Odds & Sods: American Idol Drop-Out Wouldn't Get Away With This Shit With Hulk Hogan [13 March 2007 Edition]

* Breaking: World War II Memorial Plans To Sue Antonella Barba:

Remember Mario Vazquez?

Mario was a contestant on American Idol 4 who made it to the final 12 and was handicapped to be a top-3 or top-4 prospect. But, on the day before the final 12 were to compete for the first time, Fox announced that Mario had dropped out of the competition for "family reasons" [Mario was replaced in the finals by "7th-place-in-the-semifinal male finisher" Nikko Smith].

Everyone called bullshit on this at the time and assumed that Mario dropped out because he thought he could get a record deal on his own giving him more control over his career. Even Mario's mom said she had no idea what these "family reasons" could be. Idol watchers felt Mario's subsequent signing by Clive Davis validated their assumptions.

But, alas, the truth may be a little less banal and a lot ickier than that.

According to a lawsuit filed on Monday against Vazquez, Fox and Idol-producer Fremantle Media, the "family" appears to be "former Fremantle Assistant Accountant Magdaleno Olmos", and the "reasons" appear to be "sexual harassment and attempted-gay-rape in the men's restroom".

[insert your own Ryan Seacrest / Clay Aiken / William Hung jokes here, please -- Ed.]

* Breaking: Lily Allen Is Adorable!!!:

Both of these were in serious contention for Video Of The Day. But, alas, they're a little too short, so they only rate "Kudos!!!":


[link courtesy themodernage.org]



These two videos are the only videos posted to YouTube by a user named "lilyallenisme". These videos obviously were taken by someone with definite "insider" access, so "lilyallenisme" may really be Lily herself. Awesome!

* Breaking: Music Critic Writes Fawning Article In Praise Of Arcade Fire:

If you haven't heard of Arcade Fire, the Montreal septet anointed by the music Poindexters as the latest "best rock band in the world", you might as well read Jody Rosen's love letter in Slate and pick up Neon Bible at the iTMS. Both are worth your time.

Trust me.

* Breaking: Katharine McPhee Likes Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Clean Teeth:

Kat did a LiveOnline chat with washingtonpost.com on Tuesday. And she made a shocking [!] revelation at the end:

" Katharine McPhee: I'm sorry I have to leave now but I have to go get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. I love you all and talk to you soon. "