Despite Lower Ratings, Cash Flow Rises for ‹Idol
LOS ANGELES ‘ Can a television show with a shrinking audience actually increase its revenue?
In the case of …American Idol, the answer is yes, and the manner that the show creators are going about it could change the way that producers and broadcast networks think about the longevity of reality television programs.
Despite losing viewers in each of the last three years, …American Idol, still the top-rated series on television, is generating ever-growing profits for its creators and, it appears, for Fox Broadcasting through brand extensions, marketing arrangements and licensing fees.
HITTING HOME
NEARLY 10 years after graduating, “Ameri can Idol” favorite Adam Lambert went back to the San Diego high school where, he told a TV reporter, he was the “weird kid.”
On a 12-hour, stretch-limousine tour of his home town that took him from TV and radio station interviews to fan meet-and-greets and finally to perform for the troops at San Diego’s Miramar Airbase, it was the visit back to his high school that was the emotional high point.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘Idolatry’: A tribute to Allison Iraheta, and an in-depth discussion of ‘Dream On’
Fret not, Kris Allen fans and Adam Lambert obsessives! We’ll be discussing the performances of this season’s only acceptable remaining final-two combo in Monday’s episode of Idolatry. But for now, the two topics of screaming importance to the Idol world: Allison Iraheta’s unfortunate elimination after a world-class “Cry Baby”/”Slow Ride” combo, and Danny Gokey’s implausible success after he shoved “Dream On”‘s fist down the garbage disposal. In this two-part episode/therapy session, my cohost Kristen Baldwin and I vent our rage over the judges’ toolishness, try to make sense of Danny’s popularity, and finally (in part 2, which streams right after part 1) come to the realization that the “Save the Rocker” campaign was, in fact, a rip-roaring success. Press play below, then join our support group in the comments section!
Idol Finalist Homecoming
Kris Allen comes home close to our neck of the woods, in Conway, AR.
It’s “kick awesome” in Conway, Arkansas, where Kris Allen’s fans are watching all the way from the rooftops and down past the stage where they can’t even see him. But they are there to cheer him on as he competes in the top three for American Idol.
Allen took the stage for his final homecoming performance singing Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror”.
But Kris can really melt his fan’s hearts with his version of the Oscar winning song “Falling Slowly”.
“I love that song! It’s the best!” says one young fan, ” says fan Jennifer Coon.
Beloit, Milwaukee churches rejoice in Gokey’s rise on ‘American Idol’
BELOIT ‘ Had Danny Gokey not auditioned for …American Idol and made a startling climb up fame ladder, the Milwaukee resident would have been at Faith Builders Church last Wednesday night, as always, for its mid-week service.
Instead, the husky Gokey stood at center stage before 25 million viewers nationwide and 300 Beloit-area parishioners, who watched one of the church three jumbo screens in its roomy sanctuary. During an only-on-…Idol scene, Gokey ‘ his arm, in support, wrapped around trembling teen contestant Allison Iraheta ‘ listened to host Ryan Seacrest bring tension to the moment as easily as if he were driving over a grape.
‘Idol’ homecoming draws large crowd
Downtown was prepared, with painted windows proclaiming businesses’ support for Allen and Conway-themed streetlight banners reading “Conway, Home of Kris Allen.” At the University of Central Arkansas, about noon, a line stretched from the Reynolds Performance Hall to AETN made up of fans waiting to pick up their tickets to a performance by Allen.
Friday was literally Kris Allen Day in Conway. The Conway resident and UCA student advanced to the top three on “American Idol” this week, earning him a hometown visit. His first appearance in town was at UCA.
Linda LaPlante, her daughter Alexis LaPlante, 14, and friend Brianna Swindle, 14, were the first in line at Reynolds Performance Hall, and they were seated in folding chairs. They said they arrived at 5 a.m.
Paula Abdul: I’m Already a Mom
American Idol judge Paula Abdul may not be a mother per say, but when it comes to her family at AI, she’s everyone mother.
“Im a mother to Simon, Ryan, and Randy…and all the former contestants, you know I really play that role. That not a role to play actually, it who I am authentically, ” Paula told Hollyscoop at the Guide Dogs of America event on Friday where she presented a guide dog to Scott MacIntyre as part of the official kick-off event for National Guide Dog Month.
She added, “I love what I do and I love watching the talent emerge into their own potential, it a wonderful thing to see. As far as my mom goes on mothers day, my sister and I are going to let her decide what she wants to do and we follow along with her and make it happen, because when we make plans it doesnt always go right ¦we let her make the plans.
Which David is Jom fave?
MANILA, Philippines ‘ Jomari Yllana is all agog for the concert of David Cook and David Archuleta which he is co-producing on May 16 at the SM Mall Of Asia grounds.
Which David is his fave? …It was one ‹American Idol finals where I wished that both of them emerged as winners, Jom says. …Wala akong itulak kabigin [I cant say anything bad].
Will he give his ex Pops Fernandez tickets to the concert? …Sure, he says …Why not?
How life after the Pipay episode? …Life is good.
He did a duet with another ex, Ara Mina, in a party recently. Did sparks fly? …It felt like I was singing with an old friend.
Live Review: David Archuleta @ Manchester Apollo
David Archuleta shares his name with a Japanese-based hip-hop vocalist and middleweight kickboxing champion. Amusingly, the two couldn’t be farther apart in terms of talent.
The dulcet tones of the 18 year old achieved runner up the in seventh season of American Idol, going on to debut at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, then selling over 690, 000 copies of his album in the US alone.
Tonight though, Archuleta managed to shake the trend of being number two, and be support for McFly on their UK tour. Usually host to events heavier in nature, the Manchester Apollo was transformed into a venue full to the brim of screaming teenage girls, while their dads waited in the car park.
Fans get a full dose of pop at Wango Tango in Irvine
Wango Tango’s all about guilty pleasures ‘ as in those trashy, brainless Top 40 songs you blast and belt in your car when you think no one’s looking.
Thanks to my lousy sense of direction, I somehow missed the 405 and ended up taking an extremely long detour which caused me to skip Madcon’s set completely (I heard they just sang “Beggin'”) and hear only the final strains of Kevin Rudolf’s “Let It Rock” as I sprinted from my car. The forgettable Soulja Boy Tellem took the stage as I finally made it to my seat and launched into “Crank That, “, the texting generation’s “Macarena” with an equally dumb dance and incredibly high annoyance factor.
Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Lakisha Jones’ advice to Allison Iraheta: Be yourself
Season six “American Idol” contestant Lakisha Jones has advice for Allison Iraheta, who was kicked off the show last week.
“I would tell her to continue being herself, ” Jones told the Daily News. “She has a beautiful voice, she has a great talent, and it’s going to take her far. This is only the beginning. When you leave ‘Idol, ‘ it’s not the end, it’s the beginning.”
Like Iraheta, Jones also placed fourth in the singing competition. Now, she’s about to release her debut album, “So Glad I’m Me.”
Idol Chartwatch, May 11: Taylor Hicks Reenters the Charts and More
After his appearance on the American Idol top five results show, Taylor Hicks album has reentered the Billboard 200. Read on to find out where it hit and get an update on all the Idols music on the charts.
Taylor Hicks is this week recipient of the post-Idol performance Billboard bump after his debut of the single, …Seven Mile Breakdown, on the top five results show. His sophomore album, The Distance, reenters the Billboard 200 at #180 and Top Independent Albums at #21.
Mandisa Freedom had a good week as well. The album jumped 48 spots to #130 on the Billboard 200, and is #10 on Top Christian Albums and #12 on Top Christian and Gospel Albums.
Fussy Simon Cowell gets gardeners to trim his hedges using a spirit level and measuring tape
He has made his fortune from knowing exactly what he likes.
And it seems Simon Cowell is as particular at home as he is on TV as a talent show judge.
These extraordinary pictures show that Cowell is paying an army of gardeners at his £20million Beverly Hills mansion to prune his hedges with the sort of accuracy usually reserved for his trademark flat-top haircut.
