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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > December > 01
Monday, December 1, 2008
12/2: Clay Aiken to be featured on E! Hollywood Story 12/12, a sexed up Idol promo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I may as well post this press release before MJ gets to it! :)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*”CLAY AIKEN: THE E! TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY” PREMIERES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 AT 9PM ET/PT ON E! *
One-Hour Special Uncovers The Inside Story Of The Quirky American Idol’s Rise To Super-Stardom And Recent Revelations About His Personal Life
Los Angeles, CA, December 1, 2008 - Clay Aiken may have finished a close second to Ruben Studdard in Season Two of the mega-hit reality series “American Idol,” but the 29-year-old North Carolina native turned his loss into a major victory. His first album, “Measure of a Man,” became the number-one-selling solo debut from an artist in a decade, launching several cross-country concert tours. From there, the popular crooner authored a best-selling book, worked as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and took center stage on Broadway. As his fame grew, Clay maintained a squeaky-clean image, but in 2008, he shocked even his most beloved fans with news that he fathered a child with his 50-year-old record producer, Jaymes Foster. Then, following years of rumors about his sexuality, Clay finally set the record straight and publicly announced he was gay in September of this year.
This revealing episode features an exclusive interview with former Army Green Beret John Paulus, who claims he was romantically involved with Clay for one night in 2006. There is also a new interview with Clay’s number-one fan, comedian Kathy Griffin, who explains why she was afraid she would run into Clay after joking about him during her act. Other new interviews include: actor/director Terrence Mann, who directed Clay in regional theater when he was just starting out; Rickey Smith, a finalist with Clay on “American Idol,” who gives his opinion on Clay’s performance on the show as well as on him becoming a proud father; Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) President Neil Guiliano, who comments on Clay’s recent controversial announcement; and several devoted Clay fans at a performance of his Broadway show, “Spamalot.”
In addition, the special contains unique video of Clay from his early years, including footage of him performing as a wedding singer and appearing in a local stage producction of “Oklahoma!”
-And here’s a “family friendly” Idol promo that would fit nicely on E!’s “Girls Next Door” or any trashy VH1 reality show. I have a feeling this is not the rawer, more real “Idol” Fox has promised but a desperate way to draw, um, 18-34 males????
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12/1: Vague changes promised by Fox officials
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back to work, everybody!
This story at televisioweek.com implies a few tweaks in the way “Idol” will look and feel for season eight:
“The show is more real, it’s back to its roots,” said Fox marketing chief Joe Earley. “It doesn’t have a veneer.”
Mike Darnell, Fox’s president of alternative programming, said it’s too soon to offer specifics about the changes in the works. He did say, however, that “Idol” would be “more intimate” and “more raw” than last year.
“It’s going back to letting the kids be more emotional and seeing more of their reality,” he said. “We’re going to allow the public to see a little more of their emotional state.”
Did they not show enough emotion last year? Was it too sterile?
Ever the hypster, he also thinks the talent is best since season five. (Didn’t they say last year had the most talent ever? Or do they simply say that every year?)
-MJ found out that Amanda Overmyer has told the world on her myspace page that she has an album coming out soon. We haven’t heard from her in ages, have we?
Well, I would like everyone to welcome the new edition to the Overmyer team, Solidify, my very first album!!!! Mixed, mastered, completed!!! I am so excited to share this music with you!! I really think you will be very pleased with the outcome. Quick thanks to Rocco for all the time and effort he put into it, he spent hours and hours!! It will be available for sale on my website amandaovermyer@gmail.com by either download or hard copy that will be shipped to your house. This will happen end of December/January - ish. Also, it will be available on itunes and at all of my shows. For now, we will be selling them at all of my upcoming appearances for the remainder of the year. Indy, and Chicago. They will be limited edition albums all signed by yours truely as we await our artwork and packaging for the final CD. Hope to see you all there, looking forward to hearing your comments on the new music. Thank you all for being so patient, We did it!!!
And MJ also has Lakisha Jones releasing her album Feb. 17, if you care.
-And a fashion writer is hatin’ on Jordin Sparks’ dress line for Wet Seal here.
Suffice to say if any American Idol contestant wore Jordin’s Wet Seal dresses on the show, Simon would tear her a new buttonhole. Blech, blech, blech.
