‘Idol’ to bleed into Osbournes launch
Fox has expanded Tuesday night’s performance episode of “American Idol” to an hour and 25 minutes, bleeding heavily into the hour that was to have served as the launch pad for “Osbournes: Reloaded.”
“Osbournes: Reloaded” will now bow with a truncated, 35-minute premiere episode. Show, which puts the famously dysfunctional Osbournes clan in a variety TV setting, will now air from 9:25 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Episode was originally scheduled for an hour, but was trimmed to 40 minutes earlier this month. Revised schedule now takes another five minutes away from the already-truncated premiere.
‘American Idol’ Power List: They’re down to nine! Who’s your favorite?
1. Adam Lambert: (Last week: No. 1) Oh, come on now, you didn’t think he was gonna drop from the No. 1 position after that riveting, emotionally devastating cover of “Tracks of My Tears, ” did you?
‘Idolatry’: Can Lil and Danny regain their momentum on ‘Top Downloads’ night?
This just in: At the moment I write this sentence, Danny Gokey and Lil Rounds are running fifth and eighth respectively in EW.com’s American Idol Power List reader poll, and that’s something of a shock, considering the strong push from the producers and judges that the pair of early front-runners have received this season. My co-host Annie “Dancing in the Street” Barrett and I offer some Top Dowloads Week advice for Lil and Danny (as well as Kris Allen, Anoop Desai, and Megan Joy Corkrey) in a Very Special Episode of Idolatry that features riveting choreography, plenty of bleeped profanity, a menacing Japanese robot, and my first (and last) attempt to sex up the show. Press play below and enjoy!
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘American Idol 8’ – Some changes aren’t necessarily for the best
We’re well into Season 8, and are witnessing some of the “big changes” promised after former executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, left the show last August. Admittedly, some of these changes are working fairly well, while others are falling a bit flat. Let’s take a look at what’s working and what’s not.
Tell me sweet little ‹American Idol lies
…This is a singing competition.
In fact, …American Idol is a popularity contest and, more to the point, a television show in search of ratings. It easy to see the confusion here, what with all of the singing done by the contestants and the fact that the grand prize is a record contract. The problem is, viewers are encouraged to vote using whatever criteria they want: singing ability, looks, hometown pride, pity over sick family members/blindness/dead spouses, etc. But what makes it a flat-out lie is the way the show admits time and again that it just not true. Countless judges comments have started off …Youre not the best singer in this competition, but what I like about you is…, and they often express surprise when cannon fodder contestants actually deliver strong performances. If …Idol were a singing competition, thered be no voting, the judges would all be highly trained professionals and nobody would watch it.
‹Idol judges disrespect is out of control
For $45 million a year, you’d think Simon Cowell could at least look interested for three hours a week while he judges “American Idol.”
But no. This season, he appears utterly indifferent and bored, barely paying attention and showing up to the past few elimination episodes wearing what appears to be the same Hanes V-neck undershirt. The show may sometimes be boring, but Simon’s behavior is increasingly appalling.
American Idol 2009 Betting Odds
Adam Lambert Looks More The Winner Each Week
Adam Lambert has been the favourite the whole way through the live shows and he seems to get more solid in the betting each week. The judges love him, the audience love him and the viewers love him, the bookies wont love him if he wins as they will have to pay out a large sum of money to punters. Adam Lambert can currently be backed at 11/10 with Boylesports.
Which ‘Idol’ contestants made the most of Motown?
Presented with perhaps the best crop of singers, overall, in American Idol history, voters slowly and erratically went about the business of weeding out the weakest, as Michael Sarver crashed. Motown Week was generally strong and included what may be the season’s best performance (Adam Lambert’s delicate torching of The Tracks of My Tears) and its worst (Megan Joy’s staggeringly awkward and tone-deaf For Once in My Life). Adam soars to the top of the Idol Meter rankings, and Megan ¦ well, she’s still with us. USA TODAY analyzes the prospects of three finalists.
Danny Gokey is spec-tacular on ‘American Idol’
Danny Gokey doesn’t have just four eyes. By his optometrist’s count, he has 38.
Some people show their personalities through, say, their 18-pair shoe wardrobes. The American Idol front-runner’s style signature is his 18-pair collection of mostly rectangular, mostly thick-rimmed, often colorful glasses.
Jordin Sparks Can’t Decide On Her ‘American Idol’ Favorite
“American Idol” alum Jordin Sparks hasn’t forgotten where she comes from. In fact, the season-six champ is so dedicated to the show that she still tunes in and votes to her favorite contestants. But she swears she isn’t voting for anyone in particular, because it’s just too hard to pick.
“It’s really hard to say, ’cause there’s a lot of really good people, ” she told MTV News. “I am voting ‘ you guy should too! I am voting for ‘Idol.’ I actually vote for seven people each night, which is really sad, but I can’t help myself.”
Adam sees action on the Idol airplay chart
The highest debut on our Idol Airplay chart this week goes to Adam Lambert’s The Tracks of My Tears, which saw 28 spins on 24 stations in six different formats (including country!). Now, 28 spins may not seem like a lot, but it’s the most by far for any American Idol contestant this season, and I don’t remember any Season 7 finalist getting more than 7 or 8 spins while Idol was on last year. I’m just guessing, but you might have to go back to Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatt’s performance of Bless the Broken Road to see spins like that from a contestant during the show’s run.
Kelly Clarkson adds dates to summer outing
With her latest studio album still holding onto the top spot on the charts, Kelly Clarkson [ tickets ] has revealed a fresh batch of dates for her impending summer tour.
The trek, which slants toward fairground appearances, gets underway June 11 in Orem, UT. The new dates fall mainly in July and August, with highlights including a July 9 show in Calgary, Alberta and an Aug. 27 appearance at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY. Tickets for all dates are currently on sale.
Carrie Underwood Shares Her Style Secrets
A flat tummy, an all-over glow and super long legs. Maybe she was born with it. Or maybe it Spanx and Tarte body shimmer and high heels. Thank God that Carrie Underwood is opening up about all her secrets for looking so damn good. Otherwise girls might think her look was downright impossible. But in this month People Style Watch (on newsstands now), Underwood admits that looking this glam isnt always just good genes.
Raul Esparza, Jane Fonda, Lauren Graham, Allison Janney, Cynthia Nixon, et al. Set for Drama League League Awards
Jeremy Irons and Cynthia Nixon will co-host the annual Drama League Luncheon, to be held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square on Friday, May 15. This year’s honorary co-chairs, who will attend the luncheon, will include Jane Alexander, Matt Cavenaugh, Raul Esparza, Tovah Feldshuh, Jane Fonda, Lauren Graham, Allison Janney, Constantine Maroulis, and David Hyde Pierce.
Nominations for the Drama League awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 21 at 10:30am at Sardi’s by actors Bobby Cannavale, Cheyenne Jackson, and Rosie Perez. The performers were all honored by the League last year for their stage work.
Jennifer Hudson Talks Marriage Plans, Tour Details
LOS ANGELES, Calif. —
Jennifer Hudson hits the road on Tuesday, kicking off her headlining trek with Robin Thicke in Albany, New York Palace Theater. And in the run up to her live return, she sat down with Access Hollywood Shaun Robinson to talk about the tour and her upcoming wedding to fiance David Otunga.
Jennifer revealed that David went to great lengths to pick out her engagement ring, a stunning sparkler.
…David picked it out to match my studs, Jennifer told Shaun. …He went back to Neil Lane and he said he had to get the ring to go with it!
Photo Coverage: Broadway’s Billy Porter’s ‘THE STANDARD’ Sings at Upright Cabare
This past weekend, Broadway and recording star Billy Porter brought his new hit one man show ‘The Standard’ to Upright Cabaret at Mark’s Restaurant for two sold-out SRO engagements.
Upright Cabaret producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel in association with Lenny Beer and Suzi Dietz proudly presented Porter to Los Angeles audiences, with those in attendance including Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and “Dreamgirls” film director Bill Condon.
The Standard, which was first debuted at Joe’s Pub in NYC in Dec 2008, is an exploration of The Contemporary American Standard. With songs made famous by Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Oleta Adams, John Legend, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, India.Arie and others – Mr. Porter illuminates a new generation of “song” that stands the test of time.
Photo Coverage: Taylor Hicks and the GREASE Tour Cast at Hard Rock SF
“American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks and the cast of the GREASE National Tour performed at San Francisco’s Hard Rock Cafe on Friday, March 27 to kick off their 4 week engagement in the city.
The Rydell High crew sent us some snapshots of the rockin’ event to share with all of you right here on BroadwayWorld.com!
Idol Worship: Joanna Pacitti Performs With BHB Tomorrow
We just got word that Joanna Pacitti will perform two songs at The Grove in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, joining her boyfriend’s pop-rock outfit, Ballas Hough Band, who are on the fourth show of a ten week-long residency at the popular outdoor mall. Pacitti, the Season 8 Top 36 contestant who was deemed “ineligible” from this year’s competition after ties to 19 Entertainment executives were revealed, will sing “Storm Before The Calm, ” a song she wrote shortly after being dropped by Geffen Records. She’ll also join Mark Ballas and Derek Hough, both of Dancing With The Stars fame, for “Do You Love Me, ” a track off their debut album, BHB.
Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks Sell Over 800, 000 Tickets In Days
The Jonas Brothers and Jordin Sparks are giving Michael Jackson a run for his money according to recently released ticketing data.
According to LiveNation, the Brothers plus Sparks moved over 800, 000 tickets for their forthcoming North American tour in days, resulting in several sold-out arena shows in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and New Orleans.
Cooking up a storm: ‹Idol winner David Cook performs on campus
Cook stop at the College of William and Mary was a part of his …Declaration Tour, which focused on smaller, more intimate venues at East Coast colleges. AMP jumped at the opportunity and booked the singer last fall.
Roughly 800 people attended, a high percentage of which were members of the general public. According to Will Sealy 09, a member of the Alma Mater Productions music committee and the main organizer of the event, AMP decided to limit the number of non-student tickets to fill only fifty percent capacity. Although AMP could have gained more revenue by selling more public tickets, Sealy explained that they wanted to serve students first, justifying AMP decision to reserve a certain number of tickets for students even though not all were sold.
Music Review: Taylor Hicks – The Distance
These days everyone seems all too eager to beat up on Taylor Hicks. Many people have forgotten the reasons why he won the ultra-competitive fifth season of American Idol. His victory has been written off as some kind of accident, as if he wasn’t a great performer. To the naysayers, I say this: he was, and still is, a fantastically talented singer/songwriter. That much is in obvious evidence on The Distance, Hicks’ newly released second album.
At its best, The Distance makes up for the shortcomings of 2006’s Taylor Hicks, which was released shortly after his Idol win. The earlier album, though not without shining moments, was the result of a production team unsympathetic to Hicks’ strengths.
American Idol’s Kellie Pickler Goes Scottish
American Idol’s Kellie Pickler was out on the town in NYC last night, taking part in the 7th Annual “Dressed To Kilt” charity fashion show that kicks off the annual Tartan Week celebration of all things Scottish.
Of all the ex-Idols, it seems like Kellie’s the one we see the most often hanging out in NYC. I guess she’s got an interest in fashion, so she’s definitely in the right city for it.
She’s definitely come a long way from the days of “sal-mon?” and “mink?”
Tattle: ‘Idol’ Justin Guarini is back in the area
NOW THAT “American Idol” is again at the top of the ratings and the “American Idol Experience” has opened at Disney World, it seemed like a good time to catch up with Doylestown Idol Justin Guarini.
After six years living in L.A., Justin tired of the scene and moved back to Doylestown, where he’s set to marry Reina Capodici on July 4.
Idol Worship: This Week In ‘AI’ History
Here’s one for the “‘memba him?” file: Corey Clark. It was six years ago today that the cornrowed contestant was disqualified from season two’s final 12 for withholding information about a prior arrest. Said scuffle with Kansas law enforcement involved charges of battery and resisting arrest, to which he pleaded “no contest” on December 4, 2002, days after he made it through to Idol’s Top 24. But according to a statement released by the show’s producers on March 31, 2003, Clark failed to disclose the incident, which they said didn’t come up during a routine background check because his name was misspelled in the police report ‘ an assertion Clark later challenged, alleging that his dismissal was prompted by a disagreement he had with producers over Idol’s iron-clad contract. The week of his ouster, no one was eliminated ‘ an Idol first.
What, Exactly, Happened to Clay Aiken Face?
Clay Aiken appeared at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards this weekend. And, is it just me, or did someone smash his face open with a hammer and then put it back together in Thailand. Check out this side-by-side comparison of Old Clay vs New Clay:
‹Dancing hands out first perfect 30 of season
Last week elimination of Denise Richards brought …Dancing With The Stars one step closer to universal dancing adequacy, which now requires only the ousters of Steve Wozniak, Steve-O, and Holly Madison. Could this week performances and anticipated double-elimination get two-thirds of the job done?
David Alan Grier led off with a Lindy Hop that had substantially more agility and speed than anyone would have predicted after his first few performances. While the judges noticed a dropped step here and there, he looked light on his feet, and flattered by Kym Johnson choreography. He was rewarded for his exuberance with an 8 and two 7s, which is pretty good for an older guy doing what the judges called a …rock and roll dance.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Hop to It
On last night’s Dancing With the Stars performance show, another big twist! Samantha Harris’s silly baby had made her ill. Not sure what the technical term for her condition was, but I’ll go ahead and call it a particularly wretched case of the croaks. Don’t worry, she didn’t let that stop her from slobbering all over the contestants, wagging her germy microphone in their faces, and generally sounding like a monster whenever she spoke between demure sips of sparkly water. Still, Sam had some of her most precious hosting moments last night, particularly when, after Gilles called himself Cheryl’s ”nightmare, ” she quipped right back, ”For many at home, a nightmare they wish was recurring.” (Haha!) Then she hocked a loogie at the monitor. (Probably.)
‘Dancing With the Stars’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba: Are the pros to blame for the injuries?
Dancing With the Stars’ judge (and EW celebrity blogger) Carrie Ann Inaba thinks she may know what — or who — is behind all the crazy injuries on the show this season. From Nancy O’Dell’s torn meniscus to Steve Wozniak’s pulled hamstring, Inaba believes the ouchies may be due to the dancing partners who “have gotten more competitive as the seasons have gone on.” So are Derek Hough, Cheryl Burke, and the impossibly gorgeous Edyta Sliwinska attempting the impossible with their klutzy C-listers? “The professional dancers are getting more and more competitive amongst themselves, and they are pushing their celebrities very hard, ” Inaba admitted to EW while walking the red carpet for Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards on March 28. “The professionals’ reputations are at stake, and they want to win the title just as bad if not worse than the celebs because that is what they do for a living. I also think that the celebrities are pushing themselves harder.
Hundreds called back for ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ auditions
More than 2, 000 people lined up in the cold and rain outside the Moore Theater on Saturday to try out for the Fox reality show “So You Think You Can Dance?” (See the photo proof from Josh Trujillo.)
An assistant there couldn’t say exactly how many were called back to the Paramount Theater Sunday and today, but it’s in the vicinity of “a couple hundred, ” he said.
The show’s judges will be evaluating the Seattle hopefuls’ moves until 7 p.m. Monday.