American Idol:The Top 4 Results Show

Bottom Two:
Syesha Mercado ("Proud Mary," "A Change Is Gonna Come")
Jason Castro ("I Shot the Sheriff," "Mr. Tambourine Man")


Eliminated:
Jason Castro








Watch video of Jason Castro elimination:


Ryan Seacrest opened the show telling us that the nearly 51 million votes received yesterday was a new high total for the season. He also said, and we don't believe, that the Top 3 were all within 1 million votes of each other. Seacrest also briefly reopened the can of worms over Syesha Mercado's performance of "A Change Is Gonna Come" with the judges. Next, the Top 4 performed Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years," certainly not a memorable rendition but better than last week's horrific Neil Diamond medley.

Watch video of Top 4 group song, Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years":


Right to The Results. Ryan called out David Archuleta, who we thought might be in the Bottom 2 as he was in a dead heat votewise with Syesha according to DialIdol.com. Guess we shouldn't have been surprised (though we were disappointed) when Ryan sent him to safety on the couch.

It's filler time, and we are shown a video of the Top 4 jetting to Las Vegas on a private 737 to see Cirque Du Soleil's Beatles show "Love." David A remarked on the flight, "this is the nicest plane I've ever seen," while lying on the bed in the bedroom (yes, there is one on the jet), Jason told us, "Sleeping in the sky. Woooooooohooooooooo." In Vegas, the contestants were mobbed by fans wherever they went. The trip included "red carpet makeovers" (they contestants didn't look any different to us afterward) and a meet and greet with the cast of "Love."

Watch video of Top 4 in Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil's show "The Beatles":


Wasting no time (that will come later), we rushed right back to the results. Ryan called out David Cook, who was, surprise! safe. Which meant the Bottom 2 (or, more accurately, the two left who hadn't yet learned their fates) were Syesha and Jason Castro (as if anyone expected Jason to survive the previous day's debacle). Ryan called them out and appeared to start giving them the results. Jason asked Ryan if he was actually going to tell them then, only halfway through the show. Of course, Ryan wasn't and it was time for a commercial break followed by the Ford commercial. This week it was a bullfight scenario with the Top 4 as matadors and a Ford Mustang as the bull, all done to "Ring of Fire."

Watch video of behind-the-scenes making of the Top 4 Ford commercial:


Watch video of Top 4 Ford commercial "Ring of Fire":


Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we sat through another stupid viewer Q&A session. This was one of the more boring ones (well, honestly, they all are), the highlight of which was when Emily from Pittsburgh asked David Cook for a date when the Idol Tour plays in her city because it also happens to be *happy coincidence!* her birthday. After a guy in audience yells out, "Don't do it," cracking David up, Cook squirms, makes faces, asks what she likes to do, then extricates himself from the embarrassing moment by saying "We'll see." Uh-huh. Other callers inquired about the biggest obstacles the Top 4 has had to overcome, why Simon Cowell hadn't been knighted, how Syesha feels being the only girl in the Top 4, whether the Top 4 has gotten any feedback from artists whose songs they've covered (David C says he heard from Our Lady Peace) and whether Simon had ever acted because the caller thinks he'd be perfect as the next James Bond. Cowell told Seacrest he liked the questions this week, wink, smile.

Watch video of Viewer Q&A asking David Cook on a date:


Next, Maroon 5 performed their new single, "If I Never See Your Face Again," which, on the CD, features Rhianna. We didn't love it and we normally do like their music. Seacrest asked Adam Levine if he had any advice for the Top 4. He told them to get ready to work and that they'll get jaded and hate it, but really they will love it. Swell. Can't wait for fame.

Watch video of Maroon 5 singing "If I Never See Your Face Again":


With another five minutes to kill before Seacrest could boot Castro off the show, Ryan introduced Season 4 runner-up Bo Bice, who sang his new single, "Witness." We've always been a Bo fan, but the song started out really rough. It got better as it went, but never got good enough to become a hit. Ryan asked Bo if he had any advice for the contestants and he told them to practice, practice, practice. We also found out that Bo and his wife are expecting their second child, another boy.

Watch video of Bo Bice singing "Witness":


It was finally time to send everybody home (the loser for good, the Top 3 for their hometown visits and parades, which we'll see next week). As Ryan read the judges' comments from the previous day to Jason, Castro noted that he did, in fact, pack his bags as Simon had advised him to. He also had the funniest line of the night, when he repeated that someone told him that he had shot the Tambourine Man. LOL. Ryan asked him why it's been so tough for him, and Jason said he thought his inexperience was hurting him and that moving up to two songs was difficult. After being eliminated, Ryan told Jason, "I almost feel like you're relieved." Castro said, "There's three songs next week. I don't know what I would've done."

Next week, the Top 3 will each sing three songs – judges’ choice, producers’ choice and finalist’s choice.

RYAN SEACREST CHUCKING "IDOL"?

MSNBC is reporting that Ryan Seacrest is in negotiations to take over Larry King's role at CNN by year's end. The report suggests that Seacrest would be adding this job to his already overloaded radio and TV hosting duties, which is not at all believable. Insiders say he'd likely leave "Idol" after this season, especially because the producers are planning a major retooling of the program.

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© 2008

65 Days to the New Bo Bice CD

Yes, Bo Bice's second CD, tentatively titled "American Blood," is scheduled to drop on Sept. 18 and will be a return to Bice's Southern rock roots.

"I think this CD will really showcase all I've wanted to with my music -- it's a chance for me to go out and rock in a way that I'm really comfortable with," Bice says.

Bice's Web site seems to indicate that he is now affiliated with the indie label StratArt and Strategic Artists Management. There are also reports, though we can not confirm them, that the CD will be recorded in Nashville with producer Frank Liddell, with more input and writing from Bice this time around.

Bice also hand-picked all of his collaborators, including Gary Nichols and Chris Tompkins, whom Bice has known for more than a decade. The pair co-penned "American Blood," a slower, country-driven support song for the U.S. troops.

Want to design the cover for Bo's new CD? His official Web site is running a contest. All entries must be submitted by July 31st. Click here for details.

For a taste of what's to come, sample this video of the live band version of one of the CD's cuts that the Internet is buzzing about, called "I'm Gone":



To listen to the acoustic version, check out Bice's MySpace site.

JORDIN SPARKS: 'I LOVE MY SONG'

A little late out of the gate, the Broward Times just printed this interview with Jordin Sparks about the start of the Idol tour in Sunrise, Fla., even though it happened over a week ago. *Sigh*

Anyway, here's what she (and they) had to say:

Jordin Sparks' eyes are wide as she enters a room full of reporters. She and the finalists of the American Idol competition are about to kick off their summer tour of the United States, right in our back yard at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise.

At 17, Sparks is the youngest person to win the American Idol competition. For her, this summer tour represents a turning point in her career and her life.

Her smile is wide when she sits down to speak with me. Her hair is pulled back into a carefree ponytail, and she is wearing loose jeans and a rock star T-shirt. She fidgets with her hands.

"All of this is new to me. I mean this is a great experience, and I'm just trying to handle it the best way possible," she says with enthusiasm.

Her summer plans are vastly different from your average high schooler. In between touring with the American Idol contestants, Sparks will be flying back and forth to New York to work on her album.

Her mother and grandmother will travel with the underage pop star. Third-place winner Melinda Doolittle will also be there to lend a helping hand.

"Jordin is like my little sister," Doolittle said. "I love her just like she was my sister. We strengthen each other through this process. I've been fortunate to travel and do some background singing, and I share my experiences with her."

The tour will place an enormous strain on the young American Idol.

Sparks has never had to do as much singing as she will be required to do this summer. But the physical and mental strain of touring and recording an album are challenges that Sparks gladly accepts.

"This is what it all was for. I'm just going to take care of my body and make sure that I do what I have to do to perform for all the people that voted for me," she says.

To achieve that end, the contestants rehearsed late into the night before the opening show of the tour at the BankAtlantic Center on July 6.

Unlike past American Idol tours, this edition of the tour will have a lot more group performances and duets.

Sparks and Doolittle, who are good friends, were set to perform a duet they said would give the fans exactly what they wanted.

"I'm anxious to get out on stage and perform some songs that they have never heard me sing. On the show, we sang to a studio audience of like 500 people. You had to be conscious of the cameras and angles and everything, but now we can just perform," Sparks says with excitement in her eyes.

While the tour is what is happening now for Sparks and the rest of the idols, it is almost impossible for the aspiring entertainers not to think ahead.

Second-place winner Blake Lewis said he has already recorded six songs for his album. Sparks had only recorded one song for her album at the time of our interview, but it is a song she thinks will have a big impact on popular music.

"I love my song," she says. "I keep listening to it and singing it to myself and then I have to remember that I kind of have to keep it a secret until it comes out."

It'll be hard for Sparks to keep anything secret after this tour. She is extremely close with her family.

Her father, Phillippi Sparks, played professional football for the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. Her mother, Jodi, and her brother, PJ (Phillippi Sparks Jr.) are her two biggest fans. Sparks said her brother is her best friend.

She also said she will lean heavily on her Christian faith to guide her through this major life transition.

"God made all of this possible and my family has really been super supportive of everything I'm doing," Sparks said. "I'm just excited to be going through this and I'm going to see where it leads me."

GEE PAULA, HE SCARES THEM OFF, NOT YOU?

Accord-
ing to Digital Spy, Paula Abdul has admit-
ted that she does not bring any of her prospective boyfriends down to the American Idol studios to meet Simon Cowell because he scares them.

The reality TV judge has claimed the music mogul interrogates any man that she introduces him to and makes sure they treat her well.

While filming ITV's "Loose Women," the singer said: "I will not let any guy I date come down to Idol because Simon will grill him. We do fight but when we get along, we get along great."

JORDIN LOVES JUSTIN TIMBERFAKE

Well, that what the not always reliable, but always amusing, TMZ's latest buzz is about. According to the Web site, Jordin Sparks has fallen head ovah heels for Chris Richardson! While she and runner-up Blake Lewis are just friends, the site said that they've been told that Jordin has a huge crush on 23-year-old Richardson -- despite his penchant for late nights and hanging out with the likes of Lauren Conrad.

Sources on the tour tell TMZ that because Jordin is only 17, her minders and family members are doing everything they can to keep from letting anything -- or anyone -- get in the way of the underage star's bright future.

FANTASIA VIDEOS ON 'GOOD MORNING AMERICA'

Watch videos of Fantasia's performances on "Good Morning America" yesterday.

Singing "When I See U":


Singing "I'm Here":


Being interviewed:


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© 2007

Taylor Hicks: Gotta Have Sense of Humor

The Herald-Mail printed the transcript of a podcast with Taylor Hicks. Here it is:

Taylor, welcome and thanks for joining us today.
Thanks for having me.

Other than the popularity, what is the main difference between being on tour pre-"American Idol" versus post-"American Idol"?
The budget's different.

And how does that affect ... ?
It's allowing me the label. ... It's a different type of level that you can be able to have more utensils to get your art across.

People who watched American Idol know you were a working musician before the show. How did your interest in music begin?
I was about, I don't know, 7 or 8, and started listening to Otis Redding and Ray Charles, and a lot of AM stuff. ... The '70s were great for AM singer-songwriters. I followed the path and luckily, you know, picked up an instrument, a guitar ... and started working my way through learning my craft - and still learning my craft.

Have you had a chance to write some new songs?
You know, I've started on some ideas, and you know, going right back out for the summer tour, it's been ... tough, you know, to get in the writing process. I'm taking some time off in the fall and gonna really try to get some good songs going.

I wanted to ask, what's on your iPod right now?
Leo Sayer, from the '80s. Some Ronnie Milsap, some Derek Trucks ... just, you know, all kinds of different people.

Going back to "American Idol," how does it feel to be a part of a cultural phenomenon like "American Idol"?
It's very interesting. I'm very blessed that I was able to get through and, you know, expose my singing ability and have it be received in the way that it has. ... It's been great. I've enjoyed it. I've enjoyed it. I've enjoyed the ride, and I'm out here trying to make the best of the music."

Do you watch the show?
I do watch it. I watched a little bit last season. I was very happy to see Jordin [Sparks] and Blake [Lewis] be in the finals, and I was happy for Jordin, who won it.

What did you think about Sanjaya [Malakar] making it to the finals for season six, despite his not being well-received by the judges?
I think. definitely. Sanjaya was a visual performer.

Did you vote for anyone from season six?
We did a few - we did some voting here and there. We voted for Blake one night and Jordin the next. We just, we kind of just, we had fun with it, just like everybody else has fun with it.

Would you say there's a camaraderie or a competition between the "Idol" winners?
I think there's a camaraderie, and a little bit of a competition, but it just depends on if you're in the same genre.

Do you keep in touch with anybody?
Yeah, I keep in touch with Elliott [Yamin] and Bucky [Covington] and Ace [Young] and Chris [Daughtry] every now and then. You know, you spend a year like that with somebody like that, and you really get to know them.

Did you actually keep track of how other "Idol" winners or other Idol performers are doing with their tours or their CDs?
You know, it was brought to my attention, but ... I'm into their person and their being friends, and not so much into their careers. They were really good friends on the show, and I'm glad to see all of them doing well.

Your book, "Heart Full of Soul," is coming out July 10.
Yes, July 10.

Can you tell me a little bit about the experience of creating the book?
It was great. I co-wrote it with David Wild, who was a Rolling Stone writer for a while. He really helped me get the thoughts across that I wanted to, about, you know, finding your own voice and staying true to who you are, and the odds, and beating the odds and having an opportunity to beat the odds.

Do you have any sort of sneak peek, a little tidbit from the book that you can share with us?
Well, somebody in the book liked to start fires.

Was that you?
Maybe.

I saw a little promotional material for the book, and I thought I saw something there about you stealing an Otis Redding album when you were about 9?
Yes.

What was the story behind that?
I guess I just - once I heard Otis, I guess I didn't want Otis to leave my side, so I kind of, you know, in a roundabout way, sideswiped the album from my friend's parents' house. I still have that album, and I think I'm gonna be able - I might return it, ... have a party and return it - Indian giver.

How did you come to listen to him to begin with?
I don't know, you know, something was going on with me, you know, around that time, and I guess ... it just clicked, you know. The Otis Redding and the Ray Charles and the Sam Cookes of the world, they just clicked with me.

What was it about them that clicked with you?
It just ... made sense. The whole, the idea of soul music just made sense.

You've been parodied on "Saturday Night Live" and by Weird Al Yankovic. Have you seen or heard these parodies, and what do you think of them?
I have, and I think they're great. They're spot on, which just makes them even ... funnier.

I heard that you've sung Weird Al's "Do I Creep You Out?" - a parody of your "Do I Make You Proud?" during sound checks. Is that true?
Yes, it was, yes, yes, yes. Well ... you gotta have fun with it.

How important is it to have a sense of humor in your business?
Oh, it's very important.

Why's that?
It just is. You know, you gotta roll with the punches.

What can the audience at The Maryland Theatre expect during your performance July 6?
I like to call it high-impact soul aerobics.

Can you give me more of a description for that? What do you mean by that?
... James Brown meets Richard Simmons.

Are you just going to be performing songs from your album "Taylor Hicks," are you going to be doing some covers of your own childhood idols, are you going to try out some new stuff?
I've got two albums independently released before "American Idol." One of them's "In Your Time" and "Under the Radar," and some of those songs will go into my performance, a couple of covers and some songs off of "Taylor Hicks."

How important is the relationship with the audience during a live performance?
The synergy has to be there. The synergy has to be there from performer and audience. So with that being said, it makes sense to have all of those things in place, with everything, the music and the audience. It definitely makes sense.

When you're looking out on the audience, what do you want to see while you're singing?
Smiles.

And dancing?
Dancing and smiles. Smiles and dancing.

So what's next for you?
Probably going to do the summer tour ... get the book going, and then probably do some creative hibernation.

Great. Taylor, thanks very much for taking the time to talk to us today. I appreciate that.
Thank you so much. Talk to you soon.

Watch video of Weird Al's Taylor Hicks' parody, "Do I Creep You Out?":


BLAKE LEWIS AOL AIM INTERVIEW


KimInMusic: blaaaaaaaake!
BlakeInaBox: hello
KimInMusic: what's happening bshorty?
BlakeInaBox: let's get it on
KimInMusic: so you're known as "shorty from bothell" back home ... how'd you get that nickname?
BlakeInaBox: Bshorty? my friend Jesse and I came up with the names for each other back in 7th grade
KimInMusic: sorta like Eminem's character "b-rabbit" in 8 mile, then?
BlakeInaBox: run rabbit run
KimInMusic: ha...ever barf in the bathroom from nerves before you perform like he did?
BlakeInaBox: no barfing
KimInMusic: good to hear
KimInMusic: so are you down with your aim name? i thought beat-boxing ... you've had some Justin Timberlake comparisons ... perfect!
BlakeInaBox: hahaha, nice
KimInMusic: a fan of Justin's? the "d in a b" video was amazing
BlakeInaBox: I'm a fan as well...laughed when i saw it
BlakeInaBox: I have done many videos on You Tube like that
BlakeInaBox: I love SNL
KimInMusic: yeah i read that one of your goals is to be on SNL ... who would be your dream host-pairing?
BlakeInaBox: Jim Carrey or Robin Williams, def. Jim though
KimInMusic: favorite jim carrey movie?
KimInMusic: (this is an important question for me as i love him too)
BlakeInaBox: The Cable Guy and Eternal Sunshine
BlakeInaBox: more cult
KimInMusic: LOVE IT ... Judd Apatow's 'Cable Guy' went under-appreciated for sure ... gonna see his new one, 'Knocked Up'?
BlakeInaBox: No time lately for movies, which is a bummer, cause I'm a big movie buff.
KimInMusic: cool ... so congratulations on getting to the finale on 'Idol' -- huge, dude!
BlakeInaBox: Thank you so much!!! Very exciting
KimInMusic: how does it feel now that it's over to ... well, what's the bright side of coming in second?
BlakeInaBox: I'm excited. Then end was bittersweet, but now it's time to move on to tour and recording my album.
KimInMusic: i'm with you ...you've said you want to make a dance/electro cd, who are some of your hereos in that genre?
BlakeInaBox: BT, DJ Dan, Hybrid, Crytal Method, Deepsky. BT is my favorite
BlakeInaBox: more breakbeat or big beat style, with elctro
KimInMusic: beatboxing is really your thing ... but you're from Seattle! ever thought about going grunge and grow your hair Kurt Cobain-style?
BlakeInaBox: Been there, done that. new and original is my direction
KimInMusic: fair enough!
KimInMusic: so some questions about the show ...Cowell ? spill. i want all the dirt. BlakeInaBox: love him. honest. shameless, tactless. my style.
KimInMusic: love that answer
KimInMusic: who was your favorite person you met during Idol?
BlakeInaBox: Chris Rich and Gina
KimInMusic: why do you think your relationship with Chris got so much attention? there's a 'Brokeback Mountain' parody of you guys on Youtube ... bother you?
BlakeInaBox: Don't bother to feed into the BS. We're friends. Don't care for made up ish
KimInMusic: and i have to ask you about Antonella ... were there sparks, fireworks, and explosions between the two of you during the show?
BlakeInaBox: there wasn't any...she's a beautiful woman though
KimInMusic: so do you like girls like her? that just put their ... uh, sexuality out there?
BlakeInaBox: I really doubt those pics were supposed to come out. and she was really torn about it. I like her because she speaks her mind.
KimInMusic: i should tell you that you're on our list of music's 25 sexiest singles... when your name came up, there was some definite swoonage
KimInMusic: <----- guiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilty
BlakeInaBox: wow I'm honored!! don't know if I deserve that. but thank you. KimInMusic: you do! fa show.
KimInMusic: do you have a celeb crush?
BlakeInaBox: Natalie Portman
BlakeInaBox: heheh
BlakeInaBox: funny, sexy, smart
KimInMusic: Natalie Portman Vendetta or Natalie Portman Garden State?
BlakeInaBox: I'm not picky. I would be quite satisfied with either.
KimInMusic: ha ...ok serious question and then we'll move on
KimInMusic: if you HAD to date Lindsay Lohan, Paris, or Britney, who would you date?
BlakeInaBox: ouch ...
KimInMusic: lol, i can't wait for this answer.
BlakeInaBox: Britney, because at one point in time, she was passionate about something.
BlakeInaBox: never Paris
KimInMusic: and La Lohan gets second place i guess?
BlakeinaBox: yeah. needs to grow up first.
KimInMusic: preach on!
KimInMusic: any interest in creating your own mens clothing line? your geek sheik style is so hot.
BlakeInaBox: why thank you...I would love to jump on that, if I ever get to that road. I'm game for anything on the creative side of the spectrum
KimInMusic: tell us about your tattoos ... you have a cherry blossom on your arm.
BlakeInaBox: 6 different tats. all symbolic to me.
KimInMusic: favorite one?
BlakeInaBox: all of them. but for now the cherry blossom, because it's the newest.
KimInMusic: cool ... what's on heavy rotation on your ipod?
BlakeInaBox: new Maroon 5, the Mob Law, Jamie Lidell, Common Market, Blue Scholars KimInMusic: are you hitting up any concerts this summer?
BlakeInaBox: just saw Keane in central park last night. Amazing!!!!!
KimInMusic: no way?! nice!
KimInMusic: i loved that you mixed it up a bit on idol with that keane song
KimInMusic: what was the first concert you ever saw?
BlakeInaBox: Superdeluxe in Seattle
KimInMusic: super awesome
BlakeInaBox: :)
KimInMusic: so your 'You Give Love' is #5 on itunes today!
BlakeInaBox: that's so sweet
BlakeInaBox: I'm so Happy about Itunes.
BlakeInaBox: All our songs are up there, and I'm glad that one is doin good
KimInMusic: Bon Jovi said he was skeptical of your version on the show ...heard from him since its success?
BlakeInaBox: the next day. The band told me they loved it.
KimInMusic: if you had won Idol, would you have tried to go with another song? or are you sprung on it too?
KimInMusic: was that the one you wanted?
BlakeInaBox: i like 'love song'
BlakeInaBox: we didn't get much time to record them, and they were recorded before we performed them live so...
KimInMusic: so you would have gone with that one? (i was psyched that you did a cure song, btw)
BlakeInaBox: I didn't get to record them exactly like i wanted, because I never know what I'm going to do to a song until game time
BlakeInaBox: thanks. Love the Cure.
KimInMusic: :) you rock...thanks for the chat! KimInMusic: any last words for your fans?
BlakeInaBox: Thank you so much for the continuous support and can't wait to see you on tour!!! KimInMusic: i'll be in the plaid pants and white glow sticks!
BlakeInaBox: Love and Happiness to you all...bye!!!

KATHARINE McPHEE AT THE BEAUTY CANDY STORE

Watch video of Katharine McPhee pushing product at the Victoria's Secret Beauty Candy Store in Manhattan:



KELLY CLARKSON SCORES NO. 2 ON UK CHARTS

She may be getting dissed in the U.S., but UK rockers know a good album when it hears one. ContactMusic.com reports that although she was beat out for the No. 1 spot by the Birmingham alt-rock group Editors' debut studio release, Kelly Clarkson scored the No. 2 album slot when "My December" dropped in England.

Top five UK albums

1 An End Has a Start –Editors (new entry)
2 My December – Kelly Clarkson (new entry)
3 Collection – Traveling Wilburys (2)
4 Icky Thump – The White Stripes (1)
5 Back to Black – Amy Winehouse (6)

And The West Australian says Kelly Clarkson's third album looks to be another big hit, debuting at number four on the charts Down Under.

FANTASIA: TMI

The Philadelphia Daily News reports that Fantasia Barrino, the "American Idol" winner now starring in "The Color Purple" on Broadway apparently wears some rather intimate jewelry. She used some down time Thursday at New York's Unimax, a tattoo- and piercing-supply company where she had the jewelry in her clitoral piercing changed. She tipped $10 for the free service and was very friendly to staff, our spy reports.

BEING BOBBY BROWN BETTER THAN BEING PAULA

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117967925.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 Variety reports that Paula Abdul couldn't parlay her fame as one of the "American Idol" judges into big ratings for Bravo reality series "Hey Paula." Its first two original half-hours kicked off with only 607,000 total viewers. That number was well off the pace for the opening episodes of such Bravo shows as "Top Design" (1.76 million), "Top Chef" (1.28 million) and "Being Bobby Brown" (1.1 million).

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Watch video of Bo Bice performing "I'm Gone" in Bessemer, Ala., with new band members Philip Shouse, Luis Espaillat and Miles McPherson. Thomas Lee still plays keyboards:


Click here to watch more videos of Bo Bice at Bessemer.

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© 2007

Lewis, One of 2007's Hottest Bachelors

Well, he didn't make the cover like Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks did last year, but Blake Lewis needn't hide his sexy head in shame. People magazine has named Lewis one of 2007's Hottest Bachelors, in their issue of the same name that hits the stands tomorrow featuring Matthew McConaughey on the cover.

The magazine's Web site says that the "American Idol" runner-up admits that, deep down, he's the sensitive type: "I'm the dozen roses kind of guy. I've done some serenading. In an intimate setting singing to a girl is beautiful."

What does Lewis look for in a woman? Independence, spontaneity, a heart of soul; someone who can take care of herself and is not too needy, is attractive ("there's got to be some chemistry"), likes to have fun and "likes cheesy white guys, like myself."

The biggest turn off? Someone who whines and complains a lot, is negative, pessimistic ("I'm very optimistic, focused and driven").

You can watch a video of the People photo shoot of Blake Lewis here.

SINGING THE SAME TUNE

Included in a USA Today article titled "They sing to their dads' tunes" was Sesaon 6 semi-finalist Sundance Head and his day, singer Roy Head.

The offspring: A 2007 American Idol Top 24 finalist, Sundance, 28, impressed judges with a performance of Bobby Blue Bland's "Stormy Monday." A blues shouter by nature, he plans to record an album of R&B duets with fellow Idol contestant Sabrina Sloan.

The springboard: Roy, 66, had a No. 2 hit in 1965 with "Treat Her Right," a horn-drenched rave-up that practically defined the notion of blue-eyed soul. A dancer who could hang with the likes of James Brown and Jackie Wilson, the elder Head also had a string of minor country hits during the '70s and early '80s and still tears it up on the oldies circuit.

How dad was instrumental: "As soon as I realized I couldn't be the showman that he was, I decided to play guitar," Sundance says. "That way, I didn't have to move. I started out using the guitar as a shield, but I ended up being pretty good at it."

On Idol, "they were giving us a song a day to learn. I called Dad and said, 'I've gone over (this song) so many times that I don't even know what it is anymore.' He said, 'You're over-studying it. If you're on stage and you forget the lyric, just make up lyrics that sound like the ones you should be singing. If you act like nothing's wrong, nobody will even notice it.' That got me through the L.A. auditions."

AYLA BROWN MOVING 'FORWARD'

In a story about Season 5 semi-finalist Ayla Brown, Billboard.com says:

She may have missed making it into the top 12 on season four of "American Idol" by one spot, but former contestant Ayla Brown has still managed to stay in the public eye over the past year. Eighteen-year-old Brown has done a number of live performances in support of her debut album, "Forward," which was released last October via Double Deal Brand Records, and she is also a prominent member of Boston College's women's basketball team.

"It's really important to me to be able to sing as well as play basketball," says the Wrentham, Mass., native. She adds that although she wasn't one of the 12 finalists on "Idol," she's pleased with how everything turned out. "At first I was devastated because I didn't know where my life, musically, would lead me. I thought, 'I'm gonna go play basketball now; there's going to be no music in my life.' I really just thought that I wasn't ready for it. But after 'Idol,' I was offered [the chance] to make a CD, and I saw that as a door opening up. Thank goodness I took it, and now I'm able to do both."

"Forward" features songs penned by Diane Warren, Tommy Sims and David Eriksen, among others. Brown co-wrote two songs, "Thanks to You" and "Falling Into You." The album's initial singles, "Know You Better" and "I Quit," were released in September, and the current single, "Forward," is at mainstream AC radio now.

"I love this song," Brown says of the title track. "Mostly because of the bridge -- it comes in with this full chorus of people. It becomes almost this gospel sound." She adds that when performing for a middle school-aged crowd, she always includes the song "Love You Better" because "guys and girls love to get up and dance to that one."

Not only does she want to get tweens out on the dance floor, Brown hopes she serves as a role model to her audience as well. "A lot of younger artists are making bad decisions with their lifestyles," she says. "I really want to be one of those people who says, you can play sports, you can sing, you can be a good student, and no one is going to punish you for it."

This summer, Brown will make a number of public appearances, some of which will feature performances by fellow Massachusetts "Idol" contestant Nick Pedro. The two recently shared the stage at the Jimmy Fund's Scooper Bowl in Boston on June 6.

While there's no set timetable on a follow-up album, Brown says she wants to contribute more as a songwriter the next time around. "At first I didn't really know what the [songwriting] process was about," she admits. "I'd always been a basketball player growing up. But through the process, through 'American Idol,' I learned so much and what you can contribute."

And here are some excerpts from an interview with Brown done last month by The Sun Chronicle:

On who will have a more successful recording career, Blake Lewis or Jordin Sparks: Probably Blake, because he can do reggae and he can do the whole beat boxing thing. I could see him doing that whole contemporary vibe sort of thing and being extremely successful with it. [Jordin] would be successful too. However, we've seen singers like her in the past.

On which Season 6 contestants should have advanced further in the competition: I was disappointed that Stephanie Edwards didn't get put into the top 12, and Sabrina Sloan. I think those two were ones that America really got wrong in the earlier competitions, and I feel like if they had gotten in it would have been a different story.

On who will likely have the most successful career out of the Top 12: I think Chris Richardson will end up being pretty successful just because all the females seem to really, really like him. He's kind of like the next Justin Timberlake ... And I don't want to say Sanjaya [Malakar], but somehow I think Sanjaya's going to come out and be really successful. People can't get enough of him.

On how long the show can remain a ratings juggernaut: Everyone that I talk to, honestly, every single person watches it and none of them seem to be sick of it, and they've been watching it since season one. Based on trends that are happening with voting, people want different (types of contestants) in the competition and that's why they're voting for Sanjaya and Blake and Taylor Hicks. So I don't know if people are rebelling or just want someone obscure and unseen. But honestly I can't see "American Idol" fading out anytime soon.

On the likelihood of Season 6 contestants releasing albums: I'm curious to see how many release albums this year. It just seems as though season five had so many talented people that had the ability to release an album because they were just popular or talented enough. (Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee have all released relatively high-profile albums since last season).

Her thoughts on her album, "Forward": I'm just so thankful to have the opportunity, and that someone saw the potential in me to make an album, because not all the people in the world get the ability to have that happen to them, so it's really a good feeling.

On what would happen if any of the "American Idol" judges changed: I think if there were judge changes, people wouldn't watch it. And because it's such a popular television show, I don't think "Idol" would take that chance.

SEASON 4 ROCKERS PLAN CD RELEASES

MTV interviewed "American Idol" vets Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis on their CDs, due for release later this year.

So much for striking while the iron's hot. Instead of rushing out an album right after his ouster from the 2005 edition of "American Idol," Constantine Maroulis has spent the past two years indulging his love of musical theater, acting in a soap opera and putting together an empire under his snarkily named Sixth Place Productions banner.

"I'm an actor, I love to host and I'm a singer. I did Broadway, and I produced my own tours and started my own label," said Maroulis, who appeared on Broadway in "The Wedding Singer" musical and is currently playing a singer on the daytime drama "The Bold and the Beautiful." "Would I trade all that work for making one successful album right off the show? I don't have that answer. I think this record is better than the one I could have made right off the show. It's more grassroots — I picked the band, financed it and co-wrote a bunch of the songs."

The album, titled "Constantine," will drop August 7 on his label, with distribution from Sony/Red. Self-proclaimed "blue-collar guy" Maroulis is confident that his fans will find it and buy enough copies to keep him on the road. "I can sell a couple hundred thousand copies and do what I love to do: play clubs," he said. "I don't need to be a huge star."

Just in case, though, he did bring in some ringers, including Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas, who co-wrote a song on the album, as well as Nashville songwriter Angie Aparo (Faith Hill's "Cry"). "It's got a distinctly rock sound, kind of an East Coast Bon Jovi/Rob Thomas vibe with great pop hooks," Maroulis said. The first single, "Everybody Loves," has been featured on "The Bold and the Beautiful" and is on iTunes now. The next single, "Girl Like You," will soon be tied to a story line on the show.

Season four's other rocker, No. 2 finisher Bo Bice, is also prepping an album for later this year: His yet-untitled sophomore release. His 2005 debut, "The Real Thing," featured assists from Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and former Evanescence member Ben Moody that were brokered by Bice's label. The longhaired Southern rocker says he called the shots this time around.

The album, which Bice is recording with noted country producer Frank Liddell (Faith Hill, Dixie Chicks), features the music hound's wish list of famed session masters. "I was throwing around ideas of the people I wanted to play on it," Bice said. "And I was like, 'Yeah, sure, these guys will play on my album. Right!' " But a few phone calls landed him Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell — who Bice met a decade ago when he delivered a package of Christmas CDs to Leavell's house — as well as Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman, legendary session guitarist Waddy Wachtel (Keith Richards, Tom Waits) and bluegrass icon David Grisman.

"It's a star-studded cast, and I'm the only one on there who's not famous," the ever-humble Bice joked. "I picked and co-wrote the songs that if I was a guy who would be spending my hard-earned money buying an album I would want to hear." That means original back-to-basics Southern rock and country-tinged singer/songwriter tunes co-written with A.J. Croce (son of 1970s singer Jim Croce) and Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats").

Bice said he wrote 31 songs for the album and is narrowing down the list to 10-12 that will make the final cut, including four songs that are currently vying to be the first single.

"I didn't have a lot to do with the first record," said Bice, who took time off in late 2006 to have another surgery to finally correct a nagging intestinal blockage that hospitalized him 15 times last year. "It was very RCA and Clive [Davis]-driven. It was an excellent album, but it was a revolving door of one guy in this week, another guy the next. This time I was here for every aspect [of it], and I'm a lot more comfortable."

Bice and Maroulis were the trailblazers for rock singers on "Idol." They paved the way for the show's latest breakout star, last season's No. 4 finisher Chris Daughtry, a fact Bice takes pride in.

"It made me proud that Chris said I was part of what inspired him to audition," said Bice. "There was never a bone in my body that thought I was going to win or make it that far. To see people progress and see more rock people on there makes me proud."

SIGHTING

"American Idol" third-place finisher Melinda Doolittle, outfitted in jeans, T-shirt and Prada bag, trying on sneakers at Niketown on E. 57th Street in Manhattan with a male sidekick, says the New York Daily News.

SHERMAN PORE VIDEO

Watch video of Season 6 "contestant" Sherman Pore singing "Eternally"


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Cowell Once Competed as Well

One of the bad things about celebrity: Your past always comes back to bite you in the ass. Today's bitee is none other than Simon Cowell, according to HollywoodScoop.com. What pompous millionaire would ever want film to surface showing him before he had it over all the rest of us? Well, probably no one, but pompous millionaire Simon Cowell wasn't that lucky. It seems that before fame and fortune, Cowell was struggling to get some face time on air and made his first TV debut in 1990, on a British daytime game show called "Sale of the Century." Cowell, 30 at the time, was aiming to win a Fiat Uno. But all he went home with was a £20 ($39) set of kitchen utensils (is that even the equivalent of getting a Golden Ticket to Hollywood?).

Unfortunately for Cowell, fellow contestant Barbara Humphreys, 54, from the West Midlands, saved her appearance of the show for posterity and recently uncovered the footage while clearing out some old boxes. "Watching the video now I remember thinking Simon was quite posh and handsome. He had a good sense of humour but I would never have put him down as a future superstar. He prattled on a lot backstage about wanting a Fiat Uno, but it obviously wasn't the height of his ambition," Humphreys said. She also mentioned that she didn’t recognize Simon because he had a lot more hair and he "obviously had his teeth done."

"He was very pleasant and said he was a record company director," Humphreys continued, "But the main thing I remember about him is he couldn't answer one of the questions. He didn't know who Saddam Hussein was, but I suppose in 1990 a lot of people would have been the same."

Now if someone would only unearth some footage of Donald Trump on "Supermarket Sweep."




FOX DISCOUNTS THE POWER DIALERS

ABC's "Good Morning America" took a look at voting practices at "America Idol" and whether the results could be rigged.

"As a democratic society, we think that anything involving voting is going to be incredibly fair," said "Good Morning America" technology contributor Becky Worley. "With technology today there are lots of ways to subvert the system."

"American Idol" tells viewers to vote by calling or sending a text message, but thousands of people have found other ways to give their favorite contestants an advantage, such as with 'phone freaking.' Basically, [with phone freaking] you download a program from the Internet. … Your computer becomes a power dialer that can make up to 1,200 phone calls a minute," Worley said. "That can shut out a lot of other people."

Jim Hellriegel runs a popular Web site [DialIdol.com] that allows users to place thousands of calls for their favorite contestants with the click of a mouse.
"It's all about driving up as many votes as you can cast in a two-hour period," the computer engineer said.

Fox says the number of people who actually cast their votes this way is so small compared to the millions who vote each week that it doesn't affect the outcome one bit.

Some say an even bigger potential problem is computer hackers. "That would be a pretty elaborate process, but if we are talking about someone who has money riding on this, say with an online gambling site, you can see the incentive," Worley said.

IDOL ARRANGEMENTS

EW.com interviewed ''Idol'' composer/arranger Michael Orland, who you've seen on "American Idol" countless times but you probably don't know it. He's the guy sitting behind the piano while the contestants rehearse with the guest mentor. As Idol's official musical composer, Orland gets to work with each contestant on their arrangements.

On contestants' schedule for deciding on a song? By the Thursday before the Tuesday of the show, they know and we work out the arrangements. Friday they work on them again and perfect them, Saturday we meet with our guest mentor for the week, Monday we rehearse with the band, and Tuesday is the show. It's a quick turnover, especially when you realize people spend months working in a studio on a single song.

On whether he regrets Coldplay-ifying "Endless Love" for Chris Sligh: We will take the blame for an arrangement but a lot of times — and it's happened a lot more this season than seasons past — contestants have had exact ideas what they wanted to do. My mother called me after ''Endless Love'' and said, ''Why did you want to do that?'' But he came in with that arrangement. That was totally his idea and when they want to do something like that we cannot stop them. That song is so beautiful that, as Diana Ross said, all you have to do is sing the melody. At one point the contestants had this need to put their stamp on everything, not realizing it was changing the integrity of the song. They're all learning now that they can sing it straight.

On whether he coached Blake Lewis to stop beatboxing every song: As long as we're not picking a song for anybody, once the choice of song is made we're all over it. We help as much as we can. That's something Blake chose to do. He decided he could give it a rest for a couple of weeks.

On why this season's contestants [LaKisha, Haley, Phil] seemed to be ignoring the advice of the guest mentor Tony Bennett: Believe me, no one wanted to come off being disrespectful. I know the kids were just blown away by him. I was a wreck playing the piano in front of him. He just happens to be a real purist with the melodies. Unfortunately, because of the way they had the clips, it made the kids look like they weren't going to listen to what he said. But we tried it his way. I worked with Haley and LaKisha that week and we tried changing it up and playing it straight. We came back to the studio on Monday and said, ''Let's try it his way.'' It just didn't work. They have to do how it feels right to them.

On whether he encourages contestants not to change songs late in the game, as Chris Sligh did with ''Every Little Thing She Does is Magic'': You know what? We did something on "Access Hollywood" with Chris with just the piano after he got voted off and he was so great. Sometimes the big band and the lights and the pressure just gets to them. When we did it I was like, ''Oh my god. Why didn't you sing it like that?''

On whether the contestants have the option to ditch the band entirely and just have a piano on stage: Absolutely. I remember when Bo Bice did an a cappella song. It was so daring. We've done stuff with just a guitar. They can request whatever they want.

On whether there are ever moments when someone just can't seem to find a song: Everyone has a struggle with different themes for different reasons. A lot of them will be great for country week [April 17]. But sometimes you struggle because you've found five songs you like. I'll make the contestants sing through each one of them. We tell them to get on the phone with their mother, father, boyfriend, girlfriend, and ask them what to sing. And when somebody is really struggling, [executive producers] Ken [Warwick] and Nigel [Lythgoe] will sit there with their laptops and play song after song after song. That's what's so special about the show. They are so hands on from the top down.

On whether he ever wants to say, "Nooo! Don't sing that!'': Of course. A contestant might pick a song and I'm cringing on the inside but you gotta let them do what they gotta do. I wish someone had told Gina [Glocksen] not to sing ''Smile'' because I think going all sentimental was what got the rocker girl voted out.That is a gorgeous song. But remember the contestants come in and go, ''Oh my god. Do you know what the judges said to me last week?'' and ''Last week I did up tempo so this week I want to sit down.'' They second guess themselves and try to figure out what the judges or the audience wants to hear.

On coping with having to work with some singers who are so far superior to others: That definitely happens every year. Bo Bice and Taylor [Hicks] and Chris Daughtry would come in every week and say, ''This is what I want to sing,'' and those are people that make it easy. They also had a great work ethic. That's what makes the difference between someone really good and really great. But yes, some people need more help than others. It makes it fun, actually.

On the judges' criticism this year: I'm shocked and appalled by some of the judges' criticism. Take Phil Stacey. I wish they had seen his dress rehearsal this [Tony Bennett] week because it was better and Phil has a tendency to doubt that what he sings is enough so he keeps adding to it, but he has got such a great voice. Then they just started slamming him. You just never know what the judges are hearing and what they're in the mood for.

HARD CORE IDOL
TMZ.com says it's official: The "American Idol" sex tape is real ... real dirty. The Web site obtained the exclusive first images of the shocking video, featuring Season 2 semi-finalist Olivia Mojica. The video, which Mojica made with her boyfriend a month ago in her New York City apartment, is set to hit shelves on May 3, courtesy of Vivid Entertainment, the adult entertainment company behind Kim Kardashian's X-rated romp. Reps for Vivid, who claim they obtained the footage through an unidentified third party, are currently trying to contact Mojica to see if she will help promote the video and share in revenue from its sale.

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Idol Style

The Detroit Free Press interviewed "American Idol" wardrobe stylist Miles Siggins about his unique perspective on this season's contestants. He's the man who helps the budding idols through the tricky process of selecting their outfits and polishing their personal style. Put another way, it's his job to make sure the kids won't be cut down by Simon Cowell for their clothing. "A lot of these contestants, they haven't had massive exposure to fashion," says Siggins, who's been with the show since the second season. In his opinion, the clothing ranks right up there in importance with the singing. "The first thing people see when (the finalists) step out onstage, they don't hear their voices, they see what they're wearing," he notes in his clipped British accent.

Sometimes, Siggins can't prevent a major fashion faux pas, like Season 3 runner-up Diana DeGarmo's tendency to favor the sparkly Miss America look. In most cases, Siggins is able to coax "Idol" hopefuls out of their comfort zones and into something with star quality, like the hot pants and halter top that gave Haley Scarnato a boost of sex appeal on the March 20 episode. "My push was to get her out of the kind of little pageantry tops she's been wearing," Siggins says. "That's what she's worn for years and years, but to me, you can see any girl in America wearing that on a Saturday night."

What about the other contestants? He's worked to get Melinda Doolittle away from suits and collars that emphasize her short neck and her tendency to shyly hunch her shoulders. "I've kind of deliberately gotten her into dresses and things with no collar, really," he says.

Beat-boxer Blake Lewis is one of the easier guys to shop with because he's confident about what he likes, according to Siggins. "It's weird. This year, the guys have been more picky than the girls, as far as clothes." The pickiest of them all is Chris Richardson. "He wants to see every single thing out there, and then he'll go back to the first thing he saw," says an amused Siggins.

Sanjaya Malakar, who's constantly picked on by critics, is having fun with his style choices. "We're trying to keep him a bit age-appropriate because he's a young guy," says Siggins. "So I don't think we're going to be seeing him in suits." And Phil Stacey, who's used to military uniforms, is slowly learning to care more about clothes. Where does Siggins stand on the hat-or-no-hat issue regarding the bald Stacey? "He's got no hair, so embrace it," he says. "I'm a big fan of embracing your traits. Enjoy what you are and enjoy the moment."

Siggins heaves a sigh when asked about Cowell's tendency to be a fashion critic. During British invasion week, Cowell even said LaKisha Jones' diamonds weren't real. They certainly were, Siggins assures. "To be honest, Simon just says things to rile people up, to try and get an argument," he explains. "He's like a spoiled little British schoolboy sometimes. "Being British, I know exactly what they're like."

FORMER IDOLS REPORT

... Season 4 runner-up Bo Bice sings the theme song to the new Will Ferrell movie "Blades of Glory." Producer Ben Stiller has been a fan of Bo’s since his Idol run and invited him to work on the song. You can listen to the tune at the official Blades of Glory Blades of Glory MySpace.com Site.

... Good news for Season 3 finalist George Huff. His single, “You Know Me,” has been nominated for a Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year. The awards will be presented on April 25, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, and will be hosted by Brian Littrell, Natalie Grant and Donnie McClurkin. The show will be broadcast in national syndication during May.

... TV Guide reports that Constantine Maroulis has been cast on the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful." Maroulis, who in the past year has been featured in the Broadway musical "The Wedding Singer" and the Off-Broadway revue "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well," will play a partly fictionalized version of himself on the show.

"We're going to blur reality à la 'Entourage' and have Constantine play a fictional version of himself," "B&B" Executive Producer Brad Bell told the magazine. Look for Maroulis to be involved in the Phoebe/Rick storyline -- he will initially join the soap as a possible music producer for Phoebe. He is shceduled to begin his appearances on the show this summer. Bell also teases that there may be other former Idols appearing on Bold and the Beautiful this summer.

... The Orlando Sentinel says that Jennifer Hudson might star in Aussie director Rowan Woods' film "Winged Creatures," playing the daughter of fellow-Oscar winner Forest Whitaker. The cast list is already star-packed, with Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley, Guy Pearce, Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Embeth Davidtz, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Josh Hutcherson. The story revolves around the witnesses to a murder-suicide in a fast-food restaurant as they cope with the aftermath of the incident and how they affect the people who help them along the way. Apparently, Hudson is busy recording her debut album (set for release on Arista in the fall) but still wants to join the cast.

SIMON TAKES SOME SHORT SHOTS

Simon Cowell is too short to flirt, or so says Britain's
"Got Talent" co-presenter Amanda Holden to the UK Web site What's on TV. Holden told the Sun that the 47-year-old falls a little short of her lofty standards. "I trust Simon's opinions but he wouldn't get anywhere flirting with me," the "Wild at Heart" star laughed. "He's only 4 feet! How can he flirt with me and be serious?"

The 35-year-old then stuck the boot in: "He wouldn't dream of being seriously flirty. Have you seen his built up shoes?" Holden, who is engaged to record executive Chris Hughes, also said she wouldn't take her daughter to work with her because of Simon's attitude to children. "I had a photo of her on my phone and Simon just said, 'You've got dogs too, haven't you? Have you got a picture of a dog?'," she revealed, adding that she had nicknamed him The Child Catcher after the villain in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Expect sparks to fly in the ITV1 show which kicks off in June.

HOLD THE CHEESE, SAYS STONE

According to Star Pulse, soul singer Joss Stone thinks "American Idol'" keeps getting more and more cheesy and is past its prime. The Brit, who was discovered on U.K. talent show "Star for a Night," admits she was a big fan of the first season of Idol, but the program no longer appeals to her.

"I think if you keep going with it, it's gonna get more and more cheesy... and that's a shame for the artists, because they just want any break." Stone also questions the credentials of the show's judges and believes they're too mean, "There's some great people there, like Randy [Jackson] ... He has every right to judge them. But the rest of them ... why are you judging these people?"

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