[Howlin]

CAN SOMEBODY POST THE PHONE NUMBERS?????

[Howlin]

Here we are for tonight!

[OldFriend]

Here's the number......not sure whether Clay will be 01 or 02

1-866-43657

The local channel 5 this morning was promoting Ruben. Acting as if Ruben WILL win. No mention at all of Clay, just showing pics of Ruben. They even played a clip of Simon Cowell saying that he considered Ruben the star!

Read that the lines will be open tonite for an extra hour, but probably will be best to try in the second hour.

[RAT Patrol]

I'm here. This is soooo exciting!!!!!

[jrherreid]

As they said on Saturday Night Live... the ultimate battle of the sexes!

[Unknown Freeper]

Is this the right thread? Are we there yet?

[Ima Lurker]

Bad choice of song for Ruben's first performance.

[JustPiper]

Hey Howl, I'm late!

My daughter had a good idea about why Ruben sweats BESIDES the hot lights. Check out his heavy clothing! Today for example. His weight is no hindurance when it comes to holding notes now is it? ;) Go Roooooooben!!!

[JustPiper]

Beatles up next! Why did Clay have him as his own backup singer? Because Roooooben didn't need one ;)

[ican'tbelieveit]

over 100 posts already, woohoo.

[duvausa]

LALALALA--covering ears and eyes--not going to look--or read--until after this airs on the West Coast! But wanted to say hi to everyone anyway. Bye.

(Howlin--thanks for the ping)

[OldFriend]

LOL hubby just came down to the office to tell me they're even talking about Clay and Ruben on the sports channel.....

[JustPiper]

Chicago Fox poll just in:

Ruben 65%

Clay 35%

[floriduh voter]

I voted for Clay again last night. It took me at least 2 hours to get through. When he hit that high note on Bridge Over Trouble Waters, I think he had it sewn up.

Ruben is a very good singer but if his phrasing isn't so good because he's already sweating & huffing and puffing by a third song, how can he possible be a pop star doing at least twenty songs and some moving? I thought Ruben's first song almost came apart in the middle.

It was definitely a tough competition this time around but I stuck with CLAY.

If Ruben wins, Clay will still have a huge career because he would be good in a sitcom, any type of comedy be it a - movie or musical. And, that voice - gives me chills when I'm not swooning like a schoolgirl.

[fightinJAG]

fyi everybody

American Idol Host Gets New Show


Twentieth Television has reached a deal with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest to create a syndicated strip show whose title hasn't been decided yet. "Ryan's appeal has helped to make American Idol one of the biggest success stories in network television. We're tremendously excited to bring Ryan's unique talent and style, which has been an instant hit with primetime audiences, to daily television," said Bob Cook, president/COO of Twentieth Television. Seacrest will also be executive producer of the show, which is being described as a daily live show that mixes the news magazine and variety show.

[fightinJAG]

and this tidbit---neverwouldathunkit out of RJ

'American Idol' Star R.J. Helton Goes Gospel
Tue May 20, 2003 03:18 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - R.J. Helton, a finalist in the first season of "American Idol," has signed a recording contract with a gospel label, he announced Tuesday.
"My faith is the one thing that has forever and will forever remain constant," Helton, 21, said in a statement.

He was scheduled to announce his pact with Gospocentric/B-Rite Music during a news conference Tuesday in West Hollywood.

His album will boast "an inspirational gospel feel, with mainstream appeal," said Vicki Mack-Lataillade, CEO of Los Angeles-based Gospocentric/B-Rite, which is owned and distributed by Bertelsmann Music Group. The label's biggest act is Kirk Franklin.

The album is due for a fall release, but recording has not yet begun, a spokesman for Helton said.

Reuters