Barry Manilow has racked up dozens of recognizable hits over his 40-plus-year career in the music business. He wrote the classic songs 'Copacabana (At the Copa),' 'Mandy,' and 'Can't Smile Without You.' Friday on 'Access Hollywood Live' (weekdays, syndicated on NBC), host Billy Bush even told Manilow that 'Mandy' helped him seal the deal with his wife.

But many might not realize Manilow also wrote some instantly recognizable jingles, including 'Like A Good Neighbor' for State Farm and 'Stuck on Band-Aid.' "Those are the two they keep playing 30 years later," he said. For writing those jingles, he was paid the grand sum of $500 each. "I was very happy to get that five hundred dollars," he said. "Nobody could have predicted that it was going to last that long."

They also discussed fashion, showing one of Manilow's more outrageous stage outfits. "It follows me like a bad smell, that shirt," he said. At least he still has his own hair and he's skinny because he doesn't "like eating." Someone tell him he can afford a sandwich now.

Barry Manilow recalled Wednesday on 'Good Morning America' (weekdays, 7AM on ABC) that he was 30 years old when the song 'Mandy' made him a star. Despite his maturity, dealing with that precipitous fame was an adjustment for him, and he marveled at how much more quickly that happens to younger entertainers these days. The topic interested him so much, he named his new album '15 Minutes: FAME ... Can You Take It?'

"My partner Nick Anderson and I, we watched Britney Spears get hounded by the paparazzi," said Manilow. "She couldn't go to Starbucks. She couldn't even live her life, you know? And that didn't happen to me when I was starting off. But it does to these young people."

Manilow also performed his song 'Bring On Tomorrow,' a sweeping piano ballad from the new album, his first of all-new original material since 2001's 'Here at the Mayflower.'

Barry Manilow and Suzanne Somers are close friends. How close? So close that they've pledged that whoever dies first will plan the other's funeral. Manilow and Somers revealed their post-mortem plans Wednesday on 'The Talk' (weekdays, syndicated on CBS).

"We made a deal, that if I go first, she'll plan my funeral," said Manilow, "and if she goes first, I'll produce hers." Notice that Somers will "plan" Manilow's funeral, while he will "produce" hers. Either way, there will probably be ThighMasters in the gift bags.

-- By Rob Schuter, Popeater.com

Could mega-star Jennifer Lopez be on 'American Idol's' B-list? Sources tell me that thespot on the judges' panel only became hers after several big-name celebrities said "thanks, but no thanks."

"J.Lo was definitely not the first choice," an 'Idol' insider tells me. "In fact, she wasn't even the second or third choice."

My source tells me that before they approached Lopez, producers first asked Elton John and Barry Manilow to join the hit -- but starting to struggle -- show. Both are undeniably great singer-songwriters who have mentored contestants in prior seasons, so it wouldn't have been a stretch.

Believe it or not, Barry Manilow did not write the songs the whole world sings. He didn't even write that one. 'I Write the Songs' was composed by Bruce Johnston, which Barry readily admits whenever the subject comes up -- it's even in his Las Vegas concert show. However, Barry Manilow does have a huge catalog of songs that he has made famous, whether as a writer or singer. Therefore, why wouldn't he want Fox's 'Glee' to use his music for an episode? If it's good enough for Madonna, why not Barry?

Well, Barry thinks it's a great idea and did something about it. Ryan Seacrest reports that Manilow called him the other day to address rumors that he'll be on 'Glee' -- rumors that were news to me. Barry told Ryan that he hasn't received a phone call from 'Glee' yet, but he's willing. "It would be great."

He's even picked out a song that he would like to hear New Directions, the glee club on the show, sing. "I would love them do to 'One Voice.' That's the only thing I'd love to hear them do, but if they want to do my catalog, oh, I'd be right there." 'One Voice' is a great choice, too. It's basically a chorus piece and very relevant for the show.

I don't know how much crossover there is when it comes to Barry Manilow fans and Ozzy Osbourne fans. But I guess it's possible to love "Copacabana" and "Crazy Train." The other night Jimmy Kimmel had both singers on his show, so there were fans of each in the audience. Jimmy tried to figure out which one a certain audience member came to see.

[Watch episodes of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' and other shows at SlashControl.]

You might be surprised to learn that Barry Manilow's pre-performance ritual involves Lady Gaga music. He stopped by 'Rachael Ray' (weekdays, syndicated) and explained all.

"I gather with my band and my singers in our dressing room, and we turn up the music, like Lady Gaga, and jump around and get ourselves crazy so that when we walk on the stage, we're filled with energy." Yeah, she has that effect on us, too.

Watch the video after the jump.

So we didn't have any major walkout or cutting of the electricity during the live broadcast of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting on NBC last night. But we did have enough things to talk about the day after.

I could discuss the lip synching that a lot of the acts decided to do (I'm looking at you, Barry Manilow) and point out just how bad Rod Stewart is at doing either old standards or soul songs. But I really want to talk about Jane Krakowski. She hosted (along with Chuck's Zachary Levi) and it was a little...surreal.

This was a variety show that wasn't too different than a special TGS that the 30 Rock gang might put on, and it almost seemed like it was Jenna Maroney hosting. Krakowski basically plays a really exaggerated version of herself on 30 Rock, and I was waiting for her to say something clueless or potentially racist or have a cat jump on her face and scratch her.

Despite less-than-perfect weather and a threatened labor strike, last night's 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center' went off without a hitch and featured the 77th annual lighting of New York's iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree, as well as performances by Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Shakira, Michael Buble and the Rockettes, among others.

Co-hosted by Jane Krakowski of '30 Rock' and Zachary Levi of 'Chuck,' the special culminated in the lighting of this year's tree, which stands at a towering 76 feet high and is adorned with more than 25,000 multicolored bulbs. Watch our clip for a sample of the performance by the Rockettes, a peek at Shakira's rendition of 'Santa Baby' and a look at the tree lighting itself.

Watch the video after the jump.

This is either great news if you like Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray or a warning if you don't like them, but it's interesting news nonetheless: Martha is going to do Rachael Ray's show and then the very next day Rachael will be on Martha's* show.

Yup, Martha will appear on Rachael's show on November 12 to show Rachael how to make a Thanksgiving centerpiece, and then on November 13 Rachael will appear on Martha's show and Martha will teach her how to make a Thanksgiving dessert. Notice that on both shows it's Martha who will be doing the teaching?

On November 24, British music sensation Susan Boyle's first CD will be released, and as I wrote before, it won't be filled with just show tunes. It's been getting a lot of buzz considering that Susan has not been going on television promoting the album... till now.

Susan will appear on QVC on November 4 to launch her debut album I Dreamed a Dream. If you tune in, you'll see Susan talking about the CD -- it doesn't sound like she'll be singing live -- but they'll spin some cuts and urge you to order.

If you do, there'll be a bonus DVD of rare footage that you'll get along with the eclectic batch of songs she's recorded. How eclectic? Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses," The Monkees' "Daydream Believer," Madonna's "You'll See" and, of course, from Les Miserables, "I Dreamed A Dream."

There's something to be said about a jingle that gets in your head and you can't forget it. "I am stuck on Band-Aids, so Band-Aid's stuck on me..." remains imprinted on my brain to this day (and did you know that Barry Manilow wrote that?). Well, there's a current commercial that has a song that's wormed it's way into my noggin, only I can't stand it.

Before I tell you more and present the video, I want to go on record saying that I like the idea of the ad. It's a collaboration between Dove and Wal-Mart, presenting real women. The thought is that there is Real Beauty in real women, not models or celebrities, but just everyday people.

The Colbert Report is in repeats this week, but we can still get our dose of Stephen Colbert goodness with this "greatest hits" clip below. It's a montage of Colbert's angriest moments, including getting beaten at the Emmys by Barry Manilow, the bonuses for the execs at AIG, and not being able to get a Black Visa Card. If anything, this instantly makes you want to go to the Colbert Nation site and watch complete episodes.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Colbert Report: The Eruption of Mt. Stephen
colbertnation.com

The pressure was turned up a notch this week as each of the couples had to do two complete numbers for the first time. The results of all their hard work left the judges scores landing all over the map, from 21 to 29. Jonathan is back this week with his take on all of the performances, and some thoughts on those confusing scores.

We also got to a number of reader questions. So, read on past the jump to find out which celebrity is on Jonathan's partner wish list, how he got involved with the show, what some of his favorite musical numbers were, just what makes the foxtrot so hard, and what Jonathan thinks of the possibility that Paula Abdul would be on the show. Oh, and there is also a bit of a teaser about what the future might hold for our favorite pro.

Well, here's something about reality TV that didn't make me gag. Survivor mega-producer Mark Burnett has a new unscripted project, greenlighted by CBS, called Jingles. It's a competition show in which contestants have to create tunes for products, commercial jingles. No mud wrestling, no unlocking keys to puzzle pieces the size of boulders, no eating slugs wrapped in wild boar bacon. This time it's all about catchy melodies, clever hooks and lyrics that incorporate product info whether the products an erectile dysfunction pill or a new luxury car.