Shania’s talking touring, but it’s probably not what you think:  At a recent Red Cross benefit in Switzerland, Shania Twain attended with her boyfriend, Frederic Thiebaud, and said that she’d like to do an acoustic tour of some of the countries where people are suffering and need help.  She’d like to share her music with them and inspire them.  I say that’s really nice, but she could help even more by adding some dates here in the US, taking the money she raises and giving it to the people in those troubled countries.  Is that selfish of me?

Am I the only one who likes the show this season?  I just find the variety kind of refreshing.  So it was fun to see everyone’s take on Shania songs last night.  And I thought Shania did a good job of mentoring.  In fact, I think she’s a lot mellower and warmer since her split with the hubby. 

And a reminder that tonight there’s more country on there.  Rascal Flatts perform live, Lady A performs taped, and a brand-new band called Sons of Sylvia will perform, which I would say is a major score for a band that no one knows yet.  All tonight at 9 on Fox 12.

I told you that Shania will be the mentor next week on Idol as the finalists sing her songs.  Now they’ve added more country to the results show, which will be next Wednesday:  Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts.  Lady A will sing “Need You Now,” which may or may not be the pre-recorded version they already did.  Rascal Flatts will sing “Unstoppable” and also help Shakira out with a song….huh?  Remember Shakira’s big hit “My Hips Don’t Lie?”  No?  Well anyway, she’s a Colombian songstress along the lines of Britney Spears.  Should be interesting.

Did you watch “Idol Gives Back” last night?  A few thoughts:  The show is always very inspirational, especially the pieces about kids around the world who need our help.  But then they cut to performances like the Black Eyed Peas, with Fergie prancing around in a snakeskin onesie.  Kind of a rollercoaster. 

But Carrie Underwood showed ‘em all how it’s done last night with a very inspiring performance of her song “Change.”  But where the heck were Hillary, Charles and Dave of Lady A?  they were supposed to be part of last night’s show with a pre-recorded version of “Need You Now.”  Though no one has explained what happened, I’m guessing they were a stand-by in case the show ran short, but man did it ever NOT run short…still going strong 2 hours and 20 minutes into it.  Good Lord, didn’t they know it was my bedtime? 

One great announcement, though, was that Shania Twain will indeed be back on the show next week as the mentor to the finalists.  They’ll all sing Shania songs, and it should be a good time.

Shania was a hit when she stepped in to judge the audtions on American Idol, so it makes sense that they would bring her back as a mentor to work with the finalists this season.  TV Guide is reporting that they are doing just that, though no details are available about dates.  I hope that means we’ve got a country night coming our way soon on that show.  I always enjoy the highs and lows of the kids trying to make country music work for them.

In recent months, Shania Twain hasn’t released any music, but she’s made some videos to share with her fans that show her traveling with her Swiss BF Fred, singing with her family, etc. So it kind of makes sense that she’s drawn to the idea of a reality show chronicling her life now… and her upcoming return to country music. The show will be called “Why Not? with Shania Twain”, and it will air on Oprah’s TV network OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network, get it?) No air date yet, but this is as close as we’ve gotten to a confirmation that indeed Sha-nay-nay IS returning to country, so that’s good news.

Remember those pictures in Vanity Fair of Miley Cyrus wearing nothing but a bedsheet?  It got her in some hot water.  But how will it work out for Shania Twain, who’s got a few more years on her?  I can’t see that it will be quite as controversial, but it does raise the question, “why?”  Of course Shania  looks fantastic — that’s not a problem — but I’m wondering why she suddenly released new pics.  Does this mean there’s a new album on the way?  That would be cool.

Well it’s American Idol. But now with real Canadians! Tonight’s the night that Shania Twain is a guest judge on Idol, which should be fun to watch. Word is she had a blast on the show, and I’m sure she’ll give some useful advice. That is tonight, on Fox, at 8. American Idol. A singing contest. You’ve heard of it, right?

She seems to be happy with her new man Fred, but she’s carrying a torch for someone else.  Who?  Canada!!!! Shania has been invited to carry the Olympic torch as it passes through her hometown of Timmins, Ontario, this year on its way to BC.  She’s super excited, and says it’s a huge honor.  Her hometown is going to try and stretch this out into a whole Shania-fest with a performance…not sure if that will happen yet.