The judging panel won’t be the only difference when American Idol returns to Fox in January. Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told TVGuide.com that finalists will be facing new challenges throughout the competition.

First off, the contestants will have to make music videos. They’ll also have to work on promoting themselves and work with bands and dancers for an awards show-style performance.

Additionally, producers have eliminated the round where they decrease the contestants down to a group of 12 from 24. Nigel explained, “I didn’t think [the top 24] were very good, I was bored with them by the time they got there.”
Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, will act as an in-house mentor.

Greetings my fellow Memphians!
Well here we are approaching Thanksgiving day and the Christmas music is on the air again! Do you realize it’s the 10th anniversary of Christmas music on The River? Wow! Hard to believe isn’t it? It feels good to hear you all telling me how much you’re enjoying the sounds of the season on WRVR. I hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable weekend. Mike and Mandy are gearing up for the Toy Truck drive at Bud Davis Cadillac for the kids at Porter Leath. It starts Monday November 29th, which is coincidentally the kick-off of the big Jingle Bell Rock contest for 2010! If you find the rock this year, you’ll drive home a 2010 Dodge Caravan S.X.T. from City Auto worth over $21,000!! Keep enjoying Continuous Christmas music on The River and stay close for all the Holiday excitement! Your ride home, Bill

Sheryl Crow’s Solar Horse Farm Auction!

It seems like Hollywood celebrities are usually the trend setters when it comes to ecology and saving the planet. But Sheryl Crow has gone all out with her 150-acres solar equestrian estate in Tennessee. In addition to five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a salt-water pool, nanny quarters, guest house, a 14-stall barn and an indoor riding arena, Sheryl’s farm generates enough solar power to reduce energy costs by 42 percent. Cross Creek Farm is now on the auction block through November 23rd. The current bid price is $1,000,000.

Read Full Story At: sherylcrowauction.com

Nearly 100 years after his 1916 creation, Mr. Peanut, the animated Planters Peanuts guy, is getting a celebrity voice, a new look and a sidekick, according to Yahoo! TV. Actor Robert Downey Jr. is providing the voice for Mr. Peanut — who’s never spoken until now — and the character is getting a gray flannel suit and a sidekick named Benson. However, what isn’t changing is his trademark top hat, monocle and cane. The made-over Mr. Peanut is being introduced on his Facebook page today (November 9th) as the kickoff to a holiday-themed advertising campaign.

Mr. Peanut’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/mrpeanut

Bon Jovi’s new greatest hits album arrives today (Tuesday, November 9th) featuring 16 songs, including “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Always,” “It’s My Life,” “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” among others. The collection will include two new tracks, including lead single “What Do You Got.”

To celebrate the new release, Bon Jovi will stream a concert on YouTube tomorrow (Wednesday, November 10th) live from New York City’s Best Buy Theatre starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Bon Jovi has several TV appearances coming up:

Tuesday, November 9th on CBS’ The Late Show With David Letterman
Friday, November 12th on NBC’s Today
Wednesday, November 17th on A&E’s Private Session
Sunday, November 21st at the American Music Awards
Monday, November 22nd on Larry King Live
Tuesday, November 23rd on The Ellen DeGeneres Show