Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
SECOND TIME LUCKY FOR EDITORS
Indie band Editors are celebrating their first ever UK number one album after fending off competition from Kelly Clarkson.
The Birmingham alt-rock outfit are at the top of the album charts for the first time-ever with An End Has a Start, beating the top position their debut studio album The Back Room reached by one place.
American Idol winner Clarkson meanwhile has to settle for second place with My December, her third studio album in four years…….
…Top five UK albums
1 An End Has a Start ‘Editors (new entry)
2 My December ‘ Kelly Clarkson (new entry)
3 Collection ‘ Traveling Wilburys (2)
4 Icky Thump ‘ The White Stripes (1)
5 Back to Black ‘ Amy Winehouse (6)
“I DON’T MEAN to be rude,
but . . .”
If “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell has said it once, he’s said it a thousand times – he even used the disclaimer for the title of his autobiography.
But ask yourself: Why, exactly, are so many of us still listening?….
Studdard performs in Decatur
As part of Sunday …Celebrate America program sponsored by Calvary Assembly of God, 2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard dazzled the audience with his hit songs….
Partnerships Key To Zambia’s Malaria Fight, Mrs. Laura Bush Says
…Mrs. Bush was joined by her daughter Jenna Bush, Zambian First lady Maureen Mwanawasa and American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle. While at the center, they participated in an assembly line of caregiver kits and bed nets for distribution by Zambian caregivers…
Forecast calls for a chance of Bolaris blowing back into town
* Speaking of Welcome Amer-ica!
Fantasia Barrino, the “American Idol” winner who performed on the Parkway with
Lionel Richie last July 4, apparently wears some rather intimate jewelry.
Fantasia, now starring in “The Color Purple” on Broadway, used some down time Thursday at New York’s Unimax, a tattoo- and piercing-supply company where she had the jewelry in her clitoral piercing changed. She tipped $10 for the free service and was very friendly to staff, our spy reports.
Break out the sparklers with Mr. Enthusiasm
…Among the performers for A Capitol Fourth, which airs live from the West Lawn of the Capitol, will be former American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin; Heroes star Hayden Panettiere; gospel singer Yolanda Adams; and Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth…
‘Burn Notice’ heats up USA
Few say ‘Hey’ to Abdul bow
…Paula Abdul, however, couldn’t parlay her fame as one of the “American Idol” judges into big ratings for Bravo reality series “Hey Paula.” Its first two original half-hours kicked off, also Thursday, with only 607, 000 total viewers. That number was well off the pace for the opening episodes of such Bravo shows as “Top Design” (1.76 million), “Top Chef” (1.28 million) and “Being Bobby Brown” (1.1 million)…
Carrie Underwood Named Animal-Free Hottie
Carrie Underwood was named the world’s sexiest celebrity vegetarian by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The country crooner hasn’t eaten meat since she was 13 -‘ more than 11 years. She was also honored for her work to help rescue stray pups and kittens.
Said Underwood, “I do it because I really love animals and it just makes me sad.”
Unbelievably, zaftig “American Idol” Ruben Studdard was up for sexiest male vegetarian this year, but lost. Ruben eats only vegetables? No way!
Symphony adds local stars to ‘Star-Spangled Pops’
As Petty Officer Jarrod Fowler sang …God Bless the USA at the opening performance of the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops, an enormous flag appeared on stage, dwarfing the former …American Idol contestant and inspiring audience members to show their respect by standing….
Rihanna tops Aussie single chart
…American Idol superstar Kelly Clarkson’s third album looks to be another big hit, debuting at number four…
….Australian albums chart
1(6) Call Me Irresponsible – Michael Buble (RPS/WAR)
2(1) The Traveling Wilburys Collection – The Traveling Wilburys (RHI/WAR)
3(2) Dream Days At The Hotel Existence – Powderfinger (UMA)
4(-) My December – Kelly Clarkson (RCA/SBME)
5(4) I’m Not Dead – P!nk (LAF/SBME)
6(3) Icky Thump – The White Stripes (XL/INE)
7(5) Good Girl Gone Bad – Rihanna (DFJ/UMA)
8(8) Minutes To Midnight – Linkin Park (WARNER)
9(12) The Dutchess – Fergie (A&M/UMA)
10(7) Lost Highway – Bon Jovi (IUS/UMA)
Sound Off
Our picks for the week in sound.
…Saturday, July 7
Taylor Hicks at Snagajob.com Pavilion
Taylor Hicks bested homeboy Elliott Yamin in last year’s American Idol competition. But we shouldn’t hold that against the Silver Fox, as Yamin said the champ would always be his “boy.” The Birmingham, Ala. native plays bluesy, soulful rock that often pays tribute to old soul and R & B greats. He’s no Otis Redding, to be sure, but still good enough to attract a legion of admirers known only as the “Soul Patrol.”…
Holiday schedule and Fourth festivities
…RED, HOT AND BOOM, TUESDAY: featuring musical performances by Katharine McPhee, Elliot Yamin and more, concerts begin at 4 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Cranes Roost Park, behind Altamonte Mall, Altamonte Springs. FREE
…ALL-AMERICAN CELEBRATION, WEDNESDAY: with American Idol finalists Justin Guarini, Anthony Fedorov and Melissa McGhee…
