American Idol Season 8The Finale Results

THE WINNER OF AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 8:
KRIS ALLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Note: Click on photos to enlarge)

We have to admit, we're surprised to be saying that this was one of the most entertaining "American Idol" finale shows ever. And, perhaps, the only performance show in recent memory that came in on time. After Ryan Seacrest warned us on Tuesday to set extra time on our DVR's because the show was going to run over, it actually ran just the 2 hrs. and 7 min. it was supposed to. It speaks to the entire season. Whereas in past seasons the show rarely ran past its allotted time except for the finale, Season 8 turned out to be the anomaly right down to the very last episode.

There were very few unwanted or slow moments in the finale, and most of the musical performances were as electric and enjoyable as we had hoped. Segments we could have lived -- happily -- without, included the always stupid Golden Awards Awards (well, perhaps except for the Katrina "Bikini Girl" Derrell one) and Rod Stewart, who has no voice left but doesn't know when to say "no" to an invitation to be a train wreck perform.

Ryan tells us there were just under 100 million votes -- the most ever -- though the David-David 2008 duel garnered 97.5 million votes, so the difference this year doesn't seem overwhelming. More interesting: Billy Bush tweeted that a source high up told him that the voting, in spite of what DialIdol.com showed, was not close, while AT&T reports that about 38 million votes came from Arkansas, Kris Allen's home state. Unreal. Those people know how to back their hometown hero.

Before the opening number, Ryan brings out Adam Lambert and Kris Allen dressed in white suits. We see shots of their hometown parties, with Mikalah Gordon hosting in Conway, Ark., and Carly Smithson in San Diego. Carly says she couldn't bring it home for San Diego last year, but hopes Adam will this year. The city will be disappointed for the second year in a row. The opening number has the Top 13 all dressed in white as well to sing Pink's anthemic "So What." It is in the best cheesy "Idol" Group Song tradition, though poor Scott MacIntyre still looks like he's out of sync and lip-syncing. Gah, what's the tour going to be like with things like that?

Watch video of the Top 13 singing "So What"

Season 7 winner David Cook takes the stage to sing "Permanent" in tribute to his late brother Adam. He looks and sounds good. After he finishes, he tells Ryan, who looks slightly uncomfortable with the discussion, that the performance will go up on iTunes with all money being donated to research to end cancer. Cook tells Ryan that he's met broth Kris and Adam and that not only as both great singers, they are great guys, ending with, "I don’t know that America can get this wrong." During the past year, Cook has proved himself to be an Idol in every sense of the word and we applaud him.

Watch video of David Cook singing "Permanent"

The first moment we could have lived without arrives: the return of the Golden Idol Awards. The first award goes to Nick Mitchell/Normund Gentle who performs again. Sorry, it's not funny the fifth time. It's wasn't even funny the fourth time. Hit the fast forward button for the first time Wednesday night.




Lil Rounds joins Queen Latifah for the night's first duet, "Cue the Rain." It's not really our cup of tea, and in spite of who she's singing with, Lil still isn't being what the judges hoped all season she would turn out to be. Plus her vocals leave much to be desired. How could this woman have started the season as Idol's great female hope?

Watch video of Lil Rounds and Queen Latifah singing "Cue the Rain"

Back from commercial with Anoop Desai and Alexis Grace joining Jason Mraz to sing his hit "I'm Yours." We love this song, even if it was played about a thousand times on "Idol" this season, between the auditions and Hollywood Week. Unfortunately, Alexis, no longer dirrrty looking now that she's not competing on the show or even going on the tour, isn't sounding too good either, and Anoop certainly doesn't sound like he's at the top of his game. Are they overtired from too many rehearsals or is this just confirming that this season's crop of finalists were less than stellar with a few exceptions?

Watch video of Anoop Desai, Alexis Grace and Jason Mraz singing "I'm Yours"

When we first heard that Jason Mraz was going to be on the finale, we'd figured that he would be a natural matchup with Kris on a duet, since Kris is so often compared with him in style. So we were somewhat surprised to hear that Kris' duet would be with Keith Urban. But they fit -- and sang -- together perfectly. Their rendition of "Kiss the Girl" was one of our favorite segments of the evening. Kris seems a natural as a country star. More! More!

Watch video of Kris Allen and Keith Urban singing "Kiss the Girl"

The Top 13 girls sing "Glamorous," with painful solos by (especially) Megan Joy and Jasmine Murray. C'mon, why thehell were these two Wild Card choices? They s-u-c-k. This is all to introduce Black Eyed Peas with hot-looking Fergie to sing a censored version of "Boom Boom Pow."Watch video of Black Eyed Peas with Fergie singing "Boom Boom Pow"

Yes, yes, we know we said we hated the Golden Idol Awards, and we particularly hated "Bikini Girl" Katrina Darrell from her first smug appearance on Season 8. But having her back for the finale was worth it, if just to see Kara DioGuardi humiliate her. Sure, she was in on the joke, but it was still worth it. After they show Kara critiquing Katrina's audition and "Bikini Girl" tells Kara that *snap* "your demonstration wasn't any better," Ryan announces that Derrell has won the Best Attitude award. She bounces onstage in her bikini and new pair of knockers, courtesy of the Kellie Pickler School of Makeovers. She kisses Ryan and tells us, "And he kissed back this time." Seacrest then says to Derrell, "I was going to ask you what's new, but I think I know." Ryan asks her to take another shot at singing "Vision of Love." We hope she was intentionally singing that badly, but as she does, the curtain behind her opens and Kara begins to belt out the song. At the end, DioGuardi rips open her dress (for charity we find out later) to reveal a black bikini. Props to DioGuardi for the sketch and for the killer vocals. It's the most enjoyment she's provided all season.

Watch video of Bikini Girl Katrina Darrell face off with Kara DioGuardi

Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper team up for "Time After Time," with Allison once again proving why she was the last female left standing. Lauper mostly plays the autoharp while Iraheta handles the majority of the vocals. It was a terrific and memorable pairing. How about bringing Lauper back as a mentor?

Watch video of Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper singing "Time after Time"

Another pairing that works really well is Danny Gokey and Lionel Richie. Danny opens by singing "Hello." It's OK, but it ain't gonna make anyone forget David Cook's amazing Season 7 rendition, and why even remind them. It's isn't doing Gokey any favors. Richie comes out to join Gokey for more of Lionel's hits, ending with a fun and rousing version "All Night Long." Richie looks and sounds excellent and would also make a great mentor. It's another More! More! moment.

Watch video of Danny Gokey and Lionel Richie singing a medley of Richie songs

Next came THE singing moment of the night. Adam takes the stage to sing in a jacket with metal angel-like wings and HUGE platform shoes. Forget guyliner, he's got the whole guy makeup box on his face, complete with glittery guy shadow. Frankly, he looks fabulous. He begins to sing "Beth," but this is just a lead-in for his medley with KISS. They're decorative background as Adam breaks free and soars, almost literally bringing down the house on his last note of "Rock and Roll All Night." It leaves us breathless. The audience goes ber-serk. We wonder if Kris wins, are they gonna boo him? Yikes!

Watch video of Adam Lambert singing with KISS

Carlos Santana takes the stage for "Black Magic Woman." When the song hits the verse, Matt Giraud does the honors, later joined by the rest of the Top 13 for "Smooth." It is their best moment as a group for the night.

Watch video of the Top 13 and Santana performing "Black Magic Woman"

It's time for the last Ford commercial of the year, featuring highlights of ads from this season with Adam and Kris singing "I Will Remember You." They sound good together and hopefully will duet on tour. There's then a video of David Cook surprising Adam and Kris with the keys to their new Ford Fusions. Can we have one, too?

Watch video of Ford Commercial "I Will Remember You" and Kris Allen and Adam Lambert receiving Ford Fusions from David Cook

Michael Sarver and Megan Joy sing "Pretty Flowers" accompanied by Steve Martin on the banjo. The music is much better than the singing. He sounds OK but unimpressive, her voice is not only off key, but harsh sounding, as well. Just don't understand these two as Top 10 contestants when there were so many better than them in the Top 36.

Watch video of Megan Joy, Michael Sarver and Steve Martin singing "Pretty Flowers"

And then, the moment we coulda and shoulda lived without. The Top 13 guys sing "Do You Think I'm Sexy?" Answer (with a few exceptions): "No." This is a lead-in to guest performer Rod Stewart, who should be resting on his laurels rather than proving that his has no voice left. But, of course, if you've heard any of his standards CDs, you already knew that. He barely makes it down the stairs without falling (this is sad), then croaks his way through "Maggie May." And, oh, god, please stop trying to do dance moves. Between that and his horrid plaid tux jacket, he looks like a caricature of your drunk uncle from the worst family wedding video. He gets to the line: "You made a first-class fool out of me," and we're thinking, "Er, no, Rod, you did that to yourself," as Carrie Underwood, sitting prettily in the audience, graciously claps along to the beat. Man, Stewart actually made the Top 13 sound good. Scary.

Watch video of the Top 13 boys singing "Do You Think I'm Sexy?" and Rod Stewart singing "Maggie May"

Enough of the lowlights, it's time for another highlight, as Kris and Adam begin to sing "We Are the Champions" together, then are joined by Queen. Cool.

Watch video of Adam Lambert and Kris Allen singing "We Are the Champions" with Queen

Finally, it's the moment of truth. For the last time this season, Ryan calls for the lights to be dimmed. We're sure the majority of people watching thought that Adam had it in the bag, so we can't even imagine their shock when Ryan said "Kris Allen." Kris was so stunned, he started laughing, then told Ryan, "It feels good man, but Adam deserves this." Ha! No Idol ever said that before.

Must've really pissed off Simon, who was seen in one shot looking like he was really stewing over the call. He was rudely petulant, not even standing with the other three judges to applaud the newest Idol. Oh, well, Simon. There's always next year.

Watch video of Kris Allen winning American Idol

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© 2009

American Idol Season 8Breaking News on Finale Guests

Let us be the first to give you the scoop on some of the big names appearing on the Season 8 finale.

New: Jason Mraz announced on his official Web site that he'll be performing Wednesday night.

Confirmed: Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban and David Cook are among the artists scheduled to perform on Wednesday’s finale. Carrie Underwood will perform Tuesday night.

Rumors: David Bowie will duet with Adam Lambert, Keith Urban (not Jason Mraz???) with Kris Allen, Cyndi Lauper with Allison Iraheta; KISS will perform; and, typically, the producers are attempting to get as many former Idol winners on the finale as possible. How about Fantasia? She was the only former winner not to appear all season.

And on her weekly appearance on Phoenix's KISS John Jay and Rich radio show, Paula Abdul revealed that Allen and Lambert will sing three songs each on Tuesday. One will be Simon Fuller's pick (instead of Clive Davis, who chose last year); another will be a contestant's choice song, which can be either new or something they've previously sung this season; and the third will be the coronation song, possibly written by Kara DioGuardi. One thing Abdul wouldn't confirm was whether she'd return to the series next season.

Meanwhile, Chris Daughtry told TMZ that he's rooting for Team Kris Allen. Go figure.

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© 2009

David Cook's Brother Succumbs to Cancer. R.I.P. Adam Cook

David Cook, after completing a 5K in the Race for Hope in Washington D.C., announced today that his brother Adam succumbed to cancer. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Cook family. We hope that time will help to ease their pain.

A video of his announcement follows:



You can still donate to the Race for Hope in David's name here. Let's eradicate this horrible disease in our lifetime.

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© 2009

Yep, They're OverDavid Cook Solo Again

In Touch Weekly says it has confirmed that the once "fairy-tale romance" of American Idol "stars" Kimberly Caldwell and David Cook is kaput. A rep for Kimberly confirms, "Kimberly and David ended their relationship just before the holidays. The couple remain good friends and being very private people, appreciate their privacy at this time."

OMG, "appreciate their privacy at this time"? Did somebody die? We're talking about a 7-month dating relationship. Get over yourselves. Besides, David's already filled the hole in his heart with his new Scottie pup, Dublin.

Anyway, judging from the recent photo above courtesy of TMZ, David is balling instead of bawling.

GINA GLOCKSEN, MARRIED AND RECORDING



On New Year's Eve, season six finalist Gina Glocksen married her longtime beau, Joe Ruzicka. In attendance as bridesmaids were co-contestants Jordin Sparks and Haley Scarnato. Glocksen, 24, wore an ivory and silver strapless mermaid-style Melissa Sweet dress purchased from Priscilla of Boston. She wore her hair down and accessorized with a veil she borrowed from the niece of "Idol's" piano player. The eight bridesmaids wore strapless, champagne, knee-length dresses, also from Priscilla of Boston, and carried small bouquets of burgundy roses. Ruzicka, 32, and his groomsmen wore gray morning suits with ascots.

The NVHS String Quartet performed the music at the ceremony. Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” was the accompaniment as the bridal party walked down the aisle, followed by "With or Without You" by U2 as Glocksen was escorted by both her mother and father.

Sparks blogged about the wedding on her MySpace site:

"But as the church doors opened, and she was standing there staring at the man she loved, I couldn't help but cry. The sparkle that was in her eye was undeniable. She never took her eyes off him. Not once. That in itself was amazing. And the fact that these two phenomenal people found each other...was breathtaking.

After a couple tears, some wedding photos, and numb feet, we were off to the reception. And that's where the party started. Actually, no, it started on the bus. THAT'S where it started. Anyway, it was beautiful. Tons of friends and family, great dinner, and "clinking of glasses". But, you know Gina, she likes things different, instead of 'clinking', the whole table had to stand up and sing a love song! You guys know how that went. Lots of singing. I sang Gina and Joe's first dance. No pressure right!?! I sang a version of I Wanna Hold Your Hand, and they were in their own little world. Gliding across the floor like they were the only ones there. And to them, they were. Gina danced with her father to My Girl, sang by Jay and Sharlotte (one of the backrounds on AI). Then Gina got up and sang I Hope You Dance for Joe and his mom. I cried...again. I missed hearing her sing.

After dinner, some toasts, and a very entertaining slideshow. The wedding was over and the New Years party started. It was a blast! Joe's band Then Again played. Everyone was on the dance floor within seconds! It continued like that until it was time to countdown. Then...BAM!!!! It was 2009."

Meanwhile, Glocksen talks about her new single, "My List of Regrets," on her Web site. About the song's title, she says:

"No, not literally a list of my regrets. . . it's my NEW SONG! I am so excited about this one. I think you are really going to be blown away and maybe even a little bit surprised by it. It started out as a goofy little keyboard lick, but my AMAZING producer (Adam) turned it into a heart-pounding mesh of rock and techno. Can I give you one bit of advice? Turn it up because you have to listen to this one LOUD!

I'm planning on releasing 'List of Regrets' as my FIRST SINGLE on itunes within the month. If you haven't signed up on my email list, please do so I can send you word when it is available. If you like the song please spread the love and tell your friends to check it out. That's all for now. Hope you LOVE IT!"

You can listen to "List of Regrets" here.

KELLIE PICKLER, BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Elsewhere on New Year's Eve, Kellie Pickler rung in 2009 with Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark as a roving crowd reporter on ABC's "New Year's Rockin' Eve." Pickler did an admirable job and earns props for sticking it out in Times Square's strong winds and frigid temperature, which dropped down into the teens that evening.

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© 2009

Are David Cook and Kimberly Caldwell Kaput?

Star Magazine reports that just weeks after David Cook checked out a $54,000 engagement ring for Kimberly Caldwell, she's been caught in a clinch with a handsome bar manager.

Caldwell, who finished seventh on the second season of Idol, shocked eyewitnesses when she flirted, danced, drank and made out with Ryan Der at L.A.'s trendy ONE Sunset on Dec. 29.

"Everyone could see she was really letting loose," an insider tells Star. "She and Ryan were laughing together as they threw back beers and vodka cocktails."

Before long, says the insider, Caldwell and Der, a tall hunk with a shaved head, were "grinding on the dance floor. They started playfully kissing, but that quickly led to long lip locks until they were full-on making out."

FANTASIA DOESN'T LOSE N.C HOME


According to EOnline one of the North Carolina homes of Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino has been saved from the auction block thanks to an eleventh-hour deal hammered out between her camp and the lending company that advanced Barrino some cash to pay taxes in 2006. The details of the arrangement were not disclosed.

The $1.1 million home in the Charlotte area had been scheduled to hit the auction block today, to be sold by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office in order to compensate Broward Energy Partners for the $68,000 loan.

Barrino cut a check for $10,000 at one point, but Broward sued for the rest in January 2008 after no further payments were received.

NEW KELLY CLARKSON SINGLE DROPS FRIDAY

Grammy Award-winning American Idol Kelly Clarkson is set to release her fourth album, "All I Ever Wanted," a follow up to 2007's "My December," on March 17 on RCA.

The first single from the CD, "My Life Would Suck Without You," a return to rock-tinged pop for Clarkson, hits Amazon.com's MP3 store on Friday.

Here's a snippet sample of the song:



And here's an interview Kelly did with the BBC:

Part1


Part 2


DAVID COOK INTRODUCES NEW FAMILY MEMBER

David Cook released another video blog in which he told fans that his band will begin a tour of U.S. college towns beginning in mid-February. He also showed off his platinum record for "The Time of My Life." But we liked his last announcement best. How can you not love this guy?



Watch Cook on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" tomorrow night.



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© 2009

David Cook: I'm Still a Goober From the Midwest

Well, that's what the most recent Idol winner told People magazine.

DAVID COOK says his life now isn't too different than it was before winning American Idol.

"I think in one sense everything's changed but in another sense nothing has," said Cook. "There's all these different things around me that I didn't have a year ago. I was able to furnish a home and get a nice car and be able to treat my family to some of the things that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to do."

But, said the singer, 25, "I'm still a goober from the Midwest. Now I've just got a few more resources. I don't feel like the show changed me at all."

Cook spoke with People after recording a performance video with his band for Walmart's Soundcheck, which can be viewed online and in Walmart stores when his eponymous CD releases on Nov. 18.

The singer describes his music as "eclectic rock" with some songs featuring lots of riffs and others that are "very piano driven and delicate."

"I got to show some different aspects of who I am as a person," he says about the upcoming album.

Watch Cook's video for "Light On," his disappointing first single from his first (and hopefully not last) post-Idol CD:


DIANA DEGARMO STALKER GOES TO TRIAL ... AGAIN

According to The International Business Times,
TANYA MAREE QUATTROCCHI, 22, was sent to trial on the charge of having sent emails to DIANA DEGARMO 's friends, family, contacts and work colleagues about the singer's sex life.

Police arrested Quattrocchi in April after they obtained her PC and cell phone.

Quattrocchi pleaded not guilty to four counts of persecuting DeGarmo between November 2007 and January 2008.

Quattrocchi is fanatical about the 20-year-old Tennessee singer, said The Melbourne Magistrates' Court today, while they listened to her speaking.

DeGarmo said Quattrocchi called her almost every night, sent messages on her MySpace account pretending to be her, including naughty emails.

"I have moved twice and she still finds me. I cannot have any private or professional life without her infiltrating it," said DeGarmo in a statement.

"No matter what I do I cannot get away from her. She is still to this day stealing my online identity and harassing my friends, family and myself," DeGarmo said.

Quattrocchi supposedly sent emails stating the singer wanted to have sex with her brother and was a lesbian.

In an email to a male work colleague of DeGarmo's, Quattrocchi allegedly wrote: "She said she would love to f--- you . . . hard. And a lot."

"Diana is a lesbian whore. I don't want her small hands touching me. I love guys and have sex with them," Quattrocchi wrote to the singer's sister-in-law.

According to a May 2007 article in Australia's Herald Sun the then 21-year-old Melbourne stalker was released on a community-based order to serve 150 hours of community service after she was convicted of stalking and blackmail of Degarmo in 2007. In that case,
Quattrocchi was accused of phoning DeGarmo 369 times and sending her 570 text messages between March and June of 2006.

One text message read: "I could kill you before you could even lay a finger on me.

"I know I'm out of line here, but I don't give a f---.

"How badly do you want to kill me right now? Bring it on bitch."

In that case, Judge Lisa Hannan said Quattrocchi had spiralled out of control and only stopped harassing DeGarmo when she was caught by police.

"It must have been quite terrifying for the victim," Judge Hannan said.

"Her life was invaded by you and her rightful sense of security stolen from her."

Prosecutor George Slim told the court Quattrocchi hacked into DeGarmo's MySpace page and pretended to be her in emails she sent to the singer's family and friends.

She also used DeGarmo's credit card to subscribe to pornographic Web sites.

Shortly before her arrest in June 2006, Quattrocchi demanded $15,000 from DeGarmo and threatened to release the singer's newly recorded songs if she didn't get the money.

Quattrocchi, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was remorseful for the anguish she had caused DeGarmo.

In sentencing Quattrocchi to 18 months community service in the 2007 case, Judge Hannan acknowledged her poor intellectual and social skills, and said she had good prospects for rehabilitation. [Yeah, right. LOLZ] Just six months later, she allegedly began harassing DeGarmo again. She was arrested in April 2008 when police seized her computer and mobile phones.

Yet after all that, Quattrocchi was recently released on bail under the condition she not use any computer or device that allows Internet or email access, and not communicate in any way with DeGarmo. [Uh-huh, we're sure that'll work, too]

She was ordered to appear in the County Court in January 2009.

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© 2008

Listen to David Cook's New Single!

AOL.com has released David Cook's first new post-Idol single one day early by popular demand. It's called "Light On" and you can listen to it here. It goes on sale on iTunes on Sept. 30.

Here are the lyrics:

LIGHT ON

Never really said too much
Afraid it wouldn’t be enough
Just try to keep my spirits up
When there’s no point in grieving
Doesn’t matter anyway
Words could never make me stay
Words will never take my place
When you know I’m leaving

Try to leave a light on when I’m gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I’m gone
Even in the daylight, shine on

Love it? Hate it? Tell us what you think by commenting. BTW, we hate the new look, guyliner and all, and what's with that serious look. This guy's got a gorgeous smile. But this is the picture posted on the AOL site with "Light On." After meeting and chatting with him twice since Idol ended, we know Cook is much better looking in person, especially without the makeup.

Cook's album drops in 55 days. For more David Cook news and updates, go to his official Web site.

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© 2008

The Final MAVID Video

One of the best and funniest things to come out of Idol EVAH! Thank you Kristen from MAVID fans worldwide:



AMERICAN IDOL REWIND RETURNS THIS WEEK

If you missed Seasons 3 or 4 of Idol, this is your chance to see why Fantasia and Carrie Underwood won their titles. The syndicated series returns this week with a double dose of Idol, highlighting both Seasons 3 and 4. The produces says there will be all-new highlights, exclusive audition footage and all-new interviews with over 40 contestants from both seasons. On the season premiere, viewers get a high-speed tour of the season to come, a look back at all the contestants who made it through to Hollywood, those who made it through to the Top 12, and those who failed spectacularly, catching up with Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, Bo Bice, Jennifer Hudson and many others.

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© 2008

Listen to the First Idol 7 Releases and a New MAVID Video

No, we don't have them, but we know who does. David Archuleta has officially dropped the first single from this year's group of finalists. We confirmed it with his dad, Jeff Archuleta when we met him at the Idols Tour Monday night. Z-100 played it first this past Friday. It's a OneRepublic-ish type tune called "Crush," and we think he's going to score nicely with it. You can find it here (listen or DL).

Kristy Lee Cook's first single is *no surprise* a country tune called "15 Minutes of Shame," and we predict she will do well with it. It's almost as good as Kellie Pickler's first, "Red High Heels," and has the same theme -- getting back at a cheating boyfriend. What Kellie has that Kristy doesn't is a massively infectious personality. Still, you can never really predict the public on these things. At the very least, we think Kristy Lee will have modest hit. You can find her song here (listen) or here (DL).

And here's a new release from Season 6 finalist LaKisha Jones called "So Glad I'm Here." You can find it here (listen) and here (DL)

Watch David Cook and Michael Johns getting *ahem* up close and personal in a Titanic pose during the closing number at last night's second show at the Nassau Coliseum in NY:



And here is a hilarious video chronicling different MAVID dances throughout the current Idol tour (note the night we were there, we got punked with nuttin') ...



Enjoy and let us know what you think about any of these by commenting.

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© 2008

Idols on Tour and in Person

Well, we thought we wouldn't be updating this blog again until January when Season 8 debuts, but we attended our first Idols Live Tour and post-show Meet and Greet, where we met all the finalists except Chikezie Eze, who didn't attend.

The show was a mixed bag. David Cook wanted it to be a rock show, but it wasn't. When someone else from our group got up during Jason Castro's set to go to the bathroom, we told her, "Good choice."

The show ran in the order of contestant elimination, with each of the Top 10 doing a three-song set, except David Archuleta who got four songs and Cook who sang five. Chikezie opened, was very personable and better than expected. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand, that is until Ramiele Malubay followed and almost literally sucked the air right out of the room. Her set was a disaster. Could this be the same little girl who blew us away with "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" on the first week of the AI semis? Thank god Michael Johns was up next. He had everyone going IN-SANE with his Queen set. He got a huge ovation and lotsa love from the mostly female house. At the M&G, he probably had nearly as many people in line to see him as David Cook. Kristy Lee Cook? Much better than on AI. We could have lived without the gratuitous repeat of "God Bless the USA," the anthem that saved her ass on Idol, but loved her opening number. Carly Smithson and Brooke White deserved and received nice receptions. Jason Castro, well, sorry, we weren't impressed and again wondered why he and Syesha Mercado were in those prized fourth and third positions, when it became abundantly clear by their performances that it should have been Michael finishing third, followed by either Carly or Brooke.

Our ears are still buzzing from all the shrieking the 8-year-olds did when David Archuleta took the stage. He was more poised than on AI (saying the same patter at each concert seems to make him a more confident public speaker, though in person at the M&G he was just as giggly as we've come to expect). And though we're not really an Archuleta fan, his set was OK. Our favorite number of his was OneRepublic's "Apologize." As we expected, at the M&G we spotted daddy Jeff Archuleta lurking nearby and asked if we could take a photo with him. After a bit a hesitation, he graciously agreed. That's one for our digital scrapbook, LOL!

The house, of course, went crazy when David Cook took the stage, and he didn't disappoint, performing "Hello," "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," "The Time of My Life," "My Hero" (performed in tribute to his brother Adam) and "Billie Jean." He had the crowd screaming and on their feet by the closing number, a group repeat of Rhianna's "Please Don't Stop the Music," the number the remaining finalists performed on "Idol Gives Back" with the "So You Think You Can Dance" dancers. It was a satisfying ending to the show.

Some Meet & Greet notes: Not that it matters to you guys, but David Cook remembered us from our previous meeting in May. He's remained as nice and down-to-earth as he was then. He not only signed for anyone who asked, but carried on differently -- making funny poses, faces, etc. -- with each fan when he took photos with them. He's a real crowd-pleaser whose mom really brought him up right!

Carly and Brooke's husbands both attended the M&G. Brooke's husband is a handsome hottie who totally mingled with the fans, while Brooke was as sweet as a homemade apple pie and loved posing with the kids. Cute couple. Carly was much smaller and prettier than she appeared on TV and has a beautiful smile. Her illustrated man mostly stayed in the background, but you couldn't miss ID'ing him if you saw him. Jeff Archuleta also stayed on the sidelines, but his ubiquitous white cap gave him away. For someone who generated so much (bad) publicity while AI was running, we were surprised to find he is even shorter than his young son and was also a bit shy (or was that cautious?) when approached.

Michael Johns is a tall, handsome cut-up, joking around with his fans and even got on a friend's cell phone when requested and talked to her daughter. Jason was Jason, that is laid back and friendly, as were Ramiele and Kristy. They were a trio of nice, good-looking kids who fled the M&G earlier than the rest of the finalists after running out of fans interested in meeting them. Syesha? Well, some felt she was nice, others not-so-much, with one friend swearing that her "girls," which were well-displayed during her set, were hard-as-rock and obviously not real. She is a looker, though.

Our camera was acting balky, but we've posted a few photos from the M&G. We'll post more when our friends e-mail the ones they've taken.

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