Adam Lambert: Shaking Up ‘Idol’
There is nothing more valuable to the health of an eight-year-old TV series than a surprise. And when it comes to American Idol, surprises are few and far between. We can depend on one winner per year, someone who will either proceed to a robust, award-laden career in music (like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood), or not (like what’s-her-name and that other guy). And we can also depend, every couple of seasons, on a losing contestant dishing out sweet revenge on the charts (Chris Daughtry), at the Oscars (Jennifer Hudson), or on Broadway (Constantine Maroulis, who just became the show’s first-ever Tony nominee).
Idol Stage Manager’s Tale of the Fall
In an e-mail to Idoltracker, Debbie described the terrifying incident and its aftermath:
“It was simple … in dress I follow Ryan everywhere to teach him “blocking.” We were at the top of the stairs for the cold open and then he came down the steps. I always give a “clear/retract” on the headset so they know Ryan has set foot on the stage and they can go with the stair retraction. I never gave it … because I was still on the stairs … but “retract” it did … which left me with a backwards elevator coming at me at full speed and pushing me under the ceiling of the 2nd story to our stage. I couldn’t keep up with it and felt if I didn’t jump off, I’d be crushed … so I jumped to the railing … and slipped until I was only holding on by one hand (it was evident to me at that moment…I would be falling)……..so moments later I fell, but swung like a pendulum and hit the stairs with my left leg….then I crashed to the stage……but I was limp……..sooooooo, didn’t break a bone … did not break or fracture anything. Just made an ugly, to the bone gash, that took 50 stitches.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘Idolatry’: ‘Kristen With Glasses’ fanvid incident caught on camera!
This week’s alternately depressive/rageful/conspiracy-theory-heavy edition of Idolatry won’t be posting till Saturday. (Executive Producer Jason Averett and his team of tethered, tireless minions are currently processing this week’s raw footage to make sure I am only captured at my “good” angles.) But in the interim, here’s some footage of a little, um, “incident” that got caught on camera right before this week’s shoot. It features some disturbing sounds and images courtesy of Danny Gokey fangirl Kristen With Glasses. Fret not, Idoloonies: KWG paid the price when this week’s cohost Kristen Baldwin and I found the little troublemaker had broken into my office to “borrow” our Idolatry equipment. 1-800-HIGHLY-ILLEGAL!
The Un-Idol
If American Idol is a referendum on American taste, then it’s possible Adam Lambert–the most flamboyant contestant yet on a show that has never been a beacon of restrained masculinity–will be gone before you read this sentence. Pleasantly little fuss has been made over pictures circulating on the Web of Lambert kissing a man, but a form of prejudice could still do him in: prejudice against irony.
Idol is a reliable source of platinum talent largely because the talents it produces–Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood–respect the conventions of its genres. They are nice singers who sing nice songs nicely. Lambert, 27, may have the best chops of the bunch (his ability to hold high notes recalls Grace Slick in her prime), but where he really outshines them is in self-awareness. While his peers act as if being plucked from obscurity to sing in prime time is normal, he understands that he’s on a television show, where acting normally would be completely abnormal. In his hands, a song and a performance are separate messaging opportunities, so “Born to Be Wild” becomes a rock anthem and show tune, “Ring of Fire” a love song verging on the orgiastic.
Adam shares the love
…Not to get cheesy or get on a soap box or anything, but this is an example of believing in yourself and knowing who you are, Lambert said to the hundreds of students and fans gathered at Sundevil Stadium, where he was greeted by the marching band, the cheerleading squad, two furry mascots and Mayor Jerry Sanders. …Anyone who feels different or weird . . . embrace it. Embrace each other’s differences. It’s cool to be different.
When he was performing in Mt. Carmel’s theater productions and in the school’s choir, being different didn’t always work for Lambert, who told Fox 5’s Chrissy Russo that he was …one of the weird kids in high school.
But it’s working for him now.
San Diego fans greet ‹Idol Adam Lambert
Teri Guttman was the first in line to welcome …American Idol semifinalist Adam Lambert back to San Diego.
Click here to find out more!
The 47-year-old Guttman trekked to Clear Channel studios in Kearny Mesa at 2:30 a.m., long before Lambert was scheduled to make his 8 a.m. stop on a homecoming tour Friday.
She camped out at the door and waited.
…My 17-year-old daughter thinks Im crazy, Guttman said. …But you only do this once in your life.
‘Idol’ Kris Allen returns to Ark. hometown, parade
CONWAY, Ark. (AP) ‘ Kris Allen has brought a little bit of rock back to his Arkansas hometown.
The 23-year-old “American Idol” finalist came home on Friday, when an estimated crowd of more than 20, 000 packed an area of downtown Conway, about 20 miles north of Little Rock, to hear him belt out songs such as Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.”
Allen appeared a little overwhelmed by the swooning fans, telling them: “You guys are crazy.”
The concert was the last big public event on Allen’s schedule Friday, which included performances in Little Rock, at the University of Central Arkansas and a parade in his honor just before the Conway show.
All this is for Allen, who’s competing for the “Idol” crown and a record contract against Danny Gokey of Milwaukee and Adam Lambert of San Diego when the Fox TV singing contest finale airs May 20.
LensCrafters says it isn’t giving Danny Gokey free eyewear
Don’t look at us, LensCrafters is saying. A rep told me that Gokey is not on its payroll and that he is in no way affiliated with the company. Its current ad campaign made its debut April 19, and marketers at the company noticed a few days later that Gokey was flashing its central symbol. LensCrafters has never given him free glasses, either (although a rep did helpfully tell me that many of the styles he wears are available at a store near you).
LensCrafters says it has never sent him free eyewear, either, but that doesn’t mean Gokey isn’t getting some. A Milwaukee TV station recently did a story about the independent mall-based optician who used to sell him his signature specs. This morning, that eye doctor went on-air at the same station to personally hand free pairs to Gokey, who is back in town for promotion. (Better claim those expensive specs on your taxes, Gokey, because the gift’s on tape.)
Danny Gokey, ‘American Idol’ crews visit Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (AP) ‘ Danny Gokey was so shocked by his young wife’s sudden death last summer that he couldn’t cry during her funeral at Faith Builders International Ministries.
On Friday, the 29-year-old “American Idol” finalist returned to the church for a joyful event, singing gospel songs to 1, 000 or more people, including friends, family and fans.
“To see him from where he was, because I was here for the funeral, this room packed out for a funeral and now: joy, ” said his friend, Ruben Burgos, 26.
Gokey returned to his hometown Friday to film footage to air in the two weeks leading up to the May 19-20 finale. The church music director is one of three finalists, along with Adam Lambert from San Diego and Kris Allen from Conway, Ark.
Fans, Friends Celebrate ‘Danny Gokey Day’ In Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — The doors just keep opening for Milwaukee’s own “American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey.
“It’s amazing, ” Gokey said.
“Ever think there’d be a Danny Gokey Day?” WISN 12 News reporter Kyler Burgi asked.
No, no, ” Gokey said.
“(Are) friends giving you a hard time for that one?” Burgi asked.
“Not yet, but I’m sure I’ll get it. I’m sure I’ll get it eventually, ” Gokey said.
A Friday Filled With Fans, Faith and Frenzy: Gokey Greets, Sings for Crowd After Crowd
May 9–It was only noon on Friday, but the strains of a long Danny Gokey Day — compounded by a particularly rough performance a few nights earlier — were starting to show.
“The voice hurts, ” admitted Gokey after filming a segment inside the AT&T Store at 9078 N. Green Bay Road, Brown Deer. “But you know it’s gonna work for tonight, it’s gotta work.”
Ahead of him were a mini-concert at Maier Festival Park before some 25, 000 fans and the Brewers-Cubs game, where he would sing the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Both came off without a hitch, with Gokey offering the tightly packed crowd four songs, including a couple of his memorable “Idol” choices: Michael Jackson’s “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.”
Allison Iraheta’s ‘American Idol’ Ousted Interview
Despite the fact that Allison Iraheta was this seaon’s “American Idol” rocker chick, it was the rock-theme week that was her undoing. Now she talks to ET about her “Idol” ousting.
“If I am going out, I am going out on a good note. I am going to give it my all, ” Allison tessl ET, explaining that these were her thoughts as she took to the stage for the final time to sing “Cry Baby.”
She says she is proud she made it as far as she did — she finished in fourth place this season — and she is hoping to record an album when the “American Idol” tour winds up next fall.
Out of ‘dream, ‘ MacIntyre links with fans
Scott MacIntyre broke the mold for “American Idol” contestants. The Scottsdale man is the first blind performer to make the top 10, and he offered a classically-influenced style rarely seen on the show.
MacIntyre will discuss his “Idol” experience tonight at Scottsdale Bible Church; coincidentally, tickets go on sale this morning for the national “Idols” tour, on which MacIntyre will be featured with the likes of Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.
Cobra Starship get help from Leighton Meester on ‘Good Girls Go Bad’ — and bad feels pretty good
Cobra Starship has just released their new duet with Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester. called “Good Girls Go Bad.” and I’m already OBSESSED! I have to admit I’ve been a fan of the band since their Snakes on a Plane days, and this one, co-written by American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi, is a perfect summer song’ it just feels so…sparkly!
I was in the studio with Meester a few weeks ago while she was recording her debut album and she had this to say about working with the band: “Theyre awesome. They completely compliment my style and Ive never seen them live, but apparently theyre unbelievable.”
I totally agree with Meester. What do you think Music Mix-ers? Is this your new jam?
David Cook honored by Alma Mater
WARRENSBURG, Mo. — In a year filled with exceptional achievements in the music industry, David Cook has one more honor to add to a growing collection of awards. He is a recipient of the University of Central Missouri Outstanding Recent Alumni Award.
Cook received the award from Margaret Herron, president of the UCM Alumni Association, and Becky Klein, association vice president, after he performed in a sold-out concert at the university April 28.
The Outstanding Recent Alumni Award was established by the Alumni Association to recognize any alumnus/a whose endeavors in business, professional, civic, and philanthropic organizations, or performing arts, public service, volunteer, political or similar activities are worthy of recognition and have brought honor to the university. To be eligible, an individual must have graduated from UCM within the past 10 years.
Clay Aiken Shows Up at American Idol, Gets Snubbed by Producers
Clay Aiken, a former American Idol runner-up and fan of Adam Lambert, showed up unexpectedly on the set of American Idol, giving no one any warning. He had hoped to meet the aspiring singers, and naturally, the former contestant expected the star treatment. But Gayken was treated like a Jonas Brothers groupie instead. The National Enquirer reports,
…He was given the nickel tour, allowed limited access to the backstage area and sent packing, said the insider. …he was upset. Producers quickly ran him through the backstage area and refused to allow him to speak to the contestants.
PBS prepares for Memorial Day concert
Jerry Colbert proves that each time he produces “The National Memorial Day Concert” for PBS. Coming up (9 p.m. Sunday, May 24) is his 20th.
And Colm Wilkinson finds that every time he sings “Bring Him Home.” Now the two men combine.
“I’ve wanted him to sing that song here for years, ” Colbert said. “But I wanted to have the right moment.”
The 20th concert seems right. It will be stuffed with musicians from pop (Katharine McPhee), country (Trace Adkins), classical (Denyce Graves, Ling Ling, Robert McDuffie) and Broadway (Brian Stokes Mitchell, Wilkinson). It will also have readings from Katie Holmes, Colin Powell, Laurence Fishburne, Joe Mantegna, Gary Senise and Dianne Wiest.
Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas Reveal Their New Dances!
There are only four couples left on “Dancing with the Stars, ” and top contenders Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas are on the ET set to blog about their new dances for Monday night’s show!
“It’s going good, ” says Olympic champ Shawn. “We have the choreography down.”
“Shawn is one of the most improved, ” says pro dance partner Mark. “I think you’ve improved amazingly.”
With Lil’ Kim surprisingly eliminated this week, Gilles Marini, Ty Murray and Melissa Rycroft are the remaining competitors in this too-close-to-call season.
