'Idol' Launches 12th Season, Pacino to Play Paterno

The day's top showbiz news and headlines including 'American Idol' premieres with a drop in ratings, Al Pacino signs on to play Joe Paterno in a new film, and Pauline Phillips, creator of "Dear Abby," dies at 94.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

Entertainment

Topics

Celebrity

People

Al Pacino, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Joe Paterno, Keith Urban, Randy Jackson, Abigail Van Buren

Places

United States of America, California, Los Angeles

Transcript

The 12th season of "American Idol" has premiered - but not to the best ratings. The audience for the show slumped 19 percent to 17.9 million viewers - its lowest season opener to date. The ratings dip comes despite all the attention surrounding feuds between new judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. The dueling divas are joined by new judge Keith Urban and returning judge, Randy Jackson. Al Pacino has reportedly signed on to play Penn State coach Joe Paterno in a new movie - this according to The Hollywood Reporter. The movie will be a biopic about Paterno who, after a lengthy and revered coaching career, was fired amid the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal. Pauline Phillips - famously known as Abigail Van Buren, the woman who founded the "Dear Abby" advice column, has died at age 94. Her articles were first printed in 1956, and went on to reach more than 100 million readers. She is survived be her daughter, who took over the column years ago. Finally, with awards season in full swing, the Screen Actors Guild trophies were created in Los Angeles. The 16-inch tall statues weigh 12 pounds each and will stand on a base of solid black granite. The awards will be handed out at the SAG ceremony on January 27.