Idol Headlines for 2/27/09

Oh, and while I’m offering advice to Adam, can we discuss that crotch-grab during tonight’s performance? Dude, I don’t think that’s what Kara meant when she said the show is looking for a ”package artist.”

:laugh_tb: This week, Slezak rocks.

Me likey Slezak and we rode the Castro train together last year, but this season he’s hatin’ on my boy, Adam. I don’t get why he loves OTT Fantasia but not OTT Adam. Still, his recap analogy for Adam made me laugh — count me as one who wants the whole Adam cake, candles and all, smashed in my face week after week.

Michael Johns called into the Breakfast Show on Virgin 99.9 here in Toronto this morning.

Talked about how much he loved Toronto when he was here on the AI tour (called it his favourite stop of the whole tour). One of the DJs, Mad Dog, teased the other DJ, Billie, about her crush on Michael Johns. (Billie, who’s pregnant, was a little giddy that Michael remembered meeting her when he was in Toronto and Mad Dog jokingly implied that Michael might be the father of Billie’s baby. Everyone got a good laugh, it was cute.)

Michael talked about performing with Carly last week and said he hadn’t realized that nine people would be going home that night. Said Alexis is one of his favourites right now.

They played a teeny-tiny snippet of Heart on My Sleeve (“the international debut”) and said they legally could not play any more yet. But what I heard, I LOVED. I have been very lukewarm on Michael but I am really looking forward to hearing more. It seriously sounded great.

Love Slezak.

Mr Nasty is my hero! Think everyone hates Simon Cowell? Meet rising idol Kelly Clarkson

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1156672/Mr-Nasty-hero-Think-hates-Simon-Cowell-Meet-rising-idol-Kelly-Clarkson.html

So appearantly Brooke’s single shot up on iTunes and is #12 right now? Wow, the power of Idol. It sure is good for sales to come back and sing on the show.

Good for Brooke. Just wish she had a stronger single… that was probably her last big chance and I’m not sure this one is going to make it for her..

Hey, the whole treatment of Normund Gentle makes me wish they had let Scooter Girl through– she was funny and she really could sing.

That was back in season 2 or 3 I think.

also, I wonder whether the American Juniors could audition on AI. Lucie would be old enough. Of course, she’s been a regular on Terminator– her acting career is going so well, she may not need AI.

I’m not buying Rushfield’s arguments. The show could be way better.

That article about Kelly Clarkson mentions Simon in passing, yet he gets his name in the headline. *rollseyes*

also, I wonder whether the American Juniors could audition on AI. Lucie would be old enough. Of course, sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been a regular on Terminatorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ her acting career is going so well, she may not need AI.

I think in season seven, there was an American Juniors contestant trying out, but didn’t go through the judges, so I’m guessing they can audition for AI..

The video David C. picked just reminds me of another dumb thing about this season, no IGB. Even in a bad economy time, it’s possible to raise awareness. And it looks like there are people who think there will be IGB.

That article about Kelly Clarkson mentions Simon in passing, yet he gets his name in the headline. *rollseyes*

LOL yeah. I was looking for the Simon part and didn’t even catch it at first.

Has this been posted here?

Jason will be the special guest on American Idol’s Top 24 Show on Wednesday, March 4, 2009!!!

More details to follow.

JCM

Too bad I won’t be able to see the show when it airs here. (I will be at another Jason’s – the Mraz one – concert then.) Too bad, as well, that Castro does not have a single to sell yet.

Wow they’re bringing back a lot of S7! Not complaining cuz I floved S7… wonder how the rest of the viewers are liking it? I agree, though, with whoever mentioned that the way they’re showing up all unannounced does make this seem a tad more low budget…? I wonder if Archie’s going to be able to make back this year. If the producers are intent on making these appearances so last minute, I’m not sure Archie would be able to drop everything and show up like the others, since he’s in the middle of a tour. Does Archie have a free Wednesday coming up in his tour schedule? The way they’re bringing back my faves from last season, I’d love for Archie to come back before DC. I think DC’s expected to make an appearance mid-March to April… so I hope against hope everyone’s schedules would fit to make my dream scenario all work…

Another thing, they didn’t have guest performers in the semi’s last year except that one time with Blake, right? I guess this format, where only the top 3 go through each week doesn’t allow the suspense to stretch out to fill an hour the way it did last year.

ason will be the special guest on American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Top 24 Show on Wednesday, March 4, 2009!!!

He will be performing an original song.

More details to follow.

JCM

Too bad I wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be able to see the show when it airs here. (I will be at another Jasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s – the Mraz one – concert then.) Too bad, as well, that Castro does not have a single to sell yet.

Yay! I second you on the fact that Jason doesn’t have a single, but I am happy that he will grace the stage.

Letting the past Idols do there thing is one NICE change this year. It seems like they are going in order, too. MJ/Carly, Brooke, and now Jason. Should we expect Syesha next?

ETA: And at least Jason and Brooke both get to sing originals.

ETA2: Can someone explain to me how it’s low rent? Because they aren’t big stars? I seem to remember the complaints about having Akon, Mariah Carey, Prince, etc on the show and not focusing on the Idol family.

Yay! I second you on the fact the Jason doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have a single, but I am happy that he will grace the stage.

YAY! Thanks for bringing that over, purps!

Jason’s pretty technology savvy (and his peeps are rather money savvy) so I think something will go up on iTunes soon.

Sweet Medicine or Tonight (Only One), maybe?

I hope he sings Tonight!

yay for Jason being on the results show next week! I wonder if he has a song ready to go up on itunes and they’ll put it up next week? I could see that.

I’m just glad he’ll be back to perform. As long as they have DC and Kelly on at some point during the season too, I will be happy!

Kelly was just on the Paul O’Grady Show in the UK
Performance “My Life”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFKQ8bhIy6E
Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhpSRd8CqF8
and Kelly with some dogs at the end of the show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCTtKQyOLKc

I wonder if Archieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going to be able to make back this year. If the producers are intent on making these appearances so last minute, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not sure Archie would be able to drop everything and show up like the others, since heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s in the middle of a tour. Does Archie have a free Wednesday coming up in his tour schedule? The way theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re bringing back my faves from last season, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d love for Archie to come back before DC. I think DCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s expected to make an appearance mid-March to Aprilà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ so I hope against hope everyoneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s schedules would fit to make my dream scenario all workà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Nothing formal has been announced but early May is the date floating around for Archie. The first word of this is when a girl won an auction to eat dinner with David, his parents were there, and she asked about Idol. Jeff said he would be on “towards the end of the season.” Since then, the usual spoiler sources have said early May and they seem pretty certain about it. But, again, no formal official announcement, so take it for what it’s worth.

His last show in the UK is May 10. I think Top 3 elimination is May 13, so that would work. Or he could pre-record a performance when he does his show in Pamona, CA. I can’t imagine they wouldn’t have him on, and I can’t imagine that Jive/Azoff wouldn’t do everything they could to work it into his schedule.

He could very well make an appearance after DC since I expect DC to make an appearance during the season and show up at the finale, too.

Thanks for the MJ radio recap, Curly. I wonder when he’ll be releasing his single?

Raitings for last night Idol are 26% down from last year
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/02/ratings-america.html

Raitings for last night Idol are 26% down from last year

OUCH! And that show was on a Thursday last year too. 20.7M viewers. I think that AI will soon be slipping below 20M for the first time in years (if not since Season 1), if they don’t try to make this a bit more interesting, STAT!

They could start by not having the pimpee-de-la-semaine sing last twice two nights in a row. And next year, don’t give us twelve new contestants each week. It’s like drinking from a fire hydrant. It’s too much to take in and people are tuning out.

Thanks for the info, soundscene. That makes sense. I will anticipate Archie in May then.

pj, I don’t remember the exact original comment, but I remember agreeing with it somewhat, lol. I think it’s the fact that Ryan’s not pre-announcing these guest performers, either at the end of Tuesday’s show, or even prior to the commercial break before the actual performances. It just feels kind of abrupt and random– particularly with Carly and MJ’s “fake” intro, and the random insertion of a used montage clip while they rolled out Brooke’s piano. As a fan of the S7 alum, I feel like they’re probably at least enough of a draw for some viewers to stay tuned if we are told even a little ahead of time that an old favorite will be back. It’s almost like they’re viewing them as filler, rather than believing that Brooke et. al had enough of a following from last year that Idol fans would look forward to there return to the show– I’m of course talking about “regular” Idol fans that don’t read MJ’s to get the heads up . Anyway, that’s my feeling anyway. I love that they are back, but maybe my general frustration with the other budget cuts this year (they couldn’t afford to put together a different montage than one that wonderful world one they’ve already used?!) are bleeding to my feeling that they’re not treating the S7 contestants correctly.

Just for FUN, I went back and took a peek at my recaps for last year’s semis.

There were NO musical guests for the first two weeks (Top 24 and Top 20) of the semi-finals. Blake Lewis, a contestant from the season before, sang his new single on the Top 16 results show.

So actually, we’re getting more guest stars during the semis this year, rather than less.

I’m curious to see if Jason puts something up on iTunes this Tuesday. So strange, it’s like a whole new model for releasing singles – I’m pretty sure the only reason Brooke released her single on iTunes when she did was to capitalize on her AI preformance – and it paid up.
Short term, at least, it does make sense to have a song up when you perform. However – doing it this way is somewhat short sighted – her single won’t continue to sell without some more extensive promotion ie radio promo, music video etc. I think the old fashioned way of going on Idol when you already have a new product out is smarter – that’s why I expected Archie to go sooner than May – ALTNOY could really use the boost Idol would give it. Two months from now who knows what the situation would be.
OTOH, anything is better than going on Idol and performing a cover with absolutely no product available to push, like what MJ and Carly did last week.

Anyone seen the new EW? It’s the March 6th issue with Dev Patel and Freida Pinto from Slumdog Millionaire on the cover.

They’ve got their weekly Top 10 Things We’re Loving list and #1 is the Carrie/Cook duet of Go Your Own Way which they say can be heard on YT but they say they’d buy it on i-Tunes if it were there. There’s a big colorized picture of each of them.

There’s also a little featurette on 4 Idols in the news: Kelly, Clay, and I don’t remember the other 2. But they say to check out ew.com/idol for updates on more Idols including Daughtry and Carrie. They’ve put that up now:

link

Some release dates we already knew, some we or at least I didn’t. Maybe that’s because I need to pay more close attention here

Kelly: March 10th
Ruben: May 19th
Bo: June 9th
Taylor: March 10th
Katharine: Fall 2009
Daughtry: Late 2009
Elliott: May 5th

Fantasia, Carrie, Jordin, and Blake are also said to be working on new albums but no release dates are given.

Okay, so it’s not Chiceze.

thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s why I expected Archie to go sooner than May – ALTNOY could really use the boost Idol would give it. Two months from now who knows what the situation would be.

Regardless of ALTNOY’s performance, I would suspect a third single would be performed. Performing a third single on AI would be a good push off for it, even if it wasn’t quite going for adds yet. There’s no dire situation waiting for Archie in May–either ALTNOY is a hit or a new single is pushed. It’s not like Kelly’s first album produced multiple consecutive radio hits. Most first albums don’t–by pop artists in general.

Slezak loves lots of OTT people. But not Adam? Strange. I won’t hold it against him though (well maybe a little bit). His recaps are still my favorite.

Further news from Jason’s site:

He’s performing Love Uncompromised tonight on Idol Wrap/Tonight, or whatever the name of the show on TV Guide channel might be. It was known he was going to be on, not that he was performing.

He will have a single up on iTunes available Tuesday, though again not sure if he’s doing what Brooke did and self releasing while waiting to iron out details of his record contract or if it’s actually through a label. Either way, smart to have a single up before he performs on Idol.

So it seems to be “Love Uncompromised” for next week.

Slezak loves lots of OTT people. But not Adam? Strange. I wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t hold it against him though (well maybe a little bit). His recaps are still my favorite.

Although I’m not a huge fan of Slezak, his taste has always trended towards mainstream, even if it’s slightly OTT mainstream (like Carly). Adam has yet to show he’s mainstream–just OTT. Simon said people would either love his performance on Wednesday or hate it–I hated it. He sounded like a screaming woman in his upper register. I don’t get how that translates into something that can get airplay on the radio, or that could pack venues other than ones putting on Broadway-style musicals. So Slezak not falling all over himself over Adam makes sense. I know I’m waiting for Adam to show me something that would give even the slightest hint that he could have a successful recording career.

Daughtry: Late 2009

Prime holiday spot? Smart choice for RCA. I don’t think they need it but knowing how greedy RCA is, this doesn’t surprise me. I wouldn’t be surprised if Carrie releases her just a few weeks before/after Daughtry. It should be interesting when this year’s winners would release theirs given that two of Idols biggest sellers and golden children are releasing at the end of the year too.

It should be interesting when this yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s winners would release theirs given that two of Idols biggest sellers and golden children are releasing at the end of the year too.

Yep. Which is why I don’t think they’re looking too hard for winner that will make it out in the real world this year. Whoever gets signed from S8 will get lost in the shuffle.

Oh I am a bad bad Jason fan, I guess all of the news has been going around for days now, the first time I heard this song Love Uncompromised was today – I like it, I like it – cant let that happen to me again, you hear!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7cXOivRHh8

Yep. Which is why I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re looking too hard for winner that will make it out in the real world this year. Whoever gets signed from S8 will get lost in the shuffle.

Finishing 3rd may be a blessing this year in that case if he or she has marketability potential, since I don’t see 19E promoting the winners very well.

Regardless of ALTNOYà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s performance, I would suspect a third single would be performed. Performing a third single on AI would be a good push off for it, even if it wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t quite going for adds yet. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no dire situation waiting for Archie in Mayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’either ALTNOY is a hit or a new single is pushed. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not like Kellyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first album produced multiple consecutive radio hits. Most first albums donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢tà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’by pop artists in general.

I don’t think he necessarily has to sing ALTNOY when he returns on the AI stage. I’m hoping David performs “To Be With You” with Kara DioGuardi on backup vocals. Wouldn’t that be awesome? It could be a big ratings draw for AI if Ryan announces the duet ahead of time. And it should give DATA a big boost in sales even if TBWY is not the 3rd single. Personally, I think Barriers should be the 3rd single, but TBWY is more the type of songs he was known for singing when he was on AI last year.

sumidol, Jason has performed “Love Uncompromised” at a few gigs so there are Youtubes of it, plus of course I’m sure his performance from tonight will be online soon. Of the songs that he has gone public with, and I’m sure there are many songs the fans haven’t heard, it seems a good choice. Or at least a safe one.

Now he also needs that movie soundtrack to release his Hallelujah on iTunes. There is a snippet of it up on the movie’s site and it sounds gorgeous. I want that!

OM Goodness Brie, I just went back to listen to that video I just posted and it has been removed, that fast, since posting it here at 3:49p my time, MJs are you being watched closely now? Waaaa – I want to see it again, yes Brie I noticied it has been out since Nov 08 so I am a VERY bad fan. I cant wait to see him on AI performing that.

Oh there is another one but the quality is very poor

What time and channel is Idol Wrap in AZ? Anyone know? Or will you have it here MJ tomorrow?

Personally, I think Barriers should be the 3rd single, but TBWY is more the type of songs he was known for singing when he was on AI last year.

Which is exactly why I think it’s best if he didn’t perform it. I would rather him go on Idol and show people who he really is as a performer rather than boxing himself into the false stereotype he gained on Idol as a “balladeer.” He sings ballads wonderfully–but that’s not all he is. Yeah, it would be cool if he performed it with Kara, but TBWY is never going to be a single. And the only thing he would gain performing it on the show would be about a week-and-a-half worth of boosted album sales and a boost in sales of that song. But since it won’t be going to radio, it’s not like the increased interest will translate into increased requests for the song and increased airplay. If he performed a 3rd single, it could. Elliot’s “Wait for You” didn’t take off until he performed it on Idol–but it was already chosen to be a single and was getting some airplay.

Interesting, the Seattle Times Idol blog just posted a then and now of the two Davids, and mentioned that they were both pigeon-holed incorrectly on the show. He posted “Hello” and a live performance of “Declaration” for Cook, and “Imagine” and a live performance of “Zero Gravity” for Archie. Interestingly, Archie’s two performances are one day shy of exactly a year apart. Has it been that long?

I guess this is ok to post here. If you’re interested in the independent path Elliott is taking, check this out. This is a really interesting video of Fred Croshal talking about the recording industry, his business model, the internet, leaks, radio play, independent artists.

The little pharmacy clerk, Elliott, has made some money! I could use a million dollar check! Now I know how he bought that house of his! It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

http://mefeedia.com/entry/econmusic-conference-spotlight-q-a-w-fred-croshal/14494693

http://www.croshalgroup.com/

This just goes to show you what being on American Idol can do for contestant.

sumidol, I’m sure people at the Jason fansites will have his performance from tonight up on YouTube ASAP.

^^^ You made some very good points, soundscene. You’re quite right.

“ETA2: Can someone explain to me how ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s low rent? Because they arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t big stars? I seem to remember the complaints about having Akon, Mariah Carey, Prince, etc on the show and not focusing on the Idol family.”

Oh Pj, you can’t win for losing sometimes (is that how the saying goes?)

Yay for Elliot too!

The little pharmacy clerk, Elliott, has made some money! I could use a million dollar check! Now I know how he bought that house of his! It couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have happened to a nicer guy.

Couldn’t agree more. I’m really looking forward to Elliott’s new album.

Regardless of ALTNOYà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s performance, I would suspect a third single would be performed. Performing a third single on AI would be a good push off for it, even if it wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t quite going for adds yet. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no dire situation waiting for Archie in Mayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’either ALTNOY is a hit or a new single is pushed.

True. I would think they’d already be on single #3 (hopefully Barriers) by May, even if ALTNOY were to seriously pick up steam in terms of airplay/sales in the coming weeks.

Two new ‘SNL’ shows in March

Just in from NBC: There will be two new back-to-back Saturday Night Live shows in March. On March 7, Dwayne Johnson will host, with musical guest Ray LaMontagne. On March 14, Tracy Morgan is slated to be the host, with musical guest Kelly Clarkson.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/entertainment/2009/02/two-new-snl-sho.html

Awesome! I can’t wait to catch Kelly on SNL! And Tracy Morgan is a former SNL cast too, right?

As I don’t get TV guide channel, I can’t wait to see the vid of Jason performing.

Even though she wasn’t my fave on the show, I can’t help but feel really sorry for Kristy Lee Cook right now. Why again did they sign her just to let her flop with no promotion?

Even though she wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t my fave on the show, I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t help but feel really sorry for Kristy Lee Cook right now. Why again did they sign her just to let her flop with no promotion?

Signing with 19E without being uber-pimped on the show is a recipe for instant failure.

Pj .Momo,Lu will ya be in Chat tonight after FNl?

Watching Jason on Idol Wrap right now. He’s doing the performance critique with Justin and Kim. Oh, the irony of having the contestant who was supposedly so inarticulate do this! He’s doing great, BTW!

Interesting interview with Fred Croshal. Makes you feel a little sorry for the ones “forced” to sign with a major label, but artists must still be getting something from major label deals, since it seems like the labels aren’t having trouble finding people to sign with them!

Just a word to MJ and anyone else, I’m not sure if Jason is or isn’t singing on Idol this coming week. It was announced earlier through his own people, but now all the announcements have since been pulled. Whether it was announced too soon or he got bumped for some other act, I have no idea. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the latter.

Either way he performed on Idol Wrap tonight and the single will still be up on Itunes Tuesday. The performance was pretty decent. He was good. The problem was he had one of the guys from his band with him and the guy’s mic volume was way too loud which made if come off more as a duet. But Jason sounded great.

Brie, is there any video up? Thanks for the info, btw.

Just a really crappy version with the TV Guide scroll on the bottom. I’m sure there will be clearer vid up eventually. You can see it here. You’ll see what I mean about the other guy.

That and Jason seems to be going to the Archie school of singing with his eyes closed lately.

Brie- thanks for the video. Jason sounds good for the most part. But you’re right about the other guy and the closed eyes. I hope Jason will get to sing at the actual results show next week!

I thought Jason sounded great and so did the guitarist. I liked the song. I had to laugh a few times at his goofy interviewing ways. There was quite a bit of “yeah yeah’s”.

I normally like Dave Lichens, the other guitarist. Just something was off in their levels, or because maybe they are used to doing the harmonies with the whole band and not just two people. It wasn’t horrible though and hopefully if he is doing Idol this week it is something they’ll get worked out by Wednesday.

I wonder when Archie is going to do SNL?

sumidol Feb 27th, 2009 at 6:22 pm

OM Goodness Brie, I just went back to listen to that video I just posted and it has been removed, that fast, since posting it here at 3:49p my time

Sumidol, the video is still there. Sometimes YouTube shows videos as being removed but it’s just a glitch on their part. Just go out of it and try the link again. The video still works.

Jason’s performance from Idol Wrap 2-27-09 :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0gtX_Z-mF4