New URL for the American Idol buzz blog!
Please go to the new American Idol Buzz blog at http://blogs.ajc.com/american-idol-blog/
Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > March > 24
Monday, March 24, 2008
Kimberly Caldwell interview, Dolly Parton mentor next week
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ABOVE: Kimberly Caldwell co-hosts “Idol Tonight” on TV Guide Channel with Rosanna Tavarez (middle) and Justin Guarini (left).
A week ago, I spoke with Kimberly Caldwell, who has had the most successful post-“Idol” TV career. She’s been co-hosting “Reality Chat” and “Idol Tonight” for the TV Guide Network for the past four years.
I noted that she was eliminated “again” that previous weekend on “American Idol Rewind,” which recounts season two. “Oh my God!” she said. “It’s like seriously embarrassing. It’s a part of my history, no regrets. But my hair, my clothes, everything! I’m totally proud I pulled it together to last as long as I did on the show.” (She came in seventh.)
She was surprisingly self critical during the show’s post-interviews. “I’ve been a performer my whole life-I expected more out of myself.”
She said she and Josh Gracin recently joked “Rewind” was like going through the high school yearbook. “We get to relive it again,” she said.
Caldwell marvels that she’s been able to become an “Idol” expert on the various TV Guide shows. “I wish I knew everything now back then. But I’m grateful for ‘Idol’ because I probably wouldn’t have this job.” (Well, we can say she definitely would not have the job without Idol!)
She isn’t sure why TV Guide has kept her around so long. “I’m the longest running and youngest host at the channel,” she said. “I guess I brought a little spice to the channel. It was very vanilla when it started.”
She said at first, she tried to be a host and copied everybody else. But after a few weeks, she realized that wasn’t working so she just started acting like herself, a little goofy, a little giddy. And it’s worked. She hooked up with “Popstars” refugee Rosanna Tavares, who has become her best friend on and off camera. And last year, she recommended Justin Guarini to join them for the “Idol” recap shows. She said the trio are like siblings and can be quite off color off camera. “No one will ever see [the outtakes] or we’d not have careers,” she said.
Caldwell says people ask her 10 times a day when her album will come out. “There will be a product sometimes this freakin’ year!” she promised without specifics. “It will be worth the wait! I’m trying to do my own stuff and not what everybody else wants me to do.”
She said this is her favorite year besides her year, of course. “These are all solo artists,” she said. “They are performers, not karaoke singers.” Her top three before the top 11 Beatles night performances were David Archuleta, Carly Smithson and David Cook.
Her breakdown of each person and she was pretty kind, much nicer than Constantine overall:
David Archuleta: “I’m obsessed with him! I wondered before I met him if he really is that nice. But he’s that nice. I was 21 when I did Idol. No way I could have done that at 17 like him.” (She predicted he’d be fine last week after his botched top 12 performance and she was right)
David Cook: “I want to have David Cook’s baby! He’s got that sexy, gorgeous voice. Everyone compares him to Daughtry but I think he’s just real. He’s a star. He could win this.”
Michael Johns: “He’s really cool. Anybody who’s worked with him on the show says he’s the sweetest guy. He’s so nice. He could finish top 5.”
Jason Castro: “I think Jason will be around awhile. He’s adorable, very cute face, just a sweetheart. He’s that totally awkward guy, a loner. He hangs out with himself.”
Chikezie: “I did not think he was going to make the top 12 and then he had that phenomenal top 12 performance. Talk about taking ownership! He earned his spot.”
She wonders if all the tabloid coverage of Danny Noriega may have hurt his chances of the top 12 and helped gave the spot to Kristy Lee Cook. “She’s really pretty and a good vocalist.”
Brooke White: “She’s very softspoken, very chill. It would easy to not like her because she’s so perfect!”
Syesha Mercado: “I don’t think she’s shown a lot of her personality. As much as we want this to be just a singing competition, it’s also a personality competition.”
Carly Smithson: “I want to be friends with her. Vocally, she’s just flawless! I love the songs she picks and the clothes she wears. And her attitude about everything.”
(I forgot to ask her about Ramiele and Amanda! Oh, well…)
In other “Idol” news:
Dolly Parton will the be the first mentor for next week. In his blog on Idol Chatter, Phil says the “Idol” production team caught up with him, Bucky Covington and Bo Bice, all of whom will appear on video on next Wednesday’s episode on April 2.
Remember the kid from Knoxville who lived in his car and almost made it to the top 24 Josiah Leming? The Knoxville paper reports that he has a record deal already with Warner Brothers.. This is the first time I’ve heard a person who just missed the top 24 get a major record deal.
And here are some songs from the years each contestant were born that could work based on a list of the top pop hits from the year. I have no inside knowledge of what they will actually sing. I’m also avoiding songs that have been played out like “Livin’ on a Prayer” or “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” or “Alone.”
1978: Michael Johns “You’re in My Heart” - Rod Stewart, “Hot Blooded,” Foreigner, “Dust in the Wind” Kansas, “Baby Hold On” Eddie Money, “Come Sail Away” Styx, ‘Double Vision” Foreigner.
1982: David Cook “Eye of the Tiger” Survivor, “Hurts So Good” John Cougar, “Heat of the Moment” Asia, “Sexual Healing” Marvin Gaye (hey, why not?), “Hold On” Santana, “Rock This Town” the Stray Cats, “Waiting on a Friend” Rolling Stones
1983: Carly Smithson “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” Culture Club, “Sweet Dreams” the Eurythmics, “Making Love Out of Nothing At All” Air Supply, “Back on the Chain Gang” the Pretenders, “Stand Back” Stevie Nicks, “Take Me To Heart” Quarterflash, “King of Pain” the Police, “Separate Ways” Journey
1983: Brooke White “Every Breath You Take” The Police, “Sweet Dreams,” “Back on the Chain Gang,” “Never Gonna Let You Go” Sergio Mendes, “Always Something There To Remind Me’ Naked Eyes, “We’ve Got Tonight” Kenny Rogers/Sheena Easton (but solo earlier with Bob Seger), “Suddenly Last Summer” Motels, “You Can’t Hurry Love” Phil Collins
1984: Kristy Lee Cook “Why Not Me” the Judds, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” Tina Turner, “Missing You” John Waite, “Hold Me Now” Thompson Twins, “Drive” the Cars, “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues” Elton John, “Sister Christian” Night Ranger, “All Through the Night” Cyndi Lauper, “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again” Peabo Bryson
1985: Chikezie “Easy Love” Philip Bailey w/Phil Collins, “Rasberry Beret” Prince, “Cherish” Kool & the Gang,” “Nightshift” Commodores, “Broken Wings” Mr. Mister, “Some Like it Hot” The Power Station, “Sea of Love” Honeydrippers
1987: Ramiele Malubay “Head to Toe” Lisa Lisa, “Always” Atlantic Starr, “Looking for a New Love” Jody Watley, “I Knew You Were Waiting” Aretha, “Open Your Heart” Madonna, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” Kim Wilde, “Will You Still Love Me” Chicago, “Let’s Wait Awhile” Janet Jackson, “Breakout” Swing Out Sister”
1987: Jason Castro “The Way It Is” Bruce Hornsby, “La Bamba” Los Lobos, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” Crowded House, “At This Moment” Billy Vera, “Lady in Red” Chris De Burgh, “Can’t We Try” Dan Hill, “Mandolin Rain” Bruce Hornsby, “Stand By Me” Ben E. King, “Is this Love” Survivor, “Something So Strong” Crowded House
1987: Syesha Mercado “Always” “Looking For a New Love,” “(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight” Cutting Crew, “Heart and Soul” T’Pau, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” “Let’s Wait Awhile,’ Janet Jackson, “Don’t Disturb this Groove,” System, “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” Gloria Estefan, “Respect Yourself” Bruce Willis
1990: David Archuleta “Nothing Compares 2 U” Sinead O’Connor, “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” Michael Bolton, “Close To You” Maxi Priest, “I Don’t Have the Heart” James Ingram, “Downtown Train” Rod Stewart, “Here and Now” Luther Vandross, “Have You Seen Her” M.C. Hammer, “What It Takes” Aerosmith
