‘Idol’ boosts Boys, Girls Clubs
The Fox television show “American Idol” is providing more than just reality entertainment for youth in Gary and East Chicago.
American Idol Gives Back — the social services arm of the popular singing show — is giving $25,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs in both cities.
The money, expected to arrive by March 23, will buy teaching materials like audio books, computers, and software, as well as $25 grocery store gift certificates for needy families whose parents volunteer at the clubs, according to Nakea Barksdale, marketing manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana.
More than 250 children will benefit.
American Idol: David Archuleta big favorite to win
Total of eight American Idol contestants have been eliminated so far and the odds makers are finally joining on the action. On Thursday Jason Yeager, Alexandrea Lushington, Alaina Whitake and Robbie Carrico were voted off the American Idol, leaving only 16 contenders. And the online bookmaker BodogLife posted the odds on winning the popular reality competition, following the elimination round. At the bookmaker, David Archuleta is now the absolute favorite to win American Idol 7 with odds 11/10. The bookie is so certain that Archuleta will win, they have added additional props just for him - people can now wager if David Archuleta would win, surprisingly “yes” pays out on -110 and “no” pays out on favorite odds -130.
Kelly Clarkson out to please herself
Kelly Clarkson might have risen to fame in the public eye, but American Idol’s most successful graduate doesn’t buy into the celebrity lifestyle.
The 25-year-old, who still calls Texas home, prefers reading books to red carpet schmoozing, shuns television and gossip magazines, and is happiest when she’s singing or writing songs.
Clarkson said she just lives “in her own bubble” and pleases herself.
Just when you thought you were ‘Idol-ed’ out
This year, choose to stay “Home” with a show you won’t want to miss. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for, as far as “American Idol” is concerned. It’s Daughtry — with frontman Chris Daughtry — ready to rock the Grandstand at the Great Allentown Fair Wednesday, Aug. 27, as announced today by fair officials. Tickets, at $39 and $49, go on sale Saturday, March 15.
Daughtry, fourth-place “Idol” finalist back in 2006, rocked his way to fame on the Hollywood stage back then and has been going strong ever since with a band that not only picked up his name but an American Music Award and Grammy nomination as well. The group’s been headlining dates as well as touring with heavies like Nickelback and Bon Jovi.
A double date with Bon Jovi
The warm-up act is post-grunge rock band Daughtry, fronted by former “American Idol” heartthrob Chris Daughtry.
“Chris is unbelievable. He went over really, really well with our audience” Sambora said, explaining how Daughtry was given a “test drive” in New Jersey, when Bon Jovi played a 10-night stand that also featured as opening acts Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and My Chemical Romance.
“We became fast friends with (Daughtry). It was just kismet,” Sambora said.
Kevin Covais: From American Idol to Teen Comedy
Some might remember him for his comebacks to acerbic judge Simon Cowell on Fox’s hit show, American Idol. Some, however, may have recognized at the time what Kevin Covais seems to prove today: those comebacks were merely his sarcastic and dry sense of humor, perhaps the very humor that helped land him a starring role in a mainstream Lionsgate picture to be released a mere two years after his “Idol” run ended.
“College” – a teen comedy set to be released nationwide on April 11, 2008 – focuses on three high school students who enjoy a wild weekend away while looking at a prospective college.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Announces 08-09 Season
The Pops Series opens the season with music and laughs August 29-30, 2008, as Emmy Award-winning superstar Wayne Brady takes the Meyerson stage for a night of song, humor and a Sammy Davis, Jr. tribute as this Emmy Award-winning superstar performs with the full Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Other Pops season highlights include superstars Wayne Newton, Smokey Robinson and Michael McDonald; the favorite Valentine’s and Christmas Pops concerts; The Magical Music of Walt Disney with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra performing music from Disney’s most beloved movies, including big screen projections with original artwork; the renowned big band orchestra, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, with soloist Debby Boone performing in the style of Rosemary Clooney; and Idols in Concert featuring American Idol finalists Diana DeGarmo, Constantine Maroulis and Kimberly Caldwell live with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
Stage show’s national tour features ‘Baby V’
Vonzell “Baby V” Solomon, a Lee County resident, is one of the featured performers on the just-launched “Simply Ballroom” national tour, according to the “American Idol” Web site.
Solomon rose to fame as a contestant the fourth season of the hit reality TV show. She made it into the Top 3 finalists before being eliminated. Carrie Underwood, who is now one of country music’s biggest stars, went on to win Idol that season.
According to the online announcement, Solomon is joining fellow Idol contestant Anthony Fedorov on the tour. The show’s celebrity host is actress and singer Debbie Reynolds.
Related Posts
A to Z of ‘Idol’
…Just as the televised smackdown gets in full gear, here is your essential “American Idol” A to Z, a guide to everything you need to know to stay on pitch.
‘Aiiight’: As in judge Randy Jackson’s pronunciation of “All right.”
Birmingham, Ala.: This city boasts not one but two “AI” winners — Season 2’s Ruben Studdard and Season 5’s Taylor Hicks. See also: D.
Crown: Six winners have become “American Idol” royalty. The champs are, in order of seasons: Kelly Clarkson, Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Hicks and Jordin Sparks.
Dropped: Sorry, Birmingham — both your “Idols” were recently kicked to the J Records curb…
kansas.com
Critics’ Choice
New CDs
MICHAEL MCDONALD
“Soul Speak”
(Motown/Universal)
…Cover tunes can be a tricky business even for a veteran like Mr. McDonald, who stepped out as a solo artist only after memorable work with the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan. Probably the worst thing for him here would be to evoke the contestants on “American Idol.” (In particular: Taylor Hicks, who won in 2006 with what often seemed like a Michael McDonald impersonation.) Mr. McDonald veers perilously close to that fate with a glib rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and a redundant take on Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City.” (Hey, didn’t Mr. Hicks do that one?)…
The New York Times
Looks like a slow newsday…
It was on my local news as well calimari.
I am hoping for some song spoilers today.
I keep trying to think of quality 80’s songs for people to sing….. I am not doing so hot!
TOTALLY.
It’s great that Baby V has surfaced again. I liked Vonzell on AI. I like Anthony Fedorov too. If their show comes near me, I may go to see it.
I would like to have just one day that I didn’t have to read some writer who thinks he’s cute slam Taylor when there is no reason to even mention him. It’s been more than a year of it. I don’t think anyone unless your just a vile person deserves this crap day in and day out. I normally just read, ignore, chuckle, go on.. but darnit, it’s a Monday and raining and I’m sleepy! So give me something NICE to read people!!! (not aiming that at my fellow wonderful MJ peeps)
Ok rant over.. Mrs Trep, I was kinda thinking about Amanda singing Betty Davis Eyes. I think her voice would be interesting on that one.
Amanda will probably do “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Which could be great if she really did!
THEORY: Ryan is the Angel of Death for the boys.
Each semi-final performance show, Ryan has a chat with with one or two of the contestants in the red/Coke room. It gives the selected Idol an extra opportunity to showcase their personality and get more air time. So, one would think it was an advantage. I was speculating in my mind who might get this “advantage” this week and started by thinking who already had this advantage.
It was then I realized that talking to Ryan, if you were male, pretty much guaranteed your boot.
Week 1: Colton (I look like Ellen) and Garrett (I look like Leif Garret/Peter Framptom)
Week 2: Robbie (I look like a rocker, therefore I am)
Or maybe it’s just if you tell Ryan you look like something (maybe it distracts the audience too much from paying attention).
Which male Idol will get the boot this week for saying “I look like Orlando Bloom” or “I look like a Muppet” or “I look like John Travolta in Battlefield Earth” or “I look like I have a bad combover” or….
I would like to have just one day that I didn’t have to read some writer who thinks he’s cute slam Taylor when there is no reason to even mention him. It’s been more than a year of it. I don’t think anyone unless your just a vile person deserves this crap day in and day out
I actually think it’s more of a slam on Michael Macdonald for doing a cover that Taylor already did so well on the show.
Be that as it may…. I think Macdonald is establishing a late career niche for himself in the mould of Barry Manilow and Rod Stewart. I think I just might want to get a copy of this latest album, the NY Times review isn’t that bad at all and it sounds interesting.
OOOOOMG! LOLOL
Maybe it was.. I read it pretty fast. I’m just so bored of this type of writing. It’s taking the easy way out.
Bobbi, that would be fun! Maybe… considering the last two times I heard her sing…
Slow news day, indeed. There are some spoilers/rumors over on IDF. Okay to bring them over?
Did anyone besides me happen to catch Kellie Pickler’s Diary show of her USO tour last night on GAC? She did very well, had the troops in stitches, and, of course, sang.
If MJ doesn’t mind, I’m sure I speak for a lot of folks to day that we all look forward to reading them…
cheese already brought them over - in the Bits and Pieces thread.
Are the shows on Tuesday & Wednesday taped?????I never knew that.
The semi finals are always taped. The live singing shows start at the top 12. This year they changed the top 16 to live for some reason.
This is an article for Lu to make up for being goffy…..it is about Eliott(2 t’s not 1) it is positive so enjoy…..
http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/03/59213/index.html
Actually, each season is different. Season 5, the shows went live at the Top 20. Season 4 at least one of the semi-final shows was live, but then the Top 12 was taped, because of Mario dropping out at the last minute.
Season 6, the show went live at the Top 16.
Here are the stats for Season 4. I should create one of my retarded charts for this. lol.:
Top 24 - Taped
Top 20 - Live
Top 16 - Live
Top 12 - Taped
Top 11 - Taped
Extra Show - Live (wrong phone numbers were flashed on screen for a few contestants Tuesday. The votes were thrown out. A live show featuring performance reviews and voting was hastily put together for Wednesday. The results were moved to Thursday).
Top 10 and beyond - Live
So, you see, it’s different every season. I would say the show is taped live if TPTB feel comfortable doing so.
pop - :) THanks.