It’s official. Kara DioGuardi is out. Boo hoo. Randy Jackson is the last judge standing…sitting. But the real question is can American Idol survive Simon Cowell’s departure? Who will replace Paula, Ellen, Kara and Simon and who will have a big enough persona to keep the show going? Can’t think of anyone offhand, except perhaps [...]

Just announced. Ellen Degeneres is leaving American Idol. This is the right move for her for countless reasons and there are lessons here for any entrepreneur. It’s not because she’s not in the music biz. It’s not because she didn’t like saying hurtful things to contestants or because of her heavy work schedule although I’m [...]

So I’m watching last comic standing tonight. Nobody is all that funny. What ever happened to Paul Foot? But I did notice something. That it’s more important to have an interesting colorful persona than to have “good jokes”. Several of the comedians were funny on paper. One even got the compliment that if the show [...]

So, I’m waiting for paint to dry today & caught a particularly weird show on HGTV. Young beautiful people selling beautiful real estate to other rich young beautiful people…all kinda surreal, but I did notice how one of the agents used drama to sell his stuff. He’s in negotiation with some agent. His client wants [...]

Are you a parenting coach? Octomom, Nadya Suleman, mother of 14, appeared on The View yesterday, defending her sanity to Whoopi and Barbara Walters. What a great piggyback publicity opportunity if you’re a parenting coach, psychologist, psychiatrist or any related profession. I have a client who was one of 16 kids growing up (not a [...]

Yup, it’s another season of American Idol. Ellen’s in. Simon’s on board for his last season (Miss you already Simon) and the lessons for entrepreneurs abound. Just a singing contest. Hardly. Just like it’s not a “Who’s the best accountant?” contest when your prospects are looking for a new money man. It’s about personal branding. [...]

American Idol Without Simon Cowell? Say it ain’t so! Just a rumor at this point, but if it’s true, bye bye Idol. You can’t take the meat out of a hamburger and then sell a white bread sandwich. Sorry Fox! Thanks to Ad Age for the head’s up. Share and Enjoy:

Would you go on Reality TV? I asked this question recently on a social networking site because I was curious about what lengths business people would go to step into the spotlight and promote their businesses. So I asked ‘em. The most common response was a resounding “No!”. Yet one respondent told me she not [...]