Simon Cowell defends Paula Abdul, mocks ‘American Idol’ songwriting competition
Simon Cowell did not mince words today when asked whether Paula Abdul should have apologized to Jason Castro this week for critiquing his second song before he’d even sung it. “I don’t think [an apology] is necessary, to be honest with you, ” the American Idol judge told reporters while promoting America’s Got Talent at NBC’s summer season press day in Pasadena. “I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. It was a live show. She made a mistake.
Cowell did not hide his feelings about the Idol songwriting competition, which last year yielded the oft-mocked “This Is My Now” for winner Jordin Sparks. “I have nothing to do with it ‘ I’d like to bring in the best songwriters in the world, ” said Cowell, who joked, “You can guarantee either the word ‘proud’ or ‘moment’ will be in the song. How about ‘I’m Proud to Be in this Moment Now’?” When asked if the final two will get to change up the Iarrangement to better suit their vocal styles, Cowell hinted at a glimmer of hope: “I won’t give it away, but there’s a slight change to last year which is going to be an improvement.”
John Rich: ”American Idol’ infuriates me’
Rich, who will function as a judge and mentor on Nashville Star, as well as produce the album of the NS winner, said he was especially upset when Paula Abdul commented Tuesday night on Jason Castro’s second song before the dreadlocked contestant had actually sung it. “Why don’t you just walk up on stage and slap them right across the face while you’re at it?” Rich said. “It’s not a problem of [a judge] being tough on somebody. You’ve got to be tough on people and be honest with them. But you’ve got to respect these people. This is their entire life hanging by a thread….I’m sure [Paula] is a fine lady, but I thought that was a very, very disrespectful thing.”
Simon Cowell Predicts the ‘American Idol’ Finale
There is no doubt in SIMON COWELL ‘s mind that this year’s “American Idol” finale will be a competition between the two David’s — DAVID ARCHULETA and DAVID COOK — he indicated at a press conference to promote this summer’s “America’s Got Talent, ” on which he is the creator/executive producer.
“You’re going to have a real scrap, ” he predicts. “The winner will really depend on what song they sing on the night.”
That said, he also admits that “American Idol” is also a popularity contest and that, “David Cook has got the better voice and David Archuleta has got the teen and grandma appeal.”
Idol Producer: Simon Cowell “More Ditzy” Than Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul accidentally critiqued two songs by contestant Jason Castro on Tuesday’s show, but Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe says the show’s real flake is Simon Cowell.
“There’s no one more ditzy than Simon!” he told Usmagazine.com Thursday at the BAFTA Comedy Awards in L.A. “Or more ass-y than Simon when he wants to be. Depends on the night.”
Turn on Your …Heartlight ¦
Is the song no one cares enough to sing on this week Neil Diamond-encrusted episode of American Idol. Somewhere, E.T. is feeling really slighted.
I quit reading Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. Scott Savol-flavored soup was not all that delicious in the first place. When Carly was declared not-as-good-as-Brooke-White-and-Jason-Castro I thought about setting my copy on fire like in those countries where they ban books. But then I realized I didnt have any place to set stuff on fire that wouldnt also burn up sh*t in my apartment. And I have lots of awesome possessions. So that idea had to be scuttled.
David Archuleta’s Relief Dedication
David Archuleta has never been in the bottom three on an elimination night. And wed be willing to wager that he never will be.
But, according to People Magazine, the young, popular crooner was shocked when he was sent to the safe sofa this week.
As David walked over to join Jason Castro, also safe, on the couch, he mouthed …wow, wow, wow to himself, maintaining a look of shock into the break. We dont know why. Of course he was safe, and hell continue to be until the finals (where we hope he loses out to David Cook).
Our ‘Idol’ Curse Gets Brooke And What Happened When Natasha Bedingfield Forgot Her Lyrics?
Well, things went down at “American Idol” last night exactly as I thought they would. The lovely, and once very talented (but lost her confidence), Brooke White was sent home. I knew it would happen not because her guitar playing, kitschy performance of “I’m A Believer” was so awful, but because Access Hollywood was at a viewing party for her Tuesday night.
JORDIN SPARKS (AGAIN): Singer returns to Alicia Keys’ tour
Yes, American Idol alum Jordin Sparks is back on the bill as the opening act for Wednesday’s Alicia Keys concert at the San Diego Sports Arena.
Sparks last month dropped off the tour bill because, she said, her vocal cord was hemorrhaging. (Most people have two vocal cords, but why quibble over numbers?) “My career could have been in jeopardy if I hadn’t done anything about it, ” Sparks told the New York Post.
POP QUIZ: Clay Aiken
We realize that Clay Aiken is not everyone’s favorite “American Idol” runner-up. But the 29-year-old North Carolina native is the only one who sells millions of records, stars in a major Broadway show, gets to sell stuff on QVC, runs a foundation for children with disabilities and inspires fans to make homemade T-shirts that read “Clay shakes my ovaries a thousand different ways.” This week, Aiken releases “On My Way Here, ” his first album of original material since his 2003 double-platinum debut, “Measure of a Man.” We spoke to him by phone from New York a few days before he wrapped up his five-month stint in the Tony award-winning musical comedy “Spamalot.”
Chris Sligh returns to the Upstate for CD release
The Upstate’s favorite “American Idol” contestant is returning to the Upstate to support his new CD “Running Back to You, ” which hits music stores on May 6.
You can hear his first single, “Empty Me” on http://www.hisradio.com/common/contenthottop.asp?PAGE=351″ target=”_blank”>His Radio 89.3.
Sligh will be performing a few songs from the disc at the food court in WestGate Mall in Spartanburg.
What: Chris Sligh performing songs from his new CD “Running Back to You.”
When: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6
Where: WestGate Mall in Spartanburg
How much: Free.
There’s also a homecoming for Sligh the following day at Seacost Church Greenville.
What: “Running Back to You” CD release party.
When: Wednesday, May 7.
Where: http://www.seacoast.org/greenville/” target=”_blank”>Seacoast Greenville
How much: $10. But call to find out about tickets. There’s limited seating, and it may already be sold out. 864.284.0781.
‘Rent’ cast celebrates life with abandon
I’m no big fan of “Rent, ” the edgy, dated musical embraced by legions of young fans. But there was much to embrace about the production that stormed the Paramount Theatre stage Thursday night, drawing cheers from beginning to end from a young crowd eager to leap to its collective feet and scream for more.
Other stellar performances come from “American Idol” alum Anwar Robinson as Collins; “South African Idol” winner Heinz Winckler and Jennifer Colby Talton as lovers Roger and Mimi, united by passion but struggling with their own demons.
‹American Idol finalist to visit Gulf Middle School in Cape Coral
Gulf Middle School entertaining book fair earlier this year earned it a visit from a season-five …American Idol finalist.
Lisa Tucker will visit the Cape Coral school from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Thursday.
Shell meet students at a schoolwide assembly, perform a song, sign autographs and hang out with the winning Student Crew.
Gulf also will receive a $2, 000 Scholastic-merchandise shopping spree and special door prizes to be awarded during Tucker visit.
‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’ to bring gut-see stories
THE magazine show of GMA-7 “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS)” will make Saturday dreary stories into out of ordinary ones to entertain and ensnare the interest of primetime audience.
In a press statement, KMJS will recount stories of Filipino achievers in the field of music, sports, and fashion. It also features the Dinengdeng Festival, odd stories of “runaway” grooms, and how rice crisis becomes a vehicle for prostitution.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
The show relates the lives of Ramiele Malubay who is an “American Idol” ex-finalist and who became a favorite of international audience, and Madonna Decena who is still struggling for the title of “Britain’s Got Talent 2008”. Malubay and Decena are both Filipinos who received a standing ovation during their performances in their respective international television reality shows.
‘Duel’ between two Davids looms on ‘AI’
MANILA, Philippines’ Months ago, we took a deep breath and “educatedly guessed” that the 2008 “American Idol” grand finals could end up as a “duel” between the two Davids in the singing tilt-David Archuleta and David Cook. As of last week, both of them were still among the five “surviving” finalists, so our “fearless” forecast could come true a few more weeks from now.
Better chance
If both Davids do make it to the “final-finals, ” which one of them has a better chance of being hailed as the ultimate Idol? It all depends on the show’s millions of viewer-voters, of course-but, a little second-guessing may not be such a fruitless exercise in speculation:
Police: Man Uses Kelly Clarkson’s Name To Steal Truck
A man used a Texas-native pop star’s name to con a Ford dealership out of a pickup truck, officials told KPRC Local 2 Thursday.
“He had made his appointment and kept it, ” said Officer Jim Woods with the Houston Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit. “He said he was an associate of Kelly Clarkson.”
That’s right — Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of “American Idol.” She is originally from Burleson, Texas, near Fort Worth.
“He said she was in town looking to buy her sister a brand new Ford F-150, ” said Woods. “They showed it to him and he said that was exactly what she was looking for.”
Police said the man convinced the sales manager to drive the truck to the Westin Galleria hotel, so he could show the pop star her potential purchase in person.
Since You Asked: Kristy Lee is coming home
Yes, Selma’s sweetheart, who made it to No. 7 on the inescapably popular “American Idol” undiscovered-talent show before being voted off, actually will come home for an appearance at Ray’s Food Place on Highway 199 in Selma ‘ today.
Festivities start at 11 a.m. and the “welcome back” party includes an appearance by Kristy, autographs, music, a barbecue, bounce house and more. It’s open to the public, so feel free to drop in and meet Kristy, who’s American Idol motto is about as Southern Oregon as you can get: “Rope it, ride it, wrestle it, cowgirl it.”
After that, it’s unclear what public appearances she’ll make until the “Pop Tarts Presents American Idols Live Tour 2008” kicks off July 1 in Glendale, Ariz. The closest she and her Idol cohorts will get to Selma on that tour is Sacramento, Calif., on July 9; Portland on July 11; and Tacoma, Wash., on July 12.
Simon Sweats it Out
“I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. She made a mistake. I think…on live TV…you embrace things when things go wrong. If this was a pre-recorded show, none of this would have been shown and it would have been a bit boring. There was no conspiracy–I hear all this stuff about how it’s rigged. We watch the dress runs occasionally, sometimes we take notice of it, sometimes we don’t.”
Simon continues, “It’s all part of the craziness of the show and the year everything becomes normal is the year I’ll probably leave. I like it when it’s a bit loopy.”
But Cowell is quick to criticize his show, telling OK! that Idol ratings have been down slightly this season because, “I think the themes are too old fashioned at the moment. I think you’ve got to make the themes more current and I think we haven’t got the right personalities at the moment. They’re [the contestants] not letting go enough. They’re very media savvy, saying the right things, not arguing with me. It’s too safe at the moment.”
DeGeneres takes on Michigan Avenue
Look out, Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres is invading your territory.
The talk show host will tape an outdoor episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Saturday afternoon on Michigan Avenue between Tribune Tower and the river. The show’s publicist said she expects an audience of 3, 000 to attend’ and no more tickets are available.
DeGeneres will chat up Chicago native Robin Williams, as well as present a “TV exclusive” duet by “American Idol” rejects Michael Johns and Carly Smithson. According to the publicist, DeGeneres also taped a segment around the city on Friday.
The episode is scheduled to air at 3 p.m. Tuesday on WMAQ-Ch. 5.
