Daughtry, Sparks stay atop Idol airplay chart; Clarkson, Underwood coming on strong
Daughtry’s No Surprise and Jordin Sparks’ Battlefield retain their 1-2 spots on this week’s Mediabase-powered American Idol airplay chart. The real battle is for the #3 and #4 spots, where Kelly Clarkson’s Already Gone and Carrie Underwood’s Cowboy Casanova are separated by a mere 50 spins. And most of the Top 10 has shuffled a bit, to the point that a mere six extra spins brings Kellie Pickler’s now-recurrent Best Days of Your Life back into our Top 10.
Ryan Seacrest Talks About Ellen DeGeneres’ ‘Sexual Tension, ‘ ‘Idol’ Director Disses Paula Abdul?
“We love Ellen, she is a superstar. She will change the sexual tension, “Seacrest told us at the Emmy’s on Sunday night. “Simon and Paula had a specific sort of tension, but this will be quite different…”
However the most eyebrow-raising “A.I.” comments of the night actually came from the show’s lone winner of the night, director Bruce Gowers.
“I think there’ll be a lot more fun on the show than there was before, ” Gowers said backstage. “I think we’re going to get even higher ratings.” Ouch.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
20 Fall Albums We Can’t Wait to Hear
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Play On (11/3)
Two years after her sophomore disc, Carnival Ride, the Idol winner turned country superstar gears up for her next release; lead single ”Cowboy Cassanova, ” a sort of boys-are-still-bad-news sequel to her 2006 ubersmash ”Before He Cheats” sequel, promises more of the hard-guitar twang and saucy-sweet vocals her fans adore. Less expected? A possible collaboration with R&B loverman Ne-Yo.
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ADAM LAMBERT
Title TBA (11/24)
Runner-up, shmunner-up. The guylinered second-place finisher’s debut is perhaps the most anticipated post-Idol debut ever from a non-winner. Lambert himself told the Associated Press that he envisions a ”rock-pop-electronic-dance thing, ” with elements of ’70s glam rock and something ”very modern, almost futurist”; either way, expect him to go where no AI finalist has gone before.
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Ruben Thinks Ellen’s Opinion ‘Most Definitely Matters’
Ruben Studdard won ‘American Idol’ during the second season of the hit reality show. Now, the singer has a new single called ‘Don’t Make ‘Em Like U No More’ off of his fourth album, ‘Love Is, ‘ and will begin a tour with David Foster and Friends this fall. In an exclusive interview, Studdard tells PopEater about his music, who he’d love to work with, and what he thinks about Ellen DeGeneres replacing Paula Abdul on the series that made him a star.
Kara DioGuardi to Guest Co-Host ‘The View’
It will be “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi’s second appearance on ABC’s “The View, ” but it will be her first as a guest co-host.
DioGuardi will co-host ABC’s talk show Oct. 15 in place of Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who is on maternity leave until mid-October.
Ellen DeGeneres: ‘I’m Going to be a Great Judge’
Sounds as if Ellen DeGeneres may have had enough with the critics – both professional and not – who argue that she unqualified to succeed Paula Abdul on ‘American Idol.’
‘Apparently, there’s a lot of debate going on right now whether I’m qualified or not to be the new judge on ‘American Idol, ‘ DeGeneres said on her syndicated talk show. I’ll tell you right now, how I know I’m going to be a great judge – because I’ve spent my whole life being judged. So, I know what it’s like. So, I will be kind. I will be compassionate. I will be empathetic, and I will be truthful. I will be an honest judge without being mean.’
Learning by Doing: The Bushes and Jordin Sparks Help Debut North Texas Super Bowl’s Community Service Initiative for Kids Monday, Sep. 21 2009 @ 3:02PM
In the end, Jordin Sparks had way more time with the microphone than a certain former president at Cowboys Stadium, where, this morning, George and Laura Bush were among those on-hand to unveil the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee’s educational outreach initiative called Service Learning Adventures in North Texas — or, SLANT 45 for short. Which will no doubt infuriate those Arlington ISD students denied the opportunity to say they were there when the American Idol winner performed two songs, including “Battlefield, ” for the Bushes. Poor Jerry McCullough — the AISD super just can’t win.
Blake Lewis to Release Music Video for New Single ‘Sad Song’ Exclusively on MySpace.com on September 22, 2009
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Gearing up for the release of his forthcoming sophomore album Heartbreak on Vinyl, American Idol alum and beatboxer/singing sensation Blake Lewis will release the music video for his new single “Sad Song, ” exclusively on MySpace.com on September 22nd, it was announced today. Also in support of the new release, due out October 6th via Tommy Boy Entertainment, Lewis will be performing several shows across the country.
The soon-to-be-released music video is shot as a 1940s film-noir style story about the end of a couple’s relationship, highlighted with some 40s-meets-80s style fashion and video editing. The female lead is played by Casey Carlson who was also an American Idol contestant in the recent season 8. Fans, who are members of Lewis’ official website, can see a sneak peek of the video in advance of its debut. Sign up at www.blakelewisofficial.com for this and more exclusives and advance access to tracks and video.
DeGarmo Will Carry a Torch in NYMF’s Liberty Concert
Toxic Avenger star and “American Idol” finalist Diana DeGarmo will be part of the concert presentation of the new musical Liberty Sept. 29 at the Acorn Theatre.
Igor Goldin will direct with musical direction by Jeffrey Lodin.
DeGarmo (Hairspray, Joseph’ ¦) will star as Liberty in a cast that also features Ryan Duncan (Altar Boyz, Shrek) as James Goodleaf, Leah Horowitz (Les Miserables) as Emma Lazarus and Destan Owens (Chicago, Rent) as Samuel Ferguson. Show time is 8 PM.
Bernadette Peters, Cheyenne Jackson, Constantine Maroulis, et. al. Set for Great Children’s Read
The third annual New York Times Great Children’s Read will be held on October 4 at Columbia University, Broadway and 116th Street. The day-long event is a free celebration of reading featuring live entertainment for children and families, presented by Target.
The celebrities will be reading from a list of New York’s top-20 “Favorite Stories to Read-Aloud” that was compiled this year by children’s librarians from the three public library systems of New York City: Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library and Queens Library.
Music Review: Into The Light, Phil Stacey
Once known as a contestant on American Idol, now Phil Stacey comes to us with his own material; Into The Light. This album starts with ‘Inside Out’ as it’s a mid-range pop rock song filled with passionate lyrics, hints of piano and nice rhythms that are quite compelling. Next was ‘It’s Gotta Be Love’ which is a standard love song that has a ton of power in its depth with rising shouts and calming moods perfect on contemporary radio stations.
‘Glee’ picked up for a full season
“Glee” is the first new show of the fall to get a full-season order.
On the heels of two strong performances, Fox has picked up the back nine episodes of Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed musical comedy.
“The response we’ve received to ‘Glee’ has been remarkable, ” said Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly. “It’s already got the makings of a cultural phenomenon. I’ve seen all 13 episodes, and Ryan Murphy, his team and the talented ‘Glee’ cast have knocked our socks off with their incredible work. We’re happy to pick up this gem of a show, and can’t wait to see what they’ll do with the rest of the season.”
‘Glee’ banks on risky strategy
(CNN) — When Fox aired a sneak-peek episode of its new series “Glee” four months before the show actually premiered, it took a big chance that the audience would still care.
To help maintain the buzz, it delved into social networking, maintained a strong online presence, dispatched the show’s actors to malls across the country and held a fan contest.
In an era when episodic television is battling for ratings against reality television and broadcast TV faces the loss of audience to cable networks, those familiar with the industry said, such innovation may have to become the norm.
‘DWTS’: 5 Questions with ‘The Chairman’
You may not have heard much about new ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestant Mark Dacascos yet’ ¦and that’s just the way ‘The Chairman’ wants it.
It’s all part of the game plan for Dacascos, best known to foodie’s as host of the Food Network’s ‘Iron Chef America, ‘ where he rules under the nickname ‘The Chairman.’
The 45-year-old Hawaiian-born actor is also a martial-arts star, having appeared in dozens of kung-fu films’and many think his smooth moves in that arena may give him an edge on the dance floor.
Mya Injures Hand Before Dancing with the Stars Premiere
Mya, who is set to compete tomorrow night with Dmitri Chaplin on Dancing With the Stars, injured her hand late Sunday night and has a ‘deep cut, ‘ a source tells PEOPLE.
In a message on her Twitter page, the singer wrote, ‘Went2the hospital late last night2get stitches . Deep cut from glass. Only caught 2hours of sleep but feel great. Must be adrenaline.’
‘She went to grab a glass for something to drink late last night and it just broke and shattered in her hand, ‘ the source says. ‘She went right to the hospital and got stitches and got it taken care of.’
‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: We’ve Got Males
It’s season 9 (yes, really) of Dancing With the Stars, and the boys are back in town! I’ll get to last night’s competing men in a moment; first we need to focus on the eight swashbuckling stallions who have returned to Crazytown, U.S.A. Our beautiful male pros are back and ready to make loving eye contact with the camera in a rousing opening number. Maks even did a seductive eyebrow check for our viewing pleasure. They were both still there, as were all 500 billion hairs in Derek’s mop when he checked on its existence after the dance’s final flourish. Such fun! Excuse me, though: Who is this tall blonde lady who got to be the melted cheese in a Tony/Maks flatbread sandwich? I had no idea the season 9 premiere would feature the winner of a contest based on my ultimate fantasy. Just kidding. It was Tony’s wife.
‘Dancing With the Stars’: You’ve got male!
Woo hoo! ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is back, and bigger than ever! With a whopping 16 contestants vying for that coveted Mirrorball trophy, the producers split Season 9’s first week’s competition into two parts: the men and the women. Which means three whole days of fringey fun!
O.C. teen finds ‘Fame’ through TV dance competition
Just a little more than a year ago, Kherington Payne had her life perfectly planned out.
“In my mind, I was going to college and then to nursing school to be a post-partum delivery nurse, ” the 19-year-old said, thinking back to her pretelevision life.
But just a month before the Placentia native was scheduled to graduate from El Dorado High School, “So You Think You Can Dance” came along, and her life became completely different.
‘Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT’ Will Launch With More Than 25 Global Premieres Tuesday, October 27
CULVER CITY, Calif., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Fans worldwide will have the opportunity to celebrate the global launch of Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT when Sony Pictures Entertainment hosts over 25 global premieres, with more than 15 of those coordinated simultaneously around the world, on Tuesday, October 27th. Three hours after the red carpet events begin, audiences will be able to see the highly anticipated film for the first time as the studio has added special advance screenings that evening throughout the world.
Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT will be available worldwide for a limited two-week engagement beginning, Wednesday October 28. Tickets for all shows, including the Tuesday night special advance screenings, are available for purchase beginning this coming Sunday, September 27. Moviegoers can purchase tickets by visiting all major motion picture ticketing websites as well as www.thisisit-movie.com.
‘Idol’ host who inspired Afghans flees to US
WASHINGTON ‘†Back in Afghanistan, Daoud Sediqi recalls, he could rarely walk the streets without fans cheering him on, grateful he brought some hope back to the country with his blockbuster “Afghan Idol” show.
But the 29-year-old’s own sense of hope is now slipping away. He has left behind stardom — both his own and of the reality show’s contestants — for a new life in the United States, which granted him asylum due to Taliban threats.
