Lets Get This Party Started
For Sale: Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Hicks

Kelly ClarksonDreams really do come true. If you can meet their price, you can party with your favorite "American Idol."

According to the New York Post, the going rate for the reality show's castoffs, finalists and winners ranges from pocket change to big bucks. It all depends on whether you want them to sing their little hearts out or just show up and pretend they care.

So who makes the most? Ruben Studdard gets anywhere from $30K-$75K for three songs; Taylor Hicks sells his soul for $150K; and Kelly Clarkson is worth $300K. Meanwhile, a lowly castoff like Kimberly Caldwell -- wait, who? -- only charges $2,000.


Ed NortonThanks for Nothing, Ed Norton


There'll be no swanky swag at the Oscars or Golden Globes, courtesy of altruistic Edward Norton. The awards have scrapped giving out gift bags -- which are usually worth up to $100K -- because the actor complained so much, and the IRS got wind of the extent of the freebies. Norton tells New York magazine: "Picking through $35,000 gift baskets is disgusting and shameful. My suggestion was to have the Academy commit to [charitable] contributions in the name of the winners." Yeah, right. Look for Ed sitting alone during this year's festivities.


Martha StewartMartha Dishes Dirt With Stern


How does he do it? Howard Stern had Martha Stewart talking dirty during his show last week. The usually stuffy domestic diva told Stern she owns a $1,200 vibrator, which she called "a very good tool," reports the New York Post. She also dished on her short-lived relationships with New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and actor Anthony Hopkins. "I couldn't get past the Lechter thing," she said. "Do you want someone eating your brain while you are sitting in your beautiful dining room in Maine?" Fair enough.


Party Favors: Steven Spielberg and Christy Turlington Team Up for Fashion Show ... "Apprentice" Champ and E! News Reporter Engaged ... Michael Jackson's Japanese VIP Party


Steven Spielberg is jumping on the reality TV bandwagon. The Oscar-winning director is developing a show about the fashion world featuring supermodel Christy Turlington ... PEOPLE reports "Apprentice" winner Bill Rancic and E! News' Giuliana DePandi are engaged. The couple met when she interviewed him on E! two years ago ... Michael Jackson is charging Japanese fans $3,500 a pop to shake his hand and snap a photo. The "Premium VIP Party" takes place March 8.

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Tags: American idol, AmericanIdol, kelly clarkson, KellyClarkson, Let's get this party started, Let'sGetThisPartyStarted, taylor hicks, TaylorHicks

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(Page 3 of 4) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. TMZ needs a serious bitchslap for thinking that celebrities somehow have a 'right' to award freebies. Eddy's got a good heart. Apparently, being humble isn't praised in Hollywood. It makes me sick to see someone like him being looked down upon because he's the only sensible one in a town full of crazies.

I tip my hat to thee, Sir Norton.

Posted at 7:55PM on Dec 19th 2006 by Marquis

32. You are the BEST Ed. I wish other celebs would get a clue and give up all of this "stuff" and give the money it is worth to charity!!! They don't need any of it and so many people are suffering!! You go guy.

Posted at 1:30PM on Dec 18th 2006 by Bonnie

33. There Ed Norton goes again, making Baltimore proud. Kudos to him for saying what any reasonable person was thinking. And shame on anyone who actually thought $30,000 of free stuff for celebrities was in any way appropriate.

Posted at 9:28PM on Dec 17th 2006 by Sarah

34. I don't see where these "idols" get off charging so much for singing at parties when its the very people that voted for them that put them where they are in the first place especially Ruben. I mean, 30-75k is a bit too much for a wash-up, don't you think?

Posted at 10:36PM on Dec 17th 2006 by Cyndi Wyatt

35. Giving print time to Michael Jackson is the same as giving giving it to O.J., They are both scummy abd lowest of the low.

Posted at 10:57PM on Dec 17th 2006 by Pat S. Cooper

36. Just to comment on Michael Jackson charging people to shake his had...thats such bullshit!! He was INVITED to japan by some leaders for a party held in his honor--he didnt put this shit on in ANY way! Just attending it!

Posted at 6:41PM on Dec 24th 2006 by lauratab

37. Martha on Hopkins: Leave it to today's "culture" to give the spotlight to a convicted felon so she can malign our greatest living actor. If that's all she could see in the guy, she deserves to be alone with her friend "buzzy." May it short-circuit during use.

Posted at 12:29AM on Dec 18th 2006 by split second 12

38. How much does Micheal Jackson charge to drink wine and play "Pants off/Jack Off" with the underage Jap boys?

Posted at 2:53AM on Dec 18th 2006 by Just wondering

39. I just became an Edward Norton fan! He may or may not be shunned at the Oscars and Golden Globes, but he has endeared himself to those of us who think that celebrities get enough pay that they do NOT need free "swag" too. Thank you, Mr. Norton, for acting with integrity; sadly, this is all too rare these days. I hope you will be richly rewarded at the box office!

Posted at 3:02AM on Dec 18th 2006 by Just Me

40. Norton's my new hero, too.

Posted at 6:23AM on Dec 18th 2006 by Vicki

41. ANON - Amy does NOT make "perfect sense" for the following reason; I make less per year than the value of those bags and I (like you) still find the whole idea of $100K gift bags despicable - especially for those who make $12M per picture. Just because I am relatively poor, does not mean that I cannot identify with the deplorable excesses found in society - not limited to Hollywood, by the way. That's where I disagree with Amy's statement. Also, I'm very happy that you DO make more than most of us. Congratulations!

Posted at 7:55AM on Dec 18th 2006 by TamTam

42. Why in the world would Edward Norton be sitting alone at the Oscars? These celebs seem to think they can spout off about the government and drive their Pirius's to look like they care... Shouldn't they all be in agreement with Ed that those gift bags are gluttony at their worst? And how about those freebies at the film festivals and other publicity events. Rooms full of stuff that they just go in and grab, grab, grab? Those should be stopped too. They can afford to buy that stuff!! Go Ed! You are the best!

Posted at 8:36AM on Dec 18th 2006 by DJ

43. I think it's nice to hear someone who isn't greedy for free sh*t in a basket. Nice going Mr. Norton! :)

Posted at 8:52AM on Dec 18th 2006 by K. Reynolds

44. Shut your piehole Amy. Of course readers understand the excess of the giftbags, not only you. Dumbass.

Posted at 9:24AM on Dec 18th 2006 by Amy gets coal

45. Um- I think Amy's comment is being taken the wrong way. I think all she meant was that the way TMZ worded that story, they made it seem like Ed Norton did a bad thing when all of us know that it is ridiculous for celebs to get that much free stuff when they don't even need it. I don't think she was saying that us "regular people" wouldn't understand the value of that.

Posted at 9:49AM on Dec 18th 2006 by FMC

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