Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
New show gives bands ‘Idol’ treatment
There’s sheer bravado in the title of Fox’s “The Next Great American Band.” But the network that gave us “American Idol” is primly cautious about whether it’s found another hit talent show.
Debuting 8 p.m. EDT Friday, “American Band” boasts an impressive group of finalists ranging from heavy metal to soul to bluegrass, and it’s from the same producers behind “American Idol.”
But are audiences ready for what Johnny Rzeznik, the lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls and a judge on the new venture, describes as “basically like a big battle of the bands”?
“You just have to cross your fingers,” said Mike Darnell, Fox’s president for alternative entertainment. The No. 1 status of “American Idol,” he said, “doesn’t necessarily translate to the band show. … You can’t compare anything to ‘American Idol.’”
Nigel Lythgoe, an executive producer for both series, just wants viewers to give “American Band” a fair shot. He’s willing, even eager, to say that “Idol” contestants suffer by comparison to the band hopefuls……….
……Also unlike “Idol,” which has showcased pop singers from Gwen Stefani to Barry Manilow, there will be no guest acts on “American Band,” produced by 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America.
“This really is about the talent,” Lythgoe said. Bands also will perform their own songs as well as cover versions of records. …….
Carrie Underwood on Chace Crawford: ‘He’s Really Cute’
Only last year Carrie Underwood admitted to being “horrible around guys” – but that was then.
Now the country crooner, 24, seems to be finding her stride, with Gossip Girl hunk Chace Crawford.
“He’s really cute,” Underwood recently told PEOPLE of the 22-year-old Texas-born actor. “I’ve met him and he seems like a really nice guy. He’s got cool hair, he’s a nice height and he just has beautiful blue eyes.” ………..
Family grateful as boy recovers from heart transplant
….The boys’ plight sparked a public campaign called “Two Hearts, One Gloucester,” which held blood and organ donor drives, and a fund-raising concert in August. Hundreds of Gloucester residents donated blood. Thousands more attended the benefit concert that featured “American Idol” finalist Ayla Brown…..
Gretta’s Got It: Hot Handbags
It takes more than just cool clothes to be stylish. Look no further than a hot handbag. Our style reporter Gretta Monahan meets two of the newest designers to the stars who show you what goes into that perfect carry-all. It’s in “Gretta’s Got It.”
When it comes to what they carry, bag designer Leylani Cardoso is big with celebrities, including supermodel Janice Dickinson and American Idol stars Paula Abdul, Katharine McPhee and even Chris Daughtry……..
Talk Of The Tabs
…Ashlee Simpson is changing the release date of her upcoming album because she doesn’t want to go head-to-head with American Idol runner up Blake Lewis. A friend says that “Ashlee hates American Idol, and she thinks the show makes stars out of nobodies, taking credibility away from real musicians.” … And she’s totally right! Especially if you replace the words “American Idol” with “Newlyweds and the word “nobodies” with “Ashlee.”
Is America Ready For “The Next Great American Band”?
….And he didn’t even mention that the show hasn’t warranted its own FOX.com mini-site yet. (Scissor Sisters in the top friends? Are they really trying to find “The Next Great American Band That Isn’t Popular In America But Is Huge In Blighty”?) It did feel like this show was a bit of a stretch of the Idol concept from the first time I saw a promo; just the idea of having bands made up of different moving parts, instead of single singers, go through the motions of different styles and genres seemed like it would be tough to pull off without–not to repeat this point, but it’s the motif that keeps cropping up in my head–going the wedding-band route. Still, I will be recapping it every Monday, because what if the ska revival is cemented by a bunch of Bosstones revivalists winning the crown, and the heart of those Americans who actually stay home on Friday nights? The possibility of missing out on that moment just fills my heart with too much sorrow.
Sanctified soul
Not your mama’s church music
Ann Nesby’s This Is Love, which Shanachie Entertainment released last month, will satisfy her longtime fans. That audience spans from the gospel lovers who followed her work as part of Sounds of Blackness to the soul-house dancers who hear her tracks spun at local house music parties like Sweat and Volume. And there are the “American Idol” watchers, too, who often heard her name mentioned when Nesby’s teenage granddaughter Paris Bennett made a failed run during the 2006 competition…..
Kelly Clarkson and Clive Davis: Is the Feud Over?
At the Kelly Clarkson concert I attended earlier this week at New York’s Beacon Theater, the rumor was that Clive Davis was also in attendance. Well, judging from this post-show photo, it looks like it wasn’t just a rumor………
The Confessions of Carrie Underwood
As she releases her sophomore CD, ”American Idol”’s best-selling (and very private) singer talks candidly about those awards-show scandals, country music’s ”haters” — and nosy Victoria’s Secret shoppers
This much we know about Carrie Underwood:
1. She grew up on a farm in Checotah, Okla……………..
Related Posts
For Boulder:
Instant stardom still a puzzle for British tenor Paul Potts
Discovered on Britain’s Got Talent, he now has an international following
CBC.ca
For Hezz:
Jorja Fox: Why I Quit ‘CSI’
The actress’ decision to leave TV’s No. 1 show has ”nothing to do with money,” she tells EW in an exclusive sit-down
EW.com
EW.com also has an interesting Carrie coverstory.
Great interview with Carrie in EW! How refreshing - a star that wants to keep some of her life for herself. It truly isn’t necessary to know everything about a singer to appreciate their music.
Loved the article about Carrie. And yeah, I’d be creeped out if someone was following me around trying to find out what kind of underwear I wore too…ewwww.
And, duh!, of course the talent will be better in American Band. These are primarily people that are currently being PAID to sing.
Why am I unhappy about American Band? Because whether it’s successful or not, it probably is the death knell for my favorite show talent show: Rock Star:(Fill in the Blank).
Lisa, if I had a heart it’d be broken over the fact that Sara is leaving CSI. What in the name of Finn am I to do now on Thursday nights? Thanks for the link.
Boulder, I’ve been street teaming for Paul Potts. He’s made it to the Top 10 in Canada. So sad we’re not part of the World yet.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/267983
Ashlee Simpson can kiss Blake’s a$$! I suppose she considers herself a ‘real musician’! HA!!
Most people in the business start out as ‘nobodies’ if they don’t have famous relatives! 
Daughtry Announces New London Gig
US superstars Daughtry have confirmed only their second ever UK show at the Scala in London on 27th November 2007.
The band last played in the country in June of this year when their Borderline show sold out in a matter of minutes and fans camped out all day for tickets that were changing hands on the internet for £400……….
Female First
LisaB — is it too early for more detail on the concert? Capacity; ticket cost?
How did the earlier concert turn out? Estimated gate, etc.
This might be a clue.
Yeah, that was a clue but that was a two pronged question. hahaha
Hanna Montanna sells out in a matter of minutes also — at least that’s what I read about her upcoming concert series. People were camped on the phone/internet/ticketmaster sites waiting for the stroke of 10A and still didn’t score tickets for their kids. Then the tickets were posted on e-bay for 3 to 4 x’s the price on ticket master.
No worries, just curious
I saw Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus on Ellen last week where she
opened that subject about the ticket selling so quickly and obviously to scalpers. Miley was very mature saying that she was aware of it, had no control over it, didn’t know what to do about it, BUT that her people had requested for more seats to be opened up and sales to occur for those seats again.
With the tremendous tech savvy and possibilities available
for scalpers on the internet, the artist is so removed from the
process. I would like to see Ticketmaster and the other
ticket sellers take a closer look at controlling this. That seems
to be the closest degree of control available.
The days of queuing for long hours, even days is gone and that still seems the most fair way to sell tickets. However, the internet is
here to stay so therein lies the problem….
RE: Hannah Montana (Superstar)
Let’s go into hypotheticals shall we ?
Miley Cyrus (AKA Hannah Montana) is currently 15 years old. This means that by next year, she’ll be eligible to compete in American Idol (like Lisa Tucker, Kevin Covais, Diana Degarmo before her, who were all 16 when they made the top 12).
Let’s assume that she has the talent and she weren’t as famous as she is today… does anyone think she could go far in American Idol with her talent and her singing voice ?
I’m not so sure if she could survive the various idol “theme nights”.
(BTW, here’s interesting trivia for those who don’t know it — Miley is the goddaughter of country music star legend Dolly Parton).
1 - I don’t believe Ashlee Simpson would be stupid enough to make that comment. She would die for the album sales that the Idols get.
2-Paul Pott a star? Hmmm….you know every time I see his name I have to look it up and remind myself he’s that guy who — oh yeh. Maybe he’s big in England and in Canada but he hasn’t made a dent in America, and this is where it counts baby.
If it was all about America…we wouldnt have stars touring Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia etc. doing WORLD tours.
*shakes head*
I guess that’s why Led Zeppelin is having their reunion tour in California right?
Oh wait. No they aren’t. It’s in England.
I guess Zeppelin hasn’t made it yet.
“I guess Zeppelin hasn’t made it yet.”
Perhaps they needed more cowbell? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSZzSaFDq6g
Good one, Hezzer.
A couple of people at my work were talking about their daughters wanting to go to the Hannah Montana concert and said the tickets were way too high so they didn’t go. I feel that way about most concerts myself let alone for an 8 yr old.
Darnit, hezz…even though I’ve been following the story, for one fleeting second I was excited at the prospect of Led Zeppelin playing in California.
I beg to differ…he has made a dent, as I am a proud owner of his album. ;)
If this is true, I suggest this website for help.
ETA:
Paul Potts was in #1 in the following countries:
UK,
Australia,
Norway,
New Zealand,
Denmark,
Sweden
ETA, partII:
For the latest on Mr. Potts, check his myspace
http://myspace.com/paul_potts
I thought Led Zepplin was starting their reunion tour in Birmingham, Alabama.
Reuben will be so disappointed — he’s the opening act and has been practicing Stairway to Heaven. I just texted him. . .quick 205! — switch to Communication Breakdown!
‘Bama just can’t get a break.
So many artists have successful careers without making it “big” in the US. An album sold is an album sold… it doesn’t matter who does the buying.
That said, I’m not sure Led Zeppelin is a good example since they were extremely popular in the US. They’re a British band, so it makes sense that they would have their reunion there.
As for Paul Potts, I haven’t listened b/c I don’t like opera. More power to him, though. His story is quite compelling.
TMZ had a little article on Mandisa today:
http://www.tmz.com/2007/10/18/mandisa-gets-some-respect-but-not-from-simon/
And I’m chuckling at the Ashlee Simpson vs Blake article.
Are her peeps that hard up for publicity?