Q Are the pawnshop staff on "Pawn Stars" briefed about the items being offered? it seems that no matter what’s offered, they’re able to recite the history of the item. either they’re briefed, or they’re brilliant.

Also, is it necessary for every expert, including the handwriting expert with the huge case in which he carries a magnifying glass, to pause before giving the value of an item? I’m sure it’s meant for suspense, but it comes off as stupid.

A those exorbitantly pregnant pauses have become almost mandatory for unscripted shows. (Ryan Seacrest draws them out on "American Idol," too.) I agree; they are annoying.

As far as the first question goes, a History publicist says it varies.

"While filming ‘Pawn Stars,’ the staff in the pawnshop sometimes know in advance what items their customers are planning to come in with and they are able to extensively research such items," the publicist said. "other times, the staff — especially Old Man and Rick Harrison — have the knowledge from their 20-plus years of running the shop to speak about the item."

Say goodbye to ‘Memphis Beat’

Q will the series "Memphis Beat" return this summer for Season 3?

A No. TNT canceled "Memphis Beat" after its second season.

No more ‘Housewives’ on Lifetime

Q I watched "Desperate Housewives" reruns on Lifetime and sort of got caught up with the first three to four years that I didn’t watch on ABC, but I know they left out episodes. (I Googled and checked out each season vs. what I had seen.)

Now it’s off Lifetime’s schedule altogether, just when it was seeming to air the ones I didn’t see before. will it be back on Lifetime?

A Lifetime has no plans to bring back "Desperate Housewives" reruns.

The woman behind the M&M

Q The voice of miss Brown, the M&M, in the new commercial sounds so familiar. Do you know who does it?

A It’s Vanessa Williams ("Desperate Housewives").

Navigating CBS’ website

Q what happened to the CBS website? I tried to watch several programs and was unable to get beyond a listing of entertainment shows.

A The CBS website was redesigned a few months ago, but the same content is there. at the top of the home page (www.cbs.com), click on "Watch" to go to all of the prime-time shows. Next to the "primetime" tab are tabs for "daytime," "late night" and others. For news, you’re better off visiting CBSNews.com, and for sports, visit CBSSports.com.

Send TV questions to owenr@shns.com

TV Q&A: Testing smarts of ‘Pawn Stars’

Michael Becker / FOX

And then there were four!

With the American Idol finale looming in two weeks, the stakes were higher than ever tonight as Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet and Hollie Cavanagh took the stage.

Round one was “California Dreamin’”—songs either about California or by artists from the Golden State—and round two comprised songs that inspired the contestants so much, they wish they had written them.

So, what did the kids come up with? And what did Ryan Seacrest ask girlfriend Julianne Hough during intermission?!

MORE: American Idol’s Skylar Laine: I had a Gut Feeling I Was Going Home!

Phillip could have probably just gone out there, given a wolf whistle and shot right to the top two, but instead he offered up a low-key yet still super-cool version of Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s “Have you ever seen the Rain?” it was easily his best performance in weeks.

Hollie Cavanagh proved—perhaps to herself, most of all—that she belonged in the final four with Journey‘s “Faithfully.” Jennifer Lopez was on the verge of tears, thinking about the 18-year-old’s, er, journey and how Hollie was finally owning her gift on that stage.

You can’t really do much with Josh Groban‘s “You Raise me Up” other than sing it well—and, duh, that’s obviously what Joshua Ledet did!

MORE: Who got the saddest American Idol boot yet?

Jessica Sanchez happily sang the blues, namely Etta James’ ‘”Steal away,” a vocal that Randy Jackson called “ridiculous.”

“Secretly, I am 65 years old and I’ve been singing all my life,” the 16-year-old joked backstage.

The finalists then capped off round one’s ode to California with a couple of duets, first Joshua and Phillip doing L.A.-based Maroon 5‘s “This Love,” a song choice Steven Tyler called “brilliant” and “perfect.”

Jessica and Hollie followed up with a charming yet not entirely harmonious version of the Bangles‘ eternally ingratiating “Eternal Flame.” Sure enough, it was “a little strange” for Randy.

WATCH: Maroon 5′s “Payphone” video premiere!

Before round two got underway, Ryan pointed out Julianne Hough and Rock of Ages director Adam Shankman sitting in the audience. After Adam had talked up the film for a bit, Ryan asked Julianne if he could ask her something he’d “been meaning to ask” for awhile.

“Will you give this note I wrote to Tom Cruise?” Ryan deadpanned, pulling a piece of paper out of his suit pocket.

Next up, the judges positively raved about Phillip’s cover of Damien Rice‘s “Volcanoes”—for good reason! it wasn’t, to use a volcano metaphor, explosive—but Phillip never is. Instead, the performance was more of a heart-gripping slow burn.

He may now ascend into the top three with our blessing.

MORE: Howard Stern under Attack! could He cause trouble for America’s got Talent?

Hollie fudged up a bit, however, with Bonnie Raitt‘s “I Can’t Make you Love me.”

“A little too much vibrato, too much shaking,” observed Jennifer, while Randy thought the overall song choice was wrong.

“It gave you nowhere to go,” he lamented. “There were no moments for you.”

On the other hand, Joshua positively manhandled the competition with his rendition of James Brown‘s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” There’s no need to burn slowly when you burn so brightly.

The judges were out of their chairs, bowing down, the whole shebang.

MORE: Nigel Lythgoe Previews his New E! show, Opening Act

“I can go home right now! I’ve never heard anything like that in my life!” raved Steven. Jennifer called it “sickening”—in a great way, of course!

“I think that’s one of the best performances in the history of any singing show—including ours—any show!” exclaimed Randy.

Jessica, who somehow had to take the stage after that, respectably closed the show with the big-voice favorite “And I am Telling you I’m Not Going.”

Who do you think is in trouble tonight? just how amazing is Joshua? And how about Phillip, bringing it home just in time?! Sound off in the comments!

GALLERY: American Idol Season 11: OMG Moments!

American Idol: Who Was "Sickening"? Plus, Ryan Seacrest Has Something to Ask Julianne Hough

CHICAGO (CBS) — Prospective jurors in the Jennifer Hudson family murder trial will have to answer a lot of questions to show what they know about the singer.

Attorneys on Friday released the questionnaire being given to jurors in the trial of William Balfour, 30, the onetime boyfriend of Hudson’s sister, Julia, who now stands charged with killing her mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew.

• READ THE JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Lisa Fielding reports

Prospective jurors are being asked if they have ever seen Hudson on television, or seen a movie in which she played a role – which they must name. the would-be jurors are also being asked if they have ever read book by or about Hudson, seen her perform in person, or read or viewed an interview with her in a newspaper, magazine, television or radio broadcast.

Other questions are more specific, such as whether the prospective jurors have ever watched “American Idol” or seen the movie “Dreamgirls.”

In total, potential jurors are being asked 66 questions. the questionnaire also asks about media coverage and whether jurors have read or heard about the case.

On Thursday, Criminal Court Judge Charles Burns set aside three more days to pick a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates.

Balfour is accused of killing Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donnerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, in a violent invasion of their Englewood home in 2008. he is also accused of kidnapping and killing her nephew, Julian King. they boy’s body was discovered in a stolen vehicle abandoned on the West Side.

CBS 2’s Mike Parker says attorneys on both sides of the case want the answers to those questions.

CBS 2 legal analyst Irv Miller says the defense would be concerned about Hudson fans potentially getting on the jury.

“The defense is very concerned that people who are fans of Jennifer Hudson are going to want to be on that jury, and they’re going to want to demonstrate their like for her by being in her corner, the prosecution’s corner,” he says.

As for prosecutors, Miller says, “They’re looking for people that may be victims of crime in the past, so they can sympathize with Jennifer Hudson.”

If Jennifer Hudson appears at the trial, there is speculation that fans outside and TV news cameras won’t see her enter the courthouse via the front entrance, that instead she may be driven through a security gate and will enter the courthouse privately.

It’s estimated the trial could last up to a month.

Questions About Jennifer Hudson Dominate Murder Trial Juror Questionnaire

Though TV usage was down, American Idol still finished Thursday as the top-rated show in adults 18-49 (4.5 rating/14 share)

Thursday ratings: ‘Idol’ wins, ‘Missing’ holds up

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Jessica Simpson and her fiance Eric Johnson having a baby girl

“American Idol” gave Fox the top two most-watched shows on the air last week.

the good news? the show did so averaging more than 19.6 million for the Wednesday telecast and more than 17.1 million for the Thursday night show.

the bad news?

Both shows are off a couple of million from the same time last season, leaving some to suggest the show is showing some wear.

Brad Adgate, a ratings expert at Horizon Media, suggests it may be part viewer fatigue and a lack of curiosity factor.

This time a year ago “American Idol” generated intense buzz because it was the first year with Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joining Randy Jackson on the judging panel, replacing Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi. (Paula Abdul had left a season earlier.)

the audience remained, of course, but now it seems the Nielsen game has changed just a bit.

Adgate has noted that so far the show is running at its lowest average audience since the first season on the air.

It’s now in its 11th year and has gotten like many other shows that are on that long. Anecdotally, there seems to be less buzz about the winners, or how they fare after the show ends.

given shows are recapped online in almost real-time fashion, there’s less pressure on viewers to watch the Fox telecast.

“Last year, all the industry pundits predicted the ‘end of days’ for ‘Idol’ sans Simon and Paula,” says media expert Shari Anne Brill. “Somehow the show [despite some drops] managed to maintain its no. 1 status.”

Indeed, Brill says when it comes to ratings, she tends to focus more on how the show does once it moves into live episodes and the viewers get a hand in the outcome.

“Idol” tends to go through some swings with a big early audience, a dip in the middle, and then an increase near the end when the finalists are whittled down and people can root for players.

still, the show is showing some wear, and is starting from a smaller base.

What’s unknown is what impact competition in the genre is having on the show. after years of not doing two runs each year of “Idol,” the network picked up Simon Cowell’s “X Factor” and aired it in the fall. the show had two key factors of “Idol’s” past success — namely Abdul and Cowell — though only generated audiences about half the size of “Idol.” (Monday night, Cowell cut judges Nicole Scherzinger and Abdul, along with host Steve Jones.)

NBC also has “The Voice,” a singing competition that did very well last season.

“The 2011/2012 season is a different competition situation because the arrival of both ‘The Voice’ and ‘X Factor’ blunted the uniqueness of the entire competition series genre,” Brill says.

Brill says the show is still the flagship in the genre and she believes it will remain the top-ranked series this season.

Adgate is a little less positive.

“I think it depends on how good the finalists are that will determine if the show can rebound at this point,” he says.

Fox’s ‘American Idol’ still the top singing show, but is showing its age 

Sounding as if he’s ready to give marital bliss another go, Steven Tyler is reportedly engaged to wed longtime girlfriend Erin Brady.

According to TMZ, the “American Idol” judge popped the question to his partner of five years during their recent Christmas vacation.

While still unconfirmed, 63-year-old Tyler’s 38-year-old girlfriend tipped onlookers off to the presumed engagement after being spotted wearing a glimmering diamond on the all-important finger while holidaying in Hawaii.

If the pair are indeed set to walk down the aisle, this will make for Steven’s third time exchanging vows – as he was previously married to both Cyrinda Foxe and Teresa Barrick.

Report: Steven Tyler Engaged to Erin Brady

By Amber Goodhand – Radar Reporter

Rachel Crow‘s shocking elimination on Thursday night‘s X Factor isn’t going to stop her drive for fame and fortune because she’s determined to take care of her sick father, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned.

Rachel, 13, was adopted by Barbara and Kelly Crow when she was a baby and has made no secret of her family’s struggle — but according to one family member, has kept her father’s medical condition a secret.

“Rachel’s dad has MS (multiple sclerosis) and he can’t drive his truck because of it, so he’s not going to be able to always work,” a close family member who wishes to remain anonymous told RadarOnline.com in an exclusive interview.

PHOTOS: American Idol’s Most Memorable Contestants

“I think Rachel probably feels pressure to take care of her parents. She’s seen how hard they work and how hard it is to make a dollar.”

And on top of her dad’s illness, the family has had to experience the X Factor whirlwind all while trying to mourn the loss of her grandfather who recently passed away.

PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes at American Idol

“The family hasn’t had it easy. Rachel’s grandfather just passed away three or four months ago and she had to go through all of this without having time to grieve,” the family member revealed.

As RadarOnline.com was first to report, Disney is already knocking on Rachel’s door and wants to make her a star, but they’re not the only ones after the talented teenager.

PHOTOS: American Idol Runner-Ups

“Nickelodeon and Disney have both approached her,” the family member said.

“We can confirm a general meeting is planned with her and Disney Channel executives,” a Disney spokesperson tells us.

PHOTOS: American Idol Winners

“Rachel is amazing but I just want her to keep her Christian beliefs,” the family member says.  “I’ve told her to just keep her beliefs and remember where she came from.”

Finally, the family member says that above all, Rachel just wants to “be an inspiration and help others.”

PHOTOS: American Idol 2009: then and Now

So far, so good.

Watch the clip of Rachel’s elimination on RadarOnline below:

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X Factor’s Rachel Crow Wants To Take Care Of Sick Dad; Has Many Offers, Says Family Member

The iPhone was the most searched for term on Yahoo in 2011, edging out both celebrities and the year’s major news stories.

“This is the first time since 2002 that we have had a gadget at no. 1, which is an iPhone.” Vera Chan, a Web trend analyst at Yahoo, said in a conference call announcing the results of the review now in its 10th year.

Sony’s PlayStation 2 topped the list that year. According to Reuters, Chan “credited the iPhone with helping to facilitate political movements around the world and said the device embodied the vision of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs who died in October”. Other top searches on the list included Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Aniston, American Idol, the Casey Anthony trial, Osama bin Laden’s death, and the earthquake in Japan.

‘iPhone’ Ranks as Top Search Term on Yahoo

She’s the consummate performer, and tonight (November 20) Jennifer Lopez took the stage at the 2011 American Music Awards for an electrifying performance.

The “American Idol” judge wowed the crowd at the Nokia Theatre LA Live as she joined Pitbull for a steamy medley with plenty of dirty dancing and theatrics accompanying the AMA effort.

The 42-year-old was not only on-hand to treat the crowd to the duo of performances, as she was also among the nominees.

And sure enough, J. Lo ended up being crowned the winner of the Latin Artist category while beating out fellow artists including Pitbull and Enrique Iglesias.

Jennifer Lopez Heats Up the AMAs, Wins Best Latin Artist