To borrow from Kelly Clarkson, it seems like some people have been waiting a lifetime for a moment like this, that is, the reunion of Brian Dunkleman and “American Idol.”
Before you get ready to say “Seacrest out,” Dunkleman, who co-hosted “Idol” with Ryan Seacrest in Season 1, won’t actually be returning to Fox’s megahit (7 tonight, KDVR-Channel 31). Instead he’ll be hosting a free online fantasy game called “Idol Go Home” at idolgohome.com, and have his own blog, where, he says, “I’ll be offering my own insider’s backstage view” on everything “Idol.”
Visitors to the site can blog their own “Idol” thoughts as well as try to pick who’ll get voted off each week for a shot at prizes including a trip to Hollywood and Dell computers.
Dunkleman, who says he’s been TiVo-ing this season’s “Idol,” admits he had a compelling reason for taking the job. “They said, ‘Hey, we’ll pay you to do it.”‘
It also helps that Dunkleman has no beefs with “Idol,” saying it was his choice to leave the show after the first season to pursue an acting career and to do stand-up. He also has no gripes with Simon Cowell, whom he says is “one of the most charming, intelligent people you’ll ever meet. Just ask him, and he’ll tell you.”
In case you’re wondering if Dunkleman has been an American idle since “Idol,” he notes: “I played golf every day for about six months. I almost turned pro, unfortunately, it turned out I was not very good.”
Along with someTV, he also “did a small indie film called ‘Comedy Hell’ with Eric Roberts, which, like a lot of indies, is still in post-production. So I’m hoping it will at least go straight to Beta.”
