Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Live-Blogging the ‘American Idol’ finale!
It’s the moment, stretched out over two hours, that we’ve all been waiting for! I’m coming to you live from the Kodak Theatre the Entertainment Weekly Information Center. (Unlike some editors here, I don’t have a TV in my office……
Sparks outsings Lewis for American Idol prize.
Jordin Sparks is the new American Idol. The 17-year-old from Glendale, Ariz., is the youngest winner in the talent contest’s six seasons.
Tonight’s star-studded, two-hour results gala was watched by an estimated 150 million people worldwide….
America chooses Sparks as its ‘Idol’ winner
….The finale, which featured appearances by such varied stars as Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson, Green Day, Gladys Knight and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, ended a season that saw Idol down slightly in the ratings.
But according to reports Wednesday, it’s still the top-rated show on television, which means it’s probably too early to write its obituary….
Arizona teen is newest ‘American Idol’
…Perhaps the biggest story of “American Idol” this season wasn’t either of the finalists, but the “so bad it’s good” performances from seventh-place Sanjaya Malakar.
Along with the rest of the top 12 finalists, Malakar was back on Wednesday night, and performed “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks, accompanied by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry….
Teen Idol crowned
JORDIN SPARKS YOUNGEST EVER TO WIN COMPETITION
…One of the series’ executive producers, Cecile Frot-Coutaz of FremantleMedia North America Inc., said she’d be happy with either contestant as the new idol.
“These are some of the most commercial finalists we’ve had since Carrie Underwood, ” Frot-Coutaz said. “Either one will make a great winner for the show and the brand. They both have the potential to sell many records.”
Jordin Sparks flies to ‘Idol’ victory
…Green Day performed John Lennon’s acerbic “Working Class Hero, ” a song whose message of anti-consumerism surely sailed over the heads of most in the audience. And in the most touching segment, four of the five previous “Idols” – third-season winner Fantasia couldn’t make it because she’s appearing on Broadway in “The Color Purple” – did numbers from the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, released 40 years ago this summer.
Review: AMERICAN IDOL – SEASON SIX – JORDIN SPARKS WINS IT ALL
Must we wait 124 minutes to find out who wins? Apparently so, but that doesn’t mean nothing happened, unfortunately not all of it good.
…Random thoughts from the AMERICAN IDOL two hour finale that should have been only a half hour if only we were that lucky:
Big-voiced Jordin, 17, youngest to win ‘Idol’
…Starting with a “red carpet” intro, the 2-hour, 38-minute show was awash with pro performances, and a couple of the veterans did themselves no favors. Gwen Stefani offered an obvious lip-synch, and Bette Midler, who takes over next year from Celine Deon as big-bucks artist in residence at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, crashed doing “The Wind Beneath My Wings.” Controversial Idol finalist Sanjaya Malakar sounded like Sinatra in comparison….
Byron Zanos’ ‘Secrets and Lies’ an American Idol Finalist
Byron Zanos and co-writer Drew Yowell’s song “Secrets and Lies” was selected out of 25, 000 entries as a Top 20 finalist in the first-ever American Idol Songwriting Competition. Finalists in the contest were chosen by American Idol Executive Producer Simon Fuller and 19 Entertainment.
“When the call came in from Jesse Albert (19 Entertainment), I almost hung up on him thinking it was a phone scam, ” Zanos recalls. “What an honor to have our song selected from so many entries!”
“I would love for either of this year’s American Idol finalists, Jordin Sparks or Blake Lewis, to record ‘Secrets and Lies’, ” says Zanos with a smile, “but it wouldn’t be a secret or a lie that I’d love for Daughtry to do the tune.” …
ABC scores milestone wins in sweeps
It was a milestone week in the ratings for ABC, which won a tight three-way race for prime-time supremacy and saw its evening newscast win by its widest margin since 2001.
Season finales for Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy helped ABC to its first weekly ratings win of the season, except for when it broadcast the Academy Awards. ABC also hasn’t won during the May ratings “sweeps” since 2000.
It was enough to send Fox into third place last week, with American Idol not as dominant as it has been in the past. Fox won among the 18- to 49-year-old audience it craves, however……
Burned, And Still On Fire
As yet another “American Idol” season ends, former contestant Franchelle “Frenchie” Davis is still saddled with her own “Idol” saga to tell. And it’s not a good one…
Will Jordin’s Spark Ignite Her Career?
…Now that the competition is over, however, the real work begins for this 17-year-old phenom from just outside Phoenix. After all, it’s about the music. And a guaranteed record contract doesn’t mean guaranteed record sales. (Just ask Taylor Hicks)
Up until now, Jordin has been getting by on her talent combined with votes from American Idol viewers. Now the burden falls on her voice box alone…
…Even the famous were gushing over Sparks.
“She is an awesome singer, ” finale performer Smokey Robinson said backstage. “She sings so good, it’s hard to believe she’s 17. To sing like that you would have to have lived for a long time. She’s an old soul.”…
‘Dancing’ Almost Prances Past ‘Idol’
Fox Show Just Edges Out the ABC Finale
Fox’s “American Idol, ” consistently the most-watched show on any night it airs, nearly finished second Tuesday behind a dancing speedskater.
ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” results-show finale, which Tuesday crowned Olympic gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno as champion, drew just 2.2 million fewer viewers than the performance-show season finale of “American Idol, ” which pitted Jordin Sparks against Blake Lewis……
Jordin is your winner
Glendale’s Sparks is youngest to take the title
…In the midst of Wednesday’s show, Sony BMG President Clive Davis told the audience, “There’s a drama about discovering talent that rises to the top.”
Davis pointed out the Idol franchise’s success stories. He presented Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood with a special award for selling more than 6 million records and acknowledged Season 5 cast-off Chris Daughtry and his new band for selling 2.5 million records in less than a year.
“I think we’re seeing a turning point now in American Idol, where getting on the show may be enough to start a career, ” said Erik Gunther, senior editor of the Yahoo Buzz index….
Idol Finale: Who Won?
Jordin Sparks Wins!
…Somehow the electricity wasn’t the same. In a sense, that goes for the whole season. This Idol produced some fine singers ‘ notably Melinda Doolittle, who more accurately should be called exceptional ‘ but the ratings have seen some dips, and somehow everything became defined by that unexpectedly pivotal figure, Sanjaya Malakar. There was always a sense, at least from Simon, that Sanjaya was a Golum come to steal the Ring and corrupt the gold of the franchise: But he was polarizing to a degree that was actually rather exciting. Was he good for the show? Was he bad? …
Blake’s still our Seattle idol
Bothell beatboxer Blake Lewis falls to Jordin Sparks in the finale, but his music career is just getting started
B-b-b-ye, Blake Lewis, b-b-b-ye, bye. B-b-b-ut we know we haven’t heard the last of you.
Viewers either loved him or hated him, but during this season of “American Idol, ” there was no one quite like the human beatbox from Bothell.
Lewis, 25, drew a rabid fan base while bringing a contemporary feel to a show steeped in predictable presentations. Judges sometimes unfurled tongue lashing after lashing on his vocal chops, but he countered with a convincing package of charm, enthusiasm and sincerity. That potent combo kept voters dialing for him week after week….
American Idol: It’s Over! (Oh yeah, Jordin Won)
How would they fill up two hours in the American Idol finale? That was the question on LAist’s mind tonight. (And we were particularly bummed since we had to give up the first hour of Lost for this!)…
American Idol Sanjaya Malakar Comedy Skit Proves Controversial To Some Viewers
While it was inevitable that American Idol would poke fun at Sanjaya Malakar during the American Idol 6 finale, the way in which they did so has proven to be controversial among some fans. After the African Children Choir gave a wonderful performance in celebration of Idol Gives Back, American Idol immediately launched into a segment that started off by showing several famous men from the past and our current time….
Jordin Sparks becomes youngest “Idol” winner
…Backstage, Sparks could barely contain her excitement at joining the ranks of previous “Idol” winners. “It just turned out pretty cool, I guess, ” she said, giggling and brushing back her long dark hair….
…After the show, Lewis told reporters backstage that he had pegged Sparks as the next “American Idol” weeks ago.
“I feel great, ” he said. “I was trying to wear a ‘Vote For Jordin Sparks’ T-shirt last night but they wouldn’t let me.”
Jordin Sparks Is the Latest and the Youngest American Idol!
Jordin beat out Blake Lewis in the Season 6 Finale.
Jordin Sparks was young, beautiful and had the golden voice. Blake Lewis was daring, charismatic and had the percussive vocal pyrotechnics….
Jordin Sparks Beats Blake Lewis to Become Sixth `American Idol’
…Cowell’s preference for Sparks and a semifinalist, Melinda Doolittle, was always in evidence. Doolittle’s elimination last week shocked fans of the show.
Before the finale, Cowell told the Associated Press that he understood why Sparks and Lewis made it to the finals, “but I would have happily swapped either of them for Melinda, to be honest with you.” …
American Idol: Running Longer Than the Oscars
Im gonna do this fast so I can watch …Lost in the window of time I have before I cant help but fall asleep.
Anybody miss the end of this thing because TiVo didnt tape the extra ten minutes this show ran over?…
McG says farewell to American Idol
After the worst season of American Idol to date, Ive got a little announcement of my own.
All good things come to an end.
After three years of covering AI, Im officially resigning as phillyBurbs resident Idol writer.
It took three years for popular sentiment to catch up with where I have been coming from.
But now it seems everyone agrees: American Idol sucks.
We all know Ryan Seacrest is a tool, how horrible the singers are and how commecially crass the show has become.
It over for Idol. And for myself as well.
Good night and good luck.
American Idol: Finale Predictions
…8. Simon will admit that this whole craptacular season has been orchestrated by Dunkleman and the terrorists on …24 (OMG! Chloe preggers!), and he, Randy, Paula, and ‹Crest will return this summer with a whole new show featuring actual talent.
9. This year auditions will be held in Beaver Lick, KY; Ballstown, IN; Climax, MI; Blue Ball, PA; and Hugh Jass, OK.
10. Kat McPhee will finally show her ooter-cay for reals on National Television.
Vocal force Sparks latest to be Idolized
…Not that it really matters anymore. Unlike in the first season, when all the other Idol hopefuls had to wait for the winner to release her CD, it’s fair game for BMG/19 Entertainment to sign whomever they wish from the Top 12. Now, winning Idol basically gets your picture in the background of the subsequent year’s opening credits and on the audition floor’s poster boards…
what’s hot/what’s not
Blake Lewis/Jordin Sparks
Does the winner of this year’s “American Idol” really matter? The talent contest has been rife with controversy from the Sanjaya Malakar — the no-talent mop of great hair — saga to the unexplainable dismissal of Melinda Doolittle last week. How should America vote during the final show between Lewis, the beatboxer, and Sparks, a 17-year-old diva? I suggest the scenario of deciding who you would rather invite to a party. Every party needs a beatboxer for the freestyle rap contest at 2 a.m.
A dream ends for Blake
…Lewis was unfazed by the loss: “I feel great, ” he told reporters immediately after the show. “The experience has been so amazing. I can’t even explain it in words.”…
Sparkle Plenty: Jordin WINS
…..Yeah, I’m glad Jordin won. She’s got the talent and will get even better as she gets more performance experience. Blake won’t be washing dishes for a living, I’m sure, nor will several other “Idol” finalists. Yes, Toto too… I mean, Sanjaya too. Sorry. Channeling Glinda there for a mo….
A Rose-Colored Reality Where Everyone Wins
There are no sore losers on reality television.
Even the early rejects from …On the Lot, a filmmaking contest on Fox, display a nobility not often found in nature. …It especially rough to go up in that group and be the one person to be let go, said Ramsey Mellette, an amateur director, who was eliminated on Tuesday premiere. …But I am very honored to have made it this far.
The loser on Fox …American Idol does not kick the table, send Chex Party Mix flying across the room and storm out. The formula demands that those voted off smile winningly, tearfully hug those remaining and belt out one last valedictory pop song….
Jordin Sparks beats Blake Lewis to become ‘American Idol 6’ champ
…American Idol’s bloated finale was even more dragged-out than usual for its sixth season — although it was listed as two-hours long in Fox’s publicly released programming schedule information, the sixth season finale actually ran 169 minutes and (in a move that no doubt upset DVR users) didn’t reveal Sparks as the competition’s winner until well past the two-hour mark…
Jordin Sparks Is Crowned the American Idol!
The extraordinary sixth season of American Idol came to a spectacular conclusion tonight as 17-year-old Jordin Sparks was crowned the competition’s youngest-ever winner during the live two-hour season finale on FOX. Sparks from Glendale, AZ, emerged as America’s choice in a competition that began with over 100, 000 hopefuls who auditioned in San Antonio, Minneapolis, Memphis, Birmingham, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle. Over the course of the season, viewers cast a record-breaking number of votes – almost 610 million – in support of their favorite contestants. Amazingly, 74 million votes were received after Tuesday’s performance show, shattering the previous world record of 70 million set April 24 following the Idol Gives Back fund-raising special…
American Idiot — uh, make that Idol
And speaking of weird juxtapositions: “American Idol, ” that consummate example of commercial cunning (product placements that are part of the show — get a load of those Ford music videos, and tonight’s big gulp Coca-Cola glasses on the judges’ table) now introduces Green Day. To sing John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero.” What’s up with this? Last time I checked, Green Day was blasting the kind of blatant capitalism that “American Idol” cheerfully and lustily embraces…
Jordin Sparks Is ‘American Idol’s’ Teen Queen
Jordin Sparks, the perky 17-year-old high school student from Glendale, Ariz., won the sixth round of “American Idol” last night, beating out 11 other finalists, including several who were better singers, but none with her winning package of big voice, big smile and teetering-on-womanhood.
Did we mention she’s only 17, as the show’s three judges reminded viewers at every possible moment in the four-month-long competition? That makes her the youngest “Idol” winner ever…
A new American spirit
A night full of good feelings, but for Jordin, this is her now
…Since the season’s early days, Jordin and Blake became heavy favorites of the sign-wielding children attending the live tapings. But Jordin’s victory demonstrates a return to classic championship form for the series. After a detour last year with the victory of Taylor Hicks, an oddball salt-and-pepper-haired singer of R&B classics, Jordin is the sort of youthful pop star, with a girl-next-door demeanor hiding formidable vocal powers, that the contest was designed to discover…
Pop Tarts(TM) Presents ‘American Idols Live!’ Tour 2007 Taking Fans Behind the Scenes With Exclusive Web Coverage
Poptarts.com Features Webisodes and Special Offers for American Idol Fans
Starting May 24, 2007, American Idol fans will have all-access passes to one of the summer’s most highly anticipated music tours. For the second consecutive year, Kellogg’s(R) Pop-Tarts(TM) will stream 15 webisodes throughout the summer featuring fresh content and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the 2007 Pop-Tarts Presents American Idols Live! Tour….
Badgley Mischka to Dress American Idol Finalist, Jordin Sparks
The Couture Brand Will Outfit The Finalist For The Finale Week
Luxury couture brand, Badgley Mischka, which is owned by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) , announced today it has outfitted Fox’s American Idol finalist, Jordin Sparks, for the highly anticipated finale week. The designing duo, Mark Badgley and James Mischka held private fittings with Jordin to custom fit her multiple looks for last night’s performance show and tonight’s finale results show. Jordin is wearing Badgley Mischka Couture, Badgley Mischka Platinum Eveningwear, footwear and jewelry…
Secrets from the sidelines at Kodak
The “American Idol” cameras don’t catch everything. Here are a few things viewers at home didn’t get to see:
‘Idol’s’ McPhee happy with her successes
When “American Idol” runner-up Katharine McPhee heard her co-finalist Taylor Hicks’ name called as the winner last year, she seemed to take it well – and her smile wasn’t an act.
She actually did handle it with grace and aplomb.
“It wasn’t as disappointing for me as you’d think, ” she said during a telephone interview last week. “I didn’t expect to win and I was excited just to be in the final two. I was ready for it and in the end, it’s all good.”…..
SCENIAC: Life on ‘Idol’s’ D-List carpet
America loves “American Idol” but this year’s season finale didn’t hold the cache of even a mid-level studio premiere.
David Hasselhoff and Carrie Underwood were the two biggest names on the tip sheet of celebrities scheduled to walk the red carpet, which says something about the low celebrity wattage that publicly ambled into the Kodak Theatre on Wednesday night.
First came the clowns. Bobby Trendy, best known as the over-the-top decorator on reality series “The Anna Nicole Show, ” and Ian Bernardo, who you may remember as the à ¼ber-flamboyant guy who tried out for “So You Think You Can Dance.”….
Season 6 a turnoff for many longtime viewers
Critics say field lacked vivid personalities, diversity of styles
For five straight years, Vicky Conlu would not have thought of missing an episode of …American Idol. If the show was on the air, she was there.
But this season, the unthinkable happened: The Antioch, Calif., teenager, who proclaimed herself to be …one of the biggest ‹Idol heads on the planet, suddenly started going AWOL.
…It has been the weakest season ever, she said in her defense. …I feel like the whole thing has lost a bit of its glamour……..
Stars gather for Idol finale
It took a Chihuahua to topple “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul, who broke her nose over the weekend when she fell while trying to avoid stepping on her dog. But it was this year”s treacly coronation song that tripped up “Idol” finalist Blake Lewis just as badly…
Where Are They Now: More Metro Idol Contestants
The Metro’s closest link to an American Idol finalist is Phil Stacey. Stacey, who’s from Wichita, made it to the final six singers this season. But here in the Metro we’ve had plenty of singers face Paula, Randy and Simon. FOX 4’s Leslie Carto reintroduces you to some American Idol hopefuls.
There’s the police officer’s sister, the jazz musician’s daughter, and the singer who just wouldn’t take no for an answer….
Jordin Sparks beats out the beat boxer
‘American Idol’ winner’s first single will be ‘This Is My Now’
In a rain of confetti and tears, Jordin Sparks, who was turned away from her first audition on American Idol, left the stage Wednesday night the winner of the show’s sixth season — a household name and an instant recording artist. With 74 million votes cast, the 17-year-old from Glendale, Ariz., edged out Blake Lewis, the 26-year-old beatboxer from Seattle.
Here’s how it happened:
Frenchie Davis to Star in Hartford Stage’s Mahalia
Frenchie Davis will star as gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in Jeremy B. Cohen’s production of Tom Stolz’s Mahalia — A Gospel Musical, to run at Hartford Stage, August 2-19. The show will also star Miche Braden and J. Michael….
From guests to winner, no surprises for ‹Idol
Star-power wattage was dim at finale, but Jordin deserved her crown
…That lack of buzz extended to the musical acts. Curiously, for a show that managed to land more notable guest mentors than in previous seasons, the list of performers for the finale lacked the star power of those who performed last season.
Rumors that lip-synch queen Britney Spears would appear proved untrue. Getting Green Day was a coup, and the band’s cover of John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” may well be the best performance ever on the show. Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight are musical legends, and any time they can show up, the show is the better for it.
But beyond that, the star-power wattage in the Season 6 finale wasn’t close to the field that graced last season’s finale…
Sparks Flies: Jordin Takes ‘American Idol’ Crown
Show garners an incredible 74 million votes.
If only blowouts in basketball had this many distractions to make you forget that one of the teams was clearly going home empty-handed.
In case you weren’t one of the “American Idol” fans who helped submit a record 74 million votes in Tuesday’s final show ‘ one in which semifinalist Blake Lewis was praised for being entertaining, but not so much for the singing ‘ 17-year-old judges’ darling Jordin Sparks took home the prize in one of the least suspenseful “Idol” finales in the show’s history….
‘AMERICAN IDOL’ ISN’T DEAD YET
…”Idol” is unlikely to change. For one thing, if it revealed those numbers, and Blake was trailing Jordin last week by some huge number of votes, you’re fooling yourself if you think it wouldn’t affect the next week’s votes. Blake’s fans would be galvanized and Jordin’s fans might get complacent, and this season’s outcome might have been forever altered.
But most of all, “Idol” won’t change because it doesn’t have to. When you’re that far above the other shows in the ratings race, you can get lazy if you want. When the ratings numbers come in for Jordin’s coronation, they’ll be unbeatable. As was she…
“American Idol” bores in self-indulgent finale, takes its sweet time declaring Jordin Sparks the winner
Wednesday’s “American Idol” finale brought to mind one of Katharine Hepburn’s famous movie lines: bore, bore, bore.
It was a freak show that shifted into a self-indulgent wallow. Recording executive Clive Davis provided sales updates on the “Idol” franchise: Chris Daughtry is the music industry’s biggest-selling artist of the year. (And he only finished fourth last year.) And former victor Carrie Underwood’s debut album has sold 6 million copies. And Davis said the three judges had done an unprecedented job in finding talent.
So why wasn’t it a better show? Could it be these people have become too self-important?…
Blake Lewis Reaches Out To Gnarls, Will.I.Am After ‘Idol’ Finale: ‘Call Me!’
Runner-up promises to break out his guitar for Idols Live Tour.
…We caught up with Lewis after the star-studded finale to talk about his dream collaborations, what to expect from the Idols Live Tour and how two minutes isn’t enough time to sing a good song…
The Beat Goes On
Catching up with Blake Lewis, post-finale: Though he calls ”Idol” a ”blessing” overall, the runner-up admits of the contest-winning ballad, ”That track would never be on my album”
Blake Lewis didn’t win American Idol, but don’t worry about his future: He’s already talking about collaborations with folks like Nick Hexum from 311, whose ”All Mixed Up” he covered early in the season (”As soon as we met, it was like we were homies already, ” reports Blake). In Mr. Lewis’ immediate future, though? Pizza. We caught up with the 25-year-old backstage as he scarfed down a few slices after the big finale….
Sparks Flyin’
”I said I wanted to do it, and now I’ve done it, ” says the exhilarated youngest winner ever
Though Blake admitted he had issues with this year’s winning American Idol ballad, ”This Is My Now, ” Jordin Sparks was singing a different tune: ”I love that song, ” the excited 17-year-old season 6 winner told us shortly after the finale. ”It relates to everything I’ve been dreaming about.”
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So what is it like to follow in Kelly Clarkson’s footsteps?…….
Now You See Her…
Jordin wins season 6 of ”American Idol, ” but in the finale, she and her fellow finalists are overshadowed by too many random guest stars
By Michael Slezak
Dear Nigel Lythgoe, Simon Fuller, CÃ ©cile Frot-Coutaz, and assorted producing partners:
I’d like to rewind American Idol’s season 6 finale and propose a few trades. I’ll give you Gwen Stefani if you’ll let me have LaKisha Jones. You take Green Day, but I get Phil Stacey. And while we’re at it, let’s swap out Bette Midler for, oh, what the heck, why not Haley Scarnato?…
Snap Judgment: Jordin Sparks’ first single
First, can we agree that lyrically, the new American Idol song, “This Is My Now, ” is more of the same? A gloppy ballad about the sun breaking through the clouds, the path becoming clear, the light shining down, blah blah blah… Sorta weird that it came from an actual songwriting competition — I suspected it had been spit out by the Trite-o-Matic 2000. Still, it’s not as bad as Carrie Underwood’s Idol song, “Inside Your Heaven, ” which is notorious in the EW.com offices (well, between me and Slezak, mostly) for including the baffling line “Take me to the place you cry from.” What? I digress……..