Idol Headlines for 1/19/08
Is the Strike Helping American Idol?
American Idol contestant Tehilla Takila Lauder courtesy FOXAmerican Idol is back. The ratings for the first two nights weren’t as big as last year, but still much bigger than everything else in prime time. But will AI stand out as the writers’ strike leads the networks to flood their schedules with reality competitions and game shows? The Biz caught up with Fox’s master of reality Mike Darnell to get his thoughts on Idol and the rest of TV’s unscripted landscape.
Mr. Cowell, Mr. Jackson, Ms. Abdul, and Mr. The Bee Gees
My husband/partner/whatever says, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“How can it be a new season of this show already? I thought it was still on from last time.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re a bad payer of attention,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ I say. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The excitement is back and more electric than ever.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Then he expresses a litany of American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’related concerns that have been troubling him lately. Like, has it passed its sell-by date? Didn’t three former winners just get dropped from their record labels? And what of that Idol-adjacent à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“next big rock bandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ show? Howà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s season 4 finalist Jessica Sierra doing on Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew? And are the new Dreyerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s ice cream flavors available?
Not Dead Yet
More Idol Headlines After the Jumpà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦
Primetime Ratings: No American Idol, No Problem for Fox
Fox appears to be benefiting not only from the presence of American Idol, but from the absence of some high-powered competition, as well.
Even without Idol, Fox still won the night Thursday with a 3.5 rating/9 share in the 18-49 demo.
On a typical Thursday night, the race would have been between Grey’s Anatomy and CSI for bragging rights, with ABC likely doing the bragging. But in this strike-addled season, both series were in repeats. Grey’s has never repeated particularly well, and both shows were topped by original reality shows on both Fox and NBC.
Katie Holmes Says Suri Is a Fan of American Idol
Perhaps Suri Cruise will be an entertainer after all.
Not only is the 21-month-old a fan of the Spice Girls, she also digs American Idol.
Mom Katie Holmes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ who is getting panned by critics for her latest comedy Mad Money à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ revealed the scoop on Ryan Seacrestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s KIIS-FM show this morning.
When Seacrest said he could hook the Cruise clan up with some tickets, the soft-spoken Holmes said, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I would be very grateful.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Aspiring Dallas music stars pass judgment on ‘American Idol’
The American Idol auditions in Dallas offered their share of the outlandish: a woman dressed as a witch, complete with painted green skin. A man in a white feathered hat, quilted coat and silver cape who sang his own ode to judge Simon Cowell. A man who thought his “guyliner” looked good but which the judges unanimously deemed “scary.”
That may be great television, but budding stars at the Septien Center for Artist Training in Addison say they believe real talent should be part of the equation.
Idolatry Returns
Thanks to the Celestial Jukebox Ag4, You Can Hear Carly Hennessy Sing Days before She Appears on American Idol
The American Idol audition episode that “discovers” Irish singer Carly Hennessy, whose album Ultimate High was a famous flop back in the early part of this decade, will air on Tuesday. But you can hear her sing today! Amazon’s MP3 store is selling digital copies of the Gregg Alexander-produced Ultimate High, which came out on the Universal-owned MCA in 2001, for $9.99, while those people who are willing to wait for the U.S. Postal Service to get the album to them can pick up physical copies of it for as little as one cent (plus shipping).
A few shining stars prevail amidst fallen à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹American Idolsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
When you think of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idol,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ two names probably come to mind: Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Sure the show has offered success for these two ladies and a few other contestants, but whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a handful compared to the millions who have auditioned?
In season one, a few of the top 10 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ primarily runner-up Justin Guarini and Tamyra Gray à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ have had a little bit of fame, but Clarkson is the only one whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s had anything long lasting. Her first two albums went multiplatinum, and sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s won dozens of awards, including two Grammys. However, her latest album, released in June 2007, didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go platinum until December and only one of its songs has gone platinum, possibly indicating a downward slide.
Kimberley Locke’s Quiet Path from American Idol to Pop Success
When season 2 of American Idol came to a close in 2003 most fan and media attention was focused on the top finishers Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. Despite having her first single squeeze into the pop top 50, it seemed like the contestant who finished in 3rd place, Kimberley Locke, might be destined for obscurity in the music industry.
However, when Kimberley Locke’s 4th single from her first album, the song “I Could” climbed its way into the adult contemporary top 10, she began to find her niche. With strong support of her label, Curb Records, typically considered country music specialists, Locke has become one of today’s most successful adult contemporary artists and has recently endeared herself to dance music fans as well with 2 consecutive #1 dance hits. She now counts a total of 7 top 10 adult contemporary hits to her credit, including a remake of Freda Payne’s classic “Band of Gold,” a song she performed on American Idol.
American Idol’s Elliott Yamin Brings Diabetes Message to Millions
It has been rags to riches for singer Elliott Yamin. With his naturally soulful singing voice, listeners feel his raw emotion and they like it. When you hear him, you know immediately that few white guys sing with this kind of authenticity.
There’s also an innocence about him. Watching Yamin grow from nobody to somebody, while carrying his diabetes proudly, has inspired diabetics everywhere.
R. Kelly Dates ‘American Idol’ Loser
Troubled R&B superstar R. Kelly is dating former American Idol finalist Trenyce Cobbins, according to reports. The couple has been carrying out a secret long-distance relationship since April last year after meeting through a mutual friend – both jetting across the country to spend time together.
Bucky Covington Joins Country’s Injured List
Bucky Covington has likewise been battling a physical ailment, performing with his right hand wrapped in bandages, thanks to a camping accident. Bucky and his twin brother, Rocky, were cooking breakfast during a trip in Kentucky, and grease from the pan burned his hand.
Backup singer turned “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle heads to Minneapolis to honor Martin Luther King.
‘American Idol” 2007 finalist Melinda Doolittle has her repertoire ready for a Martin Luther King Day breakfast Monday in Minneapolis: “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” “Happy Birthday” (Stevie Wonder’s tribute to MLK) and “There Will Come a Day,” which she sang on “Idol.”
Spotted! Jan. 18, 2008
Katharine McPhee picking up Spanx Patterned Tights at the Access Hollywood Stuff You Must Gift Lounge and was also overheard saying how comfy Spanxà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s new Bra-llelujah looked!
McEntire-Clarkson tour blasts off at Nutter Center
Reba McEntire, the country music superstar and actress, and Kelly Clarkson, the Grammy-winning pop-rock singer and 2002 “American Idol” winner, launched their limited-run “Two Voices, Two Worlds” tour Thursday night to a sell-out crowd at Wright State University’s Ervin J. Nutter Center.
Launched? Let’s say they blasted off, as into the stratosphere.
Tres Bien! appeared for weeks on a Fox reality show. Now comes a tour.
City Manager Bill Horne and Vice Mayor John Doran were lunching at Pickles Plus this week when they met a couple of young mop tops from local spunk-rock band Tres Bien!
With newfound confidence, lead singer Mikey Bostinto told them, “We’re putting Clearwater on the map!”
That’s not just rock ‘n’ roll swagger.
Tres Bien!, which means “very good” in French, recently gave the city a prime-time boost on the Fox Network during its seven-week stint on The Next Great American Band, a music competition by the producers of American Idol.
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13 Responses to “Idol Headlines for 1/19/08”
Here’s a nice article about Ryan Tedder that was posted at Team Plaid. He talks about his work with Blake…
“I got to step outside the box. There were no rules whatsoever. It’s all over the map, but it’s pop. It’s kind of unpredictable,” Tedder said. “I’m really proud of that record, the label’s really proud of it, and Blake’s proud of it. I’m excited for his future.
“I got to be really good friends with him. We hit it off because we were both huge Nikka Costa fans and fans of the first Robin Thicke album. He came on the tour bus and played the Xbox with us. He is a super-funny, high-energy, very honest, sincere person. What you saw on-camera is who he is.”
…and he also talks about what’s going on with Jennifer Hudson’s album:
“They made half an album and ended up scrapping it. Clive à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ wisely, I think à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ said, ‘No one’s going to buy this. We’re trying to turn her into Aretha Franklin, and that’s not realistic,’ ” Tedder said. “They scrapped a bunch of songs and started fresh.
“I heard a Timbland song that was by far the best song she’s done. I do wish, and I know the label wishes, that this album had come out six months ago. But Clive’s smart. He didn’t want to just put out a crap album just because of the momentum.”
(And also, Mary J. Blige turned down “Love Like This”?? I heard she turned down “Umbrella” too :wacko_tb: )
Why is it that every time I see a picture of McPhee lately, she’s holding either a bra or a bra-shaped purse?
Actually, don’t answer that.
News for you guys that like Nashville Star it is moving to NBC this summer. Here is the article.
AJC
I have never saw it and was wondering if the format is like ANB?
Interesting article about Ryan Tedder. Love his voice. I’m so happy for his success. Oh, and I didn’t know he and Blake were both Nikka Costa fans. Love her!
All season 5 AI fans should check this out. Ramona’s mother Weezie gives a recap of Idol shows. She loves Ace and Taylor isn’t a favorite but she puts out good snark on all the contestants. She reminds me of Wanda Sykes. http://mattandramona.1079thelink.com/index.cfm?
In the search box enter Weezie and all of her interviews will come up. The one where she talks about a possible Michael Jackson impersonation by Taylor really is the best. Kristen writes good snark but this lady speaks it.
Nashville Star is a good show. It doesnt show the auditions, or at least hasnt any season before. The singers can play their instruments and they have one night where each sings their own written song. One is voted off each week. They introduce the singers each week to sing in order of the votes, so you don’t have to come back a different night to see who is out. There are 3 judges who are more impartial and informative, imo, then the idol judges are. There is Antonella Brown who is the female equivalent of Simon, shes attractive, big in the industry and has little tact lol. Last year Blake Shelton and Randy Owens from Alabama were the other 2 judges and Jewel and Cowboy Troy hosted, great job by both. Only disadvantage, crummy tour for the top 4 afterwards and the record company doesnt show much support for the winners. Almost guraranteed obscurity for the winners. Maybe moving it to NBC might change that. Last years winner, Angela Hatcher, was great and never heard of again it seems. The year before Chris Young won, handsome, great voice, great song writer, pretty good hit of his song. If he had won Idol, he wouldve gone througn the roof imo.
Do you really think it was a burn from grease or are you a tiny bit skeptical as I am that it somehow involved a longneck?
Heh. Maybe a hot pan AND a longneck? :drunk_tb:
Some things I know for sure:
Dave White is the best American Idol commentator EVAH!
Kelly Clarkson is the smartest American Idol contestant EVAH! Teaming with Reba is a master stroke she will learn so much and gain another audience that will purchase her next cd in droves.
I LOVE Reba. GOod move Kelly. I love their Because of You duet as well.
I absolutely, for sure, :wub_tb: Dave White!
The American Idol audition episode that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“discoversà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Irish singer Carly Hennessy, whose album Ultimate High was a famous flop back in the early part of this decade, will air on Tuesday. But you can hear her sing today!
Has anyone noticed that Carly recorded Just Missed The Train, the same song that was on Kelly Clarkson’s first CD?
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