‘Idol’ judge Simon Cowell says he isn’t leaving yet
NEW YORK (AP) ‘ Simon Cowell wants to look on the bright side concerning his future with American Idol.
The famously acerbic Cowell says he still loves doing the Fox network show and he’ll be staying put as judge at least another year. That’s the time remaining on his contract.
Even so, Cowell tells The Associated Press he is considering all options for the future and has come to no decision about how he might trim his workload.
‘Idol’ Meter: Tough choices down the road
Now it gets tough. Vocally, Scott MacIntyre was pretty obviously a cut below the remaining Idol finalists. But with his departure, the crystal ball clouds up. Matt Giraud, Anoop Desai, Lil Rounds and Kris Allen have all been erratic and appear vulnerable, and Allison Iraheta, though in great shape coming into tonight’s show, could join that group with a bad night. USA TODAY tallies this week’s rankings:
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Quentin Tarantino To Appear On ‘American Idol’ Again
We know this because we asked one of QT’s pals ‘ and one of the stars of “Basterds” ‘ director Eli Roth. He told us that “Idol” discussions ran rampant on the set of the film and while he might not share Tarantino’s love for the show, he certainly can admire his dedication to it.
“He loves it. I have nothing against ‘American Idol, ‘ I’m just not into ‘American Idol.’ Quentin loves ‘American Idol’ and ‘American Idol’ discussions broke out [on the set of ‘Basterds’] with him and [actors] Samm Levine and Diane Kruger, ” Roth laughed. “They were so detailed in their critique of every single singer … I was like, ‘I have no idea.’ I had no idea he was that into ‘American Idol.’ He loves it. So I think it’s great he’s going on. He’s totally into it.”
So on Tuesday’s show, Roth is expecting maximum Tarantino ‘ after all, the dude is really into it.
Adam Lambert is ‹Idol only star
There’s still a month and a half to go until “American Idol” crowns its champion, and anyone left in the competition could come out on top. But if it ended right now, there’s no question that Adam Lambert would be the most deserving winner.
All seven remaining finalists are capable in their own way, but Lambert is the only star. He has the right blend of talent, personality and stage presence to display the breakout ability that the rest of the field lacks (with the possible exception of the blander Danny Gokey). He in a groove and he knows it, and so far this season he done everything right.
Adam Lambert would be another boring ‹Idol
It certainly impossible to argue with Adam Lambert popularity. He the only “American Idol” contestant this year to win over a critical mass of wildly devoted fans who already think he one of the most important musicians of his generation, even if their experiences with him are limited to a handful of cover songs.
It also impossible to argue with the fact that he an extremely talented guy. He reaches for notes he cant hit from time to time, but for the most part, he a very solid singer, and he can certainly do things with his yowling, screeching voice that most people cant.
Will Adam Lambert Win ‘American Idol’?
Nothing is for sure in the world of “American Idol.” Most years, there are a handful of strong contenders and the final vote is a real nail biter. Other years, such as season two when Ruben Studdard won, or last year’s battle of the Davids, it was pretty clear who was going to take the crown for quite a while before the final reveal.
It’s starting to feel that way this year as well. To be sure, there is strong competition among the remaining top seven. Teenager Allison Iraheta is proving week after week that she’s a force to be reckoned with, and Danny Gokey continues to be one of the strongest contenders for the crown. There are also consistent dark horses Kris Allen and Matt Giraud, who could leap to the top of the pile with a breakout performance.
Ellen Gray: It may be Lambert vs. Gokey in an ‘Idol’ final two
No, Adam Lambert vs. Danny Gokey.
That, of course, is the final pairing the judges on Fox’s “American Idol” appear to be anticipating (with the possible exception of Paula Abdul, who seems to have predicted at least four different contestants would make it that far).
Assuming the judges are right – and that my own current fave, Allison Iraheta, doesn’t knock one of these guys out of the game – an Adam-Danny finale would offer a study in contrasts.
‘American Idol 8’ – The Top 7, where losers become winners
We’re down to seven, and this week, the Idols will take on songs from the movies.Quentin Tarantino returns for another stint as guest mentor. On Wednesday, Jennifer Hudson returns to the ‘Idol’ stage, ironic in that her elimination from the show came in the seventh round.
What’s interesting is that while most of those eliminated in the top 8 have seemingly vanished, all the top 7 bootees have managed to keep their faces, if not voices, in the public eye. This round has also been one of the strongest in terms of overall performances and has featured some of the contestants’ signature performances.
Almost all ‘American Idol’ finalists quickly fade away
There seems to be a disconnect between “American Idol” finalists and reality.
It’s a natural thing. If you’re voted out a few steps short of your dream, it’s not surprising that you’re looking for a way to make lemons out of lemonade.
But without exception, the eliminated contestant is just sure that national exposure on the hit show will translate into a big career. And, with very, very few exceptions, that just isn’t true.
Part of it is simply a numbers game. We’re in the eighth season of “American Idol, ” and there isn’t room for eight big stars in the music industry for the winners, let alone 86 spots for all the other finalists.
Should American Idol let the over-30s in?
If a 47-year-old in a putty-colored housedress can knock Simon Cowell’s snarky socks off on Britain’s Got Talent, is it time for Idol to drop its Logan’s Run age limits?
Obsessive YouTube spelunkers (or regular Popwatch readers) may have already come across the hugely popular viral video of Susan Boyle, the sweet, gray-haired lady in question, whose mumsy exterior belied the choir-angel pipes she displayed in her version of Les Miserables’ “I Dreamed a Dream” (the clip isn’t embeddable, so view it here).
Chrysler crowd treated to a flawless Hudson, a messy Thicke
Hudson was flawless from start to finish, belting out hard and delivering the kind of skillful, meandering vocal runs and shrieks that make your jaw drop. You got the sense, especially during her bluesy, gospel medley, that Hudson earned her stripes bellowing out from a pulpit. And her congregation at Chrysler Hall, many still dressed in their Easter pastels, gave her exactly the down-home Southern Christian responses to which she is no doubt accustomed, like, “You better sing it girl!” She obliged spectacularly.
American Idol David Cook To Perform At NYU
OMFG, that guy who won American Idol last year is coming to NYU to perform for one night only! Okay, to be fair, Ive never seen American Idol, but I have *listened to him via iTunes* and seen the press release that we received about ‹08 winner David Cook upcoming May 22 performance at the Skirball Center. And mother of god was it dramatic. But if you were on of the …millions from around the country who fell in love with the rock belter, then maybe all the pomp and circumstance is part of the reason for your deep and abiding David Cook love.
2008 ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ WINNER DAVID COOK COMES TO TOWN AND GIVES USF STUDENTS AND STAFF A ROUSING PERFORMANCE.
The crowd that filled Moser and paid $20 a ticket to see Cook ranged in age from the very young (11) to a man who said, “I may be his oldest fan. I picked him (Cook) to win the first time I heard him sing at his audition, ” Ray Raguse, 75, of Morris, said. “I feel fortunate to be here. I would have walked to Chicago to see him.”
“It’s exciting because I’ve never seen someone live and so up-close, ” Maricela Morales, 11, of Joliet said.
Jason Castro signed to Atlantic: Hallelujah!
I cannot tell a lie — okay, well that’s not true. (I lied to myself this morning when I said that four-pack of mini Cinnabons wasn’t going to totally wreck my diet.) But I cannot tell a lie when it comes to my favorite television program/unhealthy obsession, American Idol. And in this current eighth season that’s found new judge Kara “The Terrible” DioGuardi repeating the word “artistry” like a shrill parrot begging for a cracker, the sad truth has been that, as a whole, the top 13 finalists haven’t shown much artistry at all.
The Oprah Winfrey Show Looks So Good in Country
CHICAGO — Were country fans there? Sure. Was it absolutely mandatory that you love country music? Not at all. But by the end of the hour-long taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show in late March, chances are you were a fan of both Winfrey and her cast of country characters — Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker and Sugarland
During her Stars of Country Music show, which airs Tuesday (April 14), Winfrey deemed country music “the real soul music.” And when Oprah says it, it must be so. But before all the real soul music could be heard, there was the issue of finding a way onto the show.
Idol’s Constantine Maroulis Joins the New York Knicks at the Garden on Wednesday
If you tune into the MSG network on Wednesday at around 7:30, youll catch Season 4 Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis, who will belt out the national anthem pre-game as the New York Knicks take on the New Jersey Nets.
You remember Constantine, right? He was the shaggy Brooklynite whose rendition of Queen …Bohemian Raphsody brought the Idol house down, and who pretty much started the now ubiquitous phone-fingers and the sexy mouthing of …call me, after each of his performances.
‘Idol’ stars bring musical to campus
It may not be the Kodak Theatre, but Eisenhower Auditorium will be filled with American Idol stars tonight as the Broadway touring company of Ain’t Misbehavin’ hits University Park.
Featuring three contestants from the show’s second season — including winner Ruben Studdard — the show is quickly approaching selling out for its one-night-only performance.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ — a show that performs the compiled musical compositions of jazz personality Fats Waller — is a completely sung performance, said Trenyce Cobbins, an Idol finalist.
“Basically it’s a review of Fats Waller as a musical composer, ” Cobbins said.
Lil Kim dazzles on ‹Dancing With the Stars
Last week wasnt an especially impressive week for many of the contenders of …Dancing With The Stars, so several were eager to get back on track on Monday night.
New Video: ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Duo Gets Pedicures
After weeks of hotfooting it on “Dancing”‘s firm ballroom floor, Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas’ feet deserve some sweet relief, and ET is there as the “DWTS” duo gets pedicures!
Click the video to watch Shawn enjoy the grade-A treatment at L.A.’s Pampered Hands Nail Spa, while her pro partner Mark feels a bit unsure about getting his first-ever pedicure — and his season six partner, “DWTS” champ Kristi Yamaguchi, calls in to joke with him about it!
DWTS’ Derek Hough Teases Lil’ Kim About Wardrobe Malfunction
Derek Hough can’t stop laughing about partner Lil’ Kim’s wardrobe malfunction on Monday’s Dancing With the Stars.
“She desperately tried to pull a Janet Jackson!” he told Usmagazine.com after she had some trouble with her top at the end of a jive. (The nearly X-rated moment was edited out by the time the show was rebroadcast on the West Coast.)
“Don’t say that!” Kim interrupted. “That’s a whole other show! I’d have to get paid a lot a lot of money!”
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Recap: A Rumba in the Jungle
Last night’s Dancing With the Stars halftime show featured plenty of bizarre stunts. Namely: Frantic rumbas with liberty and whiplash for all. Somber, all-black jive costumes. A self-proclaimed ”man’s man” cloaked in a form-fitting sequined lace shirt. Tom Bergeron detecting, protecting, and correcting an exposed Lil’ Kim nipple guard. The long-lost Tasty Chilean Sea Bass of a Man winking his way back into our hearts because he’ll be on Brothers & Sisters this Sunday! It was all crazy and nonsensical, DANCMSTRs, which is to say it was business as usual on our favorite televised quest for a hardened knob of glitter. Here’s how the eight remaining couples ranked after dancing either the jive or the rumba on week 6….
