Idol Headlines for 04/22/10

Cigarette Sponsor Pulled From Kelly Clarkson Show

Pop star Kelly Clarkson’s upcoming concert in Indonesia will no longer be sponsored by a cigarette company, the promoter said Thursday following protests from fans and anti-tobacco groups.

Clarkson, the first winner of “American Idol, ” had previously said that while she was surprised to learn that billboards announcing her April 29 concert in Jakarta were prominently branded with the logo of the popular cigarette L.A. Lights, the show would go on with the controversial sponsorship.

ABC

In the ratings, ‘Dancing’ foxtrots past ‘Idol’

Once again, ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” has pasodobled past Fox’s “American Idol” in the ratings.

Monday’s 90-minute “Dancing” episode, featuring America’s Most Put Upon Mother Kate Gosselin performing her final walk — this time an alleged foxtrot, to “The Breakfast Club” tune “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” while dressed as Princess Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty” — averaged 21.1 million viewers.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s one-hour performance episode of “Idol, ” in which show host Ryan Seacrest’s ego took the night off, freeing up more time for the Idolettes to take turns singing inspirational songs, attracted 19.7 million people to their screens, according to Nielsen.

Washington Post

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

Annie Lenox Explains her HIV Positive T-Shirt

In the video below, which was actually created last November, Lennox explains that she first saw someone wearing a bold “HIV POSITIVE” t-shirt in South Africa in 2004, and she thought it was such a “clever, brilliant” idea, she decided to run with it herself. “In a country like South Africa, where HIV is so prevalent, and yet you have stigma where people are afraid to openly come out and say that they’re HIV positive, ” she says, ”this t-shirt, whoever wears it, is making a statement of solidarity, and they’re saying, ‘We’re coming out from behind the shadows. We’re trying to normalize what is a preventable thing. It doesn’t need to have the stigma.’”

Entertainment Weekly

VFTW Welcomes the New Pick For the Top 6 – Siobhan Magnus

We mourn the loss of Tim Urban today as possibly the greatest VFTW pick of all time, lasting 9 weeks of pure awesomeness. But as always, we move forward and pick the next most entertainingly bad contestant. And there really isn’t another choice for us besides Siobhan Magnus.

Vote for the Worst

Crystal Bowersox rocks the ‘Idol Meter’

Idol Meter has its final, updated scores for the week. Wednesday’s results pushed Crystal Bowersox to new heights — a 96 for the week, by far the highest score of the season (“We’re looking forward to to her singing a Shania tune, ” Ken Barnes writes.) Tim Urban’s elimination drops his score to -6 (still two points higher than Casey James, for what it’s worth).

USA Today

What’s behind ‘American Idol’s’ ratings slide?

(CNN) — For years “American Idol” has been known to its competitors by a moniker meant to express its popularity and immense ratings: “The Death Star.”

But this year the show is looking more vulnerable. In February, the Winter Olympics ended “Idol’s” audience domination when two of its nights of competitive action edged out the talent competition — the first time “Idol” had lost in six years.

Then, another competition took the title of most-watched show when “Dancing with the Stars” beat “Idol” in the quest for most viewers, not once, but twice in consecutive weeks.

So is “Idol, ” which has arguably been the most successful show on television in recent years, on the ropes?

Cnn.com

Sightings: ‘Idol’ on top of the city

“American Idol” winner Kris Allen was spotted eating dinner at P.O.V. on the rooftop of the W Hotel Tuesday night.

The singer is in town this week chatting with local students, lawmakers on Capitol Hill and “Idol” enthusiasts about his trip to Haiti with the United Nations Foundation. The foundation is of the beneficiaries of the televised fundraiser “Idol Gives Back, ” which aired Wednesday night.

Washingtonn Examiner

Kris Allen: Shirtless No More!

Kris Allen gives a great big thumbs up as he makes his way around Washington D.C. for a slew of meetings on Wednesday (April 21).

The 24-year-old American Idol winner stopped off at the School Without Walls Senior High School.

Kris tweeted, “Thanks to the School Without Walls for lettin me jam with you. You guys are incredible.”

Just Jared

Hey, isn’t that…?:

Kris Allen — yes, your American Idol, until the new one is crowned– sipping red wine on a stool at the rooftop bar of the W Hotel early Tuesday evening with some older, managerial-looking types. Blue shirt, camel jacket. He was here celebvocating the U.N. Foundation’s work in Haiti on the Hill at the School Without Walls.

Washington Post

‘American Idol’ breakdown: Where are they now?

Does “American Idol” work? The reality TV singing competition promises major label deals, fame and fortune, but as some contestants have learned, nothing’s automatic or guaranteed.

With Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks in Jacksonville this week in “Grease, ” Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken coming in July, and Carrie Underwood in October, we’re looking at where “American Idol” has led winners, runners-up and a few other notables.

Jacksonville.com

Alabama native Bo Bice returns with ‘3’

Alabama’s Bo Bice — Southern rocker, “American Idol” veteran, Huntsville native and former Helena resident — has a new album on his agenda. It’s called “3, ” set for release May 18 on Saguaro Road/ SugarMoney.

Tracks will include “Different Shades of Blue, ” “Good Hearted Woman, ” “Long Road Back, ” “Wild Roses, ” “Lonely, Broke and Wasted” and “Get on and Ride” (with backing vocals from “Idol” alum Melinda Doolittle).

From what we hear, the project includes roots rock, country and gospel. Bice wrote about half of the material, according to his publicist, and produced many of the 10 songs, as well.

Al.com

Carrie Underwood Says ‘Idol Gives Back’ Matters More Than Contest

PASADENA, California — Leave it to a small-town girl from Oklahoma to put “American Idol” into perspective.

“This is the stuff that really makes a difference, ” season-four winner Carrie Underwood said backstage at Wednesday night’s charity-focused “Idol Gives Back” event. “We’re coming up on 10 seasons of ‘American Idol.’ Twenty years later, people might not remember who won what, but this is the kind of stuff that can make lives better and people will remember that.”

MTV

Carrie Underwood thinks we can change the world

In her impassioned performance of her song “Change” on “Idol Gives Back” last night, Carrie Underwood sang about fools who think they can change the world by reaching out to people in need. Turns out she’s one of them — and she sincerely hopes “Idol” watchers are, too.

“This is the stuff that really makes a difference, ” the Season 4 winner said backstage during the fundraiser. “Twenty years later, people may not remember who won what season.”

LA Times

Fans should expect big, rock star show from Carrie Underwood

GRAND RAPIDS — Simply put, Carrie Underwood is one of the biggest stars in country music.

Since releasing her debut album “Some Hearts” in 2005 — the same year she won the hearts of millions of television viewers during her winning-stint on “American Idol” — Underwood has hit the top of the country radio charts 12 times, most recently with “Temporary Home, ” the current single from her third album “Play On.”

Underwood’s extraordinary vocal talent and hit singles, including “Jesus, Take The Wheel, ” “Before He Cheats, ” “Just A Dream” and “Cowboy Casanova, ” have endeared the 27-year-old Oklahoma native to fans, who have bought more than 11 million of her albums.

MLive

Matt Giraud rocks his hometown with high-energy Gilmore International Keyboard Festival show

KALAMAZOO — Matt Giraud rocked out the Gilmore Wednesday night.

Giraud’s charisma carried the evening as he sang songs by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus and Jay Z in a sold-out, two-hour show before 1, 550 people at Chenery Auditorium.

Patrons stood and waved their hands in the air as Giraud pranced across the stage singing pop numbers. That was a change for the keyboard festival, which mostly features classical and jazz artists.

“”I’m probably the first Gilmore artist that doesn’t read music, ” joked Giraud, the American Idol star who became a Kalamazoo favorite — his show sold out in a week.

MLive

41st Annual GMA Dove Awards Celebrated Last Night At Nashville’s Famed Grand Ole Opry House

Even more performances and unique collaborations took place, as almost 100 artists joined throughout the night to showcase the plethora of Christian music genres. Natalie Grant, who co-hosted the evening along with MercyMe’s Bart Millard, joined with Jordin Sparks to open the main show with “Human, ” while MercyMe and David*Crowder Band combined as one to perform the medley “All of Creation/”How He Loves.”

Breathcast

Charley talks ‘Idol’ with Melissa McGhee

Many former contestants did their part for “Idol Gives Back” by helping out around the country. Charley Belcher was joined by Tampa’s own former finalist Melissa McGhee to chat about her charity work and this season’s “Idol” contestants.

Fox Tampa Bay

‘Idol’ judge to bring young adult music studio to Citra

If all goes well this weekend, the Phoenix House treatment center north of Ocala is poised to join its much larger urban brethren as a new home of American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi’s music studio for young adults.

To raise money for the project, the singer, songwriter, Grammy Award winner, record producer and Idol staple is hosting a Celebrity Golf Scramble and Gala Dinner on Saturday at Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club.

Ocala.com

Simon Cowell voted top celeb women “shouldn’t but would” have sex with

Simon Cowell has been voted the star women “shouldn’t but would” want to spend the night with.

Half of those who plumped for a fantasy night of passion with the super-rich TV mogul, 50, said it was power that made him desirable.

But Barack Obama only made seven in the chart.

Mirror.co.uk

‘Glee’s’ Madonna album eyes No. 1

LOS ANGELES – The kids from Fox TV’s “Glee” could earn their first No. 1 on the U.S. pop album chart next week with “The Power of Madonna” soundtrack.

The companion album from the show’s same-named episode, which aired Tuesday to much fanfare, has a shot at selling in the range of 100, 000 to 125, 000 copies by week’s end on May 1, according to industry prognosticators. Final data will be issued on Wednesday.

The best week for a “Glee” set was racked when its “Season One, The Music Volume 2” soundtrack began at No. 3 with 173, 000 last December.

MSN.com

About mj santilli 34853 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!