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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Reader Comments

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

1. Good for Norton, like these pampered celebrities need those freebies. He's my new hero.

Posted at 10:26AM on Dec 17th 2006 by Melonie

2. That is NOT a flattering picture of Kelly Clarkson.

Posted at 10:30AM on Dec 17th 2006 by Dove

3. Your a good man Mr. Norton

Posted at 11:11AM on Dec 17th 2006 by Have a green day

4. I knew there was a reason I liked Ed Norton. It is amazing that the people who can most afford these swag items get them for free and that one person who stands up against that becomes an outcast. It's okay Ed, I'll buy a ticket to your next movie.

Posted at 11:52AM on Dec 17th 2006 by nicole

5. Finally....someone in Hollywood who has good principles, a good heart and does not think only of himself! Way to go Ed Norton!! (I always see Ralph, Trixie and Alice whenever I hear that name lol!!)

Posted at 11:22AM on Dec 17th 2006 by Sandy

6. Howard Stern? I thought he retired last year.

Posted at 11:29AM on Dec 17th 2006 by Marcus

7. Yes! Yes! Yes! Ed! U GO BOY! Probably the most strategically intellectual thought process out of Hollyweird in years.

Posted at 11:30AM on Dec 17th 2006 by n2ittive2

8. Thank you Mr Norton! What a disgusting picture... all these celebs pawing through freebie gift bags for "loot", and complaining about having to pay taxes on it! In the meantime, the people who support them, their fans, enter sweepstakes hoping to win 1 of these bags, and even those do not have the high price coveted items the celebs get.

All this while people are starving in our country. People in louisiana and Mississippi still don't have homes. Granted, many celebs have helped in the recovery effort. But, it would really be great if the celebs could get the money spent on these bags donated to the cause of poverty. However, that won't happen. Gift bags will be stopped, and whoever paid for providing them will just save some money. Sad.

But, at least the appearance of celeb greed will be eliminated. Good for you, Ed Norton!

Posted at 12:06PM on Dec 17th 2006 by Barb

9. Ed Norton is right. I don't think he will be sitting alone anywhere.

Posted at 11:48AM on Dec 17th 2006 by Whatever

10. I'd say most of the people who read your column make less than what those gift bags are worth in a year, so writing about it like it's a bad thing is not really gonna reach your audience.

Posted at 11:51AM on Dec 17th 2006 by Amy

11. Why do it make getting paid for your job sound bad? Do you not get paid for what you do. These young artists are making their way and I think the prices quoted are a real bargin.

Posted at 11:55AM on Dec 17th 2006 by anne

12. Amy you make no sense. Go play.

Posted at 11:56AM on Dec 17th 2006 by The Maven

13. I think Norton has a very good point. We all know celebs are way overpaid so why not take the money instead of the gift basket and donate it to Katrina victims?

Posted at 12:01PM on Dec 17th 2006 by Sally

14. "the maven", is that you Harry? Amy makes perfect sense and I DO make more than the gift basket is worth and I still think it's dispicable. I've worked on shoots with celebs and they want EVERYTHING for free...I would have to actually GUARD the clothes so they wouldn't take them...not all of course but I'm not naming names...but I will say it's especially young hollywood celebs...and that's what this type of thing does...it creates monsters. BRAVO MR. NORTON!

Posted at 12:13PM on Dec 17th 2006 by ANON

15. You go Eddie. Celebrities do not need freebies.

Posted at 12:14PM on Dec 17th 2006 by Prnzez

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