American Idol 2006--Live Thread I

FOX ^ | 1-16-06

[silent_jonny]

for Tammy

[Netizen]

I didn't watch Star Search and can barely remember the Gong Show! I'm not sure it will be a high rated show either.

[SirLinksalot]

Regarding STAR SEARCH, here is some trivia info for everyone to remember --- Nadia Turner of last season was a finalist in that show.

See here :

http://www.realitytvmagazine.com/blog/2005/02/nadia_turner_fr.html

Lisa Tucker ( this year's finalist ) was on Star Search when she was just 13. She was runner-up to a girl named Tiffany Evans, who signed with Columbia and has an album coming out in June.

See here :

http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/02/26/lisa-tucker-was-on-star-search/

[Wolfstar]

Ken5050 brought this fun NY Post article to my attention. (Thanks, Ken.) It's about the makeovers the AI contestants get. Here's a link to the article: Idol Tuneups

My favorite paragraph from the article:

"We all know the quickest way to get press is to change your look,' says Banowetz. "I've been trying to change Simon's hair for five seasons. I cut his hair but I just do exactly as I'm told. I think after the third season I was like, it's all part of his character. If I changed it now, people might think he's really a sex symbol and handsome."

LOL!

BTW, the article continues the naive Little Miss Pickler from Hicksville fiction, complete with a reference to calaMARri and taRANtulas. However, we know Miss Hickler was no stranger to false eyelashes because she's wearing them in that beauty pagent photo. They oughtta make her up as Daisy from Dogpatch.

[retrokitten]

You mean, like the light show and smoke that they used on Chris' song?

But at least that wasn't his doing. We didn't have to wait while he set up the smoke machine he brought from home.

[SirLinksalot]

Here's an article from AM New York about Diana Degarmo...

---------------------------------------------

http://www.amny.com/entertainment/stage/am-diana,0,6528482.story?coll=am-ent-headlines

Theater

From 'American Idol' to Broadway Star

By Matt Windman Special to amNewYork

Two years after going face-to-face with Simon Cowell, "American Idol" runner-up Diana DeGarmo is now facing a new judge: the Broadway audience. In between the making of her new album, the 18-year-old vocalist is appearing in "Hairspray" through May 14 as Penny Pingleton, a geeky girl who sexily comes out of her shell.

How did you get involved with "Hairspray"?

It's funny. They called and asked me to audition. I had never heard of the show, so I did research and checked up on it. I sang the music, went over a couple of scenes, and then they offered me the part. It's surreal to be 18 and living in this humongous city by myself.

What other musicals have you been in?

I did "Annie" when I was younger and "West Side Story" a few months ago. And I'll be in the national tour of "Brooklyn" this summer with Melba Moore. I figure, strike while the iron is hot.

Many actresses have already played Penny. Did that bother you?

Everybody has their own idea of who Penny is, and I didn't want to do the same thing as before. I think other actresses made her into more of a talker, but I make her more lovable than spacey. I created my own goofiness, and I have her giggle a lot.

How does Broadway differ from "American Idol"?

On "Idol," you don't really have to act. You're just yourself, and you always have to be on your feet. In "Hairspray," it's a lot less stressful. You don't have to worry about being judged because people love the show automatically. On "Idol," you sing, stop and wonder if people like you. Here, it's automatic gratification.

But what if the theater critics review you?

You know what, bring on the critics! I've been criticized by Simon, and I can handle anything now. That's part of every job. But what I like about theater audiences is they don't stand up and say what they don't like about you. They clap and we go on.

Will you be in the upcoming "Hairspray" movie?

I don't know yet. As far as I know, they're still trying to find a girl to play Tracy first. I do love the idea of John Travolta being in it as Edna.

What advice would you give to this season's "Idol" contestants?

If you're not having fun, the audience won't have fun. Remember who you are, where you come from, and good things will come of that. They've got a wide variety of people this season. It'll be difficult to figure out who goes on and who gets cut.

Are there any contestants that you think could be in "Hairspray"?

That's a tough one. I'd pick Jennifer Hudson for Motormouth Mabel if she were a bit older. You need to have a big personality for "Hairspray," and I think she'd be perfect.

Hairspray. At the Neil Simon Theatre; Tue 7pm, Wed 2pm, Thu-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 1:30 & 6:30pm; Open Run; $20-$110. 250 W 52nd Street; 212-307-4100

[EmilyGeiger]

Thanks for those posts. Fun to read. :) Hope you are doing well. I feel like I don't see as much of everyone lately.

[Palladin]

Slightly off-topic, but...the monster who murdered Imette St. Guillen had listings for two "Baby Mommas" on his cellphone--Baby Momma 8 and Baby Momma 9. That's what these gangsters call their underage girlfriends (for whom we, the taxpayers pay the rent and the food stamps, the free medical care, etc.)

Some legacy from Fantasia!

The Idol producers made a colossal mistake when they glorified Fantasia's lifestyle.

[EmilyGeiger]

She is such a good singer! I am glad she is doing well.

[SirLinksalot]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-03-20-idol-coaches_x.htm

'American Idol' coaches sound off

The limited patter of the judges — "You brought it, dawg!", "You're a star!", "Appalling!" — stirred us to seek broader and more constructive assessments of American Idol's contestants. Four opinionated veterans of the entertainment industry agreed to keep tabs on the show (8 p.m. ET/PT Tuesday on Fox) and provide weekly analysis and tips. Meet the coaches:

'American Idol' coach bios

Rona Elliot

On hand for most of the rock era's pivotal moments, Elliot handled local public relations at Woodstock and watched Bob Dylan plug in at the Newport Folk Festival. She hosted and produced shows at one of the first underground radio stations in San Francisco and later joined the NBC Radio Network in New York in management and on the air to present live rock broadcasts. She traveled around the globe with musicians in her post as music correspondent for NBC's Today Show. Today she is a contributing editor for U.K.-based Genesis Publications, known for its rock art books on rock legends, and teaches UCLA classes on the music industry. She also plays bass and sings back-up in a band of parents from her kids' school. (Related item: What do you think of the coaches' advice?)

Rich Martini

Martini, a pianist and a former music critic for Variety, has spent the bulk of his career in film. He made his directorial debut with 1988 comedy You Can't Hurry Love, featuring the debut of Bridget Fonda (Daryl Hannah made her debut in his USC student short film). He wrote the Charlie Sheen comedy Three for the Road and co-wrote and directed Limit Up (starring Nancy Allen) and Point of Betrayal (Rod Taylor and Dina Merrill), which he also scored. Johnny Depp and John Malkovich appeared in his wry Cannes Man, a send-up of the film fest's frantic networking. He recently wrote and co-produced My Bollywood Bride, starring Jason Lewis of HBO's Sex and the City, and shot a documentary featuring Buddhism scholar Robert Thurman, Journey Into Tibet. Martini has written a miniseries for HBO about the Medici family and is developing a film about Amelia Earhart.

Gene Sculatti

A music critic and author, Sculatti is the former special issues director at Billboard and editorial director for Warner Bros. Records. He was most recently managing editor of the music monthly Ice and has written about pop music for Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times and defunct and revered rock magazines Creem and Crawdaddy. Sculatti held positions at A&M Records and CBS Television and is the author of San Francisco Nights, The 100 Best-Selling Albums of the '60s, The Catalog of Cool and Too Cool. The latter pair are the subject of his website, www.catalog-of-cool.com, a compendium of hipster entertainment options with "subzero stylishness."

Don Waller

Waller is the author of The Motown Story, an unauthorized history of the legendary record label, and has contributed chapters to L.A. punk-rock history Make the Music Go Bang and The Rolling Stone Book of the Beats. He's written for USA TODAY, the Los Angeles Times, Mojo, Billboard, Radio & Records, Spin, Guitar World and Variety as well as the Playboy, Amazon, eMusic, Napster and iTunes websites. A former musician (the Imperial Dogs), Waller co-founded the Back Door Man fanzine and indie record label and co-wrote the Blue Oyster Cult's This Ain't the Summer of Love. He's a spoken-word artist, a club DJ (known as Agent 00 Soul) and probably the only U.S. music critic sporting a royal blue tailor-made Chinese silk suit. He's a voting member of The Recording Academy and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cooking is his hobby; music is his life.

CLICK HERE FOR THEIR ANALYSIS OF EACH CONTESTANT's STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

[Palladin]

>>>Regarding STAR SEARCH, here is some trivia info for everyone to remember --- Nadia Turner of last season was a finalist in that show.<<<

Ack! Looks like Star Search is a jinx (not to be confused with minx, Miss Pickler!)

Poor Lisa. Her chances of being in the Top Three just went down.

[Wolfstar]

I feel like I don't see as much of everyone lately.

Hi Emily. I'm doing OK, thanks for asking. I hope all is well with you, too. I know what you mean about feeling like you don't see as much of everyone lately. Between my PC being down the last couple of weeks, and things getting every more hectic at work, it's been hard to keep up here at FR. These days I mostly only check into this thread and the Dose that I do on weekends.

[Wolfstar]

The Idol producers made a colossal mistake when they glorified Fantasia's lifestyle.

I totally agree with you on this point, Palladin.

[LA Woman3]

Some legacy from Fantasia!

Did she ever learn to read?

[retrokitten]

No, but oddly she wrote a book.

One of the reviews (I swear to God I didn't make this up):

Wow!!!!! What more can I say 2 such an awesome book. I've alwayz loved fantasia from da moment she won American Idol. But afta readin dis, she is truly a role model for young gurls. Her story was definitly inspiring. I feel like I know her personally now. Her voice is just wonderful. She has so much talent and so many dreams. And I like dat about her. I encourage every young lady to go and read this if u don't want 2 listen 2 your parents about life. I'm young 2 so I know where she's comin from.

[LA Woman3]

Wow-that is too funny!

[retrokitten]

Yeah, funny in a "I weep for the future" kind of way.

[Texas2step]

Does anyone know what everyone's singing tonight? I mean specifics, I know it's 50's night with Barry, just wondering if the spoilers had gotten ahold of the list of songs everyone's doing.

[Netizen]

We didn't have to wait while he set up the smoke machine he brought from home.

How much set up is there for a harmonica? Fair is fair. If they aren't going to supply sepcial effects for all, then don't do it for one.

[EmilyGeiger]

only check into this thread and the Dose that I do on weekends.....

know what you mean... I hang out here or the 24 thread. I have been working on my school project the past 2 days and am getting nervous about it. I love the subject I am teaching but am not overly fond of how the teacher is making me go about it. :(

[b9]

It's their nickel. They can promote whomever they want, restrict anything they want, set any rule they want.

No one is forced to enter, forced to watch, or forced to vote.

Free enter prize.