The ride is over for one ‹Idol contestant
Kristy Lee Cook survived on “American Idol” much longer than most expected when the finals began. So it’s ironic that the week she was eliminated was one in which she spent most of the night looking like she was safe.
With seven finalists remaining entering the results show, host Ryan Seacrest continued the recent “Idol” tradition of having three contestants line up to his right and three others to his left. Kristy Lee Cook was accompanied by David Cook and Brooke White, while the other side featured Jason Castro, Carly Smithson and Syesha Mercado. David Archuleta remained backstage.
‘American Idol’ Recap: Too Many Cooks
It’s only been a week since American Idol gave back, but in its two subsequent results shows, America’s favorite talent competition has worked overtime to undo much of the good will fostered by its A-list-y fundraising drive.
Last Thursday, we had to endure Ryan Seacrest emotionally pistol-whipping all-around nice guy Michael Johns. And once again last night, the show’s producers worked overtime to psychologically torment the show’s seven remaining contestants ‘ and by extension, the 30 million folks who’ve been cheering them on for the last nine weeks.
On the Scene: Idol Results Show
The palindrome is dead; all hail the palindrome. Yes, PopWatchers, just when I was starting to like her, Kristy Lee “KLK” Cook — wide stance, Evita hands, MechaZilla survival skills and all — was asked to leave Idol’s dwindling island tonight, during an episode most remarkable for its complete mindfrak of an elimination construct. This was a night which will also forever live in infamy as the first and hopefully only time I’ll be hypnotized into downloading an American Idol iTune. Damn you, David Cook, and your infernal talent. You’re making me go all soft! Between your bizarrely appealing emo versions of cheesy songs I love and the persistent, itchy crush I’ve developed on Seacrest, I don’t even know who I am anymore. What’s next? I start watching Dancing with the Stars? I buy a Clay Aiken CD? I stop being totally creeped out by all these group numbers in which the Idol contestants sing about God and praying?
‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds
MTV News’ ‘Idol’ expert Jim Cantiello boils down a week’s worth of stunning performances, pitchy notes and shocking eliminations to a bite-size minute.
American Idol: Top 6 Revealed
Well, I think the Mariah Carey performances went better than expected. We got slid vocal performances from all three guys and at least half the girls. I’d predict a three-female “Bottom Three, ” but last week showed us just how unpredictable this show can be. And Mariah Carey performs because what better way to whore her new album, E=MC2, than to do it on the largest stage in America.
Kristy Lee Unhorsed; David on High Horse
David A., looking queasy backstage in a too-small red leather jacket (but thankfully, no weird black leather pants like the night before), was summoned forth, pronounced safe and ordered by Seacrest to go stand with whichever group he thought was safe.
He sat down instead. “I just wanna stay here, ” he said.
Okay, okay, so maybe it was more an act of paralyzing indecision than bring-on-the-pepper-spray civil disobedience, but unless he’s the surprise guest mentor next week, this is as close to Gandhi as “Idol” is going to get.
Lack of singer personalities concerns Cowell
A non-remonstrative Simon Cowell had a simple explanation as to why Michael Johns got the boot last week from “American Idol” – and it appears conspiracy theorists get it but the contestants do not.
“You cannot deliver an uninspired performance at the top of the show, ” Cowell said in an interview that mostly concerned the chart success of Leona Lewis. “And you can’t be up there imitating another singer.”
As our conversation turned toward song selection, I noted that Aerosmith’s “Dream On” did not fit the definition of inspirational, just because the word “dream” is in the title.
“I couldn’t agree with you more, ” Cowell chimed in.
‘American Idol’ rules iTunes
iTunes doesnt include live individual American Idol performances or recordings in its weekly chart of the most downloaded songs, but if the online music retailer did, the Idols would likely be landing near the top. Just consider the artists theyve covered: After David Cook name-checked Chris Cornell version of …Billie Jean, sales jumped from 224 to 14, 861 weekly downloads, while Jeff Buckley …Hallelujah, sung by Jason Castro, shot to the top of the charts with sales of 174, 553. As for video performances, after April 9 Idol Gives Back, six clips hit the top 10, including the Idols opening number cover of Rihanna …Dont Stop the Music, which went all the way to No. 1, beating new videos by Madonna and Mariah Carey. Apple’s iTunes store was recently named the top music retailer in the country, surpassing Wal-Mart for the first time. Could Idol be the reason why?
‘American Idol’: Is Archuleta Overpraised?
Well, obviously I didn’t make it to the top 7 during my season. But from what I’ve been told, every week is about the same. However, I don’t really have any ”behind-the-scenes” insight… I’ll just be doing a review of the singers last night. Before I get started, though, I want to call out America: Seriously, people, Michael Johns?!! Michael Johns! I thought he was gonna be around for a while. I mean, Paula put him in her top 4! Don’t you listen to Paula? And moving on….
The end of ‘Rainbow’ is nowhere in sight, thanks to ‘Idol’
Maybe it’s that image of carefree bluebirds or just the lilting lullaby tone, but there’s something about Over the Rainbow that warms the heart and makes cash registers ring.
The latest star turn for the tune written for Judy Garland’s Dorothy in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz came last week, when dreadlocked American Idol finalist Jason Castro plinked out the song on ukulele.
Castro’s rendition not only kept him in the competition, it also spawned a 700% increase in sales and a huge jump (from No. 187 to No. 11) on Nielsen SoundScan’s digital songs chart for the 1993 version recorded by the late Hawaiian giant Bruddah Iz, aka Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
Tuesday ratings hit highs and lows
Who won Tuesday night in the Nielsens is a matter of perspective.
Fox’s “American Idol” won, because it was the highest rated (23 million viewers, 8.6 rating among adults 18-49 and a 23 share).
NBC’s “Biggest Loser” finale (11.2 million, 4.4/11) won, because it matched its season high and was only down 4% from its December closer despite being up against “Idol.”
Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” (11.1 million, 4.9/12) was a winner because it maintained the same percentage of “Idol” viewers during its third week.
Except all the wins have a catch: “Idol” had its worst Tuesday rating since 2003. “Loser” was fourth-ranked overall for the night. And “Hell’s” declined a couple notches due to the lowered lead-in.
AI Aftermath: 8th place finishers – VIDEOS
Welcome back to “AI Aftermath, ” where we explore Idol’s past. Each week, as one more American Idol hopeful is eliminated from the competition, we take a look back at contestants past who were eliminated in the same week. We’ll examine how they did on the show and what they’ve been up to since their eliminations. In honor of Michael Johns’ elimination last week we’ll be looking at other eighth place finishers.
This week: 8th place finishers, featuring featuring A.J. Gil (Season One), Rickey Smith (Season Two), Jon Peter Lewis (Season Three), Nadia Turner (Season Four), Bucky Covington (Season Five) and Haley Scarnato (Season Six).
Well, I’ve Never!!!!
Yesterday, Tabà Ultra Lounge at MGM Grand welcomed music superstar, Carrie Underwood, as she taped her latest video for her new single “Last Name.” The sexy nightlife venue set the scene for the song’s tale of a young woman who visits Vegas for a girls’ getaway weekend, and wakes up after a night of partying to find herself married to a sweet-talking man whose last name she cannot remember. The concept of the music video is a prequel to her award-winning …Before He Cheats video where she originally meets her love interest.
Carrie Underwood Teams Up with 50 Cent
A little over a week ago, the people over at VitaminWater merged country with hip-hop – teaming former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood with rap superstar 50 Cent for a brand new ad campaign.
The two joked around while filming athletic sequences including a boxing routine at the Ironbound Recreation Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Bon Jovi takin’ a country road
Daughtry was one of the first contestants to push …Idol out of pop music, and his band songs …It Not Over and …Home were top 10 hits. Members of Bon Jovi became fans early in his time on the show.
…He was doing a bunch of our songs on ‘American Idol, so it was clear he was a fan and had a lot of respect for what we did, Sambora said. …We gave him a test drive when we did 10 nights in New Jersey, and he went over really well with the audience. Now were fast friends with him. It was kismet.
Former Idol Finalist Melinda Doolittle in Town to Hawk Ice Cream, Talk Idol
Former …American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle returned to St. Louis, her youthful stomping grounds, and she was definitely in chill mode.
She was here to talk up Edy Slow Churned American Idol ice cream flavors, and also to perform a private mini-concert Wednesday night at a local fan home.
Doolittle, who spent her first ten years in St. Louis, says …There five new flavors, and just like on ‹Idol, were letting people decide what they want to stay on the shelves. People can go to www.slowchurned.com and vote for their favorite. Im campaigning for mint karaoke cookie.
OK, but who going to win …American Idol this season?
Country star Kellie Pickler, others will appear at America’s River Fest
The 2008 America’s River Festival will feature music headliners with more of a country flair after the pursuit of some rock groups apparently didn’t pan out.
“American Idol” performer Kellie Pickler will headline the three-day festival, organizers announced Tuesday morning at a press conference at the Grand River Center.
Pickler, who finished sixth on “Idol” two years ago and is fresh off winning some of the more prominent awards in country music, is booked to perform Friday, June 13. Also scheduled to appear are country music acts Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town on Saturday.
K104 announces lineup for KFEST
K104’s annual KFEST concert will be held June 1 and feature Wyclef Jean, Sean Kingston, Pitbull, Sum 41, Blake Lewis , Cherish, David Guetta featuring Chris Willis, Enur featuring Karen and Metro Station.
Fishkill-based WSPK (104.7 FM) will return to Dutchess Stadium for its annual concert.
Advance tickets cost $39. The station is making 100 “pit passes” available for $100 each. These provide admission to special sections close to the stage. Visit www.k104online.com for information.
Taylor Hicks to Perform National Anthem at Talladega
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WBRC-TV MyFoxAL.com) — An American Idol winner from Alabama will sing the National Anthem prior to the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Spring Cup Series race at the Talladega Superspeedway.
Taylor Hicks will do the honors Sunday, April 27th.
Artists Added to Lineup for 2008 CMA Music Festival Nightly Concerts on the Vault Concert Stages at LP Field
The excitement builds for 2008 CMA Music Festival as Trace Adkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Kenny Rogers and Randy Travis are added to the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT(TM) Concert Stages at LP Field. The four-day festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8, in Downtown Nashville.
“We are thrilled to host these great performers at CMA Music Festival this year, ” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This group is a great mix of today’s hottest Country radio artists and legends. We know our attendees are going to enjoy them all.”
On the Scene: Mariah night on American Idol
Then something happened that I’ve never seen before: David came off the stage and straight out into the audience, ignoring the clamoring “moshers” to make a beeline for his cancer-stricken brother, Adam, who was seated behind the judging platform. Massive hugging ensued. This was, even for me, a really kind of amazingly touching moment, despite the fact that I thought David was just hugging his mother and uncle or something until after the show when Rushfield informed me that I should really try reading the Internet every once in a while. The judges greeted Adam warmly, and the three also give David a few more props: Simon pointing fondly in his face as if to say, “You. You were… magical”; Paula hugging him; Randy clasping his shoulder very sincerely. During this tissue-worthy drama, much of the crowd was occupied by Corey, who was presenting a miniscule boy with his very own signed copy of Guitar Hero.
Mariah Carey Night Marks Coming of Age
Before the show even started, there was a feeling in the Idoldome of the normally near-hysterical pandemonium of the crowd having been lifted to new heights. And as the seven took the stage, lining up during the final countdown before the cold open, it suddenly struck that this was no longer a lineup of hopeful wannabes; these contestants have become icons. Lined up all together, they now seemed to bring something bigger then themselves, to represent the hopes, aspirations and shared experiences of the millions of fans who have seen them battle through to this point. There was suddenly the sense of watching not a group brought together for this occasion of unknowns hoping to break through, but a supergroup of established names coming together for one climactic explosion.
‘American Idol’ Recap: Teary David Cook, Powerful David Archuleta Master Mariah Carey Night
Question: When it comes to picking a song on “American Idol, ” whose catalog, aside from Whitney’s, Aretha’s and Celine’s, should you avoid at all costs?
Answer: That of Tuesday night’s guest mentor (who also happens to be MTV’s Artist of the Week), Mariah Carey!
Devoting an entire night to an artist the contestants are never able to top makes about as much sense as Mariah hijacking Einstein’s theory of relativity for an album title. But I suppose if producers are ready to go off the deep end, Mariah Carey’s the perfect person with whom to do it.
Mariah Carey Catalog causes Guys to Float Like Butterflies, But Sting the Ladies
Last night on American Idol, Mariah Carey was the mentor/honoree (just in time for the release of E=MC2!), and boy, was it rough going. Randy said at the show’s outset that he was “looking for identity, ” but hidden in that cryptic phrase was an unspoken message: The ladies were pretty much sunk unless they radically reinvented the songs. Rankings and reactions after the jump.
