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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > June > 16 > Entry
6/17: Simon Cowell ranked No. 22, Ryan Seacrest at No. 62 in Forbes Celebrity 100
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Simon Cowell landed at No. 22 on the Forbes magazine Celebrity 100 list, down from 21 last year.
It’s a combination of pay, Web rank, press rank and TV rank. Simon made an estimated $72 million, ranked 65 among the top 100 in Web rank, 47 among press rank and 40th among TV rank.
Ryan Seacrest moved up from 76 to 62, ahead of Gwen Stefani, right behind Maria Sharapova. He made an estimated $31 million, No. 72 in Web rank, 70 at press rank and 33 at TV rank.
Carrie Underwood came in at No. 79, with $9 million in pay, 35 in Web rank, 63 in press rank and 44 in TV rank.
Oprah was No. 1, of course, just like 2007. Top Web rank was Angelina Jolie. Tiger was No. 1 in press rank. And Oprah was No. 1 in TV rank.
Some surprises—Beyonce was No. 4 and David Beckham was No. 5. Jay-Z was all the way up to No. 7 ahead of the Police and J.K. Rowling. Atlanta’s Tyler Perry is at No. 42 with estimated pay of $125 million. Savannah’s Paula Deen came in at No. 100.
-His boys can swim! Josh Gracin is expecting his fourth child.
-The Kelly Clarkson/Reba McEntire show is back but again, not coming to Atlanta. Closest spot? November 14 in Birmingham.
-I’ve gotten one person so far who wants me to interview Paris Bennett before her AARP concert appearance Saturday at Philips Arena with Chaka Khan, Queen Latifah and the like. Anybody else?
-My quickie “Nashville Star” recap: I’m mildly appalled that Melissa Lawson (right) landed in the bottom two by America’s votes on “Nashville Star.” She arguably had the best performance last week but she looks more Wynonna Judd than Taylor Swift. And maybe that’s her problem. She survived, thanks to a band Third Town that thought reviving the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira” last week was a good idea. The band even admitted that was a bad song choice in retrospect. “Mountain Music” by Alabama this week wasn’t much better. Maybe if this was Nashville Star 1982. But it’s 2008, people!
I’m not sure Melissa Lawson helped herself this week by picking a very non-country song in Aretha’s ‘Natural Woman,” which she did well but not quite as well as a certain Kelly Clarkson six years ago. Best performance this week? Gabe Garcia. Love that guy! He’s got the best male pipes of the show. Hottest? Well, Ashlee Hewitt and Justin Gastin both are lookers. Ashlee has strange pronunciation issues while Gastin was plain ghastly trying to do a Plain White T’s song. Alyson Gilbert, the Martina McBride lookalike, made a nice comeback. Most annoying? Shawn Mayer. Maybe it’s those huge lips or something but she seems totally fake. Pearl Heart is adorable but no way they’re going to win this as SheDaisy Lite.
Comments
By Harmony
June 16, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Hello, maybe I’m first!
In my opinion the right ones left Nashville Star tonight, I did’t like them as soon as I heard them sing Elvira. I hate that song!
Thanks Menana!
By Negativo
June 17, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
After watching the US Open today, I noticed Tiger sounds a lot like DC during interviews. Very careful in word selection, effusive of his competitors, and guarded against saying anything controversial.
By ,,,=^..^=,,, from home
June 17, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this
hope everyone is doing well… i went home early today, well, not home… to the dr. congestion is not going away, starting to make me really ill :-(
we’ll see if the antibiotics and super strong cough syrup help knock it out!
Unfortunately, sitting at the doc’s i missed ALL of the playoff — so i only got to see the highlights. I’m glad Tiger won, but Rocco held is own — too bad he’s reaching an age where he feels it may have been his last shot at a Major title…and even I am proud of how the Dawgs are pulling these games out.
hope i wake up feeling better tomorrow or i’ll be staying home … i’ll check in to say howdy! at some point… y’all take care, now heah!
By Menana
June 17, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Good Morning! Time to get the coffee and donuts going.
Hope all of you had a good night with plenty of rest, especially you linny. Feel better soon.
I still say that Melissa is the one to beat on NS. The contestants need to understand this is a country music show and not pop/rock and stick to the theme of it. With the many country fans viewing it, pop/rock is not going to help them win votes IMHO.
Carrie is not doing bad since she landed on Forbes. That girl is traveling in the fast lane and I for one hope she doesn’t slow down.
Harm: You’re welcome.
By Deirdre
June 17, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
Morning!
linny, hope you’re feeling better soon!
Rodney if you look on the last thread you’ll see more than just one person who wants to throw you to the Paris wolf for another interview. Big questions…will she remove her sunglasses?…will she talk like a normal person instead of a spoiled child?
By Lara
June 17, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
I was kinda angry last night to see Melissa in the bottom 2. I am glad she survived, but she did not do well on her song. Third Town was an ok group, but the one guy just didn’t look like he belonged, and his high voice was always just kinda off for me. For me, the model guy really should have gone. And last night, he was still not very good. And it is just me, but Coffey’s singing style really grates my nerves…that vibrato - AGH!!!
On The Mole - 2 people left, one of them with $30 grand in her pocket. I think they are trying too hard to be these “characters” this year and not really themselves. I think the mole is a guy - just a hunch, not like I can pick up on any of their clues. But I have it down to 2 guys…
Anyone gonna watch the Top Chef reunion show tomorrow? That Lisa chick is in the Top 10 of most hated reality show “villains”.
By harrietth
June 17, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. linny, I hope you feel better and that the meds the dr. gave you work their magic quickly.
I think Gabe Garcia will have to stumble badly in order NOT to win Nashville Star. He is head and shoulders above everyone else. I know Melissa has a wonderful voice, but Gabe is pure country. And, if a country star is what they are looking for, he should win. Now, I am pulling for Melissa to do well, and someone gave her very bad advice when they let her sing the Carole King song “Natural Woman.” Rodney, I am old enough to remember that it was Carole, and not Aretha, who wrote the song and made it famous first. Of course, in pop circles it is the Aretha version that is remembered. Carole included it on her album Tapestry. Anyway, Melissa’s version was abysmal. Did not show her or her voice off to the best advantage. She has the pipes. I hope last night did not do her in.
One more thing. Billy Ray did better last night because they no longer let him be the first to talk to the contestants after their performances. They went right to the judges and saved the embarrassing “Wow. Fantastic! Judges, what did you think” bit. It was much smoother. He will never be the equal of Seacrest, but it was better, IMO.
By Lara
June 17, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
I agree that Billy Ray did a bit better. But who was that other chick they stuck in there?
By harrietth
June 17, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
I have no idea, Lara.
By Deirdre
June 17, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
So it’s America’s Got Talent tonight, right? I don’t think hubby is gonna watch that one either. :-) My DVR is going to get a workout this summer.
By harrietth
June 17, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
D, my trouble is having enough time to view all the shows I have recorded on my DVR, as well as the live stuff I am watching. I set my DVR to record, but I don’t always get back to all of it. From the “teasers,” they have been showing on American’s Got Talent, it looks like there are at least two Paul Potts clones—the guy from Britain’s Got Talent.
By ,,,=^..^=,,, from home
June 17, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Warning, if you didn’t catch it — next week on Nashville Star it will be “pop songs done country style” — so don’t be blaming the contestants for song choices!!!! LOL!!!
I agree it’s still Melissa and Gabe — the lil girls did better, Laura and Sophie, and yes, i think personally the eye candy shoulda gone home, LOL!!!
Lara, I was pretty angry too that Melissa was in the bottom 2. NO way she deserved that!
harrietth, i’ve gotten as high as 84% full on my dvr at times, with so many shows to watch!!!
I’m looking forward to AGT tonight, just to see what they’ll come up with.
ok — i’m feeling SOME better, thank you all for the well wishes!!! i stayed home, but i think i’ll go into the office for the rest of the day— i HATE to miss work (miss pay)!!!
see you guys later!
By Carri
June 17, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Gabe is the best singer with the most talent. I predict him winning this season. I think Melissa is good, but last night wasn’t the greatest. I really like the 2 young girls…(?)Laura and Sophie. I’m not crazy about the 3 sisters. I also really like the young blond girl. I think her name is Ashlee. She’s good. I totally dislike that black haired girl who tried to do the George Jones song. Rodney is right - she seems fake. The boy John Rich said looked “sweet” needs to go next. He has no talent, except maybe in front of the camera, modeling. I like Coffey at first, but now I’m not so sure.
Jewel was still interrupting the other judges….she’s getting on my nerves.
By harrietth
June 17, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
Yes, I did catch the “pop” song choices for next week, but may I ask, what were “Every Breath You Take,” and “Hey, There Delilah,” if not pop? Give me a break. I mean, if they had done them country-style, as Gabe did the CCR song, then, ok.
linny, please take care of yourself. Don’t work too hard.
By harrietth
June 17, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Carri, I think Jewel is trying too hard to maintain an “edge,” and prove she can play with the boys.
By Negativo
June 17, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Hell’s Kitchen tonight, baby!
By Menana
June 17, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
The top two on NS is Gabe and Melissa. I had said earlier that Melissa was the one to beat, but after reconsideration, Gabe is the one. As we discussed last week, there have only been two Hispanics to make in the country music world and they were Johnny Rodriquez and Freddie Fender, both of whom had a huge fan base. Gabe has all it takes to make a career in this field and hope that he does really well. I will be voting for him as much as I can.
Not to sure about AGT. I watched it last season and something about it just turns me off. Maybe it’s Jerry Springer or Sharon Osbourne. I will probably give it another try tonight.
I think the Mole is Bobby, but then again, he makes it look to oblivious.
Really am looking forward to watching Wipe Out next Tuesday.
All these reality shows, I really can’t seem to keep up with them. Seems like they are coming out of the woodwork. Who comes up with these anyway?
By Lara
June 17, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Jewel always annoys me. I am not a fan of hers. Do they not have a set order of giving responses? They seem all over the place - interrupting the music and each other. And how many times can they tell us that she has a new cd out!? Come on now - pay for your advertisements please!!!
By flats
June 17, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS!!!!!
By flats
June 17, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS!!!
By harrietth
June 17, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Lara, I noticed, too, how they shamelessly mentioned Jewel’s new cd over and over at the most inopportune times. Very amateurish, if you ask me. The way it was brought up, I mean. And, no, there does not seem to be an order, though they desperately need an order to speak.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
June 17, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
I think the order changed because of the mentoring — when Jewel’s guys were up, she was “last” to comment (well, supposedly…unless she interrupted); likewise when Rich’s gals were up, HE was the last to comment, and same for what’s-his-name’s groups… that makes sense, actually, since they are mentoring them, they SHOULD speak last, imho.
By Menana
June 17, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Interrupting has got to be a judge thing. The judges on DWTS, AGT, SYTYCD and etc are always interrupting each other. I guess NS is following suit. But I find it very annoying and frustrating as a viewer. They have to always one up each other. As a child I was always taught never to interrupt someone’s conversation.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
June 17, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
LOL Menana … it seems that we were taught quite a few things about manners that are no longer considered “important” — at least by SOME folks!!! (a la interrupting, for example)
By flats
June 17, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
LOL @ LINNY!
By Menana
June 17, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
linny, you are so right. I have a list a mile long of things that I was taught not to do out of respect for others. It seems like our generation was taught the definition of manners and if we failed to follow that meaning, we would find ourselves being switched on the naked legs with a switch we had to go get…………..LOL!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
June 17, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
LOL Menana! and Lord forBID we should not get a good one, we’d have to go AGAIN and there’d be more strokes for it!!!
By Deirdre
June 17, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Hello…hubby had his mitts on the computer all day so I’m taking advantage of his bathroom break!
For those of you who might be interested, mj is running videos from the currently live Canadian Idol. I haven’t seen any yet but I hear good things about it. They do things a little different. Instead of having Hollywood Week, the have The 200, which is their way of narrowing the field.
By Menana
June 17, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Amen linny!!!!! I’ve gotten striped more times more times than I care to remember, and mostly by Mother as she was the disciplinarian in the family and when she got you, you jolly well knew it.
So now D, there are three different idol programs being aired in different countries? It has got to be the best reality talent show of them all.
By Deirdre
June 17, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
American Idol originally started in the UK as Pop Idol…they no longer have that program but they get American Idol on about a 3 or 4 week delay according to my Aunt in Ireland.
There are a lot more than 3 countries with the Idol franchise, closer to 15.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
June 17, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Rodney i have a tiny little bone to pick with you, my good friend. Twice now you have subtly emphasized that Melissa Lawson’s “problem” is her size.
I KNOW, I KNOW — people DO vote (or DON’T vote) based on such superficial attributes as size, but… could we try not to point it out as a “problem” … if we could somehow direct people to the TALENT and away from the size,
i dunno…. maybe it’s an impossible dream! but she’s a darned good singer, better than ANY other female up there, and second only — possibly — to Gabe on the whole show, IMHO.
By KPH
June 17, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Afternoon everyone. I never got a whippin when I was young due to being the perfect little angel that I was LOL!!! Actually I have cut enough switches to build a house and can honestly say I deserved every one of them. I was raised by my grand-parents who were both born in the 1890’s and firmly believed in “spare the rod and spoil the child”. Oh yea and for Flats GOOOOO DAWGS SICEM WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!!!
By Menana
June 17, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
My goodness, I sure didn’t know that Idol was in 15 countries. I do know that it started in the UK.
Well time for me to head towards Athens. Ya’ll be careful driving home from the office.
By harrietth
June 17, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
LOL! One time when I was about 13 years old and “too old to spank” anymore, I really got my mother riled and got the worst switching of my life. She kept on talking at me about something I had done wrong, and I spoke up sassily (and I NEVER sassed my parents) saying “I wish you’d go back to spanking me and stop preaching at me.” Weelllll, you can just imagine what that set off. Not only did I have to go and cut a switch, I got a lesson in having a big mouth. I never, ever, complained that my mother was “preaching” again!!!
By Rodney Ho
June 17, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
In country like pop music, image matters. And sadly, the Melissa Lawsons of the world often get short shrift.
As for “America’s Got Talent,” tonight’s ep is a lot of fun. Check out the hip-hop violinists, the adorable four year old singing “Somewhere Out There” and the male baton twirler. (I got an advancer). The Atlanta auditions won’t air til next week.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
June 17, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
LOL Rodney, I know…. and I knew what your reply would probably be!!! but i just HAD to say it, yanno? (and since i knew you’d understand, i went ahead and said it!)
I’m actually looking forward to tonight’s ep of AGT, just because the range of acts/performers is so wide!!!
By harrietth
June 17, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the tip, Rodney.
And bye everyone. I am gone for the day.
By Lara
June 17, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Why is someone putting their 4 year old on a show like this!? Let them be 4, for crying out loud!~ Let them ride a bike, play in the dirt, chase after their dog!!!
Sorry….just irks me sometimes…
By Deirdre
June 17, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
4 years old???? Is that a joke? I don’t care HOW cute the kid is or how well he/she sings…that’s tantamount to child abuse!
By Harmony
June 17, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
Get well Linny!
These are my favorites so far…
Hell’s Kitchen- Petrozza
AGT- Neil the opera singer
NS- Gabe Garcia
Batchelorette- Jason or Jesse
The Mole- I think the mole is the African-American man(can’t remember his name at present)
Feel free to disagree with me, I’ll probably disagree with myself ,after I watch the next episodes.
By Harmony
June 18, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
Deirdre, the other thing I see wrong with letting the 4 year old continue, if she makes it to the finals, how many people will vote for her, because she’s cute? I fear people will vote for her instead of a talented,deserving adult.
4 is entirely too young to be in this competition!!! Get her an agent and let her audition for TV or movies.
By Harmony
June 18, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this
DWTS- too soon to tell
By Menana
June 18, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
Good Morning to one and all!!!!
Well we have made it to hump day and all has been quite so far this week.
Watched AGT last night and some of the acts were really good. The male baton twirler, opera singer and the little 4 year old were good. The little girl cracked me upwhen Sharon asked her if she wwas from New York and the child replied, “I’m from America”. And she didn’t forget the lyrics!!!!!! Neil the opera singer was fantastic as was the baton twirler. The little 80 year old lady tapping wasn’t that good but given her age really wasn’t all that bad. The burlesque ladies. what can I say? The spokeperson of the act, the blonde, sure had a set of puppies sitting there, although they were more like overgrown puppies. The males in the audience and judges really got an eye full.
Harm: On your choices, the only one I disagree with is Graham instead of Jesse with Jason being my favoriet to win.
Need my 3rd copy of coffee already and its only 7:05.
Later ya’ll.
By Menana
June 18, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
Oh my goodness! After reading my post of 7:09 and seeing all the typos, I need my 4th cup. Believe me, I can type and spell better than that.
By Deirdre
June 18, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
Morning!
Mom has a ‘procedure’ today so I won’t be around much.
Congrats to UGA on it’s great showing at the college World Series.
We watched American Gangster last night with Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. Good movie!
By Lara
June 18, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. I do not plan to watch AGT.
Harmony, I agree on The Mole that it is a guy, but I don’t know if I agree it is THAT guy. I still don’t know the names of the players…
By flats
June 18, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Good morning all…Thanks D for the support.We need 1 more win to get to the best of 3!!!!GO DAWGS!!!!!!
By flats
June 18, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
D…Who would rather play,stanford or miami?
By KPH
June 18, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Stanford Flats but we can take either one of them and have proved it already. GOOO DAWGS!!!
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