Reality Rocks

Reality Flashback: Donna Summer on ‘Idol,’ ‘AGT’ & ‘Platinum Hit’

By | Reality Rocks – Thu, May 17, 2012 6:18 PM EDT

Donna Summer on "Platinum Hit" (photo: Bravo)I always thought Donna Summer would have been a fantastic reality TV judge. She had the rich life experience. She'd crossed genres, from her early days in theater and blues-rock; to her pioneering electro with Giorgio Moroder; to high-MTV-rotation new wave with "She Works Hard For The Money" and "Romeo"; to reggae-pop with her Musical Youth collaboration "Unconditional Love"; to her many, many disco megahits, more than you could shake a disco stick at. And of course, she had THAT voice. She could've taught some invaluable life lessons to countless prospective singers out there.

But sadly, it was not meant to be. Today, Donna Summer died from cancer, at age 63.

But Donna did make a few reality television appearances in the 2000s,  and I've decided to run them here just in case you missed them. My favorite clip is her duet with "America's Got Talent" dandy Prince Poppycock, from the Season 5 "AGT" finale. In this absolutely fabulous pairing between the good Prince and the disco Queen, Donna was extremely well-matched. Bedecked in a cotton-candy-pink wig with high-heeled granny boots to match, America's most beloved fopera singer almost managed to upstage the amazing Donna--but of course, Donna was still the star of the show. This sure was one hot Summer night.

Donna also appeared twice on "American Idol," in 2004 and 2008. I sure wish Nigel Lythgoe had hired her instead of Jennifer Lopez, when he had the chance.

And finally, just last year, in one of her last televised appearances, Donna was a guest mentor on Bravo's highly underrated songwriting competition show, "Platinum Hit," on an episode fittingly titled "Dance Floor Royalty." She was still looking good, and it seemed like she still had a lot of great music left in her.

R.I.P., Donna Summer. Today's news was a harsh dose of the kind of reality I really don't like.

Related links:

Follow me on Twitter

News for You

  • Mom: RI theater threw out disabled girl over noise

    NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — A woman says she and her 5-year-old developmentally disabled daughter were thrown out of a theater during a "Beauty and the Beast" performance because the girl was making giggling and humming noises she makes when she's happy.

  • Deen says she used slur but doesn't tolerate hate

    SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Celebrity cook Paula Deen said while being questioned in a discrimination lawsuit that she has used racial slurs in the past but insisted she and her family do not tolerate prejudice.

  • James Gandolfini: He let his characters star

    NEW YORK (AP) — James Gandolfini would have hated all this fuss.

  • AP PHOTOS: The career of James Gandolfini

    James Gandolfini, who won three Emmy Awards for his indelible role as mob boss Tony Soprano in HBO's "The Sopranos," died while on vacation in Italy at age 51. While Tony Soprano was a larger-than-life figure, Gandolfini was exceptionally modest and obsessive — he described himself as "a 260-pound Woody Allen." HBO called the actor a "special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone, no matter their title or position, with equal respect."

  • 'The Voice' Winner: Who Did the Experts Choose?

    By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - NBC's "The Voice" will crown another winner on Tuesday night's finale. Season 4's three finalists - Daniellle Bradbury, Michelle Shamuel and The Swon Brothers - battled it out for the title on Monday's performance finale episode. Before the performances, coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Shakira and Usher performed The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends." The Top 16 then got together for the second group performance of the night on Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros' "Home. ...

  • Cher credits luck for her lengthy career

    UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Cher is no stranger to tabloid fodder.

Show More