With Season 17 of “American Idol” coming to a close on May 19 with Alejandro Aranda, Laine Hardy and Madison VanDenburg as the final three, it has a good chance of being considered to be among one of the best seasons ever. But is it The best? That is yet to be determined. Certainly all three contestants have grown as vocalists and entertainers each and every week, especially on Sunday’s second-to-last show. But it is a little too early to see how No. 17 stacks ups with these four stellar seasons from the past.
America per saymay not have voted in our “best-ever” poll, but Gold Derby readers did — and 39% chose Season 8 when Kris Allen with his folky renditions of pop tunes somehow beat the versatile showman Adam Lambert. Of course, being the current front man for Queen is a different kind of win. I also don’t recall Allen being invited back on the show,...
America per saymay not have voted in our “best-ever” poll, but Gold Derby readers did — and 39% chose Season 8 when Kris Allen with his folky renditions of pop tunes somehow beat the versatile showman Adam Lambert. Of course, being the current front man for Queen is a different kind of win. I also don’t recall Allen being invited back on the show,...
- 5/14/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
After a so-so revival last year when ABC took over “American Idol,” most fans are in agreement that the talent on display on Season 17 is a giant leap for singing kind. The show overall seems to be more entertaining. Yes, judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan are never going to be as scathingly funny as Simon Cowell in his snide heyday. But their personalities and musical knowledge complement each other and all three seem quite genuine in their quest to help the contestants to up their games.
Very early in this current edition of the show, the words “best season ever” were uttered. It is all subjective, of course, but with just one more episode and the three-hour finale left, No. 17 could go down in “Idol’ ‘history talent-wise once a winner is crowned. Of course, factoring into that assessment will be the winner’s post-show success as well.
Very early in this current edition of the show, the words “best season ever” were uttered. It is all subjective, of course, but with just one more episode and the three-hour finale left, No. 17 could go down in “Idol’ ‘history talent-wise once a winner is crowned. Of course, factoring into that assessment will be the winner’s post-show success as well.
- 5/11/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
"I’m feeling a bit loser-y" - Blake Shelton
NBC's The Voice, in my humble opinion, features the best unknown and relatively unknown singers on television. I don't say this just because I'm a former contestant (I'm also a former contestant on that other singing show, but that's a different blog for a different day). I say it because the talent this season is so undeniable. Even the hopefuls that are unfortunate enough not to make a team are way better than some of the finalists on other shows. And this season most of my favorites aren’t even 18. So here is my personal compilation of some of the incredible aural goodness I heard this week:
The Amazing
1. Avery Wilson
I incredulously watched this kid sing Usher's Without You possibly better than Usher ever has. This kid executed some ridiculously impressive riffs a.k.a "runs." If you are unsure as to what a "run" is...
NBC's The Voice, in my humble opinion, features the best unknown and relatively unknown singers on television. I don't say this just because I'm a former contestant (I'm also a former contestant on that other singing show, but that's a different blog for a different day). I say it because the talent this season is so undeniable. Even the hopefuls that are unfortunate enough not to make a team are way better than some of the finalists on other shows. And this season most of my favorites aren’t even 18. So here is my personal compilation of some of the incredible aural goodness I heard this week:
The Amazing
1. Avery Wilson
I incredulously watched this kid sing Usher's Without You possibly better than Usher ever has. This kid executed some ridiculously impressive riffs a.k.a "runs." If you are unsure as to what a "run" is...
- 9/24/2012
- TheInsider.com
‘American Idol Live!’ 2012 touched down in Newark, N.J. on Tuesday night, and while the pacing of the show suffered more stops and starts than an octogenarian trying out a stick-shift for the first time, the Season 11 Top 10 nevertheless proved they have plenty of gas in their tanks as the tour enters its final two weeks.
Paired with the right material, a number of the finalists confirmed they can indeed command a stadium-sized crowd: Country gal Skylar Laine dropped charisma-bombs all the way to the cheap seats. Erika Van Pelt put on a display of vocal firepower that left me...
Paired with the right material, a number of the finalists confirmed they can indeed command a stadium-sized crowd: Country gal Skylar Laine dropped charisma-bombs all the way to the cheap seats. Erika Van Pelt put on a display of vocal firepower that left me...
- 8/29/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
There’s this weird part of the week — from Friday morning till Monday evening — when not a single major TV network airs a reality singing competition. It’s terrible, I know, but it also gives me a lot of time to ponder American Idol history. (Everyone does this in their free time, yes?) And my latest flight of Idol fancy got me mulling this question: Was Season 11′s Top 10 the strongest — top to bottom — in show history? Let’s examine:
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
- 3/26/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
The Good, The Bad, (The Meh,) and the Ugly- American Idol 11.1 Recap
The Good, The Bad, (The Meh,) and the Ugly
American Idol is back! Just to remind us that it's the original singing competition, they name check all ten winners at the beginning. The cynic in me says that this is the only time that Idol will acknowledge some of them, but one can hope. Instead of going chronologically, I'm going to organize my thoughts into separate categories.
The Good:
I like the balance of good/bad auditions, I hope that remains a theme throughout the season. There was a nice mix of both men and women, and while it seemed the auditioners skewed young, maybe my age is starting to show.
I especially liked Gabi Carrub, who sang Sunday Morning without any pretension, Schyler Dixon (Colton's little sister, in case you forgot,) Ashlee Altise, who was almost borderline funny audition,...
The Good, The Bad, (The Meh,) and the Ugly
American Idol is back! Just to remind us that it's the original singing competition, they name check all ten winners at the beginning. The cynic in me says that this is the only time that Idol will acknowledge some of them, but one can hope. Instead of going chronologically, I'm going to organize my thoughts into separate categories.
The Good:
I like the balance of good/bad auditions, I hope that remains a theme throughout the season. There was a nice mix of both men and women, and while it seemed the auditioners skewed young, maybe my age is starting to show.
I especially liked Gabi Carrub, who sang Sunday Morning without any pretension, Schyler Dixon (Colton's little sister, in case you forgot,) Ashlee Altise, who was almost borderline funny audition,...
- 1/19/2012
- by Emily Pray
- TVovermind.com
Last month, while interviewing executive producer Nigel Lythgoe for a story about possible changes to American Idol for its upcoming eleventh season, I proposed the idea that the show should introduce a list of 11 songs that would be banned from the live performance rounds on the grounds that they’ve been done to death in previous seasons. Lythgoe’s response caught me off guard: “Well, Mike, if you want to write down and send me 11 songs that you don’t want to hear again, I will put them through to the committee.”
Well, sir, you don’t have to ask me twice!
Well, sir, you don’t have to ask me twice!
- 9/4/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Haley Reinhart, Naima Adedapo have smallest Twitter followings, a metric that seems to mirror 'Idol' voting trends and popularity.
By Gil Kaufman
Scott McCreery
Photo: Fox
There are so many ways to quantify which "American Idol" finalists are popping with voters. From the screams and elaborate signs in the IdolDome on Wednesday nights to the number of weird promotional items being offered on eBay and bootleg fan sites that pop up to encourage power-voting, "Idol" popularity is a tricky thing to measure.
One of the best new ways, though, is to track the contestants' Twitter account and see who has the most followers. After stumbling out of the gate with their social-networking efforts last year, amid worries that loose lips might ruin the show's finale, the "Idol" top 11 are back in effect on Twitter and chatting it up with their online fans, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
The move makes sense,...
By Gil Kaufman
Scott McCreery
Photo: Fox
There are so many ways to quantify which "American Idol" finalists are popping with voters. From the screams and elaborate signs in the IdolDome on Wednesday nights to the number of weird promotional items being offered on eBay and bootleg fan sites that pop up to encourage power-voting, "Idol" popularity is a tricky thing to measure.
One of the best new ways, though, is to track the contestants' Twitter account and see who has the most followers. After stumbling out of the gate with their social-networking efforts last year, amid worries that loose lips might ruin the show's finale, the "Idol" top 11 are back in effect on Twitter and chatting it up with their online fans, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
The move makes sense,...
- 3/29/2011
- MTV Music News
"American Idol" is here and Zap2it has been taking a stroll down memory lane to re-evaluate the previous nine seasons.
We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
We've looked back at Season 1 (yay Kelly!), Season 2 (aww, Clay and Ruben!), the black hole that was Season 3, one of our favorite Top 2 in Season 4, and Soul Patrol-ed Season 5. We took a look back at beatboxin' Season 6 and the David vs. David finale of Season 7.
Season 8 contestants in order of elimination:
Jasmine Murray
Jorge Nunez
Alexis Grace
Michael Sarver
Megan Joy
Scott MacIntyre
Lil Rounds
Anoop Desai
Matt Giraud
Allison Iraheta
Danny Gokey
Adam Lambert
Kris Allen (winner)
Best performance: Don't make us choose!
There are too many from this season.
We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
We've looked back at Season 1 (yay Kelly!), Season 2 (aww, Clay and Ruben!), the black hole that was Season 3, one of our favorite Top 2 in Season 4, and Soul Patrol-ed Season 5. We took a look back at beatboxin' Season 6 and the David vs. David finale of Season 7.
Season 8 contestants in order of elimination:
Jasmine Murray
Jorge Nunez
Alexis Grace
Michael Sarver
Megan Joy
Scott MacIntyre
Lil Rounds
Anoop Desai
Matt Giraud
Allison Iraheta
Danny Gokey
Adam Lambert
Kris Allen (winner)
Best performance: Don't make us choose!
There are too many from this season.
- 1/20/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Well that didn't take long. Adam Lambert received his first Grammy nomination Wednesday night for "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" of the song "Whataya Want From Me" off his debut album For Your Entertainment. The album was released last November, and in the spirit of the passage "all that glitters is gold," has sold over 700,000 copies to date in the U.S. The well-crafted pop lament "Whataya Want From Me" was the second single from the CD and reached platinum status, selling over a million copies by April of 2010. The singer, who just finished up the international leg of his Glam Nation tour, had this to say via Twitter about his nomination, "Woah!! Just got the news! A Grammy nomination?!?! I'm floored and honored. There are no words." All that talent, and humility too? He may not have been expecting the nod, but his fans were. They have been flooding...
- 12/2/2010
- by jmaurer@corp.popstar.com (Jennifer Maurer)
- PopStar
Oh, Kara. Kara, Kara, Kara. (Sorry, turned on my Randy Jackson switch right there.) Last night, you announced via a statement from Fox that you will not be returning to the tenth season of American Idol. And, sweetie, I gotta tell ya, we’re going to miss you.
I know: I’m a little shocked to have written that statement myself. Because here at PopWatch HQ, we have long been critical of the fourth judge, who was added back in season 8. We chided her for her tendency to favor commercialism over true talent when it came to the show’s contestants.
I know: I’m a little shocked to have written that statement myself. Because here at PopWatch HQ, we have long been critical of the fourth judge, who was added back in season 8. We chided her for her tendency to favor commercialism over true talent when it came to the show’s contestants.
- 9/4/2010
- by Kate Ward
- EW.com - PopWatch
'I was in a good mood!' Seacrest says of his antics on this week's show.
By Gil Kaufman
Ryan Seacrest
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
It's been hard not to notice that Ryan Seacrest has been acting a bit strangely on "American Idol" this season. From his aggressive grilling of lead judge Simon Cowell to his new penchant for making up pet nicknames for contestants and judges ("SiCo"?), the normally genial Seacrest has raised some eyebrows this year with quirky behavior. This week's shows brought those quirks into sharp focus via some wild air-guitar playing; an out-of-the-blue slam of season-one co-host Brian Dunkleman; a strange, self-deprecating on-air chat with his mother and the man-on-man slow dance during Tim Urban's performance. So, what's up with Ryan?
The Los Angeles Times cornered the multitasking radio/TV personality and reality-show producer to ask him about the incidents, his recent exceedingly high...
By Gil Kaufman
Ryan Seacrest
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
It's been hard not to notice that Ryan Seacrest has been acting a bit strangely on "American Idol" this season. From his aggressive grilling of lead judge Simon Cowell to his new penchant for making up pet nicknames for contestants and judges ("SiCo"?), the normally genial Seacrest has raised some eyebrows this year with quirky behavior. This week's shows brought those quirks into sharp focus via some wild air-guitar playing; an out-of-the-blue slam of season-one co-host Brian Dunkleman; a strange, self-deprecating on-air chat with his mother and the man-on-man slow dance during Tim Urban's performance. So, what's up with Ryan?
The Los Angeles Times cornered the multitasking radio/TV personality and reality-show producer to ask him about the incidents, his recent exceedingly high...
- 4/16/2010
- MTV Music News
By Greg Hernandez
Silly Seacrest: Oh no he didn’t!
Ryan Seacrest may the hardest working man in showbiz but maybe he’s been too overworked to do justice to his American Idol hosting job.
Last night during an exchange with this week’s mentor Adam Lambert, Ryan remarked that “my tongue is not nearly as talented as yours.”
Gawd.
Ryan has been responsible for most of this season’s cringe-worthy moments and to make what clearly seemed to be a reference to oral sex was a new low point. Yes, Adam is gay and yes, he gave a risque performance on the American Music Awards but as host, Ryan is expected to set a tone and be respectful to guests.
Then Ryan went too far again when he distracted from contestant Tim Urban’s performance of Can’t Help Falling In Love by slow dancing off camera with who AfterElton.
Silly Seacrest: Oh no he didn’t!
Ryan Seacrest may the hardest working man in showbiz but maybe he’s been too overworked to do justice to his American Idol hosting job.
Last night during an exchange with this week’s mentor Adam Lambert, Ryan remarked that “my tongue is not nearly as talented as yours.”
Gawd.
Ryan has been responsible for most of this season’s cringe-worthy moments and to make what clearly seemed to be a reference to oral sex was a new low point. Yes, Adam is gay and yes, he gave a risque performance on the American Music Awards but as host, Ryan is expected to set a tone and be respectful to guests.
Then Ryan went too far again when he distracted from contestant Tim Urban’s performance of Can’t Help Falling In Love by slow dancing off camera with who AfterElton.
- 4/14/2010
- by Staff
- Hollywoodnews.com
I didn't think it was possible for the insufferable Ryan Seacrest to fall lower in my estimation, but last night he hit a new low of juvenile inappropriateness. He actually turned to guest mentor Adam Lambert and said "my tongue is not nearly as talented as yours." Wink wink groan.
Poor Adam, here he is on live TV trying to live down that Ama performance that so enraged prudes everywhere, and Ryan Seacrest is making veiled references to oral sex. And Lambert is the one who's been accused of lewdness? Geez!
Oh well, Adam did the best he could with that awkward moment. He just smiled and kept his mouth shut.
So, what else annoying did Seacrest do last night? And how did Adam fare as a mentor? And after the benefit of his advice, how did his nine mentees perform? We'll give you the blow by blow after the break!
Poor Adam, here he is on live TV trying to live down that Ama performance that so enraged prudes everywhere, and Ryan Seacrest is making veiled references to oral sex. And Lambert is the one who's been accused of lewdness? Geez!
Oh well, Adam did the best he could with that awkward moment. He just smiled and kept his mouth shut.
So, what else annoying did Seacrest do last night? And how did Adam fare as a mentor? And after the benefit of his advice, how did his nine mentees perform? We'll give you the blow by blow after the break!
- 4/14/2010
- by dennis
- The Backlot
It makes perfect sense that "American Idol" would pick Elvis Presley as a theme this season. Like Elvis, "Idol" was once a young, fresh, exciting force that changed music and television. Now it's a bloated carcass of its former self that will probably end up dead on a toilet one of these days. (For the sake of argument, let's call the seventh and eighth seasons of "Idol" their version of the "'68 Comeback Special.")
In a move that raised some eyebrows, producers enlisted last year's runner-up Adam Lambert to mentor the top nine. Sure, the guy didn't win, and apparently he's not selling as many records as Ken Warwick had hoped, but Lambert knows how to use the "Idol" machine to maximize buzz and court media attention while on the show. Let's face it: Although Adam has one of the best voices in music today, why should he waste his...
In a move that raised some eyebrows, producers enlisted last year's runner-up Adam Lambert to mentor the top nine. Sure, the guy didn't win, and apparently he's not selling as many records as Ken Warwick had hoped, but Lambert knows how to use the "Idol" machine to maximize buzz and court media attention while on the show. Let's face it: Although Adam has one of the best voices in music today, why should he waste his...
- 4/14/2010
- by Jim Cantiello
- MTV Newsroom
'American Idol': Ryan completely loses his everlovin' mind on the scene of Top 9.2 performance night
So I take off three weeks from collecting the best of American Idol behind-the-scenery, and what happens? Half of the ladies got the boot, Big "Stank Face" Mike got the save, and apparently, Ryan Seacrest completely lost his everloving mind. The best on-camera taste of Ryan's spastic battiness was, of course, during Tim Urban's dagblastit-the-kid's-actually-getting-kinda-good performance of "I Can't Help Falling In Love," when Ryan randomly grabbed Michael Sarver a beefy member of Lee Dewyze's official cheer squad and proceeded to dance with him through most of the song. (Update: As that strikeout text indicates, and just to be abundantly clear,...
- 4/14/2010
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW.com - PopWatch
Zap2it's weekly "Dispatches from Inside the 'Idol' Dome" brings fanatics like you (and us) closer to all the action. What didn't viewers see on the TV broadcast? We got it covered.
"American Idol" Elvis week came complete with some Katie-loving librarians, Ryan Seacrest dancing with Michael Sarver and an insane cafeteria lady desperate for attention and/or a t-shirt, bag or iPod touch. What else was happening off-camera?
Signs, signs, everywhere signs...
The best sign of the night was a tie between "Librarians [heart] Katie Stevens" and "Eve [heart] Adam." The first one inspires so many questions -- why do librarians love Katie? Is it just librarians or does that extend to other book-related occupations? Is it because she looks like that kiss-up good girl in high school who always came to librarians for help on her term papers? And the other sign is awesome because who doesn't love a little Biblical humor?...
"American Idol" Elvis week came complete with some Katie-loving librarians, Ryan Seacrest dancing with Michael Sarver and an insane cafeteria lady desperate for attention and/or a t-shirt, bag or iPod touch. What else was happening off-camera?
Signs, signs, everywhere signs...
The best sign of the night was a tie between "Librarians [heart] Katie Stevens" and "Eve [heart] Adam." The first one inspires so many questions -- why do librarians love Katie? Is it just librarians or does that extend to other book-related occupations? Is it because she looks like that kiss-up good girl in high school who always came to librarians for help on her term papers? And the other sign is awesome because who doesn't love a little Biblical humor?...
- 4/14/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
After her lackluster 'Ruby Tuesday,' it could be end of the line for Lacey Brown.
By Gil Kaufman
Lacey Brown
Photo: Jesse Grant/ WireImage
For the most part, the top 12 finalists on "American Idol" stepped up their game for their first performance on the big "Idol" stage on Tuesday night. Nobody flamed out completely, succumbed to a bout of nerves, blew a lyric or otherwise face-planted while singing the songs of the Rolling Stones.
But, alas, someone has to go home every week and while our "Idol" experts have had differing opinions over the past few weeks about who would be sent packing, they were unanimous in their feeling that Wednesday night's elimination show will likely prove to be the end of the line for flame-haired Texan Lacey Brown.
"I think it's finally the end of the line for Lacey," said Mj Santilli of leading "Idol" blog MJsBigBlog.
By Gil Kaufman
Lacey Brown
Photo: Jesse Grant/ WireImage
For the most part, the top 12 finalists on "American Idol" stepped up their game for their first performance on the big "Idol" stage on Tuesday night. Nobody flamed out completely, succumbed to a bout of nerves, blew a lyric or otherwise face-planted while singing the songs of the Rolling Stones.
But, alas, someone has to go home every week and while our "Idol" experts have had differing opinions over the past few weeks about who would be sent packing, they were unanimous in their feeling that Wednesday night's elimination show will likely prove to be the end of the line for flame-haired Texan Lacey Brown.
"I think it's finally the end of the line for Lacey," said Mj Santilli of leading "Idol" blog MJsBigBlog.
- 3/17/2010
- MTV Music News
With Lilly Scott, Alex Lambert and Katelyn Epperly sent home, season nine lost three of its most interesting contestants.
By Eric Ditzian
Lilly Scott
Photo: Fox
After an embarrassingly shaky start to the "American Idol" live shows late last month, many of the hopefuls — from Crystal Bowersox to Casey James to Lilly Scott — recovered to the point where we were no longer ready to declare season nine the worst in the show's history.
And then came Thursday night's results show. Standouts Scott, Alex Lambert and Katelyn Epperly were sent home, while sooo-not-ready-for-prime-time crooners Katie Stevens, Paige Miles and Tim Urban made the cut. That sound you hear? America erasing their DVR season passes of "Idol." Which raises the question: Is this season's newly announced top 12 the weakest we've ever seen?
Last season, which actually presented a top 13, gave us singers that were as talented as any we'd ever seen on "Idol" — Adam Lambert,...
By Eric Ditzian
Lilly Scott
Photo: Fox
After an embarrassingly shaky start to the "American Idol" live shows late last month, many of the hopefuls — from Crystal Bowersox to Casey James to Lilly Scott — recovered to the point where we were no longer ready to declare season nine the worst in the show's history.
And then came Thursday night's results show. Standouts Scott, Alex Lambert and Katelyn Epperly were sent home, while sooo-not-ready-for-prime-time crooners Katie Stevens, Paige Miles and Tim Urban made the cut. That sound you hear? America erasing their DVR season passes of "Idol." Which raises the question: Is this season's newly announced top 12 the weakest we've ever seen?
Last season, which actually presented a top 13, gave us singers that were as talented as any we'd ever seen on "Idol" — Adam Lambert,...
- 3/12/2010
- MTV Music News
It's all over but Didi Benami's crying*. Yes, Idoloonies, the 16 semifinalists of American Idol's ninth season are done singing for our pleasure this week -- those lip-synched group performances do not count -- and we're going to reward four of them by gathering in the public square on Thursday to watch 'em weep to the tune of that treacly Will Young exit ballad. (*Oh c'mon, win or lose, you know girlfriend's good for at least 10 minutes of waterworks during the results show.) Tonight, the eight remaining guys took to the stage to make their cases for filling the...
- 3/11/2010
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
Round two of American Idol's season 9 semifinals was a definite improvement over the deeply troubling Top 24 week, so I'm optimistic that the remaining 16 contestants will perform well enough this week to inspire Ellen DeGeneres to dig up some synonyms for her favorite adjective "great." But before we whittle the field down to the 12 final finalists, I'm gonna rank 'em one last time -- and ask you to help do the same through our handy Power List Poll. (For more Idol coverage, follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak!) 16. Lacey Brown (Last week No. 17 ): Paula Abdul probably has a better chance...
- 3/9/2010
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
Tuesday night's (March 2) episode of "American Idol" provided a handful of highlights, including the great video package promoting Alex Lambert and the suddenly improving Tim Urban. The show also featured a segment that felt a lot like deja vu: A contestant (in this case guitar picking Casey James) wailing his way through Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be."
Here's the thing: There's nothing particularly wrong about DeGraw's breakout 2004 single. It's a not unreasonable song with a too-catchy chorus and just the right amount of anthemic crunch. But as an "American Idol" song, it has to go. As James even admitted last night, "I Don't Want to Be" has shown up on "Idol" an inordinate number of times over nine seasons, spilling from the throats of the likes of Bo Bice, Elliott Yamin and Michael Sarver (all of whom, by the way, topped James by leaps and bounds). It...
Here's the thing: There's nothing particularly wrong about DeGraw's breakout 2004 single. It's a not unreasonable song with a too-catchy chorus and just the right amount of anthemic crunch. But as an "American Idol" song, it has to go. As James even admitted last night, "I Don't Want to Be" has shown up on "Idol" an inordinate number of times over nine seasons, spilling from the throats of the likes of Bo Bice, Elliott Yamin and Michael Sarver (all of whom, by the way, topped James by leaps and bounds). It...
- 3/3/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
I’d like to open Tuesday night's (March 2) "American Idol" recap with a short excerpt of a screenplay I'm working on, which is loosely based on what I think might have happened backstage Tuesday. It's called "Bower Power."
Int. CBS Studios, backstage.
The Top 10 men are hanging out. A producer enters with purpose.
Producer: Crystal Bowersox is really sick. Doctors say she can't perform on "Idol" tonight. So you boys are going to sing in her place since we're willing to sacrifice all of you in order to save one of the season's breakout stars. Get into wardrobe, you pitiful excuses for "Idol" contestants. You're live in three hours.
Alex Lambert: [vomits, weeps, craps pants simultaneously.]
Tim Urban: It's okay, Alex. Just pray. That's what I do.
Jermaine Sellers: [puts down his vocal humidifier] Yeah! Jesus is my homeboy!
Cut to Heaven.
Jesus: [shakes head, sighs] I miss season eight.
Jesus presses play on his iPod, listens to Danny Gokey...
Int. CBS Studios, backstage.
The Top 10 men are hanging out. A producer enters with purpose.
Producer: Crystal Bowersox is really sick. Doctors say she can't perform on "Idol" tonight. So you boys are going to sing in her place since we're willing to sacrifice all of you in order to save one of the season's breakout stars. Get into wardrobe, you pitiful excuses for "Idol" contestants. You're live in three hours.
Alex Lambert: [vomits, weeps, craps pants simultaneously.]
Tim Urban: It's okay, Alex. Just pray. That's what I do.
Jermaine Sellers: [puts down his vocal humidifier] Yeah! Jesus is my homeboy!
Cut to Heaven.
Jesus: [shakes head, sighs] I miss season eight.
Jesus presses play on his iPod, listens to Danny Gokey...
- 3/3/2010
- by Jim Cantiello
- MTV Newsroom
The two best performances of the night book-ended the "American Idol" Season 9 Top 10 men -- Michael Lynche and Lee Dewyze.
The Top 10 men were 100% better than last week. Of course, that's like saying something is 100% better than being punched in the face.
Still, good for the guys -- they didn't get down-in-the-mouth after last week's harsh criticism. Instead, they came back with a vengeance and, well, it's better. It's still not great, but there is hope. So, in our order from best to worst, here are your Top 10 men:
No. 1 Michael Lynche
First of all, that shot of him arm-curling Aaron Kelly in his video package? Hilarious. Michael makes me think of, "Every morning at the mine you'd see him arrive, he stood 6'6 and weighed 245. Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip. And everybody knew you didn't give no lip to Big Mike."
Anyway. Michael went...
The Top 10 men were 100% better than last week. Of course, that's like saying something is 100% better than being punched in the face.
Still, good for the guys -- they didn't get down-in-the-mouth after last week's harsh criticism. Instead, they came back with a vengeance and, well, it's better. It's still not great, but there is hope. So, in our order from best to worst, here are your Top 10 men:
No. 1 Michael Lynche
First of all, that shot of him arm-curling Aaron Kelly in his video package? Hilarious. Michael makes me think of, "Every morning at the mine you'd see him arrive, he stood 6'6 and weighed 245. Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip. And everybody knew you didn't give no lip to Big Mike."
Anyway. Michael went...
- 3/3/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
"American Idol's" Hollywood Week has concluded and judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara Dioguardi and Randy Jackson have sealed the fate of Season 9's hopefuls.
The Top 24 has been chosen and this year's male dozen and female dozen of contenders are about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. So besides revealing the list of this year's soon-to-be-household names what else do we know so far:
1. Ellen DeGeneres is just the shot in the arm that the show needed. Now we've been on Team Ellen since her ABC sitcom, but some "Idol" watchers and aficionados wondered if DeGeneres had the judging chops to hold her own against the big bad Cowell. Well so far Ellen's exceeded expectations, demonstrating herself as both a competent opponent and colleague alongside Cowell at the judges table. Ellen and Simon's chemistry is palpable and it's clear the daytime talk show queen is...
The Top 24 has been chosen and this year's male dozen and female dozen of contenders are about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. So besides revealing the list of this year's soon-to-be-household names what else do we know so far:
1. Ellen DeGeneres is just the shot in the arm that the show needed. Now we've been on Team Ellen since her ABC sitcom, but some "Idol" watchers and aficionados wondered if DeGeneres had the judging chops to hold her own against the big bad Cowell. Well so far Ellen's exceeded expectations, demonstrating herself as both a competent opponent and colleague alongside Cowell at the judges table. Ellen and Simon's chemistry is palpable and it's clear the daytime talk show queen is...
- 2/18/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Alums Megan Joy and Nikki McKibbin note the many benefits 'Idol' stardom offers young moms and dads.
By Gil Kaufman
Megan Joy
Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/ Wireimage
This year's "American Idol" audition rounds presented a veritable baby boom of young parents aiming for their shot at stardom, often with a newborn or adorable moppet on their hip or clutching too-cute-for-words crayon pictures for the judges.
From the hyper-focused Andrew Garcia, himself the son of former Los Angeles gangbangers, who is in search of a better life for his own young boy, to hulking personal trainer and expectant father Michael Lynche, who might have already washed out because his father allegedly blabbed about his Hollywood experience to a local Florida paper, moms and dads were featured in nearly every audition episode for season nine.
There was scratchy-voiced rocker girl Danelle Hayes, who wanted to make it on "Idol" so...
By Gil Kaufman
Megan Joy
Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/ Wireimage
This year's "American Idol" audition rounds presented a veritable baby boom of young parents aiming for their shot at stardom, often with a newborn or adorable moppet on their hip or clutching too-cute-for-words crayon pictures for the judges.
From the hyper-focused Andrew Garcia, himself the son of former Los Angeles gangbangers, who is in search of a better life for his own young boy, to hulking personal trainer and expectant father Michael Lynche, who might have already washed out because his father allegedly blabbed about his Hollywood experience to a local Florida paper, moms and dads were featured in nearly every audition episode for season nine.
There was scratchy-voiced rocker girl Danelle Hayes, who wanted to make it on "Idol" so...
- 2/9/2010
- MTV Music News
Before we move on to Hollywood Week, here's a look back at season nine's best and wackiest hopefuls so far.
By James Montgomery
Katelyn Epperly
Photo: Fox
Thousands of hopefuls. Hundreds of songs. Seven cities. Four excruciating weeks. A dude in a two-piece bikini. One pair of pants on the ground. On Wednesday, "American Idol" wrapped up the auditions for its ninth season, and judging by the numbers — or, really, any other quantifier — it was a pretty interesting ride.
From the news that Simon Cowell would be leaving the show at season's end, to the spate of celebrity judges lined up by show producers (Neil Patrick Harris, we love you), "Idol" generated more than a few headlines, and in the auditioners rolled out for our viewing, uncovered some genuine diamonds in the rough.
Of course, producers also shined a spotlight on some lumps of coal too (we're looking at you,...
By James Montgomery
Katelyn Epperly
Photo: Fox
Thousands of hopefuls. Hundreds of songs. Seven cities. Four excruciating weeks. A dude in a two-piece bikini. One pair of pants on the ground. On Wednesday, "American Idol" wrapped up the auditions for its ninth season, and judging by the numbers — or, really, any other quantifier — it was a pretty interesting ride.
From the news that Simon Cowell would be leaving the show at season's end, to the spate of celebrity judges lined up by show producers (Neil Patrick Harris, we love you), "Idol" generated more than a few headlines, and in the auditioners rolled out for our viewing, uncovered some genuine diamonds in the rough.
Of course, producers also shined a spotlight on some lumps of coal too (we're looking at you,...
- 2/4/2010
- MTV Music News
"American Idol" found a great story of redemption in Matt Lawrence.
Country boy Matt Lawrence performed "Trouble" Tuesday night on "Idol" and really blew away the judges. He even earned a "brilliant" from Simon Cowell. Did you enjoy Matt as much as we did?
We hope he does well in Hollywood Week. He seems like a nice kid and he's got a great country vibe going on, plus he will definitely get the Michael Sarver vote if he gets to the Top 24.
What did you think of Matt Lawrence? Think he has the chops to go all the way to the Top 12, like Kara said?
Follow Zap2it Andrea on Twitter and follow Zap2it on Twitter and Facebook for the latest movies, TV and celebrity news
Related
Kristin Chenoweth -- How'd she do?
Shania Twain -- How'd she do?
Mary J. Blige -- How'd she do?
Victoria Beckham -- How'd she do?...
Country boy Matt Lawrence performed "Trouble" Tuesday night on "Idol" and really blew away the judges. He even earned a "brilliant" from Simon Cowell. Did you enjoy Matt as much as we did?
We hope he does well in Hollywood Week. He seems like a nice kid and he's got a great country vibe going on, plus he will definitely get the Michael Sarver vote if he gets to the Top 24.
What did you think of Matt Lawrence? Think he has the chops to go all the way to the Top 12, like Kara said?
Follow Zap2it Andrea on Twitter and follow Zap2it on Twitter and Facebook for the latest movies, TV and celebrity news
Related
Kristin Chenoweth -- How'd she do?
Shania Twain -- How'd she do?
Mary J. Blige -- How'd she do?
Victoria Beckham -- How'd she do?...
- 1/21/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Congratulations! You've survived the first week of American Idol's ninth season audition episodes -- from Boston and Atlanta- but before this week's Chicago (Update: My full recap of the Idol Chicago auditions is now live) and Orlando tryouts make it to your TV set, let's rank the top 20 contendahs! (Oh, and you can vote for your favorite in the poll after the jump!) 20. Holly Hardin: "Guitar Girl" actually delivered a meaty vocal on "You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man." But will the judges (and the viewing public) be able to get past that cutesy/annoying first...
- 1/19/2010
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
Wednesday night's "American Idol" made me so happy I didn't know whether to raise the roof or put my pants on the ground. There was big talent, big laughs and a big elevator that made me think producers were holding auditions in the Tower of Terror.
But alas, we weren't at Disney World. Instead, the second night of season nine of "Idol" plopped Randy, Paula, Kara and Simon in a giant hotel in Hotlanta. Mary J. Blige stepped in to keep Paula's chair warm, and unlike Tuesday night's waste of (very little) space Victoria Beckham, Ms. Blige was an engaging addition to the panel. She talked back to feisty contestants, used words like "anointed" and laughed in the face of several bad singers. Now that's a diva who isn't afraid to look like a mean-spirited millionaire on television! Bonus points to "Idol" producers for using that shot from the "Just...
But alas, we weren't at Disney World. Instead, the second night of season nine of "Idol" plopped Randy, Paula, Kara and Simon in a giant hotel in Hotlanta. Mary J. Blige stepped in to keep Paula's chair warm, and unlike Tuesday night's waste of (very little) space Victoria Beckham, Ms. Blige was an engaging addition to the panel. She talked back to feisty contestants, used words like "anointed" and laughed in the face of several bad singers. Now that's a diva who isn't afraid to look like a mean-spirited millionaire on television! Bonus points to "Idol" producers for using that shot from the "Just...
- 1/14/2010
- by Jim Cantiello
- MTV Newsroom
Mary J. Blige sat in with the panel on day two, as 25 golden tickets are awarded.
By Gil Kaufman
"American Idol" contestant Keia Johnson
Photo: Fox
The city that gave us Fantasia, Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson brought some serious soul Wednesday night (January 13), the second evening of auditions for season nine of "American Idol." With the freak show turned down and the talent turned up, 25 singers got golden tickets, among them a number of girls who knocked it out of the park and one peace officer who surprised everyone.
With her wild curls and neon pants, Memphis, Tennessee's Keia Johnson, 26, who won Miss Congeniality in her Miss America bid, started the show off with a bang, putting a smile on guest judge Mary J. Blige's face with a gospel-y run through the Celine Dion "Titanic" tune "My Heart Will Go On."
Continuing Tuesday's parade of medical backstories, 26-year-old Joliet,...
By Gil Kaufman
"American Idol" contestant Keia Johnson
Photo: Fox
The city that gave us Fantasia, Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson brought some serious soul Wednesday night (January 13), the second evening of auditions for season nine of "American Idol." With the freak show turned down and the talent turned up, 25 singers got golden tickets, among them a number of girls who knocked it out of the park and one peace officer who surprised everyone.
With her wild curls and neon pants, Memphis, Tennessee's Keia Johnson, 26, who won Miss Congeniality in her Miss America bid, started the show off with a bang, putting a smile on guest judge Mary J. Blige's face with a gospel-y run through the Celine Dion "Titanic" tune "My Heart Will Go On."
Continuing Tuesday's parade of medical backstories, 26-year-old Joliet,...
- 1/13/2010
- MTV Music News
Find out what last season’s top 13 are up to now!
With the season premiere of “American Idol” just days away (can you stand it?) we thought it’d be fun to catch up with the contestants that captivated your hearts — and your texting fingers — last season. We all know what’s happened to winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert, but what about Lil Rounds? Or Megan Joy? We’ve been keeping tabs on all 13 contestants!
Kris Allen
After his win over heavily-favored Adam, Kris’ debut single, “No Boundaries,” was released on May 20, 2009 on iTunes, alongside Adam’s version. Kris’ version of the song debuted at No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for the week of May 29. Kris’ self-titled album was released on Nov. 17, 2009. After its first week of sales, the album debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 after selling just over 80,000 copies. Adam Lambert
Though he came in second,...
With the season premiere of “American Idol” just days away (can you stand it?) we thought it’d be fun to catch up with the contestants that captivated your hearts — and your texting fingers — last season. We all know what’s happened to winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert, but what about Lil Rounds? Or Megan Joy? We’ve been keeping tabs on all 13 contestants!
Kris Allen
After his win over heavily-favored Adam, Kris’ debut single, “No Boundaries,” was released on May 20, 2009 on iTunes, alongside Adam’s version. Kris’ version of the song debuted at No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for the week of May 29. Kris’ self-titled album was released on Nov. 17, 2009. After its first week of sales, the album debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 after selling just over 80,000 copies. Adam Lambert
Though he came in second,...
- 1/11/2010
- by Andy Swift
- HollywoodLife
"American Idol" announced Tuesday that it's reverting back to a Top 24, with 12 men competing against each other and 12 women competing against each other. Is this a good thing?
We say yes. A resounding yes, for several reasons: gender balance, higher quality and more exposure before Top 12 starts.
Gender Balance
We love guys, nothing against 'em. But last year's "American Idol" Top 12 was 8 men and 4 women. We attribute this to the fact that the majority of people who vote (vote, not watch) on "American Idol" are female and they may be swayed by a cute guy who isn't actually one of the best vocalists. Then what happens is a female (usually a quirky girl, a la Jesse Langseth or Mishavonna Henson) gets left out who maybe could have made the Top 12 in lieu of a Scott McIntyre or Jorge Nunez, who maybe should not have.
Higher Quality
With a Top 24, each...
We say yes. A resounding yes, for several reasons: gender balance, higher quality and more exposure before Top 12 starts.
Gender Balance
We love guys, nothing against 'em. But last year's "American Idol" Top 12 was 8 men and 4 women. We attribute this to the fact that the majority of people who vote (vote, not watch) on "American Idol" are female and they may be swayed by a cute guy who isn't actually one of the best vocalists. Then what happens is a female (usually a quirky girl, a la Jesse Langseth or Mishavonna Henson) gets left out who maybe could have made the Top 12 in lieu of a Scott McIntyre or Jorge Nunez, who maybe should not have.
Higher Quality
With a Top 24, each...
- 12/23/2009
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
"American Idol" finalists Michael Sarver, Alexis Grace, David Hernandez and Gina Glocksen are getting their acts together and taking them on the road for the "American Stars in Concert for the Holidays" tour.
The tour started Wednesday, Dec. 2 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 20, stopping in eleven cities.
According to Broadway world, the tour "will be a great way to see and hear the Idols up close and personal, in an intimate theatrical setting. Audiences will get a chance to relive their favorite former Idol moments as these talented artists perform an array of holiday favorites."
The locations and dates are as follows:
Dec. 2, 7:30 pm- The Polk Theatre, Lakeland Fl
Dec. 4, 7:30 pm- The 1st Baptist Church, Oxford Al
Dec. 5, 8 pm- The Ford Center, Oxford Ms
Dec. 9, 8 pm- Alegheny Colleges, University Mo
Dec 10, 7:30 pm- University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pa
Dec 12, 7:30 pm (split cast)- Slippery Rock University,...
The tour started Wednesday, Dec. 2 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 20, stopping in eleven cities.
According to Broadway world, the tour "will be a great way to see and hear the Idols up close and personal, in an intimate theatrical setting. Audiences will get a chance to relive their favorite former Idol moments as these talented artists perform an array of holiday favorites."
The locations and dates are as follows:
Dec. 2, 7:30 pm- The Polk Theatre, Lakeland Fl
Dec. 4, 7:30 pm- The 1st Baptist Church, Oxford Al
Dec. 5, 8 pm- The Ford Center, Oxford Ms
Dec. 9, 8 pm- Alegheny Colleges, University Mo
Dec 10, 7:30 pm- University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pa
Dec 12, 7:30 pm (split cast)- Slippery Rock University,...
- 12/3/2009
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Seriously? I don't know. Since last season's top four contestants have snagged record deals--three within weeks, and Danny Gokey just getting his last week--i'm suddenly wondering as to who will be next contestant from the last batch of American Idol contestants.
I'm asking this because, while I was away, fans of Matt Giraud and Michael Sarver banded together and turned their Twitter hashtags into trending topics: #signmattg for fans of the piano-reliant soul guy, and #weluvmikesarver for fans of the oil rig worker-turned-singer. The objective is quite obvious: to let record labels know that there are people who'd be willing to buy albums from these two if they do get signed.
I'm asking this because, while I was away, fans of Matt Giraud and Michael Sarver banded together and turned their Twitter hashtags into trending topics: #signmattg for fans of the piano-reliant soul guy, and #weluvmikesarver for fans of the oil rig worker-turned-singer. The objective is quite obvious: to let record labels know that there are people who'd be willing to buy albums from these two if they do get signed.
- 9/8/2009
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
The season-eight winner reveals his ideal talk-show lineup, his fashion taste and more.
By Jim Cantiello
Kris Allen
Photo: MTV News
"American Idol" champ Kris Allen is on a strict no-sleep schedule, what with the American Idols Live! Tour barreling on and his debut major-label album set to drop later this year. But that didn't stop the hardworking Allen from setting aside time to answer fans' questions, submitted via Twitter, with MTV News.
So what did the fans want to know? Aside from the expected album inquiries, several questions ended up being about pop culture, ranging from his TV preferences to his ideal talk-show lineup.
Should Kris ever land a gig hosting a talk show, his ideal lineup proved to be a little hard to decide on. After much deliberation, Allen finally settled on his dream bookings. "I would probably say Will Smith. Musical guest? Paul McCartney. And the other guest,...
By Jim Cantiello
Kris Allen
Photo: MTV News
"American Idol" champ Kris Allen is on a strict no-sleep schedule, what with the American Idols Live! Tour barreling on and his debut major-label album set to drop later this year. But that didn't stop the hardworking Allen from setting aside time to answer fans' questions, submitted via Twitter, with MTV News.
So what did the fans want to know? Aside from the expected album inquiries, several questions ended up being about pop culture, ranging from his TV preferences to his ideal talk-show lineup.
Should Kris ever land a gig hosting a talk show, his ideal lineup proved to be a little hard to decide on. After much deliberation, Allen finally settled on his dream bookings. "I would probably say Will Smith. Musical guest? Paul McCartney. And the other guest,...
- 8/14/2009
- MTV Music News
As eager fans pour into their seats, running slides of pictures are shown on the jumbo tram to build up the anticipation for the show. Something happens every 9th &10th slide; out of nowhere, deafening screams fill the arena and leave many clinching their ears. Just the sights of Adam Lambert and Kris Allen have children and adults alike screaming with enthusiasm at ear piercing levels. Minutes away from Michael Sarver kicking off the American Idol concert, fans quickly juggle their refreshments as they find their seats in the dusk lit arena. As the final lights are drawn, the season eight American Idols get their finishing touches added to them, and in the jammed packed arena, the concert begins. Flashback to four hours earlier. The hungry press begins to formulate backstage and as soon as the doors to the conference room are flung open, the feeding frenzy begins. Anxiously awaiting the Idols,...
- 8/10/2009
- by cjoyce@corp.popstar.com (Colleen Joyce)
- PopStar
It's a credit to the top 10 finalists of American Idol's eighth season -- or perhaps a discredit to the series' production team -- that almost all of 'em came off better during their Idols Live Tour set in Newark, N.J. Sunday night than they did during their tenure on Fox's ratings juggernaut of a reality competition. Whatever the reason for this improvement -- freedom from post-performance judgment, lack of weird songbook restrictions, the benefits of on-the-road job training and experience, faux fauxhawks for most of the male contestants -- it was an undeniable treat for an Idol geek like myself to see the contestants soar, even if some flew higher than others, and even if the touring band occasionally seemed to take a back seat to pre-recorded musical tracks. The concert is divided neatly into two acts: The bottom six finishers perform their individual sets in descending order,...
- 8/10/2009
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
For fans trying to keep up with Adam, Kris and the other American Idol finalists on tour, the social networking service Twitter is making it surprisingly easy. This year, many of the singers have been checking in with fans via tweets. Turns out that 9 out of 10 have Twitter accounts, and several of them are very active on the social networking service.
But the one Idolist you can't currently find on Twitter? That would be Adam Lambert. He had an account but it was hacked and now someone has been masquerading as him on the service. And doing a passable job of it too. Even hacked and sparsely updated (only 31 posts), Adam's compromised account dwarfs the rest of the Idol finalists' accounts in terms of followers.
After the break, we've got Twitter stats for each of the AI finalists, as well as some gay-supportive tweeting by possibly the least likely of Idolists!
But the one Idolist you can't currently find on Twitter? That would be Adam Lambert. He had an account but it was hacked and now someone has been masquerading as him on the service. And doing a passable job of it too. Even hacked and sparsely updated (only 31 posts), Adam's compromised account dwarfs the rest of the Idol finalists' accounts in terms of followers.
After the break, we've got Twitter stats for each of the AI finalists, as well as some gay-supportive tweeting by possibly the least likely of Idolists!
- 7/22/2009
- by dennis
- The Backlot
Everyone's favorite out gay glam rocker, Adam Lambert has joined his fellow American Idol season 8 finalists out on the road for their summer tour. On Thursday they played La's Staples center and hometown boy Adam rocked the house.
Enjoy these pics of Adam, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, and all the rest from Thursday's concert...
Adam Lambert
All photos credit: Getty Images
Kris Allen
Allison Iraheta
Anoop Desai
Adam Lambert
Michael Sarver
Adam Lambert & Kris Allen
Lil Rounds
Danny Gokey
Scott MacIntyre
Michael Sarver
Kris Allen
The American Idol season 8 finalists in concert
Adam Lambert
Lil Rounds
Scott MacIntyre & Matt Giraud
Danny Gokey
Kris Allen
Danny Gokey & Allison Iraheta
Adam Lambert and Kris Allen...
Enjoy these pics of Adam, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, and all the rest from Thursday's concert...
Adam Lambert
All photos credit: Getty Images
Kris Allen
Allison Iraheta
Anoop Desai
Adam Lambert
Michael Sarver
Adam Lambert & Kris Allen
Lil Rounds
Danny Gokey
Scott MacIntyre
Michael Sarver
Kris Allen
The American Idol season 8 finalists in concert
Adam Lambert
Lil Rounds
Scott MacIntyre & Matt Giraud
Danny Gokey
Kris Allen
Danny Gokey & Allison Iraheta
Adam Lambert and Kris Allen...
- 7/21/2009
- by dennis
- The Backlot
'I came all the way from Mexico City just to meet Adam Lambert,' one fan gushed after L.A. tour stop.
By Jim Cantiello
Adam Lambert performs during the American Idols Live! tour in L.A.
Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images
Los Angeles — The 2009 American Idols Live! tour is well under way, and for many fans, the highlight of the show doesn't happen onstage. Instead, it's all about the parking lot.
"I came all the way from Mexico City just to meet Adam Lambert," said Rebeca, one of several hundred "Idol" fanatics who patiently waited outside the Staples Center on Thursday night to catch a glimpse of this year's top 10.
Before and after every gig on tour, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and the rest of the contestants pose for blurry camera-phone pics, sign autographs and meet their supporters face to face in a ritual that has become as important...
By Jim Cantiello
Adam Lambert performs during the American Idols Live! tour in L.A.
Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images
Los Angeles — The 2009 American Idols Live! tour is well under way, and for many fans, the highlight of the show doesn't happen onstage. Instead, it's all about the parking lot.
"I came all the way from Mexico City just to meet Adam Lambert," said Rebeca, one of several hundred "Idol" fanatics who patiently waited outside the Staples Center on Thursday night to catch a glimpse of this year's top 10.
Before and after every gig on tour, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and the rest of the contestants pose for blurry camera-phone pics, sign autographs and meet their supporters face to face in a ritual that has become as important...
- 7/21/2009
- MTV Music News
'I came all the way from Mexico City just to meet Adam Lambert,' one fan gushed after L.A. tour stop.
By Jim Cantiello
Adam Lambert performs during the American Idols Live! tour in L.A.
Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images
Los Angeles — The 2009 American Idols Live! tour is well under way, and for many fans, the highlight of the show doesn't happen onstage. Instead, it's all about the parking lot.
"I came all the way from Mexico City just to meet Adam Lambert," said Rebeca, one of several hundred "Idol" fanatics who patiently waited outside the Staples Center on Thursday night to catch a glimpse of this year's top 10.
Before and after every gig on tour, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and the rest of the contestants pose for blurry camera-phone pics, sign autographs and meet their supporters face to face in a ritual that has become as important...
By Jim Cantiello
Adam Lambert performs during the American Idols Live! tour in L.A.
Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images
Los Angeles — The 2009 American Idols Live! tour is well under way, and for many fans, the highlight of the show doesn't happen onstage. Instead, it's all about the parking lot.
"I came all the way from Mexico City just to meet Adam Lambert," said Rebeca, one of several hundred "Idol" fanatics who patiently waited outside the Staples Center on Thursday night to catch a glimpse of this year's top 10.
Before and after every gig on tour, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and the rest of the contestants pose for blurry camera-phone pics, sign autographs and meet their supporters face to face in a ritual that has become as important...
- 7/21/2009
- MTV Music News
Top 10 bring their three-hour concert to Los Angeles.
By Jim Cantiello
Kris Allen performs during the American Idols Live! tour in Los Angeles, California on Thursday
Photo: C. Flanigan/FilmMagic
Los Angeles — On Thursday night, the latest crop of "American Idol" superstars returned to the city that helped make them famous as the American Idols Live! tour descended upon L.A.'s Staples Center.
It was my first opportunity to get to see the infamous tour — it always hits the NYC area when we're super busy with Video Music Awards stuff — and it did not disappoint.
First of all, the energy in the room was dizzying. Before the show even began, the crowd erupted anytime L.A.'s own Adam Lambert popped up onscreen in never-ending monitor loops advertising Ford, Coke and Disney World. (It wouldn't be "Idol" without the product placement!)
The nearly three-hour concert kicked off exactly the...
By Jim Cantiello
Kris Allen performs during the American Idols Live! tour in Los Angeles, California on Thursday
Photo: C. Flanigan/FilmMagic
Los Angeles — On Thursday night, the latest crop of "American Idol" superstars returned to the city that helped make them famous as the American Idols Live! tour descended upon L.A.'s Staples Center.
It was my first opportunity to get to see the infamous tour — it always hits the NYC area when we're super busy with Video Music Awards stuff — and it did not disappoint.
First of all, the energy in the room was dizzying. Before the show even began, the crowd erupted anytime L.A.'s own Adam Lambert popped up onscreen in never-ending monitor loops advertising Ford, Coke and Disney World. (It wouldn't be "Idol" without the product placement!)
The nearly three-hour concert kicked off exactly the...
- 7/17/2009
- MTV Music News
Attention American Idol fans! We have some good news…the Season 8 top ten finalists are coming to a venue near you! Hollyscoop caught up with A.I. winner Kris Allen at Staples Center where Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre all made a stop for their Los Angeles show. Hollyscoop talked with Kris about how his life has changed ever since America voted him the winner. The 24-year-old, who is married to wife Katy O'Connell, has been working around the clock on the...
- 7/17/2009
- Hollyscoop.com
An American Idol tour stop was besieged by anti-gay protestors, it has been reported. A group from Westboro Baptist Church demonstrated with signs criticising homosexuality outside the Hp Pavilion in San Jose, California, according to Contactmusic. The members of the congregation are reported to have chanted about Adam Lambert’s sexuality. The runner-up on the competition recently came out as gay on the cover of Rolling Stone. Michael Sarver, a fellow top ten contestant on the tour, reassured fans that the 27-year-old had not been upset by the (more)...
- 7/15/2009
- by By Tim Parks
- Digital Spy
"American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert, who "came out" in last month's interview with Rolling Stone magazine, was targeted by anti-gay protesters outside the talent show's concert in San Jose, California Sunday.
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church were spotted demonstrating outside the show at Hp Pavilion, where the Season 8 finalists of the show were performing as part of the annual Idols Live Summer Tour.
The protesters were carrying signs criticizing homosexuals and were reportedly chanting slurs about Lambert's sexuality.
Another finalist, Michael Sarver, said that Lambert, who finished second place in the show, wasn't affected by the demonstrators outside.
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church were spotted demonstrating outside the show at Hp Pavilion, where the Season 8 finalists of the show were performing as part of the annual Idols Live Summer Tour.
The protesters were carrying signs criticizing homosexuals and were reportedly chanting slurs about Lambert's sexuality.
Another finalist, Michael Sarver, said that Lambert, who finished second place in the show, wasn't affected by the demonstrators outside.
- 7/15/2009
- icelebz.com
Singer Adam Lambert was targeted by anti-gay demonstrators outside an American Idol concert in San Jose, California on Sunday.
Members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church were seen protesting outside the Hp Pavilion at San Jose, holding signs criticising homosexuals and reportedly chanting about Lambert's sexuality.
Lambert came out in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in June - a month after he finished as runner-up in the hit TV talent contest.
But Michael Sarver, one of the ten finalists singing at the concert, told fans from inside the venue Lambert wasn't fazed by the commotion outside.
Sarver wrote on his Twitter.com page, "Funny how people think it's a good idea to mess with a big Texan and his AI (American Idol) family. Adam is just fine, shakes it off and so should we.
"We are together in this thing. You mess with one you mess with all ten. We are strong and we are 1. For those outside protesting I say do not judge less ye be judged yourself. Guys don't mind these people, we are a strong family."...
Members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church were seen protesting outside the Hp Pavilion at San Jose, holding signs criticising homosexuals and reportedly chanting about Lambert's sexuality.
Lambert came out in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in June - a month after he finished as runner-up in the hit TV talent contest.
But Michael Sarver, one of the ten finalists singing at the concert, told fans from inside the venue Lambert wasn't fazed by the commotion outside.
Sarver wrote on his Twitter.com page, "Funny how people think it's a good idea to mess with a big Texan and his AI (American Idol) family. Adam is just fine, shakes it off and so should we.
"We are together in this thing. You mess with one you mess with all ten. We are strong and we are 1. For those outside protesting I say do not judge less ye be judged yourself. Guys don't mind these people, we are a strong family."...
- 7/15/2009
- WENN
The Top 10 contestants of "American Idol" officially kicked off their summer tour in Portland on Sunday, July 5. And before they took the stage to perform, each of them gave interviews of what has happened between the end of the season and the tour.
The Idols were doing it in pairs, winner Kris Allen sat with Anoop Desai, runner-up Adam Lambert with Lil Rounds, second runner-up Danny Gokey with Michael Sarver, Allison Iraheta with Scott MacIntyre and Megan Joy with Matt Giraud. The Anoop-Kris pair in particular was able to generate laughter when Anoop said that he has been registering to online fansites of Kris'.
This troupe will be touring across U.S. up to September 15 at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Matt explained how the tour will go, saying "The order of performances goes in the order of elimination. So, since I was the first of the top 10 to be eliminated,...
The Idols were doing it in pairs, winner Kris Allen sat with Anoop Desai, runner-up Adam Lambert with Lil Rounds, second runner-up Danny Gokey with Michael Sarver, Allison Iraheta with Scott MacIntyre and Megan Joy with Matt Giraud. The Anoop-Kris pair in particular was able to generate laughter when Anoop said that he has been registering to online fansites of Kris'.
This troupe will be touring across U.S. up to September 15 at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Matt explained how the tour will go, saying "The order of performances goes in the order of elimination. So, since I was the first of the top 10 to be eliminated,...
- 7/7/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Tomorrow, PopStar will have reached a new landmark - 1,000 articles! We've covered such a broad range of topics that we are planning a very special edition to mark this achievement, but to try to tackle everything in one article just doesn't seem very feasable! :-) As such, we're starting a little bit early! Today, we wanted to take you down memory lane and present you with a list and some details on the more than fifty Exclusive Celebrity Interviews we have conducted with all of your favorite stars! We've covered musicians from many genres, seasoned actors and newcomers, movies and television shows, and so much more in our interviews that no opening to this article could adequately describe the depth of this article. We hope you enjoy reading many of our interviews! And be sure to check back tomorrow when we post our 1,000th article, which is sure to be an instant classic.
- 7/3/2009
- by rsw@corp.popstar.com (Robert Samuel White)
- PopStar
As the American Idol top 10 rehearse day and night to get ready for their first tour, which kicks off Sunday, July 5 in Portland, Ore., one little logistical thing is bugging the boys. "The guys' tour bus is overcrowded. There's only one bus for the boys and there are seven of us, and no, Adam and Kris don't get their own bus," Scott MacIntyre told us when we caught up with them at rehearsals last week. Before you think he's a squeaky wheel, all six of the other guys echoed that sentiment. Michael Sarver said, "I'm not gonna lie. I just wish it was part of the budget to have a third bus. It's like the testosterone tour this year. No one is looking forward to the cramped boys'...
- 7/1/2009
- E! Online
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