Idol Headlines for 3/31/2008

Chicken Little getting Ace’s “leftovers”?

Newsday

POP STAR’S PUSHY POP
By MELISSA JANE KRONFELD

March 31, 2008 —
SIMON Cowell has some real competition this year for the villian on “American Idol.”

In just the first few weeks of the competition, the mustachioed father of “Idol” hopeful David Archuleta, 17, has emerged as the stage dad from hell, exerting heavy pressure on his son’s song choices and performances.

And it’s not the first time.

In an exclusive Post interview, a high- level source at CBS’ “Junior Star Search,” which last aired in 2003, confirmed that Jeff Archuleta, 46, not only micro-managed his young son’s per formance but was accused of trying to intimidate other kid contestants and was finally restricted by producers on his set visits.

“Some parents were happy to be there and happy that their kid was on national TV,” says the official. “But Jeff is a stage dad. He insinuated himself into the process and had to be removed.

“We got some complaints that he was trying to subtly psyche out the other kids,” says the TV exec.

Continues at: Pushy Pop

Archuletta had better be careful with that aw shucks thing he has going on. Last season with Melinda Doolittle I felt the same way. No one could argue the quality of her voice but man, that goody goody two shoes, kicking her toe in the dirt, hands in her pockets act got old real quick for me.

Archuletta, if he isnt careful, may face the same kind of fate. His voice is flawless but the act is getting old. I believe it to be an act. Thats my opinion.

I think it’s easier for a(n only) 17 year old to get away with an Awww Shucks than a twenty something year old. Can’t tell if it’s an act for either David A or Melinda — just don’t have enough data.

Word, Dingo. Does anyone else see Archuleta as a cipher? I have NO inkling as to his personality with all his breathy protestations and surface comments. I sense that, for fear of ever saying the wrong thing, he basically says nothing.

I really love his voice and was probably the only person in, well, the world, that actually liked his song last week … enough to make it only the second song from the ’08 Idols I have bought.

I don’t think it was an act for either of them. David A is just so young and he seems sheltered even if his dad has been grooming him for stardom since the cradle. If anything is going to harm him it’s his lack of an edge, or the constant rumors about his father.

Archuletta has the best raw talent for a male in AI the guy like Jordan is young and I do not mean in age. If it is true about Daivid I feel bad for him and both seem to still miss something that other singers have .I am still in the boat of lifting the age of contestant. David Cook I listen think Daughtry now and hope he has not topped out and changes it up a bit .”I work harder harder than any contestant ” to paraphrase has a bit of an ego because I am sure others have worked hard .(AI answeres to questions) I do not know if DavidC continues what is working if it will get old it seems Ai wants a rocker. Personally would not be the target audiance either.

I and with anothers blogger this season is getting predicatble so far.

It is not a major deal the stories and who wins will not really change my life that much in the long run. When watching the coledge basketball game which Kanas beat Davidson in the finale 8 tournament meaning all top 1 seeds were in. A part felt bad the small underdog Davidson 10th seed was out and thier goes some excitement for me because no more underdog the train that could got engulfed by the so caleed big programs.What has ths to do with American Idol you ask? Well this I feel like the rocker/pop or the disney are the Kansas of Ai the big moneymakers in terms of sports or big dogs the rest that do not fit the mold are Davidson . So like the tournament when the Davidson is gone or deminished and the attention is put on the bigdogs it get not as exciting.

It is not a major deal the stories and who wins will not really change my life that much in the long run. When watching the coledge basketball game which Kanas beat Davidson in the finale 8 tournament meaning all top 1 seeds were in. A part felt bad the small underdog Davidson 10th seed was out and thier goes some excitement for me because no more underdog the train that could got engulfed by the so caleed big programs.What has ths to do with American Idol you ask? Well this I feel like the rocker/pop or the disney are the Kansas of Ai the big moneymakers in terms of sports or big dogs the rest that do not fit the mold are Davidson . So like the tournament when the Davidson is gone or deminished and the attention is put on the bigdogs it get not as exciting.

Thanks for the article Bobbi. I honestly feel bad for David if his dad really is like that and unfortunately it’s looking like the truth. It’d be nice if his dad would let him be a kid, but it’s probably a little too late…. It’s a catch 22, is he better off winning it or losing it, which way does his dad end up less involved?? I can’t imagine TPTB haven’t taken ‘control’ of this ‘situation’…..

Crap double post—jeeze need “dummys for computers”

Please delete one sorry baout that and writing too much

David A. seems more like 12 to me than 17. Nice voice though.

I don’t think it will stay “boring”. First of all country week is next, and that’s always good for a few surprises. Second, there are several strong “also-rans”at this point, and any one of them could step up their game and deliver a showstopper that vaults them back into the running. Michael Johns has some momentum at the moment, but I wouldn’t rule out Brooke or Carly. And let us not forget Jason, who got a swift kick in the arse last week and is capable of much more than he has been showing. David C has been having a god run so he’s getting great press, but one bad week can make it all up for grabs once more.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think it will stay à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“boringà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . First of all country week is next, and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s always good for a few surprises.

Who would have thought that we would have to wait until Dolly Parton (and Top 9 night) before the theme finally allowed for songs that weren’t written before (or the year) the Idols were born? That said, they’ll probably pick a lot of songs from her pre-90s songbook.

I hope you are right tinawina–just have the -team-lost-blues–

Wow Kirsten! I never saw it that way before. Puts the whole “current” criticism in a whole new light doesn’t it! That actually makes me respect David C, Jason & Brooke more, because they all still have managed deliver performances that seem like they could be selling records today. At least to me.

Aww poporange! As a former Knicks fan, I am familiar with your aliment. LOL. I hope you feel better soon. :smile1_tb:

Terry Fator, a family-friendly ventriloquist à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ I love this guy. I watched Oprah the day Simon brought him on. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve always enjoyed ventriloquists anyway. Terry was on the verge of giving up performing for good, right before he went on Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Got Talent. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m glad he didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t give up. What makes him interesting for me is that heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a singing ventriloquist who does impressions! Loved when his dummy started singing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“At Lastà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zPbVDOx9uQ

Looking at the iTunes Popularity ratings for the American Idol Studio versions, what stands out to me is that the songs nearer to the top are mostly songs that are All-Time Hits. I think the contestants should take note when they CHOOSE their song that the greater of a HIT that song was, the more popular it will be with the audience.

Ladybug, I loved Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s song, too. My 14 year old son has it on his iPod so I had heard it a few times. I really like the song a lot, and my son and I both enjoyed Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s performance of it. For what ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s worth, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think David A. is pretending anything. http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/03/59747/index.html

Dingo, I didn’t like Melinda’s facial expressions because it seemed forced…On the other hand for David A..his is still young..he has a surprised look when they compliment him and he shakes his head often like I don’t know if I did my best so wow.. thanks..

Melinda was how old??27? and she was already singing backup for a while… when she did the look… oh my ..you liked me?? it didn’t come off sincere..When Archie does it it seems real to me..

I’m one to give the benefit of the doubt, but Melinda had an outstanding voice and was a professional backup singer, so her “who me??” thing got old. I’m not an archie fan, but if he was constantly praised for his voice while growing up, and then had that vocal paralysis thing, and then his voice changed while going through puberty, he might actually have some reservations about the tone of his voice now – a sort of “before/after” or maybe thinking it’s not as good as it used to be. And if he’s not getting praise from daddy, he might really be a little more genuinely surprised by the praise.

I’m not an Archie fan either.

I too see him as more 12 than 17. Not being derogatory, it’s just the way he appears to me.

So the aw shucks attitude seems dead on to me. I guess that’s why I don’t fault him for that.

Poor David A. I feel sorry for him. Like him or not – no kid should have to deal with a nut job parent who wants to live their life through their kid.

taran33.. I am a huge Archie fan but I too see him more like 12 than 17. I think his parents made him do alot of church functions like my dad did when I was younger..(my dad was a minister) and I couldn’t go anywhere with my friends, parties, movies, etc until I was 18! Could be why he just doesnt seem like your Normal teen.. or at least the normal teens I know.

Just found this story on Dad Archuleta..

http://davidarchuletafans.wordpress.com/

Personal friends of the Archuleta Family wrote Fan Blast weeks ago thanking us for not taking the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹low roadà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ as Hollywood gossips and tabloids, including several fan sites hyped-up the public into believing that Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s father Jeff is a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Stage Dadà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  bully.

Dean Kaelin, Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s voice coach for over 5 years has come forward to verify to the public of what we already knew all along.

In an exclusive interview with Scoop from People Magazine, Kaelin says that Jeff is not a nightmarish stage dad.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Although Jeff is very much involved, I have never seen him do anything that would imply bullying, undue pressure or anything that appears extreme or inappropriate,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  says Kaelin. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I can definitely draw a line between what a stage parent is, and how Jeff interacts with his son.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Poporange, I just heard on Sports Radio that your Stephen Curry is coming back to school for his junior year, so Davidson should be great next year too! I was really rooting for them yesterday against Kansas.

I will give some on David A’s age being a factor in how he behaves. Also he seems intrinsically shy, except when he is singing, so I will give him that as well. But we have had many youngsters (Lisa and Paris, Jordin, even Carmen) who seem to exude a real personality that gave you a hint who who/what they are.

David A seems very, very reserved and, for someone who has been performing a LONG time including winning a show similar to Idol, he seems sort of a blank screen. I attribute it to being careful and cautious about everything he says because………not sure why, but Daddy/Mommy may figure into that.

Sciencefan. Glad to hear you and your son like the song! My sister and I both bought it and I just love it. (And I think there are a few others out there who liked it as well. :happy_tb: )

The great thing about Melinda is that she might have been this humble little thing in real life but when she was performing the woman BROUGHT it, voice, attitude, everything. I still can’t believe that was her doing “Trouble Is A Woman”.

I don’t doubt that “aw shucks” was her true personality (background singer is not front singer after all) and I believe David A’s demeanor is also his true personality, but he needs to learn how to turn it up a little more on stage.

Poor David A. I feel sorry for him. Like him or not – no kid should have to deal with a nut job parent who wants to live their life through their kid.

I couldn’t agree more, Lu.

David A has a great voice and I wish him well. He seems to honestly appreciate everything going on around him right now and is genuinely thrilled that people are enjoying his performances.

That said, I really wish that they would raise the minimum age to 18. When I look at David A, I just keep thinking that he has only been 17 for 3 months. He seems very young. He probably is an amazing person. Maybe we will get to see more of his personality in the weeks to come. Although he seems shy, I much prefer that to the obnoxiously precocious nature of some young artists.

EW.com has decided to talk about Doxology again:

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/03/idol-seattle-ba.html

Meanwhile, Chris Cornell is still talking about “Billie Jean”:

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003782902

These stories have probably run their course but I think the waters are muddied by the fact that iTunes are selling the songs. I could see musicians not being thrilled with $ made off of their creativity.

I know you can’t copyright arrangements but this is a grey area. What happens when people put out albums and “borrow” arrangements from other artists? Does that get them into trouble? You have to pay to use a song but I doubt that works for arrangements. In the end it probably doesn’t mean much because eventually David C will run out of covers of covers and just have to do a plain old cover.

This show is pretty dern good this season… everyone is good (yeah, Brooke, too) I prefer to give Papa Archie the benefit of the doubt. I, mean, he had to have known he was under the microscope from before.(for being a stage-dad)… maybe David really liked that song?… when I was a whipper-snapper , there were songs I really loved and they were not “the norm”.Only the shadow knows……….. I miss Luke’s face. :downer_ee:

Well, if neither of these songs had been performed on Idol in the first place, they would still be what they were before – obscure!

I have a feeling both songs (BJ and ER) have bumped up in sales for both original artists. Does Idol have to introduce each song now by saying,

here’s ______, doing a song written by _______, originally interpreted by ________, redone by _______, covered by ______, and recently re-arranged by _________.

Better make Idol 2-1/2 hours from now on…………..

The show’s been on for 7 years and this Season with Cook (and Walk the Line with Daughtry) are the only times I remember a problem like this. Maybe it’s a problem only for rock bands. It is interesting that it’s not the media keeping the story going but the artists themselves. Either it’s for publicity or other reasons, I don’t know. I’m still waiting to hear from Incubus about that version of Hello he did.

I think it is only when it becomes a hit for the one who performed it on Idol, does it become an issue for the artists (or anti-fans).

Re: Incubus: I’m sure its only a matter of time…………

hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s ______, doing a song written by _______, originally interpreted by ________, redone by _______, covered by ______, and recently re-arranged by _________.

Honestly…I’m still not seeing the controversy, or why all of a sudden people choose to be picky about crediting when this season alone we’ve already seen uncredited covers of covers by Eva Cassidy, Stephanie Mills, and Lorrie Morgan.

THAT SAID, I have always wished Idol would run some sort of consistent credit on the screen or something. More than once I’ve liked a song and had to go research online to find out what it was, because Ryan only managed to announce part of a title.

I think the “credit controversy” started because the judges seemed to give David Cook the credit for having made up that arrangement. Not David’s fault. If they had said, “Hey, great job on that Chris Cornell version” everybody would have been fine.

This whole controversy has made Chris Cornell a household name and can only increase his fame. He’s got the credit now, and his record sales are jumping.

I actually like David Cook version better though. :smile1_tb: It’s not quite as emo as the Cornell version.

I don’t know if Melinda was fake or not…didn’t matter to me because I never could get past her “no neck”.

As for David A. ….just hate to say this but there is something about him that gives me the creeps. Also–for me–his “perfect” voice is “too perfect”—no soul!

With those crass remarks, I will now go back to work!

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/03/31/ap4835148.html

Eh. I think because he’s a rock singer, where so much of your band cred is tied to songwriting ability, it makes a bigger impact. Nobody cares about the Syeshas of the world because she’s seen as the type of singer no one is expecting to be original in the first place. But for David it’s a big honkin’ deal.

That said, this is getting old fast. Especially Doxology. Dudes, you were unknown 2 seconds ago, now you have humongous exposure. Like Eleanor Rigby has never been covered that way before. You know damn well your version was not so “original” either. For god sakes, shut up and start booking some gigs. Capitalize already! Sheesh. LOL.

I hope and pray that SOMEONE FIXES DAVID COOK’S HAIR !! blaaaa….It looks like he licked his palm and slicked it over forward..yuk. Dig his voice? yes…and one or two salads wouldn’t kill him , either. I kid because I love !!

Chicago-sally
Mar 31st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/03/31/ap4835148.html

That article, which has a headline of “Idol” Cook has friends in the kitchen”
makes me wonder what other “friends” Kristy has because a) the article is on Forbes (when does Forbes write about AI?) and b) it is an AP article. Someone is doing some PR for Kristy.

Damn! Nearly 50%! And last week I believe he was at second behind Archie’s 31% at 26%, only 5% behind. I’ve been following the TVGuide’s Weekly Idol Rankings since Top 24 week and it’s always been a matter of which David will come out on top every week, but…wow. Just wow.

I hope and pray that SOMEONE FIXES DAVID COOKà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢S HAIR !! blaaaaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.It looks like he licked his palm and slicked it over forward..yuk.

Aw, now that we’ve seen the baby pictures, I can forgive The Hair. The combination of giant cranium and thinning hair is just not workable. (He’s joked about having 15 hairs on the top of his head to work with) I think they are slowly feeding his head bits of Kat’s old extensions, though

Kat’s old extensions, though

that, right there, is humor, folks. fun-nee. So, let me understand this… it’s country week … but they can only sing Dolly P. songs..or they can choose other(s)…yes?

Enough with the cover of a cover crap. This is old news and quite frankly makes no sense to me what so ever. They all sing covers,so why is DC the one catching flake for it. The band Doxology, that I have never ever heard of before, says DC didn’t credit them with this version……WHATEVER!!! Hate to tell Doxology, but the clock is ticking…..13…..14…..15mins are almost up. And didn’t Blake come out and say that DC DID credit them but that it was editted out of his interview package?

but they can only sing Dolly P. songs

MJ heard a rumor that they can sing anything Dolly sang — originals and covers both.

Aw, now that weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen the baby pictures, I can forgive The Hair. The combination of giant cranium and thinning hair is just not workable. (Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s joked about having 15 hairs on the top of his head to work with) I think they are slowly feeding his head bits of Katà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s old extensions, though

Haha. 15 hairs. xD Anyway, I forgave his hair after seeing his “Melonhead” days, too. His head’s still a bit big, now that I look at it — so for me, he can keep his hair like that if he wants. I like how it is now better than his dyed fauxhawk in the audition and Hollywood rounds, honestly.

David C’s baby picture dispelled the myth that all babies are beautiful.

My opinion is that Doxology just wants credit for the work that they did. I really don’t understand the hostility aimed at them.

If I did work, I would not want someone else getting praise and accepting credit for it. If AI or David C just fessed up, in public, it would all blow over.

I too think the age limit should be 18. It would eliminate or at least lessen negative parental influence.

The cover crap is intersting only in that everyone is talking about it, even here. Therefore it will continue, until it isn’t an issue. As long as David C continues to cover covers in this way, it will be written and spoken about, good, bad, or indifferent.

My opinion is that Doxology just wants credit for the work that they did. I really donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand the hostility aimed at them.

I’m a cynic, but what I really think they want is their name out there. And it’s working.

So, are those doxology guys going to re-release that press release every week until someone cares? In an effort to see if David C was either a musical genious, or just extremely well-researched enough to even be familiar with the musical arrangements of highly obsure bands, I listened to their version. And, to David’s again right after. I really can’t tell if it’s a “note for note” copy like they claim. Mostly, it’s hard to tell because David is just so much effing better than they are. I found them kind of sucky (just my opinion).

They should be happy for all of the exposure that their whining is getting them. My guess is that their issue is that they’re seeing the jump Chris Cornell’s Billy Jean got – and they want a little of that for themselves. I’m not buying the whole “it’s not about money” thing.

I don’t really care one way or the other about these cover of a cover things. I didn’t care about the whole Chris D/Live thing and I don’t really care about this. “Live-gate” didn’t color my opinion of Chris, and this non-news won’t color my opinion of David C.

Is this old news?

I saw Ryan on E saying that Brittney Spears and Kristy Cook had teamed up together a few years ago to make Kristy a star….or something like one.
Also that she had signed with, I believe it was Arista.

I wasn’t in the same room as the TV so I only caught parts of it.

How friggin cute is THIS?

Ah, too bad pj isn’t here to enjoy this with me!

I’m not PJ, Primeminister, but I must say that is one of the most endearing pictures! That just made my day! Thanks for posting!

For the last couple of days as I keep and keep hearing about David A’s stage dad from hell, I really, REALLY start to wonder how much David A wants this. I guess the wondering started with prom and how he was going to miss it, and I guess I’ve always wondered because I mean the video of him being made to sing in front of the first season of Idols has always kinda bothered me. I wonder if David ever just wants to be a real teenager. The kid, without a doubt, has a talent within him, but you can tell he has definitely been coached his entire life to act the way he is. But I do also agree that when I look at him I don’t think this is a 17-year-old kid, but I do get a 12-14 year-old-kid. I really want to believe DAVID wants this, but anymore I just don’t know.

I feel sorry for him, I’ve decided, because he’s been pushed his entire life to make it instead of discovering it on his own.

Abdul names Carly Smithson, David Archuleta, David Cook and Michael Johns as her picks for this year’s final four.

I saw this when I looked at the first article

I’m not sure why it happened but the link is in the sentence. Sorry.

PJ, and other Ace fans, Ace was on Good Day Atlanta this morning. He was interviewed and he sang his new song, “Addicted”. The morning crew all love him. He even got to do the last weather report, but I don’t think that part is on the clip. Here is the link to the interview. Click on the other picture under Related Items for the song clip:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=6176198&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

David Cà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s baby picture dispelled the myth that all babies are beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkT1mjF0JmU&eurl

I’m with Paula as that’s my pic for the top four also. Not sure what order however. I like a lot of you think David A looks and acts more like 12-14 but sings very maturely so his vocal training has paid off but I wonder about his social life, I bet he lives a very sheltered one. I’m surprised he’s not home schooled. I wonder if any of his siblings have musical talent? Will success spoil him? While I’m into questions will every artist who’s covered a song in a different way than the original want publicity when it’s performed, especially if they’re working on a new album. Oh I bet Chris C. can answer that one.

St.Lucia, you’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it and shared in my fangirl bliss, hehe.

Lu, Purplesmile, JPfan, if you have not been to the train since 11PM ET Monday night, please check the update.

Elliott’s mom passed away tonight…She will be missed..

Pic from the top 9 Ford commercial shoot.

Oh how did I miss that earlier? My thoughts and prayers will be with Elliott’s family.

My prayers are with Elliott and his family. Claudette was a class act.

Thank you, gabam. I heard about it from a friend earlier. I could not get into etrain until now and I confess I have been crying…

May Mama Claudette’s soul rest in peace and may Elliott and his family find their own peace and the strength to get through this.

Peace and blessings to Claudette.

Hugs for Elliott – he has nothing but love for his Mom.

Very sad news. Claudette was such a wonderful part of Season 5. I’m glad she was able to enjoy Elliott’s success over the past 2 years. He so clearly loved being able to share it with her.

My prayers and thoughts go out to Elliott and the rest of the family.

Claudette Yamin dies, mother of singer Elliott