Rosie O Delivers a Real Turkey

Photo Credit: The R Feed

NBC's attempt to revive the prime time variety show failed to draw an audience Wednesday night, tying for the evening's lowest-rated program.

A mere 5 million viewers tuned in for the 8 p.m. premiere of "Rosie Live," with the program earning a 1.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating. The telecast matched ABC's recently canceled "Pushing Daisies" as the night's lowest-rated program on a major broadcast network.

NBC had high hopes for the special and planned to expand the program into a series should viewers re-embrace the decades-old variety format. Other networks, too, were watching closely since several are developing variety shows of their own.

"There's a notion that the climate is right for the genre to make a comeback," emailed one executive at a rival network. "I guess we now know what not to do, thanks to Rosie."

Segments included Kathy Griffin impersonating Nancy Grace, Alec Baldwin hitting Conan O'Brian with a pie, O'Donnell singing "City Lights" with Liza Minnelli and Jane Krakowski doing a product-placement-themed striptease for White Castle burgers and Crest Whitestrips.

Critics were not kind. The NY Times described it as "hokey comedy with an enemies list." TV Guide called it a "ghastly ego trip." And the LA Times asked, "Rosie, what on earth were you thinking?"

Networks have been looking for variety show programming as a cheap option to fill their schedules. But the idea has been sought by executives due the format's rock-bottom cost, cross-promotion possibilities and advertiser-friendly format. In other words, the neo-variety show is a retread designed to solve financial woes rather than an act of programming inspiration -- a bean-counting origin story that makes it tough to imagine an exciting final product.

NBC's variation, in particular, seemed unlikely to attract a broad audience given O'Donnell's divisive personality. Stocked with appearances by Alanis Morrisette, Ne Yo, Rachael Ray, Harry Connick Jr., Clay Aiken and Gloria Estefan, along with Minnelli, Baldwin, Griffin and Krakowski, the lineup's appeal also skewed heavily female for a prime time show airing on the eve of a family holiday.

One special that did perform well last night was Barbara Walters' interview with Barack and Michelle Obama (11.6 million, 3.0 rating). The interview nearly matched "CSI: NY" in the 10 p.m. hour and gave ABC its highest non-awards show rating in the time period in more than a year.

CLAY COMES OUT!

Singer and Idol Alum Clay AIKEN, has finally come out of the closet and admitted he's gay. The new DAD tells People magazine, "I cannot raise a child to lie or hide things."

For years he has denied the constant rumors and speculation over his sexuality. Clay Aiken rose to fame during his stint on the second season of American Idol. Later in 2003, he released his debut album "Measure of a Man" with sales close to 3 million. He later released two follow-up studio albums, a Christmas album, wrote a book, completed summer and winter solo tours, and even a run on Broadway. He had a baby, through in-vitro, with longtime producer and friend, Jaymes Foster. His son, Parker Foster Aiken was born on August 8th, 2008.

Clay Aiken has deemed this time the best time come out, and we congratulate him and wish him all the best! For more info, check out the October 6th edition of People Magazine.

Clay Aiken Welcomes Baby Boy

As weird as this sounds, Clay Aiken, former American Idol contestant, welcomed a baby boy today in North Carolina. It's certainly happy news.

The little boy’s name is Parker Foster Aiken, and was born at 8:08 a.m. weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces. He was 19 inches long.

Clay and the woman he gave his sperm to, Jaymes Foster, will reportedly raise the child together even though they are not romantically linked. At least the baby's name is normal. You know those celeb's naming their kid's with these crazy names!

Clay Aiken is going to be a daddy!!!!!

Celebrity blog TMZ has learned that Clay Aiken is going to be a dad. In case you didn't get that, CLAY AIKEN IS GOING TO BE A DAD.

Here is what the site knows. Multiple sources tell them that the momma to be is Jaymes Foster, a record producer and Clay's BFF. He stays at her house when he goes to L.A.

They were told that Foster, who produced several of Clay's CDs, is due to have the baby in August. She is the sister of record mogul David Foster. They were told that she is quite a bit older (late 40's), though they can't confirm her exact age. She got divorced a few years back and has no children. Aiken is 29.

They're told that Foster is pregnant by the means of artificial insemination. But Clay is a lot more than just a sperm-- apparently he will have a very active role in raising the child.

There was no immediate word from Aiken's rep.

Say It Isn't So...

PCM Picture of the Day:
We found this picture online and had to put it up. A person really got a Clay Aiken tattoo.. thoughts?

Clay Aiken Cast in remaining stint of Sir Spamalot!!!

We have come to expect crazy and zaney Celine Dionesque moments from Clay, but who in the world could have predicted this? Clay Aiken has signed on to finish out the Broadway run of Sir Spamalot, a horribly written shameful musical that been a pop culture hit the past couple years. Will Clay revert to his college roots and become a full-fledge broadway starlet or is this just another wacky adventure in the life that is Clay Aiken.