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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2006 > May
May 2006
6/1: Encores CD debuts at no. 3
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
American Idol’s Season 5 Encores CD debuted at No. 3 behind the “High School Musical” soundtrack and the Dixie Chicks’ latest. It sold 154,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, the most of any of the compilations to date, yet again solidifying the popularity of the franchise.
Then again, 154,000 is barely 1/2 of 1 percent of the typical no. of viewers of “Idol’ any given week. I think most folks are waiting for the releases of particular favorite artists. This is merely a souvenir for those who like souvenirs. And if you like only one or two tracks and you download, you can save yourself some money and just buy those off iTunes.
Here’s the link
6/1: Kat, Taylor singles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The new Taylor Hicks CD single “Do I Make You Proudâ€? with “Takin’ it to the Streetsâ€? will be out June 13. It’s been in the top 10 on Amazon.com the past few days. Runner-up Katharine McPhee’s “My Destinyâ€? with “Somewhere Over the Rainbowâ€? will be out June 27 and sales trail far behind. As of Wednesday afternoon, it was ranked #35 vs. #5 for Taylor’s single.
5/31: Should Idol change age limit?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My Idol colleague Donna Reynolds at www.foxesonidol.com suggests they raise the age to 18 so folks like Lisa Tucker and Paris Bennett can mature and be even better a couple years down the road. I agree that Paris, given two or three years, could have won it all. She just wasn’t quite ready.
How about the upper end age limit? Should there even be one? As Donna notes, the producers can cut out anybody remotely geriatric from the pool before they even reach the three judges. Even co-producer Nigel Lythgoe last week suggested raising the age from 28 to 30, a nod to Taylor Hicks, who was on the upper end of the age limit.
I wouldn’t have anything against making it 18 to 30 instead of 16 to 28.
How about an “original music” night like Nashville Star requiring contestants to write something? Should that be a requirement to be “American Idol”? I’m not too keen on that. That’s not a general requirement to be a pop star in this day and age. And it might result in some pretty BAD songs.
Another suggestion Donna made: how about letting them play instruments, at least during the results show, as they allowed Anwar, Carrie and Bo last year? That doesn’t bug me.
Other ideas sound cool: a songwriting contest for the eventual Idol winner so we don’t end up with the crap they fed us this year.
And how about holding performance shows in other cities? Logistically difficult but it could give folks in other cities a chance to see the show.
5/30: Paris wants to release xmas album
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to the Rockford Register, Paris Bennett wants to release a jazzy Christmas album. She was born in that area and has a lot of family in Illinois though she spent most of her years growing up in Minneapolis before moving briefly to Fayetteville last year.
And here’s an interesting post someone sent me from a music guy in Birmingham who knew Taylor as an okay bar band guy with strange dance moves he felt had no prayer of going anywhere in the business despite his aggressive nature. And as an admitted music snob, he’s no “Idol” fan:
Taylor Hicks Labored on the Birmingham Scene for 10 Long Years Before Anyone Noticed
May 25, 2006
by Don VanCleave, Coalition of Independent Music Stores http://www.cimsmusic.com/ - posted under Charts & Rants on website
Birmingham is not a very big place. It is about the size of Nashville or Austin, but acts smaller. I am pretty well known in town from doing business there for 18 or so years. Reg and I both get it. We are the music business guys. So I get a bunch of questions thrown my way. Usually they involve what shows to see or what records to buy. But, since it is late May, the questions ALWAYS involve American Idol.
Yep, who knew that our fair city would land THREE finalists in a row? Ruben, then Bo, and now Taylor Hicks. “Hey Don, how ’bout that Taylor Hicks?� “Hey Don, what do you think about Taylor?� and every other combination.
I have to be honest. I have not watched one song on American Idol this year. I watched a few tunes last year and the year before but I just can*t stand that judge’s panel and their comments. For me, music should not be a contest or related to a sporting event. It is impossible to avoid on the news here. I get the attraction to those folks not in the music business. I mean, talent shows have always been popular. What I find really crazy is how our town has magically produced three acts in a row that make the finals. Maybe it is no small coincidence that Birmingham has one of the top rated Fox stations in the country.
About this time last year, Taylor Hicks sent us his new CD. “Please check it out dude.� OK man. After a listen or two, it went in the big “I listened to it and I promise I did not throw it away, but it is gonna just sit there� stack. It was a decent enough effort, but we get tons of those. How was I supposed to help a thick-looking dude with white hair? To me, he was just another bar band guy among dozens. Way more aggressive, but you know that guy. Trying to make it and quickly running out of time.
In June, we have City Stages in Birmingham. It is our local festival. Reg and I have been very involved since day one. Taylor and his band were to appear on the “Locals Only� stage. He called multiple times to see if we had listened to the CD. I was busy and avoided most of the calls. When I did talk to him, he lobbied me to come see his set at the festival. So, I dropped by and caught a few songs. I thought the guy had a really good voice, but I could barely watch his stage antics. Man, that dude is afflicted with something. You know, whatever that muscular thing is that possesses Joe Cocker.
Later that day, I ran into Taylor and he asked if I saw the set. I was polite, but got out of there quick. Not long after, Taylor just showed up at the office. We like to hide and don’t want local musicians just dropping by. We are total snobs about that. We would never get any work done otherwise. Taylor goes running from office to office asking Reg, Jill and finally me what I thought about him and how could we help him get hooked up. Andrea, my assistant at the time, got up from her perch, took Taylor by the arm and said, “Dude, you need to leave� and that was the last I heard from him. We spent the rest of the day talking about aggressive this guy could be. NO was not an answer ever.
A few months later, Reg came storming into my office and spewed, “Check this ** out. Taylor Hicks is in a serious run in the American Idol prelims.� Wow, that is crazy!
This guy is 29 years old and does not look like an artist that would ever get a record deal. I know dozens of A&R guys. NONE of them would have given Taylor Hicks the time of day a year ago. He is neither young enough nor skinny enough. He has grey hair and is about as goofy as it gets on stage. Normally he would be a total non-starter in this business.
Being one of those people who would not really give this guy any serious time, I wish him only the best in the final round. I hope he gets everything coming to him. He has been slogging it out in bad bars around here for 10 years and never gave up. If he wins, I hope he is very successful.
5/29: Idol TV appearances
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Conan and Letterman are on repeats next week, but Regis & Kelly will have Taylor on Tuesday May 30, Kat on Wednesday May 31 and Elliott on Thursday June 1. Taylor will be on “Ellen” on Friday June 2. Taylor will also be on The Today Show Thursday morning with Kat.
You can view the Taylor appearance on Leno last week. Taylor gets to see David Hasselhoff tearing up for the first time. And it’s still hilarious!
5/27: Atlanta Idol tour dates appear sold out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The two dates at Gwinnett (August 3 and the ones that just went on sale Wednesday for Sept. 12) appear to be sold out, which I define as the inability to order two tickets on ticketmaster.com. That’s more than 22,000 seats — very impessive!
So the options are thus: brokers like www.stubhub.com or waiting til just a couple of days before the actual concert and seeing if they release some seats reserved for insiders but not used or are considered less than ideal. Last year, I purchased two seats on the side of the stage that were opened up less than 72 hours before the performance because the organizers would only give me one review ticket and my wife wanted to go. I don’t think those seats were originally going to be sold but they were great!
There has been a ton of speculative advance purchasing of Idol tickets for resale. The tix were going for $36.60 to $70 or so face value. On stubhub for August 3, folks are opting to get a 100% or greater return on their investment. Second row seats? Someone is asking for a whopping $971 each. I bet a lot of these were on sale before the 2nd date was put on sale. Overall, more than 140 seats were available on stubhub alone for this date.
I just checked the Sept 12 date and there are even MORE tickets available— more than 190. And the prices are in general lower for better seats than those for August 3. Here’s the site. No seats were available in the front few rows but there are plenty of great seats available right now for under $130 each.
And 143 seats are on sale for the August 3 date on www.greattickets.com And 184 more are available on that site for Sept. 12.
Over at www.ticketsnow.com, 148 tickets are on sale for August 3 and 188 more for Sept. 12.
And at www.razorgator.com, 94 seats are yours on August 3 and 146 tickets on Sept. 12
More than 200 tickets are on sale on ebay at the moment. It appears based on completed listings you can get your tix cheaper this way but there is a little more risk than with established brokers.
So of those five sites alone, more than 1,400 seats, or more than 6 percent of the entire ticket inventory is available. Those are major sites but you have to wonder how many of the seats are in the hands of folks who have no intention of actually GOING to the Idol tour but are merely trying to make a buck. That’s capitalism! I’ll check again as the dates get closer to see if the prices start dropping as folks get more desperate to unload.
5/28: Clay Aiken the next Beatle
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s a funny photoshopped picture of Clay Aiken as the fifth Beatle
5/27: Want to sample Idol Encores?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m not sure how long it’ll be available but AOL currently has the entire Idols Season 5 Encores CD available for streaming so you can sample it in full.
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5/26: Prince kept Idol guessing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Prince was in the house for exactly 5.5 minutes. He didn’t talk to any of the contestants, just came in, did his songs, and left. What a guy! “Idol” producers weren’t even sure he’d show up until seconds before he did.
Here’s the story.
5/26: Nigel speaks to TV Week
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nigel Lythgoe, co-executive producer here
On Taylor: “He is unique and gives you something every week to get you to pick up your telephone. Most of the time he gave a good performance.”
On his marketability: “That will depend on the songs he and the record company puts out. He will be a great live act. If they put out mediocre records, people will buy them to remember the occasion.”
On the show’s growing popularity: “We always say we don’t make major changes. We just tinker with the format. We did make major changes last year by splitting into a boy’s and girls area. It revitalized the format. It brought people together. That was the springboard for this year. Many peoople joined us early and chose our favorites. We seeded them well.”
Who goes first and who goes last: “It’s luck of the draw. Ken and I try to do a normal variety running order. You’ll see the order flip flop.”
The finale: “You can’t take really too much credi. So much people are due credit for. We sort of state what we want. Then there’s disbelief you can’t get it done. We only have a number of hours to put it together. Thanks to my team in all areas of sound, music, the lighting, the stage management, then the actual performers. Professionalism gets the show going. It goes through. The last one we did was one of the best ones I’ve done in my entire life. It all came together.”
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5/26: Taylor/Kat talk to print media
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ann Powers of the LA Times does a nice music critic analysis of Taylor and the show in general.
Taylor has a fan in high places: Condoleezza Rice
Here are a few bits I got from Taylor during the phone print press conference this afternoon:
I asked him about why he didn’t sing “Georgia on My Mind.” He said he wanted to but couldn’t find an opening.
“That would have been a tough fit� with the themes “Idol� gave him, he said. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll sing it on tour.�
Hicks said he also wanted to sing “Try a Little Tenderness� during “love song� week but had to do “Easy.� He also wanted to sing Van Morrison and Paul Simon but couldn’t get clearance.
As for his worst performance, he said doing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads� didn’t click. “I think I was flat the whole song,� he said. “I should have sung ‘Country Boy Can Survive’ [by Hank Williams Jr.]�
I asked Kat about Paris. Her response:
“I love Paris! We actually ended up being roommates. She and her mom were so adorable and wonderful to live with. She’s so talented and you forget she’s 17. She’s really marketable.”
As for Meat Loaf, I had to ask her and she said pretty much the same thing she told mtv.com. She at first wasn’t familiar with him but when she heard his hits, she recognized them.
“There’s a big age gap… The more people told me some of his hits. Oh, sure. I know that song and that song. He’s just a normal, humble guy. I just wanted to put on a good little show. It was definitely intense working with him. He puts all out every time he performs. It took me a couple of times to focus in. We’re on American Idol, not Broadway. But it work, put a cool dynamic on the show.”
Most amusing moment during the Kat conference. Some reporter from InStyle magazine innocently asked, “Who are you dating?” Before she could even say more than “I don’t want to…” a publicist cut it off by barking loudly, “Next question!” I guess she is dating someone, eh? In comparison, Taylor readily admitted to being single and when a journalist asked about a girl in the audience and wondered if he was dating her, they let the question go with no interruption.
5/26: More leftovers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The snarkiest TV writer on earth, The Washington Post’s Lisa de Moraes, even became an “Idol” expert and took questions from readers yesterday.
Typical Q &A:
Bethesda, Md.: What makes you just an expert on this?
Lisa de Moraes: Because I don’t understand anything else? Oh, are you asking why I think I’m such an expert on “Idol”? I thought you were asking why I know so much about “Idol” and am an idiot about everything else. Actually I am a brainiac about many other things. Did you know, for instance that objects in motion tend to remain in motion? And that you should not wear open toed shoes after Labor Day? I’m a wealth of information.
5/25: Idol ratings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Idol drew about 36.4 million viewers last night, a 15% increase over last year. The show overall drew about 14% more than a year ago. It’s the biggest night in Fox history. The season two Clay-Ruben showdown drew more viewers at 38 million but was only an hour results show. During the second hour, “Idol” this past Wednesday drew more than 40 million.
Among the 56 “metered” markets, Atlanta drew the third highest percentage of viewers: 46% of all Atlanta TVs that were on had “Idol” on. We had about 1.3 million people in Atlanta watching the finale.
The top 5 based on % of homes with TVs on watching:
- Birmingham (Taylor’s home): 64% (vs. 53% last year, ranked no. 1)
- Greensboro (Chris/Kelly/Bucky market): 51% (vs. 42% last year, ranked no. 2)
- Atlanta (Paris): 46% (vs. 36% last year, ranked 5th)
- Charlotte (Chris/Kelly/Bucky): 44% (vs. 36% last year, ranked 5th) T5. Columbus & Cleveland (Scott Savol): both 38% (for Cleveland 40%, Columbus 34%)
The least popular “Idol” spot was San Antonio, where just 14% of TVs were tuned in, followed by Albuquerque (16%).
The biggest dropoff: Tulsa, Ok. (Carrie country), where 1/3 fewer viewers watched the finale from 42% to 28%.
Richmond, Elliott country, saw a big increase of course: 26% last year to 36% this year.
Los Angeles, Kay’s home market, was a below average 26%, but up from 23% a year ago.
Denver, Ace country, saw a jump from 18% to a still below average 25%.
Nashville is actually below average when it comes to viewership of “Idol” at 28% (compared to 32% across the board).
For some odd reason, Boston really glommed on to “Idol” this year: 36%, up from 27% a year ago. Could we call that the Ayla Brown effect???
5/25: Behind the scenes stuff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s tzm’s amusing observations about the finale.
And People mag’s somewhat less compelling behind the scenes look.
And Randy working with his bud Mariah:
BC-Mariah Carey-Tour,0281 Carey turns to ‘American Idol’ judge to help spice up summer tour AP Photo NYET492
NEW YORK (AP) — Mariah Carey is tapping a longtime friend — “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson — to help her mix things up a bit on her “Adventures of Mimi” tour, which kicks off in August. “With this tour, I’m going to be working on some different arrangements for some of the older songs, to kind of like, give it a little more life to them,” Carey recently told The Associated Press. “That’s not to say they’re going to sound totally different and to freak anybody out … (but) I love re-singing songs to different music.”
Carey and Jackson have been meeting to discuss how she’ll spice up some of her old hits, and Jackson might even join her on a few dates.
“Randy Jackson is my musical director, and he has been for many years, even before ‘American Idol,’” she noted.
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5/25: Meat Loaf? Who’s Meat Loaf?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No surprise that Kat had no clue who Meat Loaf was (see below)
Here’s a quick one on one with www.ew.com with Taylor.
A few highlights:
After the show went off the air, all of your boys — Chris, Ace, Elliott — ran up to you and picked you up in the air. It seems like you all got really close. Was it nice to share your victory with the guys before anyone else?
We all are such a family. It’s such a family-oriented thing you go through; it’s such an interesting process. We’re all friends, and what a great group of folks and what great talent.
How did you get hooked up with Toni Braxton?
It was so awesome. She’s such a great entertainer and performer.
I thought she was kind of flirting with you.
Well, uh, you know, I’m just trying to be the best performer I can.
Does that mean playing up to your new heartthrob status?
I’m ready for that when I can sleep for a couple of days
And here’s the talk with Kat Highlights:
Q: It’s what you do with it now that will shape your career. But when Simon predicted on Tuesday night that Taylor would win, weren’t you bummed?
No, I didn’t get mad at all. I wasn’t really hurt. It was just one of those things when it’s like, Okay, someone’s gotta win. And then you think, Well, maybe I can still win. I don’t think I was in this… I don’t think I was really desperate to win American Idol. I was just grateful to be in the top two, to be honest.
Q: Your single, ”My Destiny,” was pretty widely panned by the judges and fans. Did you like it?
I liked it when I heard it, but it’s a lot different when you hear it produced. I think people will like it when they hear it produced, with the echo behind it, just a lot of things they put with the song that you don’t get to hear live. And also, my voice was not doing good. I sang it as best I could.
Q: In the theater you sounded great, but I watched the show back on TV and you could hear your voice was strained.
Yeah, I was losing my voice by the dress rehearsal. I had to have a shot of cortisone from my doctor. He came in and definitely saved my day.
Q: Did you ask producers to hook you up with a Meat Loaf duet?
They just came to me. It wasn’t like it was my choice. They just said, Okay, you’ll be singing with so-and-so.
Q: I haven’t heard the guy in a while.
I didn’t even know who he was. But now I do. He was like really big in the ’70s, right?
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5/25: Leftover thoughts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After I finished my print edition story (which included a quote from local Taylor buddy Mike Hardee, who told me Taylor had called him at 2 a.m. EST Wednesday to ask about dialido.com numbers and was pleased to hear he was way way ahead.), I caught up with Nancy Downes, Bo Bice’s mom. She was there with Emily Studdard, Ruben’s mom. Nice to see the “Idol” family members bonding geographically.
Nancy said Bo is doing well, on tour right now and fully recovered from his foot injury and intestinal blockage issues. She was staying at Bo’s house in Helena for the night, said it was on sale but hadn’t been sold yet. She said she never got a chance to meet the Katrina familiy that stayed there for six months (If you recall, Bo is now living in Nashville and donated the home rent free to the Katrina family.). Bo will be in Atlanta for the Star 94 concert on June 2. I’ll be at my college reunion so I’ll unfortunately miss it. Nancy said he is back with his original band, plus three new members, so he now has a hefty seven piece backup band. Bo had an engagement in New Jersey last night and couldn’t make it to the finale though Idol asked him.
I hitched a ride with her to the after party at Workplay, a couple miles away at a complex I was told was built by Alan Hunter, the original MTV V-Jay. It’s funky with bold colors and a lovely concert space where the Lil Memphis Orchestra played (formerly the Taylor Hicks band.) It was very jam band like, not my personal taste, so I hung out mostly in the back area gabbing with a few of Taylor’s friends. Didn’t really hear any juicy scuttlebutt, which gave me the impression that Taylor has led a fairly clean life. One friend did note that in college, Taylor was self conscious of his graying hair and even died it jet black once. But just once. She said he still got the ladies though. No surprise there! Taylor hopes to squeeze in a few days off before the “Idol” tour starts and after the media blitz is over but he won’t really have much time. Some of his friends seemed mildly wistful that in a sense, they have lost their good friend to the rest of the world. That’s the price of fame.
I also dished with a couple of Taylor fanatics. Again, nothing too surprising. San Francisco professor Lee Davis, who was at the performance show Tuesday night and flew to Birmingham Wednesday night, said she was able to see actions that weren’t on camera for the rest of us. For instance, she thought it a bit disrespectful that members of the McPhee family sat while others stood during Taylor’s performances but Taylor’s family stood along with everybody else during Kat’s songs. She also said rumor was that Taylor refused to sing the truly lousy “My Destiny” song, forcing “Idol” to grab the slightly better “Do I Make You Proud.” If I get to talk to Taylor, I will certainly ask about that!
Please feed me some other questions to ask him when I get the chance. I bet I won’t get a few minutes with him until next week.
One more observation: Kat clearly didn’t have much of a viewing party, which is understandable given she was from Sherman Oaks. So the producers wisely chose to minimize airtime for the Taylor party in Birmingham, lest they’d be viewed as unfair. (The satellite feed looked downright blurry and there were virtualy no closeup shots, just wide overviews.) And as MJ noted in her blog, the show felt much smoother minus the pap from the viewing parties and the judge interviews that littered past finales. And even though some of the pairings last night were downright bizarre (Yes, when I think of Taylor Hicks, Toni Braxton is the first name that comes to my head. Huh?), they were fun in a train wreck sort of way. I still can’t wait to actually hear what everything sounded like for better or wosre in a slightly smaller venue.
5/25: To my regular bloggers…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For Linny, Shay, Vin, Mike S, Deidre, et. al., thank you for keeping my blog lively and fun. You guys helped lift my blog to more than 1 million hits over the “Idol” season, a number that just astonished me to no end. As a reward, I have collected some cheesy “Idol” memorabilia from my desk from over the past four years and will mail to each of you a precious “Idol” trinket. But you’ll have to email me at rho@ajc.com with your home address and identify who you are (I promise I won’t tell…).
Mike S, by the way, you win the “Most Valuable Blogger” award this year. You were smart, helpful, informative and the best person to ever take over my job. :) And thank you Deirde for backing him up when he was busy.
Also, I’m sorry I wasn’t quicker about getting rid of the poseurs, esp. the idiots who pretended to be you!
I’m going to keep this blog alive offseason if you want to stay in touch with “Idol,” as I did last year. I might also make occasional comments about “Rock Star: Supernova.” And I will be attending the Augsut 3 “Idol” tour as well. In the meantime, keep up with me on my Radio Talk blog as well.
5/24: Taylor takes it home!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We have a Taylor victory! No surprise but still sweet for me since I’m here in Birmingham at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.
I got to speak to Taylor’s mom briefly. She had a custody battle over Taylor when he was a child and didn’t really see him til after high school. He gave her a video of his life from age 4 to 18 and she joked, “I wonder how much that would sell?” She said she has developed a great relationship with Taylor since then but agreed to let his dad “have the moment” in Los Angeles this week. So she stayed in Birmingham. “He did it! He did it!” she said moments after he won. “I love him so much. I’m so proud of him!”
Overall, this was the best finale show ever without a doubt in terms of entertainment and guests, capped by Prince. (He supposedly didn’t want to work with the contestants so a Prince theme night never happened.)
Anyway,, I snagged a front row seat courtesy of a group of Taylor fans who travelled from around the country to be here — including my new Marietta buddy Kelly Barton. She is a regular poster on the AI message boards (as Bama4Taylor with 9,000 posts to her credit) but has never even heard of this blog. Yet other front-row bloggers from New Jersey (Idolwatcher33) and San Francisco (Tayloraholic) who flew in are familiar with this blog. Go figure! Soulaz (3,800 posts to her name) is my neighbor. She’s from Phoenix.
Overall, the crowd is about the same as the one for Bo last year, with 3,000 or so. I think some folks have been diverted to at least five other watch parties I’m aware of.
Members of Taylor’s band are here as well as Taylor’s mom Pam, who I just met moments before the show started. I also heard Taylor’s prom date is floating around.
Lovely duet between Paris and Al Jarreau, even with the lousy sound in this areana.
Wow. This duet of Chris and Ed Kowalczyk of LIve is great except it seems like they’re twins, like a nondeliberate copy of the Joe Cocker/John Belushi duet.
And in the first strange combo: here’s Meat Loaf and Kat. Thank god they’re not singing “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” That would be way wrong. Why not “Two out of Three Ain’t Bad?” Instead it’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” There’s only a 35 year difference between the two of them. Kat’s pups are out and about. And somehow, the performance is not bad (then again, I can’t hear well here). But that’s because I really like Meat Loaf for all his histrionics. And she worked the histrionics well.
Pleasant time killer with the best vocal awards. It’s always wonderful to see Crazy Dave Hoover again!
Puck n’ Pickler: Very funny! Her reaction to the live lobster was precious. And yumm.. escargot!
The male group sing. I can’t even HEAR Taylor and his harmonica on this one in here. I’m going to have to watch this off my DVR tomorrow. Does Kevin look out of place or what?
First a U2 song was cleared, I think. But instead of Bono, we get Mary J. Blige, who has covered the U2 classic “One.” Now she’s with Elliott. A show stopper though Mary is outsinging Elliott on pure volume. (And she did steal Elton John’s sunglasses.)
Ultra-weird combo #2: Toni Braxton (???) with Taylor doing “In the Ghetto.” She’s been so out of the spotlight, this is a good move for her. Again, could barely hear a thing in here.
Female group proves the depth of talent this year vocally vs. past years. And it makes me miss Mandisa. Sigh…
There’s the hilarious Michael “Clay Aiken impersonator” Sandecki. Is this going to be the Clay Aiken appearance? Yes— it is! He’s got a moptop and … bangs? Who would have thought Clay had that much of a sense of humor? That has to be the funniest moment in “idol” history.
The Bert Bacharach medley is better than I expected, again because of the depth of talent of this year’s contestants. The only truly painful moment: poor Kevin singing “What’s New, Pusscat?” Just having him say “pussycat” is wrong. Dionne Warwick does look great, even if this meant a cheesy end with “That’s What Friends are For.”
5/25: The sad world that is Corey Clark
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
‘Idol’ Reject Clark Peddles CD
tzm.com
May 24, 2006 1:05PM ET
‘American Idol’s’ Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee are on top of the world right now. But they shouldn’t get too big for their britches just yet — they could find themselves peddling CDs on the streets of LA just like one of their predecessors.
As Hicks and McPhee were filming Tuesday night’s ‘Idol’ finale, just a few blocks away, ‘Idol”s second-season finalist, Corey Clark, was outside a Coffee Bean on Sunset Boulevard selling his rock CD, titled ‘Corey Clark.’
Even before Tuesday night, the Hollywood hopeful has been seen numerous times in the area peddling his CD — even in crosswalks. Corey and his friends carry a box of CDs, along with a boombox and posters with the CD cover on them in hopes the public will take interest.
The aftermath of Clark’s success on ‘Idol’ — and even an alleged affair with ‘Idol’ judge Paula Abdul — has left the ‘Idol’ contestant down on his luck, still in hopes of finding fame and fortune. Permalink to this story
5/24: Story behind Taylor’s purple jacket
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From tmz.com;
Taylor’s Jacket Power May 24, 2006 3:00PM ET
‘American Idol’s’ Taylor Hicks rocked the judges during Tuesday night’s finale and TMZ has the story behind his purple velvet jacket.
The jacket is by Dolce & Gabbana and retails for a whopping $1,648.
Taylor was with his stylist when he purchased the jacket from the trendy LA store Traffic. Sources tell TMZ that the moment Taylor tried the velvet number on, his comment was, “Okay, I feel it!” and instantly bought the jacket!
The white shirt Taylor wore under the jacket was an Ozwald Boateng shirt retailing for $205.
Sources tell TMZ that Traffic is Taylor’s favorite store. Since Taylor has been on ‘Idol’ he’s shopped at the store roughly eight times.
Taylor is such a fan of the clothes, he even brought his father into the store to show him all his choices. Although his father bought nothing, he loved Taylor’s picks.
Sources say Taylor is a very quick shopper. He knows immediately whether a piece works or not.
While the ‘Idol’ star is in the store, witnesses describe him as very polite, confident and friendly - even to the gawking fans.
http://tmz.aol.com/article2/_a/taylors-jacket-power/20060524145109990001
Gillian Sheldon Telepictures Productions
5/24: On the road in Taylor’s hometown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve had a delightful five hours so far in the Birmingham area, including getting lost once. (Locally, Midtown’s Smith’s Olde Bar is holding an ‘Idol” party tonight on behalf of Smith’s alum Taylor Hicks.)
I started at Open Door Cafe, a lovely luncheon place that has popular jazz brunches in the tony Mountain Brook neighborhood. Taylor used to frequent this spot and play on occasion as well. A lithograph of Taylor is on the wall, along with “Good luck” posters.
A woman Dede Pittman came rushing in looking for a “Soul Patrol” T-shirt. They only had ones saying “Got soul?’ a take off on the “Got Milk” campaign. She wanted one with Taylor’s face and left emptyhanded. In strolled Bill Williams, by coincidence, for lunch. He’s one of Taylor’s best friends, who has spoken to Taylor frequently during the show (as recently as Tuesday night) and has worked with Fox media crews and producers in recent weeks as an informal Taylor spokesperson. (I quoted him in my story Tuesday). He said Taylor’s mom Pam isn’t in Los Angeles but will be at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center tonight so hopefully I’ll grab a quote from her.
I later stopped by Hoover High School, where Taylor graduated. The secretary showed me the Class of 1995 yearbook and found four shots of Hicks — his official senior photo. He’s thinner and has dark hair but it’s distinctly Taylor. There’s him posing on the basketball team, the only senior on the team, the secretary said. Another is him playing the Blues Cats as musical entertainment for the high school pageant. And he was named “most musical” among the senior superlatives. No shock there.
The assistant principal Kathey Long knew Taylor from his high school years and said while he wasn’t a stellar student, he was very dedicated to his basketball and music and she recalls telling him one time that he should go to Hollywood and become a star. If true, she had a good eye for talent.
Then I got lost for an hour trying to find the HairGroup, where I am now typing this. This is the salon where Travis Cash works. He’s been Taylor’s hairdresser for two years, though he admits probably not any more. Travis said Taylor’s hair is easy to cut. It’s coarse and thick, of course. He would do it in about 20 minutes, add a little styling gel to it but knew Taylor didn’t do it himself. He’s also not a big fan of Taylor’s bangs, since cut by “Idol” stylists. He said Taylor was a great tipper: $10 for a $22 cut.
The last time Taylor was there was on March 31, right before leaving for the final 24. Taylor called, in a rush to get his hair cut immediately. Travis said he was busy and he was: he had Miss Alabama USA in the chair, Haleigh Stidham. But Travis put two and two together and realized Taylor had made it to the final 24, though Taylor couldn’t say. So Taylor came in and Haleigh recognized him. She said she’d give him her chair for a few minutes if he’d give her an autograph. Taylor obliged.
It’s now 4:30 p.m. Birmingham time, 5:30 p.m. EST. I need to hit the Sheraton next to the civic center, check in, then get a good seat at the show. Will be back later!
5/23: Did Taylor seal it?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I spent the evening at one of Taylor’s friends’ homes at the Perimeter, Spencer Forrest. He and his fiance have an amazing 42 inch LCD HD TV. Spencer’s fiance Stacey is text messaging like mad for Taylor. (She text-messaged Taylor 600 times last week and hoped to get 1,200 tonight.)
That final song probably helps Taylor edge out Kat. That’s my gut reaction, along with Simon’s.
As of midnight, dialidol.com numbers, measuring only phone call busy signals and not text messaging, have Taylor way ahead of Kat. She’s going to need some serious West coast support and a massive edge in text messaging as well to win this. And based on recent weeks, that’s highly unlikely. And as someone noted below, it’s interesting that Carrie Underwood on the same night as the performance finale won two ACMs over at CBS for best new female vocalist and best single (“Jesus, Take the Wheel”). Congrats, Carrie!
Star gazing: Ben Stiller, Mandy Moore & Christina Applegate
Kat (“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”) She just did it last week but it was her best performance so why not? It’s her ace in a hole. Her dad’s crying as usual. Randy: “When I saw you doing the same song again, it’s a little anticlimactic. You worked it out again.” Paula: “Every father around this country is feeling their tears down their faces as your father does. Congratulations. You own it up there.” Simon: “Round one. You got slaughtered. Now you’ve come back I believe this was your best performance of the competition so far. You’re back in the game.” She then explains the ear monitor, which didn’t work but she started on the right key. “Yah!” she said.
Taylor (“Liviing for the City”) - He’s wearing a pink velvet suit which looks just bizarre. (Spencer says, “Looks like he stole it from Hugh Hefner”) He starts in the audience where we see Tori Spelling, Kevin, Ace, Mandisa, Elliott, Paris and Ace. It’s certainly better than what I just heard on the CD. Randy: “You know what I love about you dude. Stevie’s the hardest thing to do. You don’t care where it’s from. You always make it your own. America, that’s a hot one right there!” Simon: ‘This audience hated you. It was a great way to start the show. A smart choice of song. The worst jacket I’ve ever seen but what do I know?”
Kat (“Black Horse & the Cherry Tree.”) She still does it in such an oddly chipper way. It’s perfectly okay. Randy: “You finally look like your’e having a little bit of fun, jiving with the guys and doing your thing. It wasn’t that super exicting to me but I think you sang it better than the first time.” Paula: “A fun way to start why you’re hear tonight. But I know there’s more of you and better of you.” SImon: “Kat. I’ll give a good with a small g because I think the occasion tonight is bigger than that song. That’s what I call a warmup.”
Taylor (“Levon”) — This is not one of Elton’s bigger songs but a big favorite for Taylor. He performed this way back in the semifinals. He’s doing the subtle Taylor, which works fairly well in this case. The song doesn’t do that much for me. He did okay. Randy: “Nice song. To be honest… it was a little pitchy for me this song.” Paula: “May be pitchy ot you may be the essence of what Taylor is.” Simon: “Doesn’t make any sense what you said… Taylor, probably not as popular as the first song. You walked the first round. Katharine has taken the second round.”
Taylor (“Do I Make You Proud”) — Another piano opening. “I’ve never been the one to raise my hand. That was not me. Now that’s who I am. Because of you I am standing tall.” etc. etc. The song starts a bit slow. Let’s see if he can pick it up. The choir is out again. A so-so chorus as a song. But Taylor hits his money note better than Kat. He ends much stronger than Kat, too. Randy: “Based on the song, I think this is a slightly better song. What I love about you. You know how taylor hicks i.s no matter what the song is, you know how to make it aylor hicks. Yah! Yah!: Paula: â€?I couldn’t agree with Randy more. You are better than the song. All your riffs, the nuances exists in that song.â€? Simon: “Assuming I was right, that the show was tied. Then you have just won ‘American Idol.’ “
Kat (“My Destiny”) — A soft piano opening. She’s in shadows. Smoke. “”I have always dreamed of this/ I’ll admit that there was something I missed.” etc. etc. Her lower registers are a bit of a problem, but she does well with the chorus. As one observer here in the room noted, it sounds like something Arial from “The Little Mermaid” would sing. The song is better than “Inside Your Heaven” but that isn’t exactly saying much. Didn’t quite hit the money note. Oh, no. The gospel choir is out! She misses a few notes but ends well. Randy: “I got three things for you. You look amazing. You sounded really good. I did not love hte song.” Paula: “That is not your fault because you are brilliant.” Simon: “You know. I’m sorry Katharine. In my opinion you went from brilliant to quite good in one song. You’re a great great potential artist Katharine. I’m delighted you’re in your final. For everyone to vote for Kat and remember the second song.”
5/23: 2nd ATL date added to Idol tour
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wow! In a first, the “Idol” tour has added a second date here in Atlanta. The first three years were in the much larger Philips Arena and if I recall correctly, only the second one with Clay and Ruben sold out. Last year, season four sold out the smaller Gwinnett Arena, which apparently sold out again for August 3.
The second date is September 12 at the Gwinnett Arena again.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow Wednesday May 24 at 10 a.m.
Here’s the link
For those who have seen the show the past two years, the Idol production folks have skimped big time on the production values. Let’s hope they spend a few more bucks this year around.
And for you Kevin Covais and Melissa McGhee fans, you’re out of luck. It’s only the top 10.
5/23: The Idol Encores CD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m listening to “American Idol: Season 5 Encores” for the first time, 12 cover songs from the 12 finalists. The CD renditions pretty much solidifies my opinions the first time I heard the songs. This is the order of the songs on the CD, not a ranking. Is it worth buying? As always with any of these compilations, it depends how badly you want an “Idol” souvenir that is unlikely to be in your CD player too long though you might download a couple of your favorite cuts onto your iPod.
Melissa McGhee: “What About Love” Funny they started with her given 90% of the population has already forgotten her. The song fits her. It’s forgettable, too.
Bucky Covington “Superstition”: I’m surprised they chose this one to represent Bucky but given a country-rock edge, it’s actually not half bad.
Mandisa’s “I’m Every Woman.” As we know, she’s got pipes and proves it here but the background singing and arrangement is painfully generic.
Chris Daughtry “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Does he add anything Jon Bon Jovi hadn’t already? Not really. But Chris fans should be satisfied.
Ace Young “Father Figure” This is his signature song and he does it decently though the song is rather lengthy. If you’re no Ace (or George Michael) fan, skip quickly.
Taylor HIcks “Takin’ It to the Streets” Mildly disappointing. Taylor doesn’t “pop” in this rendition the way he might live. Decent sax solo by some background musician, though.
Lisa Tucker “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”: Like Lisa, it’s a credible take but nothing more than that.
Kellie PIckler “Walkin’ After Midnight” This was Kellie’s best live performane and it works wonderfully here as well. She shows a lot more slinkiness than I recall.
Elliott Yamin “Moody’s Mood for Love” This is the best cut on the CD. You can see clearly why he made it into the final three. It helps that I don’t know the song because I don’t have any preconceived notions from the original.
Katharine McPhee “Think” She shows more soul in the studio version than I recall live. It’s solid but not in Aretha’s league. (Then again, who is?)
Paris Bennett “Midnight Train to Georgia” She shows off her skills here. This is less frenetic than the live version but it doesn’t suffer in the studio.
Kevin Covais “When I Fall in Love” He’s a sweet kid and this is a sweet version but the texture in his voice isn’t warm or inviting. He’s only 16 and it shows.
5/23: A dozen Idol story links
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here are an array of Idol-related stories to kill time before they crown the victor tomorrow:
Worldwide “American Idol” fever prevails.
Ryan Seacrest’s empire building
An argument from slate.com why Taylor will win
An argument why Taylor SHOULDN’T win because it will hamstring his creative control
A billboard.com poll shows it’s a tight race
Idol stylist dishes about Kat and Taylor to the NY Post.
LA Times checks Sherman Oaks in search of McPheever..
Things are a bit more pumped in Hoover, Ala. for Taylor
5/23: Wed. finale song spoilers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This looks like a joke to me but tmz.com is releasing it, perhaps to mock us. I mean, “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” and “What’s New, Pussycat?” And that horrible “That’s What Friends are For???” Why not have them sing “We Built This City” and “The Pina Colada Song,” too?
I’ve heard some folks say Clay is just appearing but below claims he will sing, too.
‘Idol’ Finale Performances Revealed
May 23, 2006 12:00PM ET
Sources revealed to TMZ details of Wednesday’s night ‘American Idol’ finale.
The show will feature songs by prolific composer Burt Bacharach, with Dionne Warwick performing her 80s hit, ‘That’s What Friends Are For.’
Other Bacharach performances will include Bucky Covington’s rendition of ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,’ and Kevin Covais singing ‘What’s New Pussycat.’
17 year-old Paris Bennett is scheduled to duet with Grammy-winning vocalist Al Jarreau.
TMZ has also learned that this year’s female contestants will take the stage for a medley of girl-power themed songs including, ‘I’m Every Woman’, Aretha Franklin’s ‘Natural Woman’ and Shania Twain’s ‘I Feel Like a Woman.’
Last year’s ‘Idol’ winner Carrie Underwood and 2003’s runner-up Clay Aiken are also scheduled to perform on Wednesday.
http://tmz.aol.com/article2/_a/idol-finale-performances-revealed/20060523114609990001
Gillian Sheldon
5/23: Song spoilers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Finals performance night is usually a bit overhyped and often a let down. Brace yourself for some rehash (Kat’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.”, Taylor’s “Living for the City” and “Levon”) and lousy original tunes. Sorry — no “Georgia on My Mind.”
According to some songwriter named Hanne at www.hannesorvaag.com, he has written a song with the wonderfully gagworthy title “My Destiny.” It will be performed by Kat tonight.
And one of my sources was kind enough to provide this info:
Someone posted on MJ’s board that Taylor’s coronation song is “Do I Make You Proud.” I looked up the writers on ascap and found the following. We will soon learn the truth. I am sure Taylor will hit it out of the park.
“Do I Make You Proud” was written by Tracy Ackerman, Andrew John Watkins, and Paul David Wilson, whoever they are (per ascap.com title search)
Well, I looked up some of the other songs this trio has written and the artists that have performed them and it does not sound good. Most of the stuff they have written has been performed by manufactured teen pop groups from Europe - S Club and B*Witched. And there is an Idol connection - S Club was created and managed by Simon Fuller. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SClub7
5/22: My story on Taylor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I worked every Georgia angle I could find for this story about Taylor. I interviewed three of his local friends, an Atlanta-based high school acquaintance and the co-owner of Smith’s Olde Bar, where Taylor has played several times. His brother Sean goes to Ga. Tech, too. And of course, Taylor is a huge fan of Georgia native Ray Charles.
5/22: Diana photo shoot
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For you Diana DeGarmo fans, here are some glamour shots taken of her by David Morgan .
5/22: Birmingham viewing party Wed.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Anybody willing to join me for the Taylor Hicks viewing party at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center, here’s the press release. They are expecting twice as many people as last year, when about 3,000 folks showed up to support Bo Bice.
Come out to support your local finalist at the OFFICIAL Taylor Hicks /American Idol Viewing Party.
Be part of the phenomenon as we broadcast live back to the American Idol finale at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, CA.
Let’s show Taylor how much you support him and show the world the soul of Alabama. The American Idol Results show will be shown on 2 GIANT Screens as well as the scoreboard screens.
BJCC Concession stands will be open
Date: Wednesday – May 24, 2005
Time: Doors open at 4:30 pm
Location: BJCC Arena
Downtown Birmingham
Check www.bjcc.org for further info. Or call the BJCC at 205-458-8400.
* THIS IS FOR ALL AGES & ADMISSION IS FREE**
Dye your hair gray and bring signs to support Taylor Hicks.
SOUL PATROL, SOUL PATROL, WOOOOOOO!
5/22: Random Idol factoids
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here they are, courtesy of mtv.com. Real Idol addicts have probably read a few of them before and a few I’ve mentioned in the blog. But it’s a nice compilation.
There is one clear discrepancy: although Nigel Lythgoe said during season 3 that he would release the voting totals after the season is over, he never did to the degree I would prefer as in actual totals week to week. They have given out the percentages for the very final episode the first three seasons. If memory serves me correct, Kelly won 55-45, Ruben won by less than 150,000 votes, and Fantasia won by about 53-47. (We never heard how close the vote was last year between Carrie and Bo, which makes me think it wasn’t particularly close.)
5/22: Guests on finale
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MJ’s blog features a slew of rumors and such about the performance show and finale.
Former season five semifinalist Becky O’Donohue (I vaguely remember her) is going to host for the Taylor Hicks Birmingham viewing party I’m attending Wednesday night. I wonder how they’ll do the viewing party for Kat since she lives down the street from the Kodak Theatre already in Hollywood.
And Mary J. Blige is rumored to be dueting with Elliott Yamin, although you’d think Paris might be joining in since she has sung a Blige song before.
As earlier noted, Meat Loaf (Kat) and Live (Chris) are skeded to show up as well for the two-hour grand finale.
And I saw this item about AI 3 finalist George Huff: Atlanta-based Gospel Music Channel has produced a new music video that features former American Idol contestant George Huff. The video, with the Ford Fusion vehicle integrated within it, makes its world premiere Tuesday at precisely 9:01 p.m. – one minute after the finale of American Idol – on both the Gospel Music Channel and at GospelMusicChannel.com.
I just received the “American Idol season 5 Encores” CD. I’ll offer my thoughts when I have a second to listen to it.
5/22: Taylor, Kat comments from Friday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was dealing with an Atlanta radio breaking story Friday afternoon and missed most of Kat’s press conference. (I heard the first five minutes, then had to take a call.) Then I decided to skip the rest of Kat’s conference to get on hold early for Taylor (whose conference came on right after Kat’s). I needed to corroborate if his friend here from Alpharetta Mike Hardee was the one who planted the seed to do “Idol” so I got that question in at the top of the conference. Taylor said Hardee was part of a crew of five or six friends who were pushing him to do “Idol” but acknowledged Hardee was one of the more insistent ones.
Fortunately, MJ’s blog offers excerpts from the press conferences. I did catch Kat use the “s” expletive, the first time I’ve ever heard an “Idol” contestant curse. You’ll see the “expletive” in the comments. The most interesting comments she made was admitting to nerves, to crying a lot. And it seems unfair to critique her for looking happy after Elliott got voted off.
I found Taylor’s love for the road endearing. After driving what one of his friends told me was a Ford Explorer around the country, he is now thrilled to get an actual tour bus.
USAT Today runs almost everything that was said from the press conference here.
I plan to run a Taylor profile for Tuesday with quotes from a few of his Atlanta buds, most from his Auburn days.
Both Simon and Randy think Taylor will win here. Paula is happy that Simon was skeptical about Taylor at first and fought for him. Simon also wishes Chris was in the finals.
5/21: Taylor parody on SNL again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the SNL players (I think it’s Jason Sudeikis) did his Taylor Hicks imitation again tonight during Weekend Update. Not as funny as the first time but the fake Taylor did reference Kat’s puppies in a way I’m not even sure I could use in this “family” blog. You should be able to get it from here
“I’m just going to do what I do best,” said the fake Taylor. “Sing from the heart and scare the hell out of children!”
5/21: Online polls have Kat winning
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MSNBC.com as of Saturday night had it split 50/50 between Kat and Taylor out of 57,000-plus voters.
Kat is also ahead 51/49 on the mtv.com poll
AOL has Kat winning over Taylor. Then again, AOL voters favored Clay in season two and Bo last year. In fact, Bo was ahead in most polls right before the finale by a wide margin. So they should be taken with a major grain of salt.
Here’s our own poll:
5/21: Meat Loaf duet with Kat?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Us Weekly has leaked that Katharine will be dueting with Meat Loaf on the two-hour finale show. Live is also rumored to be joining Chris. Who do you think will show up with Taylor or Elliott?
Last year, various musicians such as George Benson (with Scott Savol and Nikko Smith) and Rascal Flatts (with Carrie Underwood) showed up for for the finale to sing.
Also, here’s what many say is the American Idol single this year, written partly by Nick Lachey and former “Idol” finalist Tamyra Gray, Make it Real.
And here’s an interesting story about geographic/economic bias in The LA Times. Can Katharine overcome the fact she’s wealthy and comes from a big city. Past winners have been mostly smaller town folks with inspirational stories. Kat doesn’t fit that mold at all and her video on Wednesday showed that. Elliott and Taylor got huge parades. She filled a high school auditorium and that was pretty much it. I wonder if Ayla Brown’s privileged Boston background hurt her as much as her singing performance as a semifinalist. In fact, exactly zero New Englanders have made the finals of “American Idol,” which is three fewer than Birmingham alone.
5/20: Demo shift after Paris ouster
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This story notes that fewer blacks watched “American Idol” the week after Paris Bennett was ousted and the show dropped from No. 1 to No. 6 in African-American households, even behind “House.”
I did my own analysis as well:
About 1.815 million African-American households viewed the “Idol” performance show the week Chris Daughtry was ousted. The week before, when Paris was ousted, 2.44 million black households saw the performance show. That’s nearly a 25% drop in one week although national ratings were about the same. And that’s about an 18% drop from the comparable episode a year ago when No. 3 finisher Vonzell garnered the fewest votes. (Total black viewers dropped from 3.817 million to 2.709 million week over week this year, a 29% drop, compared to a total viewership, which went up from 28.58 million to 28.85 million.)
For the same week a year ago, among all households, “Idol” ratings are up 9.1%, from nearly 17 million last year to 18.5 million this year. So the percentage of black households watching the show dropped from 14.4% of the total to 9.8% once Paris was gone.
This is the first time that an African American was not in the final four. In year one, Justin Guarini (who is half black) and Tamyra Gray were in the final four. In year two, Ruben Studdard and Kimberley Locke were part of the finale four. In year three, LaToya London and Fantasia were in the final four. And last year, as noted, Vonzell finished third.
5/19: Katharine’s dad a conflict of interest?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s a lot of burbling on the Idol forum message boards about Katharine McPhee’s dad, Daniel McPhee, that he has connections with Fox and has had influence over Kat’s rise to the final two. If true, it seems fair for Idol to own up to it. I’ve left a message with the publicist at Fox to see if they’ve had questions about this before.
Someone sent me “evidence.” I’m trying to parse out what it means.
The woman pointed out that Daniel McPhee had been a TV producer and produced “The Incredible Hulk Returns” in 1988 starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferigno. Here’s a link. Her mom Peisha was also in that movie, according to imdb.com. The production company was New World Television. It was sold to Fox in 1996 or 1997. That’s not a conflict of interest because he worked for a company that was independent long before Fox bought it out.
She said McPhee worked as the producer for Ryan Seacrest’s Fox New Year’s special in 2004. I haven’t found evidence of that though it might be true.
I don’t know what Daniel McPhee is doing now, job wise. Does anybody know?
I haven’t seen anything else to be construed as evidence that Idol might be favoring Katharine on purpose and have kept her around to keep her daddy happy. Sure, Simon apologized for being too harsh on one her songs. And one guy observed her dad parrying with Paula, saying the judges were too harsh with her. And you can argue that Idol record producers would prefer her over Taylor as more marketable. At the same time, you could probably find similar issues that point Fox producers not helping her, like Elvis theme week. Kat herself even said that in the press conference Friday. (I’ll provide more details of what was said from those press conferences for Monday parsing. I got too busy Friday to write up what happened.)
All in all, the “dad” connection seems like a stretch to me but I’m putting it out there for you conspiracy theorists.
5/19: Taylor/Kat press conference forthcoming
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ll get to ask some questions of Taylor and Kat at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. EST today. Anything specific I should ask? I just talked to someone from Atlanta who says he’s a close friend of Taylor’s and takes credit for prodding Taylor to do “American Idol.” I’m going to try to corroborate this with Taylor later today.
Also, I’m disappointed, after two days of calm, that things degenerated on the blog Thursday. I already banned one person for an inappropriate comment about Kat earlier in the day. Tonight, I found a faker and will get tech to block him. Please, please, please stay civil folks. I hate to have to keep playing school marm. It’s really irritating and not in my nature!
5/18: Elliott speaks to the press
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s press conference for the print media confirmed what we probably already knew: Elliott is a wonderfully nice guy. Quotable too. He’s the feel-good story of the year, sort of like Anthony Fedorov last year. He did cough several times. I don’t know if he’s ill or not. Nobody asked. He even thanks the reporter who came on from his hometown Richmond Times Dispatch for their stories about him. As a fellow print reporter, I appreciate that!
Here are some highlights:
His feelings about getting voted off were far different than Chris’: “I was prepared for it. It was easy to take in and grasp… I had a feeling all day and all night long that my time was up. I had time to make peace with it. I accepted it.”
On being an underdog: “I’m viewed as the kid who came from nowhere. I’ve beaten a few odds here and there. People can identify with that.”
On his own life: “Before the contest started, I was lost. I was still trying to find my way as a human being, as an employee. Now I just feel like I’ve grown a lot with confidence. I’ve accomplished what I set out to do… It’s a humbling experience. I’m more patient… I’m a better man for it. It’s amazing to know how many people I’ve touched and inspried. I’ve planted an awesome seed for the future. I know what I’ll be doing in two years. As early as a year ago, I couldn’t have told you that.”
On his mom, who was ill for three years but is feeling better: “She’s been as big an inspiration for me as anyone. I’ve been able to feed off that… We always strive ot make our parents proud… I”m doing that. She just exudes this pride and love for me when she’s out there [in the audience.]… She’s a trooper. She’s been sick for three yeras. She’s like a kid again.”
Why Paula liked him: “She’s lovable. She’s got a big heart like I do. That’s probably what she identifies with.”
When I asked him about Simon’s seeming farewell comments to him Tuesday, he said, “He’s sounded like saying goodbye numerous times in the competition. I’ve grown accustomed to that. Simon— he knows what he’s talking about. He knows what he hears. He knows what America watns to hear.”
On his Ray Charles song that got critiqued: “It was a questionable choice. People would tell me off camera that I should reconsider my choice because it’s not a well known song… I love Donny Hathaway. Bottom line it was my choice with a clear conscience. I’m living with it. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
I asked him what his future album would sound like: “A real soulful R&B but I wouldn’t be afraid to try my hand at another genre.”
Who’d he like to work with: Quincy Jones, Kanye West, John Mayer, to name a few.
HIs favorite performance: “Moody’s Moody for Love” during the semifinals. “I think that was a transitional stepping stone for me. The first time I separated myself from boyhood to manhood so to speak.”
His other favorite: “A Song For You” midway through the competition. “It stepped me up a notch, validated me even more as an artist and singer.”
Favorite guest: Stevie Wonder. “He’s truly one of my biggest inspirations musically and as a person. For him to tell me I should choose this as a profession, how much better does it get? It was amazing!” He didn’t feel he did his best with his Stevie Wonder song: “It wasn’t as good as I would have liked.”
On Taylor: “He’s really a high strung dude. He has a lot of energy and passion… We bonded over everything. That’s my homeboy. We’ve built a relationship that will last forever. Taylor’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. He can keep the gut busting. I will miss that every day.”
On Kat: “She has a godly gift and a beautiful voice.”
Learning from Kat and Taylor: “I definitely looked more nervous. You could tell I just don’t have that experience. I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot from them to be on stage and present my performance. I’m still learning.”
Why he often picked more osbcure songs: “I wanted to give [the audience] a taste of something different, something they weren’t too familiar with. I wanted to make them fall in love with different songs that are more obscure… I’m satisfied with every song I picked.”
On his updated look: “I let my hair grow out. I didn’t realize I had that much hair. It’s the longest it’s ever been… I love the fact I have hair, I’ve got something to hold onto up there.”
5/18: Need some help
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fellow bloggers, I plan to visit Birmingham next week for the results show since I’m not flying out to Hollywood for the finale. (It’s a lot cheaper given our travel budget!). I did the same last year for Bo Bice though the year before with Diana in the final, I did sit in the Kodak Theatre.
They’ll hold a big party at the arena in Birmingham which will be shown via satellite on Wednesday. Last year, we had La Toya London as our hostess. She wasn’t that good. I’m hoping they bring in Nadia Turner this year!
I’d like some help from anyone who knows Taylor where and who I should visit while I’m there. If you don’t want to post it here, feel free to email me at rho@ajc.com. Thanks!
5/17: Elliott goes home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thank goodness most of the hour was fluff as always so I could watch almost the entire final hour of “Amazing Race” including the winner. (Go hippies!)
At 9:56 p.m., they show the vote percentages for the first time because they were so close. 33.06%, 33.26% and 33.68%. “It doesn’t get any closer than that,” said Ryan. (Well, that’s not true!)
He shows the 33.06% and it’s… Elliott Yamin! I got that one right so I’m 6 out of 10 picking who gets voted off and 19 out of 25 overall among all those in the bottom. They didn’t say whether Kat or Taylor had more votes but we can guess Taylor.
I went back a year to read my blog item when Vonzell was voted off. That night, there were 37 million votes tallied. That’s a 30% increase! Wow!
Brace yourself for crapfest 2006 next Tuesday if past years are any indication because Taylor and Kat will be forced to sing (gulp!) originals commissioned by “American Idol.” Last year, poor Bo and Carrie had to sing “Inside Your Heaven.” Can it get any worse than THAT?
5/17: Nigel comments
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nigel Lythgoe, co-executive producer, said 50 million-plus votes last night, a record for a non-final night. He predicts, like everyone else, that Taylor sealed the deal for the final two tonight. Also, TV Guide, which has Idol on the cover, revealed that Elliott has gotten 200-plus offers from dentists to fix his teeth for free and he will take them up on it.
You can listen to his comments (here)[www.tvweek.com/executiveBriefing.cms]. He reveals nothing about the finals night but says each will sing a song tonight from the album, to pimp the CD, of course. Here are his takes on the song performances:
Elliott’s “Open Arms�: “It was the Clive Davis choice. It thought it was okay. For me to be quite frank. I’m not a huge lover of the song. It stays along the same notes. But he sounded brilliantly. I love his voice.�
Kat’s “I Believe I Can Fly”: “I loved the first part of it. She went overboard with the second part. She held it together. She does go where others fear to tread. She just held onto it for me.”
Taylor’s “Dancing in the Dark”: “Great song, good for his voice. I was sitting next to Rod Stewart last night. We watched it on television. He applauded him, said he sounded great.â€?
Elliott’s “What I Wouldn’t Do For Loveâ€?: “It’s a great song but it doesn’t go anywhere, one cool vibe. Reminds me of an Al Jarreau song. But it didn’t impress me. Elliott needed to impress last night.”
Kat’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbowâ€? “It was one of those Idol moments of the series. When we come to choose the greatest moments of the series, that will be one of them. I remember Eva Cassidy who sang this song beautifully. I like the way she sat on the stage like Judy Garland. I loved the way she sang the verse of it. We don’t often hear the verse… It was beautiful. You could hear a pin drop in the studio when she sang that.â€?
Taylor’s “You are So Beautifulâ€?: “I thought Dancing in the Dark was better. He had angry face on. Like telling women you’re beautiful with angry face. But it showed what a great voice he has.â€?
Elliott’s “I Believe to my Soul”: “He has a great voice. He did a good performance last night. It isn’t a song I would have chosen. You should pick a song the public has known and put you up to your best.â€?
Kat’s “I’ve Got Nothing But the Blues: “She had the right to steal the evening. She threw it away with this song.”
Taylor’s “Try a Little Tenderness”: “It allowed him to start gently, then put that Taylor soul in it.”
Overall, Taylor came through with three great performances. Highlight was Dancing with the Dark.
Katharine just got away with the first, a brilliant second, didn’t really like the third. But stole the evening for me with Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Elliott with three great grooves and vibes and was probably the best singer of the night. I’m not sure the choices were right to get him through. Or if Kat let herself in the end. I suggest Taylor will be in the final. And there’s anybody’s choice for the other two.
I can tell you absolutely nothing about the finale. We got over 50 million calls last night. A record for a nonfinal. I expect the finale will be in the same area.
Tonight’s show: will hear three songs from the album. The rest of it will be pretty sad. Somebody is so close to the ifnishign line. They didn’t stick their chest out like a sprinter. It’s tough.
5/17: Elliott (gasp!) smokes!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Funny column from Elliott’s hometown paper about how some fans of Elliott were angry at the paper for spying Elliott with a cigarette and that would somehow besmirch him in some way among voters. Not sure how but here’s the column.
Oh, and he has a (gasp!) girlfriend, too.
5/17: Idol tour presale on
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This from the Gwinnett Arena press office:
American Idols LIVE is going on-sale!
The Arena at Gwinnett Center and AEG Live are proud to announce that the American Idols Live Tour 2006 has been added to our summer lineup.
Pop Tarts presents American Idols Live Tour 2006 will be playing at the Arena on Thursday, August 3rd at 7pm. Tickets go on sale to the general public via Ticketmaster on Saturday, May 20th at 10am.
As a Gwinnett Insider you have a special opportunity to purchase your tickets before the general public on-sale. A limited number of select seats have been made available for a Gwinnett Center “INSIDERS” pre-sale! This ONE day only pre-sale for Insiders starts at 10am on Friday, May 19th and ends at 10pm the same day. Ticket prices start at $38.50.
All you have to do is click here during the pre-sale and enter the password american and you can purchase your tickets. Remember there are a limited number of select seats that have been made available for this one day pre-sale and there is a maximum of 8 tickets per order, so mark your calendar and good luck.
5/16: Soaring over that rainbow
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clive made life tough for all three of them in the opening trio of songs. The judges handed them songs on a platter and all three delivered, though Katharine probably solidified her chances to get into the final two over Elliott. And in the personal round, Taylor easily finished off the strongest. His slot in the final two is solidified though he’s going to lose some votes for constantly yelping “Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol!”
So my gut reaction is the bottom two will be Kat and Elliott and Elliott will go home. His final song choice did him in. It was almost like Chris picking another Creed song if he were still in the competition.
Dialidol as of 10:15 p.m. is showing Taylor in the lead as usual and a close race between Kat and Elliott, with Kat just barely ahead. Could this be a photo finish? Or will Kat’s text messaging friends and West Coast Buddies give her a comfy lead and put away Elliott?
Katharine (Simon’s pick “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland & others) — Kimberley Locke rocked this song. We’ll see if Kat can do it, too. She’s on the floor again! A camera from above. Something wrong with her ear? What did she just do during the start of the chorus? She’s doing it in a very sexy, sultry way, which is her strength. It’s a theatrical song and she’s theater all the way. She doesn’t try to blow it out, thank goodness. She even hits the last note well. This is easily her best performance in ages, if ever. Thank you SImon! Randy: “Finally! Finally, this is what I’ve been waiting for. This is the best vocal for you this season. That was brilliant.” Paula: “Soak in this moment. Your element and your magic is when you don’t go overboard.” Simon: “I’m very happy for you tonight. It proves the point you don’t need to lay it too much. You have a very special talent. That was the single best performance in the competition to date.”
Taylor (Randy’s pick Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful”) — Randy couldn’t have picked a better song but the comparisons to Joe Cocker may not necessarily be a good thing. We’ll see. Taylor is taking the subtle route and he hits a home run. Thank you Randy! Randy: “A great tender moment from Taylor. You did the song proud.” Paula: “You not only look like a star, you are a star.” SImon: “That was far and away your best performance.” But the soul patrol shout outs—getting annoying!
Taylor (Try a Little Tendernessâ€? by Otis Redding) – He gives the umpteenth to “Soul Patrolâ€? before jumping in and swim in the soul. A delight. He’s playing to win! Randy: “I got a new name for you. Your new name from now on is have a good time funky Taylor.” (Uh huh). Paula: “I chose this and foudn out you picked it yourself. You did an incredible job.” Simon: “Smart choice of song. Good performance. Hideous ending. But I’ll see you next Tuesday.”
Elliott (Paula’s pick “What You Won’t Do For Love” Bobby Caldwell) — This is much better for Elliott than Journey. And he’s feeling this one much more. It fits him like a glove. Thank you, Paula! A solid performance all the way around. Randy: “It was a good song choice. You were a little sharp most of the song.” Paula: “This is the kind of artist you are. You have amazing soul, amazing R&B tone. You just pierce to the heart. You’re solid.” Simon: “It wasn’t the song in the world but the style suited you well. I thought you sang that pretty good.”
Katharine (Personal choice: “I Ain’t Got Nothing But the Blues” by Ella Fitzgerald) — She really goes old school but picks a song that’s all slinky and she wears a decent dress, too. I’m sure she’s sung this many times and figured it’d be an easy one to slide in. It’s a far more fun sung than what Elliott chose. Not quite “Rainbow” but better than R. Kelly. Randy: “The last song was the one for me. It was okay. I understand what you’re doing. I don’t know.” Paula: “Over the Rainbow is in your element but you still did a great job.” SImon: “Overall, you’ve had a good night tonight. You go five steps forward, one step back. I just wish we had reversed the order and ended up with the songs in the middle round with all of you. It was okay.”
Elliott (Clive’s choice: Journey’s “Open Arms”) — The very first Journey song ever cleared for “Idol”! High school proms, dates at the roller skating rink, that first kiss. And “Open Arms.” Elliott does a very truncated version and does it well. I expect good marks from the judges though he’s not quite as comfortable as he is with the R&B songs he usually sings. Randy: “That song is near and dear to my heart. I was in Journey… At first, when I heard about that choice. But you worked it out. You had a little problem with the chorus but take chances. Do your thing!” Paula: ” You are in excellent voice tonight. You did a great job.” Simon: “It was a good choice of song. It wasn’t a great performance. You are a little stiff. You have to got to loosen up and have to believing you can make the finals next week. You can do better than that.”
Taylor (Clive choice: Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In the Dark”) — This is Bruce’s 37th best song. Was this the only Bruce song you could clear? How about “Born to Run”? Or “Brilliant Disguise”? Or “Hungry Heart”? Taylor tried but man, there’s nothing he could do with this unless Courtney Cox came out from the crowd or something. Well, he used Paula instead. Randy: “What I love about you? You know how to have a good time. Dancing with Paula was hot!” Paula: “I had fun with you. You’re incredible!” Simon: “That was okay. It was a bit pale in comparison to the original.” And Taylor yelps “Soul Patrol” again. Yeesh!
Katharine (Clive choice: R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly”) — At least she doesn’t sound anything like R. Kelly. She’s got that grin on her face as always. It doesn’t quite soar but it’s okay. She wants so much to be Celine and Whitney but she’s not. She looks great as always. Randy: “You look amazing. But you know my problem still is. These songs you want to be that singer. But you aren’t that one just yet. It wasn’t quite the right thing for you.â€? Paula: “You look beautiful. This is difficult.â€? Then Kat jumps in: ” You’ve been rough on me the past couple of weeks.” Someone in the crowd says “You’re incredible” and Paula never gets around to critiquing. Simon: “I think you’re being a bit unfair. I think apart from a couple of bum notes toward the end, you created a bit of a moment for yourself.â€? Randy: “I disagree.â€? You have to wonder if her talking back will help or hurt her.
Elliott (Personal choice: “I Believe To My Soul,” the Donny Hathaway version of the Ray Charles song) —It’s got a gospel edge to it and he seems comfy but the song is sort of dull in the end. It was just okay. Randy: “I don’t believe this was the perfect song for you but you can definitely sing.” Paula: “I agree with what Randy said. It’s not a song people can connect with because they don’t know it but the thing about you Elliott nobody can sing songs like that, like Ray Charles, it’s difficult to sing that song. You’re a funky white boy.” SImon: “Your songs are not going to carry you through next week. However, you’re a great guy. You’re a great singer. You will make your mom very proud in what you’ve achieved in this competition.”
5/16: Diana drives Broadway tix sales
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This LA Times story shows that after Diana joined the “Hairspray” cast, receipts went up sharply, which is probably why they asked her back in the fall.
Here’s the key excerpt:
Last February, the 19-year-old DeGarmo joined the cast of the 2003 Tony Award-winning “Hairspray,” playing not the leading role in the ’60s-era musical based on the 1988 John Waters film, but the smaller part of Penny Pingleton, a perky and slightly clueless teen. Just before DeGarmo signed on, “Hairspray’s” net receipts were about $465,000, reported Variety. Her first week in the show, box-office figures jumped to $530,000, then $673,000, topping $855,000 for the second week in April.
Amy Adams, a finalist from the 2004 season, is making her theatrical debut in a touring production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which opens July 11 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Jennifer Hudson, an “Idol” finalist last year, is in the upcoming film of the Broadway hit “Dreamgirls.” “Rent” continues to audition “Idol” contestants. A production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” with former “Idols” is in the works. And producers of “The Color Purple” have also shown interest in contestants.
And when Season 2 contestant Frenchie Davis joined “Rent” in 2003, sales went up 20%.
Plus, the LA Times got one of the best quotes I’ve ever heard from Diana about “Idol”: “A lot of people in the industry don’t think you can back it up. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of having to prove myself. There comes a point where you have to stand on your own two feet rather than use that show as a crutch. I’m glad I didn’t win ‘American Idol.’ It wasn’t meant for me to win. And I think I’ve paid my dues. If anyone wants to challenge me on that, tell them to bring it on.”
“Idol” vocal coach Debra Byrd told the LA Times that she is recommending to Katharine McPhee to pursue Broadway, too, after the show is over. “She’s got real potential,” says Byrd, adding that after first hearing McPhee sing, she told the contestant that she sounded “like a gifted theater singer.”
5/16: Youtube videos of homecomings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is news coverage of the Elliott Yamin homecoming in Richmond last Friday
Here’s a news report of Taylor Hicks’ homecoming parade in Birmingham
A “:Good Day LA” interview with Katharine McPhee is here.
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5/16: Vote yr favs, song spoilers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
And our reliable MJ at her blog posted Clive Davis’ choices, which were reported on Entertainment Tonight:
Elliott Yamin: “Open Arms” by Journey, which finally cleared its songs. They were probably hounded by “Idol” fans! This could work great because this is a wonderful song — at least going back to my eighth grade days.
Taylor HIcks: “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen. Hmm… this is not a particularly good Bruce song and I don’t know what Taylor can add to it. I’m not looking forward to this one.
Katharine McPhee; “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. Everyone’s favorite role model R. Kelly! Boy, I can sense Katharine rarin’ to oversing this one! Again, I’m not to psyched about this pick.
5/15: Amazing Race casting call 5/20
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s a non-Idol bit. There’s an open casting call for the next Amazing Race, one of my favorite reality shows which has been getting poor ratings this year—undeservedly so.
May 20th, 10am-2pm Smyrna, GA New Steve Rayman Chevrolet 2155 Cobb Parkway Smyrna, GA WGCL Atlanta For questions, call (404) 325-4646.
You can also send in your tape to CBS. Details are at cbs.com
5/15: Powter performing on Idol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Powter to Perform Bad Day on American Idol
Source: Warner Bros. Records press release
May 15, 2006
Soulful pop singer Daniel Powter will appear live singing his chart-topping hit “Bad Day” on the May 23rd final performance night of the fifth season of American Idol on Fox. The infectious piano-driven single has been played numerous times over the show’s closing montage this season.
“Bad Day,” which was the number one most played song in Europe last year, currently sits at number two on Billboard’s Hot 100, and held the top spot for five weeks. It is now reaching more than 115 million listeners at radio. In addition, the single was the most digitally downloaded track on iTunes for six weeks and has sold more than 1 million copies to date.
That number will undoubtedly climb when Powter performs live on American Idol when the final two contestants battle it out live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood to claim the winner’s crown. This season has been enormously popular, drawing an average of 30 million viewers each week.
In addition to being heard on American Idol, Powter has also made a slew of high-profile TV appearances, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Today Show, Ellen DeGeneres and Live with Regis and Kelly. The video for “Bad Day” is currently in XXL rotation on VH1, receiving 30 plays a week.
Powter’s self-titled debut album, which was released on April 11th and debuted at #9, was produced by Mitchell Froom, who is known for his work with Elvis Costello, Crowded House, and Randy Newman, as well as being co-produced by Vancouver’s Jeff Dawson. A mini-tour of the U.S. is currently being planned for the beginning of July.
5/15: Song spoilers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My bud over at mjsbigblog has compiled at least the judge’s picks this Tuesday night.
Simon supposedly is choosing Judy Garland’s torch song “Over the Rainbow” for Katharine, which was Kimberley Locke’s best tune in season two.
Randy Jackson is giving Taylor Hicks the Joe Cocker classic “You Are So Beautiful.”
And Paula Abdul chose “What You Won’t Do For Love,” the R&B tune by Bobby Caldwell.
5/14: Idol impact on music sales
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From billboard.com:
After weeks of only hearing oldies from the “American Idol” contestants, the May 2 show highlighted current Billboard top 10 hit singles from the likes of KT Tunstall, Shinedown, Michael Buble and Mary J. Blige. Paris Bennett, who got the boot May 3, performed Blige’s “Be Without You.” Blige’s “The Breakthrough” skips 33-31 on The Billboard 200 (30,000) with a 27% increase. On Hot Digital Songs, “Be Without You” motors 56-44 (13,000), up 21%. Katharine McPhee sang Tunstall’s “Black Horse & the Cherry Tree,” which prompts at No. 9 debut on Hot Digital Songs (38,000; up 377%) and a 56-33 leap for Tunstall’s album on The Billboard 200 (27,000; up 78%). Elliot Yamin did Buble’s hit “Home,” and it in turn debuts on Hot Digital Songs at No. 36 (16,000; up 185%). Buble’s “It’s Time” falls one slot to No. 37 (26,000) but is up 27%. Finally, Chris Daughtry performed Shinedown’s “I Dare You,” which causes the band’s album to motor 177-118 (8,000) with a 53% increase. “I Dare You” misses Hot Digital Songs, but still registers nearly 8,000 downloads — a gain of 270%.
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5/13: Idol hometown trips
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s a bit about Taylor’s hometown visit: TMZ.com Taylor Takes Over Birmingham May 13, 2006 1:10PM ET
‘American Idol’ frontrunner Taylor Hicks visited his hometown in Birmingham, Ala. on Friday and received a hero’s welcome.
The trip home included a parade, a performance at Alabama’s largest shopping mall and a meeting with the governor. Fans swarmed Hicks for pictures and autographs at every stop.
Hicks performed the song ‘Will It Go Round in Circles’ for thousands of screaming fans at Linn Park and was given the key to the city by Mayor Bernard Kincaid.
During a trip the Governor’s Mansion, Gov. Bob Riley reminded the crowd to watch ‘American Idol’ on Tuesday and vote for their local hero. “Don’t forget,” Riley said. “You know what they’ve always said about voting in Alabama: Early and often.”
Here’s the one for Elliott Yamin where he says “I’m the same ol’ E.” About 4,000 people showed up for his lunchtime performance and 11,000 more at the Diamond where he took batting practice with the Richmond Braves.
And here’s the hometown return for Katharine McPhee. She visited her old high school and the Los Angeles mayor showed up.
5/13: DeGarmo concert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Diana DeGarmo, peppy as always, held fort for more than hour on the Rialto stage Friday night with her eight-piece funk/R&B backup band before about 500 fans. The concert proved that Diana is far more engaging doing ballads and torch songs than when she works the upbeat stuff, especially the stale “Old Time Rock & Roll” and a heard-once-too-many-times “Chain of Fools.” She noted the first song she ever sang in public was Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” and she did a wonderful job with it. And she ended nicely with “Georgia on My Mind.” But the highlight was her first effort singing a song she’s prepping for her summer national tour as Brooklyn in the play “Brooklyn,” “Once Upon a Time.” She got a deserving standing ovation for that. She also got great reaction from the five cuts she sang off of her “Blue Skies” album. The best: David Foster’s “Go on and Cry.”
While her voice was powerful as always, the sound system was abysmal, ranging from muffled to tinny. Often, the backup band was too loud vs. the vocals. I asked several of her fans after the concert and they agreed: the sound didn’t match up to Diana’s skills.
She also provided good news: the former Snellville gal was invited back to “Hairspray” in the fall after her stint this summer with “Brooklyn.” That proves the “Hairspray” producers liked her and that she is truly made for the stage. That is impressive by any measure, especially for a 19 year old.
5/13: Past Idols update
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I ran [this story] in the paper on Wednesday about some past non-winning Idol contestants are up to. I listed 10 folks, mostly people who have actually done stuff: Justin Guarini, Tamyra Gray, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Kimberly Caldwell, Josh Gracin, Jennifer Hudson, Diana DeGarmo, Constantine Maroulis, Bo Bice.
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5/12: Some claim Chris votes misdirected
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some voters are saying when they called one of Chris’s numbers Tuesday night, they received Kat’s voice. Fox has yet to respond. Here’s the msnbc.com story.
More from Chris here at ew.com
And here’s a press release from Access Hollywood about why Ryan was so abrupt in his announcement:
Seacrest: “I Was Shocked When I Was Told. I Wanted It To Resonate On The Air. I Really Did. I Wanted The Audience At Home To Be Shocked That He Was Leaving.”
BURBANK, Calif. - May 11, 2006- Ryan Seacrest tells “Access Hollywood’s” Nancy O’Dell why he was so abrupt in announcing that Chris Daughtry was voted off “American Idol.” The interview took place this morning on “On-Air with Ryan Seacrest” and airs on “Access Hollywood” Thursday, May 11, 2006
Last night, “American Idol” fans were shocked when they found out Daughtry was voted off and this morning, the show’s host, Seacrest, told O’Dell why he was so abrupt in announcing Daughtry was going home. “I was shocked when I was told. I wanted it to resonate on the air. I really did. I wanted the audience at home to be shocked that he was leaving.”
When asked if he thought “American Idol” finalist Taylor Hicks would be able to sell albums post Idol, Seacrest said, “I think he will sell albums. You got 30 million people watching a television show. He’s got a following.”
5/12: More on Diana DeGarmo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Snellville’s gal is at the Rialto tonight. (I’ll post what happened tomorrow).
Here’s a piece written by our theater writer Wendell Brock about Diana while he was up in NY to see “Hairspray.” Diana plays Penny.
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5/12: The Chris moment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The reaction when Chris gets voted off is probably the best in Idol history. His confidence melts instantly into shock and anger. Kat’s jaw drops to the ground. See the stills and watch the video at this site before Fox pulls it.
A few bloggers complained that the previous link I had included to the Chris departure had gay advertising and such. If that offends you, stick with the youtube.com link above. But in fairness, the original link is a lot clearer so you can check it out here if you choose..
5/12: Taylor Hicks Pacman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Proving you can find anything on the Web, check this out. Yes, it’s Taylor Hicks Pacman and since this was obviously done at least a week ago, Paris, Elliott, Kat and Chris are all chasing him. Have fun!
5/11: Fuel asks for Chris
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
During the press conference with print media at 1 p.m. EST today, Chris hinted he was expected to be offered a job with a band, Extra says is Fuel (see press release below), though he wouldn’t be able to join the group til at least 90 days after the show is over. He’s not sure if he’d even take such an offer if it’s given. “I’m at a position this all just happened. I”m not sure what I think of any of it,” he said.
He acknowledged he was shocked and “bummed” getting voted off, that he had no idea he was going to be booted. “It was a shocker and gutwrenching,” he said. “I was not expecting that, not even a little.”
Chris said he thought Kat, as most of the audience thought, expected to go home. “I gave every performance like it was my last,’ he said. “I dont know if people got comfortable and assumed I’d be in the finals. You never know.”
I got in as the second media person to ask a question during the 30 minutes and asked him if he felt any pressure from being the early frontrunner. He naturally said no, that he blocked it out. He also said he began shaving his head three or four years ago, partly to ward off that recession issue.
He said he auditioned on CBS’s “Rock Star: INXS” but didn’t get far.
Here’s the Extra press release
(Los Angeles – May 11, 2006) In an EXCLUSIVE interview, the multi-platinum rock band Fuel comes to Extra and to say they want American Idol’s eliminated Chris Daughtry!
Fuel bass player Jeff Abercrombie and songwriter/guitarist Carl Bell came straight to Extra’s Idol Correspondent Terri Seymour with the offer of a lifetime… they want Chris.
The band has been searching for a new lead singer and definitely took notice of Chris’ rendition of their hit “Hemorrhage� March 1st on Idol. “Chris, if you’re watching,� Bell says, “we’ve talked about this before, if you wanna entertain it again, we’ll entertain it again and go!�
How’d the idea get hatched? Extra Senior Executive Producer Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey played the matchmaker. “It came to me last night as I watched Chris get voted off,� she says, “the wife of Fuel’s bass player works for Extra so I know the guys in the band well. It seemed like a perfect fit!�
As for Elvis, Bell says no worries. “Chris, you won’t have to do any Elvis songs if you come to Fuel bro- they’re no more! You won’t have to do that.�
5/10: Chris is out!!!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dialidol.com was right again. Chris is going home. Still a big surprise!
Lots of booing. Even Kat looks shocked!
“I’m a little bit in shock,” Chris says. His problem may be that he did okay while Kat’s fans probably worked overtime to save her. And as dialidol.com noted, it was very very close. It could have gone either way.
I predicted the bottom two correctly but got who was going home wrong. So I’m now 18 out of 24 in picking the bottom but only 5 out of 9 for picking who is going home.
Theme next week: three songs each. The contestant can pick their own, the judges pick one, then Clive Davis has his choice.
Ready… set… complain!
5/10: Nigel speaks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s the link to Nigel’s weekly post-show talk with tvweek.com.
Nigel on Elliott: “He sang two great songs last night… during rehearsals I was worried about him singing ‘Trouble.’ It’s done with such cold lip as Elvis… on the night, he didn’t oversing it. He sold it. He was up for it. He’s a scrapper that boy. As the judges said, he probably had the best night of his competition.”
on Taylor & the Jailhouse Rock: “It’s an audience’s performance. When you’re having fun like that, it just captures you.” Simon’s reax: “[Simon] tries to alienate himself from an audience.”
on Chris & Suspicious Minds: “We’re doing a great medley of other songs. I was surprised by the songs chosen. and may ahve suited their voices better. Katharine’s choices were not as strong as they may have been.”
on Chris & Little Less Conversation: “JPL [Jon Peter Lewis from season 3] did it and did it a better and I’m a Chris fan. When it got to the end of the song, we’re getting into Chris’s registers. Before that, i thought it was kind of average.”
on Kat & her songs: “There’s an awful lot to remember. It’s getting tougher. We always thought Elvis with Katharine might be difficult. But we are trying to put challenges together. If I were Katharine, I would have done ‘Trouble.’ I would have stolen it from Elliott or done it alongside Elliott. She could have smoldered on that song.” (I agree!)
Did two do the same song before: “Josh and Ruben did the same song and Josh actually did it better.”
On Taylor and In the Ghetto: “This genre of music was perfect for him. He’s the closest to Elvis’ hometown and not dissimilar with those white soulful voices.”
On Kat’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”: “I don’t disagree with the judges. We call it over-egging the pudding. You put too much in there and the kitchen sink too. And at the end of the song, she put too many bluesy notes in there.:
Favorites: ” ‘In the Ghetto’ was possibly my favorite song from Taylor. And Elliott’s.”
Lineup tonight: “We got a nice medley tonight. We’re assured whoever leaves tonight is someone we don’t want to lose. I don’t want to make a mockery of the competition at this stage.”
Theme next week: “They have three songs to sing next week. The judge’s choice. Their own choice. One from Mr. Clive Davis, the guru. He will make the eventual winner’s album. He will meet and ask what he wants them to sing.”
5/9: All shook up!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nobody really bombed out tonight but Elliott and Taylor truly shined.
The bottom two? Chris and Katharine. Who will leave? Kat was indeed placed at a disadvantage and she didn’t rise to the occasion. Elliott took two relatively unknown songs and took advantage of them. So Kat goes home. It’s going to be the very first all-male final three!
Dialidol.com, which measures popularity based on busy signals from voters, had Taylor on top as usual, followed rightfully by Elliott. Chris and Kat are fighting to stay alive!
Elliott (“Trouble�) – He goes for an incredibly bluesy tune. He’s got it groovin’ on. He ends very strong. Wow! He may just beat out Kat for the final three. Randy: “On the stage, I think that was your best performance ever.� Paula: “This was your best performance ever.� Simon: “I’ve got to hand it to you. You’re coming out fighting. You’re showing personality. You deserve to go through to the next round.�
Taylor (“Jailhouse Rock�) He’s smokin’ tonight. He has his signature dance moves and sounds great! Simon’s going to love him! Not. Randy: “You’re in your element. Way to start off the show!� Paula: “You’re as original as ever. You were phenomenal.� Taylor: “We’re going to get real. In the real world, that was a terrible impersonation of Elvis Presley. The dancing was hideous. It was just karaoke with a capital K.�
Taylor (“In the Ghetto�) – He dials it back for a great vocal, as opposed to a dancing, performance. It’s a solid, emotional take that shows he isn’t just our favorite goofball. Randy: “The right key for you finally. The right song for you finally… the kind of record you should make. That was hot!� Paula: “It shows a completely different side, to show how well rounded an artist you are.� Simon: “There is a world apart from the first performance which was silly. That was absolutely the perfect song for you. You have just sung your way into the semifinals.�
Elliott (“If I Can Dream�) I am not familiar with this one. Elliott is taking a chance but it seems to fit his style well. He’s really comfortable with this one. I thought he helped himself with this one. Randy: “You laid it out. That was hot!� Paula: “I think that was the best vocal performance you’ve done this season.� Simon: “You came into the show as an underdog. You chose a song which not many people are going to know. Yet so far that was the best performance so far.�
Chris (“A Little Less Conversation�) – This song fits him perfectly. I’m not sure he’s added enough to it to make it go beyond the Elvis version but he rocks it as always. Randy: “That was the right key for you. That was hot!� Paula: “There’s nothing else I can say. I adore you. You picked a song that showed a little more personality.� Simon: “I thought your first song was a lot stronger. I thought up until the end, it was a flat performance. It was okay.�
Chris (“Suspicious Minds�) My favorite Elvis song! He showcases his angst-y vocals but for some reason, it never quite takes off. It’s good, not stupendous. Randy: “It was kind of nice.� Paula: “You forget how great that song is until you hear Chris Daughtry sing it. See you in the finals.� Simon: “Sunglasses aside, that worked.�
Kat (“Hound Dog/All Shook Up�) – She does a cabaret version of the Elvis classic. It’s entertaining and she shows more verve than she normally does. Randy: “I know you had a good time with that. It was fun. But what happened in the middle?� She missed a lyric. Simon: “All across America, you hold theatrical productions. Looked like a desperate manic audition. I can sing. I can dance. It was manic. It was shrieky. This will always be tough for you. It wasn’t a great performance overall.�
Kat (“Can’t Help Falling in Love�) – This could become Celine Dion hell. She seems a little off in the beginning. I do like the smoky quality in her lower registers. She always has that silly grin on her face though. Yes, it becomes very torch like and her power notes are just okay. Nice subtle ending. Randy: “That was better than the first song. Had pitchy problem.� Simon: “This hasn’t been one of your best nights. The song started off beautifully. What I wanted apple pie on its own. Then I got apple pie and a gallon of cream. The middle part was just too much. You came in with a disadvantage. I don’t think you chose the right songs. That arrangement was just too much.�
5/9: Possible Elvis spoilers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sorry - instead of posting this morning, I went to the health club. But here are the song spoilers leaked to AOL. I haven’t read any of the blog comments today but I’m 100% sure Mike S already has this. But here ya go:
Kat: “Hound Dog/All Shook Up” and “Cant’ Help Falling in Love.” (I can’t see the first one working out well but she might do okay on the ballad.)
Taylor: “Jailhouse Rock,” and “In the Ghetto.” The latter seems a natural, the former might come off a bit absurd or vastly entertaining. We’ll see.
Chris: “Suspicious Minds” and “A Little Less Conversation.” If his voice holds up, he should rock in both cases.
Elliott; “Trouble” and “If I Can Dream.” He goes for the least known Elvis songs. I think “Trouble” could cause him trouble but he might do okay on “Dream.”
5/9: Idol shadow economy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This blog is part of the “American Idol” shadow economy. Thanks to the popularity of this show and the community this blog has spawned, we are the AJC’s most popular blog by a couple of different measures. We received 74,683 hits last week, triple the number I got on my Atlanta radio blog. That also comes out to 45,000 unique visitors, the most of any blog at ajc.com. Only the cops briefs blog got more actual hits but fewer unique visitors. You guys placed the most comments of any blog (2,505), ahead of “Misadventures in Dating” which had 1,608 and Mike Luckovich, at 1,535. Of the 89 active blogs at the newspaper, “Idol’ alone represented more than 10% of all page views and 25% of all comments. Thank you for your support!
Here’s a story in Variety on this topic.. It also notes how it helps Cingular, Atlanta’s Coca Cola, Sony’s BMG label and even Nashville Star. It notes that the New York Times even references who gets voted off each week and that “Idol” made the cover of Rolling Stone.
5/8: Idols visit Graceland
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kat, Taylor, Chris and Elliott got to fly to Memphis and visit Graceland. Here’s the story.
This should be a fun episode tomorrow!
5/7: Pickler comes home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What’s interesting is that “Idol” singers, once ousted, are not allowed to sing full songs at public events not officially sanctioned by “Idol.” Yet Kellie Pickler broke the rules in her hometown, singing the National Anthem and joking, “What are they going to do? Kick me off the show?”
She also tearfully hugs her dad, recently out of prison.
You can supposedly watch her sing here though I’m on a Mac and haven’t been able to call it up.
5/6: Pic of Constantine/Kellie
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s a picture of Constantine with Kellie at the Teen Vogue Summer Celebration, whatever that is.
5/6: Fantasia to play herself in biopic
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fantasia is going to play herself in her biopic on Lifetime TV. Here’s the story
5/4: Gabbing with Paris
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s what I wrote for tomorrow’s paper, a quick rundown of what Paris said to me personally and to the press nationally.
Fayetteville’s Paris Bennett is such a confident, upbeat person, she said she had no reason to cry Wednesday night when she found out she was not going to be the “American Idol.�
“I wasn’t sad. I was very happy,â€? she said Thursday. “I was very grateful to have made the final five. I didn’t want anybody to cry for me. I don’t have a tear in me to cry for me.â€?Â
Besides declining to predict who will actually win, here are other thoughts she had both in an individual interview with the AJC and a phone press conference:
Why she moved to Fayetteville after junior year of high school from Edina, Minn.: “I actually lived there fourth and fifth grade. I have a lot of family there. I was already going back and forth [between Minneapolist/St. Paul and Fayetteville]. I was thinking of going to college in Atlanta so why not live there senior year?� [She attended Starr’s Mill High School for a few months. She was considering Spelman or Clark Atlanta locally]
Her current college plans: “It’s in my game plan if there’s an online one. I do want to focus on my career for now.�
What she wants on her first album “It’s going to be unpredictable. It will definitely have jazz, it will definitely have R&B, it will definitely have rock… I wanna give you guys a little bit of everything because that is who I am.”
Her favorite performance: Queen’s “The Show Must Go On.� “No one expected me to get through on Queen. That would have been the week I would have gone home. I was happy I made Queen happy and was able to do something by Freddie Mercury. He wrote it before he passed away.�
Her least favorite week: Country, when she sang LeAnn Rimes’ “How Do I Live.â€? “That was a ‘Let’s get it done and get it over with week.’ â€?
Her early desire to be a gynecologist: “I’m a big big baby person. I love watching the Discovery Health Channel. It’d be cool to be a singing doctor. I just don’t think I’ll have the time now.�
On Elliott Yamin: “What makes Elliott special is he has something going so deep within himself. . . He keeps it real.�
On Taylor Hicks: “That’s my big brother. Taylor has so much soul in him.�
On Katharine McPhee: â€?She’s very sweet, very classical. . . She’s the beauty queen, the Barbie.â€? [I can’t imagine the Barbie reference was meant to be a diss, but a compliment given her good looks.]
On Chris Daughtry: “He’s so intense! That’s what makes him a good person.�
A song she wanted to sing but couldn’t get cleared: “Sweet Dreams� by the Eurythmics.
Her diet: “I love fried food, Southern food. I also love sushi.�
Her view of the “Idol� tour coming to Gwinnett Arena August 3: “Just seeing the lovely lovely fans, just being able to perform again and just be me and not have a judge there. And I want to dance the way I want, say what I want to say.�
On her relative youth: “I am glad to be at this age. . . Being 17 is the greatest thing. I thank God America got to see my growing into 17.�
Her approach to life: “I believe in myself. If you can’t believe in yourself, you won’t be able to go on.�
What she has learned the most: “Every week I grew up and learned something new. I became more and more an independent young woman. . . I learned not take for granted any second, moment or hour in my life.�
5/4: Fox press release on Paris, Elvis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PARIS BENNETT IS ELIMINATED FROM THE “AMERICAN IDOL� COMPETITION
TOP 4 FINALISTS WILL PERFORM SONGS BY “THE KING OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL� -ELVIS PRESLEY- ON NEXT WEEK’S “AMERICAN IDOL� PERFORMANCE SHOW TUESDAY, MAY 9, ON FOX
Top 3 Finalists to be Revealed on May 10 Results Show
The AMERICAN IDOL phenomenon continues as more than 45 million votes were cast this week after the Top 5 finalists performed two songs – one from the year when they were born and the other from the Top-10 Billboard charts. Last night, it was revealed that Paris Bennett received the fewest votes after Tuesday’s performance show, ending her quest to become the next American Idol. Bennett, from Fayetteville, GA, sang “Kiss� and “Be Without You.� Next week, put on your blue suede shoes and don’t leave the building as the remaining four contestants each perform two songs by the original (Hound) Dog – Elvis Presley. To prepare, the finalists will travel to Graceland for an Elvis workshop with music mogul Tommy Mottola.
So far this season AMERICAN IDOL shows incredible growth compared to the same telecasts last year, increasing +13% among Adults 18-49 (12.6/31 vs. 11.2/28), +11% among Adults 18-34 (11.5/32 vs. 10.4/30), +7% among Teens (9.2/28 vs. 8.6/27) and +15% in Total Viewers (30.5 vs. 26.6 Mil).
“It’s Now or Never� as the Top 4 finalists (Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin) sing their favorite songs by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll on Tuesday, May 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Tune in the following night to find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who goes to “Heartbreak Hotel� on the AMERICAN IDOL results show Wednesday, May 10 (9:00-9:32 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment, Ltd.; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.
Go to AmericanIdol.com for all of your AMERICAN IDOL news. Check out photos from the different audition cities, along with special, behind-the-scenes information on AMERICAN IDOL. For photos of the finalists, please go to www.foxflash.com.
5/4: Idol and Elvis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Elvis Presley and his monstrous body of work will be the theme next week, as Ken Warwick told the press last week based on a question I asked. They are flying the final four to Graceland and Priscilla Presley will give a tour. That should be fun!
Our resident blogger Mike S has already thrown out his suggestions for the final four to sing… any ideas on your front?
I’ll post a Q&A with Paris as soon as I can get it. Any specific questions I should ask? The Fox folks usually can’t get me ousted constestants until Friday. I’ll also post today comments Paris makes at 1 p.m. EST to the print media as a whole.
And that awful group song, “Together We are One” is from the British Commonwealth Games. It should have stayed over on the other side of the ocean.
5/3: Paris goes home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bye Paris! She keeps on smiling and for the first time in “Idol” history, sings two songs!
I got the bottom two right: Elliott and Paris! Dialidol predicted Kat as we know based on busy signals. And I got Paris right, not that I wanted it to happen. She’ll have a great career of some sort, no doubt. Plus, she’s only 17. My scorecard is now 16 out of 22 right among the bottom and four out of seven of those ousted (I think). Or five out of seven. I can’t remember now. I’ll have to go back.
And was that Justin Guarini (with a smaller ‘do) in the audience after Paris sang “Kiss”? I guess they wanted to make sure she got her song in this time before she was eliminated. Ditto with Elliott.
God. That was one especially horrid group song, some crud called “Together We Are One.” Thank god they’ve cut back on these. They used to do them almost every week in seasons one and two. At least the Ford commercial was actually sort of amusing. Nice wig, Paris!
5/3: Idol downloads forthcoming
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Looks like Idol is going to pay some extra cash (and hopes to get it back) for clearances so it can offer songs sung on “Idol” as audio downloads on iTunes. Here’s the story. It appears they aren’t willing to pay the licensing fees to have the entire show available as a video download.
5/3: Ryan & Teri’s one date
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Teri Hatcher gabbed yesterday with Oprah about how Ryan Seacrest quickly dumped her after a single date and kiss (and tabloid photos). Ryan declined to say why he cut this relationship short but said “it just wasn’t the right time for me.” Doesn’t sound like much happened in the end.
5/2: Who’s going home?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was at Mike & C’s restaurant, where the Paris Bennett family members gather each week. I got there late and missed Elliot’s “On Broadway” performance and watched it later when I got home.
Who’s going home? My intial instinct: Elliott and Paris will be in the bottom two. Who will go home? It’s going to be a nailbiter but Paris will go home. I don’t necessarily want her to but such is life.
Overall, Taylor finally raised his game, Chris held his own, Kat was erratic, Elliott was solid but made a lousy song choice with Michael Buble and Paris did what Paris does but you could feel a bit of strain at times.
As expected, the Dialidol.com numbers show Paris at the bottom. But Kat is doing worse than Elliott. Kat is close enough to Paris that it could be like last week, where Kellie wasn’t at the bottom but within the “margin of error.” Elliott is battling Chris for second. No surprise that Taylor has the most busy signals by far and for the umpteenth time is at the top.
Taylor “Play That Funky Music” “I’ve had more hair changes than Ryan Seacrest,” he joked. The 25 Bennett family and friends loved Taylor’s performance of “Play That Funky Music.” Those dance moves! That shirt! Woo!! He’s got it going on! I was deeply entertained but expect a nasty Simon comment. Randy: “That another wild choice. I felt I was in a bar and had a couple.” Paula: “This is the authentic Taylor that we love.” Simon looks exasperated. “It was like a horrible horrible wedding performance. Sorry! Sorry!”
Taylor “Something” This was a cheat, from the top pop catalog chart, grabbing a 35-year-old Beatles song. But after the word that he wasn’t able to get his first choice last week, this is almost a makeup. It’s a song handed to him on the platter and he eats it up. He’s very subtle and I love it! Randy: “You chose a great song.” Paula: “It’s very daring to sing a song like that. You moved it tenderly. You didn’t oversing it.” Simon: “I don’t know how you got a song that is 30 years old to songs of today. That was clever. It’s very easy to forget with all your balminess (huh?) that you’re a very good singer.” Maybe that’s a British term but bauminess??? Can someone help me? (From whast posters below have told me, it apparently means wacky. which fits.)
Chris “Renegade” “I was destined to be a musician,” Chris said. Chris captures the song’s angst perfectly. He’s in complete control. Randy: “All I can say, America, we have a real hot one tonight!” Paula: “Outstanding. You’re already setting it far apart from anyone else.” Simon: “That was a million times better than the first two performances. Great choice of song.”
Kat: “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” She’s literally on her knees, begging us to vote for her. Or… something else. Somehow, it works. She channels KT’s song fairly well though she smiles a bit too much. Having seen KT do it live, it’s not as good. But overall, she redeems herself after “Against All Odds” and may have saved herself from elimination. Randy: “This is a wild show tonight. That’s more like the Katharine I grew to love.” Paula: “I love the choreography and intimacy. A much better performance.” Simon: “This is a strange show. Taylor’s lying down, you’re on your knees. I much preferred that to the first song. It was different. It was younger, a good choice of song.”
Elliott “On Broadway” He’s in the zone with this song, as we expected. It’s a wonderful tune and he does a better job than last year’s white R&B dude Scott Savol. Randy: “Started a little rough but by the middle of the song, you got it together, showed off that wonderful tenor.” Paula: “You have such a rich voice. Way to go.” Simon: “I don’t think that was your best performance. It was a bit disjointed. You’re lucky you’ve got two songs tonight.”
Paris “Kiss” She admitted the song was a challenge. She also wanted to pay homage to Prince from where she grew up in Minneapolis. She wore cute ruffled dresses. She looks great tonight. She’s having fun and it’s not the train wreck we anticipated. She does a fine funky job. Randy: “Nice to see you having a little fun, showing that youth song. I thought it was nice. I liked it.” Paula: “The whole country knows you can sing your butt off. I love when you sing songs from the past eras.” Simon: “Screechy and annoying.” “I love all the opinions,” Paris said diplomatically. (“A born politician,” Ryan notes.)
Paris “Be Without You” Her lower register sounds a little scratchy. It seems like she’s working this one too hard and the crowd isn’t getting into it as much as you’d think. It’s a good rendition, just not a showstopper. Makes me wonder how Fantasia would have blown the roof off of it. Randy: “Definitely taking a great risk. That’s Mary’s joint. Her vibe. All and all, a few pitchy things but you rocked it.” Paula: “You got it. I love your voice. I was hoping you’d do your own Paris flip on it.” SImon: “I think she did rather well with that.”:
Chris Shinedown’s “I Dare You” This song is rather mediocre. This is one of the most obscure groups to ever be showcased on “Idol.” He seems to be straining a bit near the end to rock it. It was just okay. Randy: “It was just alright for me.” Paula: “The song wasn’t my favorite but I loved you.” SImon: “It was not a great song. And your voice is going Chris. It really felt it was going to give way halfway. Great first song. You’re going to be fine.” Chris then said, “That’s the fifth time I did that song today. We’re going all the time. I push it a little more than I should… I’ve got to pace myself.”
Elliott “Home” I had qualms the minute I heard he was doing Michael Buble. This song is so dull. Can Elliott pep it up? He tries but man, I’m getting woozy. This song has no melody or hook. Does he want to go home? This might help. Elliott runs off and comes back and Paula snickers (scary!). Randy: “Seeing the tender side of you. That Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke thing. Nice choice baby, nice choice.” Paula: “We got to hear the richness of your voice. It can melt you.” Simon: “I’m not sure I would have chosen a lyric I want to go home tonight Elliott. Not the smartest lyric in the world. I’m worried abou that show, if it has enough of a hook.”
Kat’s disaster of “Against All Odds.” She seems off from the start. She tries her breathy, sexy thing and it doesn’t work on this song. She is also wedged so tightly in that dress that no malfunction will happen. I don’t recall being blown away by George Huff’s take season three. Scott did okay last year. This was more in the lines of blah. That last note felt a little rough, too. Randy: ” You look amazing. I don’t know if the key was exactly right for you. It got okay at the end.” Paula: “You look stunning. Not my favorite performance for you.” Simon: “I got it completely wrong last year. This one was a mess. The song ran away from you. You have two songs. You’re a lucky girl.”
5/2: Updated song spoilers, misc.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Deidre, I did a study for tomorrow’s paper about song placement and affirmed your observations. Being last makes you virtually survivor-proof. Being first is a major disadvantage. I’ll provide more details on a quieter day.
Here’s my story in today’s Living section about song choice. I interviewed Kinnik and Kimberly Caldwell. I tried to get Nadia Turner. Here’s the link
Also, as a purely facetious item for the print paper, I’m thinking of listing jobs each of the five remaining finalists could do if they weren’t pursuing any entertainment-related job. I’m sure folks like Jeff J and Yo Daddy can help out here. Thanks!
Here are the firm spoilers for tonight, courtesy of MJ’s blog. Some of them earlier ones posted were incorrect but hey, it’s fun to speculate, eh?
Elliott could kill with “On Broadway,” which was sung last year by Scott Savol. I bet Elliott could do better if he loosens up a bit and lets go. “Home” by Michael Buble is a snoozer. I hope he can place enough soul in this to keep us all from falling asleep.
Taylor doing “Play That Funky Music (White Boy)” should be a hoot. Apparently, the spoiler of “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” was wrong. He’s cheating a bit by going for an old Beatles song but I’m sure Ken Warwick is thrilled he got clearance for “Something.” I can hear Taylor doing it but he better feel it or it could be dull.
Kat’s taking a well worn “Idol” song “Against All Odds,” sung (again) by Scott Savol last year and George Huff in year three. Not sure that’s going to be particularly good. I do expect a lot assuming she does K.T. Tunstall, one of my favorite current songs with “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.”
Chris is doing something by Shinedown called “I Dare You.” No idea about that song. I’m listening to a clip on iTunes and it’s right up Chris’ alley. Has that Live/Nickelback feel to it. And he’s doing Styx’s “Renegade.” That’s certainly not one of their more familiar tunes. He’ll probably do fine but I doubt these two songs will help Chris in any way. (The early guesses of Cheap Trick and Staind were incorrect.)
Paris, who’s in the hot seat this week, is going doubly funky on us with possibly the riskiest tune of the night, “Kiss.” Even if she does the Tom Jones version, it might come up as campy and silly. Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” is a sound second pick for Paris, better than what we first heard, Rihanna’s “SOS.’ It’s more up Paris’ alley and I’m glad she got a Mary J. Blige song after she was turned down for “Family Affair” a few weeks back.
5/2: Idol survey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s a survey that offers nothing surprising. Southerners are big Idol fans and Simon is the judge we respect the most.
SIMON SAYS: SURVEY INDICATES AMERICAN IDOL VOTERS VALUE HIS TOUGH LOVE
Wildly popular show has garnered votes from one in 10 of entire United States adult population during the 2006 season, according to the study.
Washington, DC – May 2, 2006 – More than half of adult voters for the Fox Broadcasting Company’s American Idol program value judge Simon Cowell’s opinion over that of the other judges in the 2006 season, according to a study released today by Pursuant, Inc. of Washington, DC. The study found that 58 percent of voters respect Simon Cowell’s opinion the most. This is more than twice that of the 26 percent who value Randy Jackson’s opinion and nine times more than the 6 percent who value Paula Abdul’s. According to the study, one in 10 of the entire United States adult population has voted for a contestant on the show in 2006.
“The American Idol phenomenon is representative of the American Dream – reality television’s ‘Cinderella Story,’â€? said Dr. Lori Baker-Sperry, renowned expert on popular culture and assistant professor at Western Illinois University. “It is not surprising that Cowell’s opinion is the most respected, as he is symbolic of the cut-throat underside to the fairy tale.”
Other characteristics of American Idol voters found in the study include:
• Thirty-five percent of all respondents believe that their votes on American Idol count as much as or more so than voting in a U.S. Presidential election
• American Idol viewers are more likely to be from the South (39 percent) versus viewers from the Northeast (21 percent), North Central (21 percent) or from the West (19 percent)
• Almost three-fourths of American Idol voters are women (73 percent)
• When asked the top three reasons adults voted for a contestant, “contestant has a great voice� and “contestant has star quality/potentially successful� made up over three-fourths (76 percent) of respondents’ replies; nineteen percent of respondents answered that they “liked a specific contestant/wanted him or her to win�
“The data show that voters are acting as judges in their homes rationally evaluating talent and star quality rather than looks and perceived popularity,� said Melissa Marcello, president of Pursuant, Inc. “They’ve constructed some sort of reality that they are the producer helping to discover the next Kelly Clarkson. My hunch is they feel they have a stake in creating a potential Grammy winner or double platinum record. As former Idols demonstrate their commercial viability, America shares in the reward and responsibility.�
Data for the Pursuant, Inc. study was collected by Opinion Research Corporation from April 21 -24, 2006. Telephone interviews were conducted among a randomly selected national sample of 1, 045 adults comprised of 515 men and 530 women 18 years of age and older. The margin of error for the entire sample is +/- 3% and larger for subgroups. View the full report at www.pursuantresearch.com
5/1/05: Book excerpt on Idol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s an except from New York Times TV writer’s book “Desperate Networks” about American Idol.
Here’s the summary:
UPN in 2001 rejected “American Idol” before “Pop Idol” had even been aired in the U.K. Simon Fuller & Co. never got past a phone call with CBS. ABC passed, weary of past semi-failures “Pop Stars” on the WB and “Making the Band” on ABC. NBC rejected the show after one meeting
That left Fox. Reality TV exec there liked the whole audition aspect of it. Hollywood talent agency CAA helped pitch. Fox, seeking something fresh for the summer of 2002, was plumb out of cash so it said CAA had to line up sponsors so they could even air the show. Even as the show did well in the U.K., Fox wasn’t budging as the winter dragged on. They did get Atlanta’s Coke on board early. Fox’s head Rupert Murdoch’s daughter Liz, who ran BSkyB out of London, loved “Pop Idol” and was a key person in getting “Idol” going in America. With Rupert calling the top Fox execs, it became a done deal.
Sandy Grushow, head of entertainment at Fox, insisted that they import one person from the Pop Idol show; Simon Cowell. He at first said no since he had no track record in the U.S. But he changed his mind though he was not committed to contract and was paid a pittance for the entire season: just $25,000. We know that he’s being paid now $10 million plus.
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