Ban on David Archuleta’s dad stirs a lively ‘Idol’ debate
Does David minus dad mean danger for American Idol’s presumptive front-runner?
The Associated Press and other news outlets reported over the weekend that David Archuleta’s father has been banished from rehearsals by Idol producers.
The reports say that the action came after Jeff Archuleta demanded phrasing from Sean Kingston’s Beautiful Girls be inserted into David’s rendition of Ben E. King’s Stand By Me last week. The change cost the show additional song-clearance fees. The AP cited an unidentified source associated with Idol who was familiar with the situation; an Idol spokesman declined to comment Sunday.
David’s dad has been a strong presence behind the scenes, and observers wonder what effect the loss of backstage support would mean for David, 17, as the show enters its last two weeks Tuesday (8 ET/PT, Fox).
Idolatry
At a time when radio has lost relevance, and many fans have settled on niches that are reinforced on the Web every twenty minutes with updates and free music, “American Idol†offers a recurring event that almost everybody talks about at almost the same time. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, the show attracts some twenty-five million people, and invites them to then argue about what they have watched. (Seventy-four million votes were cast in the finale of the 2007 season.) For some of the younger viewers and contestants, the songs being performed are outside their niche. The two weeks this spring that focussed on the Beatles catalogue were a revelation for anyone smug enough to think that fab is forever. (Pop is too old to have a single, collective memory anymore.) Whatever objections you may have to “Idol†’s mechanics or style, it asks singers to learn material they may not know, and sometimes even to listen to the people who wrote the songs explain them. This is something that no other content-delivery platform does right now. (A song placed in, say, “Gossip Girl†or “Iron Man†could eventually reach as many people as a song on “Idol,†but with less context.) Any enterprise that lets Dolly Parton expand on her work for an hour is adding to the common good.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…’Idol’ superhero Syesha Mercado?
Just press play…you won’t believe what this woman can do!
American Idol: Archuleta’s Dad gets the boot
I love being right.
In a blog last month, I commented that David Archuleta’s dad was being a pain in the can backstage. I got jumped on by the Archuleta supporters (not to be confused with ‘athletic supporters’ that support a different kind of little prick) for making up rumors and attacking an innocent, supportive father.
And now this comes out. David Archuleta’s dad loses ‘American Idol’ backstage pass.
David Archuleta’s Father Banned From Backstage Of American Idol
2NEWS spoke with David’s grandmother, Guadalupe Mendoza who says she loves Jeff with all of her heart and could never see him as an overbearing stage father.
“Oh, he’s the best father in the world,†Mendoza said.
Archuleta family members believe that the media are trying to dig up whatever dirt they can find. David’s uncle, Ward Eccles, believes that the obstacles are no match for David’s talent.
“No one can stop him,†Eccles said. “With a voice like that, who wouldn’t be optimistic?â€
Eccles says that he doesn’t think that the news will hurt David, because he believes David is being protected from the press.
Stars Honor their Moms
Stars are giving thanks to their moms on this Mother’s Day.
“My mom always thought I’d be famous more than I did,†Clay Aiken tells me. “She was always sure that I was going to be famous and be a singer, et cetera, et cetera. I always wanted to be a teacher. She expected this of me before I did. I think she would tell you she’s not surprised, but I’m totally surprised.â€
This year, Clay’s mom will be on a cruise, but he typically takes her out to dinner.
OK! Exclusive: On Set with Carrie Underwood
“Every facet of my life is completely different,” admits Carrie Underwood, who rocketed to stardom after being crowned the champ of American Idol’s fourth season. “My day-to-day activities are certainly different. Before when I was on stage, it’d be in front of 15 to 20 people and now some places are over 15,000!”
Idol Ogre’s Idol: Mom
Judging by his personality, we suspected Simon Cowell was hatched in an alligator nest. But now that we see that his mom is obviously a sweetheart, it’s clear Simon honed his reptilian chops in the music industry. Flee the dark side, Simon, and hug your mom more often!
Sex And The City: The Jennifer Hudson Interview
Dazzling Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson may have come a long way, baby, to where she is now, co-starring in Sex And The City: The Movie. But no matter how long or how many times this gifted songwriter, performer and actress gets to be the recipient of major star status treatment, as she described in this interview, it still never seems quite real. Jennifer also dropped hints during this girl talk session about her upcoming album, hating heels, and still saving all her love for that mystery guy back home.
Hey Jennifer, since this movie is a lot about fabulous high heels, what are the highest heels you’ve ever worn?
Networks sweat the sweep
May sweep ratings are telling broadcasters an alarming story: Since April 24, the five major networks are down an average of 21% in the key adult 18-49 demographic compared with last year. Even the season’s ratings champ Fox has dropped 11%.
Yet the situation for overall television viewing is strikingly more optimistic. The number of people using TV has actually increased — up 1%.
For the first full week of sweep data, Fox won its 17th consecutive week in the demo. The controversy over “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul critiquing a contestant’s performance that never aired did not seem to impact the show’s ratings, with the reality hit continuing to decline only a tick (Wednesday’s episode was seen by 22.8 million viewers and earned an 8.4 adults 18-49 rating and a 21 share). Yet Tuesday “Idol” lead-out “Hell’s Kitchen” (11.9 million, 5.4/13) kept growing, last week retaining 60% of “Idol” viewers.
Sinatra 10 years later: To young stars, Ol’ Blue Eyes is an ‘all-timer’
Season 6 Idol runner-up Blake Lewis recalls watching that legendary crew — Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and a few other buddies who held court in Hollywood and Las Vegas in the 1950s and ’60s — “in classic movies” as a child and admiring Sinatra for his “camaraderie with his chums” and “because he seemed to have fun every time he took the stage. This is what I try to emulate.”
David A hasn’t been #1 in the past 3 or 4 weeks.
He father spent all that time arranging songs and who would have noticed if the song had been done straight up? Not many. I agree with Kirsten — Daddy A needs to be fired for incompetence.
Re: the who has it harder discussion. DA is getting an advantage that others aren’t and that should be stopped. Season 5 there were 3 idols in school, Paris, Lisa Tucker and the Little Nebish (can’t remember his name!) with nary a complaint.
Thanks, Bobbi. I missed GMA, But, I tivoed Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Extra, Inside Edition, and all the Idol shows for all this week. Got to have my Idol fix. I did see Regis and Kelly and thought Jason was real good.
I’m really frustrated that I can’t articulate what I meant about the school thing. I wasn’t saying that it was a counterbalance to the help from Jeff. I was meaning that you can find MANY things that can be an advantage or a disadvantage to every single contestant. I just used that as ONE example. I really don’t think any contestant has it harder or easier than the other. The only thing I think for real that is a disadvantage is when a top 24 contestant isn’t shown before the first performance. Otherwise, they just have to play with the toys they have and hope for the best.
ETA I’m not meaning that as a rant against you carolina just in general that my point has been misinterpreted a lot…. my fault.
It is true that the tutor situation has never beeb a big deal in the past. Little Nebish…Covais? What a great name Nebish (cute but geeky) !
That’s it — Kevin Covais!
I get cranked, it’s all ok. I get what you’re saying and there are advantages and disadvantages that come with being a Top 12 idol.
That said, I don’t think it’s fair to offset a disadvantage by taking advantage of another aspect of the process.
Thank you and I agree with you! I’m glad I’m not a politician! I was successful at creating conversation!
You sure did create conversation IGC — what time are you posting your next observation ? I need to prepare !
Gwen I agree with part of your post.
I think DA was ahead at the beginning. Then Cook comes along and stomps all over the competition, his iTunes were pure gold. TPTB said *Woah*, now it does not really matter if they tick off JA or not because they have the best of both. TPTB have both DA & DC for awhile, I have no doubt their claws are hooked into both. It’s a win win for them.
There was some contestant, I believe season 5, who used to call his (her?) vocal teacher from high school or college for assistance. I remember them talking about that. And I think that, just like in any job, bouncing ideas off other people is necessary, unless you are super sure about everything. However, having someone do your talking for you is another story, if that is really what JA did. I think most idols have some sort of help, whether it be friend or ex-teacher to bounce ideas, but I don’t think any idol has ever had a parent talk for them during rehearsals and so forth.
I don’t think any idol is going to come out and say “No Fair!” for fear of being labeled a sore loser or baby. And the others probably feel sorry for little D like the rest of us. But remember Foghorn Leghorn when he babysat the Widow Hen’s son? Bamboozled everytime. That David probably has learned a lot of smarts and may just appear naive.
Very true. After all the drama’s done, TPTB still come out on top…clever.
Back OT, I think the only ones hurt by the Daddy Archie blowup are Syesha Mercado and David Cook, since Squinty McMormon is going NOWHERE now.
Wait, did I just violate my own rule? Hmmm…
*ahem* “McMormon” here (former, but my family’s still strong and I certainly respect them).
As I’ve said before, you don’t need to be affiliated with a certain religion to be a stage parent.
Just banning JA from rehearsals doesn’t totally solve the problem. Remember, they room together, so, daddyo still calls the shots. Jeff can help with the arrangements, but, it’s still little David who has to sing the song.
My concern is what did he do or say to the other contestants that may have thrown them off their game, if this allegation is true? And, why wasn’t something done about the badgering before the money issue came up? I honestly don’t think if AI didn’t have to pay the extra money none of this would be an issue at all.
And, if he wins, he’s also going to have to do the talk show circuits,and, that’s where his immaturity is going to kick in big time. Everything he says will include the word awesome (giggle) Although little David did step out of the box when Simon was criticizing Jason, and, said, he liked Jason’s song. That wasn’t scripted by his dad. So, I think in the future, he will be able to come around and be his own person. However, I’m still not voting.
McCatholic here !
Me too, Caro!
I feel like DA’s dad has been stifling him. Has anyone considered the possibility that DA will do BETTER without his dad hovering? Having a dad like that around all the time would make me REALLY nervous. Maybe pulling daddy out will let him relax a little.
I really have no idea what’s going to happen, but that’s another side of the story.
Either way, I think he’s gone this week. Three weeks ago, I said that the finale would be Sy and DC, and I’m sticking with my theory for the time being. DA has been slipping in popularity and Sy is stepping it up at just the right time. Plus, a lot of the general public isn’t going to know about the dadchuleta story, isn’t going to know a lot about the story, or won’t care. I don’t think the situation is going to have any bearing on the vote one way or the other.
Just my opinion!
I really hope that is what happens, KrazeeK. I’m just afraid he’s been so controlled and so sheltered all his life, he really doesn’t know well enough how to operate on his own. I don’t particularly care for the kid’s singing, but I certainly don’t want to see him disintegrate in the middle of the stage. I think he’s going to feel a lot more stress.
If JA in rehearsal is looked as favoritism these last 2 weeks; why wasn’t it looked at as favoritism the first 12 weeks(or whatever)? I wonder if the other contestants that have been voted off for lack of song choice or presentation are wondering if things could be different for them if they had their own professional manager with them constantly?
Ken Barnes: Why I’m not rooting for David A. to win ‘Idol’
Kirsten, I gotta applaude your diplomacy, you manage to get your point across without a bunch of name calling and innuendo based on tabliod journalism and still come to smarter conclusions than most.
What could that man have said to any of these ADULTS to throw them off of their games? Maybe he asked Brooke, can you repeat that, or asked Jason, what is two plus one, (oh crap I gotta learn three songs next week). Or maybe be told Carly he was gonna take an eraser to her husband, or told Michael Johns there was a rabid Roo in his bedroom!
I mean the guy very well may be a stage Dad, maybe not even abusive, just intense. We don’t know. It’s funny since all of this have surfaced weeks ago, nobody has come out with anything concrete. Is he still intimidating them 5 years later? Even the person I saw in passing on one of the morning shows had nothing concrete and she was there. It seems this kid has been the story this entire season.
I assume Jason wasn’t lying when he said Daddy Jeff was a great guy on TMZ. He could have kept his mouth shut and said nothing. I’m sure Daddy Jeff is a pain in the ass but doubt he’s responsible for all the ills of S7.
Since I did listen to the entire David A Fox interview, I can say that he’s not as damaged as he may appear to be on Idol. Just like Carly, Brooke, Michael Johns and Jason seem more “together” off the show, so is David A. When he’s finally off the show, people may be surprised.
I think the Daddygate thing will have little if any effect on the voting. Why punish (or reward) Archie for his Dad’s actions? In terms of winning, shrug, I’m fine with either David taking it. I think Syesha would be a horrible winner though.
Idols featured in new TV Guide:
Cover
Obsession #1
Obsession #2
David A speaks out in TV Guide Article:
“Archuleta adamantly defends his Pop. “I’ve heard some of the weird things that people have been saying, and it’s kind of a bummer,” he says, not gigging at all. “I think I, of all people, would know what’s going on, and he’s been great. He’s given me a lot of good advice and helped me from making any dumb decisions. He understands more than anyone what I want in music, and I’ve felt really blessed to have someone like that.
David seems a bit worked up now. “I don’t really care what people say,” he continues, “but I know it’s affected him and stressed him out.” As for reports that his dad withheld water from him during a recording session, the Idol insists, “That’s kind of stupid. I’m 17! I think I’d be able to stand up for myself if he were to take my water away.”
From Ken Barnes Idol Chatter
“Again, it’s speculative, but it’s not difficult to imagine David’s apparently domineering and thoroughly obnoxious father (here’s the key line in the tmz.com story, unverified as it is: “He has badgered producers, the band, vocal coaches and even other contestants.” If true, that last part is WAY over the line) creating a climate in which David is rendered tongue-tied for fear of saying the wrong thing or messing up the careful plan to turn him into a marketable showbiz commodity. It sure appears that way on TV, and obviously we’re not seeing more than a fraction of what’s going on. ”
*****
The whole Sean Kingston - Stand By Me thing is merely a smokescreen.
What did all the judges say after that performance?
Randy was so over the top sayng DavidA was playing to win the whole thng.
Paula credited DavidA with ‘taking everything in we are telling you’ to improve week after week.
And Randy chimes in ‘Yeah. he is really listening to us.’
Simoin said it was the best pefoirmance so far.
And now, AI has banned JeffA because he altered the lyrics when, when the three mouthpieces said nothing at the time when it was obvious the lyrics had been altered.
And how does banning JeffA from rehearsals prevent the same thing from happening again, since David is still lving with his father and will sing whatever he is told to sing just to avoid his father’s wrath. And looking at the photo taken Friday, that is a lot of wrath.
But banning JeffA from rehearsals does keep him away from other contestants at least until the tour begins. And to me, that is the issue.
GwendolynD! Homina Homina Homina!
Thank you for the scans.
Considering Ken Barnes hasn’t exactly been an Archie supporter I pretty much don’t care what he has to say.
Jpfan, I saw alot of David A’s hometown coverage and he is just a normal 17 year old kid. Hell I have one and they get flustered when questioned and judging of any kind is a little stressful. It’s funny how some are saying he was groomed for this, why? At home he was comfortable, funny, and cute.
I think that some look at other contestants with fan colored glasses. Daddygate should have nothing to do with his chances. I would be ok with anyone winning, but I would be elated if he did. I just like the kid’s voice and for me that is the key. I think he has a wonderful, unusual voice.
Frankly if he gets the boot this week, it’s probably gonna be better for him, than if he won, because this story will have legs and will overshadow Syesha or David Cook if they win. The questions would be thunderous.
Abbysee - I’m with you. If David A gets the boot this week, I’m fine with that. It’ll be the third year in a row the best singer got kicked off in third place. :)
I don’t like many of his song choices and may not follow his career after Idol but I do think he’s got the best voice this season.
Reminder: Could we keep the thread on topic? Politics is a different forum. Thank you.
Paula’s Tics, however, are totally on topic. Oh yah, I went there. And it’s rated ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRgh.
Possibly because this isn’t the first singing-based televised competition that he’s been on? Oh, and the fact that he was on the other one when he was like 12. Once it was discovered that the kid could sing and had talent, it appears that daddy dearest ran with it and has never looked back.
LMAO. Since a simple answer to a question and then changing the subject - which both of these interview savvy contestants will likely be adept at doing - won’t work. No. The entire interview will focus on David Archuleta, since that’s allllllllllllllllll America cares about. Please. Give me a break.
Well, IMO, the best singer this year went home in 6th place.
This photo deserves its own topic. Wow, just wow.
Thanks for that, Gwen!
That photo deserves it’s own webpage, zip code and Holiday Special. obsessed.
Tried to make me go to D-hab, I said no no no.
If Cookie or Archie go this week it will cement this whole year as a total joke. Michael going out at 8th and Carly going at 6th still pisses me off. Then again Blake outlasted Melinda last year so nothing should surprise me.
Hee, is it bad I’m still giggling over that awful pirate joke?
That cover. YUM.
Aw, I wasn’t trying to disrespect anybody! It was just a joke. I never thought his religion had anything to do with it: McMormon just sounded funny. I should have said McBoringSongChoice. LOL! Sorry if I offended anyone.
Eh, Nikki McKibbin? Jasmine Trias? Scott Savol? Idol history is full of questionable contestants outlasting some better singers, it’s not like this season is anything new to me. If anything, for the first time, the “bad” contestants are actually pretty good for a change. Just my opinion.
What happened to Melinda? Will she ever be marketable? Did she get signed?
Damn fine opinion tinawina.
This is germane to nothing, but I found an article the other day talking about Jordin and did you know that she auditioned for the same version of Star Search that Archie went on to win?
I must say that version of Star Search certainly produced a number of AI contestants. I just thought that was an interesting factoid and you finally gave me a tiny opening to put that out. As those kids come of Idol age, I wonder how many more we will see.
As has been well reported, Jordin was also on American Idol Juniors (but didn’t win that one either). Looks like third try was the charm for her. I’m sure there is a lesson in there for stage parents everywhere. (though, to be fair, Jordin did win a number of other contests along the way…why am I still rambling about this? It’s like a thread on a sweater that’s come loose. Pretty soon I’m going to have no sweater and a big mound of yarn).
Oh Kirsten, I enjoyed your rambling. Your post of course reminds me why I have no love for stage parents, or the little pageant bots they stage-train from birth.
Kids like Jordin & Archie, they miss so much. Lost opportunities to bond with their peers, missed proms, not having a dormmate they hate their first year in college, not taking your mom’s car without permission, telling your parents you’re going one place when you’re really going another, no football games, skipped graduations. Even the crappy stuff, like having your crush gloriously dump you, or holding your best friend up the whole way home from a party while she’s puking on your shoes.
I know when they become “stars” they all say that missing teenage milestones doesn’t mean anything. But, I believe it does. Learning to exist among people outside your immediate family and growing from your mistakes makes life a richer experience. These kids go straight from the cradle into the hands of their hollywood “handlers” and it’s a very long time before they have a normal life experience - if ever. I believe that sucks for them - I just don’t think they know it. And, that’s what makes me sad for them.
tinawina, I thought it was rather McFunny !
While I certainly feel bad for David A whatever the hell is going on, it doesn’t change the fact that his boy band arrangements make me die a little inside every time I hear them. The boy should’ve waited a few years to try out for Idol so that he had time to figure out what music doesn’t suck.
O’rly now. Verra interesting Watson. Great find! So Lil BabyArchibald could not try out last year maybe because that would upset the apple cart, so they held him out till this year? Great 2 *OMG 17!!!!!* yr olds back to back, female/male, a real matching pair. UGH.
I remember last year seeing photo’s of Randy & Jordin & Jordin’s dad from years earlier. Wonder where the photo of Randy & BabyArhchibald & Jeff are.
If this goes down like that this year people will abandon this show.
Nice feature on Tampa Bay Fox website:
Their Idol correspondent Charlie does a feature on Luna Guitars which are located in Florida.
David Cook gets his real guitar on this coming Wednesday - the others have theirs from top 5. Cook’s (top 5) black guitar will be replaced with a Luna custom white one - very cool! Apparently it took longer because he is a leftie.
link:
My Fox Tampa Bay