Former “American Idol” contestant Paula Goodspeed was found dead in her car outside of Paula Abdul’s home Tuesday night. Goodspeed apparently committed suicide by taking a large dose of prescription pills.

Goodspeed supposedly had a psychiatric history which included an obsession with Paula Abdul. Goodspeed appeared on the fifth season of “American Idol” where she was ridiculed and rejected and many believe this poor treatment led Goodspeed to her death. Here’s the footage from Goodspeeds American Idol appearance.

Honestly, I’m surprised something like this hasn’t happened sooner. I stopped watching most competition style reality shows because they make me feel so bad for some contestants. I mean, did Simon really have to make lame remarks about her braces? Fine, the girl was not a good singer, but shaming contestants for the sake of ratings is cruel and sadly, very common.

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Vanilla Ice was arrested for domestic violence claims at his Palm Beach County, Florida home yesterday evening. The rapper turned reality TV star, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, was booked by Palm Beach County police after his wife Laura Van Winkle called the authorities on him, saying he had punched and kicked her - she later changed her story, saying he had only pushed her.

Police reports indicate the couple were at the tail end of a 2 day argument, apparently over Laura’s purchase of a children’s bedroom set, when police were called in. Vanilla Ice had been previously arrested on a domestic battery charge in Broward County, Florida in 2004.

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BBC America’s running a four-part “eco-reality” series this month called Dumped, in which a bunch of would-be eco-adventurers get duped into a stinky three-week stint of dumpster diving. The idea, as Salon reports, is to simultaneously amuse and appall us, a kind of shock and ha! approach:

Our eco-lesson disguised as entertainment begins with 11 contestants, including an Iraq war vet and a platinum jewelry salesman, ensconced in a luxury hotel near London’s Gatwick airport, dining on fresh strawberries, melon and oranges at a linen-covered table, anticipating their upcoming three-week eco-adventure at an as yet unknown destination. On the environmental spectrum, the participants range from Selena, a personal trainer, who describes herself as an “eco-pain in the ass” to Darren, a woodworker, who owns four cars and wears his underwear only once before throwing it away because he “loves the crispness” of new tighty-whiteys. Then there’s Sasha, a streaky-blond part-time model, who says she knows all about global warming. “I’ve noticed it’s getting warmer, but I like that, because I like sun anyway,” she says, dissolving into giggles.      

Once the contestants discover their true destination”a dump in South London”anticipation turns to disgust as they realize that they’ve been drafted to star in a version of “Survivor” in which the island consists of a stinking, rotting mound of trash.

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A new “American Idol” theme park attraction is set to be unveiled at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida this year. We’re not sure how it’s going to work exactly, but the word at Entertainment Weekly Popwatch is that it will involve multiple stages and lots of aspiring singers performing in front of live audiences with judges picked from the crowd. The daily winner could win a top spot in line when Fox comes to town with the real “Idol.”

Last year American Idol teamed up with Fox and Charity Projects Entertainment fund for a TV extravaganza to help young folks in extreme poverty in the US and abroad. and see what “Idol Gives Back” is up to for 2008.

By Giulia Rozzi

Miss America gets real.

No, she’s not going to cancel her spray tan appointment or remove her padded bra! Miss America has a reality show! Yes, your prayers have been answered. Now, instead of just 2 hours of mind-numbing pageantry fluff, you can enjoy a whole series of beauty queen madness in “Miss America: Reality Check” The show brings all 52 beauty queens together to live under one roof to undo everything they have learned about pageant basics and determine if their smarts, attitudes and looks hold up in contemporary society. Led by host Urie, the girls participate in an intense set of events and challenges designed to prepare them for the finale event, a renewed competition that will redefine what it takes to be Miss America, a relatable and individual ‘it girl’ who can connect with today’s modern woman.

Connect with today’s modern woman? You mean a mother of two, working 40 hours a week and still trying to maintain her figure, her love life, and her sanity? Yeah, I’m sure woman across the country will relate with Miss America contestants.

Who knows? Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe “Miss America: Reality Check” will get really real and expose the realness of real women today and their real issues and real challenges.

Or maybe there will be a lot of caddy-ness, cats fights, and crying.

I am leaning toward the later.

None the less Miss America does do a lot for charities and that’s pretty neat I suppose. You know, when they aren’t being judged on how they walk in bikini’s and stilettos.

By Giulia Rozzi

“A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” is the 2nd highest rated Mtv networks show currently on air.

The reality series features the bi-sexual internet starlet, Tila Tequila searching for love with both men and women. However, Page Six reported today that Tila is actually straight and has been dating her boyfriend for over a year.

Gasp! No! You mean a reality show that isn’t really real!? I am shocked and appalled. I thought TV love was true love, and not just mindless manufactured guilty pleasure entertainment perfect to watch on a lazy hung-over Saturday afternoon. Next thing you know someone is going to say that Flava Flav’s quest on “Flavor of Love” was disingenuous. Or that Bret Michaels wasn’t really looking for life partner on “Rock of Love“!

One thing that is real, is that there are many people who struggle with sexual identity, especially teenagers. To learn more about support for gay, straight and bisexual teens visit glsen.org