Michael Becker / Fox

Colton Dixon, Reed Grimm and Elise Testone are all moving on.

After one night of the “American Idol” semifinal selection process, there are three facts to note heading into Thursday’s episode: If your favorite singer is a woman whose fate hasn’t been revealed yet, you may be in trouble. If it’s a man you’re worried about, you have a better shot. And if you’re cheering for Adam Brock, you really, really hate the show right now.

By the end of Wednesday’s two-hour episode, 22 singers had learned their fate and 14 of the 24 semifinalists were revealed. Very few of the outcomes were surprising, but that didn’t stop the “Idol” judges from milking the tension for all it was worth.

Eight of the 12 spots for women have already been claimed. Among them are a pair of teenagers in Jessica Sanchez and Brielle Von Hugel. Sanchez’s backstory hook is that she’s part of a huge family and her mom is unemployed because of Sanchez's music career. As for Von Hugel, her mother, Camille, has been the star of the peanut gallery so far.

“Where did you get that tan?” host Ryan Seacrest asked mama Von Hugel on Wednesday’s show.

“Out of a can,” she replied.

Simon Cowell, take note. She could be your next “X Factor” host with rejoinders like that.

Jen Hirsh, Haley Johnson, Elise Testone, Chelsea Sorrell, Baylie Brown and Erika Van Pelt also moved on to varying degrees of fanfare. Brown had to undego the torture of hearing Steven Tyler say, “It doesn’t give me great pleasure to say this ... [cue Brown’s heart stopping] actually, it makes me ecstatic.” But she never looked nervous, a good sign for her going forward.

Meanwhile, Van Pelt got the most lukewarm endorsement, as J.Lo first told her, “We had a lot of people who didn’t do as amazing as we thought they were gonna do, and unfortunately you were one of those people.” Then she added, “We’re gonna take one more chance on you.” In other words, don’t necessarily expect Van Pelt to still be around in April.

Only three women were denied: Blaire Sieber, Naomi Gillies and Lauren Gray. Gray might have been a mild surprise, but she wasn’t shocked.

“I knew it was coming,” she said as she hugged the judges

“You’re 23, you’re so good and you’re so close,” Randy Jackson told her. But not close enough. 

For those of you doing the math, that makes 10 women with uncertain fates, and only four spots in the semifinal remaining.

As for the men, unless you’re a big Richie Law fan, nothing was surprising.

Were the judges going to send Colton Dixon home at this stage for the second year in a row after they had to browbeat him to get him to audition again in the first place? Would they bring the wacky Reed Grimm this far just to let him go now? Could they really send Phillip Phillips back to the pawn shop musical circuit?

No, no and no.

The same goes for Heejun Han, who’s sure to make it big somewhere even if he doesn’t last long here. “You’re a better star than you are a singer,” Steven told him when he gave him the good news. A throwaway quip, perhaps, but also true. We’ll find out next week whether Han's that good in front of the camera or whether the editors have just been really good to him.

Creighton Fraker and Joshua Ledet might have been on shakier ground, but both were camera hogs in recent episodes and therefore, obvious picks. But we did find out that Fraker’s biological father is in the band Flotsam and Jetsam, so feel free to break that out at your next “Idol” trivia night.

We also saw the dream end for five others. Cowboy Law was the most prominent, but his final “Ring of Fire” solo didn’t do much to boost his chances. Neco Starr was the biggest surprise, while Caleb Johnson lost his shot with a brutal performance in his final solo. Clayton Farhat and River St. James also were shown the door.

That leaves 10 men left with six spots available, pretty good odds.

As for Brock, his fate was left up in the air as the cliffhanger heading into Thursday. All we know is that he broke down trying to explain how much this meant to him, and he heard Randy tell him, “Our decision for you is definitely not unanimous.”

Here’s one unanimous decision from “Idol” fans to those in charge of the show: Those kind of cliffhangers are annoying. Fortunately, that drama will end Thursday, and we’ll finally find out the last 10 of the 24 singers who will move onto the live episodes next week.

Were you surprised by any of Wednesday's results? Which eliminated hopeful will you miss most? Tell us on our Facebook page!

Want more "Idol" during "Idol"? Follow @CraigBerman as he live tweets each show!

Related content:

• 'Idol's' slow slog to live shows is zombielike 
• Cowell wants 'X Factor' vs. 'Idol' vs. 'The Voice' showdown
• It's (a ratings) war between 'Idol' and 'The Voice'
• More on 'Idol' in The Clicker

L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell say two ladies will join them on "The X Factor" panel for season two.

Rumors may be swirling that some big-named celebs want to join "The X Factor" (including Britney Spearsand LeAnn Rimes), but judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid aren't ready to confirm or deny any of that talk.

But it doesn't mean the two men are refusing to dish about new additions to the cast for season two. During a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, Reid said, "The only thing you can count on is that we will likely have two girls (judging). That you can probably count on."

"I think that's 100 percent," Cowell said. "There's going to be a lot of twists and turns over the next few weeks, and a lot of things we're going to announce. But while you've got 'The Voice' and 'Idol' competing with each other, I've learned a big lesson: Keep your mouth shut."

But there was another nugget of info that Cowell revealed during the call.

"There will be two (hosts)," Cowell said. "What we've learned on the show is you've got so much information you've got to relay as one person now, that it's almost impossible to have one person doing the hosting job. ... They're like newscasters now, these hosts. It's a much much bigger role."

Cowell also said that he's "always wanted" one male and one female hosting "X Factor," and believes that now it will definitely happen. "I think it's going to make it more interesting."

Season one host Steve Jones was let go in January, along with judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger.

Who would you like to see be a judge on the show? Who should host? Give us your picks on our Facebook page!

Related content:

• Will Britney Spears become an 'X Factor' judge?
• Cowell wants 'X Factor' vs. 'Idol' vs. 'The Voice' showdown
• Cowell: I was considering Houston for 'X Factor' mentor
• More on 'The X Factor' in The Clicker

All that backstabbing, eye rolling, verbal attacks and just plain bad behavior viewers are seeing from the players on "The Biggest Loser" this season? Yeah, trainer Bob Harper is noticing it too. He's not pleased at all, and he's calling it like it is.

"Bullies, they're bullies," Harper told Radar Online.

That this latest batch of contestants is less than inspiring is hardly news to fans of the show, who have loudly complained about the bullying -- led by Conda (or as our readers often refer to her, AnaConda) -- being allowed to continue. And they're tired of it.

"I need encouragement to lose weight, tips and practical helps. I don't need to see bullies at work," wrote reader Rebecca Bugg on our Facebook page.

"This is the most (sickening group) of people biggest loser has ever had," wrote Earl Edgar Hodgson.

"The producers have played up the role of Conda, an admitted villian," wrote John Moynihan. "Now it's just two hours of commercials interrupted by petty bickering among angry, unhappy fat people. Where are the moments when a player 'gets it'? What about the uplifting stories of people who are changing their lives? All of it is lost in the hatefulness. I say no thanks. I hope the show survives to see better days."

Harper, who has been with the show since it kicked off in 2004, agreed with the viewer assessments. "It's nasty and it's tough," he told Radar of the current season.

But even with all the baddies ruining the game, the trainer admitted that he does like some of the players. "Emily, Cassandra, Chism, I love them, they're really fantastic," he told Radar. Harper also said he likes Buddy, but "the rest of them, they're nasty!"

Do you think one of the bullies will manage to win the show? If so, who? Share your prediction on our Facebook page.

Related content: 

• Recap: Revenge is a disih best not served at all on 'Loser'
• Conda has 'Loser' fans and former players fuming
• Move over, Conda! Make way for the worst reality TV players
• More on 'Biggest Loser' in The Clicker

Daniel von Bargen, a character actor who played Mr. Kruger on "Seinfeld," is in critical condition after shooting himself in the head, according to a report on TMZ.

The website has posted audio of a 911 call von Bargen made from his Ohio home Monday morning. During the call, he tells a dispatcher: "I was supposed to go to the hospital and I didn't want to. They were supposed to amputate at least a few toes."

Von Bargen, 61, says in the call that he shot himself in the temple with a .38 Colt and that he can't open his eyes. He tells the operator that he has already had one leg amputated and was "tired," referring to the procedure slated for his other leg.

The call ends with police entering von Bargen's apartment and they can be heard telling him to not move his hands and asking whether he has any other guns around.

Von Bargen's film credits include "Super Troopers," "Basic Instinct," and "O Brother, Where Art Thou" among others. Watch a YouTube video of his work on "Seinfeld."

Check back with msnbc.com for updates on this story.

Britney Spears arrives at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Britney Spears wants to join the judges' panel on "X Factor," a source close to the pop star, 30, tells Us Weekly.

PHOTOS: How Brit and fiance Jason Trawick fell in love

With a keen interest in joining Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid at the judges' table for the FOX smash, the recently engaged "Till the World Ends" singer has reached out; a show rep didn't return calls to Us.

PHOTOS: Britney's bikini body

The show recently fired judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger plus host Steve Jones. Another pop icon now in talks to be a judge? Janet Jackson, multiple sources confirmed to Us last week. In addition, Black Eyed Peas' Fergie is also in the running for the show, the source added on Wednesday.

PHOTOS: Britney's life so far

Do you think Britney would make a good "X Factor" judge? Tell us what you think on Facebook.

Related content:

• Simon was considering Whitney Houston for 'X Factor'
• Nicole Scherzinger on 'X Factor' exit

The mothers of "Teen Mom 2" reconvene to update viewers.

Jenelle, Leah, Kailyn and Chelsea: The doctor is ready to see you now!

The "Teen Mom 2" stars reunited tonight in the first part of the MTV reality show's obligatory "checkup" with Dr. Drew Pinsky, to discuss where they are at "this moment" in their lives.

Never mind that "this moment" occurred last summer (when this reunion show was taped) -- eons in "Teen Mom" time -- when Leah was blond and not engaged to someone else and Jenelle was facing jail for the very first time.

It may be ancient history, but tonight's show had plenty of surprises ... and brand-new drama.

LAST WEEK'S RECAP: "Teen Mom 2" finale recap: Jenelle rehabs, Leah divorces, Kailyn gets dumped and Chelsea ... sigh

First on the couch was Jenelle, who has made great strides since her return from rehab in the season finale: She's back together with bum boyfriend Kieffer Delp, she relapsed and failed a drug test, and is facing jail time. Dr. Drew failed to see the positive and totally harshed on the young mom: "You're on probation, you're smoking pot, you're hanging out with a guy you filed domestic violence charges against. Tell me where you're better."

Well, when he puts it that way....

On the bright side, Jenelle has a "set schedule," has been attending school and isn't arguing (as much) with her mom, Barbara -- who is invited for another round of family therapy, MTV style.

MORE: Would "Teen Mom's" Amber Portwood prefer jail to a halfway house if it meant staying on TV?

Barbara agreed that she and her daughter are "doing a lot better" -- especially since Jenelle's stepfather "is gone": "He moved out with a Hooters waitress!" Barbara cackled, much to the good doctor's consternation.

When asked how she felt about Jenelle's relationship with Kieffer, Barbara perfectly summed up Florida's famous hobo : "He's so no good."

Drew prompted the women to name the things they like about each other (this time Barbara got all the way to three), which ended with a collective "Awww" from the studio audience when Jenelle said Barbara is a "good mom." And they hugged.

Awww.

MORE: "Teen Mom 2's" Jenelle Evans ducks jail after passing drug tests

If there's one thing we learned from Kailyn's session with Dr. Drew, it's this: Chlamydia can be very confusing.

Joining the Teen Mom on the couch were the two men forming the hypotenuse of her love triangle, baby daddy-rap superstar Jo and ex-boyfriend Jordan -- whom she cheated on with the aforementioned baby daddy. "Honestly I've treated him pretty bad," Kailyn admitted tearfully about her one-night stand with Jo.

Back up -- now Jo is hinting it was more than once.

Maybe, admits Kailyn, but she insists she only "cheated on Jordan once."

Jo, looking fine in a pair of short pants that Angus Young would envy, says he doesn't want to "try to force a relationship" with Kailyn, who -- now that Jo has shut her down -- says she wants to be with Jordan.

MORE: "Teen Mom's" Jenelle Evans: Restraining orders against her dismissed

"You don't know how hard it is to be a Teen Mom (TM)," she cries, as if defending a brand identity. "It hurts me that I'm hurting you." And then she demands, "It should be a mutual agreement if we break up."

Except Jordan points out that they can't break up, because they are not a couple, and Kailyn dramatically storms off the stage.

Thank the reality TV gods she came back, because the triangle reformed and the topic quickly turned to ... STDs! Dr. Drew lit up like a Christmas tree at this Life Lesson opportunity.

MORE: "Teen Mom's" Amber Portwood headed to halfway house drug program

You see, Kailyn's IUD is great at preventing pregnancy. Chlamydia, not so much, even -- and here's the most important lesson of all, kids -- if you're having sex in the shower.

After Jordan and Kailyn revealed they'd both been tested and treated, realization finally dawned on Jo, who asked: "Wait, did you just blame me for giving you STDs?" Ding ding ding -- we have a winner! "How do I know you're not having sex with someone else?" he responded. Fair enough, but for the sake of N.I.C.K. B's "groupies," we wish he'd get tested and treated.

Dr. Drew is right: Chlamydia can be very confusing.

PHOTOS: Reality TV hookups

Next week, Leah and Chelsea take their seats on the couch, and reveal even more shocking secrets. (Chelsea cheated on Adam? That poor, sweet man -- how could she do such a thing.)

What did you think of the bombshells Kailyn and Jenelle dropped tonight? Is Kailyn being unfair to Jordan, or just honest? Did Jenelle's slip-ups surprise you? Tell us on our Facebook page.

Related content:

• Is 'Teen Mom' Amber eyeing prison to stay on TV?
• Is judge banning Amber Portwood from 'Teen Mom'?
• Did Portwood scam her home state for cheap housing?
• 'Teen Mom' Leah allegedly 'jumped' by 3 women
• More on 'Teen Mom' and 'Teen Mom 2' in The Clicker

Whatever will we do now that the second season of "Downton Abbey" has ended? Yes, patience befits young ladies and gentlemen, but waiting for Season 3 is so dreary -- and our character-inspired paper dolls (courtesy New York Magazine's Vulture blog) can only entertain for so long. Fortunately, Catsterpiece Theater has come to the rescue with "Downton Tabby."

(Note: Some adult language and humor.)

In this heartfelt tribute, Lady Mary -- er, Lady Tabby -- is refined, well-dressed and enigmatic, though she insists (via captioning) that "i iz no lady." (Her suitor disagrees, even as he has a hard time keeping hold of her.) And she utterly breaks with tradition once there's a catnip sale announced.

Nine lives are never easy for a genteel kitty cat in a red dress.

What do you think of "Downton Tabby"? Should they make more episodes? Tell us on our Facebook page.

Related content:

• What to watch now that 'Downton Abbey' is over
• What will you miss most about 'Downton Abbey'?
• Which 'Downton Abbey' kiss topped the others?
• 'Downton Abbey's' O'Brien is a hottie!
• 'Downton Abbey's' popularity continues to soar
• More 'Downton Abbey' in The Clicker

Contestants learn their fate in front of the judges at the Cirque du Soleil's Viva ELVIS Theatre in Las Vegas.

You have to give "American Idol" credit for latching onto the zombie craze. The six weeks of audition episodes are the reality show's approximation of the walking undead.

From the "Idol" season premiere on Jan. 18 to the first live performances next week, the 24 semifinalists will have been through the initial screening, live performances before the judges in their audition cities, a Hollywood solo, a Hollywood group performance, another Hollywood solo, a Las Vegas group performance, and one final solo performance this week. After each round, the majority of singers move on while the smaller group of eliminated contestants do the sad and angry mumbling trudge back to their hometowns, like so many people looking for judges' brains to chomp down on in their rage.

To call this a long, slow slog to the audience participation portion of the season is an insult to long, slow slogs.

Of course, there is a method behind the badness. The benefit of how “Idol” sets things up is that it emphasizes the discovery process. You, the viewer, get the impression that you're seeing the strengths and weaknesses of each singer for the first time along with the judges, and there is some enjoyment in watching them go through the process.

It’s not like “The Voice,” where the culling of talent is largely done before the season premiere. We're finding a Carrie Underwood from small-town Oklahoma, not choosing a favorite from a bunch of people who are obviously very good by virtue of making the initial cuts but simply haven’t gotten that big break yet.

That part of the show is smart. Almost as long as Hollywood has been around, since Lana Turner was legendarily discovered sitting on a stool at a drugstore counter and went on to movie stardom, we've loved the notion that there is untapped talent out there just waiting to be unearthed. That's what "Idol" sells.

But why does it have to take so long?

Also unlike “The Voice,” “Idol’s” initial audition episodes are boring (except for the annual psychological study that is the Hollywood group round). The judges' chairs turning around on "The Voice" help the NBC competition's early episodes drive interest in the show. "Idol" has no such luxury -- in fact, there's little incentive to watch the first few weeks. The stakes are lower because each singer who advances through the initial cuts has so many more hurdles to clear before the live shows, and plenty of people who seem like great stories in San Diego become quiet eliminations in Hollywood.

For every diamond in the rough, there are a lot of shiny but less valuable stones that have to get tossed aside. That makes sense. But can’t this take place any faster? Four performances before the judges isn’t enough to make a decision ... they really need that fifth?

If "Idol" were a diamond mine, it would go out of business because of the amount of time it spends carefully examining stones that can’t be sold. Let’s reduce the hurdles to the live performances, and let the best of the best sing to us for their survival already.

Do you think the show takes too long to get to the live episodes? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

Related content:

• Cowell wants 'X Factor' vs. 'Idol' vs. 'The Voice' showdown
• It's (a ratings) war between 'Idol' and 'The Voice'
• 'Idol' fans express shock, producer jokes about teen's fall
• More on 'American Idol' in The Clicker

Kevin Lynch / GSN

"Dancing With the Stars" pro Derek Hough has some harsh words for "Dance Moms."

When it comes to the on-stage and off-stage drama on Lifetime’s reality TV hit “Dance Moms,” vocal viewers tend to fall into one of two camps. There are those who think instructor Abby Lee Miller is a tough-but-effective leader for the little ladies on the show, and then there are those who find her methods over-the-top and dangerous.

As a series of Tuesday night tweets revealed, “Dancing With the Stars” pro Derek Hough falls firmly in the latter camp.

“I'm sorry but this Dance mom show is straight up abusive,” the three-time “Dancing” champ wrote. “Kids Run!!!!!!! It ain't right. Child abuse isn't right. I'm livid right now.”

Hough knows a thing or two about how talented, young hoofer hopefuls should train. Not only were his parents and grandparents dancers, too, but both he and his younger sister Julianne moved to London as children to train under fellow “Dancing” pro and ballroom vet Corky Ballas and his then-wife Shirley.

“There’s a difference between being strict and being abusive,” he went on to write. “I believe in discipline and a strong work ethic. But there is nothing productive about screaming and making little girls cry over being on the wrong foot.”

When Miller visited TODAY last year, she defended her sometimes scream-filled approach.

“All children learn differently,” she said. “Some children you can speak calmly and nicely to. ‘You need to open up your hip and press your knee back. Turn out on your passe.’ I can speak to them that way. Other children you have to yell at ‘til you’re blue in the face.”

For more from Hough and his fellow pros, watch the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars” starting March 19 on ABC. To get a look at “Dance Moms” and judge the show for yourself, tune in to Lifetime Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

“Dance Moms” viewers, what do you think? Does Hough have a point, or do you think Miller’s methods are appropriate? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Related content:

• Katherine Heigl slams 'Dance Moms' for being 'demeaning'
• 'Dance Moms' defend their methods
• Super Bowl champ Victor Cruz was invited to go ‘Dancing With The Stars’
• 'Dancing With the Stars' pro Derek: 'I cried at home every night'

Chism, Jeremy, Cassandra, Emily, Megan, Christine and Daphne faced a table packed with their biggest temptations.

The last few weeks have been drama-packed on "The Biggest Loser," and if anyone thought that trend would be over now that Conda and co. booted both Adrian and Roy out of the game, they were mistaken.

Instead, things got off to desperate start Tuesday night as the players gathered for a temptation challenge – a particularly tempting one. Faced with plate after plate of all of their favorite foods, the contestants had the option to eat their way to power. The one to consume the most calories could switch the game around, deciding which members made up each team and who would train them. And they could do so anonymously.

The first to eat was Mark, who downed a couple of plates of venison worth 312 calories. (Yes, someone's favorite food was venison. It seems Kimmy loves to eat deer. Good thing, too, as she confessed in a frightening aside that she's mowed down 12 of them in her car! Bambi, beware.)

Chris, Kim and Cassandra also chowed down, enjoying pizza and peanut butter cups to varying degrees, but really their calorie totals didn't matter. And neither did Mark's. That's because Daphne, the one person in the game who could really benefit from a shakeup, ate nine plates of peanut butter cups -- that's 1890 calories' worth. Needless to say, she won.

But she didn't share that news with the rest of the game. Instead, Alison Sweeney announced that someone won, and then announced the changes, which were, to say the least, ineffective and underwhelming.

Rather than put power players together on one team, such as Conda, Jeremy, Chism and Mark, where they would eventually have to break down their alliance and pick each other off, Daphne only chose to swap Conda and Jeremy's places on the red and black teams. In other words, while Daphne annoyed them, the balance of power stayed the same. And while she technically remained anonymous, everyone knew she was responsible for the switcheroo.  

Slideshow: 'Biggest Loser' season 13

Chris Haston / NBC

Launch slideshow

So tensions remained as high as they ever had, and the target on Daphne's back only grew. Eventually, after trainer Bob Harper pushed her to do it, Daphne admitted that she was the mastermind behind the bad move. But that, too, didn't make a difference. Daphne was the odd player out without her brother, and the fix was in.

"I think they're trying to purposely sabotage this weigh-in," she noticed. "They have been eating bread all week long. Every time I turn around, I'm seeing somebody put bread in their mouth."

Which meant the only chance she had to stay in the game was to earn immunity by dropping the most pounds – a particularly daunting task after dropping 12 pounds last week and binging on peanut butter cups this week. Ultimately, it was a task she wasn't up for.

After the red team sailed through an easy weigh-in, Team Black, with the exception of Chris, put up one bad number after another. Heck, Conda even gained a pound, and Daphne gained two. But if fussing and fighting shed pounds, they would have all had a banner week, because the scale-side showdown was over-the-top with smack talk and finger pointing.

In the elimination room, doomed Daphne admitted that her decision to swap Conda and Jeremy wasn't gameplay. It was personal and in-part, an effort to get revenge for the way her brother Adrian was treated in weeks past.

Rather than just let that parting statement go, Conda chimed in.

"I would just like to say that I don't hold on to grudges," she said in a statement sure to make viewers roll their eyes as much as Conda usually rolls her own. "I don't seek revenge on people. I'm a role model and example to my daughter."

Ooh, boy. After a bit more bickering, Daphne said goodbye to the ranch and hello to a chance to leave the drama behind and lose weight back home with her family.

What did you think of the drama-packed episode? Was the black team wrong to throw the weigh-in, or did they just speed up the inevitable by getting rid of Daphne now? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Related content:

• 'Biggest Loser's' Santa wants to turn his loss into win for kids
• Is Jessica Simpson joining 'Biggest Loser'?
• Daphne faces off against Conda in a 'Biggest Loser' showdown
• Conda has 'Biggest Loser' fans and former players fuming
• More 'Biggest Loser' in The Clicker

Madison County Sheriff Dept.

Maybe being on television is the real drug in this case.

Amber Portwood, who is supposed to be released from jail into the care of a halfway house this week after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance, has considered changing her plea so that she can continue shooting "Teen Mom" as much as possible, sources exclusively tell E! News.

It's not as if she wants to be in jail for five years, of course. Portwood's attorney says that it's "not true" that his client would prefer to change her plea and do jail time.

But it is true that the drug court that's allowing Portwood to rehabilitate at the halfway house has ordered the facility not to allow a camera crew inside, and we hear that's got the single mom on edge.

Per the drug court's terms, Portwood must spend eight months rehabbing at Sister 2 Sister Ministries in Anderson, Ind., and, once she moves out, get a real full-time job--i.e. one that doesn't involve reality-show cameras. The judge has warned her that if she violates her strict probation in any way, she'll be locked up -- and she's facing a maximum of five years in prison on the felony drug-possession charge.

The third season of "Teen Mom" is scheduled to premiere April 3. Portwood hasn't been filmed for the show since around Thanksgiving time. She has been in custody since before Christmas.

Portwood said in court last week that she had been under the impression that she would be allowed to live with her grandparents -- i.e., tape her show -- while fulfilling the terms of her sentence (counseling, regular check-ins with the court, etc.), so being ordered to a halfway house caught her by surprise.

More from E: 'Teen Mom 2' Finale Recap

A source close to her confirms that the court has been in touch with MTV about what is expected of Portwood over the next year and that the network is being cooperative -- which, according to the insider, is freaking Portwood out because the show has been her sole source of income and most of her savings have gone to legal fees.

Amber decided Saturday that she would rather "do her time now and get it out of the way," the source said. The halfway house is "not the right place for her. She'd have a 10 p.m. curfew and would never see Leah because she wouldn't want to bring Leah around that place."

Baby daddy Gary Shirley currently has primary custody of the child.

More from E: Celebrity Apprentice Recap: Five Season Premiere Shockers

"The system doesn't want Amber to succeed," the source said. "She needs to stay in the entertainment industry. There are no jobs in Anderson. She needs to finish her schooling. She can't do all of that with a $7-an-hour job."

By agreeing to the drug court program, Portwood had her case effectively removed from Madison County Circuit Court.

A court clerk confirmed to E! News last week that Portwood was sentenced to at least 18 months -- and a maximum of three years -- in the program and would have to appear at a drug court hearing every week. The Circuit Court would not have to see her again unless "she messes up again," the clerk said.

-- Additional reporting by Baker Machado and Claudia Rosenbaum

Gallery from E: Teen Mom Amber's Family Album

Do you think the halfway house or prison would be better for Amber? Tell us on our Facebook page.

Related content:

• Is judge banning Amber Portwood from 'Teen Mom'?
• Did Portwood scam her home state for cheap housing?
• 'Teen Mom' Leah allegedly 'jumped' by 3 women
• More on 'Teen Mom' and 'Teen Mom 2' in The Clicker