‘Tis the Season to be Gay on Idol?
Why does Idol matter to this discussion? Because even though the ratings are slipping, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s still the number 1 show on American television. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s popular culture at its biggest, shiniest, dumbest, loudest, and blandest. People you know will be talking about it this week, whether you want to participate in the conversation or not. And they will be talking about former Wicked cast member Adam Lambert.
Fox Restructuring Elevates Rice as Liguori Exits
Rupert Murdoch has tapped Fox Searchlight movie whiz Peter Rice to run Fox Broadcasting–a left-field choice that is already prompting speculation that Mr. Murdoch may be grooming Mr. Rice for an even bigger job in the long-term.
In the short term, the appointment has displaced Peter Liguori, the well-liked executive who, until Thursday, had been chairman of Fox Broadcasting. Fox has been the No. 1 network in adults 18-49 throughout most of Mr. Liguori’s four-year tenure at the network, making his firing all the more unexpected.
The move of Mr. Rice to the Fox network was part of a broader, post-Peter Chernin organizational restucturing announced Thursday afternoon by Mr. Murdoch.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
New “Idol’ judges” veto divides fans
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A rule change giving “American Idol” judges the power of veto for the first time in the talent show’s seven-year history divided fans and TV critics on Thursday, with some calling it “un-American”.
The “Judges’ Save”, announced Wednesday night, gives the four-person panel on U.S. television’s most-watched show the power to save one contestant from elimination by the public just once during a season.
On The Scene At “American Idol”: You WIll Not Escape The Commercials
So as you may have heard, thanks to a couple of strings being pulled (not by me, I should say), I made it into the taping of last night’s American Idol results show, during which Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez were banished from the ranks and the finalist pool’s overall skin tone got way, way more pale. Come with me as I dissect some of the finer points of the evening’s proceedings.
American Idol: Two More Contestants Found Murdered
So the judges now have one magical veto they can use just once. Deal with it, America! They didn’t use it last night, though. So poor Jasmine Murray and Gloria Estefan were sent home, weeping.
So, first, this new rule. Ryan all skinny and stiff there like an ironing board in his black suit, delivered the news dramatically. “Chris Daughtry… Jennifer Hudson… Michael Johns… Tamyra Gray…” What did all these people have in common? They were all voted off glowing, spinning Sh*t Island too soon. Whatever. Tamyra Gray, honey chile I didn’t watch your season. Michael Johns? No. J Hud? Thank God she didn’t go further, otherwise she wouldn’t have the Oscar. Chris Daughtry? Whatever, dink. I’m glad they showed the brief clip of him looking so shocked when he got eliminated. That was a tremendous Idol moment when it happened, lo those nineteen years ago.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Kids Get Nicknames From Jimmy Kimmel
On Wednesday nightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Jimmy Kimmel Liveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢, Jimmy gave the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ kids nicknames. Kris Allen is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“That White Guyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Adam Lambert is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Joan Jettà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Anoop Desai is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Anoopà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Lil Rounds is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Lil Roundsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Scott MacIntyre is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Blind Guyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Megan Joy is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Tattooineà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Alexis Grace is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Parakeetà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Danny Gokey is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Okey-Gokeyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Michael Sarver is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Pork Chopà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , Matt Giraud is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Justin Timberfakeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , and Allison Iraheta is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Kool-Aid Headà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . Watch the comedy clip below.
The Watcher: Do changes to ‘Idol’ make the show better?
We begged for changes in “American Idol,” and this season, we got changes in “American Idol.”
But now that we have them, do we want them?
Alarmed by a drop in the show’s still-mighty ratings, the “American Idol” production team gave us a number of alterations, three of them significant. The results are mixed, at best.
Singing for survival: A closer look at the ‘American Idol’ 13
By the time you read this, two of the 13 finalists on “American Idol” will have been snatched from the spotlight. I bet they’ve already returned to their hometowns and started picking up the pieces of their former lives as, well, nobodies.
If that sounds harsh, you probably don’t watch much reality TV.
“Idol,” in particular, is ruthless about creating temporary stars and eclipsing them quickly. Viewers get attached to certain singers, cheering them on during weekly performances, then find their faves dashed upon the rocks of failure.
Who’s gone? Who’s left? And who might be brought back in a startling mid-season twist?
American Idol has a new rule to go with its new finalists.
For the first time, on Tuesday, thirteen contestants instead of twelve hit the big stage to show American what theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re made of. On Wednesday they were back to see who would advance.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s exhilarating because youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re going to perform on the stage and youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got the crowd pumping you up, youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got the judges, you want impress them à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ you want to lay it down,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Season 4 Finalist Nadia Turner explained on the Idol Chatter set. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ And then you go back home to be like: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get to comfy on that pillow, no, no no,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ because your behind may be going home.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Jorge Nunez: ‘Nothing to Be Sad About’
Being one of the first sent home during the American Idol finals is heartbreaking, sure. But Jorge Nuà ±ez à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ the cool-cat 20-year-old crooner from Carolina, Puerto Rico à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ is taking it well. He rang up EW to talk about how he’s feeling after the ouster, what he’ll do next, and who he’d like to work with in the future (hint: she used to go by J.Lo).
Jasmine Murray: ‘I Know Now That This Is What I Want to Do’
No one is surprised that Jasmine Murray à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ the 17-year-old songbird from Starkville, Miss. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ was voted off American Idol after an unexciting performance of the Jackson 5’s ”I’ll Be There” on Tuesday evening. Heck, she doesn’t even seem that surprised, based on our conversation about the whole experience. See below, where she told us about her (non-existent) spring break plans (hey, she’s still in high school!) and her undying love for music.
This Year’s ‘Idol’ Ringer Singer
Adam Lambert stole the show on Tuesday night when he wowed the audience with a flamboyant performance of Michael Jacksonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Black or White.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Everyone went crazy, especially Paula Abdul, who exclaimed that it was the best performance in the history of American Idol.
‘American Idol’ Finalist Sings for Slain Friend
The latest “American Idol” wildcard is Anoop “Noop Dog” Desai who is fast becoming a fan favorite with his cheerful appeal and moving story.
Desai, “Idol’s” amiable Indian-American contestant, cut through the competition Wednesday night, hanging on as one of the top 11 in season eight of Fox’s ultra-popular singing competition. Despite his much criticized rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” Tuesday, Desai managed to drum up enough fan support to stay in the race, while voters sent Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez packing.
David Cook On Tour, Success & Screaming Female Fans
On a phone interview the day before David Cook performed in Pfleeger Hall, Alexandra Harcharek spoke with Cook about his tour, success since American Idol and screaming female fans.
On his college tour, the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Declaration Tour 2009,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ David Cook revealed: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I think people that watched Idol saw me confident but pretty stressed and pretty apprehensive about the whole process. Now theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll see me crack a few more jokes and see me a bit more relaxed.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
On the difference about performing at colleges, he explained: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a vibe at colleges that you donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t find anywhere else. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s an under appreciated demographic. Plus if you can impress a bunch of music-snob college kids youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re doing alright for yourself. I was a music snob. If I had to go to a school and play for college-version me, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be petrified.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Carly Smithson — Amateur Butt Cleaner
It’s only been a few months since “American Idol” loser Kimberly Caldwell broke up with David Cook, but she’s already found another “Idol” wannabeen to look after her ass: Carly Smithson.
The A.I. castoffs rolled up to Apple in West Hollywood last night, and before they went inside, our cameras caught Carly cleaning “the fluff” off of Kim’s butt.
Hey, at least she’s got a job!
MAJOR MINOR: David Archuleta, Townes Van Zandt Tribute, Tom Waits, Plan 9
David Archuletaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ teen idol, puppy dog, sock puppetà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ he does it all.
Look, when I went up to the Newport last Thursday, I thought the dude was some sort of American Idol second coming of Clay Aiken (whom I found to be a tremendous stylist a couple of summers ago at a Picnic With the Pops). I just wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t up on the fact heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s for the 9-year-old set.
Ya learn something new every day.
Melinda Doolittle leads ‘American Idol’ show at Sunrise
It has been two years since Melinda Doolittle was tearing things up on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Jordin Sparks eventually won Season Six, and Doolittle, with her powerhouse voice that seemed tailor-made for old-school soul and rhythm à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢nà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ blues, came in third, behind beat-boxing song à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢nà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ dance man Blake Lewis.
Doolittle, 31, has not been idle (pun intended). Her debut CD, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Coming Back At You,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ was released last month and is selling well à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ almost 11,000 copies in its first week.
Her first tour comes to the Sunrise Theatre on March 15, and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a cornucopia for à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ fans. Gina Glocksen and Phil Stacey, two of Doolittleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fellow Season Six contestants, also will sing, along with Season Sevenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Chikezie Eze.
Review: ‘Grease’ at the Pantages Theatre
The Soul Patrol meets the high school musical in the latest revival of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Grease,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ now running at Pantages Theatre. Southern charmer and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ winner Taylor Hicks descends from a giant soft-serve cone for a winning cameo in this high-energy, low-personality revival of Jim Jacobs and Warren Caseyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s classic.
Kelly Clarkson Rehearses à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Saturday Night Liveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
Kelly Clarkson grins from ear-to-ear as she arrives at her midtown Manhattan hotel
in NYC after rehearsing for Saturday Night Live on Thursday (March 12).
She recently told ET the qualities she looks for in a man: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A confident guy that has his own thing going on. Anyone that can make me laugh. Guys are usually so nervous, they donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t talk. Every guy Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve dated, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve worked with and we knew each other before.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About Her Love Life
ET is with “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi as she sits down with writing buddy Kelly Clarkson and asks her to set the record straight: “Is she a lesbian?”
“Just because I’m single and don’t date a lot, that doesn’t make me a lesbian,” Kelly responds.
For more candid conversation with Kelly, including her talking about her weight and relationships, watch the video.
Pop goes the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
Google Kelly Clarksonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“All I Ever Wanted,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ scroll down to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“news results,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ and take a quick gander at the beaucoup reviews of the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ champà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fourth album, out this week.
Several common descriptives pop up repeatedly in the collected reviews, and theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re telling à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ not so much regarding Clarkson herself, but certainly so regarding the elements deemed praiseworthy in the contemporary pop princess.
Kelly Clarkson – All I Ever Wanted Review
March 11, 2009 – As one of the most likable stars on the pop music scene, Kelly Clarkson is impossible to ignore. While her particular brand of pop may not be the kind of thing that’s in heavy rotation on the playlist of indie music snobs or hip-hop aficionados, the girl has massive crossover appeal. So, don’t be surprised if you flip past Jenny Lewis or the Jungle Brothers on your friend’s iPod and find a seemingly out of place Kelly Clarkson joint wedged in. But you probably wouldn’t be surprised. Because chances are you like her too. C’mon, admit it.
Most obscure ‘America Idol’ albums
Metromix put together the works of 18 “Idol” also-rans that may have even the show’s most loyal viewers scratching their heads and thinking, “Who gave them a record deal?”
To find out which former American Idol contestants should never have released albums, click here.
Odd man out? It’s Simon
How ironic. When Kara DioGuardi was added as the fourth ”American Idol” judge, virtually all the buzz was about a possible rivalry between DioGuardi and Paula Abdul.
Now we learn Abdul is ”totally cool with” DioGuardi, but Mr. Edgy himself — Simon Cowell — ”really can’t stand her,” said an ”Idol” insider Wednesday.
Michael Jackson ‘pursued by Simon Cowell for X Factor appearance’
Cowell, the lead judge on the ITV1 series, has made it a priority to persuade Jackson to appear on a live show during its next series this year, according to The Daily Mirror.
Jackson will be in Britain for long stretches of this year and next while he plays a 50-date residency at the O2 in London.
Appiphilia: iPhone finally gets an American Idol app
Whoever said that dreams don’t come true just doesn’t know the “American Idol” spirit.
I had a dream that one day iPhones and iPod Touches everywhere would have an application that tapped into the unstoppable and inspiring marketing monster that is AI. It’s finally here.
Maks: Dancing with Denise Richards Isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Complicated
She may have her own reality show titled Denise Richards: Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Complicated, but Dancing With the Stars pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy says working with the former Bond girl is anything but.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“She is so kind,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Chmerkovskiy tells PEOPLE. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I am not a morning person à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’- our rehearsals are early for me, at 9 a.m. Denise brings me a fresh cup of coffee to practice every day. Sometimes sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll make a nice sandwich for me and bring it from home.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Steve Wozniak Struck by the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Curse!
The injuries on “Dancing with the Stars” continue to mount — and ET has the latest.
Holly Madison and Melissa Rycroft stepped in to replace two injured celeb dancers, Gilles Marini suffered a separated shoulder and now Apple computer co-founder Steve Wozniak is snapped wearing a cast.
The “Dancing with the Stars” competitor, who is partnered with Karina Smirnoff, was spotted with a removable cast on his left leg, allegedly due to a foot fracture.
The good news: ET has confirmed with an ABC spokesperson that Steve will still be competing. His doctor has advised caution and he is to wear his cast as much as possible and rest his foot whenever he can.
Denver busts a move Crowds line up for à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹So You Think You Can Danceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ auditions
Busy Downtown experienced a little more movement than usual yesterday as dance-star hopefuls took over the Colorado Convention Center for the season five à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“So You Think You Can Danceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ open casting call. The chosen dancers will move on to take part in a 12-week dance competition to win the title of Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Favorite Dancer. Last seasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s winner, Joshua Allen, received $250,000 and a role in à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Step Up 3D.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
The line to audition wrapped around the Convention Center in the chilly morning hours. Doors opened at 8 a.m. but opportunity drew hundreds to wait in line overnight. Ashley Rehder, 23, and Amanda Igaki, 25, didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mind the line or the weather.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve only been here since 4:30 a.m.,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ said Rehder. They laughed in unison, dressed in grass skirts and leis like it was no big deal. The two hula dancers had nothing but fun leading up to the casting call.
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I wonder where Friedman got his info on Adams dad as I’ve read in several columns that he was a DJ at one time and he looks very much married to Adam’s mother. That whole bio didn’t seem to add up.
I don’t know about the whole bio…..could be just a writer’s imagination, you know?
But a poster at TWOP who claims to know Eber stated the following:
“I happen to know Adam’s father and he is a great guy. Eber (Adam’s father) is so funny, warm and sincere. I have never seen a set of parents love and truly put their child first as I have seen with the Lambert’s. His parents are divorced, by the way. Have been for a long time, but are still great friends and truly have affection for each other. Adam came out to his parents pretty young and they were as great as any child would hope.”
I don’t know if it’s true….just reporting what I saw.
I’m really enjoying this article
in which 5 Broadway “stars” recollect performing with Adam.
Actually, Adam was in the touring company as well. This is a quote from the Broadway article linked above me.
Adam and I actually met through a friend of mine who I moved to New York with, but we really got to be friends when I did six weeks on the first national tour of Wicked with him, as well as time in the L.A. cast.
That helps clear it up, because I was confused about it before.
soamused, THANKS
Great article and I love how they talked about Adam being called out for being too theatrical. My first music love was to listen to all the Broadway and Movie musicals. Most of them still thrill me to this day. I think their is something so unique about a person who can sing and dance and act, I don’t think it is easy.
I really get the impression that Adam is one of those rare individuals who really attracts people and who makes them feel comfortable. I just love to listen to his interviews and the AI blips because he is so articulate.
My absolute favorite….and I feel he is picking up steam every week.
I adore the quote from the Broadway article about how no one wanted to do karaoke after him!!!! Can you even IMAGINE listening to typical karaoke and then having ADAM get up there and sing?
I am currently throwing confetti all over my house because Peter Liguori got canned. I hate that man so much. He’s the one who was responsible for FOX canceling about 50 different shows including Reunion, Wonderfalls, Firefly and just about any other show that has ever been on FOX. Party day for me.
This is now being referred to as the true “death slot” on AI this year…may as well paint a bulls-eye or a big “CF” on anyone performing directly after Adam. :surrender_tb:
firefly will always be my favorite show. I loved EVERY character.
And…
I don’t know if this has been posted…but….
7 things you didn’t know about….. Melinda Doolittle
http://www.newsweek.com/id/40211#?l=1815835711&t=10289461001
Whoot! I LOVED Firefly. Such a waste of an awesome show.
I remember when Family Guy was resurrected after being cancelled and they opened the 1st episode by naming every Fox show that was cancelled in the interim… it was a ridiculously long list. I’m happy the guy is gone.
And they can’t very well have him perform last every time, either.
Although I have a feeling he’ll go subdued this week, so it may not kill the person after him.
Thanks for that link, soamused! From that article…
Amen, sista. Simon can be such a myopic ass sometimes. That “too broadway” crap has bugged me since season 2, and I wasn’t even Clay fan. It was just a dumb thing to say.
Also random off topic high five for the Firefly love. I *heart* Captain Tightpants 4evah, amen.