‘Idolatry’: ‘American Idol’ has a new name…’America Hates Talent’
Last call for the Rage and Shame Express! Alexis Grace got booted from American Idol this week — missing a spot on this summer’s Idols Live! tour — while Scott MacIntyre and Michael Sarver keep chugging along, ready to commit acts of mediocrity against the Motown songbook come Wednesday night. It’s enough to make an Idoloonie consider hiding out in a Utah ski lodge from now until late May, ignoring the goings-on on our nation’s favorite talent competition and subsisting on CSI reruns and trashy Judge Alex episodes alone. But then, of course, I’d be missing out on the emotionally devastating fun of speed-dialing the super-talented Allison Iraheta all the way to her inevitable eighth-place season 8 run. And why wouldn’t I want to do that?
Simon Fuller Now A Quintuple Threat
I’m told that 19 Entertainment’s Simon Fuller, creator of the Idol franchise, is starting a film division. So that’s the latest foray by this worldwide manager/producer who’s already into TV, music, fashion, and sports.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
I Like To Watch: Idol Worship and Adam Lambert
I hadnt planned to bother with American Idol this year because, frankly, I never got through the first two-hour episode, much less the subsequent lengthy viewing spectacles. Boring, boring, boring.
Yet as of Tuesday night, I am, and it for one reason only: Adam Lambert.
Im watching not because of Adams odd yet skillful reinterpretation of Johnny Cash …Ring of Fire; his effort was inspirational but confusing, as I half expected him to break into Jefferson Starship …White Rabbit at some point (…One pill makes you larger/And one pill makes you small). Simon Cowell may have been right: …What the hell was that?!
Why Idol Adam Lambert Is Brilliant
Think Freddie Mercury as lead singer of the Doors, but in the videos he’s a male Britney Spears. Have I nailed Adam Lambert?!
I’m going to claim some expertise upfront here and tell you I held the very first Idol auditions here in Milwaukee as promotion manager for fox 6 even before Idol was a show. We did them in a barn at state fair, ask Kiss-FM. Then, I went to work for the Fox Network in LA and attened many an Idol taping.
So, this week, Adam Lambert nailed it for many reasons:
Hodges: ‘Idol’ contestants’ faith an important part of their performances
In a recent article, MTV.com highlighted the Christian singers on this season of Fox Network’s “American Idol.” The piece pointed out that a number of the contestants are either worship leaders or have strong affiliations to their church. The story was ridiculed by some for its suggestion that the contestants’ faith will resonate with viewers and affect the final outcome of the show.
Janesville connection to Idol contender
The owners of a Janesville hair salon have good reason to tune into the American Idol television show: they style the hair of one of the remaining contestants, Danny Gokey.
On Wednesday night, Gokey, 28, Milwaukee, advanced to the top 10 on the popular program.
Simon Cowell didnt like what Gokey was wearing, but loved his voice.
Paula Abdul thought he was …brilliant.
And Kara Dioguardi said he had …hit his stride.
Chart Watch Extra: The American Idol Alumni Association
When Kelly Clarkson sold 255, 000 copies of All I Ever Wanted in the week that ended Sunday night, she lengthened her lead as the American Idol alumnus who has sold the most albums. This brings her career total to 9, 836, 000 albums. Still, it’s probably just a matter of time until Carrie Underwood overtakes her. Underwood, the Season 4 champ, has already sold 9, 408, 000 albums. These two women are the only Idol alums who rank among the top 200 album sellers of the Nielsen/SoundScan era (which began in 1991). Clarkson is #187 on the list. Underwood ranks #198. In all, eight Idol contestants have sold 1 million or more albums so far in their careers. Fifteen have sold 500, 000 or more.
Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition begins this week
The fair is introducing some new attractions this year to lure customers.
Saturday, local youngsters between the ages of 9 and 18 who fancy themselves the next Kelly Clarkson or Clay Aiken can put themselves at the mercy of judges for the new Tween Idol singing competition.
Participants must prove their vocal chops before a panel that includes Miami’s Syesha Mercado, a finalist on the seventh season of American Idol and Grammy-winning singer Albita.
Former ‘American Idol’ top finishers bring spring-break tour to Wings Stadium
KALAMAZOO — Since the reality-TV powerhouse “American Idol” took off eight years ago, the focus has been on finding a sole lucky winner.
However, past contestants like Melinda Doolittle and Chikezie Eze would rather talk about the voices that worked just as hard, didn’t make it as far, yet still benefited after the coveted “Idol” spot was filled.
“I think the perfect thing happened, ” said Doolittle, the third runner-up to 2007 “Idol” winner Jordin Sparks. “‘American Idol’ is like music boot camp. You have to learn and perform these songs in less than a week and the show helps to remind you very often that there are 30 million people watching every night. I was just glad I made it as far as I did.
Former American Idol Kicks off First of Two E. Idaho Concerts
Friday, Utah native and former American Idol contestant, David Archuleta kicks off his first of two east Idaho concerts.
Throngs of screaming David Archuleta fans lined up at the Civic Auditorium, trying to get the best seats to see their favorite American Idol castoff. The very first people in line traveled half way across the world from Japan, to Idaho Falls.
Traveled From Japan: “Just for David’s concert.”
Those first in line waited close to 14 hours, but say it’s definitely worth it
Kelly Clarkson
If youre a pop star, it fine to take big stylistic risks and make deeply personal statements in your music, as long as the gamble pays off. Following Kelly Clarkson hugely popular 2004 sophomore album Breakaway, she took a substantial chance with 2007 My December, writing mostly with her touring band, embracing a darker rock sound and penning angst-filled lyrics about doomed relationships.
Concert Review: David Cook mines new territory in A.C.
ATLANTIC CITY – Bathed in swirling, green light, David Cook might as well have been on the moon. A new place. A new atmosphere.
A new set of fans he’s never met – who all feel like they know him because they welcomed him into their living rooms last spring.
Cook, last season’s “American Idol” champion, rocked to a sold-out Borgata Music Box crowd for more than an hour Friday. While embracing his crown, Cook isn’t letting “Idol” define him, evident by a setlist that included covers and songs he wrote prior to becoming famous.
‘Grease’ returns to S.F. stage, with a cast member chosen ‘American Idol’-style
“Grease” is the word (again). If just reading it, you get chills, they’re multiplying and you’re losing control, it may well be because the reality-TV-spawned revival of “Grease” the musical is sliding its way into San Francisco. ‘Cause the kitsch power it’s supplyin’, it’s electrifyin’!
Since America has been hopelessly devoted to reality TV talent competitions in the tsunami-size wake of “American Idol, ” wily producers wasted no time trotting out “Grease: You’re the One That I Want.”
This NBC TV series let viewers vote for their favorites, as legions of peppy hopefuls vied for the lead roles of Sandy Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko ‘ roles made famous by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in the film ‘ in the big-budget Broadway revival. It is directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, a two-time Tony winner.
Obama draws fans
…I may not be his biggest supporter, but I do see some [Ronald] Reagan in him, said Lanae Brooks, who traveled from Birmingham, Ala., to see former …American Idol winner Taylor Hicks perform in concert in Los Angeles.
Brooks traveled to Burbank with friends from Memphis, Tenn., St. Louis and Jackson, Miss. The group, which calls itself die-hard members of the Soul Patrol (Hicks fan club), arrived to the studio early with a few extra tickets to …The Tonight Show.
They gave one to a young woman from Pasadena, one to Randall Walker of Torrance and one to Los Angeles resident Norma King, who traveled to Washington D.C. for the inauguration but fell ill and was hospitalized.
Julianne Hough to DWTS Fans: Vote for Me and Chuck!
After getting criticized for performing a so-so salsa on Monday show, Julianne Hough is making an appeal to her fans: vote for her and partner/boyfriend Chuck Wicks this week!
The two-time Dancing champ took to her celebrity MySpace blog Thursday following her performance at Celebration in Disney World to support the Champions of Children Miracle Network.
