American Idol Top 3 Results Show

See our prediction on who will win American Idol featured on AOL Television. We are on Page 11 of 12.

Eliminated: Syesha Mercado

Next week, David Cook and David Archuleta face off in the finale.

Watch video of the elimination of Syesha Mercado:


Even though we saw 59 minutes more than we needed to in order to learn the only thing we cared about -- who had made it into the finale -- at least most of those minutes were dedicated to the Top 3 finalists and not lame fluff such as the viewer call-in Q&A. Even the one entertainment act, Fantasia, was a former Idol. So it was pretty much an all in the family night. And, much to our surprise, we have to congratulate The Evil Puppeteer and Co. for finally getting a results show right. Wednesday night was all about congratulations and celebrations instead of humiliation. No twin silver stools. Everyone on the couch all evening unless they were being reviewed and being paid tribute to.

At first we wondered why the producers were showing everyone's journey video Wednesday night, even if they weren't leaving. Then we realized that the runner-up, the contestant who should be lauded as much as the winner, never gets anything at the finale, other than the opportunity to congratulate the winner. There is no runner-up journey video -- ever -- until this season, which corrects a serious flaw from former years.

The show opened with the Top 3 performing "Ain't No Stopping Us Now." Vocally it sounded fine. But as in former weeks, the choreography was amateurish and looked worse than a high school musical. Why can't these singers be left to just sing? Do we have to pretend they can dance even if they can't? They just end up looking foolish walking detetminedly back and forth, and up and down the stage, trying to simulate a "routine." Following the commercial break this week's "Idol" Ford commercial featured the Top 3 singing "Heaven" and imagining themselves as superstars. At the end, an amusement park fortune-telling vending machine a la the Zoltan machine in the film "Big," dispenses three keys to Ford vehicles instead of cards with their fortunes. For Cook and Archuleta that will become a reality next week when both are gifted with new Ford Mustangs during the finale.

Watch video of Top 3 singing "Ain't No Stopping Us Now":


Watch video of the making of Ford commercial, "Heaven":


Watch video of Ford commercial, "Heaven":


Ryan Seacrest "revealed" that in the closest contest of any Idol season (though we're sure the Season 5 Top 3 contest between Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin was even tighter), America had cast 56 million votes on Tuesday night, then recapped the performances from the night before.

Next, he introduced Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino, who, sporting orange-pink humongously ugly hair, performed her latest release, "Bore Me." Well, she certainly bored us. What has happened to the Fantasia we once loved? We hate the music she has released since winning "Idol," including this number. However, during the performance, the camera panned to Simon Cowell, who had the most incredulous "What the fuck?" look on his face. It was priceless and worth sitting through Fantasia's dreck just to see that.

Watch video of Fantasia Barrino performing "Bore Me":


The remainder of the evening was dedicated to the videos of each contestant's hometown visit followed by the journey video of each. Up first was David Archuleta. Was this an omen that he would be booted Wednesday night? Unfortunately, no. Watching David's video, we realized that we had been unfair to him. He doesn't giggle all the time. He sometimes talks. And when he does, all he says is "gosh." That's pretty much it -- gosh. Watching him with David Cook next week is going to be like watching Wally and The Beaver. Can't wait to see how many times Archuleta says "gosh" then. Pray he doesn't win. If he does, he'll certainly have a gosh gush.

Anyway, he goshed his way through his hometown of Murray, Utah, from the cheerleaders to the number of people who turned out ("Gosh, where did they park?"). And, of course, he cried. But, then, so did Sysesha and David Cook during their hometowm jaunts.

Watch video of David Archuleta's hometown visit and journey:


Syesha went home to Florida, first to Sarasota, then to Bradenton. Highlights of her visit included someone handing her a baby as if she were a politician, a visit to her high school and a helicopter ride. Normally very self-controlled, we were surprised to see how emotional Syesha became when she had some private moments (if you can call being filmed for TV in a limousine or a helicopter private moments).

Watch video of Syesha Mercado's hometown visit and journey:


Finally, it was David Cook's turn. He went home to Blue Springs and Kansas City, Mo., where he performed a mini concert, appeared on radio, dropped in on his elementary school music teacher to thank her and give her a bouquet of flowers, and threw out the first pitch at a Kansas City Royals game. He, too, was overcome by it all and teared up. He was accompanied during the parade, as well as onstage Wednesday night on the live show, by his younger brother, Andrew (his older brother, Adam, was also at the hometown celebration, but couldn't attend all the festivities because of his illness). Cook never intended to audition for "Idol." He headed to Omaha with Andrew to offer moral support to his younger sibling. Who can say where the road goes, where the day flows, only time.

Watch video of David Cook's hometown visit and journey:


Finally it was time for the results. Instead of the normally torturous routine, Seacrest simply announced the two finalists moving on to the finale. It was clean, it was short and as painless as it could have been for Syesha, who be joining the Davids at the results show next week, but no longer as a contender.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2008

American Idol:The Top 12 Results Show

Bottom Three:
Syesha Mercado ("Got to Get You Into My Life")
Kristy Lee Cook ("Eight Days a Week")
David Hernandez ("I Saw Her Standing There")



Eliminated:
David Hernandez






Watch video of the David Hernandez elimination:


Also on the elimination show, the Top 12 medley tribute to Lennon-McCartney songs.

Watch video of the Top 12 Lennon-McCartney medley:


There was a way overdone plug from Jim Carrey for Fox's "Horton Hears a Who." It began with Carrey in the audience dressed in an elephant suit and continued throughout the show, including him sitting on the bleachers with the 12 finalists regretting that he had "done the REO Speedwagon thing." *ugh* It's bad enough we have to sit through these hyper-extended results shows because Fox has no programming due to the writers' strike and "Idol's" producers are too greedy to refuse every dollar or minute of airtime they can grab. But how many of these unfunny Fox cross-promotional pieces of crap of we going to have to watch before the season finale in May?

This week's Ford commercial was done to the song "The Distance," and featured a political campaign scenario. After all, for the first time in years, the presidential race is the hottest thing other than "Idol."

Watch video of the Top 12 Ford commercial set to "The Distance":


There was the totally useless and stupid home-viewer question segment, where Ryan Seacrest selects from a group of prescreened viewers who get to ask their queries *live* on the air. Who cares? Not us. Just another piece of fluff filler. Dumb questions: To Jason Castro, "If Jason could be any 'American Idol' judge, which would he want to be?" Dumb answers, Jason in stoner mode sounding like Goofy, "g-ha, g-ha, that's kinda a hard one, um, but, I think ... maybe I'm the most unlike Paula, I guess, because she's a girl ... maybe wear some of like Randy's shoes with a nice V-neck like Simon. I dunno." Oh, puleeeeze! On their Web site, The Vote for the Worst folks are encouraging their followers to try to get on as a plant. Now, at least that would be entertaining.

Watch video of the viewer question-and-answer segment:


After being ignored all last year by the series that thrust her into our faces, Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee returned as a guest performer. In keeping with the Lennon-McCartney theme, she sang "Something," accompanied on piano by her musical pimp David Foster, who was already drooling over her during Season 5. If we were Kat Pee's fiance we'd check out what was going on between those two. We already know Kat Pee prefers older men, and Foster is even older than her fiance. Plus, they shared some interesting glances and smiles as she sang. Foster plugged his appearances on "Access Hollywood" (apparently plugs are the only reason anyone shows up on "Idol" these days), where he says he will "fine tune" Simon's opinions. Uh-huh. We saw your expertise when you were a judge on "Celebrity Duets," David, and weren't impressed. So feh. Foster also told us that he and Kat Pee are *surprise* working on an album together, and he declared her magnificent. Frankly, she sang better during Season 5. Kat Pee's performance Wednesday night made Ramiele's Tuesday night gig look exciting. Talk about a B-O-R-I-N-G and emotionless version of the George Harrison song!

Watch video of Katherine McPhee singing "Something" accompanied by David Foster:


And Ruben Studdard got yet another chance to prove why he won Season 2 with Season 7's new exit sing, a cover of Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home," which was played as the video montage of David Hernandez's "journey" was shown. Personally, we preferred the Graham Colton exit song,"Best Days," that was used during the semifinal eliminations.

Finally, Ryan Seacrest told us that due to all the phone calls and text messages the producers received, the contestants will again sing selections from the Lennon-McCartney songbook next week. Do they really expect us to swallow that as the reason we're sitting through Lennon-McCartney again? Not that we don't love The Beatles' songs -- we own every album they ever made -- but the producers must have paid a fortune to Sony for the rights and are either getting their money's worth out of it or fulfilling some contractual agreement. It had nothing to do with us, folks. Of that we're sure. Hopefully, Kristy Lee Cook will find a new way to butcher Lennon-McCartney and finally leave our lives. After all, too many Cooks have spoiled the "Idol" broth. David's the only one we need!

And, in case you missed it, watch video of Danny Noriega on "Ellen":

Kelly Clarkson Apologizes to Clive Davis

Even though her CD has dropped out of the Top 10, Kelly Clarkson is staying in the news because of the apology she proffered to Clive Davis on her Web site (a step that Simon Cowell recently advised her to take in the press):

In a posting of her Web site, Clarkson writes, "A lot has been made in the press about my relationship with Clive. Much of this has been blown way out of proportion and taken out of context.

"Contrary to recent characterizations in the press, I'm well aware that Clive is one of the great record men of all time. He has been a key advisor and has been an important force in my success to date. He has also given me respect by releasing my new album when he was not obligated to do so.

"I really regret how this has turned out and I apologize to those whom I have done disservice. I would never intentionally hurt anyone."

KELLIE PICKLER LOVES SPEED

... As in driving fast, or so she told Newsweek in an interview they recently conducted with her. Kellie Pickler also told the 'zine that she'd love to fill the empty host chair on "The View." Read on:

You sound like you're outside.
I'm doing a show in Wisconsin, opening up for Reba [McEntire], so, yay! I'm lying on the bunk of my tour bus right now.

Do you ever drive the bus?
They won't let me for some reason. I don't know why.

Well, do you have a license?
Yeah! I'm a good driver. I wanted to be a NASCAR driver. I love driving fast.

What's the fastest you've ever driven?
I once got pulled over going 95 in a 35. Let me tell you, I cried my way out of that ticket. But it was real dangerous, I shouldn't have done that. It was early in the morning and I was driving to school. We had this weird tardy thing. If you're tardy three days to class, you'd get suspension.

You were great as a guest host on "The View." I think they should offer you one of the open seats.
Omigod. I'd so do it. I've got an opinion about everything. They film two shows in the same day. So I'd tour during the weekends.

Maybe Barbara Walters will be reading this.
I know! I've been waiting for them to call. Every time I've done the show, everyone tries to create all this animosity, and there's really none. They've all been really nice to me.

Except for Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Actually, she's the nicest. Some people tend to forget it's called "The View," so everyone's got to have their own point of view. It's not called "The Facts."

Are you and Carrie Underwood friends?
We went to the "Idol" concert together. It was nice to have a girls' night out.

How was Sanjaya?
It was kind of weird. The music, the mix, was so loud I could hardly understand what anybody was singing. I think they were having some technical problems. Everybody sounded great, but Carrie and I both had a hard time listening.

Have you seen "Hey, Paula?"
What's that?

Paula Abdul's reality show.
She has a reality show?! I don't watch TV ever. If I do watch TV, it's either Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel. Have you seen "Planet Earth"? It's amazing. It's up close and personal with different things on the earth, like animals, plants and trees. Stuff we don't know that's out there.
Sounds like school.
It does. But it's not.

Do you know Kelly Clarkson?
No. I haven't met her. She was at CMA's because she sang a duet with Reba, but I didn't get to meet her there. Everybody was rushing all over the place. I hope to meet her soon. Every time we're at the same place, it's like we're dodging each other. I was at the NASCAR race a few months ago, and she was performing the day after. Each time, we're in the same area but we never meet.

Have you heard the new album?
I haven't heard it, no.

You should get it.
Yeah. I will if I ever get to the store. I live on the bus.

Don't you have iTunes?
Yeah, but I'm so stupid I don't know how to do it. I'm an electronic illiterate.

So you don't have an iPod?
I do. But there are no songs on it anymore. My friend downloaded one of my CDs, "Dolly Parton's Greatest Hits," but I accidentally deleted them all. I bought one of those new iPhones, but I don't know how to work it.

How did you meet your boyfriend?
Jordin? I'm, like, which one?

Ooh. You have more than one?
Jordin [Tootoo, a NHL player for the Nashville Predators] and I are actually neighbors. It's really funny. I didn't know anything about hockey. He's never even heard of "American Idol." This lady that works at the complex I live in says there's a guy named Jordin who wants to meet you. I'm like, "Ok, I guess." He leaves her two tickets for a game to give me. I'm like, "Lisa, you're going with me." I don't know what the guy looks like. I've never been to a hockey game. All I know is that his name is Jordin Tootoo. So I go to the game, every time a new player comes on ice, I'm looking for player 22. All of a sudden, this guy comes out on the ice, rips his clothes off, throws the guy on the ice, punches the crap out of the guy. I'm like, this hockey game is turning into a boxing match! Lisa is like, "That's Jordin." I'm like, I have to go out with this monster? Afterward, we went to dinner. There were knots on his forehead, his knuckles were all bloody. Great first impression. But he kicked the dude's butt. So at least I feel protected. One thing led to another and now we're a little item, I guess you could say.

How long have you been dating?
Since January. But we've never had an official boyfriend-girlfriend day. It just kind of blossomed. I don't know what day we committed to each other.

KELLY CLARKSON, NIGHT WRITER

According to Star Pulse, Kelly Clarkson struggles with insomnia - because her songs keep her awake at night. The singer admits many of her lyrics and hits come to her as she's trying to get to sleep and has to write them down or record them on the spot.

She says, "The moment a song comes to me, I have to get it out. That's why I have a hard time sleeping, because a lot of those times are at night."

KATHARINE McPHEE RAW

Watch video of Katharine McPhee's photo shoot for Vegas magazine at Raw Vegas. The Season 5 "Idol" runner-up dishes on how she fell in love with her "Vegas" show-stopper, showgirl cover look, and offers viewers a tasty treat -- a few bars of one of her favorite tracks.

PETER NOONE: PREFERS MAGGOTS TO IDOL

Well, it's a sure bet that Peter Noone won't be invited back to mentor on "American Idol." According to Contact Music, the lead singer of the '60s group Herman's Hermits, who mentored the guys during British Invasion week during Season 6, now admits he hates the idea of hopefuls appearing on such a big show before they've made it. Noone says, "If I were a young performer today, I'd take the bowl of maggots if people said, 'Do you want to be a contestant on American Idol or eat a bowl of maggots?' I'd say give me the bowl because I can get through that quick. I think it's probably much better to play in bars and then play the next-best bar than start on such a huge stage. If people are going to hate you, they may as well hate you in a small room."

PRODUCER NIGEL LYTHGOE: WE MADE MISTAKES

EW reports that at the Television Critics Association summer press tour,
"American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe said that last season "Idol" suffered by focusing more on famous mentors than on contestants -- and says the show can learn from "So You Think You Can Dance."

Lythgoe, the executive producer of both shows who also serves as a sharp-tongued judge on "Dance," said we should all expect some changes on "Idol" next season. "We realized we made mistakes on Idol last season," he said. "We were so engrossed with the mentors and didn't really focus on the Melinda Doolittles of the show. We didn't know them as much as the Kellie Picklers of last season."

Lythgoe is referring to the marked difference in the ways the two programs showcase their contestants: In recent seasons, "Idol" has tended to shun details about its singers to instead focus on the big-name stars who come to the show to perform and work with the contestants, especially in later episodes. "Dance," however, spends quite a bit of its airtime featuring the back-stories of its dancers and their struggles to get on the show.

"We're all attached to them a little more," Lythgoe said about Dance's focus on its contestants' lives. "I think that's affected us all a little bit more. There are little emotional hooks that come out." As for an "Idol" tune-up plan for season 7, Lythgoe revealed the production team is always looking to "tinker with the program," adding that ultimately he'd like to see the "Idol" contestants be as strong as his prized top 10 on "So You Think You Can Dance."

And what of Sanjaya? Of course, the faux-hawked menace snuck his way into the discussion. Speaking about the top 10 dancers seated behind him on stage, Lythgoe said: "There isn't a Sanjaya here, although I do think Sanjaya helped the last season of 'Idol.' I think there's enough talent with enough great stories to warrant the fact that we are basing it on their talent. No one needs to alter their hair on this program."

PERKS OF THE PRESS

A firsthand experience by a journalist for the Hanford Sentinel covering the Idols Live Tour:

FRESNO -- Ben's been a security guard at the Save Mart Center for several years. He first got the job to help pay his way through school, he told me.

Ben and I got to be quite good friends Friday evening. I was at the Save Mart Center "on assignment" to cover the American Idol Live! concert, camera bag and notepad in hand, just like the good old days. But I was over an hour early, so had some time to kill. And that's where Ben came in.

We talked about our taste in music, and he told me some wild stories about out-of-control teenage girls at the Chris Brown concert the week before. As the minutes ticked by, vendors and other security staff trickled in as Ben and I chatted. A couple of EMTs walked by pushing an empty gurney. Probably for a passed-out fan, I thought.

I was sitting on the cold, stone floor, listening to what I thought was piped music. It sounded pretty good, and my feet were soon tapping away. Suddenly, the music stopped and I heard laughter coming through the sound system. Then a voice started singing "Let's Get It Started" by the Black Eyed Peas and again I heard a voice say "That was good, that was good."

It was at that moment that I realized it was Them! They were going through sound checks ... and they were just a stone's throw from me.
Suddenly Ben's walkie-talkie crackled: "We are go for doors, we are go for doors!" Fans of every age, shape and size started pouring in. A girl and her brother each carried homemade signs. Hers said "Blake rocks my world." Her brother's said simply "Blake, you rock."

Then it was time. Along with four other members of the media, I was escorted down into the bowels of the Save Mart Center, a bit like walking through an underground maze at an airport. When we reached our destination, we were greeted by the Idol tour PR person, who explained the procedure for taking photos. We had about 10 minutes, she said. First, Blake will be on stage, and then Jordin will join him, coming up on a lift in the middle of the platform ...

The rest frankly was a blur. Within minutes we were standing next to the barricade in front of the stage where we would take pictures, and I made small talk with one of the Save Mart Center's staff as we waited for our cue.

I looked up. A blond-haired guy in a staff uniform walked to the middle of the stage as the announcer welcomed everyone to the concert. He looked kind of familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. Then he pulled off his cap -- and his blond wig -- to reveal spiky brown hair and an impish grin. It was Blake Lewis. Before I had time to hoist my purse and camera bag over my shoulder, the center of the stage opened up, and there was Jordin.

The next 9.8 minutes went by at light speed. I was snapping photos, trying not to fall over the cameramen who were filming for the overhead screens. Before I knew it, I was an arm's length from Chris Richardson, Sanjaya, Gina and Melinda. I wasn't sure if they'd all been dieting, or if TV really does add 15 pounds, but they looked great! Getting swept up in the moment, I suddenly realized how much I missed the reason I got into journalism in the first place.

The fans were going wild. They were screaming and reaching out across the barricade toward the stage. I watched their faces; this was awesome! I looked over at the Idol PR person and smiled. "Thank you," I mouthed.

After three songs, we were motioned away from the stage, and I had to relinquish my camera to the PR person, for "safe-keeping," I was told. I made my way to my seat just a few rows back from the stage. It was L18, but I don't think my rear ever touched the chair. Everyone in the floor area was on their feet, camera cell phones snapping photos and video footage.

Within minutes, my ears were ringing from the loud music and the women screaming wildly behind me. I got caught up in the emotion: "Wuhoo!" I yelled as Sanjaya, dressed in a white jacket, gray T-shirt and red jeans, sang and moonwalked to Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel." "Wuhoo!!"

In between songs, the guys joked and ribbed each other. They talked about their friendship, and about the first time they all met. Sanjaya and Chris Sligh remembered "the bald guy," Phil, who good-naturedly went along with the ribbing. They really seem like best friends, I thought to myself.

Then Blake took the stage again, seeming right at home behind the microphone. "Everyone take out your cell phones and wave them like this!" he said, moving his arm from side to side. I looked behind me and the auditorium was suddenly filled with hundreds of fireflies as cell phone screens danced in the dark. It was magic.

Blake took off his jacket, revealing an untucked blue shirt over gray pants. He wrapped one hand around the mic, and the sound of techno filled the air, his beat box rhythm mesmerizing us all with its intensity. The crowd went wild. Did it get any better than this?

The Idols' performances were a whirlwind, one after the other. They ran across the stage, shaking hands with fans, and then back to the middle, hugging each other and acting like they were having such a good time. As each one sang, the stage backdrop showed footage from their initial auditions. These fresh-faced hopefuls had been turned into polished performers, and I secretly wondered if that was a good thing.

After an hour and 15 minutes, it was time for an intermission. I finally sat down. L18, a red plush chair, was comfortable. I had come down from the euphoric adrenaline rush, and I was exhausted. My camera battery had long since died, and my phone's memory was full from the photos I had taken. I didn't relish the thought of battling the traffic when the concert was over, so I decided to go home.

Driving back to Hanford, my ears still ringing, I felt good. I wished I'd gotten to say good-bye to Ben, the security guard, but I was sure he was off somewhere doing the job he said "paid the bills."

What had I enjoyed most about the evening? Sanjaya strutting across the stage, LaKisha, Haley and Gina as dance-hall girls singing "Lady Marmalade," or Jordin singing her heart out in a duet with Chris Robinson? No, I thought to myself. It was being a journalist.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

Kellie Pickler on the Verge of Collapse?

According to various sources, including the National Ledger and Trans World News, in its latest issue Star Magazine is reporting that Season 5 "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler might be suffering from health problems. The country singer has cancelled three concerts since June 22, and insiders say it's because she's on the verge of collapse, reports Star Magazine, relying, once again on nameless -- and most likely imaginary -- sources.

Insiders tell Star she's making herself ill on tour with country giant Brad Paisley. "She’s under a great deal of pressure to be slender and slinky," an associate explains in the report from Star. "Kellie’s trying to lose weight, but that’s near impossible when she’s working 14 hours a day," the source adds. "Something has to give, and unfortunately it’s her health."

Kellie, who, according to the tabloid, has lost about 20 pounds since last spring, cancelled two shows in Colorado and one in New Mexico. "She needs to eat and rest more," says the source. "There's a real fear that she won’t hold up."

Kellie's rep, Wes Vause, admits to Star that the singer is a "picky eater" and canceled shows "because of low blood sugar." Vause tells Star that Kellie "had gone to Canada and didn't eat enough, so she needed to get her strength back. She is well."

McPHEE SIGNS FOR ANOTHER FILM

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Katharine McPhee's acting career is revving up as fast -- or even faster -- than her singing career.

The industry publication says that the Season 5 "American Idol" runner-up will make her studio acting debut in the untitled Anna Faris project for Columbia Pictures and Happy Madison [Adam Sandler's production company]. McPhee, along with Emma Stone, Rumer Willis [Bruce and Demi Moore's daughter], Kat Dennings and comedian Dana Goodman, have signed on to co-star in the comedy, which is being directed by Fred Wolf.

The script, written by "Legally Blonde" scribes Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, centers on a Playboy bunny (Faris) who gets kicked out of the Playboy Mansion and becomes the house mother to the lamest sorority on campus. The casting fills in the major roles of the sorority sisters and solidifies the project as the first female-driven comedy to come out of the shingle.

McPhee will play a pregnant hippy [well, the pregnant part should make her happy], while Stone will be president of the sorority.

Willis will play an insecure young woman who wears a backbrace even though she could have had it removed years ago. Dennings will portray a pierced women's studies feminist, and Goodman will play the sister who keeps switching majors and should have graduated years ago.

Also cast is Sarah Wright ("Made of Honor"), who will play a conniving young woman from the popular sorority.

Filming is scheduled to begin July 23 in Los Angeles.

The comedy marks the second role McPhee has booked in as many months; in June, she nabbed a role in "The Last Caller," a dark romantic-comedy indie. Her casting in the Faris project, along with "Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson's acting turn in "Dreamgirls," shows that "Idol" is becoming a fertile ground for finding acting talent as well as vocal talent. McPhee is repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.

SLIGH, STACEY TO MOVE TO NASHVILLE ... SPARKS TOO?

The Tennessesan reports that "American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle had quite a homecoming Wednesday when the Brentwood resident and former back-up singer took center stage at Nashville's Sommet Center with the nine other Idol finalists.

"I am so excited to be home," says Melinda. "Nashville has been amazingly supportive. They have done more than their share of helping me out, so I am excited to be able to say thank you."

What's next for Melinda? "That is the best question in the world. I don't know the answer yet," says Melinda. "I'll find out as it goes along. I'm just letting God take control of that."

Finalists Phil Stacey, whose parents live in Smyrna, and Chris Sligh, who has family in Springfield, both plan on moving here soon. Phil is likely to sign with a major country label, while Chris will probably opt for a Nashville Christian label. It's too soon to announce their label or management affiliations, but it's safe to say they're in talks with top-notch folks.

"I do plan on putting out a country record," says Phil, who spent time with his parents, wife and daughters in his hotel room Wednesday. "My influences are country and gospel, so I may put out a blend of the two, music I can express my faith in as well as just hopefully make a connection with the listening audience."

Idol winner Jordin Sparks spent the day with Michael W. Smith and his birthday-girl daughter, Anna. "There's a house for sale in Anna's neighborhood," Jordin says. "I was like, 'I'm buying it.' It's a dream just talking about it, but I would love to move here."

BUCKY DOESN'T WANT TO OVERTHINK THINGS

In an interview with the Albany Time-Union, Bucky Covington said "I don't do a whole lot of thinking. I'm a big believer in not overthinking. I don't really think about things until it's done. If I thought about it before, it'd probably scare me to death."

That philosophy is serving the North Carolina native well. "American Idol's" most recent transplant to country music called from Michigan where he's busy promoting his new album.

Covington, 29, only made it to the Top Eight on "American Idol" in 2006, but his album debuted at No. 1 on Nielsen Soundscan's Country Top 75 chart. The performance of the album, released in April, has turned country music on its ear. With 61,000 units sold, Covington had the best first-week sales for any new male country artist since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992. He was also the only new country act to open inside the Top 5 this year on Soundscan's all-genre Top 200 chart.

"I got to give some credit to 'American Idol,' " said Covington, who plays WGNA Countryfest on Saturday. "A lot of people know who I am because my face rings a bell, and I have some name recognition. But Mark Miller and Lyric Street gave me a lot of help."

Miller, the lead singer and front man for the hugely popular band Sawyer Brown, praised Covington for his honesty and believability, and came on board to produce the record for Lyric Street, the label made famous by Rascal Flatts. (Covington is Lyric Street's second "Idol"; they signed former Marine Josh Gracin.)

Critics are praising the album's diversity. Entertainment Weekly said, "The North Carolinian with the throaty drawl could sell everything from the cheeky to the weepy. And he does."

"I wanted variety," Covington said. "I love all types of country music and I wanted a little bit of all of them on the album. With a lot of time and a little bit of elbow grease, we found the right songs."

From the totally twangy first single, to the sweet ballad "I'll Walk," to the Southern Rock kicker "Bible and the Belt," Covington keeps the tempo interesting. He even earned writing credit on the sentimental "Carolina Blue," but says, "I just wanted good songs, I didn't care who wrote it."

The first single, "A Different World," is making a solid mark on the country charts, thanks in part to the video by virtuoso video director Trey Fanjoy.

"We filmed it in 15 hours, all in one day, at the Disney Ranch. It was about 15 degrees at 6 six in the morning and by noon it was 75." Of Fanjoy, he says, "She is a sweetheart, she was about seven or eight months' pregnant at the time, when she directed that. She never complained and she has done an awesome job. I would love to work with her again."

With such a strong country background, Covington might have auditioned for "Nashville Star," the country version of "Idol," but he almost didn't audition for "Idol" at all.

Hurricane Katrina forced the cancellation of the audition at the closest venue, 11 hours away in Memphis. But then, a new site was chosen, in nearby Greensboro. Covington thought it was karma and he went.

"There wasn't a whole lot of thought into it period," he said. "I thought, 'Let's give it a good hit and a miss' and it hit."

Covington says of his debut album, "We got a lot of work to go but it was a very good start."

FORMER FINALISTS HIT DIAMOND IN PA.

The Centre Daily Times reports that former Season 4 "American Idol" finalist Vonzell Solomon performed the national anthem before Wednesday's game. Solomon, 23, placed third on the popular show in 2005.

Ryan Starr, an American Idol contestant in 2003, will visit Medlar Field on Sept. 4.

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© 2007

Idols Live Tour Review and Interviews

Leslie Gray Streeter of the Palm Beach post attended both the Idols Live show in Sunrise, Fla., plus an interview session with the finalists. Here are her impressions.

The Show:

Chris Richard-
son may be the only one of the 10 singers on the American Idols Live tour to bear a striking resemblance to Justin Timberlake, but he wasn't the only one bringing a little sexy to the table.

In fact, the whole enter-
prise, the first show of the summer tour by the Fox network's sixth-season cast, served the BankAtlantic Center audience a markedly amped-up level of sexuality and either implied or in-your-face playful hanky-panky, something remarkable for what is usually thought of as a family show.

You had third runner-up and arguable vocal champ Melinda Doolittle lose the bottom of her Supreme-esque gown to reveal impressive Tina Turner-like gams for her "Proud Mary" duet with little Sanjaya Malakar.

Then there was Hayley Scarnato's vocally unremarkable but jaunty leg-flaunting performance of "When God Fearing Women Get the Blues."

And by the time she, Gina Glocksen and LaKisha Jones tarted it up, French floozy style, for "Lady Marmalade," I wanted to go, "Uh, guys, you know this is a song about hookers, right? Just wanted you to know, cause, umm ... HOOKERS."

Even with all that surprising steaminess, the American Idols Live show was chock full of good-feeling, sing-along fun.

There was even some impressive musicianship, which, you must admit, is not usually what people watch American Idol for.

The hooker song wasn't the only kink being worked out Friday -- there were repeated microphone problems, and runner-up Blake Lewis' foot-pedal system for his beat-box part on Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved" wouldn't work.

Fortunately, Lewis is an impressive enough singer, guitarist and over-all charismatic charmer to play it off and deliver a version that reminded you why he lasted so long in a singing competition.

Other impressive moments in the show's first half:

• Winner Jordin Sparks playing acoustic guitar and harmonizing beautifully along with fellow strummer Chris Richardson on Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts The Most"

• Jones and Doolittle's '60s girl group tribute, on which Jones, the stronger belter, easily took the lead as Doolittle, the better singer and former background singer, held back and let LaKisha blow.

That's nice, but frustrating -- as a dad in the hallway during intermission said: "Show and blow, girl! What are you waiting for?"

• Doolittle brought it back in her duet with Sparks on Natalie Cole's "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" which was, kids, not written for eHarmony.

More on the show in her blog:

Friday's kick-off to the "American Idols Live" tour at BankAtlantic Center may be my favorite of the last three seasons' live versions, even with some technical issues and whatnot. It's funny- I had noted during the season that sometimes, some of the Top 10 contestants, who make up the cast of the tour, left a lot to be desired in performance and overall excitement. Now I know that those guys are, as a group, crazy talented.

Some things just don't translate into TV, apparently.

I reviewed the first half of the show, before a 30-minute intermission, in the print version of Saturday's paper, and noted how the mood veered from flirty to "Isn't that song about hookers?" The sauciness continued in the second part, with Melinda Doolittle, Hayley Scarnato, Gina Glocksen and LaKisha Jones in top hats and spangles doing Christina Aguiliera's "Ain't No Other Man" and some naughty lines in both Maroon 5 and Jason Mraz songs kept intact. I'm not repeating them here. Figure it out.

Here are some individual highlights. Later on Saturday, I will let you in on my one-on-one conversations with seven of the Top Ten, and tell you why Jordin's a sweetie, Blake's a flirt and Sanjaya makes you want to hug him.

Melinda Doolittle: I was worried in the beginning that Mindy Doo was holding back too much, allowing herself to be overshadowed by other singers, especially LaKisha. But the second half of the show was a large improvement, and featured a "Natural Woman" that politely walks Kelly Clarkson's version to the woods and leaves it there without breadcrumbs. (I love Kelly. But you had to see it.) And she looked HOT.

Jordin Sparks: One of my fellow reporters noted that, late into the second half, winner Jordin seemed to be a footnote in her own victory. Everybody else seemed to have a lot more stage time. But that was before the last 20 minutes, which became the Jordin Show. She has such a stage presence when seen live. and delivered a solid, incredibly effortless "I Who Have Nothing," a pretty good "Broken Wing" and a version of snore-happy winning single "This Is My Now" that at least kept you awake. (I hate that song.)

The kid is pretty good at the guitar, too. I will say that the choice of that icky treacle as the single let me know how much the producers wanted her to win, because it wasn't anywhere near the style of fellow finalist Blake Lewis' strength. Yes, it's a conspiracy theory. Talk amongst yourselves.

Blake Lewis: Speaking of my beloved beat box, he kept proving how well he sings, and not just how well he can turn his body into a stripey-haired percussion instrument. His take on Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity"? Priceless. He took up a lot of stage time, by the way, seeming to be in on so many people's segments. His buddy...

Chris Richardson: also got a heck of a lot of spotlight shone on his little buzz-cut noggin. He was the lyrical oomph to Blake's beat-box on "Geek In The Pink," which was competent on TV but flowed nearly perfectly on stage. He avoided a lot of the nasalness that Simon Cowell was always after him for. Nasal is a style of singing, like Chris told Simon. Just not one that works as well as what he did on stage.

Sanjaya Malakar: As his mom told me later "He can sing!" I didn't care for some of his Michael Jackson-esque choreography on "The Way You Make Me Feel," but he sounded great, moving around in front of a screen showing some of his greatest hair hits. One thing - why no faux-hawk? And he plays a mean tambourine.

Chris Sligh: OK, I gotta tell you something. This guy is the one that most shocked the biscuits out of me, because while the show proved that he has a solid voice, nothing hinted at its richness on stage, its range, or how confident and even sexy he becomes when behind a guitar. His version of Mute Math's "Typical" was fascinating, because with him playing, his voice sounded more edgy and rock-like. Drat. We didn't see half of what he could do on the show. We wuz robbed.

LaKisha Jones: I don't know what she's been doing in her time off, but something tells me it involves stage craft lessons. This girl came off as a consummate professional, and the cockiness that seemed to inform her decision to blow off all the guest mentors and always do her own thing, even when it backfired, seems to have become confidence. Her best moment came when she once again acknowledged that she was ignoring the popular edict to never attempt "I Will Always Love You" and just blew that thing all over the ceiling. I got chills. When she ran up to the big glory note, she just attacked it like "Yeah I nailed it. You had doubts?" I did. But I won't get fooled again. I still think it wouldn't have killed her to at least listen to Tony Bennett a little bit, though.

Hayley Scarnato: Like Melinda, she got better as the show went on. I think sometimes she was unable to hear herself in the monitor, so she appeared to be shouting. But her re-do of "When God-Fearing Women Get The Blues" was much stronger than it was earlier in the evening. And she owned her part on "Life Is a Highway." Good for her.

Gina Glocksen: I'll keep it simple -- this girl can sing. I'm sorry that her vocal resemblance to Pink, paired with her pop-punk-goth style, make her seem derivative, because she's got a Pat Benatar-like gift of power. I would love to see her veer a little away from the rock stuff that makes her seem ordinary, because she's truly gifted.

Phil Stacey: The other vocal stand-out of the night, the bald one nailed everything he tackled, including the lead on "Hey Jude," which the guys played themselves, and a soulful, sweet take on Ray Charles' version of "America the Beautiful." Again, the TV show just scratched the surface of his charisma - he was so relaxed here, probably because he didn't have to deal with Simon glaring at him. I gotta tell you that I don't often agree with Simon, but I did whenever he was hard on Phil. Just because he didn't "look like the American Idol" doesn't mean he didn't have one of the best natural voices on that show. Take that, Judgey Boy.

From Just Jared Dot Com, the set list for Idols Live 2007:

* Let’s Get It Started - Entire Group
* Baby Love, Stop In The Name Of Love - Girls
* Heard It Through The Grapevine - Chris Richardson & Ladies
* Proud Mary - Sanjaya Malakar & Melinda Doolittle
* Blaze of Glory - Phil Stacey
* Thanks For The Memories - Chris Sligh & Gina Glocksen
* When God Fearing Women Get the Blues - Haley Scarnato
* Thriller, The Way You Make Me Feel - Sanjaya Malakar
* Typical - Chris Sligh
* Lady Marmalade - Haley Scarnato, Gina Glocksen, & LaKisha Jones
* What Hurts The Most - Chris Richardson & Jordin Sparks
* This Will Be - Jordin Sparks & Melinda Doolittle (fighting over Chris Richardson)
* Time Of The Season - Blake Lewis
* She Will Be Loved - Blake Lewis
* You Give Love A Bad Name - Blake Lewis

* INTERMISSION

* Crazy - Guys (with instruments)
* Who Knew - Gina Glockson
* Virtual Insanity, Ain’t No Sunshine, Geek In The Pink - CAKE
* I Will Always Love You - LaKisha Jones
* Killing Me Softly - Melinda Doolittle (Blake beat boxes and Chris sings towards the end)
* This Love - Chris Richardson
* Another One Bites the Dust - Phil Stacey & Gina Glocksen
* It’s Your Love - Chris Sligh
* Life Is A Highway - Chris Richardson, Sanjaya Malakar and Haley Scarnato
* Natural Woman - Melinda Doolittle
* Ain’t No Other Man - Haley Scarnato, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, & Melinda Doolittle
* I Who Have Nothing - Jordin Sparks
* Heartbreaker - Jordin Sparks
* You Were Meant For Me - Jordin Sparks
* Broken Wing - Jordin Sparks
* Living On A Prayer - Jordin Sparks
* This Is My Now - Jordin Sparks


And, the interviews with seven of the Top 10:

Boy, this show hasn't been on since May, and here in July we're still writing about it. A lot. See the blog below this one and the link to the review for more stuff on the live show on Friday. But now, I'm going to let you in on the interviews I did with 7 of the 10 touring Idols before the concert, in a fancy club lounge high above the places the mortals are allowed to go at BankAtlantic. Of course, this means I had never been there before, and am surprised my memory of the place wasn't wiped, "Men In Black" style, before going back to my rightful place among the non-special.

Speaking of special -- I really liked talking to all of the kids (they're all at least 6 years younger than me, so I can say that), and found that as good as they looked on TV, they're even more attractive in person. This is not fair.

Melinda Doolittle: Gorgeous. Just... gorgeous. Great skin, great make-up, and what appears to be new weave, done expertly and seamlessly (Y'all, they can work some weave these days. Modern technology at its peak.)

Are you nervous about the show?
(laughing) Oh, please, are you serious? Yes, with all those people watching. This isn't like singing background, and when I did that we didn't do a lot of arenas. This is interesting, though, a lot of group songs and one totally by myself. I do a lot with LaKisha.

What do you do for the nerves?
I pray so hard before I go out - Jordin and I get together and it stops the shaking (laughs.) It's OK because I think God put me here because this is something I'm supposed to do.

Where's the weirdest place you've been recognized?
Zambia. I just got back on Monday, and I was with the first lady of Zambia and Mrs. Bush. We were having dinner and it was suggested that I wear traditional dress so I went shopping in what would be the equivalent of a strip mall, and the lady there said "You're Melinda from 'American Idol!' I was like 'Wait, are we in Zambia?'"

Chris Sligh: I like this kid. And I sat next to his wife at the show! She's adorable.

How has your life changed the most since being on the show?
I think it's not being able to go anywhere out and eat. I think this is great, but my wife has trouble with it.

Do you read things written about you on the Internet?
I used to. I've stepped away from it. The funny thing is that I was a blogger, forum kind of person before this, but it was a different subculture. I did it in a whole, non-committal kind of way. "American Idol" fans are crazy in the best way possible. What I didn't realize is that if people are fans of a certain person, they become enemies of everyone else. I was like "Why hate me? I like Chris Richardson!"

Would you have changed anything about the TV show?
Before the show I had never performed without my guitar in my hand, so there was a marked difference. I was not in my comfort zone. I think my artistry is tied up in being able to perform with my guitar so in that way I think it was a little unfair. Melinda is a technician vocally and had worked her whole life to be a great singer. I didn't get to show a different side of my artistry...It never was just a singing contest. It's also a popularity contest. But I made it to 10th in a popularity contest, so that's good. I just wish it could be more about being an artist.

Weirdest thing written about you?
Fans of Chris Sligh write these things called "Slighku" which are haiku about me. That's cool because I always sucked at haiku.

Jordin Sparks: She's gorgeous. And not at all heavy, like some dumb people think. She's perfect-looking, actually.

You're not as tall as you look on TV.
I get that all the time! I was wearing 5-inch heels on TV!

That would do it. Are you nervous?
Not yet. I can feel the adrenaline starting to pump. You get nervous at the first one of anything, and this is so much bigger than anything we've done. I feel that, the huge crowds. I can't wait to get out there.

What's changed the most for you?
It's just not normal anymore. I get recognized everywhere. The paparazzi follow me around but so far they're pretty cool. They're not parked outside my house, but I was in New York, and they followed us everywhere. I was like "Don't you have anything else to do?" But they kept their distance.

Your dad, of course, has dealt with fame as a football player. Did he give you any advice on how to deal with this?
He said "Jordin, you have to approach this like a football field." (Giggles.) You have to go out there prepared." I love him so much!

Phil Stacey: Do not stare into his eyes. They are hypnotic. If he were not a nice guy he could use their power to get you to run his errands and perhaps wash his car. But he is nice, so I didn't find myself shining his shoes or anything.

Thing that's changed the most about your life?
That people are interested in me whether they know me or not. They give you that glance, and you know (they've recognized you.) People who do know me think I'm cool now. They're like "Phil, what can we get for you?"

Thinking back on the season, is there anything you would have sung differently?
It's weird. I remember thinking "Man, I wish I had done that!" But that was life in the Top 5, out of 16,000 people who auditioned. For me to make it all the way there, I wouldn't have taken anything back.

Did you agree when the judges said you were really a country singer?
Absolutely. I didn't go there right away because I thought maybe they'd get tired of me, so I steadily improved. When you get to the Top 12, you have your meeting with 19 Entertainment about what kind of record you would like to do, and they said "Really? Country?" But I write country, and always have been influenced by that and gospel.

So why'd you hold back?
I don't know if it was being in the military, and being compared to (previous Idol) Josh Gracin, who was in the military. And I didn't want to go too much rock, because I'm bald, and Daughtry was the bald rocker.

So you're from Cincinnati?
Yes! I was so excited to find out there was a Skyline Chili in Ft. Lauderdale.

You've gone yet?
Are you kidding? When I went to college, I left my first love, my best friend and two months later the only thing I missed was Skyline Chili.

Sanjaya Malakar: Best. Hair. Ever. And very sweet.

You nervous?
A little bit. I'm anxious. but this is so much fun. It'll be interesting to hear the audience...you can't see them but you know they're there.

How has you life changed? You're probably the most recognizable one this year.
I get recognized. People say "Hey, Sanjaya, how ya doing?" It could be someone I've met before or some random stranger. It's cool.

You're only 17. Was it harder to take some of the things that were being written about you?
I would balance it out by reading something good about me. My fans read that stuff more than me. It's cool.

Did you like meeting the famous folks? Diana Ross said "Sanjaya is love!"
Everyone was awesome, and it was cool to have legitimate, successful musicians teaching you what they know. The person I was most excited about was Tony Bennett. He's the oldest living legend of our time and a huge inspiration to me...It was cool to have him treat me like a fellow artist.

So, spill. What are you doing with your hair on the tour?
I can't tell you. I would say that if I did I would have to kill you, but that wouldn't be polite.

Blake Lewis: When they pointed Blake, his hair newly skunk-striped, over to me, he saw my red shirt and started singing Chris DeBurgh's "Lady In Red." This was played at my junior prom, so don't I just feel ancient. This kid is a charmer, a big flirt, and should be a co-host on "The View," because he'd have those ladies so transfixed they wouldn't have time to smackdown.

How has your life changed?
The doors to the communication I've always dreamed of are wide open, because of the platform of "American Idol" I got to speak on. I got on a show I had never watched, and never knew anything about, so that's a blessing. My music is really eclectic so when I told them I was going to be on the show, they were freaking out. And when I first got there I was like "What am I getting myself into?"

In what way?
I was doing drum and bass shows, and conscious hip-hop shows, singer-songwriter stuff, and electronica and hip-hop. American Idol didn't have any of it.

Are you nervous?
No. I don't get nervous. I get nervous around beautiful women. (Smiles) I did open mic shows a lot, so I live in the live realm. That's my time to create, to get that instant gratification. TV is a different thing for me.

So I understand you didn't adhere to the "Idol" curfew during the show.
Never, no. What's a curfew? (Laughs) I'm not a kid. I don't need a chaperone. I'm gonna be 26 in 14 days. I live for different kinds of energy.

Chris Richardson: I didn't get much time with him, because he was already headed out of the room, but came running back in when they said there was a reporter he didn't talk to. He's adorable. As I spoke to him, Sanjaya was behind him mugging with a giant life-sized Pop Tart. Oh, show business.

So what's the biggest change for you?
The whole thing. People know who you are now, in a great way, though the show.

What's the weirdest place you were ever recognized?
The bathroom, standing at the urinal. This guy was like "Hey!" But the cool thing about it is that people have let us into their lives a little bit.

CLAY AIKEN INVOLVED IN AIRLINER INCIDENT

The Tulsa World reports that former "American Idol" singer Clay Aiken was apparently involved in a disturbance with another passenger Saturday while on an airplane headed to Tulsa International Airport.

The dispute occurred on a Continental Airlines flight between a woman and a man, whom FBI Special Agent Gary Johnson confirmed was a former "American Idol" contestant.

Aiken, who was a runner-up on the TV talent show in 2003, was headed to Tulsa Saturday for a performance at the Brady Theater. His management could not be reached for comment Saturday afternoon.

Johnson said he was told the dispute was over the male passenger's foot resting on another passenger's armrest. He said the disturbance was a minor one.

There was an allegation that the woman gave the male passenger a "minor shove" during the argument, Johnson said.

"At that point the flight crew was able to resolve the situation," he said.

The disturbance occurred Saturday morning, said Tulsa Airport Authority spokeswoman Alexis Higgins.

Higgins said the passengers were held until FBI agents arrived to question them.

No injuries were reported and no arrests were made. The disturbance did not interfere with the flight of the aircraft, Johnson said.

... And in a phone interview from his North Carolina home prior to the flight incident, Aiken told the Tulsa World that he's glad that the ladies have stopped pelting him with their undies.

"They've calmed down on those. I think they threw so many the first time, they ran out. During the 'Idol' tour when we came through Oklahoma City, they were throwing undies all the time."

These days the platinum-selling singer has been eschewing Top 40 radio and trying not to lose his brand new iPhone.

"I haven't lost it but I anticipate that I will at some point very soon," he said, acknowledging that he has lost other cell phones. "I'm probably going to have to tape it to myself."

This tour is the first time he's worked with an orchestra outside of special Christmas tours. Aiken admits to being unsure as to whether or not it will work.

"I don't know what to expect. But it'll be interesting one way or the other. It's either going to be a wonderful, wonderful show or a colossal flop."

Through his brief pop career he has kept a sense of humor about himself and the various controversies that have followed in his wake. He's endured everything from his well-publicized spat with Kelly Ripa to frequently invasive questions about his sexuality.

He's also been the whipping boy of cowardly Internet blogs, laughed at for his baby-faced looks and self-professed dorkiness.

But that doesn't seem to keep him from having a good time.

"You have to have an ability to laugh at yourself, no matter what," Aiken said. "We're doing 'Sexy Back,' [by] Justin Timberlake ... And seriously, there is no way on earth that I will ever be Justin Timberlake ... I'm never going to be that cool ever. So you have to kind of do things like that with a little tongue-in-cheek action."

But when asked to compare the qualities of older and younger women, Aiken laughed in that distinctive Carolina accent, and answered with characteristic Southern charm.

"I think that there are definitely benefits to either one," he said, wisely. "Younger ladies have things to offer that older ladies can't and definitely vice versa. So, I'm gonna stay well behaved and not get myself in trouble by answering that too specifically."

These days, he operates under the mantra that busier is better.

"People assume that since I haven't been on every TV show in the last month that I'm obviously washed up and I'm finished or I'm retired," he said. "I think it's just the general expectations game in that you can never take a break in this industry."

On his tour he performs songs from his newest CD, "A Thousand Different Ways," as well as medleys of pop songs and TV show theme songs from the last 20-30 years.

"We're doing a medley of songs that absolutely should not be performed with an orchestra ever. And we're going to do kind of a little tongue-in-cheek interpretation of some of them."

Included in that sampling of pop culture will be Billy Ray Cyrus's "Achy, Breaky Heart," as well as Timberlake's "Sexy Back."

On Aiken's next album, he'd like to branch out a bit with, toy around with the production and work with a producer who's less likely to try to change him, he said.

TAYLOR HICKS DOESN'T KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS

"Everybody doing good on a Sunday night?" Taylor Hicks asked the near sellout crowd at The Maryland Theatre.

"It's Friday," a few hundred fans yelled back.

"I forget nights," the "American Idol" winner said, scratching his salt-and-pepper hair, reports the Hagerstown Herald-Mail.

It would be hard to blame Hicks for forgetting what day it is, as the performer has been on the road since last fall, touring and promoting his eponymous compact disc.

Backed by a tight five-piece band, Hicks sang covers of Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye and other soul artists, mixed with tunes from his CD, such as "Just to Feel That Way."

In a bygone era, concertgoers showed their appreciation of rock stars by illuminating darkened theaters with lighters. Friday night, the glow of cell phone camera screens could be seen throughout the crowd as fans videotaped and snapped shots of Hicks.

Many of those in the audience, some of them well-traveled, clearly idolize the singer who rose from obscurity to capture the "American Idol" crown in 2006.

Robin Loscheider and Megan Morley, both of Baltimore, were attending their fourth Hicks concert.

"Wherever he goes, I'll go," said Loscheider, wearing a Hicks concert T-shirt that the singer had autographed after another concert. "It's not just about the music. He's a great performer ... as well as very good-looking."

"I would have run my fingers through his hair," said Pam Dodson of Sharpsburg, one of three women outside the theater wearing "Soul Patrol" T-shirts. She, along with Fay May of New Market, Md., and Linda Truax of Knoxville, Md., had waited outside the theater, and saw Hicks during a meet-and-greet session the singer had with Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II.

"This is my first concert ... of any kind," said Dodson, whose shirt also was autographed.

Truax said she was a little tongue-tied when she asked Hicks to sign photographs she had taken of him, her and Dale Earnhardt Jr. at a NASCAR race in Homestead, Fla.

May is another repeat customer for Hicks, having seen him at a concert in Lancaster, Pa.

"Women were tripping and pushing each other" outside his tour bus, May said.

"I think it's the gray hair ... The way he moves is good, too," said Cindy Wolfinger of Hagerstown.

"He's just a down-home, wholesome guy," said her friend, Lynne Smigelski.

"I picked him to be the winner from the beginning of 'American Idol,'" said her daughter, Lindsay Pompa, an elementary school music teacher. She and her friend, Amber Shingler, came to the theater at 5 a.m. several weeks ago to get in line for tickets, which sold for $60 and $90.

Hicks made sure members of the audience knew he had not forgotten what got him where he is now.

"Thanks to your support, in two years, I've gone from a minivan to a tour bus," he said between songs. A couple of buses, actually, to move the band and crew from town to town. A furnished tent was set up behind the theater with potted plants and a buffet table for after the concert.

"I'm gonna stop talking and start singing because I think that's what you bought tickets for," Hicks said.

VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Katharine McPhee appears on "The Morning Show" in Orlando, Fla.

Watch video of Katharine McPhee interviewed by Hannah Storm:


Watch Katharine McPhee perform "Over it":


Watch Katharine McPhee perform "Not Ur Girl":


Watch Katharine McPhee perform "Love Story"


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© 2007