Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
High-energy Hicks rocks Tent
“American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks showed up on the Melody Tent stage Sunday with gray hair and a gray sports jacket ‘ looking like an accountant or political candidate.
But that image dissipated pretty quickly. This guy may not look like a musician, but ‘ lo and behold ‘ he is…….
Murphy, others invited to join Oscars group
Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson have been asked to join Hollywood’s most exclusive club……
New channel will offer gay content
Comcast adds Logo to lineup in an effort to reach wider audience
…By coincidence, the launch of Logo comes during the height of local gay-pride activities that culminate Saturday with the annual Pride Parade. Houstonian Kimberly Caldwell, a former American Idol contestant, will be on hand to crown the festival’s first “Pride Idol.”…
Today in History – June 19
…Today’s Birthdays:
…Singer-dancer-“American Idol” judge Paula Abdul is 45…
Idol: The Musical to Play 45th Street Theatre
Idol: The Musical, which is based on the idol worship of former “American Idol” contestant Clay Aiken is headed Off-Broadway……..
25th Annual Shell ROTELLA SUPERRIGS(R) Competition Offers $25, 000 in Prizes
Premier Truck Beauty Contest To Be Held In Joplin, Mo. From June 21-23
…In addition to the truck beauty contest, there will be entertainment including a Friday night concert from former American Idol contestant Carmen Rasmusen….
U.S. properties tap emerging markets
With flat sales Stateside, companies go abroad
…For FremantleMedia, new frontiers include South America and Asia; in both territories, regional television networks are running localized “American Idol” formats, and complementary licensing programs are already under way…
Constantine Maroulis takes time, finds his voice on debut disc
Rather than rushing to put out an album fresh off of his run on “American Idol, ” season four contestant Constantine Maroulis opted to take his time crafting his debut.
“I spent the last couple of years putting a little distance between myself and ‘American Idol, ‘” says Maroulis, who became known on the show for his smoldering glances and leather jacket-clad rock star persona. “There were so many great things that came my way after the show and things I wanted to experiment with ‘ the main thing being to find my voice and the sound I wanted to accomplish on my first album.”……
‘Upfront’ ad sales show that network TV is still dominant
Commercial time is selling briskly, with buyers less worried about delayed viewing.
….The networks, however, are offsetting any decline in advertising dollars that result from lower ratings, because for the first time they will be paid for viewers who digitally record a program and watch it later.
Last year advertisers refused to pay for those viewers. But that audience could no longer be ignored, as about 17% of homes with televisions in the U.S. are now equipped with digital recorders. Advertisers will now pay for viewers who watched a show within three days after it was recorded.
Allowing that audience to be counted is likely to bring in additional hundreds of millions of dollars to the networks. The most popular programs tend to have the highest rates of recording and playbacks, so networks with the top shows will benefit the most…
… Many of the cable networks have not agreed to use the new system of measuring the audience for commercials. They are afraid the change will lead to substantially lower advertising prices. Not only that, but ad buyers are now more eager to put money on shows that deliver the most “impressions.” And those are largely network shows, such as ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and Fox’s “House” and “American Idol.”…
Accent
Community calendar
…Elliott Yamin ‘ Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. “American Idol” finalist with special guest. All ages. 8 p.m. June 19. $23. 740-1000…
Rosie’s game to talk ‘Price’
….Word is that O’Donnell will meet with FremantleMedia, which produces “The Price Is Right, ” as well as “American Idol, ” “Family Feud” and many other shows. Whether it’s for “Price” or other potential projects is unknown.
O’Donnell has been wooed by several studios since she left “The View” in late May, so meeting with FremantleMedia about general issues would not be out of the question….
Quick Hits: Velvet Revolver/Alice In Chains, KoRn, James Blunt, Radiohead, Blue October, Fuel, Rod Stewart
…The AIC crew also is gearing up for the 6th Annual Layne Staley Tribute and Benefit Concert on August 25 in Seattle. Singer Chris Daughtry will take the stage to honor Layne and his fans…
Cinder Road constantly touring
……Were constantly on tour, he said. …We started the Daughtry tour in January and we havent really been home since. Weve gone home twice, and we get to see our families for a hot second….
ND State Fair Coming Together
…They’ve scheduled two rock concerts including Daughtry and Def Leppard…
Grab your cowboy hat ’cause Country USA is comin’ to town
…Where’s the star power?
Oh, there’s plenty of that, from legends to hot newcomers. The hottest wattage comes from superstar Alan Jackson, who headlines on the festival’s final night. But garnering just as much excitement may be Carrie Underwood. The “American Idol” quickly has become one of Nashville’s hottest acts. She’ll be headlining the big fest on Thursday…
TOP OF THE MORNIN
Raytown South sprinter Close to making Trials
…First Reggie Bush, now the Chiefs very own Larry Johnson.
Fantasia Barrino (remember her, the screamer from …American Idol?) and Sony records cast Johnson as the male lead in her latest video, …When I See U. Originally, Sony wanted Jamie Foxx but later turned to LJ. So in late March for the one-day shoot, Johnson walked on a treadmill in front of a green screen, but in the clip, it appears as if he wandering the streets of New York for his love interest.
Johnson is a natural, wearing a Yankees cap cocked ever so slightly, smiling and throwing up the peace sign. (Somebody tell Pacino to watch out.) Then, he meets up with Fantasia for the big finale lip-lock. Can you believing that kissing Fantasia take after take was more nerve-racking for Johnson than going up against Pittsburgh defense?
…They dont make you stop until you get it right. Johnson says. …The more we kept doing it, the more she had to keep putting lip gloss on….
Sorry, just can’t muster up sympathy for Clarkson
….Yes, those of us who have watched the music business abandon real talent and creativity to offer stardom to Hulk Hogan’s daughter should be leaping to our feet, pumping our fists, and going online to buy all the Kelly Clarkson merchandise that can fit into a UPS truck. Shouldn’t we?
Sorry. Can’t do it.
There’s a few reasons not to feel sorry for Kelly Clarkson. Actually, there are many reasons,
but the price of newsprint prohibits me from going as far as possible. But let’s tackle a few main points nonetheless……
Buzz Report: Licensing Show A to Z
…Fremantle Media
New partners for New York-based Fremantle Media American Idol brand include Dreyer (American Idol branded ice-cream), Nestlà © (a sweepstakes to the finale), Idol Camp (a performing arts summer camp) and The Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (which hosted the Idol Gives Back charity events on April 24 and 25). Versions of the show in Latin America, France, Vietnam and Australia are also being produced. For the U.K. version of The Apprentice, Fremantle has created a new site, www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice, which offers downloads of the show podcast. And for the classic TV series Baywatch series, Fremantle has launched a merchandising program that includes apparel and swimwear from INGEAR Swim plus beach accessories like towels and flip-flops, all available next summer. Other licensees include Knot4Nothing (apparel), Mad Engine (apparel) and MeadWestvaco (calendars).
