Idol Gets Beatlemania
It’s been a hard day’s night for American Idol, but the show finally has a ticket to ride.
The music publisher that controls the Beatles’ John Lennon-Paul McCartney composed hits has given Idol the go-ahead to let its contestants have their way with the likes of “Yesterday, ” “Let It Be” and, should someone be so brave, “I Am the Walrus.”
The scoop was served up Wednesday on Idol host Ryan Seacrest’s morning radio show in Los Angeles.
“It’s something we’ve waited for for seven seasons now, ” Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told Seacrest. “Sony has agreed to release the Lennon and McCartney songbook to us.”
‘American Idol’ to feature Beatles songs when Top 12 finalists perform
“When the Top 12 sing for the first time this season, it will be the music of Lennon and McCartney, ” he told Seacrest. “We’ve given them a list because it’s all of the early songs — from ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ to ‘Got to Get You Into My Life.’ These fantastic songs. It’s one of the few areas that everybody knows.”
Idol’s ability to secure the songbook’s usage apparently happened fairly quickly. During a December conference call with reporters, Lythgoe said Idol still didn’t have the rights to the songbook.
“If that Lennon/McCartney songbook were open to us, I would love that, ” gushed Lythgoe. “At the same time, I would really like it when we have got our best singers. I would hate to ruin Beatles material. I really would.”
During his conversation with Seacrest, Lythgoe allegedly that the talent level of Idol’s seventh-season contestants is the reason why Sony/ATV made the songbook available.
”American Idol”: Girls’ Night Outrage
What the heck happened to tonight’s episode of American Idol? My digital-cable channel guide said something about how the top 10 women of season 7 would be performing songs of the ’70s, but instead, Fox pulled a fast one and aired a ”Worst of the Worst: Ladies’ Edition” special. And to get all Paula Abdul on you for a second, it was every color of awful.
There were gray, gloomy, and off-key ballads. There was beige karaoke. There were bold and daring combinations of hues that may have looked good on paper but in practice turned out just plain ugly. There were kaleidoscopic meltdowns of pitch, styling, and general good taste. There was even a blood-red tongue. (Scary!)
Entertainment Weekly
Song choice hurts the ladies on ‹Idol
The theme of Wednesday …America Idol was 70s music, but the storyline was all about song choice. In the vast majority of cases, the judges were unimpressed with the contestants selections, and several left themselves in danger of being voted off by picking songs that didnt give them enough of a chance to shine onstage.
Recap: ‘American Idol’ Top 10 Women Perform
Welcome back to American Idol, where saying you want to decapitate a 16-year-old boy and leave his bloody skull dangling from your rearview mirror is a compliment and a sign of thoughtfully conceived judging. Which of the Top 10 Idol Women will prove deserving of becoming disembodied automotive ornamentation on Wednesday night?
American Idol: Top 10 Girls Perform
The theme again was “Songs from the ’70s, ” and for the most part I think the girls handled it better than the boys last night. And they also remained consistent with their performances last week to the most part. That is to say that the girls who struggled last week seemed, at best, to do only marginally better this week. The only surprises for me were some of the girls who blew me away last week turned around and struggled with their vocals tonight.
David Archuleta Can Still Be Gotten For Good Odds
Thinking on betting David Archuleta to win this year’s American Idol? Don’t take too long thinking. At -150, which is almost even odds, Archuleta is still a bargain after his fantastic performance Tuesday night. A $1.50 bet pays $1.00 and you would get back that initial $1.50 if David Archuleta were to win. At this point in time he almost looks like a lock. Big Juicy is one of the latest online gambling websites to post odds on American Idol. More great news, they still had them up during the performance shows.
Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly writes of David Archuleta:
Gambling911
David Archuleta: A Lock For The ‘American Idol’ Crown?
From the looks of things, 17-year-old David Archuleta is following in the footsteps of another 17-year-old singer ‘ Jordin Sparks, who, at the conclusion of the sixth season of “American Idol, ” was crowned the victor, making her the youngest winner in the show’s history.
For Archuleta, a young Salt Lake City denizen with boyish charm, a stylish look, silky vocals and overly goofy modesty, the road to the season-seven finale is still a long ways away, but early on in the competition, he seems the clear ‘ and perhaps unassailable ‘ front-runner. Even acerbic judge Simon Cowell, who doesn’t seem at all impressed with this season’s crop of contenders, called Archuleta out as the one to beat during Tuesday night’s episode.
MTV
‘American Idol’ Chosen One is some kind of natural
Only once before in “Idol” history has a candidate so totally dominated the race so early; only once previously has a singer come to the Idoldome and owned it so totally that the entire season eventually became one acceptance speech. And that candidate was Carrie Underwood. And that season was Season 4 — widely considered, despite a certain lack of suspense, the iconic “American Idol” season.
Once again, we stand at a place where early on, the competition is on the brink of collapsing in the face of a talent who lays waste to all before him. Could the Chosen One, David Archuleta, in week two of the competition, be on the brink of wrapping it all up and turning Season 7 into a four-month coronation of America’s next superstar?
David Archuleta’s ‘Imagine’ wasn’t just imagined up
Who is David Archuleta, really? Aside from the next American Idol, that is. In this second round of boys’ night, the dewy teen pulled out so far ahead of the competition that we might as well all go to the gym Tuesday evenings for the next few weeks and skip the show.
Risking “Imagine, ” a song forever wedded to the Liverpudlian nasality of a certain martyred Beatle, Archuleta defined what “Idol” means by “making it your own.” Without denting his aura of innocence, he switched up the melody, inflecting it with soulful touches that had Paula’s upper lip visibly moist. She called him a superstar, Randy said it was one of the best “Idol” vocals ever and Simon called him “the one to beat.” True to form, the Chosen One feigned mild astonishment, like a child gazing in wonder upon his birthday cake.
Where is ‘Idol’ longshot Jason Yeager getting his styling inspiration?
I’m sure all of us American Idol fans were left with a bevy of questions following Jason Yeager’s baffling Tuesday night performance of “Long Train Runnin'”: Why in the world would he choose the Doobie Brothers? What was up with that finishing pose? And what exactly was he talking about with Ryan after fielding the panel’s less-than-stellar reviews?
But the most pressing query of all for the soon-to-be-ousted contestant (pictured, left) is simply, why the blond patch? (I can only hope Yeager addresses this in his post-elimination interview with EW.com.)
“Idol” Contestant Wigs Out
After once being linked to Britney Spears, “American Idol” contestant Robbie Carrico picked up one of the popwreck’s habits — a love for wigs!
TMZ has learned the 26-year-old long-haired wannabe’s mane is actually a wig and it’s got “Idol” execs flipping out. Sources tell us Robbie never talks about his matted down piece and that makes production members feel like it’s the blonde elephant in the room. It seems Simon was right last night — Robbie is a fake!
Where’s Sanjaya’s pony-hawk or Kat McPhee’s extensions when you need them?!
A rep for “Idol” would not comment.
‘Idol’ Tracker: Facing the judges’ Do’s and Don’ts
Only once before in “Idol” history has a candidate so totally dominated the race so early; only once previously has a singer come to the Idoldome and owned it so totally that the entire season eventually became one acceptance speech. And that candidate was Carrie Underwood. And that season was Season 4 ‘- widely considered, despite a certain lack of suspense, the iconic “American Idol” season.
Once again, we stand at a place where so early on the competition is on the brink of collapsing in the face of a talent who lays waste to all before him. Could The Chosen One, David Archuleta, in week two of the competition, be on the brink of wrapping it all up and turning Season 7 into a four-month coronation of America next superstar?
American Idol: Why it No Good to Be Too Good
t an incredibly bold idea. Start a reality show on the premise that somewhere out there, amazing singers are lurking and just waiting for their chance. Then, go out and find these incredible singers and let American decide which one gets to experience fame. But scratch the surface of American Idol, and there much more involved than just singing.
The best dont always win. It just that simple. I mean – cmon – Taylor Hicks? Really, was he the best singer? And Chris Daughtry – if he cant win the show, you might as well throw the radio out the window. Jennifer Hudson got booted, then went on to sing her heart out in an Oscar-winning Dreamgirls performance. Last year winner Jordin Sparks has had dismal record sales, though she beat out twenty-three other fantastic singers just to seal the deal. Listen, Clay Aiken didnt even win his season – remember? The best dont always win.
Ask the Answer Bitch
Last week, Paula Abdul debuted the video for her new song, her first single in more than a decade. Has anyone else been able to revive a singing career after such an extended absence?
MTV’s Got No Love for Paula
MTV does not want its Paula Abdul! Last week, the American Idol judge released her first music video in over a decade, …Dance Like There No Tomorrow, which features the signature moves that made her a must-see in the 90s. But MTV isnt about to revisit history as the 45-year-old makes her comeback.
…There are currently no plans to play the video, an MTV spokesperson tells OK!. While most artists videos are usually submitted and then reviewed to be added to a network play rotation, a music insider tells OK! that Paula has yet to make the rounds.
Paula Abdul’s Video Has No Tomorrow on MTV
Dear OK!: If you’re surprised that MTV has decided to not put Paula Abdul’s video for “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” on their playlist, you are probably not so good at things like basic music-industry math, either. Let’s add up the numbers:
Cowell is ITV’s new Gladiator
Simon Cowell is making a new show to rival Sky Gladiators, The Sun can reveal.
The multi-millionaire TV company Syco is producing a huge arena competition for ITV1.
ITV sources says the show, which is as yet unnamed, will attempt to rival Sky One revamped Gladiators.
It will be a modern take on Gladiators, including interactive and video gaming elements.
An ITV insider said: …ITV bosses were offered Gladiators, but turned it down in favour of Simon idea.
…The two shows are going to war.
American Idol – Ryan Seacrest could be up for presenter award
American Idol host Ryan Seacrest could be nominated for a new Emmy award, it has been reported.
According to Variety, it is possible that the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences may announced a new category for best reality TV host, to be presented at the primetime Emmy Awards.
Insiders have told the Hollywood publication that the award category has already been granted tentative approval and will be formally announced in March, following a final board meeting vote.
It is thought that if the award is created, potential nominees could include Jeff Probst, host of long-running reality jungle competition Survivor, as well as American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest.
Clay Aiken Spills the Beans on Upcoming Album
Raleigh native Clay Aiken is a busy man these days, performing at night on Broadway as Sir Robin in “Monty Python’s Spamalot” and working on his upcoming studio album during the day.
It’s been five years since Aiken put together an original album, or one that is, he says, at least 95 percent original.
“Some of it is, you know, a kind of half-way version of original, ” he said. “But it’s all stuff that I’d imagine 90 percent of people have not heard.”
The songs had to meet two qualifications.
Many Oscar-worthy movies on the horizon
Here a look at the films of March and April. Release dates are subject to change.
APRIL 11 – …College: Drake Bell either has 2008 boys-behaving-badly hit on his hands or just another superbad teenage comedy. He one of three high-school pals (along with Andrew Caldwell and Kevin Covais) who, after being dumped by their ladies, hit a nearby college for fun, beer and sex.
The band Daughtry continues to stand out, just as its front man did on ‘Idol’
After getting booted from American Idol during Season 5, Chris Daughtry knew that his musical career had received a major push nonetheless.
“The show got me in front of a huge audience, ” says the bald rocker. “The main thing was getting my voice heard by more than just 15 people in a bar.”
He soon signed with 19 Entertainment and RCA Records, which holds contracts with fellow Idol alumni, including Kelly Clarkson and Bo Bice. Then he formed a band he named after himself. Not long after the debut CD Daughtry was released in 2006, the singer-songwriter from North Carolina struck gold, then platinum again and again. The album, boasting expertly crafted pieces of pop-rock radio candy, has sold more than 4 million copies. Its popularity has been strong for two years.
KEEP A WEATHER EYE OUT FOR TERESA JENEE
Jenee, along with Nikko Smith and Nite Owl, will perform at 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Suite Soul Spot event at the Old Rock House, 1200 South Seventh Street. Cover is $10. More information is available at www.myspace.com/teresajeneemusic or www.myspace.com/vanitaapplebum.
GO! TO THE BASH
BOB 94.9 FM, “Harrisburg’s country station, ” as it is billed, will be holding its 11th annual “BOB Birthday Bash” on April 5 at the Zembo Auditorium in Harrisburg.
This year’s list of performers includes Lee Brice, Ashton Shepherd, Phil Stacey from “American Idol, ” and trios Lady Antebellum and Carter’s Chord.
‘Idol’: Jon Peter Lewis Plays Judge
And so another year has come and gone, and once again we are spending a few hours out of the workday catching up on who from Idol was great and who we’d like to slap in the face. You know, I’m not usually so amped up about TV, or anything else, for that matter. Normally I enjoy sitting back and soaking things in apathetically, but something about Idol seems to pull me into my most critical self. I don’t know how I feel about that.
‘American Idol’ Recap: David Archuleta Is The One To Beat, But David Hernandez Arrives
Jim Cantiello, MTV News’ very own “American Idol” Yoda and personal friend of yours truly, is on assignment for the next two weeks and has graciously asked me to fill in his prodigious shoes. But no need to worry, folks, he’ll still be delivering his brilliant and unprecedented “Idol” and “Project Runway” 60-second recaps later this week, and he’ll be back manning these written “Idol” recaps faster than Taylor Hicks got dropped from his record label! Oh, wait. …
So on with the show … or maybe not. It was the second week of these live showcases and we were still straddled with mediocre-at-best performances by a group of guys I once stated was one of the more talented so far. I was mostly wrong.
MTV
‘American Idol’ Guys: 10 Things We Didn’t Know About You
The 10 guys still standing last night on “American Idol” sing ’70s songs while each reveals the One Thing America Might Not Know About Me.
What America Might Not Know About Michael Johns is he’s “a bit of a jock” and a lot of his best songs come from playing tennis. Zzzzzzz . . .
Oh, sorry. Michael sings “Go Your Own Way.” Judge Randy Jackson calls it “nice” and judge Paula Abdul calls it “charismatic” but judge Simon Cowell calls it a weak song choice. But it’s always “been a dream” of Michael’s to do a half-baked job of a Fleetwood Mac song, so “for me personally, absolutely it was the right song, ” he says.
American Idol: The Feat of the Fetus
Welcome to the Top Twenty. Let’s all cross our fingers and hope tonight won’t be as painful as last week. Tink is lowered from the ceiling with his usual “please give me a f**king break I have like ten jobs and need a nap” face, but I can’t hear what he’s saying because I am confused. Did he get bigger? Hmmm. Must be that skinny tie. Nice work. It’s like when fat dudes wear the JWahl beard to try and make it look like they have a jawline instead of just one giant face. Glad I got that off my chest. Let’s get the show on the road, shall we?
American Idol Ah The Power Of Cheese
On the boy end of ‹70s night, Randy was looking skinny and Paula was hiding her light beneath a bushel, i.e. covering her cleavage with a tassel necklace.
And some boys sang.
Suicides Rise After Top 10 Boys Perform on American Idol
American Idol 7 delivered another round of corporate sponsored suck as the top 10 boys sang schmaltzy ‹70s songs.
Random observations about the Idol hopefuls:
Trà ¨s Bien faces reality
Trà ¨s Bien singer Mikey Bostino initially balked. He hated reality shows like American Idol, but suddenly here was an opportunity to be on one: His three bandmates wanted to try out for The Next Great American Band. After internally grappling with the notion, Bostino finally relented. Four months later, he’s still not sure he made the right decision.
The members of Trà ¨s Bien, four guys barely 21 years old, have been close friends since before they formed the band in 2002 while attending Clearwater High School. Last summer they took the plunge and submitted a video to the Fox network. Then the phone call came, instructing the four Clearwater residents to go to Las Vegas for a tryout. It went well, they thought. Weeks passed, then the next call came, informing the members they’d made the cut and would be flown to Los Angeles.
