It just confirms what I began figuring out a couple of years ago. At the time, it was the cast that I noticed was getting screwed, but now it's obvious they are just wicked to everybody.

Freemantle is bad, bad people. Period.

Really cute video of the Idols and their day in Rosemont, IL. There is some nice Jason stuff in it!

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-07-24-idols-live-tour_N.htm

I'm putting this link here, because it mentions all the top 10 and what their plans are............

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-07-24-idol-whatnext_N.htm

Seems they all plan to write!

AI needs to have "Original Song Week" like Nashville Star does so that we can see more of the contestants' artistic ability and hear what they would like to record if given the opportunity. Of course for those contestants who don't write music they might go into a bit of a panic

AI isn't interested in people who can write songs. They don't want you writing your own songs. You Clay fans know that! There were songs on his first album he refuses to sing, but they made him put them on the album.

They don't want them too original. The contestants probably all mention writing due to the cookie-cutter get-in-in-your-damn-box-and-stay-there atmosphere that is AI.

Green Eyez is right on target. Actually, that is my primary worry for Cookie. Chris Daughtry was able to put out a good album he controlled despite being a tool of TPTB, but he was not the winner. I hope Cook is able to put out good stuff.

Maybe Archie SHOULD have won. He can put out pablum and it doesn't matter. I don't know.

Actually it appears they are being very cool with Cookie. They asked him to present a list of writers he would like to write with. So far he has already written songs with his two top choices. In fact I believe he said they have 7 tracks ready. I will locate the interview and put it in DC thread (if I haven't already. I put so much stuff there I can't remember)

My true fave from this year was Danny Noriega. Saw this little bit of news on MJ's Blog:

Quote:

Ramiele Malubay and Danny Noriega are going to the Philippines to perform concerts in December.

Oh how I loved Danny! Not my fave, but he was just a blast! And adorable and sassy! Cool for him and Rami!

Here is a really nice review of the concert!

Quote:

Idols entertain Pittsburgh By Samantha Chilli, Special to the Times Published: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 4:49 PM EDT PITTSBURGH — The American Idols Live Tour rolled into town early Monday morning, giving the Idols a day off to see a Pirates game, go kayaking on the Monongahela and generally wander around Pittsburgh. Refreshed and raring to go, they performed Tuesday night to a Mellon Arena packed with shrieking fans. The stage was simple, allowing the 10 performers to absorb the spotlight without much flashy distraction. Their appearances ran in reverse order of TV’s “American Idol” contest, so soulful teddy bear Chikezie went first. By the last tune of his three-song set the audience was on its feet. Next came Ramiele Malubay, whose singing was pitchy and lackluster. Her choreography was cheesy and her purple corset-meets-disco-ball wardrobe choice was a mistake. After singing Maroon 5’s “If I Ever See Your Face Again” she sauntered off the stage with little ado. Seventh runner-up Michael Johns channeled the spirit of Freddie Mercury with chilling renditions of “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.” The sultry and charming Australian reached his crescendo with Percy Sledge’s “It’s All Wrong, But It’s Alright.” Country sweetheart Kristy Lee Cook next took the limelight in a wave of patriotism. While an all-American perky blonde crooning about the heartland felt all too predictable, there was an air of sincerity that hit home. In a press conference that afternoon, Cook said, “It’s funny to have fans come up to me and be like, ‘I didn’t really like you on the show, but I’m a fan of you now that I saw you live!’ I’m just like, ‘I told you so!’ The best thing is to be on stage, just singing. It feels good to give back.” And give back she did from her tight country-fried harmonies with the backup vocalists to her interactions with the audience, displaying her cowgirl star power. Next in the batting order was Carly Smithson, the Irish rocker whose gritty take on “Bring Me to Life” featured vocal flutters that gave Evanescence’s Amy Lee a run for her money. Smithson skipped across the stage belting Heart’s “Crazy On You,” which was strikingly polished in comparison with her original TV performance. The siren seemed to be comfortable all the way through her finale, where she enthusiastically introduced a barefoot Brooke White to the anticipating crowd. Plunking away at a piano that rose up through the floor, White put her own twist on the Beatles’ “Let It Be.” While her Coldplay selection only seemed a notch above karaoke, her strummed-guitar, folksy take on Feist’s “1 2 3 4” was one of the most memorable songs of the night. A group number came directly before intermission, which was followed by costumed Pop Tarts dancing. Guess who is sponsoring the tour. Next up was Jason Castro, the dreadlocked cutie who plucked his ukulele all the way to fourth place in the televised competition. It seemed as though he had a renewed sense of belonging. There was no half-heartedness in his performance as when he was voted off the show. Castro’s charming “Somewhere over the Rainbow” made an exciting prelude to his dazzling “Daydream”. Vocally, he was improved from the contest season, and this time improved his act by incorporating the band’s talents as well. Big hair and excessive cleavage do not a stage presence make, as third-place finisher Syesha Mercado proved. Her rendition of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” was unimpressive, coupled with her decision to stand nearly motionless for its duration. She finally broke out of her shell for Beyonce’s “Listen” during which she floored the audience with professional technique. She introduced the next performer with a smile: “He’s young; he’s cute; he’s David!” She meant David Archuleta, of course, “Idol’s” runner-up David whose first song, Robbie Williams’ “Angels,” seemed effortless. The cloud scenery on the video screen behind him was appropriate, as his notes soared and took the audience on an emotional journey to remember. This was closely followed by “Apologize” and a medley of “Stand By Me” and “Beautiful Girls”; Archuleta’s flawless pitch control and vocal skill were remarkable. Holy guyliner! An eye make-up clad David Cook popped out of the floor with a Terrible Towel on his microphone and his Les Paul in hand. The Season Seven Idol king had the cheering audience at “Hello”; his seasoned approach to the Lionel Richie classic. Cook outdid himself on his new single “Time of My Life” and his cover of Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” dedicated to his brother, Adam. Cook’s sensational encore of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” knocked his set out of the park, reminding “Idol” worshippers why he won the title. He’s the whole package —vocalist, instrumentalist, and regular guy with heaps of personality. “Please Don’t Stop the Music” was the final group number, which allowed the Idols to wave Terrible Towels and lap up applause before suddenly vanishing off the sides of the stage and through the floor one by one—an amusing end to an enjoyable night.

I just heard Archie's new single! It will not be to most of you guys' liking, but I LOVE IT! It is extremely radio friendly and he sounds amazing! I am predicting HUGE radio hit with this song!

You can listen to it here! Click the big "Click To Listen". I don't know who they got to write Archie's songs, but I wish they would get him/her for Clay. Oh wait - radio wouldn't play Clay no matter what song he sang. I keep forgetting.

If you do click to listen, be sure to listen to the whole song because Archie does great things with his voice as the song builds! He truly does have a beautiful voice.


http://z100.elvisduran.com/pages/news/davidarchuleta/crush.html#

fc, I agree with you about DA's new single. I like it also. It's a great introduction to his recording career. I think he has the best vocal technique and control since Clay and I have read that DC acknowledges how talented DA is at age 17. I thoroughly enjoyed DA's set on the AI tour. I think as he matures, his confidence apart from his music will grow as well and DC is a good role model for him.

This particular group appears to be very supportive of one another. Perhaps the fact that most of them have tried for years to gain recognition for their music, they have a pretty good perspective on all of this.

I've always said his voice is beautiful, but I don't like this kind of music at all. All the 'pop' music sounds the same...........to me.

Hi Janice!

Yes, I always thought Archie had a beautiful voice, just not much in the stage performance department. But I've watched a few tour videos and he has come a long way.

I myself love pop music. I adored the BSB and N'SYNC. It is fun music. I think Archie's "Crush" is a fun song. I will preview his CD on Amazon or AOL First Listen and if there are more songs like "Crush" I will buy it. I will get DC's for sure! No question there. I won't even preview it. I know I will love it!

To me comparing DC's voice with Archie's is like apples and oranges. Two very different styles. I prefer DC's style and I love a lot of rock so between the two he is my preference for sure.

I agree in some respect about comparing Archie and Clay, except that Archie never gave me the chills and thrills with his voice that Clay does and personality - no comparison. Not yet anyway. It will be interesting to see how it all works out for him.

I don't know how season 8 of AI can surpass season 7. I adore this group! What a beautiful, sweet and talented group of young people! They make me proud.

LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer

Quote:

LOS ANGELES - A key "American Idol" producer who's guided the top-rated TV show since its debut is leaving the job as the Fox juggernaut faces the challenge of staying on top in its eighth season. Nigel Lythgoe is negotiating a joint-venture deal with "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller and 19 Entertainment, the company announced Monday. The smiling, blond-haired Englishman, who could often be spotted on-camera sitting behind the "American Idol" judges' row, is familiar to viewers on "So You Think You Can Dance?", which he produces and helps judge. "I will step back from my day-to-day producing work on 'American Idol' and will be devoting my time" to the new enterprise, Lythgoe said in a statement. The change comes as "American Idol" jockeys to keep its hold on the No. 1 ratings spot, a rare feat for an aging show, and after last season's small ratings downturn and an unsettling audience shift. The series averaged 28.4 million weekly viewers last season compared to the 30.8 million who watched during its highest-rated year, 2005-06. Viewership for the May finale with winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta was the second-highest for the show in five years, but dropped slightly from last year among 18-to-49-year-old viewers — an indication that the "American Idol" audience is aging. Fox congratulated Lythgoe on his new venture but acknowledged it was "disappointed" that he would not be continuing as executive producer. "He is an extraordinarily talented producer whose creative contributions to the No. 1 show on television have been immeasurable," the network said in a statement. It was unclear whether Lythgoe will continue to have a hand in "American Idol." His fellow executive producer, Ken Warwick, also has worked on the show from the beginning. Asked what roles Lythgoe and Warwick might have with the show when it returns next January, 19 Entertainment spokesman Eric Green said the producers for next season have yet to be decided. National auditions for the singing contest's new season are under way. In a statement, Fuller called Lythgoe "the best producer I have ever worked with" and noted they have collaborated for more than 10 years. Fuller heads 19 Entertainment, which produces "American Idol" with FremantleMedia North America. TV, film and stage projects all will be on the table for Fuller and Lythgoe's new enterprise, Green said. The two created the "So You Think You Can Dance?" contest series, which airs on Fox.

The concert:

I have said this before, and I repeat. Best. Cast. EVER. This is my third American Idol concert and in the last two, there were always people I felt I was suffering through. Not this time. Everybody was SOLID. Some people had moments of real brilliance or beauty.

I am quite certain that nearly all these people ranked in such a way to give the best concert possible. Nobody really got robbed that much.

To recap: Chickeze - combines much of the technical brilliance of Ruben Studdard with personality and the ability to move around the stage without looking like a beached whale attempting to get its land legs. I Believe to my Soul was a terrific way to start the concert. I tried to take a picture of the stage. It looked awful.

Rami - she's cute. Perky. Cutesy. Entertaining, in kind of a Six-Flags performer superficial kind of way. I enjoyed her while she was onstage and I can't remember a single thing she did. I made shaky attempts to photograph the jumbotron.

Michael Johns - He's a very polished, season performer and it was obvious. He filled the arena and he was very glibly dazzling. Photos stank.

Kristy Lee Cook - Her singing was fine. I'm getting pretty tired of the pandering. OK, you are proud to be an American. I get it. I practiced photographing the jumbotron again. Progress.

Carly Smithson - Technically dazzling. Very impressive. A couple of times I really sat back and admired her skill. Actually got a reasonable photo. But contrast her with...

Brooke White - Her appearance marked the first time during the concert that I was not merely entertained or impressed. Brooke was touching. Most of the time, when you encounter somebody who is all sunshine and sparkles and sweetness, you wonder what horrors hide underneath, but here's the Brooke thing - she really IS sunshine and sparkles all the way through, and it was obvious during her set.

I got mad at the AI brass again. They made this gentle soul cry. A lot. Photos fuzzy.

Jason - OK, I think I have officially spent too much time at that myspace playing songs. Rainbow and Daydream were not highlights of the concert for me. It's not anything he did wrong. He was charming and lovely and fine. There's just SO many times you can listen to the same song over and over! But Crazy - I LOVED Crazy. That was great. A song I've heard him sing less than 20 times. Delightful. Wonderful. And all that photograpy practice during the first half paid off; I got several fair pictures.

This is the second time I've seen Jason in concert; the first time, I was about five feet away from him in what felt a little more intimate. My feelings on Jason in the arena is that he's good enough that the arena does not swallow him whole; however, I do think the warmth and sincerity of his delivery works better in a smaller venue. He's not an arena artist, but I can't wait to see him in a smaller hall. My dream concert; Brooke and Jason join forces and take their Sunshine and Rainbows tour all around, reintroducing the idea of unironic sweetness to a jaded world hungry for something warm.

Syesha - OK. You are loud. You have boobs. Screech. There will be another version of you next year; you are Tamyra v. 7. I practiced taking photos of the jumbotron again, and showed my daughter how.

Archie - OK, this was the biggest surprise of the night. I thought I didn't like David Archuleta, and I thought he was a robot, but tonight this kid did a version of Stand By Me that very obviously came from the inner crevices of his soul and I was very impressed. I actually stood a little and made some noise for a kid I did not vote for once the entire season. Nicely done, Archie. Very nicely done indeed. I almost forgot about the camera.

Cook - This was the right winner. I'm glad I voted for him. He's the arena guy. He's the guy who can get the crowd pumped up. He's funny. He's thoughtful in places and actually shares his perception. He takes pictures of the crowd, because he is savoring this. He sings BIG. He is honest enough to confess his discomfort with the Magic Rainbows line. He is doing that particular job really well, and we enjoyed his first three songs a LOT. And I got several OK pictures. Then he sang Hero for his brother and my daughter, who had been having a wonderful time, crumpled up in a miserable ball because he was too loud for her. If Jason had not been in the last song, I would have left with her then, but I used that promise as the incentive to get her through the end of the concert.

Finale: Irony - bring everybody back out to sing Don't Stop the Music. Have them then stop the music.