by Laura Saltman

No more "American Idol". What is a girl to do? Being the couch potato that I am, I guess it's time to catch up on all the TV I missed while giving up my entire life and career to following the journey of 12 aspiring singers.

I will admit to having a little bit of withdrawal and actually watching "The E! True Hollywood Story" on "American Idol" over the weekend.There weren't actually any big revelations on the show but it was interesting to see how the show has evolved from Season One.

OK. Wait. It wasn't all about "American Idol." Monday nights are usually filled up with some major nail biting while watching "Prison Break" and then "24."

So, with those two brilliant shows off for the summer, I switched over to catch some comedy.Now keep in mind, I'm a thirty-something female so I can imagine this show is not everyone's cup of tea but I'll easily admit to enjoying Julia Louis-Dreyfus's new sitcom, "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

Angelina and Brad had their baby at the outset of Memorial Day weekend, Saturday night... they always do.

Nick and Jessica split the day before Thanksgiving.

Ben and J.Lo parted ways on a Tuesday late afternoon heading into Golden Globes weekend, although J.Lo used the occasion (the Globes) for her first foray as a single woman.

Sometimes I think the stars plan things this way, but how can you time a baby's birth to the moment people are maximally preoccupied?

Those things should not pop into my head during a godly moment such as a birth. But I am in the business of translating these events and after a while, a certain numbness can pervade.

Quick thoughts on Idol...

The power of this show astounds me. The quality of this finale was supreme...when 'Idol' debuted in 2002, the music industry shrugged it off as amateur and beneath them.  That has so clearly changed. Mary J, Blige, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach...and, believe me I was floored, Prince!
Bow to the Idol one and all ...This show is the brightest light in Music and TV.

Taylor's win was no surprise. After watching him live last night, I got it.  (Nancy is loving this from her perch...i.e.. Heels, shhh.) I am finished underestimating Taylor.

Seacrest is a fantastic host. He operates this thing better than anyone could.  He owns it.

Five days in New York screamed by at internet speed'.(as long as you're NOT on dial-up) and then'in an instant 'came to a screeching stop'.with a mother, her dead son and a tear.

First'the warp speed of last Friday' sat down with the Dixie Chicks'.all three of them'feathers plucked clean by conservative country radio in the three years since lead singer Natalie Maines statement on a London stage (just before the war) saying she was ashamed President Bush is from Texas (their home state). From millions of albums sold to absolutely nothing in the blink of an eye'or the time it takes for a radio station suite to listen to a caller threaten to never listen to the station if it ever played the Chicks again.

Have to admit'not a big country music fan'although my uncle played with some of the legends back in the '50s/'60s' (I prefer a chaser of Rock) I have warmed to the Chicks music'specifically their new album "Taking the Long Way."

A couple of quick notes today:

First of all, I am so glad Billy has finally seen the light! He and I have been arguing about Taylor Hicks since the beginning of this season's "American Idol." I loved Taylor since the very first episode when they showed him at auditions and I KNEW he would make it all the way to the finals. Billy had his doubts and said Taylor was a Vegas act (which, by the way, I don't think people can continue to use that negatively... two of the best singers on this planet, Celine Dion and Elton John are Vegas acts). Billy went to "American Idol" last night and now, after seeing Taylor perform in person and hearing the crowd's reaction, Billy says he gets it.

Monday in New York.

Beautiful day in Central Park...blue sky...nice temps...flowers blooming and women screaming...hustling to get into position.

Position for what you ask' To get a shot of Patrick Dempsey. You know, the scrubbable (is that a word') Dr. McDreamy on "Grey's Anatomy".

We are walking and talking on the set of his new Disney movie, 'Enchanted," which is shooting at the south end of the park which means there is a ton of foot traffic.

I begin this blog at 5:15 pacific time. Taylor Hicks just finished an explosive first round; he wasn't just "Living for the City", he just sold me on the fact he'll soon be singing for living.

Ricky Martin is a good singer but a top notch entertainer. That's Taylor Hicks and he lit this room on fire the moment his big grin and purple velvet jacket hit the screen.  In the words of Randy..."It was hot".

Nancy will rejoice when she reads this...she's said it all along.

I had never interviewed Vince Vaughn before last night's premiere of "The Break-Up." And he IS that guy women SAY they want.

If you read one of those man polls in a women's magazine, typically, the consensus will be the average woman wants a guy with a great sense of humor first, then personality, followed by looks. After four years of marriage to dude with six pack abs and model good looks, Aniston went that route.

My first impression of Vince was everything I expected and more. He's an Alpha male who's funny - perfect wingman for a daytime Cubs game with brews and dogs... little bar hopping after - but very warm and engaging. He looks you in the eye and makes you like him.

Boy, did our segment at the end of Thursday's Access Hollywood with Kellie Pickler prompt a few angry e-mails from viewers.

For the record right off the top, I was NOT laughing AT Kellie Pickler, I was laughing WITH her. If I had been making fun of her, then I would have been making fun of myself. I grew up from birth through college in South Carolina in a modest upbringing... I may have tamed my major Southern accent I had through college to be able to do the job I do, but trust me, I am as country as they come and proud of it!

For those of you who don't know how a show like ours work, let me explain. You, as viewers, see maybe an eighth of an actual interview. Every interview has to be cut up and edited to be able for us to do our jobs as an entertainment news show and deliver numerous stories to the viewers in a short amount of time. So a lot of what is said in an interview never makes air.

 As you all know, American Idol made a big deal out of Kellie's cuteness in mispronouncing calamari.

This is how I started that Kellie Pickler segment of her trying to pronounce other foods: I told Kellie I had grown up Southern and had trouble pronouncing fancy foods myself when I first came to L.A. (because all I knew when I came was fried chicken and grits...and then couldn't even find grits in Hollywood grocery stores). Then we both had fun laughing TOGETHER about these fancy food words I had encountered...words, which she may now hear, with her being new in the sometimes pretentious Hollywood arena.

I am stunned. The reviews for "The Da Vinci Code" are brutal. Anything other than tepid is cause for alarm. Here are the 'See it/Skip it' results on the show tonight:

THE DA VINCI CODE

Variety                             Skip

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