Lambert comes home — bearing gift
Clad in black and sporting a major ring on each hand, the Mt. Carmel High graduate said a happy goodbye to his Hard Rock donation, which featured the leather vest, jeans and homemade platform boots he wore during his performance with KISS in the ‘American Idol’ finale in May.
‘It’s obviously quite an honor, ‘ Lambert said of joining a collection that includes items from Madonna, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles. ‘I’m a new kid on the block, so I’m just excited to be asked.’
Celebrating the ‘Season of Giving, ‘ 26th Annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade Broadcasts from Both Coasts, Airing on ABC-TV December 25
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. and ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ — ‘Tis the season to be merry at Disney Parks, when the 26th annual “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, ” featuring award-winning musical talent and iconic stars performing in this year’s television special, airs December 25 on ABC-TV.
This year’s show promises to dazzle viewers with must-see performances by Celine Dion and Stevie Wonder. Pop sensations the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato spread joy to all as enchanting sounds from world-renowned musical artist Yanni and his Yanni Voices echo through the park. “American Idol” Season 8 winner, Kris Allen, will perform and “Wizards of Waverly Place” star Selena Gomez will make a special appearance in the annual telecast.
Simon Cowell reveals the most embarrassing moment of his decade (and it’s not what you’d think)
I had the pleasure of chatting with Simon Cowell for EW’s Best of the Decade issue, since we name him one of our 15 Entertainers of the Decade. We talked about several of his highlights and low points from the last ten years, including why he tried to get out of American Idol at the last minute and the worst decision he made since the dawn of the new millennium. Here are some excerpts from our conversation:
More Idol Headlines after JUMP…
Allison Iraheta Still Learning To ‘Shut Up And Rest’ With New Album
Even though she finished fourth on the last season of “American Idol” ‘†winning over millions of fans and drawing comparisons to a young Kelly Clarkson in the process ‘†Allison Iraheta still couldn’t believe it when her debut album, Just Like You, hit stores earlier this week. So she had to see it for herself.
“I really couldn’t believe it, so when it came out, I was like, ‘I guess I’m gonna have to go buy it myself.’ So I went to Best Buy, very disguised ‘†glasses, fake nose and mustache. Walked around. It was crazy, buying my own album, ” she laughed. “It was behind a couple of people’s [albums], but it was there. I put it in front of, like, the R&B section.”
Allison Iraheta: Live, Unplugged, And Awesome
Kris Allen-vs.-Adam Lambert was the biggest American Idol finale story this year, and in recent weeks most Idol news has unfortunately centered on various Lambert-related controversies. But let’s not forget about fourth-place phenom Allison Iraheta, people. Her debut album, Just Like You, came out this week, and although it is not expected to sell as well in its first week as the new releases by Kris and Adam, it is actually getting some of the best critical reviews of the three new Idol albums, despite her relatively lower profile.
Why? Because she can sing like this:
Iraheta has versatile voice, plenty of soul
Allison Iraheta
Here’s another CD debut from a former American Idol contestant. Season eight final-four contestant Allison Iraheta debuts this week with Just Like You. As usual with American Idol-linked CDs, star producers are aboard to ensure success. Max Martin, the Swede behind Britney Spears, Pink and Kelly Clarkson, contributes ‘Friday I’ll Be Over You, ‘ the album’s first single, and title track ‘Just Like You.’ The latter song is a more or less anonymous power ballad but ‘Friday I’ll Be Over You’ casts Iraheta in both primal garage-rock mode and, hedging bets, conventional pop. Other songs feature predictable big dynamics and choruses but Iraheta, a husky-toned teen with soul beyond her years, projects a voice of her own, especially in the Kara DioGuardi-, Greg Wells- and Pink-co-written ‘No One Else.’ In other songs she’s a latter-day Joan Jett (‘Holiday’ ) raised on Guns ‘N Roses (‘Trouble Is’ ). Which easily makes Iraheta one of American Idol’s more interesting graduates.
Culture Vulture: Kris Allen
Reigning American Idol champ Kris Allen dishes to OK! on his latest Hollywood crush as well as his fave Idol winner Ԡother than himself, of course.
What’s your favorite TV show? My favorite show ever is Boy Meets World. It got so much better as the seasons went on!
Favorite meal out? Chick-fil-A! They don’t have it in L.A, though.
Adam Lambert and Tiger Woods: What were you thinking?
Too soon for Lambert to court controversy
So, Adam Lambert decides to push the conservative buttons of middle America with his racy performance Sunday night at the American Music Awards. It worked for Madonna. It worked for Britney. So, why shouldn’t it work for him?
I get that. The American Idol runner-up (and, let’s not kid ourselves, the clear winner of last season) was looking for some quick buzz to help push sales of his new CD, “For Your Entertainment.”
But Lambert doesn’t have to worry about selling CDs. He’s a hot commodity riding high on the post-Idol wave. His disc had a great debut — 198, 000, good enough for No. 3 on Billboard’s charts. He doesn’t need to court controversy to get people to buy his music. That’s for aging music stars or for those trying to find ways to mask their lack of singing talent. Lambert doesn’t fit into either category.
Adam Lambert Disappears from ABC… But Why?
Word has come down that ABC has canceled two more appearances by Adam Lambert, leading some to question whether the network has a double standard. We’ve done a little research into the situation and discovered that when it comes to handling gay themes, ABC’s policy is like night and day — where gay themes on soap opera are just fine, but not so much during nighttime music performances.
‘American Idol’ Adam Lambert is Bonnie Hunt’s ‘Elvis + Prince, ‘ she wants him on her show
Who needs booking agents or publicists when you have Twitter?
Coming on the heels of Adam Lambert tweeting that he’s been booted off ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and their New Year’s Eve programming, Bonnie Hunt tweeted:
@adamlambert, it’s me Bonnie Hunt, (4reals) love to have you on my show, u r my Elvis+Prince, we have best stage, sound, crew, cmon! BH
Adam Lambert Says Working With Lady Gaga Was ‘Crazy’
Lady Gaga gave Adam Lambert “Fever” ‘†the duo hooked up in the studio to record the Gaga-penned track for Lambert’s album, For Your Entertainment. And for the “American Idol” alum, it wasn’t just another session in the studio.
“Gaga! Working in the studio with Gaga was a trip, ” Lambert told MTV News about the collaboration. “The Haus of Gaga came in at the end to say hi. She was just there. We were working with her and Jeff Bhasker and we recorded the song, and she egged me on and it was crazy.”
Kara DioGuardi: I Get Why ABC Has Banned Adam
Kara DioGuardi understands why ABC pulled the plug on Adam Lambert.
“We’re living in a pretty bad economic time, so they have to do what they have to do to keep their advertisers, ” DioGuardi tells me exclusively. “Networks are doing what they think their viewers want and don’t want, so it’s just budgetary.”
That said, the American Idol judge didn’t see anything wrong with Lambert’s controversial man-on-man performance at the American Music Awards.
‘American Idol’ finalists embarking on Holiday tour
“American Idol” finalists Michael Sarver, Alexis Grace, David Hernandez and Gina Glocksen are getting their acts together and taking them on the road for the “American Stars in Concert for the Holidays” tour.
The tour started Wednesday, Dec. 2 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 20, stopping in eleven cities.
Chart Beat Thursday: Pink Floyd, Susan Boyle, Usher
ALL-‘AMERICAN’ BOYS: Kris Allen may have defeated him on “American Idol, ” but Adam Lambert bests the series’ reigning champ on the Billboard 200.
Lambert’s major-label debut album, “For Your Entertainment, ” bows at No. 3, topping the No. 11 start for Allen’s self-titled introductory set last week. (“Take One, ” an independent release of Lambert session recordings from 2005, entered last week’s chart at No. 72).
Last year, runner-up David Archuleta likewise arrived at a higher rank (No. 2) than winner David Cook (No. 3).
David Archuleta & Jordin Sparks: Toys for Tots Twosome
David Archuleta and Jordin Sparks are teaming up with Planet Cazmo to benefit Toys for Tots for the holiday season.
The duo will be performing alongside Alliston Iraheta and Sean Kingston among others to benefit the charity.
David shared, ‘I’m so excited to perform music from my Christmas album for Planet Cazmo’s virtual concert. It’s such a cool way to help Toys for Tots. Their work with kids during this time of year is awesome, and I’m excited to be a part of it.’
Pickler still just a small-town girl
It seems paradoxical that a woman who became a household word because of a TV show doesn’t watch TV. But there is nothing contradictory about Kellie Pickler.
She’s a small-town girl who is still rooted while living a big-time dream as a country-music star after appearing in the fifth season of “American Idol.”
“I have the greatest admiration for authors. I read all the time, ” said Pickler, who will perform Friday night at Cowboys Dancehall.
She also loves to write and is working on songs for her third album, which will follow “Small Town Girl” and “Kellie Pickler, ” which both debuted at No. 1 in Billboard’s country chart and Top 10 in all genres ‘†a feat claimed by only six other female country artists.
Have Christmas with Carrie Underwood in TV special
Country music star Carrie Underwood is too young to remember the heyday of variety TV shows in the 1960s and ’70s, when stars ranging from Sonny and Cher and Sammy Davis Jr. to the Smothers Brothers and the Muppets not only performed but played host to an array of comedic skits and musical talents.
But the Oklahoma native, 26, will try to revive the variety show format when “Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special’ airs from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday on Fox.
“I’ve seen the Mandrell Sisters’ (show) before, but it wasn’t something that we all gathered around to watch, ‘ Underwood said in a recent teleconference. “I kind of missed that era, and … I think it’s really great family programming. It was a lot of fun to tape, and I think we ended up with a great show. And I’m glad to see that that format may be catching on again.’
‘Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be Home for Christmas’
Jennifer Hudson spends Christmas in Chicago — and ET has a sneak peek at her first holiday special.
Jennifer heads back to her hometown to share childhood memories of the music, people and places that set the stage for her phenomenal success when ABC airs “Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Joining the ‘Dreamgirls’ star is Grammy Award ® winner Michael Bubl, who is set to perform the Christmas classics “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “Let It Snow” as duets with Hudson. Hudson will also perform holiday hits such as “Silent Night, ” “The Christmas Song” and “O Holy Night.”
Kelly Clarkson loves touring so she can hear from fans
CORPUS CHRISTI ‘†Chart-topper Kelly Clarkson’s remarkable run as a Billboard regular has earned the Burleson native a legion of devoted fans that cheer every performance and every appearance the pop star makes.
Such rarefied status, however, also includes the inevitable gang of detractors and stargazing tabloid gossips.
Lost in the snarky banter is the fact that Clarkson is enjoying another strong year that includes a record-breaking lead single from her fourth album, ‘All I Ever Wanted, ‘ and critical praise courtesy of National Public Radio’s ‘All Songs Considered.’
Kelly Clarkson: One Big Hotel Tipper
PopEater reached out to a hotel source who said that Clarkson is still beloved by the hotel staff after she laid out another $100 tip for her room service bill.
And she moved into hotel legendary status after she checked out.
“Rock stars are supposed to leave the place a wreck, ” says the source. “But Kelly’s room was immaculate. It was almost cleaner when she left.”
Rock on Kelly Clarkson, rock on.
Kelly Clarkson concert becomes snow show (4:56 a.m.)
LAS CRUCES – There was news of a Grammy nomination, a tribute duet to Michael Jackson, and there were many songs deserving of the random, wild “wooo!” from crazed rock and pop fans. These were just some of the highlights from the Kelly Clarkson concert Thursday night at the Pan American Center at New Mexico State University.
Plus, as an added bonus, once fans emerged at the conclusion of the concert they found their vehicles and the roads dusted with about a half inch of snow – a rarity in southern New Mexico.
Clarkson, the first American Idol in 2002, was a powerhouse in her performance for 4, 002 attendees. Her stop in Las Cruces was part of the “All I Ever Wanted” tour which is the song that landed her, her most recent Grammy nomination of “Best Pop Vocal Album.”
Lighting of the National Christmas Tree
Singer Jordin Sparks performs during the lighting ceremony. “I told Sasha we’re not on ‘American Idol, ‘” the president said at one point.
Boston’s tree party a real light show
Hundreds gathered on Boston Common for the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree.
The event turned out to be an extravaganza as holiday revelers were treated to free food, fireworks and festive performances by the likes of r & b crooner Brian McKnight and ‘American Idol’ finalist Melinda Doolittle.
Taylor made: ‘Grease’ role opens doors for ‘Idol’ winner
After he won American Idol in 2006, Taylor Hicks struggled to sell records at the same rate as other Idols. He may have found his break now with a cameo appearance as Teen Angel in the Broadway production of “Grease, ” running six days at Overture starting Tuesday, Dec. 8. He’s received glowing reviews for his short but scenery-chewing performance.
He’s piggybacking the “Grease” run with a solo tour. In Madison, he’ll play songs from “Idol” and his first two albums at the High Noon Saloon on Friday, Dec. 11.
He spoke with 77 Square recently about his first foray into musical theater, the direction of his career and finding dive bars.
Taylor Hicks visits NewsChannel 36
Taylor Hicks
One of American Idol’s big winners, Alabama’s Taylor Hicks is also one of its redeeming factors, at least when the meddlesome music industry stands back and lets him pursue his soul and Southern-rock leanings. Beyond the requisite de-gritifying, Hicks sounded rather in touch with such Idol selections as “In The Ghetto.” The single “Do I Make You Proud” didn’t suit his grey-haired non-star quality quite so well, but he’s since embraced his role as the adult-contempo roots-rocker next door who’s not afraid to come off a little corny (in a good way). That should serve him well as he plays behind the 2009 album The Distance, taking a break from his role in a production of Grease at the Overture Center. High Noon Saloon 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI
David Archuleta delights fans with Yuletide cheer
A packed room full of ‘Arch Angels’ got an early Christmas gift thanks to the arrival of David Archuleta Wednesday night.
The almost 18-year-old singer brought his youthful approach and appealing tenor to the Grove of Anaheim as part of a 17-city tour of the U.S. in support of his second album, Christmas from the Heart, presenting a 90-minute show divided into two distinct parts.
Carrie Underwood
With her beauty and girl-next-door image, validated by millions of television viewers that helped her win season four of ‘American Idol, ‘ country singer/songwriter Carrie Underwood rose quickly as America’s sweetheart. Since seizing the ‘Idol’ crown in 2005, she has become a multi-platinum selling recording artist, a multiple Grammy Award winner, has been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, is a three-time Country Music Association and ACM female vocalist winner and is the reigning Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of The Year.
Jim Mora, Blake Lewis and others will ring bells for Salvation Army
Seahawks coach Jim Mora and “American Idol” runner-up Blake Lewis are among the celebrities set to help the Salvation Army raise money this holiday season at the organization’s 35th annual Celebrity Bell Ringing Event in downtown Seattle.
The Dec. 8 event will coincide with the public memorial for the Lakewood police officers who were shot and killed Sunday, but a couple of kettles will be set aside for the families of the victims, Salvation Army spokeswoman Stacy Howard said.
And for the first time ever, you’ll be able to give with your credit card. One of the organization’s new “cashless kettles, ” which debuted in Seattle last Friday, will be making the rounds.
‘American Idol’ veteran Mandisa returns home tonight for Women of Faith show at Arco
In the time since she showed off her impressive pipes and fended off Simon Cowell’s barbs about her weight on Season 5 of “American Idol, ” Mandisa has racked up hits on the Christian charts, earned a Grammy nomination and dropped 85 pounds.
Undoubtedly the most successful ninth-place finisher in “Idol” history, Mandisa, 33, grew up in Citrus Heights with a last name (Hundley) and dreams of pop stardom. She returns to Sacramento tonight for a performance as part of the two-day Women of Faith conference at Arco Arena.
Reindeer Guides CBS to Ratings Victory
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ led CBS to the top of the ratings on Wednesday, delivering the largest audience in prime time. According to Nielsen’s estimates, 10.7 million viewers tuned in to the holiday special at 8 p.m., aiding CBS’s lineup, which included a Grammy nominations announcement special at 9 (6.5 million) and a repeat of ‘Criminal Minds’ at 10 (8 million). NBC was the runner-up, averaging 6.2 million at 8 for its annual tree-lighting ceremony, ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center.’ That holiday special also fared slightly better than NBC’s regularly scheduled programs, ‘Law & Order: SVU’ at 9 (6 million) and ‘The Jay Leno Show’ at 10 (5.6 million). Fox nearly tied with NBC with ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ at 8 (6.3 million) followed by ‘Glee, ‘ which earned its largest audience of the season (8.2 million). ‘Glee’ also posted the night’s second-highest ratings in the demographic of viewers 18 to 49 behind only ‘Rudolph.’ ABC ranked fourth with mostly reruns.
They’ve got the X Factor
The cruel king of 21st-century pop is laughing gently down the phone, considering for a moment all he has done. “Look, ” Simon Cowell begins finally, just as he does on TV. “I don’t think shows like ours have saved the pop industry, but they have changed it, most certainly. They made music interesting again after Top of the Pops, and they also sent tons of people back into record shops, where they can doubtless buy records by other artists.”
He pauses, allowing himself a moment of self-congratulation. “You know, I don’t get given handouts to do this, and I don’t force people to buy things. It just happens that The X Factor has done a good job.”
Simon Cowell vetoes Lady GaGa’s lamb demands for X Factor
When Lady GaGa was told she could have whatever she wanted to make her X Factor performance spectacular, ITV wasn’t prepared for how outrageous she would be.
Like a kid in a sweet shop she got to work on her grand plan for this weekend’s show.
With a Poker Face the singer insisted she needed to have fluffy lambs and hundreds of butterflies floating around the stage as she performs Bad Romance.
But when talk of zoo keepers came about, beads of sweat started to form on Simon Cowell’s forehead.
Simon Cowell nears total world domination
Season’s greetings, stardust-hounds. Who wants another one of those desperately called-for reviews of the decade? Exactly. Which is why we’re doing Cowell again.
By now, you will have realised that a story containing the words “Simon Cowell” and “global expansion” is like the bat signal to Lost in Showbiz, and there will be those among you who judge the call best ignored. But how, in all conscience, can it be ignored? How, when his armies of darkness are on the march, co-opting teenage power balladeers to work for scale or nothing in exchange for lucrative prime-time exposure ‘ a nakedly exploitative business model that has somehow yet to attract the attentions of the UN Commissioner for Karaoke Rights?
Simon Cowell ‘killed Christmas tradition’
Simon Cowell has been accused of killing off a great Christmas tradition after William Hill, the bookmaker said it is considering stopping taking bets on the festive number one.
Although the company will still accept money on the question this year, it said it is likely to be the last time.
The bookmaker believes that there is little point in running odds in future because Cowell’s X Factor winner grabs the top slot every year.
How did Louis Walsh steal Jedward from Simon Cowell?
Louis Walsh has announced he has signed up ‘X-Factor’ comedy turn John & Edward and that he is now in talks regarding a recording contract and TV work.
Unlike Simon Cowell, Walsh doesn’t have any automatic rights to sign up finalists on the telly talent show – while Cowell’s SyCo record company has first refusal on record deals, when it comes to post-show management, competitors are obligated to work with Modest Management.
However, Walsh, who championed his Irish compatriots their time on ‘X-Factor’, has persuaded Modest to let him guide the careers of the twins.
He’ll co-manage them with Ashley Tabor, who also runs the UK’s biggest radio firm Global.
‘Glee’ castmates Mark Salling, Amber Riley and Cory Monteith belt out Christmas tunes at Bryant Park
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – at least the cast of “Glee” seems to think so.
Mark Salling, Amber Riley and Cory Monteith of TV’s harmonious hit all sang Christmas carols for passersby in Bryant Park yesterday morning.
The event, which benefited TJ Maxx and Marshalls’ Toys for Tots campaign, sure was a blast – but apparently Salling didn’t think he got enough playtime. The hunk broke out into a solo jam – keyboard in hand – after the trio was through.
Glee Cory Monteith Squashes Rumors He’s Dating Lea Michele
Sure, costars on another popular show are dating in real life ‘ to the delight of fans ‘ but that’s not the case for Glee’s Cory Monteith.
The 27-year-old star’s onscreen chemistry with Lea Michele, 23, is just an act.
“We’re great friends. We’ve become really close over the show, but we’re just friends. We’re not dating, ” the actor, who plays McKinley High’s quarterback Finn Hudson on the FOX show, said Thursday at the Marshalls and T.J. Maxx “Carol-Oke” contest at New York’s Bryant Park.
So You Think You Can Dance: Nathan Calls Judges’ Criticism ‘Tough Love’
Were you surprised to find yourself in the bottom two last night?
No. I wasn’t the smoothest through the competition and I thought that I deserved to be in the bottom. And I thought that first week where I got saved, I should have been in the bottom in the first place also. I expected it because I could have done better.
Nigel was very tough on you this season. Do you wish he would have lightened up or do you understand where he was coming from?
I understood where he was coming from. I pick up corrections really well, so if he does have criticism, I’ll fix it right away ‘ ¦ Things could be handled better but you never know, and it was wrong on my part to say some of the stuff I said. He’s basically making me grow up and it’s tough love. I’m 18, so I finally have to experience this.
