Steve Who?

X Factor is back and according to judges Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne, the emphasis this year is finding an international artist/act that will actually sell records. This probably has something to do with the fact that last year's winner Steve Brookstein, although the popular mum's choice at the time, neglected to really do anything chart-wise since. No surprise then that he's been recently dropped by his record label. But then it didn't help matters any when Sharon O decided to openly bash his character on last year's penultimate show, saying he was "really fake" and suggested to the audience "if they only knew what he was really like," meow. Let's just hope this year brings just as much mud slinging and back biting as expected.

– JJ

Weekend Watch

This morning, insane comic Bobcat Goldthwait was in the KROQ studio chatting with Kevin and Bean. The conversation turned to the subject of the FCC's strict obscenity guidelines imposed on radio and television since Janet Jackson exposed her breast at the Super Bowl. Bobcat said the concern at the time had been what parents would tell their young children who had witnessed the event. "What they should say," Bobcat said, "is 'See that girl with the boob? Don't go anywhere alone with her brother.'"

Bobcat is performing this weekend at the Irvine Improv (71 Fortune Drive, 949 854-5455). Shows are at 8:30 and 10:30 PM on Friday; 7, 9, and 11 PM on Saturday; and 7 PM Sunday. The Shakes the Clown comedian says that each of his shows is completely different "because of my Alzheimer's."

The FCC had very little control over the making of WOW's documentary on Los Angeles's male hustlers, 101 Rent Boys, which airs Memorial Day at 11PM on Trio. Of course, the doc is extremely edumacational in a sociological sort of way, but there is some prurient interest. Word is that it was one of the tapes impounded when Pee-wee Herman's house was raided.