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Idol Headlines for 5/14/08

Published by mj May 14th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 43 Comments

”American Idol”: Throw Syesha From the Train

INTERIOR. A DARK HOLLYWOOD SOUNDSTAGE. Dressed in a slinky, metallic-sequined gown, a blindfolded SYESHA MERCADO is led by a pair of GOONS to center stage, where she is tied to a wooden post. One of the men lights the extra long cigarette hanging from Syesha’s mouth. She inhales, chin held high, betraying no hint of fear or desperation.

Suddenly, the floodlights are switched on. Syesha finds herself facing an angry semicircle of VIOLIN PLAYERS. From stage left, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER NIGEL LYTHGOE rubs his hands and salivates, while a deathly quiet falls over the audience. The JUDGES take their seats and prepare to speak.

Entertainment Weekly

Nigel Lythgoe on Jeff Archuleta: It’s about taking “some pressure away here”

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: There have been reports that Jeff Archuleta was banished from backstage, but then David’s vocal coach gave a radio interview in which he said that wasn’t the case. What light can you shed on this?
NIGEL LYTHGOE: “Banished” is a terrible word, isn’t it? It sounds like we’re in some far-off kingdom. He has been asked not to participate in the choice of music with David or be in the room when David is working out his routines that he wants to sing. He’s fine to be in the studio — nothing wrong with that. We just want David to be able to be free like everybody else to get on and do what they want to do.

Hollywood Insider

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Idol Headlines for 5/13/08

Published by mj May 13th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 22 Comments

‘American Idol’ Power List: The Top 3

Entertainment Weekly

Top 3 Power Rankings: Here Comes David A.!

The Top 3 Power Rankings
61.3% David Cook
29.7% David Archuleta
9.0% Syesha Mercado

TV Guide

Wake me when ‘American Idol’ is over by Dave White

This will sound incredibly ridiculous to just about every single person reading this, but it’s actually my job to sit on my couch and watch “American Idol” with my friends. I’m sorry if you have a really boring sales meeting coming up in 15 minutes and you’re just killing time on the Internet until then and I just made you start daydreaming about how awesome it would be to get paid money to watch TV. But that’s my job. Really.

Of course, then I have to write somewhat detailed recaps of the show. Recaps that go on for thousands of words where I analyze “Idol”-related issues of monumental importance.

MSNBC

Continue reading ‘Idol Headlines for 5/13/08′

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Idol Headlines for 5/11/08

Published by mj May 11th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 62 Comments

Cowell downplays ban of ‘Idol’ father

LOS ANGELES, May 10 (UPI) — “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell says contestant David Archuleta’s father may no longer be backstage at the U.S. TV series, but he can be in the audience.

Cowell said Jeff Archuleta, who has earned some notoriety for apparently pushing his son in music competitions, is “banned from being in the rooms where David was learning or rehearsing his songs,” TMZ.com said Saturday.

UPI

Carrie Underwood joins Grand Ole Opry

Carrie Underwood is the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The singer joined the cast of the long-running country music show Saturday. Garth Brooks handled her formal induction and Vince Gill sang a duet with her.

The former “American Idol” winner sold 7 million copies of her debut album “Some Hearts” and shot to superstardom almost overnight with hits including “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”

wztv

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Idol Headlines for 5/10/08

Published by mj May 10th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 70 Comments

Unh Unh Unh Unh Unh Unh Unh Unh …

…is how you say “in the jingle-jangle morning” in Jason Castro-ese. Translated into English, it means, “Please, I’m begging you. Kick me off this show.”

It’s almost over. In mere weeks there will be only frustrating presidential campaigns, ongoing wars for oil, recession, global warming, and the aftermath of the Myanmar catastrophe to occupy your mind. We’ll each have to cope in our own ways. Grand Theft Auto 4 — or is it 5 — might be an option.

Advocate

3 ‘Idol’ finalists bask in adoration of hometown fans

Everywhere they go, “American Idol” contestants attract a crowd of admirers, well-wishers, gushy handmade signs and screams fit for a vintage Beatle. But when it comes to feting finalists, home is where the “I (heart) you” is.

In what’s become an annual “Idol” rite of passage, the remaining three contestants — David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado and David Cook — headed to their respective hometowns Friday for a dose of family and the inevitably intense local rah-rah routine, showing just how stirred up communities get when one of their own shines on TV’s biggest stage.

Children are pulled from school. Elected officials make grand declarations. Pro sports teams clear the national-anthem calendar. Motorcades roll.

In Murray, Utah, Archuleta was greeted by the same sound that reaches the “Idol” stage every time he steps on it: screaming girls.

Associated Press

Continue reading ‘Idol Headlines for 5/10/08′

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Idol Headlines for 5/9/08

Published by mj May 9th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 89 Comments

Who should win American Idol?

But who’s the most deserving of the win? David Archuleta has wowed the judges and audience week after week with his polished vocals, but lacks a commanding stage presence. Syesha Mercado has played the role of the underdog throughout this competition, but has been coming on strong these past few weeks with passion and conviction. David Cook quickly emerged as a front-runner with his powerful rock vocals and innovative arrangements, but is he too limited to be the next Idol?

Let’s just look at each of them, one at a time.

TV Squad

‘American Idol’ hits another ratings low

Another Wednesday, another win for Fox’s “American Idol” — and another five-year ratings low.

“Idol” (22.9 million viewers, 8.2 national 18-to-49 rating and a 21 share) continued to decline at a time of year its ratings usually increase. Aside from its “Idol Gives Back” special, “Idol” has not shown any week-to-week growth since February. Lead-in ” ‘Til Death” (6 million, 1.9/6) was average, but “Back to You” (7 million, 2.1/6) hit a series low.

Hollywood Reporter

Continue reading ‘Idol Headlines for 5/9/08′

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Idol Headlines for 5/08/08

Published by mj May 8th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 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

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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…

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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

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Idol Headlines for 5/5/08

Published by mj May 5th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 60 Comments

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

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Idol Headlines for 5/4/08

Published by mj May 4th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 110 Comments

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

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Idol Headlines for 5/3/08

Published by mj May 3rd, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 161 Comments

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

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Idol Headlines for 5/2/08

Published by mj May 2nd, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 79 Comments

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 fuck 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

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Idol Headlines for 5/1/08

Published by mj May 1st, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 146 Comments

‘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…

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Published by mj April 30th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 156 Comments

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…

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Published by mj April 29th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 47 Comments

‘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…

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Idol Headlines for 4/28/08

Published by mj April 28th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 137 Comments

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…

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Idol Headlines for 4/27/08

Published by mj April 27th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 260 Comments

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

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Published by mj April 26th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 208 Comments

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

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Idol Headlines for 4/25/08

Published by mj April 25th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 89 Comments

‘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

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Published by mj April 24th, 2008 in American Idol and Headlines. 85 Comments

Carly Smithson makes surprise ‘Idol’ exit

As “American Idol” pointed out in a video clip during Wednesday’s results show, plenty of former contestants have found a post-show life starring on Broadway. Judging from the way the audience voted this week, Carly Smithson shouldn’t plan on joining them.

Not that hitting the stage was one of her career goals anyway. Her ambition is to become a successful pop star, and pop stars tend not to put Andrew Lloyd Webber songs on their albums.

MSNBC

‘American Idol’: Getting Our Irish Up

I’m not gonna lie. I shed a couple tears at the end of tonight’s episode of American Idol. Over the past 10 weeks, I’ve slowly but surely fallen for Carly Smithson, looked forward to Tuesday nights so I could hear her wrap her big, bombastic rasp of a voice around whatever musical theme the show’s producers threw at her.

Not that I ever had any illusions she might win this thing — or even crack the top three. Carly’s tattoos, her unwavering delight in showing off said body art, her husband’s tattooed face, her desperate desire to please Simon Cowell, her angsty facial expressions, the pre-season brouhaha about her failed 2001 major-label CD, her sometimes off-putting stage banter, her occasional vocal inconsistency (see ”Idol Gives Back” week), and even the fact that she’s from Ireland, well, they were all warning lights that combined to spell a simple, disconcerting message: ”For a limited time only.”

Entertainment Weekly

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