Idol Update

Taylor Hicks hits the stage on his current tour at about the same  time American Idol starts, so he has not been able to keep up, he tells Billboard.   Besides, the tour, Taylor is working on his autobiography, “Heart Full of Soul” due out in July.  

Ace Young has been added to the “faculty” of this summer’s American Idol summer camp.

Katharine McPhee’s video “Over It” is #1 for the second week in a row at the VH1 Countdown

It had to happen.   McDonalds introduces American Idol themed Happy Meals  with Paris Bennett serving as their spokeskid.   According to the press release,   ”For three weeks, from April 20 through May 10, 2007…young guests will receive one of six superstar toys inspired by AMERICAN IDOL.”   The “superstar” toys include, “… a guitar, headset, microphone, MP3 player, sunglasses and an applause meter with clapping hands.”   Uhhh…

Speaking of Paris, she sent a bulletin to her myspace friends apologizing for her recent comments  about American Idol:

Hey guys I know this week yo’ve all heard some not so nice things about me… I just want to say I give my up most respect and honors to American Idol… without them I wouldnt have met you all and you all would have never known me…. Im not a mean person by any means….Im grateful for each and everything i get and every new opportunity I get I thank American Idol cause thats why that opportunity flowed my way…!! As for all the sanjaya fans I have lots of respect for him he reminds me of myself with the hair changes etc…. i never meant to come off like I hated him cause thats not what kind of person I am…. What I’ve learned from this week is that your words may mean one thing to me and another to other people….! I truely apologize….Love Always,Paris Bennett aka Princess P
“You’ve Officially Beeen Princessed”

Whoopie Goldberg now knows  what the rest already know about Elliott Yamin.   That boy can sang…   Whoopie said, after Elliott performed on a radio show she was guest-hosting in Kentucky, “You can sit down and sing a song. That’s what singing is supposed to be. Nobody is turning buttons and trying to sweeten the sound”

Congratulations to Kelly Clarkson for winning Song of the Year for “Since You Been Gone” at the recent ASCAP awards.

The AV Club  answers this musical question, “Is American Idol bad for music”   The answer is surprisingly pro-Idol.   According to a recently conducted survey,  Idol is the most discussed  TV show around office water coolers.   Well, duh.

Hmmm, there is still such a thing as an Idol attorney?   I’d think by now the Idols are savvy enough to find and hire their own counsel…

Did you know that tragedies like the Virginia Tech massacre can be laid at the feet  of Simon Cowell? *eyes roll*

And, finally, is Paul McCartney too nice  for American Idol?   According to producer Ken Warwick, “[McCartney's] a nice guy. He doesn’t like Simon saying, ‘You’re horrible. You’re the worst I ever heard. You shouldn’t be singing.’   So the chances of Paul coming on the show were pretty slim.”