News keeps buzzing about the banning of David Archuleta's stage dad from hell, Jeff, from visiting American Idol backstage or during rehearsals. This is the first "ban" of its kind on the show.

We've heard David's side, but….what about the producer's side?

Now, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is speaking out.

Nigel says, "'Banished' is a terrible word, isn't it? It sounds like we're in some far-off kingdom. He has been asked not to participate in the choice of music with David or be in the room when David is working out his routines that he wants to sing. He's fine to be in the studio, nothing wrong with that. We just want David to be able to be free like everybody else to get on and do what they want to do."

So what about the reported argument that occurred over Jeff making influencing David to use other lyrics during his performance of Stand By Me?

To that Nigel adds, "There was a lyric change that happened that was a total misunderstanding. Just another, um, step along the way of us saying, 'Okay, this is what we want to happen from now on.'"

As for the reports that they didn't want Jeff backstage to be "fair" with the other contestants that don't have any outside help with their song selections and arrangements.

To that Nigel adds, "No, no, no. It has nothing to do with fairness. We just want everyone to have an equal opportunity, and if that's fairness, fine. But this is more of just the fact of let's take some pressure away here, you know? It's like anybody appearing in front of their mom and dad. Let's just open up the pressure cooker, release the pressure, and you just get on and do what you gotta do."

So after all that, what it basically comes down to is, Jeff seems to be pressuring David and annoying the hell out of everyone else.

Keep him banned!

Stage dads are even worse than stage moms. Ask Macaulay Culkin.

Actually, speaking of Macaulay, wouldn't it be funny if he joined that VH1 has-been reality show?

We haven't seen him around in years!

[Image via WENN.]

She's down, but she's not out!

Last week, Madge was on top. This week? Mimi has knocked her down!

Mariah Carey is winning the battle with Madonna.

The numbers are in and Madge's Hard Candy has dropped from its #1 spot debut to #5 in the U.S. album charts in just one week.

Whereas Carey's E=MC2, in its 4th week of release, comes in 4 for the week, despite being out much longer than Hard Candy.

Mimi sold 8,000 more units than Madge this week!

Now, the important part - money talk!

Madonna's first weak sales totaled 280k and week 2 brought in 81k for a two week grand total of 361K.

Yikes!!!

Madonna's drop from week one to week two is 71%!

Mariah Carey's take for week one ALONE of E=MC2 was 463K.

Mimi's first week of sales totally beats Madge's 2 week total by a little over 100K. And she's still selling more than the Queen of Pop.

Carey is on her second single, already, though.

Time for Madonna to Give It 2 Me!

Javier Bardem picks his nose, Tuesday in Madrid.

That's it.

We LOVE these kinds of pics!

If a celeb is photographed eating, puking, pissing, smoking weed or flashing their bits, we're interested!

[Image via Fame Pictures.]

Awww, how sweet!!!!

Lindsay Lohan and her rumored girlfriend, DJ Samantha Ronson, take a lover's stroll in Paris on Tuesday.

The pair were said to have gotten into a big fight this past weekend, but they appeared to have kissed and made up already!

Is that a hickie on Ronson's neck???

Lohan has yet to speak publicly about the exact nature of her relationship with Samantha.

She could do SO much better, though!

[Image via Fame Pictures.]

Mimoo flashed some panties in L.A. on Monday night.

Cute!

A real lady always wears underwear when the paparazzi are around.

[Image via JFX Online.]

The 61st Cannes Film Festival kicks off with a splash on Wednesday, May 14th, but the celebs have already started to pour in!

The gorgeous and talented Natalie Portman was spotted strolling along the Croisette, the main strip of the city, on Tuesday.

This year, Nat is a member of the Cannes Jury. She will see all the films in competition and then help decide who takes home the coveted Palm D'or.

The big Indiana Jones movie is set to have its world premiere at Cannes. And, no, that film is just fluff. It's not in competition.

[Photo via Getty Images.]

First the first time ever, Green Day's "alter-ego" side, the Foxboro Hot Tubs, is set to hit the road.

Starting next Monday, May 19th, Foxboro Hot Tubs are going on tour. They will begin performing in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The eight day trek will have tickets for sale but will only be available at the venue's box office on the day of the show.

Tickets are $20 and cash only.

We have no problem with cash, but sucks to show up to the concert and not get in because tickets sold out.

The single, Stop Drop and Roll, from the band's new album, Mother Mary, has peaked at number 16 on the Billboard's Modern Rock chart.

The single will go on sale on May 20th.

Check out the full tour itinerary….after the jump!

[Image via WENN.]

May 19: Little Rock, Ark. (Juanita's Cantina)
May 20: New Orleans (One Eyed Jack's)
May 21: Dallas (the Loft)
May 22: Austin, Texas (Emo's)
May 25: Phoenix (Brick House)
May 26: San Diego (Soma)
May 27: Los Angeles (Roxy)
May 28: Long Beach, Calif. (Alex's Bar)

Michael Moore is making a sequel to his Palm d'Or winning, box office bonanza Fahrenheit 9/11.

President Bush is crapping his Depends as we speak!

Fahrenheit was a 'scathing indictment' of W.'s "war on terrorism."

The sequel will pick up where it left off. In the time since, Bush's popularity has plummeted, the costly Iraq war continues and the economy is in the shitter.

The sequel should be ready some time next year.

Woo hoo!!!!!!

[Image via WENN.]

That David Archuleta is one good son. That, or he's brainwashed very well!

Even though his dad, Jeff, is banned from being backstage on American Idol, David says, “I don’t really care what people say, but I know it’s affected him and stressed him out."

Reports remain that the producers were very upset and bothered by Jeff, who insisted that his son switch the lyrics of Stand By Me to include a stupid verse from Sean Kingston's Beautiful Girls, even though they warned him not to do so.

American Idol was then forced to pay much higher royalties due to the lyrics.

Archuleta adds, “I’ve heard some weird things that people have been saying, and it’s kind of a bummer. I think I, of all people, would know what’s going on, and he’s been great."

And , David, responded to reports that his dad withheld water from him during a recording session by stating, "That’s kind of stupid. I’m 17! I think I’d be able to stand up for myself if he were to take my water away.”

Really?

David adds, "He’s given me a lot of good advice and helped me from making any dumb decisions. He understands more than anyone what I want in music, and I’ve felt really blessed to have someone like that.”

Stockholm syndrome!!!!!!

[Image via WENN.]

Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo have broken up.

Discuss.

[Images via WENN.]