Idol, Give Back the Four Hours I Spent Watching
The camera pans out to the audience and HOLY SHIT! IT’S BILL FORD. THE BILL FORD! EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY! THAT BILL FORD! GOLLY! I, AS A VIEWER, LOVE IT WHEN CORPORATE TITANS SIT IN THE AUDIENCE OF A SINGING COMPETITION! BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT? FUCK DENISE RICHARDS AND DAVID HASSELHOFF! IS EITHER OF THEM AN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY HEIR? DO THEY RECLINE LEISURELY AT A DESK FOR 90 ENTIRE MINUTES EACH DAY AND GIVE CAR ORDERS? NO. ONLY THAT GUY BILL FORD DOES THAT. Next week some guy named Eugene Coca-Cola is going to be in the front row.
Fergie, Jennifer Hudson Sign On For ‘Sex And The City’ Soundtrack
Hudson, of course, doubles as the film’s biggest new cast member as well, a lucky-in-life, unlucky-in-love assistant named Louise that Hudson told MTV News was “a young, sweet girl … in love with love.”
She’s the last one in, and will be given the honor of being the last one out, as King revealed her track, “All Dressed Up in Love,” will play over the film’s end credits. According to EW, the song was written by MC Jack Splash and Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley.
“She sings it like nobody’s business,” King told the mag of Hudson’s performance.
Last Words: Fallen Idol Michael Johns Says Goodbye
During a conference call with Michael Johns this morning, the media seemed to be unanimously perplexed by his ouster. Was it the song choice? asked one reporter. Was it the fact that he was Australian? pressed another. One reporter even wondered whether his ascot was to blame.
But Michael, for his part, didn’t want to dig into his past for clues. “[I have] absolutely no regrets at all, mate,” Michael announced. He was also not interested in how his past success in the industry influenced voters, saying, “Did it help me or hurt me? I don’t know.”
One thing Michael does know, however, is that he managed to stay true to himself throughout the competition. “Just because it’s an enormous machine doesn’t mean you have to change with it,” insisted Michael, adding that he was proud when his friends and family told him he never altered his persona for the cameras. Or, for that matter, for the judges.
As Callers, ‘Idol’ Fans Often Lack Real Talent
Each week on “American Idol,” Ryan Seacrest cautions viewers to be careful when they call the numbers that allow them to vote for their favorite contestants.
And each week thousands of “American Idol” fans misdial.
Recently the calls have been pouring in to the phone bank of Internet Sales & Customer Services Support Inc., a telemarketing business in Blakeslee, Pa., owned by Henry Westendarp.
Mr. Westendarp received a toll-free phone number late last year, and things were running smoothly until “American Idol” started up again in January. Then, he said in an interview on Friday, he began to notice an uptick in phone calls on Tuesday evenings after his office closed. Most of the calls, he said, resulted in messages in which the callers simply hung up.
After the number of calls spiked to more than 10,000 this week, Mr. Westendarp said he did a little research. His discovery: “American Idol” callers who mistakenly transpose two digits when dialing to cast a vote for a certain contestant end up on his phone line.
‘American Idol’ Castoff Michael Johns’ Shocking Exit Begs The Question: Just How Crucial Is Song Choice?
Few topics garner more airtime on “American Idol” than song choice. While the judges often harp on the decisions the contestants make, there is almost no recognition of the outside factors that influence those choices, such as contenders wishing to sing the same songs or artists refusing to allow or clear particular tracks for use on the show.
On Tuesday, Michael Johns was criticized for choosing the hard-rocking Aerosmith song “Dream On” after earning scads of praise for his soulful take on Dolly Parton’s “It’s So Wrong But It’s So Right” last week. America agreed with the judges, surprisingly eliminating the good-natured Aussie on Thursday.
I Do Not Celebrate Michael Johns Going Home
No, I’m not ready to talk about it quite yet.
But I must ask - Is Michael Johns the most shocking elimination on American Idol ever?
Sure we’ve had jaw-dropping ousters before but never this early. Jennifer Hudson was eliminated in the seventh round in season three. Chris Daughtry made it to the top four before he was eliminated in season five.
To give it more perspective, Sanjaya actually didn’t get eliminated until the next round last year.
I actually think that having Kristy Lee Cook still in the competition is more damaging to the show’s credibility (and yes the show does currently have credibility) than Sanjaya was last season. Kristy is a good singer but she is mediocre and ordinary by American Idol standards.
“American Idol:” A “Shock?” Really?
Come on, come on, come on, people. Get a grip!
GET A GRIP!
The exit of Michael Johns is not, repeat not, shocking.
Yet why has the morning buzz turned to a morning roar - that Johns exit was like some sort of amazing turn, totally unexpected, profoundly terrible, etc.? Michael Johns’ exit has become, all of a sudden, this season’s Next Big Flap, the First Big Flap being lap dancing pictures-or-whatever of David Hernandez.
I just saw Kelly Ripa do a Paula - Omygod omygod omygod (goes Kelly). He was a latter day JIM MORRISON.
What? Kelly, you were born like 30 years after Morrison died. How would you know what Jim Morrison was like.
Give Me the Two and a Half Hours You Stole From Me and I’ll Send My Own Goddamn Mosquito Net
First off; TWO AND A HALF HOURS?!?!?!?!?!?!? Oh. My. God. I shoulda started this crap earlier. I have to warn you right now. This might get ugly.
Eight jillion people are watching tonight. Do you know how many five packs of Crayons that will buy if everyone just donated a dime? I don’t, but it’s enough to make all the starving people of the world salivate while they watch this show on their forty two inch plasmas. Calm down, starving people! You’ll get your money. Can’t tell you how, or when, or how much, or what percentage of what’s donated tonight, or really anything since last years numbers STILL haven’t been released, but mark my words. You will get a mosquito net at the very least.
‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds
Michael Johns Charitably Sent Packing Kiss that ascot goodbye after the Aussie’s “Dream On” failed to inspire on “Idol Gives Back” week.
Jesus Idol: Contestants ask WWJD? I ask WTF???
You know that feeling you got in your stomach when you saw those cheerleaders beating up that poor, defenseless 16-year-old girl? Or when you saw that student beating up her teacher? That knot-in-your-stomach feeling is what I have right now.
What the hell happened to my favorite karaoke show? First Kristy Lee Cook vomits out “Proud To Be An American” and America eats it up and votes the hell out of her. Now we’ve moved on to singing praise to Jesus? Why be so specific? There are plenty of ridiculous Christian songs that are just as corny and awful that don’t resort to dropping JC’s name.
But I guess I just need to face the facts and move on. American Idol is going evangelical on us. Fine. Then the rest of the show has to hold up to this new squeaky clean image. Sure previous shows have featured contestants who have posed nude on the internet (Frenchie Davis, Antonella Barber), been arrested for cocaine possession (Jessica Sierra), and even been locked up after beating up their own family members (Corey Clark), but that’s all in the past. New, clean Idol from here on out.
How Did Idol Decide to Use Shout to the Lord
Last Fall we were working on The Next Great American Band - essentially, an Idol for bands. On an episode we had in which the song selection was to be Judges Choice, one of our judges, Sheila E, had recommended for one of our contest bands, the song, “Shout To The Lord” by Hillsongs from Australia. When my associate, Max, was trying to find that song, he ran across “Shout Unto God” by Hillsong United. We found it by accident, but both Sheila & our executive producer, Nigel, loved it. So, Nigel kept it in the back of his mind until he found the perfect application for it & we are all quite delighted to get to be able to have your song performed by our Idol Finalists on this very special episode, our benefit show, Idol Gives Back!
Simon Cowell responds to Kevin Spacey’s Andrew Lloyd Webber comments
Mr Spacey, the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre, said recently that BBC1 talent shows such as How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, Any Dream Will Do and I’d Do Anything were creating unfair competition.
Over the last two years, BBC1 has cast stars in two Lord Lloyd-Webber shows - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Sound of Music - both of which went on to be big commercial hits.
Mr Spacey criticised the shows for distorting the theatre market in favour of musicals instead of straight plays.
But Mr Cowell, whose ITV1 shows make him arch rival to Lord Lloyd-Webber, defended the BBC’s right to do the shows and compared Mr Spacey’s view with Soviet-style planning.
“It sounds like Russia in the Sixties, that mentality,” said Mr Cowell. “I don’t think that applies to the modern world.”
mark. Signs 19 Recordings/Jive Recording Artist Jordin Sparks as First-Ever Representative Spokesperson
mark., the boutique beauty and fashion brand from Avon, announced today that it has partnered with 19 Recordings/Jive Recording Artist Jordin Sparks. In this newly established role, Jordin will be mark.’s first-ever spokesperson for its sales Representatives.
Jordin was mark.’s first sales Representative when the brand launched in 2003, and in her new role she will share inspirational messages and advice with the brand’s Representatives. Jordin will appear in a nationwide Representative advertising campaign targeting college campuses and will be seen in the brand’s magalog. In addition, she will be featured on mark. websites (meetmark.com and markgirl.com) as well the brand’s social networking pages on facebook and myspace. Jordin’s partnership initiatives are slated to begin in summer 2008.
Related Posts
“LOL. I’m going to re-listen to that later and see at which points little Archie is going to do his heavy breathing, and at which point he might possibly pass out.”
Since David Cook suffers from high blood pressure, shouldn’t we also assume that going for the high notes combined with the stress of the finale will also cause him to pass out? I’m sure watching them both collapse on stage will be equally hilarious. LOL
Yeah, since he sucked singing that Rihanna song. Or on ANY of the group numbers they’ve done this season. None of which were emo songs.
Oh, and he has a musical theater background. I’m betting he’s gonna knock it out of the park on Andrew Lloyd Webber week. We’ll see about the other two.
ETA:
LMAO. I might have registered twice. Hey, I still have 3 more valid email addresses I could use, too. Don’t tempt me. ;)
Haha, cheese. If I ever get off my lazy butt and actually vote, I’ll probably register a few times, too, just so I can rate high for the ones that’d fit Cookie and rate 1’s for the songs with “DAVID ARCHULETA FTW!!!1ONE!1″ written all over them.
I think the coronation song decides who wins. Correct me if I’m wrong, but every year, the winner is always the one who has the better performance (maybe with the exception of Season 2).
I’m definitely giving 10’s to the decent rock ones and 1’s to the boring ballads (gosh, I’m just as bad as the Archies!)
It does and it is, prime. It also gives Simon the chance to say “I think you’ve done enough to win this competition”, you know, for any voters who MIGHT have been on the fence about who to vote for.
I personally enjoyed Cookie’s “emo” version of “Shout to the Lord.”
I think you’re right about the coronation song. I think I could have beaten Kat after her performance of My Destiny.
All the contestants are so different this year, I wonder if TPTB would arrange a “tie” in the songwriting contest if they decide for whatever reason that no one will want to buy Archie’s CD with 12 ballads? Just to give the other guy/girl a fighting chance?
At this point, I’ll be shocked if it’s not a David Vs. David, finale. One can still hope, though. Actually, I’d be thrilled if Jason makes top 4 and gets signed to an indie label. Much less pressure that way. :-) It would be fun to see CC on their hometown visits, though. I have no interest in Archie’s.
Aww. I’d probably end up cracking up if Archie collapsed (I know, I’m heartless), but then my heart would break if Cookie fell, too. :(
Yerp. The coronation song seems to always be in the favor of the contestant who is favored to win, and I’ve heard that the finalists aren’t allowed to mess with the songs at all — they either sing it the way it is, or…they sing it the way it is. That’s why Bo and Blake pretty much sucked on the coronation songs.
I’m re-listening to “The Time of my Life” now. My guess is that Archie will pass out about midway through the second glory note at the end or so. If not earlier, but whatever.
Re: the Rhianna group song, I thought Syesha sounded great on it. She needs to stop with the belting ballads and do something fun and upbeat.
I would love to see Jason and DC in the top 4. What concerns me is this stupid Boy-Girl-Boy-Girl-Boy elimination order that’s been going on so far. It really seems manipulated to me. If it continues, one of them has to go on Top 6 week. *sniff* I really thought at the beginning of Top 12 that there would be 4 guys and 2 girls in the top 6, and possibly only 1 girl in the top 5. Guess I was wrong.
I think eliminations have gone like this before, but I can’t remember if it lasted through the whole season and I’m too lazy to think about it. Where is Kirsten? : )
“I’m re-listening to “The Time of my Life” now. My guess is that Archie will pass out about midway through the second glory note at the end or so. If not earlier, but whatever.”
I still think Cookie will hit the pavement first. So we can place bets on it.
Yeah, no kidding.
I thought Jason also sounded surprisingly good on that too- I couldn’t help but smile!
I just started a thread for the songwriting contest! :)
Good point. I guess it would be too much to ask that three girls go in the next three weeks? I can see two in a row, but not three. Gah.
ETA: Never mind, Syesha. Don’t listen to me. Belt them out!
PM, JC doing Rhianna made me smile, too.
hmmm let me think. Seasons 1 & 2 will be tough for me to remember since I didn’t watch those. But I can do season 3 on.
Season 3:
12. Leah Labelle
11. Matt Rogers
10. Amy Adams
9. Camile Velasco
8. Jon Peter Lewis
7. Jennifer Hudson
6. John Stevens
5. George Huff
4. Latoya London
3. Jasmine Trias
2. Diana DeGarmo
1. Fantasia
Season 4:
12. Lindsay Cardinale
11. Mikalah Gordon
10. Jessica Sierra
9. Nikko Smith
8. Nadia Turner
7. Anwar Robinson
6. Constantine Maroulis
5. Scott Savol
4. Anthony Federov
3. Vonzell Solomon
2. Bo Bice
1. Carrie Underwood
Season 5:
12. Melissa McGhee
11. Kevin Covais
10. Lisa Tucker
9. Mandisa
8. Bucky Covington
7. Ace Young
6. Kellie Pickler
5. Paris Bennett
4. Chris Daughtry
3. Elliott Yamin
2. Katharine McPhee
1. Taylor Hicks
Season 6:
12. Brandon Rogers
11. Stephanie Edwards
10. Chris Sligh
9. Gina Glocksen
8. Haley Scarnato
7. Sanjaya Malakar
6. Phil Stacey
5. Chris Richardson
4. Lakisha Jones
3. Melinda Doolittle
2. Blake Lewis
1. Jordin Sparks
So, looking at seasons 4 and 6, it’s not impossible to believe that we could lose 3 girls in a row. Season 6 lost 3 guys in a row. And season 4 also lost 3 girls in a row at the very beginning and 4 guys in a row toward the end.
*crossing fingers*
On the first version of Shout To The Lord, thought David Cook did an incredible vocal job on his parts! Arrangement was changed slightly on the second performance of it. And on the one Rhiana song Jason C. showed he could do dat stuff.
Sarah, you scare me just a little bit. : ). That was fast. Thanks for the lists. I just keep looking at the Top 7 this year and thinking wtf? at all the girls who are still there. The boy-girl-boy-girl thing wasn’t as prevalent in previous seasons as I thought. Obviously, this season is an abomination and three girls must leave to please the Idol gods.
LOL cheese. I unfortunately have a great memory for random details like that. I’d totally kick ass at an American Idol themed Trivial Pursuit.
(disclaimer: it is not just AI stats that I remember. I’m not that scary. LOL.)
LOL, Sarah. I’d have no doubt you’d win at something like that by a MILE. I only remember about half of the eliminations you listed down, hah.
Season 1
10) EJay Day
9) Jim Verraros
8) A.J. Gil
7) Ryan Starr
6) Christina Christian
5) RJ Helton
4) Tamyra Gray
3) Nikki McKibbin
2) Justin Guarini
1) Kelly Clarkson
Season 2
12) Vanessa Olivarez
11) Charles Grigsby
10) Julia DeMato
9) Corey Clark (Disqualified)
8) Rickey Smith
7) Kimberly Caldwell
6) Carmen Rasmusen
5) Trenyce
4) Joshua Gracin
3) Kimberley Locke
2) Clay Aiken
1) Ruben Studdard
No love for Jen-Hud on this board? She’s singing the theme to SATC! Go Jen-Hud!