AI notes and information from MJ's Big Blog

[sonyab1974]

Mandisa, Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh Perform on the Dove Awards - VIDEO

The Dove Awards, for Christian music artists took place Wednesday night. Phil Stacey, Mandisa and Chris Sligh performed a tribute to Michael W. Smith. Jordin, who toured with him as a back-up singer was also supposed to perform, but she had to cancel due to her vocal cord problems.
==================================
Watch the video! Cool! My three favorite people!  

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 4/25/08

‘Idol’ ratings dip exposes feet of clay

It had to happen sometime: American Idol is showing signs of mortality in its seventh season.

Ratings for TV’s top show are down 7% to an average 29 million viewers for regular episodes and down 10% among adults ages 18 to 49, the main currency on Madison Avenue.

That marks Idol’s first significant year-to-year decline, and it echoes similar falloffs for some other long-running reality series: CBS’ Survivor is down 10%.

Fox isn’t panicking. For the season to date, Idol still towers over the competition and remains bigger than it was in 2005. Because of it, the network will win its first season among total viewers, and its fourth among young adults.

But the show has been on a steady ratings slide in recent weeks. It lost 6 million viewers from the first top-12 episode March 11 to last week’s low 23.7 million, which marked its weakest Tuesday since 2004.

USA Today

On the Scene: America Loses Its Mind And Votes Carly Off ‘Idol’

I’ve been stalling, PopWatchers. This is not a blog post I want to write. You already know the results, of course: On tonight’s episode of America’s Embarrassing Lapses In Judgment American Idol, Carly Smithson was sent packing, despite a rendition of “Jesus Christ Superstar” that Jesus himself would have been hard-pressed to top. And if you’ve followed my occasional recaps of the in-person Idol experience, you know that Carly was head-and-tattooed-shoulders my favorite contestant this year, if not ever. So it was not a good day for me. And what I’d really like to do is slap down 5000 or so words explaining what I perceive as a buttery national malaise involving fear of anything passionate or unique and expanding on my now-confirmed suspicion that the reason the music business is dying has less to do with the Internet and more to do with a lack of intellectual curiosity combined with an generational sound palate deadened by an endless stream of mediocrity masquerading as the “next big thing.” But instead, I think I’ll just write up the notes I took from my seat in Section D of CBS Television City tonight, watch The Daily Show, and go to bed. After all, tomorrow I head to Coachella, and there will be real music there.

Entertainment Weekly

American Idol: I haven’t been having fun

What can we conclude from Carly and Syesha’s placement in the Bottom Two this week, along with Carly’s surprise elimination? Quite possibly that American Idol — either the viewing audience, the producers, or both — has grown tired of the big-voiced diva that has been the show’s stock in trade since the beginning, the kind of singer who patterns herself after Whitney, Celine, and Mariah. Ironically enough, Simon’s X Factor discovery Leona Lewis — as clear an early Mariah clone as there ever was — was given her inevitable showcase spot on this week’s results show but Lewis’ reserved ease only points out just how twitchily desperate Carly has been throughout the show. That was her Achilles Heel, as she could always sing — maybe her mainstream taste was at odds with her tattooed image, but she could always sing — but she seemed so determined to seize her second chance at the big time that she never let us forget it, even interpreting “Blackbird” as an ode to artists’ rights. When Carly didn’t try so hard she was far more likable, and even after her rejection materialized at the end of the show, a cloud seemed to lift and she seemed at ease, making it hard not to wonder whether the season would have turned out differently if she had been that relaxed throughout the season. But that’s all “might have been” conjecture — maybe now she’ll get another crack at another record and finally live up to all this potential that she’s been showing for so many years now.

allmusic.com

Smithson’s exit proves ‘American Idol’ isn’t just about talent By Carmen Rasmusen

I think by now we’ve established that “American Idol” is NOT just a singing competition. It’s also a popularity contest.

It’s rather like running for student-body officer in high school. You have to have a lot of friends vote for you. In this case, it’s a lot of fans.

This week, I think it’s safe to say a lot of “American Idol” viewers were shocked to see a talented singer like Carly Smithson leave the top six — especially after she brought down the house on Tuesday singing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“It was one of my favorite performances of the night,” judge Simon Cowell said. But, shockingly, the viewing audience didn’t agree — or simply didn’t express their enthusiasm in votes. Cowell even apologized for giving Smithson the “kiss of death” by complimenting her.

Perhaps that’s why he’s been so cold the past few weeks?

Deseret News

American Idol: Irish eyes aren’t smiling

Erin: Color me shocked. The talented Carly leaves us and I’m sad, but not devastated like when Michael left. All and all, she took the news like a champ and I’m looking forward to her Apple.com release of power ballads due out in about two years.

Kathy: I can normally gauge the outrage level of America by the number of emails I get from friends and family at 10:01 p.m. on Wednesday night. (Unfortunately I sometimes don’t watch til later so some of those loved ones are ruining the show for me but, oh well.) Anyway, last night several in my circle were quite upset so I’m predicting Amercia at large isn’t going to be happy with this decision. My mom says she’s never watching again. Oh Mom, I’ve said that before. But just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in.

Variety

Paula’s ‘Idol’ Commentary

Were riding along with PAULA ABDUL to find out what she thinks of Irish lass CARLY SMITHSON’s early departure from “American Idol” tonight. And what did she make of the fact that that both of this week’s bottom two, Carly and SYESHA MERCADO, got rave reviews last night, while BROOKE WHITE and JASON CASTRO made it unto the top four vote-getters despite being panned by the judges. Find out by watching our brand-new vid!

Newsforjax

The girl who called Cowell a ‘butt’

Kristy Lee Cook goes down in “American Idol” history as the only finalist to have called Simon Cowell “a butt” on national television.

“He has certain remarks that are not very nice [and] over time, these build up,” said last week’s “Idol” casualty during an exclusive phone interview hosted by Star World.

Her choice of words, explained Cook, “was, like, telling him [that] he can be a little butt sometimes, a goofy little brat… I figured I’d just say ‘butt.’”

inquirer.net

What Would You Do If I Sang Out of Tune?

“Stop! In the Name of Love” is a golden oldie, a classic song by the Supremes that skyrocketed to the charts in 1965 and is still adored by fans today, whether they can carry a tune or not. Idol Wannabe

Would you be embarrassed if you were singing the song badly in public? Not if you were an an actress hired by ABC News to purposely sing poorly for a hidden camera experiment.

If our actress, Ambre, was a contestant on “American Idol,” Simon Cowell wouldn’t mince words. But will ordinary people be equally honest? We decided to find out.

ABC News

Clay Aiken Defends His Busy Schedule

Work is keeping Clay Aiken busy – as he pointed out to a reporter in Washington, D.C., who asked him if he was doing enough as a member of the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

The second-season American Idol runner-up and current Broadway headliner, 29, blamed his busy schedule when a reporter from The Washington Post confronted him. “The last time I had two days off in a row was October,” said the crooner. “I was on tour throughout the country through Christmas, then I went straight to Mexico for UNICEF. [Then] I went straight to New York for Spamalot.”

People.com

Carrie Underwood says she’s been cheated on

LOS ANGELES - “American Idol” champ, and singer of infidelity anthem “Before He Cheats,” Carrie Underwood opened up to InStyle about her own experiences with a cheating man.

“I’ve been cheated on a time or two. It’s tough,” Underwood said in the May issue of the magazine. “I wouldn’t recommend doing any property damage, though,” she adds, referencing her Grammy-winning song about a woman who seeks revenge on a cheating boyfriend by trashing his truck.

MSNBC

Carrie Underwood’s Opry Induction Broadcast in LIVE National Telecast

As country music’s reigning ACM and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and recipient of numerous other awards, multi-platinum selling artist Carrie Underwood will receive one of the highest honors in the country music genre with a LIVE national telecast of her induction into the legendary Grand Ole Opry on May 10 (8 pm ET) when Great American Country (GAC), the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry, broadcasts the “Opry Live” celebration to its audience of more than 52 million.

CNN Money

Africa: Congressman Payne, First Lady Laura Bush Raise Awareness Global Malaria Epidemic

Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne, was joined by First Lady Laura Bush, at the official launch of the Congressional Malaria Caucus, which he will co-chair. Other participants in the event with Representative Payne, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, included caucus co-chair Congressman John Boozman (AR-3), Admiral Ziemer, Coordinator of the President’s Malaria Initiative, Ray Chambers, United Nations Special Envoy on Malaria, and American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle.

allafrica.com

‘American Idol’s’ Anwar Robinson coming to VBC

But the dreadlocked soul singer from New Jersey, who bowed out as the seventh finalist during season four of “American Idol,” hasn’t stopped entertaining crowds.

For the past six months, somewhere in America Robinson has been on stage singing about the struggles of living with AIDS in New York’s Lower East Side. Robinson is in the musical “Rent.”

He plays Tom Collins, a philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS.

al.com

DAUGHTRY MOVED TO MELBOURNE

Tuesday’s Daughtry concert, originally scheduled for Capt. Hiram’s Resort in Sebastian, has been moved to Melbourne’s King Center because of the high demand for tickets.

An additional 1,000 tickets went on sale Thursday morning and were gobbled up in no time. That brings the total for the 8 p.m. show to 1,998.

The Capt. Hiram’s date was an immediate sellout, says resort manager Timothy Michaud. Lots of folks weren’t able to get tickets.

“So we took it directly to Chris Daughtry himself,” Michaud says. “His big issue is his fans, and we’re very aware of that. He knew he was disappointing thousands of fans, so we started trying to work out a way to get more people in.”

tcpalm.com

“American Idol” slips further in ratings

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - “American Idol” posted its lowest rating among adults 18-49 in five years Wednesday, continuing its seasonlong slide as it edges towards its grand finale next month.

The Fox talent show drew 22.6 million total viewers, and an 8.2 rating, 21 share among adults 18-49, a demographic coveted by advertisers. Last Wednesday’s results show drew 23.3 million viewers.

Nevertheless, Fox easily won the night, also helped by the comedies “‘Til Death” and “Back to You,” which rebounded after taking a hit last week from ABC’s Democratic presidential debate. Overall, Fox averaged 14.7 million viewers

Reuters

A guide to this summer’s most anticipated film (with trailers)

“The House Bunny” — When a Playboy Bunny (Anna Faris) is kicked out of the Playboy mansion, she moves in with a local sorority and teaches the sisters what guys really want. Though the film is co-produced by Adam Sandler and features Katharine McPhee (”American Idol”), don’t expect too much.

recordonline.com

Webmaster’s advice for ‘Idol’: Let the bad in

Something’s wrong with “American Idol” this season, but that’s all right with Dave Della Terza.

The DuPage County resident and webmaster of votefortheworst.com — a site that encourages people to vote for the TV talent show’s least talented contestant — is somewhat pleased by the program’s lack of hoopla this year.

It’s too late this year, but Della Terza has some advice for the producers to salvage future seasons: Bring back the bad.

“People like the train wrecks,” he said. “They like awful performers, the scandal and other assorted drama. They went out of their way this year to try and legitimize the show, and in the end they kind of shot themselves in the foot with these boring people.”

DailyHerald

‘Idol’ finalist coming to Indiana Theatre

TERRE HAUTE — “American Idol” season 5 finalist and Nashville recording artist Bucky Covington will be joined by special guests Emily West and Katie Armiger at a June 20 concert in the Indiana Theatre at 683 Ohio St., according to a release Monday from country radio station WTHI HI-99.

After “American Idol,” Covington signed with Lyric Street Records and in January 2007, he released his debut single “A Different World.” His self-titled debut album came out on April 17, 2007, and it debuted at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, the release states. Covington had the best opening week for a male debut album since Billy Ray Cyrus back in 1992. His latest single, “It’s Good To Be Us,” is still climbing the charts and can be heard on HI-99, the release adds.

Tribstar.com

American Idol Season Six Finalist Phil Stacey’s Debut CD in Stores Next Tuesday, April 29th

American Idol Season 6 finalist Phil Stacey will release his self-titled debut CD on April 29th, 2008 on Lyric Street Records. Phil will kick off his CD release week with a live appearance on NBC-TV’s Today Show on Monday, April 28th. The Today Show is broadcast live on NBC-TV from 7-10 a.m. (ET) and on NBC affiliates nationwide from 7-10 a.m. in all other time zones.

On Tuesday, April 29th, the day his album releases, he will spend the day in the Big Apple doing numerous television and radio appearances via satellite interview tours. Later in the week, Phil will appear on Fox Business, and Good Day New York, and will do interviews with AOL Music and other entertainment outlets before flying to Florida on Thursday night for a weekend of tour dates.

Earthtimes

Feet of Clay? Not for Aiken, who’s proved to be a malleable singer, Broadway actor

The conversation starts with a subject that might be considered trivial, but is of great interest to Clay Aiken’s fans.

His hair.

You can see it on the cover of Aiken’s next CD, “On My Way Here,” and in his most recent publicity photos. The color catches the light and shimmers with golden highlights.

And why not? The singer’s geek-to-chic transformation was part of the reason he did so well on the 2003 season of “American Idol,” coming in a close second to Birmingham’s Ruben Studdard.

al.com

David Cook’s Pre-Idol Music Still for Sale

Despite being pulled from Amazon.com, American Idol contestant David Cook’s pre-Idol music is still for sale online.

After topping the Amazon.com mp3 charts, Cook’s CD, “Analog Heart,” was pulled from the website on Tuesday.

But, you can still find the Blue Springs, Missouri native’s CD on Fuzz.com. The site is selling individual songs from Cook’s album “Analog Heart” for $.99 or you can buy the whole album for $9.99. You can also buy CD’s from David Cook’s old band, Axium, for $9.99 and $5.99.

myfoxkc

‘Idol’ Song Choice Courts Controversy and Finds It; Singer Is Voted Off

Carly Smithson might be the first “American Idol” contestant to be voted off the show for blasphemy.

Online chat boards devoted to “American Idol” have been abuzz since Ms. Smithson performed the title song from “Jesus Christ Superstar” — the 1970 rock opera, which many Christians consider offensive — on Tuesday’s episode. Ms. Smithson received the fewest votes of the six remaining contestants following her Tuesday performance. Her elimination was announced on Wednesday night’s episode. The week’s performances were drawn from the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber, who wrote “Jesus Christ Superstar” with Tim Rice.

Since its debut, and particularly following the release of the 1973 film version, “Jesus Christ Superstar” has been railed against by some Christians for its portrayal of Jesus as confused and at times unwilling to accept his role, and because it hints that he had a sexual relationship with Mary Magdalene.

NY Times

Last Words: Fallen “American Idol” Carly Smithson bids Chipper Farewell

“Hiya!” exclaimed recently axed “American Idol” contestant Carly Smithson in a conference call with the media this morning. During her exit call, Carly was more chipper than any Idol who fell before her, and one sensed more than a little relief on her part to be out of the competition. “No more theme songs,” Carly noted gleefully, adding that she’s looking forward to focusing on her own material.

LA Times

Carly’s Most Memorable Idol Songs

Relive performances by the tattooed Irish singer

People

Related

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 4/26/08

Has ‘American Idol’ Lost Its Mojo?

Anne Charity hosts a weekly “Idol” party in her Williamsburg, Va., home.

“We’re a regular group of six,” said Charity, a linguistics professor. “We like [Idol contestant] David Cook, because he’s got that rock thing going on.”

Lachter, 29, and Charity, 32, are in the heart of a demographic that television executives and advertisers love to court. But these days, that sought-after group of Idol watchers is shrinking: It’s been widely reported that ratings for the Fox Network show are down this season, with a steeper decline among viewers age 18 to 49.

The show has also seen a drop in donations garnered by its “Idol Gives Back” event. Last year, Idol’s charity show raised $70 million within a week. This year, two weeks after this month’s “Idol Gives Back,” the total hit just $65 million.

The numbers are leading both “Idol” fans and foes to ask the same question: Is the seven-year ratings juggernaut on its way out?

The answer, according to critics and television industry watchers who spoke to ABC News, is a resounding “no.”

ABC News

JESUS CHRIST!

It’s OK to ask him to take the wheel but not necessarily vote-getting to shout his name in song in a way that suggests that you might be kind of pissed off at him. It’s a lesson Carly learns the hard way as the six are whittled to five…

The Advocate


The Top 5 Get Candid with American Idol.com

Sure, you’ve formed your opinions on which Idols sing their way into your hearts, but do you really know what makes them tick? americanidol.com had the opportunity to sit down with the Top 5 Idols and chat. Brooke White opens about her emotional journey, David Archuleta explains what his experience is like as the youngest Idol of the season, David Cook talks about his theory on the key to success, Jason Castro explains how he just tries to be himself, and Syesha Mercado gives us the scoop on what she really thinks of Simon!

Make sure to check out each interview below:

American Idol

Idol Controversies

Season 1

•Viewers question the phone voting system’s validity when the popular Tamyra Gray is voted off before Nikki McKibbin.

•Semi-finalist Delano Cagnolatti lied about his age after making the finals (he was 29, not 23 as claimed) and is disqualified

•After being voted off the show, finalist Jim Verraros claims that, while a contestant, producers told him to shut down his website, which revealed that he is gay.

kfoxtv

Seeking Closure with Carly Smithson

Letting go is hard to do. Thursday night, I talked with Carly Smithson by phone from the “Tonight Show” dressing room, hoping that she could put things in perspective. And indeed she did. The transcript of our conversation follows.

Q: How are you today?

C: I’m good. Thank you.

Q: So what has today been like for you?

C: Very strange. Just exhausting. It’s very strange coming off of the Idol bubble down to the ground and I guess going out to the real world and experiencing that.

LA Times

David Cook’s Pre-Idol Music Pulled from Another Site

KANSAS CITY, MO. — After being pulled from Amazon.com, American Idol contestant David Cook’s pre-Idol music has been pulled from yet another online music site.

After topping the Amazon.com mp3 charts, Cook’s CD, “Analog Heart,” was pulled from the Amazon website on Tuesday. FOXNews.com reported on Friday that the folks from American Idol pulled Cook’s CD.

MyFoxkc

Jason Castro’s Wacky Gift

Jason Castro was having a rough week, and the dreadheads knew it. The loyal fan club, whose website daydreamingboy.com includes downloadable Support Jason fliers, watched Jason get slaughtered for his rendition of “Memory” and then learned from their sources in the Castro camp that he was coping with a mix of exhaustion and fever chills to boot.

So what were the devoted fans to do when their Idol was suffering from a high temperature and low morale? Why, send presents, of course. “We’re always trying to think of things we can do to lift his spirits,” explained Christalle Baxter, known to her fellow dreadheads as “dreadhead No. 1201.”

Concerned that a gift of flowers could worsen Jason’s illness by aggravating his allergies, the dreadheads settled on balloons. Christalle set up a Paypal account, and it wasn’t long before the donations poured in.

Castro_gallery_190_2 In the end, the dreadheads collected $450 and ordered seven bouquets of balloons from Planet Florist in Westwood. According to Paul Psai, a designer at the florist, it took three cars to transport all the balloons. “It was the biggest order that we ever had.

LA Times

American Idol Hopeful David Archuleta Speaks Out on Dad, Crushes

Forget David vs. Goliath - the real competition on American Idol these days is David Cook vs. David Archuleta. The two Davids are the far and away favorites to win the competition and many believe that the rest of the weeks winding down to the finals are nothing more than a formality. Most pundits believe Jason Castro and the two ladies, Syesha Mercado and Brooke White will all drop off the show one by one for the David vs. David finals.

In Touch Weekly has an interview this week where they were able to pin down David Archuleta and ask him some questions about everything from rooming with his dad while on Idol, and all of the screaming tweens that love the 17-year old singer.

National Ledger

Oh Lordy: Did Carly Smithson get Voted off for Blasphemy?

File this under “probably not surprising, but still kind of a bummer”: There are rumblings on the American Idol boards that Carly Smithson was eliminated this week because she angered the Bible Belt by singing “Superstar” from Jesus Christ Superstar, given that the song is sung by Judas and the play itself, as Tim Rice said in its program, has as its central idea “Christ seen through the eyes of Judas, with Christ as a man, not as a god.” (Wait, doesn’t this mean they should also be peevish with Andrew Lloyd Webber, who wrote the damn thing and who told Carly to switch up her song choice from something more ballady and Celine-like?) Given that Kristy Lee Cook pretty much saved her bland, off-key ass for multiple weeks thanks to goodwill from her performance of “God Bless The USA,” this theory is kinda plausible, and this americanidol.com post by FightinIRISHIowan would further bear it out:

Idolator

Clay Aiken says sexuality no concern to most

LOS ANGELES - Clay Aiken has no interest in taking his love life public.

During a promotional appearance for his upcoming album, “On My Way Here,” and his Broadway show “Spamalot,” the “American Idol” Season 2 runner-up told “The Billy Bush Show” it’s only the media who cares whether he is gay or straight.

“I think for the most part, I really think that people don’t care, honestly,” Clay told Billy Bush. “I think that the press … people like that care more than anybody else does.”

“I think for the most part, people don’t want to have that type of stuff pushed, people who are living in Omaha or in Charlotte or wherever,” he said. “They don’t want stuff like that pushed in their face, I don’t think that’s necessary and that’s also not what I’m here for. I mean I went on ‘Idol’ to be a singer, I went on ‘Idol’ to be an entertainer and that’s what my priority is.”

MSNBC

Welcome to Billy’s Bistro

Clay Aiken
Thursday, Apr 24, 2008
Billy talks with Clay Aiken about his new recordings, how life has been since “American Idol”. Billy plays “One My Way Here” from the new record.

Billy Bush Show

Carrie Underwood Breaks Down During Atlanta Show

Carrie Underwood had an emotional moment during her concert with Keith Urban at The Arena At Gwinnett Center outside of Atlanta on Thursday.

During a performance of “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” from her album Some Hearts, the country chanteuse broke down into tears in the middle of the song’s second chorus. According to an audience member, the singer cried through several lines of the song – then attempted to tackle the chorus but broke down again.

According to a rep for Underwood, the emotional song was inspired by the singer’s mother – and leaving home. In it, she sings: “Hey Momma … tell Me-maw that I miss her/ Yeah, I should give her a call/ And make sure you tell Daddy that I’m still his little girl.”

People

Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill at CMA fest

Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis, Trace Adkins, Kenny Rogers, Montgomery Genrtry and Billy Ray Cyrus are some of the country musicians scheduled to perform at Nightly Concerts on the Vault Concert Stages at LP Field in downtown Nashville, TN during the 2008 CMA Music Festival from June 5-8. Additional artists will be announced soon; surprise guests have also become a hallmark of the festival

Tickets go on sale this weekend for the individual shows of the 37th annual festival and cost $40 for reserved seats on the lower and club levels and $30 for general admission (plus applicable handling fees) in the upper deck of LP Field. Traditionally limited to attendees with four-day ticket packages, individual daily tickets will be available for the first time to the truTV Fan Fair Hall in the Nashville Convention Center on June 7-8. Tickets cost $20 per day, plus applicable handling fees.

Ticketnews.com

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood Sizzle as Tour Winds Down

A reality talent show winner from a small town in Oklahoma and a once-struggling musician from down under joined forces in January to embark on a co-headlining tour. One sold-out show after another led Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban to the Atlanta area on Thursday night (April 24) to begin the last weekend of their Love Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride tour.

The tour continues Friday for a second night at Duluth’s Gwinnett Center before closing Saturday in Lexington, Ky.

Kicking off Thursday’s show with a countdown on the screen followed by quick images of the “All-American Girl,” Underwood emerged onstage dressed in head-to-toe black, complete with knee-high boots. Greeting the already-standing crowd, she immediately cranked out a couple of album cuts and her big hit, “Wasted.”

CMT.com

Underwood’s Body Issues

Country star Carrie Underwood is so paranoid about gaining weight, she keeps a strict food diary in a bid to keep herself slim.

The singer admits that her obsession borders on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Underwood often thinks of herself as ugly and refuses to leave the house without makeup. And she admits to following strict guidelines when it comes to her diet to make her feel better about herself.

Sfgate

Jon Peter Lewis after American Idol

It definitely has been a slow week for me with red carpet events. I did the Asian Excellence Awards last Wednesday so I’m sorting through those pics to see what I can post for you to view.

As part of Nielsen Entertainment News Wire, I work in the same office as my sister publication Billboard Magazine and Radio & Record. Every so often we have special musical guests perform for us. Yesterday was a real treat as Jon Peter Lewis from “American Idol’s” Season Three came by to perform his new single and a few songs from his new album. Along with Jon was his bassist Austin Nicholsen to give us a sampling of what’s to come from Mr. Lewis.

Seattlepi

Ex-’Idol’ Phil Stacey not country enough

“PHIL STACEY” BY PHIL STACEY. Speaking of “American Idol,” there sure are a lot of … how should I say this gently? A lot of LOSERS who have gone on to successful music careers in spite of getting kicked off the “Idol” stage.

Another ex-“American Idol” wannabe hitting the shelves is Phil Stacey. Yep, Phil Stacey. Remember him from season six? I don’t, either, and Stacey’s new self-titled CD is every bit as forgettable as his few weeks of glory on the show.

I hope that doesn’t sound mean on my part, but I’m just being honest here.

Times Record News

Idol’s Phil Stacey Set for Debut

American Idol’s Phil Stacey is going to be very busy getting ready for his Country Music album’s debut. The Season 6 finalist is releasing his self-titled debut album on Tuesday, April 29th.
To promote his first CD, the Country Music star will be appearing on NBC’s Today Show the day before for a live performance. After that, Phil will be doing various TV and radio interviews and promotions, including Fox Business and Good Day New York.

Country Hound

Stewart still searching for Talladega win

Sunday’s race will mark Earnhardt’s 300th Sprint Cup Series start. Talladega has been his most successful track on the circuit, with five of his 17 wins coming here. He won consecutive races here from October 2001 to April 2003.

American Idol Taylor Hicks, the American Idol season five winner, will sing the National Anthem on Sunday.

Toby Lightman will perform a three-song set on the pre-race stage before the race.

Tuscaloosa News

President Bush visits Connecticut events in Hartford, Kent

HARTFORD (AP) — President Bush brought an “American Idol” finalist to a Hartford youth organization Friday to talk about malaria awareness.

Later, he planned to attend a GOP fundraiser in Kent.

Bush arrived Friday morning to visit the Northwest Boys and Girls Club in Hartford, where he discussed Malaria Awareness Day. He was joined by “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle, who has done work for the cause.

“A great issue to advance is saving people’s lives and that’s what we’re celebrating today,” he said.

He was greeted at Bradley International Airport by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Kevin Eberly Jr., a 17-year-old student at Wooster School in Danbury, and Joe Lapenta, who has spent 68 years working with the Boys & Girls Club in Hartford.

The Stamford Times

Paula Abdul talks about making it in Hollywood

Paula Abdul has talked about her Laker Girl days to surviving a plane crash in the latest Extra interview.

In “Extra’s” brand new interview with Paula Abdul airing today, the American Idol judge opened up about overcoming all odds including a near fatal plane crash, countless failed dance auditions and finally making it big in Hollywood.

“I am the quintessential role model for never giving up,” she declared.

Monsters and Critics

Singer hoping to prove Cowell wrong

SHE certainly has the wow factor – but it seems TV hopeful Jodie Prenger didn’t have the X Factor.
The Blackpool star of BBC’s I’d Do Anything has revealed she was turned down for Simon Cowell’s rival reality show because of her weight.

While Jodie, 28, currently cuts a curvaceous size 14 the Blackpool lass once topped 18 stone and was a size 24 when she faced the acerbic music guru.

“Basically they liked me, but Simon said I was too big,” said Jodie who believes she missed out in numerous auditions in the past because of the way she looked.

“I knew it was my weight, I didn’t look like a pop star.”

Blackpool Gazette

Britain’s Got Talent: The escapologist who can’t escape, a Bhangra Michael Jackson and, yup, more cute kids

It’s week three of Simon Cowell’s and his fellow judges quest to find Britain’s brightest act and the judges visit the home of variety and end of pier acts, Blackpool, for the first time ever.

Judge Cowell said: “I’m excited, Blackpool is our version of Las Vegas, it has to be brilliant.”

For George Sampson, 14, it’s second time lucky. Last year the 14-year-old from Warrington wowed the Judges with his unique street-dancing, but just missed out on a place in the semi-finals.

Daily Mail

4/26: Phil Stacey interview, ratings, Carly Smithson fallout

I’m in D.C. this weekend visiting friends so this will probably have to tide you over until Monday.

Phil Stacey, the Navy family man and “Idol” finalist last year, always struck me as an aw-shucks nice guy without a terribly distinctive persona despite his bald head and decent vocal prowess. But he did have a real passion for country music while on the show.

Access Atlanta

ET Talks to Carly Smithson About her ‘Idol’ Exit

On Tuesday night, CARLY SMITHSON sang “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the behest of this week’s “American Idol” mentor ANDREW LLOYD WEBER. She had originally planned to sing “All I Ask of You,” but the legendary Broadway composer convinced her that with her powerful voice, she needed to do the bigger song. It turned out to be her swan song, but Carly tells ET she has no regrets.

“My greatest experience was to be able to sing to so many people every week — and getting to work with such a great crew and the band was amazing,” Carly tells ET. “It is such a great platform to launch your career. Everything about it was amazing.”

ET Online

Kristy Lee Cook discusses her ‘Idol’ strategy

She refused to be pigeonholed as this season’s Haley Scarnato, and instead fought back with smart song choices and sly stage antics. Now, Kristy Lee Cook drops by the Idolatry cubicles and explains how she did it. Check out part 1 (below) and parts 2 and 3 (after the jump).

Entertainment Weekly

Paula Abdul on the Injury that Almost Took Her Voice

She’s been knocked down more times than she cares to remember, and now Hollywood’s resident comeback kid, Paula Abdul, is sharing her harrowing journey exclusively with “Extra.”

“I was born premature,” Paula reveals. “Almost three months, just under three pounds with a broken windpipe and my lungs a complete mess.”

Paula fought her way from fast food jobs and high school musicals to the famous LA Forum floor, getting her big break as a Lakers girl in 1981.

Extra TV

It’s Andrew Lloyd Webber’s fault Carly was cut

Okay, well maybe. Certainly he talked Carly out of her original song choice of The Phantom of the Opera’s “All I Ask of You” and into the more controversial “Superstar,” from Jesus Christ Superstar. The New York Times reports that Carly Smithson’s song choice may have spelled her doom from American Idol this past week. Many fans were none too pleased with her performing that particular number, sounding off online against the singer.

Surely Webber recalls the furor the album and subsequent stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar wrought from some religious groups when it first came out. While, as the Times piece indicates, the sensitivity over its controversial nature has waned in the passing decades, it has not died out. Just as many say Kristy Lee Cook’s rendering of “God Bless the USA” rallied a certain sect of the population to vote for her and keep her around longer, it’s certainly possible that Carly’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” had the exact opposite effect.

TV Squad

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 4/27/08
Published April 27th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines.
Tags: .
 
Jordin Sparks on the road to recovery

Ailing American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks of Glendale, may be singing again as early as next week.

That’s the word from Jordin’s mother.

Jordin and her family were in Glendale Saturday night to honor her father, Phillippi Sparks. The former NFL cornerback received an award for excellence from Glendale Community College. Sparks is a 1989 GCC graduate and member of the school’s 1988 championship team.

His daughter Jordin, who’s been recovering from vocal cord problems, was there to help him celebrate.

ABC15

Fixing Idol’s Ratings

I got my grubby little fingers on an online market research survey Fox put into play last week, and its execs are looking at every aspect of how to plug this ratings leak. The network has been doing online polling for three years because it is cheap and easy, but now the stakes are getting higher as viewership gets lower.

“We’re not in denial,” Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman told me. “It’s still the biggest show on TV, but that doesn’t mean there are things we can’t do. The feedback from this year you’ll probably see on the show next year.”

The online survey asks basic questions like whether viewers like the show more or less than last year. But it is the specific questions that indicate where the network is targeting change.

Beckman told me months ago that Fox is looking at tweaking Idol’s early stages next year, so that is nothing new. Therefore, the questions about the length and the tone of the auditions and subsequent Hollywood round are unsurprising.

But one question in the survey gives clues about one route they may be considering. The question asks, “Suppose the first few weeks of American Idol started in Hollywood with flashbacks of the auditions; would that increase or decrease your enjoyment of American Idol?”

Broadcasting Cable


Upcoming ‘Idol’ new releases

American Idol 7 is coming down to the wire, and soon, there’ll be a whole new crop of alumni releasing new music. In the meantime, Idols from previous seasons are getting ready to launch new CDs, hoping that Idol magic will translate into CD sales.

Idol Thoughts

Who among the Final Five will win the Idol crown?

Odds: 1-1

Archuleta has impressed with his preternaturally mature-sounding voice; he has a remarkably reedy timbre for someone who looks so young.

He’s not new to this, though: he won the Junior Singers competition on Star Search when he was just 12.

Canada.com

Predicting ‘American Idol’ outcome is tricky business

Go figure. The ousting last week of Carly Smithson, one of the strongest singers in this season’s “American Idol” competition, makes about as much sense as other deplorable early “Idol” exits (Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry, for example).

It just goes to show: Forecasting who will and who won’t be expelled from the Fox ratings juggernaut week to week is a fickle business, at best. Voting often is based on the whims of sympathy (Brooke White, who this week forgot the lyrics), crushes (Jason Castro, whose performance this week was called a “train wreck” by judge Randy Jackson) and other factors, not always in sync with who may be the most talented singer.

That said, we all have our opinions, including me. Here are my predictions, though dubiously cast, of how the Top 5 — perhaps the most fascinating crew in the show’s history — should shake out.

mlive

‘Idol’ an oasis of clean amid a cesspool on TV

This is not an easy admission to make, but I’ll do it anyway. The one can’t-miss, required-viewing television show in the Sheehan household every week is “American Idol.”

Our family in the past two years has planned Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the springtime around this pop-culture phenomenon for several reasons, not the least being that it provides incentive for our kids to finish their homework before 8 p.m., under the threat of missing their favorite show. But the most pertinent is that “Idol” is the one show we’ve found that appeals to all four of us, from age 9 to the old geezer in the tribe, namely me. It is also about the only post-dinnertime TV show where something graphic or disturbing to young children doesn’t pop up without notice.

Las Vegas Sun

‘American Idol’: Murray’s singing sensation David Archuleta

Not everyone knew David Archuleta could sing. Not like America knows now.

On a parched June day in 2006 before the 17-year-old “American Idol” phenom became a household name, David and dozens of other teens were on their way home from an LDS Church youth conference in Martin’s Cove, Wyo., when friends started pestering him to sing.

“He was being bashful. He said, ‘No, I haven’t warmed up,’ ” youth leader Julie Lundberg remembered. “They were giving him all kinds of crap. I said, ‘They’re not going to leave you alone until you sing.’ ”

David finally relented, grabbing a microphone from the bus driver, and his airy voice resounded through the static-filled intercom system. He sang Robbie Williams’ hit song, “Angels,” the same inspirational ballad he would later perform on “Idol.”

“It was cool. It was dead silence on the bus,” Lundberg said. “It’s like they all went, ‘Wow!’ ”

Salt Lake Tribune

Getting to know America’s Top 5

Cook: Cutting his rock chops in gritty clubs

TULSA, Okla.

Beneath the shaggy hair and mild-mannered demeanor of “American Idol” contestant David Cook is a seasoned musician who’s rocked his way through the gritty club scene in America’s heartland.

The 25-year-old native of Blue Springs, Mo., brought his aspiring music career to Tulsa two years ago after graduating from Central Missouri State University with a degree in graphic design. But despite a college degree and even a few career opportunities, Cook’s friends and band mates from Tulsa say there’s nothing Cook would rather be doing than performing and making music.

“He’s the real thing,” said Jeff Martinson, the owner of the Blank Slate complex of clubs in downtown Tulsa’s Blue Dome district, where Cook bartended and enjoyed a flourishing musical career before landing a spot on the Fox Television program.

Nashua Telegraph

Clay Aiken doing it his “Way” with new album

NEW YORK (Billboard) - During its six previous seasons, TV juggernaut “American Idol” has launched countless music careers — but the caveat is maintaining staying power.

Season-two runner-up continues to beat the odds. He is gearing up for the May 6 release of “On My Way Here” (RCA), his first album of original material since his 2003 double-platinum debut, “Measure of a Man.”

In between, he released the platinum-certified “Merry Christmas With Love” in 2004, and the gold-certified covers album “A Thousand Different Ways” in 2006.

In May, he’ll wrap a five-month Broadway stint in the Tony Award-lauded musical comedy “Spamalot.”

Reuters

Kid Rock wins big, Jill Jack bows out and Muggs win Rock Detroit Music Award

One surprising moment came near the end of the night, when the Muggs were honored as the year’s best rock band. The band, who began playing together eight years ago, has had its share of ups and downs. Bassist Tony Denardo suffered a stroke in 2001, which left him partially paralyzed, but after a lot of physical therapy and a switch to keyboards, he and his band made it back to the stage, and even onto Fox’s reality competition show “The Next Great American Band.”

Detroit News

Talent ‘Pool’s shallow end

We’re in Blackpool, the spiritual home of Britain’s Got Talent. Naturally, it’s not going well (it never does for the first 45 minutes).

Scowling Cowell is sporting his traditional “why am I here?” frown and Amanda Holden has come to doubt her belief that “this year’s winner could be from Blackpool”.

Piers Morgan, meanwhile, waits patiently for the opportunity to trot out his weekly “that was absolutely brilliant”.

Sadly, amid a haze of useless losers who are sad rather than funny, we’re seeing nothing but absolute s**t. And Piers is forced to concede: “The quality of acts, it’s like the end of the pier.”

So what’s new?

Most of the BGT wannabes are so hopeless you wish they would go to the end of the pier - and then carry on walking.

Sunday Mirror.co.uk

Idol Boss Talks Shocking Exits, Sliding Ratings

The Britweek Launch, held Thursday night at the home of the Consul General, was a little like a ball: Nearly everyone, including the five American Idol contestants had a curfew— but forget the Midnight curfew like Cinderella had — the AI gang had to be out by 8:30!

American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe has no such gag order, however, and gave us his thoughts on Carly’s shocking early ejection the night before. “I was very sad,” he admitted. “I think Carly is extremely talented, a brilliant voice. I was sorry to lose Michael and I was certainly sorry to lose Carly.” He dismissed the idea that Michael, an Australian, and Carly, who is Irish, were ousted due to having been born abroad. Carly was in the top four last week,” he pointed out. “Most times, America votes for the best performance of the night. I think this week, we saw America getting behind people they’ve supported over a series of weeks.”

He expects more shockers to come, since everyone left is a strong contender. “This is the season that everybody said David Archuleta’s won and now here we are going, ‘Ooh, what’s happening?’

[sonyab1974]

American Idol Appearances for the Week 04/28/08-05/04/08
 
Don’t miss…

Monday 4/28 - Phil Stacey appears on the Today Show, NBC. Carly Smithson appears on Live with Regis and Kelly, the Ellen Degeneres Show and The Sauce on FUSE tv. Clay Aiken promotes his new album On My Way Here on QVC’s Q Sessions Live. 7 pm ET

Thursday 5/1 - Brandon Rogers appears on American Idol Extra. 7 & 10 pm. Fox Reality

For more information, check out the Idol Appearances page

Idols on Tour

Monday 4/28 - Anwar Robinson, Rent, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL. thru 4/29.

Tuesday 4/29 - Carrie Underwood, Kay Yeager Coliseum, Wichita Falls, TX. Daughtry, King Center, Melbourne FL.

Wednesday 4/30 -Melinda Doolittle, Kroger @ 30935 5 Mile Rd. Livonia MI, for Dryers/Edy’s Ice Cream, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Chris Richardson, Pick N Save @ 12735 West Capitol, Brookfield WI, for Edys/Dryers Ice Cream, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bucky Covington /w Dierks Bentley, Santa Ana Theater, Rio Rancho, NM. Carrie Underwood, Amarillo Civic Center, Amarillo, TX. Daughtry w/ Bon Jovi, Philips Arena, Atlanta GA. thru 5/1.

Thursday 5/1 - Chris Sligh, Wild Wing Cafe, Greenville, SC. Constantine Maroulis, National Hellenic Society Renaissance Weekend, Las Vegas, NV. Anwar Robinson, Rent, Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids, IA. Kellie Pickler, Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.

Friday 5/2 - Chris Sligh, Wild Wing Cafe, Columbia, SC. Kimberly Caldwell and Justin Guarini, Krave Nightclub in Las Vegas, NV. Anwar Robinson, Rent, Orpheum Theatre, Omaha, NE. thru 5/3. Bucky Covington /w Dierks Bentley, Red Rocks Resort, Las Vegas, NV. Carrie Underwood, Tuscon Arena, Tuscon, AZ. Mandisa, Extraordinary Women Conference, Freedom Hall Civic Centre, Johnson City, TN.

Saturday 5/3 - Chris Sligh, the Warehouse Mt Pleasant, SC 6 pm. Chris Sligh, Wild Wing Cafe, Charleston, SC 10 pm. Haley Scarnato, Texas Music Awards, Palestine, TX. Fantasia, Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester, VA. Kimberley Locke, Piranha Nightclub, Las Vegas, Nevada. Jon Peter Lewis, Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO, Phil Stacey performs at Country Fest, Pensecola, FL. Bucky Covington w/ Dierks Bentley, Coachella Festival, Indio, CA. Kellie Pickler, American Legion Fairgrounds, Edenton, NC. Mandisa, Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL.

Sunday 5/4 - Chris Sligh, the Warehouse Mt Pleasant, SC 10 am and 6 pm. Carrie Underwood, Stagecoach Festival, Empire Polo Field, Indio, CA. Kellie Pickler, Augusta Riverfront Marina, Augusta, GA.

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 4/28/08

Blame ‘Idol’s’ ratings slide on bad song choices

There are probably a lot of factors behind what’s being simultaneously lamented and hailed as the impending fall of the house of “Idol.” Even FOX executives and the show’s producers admit that part of the blame might lie on the shoulders of the nebulous “show fatigue.”

But for a show built around music, a nagging question has been slowly moving from the backs of viewers’ heads to the tips of their tongues, and it’s simple enough to articulate: What the hell is going on with the songs?

Quick: What do Dolly Parton’s “Travelin’ Thru,” Fantasia’s “I Believe,” Martina McBride’s “Anyway” and Our Lady Peace’s “Innocent” have in common? The obvious answer is that all are songs performed by the current “Idol” contestants. But there’s more to it than that. They also happen to be season seven’s only songs released in the last decade.

MSNBC

More Headlines After the Jump…

Castro has America in a dredlock

You’re a young guy. You’re cute. You have green eyes. You have dreadlocks. Sigh.

And who knew that young, cute and dreadlocks means that you could rule the world, since 13-year-old girls rule the world, and those 13-year-old world-ruling girls have the power to vote for you, an eh kind of singer — yes, you sing just kind of eh.

Such is the case on “American Idol,” which goes to prove that it’s not singing talent that wins you the big prize. It’s personality. It’s popularity. It’s charisma. It’s the trite things that matter, like how cute you are and how cute your dreadlocks are — not how well you sing.

Times Record News

What do ‘Idol,’ ‘South Park,’ and ‘Run Lola Run’ have in common?

This week’s episode of Idolatry (of course)! Watch for yourself, then weigh in on whether American Idol voters got it right this week by sending home the lovely and talented Carly Smithson. (Of course they didn’t!)

Entertainment Weekly

Most to Coast

While Michelle Trachtenberg snuck into the DJ booth at New Yawk’s Tenjune last week not to stalk, à la Lindsay Ronson’s fans, but to request Britney Spears’ “Piece of Me,” do you know the Gossip Girl would not leave until the DJ relented for that trashy girl’s selection (I mean Brit, natch, not darling Michelle). Too funny. Always knew there was something…toxic about M.T. Less demanding, far more sly was American Idol teen-tart David Archuleta and his stage pops, Jeff, checking out some reading material at the Barnes & Noble at Hell-Ay’s the Grove. Last Wednesday night.
The talented (OK, I admit it, just think he mugs too damn much) demidude sported some jeans and a jacket—whaddya expect? Style isn’t exactly second nature to li’l David the way singing is. D.A. and his dad were relaxed while reading, since the day’s elimination had already been taped earlier and he knew he was safe. Well, not safe from fans of course, since the Grove is honey to celeb-hungry tourist bees, trust. The wispy-voiced Arch-babe was all sorts of adorable, totally down to earth and grateful for the good vibes, and his supposedly scary stage dad was sweet and polite. Guess Dina Lohan he is not, good news for Daviekins’ sanity.

Eonline

Jordin Sparks: Like A Virgin

Seeing as this is the ‘Sexual Eruption’ special, we decided to get another point of view on putting out! Who better to talk to than 2007 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks who has decided to wait until her wedding night before jumping those bones. Emmanuel Ezugwu discovers why…

“It was really cool because I walked on the set and she was sitting there with Chris Brown and I was like ‘I can’t believe she’s here,’” says a giggly Jordin Sparks, who last year, at the age of 17 became the youngest ever person to win American Idol. “She told me that she loved the song. It was really cool hearing that from one of my peers.”

The ‘She’ to whom Sparks refers is none other than Bajan chart topper Rihanna, who came out to visit Jordin during her recent No Air video shoot. The Underdogs produced song, which follows up Jordin’s debut single Tattoo, features her and Chris Brown getting pretty darned intimate. Difficult enough with the intrusive camera glare, let alone with the added pressure of having his rumoured girlfriend on set.

rwmag.com

Motorcycle fest making its debut next weekend

Ahhh, springtime. Flowers bloom, birds sing - and in downtown San Bernardino chrome gleams and motorcycles roar.

It’s time for renewal of the Earth, and for the inaugural Berdoo Bikes & Blues Rendezvous.

All things bright and shiny rumble into downtown San Bernardino, starting Friday.

The two-day festival is a celebration of motorcy-cles and music that will include live entertainment, cruising, “show and shine” displays of custom bikes, food and merchandise vendors.

Continuous live entertainment on two stages includes Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers on the Time Warner D Street Stage at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“American Idol” finalist Amanda Overmyer, a nurse and Harley-Davidson enthusiast, will make a personal appearance at the downtown event. She will perform the national anthem at 6 p.m. Friday on the Time Warner D Street Stage and will sign autographs from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Daily Bulletin

Jon Bon Jovi, Chris Daughtry offer Forum crowd ballads galore, a little booty-shaking

TAMPA — When you think about it, or drink about it, Chris Daughtry is basically a hairless version of Jon Bon Jovi. Both hunks excel at a slick brand of bar rock that is essentially, harmlessly, identically cut from the same chords and choruses. You come to their shows not to ponder, but to party, everyman escapism in its loudest form.

Of course, Bon Jovi, New Jersey’s second-favorite rock son, has been selling-out stadiums for 25 years now.

Daughtry, who famously did not win American Idol, has only been around since 2006, his self-titled disc the fastest-selling debut rock album in SoundScan history.

So while their double bill at the St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday was an inspired pairing, one that sent a humongous crowd of 20,537 into a three-hour tizzy, there was no doubt which act should be genuflecting to the other.

Tampa Bay

Clay Aiken After Broadway

Clay Aiken’s run on Broadway with Spamalot will end on May 4th. So what’s next for the former American Idol contestant-turned actor and pop star? Aiken will be releasing a new album reportedly titled On My Way Here, to be released on May 6th; the first single off the album will be “On My Way Here,” a song written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic. Amazon has a preview of the title track here.

Antimusic.com reports that Clay Aiken will be appearing on the Jimmy Kimmel Show on ABC May 16th at 12:05 am EST (the appearance was originally planned for May 15th but got pushed back a day). Aiken will also make an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 12th to promote the album.

And if that’s not enough Clay news for you, he will also be on QVC’s Qsessions Live on Monday, April 28th from 7:00-8:00 pm EST, where he will perform songs from the new album as well as be present for QVC’s Clay Aiken Gadgets & Gizmos session. QVC will be offering a special 5-track Bonus CD along with a specially-packaged version of “On My Way Here.”

Connietalk.com

A grand Grand Gala

National Basketball Association All-Star Dwyane Wade, Star Jones and “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks will attend the seventh annual Grand Gala on the evening of the Kentucky Derby at the Galt House Hotel & Suites.

NBA legends Michael Jordan and Julius “Dr. J” Erving return to Louisville for the affair, which begins with a red-carpet walk at 9 p.m.

Comedian Chris Tucker will emcee the event. Earth, Wind & Fire will keep guests groovin’ at the soiree.

“What can you say? I mean, Earth, Wind & Fire!” said Grand Gala organizer Rohena Miller of the headlining musical act.

“Now we’re at a point where we’re just having fun,” she said.

Courier-Journal

Talladega Superspeedway Notebook ~ Sunday

Taylor Hicks, winner of the fifth season American Idol competition and Jeff Green look alike, was on hand at Talladega Superspeedway to perform the National Anthem prior to the Sunday, April 27th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Aaron’s 499 race. Early fall “Soul Patrol” fans can expect ‘Whomp At The Warfield’ a DVD of Taylor’s concert at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, CA. Currently he is working in Nashville, TN on a new album due out later this year. Hicks recently participated in the Asian American Idle and has an huge “Soul Patrol” following in the Philippines. Taylor made - is exactly what his career will be, he currently does not have a record label contract, but stated he could see himself with 20 different labels during his career. Fans could tell Hicks was not a follower, but he is warm and a pleasure to speak with.

Inside Racing News.com

Fremantle logs ‘LoveRace’

“LoveRace,” a reality skein targeted at adults 18-25, is broken into two segments: casting, which begins in the fall, and the six-week competition, which begins in February. Femme contestants will submit their online vids and create their own profile pages on various social networks, including Facebook and MySpace. Aud members will then choose 12 women for the competish.

During the competition, contestants will post videos trying to convince the men to go on a date with them; the men, in turn, will post videos attempting to convince the femmes that they are one to date. FMX, FremantleMedia’s new-media division, plans on integrating brand sponsors into the competish; if it lines up a mobile phone sponsor, for example, the competish would contain a texting component.

Variety.com

Britain’s Got Talent: The eight-year-old comic who returned to make fun of Simon Cowell

The judges did not like Alex Lees’s voice when he sang at an audition in his home city and instead told him to come back with a comedy routine.

Luckily, he took the judges’ advice and wowed the crowd with his performance last night - by poking fun at Simon Cowell.

The gutsy eight-year-old sported a pair of star-shaped sunglasses as part of his comedy routine, joking that he was shielding his eyes from Cowell’s sparkling white teeth.

The Mail

[sonyab1974]

Phil Stacey on the Today Show - VIDEO

Here is Phil Stacey on the Today Show talking about his upcoming album Phil Stacey. It drops tomorrow. Pre-order it on Amazon:

=========================================
Check out the videos.

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 4/29/08

‘American Idol’ Power List: The Top 5

Brooke or Syesha: Who will be the last woman standing? See where Michael Slezak ranks the remaining finalists, then vote for your favorite

Entertainment Weekly

Jordin Sparks Exclusive: Singer Tells MTV News Her Voice Is ‘Almost All The Way Healed’; She’ll Be Back On Tour Soon

“I’m feeling good,” she wrote. “I’m supposed to be on full vocal rest, which means no talking, laughing, giggling, and singing. Can I tell you how hard that is!? I want to tell my fans: Thank you for all the prayers and your concern. You guys are what keep me going, honestly. But not to worry! I’ll be better in no time!”

“I laughed when I saw [those reports]. They were saying I would never sing again, and I knew I could because, well, it’s my throat,” she wrote. “My career COULD HAVE BEEN in jeopardy if I hadn’t done anything about it. But I knew something was wrong and that I needed to get it checked out.

“[The reports about the hemorrhage] were actually true,” she wrote. “My left vocal cord was bleeding, and I knew I had to get it checked and take care of it. I got back from the doctor yesterday and it’s almost all the way healed. I’m gonna take a couple more days just to be safe. I should be back on tour in a few more days!! I’ll be alive and kicking … and who knows, maybe my voice will be better than it was before!”

MTV

More Idol Headlines After the Jump…


Can American Idol Switch Emmy Categories to Win?

Ever since the Emmy Award for best reality-competition program was created, “The Amazing Race” has zoomed past all rivals, including two of the tube’s most popular: “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

So our forums moderator Andrew Pickett poses a fascinating question: Can these shows just side-step “Race” by joining a different race altogether? After all, “Moonlighting” and “Gilmore Girls” switched between comedy and drama categories when they didn’t like early results.

“The Emmys invented the reality/competition program category for the 2002/03 season when ‘Idol’ debuted, and it has been nominated all 5 years, but unfortunately for its producers and fans, the Emmy has gone to ‘The Amazing Race’ every time,” notes Andrew.

LA Times

Top 5 Power Rankings: Will Anyone Challenge the Davids?

With Carly removed from the running, Brooke inarguably on borrowed time (and/or the “benefactor/involuntary that she doesn’t really offset him.puppet of a, ahem, questionable website), and Syesha yet again mired in last place, it’s pretty safe to say that your next American Idol is going to be… a guy. According to the latest TVGuide.com Power Rankings, David C. now has 56.2 percent of our readers’ votes, again topping the tally. Meanwhile, at a time when wannabes want their piece of the pie to be increasing, David A. took his biggest hit in over a month, dropping 3.5 percent week-to-week. As for Jason… he has pretty eyes.

TV Guide

‘Idol’ coaches panel: The finalists mine Neil Diamond

How will Neil Diamond’s songs, which have been covered by Johnny Cash, The Monkees and Barbra Streisand, suit the final five?

Rona: Low-hanging gems

Every Neil Diamond song is a jewel: beautifully crafted, honed, designed to deliver a knockout emotional punch while you sing along.

David Archuleta is the only one left standing who could even go near I’m a Believer, with its youthful exuberance and enthusiasm. And if Jason Castro doesn’t do Red Red Wine, what can he do?

USA Today

American Idol Gambling Down To Final Five Contestants

The gambling odds, which have been missing, have now re-emerged. Two people have an opportunity to win, according to odds makers, David Archuleta and David Cook.

The pair of male vocalists have been nearly flawless for the better part of the competition. They have been rewarded, or cursed, depending on how you look at it, by sports books.

Archuleta is the favorite, and gamblers actually have to lay money to get money back. His odds are -150 at the current time. Cook, is +100, meaning he is virtually a co-favorite.

The other three contestants are considered long shots by bookmakers. Jason Castro is the third choice, but his odds are still 15-1. Brooke White has slipped to 20-1 after being a favorite early in the competition.

Syesha Mercado has been dealing with being an underdog for the whole season so far, yet she has survived every elimination. The odds makers feel her time will soon be up. She is also 20-1.

Casino Gambling

Seacrest’s ‘Idol’ future may not be so secure

An online market research survey was issued last week and, while the suits behind the show probe every aspect of the broadcast, there is a noticeable focus on “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest.

While all of the main players were included in the question, “How important are each of the following people to your overall enjoyment of ‘American Idol’?” the survey asks participants to weigh in on two extra statements: “I like the interaction between Ryan and the contestants” and “I like the interaction between the judges and Ryan.”

The extra focus has some wondering whether a hosting change might be exactly what the show needs. “Ryan is so busy turning himself in a diverse brand, one that has longevity, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to think that he isn’t worried about his job security with ‘Idol,’” said a source close to Seacrest.

MSNBC

American Idol: In the year 2013

Since I don’t feel qualified to make Neil Diamond selections for the five remaining singers, am still mourning the loss of Carly, and have been watching a lot of the Season 2 “Idol Rewind,” I’ve decided to take out my not-so-trusty crystal ball and see where Season 7’s contestants will be in five years (assuming the Cubs don’t win the World Series and cause a whole, you know, apocalypse thingy).

David Hernandez is now acting as Deputy Mayor of Miami and is on the fast track towards becoming America’s next top governor of Florida. By 2040 he will be running for President with his Vice Presidential candidate, the kid from “Two and a Half Men.”

Amanda Overmyer, finally out of the AI spotlight, has removed her temporary tattoos, gotten her hair back to its rightful color, sold her Harleys for a new Town & Country, and settled down in Lafayette with her corn engineer boyfriend and her stack of Barry Manilow CDs.

Phillyburbs

Sam the Goose and Jason Castro have something in common

Did Sam the Crossing Guard Goose help Jason Castro cross the road to Annie Keeley Elementary School in Rowlett years ago? Not really; they missed each other by a few years. But what other school can claim that it has a nationally known goose that conscientiously helps escort kids across a busy intersection and a top-five American Idol contestant as an alum? Is Sam proud of Jason? Ask Sam how motorists should support Jason, and he’ll reply: “Honk!”

neighborsgoblog

From outhouse to White House

In a bizarre moment for the Perth-born singer, Johns was invited to the White House correspondents dinner over the weekend, where he was mobbed by Rice, Rob Lowe and the press corp gushing about his talent.

“Condoleezza Rice came up and hugged me, asked to take a picture and have an autograph,” Johns told Confidential yesterday. “Rob Lowe demanded a recount, everyone thinks I was robbed.”

With friends in high places, Johns might not need the show’s title to prove a winner.

news.com.au

After the Correspondents’ Dinner, Rain Didn’t Dampen All the Fun

A gaggle of models in blond wigs and porn-stewardess costumes floated by Goldman Sachs Vice Chairman Bob Hormats talking Iraqi economic development with Lt. Gen. Bill Caldwell, shadowed by an aide in full uniform carrying a briefcase. Also: Will.I.Am, Mexico’s “Brad Pitt” Eduardo Verastequi (adorable) and “American Idol” voted-off contestant Michael Johns (also adorable), who said Condi Rice told him: “You’re a great singer. You got robbed.” Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of “The Hills” wandered past, adding another chapter to their reality-life existence; frenemy Lauren Conrad (awesome bangs, by the way) was somewhere in the crowd but no catfight. Darn.

Washington Post

Another ‘Idol’ top 10’er making name for himself

It’s pretty weird for an enlisted man in the Navy to have commanding officers asking him for his autograph. Add that to the fringe benefits of being a finalist on “American Idol.”

“I’ve got commanding officers, admirals and captains and all these people — ‘Oh, can I get an autograph for my kid?’ ” Phil Stacey told TODAY’s Ann Curry and Natalie Morales on Monday.

One year ago, Stacey was eliminated from Season 6 of “Idol” after making it to the final six contestants. He was a musician third class at the time in the Navy, and when he went back to his day job playing for a Navy rock band, he remembers it as being an experience unlike any other.

MSNBC

6 questions with Clay Aiken

During its six previous seasons, TV juggernaut “American Idol” has launched countless music careers - but the caveat is maintaining staying power. Season-two runner-up Clay Aiken continues to trump the odds. His third RCA album, “On My Way Here,” due May 6, follows his 2003 double-platinum debut, “Measure of a Man”; 2004’s platinum “Merry Christmas With Love”; and 2006 gold covers album “A Thousand Different Ways.” In May, he’ll wrap a five-month Broadway stint in the Tony Award-lauded musical comedy “Spamalot.”

On the new album, his first of original material since “Measure,” Aiken worked with Grammy Award-winning producer Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti). The singer talks about the road ahead and his journey to this point.

AZ Central

Does Carrie Underwood Have a Serious Body Image Problem?

VW: Check out the opening of this interview: “It’s 5:30pm and Carrie Underwood hasn’t eaten all day…[T]here’s a platter nearby piled with sandwiches. But Underwood sips a diet soda and nibbles on a Weight Watchers bar instead. ‘Everything shows up immediately right here,’ she says, pointing to her tummy.”

KS: Are you serious? So depressing.

VW: Right? And it gets worse: “Some days I step out of the shower, put my lotion on, and I’ll be like ‘Ugh, ew, ew.’” I’m getting the impression that she hates her body.

KS: That’s so horrible. [looks at the pictures] She’s so skinny! Oh great, am I fat? [nervous laughter]

VW: I know!

KS: It’s a little disturbing.

VW: And completely irresponsible.

MTV

Dates and Venues Announced for Studdard and Davis Ain’t Misbehavin’ Tour

Over 25 venues have been announced for the upcoming national tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’, which will co-star “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and former Rent star Frenchie Davis.

As previously announced, Big League Productions — the company that books Broadway musicals for touring shows throughout the world — will present the 30th anniversary tour of the Tony-winning revue.

Richard Maltby, Jr., who wrote and staged the original 1978 production of the Fats Waller revue, will direct the tour, which is scheduled to kick off Nov. 17 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, before playing venues in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Ohio and New York, among others.

Playbill

Return of an idol

He made his entrance singing, as if any other way would have been more appropriate. “Happy Birthday” would have worked, since Lenape Middle School turned 50 at the start of the school year. Instead, he entered to a song he sang when he was a student at Lenape in the early 1990s.

Shortly after Lenape’s choir began singing, “Sometimes, I feel like a motherless child,” Justin Guarini peeled back the red curtain on the stage inside the school auditorium and joined in.

Guarini, who rose to fame during the debut season of “American Idol” in 2002 and has lived in Hollywood, Calif., for the last six years, attended Lenape in the early 1990s and was one of hundreds of alumni and former faculty members invited back for Sunday’s 50th anniversary celebration. Alecia Moore, also known as two-time Grammy winner Pink, was on the invite list, since she too attended Lenape and even sang in the same choir with Guarini back then, but Moore never showed.

Phillyburbs

‘Chicken Soup for the Idol Soul’: Kevin Covais edition

Dalton Ross is back with the seventh installment in his series of dramatic readings of passages from the recently published Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. This week, we pay homage to the literary genius that is Kevin “Chicken Little” Covais. For previous clips — including Sanjaya Malakar, Scott Savol, and Haley Scarnato — click here.

Entertainment Weekly

Little Big Town Rides For A Cure

Platinum artists Little Big Town will take to the streets at the second annual Ride For A Cure motorcycle ride on Sunday, June 8, 2008 benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation. The ride will kick off at the Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs and end at the future location of Harley-Davidson of Columbia for a field party where Applebee’s will provide a post-ride barbecue lunch followed by a special jam session with Little Big Town and friends.

Celebrities and special guests participating in the ride include Darryl Worley, Lonestar, Gary Chapman, GAC’s Storme Warren, Heidi Newfield, Bo Bice, Jennifer Hansen, Mark Nestler, Trent Tomlinson, Ira Dean, Keith Anderson, Chuck Wicks, Jeff Allen, Charles Kelly of Lady Antebellum, James Otto and Christian Kane, to name a few.

Breathcast

ATLANTA, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — AARP, the world’s largest advocacy organization for the 50+ community, today announced it will bring a star studded, two-hour musical event entitled, “Songs of Soul and
Inspiration” to the Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA on June 21, 2008. Tickets will be available for the general public on April 21st.

The mega-event — directed by Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony award-winning producer and choreographer Debbie Allen — is part of AARP’s 50th anniversary celebration and features a once-in-a-lifetime line-up of female
vocalists, including Yolanda Adams, Patti Austin, Shirley Caesar, Chaka Khan, Jamia, Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, CeCe Winans, the Fire Choir and Ann Nesby appearing with Paris Bennett.

PR newswire

On ‘American Idol,’ Abdul whips up nice

For “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul, kindness is a much-needed virtue.

“There’s a great strength in being kind,” says Abdul, who is sometimes criticized by fans for being too lenient on contestants.

Rarely does she say an unkind word to contestants, even when they’re having an off night. Fans are well aware of how fellow judge Simon Cowell teases her - and sometimes openly mocks her - about her judging technique.

“Paula Abdul has always been known as ‘the good judge’ on ‘American Idol’,” writes David Bloomberg on the Web site foxesonidol.com.

“She is supposedly there to offset ‘Mr. Nasty’ himself, Simon Cowell. But throughout the entire competition, it has struck me and many others that she doesn’t really offset him.

Knoxnews.com

Should American Idol’s Paula Abdul Join Dancing with the Stars?

It’s no secret that American Idol judge Paula Abdul seems to be on a mission to become a contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars next season. Although DWTS judge Bruno Tonioli thinks it’s a great idea (”She’d win,” he predicts), his colleague, Carrie Ann Inaba, is wary.

“She’s [emotionally] fragile. And she’s had physical issues [a neck injury]. She won’t even realize how much pressure is on her until she’s already signed up and can’t get out,” Inaba tells TV Guide magazine (May 5 issue; hits newsstands Thursday, May 1). “I would hate to see her get hurt by something she loves.”

My Fox NY

Culture Vulture: There’s no way around it: I am an ‘Idol’ junkie

Is it just me, or are Utahns taking over reality TV? Todd Herzog, of Pleasant Grove, won last year’s “Survivor: China,” Provo hoofer Julianne Hough is a two-time champ on “Dancing with the Stars” and Murray’s David Archuleta seems destined to be crowned the new “American Idol” next month.

“American Idol” is one of my guilty pleasures. I can’t explain why. The music is bland, the contestants oversing, the weekly Ford “music video” is embarrassing, and during every ballad the studio audience does that annoying slow-arm-wave thing. Plus the guest mentors, like Mariah Carey, are too safe and predictable. Why not bring in Snoop Dogg and make David Cook sing “Gin and Juice?”

Salt Lake Tribune

Phil’s Pages: The final chapter

Following is Phil’s last diary entry in his 14-installment series. But first, I’d like to extend my thanks to Phil. He wrote most of these entries late at night after frantic weeks jam-packed with the non-stop set-up rituals that accompany an album launch, and I think he’s done a terrific job in peeling back the veils concealing both the day-to-day Idol grind and life as a recording artist. And we’ve been privileged to get to know Phil in the process — and for me, his name and the term “class act” will always be linked.

OK, one more time, here’s Phil:

Hey there, everyone. Well, it’s finally arrived. The day has come. The album Phil Stacey hits stores tomorrow. You will see my face in stores across the nation with a sign that says, “Yes! He is the Phil Stacey you saw on national television!” I am truly excited, honored, nervous, and anxious.

USA Today

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 4/30/08
 
On the Scene: The Paula Abdul ‘Idol’ gaffe heard ‘cross the nation

“Oh gosh—we’ve never had to write these things down, uh, fast enough,” she said. “Jason, the first song, I loved hearing your lower register, which we never really hear.” So far so good. “Um, the second song, I felt like your usual charm, it was missing for me. It kind of left me a little empty.” Huh? The audience began tittering with confusion, and Nigel and Debbie both began quietly freaking out. Paula continued, unaware. “The two songs made me feel like you’re not fighting hard enough to get into the top four.” By this point, several audience members were openly cracking up, Debbie had to stop herself from stepping on camera to end the madness, and Nigel was frantically gesturing a single finger to anyone who could see him: ONE SONG! THEY’VE ONLY SUNG ONE SONG!

“So, David Cook,” Paula continued, until Randy saved the day: “Oh, they’ve just done the first song though, just the first one.” The tension was finally broken with this apology (of sorts) from Paula: “I thought you—Oh my god, I thought you sang twice!…You know what, this is hard! You know what, I’m looking at, it’s your notes, David [Cook]. You were fantastic.” As Simon swooped in for his chance to scold the Idols, Nigel stepped off stage to, I’m assuming, get the on-site EMTs to give him some oxygen. At the ad break, the judges were all whisked out of the studio, Syesha Mercado, David Cook, David Archuleta and Brooke White left waving to the audience, and Jason Castro was left on a stool, stage center, contemplating what, exactly, had just happened.

Entertainment Weekly

Neil Diamond in the Rough

I never thought I would have occasion to feel sorry for Neil Diamond, but “American Idol” always seems to introduce me to new and uninvited emotions. Tuesday’s show, devoted to the songbook of the estimable Tin Pan Alley rocker, did him a great injustice - and it didn’t do much for the tremulous Top Five Idols, either.

Maybe they’re still processing the slaying of Carly last week, or perhaps they’d gotten into whatever made Paula render judgment on Jason Castro’s second song before he sang it - but with one exception, all five contenders seemed a little, well, glazed.

LA Times

More Idol Headlines After the Jump…


Paula After ‘Idol’: The Star Talks About Her Misunderstanding!

Just in: PAULA ABDUL talks exclusively to ET about her misunderstanding on Tuesday night’s “American Idol” performance show!

Discussing the small slip of the tongue she experienced while assessing finalist JASON CASTRO’s first performance, Paula explains: “It got very confusing … the producers come up to us in the dark and said, ‘We are not going to have you guys judge after each performer, we are going to have all the performers go once, then twice and at the end critique them.’”

Surprised by the last minute switch in judging procedures, Paula recounts, “I am feverishly trying to write notes for every performance.”

ETOnline

‘American Idol’: Rough Diamond

I know some of you are asking, ”What’s a nice Wizard of Oz quotation doing in a TV Watch like this?” But tonight, in the immediate wake of what will from here on be referred to as Paulagate, I’m feeling as duped and bewildered as Dorothy at the exact moment she realized the great and powerful Oz was just a sad old man, one who didn’t have the power to send her back to Kansas, let alone provide her ragtag pals with a brain, a heart, and some courage.

Am I being melodramatic? Yeah, of course. But I can’t help myself after witnessing the moment American Idol’s loopiest judge made what is indisputably the biggest (and most credibility-crushing) gaffe in the show’s seven-season history. (Yeah, even worse than Janay Castine’s season 4 semifinal rendition of ”Hit ‘Em Up Style.”)

Entertainment Weekly

“American Idol”: Holly Holy! It’s Neil Diamond Night!

“American Idol” comes unhinged on Neil Diamond Night.

For starters, each of the remaining five Idolettes gets to sing not one but two Diamond tunes. Then, to save time, the show’s judges — Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, won’t get to critique the Idolettes until each has performed both tunes.

“Bring those perky contestants in,” Diamond says in a taped bit, giving us hope this week might be as good as last week’s Andrew Lloyd Webber night, if only Diamond’s being sarcastic.
Sadly, he’s not, which becomes apparent as he prattles on about his songs being written to be joyful.

Washington Post

A Chaotic Neil Diamond Night

The Idoldome was a colder, emptier place on Tuesday night than it had been a mere week ago, when the most electrifying singer in American Idol history, Carly Smithson still walked amongst us. In the life of every Idol partisan, sooner or later this day must come, when one must look defeat dead in the eye and search for new reasons to keep faith in the system.

In the end, democracy can not be just a way to force one’s own candidate into office, the means must be more important than our individual ends and, bitter though it may be, the will of the electorate must be embraced. Were it not for American Idol, one must recall, we would have never known Carly Smithson at all. However, taking my seat in the Carly-less Idoldome, I recounted the words of the Polish poet Zbignew Herbert in his Elegy of Fortinbras, when he wrote, putting words in the mouth of Hamlet’s sole survivor,

LA Times

Diamond adds sparkle to ‘American Idol’

David Cook impressed, but Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado are in danger

Continuing their season-long effort to find mentors more appealing to baby boomers than people who actually watch the show, “American Idol” brought in the legendary Neil Diamond this week to work with the remaining five finalists. But unlike Dolly Parton and Andrew Lloyd Webber before him, Diamond got to watch each contestant sing two of his songs instead of one.

His goal was to encourage the finalists. “Don’t be nervous at all … the songs are written to be joyful, and for you to enjoy singing them,” he told the “Idol” hopefuls. More enjoyable for the viewers: the 10 songs in one hour of TV time left little time for banter among the judges.

MSNBC

American Idol: Top 5 perform

Well, it was inevitably coming but I have to say that I’m disappointed that in the week in which the contestants start singing two songs apiece, they had to pull both from Neil Diamond’s catalog. This was an opportunity for the contestants to finally sing something without a theme behind it and give us an idea of what kind of singer and performer they see themselves as. Since we were robbed of that in the rounds up to the Top 12, I thought we’d get one Neil Diamond song and one contestant’s choice. But no, it’s Neil Diamond and Neil Diamond. To speed things up, the contestants

TV Squad

‘American Idol’ seeks a Diamond in the rough

I got no thrills from Dolly Parton Night. Mariah Carey Night didn’t thrill me at all. So tell me why, should it be right, that I’m hoping to get a kick out of Neil Diamond Night? Would the American Idol Tuesday (April 29) Two-fer Tribute to the Jazz Singer live up to my expectations?

Zap2it

American Idol Fix Exposed

Paula Abdul’s stupor may have pulled back the curtain on the plot to destroy Jason Castro tonight—it was the first night that the contestants sang two songs each, so they ran through all their initial performances, then came out to be judged at the end of the first half-hour. And Paula used this opportunity to tell Jason, who went first, that while she liked the use of his lower vocal register on “Forever In Blue Jeans,” his second song “felt like your usual charm was missing for me… it left me a little empty. The two songs made me feel like you’re not fighting hard enough to get into the top four.” But he only performed one song!

Idolator

Carly Simon: Nobody does it better than Brooke on ‘Idol’

NEW YORK (AP) — Carly Simon has more than a passing interest in this season’s “American Idol” and leaves no mystery about who’s her favorite remaining finalist — Brooke White.

Simon was tipped to turn on the television at her home in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., the night White won over the judges by performing her hit song “You’re So Vain” during 1970s theme week.

“I thought, `Oh my God, this girl is so talented and she sings the song so much better than I ever did or ever could,’” said Simon, interviewed during a rehearsal break with her band at a Manhattan studio. “I was so flattered that she chose the song and … more than impressed. I think she should win.”

Simon was preparing for a showcase performance of songs from her new bossa-nova flavored album, “This Kind of Love,” her first album of original new songs in eight years, which was released Tuesday.

Associated Press

‘American Idol’ Front-Runner David Cook’s Former Bandmates Recall His Early Years

Long before David Cook was an “American Idol” front-runner, a spiky-haired heartthrob or even a bartender in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he was just another kid from Blue Springs, Missouri, obsessed with baseball, chasing girls and playing rock and roll.

At least that’s how Bobby Kerr remembers him. He and Cook first met as teammates on the Blue Springs Bombers when they were 12 years old, and over the next decade, they became best friends and bandmates, bonding over a shared dream of rock superstardom and all the trappings that went along with it.

MTV

Fan Site Raises Money for David Cook’s Brother

A David Cook fan has started a fund to help bring Cook’s ailing brother, Adam, back to Los Angeles if David makes it into the American Idol finale.

Cathy Wood created helpbringadamback.com. Her goal is to raise the $80,000 it would cost to fly Adam Cook to California to root on his brother.

myfoxkc

Cashing In on American Idol’s David Cook

American Idol contestant David Cook is already a hot commodity. Despite his old albums being pulled off Amazon.com and fuzz.com, you can still buy a piece of the Blue Springs, Missouri native.

On Ebay, you can spend anywhere from $2.95 to $139 to be a David Cook fan. For $2.95 you can buy a magnet, or you can spend a few dollars more for a David Cook pillowcase, bottle cap necklace, t-shirt, pins or buttons.

You can also find a few of Cook’s old band Axium’s albums. “Blindsided” is listed for $75. “The Story Thus Far” is listed for $70-$139.

myfoxkc

‘Idol’ finalist gets hometown cheers

Paul Ellsworth may have had a sore thumb, but it was worth it.

Last week, the Mesa attorney spent an hour hitting the redial button on his phone, getting in his votes for Valley American Idol contestant Brooke White.

It worked: This week, White is among the top five finalists in the competition, and Ellsworth and other supporters gathered at Molly Brannigans restaurant in Mesa on Tuesday to cheer on the young vocalist.

“It’s really amazing,” says Ellsworth, whose family lives near White’s parents. “To think that someone you know could go all the way on something like American Idol? It makes you stop and think.”

AZ Central

AI Aftermath: 6th place finishers

Welcome back to “AI Aftermath,” where we explore Idol’s past. Each week, as one more American Idol hopeful is eliminated from the competition, we take a look back at contestants past who were eliminated in the same week. We’ll examine how they did on the show and what they’ve been up to since their eliminations. In honor of Carly Smithson’s elimination last week we’ll be looking at other sixth place finishers.

This week: 6th place finishers, featuring featuring Christina Christian (Season One), Carmen Rasmussen (Season Two), John Stevens (Season Three), Constantine Maroulis (Season Four), Kellie Pickler (Season Five) and Phil Stacey (Season Six).

TV Squad

How to vote for your Idol like a pre-pubescent girl

Tired of your fingers bleeding and still only getting 219 calls in for your favorite contestant each Tuesday night? Do you go to bed with hand spasms, because let’s face it your fingers aren’t as young as they used to be? Well, now you can still vote for your favorites like a teenager with more free time than you have left in the rest of your life without all the hassle and stress (do I sound like an infomercial yet?).

Gizmo5 is a software package that can be installed on your computer (XP, Vista and Mac!) as well as your mobile phone. A new contact is created named “Idol Voting.” Simply select this contact and select 1 to cast 25
consecutive votes for your favorite Idol contestant automagically (I know what I said; it’s magical to me!). I know it works because I tested it last week voting for Brooke and Jason and … oh! … um … sorry about that, Carly fans. Well, you can still save your favorites this week. And your fingers, too.

TV Squad

Five annoying American Idol cliches

The fine folks over at AOL Television put together their “11 Biggest American Idol Cliches,” but as the self-proclaimed guru of all things Idol, I figured my legions of fan (yes it’s singular on purpose) are clamoring for my take. You have to figure that after nearly eight years on the air any show is going to rack up it’s long, long list of annoying things.

And yet, I don’t get nearly as annoyed when Jeff Probst yells “Come on in guys. [Team A] getting their first look at the new [Team B]. [Contestant Name] voted out at the last tribal council,” even though he does it every single week. “[Team members], you’re the last team to arrive. I’m sorry to tell you that you’ve both been eliminated from The Amazing Race.” No big deal. So why do Ryan, Simon and the gang at American Idol drive us so crazy week after week?

TV Squad

The Idols Reveal Their Most Desired Superpower

You’d figure that the fierceness of the competition has been wearing down on these guys for quite some time now — but that doesn’t stop the elite few Idols from showing their goofy side in a behind-the-scenes video. And the question posed to the Top 7 (this was filmed before Carly and Kristy Lee got the boot) — what superpower would you want to possess?

TV Guide

Phil Stacey

Phil Stacey has the country music likeability factor sewn up: Family man. Three ministers in the immediate family. He even re-upped with the Navy after his American Idol success in 2007. But is any of this enough to seek out his self-titled debut?

While on Idol (which ended in a modest fifth-place finish), Stacey carved out a niche primarily as a syrupy balladeer. So, the plunge into rock-country (one hears echoes of Bob Seger and even Boston at times) may surprise. But trouble makes itself known soon enough. Stacey’s vocal tone and technique can’t rescue the lack of hooks and lyrical insights here. It’s easy to recognize some songwriting shorthand in full effect when one either gets tee-shirt lines (”it ain’t the fight in the dog…”) or repetition of subject matter. For a breezy 11 tracks, he shouldn’t rely quite so heavily on the love as a bridge over troubled water theme. There’s also a fair share of what might be labeled undercover gospel - where the “you” may be a lover or God or both. Traditional churches would sure appreciate the message of the one contemporary Christian number, “Identity,” but they sure might not like the racket.

Country Standard Time

Singing sailor’s debut album out today

The Navy doesn’t pay Phil Stacey to sing and dance anymore — these days, it’s his day job.

Stacey, the Navy’s ex-“American Idol” contestant and ex-frontman of Navy Band Southeast’s rock band Pride, releases his self-titled debut album today, less than a year after being voted off the Fox reality show and just a few months after moving from the active component to the reserves.

But even though Stacey told Navy Times last May that he hoped being voted off the show would get him more time with this family, “that hasn’t happened for me yet,” he said. “I’ve been on tour since the show was over.”

Navy Times

Carrie Underwood on getting glamorous

Singer Carrie Underwood dishes on dieting, beauty and fashion.

Most of the time I slap on some makeup in the morning so I don’t look bad if somebody snaps a picture. Somebody, somewhere, will catch you, even if it’s a fan at the grocery store. Very rarely do I go out without makeup.

Phillymag.com

Underwood is honored for smile

It has been a week of both smiles and tears for Oklahoma country music sensation Carrie Underwood.

The Checotah native was recognized Tuesday as the 2008 “Female Celebrity Smile of the Year” by the quarterly publication Dear Doctor, a consumer dentistry magazine.

Dr. David A. Garber, a renowned periodontist and prosthodontist, said in a news release Underwood’s smile radiates “youth, symmetry, harmony and balance.”

News OK.com

‘Rent’ in Sun City West, May 10-11

Four years ago, Anwar Robinson was a humble music teacher in New Jersey. But in 2005 the 29-year-old singer auditioned for American Idol and his world changed. He successfully made it into the top 10 and toured America with future superstar Carrie Underwood. Since then he has shared the stage with R&B’s legends such as Patti LaBelle, and he has recorded an album. On May 10-11 he’ll show the West Valley his latest achievement, in the touring production of Rent. The Broadway musical, based on the Puccini opera La Boheme, is in town for four shows at the Maricopa County Events Center in Sun City West.

This is Robinson’s first foray into musical theater. He is tackling the role of Tom Collins - the AIDS-infected anarchist originally played by Jesse L. Martin, late of Law & Order.

AZ Central

Clay Aiken is an Easter Bonnet

Clay Aiken and Spamalot’s Hannah Waddingham depart from the 22nd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition, held on Tuesday at the Minskoff Theatre.

It was announced that over $3.7 million had been raised for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

In his new album On My Way Here, Clay has a track called ‘The Real Me’ which was written by Natalie Grant, a singer-songwriter in the area of contemporary Christian music

Just Jared

Rhinos to air on Country 107.3

The Rhinos have gone country.

Rochester’s top soccer team has a new broadcast partner, Country 107.3, and will welcome former American Idol star Bo Bice for a concert at the May 17 home opener at PAETEC Park.

Bice, Idol runner-up in 2004 to Carrie Underwood, is expected to play two songs in his southern-rock style at halftime of the Rhinos’ match against Charleston, then perform after the 7:30 p.m. match is over. He has released two albums since his run on Idol.

His appearance kicks off a new “Rockin’ with the Rhinos” concert series, featuring regional and national artists each Saturday. It’s sponsored by Clear Channel Radio and Nothnagle Realtors.

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 5/1/08

 
‘Idol’ fans just didn’t believe in Brooke White

Brooke White couldn’t make enough “American Idol” voters believe in her, and thus she found herself evicted from the competition on Wednesday.

White, who was joined in the bottom two by perennial elimination runner-up Syesha Mercado, had a tough time with the Neil Diamond theme on Tuesday. Simon Cowell referred to her version of “I’m a Believer” as “a nightmare,” and while “I Am I Said” was better, it ultimately didn’t buy her another week on the show

MSNBC

Recap: Brooke runs dry on ‘American Idol’

After a Tuesday show that saw the musical attributes of the American Idol Top Five overshadowed by Paula Abdul’s perplexing and new-found ability to predict the future, which contestant would be heading home on Wednesday (April 30)? And why can’t Paula just tell us the results in advance and save me an hour?

zap2it.com

More Idol Headlines After the Jump…


‘American Idol’: Never Mind the Bollix…

If Tuesday night’s performance episode of American Idol was, as Simon called it, ”officially the strangest” in the show’s seven-season history, then tonight’s results-show edition was perhaps its most disappointing.

Which isn’t to say that America got it wrong by sending home Brooke White, the wide-eyed nanny who for the last several weeks assumed the role of the show’s tortured artiste (emphasis firmly on ”tortured”). Indeed, while Brooke’s lovely warble made her a fan favorite early in the season — particularly during her potent one-two-three punch of ”You’re So Vain,” ”Love Is a Battlefield,” and ”Let It Be” — the weekly pressures of performing in front of a TV audience of almost 30 million appeared to take a gradual psychological toll on her, culminating in last week’s awkwardly flubbed lyrics and thudding false start on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ”You Must Love Me.”

Entertainment Weekly

Is Simon a Good Kisser? Welcome to Another Awkward Episode of American Idol

I just got home from a dinner out and I turned on my TV to find that American Idol is kind of crazy. Paula Abdul is making MC Skat Kat references! The first girl who Simon Cowell kissed—and his first crush!—is on the call-in segment and saying that he’s “aged very well”! Natasha Bedingfield performed a semi-hookless dance song that sounded like a filler track from 1988-ish Z100! The two girls are the bottom two, thus avoiding all “Jason was robbed” spoiler possibilites! Ryan Seacrest is pretty visibly addled, possibly because his saying “We’re out” instead of “Seacrest out” last night spelled his certain doom and also possibly because he’s still drunk from the bender that he so obviously needed after last night! Live-action commentary of the show’s final 15 minutes after the jump.

Idolator

‘American Idol’ Reaches Its Final Four

After a Tuesday show that saw the musical attributes of the American Idol Top Five overshadowed by Paula Abdul’s perplexing and new-found ability to predict the future, which contestant would be heading home on Wednesday (April 30)? And why can’t Paula just tell us the results in advance and save me an hour?

Zap2it

Morrissey Promotes American Idol on Late Show

Lawsuits, anti-racism concert-funding, and all, Morrissey’s still got it. Above, a clip from his performance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. But wait, is that an American Idol T-shirt the ordinarily dapper tear-jerkist is sporting? Morrissey is of course not above any heavy-handed fit of irony, but has he made an about face on AI’s brand of popular-rule arts?

Moz fans might recall an interview the singer gave to Entertainment Weekly a while back. Asked to expand on his theory that (beeped) popular music was made all the more (beeped) by shameless promotion of the talentless, he said: “Idol is an easy target as [the contestants] are really just very simple children who are manipulated by truly awful grown-up people.” Fair enough, but has he decided on a tact different from trash-talking from the sidelines? Could he be hoping to earn a spot as an American Idol mentor so as to destroy it from within? More important, will we in time be made to endure Jason Castro’s ukulele version of “How Soon Is Now?”

Radaronline

American Idol Gets Ready to Shape the Songs that Shape Rock and Roll into Little Tiny Squares

The long trips into the past will continue on next week’s American Idol, when, according to a tipster quoted at MJ’s Big Blog, the top four contestants will sing songs from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock. On the one hand, ugh; on the other hand, given the Idol producers’ track record of knowing anything about current music, I guess that’s progress, since there are a few songs that were actually recorded in the past 20 years on the list. Anthony and I went through the list and tried to pick out which songs would be most appropriate for each remaining contestant. (Since we don’t have Paula’s psychic abilities, we selected songs for the five singers who are still in the competition as of this very moment.)

Idolator

Pizza and Pop Lift Fox

Pizza night on “Hell’s Kitchen” and the start of Neil Diamond week on “American Idol” lifted Fox to No. 1 in the ratings on Tuesday. Nielsen estimated that 24.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the five remaining “Idol” contestants square off at 8 p.m. After “Idol,” Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” delivered 12.3 million viewers, the largest audience ever in the series’ three-year history. The cooking competition led the 9 p.m. time slot among adults 18 to 49, but trailed ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” in total viewers in the hour (16.7 million).

New York Times

Paula Abdul hits a sour note on ailing “Idol”

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Scandal has always suited “American Idol.” From accusations of voting irregularities to the secret personal histories of contestants, Fox’s unequaled reality hit produces a flurry of new controversies every season.

Judge Paula Abdul alone has been responsible for countless woozy YouTube moments and at least one severe alleged infraction — a reported romantic relationship with a contestant during the show’s second season.

The more alarmed and critical the media headlines, the more “Idol” has thrived in the ratings.

“‘Idol’ is all about cast and controversy,” said Fox president of alternative entertainment Mike Darnell in a recent interview. “So as soon as you get the right ingredients, the ratings go up again.”

Reuters.com

‘Idol’ Judge Admits Rehearsal Guided Her

After being informed of her error during the broadcast, Ms. Abdul eventually explained that she mixed up her notes and had meant to comment on another contestant. But during a radio interview on Wednesday morning Ms. Abdul revealed that she had seen part of the dress rehearsal, which takes place about two hours before the live broadcast, and had mixed up the rehearsal and the live performances.

The issue raises questions about the credibility of the show, which each week is the most-watched program on television, recently attracting about 24 million viewers per episode, a third more than the next most-watched program, “Dancing With the Stars.” The judges frequently warn the contestants that they have to inspire and excite the audience each week and that they risk elimination if they let their attention wane. “American Idol” has long promoted that each contestant’s fate hangs on the live broadcast, when anything can happen. On Wednesday online chatter about Ms. Abdul’s mistake included some critics, like Michael Slezak on Entertainment Weekly’s ew.com, even raising questions about whether the judges are given scripted comments to recite about the contestants.

New York Times

‘American Idol’ Recap: Paula Abdul Gaffe Throws Off Jason Castro, Turns Off Viewers

Do I think Paula’s snafu proved that the show is rigged, as a few leading “Idol” bloggers are suggesting? Hell to the no. Do I think Paula’s snafu proved that she is completely worthless as a judge? You betcha. After all was said (and undone), Abdul’s comment calamity was just one “Gladiator!” away from out-crazying Liz Taylor at the ‘01 Golden Globes.

While I’m all for aging eccentric biddies making live TV as exciting as possible, I’m growing tired of Paula’s “Where am I?” shtick. I think it’s time Nigel Lythgoe cast a new nutjob to play the role of Edie Bouvier Beale. On second thought, Paula’s Carnac the Magnificent bit should inspire Lythgoe to find an actual psychic to replace her. Jackie Stallone’s schedule is pretty open. And I think Miss Cleo could use the money. Or better yet, Dionne Warwick. Before she hooked up with an entire network of psychic friends, she was a singer. That’s what I call a crackpot jackpot!

MTV

‘American Idol’: What was behind Paula’s curious comments?

But now in light of the latest Paula Abdul flub, does having a good performance even matter? I mean, wow, there have been some questionable comments before, but giving comments to a performance that hasn’t happened yet is a little much to take. So I guess the question is, did she get the critique from dress rehearsal or was she told what to say by Ken and Nigel? My opinion is from dress rehearsal, which seems to be the lesser of two evils. I’ve been in so many dress rehearsals with the judges, which by the way is pretty unsettling if you’re not sure of all the lyrics. I would always wonder what they would use from those performances, but I never really thought they were taking notes. Apparently, I was wrong.

I think the idea of the judges being scripted is totally false. I’ve spoken with way too many of Idol’s influential people who have expressed genuine surprise at the outcome of a judge’s remark or a results show to think otherwise.

Entertainment Weekly

Details Released about David Cook’s American Idol Visit to Blue Springs

BLUE SPRINGS, MO. — FOX 4 has learned more details about a David Cook visit to Blue Springs, Missouri on Friday, May 9.

Cook will be in town for an American Idol hometown visit. This all assumes that he’ll advance into the final three on the show.

In the morning, Cook will be taping some promotions in downtown Kansas City. He’ll arrive in Blue Springs around 3:00 p.m.

A parade is expected to begin around 3:00 at the Durvet building parking lot off Adams Dairy Parkway near US 40 (100 SE Magellan Dr.).

MyfoxKC

Parade, Concert Planned For David Cook’s Homecoming

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Ten thousand tickets will be made available for David Cook’s visit and performance in Blue Springs, Mo., on Friday, May 9. That’s if he makes it to the final three on American Idol.

WDAF FOX 4 has learned more details about his hometown visit through Idol.

The American Idol contestant will be flown into the area Thursday night, May 8, by private jet from Los Angeles. He’ll be accompanied by an American Idol producer.

Cook is scheduled to do a noon performance before Blue Springs. A location hasn’t been decided yet. However, it’s possible it could be at the Power and Light District KC Live.

My Fox KC

Bikes and blues music take to San Bernardino city streets

San Bernardino area gear heads will have another festival to look forward to with the addition of the inaugural Berdoo Bikes and Blues Rendezvous to go along with the established Route 66 Rendezvous.

The San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau has teamed with the San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters - Local 891 for the Bikes and Blues Rendezvous on Friday and Saturday on the downtown streets.

In keeping with the theme, organizers booked 2008 “American Idol” finalist Amanda Overmyer, the Harley riding rock ‘n’ roll nurse, to kick start the event by singing the national anthem at 6 p.m. Friday.

Portions of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Edward G. Hirschman Burn Center at Arrowhead Medical Regional Center.

www.pe.com

Tyra and Clay Give Me 500 Reasons to Smile

Whether it’s on “America’s Next Top Model” or her daily chat fest, Tyra Banks is one of pop culture’s guiltiest pleasures. So to satiate your sweet tooth this afternoon, I am bringing you two minutes and 39 seconds that could in fact save the world. Take note, Madonna.

The clip in question comes from today’s episode of “The Tyra Banks Show” which incidentally is her 500th! Congats T! Anyway, for the celebration Tyra is giving back to her fans and one of her lucky viewers got to meet her idol: Clay Aiken.

The clip is beyond priceless when Clay goes from a wax sculpture to a real boy and scares the bejesus out of his numero uno. But things only get more hilarious when the trio heads backstage at Spamalot.

NYPost

On the Scene: ‘Idol’ Top 5 performance night

After Jason finished his first song — there’s a comment about being forever in Jason’s blue jeans that I’m strenuously trying to avoid here — and we were at the ad break, Cook and Brooke shared a good luck shoulder squeeze, and then the rocker scooted across the stage to congratulate Castro. He checked the mic-stand height, and then sat in silence next to Ryan on the interview stools as some Idol roadies (though, I guess, they’re technically studioies?) fiddled with the guitar amp. Watching them sit there, I had two thoughts: One, Seacrest really needs to sit with better posture. And two, Cook’s hair was looking very Christian-from-Project unway-hot-tranny-mess-but-not-in-a-good-way. They execute the Cook-interviews-Seacrest gambit, give each other a “I guess that went well?” shrug, and soon enough Paula’s up and dancing as Cook sings about being alive. And when I said Cook was a mensch, I meant it; he stuck around after he was done specifically so he could give Brooke a good luck high five.

Entertainment Weekly

American Idol Week 10 - The fix is in?

It’s fun to think about the furor that might result from the revelation that America’s most popular TV show has been cooking and manipulating its results for the past several years, trying to ensure that another Taylor Hicks never happens just like the Democratic National Committee put in that goofy time-bomb superdelegate rule just so they’d never get another George McGovern. As much of a blast as it might be to see the show taken down in a media feeding frenzy like the 50s Quiz Show scandal, though, I just can’t buy that narrative. After all, if you were going to orchestrate a massive live-TV conspiracy, would you really want Paula Abdul as your point person? I don’t doubt for a second that Idol exec producer Nigel Lythgoe is doing whatever he can to make sure Archuleta wins the thing, but I very much doubt that his devious efforts include passing fake notes to a fruitloop like Abdul. More likely, I think, is the possibility that Abdul just spaced right out and proved why nobody should ever put her on live TV in any capacity again. Can we just send her home this week?

Village Voice

American Idol: Good Times Never Seemed So Far Away

Have you noticed how Seacrest never says that this is the best, most talented season of American Idol of all time anymore? Yeah, cuz it most certainly is not. Maybe if he replaced “best” with “blandest” and “most talented” with “most overrated.”

Right off the bat, I found myself tapping into Nigel’s subconscious and noticing that he most calculatedly put Castro (the one who might break up the David on David finale despite his best efforts to get his bum booted from the show) in the #1 spot, which has traditionally been the kiss of death. And he put Syesha (the next most likely to go home, though haven’t we been saying that for weeks?) in the pimp spot, presumably to drum up interest in the diva and dispel rumors of favoritism. Or maybe I’m just a cynic.

On a more positive note, Pizza and Salad Paula was mos def in the house tonight. She was wearing not only leopard print, but also sequins and ruffles. Paula is really gunning for a spot on the fall season of Dancing With the Stars. Plus, she forgot to pretend during the “intermission” between parts one and two of the insipid Neil Diamond night that she had heard only one song from each of the contestants. Someone forgot to tell Paula the plan.

Phillyburbs

Endgame: Networks finish season with flourish

Ex-“Idol” contestants Ace Young and Brandon Rogers guest on Fox’s “Bones” May 12. Star David Boreanaz might even sing. Everyone at the Jeffersonian becomes a suspect when the Gormogon serial killer is revealed in the May 19 season finale.

Boston Herald

Carrie Underwood at Stagecoach Festival

On Sunday in Indio, Carrie Underwood plays Stagecoach, the nation’s biggest country music festival, along with closing-day superstar headliner Tim McGraw and the man widely considered the greatest living country singer, George Jones. A week later, the “American Idol” alumna will be inducted as the newest member of the celebrated Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, the spiritual center of country music for eight decades.

It’s a double-shot of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the 25-year-old singer from Checotah, Okla., who three years ago was just another wannabe star running the gantlet that is “Idol.” Even after her 2005 win, the country music establishment wasn’t quick to take her seriously. Who can forget the flap that exploded when Faith Hill apparently was caught in an on-camera hissy fit when Underwood’s name was called as female vocalist of the year at the 2006 Country Music Assn. Awards ceremony?

Calendar Live

Idol Banter: Time to Say Goodbye to Castro

Millions of Americans are sad tonight. Brooke White made it hard to not be sad, but I never liked her, and I’m sticking to my mild, self-satisfied buzz.

I am not sad that White is gone from “Idol.” She will be fine. She had the best exit song ever with “I Am I Said,” an awesome Neil Diamond ballad that seemed tailor-made for her unmoored state, and she got through it despite one of her trademarked attempts to restart. She wept in a telegenically broken-hearted way, then turned her back on the camera’s prying gaze — her classiest move in weeks.

LA Times

Brooke White’s Long Goodbye Comes to an End

And so on a trail of tears, she left us. Perhaps the most emotionally demonstrative contestant in American Idol history, Brooke White at last had a reason for her tears, exiting at the close of a topsy turvy Neil Diamond week.

In most seasons, Oscar or Idol, “its an honor just to be nominated” is not even a string of empty words but a phrase that can only be used ironically. But Brooke’s trajectory proves that this season a slot in the Top 12 did, in fact, mean something. While never a likely contender for the finals, no one can say Brooke White did not bring something distinctive to the show; a compelling husky voice, competent performing skills, largely good taste in song picks and a breakthrough for the singer/songwriter category which has never previously had much luck in Idol. And in the Idoldome Wednesday night while there seemed to be a general sense that this was about the right time for her, there was also genuine affection and appreciation for what she brought to the stage.

LA Times

Carly wants to come home and rest before mammoth Idol tour

AMERICAN Idol star Carly Smithson will be winging her way back to Dublin within the next few weeks.

In her first Irish interview since her appearance on the massive talent show, Carly told the Herald that a trip to her home town is the first thing on her “to-do” list.

And Carly who left Dublin in a bid to follow her dream into the music industry wants to bring her tattoo artist husband Todd back home with her.

However, Carly will be back following her American dream within weeks when she hits the road for the mammoth Idol tour.

“I definitely would love to get back home in the next few weeks, “she said. “ There’s going to be three months coming up where I can’t do anything as I’m going to be starting the Idol tour so I really want to go home and sit in my house for a while before that.”

Independent ie

Even Paula could have predicted the Arizona singer’s ouster Wednesday night.

“American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest opened Wednesday’s episode by saying Tuesday’s buzzed-about pre-critique of Jason Castro by judge Paula Abdul might not have made for the strangest show in “Idol” history, as Simon Cowell had stated, but it certainly was one of the most hectic in recent memory. Things were much calmer during the elimination episode, which ended the long, tear-stained run of Mesa, Arizona, native Brooke White.

MTV

Paula Dishes on Brooke’s Goodbye

New Video: We’re with PAULA ABDUL for all her post-”Idol” commentary. What did she have to say about RYAN SEACREST’s kind words about her tonight? And does she think it was BROOKE WHITE’s time to go?

ETOnline

Personal Reflections on Talledega Race Day

Taylor tells me he is heading west for an “American Idol” commitment, afterwhich he will return to the Birmingham area to play a pro-am at the Regions Charity Classic…

myfoxal

Idol’s Josh Gracin performs ‘We Weren’t Crazy’ in our conference room!

There may not be any country singers left on American Idol’s seventh season, but not to worry: Season 2’s fourth-place finisher Josh Gracin stopped by the EW.com studios conference room to play his new single, “We Weren’t Crazy” (currently at No. 23 and rising on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart). Enjoy!

Entertainment Weekly

[sonyab1974]

Phil Stacey on Fox 5 - VIDEO

Phil Stacey performed an acoustic version of his single on Fox 5 yesterday morning. He thinks David Cook will win American Idol…
=======================================
Check out the video!

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 5/2/08

Why Nobody Cares if They Win American Idol

Really, when you look at the careers of Elliott Yamin, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Katherine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Daughtry, Constantine, and that creepy bald dude from last season who needs to get his ads the (beeped) off of Web sites I visit pronto, there’s no clear benefit to actually winning the contest as opposed to merely placing highly. Either way, you’ve gained public recognition and a fan base. Will Michael Johns’ career suffer because he was tossed off early? Will David Archuleta get to sing on a Disney soundtrack only if he wins? They’re all winners, as Paula would happily note, and all we have left is the tired formality of finishing the damn season. Maybe if there were some true amateurs on the show, there’d actually be some competitive spirit and lingering enthusiasm for letting Randy say whether or not they were the bomb.

Idolator

`American Idol’ top boss: Paula Abdul isn’t going anywhere

“Why would we get rid of Paula?” wonders Cecile Frot-Coutaz matter-of-factly, when questioned about possibly nixing the wacky “American Idol” judge now infamous for - among other things - critiquing both of Jason Castro’s songs after he’d sung only one.

All the chatter about Abdul’s slip-up during Tuesday’s “Idol” performance show doesn’t faze the FremantleMedia North America CEO and “Idol” executive producer. Nor did the subsequent speculation about the singing competition’s authenticity.

And really, why should it?

“I love that everyone was talking about it,” she told The Associated Press over lunch in her office two days after the show. “It was so unexpected. It was something that took up 2 seconds of airtime. You’d think there was no other news on television.”

Associated Press

‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds

MTV News’ ‘Idol’ expert Jim Cantiello boils down a week’s worth of stunning performances, pitchy notes and shocking eliminations to a bite-size minute.

MTV

Terri Seymour Dishes ‘Idol’

Los Angeles — KTTV sent Terri Seymour backstage at “American Idol” last night to get the judges reactions to Brooke White being sent home.

My Fox LA

‘American Idol’: How the Top 5 Picked Their Songs

”We talk about song choice because we’re trying to hammer into their heads that a good song tells the audience who you are,” says judge Simon Cowell, who has harped on song selection this season more than ever before (and that’s saying something). So then, who are finalists David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Syesha Mercado, and David Cook? EW spent two days of rehearsals with the top four (as well as now-eliminated Brooke White) at the Idol production offices in West Hollywood, and got a unique view of how and why they chose the songs they did for Neil Diamond Week. Since season 5, contestants have not been allowed to perform the same song on the same night, so the selection competition is fierce. And what happens when two people want the same tune? If one person does not voluntarily bow out, they are forced into an Idol tiebreaker of pulling the desired song title out of a hat — both scenarios that played out during Neil Diamond Week. ”I’ve had people going into fetal positions over song choice,” says vocal coach Debra Byrd. ”The judges say song choice, song choice, song choice constantly, so they’re in agony all week over it.” Sure enough, some contestants angsted. Others ignored suggestions. Some made calculated moves based on what Simon might like. Others procrastinated learning the lyrics. And one paid the ultimate price with her ouster.

Entertainment Weekly

American Idol: A View from the Audience

While the rest of us are anxiously watching the clock in the hours leading up to elimination night on “American Idol,” some lucky fans are checking out the action firsthand. MTV News and Docs VP Laura Hill was one of those people last night.

I’m not going to say anything about the show itself because presumably if you’re reading this you’ve already seen it and have your own take on things, but more important, Cantiello is only about a 1000% better than me at recounting all things “Idol.” I’m just an interloper. I’ve worked on hundreds of shoots in my career, but I still find it fascinating to be behind the scenes of one. Here’s how it went:

MTV

Brooke White’s Debut Album Returns to the Internet

“I had shopped Brooke to practically every label in town and no bites,” confessed fallen Idol Brooke White’s former manager, Tim Simms, in a phone interview today. “No one thought you could shop the good girl.” As of today, however, Brooke White fans will be able to “shop the good girl” –- literally. Brooke’s debut album, “Songs From the Attic,” which she co-wrote and recorded with Tim, has now been re-released on Brookewhite.com.

Over the course of their four years working and recording together, Tim has been everything to Brooke: producer, manager, guitar player, roadie and more. “Its just a great, very, very unorthodox, professional” relationship, explained Tim, who remained in close communication with Brooke and her family throughout the competition. “It’s a great story,” he mused. “It’s like, movie of the week.”

LA Times

American Idol: Bye Bye Brooke

I’ve made it no secret that Brooke White was my favorite contestant this season of American Idol but my heart is not quite broken at her elimination this week. This is partially due to how the grueling grind of Idol wears down the viewers as well as the participants, slowly sanding away their initial charm — not just because we have to hear them all the time but because we have to see them jump through hoops like the group-sings, the commercials, the telephone Q&As, and theme night after theme night. Brooke wasn’t immune to this as all these performance gymnastics threw her off her game, choosing songs like this week’s “I’m a Believer” when she’d be better off with intimate songs performed with just her and a piano.Of course, American Idol isn’t about that kind of performance — it’s a “singing competition,” which means that the show pushes showboats, something Brooke is not. She is a singer/songwriter — albeit a mainstream one, one that emphasizes melody and feel over lyrics, which isn’t bad at all — and her album Songs from the Attic shows she has promise as a writer, too. The nice thing about her stint on Idol is that she’s now positioned to have a shot at the big leagues, and if history is any judge, she may have a better shot at success by not winning, just like Elliott Yamin a couple years back.

allmusic.com

On the Scene: ‘Idol’ Top 5 results night

After spending the better part of the previous 24 hours riding point on Paulagate 2008, of course literally the first thing I heard upon entering the American Idol studio was someone screaming “I love you, Paula!” This daffy woman continues to dominate my job, but I refuse to let her: Since I know Slezak’s all over this topic in his TV Watch, all I’ll say further on it (for today, anyway) is that I’ve read a lot about this online, and just for the record, the rumors about Slezak? They’re not true. He’s part of our family, and we wuv him. That is all.

Popwatch

‘American Idol’: Can David Cook Sustain A Rock Career After The Show?

With the exception of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” which was a blatant (and admitted) cop on Chris Cornell’s cover of the song, Cook has been able to take these classics and make them his own. And the “Idol” audience has repeatedly rewarded him with enough votes to push him through to the next week.

“I think that’s definitely helping him, for sure,” said Michael Slezak, a senior writer for Entertainment Weekly known for his “Idol” coverage. “But I also think he’s a really good singer and performer. I could definitely see him taking advantage of this Nickelback period. This is a time where that type of music is doing well, and fits quite easily into that world of radio play. David Cook seems to have held onto his credibility — about the type of singer he wants to be — throughout the competition. He hasn’t lost any of that. If Mariah Carey week didn’t do him in, what will? The thing is, you don’t expect to see [rock covers of pop songs] during ‘Idol.’ We’ve grown accustomed to people belting big songs. Cook doing something you don’t expect to see on the ‘Idol’ stage — I think that’s given him a real edge.”

MTV

American Idol: Readers Want Paula Off the Show

Paula Abdul’s muddled mental state on Tuesday’s show has some Dish Rag readers calling for her head.
But others are more sympathetic, going with the old “to err is human, to forgive divine” advice.

LA Times

Castro in final 4

While in high school, American Idol finalist Jason Castro was a fixture at Kim Beslisle’s home in Rowlett.

Castro, now a junior at Texas A&M University, and his younger brother Michael, now an Aggie sophomore, were good friends with Beslisle’s oldest daughter Kelli Lennington, and the trio often palled around together, Beslisle said.

Family and friends always have believed in Jason Castro’s musical talent, Beslisle said. Yet it was somewhat of a shock, she said before he advanced to the final four contestants Wednesday, to see him make it so far in the famed television music competition.

“Everybody is so proud of him,” Beslisle said. “This is not what I would ever expect him to do, but what you see is what you get. The person you see on TV is exactly how he is — goofy but intelligent. He will say the goofiest thing and then turn around and say something very profound. He’s very authentic. He’s just a good, good guy.”

The Eagle

12th Man for Jason Castro

Once again, fellow Aggie Jason Castro has been sent to the couches - safe for another week. With four competitors left on the seventh season of American Idol, the competition is high and predictions are unclear. Campus groups such as Your Apple Campus Reps, MCS Town Hall, Dining Services, MacResource, Division of Marketing and Communications and Aggie Men’s Club put on an American Idol viewing party including free pizza, live music and prizes in honor of Castro.

It was “Neil Diamond night” on Tuesday as Aggies congregated in the MSC Flagroom to watch the show, buzzing about what song Castro would sing and how “adorable” he looked last week.

As Ryan Seacrest and the five remaining contestants took the stage, the room went wild. If Castro’s face flashed on the screen, even for a second, hands were up in the air and the Aggie “whoop” shot around the room.

TheBatt.com

David Cook’s Childhood Home for Sale

BLUE SPRINGS, MO. — A Missouri real estate agent is selling American Idol contestant David Cook’s childhood home.

The home at 1120 S Sunnyside School Road in Blue Springs, Missouri is being sold for $135,000. And the agent lists it as “David Cooks’ childhood home.”

So, what kind of house did David grow up in? It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a finished walk-out basement, and a fenced in backyard. It was build in 1990 when David Cook was 7-years-old.

My FoxKC

Carrie, Taylor & Barbara Get “Beautiful” News

May 1, 2008 - “People” magazine’s annual list of the “Most Beautiful People” in the world hits newsstands tomorrow, and country music looks to have a big impact on the issue.

Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Barbara Mandrell are all featured in “Most Beautiful” sections on People.com, indicating they’re each featured in the list.

For the average person, it’ll likely come as a bit of a relief to discover that some of the most attractive celebrities have the same insecurities as everyone else. Carrie, for example, feels inadequate whenever there’s a red-carpet event.

“I feel more beautiful when I see the pictures after,” she tells People. “I’m like, ‘I wish I had felt like I looked like that when I was actually there.’”

GacTV

Carrie Underwood, Daughtry to perform in Toms River Fest

Carrie Underwood and Daughtry will be the headliner acts at the Toms River Fest, which, after a year’s absence, returns in August to the campus of Toms River High School North.

The event is being produced by Concerts East in partnership with AEG Live.

AEG Live is also the sponsor of Raven-Symone’s Pajama Party Tour, which was to have been performed May 15 at the Ritacco Center.

Tickets will be on sale starting Saturday (May 10). Part of the ticket price from the
event will go toward the school district’s technology fund.

app.com

Touring ‘Rent’ stars two ‘Idols’

In a question and answer session as a contestant on American Idol Season 4, Anwar Robinson said if he didn’t make it on the show, he’d “seize every available opportunity that comes my way.”

The New Jersey native finished as seventh-runner up that season (country phenomenon Carrie Underwood won), and earned judge Paula Abdul’s praise as being “technically the best singer of the competition.” After Idol, he made good on his promise to seize every opportunity. After the show ended, Robinson was invited to join the national touring company of “Rent.”

Having never done musical theater, Robinson, of course, seized the opportunity.

SWIowaNews

When comparing Idols, do so style to style By Carmen Rasmusen

One of my biggest downfalls while I was on “American Idol” was comparing myself to others.

I couldn’t help it. Every time I’d hear Trenyce sing, I’d think, “Wow, if only I had her range!”

And every time I’d watch Kim Caldwell perform, I’d think, “Man! She really knows how to entertain an audience.”

I had some experience before “American Idol,” if performing karaoke at the county fair and on my high school stage counts as “experience.”

I felt pretty natural on stage, and while initially I felt nervous before I performed, I could turn those butterflies into adrenaline. I thrived on competition; in fact, that’s usually when I did my best.

Deseret News

Did Paula Abdul tarnish ‘American Idol’?

Paula Abdul’s colossal screwup on “American Idol” this week has gotten fans hollering that the judging isn’t fair - and has some questioning her role on the show.

Since Abdul commented on a performance by Jason Castro that hadn’t been seen by viewers of Tuesday’s show, fans and conspiracy theorists alike have been attacking the show’s credibility with blistering online messages.

The disgust only grew a day later after Abdul and host Ryan Seacrest blamed the mixup on last-second switches in the production and the fact that Abdul had seen some of Castro’s dress rehearsal performance.

New York Daily News

Clay Aiken gets personal, a SheKnows interview

In 2006, Aiken released “A Thousand Different Ways,” a record of songs made famous by other people. “On My Way Here” allows Aiken to get his sound out to an audience that has been hungering for original Aiken in five years.
He walked off of the “American Idol” stage during its second season as its runner-up and set the standard for success outside the top spot on the Fox phenomenon.

Since that famed singing competition made him a household name, Aiken has transcended pop to not only conquer the charts, but become the king of Christmas touring and an expert in Monty Python’s regal attitudes and had his hair lighten by just a few shades.

SheKnows.com

[sonyab1974]

Carrie Underwood - New Video for “Last Name” Check out Carrie Underwood’s new video for her single “Last Name”. She recently filmed it in Las Vegas,
==========================
Carrie fans check out the video..

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 5/3/08
 
Simon Cowell defends Paula Abdul, mocks ‘American Idol’ songwriting competition

Simon Cowell did not mince words today when asked whether Paula Abdul should have apologized to Jason Castro this week for critiquing his second song before he’d even sung it. “I don’t think [an apology] is necessary, to be honest with you,” the American Idol judge told reporters while promoting America’s Got Talent at NBC’s summer season press day in Pasadena. “I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. It was a live show. She made a mistake.

Cowell did not hide his feelings about the Idol songwriting competition, which last year yielded the oft-mocked “This Is My Now” for winner Jordin Sparks. “I have nothing to do with it — I’d like to bring in the best songwriters in the world,” said Cowell, who joked, “You can guarantee either the word ‘proud’ or ‘moment’ will be in the song. How about ‘I’m Proud to Be in this Moment Now’?” When asked if the final two will get to change up the Iarrangement to better suit their vocal styles, Cowell hinted at a glimmer of hope: “I won’t give it away, but there’s a slight change to last year which is going to be an improvement.”

Entertainment Weekly

John Rich: ”American Idol’ infuriates me’

Rich, who will function as a judge and mentor on Nashville Star, as well as produce the album of the NS winner, said he was especially upset when Paula Abdul commented Tuesday night on Jason Castro’s second song before the dreadlocked contestant had actually sung it. “Why don’t you just walk up on stage and slap them right across the face while you’re at it?” Rich said. “It’s not a problem of [a judge] being tough on somebody. You’ve got to be tough on people and be honest with them. But you’ve got to respect these people. This is their entire life hanging by a thread….I’m sure [Paula] is a fine lady, but I thought that was a very, very disrespectful thing.”

Hollywood Insider


Simon Cowell Predicts the ‘American Idol’ Finale

There is no doubt in SIMON COWELL ’s mind that this year’s “American Idol” finale will be a competition between the two David’s — DAVID ARCHULETA and DAVID COOK — he indicated at a press conference to promote this summer’s “America’s Got Talent,” on which he is the creator/executive producer.

“You’re going to have a real scrap,” he predicts. “The winner will really depend on what song they sing on the night.”

That said, he also admits that “American Idol” is also a popularity contest and that, “David Cook has got the better voice and David Archuleta has got the teen and grandma appeal.”

ETOnline

Idol Producer: Simon Cowell “More Ditzy” Than Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul accidentally critiqued two songs by contestant Jason Castro on Tuesday’s show, but Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe says the show’s real flake is Simon Cowell.

“There’s no one more ditzy than Simon!” he told Usmagazine.com Thursday at the BAFTA Comedy Awards in L.A. “Or more ass-y than Simon when he wants to be. Depends on the night.”

US Magazine

Turn on Your “Heartlight…”

Is the song no one cares enough to sing on this week’s Neil Diamond-encrusted episode of American Idol. Somewhere, E.T. is feeling really slighted.

I quit reading Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. Scott Savol-flavored soup was not all that delicious in the first place. When Carly was declared not-as-good-as-Brooke-White-and-Jason-Castro I thought about setting my copy on fire like in those countries where they ban books. But then I realized I didn’t have any place to set stuff on fire that wouldn’t also burn up (beeped) in my apartment. And I have lots of awesome possessions. So that idea had to be scuttled.

Advocate

David Archuleta’s Relief Dedication

David Archuleta has never been in the bottom three on an elimination night. And we’d be willing to wager that he never will be.

But, according to People Magazine, the young, popular crooner was shocked when he was sent to the safe sofa this week.

As David walked over to join Jason Castro, also safe, on the couch, he mouthed “wow, wow, wow” to himself, maintaining a look of shock into the break. We don’t know why. Of course he was safe, and he’ll continue to be until the finals (where we hope he loses out to David Cook).

Hollywood Gossip

Our ‘Idol’ Curse Gets Brooke And What Happened When Natasha Bedingfield Forgot Her Lyrics?

Well, things went down at “American Idol” last night exactly as I thought they would. The lovely, and once very talented (but lost her confidence), Brooke White was sent home. I knew it would happen not because her guitar playing, kitschy performance of “I’m A Believer” was so awful, but because Access Hollywood was at a viewing party for her Tuesday night.

Access Hollywood

JORDIN SPARKS (AGAIN): Singer returns to Alicia Keys’ tour

Yes, American Idol alum Jordin Sparks is back on the bill as the opening act for Wednesday’s Alicia Keys concert at the San Diego Sports Arena.

Sparks last month dropped off the tour bill because, she said, her vocal cord was hemorrhaging. (Most people have two vocal cords, but why quibble over numbers?) “My career could have been in jeopardy if I hadn’t done anything about it,” Sparks told the New York Post.

SignonSandiego

POP QUIZ: Clay Aiken

We realize that Clay Aiken is not everyone’s favorite “American Idol” runner-up. But the 29-year-old North Carolina native is the only one who sells millions of records, stars in a major Broadway show, gets to sell stuff on QVC, runs a foundation for children with disabilities and inspires fans to make homemade T-shirts that read “Clay shakes my ovaries a thousand different ways.” This week, Aiken releases “On My Way Here,” his first album of original material since his 2003 double-platinum debut, “Measure of a Man.” We spoke to him by phone from New York a few days before he wrapped up his five-month stint in the Tony award-winning musical comedy “Spamalot.”

SFGate

Chris Sligh returns to the Upstate for CD release

The Upstate’s favorite “American Idol” contestant is returning to the Upstate to support his new CD “Running Back to You,” which hits music stores on May 6.

You can hear his first single, “Empty Me” on http://www.hisradio.com/common/contenthottop.asp?PAGE=351″ target=”_blank”>His Radio 89.3.
Sligh will be performing a few songs from the disc at the food court in WestGate Mall in Spartanburg.
What: Chris Sligh performing songs from his new CD “Running Back to You.”
When: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6
Where: WestGate Mall in Spartanburg
How much: Free.

There’s also a homecoming for Sligh the following day at Seacost Church Greenville.

What: “Running Back to You” CD release party.
When: Wednesday, May 7.
Where: http://www.seacoast.org/greenville/” target=”_blank”>Seacoast Greenville
How much: $10. But call to find out about tickets. There’s limited seating, and it may already be sold out. 864.284.0781.

Greenville Online

‘Rent’ cast celebrates life with abandon

I’m no big fan of “Rent,” the edgy, dated musical embraced by legions of young fans. But there was much to embrace about the production that stormed the Paramount Theatre stage Thursday night, drawing cheers from beginning to end from a young crowd eager to leap to its collective feet and scream for more.

Other stellar performances come from “American Idol” alum Anwar Robinson as Collins; “South African Idol” winner Heinz Winckler and Jennifer Colby Talton as lovers Roger and Mimi, united by passion but struggling with their own demons.

Gazette Online

‘American Idol’ finalist to visit Gulf Middle School in Cape Coral

Gulf Middle School’s entertaining book fair earlier this year earned it a visit from a season-five “American Idol” finalist.

Lisa Tucker will visit the Cape Coral school from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Thursday.

She’ll meet students at a schoolwide assembly, perform a song, sign autographs and hang out with the winning Student Crew.

Gulf also will receive a $2,000 Scholastic-merchandise shopping spree and special door prizes to be awarded during Tucker’s visit.

news-press.com

‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’ to bring gut-see stories

THE magazine show of GMA-7 “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS)” will make Saturday dreary stories into out of ordinary ones to entertain and ensnare the interest of primetime audience.

In a press statement, KMJS will recount stories of Filipino achievers in the field of music, sports, and fashion. It also features the Dinengdeng Festival, odd stories of “runaway” grooms, and how rice crisis becomes a vehicle for prostitution.

Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo

The show relates the lives of Ramiele Malubay who is an “American Idol” ex-finalist and who became a favorite of international audience, and Madonna Decena who is still struggling for the title of “Britain’s Got Talent 2008″. Malubay and Decena are both Filipinos who received a standing ovation during their performances in their respective international television reality shows.

Sunstar.com

‘Duel’ between two Davids looms on ‘AI’

MANILA, Philippines—Months ago, we took a deep breath and “educatedly guessed” that the 2008 “American Idol” grand finals could end up as a “duel” between the two Davids in the singing tilt-David Archuleta and David Cook. As of last week, both of them were still among the five “surviving” finalists, so our “fearless” forecast could come true a few more weeks from now.

Better chance

If both Davids do make it to the “final-finals,” which one of them has a better chance of being hailed as the ultimate Idol? It all depends on the show’s millions of viewer-voters, of course-but, a little second-guessing may not be such a fruitless exercise in speculation:

Inquirer.net

Police: Man Uses Kelly Clarkson’s Name To Steal Truck

A man used a Texas-native pop star’s name to con a Ford dealership out of a pickup truck, officials told KPRC Local 2 Thursday.

“He had made his appointment and kept it,” said Officer Jim Woods with the Houston Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit. “He said he was an associate of Kelly Clarkson.”

That’s right — Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of “American Idol.” She is originally from Burleson, Texas, near Fort Worth.

“He said she was in town looking to buy her sister a brand new Ford F-150,” said Woods. “They showed it to him and he said that was exactly what she was looking for.”

Police said the man convinced the sales manager to drive the truck to the Westin Galleria hotel, so he could show the pop star her potential purchase in person.

click2houston.com

Since You Asked: Kristy Lee is coming home

Yes, Selma’s sweetheart, who made it to No. 7 on the inescapably popular “American Idol” undiscovered-talent show before being voted off, actually will come home for an appearance at Ray’s Food Place on Highway 199 in Selma — today.

Festivities start at 11 a.m. and the “welcome back” party includes an appearance by Kristy, autographs, music, a barbecue, bounce house and more. It’s open to the public, so feel free to drop in and meet Kristy, who’s American Idol motto is about as Southern Oregon as you can get: “Rope it, ride it, wrestle it, cowgirl it.”

After that, it’s unclear what public appearances she’ll make until the “Pop Tarts Presents American Idols Live Tour 2008″ kicks off July 1 in Glendale, Ariz. The closest she and her Idol cohorts will get to Selma on that tour is Sacramento, Calif., on July 9; Portland on July 11; and Tacoma, Wash., on July 12.

Mail Tribune

Simon Sweats it Out

“I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. She made a mistake. I think…on live TV…you embrace things when things go wrong. If this was a pre-recorded show, none of this would have been shown and it would have been a bit boring. There was no conspiracy–I hear all this stuff about how it’s rigged. We watch the dress runs occasionally, sometimes we take notice of it, sometimes we don’t.”

Simon continues, “It’s all part of the craziness of the show and the year everything becomes normal is the year I’ll probably leave. I like it when it’s a bit loopy.”

But Cowell is quick to criticize his show, telling OK! that Idol ratings have been down slightly this season because, “I think the themes are too old fashioned at the moment. I think you’ve got to make the themes more current and I think we haven’t got the right personalities at the moment. They’re [the contestants] not letting go enough. They’re very media savvy, saying the right things, not arguing with me. It’s too safe at the moment.”

OK Magazine

DeGeneres takes on Michigan Avenue

Look out, Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres is invading your territory.

The talk show host will tape an outdoor episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Saturday afternoon on Michigan Avenue between Tribune Tower and the river. The show’s publicist said she expects an audience of 3,000 to attend—and no more tickets are available.

DeGeneres will chat up Chicago native Robin Williams, as well as present a “TV exclusive” duet by “American Idol” rejects Michael Johns and Carly Smithson. According to the publicist, DeGeneres also taped a segment around the city on Friday.

The episode is scheduled to air at 3 p.m. Tuesday on WMAQ-Ch. 5.

[sonyab1974]

Idol in The Mags - Carrie Underwood is one of People Magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful

This week’s edition of Idol in the mags…

The 5/9 edition of Entertainment Weekly features a story on how the Top 5 chose their song selections for Neil Diamond week. Many of you have read the article on line, and there has been much discussion about it. Interesting, the Idols don’t make the front page of the issue, like they would have in year’s past for a feature story. Ellen Pompeo from Grey’s Anatomy graces the cover instead. I’m sure that decision had something to do with Season 7’s declining ratings. This week’s numbers are the lowest in 5 years.

Carrie Underwood is featured as one of People Magzine’s 100 Most Beautiful in their May 12 issue.

Finally, Carly Smithson gets a page in the May 12 US Magazine–”Carly: What I Did After Idol”

Check it out after the Jump…

Entertainment Weekly Top 5 Song Selection

Pg1
Pg2
Pg3
Pg4
People Magazine 100 Most Beautiful:

Carrie Underwood
US Magazine:

Carly Smithson: What I Did After Idol
===============================
Check out the pages.. And the ratings are low HA!

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 5/4/08

 
Johns, Smithson rock Chicago

Michael Johns and Carly Smithson performed for the first time since being kicked off “American Idol” on Saturday.

The pair made duets out of U2’s “One” and Sam & Dave’s “Hold on, I’m Coming.” They knocked them out of the park, especially the second tune.

Johns seems to have a natural star quality. He engaged the audience very well, and both songs fit right into his bluesy sort of style.

Smithson was more subdued working the audience, but she’s got the pipes. Her voice alone got the crowd behind her.

redeyechicago.com


American Idol: A big week for Jason Castro

If Rockwall’s favorite son makes it to the final three this week on American Idol, he’ll be returning to Texas in a big way. Our resident JC expert Dawn Redig has already posted some of the specifics, but keep an eye on the Go Blog and neighborsgo.com in the coming days for more details.

Dallasnews.com

Updated Vegas Odds for American Idol, Hell’s Kitchen and Dancing With the Stars

Though most American Idol watchers in our unscientific survey agree that the American Idol winner will be “one of the two Davids,” a popular prediction site suggests that long shot Syesho Mercado may beat the betting odds.

DialIdol.com’s often accurate software indicates that Syesha Mercado at 50/1 is gaining momentum and could stun co-favorites David Archuleta and David Cook, both who are now 20/21. The other finalist, Jason Castro checks in at 25/1.

Offshore Insiders

Live TV still shines in an on-demand world

Snapshots from the world of live TV in recent weeks:

American Idol judge Paula Abdul, looking dazed and confused, critiques a song yet to be sung by contestant Jason Castro. Painfully awkward hardly starts to describe the moment.

Another contestant, Brooke White, forgets the lyrics to a big, loud ballad and brings the orchestra to a crashing halt by turning to the conductor and saying, “I’m sorry.”

Chilean film star Cristian de la Fuente blows out a tendon in his arm and, with a grimace on his face, stops dead in his tracks while doing the samba on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

Forget the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination and the war in Iraq, no topic last week was more discussed in the blogosphere than Abdul’s Tuesday-night goof on live TV before 24 million viewers. A night earlier, de la Fuente’s real-time injury in front of 18 million fans was all the buzz.

Baltimore Sun.com

The real deal on reality TV, and why TV as we know it may be about to change forever

nterestingly - and disturbingly, for anyone who appreciates good TV comedy and drama - four of the five top programs on TV that week were reality series, with American Idol and Dancing with the Stars leading the field. Hell’s Kitchen, normally summer fill-in for the Fox network scored 11 million viewers, enough to land it in the top 20 that week, thanks in large part to its cushy post-Idol time period on Fox.

What does this all mean? No one is going to lose interest in good stories, well told - not completely, anyway. But it does suggest the writers’ strike had incalculable unintended consequences, not the least of which is fewer jobs for writers.

Canada.com

David Cook’s homecoming to include a concert

A parade in honor of one of Blue Springs most famous natives is planned for the “American Idol” hopeful Friday - if he isn’t voted off the show.

And for Debbie Whisler, president of the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, that means one important fact.

“People need to vote,” Whisler said. “Vote early and vote often.”

The parade is set to begin at 3 p.m. Friday at Moreland School Road and Adams Diary Parkway. The route goes north to Ryan Road - the back entrance to Cook’s alma mater, Blue Springs South High School.

Inside the Larry Stewart Memorial Stadium, Cook will receive a key to the city and other gifts from hometown supporters. After a brief presentation headed by Mayor Carson Ross, Cook will perform a few songs acoustically.

examiner.net

Country: Phil Stacey

Apparently, it’s not necessary to win, place or even show on “American Idol” to score a recording contract from one of Music City’s big-time labels. After finishing sixth in “Idol’s” sixth season, Phil Stacey signed on to Lyric Street Records. His self-titled debut is the pedestrian result.

On the surface, Stacey has the goods to make a brisk dash for stardom. He’s a pastor’s son, a U.S. Navy veteran and a family man with two young daughters, and he sports a ruggedly wholesome face that’s perfect for video. But his voice, pleasant yet lacking character, is not strong enough to compensate for the weak material provided by Nashville’s professional tunesmiths.

News and Observer

An ‘Idol’ moment, or career?

A little more than a year ago, I wrote a story for The Eagle outlining onetime Wichitan Phil Stacey’s post-”American Idol” prospects.

At the time, Stacey — a 1997 Northwest High School graduate — had just cracked the top 10 on “Idol,” ensuring him a spot on last summer’s nationwide “Idol” tour.

Stacey’s career could go in a lot of different directions, I wrote. He could win the whole thing. He could be eliminated and still release a successful album. He could land some sort of television hosting gig or get a spot in a Broadway play. Or he could simply fade into oblivion.

“No matter the outcome,” I wrote in the story’s final line, “Phil almost certainly has a Wichita River Festival invitation in his future.”

I was kidding!

Yet, here we are, a year later. Phil Stacey has just released his first album — an impressive collection of country-pop songs recorded by Lyric Street Records, the same label that claims Rascal Flatts.

Kansas.com

UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

Kellie Pickler says she excited about performing for students at a Georgia high school whose text-messaging won them a concert by the “American Idol” finalist.

Thanks to 500,000 text messages from students at Etowah High School in Cherokee County during a 10-day period, the school will receive a visit from the popular “Idol” singer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday.

The free concert was part of a contest held by Atlanta radio station WKHX-FM. Pickler said she was excited to hear how dedicated her fans were to winning the promotion.

UPI.com

Clay Aiken finally has a record (sort of) of his own

When it comes to Clay Aiken, you certainly can’t tell from 2003’s “Measure of a Man,” a CD released just five months after he lost to Ruben Studdard on “American Idol.”

“When that first album came out, the music on it was predetermined before ‘Idol’ was even done,” said Aiken, who has a new recording due this week. “At the time, I was just so excited that I had this opportunity, I was like, ‘I’ll sing “The Crawdad Song” if you want me to!’ ”

Aiken didn’t write any of the songs on “Measure,” but his cooing delivery made him an even bigger star in the adult contemporary world. And after sporadic touring, it was time to cut another record — this one a holiday CD. “Merry Christmas With Love” was released a year after “Measure,” and six weeks later it reached platinum status.

It goes without saying that selling a million copies of a holiday record is uncommon territory, the kind typically reserved for Kenny G and Celine Dion. Then again, Aiken fits in nicely with that crowd.

Denver Post.com

Underwood a little awed by the ‘oohs, ahhs’

It felt like the onset of a diva moment: a darkened Tucson Arena illuminated by the blue-red flicker of cell phones.

The crowd of 7,000 scanned the stage, then the catwalk jutting out a good 25 yards.
Where was she coming from?

As her band of twentysomething players lit into the opening chords of the rocking pop-country song “Flat On the Floor,” Carrie Underwood emerged from beneath the catwalk, nearest the stage.
The screams and applause were so loud you could barely hear her sing: “I’m flat on the floor / With my head down low / Where the sky can’t rain on me anymore.”

AZStarnet

Betting with the stars

“American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks: “My buddy, I think his plane got hit by lightning. So when he hit the ground and I said, ‘Well, I guess we’re going to have to put some money on Smooth Air because that’s what you need going on,’” Hicks said at the Grand Gala VIP Reception, held at the downtown Marriott. His other pick: Denis of Cork. “My trying out for American Idol was a longshort, so I’m into longshot winners for sure.’

[sonyab1974]

American Idol Appearances for the Week 05/5/08-05/11/08
 
Clay Aiken promotes his new album On My Way Here all over the dial this week. Jordin Sparks, recovering from a throat ailment, rejoins Alicia Keys on tour Wednesday in San Diego and Carrie Underwood is inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday.

Don’t Miss…

Monday 5/5 - Brooke White appears on Live with Regis and Kelly and the Ellen DeGeneres Show

Tuesday 5/6 - Michael Johns and Carly Smithson perform on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Bo Bice appears on NYC TV Profiles on New York’s channel 74.

Wednesday 5/7 - Clay Aiken appears on Good Morning America. Bo Bice performs “Witness” on the AI Results show.

Thursday 5/8 - Clay Aiken appears on The View.

Friday 5/9 - Clay Aiken appears on the Early Show.

Saturday 5/10 - Carrie Underwood is featured in the special Road to the Opry on GAC TV 7:30 pm. At 8 PM, she is inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, live on GAC.

For more information check out the Idol Appearances Page…

Check out the Idols on Tour…


Monday 5/5 - Anwar Robinson, Rent, Memorial Hall Theatre, Pueblo, CO.

Tuesday 5/6 - Constantine Maroulis, Knitting Factory, Los Angeles, CA. Anwar Robinson, Rent, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, CO-thru 5/7. Carrie Underwood, Don Haskins Center, El Paso, TX.


Wednesday 5/7 - Jordin Sparks w/ Alicia Keys, San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, CA. Chris Sligh, Seacoast Greenville Church, Greenville, SC. Phil Stacey, The Dome Center, Rochester, NY.

Thursday 5/8 - Lisa Tucker visits the Gulf Middle School in Cape Coral, FL. Anwar Robinson, Rent, Budweiser Events Center, Loveland, CO. Josh Gracin, State Theatre, Bay City MI 7 and 9:30.

Friday 5/9 - Chris Sligh, Seacoast Charleston, Mt Pleasant, SC. Josh Gracin and Phil Stacey, Hart Plaza, Detroit MI. Jordin Sparks w/ Alicia Keys, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV.


Saturday 5/10 - Kimberley Locke, “The Rhythm of Romance”, Honolulu, HI. Constantine Maroulis, Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund Gala, NYC. Anwar Robinson, Rent, Maricopa Performing Arts Center, Sun City, AZ–thru 5/11. Kellie Pickler and Bucky Covington WZZK Throwdown, Birmingham, AL. Jordin Sparks w/ Alicia Keys, HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA.

Sunday 5/11 - Carrie Underwood, Alltell Arena, North Little Rock, AR. Jordin Sparks w/ Alicia Keys, Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA. Josh Gracin, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ.

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 5/5/08

Predicting the Trends of ‘American Idol’

TiVo has made watching commercials unnecessary. Is it now trying to make watching reality shows a thing of the past, too?

Last month, TiVo said it would predict the loser on “American Idol” by using its own product, StopWatch, which monitors the fast-forwarding and rewinding patterns of 20,000 anonymous subscribers to gauge viewers’ preferences.

The announcement signified yet another attempt to flout efforts by “American Idol” to keep its voting results secret. Predictive Web sites already exist, like DialIdol, which calculates the frequency of busy signals on the show’s phone lines, and ZabaSearch, which tracks how often contestants’ names are entered into search engines.

NY Times

Erosion in young audience shows cracks in `Idol’ future

The fevered response to the latest loopy Paula Abdul episode, where she judged a phantom performance, just goes to show how “American Idol” continues to dominate television in its seventh season.

Yet while “Idol” is still a hit, it’s no longer necessarily hip.

You can hear it in the lack of enthusiasm in 14-year-old Katharine Bohrs’ voice.

“Last year I was really into it, and the year before that,” said the high school freshman from Brookline, Mass. “This year in the beginning I was, but then track started up and I have a lot of homework. It’s two hours long and I don’t have the time.”

Associated Press


“American Idol” singer’s next stop: Nashville

“You’re completely stressed out, no sleep, like you don’t have a brain at times,” she said of her weeks competing in Hollywood, but now, for a while, it’s nice to be back with friends and family in tiny Selma, training and riding her beloved horses.

“It’s been a long road to get to where I am. I’ve been singing since I was 13. I’m happy I’m finally there,” says Cook.

Grabbing up her momentum, Cook plans to take off to Nashville and see if she can sign to a record label and get her career in gear.

Her advice to blooming young artists: “Keep dreaming. You’ll eventually get where you want to go.”

Oregon Live

Kristy Lee Cook greets hometown fans

It was easily the biggest thing that ever happened here.

“American Idol” seventh-place finisher Kristy Lee Cook came home and, ensconced at a table in front of Ray’s Food Place, she signed publicity pictures for thousands of fans, who stood in a line snaking around the parking lot and held up their kids to be photographed with her.

Cook, 24, didn’t sing, which is what won her fame on the Fox TV show, belting out “Rescue Me,” “You’re No Good” and “God Bless the USA.”

“You’re completely stressed out, no sleep, like you don’t have a brain at times,” she said of her weeks competing in Hollywood, but now, for a while, it’s nice to be back with friends and family in tiny Selma, training and riding her beloved horses.

“It’s been a long road to get to where I am. I’ve been singing since I was 13. I’m happy I’m finally there,” says Cook.

mailtribune.com

Castro hometown visit tentatively set

The tentative plans are to host Castro’s return at The Harbor’s amphitheatre on Friday, May 9, at 4:30 p.m.

This of course assumes that Castro makes it through another round of competition, which is getting tighter as former contestant’s voters are realigning their loyalties down to the four remaining singers.

On Monday night, the Rockwall City Council will be taking action to prepare for the logistics and scheduling for the visit, which will actually begin on Thursday. Friday’s afternoon event is the only public event scheduled so far. The City is also planing to designate May 9 as “Jason Castro Day” in the City of Rockwall.

Herald Banner

American Idol’s Michael Johns hates name-dropping

MICHAEL Johns doesn’t want to name-drop, but after rubbing shoulders with Demi Moore, Condoleezza Rice and Rupert Murdoch over the past month, it’s hard not to.
Since his shock eviction from American Idol last month, the Perth-born 29-year-old’s life has been a whirlwind of publicity and A-list parties.

Johns has performed and partied with Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and Cameron Diaz at a Saturday Night Live after-party.

He got the thumbs up from Rupert Murdoch at a party the Fox boss held for the Idols, while Murdoch’s wife Wendi passed on Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s best wishes to the fellow Aussie.

news.com.au

David Cook Speaks of American Idol Perks

The final four American Idol contestants took a little time off from practicing and enjoyed the perks of being an Idol. Syesha, Jason, David, and Blue Spring’s native, David Cook, received red-carpet treatment at Saturday night’s Cirque de Soli performance of “Love.” It’s a perk Cook said he’s starting to get used to. Play the video to hear what he had to say.

MyFoxKC

American Idol Final Four In Vegas For Cirque Du Soleil

When contestants get this far into the American Idol competition, producers need to do things to help the finalists balance their nerves. Saturday night served as one of those tension breaker sessions for the final four.

David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado, David Cook, and Jason Castro, were treated to a trip to Las Vegas over the weekend. The four finalists spent Saturday with VIP treatment. They attended a performance of the Beatles”Love’, which was being performed by Cirque Du Soleil.

Celebrity News.net

Top 4 Power Rankings, Finals Forecast and More!

With your next American Idol just weeks away from being crowned, David C. is maintaining a strong lead in the TVGuide.com Power Rankings, commanding 62.4 percent of the reader vote. Check it out:

Top 4 Idol Power Rankings
62.4% David Cook
22.8% David Archuleta
9.9% Jason Castro
4.8% Syesha Mercado

Contrary to the above, however, Jason is likely the next to get sent home, says 49 percent of you in a separate survey. Syesha is far from safe, though, drawing 44 percent of that dubious vote.

TV Guide

McGraw, Underwood Cap Off Stagecoach Fest

The three-day Stagecoach Country Music Festival wraps up Sunday night at Indio’s Empire Polo Field with performances by Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson and “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood.

It was a mother and child reunion last night, when “The Judds” reunited. And police reported only a small percentage of festival-goers got out of hand.

[sonyab1974]

Monday Morning Mediabase Update - 05/05/08

A snapshot of Idols’ singles radio play culled from Mediabase charts as of this morning. Find out where your favorite Idol stands on the radio after the jump.


Ace Young:
“Addicted”: ^89 Pop (100)

Blake Lewis:
“Break Anotha”: ^222 Pop (420)
“How Many Words”: 475 Rhy (408)

Bucky Covington:
“I’ll Walk”: ^56 Country (63)

Carrie Underwood
“All American Girl”:
“Crazy Dreams”: 270 Country (270)
“Ever Ever After”: 331 Country (197)
“Flat on the Floor”: ^241 Country (383)
“How Great Thou Art”: ^89 CAC (103), ^337 Country (-)
“I Know You Won’t”: 417 Country (424)
“I’ll Stand By You”: ^59 AC (87)
“Just Dream”: 459 Country (447)
“Last Name”: ^8 Country (9), 74 HAC (73)
“More Boys I Meet”: 95 Country (91)
“So Small”: 63 AC (61), 66 HAC (60)
“Star Spangled Banner” : 334 Country (107)
“Wasted” : ^62 AC (65), 407 HAC (268)
“You Won’t Find This”: 372 Country (137)

Chris Daughtry:
“Hemorrhage”: ^347 AC (-)

Chris Sligh:
“Empty Me”: ^18 CAC (18)

Daughtry:
“Crashed”: ^83 HAC (90)
“Feels Like Tonight”: 1 HAC (2), ^14 AC (16), 23 Pop (15), ^74 Alt (75), ^139 AAA (153)
“Home”: 258 Alt (255), ^392 AAA (567), ^465 Active (-)
“It’s Not Over”: 1135 AAA (1072)
“Over You”: 137 Alt (180), ^500 AAA (1172)
“Rocket Man”: 120 HAC (115), ^421 Active (-)
“What About Now”: ^117 Pop (192), ^162 Alt (309), 244 HAC (252)
“What I Want”: ^324 HAC (-)

Elliott Yamin :
“A Song For You”: 139 AC (116)
“Free”:
“Moody’s Mood for Love”:
“One Word”:

Fantasia:
“Put You Up On Game..” with Aretha Franklin: ^896 Urban (1814)
“Two Weeks Notice”: 385 UAC (348)

George Huff:
“A Brighter Day”: ^155 UAC (248), ^228 CAC (253), ^521 Rhy (851), ^559 Urban (1821)
“You Know Me”: 423 Gospel (275), ^882 UAC (-)

Jordin Sparks:
“No Air” with Chris Brown: 2 Pop (2), ^4 Rhy (5), ^5 Urban (8), ^17 HAC (19), ^35 AC (47), ^41 UAC (44)
“One Step At a Time”: ^118 Pop (139)
“The Star-Spangled Banner”: 532 CAC (634), 766 Pop (428)
“Tattoo”: ^7 AC (8)

Josh Gracin:
“We Weren’t Crazy”: ^21 Country (22)

Katharine McPhee:
“Real Love” featuring Elliott Yamin: ^71 HAC (114), ^150 Pop (253)

Kimberley Locke:
“Band of Gold”: ^235 HAC (-)
“Change”: ^290 HAC (-)
“Fall”: ^17 AC (18), 249 HAC (266)

Mandisa:
“Only the World”: ^159 AC (-)
“Voice of a Savior”: 44 CAC (44)

Paris Bennet:
“Duet” featuring J. Issac: 1062 UAC (648)

Paula Abdul:
“Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow”: 24 AC (25), 140 HAC (150), 230 Pop (129)

Phil Stacey:
“Find You”: ^346 Country (-)
“Identity”: ^336 CAC (-)
“If You Didn’t Love Me”: ^30 Country (29), 174 CAC (183)
“It’s Who You Know”: 430 Country (299)
“Looking Like Love”: ^392 Country (-)
“No Way Around A River”: 200 Country (108)
“‘Round Here”: 333 Country (115)
“Search Me, O God”: ^201 CAC (267)
“Still Going Through”: ^388 Country (-)

Taylor Hicks:
“Just to Feel That Way”: ^347 HAC (-)

Season 7 (just checking Pop, HAC and AC)
David C: “All I Really Need Is…”: ^314 Pop, ^334 Pop

Note: Numbers indicate position on the chart while numbers in brackets indicate the position on the chart the previous week. ‘^’ indicates that the song has a bullet in that format.

[sonyab1974]

Clay Aiken CD - “On My Way Here” - Drops May 6

Clay Aiken kicked off the sale of his new CD “On My Way Here” at the Virgin Megastore in New York City this morning. There, at midnight, the first 300 people in line got wristbands that entitled them to get their CD signed by Clay at 2 pm later today. Clay will be promoting his CD all week and next. It will be a veritable Clay-fest! To find out where and when, check out the Idol Appearances Page, and keep your eye on the blog for video…

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 5/06/08

‘American Idol’ Power List: The Top 4

Entertainment Weekly

Industry insiders envision ‘Idol’ final four’s future

Recent history tells us we’ll be hearing from American Idol’s final four. Exactly what we’ll be hearing is a little harder to predict.

Projecting the shape of albums from the last four contestants would seem to be a snap based on their images. David Archuleta is a teen prodigy with a penchant for inspirational ballads. Jason Castro is what used to be called a “folkie,” a laid-back singer/songwriter type. David Cook is, by Idol standards, a rocker, with a knack for striking arrangements. Syesha Mercado is an R&B belter with a Broadway bent.

USA Today

‘Idol’ finalists need a narrow groove

To reach American Idol’s final four, the contestants have acquired strong fan bases. But when it’s time to make albums — and you can be confident they will make albums, no matter the result of tonight’s performances (Fox, 8 ET/PT) — can they find a commercial niche?

History shows it’s a chancy proposition (Chris Daughtry, yes; Katharine McPhee, not exactly). Each of this year’s quartet has a clear image, but careful refinement is required for recording success.

USA Today

Brainstorming newer, fresher ‘Idol’ theme nights

I know, I know, I write a googillion words a week about American Idol — and I’ve already referenced an unfunny Ben Stiller “Idol Gives Back” joke in the first sentence of this blog item! — but all the recent press about the show slipping in the advertiser-craved 18-34 demographic, and now having a median viewer age of (le gasp!) 42, got me thinking.

As Idolatry viewer Lee Chesnut from Barnard, Vt., griped in a recent e-mail titled “Oldies Idol,” the show has been bizarrely reluctant to allow season 7 contestants to sing contemporary songs. “Neil Diamond Week, Andrew Lloyd Weber Week, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Week, Dolly Parton Week, Beatles Week (twice!), ’60s Week, ’70s Week, ’80s Week…. I mean it’s almost cruel to imagine this season’s winner being turned loose to compete in the ‘real world’,” Lee writes, before hitting the all-caps button. “WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY FAVORITE SHOW??”

Entertainment Weekly


Cryin’ Out and Tryin’ Out

In honor of American Idol tonight, we’re taking you on an exclusive experience of what it takes to go from “who are you?” to “your VIP table is right this way, Ms. Underwood.” And surprise, surprise, auditioning for the biggest show on TV is just about as twisted as Jason Castro’s dreads, and twice as long. Bet you’ll find that even the nontelevised part of the Idol journey is still a helluva lot more entertaining than watching one full episode of According to Jim.

Eonline.com

WELCOME HOME, KRISTY LEE!

AN EVENT WAS HELD SATURDAY AT RAY’S FOOD PLACE IN SELMA TO WELCOME HOME AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANT, KRISTY LEE COOK.

ORGANIZERS SAID THEY EXPECTED A LARGE CROWD BUT HAD NO IDEA THAT SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE WOULD SHOW UP.

kmed.com

“American Idol Maroon Out” Planned For Castro

Aggieland could become an “American Idol” outpost Thursday ( May 8 ), resulting in an “American Idol Maroon Out,” with millions of fans of the widely viewed FOX program tuned in—if Texas A&M University architecture student Jason Castro is selected as one of the three finalists Wednesday evening in the telecast of the hotly contested musical talent competition.

As legions of loyal fans of the “American Idol” television show know, producers of the program tape segments at the hometowns of those contestants selected as the three finalists. If Castro should be one of those finalists, Texas A&M would share “hometown” billing with Rockwall, the Dallas-area town he calls home when not in Aggieland. Castro will be performing live and FOX would tape the “American Idol Maroon Out” from the east steps of the Jack K. Williams Administration Building, the stately structure at the main entrance to the university, beginning at 7 p.m. ( CST ) Thursday. Fans are encouraged to attend.

media newswire

‘American Idol 7′ - The curse of the top four

For the past three years, I’ve been writing a regular “This Week in ‘American Idol’ History” piece for Foxes on Idol. Each week, I take a look back at the corresponding week in previous seasons, highlight the performances, recap the elimination, provide an update on what the eliminated contestants have been doing, and offer some conjecture as to what might happen during the current season.

I always look forward to the top four because, historically, it’s been the one round that has resulted in the biggest shockers of the season. What’s significant is that these shockers have occurred every other year in odd seasons and this is one of those years.

Syracuse.com

Why David Archuleta will win American Idol

It’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame night on American Idol tonight. Which seems oddly appropriate, somehow, in this strangest of Idol seasons — fine one minute, not-so-fine the next — because there’s only one true rocker left in the bunch.

And, no, it ain’t David Archuleta.

Those Idol fans with long memories — long enough to go back, way back, all the way back to this time last year — will remember that it was at about this point in Idol’s season that consensus critics’ pick Chris Daughtry was told his Idol journey was over. Daughtry, the sole hard rocker to make the final four, exited the stage — and sold a gadzillion CDs. He’s still selling them, to hear the music charts tell it.

This time, music fans, and not just Idol believers, can only hope the same doesn’t happen to David Cook.

But it might.

Canada.com

American Idol Shows Signs of Over Saturation

There is concern in recent weeks over plunging ratings for the Fox smash hit American Idol, now in its seventh season. While still dominant in the ratings, the show has been losing significant viewership, and some of that might have to do with over saturation and expansion of the result show into a one hour format.

“The kids who normally watch this show have homework to do,” says Payton O’Brien, Senior Editor of the Gambling911.com website. “No time to be watching American Idol for this long a period.”

The results show had been expanded to one hour from its past half hour format.

Audience declines for “American Idol” are steepest among youthful viewers, the people who set the pop culture agenda and are most likely to buy music made by the show’s winners. These are not the people you want to turn off.

Another concern is the lopsided talent pool that became most obvious after Australian Michael Johns got booted off prematurely during “American Idol Gives Back” Week.

Gambling 911

American Idol Oddsmaker says it’s sayonara Syehsa Mercado

Nobody wants to miss out on the fun of “American Idol,” least of all the Vegas odds-makers. That’s why Johnny Avello, director of the Race and Sports Book at Wynn Las Vegas, has come out with his own predictions for the fates of the top four.

According to Avello, David Archuleta is leading the race, with odds of 6 to 5, David Cook is trailing Archuleta, with 3-to-2 odds, and Jason Castro follows, with 10 to 1 odds. The last woman standing, Syesha Mercado, has the weakest chance of winning, with odds of 12 to 1.

Avello is proud of his “Idol” predictions thus far. He’s been at it since the first season, and he’s never far off. “The only real surprise was Taylor Hicks,” confessed Avello.

As for this season, Avello said, “if there’s a surprise for me, it’s David [Cook] so far. I had him down in the ninth spot.”

LA Times Blogs

Idolator Presents it’s entry in the American Idol Song Competition

The “song contest” portion of American Idol, in which hopefuls around the country pen the coronation song for one of the Davids whoever winds up winning this season, is enough of a laughingstock that even Simon Cowell’s mocking it: “You can guarantee either the word ‘proud’ or ‘moment’ will be in the song. How about ‘I’m Proud to Be in this Moment Now’?” Ho snap! Well, if it’s that much of a laugh, then there’s no reason I can’t offer my own lyric for next year. Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy “There But For The Grace Of Clive.”

Idolator

Guess he’s not a fan of David Archuleta

On Accelerate, their punky 14th studio album, R.E.M. went number one in Canada and Europe and topped the alternative, rock, digital and internet album charts in the U.S. As they prepare for a massive world tour that kicks off May 23 at Deer Lake Park in Vancouver, Ben Kaplan checked in with guitarist Peter Buck from the R.E.M. headquarters in Athens, Ga.

Q Do you watch American Idol with your kids?

A Some people watch that, but kids nowadays are pretty smart. That horrible boy band sh-t and pop Idol crap is, I don’t know, some people listen to it. I’m lucky I guess - my kids don’t.

National Post

American Idol’s David Archuleta Has One Savvy VAR Dad

I’ve yet to meet a VAR who isn’t trying to use whatever they have at their disposal to work some new angle. But is there another solution provider out there with a combination of foresight, guts, heaven-sent blessings, and sheer luck more formidable than Jeff Archuleta’s?

If you don’t recognize that last name, you either don’t have a television or you’re in a Tuesday-Wednesday night bowling league. Jeff is, of course, dad of cuddly American Idol favorite David Archuleta. That was Jeff in the crowd cheering his son into the final four of the top-rated talent contest last week.

Jeff is also the principal and founder of Arch Consulting Group, a Salt Lake City VAR, “specializing in locating and purchasing the highest quality of technical equipment through non-traditional channels.” In fact, Jeff’s company made its bones post-bubble by helping failed dot-coms liquidate IT assets while reconfiguring and reselling the gear at discount prices. It was a rare bit of initiative in a largely punishing environment for anyone connected with IT.

Finding that silver lining helped Jeff grow his business just as his son’s vocal talent was beginning to blossom. In 2002, David, then 12, was competing on Star Search. Jeff, a musician himself who refers to his son as “a reluctant singer,” started making plans to expand. With 80 percent of his business coming from asset recovery from failing technology companies, it seemed like the perfect time to make a long-term bet on both his business and his boy. Nice call, Jeff!

Channel Insider

Simon Cowell given exclusive Queen’s privilege

London (ANI): Music mogul Simon Cowell has been granted permission to park his Rolls Royce anywhere in Britain, a privilege that is usually given only to the Queen. Cowell insisted that his 200,000 pounds car should be outside every theatre during auditions for ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, and his driver Tony constantly at the wheel.

In order to achieve his requests, the producers had to beg councils up and down the country for special permission, just so he wouldn’t be mobbed by admirers. It would seem that they are trying to go out of their way to please Cowell, as officials in Birmingham have even agreed to dig up concrete bollards to let him park on the pavement outside the Alexandra Theatre.

One India

More Kentucky Derby party gossip and dish

Who is “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks rooting for on this season’s show?

“David Archuleta. He kind of reminds me of Wayne Newton. You know, the “Danke Schoen” at (17). He’s a young entertainer. (He’ll do great) if he could just sustain himself when he tours. From that show, it doesn’t necessarily have to be music, it could be film. The show form is television. There could be ample opportunities (for him) in the entertainment industry.”

Hicks, meanwhile, will drop a new album this fall; a DVD called “Whomp at the Warfield,” a two-disc set of his pre-”American Idol” songs and is planning tours in Asia and Italy.

“I never thought country boy from Alabama could go over to Asia and have a fan base,” he said, sipping on a Jack Daniels and 7. “The soul patrol reaches around the globe. It’s an international concept.”

courier-journal

Clay Aiken: `I’m not trying to be Justin Timberlake’

Clay Aiken is realistic about his niche in the musical landscape.

“I’m not cool, you know what I mean? I’m not gonna lie,” the good-humored singer told The Associated Press in a recent interview. “I’m not trying to be Justin Timberlake. Thank God we have him, but I’m not him. … I’m not gonna bring anybody’s sexy back.”

Aiken embraces his pop-lite sensibility in “On My Way Here,” his first album of all-new material in more than four years.

The 29-year-old “American Idol” alum — he placed second to Ruben Studdard in the Fox show’s second season — was the first non-winner to release a successful album, “Measure of a Man,” which went double platinum in 2003. He followed that up with two cover albums: “Merry Christmas With Love” and “A Thousand Different Ways.”

Associated Press

Ask “American Idol” runner-up Blake Lewis a question

Blake Lewis, the runner-up on the sixth season of “American Idol,” will be appearing at Dutchess Stadium next month, and here’s your chance to ask him a question.

Journal reporter Sean T. McMann will interview Blake later this week about his appearance at the annual K-Fest concert, and he’s offering Blake’s fans a chance to ask the singer a question.

Head over to the Journal’s pop culture blog, “Sean’s Space,” just a click away at www.seantm.blogspot.com, and find out how you can interact with Blake.

Poukeepsie Journal.com

Cars, bands and stars bring crowds to grand parade

It seemed everyone had a favorite part of the Apple Blossom Festival’s Grand Feature Parade on Saturday.

The pair were overwhelmed to see the grand marshal of the parade, Fantasia Barrino. Barrino, winner of the third season of “American Idol,” her cropped red hair shining brightly in the sun, waved to the crowd from a blue convertible.

“That was basically unspeakable,” Jacob said.

“That’s the reason we came,” Lane said. “This was it. I’m ready to go now.”

Barrino was to have a press conference at the Wingate Inn after her appearance in the parade, but she left Winchester earlier than planned because of her concern that she would be late for an engagement in Louisiana, said Barry K. Carper, vice president of the Apple Blossom Festival.

“Fantasia had to get an earlier flight,” explained Susie Iden, a member of the celebrity committee. “She had to leave town earlier than expected.”

nvdaily.com

Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift Rock Stagecoach

They’re two of the most popular newcomers to country music in recent memory. And over the weekend, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift showed Indio’s Stagecoach Festival a thing or two about what happens when you give a girl a guitar.

And with multi-platinum company like the Judds (who gave their first show together in years, billing it as a one-night-only reunion) and Rascal Flatts, the daunting task of taking the stage must’ve seemed pretty darn intimidating.

celebrity-gossip.net

ETA:

‘Idol’ Carries a Shakier Tune

It’s time for the annual “American Idol” column, written this year with a heavy heart. Let’s not kid ourselves: Something’s not right.

“Idol” remains, by far, the most powerful force in television. The show is such a ratings behemoth that Fox, for the first time, is likely to finish the season as the nation’s most-watched network. Rupert Murdoch must be pleased that his plan for world domination is going so swimmingly.

Fox’s success comes with an asterisk, since all the broadcast networks have seen their ratings suffer: Viewers drifted away during the long writers’ strike and didn’t come back. CBS’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” for example, is down 19 percent. “Idol” is doing comparatively well, but its ratings have slid 7 percent. And there aren’t any writers to blame.

Washington Post

5 reasons the best 12 weren’t

THE ALLEGED best top 12 in “American Idol” history has given us inarguably the worst season in “American Idol” history.

It all started off so promisingly. The finals opened with a night of Beatles songs, as entertaining an installment of the show as you’ll find, with a mixture of impressive covers (notably Chikezie — remember him? — turning “She’s a Woman” into a bluegrass/hard rock mash-up) and memorable disasters (David Archuleta forgetting half the words to “We Can Work It Out”). Every season, the producers and judges will talk up that year’s contestants as the best bunch ever, and for one fun night, it looked like we should believe the hype.

But it’s been downhill ever since.

nj.com

‘American Idol’ itself deserves a vote of no-confidence

If you’re an “American Idol” viewer like me, you’re probably feeling a bit taken for granted right about now.

For six seasons, we’ve tuned in each week to Fox’s singing smackdown, believing that the performances matter and trusting that the results aren’t fixed.

But on this seventh go-round, the producers of the show are sorely testing our faith. They’re assuming we’ll put up with anything, even a mishandled fiasco like Paula Abdul’s meltdown last week.

Poor befuddled Paula caused a mini-scandal when she critiqued two of Jason Castro’s songs, one of which he hadn’t sung yet. She had a few explanations for the “oops” moment: one, that she’d mixed up her notes for Jason and David Cook, and, two, that she’d heard Jason’s second song at the dress rehearsal and accidentally mentioned it.

Freep.com

Many sing praises of Archuleta

In a cynical world, some believe that David Archuleta isn’t for real, that his sweet persona is part of some calculated self-promotional plan, like Rodman’s weirdness or Madonna’s outrageousness.

It’s easier to believe in drunken teen divas and criminal ballplayers and wacky Jackson children than to believe in a shy, guileless kid from Utah.

Others not only believe it, they need to believe it.

They embrace it.

“I feel kinda weird writing this, but I’m a 24-year-old graduate student who was inspired by David,” Linha Pahn, an aspiring Mississippi medical student, wrote on the “American Idol” online forum. “I’ve been rejected by all medical schools … and I wonder if my dream of becoming a good doctor will ever be attained. With every rejection letter, I would cry myself to sleep. … David has made me smile again. There’s a certain way his voice connects to my soul when he sings that makes me feel better about my life, that everything will be OK.”

Deseret News

‘Oh, to be a boy’ on ‘American Idol’

Given that three of the four remaining finalists on “American Idol” are male, logic might suggest that the only remaining female contestant would be safe when the vote is tallied this week.

Of course, as we’ve seen in all seven “Idol” seasons, logic doesn’t rule the voting. Or much of anything else that goes on with the show.

And the most recently eliminated finalist, Brooke White, indicated somewhat inadvertently that there’s a good chance the final three will be David Archuleta, Jason Castro and David Cook, with Syesha Mercado bidding them and the rest of America farewell on Wednesday night.

“Well, you know what? The boys are awfully popular this year,” White told critics in a conference call. “And I know that because their fan mail came in great, humongous stacks.

Deseret News

Eleven Simple Rules on How to Become the Next ‘American Idol’

We’re winding down this epically long season of American Idol, and the four remaining contestants are preparing to enter the real world as a recording artist. While it may seem like fate and a little luck has a lot to do with becoming successful on America’s favorite TV show, there are a few tricks that can help any wannabe get to the top. We’ve devised eleven simple rules to help next year’s hopefuls claim the title, and to hopefully make the show more enjoyable for those watching at home.

Gay Wired

Syesha backers launch rally

Fans of Syesha Mercado - the “American Idol” contestant who has made it to the top four - are rallying to keep the 21-year-old in the competition after tonight’s performance on the FOX show. They hope a nationwide Vote for Syesha Mercado Day will help.

If she stays in the competition this week, Mercado will fly into town Friday, escorting a FOX TV crew throughout Bradenton and Sarasota to highlight her hometown. It’s a luxury provided to the final three “Idol” contestants, said her brother-in-law, Edward Bailey.

“So we’ve got to do something,” he said on voting. “We’re telling everyone to call everybody they know (to vote).”

The “Idol” voting polls will open at 9 p.m. tonight and close at 11 p.m.. Voters can call or text message. Bailey is heading the local effort.

Bradenton.com

Idol Chatter: Syesha Mercado, ‘Idol’s’ Soulful Survivor

THIS MIGHT be Syesha Mercado’s last week on “American Idol.” And she should be ecstatic about that.

Not because she’ll be leaving the hit show — that’s a tough break in any case. But because she outlasted, outperformed and outsang all of the female competitors and all but three of the wildly popular men in this season’s formidable lineup.

And she’s had to fight for her survival each step of the way, landing near the bottom of the contestant pack a record-tying five times at least without losing her spot in the mix.

The secret to her success? It’s tough to say, since the “Idol” audience can be as unpredictable as a Gulf Coast hurricane, but her continued improvement onstage is surely a factor. She dazzled during Andrew Lloyd Webber week and showed off an impressive range with the songs of Neil Diamond.

Readexpress

Abdul may be confused but some Idols are clueless

Judging by the hyperventilating media reaction after last week’s show, American Idol (8 p.m. on FOX, CTV) viewers were shocked — shocked, I tell you — by Paula Abdul’s mental confusion when she started critiquing songs that hadn’t yet been performed.

Omigod — stop the presses! An aging pop schmoozer was thrown off by last-minute format changes in judging protocol. How will we, as a nation, recover?

Me, I was more dumbstruck by the fact two of the top five finalists freely admitted they’d never heard most of the songs they perform weekly on this high-powered karaoke showcase.

The Record

‘Idol’ disappointment

For those who still watch American Idol after each year’s big, gushy finale, the endeavor becomes something of an exercise in occasionally excruciating, diminishing returns. From Broadway to C-list reality shows, the Idol franchise’s reach extends well beyond the recording industry, even though that is the show’s primary focus.

Undeterred by music’s increasingly dire fortunes, Idol keeps throwing marginally talented runners-up at consumers, rejoicing when something sticks (Chris Daughtry) or cutting its losses when it doesn’t (Katharine McPhee, Ruben Studdard). A trio of Idol vets — Clay Aiken, Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh — have prepared fresh material (or in Stacey and Sligh’s case, debut discs) for consumption. How does each stack up?

star-telegram.com

Music Review: Clay Aiken - On My Way Here

On My Way Here returns to the same formula used in Measure of a Man: to showcase Aiken’s rich voice in ballads rife with corny, generic lyrics. It’s a shame that Aiken keeps creating such bland albums, because he can truly sing. The titular song “On My Way Here” grabbed me instantly when I first heard it. Then again, it may be because it sounds very similar to “Measure of a Man”. In “Lover All Alone” and “Sacrificial Love”, Aiken controls his famously powerful lungs, resulting in two soothing but ultimately unmemorable songs. Power ballad fans need not worry though, for he unleashes those pipes in “The Real Me” and “As Long as We’re Here”.

blogcritics.org

Aiken Finds His ‘Way’; Diamond Is Right at ‘Home’

Aiken has always seemed more interesting than his material and his public would allow for: beatific in voice, prickly in personality. At its best, “On My Way Here” is a recessive blend of sweetness, piety, confusion and barely concealed resentment that occasionally, if unintentionally, bares its teeth. The subtext of every song seems to be, How did I wind up here? Or, alternately, What do you want from me?

Washington Post

This week’s reviews: Costello noodles, Diamond comes home, and much more

Interesting week, featuring a New Waver with a nuevo triumph, a ’60s/’70s icon, a couple of former Idols and more. Capsules ahoy:

blogs.usatoday.com

Disc Debuts: ‘Phil Stacey’ by Phil Stacey

The Kentucky-born singer has a nice, warm voice that rings true no matter what he croons. He’s at his best on the country-rocking ” ‘Round Here,” which was written by the members of Little Big Town. “You Are Mine,” co-penned by former Mr. Mister leader Richard Page, is a winning down-home ballad. But most of the disc is cluttered with slick, ordinary fodder such as the forgettable single “If You Didn’t Love Me,” the cloying “Identity” and the sappy “Be Good to Each Other.”

wfaa

New crop of “Country” wannabes ready to warble

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Actress Sean Young, ‘N Sync’er Chris Kirkpatrick and former Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson have “Gone Country” at CMT.

The cable network has ordered a second season of the reality competition series, in which a group of celebrities vie for a chance to release their own country single.

Season 2 competitors also include Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach, who recently competed on sister network MTV’s “Celebrity Rap Superstar”; actress-singer Irene Cara of “Fame” fame; former “American Idol” finalist Mikalah Gordon; and actor Lorenzo Lamas, who recently popped up on ABC’s “The Bachelor,” on which his daughter Shayne is one of two remaining contestants.

Reuters.com

Bizarre ‘American Idol’ Memorabilia — David Archuleta Night-Lights, David Cook Snow Globes, Creepy Jason Castro Dolls — Turns Up On eBay

Watching the seventh season of “American Idol,” it’s pretty obvious who the front-runners are. But to really get a sense of which singers are ringing fans’ bells, the best place to look is on auction sites like eBay, where the business of “Idol” ephemera and bootleg tie-in products is booming, and, sadly for lone female contestant Syesha Mercado, pointing to a testosterone-heavy finale.

There has always been a flourishing black market for “Idol”-related merchandise, but this year’s crop of mostly home-cooked products has reached a new level of intricate and sometimes creepy creativity.

Leading the pack with 86 different items for sale on the site as of press time is spiky-haired rocker David Cook. Though he’s been praised for his ability to breathe new life into songs with his (often borrowed) rocking arrangements, the majority of the Cook offerings fall into the personalized buttons, shirts, magnets and necklaces variety. But one forward-thinking entrepreneur was offering the Web domain DavidCookSongs.info (sold for $1.99), and another is hawking a nice-looking black hooded sweatshirt with Cook’s mug on it for $24.95.

[sonyab1974]

Chris Sligh - Debut Album “Running Back To You” Drops May 6
Published by mj May 6th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Chris Sligh. 4 Comments
Chris Sligh’s debut solo album, Running Back to You drops today…

And lucky me…I have an advance copy!

Chris Sligh was my favorite Season 6 male vocalist, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting his debut solo album “Running Back To You” from Brash records. I was a big fan of the record his band, Half Past Forever released last year, Take a Chance on Something Beautiful. Some of those songs are on the new album, and benefit from professional production.

The album has a Christian theme, but even this agnostic lapsed Catholic can identify with the themes of love and forgiveness found in the lyrics. The melodies are strong, which is usually the thing that compels me to listen to a record over and over again. The single, “Empty Me” is currently sitting on the Hot Christian Songs chart at #17 and the Christian Adult Contemporary chart at #18.

I’m going to do a track-by-track rundown

“Arise” - This hopeful tune about new beginnings has chiming riffs and a buoyant melody. It opens the album with a burst of power pop.

“Cry Tonight” - This is one of the re-tooled Half Past Forever songs. I love the guitar embellishments added underneath the verse. A dense, lush arrangement gives the song an anthemic feel.

“I’m Clean” - More sweet, sweet vocals and driving power pop from Chris. God forgives is the message.

“Empty Me” - This is the current single, and it’s got a commercial, adult contemporary sound. A very personal song. Chris wrote it about his Idol experience. It humbled him.

“Something Beautiful” - Punchy guitar riffs wrap around a catchy chorus in this mid-tempo number.
“Let You Know” - This was called “Know” on the Half Past Forever album. It was my favorite song there, and it’s my favorite song here. It’s retooled with a bit more guitar and less synthesizer, but the melody still soars. It’s got an unforgettable riff and a hooky chorus–”Someday, when the sky is falling…I will let you know…someday when my dreams are caving in..I will let you know..” that makes way for a killer bridge. Perfection!

“In A Moment” - Another more cut from Take a Chance on Something Beautiful. The original reminded me of an Idol coronation song, complete with the BIG key change. Here, the production is scaled back to piano, percussion and fewer strings, and goodbye key change! The new version is sweet and plaintive. The message–stay open to love and it will heal you–comes through.

“Are You Pleased” - Chris asks: Lord, are you pleased? Am I the person you want me to be? With a clear message and strong melody, this power ballad is single material.
“Potential” - This tune is about growing older, but not necessarily growing up. This one’s got a soaring vocal and great melody. More single material.

“Loaded Gun” - Chris sings backed only by strings. This ones got an edgy sound.

“Waiting for You” - Another little pop gem from Take a Chance on Something Beautiful.

“Love is Raining Down” - Like “Loaded Gun”, this has a hard edge. I prefer Pop! Chris, but this one will play well live.

“Vessel” - Acoustic guitar and strings end the record on a pretty note. This is a really nice showcase for Chris’s vocals. The tune reminds me of a Christian Dan Fogleberg

[sonyab1974]

Idol Sales News - Week Ending 05/04/08

Idol Related Sales Numbers


Digital Download Numbers
5 Jordin Sparks “No Air” 104,868 (-12%; lw 118.946) Total: 1,599,908 (4)

Idol Related Downloads
1 Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love” 217,128 (-8%; lw 235,880) Total: 1,783,105 (1)
4 Natasha Bedingfield “Pocketful of Sunshine” 134,830 (110%; lw 64,125) Total: 636,477 (11)
48 Neil Diamond “Sweet Caroline” 22,805 (309%; lw 5,582) Total: 612,223 (OFF)
79 Natasha Bedingfield “Featuring Love Like This” 16,212 (23%; lw 13,179) Total: 1,145,260 (94)
106 Neil Diamond “America” 10,583 (545%; lw 1,640) Total: 137,178 (OFF)
108 Neil Diamond “I am…I Said” 9,990 (1091%; lw 831) Total: 101,935 (OFF)
162 Leona Lewis “Take a Bow” 8,268 (9%; lw 7,599) Total: 29,093 (174)

[sonyab1974]

Idol Headlines for 5/7/08
 
Exclusive Q&As: The “American Idol” Final Four

As the final four “American Idol” contestants — David Archuleta, Jason
Castro, David Cook and Syesha Mercado — vie to be crowned season seven’s champion, the quartet revealed its thoughts on their “Idol” experience, musical pasts and future plans in a series of exclusive Billboard.com interviews.

Billboard

The Kids and the Hall

Jason Castro did the impossible not once, not twice, but three times up on the American Idol stage tonight. With his disappointing performances of ”I Shot the Sheriff” and ”Mr. Tambourine Man,” the gentle, dreadlocked troubadour from Rockwall, Texas, likely gave the Unsinkable Syesha Mercado a free pass into the final three, helped me begin to understand why 90 percent of the people I know are rooting for a David Cook-David Archuleta finale, and, perhaps worst of all, made me momentarily miss Luke Menard. (For those of you fortunate enough to have forgotten, he’s the dude who ‘’sang” ”Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” during the last week of semifinals and who gave a typically cheesy thumbs-up from his seat in the Idol audience tonight. Yeah, him.)

Entertainment Weekly

Idol (Live) Redux: My Heart Goes Out to Jason Castro

Last week, I thought I had it all figured out. If you’re a preteen, you vote for David Archuleta. If you’re a teen-age girl, you love Jason Castro. And if you are a full-grown adult, you are all about David Cook.

But tonight, sitting in the live audience at Idol, I came to the realization that no matter who you are or what your age, when you hear David Archuleta in person, it is hard not to admit: He is so undeniably talented—with a voice so flawless and dynamic and pure, it actually resonates in your soul—that he probably most deserves to be the winner of this year’s American Idol. (It would explain why he got the only full-audience standing O’s of the night—and two of them, at that!)

Still, here’s the truly ridiculous thing you can clown me for (and I know many of you will): The 13-year-old girl in me weeps for Jason Castro!

Eonline

More Idol Headlines After the Jump…


American Idol: Four on the Floor

The “Top” Four on American Idol were asked to pick two songs each from the 500 most arbitrarily influential rock songs of all time. As a result, we were treated to eight mostly bland covers of songs by such formidable artists as Duran Duran, Sam Cooke, and Bob Marley. It wasn’t all bad, but it was mostly not good.

Here are my reviews of the “Top” Four contestants. I judged them after each performance, just as Ryan Seacrest decreed.

Phillyburbs

American Idol Banter: Failing Rock and Roll

The insularity of the world of “American Idol” would be fascinating, if it weren’t so bleakly disheartening.

Tonight’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame edition let the remaining contestants cherry pick through half a century of pop music history, and what did we get?

Rocker David Cook opens the show with “Hungry Like the Wolf.” How many hundred songs from the greatest artists in pop history would you have to fast forward through before you got to this vacuous Duran Duran hit?

Jason Castro may have bombed with his hapless performances, but at least he picked two songs worth singing — Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” and Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.”

David Archuleta reveled in his own private Utah teenage in discussing why he picked “Love Me Tender,” sharing with his adoring audience that “I wasn’t that familiar with the song” so he surfed the web sites to audition different versions before settling on an arrangement that conjured up not the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll, but the Empress of overbaked ’80s R&B and pop, Whitney Houston.

Still, none of them came remotely close to Syesha Mercado’s blazing egocentrism in explaining her motivation for singing Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

LA Times

Rock n’ Roll Live from the Mosh Pit

n the course of chronicling the full immensity of the most important show in entertainment history, this column has strived to take its readers deep inside the machine and the psyches that produce it. From the editing bays to the makeup room to the Idoldome bleachers, I have tried to provide fleeting glimpses into a few of the many mansions that make up house of Idol.

Ultimately, however, if one truly wishes to get to the essential nature of a beast, one must take a long and lonely walk through a dark snowy wood in that beast’s footsteps. On Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame night, this columnist ventured deeper into the core of Idol then any have dared penetrate before. On Tuesday night, I became, provisionally, the first journalist in entertainment history to watch American Idol live from the mosh pit.

Although many of my colleagues in the Idol press bleachers chortled at my desire to leave the comfort of my seats and dive into the teen masses crushed before the stage, and as much as my faltering back and flat feet advised that this mosh pit truly was no country for old men, I knew that the only path to understanding the breathing, pulsing heart of American Idol lay through that pit.

LA Times

Jason Castro has a disastrous ‘Idol’ night

Jason Castro has spent the past three months perfecting his image as the slacker dude with the guitar who doesn’t try very hard but sneaks by on his natural gifts and personality. Every week, the judges have gotten more and more annoyed at his style, but it doesn’t seem to faze him.

The audience has passed Castro along from week to week at the expense of more talented performers, allowing him to drift into the final four. Now, he’s at a point where he’s the least adept singer and performer remaining. Combine that with an “Idol” staff that seems determined to create a pop star without allowing them to sing any songs that are actually played on Top 40 radio stations and disasters happen.

MSNBC

‘American Idol’ can’t stop the rock

Tuesday (May 6) night’s American Idol theme is about as vague and wide-open as the Top Four could possibly hope for. Songs from the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame? What does that even mean? Working from the Hall’s list of 500 influential hits, surely everybody should find great tracks to sing, right? Let’s see…

Zap2it

American Idol: Top 4 perform

Ryan revealed that three of the final four have been number one in the votes before. If we believe DialIdol that Syesha was the top vote-getter last week (remember that Ryan never declared her and Brooke the Bottom Two, rather stating only that one was safe and one was not), then that pretty much leaves poor Jason Castro as the odd man-out. I think it’s pretty safe to say that the Davids have both been in the top of the voter pool at one time or another, and probably several times each. If all of this is true, can Jason save himself this week? Luckily for him, the contestants have the best catalog of music to select from in many weeks with tonight’s theme: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

TV Squad

Yet another `American Idol’ hopeful flubs lyrics to a song

“American Idol” hopeful Jason Castro became at least the third contestant this season to flub lyrics to a song.

The Dreadlocked One performed the Bob Dylan classic “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and forgot the words to the second verse Tuesday.

Wearing a goofy grin afterward, Castro acknowledged: “I lost some lines in there; that’s kinda bad.”

Judge Simon Cowell thought Castro’s gaffe could mean the end of him. “Jason, I’d pack your suitcase,” Cowell told the 20-year-old folkster from Rockwall, Texas.

The other two judges were less than impressed, too.

Washington Post

American Idol: When rock lies bleeding. . . .

Like the man said at the outset of the show on Rock and Roll Hall-’o-Fame night — American Idol’s version of Jon Stewart’s Mess-’o-Potamia, as it would turn out — anything can happen, nobody is safe and nothing is guaranteed.

That man was Ryan Seacrest, and if you take the line “Nothing is guaranteed” to heart, Jason Castro will survive to make it to the final three — mark my words.

Yes, he hit a new low with a pale, wan — and loopy — take on Bob Marley’s I Shot the Sheriff, then topped that by booting an entire stanza of Bob Dylan’s lyrics on Mr. Tambourine Man. But nothing will prevent his legion of teenybopper fans from hitting their cell phones — and only David Archuleta’s larger legion of fans can prevent Castro from winning the whole thing.

Castro was so woeful, so pitiful that, for once, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell looked angry — so angry that Seacrest commented on it, on camera, and asked Cowell if he was, in fact, “ticked off.”

The short answer? Yes.

Canada.com

‘American Idol’ Recap: Jason Castro Visits The Hall Of Shame, David Archuleta Sweeps Rock-Hall Night

It only took them 12 weeks, but on Tuesday night, “American Idol” finally found a theme that would allow the contestants to truly shine. No Broadway curveballs, no Mariah mountains to climb, no Beatles tunes to desecrate. Nope, instead the top four had access to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of 500 (!) songs “that shaped rock,” and with artists as varied as Elvis Costello, Arrested Development and Dion and the Belmonts represented, there was no excuse for any of the remaining singers to pick a loser. (Although, admittedly, if I were a finalist on “Idol,” I’d be tempted to turn Kraftwerk’s 20-plus-minute German opus “Autobahn” into a 90-second nugget of trainwreck television.)

MTV

The Idolettes Rock On and Roll With the Punches

David Cook, this year’s token rocker on “American Idol,” was ignominiously upstaged in the rock-and-roll round last night by the millennials’ David Cassidy clone, David Archuleta.

How’d that happen?

Washington Post

Reality Check: Battle of the Davids on ‘Idol’

If it were up to the judges, at this point we could surely declare David Archuleta the winner of “American Idol.”

I mean, we’re at Top 4 time and he’s been delivering strong performance after strong performance and, in the process, racking up nothing but praise from our triumvirate. The night that he forgot his lyrics and made us briefly consider the fact that he may not be the Second Coming? Ancient history, my friends.

Fox News

Paula Abdul on Jason Castro’s Flub

We’re riding along with PAULA ABDUL for all the post-”American Idol” dish. What does the judge have to say about contestant JASON CASTRO’s lyrics flub on tonight’s performance show? And who does Paula think will be the last two standing? Watch our video to find out!

ETOnline

American Idol Tracker: A Glimpse of Destiny Denied

Tuesday on the Ellen show, the guest performers offered a peek at what might have been and a glimpse at the first stage appearance, out of capitivity, of the next great sensations American Idol will have unleashed upon the world.

Standing on a snow-flecked outdoor stage in downtown Chicago where Ellen was filming her tenth anniversary week, Michael Johns, the Duende from Down Under, took the mike alongside the most electrifying, likely the greatest performer in American Idol history, the sensational Carly Smithson, to sing U2’s “One” and “Hold On, I’m Coming” backed by Rickey Minor and the American Idol band. (You can watch the video here).

It is impossible to watch this video, see the incredible stage charisma and singing powers these two possess and not feel sadness, not wonder what Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame night might have been if these two were a part of it.

LA Times

‘Idol’s’ Archuleta will sing at hometown performances Friday

For the first time since he went to Hollywood as one of 24 “American Idol” finalists, David Archuleta is returning home to Utah.

He’s scheduled to sing the national anthem at Friday’s Utah Jazz-Los Angeles Lakers game at the Energy Solutions Arena. (However, after initially confirming that Archuleta would sing, the Jazz have acknowledged there are “rights issues” that “still have to be worked out” between the producers of “Idol” and the NBA.)

And there will be some sort of event earlier in the day in Murray, although details of that are still being worked out, too..

Deseret News

Cook and Archuleta’s Hair War!

I can’t help but smile when I see this photo. It’s as if competing vocally on “American Idol” every week wasn’t enough, these boys also are now battling to have the best right-reaching hair spike! Personally, I think the older David has got the cooler coif, but that’s because I’m Team Cook!

Popwrap

Simon Sounds Off on the Finals, Idol Fixes, Boring Themes & More

Meeting the press to promote the new season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent (premiering June 17 at 9 pm/ET), Simon Cowell inevitably was swarmed with Idol-related queries. Here is what the outspoken Brit had to say about:

It All Coming Down to David vs. David
“It’s what I genuinely believe will happen. I think you’re going to have a real scrap on the night. Without either of them being a red-hot favorite, [the winner] will be [determined by] what happens on the night, and that’s what the show is all about.”

TV Guide

Worcester piano man shares keys to ‘Idol’ singers’ success

Another contestant will get booted off “American Idol” tonight, but according to associate musical director Michael Orland, it doesn’t really matter.

“I used to get really, really devastated over who got kicked off the show,” said Orland, a Worcester homey who has been with the Fox mega-hit since the end of season one.

“But after Clay Aiken in season two, it turned out that you didn’t have to win to have a career. Jennifer Hudson was the best example of that. She was voted off sixth from the end and she won an Oscar. Chris Daughtry was fourth from the end. It’s feasible that every single one of the top 12 this year could have a recording career. So I stopped getting emotionally attached to where everyone finishes.”

Boston Herald

Nimbit Powers American Idol Brooke White

FRAMINGHAM, MA–(Marketwire - May 6, 2008) - Brooke White™, the nanny that won the hearts of millions on American Idol™ now has her album available on the Internet. Fans everywhere can purchase “Songs From the Attic” CDs and digital downloads at www.brookewhite.com.

Powered by Nimbit, the www.brookwhite.com storefront uses nimbitSkin™, a highly flexible storefront solution that enables artists to sell directly from their websites. Since 2005, Nimbit has helped Brooke and New Millennium Records Group (NMRG) bring her first album to market long before her big break on American Idol this year.

Marketwire

‘Sex and the City,’ at 40 and even maybe (gasp) 50

Early on in the new “Sex and the City” film — and don’t worry, we’re not spoiling the plot here — Carrie and longtime love Mr. Big are in bed together. A passionate interlude? Nah, they’re just reading. Except they both need glasses, and there’s only one pair.

Sharing reading glasses in bed? These two, who fogged up the small screen with their sexual chemistry during the TV series? Yes, and that small moment is a sweet acknowledgment that they’ve both aged.

As, of course, have we.

The series may be alive and well on TBS reruns. But it’s been a full decade since “Sex and the City” premiered on HBO, bringing us sex columnist Carrie, her three gal pals, and their lustful urban quest for love, good sex and even better clothes.

Associated Press

Parker: ‘Sex’ film needed a woman of color

U.S. actress and producer Sarah Jessica Parker said she feels “extraordinarily lucky” that Jennifer Hudson joined the cast of her “Sex and the City” movie.

In the big-screen follow-up to the iconic former television show, Hudson plays the assistant to Parker’s character Carrie.

“I just think we were extraordinarily lucky that she was interested,” Parker told reporters in New York this week.

Parker said Hudson’s character Louise, who is younger and more idealistic than Carrie, “was so necessary to contrast where Carrie is now.”

UPI

Exclusive: ‘American Idol’ Stamps Revealed

‘American Idol’ is giving back to the community by putting your favorite contestants on postage stamps. Each Thursday, Ryan Seacrest announces which former winner graces the next ‘American Idol Gives Back’ stamp, but we have your exclusive sneak peek right here every Tuesday.

This week’s stamp will be (drum roll please!) Season Five winner, Taylor Hicks. The limited-edition stamps already revealed include Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard. New photo stamps will be released each week featuring an ‘Idol’ winner until this season’s finale, after which the new winner will get his or her own stamp.

Popeater

Flint’s LaKisha Jones, of ‘American Idol’ fame, returning home for a free concert in July; Grand Blanc’s Beth Stalker also to perform

Flint’s “American Idol” standout will perform for free at the 4th annual “Bringing It Home” community celebration July 12 at Perani Arena.

Stayed tuned to mlive.com/flintjournal and The Flint Journal for more details on LaKisha’s concert in Flint as they become available.

Mlive

Kellie Pickler Goes to Washington

Kellie Pickler will sing Wednesday afternoon (May 7) on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., as part of the AARP GrandRally, an event targeting grandfamilies — grandparents raising their grandchildren. Pickler was 2 years old when her parents separated and her mother left. Her father has been in and out of prison on a variety of charges, and Pickler was raised by her grandparents, Faye and Clyde Pickler Sr. At the rally, Pickler will perform “My Angel,” a song she wrote about her late grandmother. As her charity of choice, Kellie has donated almost $50,000 to the AARP’s Grandparenting Foundation, which addresses the financial, legal and medical challenges faced by grandparents. “Having been raised by my grandparents, I know the struggles they face raising their grandchildren,” Pickler said.

CMT

Jordin Sparks Back To Work

Jordin Sparks is officially back to work after a vocal cord injury leaving fans worried if she would ever sound the same. The songstress just filmed her promo for her next single, and seems to be in good spirits after the break.

Looks like the rest, combined with support from her fans, made the healing process go quickly! Just a couple weeks ago, she told MTV, “I’m feeling good. “I’m supposed to be on full vocal rest, which means no talking, laughing, giggling, and singing. Can I tell you how hard that is!? I want to tell my fans: Thank you for all the prayers and your concern. You guys are what keep me going, honestly. But not to worry! I’ll be better in no time!”

Hollyscoop

America’s Next Top Mormon

When brothers Ryan and Craig Simmons auditioned for the CBS reality show “The Amazing Race” in 2003, they hoped the novelty of their religion would give them an edge. Their audition tape showed them outside the Mormon temple in Provo, Utah, while the narration played off those classic Mormon ads (”Family: Isn’t it about time?”) with a question for the casting directors: “Mormons: Isn’t it about time?” It certainly is now. Since then Mormons have colonized reality TV as if they’d been assigned there by Brigham Young himself. They’ve won “The Biggest Loser,” “The Rebel Billionaire” and “Survivor” (along with two second-place finishes on “Survivor”). These days you can’t turn on “So You Think You Can Dance” or “Dancing With the Stars” without seeing at least one, and often several, members of the church. And they’re closing in on the biggest reality TV prize of all: cherub-faced Mormon David Archuleta is one of four finalists left on “American Idol,” and his chances just soared following the elimination last week of Brooke White. White is Mormon too, and now that she’s off the show, the two of them won’t have to split the faithful’s vote anymore.

Newsweek

Behind the Idols (part one)

American Idol remains one of the most watched programs on television, and has its share of Christians among the contestants. Though some have expressed skepticism that believers can have any impact on a show with “idol” in its title, three finalists from the nation’s biggest singing competition have demonstrated you don’t have to win it all to be relevant or on a stage to make a difference. Mandisa, Chris Sligh, and Phil Stacey all made it into the Top 12 of the popular singing competition, but none of them walked away the top winner—Mandisa placed ninth in Season 5, while Chris placed tenth in Season 6 and Phil made it to the Top 6 that same year. Nevertheless, all three landed record deals and have plenty of stories about the relationships they forged behind the scenes. And since their time on the show, American Idol has become more tolerant and receptive of Christianity, never more clearly demonstrated than a live performance of “Shout to the Lord” on national television. Did these contestants play some small part in that? All three vocal sensations were more than willing to walk us through their Idol experience and share how their faith was demonstrated throughout.

Christianity Today

Clay Aiken Not Ready to Put Rumors to Rest

Believe everything you read about Clay Aiken. Go ahead, ask him yourself. The onetime American Idol runner-up and current Broadway star tells OK! he has no rumors to clear up — not even the one about his sexuality.

“At this point everyone knows everything,” Clay tells OK! “I had a fan a few years ago say ‘I know everything about you except for what your favorite color is.’ In that case, I’m never telling anyone my favorite color. I’ve stuck to it for five years – no one knows. For the most part, people know quite a bit. After five years, people have figured out as much as there is to know.”

OK Magazine

LGBT PRIDE TO BE CELEBRATED IN WEST HOLLYWOOD JUNE 6 - 8

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA (May 2008) – The 2008 Los Angeles LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender) Pride Festival will take place in West Hollywood, CA on June 6 – 8, 2008. The 38th annual parade and festival, which happens along Santa Monica Boulevard and throughout West Hollywood Park, celebrates the culmination of its three-year theme, “Our Agenda: Love. Equality. PRIDE.” LA Pride’s 2008 message is about taking pride in who you are, your family, your community, and the world around you. During Pride weekend, locals and visitors can expect to enjoy a parade, vendor booths, food, exhibits, dance pavilions and live entertainment.

LA Pride breaks new ground with an entertainment line-up on the WaMu® Mainstage, and a myriad of LGBT community favorites. Musicians Joss Stone, Olivia Newton-John, and Kimberly Locke will headline the event on Saturday and Sunday night. Festival-goers will see the inclusion of over a dozen of CSW’s cultural partners and theatrical organizations who have joined in support of the LGBT community. The Parade Grandstand will once again accommodate Honorees, LGBT leaders, officials, and VIP guests and will be set alongside the broadcast at the Veterans Memorial triangle. The 2008 parade will take place Sunday, June 8, starting at 11:00 a.m. The parade will run west along Santa Monica Boulevard from Crescent Heights Boulevard to Robertson Boulevard.Out In Fresno

Ryan Seacrest may be replacing Larry King

Ryan Seacrest might be adding hosting duties of another kind to his schedule in 2009. A source from within CNN says that Seacrest, who has filled in for his friend Larry King in the past, is involved in “serious negotiations” to take over “Larry King Live” around year’s end. King told The New York Times in April 2007 that Seacrest would be his first choice to take over the show when the time came.

“He’s the classic generalist,” King told the Times. “The only thing I don’t know, and I’ve gotten to know him pretty well, is how versed he is in politics, world affairs. Does he read the paper? Is he interested in Iraq? Because if he is, he’s going to be very good.”

MSNBC

AI Aftermath: 5th place finishers - VIDEOS

Welcome back to “AI Aftermath,” where we explore Idol’s past. Each week, as one more American Idol hopeful is eliminated from the competition, we take a look back at contestants past who were eliminated in the same week. We’ll examine how they did on the show and what they’ve been up to since their eliminations. In honor of Brooke White’s elimination last week we’ll be looking at other fifth place finishers.

This week: 5th place finishers, featuring featuring RJ Helton (Season 1), Trenyce (Season 2), George Huff (Season 3), Scott Savol (Season 4), Paris Bennett (Season 5) and Chris Richardson (Season 6).

TV Squad

“Kellie Pickler High School Hook Up” Promotion Results in 2 Million Text Messages for Citadel Broadcasting’s #1 Atlanta Country Station KICKS 1015

Leading mobile advertising network mSnap today announced the groundbreaking results of a campaign launched April 14-23, in partnership with Citadel Broadcasting’s #1 country music radio station in Atlanta. The text-to-win promotion received over two million text messages, resulting in the largest mobile marketing campaign for the Country music genre that Citadel Broadcasting has ever executed.

WKHX-FM / KICKS 1015 FM kicked off the “Kellie Pickler High School Hook Up,” targeting all high schools in the Atlanta metro area — for a chance to win an exclusive, private concert with the Sony BMG/BNA recording artist and American Idol Season Five finalist. The promotion was powered by mSnap, which enables both radio and television broadcasters and advertisers to easily create and manage SMS-based mobile campaigns.

Sun Herald

Hacking American Idol

As long as American Idol has existed, there have been accusations that it is rigged. And we wouldn’t be surprised, given the number of gambling sites like Bookmaker.com and Bodoglife.com taking bets on the show’s results. Currently on Sportsbook.com, Syesha Mercado is listed with 30-1 odds, as opposed to David Cook’s 10-11 odds of becoming the next American Idol.

But besides the betting bookers or tech-savvy hackers, some say it’s the producers who manipulate votes in favor of certain contestants—whether they’re awesomely good or awesomely bad—to generate better television ratings. Of course, that doesn’t explain the early boot of this season’s favorite, Michael Johns. Fans flooded the message boards with their rage, accusing the producers of kicking off Johns early to spark controversy and create drama. This isn’t anything new, given the similar situations with Season 5 rocker Chris Daughtry and Season 1 powerhouse Christina Christian.

[sonyab1974]

Clay Aiken on Good Morning America - VIDEO

Clay Aiken performs his single “On My Way Here” from his new album of the same name on Good Morning America.
=================================================
Check out the video!