Idol Headlines for 2/18/08

 

Some ‘Idol’ hopefuls aren’t exactly neophytes

In glaring contrast to last year’s star-lite season of American Idol ‘  in which likable Sanjaya Malakar advanced despite his mediocre voice ‘  this year’s crop of semifinalists is brimming with talent.

Maybe too much, some fans say.

“The reason I watch is to see someone journey from nowhere to stardom, ” says Kevin Kotke, 41, of Milwaukee. “The only kind of record a contestant should be able to claim is the $5 self-published kind from the mall.”

USA Today

‘Idol’ offers second shot for these 5 singers

From off-key screechers to unkempt poseurs, most of the hopefuls who tried out for Season 7 of American Idol had never caught the fancy of professional music scouts. But a few who made it into the top 24 are far from starry-eyed amateurs. USA TODAY examines the rà ©sumà ©s of Idol’s rediscovered talents.

USA Today

Syesha Mercado’s Ford Sync Commercial

Here is Syesha Mercado in a recent Ford Sync commercial. And who sponsors American Idol? Ford! These plants just get more ridiculous every day.

Vote for the Worst

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FINALIST HAS ‘F.A.T.’ PAST: Joanne Borgella’s road to Top 24 went through Mo’Nique.

*If “American Idol” contestant Joanne Borgella looks a little familiar, chances are you’re a fan of the Oxygen competition series “Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance, ” where Borgella was crowned Miss F.A.T. in 2005.

eurweb

More Idol Headlines After the Jump…

‘American Idol’ telling contestants with little airtime not to sing the blues

For the six or seven “American Idol” contestants who haven’t received more than a minute of airtime during their runup to the big “top 24” show, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has two words for you: Kelly Clarkson.

“She wasn’t shown at all [during the audition process], ” Lythgoe told reporters in a conference call Friday. “There certainly is an edge in having [a lot of airtime]. But at the end of the day, it’s how you come out [tomorrow] and Wednesday and sing your song.”

So little-seen contestants such as Garrett Haley and Jason Yeager needn’t worry just yet.

NYDailyNews

Having a theme is a first for ‹Idol semifinalists

Q: On “American Idol, ” why do the contestants sing songs that are probably older than they are? Are they forced to choose from a pre-selected list? To me, those songs aren’t representative of what a true “American Idol” should sing. Kelly Clarkson isn’t screeching out Motown hits. Wannabe pop stars should sing current pop songs, not what they’re doing now.

MSNBC

Song Clearance Issues Cost American Idol Contestants Exposure

Some of the contestants who made the top twenty-four for American Idol 7 likely had viewers scratching their heads wondering why they had not seen their auditions. According to American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, there are actually a couple different reasons why some of the semifinalists auditions werent shown.

Another reason that an audition of a contestant might not be shown is because of song clearance issues. Addressing a question about two semifinalists that had received little screen time, Lythgoe said …Were destroyed and distraught about certainly Jason. He sang a song in his audition, and then he sang the same song, and brilliantly, at Hollywood week. And then he decided to do one of his own songs, so that what we were left with to show. And the song that he chose was the same as Asiah, another young lady, and David Archuleta, and the song was ‹Crazy by Gnarls Barkley, and Gnarls Barkley is made up of two DJs, Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse.

Lythgoe explained that Cee-Lo had given his clearance for the song, so they gave the contestants the ok to sing it. However, Danger Mouse then came in and told them that he didnt want them to use the song.

Realtiy TV Magazine

Staunton native makes the cut as ‘Idol’ contest rolls on

Colton Berry was literally the last man standing.

When “American Idol” whittled down 164 finalists to its top 24 last week, the 18-year-old Staunton native nervously faced Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson to learn if he or fellow contestant Kyle Ensley would take the final coveted spot in the men’s top 12.

Cowell voted for the tie-wearing Ensley. Abdul and Jackson overruled him and the quiet, shaggy-haired Berry was in.

So, might being the last pick work in Berry’s favor?

In Rich

Mormon Pop: More ‘American Idol’

With impressive performances, LDS singers Brooke White and David Archuleta moved on to the Top 24 on television’s “American Idol.” Both got positive comments from Paula, Randy and Simon. David has really caught fire, with nearly 300, 000 views of this week performance on YouTube.

Two other reported LDS singers (thanks for the e-mails and posts) did not make the cut: Nashville-based Cardin Mckinney and Shaun Barrowes of Spanish Fork, Ut. One online AI watcher suggests that one possible reason why Cardin got cut was that three Mormons were just too many for the show.

Deseret News

Aussie takes American Idol by storm

An Australian singer is hitting all the right notes in karaoke competition, American Idol, making it into the final 24.

Michael Johns left Australia at the age of 18 and now lives with his Texan wife in Los Angeles.

The 29-year-old from Perth has received high praise from Idol judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, being described as …white soul singer.

Johns has sung versions of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Light My Fire by The Doors, and Otis Redding Ive Been Loving You Too Long.

Live News

Could a former USAFL player be the next American Idol ?

In what could be a major boost for US Footy, Michael Johns (also known as Mike Lee), a past player at the Atlanta Kookaburras, has made it to the top 24 contestants in season seven of American Idol.

It seems that the 29 year old’s talents extend beyond the footy field.

Singing the Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody at his San Diego audition, Johns has been one of the more popular contestants so far in this year’s series. A YouTube video of his American Idol audition has over 130, 000 views.

Johns, who moved from Perth in Western Australia to the USA at the age of 18, last played Aussie Rules for Atlanta between 2001-2002, kicking 24 goals from Centre Half Forward. He stopped playing to concentrate on his burgeoning music career. His American Idol performances and popularity may not only put his footy further on hold, but could bring the USAFL and Australian rules football much needed media exposure in the USA (where Aussie Rules is still frequenty confused with rugby) and indeed around the world.

World Footy News

You Voted, You Decided

With fans encouraged to vote for the All-Star M.V.P. online and via text message, one man who knows all about fan voting, “American Idol” Taylor Hicks, hoped the fans would vote and vote often. Hicks enjoyed his first All-Star experience. “I’m a straight hot dog-and-beer guy, ” he said.

NBA.com

West coming back

While we’re at the break, former American Idol Taylor Hicks is trying to guess what po’ boy is. From the video board, Kevin Garnett said “A po’ boy is someone who doesn’t have any money.” Kobe Bryant said, “It’s a sandwich. That doesn’t have any money.” Yao Ming said it’s a “troublemaker.” Hicks guessed a sandwich with no money. Brilliant.

Nola.com

Alabama Music Hall of Fame gala to christen new Montgomery hotel

Some of the confirmed performers and attendees will be Kris Kristofferson, Percy Sledge, Tommy Shaw, Eddie Floyd, The Commodores, The Thrasher Brothers, Clarence Carter, Ernie Ashworth, Taylor Hicks, Angela Hacker, Beth Neilson Chapman, Walt Aldridge, and Chris Tompkins.

AL.com

Winter Jam Fest: ‘It’s like a little circus traveling around’

With the Winter Jam, Christian rock and gospel music comes out of the temples and into the secular venues.

National Christian recording artists NewSong, MercyMe, Mandisa, Skillet and BarlowGirl are taking their ministry from the pulpit to the stage in a 36-city tour. The show stops Sunday in Norfolk at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

NewSong launched Winter Jam in 1994 as a solo show in Greenville, S.C. After ministering at several churches in the area, the band wanted to bring those congregations together.

Hampton Roads

A pair of hardworking idols

He needn’t have worried. Reports from Madison Square Garden had chunks of the crowd departing after the opening set from American Idol champion Carrie Underwood. But in Atlantic City, their fortunes were reversed: Underwood took the stage to a half-empty arena, but by the time Urban made his entrance, the place was packed, and stayed that way.

In deference to Underwood’s fully risen star, her set was almost as long as Urban’s: well over an hour, nearly all of it devoted to her new album, Carnival Ride.

Underwood’s lung-busting high notes sent a wave of cheers through the crowd, but like most Idol contestants, she has yet to get a feel for a flesh-and-blood audience. Her limited vocabulary of half-waves and hand slaps was mechanically deployed, and her patter felt as if it had been concocted by writers waiting in the wings.

Philly.com

Carrie Underwood enjoying her ‹carnival ride

Although she remains as down-to-earth and as grounded as ever despite the ‹‹Carnival Rideƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ that her four-year career has taken, Underwood remains firm on what she feels is best for her career. She will perform Monday at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township at 7:30 p.m. to a sold out house. Josh Turner is the opening act.

The Citizen’s Voice

About mj santilli 34841 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!