An Open Letter To this Year’s Top 24
In January of last year, I flew out to L.A. to the dreaded Long Walk down the Wooded Floor to the judges. I was so nervous. But as soon as I saw Phil come out and making it through, I was okay. I went up the elevator, walked down the walkway and as I sat down, said, “You’re probably wondering why I called this meeting” which immediately roused laughs from the judges that they never really recovered from. They tried to keep a straight face, but the smiles they had told me that my comment just solidified in their minds why they had chosen me in the first place.
I was in the top 24! One of the best days of my life. I knew that I would have a chance in front of America.
Is Idol still a hitmaker?
A few years ago it seemed “American Idol” was an unstoppable pop-culture force, attracting legions of squealing fans, dominating TV ratings and producing a lineup of stars with big-selling albums and popular concerts. Its reach was almost to the point of ubiquity — if an “Idol” star wasn’t on the radio, the concert tour was coming through town; even the original versions of songs covered by contestants seemed to get a bump. Though the show still ranked No. 1 last season, a drop in ratings raised the question: Had “Idol” passed its prime?
More Idol Headlines After The Jump…
‘Idol’ looks to rebound
1 How good are these singers? “I think, personally, it’s one of the strongest years we’ve had in a long, long time, ” judge Simon Cowell says. “I go into this season a lot more optimistic than I went in certainly last year.” He describes the singers as younger, more current, more memorable.
“There are a number of individuals — three or four — that are outstanding, ” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says. “People grow through the process. Jordin didn’t start brilliant. Kelly Clarkson didn’t begin brilliantly.”
Make room for another ‘Idol’ season
Suddenly, there’s so much more room for the new installment of “American Idol.” Room not only in our television schedules, because with this dreadful strike, there’s NOTHING ON. (Is my anger becoming repetitive?)
But also room in the pop music landscape for some new “Idol” stars, what with former winners/finalists Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee all losing their record deals in the past few weeks.
The seventh season of “American Idol” starts on Tuesday (7 p.m. on Fox, cable Channel 4-24), with a two-hour episode catching up with the best and the worst (emphasis, no doubt, on the worst) of the 100, 000 people who auditioned for this year’s show.
TV’s ‘American Idol’ promises to polish its tarnished crown
American Idol big shots might not exactly come out and say it — not even Simon Cowell — but American Idol blew it big time last year.
Viewers know it. The big shots know it. The show’s ratings dip and the lack of resulting stars coming out of season six confirms it.
Even Surly Simon hopeful of ‘Idol’ revival
“American Idol, ” television’s ratings juggernaut, returns this week, on a slightly sour note.
For the first time, there are signs the nation’s infatuation with the annual distraction may be cooling.
Ratings dipped last season. Record sales from the most recent crop of finalists have been disappointing. Last year’s concert tour failed to sell out in some cities. And two past winners, Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks, have lost their recording contracts.
“American Idol” Season 7 Premier: Let the betting frenzy begin
The 7th season of the popular Fox show “American Idol” will start next week, odds makers are already rolling their sleeves.
“American Idol” Season 7 Premier: Let the betting frenzy begin The 7th season of one of the most successful reality TV shows – “American Idol” – is set to begin with a 2-night 4-hour season premier on Tuesday and Wednesday (15th and 16th of Jan.), of course, on Fox, you can catch the premier at 8:00pm EST. During the premier of the 7th season of America Idol we’ll be able to meet the contestants and remember the judges, but for millions of viewers all over the world the premier of “American Idol” means one thing – let the betting frenzy begin! With millions of dollars in wagers placed on the last year’s Idol and the popularity the show gains season after season, you can bet the action this year will be enormous and will set wagering records at all major bookies.
Will Sparkman grad make run for ‘Idol’ crown?
Web posts give big push in 2008 to Cardin McKinney
First, there was Ruben Studdard. Then Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks.
Now, could Cardin McKinney be North Alabama’s next “American Idol” star?
Nobody in the family or McKinney – a 2005 Sparkman High School graduate who is living and performing in Nashville – can say anything, but friends and hundreds of posts on the Internet and newspaper reports say she is in this year’s “American Idol” competition. The seventh season of “Idol” starts Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. on WZDX-TV Fox 54.
Super Bowl buzz
American Idol Jordin Sparks just added a youth-friendly concert to her Jan. 30 West Valley stop.
Sparks is hosting a charity gala at Peoria’s upscale Skye restaurant that evening. But beforehand, she will put on an informal concert featuring Sparks singing a few acoustic songs along with American Idol co-stars Melinda Doolittle, Chris Richardson and LaKisha Jones, along with local singers and DJs.
The gathering starts at 3 p.m. in an outdoor tent that can accommodate about 1, 000 people.
Clay Aiken takes on Newsweek
American Idol’s most famous loser Clay Aiken is such a diva! In a recent interview with Newsweek, Aiken pulled the plug after the reporter got a little too personal. Newsweek tells the story best.
Showing the ugly truths of addiction and fame
n the five months from when the show was filmed and now, a few participants have very publicly fallen off the wagon. TMZ has aired video of two of them — porn star Mary Carey and former professional wrestler Chyna — in what appear to be states of intoxication.
TMZ also gleefully followed the plight of former “American Idol” finalist Jessica Sierra, who was arrested on drug charges last month.
Sanjaya and Shyamali Show
Sanjaya and Shyamali Malakar are in talks to headline their own variety TV series called The Sanjaya and Shyamali Show! The show will combine dancing singing and comedy if a deal is inked.
