Is Adam Lambert Mentoring the Idols Next Week? (UPDATE: Yes, He Is!)

Bringing this over from other thread.

Huh. Well, if that email is authentic, and the information in it is true, then I am all for it, fan-wars be damned. As I said in another thread, out of any season, the s9 kids — who are still stiff as a board, overly nervous and most of whom can’t pick the right songs (hello! challenging yourself does not mean picking a song that you can’t sing and is not appropriate for your voice!!!!)– could really benefit from an “ive been there” type of a mentor. Adam (or any other Idol finalist — heck, bring on Anoop or Sarver, I don’t care) could talk to them about song choice, using the stage, making a moment, how important it is to make an impression because win or lose you are going to have new opportunities when you get off the show, etc. etc.

This is somewhat hilarious. So, either it’s true or this guy’s a lunatic or some really cruel friend of his played a really cruel joke on him LOL.

I have no issue with former finalists coming back to help the current contestants. Especially this season, when some of these kids could REALLY use a little advice from someone who’s been there and played the game well.

I’m sitting here visualizing the conversational hype this will get in the upcoming week if this is true. Can you say ratings boost? LOL

Oh mj, I’m sorry! LMAO. Well, at least there is one thread to contain all the chatter.

I think this as quite odd if it is true. 19 is on some serious Adam pimpage crack. Heh. Still, he’s gonna get a hell of a boost and lots of coverage, so work that pimping Adam! LOL. Good for him.

This is somewhat hilarious. So, either it’s true or this guy’s a lunatic or some really cruel friend of his played a really cruel joke on him LOL.

I was going to blow it off until he produced the so-called-email. The whole deal is just so popcorn-worthy…

As long as Adam gets to perform, the mentoring is just icing on the cake. It’s lulzy entertainment to watch it unfold, for sure. As dull as S9 is, we need an interesting development. Bring it on!

Let’s see….big bag of popcorn, check, favorite beverage, check, lots of m&m’s to nibble on, check, comfy chair and footrest, check, computer in good condition, check. I think I am all set for the “floor show” if this turns out to be true. This will truly set the “idol fandom” spinning!!

If Adam is really doing this, he needs to teach Tim and Aaron some of his stage moves.

Wow….if this is true can you imagine. OMG there will be 2000 postings on this site alone. HeHeHeHe. I love Adam Lambert. Maybe he could teach Siobhan how to hit those high notes since she insists on singing them.

That email is ridiculous. Who sends an email like that? on Sony servers? Way to spoil a surprise if true… Alternatively, it does start the buzz early for a huge build up to next week. Heh. Just heh.

It should be interesting to see how the Idol audience views Lambert upon his return. A lot has happened in his career since last season.. he hasn’t quite lived up to all the praise from last season. Sure, the judgery loved him last year, but his post-Idol sales clearly did not meet those expectations. Interesting. Very interesting.

Oh boy am I tired of the Adam pimping…if this is true, I’m not watching. I can catch up with the performances on the net (not that there’s much point this season, but whatever).

If they wanted to have an ex-idol mentoring, Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry would have been the best choices. If they aren’t interested or available (I think they’re all touring) then best not to do it at all.

No offence to Adam or to Adam fans (it’s not personal against him or them) but I just find the whole thing odious. It’s got nothing to do with this season of Idol or this season’s contestants. It’s all about the – latest in a long line of – pushes for their supposed ‘golden boy’, who as of yet is just a moderate success in the real music world, however much he appears in the gossip press and however hard they try to make him look like a ‘superstar’.

I’d rather they invited Archie to do it: he even had more success in the year after finishing runner up.

Bleuh.

Well I think it would be neat if it’s true. I think Adam would be a really great mentor. And you got to admit it if you don’t like Adam people are going to want to watch just to see what he well do. And if it well help with the ratings am sure Idol would do it.

And if it’s a joke, I’ll laugh myself silly.

Here comes the lulz. *munches popcorn*

I guess in a way even if you just are performing and talk to the contestants a bit it could even be seen as mentoring and my guess is that is probably the case and it isn’t full fledge mentoring. I have never understood though why they didn’t use previous idols to mentor the current contestants, since they are the only ones who really know what idol is about and the other mentors mostly made it differently without idol. I don’t know how quickly you can teach contestants how to be more comfortable on stage, but Adam definitely would be a good mentor in that area. Some of the contestants this year would be much better if they just didn’t look so self conscious.

this would be soo great, i could finally enjoy an AI show this season!!

The headings on e-mails can be edited before being forwarded so as to make them look as if they’ve come from someone and somewhere else. Seven people got sacked at my former place of work as a result of someone doing this.

If the DJ has done this, he is on dangerous ground. If not, whoever did it and sent it to him is.

If it is true, good luck to Adam. The “he’s not a legitimate artist” line is bull. I suppose they would be alright with Carrie Underwood mentoring. Come back when Carrie has had a top ten album and top ten single in Australia, NZ and most of Europe and the far East.

S9 could really use what Adam could teach them. I was always on the edge of my seat waiting for Adam to perform. So far S9 has been pretty dull.

If the email is a fake, the guy is going to look like a fool pretty quickly.

In the mean time, stock up on pop-corns ..

Ya I hope this is true, has Adam responded, as I am sure he has heard the (news) by now. Its great, and I am all for any of the seasons top placement Idols mentoring. Some can speak with some sense and some not so much, but who cares, they have all been there. Anything is better than the senseless people that they put on just to premote their albums, and to show that most of these so called stars cant really sing without being autotuned, or lip synking. Can you just picture Adam with TIM, lol, or cute little Aaron, oh my, this could be really good. Adam will be professional tho,

And you got to admit it if you don’t like Adam people are going to want to watch just to see what he well do. And if it well help with the ratings am sure Idol would do it.

LOL – half the people watching because they like Adam, the other half watching hoping that he’s a trainwreck. That’s a win/win for the network.

I was going to blow it off until he produced the so-called-email. The whole deal is just so popcorn-worthy…

Ha! Hope your server is prepared for a lot of hits.

Is this how official e-mails from sony look like? really? LoL ‘Adam will OWN american idol next week’. I thought april fools was last thursday… I’m sorry but i need more than this to believe it. i’m capable of making-up this kind of ‘proof’ in less than 10 minutes, what took HIM so long?

If the email is a fake, the guy is going to look like a fool pretty quickly…

That possibility right there is half the fun. I’m not sure this DJ understands the depths of the cray cray element in Idol fandom. He might have no idea he’s about to be burned at the stake. And, I might have to start following him on Twitter, just for the lulz.

Lol at the email. Please at least pay some effort if u wanna pull a prank. This guy is working for the media isn’t he? Can’t believe he couldn’t draft a more believable email. Lol entertaining indeed.

I am pretty sure that the S9 idols would be very happy to get a little mentoring from Adam. He has an innate sense of what works (see the entire American Idol S8 if you don’t mind) and anything else you can find on youtube that he has performed in to prove that. I hope it is true and they should have done this (HAVE PAST IDOLS MENTOR) a long time ago. I think he is probably the only one who could do it comfortably. He can talk to anyone and everyone…he’s a pro!!!! GO ADAM!!!! Adam for the Save!

Talk about “for our entertainment”. This is going to be epic on so many levels if this is true. I can hear the sound of fandoms exploding already, LOL. Oh my, I can’t wait. However Adam could teach these kids quite a bit about song choice, presentation, owning the stage, etc.

LOL – half the people watching because they like Adam, the other half watching hoping that he’s a trainwreck. That’s a win/win for the network.

Well, it’s kind of hard for me to see anybody watching in hopes of a trainwreck, because how could *any* former Idol who did well on the show produce a trainwreck?

Every single one of the top five or six finishers each season can sing and perform pretty well live (certainly better than many many of the top non-idol “stars” they trot out to sing each week).

And, unlike many many of the “star” mentors that have been on the show, any former Idol finalist has got plenty of relevant experience to try to impart to the current contestants and would most likely be eager to try to do so.

I don’t believe it’s true. But I also can’t see a lot of people tuning it in hoping for a trainwreck.

Because while it could be a big pr disaster for 19, among fans of other Idols and folks who really can’t stand Adam, I don’t see how his performing or mentoring (or the performing and mentoring of Kris, Archie, Diana, George Huff, Justin Guarini, or any other top-finishing Idol) could possibly be all that bad, considering the performing and mentoring we’ve seen by myriad others over the years!

Again, what I find hilarious is people’s reactions. Hehehehehe. Today is going to be interesting on the internet.

If they wanted to have an ex-idol mentoring, Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry would have been the best choices. If they aren’t interested or available (I think they’re all touring) then best not to do it at all.

IA with this because they’ve been successful transcending AI and they’ve headlined their own tours. I’d add Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia to your list too because of the acclaim they’ve gotten in other fields. But let’s face it: once they invited MILEY CYRUS to mentor it settled the question of whether they were picking mentors based on what’s best for the contestants or whether they were picking mentors based on who’s got something to promote. It wouldn’t surprise me if they went with Adam as a mentor at all.

Kelly’s back in the US after touring overseas so I’d have thought she’d be available. It’s not that Adam will be a bad mentor, even Miley didn’t seem to be a bad mentor. But the best choices? Hardly.

i dunno, it seems photoshopped lol…maybe hes just doing it for the hits? is he even reliable? how do we know for sure he works for radio?

btw, it seems that hes a huge kelly fan just playing tricks on adam fans for the lulz

It is a good idea to have a former contestant serve as a mentor. The Idol stage is a universe unto itself, and only the people who have performed there and faced the judges can truly empathize. I thought Adam, Kris, & Allison were all awesome last year, but I’m not sure if any of them could make a difference with the current group. Crystal is already established in her performing style. Siobhan might benefit from some Adam-izing after her problems last week. As for the others, they’re simply not ready for prime time. Some have basic talent, but they need a considerable amount of development. Others (Hello, Tim) are just taking up valuable space.

It wouldn’t matter to me if this was true. For this season I’ve been watching just the performances of the contestants (okay, just Crystal, Siobhan, Lee; and Didi before she was voted off). I don’t even watch the judges’ critique. I am that disinterested about this season.

So, they could put Justin Bieber in as a mentor and I would not even feel it. In this case, ignorance is bliss.

It looks like a hoax to me. With all my respect and admiration for Adam, I don’t think that he is qualified to be a mentor at the current stage of his career.
But the ratings will skyrocket..IMHO.
On the other hand, when I think of it, Adam has been in the showbussiness for a very long time. And being so much left of center of what is required to became an American Idol, he managed to get to the finals.So he might be a good mentor, after all..

Yea, i can see the ratings getting boosted by this. Especially if the producers decide to be silent and “no comment” on next week’s mentor.

WDYWFM? Come on … if he’s going to perform on idol it’ll surely be a “new” song. Not WDYWFM, which he’s performed on every platform from Good Morning -> SYTYCDance …

I don’t like fanwars and this has the making of the perfect fanwar storm starting with S1 fans thru S8 all screaming it’s not right, it’s not fair oh then the rehash of the AMA’s…oh the hate & the butthurt this would produce… *hiding*…going back to lurking.

Broadway week maybe?. The only idols who should be able to mentor are Carrie and Kelly, the only ones who are “stars”

Fascinating. I’m finding the whole situation, the email, etc., pretty incredulous, but I skimmed back the guy’s Twitter page and he’s pretty legit. Soo… either it’s true, or someone sent him a fake email and he REALLY believes it’s true. If this email was sent to other radio stations, though, how come no one has said anything? Doesn’t Adam often take to twitter to dispel these types of rumors once they get out of hand? Does his silence signify anything? Again, fascinating. /munches popcorn .

I would be very happy if it is true but I don’t think any Sony rep would write and email like this one. It seems more like a tween wrote it.

And if it is true well Adam is one of the best choices for helping mentor. He has done a load of Stage work. Excuse if I am wrong but wasn’t a lot of people complaing that he was a plant because he was too experienced or professional now all of sudden he is not.

If it isn’t true I don’t get the joke. Why purposely rile up anyone. Its cruel. I don’t think any other fan group of an artist Idol or not would think it was too funny if it was their favorite. IMHO

Of course if it is true a lot of other idol fans will be pissed that their idol wasn’t first. I guess Kelly should be the first one to do this but maybe she turned it down. We have no idea who was asked and said no.

What I do find hysterical is the people who get upset that Adam just has a better PR team. Like he should be punished because he does have it. I say bring it on. I never got the if not mine not your either attitude. There have been plenty of opportunities that other idols got that Adam never did and I don’t have any animosity or ill will towards anyone of them. I guess I just love the Cheesy show and want all of them to do well

This is interesting. I don’t have a problem with former idols coming back and mentoring current contestants. Especially if it’s someone like Kelly Clarkson, or Chris Daughtry, or Carrie Underwood, who have all been through the idol machine and have been very successful.

American Idol is no long afford to invite big stars to mentor. I am picturing that Ricky Minor will be kissed by male contestants. Epic Fail.

Re: Adam mentoring, if true, it doesn’t look like this was a big “lets see what we can do to pimp Adam” decision, especially since Adam denied that he was mentoring just a few weeks ago. He probably was scheduled to perform, either the planned mentor couldn’t do it any more or there was no mentor, and someone decided, hey, adam is around, lets have a former contestant mentor from the “i’ve been where you are” perspective….it makes sense, and if they are going to do a former finalist as a mentor it may even make the most sense to have someone from the prior season, or prior two seasons, who is still really close to the process (for example, Kelly C. is 9 years removed from being an idol contestant…someone from S8, who is just off the whole process, may have more to give the S9 kids from an “i just did the whole idol experience perspective.) Anyway, I hope it is true, but still doubt that it is. that email looks weird.

If they want to have a former contestant come back and mentor, fine but I think it should be more than someone from the previous season. A more experienced Idol alumni can give more advice on just how to play the Idol game (do I have to remind anyone that it is a game he did not win) but can also prepare the contestants for their career after Idol. Someone out in the industry for less than a year cannot do that.

This has nothing to do with fan wars. I just think Adam does not yet have enough to offer in the way of experience. Period.

I will not watch if he attempts to mentor. This will be worse than Miley Cirus mentoring. Why don’t they just get it over with and have Justin Beiber on?

Because while it could be a big pr disaster for 19, among fans of other Idols and folks who really can’t stand Adam, I don’t see how his performing or mentoring (or the performing and mentoring of Kris, Archie, Diana, George Huff, Justin Guarini, or any other top-finishing Idol) could possibly be all that bad, considering the performing and mentoring we’ve seen by myriad others over the years!

Oh, I don’t think it will be bad. But, judging from some of the reactions to this rumor so far, I’m quite sure at least a segment of the viewers are hoping it will be.

Honestly, for me, I love to see the former contestants come back. Even the ones who I didn’t particularly like during their seasons. I wasn’t an Archie fan, and I hate the song Imagaine, but this week, I’ll be rooting for him to do well with it.

For me, I can’t get all hot and bothered over who’s mentoring on a show that sees Joe Jonas as a qualified judge.

I’m just anticipating hilarity to ensue with the reaction of some of the more ardent fans and non-fans .

Idol made it clear they view Adam as some HUGE star the first episode of the new season with the ‘a new Idol was crowned (cut to Kris) and a star was born (cut to Adam). Maybe they think bringing him on as a mentor will make it seem like he is a huge star on the same level as some of their past mentors. Can’t wait to see the video package like all the mentors get where their milllions of albums sold, strings of hit songs and awards are touted..oh wait….never mind.

1) The email does smell like a hoax from 50 paces.
2) I am not engaged by most of AL’s music and I think he could have, and should have, not chosen Cordelia Chase for his media relations model.
3) I think this is a perfectly fine idea, if true.

He has relevant experience, a certain degree of stage presence, and is quite articulate when he wants to be. I can think of many worse mentoring candidates.

I just want him to sing something other than WWFM. I’ve had it up to here with that song! Sheesh, he’s already performed it on Fox on that very stage. Why not unveil the new single IIHY?

But, judging from some of the reactions to this rumor so far, I’m quite sure at least a segment of the viewers are hoping it will be.

Can’t imagine why they would think this. I guess many just hate Adam this much?

Frankly, if they did an entire season with *nothing* but former Idol finalists as guest performers and mentors — and reached deep down into the pot to bring out finalists who finished 5th, 6th, and 7th, even — I would bet that, in terms of actual live guest singing on results night, and useful, caring mentoring, it would be by far the best season they’ve ever had. By many miles, in fact!

That said, I hope that it isn’t true. If they’re not going to have a bunch of them back to do this, then they shouldn’t have *any* back to do this — unless they choose only a past winner (either the most recent or the longest-running) or those who’ve had the biggest number of career successes thus far.

No offence to Adam or to Adam fans (it’s not personal against him or them) but I just find the whole thing odious. It’s got nothing to do with this season of Idol or this season’s contestants. It’s all about the – latest in a long line of – pushes for their supposed ‘golden boy’, who as of yet is just a moderate success in the real music world, however much he appears in the gossip press and however hard they try to make him look like a ’superstar’.

I’d rather they invited Archie to do it: he even had more success in the year after finishing runner up.

As an Adam fan, no offense taken. If it’s true that Adam is mentoring, there will be a lot of opinions flying within the Idol fandom within the next week! LOL! I truly think that “success” is a very elusive term to pin down, though, because it can be measured in so many ways. While it’s true that in the US, Adam’s sales have been moderate when compared to those of some contestants in previous years, I do believe the attention he gets in the press is also an important component of success–and the amount of media attention he gets is by far greater than I’ve personally seen from any former Idol. Sure, a lot of it is just fluffy gossip, but it’s because of the image Adam has created and presented that the tabloids are so interested in his every move and utterance. Yes, there’s the whole argument that that’s not “musical” success, but to be a “pop star,” I think you have to build on the whole package. I’m not claiming that Adam is a “star” yet, but, IMO, he’s well on his way, and I think the Season 9 kids could really use to work with someone who obviously understands and knows how to play the different angles of starting out in the industry.

Right now, I’m saying this a bad joke that will be mocked by all of us shortly.

However. . .

If this proves to be true, 19 will have a PR armageddon on their hands. No way can they handle eight years’ worth of angry fans who are upset over their favorite Idol not getting the job first. They would be putting themselves in front of a firing squad.

It sounds too far-fetched to be true. But I can’t completely rule it out because 19′s bigwigs are just self-absorbed enough to try something like this. We’ll see.

” I just want him to perform something other than WWFM. I
’ve had it up to here with that song! Sheesh, he’s already performed it on Fox on that very stage. Why not unveil the
new single IIHY?”

Because he hasn’t performed WWFM on TV in the US in 3 or 4 months (certainly not since it became a top 15 radio hit), his remix EP, which includes remixes of WWFM drops on April 14, most of the Idol audience has never seen him sing WWFM live, I suspect RCA/19 want WWFM to get one last big sales boost, and IIHY is not ready for adds etc. yet (also IMO he sings WWFM a lot better than IIHY live). WWFM makes perfect sense

The mentors don’t mentor on the contestants careers. So getting advice from an artist with a showcase full of gold or platinum records really is irrelevant to what these kids are going through. The sole purpose of all the past mentors has been to plug their upcoming record or tour. Period!
Even if it wasn’t Adam, I would be in favor of this. I think having past Idols on, as mentors, is long overdue. They alone know what it is like to be on that show and how to deal with everything the show throws at you (Ford commercial, mentor day, song choice, etc,) while still trying to come up with your best performance. The stars they use have no idea what these kids are going through. A past Idol does.

I don’t believe it – I think that would be disrespecful to Kris. I do believe that Adam will probably perform on the results show the same as Kris and Allison did, but no mentoring…

IMHO I think Adam would be great. He knows how to re-arrange songs to make them fabulous. He knows how to used the stage, the lighting etc. These kids need to know how to do this. Unfortunately right now, all they know is how to stand behind a guitar and sing. This season has been so boring. I think it would be one of the most exciting nights on American Idol this season.

Whether the e-mail is a joke or not, Adam could bring a new approach to mentoring as somebody who has been an AI contestant. He should be in a position to give more useful advice than a lot of others who have mentored. As for performing, he’s certainly paid his dues in that area.

But for anybody who feels Adam needs a more solid recording career under his belt before mentoring, perhaps you would prefer a return by a previous season mentor such as that great recording star Quentin Tarantino.

I just want him to perform something other than WWFM. I’ve had it up to here with that song! Sheesh, he’s already performed it on Fox on that very stage. Why not unveil the new single IIHY?

Are we talking about SYTYCD? I’m pretty sure, that Adam will come up with another version of WWFM..one that we’ve never seen before.

I have no idea if this is true, but I guess my question is if it is, why is it any kind of issue? People keep saying he isn’t “qualified” enough, but what does the mentor really do? They listen to the contestants practice their songs and give them a literal line or two of advice. For people saying he doesn’t have enough experience/success to give contestants advice on a post-idol career, who would be better than a former contestant (Quentin Tarantino, Miley Cyrus, Usher, etc. certainly know nothing about having a career based on a singing competition). On top of everything, based on Season 8 sales, anyone from season 9 will be lucky to have the success of any of the kids from season 8. I think Adam (or Kris, or Danny, or Allison for that matter) could give truly relevant advice to the contestants at this point – probably better than most others.

That said, I hope that it isn’t true. If they’re not going to have a bunch of them back to do this, then they shouldn’t have *any* back to do this — unless they choose only a past winner (either the most recent or the longest-running) or those who’ve had the biggest number of career successes thus far.

I don’t really have a problem with it, regardless of who it is. And, I love your idea of having lots of them back for the task. I think the producers are just trying new ideas. Although there’s really no reason to believe this news is legitimate (or if it is, that their definition of “mentoring” is any more than the usual advice ex-Idols give when they come back), even if it is true, I have no issue with it.

Much like having David Cook or Archie come back to sing a song within the context of the theme (which I know some people don’t like as well), I think these are all just attempts to mine their existing talent pool and use their familiarity to put viewers on the couch, tuned to Fox.

IMHO I think Adam would be great. He knows how to re-arrange songs to make them fabulous. He knows how to used the stage, the lighting etc. These kids need to know how to do this. Unfortunately right now, all they know is how to stand behind a guitar and sing. This season has been so boring. I think it would be one of the most exciting nights on American Idol this season.

Unless he could do some kind of Vulcan mind-meld, I’m thinking that his advice — which the mentors usually only provide at kind of the last moment, right? — wouldn’t do much good. …

Same goes for the advice of just about anyone. Note the excellent advice Usher gave Aaron Kelly about I know, I know, I know, I know. …. and the ultimate fate of that advice — Aaron left it on the cutting-room floor.

Much like having David Cook or Archie come back to sing a song within the context of the theme (which I know some people don’t like as well), I think these are all just attempts to mine their existing talent pool and use their familiarity to put viewers on the couch, tuned to Fox.

Yes. And like Usher and the crotch thrusters, as well. It’s all about the ratings.

So maybe they’re thinking that some old fans are tuning out and if they incite a fan war for the broadcast, they’ll bring them back again to the show? Wouldn’t put it past them, I must say.

I would be very happy if it is true but I don’t think any Sony rep would write and email like this one. It seems more like a tween wrote it.

Normally, I’d agree with you, but having read some of the posts from the RCA mod on Adam’s official site, and his usual unprofessional tone, nothing coming from Adam’s camp would surprise me anymore.

Idol made it clear they view Adam as some HUGE star the first episode of the new season with the ‘a new Idol was crowned (cut to Kris) and a star was born (cut to Adam). Maybe they think bringing him on as a mentor will make it seem like he is a huge star on the same level as some of their past mentors. Can’t wait to see the video package like all the mentors get where their milllions of albums sold, strings of hit songs and awards are touted..oh wait….never mind.

Sorry, I have nothing interesting to add to your comment, just wanted to quote your entire post, cuz… hee. Brilliant.

I would LOVE to see ADAM as a mentor! But, I completely agree with MJ, I do no trust this twitter either and its best to wait until you have reputable sources.

I don’t believe it – I think that would be disrespectful to Kris.

As a Kris fan, I don’t think so. If it is disrespectful to Kris, then it is just as disrespectful to all the other people who came before them.

I think this, if true, is just a ploy to create controversy to attract more viewers.

If the “mentor theme” is “I have been there before as an Idol contestant”, as the (real? fake? who knows?) email states, then how is Adam unqualified? Any Idol finalist qualifies. I think it is a great idea. And I would think it is a great idea regardless of whether it was Adam doing the mentoring, or Kris, or Cook, or Blake or Anoop or any of them (altho as stated above, i think it is best that it is a more recent contestant, someone who is closer to the idol experience)

why is it any kind of issue? People keep saying he isn’t “qualified” enough, but what does the mentor really do?

Eh. It can be argued both ways. Everyone they’ve had mentor over the years has been established in one way or another. Either they sold lots of singles/albums or they were tops in their fields. Even without the AI connection, Adam is a newbie to the industry compared to mentors past. So it rasies some eyebrows in that way.

Plus, if you are gonna get a former Idol, there are several to choose from that are actually established recording artists. Getting one from last year – or that last 2 years really – seems odd in that light.

On the other hand, who knows how to play the Idol game better than an Idol finalist? Adam made the top 2, so he’s no slouch in how to make it to the end. So he can help them play the game better in theory. I mean I would have rather seen Carrie or Kelly do it (or JHud or Daughtry) but that’s more of a slight issue with 19 than with Adam. Its not like he made the decision. Its great exposure either way, he should take it and run with it IMO.

I think that the mail is fake, if only for the lulzy subject line. Wo would send mail inside Sony with the header “BIG ADAM LAMBERT NEWS!!” ?

Anyway, Adam as a mentor would be actually a great idea. Sure, it’s jumping the shark, but it would bring viewers, it would be great mentoring footage, Adam might actually help the S9 boys and girls, and it would be great exposure to Adam. If they can have Miley Cyrus as a mentor, Adam would be perfectly legitimate!

Oh geez – saw the email pic this morning.

Well, as with everything Adam-rumor related, I’ll take it all with a HUGE grain of salt.

Otoh – Idol does need the buzz and ratings, and Adam would bring it to them (so would Kelly or Carrie, so asking one of them first would seem better – scratch that, I actually think Adam and Kelly would be tops to mentor people in my book. Kelly for her experience and success having been the original idol, and Adam for his huge stage experience – including ability to help people with their personal style, singing, and performance on stage.

I guess I take bigger issue with the DJ’s comments about it being a mega fail. Ah yes, because choice picks like Quentin Tarantino and Miley have been so brilliant (rolls eyes).

Yeah am a really big Kris fan. And I see nothing wrong with it. And like carmine2008 said why just Kris you might as well but in David C.Jorden,Carrie, all the other winners and even the other non winners.

I think Adam would be an excellent mentor. He has great vocal technique, so can advise the contestants with that (as long as he doesn’t advise everyone to start throwing in random screaming, which I sincerely doubt he’d do), he can talk to them about owning the stage, he understands exactly how to play the game to succeed on Idol, he can warn them about what to expect during the AI tour and how to cope with juggling touring with trying to record an album.

HOWEVER, TPTB will likely be disappointed if they expect Adam’s appearance to greatly boost ratings. If you remember, last year’s finale, despite all the hype about Adam and the whole Adam vs. Kris thing was one of, if not the, lowest-rated finales ever. And most of Adam’s post-Idol tv appearances have not gotten amazing ratings — his performance on the AMAs, for example, was one of the lowest-rated parts of that show. So while there might be a small uptick in the ratings, I’d doubt there would be this huge increase.

As for why not perform IIHU, that single isn’t due to be released until sometime in May. Too far away for there to be any real reason to perform it. Makes more sense to promote the current single and the remix EP

I think it would be great for Adam to mentor. He was obviously one of the most interesting contestants on the show and he knew how to “make songs his own.” He was also great with “song choice.” Sure, he doesn’t have as much experience “post idol,” but he is the perfect person to mentor these rather boring season niners. Hopefully he could get them to raise the bar and possibly get some of us motivated to actually VOTE this season.

The mentors probably spend 10 minutes, tops, with the contestants. It’s not like Adam would have to give long-term career advice; he’ll give them feedback about ONE song. So, it’s not that deep.

Adam is well-spoken and personable, and comfortable on-camera. He’ll be a fine mentor. The ratings won’t “skyrocket”, no mentor has that kind of power. But at this point Fox would probably be happy to hold steady/slightly improve, instead of drop. At least it should make the show more interesting to watch.

I think people are missing the point to having a former Idol on the show as mentor. It’s not about prepping the contestants for post-Idol success. It’s about showing them how to play the game RIGHT NOW, ON THE SHOW. They need to learn to use the resources available to them on Idol. Love him or hate him, Adam was very good at playing the game, and very good at requesting special lighting, etc. He’d be a good mentor in that regard. Why not Kris, the actual winner? The Idol winners are heavily involved in IGB. An appearance to promote the charity single, two IGB-related trips, an IGB appearance, an appearance on the finale, not to mention a Ford ad that runs a few times each week on the show is probably as much winner saturation as is good for the Idol or the show. If this is going to be a new yearly thing, I imagine it will always be the runner-up or third place finisher.

I think people are missing the point to having a former Idol on the show as mentor. It’s not about prepping the contestants for post-Idol success. It’s about showing them how to play the game RIGHT NOW, ON THE SHOW.

Exactly!!!! and boy do the S9 kids need the help (IMHO, YMMV)

If that’s true I’ll be really surprised. Adam already said in an interview that he’s not going to be a mentor. To me he even seemed very surprised at the question, like he was thinking “are you crazy? I’m way too new in the business to be a mentor”.

Having said that, as fan, for purely selfish reasons, I would be thrilled to have him in my TV for two episodes of AI, especially if it’s going to give FYE and WWFM a big bump. And he would be a great mentor, IMO, but I love almost everything he does.

I don’t really get why having Adam on would supposedly help ratings. How come having Miley and Usher — way way bigger sellers than Adam — didn’t help ratings much?

Would it be because they think that Adam lovers and haters are no longer watching the show and could be enticed back, or what?

Kelly’s back in the US after touring overseas so I’d have thought she’d be available.

She is on break before going to New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. She did mentor for Canadian Idol, and I would’ve loved to have seen her do Idol, but guess not this time.

With all her ties to Idol still intact, I could see Carrie doing it had she not been on tour.

I don’t THINK this email is legit mostly because Adam Lambert was asked about mentoring somewhere (sorry, too many interviews to remember where/when), and he said no that wasn’t happening, he said he was a “new kid,” etc.

But if it is true, and just “late-breaking” – well, then, I think it’s great. I think Adam would be genuinely insightful not just because of his experiences but because that’s the kind of person he seems to be. (And, I think a lot of OTHER past Idol contestants would be great, too.)

Have any of the past “mentors” really mentored the contestants much at all, anyway? Most I’ve seen just throw some platitudes their way. Or maybe that’s just all we see, I don’t know.

Adam has also said he IS singing WWFM on “Idol”(somewhere, sometime), which is fine by me – I just always look forward to seeing him perform, period.

And most of Adam’s post-Idol tv appearances have not gotten great ratings — his performance on the AMAs, for example, was one of the lowest-rated parts of that show.

ummm, have to qualify that comment there. The AMAs were up over previous years, and Adam performed at the very end, late at night (kids in bed, etc. lol), which is ALWAYS the lowest rated time because of the late hour. IIRC the time period was up over previous years, though.

Also, he gave Chelsea Lately her biggest audience ever, and improved Leno’s ratings when he was on at 10pm and otherwise tanking (best Monday show he had had in awhile). So, yeah.

That said, I don’t think he would boost the ratings THAT much, but I do think AI needs the buzz. It needs something worth talking about – in the media, online, among critics, not to mention watercooler moments. I think that kind of buzz has been sorely lacking. Bringing on Miley, for instance, didn’t really help ratings either, but she had a similar “buzzy” effect at least.

When Adam was on Oprah, or Ellen, shows thay already have huge ratings did they see huge ratings increases with him on? I’m not talking about Leno at 10pm or Chelsea Lately seeing huge bumps. And didn’t the AMA’s actually have lower numbers towards the end?

(so would Kelly or Carrie, so asking one of them first would seem better –

Maybe they did ask them, and they couldn’t fit it into their schedule. Honestly, we have no idea what may have gone on behind the scenes (again, assuming this very sketchy story is at all true).

I don’t think having Adam come back is in any way disrespectful to Kris, or anyone else for that matter. AI brings people back when and how it suits them. They aren’t keeping any kind of score. Kris has performed. Kris was sent on a mission for IGB, footage of which will undoubtedly be shown on what will probably be their most viewed episode. Kris’s Ford commercials are getting a TON of airplay (I saw it twice last night, on two different channels, neither of which was Fox). I think TPTB are respecting Kris just fine (and I’m happy about that, because I really, really like him). He’s definitely not getting the Taylor treatment.

If they wanted to have an ex-idol mentoring, Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry would have been the best choices.

Even though any former Idol contestant would have lots of good advice to give S9 peeps, I agree with the above. They have been out there, and are stars in their own right now. Even though I’m not a Kradaam fan; I also agree it would be disrespectful to Kris, S8 winner.
And the purpose of a mentor has more to do with TV ratings than mentorship; from TPTB viewpoint. I don’t think Adam would lend to that as much as some of the (admittedly poor) celebs like Tarantino, Miley, etc.

Having said the above, I’m in the camp that it is all a big hoax; as numerous media accounts(concerts, tour possibilities, etc etc!) involving Adam wind up being – for some reason. Don’t know if it is generated to create yet more PR for him by Adam insiders, or if it is generated by people who dislike him.

If the “mentor theme” is “I have been there before as an Idol contestant”, as the (real? fake? who knows?) email states, then how is Adam unqualified? Any Idol finalist qualifies. I think it is a great idea. And I would think it is a great idea regardless of whether it was Adam doing the mentoring, or Kris, or Cook, or Blake or Anoop or any of them (altho as stated above, i think it is best that it is a more recent contestant, someone who is closer to the idol experience)

ITA mmb. However, I think to generate buzz Adam is the right choice right now. Just look at the threads on mj’s site…if it is Adam related, the number of comments goes way up. He is previous Idol contestant with buzz right now. The media is all over him. I would love to see Kris, Cook, and others too, but if it’s attention Idol wants, then Adam it is.

In regards to being disrespectful to Kris, I have to say this. Kris has bombed on the Billboard 200 chart. Even Taylor Hicks did better with his first CD. (He will be without a record deal after his 2nd CD and he is like a blade of grass in the field, Just one of millions like him. Theres nothing to market. Lambert is unique, marketable, has a superior voice, stage presence, and most of all TALENT. He did not have a whole state vote 100 times their population (With help from AT&T) By the way, I am from Arkansas so I know what they did here.

Well, I just checked Adam’s twitter. Still no denial. Interesting.

Just the whole last minute aspect of this news is what’s making me think it might be true. I mean, I’ve been astonished at how last-minute and fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants the Idol producers have been this year. How long did they give David C. to pull together a song? 15 minutes? geez.

I think Adam would be an incredible mentor; he is so freaking articulate, I could listen to him for hours (and have!) But, seriously, if they have him on you know they will go to GREAT pains not to use the M-word or to at least point out that what he’s doing is different than what has been done by more traditional mentors in the past. They might even joke that Carrie was too busy planning her wedding and Kelly wasn’t available, just to appease a few fansbases. Kelly would be excellent too, btw. She would be honest and straightforward – just what these guys need.

If true at all, the e-mail clearly states the mentoring is from the perspective of a former contestant only. Looks like it is something new they want to try and Adam is simply hot right now. Yes, other Idols have had more commercial successes because they have been on the scene much longer. Adam’s story is yet to be written IMO. What Adam has is a compelling (Oprah’s word)personality and a way of conveying his thoughts that is very charming as he has proved on this promo tour. I have no doubt that if this is successful, other Idols will be tapped to do the same thing. If it makes any other idol fans happier, just think of Adam as the guinea pig for this concept and it will be on him if this works out or not,LOL. IMO, this is a win/win for Adam as far as publicity and promo regardless. I would not be surprised if this is made a big deal in the international press too.

While it’s true that in the US, Adam’s sales have been moderate when compared to those of some contestants in previous years, I do believe the attention he gets in the press is also an important component of success–and the amount of media attention he gets is by far greater than I’ve personally seen from any former Idol.

Yeah, but that really gets my goat too – and not just when related to Adam, when related to anyone who’s actual achievements don’t match up to the press hoopla and gets crowned as a ‘stah’ based on the press rather than the substance.

But anyhow – it’s not like I’m erasing Adam’s CD off my ipod or anything (I really like some of his stuff and he’s a great singer) and it’s hardly his fault that RCA/Sony/19E at al have their heads so far stuck up his backside that they can’t even remember what daylight looks like. :lol

It’s just not going to help his cause with those of us who see ‘Hambert’ as a performer (with thanks and props to TopIdol for this moniker) rather than pop superstar.

I guess I take bigger issue with the DJ’s comments about it being a mega fail. Ah yes, because choice picks like Quentin Tarantino and Miley have been so brilliant (rolls eyes).

I’d say that’s his point. He said this is “another reason Idol has jumped the shark”. Not the 1st or only reason. Just another sign in his opinion of a bad decision so I doubt he was happy with Miley mentoring either.

IMO the media’s not going to look deeply into the hows and whys and most will question why Adam’s the “I’ve been there” mentor before Kelly, Carrie, JHud, and Daughtry and even Fantasia. Most probably won’t think about Carrie and Daughtry not being available because they’re on tour and how Kelly might just need a break since she just got back from touring overseas.

Are we talking about SYTYCD? I’m pretty sure, that Adam will come up with another version of WWFM..one that we’ve never seen before.

Yes I was referring to SYTYCD. As for “another version,” hmmm, maybe he’ll go acoustic? We’ll see.

I think the email looks phony. But here’s my thought. It’s dated April 5th, so wouldn’t “next week” mean the week of April 10th? If the email meant tomorrow, shouldn’t it say “this week”.

Whatever. If it’s true, I’ll be happy to see Adam. But I’m not buying it yet.

I see the best part about this is Adam can teach the guys how to ride the micraphone!!!!!

And didn’t the AMA’s actually have lower numbers towards the end?

Did you read my comment? Any award show (including the AMAs) has lower ratings by default in the last hour – more people are in bed by then. The ratings for that period were up over previous years though.

It’s like saying that March sales were way down compared to December sales. Not comparable unless you do it over years.

I think it is smart to have a successful (within the context of the show) previous Idol contestant as a mentor. These kids are being mentored for their next performance on Idol not on creating a long-standing musical career. Who better than someone that has worked the Idol machine?

The theme for the week should be songs by previous Idols. We all know the original artists see bumps in sales when songs are performed on Idol – time to give some love bumps to the Idols.

Miss Chaos:
04/06/2010 at 11:22 am
I see the best part about this is Adam can teach the guys how to ride the micraphone!!!!!

LOL – these guys this year though? DNW! Thank you very much!

Silly me, thinking I wouldn’t have Adam shoved down my throat any longer, now that season 8 is over. Have him back to perform, it’s part of the perks of being a runner up, but ugh, shouldn’t he have something more important to be doing? The only former Idol I want seeing as a mentor is Kelly.

IF this is true, I don’t see what’s the big deal. Assuming they carefully package his appearance as «I’ve been in your shoes». Kelly, Carrie, Jennifer, Daughtry could mentor any week as legitimate stars. They wouldn’t need this label as ex-Idol contestants. And if Adam is there to provide some kind of inside info, why does it matter whether he’s a big records seller or not?
And, as others have said, how much do the mentors, anyway?

When Adam was on Oprah, or Ellen, shows thay already have huge ratings did they see huge ratings increases with him on? I’m not talking about Leno at 10pm or Chelsea Lately seeing huge bumps. And didn’t the AMA’s actually have lower numbers towards the end?

I don’t think it’s the particular individual that they’re hoping gives the ratings boost. I think it’s the cumulative idea of one week you’ve got Cook, another week Archie, the next week Adam (if he’s really appearing). I believe they’re hoping that by bringing back popular alumni, the viewer will start thinking “hey, next week it might be one of MY favorites”.

I think they’re using these appearances to create anticipation amongst the viewers. Not assuming that one individual will pull in a ton of new viewers (because if that was the case, I think they’d be promoting these things for longer, and with more visibility).

If this is true. As a Kris fan, I don’t find this disrespectful to him at all. I would be just as shocked if they gave Kris the opportunity instead of Adam. However, I do find it disrespectufl to all of the other idols that have put in their time and worked their butts off over the years to be successful (Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry, etc). But in this business, that doesn’t really seem to matter. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

I see the best part about this is Adam can teach the guys how to ride the micraphone!!!!!

LMAO! Yesss! This will wake this season up. Maybe some hip swivels for the girls too! Not to mention makeup tips.

Well, I just checked Adam’s twitter. Still no denial. Interesting.

If I were him, even if it weren’t true, I would let this one sit out there for a little while. People talking about you isn’t a bad thing.

If true at all, the e-mail clearly states the mentoring is from the perspective of a former contestant only.

If it’s actually about “how to play the game,” though, I do think it seems a little silly not to have a *winner,* who, after all presumably “played the Idol game” better than anyone.

It’s a strange concept to get someone on to talk about “playing the Idol game.” I mean, Daughtry’s a great success in music, but he didn’t exactly play the Idol game all that well, having ended up *fourth* behind people who’ve had way way less success than he in the music industry.

I can’t help but think that, if this is true, which I continue to doubt — mainly because I want to doubt it, perhaps — that they were having him on to sing next week and some other mentor fell through so they ended up with him. Fan wars. Yuch.

May be the fees for returning idols are not as high as for established stars..

Just the whole last minute aspect of this news is what’s making me think it might be true. I mean, I’ve been astonished at how last-minute and fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants the Idol producers have been this year. How long did they give David C. to pull together a song? 15 minutes? geez.

That’s the only way I could see it being true. Adam did outright say no in recent interviews (and he’s usually pretty honest, even when he has to keep quiet about something ) but a last minute change, not unlike a lot that seem to be happening now on idol, would make it slightly more plausible.

That’s why my first thought was, if it IS true, then it’s AI realizing the ratings and buzz are slipping, DWTS is beating it, and it needs to come up with some tricks up its sleeve pronto.

Best.Fucking.Thread. EVA!

steals MJ’s popcorn

Oh my, this IS entertaining today. And here I am at work with no microwave popcorn in my drawer.

No question Adam is hot right now…he’s all over the place. If it’s true, I’ll have to give some credit to Idol that I wasn’t willing to do as of yesterday. This would be a genius move (ratings wise) on their part. In the end, isn’t that what it’s all about?

What they really should have done was saved Orianthi’s performance until Adam’s performance night to get that pairing pimped a little bit. I think she’s in Japan right now though….

Maybe Adam can help Siobhan with that scream of hers.

that they were having him on to sing next week and some other mentor fell through so they ended up with him.

Nah, then they just wouldn’t have a mentor. They don’t need to have them every week, you know. They would just do those little intro packages if they had to fill time.

If Adam is the mentor, its because they want him to be.

This email could actually be legitimate. Jeremy Bingaman (Iowaradioguy) is the Design Director at Saga Communications: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremybingaman

Saga Communications: http://www.sagacom.com/corporate/

Saga Communications, Inc. is a broadcast company whose business is primarily devoted to acquiring, developing and operating radio stations, television stations and state radio networks. Saga currently owns or operates broadcast properties in 26 markets, including 61 FM and 30 AM radio stations, 3 state radio networks, 2 farm radio networks, 5 television stations and 4 low power television stations.

Saga’s strategy is to operate top billing radio and television stations in mid sized markets, defined as markets ranked (by market revenues) from 20 to 200. Saga’s radio stations employ a myriad of programming formats, including Classic Hits, Adult Contemporary, Active Rock, Oldies, News/Talk, Country and Classical. Saga’s television stations are affiliated with CBS and Fox in Joplin, MO; CBS in Greenville, MS; ABC, Fox, NBC, Telemundo and Univision in Victoria, TX.

In operating its stations, Saga concentrates on the development of strong decentralized local management, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the stations in their market area and is compensated based on their financial performance as well as other performance factors that are deemed to effect the long-term ability of the stations to achieve financial objectives.

Saga began operations in 1986 and became a publicly traded company in December 1992. The stock trades on the NYSE Amex under the ticker symbol “SGA”.

You can see the stations Saga Communications owns by clicking on the cities listed here: http://www.sagainteractive.com/Stations/1452031

Again…no offense to Adam fans, but the guy has had one song on the radio and played a handful of live concerts since the show ended, and how many of those were a whole set? I get that he had some theater experience and live show experience before Idol and the Idol show and tour, but really should he be the first person from Idol to be a mentor? I find this really undermining to Kris and many of the other idols. But, most of Adam’s OTT promotion seems to make me feel that way. I’m not saying that Adam couldn’t be an effective mentor…but that it just doesn’t feel earned somehow.

Seems highly implausible, but if it’s true, I’m going to have to tune in for the first time this season.

zuper:
04/06/2010 at 11:22 am
I think it is smart to have a successful (within the context of the show) previous Idol contestant as a mentor. These kids are being mentored for their next performance on Idol not on creating a long-standing musical career. Who better than someone that has worked the Idol machine?

Yes! Exactly! Anyone who has ever made Top 4, IMO, could give these contestants good advice.
About Adam not tweeting yet, it’s only 8:30 on the west coast, people! LOL!

I see the best part about this is Adam can teach the guys how to ride the micraphone!!!!!

Funniest comment yet!!

I’m sure there’s a mic stand somewhere in storage from the Idol’s tour trying to figure out how to get back into the action. What a lonely life it must be leading right now………LOL

Okay – haven’t had time to read all the comments as I’m at work…but with over 100 comments already – I think it will be entertaining.

I was very outspoken about Adam not mentoring …I just don’t think he’s successful enough but from the perspective of a former contestant and not an actual mentor – that could work. I think he’d be great in that role. He’s very articulate and likes to stay positive so I think he will give them some good encouragement.

I don’t think the general public is going to be thinking “oh he’s not successful…oh he hasn’t done this…” Ryan will probably pimp him like “he’s gone gold and platinum in numerous countries…” Yeah..they’ll spin it good lol.

I find this really undermining to Kris and many of the other idols.

I still don’t get why everyone’s assuming that someone else may not have been asked first, but just couldn’t do it. Or for that matter, if it’s true, maybe some others are going to do it as well in the future.

Nah, then they just wouldn’t have a mentor. They don’t need to have them every week, you know. They would just do those little intro packages if they had to fill time.

If Adam is the mentor, its because they want him to be.

Oh, I don’t know. … I mean, with a two-hour show that includes only eight minute-and-a-half performances, seems to me they need as many timekillers as they can possibly find! How else are they going to get it to run overtime?! lol

Idol Producer Ken Warwick’s been playing with this idea for a while, it seems. I didn’t really follow Season 8 very closely – but I remember Michael Johns and Carly Smithson mentoring something called Idol Boot Camp – although their footage was cut, after the fact. They were offered a chance to perform “The Letter” as a duet on one of the Season 8 nights to make up for it.

Some of you folk who followed last year may remember it? EW carried the story – and it was also reported elsewhere. For all I know it’s in the archives here. It’s not the first time runners up were invited back in a ‘mentor’ capacity.

So there’s a new wrinkle on the Mentor thing – eh – it was always mainly for show and to collect viewers anyway. When the mentor had something new to sell – and the show used their song book and gave them screen time to ‘advise’ the contestants and perform their new whatever – or pimp their project – it was an even exchange. What was Tarantino selling? I don’t think I ever knew – had to have been something.

No reason they can’t also exchange just a straight publicity trade, without a back catalog to use for a theme week. It’s what they did with Usher. As long as the past idol in question has the free time to give, why not? Any actual mentoring that occurs is just a side benefit, IMO. Always was.

How else are they going to get it to run overtime?!

That’s funny.

I understand that from an accomplishment perspective, Adam would certainly appear less qualified than some previous mentors. But, if they really would do something like this from the “previous contestant, been there, done that, here’s what I found works” perspective, I wouldn’t mind if next week’s mentor was even someone like Syesha or Jason or Allison.

I still don’t get why everyone’s assuming that someone else may not have been asked first, but just couldn’t do it. Or for that matter, if it’s true, maybe some others are going to do it as well in the future.

All good points.

I want Kelly and Carrie in the future! Make it happen 19

If this rumor is true, I believe he is the perfect person to mentor. I don’t feel the mentoring is about people with hugh success but a person who has walked the same path and can relate to the S9 group. Since Adam is a little left of center, has the ability to take a song and make it totally different, as well as stage presense and a voice to back it up is perfect.

I do believe past idols would make the best mentors for the contestants. The whole process should be about helping these young people not entertaining the audience with the most successful artist.

Apparently I don’t know how to quote. lol. To answer spenser:

That could be the case or maybe not. No one knows.

Oh boy. The mentors give tips to help them with their next Idol performance. That’s it. A previous Idol contestant that made it to the finale is more qualified to help these kids do this. They have successfully played the Idol game.

Seems highly implausible, but if it’s true, I’m going to have to tune in for the first time this season.

Well, I guess it’s a winning strategy, then!

They’re losing traditional viewers (Bergeron gets to almost accurately claim that DWTS featuring the biggest collection of totally untalented non-dancers and complete ringers *ever* is getting more viewers).

So the Idol producers decide to bring back a former finalist, from when at least a few more people were watching the show … And that brings in the fans of *that* finalist — and the fans of several other finalists, who either hate this guy or are furious that a non-winner just one season old without a platinum album in the U.S. has been chosen before their fave, who has had way more sales success, because they hope to see him fail. … *And* plant that latter idea in fans-of-other-Idols heads by asking Iowaradioguy to leak the news with the words “epic fail” attached.

Okay, check, and check. Adam *is* going to be the mentor, it’s completely deliberate … and, apparently, ratings mission accomplished.

They could not be more cynical, could they? Crap.

Yes I was referring to SYTYCD. As for “another version,” hmmm, maybe he’ll go acoustic? We’ll see.

Will, I saw ALL acoustic versions of WWFM. And each one was different. I think that he will go acoustic,( I love that version), and it will coincide with his “Unplugged” session going on VH1 on Friday.

I want Kelly and Carrie in the future! Make it happen 19

Kelly would for sure be my first choice. And, I’d be interested in Carrie’s perspective now that she’s such an accomplished and seasoned performer. Truthfully, I could probably make a list of about 10 people that I’d like to see do this.

Rarvai

LOL — Hi Kerry!!!

As for this being disrespectful or undermining Kris, no it’s not. It has nothing to do with Kris. Adam was scheduled to come perform on Idol this next week anyway. IF they asked him to mentor, its simply to tie it in with his performance. Maybe they couldn’t get another mentor for next week. Maybe they asked other Idols and they weren’t interested. Who knows? Who cares? It really has nothing to do with anyone other than Adam and the way they are trying to promote him.

I don’t have a problem with Adam mentoring, but I do think people are being a bit ridiculous because when Miley was announced as a mentor everyone wailed about how she doesn’t have enough experience, but now Adam wants to do it and even though he has less experience than Miley it is now a great idea? I think both are good choices…

because when Miley was announced as a mentor everyone wailed about how she doesn’t have enough experience, but now Adam wants to do it and even though he has less experience than Miley it is now a great idea?

I actually enjoyed Miley as a mentor, and some of us didn’t wail about her beforehand . It’s just a TV talent show. Whoever the mentor might be any given week is really only an issue for me if when they come on and do it, they really suck at it.

If Adam is indeed the first Idol to mentor, I think it’s a slap in the face to the many that are more successful than he, who really hasn’t even shown that he’s successful for his music.

Silly me, thinking I wouldn’t have Adam shoved down my throat any longer,

Hehehe… sorry, dirty thoughts…

Having Adam mentor would be AWESOME! He should also help them choose songs!!!

LOL — Hi Kerry!!!

LMAO! I thought the same thing

I actually enjoyed Miley as a mentor, and some of us didn’t wail about her beforehand

I know right? I actually defended the little pipsqueak. Heh.

Still, it is a good point.

I don’t have a problem with Adam mentoring, but I do think people are being a bit ridiculous because when Miley was announced as a mentor everyone wailed about how she doesn’t have enough experience, but now Adam wants to do it and even though he has less experience than Miley it is now a great idea? I think both are good choices…

I think Adam has plenty of experience. But I hate crap that worsens the whole fanwar aspect. And, honestly, knowing what the producers clearly know about fanwars, I can’t see how they could be unaware that this would stoke several. On that grounds alone, I don’t like it, if it turns out to be true.

Even though Miley did a pretty good job, I still think she was kind of a ridiculous mentor, though. It’s not her age. It’s just that I see her as having been pretty much a total passive pawn in her whole success story, so I can’t see her having gleaned much useful experience from it.

But, of course, they’ve had plenty of other mentors who looked good on paper but did a way worse job than she did.

I still don’t get why everyone’s assuming that someone else may not have been asked first, but just couldn’t do it. Or for that matter, if it’s true, maybe some others are going to do it as well in the future.

ITA with this, but I also don’t get the viewpoint that it would be disrespectful to Kris because he was the Season 8 winner. With that win came certain set privileges and contractual obligations, all of which Kris is getting/doing. Winning Idol does not, however, entitle a person to all show-related opportunities for the duration of his/her career.

I still don’t think the whole thing is true — I don’t think the DJ is necessarily being dishonest, but that someone is probably duping him. If it is true, then I think it’s a planned twitter leak to begin stirring things up in anticipation. I mean, from the looks of it, the DJ is reputable, and so I don’t think a reputable person would risk his position to “leak” what is obviously confidential information. I really doubt he’d want to look untrustworthy to Sony just to spill the beans to Twitter followers.

Hehehe… sorry, dirty thoughts…

And I just threw up in my mouth a little.

I still don’t get why everyone’s assuming that someone else may not have been asked first, but just couldn’t do it. Or for that matter, if it’s true, maybe some others are going to do it as well in the future.

Personally it’s that they’ve waited so long to have a former AIer come back to mentor, I thought they were saving it to be a big occasion when it happened. I mean it’s not like people haven’t requested Kelly or Carrie back to mentor in other seasons, especially Kelly because she’s been out there so long, she’s got awards and international success, and she’s not afraid to speak her mind. She did a good job mentoring Canadian Idol too. It would be a big celebration with AI able to show off that it’s legitimately turned out somebody who’s made big waves in the business and transcended AI, and now that somebody’s coming back to where it all started to help other people chase that dream.

So if it turns out the first former AIer they’ve got coming back to mentor is Adam, it’s a bag of meh. I wanted the first alumni mentor to be a big deal and this isn’t that IMO. No offense to Adam since I think he’d do a good job. It just doesn’t live up to my expectations of what the occasion could’ve meant.

If he is the mentor, I wonder if they will announce it at the last minute like they have been doing all season or if they will advertise it as early as Wednesday on the results show? If they announce it early ( again, if this is true) then they are really hedging their bets that he will bring in ratings.

Brisblondie:
04/06/2010 at 11:32 am
Again…no offense to Adam fans, but the guy has had one song on the radio and played a handful of live concerts since the show ended, and how many of those were a whole set?

Yes Adam has only played a handfull of live concerts (3 New Years Eve Gridlock, Ryan Rock My Town and Fantasy Springs) all of them with full sets 10 or more songs. The iheartradio and unplugged were for those particular shows which only do 5 songs each anyway.

I love Adam and adore Kris. My little kids know the words to Cooks songs, I have tickets to see Daughtry this week, and Carrie is the only country music on my ipod.

They could have picked any one of these or others to mentor and I wouldn’t find it disrespectful. It amazes me how defensive people get of their favorites. It’s a business decision and TPTB are paid big money to make these decisions to benefit themselves. So what?

That said, this particular group of contestants could certainly benefit from a WGWG with charisma giving them advice. But I’m just as happy to see Adam there.

(I’ll still believe it when I see it though)

If Adam actually does mentor, he’d be far from being the least qualified one to have been on AI. They’ve had celebrities with no specific mentoring qualifications. So having somebody like Adam, who at least has some sense of what’s going on, could turn out to be an advantage for the contestants.

It would be a big celebration with AI able to show off that it’s legitimately turned out somebody who’s made big waves in the business and transcended AI, and now that somebody’s coming back to where it all started to help other people chase that dream.

So if it turns out the first former AIer they’ve got coming back to mentor is Adam, it’s a bag of meh.

I definitely get what you’re saying. … On the other hand, when I think of some huge Idol-made star coming back to show others how to chase that huge multi-platinum dream, and then I think of this year’s contestants …. !

Well, I’m sure you see where I’m going with this, lol.

And I just threw up in my mouth a little.

me too.

So if it turns out the first former AIer they’ve got coming back to mentor is Adam, it’s a bag of meh. I wanted the first alumni mentor to be a big deal and this isn’t that IMO. No offense to Adam since I think he’d do a good job. It just doesn’t live up to my expectations of what the occasion could’ve meant.

I understand those feelings. I guess I’m not feeling it as such a slight to people like that because, even though they haven’t mentored in the traditional sense, they’ve certainly been back on the show in plenty of other capacities and been showered with platinum plaques, and much deserved accolades for their successes.

And I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Dude, totally sorry! Lol!

When Michael Johns and Carly Smithson were invited to do the Idol Boot Camp last year, neither of them even had their albums out yet. That seems to have flown under the radar, judging from the responses. So, AL can be spun as the first.

Even though it was never shown, maybe they actually had some good advice for the Season 8 contestants? Except, I believe that wasn’t the point, then or now….It’s all PR, whatever makes for ‘good TV’, IMO.

Well, I am an Adam fan, so I am OK either way. This was going to be my first time watching the results show, so maybe I will tune in on Tuesday, as well.

Don’t know if I believe that e-mail, but Adam would make a great mentor. And as others have pointed out, the mentoring is related to the show. He isn’t coaching them on their post-AI careers.

Do we know the theme for next week? Could it be related to showtunes/musicals theater?

That said, this particular group of contestants could certainly benefit from a WGWG with charisma giving them advice. But I’m just as happy to see Adam there.

Ha! You’re right. With this particular batch, and their fondness for guitars and flannel, I agree that either Cook or Kris would make fabulous mentors. They rode WGWG all the way to the win. So, they certainly know how it’s done.

(I’ll still believe it when I see it though)

ditto that as well.

I’ll believe it when I see it, but this would fit in with the “Be yourself. Know who you are as an artist.” theme of this season. (I’m so glad they quit with the “make it your own” bullshit)

Who else EVER on AI flew the “be yourself, know who you are as an artist” flag but Adam. If you don’t think so, take a look at Ring of Fire or the finale when he wore that outlandish outfit to sing with KISS.

The biggest problem I see is Adam is such a nice guy I doubt if he would give any well deserved constructive criticism.

Do we know the theme for next week? Could it be related to showtunes/musicals theater?

Oh, good grief. *Please* let them not have a show tunes week with this group. Argh.

They could have picked any one of these or others to mentor and I wouldn’t find it disrespectful. It amazes me how defensive people get of their favorites. It’s a business decision and TPTB are paid big money to make these decisions to benefit themselves. So what?

No matter who they chose to be the “first Idol mentor” fans of the idol not chosen would be upset…if it was Kelly, the Carrie fans would cry foul; and vice versa; if Daughtry, the kelly, carrie and taylor fans would scream; if J-hud, people would scream that she only finished in 7th place, her record sales aren’t stellar etc.; if Cook, the Jordin fans would be upset. Someone had to be first. Actually, Michael Johns and Carly were really the first former idol mentors — they did that idol boot camp thing that fell on the cutting room floor. Who cares who is first? The point is to simply have a former contestant (and TPTB understandably want someone with a high public profile) to work with the kids on being an idol contestant. Sounds good to me.

Do we know the theme for next week? Could it be related to showtunes/musicals theater?

Yeah, if the rumor is true, that’s what I’m wondering. That would be too cool!

I don’t understand people not tuning in if this happens merely because it’s Adam. We don’t even know the theme or the context of what he’s being asked to do. At least wait for that before you decide he’s going to suck at it?

I really don’t care about butthurt and fan wars as entertaining as they might be.

If they want Adam to come in to mentor as “I’ve Been There..” that’s fine with me. I’d love it to be Kelly or Carrie too although the game has changed as the seasons go on.

I have no idea why it’s such a big freaking deal except it’s Adam and any excuse to butthurt and poke fun just comes out of the woodwork when there is any opportunity that might be seen as special treatment by TPTB. The press will watch, there will be plenty of articles. If he doesn’t knock it out of the park, they will be as nasty as they were nice last year. If he does a great job, they might be nasty anyway, so this is a gamble for him even if the producers get what they want out of him. Just coming on to sing is a heck of a lot safer for him, but if they asked and he’s not afraid to do it and face the criticism, that just makes me like him more. Because really, how much does he have to gain out of mentoring besides just singing?

We don’t even know the theme, it could be musical theater night and then he would have plenty of background for that.

or this whole email is complete crap. The font in the last line is completely diffent. Made me a raise an eyebrow.

And by the time he meets the contestants, the shitty song choices will have already been made anyway, he can’t help with that.

I’ll believe it when I see it, but if it’s true, I’m excited. Excited to see his advice. Excited for the inevitable wank. Excited for his performance.

This is the most blah group of performers Idol has ever had. To bring back an Idol who – love him or hate him – was never boring on the Idol stage, it’s a great move. He could teach a thing or two to the contestants about fearlessness, owning a performance and creating Simon’s much desired “moment.”

he’ll probably tell everyone “ok now just put a LOT LOTTA glitter on and all is well!” hahha!! I think (if this is true) he’ll probably do good. In S8 he was my absolute fave and I love WWFM! So it should be good. But I agree with above comments that Kelly especially or Carrie should have mentored.

who really hasn’t even shown that he’s successful for his music.

Well, on the current music scene, he’s doing pretty well worldwide with his single(s). Seems like that is “successful” to an extent. Guess it depends how you define it. The top 21 song worldwide currently is nothing to sneeze at.

Do we know the theme for next week? Could it be related to showtunes/musicals theater?

Please no. If Adam actually is going to mentor (still big IF for me), the ideal theme in my mind would be something along the lines of 70s and 80s rock/hair metal bands/ or something glamrockish to that effect.

Please no. If Adam actually is going to mentor (still big IF for me), the ideal theme in my mind would be something along the lines of 70s and 80s rock/hair metal bands/ or something glamrockish to that effect.

Ah, yes. Aaron Kelly and glam rock. That sounds great. Good luck with that one, Adam.

Who else EVER on AI flew the “be yourself, know who you are as an artist” flag but Adam.

Oh I’d say quite a few of them did. Fanny, Carrie (was always a country artist even when she got critiscm for it, even after the show when the label wanted her to go pop), Taylor, etc. Adam was of course quite unique for Idol, but he wasn’t the first person who knew who they were and stuck to it come hell or high water.

I have no idea why it’s such a big freaking deal except it’s Adam and any excuse to butthurt and poke fun just comes out of the woodwork when there is any opportunity that might be seen as special treatment by TPTB.

Now come on, there are reasons to not like the idea that have nothing to do with “butthurt” or jellus h8trs or Anti-Adam stuff or anything like that. I’m not mad at him at all but that kind of statement is just not fair.

zuper:
04/06/2010 at 11:29 am
Maybe Adam can help Siobhan with that scream of hers.

lol – he could definitely offer her some great advice – like how he mixed it up to use the high notes when it was appropriate to the song, and not for every song.

Is Adam going to give a week-long seminar on how to become a superstar and how to sell millions of albums? What do most of the “established” mentors do? They critique ONE stinkin’ song. Why is Adam not qualified to do that? He is a better singer than many of the past mentors, and probably knows more about vocal techniques than them. He knows what it is like being on the idol stage in front of an idol audience. Adam knows the rigors of picking a song every week and how to present it. How does that not qualify him? Adam is very intelligent, knowledgeable about current music, personable, friendly, can express himself articulately…

Ah, yes. Aaron Kelly and glam rock. That sounds great. Good luck with that one, Adam.

Hey, the kid could surprise. I would fear more for Tim, Andrew, Casey, or Lee…

Okay, forget the glamrock theme… bad idea

Oh I’d say quite a few of them did. Fanny, Carrie (was always a country artist even when she got critiscm for it, even after the show when the label wanted her to go pop), Taylor, etc. Adam was of course quite unique for Idol, but he wasn’t the first person who knew who they were and stuck to it come hell or high water.

I’d say that lots have. And that the relative dearth of people who do this year is one of the reasons this year’s group is disappointing to many and look especially clueless at times.

Actually, Michael Johns and Carly were really the first former idol mentors

Didn’t Justin Guarini do something like this years and years ago?

I think it’s a hoot- Adam will be fabulous and the lead in to Glee will be huge! And if he can wring one iota of stage presence out of this years field of potted plants, all the better!

Good job Idol

Hey, the kid could surprise. I would fear more for Tim, Andrew, Casey, or Lee…

Okay, forget the glamrock theme… bad idea

Glad you’re seeing the light! No guarantee that the producers will see it, however, lol! I see glam rock in our future!

Why not have an ex-idol who is everything that the judges say they want in an idol? A great singer/songwriter, original, musician, and a stellar performer. Obviously all of the winners did something different than the others to win. Maybe they should have each winner mentor one idol from they top 10 on. They could stick with them and help with the dreaded song choice. That would be really fun and really bring in an audience!(I know I am dreaming!)

The group this year really lacks stage presence and crisima. I think Adam is a performer first so maybe that will help since that is what they really seem to need help with (besides singing in tune). I don’t really think however that spending a few minutes with anyone will boost their confidence and make them better performers. Only time and experience will help with that.

Maybe he can mentor “Rock Week,” that would be cool. Really, I don’t see the big deal. It would also be fun to see Kelly, and, maybe, Cook do this; but please no Carrie, I find her incredibly bland and boring.

And in terms of mentoring AI contestants, who is more qualified than someone who has been there and played the game well?

Do we know the theme for next week? Could it be related to showtunes/musicals theater?

Aren’t we due for a “Songs From The Year You Were Born” week? It would kind of work with Adam, ’cause he broke out with “Mad World” that week.

Except for the fact that I would have rather seen Kelly, Carrie, or Daughtry mentor and I’m about 75% sure that the email is fake… I’m OK with this. Adam would make a good mentor, he doesn’t seem afraid to speak his mind and he can help this batch of Idols with some of their major problems (nerves, identity issues, occasional restraint (coughSiobhancough)…)

Why not have an ex-idol who is everything that the judges say they want in an idol? A great singer/songwriter, original, musician, and a stellar performer. Obviously all of the winners did something different than the others to win. Maybe they should have each winner mentor one idol from they top 10 on. They could stick with them and help with the dreaded song choice. That would be really fun and really bring in an audience!(I know I am dreaming!)

Yeah, you’re dreaming, but what a great idea anyway!

As much as I think this is a brilliant idea, I won’t believe it until Adam or idol confirms it. I have always wondered why former idol contestants didn’t act as mentors because they went thru the experience and non idol artist didn’t. They could share what they went thru while they were contestants and share what they learned and that knowledge would help S9 now and when they tour this summer. I think they would benefit from former idol contestants. Because Adam is so articulate, was in musical theater, and helped S8 contestants while he was a contestant is a brilliant idea. JMHO

Who else EVER on AI flew the “be yourself, know who you are as an artist” flag but Adam.

Many. Daughtry comes to mind, he didn’t vary much the entire season.

And if he can wring one iota of stage presence out of this years field of potted plants, all the better!

Adam likes potted plants, lol.

So if there is no “huge ratings boost” (like there usually ISN’T when Adam performs on TV) are people going to resort to saying that people were “in bed” (again) or something.

Wow this topic has sure made a Tuesday interesting. With all the comments on how experienced, successful, appropriate having Adam mentoring on AI, I think the most important word has been overlooked, “Mentoring”. The person chosen to “mentor” the contestants is supposed to be able to help them with their performances so they can advance on AI to the next week. Who better to do that than Adam Lambert. Let’s remember who it was last year that every week changed this appearance, style of performing, knew how to use the stage, lighting etc. Adam worked every week with the band to change the arrangement of the songs. Each week people tuned in to see what Adam was going to do next!! That kind of “mentoring” could really help some of these contestants who have talent but are having difficulty knowing how to present themselves. Adam is a performer with 10 years of experience playing to his audiences, he could be a fantastic help to these neophytes, which is what “mentoring” is about!! I hope it’s true, it will be the most watched, exciting idol week of season9.

Please no. If Adam actually is going to mentor (still big IF for me), the ideal theme in my mind would be something along the lines of 70s and 80s rock/hair metal bands/ or something glamrockish to that effect.

The 70s/80s rock/hair metal bands theme won’t work. People are having kittens about them repeating the L/M theme from two years ago. Imagine the reaction if they repeated the theme from Top 4 last year?

I don’t think the season 8 crew can handle glamrockish. It isn’t in a single persons’s wheel house and I can hear the train wheels screeching from here.

Birth year isn’t a bad theme. It’s pretty open. If they must pimp the hell out of Adam, it’s one that could work. But, I could totally see them forcing a theme on the kids that they know will be a disaster if it helps them make Adam happen.

If they were going to have an Idol back to mentor, I think the first one should have been one of the universally accepted successes (Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry) or one of the industry respected ones (K/C/D and Jennifer or Fantasia). I have to say, I think Fantasia would be an awesome mentor. These kids need to get in touch with their inner selves and just perform the crap out of a song. Find their inner honesty and I think Fantasia could do it.

Why not Adam? Why not each week have an idol from each season be a mentor…these guys know more about the ins and outs of this show than any one else. What does Miley or Usher know about a reality elimination singing show.

There are quite a few past Idols who have done very well post idol. You don’t have to sell millions of records to be succesful in the entertainment business. Some of the past idols have went on to do Broadway, movie careers and have done very well and are still doing very well.

For rock week (if they do one), Joan Jett would be good. She’s out there promoting the Runaways movie with Dakota and Kristin.

Well, it was high time for a new gate and this will be controversial if true. As much as I would love to see him do it for my own selfish pleasure, I kind of cringe at the thought of more arrows being slung his way. But I guess he’s used to it?

I think Kelly is doing just fine and Carrie is selling CDs by the boatload, so it’s not like they need any help from Idol. Adam is just as qualified as Kelly, Carrie, or anyone else when it comes to providing vocal critiques.

Generally speaking, guest mentors are artists seeking a bump in their CD sales and Adam fits that category. Every little bit helps and I would love to see FYE eventually attain platinum.

IMHO Idol without Adam this year has been like having Christmas without Santa. Non fans can just turn their TV sets off (now that’s a novel idea!).

Yeah, you’re dreaming, but what a great idea anyway!

I would save that episode on my DVR forever!

Many. Daughtry comes to mind, he didn’t vary much the entire season.

I agree that the answer to that question could be a variety of people. I’ve seen many previous contestants stick to their guns, regardless of the judges. Many have crashed and burned, some have won. Either way, it’s a position on this show I always respect.

So if there is no “huge ratings boost” (like there usually ISN’T when Adam performs on TV) are people going to resort to saying that people were “in bed” (again) or something.

‘

I’ve been patiently waiting for you to show up, lol.

Umm lets not forget that Adam was performing before he was on Idol. His career has skyrocketed since then. He has plenty advice to offer. I hope it’s him!

I think people are missing the point to having a former Idol on the show as mentor. It’s not about prepping the contestants for post-Idol success. It’s about showing them how to play the game RIGHT NOW, ON THE SHOW.

I disagree. That’s what the vocal coaches and staff, and band do. They help the contestants do well on the show each week. The point of having successful recording artists mentor the Idols is to give them the kind of advice that not only helps them with their week-to-week performance, but the kind that hopefully translates into post-show success. That’s why they bring in real industry successes– because the point of the whole show, as TPTB keep insisting, is to discover/create the next big recording artist, not the America’s Next Top Idol Contestant who can play the reality competition game well. That’s why they bring “real industry successes”. Whether or not you think they succeed with this, AI has always been about “relevance”. Otherwise, they would bring on vocal coaches or talent show experts as mentors each week, and the contestants would perform well and we’d all be bored to death.

Okay, that critique had little to do with Adam, haha. As much as David is my favorite, and I think he’d do a good job (and I happen to think Adam would, too), the only idol I would want to see mentor is Kelly. Maybe Carrie, if it’s country week.

Also almost everyone from season 8 said they turned to Adam for advice and to bounce ideas off of him. So this is nothing new.

I disagree. That’s what the vocal coaches and staff, and band do. They help the contestants do well on the show each week.

Fire them.

For the record, I seriously doubt Adam will boost ratings. I do see articles being written for page hits but I don’t think many people who don’t already watch AI will be tuning in to see 20 seconds of Adam mentoring between contestants.

Like I said upthread, unless TPTB wrote this into his contract, I don’t know if the risk is worth the reward. But he’s got balls of steel this kid, so I guess he isn’t going to be backing away from another chance for his haters to hate.

Remixes cover

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JJyBAdj9L._SS500_.jpg

Lucy – LOL good one.

I also wish that on results night TPTB would have past idols performing instead of the people they’ve been having on the show! What does these people have to do with idol…for me it’s not entertaining!

The 70s/80s rock/hair metal bands theme won’t work. People are having kittens about them repeating the L/M theme from two years ago. Imagine the reaction if they repeated the theme from Top 4 last year?

Get what your sayin’ now. If only there was some kind of rock week that was more than just rehashed Aerosmith, Janis Joplin, or Queen (yet again). There’s so much good stuff from the 90s as well as this past decade that could help liven up a much needed contemporary vibe to the constant karaoke.

Confession: Just saw a Muse concert last night, which is probably why I can’t get the fabulosity of modern rock out of my head.

Maybe Carrie, if it’s country week.

Well, here’s the thing about having Idols, or non-Idols, mentor when the week is about “their” style. … To me, the point of the show is that you’re supposed to be *yourself* as an artist, while choosing a song from some genre that may or may not be close to you. ….

To me, when they drag in the mentors specifically from the genres in question, then they’re reinforcing the *wrong* idea — which, I would say, is this: Oh, it’s country week, now you all need to sound like country singers! I would call *this* the big mixed message on the show that confuses some of the contestants — notably, the ones who read “out of your box” as “switch up your quirky contemporary songwriter persona with the persona of a torch-singing 70s lounge act because that’s the kind of song you chose” … (I’m looking at you, Didi Benami.)

If I had Carrie on, I would ask her to talk to them about persistently (sort of!) trying to sing in a country style during her time on the show, even though the week’s themes were all kinds of different songs. This would be hard to talk about, but it’s what the real lesson should be, to me.

Honestly, if I were to bring Idol finalists back to mentor, I would bring Adam or David Cook, for example, back during country week — to talk about how just because a song came from a country artist doesn’t mean that you can’t find a way to express yourself and your style through the melody and lyrics, which can be universally applicable, despite a song’s origin.

lucy:

Fire them.

ROFLMAOPMP!

So if there is no “huge ratings boost” (like there usually ISN’T when Adam performs on TV) are people going to resort to saying that people were “in bed” (again) or something.

Did Kris or David C have rating increases when they were on? I don’t see what the big deal is. If this is true and I am not sure it is, Adam would make a wonderful mentor.
All I’m seeing is jealousy from other fanbases and I don’t understand that. Kris has been on a couple of times. He has his commercials. It is possible that Adam can come on idol and do something that Kris didn’t and not have it as a personal insult to Kris.

disagree. That’s what the vocal coaches and staff, and band do. They help the contestants do well on the show each week.

So funny you say this, I just heard one of the AI vocal coaches being interviewed on the radio this morning. She said all the contestants have been “slow-burners” and while there’s some potential, no one has matched up to “the fire of Kris, Adam, and Allison” of last year. She also mentioned that there is a place for Tim Urban in the music industry… so I kind of tuned out after that

disclaimer:
I find it VERY hard to believe this is true.

BUT- if it is- I say Wooooohooooooooo!!!!!!

I could a rats damn about AI’s “credibility”! If I get to see Adam helping people with performances, being his charming and creative self, it’ll definitely make my day, hahaha

Bring it on, I say!!!

if they’re going to bring in a former idol for mentoring, why not bring in a winner? kelly, carrie, david, or even kris! ugh.

“ITA with this, but I also don’t get the viewpoint that it would be disrespectful to Kris because he was the Season 8 winner. With that win came certain set privileges and contractual obligations, all of which Kris is getting/doing. Winning Idol does not, however, entitle a person to all show-related opportunities for the duration of his/her career.”

the most logical for a first former idol mentor would be kelly (the first) or kris (the most recent). how much more fame can adam get?!

That’s why they bring in real industry successes– because the point of the whole show, as TPTB keep insisting, is to discover/create the next big recording artist, not the America’s Next Top Idol Contestant who can play the reality competition game well.

Well, I would totally agree, if I actually believed that was the whole point of the show. I think the whole point of the show is collect huge advertising fees and line the pockets of the producers .

Honestly, if I were to bring Idol finalists back to mentor, I would bring Adam or David Cook, for example, back during country week — to talk about how just because a song came from a country artist doesn’t mean that you can’t find a way to express yourself and your style through the melody and lyrics, which can be universally applicable, despite a song’s origin.

That would be a fabulous way to use previous finalists. Sadly, none of TPTB are smart enough to think of that!

To me, when they drag in the mentors specifically from the genres in question, then they’re reinforcing the *wrong* idea — which, I would say, is this: Oh, it’s country week, now you all need to sound like country singers!

I’ve never seen it that way! To me, its all about getting people who deeply understand what that style of music is all about. Like Dolly Parton emphasizing the storytelling and heart on Country week. And Andrew Lloyd Weber emphasizing stage performance, and connecting with an audience.. even if a contestant does change it up, they have to still keep the spirit of the song and the genre in mind or it won’t work.

To me, when they drag in the mentors specifically from the genres in question, then they’re reinforcing the *wrong* idea — which, I would say, is this: Oh, it’s country week, now you all need to sound like country singers! I would call *this* the big mixed message on the show that confuses some of the contestants — notably, the ones who read “out of your box” as “switch up your quirky contemporary songwriter persona with the persona of a torch-singing 70s lounge act because that’s the kind of song you chose” … (I’m looking at you, Didi Benami.)

I get your point, but having mentors from a specific genre never precluded the contestants from sticking to their guns and twisting the themes to fit their specific styles in the past two seasons. If this crew is so literal that they think having Randy Travis on the show meant they had to sing country songs in a country style, then they must be really dumb… and what does that say about how much they know themselves as artists?

I dunno, I always viewed having mentors match with the theme is usually because these mentors know that week’s song list well (often it’s their own songs, like with Dolly, Neil Diamond, Mariah, Andrew Lloyd Webber, etc.). Knowing the song list well puts these mentors in a position to help guide the contestant in internalizing their performance and getting to the heart of the song, no matter what style or arrangement or interpretation they ultimately choose. That’s my two cents on what the really good mentors do anyway.

ETA: LOL, tinawina just said what I was trying to say much more succinctly! Thanks, girl!

And Andrew Lloyd Weber emphasizing stage performance, and connecting with an audience.. even if a contestant does change it up, they have to still keep the spirit of the song and the genre in mind or it won’t work.

LOL – Andrew Lloyd Weber so completely creeped me out, I don’t think I even remember any of the advice he gave.

Did Kris or David C have rating increases when they were on? I don’t see what the big deal is.

I don’t think a show in its ninth season should be hoping for a huge ratings boosts from anyone. Just like every long-running series, they’re just trying to hold onto the viewers they’ve got.

The problem with any mentor is, the songs are long chosen by the time they film and it’s been reheased with the band and the studio version is probably already recorded, clothes picked out. What is any mentor supposed to do, tell them the choice sucks and to start over?

I’m hoping if this is true, maybe they show mentoring not by the piano, but on the stage or something, where Adam can talk about performance and stage blocking and direction. That could be very interesting and something different than other mentors.

I’ve never seen it that way! To me, its all about getting people who deeply understand what that style of music is all about. Like Dolly Parton emphasizing the storytelling and heart on Country week. And Andrew Lloyd Weber emphasizing stage performance, and connecting with an audience.. even if a contestant does change it up, they have to still keep the spirit of the song and the genre in mind or it won’t work.

Yeah, I agree that this is what they’re driving at and that this, too, can be an important message ….

But the trouble with it is that I think it’s probably too subtle of a message to get across to the less confident and/or less experienced of the contestants! What they seem to hear, year after year, is — Oh, no! Now I have to sing like I’m onstage in a musical! Now I have to sing like I’m a country singer!

Maybe what they should *really* do is both — Bring in a person who can educate them about the music — where it comes from, what human feelings and impulses are behind it, what its history is. … And then also bring in somebody who can show them that you can take a country song and sing it without a twang or a song from musical theater and sing it without a musical-theater belt.

But this would probably constitute too much emphasis on actually helping the contestants improve substantially. Whereas what they’d probably rather do is precipitate a few “entertaining” train wrecks for the judges’ and the audience’s delectation. Unfortunately for me, I hate listening to the train wrecks — and I don’t think they’re all necessarily, if mentoring were done seriously and properly.

Andrew Lloyd Weber so completely creeped me out, I don’t think I even remember any of the advice he gave.

He told Archie to keep his eyes open when he sang. Other than that, I can’t remember anything either.

why am I in moderation? I’m just trying to figure out why people are so angsty. I truly don’t understand it.

I think there may be some kind of glitch. I had one post early on that said “waiting for moderation” but several before it and after it that didn’t have the message. I was baffled, but then my next post went right up — so I concluded, Glitch, in my case, anyway, apparently.

LOL – Andrew Lloyd Weber so completely creeped me out, I don’t think I even remember any of the advice he gave.

LMAO! Well, he was… interesting. I’ll leave it at that.

ETA: LOL, tinawina just said what I was trying to say much more succinctly! Thanks, girl!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to type something and saw you already said it better than I would have! I’m returning the favor.

But the trouble with it is that I think it’s probably too subtle of a message to get across to the less confident and/or less experienced of the contestants!

Okay, I could see that happening. Someone like Katie could be easily confused.

I’m hoping if this is true, maybe they show mentoring not by the piano, but on the stage or something, where Adam can talk about performance and stage blocking and direction. That could be very interesting and something different than other mentors.

Oooh, now you’re thinking. I like that! This group could use some help in that area.

disclaimer: void this and all other comments made by me if this Jeremy guy is making this all up

sma11ie I think that I usually agree with your posts, but I’m not so sure about this one. I believe we’ve all posted about what a mentor does right after the Miley announcement. I have to honest that I don’t really know what the purpose of these mentors are anymore. It all seems to start with someone who is shleping a product of some sort.. which doesn’t always make the best mentor. Smokey is the one that comes to my mind when I think of someone good or Randy Travis, but the reality is that by the time they reach the point in their careers where their advice has been REALLY good, they are far less relevant to the current music scene and are no longer really selling anything. We all know TPTB are all about selling product whether it is coke, ford, At&t or someone’s next album – it is all about chasing the $$. Sometimes its whoever is in their best interest to mentor or perform. What can they get out of the trade for air time? The is probably cynical, but the one thing I HATE about AI is that I often feel like I am sitting through an hour or two of pure product placement ads.

Well, I would totally agree, if I actually believed that was the whole point of the show. I think the whole point of the show is collect huge advertising fees and line the pockets of the producers.

Yes, but in order to collect said huge fees and line said pockets, there needs to be enough post-show success to validate the product placement. Even for the 80-90 percent of viewers who never buy the music, it matters that they can hear the songs on radio, see the plaque presentations, have them performing on the late-night shows.

I really don’t think that anyone can argue that the show is appealing to people because it’s relentlessly “good, clean, family entertainment” (insert “appalling guest performance” here). People want to know that they are voting for someone out there who is going to make good; otherwise it’s just Star Search or Showtime at the Apollo.

ETA: And just to be clear, I think “having a steady career in entertainment” after being on the show is already beating the odds. But each season needs at least one visibly successful recording artist. And personally preferred metrics aside, each season has produced one, at least for awhile.

Did Kris or David C have rating increases when they were on? I don’t see what the big deal is.

I think that OP was challenging some other posts about how bringing Adam back to mentor would result in a huge ratings boost for AI. There does seem to be a bunch of posts about Adam being a ratings behemoth every single time he’s mentioned in conjunction with any TV appearance. Anyway, I don’t keep track of these things. I never thought Kris or David or Adam as big ratings draws. They’re all doing well, but they’re not Brad Pitt or Miley Cyrus or even the Bieber, heh.

But the trouble with it is that I think it’s probably too subtle of a message to get across to the less confident and/or less experienced of the contestants!

Okay, I could see that happening. Someone like Katie could be easily confused.

I think we’ve seen this particular confusion frequently over the years. So often, in fact, that I assume they *know* that they could clear it up, but they actually *want* to produce some such train wrecks — for the “entertainment value.”

I’m hoping if this is true, maybe they show mentoring not by the piano, but on the stage or something, where Adam can talk about performance and stage blocking and direction.

Exactly. It’s always awkward having the mentor and contestant facing each other in front of a piano in some random rehearsal-space room. If, by the time the mentor comes the contestants DO already have song and arrangement planned out, the mentors should be watching the actual onstage rehearsal. That way mentors can actually give advice on staging, energy, vocals, and delivery. They are actually helping to polish the final product not just the “i’m going to sing a song probably like this, only I won’t be standing by a piano singing softly in this small room, feeling awkward cuz you’re standing two feet in front of me.”

David Cook was not advertised to be on the show, other than around the internet. Not sure how that could’ve increased ratings. I don’t know about Kris.

Well I don’t recall people boasting that Kris or David would bring in huuuge ratings so I don’t believe ratings were analyzed when they were on. There seems to be this belief that Adam is some automatic ratings magnet, which is why I asked before about the episodes of Oprah and Ellen he was on. Both have huge ratings regularly so I was curious if he added much to their numbers. And yep if Idols ratings don’t see some massive upswing as the result of Adam being on 2 nights of course that will be questioned. I mean I’m still questioning why with all the pimping he’s gotten he hasn’t managed to sell more. Oh well.

I think we’ve seen this particular confusion frequently over the years. So often, in fact, that I assume they *know* that they could clear it up, but they actually *want* to produce some such train wrecks — for the “entertainment value.”

LOL! Wow, I totally could see TPTB doing that. What does it mean when its so easy to believe that they’d be that evil? Hahaha

But yeah, you have a point. If you have a good core sense of yourself as an artist then a mentor familiar with the theme can really help you refine your presentation. But if you are really looking for someone to tell you what to do then it can be.. not so good. Besides Crystal, Casey, Big Mike and maybe Lee… I’m not sure who of this crew is that solid about who they are on stage. Perhaps Aaron? Hmmm…

If this crew is so literal that they think having Randy Travis on the show meant they had to sing country songs in a country style, then they must be really dumb… and what does that say about how much they know themselves as artists?

Don’t underestimate S9 lack of independent thought. I think they would literally take it as sign to do country.

Ah, yes. Aaron Kelly and glam rock. That sounds great. Good luck with that one, Adam.

Hey, the kid could surprise. I would fear more for Tim, Andrew, Casey, or Lee…

Okay, forget the glamrock theme… bad idea

Lol! This is actually what makes this a BRILLIANT idea!! I need to see Tim and Andrew and Aaron all glammed out (and Siobhan would actually be able to have a lot of fun with it) Best.Idea.Ever!

Bowie week, maybe?

Don’t underestimate S9 lack of independent thought. I think they would literally take it as sign to do country.

Yes. And they seemed to deliberately recruit a pretty young, inexperienced, insecure group this year. There’s no reason to expect that such a group of contestants would understand what they’re really supposed to do. They’re being thrown into a huge industry that, despite their aspirations, they pretty much know nothing of. How do they know that they are not being signaled to prove their worth by performing in many different styles, rather than adapting songs from different styles into their own style? I don’t think you can necessarily expect a 20-year-old who’s been an amateur up to now to know this.

LOL! Wow, I totally could see TPTB doing that. What does it mean when its so easy to believe that they’d be that evil? Hahaha

It means you have had sufficient experience with them!

I’m not completely buying that yet, hard to believe the first Idol they call to mentor would be Adam instead of Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry or even JHudson.

But if it’s true then great for the contestants, Adam just finished the show last year and he has probably a lot of insights on how to do a good work on the show.

So if there is no “huge ratings boost” (like there usually ISN’T when Adam performs on TV) are people going to resort to saying that people were “in bed” (again) or something.

What? JFC.

So if there is no “huge ratings boost” (like there usually ISN’T when Adam performs on TV) are people going to resort to saying that people were “in bed” (again) or something.

I don’t know about ratings boost. The only boost I look for is in sales, and Adam seems to get nice sales bumps when he is on TV.

Seriously, they would so Adam being greeted by the fans at the airport in Japan, the fans in Singapore, his appearance in Canada video show, etc… Average people watching the show will think he’s the worldwide star Simon said they found at the finale last year.

The rumor is traveling fast! MJ’s site is sourced in this Rolling Stone article:

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/04/06/adam-lambert-readies-remixes-ep-mentoring-idol-top-eight/

Bowie week, maybe?

Let’s make it happen girl! It would be the most horrifying/entertaining thing I’ve seen all season. Also, I don’t know why I can’t switch the way I spell glamrock and sham rock.

I’m afraid Bowie would NEVER, lol… Hell, he didn’t even let the movie Velvet Goldmine use his music, and it was a friggin movie about him (with a different name)…

Also almost everyone from season 8 said they turned to Adam for advice and to bounce ideas off of him. So this is nothing new.

I don’t know about the others but both Kris & Adam have said numerous times that they bounced ideas off each other. They also helped Allison.

This is an interesting topic. I wouldn’t put it past TPTB to put this out as a trial balloon to gauge reaction, so I’ll share mine. I think the idea of former Idols as mentors has some merit, but I think it’s a very bad idea to debut it using someone who didn’t win and whose commercial success is tenuous (one big song to date and one middling album success) and still in its infancy, when there are plenty of unquestionably successful winners who could do this. I agree that he could teach this bunch a lot about stage presence and varied performances, which they clearly need, but so could any of the winners – even the much-maligned Taylor Hicks. I think to use any but the biggest success stories they’ve had is asking for trouble. I say this as someone who isn’t even a big fan of any of the most-recognized successes from the show. Their fanbases are going to feel dissed and could diss the show in return.

Don’t underestimate S9 lack of independent thought. I think they would literally take it as sign to do country.

I don’t think that’s fair. Lots of S9 contestants have twisted the genre. Last week was R&B, but we saw lots of variety and a few genre twists (e.g. Lee, Crystal and Andrew). Even much-maligned Tim took the RollingStone catalogue down a radically new path. It wasn’t great, but it did show he has an imagination.

Is Season 9 perfect? No. But they aren’t all dunderheads with the inability to come up with something new.

Although, if what you say is true, imagine what we’ll get if they do ask Adam to mentor (if they take things too literally). I’m picturing Aaron dressed head-to-toe in leather with his hair in the classic heat-meiser hairdo trying to scream out some glory note. Meanwhile, Andrew will come out in tight spandex and glitter trying to belt something. And, as a closer, Crystal will cut off her dreads, dye her hair black, put on some S&M gear and have her way with a microphone. Awesome.

I really don’t think that anyone can argue that the show is appealing to people because it’s relentlessly “good, clean, family entertainment” (insert “appalling guest performance” here). People want to know that they are voting for someone out there is going to make good; otherwise it’s just Star Search or Showtime at the Apollo.

Yes, thanks. I agree.

But the trouble with it is that I think it’s probably too subtle of a message to get across to the less confident and/or less experienced of the contestants!

Okay, I could see that happening. Someone like Katie could be easily confused.

Sigh. You may be right.

sma11ie I think that I usually agree with your posts, but I’m not so sure about this one. [...] I have to honest that I don’t really know what the purpose of these mentors are anymore. It all seems to start with someone who is shleping a product of some sort.. which doesn’t always make the best mentor. [...] the one thing I HATE about AI is that I often feel like I am sitting through an hour or two of pure product placement ads.

Haha, this goes back to our earlier debate on the purpose of the show being ad revenue. Honestly, I’m so used to the product placement, I’m pretty immune to it. And some of it actually adds to the whole sheen of the show anyway—it’s all very glossy SHOWBIZ product placement. I’m glad it’s so blatant—at least I don’t feel like they’re being sneaky about it haha.

As to the point of mentors… yeah, I didn’t say they were all good, but I do feel that the good ones can help a contestant get to the heart of a song and give some good performance tips. I remember Mariah Carey giving Jason Castro a little melody to add to his rearrangement that was really cool. And ALW, as creepy as he was, did a good job helping Brooke tap into the meaning of her song (of course, it all fell apart when she lost her lyric, but that’s not ALW’s fault). The main problem with this season’s crew IMO is nerves and believability. I think a good mentor session could help with those things.

Although, if what you say is true, imagine what we’ll get if they do ask Adam to mentor (if they take things too literally). I’m picturing Aaron dressed head-to-toe in leather with his hair in the classic heat-meiser hairdo trying to scream out some glory note. Meanwhile, Andrew will come out in tight spandex and glitter trying to belt something. And, as a closer, Crystal will cut off her dreads, dye her hair black, put on some S&M gear and have her way with a microphone. Awesome.

That is just good entertainment! Make it happen PTB!

Having Adam mentor the show would be just about the smartest thing TPTB have done this entire season. Adam suprises you, he changes it up every time he is in front of the camera, he’s gorgeous to look at, he can sang his face off, he has been “performing” for almost 2 decades and has that stage prescence that everyone is lacking this season. Plus he can articulate and communicate better than most. But again, HE IS FASCINATING TO WATCH, HE’S GREAT TV AND HE IS “FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT”. This is a smart, smart, smart move…..hope it is true.

And yet Adam’s been quiet on twitter today, hmm..

I love the idea of running through the songs onstage, dress rehearsal. Love it! ‘Insert ‘Just stick to the script joke..’

Although, if what you say is true, imagine what we’ll get if they do ask Adam to mentor (if they take things too literally). I’m picturing Aaron dressed head-to-toe in leather with his hair in the classic heat-meiser hairdo trying to scream out some glory note. Meanwhile, Andrew will come out in tight spandex and glitter trying to belt something. And, as a closer, Crystal will cut off her dreads, dye her hair black, put on some S&M gear and have her way with a microphone. Awesome.

One can only hope.

The rumor is traveling fast! MJ’s site is sourced in this Rolling Stone article:

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/04/06/adam-lambert-readies-remixes-ep-mentoring-idol-top-eight/

Since this is really making the rounds now and Adam can’t miss it, I’ll start thinking there may be something to the mentoring rumor unless he denies it sometime today.

EWMichaelSlezak

Whoa. About those Adam Lambert mentor rumors…sources tell me it’s a strong possibility. http://bit.ly/aS1DIj

None of us know yet if it is a done deal that Adam will be mentoring next week. However, it could be all part of Adam’s team’s plan. He had a very successful internationall promo tour. He was well received (hundreds of people in Japan airport to welcome Adam) everywhere he went. His single, FYE, is doing very well, getting tons of radio spins already. Where the album was released, they are flying off the shelves.

Since AI is popular internationally, this might contribute to his international promotion since he is going back to do a concert at the end of the month and promote in more cities/countries he wasn’t able to in March. The end-of-the-month international promotion is not the end of it either. He has more trips to different parts of the world later in the year.

So, to sum up, it might be more about Adam’s promotion than AI S9.

Whoa – Slezak. I will just say Holy Bejezus if this rumor is in fact true.

At this point, I have been burned too many times with Adam rumors (Gaga tour, Christina tour, SNL, Glee…)

My opinion only.
I’ts as clear as the nose on my face, Adam is the the chosen
one from season 8, by Simon Fuller, 19/RCA. His career so far has been managed magnificently here and abroad. Nothing wrong with Adam as a mentor in my book. I don’t think the PTB are worried about fanbases being upset. Never heard any one mention his month long
promotion abroad. Can’t deny his gold, platinum certifications abroad and Canada.
Tour paid for by his management. Great PR if its true or not, his name is out there and everyone is talking, contributing to his news
worthy events where true or the almighty rumor. No publicity
means DOA especially coming off AI. Looking forward to Adam performing on Idol. America is so fickle, boggles the mind, mine anyway.

Well, if Slezak is reporting there is a strong possibility it is true, I suspect it might be true. Maybe it is a new development — maybe the prior rumor that Adam was going to be a mentor, the rumor that he denied, got TPTB thinking that they should do it. Hope it happens.

Good grief.

After the last year of Black Swans flying in one direction and buckshot flying in the other, I’m tired of picking feathers out of my hair. If this happens it sounds like a great week to take a break from the internet.

MollyAnnMay, would you please use your time off to write more awesome extended metaphors? Thanks!

Oh man… this is too much teasing…

mmb:
04/06/2010 at 1:12 pm
Well, if Slezak is reporting there is a strong possibility it is true, I suspect it might be true. Maybe it is a new development — maybe the prior rumor that Adam was going to be a mentor, the rumor that he denied, got TPTB thinking that they should do it. Hope it happens.

I am strongly of the belief that if it is true, it was more last minute. AI is all about the buzz now – Miley, Bieber – they want (need) people to be talking and caring about the show again.

Even the other impromptu changes that have sprung up in the last few weeks have seemed like attempts to make some of these contestants, or the show itself, more interesting:

1. Ryan’s fights with Simon
2. Showing Behind-the-Scenes footage with the idols last week
3. Trying to get emotional responses from contestants (like Siobhan and Didi last week).

It’s like they’re really really trying hard to garner the attention, the spark, again, after what’s become a pretty lackluster season and field of contestants.

I do not think that this has anything to do with the success of the contestants after they left the show. Sure Kelly, Carrie and Daughtry are more successful. But in my opinion while on the show, they were not nearly as polarizing nor as successful at working that stage….

Now Slezak is on board….this just keeps getting better and better. This is all worth the price of admission today and we’re getting it for free!!

I have this visual of Adam in my head with his iPhone in hand…fingers just twitching to tweet and TPTB telling him…”NO…NO…not yet…no tweeting until we tell you to…let them all simmer in this for a while.” LOL

Mary102 – they are sounding desperate aren’t they?

ETA: LOL LOL sr4mjc awwwww I *almost* miss the gates of S8.

After the last year of Black Swans flying in one direction and buckshot flying in the other, I’m tired of picking feathers out of my hair. If this happens it sounds like a great week to take a break from the internet.

LOL. I’m not skerd. I braved AMA gate, I can brave Adam telling Idols how to deliver a song.

In my opinion, if it turns out to be true it’s not because they’re unaware of fan wars but because they think the best way to win back previous viewers who have been slipping away is to ignite a fan war, with some tuning in to hear somebody they loved on the show in the past and others tuning in to hate somebody who’s once again being given unfair “pimpage.” And, of course, to get the Internet roiling with commentary on this, in the hopes that enough non-Idol-viewers will see stuff about it that it’ll tempt a few new viewers over.

I mean, they clearly got Miley, the Jonas, Usher, and so forth on to boost ratings — and it hasn’t really helped much. So if the hot radio stars won’t give them a boost, now they have to trot out some Plan Bs, I guess.

tls62:
04/06/2010 at 1:18 pm
Now Slezak is on board….this just keeps getting better and better. This is all worth the price of admission today and we’re getting it for free!!

I have this visual of Adam in my head with his iPhone in hand…fingers just twitching to tweet and TPTB telling him…”NO…NO…not yet…no tweeting until we tell you to…let them all simmer in this for a while.” LOL

Too true! LOL! Some of my twitter friends are a little worried about whether this is true or not, just for the (possible) backlash, but I must say it has brought up a lot of positivity about just how awesome Adam is, as a performer, AI contestant, singer, etc.

And that is made of win, whether this turns out to be true or not

And while were at it, where the heck is MTV UK with their big news?

This day keeps getting betterer and betterer………

LOL. I’m not skerd. I braved AMA gate, I can brave Adam telling Idols how to deliver a song.

Me neither Part of the fun of being an Adam fan is the rollercoaster fun ride it entails – never a dull moment!

Wow. I seriously thought that this was just a rumor that got out of hand. But, now Slezak? Hmmm..

Well, I’m all for it. I plan to watch and enjoy.

sr4mjc:
04/06/2010 at 1:21 pm
And while were at it, where the heck is MTV UK with their big news?

Are we STILL waiting on that? Seriously?

sr4mjc:
04/06/2010 at 1:21 pm
And while were at it, where the heck is MTV UK with their big news?

It may be the same news, tbh. I hear of a lot of Adam fans in the UK who watch AI.

They don’t give a crap about internet fanwars. LOL. I agree they want some buzz, excitement. Controversy is their friend.

I am going to need so much booze to get through this ass kissing festival. Bottoms up!

koshka:
04/06/2010 at 1:19 pm
Mary102 – they are sounding desperate aren’t they?

AI has seemed very very desperate in recent weeks! The stuff last week was the absolute worst – Ryan’s OOC behavior with Didi, following Siobhan back stage, just ugh to all of it.

uh oh, Lisa Pittman (monte’s wife) tweeted

lisa_pittman Still in the hosp, hoping these babies don’t come anytime soon. These contractions need to stop! Thanks for all the well wishes
2 minutes ago via UberTwitter

tinawina.. so true I can almost feel fans readying their pitchforks and finding their matches for those torches. Oh TPTB, I love you so.

BWaahaaahhaaaaaa!!! Now it’s a popcorn time for me:) How to make idol tards to finally wake up this season and make them watch this horror? Pull Glambert. hahahahhahahhahah All the Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry, Cook, Kris’ tards will be soooooo pissed. This is rich! I want Adam as a mentor, then Kesha next week, then Jonas brother week after that and almighty Timmy please please make it to the finale! hahahhahahahha i can’t stop LOLing…i seriously can’t! There’s SO much hate coming in the next week… AMA’s 2.0 here we come….i’m so exited even for tonight….big ratings coming LOL

Ryan’s OOC behavior with Didi, following Siobhan back stage, just ugh to all of it.

Ryan has always creeped me out a bit. I’m not even close to being a fan of Didi and I thought this was a real crappy move.

I read over on planet fierce that some sony rep named Nirvana DC is tweeting that the news is coming. It was supposed to be last week.

her twitter- make of it what you will:

http://twitter.com/nirvanaDC

America is finally going to see Idol has jumped the shark lol

This season is getting better and better with every announcement…and then the big letdown at 8 p.m. on fox when it actually starts…hahahah

Because hate on any Idol is entertaining? If I wanted that I’d go to VFTW.

Adam is awake on twitter, but I can’t see him adressing anything until after tonight’s show at the very least. If he says anything at all.

I feel bad for Monte’s wife, I guess she’ll be on bedrest until June.

They don’t give a crap about internet fanwars. LOL. I agree they want some buzz, excitement. Controversy is their friend.

Well, but the Internet fan wars are partly where the big buzz comes from, are they not? … Would Adam really set the blog world and the entertainment media on fire to the extent that he does if he were not such an extremely polarizing figure among fans?

If he were like the many artists (including AI people) who have fans but not many such rabid fans and many equally rabid despisers and people jealous about his “pimped” status, then the buzz about him would have to come *entirely* from the actual press, who may or may not be counted on to get all excited, depending on what else is happening in a given week.

But with the Internet fandoms of Adam and *others*, in this case, getting all bent out of shape in various directions, then the thing quickly muscles its way to the top of the entertainment-media agenda.

LOL!

annkpowers

If Adam is really Idol’s mentor next week, I expect him to kick some butt with a glitter boot!

kizgold:
04/06/2010 at 1:27 pm
America is finally going to see Idol has jumped the shark lol

Nah.. It’ll sneak up on them like ‘Jaws’.

well Adam is up and tweeting and likely being bombarded with questions about this whole thing.

I don’t think one or two posts saying Adam is a huge ratings booster says that all Adam’s fans believe he is ratings magnet. I have no idea how it will affect ratings but we are still talking about a huuuuge audience here. I am just hoping this helps Adam somehow and I sincerely believe he has a lot to offer these contestants. Whether they listen or not we’ll see. The idol vocal coach mentioned in an interview recently (I couldn’t find the link) that they try to help the contestants but that many of them do not heed the advice given them. Maybe as a “just been there” contestant Adam can have more of an impact. As an Adam fan I just hope this gives him a boost and it will be a great story for when he goes back to promo internationally not long after.

Aaaaaaand Adam’s up! good morning:)

then the buzz about him would have to come *entirely* from the actual press, who may or may not be counted on to get all excited, depending on what else is happening in a given week.

No I agree, I just worded it badly. I mean they don’t care in the sense that they are not trying to prevent it or are worried about pissing anyone’s fans off. As long as everyone’s talking its all good… they want that twitter buzz! Oh, and I think the mainstream Idol media (Slezak, USA Today guy, etc) will have something to say with or without us. Heh. Let the games begin!

I would be really funny if Adam is mentoring next week .. and the theme is Country … lol

8 ROF type performances of country songs .. now that would make country week bearable for me .. hee hee

I think Adam is perfect for mentoring “from the perspective of a former contestant”, if that is the case. He was the person that most of the Season 8 contestants turned to for support and advice. I think he could offer the new contestants great tips on working the stage and changing up the songs.

I just can’t believe this rumor is true, it’s so ridiculous, but if EW has verified it, who am I to argue? Maybe now some enterprising journalist will do some actual reporting about just WTF Adam’s REAL connections are to this show. NFW this dude wasn’t the biggest plant in the history of plants!

And, of course, only in the world of American Idol can a person spend ten minutes with a dozen or so contestants each and then be characterized as a “mentor.” (I guess, technically speaking, ten minutes qualifies as a “period of time,” but I think, generally, the understanding is a little longer than that!)

Oh… OIC… goodie……

I think it’s embarrassing to Adam because he didn’t really meet expectations and is not really successful YET. I think it makes him look bad honestly. If they have an Idol, have one that made it already like Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry.

Plus, Adam says he’s very honest. And he is and good for him. But then he shows that he’s got a very judgmental side and he can be really pissy. I don’t see how this is good for him at all. Again, he’s got an amazing, amazing voice and it should be about the voice so I don’t get it. But it will be very entertaining!!

Judee:
04/06/2010 at 1:26 pm

BWaahaaahhaaaaaa!!! Now it’s a popcorn time for me:) How to make idol tards to finally wake up this season and make them watch this horror? Pull Glambert. hahahahhahahhahah All the Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry, Cook, Kris’ tards will be soooooo pissed. This is rich! I want Adam as a mentor, then Kesha next week, then Jonas brother week after that and almighty Timmy please please make it to the finale! hahahhahahahha i can’t stop LOLing…i seriously can’t! There’s SO much hate comming in the next week… AMA’s 2.0 here we come….i’m so exited even for tonight….big ratings coming LOL

This really baffles me. Why would anyone want “SO much hate coming”?

BootStar:
04/06/2010 at 1:33 pm
I just can’t believe this rumor is true, it’s so ridiculous, but if EW has verified it, who am I to argue? Maybe now some enterprising journalist will do some actual reporting about just WTF Adam’s REAL connections are to this show. NFW this dude wasn’t the biggest plant in the history of plants!

But wait.. I thought Adam was a fail? How can he be both?

No I agree, I just worded it badly. I mean they don’t care in the sense that they are not trying to prevent it or are worried about pissing anyone’s fans off.

Oh, okay. I didn’t mean to imply that they’d worry about pissing off fans. Sorry.

I was trying to say that they probably did it at least partly (or maybe mainly!?) because they realized that it *would* piss off fans! No better way — from their sick point of view — to drive interest high enough to get press and so on.

sr4mjc:
04/06/2010 at 1:28 pm
Because hate on any Idol is entertaining? If I wanted that I’d go to VFTW.

Adam is awake on twitter, but I can’t see him adressing anything until after tonight’s show at the very least. If he says anything at all.

LOL – if I were him I probably wouldn’t address it. Far better just to keep the rumor out there (again, true or not). If it’s not true, he builds up a lot more buzz. And if it is true, well, I can see the AI PTB not wanting to announce it quite yet so as not to overshadow this week.

Yes! tards losing their sh*t is the most entertaining thing about idol fandom. C’mon now, you got to admit it. This is a controversial decision and it will get the idol world talking…that’s why they’re doing this. Or do you think they’ll have him because he’ll be a great mentor? Seriously there are far greater fishes in the pond for that… it’s not the prime reason

RS picked up the story:

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/04/06/adam-lambert-readies-remixes-ep-mentoring-idol-top-eight/

Oh, okay. I didn’t mean to imply that they’d worry about pissing off fans. Sorry.

You didn’t! Like I said I was agreeing with you, I just should have quoted you and added an “ITA” first! That was totally my bad!

claudette:
04/06/2010 at 1:34 pm
I think it’s embarrassing to Adam because he didn’t really meet expectations and is not really successful YET. I think it makes him look bad honestly. If they have an Idol, have one that made it already like Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry.

Plus, Adam says he’s very honest. And he is and good for him. But then he shows that he’s got a very judgmental side and he can be really pissy. I don’t see how this is good for him at all. Again, he’s got an amazing, amazing voice and it should be about the voice so I don’t get it. But it will be very entertaining!!

If Adam needs to be embarrassed then I think there are quite a few runner ups and winners that should be in line with him. LOL

PC vs. Judgemental and pissy? You say tomato, I say tomahto.

I have this visual of Adam in my head with his iPhone in hand…fingers just twitching to tweet and TPTB telling him…”NO…NO…not yet…no tweeting until we tell you to…let them all simmer in this for a while.” LOL

I think you’re on to something tls62- I think it’s safe to say that if Adam doesn’t tweet within the next 24 hours that he’s NOT mentoring, then it’s safe to assume that he is… I mean, he’s very in tune with these rumours and very quick to deny them when he gets flooded with questions, which I’m sure is the case right now…

There’s SO much hate comming in the next week… AMA’s 2.0 here we come….i’m so exited even for tonight….big ratings coming LOL

This really baffles me. Why would anyone want “SO much hate coming”?

Ditto. Is it really worth expending the energy to delight so much in “so much hate” coming?

IDK, I guess I’m much happier expending my energy on positive things. But that’s just me.

I think it’s embarrassing to Adam because he didn’t really meet expectations and is not really successful YET. I think it makes him look bad honestly. If they have an Idol, have one that made it already like Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry.

I don’t know… In the Rolling Stone article about the rumor, they deem Adam as “arguably the most successful” male contestant to emerge from the show. Success has many measures, and if a music media great like Rolling Stone views him as successful, who am I to disagree? We don’t know what the expectations of TPTB are, but it seems, based on the amount of time and money they’re putting into promoting him, that he must be up to par in their minds. I think the only people who are disappointed with Adam’s accomplishments thus far are those who had him way too high on a pedestal to begin with.

Judee:
04/06/2010 at 1:38 pm
Yes! tards losing their sh*t is the most entertaining thing about idol fandom. C’mon now, you got to admit it. This is a controversial decision and it will get the idol world talking…that’s why they’re doing this. Or do you think they’ll have him because he’ll be a great mentor? Seriously there are far greater fishes in the pond for that… it’s not the prime reason

ITA – on both sides, all sides…

IDK, I guess I’m much happier expending my energy on positive things. But that’s just me.

I think I will expend my energy postively voting for turban tonight. yup.

Just smile and grin. *thumbs up*

now that it’s a “strong possibility” I’m really excited!! I’ve done a complete about face in the last 12 hours lol.

For what it’s worth, my coworkers seem really excited about this happening. They were surprised I wasn’t more excited!!! They all think he’ll be great.

BootStar:
04/06/2010 at 1:33 pm

I just can’t believe this rumor is true, it’s so ridiculous, but if EW has verified it, who am I to argue? Maybe now some enterprising journalist will do some actual reporting about just WTF Adam’s REAL connections are to this show. NFW this dude wasn’t the biggest plant in the history of plants!

Wow really I just thought he was a talented young man. But your at least acknowledging he must be super talented and amazing if you Term him the biggest plant in the history of plants. So though I disagree….I am happy that his talent is worthy enough for this conspiracy theory.

I think you’re on to something tls62- I think it’s safe to say that if Adam doesn’t tweet within the next 24 hours that he’s NOT mentoring, then it’s safe to assume that he is… I mean, he’s very in tune with these rumours and very quick to deny them when he gets flooded with questions, which I’m sure is the case right now…

Maybe we should start some tour rumors in hopes of getting more info. LOL

After the last year of Black Swans flying in one direction and buckshot flying in the other, I’m tired of picking feathers out of my hair. If this happens it sounds like a great week to take a break from the internet.

LOL great visual!

I don’t know… In the Rolling Stone article about the rumor, they deem Adam as “arguably the most successful” male contestant to emerge from the show. Success has many measures, and if a music media great like Rolling Stone views him as successful, who am I to disagree?

Of course they said that, they had to have a reason for putting him on the cover. I don’t like Daughtry at all, but wow, what a slap in the face to him.

if a music media great like Rolling Stone views him as successful, who am I to disagree?

Does that mean you also believe in the greatness of twice cover boys The Jonas Brothers who got flattering profiles both times? Let’s get real. Rolling Stone also put Jessica Simpson on its cover as well as the casts of The Hills and Gossip Girl.

they deem Adam as “arguably the most successful” male contestant to emerge from the show.

Daughtry, people? LOL. Damn, the world forgets crazy fast. Poor Chris

Broadway week

Anyone else hopes next week is country theme week? I DO !!!

I don’t understand being excited by hate either. But some get their rocks off on that stuff.

I can’t get to itunes right now, but what #1 is WWFM at today? I’m wondering if it will rise or at least hold with these rumors.

I’m still baffled at what this gets Adam for the trouble but I’m sure he knows it’s a controversial decision and is probably fine with it. Although as with almost everything deemed controversial with Adam, I shake my head at it. Not big deal, yet again.

Besides G-A-Y on the 24th, there is something going on 4/26 in London

http://www.entertainmentwise.com/win/52778/WIN-Tickets-To-See-Adam-Lambert-At-A-Special-London-Show-And-Meet-The-Man-Himself

Anyone else hopes next week is country theme? I DO !!!

That could be fun, lol

This really baffles me. Why would anyone want “SO much hate coming”?

puzzles me too . I guess people get their entertainment in different ways

Claudette “…But then he shows that he’s got a very judgmental side and he can be really pissy…”

I follow everything I can get my hands on about Adam and I’d like to know what you’re referring to. Personally, I’ve always been impressed with how respectful he is when referring to AI and other contestants on the show. When he voices his opinion, it’s just that – his opinion, and he’s always quick to clarify that it’s only his opinion and he’s entitled to one just like everyone else!

Oh well … obviously everyone won’t be happy about this … BUT I AM!!!!!!

Judee:
04/06/2010 at 1:45 pm
Anyone else hopes next week is country theme? I DO !!!

Me Too!!

Lol I love the comments under the EW article that are all OMGZ people are jealous because AI has its first international Superstarrr! Did Adam surpass Kelly’s 20 million sold when I wasn’t looking?

Oh RS thinks he’s the most successful male contestant ever? Now THAT’S a shock coming from them. I’d love to see how they would compare Adam’s accopmplishments to Daughtry’s 6 million albums sold, Grammy nods, successful touring and multiple hits. Or maybe in their fantasy land he has all that?

Of course they said that, they had to have a reason for putting him on the cover. I don’t like Daughtry at all, but wow, what a slap in the face to him.

This!

Rolling stone is nothing more than a joke of a publication now. Have been for a while.

Anyone else hopes next week is country theme? I DO !!!

6 words – best post of the day!!

I have this visual of Adam in my head with his iPhone in hand…fingers just twitching to tweet and TPTB telling him…”NO…NO…not yet…no tweeting until we tell you to…let them all simmer in this for a while.” LOL

haha. I love this visual. But what Adam should do is tweet something to the effect of: “I have big news about Idol but can’t spill the deets yet!!! U’ll find out soon enuf!!” That would send forth a new wave of twitter spasms. lol

Does that mean you also believe in the greatness of twice cover boys the Jonas Brothers who got flattering profiles both times? Let’s get real. Rolling Stone also put Jessica Simpson on its cover

they didn’t say “greatest” or “most critically acclaimed”…like em or hate em the jonas brothers certainly are successful and believe it or not so is Jessica Simpson (you would be shocked how much money that girl makes)

Plus, Adam says he’s very honest. And he is and good for him. But then he shows that he’s got a very judgmental side and he can be really pissy.

Pissy? Really? I honestly do not see Adam being pissy with any of these contestants. He will be kind and helpful…he will be smart and professional. Adam will go back and watch what these contestants have already done and be ready with constructive advice. They are very lucky to have him as a mentor.

Also, if Adam was so entertained by the notion of them wanting him to mentor because HE didn’t even feel he had earned it, why would he go for it a month later or whatever? I guess that trip to Japan really changed his outlook on his career.

sr4mjc:
04/06/2010 at 1:46 pm
I don’t understand being excited by hate either. But some get their rocks off on that stuff.

For me the hate is so ridiculous, especially viewed a step or two back in the real world that it can be entertaining. I just can’t take it serious.

“doesn’t deserve it”
“not fair”
“they were here first”

Sounds like my kids. There are probably 25 different previous Idol contestants they could have picked. Each one of them would bring something different to the table. Each one of them would have valuable Idol experience and insight. They chose one. Obviously, if it wasn’t your favorite that was chosen, you feel as though nobody should have been chosen at all. If my kids acted that way, I would tell them they were being selfish and they should be ashamed.

Adam will be a good mentor because he has been in their shoes, because he has a good idea of how to work an audience, because he can provide insight on how to rearange songs. Last year, the contestants all helped eachother. This year, they all seem to be on their own.

For what it’s worth, my coworkers seem really excited about this happening. They were surprised I wasn’t more excited!!! They all think he’ll be great.

Because he will…. regardless of what any pissed off fans from other idols and non fans of Adam say…he will be great. This season is the group from misfit Island and Adam is the best to help them through. He is the biggest Misfit they have had on this show. I mean that in a good way. He is not your typical Idol and had many arrows thrown at him and he still doing well. (yeah say what you want for all the pimping he has got he also got tons of hatred and faux gates created to try to knock him down) The top 12 this year is full of unlikely idol finalist. He is going to be great

I do believe Adam will be the mentor for next week. As I mentioned earlier, Iowaradioguy is NOT a DJ. He works for Saga Communications which owns quite a few radio stations so I think his information is accurate.

Maybe the theme next week will be “Songs of the Cinema/Movies” and since Adam sang “Time for Miracles” for the movie “2012″ he would fit into that theme as a mentor?

Anyone else hopes next week is country theme week? I DO !!!

HA!! But Carrie would never let that happen, and she was responsible for who they brought in for country week last season (Randy Travis for mentor, Brad Paisley for guest performer).

they didn’t say “greatest” or “most critically acclaimed”…

Rolling Stone had plenty of compliments for the JoBros’s musical abilities. It’s another obvious case of them justifying their cover choice when it’s painfully obvious it was for sales.

But wait.. I thought Adam was a fail? How can he be both?

Being a plant and being a failure are not mutually exclusive. A plant is just somebody who was “planted” by TPTB on the show as a way of getting them exposure. They always intended on signing the person, they just wanted them to get some fans first.It’s a way of jump starting the introduction of a new artist (or so the theories go). Just because TPTB want to sign you doesn’t mean you will be a success.

A classic case of this is Kristy Lee Cook. She had previously been signed by one of the Sony labels and her deal was mysteriously rescinded right before she tried out. She had a totally lackluster run on Idol and went out 7th (after learning how to get votes by singing patriotic songs). But, she was signed to a Sony deal right after the show. The album was a piece of crap and failed. Something definitely seemed fishy with that. Like Sony sent her on the show to get some exposure and build a fan base and they always intended on signing her.

Given how hard 19 has pimped Adam during the show and after the show and perhaps now with the mentoring, some think that it was a foregone conclusion that Sony would sign him. They just wanted him to get exposure. So, it’s not inconsistent to think that Sony always wanted him (remember the RCA mod saying they planned on signing him months before the finale?), but also feel that his level of success pales compared to Kelly, Carrie and Daughtry, Cook, Archie, Fantasia, Clay, Ruben, Jordan etc and perhaps one of them should have been the “first Idol mentor”.

Obviously, Simon Fuller loves him some Adam Lambert! I have a feeling that there is big news in the wings about Adam. As I’ve said before, his “value” is building – it’s very shallow to proclaim Adam as mediocre or a failure. I believe that his management is methodically and strategically laying the groundwork for a very successful future, both here and abroad, for Adam. JMO

I think it’s embarrassing to Adam because he didn’t really meet expectations and is not really successful YET. I think it makes him look bad honestly. If they have an Idol, have one that made it already like Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry.

How do you know what Adam’s “expectations” were. I doubt his management would be behind him and supporting the kind of international promo he is getting if Adam were not doing well or better than they hoped. Embarrassing how? His accomplishments are nothing to sneeze at. The mentoring (if true) just shows again how well Adam is thought of in the industry and by TPTB. They sure wouldn’t be thinking this way without some measure of his success and potential. For the very short amount of time Adam has been launched he has made it, IMO.

Daughtry, people? LOL. Damn, the world forgets crazy fast. Poor Chris

Sorry, folks! People outside the States hardly know Daughtry… I only heard of him because of this blog…

I bet it’s true. Adam is in Europe the week after that and somewhere I read that he said he was going to be on idol in April. Next week seems like the only opportunity. What a great idea! He’s perfect for mentoring, in terms of performance savvy, honesty, sensitivity and general helpfulness to people.

Slezak is all for it!

EWMichaelSlezak

Hey guys…I updated my Adam Lambert breaking news with some commentary and a POLL! http://bit.ly/aS1DIj

Yes! tards losing their sh*t is the most entertaining thing about idol fandom. C’mon now, you got to admit it. This is a controversial decision and it will get the idol world talking…that’s why they’re doing this. Or do you think they’ll have him because he’ll be a great mentor? Seriously there are far greater fishes in the pond for that… it’s not the prime reason

Yeah, I see what you’re talking about. I completely agree that this is certainly the main, if not the only, reason they’re having him on!

For me, personally, though, tards losing their sh*t is, like, far less entertaining that it is appalling! I’m a nerd, in other words. So, while I know TPTB are looking forward to it, and I guess a lot of fans are, too, it makes me totally cringe. Honestly, I only really enjoy Idol when there are actually people analyzing pitchiness and record-company strategies and such. … I’m out of step with society, though, on that one, I realize.

But wait.. I thought Adam was a fail? How can he be both?

I never said he was a fail, but one can be a plant and still not meet expectations. What’s so complicated about that? He didn’t actually WIN last season, in case you forgot, although he’s certainly been treated as if he did.

Seriously, why would you have the previous season’s runner-up mentor kids who might actually be trying to win? It just doesn’t make any sense, unless you’re trying to parody your own show, or you need to boost your chosen one’s sales numbers.

Poor Adam. The hate is really pouring in now. I hope his people are telling him to stay off the internet.

The only reason I can see the show having Adam back on Idol other then as a performer is because every blog and news article that is criticizing idol right now is talking about how there is no “Adam” on Idol this year. No one who generated the sort of discussion, schizm, etc nor had the talent to back up the image that he had. So it would be like, well ya’ll missed him so here he is! I don’t think Adam should “mentor” because like he himself said, he is too “new” and is still charting his post Idol course. But having him on to say “this is my life post idol” That would be cool. Also having a true vocalist as a commentator would be great because most of the mentors are not people who really can “SING” as well as perform. Even Miley said that. And of course having him sing is what i really want.

LMFAO at EW already having over 250 comments. The general consensus? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Whata bunch of babies, lol.

Sorry, folks! People outside the States hardly know Daughtry… I only heard of him because of this blog…

Dude. LOL. Let’s be clear:

1. I like Adam
2. I want him to kick ass as a mentor and reap all the benefits
3. I don’t like Daughtry’s music

But you have to be smoking the major crack to say Adam is more successful than Daughtry. Big piles of grade A crack, packed into special high potency pipes. It’s not arguable no matter how much you spin it. No. Just no. No No No No No. Did I say no?

This is American Idol, airing on American TV, for an American audience. They are not programming for Finland. Dude. Come on. Nobody is stupid here. Just let the “defend my Idol tooth an nail” thing go this time. LOL

I really hope Adam can get Lee to think more about the lyrics of the song and get him make it look like they mean something to him.

Given how hard 19 has pimped Adam during the show and after the show and perhaps now with the mentoring, some think that it was a foregone conclusion that Sony would sign him. They just wanted him to get exposure. So, it’s not inconsistent to think that Sony always wanted him (remember the RCA mod saying they planned on signing him months before the finale?), but also feel that his level of success pales compared to Kelly, Carrie and Daughtry, Cook, Archie, Fantasia, Clay, Ruben, Jordan etc and perhaps one of them should have been the “first Idol mentor”.

Wow. To me, he is just about the most an unlikely candidate for this. As far as the RCA mod, I think that this is not unusual. Seriously does everyone think that they wait until the season is over to decide on who they are going to sign. We all make our conjectures, I’m not sure why Jive or RCA would want to wait. In the end it doesn’t matter except for a few thousand internet fantards. (of which I am one

Daughtry, people? LOL. Damn, the world forgets crazy fast. Poor Chris

I’m not saying that just because Rolling Stone says it, it’s absolutely true. It’s just that I don’t think it can be stated as fact that he’s not yet a success, either, because how one views success is obviously opinion. There are so many measures of success, and what might be successful to me might not be to the next guy. I, for example, don’t consider album sales as the only measure of success. Public/media interest, industry awards, etc., also go into it, along with myriad other factors. To me, Adam is successful. Has be sold more albums that Daughtry–or several others from Idol, for that matter? Absolutely not, but he has garnered a lot of industry acclaim, is quickly becoming a presence in the international music scene, remained one of the most talked-about Idols for about a year now, etc. To me, he’s currently successful.

Well I for one don’t think it’s happening, but if you take all the weird ass fan shit that people will sling this makes for good teevee on so many levels. First of all considering how lackluster this season is why not bring back the most astute stage performer idol has produced? He can give them pointers on how to bring out what the judges are looking for. Also maybe this is the beginning of idol mentors. There are only a few people who know how to deal this the instant fame that this show brings. Quibble all you want, right now Adam is one of the most famous former idols, so he has a very unique point of view he can bring to these guys. Of course inside the idol bubble this is an affront to every winner and runner up from Kelly, Ruben, and Kris, but to the viewers it just might be an interesting night of idol.

Of course it’s a rumor though, who else can generate that much buzz for a show he lost last year,lol.

LMFAO at EW already having over 250 comments. The general consensus? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Whata bunch of babies, lol.

Because the same thing wouldn’t be happening, in reverse and at an even more obnoxious level, if it were Kris in question? Sure.

Well it seems the waring has begun. Ugh. What I find really amazing is the Producers know exactly what is going to get people agitated and therefore watch. The fans and non fans will be watching to see how well he does or doesn’t do. (oh except for those who have already posted the refuse to watch if true) If Kelly or another Idol mentored you actually would get less people interested as folks would assume eh they do well but Adam ignites this much passion both positive and negative will surely get every talking and commenting. I am sure he will do well as I am also sure there will be those who find something to fault him. Keep the love and hate coming its all good.

It’s just that I don’t think it can be stated as fact that he’s not yet a success, either, because how one views success is obviously opinion.

I actually agree with that! I think Adam is successful, but he’s not more successful that Daughtry, and saying that is just ridiculous.

EWMichaelSlezak

Hey guys…I updated my Adam Lambert breaking news with some commentary and a POLL! http://bit.ly/aS1DIj

I like the photo coming w the article. is that how Adam will mentor in Slezak’s mind? lol

But you have to be smoking the major crack to say Adam is more successful than Daughtry. Big piles of grade A crack, packed into special high potency pipes. It’s not arguable no matter how much you spin it. No. Just no. No No No No No. Did I say no?

LMAO. Thanks for that, I’m crying over here.

I’m still baffled at what this gets Adam for the trouble but I’m sure he knows it’s a controversial decision and is probably fine with it.

I’d say it gets him pretty much nothing for the trouble except a *huge* crapload of hatred from fans of many other Idols that will be swelling all over the Internet for weeks and then be picked up by the entertainment media as well. His every deficiency as a music seller will be plastered all over everything along with whatever ideas there are out there about how he got on the show (about which we have already heard that there’s some dark secret that hasn’t yet been revealed. … )

But I’m sure his management figures there is no such thing as bad publicity, so, hey, go for it. In this case, I think there *may* be such a thing as bad publicity. It’s ugly here already. And I expect it to get *way* uglier, unfortunately. With every slight that anybody else felt getting dredged up and screamed over again.

If I were Adam, I wouldn’t want to specifically court ugly fanwarring, but I suppose that, like all the other pawns in the entertainment industry, it’s in no way his call.

This is bullshit. He barely has any experience and is not even selling that many albums. I am so sick of the Glambert pimping.

But you have to be smoking the major crack to say Adam is more successful than Daughtry.

It’s honestly not fair to compare…one has been off the show for several years and the other only one. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and favorites. I loved Chris Daughtry on the show, I think he is a fabulous artist, but I don’t think he would be good at mentoring, I just don’t see it in his personality. I really think Adam will be a good mentor. He is more communicative and has good ideas AND a wide range in personal taste when it comes to music.

ilke this photo better a new one from Paper Mags beautiful people

http://img203.yfrog.com/i/bgskl.jpg/

but also feel that his level of success pales compared to Kelly, Carrie and Daughtry, Cook, Archie, Fantasia, Clay, Ruben, Jordan etc and perhaps one of them should have been the “first Idol mentor”.

Wow, how could Adam possibly have the same level of success as these other idols? These other idols have been out for years not a few months. If Adam is a mentor it is because he is hot right now and maybe just maybe he something valid to offer. As far the constant claims of “hype” and “pimpage” that Adam supposedly gets (apparently unfairly to some)it is probably canceled out by the negativity he seems to inspire too. As far as I am concerned this puts him on a level playing field to any new artist. Therefore he is doing pretty darn good, IMO.

To me, he’s currently successful.

Yes, but there’s “successful” as an absolute (reasonable album sales, reasonable single chart position and sales, international sales) and there’s “successful” as a relative measure.

DTA sold at least a million outside the US. Daughtry toured behind major bands worldwide. DTA has had a ridiculous string of singles, and, even if just comparing to LTT, No Surprise is still more successful in the US than WWFM has been.

As tinawina so eloquently put it, there is no argument that one can put forth to claim that AL is the most successful male contestant (and that’s the quote that has raised eyebrows afresh). I can think of at least a few metrics that wouldn’t even have him in the top 3, or top 5.

holeighannie:
04/06/2010 at 1:59 pm

Because the same thing wouldn’t be happening, in reverse and at an even more obnoxious level, if it were Kris in question? Sure.

I’m not so sure. Why would it be more obnoxious. Kris is the *rightful* winner of S8, right?

Seriously, why would you have the previous season’s runner-up mentor kids who might actually be trying to win? It just doesn’t make any sense, unless you’re trying to parody your own show, or you need to boost your chosen one’s sales numbers.

Because he’s charismatic and works the camera like no other? No offense to Kris, I like the guy, but can you see him mentoring anyone? Do you really see anyone tune in especially to see him mentor?
And going back to the “he didn’t win” thing is very funny when it’s pretty obvious who was getting the attention both before and after that finale. Adam had a “moment” in every damn performance on Idol. Every one of them. Kris? Maybe two, three moments…
And THAT is why Adam will be a good mentor. His coming in 2nd or his album “only” reaching GOLD are not the issue.
I guess Cook could be a good mentor as well, but he’s already been on this season…

Slezak just reported that it has been confirmed that Adam will be the mentor next week! yay!

never said he was a fail, but one can be a plant and still not meet expectations. What’s so complicated about that? He didn’t actually WIN last season, in case you forgot, although he’s certainly been treated as if he did.

Seriously, why would you have the previous season’s runner-up mentor kids who might actually be trying to win? It just doesn’t make any sense, unless you’re trying to parody your own show, or you need to boost your chosen one’s sales number

Because as Rolling Stone so succinctly put it- he is “arguably the most successful male contestant Idol has ever produced”.

So this seems to be more and more solid.

I wonder what could be the theme? Unless it’s past idol week, it’s hard to see another that would combine well with Adam’s music.
It could be rock week since he was kind of the rocker on the show but they just had Rolling Stones and Beatles week.

Anybody has a realistic idea about what could be the theme (David Bowie week is never going to happen)

Also, if Adam was so entertained by the notion of them wanting him to mentor because HE didn’t even feel he had earned it, why would he go for it a month later or whatever? I guess that trip to Japan really changed his outlook on his career.

It seems likely that at the time he made that statement, his mentoring had not yet been planned. What was he supposed to say? I’m sure he didn’t dream that they’d ask him so soon after being on the show. And, if he’d said, “great idea,” he’d be getting even more hateful comments about being an egotistical diva. The guy can’t win!

well, if this is true it’s another AI episode I’ll skip, just like Miley and Bieber.

Because the same thing wouldn’t be happening, in reverse and at an even more obnoxious level, if it were Kris in question? Sure.

Yep. Which is why, if they were going to do this and were doing it in full good faith, the first Idol mentor should have been Kelly. Rapidly followed by several others from different seasons who would be brought on specifically to highlight some particular skill or talent or achievement they have and could impart wisdom about ….

But the reason they *actually* are doing it as a one-off, starting with a non-winner who has barely been off the show any time at all and whose sales (like Kris’s) have been way disappointing, is because they know how polarizing that would be and they want the controversy to drive ratings. …. And, of course, Adam has his other qualities that make him even *more* polarizing than Kris, for example,, so from the producers’ point of view, I’m sure he was *exactly* the right person to choose.

This is bullshit. He barely has any experience and is not even selling that many albums. I am so sick of the Glambert pimping.

I agree.

Ugh. If this is true, then I won’t be watching Idol next week. Seriously, enough with the shoving Adam Lambert down our throats already. Believe it or not, not everyone thinks he’s “God’s gift to Idol”. *rolls eyes*

Wow, how could Adam possibly have the same level of success as these other idols?

That’s the whole point. He doesn’t/couldn’t and therefore shouldn’t be the first Idol back on the show as a mentor. IIRC, that quote is from Kristen’s post re: plants. In that context, this situation certainly raises the plant question about him. Kris shouldn’t be in the running either, these guys are barely out of the Idol bubble. I would argue that Adam is still more inside it, given that most of his popularity comes from gossip blogs anyway.

I think Adam would be a great mentor because he didn’t play it safe while he was trying to win, he took risks and some of the Season 9 contestants could benefit from risk taking. He said last year one of the vocal coaches told him not to give the contestants so much good advice. Adam and Kris both helped other contestants last year, Kris on MJ week with song selection for many contestants and Allison,Anoop and Lil all mentioned that sometimes Adam helped them. Adam also helped mentor kids when he was a teen in theatre. As for the fact that he didn’t win AI, well in years past the best singer seldom wins as it is more of a popularity contestant. If you are polarizing you can do everything right and not win Idol. I don’t buy the idea of plants, alot of the people on idol are semi professionals IMO since they have made some money through music like playing at Clubs or doing Musical Theatre or being a Choir Director or Music Teacher.

Holy frakking frak it’s true! Wow.

EWMichaelSlezak 19 spokesperson confirms exclusively to EW that @adamlambert will indeed be next week’s American Idol mentor. http://bit.ly/aS1DIj

But but maybe they’ll rewrite history and make it seem like he did win! Then he can give his strategy on all those ways to win ha! The pimping is going to be so OTT next week I have no doubt they’ll spin his success as a lot greater than it has been. I’m sure they can find something to give him some type of platinum plaque for. Gold is so lame for their superstar!! lol

FWIW I’m not bitter or pissed my favorite wasn’t asked because frankly I don’t think my favorite deserves it either. I do however think its still laughable how hard they’re pushing him despite all the pimping on the show actually not getting him the win or post show pimping making him a multi platinum seller. The only Idol I think is truly qualified for something like this is Kelly.

eta: for someone who’s so hot and everywhere you’d think he would at least be selling on par with the Fetus.

Which is why, if they were going to do this and were doing it in full good faith, the first Idol mentor should have been Kelly

I disagree. Kelly has been off the show and in the business as long as some of the non-idol mentors. I agree she would be a great mentor, and they should have her on for sure, but she is too far removed from the process (9 years) to serve as the “I was right where you are as an idol contestant” mentor. This is just a “hey guys I was one of you” mentor gig…not a lifetime achievement award gig

@EWMichaelSlezak: 19 spokesperson confirms that @adamlambert will indeed be next week’s American Idol mentor. http://bit.ly/aS1DIj

If they chose Kelly there would be no attention or press brought to the show.

Yes, because nobody cares about multiplatinum recording artists with 11 Top 20 Hot 100 singles to their credit.

Look, I think it’s fine that the guy mentors. Seriously. I hope he does an awesome job, I hope it helps him sell his single, etc.

But he is not more successful or more of a draw than many other contestants. If the media tries to take that line, then they are courting the fanwarring and trolling. (One reason I’m not giving RS any hits.)

I think Adam will be a good mentor. Many of this season’s contestants are lacking personality in their performances and that’s something Adam has in spades. I’m especially interested in what he has to say to timid Tim. LOL

gleeRPG:
04/06/2010 at 2:08 pm
This is bullshit. He barely has any experience and is not even selling that many albums. I am so sick of the Glambert pimping.

I agree.

Ugh. If this is true, then I won’t be watching Idol next week. Seriously, enough with the shoving Adam Lambert down our throats already. Believe it or not, not everyone thinks he’s “God’s gift to Idol”. *rolls eyes*

LOL It really is a travesty, isn’t it?

So its TRUE. Any chance all those rude Adam fans calling Jeremy names including homophobic are going to apologize?.

Nah.

Holy frakking frak it’s true! Wow.

still can’t believe it. gosh

Maybe they will have several previous idols as mentors? not just Adam.

Now that Slezak has updated with his info, I’ll post my opinion. I think it is an amazing opportunity, but I would have preferred if they had used past idols as mentors all along. I can see Kelly, Carrie and Cook as choices that should have already happened. All three are articulate and I could see Kelly and Cook as mentors who would be fun to watch. Carrie would be a class act and would do a wonderful job with country week. She has always been an ambassador for AI and the country music world as well. I would also think Daughtry would be good with the contestants.

I have to admit that I’m scratching my head over this announcement. Not because I don’t think Adam will do a good job, but due to the fact that this is a first. Don’t get me wrong- I’m thrilled!!! I am just surprised.

I’m sure the hate on blogs will reach to explosive levels, but the majority of AI viewers never read a blog site anyways. If AI news doesn’t appear on the front page of Yahoo, then the 20 million viewers don’t know what’s going on in the “Idol bubble”. It will be great exposure for Adam and the hate inside the idol bubble won’t ever reach 99% of the AI viewing public.

NVM

I’m lookin’ forward to it and if it gets some Idol fans in an uproar so what! It’s just a silly TV show. Although I have to admit I’m still reeling from Gossip Girl last night LOL!

this is the greatest news ever!! i am actually looking forward to watching the show..first time this season!!!

I’m sure the hate on blogs will reach to explosive levels

the blogs will be full of hate but I suspect the mainstream media will be mostly positive and excited. Most AI viewers have no idea most the these blogs exist (sorry MJ!).

Wow, what a truly horrible idea.

Adam hasn’t earned this. I think it’s a big deal to be the first Idol to return as a mentor and the only thing Adam has been more successful at compared to other Idols is generating controversy. That’s probably why AI (might be?) thinking about it, but the backlash factor is huge. The last time Adam was handed an opportunity he didn’t earn was when he closed out the AMAs. He was the only non-established performer that night and – wow – that really didn’t work out well did it??!!

Also, the number of AI watchers who are Adam fans is way overwhelmed by the number of AI watchers who are fans of other past contestants. Sure Adam has a relatively large and very committed fan base, but add together all the AI watchers who are primarily fans of Carrie, Kelly, Daughtry, JHud, Cook, Archuleta, Kris and others and – eeks again – why piss off all those people who would have wanted their idol to be the first mentor? Saying it’s only an Idol bubble thing is silly – don’t AI watchers kind of define the Idol bubble?

Whether or not Adam can give good advice is irrelevant. Tons of people could give good advice including nearly all former contestants and even some Idol writers like Michael Slezak. There are so many more factors that should be considered in choosing a mentor, though.

This is what the season needs~someone who can show these dull contestants how to own the stage, have a true “Idol moment”, and get some major charisma. Love him or hate him…at least people were watching and talking about Adam last season.

How exciting!!! Finally, an Idol with some stage presence! I hope he helps them with his performance skills and assists Sioghan in singing high on key….. Anyways, an Idol week I am finally looking forward to. This is definitely a new twist.

I remember reading and hearing people say AI would be too embarassed to have Adam come back on the show due to him being too “controversial”. I guess not. lol

CONFIRMED!!!!!

WWWOOOOOHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! And now, I too, will finally watch AI again, hahaha

(maybe someone up there knows Adam has alot of fans who aren’t regular AI watchers, hmmm?)

I am just so excited about this I could pee my pants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what the season needs~someone who can show these dull contestants how to own the stage, have a true “Idol moment”, and get some major charisma.

Exactly!! Plus, everyone has an opinion about it. No one really cares about the contestants this year.

Was replying to a NVM. So NVM.

Poor Adam. The hate is really pouring in now. I hope his people are telling him to stay off the internet.

And this is why I was wondering if it’s really a good idea for him. I totally get why TPTB want it, but for Adam. I dunno.

Oh shit, seriously I am in a class next Tuesday night? Are you freaking kidding me? arg..

Yes, but there’s “successful” as an absolute (reasonable album sales, reasonable single chart position and sales, international sales) and there’s “successful” as a relative measure.

DTA sold at least a million outside the US. Daughtry toured behind major bands worldwide. DTA has had a ridiculous string of singles, and No Surprise is still more successful in the US than WWFM has been./blockquote>

Agreed that there is measurable success and then there is also the less concrete variety comprised of many factors. That’s been my point all along. But who says that the measurable success outweighs the more intangible variety when it comes to choosing a mentor? I’ve had many teachers who were industry “greats” who couldn’t relate to the students to save their souls, and I’ve had others who were less “measurably” successful who were wonderful at teaching. IMO, Adam has been at least moderately, tangibly successful at selling his album and WWFM, and has also been successful in such areas as media relations and promotion. I think he’ll make a great mentor, and I absolutely can’t wait until next week!

What a bunch of whining and sour grapes!! I am so happy! (Not about the whining…about ADAM!)

CrazyCircle:
04/06/2010 at 2:17 pm
This is what the season needs~someone who can show these dull contestants how to own the stage, have a true “Idol moment”, and get some major charisma. Love him or hate him…at least people were watching and talking about Adam last season.

has there even been an idol moment this year? What week are we on now? Should have had at least one.

Adam talking for two hours – I’m so excited. I can listen to him talk all day. This is some great promotion for FYE and WWFM – I hope it gets a nice push.

I wish the AI kids could comment about this, are they excited, scared, looking forward to it, I hope Ryan talks about it this week.

Maybe they will have several previous idols as mentors? not just Adam.

Please. Please. Let them do this every week from here on out. OR at least have an idol alongside another mentor. Or something.

Now that Slezak has updated with his info, I’ll post my opinion. I think it is an amazing opportunity, but I would have preferred if they had used past idols as mentors all along. I can see Kelly, Carrie and Cook as choices that should have already happened. All three are articulate and I could see Kelly and Cook as mentors who would be fun to watch. Carrie would be a class act and would do a wonderful job with country week. She has always been an ambassador for AI and the country music world as well. I would also think Daughtry would be good with the contestants.

He will be great. Cook would also be, but I guess he is already involved with IGB. Kelly and Carrie would work fine as mentors, but not as the “I’ve been there POV”, since their seasons were very different from the recent ones. Neither season 1 or 4 were focused in rearranging songs, etc… Things were so different! I just think they are too distant from what idol is now, so Adam, Cook or Kris could be more useful, even though Kelly and Carrie are more successful.I also think Adam is the better speaker amongst most former idols and this also helps a lot for this purpose.

Perhaps Adam was available and those others that were mentioned were not. They do have schedules. But, then again, Adam is an excellent vocalist, has personality in spades, will share opinions, and is fun. And is uber Talented.

I wonder what the theme will be next week? Rock Week maybe? I’m glad he’s singing WWFM. I want that song to go platinum and I can definitely see Adam getting an Idol bump with this performance.

Wow, I don’t recall all this angst about Quentin Tarantino being a mentor last season. How exactly did he “deserve” it? Was there a contest for it that I missed hearing about?

It’s business. It’s about ratings.

Wow, so Adam mentoring is confirmed? Freaking. Awesome.

I haven’t been watching AI this season and Adam appearing is the only reason I will watch. I daresay there are many out there like me so in that way it is smart thinking on AI’s part.

I’m not going to justify other than this why I am excited for Adam to have this opportunity. I think it’s awesome…that’s it, that’s all. You show them Adam! I have no doubt the Top 8 will learn much from you.

Oh shit, seriously I am in a class next Tuesday night? Are you freaking kidding me? arg..

Skip it!! That’s what I did on finale night last year!!

So its TRUE. Any chance all those rude Adam fans calling Jeremy names including homophobic are going to apologize?.

Nah.

It’s very interesting to do twitter search and make up your own mind about what is going on…

Google twitter search and enter @Iowaradioguy

Fun to do whenever sonyglobal tweets about Adam also.

I hope he doesn’t wear a cape with someone’s name on it! lol

He will be great. Cook would also be, but I guess he is already involved with IGB. Kelly and Carrie would work fine as mentors, but not as the “I’ve been there POV”, since their seasons were very different from the recent ones. Neither season 1 or 4 were focused in rearranging songs, etc… Things were so different! I just think they are too distant from what idol is now, so Adam, Cook or Kris could be more useful, even though Kelly and Carrie are more successful.I also think Adam is the better speaker amongst most former idols and this also helps a lot for this purpose.

ITA I love Kelly and have lots of respect for Carrie.. but Idol really was a whole different ball game back then. Daughtry.. I don’t remember his run very well. With that said, I’d still love to see them return as artists in their own right to mentor the contestants.

Now we need to know the theme….MJ??

That’s the whole point. He doesn’t/couldn’t and therefore shouldn’t be the first Idol back on the show as a mentor. IIRC, that quote is from Kristen’s post re: plants. In that context, this situation certainly raises the plant question about him. Kris shouldn’t be in the running either, these guys are barely out of the Idol bubble. I would argue that Adam is still more inside it, given that most of his popularity comes from gossip blogs anyway.

How in the world do we know that “success” (frankly a very subjective term IMO) is the criteria used to choose a mentor. Because RS said so? That e-mail said nothing about success but that Adam was mentoring from the point of view of a former contestant. Adam did well on the show last year, he was a contestant that made it all the way to top 2. And it is very possible that Kris or another Idol will be on to mentor still. Maybe closer to the finals, which would be even better for them. No need to get the knickers in a twist (yet,LOL! Wait until he is asked to come back for the finale! haha!)IMO.

pffffff this just proves how fail this season is! Who the hell is Adam in the music business? Patetic…

This post is getting big mighty quickly. No one this season inspires people to say good or bad about them. Oh how I”m remembering the old days now….. lol

Ok now the important things, what will he wear, how will he have his hair, how much eye makeup, will he teach the guys about makeup? What else am I missing? God no rest for a week, this is gonna be so great!!!!!!!

‘Seriously, why would you have the previous season’s runner-up mentor kids who might actually be trying to win? It just doesn’t make any sense, unless you’re trying to parody your own show, or you need to boost your chosen one’s sales numbers.’

Bwahahahahhah! Timmeh FTW!

I’d say it gets him pretty much nothing for the trouble except a *huge* crapload of hatred from fans of many other Idols that will be swelling all over the Internet for weeks and then be picked up by the entertainment media as well. His every deficiency as a music seller will be plastered all over everything along with whatever ideas there are out there about how he got on the show (about which we have already heard that there’s some dark secret that hasn’t yet been revealed. … )

Sorry, I just don’t agree with any of this. What deficiency as a music seller? The fact that he debuted at #3? The fact that he’s gone gold in this country and platinum or gold in Canada and other countries as well. Idol has aged; the music business has changed. Very few people are pulling in mega numbers anymore, especially for a debut album. After the initial shock wears off, I think most people will direct their anger at TPTB, not Adam, realizing he probably doesn’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter if his music “partners” really want him to do it.

Besides, Adam is charming and charismatic and funny and sweet. I have no doubt in the filmed segments that he will shine (I’ve heard too many Adam interviews not to believe he will charm EVERYONE including the S9 contestants). Even many of the folks who didn’t like Adam’s OTT performances or voice or whatever, generally conceded that he came across as a really decent guy. Plus, he’ll sing on results night. His song – not some 90 sec. chopped up version. He’ll do a great performance of WWFM, whether it’s the album version or acoustic.

And I predict right now (you can quote me on this) he/they will address the mentor thing. He is a confident guy, but humble at the same time, and he will acknowlege that other mentors have had more experience. The angle will be less mentor/more “perspective of someone who was just in their shoes.” It will be fine.

It’ll be just like old times: How is he wearing his hair? Acoustic Adam or BSC Adam? It’ll be great to have that feeling back again.

And to the person who said he is only known for his controversies: I think only his detractors know him for that. Alot of people remember the guy who has probably the best range and stage presence Idol has ever seen.

Is it next Tuesday yet?

I am so happy Adam is going to mentor next week, I’m ready to jump up and down!!! First of all, it is a great idea to bring back popular contestants back to the show, I, as a big fan of the show (did not miss an episode since starting to watch the show during season 4)would much prefer to see idol kids come back rather then seeing some pop stars that I have no freaking interest in seeing or listening to. Also, for those who is saying that Adam is not experienced enough or big enough as a star, just go back to all the post season 8 interviews, and see Lil, Alison, Kris, Anoop, etc thanking Adam for all the help he gave them during the competition, he will be perfect as a mentor. I personally think it’s a great idea for the show and I, for one will definately tune in and enjoy the show!

Adam can sing and work a stage, and the working the stage part most of these kids need desperately. How about a no instrument week, make them work the satge.

What the hell it is 11:30am here and this thread is only at 390ish posts…LOL…Oh boy this is going to be a fun day in the internet world!

This is the best news EVER…I am so excited about this.

Like I said yesterday, this makes perfect since. I mean Simon Fuller is Adams manager, and Idol is Simon Fuller’s show, so why wouldn’t he promote his most current popular artist on his most highest rated television show. THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING-literally!

LaurelG:
04/06/2010 at 2:26 pm
I’d say it gets him pretty much nothing for the trouble except a *huge* crapload of hatred from fans of many other Idols that will be swelling all over the Internet for weeks and then be picked up by the entertainment media as well. His every deficiency as a music seller will be plastered all over everything along with whatever ideas there are out there about how he got on the show (about which we have already heard that there’s some dark secret that hasn’t yet been revealed. … )

Sorry, I just don’t agree with any of this. What deficiency as a music seller? The fact that he debuted at #3? The fact that he’s gone gold in this country and platinum or gold in Canada and other countries as well. After the initial shock wears off, I think most people will direct their anger at TPTB, not Adam, realizing he probably doesn’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter if his music “partners” really want him to do it.

Besides, Adam is charming and charismatic and funny and sweet. I have no doubt in the filmed segments that he will shine (I’ve heard too many Adam interviews not to believe he will charm EVERYONE including the S9 contestants). Even many of the folks who didn’t like Adam’s OTT performances or voice or whatever, generally conceded that he came across as a really decent guy. Plus, he’ll sing on results night. His song – not some 90 sec. chopped up version. He’ll do a great performance of WWFM, whether it’s the album version or acoustic.

And I predict right now (you can quote me on this) he/they will address the mentor thing. He is a confident guy, but humble at the same time, and he will acknowlege that other mentors have had more experience. The angle will be less mentor/more “perspective of someone who was just in their shoes.” It will be fine.

Ok see this is why I find Adam’s gate’s so funny.. I assumed that the original post was being sarcastic, you know like it’s opposite day. LOL

Squeeeeeeeee! I am so excited it is true!!!Don’t care about the butthurt fans. I-Dull will finally have a MOMENT! ADAM LAMBERT is mentoring for a whole hour one day and performing the next night. Best night of the year and April 14th is my birthday! Woot Woot

Wow, I don’t recall all this angst about Quentin Tarantino being a mentor last season. How exactly did he “deserve” it? Was there a contest for it that I missed hearing about?

I’m not picking on you per se, but I find this kind of statement disingenuous. The “why are people so upset?” thing. Of course this represents a huge departure from mentors past. And he’s the first actual Idol asked back. What did you think, people were just going to shrug it off? If Miley pissed people off, Adam surely would. Its not some kind of weird, unheard of, totally illogical phenomenon. I mean disagreeing is one thing, expressing befuddlement seems silly. Of course some folk are going to have a WTF reaction. ADAM HIMSELF said he wasn’t qualified to mentor a few weeks ago!

I think he’ll be good at it, and I’m not mad at him, but come on now. LOL

I can’t wait to hear what he has to say about/to Siobhan, Lee and Crystal. Adam has such great taste in music and I am sure he will have good advise for them. He is also very good at articulating what he means, which is important. Say what you will about some of the others mentioned here (all very good musicians and singers) but I just don’t see them (Daughtry, Kris, Carrie) being as articulate.

Ohhhh and a veryy Happy Birthday to us!!!!!! to us!!!!!!!

I’ve only seen Adam make “pissy” comments after other so-called stars made snide remarks about him to the press. His snarky comments in these situations were not uncalled for and were generally not upsetting to anyone who is a real fan.

Eh, I wouldn’t be shocked if he goes the other way on this. He may just do some “be you” speech, which I’ve now heard so many times from him and others and leave it at that, which is not, not, not what the kids need to hear right now. I haven’t seen much in Adam’s interviews that would suggest that he would give constructive criticism as much as support to the contestants, and that worries me.

Not that I think it’s peculiar to him. Same goes for any S8 alumnus (Danny would be fun for the trainwreck value, if he was at all like his little talk with Ryan on the results show). For various reasons, I actually think alumni are a really bad idea. Honestly, I’ve seen Kelly mentoring some other shows. I wouldn’t want her to mentor Idol, either. She was kind, but not critical in the way you need from a mentor in the slightest. I would bet Carrie is the same way (though at least she has kind said several times she would tell them to shut up in front of the judges, which is at least something). I couldn’t tell you about Cook, but I would guess not.

Maybe it’s something about the whole “shared experience” thing. I don’t know. But the tendencies of the alumni in general, and it seems to be a product of having been on the show, are not the type that would imagine for this. Maybe an alumni who didn’t have to maintain a presence or was disconnected from the entertainment machine a bit might do better, but that would kind of defeat the point.

Of course, and I say this whenever previewing a mentor, but never, ever judge a mentor by the quality of his work. Because, in all seriousness, some of the better mentors on the show are not the best musicians, and the best musicians are hardly the best mentors. Queen completely failed as mentors, but Jennifer Lopez gave useful, constructive advice to all of the contestants.

Awesome!!

Wow, it’s true. I’m sure he’ll do a good job. I find the choice interesting, but I’m intrigued, and will likely watch if I’m home.

Interesting perspective from Slezak:

what Adam lacks in music-biz wisdom, he makes up for with his knowledge of the singularly grueling Idol experience. Just yesterday, while interviewing season 9’s latest ousted contestant, Didi Benami, talk turned to her struggles with last week’s R&B theme, and she didn’t seem to completely understand where I was coming from when I asked her if she’d studied previous Idol successes like Adam, Kris Allen, and David Cook — and the way they managed to sculpt a wide variety of genres to fit their artistic styles, and not the other way around.

Slezak makes a good point. Didi was my early favorite, but in reading some of her post-show press, her cluelessness to how to do well on the show was really off the charts. This season’s crew of newbs could greatly benefit from Adam’s advice.

In that regard, Kris and David would’ve been good mentors as well, but it seems the timing for everything worked best for Adam’s performance week. Kris and David will be involved with IGB in some capacity, whether or not they perform, and Kris is definitely back for the finale, if not also for his second single. I’m losing some hope, but still crossing my fingers David will get to debut his new single on the show. So we’ll see.

That’s the whole point. He doesn’t/couldn’t and therefore shouldn’t be the first Idol back on the show as a mentor. IIRC, that quote is from Kristen’s post re: plants. In that context, this situation certainly raises the plant question about him.

The only people who will bring up the “plant” question about him are those who don’t want or think Adam should mentor. There are already blog posts/articles about it if you google Adam and no one is even bringing that up. Season 8 is over. The competition is over. I think and would hope most people would have moved on by now. I seriously doubt Daughtry and Kelly Clarkson are jumping up and down having a tantrum that Adam is mentoring and they’re not.

Besides, Adam has one of the best stage presences ever to grace the Idol stage. In that sense, in a season where eveyone looks and acts like a block of wood, Adam is the perfect choice.

Adam Lambert is making HISTORY again on Idol!!!! Can it get any better??? Go Adam!! What is the theme???

Wow! I’m going to be watching AI next Tuesday! Seriously, I haven’t been this excited about anything AI since last season—I may even tune in tonight so I know who the contestants are (I only kind of watched a partial show weeks ago).

I don’t know how he does it, but Adam sure has a way to land decent gigs…

I have nothing against Adam and I know that he,as an employee of 19,has to do what they tell him in much the same way that Kris and David Cook had to do that lame “if I Can Dream House” thing. I just think that this is just another way in which TPTB are giving the implicit undertones that Kris is an unworthy winner and Adam was the rightful winner of season 8. I just have to wonder what might have been for Kris if he had gotten even a tenth of the promo that Adam has gotten. This is just really the last straw for me,as a die-hard Kris fan. I will continue to U-Tube Crystals performances but I am done watching this show. Kris messed up their coronation of Adam Lambert and they will never stop making him pay. I hope that he gets away from 19M as soon as he can as it has,with this latest development, become apparent that they will never do anything that is in his best interest. Adam Lambert will always come first.

And,also, I don’t know if they even contacted Kelly Clarkson with this opportunity but I would think that with a new single just coming out that she would have probably jumped at the chance.

Yee-Haw!

ADAM HIMSELF said he wasn’t qualified to mentor a few weeks ago!

This!!

And if this whole thing is true, it appears for me like a diss of the last year winner and it’s not cool. I hate you TPTB

Wow, the desperation of 19 to make Adam the success they predicted he would be, and recoup some of the money they’ve poured into promoting him!

I actually see this as a good thing, though. Crystal is obviously the most talented this season, and a lot of people say that she would be better off not winning. Adam is the perfect person to show her how to do that.

Seriously? I thought Idol had higher standards! If an Idol was ever to mentor the contestant, it should absolutely be original idol, or Carrie for a country week. Even Daughtry on Rock week would make more sense.

Adam is still struggling to become a star, I absolutely think he has all the potential to be a big one, but I don’t know, it seems a bit too soon, considering that 11 months ago he was there receiving advice himself, and he hasn’t even toured on his own yet!

It kinda makes you think…is it the fact that they really want to push Whataya Want From Me to be #1 on the charts and his album to go closer to platinum?

Adam has been my favorite contestant of the show ever…and I do miss his performances, but even as a fan, I think he’s far from being established enough to be a mentor.

Of course some folk are going to have a WTF reaction. ADAM HIMSELF said he wasn’t qualified to mentor a few weeks ago!

I think he’ll be good at it, and I’m not mad at him, but come on now. LOL

He did say this, and I’m sure that’s truly how he felt based on the way mentors have been presented the past 8 years. Had he known at that time that the mentor for this particular episode was intended to help from the perspective of having been a contestant on the show, he might have had a different answer.

Wow. I was fairly certain this would turn out to be bullshit lol. Well, I still don’t have problem with it. I think fanwars are just about the least significant events in the world, so I don’t really care if they’re ignited or not. I also don’t think the season 9 crew are a bunch of talentless hacks either. I quite like a few of them.

I hope he teaches Siobhan how to stick her tongue out so her scream sounds better.

alaadam! So it’s all for your birthday??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!

ADAM HIMSELF said he wasn’t qualified to mentor a few weeks ago!

Oh how things change in a few weeks… *eyeroll*

How about a no instrument week, make them work the satge.

I would definitely co-sign onto this. I would love a no instrument week.

No matter which former AI contestant was asked back, we would be arguing about whether or not she/he should be the first, or is she/he is qualified, etc.

Yup. I think Carrie or Kelly would have started arguments between some of their fans but maybe not as intense. But anyone else would have been a full out brawl regardless. LOL

He did say this, and I’m sure that’s truly how he felt based on the way mentors have been presented the past 8 years. Had he known at that time that the mentor for this particular episode was intended to help from the perspective of having been a contestant on the show, he might have had a different answer.

Perhaps. My original point though was acting “surprised” by the reaction is a bit silly. Its not like something that no one could predict would inspire WTFs.

oladyrocklover:
04/06/2010 at 2:36 pm
I have nothing against Adam and I know that he,as an employee of 19,has to do what they tell him in much the same way that Kris and David Cook had to do that lame “if I Can Dream House” thing. I just think that this is just another way in which TPTB are giving the implicit undertones that Kris is an unworthy winner and Adam was the rightful winner of season 8. I just have to wonder what might have been for Kris if he had gotten even a tenth of the promo that Adam has gotten. This is just really the last straw for me,as a die-hard Kris fan. I will continue to U-Tube Crystals performances but I am done watching this show. Kris messed up their coronation of Adam Lambert and they will never stop making him pay. I hope that he gets away from 19M as soon as he can as it has,with this latest development, become apparent that they will never do anything that is in his best interest. Adam Lambert will always come first.

And,also, I don’t know if they even contacted Kelly Clarkson with this opportunity but I would think that with a new single just coming out that she would have probably jumped at the chance.

I agree with everything you just said. If it happens, they just lost this viewer, too.

I guess I’m confused as to why so many people find Kris/Chris to be too inarticulate to mentor. I see it as a recurring theme as to why Adam should be chosen, he speaks well…when did either of the other two make oratorical fools of themselves onstage? Some of this reasoning is quite interesting.

Please. Please. Let them do this every week from here on out. OR at least have an idol alongside another mentor. Or something.

My guess is former AI contestants would nearly always be able to give better advice than some celebrity trying to hawk a CD who has never even watched the show. For the contestants’ sake, I vote for an Idol alumni mentor every week. Bring the non-Idol pros in to sing on Wed nights, but let those who know the Idol ropes advise the contestants for their Tue night performances.

Sorry, I just don’t agree with any of this. What deficiency as a music seller? The fact that he debuted at #3? The fact that he’s gone gold in this country and platinum or gold in Canada and other countries as well.

Hey, I really like Adam, and I think he’s had some solid successes (as have many other Idols whose sales are despised by many, such as Fantasia and Ruben, for example).

All I’m saying is — Everything about Adam that is perceived as a not-living-up-to-expectations or a shortcoming of *any* kind by the many who despise him or are pissed off that it’s not their Idol mentoring (such as the fact that he has sold a few less albums by now than Archie or that despite getting a whole lot of media attention his sales lag Cook’s, for example) will be brought up and hashed over all over the Internet, and lots of lame “entertainment media” will pick up all the grousing and put it about wholesale and without any context or fact checking. And, honestly, I don’t really see why this is a good thing.

That you’re getting upset by what I said — and I’m an Adam fan, as you are! — shows the level of touchiness and anger this whole thing has brought up already!

In my view, it’s only going to get worse. Much worse. And, frankly, I’m sick of Adam — or any Idol, for that matter — being the subject of ugly fan-warring, and I am very unhappy to see it beginning.

Wow, I don’t recall all this angst about Quentin Tarantino being a mentor last season. How exactly did he “deserve” it?

Quentin is not only a freaking awesome director, but he also is one of the biggest movie fans working in the industry. He understands movies and what makes that industry so damn special.

You can see that on his films…they are full of tributes. The man is all about show and performances mixed up with a style of his own.

For kids that were about to perform a song related to a movie, it was not so bad to have this kind of guy as a mentor! He is someone in the industry and has been for over 2 decades, has a big cult-like following and is a big idol fan. He was perfect for the job, IMHO.

Oh and just a point what the hell does mentoring get the person anyway. Its not some prestigious award or even a honor in the music business. All this angst over “Not my idol not your idol either” in less then a week it would have been forgotten except everyone who is going to make more out of this then need be. He has more then enough experience to help these idols. I will be watching and happy for all involved.

I think Adam is just the first in many. There will be 7 weeks left after Adam so that’s 7 weeks to bring back just about anybody.

No matter which former AI contestant was asked back, we would be arguing about whether or not she/he should be the first, or is she/he is qualified, etc. The show will go on…maybe…I for one think Adam Lambert ruined it for all future contestants, but that’s just me.

Hardly. You put Kelly up there, and no one would have said anything against her. It would have been a good moment, a circle of life thing, if you will. (Mind you, I just said I didn’t want her as a mentor, and I stand by that.) Carrie, Daughtry, and even Jordin all could have gone on without a controversy; they’re widely considered legitimate contemporary artists, even if the numbers don’t back up Jordin in the same way.

Also, can we please discuss Sony’s media training? “Adam will own?”

I personally prefer all my official email announcements to be written by WoW players.

Jim seems excited … I mean really excited :/

jambajim

I can’t wait for @adamlambert to whip these AI9ers in shape! (Fingers crossed he *literally* whips Siobhan. That’d be HOT!)

Kris messed up their coronation of Adam Lambert and they will never stop making him pay. I hope that he gets away from 19M as soon as he can as it has,with this latest development, become apparent that they will never do anything that is in his best interest. Adam Lambert will always come first.

I don’t know if I believe they’re still motivated by anger that Kris won, but I do think 19M are terrible managers of Kris and have had a horrible conflict of interest when it comes to promoting Kris and Adam at the same time. Twice, with the AMAs and now this, they have pushed Adam for an opportunity over Kris even though Kris as the winner of AI has a better argument that he “earned it” (Though not by much – let me be clear that neither Kris or Adam deserved to perform at the AMAs or mentor on Idol.)

Considering also that their idea of “branding” Kris is to market him as the squeaky-clean happy married man (ZZZZZZ, boring), Kris needs to run from 19M the minute his contract is up and never look back. And I sure hope he has not just one more appearance (at the final), but 2 more singing appearances to make up for the over-pimping of Adam (yeah, fat chance).

AL is Not The First to be asked – and if Slezak wanted to check his archives – he ran the story last year. But It wasn’t a big deal to be the first idols invited back to mentor when Michael Johns and Carly Smithson were invited, or nobody built it into one. I don’t recall anyone getting bent out of shape when their Idol Boot Camp sessions were edited out of the episode, either. What a missed opportunity, or something.

And Weelassie – you speak logically. Other idols may or may not have an opening in their schedule now, or in the future. The actual first Idols to be asked to mentor aren’t available right now. Carly isn’t available – she’s touring with “We Are the Fallen. Michael Johns is in the studio, working, at the moment. A mentor has to have some free time. Many of the former idols are already scheduled. AL is available.

But if people want to get bent out of shape, I guess they will. AL may not make any difference to this crew, or he may be of help, I don’t see how he can hurt – and it’s still all business. IMO.

I guess I’m confused as to why so many people find Kris/Chris to be too inarticulate to mentor. I see it as a recurring theme as to why Adam should be chosen, he speaks well…when did either of the other two make oratorical fools of themselves onstage?

I don’t think they made fools of themselves…I just saw them struggle to come up with something interesting and compelling to say when asked questions in interviews.

Boy I hope there are not other previous recent idols on to mentor or else there will be a lot of crow eating. *shrug*

Slezak makes a good point. Didi was my early favorite, but in reading some of her post-show press, her cluelessness to how to do well on the show was really off the charts. This season’s crew of newbs could greatly benefit from Adam’s advice.

They could benefit from a lot of people’s advice. However, I have a feeling that they’ve gotten the exact same advice the Adam or Kris or Cook or Carrie would give them from the vocal coaches, and music directors, and I *know* they’ve gotten it from the judges! Unfortunately, if you’re not ready to comprehend something, you’re probably not going to comprehend it. I’m sure Adam will give them great advice — but hearing it will be another thing.

I keep thinking back to Aaron Kelly and I know, I know, I know, I know. … Great advice. Very specific advice. Way actionable advice. advice that he even *seemed* to take when he sang for Usher! …. So why did he totally ignore it during his performance?

I’d love to see a lot of former Idols mentor (and *perform,* please!). But I doubt that their advice will penetrate much more than the advice of others has!

AL is Not The First to be asked – and if Slezak wanted to check his archives – he ran the story last year. But It wasn’t a big deal to be the first idols invited back to mentor when Michael Johns and Carly Smithson were invited, or nobody built it into one. I don’t recall anyone getting bent out of shape when their Idol Boot Camp sessions were edited out of the episode, either. What a missed opportunity, or something.

That was for Hollywood week, not for a theme night in which the mentor is considered the centerpiece. That’s like saying that Miley Cyrus was given an equivalent amount of screentime and focus as Barry Manilow in S7.

Ha, Adam is the test bunny. If it works out, then other AI alumni can mentor, if it doesnt work out, then Adam will eat the crap. It kinda is a lot to put on his shoulders, I hope he is ready for this. He better put is codpiece under his kilt, incase the kicking in the gut gets out of control.

So nobody is interested on what possible theme it could be? I guess it could be some generic theme like years they were born or itunes top 100 but they never have a mentor for those.

The only one that I can come up to and that has been discussed is former idols week (but I think it’s a horrible idea).
Maybee it’s musical theater week?

No matter which former AI contestant was asked back, we would be arguing about whether or not she/he should be the first, or is she/he is qualified, etc. The show will go on…maybe…I for one think Adam Lambert ruined it for all future contestants, but that’s just me.

I doubt that there would be much argument if it was Kelly or Carrie.
There would have been discussions about wheter or not it’s appropriate to have an ex idol come back to mentor, but not the identity of the idol itself.

S surprised, but not because I don’t think it’s a good idea. I think Adam will do a great job. He might actually have more credibility with the contestants because of the shared experience.

Besides the silly fan-waring crap, which is so tedious, this is a great idea for the show, and it’s about time they started using their greatest assets. The contestants. I am sick of this who did it first nonsense. Kris will mentor at some point I am sure, as will many others. Frankly, the next person I would want to see mentor is Kelly, but that’s just because I think her personality and honesty make for interesting possibilities. Pretty much the same reason I would love to see Adam in this capacity. Yay for me. It will be the first show I watch live and in full in weeks! So for all those throwing their sets out of windows, there will be those tuning in!

I don’t think they made fools of themselves…I just saw them struggle to come up with something interesting and compelling to say when asked questions in interviews.

That’s not what a mentor is there for, though. And Kris’s interviewing skills, especially with Jim, are pretty epic at this point.

Kris messed up their coronation of Adam Lambert and they will never stop making him pay. I hope that he gets away from 19M as soon as he can as it has,with this latest development, become apparent that they will never do anything that is in his best interest. Adam Lambert will always come first.

Huh? Kris was on the very first live performance episode of idol; he was sent to Haiti and his trip will be featured on IGB; he will certainly perform at least one more time, if not more, this season; he will be on the idol finale; his ford commercial runs during every single idol episode; he was booked for successful concerts in southeast asia; he is opening for keith urban, lady antebellum and one republic this summer; he is performing at high profile radio statio concerts; he has a hit single that is charting in multiple formats; he has done the whole late night show performance tour and performed on GMA, ellen, bonnie hunt etc. How exactly is 19 not doing right by him or putting Adam first?

Considering also that their idea of “branding” Kris is to market him as the squeaky-clean happy married man (ZZZZZZ, boring), Kris needs to run from 19M the minute his contract is up and never look back. And I sure hope he has not just one more appearance (at the final), but 2 more singing appearances to make up for the over-pimping of Adam (yeah, fat chance).

Not to sideline this thread, but yeah.. about Kris. His squeaky clean branding works for their endorsement contracts, but I ha