Idol Headlines for 06/24/09

By On 06/24/2009 · 57 Comments · In Uncategorized

TVà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Cowell and retailer Green join forces

Simon Cowell, one of the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s biggest TV stars, has joined forces with Sir Philip Green, the British retail billionaire, to form a global entertainment company that will create and own television content on both sides of the Atlantic.

The two men, close friends for the past decade, have been working closely together in recent weeks, with Sir Philip travelling to Los Angeles to advise Mr Cowell on a new contract to appear on the Fox networkà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s American Idol.

The venture with Sir Philip will effectively act as a holding company for all of Mr Cowellà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s entertainment interests, which include Britainà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Got Talent, Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Got Talent and The X-Factor. But it will also be a springboard for new programming devised or produced by Mr Cowell, with Sir Philip providing business advice.

Mr Cowell and Sir Philip declined to comment but a person familiar with the talks said a new American Idol deal would probably be struck for Mr Cowell through the new Green-Cowell entity.

Mr Cowell has been offered an American Idol contract that would make him the best-paid star of TV, with a deal likely to surpass even Oprah Winfreyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s estimated earnings, according to a person familiar with the talks.

FT.com

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

David Cook from the heart

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Is this the moment that I look you in the eye?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  The lyrics melt into the sound of the piano. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m permanent,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  David Cook sings. Each painstaking, beautiful note, causes a lump to the throat.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s hard to breathe as the song comes into full crescendo. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Permanent,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  a release from Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s self-titled debut album, is a dedication to his brother Adam.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been nearly two months since Adam passed away from cancer. The loss is raw and thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s an urge to tip-toe. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s hard not to cry.

Tulsa Today

David Cook rocks sold-out crowd at Cainà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Ballroom

David Cook drenched eager fans with emotion Tuesday night as the former Tulsa bartender served up hits like shots from his short but intoxicatingly potent career.

The seventh-season à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  winner played a sold-out homecoming show at the historic Cainà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Ballroom.

Mothers, sorority sisters, fraternity boys, teachers, kids, grandparents à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  they all crowded in, shoulder to shoulder. They all sang along like pie-eyed old friends singing bar-room anthems.

Tulsa World

Supporting act David Archuleta hit the exact right notes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ figuratively and literally à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ for the show.

In his 50-minute, 11-song set, Archuleta drew screams not just for great singing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ his big notes on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hold Onà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“You Canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  were worthy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ but for just being a crowd-pleasing young guy. (He also got screams just for a small hand wave when his back-lit shadow appeared on the closed curtain before it rose for him.)

Now a year removed from his à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  second-place finish, Archuleta has grown into a stage presence that can command arenas. Opening with his current hit, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A Little Too Not Over You,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  he bounced all over the expansive set, gestured more confidently and sang more assuredly.

McCall.com

Carly Smithson’s Fallen: Is this the Evanescence you’ve been looking for?

The band may be new, but former Evanescence members Ben Moody, Rocky Gray and John LeCompt don’t have any problem looking to the past. Unveiling two songs from their recently formed outfit the Fallen, which features former “Idol” contestant and one-time major label artist Carly Smithson, the alt-rock-era advocates didn’t hide that they were courting the Evanescence fanbase.
Just look at the band’s name, a reference to Evanescence’s 2003′s multi-million selling debut “Fallen.” Speaking to local media after the performance at a Hollywood studio, LeCompt said the group wanted to “encompass all of our fans we already had” by invoking the hit album.

Rock fans missing Evanescence, who haven’t been heard from since 2006 — leader Amy Lee promises new music next year — will likely find a quick fix in the Fallen. The songs, currently dubbed “Bury Me” and “Port Going Under,” are packed with the grinding guitars and howling theatrics that propelled “Fallen” to sell more than 15 million copies worldwide. The stop-and-stop chopping guitar riff of “Port Going Under” even recalled moments of Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life.”

LA Times

We Are The Fallen Rises From Evanescence’s Ashes

Ben Moody predicts that his just-unveiled new band, We Are The Fallen, will enjoy a peaceful co-existence rather than mortal combat with his old group, Evanescence.

“We wish them the best,” Moody, who co-founded Evanescence with singer Amy Lee in 1995 and left the band 2003 after co-writing its multi-platinum debut, “Fallen,” tells Billboard.com. He formed We Are The Fallen earlier this year with original Evanescence members John LeCompt on guitar and Rocky Gray on drums, adding bassist Marty O’Brien and “American Idol” Season 7 finalist Carly Smithson on vocals.

“There’s not really an Evanescence now,” Moody adds. “It’s Amy Lee playing as Evanescence with a bunch of other guys hired to play our parts. And she’s amazing — an incredible front person, a great songwriter, an incredible singer. There’s no reason we can’t both exist in the world. Musically, we’re going in completely different directions; ‘The Open Door’ (Evanescence’s 2006 album) sounds nothing like We Are The Fallen.”

Billboard.com

6/23: Michael Johns interview, new album Hold Back My Heart out today

I spoke with former Buckhead man and season 7 finalist Michael Johns last month in advance of his soulful first album à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hold Back My Heart,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  out today. Listen to it at AOL here.

Since I last spoke with him last December at Gwinnett Arena for a charity tennis tourney, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been too busy to come back to Atlanta.

Did he watch season eight? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“You want to stay in touch with whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going on but I was working so much,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  he said. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get to sink my teeth into it like I used to do. What I saw, I enjoyed.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  He got to attend the finale and popped up on camera a few times.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“It was funny,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  he said. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I was walking into the Nokia Theatre. A lady pulled me over and said, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m Krisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ mom. No way you were voted off because of me. Every week, I just looped up the phone!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ We took a photo together. I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t expect that.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

AJC.com

Album Review – Hold Back My Heart (Michael Johns)

Every now and then there comes an album that seems to have ingeniously soared into such spirit and authenticity and coyly finds a way to your soul. Michael Johns’ exquisite album, Hold Back My Heart is one of those albums. Best described as soulful and genuine, Johns bears his soul for listeners with his effortless and attractive voice while revealing not just the beauty of his tone but how outstanding music can truly be.

newsvine.com

Michael Johns’ ‘Hold Back My Heart’: Track-by-Track

Heart on My Sleeve: “You think you’ve heard this before,” Michael Johns begins his first album since finishing eighth on American Idol’s seventh season, “I’ll try and say it differently, as long as it comes naturally to me.” This piano-based ballad — you can almost imagine him singing it during the photo session for the album sleeve — is a songwriter’s declaration of love, as Johns searches for the words that will match the feelings that “keep on pouring out.” Ultimately, the song’s more about the struggle to find those words — and a promise to keep trying — than it is a successful attempt at getting them on paper. Written by British singer-songwriter James Morrison and A-list producer John Shanks.

USA Today.com

Expectant Jennifer Hudson Steps Out in Orange

Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  who is reportedly eight months along with her first child à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  stepped out for a bite to eat at a Chipotle restaurant in Florida on Monday.

Wearing an orange minidress, Jennifer, 27, grabbed a burrito with fiancà © David Otunga and the two enjoyed their meal outside.

Celebrities-babies.com

‘Idol’s’ Kimberley Locke has ‘Gospel Dream’

(CNN) — Kimberley Locke knows a thing or two about singing competitions.

Having placed third during season two of “American Idol” — just behind winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken — the singer is back in reality show action as the new co-host of “Gospel Dream.”

The Gospel Music Channel’s talent search is going into its fourth season, and Locke joins fellow host Mike Kasem (son of Casey Kasem) and the judges — gospel artist J. Moss, Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams and industry executive Mitchell Solarek — on the show.

There is only one reality show I really, really want to do, and that’s “Dancing With the Stars.” I want to be on that show because then I’d lose the extra 10 to 15 pounds I want to lose.

CNN.com

Gatecrasher

- Chris Daughtry is no Justin Timberlake, but he’ll do. As the “American Idol” alum did shots with members of the Fray and OneRepublic at Timberlake’s barbecue joint, Southern Hospitality, a cougar sidled up to him and growled, “I came here hoping to see Justin Timberlake, but it was great meeting you, too.” Responded Daughtry: “Glad I could fill in!”

- Ryan Seacrest replacing Larry King on CNN is laughable – literally. During King’s one-man show at the Wynn Las Vegas on Friday night, an audience member asked the 75-year-old who he’d choose as his successor upon retirement. After naming Seacrest, the audience burst into gales of laughter. A bewildered King asked, “Why is that funny?”

NY Daily News

T-shirt sales benefit animal shelter

Country music performer and Richmond County native Bucky Covington recently donated dog and cat food purchased with the proceeds from t-shirt sales to the Richmond County Humane Society.

The t-shirts are the same ones sold at Covingtonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s concerts. They were sold at Covington’s Body Shop.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The staff at the shelter said it was an early Christmas,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  said Humane Society Director Candy Bacon said.

Daily Journal

Speidi Returns to I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!

It’s a series with emotional landmines as potent as tarantula cocktails and crocodile-filled obstacle courses. And on Wednesday, NBC’s I’m a Celebrity à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ Get Me Out of Here! ends its three-week run when one star will be crowned the ultimate King, or Queen, of the Jungle.

Challenges notwithstanding, the celebrity survivor will also have to stomach the return of former contestants Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, who landed in Costa Rica on Tuesday, as well as Janice Dickinson and Daniel Baldwin, who are also set to return to the jungle.

People.com

JULIANNE HOUGH: GOOD DANCER, BAD ACTRESS

SHE can dance, she can sing — but Julianne Hough apparently can’t act. Paramount had wanted to cast the “Dancing With the Stars” hoofer, who’s also topped the country charts with her hit, “My Hallelujah Song,” in its remake of “Footloose.” But her audition “was so bad, the producers sent her off to take acting classes,” our insider said. “She’s scheduled for another screen test Aug. 1. They definitely like her, but the producers know they need a real actress for the movie to work — she’s a pretty girl who can sing and dance, but so was Mariah Carey, and we all know how ‘Glitter’ turned out.” Reps for Hough and Paramount didn’t return detailed calls.

New York Post

Maksim Chmerkovskiy of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ to judge dancers in St. Petersburg

Watch professional ballroom dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy on any edition of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, and you’ll see a man who doesn’t quite fit with what surrounds him à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  and seems to like it that way. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¢ In a sea of lithe, sleek guys, he’s the stubble-faced, macho Ukrainian often showing off his chest. And when a celebrity he’s training steps out of line à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  the last cycle of Dancing showed Chmerkovskiy seeming to push partner Denise Richards to tears, though he will explain that later à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  “Maks” is more than willing to get tough, on camera. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¢ “I’m unable to bend the truth,” said Chmerkovskiy, 29, speaking by cell phone from New York last week, moments before he would accept an award from Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his contributions to Russian culture. “It’s a little difficult. If I may say something about somebody not doing such a good job and that person happens to be popular celebrity, that gets their fans hating me.”

Tampa Bay.com

‘America’s Got Talent’ Winner: Cowell Not to Blame for Boyle Breakdown

Neal E. Boyd was an insurance salesman from Missouri. Then he won a little competition called ‘America’s Got Talent’ and now the opera singer has his own album, ‘My American Dream.’ In an interview with PopEater, Boyd talks about his time on the show, the advice Simon Cowell gave him, and what he thinks about Susan Boyle.

Popeater

‘America’s Got Talent’: Well, not two hours-worth, apparently

The Susan Boyle phenomenon has had a predictable effect on the new season of America’s Got Talent. The don’t-judge-book-by-cover lesson we were supposed to take away from Boyle translates, over here, as a new politeness among judges Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff, and Piers Morgan. And so instead of previous seasons’ mirthless attempts by the judges to insult the bad contestants, we were killed with kindness. “Thank you very much indeed,” said Osbourne over and over again in rejecting mediocre acts. Is this the same woman who co-hosted Fox’s abysmal Osbournes Reloaded in March with creepy vulgarity? Yes; polite Sharon and rude Sharon are two sides of an act, and neither is entertaining.

EW.com

X Factor auditions begin: Wannabes face 2,000 harsh judges

The X Factor is back but there was a nasty surprise for the pop wannabes and a lot of Xtra pressure.

There was no more auditioning for the judges in a private room to spare their blushes. Instead, contestants walked off the street and into a concert hall in front of 2,000-strong audience.

And the crowd wasted no time in expressing its feeling about the acts.

Mirror.co.uk

A New Statement from Perez Hilton

“Words can hurt. I know that very well, from both sides of the fence. The other night in Toronto, after feeling physically threatened by a verbally abusive Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, I chose the most hurtful word I know to hurl at him. I was in an out-of-the ordinary situaton and used a word that I would not utter under normal circumstances. My intention – however misguided it may have been – was to stand up for myself and tell this belligerent man that I had enough of his badgering and was not going to continue to let him berate and intimidate me. I wanted to hurt him with the word I chose, not anyone else. Unfortunately, the one who got hurt was me and, subsequently, a lot of other people. I wish none of it had happened. I can’t take it back. I did what I thought was best at the moment to stand up for myself in a non-violent yet still assertive way. Clearly, I am not homophobic. Also, I am not nor have I ever claimed to be a spokesperson for the gay community. I am just speaking for myself, a gay man. One who is labeled “flamboyant” in the media. An American that is not granted equal rights under the law. I will continue to speak out for equality and I will continue to say things that upset both gay people and straight people. Who I am as a person and what I do for a living are two separate things.

Perez Hilton.com

 
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  • wellhesback

    David Cook plays acoustic at after show party:
    http://davidcooksfan.com/2009/06/24/23-june-2009-gray-snail-after-party-tulsa-ok
    (I posted this in the wrong thread before, sorry)

  • terps

    I wonder how long his new contract would be for, would it include Idol turning into X-factor in the future. I don’t know how much longer Idol can last without major changes.

  • unique28v

    Why on earth are they thinking of casting Julianne Hough if she can’t act? There are other young pretty girls that can sing, dance, AND Act, which is the point of a movie. I was already not happy with the fact that they are remaking a classic, now I”m even more underwhelmed.

    As far as Perez is concerned, Will.i.am is sooooo not threatening! lol Oh goodness. And there is a worst word Perez could have used, and I’m glad he didn’t……. Anyways, they should both just apoligize to each other and move on.

  • hypertwink

    Oh shut up Perez.

    You’re not a douche but you play one on TV, is that it? Adn talk about non-violent? You chose to use a word that is one of the most derogatory for a man to be labeled, whether gay or straight but you’re just asserting yourself? Excuse me but that doesn’t fly. It’s like saying the c or n word — you know it’s going to arouse so much ugly emotion that you trigger a violent reaction. You wanted to hurt will i am and that’s violence, in my opinion.

  • revcat

    35 Kellie Picler à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Best Days of Your Lifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  38,393 (15%; lw 33,374) Total: 513,474 (37) **NOW GOLD**

    I’m so happy for Kellie! My husband and I both fell in love with her during her AI stint.

    I am not a country music follower, but I do like my girl Kellie.

    :tongue3_tb:

  • HappyDaisy

    Thanks wellhesback!

    Neal smoking — not cool. Should be more considerate of his buddy Dave’s health and voice. Looked like Neal was trying too hard to “be cool” with the cigarette during Little Lies. Didn’t work.

  • washpd

    Kellie Pickler’s baffling career success just goes to show that you really cannot predict who is going to succeed based on how they did on AI.

    Perez is such a hypocrite. HE is saying that he could no longer stand all the hurtful words and intimidation? Give me a break! I don’t condone violence, but I do not feel sorry for Perez one bit. Words can and DO hurt, and he’s been making himself rich and famous by saying hurtful things about people for years now. I’ve got a word for you, Perez: karma.

    Sounds like David Cook’s show was AMAZING. I hope I get to see him live one of these days.

  • sunchick

    David Cook plays acoustic at after show party:
    http://davidcooksfan.com/2009/06/24/23-june-2009-gray-snail-after-party-tulsa-ok
    (

    Awww, it’s so full circle and stuff. Pretty cool that after they play a major paying gig, they play some more just because it’s fun for them (and probably to drum up some business for their pal’s bar.) Quick background info for the Cook fans: this surprise impromptu acoustic thing took place at The Gray Snail, the small Tulsa joint that David used to play, infamously featured in the Tenacious D cover slash/ Birthday song tubage that made the rounds a tiny bit during AI.

  • Jolene

    OMG, love love love this acoustic Man in the Box from the secret after-show last night! Poor Kyle must have a sore back today, playing the “drums” like that! LOL

  • tierbee

    Neal smoking à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  not cool. Should be more considerate of his buddy Daveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s health and voice.

    If that bar is like any of the ones where my brother has played it is not much more than a “smoke filled room,” Neal smoking or not. I come out of his shows smelling like I took a bath in cigarette smoke (yuck).

  • Keel

    OMG, love love love this acoustic Man in the Box from the secret after-show last night!

    Except for the too loud sing-along. I wanted to hear him more and not the off-pitch brigade. It’d be awesome if he’d pull out the acoustic guitar once in a while in concert.

  • waffle

    ^^^ Is that normal, though, smoking while performing? That smoke blown in the direction of David – it sure looked scary.

  • twinkle

    DAMMIT! I just realized that David is in OKC tonight and there are still tickets left but i have to get work done for a meeting tomorrow. Curse you grad school!!

  • HappyDaisy

    Watching Neal over time, he seems to be trying too hard to play some sort of role that he thinks is cool.

  • LaurelG

    Perezspeak:

    I was feeling physically threatened … I stood up for myself … it was an extraordinary situation and I used extreme measures … I got hurt along with a lot of other people … I wish it had never happened … I only speak for myself

    Reality:

    The guy has been writing trash about the BEP and their lead singer for a long time … he got into an verbal argument with a member of the band and it escalated (alcohol consumption?) to the point where he lost his temper and hurled a homophobic slur at the guy … it was caught on tape so now he has to justify his actions … the guy tries to speak on behalf of the gay community but it’s doubtful anyone would want him as their spokesperson …

    Perez is totally delusional. This statement “explains” nothing and only makes him look like more of a**. He tries to “justify” everything he did. He was “physically threatened,” badgered. His intention was “misguided” but not wrong. He’s sorry it happened, but he’s not sorry he used the word because he did what he thought was “best” in a “non-violent yet still assertive way.” Wow. He’s a regular MLK or Gandhi! LOL. HE was the one hurt by the homophobic slur HE used.

    Are Hecker and Perez employing the same staff of pr-bullsh*t writers?

  • SashaB

    OMG, love love love this acoustic Man in the Box from the secret after-show last night!

    Except for the too loud sing-along. I wanted to hear him more and not the off-pitch brigade. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be awesome if heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d pull out the acoustic guitar once in a while in concert.

    ^^
    Seriously. The audience doesn’t “need” or “have” to sing along to an acoustic set. It’d be nice with just his voice.

  • LK09

    Neal smoking- his choice.
    Neal smoking during concert with David- extremely inconsiderate and seemingly insecure.

  • CindyM

    Can’t wait to see David Cook on Tuesday. These stories have me :jittery_tb:

  • daenarys

    They sang Ryan Star’s Breathe (awesome song) too in matching heartshaped sunglasses LOL.

    Ryan looooves David. The serial bromancer strikes again!

  • hypertwink

    Neal smoking during concert with David- extremely inconsiderate and seemingly insecure.

    Where did the insecure come from? LOL

  • sunchick

    Waffle I wouldn’t call that smoking while performing. The actual concert was earlier in the evening. They’re hanging out at an afterparty and playing a few tunes. Not really a big deal that Neal is smoking when he’s off the professional clock in that setting. A few lucky fans caught the impromptu set and got it on video. Kind of silly to accuse anyone of playing a role under those circumstances.

  • LK09

    hypertwink- trying to look cool.

  • Jolene

    Kind of silly to accuse anyone of playing a role under those circumstances.

    Yeah, it was a secret post-show thing, that’s the most laid back and unguarded we’re likely to see any of them, I really don’t think anyone was too preoccupied with keeping appearances or looking cool.

  • wordnerdarchie

    Let’s just face it. Neal has some bad habits (too much alcohol seems to be another). Many people have bad habits. I just wish he didn’t exhibit them around David, when it could affect David’s health. I know David’s a big boy, but I still like to look out for him.

  • LK09

    Jolene- Given that it was really not a concert but a casual thing, we should probably give Neal some slack. It can’t be healthy though for David to be constantly around 2nd hand smoke.

  • HappyDaisy

    Not accusing, Sunchick, just observing. The role I was thinking of came from images of Keith Richards with cigarette hanging from his mouth while playing guitar. Don’t have time to find a pic. During a google search, here’s a quote from a 1992 NY Times article:

    “When Slash from Guns ‘n’ Roses stands playing his guitar with a cigarette dripping from the corner of his mouth, the pose belongs to Mr. Richards.”

  • Michelle

    Loved the gushy article about DC (the best kind!) It mentioned he is going to be songwriting for other people, very exciting :)

  • brie200

    Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere yet, but apparently Jason recorded some sort of duet with fellow Atlantic recording artist Serena Ryder yesterday. No official annoucement and I don’t know what it’s for (his album I assume), but thanks to the world of twitter we do know they were working on something together yesterday.

  • Niall

    David Cook worked in bars for years and has probably been around many a cigarette and been just fine. He’s 26, not 6. I’m pretty sure he is capable of telling Neal not to light up if he wants and I didn’t see any of the annoyance over it others are seeing.

    Perez clearly doesn’t get it and never will. He has no insight into WHY his tale of sorrow, woe, and “brutal” assault is playing so badly with the general public.

  • lucy

    Why on earth are they thinking of casting Julianne Hough if she canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t act? There are other young pretty girls that can sing, dance, AND Act,

    Honestly, I don’t think Julianne sings that well either. She’s just a single threat, as far as I’m concerned. I guess the big exciting thing is that she’s b-l-o-n-d-e. Or something. I wouldn’t cast her perky self in a role that required anything but dancing.

  • Tess

    I’m kinda laughing at all the Cookie and smoke comments. From what I gather David likes to play a few hands of blackjack (now and again with now being the operative word) and Casinos are one of the only bastions left for cigarette smokers. The smell of cigarette smoke (oxygen systems not withstanding) wafts into the parking lots at most of these places.

    I’m sure that Mr. Cook is exposed to regular onslaughts of cigarette smoke…and Neal has every right to smoke, its still legal.

    And, what ever happened to Lori Singer? Based on her continued? involvement in the entertainment field I wouldn’t be so quick to think “Footloose” is the great jumping off point for instant fame…

  • cookcricket

    Yup^^^Neal will be Neal, that’s all. I’m sure this was not uncommon pre-idol days, so why change now? Unless he wants to…lol.

  • hypertwink

    Trying to look cool or he just wants a cigarette? Anyway, I think he couldn’t care less if anyone thought he was a poser.

  • unique28v

    Honestly, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think Julianne sings that well either. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just a single threat, as far as Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m concerned. I guess the big exciting thing is that sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s b-l-o-n-d-e. Or something. I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t cast her perky self in a role that required anything but dancing.

    ha. I definitely agree.

  • brie200

    Honestly, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think Julianne sings that well either. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just a single threat, as far as Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m concerned. I guess the big exciting thing is that sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s b-l-o-n-d-e. Or something. I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t cast her perky self in a role that required anything but dancing.

    Agreed. Julianne is a great dancer, but beyond that I don’t get the fascination. She’s blonde, perky and pretty. Okay. She’s also ridiculously annoying and while I have no idea if that report is true, I wouldn’t be surprised if she couldn’t act. In part because I think her personality is very precocious kid-like in the first place (yes, I know she’s not a kid). I find her very affected even when she’s supposedly being herself.

    I also don’t get why they even want her in the role. She’s not a box office draw, which they frankly need considering they’ve also got unproven Chace in the other lead role. Really? Are they going for HSM 4 here?

  • leome

    Trying to look cool or he just wants a cigarette? Anyway, I think he couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care less if you thought he was a poser.

    LOL Exactly. David was drinking, does that mean he was trying to look cool too? People smoke and drink, and most of the time they do it because they like it, just that.
    I love acoustic David, maybe that’s why Lie is always one of the strongest performances in the set.
    Oh, and I understand people watching youtube videos may want to listen to the voice and only the voice, but I think it’s natural that the audience sings along if they know the lyrics, acoustic or not acoustic. I actually like it, it’s one of the best parts about live performances, to hear the audience. I’m one of those who will sing along too.

  • smartcookie

    I think they think Julianne is a bigger draw than say, Jaime Goodwin or Lauren whateverhernamewas or the other people who can dance the way they want. (No clue about the singing.) But I don’t think Julianne fits the role, anyway, even if she could act. She’s Miss Blonde Pure and Cutesy, not the rebel who’s trying to be bad enough to escape her father’s strict boundaries. Not to mention the fact that I’ve seen the stage musical, which I assume this is based on (using those songs and that book, I mean, since the original film didn’t have a full score like that) and the female lead is a belter. A Laura Bell Bundy or Amy Spanger or Jennifer Laura Thompson type. Julianne has a kind of thin voice that I can’t see working with those songs, anyway.

    But, then, they cast Renee Zellweger as the lead in Chicago, and right now Daniel Day Lewis is the lead in “Nine,” with Nicole Kidman and DDL warbling my FAVORITE song (“Unusual Way”) when that is SO unfair. What’s wrong with Antonio Banderas? What’s wrong with Laura Benanti???? Rob Marshall is insane.

    And so is whoever is doing “Footloose” if they go for Chace Crawford and Julianne Hough, when they could’ve used people like Jason Tam and Sierra Boggess or something. If Julianne can’t pull off the screen test, word is they’re also testing whatsername from Heroes, the cheerleader. At least she can kind of act.

  • cookcricket

    Not accusing, Sunchick, just observing. The role I was thinking of came from images of Keith Richards with cigarette hanging from his mouth while playing guitar. Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have time to find a pic. During a google search, hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a quote from a 1992 NY Times article:

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“When Slash from Guns à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹nà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Roses stands playing his guitar with a cigarette dripping from the corner of his mouth, the pose belongs to Mr. Richards.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    LOL, isn’t mimicking the finest form of flattery? Whether this was the intention or not, it’s all fine, imo.;)

  • Keel

    leome, I like sing-alongs as well and I think David really enjoys it when his fans sing his lyrics back to him. My only problem is when you can’t, you know, actually HEAR the performer that you paid good money to see sing his song because the idiot behind you decides he’s gonna scream each and every song in your ear and basically drown out the pro. It sounds more like attention grabbing behavior when they’re shouting it instead of just singing along.

    Or in this case, when it’s an acoustic set, the sing along just seems out of place when it’s in full voice/loud like that. I dunno. Since this was an impromptu thing, the mic set-up may not have been ideal, and people were recording from the side, it may be that the audience sounded louder than they actually were. But I stand by my off-pitch comments.

  • weareallinnocent

    Looked like Neal was trying too hard to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“be coolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  with the cigarette during Little Lies.

    LOL at trying to be anything he’s not! Neal is cool, and it has nothing to do with smoking or drinking, end of story. YMMV, of course… :-)

    Love acoustic Dave and thrilled to see and hear them having fun during a casual and full circle concert. WhoooHoooo, go Cookie!!

  • brie200

    smartcookie, I think though in some of the other cases you mentioned the people that got leads in movie musicals that maybe weren’t as qualified in the first place got the jobs in part was because they were already movie stars. Renee Zellweger was already a movie star when she landed the lead in Chicago. See Nicole Kidman in Nine and etc. They have some sort of box office clout.

    That’s what I’m not getting about the Footloose remake. Take Hairspray for instance. They could have an unknown in the lead role because the rest of the cast was rounded out with Hollywood veterans. Right now both Chace and Julianne, no matter how popular they may be on television or in the tabloid media, are both unproven as movie leads.

    I’d understand them wanting to cast Julianne more as the hot young ingenue if they at least had Zac Efron signed up. People can argue about his talent or what not, but at least he’s got some star power and has proved that he can open a movie.

  • LK09

    Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d understand them wanting to cast Julianne more as the hot young ingenue if they at least had Zac Efron signed up. People can argue about his talent or what not, but at least heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got some star power and has proved that he can open a movie.

    I have to say that I have never been that enthralled with Zac Efron, but I went to see “17 Again” and was very impressed with his acting.

    It does seem a little strange to put Julianne in that movie when her acting is untested.

  • Anastasia72071

    What I have always failed to understand is how on earth Simon Cowell has become the highest-paid TV personality (I refuse to use the word “star”). I get that he is the creator of a bunch of reality shows and I’m sure *all* the creators of popular shows make quite a lot of money, but I just don’t see that he’s “all that and a bag of chips”. [shaking head] Bah. Confusion reigns supreme.

  • tierbee

    Neal smoking during concert with David- extremely inconsiderate and seemingly insecure.

    Hehe, I don’t know Neal but Neal seems to be anything but insecure. He’s just… Neal :)

  • LK09

    tierbee- Please read my followup comment after that.

  • auntieaimee

    What I have always failed to understand is how on earth Simon Cowell has become the highest-paid TV personality (I refuse to use the word à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“starà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ). I get that he is the creator of a bunch of reality shows and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure *all* the creators of popular shows make quite a lot of money, but I just donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see that heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“all that and a bag of chipsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ .

    Agreed. I thought Simon was a horrible judge this year. If he wants people to take his opinion seriously, he needs to take his job seriously and not act as if he is doing everyone a favor by just showing up.

  • LK09

    Sorry, couldn’t edit my last comment.

    Tierbee- to be clear. My comment was reacting to some else’s about Neal doing this at a regular concert and him trying to look cool. My bad. I shouldn’t have made that judgement.

  • poporange

    deleted

  • smartcookie

    smartcookie, I think though in some of the other cases you mentioned the people that got leads in movie musicals that maybe werenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t as qualified in the first place got the jobs in part was because they were already movie stars.

    While that doesn’t explain Daniel Day Lewis instead of Antonio Banderas (or Hugh Jackman even), it does explain Renee Zellweger and Nicole Kidman (and Fergie and Penelope Cruz, also cast in poor “Nine,” which has gorgeous music and now nobody to sing it properly), and all the way back to Audrey Hepburn instead of Julie Andrews in “My Fair Lady” or Betty Hutton instead of Ethel Merman in “Annie Get Your Gun.” It’s the way Hollywood has always worked, but I still don’t like it.

    I think they think the Chace Crawfords and Julianne Houghs of the world have enough popularity (more than the Broadway people I mentioned) because of TV and are probably in the right price range, while, say, Amy Adams or Anne Hathaway are too expensive and Sierra Boggess or Jennifer Laura Thompson aren’t well known enough.

    But I still think it sucks, because I love musicals and I’d like to see people who can actually sing AND dance AND act. And I didn’t even like “Footloose” on stage. I thought the book stunk and most of the music written for the show stunk even worse. Maybe that’s why they don’t care all that much who they cast — because it’s a lousy vehicle, anyway.

  • sunchick

    But I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think Julianne fits the role, anyway, even if she could act. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Miss Blonde Pure and Cutesy, not the rebel whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s trying to be bad enough to escape her fatherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s strict boundaries.

    Ditto. I remember Ariel (I think that was the female character’s name) being a live wire and Ren actually calming HER ass down. (What? A 7 year old remembers these things. I had a huge crush on Kevin Bacon.) Can’t see Ms. Perky in the role.

  • lavender1960

    I thought the cig hanging from Keif’s mouth was surgically attached?

  • lavender1960

    Quel surprise, Hilton is suing BEP manager for battery.

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090624/ap_on_en_mu/us_people_perez_hilton_punched

  • unique28v

    delete

  • unique28v

    Billboard interviewed the top 10 American Idol contestants bfore the tour. They posted 5 of their interviews today and will post the other 5 later. Here are the links below:

    Kris: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/feature/index.jsp?JSESSIONID=Gx3vKCyfVj4QlXbyDYprsVJz66MRrFwGh0GtKSnb2vyn3XW6TtxR!1330358929

    Anoop: Link

    Matt: Link

    Megan: Link

    Michael: Link

  • NOLA

    Pussy Hilton needs to just go away.

    Congrats to my LSU TIGERS – the new College World Series Champions!!!

  • SarahP

    Thanks unique28v for the interview links. i’ve seen the Kris one before long time back (maybe posted in MJ’s) but not the other ones. i loved the interview with Megan, she’s just so adorable and looking at her earlier performances and the interview, made me realise how much i liked her at the begining.

    hopefully caw caw girl rocks the idol tour audience and comes out with a quirky album soon.

    btw, megan doesn’t have twitter right?

  • SarahP

    6/23: Michael Johns interview, new album Hold Back My Heart out today

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“It was funny,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  he said. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I was walking into the Nokia Theatre. A lady pulled me over and said, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m Krisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ mom. No way you were voted off because of me. Every week, I just looped up the phone!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ We took a photo together. I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t expect that.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    She asked him, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“What do you think of Krisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ chances?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    I said, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going to win.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    Johns said heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s now two for two because David Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mom asked him the same question last year before the finale.

    :thumbup_tb: