Tom Bergeron on his hit show and how he’d fix American Idol
You said earlier you thought Idol should have three judges and they should call Paula. If they called Paula, they would still have four judges. So, who goes?
I’ll give you this by way of anecdote. I have hosted the College TV Awards for the past four years. And this past awards, Nigel Lythgoe received a humanitarian award for creating Idol Gives Back and other charities. When he got up and I went to sit down, Nigel said to me, “Tom, congratulations on DWTS beating American Idol for the past two weeks.” Then he turned to the audience, some of whom where Fox executives, and he said to them with perfect timing, “Never happened while I was executive producer.”
So, I think there’s a template for the show and the further you get away from that, there’s too much water in the soup. [That’s] one of the reasons I think Simon would be well advised to have Paula right at his elbow with only a third body there when X Factor launches. I shouldn’t be giving him this advice, but I’m sure he’s thought of this himself; he’s pretty smart. It is because he can recreate the winning template of American Idol. Because Idol has drifted so far away from it. Simon’s in a unique position to recreate that with his new show.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘Idol’ viewership down as Cowell nears finale
NEW YORK — The Simon Cowell era of “American Idol” is sputtering to a close on Fox.
Viewership of the yearly contest that has dominated television for much of the past decade is off. The 19.4 million people who watched last Tuesday represented a 17 percent decline from the same week in 2009, the Nielsen Co. said. Wednesday’s tally was off 10 percent.
It’s pulling “Idol” back to the pack. The two airings were still the second- and third-most popular prime-time programs last week, but ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” was No. 1.
Idols in the Nashville Flood: Danny Gokey
Fortunately, Danny’s neighborhood didn’t see the amount of damage some of the others did when Nashville flooded over the weekend. “I didn’t realize how serious it was until I saw the news, ” says Danny, who lives in the Hermitage area. Still, he saw some of it firsthand. “Even though we’re on a hill, our backyard started filling up. I’ve never seen that much water — it started filling up pretty quickly.
“I went to the gym yesterday, and there was traffic everywhere. The Target, the Kohl’s — everything is in pretty desperate shape. You actually see stores underwater, and it’s a reality check.”
Idols in the Nashville Flood: Bo Bice
In Nashville, certain locations are now connected with new images and events. For example, to anybody who lives here, “I-24 and Bell Road” now means this:
Bo Bice lives about four miles away from there — by the way, that’s an interstate, in case you couldn’t tell. Today, like a lot of Nashvillians, he’s doing clean-up.
Bo’s log cabin sustained some foundation damage during the weekend floods in Nashville, and his insurance adjuster is coming out today.
Idols in the Nashville Flood: Mandisa
She grew more nervous about her neighborhood as she returned home — flying first from Columbus to Chicago, only to have her flight home canceled. “I stayed in Chicago and flew back yesterday morning, ” she says.
“When you’re in an airplane, you see your city with puddles of water everywhere. Then you get closer and you realize those aren’t puddles, those are lakes. In the middle of interstates.”
Fortunately, Mandisa lives well up the hill from flooded Mill Creek. “There was no sign of it on my street, ” she says.
Idols in the Nashville Flood: Melinda Doolittle
Her house in Franklin — just south of Nashville and a town that received some of the earliest flooding Saturday — was spared a similar fate. “I am just fine, ” says Melinda, who is in Dallas today for the release of her book, Beyond Me: Finding Your Way to Life’s Next Level. “I did not get affected by this, personally. My home is completely dry — no leaking, nothing like that.
“I definitely had some close friends affected by the flooding — tore up their basements.”
Is Casey James the Next American Idol?
There have only been two American Idol seasons where a foregone conclusion actually came to pass — seasons three and four, when Fantasia Barrino and Carrie Underwood exacted pitch-perfect ascents to the Idol coronation ceremony. Since then, we’ve had some sneaky wunderkinds weasel their way to the top: Kris Allen and his acoustic turnabouts won season eight; Jordin Sparks and her youthful trills toppled Melinda Doolittle in season six. And now, in season ten, Casey James could be on his way to derailing the long-favored Crystal Bowersox. Sound crazy? Not when you consider why voters go to pick up the phone.
The Best Frank Sinatra Moments On ‘American Idol’
After making a concerted effort to remain current, “American Idol” turns to the past this week with a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Modern day crooner Harry Connick, Jr. serves as the mentor and guide through Frank’s world. It’s not the first time the “American Idol” contestants will try to channel some Rat Pack vibes, as a handful of competitors have tackled tunes and the eighth season featured an entire week devoted to the Rat Pack (where Alison Iraheta famously delivered her excellent “Someone to Watch Over Me”).
Lee DeWyze meets Chris Daughtry
Lee DeWyze: Hey guys, rehearsals over now it’s recording again. I met Daughtry today, he was a cool guy. Anywho, I’m in need of sleep lol. It’s Monday, ugh. Tom will be fun though, can’t wait to see ya, love you guys I’ll talk to ya in the morning. Nite.
Band Together NC Announces Music Lineup for May 22 Charity Concert
Franti, One eskimO, The Old Ceremony, Holy Ghost Tent Revival and Anoop Desai to Perform
Raleigh, N.C.—Downtown Raleigh will surely be rockin’ on May 22 as Band Together NC stages its tenth annual charity concert outside and inside Lincoln Theatre at 126 E. Cabarrus Street. Anticipation is very high for this year’s show headlined by Michael Franti & Spearhead, recently on tour with John Mayer. Tickets for the event are just $22 in advance or $25 on day of show, and can be purchased through www.bandtogethernc.org.
American Idol Sanjaya Malakar Now Working, Singing at Pagliacci Pizza
That guest: American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar, who, says our source, rolled in with a group of friends, ordered some pizza, and took a seat as the comics went through their paces. There was a palpable “Is that who we think it is?” buzz about the pizzeria, a buzz that was confirmed when “Sanjaya, your pizza is ready!” was called out on the loudspeaker.
It wasn’t long before Malakar was coaxed to the stage, where he sang an acapella version of a lone original song that our source didn’t recognize before approximately 30 people. He then returned to his seat and politely took in the rest of the show.
Melinda Doolittle’s New Book
Season 6’s third place contestant, Melinda Doolittle, is not just a singer…now she’s an author too! Today, Melinda released her book, Beyond Me. In addition to talking about her American Idol journey, the Tennessee native also talks about overcoming obstacles, making the best of every situation, facing your fears, dealing with criticism, and giving back.
Adam Lambert talks Drunken Nights with Ke$ha, Muse, Tour and murder with TT
ou asked your questions, at AT LONG LAST, we give you some answers. Before we get to the good bit, we have two bits of bad news. First off, we couldn’t ask all of your questions. Adam Lambert is a very busy man, but besides which – and to be quite frank – if we had asked him some of the questions you lot had submitted for him, we would have found ourselves with a restraining order. We’re mentioning no names here, but the person who asked if they could have his pants: we’re looking at you. We’ve also reserved a glare for the person asking for Adam’s MSN details. Can’t blame you for trying.
The second bit of bad news is that before we get to your questions, you’re going to have to read a borderline-obsessive Muse fan interrogate Lambert on one of the songwriters for his album. Interesting if you’re a Muse fan; not so much if you’re not. Let us know your thoughts on the interview in the comments. Hit ‘see more’.
Live Review: Chris Daughtry at the Nokia Theatre
Chris Daughtry began his encore Monday night at the Nokia Theatre by announcing, “We’re gonna take you to the ’80s for a second.” He was referring, of course, to the 1980s, provenance of “Rebel Yell, ” the Billy Idol hit Daughtry and his bandmates then performed to the vocal delight of the many denim-clad mom types filling out the capacity crowd.
Excepting a handful of youngsters accompanied by parents (or were they parents accompanied by youngsters?), this was an audience happy to indulge a star’s flash of musical nostalgia.
In truth, though, Daughtry — a finalist from the fifth season of “American Idol” who’s gone on to release a pair of top-selling hard-rock albums — spent far more than a second of Monday’s 90-minute show in the ’80s: Earlier, he played an excellent version of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” that with its rootsy guitar and booming drums actually sounded like an excellent version of “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi, with whom Daughtry toured in 2008.
Carly Smithson photos from We are the Fallen concert in Atlanta 5-3-10
I caught We are the Fallen last night at Center Stage featuring season finalist and former Atlantan Carly Smithson. Wearing a Motley Crue shirt, she was really in her element taking the emotive hard rock route.
They changed the time of their appearance so I missed a few minutes of the concert itself. But what I saw was impressive. She controlled the stage and as you can hear below when she sings the single “Bury Me Alive, ” may evoke a certain someone from another band. But she brings a haunting beauty and power to the song. She wrote it while in Atlanta last year before she hooked up with her bandmates.
Mass. senator’s daughter gets CBS ‘Early Show’ job
BOSTON — Former “American Idol” contestant Ayla (AY’-lah) Brown has a new job even before she graduates from Boston College.
The daughter of Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown is serving as CBS “Early Show” contributor. She’s producing pieces focused on the youth audience.
Executive Producer David Friedman said Tuesday he became interested in Brown when she sang on the morning show. She had previously been an “American Idol” semifinalist.
He says, “You can’t create the next Katie Couric; you just have to find talent that you think can develop into something.”
Singing star takes back seat to members of the Greatest Generation
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) – The 10th and most recent Honor Flight trip to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. had a star studded feel to it.
In addition to the men and women who served our country and are stars in our eyes, there was another star who went along.
Bo Bice, runner-up to Carrie Underwood on American Idol in 2005 accommodated his fans. The nationally-known singer is a fan of his grandfather and the other veterans on honor flight.
‘Dancing With The Stars’ Pro Says Tabloids Affected Kate Gosselin’s Performance
You would think after starring in a reality-TV show and going through a very public divorce, Kate Gosselin would be used to being a favorite tabloid target. But her former “Dancing With the Stars” partner, Tony Dovolani, said the media scrutiny still gets to her, and it even affected her performance before they were eliminated from the show last month.
Glee’s Kevin McHale Talks Artie’s Upcoming Rap Song and Answers Commenter Questions
Whether making hilarious passive-aggressive digs at diva Rachel or asking love interest Tina if she wants to “get up on this, ” Kevin McHale’s Artie — a skinny nerd with the heart of LL Cool J — gains more fans each week on Glee. It’s well known at this point that, in real life, McHale isn’t in a wheelchair, spent some time in boy band NLT, and is quite the stylish dude. But fresh off of filming the season-one finale, the 21-year old actor gave Vulture some further insight into his life on and off Glee, and gamely answered some commenter questions, too. Yes, everyone — he’ll be rapping soon.
‘SYTYCD’s’ Lauren likes ‘Dancing’s’ Pamela Anderson, ‘Idol’s’ Crystal Bowersox
“So You Think You Can Dance” all-star Lauren Gottlieb knows her reality competition shows.
The Season 3 contestant, who returns to partner up with the Season 7 dancers, likes to check out the competition, including ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
“It’s my guilty pleasure, ” Gottlieb told Zap2it. “I have to watch everything dance [on TV].”
‘Dancing With the Stars’ show rep on Julianne Hough’s return: ‘It’s way too soon to tell’
Julianne Hough isn’t dusting off her “Dancing” shoes quite yet.
Despite reports circulating that claim Hough’s definitely returning to “Dancing With the Stars” for Season 11 this fall, a show rep tells Zap2it, “It’s way too soon to tell.” Reason being that “DWTS” has to know which celebrities will be doing the show first.
“The pro cast is determined by what celebrities are cast, ” explains the rep.
Evan Lysacek: Why He’s “Dreading” the End of Dancing With the Stars
Evan Lysacek probably won’t be sent home tonight on Dancing With the Stars.
Even so, he can’t help but think of the inevitable day when his time with DWTS comes to an end.
“I’m dreading whenever it’s over for us, ” the Olympic gold medalist told me earlier today. “I’m just dreading it. I’ve been an individual athlete for so long. I’ve never had this family atmosphere in skating…It’s relationships that I will never, ever forget.”
Constantine Maroulis Cameo from Last Night’s Law & Order
He played a hair dresser
