Blame ‘Idol’s’ ratings slide on bad song choices
There are probably a lot of factors behind what’s being simultaneously lamented and hailed as the impending fall of the house of “Idol.” Even FOX executives and the show’s producers admit that part of the blame might lie on the shoulders of the nebulous “show fatigue.”
But for a show built around music, a nagging question has been slowly moving from the backs of viewers’ heads to the tips of their tongues, and it’s simple enough to articulate: What the hell is going on with the songs?
Quick: What do Dolly Parton’s “Travelin’ Thru,” Fantasia’s “I Believe,” Martina McBride’s “Anyway” and Our Lady Peace’s “Innocent” have in common? The obvious answer is that all are songs performed by the current “Idol” contestants. But there’s more to it than that. They also happen to be season seven’s only songs released in the last decade.
More Headlines After the Jump…
Castro has America in a dredlock
You’re a young guy. You’re cute. You have green eyes. You have dreadlocks. Sigh.
And who knew that young, cute and dreadlocks means that you could rule the world, since 13-year-old girls rule the world, and those 13-year-old world-ruling girls have the power to vote for you, an eh kind of singer — yes, you sing just kind of eh.
Such is the case on “American Idol,” which goes to prove that it’s not singing talent that wins you the big prize. It’s personality. It’s popularity. It’s charisma. It’s the trite things that matter, like how cute you are and how cute your dreadlocks are — not how well you sing.
What do ‘Idol,’ ‘South Park,’ and ‘Run Lola Run’ have in common?
This week’s episode of Idolatry (of course)! Watch for yourself, then weigh in on whether American Idol voters got it right this week by sending home the lovely and talented Carly Smithson. (Of course they didn’t!)
Most to Coast
While Michelle Trachtenberg snuck into the DJ booth at New Yawk’s Tenjune last week not to stalk, à la Lindsay Ronson’s fans, but to request Britney Spears’ “Piece of Me,” do you know the Gossip Girl would not leave until the DJ relented for that trashy girl’s selection (I mean Brit, natch, not darling Michelle). Too funny. Always knew there was something…toxic about M.T. Less demanding, far more sly was American Idol teen-tart David Archuleta and his stage pops, Jeff, checking out some reading material at the Barnes & Noble at Hell-Ay’s the Grove. Last Wednesday night.
The talented (OK, I admit it, just think he mugs too damn much) demidude sported some jeans and a jacket—whaddya expect? Style isn’t exactly second nature to li’l David the way singing is. D.A. and his dad were relaxed while reading, since the day’s elimination had already been taped earlier and he knew he was safe. Well, not safe from fans of course, since the Grove is honey to celeb-hungry tourist bees, trust. The wispy-voiced Arch-babe was all sorts of adorable, totally down to earth and grateful for the good vibes, and his supposedly scary stage dad was sweet and polite. Guess Dina Lohan he is not, good news for Daviekins’ sanity.
Jordin Sparks: Like A Virgin
Seeing as this is the ‘Sexual Eruption’ special, we decided to get another point of view on putting out! Who better to talk to than 2007 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks who has decided to wait until her wedding night before jumping those bones. Emmanuel Ezugwu discovers why…
“It was really cool because I walked on the set and she was sitting there with Chris Brown and I was like ‘I can’t believe she’s here,’” says a giggly Jordin Sparks, who last year, at the age of 17 became the youngest ever person to win American Idol. “She told me that she loved the song. It was really cool hearing that from one of my peers.”
The ‘She’ to whom Sparks refers is none other than Bajan chart topper Rihanna, who came out to visit Jordin during her recent No Air video shoot. The Underdogs produced song, which follows up Jordin’s debut single Tattoo, features her and Chris Brown getting pretty darned intimate. Difficult enough with the intrusive camera glare, let alone with the added pressure of having his rumoured girlfriend on set.
Motorcycle fest making its debut next weekend
Ahhh, springtime. Flowers bloom, birds sing - and in downtown San Bernardino chrome gleams and motorcycles roar.
It’s time for renewal of the Earth, and for the inaugural Berdoo Bikes & Blues Rendezvous.
All things bright and shiny rumble into downtown San Bernardino, starting Friday.
The two-day festival is a celebration of motorcy-cles and music that will include live entertainment, cruising, “show and shine” displays of custom bikes, food and merchandise vendors.
Continuous live entertainment on two stages includes Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers on the Time Warner D Street Stage at 7 p.m. Saturday.
“American Idol” finalist Amanda Overmyer, a nurse and Harley-Davidson enthusiast, will make a personal appearance at the downtown event. She will perform the national anthem at 6 p.m. Friday on the Time Warner D Street Stage and will sign autographs from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Jon Bon Jovi, Chris Daughtry offer Forum crowd ballads galore, a little booty-shaking
TAMPA — When you think about it, or drink about it, Chris Daughtry is basically a hairless version of Jon Bon Jovi. Both hunks excel at a slick brand of bar rock that is essentially, harmlessly, identically cut from the same chords and choruses. You come to their shows not to ponder, but to party, everyman escapism in its loudest form.
Of course, Bon Jovi, New Jersey’s second-favorite rock son, has been selling-out stadiums for 25 years now.
Daughtry, who famously did not win American Idol, has only been around since 2006, his self-titled disc the fastest-selling debut rock album in SoundScan history.
So while their double bill at the St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday was an inspired pairing, one that sent a humongous crowd of 20,537 into a three-hour tizzy, there was no doubt which act should be genuflecting to the other.
Clay Aiken After Broadway
Clay Aiken’s run on Broadway with Spamalot will end on May 4th. So what’s next for the former American Idol contestant-turned actor and pop star? Aiken will be releasing a new album reportedly titled On My Way Here, to be released on May 6th; the first single off the album will be “On My Way Here,” a song written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic. Amazon has a preview of the title track here.
Antimusic.com reports that Clay Aiken will be appearing on the Jimmy Kimmel Show on ABC May 16th at 12:05 am EST (the appearance was originally planned for May 15th but got pushed back a day). Aiken will also make an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 12th to promote the album.
And if that’s not enough Clay news for you, he will also be on QVC’s Qsessions Live on Monday, April 28th from 7:00-8:00 pm EST, where he will perform songs from the new album as well as be present for QVC’s Clay Aiken Gadgets & Gizmos session. QVC will be offering a special 5-track Bonus CD along with a specially-packaged version of “On My Way Here.”
A grand Grand Gala
National Basketball Association All-Star Dwyane Wade, Star Jones and “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks will attend the seventh annual Grand Gala on the evening of the Kentucky Derby at the Galt House Hotel & Suites.
NBA legends Michael Jordan and Julius “Dr. J” Erving return to Louisville for the affair, which begins with a red-carpet walk at 9 p.m.
Comedian Chris Tucker will emcee the event. Earth, Wind & Fire will keep guests groovin’ at the soiree.
“What can you say? I mean, Earth, Wind & Fire!” said Grand Gala organizer Rohena Miller of the headlining musical act.
“Now we’re at a point where we’re just having fun,” she said.
Talladega Superspeedway Notebook ~ Sunday
Taylor Hicks, winner of the fifth season American Idol competition and Jeff Green look alike, was on hand at Talladega Superspeedway to perform the National Anthem prior to the Sunday, April 27th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Aaron’s 499 race. Early fall “Soul Patrol” fans can expect ‘Whomp At The Warfield’ a DVD of Taylor’s concert at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, CA. Currently he is working in Nashville, TN on a new album due out later this year. Hicks recently participated in the Asian American Idle and has an huge “Soul Patrol” following in the Philippines. Taylor made - is exactly what his career will be, he currently does not have a record label contract, but stated he could see himself with 20 different labels during his career. Fans could tell Hicks was not a follower, but he is warm and a pleasure to speak with.
Fremantle logs ‘LoveRace’
“LoveRace,” a reality skein targeted at adults 18-25, is broken into two segments: casting, which begins in the fall, and the six-week competition, which begins in February. Femme contestants will submit their online vids and create their own profile pages on various social networks, including Facebook and MySpace. Aud members will then choose 12 women for the competish.
During the competition, contestants will post videos trying to convince the men to go on a date with them; the men, in turn, will post videos attempting to convince the femmes that they are one to date. FMX, FremantleMedia’s new-media division, plans on integrating brand sponsors into the competish; if it lines up a mobile phone sponsor, for example, the competish would contain a texting component.
Britain’s Got Talent: The eight-year-old comic who returned to make fun of Simon Cowell
The judges did not like Alex Lees’s voice when he sang at an audition in his home city and instead told him to come back with a comedy routine.
Luckily, he took the judges’ advice and wowed the crowd with his performance last night - by poking fun at Simon Cowell.
The gutsy eight-year-old sported a pair of star-shaped sunglasses as part of his comedy routine, joking that he was shielding his eyes from Cowell’s sparkling white teeth.
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Totally agree with Tony and jpfan. Jason is so overrated. I mean, I don’t like many singers on AI, but I have to say they have vocal abilities that I don’t have. I just can’t see much difference between Jason and my roommate, who also plays guitar and sings better than him, or any other street corner singers. I think he is this year’s Sanjaya :-)
Okay, that song is precisely why Cocky McSmugface is deserving of the win. He’s got a built-in voice for radio, has got some killer songwriting and arranging skills, and he will undoubtedly sell. Whether he can become a “success” à la KellyCarrieDaughtry, we’ll see.
The top ten tour pic is up!
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1811/top10tourphotoqo8.jpg
Holy whiteness, Batman!
ETA: Back to an earlier topic… I think if anyone is “at risk” because of Nigel’s comments and Jason’s angry fanbase, it’s Brooke. She’s probably splitting some votes with Jason and she got a pass.
Photoshopped? DC’s hair still wasn’t in the “hot” stage at that point.
While I agree both David’s should probably be a little worried about Jason’s angry rabid fanbase, I’ll never believe for a second TPTB WANT David Cook out this early. No way. I think Nigel & co. are just too stupid to realize they’re antics may backfire.
I may have to lift my anti-voting because I’m a pissed MJ fan voting pledge this week and vote for DC, because frankly, with all due respect to Jason if he outlasted DC or David A.) I would be done with this show for good.
HEY - IM NOT AN ANGRY RABID JASON FAN, JUST A MOTHER OF THREE THAT LOVES JASON AND DAVID C AND WANT TO SEE THEM THRU TO THE END
I think this is photoshopped. Some of them look pasted in. What is that look on Brooke’s face?!? “What am I doing here??”
I REALLY REALLY THINK THAT THERE IS NO WAY IN THE WORLD THAT DAVID C WILL BE VOTED OFF. THE ONE THEY ARE WORRYING ABOUT BEING VOTED OFF IS DAVID A
IN THE TOP TEN PIC - WHO DO YOU SEE TOGETHER IN THE CENTER? SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE?
Why is KLC the only one smiling in that pic? Did she not get the memo that she was supposed to look all serious?
Why are all the guys wearing such light colors while David C. is wearing dark brown? Weird.
Cuz he the dark horse, darn it!
Jason aint leaving, and neither are the Davids. In danger now are Syesha and Brooke.
I was going to write about his alleged “emo-ness”, but that’s spot on right there. :D
Brooke’s outfit in that pic, Photoshopped or not, is the best thing she’s worn all season. Her life, maybe.
Dark brown? I thought it was (dark) gold lame. Whew!
I think it actually IS dark gold, purps…it’s shining in spots.
MJ is making an unfortunate facial expression in that picture, but most of them look good, albeit somewhat shiny.
Out of curiosity, I hunted down the Extra episode where they interviewed Nigel about Carly’s eliminatation. Here it is.
Nigel Talks about Carly’s elimination
He says that Jason was the weakest that night, but didn’t say he should have gone home instead of Carly. I think OK may have been putting a few words in Nigel’s mouth.
Jason = Sanjaya?? Surely you jest! Sanjaya never had a truly good Idol performance. Jason has had 2 Idol moments, and several other very well received performances. I disagree.
Well, he cut it between top 10 and top 9 week, so it could have been right after it was cut. Or maybe the picture was just taken later? Who knows.
I thought the same thing about KLC being the only one smiling and MJ’s odd facial expression.
That’s a lot of white and gold.
Awwww come on, MJ. Are you trying to say that a gossip rag would sensationalize a story like that?! *gasp*
Brooke looks startled in that picture. Hehehehe.
Why does MJ look like he’s about to solve a crime? “A-ha! The butler did it!”
grrr - it’s a good thing I wasn’t drinking my bottle of water just then. You would owe me a new computer!
LOL. That is complete and utter WIN.
Maybe. It still looks Photoshopped to me, though.
I remember Michael saying in one of his post-boot interviews that the tour promo pictures were taken the day after his elimination and he said he was so worn out he expected to look lousy LOL
For comparison, here is last year’s tour pic.
Ummmm…I think I like this year’s better.
I can see why everyone is wearing something off of the white/gold/tan palette this season…
I wasn’t going to say anything but, Gina…? C’mon! Melinda looks like she’s going in for a day at the office…. But, at least their all smiling.
I don’t like that Brooke is in front of Michael. That’s just wrong.
Hmm… just looking at the 2 pictures, I think this year’s tour is going to do better than last year’s did. Say what you will, but I think there is better talent this year in the Top 10, and more Idols that people would actually pay to go and see.
Thanks, MJ. But Nigel did make a dig that Jason’s popularity kept him in the show, as opposed to his singing. That irked me. The quote is there, when he refers to the fan base. It was on the Extra site too when it first came to light. I disagree with Nigel and don’t think it’s his job to make comments like that. I know he does it every year. Doesn’t make it kosher to me.
LOL. I’m such a fantard.
It truly bothers me that these articles about Jason fail to mention that the viewers did not see his audition or any Hollywood week material, therefore he had a late start in establishing his fan base. He is different, refreshing, and I like his voice as well as his looks. For me, Jason represents the whole concept of finding undiscovered, raw talent. I am so happy he has gotten this far!
Also, he has many fans over the age of 40 years old, and many that are Grandmas. Yep PJ, they have started throwing him under the bus.
So happy to hear Taylor is having fun and doing what he wants to do - sing!
I personally like the theme nights, just NOT for the top 24. That’s just all kinds of wrong. Now, on to serious matters, cause you know MJ isn’t the only one who loves this cheesy show.
My theory, for what it’s worth, and, probably not much, is that they are going for a singer/songwriter winner this year. Wanna know why? Well, even if you don’t, I’m gonna tell you.
Look at the mentors they lined up: Dolly, Mariah, Neil, and, then throw old crotch pants, ALW in there. HE isn’t a singer, but, he writes the songs.
Several times this year, Randy has used the singer/songwriter verbage. For the most part, whatever Randy says is garbage, but, if you pick through the trash, you can hear what the producers are after. Yep, the winner will be a singer/songwriter. My guess is that DC is going to win, and, even though I’m a Jason fan, I think DC is the whole package. I want Jason in the finale because I think David A. is just too boring. They’re after another Ruben/Clay finale. That was the bomb!
I didn’t find this posted anywhere else, so I apologize if it was.
A copy of the survey that FOX has been circulating about AI:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/28/fox-considering-major-cha_n_98910.html
If TPTB really don’t want Jason in the finale and fear him as a spoiler, they will find a way to sabotage him and do it THIS week.
I wouldn’t mind that so much.
No argument there. Not. At. All.