Idol Headlines for 2/27/09

Rushfield Review: In defense of the format

I would like to enter into evidence exhibits in defense of the format.

I would like to start out by conceding, for the moment, the validity of all the prosecution points. It is true this format gives us less time to get to know the contestants at the outset (although somehow it seems we have relived every inch of Danny Gokey life with him); it is true that flukes may happen, that there is enormous pressure now on one song.

Still, the prosecution case rests on a bed of quicksand. Its flaw is this: While pointing out the shortcomings of the new format, they suppose that all was a bed of roses under the old regime.

LA Times

Is Nick Mitchell (aka Norman Gentle) ruining American Idol?

Nick Mitchell never should have made it through to Hollywood week. He is the guy who makes it onto the audition episode mainly so people can make fun of him. He broke the cardinal rule of auditions: He dressed up in costume. The judges, especially Simon, hate costumes. I don’t care if you’re Aretha Franklin herself. If you come dressed up in a bunny costume, you’re not getting to Hollywood week. That’s just a fact.

TV Squad

More Headlines after the Jump…

‘American Idol’ recap: Relax, It’s Just Six!

We’re seven weeks into American Idol’s eighth season, and while I ought to be celebrating the fact that the puzzle is coming together, that half the show’s finalists have been revealed, there are too many questions plaguing my Idol-addled mind to indulge in such a luxury. Like, for example, how good really are the six contestants who’ve already assumed their positions on the Silver Stools of Safety? Could Idol’s return to a top 36 format be robbing us of the types of contestants who need a few weeks of televised experience to bloom (like, say, David Cook or Jordin Sparks)? Do the show’s producers realize that we all realize that they’re trying to manipulate us harder, earlier, and more blatantly than ever before? Are the Sway-Bots plotting a return to the Kodak for the start of the Top 12? Is there a way to ensure I never again have to see footage of the auditioning imbecile in the Statue of Liberty costume? And will Lil Rounds get the pimp spot next week?

Entertainment Weekly

Idol Worship: Best To Worst Of Semifinals Round 2

It was another shaky week for American Idol as the second batch of Season 8 Top 12 contenders turned out to be just as disorienting as the first. Too bad, really, considering the episode’s theme was this magazine’s very own Hot 100 chart. But we take back an earlier thought about the split of the three groups. Originally, we worried that each bunch was too talent-heavy. That’s turning out not to be the case.

Good or bad, we had even more fun watching this week because we simultaneously taped a webisode of Jon Peter Lewis’ new Idol show, American Nobody. Indeed, the season three contestant cringed with every syllable out of Paula’s mouth and didn’t mince words when it came to the contestants, either. As for us, we were simply left perplexed (see for yourself when the show hits the web this weekend). So with some trepidation, we present our Top 12 ranking of semifinals week two. And we have to say, that wild card round couldn’t come soon enough.

Jaded Insider

Phil Stacey Blog: Round 2 cuts bring one surprise

Well it was no surprise to me that Adam Lambert got through. And to me, Allison Iraheta was the best of the night. So I predicted that we would see both of them in the finals.

However, Kris Allen was a bit surprising to me. I had actually forgotten his performance by the end of the night. But after reviewing it, I remembered that I liked him. He performed the song [“Man in the Mirror”] pretty well. There were rough spots and that’s what made me forget about him.

LA Times

Why Normund Gentle Is The Greatest ‘American Idol’ Contestant Ever

A few weeks ago, after Normund Gentle (or, if you prefer, Nick Mitchell) inexplicably slipped into the “American Idol” top 36, we published a piece in which we called him “either the most annoying contestant in the show’s illustrious eight-year history, or the most brilliant.” At the time, we weren’t really sure which was appropriate.

Now, after Wednesday night’s vampy, campy performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, ” we’ve made up our minds: Gentle is the greatest contestant in “American Idol” history.

MTV.com

Plans Announced for CMT Camp Nashville

Darryl Worley, Rhett Akins, American Idol runner-up Bo Bice and BlackHawk’s Henry Paul were among the artists present Thursday morning (Feb. 26) for the announcement of CMT Camp Nashville, described as a “one-of-a-kind country music opportunity for the country fan to experience first-hand the life of a country music superstar.” The press conference took place at Gibson Showroom in downtown Nashville. The multi-artist country fantasy camp takes place May 21-25 and will include master classes with top-notch vocal and songwriting mentors, the opportunity to write and record original material in a professional studio and interaction with industry executives and artists. Campers will receive direct coaching from Worley, Akins, Bice, Paul, Deana Carter, Andy Griggs, Jessica Harp (of the Wreckers) and others.

CMT

‘American Idol’ winner David Cook is coming to Newburgh

On an off day in Illinois, David Cook is participating in an obligatory media day. Translation: answering a bunch of reporters’ questions when he’d much rather be doing something else.

Nearing the end of the interviews, Cook still sounds upbeat and really doesn’t seem to mind chatting with yet another reporter. Maybe because it’s still new to him. After all, it was less than a year ago he defeated David Archuleta by 12 million votes to win the seventh season of “American Idol.”

Or maybe it’s because he’s really as down to earth as he seemed on the show.

Record Online

David Cook sends video message to HV

“American Idol” winner David Cook has sent the Times Herald-Record a video in which he tells us the winner of our “One-Minute Video Cook-Off” contest.

The winner of the contest receives four tickets to see David Sunday night at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.

Record Online.com

Country for a cause

St. Joseph is not a city that registers as a must-play location for a lot of national touring acts. It often gets passed over in favor of KC and Omaha. But for country music veterans Sawyer Brown, playing St. Joseph is something they rarely pass up.

…There a sense of home there, says Sawyer Brown keyboardist Gregg …Hobie Hubbard. …It real people. It real America… There just something that feels right about St. Joe.

So Sawyer Brown is coming home, so to speak, and theyll be joined by a few fellow performers when they share the stage with hot young country star Bucky Covington and local country crooner Scott Allyn Peery at 7 p.m. tonight at the Civic Arena. Tickets are $28.

St. Joes News

A Little Carrie Underwood Autograph Goes a Long Way

Could anything ever be more adorable than a little country fan in little cowboy boots? Yes, and that is if the cowboy boots are autographed by, say Carrie Underwood or Keith Urban. And if by buying a pair, youre helping St. Jude Children Research Hospital. This latest auction is part of the Give St. Jude Kids a Leg Up radiothon at KFGY (Froggy 92.9), a country station in Santa Rosa, Calif. But you dont have to live in California and listen to the station to take part. Just put your best bid forward between March 2 and March 6. The kid-sized boots have been signed by Underwood and Urban plus Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Josh Turner and many more. Even after your little one outgrows the boots, theyre cute enough to put on display.

CMT

Kelly Clarkson Road Rules

In today all-new Buzzworthy Kelly Clarkson video, Kelly talks life on a bus and loving the ones she with ‘  her tour band BFFs.

Plus, see what Kelly almost named her new album, find out how she left her mark on …My Life Would Suck Without You, and listen to every track of All I Ever Wanted next Tuesday, March 3 on The Leak on MTV.com!

MTV.com

Kelly Clarkson Performs ‹My Life Would Suck Without You Yesterday

Kelly Clarkson is dropping her new album, …All I Ever Wanted on March 10th. So she really stepping up the promotion for the album in doing performances at radio stations and stores.

Kelly was at the H&M store yesterday where she performed her newest song, …My Life Would Suck Without You.

Earsucker.com

About mj santilli 35161 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!