Archive for December, 2005

Hee

.  Now it’s getting all meta and shit.  Cause somebody at TWOP has now quoted my last post about TWOP.  And now I’m posting about the TWOP post about my  last post.  Maybe somebody at TWOP can post my latest post about my last post about TWOP….

Errr, maybe not.

And some further credit where credit is due:

Miranda Tozier-Robbins from IdolFeverBlogspot, who audtioned in front of the judges in Boston had a few nice tidbits for me and pointed me in the direction of some pics.  And my pals back at my Other Board are pretty good googlers and helped me find some MySpace blogs and other good stuff…

BTW, I love TWOP

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Hmmmm

….I’ve noticed that a link to this blog has recently been posted at Idol Forums and Television without Pity.  I just wanted to emphasize the fact that I’m gathering rumors that I read around the net.  Tons of the info posted here has come from somebody named mkbdiva from the Survivor Sucks AI Forum.   My information is NOT first-hand.  Just thought I’d make that clear….:). 

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I’ve been away celebratin’ the holiday!  Not much news to report, but there is a little bit of catch up to do.

This article features an interview with Randy Jackson.  Amidst the usual spin, there were a few interesting comments:

Jackson thinks the success of last season’s two finalists, country girl Carrie Underwood and rock guy Bo Bice, broadened the pool of auditioners somewhat. He also gives props to CBS’ “Idol”-esque summer series “Rock Star,” which found a new singer for INXS.

“I think ‘Rock Star’ was good … just to show that there’s everything in America,” Jackson says. “And the kid who won it [J.D. Fortune] actually can really sing. I’m happy, just being a musician and producer, that whoever wins is really talented. But I loved having Bo — me being from the South and being a Southern rocker kid, I love that, and we got more of that this year.”

More rockers this year?  YAY.  Unfortunately, I have yet to see one “rocker” among the possible contestants who supposedly made it to Hollywood.  Judging by what I’ve seen so far, they’ve basically got a bunch of 16 year old R&B wannabes, which would totally SUCK.  Raising the age limit and supporting rock music were the two things that made last year a really good season.

The nod Randy makes to “Rock Star:INXS” is interesting.  All the talk about the competition being more “cutthroat” this year is due to ”Rockstar’s” influence, I’ll bet.  The 1/2 hour visits to the Mansion the ”Rockstar” made were pretty interesting, and helped to highlight, or obscure particular contestants.

Oh, and this:

Once the public starts voting, beginning with the semifinal rounds in mid-February, Jackson believes something he calls “the Vonzell factor” — as in last year’s third-place finisher, Vonzell Solomon — will kick in.

“From when she auditioned to the end of the season, [Vonzell] grew by leaps and bounds,” he says. “I think whoever wins this year will definitely have the Vonzell factor. I don’t think there’s a clear favorite going into it — it’s gonna be someone who wows us week after week and just gets better throughout the competition.”

I guess they decided that pre-annointed winner-bots who give the same performance week after week make for boring Tee Vee? I’ll bet the horrid finale show last year made them realize that excitement needs to build through out the season, and that there has to be SOME element of surprise. Plus, folks love an underdog, which Carrie clearly was not.

Which is why the Senator’s daughter, Alya Brown, the privileged East Coast miss,  doesn’t stand a chance in hell to win.  Sorry all you Alya fans out there ;).  Now, if she was from the South, middle class and a member of her local Baptist Church, for instance,  she’d be golden.  :)

Don’t have much news from the gossip front.

Two names were added to the Sucks Top 24 list:

Bobby Bullard: Like a “young Luther” SupposedlyThis guy could go far, great soulful voice, experienced, like a young Luther. : www.bobbybullard.com : Registered by NETNAMES, UK company 9th December
Brianna Taylor: I have no idea who this person is.

Anybody? :).

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AI5 Schedule

Here is a USA Today article from today that details the program schedule for AI5 up until the Top 12 Begins:

Tuesday January 17

2 hrs

Auditions

Wednesday January 18

1 hrs

Auditions

Tuesday January 24

2 hrs

Auditions

Wednesday January 25

1 hrs

Auditions

Tuesday January 31

1 hrs

Auditions

Wednesday February 1

1 hrs

Auditions

Tuesday February 7

1 hrs

Auditions

Wednesday February 8

1 hrs

Hollywood

Tuesday February 14

1 hrs

Hollywood

Wednesday February 15

1 hrs

Hollywood

Tuesday February 21

1 hrs

Top 12 Men

Wednesday February 22

1 hrs

Top 12 Women

Thursday February 23

½ hr?

Top 12 Results

Tuesday February 28

1 hrs

Top 10 Men

Wednesday March 1

1 hrs

Top 10 Women

Thursday March 2

½ hr?

Top 10 Results

Tuesday March 7

1 hrs

Top 8 Men

Wednesday March 8

1 hrs

Top 8 Women

Thursday March 9

½ hr?

Top 8 Results

Tuesday March 14

1 hrs

Top 12 Begins

 

 

 

 

Randy sez, “The best male and female singers appear to be balanced in ability this season….the kids this time probably want this worse than ever…there’s quite a bit of interesting fighting and dialogue amongst the contestants.”
 
I think we’re being set up for a bunch of crazy reality-style cat-fights.  And you know, they’ll seem so realistic, not manipulated by the producers at all. ;).
 
Set your DVRs kids!

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Survivor Sucks Dude, mkbdiva, has started a Top 24 list over at the Survivor Sucks AI forum.  He has provided this information and swears by his sources, who he hasn’t named.  So ya know….still rumors at this point. :).

Ace Young

A picture named ace.jpgHe goes by his first name, Ace.  He’s a white R&B male who has opened for Brian McKnight and New Edition.  He has long hair, done some modelling and guest-starred on an episode of UPN’s “Half and Half” as himself.  He co-wrote the R&B singer, Mario’s “Let Me Love You”.  He sang on the soundtrack of some vampire movie.  Here’s a sample.  It’s very generic R&B.  If he’s a pretty boy with smooth moves, he could go far.A picture named ace2.jpg  White R&B singer?  They don’t have one of those yet, could be a possibility.  He sounds like the type of contestant Paula would want to sleep with. :).  He had a website, but since he’s currently in the running, the producers made him take it down.  However,   this website has some information.  No picture, yet. Correction: THANKS to my buddy will from sucks and the HH we have a picture! This comes from the cache of his defunct website :).

Younger picture of Ace (right) Courtesy of the mad googling skillz of grrrr from the HH….

17 year old Asian girl

According to another Hollywood contestant, she’s in the same league as Kelly Clarkson. No name yet.

The following folks I described here already.

Ayla Brown
Becky O’Donahue

Jose Penala
Paris Bennett

Got Cut Before the Top 24

Heather A picture named holly_group.jpg

No last name, apparently.  Nah, we just don’t know it yet. “Heather” is too common a first name to become one of those one-name dealies.  All I have on her is this picture (right).  She’s third from the left, sitting next to the bald guy. To her left are Bobbie Bullard, fate unknown, and Annie Pookasem who did not make it to Hollywood.  The green papers are third-round (audition in front of the judges) tickets.

Jordan Southerland

A picture named jordan.jpgSurvivor Sucks dude had another conversation with Jordan, and apparently he did indeed make the Top 24.  That’s all I got right now.  To refresh your memory, he’s from North Carolina, previously competed in something called Net Idol, and really, really really loves Jesus.  Here is a picture to refresh your memory (left)A picture named laurawrightGreensboro.jpg

Laura Wright 

Auditioned in Greensboro.  She’s 16 and from Marietta Georgia.  (right)

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Wow.  Suddenly there’s a lot of news!  Miranda Tozier-Robbins from idolfever.blogspot.com just left me this comment:

I wrote to Billy Instone over at Myspace. He responded back. Hi Well i didn’t make it to Hollywood. I made it to the thrid round which was held in SF Ca. I sat in a small room for 9 hours waiting to sing before my turn came. I couldn’t sing, i choked, my heart was beating so hard i couldn’t breathe and didn’t make it. Oh well, it happens. I just hope they don’t put me on the show now:) I had a good time and i’m a better singer now than i ever was. Anyway, i got to get off here. Talk with you later. -Billy-

Billy Instone comes off the Hollywood list…

Thanks Miranda!

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Whoops

Oh damb.  Somebody’s piiiiised at me……<evil grin>.  Apparently, Nolan Muna found my blog and he’s rather unhappy with the remarks I made about him here.  This is what I said:

He has a My SpaceHoly Crap check this dude out! Like a freaky refugee from “Cats”.  Skeery…Both Brandon and Nolan may be a little too “Broadway” for Simon. ;).

I didn’t say much, but he seems to be pretty upset about it, as he’s posted about it prominantly on his MySpace, and even added the Broadway remark to his sig line.

 Nolan, if you find me again, a few points:

  1. Please don’t confuse me with anybody on your friends list.  I did not ask to be added to your list.
  2. I didn’t steal your pictures.  I linked to them on your MySpace, which is perfectly appropriate netiquitte.
  3. If your Bio is “old” why was it posted on your MySpace?
  4. You said: “I do have a sense of humor and can definitely laugh at myself, especially if this is the kind of stuff I’d have to put up with had I moved on at American Idol and at least had become semi-famous for 15 minutes. “  You have no idea how bad it would have gotten.  It would have been what I said times a million. And scrutiny like you’ve never had before in your life. 
  5. Oh, and Thank You for confirming your contestant status.  A lot of folks were curious about that. ;).

To the Contestants Googling Your Own Name and Finding Me:

This blog is not serious stuff.  And hardly anybody is reading it. What I have to say means nothing, so I wouldn’t worry about it. And I know, it might be hard to wrap your head around this, but it’s nothing personal–it really isn’t.  And if you are lucky enough to advance and become a “character” on the show, all the people who criticize or make fun of you will be reacting to your celebrity or to the “character”, not to you personally.  If you can grasp that, your feelings won’t be hurt nearly as much.

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More Survivor Sucks gossip

Jeez. there is a poster over there who is like a Super-Sleuth, he pokes around and gets a ton of gossip…some of which has turned out to be true.  My hats off to mykbdiva.   Latest update–he IM’d Jordan Southerland and wrangled some information from him about Hollywood!  Some, but not all the information below comes from that conversation.

Most Likely Top 24:

Paris Bennet

A picture named ParisPhototn.jpg

Here’s a bio.  And a song she recorded.   She sounds pretty generic here.  Like somebody at Sucks says, she sounds a lot like Top 24 contestant, Janay Castine, from last year.  And according to Southerland, she ain’t all that.  Kinda like a “Black Mikalah Gordon”  Hmmm.  Southerland claims there are three incredible contestants, one a girl, who made the top 24.  He didn’t spill, though.  He doesn’t think a guy will win this year.  Poster at Sucks found out about Paris from somebody who knows a relative.

 

Jose Penala

A picture named jose.jpg

Apparently, he’s got a “great falsetto.”  And yes, it is indeed every bit as “refreshing” as Corey Clark’s according to some folks who have heard his song.  ;).   Ok, I just listened to this song.  He’s got one of the weirdest helium-inflected falsettos I’ve ever heard.  YIKES.  Corey’s a damb Smokey Robinson in comparison.  Well.  OK.  I’m exaggerating for effect, but you know what I mean.

My Space

Sucks poster does not state how he knows Jose made the Top 24, but he’s sure he did.

 

 

Could be Top 24:

Ayla Brown

A picture named Aylawebphoto.jpg

“Golden Girl” from Boston.  Mommy’s a newscaster, Dad’s a state senator.  She’s a star basketball player at a local private school.  Sports scholarship to Boston University.  She’s pretty and she can sang.  Not sure how Sucks dude knows she made the top 24,  but personally, I wouldn’t be surprised.  Her well connected parental units will bring some nice publicity to the show.  But will she win?  Hell no.  Idol favors heartland contestants who love Jeebus and Apple Pie and appear to have ordinary backgrounds.  No way some privileged miss from the East Coast is gonna get close to winning.  There’s just not much there the ordinary Idol viewer can identify with–and I believe to the producers, that identification is key to roping us suckers in. :).  If she makes the Top 12, she won’t go deep.

 

Becky O’Donohue

A picture named JessieBecky.jpg

Becky’s on the right with her twin sister.  They appeared in Fear Factor together.  Don’t have much information on her, but according to Miranda Tozier-Robbins, from this blog, she’s super-nice and can sing.  Sucks dude thinks she made it, but not sure.  Hmmm, she’s pretty.  The twin angle is interesting.  If she’s got a good voice, I can see it.  She’s got TV experience–and I think that’s going to work against her this year.  From the articles I’ve read so far about this year’s audtions, the producers appear to be seeking “green” contestants.

 

 

 

 

Some interesting tidbits via Jordan Southerland via IM chat with Survivor Sucks Dude.  Jordan may not have made the Top 24 (he wouldn’t spill):

Brad Kish didn’t make it to Hollywood–he didn’t make it past the first audition round.

Anne Pookasem didn’t make it to Hollywood.

Billy Instone may not have been in Hollywood — Jordan didn’t recall anyone who looked remotely like him.

Jordan could not remember or identify Nolan Muna, Bobby Bullard or CJ Cram, all pictured here.

Additional info from Survivor Sucks Dude:

Sarah Sue Kelley made it through to Simon Paula and Randy.  She tried to be more contemporary this year, singing an Alicia Keys song, but she didn’t make it.

A Filipino girl named Jayne made it to the top 44 but was cut.  According to this Jayne person, there are quite a few minorities in the top 24.

So that’s it.  Take it for what it’s worth.  My thanks to mykbdiva from Survivor Sucks.  I hope you don’t get into trouble. ;).

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According to Miranda Tozier-Robbins,  Joanne Usyk didn’t make it past the second round in Boston.  Oh well, this year’s token “pink-haired” girl is obviously somebody else.  Also, according to Miranda, several Hollywood-bound contestants were told to un-pack their bags before they even got on the plane for California.  The friend of one of the eliminated contestants  posted the news at the offical AI forums .  I wonder if that’s happened in the past?  Probably.  I’m sure they sit down, look at the numbers and other factors, and decide to eliminate contestants before the rounds even begin.  In fact, one year they may have had a top 36 that got cut down to 32?  Maybe the second seasonA picture named jose.jpg?

Some funny stuff from Survivor Sucks.  According to a poster there this guy, Jose Penala (left) “Has what it takes to win and will be pimped by the judges to no end.”  Apparently he made it to Hollywood.  Either a friend or relative posted that, or these contestants are getting savvy and forming street teams before the competition even begins ;).

Jose is 27 years old, from San Francisco CA , is married and is in a group called “6th Day”  According to the sucks poster, he has a great falsetto.  But the important question–is it “refreshing?”   Hee.

 

 

 

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Boston Auditions

A picture named coltonrudloffBoston.jpgMiranda Tozier-Robbins third-round Boston contestant and author of Idol Fever Blogspot left me a comment with a few recollections of some of the Boston auditioners I mentioned in my last post.  Of  Colton Rudloff  (left) she said “I remember Colton.  He sat next to me.  I told him he was so cute and adorable.  He’s 16.

And about Mere Doyle, “I also met  Mere Doyle a couple times. I can’t remember if she was in the judges round or not. Her picture is in the Herald I think. By the way the pic you have of her on your site is from the Gillete Stadium round. Aka Round 1.” A picture named meredoyleBoston.jpg(below)

Thanks Miranda!

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More American Idol News

Here’s another article–an interview with Paula Abdul from Zap2it.com. The reporter is awesomely snarky:

In a shocking move, “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul has confessed that if the early auditions are any indication, this could be the best season yet for the FOX talent show.

“We’ve gotten incredible people,” Abdul gushes. “I think it’s going to be the best, because we have some of the best singers.”

If Abdul’s prognostications hold up, this could be the fifth consecutive “best season ever” for “Idol,” which has to be some sort of record.

Heh. In the article she babbles on about the females being good, but OMG the boys are good too!!! It’s the usual pre-idol omgitsthebestseasonyet content-free spin.  According to Paula, there are two sets of twins this year.  One set are 27 year old Luther Vandross knockoffs, the other set are 16 year old Usher knockoffs.  Wow, I can’t WAIT.  Actually, what’s the fascination with twins?  They always suck.  So, that’s suck x2.  Ugh.  This new crop can’t be any worse than the Roman brothers from Season 3.   YIKES, they were bad…

I have more info courtesy of Survivor Sucks and Idolforums.  Well, Survivor Sucks posts it first, and then IdolForums rips it off without credit.  So Sucks?  THANK YOU AND HERE’S YOUR CREDIT.  ;).  And a SUPER GIANT SHOUT OUT to grrrr from HH for finding all the MySpace pages!  You RAWK. :).

The dude who posted on IdolForums and claimed to have info  was totally bogus, I’m convinced.  First of all, the Hollywood rounds are happening as we speak, in the first week of December, according to some folks in the know.  So obviously, this dude, who kept insisting that this one and that one had gotten cut, was kidding.  Last year, once the Hollywood Rounds were over, there was a ton of info leaked.  I suspect we’ll hear bits and pieces of what happened in Hollywood starting next week.  Hopefully I’ll have lots of info from various sources.

Anyway, the good folks at Sucks posted a bunch of photos of people who may or may not be in Hollywood this week.  Here they are:

A picture named ashleyhoganBoston.jpgAshley Hogan. (left)  She auditioned in Boston

A picture named laurawrightGreensboro.jpgLaura Wright(left)  Auditioned in Greensboro.  She’s 16 and from Marietta Georgia.  She’s friends with Jordan Southerland.                                                   

A picture named coltonrudloffBoston.jpg Colton Rudloff(left)  Auditioned in Boston

 

 

 

 

 

 

A picture named meredoyleBoston.jpgMere Doyle(left) Auditioned in Boston

A picture named billyinstone.jpgBilly Instone(left) Late 20’s from Austin.  Here’s his My Space.  Here’s what he has to say about himself:

I’m a pretty laid back guy. I love music. I’m a musician. I sing, play guitar, Bass and keyboards. I’m also a DJ. My band is called ” Blyndfold Mary ” i have a page here on myspace if you want to check out the music…I’m kind of a loner, but can get along with anyone. I’m honest and have a sick sense of humor. I can make the most uptight asshole laugh until he crys (sic). It’s a gift. I’m kind of an asshole myself, but it keeps people interested. You never really know what i will say next. God broke the mold after making me so i’m a one of a kind.

His My Space groups are: “Ass Lovers” “We Hate Emo Kids” and “Straight Up Core”  His band is blyndfold Mary Wow, what a badass! A badass trying out for American Idol. coughposeurcough

 

A picture named michellelapoint.jpg

Michelle Laponte. (left)  28 Year old from Austin, TX

A picture named katharinecue.jpg

Katharine Cue.  (left) Tried out in Chicago.  Former “Star Search” contestant.

A picture named ashleyguadamuz.jpgAshley Guadamuz(left) 16 yr old from California.  She has a MySpace and calls herself This Fuckin Bleeding Heart.  Wow.  Her page is colorful, and really hard to read.  She likes the word Fuck.  Alot.  And leopard skin.

 

A picture named nolanmuna.jpg

Nolan Muna(left)  He has a My SpaceHoly Crap check this dude out! Like a freaky refugee from “Cats”.  Skeery.  Nolan’s Bio:

Yeah, um, I’m usually really shy and, um, quite reserved, but I’m trying to shed that skin. I don’t like who I think I used to be, so I’m glad that anybody I meet from now on won’t get to know that jackass. Big apology to those suckers sticking around, though. OMG J/K! Just…kidding… Right now, I’m on the semi-fast track at the theatre department at good old Texas State. I’m going for my BFA in directing (fuckers). In the meantime, I like to do what I can to piss off the establishment there.

A picture named brendansimon2.jpg

Brendon Simon(left)  He has a My Space.  About Brendon:

Hi all! My name is Brendan. I’m a 24-year-old performer living in the Bay Area (Northern California). I grew up in San Jose, CA and have lived in various parts of California and Arizona thus far. At my best, my friends might describe me as loyal, funny, intelligent, energetic, passionate, sincere, empathetic, and talented. At my worst, my friends might describe me as moody, uncaring, overreacting, curt, uninvolved, and vain…I work for Starbucks, and I love my job. I also choreograph and I’m an actor who has actually been fortunate enough to get work in California!…I also believe in empowering young people with a voice and stress the imortance of being involved in the political process. “Be the change you want to see.” 

Both Brandon and Nolan may be a little too “Broadway” for Simon. ;).

A picture named joannusyk1Boston.jpg

Joanne Usyk(left) Audtioned in Boston.  She has a My Space.  Again, with the colors! Yikes! Pink and Neon Green? She’s 19 years old and from New York Mills, NY.  OMG she’s got Pink Hair!  We’ve never seen that before! ;).  Looks like she’s vying for this year’s quirky, punky pink-haired girl.

A picture named daronwilliams1.jpg

DaRon Williams. (left) He has a My Space.  His My Space Nym is “Theater Bug”.  He’s auditioned before.

 About Daron:

What you really want to know about me is imposible to communicate though a bio…we all sugar coat the truth…to stay honest I’ll just tell you what’s on the serfice (sic) and let you dig deeper if you want. I’m a 25 year old black man who’s main focus in life is to surround myself with people who care about me…don’t need anything else really but I’ll take a few million. love to sing, even when nobody listens. dancing is always fun no matter how sore or sweaty i get. I call the stage my second home…i just love a good nap and im a tottal bitch without one. i love my dog, adore my mate, often delight in entertaining kids.( wish i had my own) oh yeah did i mention that i like to take naps, and no matter how old i get i still LOVE MY MOMMY!  He still loves his Mommy!  That’s uhhhmmm, sweet?  See Simon. Broadway. Nolan and Brendon

A picture named CJCram.jpg

CJ Cram(left) Auditioned in Boston

Some names without pictures:

Rachel and Gabriel Newman - twins from Chicago (they perform together in a group called “Namirajj”).

Selefana Kamau. Tried out in Boston, graduated from Berklee College of Music

Darian Logan.  Auditioned in Greensboro

Sharonda Hopkins.  Auditioned in Greensboro

Sabrina Oakley.  Auditioned in Greensboro.  She has a My Space.  Oh look! She loves Jesus.  And she’s a single mom.  I hope she can read. 

Rachel Davis.  ???

Fatmina Yusef.  She’s made Hollywood at least twice already

Erin Callahan.  Auditioned in Boston

That’s it for now!  Hey, if anybody out there has additional information, or can fill in the blanks.  Leave a comment!

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