Idol Headlines for 4/29/08

‘American Idol’ Power List: The Top 5

Brooke or Syesha: Who will be the last woman standing? See where Michael Slezak ranks the remaining finalists, then vote for your favorite

Entertainment Weekly

Jordin Sparks Exclusive: Singer Tells MTV News Her Voice Is ‘Almost All The Way Healed’; She’ll Be Back On Tour Soon

“I’m feeling good, ” she wrote. “I’m supposed to be on full vocal rest, which means no talking, laughing, giggling, and singing. Can I tell you how hard that is!? I want to tell my fans: Thank you for all the prayers and your concern. You guys are what keep me going, honestly. But not to worry! I’ll be better in no time!”

“I laughed when I saw [those reports]. They were saying I would never sing again, and I knew I could because, well, it’s my throat, ” she wrote. “My career COULD HAVE BEEN in jeopardy if I hadn’t done anything about it. But I knew something was wrong and that I needed to get it checked out.

“[The reports about the hemorrhage] were actually true, ” she wrote. “My left vocal cord was bleeding, and I knew I had to get it checked and take care of it. I got back from the doctor yesterday and it’s almost all the way healed. I’m gonna take a couple more days just to be safe. I should be back on tour in a few more days!! I’ll be alive and kicking … and who knows, maybe my voice will be better than it was before!”

MTV

More Idol Headlines After the Jump…

Can American Idol Switch Emmy Categories to Win?

Ever since the Emmy Award for best reality-competition program was created, “The Amazing Race” has zoomed past all rivals, including two of the tube’s most popular: “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

So our forums moderator Andrew Pickett poses a fascinating question: Can these shows just side-step “Race” by joining a different race altogether? After all, “Moonlighting” and “Gilmore Girls” switched between comedy and drama categories when they didn’t like early results.

“The Emmys invented the reality/competition program category for the 2002/03 season when ‘Idol’ debuted, and it has been nominated all 5 years, but unfortunately for its producers and fans, the Emmy has gone to ‘The Amazing Race’ every time, ” notes Andrew.

LA Times

Top 5 Power Rankings: Will Anyone Challenge the Davids?

With Carly removed from the running, Brooke inarguably on borrowed time (and/or the “benefactor/involuntary that she doesn’t really offset him.puppet of a, ahem, questionable website), and Syesha yet again mired in last place, it’s pretty safe to say that your next American Idol is going to be… a guy. According to the latest TVGuide.com Power Rankings, David C. now has 56.2 percent of our readers’ votes, again topping the tally. Meanwhile, at a time when wannabes want their piece of the pie to be increasing, David A. took his biggest hit in over a month, dropping 3.5 percent week-to-week. As for Jason… he has pretty eyes.

TV Guide

‘Idol’ coaches panel: The finalists mine Neil Diamond

How will Neil Diamond’s songs, which have been covered by Johnny Cash, The Monkees and Barbra Streisand, suit the final five?

Rona: Low-hanging gems

Every Neil Diamond song is a jewel: beautifully crafted, honed, designed to deliver a knockout emotional punch while you sing along.

David Archuleta is the only one left standing who could even go near I’m a Believer, with its youthful exuberance and enthusiasm. And if Jason Castro doesn’t do Red Red Wine, what can he do?

USA Today

American Idol Gambling Down To Final Five Contestants

The gambling odds, which have been missing, have now re-emerged. Two people have an opportunity to win, according to odds makers, David Archuleta and David Cook.

The pair of male vocalists have been nearly flawless for the better part of the competition. They have been rewarded, or cursed, depending on how you look at it, by sports books.

Archuleta is the favorite, and gamblers actually have to lay money to get money back. His odds are -150 at the current time. Cook, is +100, meaning he is virtually a co-favorite.

The other three contestants are considered long shots by bookmakers. Jason Castro is the third choice, but his odds are still 15-1. Brooke White has slipped to 20-1 after being a favorite early in the competition.

Syesha Mercado has been dealing with being an underdog for the whole season so far, yet she has survived every elimination. The odds makers feel her time will soon be up. She is also 20-1.

Casino Gambling

Seacrest ‹Idol future may not be so secure

An online market research survey was issued last week and, while the suits behind the show probe every aspect of the broadcast, there is a noticeable focus on …Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

While all of the main players were included in the question, …How important are each of the following people to your overall enjoyment of ‹American Idol? the survey asks participants to weigh in on two extra statements: …I like the interaction between Ryan and the contestants and …I like the interaction between the judges and Ryan.

The extra focus has some wondering whether a hosting change might be exactly what the show needs. …Ryan is so busy turning himself in a diverse brand, one that has longevity, it wouldnt come as a surprise to think that he isnt worried about his job security with ‹Idol, ƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  said a source close to Seacrest.

MSNBC

American Idol: In the year 2013

Since I dont feel qualified to make Neil Diamond selections for the five remaining singers, am still mourning the loss of Carly, and have been watching a lot of the Season 2 …Idol Rewind, Ive decided to take out my not-so-trusty crystal ball and see where Season 7 contestants will be in five years (assuming the Cubs dont win the World Series and cause a whole, you know, apocalypse thingy).

David Hernandez is now acting as Deputy Mayor of Miami and is on the fast track towards becoming America next top governor of Florida. By 2040 he will be running for President with his Vice Presidential candidate, the kid from …Two and a Half Men.

Amanda Overmyer, finally out of the AI spotlight, has removed her temporary tattoos, gotten her hair back to its rightful color, sold her Harleys for a new Town & Country, and settled down in Lafayette with her corn engineer boyfriend and her stack of Barry Manilow CDs.

Phillyburbs

Sam the Goose and Jason Castro have something in common

Did Sam the Crossing Guard Goose help Jason Castro cross the road to Annie Keeley Elementary School in Rowlett years ago? Not really; they missed each other by a few years. But what other school can claim that it has a nationally known goose that conscientiously helps escort kids across a busy intersection and a top-five American Idol contestant as an alum? Is Sam proud of Jason? Ask Sam how motorists should support Jason, and he’ll reply: “Honk!”

neighborsgoblog

From outhouse to White House

In a bizarre moment for the Perth-born singer, Johns was invited to the White House correspondents dinner over the weekend, where he was mobbed by Rice, Rob Lowe and the press corp gushing about his talent.

“Condoleezza Rice came up and hugged me, asked to take a picture and have an autograph, ” Johns told Confidential yesterday. “Rob Lowe demanded a recount, everyone thinks I was robbed.”

With friends in high places, Johns might not need the show’s title to prove a winner.

news.com.au

After the Correspondents’ Dinner, Rain Didn’t Dampen All the Fun

A gaggle of models in blond wigs and porn-stewardess costumes floated by Goldman Sachs Vice Chairman Bob Hormats talking Iraqi economic development with Lt. Gen. Bill Caldwell, shadowed by an aide in full uniform carrying a briefcase. Also: Will.I.Am, Mexico’s “Brad Pitt” Eduardo Verastequi (adorable) and “American Idol” voted-off contestant Michael Johns (also adorable), who said Condi Rice told him: “You’re a great singer. You got robbed.” Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of “The Hills” wandered past, adding another chapter to their reality-life existence; frenemy Lauren Conrad (awesome bangs, by the way) was somewhere in the crowd but no catfight. Darn.

Washington Post

Another ‹Idol top 10er making name for himself

It pretty weird for an enlisted man in the Navy to have commanding officers asking him for his autograph. Add that to the fringe benefits of being a finalist on …American Idol.

…Ive got commanding officers, admirals and captains and all these people ‘  ‹Oh, can I get an autograph for my kid? Phil Stacey told TODAY Ann Curry and Natalie Morales on Monday.

One year ago, Stacey was eliminated from Season 6 of …Idol after making it to the final six contestants. He was a musician third class at the time in the Navy, and when he went back to his day job playing for a Navy rock band, he remembers it as being an experience unlike any other.

MSNBC

6 questions with Clay Aiken

During its six previous seasons, TV juggernaut “American Idol” has launched countless music careers – but the caveat is maintaining staying power. Season-two runner-up Clay Aiken continues to trump the odds. His third RCA album, “On My Way Here, ” due May 6, follows his 2003 double-platinum debut, “Measure of a Man”; 2004’s platinum “Merry Christmas With Love”; and 2006 gold covers album “A Thousand Different Ways.” In May, he’ll wrap a five-month Broadway stint in the Tony Award-lauded musical comedy “Spamalot.”

On the new album, his first of original material since “Measure, ” Aiken worked with Grammy Award-winning producer Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti). The singer talks about the road ahead and his journey to this point.

AZ Central

Does Carrie Underwood Have a Serious Body Image Problem?

VW: Check out the opening of this interview: …It 5:30pm and Carrie Underwood hasnt eaten all day ¦[T]here a platter nearby piled with sandwiches. But Underwood sips a diet soda and nibbles on a Weight Watchers bar instead. ‹Everything shows up immediately right here, she says, pointing to her tummy.

KS: Are you serious? So depressing.

VW: Right? And it gets worse: …Some days I step out of the shower, put my lotion on, and Ill be like ‹Ugh, ew, ew.ƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Im getting the impression that she hates her body.

KS: That so horrible. [looks at the pictures] She so skinny! Oh great, am I fat? [nervous laughter]

VW: I know!

KS: It a little disturbing.

VW: And completely irresponsible.

MTV

Dates and Venues Announced for Studdard and Davis Ain’t Misbehavin’ Tour

Over 25 venues have been announced for the upcoming national tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’, which will co-star “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and former Rent star Frenchie Davis.

As previously announced, Big League Productions ‘  the company that books Broadway musicals for touring shows throughout the world ‘  will present the 30th anniversary tour of the Tony-winning revue.

Richard Maltby, Jr., who wrote and staged the original 1978 production of the Fats Waller revue, will direct the tour, which is scheduled to kick off Nov. 17 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, before playing venues in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Ohio and New York, among others.

Playbill

Return of an idol

He made his entrance singing, as if any other way would have been more appropriate. …Happy Birthday would have worked, since Lenape Middle School turned 50 at the start of the school year. Instead, he entered to a song he sang when he was a student at Lenape in the early 1990s.

Shortly after Lenape’s choir began singing, …Sometimes, I feel like a motherless child, Justin Guarini peeled back the red curtain on the stage inside the school auditorium and joined in.

Guarini, who rose to fame during the debut season of …American Idol in 2002 and has lived in Hollywood, Calif., for the last six years, attended Lenape in the early 1990s and was one of hundreds of alumni and former faculty members invited back for Sunday’s 50th anniversary celebration. Alecia Moore, also known as two-time Grammy winner Pink, was on the invite list, since she too attended Lenape and even sang in the same choir with Guarini back then, but Moore never showed.

Phillyburbs

‘Chicken Soup for the Idol Soul’: Kevin Covais edition

Dalton Ross is back with the seventh installment in his series of dramatic readings of passages from the recently published Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. This week, we pay homage to the literary genius that is Kevin “Chicken Little” Covais. For previous clips — including Sanjaya Malakar, Scott Savol, and Haley Scarnato — click here.

Entertainment Weekly

Little Big Town Rides For A Cure

Platinum artists Little Big Town will take to the streets at the second annual Ride For A Cure motorcycle ride on Sunday, June 8, 2008 benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation. The ride will kick off at the Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs and end at the future location of Harley-Davidson of Columbia for a field party where Applebee will provide a post-ride barbecue lunch followed by a special jam session with Little Big Town and friends.

Celebrities and special guests participating in the ride include Darryl Worley, Lonestar, Gary Chapman, GAC Storme Warren, Heidi Newfield, Bo Bice, Jennifer Hansen, Mark Nestler, Trent Tomlinson, Ira Dean, Keith Anderson, Chuck Wicks, Jeff Allen, Charles Kelly of Lady Antebellum, James Otto and Christian Kane, to name a few.

Breathcast

ATLANTA, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — AARP, the world’s largest advocacy organization for the 50+ community, today announced it will bring a star studded, two-hour musical event entitled, “Songs of Soul and
Inspiration” to the Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA on June 21, 2008. Tickets will be available for the general public on April 21st.

The mega-event — directed by Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony award-winning producer and choreographer Debbie Allen — is part of AARP’s 50th anniversary celebration and features a once-in-a-lifetime line-up of female
vocalists, including Yolanda Adams, Patti Austin, Shirley Caesar, Chaka Khan, Jamia, Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, CeCe Winans, the Fire Choir and Ann Nesby appearing with Paris Bennett.

PR newswire

On ‘American Idol, ‘ Abdul whips up nice

For “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul, kindness is a much-needed virtue.

“There’s a great strength in being kind, ” says Abdul, who is sometimes criticized by fans for being too lenient on contestants.

Rarely does she say an unkind word to contestants, even when they’re having an off night. Fans are well aware of how fellow judge Simon Cowell teases her – and sometimes openly mocks her – about her judging technique.

“Paula Abdul has always been known as ‘the good judge’ on ‘American Idol’, ” writes David Bloomberg on the Web site foxesonidol.com.

“She is supposedly there to offset ‘Mr. Nasty’ himself, Simon Cowell. But throughout the entire competition, it has struck me and many others that she doesn’t really offset him.

Knoxnews.com

Should American Idol’s Paula Abdul Join Dancing with the Stars?

It’s no secret that American Idol judge Paula Abdul seems to be on a mission to become a contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars next season. Although DWTS judge Bruno Tonioli thinks it’s a great idea (“She’d win, ” he predicts), his colleague, Carrie Ann Inaba, is wary.

“She’s [emotionally] fragile. And she’s had physical issues [a neck injury]. She won’t even realize how much pressure is on her until she’s already signed up and can’t get out, ” Inaba tells TV Guide magazine (May 5 issue; hits newsstands Thursday, May 1). “I would hate to see her get hurt by something she loves.”

My Fox NY

Culture Vulture: There’s no way around it: I am an ‘Idol’ junkie

Is it just me, or are Utahns taking over reality TV? Todd Herzog, of Pleasant Grove, won last year’s “Survivor: China, ” Provo hoofer Julianne Hough is a two-time champ on “Dancing with the Stars” and Murray’s David Archuleta seems destined to be crowned the new “American Idol” next month.

“American Idol” is one of my guilty pleasures. I can’t explain why. The music is bland, the contestants oversing, the weekly Ford “music video” is embarrassing, and during every ballad the studio audience does that annoying slow-arm-wave thing. Plus the guest mentors, like Mariah Carey, are too safe and predictable. Why not bring in Snoop Dogg and make David Cook sing “Gin and Juice?”

Salt Lake Tribune

Phil’s Pages: The final chapter

Following is Phil’s last diary entry in his 14-installment series. But first, I’d like to extend my thanks to Phil. He wrote most of these entries late at night after frantic weeks jam-packed with the non-stop set-up rituals that accompany an album launch, and I think he’s done a terrific job in peeling back the veils concealing both the day-to-day Idol grind and life as a recording artist. And we’ve been privileged to get to know Phil in the process — and for me, his name and the term “class act” will always be linked.

OK, one more time, here’s Phil:

Hey there, everyone. Well, it’s finally arrived. The day has come. The album Phil Stacey hits stores tomorrow. You will see my face in stores across the nation with a sign that says, “Yes! He is the Phil Stacey you saw on national television!” I am truly excited, honored, nervous, and anxious.

USA Today

About mj santilli 34832 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!