Idol Headlines for 04/13/11 – The Evening Edition

By On 04/13/2011 · 35 Comments · In American Idol, Headlines

‘American Idol’: The disastrous booting of Pia Toscano reveals why critics, yes, DO matter

Anyone who’s a critic these days has to contend with a steady anti-mainstream-media drumbeat, one that sounds something like this: Critics don’t matter! They’re out of the touch with The People! They’re snobby hacks whose opinions carry no more validity than anyone else’s! (Memo to haters: Have I left out any of your complaints?) If you accused me of being defensive on this subject, you would probably be right. It’s how I make my living, so of course I’m bound to get a little touchy about it. Yet I also think that I’m capable of setting my personal bias aside to talk about why critics, at their best, really do matter.

Read more at Popwatch

More Headlines after the JUMP…

‘American Idol’ Preview: What Happens Post-Pia Toscano?

“American Idol” ended last week in a swirl of shock, anger and boo- hooing as Pia Toscano was sent home and Ryan Seacrest was reduced to begging viewers: “We need you! Stay with us this season!”

Where does the show go from here? Well, “Idol” will be relying on the bright lights of Hollywood to wash out memories of arguably the most shocking elimination in its history, as the remaining eight singers take on songs of the cinema. That’s a familiar theme in “Idol” land, one last seen just last year (recall how Crystal Bowersox gave a killer country-rock makeover to Kenny Loggins’ “I’m Alright”), but which stretches back all the way to season two.

Read more at MTV

Exclusive: American Idol Runner-Up Blake Lewis Sounds Off on Season 10

Blake Lewis knows a lot about American Idol. The beatboxer from Bothell, Washington, came in second place on Season 6 of the show (with Jordin Sparks taking home the Idol crown). Since then, Blake has gone on record two albums, perform at shows across the country, and teach First Lady Michelle Obama how to beatbox. Best of all, Blake somehow finds time to host American Idol viewing parties with past contestants and blog about the show on TV Squad. A few weeks ago we had a chance to catch up with the Idol alum. Get the dish on Blake’s post-AI career, relationship status, and why he thought Pia Toscano was in it to win it. (Don’t worry, Blake, no one saw her elimination coming either.)

Read more at WetPaint

Jordin Sparks Has High Hopes for Pia Toscano: “She Did Amazingly Well”

“From being on the show, I thought she did amazingly well,” Jordin told Hollyscoop EXCLUSIVELY at the Elle Women in Music Event in Hollywood on Monday night.

She added, “Everyone did good that night, but everything is going to be a shock from now on because every body is good and it’s definitely one of those things that if you want your favorite to stay around you need to vote for them because it’s really super important.”

Read more at Hollyscoop

Allison Iraheta visits – The Los Angeles Music And Art School

via CBSLocal

American Idol’s David Hernandez Comes Home to the Valley for a Motown-Themed Casino Show

There is life after American Idol — even if you finish in 12th place amid whispers that you’ve spent time bumping and grinding at a gay strip club.

Or so it appears for David Hernandez, the Valley native living in Los Angeles who was a seventh-season contestant. Hernandez has returned to Phoenix with Motown Memories, a revue that runs through April 30 at Scottsdale’s Talking Stick Resort.

Hernandez, 27, is the star of the show, which features 90 minutes of hits by The Jackson 5, The O’Jays, and other stars of Motown’s peak. Though most of the female audience members appear to be twice his age, they still swoon and shriek when Hernandez works his way into the crowd at the intimate theater to grab hands and sing into their faces. And he eats it up every night, gladly meeting fans after the show.

Read more at Phoenix New Times

Jennifer Lopez: ‘Flattered’ by ‘Most Beautiful’ Honor

“I’m not 20 years old anymore,” Lopez told Ryan Seacrest of being surprised she was chosen. “I’m very excited about it, but when they told me I was like ‘What? Really? Ok.’ Obviously I was flattered. It’s a great honor to even be talked about in that way.”

Shockingly, Lopez says people never tell her she’s pretty anymore. “Since I’ve been married…people don’t compliment me. I’m always wondering ‘Do I look ok?’ Nobody ever says anything.”

Read more at THR

Simon Cowell refutes ‘scandalous’ claims he helped billionaire hide assets from wife he was divorcing

Simon Cowell sent top lawyers to the High Court today over ‘scandalous’ allegations that he is involved in a plot to hide the £2billion assets of a tycoon enmeshed in bitter divorce proceedings.

The extraordinary intervention by the X Factor boss came in the middle of a four-day hearing in which former model Michelle Young is accusing her tycoon husband, Scot, of using wealthy friends and associates to hide his multi-million assets.

The judge indicated his preliminary view was that there was ‘not a scrap of evidence’ against Mr Cowell.

Read more at Daily Mail

Leona Lewis, Donna Summer and Others to Guest-Judge ‘Platinum Hit’

SonyBMG/Syco(NEW YORK) — Former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi is lining up some top talent for her new reality competition show Platinum Hit, debuting on Bravo May 30.

Billboard reports that Leona Lewis, Natasha Bedingfield, OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder and Donna Summer will all serve as guest judges for the show.

Read more at WTMA

 
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  • songsungblue

    Gawd, if one more media source equates Pia’s boot with the death of Western Civilization, I am going to lose it! Please. She wasn’t Judy Garland. She was a big voiced singer with shiny hair on a REALITY television show. For reals, peeps.

  • gangreen29

    That popwatch article is disgustingly whiny and self important.

  • Elek

    It’s beyond my understanding as to why some writers are still ridiculing themselves by bringing back an issue that has almost been forgotten. They only prove how fanatic they had become towards Pia Toscano.

    Just one word…

    ENOUGH!!!

  • iluvai

    That popwatch article is disgustingly whiny and self important.

    Thanks, I’ll save myself the frustration and skip it. ;)

  • merkureye

    Face it. It is scandalous that AI10 finally brought America a female contestant who was the first “total package” since Carrie Underwood in AI4, and she got booted off. Pretty shocking.

    But Naima will be just fine.

  • phil25

    Well at least Idol’s getting all this buzz and publicity. Expect ratings to be high tonight.

  • Tess

    It’s how I make my living, so of course I’m bound to get a little touchy about it.

    And my response: Well, obviously the thousands of people who didn’t vote for Pia obviously thought you were among the many who didn’t get it right when you thought Pia was the greatest thing on idol this season. I am still amazed at all the critics who are trying with every breath to undermine everyone and everything else to “prove” that they were “right” about Pia and the rest of the idolsphere had/has it wrong. And pulling the perceived and much disproved image of an always right Simon out of the hat to prove one’s point is really clutching at half-baked straws.

  • Fullmoon

    That popwatch article was spot on.

  • hooch

    From all the gnashing of teeth, no one should ever sing a song on Idol again. They should all just go out and apologize for not being Pia, clearly the greatest singer in American history and perhaps the entire history of the world.
    Oh, whatever shall we do without another boring-assed ballad to tide us over this week?

  • http://www.amadcow2.com amadcow2

    I think that this is day 6 of Pia Watch… Quick, someone find a pregnant panda so the collective media can redirect their passion.

    Prediction:

    > Ryan will comment on the Pia boot and admonish everyone for not voting.

    > The judges will be extra harsh tonight (i.e., Steven will only say Beautiful once or twice… all night)

    > Nigel will orchestrate some sort of cheesey stunt during at least one performance.

    > Everyone will sing well, if not boringly similar to everyone else.

  • Niall

    I’d love to see the judges add a bit more constructive criticism, and I’ve also accepted there’s a gender bias among the rabid idol voters, but this retconned idea being floated that Simon was always right is ridiculous. The judging this year lacks bite and the judges have been a bit timid with the constructive criticism but at least someone like, for instance, Scotty, isn’t going up there like Katie Stevens or Casey James last year, and getting contradictory advice or critiques week to week (and sometimes within the same week). And I sense much less of an agenda on the part of the judges. At times Jennifer has given excellent, specific advice. Simon was on the show for 9 seasons, of course he was right a few times. But he was also wrong or disinterested or confusing, as well.

    The last thing I want to see tonight is the judges being nitpicky for the sake of doing so, and if this uproar over the judging leads to a night of “you were pitchy, dawg” or “Try something out of your box” or “get back in your box,” that will be a huge step back.

  • merkureye

    I am still amazed at all the critics who are trying with every breath to undermine everyone and everything else to “prove” that they were “right” about Pia and the rest of the idolsphere had/has it wrong.

    the “idolsphere has not exactly distinguished itself with their talent/Idol judgments. I present as evidence:

    a. AI2 Ruben Studdard
    b. AI5 Taylor Hicks
    c. AI9 Lee Dewyze

    Sorry not trying to be mean, just real.

  • Nina1

    Critics don’t matter! They’re out of the touch with The People!

    Good grief, Owen, get a grip. We are talking television here, reality television.
    The culture would probably survive all of it going off-air tomorrow.

  • sma11ie

    That popwatch article is disgustingly whiny and self important.

    I know, right?! Ugh, Gleibermann is sooo out of the touch with The People! He’s obv a snobby hack whose opinions carry no more validity than anyone else’s!

    Hee. Sorry, I had to. I agree a little with both of you in actuality.

  • LK3

    Oh, whatever shall we do without another boring-assed ballad to tide us over this week?

    Don’t worry, Stefano will have that covered ;)

    I have a feeling the judges will nitpick at all the kids tonight. Maybe Randy will dig out his ‘that was pitchy,dawg’ after a couple of weeks off from using it.

  • bridgette12

    hooch says:

    04/13/2011 at 7:02 pm

    Oh, whatever shall we do without another boring-assed ballad to tide us over this week?

    I am thanking the music gods in heaven that we are going to have the opportunity to find out this week.

  • Elek

    the “idolsphere has not exactly distinguished itself with their talent/Idol judgments. I present as evidence:

    a. AI2 Ruben Studdard
    b. AI5 Taylor Hicks
    c. AI9 Lee Dewyze

    Sorry not trying to be mean, just real.

    Your evidence is superficial. And therefore, I find AI — NOT GUILTY!

    LOL.

  • JudyL

    merkureye says:
    04/13/2011 at 6:48 pm

    Face it. It is scandalous that AI10 finally brought America a female contestant who was the first “total package” since Carrie Underwood in AI4, and she got booted off. Pretty shocking.

    But Naima will be just fine

    Thanks for the laugh!

    hooch says:
    04/13/2011 at 7:02 pm

    From all the gnashing of teeth, no one should ever sing a song on Idol again. They should all just go out and apologize for not being Pia, clearly the greatest singer in American history and perhaps the entire history of the world.

    Remember that ‘the day the music died’ homage posted by one of his fans after Daughtry’s season 5 elimination? I thought that was pretty extreme but boy it doesn’t come close to this Pia nonsense.

  • tinawina

    Allison! I miss her. :(

    The all-Pia-all-the-time coverage should end after tomorrow. But if I see any more of this on Friday, I might have to cut a beeyotch.

  • songsungblue

    I seriously find it appalling that one would connect the word ‘disaster’ with the loss of a TV show contestant, so soon after Japan. STFU, Owen. As far as I can tell, nearly every media outlet was complaining about her boring-a** ballad choices, and no one put her at the top of the list after her stiff rendition of River Deep. She was the aural equivalent of broccoli – no one denies how good it is for you, but no one is rushing to eat it either. :)

  • woohookitty

    I don’t get it. It does feel very much like she was a critics darling and thats where this came from. First total package since Carrie? She had no personality. No charisma. I don’t get it one bit

  • Eileen99

    hooch says:

    04/13/2011 at 7:02 pm

    Oh, whatever shall we do without another boring-assed ballad to tide us over this week?

    I am thanking the music gods in heaven that we are going to have the opportunity to find out this week.

    Heh. Be very thankful we’re not going to be subjected to “Somewhere”. I know I am.

    Tinawina: I’m with you. I don’t want to hear about Pia after Thursday.

  • leome

    Face it. It is scandalous that AI10 finally brought America a female contestant who was the first “total package” since Carrie Underwood in AI4, and she got booted off. Pretty shocking.

    But Naima will be just fine.

    Yeah, that contestant will get booted off. But at least we get to see her one more night.
    See you tonight, Haley.

  • Willis

    Enough of the David Hernandez! It’s getting ridiculous. You know that site is just looking for hits.

    Liked the Ali news piece and her support of the school. She’s gotten a lot better in interviews over the past few years.

  • njcafe

    The Pia coverage will die down soon enough. The fact that she left in 9TH PLACE is shocking and to many she was one of the front runners. If she went out in 4th or even 6th place people wouldn’t be talking about it as much as everyone is. .She’s now with Andrew Garcia, Megan Joy, Camille Velasco, Ramiele Malulby, Gina Glocksen and Jim Verraos with the 9th place finishers.

  • Nostradamas

    The article was absolutely spot on…..the judges are there for more than stroking the egos of these kids.

    I still can’t figure out why the SAME people constantly feel the need to b*tch and moan about Pia…..instead of simply NOT clicking on a story about her…..

  • chili1000

    I could only get halfway through the Popwatch article before getting bored. Don’t blame the judges for Pia getting voted off last week. Their most important responsibility is selecting the top 24, which I thought they did a fabulous job of. Every single contestant who remains is talented. I kind of like that the judges aren’t picking them apart. Let the voters decide. The so-called “critics”apparently aren’t swayed by the lack criticism coming out of the judge’s mouths. What makes them think that us uneducated masses are?

  • PRMari

    Aw Allison…she sounds and looks so grown up. I miss her.

    This Pia “outrage” is pretty ridiculous.

  • MrDuffin

    The problem is that none of the contestants are that good this year so any of them could go home at any time. But while none of them are all that good a few of them are just plain bad but are still there. That is why folks are amazed that Pia is gone…not because she was that great.

  • PRMari

    But while none of them are all that good a few of them are just plain bad but are still there. That is why folks are amazed that Pia is gone…not because she was that great.

    Where was the outrage when Thia got voted off? She’s better than some still there and pretty much on par with Pia vocally, same with Karen (at least vocally, she’s better than a bunch still there). Why was there no outrage about them being voted off while others who are worse are still there?

  • tripp_ncwy

    Looks like Kris is not enjoying his media blitz today but is working.

    krisallen:
    RT @ryanpetersen23: Writing sweet jamz with @krisallen #realtalk

    Bio: Ryan Petersen – producer, appreciator, investigator, and lover of all things music…and, I have also been known to make a mean risotto

    Personal Website:

  • girlygirl

    I went to the Idol taping tonight, and at least outwardly, the audience didn’t seem to miss Pia — they were very enthusiastic about all the remaining contestants

  • sma11ie

    girlygirl, who were they loudest for?

  • sma11ie

    Wrong thread

  • Elek

    Face it. It is scandalous that AI10 finally brought America a female contestant who was the first “total package” since Carrie Underwood in AI4, and she got booted off. Pretty shocking.

    Seriously — what you just uttered is more shocking than Pia’s boot.

    She (Pia Toscano) was the aural equivalent of broccoli – no one denies how good it is for you, but no one is rushing to eat it either.

    @songsungblue:
    Your wit nailed the best whilst simplest comparison. Great!

    She’s now with Andrew Garcia, Megan Joy, Camille Velasco, Ramiele Malulby, Gina Glocksen and Jim Verraos with the 9th place finishers.

    And if it is a battle of the 9th placers, I certainly would bet all my $$$ for Ramiele Malubay. I could still remember that cute little darling with a big voice during David Cook’s season.

    The problem is that none of the contestants are that good this year so any of them could go home at any time. But while none of them are all that good a few of them are just plain bad but are still there. That is why folks are amazed that Pia is gone…not because she was that great.

    Thanks for making me LOL.

    Where was the outrage when Thia got voted off? She’s better than some still there and pretty much on par with Pia vocally, same with Karen (at least vocally, she’s better than a bunch still there). Why was there no outrage about them being voted off while others who are worse are still there?

    @PRMari:
    I’m with you all the way…

    I went to the Idol taping tonight, and at least outwardly, the audience didn’t seem to miss Pia — they were very enthusiastic about all the remaining contestants

    @girlygirl:
    Thanks for sharing. That’s actually expected. Besides, I would not expect a die-hard fan of an eliminated contestant to still be hanging around.