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 > June > 24
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
6/25: Jennifer Hudson’s new single “Spotlight”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Want to hear Jennifer Hudson’s new song “Spotlight”? Check it out here:
It’s a midtempo R&B tune with some crossover potential to top 40. It was produced by Atlanta’s own Ne-Yo and Stargate, the same team that did Rihanna’s huge hit “Irreplaceable.” Tell me what you think! On my first listen, it sounds like a solid tune but not breakthrough No. 1 territory. It might grow on me, though.
-MJ reports that Blake Lewis clarified his remarks he made about being “dropped” by Arista to Fox 5 in New York, saying his contract option wasn’t picked up. Semantics. He’s still with 19 Recordings, like Ruben Studdard. Check out the video here. He’s already working on a second album.
And the goddess that she is, she also has David Cook and David Archuleta (still promoting!) on “The View.” Since they’ve been on every other talk show already, this offers zero revelations. Cook does look zonked. Funny that one of the ladies thought he said David Cassidy when Archuleta cited Eva Cassidy. Archuleta’s dad Jeff blamed the press for just focusing on him just for the sake of controversy and Cook defended him, saying he saw him as nothing more than a “loving, caring father. That’s it! It’s funny sometimes media will take a story and pervert it.” Yes! It’s our fault!
-MTV.com has given us a preview of Katharine McPhee in her August acting debut in “House Bunny” here.. She also sings the Waitresses’ classic “I Know What Boys Like.”
-Simon Cowell is producing a movie based on the down-and-out opera singer/phone salesman who won “Britain’s Got Talent.” It’s called “One Chance.”.
Here’s a video of Paul Potts from the show:
-Not sure if this crew watches much “America’s Got Talent,” but it’s a lot more fun than “Nashville Star.” And I enjoy it more than “So You Think You Can Dance.” This week’s audition episodes featured a dude Eli Matson, 26, who sang “Walking in Memphis” fairly well, so much so that the judges and crowd went gaga but I wasn’t nearly as taken in. I’m not sure why but you have to wonder if he tried out for “Idol.”
Then there’s the gal named Miss Pussycat who does something dubbed “grinding” which features metal and sparks. Lots and lots of sparks. It’s a novelty but I can’t say it’s “talent” per se. There were two street dancers from New Orleans with a great bakc story who were also quite entertaining and acrobatic. The boy band cometh aren’t half bad either.
Some acts are great for two minutes but I’m not sure if they have staying power—the dancing cowboys will make the top 20 for sure but not much further. And can that gal who jumps on the pole give us enough entertainment by the fourth or fifth time we see her?
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment |
6/24: Ruben Studdard hitched???
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While the papparazzi drool over David Cook and Kimberly Caldwell, season two winner Ruben Studdard quietly got a marriage license Monday in Birmingham. according to People.com
Studdard, 29, arrived at the Shelby County Probate Office in Columbiana, Ala. with fiancée Surata Zuri McCants, 30, just before noon, filled out the paperwork and walked away with their license, an eyewitness says. Studdard is a native of nearby Birmingham.
No word on a marriage date. Let me give a couple of my sources a call to see if I can get more details. Will update this when or if I get any.
Photo taken by Carlos Diaz/INF
-I forgot to tape “Nashville Star” last night and only caught the last 30 minutes. What a mess! Guys singing “Umbrella” and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”? Anyone singing “Maniac”???? And Danity Kane (huh?) performed? Hmmm… Danity Kane and country. Riiiight. It seems NBC is working hard to make this as little about country as possible.
MJ was kind enough to link to this group sing of “Like a Prayer.” Check it out here. Melissa starts out fine but Sophia and Lauren’s harmonies are downright bizarre. Bringing out the black choir? How very cliched! And Justin (later eliminated) proved he has no range when he had to switch keys to sing his solo.
And I have to watch Pearl Heart do a countrified version of B-52’s “Love Shack.” Here it is if you dare.. The dancers are absurd, the actual execution not as bad as you’d think. The trio are adorable but it still feels like karaoke night at the country bar.
