Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
The Reliable Source
McPhee Gets Star Treatment, and That’s Not Good
Katharine McPhee unexpectedly got the Hollywood paparazzi treatment during her stop in D.C. Sunday night. After taping TNT’s “Christmas in Washington,” the “American Idol” runner-up and her fiance, Nick Cokas, had a nasty run-in with two photographers when the tired 23-year-old refused to pose for pictures. The photogs stalked the couple outside Marcel’s restaurant — causing them to leave via the back door — and then followed them to the Four Seasons.
Things came to a head at the entrance of the luxury hotel, where we’re told the two men called McPhee a rude name and taunted her with a warning that footage of the couple would show up on celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.com. Cokas lost his temper and shoved one of the men, according to a witness, and an upset McPhee threw a few very unladylike words their way.
No footage has surfaced of the very un-Washington-like altercation, which means someone: (a) forgot to turn the camera on or (b) is still trying to sell the tape. Stay tuned.
Interview: American Idol’s Blake Lewis Talks Potty Humor, Natalie Portman
American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis wowed as many people as he annoyed on the country’s favorite talent show with his radical, beat box-laden revamps of hits including Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name.” Now, the 311-repping 26-year-old is trying to create some smashes of his own with his surprisingly solid debut album, Audio Day Dream, which features Prince-style freak outs (”She’s Makin’ Me Lose It”), synth-heavy ’80s-style love jams (”End of the World”) and even some funky hip-hop (”Know Her Name”). Needless to say, it’s a far cry from your typical cookie-cutter post-Idol CD. Last week, we managed to get the spiky-haired heartthrob on the phone and asked him about Carrie Underwood’s sexiness, his favorite rappers and a certain profane online video …
Gone Country Cast Announced
John Rich from Big & Rich, schools a motley crew of mainstream celebrities including R&B and reality TV star Bobby Brown, Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider, American Idol finalist and Broadway star Diana DeGarmo, Marsha Brady herself Maureen McCormick and others on the fine art of country crooning and living in the CMT series GONE COUNTRY.
This seven-episode series takes seven established performers from every realm of the entertainment and music industries and immerses them in all things country for a chance to break out as the next big country superstar. GONE COUNTRY premieres with a special one-hour episode on Friday, January 25 at 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., ET/PT. Respective episodes will be half-hour shows; with the series finale running one-hour on Friday, March 7……….
Aiken offers ho-ho-hum holiday show
It is the rarest of announcements displayed on a Mohegan Sun Arena marquee: “Tickets Still Available.”
Clay Aiken is out on his annual “Joyful Noise” Christmas tour and he brought the show to the Connecticut casino on Sunday night. Aiken, employing a small band to back a full orchestra, performed for just over 60 minutes.
Because of the venue (one of the best concert spots in New England), and the attached entertainment playground (the casino), shows at the arena are almost always sold out. There were plenty of good seats available all around the hall for Aiken’s show.
Given Kelly Clarkson’s recent touring troubles (her tour had to be scrapped and re-configured for smaller venues due to poor ticket sales), one might conclude that the bloom has come off the rose for past “American Idol” stars………………..
Groban Goes Grinch on Blake Lewis
Blake Lewis can’t jingle Josh Groban’s bells.
The beatboxer became the second Idol star in three weeks to have a debut on the weekly pop chart, but neither he nor season-six champ Jordin Sparks were able to make Groban break a sweat. The crooner’s holiday offering, Noël, spent its third straight week at number one, selling another 581,000 copies for the week ended Sunday, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Groban is now tied with the King himself, Elvis Presley, for the most consecutive weeks atop the chart with a Christmas album. Furthermore, when Noël hit number one in its seventh week, it became the first Christmas album in 13 years to top the charts…….
American Idol Paris Bennett to perform at Play
click link to read
Dr. Drew Willing To Be Sierra’s Advocate
Celebrity addictions specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky – famous for his preppy attire, wire-rimmed glasses and scholarly answers to difficult questions – said he is willing to come to Tampa to advocate for fallen “American Idol” contestant Jessica Sierra.
Before her Dec. 1 arrest, Sierra had completed taping for a new VH1 show “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.” The reality show is expected to air in January.
Her next court date is Dec. 20.
“I have made myself available,” Pinsky told The Tampa Tribune this afternoon. “If I can get her to a therapeutic environment, court-ordered, it would be a good thing for her.”
Sierra has remained jailed since her arrest.
Pinsky said he is still discussing with Sierra’s attorney, John Fitzgibbons, whether his help is necessary……….
Is Ramirez Aiken to Make a Return to Broadway?
Sara Ramirez’s rep is shooting down rumors that the Grey’s Anatomy star is headed back to Broadway.
Sources in New York City had been telling me Ramirez was considering using some of her time off during the current writers’ strike to return to Spamalot, the nearly three-year-old hit musical inspired by the classic 1975 feature film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Ramirez earned a 2005 Tony Award for her work in the show as the Lady of the Lake.
At the same time, I was told Ms. Ramirez had expressed some reservations about American Idol wannabe and Broadway virgin Clay Aiken joining the cast in January as Sir Robin. Aiken’s gig runs from Jan. 18 to May 4. The role was originated by David Hyde Pierce………..
Josh Gracin: Just Shoot Me
Josh Gracin will offer fans who attend his concerts something special beginning in 2008. The singer has announced that fans will be allowed to videotape his entire show for themselves, and can then upload the videos to his website and trade them with other fans.
Josh says that because each of his shows is different this will give fans the opportunity to hear different songs from the other concerts.
The former American Idol contestant also plans to post a set list for each concert in 2008 to make it easier for fans to find particular songs they want to download.
Koz brings ‘A Smooth Jazz Christmas’ to Pechanga
….Tonight’s performance will be a little different than his first holiday season tour. He will also perform music from a motion picture theme album recently released. Moreover, the show will include special guests such as bassist Wayman Tisdale and former “American Idol” contestant Kimberley Locke…..
Keeping in Local: The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel Gives Back
Christmas is coming early this year, with Hollywood showing the world it knows just how to celebrate right. And no one’s been more center stage than the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.
On Sunday, November 25th, the annual Hollywood Santa Parade marched its way down the world-famous Hollywood Boulevard for its 76th consecutive year, delighting the thousands of children (and adults) in attendance. Even with Santa Clause waving and reindeer trotting, it was hard to miss the major star power that showed up to celebrate, such as the reigning Queen of R&B, Mary J. Blige, the cast of Disney’s mega-popular High School Musical 2, and American Idol finalist Eliot Yamin. All the celebrities, including Santa were hosted at the Renaissance hotel near Kodak Theater, the home for the parade’s official Green Room………..
Counting Down to American Idol: Where Are They Now?
They say that “almost” only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.
And also, apparently, in American Idol. You don’t have to be an A.I. winner to hit it big these days. Just ask Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson or American Music Award winner Chris Daughtry. Both are finding fame despite not having reached the pinnacle of FOX’s hit reality show.
So, as I wait for the next season of Idol, that got me wondering what last year’s Idol-ites are up to. (Okay, actually my editor at Film.com asked me to find out.)
Here’s a quick look:
More News
…. They will also be in the Liberty Bowl’s halftime show, which will be headlined by American Idol winner Taylor Hicks…..
Music Notes
Jordin Sparks / Jordin Sparks
Let me be clear… Jordin Sparks was not among my favorites during the last cycle of American Idol. In fact Sparks’ win inspired me to once again vow to never watch another season of America’s favorite talent competition, a feeling that was only confirmed by the release of the tepid first single “Tattoo” from Miss Sparks’ highly unanticipated debut recording. So imagine my surprise when I listened the American Idol champ’s self-titled first album and found myself honestly thinking it wasn’t half bad……
……More importantly, these tracks along with others like “No Air”, a duet with Chris Brown, even manage to give the 17-year-old chanteuse a healthy and much needed dose of personality. If that same personality actually came across in her live performances, Sparks might be on track to become a superstar, rather than the poorest selling American Idol of all time behind Taylor Hicks (he won the season before, in case you forgot)……….
Blake Lewis / Audio Day Dream
He may have lost the American Idol competition, but Blake Lewis may well win the proverbial race in the long run. In stark contrast to Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis has personality and attitude in spades, and both shine through on his debut recording, Audio Day Dream…..
……To put it plainly, Blake Lewis is a star… a big, big star. Audio Day Dream is a monument to his breaking talent. Don’t be fooled by the title. This is an album filled with the kind of bombastic assault that you should do anything but sleep on…….
Strictly gets Spiced up
THE SPICE Girls are to perform on this week’s Strictly Come Dancing show - in a snub to Simon Cowell.
Victoria, Geri and Mel C will sing alongside dancing show supremos Emma Bunton and Mel B.
It’s a real victory for the BBC show who snatched the reunited band’s services from the clutches of ITV rival The X Factor.
And it proves that tensions still simmer between the two Simons - Fuller, who is behind the Spice reunion and X Factor head honcho Cowell……..
Chill out at the Jam
….The show features MercyMe, BarlowGirl, Skillet and Mandisa from “American Idol,” and will be hosted by NewSong. Also included in the lineup is guest speaker Tony Nolan and the Real Encounter’s Xtreme BMX/skate team….
Related Posts
Katharine McPhee REFUSED TO POSE FOR PICTURES?!?!?!? I am truly shocked. Although maybe she doesn’t like to pose unless she’s got five pounds of makeup on and is wearing designer clothes.
Anyway, hurling a couple of potty-mouthed words at the paps sounds like something I’d do, so I guess I can’t really hold this one against her
Although maybe she doesn’t like to pose unless she’s got five pounds of makeup on and is wearing designer clothes.
…or no clothes at all….
Seems like there is a new curse associated with second place. Didn’t anybody tell Blake to start eating ice cream and to go for a swim with a 40 year old guy?
Yes, Blake, you are too hip for school!!!!!!! Except, in AI’s defense, they happily showed Rod Stewart saying “You’ve got to grab them by the [bleep]” complete with hand gestures and entered that episode for an Emmy. Everybody knew what word Rod had said. So, Blake, school is just hip enough for you.
See, I have no problem with the pap taking pictures around town (half the time, the stars want to be photographed at the Ivy), but chasing people and being rude are inexcusable. Being rude back to them is never going to help, but I can kind of see why some celebs snap and do it (pushing/attacking is a no-no though).
Kirsten, did you hiccup?
LOL, now my question seems completely out of the blue!
Taylor Hicks to perform at the Greenhill School 2008 Gala in Addison, Texas on Saturday, March 29, 08′.
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/oct/05/taylor-hicks-perform-greenhill-school-2008-gala/?print
(Video of Taylor inviting people to join him and the Soul Patrol at the Greenhill Gala in within the link)
Taylor needs a new agent. He should be getting better gigs than the Greenhill School Gala in Addison, TX. Unless that’s his alma mata or something.
LOL. I went into moderation so I was trying to figure out which “bad” word I had used. Sorry MJ.
What are you talking about? Playing a Sock Hop is a HUGE step up from parking cars and working children’s parties. Sure, he has to let the football team use him as a tackle dummy during practice, but you have to pay your dues.
This just came in:
American Idol: Nigel Lythgoe Conference Call Recap
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/american-idol/american-idol-nigel-lythgoe-co-14741.aspx
It sounds as though the Top 12 for Season 7 is already set…is something fishy going on?
Plus “Sixwire’s time has passed.” HAHAHA. The Clark Brothers are gonna take it all!
Based on the annual tuition for Greenhill ($20,000), I think the kids will be hopping in some NICE socks.
So the voters are not to blame this time.
How will Simon cope with not being able to pass the buck?
“On Idol Gives Back, they will not eliminate anyone, or pretend to eliminate anyone.”
Thank God.
:clap_tb:I’m sorry to hear about Clay Aikin’s lackluster performance at Foxwoods. I didn’t even know he was playing! However, we had big things happening that night, the New England Patriots played the Pitsburg Steelers. I was there and there were thousands and thousands of people. Given a choice I would not choose Aiken over the Patriots!
But he can pass the buck. Nigel and Simon and the show set up these kids wonderfully to become huge super stars. Is it Simon’s fault that they chose to make a crappy CD? I mean, all of the other Idols chose to make most excellent CDs. (yes, that was sarcasm)
This goes completely with the song that Nigel and Simon have been singing ever since things started to go bad with season 6. They blamed the contestants, nothing to do with the show or the people that chose those contestants.
Albums and show and careers are tricky businesses. There are a number of factors involved (one of them being luck). I would never claim to have the perfect recipe, but it seems to me if ratings are down, single sales are down, tour revenue is down and album sales are down, that maybe, just maybe, the show and the contestants chosen might be a common source contributing to those problems.
Why must Nigel constantly blame others for his mistakes? It makes him look petty to kick the contestants when they are down. Nigel, you are kicking a 17 year old girl that has just fallen down. You are picking on little girls. You nasty old man. (see, if you live by the “She’s only 17!!!!!” you die by the “She’s only 17!!!!!!).
Makes me wonder how Jordin and Blake will be treated when/if they come back to the show. Nigel appears to have just said that their albums are the worst every produced by an Idol or Idol runner-up (because the only differential according to Nigel was the albums themselves). Way to help support moving those units! (albums were recorded by 19R and the acts managed by 19M)
Interview with Nigel
what a complete arrogant jerk
Does he actually believe this carp that he speaks, way to go, trash the idols, the main reason this viewer actually watches this cheezy show–grrr
i dont know if this was already discussed here but about the clark brothers..well ashley the lead singer used to in carrie’s band..pretty much since she left idol..technically he is an 19 employee and it s a little strange that they’d let them participate in the show…i dont think they ve ever mentioned carrie on the show either so that s even more starnge..to me at least..fishy…
that being said they are my favorite on TNGAB…
Which article had the interview?
From this Buddy TV interview with Nigel:
Nigel talks at length about each of the six Idol winners. Nothing all that enlightening, save for Lythgoe saying that America maybe made a mistake with Taylor Hicks.
Thanks Caffiend. I just found it and read it - ouch to the comment about Taylor Hicks. Why did he feel it was necessary to say that? What a jerk.
Of course we made a mistake! We were supposed to vote for the person that had the best genre for selling records. Instead we screwed up and actually voted for the guy who was the most musically versatile and entertaining, and unfortunately for Nigel he turned out to be clever enough to get out of the 19M contract. Oops! ourbad. Nigel must be still sore that he isn’t getting a piece of that $6 million* concert revenue Taylor made last year
*100 headlining shows, 1200 average attendance, $50 avg ticket price
Right Nigel keep on blaming .Right we were supposed to vote for Chris d and did not get your way.Quite whining you got your way with season six with Jordan winning. I wonder why it is not our fault for making her opening numbers higher? Oh yes buy the way it is your fault you could have had a certain someone voted off when the numbers were close it is “Reality show” not reality.
Jeeze you wonder why American Idol gets little respect. Maybe amazing Race gets more emmys because they show a little more class or do not have a neon sign. Hey I will live but at least show some respect.
Billboard Awards are starting to come out:
“Daughtry’s self-titled album is the best seller of the year (basically a November to November proposition). It sold 3.2 million in that timespan”
Daughtry is the #4 on the Top Artists list with Carrie at #5. She’s the #1 country artist of the year. Daughtry is #1 on the list for Top Debut Artists with Elliott at #9 (nestled between Amy Winehouse at 8 and Miley Cyrus at 10.)
The music business is fickle and who knows where they’ll be in a year but congratulations on a great 2007.
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Congratulations Daughtry for:
Billboard Album of the Year
Billboard New Artist of the Year
Billboard Adult Top 40 Artist of the Year
Billboard Rock Album of the Year
Billboard Rock Artist of the Year
here is a breakdown, of Carrie Underwood’s categories:
#1 Billboard 200 Female Artists= all genres
1 Top Country Artists
#1 Top Country Female Artists
#1 Top Country Album Artists
#1 Top Country Album (Some Hearts)
Elliott is the #3 Indy Artist of the Year and has the #3 Independent Album of the Year (after Hairspray and The Shins.) Mmm Elliott and #3. There are a trillion charts but I think my work is done for the night.
P.S. Billboard year and 2007 aren’t the same. Looks like Josh Groban will have the biggest album of 2007 with High School Musical 2 at #2.
Congrats to Daughtry indeed!
He earned it the hard way.
I don’t understand Josh Groban’s monster sales week after week. I listened to several tracks and they are not the best versions I’ve heard for Xmas songs. I guess it didn’t hurt when Oprah was in your corner.
The Disney juggernaut is unstoppable. Can you believe Hannah Montana was the top grossing tour of 2007, beating out The Police and Bruce Springsteen?
jobbix, I don’t understand it either. I heard Josh’s album, and I heard Clay’s. Perhaps Josh has a richer voice, but Clay had an outstanding song (Mary Did You Know).
Jordin should take a lesson from Miley Cyrus and the HSM peeps and definitely go after that money-making Disney market. After all, she is only 17 (…18)!
…And congratulations to Daughtry!
The Jordin birthday countdown clock ticks on. Only eight days until Jordin is no longer “only 17!”