American Idol 2008--Live Thread II

americanidol.com ^ | 3-25-08

[lainie]

My prediction:

It will be Archuleta, because the tweenie vote is way too strong.

BUT. This will be the best thing that could happen to David Cook. (In the same way it was the best thing for Daughtry.)

[Netizen]

Been slumming over at VFTW. Found a few gems. :)

[Netizen]

Here's another one, I thought you might get a chuckle out of.

[Captain Beyond]

Good catch LOL!!!

[Netizen]

Here's another one that captures Simon's reaction to Mantasia.

[Wolfstar]

That chart does not include Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington, Elliott Yamin, or Josh Gracin. I don’t know the numbers, but I’m sure that Pickler and Covington are probably at least in the middle of this pack as both have received pretty big air play on the country stations.

Here's a link to the Nielsen SoundScan press release about American Idol data they tracked. The press release is dated May 15, 2008 and contains data current as of May 4. In terms of overall sales, Pickler, Covington, Yamin and Gracin are not listed among the top sellers.

[Wolfstar]

That is just downright scary. :)

[Netizen]

That is just downright scary. :)

It just struck me as so funny! :) I think that pic and the comments at you tube, go to show that there are a lot of people that thought her performance stunk and was scary.

[Wolfstar]

Here's an interesting article published today about the very healthy business side of AI: Fat lady hasn't sung for 'American Idol'

Among the tidbits toward the end of the article is the not unexpected news that they are going to offer contracts to both David C. and David A., plus some other contestants they don't name. It says they think there might be a Chris Daughtry "lurking in the weeds in this year's crop."

Other tidbits:

CKX (a subsidiary of 19 Entertainment) reported last week that its Idol-related operating income in the first quarter rose 63%, vs. the same period last year, to $24 million on revenue of $28.8 million, up 42%.

All told, the program had 4,184 product placements, up 4% vs. the same period in 2007.

[Captain Beyond]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356567,00.html

From FOX Entertainment News: It is under the Hogan story

Archuleta Took Fellow 'Idol' Finalist Brooke White to His 'Prom'

The day that 17-year-old "American Idol" finalist David Archuleta was meeting with music legend Neil Diamond was the day that all his school pals were going to their prom in his hometown of Murray, Utah.

But it seems fellow finalist Brooke White helped him ease the pain by being his "date" for the day.

"I spent the day with Brooke, so she's the one I danced with for my prom day," he told Pop Tarts after the "Idol" elimination on Wednesday night. "I would have preferred this anyway; it would have been nice to go to prom, but I’m so glad I was here instead. Standing there dancing with Brooke was pretty cool." Mind you, Archuleta did get other offers. "[David] Cook also asked if he could dance with me — that was a little awkward," he said. "So I said no."

[Miss Didi]

That’s really sweet! ;)

[AmusedBystander]

That chart does not include Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington, Elliott Yamin, or Josh Gracin. I don’t know the numbers, but I’m sure that Pickler and Covington are probably at least in the middle of this pack as both have received pretty big air play on the country stations.

Per an article in USA Today, here are the numbers thru April 30, 2008 for Idol sales:

Kelly's Breakaway 5.98 million, My December 763,000

Carrie 6.39 million

Daughtry 4.01 million

Kellie 751,000

Taylor 701,000

Jordin 697,000

Clay 525,000

Fantasia 512,000

Elliott 506,000

Katharine 370,000

Bucky 339,000

Blake 290,000

Ruben 237,000

Mandisa 78,000

Bo 49,000

Josh 34,000

Constantine 25,000

Paris 21,000

Kimberley 20,000

David Cook 1,800

[Netizen]

All told, the program had 4,184 product placements, up 4% vs. the same period in 2007.

Does that mean that we the viewers were shown more commercials this year than last? :)

[AUsome Joy]

Here is a great interview with Jason Castro. He is such a fine young man. I think you will really like this. It is an intelligent interview with thoughtful answers. By the way, did you know he made 3040 on his SAT’s? He got such a bum rap on the show.

http://www.latina.com/entertainment/tv/qa-american-idols-jason-castro

My daughter has tickets to both performances this week. She also is getting to go to one of the parties before the final show. Can’t wait to hear all the buzz.

[Texas2step]

Actually, I'm getting a few different numbers for some, also according to USA today, as of Jan. 2008. From This page

Gracin - 695,000 (a dead heat with Taylor)

The biggest thing I saw was that these numbers are supposedly as of Jan 2008, not April, and Bucky's, Kellie's, and probably Josh's numbers would have grown even more, where Tay-tay has probably peaked out...And Carrie has probably grown significantly more in sales than Kelly Clarkson, making #1 idol a dead heat...

I looked hard for a better source, or something more definitive, but couldn't find it.

[Texas2step]

Here's a fairly comprehensive list and probably more up-to-date and accurate than anything else I've seen...

Wikipedia's Top Selling AI Alumni

Looks like everything is well sourced.

[Miss Didi]

Nice, thanks. I miss Dreads. ;)

[retrokitten]

OMG! Those are all great! LOL!!!

[Miss Didi]

Spoiler Update: David Cook will sing a new song, U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

[slugbug]

Thanks for posting that link- I read that interview earlier today-it was probably the best interview he’s had. He is a very grounded and intelligent guy. I miss him on the show-he was a breath of fresh air. (I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I have tickets to see the tour when it comes my way this summer...first time I’ve ever gone to one of those...)