Atlanta offers heartbreaking stories on ‹Idol Sunday’s
You may have noticed an emphasis on heart-wrenching stories during this year …American Idol auditions. And in that regard, Atlanta did not disappoint.
The contestant most people will be talking about is Josiah Leming. The 18-year-old from Morristown, Tenn., has been living in his car for months, but his family had no idea ‘ they thought he was staying with friends. That probably no longer true, assuming there are any televisions within driving distance of his hometown.
”American Idol”: Tales, You Win
”We’re returning to a city that in previous seasons’ auditions yielded a cruise-ship singer illiterate single mother who conquered Broadway…”
”Welcome to Atlanta. THIS [dramatic pause] is Backstory Idol.”
Okay, so maybe that’s not exactly how Ryan Seacrest kicked off season 7’s latest audition episode. But for those of you who got caught up with the nation’s other big contest and spent the night watching Super Tuesday results roll in (instead of the popular singing competition that precedes House), you missed an hour that rivaled an airport arrivals area for its pileup of baggage.
More Idol Headlines After the Jump
‘American Idol’ Atlanta auditions
Am I the only one disappointed that after a week of FOX promos for the Hollywood round — Generic Idol Blonde Brooke White is much more interesting in front of a keyboard, it turns out — Tuesday (Feb. 5) night’s Idol was just a return to audition episodes?
At the very least, Atlanta turned out an assortment of interesting and relatively diverse vocalists. I’m not sure if I can remember any audition city in which the balance of talent was so heavily weighed toward the successful performers rather than the freaks and geeks.
American Idol: Atlanta Auditions
The last stop of “Idol Train 2008” hit Atlanta tonight. There were some good singers and some bad singers but no real extremes on either side for me. I think I’m just getting kind of tired of this round of the competition. Here we are in week four and it’s the same old thing just with different faces.
At least the new and improved Idol machine keeps on trucking along. I’m glad they read my letter and addressed my concerns. It really has improved the show tremendously. Let’s just get on to the good stuff now. Thank god they don’t go to more than seven cities each year or we’d be at this forever!
‘American Idol’ Auditions: 13 Reader Favorites
Michael Slezak recently named his favorite ”Idol” tryouts, and PopWatchers responded in kind: You granted Jennifer Hudson, Katherine McPhee, and several unexpected underdogs entry to the ”American Idol” Audition Hall of Fame
Superbowl XLII Breaks records in 42 year history
Sunday’s Super Bowl XLII on FOX was the most-watched Super Bowl game in 42 years of Super Bowls and also ranks as the second most-watched program in TV history with 97.5 million viewers, surpassing the 1996 Super Bowl game which drew in 94.1 million viewers.
That Bowl followed the final episode of M*A*S*H which aired February 28, 1983 and drew in 106 million viewers.
Ads that featured Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland with half-time performance by Paula Abdul and beautiful American Idol winner Jordin Sparks opening with the national Anthem also were part of the day.
Jordin Sparks’s Super Bowl Gig a Family Affair
Jordin Sparks’s singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Sunday’s Super Bowl was one big family affair.
Jordin’s mother Jodi lent her 18-year-old daughter jewelry to complement her Dolce & Gabbana sleeveless dress, her grandparents were on hand, as was her younger brother to keep her company.
And then there was her father’s contribution. Until he retired from the team in 2001, Phillippi Sparks played for the New York Giants ‘ who just happened to beat the “unbeatable” New England Patriots on Sunday, 17-14.
Where did the fun, the humility, the Sanjaya go?
It’s amusing to peruse Chicken Soup For The American Idol Soul — a noxiously feel-good doorstopper that arrived on my desk a week ago — and discover that one of the smartest, savviest contenders in the show’s six year history is the one who, with the exception of Sanjaya Malakar, took the most abuse from judges.
I’m speaking, of course, about Chicken Little, the adenoidal pubescent warbler I uncharitably described as a “human-poultry hybrid”, “a hilariously untalented croaker” and “a lisping Woody Allen clone yet to achieve puberty.” And I was one of the more lenient critics.
CMT Announces First Round Finalists for the ‘2008 CMT Music Awards’ Country Music’s Only Fan-Voted Awards Show
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Voting begins today for the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, country music’s only fan-voted award show, with the announcement of this year’s first round finalists. Beginning today, Tuesday, February 5 at 5:00 p.m., ET, fans can vote on CMT.com for their favorite artists to determine the final nominees for CMT’s seventh annual awards show. Country music’s biggest stars will rock Nashville’s Curb Event Center at Belmont University when the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premieres LIVE on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT* on CMT and CMT.com.
Katharine McPhee Hawaiian Romance
Now that theyve landed and settled in, Katharine McPhee and husband Nick Cokas embarked on a little Honeymoon fun throughout the day on Monday.
The newlyweds, who opted to spend their romantic getaway in the tropical setting of Oahu, Hawaii, headed out for a little shopping at the local Gucci store.
The local-fave band has a new outlook and album – and it’s about time
And just recently, Bazilian got a call from producer/writing-pal Desmond Child to play guitar on a project for Ace Young – yes, the “American Idol” season-five semi-finalist. “I went online to a server, downloaded the tracks, recorded my parts and then uploaded the results, ” Bazilian said. “It’s a new day. That’s how you often make music nowadays, communicating from studio to studio with iChat, although I’m much happier actually being in the same room with the other players.”
Crawfordsville native advances on ‘American Idol’
Another Lafayette-area native has reportedly advanced in the current season of American Idol.
Luke Menard, 27, a 1997 Crawfordsville High School graduate, was featured on the Omaha, Neb., American Idol audition, which aired Jan. 29 on FOX and was taped on Aug. 10.
Menard, 27, is currently living in Bloomington, Ill., where he is a member of the a cappella singing group Chapter 6. Posts on www.myspace.com/lukemenardfans and www.myspace.com/chaptersix have friends’ comments congratulating the singer on his American Idol appearance.
A picture of Menard at the Omaha audition can be seen at www.americanidol.com/photos.
‘Idol’ spotlight may find Indiana singer
Frankfort’s Amanda Overmyer will appear on tonight’s edition of American Idol, confirmed Casey Taylor, the singer’s fiancà ©.
“She’s definitely unique. She’s a rocker chick. There’s not too many of those on American Idol every year, ” said Chad Lester, general manager of Jerilee’s Pub. The Lafayette venue housed some of Overmyer’s first performances when she sang in Steeleto, a local hard rock band. “She shows good range, and if she picks good songs, I think she has a good chance.”
A Sneak Peak Inside the Big Brother House
To kick off the ninth season of Big Brother (which premieres next Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 9 pm/ET), CBS invited eight members of the media to experience life in the house for 12 hours. We sent TV Guide Network’s Kimberly Caldwell, cohost of Idol Tonight and Reality Chat. Here, the former American Idol finalist shares her experience.
I’m not just a huge fan of Big Brother ‘ I’m a huge psycho fan! So when I was asked to live in the house, I was like, “Wow, OK, cool!” Then I got scared. Twelve hours? Who are they gonna put me with? What’s gonna happen to me? I mean, I really like watching the show, but I don’t want to be one of those people! Do I?
Kat McPhee Gets Lei’d
Hiding beneath a lampshade, 23-year-old former “American Idol” wannabeen Katharine McPhee was snapped on her Hawaiian honeymoon on Monday — with her 42-year-old daddy husband, Nick Cokas.
Dad’s help with food bank can carry on today
Another way to help raise money for Second Harvest is by downloading the online cookbook “The Celebrity Italian Table” sponsored by Barilla America, in partnership with restaurant owner, cookbook author and Food Network chef Mario Batali and entertaining expert David Tutera.
A $1 donation will be given to America’s Second Harvest for each download from www.barillaus.com
The book features recipes from a number of celebrities, including Debra Messing, Marisa Tomei, Chris Daughtry and Natalie Portman.
Some nominees at this year’s Grammy Awards might sound familiar
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Even if you only occasionally listen to radio, you’ve probably heard Carrie Underwood’s revenge anthem “Before He Cheats” . . . and heard it, and heard it, and heard it.
The tune is on Underwood’s 2005 debut album, “Some Hearts, ” and it first hit the charts back in February 2006. So why now, two years later, is “Before He Cheats” up for song of the year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday?
Because the Grammy rules allow it.
Indeed, Underwood’s megahit isn’t the only song of the year nominee that could, at least to fans, feel stale. “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s was on the group’s 2005 album, “All That We Needed, ” though it didn’t become a hit until two years later.
“Like a Star” by Corinne Bailey Rae was released as a single in 2005 then re-released the following year.
For most nominees, the music must be released in the eligibility year, which in this case is Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007. But there are exceptions, and two of them are song of the year (awarded to the songwriter) and record of the year (awarded to the performer and production team).
In those categories, a single is still eligible if it was released in the preceding eligibility year but “achieved prominence” in the current one.
