Union Files Suit Against ‘American Idol’
A major musicians union filed a federal lawsuit against the makers of ” American Idol” today, claiming the show’s producers ripped off union musicians by unlawfully re-recording the show’s live music for reruns.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, alleges that American Idol Productions Inc. and its subsidiary, Tick Tock Productions Inc., violated a collective bargaining agreement it had with the American Federation of Musicians, AFL-CIO.
Beginning in 2007, the show’s producers subverted the agreement by cutting out the original soundtrack and re-recording new music with different musicians for “American Idol Rewind, ” court papers state. The affected episodes are from Season 2 on, the lawsuit said.
Carrie Underwood makes history with “Last Name”
Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name” this week becomes her seventh consecutive number one single to top the Mediabase country airplay charts. Underwood becomes the only artist in country chart history to have their first seven singles all reach number one.
From her double platinum current release, “Carnival Ride, ” “Last Name” is the album’s third number one single – including “So Small” and “All-American Girl” – all of which were co-written by Underwood.
A Family Claims They Were Assaulted at The Carrie Underwood Concert
A Selah family is taking legal action against the Sundome for an assault they say took place at the Carrie Underwood concert.
Victoria Shay is one of the family members who attended the concert. She says, “It was suppose to be a girl’s night out.”
That girl’s night out quickly turned into a nightmare.
“Towards the end of the concert the girls in front of us were getting noticeably drunker and drunker with four or five trips to the beer tent, ” said Victoria.
It was when one of the girls fell back into Victoria’s sister that things began to get ugly.
‘TV Land Awards’ skit casts paparazzi in satirical light
It is a typical afternoon on Robertson Boulevard. On the sidewalk outside Kitson, one of the trendiest boutiques on the chic street, country music star Carrie Underwood is swinging some shopping bags and walking directly into the path of several paparazzi.
But the Grammy Award-winning American Idol winner manages to breeze right by ‘ ignored by the shutterbugs, who have their lenses focused inside Kitson’s store window on two TV legends: Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams (aka Laverne and Shirley).
CONCERT REVIEW: Carrie Underwood charms Reading crowd
“So, ladies, ” Carrie Underwood asked the predominantly female crowd Thursday night, “what do you think about the men in Reading, Pennsylvania?”
Apparently, not too much. The response was a combination of tepid applause and even a few boos.
“They may be pretty, but apparently they still have some work to do, ” Underwood said.
The lighthearted give and take was common during the packed show in the Sovereign Center. The former winner of “American Idol” showed why she almost assuredly will go down in history as the show most successful offspring.
Taylor Hicks Admits: I’m a Jonas Brothers Fan!
Taylor Hicks is used to being the object of adoring fans ‘ but when the Jonas Brothers made a TV appearance in New York, the American Idol swapped roles.
Hicks, who is currently starring in Grease on Broadway, couldn’t resist partaking in Jonas Brothers mania with thousands of other fans outside of the Live With Regis & Kelly studios in New York City Thursday morning, he told PEOPLE.
“Once I arrived and saw all the Jonas Brothers fans, I got in on the screaming. We were all having a great time out there, ” said Hicks, who grabbed a sign from a fan and proudly held it up when the band arrived for the show. “We were all just being fans and that’s a cool thing.”
Lesser Idols launch cabaret tour in S.F.
At last, the “American Idol” losers can get out of the sun.
Beginning in July, 17 castoffs from the first six seasons of the popular Fox television singing competition will get a reprieve from the county fair circuit as part of the “Idols in Concert” tour, which settles in for a nine-week engagement at the Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. The city is the first stop for what producers hope will be a traveling cabaret.
Under the direction of “American Idol” pianist Michael Orland, finalists such as Gina Glocksen, Constantine Maroulis, Lisa Tucker, Christina Christian and Paris Bennett, plus a handful of less memorable names – most of whom placed between fifth and eighth in their respective seasons – will reprise the performances that got them the most votes on the series.
David Cook National Anthem: A Slam Dunk Performance
What could possible be more appropriate than a newly crowned American Idol giving his best shot at singing the most American song of them all, the National Anthem? We cant think of anything at all.
As it turned out, David had nothing to worry about. Cook delivered a powerful performance that seemed to more than please the crowd, and was spotted backstage looking quite relieved- although were not sure if he was relieved because of the performance he gave or simply because hed gotten the whole thing over with.
Fear of Death Pushed David to Idol Win!
David Cook says that he won American Idol because he was scared of dying!
According to the 2008 champ, he developed the laid-back stage persona that won the audience over, not because he’s a natural rock star, but because he didn’t want to “have a coronary”.
Autographed David Cook Memorabilia on eBay Benefits Cancer Society
An electric guitar and three T-shirts signed by David Cook are up for auction on Ebay and the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
The proceeds from the sales will benefit the American Cancer Society in support of David’s brother, Adam, who is fighting brain cancer. Previously, the Cancer Society had been selling Cook T-shirts to benefit their organization.
Syesha Mercado, this could be your future
Hey, Syesha Mercado ‘ are you paying attention? For some reason, with very few exceptions, …American Idol second runner-ups seem to have a tough go of it after the program ends, which doesnt bode well for Mercado. Here a look back at some other …Idol third-place finishers, and what theyve been up to (or not up to), as well as some of the trouble theyve gotten into.
Spotted! June 12, 2008
Paula Abdul dined overlooking Huntington Harbor at Prime Restaurant. The former LA-Lakers cheerleader did not ask to watch the game that night as she seemed to enjoy the view of yachts and savor a platter of surf and turf and a chocolate peanut butter fondue.
Beachfest offers free events to Grand Strand
Thousands of people are expected to crowd the old Myrtle Square Mall site this weekend.
Beachfest 2008 is taking place, with a number of Christian performers and speakers taking the main stage
Some of the big-name Christian performers are Toby Mac, Mandisa from American Idol, Hawk Nelson, and MercyMe. There is no cost for any of the events at Beachfest this weekend. Everything is free because more than 50 churches and 25 businesses in the area are helping sponsor the event.
Radio Tony J brings his story to the stage in …My Daddy a DJ
Radio personality Tony J of WHHL-FM (Hot 104.1) says he coming to the table with something fresh with this weekend performance of …My Daddy a DJ.
Tony J, WHHL …Traffic Man and creator of the Traffic Awards, says it the first-ever hip-hop stage play. …Im not familiar with any others that are hip-hop, or even hip-hopish, especially in St. Louis, says Tony J.
…My Daddy a DJ, written and directed by Henry L. Davis, will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, 3125 South Kingshighway.
The comedy/musical has performances from Nikko Smith, Ruka Puff, Hakeem Tha Dream, Da Fam, and Thyck Clyck, with David Carter and Rynell Garrett in acting roles as DJs, Silvia Ginger as the Boss, and Davis, in drag, as Jackie the receptionist.
Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Hudson coming to BET Awards
The BET Awards keeps getting more talent under its umbrella.
Rihanna will take the stage June 24, the show announced Thursday. Also added: Ne-Yo, Jennifer Hudson, Terrence Howard and Gabrielle Union.
The lineup had already included Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nelly and Usher.
Hudson, Howard and Union will help present awards recognizing the year’s best musicians, music videos, actors and athletes.
Hawaii residents making a splash on the national scene
…IF YOU couldn’t make it to Las Vegas last year for Jasmine Trias’ run with the Society of Seven, you’ve got another chance to see the 21-year-old reprise her roles as Shakira, Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. She’ll join the Society of Seven LV from June 20 through July 31 at the Outrigger Waikiki’s Main Showroom.
“This was actually in the works for a while, ” Trias explained earlier this week. “The Society of Seven in Hawaii didn’t have a girl, so they thought it would be a great idea.
So You Think You Can Dance What You Didn’t See
Hordes of tweens line the balconies and bleachers, like extras on the set of …Gossip Girl. Princess-purple jumpers and headbands abound, and no toenail has been left unpainted. It the first episode since the Top 20 …So You Think You Can Dance contestants have been announced, and the audience at CBS studios is suitably pumped.
Stage manager Debbie Williams emerges, whom I recognize as the bandanna-clad mother figure who held all of the madness together on the set of …American Idol. …You may have read about her in the L.A. Times, teases Tommy, no doubt referring to idol pundit Richard Rushfield account of Debbie seemingly interminable list of responsibilities.
Week 1 Results on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
The worst thing about the first week of So You Think You Can Dance is that someone’s got to go home. Two someones in fact. But it must be done. Like ripping off a band-aid, it’s sometimes best if it’s done quickly.
The first cut is the deepest…
The group number comes courtesy of Wade Robson to “Cobrastyle” by Robin. The crazy/punk/scarily suited dancers kidnap Nigel and dance around him on stage. It was odd but enjoyable. I didn’t exactly care for the camera work though.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Leaving Las Vegas
There may not have been a Lacey Schwimmer-Mia Michaels breakout moment to set the YouTubers all a-twitter in last night’s top 20 episode of So You Think You Can Dance, but in spite of all of Nigel Lythgoe’s unsubtle grandstanding about how great this season is turning out to be, I’ve got to agree with the guy. With only one or two truly unsatisfying performances, and nothing even approaching an outright disaster, last night went a long way to assuaging my frustration with Vegas week. Which isn’t to say there weren’t some dancers who still had me scowling about how, exactly, they were worth passing over Evan Kasprzak and Brandon Bryant, dancers with personality and good looks and skill and technique and panache and poise and great dimples…but I digress.
So You Think You Can Dance Jamie Bayard and Rayven Armijo Head home and the Others Do A Happy Dance.
It was 5:45 p.m., and the audience at “So You Think You Can Dance” was downright giddy. “Are you ready to be on TV?” Bellowed Cory the warm-up guy, just fifteen minutes before the first elimination show of the season. Hundreds of fans shrieked in the affirmative.
We chanted for Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe, and they emerged on cue, all waves, smiles and playful bows. This is gonna be a blast!
But when Cat Deeley took the stage, a pouty expression had replaced her trademark smile. “We have to say goodbye to somebody, ” she whined over the blaring music. And she was right. But the truth was, it didn’t really matter to us yet. Most of us still couldn’t tell “Chelsea” from “Chelsie.”
The show began, and Cat reiterated her somber point. “The journey ends for one guy and one girl.” And the music played. “Woo!”
So You Think You Can Dance: Top 18 Revealed
I’m not going to be so quick as some of the commenters to say that this crop of dancers isn’t up to the level of talent we saw last season. You have to remember that this is the first week for these partnerships so many of these dancers have only begun to find their rhythm and the necessary chemistry with their partner to pull of some of these difficult routines. I am so glad to see that the choreographers are keeping things tough, and was more than impressed that there were at least five routines that I was absolutely impressed with.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: The Doom of the Unknown Dancers
Cat, Cat, Cat. Oh, Cat. How you’ve frightened me so over these last few weeks, what with your stylish yet reasonable wardrobe, your motherly yet levelheaded comments to the dancers, your silly yet appropriate antics along the audition lines. Night after night after night of marathon two-hour So You Think You Can Dance episodes, and yet, Ms. Deeley, you’ve given your devoted viewers a mere pittance of what we’ve come to expect from and, yes, even love about you. Namely, you’re a kook, a glorious, fashion-forward, face-pulling kook ‘ and finally last night you let your freak flag fly high and proud, dominating the hour (a single hour! glory be!) from the word go when you proclaimed that ”one guy ¦and one GURL” would be going home last night.
Adkins to perform on ‘Nashville Star’
U.S. country music singer Trace Adkins is to appear on the second episode of the singing competition series “Nashville Star, ” NBC said.
Taylor Swift performed on the show’s Season 6 premiere episode this week.
Adkins is slated to perform his No. 1 single “You’re Gonna Miss This” with the remaining 11 acts on Monday’s live installment.
