Fast Track: ‘American Idol’s’ shocking elimination

A roundup of entertainment headlines for Friday.

This year’s perceived “American Idol” front-runner, Pia Toscano, was chopped from the show Thursday night. (Los Angeles Times)

Kelly Clarkson performed on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and will return to the “Idol” stage next week. (People)

Starz has been giving itself away for free to Dish Network subscribers. The ploy is helping the ratings, but will anyone ever buy it? (Los Angeles Times)

Reality TV joins “Star Trek,” comic books and porn in the world of convention-dom. It’ll fit in nicely. (Los Angeles Times)

Ben Stiller is set to star in the long-gestating “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” (Deadline)

And Ben Affleck is considering appearing in Baz Luhrmann’s “Great Gatsby”... IN 3-D-D-D-D (to be read with echo effect). (Hollywood Reporter)

A minor tempest of controversy and bad feelings has cropped up around AOL’s now-defunct website Cinematical. (Indiewire)

You know the times are tough when a series about people who use coupons gets great ratings. (Entertainment Weekly)

MTV is giving spinoffs to “Jersey Shore’s” Snooki, J Woww and Pauly D. (Los Angeles Times)

Ready for an ‘80s overload? Here’s a video of the Transformers doing the “Thriller” dance. (New York Magazine)

“Dancing With the Stars’” Karina Smirnoff posed nude in Playboy, which might not sit well with the producers of the family-friendly show. (Pop Eater)

A sequel to Joss Whedon’s “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” is in the works. (Wall Street Journal)

George Lucas’ cage fighting daughter is getting back in the ring. (TMZ)

--Patrick Kevin Day

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