American Idol 2007--Live Thread (Part II)

FOX ^ | 3-13-07

[Netizen]

Sanjaya’s rise blamed on judges
By LEE-ANNE GOODMAN

http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/2007/05/31/4223945-cp.html

TORONTO (CP) - “American Idol” judges were asleep at the wheel when they chose the vocally challenged Sanjaya Malakar to be a finalist on the popular singing show, says “Canadian Idol” judge Farley Flex.

And, he boasts, there’s no chance he and fellow Canuck judges Sass Jordan, Zack Werner and Jake Gold could have a similar lapse in judgment.

“Sanjaya was put in there by the judges, it wasn’t the public that put him in there - the public kept him in there, but they didn’t put him in there,” said Flex.

“I’m very confident in the integrity of our panel and our vision of what we see as being the Top 22 to turn over to the public, so I’m pretty confident in saying there wouldn’t be a Sanjaya scenario in our world.”

As “Canadian Idol” gears up for its fifth season, beginning June 5th on CTV, host Ben Mulroney also had fighting words for his show’s American counterpart.

“It was not necessarily the most exciting season or the most talented season,” Mulroney said of “American Idol,” adding that might have been why Malakar, with his bizarre song choices and ever-changing hairstyles, managed to crack the Top 10.

“’American Idol’ caters to controversy quite a bit and they really played to that ... it was something to do.”

It’s in stark contrast to this season’s “Canadian Idol,” he adds.

“My producers are salivating when they think about this new season so that’s a good sign; it means they’ve got some really interesting plans for who’s coming in. And just having watched the auditions and seen our Top 100 - this is a polished group, it’s the most multicultural group we’ve ever had, it’s the most representative of the country from coast to coast. I really have high, high hopes that this is going to be a great season.”

The most striking change viewers will notice is that this year’s crop of contestants were allowed to audition with instruments, something previously tried by “Australian Idol.”

“Everyone’s got reasons to audition and they’ve got reasons not to audition, and we just eliminated one of the reasons not to audition,” Mulroney said on the line from Calgary, where he’s doing charity work as part of his UNICEF ambassador duties.

“It certainly adds an element of musicality. There’s a new angle now ... the risk involved in playing an instrument live on television.”

Flex says seeing the contestants play instruments in addition to singing helps the judging panel better envision them as professional musicians.

“It brought another dimension of talent,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily make them better, but it gives them more dimensions. If someone’s playing an instrument and doing it well, along with singing well, it’s a way better sell.”

For his part, Mulroney promises to continue to be a kind and compassionate presence for the “Idol” contestants when they feel particularly brutalized by the judges, in particular the cutting Werner.

“It’s enough that they have to deal with the pressure of going in front of millions of people and dealing with public scrutiny in the press - they should have at least one person on their side,” he says with a laugh.

But Flex says the tough criticism is part of what makes “Idol” - which has been a ratings juggernaut for CTV - so watchable.

“At the end of the day, if all four of us were mean, the show would have been cancelled by now; if all four of us were nice, the show would have been cancelled by now,” he said, defending his fellow judges and their no-holds-barred critiques.

“When we make our commentary, we’re not doing that to get somebody ousted or keep somebody on; we’re doing that so that if they do go on, or get kicked off, they have the proper information to get better in their next circumstance, whether that’s next week on the show or next week busking on Yonge Street.”

[Netizen]

Paula Abdul “Found Her Purpose” as American Idol Judge 5/31/07

http://www.celebrityspider.com/news/may07/article053107-3.html

Get Paula Abdul Ringtones

Pop star Paula Abdul is so grateful for her seat on the American Idol judging panel - because she has finally found her purpose in life.

The singer experienced huge chart success in the late 1980s and earlier 1990s, but believes her current stint as a judge on the hit talent show is what she was destined for.

She tells U.S. magazine OK!, “I knew since I was a little girl that I had this profound way of touching people. My purpose is bringing out everybody’s best and being that cheerleader to other people’s success.

“Being a judge on `American Idol’ overshadows being a Grammy Award winner and selling millions of records.”

---

Dream sequence fades and reality re-enters the picture....

Paula Abdul “Hurt” by Leaked Meltdown Tape 6/1/07

http://www.celebrityspider.com/news/june07/article060107-7.html

Paula Abdul has blasted the “illegal” and “unethical” leaking of a videotape of a recent conference call in which she sobs on camera and blames her management for treating her badly.

In footage obtained by the New York Post, the American Idol judge can be seen blasting former representative Howard Bragman - who she accuses of calling her “a whining bitch and a loser”.

But Abdul feels the leak has violated her privacy.

She tells website TMZ, “I am deeply hurt and extremely disappointed that someone has taken a private telephone conversation that I had with my representatives and released it to the media.

“This is not only illegal but also highly unethical.

“While I don’t feel a need to justify or explain my conversation, even as a public figure I do feel my privacy has been violated and find this action to be unacceptable.”

[Wolfstar]

I kind of which they would allow contestants to audition with instruments on AI.

[Netizen]

I think they should give it a try, too. If it doesn’t work out they can always do away with it the following year.

[Col. George Rains]

Sorry if I'm being annoying with the Cakeness all the time, but...

Chris performed at Summerfest with several other Idol contestants, this season, past seasons, etc. and after the show, some girl brought a sign/poster up to Chris so he could autograph it.

The security was being a bit pushy, but he did sign it, and Sway,a poster on idolforums, got a close-up picture of what he wrote.

The sign in question:

Lightened by Jess for everyone who couldn't read the original:

PS: The picture on the left, the one where they're at the keyboard, is a photochop, not a real picture.
The center and right hand side pictures are real.

PPS: If it's still impossible to read, he wrote "The Cake Shirt" Chris and a heart on the right.
He wrote Cake !!! :P and another heart over the photochop.

[Netizen]

Weird stuff! :)

[Netizen]

There’s a couple of good articles to read.

‘American Idol’ parent being sold for $1.3B
Executives of CKX, which licenses Elvis and owns ‘American Idol’ creator, are taking the firm private.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/01/news/companies/idol_private/index.htm?section=money_latest

Within the above article is a link to this article.

Lewis vs. Sparks: The real competition begins
Let the real competition begin
Now that the show’s over, American Idol’s biggest winner could still be the man who came in second, says Fortune’s Devin Leonard.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/25/news/newsmakers/pluggedin_leonard_idol.fortune/index.htm

[Majie Purple]

"Pop...Pop...Pop music! Ever'body talk about Pop music!"



Have a wonderfilled;fun day! Chalk a block full of the stuff the fondest memories are made of Jonny!*see* Ya later!

[BreitbartSentMe]

Katharine McPhee Helps Hilary Clinton from www.celebrity-gossip.net

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1846589/posts

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton held an outdoor campaign in Washington DC to rally with supporters last evening (June 6). There to help her election cause was American Idoler Katharine McPhee.

The event, held on a downtown parking lot during rush hour, seemed to be composed of a mostly female crowd. “They clicked in 8,000 people,” Clinton announced. “We are going to make history together for our country.”

Clinton, who leads the Democratic presidential field in early polls, celebrated the opening of “Club 44,” a code phrase for people who support her goal of becoming the 44th president.

“Hillary is such an advocate for women and stuff like that,” Katharine wisely noted. The 2006 finalist from American Idol provided the musical entertainment for the

[WestCoastGal]

Jordin will be singing the National Anthem at the Spurs game tonight.

[StrictTime]

“Hillary is such an advocate for women and stuff like that,” Katharine wisely noted.

Exactly where is the wisdom in that statement?

[So Cal Rocket]

“Hillary is such an advocate for women and stuff like that,” Katharine wisely noted.

Do I sense a touch of sarcasm in this reporter's writing?

[Sue Perkick]

“Hillary is such an advocate for women and stuff like that,” Katharine wisely noted.

Ah, a McMensa member I see.

[Sue Perkick]

LOL! I do believe so.

[kevkrom]

Katharine McPhee Helps Hilary Clinton

Considering her appeal is primarily to red-blooded males, this is not a wise career move.

Oh well, maybe she'll just start wearing less to draw us back in...

[BreitbartSentMe]

Oh well, maybe she'll just start wearing less to draw us back in...

I pray to God you're NOT talking about Hillary......

[Palladin]

And now some BEEFcake news:

Bucky is singing in my town tonight. No, I will not pay $20 to hear him.

[Palladin]

Oh, Gawd. McPhee is such an airhead!

[Netizen]

Too bad its for this past season. There’s nobody from this past season I would want to meet, much less spend a day with.

Pringles Announces “Win a Day With an American Idol Finalist” Contest 6/12/07

http://www.celebrityspider.com/news/june07/article061207-14.html

Pringles Pops Off the ‘Win a Day with an AMERICAN IDOL Finalist’ Contest

Innovative Off-Air Sponsorship with AMERICAN IDOL Provides the Ultimate in Family Fun Entertainment with Nationwide In/Out Promotion

CINCINNATI, June 12, 2007 /PRNewswire/ — What would you do if you could spend a day with your favorite Idol? Would you go to the hair salon? Go on a shopping spree? Challenge each other to a beat boxing competition? Well now’s your chance to find out. One lucky AMERICAN IDOL fan will have the opportunity to live out their dream and spend a day with one of this year’s Top 10 finalists through the “Pringles Win a Day with an AMERICAN IDOL Finalist” contest. The competition is part of a year-long off-air partnership for Procter & Gamble’s (NYSE: PG) Pringles(R) brand with FremantleMedia, co- producer and licensor of AMERICAN IDOL, in conjunction with show creator, 19 Entertainment.

“The ‘Pringles Win a Day with an AMERICAN IDOL Finalist’ contest is a one of a kind opportunity, that lets us give back to all the loyal AMERICAN IDOL and Pringles fans,” said Paul Tepfenhart, Pringles brand manager. “It gives Pringles great pleasure to see one of our customers enjoy the experience of a lifetime by spending the day with an Idol, particularly with enthusiasm for the show at record levels this year.”

To enter the “Pringles Win a Day with an AMERICAN IDOL Finalist” contest, consumers can log on to Pringles.com and submit an essay of no more than 100 words telling Pringles how they would spend a day with one of the top 10 AMERICAN IDOL finalists from 2007. The contest begins on 6/1/07.

— The grand-prize winner will spend a day with one of the top 10 AMERICAN IDOL finalists

— Entries must be received between June 1, 2007 - September 14, 2007

— Pringles limited-edition American Idol cans (Original, BBQ, Cheese and Sour Cream & Onion) are currently available in-store to support the contest

“Over the last couple of months, AMERICAN IDOL fans have really gotten a chance to connect with their favorite contestants,” added Michele Welch, Director of Integrated Marketing, for FremantleMedia in North America. “Now with the help of Pringles they can live out their dreams and spend a day with a season six finalist.”

The “Pringles Win a Day with an AMERICAN IDOL Finalist” contest follows another successful Pringles initiative - Jingles for Pringles (http://www.jinglesforpringles.com), a nationwide search for unique expressions about Pringles where consumers submitted videos of themselves singing about their passion for Pringles. The winner received a VIP ticket package to the AMERICAN IDOL finale with a prime view of the show, which saw Jordin Sparks crowned America’s sixth Idol.

No Purchase Necessary. For additional information about Pringles, contest entry details and the Official Rules, log on to http://www.pringles.com.

SOURCE Procter & Gamble

[Netizen]

Original ‘Idol’ winner Kelly Clarkson parts way with her manager

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/original-idol-winner-kelly-clarkson-parts-way-with-her-manager-5335.php

By Steve Rogers, 06/12/2007

Original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, already embroiled in an ongoing feud with RCA chairman Clive Davis over the musical content of “My December,” her upcoming third album, has now parted ways with Jeff Kwatinetz, her longtime manager, just two weeks before the album’s release.

“Kelly Clarkson is an enormously talented artist. We are pleased to have served as her managers during her well-deserved rise to stardom and are proud of the role we played in backing her creative choices,” a spokesperson for Kwatinetz’s Los Angeles-based The Firm talent management company told People on Tuesday afternoon. “We believed in Kelly from the day we met her and believe in her now. We have only the best wishes and hopes for her in the future.

Ironically, the news of Clarkson’s break with Kwatinetz comes on the same day that the July 2007 issue of Elle magazine — which features a Clarkson cover story in which Kwatinetz voiced his support for Clarkson’s attempts to seize control of her third album’s content from her label — hit newsstands.

“The label didn’t even acknowledge her ASCAP [songwriting] awards [for ‘Because of You,’ a second album song Clarkson wrote as a teenager],” Kwatinetz told Elle while discussing Davis’ attempts to convince Clarkson to replace some of the 14 songs on “My December” — which were all written or co-written by Clarkson — with more mainstream pop music songs written by other songwriters.

“It’s upsetting,” Kwatinetz told Elle. “They don’t want her to be a songwriter. They just want her to shut up and sing. They want her to stay their little American Idol.”

“I could give a crap about being a star. I’ve always just wanted to sing and write,” Clarkson told Elle. “My resistance upsets a lot of people, because we could make a lot of money.”

“I’ve sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and still nobody listens to what I have to say,” Clarkson, who blamed her label’s resistance on the fact that she’s “25 and a woman,” told Elle. “I am a good singer, so I can’t possibly be a good writer. Women can’t possibly be good at two things. I haven’t lost my temper about it. It only drives me more. If your thing is to bring me down, cool. I’ll just work harder.”

“I don’t mind sucking, as long as it is my decision,” Clarkson told Elle. I have literally been told one of the reasons this record took so long to come together is because I am a girl. This is 2007! We aren’t in the ‘50s anymore. Wake up and smell the Folgers.”

According to Entertainment Weekly, Clarkson’s ongoing feud with her label likely played a role in Kwatinetz’s departure. “He exacerbated a thermonuclear situation,” a “source close to the situation” told Entertainment Weekly. “Jeff did everything he could to control Kelly and her career suffered. He should have steered her in the right direction.” RCA declined comment on EW’s report.

However according to another EW “insider,” the reasons behind Clarkson’s split with Kwatinetz extend beyond her “My December” song choices. “It’s been a poor setup,” the second source told EW. “Tour markets were misread and all the fighting with the label has taken attention away from the one thing that matters: her music.”

Assuming the album doesn’t get delayed — which given it still hasn’t yet hit the production factory, a third EW source suggests might still happen — “My December” will be released on June 26. “It’s not too late,” the source told EW.