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David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado Go Home - For a Day

Published by mj May 9th, 2008 in American Idol, David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado and S7 Top 12. 25 Comments

Today’s a big day for the Final 3.

Each of them–David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado–fly back to their respective hometowns for big celebrations. There will be interviews with the local press, honors from local politicians, concerts and trips to local sports events. In prior years, the judges song choice for each contestant is announced at some point during the day. So, expect some song spoilers today kids!

For each contestant, the day goes like this: Media interviews in the morning, a concert, a parade, a visit to home/school/church that includes another concert. A trip to a local sports event rounds out the day.

After the jump, check out the schedules for each Idol…

Continue reading ‘David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado Go Home - For a Day’

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Jason Castro on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno - VIDEO

Published by mj May 9th, 2008 in American Idol, Video, Season 7, Jason Castro and S7 Top 12. 13 Comments

Jason Castro

Jason Castro appears with Huey Lewis who sings, “I Want Some New Dreads” You knew that was coming. LAME!

Video after the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Jason Castro on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno - VIDEO’

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The Idols Favorite Performances - and Carly Smithson - VIDEO

Published by mj May 9th, 2008 in American Idol, Video, American Idol Extra and Carly Smithson. 14 Comments

Dave Cook

The Top 4 reveal their favorite performances of the season from fellow idols, and JD Roberto catches up with Carly Smithson.

After the Jump…

Continue reading ‘The Idols Favorite Performances - and Carly Smithson - VIDEO’

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Michael Johns Australian Tour - VIDEO

Published by mj May 8th, 2008 in American Idol, Video, Season 7, Jason Castro, Michael Johns and S7 Top 12. 3 Comments

Michael Johns

Michael Johns was back home in Australia for a media tour. I have some video here, courtesy of Michael Johns Online

After the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Michael Johns Australian Tour - VIDEO’

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Jason Castro on AI Extra - VIDEO

Published by mj May 8th, 2008 in American Idol, Video, Season 7, Jason Castro and S7 Top 12. 26 Comments

Jason Castro

Jason Castro is interviewed by JD Roberto of AI Extra. Right after the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Jason Castro on AI Extra - VIDEO’

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Idol Headlines for 5/08/08

Published by mj May 8th, 2008 in American Idol. 124 Comments

American Idol: Top 3 revealed

How many different ways can they line up the contestants on the stage so the camera can pan along them while Ryan introduces the show? Tonight’s back-to-front formation was new. Stupid, but new. Last night the contestants scored nearly 51 million votes. The Top three had less than one million votes between them which means Castro was in trouble before it all began. Well, probably.

TV Squad

‘American Idol’: Assisted Suicide

Paula didn’t dub her s-YES-ha for nothing.

Indeed, the Contestant Most Likely to Ruin Your Chances in the Office Idol Pool, Syesha Mercado, is now just one week and about a million swing votes away from cracking the American Idol season 7 finals and, in the process, forcing the folks at 19 Entertainment to do something I suspect they never wanted (or thought they would have) to do — give the woman a record contract.

Tonight, in the aftermath of Tuesday’s lackluster, poorly sound-mixed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night, Syesha had to wait till the end of the episode to hear her fate but ultimately outlasted yet another early front-runner, dreadlocked troubadour Jason Castro, who appeared somewhat elated when Ryan Seacrest informed him that he was headed home.

Entertainment Weekly

Continue reading ‘Idol Headlines for 5/08/08′

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Season 7 Top 4 Results - Recap

Published by mj May 7th, 2008 in American Idol, Season 7, S7 Show Recaps and S7 Top 12. 310 Comments

Jason Castro Eliminated Tonight…

Your Final 3:

  • David Archuleta
  • David Cook
  • Syesha Mercado

Click links for Video:

I Shot the Tambourine Man…

Here are the stats: There were 51 million votes last night. Were the fanbases energized to keep their fave from being Daughtried? Ryan Seacrest tells us that there were only 1 million votes separating the Top 3 vote getters. Last night he mentioned that three of the contestants were Top vote getters at one point in the Season. I have no doubt one of those contestants was Jason Castro. And not because of his sweet smile and pretty eyes. He took the top spot because he truly had the most memorable performance of the night. I’m thinking he was #1 the nights he sang “Hallelujah” and “Over the Rainbow”. There were other great performances. Let me tick them off: The easygoing, charming “Daydream” introduced us to Jason, “Traveling Through” a testament to Jason’s faith, was sung movingly and with much conviction and the beautifully rendered, Spanish inflected “I Don’t Want to Cry” and “Fragile”.

More Recap after the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Season 7 Top 4 Results - Recap’

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MJ’s Idol Pool Week 11 Update

Published by mj May 7th, 2008 in American Idol and AI Pool. 39 Comments

Prediction for this week: Goodbye Jason Castro. It was an awesome run. More in my recap.

Congrats to Week 11 winners! We had a lot of them, due to Brooke White’s unsurprising boot, So I’m only posting the peeps who not only chose the bootee, but guessed correctly on both bonus questions:

1 Bobbi
1 Caffiend
1 CarieB’
1 Dink
1 fedexhamlin11
1 jadore
1 jersey
1 jjcoop2003
1 jrlbc06
1 kaoskrissy
1 love2talkidol
1 magicode
1 mydecember
1 pj
1 primeminister
1 prncssmel
1 SarahW’
1 tinawina

The Top 3 overall:

1 bugsy
2 JJRRutgers
3 maracaibo

Get your picks in by 9 pm ET. Congrats and good luck tonight! Remember, first prize is an iTunes gift card!

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Clay Aiken on Good Morning America - VIDEO

Published by mj May 7th, 2008 in American Idol, Video and Clay Aiken. 14 Comments

Clay Aiken

Clay Aiken performs his single “On My Way Here” from his new album of the same name on Good Morning America.

After the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Clay Aiken on Good Morning America - VIDEO’

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Idol Headlines for 5/7/08

Published by mj May 7th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 119 Comments

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…

Continue reading ‘Idol Headlines for 5/7/08′

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Idol Sales News - Week Ending 05/04/08

Published by Kirsten May 7th, 2008 in American Idol and Charts. 2 Comments

Idol Related Sales Numbers after the jump (Billboard issue date 05/17/08)

Continue reading ‘Idol Sales News - Week Ending 05/04/08′

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Season 7 Top 4 Performance - Recap

Published by mj May 6th, 2008 in American Idol, Season 7, S7 Show Recaps and S7 Top 12. 511 Comments

Click the link for Video!

Well, THAT didn’t turn out like I thought it would!

I had such hopes for this week’s theme–songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Finally, a theme broad enough that would allow the kids some breathing room to chose the perfect song. Maybe it’s like a kid in a candy store. Too many choices prove to be overwhelming. Whatever the case, it’s another disappointing week of ho-hum performances. At this stage of the game the kids should be stepping up their game. Unfortunately, the opposite seems to be happening–particularly in the case of Jason Castro who was unable to make a big comeback this week after 2 weeks of listless performances. It didn’t help that the judges shamelessly piled on at the end of his performances.

Jason had an uphill battle to begin with. Never mind the odds makers and the pundits who predicted that Syesha Mercado was in danger this week. As the last African American/Girl/Belter left in the competition, she didn’t need to do much to stick around. All three boys would have needed spectacular performances to knock her completely out of the game, and since that didn’t happen, she’s good to go. Really, Syesha, all that pandering to your base with the civil rights blather, the tears, the tight dresses–pretty much unnecessary. Better safe than sorry, I suppose.

And who would have thought David Archuleta would best David Cook on Rock night? There wasn’t a WOW performance from either contestant. but little Davie managed to stand out in a way Cookie didn’t this week. What a weird and disappointing night.

Continue reading ‘Season 7 Top 4 Performance - Recap’

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Season 7 Top 4 Spoilers!

Published by mj May 6th, 2008 in American Idol, S7 Spoilers, Season 7 and S7 Top 12. 404 Comments

ETA: I’m having the BIGGEST day traffic wise I’ve ever had on the site. I know it wasn’t perfect tonight, but I’m working with the hosting guys. Tomorrow things should go better. Now that ya all got your spoilers, I don’t anticipate any more problems tonight.

Thanks so much for visiting my site!

Performance Order! From Carie–Thank you!

  • David Cook - “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran -
  • Syesha Mercado - “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner - Sexy
  • Jason Castro - “I Shot the Sheriff” by Bob Marley - Marley style, very funky
  • David Archuleta- “Stand by Me” - Solid performance
  • David Cook - “Baba O’Riley” - Incredible. Started off slow. Brought the house down.
  • Syesha Mercado - “Change is Gonna Come” - Screachy, but ended pretty. She looked gorgeous.
  • Jason Castro - “Mr. Tambourine Man” - It was just OK. Audience didn’t connect with it.
  • David Archuleta - “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley - Solid performance.

“Joan” just posted her first clue for Jason Castro over at Popwatch:

Jason’s a man on a mission. With one arm that fires, authorities fall, but their counterparts are spared. With the other arm, he jingles his tympan all the way to victory.

*The above is the “real” Joan’s riddle, and below is not an “educated guess”. These are really Jason’s song choices. They’ve been backed up by several sources, including a friend of Jason’s who has posted on the blog.

  • Jason Castro - “I Shot the Sherrif” by Bob Marley/Eric Clapton and “Mr. Tambourine Man” By Bob Dylan/Byrds.
  • David Archuleta - “Stand By Me” By Ben E. King and “Love Me Tender” (Norah Jones version) - this has turned into a pretty pervasive rumor with supposed reliable source, but I can’t vouch for it.
  • Syesha Mercado - “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner, “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
  • David Cook - “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran and “Baba O’Reilly” by the Who.

TMZ spoilers are in. Still waiting to hear from Carie.

Sorry about the site slowness…peeps at the hosting company are looking into it…

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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. 6 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…after the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Chris Sligh - Debut Album “Running Back To You” Drops May 6′

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Michael Johns and Carly Smithson on The Ellen Degeneres Show — VIDEO

Published by mj May 6th, 2008 in American Idol, Video, Michael Johns and Carly Smithson. 57 Comments

Carly Smithson and Michael Johns

Michael Johns and Carly Smithson help Ellen DeGeneres celebrate her anniversary. They duet on the classic U2 song “One” with Ricky Minor and the band. They rock it!

Check it out, after the jump…

ETA: “Hold On I’m Coming” added

Continue reading ‘Michael Johns and Carly Smithson on The Ellen Degeneres Show — VIDEO’

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Idol Headlines for 5/06/08

Published by mj May 6th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 72 Comments

‘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

Continue reading ‘Idol Headlines for 5/06/08′

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

Published by mj May 6th, 2008 in American Idol and Clay Aiken. 8 Comments

Clay Aiken

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…

Continue reading ‘Clay Aiken CD - “On My Way Here” - Drops May 6′

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Brooke White on Ellen and Regis and Kelly - VIDEO

Published by mj May 5th, 2008 in American Idol, Video and Brooke White. 29 Comments

Brooke White

Brooke White appears on Live with Regis and Kelly and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She performs “Your So Vain” on both–accompanying herself on guitar for Regis and Kelly. Ellen Degeneres brings Brooke’s husband on stage to cut his hair…

Video after the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Brooke White on Ellen and Regis and Kelly - VIDEO’

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Monday Morning Mediabase Update - 05/05/08

Published by Kirsten May 5th, 2008 in American Idol and Charts. 13 Comments

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.

Continue reading ‘Monday Morning Mediabase Update - 05/05/08′

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Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll - What Should the Idols Sing?

Published by mj May 5th, 2008 in American Idol, Season 7 and S7 Top 12. 268 Comments

This week’s theme for the Top 4–songs that shaped Rock n’ Roll–is finally broad enough that all the Idols should be able to find songs that suit their style.

The Idol picks are based on a list of songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”. Here’s the list. Pick your songs for the Idols–I’ll be back with my list in a bit…

ETA: My List after the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll - What Should the Idols Sing?’

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Notes from the Road

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