Iron Chefs learn how White House garden grows
Michelle Obama's vegetable garden was briefly a culinary battlefield. The Food Network announced Wednesday that Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse recently taped an episode of "Iron Chef America" at the White House. The three chefs, joined by White House chef Cristeta Comerford, were welcomed by the first lady and allowed to use anything found in the garden to help create their meals. The competition then moved back to the network's Kitchen Stadium in New York, where Flay and Comerford faced off against Batali and Lagasse to produce five dishes showcasing the ingredients. The judges included chef Nigella Lawson, Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin and actress Jane Seymour. The episode airs Jan. 3.
LOPEZ TO RETURN AS HOST:Here comes Mario Lopez as the Miss America pageant host. TLC and the Miss America Organization said Wednesday that the 36-year-old "Extra" host and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant will again serve as master of ceremonies for the live Jan. 30 ceremony in Las Vegas. Lopez previously hosted the Miss America pageant in 2007 and 2009. Next year's pageant will feature 53 contestants, including Miss District of Columbia, Miss Virgin Islands and Miss Puerto Rico, who returns after a 50-year absence from the event.
NOT IN VICTORIA'S FINALS:Peotone resident Ashley Novak, 20, has had her budding wings clipped. She won't be on the roster when Victoria's Secret today announces the 10 women who earned spots at its Angel Boot Camp in New York. Novak was the lone area contestant to advance to the finals along with eight other aspiring supermodels during an open casting call in Chicago last month. The public will choose one model to appear on "The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show" on CBS Dec. 1. Executive producer Monica Mitro had said that in addition to her "brains, personality and looks," Novak "could also have a promising career as an actress."
SELLS 373,000 IN FIRST WEEK:To the surprise of nobody, Michael Jackson's "This Is It" debuts atop the Billboard albums chart with an eye-popping 373,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan -- the nation's fifth-best sales week for an album this year. The companion disc to the musical documentary film of the same name is Jackson's sixth No. 1 on the tally.
DEBUT SET FOR NOV. 23:The feet will keep flying after "Dancing With the Stars" picks its winner later this month, ABC announced Wednesday. The network plans a spinoff show, "Let's Dance," in which stars perform comedic dance routines playing off famous moments from movies and music videos. Celeb-bashing comedian Kathy Griffin will host. The first episode will air Nov. 23, right after the "Dancing" season finale.
COMPANION SHOW FOR FOX:Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has some new people to yell at. The verbally abusive star of Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" has signed a deal with Fox for a second show. Tentatively called "Masterchef," it will feature Ramsay trying to turn people who have no experience in the food industry into expert cooks. Contestants will whip up dishes to be judged by a panel of expert chefs. Fox did not say when the new show will go on the air.
FIRST LADY GIVES FREE HAND: