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April 2008
Bye, bye, Brooke White
Brooke White’s wild ride on “American Idol” has come to an end.
Host Ryan Seacrest hurled an avalanche of adjectives her way — brave, vulnerable, candid, beautiful — but voters apparently had had enough. Not even Carly Simon’s support made a difference.
Where, oh where, were you earlier this season, Carly?
In any event, the news prompted much sobbing from dear, sweet Brooke.
“I just want to say thank you,” she told the crowd while Ryan dabbed away the tears. “Thank you.”
Next up was her farewell song where, true to form, Brooke flubbed the lyrics. Hey, old habits are hard to break.
Syesha Mercado joined Brooke in the losers’ circle. Syesha, of course, is a repeat visitor and surely will be the next to go. So it seems all but certain now that the last two contestants standing will be guys.
Amidst the mountains of filler Fox flung our way Wednesday, we also got an explanation — sorta — for Paula Abdul’s bizarre behavior during Tuesday’s show.
“Last night, the judges were thrown a curveball on the air, which is just part of a live show,” Ryan said, trying to explain away a last-minute change in the show’s lineup that left Paula quite confused. “But it sparked a lot of gossip about Paula. I read some of this online this morning and, just for the record, the rumors, they’re not true. She’s part of our family, and we love her.”
So there.
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‘Idol’s top 5 meet Neil Diamond
Someone help Paula Abdul.
Now. Please.
If you missed Tuesday night’s installment of “American Idol,” you missed quite a show — and we’re not talking about the performances by the five remaining finalists.
No, Paula and her incoherent “Who am I? Where am I?” ramblings took center stage.
It’s a spectacle we haven’t seen so far this season — and one we hope we won’t see again.
Sister needs to get some extra sleep, pop some gingko baloba … or something. Pronto.
That said, let’s move on to our regularly scheduled critique.
Neil Diamond was this week’s musical mentor and, now that we’re near season’s end, we were treated to two snippets from each of the finalists. The results, for the most part, weren’t half bad.
Round 1
Jason Castro: “Forever in Blue Jeans.” Jason started this one out with a different, deeper sound that wasn’t as breathy. We liked it. So, of course, he immediately lapsed right back into the norm. At this point, he appears to be on auto-pilot. No originality whatsoever. Randy: “It was OK.” Simon: “Forgettable.” Our grade: C-
David Cook: “I’m Alive.” David sounded raspy, and wasn’t very animated. He looked beat down. Are his brother’s medical problems weighing on him? Sure seems like it. Randy: “Very good. In the zone.” Simon: “Just above average.” Our grade: B-
Brooke White: “I’m a Believer.” Oh, honey … no. Smoker’s voice isn’t exactly a valuable commodity. Don’t ever do that again. And what was she wearing? With all that shiny material, Brooke looked like a cowgirl straight from outer space. Randy: “Still a little karaoke for me.” Simon: “A nightmare.” Our grade: B-
David Archuleta: “Sweet Caroline.” More, more, more from David this week. More confidence. More energy. More movement on stage. He was even kind of … flirty. Wow. Randy: “The bomb.” Simon: “Amateurish.” Our grade: B+
Syesha Mercado: “Hello Again.” Yet another new look for Syesha. So. Very. Glam. We were digging it. But it was hard to recognize her at first. And, as we’ve pointed out before, that could be a problem with viewers. Syesha did, however, wisely take every possible opportunity to show off her amazing set of pipes. This was definitely the performance to beat in the show’s first half. Randy: “Wasn’t amazing, but it was strong.” Simon: “Old-fashioned.” Our grade: A
As you can tell by the judges’ comments, time was short after the first round. And what about Paula? As we mentioned earlier, she was out to lunch.
Round 2
Jason Castro: “September Morn.” He was a little better the second time around, but Jason’s still clearly out of his element. Let’s just say the cards are definitely stacked against him. Again. Loved his explanation for why he sucked so much this week: “I choked at the start of that song.” Oh, you choked alright. All night long. Randy: “That was just another OK performance for me.” Paula: “I felt like it was safe, and you needed to step out of your comfort zone.” Simon: “We don’t recognize you at the moment.” Our grade: D
David Cook: “All I Really Need Is You.” Again, he looks out of it. Definitely preoccupied. But he still managed to up the energy level enough to wow the judges. Randy: “I’m a huge David Cook fan right now.” Paula: “I’m so proud of you.” Simon: “I thought the second song was brilliant.” Our grade: B+
Brooke White: “I Am I Said.” After last week’s debacle, Brooke wrote the lyrics on her palm this time around. That seemed to do the trick. Such an improvement over her first performance of the night. She really got into it … well, as much as she could behind a piano. Randy: “Nice job, baby.” Paula: “Everyone loves who you are.” Simon: “This is the Brooke we like.” Our grade: A-
David Archuleta: “America.” So manipulative! David pulls a trick from the Kristy Lee Cook cookbook. Still, this one’s hard. It’s a well known — and much loved — song. Nowhere near as good as the original, but David made it work — with a heaping helping of cheese. Randy: “You are definitely in the zone right now.” Paula: “This was the absolute perfect song for you to sing.” Simon: “That was a smart choice of song.” Our grade: B+
Syesha Mercado: “Thank the Lord for the Night Time.” Lots of attitude here. And it totally works. Last week and again this week, it really seems like Syesha’s been reborn. Tapping her knack for theatrics sure helped. Randy: “You’re finally realizing who you are.” Paula: “That texture in your voice is beautiful. That’s your magic.” Simon: “You are a very good actress-stroke-singer. I think you may be in trouble tonight.” Our grade: B
Our picks for the bottom three: Jason was the worst of the bunch, but we think he’s good for another week or two. Not safe enough to avoid the bottom three though. He’ll be joined by Syesha and Brooke. Brooke will go.
Tuesday night’s performances
Here are video clips of this week’s performances, courtesy of the “Idol” fans over at YouTube:
Jason Castro’s “Forever in Blue Jeans”
David Cook’s “I’m Alive”
Brooke White’s “I’m a Believer”
David Archuleta’s “Sweet Caroline”
Syesha Mercado’s “Hello Again”
Jason Castro’s “September Morn”
David Cook’s “All I Really Need Is You”
Brooke White’s “I Am I Said”
David Archuleta’s “America”
Syesha Mercado’s “Thank the Lord for the Night Time”
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Katharine McPhee makes FHM’s hot list
FHM readers think Katharine McPhee’s sexy.
There’s simply no doubt about it.
But she’s apparently not as sexy as she was in 2007.
The “American Idol” reject is No. 38 on the magazine’s annual list of the Sexiest Women in the World. Last year, however, she was No. 2.
Megan Fox, an actress with a “breakout performance” in “Transformers” — their words, not ours — tops the list this year, in case you’re wondering.
Idol chatter …
- Jason Embry, the Statesman’s Washington reporter, has a pretty cool job.
In case you’ve got your doubts, check out this snapshot he passed along from Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
That’s him alongside recently booted “Idol” finalist Michael Johns. “Probably the coolest celeb I met all night,” Jason told us.
Other A-, B-, C- and D-listers he met at the annual soiree included MTV’s Heidi Montag, Martha Stewart, Connie Britton of “Friday Night Lights” and Jenny McCarthy.
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From Clay Aiken’s mouth to your ears
Picture this: Clay Aiken, in his jammies, getting a haircut and chatting with little ol’ us on the phone from his Raleigh, N.C., home.
Try not to be too jealous, Claymates.
In our brief conversation we learned more about “On My Way Here,” his upcoming CD — and a variety of other things.
“It’s the first time we’ve done new stuff in five years, so I’m excited,” Clay told us. “It’s stuff that’s mine.”
The album’s not out until May 6, but you can hear the title track, in its entirety, right now on Amazon.com. And, if you’re so inclined, you can scoop it up for half price. Not bad at all.
This CD clearly comes straight from Clay’s heart. Each song has a deeply personal meaning for him, but he’s quick to point out they’ll likely mean something entirely different to his many fans out there. And that’s perfectly fine.
Take “The Real Me,” for instance.
“Sometimes I feel like people know who I am because of what they see on TV or what they’ve heard or what they’ve read or this, that and the other … and it’s not really who I am,” he told us.
See, Clay’s a complex guy.
Anyway, many of you were eager to find out if there will be a tour to accompany the CD’s release. Well, we’ve got some good — and bad — news. You’ll get your tour … but it won’t be any time soon. Following the CD’s debut, and the obligatory media tour, he’s looking forward to taking a breather.
“It’ll be the first time I’ve had some time off — two days in a row off — since October, I think,” Clay said.
He’s anxious to chill this summer at his Raleigh home, but he’s “sure we’ll tour eventually.”
So there.
And what about starring in a movie or TV series someday?
“We try to stay open to every single thing, every opportunity that comes along,” he said.
But …
“I’m not seeking out a movie, no.”
There you have it, Claymates. We didn’t get to ask every question you lobbed our way, but we darn sure tried. Hear the entire interview — all 10 or so minutes — by clicking here.
Then let us know what you think. We’ll be waiting.
Idol chatter …
- Make an appointment with your TV set Tuesday morning.
That’s when Carly Smithson, the latest “American Idol” castoff, is set to appear on “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.”
The fun begins at 9 a.m. on Fox 7.
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Carly Smithson: ‘Idol’ guys have all the fans
Carly Smithson agrees with us.
You, too.
In her exit interview with reporters, the newly booted “American Idol” hopeful said she’s gone because she just wasn’t popular enough.
And she fears the remaining girls are in danger for the same reason.
“Early on, people accumulate their fanbase,” she said. “Every week, I gave as good as I could. I enjoyed every moment on the show. Everything was just so amazing, the response that I had, [but] women vote for this show, and they vote for the boys. The boys are adorable, and I definitely feel that the girls had more of a struggle this year with trying to get the popularity vote. I think the boys are definitely charming the females a lot. And they’re very talented too — everyone’s very talented — but I think it was definitely a bit of a struggle for the ladies.”
She also makes another good point:
“My fans were very good to me, and they kept me in as long as they did. And I truly believe when you have a good night, it is maybe the kiss of death, because your fans don’t power-vote for you like if you had a bad night. And that’s just the way it goes. And I have no hard feelings.”
And it certainly doesn’t help when you sing a tune from a Broadway show many Christians find offensive.
Up next for the Irish import? The same things we hear week after week: making a record, the “Idols Live!” tour and all that jazz.
Yawn.
Idol chatter …
- First Jordin Sparks had to bail on the Alicia Keys tour.
Now Alicia’s been forced to abandon ship.
She’s got swollen vocal cords, while Jordin’s been diagnosed with an acute vocal cord hemorrhage.
Let’s hope both these talented ladies are back in top form — and on the road again — very soon.
- Looking for a laugh to help you make it through the day?
Check out this link from TMZ.com.
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‘Idols Live!’ tour has 2 Texas stops
The schedule’s out for this summer’s “Idols Live!” tour, complete with a pair of stops in the Lone Star State.
There is, however, no love for Austin. That’s right, we didn’t make the list. Again.
So get ready to make the drive to Houston’s Toyota Center on Aug. 24 or American Airlines Center in Dallas on Aug. 25. By then we can expect gas to be … oh … around $20 a gallon.
Instead of our fair city, the top 10 finalists will be visiting more exciting locales, such as Bossier City, La., Evansville, Ind., and Wilkes Barre, Pa.
Performers this time around will be David Archuleta, Jason Castro, David Cook, Kristy Lee Cook, Chikezie Eze, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay, Syesha Mercado, Carly Smithson and Brooke White. Jason — the Aggie with dreds — calls Dallas home, so that show should be especially fun.
Get your tickets beginning May 17 at 10 a.m. See ya there!
Idol chatter …
- Here’s something really, really scary: William Hung wants to be a teacher.
Yes, the infamous “Idol” reject could one day be educating your child.
TMZ.com reports William’s enrolled at Cal State Northridge, where he recently told the school’s newspaper about his career plans.
While plenty of young minds will likely be scarred if this ever comes to pass, it’s good news for the rest of us. Why? Because we’ll never, ever have to hear him sing again.
Hallelujah.
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End of the road for Carly Smithson
Argh!
This is it. We’ve finally arrived at the portion of “American Idol” that drives us absolutely bananas. The portion where popularity — not talent — determines which contestants live and die.
And that’s why Carly Smithson is now history.
“I am shocked,” judge Randy Jackson said after the results were announced. “It must be a bit of a popularity week in the vote.”
Uh, duh.
This just ain’t right. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. And again. And again.
Meanwhile, two of this week’s true stinkers — Aggie Jason Castro and David Cook — get to coast another week because hordes of giggly schoolgirls think they’re oh-so-dreamy.
Simon Cowell summed things up best when he said, “Jason, you weren’t very good, but you were charming.”
And Brooke White? We can’t even begin to explain why she’s still around. Seriously, people. Were you even watching? Did you see her forget the lyrics? Do you even care?
We guess not.
Joining Carly and Brooke in the losers’ circle was bullet-proof Syesha Mercado. No one’s been in the bottom three more times this season, and yet she always manages to pull through. You go, girl!
Carly, whose “Jesus Christ Superstar” was one of Tuesday night’s highlights, took the news surprisingly well.
“I apologize for giving you a compliment last night, the kiss of death,” Simon told her. “You can leave with your head held high.”
And she should, because she’s far better than at least half of the remaining five hopefuls.
The best? No. But darn close. And that, folks, is why we love — and hate — “Idol” at the same time.
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‘Idol’s top 6 get a dose of culture
Andrew Lloyd Webber and “American Idol”?
Not exactly a match made in heaven.
But, to varying degrees, the six remaining hopefuls made works by the famed British composer — let’s call him ALW for brevity’s sake — come alive Tuesday night.
Here’s what we thought, in order of appearance.
Syesha Mercado: “One Rock & Roll Too Many,” “Starlight Express.” Holy smokes … what a way to start the show! Fighting to survive another week, Syesha really stepped it up tonight. And what a show it was. She was sultry. Smokin’. Smooth as silk. And lots of other adjectives, too. As the judges pointed out multiple times, showtunes are clearly in her comfort zone. We loved how she was atop the piano to start. Very memorable. Now, to be fair, we did hear a bad note or two. But they were few and far between. Randy: “I thought that was your best performance to date right there.” Simon: “That was very sexy.” Our grade: A
Jason Castro: “Memory,” “Cats.” Going in, we knew this was going to be a tough week for Jason. Even ALW was concerned. And rightfully so. The beginning, especially, was rough to listen to — and watch. We needed movement. We needed energy. We needed … so much more at this late stage in the competition. Ouch. Randy: “Musically, vocally, for me, it was a little bit of a trainwreck. … It’s just not your thing, dude.” Paula: “I think it was a very wise choice for you to do this song.” Our grade: C
Brooke White: “You Must Love Me,” “Evita.” Wow! Brooke should have sailed through this week. In her time with ALW, she really seemed to get it. Instead things were rocky from the very beginning. She — for the second time this season — opted to stop and start over. Later, Brooke confessed she’d forgotten the words. She also had a bad, bad case of the shakes — something many of you picked up on last week. Brooke, sweetie, we fear your time is nearly up. Randy: “This wasn’t great for me. … But at least you listened to Andrew Lloyd Webber.” Paula: “You must never start and stop.” Our grade: D-
David Archuleta: “Think of Me,” “Phantom of the Opera.” Cute touch at the beginning when his sisters jumped on stage for a quick hug. The things we liked about this particular outing stopped there though. It was just so … plain. Very vanilla. Step it up, David … or step off the “Idol” stage. For good. Because we’re so over you right now. Paula: “I think it was absolutely perfect.” Simon: “I thought it was pleasant. … One of your weakest performances.” Our grade: C
Carly Smithson: “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Carly picked the right song — with a little nudging — and she totally rocked the house. Definitely the most distinctive sound of the night. Very edgy. Edgy and ALW in the same breath? Guess anything is possible. Randy: “It was definitely good. … And I like the outfit.” Simon: “It was actually one of my favorite performances of the night.” Our grade: A-
David Cook: “Music of the Night,” “Phantom of the Opera.” David’s got an advantage here because he grew up singing musical theater. Or so he claimed. And, according to ALW, this is his sexiest song ever. Could have fooled us. What we got was a very stripped-down performance delivered — with a few exceptions — in a near monotone pitch. We nearly dozed off. And we’re pretty sure we’re not alone. Thank goodness he raised his voice at the end to reclaim our attention. Paula: “This just proved, more and more, that you are so well-rounded as a performer.” Simon: “David, I think you made the most of the song. … This is not the side of you I like.” Our grade: B-
Our pick to get the boot this week: Brooke White is toast. Jason Castro and David Cook will join her in the losers’ circle.
Tuesday night’s performances
Here are video clips of this week’s performances, courtesy of the “Idol” fans over at YouTube:
Syesha Mercado
Jason Castro
Brooke White
David Archuleta
Carly Smithson
David Cook
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Chattin’ with Clay Aiken
So it seems we’ve lucked our way into a 15-minute phone interview with Clay Aiken Tuesday.
He’s making the rounds to promote his new CD, which hits stores May 6.
What should we ask? We know you’ve got some really great questions, so send ‘em our way.
Post your queries for Clay in the comments section below, or shoot an e-mail to gdinges@statesman.com.
Then look for our writeup — and, hopefully, an audio recap — later this week.
Idol chatter …
- Catch a live performance by recent “American Idol” castaway Kristy Lee Cook on Tuesday’s “Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.”
The show airs at 9 a.m. on Fox 7.
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Gov. Perry’s a Jason Castro fan
Turns out Gov. Good Hair’s an “American Idol” fan.
Who’da thunk it?
During an appearance on “The Talk of Austin,” the newish morning show simulcast on KVET 98.1 and 1300 The Zone, Rick Perry hinted he’s pulling for Texan Jason Castro.
Makes sense. Both attended Texas A&M University.
“I don’t watch an inordinate amount of TV,” he told hosts Bob Cole and Bucky Godbolt, “but this is one that my wife actually said, ‘Come here, you’ve got to watch this. They’ve got an Aggie on here that’s singing and he’s got dreads.’ “
Scandalous!
Idol chatter …
- Phil Stacey’s got a new album coming out April 29.
Get a sneak preview of the Season 6 “Idol” reject’s freshman offering on his Web site, where the video for “If You Don’t Love Me’s” been posted.
If you like it, place an advance order now through Tuesday and get an autographed copy delivered to your doorstep for $11.99 plus shipping.
Quite a deal, but we’ll pass. We’re guessing many of you will, too.
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Music exec with ‘Idol’ ties demoted
Clive Davis, who has helped make — and break — several “American Idol” alums — has been demoted following a shakeup at record label BMG.
After years as chairman and CEO, he’ll now serve as chief creative officer. The Associated Press reports two other BMG bigshots are history as part of the changes.
Clive most recently made news when he had a very public dispute last year with Kelly Clarkson, the original “Idol” winner. The two were worlds apart on “My December,” Kelly’s latest album. He said it was too dark; she said her creativity was being stifled.
In the end, the album was released largely unchanged and saw disappointing sales.
Hey, sometimes the truth hurts.
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Kristy Lee cooks up a life after ‘Idol’
Kristy Lee Cook’s not crying over her dismissal from “American Idol.”
In fact, quite the opposite is true.
She is, after all, newly engaged. Hubby-to-be Andrew Dobner popped the question — again — following Wednesday night’s results show. He originally asked back in March.
“We kept it on the down-low because I didn’t want to have to deal with that kind of stress from everything,” Kristy Lee told reporters on the show’s weekly conference call. “I just wanted to focus on ‘American Idol.’
“The ring that he got me has got a marquise cut on it and has quite a few diamonds on it. We picked it out together a long time ago.”
The two expect to tie the knot in June of next year.
Congrats!
Idol chatter …
- Comedian Louis Black’s got a new show on Comedy Central.
One of his first targets? “Idol,” of course. Why else would we mention it here?
On “Root of All Evil,” guests compare two topics, attempting to determine which is the true root of all evil. In the series premiere, “Idol” is up against high school. The concept’s kind of hard to explain, so just tune in, OK?
The debut episode aired Wednesday night, with repeats aplenty scheduled in the coming days.
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One less Cook in ‘Idol’s kitchen
We’ve got to find someone new to pick on.
Yes, Kristy Lee Cook, this season’s lone country voice and a frequent target of critics here and elsewhere, is history.
While she rubbed us — and many of you — the wrong way most of the time, we thought Kristy Lee did a pretty decent job last week and again this week. Judging by the final vote tally — and the not-so-nice comments many of you left on this blog — we were in the minority. It’s OK. We can take it. So can she.
Joining Kristy Lee in the losers’ circle this time around were Brooke White and Syesha Mercado.
As always, Ryan Seacrest, “American Idol’s” host with the most, had plenty of praise for the departing finalist.
“You have a lot to be proud of, darling,” he said. “You’ve made a lot of friends, and you’ve got a lot of fans out there.”
Ryan also took a moment to urge the man who bought Kristy Lee’s horse — she sold it to pay her way to the auditions — to sell it back to her. Good luck with that.
“This is a huge dream, Kristy Lee told the crowd, “and it never would have come true if it wasn’t for all the fans.”
Don’t feel too sorry for her though. Kristy Lee’s dreams are far from dashed. She’s got the “Idols Live!” tour this summer and the inevitable record deal after that. Not too shabby if you ask us.
Up next: Andrew Lloyd Webber mentors the six remaining finalists. Be scared. Very, very scared.
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Today’s Music Minute: ‘Idol’ and more
Too lazy to read this week’s “American Idol” wrap-up? Get the condensed version in today’s Austin360 Music Minute, then tune in tonight at 8 to catch the results show on Fox 7.
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Every diva has her day
Mariah Carey’s got no business being on the “American Idol” stage.
But, hey, she released a new album today, so the star-hungry showrunners decided to extend an invite anyway.
The result? Not good. Not good at all.
Thank goodness there are only seven finalists remaining because — wow! — you can’t get much worse than this.
Here’s what we thought, in order of appearance:
David Archuleta: “When You Believe.” Two words: Leather pants! Once we got past that fashion no-no, we quickly became bored. Yes, David hits the high notes. He hits the low notes, too. He hits all the right notes. We’ll give you that. But he’s so incredibly bland. Does he even listen to the radio? Does he know what’s popular today? Doubtful. Randy: “You can sing anything. That was the bomb, baby.” Our grade: C+
Carly Smithson: “Without You.” Carly tweaked her look yet again this week. Notice how the tattoos were covered for first time in recent memory? Maybe she wants to look a little more wholesome and clean-cut for Middle America. Or maybe we’re reading too much into things. The song started a little low on energy, but picked up some steam over time. Not very memorable though. Simon: “I think you’re overthinking everything. I still think you’re wound up. I think you were holding yourself back too much at the end.” Our grade: B-
Syesha Mercado: “Vanishing.” The dress. The piano. The pacing. They were all very pageanty. As always, Syesha’s performance had some bright spots. We especially love when she holds a note … forever. But that alone’s not enough. Paula: “You’re smart because you picked a song that not many people know.” Our grade: B
Brooke White: “Hero.” She’s hiding behind that piano again. (And, P.S., keep your shoes on. No one wants to smell your stanky feet.) Bright spots for Brooke were few and far between this week. She sounded hoarse, among other complaints. And, good grief, she’s still constantly interrupting the judges. Shut up already. Simon: “It was a bit like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun. In other words, the bit in the middle — the vital ingredient — was missing.” Our grade: B-
Kristy Lee Cook: “Forever.” The Most Manipulative Contestant Ever surprises us yet again. Kristy Lee looked amazing — all glammed up — and sounded great, too. She turned in the first — and only — memorable performance of the night by adding her own touches to a Mariah classic. As much as we hate to admit it, it’s getting harder and harder to hate Kristy Lee. And the manipulation continues. Paula: “I’m like blown away.” Our grade: A
David Cook: “Always Be My Baby.” The judges were so in love with the guys this week, but we’re not sure why. David’s the perfect example. For starters, he looked horribly out of place. Duh! David gets credit for trying to make the song his own but, let’s be honest, it didn’t quite work. Bottom line: He should have picked a more obscure tune that’s not so readily associated with a pop diva. Randy: “You’re ready to make an album. You’re a hot recording artist.” Our grade: C
Jason Castro: “I Don’t Wanna Cry.” Jason clearly had no idea where he was or what he was doing. But that seems to be the case each week — and look how far that schtick got him. Perhaps it works because it’s mildly amusing? Just a guess. To be clear though we’re laughing at him — not with him. Simon: “It wasn’t the best vocal of the night. Having said that. It was identified with you. It was a cool version.” Our grade: C-
Our picks for the bottom three: Brooke, Jason and Syesha. Syesha, we fear, will head home after her umpteenth time in the losers’ circle.
Click here to leave a comment.
Tuesday night’s performances
Here are video clips of this week’s performances, courtesy of the “Idol” fans over at YouTube:
David Archuleta
Carly Smithson
Syesha Mercado
Brooke White
Kristy Lee Cook
David Cook
Jason Castro
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Kellie Pickler wins 3 CMT awards
Good news today from yet another “American Idol” reject.
Kellie Pickler snagged three statuettes — breakthrough video, tearjerker video and performance of the year — at Monday night’s CMT awards.
“Thank you ‘American Idol,’ you are the rocket that launched my career,” Kellie told the crowd gathered in Nashville.
“Idol” judge Paula Abdul was also on hand for the ceremony, introducing performers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
Click here for photos from the red carpet, and here for snapshots of performers and winners.
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Tivo’s smart … but not that smart
Everyone loves Tivo.
It records your favorite shows with just a few clicks of the remote.
It allows you to skip those dreaded commercials, giving you more time to … watch even more TV.
And now comes word it can predict who’s toast on “American Idol” each week.
Well, sometimes.
TMZ.com reports company execs were giddy to report Tivo statistics have correctly predicted the last four contestants to be sent home. How? By keeping track of how many folks fast forward and rewind during each finalist’s performance.
The streak, however, is over. This week’s Tivo pick was Syesha Mercado. And, as we all know by now, she’s safe. So. Very. Safe.
Don’t worry, Tivo. You still make us all warm and tingly inside.
Idol chatter …
- Be glad your telephone number doesn’t start with 866.
It seems scads of Americans misdial each week — forgetting the oh-so-important 1 that precedes a toll-free number — when attempting to cast a vote.
The New York Times caught up with Therese Burgueno, an unfortunate soul who’s been getting thousands of calls … on her cell phone. This year alone it’s cost her a couple hundred bucks.
“I now believe that half of America is dyslexic,” she told the paper.
And rightfully so.
- “Idol” is a ratings powerhouse.
There’s no disputing that.
But it appears “C.S.I.” is also a force to be reckoned with.
The show’s post-strike return narrowly outdrew this week’s results show.
An anomaly or yet another sign of “Idol’s” diminishing strength? You decide.
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Michael Johns: Ready to down a cold one
Michael Johns is shocked.
So are we.
And so are you.
His departure Thursday night seemed to come out of nowhere. No previous trips to the losers’ circle. No beratings by the “American Idol” judges. No … well, you get the idea.
“I hadn’t been in the bottom three, and I thought definitely the last two or three weeks had been my strongest,” the Aussie import told reporters gathered on the show’s weekly conference call. “But we’re in this competition, and stuff can happen — and it did.”
Host Ryan Seacrest certainly didn’t help matters when he rubbed salt in Michael’s wounds, hinting — ever so briefly — that maybe, just maybe, no one would go home this week. That is, after all, what happened during “Idol Gives Back” week last year.
“I get the television aspect of this competition, but it was tough. I thought, ‘OK, I’m going home.’ Then they did that, and I’m like, ‘Oh, wait a second, I’m not going home. They’re just having a good laugh.’ “
And, in case you’re wondering, he doesn’t believe that horrid ascot he wore Tuesday night — one poster here compared him to Mr. Furley from “Three’s Company” — played a role in his dismissal.
“It was a fun outfit. It was time to step it up a little bit stylistically, and I went for it. No regrets there.”
So what’s next for Michael? A cold beer. After that? He’s not ready to say just yet.
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Michael Johns takes one last bow
Well, we certainly didn’t see that one coming.
Did anyone?
Michael Johns is out of here. Gone. History.
So much for all that post-“Idol Gives Back” merriment.
Joining Michael — a first-timer — in the bottom three were repeat visitors Syesha Mercado and Carly Smithson.
When host Ryan Seacrest announced this week’s victim, everyone — and we do mean everyone — gasped.
“There are a lot of surprised fans here, and watching right now,” he said.
Gee, you think? Especially since this week’s stinkers — David Cook and Brooke White — managed to altogether avoid the circle of shame.
“I’m definitely surprised,” Michael said. “I enjoyed singing that song. It’s a song about dreams. You know, if there’s a song to go out on, that’s not a bad one.”
The judges, in particular, seemed shocked, delivering a heaping helping of praise — and a little advice, too.
Paula Abdul: “I’m such a big fan of yours. … I think that it’s time to get on with your career. There are people dying to hear from you.”
Simon Cowell: “I’m going to miss you. You’re a very good singer, and a very nice guy.”
Randy Jackson: “You’ve gotta keep on rockin’, dude.”
Wow, folks. Wow. Just when you think you’ve got things figured out …
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‘Idol Gives Back’: How many times did you cry?
It may have seemed like “five hundred twenty-five thousand six-hundred minutes” but, truth be told, Wednesday night’s “Idol Gives Back” special was only two-and-a-half hours long.
Only.
The star-studded spectacular helped bring attention to various plagues and plights around the globe, including AIDS, childhood obesity, devastation caused by Mother Nature and poverty.
While it was emotional at times, the show was, by our recollection, nowhere near as weepy as last year’s production. And that’s a good thing. While we want to be enlightened about our neediest of neighbors, no one needs to be guilted into giving to charity. That’s a choice that should come straight from the heart. Period.
If you weren’t tuned in — and how is that even possible? — it’s not too late to give. Call 1 (877) IDOL-AID or visit AmericanIdol.com.
Now, without further ado, here’s a quick list of what we liked — and disliked — about the show. (Click here for photos.) As always, your input is welcomed.
Work it, girls … and guys: Loved seeing this season’s finalists open the show with Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music.” Excellent choice.
Strange but true: What was up with the huge Band-Aid on Kobe Bryant’s face? Same goes for Snoop Dogg’s ginormous microphone. Why, oh, why, Dogg?
Must. Hit. Mute. Button. Now.: Teri Hatcher has no business singing. She’s clearly tone deaf, among other fatal flaws. And Carrie Underwood has no business acting. Their “bit” — and we use that term loosely — was oh-so-lame.
Technical difficulties: Turns out Miley Cyrus doesn’t sound so great without the benefit of studio production. Shock!
It’s getting hot in here: Fergie was rock-solid with Heart. And those cartwheels? Damn, girl.
He’s a funny guy …: Jimmy Kimmel was on fire, cracking joke after joke at Simon Cowell’s expense. Our favorite was when he said Simon’s nipples were the size of peppermills. OK, then.
… and she’s a not-so-funny gal: Sarah Silverman’s voice chafes. Enough said.
Pass the Kleenex: Hearing the finalists belt out “Seasons of Love” — that’s where the “five hundred twenty-five thousand six-hundred minutes” reference came from, in case you were wondering — gave us chills. The gospel choir was a great addition.
Give it up, already: Robin Williams’ impersonation of a guy from Russia wasn’t funny and dragged on forever. Take your Ritalin, dude, and call it a night.
And, with that, we’re outta here. See you again tomorrow night when we may — or may not — lose another finalist.
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Introducing the Austin360 Music Minute
We’re always rolling out something new here at Austin360. Our latest offering is the Music Minute, a daily Webcast devoted to the latest music headlines. Check out today’s installment to get our thoughts on this week’s “American Idol” performances.
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‘Twas the night before ‘Idol Gives Back’
If ever there was a week for the finalists to coast, this was it.
Producers didn’t send anyone home during “Idol Gives Back” week last year, and it’s doubtful they’ll do it this year. Wouldn’t be very … uplifting. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Clearly some of the hopefuls — that means you, Brooke White — knew this and took full advantage, phoning it in. Thankfully, though, there a number of “in it to win it” performances from folks who actually have a shot at going all the way this season.
Here’s what we thought, in order of appearance:
Michael Johns: “Dream On,” Aerosmith. Someone needs a fashion makeover. Yesterday. What’s up with that scarf? Not very manly. And those too-tight pants? Dear lord. A pretty decent performance — until he started shrieking at the end. Our ears are still bleeding. But, wait, it got even better when he decided to argue with Randy Jackson. Dude, you’re on a televised talent competition. Learn to deal with a little criticism. Simon Cowell: “I thought it was a little bit wannabe-ish.” Our grade: B-
Syesha Mercado: “I Believe,” Fantasia. Viewers were treated to classic Syesha again this week. No funky hair or clothes. Smart move. Syesha’s so fun to watch because she clearly loves what she’s doing. And she’s got an amazing voice capable of hitting really high notes with ease. We’d love her even more if she hadn’t argued with the judges. Kumbaya, everyone. Paula Abdul: “I just think — hands down — this is one of your most shining nights.” Our grade: A-
Jason Castro: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. We are, admittedly, sick of Jason. Can you blame us? He sounds exactly the same every week! Only the words change. This particular song sounded like something you’d hear in a schmaltzy commercial. Probably because it’s been featured in umpteen thousand schmaltzy commercials. Look for him to be playing soon during brunch at the Four Seasons. Reserve your seats now. Randy: “Jason Castro is back in the hunt. That was the hottest so far tonight.” Our grade: C
Kristy Lee Cook: “Do It Anyway,” Martina McBride. Another manipulative song by Kristy Lee, the master of manipulation. And we fell for it. She sounded smokin’ hot. One of Kristy Lee’s best performances to date. Simon: “I thought you were very, very good indeed.” Our grade: A+
David Cook: “Innocent,” Our Lady Peace. Wow. What in the world was that? Was there a frog in his throat? Was he sick? Going through puberty? Drunk? Whatever it was … it wasn’t good. At all. David — usually a top performer — wasn’t even a contender tonight. Randy: “I’m not sure this was one of your strongest weeks here, man. I didn’t quite get it.” Our grade: D-
Carly Smithson: “The Show Must Go On,” Queen. Carly’s dressing better these days. We’ll give her that. Even Simon noticed. Now she needs to figure out how to handle all that nervous energy when she’s on stage. The strutting and swaying just aren’t cutting it. There’s no doubt, though, that she’s got an amazing voice. And that’s what’s important. Paula: “Your voice is, as always, pretty perfect.” Our grade: B
David Archuleta: “Angels,” Robbie Williams. He’s such a dork. Seriously. But he’s a likeable dork. And that’s a good thing. We guess. Another serious song from David. Will we ever get to see his lighter side? Doubtful as long as he keeps hitting homers week after week with weightier tunes, such as this one. And the small girl in the audience holding up a “Lick those lips” sign? Oh. My. Stars. Simon: “Best song choice of the night so far. … This is one of the best pop songs — in my opinion — ever written.” Our grade: A+
Brooke White: “You Got a Friend,” James Taylor. What a complete waste of time — and a total snoozefest. There was absolutely nothing special about this tune. In fact, we would have rather listened to host Ryan Seacrest pimp the show’s “exclusive” relationship with iTunes yet again. For real. Paula: “I think it’s a perfect way to close the evening.” Our grade: D-
Our pick to get the boot this week: No one will go. But, if we had to pick, our bottom three would be Brooke White, David Cook and Jason Castro, with Brooke taking the walk of shame at night’s end. Instead, look for two finalists to exit next week.
Up next: “Idol Gives Back” airs Wednesday night from 6:30 — yes, 6:30! — to 9 p.m. and the “results” show — most likely sans actual results — will air Thursday night at 7 p.m. Click here to see a sneak preview of Wednesday’s epic special.
Click here to leave a comment.
Tuesday night’s performances
We’re going to try something new this week: embedded clips of each performance, courtesy of YouTube. Let us know what you think.
Michael Johns:
Syesha Mercado:
Jason Castro:
Kristy Lee Cook:
David Cook:
Carly Smithson:
David Archuleta:
Brooke White:
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New Clay Aiken album on the way
Claymates everywhere are rejoicing — and rightfully so.
Their hero, the almighty Clay Aiken, will release a new CD next month.
“On My Way Here,” featuring a title track by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, offers “a little bit of something for everyone, from symphonic-type ballads to upbeat, edgy stuff,” according to an interview in USA Today.
“I went through a bunch of songs,” he said, “and found ‘On My Way Here’ … and it hit me in the gut. It became the catalyst for the whole album to be lyrically connected — most of the songs relate to lessons I’ve learned.”
It’s been five long years since we last heard from Clay. We’ll find out May 6 if he’s still got it — whatever “it” is.
Idol chatter …
- Another fan favorite also has an album in the works.
Kelly Clarkson’s been hunkered down in a studio lately, recording tracks — tracks that were allegedly stolen by a hardcore fan and posted on various Web sites.
Creepy!
Kelly’s record label is reportedly busy sending out nastygrams, demanding the tracks be removed immediately.
Perhaps the title of this upcoming album should be “Drama.” Lord knows Kelly’s had to endure her fair share lately.
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Ramiele Malubay gets the last word
We haven’t seen the last of Ramiele Malubay.
Newly booted from “American Idol,” Ramiele plans to stay in Los Angeles, where she’ll pursue acting and singing gigs while shacking up with fellow reject Danny Noriega. And if things don’t work out there, Ramiele wouldn’t mind heading home to the Philippines.
“I definitely want to go back home because, I mean, it’s home to me,” she told reporters gathered on the show’s weekly conference call. “I want to see what I can do over there. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have something over there.”
In case you’re curious, Ramiele just knew she was a goner this week. Don’t they all? She’s not sure who will win this season. And, no, she doesn’t despise mean ol’ Simon Cowell.
“I really do believe in my heart that he says the things he says [because] he just wants us to be better,” she said, we assume, with a straight face.
Idol chatter …
- “Gossip Girl’s” Chace Crawford and “Idol” sweetheart Carrie Underwood are no longer an item.
“He’s doing OK through this whole ordeal,” Chace’s sister Candice told People magazine. “He was upset about the breakup. It’s always hard when you lose a relationship.”
If you believe everything you read on the Web — and you do, right? — Chase is now paired with … JC Chasez of N’ Sync.
Say what?
Chasez, of course, insists the two are just close friends. And, oh yeah, he’s straight. Totally straight.
“You know what, it’s laughable the first time,” he told People. “I think the 10th time, it gets annoying.”
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Wave bye-bye to Ramiele Malubay
And then there were eight.
After managing to survive multiple trips to the “American Idol” losers’ circle, Ramiele Malubay’s luck finally ran out Wednesday night.
The news crushed Ramiele, who sobbed loudly after host Ryan Seacrest sent Kristy Lee Cook and Brooke White to safety.
“This show has changed my life drastically,” Ramiele said in a pre-recorded piece that aired moments before she closed the show with a Dolly Parton tune. “Not a lot of people get chances like this.”
With several other contestants also crying by that point, ever-perky Ryan tried admirably to lighten the mood.
“You have done a tremendous job,” he told Ramiele. “You have made a lot of friends. You made a lot of people happy. You should be very proud of yourself.”
And she should be. Ramiele wasn’t the strongest singer in the bunch — obviously — but she’s certainly unique and had some fiercely loyal fans since the very beginning. Fans who weren’t all that thrilled when we panned one of her early performances. But we digress …
The bigger news here is that Kristy Lee’s reign of terror may be nearing an end. The country crooner should have sailed through Dolly Parton week without a hitch. These tunes were made just for her. And yet there she was in the bottom three. Yet again. Yes, the end is indeed near. Maybe even next week. Let’s hope.
And Brooke? She’s got to be concerned, too. After turning in a solid performance she wound up in the losers’ circle for the very first time.
“Idol” just gets more and more interesting with each passing week. And we couldn’t be happier.
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‘Idol’ goes country; David Cook hospitalized
Hello, Dolly!
Medical problems forced Dolly Parton to skip a scheduled appearance at South by Southwest last month. But all’s apparently well now, clearing the way for the beloved singer to mentor the nine remaining “American Idol” hopefuls this week.
Too bad the performances were, for the most part, horribly blah. Perhaps that’s why the show was shaved down to a mercifully short hour this week.
In any event, here’s what we thought, in order of appearance:
Brooke White: “Jolene.” Brooke looked uncomfortable yet again — even when she was smiling. And, of course, she was clutching her guitar for dear life. It’s sure going to be interesting to see how she handles this summer’s “Idols Live!” tour. But we must admit Brooke picked a catchy tune — and she’s got a solid voice. Simon: “I think what was lacking on that song was any emotion.” Our grade: B-
David Cook: “Little Sparrow.” David also looked uncomfortable, but can you blame him? This is totally not his kind of music. He managed to add some of his trademark edge — but not nearly enough. In short, his performance wasn’t memorable at all. Not good. Paula: “I’ve never heard a guy do that song — and it sounded great.” Our grade: B
Ramiele Malubay: “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?” Hey, watch that camera angle! Ramiele, for some reason, seems to be the subject of repeated unflattering shots while on stage. Perhaps it’s because she’s so short? Anyway, country is so not Ramiele’s thing. It just isn’t. What we got was pure karaoke. Randy: “I wasn’t jumping up and down, but I wasn’t mad at you either.” Our grade: C
Jason Castro: “Travelin’ Thru.” Jason made this one his own, but is that necessarily a good thing? All his performances this season have sounded alike. They have a certain elevator music quality. Where’s the variety? Simon: “I didn’t like that at all. … I don’t think this kind of music suits you particularly well.” Our grade: B-
Carly Smithson: “Here You Come Again.” Lay off the eye makeup, sweetie. We had concerns up front, but Carly turned out to be surprisingly good — except for one point near the end that likely shattered wine goblets around the globe. Paula: “Carly, that was glorious. You are such an amazing talent.” Our grade: A-
David Archuleta: “Smoky Mountain Memories.” Great voice, as usual, but lighten up, dude. You’re 17. The super-serious act each week is getting old. Let’s see you let loose and have some fun. Otherwise, you’re no longer the slam dunk we thought you were at the start of the season. Simon” “This week, you were absolutely on the money.” Our grade: A
Kristy Lee Cook: “Coat of Many Colors.” Kristy Lee is “Idol’s” country queen, and tonight was definitely her night. So why’d she look so scared up there, singing in her bare feet with that terribly unfortunate perm? Randy: “Country music is definitely your wheelhouse. … This is definitely the Kristy Lee week.” Our grade: A
Syesha Mercado: “I Will Always Love You.” Bet you didn’t know this tune had Dolly ties. Syesha treated us to yet another drastic change of appearance. Maybe she made it to the bottom three last time around because people can’t recognize her from week to week. Regardless of which look she’s sporting, Syesha’s such a beautiful person and has a beautiful voice. And that note she held … forever? Don’t try that at home, folks. Leave it to the pros. Paula: “I just think you’re growing and growing and growing, and you’re connecting with the audience so much more.” Our grade: A+
Michael Johns: “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right.” Sorry, but we just weren’t buying this one. At all. No matter how dapper Michael looked and how much he swayed back and forth on stage. Just wasn’t his kind of music. Definitely not how we wanted to end the night. Randy: “You keep on bring it up every week a notch.” Our grade: C+
Our picks for the bottom three: This week’s a bit harder than usual because there were so many so-so performances. But, of course, we’re going to give it the ol’ college try. Jason Castro is mostly likely going home. He’ll be joined in the losers’ circle by Ramiele Malubay and David Cook.
Late update
- TMZ.com reports David Cook was rushed to the hospital after his performance Tuesday night.
He was treated for heart palpitations and high blood pressure, then released a short time later. You may recall David passed out moments before he was set to go on stage one night earlier this season, forcing producers to rush out another contestant at the last possible minute.
The Web site’s sources claim David’s been under tremendous stress lately as his brother battles cancer. Apparently there was a setback of some sort this week.
Stay tuned …
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Elliott Yamin’s mom dies
Sad news today from former “American Idol” standout Elliott Yamin.
Elliott’s mom passed away last night at a Virginia hospital, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. She was 65. Her cause of death was not immediately available.
The newspaper reports Claudette Yamin had been in poor health in recent months, suffering from a broken hip and various other maladies.
Donations, if you wish, may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Elliott’s loyal fans, of course, know he suffers from diabetes.
Idol chatter …
- Look for interviews with Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest on Wednesday’s “Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.”
Here’s how they answered when quizzed about their favorite contestants this season, according to a preview provided by the show’s producers:
Randy: “I guess David Archuleta, David Cooke and Brooke White … probably Carly too. … I think Carly is really, really talented and really, really strong and doesn’t really know her own strengths. I don’t think she really knows and embraces it like that … because vocally for me, she’s got the most vocal talent in all of the top 10.”
Ryan: “I think David Archuleta, who’s a favorite of the judges and also of the audience. However, the beauty of the show is that America obviously votes.”
The show airs at 9 a.m. on Fox 7.
