Can ‘NCIS’ outgun ‘American Idol’? CBS is banking on it
CBS executives are banking on the hit “NCIS” and its spinoff to give Fox’s stalwart “American Idol” a run for the Nielsen crown on Tuesday nights next year.
“‘NCIS’ is ‘Idol’-proof, ” CBS entertainment chief Nina Tassler told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour on Monday. “‘Idol’ comes and goes, and ‘NCIS’ pretty much holds its place.”
While “Idol” has seen a dip in its ratings in the past few seasons (coinciding with a general erosion of TV audiences, who have found more convenient ways to view programming), “NCIS” has notably increased its viewership over the course of six seasons and now holds firm in the No. 2 slot against “Idol.”
But this season, the show is being paired with “NCIS: Los Angeles, ” a spinoff starring LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell that’s considered one of the can’t-miss series of the fall
Adam Lambert keeps defying expectations
“American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert is anything but subtle.
When the 27-year-old singer made his “Idol” debut, audiences couldn’t help but notice Lambert’s spiky mop of devilishly disheveled hair, his dark guyliner and darker fingernail polish. But Lambert wasn’t about to tone himself down just to appeal to more people. And because of that, he never thought he’d get too far on the show.
“I remember getting into the competition and feeling like, ‘Oh, I hope I crack the top 10, ‘ ” he said. “I never thought I would get that far in ‘American Idol, ‘ considering that I’m a little bit more alternative.”
More Idol Headlines After the Jump…
Allen? He’s good, but Lambert steals the ‘American Idol’ show
There was no way Kris Allen could top the glam flash and showmanship of Adam Lambert on stage at the Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday night. So Allen closed the concert with the same method he used to beat Lambert on ‘American Idol, ‘ delivering a comparatively subdued yet soulful performance.
The American Idols Live Tour 2009 brought the 10 finalists to town, including Anoop Desai, a crowd favorite from Chapel Hill, who had a large hometown contingent cheering for him from behind a banner that read, ‘We Love You Anoop, The UNC Clefhangers and Senior Varsity Fans.’
“Idol” wave hits Charlotte
Thanks to post-lame-season burnout and Legitimate Work Reasons, this blog has been on hiatus since the end of the sixth season of “American Idol.” But I never stopped watching the show, and thought the eighth and most recent season was one of the best. So when the “American Idols Live” tour stopped in Charlotte this weekend, I was eager for the opportunity to sit down with some of this year’s finalists – and bring back “Idol Thoughts” for a special “We Actually Talked To Some Contestants” edition.
We met for a press session a few hours before Saturday’s concert at Time Warner Cable Arena, gathering in the Back Court, a subterranean, restaurant-like room used for special functions. As weird yellow light filtered in from above and noise from an ongoing sound check/apparent strobe light testing occasionally intruded, we chatted with six of the season’s top 10: Winner Kris Allen, third-place finisher Danny Gokey, fifth-place finisher Matt Giraud, sixth-place finisher (and N.C. native) Anoop Desai, seventh-place finisher Lil Rounds and ninth-place finisher Megan Joy. On the way out, we also passed Michael Sarver (wearing, semi-hilariously, the same “Idols 09” black-and-white track jacket on sale at the merchandise table) and Scott MacIntyre (accompanied by his brother), as they arrived for a meet-and-greet with fans.
Michael Sarver on the Idols Tour
Michael Sarver has spent the last month on tour with his fellow Top 10 finalists. With a month and a half to go on the 50 city tour, Michael opened up to AmericanIdol.com about being away from his family and if he has plans to return to the oil rig.
Interviews with Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai
As I’m writing the beginning of this blog entry, I’m listening to the sound check for the final group sing at Gwinnett Arena for tonight’s sold out ‘Idols Live’ tour. They sound great, of course. And I never get sick of Journey!
The weird thing about the interviews I did at 3 p.m. Friday is you don’t know which four or five Idols you’re going to get until you arrive. So I had to just go with it. I would have loved to have gotten Adam Lambert and Megan Joy Corkrey. But in the end, the five in the room were Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen, Anoop Desai, Michael Sarver, then Scott MacIntyre.
What To Expect At An American Idol Audition Casting Call
The Worsters were out in full force this year, trying out to be part of America’s Largest Karaoke Competition to see if we could get a plant onto the show. We did succeed in getting a few people past the first round, but we’d like to give you a taste of what it’s like to go to an American Idol audition and how pointless the day is.
An Idoltracker’s journey ends
Forgive me for interrupting regularly scheduled Idol news with some personal business, but I have an announcement to make to Idoltracker readers. Tuesday will be my last day with the LA Times and thus my stint as the LA Times’ Idoltracker comes to an end.
It has been an amazing three years covering the most important spectacle in the history of the world. Three years ago, when we started the Showtracker blog, I volunteered to write the occasional review of the occasional episode of Idol, never imagining my life would disappear down the Idol rabbit hole. But then I came face to face with the incredible stories of these young people, these warriors of song, who every year risked the worst fate any of us can imagine – public humiliation before tens of millions – all for a shot at their dreams. I also got to meet the incredibly talented group of people who put the show together and on so many occasions was allowed to peek backstage at what goes into creating a goliath like Idol.
A Locke to host
Former “American Idol” contestant Kimberley Locke has inked a deal with Media Meld Studios to host its planned reality show, “Mak ing the Curve” — in which talented, plus-size women “prove that they have what it takes to form a hit pop musical group.” Locke will also exec utive-produce the series, which doesn’t yet have a network home.
And speaking of Locke and “American Idol, ” show win ner David Cook will be at the new JCPenney Manhattan store Wednesday (4-7 p.m.) to sign autographs.
CMA Songwriters Series goes on road to LA, Chicago
Monday, August 3, 2009 ‘ The CMA Songwriters Series, which has played to sell-out crowds in New York City for the past five years, goes on the road this fall with a show in Los Angeles on Sept. 15 and Chicago, Oct. 2 and 3.
The Los Angeles show will be at the House of Blues with Chicago shows on Oct. 2 at Joe’s Bar, and Oct. 3 at the Chicago Country Music Festival.
Kellie Pickler will be the featured artist/songwriter for the Los Angeles show. Pickler, a two-time CMA Award nominee, is enjoying a Top 10 hit with Best Days of Your Life, which she wrote with friend and tour mate Taylor Swift. Pickler also co-wrote the Top 15 hits Red High Heels and I Wonder from her gold certified debut album, “Small Town Girl.”
Daughtry’s ‘No Surprise’ stays on top; Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks make moves
It’s kind of a slow week on the chart, with the top three positions remaining the same. Daughtry’s on top, followed by Jordin Sparks and Kellie Pickler. Kelly Clarkson rounds out the Top 5 with the fourth and fifth spots.
Further down the Mediabase-powered chart, Kelly’s Already Gone is picking up steam, as it moves from #57 to #42 with 320 spins. And Jordin’s S.O.S. (Let the Music Play) moves up 10 spots from #79 to #69.
Daughtry on to the next chapter
TORONTO ‘†As Daughtry frontman Chris Daughtry settles into his seat beside guitarist Brian Craddock, it’s clear the interview isn’t going to be about how far the singer has come since his days on American Idol.
The gravelly voiced crooner has made it clear that his second album is not about him, but about the band.
“All the guys performed on the record. It was a very collaborative, democratic process making this record, ” says Daughtry.
Daughtry on Daughtry
Chris Daughtry had the kind of chart-busting immediate success that rarely happens in music these days, selling more than a million copies of his 2006 self-titled CD in the first five weeks of its release and going on to rack up nearly 4.5 million copies sold overall.
It was quite a statement for Daughtry, who, despite appearing to be one of the most popular performers on the 2006 season of “American Idol, ” was voted off earlier than some expected. (He finished fourth.)
David Cook’s tour set includes pre-‘Idol’ songs from his band days
Get ready for the Cook’s second helping.
David Cook, the 2008 winner of ”American Idol, ” has been on the road continuously since his victory over David Archuleta, first with the ”Idol Live” tour, then supporting his self-titled debut solo disc, released in November and now platinum. He recently added dates through October, and says his tour may continue ”maybe even into December the way things have been going.”
”We’ve been really, really fortunate with the economy the way it is to have people taking money that they might not have as much of and investing it in the record and the show, ” Cook, 26, says in a call from a show in Iowa. ”That’s a huge compliment.”
But that also means nine months after the album’s release, he has scant new material and no plans for his next disc.
David Cook Reunited With High School Pal, 69 News Meteorologist Amanda Cox, At Musikfest
Monday was Musikfest Day Four, and fans flocked to Bethlehem last night to see former American Idol winner David Cook. Before he took the stage, he sat down with 69 News. WFMZ’s Joscelyn Moes has more.
Cook Hits High Note With Visit To ESPN
Singer-songwriter and “American Idol” winner David Cook wowed ’em at his concert at the MGM Grand theater at Foxwoods the night before but on Sunday, it was all about kickin’ back and enjoying his other passion, baseball, with Bristol’s ESPN offering the dream-come-true setup.
Constantine Maroulis feels the noize in ‘Rock of Ages’
Because, honestly, a send-up of ’80s hair bands and jukebox musicals? Starring a guy who finished sixth on American Idol, behind Scott Savol? How good could it possibly be, right? When Elysa Gardner reviewed it in April, she gave it one-and-a-half stars out of four, saying, “You’re better off buying an ’80s hits collection– or, to borrow a line from Journey, taking a midnight train going anywhere.”
But here’s the thing: Rock of Ages may not have deserved to win any of those Tonys, but it’s a real crowd-pleaser. If it mocks the era of power ballads and arena anthems — and it does, constantly — it also sort of celebrates it. Sure, the plot hangs from strings of cliches borrowed from a dozen John Hughes knock-off teen comedies, but it occasionally finds genuine heart in a very artificial sort of way.
Hitting a Nostalgic Note: ‘American Idol’ Also-Sangs
EVERY YEAR, the American Idol machine parades its top 10 contestants on a nationwide tour, just in case we’ve forgotten those singers who were among the first to be voted off (this season’s Michael Sarver, anyone?). The top 10 from season eight — Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Sarver and Scott MacIntyre — will sing at the Verizon Center Tuesday night (read Express’ interview with “Idol” winner Kris Allen here), but here’s a look back at some of our favorite “American Idol” also-rans from seasons past:
Simon Cowell splurges £50, 000 on his X-Factor chillout room
Simon Cowell is splashing out £50, 000 of his own cash to transform the top floor of the X Factor studios into his own private ‘haven of calm’ .
The multi-millionaire music mogul has hired a team of designers to refit it in time for the live shows.
It will be painted all white and kitted out with plasma TVs, a top-of-the-range sound system and a relaxation room.
The top floor of the Fountain TV studios in north-west London used to be designated for contestants, presenters and studio guests.
Simon Cowell sets his sights on Madonna; wants Material Girl to play mentor on ‘The X Factor’
Is Madonna moving to primetime?
She is if Simon Cowell has anything to do with it.
Cowell is pushing to land Madonna for the hit British reality show “The X Factor, ” according to OK! Magazine. If all goes according to Cowell’s plan, Madonna would come on as a celebrity mentor to the contestants on the Saturday night music talent competition.
Determined to win the ratings war with BBC series “Strictly Come Dancing, ” Cowell is hoping ‘X Factor” execs will entice Madge with some extra cash. Cowell’s coercion has, of course, worked in the past with musicians like Beyonce, Britney Spears and Take That, all of whom have mentored contestants.
SYTYCD Twitch Cat Deeley
While ‘American Idol’ – arguably the mother of all reality TV competitions – has consistently won the attention of millions, its little dance show cousin ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ has quietly been picking up steam. Thus far a summer series, ‘SYTYCD’ has finally made its way to the FOX fall lineup – giving fans two seasons of the show back-to-back – and we think it’s in no small part due to the strength of its amazing dancers.
Last summer brought us Stephen “Twitch” Boss, a freestyle dancer from Alabama. He placed second for the season, but his Emmy-nominated dance with co-star Katee Shean – ‘Mercy, ‘ scored by Duffy and choreographed by Mia Michaels – was possibly the most memorable moment from any season of the long-running series. We spoke to Twitch about the improbably sweet host of ‘SYTYCD, ‘ the difficulties of judging dance, and the moves he’s shaking right now on his new dance-fitness DVD.
Another So You Think You Can Dance alum on America’s Best Dance Crew
We continue the trend of reality show dance contestants showing up on other reality shows. Last season of America’s Best Dance Crew Dominic (D-Trix), Hok, and Ryan, former contestants on So You Think You Can Dance, were part of Quest Crew and won. In the newest season, SYTYCD, finalist Donyelle Jones is part of Artistry in Motion.
The camera training and cross-genre training will definitely come in handy for Donyelle and her crew.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Chatting with Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi
Melissaadecat After being eliminated last week on “So You Think You Can Dance, ” Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi chatted with journalists on a conference call about their experience on the show and what lies ahead.
ETA:
Constantine Maroulis Extends in ROCK OF AGES Through Summer 2010
Tony Award Nominee Constantine Maroulis will continue to rock eight times a week in the critically acclaimed, smash hit musical comedy ROCK OF AGES through summer 2010. The show opened on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 W. 47th Street) following previews which began on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.
“I am thrilled to be able to continue in my role in ROA, ” says Constantine Maroulis. “To be able to create a role on Broadway and get nominated for a Tony has been a dream come true. I want to thank the producers for all the support they have given me and this show.”
“On behalf of all the producing team, we’re so happy to have Constantine with us for another year to continue thrilling audiences with his incredible voice and earnest performance, ” says Carl Levin, producer of ROCK OF AGES.
