‘American Idol’: Which guest judge do you want to see?
We know that new “American Idol” judge Ellen DeGeneres will be joining the show for its Hollywood round, which tapes in January. But before then, viewers will get to see a parade of guest judges for the audition rounds.
The eight guests — Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain — sat in with judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson during the show’s open calls, which will kick off the season Jan. 12. Their presence got us wondering: Would any of them make you more inclined to watch the often-excruciating first shows?
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Top shows of Oh-Ohs
TOP-RATED ‘IDOL’ EPISODES 2000-’09
1. Tue. 1/16/07, 22.8 mill *
Weird. The biggest ‘Idol’ ever wasn’t a finale but the first show of Season 6, the one Jordin Sparks won.
2. Wed. 1/17/07, 22.8 mill
Night two of Season 6.
Neon Reviews: Allison Iraheta ‘ Just Like You
Something’s got to give. On American Idol season 8, 17-year-old Allison Iraheta was a flame-haired pistol shooting off spunk, sass, and soul with her weekly performances. She tackled big numbers like ‘Cry Baby’ by Janis Joplin with such conviction, you’d believe she was once a downtrodden woman with real pain to sing about.
On her debut album, Just Like You, her own personality is zapped and she’s more like a pussycat imitating a tiger, or worse yet, a little girl imitating her idols Pink and Kelly Clarkson.
Sex & The City 2: Jennifer Hudson Out, John Corbett In?
‘I can confirm that there is no Jennifer Hudson, ‘ she added, referring to the role that the singer played as Carrie’s assistant in the first movie.
Parker also reveals that the sequel is intended to be ‘fun and light’ , unlike the first movie, which followed darker storylines of betrayal, loss and adultery.
‘It had a lot of sadness in it, ‘ Parker admits.
Kelly Clarkson at the Loft for Q100 concert December 14
Kelly Clarkson gave a lucky 400 or so Q100 fans a mini-concert tonight at the Loft in Midtown.
Clarkson complained of the heat in the tiny venue, waving her hands in front of head between songs. But she was in good spirits, kept noting how she didn’t need to sing because the audience was doing it for her. Her vocals were about 90 percent there, a little raspy. She hit most of her notes, but went an octave lower for the big note on ‘Since U Been Gone.’
She opted for ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ as her Christmas tune and chose ‘Chivas’ as her deep cut (which our regular Kelly&CarrieFan requested in the front row!). Here are more photos taken by our Robb Cohen.
Kelly Clarkson Serenades Q100 Christmas Office Party At The Loft
All The Hits Q100 hosted their annual Christmas Office Party Monday night at The Loft. The sold out, fun-filled evening featured performances by 2002 American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, British singer-songwriter Jay Sean, and Australian guitar virtuoso Orianthi.
And while Rodney Ho from our American Idol Buzz blog was busy taking notes on the show, Robb Cohen was handy with his camera. Were you there? Tell us about what you saw at the show. How did it compare to other Q100 Christmas concerts?
Carrie Underwood Receives Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award
Carrie Underwood was presented the Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award during the annual Symphony Ball on Saturday (Dec. 12) at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated continued interest and support of music in Nashville, exemplify the connections between the diverse music of the city and have contributed to the development and appreciation of music culture. Previous recipients include Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, the Judds, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Chet Atkins, Rascal Flatts and Martina McBride. Prior to accepting the award, Underwood told reporters backstage, “I feel like I’m getting more involved here in Nashville. This is my community. I’m going to be here for a very long time, if not for the rest of my life, and I love it here, so it’s nice to feel like I’m part of this town.” During the Symphony Ball, Underwood performed three songs, including her latest single, “Temporary Home.”
Special episode of ‘Opry Live, ‘ featuring Carrie Underwood, airing Saturday
A special episode of ‘Opry Live’ featuring Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Jake Owen and Rodney Atkins is set to air on the cable channel GAC: Great American Country at 8 p.m. Saturday. The special was taped last month at the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.
Some of the performances fans can look forward to seeing on the show are Underwood’s ‘Cowboy Casanova, ‘ her most recent No. 1 hit from her new CD ‘Play On’ ; McBride’s current single ‘I Just Call You Mine’ from her 2009 release ‘Shine’ ; ‘Don’t Think I Can’t Love You, ‘ Owen’s lead single from his current release ‘Easy Does It’ ; and Atkins’ ‘About the South’ from his 2006 release ‘If You’re Going Through Hell.’
David Archuleta, From The Heart: Christmas Album From ‘American Idol’ Runner-Up Harks Back To Childhood
“Christmas music is honestly probably what I’ve performed more than anything else, ever since I was a little kid, ” Archuleta, 18, says by phone from St. Louis on a tour that stops Thursday at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket. The show, he says, is split between pop songs and holiday songs.
“I remember caroling with my brothers and sisters and doing holiday shows at retirement homes, ” says Archueleta, who is one of four siblings. “So seeing how holiday music can affect people has been one of the biggest influences on my career. People enjoy Christmas music so much, including me.”
Bye-Bye Red ԠKellie Pickler is Back to Blonde!
Looks like Nicole Richie’s not the only celeb changing her hair color with the cooler weather. After causing a stir when she traded her signature color for auburn at the CMAs, Kellie Pickler lightened up last week ‘leaving just a touch of strawberry in her newly blonde hair! We loved seeing the singer in a totally different look, but we think that the lighter color suits her bombshell style
Without Walls International Church and Pastor Paula White Present ‘A Home for Christmas, The True Christmas Story’ with American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard, Marvin Winans Jr., and Delores Winans
TAMPA, Dec. 14 /Christian Newswire/ — Without Walls International Church and Senior Pastor Paula White welcome the Fine Arts Ministry as they present the original production “A Home For Christmas: The True Christmas Story” for one night only on Friday, December 18th, at 7:00PM! Featuring American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard, Marvin Winans Jr., and a special appearance by Delores “Mom” Winans!
Come and experience this once-in-a-lifetime performance. It will warm your heart and renew your spirit with the true meaning and significance of Christmas featuring American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard, Marvin Winans Jr., and a special appearance by Delores “Mom” Winans! This event will take place on Friday, December 18th, 2009 starting at 7:00PM inside Without Walls International Church located at 2511 North Grady Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33607.
Country Fans Tour Buses To Raise Money For Children
There were 80 buses parked at the Wal-Mart. The fans who waited in line to see Bo Bice flew in from all across the country to see him.
Bice knows the people will really help out the cause.
“The fans truly make this. Nashville’s a wonderful town. I think that’s an example of that from Fan Fair to events like this. It’s what it’s about, giving back, ” said Bice.
Interview: Katharine McPhee – Singer and Songwriter
Although 2006 was a very good year for Katharine McPhee, it spun her around at a break-neck speed, without much time to ‘see the forest for the trees.’ And for good reason: fresh off her American Idol experience, in which she was the runner-up of Season Five, Katharine released a best-selling album, married the love of her life, and dabbled with her ‘other’ love ‘ acting.
An unexpected setback occurred in January 2008, however, when industry pressures led to Katharine McPhee’s abrupt break from RCA Records. Consequently, she spent the following months in ‘artistic hiding.’ Once Katharine’s spirits were refreshed and her artistic confidence was renewed, she re-emerged a year later, with news that announced the signing of a contract with Verve Forecast Records and the forthcoming release of her sophomore effort, Unbroken. The album is set for release on January 5, 2010.
Luxist Gift Guide 09: VH1 Behind the Music
We stopped by the gifting suite pre-launch event at the W New York ‘ Times Square, and saw celebs out in full abundance to support the cause.We spoke to the gorgeous Katharine McPhee, whose new album drops January 5th, about why she decided to support the event. “I think it’s really important to keep the arts in our society, and it starts with children, ” she tells Luxist. “I’ve always been a fan of VH1’s Save the Music program, and what they do for keeping music in schools.” Although McPhee’s new album is very lush and very grownup, she’s still all about the kids, and recently came back from teaching a songwriting course to schoolkids in Arkansas.
Jordan Pruitt Sings Christmas Carols By Candlelight
Jordan Pruitt snaps a quick pic with American Idol alum Bucky Covington as they sign autographs for fans during the Carols for Candlelight concert weekend in San Diego.
Carols by Candlelight was created in 1990 with the goal of making a life-changing difference in the lives of children. This year’s concert, featuring LeAnn Rimes, Bucky, and Jordan benefited Rady’s Children Hospital – San Diego.
‘I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story’ Becomes #1 Rated Television Special in TV Guide
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–‘I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story, ‘ which premiered exclusively on TV Guide Network on Sunday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, became its #1 rated television special in history, the network announced today. The television special, which delivered a 1.0 coverage rating (788, 500 HH) for the 8:00 p.m. telecast, also over-delivered with the network’s key demos. It achieved a triple digit increase (404 percent) with persons 25-54 over the prior year, and the combined 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. telecasts reached 4.1 million households and 4.8 million viewers (p18+). The historic ratings performance indicates positive momentum for TV Guide Network, as it undergoes a major transformation to become the destination for premier entertainment programming.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Jakob and Ellenore talk finale, going on tour
Though Ellenore performed a Travis Wall contemporary routine in the semi-finals — you remember, the table number with Legacy — which “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Nigel Lythgoe believes to be Emmy-worthy (we wholeheartedly agree), the quirky and creative dancer seemed shocked when she realized she had made the finals over Mollee.
Why?
Simon Cowell’s got real talent ‘ so give him a knighthood
Forget about Bruce Forsyth, that old has-been. Rather than fussing over him, Her Majesty should instead take the ceremonial sword to Simon Cowell. No, I don’t mean that it should be “off with his head”. She should intone, with all due pomp and circumstance, “Arise, Sir Simon.”
And why not? Cowell has transformed Saturday evening television. For the first time in a generation, entire families are sitting down together in front of the box. I was hooked, too. It was much more exciting than Strictly Come Dancing, whose contestants’ bones are creaking even more loudly than Forsyth’s jokes as the competition draws to a close. My mother, a great-grandmother, was rooting for The X Factor’s latest winner, Joe. So was I. My 21-year-old niece was a committed Olly supporter. Even some of my most cynical journalist friends were voting.
Simon Cowell: ‘I’ve done you a favour killing Christmas Number One race’
Simon Cowell has said that he has done the UK public a “favour” having “killed” the Christmas Number One race.
Speaking in the Christmas issue of NME, out tomorrow (December 16), Cowell said that he had helped rescue the Christmas Number One from a tradition of “horrible” songs.
Simon Cowell v the NME: ‘I don’t take music too seriously’
While this could be regarded as a belated jumping on the X Factor bandwagon, the NME has been vigorously backing the online campaign to put Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name in the Christmas No 1 slot ahead of the single by the show’s winner, Joe McElderry. This campaign – branded “cynical” by Cowell – received a boost today with news that Killing in the Name is ahead of McElderry’s The Climb in terms of downloads.
In the four-page article, Murison explains the NME’s reason for giving the cover over to “the world’s most influential record mogul”, after five years of trying to ignore Cowell:
Cowell in Disc Deal with Olly
Record boss Cowell was “blown away” by his version of Angels with the former Take That star and plans to offer him a contract in the New Year.
But he must wait until the end of the year for an album as winner Joe’s debut will be released in autumn to coincide with the next X Factor series.
A show source said: “Olly really impressed Simon because he is an all-round entertainer. Simon thinks he’s just like Robbie Williams. Women love him.”
Can Rage Against the Machine compete with Joe McElderry?
Though a 17-year-old song by Rage Against the Machine took an early lead in the Christmas No 1 sweepstakes, the campaign against Joe McElderry’s The Climb has been sideswiped ‘ both by the X Factor winner’s popularity, and by Facebook bugs. Rage Against the Machine have now fallen all the way off of iTunes’s best-selling songs list, while McElderry charges to the top. However, it appears RATM are still leading the way in the closest battle for the Christmas number one spot for some years.
Tom Morello Supports Rage’s ‘Killing in the Name’ in U.K. Christmas Sales Battle
In case you haven’t been keeping track of this year’s fight for the Number One Christmas Single in the U.K., a Facebook campaign has been launched to help Rage Against the Machine’s 1992 hit ‘Killing in the Name’ defeat the latest X Factor winner Joe McElderry’s ‘The Climb.’ As we inch toward December 25th and sales continues to be tight between the two competitors, Rage guitarist Tom Morello has lent his support to grassroots campaign, writing on his Twitter, ‘Rage’s Killing in the Name & the X-Factor’s goofy Christmas single are neck and neck for num one spot on UK chart. England! Now is your time.’
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Are Ashleigh and Ryan America’s new sweethearts?
Though Ashleigh’s performances have been consistently impressive throughout this “So You Think You Can Dance” season, we cannot ignore the fact that she was unable to perform this past week due to injury, but was still voted into the Top 6.
The romantic plea of her husband and fellow finalist, Ryan, asking viewers to vote for Ashleigh despite her absence last Tuesday (Dec. 8) may have played a part in America’s decision to keep the spicy dancer around.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ swings into six-way finale
This fall, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance has become a variety show of sorts.
“The diversity of dance styles has been overwhelming. It’s been the story of the season, ” judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says.
Tonight’s finale competition (8 ET/PT) features Dance firsts: a krumper (a hip-hop dance offshoot), Russell Ferguson, and a married couple, Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello, who’ll be competing against one another. Ashleigh has the novel distinction of making the finals after an injury kept her from performing last week. “I think we got there (on) sort of a wave of emotion from Ryan’s plea to vote for his wife, ” Lythgoe says.
Who Will Win So You Think You Can Dance?
In a season of firsts for So You Think You Can Dance (first fall season, first krumping finalist, first married couple finalists), it’s hardly surprising ‘†and perhaps fitting ‘†the Fox hit heads into Tuesday’s Season 6 finale with its first-ever final six contestants, two more than the usual four.
“I think it’s really exciting, ” Jakob Karr tells TVGuide.com. “First of all, there are more dances in the finale, so there’s more to watch. It’s going to be a really good show. I’m ready.”
And so are his competitors. See what all six finalists have to say about their soon-to-be last dances, their strengths and weaknesses, the whole season and more.
‘The Sing-Off’ premiere: Keen singing and swan songs
Some of the groups, culled from around the country, were Glee-fully good and others were bad (no surprise that Face was sent home ‘†over-emoting the already over-the-top ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ just doomed those guys). A couple of the acts ‘†Voices of Lee; Noteworthy ‘†made such a point of emphasizing their religiosity in their taped introductions, I wondered when one of them was going to realize that one of their opponents was a bunch called the Beelzebubs. Beelzebub. As in demon. As in Satan. Don’t let those nice blazers the Bubs wore fool you, kids! E-e-e-e-k! Run for your lives! (For the record, I thoroughly support the Beelzebubs, as the group was founded in 1962 and named by a Tufts student who was reading Paradise Lost, thus the source of their name.)
ETA:
Danny Gokey Gives Country a Go
Danny is now taking a swipe at the genre with his first single in release and his debut album on the way in spring. He performed Monday at the Sony BMG offices in Nashville for Music Row executives and media, and he showed himself to be an adept vocalist who mirrors some of the best aspects of Rascal Flatts vocalist Gary LeVox. He’s a blue-eyed soul singer with a soaring upper register and from-the-gut power. Add in the stand-on-end hair style, his predilection for songs with a gospel/feel-good message and the fact that he covered ‘What Hurts The Most’ during his ‘Idol’ run, and it’s easy to see that country has indeed embraced a guy like Danny before.
Jordin Sparks To Host “Super Bowl Experience” In Miami
Miami, FL (CNS) – “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks is bring her “Super Bowl Experience” to Miami. The annual charity gala, now in its third year, includes three days of exclusive events, including a teddy bear drive, picnic, and private concert.
Guests scheduled to join Sparks for her star-studded weekend include David Archuleta, rockers Honor Society, and singer/actress JoJo. Tickets for all events can be purchased from the Jordin Sparks Super Bowl Experience website.
