‘American Idol’ Castoffs Speak: Garrett Isn’t Worried About Being Pale, Colton Tells Ellen To Give Him A Call
Someone has to be the first to go, and on Thursday’s results show, Garrett Haley, Amy Davis, Joanne Borgella and Colton Berry were the unfortunate four. We caught up with season seven’s inaugural castoffs to talk Simon’s harsh comments, whether they were surprised by their ousters and what’s next.
Berry, like Haley, suffered from a lack of screen time in the early rounds, but the bubbly theater geek tried to make up for it with his self-proclaimed Ellen DeGeneres resemblance and a high-energy performance of Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds.” Unfortunately, the 18-year-old from Staunton, Virginia, was sent packing the first week. We caught up with Berry to talk about Simon’s hurtful comments and his future on Broadway.
Q: Simon encouraged you to quit the music industry after you were voted off the show. How did you feel about that?
A: Simon’s job is to be Simon Cowell. There’s no one else in the world like Simon Cowell, and that’s who he’s supposed to be. I expected him to say something like that. I also kept in mind, and I think America kept in mind, when he said that comment, he did pick the top 24. Out of hundreds of thousands of people, he picked us to be the top 24 singers in America, so obviously we’re all gonna continue on with music careers. That’s who we are. And obviously he had a hand in putting us there. I think he was being kind of a little hypocritical, but he’s Simon. But everyone loves him and I love him for who he is.
N.J. ‘American Idol’ loser: I’ll still sing!
Joanne Borgella was one of the first contestants voted off “American Idol” Thursday night, but the Hoboken native isn’t letting that tiny detail get her down.”It’s amazing to be part of the top 24, out of the hundreds of thousands that had tried out, and to be part of the crop that’s the best they’ve ever had,” Borgella told reporters yesterday. “Twenty-three of us are going to have to go home at the end of the day. … I have no problems having left [the first week].”
New York Daily News
‘American Idol’ castoff Amy Davis gained some exposure in Maxim
Her short-lived stint on “American Idol” might have left you covering your ears, but these sexy shots of the already-eliminated Amy Davis on Maxim.com are a lot easier on the eyes.Davis was one of 1000 girls selected for Maxim magazine’s 2007 “Hometown Hotties” contest. Over a period of ten weeks, the photos of the everyday buxom babes were posted on maxim.com and narrowed down to ten finalists by online voters. The winner scored her own steamy spread in the magazine.
New York Daily News
‘American Idol’ — The First Four to Go
For Garrett, it was a bittersweet occasion. He was thrilled that he made the Final 24, but when it came time for his first performance, it was his song choice that was most likely the reason he was eliminated — and it turns out the choice of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” wasn’t really his.
“We are allowed to choose three songs from a list,” he tells reporters. “Every contestant is for sure to get one of the songs; I didn’t get any of my songs, because they had given them out to all the contestants before that, so I just ended up with having to choose from the list again. I didn’t get to chose. They threw the song at me and said, ‘Sing this one.’ I took what I got and I did what I could with it. It is hard to make a ballad song pop out at the beginning. I did the best I could and I am happy with what I did.”
Idol might have a star in the making
Only one week and four cuts into American Idol’s semifinals, and a ‘tween dream is already being touted as the show’s potential winner.
David Archuleta, 17, wowed the trio of judges Tuesday with a genial, polished version of the Miracles’ Shop Around. Randy Jackson called it “really brilliant,” and Paula Abdul said it was “a very brave and bold song choice.”
Simon Cowell, the only judge that really matters, called it the best performance “by a comfortable mile.”
Archuleta is undeniably talented and has an aw-shucks charm. But if he wins, I can’t imagine a future of real radio hits and critical acclaim. The former Star Search winner seems a better fit for a Disney Channel sitcom or musical movie, which, come to think of it, aren’t such bad gigs.
Chron.com
The Next Jasmine Trias? Fil-Am Ramiele Malubay Is A Hit On American Idol
2:47 p.m. Guam - The Filipino community all across Guam and throughout the United States has a new reason to be very proud. Ramiele Malubay’s stirring performances on television’s biggest show, American Idol, seen locally on FOX-6 Guam, have even got the notoriously caustic Simon Cowell gushing with praise. Do we have another Jasmine Trias in the making?
The 20-year Filipino-American from Miramar, Florida has been wowing the judges ever since her initial auditions in Miami this past year, in order to qualify for the American Idol Hollywood round. She counts her musical influences to be Aretha Franklin, Jackson 5, Mariah Carey, Lani Misalocha, and Regine Velasquez.
Pacific News Center
Boy from Oz an American idol. Even Simon says
A BOY from Oz is wowing millions in the United States’ top-rating television show.
Perth-born Michael Johns, 29, is in the final 24 contestants on American Idol and considered a strong chance to advance in the competition.
Even “nasty judge” Simon Cowell was impressed by his throaty version of the Doors’ Light My Fire, telling Johns he was “the most consistent contestant we’ve had”. “You have the natural charisma of a lead singer — you have just got it,” Cowell said.
‘Idol’ Cuts 4 but Keeps Irish Crooner
NEW YORK (AP) — Carly Smithson progressed on “American Idol” Thursday amid controversy over her professional past. Smithson, 24, has made headlines for having a pre-”Idol” career: The Irish crooner recorded a debut album, 2001’s “Ultimate High,” for MCA Records. It flopped — after the label spent more than $2 million trying to sell it.
The show’s gimmick has always been to pluck talented young hopefuls from obscurity and make them into recording artists.
Besides Smithson, several of this year’s semifinalists are not exactly rookies in the world of music. Kristy Lee Cook once had a deal with Arista Nashville, and rocker Robbie Carrico was part of the pop group Boyz N Girlz United.
Nothin’ From Nothin’ Still Leaves 20
Question: How does one recap five hours of television?
Answer: By taking the easy way out.
I will only make commentary about extraneous stuff if it’s really mind-blowing and new. For example, all gay-baiting between Simon and Seacrest will be taken as a constant and not worthy of mention. Paula Silly-Talk also a given. Randy may receive some mention but only because I find him the single most annoying person on the show. In fact, I’ll just get that out of the way right now. His new thing of saying, “WHAT?!” as a form of delighted surprise is already a pain in my ass.
It’s shaping up to be a two-man race
And so after a brief interlude of basking in the spotlight, posturing on landing strips alongside private jets, walking the red carpet at the season-opening party and taking their first steps onto the “Idol” stage before tens of millions, as spring will eventually turn into winter the season of death comes once again to “Idol
The Top 24 they may be, drawn out of the masses to claim their place in history, but nonetheless, within the next three weeks, half of them must die.
As always in these early days, that news hits many of them very hard.
American Idol Week One: Sucking So Far
If this season of American Idol has an official theme, it’s that the twenty-four men and women competing this year are the most talented set of contestants in the show’s history. I’m not quite sure how they’ve measured that, but Ryan Seacrest tells us over and over again that that’s what’s up. If this week’s shows, the first live broadcasts of the season, were any indication, Seacrest is leading us astray. American Idol is a fucking mess this year, and thus far I’ve only seen maybe three or four contestants who have any potential to do anything interesting once the season wraps up.
American Idol: Results: Out Like A Fat Kid in Dodgeball
Hewwo! I’m back with American Idol results! I’m live-recapping right now and typing my little fingers off. The bottom four are sent packing tonight, so I predict we’ll say “Au revoir, bitches!” to Spicoli (Garrett) and Ellen DeGeneres (Colton). As for the girls, I’m only sure about Amy Davis (girl, you’ve got a future career in being a trade show model), but she’ll be probably be accompanied by one of the older gals. America doesn’t like girls who went to their proms nearly a decade ago.
If people could text their votes for political elections the way they can for American Idol, the voter turnout in November might be record-breaking. Of course, we’d have accusations of people drunkenly voting for the wrong person (”I think I voted for Nader!”). FOX is seriously hyping up Don’t Forget The Lyrics featuring Boyz II Men, by the way. Did any of you watch it after the results show? ‘Fess up!
TV Gasm
“Idol” Banter: the ’60s undone
Were the coifs really that flat way back in the 1960s? The retro-cheezo outfits worn by the Top (for the last time) 24 during their awful opening medley made me long for the Milos Forman version of countercultural nostalgia, as defined in his messy, frizzy, fabulous 1979 film of “Hair.”
Of course, these “Idol” hopefuls weren’t even born then, aside from maybe Evil Michael Johns, who’s really more of a Val Kilmer-via-Oliver Stone kinda guy. Their idea of the swinging ’60s is Beyonce in “Goldfinger” — a parody of a parody. The song selections our finalists have slaughtered and/or have been saddled with fit right in with the bizarre rewrite of pop history that “Idol”’s producers have been authoring for years — a revisionism in which both Elvis and the Beatles would have fit right in on the “Ed Sullivan” show, rather than upsetting millions and changing cultural history.
Here’s what really happens on the red carpet in Hollywood
‘m not here to knock the Oscars or the movie industry; I just think such things are interesting.
After covering “American Idol” for a few years, I’ve come to regard TV awards ceremonies as similar “reality” spectaculars, employing all kinds of tricks behind the scenes.
I can talk about one part of the hoopla with a fair amount of certainty: the red carpet craziness before the show. I’ve actually been outside the Kodak, toes planted on the edge of the red carpet, for a similar event in 2005.
As a member of the press covering the “Idol” finale, it was my job to jostle among the media packed into a cordoned-off section of the crimson runway. Basically, we spotted celebs, shouted questions, got in each other’s faces and elbowed the more timid reporters into submission. You can bet that media for the Oscars’ red carpet does the same.
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson on the ET Set
PAULA ABDUL and RANDY JACKSON talk to MARY HART about their collaboration on Paula’s new video, “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow,” this season’s “American Idol” — and why SIMON COWELL is being so mean!
Stars rock Capital City
American Idol and 2008 America’s Music Award honoree Taylor Hicks also stopped by to record a greeting for the AIDB, capping it off with his signature head jerk and “Woo, Soul Patrol!”
Hicks followers like Rhonda Huffman of Montgomery were out in full force.
“I am a Soul Patrol member, which means I’m a BIG Taylor Hicks fan. He has the voice of an angel, and he’s a non-stop entertainer,” she said. “His performance always knocks it right out of the park, and it’s great that he’s from Alabama, too.”
Montgomery Advertiser
Enthusiastic audience in the mood for ‘Rent’
After some groovy bass lines reminiscent of the theme from “Seinfeld,” the show’s company dashed out onto the stage. After a brief introduction by Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, the cast all launched into a spirited rendition of the show’s title number.
From there, came the piano jazz-like “You Okay Honey?” which brought together artist Collins (former “American Idol” finalist Anwar Robinson) and drag queen street musician Angel (Kristen-Alexzander Griffith), then the vaguely Latin beats of “Light My Candle,” in which HIV-infected lovers Roger (played by “American Idol: South Africa” winner Heinz Winckler), a glum singer-songwriter, and Mimi, a drug-abusing dancer, meet for the first time.
Theater Listings
THE COLOR PURPLE For anyone who has walked by “The Color Purple” and not noticed it, time is running out. The Broadway musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and produced for the stage by Oprah Winfrey, among others, will close on Sunday after 30 previews and 910 regular performances.
Ms. Walker’s epistolary novel is the story of Celie, a young black woman who survives a lonely, brutal upbringing to eventually find redemption through love, sisterhood and inner strength. The plot doesn’t exactly scream “Let’s put on a show!” but the production, which opened on Dec. 1, 2005, snagged 11 Tony nominations in 2006. Ticket sales were robust, and the production recouped its entire $11 million investment in less than a year.
Full Length Sex and the City Trailer!
It’s here! The highly anticipated, full-length trailer for this Spring’s Sex and the City movie has arrived.
There’s Mr. Big and wedding talk, bawdy jokes as usual and an introduction to Carrie’s personal assistant, played by Jennifer Hudson.
Underwood in concert carries the night
In her first headlining Pittsburgh concert, Carrie Underwood wasn’t “pitchy,” she was “just awwiight” or any of those other euphemisms for mediocrity you hear on “American Idol.”
Underwood brought pure star power and those golden pipes to the Petersen Events Center in Oakland last night before a packed house of adoring fans. She had some rock-star trappings working for her, like a digital countdown on the giant screen to pump up the crowd and a trap door that allowed her to rise from beneath the stage for the opener, “Flat on the Floor.”
Carrie Underwood is everywhere: The Grammys, ‘SNL’ and soon, Sprint Center
Already this year she has collected two Grammys (her fifth and sixth), and her “Some Hearts” became the most successful debut album by a female artist in country music history. Sales exceed 7 million copies. Her second album, “Carnival Ride,” released in October, has gone multi-platinum, with sales already exceeding 2 million.
Tonight, Underwood will be the music guest on “Saturday Night Live.”
On March 5 — five days before her 25th birthday — she will perform at a sold-out Sprint Center with one of country music’s biggest stars, Keith Urban. The two are co-headlining the “Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour.”
‘American Idol’ participant visits Lee
Lee University students and faculty were treated to a special concert Thursday in the Conn Center. Former Lee student and American Idol participant Phil Stacey made an appearance at his former alma mater and introduced tunes from his upcoming first country music album.
“If You Didn’t Love Me” is already getting airplay from radio stations around the country.
Stacey closed his performance with the Lyric Street Records release.
“I like all of the songs on the album,” said Stacey as he joked with media representatives after his performance.
“We wanted to title the album ‘The Greatest Album Ever’ but thought that might be a little much,” he said.
American Idol’s Mandisa: Grammy And GMA Music Award Nominee Scans Over 100,000k In 6 Months & Partners With Dreyer’s Ice Cream For ‘Hot Tracks’ Promotion
On the heels of her recent GRAMMY nomination (one of just three idol alums to be nominated), MANDISA has also been nominated for two Gospel Music Association Dove Awards for the coveted Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year categories. In addition, the songwriter for her hit single “God Speaking” was nominated for Inspirational Song of the Year. In addition, MANDISA’s label debut, “True Beauty” has also scanned over 100k units in just 6 months, making it one of, if not the, best selling new artist project in the genre, as well as one of Sparrow Records’ fastest-selling new artists ever.
On top of this, Mandisa has partnered with EDY’S® SLOW CHURNED® LIGHT ICE CREAM as they distribute one million free CDs at participating grocery stores across the U.S. As a part of their HOT TRACKS promotion. When consumers purchase any two EDY’s SLOW CHURNED Light Ice Cream products they will receive a free CD featuring eight full-length original tracks. This platinum pressing of one million CDs will include tracks by former American Idol finalists including Mandisa (Season 5) Justin Guarini (Season 1), Kimberly Caldwell (Season 2), George Huff (Season 3), Anthony Fedorov (Season 4), Constantine Maroulis (Season 4), Nadia Turner (Season 4), and Chris Richardson (Season 6). From February through April, CDs will be available at select EDY’s brand retail locations nationwide.
Bucky Covington’s the Boss
Bucky Covington is quickly finding success in country music, but one thing he hadn’t considered is that being an artist also means being a boss.
When he was growing up, his father owned a body shop and would sometimes voice his desire to just be a worker instead of the head of the company. As a kid, Bucky thought that was silly: The owner makes more money. But now that he’s had to hire musicians and a support crew, Bucky understands his dad’s viewpoint was rooted in the stress of being a leader.
Rock and Roll (to the show) Station benefit needs your help
Despite boasting a lineup of rock and country stars, Monday night’s benefit at Providence’s Dunkin’ Donuts Center to raise funds for the survivors of the Station nightclub fire is bombing at the box office.
“The show is not selling what we expected,” said Live Nation booking agent Bob Duteau.
As of yesterday only 2,800 tickets had been sold for the concert, which will feature Twisted Sister, Tesla, Staind’s Aaron Lewis, Boston’s Tom Scholz and Stryper as well as country artists Gretchen Wilson, John Rich, Kellie Pickler, Dierks Bentley and Randy Owen of Alabama.
American Idol is for Idiots
What do you call a show with awesome contestants, controversial and compelling judges and a charismatic host? Dancing With the Stars.
The Top 24 was cut by four, blah, blah, blah. Here’s the recap of the results show, AKA Idol for Idiots.
Phillyburbs
American Idol Results One Minor Surprise
Anyone else think that this hour could have been better spent with the camera on Michael Johns for a full sixty minutes?
A few notes:
‘American Idol’: First Four to Go
It’s “American Idol’s” very first Elimination Costume Party. In honor of it being ’60s-music week, the 12 Idolette chicks are all going as the “My Fair Lady” racetrack scene on drugs.
The best costume trophy goes to Alaina Whitaker — or maybe it’s Kady Malloy, it’s so hard to tell this season’s blonde chicks apart — whose dress resembles the joker in a deck of cards.
All 12 Idolette guys are going as Michael Caine in “Alfie.”
“American Idol”: The torch is passed
And so as winter must follow spring, after a brief interlude of basking in the spotlight, posturing on landing strips alongside private jets, walking the red carpet at the season opening party and taking their first steps onto the “Idol” stage before an audience in the tens of millions, the season of death comes once again to “Idol.”
The Top 24 they may be, drawn out of the masses to claim their place in history, but nonetheless, within the next three weeks, half of them must die, and as always in these early days, that news hits many of them very hard.
American Idol The First Eliminations (Or, Boo Hoo Fest)
Since American Idol was so sloppy this week, a number of people could’ve been justifiably sent home. Out of the rejected foursome, though, I do wish that Colton had been able to stick around, since he’s one of the only contestants to have shown improvement since the Hollywood round. And since he’s improving, doesn’t that mean he’s better than he was last week, when the judges put him into the Top 24? I would’ve rather seen Chikezie leave.
‘American Idol’ Bids Adieu To Four Contestants
America voted, and now it’s back to real life for “American Idol” contestants Garrett Haley, Amy Davis, Joanne Borgella and Colton Berry, who were all eliminated during Thursday night’s episode — the first time during the seventh season of the top-rated series that the viewers have had their say.
Analysts: Apple brand benefits from Idol deal
Apple’s iPod enjoys a sizable share of the market for digital-music players. Its iTunes Store enjoys an equally formidable share of the online music market. And its brand remains one of the most recognizable in the world. So what can aligning its iPod and iTunes offerings with a television program do for Apple, even when the program in question is as popular as the Fox Network’s American Idol?
Plenty, analysts say.
“Apple’s involvement with American Idol brings a number of benefits, including more exclusives to iTunes, closer association with TV and music (particularly emerging artists), and exposure on one of the top-rated shows on television,” said Ross Rubin, director of analysis at market-research firm NPD.
Related Posts
Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly
By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic
Let’s clear things up right away: Clay Aiken can handle supremely silly.
That’s not an inconsiderable talent when you are appearing in something as daffy as “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” the madcap medieval musical that has just added the “American Idol” alum to its cast.
We knew Aiken could sing. Idol, television’s favorite trial-by-fire, proved that. (snip)
But don’t go expecting a star turn. Aiken is a team player — and that’s meant as a compliment. The ingratiating performer fits seamlessly into the extended high jinks of “Spamalot,” which has been running at the Shubert Theatre since March 2005.
The guy gets the goofy humor that is the Python trademark and goes with the flow, most prominently when he is portraying the perpetually petrified Sir Robin. It’s one of three roles he plays in the musical.
Aiken also exudes the physical buffoonery that underlines the cartoonlike nature of the characters and their quest to find the Holy Grail. He radiates a delightful benign bewilderment. What’s more, for someone born and raised in North Carolina, Aiken does a credible British accent.
SFGate
A few days ago I joked that TCOs would get to pick their songs from the list first and the “Silent Ones” would get to pick last and be left with the dregs…
From the MTV article:
I must say that it’s kind of freaky when your OTT jokes turn out to be true.
I agree with what others have posted on last night’s thread. THIS STINKS. Usually, these kind of schemes have some kind of policy that if you don’t get your first pick, you have higher priority for your second and third picks. For instance, if your first pick goes to Contestant A and you have a second pick the same as Contestant B’s first pick, you get your second pick and Contestant B gets his second pick.
How awful was this set of 50 songs that so many of the male contestants picked the same three songs so that at least one of them had to go back to the list? It seems that it’s okay for boys and girls to sing the same song (because they did), so it was only 11 other people picking songs. In the past, AI has even allowed two singers to sing the same song and the show didn’t explode. In fact, often on the Final 2 night, AI makes two of the singers sing the same song and then tries sell both versions. Last year, they made them sing the same song back-to-back.
I smell a rotten fish here. A very knollish part of me suspects that this is the reason for the short list of songs to pick from. Nigel claims the list is a way to make sure that singers don’t pick sucky songs to sing for their first performance (didn’t work, Nigel). Maybe it’s actually a way for Nigel to force people to pick sucky songs.
I know, I know, that’s a crazy theory, but the show could have done more to ensure that everybody got to sing a song from their list even if it meant that one of their favourites had to sing a song that wasn’t their first or second choice (or the show should do a better job of finding songs that the singers want to try singing if they are all picking the same three songs).
Hicks, Tompkins jam on “Before He Cheats”
February 23, 2008
Taylor Hicks belted out Chris Tompkins’ “Before He Cheats,” the song that won a Grammy for Carrie Underwood last week.
Tomkins, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Walt Aldridge and Donnie Fritts, backed up Taylor’s vocals with crowd-pleasing piano, guitar and harmonica.
The song was a breakthrough for Tompkins, winner of this year’s Alabama Music Hall of Fame Songwriter Award.
– posted by Teri Greene
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880222051
And yes there is video
scroll down to video 8 if interested….Wonder why they did not have Angela Hacker (Nashville Star) sing it? Anyway, her performance is video 5…And Taylor’s other performance Soul Thing is video 1…enjoy
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/VIDEO/80223006/1001
Kirsten:
1. Why are there sucky songs on the list?
2. Presumably Nigel knows which songs would fit which contestant, and also remembers the 60s (both stretches, I know), if a kid strikes out 3 times with his choices, shouldn’t Nigel pick the song that would best suit the contestant?
3. Since we know “song choice is everything”, shouldn’t we know when the contestant really didn’t pick the song?
4. How does any of this mess help the ratings?
“Taylor Hicks belted out Chris Tompkins’ “Before He Cheats,””
LOL
What’s next, The Crying Game?
Taylor would make the fugliest female impersonator ever. Kind of like an ugly Bea Arthur. I can’t imagine any guy falling for that.
Looks like they had lots of fun with that song during that performance. It’s interesting that Carrie requested that even more things be done to the guy, so the writer spent a day dreaming up more things she could do short of a Lorenna Bobbit. It’s always interesting to hear behind the scenes stories like that. Who knew Carrie had a mean streak in her? I think it’s kind of cute.
It’s always neat to see a bunch of musicians just jamming and riffing off each other.
Garrett, Garrett, Garrett, poor kid. Not only was he unseen cannon fodder, they packed the cannon extra full to be he would be taken out early.
I know I’ve said it before but I’m saying it again, I don’t like the idea of theme weeks this early. Nigel has found a new way to piss off American Idol fans. *sigh*
Poor Garrett. He seems to have a pretty level head on his shoulders. Too bad he didn’t spill what songs he did choose. That’s information I’d really like to know.
ETA: That was a fun Taylor vid. Thanks for posting.
LOL. I bet the AI staffer assigned to oversee the interviews probably tried to tackle him during the answer to the “Why did you chose that song?” question. I quite imagine they would have thrown a knife in his back if he’d tried to tell the reporters which songs he had originally picked.
Oh, I do hope that a tell all book is written one day by some angry production assistant who knows all the backstage stories.
Taylor Hicks belted out Chris Tompkins’ “Before He Cheats,” the song that won a Grammy for Carrie Underwood last week.
That’s it, I always knew Taylor Hicks was gay
Heh. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait until Nigel is dead to get it!
I wonder how many previous contestants could be contacted to cooberate this therory? Would be interesting to know….
Taylor maybe more of Dustin Hoffman from “Toties” not pretty . Thanks for the videos they were fun and some artist I have not heard of.
It could be worse for the contestants the themes like ABBA, HAIR and this-(PG)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF32_bNZikg
The guys could be doing this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcpvx2EVCpU
If in costumes one fun trainwreck and I would like to see the faces of the jugdes….
LAarticle is creeping me out it gave me a vision of “Viliage of the Damed”. A bunch blond wigged youngsters idol bots sounding and looking the samegroomed for idol..scarryy…
I guess the ones over 23 will have to think brick wall…to survive..while the voters wonder why they have a phone in thier hand…(kids were telepathic and could read minds)
Ok I watch old sci-fi movies.
Amy said she was used to singing with ear-in monitor — what the heck is that? and does it make you “hear” better?
I imagine Nigel is a little Hitler dictator type…even when I see him on the dancing show, he’s very hitler like….I guess he doesn’t want excuses or won’t give second chances….you’re on your own….
And don’t tell me he doesn’t overrule the judges in their audition choices.
The AI staffers along for the interviews are probably equipped with James Bond-like devices to render a contestant unconscious if he or she starts to spill too much super-top-secret AI info.
So that sucks for Garret. He wasn’t going to win anyway. Why did AI feel the need to sabotage him? What were his other song choices? Considering what was sung, I’d go with “Shop Around,” “Happy Together,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
I say hooray for Garrett for bucking TPTB and disclosing this. I bet the “tender” assigned to him during the interview has been severely chastised! Would love to see the entire song list! The songs they did pick were so sucky, I can only imagine how bad the rejected ones were. I mean if two people picked “Happy Together,” can you imagine the dreck that was on that list. Love it.
Anybody watching vftw download list? Interesting. Amy was last in downloads…I wonder if that’s what the producers are watching too? That way they can finagle and get the worst sellers off first. I notice Chikezie was just above Amy and then Garrett. How did they decide Garret should go before Chikezie….I don’t trust their so-called “votes called in”…do you?
Who in their right mind (barring relatives) would want to download Amy Davis’s “Where the Boys Are”? That song really sucks.
It’s an in-ear speaker that basically pipes your voice back to you so that you can hear yourself. If you watched during Season 5, you might have seen Taylor wearing them when he started a performance in the audience instead of onstage. A normal monitor is basically a large speaker that broadcasts what’s going into the mic — otherwise, the singer can’t hear themselves over the LOUD band and can easily go off-pitch. These speakers generally sit on the stage in front of the singer. In-ear monitors deliver a better quality of sound, block out more of the band noise, and are almost indispensable on those all-too-often occasions where there is a time delay between the words you are singing and the sounds coming out of the speaker. (I once had to sing a song where the audio equipment came with a full two-second delay. Not fun. What I wouldn’t have given for an in-ear monitor).
I have to agree with the four contestants that were eliminated. The only female singers that moved me were Ramiele Malubay’s the little Phillapino girl with the unusual name and Carly Smithson, the Irish girl who performed last. Sorry.. but nothing special about the rest of the women. The men were all pretty darn good. Had more than a couple on the TOP of my list.
News alert by Rickey.org - David Hernandez is gay? How much you bet he’s the next to leave?
Is he more obviously gay than Danny Noriega? At least two more of the guys are gay as well. I don’t think being gay is a big deal this year. I think Luke and blonde with boy will go before David H but he won’t make the Top 12 either. Jacuzzi and David Cook are both very iffy also.
Because he’s gay? I don’t think so.
One question or observation about American Idol…When it first started out years ago it gave the impression it was a show about “finding undiscovrered talent that the lables missed” now fast forward (people are asking about the contestants now.(the viewers wondering what?)
American Idol producers and some former constestants are wondering why thier questioning the show when in fact they(producers)created the message in the first place.
The questions- Do you think American Idols created message from way back is comming and nipping them in the butt and thier being quite defencive as to blame the viewers for something that they created?If the message just viewers vote for an Idol and expectations were not as high would thing change ?
I don’t give a flying flip if David H is gay. He’s got some nice pipes and some pleasing looks. If he gets over his nerves, he might do well in this competition.
Pop, Nigel and Co always talk out of both sides of their mouths. Nothing new. I think they operate with the philosophy that if you say something enough times, then it must be true.
Most people I know who watch AI don’t care enough to pursue it outside the water cooler. They tune in for some mindless entertainment and certainly don’t get invested in any of the kids. That works in TPTB’s favor.
Personally, I believe they have a few chosen ones each season just in case something unpredictable happens like a TCO underperforming or even quiting (ala Mario Vasquez).
Maybe this whole season is stacked with pros so that a non-pro will ultimately be the victor? Maybe Jason Castro is the stealth TCO?
Either way, poor Garrett. I may have to support VFTW this year.
Did anyone watch Larry King w/Randy last night?
I only saw part where they showed newscast w/criticisms re Carly,Kristy,Michal Johns etc and that Randy was VP of Carly’s record co at the time….then asked Randy to reply and Randy gave the usual “others had deals” but NEVER addressed his being VP w/Carly..unless it came up later. Does anyone know if he has ever addressed being vp of the co. as yet?
I had heard that after Taylor won that they were leery of letting any professional musician (those who earn a living performing) compete, but the next year two back-up singers appeared so I guess that was an unfounded rumor. I am eager to see if anybody can peak my interest next week. There are a some good singer here but they have to break out and do something special. Taylor said once that you don’t have to be the best each week just don’t be the worst. If I have a favorite I alway vote for them but I also reward any other good performances with some votes. I keep hoping I’ll find a favorite in the next couple weeks. Jason C. hasn’t done it for me yet.
They keep bringing up Kelly Clarkson’s record deal before she went on AI. Well, actually, Randy said last night it was a management contract.
Does anyone know the details?
Jojosie: Jason C hasn’t convinced me either. As they go deeper into the themes, we’ll see who can handle the challenge.
Here is an old article about the subject in EW.com. It sounds like she had some sort of deal to record demos which would then be shopped around for a record deal.
the show’s producers issued a statement Thursday saying Clarkson did not break the contest’s rules, and a lawyer representing the songwriters who recorded with Clarkson told EW.com that the tracks were just demos, and that no record contract was in place.
EW Article from Dec 2002 regarding Kelly Rumours
Yep, lil Garett got a bad deal, but truthfully thinking back everyone has had to sing a crappy ass song before, and when you are singing for your life you sing the crap out of the crappy ass song or you don’t.
I still am pissed about why Carly (who I really don’t get) is getting the brunt of this? Hell she was a 15 y/o when she was first under contract. There are others far more professional than she is.
And finally I still think we are not getting something here, I mean we have the ringers as always, we have the money making deals as always (which doesn’t bother me, as this is America after all and we are in the business of making money in this country…..)so what’s new? We shall see.
Hapi, on Larry King’s show last night, Randy never addressed the fact that he was an executive at MCA when Carly was signed. Too bad Larry King didn’t follow up. I don’t think that he watches the show and he really could not care less.
As far as the pros, IMO, the singing that Taylor, Chris, Bucky, etc., did before Idol (bars, clubs, local events, weddings, etc.,) does not compare with being signed to a professional contract at a major label and having professional videos. Not even close, IMO.
Well, excuse me ! Both Ruben and Anthony Fedorov sang “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” and they weren’t voted off. So, let’s not blame the song choice for Garrett’s elimination.
Can we get some vid of Randy and Larry King?
I don’t think people are blaming song choice on Garrett’s elimination. He was obviously not going to make the top 12, and not just because of his lack of pimpage.
The problem is that it’s further proof of manipulation by TPTB. The judges keep harping on song choice, but if there is no “choice” maybe they should say “assigned song.”
ETA:
I have no idea how old she was, but I think it has something to do with the $2 million dollars that resulted in less than 400 cds sold. Not a good investment,IMO. I don’t think any of the others had that kind of push, if any. Plus, there’s the fact that she’s just not all that good, IMO. Her video was hideous.
Larry King always puts up transcripts:
JACKSON: Right. That’s been the rule since day one. The rules have never changed. I mean you just can’t be currently signed to a record deal. Every season since the first season, kids would show up that were in some boy group or girl group or had failed record contracts. I think Kelly Clarkson was signed to some management contract.
I must say, people must understand if you’re out there trying to make it in the entertainment business, especially music, you’re going to try to get anyone you can to pay attention and sign you and do whatever you can. So, you know, if she came and she sold 300 copies of a record, that is not a lot of success. That is a bad look.
Randy on Larry King Live
Pj the video was totally hideous, but still why is she the poster girl and all that is bad? I want equal treatment for all, lol. As for poor Garrett he didn’t stand a chance and frankly should not have been there. He could have sang the best he could, and his best would not have been good enough. Ditto that for Amy, Joanne just choked she was better than that and if she had performed better she would have progressed a bit further. So turning the page……off with four more heads soon. I can’t wait.
Honestly, I just don’t see too much in Carly that’s worth another shot, especially after the big push she got. Maybe I’ll be wrong. I usually am when it comes to predicting these things. :)
Her video isn’t part of AI so I try to just judge her (Carly) by what I see on AI. She was 15 when she came here and 17 when her CD was released. I’m sure she had limited performing experience. IMO they promised a kid stardom and then didn’t deliver so I’m sure she has reason not to trust the music industry. It’s a sad story for her and the record industry but IMO we shouldn’t hold it against her as I’m sure they (the record co.)were in complete control of everything she sang nnd did. I don’t think she’ll win AI but I do think she’s talented enough to be in the top ten. I haven’t a favorite yet.
Well, so far I’m not impressed with her AI performances. And yeah, I don’t like the pimpage.
I know it’s tough. But who didn’t deliver if they put that much money into manufacturing her stardom in the first place? Maybe she just doesn’t have it?
I don’t care about her one way or the other. But I do think the TPTB should come clean with Randy’s part in all this and the fact that the label didn’t “implode” but that she sold 400 cds. Or Less. How is that bad?
abbysee, Carly is going to suffer the fallout AI heaped on her. She was 15 at the time of the contract but she’s well beyond that now and obviously signed on trusting TPTB to handle it well. As if they’ve done that in the past. Doh.
True, they should be holding AI’s feet to the fire, not Carly’s but, so far, all AI is doing is getting uppity about it and skirting the real issue. Keep it up, Carly will loose because it’s every damned where on the internet and television.
All that aside, I don’t think she has it going on. Period. Don’t think she can win with or without the past contract. . . unless they the soak the vote.
Giving her the benefit, she may be a nice person but, to date, I’ve seen zip charmisa, confidence or anything special about her voice or her. She doesn’t have the whole package and that’s what it takes to win - a little bit of everything.
I do think that the controversy can help her if she’s kicked off though - another chance without all the negatives. That may be all she gets.
Carl started performing professionally at the age of 9. She toured Europe in Les Mis as Cossette. I don’t think there is any footage of her doing the role, but here is another actress playing Cossette in the Tenth Anniversary concert from a few years ago (notice how Nigel comes in part way through to shake things up).
Role of Cossette
BTW there isn’t normally a gunshot in the middle of that song. That kid is a real pro to keep singing despite it.
ETA: I’m actually starting to feel sorry for Carly. I almost wonder if she was cast to be a lightening rod to deflect all the criticism from the other plants. The others are hardly taking any of the heat at all. She does seem to be lacking in confidence.
I posed a similar theory a few days ago. She’s not TCO at all. They’re just using her for controversy.
ETA: I didn’t connect the dots that she’s being used to protect the other ringers. Just that they were using her for the attention.
Lacking in confidence —
She’s a tattoo artist now. Join the millions making not much. And, like it or not, tattoo’s are polarizing. Notice this week, no sight of her arm, tatto’d but covered from wrist to shoulder. Hidden. Why? Because AI won’t let her be herself.
That’s just one reason she’s lacking confidence.
Kirsten, I just watched your link. How old was Carly there? About 12? Did a fanastic job.
What I want to know — that same tooth was protruding? Why wasn’t it fixed before it grew into itself? Surely she made enough dough for that to happen.
Thanks, Kirsten!! Shopping around demos isn’t quite the same as having a major label contract. Whatever.