Idol Headlines for 5/16/08

Upfronts: A New and Improved American Idol?

When “American Idol” returns for its eighth season in January, it will still be a singing competition. But get ready for some significant changes in terms of how the show is produced.

Acknowledging that he’s not pleased with the performance of the show this year, Fox Chairman Peter Liguori told reporters during a conference call Thursday that he has met with the show producers and …everyone is really committed and excited to revamp the show next year.

Let put it in some context. …It not like it in the death throes here, he said. …There some real charm in that cast. Whether it caught the world on fire, I dont know. Some of it is just natural maturity of the show. It been a phenomenon, but that doesnt mean it doesnt go through some natural aging just like any other show. Well do some of those creative twists next season, and well see what comes out of it.”

Liguori also said that the Wednesday results show will, at least on most weeks, go back to a half-hour. One thing that wont change: the people sitting at the judges table.

…We love Paula, Liguori said, responding to a question. …She coming back.

LA Times

Taylor Hicks prepares for Broadway role in ‘Grease’

Taylor Hicks will make his Broadway debut on June 6, playing Teen Angel in “Grease” at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

Taylor Hicks said being in New York for three months will allow him to continue working on his next CD. He’s been writing songs and recording demos in Nashville, Hicks said, and hopes to release a new single in the fall.

The Hoover native and former “American Idol” winner, 31, will perform in the musical through Sept. 7. Hicks plans to announce his Broadway run on television this morning, on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

“I’m honored for the opportunity to experience Broadway, ” Hicks said Thursday. “I feel blessed and excited.”

He’ll appear in one number in the musical, singing “Beauty School Dropout.” That’s traditional for his character, a hip guardian angel who makes a showy appearance in Act II, offering advice to a teen named Frenchy.

“This particular part, Teen Angel, really allows me to put my toe in the water and test the waters, ” Hicks said. “I’ve always been a little over the top, so this is perfect for me.”

AL.com

‘American Idol’: How to Fix It

Something is wrong with American Idol, and here’s the surprise: American Idol knows it. It’s not the ratings; they’re down, but after nearly six years, a plunge was inevitable. And it’s not the contestants: Some past seasons may have showcased more talent, but this year’s final sing-off on May 20 will almost surely be livelier than last year’s Jordin-Sparks-vs.-beatbox-guy minor-league championship, or 2006’s clash of the titans between Soul Patrol and McWhatshername.

Entertainment Weekly

‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds

Flame-haired Fantasia delivers the only real surprise in a predictable penultimate week.

MTV

David Squared Equals Bigger Idol Numbers

The impending battle of the Davids put a little spring in American Idol’s flagging step last night.

Fox’s hit show’ which, despite showing signs of deflation, still exhibits juggernaut behavior’ attracted nearly 24.3 million viewers Wednesday, a 1.4 million-strong bump from last week and its largest audience since April 2, when Michael Johns and Carly Smithson were still singing for their supper and little Ramiele Malubay got the boot.

Idol also saw viewership jump by more than 4 million people in its second half-hour, ensuring that Fox would flay the competition in its time slot’ although CBS’ Criminal Minds put up quite a fight, averaging 12.7 million inquiring minds’ and win the night in total viewers.

Although it’s unlikely the expected showdown between David Archuleta and David Cook will bring the millions who have gone missing this season back in full force next week, Fox has to like the fact that its (yes, still dominant) numbers are creeping back up.

Eonline

David Cook Inspires Local Girl During Battle with Cancer

American Idol contestant David Cook has a lot of support from fans in the Metro, but a Lee’s Summit teen says Cook is supporting her in her battle with cancer. (Watch full report)

The 15-year-old is fighting for her life and gave American Idol finalist David Cook an orange leukemia bracelet that says “Pray for Bay.”

Bailee Woods thinks David Cook wore her bracelet during the show.

MYFoxKC.com

David Cook – A look back at Omaha Auditions

As the world watched David Cook sail into the American Idol final Wednesday night, they learned something many in Kansas City already knew … David’s path to Hollywood started with a push from his brother, Andrew.

“I’m more here just for moral support, ” said David at the American Idol auditions in Omaha. “It’s something he wanted to do, and I knew if there was any way to make it a little bit more comfortable for him, obviously I’d want to do it. So I’m just down here helping him out.”

That’s when Andrew Cook spoke up.

MyFox KC.com

‘Idol’ finalists Archuleta, Cook soaking it all in

LOS ANGELES ‘  When Ryan Seacrest announced the names of American Idol’s two finalists Wednesday, each thought he was going to hear another’s name.

“I couldn’t believe it. I thought he was going to say David Cook, ” says David Archuleta, 17, named the first finalist as Cook and Syesha Mercado awaited their verdict.

During an interview shortly after the show, Archuleta said: “I just feel like shock. Am I really in the top two of American Idol?”

Cook, 25, says he thought he would be going home. “I thought my ticket was punched. I honestly did, ” he says. “Syesha is an amazing performer, and she really hit her stride in the last two, three, four weeks.”

USAToday

American Idol Finalist David Cook’s Prom Date Cheers Him On

“American Idol” finalist David Cook has a lot of fans cheering him on, including his 2001 prom date.

“At the time, I was just excited to be asked, ” Molly Hastings told MyFOXKC.com. “I was just a sophomore so it was great to be asked by a senior, and he was my friend. So I went, and now it’s definitely ‘  it’s exciting now, too.”

Hastings, now a sixth-grade English teacher at a middle school in their hometown, said she is constantly answering questions about her prom date, who has shot to stardom nearly overnight since appearing on the show.

foxnews.com

Now it’s the Battle of the Davids: Utah’s Archuleta moves on to ‘Idol’ finale

Even “American Idol’s” singing prodigy, David Archuleta, wasn’t sure if he sang well enough to make it to the grand finale of television’s most-watched program.
Right after he sang in Tuesday night’s episode – in which two of the three judges heaped him with glowing praise – the 17-year-old Murray teen sent a text to his friend Adam Ruben with sneaking doubts.
“My songs are all boring, FYI. Ha, ha, ” David texted his friend. “[Contestant David] Cook dominated entirely and was amazing. But I’m glad they didn’t criticize my singing.”
He’ll compete against Cook, the bed-headed rocker from Blue Springs, Mo., in the finale next week. Syesha Mercado, the 21-year-old actress from Sarasota, Fla., was booted from the competition with the lowest number of votes.

Salt Lake Tribune

Television: Scoff if you will; Archuleta is more than an ‘Idol’ pastime

The Archuleta story is about an amazing rise in the entertainment world. It’s the story of a humble Murray kid becoming a true icon in the music industry – one who can make teen girls cry just by walking onstage. He is not a Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan.
For one, he’s talented. He undoubtedly will sell a lot of albums. He’s in the finals of America’s most-watched television show. Five to 10 times more people will see him perform on one week of “Idol” than all the concertgoers who see U2 in a whole
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year. Unlike Hilton and gal pal Nicole Richie, David’s accomplished something of note.
Second, his story and singing have inspired a lot of people. I’ve gotten tons of e-mails and phone calls from people who claim his music has moved them.
I, being a natural cynic, can’t possibly understand why. But that doesn’t matter. All I know is people say he has touched their souls with song. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman can never stake that claim. Frankly, I can’t think of a single Utah politician who can.

Salt Lake Tribune

Idol in Iraq: Awkward Song Choices Hurt Syesha, Cook Ready to Grab the Crown

Editor Note: It crazy serious and difficult for the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq, but our soldiers still find time for a little fun and escape: just like many of you, they love their weekly dose of …American Idol. We made friends on the Internet with some members of the Army 82nd Airborne division (Fort Bragg, what up!), who will be sending us their review of each …Idol installment.

They get …Idol a day later than we do, and their reports might not arrive until well after the show has aired (because, of course, things like communications blackouts do happen when youre in the military taking care of URGENT BUSINESS). But you dont mind because they are helping give you the freedom to watch …Idol in the first place.

MTV.com

Inside ‘American Idol’ Results Show: David Archuleta’s Dad Takes Control From The Crowd; Coin Toss Determines Finale Order

LOS ANGELES ‘  A couple of key things one learns at an “American Idol” taping: The “big stage” is way smaller than it looks on TV, and the typically tortoise-paced results show goes by way faster. You also see a lot more than the wildly tracking cameras could ever catch, so MTV News hit up Wednesday’s show to be your eyes and ears behind the scenes.

Before the broadcast began, the crowd (complete with a mosh pit of gussied-up local high-schoolers) went crazy for the mostly “Idol”-related celebs who made their way into the studio, including season-six finalist Chris Richardson and this year’s top 12. The night’s biggest preshow applause was reserved for the guy whose early elimination was this season’s biggest shocker: Michael Johns. While his fellow finalists were welcomed with a smattering of screams from the pit, the Aussie heartthrob’s entrance earned a standing ovation from the entire audience.

MTV.com

Chris Sligh Has Highest Debut On Christian Soundscan

As his debut CD, Running Back to You holds steady as the No. 2 best-selling Christian album on iTunes ®, the project that has wowed critics from USA Today to CCMmagazine.com has the highest debut on Christian SoundScan this week as well. On top of that, his single, …Empty Me continues to garner praise from Christian radio all across the country and climb the charts (currently No. 15 AC Indicator; No.18 AC Monitor; #23 CHR ‘ all R&R). Here what some of the top radio PDs have to say:

Next week Sligh returns to LA to celebrate the season finale of this season American Idol, where hell attend several Idol events, including Fox TV and Radio press junkets and performing at LA massive KIIS fm IDOL FINALE party along with Season 5 Ace Young and more.

Breathcast.com

American Idol: Syesha Mercado faces the Idol Extra Reaper

As soon as an “American Idol” contestant is eliminated, before he or she even has time to cry, scream or kiss their mother, JD Roberto appears. He is the host of “American Idol Extra, ” a behind-the-scenes “American Idol” post-show that runs Thursday nights on the Fox Reality Channel.

“Idol” alums Constantine Maroulis and Gina Glocksen serve as JD’s co-hosts on the show, conducting interviews with a lively mix of celebrities, “Idol” judges and “Idol” experts. It is JD’s portion, however, that truly sets the “Idol Extra” apart from other “Idol”-themed after-shows. Because JD meets each contestant for the first interview of their post-Idol career, he is like the grim reaper of “Idol” lore. When JD approached Carly Smithson after her ouster, she reacted by shielding her face in mock-horror. “Oh, it’s you!” She exclaimed. “I never wanted to see you!”

LA Times

On the Scene: ‘Idol’ Top 3 results night

Gosh, PopWatchers! I can’t believe it’s over! I mean, we’ve worked hard all season to bring you the Idol action from behind the scenes, and it’s just been so great to know you guys appreciated it. Gosh! Oh… I didn’t expect to cry…

Okay, so it’s not technically over: The Cook vs. Archuleta Ultimate Idoldome will soon be upon us all. (Two men enter A boy and a dude enter, one man boy/dude leaves…) But for my purposes, this season sure feels done, since I’ll be on vacation during the finale. And anyway, they’re moving to L.A.’s Nokia Theater for the big show, which gave everything at CBS Television City tonight a serious last-day-of-summer-camp vibe.

Entertainment Weekly

About mj santilli 34833 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!