The Spoilers Were Pretty much Right On
The American Idol episode centering around the announcement of its top 24 contestants just ended, and in a sorta disheartening anticlimax, the spoilers that leaked to TV Squad at the end of January were 100% correct. Which means that we won’t be seeing any more of politico-in-training Kyle Ensley or car-living emo kid Josiah Leming, at least until they get picked up by Fox News Channel or Ultragrrrl’s label. (I’m pretty sure that either one could be signed by either entity.) The full list of finalists–in the order they were announced during the show, and with some supplemental details for those of you who have been following Idolator’s commentary on the show this season–after the jump.
More Idol Headlines After the Jump…
American Idol: The Top 24 Revealed
It’s amazing that what on paper looks like it has to be one of the most interminably boring hours on television still manages to be compelling and taut with suspense. Ronald Hodge, who I don’t remember having ever seen before is the first to take the chair, and the first to get cut. I might feel more sympathetic about this if I knew who the hell he was. That string continued as I said “Huh?” and “Who?” while Nina Shaw, Mycale Guyton and Lisa Aukerman all heard that their journeys had ended as well.
Judges pick the 24 semifinalists on ‘Idol’
Last year, “American Idol” became the Sanjaya Malakar show, and the other, more talented singers were left in the shadows. This year, the judges made one decision that will either prevent that from happening again or they missed out on one of the best stories in recent memory.
The dirty little secret of the final “Idol” auditions show, in which the 24 semifinalists are named, is that there are very few surprises. Most of the people who have gotten a lot of airtime make it through, and most of the others don’t.
‘Idol’ Watch: The many (MANY) songs of David Archuleta
Anyone watching last night’s American Idol — anyone with a beating heart, anyway — had their knee socks charmed right off after watching 16-year-old David Archuleta adorably sing his way through Bryan Adams’ “Heaven.” Granted, he hasn’t quite pulled out the vocal fireworks that several of the other semi-finalists have during Hollywood Week, but can any of them claim to have torn the roof off of “And I Am Telling You” in front of Kelly Clarkson herself? No joke; check the clip below:
‘American Idol’ reveals the Top 24
The Top 24 for the seventh season of American Idol were announced on Wednesday (Feb. 13) night’s show. Click through to follow every filler-tastic second of drama…
Top 12 ‘American Idol’ Women: Odds and Ends
While there are several suprises and mysteries among the Top 12 American Idol Men, the Top 12 Women are more familiar, having all received plenty of pre-Hollywood exposure. Click through for a detailed peek at where you’ve seen the girls before, how much professional experience they have, which Idol favorites they remind me of and how I think they’ll do this season. See if you agree…
Zap2it
Top 12 ‘American Idol’ Men: Odds and Ends
Zap2it
Can Michael Johns be the first true blue American Idol?
MICHAEL Johns has been wooing the American Idol judges with his soulful voice and it’s been enough to carry the Australian-born singer into the Top 24 of the competition.
Idol Judge Simon Cowell said: “It was unanimous.”
The 29-year-old auditioned in San Diego earlier in the year, along with 12,000 people from the area and only 30 people were selected.
Melbourne man makes cut on ‘Idol
WEST MELBOURNE - Melbourne rocker Robbie Carrico is one of the 24 finalists in this year’s “American Idol” on Fox.
A small but boisterous crowd of fans showed up to support their homeboy at West Melbourne’s Metro Entertainment Complex, which televises the show on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The crowd cheered when judges announced the 25-year-year-old Carrico made the cut. A few faint boos followed with judge Simon Cowell’s assessment that the decision “was not unanimous.”
Lots to be said about ‘American Idol’
There was a striking moment on American Idol last week. A Clay Aiken lookalike — but without Aiken’s talent and ability — recalled that he had auditioned two years earlier alongside an unknown called Carrie Underwood, “my audition buddy.”
Idol producers rolled old tape of the moment, and sure enough there was Underwood, sitting in a chair and staring ahead, just another skinny blonde woman with a dream. She looked tense. Serious. Focused.
Cut to the 50th Annual Grammy Awards this past weekend. There was Underwood, completely transformed in black leather shorts and Shania Twain boots, tearing up the crowd with her chart-topping single “Before He Cheats.” She was handed the lead-off position in one of the most important music events of the year, the opening act in the milestone half-century ceremony for the Recording Academy.
Canada.com
Dish Of Salt: 10 To Watch On ‘American Idol’
We are just hours away from the “American Idol” Top 24 being revealed. I’ve poured over the eight audition shows and carefully watched the Hollywood rounds. Here is the list of the ten singers I think will be garnering your votes this season. I’ve based it on a number of factors from 1 to 10 – likeability, vocal ability, airtime and star quality.
Access Hollywood
Kellie Pickler Tells ‘Idol’ Contenders: ‘Stay Away From Mean People’
As “American Idol” narrows down the field of contenders to 24, former “Idol” hopeful-turned-recording artist Kellie Pickler has some advice for the new crop.
“Stay away from mean people,” the perky blonde told People. “Of course that’s with any profession.”
Pickler, who made it to the final 10 on Season 5 of the popular Fox show, suggested that the new crop “surround yourself with people that support and pray for you.”
Pickler said being in front of millions on television every week had a big effect on her personal life.
American Idol Winner Eventually Could Be Influenced By Gambling
Spouses everywhere are being forced to watch American Idol every Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Starting next week, the show will also air on Thursdays.
Sports books have been driven over the years by obsessions of America. That is what makes American Idol so appealing for these odds makers, who are always interested in new ways to get into gamblers pockets.
William “The Refrigerator” Perry, was the person responsible for all of the insane proposition bets that can now be placed on the Super Bowl. For American Idol, the shows popularity itself could lead to the next level in gambling.
Casino Gambling Web
Kelly Clarkson Tour To Include Sean Kingston + Mandy Moore!
Kelly Clarkson kicks off her Australian tour on March 1 with the exciting announcement Sean Kingston and Mandy Moore supporting! Her new single ‘Don’t Waster Your Time’ is on your radios now - vote for it and snap up the remaining tix for this amazing tour now!
With young Jamaican sensation Sean Kingston (’Beautiful Girls’ and ‘Me Love’) and charismatic songstress Mandy Moore also performing as special guests, no wonder there is huge anticipation for this massive tour!
After a short break at home in Texas, Kelly resumes here ‘My December’ world tour in Australia, kicking off in Perth on Saturday March 1, and then continuing on to the U.K and Europe. The concert includes all Kelly’s incredible hits like ‘Never Again’, ‘Since U Been Gone’, ‘Because Of You’, ‘Behind These Hazel Eyes’ and ‘Walkaway’ to name a few.
Sony BMG
Idol-Ridden ‘RENT’ Still Takes Us ‘Out Tonight’
A show that was a period piece even upon its premiere to Broadway twelve years ago, RENT, as time passes, becomes less and less relevant to modern times. However, this musical which broke a lot of ground in contemporary musical theatre, can still speak to a modern audience and the never-fading RENT-heads. The recent, muddled film adaptation has brought a new stream of fans to the soon to be closing Broadway hit. Currently playing for a limited engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, this national tour of RENT brings some fresh talent but hardly new perspective to the windy city. This cookie-cutter tour from the original Broadway production, offers near-identical sets, staging, costumes and lighting. The excitement and energy of this rock-opera still invigorates the public and makes departed composer Jonathan Larson yet another reminder of talent gone far before its time.
‘Rent’ pays off as return to newly bygone days
There’s no shame in 2008 in singing along with TLC, or getting caught up in “Friends,” or being moved by “Rent,” the consummate 1990s musical now making a brief return appearance at the Cadillac Palace.
A game-changing, Pulitzer-winning phenomenon in its day, Jonathan Larson’s update of “La boheme” now plays as a time capsule, as historic for today’s teens as “Hair” was for Generation X. By the time the singers cop to “living in America at the end of the millennium,” the presence of beepers and a big honkin’ movie camera already has made it clear we’re in another era.
A country mile
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES UNION She won “American Idol,” she’s a Grammy Award winner and was voted best female vocalist by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. But when it comes to her voice, country singer Carrie Underwood is her harshest critic.
She doesn’t like listening to herself sing never has.
Lucky for her, she seems to be in the minority: Her smash debut album, “Some Hearts,” has sold 6 million copies since its release in November 2005. Her follow-up, “Carnival Ride,” has gone double platinum and produced the No. 1 country single “So Small.”
‘American Idol’: Rehabbing Hollywood
A roller-coaster week for “American Idol”:
First, it’s going to become a Disney theme park attraction in which tourists who buy tickets can sing for a panel of judges. We like the certain touch of irony that will add to the show going forward each time judge Simon Cowell sniffs that some Idolette sounds “karaoke.”
Second, “Idol” suffered ignominy at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, going 3 for 16 — two wins for Carrie Underwood and one for Jennifer Hudson. On the bright side, former Idolette Chris ” ‘American Idol’ is on the skids” Daughtry, who came to the trophy show all cocky with his four nominations, went home empty-handed.
Everything American Idol Does, The show does it for you
Last night’s American Idol was the first episode of Hollywood Week, and the producers mixed up the format of the show a bit because they need to maintain last year’s ratings somehow the competition was fiercer than ever. (How many times did Ryan Seacrest say that the group of semifinalists this year was “the most talented group ever”? I lost count once it went into double digits.) What this meant: A lot of people singing “Everything I Do (I Do It For You) and other Bryan Adams hits, a few Simon bon mots (and no denigrating Broadway), and a mid-show “bloodbath” that eliminated people in huge groups and brought back the massive cruelty that the American public has come to expect from the show.
‘American Idol’ Recap: Hollywood Week’s Big Changes — More Instruments, Less Drama
New and improved Hollywood Week on “American Idol” can be summed up in two words: blue lollipops.
For me, it wasn’t about the “So You Think You Dance”-inspired changes in format, or the fact that contestants could now play instruments as they warbled a tune. Nope, all I could think about during Tuesday night’s episode was Carly Smithson’s and David Cook’s nasty blue tongues. Have Dum Dums replaced Coca-Cola and Ford as the major sponsors of “Idol”? (Hey, they would have perfect spokespeople with Randy and Paula on the show.) Or maybe, as a co-worker so, ahem, colorfully suggested, there was a Smurf backstage swapping bodily fluids with the contestants. Did a PA get fired for doling out suckers backstage? Seriously, this blue tongue thing really unnerved me. And it no doubt unnerved Carly “Green Card” Smithson’s tattooed hubby, who must have had some pretty awful thoughts after watching a male contestant perform with a similarly stained tongue moments later. Shame on me for starting trouble.
‘American Idol’: The Blue Tongue Brigade assaults the beaches
In every great war film there’s the scene where the company, after 25 minutes of high-spirited basic-training high jinks, stumbles carefree into the war zone and suddenly finds the platoon’s boy next door and the tough-talking born-to-be-a-hero blown to smithereens. And in that instant, the men who were 10 minutes ago children, bombs tearing up the earth all around them, look each other in the eye and realize that now, and not one second later, they must become soldiers or they must die.
For “American Idol’s” children of January, that moment came Tuesday night. Last week, they sat with their friends in the stadiums all chanting together, “I’m the next American Idol,” waving their golden tickets, jumping for joy with their families. Tuesday night, they entered a killing field, certain that all but the great would die, their careers ended in one fell blow. History has no place for those who came to Hollywood Week and made it no further.
American Idol: Douche Bags Galore
Tuesday’s Hollywood round episode of American Idol 7 left many questions unanswered.
Where does Randy Jackson get his wiggedy wack white shoes?
How many Xanax does it take to keep the “salad and pizza” Paula Abdul sedated?
Why was Simon Cowell acting like such a see you next Tuesday?
American Idol: We Went to Hollywood
The jam-packed Hollywood Week episode left me with a few questions. Why did we never get to see my homecoming queen Leo Marlowe again after he was told to dance…I mean, sing…for his life? Why does Josiah Leming cry so darn much? And why were everyone’s tongues blue?
The Idol Powers That Be mixed it up this year for the gladiatorial combat that is Hollywood Week. This time, contestants were allowed to perform with musical instruments (besides their voices), they were either given a free pass to the next round or told that they would have one last chance to impress the judges (a tactic used from the beginning by the far superior “So You Think You Can Dance”), and the obnoxious group rounds were eliminated. Thank you, Powers That Be.
Phillyburbs
Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?
A popular video on YouTube shows Kellie Pickler, the adorable platinum blonde from “American Idol,” appearing on the Fox game show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” during celebrity week. Selected from a third-grade geography curriculum, the $25,000 question asked: “Budapest is the capital of what European country?”
Ms. Pickler threw up both hands and looked at the large blackboard perplexed. “I thought Europe was a country,” she said. Playing it safe, she chose to copy the answer offered by one of the genuine fifth graders: Hungary. “Hungry?” she said, eyes widening in disbelief. “That’s a country? I’ve heard of Turkey. But Hungry? I’ve never heard of it.”
Such, uh, lack of global awareness is the kind of thing that drives Susan Jacoby, author of “The Age of American Unreason,” up a wall. Ms. Jacoby is one of a number of writers with new books that bemoan the state of American culture.
Related Posts
Good Morning…
Taylor Fans Breaking News
He wasn’t parking cars at Clive’s Pre Grammy show on Saturday nite…(wasn’t sure if he was dumped from that contract too)….He was in Sarah’s area…House of Blues Orlando….sat in on the encore with WideSpreadPanic band member John Bell and Friends (annual event that raises money for neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy)… here is the stream…
http://panicstream.net/streams/john_bell/2008-02-09/player.html
Encore songs:
#15 Just Kissed My Baby….vocals, harp, and tagging Jimmy Witherspoon
#16 Use Me….vocals, harp and I believe a falsetto
ETA: dingo this is for you….
The Many Many Songs of David Archuleta shows him singing “I’m Not Going” to the Season 1 idols. I think it must have been before his surgery because he does none of that annoying breathy-breath thing that he is saddled with now. I like the kid, but I can’t help thinking of “Huh-quoia” every time he sings.
Cochem, thanks for that. There were glimpses of the TH I remember and its the reason I will shell out the money to buy his next CD. TH is an amazing talent IMO, he is raw and he is pure but when he gets in a studio with all of the processed crap, then he loses a lot of the magic, at least for me.
Well, Im very disappointed that Josiah was left out of the top 24, I think he could have been very interesting to watch. I like a lot of them and at this point, I dont have a clear fav but that will change soon Im sure.
Im feeling this year much more than last year.
The level of talent this year seems much higher than last year…no favorite yet.
Here’s some news from Highrollers with Heart:
Wouldn’t it be fun to be a fly on the wall at the top 24 party? I hope some video emerges. I’m very curious about Ace’s new music.
Also excited by the new season of Idol. And this season’s cannon fodder should take heart. Remember Jared Cotter and his creepy hand gesture? He’s doing great hosting The Sauce. :-)
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20177840,00.html
Carrie Underwood Gets Her Own ‘Before He Cheats’ Baseball Bat
She has everything hahaha
I think this could be the best ever top 24 although there are several they didn’t really show so will have to see. I like a lot of them but don’t have any real favorites yet.
It is still too early to tell if this is the most talented top 24 yet. I will guess it will be but I am still on the fence because it comes with an (*) it contains the most expearianced overall contestants at a higher level.
The question posed is this are thier diferent standards for a Micheal Johns who is quite polished than an early Elliott or Clay that are telented but not as polished entering the competition?
Do you expect more form the Carlys . Micheal Johns or Davids A extra because of thier expeariance already on shows or so on ?
Most really do not car at all or really know should the public know this info and will it effect anything?(not unless the papers pick up on it)
Not being negetive or positive just want your opinion each show does change overtime .
MJ, this link sends me to an “Error 404 - Not Found” page…
I just saw Melinda from last season on MSNBC and she’s watching the new show. She likes a lot of them but when pressed said she likes David Archuleta, Syesha Merdado, Chikeze Eze, and Carly Smithson.
PJ - let’s go crash the top 24 party! :)
See ya there, Lu! LOL.
If only!
I just talked to Josiah. The Ellen show is flying him out on Sunday and he will be taping on Monday. The producer that called Josiah said the very first thing Ellen said this morning was she was mad as heck and him being cut and for them to get Josiah on her show. He is over the moon.
If you want to support him, please go to his myspace site and buy some of his music:
www.myspace.com/josiahleming
A yungster or not living in car or leaving with nothing to go to holleywood or Nashville to fallow a dream. I know Taylor did it in Nashville and bunch of young kids do it also for holleywood . The problem is instead of fullfilling thier dreams it becomes a nightmier. It is easier to focus on the one kid after his 15 minutes then what on to the next. Welcome to reality folks..most who do not get tv exposure or a chance on Ellen. The diference between real life and “reality” tv life.
I’m so excited for Josiah! Hopefully, he’ll get to sing “To Run.”
Even if he’s just there for a pop-in, Ellen is awesome!
Thank you to the very accurate Milajoy for giving us the Josiah update. I hope he gets to sing To Run as well. What we heard of it was very good.
Go Ellen.
Milajoy - You are a joy! I didn’t think my wait to hear more from Josiah would be so short. He’s certainly captured my attention.
Wow Josiah is big news… peeps are talking about him in multiple threads. I sure dont get what all the fuss is about but hey - we all have our music preferences.
I went to lunch with a bunch of co-workers today that shared my opinion that he was over confident, difficult and kindof annoying. Thank goodness I’m not alone. I’ll encourage both of my children to follow their dreams but first I want to make darn sure they can support themselves if their dreams dont work out. If Josaih is truly serious about a career in music, I hope he gets his ged, some kind of job and a cheap place to live while he tries to make it.
Thanks, Milajoy - for batting 1000 and for the info on Josiah.
Wow! Josiah “Cry Me a River” Lemming is happening. It seems all the crying really paid off. LOL. I hope he cashes in handsomely and gives William Hung a run for his money. In order to do that, he needs to do a lot of gigs, not just a few TV appearances, then he can concentrate on his music with something in the bank. He needs a good manager right now.
… And the sweet girl with the pretty voice and the handicapped child took her dismissal like a champ with style and grace. Maybe she should’ve complained about the band, then blubbered like a baby, then dismissed the band, then blubbered like a baby again - then maybe she could get a tv gig. It sucks.
I’m also bitter about farmboy getting the boot… I liked him.
I liked Drew, too. Wish he would have made it.
As for Angela Martin, our local news reported that her appearance on Idol inspired a local hospital to offer her child free care. And the Rett Syndrome Foundation is interested in her as a spokesperson.
Angela and Josaih are both using Idol to their advantage. What’s wrong with that? God knows Idol uses the kids.
ETA: A lot of peeps have been down on Angela for “using” her kid. I am not. I don’t see it that way.
It takes more than crying to generate a gig with Ellen. The girl whose father died 2 days before her audition (sorry, don’t remember her name) cried, too - and she was shown talking about her father’s death in Hollywood as well.
I really don’t think that all the buzz with Josiah is solely about crying. Personally, I really like his voice and his style and was hoping to hear more of him. If it means through another vehicle besides AI, I don’t care. I just want to hear more!
I never have been able to figure out why TPTB give the boot to obviously talented people but keep the marginally talented (Sanjaya, the slutty girl that couldn’t sing from last year - gee, I’m really bad with names tonight!) Is it about looks, entertainment value, or controversy? So many of us who watch get so angry (”I can’t believe they choose [fill in your fave’s name] over [fill in no-talent name here.]”) It’s frustrating, but we just keep watching, don’t we?
That’s exactly how I feel. Good on them. Make hay while the sun shines.
I’m glad to hear that Angela’s daughter is getting the treatment she requires.
I do not believe I am saying this JObbix was right 100% I stand by him or her….if he was not as young , cute and did not “cry me a river” noboby would remember him.
Nothing is wrong with it. I only made the comparison because she went out like a good loser and he went out like an irritating whiney baby. I have come to the conclusion that Josiah basically irritated the hell out of me but for some unknown reason I cant stop talking about him… I need a drink.
People just handle things differently. We don’t know exactly what is going on with him or her. I’m not sure why there needs to be a judgement on who was better at handling rejection.
IMO Josiah is getting attention because he captured people’s attention. Some might argue that it’s because he sobbed all the time, but his interesting approach to music intrigued me before I saw him crying. I didn’t watch the auditions, so the first time I saw Josiah was when he sang “Grace Kelly”. So he managed to get at least one fan without shedding a tear.
Josiah isn’t taking anything away from Angela. Good things are happening to her too. I’m just THRILLED that the contestants who got cut are managing to get something out of being on Idol ($900K per 30 second spot….Idol already has its pound of flesh). I’m happy for both of them.
There is a judgement because Josiah irritates the hell out of me!!!! :) I know there are people here who are fans. I am most definitley not and I cant help it… he bugged the stuffin out of me. His whining and crying drove me nuts.
I know he didn’t take anything away from Angela. I just liked the way she handled herself… that’s all I’m saying.
May I just say that it’s wonderful to once again have contestants that are interesting enough to be polarizing?
That’s it, Lu. Outside. Behind the barn. I’m going to kick your a$$!
(Kidding. Just kidding. We all know Lu could kick my a$$ with one leg tied behind her back)
Well, all this reminds me of what my mom used to say: “the baby who cries the most gets more milk”. She should know.. LOL.
Give the kid a pacifier and shut him up! LOL
I’m having a flashback to a converstaion we had about John Denver 2 years ago. I’m not sure if anyone here would remember that…
Country roads. Take me home. To the place I belong…
Sing it LU! We know you want to.
LOL Kirsten! You remember! I laughed so hard that night… we had some fun, didn’t we?
We sure did.
I practice Spearation of Senses when it comes to music.
Examples:
Josiah - love the voice, deaf ear to the immaturity
Chris Sligh/Phil Stacy - love the voices, gag reflex on the visuals
Taylor - love the voice, love the visual, love the… Well, there are exceptions.
ETA: Spunky LU - I’m likin’ it!
Has anyone else checked out the bio’s of the top 24 from the skeery boards? Is Luke Orlando Blooom’s long lost twin? LOL
http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season7/