My pal Brent Michaels, the morning DJ from 97.7 the Breeze tells me that Andrew Lloyd Webber night will be comprised of his music, rather than a broader theme. David Archuleta, Carly Smithson and Ramiele Malubay will do fine. The others, not so much. Well, if Syesha Mercado is still around, she’ll do OK. I may need something to settle my stomach that night. Ugh.
ETA: Smart Peeps vixen and trina reminded me that David Cook went to college on a theater scholarship. And that Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. Hey, not only is David a Word Geek he’s a theater geek!
ETAA: Comment peeps have pointed out that there is potential for the song list to be varied, as ALW has a large catalog. I hope the list reflects a variety of styles. A night of overblown ballads would not be fun…
More about IGB from the National Ledger,
“Heroes” regular Greg Grunberg, “House” star Hugh Laurie, “Desperate Housewives’” James Denton and the other members of the Band from TV will be rockin’ the house on Fox’s second “American Idol Gives Back” special April 9, reveals Grunberg.
Apparently, Teri Hatcher will be appearing with them also. They are called the “Band From TV”, and they play charity events around Los Angeles.
Also from Brent Michaels–he sent me an mp3 of his weekly chat with JD Roberto. He’s the host of American Idol Extra on the Fox Reality channel. Brent asked JD a question about the producers and how they determine performance order for the show. Here is what he had to say:
It’s one of the few things that’s left up to the producers. They are trying to present an Event, a show top people…they try to intersperse a slow song, with a fast song…so they watch the rehearsals…they watch all of the talent get ready for the week, then they decide what order they’ll perform in…oh, it’s not the best person goes last, or the worst person goes first…it’s different every week. For them it’s much more about crafting a really watchable show than deciding which person is good enough to go in what position.
Ramiele Malubay’s pimp spot last week sure was…uh…entertaining. JD does not believe that viewers who perform early in the show are at a disadvantage–he thinks the recap at the end of the show reminds viewers of the earlier performances. I’ve seen the stats (thank you Kirsten!). That statement doesn’t hold up. Second and third place in the line-up can be deadly–so can first. If Amanda Overmyer had performed last, or even next to last, she’d be performing this week. Yep.
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I love Andrew Lloyd Webber and his music. I can’t wait for the night of his music. If they are allowed to choose from his entire collection, the contestants will have hundreds of amazing songs from which to choose. His music encompasses a lot of ranges, tempos and styles. There will be no excuse for screwing up that night. No excuse at all, IMO.
I can’t wait to see The Band from TV perform. I’ve seen clips of them performing before and they were pretty good. I’m a fan of all of the guys in the group. Too bad Teri Hatcher will be there to dampen my enjoyment. Oh well.
If David Cook can get out of his rock box for one night and let this side out I think he can be fine on ALW night
‘Singin’ in the Rain’
yeah, to echo trina - dcook went to college on a theater scholarship; i think he’ll be fine. besides, jesus christ superstar is him all over.
Excellent point!
well thanks, mj! i have my moments. :)
I agree, lots of great songs from Jesus Christ Superstar, my personal fave from ALW.
I have always loved Andrew Lloyd Webber through I’m a fan of musical theater. I think that since his music falls into the “pop” musical theater catalogue that it could be a better night then people think. Just off the top of my head I’d really like to hear
Carly Smithson: Either Everything’s Alright from Jesus Christ Superstar or Unexpected Song from Song & Dance.
Brooke White: I Don’t Know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar
Syesha: singing Memory
Kristy Lee Cook: Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts from Whistle Down the Wind
Ramiele: All I Ask Of You from Phantom of the Opera
David Cook: High Flying Adored from Evita
Jason Castro: Any Dream Will Do from Joseph
Michael Johns: Jesus Christ Superstar
David Archuletta: No Matter What from Whistle Down the Wind
Chikeze: Close Every Door to Me from Joseph
Being a bit of a theater lover myself, I think that most of these guys will shine during ALW night. It really all depends on what songs will be available. His catalog is extensive and although the stuff that leaks out to the mainstream may be some overblown ballads, he has some great uptempo, not so cheesy stuff too. I say this will be an enjoyable week. Anything from Phantom and Superstar will be awesome. More worried about what Mariah’s theme will be.
I love plays, but not so much into musicals, so I have no idea about his catalog. Broadway night in season 4 was a disaster, though, so I’m not holding out much hope.
Season three was good/
What I always hate about show-tune night is listening to all the negative responses of Simon all night long! I LOVE show tunes, and it takes all the fun out of it to hear his negativity. I just don’t think Simon cares for that kind of music.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music will bore the heck out of people and he isn’t THAT great of a song writer, honestly. I fear for the contestants. I just don’t see them doing his songs, which are more operatic and theatrical than “pop”. It’s a shame that the producers are headed this way. That week is going to be disastrous!
*rubs hands in gleeful anticipation* Finally, an episode this season I’ll probably be able to get through.
It just floors me how AI can make their contestants sing a genre of music upon which none, repeat none, of them will base their careers. “RockStar” stuck with rock, “Nashville Star” with coutry, etc… Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed ALW’s music. But if I’m in the mood for it I’ll pull out my Sarah Brightman or Michael Crawford CDs. My world is not ready for a moment when Jason and Brooke crash-n-burn while Syesha and Ramiele squeek by.
That’s not true. Diana DeGarmo, Constantine and Tamyra have probably made more money from Broadway than from their CD sales. Jennifer Hudson parlayed a film version of a Broadway musical into an Oscar. Frenchie, Anwar, and Season 3’s Amy Adams have no CD’s to their names but have been in touring companies of musicals. Fantasia & Clay have found great success on Broadway to supplement their recording careers.
I, for one, look forward to hearing some songs never before performed on Idol.
Frenchie was actually on Broadway in “Rent” not just in a touring company.
^That’s what happens when you edit your comments before posting and don’t read back.! I went to see Rent on BWDY with Frenchie in it.
Unfortunately, as Sir Andrew did NOT write “Singin’ In the Rain”, this song most likely will not be performed…
I have never suggested songs for anyone, as I could never be a Director, but here are my suggestions for the contestants, of which I gave each 2:
Brooke: “Take That Look Off Your Face” (Song and Dance); “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” (Evita);
Carly: “Anything But Lonely” (Aspects of Love); “Tell Me On a Sunday, Please” (”Song and Dance”);
David A: “Music of the Night” (Phantom); “No Matter What” (Whistle Down the Wind);
David C: “Gethsemene” (Jesus Christ Superstar); “And the Money Kept Rolling In” (Evita);
Jason: “Heaven On Their Minds” (Jesus Christ Superstar); “Any Dream Will Do” (Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat);
Kristy: “One More Angel In Heaven” (Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat); “Could We Start Again, Please?” (Jesus Christ Superstar);
Michael: “Superstar” (Jesus Christ Superstar); “Oh, What a Circus” (Evita);
Ramiele: “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” (Jesus Christ Superstar); “You Must Love Me” (Evita - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack);
Syesha: “Memory” (Cats); “Love Changes Everything” (Aspects of Love)
Of course, I would give MAJOR POINTS to whomever if someone would attempt either “Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life)” which was written for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWm4bwYHqH8 or “Pie Jesu” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3mTANHqZLI from Sir Andrew’s Requiem…