promote her upcoming Australian tour. King joked about the fact she would be making the trip with Reba’s husband, who serves as manager for both performers.

Clarkson also joked with the show’s host that “I need a man,” which was timed perfectly considering my last post.

American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire

Carrie Underwood allegedly drew the attention of Jeremy Piven at Fashion Rocks.

The news of their romantic relationships has been spotty, at best. For whatever reason, people don’t seem to be as interested in the relationship status of “American Idol” stars as other celebrities.

But there are some things to consider:

Jordin Sparks, for example, is still a teenager. The latest “Idol” winner recently said she made a promise to her parents when she was 13 that she would remain a virgin until marriage.

“My parents gave me a purity ring and talked to me about waiting until I’m married to have sex. It wasn’t forced; it just made perfect sense,” Jordin said, according to SFGate.com. “It’s going to be awesome to say to my husband that I waited my whole life for him.”

The original “Idol” winner, Kelly Clarkson, never really has been romantically linked to anyone serious — except Justin Guarini, which likely was nothing but obvious gossip during their time on the show together. Kelly, in fact, has admitted that she’s never been in love. Poor, Kelly. Maybe she can roll around and cry herself to sleep on her piles of money.

Then there’s Carrie Underwood, who likely is the most talked-about when it comes to the dating scene. That could be because she had been dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo for a while, though the two apparently have split. According to the National Enquirer (the most reputable source, of course), actor Jeremy Piven, 42, made a move on the Oklahoma girl at the Fashion Rocks event.

Taylor Hicks also has been photographed for tabloids with newscaster Caroline Lyders. There’s a lot of mystery behind their relationship, and even some fans, are uncertain of Hicks’ relationship status.

As far as Fantasia and Ruben go, well, my point about how nobody seems to be obsessed with relationships of former “Idol” contestants seems to hold true. I’m sure there are plenty of stories and rumors out there, but contestant relationships are just not holding down the headlines.

That is, unless they claim they had an affair with Paula Abdul.

American Idol, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Paula Abdul, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Kelly Clarkson, Tony Romo, Jeremy Piven

She hasn’t even released her first CD — it’s coming Nov. 20 — but Jordin Sparks is topping magazine lists. The latest is Us Weekly’s Hot Hollywood Power Players.

Jordin was named “The People’s Choice.” The magazine’s Web site says, “In a subpar American Idol season of gimmicks and forgettable faces, Sparks, with her powerful pipes and girl-next-door good looks, was the show’s saving grace …”

Has everyone really forgotten about Blake? Chris Richardson? And the other Season 6 finalists?

No matter what, it seems like quite a title for the show’s youngest winner. The magazine says everything is set for her to become the next Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood.

Also included in the Power Players list are Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) as “The Pop Princess” and Chris Brown as “The Wonder Boy.”

American Idol, Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana, Chris Brown, Us Weekly

It seems China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television is not really interested in “American Idol” — or anything that resembles the show.

The group introduced a new rule this weekend that forbids TV talent shows from being broadcast during primetime. The ruling also says shows cannot allow fans to vote for contestants through text messages, telephone of the Internet, all popular ways to cast votes for shows such as “Idol” and other talent searches in the U.S.

A few other bizarre rules have been placed on judges qualifications and clothing and hair choices for contestants. The group’s leader, Wang Taihua, has said the government is trying to “clean up TV screens.” Yes, because talent searches are the worst thing on the air.

Then, again, I don’t get Chinese TV programming. So, who am I to judge?

American Idol

If you haven’t, listen to Jordin Sparks’ “Tattoo.” The song is the first single off of the Season 6 “American Idol” winner’s debut, which is due in stores Nov. 20. Personally, I didn’t expect this type of single from Jordin, but I think it works.

American Idol, Jordin Sparks

Bo Bice may have been overshadowed by the win of Carrie Underwood on “American Idol,” but he, too, is about to release his sophomore effort.

Bice recorded “See the Light” in Nashville as the follow-up to his debut, “The Real Thing.” The first single, “Witness,” is being released later this month, and the complete disc is expected to hit stores Oct. 23.

Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood, American Idol

There was no singing from Ryan Seacrest, though the “American Idol” host did make a joke about the idea at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Seacrest, who almost certainly is the Hollywood man with the most gigs, spent some time greeting stars on the red carpet before going inside to share some behind-the-scenes secrets to E! viewers. Once the show began, Seacrest actually delivered a surprisingly hilarious monologue. He even made a jab at fellow “Idol” friends Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. Randy Jackson was spared.

“American Idol” itself was nominated, once again, in the Reality Series category. And, once again, it lost to “The Amazing Race.” “Idol” did take home a Creative Arts Emmy last Saturday for outstanding technical direction for the $75 million-plus fundraising effort that was “Idol Gives Back.”

American Idol, Ryan Seacrest, Idol Gives Back, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Emmy Awards

Ryan Seacrest arrives Sunday at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards.

“American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest worked the red carpet himself before beginning hosting duties at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Seacrest even took some time tending to another one of his jobs — working with E! — to talk to other stars arriving for the night’s big presentation. Meanwhile, his co-workers at E! solicited hosting advice from nominees.

“What kind of advice could I give him? He’s like Mr. Smooth,” Steve Carell said.

Emmy Awards, Ryan Seacrest, American Idol, Steve Carell

Tamyra Gray performed Sunday as part of “Broadway on Broadway.”

“American Idol” star and “Rent” cast member Tamyra Gray performed on Sunday in Times Square as part of the 16th annual “Broadway on Broadway” event, hosted by former N’Sync member Lance Bass.

Thousands of fans gathered to see and hear the stars. The event serves as a preview of the biggest shows on and coming to Broadway. Find out more at www.broadwayonbroadway.com.

Tamyra Gray, Broadway on Broadway, American Idol, Rent, Lance Bass

Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson performed together earlier this year on CMT’s “Crossroads.” The two superstars will appear Sept. 19 on Oprah.

Kelly Clarkson will join Reba McEntire on Sept. 19 to perform on Oprah.

The two will perform “Because of You,” the remake that is featured on “Reba Duets.” The CD comes out Sept. 18.

Also joining Clarkson and McEntire for the Oprah performance will be Justin Timberlake, who contributes “The Only Promise That Remains” to the duets project.

American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Reba McEntire, Reba Duets, Oprah

The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards are Sunday, and host Ryan Seacrest had these things to say during a promotional interview and photo shoot for the show:

Check back here Sunday night for news and opinions from the show.

American Idol, Ryan Seacrest, Emmy

Kellie Pickler contributes a version of “Santa Baby” on a new holiday CD.

Move on over Kimberley Locke. You’re not the only one spreading holiday joy.

Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler are part of the all-star “Hear Something Country: Christmas 2007″ CD, which will be released Oct. 2.

Underwood contributes “Do You Hear What I Hear,” while Pickler offers “Santa Baby.” Can’t you just see them in their little Santa caps right now?

American Idol, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler

They did help create a mega-success story — and more than half a dozen No. 1 artists.

So, can they get Britney Spears back on track? It’s hard telling if they were serious, but “American Idol” judges did discuss the idea at a press conference just a few days after Britney’s big mess of a “comeback” performance on the MTV VMAs.

“We’ve decided that we’re all going to collectively manage Britney,” Simon Cowell said.

“We’re going to manage Britney, take her career over,” Randy Jackson added.

But what about Paula Abdul?

“I never count her out,” she said.

American Idol, Britney Spears, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul