American Idol 2007--Live Thread (Part I)

FOX ^ | 1-15-07

[Palladin]

Yes, I noticed that ...Chris's blog and the other contestants MySpace pages are gone. Whether AI made them do this, or they did it voluntarily, I don't know.

But I suppose Antonella's cheesecake pictures will be up forever. ;(

[Sue Perkick]

My understanding is that AI had them taken down.

[Sue Perkick]

Until the next flavor of the day. After which she will be long forgotten.

[Netizen]

'IDOL' BUZZ / Pickler's appearance wasn't a complete bust

http://www.newsday.com/features/printedition/ny-ffbuzz5121671mar11,0,5671989.story?coll=ny-features-print

When Season 5 finalist Kellie Pickler returned to "American Idol" recently to sing "I Wonder," a song she co-wrote about growing up without the mother who had abandoned her, her appearance raised comment from all quarters, with many saying she looked 20 years older than the fresh-faced 19-year-old who sang on "Idol's" stage only a year before. But most of the buzz was about her apparently enlarged bustline.

Even Simon Cowell had something to say. He told girlfriend Terri Seymour, a reporter for "Extra," "It's like she went to Dolly

Parton school or something. I've never seen anything like it in my life. ... Me and Randy were like, 'Where did they come from?'"

But there was one person who thought she looked just fine. And that was Cynthia Morton, Pickler's long-estranged mom. Morton told the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer that she was touched by her daughter's performance. "She was very elegant looking. She was very classy. She made me proud. She dressed like a little lady."



SIMON SAYS. Cowell didn't save all his snarky remarks for Pickler. The Washington Post reports that during an "American Idol" panel at the Museum of Television & Radio's 24th annual William S. Paley TV Festival in Los Angeles, Cowell told the audience the other judges loved last season's winner, Taylor Hicks, but that "I couldn't stand him." He also thought Prince shouldn't have been included on last year's finale because he refused to sing with the finalists.

When "Idol" director Ken Warwick said that Janet Jackson had wanted to be on the show this season but they couldn't squeeze her in, Cowell retorted, "I don't blame you; I wouldn't have her."

And when the panelists were reminded that whenever a singer appears on "Idol," his or her catalog sales go through the roof, Cowell remarked, "Except Neil Sedaka. His went backwards."

[Maximus of Texas]

Found this online:

A few short weeks ago American Idol fans got a look at one of the more talented hopefuls in Rachel Zevita. Her diverse talent shined during her audition when we heard her sing Jeff Buckley, Get Here and opera which earned her a trip to Hollywood. We looked forward to more of Rachel during Hollywood Week, but to our dismay, Rachel never showed up on any segment of the show. Of course this left everyone wondering, what happened to Rachel Zevita?

We all wondered how someone with so much talent, that American Idol chose to feature during the auditions, wouldn’t even get a mention during Hollywood week.

Luckily I was able to correspond with Rachel and asked her what happened.

I asked Rachel,

“People are wondering and people are searching for information about you and my readers would like to know what happened?”

To which Rachel replied,

“In Hollywood week, I was eliminated in the first round. I have my theories about why they chose not to show me but I really don’t know why. I don’t feel I sang badly enough to be sent home on the first day…I got applause from my competition before AND after i sang…who else got applause as they walked out on stage? [sighs] I can’t really tell you what happened because i don’t really know.

“Don’t count me out just yet, you’ll hear from me in the future…”

Well, we certainly hope so Rachel and thanks for giving us some insight here at the American Idol News. Good luck in the future.

[Netizen]

Sure doesn't tell us much, does it. She is one of the ones I was really looking forward to. I still think they didn't show us, many of the good singers during Hollywood week, because they didn't want us to see how good they were. I think they just wanted to cut those that they didn't want to win. jmo

[Fawn]

Elliott's "Wait" Is Over

American Idol Top 3 finisher Elliott Yamin will finally unleash his self-titled debut album March 20. Elliott says the first single, "Movin' On," is not about the show. "You know, I never did actually think about that," he said. "I guess I am moving on, but none of this would be possible without that show. I'm forever in debt to that show." "Wait for You" will be single No. 2

http://75.119.144.110/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.DeenasDailyDirt&tp_preview=true&CFID=4342879&CFTOKEN=81211429

[Palladin]

"the Dolly Parton School"...ROFL! That Simon is such a wit!

[Netizen]

Monday, March 12, 2007
Chris Sligh's 'Win-Win' American Idol Situation
The Idol Blogger

http://beaversonidol.blogspot.com/2007/03/chris-slighs-win-win-american-idol.html

Chris Sligh may not look like an Idol, with his extra chin, glasses and fuzzy hair, but to me he is one of the more notable male singers in Season 6 of American Idol. How far he will go is just another crap shoot, but there is much more to this fellow than many of us could even care to guess.

Tomorrow, March 13th, the indie band Half Past Forever launches a full blown album CD. Chris Sligh just so happens to be the lead singer of this band and he is also the song-writer of all 17 original songs. What Chris lacks in appearance as an Idol, he more than makes up for in his singing and in his song-writing ability.

The title of the CD is Take a Chance on Something Beautiful. Even though Chris can no longer be an official member of the band due to his AI involvement, this album is all Chris. If you want to take a peak at how the album sounds, take a little trip over to the band's myspace and listen to 4 of the album cuts. It's great rock/pop material, and I will be ordering a copy. I rarely order from Amazon, and if I do, it's never an American indie band. However, this CD has really impressed me after listening to the cuts on the Half Past Forever myspace website.

As I write these very words, on Amazon, this album stands at number 610 in CD sales rank. For an indie band, this is quite incredible. I think others have caught onto Half Past Forever, and they have taken a little listen and have ordered it. Most certainly, Chris Sligh's performances through Season 6 of American Idol have helped, but people usually don't buy bad music if they can help it and the songs on this album sound terrific. You can get a broader listen to the album at the band's official website.

Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to Chris Sligh is winning AI6, because I doubt very much that Clive Davis and company can come up with a better sounding CD than "Take a Chance on Something Beautiful." After all, look what they did to Taylor Hicks. Nope, I hope that Chris takes the Daughtry route. There seems to be no stopping those Carolina Idol people no matter if they're from the North or the South.

---

And THAT could be his 'plan'. Release the cd while he's on AI. If he wins fine, if he doesn't fine. Either way, he will boost his sales. He might be better off not winning. If Slimon Scowell has his heart set on Melinda and Sligh wins, I can just hear Simon putting Sligh down every chance he could create, just like he does now because Taylor won and his precious Daughtry didn't.

As an aside I saw Jennifer Hudson on the TV guide channel for some event. I think it was an oscar luncheon before the event or something. SHE THANKED AI for being a platform for her to be recognized. She said that while Simon had his small part in it, he isn't the sum total of AI (paraphrased). She said AI is much larger and she thanked AI saying that if it weren't for AI she wouldn't be where she is right now. She also said taht she would have kept trying. I think she would have been recognized at some point, because she does have a lot of talent.

She had to audition 4 times for the role of Effie White. She got the part after the last audition. If the role was just given to someone that had been on idol, I think they would have given it to winner farcical burrito, but the fact that Jennifer got the role, shows me that unlike idol, they went for talent. This wasn't the first time she thanked idol either. Simon just has a bug up his a55. I think he hates to be shown wrong and that this is why he hates Taylor so much. jmo

[Maximus of Texas]

I agree. I thought she would make it to the final 12. I'm very surprised they didn't show her in Hollywood after they gave her plenty of screen time during the intital audition. Something smells funny.

[Palladin]

Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to Chris Sligh is winning AI6, because I doubt very much that Clive Davis and company can come up with a better sounding CD than "Take a Chance on Something Beautiful." After all, look what they did to Taylor Hicks. Nope, I hope that Chris takes the Daughtry route. There seems to be no stopping those Carolina Idol people no matter if they're from the North or the South.

Yup! I am in agreement also. Paula already tipped us all off the first week that Chris would not be the AI. She said "I can see you on the radio" to Chris.

We all know what she meant.

[Lucky9teen]

Didn't know if you had seen this...

Simon Cowell Will Quit American Idol If Sanjaya Wins

[Netizen]

Yeah, I posted about it in the previous page.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/backroom/1768069/posts?q=1&&page=11101#11152

Simon and the other two judges brought it on themselves by passing him on to hollywood and passing him to the top 24. America had nothing to do with that. I almost hope Simon gets stuck with him now! Since non winners don't get shafted quite so badly.

[Lucky9teen]

Exactly. See my comments in Post #11108

[Netizen]

I think each seas the judges discuss what type they want to win that year. It might depend on who's topping the charts and where they see an open spot, but I do think they go in, looking for a specific type.

What might be more interesting and even draw more viewers is if the auditions are blind. The judges don't get to see the contestants only hear them.

[Netizen]

Former 'American Idol' employee sues for sexual harassment
Alleges misconduct by one of the show's ex-contestants.


From City News Service
March 12, 2007

A former assistant production accountant for the company behind "American Idol" is suing his ex-employer and a former contestant on the Fox series' fourth season, alleging he was fired for complaining of sexual harassment by the male contestant.

Magdaleno Olmos filed his suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging wrongful termination and violation of the state's Fair Employment and Housing Act. He is asking for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Along with American Idol Productions Inc. and former contestant Mario Vasquez, named defendants are Fremantle Media North America Inc., Fox Entertainment Group Inc. and Fox Broadcasting Co., all listed in the lawsuit as co-owners of the popular show.

Spokesmen for Fremantle and Fox Entertainment, as well as Vasquez's personal lawyer, Jess L. Rosen, were not immediately available for comment on the complaint filed last Friday.

All of the defendants "knew or should have known that Vasquez was gay or was widely rumored to be so," the lawsuit states.

Vasquez dropped out of the top 12 talent search competition during the fourth season of "American Idol" in March 2005, saying he wanted to focus on personal aspects of his life.

The lawsuit alleges that Vasquez withdrew from the show after Olmos came forward with his complaints and discussed them with executives and attorneys for American Idol Productions and the other defendants.

Olmos claims the sexual harassment began in February 2005.

On one occasion, Vasquez followed Olmos into a restroom at CBS Studios, where "American Idol" is taped, and knocked on the door of a stall Olmos had entered, according to his lawsuit.

When Olmos opened the door, Vasquez, who had lowered his pants, pushed him further into the stall, touched him in a sexual way and tried to unzip his pants while asking "if he wanted oral sex," according to the lawsuit.

Olmos claims he was able to get out of the restroom, though Vasquez grabbed his arm to try to stop him from leaving.

Olmos chose the restroom over one that was closer to the "American Idol' stage because he wanted to avoid running into the show's participants, according to his lawsuit.

Due to Vasquez's celebrity status, Olmos "was afraid to defend himself physically against Vasquez's sexual harassment and battery for fear of losing his job," the lawsuit states.

When Olmos complained to a supervisor, the latter questioned whether he initiated the incident, according to his court papers. He also claims the supervisor told him nothing could be done and that he would probably be fired for reporting the alleged harassment.

On numerous other occasions, Vasquez stared and smiled at Olmos. But when he complained to a supervisor, he was told "that he was crazy, was imagining this and should keep this information to himself because no one would believe his account," according to his lawsuit.

Olmos alleges he was fired in May 2005 in retaliation for his complaints against Vasquez.

Olmos began working for American Idol Productions in October 2002, and his contract was renewed each of the next two years, according to his lawsuit.

[conservativebabe]

Did you guys see the story about Mario Vasquez? OMG!!! I would post the link but I noticed that it includes a crude word and don't know if I'll get in trouble for posting it. You can go to the Drudge page for the link. Or it's at TMZ.com and you can probably find it there.

[conservativebabe]

LOL! We must have been posting at the same time.

[Netizen]

This will be an interesting story to follow.

[Netizen]

When Olmos complained to a supervisor, the latter questioned whether he initiated the incident, according to his court papers. He also claims the supervisor told him nothing could be done and that he would probably be fired for reporting the alleged harassment.

This is a section I wanted to comment on. Is this Olmos gay, too? Is this a case of gay on gay sexual harassment? Is that why they didn't want him to persue it?