Lisa Ling gets rave reviews as a popular celebrity speaker; Lisa Ling as seen on Oprah

To say Lisa Ling has experienced a lot in her relatively young life is a major understatement. She currently serves as a Special Correspondent for the Oprah Show and as a Contributor to National Geographic Channel, Nightline and CNN. She’s circled the globe covering stories that much of the world has ignored, from gang rapes in the Congo to bride burning in India to examining China’s one-child policy. She has also reported on the phenomenon of female suicide bombers, the hidden and dangerous culture inside American prisons and the world’s most dangerous gang.

Lisa has also hosted a series on the Oxygen Network that explores the challenges that girls face worldwide called “Who Cares About Girls.” Lisa first hit the spotlight as co-host of the hit daytime talk show, The View, where she shared opinions on current events and everyday issues.

Lisa has been working in television for nearly two decades. At age 16, she hosted Scratch, a nationally syndicated teen magazine show. Soon after, she became one of the youngest reporters for Channel One News, a network seen in middle and high schools.  By the age of 25, Lisa was Channel One’s Senior War Correspondent, visiting violent hot spots around the globe.  In the field, she hunted down cocaine processing labs, reported on refugee crises and shared tea with the Dalai Lama.  Altogether, she reported from more than two dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran.

Her hard work continues off-camera where she serves as a contributing editor for USA Weekend and recently co-authored a book entitled “Mother, Daughter, Sister, Bride: Rituals of Womanhood.”

Earlier this year, Lisa was in the headlines for a completely different reason – her sister Laura was arrested and detained in North Korea for several months before being released to former President Bill Clinton.

If you would like to find out how to hire Lisa Ling for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, you can request Lisa Ling booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top celebrity booking agent for celebrities, entertainers, athletes and motivational speakers. For more information, call 1-800-966-1380.

Barbara Padilla America's Got Talent

Barbara Padilla, a housewife and 10 year cancer survivor, is living her dream.

During week 10 of America’s Got Talent, Barbara sings Time To Say Goodbye a duet made famous by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.

Barbara’s performance was beautiful and professional, wowing not only the judges but the viewing audience as well.

When the performance was over, the judges gave Barbara a standing ovation!

Host Nick Cannon said, “Truly, truly amazing!”

Barbara Padilla Sings Time To Say Goodbye on week 10 of America’s Got Talent.

WATCH VIDEO

Padilla is now considered one of the top three singers along with Lawrence Beaman and Kevin Skinner favored to make it to the finals.

Watch Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman Sing Time To Say Goodbye.

PFP is a top celebrity booking agent for American Idols, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities.

Bobby Knight inducted into Hall of Fame

Despite his firing in 2000, Bob Knight, former Indiana University basketball coach, will be inducted into Indiana’s Hall of Fame.

Knight will be inducted into the university’s athletics Hall of Fame nearly a decade after he was fired for violating a zero-tolerance policy imposed by then-IU President Myles Brand.

New athletic director Fred Glass said in a statement:

“I am honored to have been a part of selecting this outstanding class of tremendous coaches and student-athletes”. “For my first Hall of Fame class to include heroes from my childhood as well as my student days is a dream come true.”

Knight could not be reached Saturday, but should be available for comment on Monday.

If you would like to find out how to hire Bobby Knight for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Bobby Knight booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top celebrity booking agent for athlete appearances, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities.

I am a big fan of Lawrence and I have said in my previous post that he has the best voice on the show. However, this song choice in my opinion did not match the power of his first audition when he sang “Ol Man River”

It is all about song choice, so Lawrence in my opinion needs to pick a better song to show his range and power.

I’d like to hear him sing “A Change is Gonna  Come” or “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway.

The judges all loved his performance and gave him rave reviews.

Sharon said that it was smooth as velvet.

The Hoff said he felt sorry for the rest of the competition.

Piers said that of all the singers that have auditioned on the show he is a rare talent calling him the new Barry White.

Lawrence Beaman Sings You are So Beautiful. Watch Video.

Lawrence Beaman was voted through to the semifinals.

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a top booking agent for American Idols, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities. For more information call 800.966.1380

I think they could easily have a shot at winning the entire competition this year.

Paradizo Dance Week 8 America’s Got talent. Watch Video.

PFP is a top celebrity booking agent for American Idols, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities. For more information, call 800.966.1380

Paula Abdul American Idol

Paula Abdul may still come back to American Idol if she is shown some respect and given the right deal.

TMZ.com sources say Paula was not happy with the “Idol” offer but willing to sign just days before her deal-breaking tweet. However,  because she felt “disrespected” by “Idol” execs who had offered Simon and Ryan a lot more than they offered her she had a sudden change of heart. TMZ was told the show offered her around $4 million a year.

TMZ already reported on their website that well-connected “Idol” sources said they hadn’t closed the door on bringing Paula back for American Idol Season 9. They reported that producers have not communicated with Abdul since she tweeted her goodbye, and auditions start Friday — without Paula.

It is believed that Paula wants 10 million dollars a year and will make a deal with “American Idol” if the price is right.

If American Idol can come up with $10 mil per year, it appears Paula will return to American Idol.

Personally, I do not feel this is an unreasonable request from Paula when you compare the deal Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell have received.

And BTW, these are the same producers who allowed Paula Abdul’s stalker (who eventually commited suicide in front of Abdul’s house) to auditon for Season 8. Paula asked the producers not to let the stalker on, but instead created an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation for Ms. Abdul.

Paual Abdul is irreplaceable and deserves respect. Stick yo your guns Paula. You are easily worth 10M per year.

If you would like to find out how to hire Paula Abdul for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Paula Abdul booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top celebrity booking agent for American Idols, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities.

America’s Got Talent 09 – Drew Thomas Magic (August 4th 2009) Watch video.

Drew Thomas – Americas Got Talent 2009 – First performance. Watch video.

If you would like to find out how to hire Drew Thomas Magic for an appearance or special event, request Drew Magic Thomas booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top celebrity booking agent for corporate entertainment, American Idols, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities. Call 800.966.1380.

According to MJ’s Blog, Nigel Lythgoe talked to Hollywood Outbreak on the set of the So You Think You Can Dance final performance show about Paula Abdul leaving American Idol.

Nigel Lythgoe Comments on Paula Abdul Quitting American Idol. Watch Video.

He emphasizes that the talent that comes on the show each year is what makes Idol. He also believes it’s important that Paula be replaced with somebody like her–that it’s OK for somebody like Simon Cowell to tear the kids down as long as somebody builds them back up again.

Also, it’s being reported, that according to “inside sources” Paula “was being offered a 30 percent pay raise that amounted to an eight-figure deal, but that, apparently, wasn’t enough.” (read the whole article–Michael Slezak was on CBS news this morning–he thinks it was a negotiating ploy too).

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a top celebrity booking agent for American Idols, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities.

It looks like kevin got a makeover. I think he looks good.

Kevin Skinner

Sharon Osborne liked his new hair style.

The Hoff says he chokes up everytime he listens to the words he sings.

Pierce Morgan said it was the performance of the night.

Kevin Skinner Sings To Make You Feel My Love. Watch Video.

Kevin always sings from the heart telling a story. He is one of my favorites!

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a speakers bureau and top booking agent for sports stars, athlete appearances, endorsements and celebrities. For more information call 800.966.1380

A player must be retired for a minimum of five years to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. In order to be elected, a player must be mentioned on at least 75% of the ballots.

Next year, eligible players include Roberto Alomar, Kevin Appier, Andy Ashby, Ellis Burks, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Shane Reynolds, Robin Ventura, and Todd Zeile.

The two who have the best chance of getting elected are Alomar and Larkin.

Roberto Alomar was a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner and was arguably the best second baseman of his era. Over the course of a 17-year career, he batted .300 with 210 home runs,  474 stolen bases and 502 doubles.

Barry Larkin was a 12-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner and played his entire 19-year career for the Cincinnati Reds. The shortstop was also the 1995 NL MVP. If you compare Larkin’s stats to other Hall of fame shortstops, he holds up well. His batting average is higher than thirteen Hall of Famers and he hit more home runs than every Hall of Fame shortstop except Cal Ripken Jr, Robin Yount and Ernie Banks.

Two other interesting candidates are Edgar Martinez, who’s considered the greatest designated hitter ever (MLB has renamed the Designated Hitter Award the Edgar Martinez Award), and Fred McGriff, a five-time All-Star who hit 493 home runs, just shy of the 500 mark, which is normally a ticket to Cooperstown.

In 2011, eligible players are

Wilson Alvarez, Carlos Baerga, Jeff Bagwell, Bret Boone, Kevin Brown, Cal Eldred, John Franco, Juan Gonzalez, Marquis Grissom, Bobby Higginson, Charles Johnson, Al Leiter, Tino Martinez, Raul Mondesi, Jose Offerman, John Olerud, Rafael Palmeiro, Paul Quantrill, Steve Reed, Kirk Rueter, Rey Sanchez, Benito Santiago, B.J. Surhoff, Ugueth Urbina, Ismael Valdez, Larry Walker, and Dan Wilson.

The only lock is Jeff Bagwell, who played his entire 15-career with the Houston Astros and batted .297 with 449 home runs, 1,517 runs scored and 1,529 RBI. He also stole 202 bases, including two seasons of 30 or more. He won numerous awards, including Rookie of the Year (1991) and MVP (1994). He was a three-time Silver Slugger and one-time Gold Glove winner.

Rafael Palmeiro would have likely also been a lock if he wasn’t involved in the steroids controversy. You might also hear a few arguments for John Olerud and Larry Walker, but I don’t see them getting in.

The real controversy will be in 2013, when Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens become eligible. Whether the three of them should be inducted will be the subject of heated debate likely even more intense than the issue of whether Pete Rose belongs in the Hall.

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a speakers bureau and top booking agent for sports stars, athlete appearances, endorsements and celebrities. For more information call 800.966.1380