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On Monday, Fox gave its annual presentation at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour. Here are some of the highlights from the panel…
American Idol
Mariah Carey has signed on to be a judge on American Idol when the show returns in January 2013. Carey is one of the best-selling female recording artists of all time, a five-time Grammy Award winner and has sold more than 200 million records worldwide. She has also had more No. 1 songs than any solo artist in history.
“As a singer, songwriter and producer, it’s going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back with American Idol,” Carey said. Currently in the studio working on her new album, Carey said the first single, ‘Triumphant,’ will be released early next month. “I can’t wait to channel my creative energy as part of this show which is a massive global phenomenon.”
Simon Fuller, Idol’s creator and executive producer, also issued a statement, saying, “We are proud to have one of the world’s greatest-ever female singers on our show. Mariah defines the word ‘idol’ and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her.”
In other Idol news, the show is expanding the way hopefuls can audition next season. In addition to the standard big city tours, they are starting the “American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour,” which will visit the following cities: Idaho Falls, ID; Billings, MT; Casper, WY; Rock Rapids, IA; Iowa City, IA; Bowling Green, KY; Clarksdale, MS; Joplin, MO; Dodge City, KA; and Grand Junction, CO; beginning in August. The show will also start an online program called, “Nominate An Idol,” which will allow friends and family members to secretly submit auditions for people who might be too shy to try out.
Glee
Dean Geyer and Jacob Artist have been added to the cast of Glee for the upcoming fourth season. Geyer will play Brody Weston, a handsome upperclassman who shows an interest in Rachel (Lea Michele) when she begins school at NYADA. Artist has been cast as Jake Puckerman, Puck’s (Mark Salling) younger brother. Jake auditions for the glee club, but his attitude might be his downfall.
Both actors are relative newcomers. Geyer was on the Australian TV series, Neighbours and was a contestant on Australian Idol. He also guest starred on Fox’s Terra Nova. Artist starred in the TV movie, Blue Lagoon: the Awakening and was featured on ABC Family’s Melissa & Joey.
The fourth season of Glee premieres Thursday, September 13.
Animation Domination
Fox is bringing on several big names to lend their voices to their Sunday animation block this fall.
Kanye West, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Sofia Vergara, Nick Offerman, Krysten Ritter, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Bryan Cranston will all be featured on The Cleveland Show.
Zooey Deschanel, Steve Carell, Patton Oswalt, Fred Armisen, Anika Noni Rose and Jennifer Tilly will be doing The Simpsons.
Bob’s Burgers will include guest voices from Zach Galifanakis, Nick Offerman, Kevin Kline, Megan Mullally, Jeffrey Tambor, Aziz Ansari, Bill Hader and Sarah Silverman.
Johnny Depp will be lending his voice to Family Guy, where he will reprise his role as Edward Scissorhands. JJ Abrams, Mark Burnett, Dick Wolf, Jon Hamm, Ryan Reynolds, Kellan Lutz, Elizabeth Banks, Sandra Berhard and Christina Milian will also appear as guest-voices.
Finally, American Dad will feature Patrick Stewart, who guest-voices as himself in a recurring role. Danny Glover, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Nathan Fillion, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Rupert Grint and Jon Hamm will also be featured throughout the season.
The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy and American Dad will all premiere Sunday, September 30 while The Cleveland Show returns Sunday, October 7.
IN OTHER NEWS
Beginning Monday, July 30, Yahoo! will stream all 24 episodes of New Girl’s first season to give viewers a chance to catch up on the series before its second season premiere, Tuesday, September 25. Six episodes will be streamed each week for four weeks. Viewers can watch for free.
Fox is also giving viewers a chance to view their new comedies, Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project before their fall debuts. Beginning Monday, August 27, the episodes will be available for two weeks on Facebook, Yahoo!, Hulu, AOL, MSN, Fox.com and Xfinity. Both shows start their freshman run on Tuesday, September 25.
Masterchef has been renewed for a fourth season. Gordon Ramsay, executive producer and judge said he was excited to be back for another season. “I am continually amazed by the raw talent, passion and creativity of home cooks across America. The contestants raise the bar every season, and it’s an inspiration and exciting challenge for us.”
Season 3 of Masterchef is currently airing on Fox and will air its two-hour season finale on Tuesday, September 4.
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