Idol Headlines for 10/02/08

America’s Got Talent Picks a Winner

America’s got talent’ as well as people who impersonate Ozzy Osbourne and shake unnaturally large portions of their anatomy’ but only one person can rightfully claim to have more talent than anybody else.

And that person is Neil E. Boyd, this season’s winner.

The opera singing insurance salesman just hit a high note that will bring him one meeeellion dollars, a headlining Las Vegas gig and a deluge of colorful confetti. Plus, he received a taped shout-out from opera legend Plà ¡cido Domingo

EOnline

David Archuleta Guest-Stars As Reality-Show Contestant On Nickelodeon’s ‘iCarly’

His debut single, “Crush, ” is already crushing it on the charts, so “American Idol” season-seven runner-up David Archuleta is about to do what every pop star dreams of: branch out into TV.

Yes, technically, he’s already a TV star, what with “Idol” being the TV’s ranking ratings behemoth, but the apple-cheeked singing sensation is scheduled to branch out into non-reality TV on Thursday (October 2), when he films a cameo for Nickelodeon’s “iCarly.”

MTV

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

American Idol David Cook’s New Single Released on iTunes

American Idol and Blue Springs native David Cook’s new single is now available on iTunes.

Cook’s new track ‘Light On’ appeared on AOL’s pop culture site PopEater.com last week and Mix 93 in Kansas City began playing the tune then as well.

According to David Cook’s web site, “Light On” was played over one million times since last week’s premiere on AOL.

Now that it’s been released on iTunes, the market will be able to really gauge its popularity.

My Fox KC

David Archuleta’s Acting Debut

‘American Idol’ Season 7 runner-up, David Archuleta will make his acting debut on the Nick show, ‘iCarly, ‘ PEOPLE reports. On the episode, which will air next spring, Archuleta plays himself, a contestant on an Idol-style show called America Sings.

Popeater

Idols Make Their Mark on the Charts

While only four short months have passed since David Cook took the ultimate prize, plenty of season seven Idols are already proving their post-AI careers are sure to be successful. David Cook, himself, has the #3 hit on the Billboard charts with “The Time of My Life”. David Archuleta’s “Crush” is holding steady at #2. Country artist Kristy Lee Cook sold 10, 000 copies of her Why Wait album in the first week! It proved to be a cross-over hit as well, debuting at #8 on the Top Country Albums chart and at #49 on the Billboard 200. Michael Johns is going the independent route, and has recorded nine songs for his upcoming CD, tentatively titled Hold Back My Heart. The first single will be released in November, with the album set to drop in February.

American Idol.com

Claynation in a huff about singer’s gayness

First, please allow me to send a message to the Claynation at large.

DUH!

Or as American Idol judge supreme Simon Cowell said ”Wow. That’s a shock. It’s like being told Santa Claus isn’t real. Unbelievable.”

OK, now that we got that out of the way, please allow me to send a more direct message to the many Claymates who have corresponded with me since Clay Aiken ascended to pop culture phenom on AI.

I’m talking about the folks who wrote saying I MUST have some serious sexual issues of my own I need to deal with and that I MUST be a very, very unhappy person deep down inside to even mention in passing that folks speculate about Aiken’s sexuality. Oh, and the guy who, though very polite, seemed to believe that merely being accused of being gay was the equivalent of being called a terrorist.

Ohio.com

Review: Underwood proves she’s a country diva

Carrie Underwood demonstratred Tuesday night in Landon Arena why she may be the best …American Idol, but how does she stack up against an American icon?

Kansas Expocentre general manager H.R. Cook commented at Underwood near-capaciy performance that he had not seen a musical act bring to the facility as much lighting, sound equipment and staging since Cher in 2003.

When it comes to showmanship, Cher certainly sets a high mark for any performer to match, so how did Underwood do by comparison?

CJ Online

Carrie Underwood’s star keeps rising long after ‘Idol’

The music industry has had little to celebrate lately, faced with declining revenues, illegal file sharing and general irrelevance. But beacons of hope do exist.

One of the brightest of the past three years has been country-pop superstar Carrie Underwood. Bucking the trend of most musicians, Underwood’s CD sales and awards have rolled in with regularity. More important, her wholesome image has connected with people in a genuine way, providing an antidote to the slick, forced personas of most would-be pop stars.

“Right after I came off ‘American Idol, ‘ I used every single opportunity that I could to prove myself, ” says Underwood, who will perform at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Saturday. “I consider every vocal performance and every award show the same way.”

Detroit News

Kellie Pickler grows as an artist on 2nd CD

Although Kellie Pickler’s first album garnered three hits, went gold and made the singer a certified country star, it wasn’t the debut that she would have crafted had she had her way.

“Small Town Girl, ” released in 2006, was put together in a hurry to capitalize on her sudden fame from being one of the finalists on “American Idol.” Pickler was working on songs over the phone with Nashville co-writers while on an “Idol” tour and didn’t have much input on the CD’s direction.

“It was so rushed and, honestly, now that it’s out and I can be honest about it, there are songs on there I would never even cut, ” said the North Carolina native of the CD, which included the hit “Red High Heels.”

SF Gate.com

Kellie Pickler announces free concert opportunity

NEW YORK ‘ One day after the release of her self titled album and a performance on NBC Today, Kellie Pickler went back on the show to talk to host Kathie Lee Gifford about a free concert.

Fans can text the word ‹pickler to 66937. Pickler will go to the winner home for a free concert.

…We wont charge you nothing, Pickler said. …Just feed us, that it.

WCNC.com

Blondes take root in country music

Time was, you couldn’t be a country singer if you didn’t have a cowboy hat. These days, though, the most reliable route to a Nashville record deal seems to be through a reality show. It also helps if you’re a cute blonde.

Carrie Underwood walked off the American Idol set and straight into a Nashville studio; Kellie Pickler and Kristy Lee Cook followed. Miranda Lambert came from Nashville Star, Julianne Hough from Dancing With the Stars. Crossover act Jessica Simpson had Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica.

USA Today

American Idol: Jon Peter Lewis

Season 3 AMERICAN IDOL finalist Jon Peter Lewis, aka JPL, joins the TV Watercooler set to introduce the public to IDOL REWIND and talk about Clay Aiken coming out of the closet. Oh yeah, and he has a new album Break the Silence.

buzly.com

Review: Jennifer Hudson’s brilliant voice victim of dull songs, production on debut album

On …And I Am Telling You Im Not Going, her star-making, Oscar-winning moment in the 2006 movie …Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson transcended the song polite supper-club setting with a furious, gut-wrenching performance.

It the kind of performance that should have been followed by a classic debut album. Unfortunately, …Jennifer Hudson (Arista), doesnt qualify.

…And I Am Telling You Im Not Going is tagged on near the end of the disc, and it blows away everything that precedes it. There no denying the Chicago native is a prodigiously gifted vocalist. But a singer is only as strong as her material, and there not enough on …Jennifer Hudson that measures up to her gutsy, gospel-drenched alto.

Chicago Tribune

Simon Cowell orders X factor finalists to have their teeth whitened

Simon Cowell has ordered X Factor finalists to have their teeth made gleamy white by laser treatment.

The talent show boss has become obsessed with the Hollywood smile since making it big in the US with American Idol.

He has spent thousands on caps for his teeth and whitening them to get rid of nicotine stains from his smoking habit.

Mirror.co.uk

Simon Cowell silenced by new judge

It seems Simon Cowell has met his match on American Idol in the form of new judge Kara DioGuardi.

“I can’t get a word in edgeways. She never shuts up, ” he told Extra.

Kara joins resident Idol judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon himself for the next season of the popular US talent series, and has already made her mark at the show’s auditions.

Metro.co.uk

Kim Kardashian Crushed Over Dancing with the Stars Elimination

Kim Kardashian put a brave face on when she was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday night results show, but once the cameras stopped rolling the reality star couldnt stop crying.

…It was a tough day for her and we talked about it, and I imagine it will always be a sad day for her. I just hope that her time on the show was magical for her, and, at the end of the day, I will always be so proud that I was the one holding her hand up there, said Kardashian partner Mark Ballas.

Transworld News

Jessica Simpson Hits Low Notes on “Dancing With the Stars”

Poor Jess hasn’t been getting rave reviews for her stage performances lately.

A reviewer in Canada’s Windsor Star wrote:

“The 28-year-old Texan knows she has to work twice as hard to earn her stripes as a performer. But with zero stage presence, a voice that only occasionally found the right note, and [a] batch of ordinary new songs, it was all in vain.”

Los Angeles Times

‘America’s Got Talent’: WINNER!

I’m on pins and needles about who is going to be crowned the winner of America’s Got Talent. I sincerely wish they conducted tonight like the Top 5 of the Miss America pageant. Bring them out, make them hold hands, announce the 4th runner-up, hand Neal E. Boyd, Opera Singer his bouquet of roses and then shuttle him offstage while he cries. Repeat. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Zap2it.com

America’s Got Talent: Episode 317 (season finale)

The first episode of the season aired on June 17, meaning that we spent 3 months and a half watching the competition unfold. In total, we’ve spend 31 hours and 13 minutes (including commercials) watching acts ranging from the awful to amazing as well as listen to the judges comments and Jerry reminding us that it’s “One winner, one nation.” Why 13 minutes? Well, the president’s address last week cut the Top 5 episode short to 43 minutes according to NBC.

TV Squad

Teary-eyed Neal E. Boyd takes ‹Talent title

Tears streamed down opera singer Neal E. Boyd face on Wednesday night as he was named the winner of the third season of …America Got Talent.

…What has happened to my life? Boyd said with a laugh after claiming the NBC summer reality show $1 million prize and a headlining gig in Las Vegas.

MSNBC

‘America’s Got Talent’: The season finale!

“Tonight a superstar is born!” Piers said in the intro to last night’s America’s Got Talent finale. A superstar? C’mon, dude. Too far. How about just, “Tonight someone’s dreams will come true, ” or, “Tonight, someone’s 15 minutes of fame will peak.” But a superstar? Okay, anyone know who Terry Fator is? He’s season 2’s winner, and a damn fine ventriloquist (probably), but a superstar? Hell to the no.

Entertainment Weekly

About mj santilli 34833 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!