Chart Watch Extra: Fearlessness Pays Off
Taylor Swift had the top-selling album of 2009 after all. But, boy, was it close. Fearless edged out Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed A Dream by just 113, 000 copies. That’s the second closest margin of victory in Nielsen/SoundScan history. (The Lion King soundtrack squeaked past Ace of Base’s The Sign by just 17, 000 copies in 1994.)
2009 was the first year in which female solo artists had both of the year’s top two best-sellers since 1996, when Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill and Celine Dion’s Falling Into You led the way.
David Hasselhoff Leaving America’s Got Talent
David Hasselhoff is saying goodbye to America’s Got Talent after four years as a judge with Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Hasselhoff, 57, says, I am proud that I was part of making America’s Got Talent the No. 1 rated show for the past four summers. It’s been a rewarding experience and now I’m thrilled to be able to follow my dream to do my own TV show, which will be announced very shortly.â€
Hasselhoff adds, I want to thank my friend, (executive producer) Simon Cowell, and everyone at NBC and Fremantle for the opportunity for four great years.â€
Details of his new project have not been released.
‘Idol Chat’ to gab no more?
With Kimberly Caldwell embarking on a full-time singing career, and Justin Guarini also making the music rounds, it looks like the “American Idol” post-show gab fest “Idol Chat, ” which aired on the TV Guide Network as part of its “Reality Chat” series (and sometimes — confusingly — was named “Idol Wrap”), will rap no more. Caldwell, who was a co-host along with Guarini and former “Popstars” contestant Rosanna Tavares, hinted at the show’s demise when I spoke to her a couple weeks back, and while a rep for the channel would only say that “no announcement of a new season has been made as of yet, ” a source tells Idol Tracker that the show is, in a word, “done.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Is this make or break time for ‘American Idol?’
Could it be that the reign of “Idol” may be drawing to a close?
“Every show has a life cycle, ” said Chicago Tribune TV critic Maureen “Mo” Ryan. “I think [‘Idol’] has reached that point in its maturity where it’s not necessarily guaranteed to end up on the top of the ratings heap every single night, every single week, every single year. I think it will certainly be high up there, but I don’t think it will be as huge a phenomenon as it has been.”
The show still has a hardcore fan base, of course.
This week’s cover: ‘American Idol’ exclusive: The first interview with judges Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell
While Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres haven’t had a lot of time to spend together since DeGeneres signed on as the newest American Idol judge last September — he’s been in London shooting The X-Factor, while she’s been in LA working on her Emmy-winning talk show — the duo have no problem being honest with each other about their relationship as soon-to-be coworkers.
Ellen is Fox’s new ‘Idol’ hand
Q: Now that it’s time for you to make your “Idol” debut, how are you feeling about it?
A: I think it’s going to be fun. I’m trying not to anticipate how I’m going to be or what it’s going to be like. It’ll be exciting and challenging for me, which I like, and we’ll see how it works out.
Q: Though it’s not only you casting judgment on a contestant, is that an overwhelming responsibility to think about?
A: I don’t take it lightly. I know these people want to have a break, and I know what that’s like, but more goes into it that I think those watching at home aren’t aware of. I’ll get to see the behind-the-scenes of what someone is really like, how hard they work, what their attitude is, etc. And on my show, I’ll get to talk about some of the things I’m seeing and learning, and that will be fun for me and my audience. I think both shows will feed each other.
The ‘Idol’ viewer: a breakdown
Despite the occasional ratings dip and gimmicky tricks (like having a Top 13 instead of 12 and season eight’s wasted “judges’ save”), for the past four seasons, “American Idol” has remained the most popular regularly scheduled show on television. That’s according to Brad Adgate, senior vice president of research for Horizon Media Inc., an ad services firm whose business it is to break down and analyze those numbers. And the results may surprise you, but rather than a boring post about statistics, how about we make a multiple choice quiz out of it instead?
‘Idol’ champion Kris Allen brings a cooling trend to B.B. King’s
As others swam, he plucked the guitar. He’s married, but he’s been proposed to — in a manner of speaking — by 10-year-old girls.
And he’s a “chill” individual riding a hot streak.
Reigning “American Idol” champ Kris Allen is back for his second run at Las Vegas in as many weeks, performing at 9 p.m. Friday at B.B. King’s Blues Club at The Mirage. While vaulting to the Season 8 “Idol” championship, Allen topped onstage awards-show macker Adam Lambert in a contest that drew nearly 100 million votes, the most ever tabulated on the show. Allen also is the only married winner in the show’s history.
Allison Iraheta Joins Ernie D On Air At Radio Disney
American Idol finalist Allison Iraheta, who is currently signed with Jive Records, will be joining Radio Disney host Ernie D on the air tomorrow, Thursday January 7th for a Radio Disney Takeover.
Allison will be talking about her life after appearing on American Idol and about her debut single called Friday I’ll Be Over U.â€
Allison’s Radio Disney takeover will begin at 6PM ET / 3PM PT. Will you be tuning in?
Allison Iraheta – Just Like You
Allison Iraheta is having one of those years some teenagers can only dream about. First, she made the top 10 on American Idol.†Then Simon Fuller, Chief Executive Officer and founder of 19 Entertainment, called her into his office and made her cry. He told me I was going to have a record deal and I burst out in tears, †she explains. Her debut album, Just Like You, †was released on 19 Recordings/Jive Records on December 1, 2009 and her first single, Friday I’ll Be Over U†is out at radio now.
Caught in the Act!
• Glam rocker Adam Lambert kept the emphasis on “glam” during a day of pampering and shopping at the Ole Henriksen Face/Body spa in Los Angeles recently. The American Idol runner-up stopped by for an eight-step purifying complexion treatment ($115), then hit up the store where he dropped $165 on products like the Roll Blemish Attack, Aloe Vera Cleanser and the Balancing Cucumber Tonic.
Jordin Sparks & Steph Jones: Kissing Couple — EXCLUSIVE
Jordin Sparks goes in for a kiss from her boyfriend, R&B newcomer Steph Jones, while celebrating New Year’s in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico earlier this week.
Parasailing was so peaceful and breathtaking, †Jordin said of her vacation in Cabo.
Carrie Underwood Wants ‘Big Hair’ on Her Wedding Day
She may not know who’s designing her wedding dress yet – or have picked a wedding date – but Underwood has some thoughts about how she plans to look on her big day.
“I’m Southern, ” she says. “I like big hair and eyeliner. I want my wedding day to be me, so I’ll probably be rocking some big hair and some eyeliner.”
Carrie Underwood: I Want a Traditional Wedding Dress
What about her wedding dress? I want it pretty traditional, †Carrie, 26, said at the ceremony held in L.A’s Nokia Center. And it’s weird, but I think I want to add flowers on it. I don’t know yet. I see things in my head. I’m cutting out pictures.â€
Meanwhile, she and ice hockey player fiancé Mike Fisher need to discuss the size of their I do’sâ€.
I think I want a small wedding, †says Carrie, who is set to make a cameo in How I Met Your Mother. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. Mike has a huge family that he’s really close with. I have a big family, but we’re not that tight knit.
Fantasia, Dad Struggle In Forthcoming VH1 Reality Series
When American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino’s forthcoming reality series makes its debut in January, family members including cousins K-Ci & JoJo will make appearances for classic and fun moments. But, according to the ‘Color Purple’ and Lifetime original movie (‘Life Is Not a Fairytale’) star, there will be a number of tough moments.
Reportedly struggling with her father, who sued the publisher of her memoir ‘Life Is Not A Fairytale’ for libel, Fantasia says “Me and my father, we don’t have a really good relationship. That is something that’s been out in the press and it’s a very touchy situation for me to allow that to be seen.”
Fantasia Ready To ‘Rebuild My Dynasty’ With VH1’s ‘Fantasia For Real’
“The foreclosure thing was false, ” she told MTV News. “But someone was coming after my house. I own two homes, and they were put up for auction and all this lawsuit stuff was very new to me. Some of the people that I worked with in the beginning, who kind of said they’d take care of everything, well, they didn’t quite have my back like they said they did.”
She said the rumors were especially hard on her since she was working to support her family. “It was just embarrassing, especially when it’s me and all of my family, and I fought so hard, ” she explained. “And the house that I’m in now is just one of my dream homes, so up until the very last day, we began to pack things up, and I paid out of my pocket. No, Simon Cowell did not help me with anything! And they finally settled and I’m in my house now, which you will get to see me in on the show.”
New York Production Listings
Bricktop—Queen of the Night, a new musical based on the life of Ada “Bricktop” Smith, a café owner and singer in the 1920s. Chuck Seffan is writing the lyrics and Ron Abel the music. Fantasia Barrino and Whoopi Goldberg have been mentioned for the lead. The Daily News reports George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic might become involved.
Week Ending Jan. 3, 2010: The First All-Female Top Five
For the first time ever, female solo artists occupy the top five spots on The Billboard 200. Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed A Dream logs its sixth week at #1; Lady Gaga’s The Fame surges from #6 to #2; Alicia Keys’ The Element Of Freedom rebounds from #4 to #3; Mary J. Blige’s Stronger withEach Tear drops from #2 to #4; and Taylor Swift’s Fearless holds at #5.
Lessons continue after ‘American Idol’ for Elliott Yamin
Elliott Yamin was riding the crest of a huge wave when he released his first album in 2007. Fresh off finishing third to Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee in one of most contested seasons of “American Idol, ” he found an audience waiting for his self-titled debut.
Almost three years later, he’s finding the surf is not so high.
“It’s grown particularly tough to stay afloat being further removed from the show, ” he says in advance of his appearance Thursday at Altar Bar in the Strip District. “Which I understand. I understand when my first album came out, there was a bigger buzz because I was fresh off the show. There was more anticipation.”
Elliott Yamin will bring Idol ‘Love’ to Altar Bar
Pittsburgh loves its idols, and especially its Idols.
Elliott Yamin, the second runner-up on the fifth season of Fox’s hit singing competition American Idol, †is about to come to the Steel City for the ninth time.
I love the city […]— the fans are great there, †he said, adding that Primanti Brothers restaurants stick out as a particularly fond memory.
Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts Help Country Crank It Up in 2010
Danny Gokey makes his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry Friday night. With the annual Sound & Speed event taking place in Nashville over the weekend, several NASCAR drivers will act as emcees for the show, including Greg Biffle, Kyle Petty, Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin and Michael Waltrip. Other acts playing the Opry at the Ryman Auditorium include Jason Michael Carroll, Chris Young, Vince Gill and Hank Williams Jr.
Kellie Pickler Gets in Shape
Kellie Pickler’s featured in this month’s issue of Shape magazine on the Healthy Hollywood†page, where she shares her health and fitness secrets, including becoming a vegetarian. About a year and a half ago, I cleaned up my diet, becoming a vegetarian and replacing the junk I was eating with whole foods, like raw veggies, nuts, and edamame, †she says. My energy shot way up! When I’m away from home, I stop by a grocery store to stock up on healthy snacks instead of hitting a drive-through.â€
Kellie also stays on top of her mental health. â€I have to make sure I let loose with my girlfriends every now and then—even when I’m on tour, †says Kellie. I always get to know the other girls who are traveling with me. Surrounding myself with people who inspire me helps me to be a happier, more confident person.â€
Some solid singing saves ‘Dreamgirls’
In the production of “Dreamgirls” on stage through Sunday at the Marcus Center, five huge LED panels dominate the set. The dwarfed actors continually drift upstage, fading into the light show behind them – literally, at times, as they are projected onto the panels while singing for their lives below.
Those panels embody everything right – and wrong – with this slick production, on national tour with Robert Longbottom as director and choreographer.
In a show that’s all about how finding success means losing yourself, the panels combine with Ken Billington’s flashy lighting and William Ivey Long’s fabulous costumes to illuminate how raw talent is turned into packaged product.
ETA:
Katharine McPhee Already Bored being Blonde?
Former American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee surprised a lot of people last fall when she cast off her signature long brunette locks in favor of a short, bleach blonde ‘do. And in a new interview, the pop singer reveals that this may just be the start of an ever-changing kaleidoscope of hair colors.
Appearing on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends this morning, Kat revealed what the tint of her next dye job would be.
Red, definitely!†She said, before changing her mind. I was actually thinking black, just black, black… Brown, blonde, black!â€