Idol Headlines for 04/30/09

‘American Idol’: On the scene at the Top 5 results show

I entered the American Idol Thunderdome last night in a breathless rush — more on why in a second — so I almost missed a funny (and kinda prophetic) moment during the pre-show preparations. With 40 minutes to show time, the crew was still putting final touches on the lights, and the band was milling about in their civvies, Rickey Minor sporting what I believe was an especially choice Asian-tinged bowling shirt. Just as I took my seat, a bunch of the band decided to warm up their instruments and/or jam out for a bit. The song they chose? “Hit the Road Jack.” A pretty hilarious song choice for the American Idol band to play on a results night, no? Especially since it turned out to be the night that Matt “Actually, It’s More Like Three Lives” Giraud was finally and definitively cut from the show. (Due respect to Matty G. fans, of course, but you gotta admit the dude managed to make lingering into an art form.)

Entertainment Weekly

‘American Idol’ recap: Cake, rattle, and roll

To the casual observer, tonight’s American Idol results show might have seemed as routine and uneventful as, say, a pigeon on a park bench or a Kim Kardashian photo-op. Ryan Seacrest made his usual entrance via the Adam Lambert Memorial Staircase. Randy Jackson booed Simon Cowell’s introduction like an 8-year-old who’s still learning the difference between what’s funny and what’s merely annoying. And Matt Giraud, the guy everyone pretty much expected to go home, took his final bows to a heartfelt farewell from Paula Abdul (and one final lascivious look from Kara DioGuardi).

Entertainment Weekly

‹American Idol gets down to final four

Matt Giraud had more chances than anyone in recent memory on …American Idol, but the coolest cat on the show finally had the clock run out on him this week.

The dueling piano player from Kalamazoo, Mich. earned a wild-card berth into the final 13, and a judges save kept him around two weeks ago. After a Tuesday night where everybody performed well and more than 47 million votes were cast, he couldnt muster up quite enough support to stay the game.

MSNBC

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

The Rushfield Review: Disaster averted!

We will never know how close “American Idol” eighth season came to disaster Wednesday night. Had Adam Lambert been eliminated last night, a grieving nation would have spent all eternity shaking their heads in disbelief, haunted by the specter of what might have been. ¦ In the annals of “Idol” tragedy — grim pages recounting the dark moments of Daughtry, of Hudson, of Grey — tonight could have marked the bleakest chapter yet for our republic.

Catastrophe averted, but it will be hard for the decent citizens of Idol Nation to forever again to return to our idyllic state of bliss, having felt all our hopes for the greatest finale ever chilled by a brush against Angel of Death Seacrest icy wings.

LA Times

This time, it really is over for Matt Giraud

After the wild card and a save, Matt is out. Plus ‘  Adam in the bottom two? OMG.

It was a night destined to end in heartbreak for “American Idol” fans. At the opening of Wednesday elimination show, judge Simon Cowell looked back at Tuesday performances of Rat Pack jazz standards and said, “Everybody was good.”

Indeed, the performances from the Great American Songbook led many “Idol” watchers to call this group the strongest Top 5 ever. It being elimination night, though, somebody had to go, however unjustly.

And Michigan piano player Matt Giraud drew the short straw.

Giraud ‘  one of the heartthrob contestants, whose good nature and breezy style caused him to be compared with Justin Timberlake ‘  had one of the season rockier rides.

LA Times

Phil Stacey blog: Adam and the inevitable surprise

Mattgiraud After a night packed full of exceptional performances, there was no question we would be in for a surprise. But the surprise came very early when Ryan divided four of the remaining five into two separate groups. He partnered Kris with Matt (which was obviously the bottom two since Matt has consistently been in the bottom group for several weeks now) and he partnered Danny with Allison. Then he asked Adam, who has been identified by many as the runaway front-runner, which group he thought he belonged in.

This is common practice. It happens every season, but usually during Top 7 week. Consistently, every contestant who has been asked to choose between the two groups is a front-runner. David Archuleta was asked last season and went on to be the runner-up. [Updated at 10:35 p.m.: An earlier version of this post said it had been David Cook asked to choose between the two groups.] Consistently, every contestant who is asked to choose refuses to do so and instead sits or stands between the two groups.

LA Times

Kris Allen’s Hometown Abuzz Over His ‘Idol’ Run

CONWAY, Arkansas ‘  The window paint praising Kris Allen on the many businesses on Oak Street downtown may have faded and smeared from the torrential rains earlier in the week, but Wednesday (April 29) dawned sunny in Allen’s hometown.

After a much-praised performance on the Rat Pack-themed night of Tuesday’s “American Idol, ” during which judge Kara DioGuardi referred to the 23-year-old Allen as an (ahem) “dark horse” and Randy Jackson called his lively performance of “The Way You Look Tonight” his best to date, America was perhaps waking up to what the fine folks here have known for months: The Conway Kid might just pull it out.

MTV

Is ‹American Idol Teen Allison Iraheta The Original Susan Boyle?

Allison IrahetaNo matter how many octaves Adam Lambert can screech, there only one contestant this season that I call my …American Idol, and, ironically enough, her initials are A.I.: Allison Iraheta!

The newly 17-year-old singer had me from her first crazy interview, in which she acted like shed stumbled off the set of …Intervention. She solidified that love minutes later with a knock-your-ass-to-the-ground-and-now-your-butt-bone-hurts-but-you-dont-care-cuz-it-was-that-brilliant rendition of Heart …Alone. Allison was the original Susan Boyle ‘  a girl who, on first impression, you thought was a loon. But then when she opened that bedazzled-braces-clad mouth, you were blown away.

MTV

Allison Iraheta’s ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’: The Story Behind The Cover

Allison Iraheta has been this year’s resident rocker chick on “American Idol, ” belting out raspy, high-intensity versions of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” and Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” But that was when she was just 16 years old.

Fresh off her birthday celebration the day before, the now-17-year-old Iraheta showed off a decidedly more mature side during Tuesday’s Rat Pack night on “Idol, ” delivering a sultry version of “Someone to Watch Over Me.” (Head here for the story behind Adam Lambert’s cover of “Feeling Good.”)

MTV

Adam Lambert: the Jewish American Idol

Last month when I was home for my birthday I got scolded’ by my best friend. …Havent you seen Adam Lambert on Idol?! Im dying to know what you think!… If I thought I could get away without knowing about Lambert’ the second Jewish contestant to be a front runner on ‹Idol (Elliott Yamin placed 3rd in Season 5)’ I was SO wrong. Adam Lambert cannot be ignored. The buzz around him finally reached a boiling point, so I caved in and tivod last week show.

And all I could think was, Kara DioGuardi is so right: He is the modern incarnate of Clark Kent!

And yeah, the kids got chops.

Jewish Journal.com

Analyzing Idol: Is Adam the Show’s Most Unique Performer Ever?

Throughout American Idol’s final weeks, as each sing-off signs off, TVGuide.com will be checking in with TV Guide Network hosts/Idol alums Justin Guarini and Kimberly Caldwell for their particularly qualified takes on who soared, who stumbled, and which judge’s review most rang true.

This week, Guarini shares his thoughts on who Rat-Packed a punch as they tackled jazz standards.

TV Guide

VIDEO: Anoop Desai and Lil Rounds Tell Us Who Should Win Idol!

As American Idol goes from five contestants to the final four tonight, Us enlisted finalists Anoop Desai and Lil Rounds ‘  both sent packing last week ‘ to rate the remaining singers: Matt Giraud, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen and Danny Gokey.

…Each one has shot and a good shot, Desai tells Us, adding that Gokey …deserves to win primarily because he was my roommate. Agrees Rounds: …[They] all have great potential. Everyone future is so bright and it at the point now where Idol has been such a great launching pad [and] well have great careers from this.

US Magazine

Jackie Tohn, on her new record, ‘Beguiling, ‘ and life after ‘Idol’

Jackie Tohn has been an actor since she was 9 and a musician since she was 20. But all that time in the limelight didn’t do her any favors on this season of “American Idol.” In fact, it might have even hurt her. After making the Top 36, Jackie was soon eliminated — a fact she attributes, at least in part, to her Hollywood pedigree.

It’s counterintuitive, but Jackie says having a few credits to your name can actually work against you on “Idol.” Thanks to her impressive resume, when Jackie first appeared on the show, many in the blogosphere wrote her off as a plant. The fact that she had appeared in a Fox series — “On the Lot” — only fueled rumors. But during a phone interview Tuesday, Jackie insisted, “I didn’t know anybody directly at 19 or directly at ‘Idol, ‘ … I waited in line just like everybody else.”

LA Times

PAULA ABDUL TOTALLY FOOLED BY ‘BRUNO’

PAULA Abdul is about to be ridiculed at a theater near you — and she doesn’t even know it. A source tells us Sacha Baron Cohen, playing a wildly gay Austrian TV reporter in “Bruno, ” conducted a wacky interview with the “American Idol” judge. “Paula was totally fooled. She bought into his character and to this day isn’t aware she was fooled, ” the insider said. Abdul’s rep had no immediate comment. Universal, which releases the flick July 10, also had no comment. Texas Rep. Ron Paul has already admitted being tricked into a hotel room by Cohen’s character.

NYPost

American Idol: To Inanity, and Beyond!

The Top 5! Rat Pack croony swoony songs! What a magical combination. Oddly, I don’t mean that entirely sarcastically. There was some good sing-sangin’ on Idol last night, mostly from my long-term two favorites.

In the show’s continued efforts to hire judges who’ve no business critiquing singing performances, Jamie Foxx hopped off his Miami speedboat and mugged for the cameras and popped up as a surprise mentor. Kris awkwardly just walked up and gave him one of those soul-boy handshake/hug things that I can never seem to quite get right (or even figure out when they’re about to happen, it always ends up some weird mashy muddle of a hug). Matt Giraud was conveniently playing “Georgia On My Mind” on the harpsichord, so maybe they actually knew he was coming. Who knows. On with the judging.

Gawker

Bob Watches ‘American Idol, ‘ While I Ask, ‘Are You A Music Snob?’

As NPR Music producer Stephen Thompson noted on Twitter (@idislikestephen) last night, watching All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen sit through an episode of American Idol is a bit like watching the Amish in Times Square. To Bob’s credit, he didn’t squirm as much as I thought he would, though on a few occasions he did scrunch his face, as though someone were holding a handful of manure under his nose.

Following last week’s post about contestant Adam Lambert, Bob was especially curious to hear and see the program’s most theatrical and memorable singer. Here’s a partial transcript of the conversation we had after Lambert squealed his final note:

NPR

Applegate, Pattinson, Clooney & an Obama Top People’s Beautiful List

The Disney delegation was once again strong, with box-office champ Zac Efron leading the pack. Joining him in their rightful place among the beautiful people are Nick and Joe Jonas, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. Also contributing to the fresh-faced brigade are country cuties Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, and, for the first time, Emmas Watson and Roberts and possible Twilight franchise addition Channing Tatum.

Among those grinning and baring their beauty are Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner, who join Pitt, Jolie, Jackman and Berry in being acknowledged for their megawatt smiles. Perpetual beauty Heidi Klum also made the cut.

Baring a little more than the others are Eva Mendes, Cindy Crawford, Claire Danes, Amanda Bynes, Ciara, American Idol’s controversial new judge Kara DioGuardi and the girls of 90210′ Jessica Stroup, AnnaLynne McCord, Jessica Lowndes and Shenae Grimes’ all of whom readied for their close-up without the aid of makeup.

E Online

Miley & David’s Duet Debut

One more reason for tweens everywhere to rejoice: Miley Cyrus (as Hannah Montana) and American Idol alum David Archuleta have a new song coming out, “I Wannna Know You.” Even better news for devoted fans? The song is debuting on May 2 on Disney Radio, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

The song will have its first run during the Planet Premiere feature on the channel, which can be accessed via RadioDisney.com, Sirius and XM satellite radio, iTunes Radio Tuner, and more.

OK Magazine

‘Idol’s’ David Cook performs sold out show

To call it anything but a dream would be misleading. Imagine competing against more than 100, 000 people in a singing contest. Then imagine being judged by three celebrities, not to mention millions of Americans – armchair critics, every one. Then, imagine winning.

Clearly, it is a preposterous proposition. But for Cook, it is his life.

“There’s no school for it, ” he says of his experience on the hit TV show “American Idol.” “By going through that, I’ve been able to do some amazing things since.”

Gainsville.com

‘American Idol’ winner in Toledo Wednesday David Cook is focused on building his career

Like millions worldwide, David Cook, last season American Idol winner, has been caught up in the phenomenon of Susan Boyle, a contestant on Britain Got Talent.

…I think she an amazing example of if youve got talent, youve got talent. She got an amazing voice ‘  well see what she able to accomplish with it. My hat off to her, he said in a recent phone interview. …It no small feat, as far as nerves are concerned, to walk on stage in front of a bunch of people in a room, not to mention everybody watching at home, and to pull something like that off.

Toledo Blade

Former “American Idol” Winner Ruben Studdard To Release New Album.

It been almost six years since Alabama native Ruben Studdard won the second season of popular talent competition …American Idol. Now the R&B singer is preparing for the release of his fourth album entitled Love IS.
Ruben Studdard Ready To Release New Album.

With this new album Studdard is hoping to reconnect with the number of fans he gained during his …Idol days.

…Ever since I won ‘American Idol, ‘ people have always been saying they love the way I sing ballads and would love to have me do an album of love songs, Ruben Studdard explained to Billboard. …I’ve been in the music business awhile now. I’ve had an opportunity to see exactly what the fans want from me and expect, and I think this is exactly the kind of album they’ve been waiting on.”

BET

At OCPAC, ‘Grease’ is still the word

“We go together, like ramalala ka-dingity ding de dong ¦”

All the “Grease” groupies out there started bopping up and down at the mere sight of those words, didn’t you?

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m among their number. Yes, it’s possible to be a highfalutin, Shakespeare-spouting theater critic and love the heck out of “Grease.”

OC Register

Elliott Yamin new album bursts with soul, emotion

Two years of dues-paying. Two years of meeting the right people. Two years of training his voice and honing his songwriting skills.

They all equate to Elliott Yamin’s second album soaring at a completely different level than his self-titled 2007 debut.

Granted, despite that record’s shortcomings banal lyrics and tinny production the worst offenders — Yamin did score a Top Five, platinum-certified hit with “Wait For You, ” the smooth R&B ballad that helped push his album past half a million in sales.

He has returned with an A-grade new single: the title track, “Fight For Love, ” which floats with an irresistible combination of husky emotion blanketed in Yamin’s silky voice.

Times Dispatch

Paula Abdul Launches Auction For Pets And Women’s Shelters

Paula Abdul is launching a new charity auction today to raise money for American Humane Pets And Women Shelters program (PAWS).

…The PAWS Program is a critical way of providing a transition for abused women and children into a safer and better life, said Abdul when she signed on as spokesperson for the campaign. …I feel privileged to be involved with this extremely important and necessary program.

The PAWS campaign acknowledges the richness of the bond between people and their pets, which often provide unconditional love and comfort to adult domestic violence victims and their children. For that reason ‘  as well as for the safety of the pets ‘  American Humane strongly advocates keeping domestic violence victims and their pets together whenever possible.

Look To the Stars

Julianne Hough wont be back on ‹Dancing

Julianne Hough says she will not be back on …Dancing With the Stars for season nine.

…Im not doing next season, Hough told Access Hollywood after she and her partner, country singer Chuck Wicks, were eliminated from the competition show on Tuesday night.

This isnt the first time Hough has pledged not to return to the show for the next season. In November 2008, she hit her blog and said she wouldnt be appearing in season eight. But she changed her mind when she was given the opportunity to dance with her real-life love, Wicks.

MSNBC

Carrie Ann Inaba blogs ‘DWTS, ‘ week 8

Week 8 has come to a close on Dancing With the Stars and Chuck and Julianne have gone home. I think from here on out it is going to be very difficult to watch people leave, because this season has had a very special feeling to it. Ive never seen the competition so close before and because of that competitiveness, we are watching these celebrities who arent professional dancers come out and do things that are amazing. There are breakthroughs and breakdowns. We are seeing more injuries this season than ever in the past and I do think it is because it is so competitive out there. It an exciting season on so many levels and I cant wait for next week when they start doing two dances on their own.

Entertainment Weekly

About mj santilli 34830 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!