American Idol Finals - Live Thread!!

Fox ^ | May 21, 2003 | all of us

[fightinJAG]

It's not looking good for ole Ruben. It's not that I want to see him fail, but I do wonder . . . what were they (producers) thinking when they pushed him so shamelessly as the winner-to-be?

[pbear8]

I guess he is what they were looking for!

[justshe]

I'm betting they will do very few solo interviews from here on out....at least for the short term. Rueben NEEDS Clay to prop him up. And I think the producers are realizing that.

Look at Linda Vester's show today. They BOTH were on....and Clay carried the ball, even with questions that were asked of BOTH of them. Rueben gave short sentence responses that were basically mumbled. At which point, Clay would take over and answer for BOTH of them.

[pbear8]

I agree, Ruben needs Clay.

Did you hear Clay's answer to Linda's "will you record a duet, if so, which song"? Clay answered, "Probably 'Ebony and Ivory' ".

The other funny one was when they were shooting the Ford 'pimp' commercial. They told Clay that they were having trouble finding clothes to make him look like a nerd, could he please just wear his own.

I believe that I heard a promo for Ruben's appearance on Fox & Friends tomorrow. Way too early in CA, but someone who is EDT might see it and share insights.

[justshe]

Ping me if you see anything....K?

I can't get enough news about Clay.....LOL.

Yes, I heard his interview today. I also heard him say that his 'management group' (?) might have received inquiries re: doing a Broadway show. That must be his agent?

I have YET to hear the $$$ difference in the contracts for the two. Sure would like to know.

I hope they make wise decisions for him.

[Hildy]

I was hoping this thread would resurface. Did anyone see Ruben on the Tonight Show Friday. He was so funny. He actually HAS a personality! They never let it come through, but he was great!

[Pokey78]

Just for fun:

Teen Girls Cling to Hope that American Idol Star is Just 'Really Sensitive'

Raleigh, N.C - In his hometown of Raleigh, N.C., there may be no doubt, but throughout the rest of the country, there is only hope—hope that just maybe, quite possibly Clay Aiken, the 24-year-old American Idol finalist and singing sensation might not be gay, but instead be just "really sensitive."

With just three singers left competing for the once in a lifetime opportunity of instant fame and an all-but-guaranteed recording career, Clay Aiken sits on a perch that most amateurs can only dream of. In just 16 weeks, the gangly southerner with the big ears and giant voice has become the dreamboat recipient of puppy love crushes all over the country.

There are group prayers. There are makeshift candlelit shrines dedicated to the towheaded breakout star, known just as much for his kind words towards his competition and tireless work with autistic children as he is for belting out such classics as "Unchained Melody" and "Solitaire."

The girls scream his name. They write love letters. But are they kidding themselves?

Jamie Winters and her friends at Raleigh High School are adamant. Clay Aiken is the sweetest, cutest and most sensitive contestant on American Idol, they say. And they wish he will someday marry one of them or perhaps escort them to prom.

"His eyes are so romantic," the 15-year-old freshman gushes after watching him perform Tuesday night. "I bet he would make an incredible boyfriend or husband. He sings with so much love and passion. And he takes care of retarded kids!"

But is the love and passion the same kind Paul Anka once sang or the kind that is illegal in several states, including North Carolina?

"He is gayer than the gayest gay guy in the entire gay world," says 16-year-old Josh Austin, who dated Winters for two months just before the second American Idol season began. "I am so sick of every girl in this state talking about that gay guy. He's so gay my butt hurts just looking at him."

"How many times do I have to tell you," Winters retorts in what clearly is an ongoing argument between the couple. "He was never good at sports so he developed his other talents instead. That doesn't mean he's gay!"

"Gay, gay, gay, gay, gay, gay, gay," Austin taunts.

"I bet he's a great kisser and wouldn't push a girl to go farther than she was comfortable with," Winters says loudly. "He would be gentle and take it slow and write poetry and hold your hand in church. It's obvious he's still a virgin."

"Oh God, maybe he is gay."

The link

[Howlin]

I'll say it one more time: Clay is a friend of my family; he is NOT gay.

[justshe]

No----I missed that. Glad to hear that....because the only interviews I have seen, he is about as animated as 'paint drying'. And he has SUCH a sweet smile.

Clay seems to have an innate ability for 'interviews'.....he is relaxed, articulate, and has a GREAT sense of timing re: delivering a 'funny'. He also has the ability to laugh at himself.

Probably natural for comparisons to be made.

[Pokey78]

I know. Just a little light hearted jab at those who won't let the competition and/or the Ruben bashing die.

[justshe]

Don't mistake my comments re: Clay as Rueben bashing.

Rueben can sing. I simply prefer Clay's voice and range of talent more.

I also think Clay has a GREAT personality--and I admire him as a person, from everything I have heard, seen, read.

I haven't seen Rueben's personality yet. And I know little about his "real" life. He seems extremely shy. That is NOT a bash.

I wanted Clay to win...and I think, long-term, he will have the longer career. Just my opinion. :-)

[stlnative]

Well Howlin! You tell him that he was great on the Fox & Friends Show this morning. I was REALLY impressed with him after seeing him this morning, it was like a different side to him. He is sweet, easy going, outgoing, and has a great sense of humor! ( I may actually turn into a "Clay" fan ) If he does not make it in singing, he has such a great attitude and outlook someone on TV will scoop him up. The kids that he worked with before are sure going to miss him. He is handsome from the inside out and has a heart of gold! Tell him to stay just the way he is!

[fightinJAG]

EVEN MOM COULDN'T VOTE FOR ME - CLAY

---

Oh Clay can you see: Aiken - with fan Katie Couric - admits he got a peek at the result.

May 28, 2003 -- 'AMERICAN Idol 2" runner-up Clay Aiken says phone- line snafus were so bad last week that even his own mother couldn't vote for him.
"My mom sat on the phone for three hours straight" without getting through, Aiken said yesterday on Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends."

Aiken lost to Ruben Studdard by the tissue-thin margin of 134,000 votes - one-half of one percent of the 24 million votes cast by viewers at home phoning into a special 1-800 AT&T number.

"A lot of people said they couldn't get in, couldn't vote," Aiken told "Fox & Friends" co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade.

"That's one of the reasons the numbers were higher for Ruben," Aiken said. "A lot of my friends said they couldn't get through in the first half hour so they just gave up. They stopped voting and waited until 9:30."

Aiken also admitted for the first time that he knew ahead of time Studdard had won the final showdown.



"Idol" judge Simon Cowell said last week that Clay caught a peek of the winner's name on a card held by "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest.

"Right before we went out [onto the stage] Ryan was looking at his card and I kind of glanced over and I saw there was a name on there that was this long instead of this long," Aiken said, using his hands to indicate the greater length of Ruben's name compared to his.

"So I had an idea. I kind of put two and two together," he said. "I thought it was maybe, probably Ruben [who won]."

Kilmeade then asked Aiken if that's why he was staring at Ruben while Seacrest announced the winner.

"We both just got into it - all of the sudden I couldn't move," Aiken said. "I looked at [Ruben] for a second and decided I couldn't move."


- Michael Starr

[fightinJAG]

CLAY VERSUS CLINTON STYLE
By J. Grant Swank, Jr.
May 28, 2003, 00:15

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Granted. There were conflicting reports concerning the votes from American Idol. Ooops.

Ratings flew off the charts. Voters called in till their fingers fell off. Twenty-four million callers couldn’t be wrong. Or could they? Or could those who were doing the tallying be incorrect? In other words, what’s with adding without calculators?

Or could have enthusiasts been dialing the wrong number?

Clay supporters were not happy faced when American Idol host Ryan Seacrest changed figures during the TVcast. Seacrest said that Ruben topped by winning over Clay with a mere 1,335 votes.

Seacrest also announced that the number came to a 50.28 percent pitch.

But after further investigation — with much media attention attending same — the company overseeing the voting glut states that it oversaw more than 240,000 misdialed call-ins. There were those trying to make connection with American Idol who missed the connection.

Marketing manager for the company said that his workers handled 169,382 calls for Clay and 72,114 calls for Ruben. What goes there?

Cinergy Communications has voice-mail support as part of its telecommunications services. CC found out that calls were in fact going to a church in Franklin TN!

But there were not just a few calls going to the House of God, a quarter of a million were flooding the church. Not that the pastor wasn’t pleased with the inquiries; but he would have been happier if they had been desiring spiritual help rather than voting for a star singer.

The church’s phone number was simply one button off from the American Idol toll-free figure. Ooops major.

In the meantime, count on Clay Aiken, the diplomat as well as super vocal chords, to come through on the side of personality and integrity and good sportsmanship.

While Fox spokesman Scott Gorgin told media that "we can’t be responsible for people who dial the wrong number," Clay refused to kick up dust, go for a lawsuit and spoil America’s fun celebration over a Ruben win.

Whew. If only a Clinton could have been molded in the likes of a Clay we could have saved a nation angst in the last presidential election.

Oh well, not all are singers par excellence. Nor individuals of outstanding personal quality.

[fightinJAG]

J inks 'Idol' winner Studdard; Aiken joins RCA
May 23, 2003

"American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard has signed to Clive Davis' J Records, and runner-up Clay Aiken will join the first "Idol" winner, Kelly Clarkson, on RCA Records. The RCA Music Group, which includes J Records and RCA Records, has exclusive rights to sign the stars from the "Idol" franchise. The label's close ties with the show stem from its parent company BMG's long-standing relationship with "Idol" creator Simon Fuller. Additionally, Fremantle Media, the TV production arm of BMG parent Bertelsmann AG, partnered with Fuller's 19 Entertainment Group to create the show. Davis, who founded J Records and is chief of the RCA Music Group, will executive produce Studdard's full-length debut, with Fuller consulting. The release will hit stores in September. Studdard's first single, "Flying Without Wings," will be released June 3. RCA Records will release Aiken's debut single, "This Is the Night," on June 10. About 33.7 million people tuned in Wednesday to watch Fox's "American Idol" finale. About 24 million fans voted for the winner, with about 130,000 votes separating Studdard and Aiken. Studdard joins such artists as Annie Lennox, Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, Luther Vandross and Busta Rhymes on the J Records roster. (Tamara Conniff)

[fightinJAG]

Clay who? 'Idol' finalist remembered as class clown
Clay Aiken -- then and now

By Alisha Puckett The Herald
(Published May 20‚ 2003)

My seventh-grade year, his eighth-grade year. Fall 1992.
The room was silent, and no one was working harder than Clayton Grissom. While the class was diligently working on yearbook layouts and figuring out how to photograph the winter dance, Clayton's mind was elsewhere.

It always was.

Clayton was busy masterminding jokes and witty remarks, which he conjured up with great ease. He was one of Leesville Middle School's class clowns. Often sarcastic, often theatrical, borderline annoying.

But the witty, funny boy that I shared my middle school, high school and college days with is all grown up; now, he practices his talents of a different kind -- singing in front of millions on national television every week.

Clayton Grissom is Clay Aiken, one of two finalists vying for a recording contract and pop stardom on Fox TV's hugely popular show, "American Idol 2."

Clay changed his last name after high school and shortened his first name at the suggestion of friends and "Idol" producers. It's weird to hear people call him Clay, because I think, "Don't they mean Clayton Grissom?"

Of course, it's weird to know a kid I grew up with in Raleigh, N.C., is rubbing elbows with celebs like Paula Abdul, living it up in the Hollywood hills and making girls everywhere drool at the sight of his green eyes and wild hair.

Of course, his hair wasn't like that when I knew him, and his eyes weren't as easy to see under his inch-thick eyeglasses, rimmed with bright gold.

His face bore tons of freckles and some zits, too, until "American Idol" artists got ahold of him. It's amazing what makeup and some mousse can do.

And he's always had the lanky, beanpole look to him. Clay's reddish-brown hair used to be neatly trimmed and styled, never out of place.

His clothes were never trendy. He loved to wear jackets -- it didn't matter if it was raining or cold.

To top things off, Clay wasn't a "ladies man," and he didn't have many girlfriends. The Web sites and message boards filled with women clamoring to get his autograph or gossiping about his relationship status would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. He remained low on girls' radar screens until college, when I last saw a few ladies swooning over him at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2002. I'm still convinced it was his sweet voice that won them over.

Clay's appearance and image have undergone an extreme makeover, but his genuine convictions to music, his faith and to helping children haven't changed since I met him in 1992.

In yearbook class, in the middle of conversations, in the middle of lunch and even in the middle of lecture, Clay would break out into song. He had a voice, as we all know, and he loved to practice for anyone who would listen.

My classmates and I would go to choral concerts, and Clay was the easiest to spot and had the most recognizable voice. He was front row and center, the only boy among 40 girls, yet he looked like he was having fun on stage.

Growing up, Clay would tell me stories of his auditions at the Raleigh Little Theatre or his travels with Leesville High School's top choral group.

He starred in a few musicals and loathed the hard work, but he basked in the delight of singing to an audience who clapped just for him. He would tell me his singing might not take him anywhere in life, but he still enjoyed doing it for children at hospitals and for the elderly at Christmas. And that was why God had blessed him with such an awesome talent -- not to make six figures and live in a recording studio, but to tickle the ears of people who needed to hear his music.

It's funny to recall the conversations we had about his singing. All of the obstacles he would have to go through and the competition he would face seemed daunting, but he was determined to keep up his passion.

The last time I talked with Clay was a couple of months before he auditioned for his big break on "American Idol 2" in Atlanta. I was the editor-in-chief of UNCC's campus newspaper, and Clay called me, begging to have a reporter cover a charity dance he was organizing; it would benefit disabled senior citizens.

After he informed me of his plans, he chided, "Don't you think college kids would rather read about a bunch of old geezers on the front page of the newspaper instead of mundane academic topics?"

I was stunned at his putdown of the people he was trying so hard to help.

He chuckled, and I imagined a wicked smile coming across his face. What a jokester.

Clay said he was kidding, his program was more than worthy of coverage and I'd be a fool not to offer publicity of such a worthwhile cause.

Some things never change.

Clay may be the next Justin Timberlake or, heck, maybe even the next Elvis.

But to me, he will always be Raleigh's Clayton Grissom, and the class clown who was the only boy in concert choir and whose hair was never out of place.

Alisha Puckett is a copy editor in The Herald's sports department.

[bonfire]

Nice story.

[RMDupree]

Lovely article JAG. I would have missed it if it weren't for Howlin!

[fightinJAG]

Glad you enjoyed it. I would make a ping list, but I don't know how. :(

[RMDupree]

I just type up all of the screen names I want on the ping list in a Word Document, making sure to separate each one using semicolons.

Save it and just copy and paste whenever you want to use it! :)