NBC will be broadcasting a live production of The Sound of Music next year, and one of our very own American Idols has been cast as Maria von Trapp. While we expect Nicki Minaj to be wild and honest in season 12, a new promo shows she can be serious as well. And Carrie Underwood has released a teaser for her upcoming music video. Plus, find out where you can catch Diana DeGarmo and Phillip Phillips on TV in the next few days.

Steven Tyler vs. Nicki Minaj Feud >>>

Carrie Underwood Cast in The Sound of Music

Jennifer Hudson may be the Idol known for her acting roles, but Carrie Underwood‘s about to start catching up now that she’s been cast to play the role made famous by Julie Andrews in a live NBC broadcast of The Sound of Music. Yes, you heard that right: she’ll be playing the one and only Maria von Trapp. The three-hour special, by the producers of Smash, will air at the end of 2013 (no air date known at this time), and will actually be more based on the Broadway musical rather than the hit movie starring Andrews and Christopher Plummer, which means there are likely to be differences to the storyline and/or music than what we’re familiar with.

NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a press release, “Speaking for everyone at NBC, we couldn’t be happier to have the gifted Carrie Underwood take up the mantle of the great Maria von Trapp. She was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist.” The Smash producers followed up with their own comments: “We’re thrilled to be presenting the Broadway version of ‘The Sound of Music’ live, and having Carrie Underwood as the star brings it to a new generation who will fall in love with it for the first time as many millions of people already have. It’s a particular joy to us as producers to see this amazing artist stretch into new territory with this classic musical.

Carrie hasn’t had a whole lot of acting experience. She guest starred on How I Met Your Mother and played a supporting role in Soul Surfer. So this will definitely be a whole new experience for her, but it’s on a whole new level considering this new production will be broadcast live.

A New Nicki Minaj Promo

Two weeks ago, we posted the first season 12 commercial focused on just one of the judges: Nicki Minaj. And it showed her as “wild, original, honest.” But this new one is more in line with the recent Mariah Carey and Keith Urban promos of talking to the camera and taking the job seriously, with Nicki saying, “You’re finding someone right before they become a superstar, and hopefully you’re going to help to mold that journey and help to make them a better artist.” And of course, the video starts off with yet another dig at Idol‘s competitors: “No one’s ever going to touch American Idol. They’ll never come close.”

Trailer for Carrie Underwood‘s “Two Black Cadillacs”

Carrie Underwood may have just been cast in The Sound of Music, but she’s still moving full steam ahead with promoting her album Blown Away. And that includes releasing a trailer for the music video of “Two Black Cadillacs,” her new single. (The full video won’t be out until January.) We don’t get to hear Carrie singing the song in the one-minute teaser, but we get a sense of the dark and ominous storyline to expect. This seems to be a pattern now for her, with the video for her last single, “Blown Away,” setting a serious tone as well.

Upcoming TV Appearances

Diana DeGarmo
Brides of Beverly Hills (Friday, 10pm, TLC)

Phillip Phillips
CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute (Sunday, 9pm, CNN)

Idol Tweets

Elliott Yamin: “So, what do yall think my next single should be?…I’m gonna release it 2 the wild myself…my ‘label’ could care less,so, why not?…right?”

Jordin Sparks: “PS-it has been 3 years since my last album. (I know! I know! I’m going!!) Lyrical content is definitely very different. Grow with me!”

Crystal Bowersox: “Man, the sound of this second album is going to surprise a few:) so happy with the way it’s coming together.”

Crystal Bowersox: “Can’t wait to tell you about the stellar production and players on this record… Working and playing with my heroes!!”

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(Image courtesy of WENN)

Jeff Dodge

Staff Writer, BuddyTV

Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.