Mario Lopez People’s Hottest Bachelor; David Cook Also Makes the Cut
NEW YORK — He didn’t come in first place this time, but “American Idol” winner David Cook is on People magazine’s list of the hottest bachelors.
The rocker, 25, told People that he is not as confident off-stage as he is performing.
“Looking a pretty woman in the eye and convincing her I’m worth taking a chance on takes a specific brand of guts, and it’s not the kind I have,” he said.
Travesty: ‘People’ Names David Cook One of World’s Hottest Bachelors
In keeping with the magazine’s official policy of artificially inflating the romantic prospects of American Idol winners of dubious appeal and singing ability, People has inexplicably named oft-pitchy Nickelback fan David Cook one of their Hottest Bachelors of 2008. While we don’t want to imply that we’re upset over the omission of Cook’s vastly superior co-finalist, David Archuleta (David is only 17 and needs to focus on his music right now — not scoring with chicks), we find it hard to believe that, of all the nation’s balding, caterwauling former bartenders, People could’ve possibly selected a less-qualified one to stand alongside such highly coveted single gentlemen as Bret Michaels and Britney Spears’s unfamous older brother — and we’ll tell you why!
People Names David Cook One of the Hottest 2008 Bachelors
KANSAS CITY, MO. — From star singer… to sex symbol. People Magazine has named American Idol David Cook one of its hottest bachelors of 2008.
So, Cook has managed to go from Tulsa bartender with a two-tone hairstyle to hot Hollywood bachelor in less than one year.
Cook, 25, told People Magazine that his confidence doesn’t always carry over into the romantic area of his life. He said he has serenaded a woman before. But, he admitted to People.com, “it’s much more intimidating to sing to one person than 1,000.” He admitted he gets nervous singing to women.
David Cook Could Boost Profile of Local High School Game on ESPN
BLUE SPRINGS, MO. — Two Kansas City area high schools are going to be getting national attention in August on ESPN. And, one of the schools is hoping to use its connections to get a major star to appear at the event.
On Sunday, August 31, ESPN will carry the high school football game between Rockhurst and Blue Springs South. The two schools were scheduled to meet the previous Friday. But, when ESPN called, the game got moved to Sunday.
Why does Google think I know about the American Idol winner’s private parts?
The most interesting part of Mr. Manber’s speech was when he described the difficulties in understanding even searches that seem abundantly clear, like “hairstyles for ears that stick out.”
Which led me to wish I had been at the Gilbane Conference.
Because the question I would have asked would have been: “Why, sir, do you think I know about David Cook’s nether regions?”
Why I Give Jeff Archuleta Such A Hard Time
Every time I write a post about “American Idol” shirts_luv_dad_close.jpgrunner-up David Archuleta, I can’t help but mention, and softly insult, his father, Jeff. In turn, Archie fans comment or email in droves to tell me what an awful person I am and accuse me of being bias, a father-hater and more.
I may be bias (David Cook was my man from the beginning, or at least right after he got his haircut) but I’m neither a father-hater nor “more” (unless by “more” you mean irresistibly adorable and smart). I like David Archuleta! I haven’t personally met him, but from his television appearances and having been on a conference call with him during the “Idol” days, I think that he comes off as a sweet, genuine teenager just trying to make his way doing something that he loves. And that’s great.
David Archuleta Answers Fans Questions On MySpace
“American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta has taken to his MySpace to answer his fans burning questions. Archuleta appears in a video, laughing and talking about his life.
Archie, as his fans call him, answers questions sent in to him, including fans wondering if he has any pets. The singer reveals he has a Poodle named Teddy, who only knows how to shake hands and dance a little, and a goldfish named Conditioner which is the size of his hand.
American Idol David Archuleta May Be Ditching High School For Good
David Archuleta had the kind of life changing experience over the past year that could forever change his perception on life. His run on American Idol made him so in demand, that he might be ditching high school for good.
Archuleta already withdrew from classes last year to continue his journey through the American Idol process. Having not finished last year, there was no certainty he would go back at all.
As of now, Archuleta has not signed up for classes at Murray High School. Classes are scheduled to begin on August 25th, and the school is not going to wait for Archuleta to finish his American Idol tour to begin a new year.
Brooke White Sweet on Saving the World
Brooke White will be taking the stage with a message this summer.
The season-seven American Idol finalist has teamed with Idol Gives Back and the aid group Malaria No More to encourage kids to spend their vacations not only having fun but to do their part to make the world a better place, as well.
In addition to doling out tips on how they can help those less fortunate, the Save the World Summer campaign is offering two tickets to next year’s Idol finale for the youngster who raises the most funds to buy mosquito-blocking bed nets for children in Africa.
Jessica Simpson Mistaken For Carrie Underwood By Fan
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. –
Jessica Simpson, who is dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, was recently mistaken for possibly the last person in the world she would like to be confused with– Tony’s ex-girlfriend, Carrie Underwood.
Jessica, who recently left the world of pop for her country roots, was approached by a fan after leaving lunch at Dos Caminos in NYC’s SoHo on June 11, according to OK! Magazine.
But the fan wasn’t seeking Jessica Simpson’s autograph, she was hoping to nab country cutie Carrie Underwood’s signature.
“She said she was her number one fan from back in the ‘Idol’ days,†an eyewitness told the mag. “Jessica smiled politely and didn’t correct her, and she started to laugh when the girl asked how she was doing since her devastating split from Chace [Crawford].â€
Jennifer Hudson: Call Me, Barack!
Jennifer Hudson would love to hear from you. The Oscar-winning actress and singer from Chicago (yes, she still lives there) says she’s ready to do what she can to get her senator elected president.
“I sang for Obama after I did Idol,” Hudson says. “I’m so proud and excited for him. I haven’t gotten a call from them yet, but he does have my support.”
Rainbow Bright: Gays get lots of love at Pride, ’green’ theme not so much
LGBT people and their allies turned out en masse for the first Boston Pride Parade in several years that wasn’t dampened by downpours and chilly weather; the Boston Pride Committee estimates that about a half-million people watched the parade as it wound its way from the South End to City Hall, and that about 100,000 people gathered on City Hall Plaza for the post-parade festival, which included performances from Kimberly Locke and Kat DeLuna. Boston Pride Committee President Linda DeMarco said the turnout was the largest she’s seen in her 11 years on the committee, and credited Boston’s gay-friendly attitude — and the warm, sunny weather — with bringing people out to enjoy this year’s Pride.
‘Baby V’ apologizes for taking gun to airport
Former “American Idol” finalist Vonzell Solomon has apologized for bringing a handgun to the airport last week.
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“Baby V” posted the apology on her MySpace page, where she calls her June 10 detainment an “unfortunate incident” and “an honest mistake.”
“I in no way intended to enter the plane with a firearm,” Solomon says in her statement. “I was rushing to make a scheduled flight and simply did not realize it was in my handbag until I went through security.”
Security officials discovered the unloaded gun at a Southwest Florida International Airport checkpoint, according to Lee Port Authority spokeswoman Barbara-Ann Urrutia. Solomon, 24, told authorities she’d forgotten about the gun.
Summer officially arrives on Saturday, so get out there and do something fun. Here are a few suggestions:
After a few years on hiatus, the FLY SummerJam is back on Saturday, and the Altamont Fairgrounds will resonate with the sounds of Natasha Bedingfield, Simple Plan, Coolio, Sum 41, Metro Station, Ferras, Kate Voegele, C+C Music Factory and “American Idol†finalists Blake Lewis and Ace Young. Local faves jvii and Teej, the Audiostars and Ten Year Vamp also perform.
RIHANNA LIGHTS A SPARKS
RIHANNA has been giving tips to former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, who’s heading for the Top 10 this week with No Air, her tune with Rih’s boyfriend Chris Brown, 19.
The kind-hearted Umbrella minx, 20, went to the video set to meet Jordin and shared her tips on handling fame.
Music Briefs 6/19
Her stint as the reigning “American Idol” champ may now be over, but Jordin Sparks still holds the title of youngest winner ever — 17 years old — on the hit television show.
Local fans will have the opportunity to experience Sparks’s big voice, cool vibe and contagious enthusiasm Wednesday when the 2007 “Idol” winner appears in a headline concert at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre.
“We consider it a real coup to have Jordin stop in Orem during her busy touring schedule,” said Adam Robertson, SCERA president and CEO. “Her vocal power is going to blow people away.”
Tickets for Sparks’s concert, which is set to begin at 8 p.m., are available at the SCERA Center (745 S. State, Orem), by calling 225-ARTS or online at www.scera.org. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Reserved seats are sold out.
Weekend Hot List
Pride in the Street rocks out 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday between Ninth and 10th streets on Liberty Avenue. The 18 and older event includes dancing, imbibing and general merriment. DJ Escape, Frederick Ford and Kimberley Locke of “American Idol” fame will provide the party’s soundtrack. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the gate.
After flashing all that Southern rock grit during his season as runner-up to Carrie Underwood on “American Idol,” Bo Bice released an album called “The Real Thing” that was anything but.
Bice says now that his first album isn’t what he wanted it to be and that he’s made amends with the follow-up, “See the Light.”
Bice plays the South Park Amphitheatre Friday at 7:30 p.m. It’s free.
A measure of success
Winckler is joined in the cast by season four “American Idol” contestant Anwar Robinson in the role of Tom Collins, the MIT professor. Because of the impending close of the New York show, Winckler and the rest of the touring cast have seen increased audiences on the road.
Hot acts at cool event
Justin Guarini may have been runner-up to Kelly Clarkson on the first season of “American Idol,” but the entertainer says the hit talent competition changed his life.
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“It opened so many doors it’s not even funny. It’s given me the key to everything I need to be a successful entertainer. … Now the rest is up to me,” says Guarini, who performs a free concert Saturday night at Jordan Valley Park as part of the seventh annual SnowFest, a free event.
Paris Bennett interview forthcoming!
Lo and behold, season five finalist (and very briefly, a Fayetteville resident) Paris Bennett was willing to speak to me today by phone to promote her appearance this Satuday for her Philips Arena appearance at a big AARP concert with Chaka Khan, Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick and her grandma Ann Nesby.
So You Think You Can Dance: The Judges Show a Mean Streak
Dan Karaty warned me that things would be different this week. We spoke backstage after last Thursday’s elimination, and Dan expressed concern that he’d been too soft on the top 20 performers. From here on out, he warned, the judges were going to give it to them straight.
Dan wasn’t kidding. From the very first number, it was clear that seats on the “hot tamale train” were limited, and Mary Murphy wasn’t going to scream that signature scream for just anybody. If Top 20 week was the best dream you’ve ever had, Top 18 week was the alarm clock on Monday morning.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: What goes up must come down
After the high of last week, my excitement for So You Think You Can Dance has settled down to a normal level. And it looks like the dancers have settled down too. Some maybe a bit too much so…
The judges tonight are Nigel, Mary and Mia Michaels, who feels this season will be “banoodles” (meaning crazy, I assume a hybrid of “bananas” and “noodles”). Love Mia. Did I mention that lately? I think I have but I don’t care because I just want to squeeze her.
So You Think You Can Dance: Top 18 Perform
Two down and seventeen more to go until we find “America’s Favorite Dancer” for the summer of 2008. Have you found your favorite yet? I’m narrowing it down, but it’s a bit early yet to be picking favorites and there are still a ton of dancers left, as the lo-o-o-ong intro sequence showed us. Nigel and Mary were joined this week on the judge’s panel by contemporary madwoman Mia Michaels (of the inspired “Tim Burton wedding” piece last week). And her hair was shockingly bleached very blonde.
I think I prefer Michaels choreographing than judging. She focuses almost too much on her own interpretations of the emotions in the pieces rather than what the dancers had to bring. I think she’s insane and brilliant in choreography, but maybe a bit too “out there” for really constructive criticism.
Format change driven by competitors: Idol’s Executive Producer
Canadian Idol shocked viewers after revealing on Tuesday night’s episode there will not be a Top 22 this season. Instead, for the first time in the show’s history, there will be a Top 24 with a higher ratio of guys to girls. So what prompted this dramatic format change? According to Canadian Idol’s Executive Producer John Brunton, it was the competitors themselves.
“We always try to be led by the stars of the show and the real stars of the show at the end of the day are the singers of the program. We decided this year that we would pick the best singers that we had and not that we haven’t done that in the past, but there was a disproportionate number of good male singers than female singers,” said Brunton.
Tuesday Recap - Canadian Idol
(andPOP) - On Tuesday’s episode, some of the Idol wannabes struggle to overcome nerves, get tripped up by Rihanna’s “Umbrella†and crack under the pressure for a spot in the top 22. Make that top 24.
After the vocal showdown between Lisa Bell and Marie-Pierre Bellrose leaving the show in a cliffhanger, tonight’s show begins with seeing both of them make it through to Day 3, the final day of auditions.
Canadian Idol Season Six is all about talent, says Mulroney
Every season of Canadian Idol has its own signature. This year’s signature, Ben Mulroney insists, is talent. It’s of a higher calibre than it’s ever been before.
“In all honesty,” Mulroney says, “without a hint of hyperbole, I think that if our Top 24 live up to their potential this year, we have the possibility of discovering some true talent.
Canadian Idol: Top 24 Pave Way For Potential
As we’re supposed to wind down to Canadian Idol’s top 22 contestants, the show starts with a better vibe. Knowing in advance that you don’t have to sit through an hour of horrible singers is more than relieving. Show five proved to be yet another slight improvement on the pain scale. And it turns out the judges had a trick up their sleeves: the top 22 turned out to be a top 24. Very exciting.
Mookie Morris started the night off on the right tone. His unique version of The Guess Who’s “These Eyes” was really enjoyable. His raw, grainy voice makes him a keeper in my books. The judges thought so, too.
Singing the Nashville Star Blues with Ex-Contestants Third Town
Last week’s episode of Nashville Star saw country singing hopeful, Charley Jenkins, leave the show at the hands of judges Jewel, Jeffrey Steele, and John Rich. This week, in the second episode of the season that also featured a performance by the deep-voiced Darth Vader of country music, Trace Adkins, it was the fans’ turn to vote and the country trio known as Third Town were handed their walking papers after trying their hand at Alabama’s classic hit, “Mountain Music”. A day after being voted off the show, The Deadbolt’s Troy Rogers dusted off his cowboy hat, climbed aboard his trusty steed, and rode into a conference call with Third Town to hear the boys sing their own post-Nashville Star blues and get the scoop on what went wrong and what they have in store for the future.
I think AI breeds fan insanity by pushing unlimited voting. They are getting everyone who votes multiple times to invest in a contestant, saying far more about the voter than the actual object of their affection. I admit that I think I have obsessive-compulsive tendencies (or maybe I’m just competitive) and when I like someone, I can’t help voting, even though I’ve said a hundred times I’ll never do it again. Anyway, once you’ve become invested because you spent hours on the phone pressingr redial or sending thousands of texts, you’re hooked and AI knows it. It’s like the Publishers House Sweepstakes where they make you move the little sticker of the convertible (which color do you want?) to your postcard before you send it back. It’s called an involvement device, and AI has taken it to new heights. They play on the public need to be involved times 2000 or however many times people vote. And once people become invested in not just one Idol, but in the show itself, picking a new fave every year and passing on their voting strategies and writing every day on message boards and buying stuff for their Idols and camping out in parking lots to get to meet them or get backstage… It’s like being a fan of a baseball team or your college in the Rosebowl. It’s a pretty human thing to want to be part of something like that, to root, to get invested. I think it’s why AI works so well in the first place, but also why it creates crazy fans who get a toe or two or three over the line.
Nature of the beast, you know?
Wow, what an insightful discussion. I loved reading this very civilized and articulate debate. And, hot damn am I a troublemaker or what (sorry MJ, hugs!). LOL, but seriously I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s take on this type of stuff, and I’ve learned a few things in the process. As far as the unflattering online articles about your favorites go, I think I may have figured out the moral to the story…..
When you read one of those harsh, and perhaps innacurate articles, and the rage starts to boil up inside you, take a deep breath. And, instead of posting a scathing comment on that site, come here instead. Provided you stay within MJ’s guidelines, and post in a thread that is relevent to the topic, your MJ family will indulge your rant.
Some of us may read it and say “uh oh, she’s gone round the bend”, but we’ll still like you anyway. And, MJ will never use you as an object of ridicule like those reporters will!
I’m going to call this the step back, breath, then type in a friendly forum theory. And, I think I’m going to need a Patent attorney.
SpenserJ - I go back to my question about if a fan should respond to some of those articles. Would it look like the target had no fans if no one responded or only non-fans responded?
So far my only thought is - take a deep breath - wait and see if others respond first - and if it is necessary to respond - be witty, non-attacking, non-fangirly and try to add to the conversation with a fresh angle.
My favorite tactic is to pull up a blank email, write the most scathing, snotty, bitchy diatribe I can think up, and then delete it without sending it. (But don’t write a recipient in the TO: line, because you can accidentally send. So leave that line blank.)
It will make you feel better but not make the person who wrote the piece you disagree with get all excited and triumphant that they got the response and the buzz and the attention they were looking for.
Vent-rant-delete is my method.
I wouldn’t respond to any articles unless they were inaccurate to the point of being defamatory. If some one hates an Idol’s personality, think they stink/are ugly, can’t sing, etc., that’s their opinion. Comments about an idol’s family are different. I could see a few comments from fans but not a campaign.
What’s the point of responding anyway? Do comments like “He’s the greatest ever. You’re an idiot” change anyone’s mind. When I see tons of comments, I start to wonder why the person needs such an big defense.
Smartcookie, I used to do that one a lot at work LOL.
Generally a pretty good strategy. As long as you haven’t filled in the email address and risk an accidental send.
When mtv.com had that ridiculous essay trying to link DC’s win to everything that that author gates about red states, there were some fantastic responses, really gutting the point, complaining about yet another attempt to assert a wedge between so-called blue and red states, and also saying, geez, maybe (as you later claimed) you were trying to be tongue-in-cheek, but you failed. But then, the next week, all of the “excerpted” responses were from mega-fans essentially saying that the author stunk. And, you know, that assessment of the author might actually be correct, but it isn’t what you’d call persuasive. Plus it enabled the author to pretend that the responses were just mega-fans foaming at the mouth, and to ignore the more substantive comments.
Mj, you run a helluva place here. This discussion today, and the ones still going on in the Taylor topics have been civil, and truly full of interesting content.
See SpenserJ, no fanwars today. Incredible. I like the idea of ranting and deleting. I think a poster does that here, and I often wonder what he/she is deleting. Would probably start an interesting conversation.
This show gives us all a bit of agita, and even more pleasure, otherwise why do we keep coming back most of us year after year? Maybe in a small part because of communities like these where we can exercise our compulsion and not drive our families crazy!
Well I am off to spam the comment section of some article……. j/k!
That I think is the greatest problem with spam campaigns. People are not going to respond to what they would perceive as “bullying” or “censorship”. A person’s natural response to that is to fight back.
Since I’ve only been active in boards and stuff during this season, I can’t speak about the fanbases of the prior idols. But I saw the spam commenting in the Ellen boards when Simon talked about preferring David Cook there. I thought it was outrageous that people were censoring Ellen and Simon. And again so as not to unfairly paint a picture of the Archies, I am sure that some Cookies are guilty of the same behavior as well (i.e, the vitriol that is directed at Kimberly Caldwell).
I agree with the poster upthread who said that a lot of it has to do with wanting to feel validated. Unfortunately for many people, they get so invested in their “idols” that they feel it is their duty to rid the world of every single negative comment about their idol. It is pointless in the end, but for the time that it takes them to send that email or post that comment, they feel better about themselves. Sad, but true.
Part of it too, however, is that superfans feel that when their Idol is attacked, they are being attacked. And there is, sadly, a small kernel of truth in this sometimes. Especially with Taylor (who I’ll just use as an example because S5 was the first season I really followed), press reaction to the win was not only of the “he shouldn’t have won” variety but also of the “who the hell was voting for this loser?” variety. And since then, his fanbase has been branded negatively and stereotyped. True, the spam campaigns aren’t exactly helping that image, and those people really should consider whether it’s worth it to hit the “enter” key, but in some way I think I understand their motivation.
As to the question of does it look like the target of negative press has no fans if non respond, let me just say that at the end of the day, the best way to respond is with your wallet. Buy his albums. End of story. Trying to change peoples opinions is like trying to argue with the crazy short guy in the insane asylum with the paper hat on his head who insists he is Napolean. You will lose.
:). It’s you guys. Ya all are pretty awesome.
Oh this discussion hit home with me. Mj actually taught me to “breathe”. My first time ever posting on a blog was here and ya should seen me a time or two, well most have. AI certainly did create a new way to direct a fans “passion” but it has all been inside us(most of us). I remember watching old stuff of fainting, crying fans going wild over the Beatles and thought - please - are you kidding me? Then this past year I found myself being told by MJ to just “breathe” before I ran to the rescue of Jason. I laugh at myself now but this blog has created hours of fun for me in particular.
That’s the main reason any spam campaign like this is futile and self-defeating in terms of actually changing the tenor of a conversation — you’re going into someone else’s sandbox, where they control the space. Any site owner can delete your comments, some can actually edit them, and of course the owner can put up whatever new front item they want. If the original owner is either hostile or defensive, spamming them only hands them a choice of ammunition.
But maybe it’s effective in the larger sense at increasing the noise about a contestant? People generally don’t post a lot about something if they aren’t getting input — you’d expect the Idol stuff to die off pretty quickly post-finale, until the albums start coming out. Fan-warring keeps the hits and comments coming pretty reliably, which could potentially lure bloggers into writing more.
It kind of makes me want to see someone do a love:crazy ratio tracker that would track the “yay woo” comments on positive articles/blogs about an idol, take away for the “boo hiss” comments on negative articles/blogs and the “no this one sucks my idol is BETTER” comments. It would be interesting and possibly drive fanbases to compete to up their “love” scores instead of their “crazy”. *g*
I am pretty much laid back to posters’ comments. I have sent several emails to FOX.com regarding all sorts of complaints from Paulagate to Constantine’s comments about Archie. They really need to make some major changes in the show next year.
Now, if someone disagrees with me. Fine. It won’t change my mind. ;o)