Has ‘American Idol’ lost its way?
‘American Idol’ debuted in the summer of 2002 with little fanfare as a summer replacement show with the tagline “The Search for a Superstar.” There were many skeptics who said the show would bomb and that Americans were too sophisticated to go for a repackaged TV talent show.
Of course, the critics were wrong. The first season was an unqualified success, due in large part to the discovery of Kelly Clarkson, an unknown cocktail waitress from Texas who charmed America with her outstanding vocals and goofy personality. Kelly went on to live out the dream, selling millions of albums and epitomizing the stated purpose of the show.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Tuesday night is Jacksonville’s night on ‘Idol’
There were actually three sets of auditions in the Jacksonville area.
An estimated 11, 000 or more started lining up outside the arena in the predawn hours of Aug. 13 to audition in the first round.
“American Idol” would not say how many passed that audition, but about 450 were at the next round, held two weeks later at Amelia Island Plantation. That lasted two days.
A week later, the 100 or so who made it through that round went back to Amelia Island Plantation. That’s when the four judges that we see on TV – Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi – showed up for the first time, along with the cameras.
The new ‘American Idol’ judge finding her place
Being the new judge on “American Idol” has been a huge adjustment for Kara DioGuardi.
It’s not that dealing with the auditioners is a big change for her. She’s spent years working with singers as a songwriter/producer. But being the focus of media attention ‘ suddenly becoming both a celebrity and, in a way, a performer ‘ is outside her comfort zone.
“What I wear and how I look has never really been a huge focus of mine, ” DioGuardi told the Deseret News. “I’ve been concentrating on writing the songs, producing the vocals, running my company. So that’s a change.”
Carrie Underwood: …See You Onstage
While waiting in the meet-and-greet line before Carrie concert
in Detroit, Vanessa met Hayley Ray, an excited but very polite 4-year-old whose biggest wish was about to come true. Vanessa watched as the wide-eyed youngster caught a glimpse of Carrie. …She covered her mouth with one hand, writes Vanessa, …then looked at us and said, ‹She real pretty.ƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Who Is Carrie Underwood’s Constant Companion?
Rumors about the men in Carrie Underwood’s life seem to make tabloid fodder all the time, but there’s only one constant companion in the singer’s life right now — her beloved little dog. Underwood says the two have a very special relationship: “My dog’s name is Ace. And he’s a rat terrier. And I always say I know that doesn’t sound very pretty: ‘rat terrier.’Anything with ‘rat’in the name. But he’s a good boy. He sleeps with me at night. We have our routines. We cuddle in the mornings. And he’s just there to make me happy, or to drive me crazy, whichever one. But, one way or another, he’s always makin’ me smile.”
Book Review: Sanjaya Malakar’s “Dancing to the Music In My Head”
The description of Sanjaya Malakar new book, …Dancing to the Music In My Head: Memoirs of the People Idol, promised us the most in-depth look at …American Idol ever.
And although that true, there still so much Sanjaya could have told us, but didnt. In other words, it was a lot like his time on the show’ potential that was never realized.
And quite frankly, it a little lame ¦
But that not entirely Sanjaya fault. In fact, I would blame the majority of the book problems on what seems to be the complete absence of an editor.
Idol Worship: Battle Of The Book Deals
So reads the opening line to a press release announcing American Idol also-ran Sanjaya Malakar’s memoir, Dancing To The Music In My Head, which officially came out last week. A tad ostentatious? Maybe not in the eyes of the so-called Fanjayas, but what about the rest of the Idol-loving community? Do we care enough about a guy eliminated two years ago in the bottom half of the Top 12 to buy his book? Is out-there hair reason enough for a memoir?
Granted, we haven’t read the thing (yet), but it got us wondering: how much are publishers shelling out for these Idol memoirs? After all, Sanjaya’s not the first Idol cast-off to try the author route. Season 5’s Mandisa put out a book last year that was part-life story, part-self-help guide, and at least one runner-up, Clay Aiken, has found massive success with his publishing debut, 2005’s Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, which was a New York Times best-seller.
‘Idol’ Runner-up is Going Country
American Idol season 1 runner-up Justin Guarini has agreed to be on the third season of John Rich’s (from Big & Rich, as in “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy”) CMT show Gone Country, where he takes already-established music and entertainment stars and “immerses them in all things country for a chance to break out as the next big country superstar. The one who is most successful at crossing over by the end of the series will have a country single produced by Rich.”
The show premiered this past Saturday, January 24th and is on Saturday nights at 8 pm/7 pm central on Country Music Television (check your local listings right here on Zap2It). Guarini will be competing against:
New-ish Video: David Archuleta, ‹A Little Too Not Over You
OMD! Arch Angels, youve totally already seen it already, but Id be remiss not to devote an entire post to David Archuleta latest video, …A Little Too Not Over You, known in the Archu-mmunity as …ALTNOY. Anyway, my digi cam got blurry, fuzzy shots of, like, my cat and family vacations so ancient Im not even like related to those people anymore, but David Archuleta memory card is full of mature-sounding memories. Seriously, is David almost all growed up? Also, more importantly, who would dump Archie? NOT Buzzworthy, obvs! (And WHY was that girl so emo over losing at …Rock Band? Ew.)
The more I see the less I know ¦
This past weekend, I was invited to the 24th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival in Santa Barbara, California to see the World Premiere of AMAR A MORIR.
Athough I have always been a huge fan of foreign films, I found that this particular film introduced a new concept to the audience.
It opened a door that made one walk outside of the Hollywood frame of cookie cut unrealistic movie mentally, stepping into a theater of an independent foreign film in it’s mother tongue, and introducing a new set of generation morals tied with a foundation of hispanic cultural values.
Paula Abdul half up half down hairstyle at the 2009 SAG awards
As you can see in the photos Paula Abdul has her hair very long and sleek. Paula Abdul hair is then brought up/ brushed up on the sides and top. The sides are pulled back tight while the top is raised high. Using a product such as Got2Be hair cement spray can help not only achieve this effect but just about guarantee there will be no fly aways! Paula Abdul hair is then left straight on the hair that is left down, no curls or waves. A hairstyle like this can be used for any occasion such as weddings, proms, special events or just as a casual hairstyle its just that simple! Pair this hairstyle with a pair of great earrings!
Griz cheer squad takes second in MTV cheerleading competition
The Griz cheer squad has newfound fame, thanks to a second-place finish in a nationally televised cheerleading competition.
Montana cheerleaders were chosen as one of five teams to take place in the inaugural season of MTV …Paula Abdul RAH! Cheerleading Bowl, which aired Jan. 3.
Montana was defeated by Hawaii after the final round of competition.
…We were definitely happy to finish second, said senior co-captain Allison Pringle.
Donny Osmond Lets Slip He’ll Be on DWTS
Donny Osmond has let slip that he is about to step into his sister Marie’s shoes ‘ her dancing shoes.
While next season’s stars have yet to be announced for the ABC hit Dancing with the Stars, Donny appeared with Marie for a Monday taping of the syndicated The Bonnie Hunt Show for an episode scheduled to air Tuesday.
Asked by his TV hostess if, like his sister, he’d ever consider doing Dancing, the former teen idol, 51, flashed his trademark smile and said, “Well, I guess I am making an announcement. I’ll say I am seriously considering doing it, let’s put it that way.”
Never one for a poker face, Osmond added with a laugh, “I guess I just let the cat out of the bag.”
U.S. Takes Trophy in ‘Superstars of Dance’
Hey guess what, U.S.A. won the finale of “Superstars of Dance” Monday on NBC.
A hip hop routine that looked like it wouldn’t make the cut on “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Top Dance Crew” was enough to win what host Michael Flatley called “the greatest international dance competition on Earth” for the home team. The prize: a trophy.
The U.S. troupe won the gold medal over China’s adorable Shaolin Monks, which got a silver medal and Australia got a bronze.
The U.S. had done well throughout the five-episode competition that was shot in the U.S., so much so that it didn’t have to do well in the other two medal competitions.
ETA:
Abdul Does ‘Magical Things’ on Idol
Paula Abdul isn’t just a judge on American Idol – she’s a fairy godmother, too.
Former pop star Abdul has revealed she’s been secretly setting the TV talent show’s cast-offs on the path to singing careers.
She explains, “I actually do magical things.
“I will get their name and number, then I pass it on to producers who need session singers. They will email me saying ‘Thank you so much’.”
Abdul recently said that her relationship with new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi “bugs” her fellow panelist Simon Cowell.
She told Us Weekly magazine, “It’s great for me because she’s my old roommate, and we’re friends. And that bugs Simon”
