Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Blake Lewis is an ‘American Idol’ original
It’s pretty safe to say that by last year, and the end of “American Idol’s” fifth season, there wasn’t a person in the country over the age of, say, 8 who hadn’t heard of the show.
Against an incredibly fickle cultural background in which new TV programs come and go in a couple of seasons, and pop stars fall in and out of favor at an even quicker rate (remember when Britney was our prom queen instead of our punching bag?), Fox Television’s musical reality competition has shown amazing endurance as the nation’s favorite boob-tube staple.
So yeah, everybody’s heard of it. And while not everybody’s actually watched it, it’s always kind of weird when you run across that odd person who claims they’ve never seen an episode.
It’s even weirder when that person is Blake Lewis, the tattooed 25-year-old Washington state native who finished second at the end of the show’s sixth and most recent season. According to Lewis, prior to auditioning for the program in Seattle at the behest of his friends and peers, he hadn’t seen “American Idol.”…..
Freedom rings across nation
…The 30-minute show was billed as the nation’s biggest, with 40,000 fireworks. Eight barges on the East River and at the South Street Seaport set off an average of 1,300 shells per minute.
The program featured musical performers as part of the nationally televised broadcast, including Martina McBride, Joss Stone and “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks.
Organizers estimated about 3 million people withstood the sogginess to turn out, about the same number as the year before, when another 8 million watched on television. The organizers had called their fireworks show “waterproof.”…
Hide Grandpa, McPhee is on the prowl
Katharine McPhee recently revealed she has a soft spot for older men.
“When I turned 21, I thought it was a good age to explore. You’re no longer a teenager, so it’s OK to date older guys,” the 23-year-old American Idol-er told Stuff magazine…..
American Idol’s Katharine McPhee has baby Phever
American Idol singer Katharine McPhee may not know what the future holds for her career in the fickle music industry, but she does know that no matter what happens, her future will include children…
Paris Couturiers Court Hollywood Stars
…London-based designer Roland Mouret made his Paris debut after launching a joint venture with Simon Fuller, creator of “American Idol.”…
ALBUMS
‘Hannah’s’ the winner by a Miley
…The Disney starlet’s strong showing dashed the hopes of Kelly Clarkson to score a No. 1 debut for her second album, “My December,” which checks in at No. 2 on solid sales of 291,000 copies. The album has become one of the year’s most-followed stories in pop music; the former “American Idol” clashed with executives at RCA, her record label, over the musical direction of the project. Clarkson also recently canceled her summer tour and fired her manager…
Sales of albums continue slide in first half
But a 49% increase in sales of digital tracks helps boost the music industry’s fortunes.
…Television continues to sell music. Former “American Idol” finalist Chris Daughtry’s album “Daughtry” has proved to be the most popular this year, selling 1.7 million copies so far. A song from that album, “It’s Not Over,” is the sixth most popular digital track…
Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan Pick Up Teen Choice ‘OMG!’ Noms
…The “OMG!” nominees are as follows:
Paris Hilton goes to jail, gets out of jail, then goes to jail again
Britney Spears shaves her head
Lindsay Lohan goes to rehab, gets out of rehab, goes to rehab again
Larry Birkhead is Dannielynn’s father
Sanjaya Malakar sports a faux-hawk on American Idol
The winners will be announced at Teen Choice 2007, which airs live starting at 8:00 p.m. on August 26 on FOX. In a year of moments to truly make one go “OMG!”, this will truly be a difficult choice to make.
Hidden talent
Jasmine Gonsalves isn’t one to brag. In fact, when the pretty, shy 13-year-old found out in April that she was one of only 700 kids to be accepted to the first-ever American Idol performing arts camp, she only told one friend…..
Web site honors local poet
Marcus Levy has been writing songs all of his life. Recently, he decided to transform his lyrics into poetic form.
The decision paid off. Levy will be honored for his poetry by the International Society of Poets this month at its annual convention in Las Vegas.
The society is one of the world’s largest poetry organizations, with members from more than 60 countries. The conference, which will be July 19-22, is organized by Poetry.com, a Web site that gives poets an avenue to publish their work. “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and about 1,800 poets from around the world are scheduled to attend….
Clay Aiken embraces his inner dork
Clay Aiken — despite the stylishly shaggy ‘do — still isn’t hip.
“I’m never going to be, and I’m fine with that. We all must embrace our inner dork,” he says with a laugh.
Aiken has still managed a successful post-American Idol career as the soundtrack of choice for enthusiastic grandmothers. He performs Friday with the Houston Symphony, and he doesn’t expect to see a lot of people his age in the crowd…
Is Bravo’s ‘Hey Paula’ pure put-on “” or tragedy?
Having exposed us to the inner lives of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston and shared Kathy Griffin’s “Life on the D List,” Bravo presents a glancing documentary look at the public, professional and private sides of Paul Abdul, the “nice” judge on America’s favorite prime-time show, “American Idol.”
You learn to take these extroverted series with a grain of salt. But I’m hoping that the series “Hey Paula” (10 p.m., Bravo), which debuted last week, is a complete put-on. Because if it is even remotely representative of Abdul’s real life, then the genre has careened from farce to tragedy…
Hannah Montana Outduels Kelly Clarkson
…Hannah Montana is the top-rated basic cable show and the number two show overall among kids age 6-14. The only show that tops Hannah Montana within that age group is American Idol, which had its own impact on the charts.
Despite the tussles with label chief Clive Davis, a split with her management company and a scuttled tour due to low ticket sales, Kelly Clarkson made a strong showing with My December, which sold 291,000 copies at number two. Featuring the Top 10 single “Never Again,” the new album offers a darker edge than her previous efforts, though Clarkson announced she’s already working on a fourth album that features country-music influences…
‘Hannah Montana’ wins top spot
Cyrus beats Clarkson on music charts
The race for No. 1 between two singers who gained initial fame on TV was too close to call last week, but Miley Cyrus has clearly emerged the victor.
Although final numbers were not available Wednesday, Nielsen SoundScan reported that the two-CD “Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus” (Disney) had sold about 325,000 copies, topping Kelly Clarkson’s “My December”
(RCA), which was about 10,000 shy of hitting 300K in sales.
Projections after the first day of sales had the two discs selling in the range of 325,000-350,000 each. Still, the numbers for both artists are impressive………
No rain on this parade
If anything was dampening holiday spirits, it wasn’t the weather
…Flowering lights matched the festive mood at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington after the home team defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 4-2. In Frisco, a fireworks show provided an explosive finale to an outdoor concert by American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken…
Promoter Sends Children’s Groups to Taylor Hicks Concert
When Taylor’s Angels, a fan based charity for Taylor Hicks, approached Bruce Torres of Cabana Cove Productions for concert ticket donations, they had no idea what a heart of gold he had. Bruce provided Taylor’s Angels with the initial request of 20 tickets for the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters to attend Taylor Hicks’ concert on July 6 at The Maryland Theater in Hagerstown, MD. But he was so inspired that he continued his act of kindness and then donated 40 tickets to the local Girls, Inc. Bruce personally met with both organizations and found that the children are very excited about attending the show….
Katharine McPhee: ‘I Want, Like, 15 Babies’
…And she practices what she preaches. “For me, with men, I will fixate on something. I’ll say, ‘I’m obsessed with your chin.’ I’ll kiss his chin and munch on it, and I think that makes people feel good.”
‘Real World’ hopeful seeking votes
…Though being voted most popular by his peers is not something Tubbs claims he’s ever been guilty of, he said he’s remained in the top 20 in the first four out of five rounds of casting calls. The latest round ended today.
“I’m the only kid from Alabama still on there,” he said. “I’ve been as high as the top 8 before.”
Tubbs said his popularity is attributable to his self-marketing.
“I got in contact with the Soul Patrol who helped Taylor Hicks win ‘American Idol,’ ” Tubbs said. “They have Alabama chapters supporting me.”
“I also have been marketing myself through MySpace and Facebook as well,” he said. “I have a group on Facebook with more than 900 people in it and another on the same site with more than 200 people.”…
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Ok I get the message you don’t want me on the damn bus!
Although I’m with RSF, anything connected with Boogie and no way would I be there anyway.
If I get to ride the MJ 07 tour bus, I don’t do the top bunk and always first in line for the mirror to do my makeup application.
Love benefits from Hicks concert
When “American Idol” Taylor Hicks takes the stage July 8 to perform at the Loudoun Summer Music Fest, he will also take the stage to help out Taylor Love, a 2-year-old who is battling cancer.
A special raffle will take place that night with a prize of meeting the 2006 American Idol after the show.
Six months ago, Taylor Love, of Ashburn, was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma, a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Since then, she has been through numerous rounds of chemotherapy, blood transfusions and surgery….
Times Community.com
I agree. Last year, the tour was such a hot topic. “What are they gonna sing?” “Is Katharine gonna be there?” “How many songs is so-and-so going to sing?”
IIRC, they even gave advance notice to a live blogging-type thing that they would do during the first tour stop over at Idol Chatter.
This year….*yawn*. I did a search for the word “tour” on Idol Chatter and the only thing on the front page about a tour is the news about Kelly Clarkson’s.
I predict that it’s gonna be a real bust this year.
First we want juicy details then we don’t..LOL Something tells me it will be more of our interpretation of what he said vs. what he actually did say.
You’re right.. I remember we were talking about a lot more than Kat and her throat ailments.. By this time there were even hits of who was singing with whom and what they were singing..
No. No. We want you on the bus. Consider it an intervention. Friends don’t let friends eat yeast extract.
Fine, we’ll keep the jar of Marmite for our British contingent. Anybody still want this Shoofly pie or can I toss it?
Either that, or maybe SOMEBODY doesn’t need 4 dozen pairs of shoes and we can re-organize.
Oh, and the cans of hairspray and vacuum cleaner stay in case we get a wasp invasion.
…only if the Bus ventures north of the 49th parallel. Otherwise they should be chucked for Oscar Meyer wieners. I heard Elliott can get MJ a great discount on bulk purchases.
MTV did an article that gave us lots of details about who was dueting with whom and what some of the songs were.
Plus, there was somebody who was giving us hints about a song that Taylor was going to sing (a vague hint, then some guesses and more hints). The song was “Hollywood Nights”.
I don’t mean to be rude, but where are our spoilers?!?!?! Nigel has that tour sealed up like a drum. What could a few spoilers hurt? If we find out that Sanjaya is going to sing “I’m too Sexy” does Nigel think we won’t go?
That’s it people. We need to take charge here. Fake spoilers will at least get the AI internet world buzzing.
Hit us with your best shot (until MJ shuts us down).
Opening Group Song: A Whitney Melody featuring “Greatest Love of All”, “I Will Always Love You” and “I want to Dance with Somebody”. Choreography galore and everybody in sequins. Think the Rockettes meet the Flintsones.
Well I only have the audio book now, and I think that only covers prolly not more than 1/2 of what’s in the book, so I except those little tid-bits of gossip to be expanded.. or maybe not. BTW, People Magazine, July 16th, has a nice 1/4 page ad/7 interview question with Taylor promoting the book…. People Mag has always been terrific with Taylor promotion and exposure.
I posted this week’s billboard chart.
If certain fans hadn’t been so OTT (actaully, I’m trying to be diplomatic), we might have had more spoilers from Sligh…
OTT? What does that mean?
Hmmm liking shooting fish in a barrel… all them are loaded with raw talent.
Oh yea, I forgot to add - he mentioned Ace’s “6 pack’ abs in a rather funny comparison.
Gnomes? Mallomars? Tension on the (Season 5) AI Boy’s Tour bus?
Goodness. I go away for a week of vacation, trying DESPARATELY to ween myself away from my internet addiction with nary a peek, and I logon to THIS?
I’m doomed.
Carry on…
LOL Mary - just enough to wet your appetite, eh? I’m bad, I know.
Hot 100 is a chart combining airplay and downloads. It’s the 100 hottest songs in the country regardless of genre (country, pop, AC) so it’s a pretty big deal to make it. Unless an AC song gets tons of downloads, it’s very hard to make the Hot 100 because the size of the audience isn’t big enough. I don’t think Kimberly Locke would make it. (I love gossip so I hope Taylor’s book is full of it.)I’m guessing Taylor and Chris were battling for alpha male.
Somebody reveals when he lost his *gasp* virginity. LOL! Okay, that’s all you’re getting. You have to buy the book to satisfy any curiousity you might have. And this time I mean it.
That first comment was mine but I forgot to add a “sarcasm” smiley. I actually don’t want any details…
OTT=Over The Top
Some AI fan sites tended to pick a lot of nits with everything that Chris posted. I don’t recall that going on here at MJ’s, though.
I love AI spoilers. Sum it up. Here is what I think has been rumoured (in no particular order):
1) Opens with a big group number like nothing we’ve ever seen before.
2) Mandisa does a duet with Sanjaya
3) The boys will do a number as a band, each playing an instrument
4) Gina will sing Pink’s “Who Knew”
5) Jordin will sing “This is My Now”
6) Blake will not sing “This is My Now” (now or ever again)
7) Lots of group numbers and duets. Format change from previous years.
8) Chris S duets with Gina
9) Chris R duets with Blake
10) Gina duets with Sanjaya
(and do-si-do)
Not interested in Taylor/losing virginity stories. But I’d love juicy gossip about Season 5. The dishier the better and I won’t use a sarcasm smiley.
Sanjaya gets two duets? Maybe he’s the star of the show.
Heh Kirsten, you’re just testing us, right? Mandisa duetting with Sanjaya?
anybody that has billboard sales numbers, can you post here how Angela Hatcher album is doing on country? Shes excellent. thanks!
lol, Taylor reduces to idol gossip to sell his crummy book.
P.S. Chris has made his own digs at Taylor and Elliott by saying he got his cd out on time because instead of going out everynight he was writing/recording.
Radname - just to be clear, this is NOT a juicy tell-all ‘idol gossip’ book about AI or AI5 contestants. I think if anyone is expecting that, they’ll be sorely disappointed. It’s a book about Taylor, his rise to stardom, the rocky and difficult roads he had to overcome to reach his current position and the inspiration others might draw from his own journey. Other than a few passing comments about other AI contestants, most of which are humorous in nature, it’s HIS story, plain and simple.
Griz, what do you think people will be talking about, the core of the book, or the idol gossip? Then tell me he didn’t add it purposely.
Well, I suspect that most Taylor Hick’s fans will be talking about and are interested in the core of the book (just as the title implies). Naturally, there’s a percentage of the book that talks about AI, the people, the staff, the show, and his feelings and thoughts about winning and participating.
I’ve heard the entire audio-book, and there was nothing “gossipy” in there. Saying there was tension between him and few of the other guys is not gossip. It is how is was, according to Taylor. Gossip would be if he said something like he saw Katharine and Bucky ‘doin’ it’ in the Elliott’s bunk (which he doesn’t)! LOL…..
Hey, I’ve got a crazy thought. Why don’t we wait until the book is released and read the comment in context before we get our panties in a twist?
Was there really any doubt? :)
They should show video of Crying Girl in the background on the screen while Sanjaya sings.
I wonder if Taylor will mention Jay Leno ….and whether he has ever Munched on his chin for all those appearances on the Tonight Show….
That would not be gossip at all. I’d expect that of ***.
Now, if he had written that he saw Bucky and Elliott getting it on in ***’s bunk…now THAT would be juicy gossip.
(**keep in mind, ***’s bunk was empty for much of the tour soooooo, it is possible)
My computer is now freezing up when I try to log into Mj’s… what is going on
On the subject of Sligh blogging, he deserved every snarky post that was made either at IDF or TwoP. I don’t miss his attempts(I use this term loosely)with blogging at all.
WVIdolFan
Jul 5th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
anybody that has billboard sales numbers, can you post here how Angela Hatcher album is doing on country? Shes excellent. thanks!
If you are talking about the winner of Nashville Star, her name is Angela Hacker. I’ve heard nothing about her numbers, sorry.
Oops! I meant Melinda. She said it once in an interview. Maybe she was kidding.
Really, the spoilers are pretty scarce this year, so any tidbit is “news”
Okay, some new spoilers from those Idol Junkies (remember them?) over at Idol Forums
They say that they heard the following outside from a sound check:
I Will Always Love You (possibly Lakisha)
Life is a Highway (heard Chris R and Haley, perhaps more)
Natural Woman (possibly Melinda and Lakisha)
Another rumour is that there is no Blake/Jordin duet because they had one planned, but it sounded terrible (from a Blake interview)
Sanjaya isn’t the only one getting two duets. I heard they are all getting multiple duets. As of last week I heard some were getting 3 and the others were all getting 2.
I’m supposed to be working and look what I did instead-I need help.
http://thumbsnap.com/v/6pHLcZnF.jpg
Weelassie……your Vainity Fair cover makes me thinketh someoneth wantseth to showeth us her CROTCH(yuck-eth)……..
i thinketh she liketh her crotch:) Must spendeth a loteth of time thinkingeth about it. ;)
I think we’ve seen enough of the Beaverette for the rest of our lives. Hopefully she won’t take it one step further and do a Britney.
No pantieth!
LOL Weelassie..you people are killing me with your chops. I haven’t laughed this hard in ages.
COCO!!! where you been hiding? i misseth you ;)
maybe the cover should be VAIN-ITY HAIR?