The ride is over for one ‘Idol’ contestant
Kristy Lee Cook survived on “American Idol” much longer than most expected when the finals began. So it’s ironic that the week she was eliminated was one in which she spent most of the night looking like she was safe.
With seven finalists remaining entering the results show, host Ryan Seacrest continued the recent “Idol” tradition of having three contestants line up to his right and three others to his left. Kristy Lee Cook was accompanied by David Cook and Brooke White, while the other side featured Jason Castro, Carly Smithson and Syesha Mercado. David Archuleta remained backstage.
‘American Idol’ Recap: Too Many Cooks
It’s only been a week since American Idol gave back, but in its two subsequent results shows, America’s favorite talent competition has worked overtime to undo much of the good will fostered by its A-list-y fundraising drive.
Last Thursday, we had to endure Ryan Seacrest emotionally pistol-whipping all-around nice guy Michael Johns. And once again last night, the show’s producers worked overtime to psychologically torment the show’s seven remaining contestants — and by extension, the 30 million folks who’ve been cheering them on for the last nine weeks.
On the Scene: Idol Results Show
The palindrome is dead; all hail the palindrome. Yes, PopWatchers, just when I was starting to like her, Kristy Lee “KLK” Cook — wide stance, Evita hands, MechaZilla survival skills and all — was asked to leave Idol’s dwindling island tonight, during an episode most remarkable for its complete mindfrak of an elimination construct. This was a night which will also forever live in infamy as the first and hopefully only time I’ll be hypnotized into downloading an American Idol iTune. Damn you, David Cook, and your infernal talent. You’re making me go all soft! Between your bizarrely appealing emo versions of cheesy songs I love and the persistent, itchy crush I’ve developed on Seacrest, I don’t even know who I am anymore. What’s next? I start watching Dancing with the Stars? I buy a Clay Aiken CD? I stop being totally creeped out by all these group numbers in which the Idol contestants sing about God and praying?
‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds
MTV News’ ‘Idol’ expert Jim Cantiello boils down a week’s worth of stunning performances, pitchy notes and shocking eliminations to a bite-size minute.
American Idol: Top 6 Revealed
Well, I think the Mariah Carey performances went better than expected. We got slid vocal performances from all three guys and at least half the girls. I’d predict a three-female “Bottom Three,” but last week showed us just how unpredictable this show can be. And Mariah Carey performs because what better way to whore her new album, E=MC2, than to do it on the largest stage in America.
Kristy Lee Unhorsed; David on High Horse
David A., looking queasy backstage in a too-small red leather jacket (but thankfully, no weird black leather pants like the night before), was summoned forth, pronounced safe and ordered by Seacrest to go stand with whichever group he thought was safe.
He sat down instead. “I just wanna stay here,” he said.
Okay, okay, so maybe it was more an act of paralyzing indecision than bring-on-the-pepper-spray civil disobedience, but unless he’s the surprise guest mentor next week, this is as close to Gandhi as “Idol” is going to get.
Lack of singer personalities concerns Cowell
A non-remonstrative Simon Cowell had a simple explanation as to why Michael Johns got the boot last week from “American Idol” - and it appears conspiracy theorists get it but the contestants do not.
“You cannot deliver an uninspired performance at the top of the show,” Cowell said in an interview that mostly concerned the chart success of Leona Lewis. “And you can’t be up there imitating another singer.”
As our conversation turned toward song selection, I noted that Aerosmith’s “Dream On” did not fit the definition of inspirational, just because the word “dream” is in the title.
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Cowell chimed in.
‘American Idol’ rules iTunes
iTunes doesn’t include live individual American Idol performances or recordings in its weekly chart of the most downloaded songs, but if the online music retailer did, the Idols would likely be landing near the top. Just consider the artists they’ve covered: After David Cook name-checked Chris Cornell’s version of “Billie Jean,†sales jumped from 224 to 14,861 weekly downloads, while Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah,†sung by Jason Castro, shot to the top of the charts with sales of 174,553. As for video performances, after April 9’s Idol Gives Back, six clips hit the top 10, including the Idols’ opening number cover of Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music,†which went all the way to No. 1, beating new videos by Madonna and Mariah Carey. Apple’s iTunes store was recently named the top music retailer in the country, surpassing Wal-Mart for the first time. Could Idol be the reason why?
‘American Idol’: Is Archuleta Overpraised?
Well, obviously I didn’t make it to the top 7 during my season. But from what I’ve been told, every week is about the same. However, I don’t really have any ”behind-the-scenes” insight… I’ll just be doing a review of the singers last night. Before I get started, though, I want to call out America: Seriously, people, Michael Johns?!! Michael Johns! I thought he was gonna be around for a while. I mean, Paula put him in her top 4! Don’t you listen to Paula? And moving on….
The end of ‘Rainbow’ is nowhere in sight, thanks to ‘Idol’
Maybe it’s that image of carefree bluebirds or just the lilting lullaby tone, but there’s something about Over the Rainbow that warms the heart and makes cash registers ring.
The latest star turn for the tune written for Judy Garland’s Dorothy in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz came last week, when dreadlocked American Idol finalist Jason Castro plinked out the song on ukulele.
Castro’s rendition not only kept him in the competition, it also spawned a 700% increase in sales and a huge jump (from No. 187 to No. 11) on Nielsen SoundScan’s digital songs chart for the 1993 version recorded by the late Hawaiian giant Bruddah Iz, aka Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
Tuesday ratings hit highs and lows
Who won Tuesday night in the Nielsens is a matter of perspective.
Fox’s “American Idol” won, because it was the highest rated (23 million viewers, 8.6 rating among adults 18-49 and a 23 share).
NBC’s “Biggest Loser” finale (11.2 million, 4.4/11) won, because it matched its season high and was only down 4% from its December closer despite being up against “Idol.”
Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” (11.1 million, 4.9/12) was a winner because it maintained the same percentage of “Idol” viewers during its third week.
Except all the wins have a catch: “Idol” had its worst Tuesday rating since 2003. “Loser” was fourth-ranked overall for the night. And “Hell’s” declined a couple notches due to the lowered lead-in.
AI Aftermath: 8th place finishers - VIDEOS
Welcome back to “AI Aftermath,” where we explore Idol’s past. Each week, as one more American Idol hopeful is eliminated from the competition, we take a look back at contestants past who were eliminated in the same week. We’ll examine how they did on the show and what they’ve been up to since their eliminations. In honor of Michael Johns’ elimination last week we’ll be looking at other eighth place finishers.
This week: 8th place finishers, featuring featuring A.J. Gil (Season One), Rickey Smith (Season Two), Jon Peter Lewis (Season Three), Nadia Turner (Season Four), Bucky Covington (Season Five) and Haley Scarnato (Season Six).
Well, I’ve Never!!!!
Yesterday, TabÏ Ultra Lounge at MGM Grand welcomed music superstar, Carrie Underwood, as she taped her latest video for her new single “Last Name.” The sexy nightlife venue set the scene for the song’s tale of a young woman who visits Vegas for a girls’ getaway weekend, and wakes up after a night of partying to find herself married to a sweet-talking man whose last name she cannot remember. The concept of the music video is a prequel to her award-winning “Before He Cheats†video where she originally meets her love interest.
Carrie Underwood Teams Up with 50 Cent
A little over a week ago, the people over at VitaminWater merged country with hip-hop - teaming former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood with rap superstar 50 Cent for a brand new ad campaign.
The two joked around while filming athletic sequences including a boxing routine at the Ironbound Recreation Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Bon Jovi takin’ a country road
Daughtry was one of the first contestants to push “Idol†out of pop music, and his band’s songs “It’s Not Over†and “Home†were top 10 hits. Members of Bon Jovi became fans early in his time on the show.
“He was doing a bunch of our songs on ‘American Idol,’ so it was clear he was a fan and had a lot of respect for what we did,†Sambora said. “We gave him a test drive when we did 10 nights in New Jersey, and he went over really well with the audience. Now we’re fast friends with him. It was kismet.â€
Former Idol Finalist Melinda Doolittle in Town to Hawk Ice Cream, Talk Idol
Former “American Idol†finalist Melinda Doolittle returned to St. Louis, her youthful stomping grounds, and she was definitely in chill mode.
She was here to talk up Edy’s Slow Churned American Idol ice cream flavors, and also to perform a private mini-concert Wednesday night at a local fan’s home.
Doolittle, who spent her first ten years in St. Louis, says “There’s five new flavors, and just like on ‘Idol,’ we’re letting people decide what they want to stay on the shelves. People can go to www.slowchurned.com and vote for their favorite. I’m campaigning for mint karaoke cookie.â€
OK, but who’s going to win “American Idol†this season?
Country star Kellie Pickler, others will appear at America’s River Fest
The 2008 America’s River Festival will feature music headliners with more of a country flair after the pursuit of some rock groups apparently didn’t pan out.
“American Idol” performer Kellie Pickler will headline the three-day festival, organizers announced Tuesday morning at a press conference at the Grand River Center.
Pickler, who finished sixth on “Idol” two years ago and is fresh off winning some of the more prominent awards in country music, is booked to perform Friday, June 13. Also scheduled to appear are country music acts Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town on Saturday.
K104 announces lineup for KFEST
K104’s annual KFEST concert will be held June 1 and feature Wyclef Jean, Sean Kingston, Pitbull, Sum 41, Blake Lewis , Cherish, David Guetta featuring Chris Willis, Enur featuring Karen and Metro Station.
Fishkill-based WSPK (104.7 FM) will return to Dutchess Stadium for its annual concert.
Advance tickets cost $39. The station is making 100 “pit passes” available for $100 each. These provide admission to special sections close to the stage. Visit www.k104online.com for information.
Taylor Hicks to Perform National Anthem at Talladega
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WBRC-TV MyFoxAL.com) — An American Idol winner from Alabama will sing the National Anthem prior to the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Spring Cup Series race at the Talladega Superspeedway.
Taylor Hicks will do the honors Sunday, April 27th.
Artists Added to Lineup for 2008 CMA Music Festival Nightly Concerts on the Vault Concert Stages at LP Field
The excitement builds for 2008 CMA Music Festival as Trace Adkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Kenny Rogers and Randy Travis are added to the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT(TM) Concert Stages at LP Field. The four-day festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8, in Downtown Nashville.
“We are thrilled to host these great performers at CMA Music Festival this year,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This group is a great mix of today’s hottest Country radio artists and legends. We know our attendees are going to enjoy them all.”
On the Scene: Mariah night on American Idol
Then something happened that I’ve never seen before: David came off the stage and straight out into the audience, ignoring the clamoring “moshers” to make a beeline for his cancer-stricken brother, Adam, who was seated behind the judging platform. Massive hugging ensued. This was, even for me, a really kind of amazingly touching moment, despite the fact that I thought David was just hugging his mother and uncle or something until after the show when Rushfield informed me that I should really try reading the Internet every once in a while. The judges greeted Adam warmly, and the three also give David a few more props: Simon pointing fondly in his face as if to say, “You. You were… magical”; Paula hugging him; Randy clasping his shoulder very sincerely. During this tissue-worthy drama, much of the crowd was occupied by Corey, who was presenting a miniscule boy with his very own signed copy of Guitar Hero.
Mariah Carey Night Marks Coming of Age
Before the show even started, there was a feeling in the Idoldome of the normally near-hysterical pandemonium of the crowd having been lifted to new heights. And as the seven took the stage, lining up during the final countdown before the cold open, it suddenly struck that this was no longer a lineup of hopeful wannabes; these contestants have become icons. Lined up all together, they now seemed to bring something bigger then themselves, to represent the hopes, aspirations and shared experiences of the millions of fans who have seen them battle through to this point. There was suddenly the sense of watching not a group brought together for this occasion of unknowns hoping to break through, but a supergroup of established names coming together for one climactic explosion.
‘American Idol’ Recap: Teary David Cook, Powerful David Archuleta Master Mariah Carey Night
Question: When it comes to picking a song on “American Idol,” whose catalog, aside from Whitney’s, Aretha’s and Celine’s, should you avoid at all costs?
Answer: That of Tuesday night’s guest mentor (who also happens to be MTV’s Artist of the Week), Mariah Carey!
Devoting an entire night to an artist the contestants are never able to top makes about as much sense as Mariah hijacking Einstein’s theory of relativity for an album title. But I suppose if producers are ready to go off the deep end, Mariah Carey’s the perfect person with whom to do it.
Mariah Carey Catalog causes Guys to Float Like Butterflies, But Sting the Ladies
Last night on American Idol, Mariah Carey was the mentor/honoree (just in time for the release of E=MC2!), and boy, was it rough going. Randy said at the show’s outset that he was “looking for identity,” but hidden in that cryptic phrase was an unspoken message: The ladies were pretty much sunk unless they radically reinvented the songs. Rankings and reactions after the jump.
A shocker! That’s what a shocker looks like….and I betcha it had to do with Whitney Houston….the truth will come out….Where does that leave the signing of the finalist? Do they still sign with Sony/BMG? Will Weiss be sitting in the audience instead of Clive? Was it age?
Oh my, I miss Clive already.
Awwwww!!! That video of David Cook’s 5th grade solo is the definition of adorable!! I remember those kinds of school plays all too well. :)
Watching KLo on “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” right now. She’s doing great!!
I think it was the judges trying to get Archie to finally do something that wasn’t safe. Melinda’s perfectness may have been part of reason why people saw her as an amazing talent, but not a superstar. My opinion, of course.
and OMG, forget DCook for the moment, JASON SAID ON IDOL EXTRA THAT HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND NOW!!!!!! Way to break my heart Jason. Sheesh.
Amen sister! The pageant kids drive me crazy.
In regards to Idol sharing a room it’s really a two bedroom apartment. I remember that Chris and Ace shared one bedroom and Taylor and Elliott shared the other when they got to the final twelve in season 5. I don’t think they spend a lot of time there as they keep the contestants very busy. Katherine and Kellie shared a room also and became friends and Kellie was one of her bridesmaids. It’s a competition but I do think some make real friends.
Here’s a MySpace posting from Sway about being on Idol (singing backup.)
“It was a last minute thing and thought it would be a whole lot of fun to do some additional backgrounds for my good buddy. It brought back a lot memories minus the preasure! thank goodness! Plus you gotta remember i come from a background of being in singing groups and i tell you, what a treat and how good it feels to harmonize, especially with the talented beautiful ladies you see every week on the show. It was just great seeing and catching up a little with the staff and the judges. I also met the finalists this season and what a nice bunch! of course it was results day, so some of them were a little uneasy. I even joked with them and said “it’s ok, none of you have to go home this week. I went home once, I can do it again so all of you can stay” LOL!”
Wow, at the big news about Clive Davis. Expect more teen oriented music from now on.
So, now, I’m wondering if this shakeup has anything to do with Ruben and Taylor’s contracts. Sounds like they’re scrapping people, and, trying to rebuild. Very interesting news!
David didn’t lie about being single. He wasn’t asked if he was dating anyone, only if he is single. To that question, he answered truthfully. Jason, being Jason, answered truthfully.
I guess I don’t understand why fans get upset that these guys have girlfriends. It isn’t like any of us are going to date them anyway. Having said that, it usually doesn’t work out because of their busy schedules. Just ask Carrie Underwood. She has won almost every award known to country music, and, yet, her love life remains almost nil. Her career is her life at this point. Give Daughtry credit, he was married going into AI, and, it hasn’t hurt him at all. I do admire the fact, that to date, he has kept his marriage intact.
I think being married or having a known girlfriend is actually better for the Idol guys. It keeps the fans more connected with the artist and less with the “fantasy boyfriend.” When these guys show up with their inevitable gf there’s less of a backlash. Good for Jason for having one and being honest.
Michael Johns is married and that hasn’t hurt a bit in developing a female following.
I agree with that. I’m happy for Cookie if he’s found a girl to date. This must be a hard time to be alone. I also don’t find the girl in question objectionable at all, except for the fact that you’d have to spend holidays with her perpetually annoying brother.
Whoa! First time ever that Archuletta has appeared on the office pool vote tally.
Good points, JPfan. I agree that it might actually be a smart move to admit it.
I don’t have an opinion on David’s dancer, since I only saw the show a few times.
If my favorite leaves, I will vote for David Archuleta or not at all. I don’t like rock and I don’t enjoy female singers.
I did a quick search and didn’t see this posted, so forgive me if I missed it.
I was watching Fox & Friends early this morning and Simon was being interviewed from his home. He said he believes Archuleta and Cook will battle it out in the finale; but he also added: “Don’t count Jason Castro out.”
Analog Heart is now #1 on the Amazon mp3 downloads charts, beating Mariah’s E=mc2. heh.
I don’t think Jason has a chance in hell. Won’t stop my votes. LOL. Simon is just trying to create some drama about a contest that is really, really predictable.
I’m there with you, PJ. I just don’t want ANY girl squeezing Jason out of that #3 position, particularly Carly.
So much is going on tonight. I know Lacey is Mormon. Was she visiting David A. and Brooke or is this all a result of IGB? David Cook isn’t a Mormon, right? She wasn’t a favorite of mine, but the girl could dance!
More on Clive from Fox411:
Clive Will Survive — Will BMG?
How will this effect the future Idol contracts? Clive was definitely into Idol because it was artist development. By the time they got to BMG, the artists had experience and the company didn’t have to put a lot of money into them. Plus they bring fans, the company doesn’t have to build up a fan base. Normally the rec. contract was for 3 albums, 3 years, but that may change. Look to see if Clive is in the audience at the finals.
Hmmm….I’m thinking that Whitney Houston long-delayed album had more to do with it….and I betcha the company cuts Whitney loose….Clive was her best friend in the record business and wanted her comeback to be huge, but it’s been 2 years already….
I don’t think Jason will make the finale- he may have some momentum, but I don’t think he’s experienced enough. I think if he, Brooke, and archie make the top 5 their lack of versatility will really come out. When they have to do 2 songs a week. JMO.
Also, the only time in AI history that we had an all the same gender top 3 was Season 3 when it was all girls- and that was one of the most uninteresting top 3’s.
I just can’t see an all boy top 3. One girl might sneak in there because she would be getting ALL the votes of the people who like female singers.
Blake had an advantage last year being the only boy in the top 4 and I think whatever girl is left this year may have that advantage too.
I think TPTB may try to keep Syesha around, but I am just not sure her fanbase is strong enough. She’s been a bottom feeder way too much.