American Idol

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When "American Idol" returns for its eighth season in January, it will still be a singing competition. But get ready for some significant changes in terms of how the show is produced.

Acknowledging that he's not pleased with the performance of the show this year, Fox Chairman Peter Liguori told reporters during a conference call Thursday that he has met with the show’s producers and “everyone is really committed and excited” to revamp the show next year.

“Both the network and the producers really want to take a look at the show for next year and see what we can to do inject it with new levels of energy and new unpredictable twists and turns and ramp up the storytelling,” Liguori said. “We do constantly want to make this show the most relevant, zeitgeisty show on TV to keep it on the tips of everyone’s tongue.”

Liguori said the writers strike is partly to blame for the show’s ratings declines.

“We think the show has somewhat suffered from the post-strike malaise of folks watching less broadcast TV,” he said.

Asked whether the cast was also responsible for viewers turning away, President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly replied:

“Let’s put it in some context. ...It’s not like it’s in the death throes here,” he said. “There’s some real charm in that cast. Whether it’s caught the world on fire, I don’t know. Some of it is just natural maturity of the show. It’s been a phenomenon, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t go through some natural aging just like any other show. We’ll do some of those creative twists next season, and we’ll see what comes out of it."


Liguori also said that the Wednesday results show will, at least on most weeks, go back to a half-hour. One thing that won’t change: the people sitting at the judges table.

“We love Paula,” Liguori said, responding to a question. “She’s coming back.”

I personally think they should fire her drunk ass.

Lord I hate when the paps follow a person around the airport like that Can you just imagine after having the flight experience like that and being dead tired and then some asshole is IN YOUR FACE with a camera all that time??!!! No wonder some stars just lose it and smack a pap or his camera. Talk about an invasion of your person.

Over at Daydreamingboy, Jason's mom posted on the forum about how she did Jason's dreads.

I bolded Mrs. Castro's posts

Quote :

Quote from: mimikins72 on May 15, 2008, 06:03:40 PM
Quote from: Jasons mom on May 15, 2008, 12:25:49 PM
We didn't use the flat iron or glue. We did tie the base and the end with the tiny ruber bands (like the kind used with braces or a little bigger) until they locked in. We backcombed for 14 hours and he did use some sea salt and wax inititally. He's got thick wavy hair, I think curly hair would hold better. Either way, our resource was dreadheadhq.com...they've got great tips..


Here is a question I don't know if it has been asked before, but what does your son do with new hair growth? Does the whole process have to be repeated every time a few more inches grow from the scalp? Sorry if this sounds like a silly question.

No. I don't know if they've caught him doing it yet but he grabs the root and rotates it in a circular motion against the scalp which keeps the dread dreadded? It's a habit now so I'm sure you'll catch it one of these days on you tube or something!

Thanks for the info Badger!

This must have been so nice to see in person! Aw, brotherly love!

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From People:


Ryan called Cook's brother Andrew up onto the stage, the person who was partially responsible for the frontrunner's journey to Idol, to stand next to him and watch his brother's Kansas City, Mo., visit play up on the monitor. David held his hand up to his mouth in total shock as he relived the moments and the magnitude of crowds that came out to support him. Andrew continuously patted his brother's back as David tried unsuccessfully to hold back his tears. And David returned the love to his brother, ruffling his hair when he shed some tears of his own. After it was all over Debbie took his hand and personally escorted Andrew back to his chair.

When the news broke that the two David's had made it to the finals, Jeff Archuleta and his wife Lupe quickly turned to David Cook's mother and father, both sitting right behind them, and the families congratulated each other profusely. Meanwhile, David Archuleta's face was pale with shock as he and Cook made their way over to the couch to watch Syesha Mercado give her final performance of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You." In the audience, Carly Smithson and Brooke White held each other as they swayed to the song, while Chikezie and David Hernandez stood and pointed to their fellow Idol. As the credits rolled on TV, all the former Idols in the house joined Ryan Seacrest and the judges on stage to bid farewell to Syesha and congratulate the two David's on making it all the way. They posed for photos together and David Cook and Michael Johns ran toward each other, jumped and did a chest high five!

This is a really nice little interview with the Top 3, mostly Top 2. Near the end the two Davids talk about each other and seem to have a lot of respect for each other. Archie says he is honored to be standing there with Cook and feels unworthy next to DC because of his talent as an artist. DC says Archie is very genuine and real and as a wonderful a kid as can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl1LINDEkCE

Badger wrote:

Over at Daydreamingboy, Jason's mom posted on the forum about how she did Jason's dreads.

I bolded Mrs. Castro's posts

Quote :

Quote from: mimikins72 on May 15, 2008, 06:03:40 PM
Quote from: Jasons mom on May 15, 2008, 12:25:49 PM
We didn't use the flat iron or glue. We did tie the base and the end with the tiny ruber bands (like the kind used with braces or a little bigger) until they locked in. We backcombed for 14 hours and he did use some sea salt and wax inititally. He's got thick wavy hair, I think curly hair would hold better. Either way, our resource was dreadheadhq.com...they've got great tips..


Here is a question I don't know if it has been asked before, but what does your son do with new hair growth? Does the whole process have to be repeated every time a few more inches grow from the scalp? Sorry if this sounds like a silly question.

No. I don't know if they've caught him doing it yet but he grabs the root and rotates it in a circular motion against the scalp which keeps the dread dreadded? It's a habit now so I'm sure you'll catch it one of these days on you tube or something!

I just read all 25 pages of that thread. Interesting how he keeps the dreads going. Now everyone will be watching to see how often he twists!

OMG! I officially no longer want DC to win AI

THIS hunk of HORRIBLE crap is the AI coronation song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rfVfiSoMMM

It makes "Inside Your Heaven" sound like a rock classic

This is seriously the corniest, hokiest, sappiest song I have ever heard.

I cannot imagine there is anyway that DC would want to record this song and have it be his first single. He must be beside himself. I don't even know if I will be able to watch him sing this craptastic song. Jason should be thanking his lucky stars right about now.

firecracker wrote:

OMG! I officially no longer want DC to win AI

THIS hunk of HORRIBLE crap is the AI coronation song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rfVfiSoMMM

It makes "Inside Your Heaven" sound like a rock classic

This is seriously the corniest, hokiest, sappiest song I have ever heard.

I cannot imagine there is anyway that DC would want to record this song and have it be his first single. He must be beside himself. I don't even know if I will be able to watch him sing this craptastic song. Jason should be thanking his lucky stars right about now.

I want to at your wording, but I'm . WTF kind of song is that and where did it come from? Are you sure this is the chosen song? Can they change it? This is just a horrible song........

Would it make it any better if they could do their own arrangements? Or is it so cheesetastically awful that nothing would help?

The words are really cheesy............... One could go to sleep........IF you could turn the words off.

It is the KING of cheesetastic songs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't even get more than halfway through it

Why on God's green earth do they make these kids sing this CRAP??!! Why can't they actually record a first single that could you know, actually get played on the radio?? There is no way any Top 40 radio station will play this awful song. I fear DC could lose his rock credibility recording this. This song is probably perfect for Archie though

abrahammy

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I do think Clay is gay, I think his fanbase has forced him into a closet from which he dare not ever leave, and I think Lover All Alone - the most exquisite thing he's ever done - is about the loneliness that has caused. He paid a very big price to be who he is.

You know the funny thing is that the people I know who have stopped being fans over the sexuality issue all stopped not because they're upset he might be gay. They're mad at him for not coming out and being a role model for young gay men.

I hate it when the fandom is smeared as being homophobic when there's very little proof of that. Unless, of course, you take the OC reasoning that not believing Clay is gay or pointing out times when Clay has said or at least implied he isn't gay makes you homophobic.

FTR, I think what would happen if Clay - assuming for the sake of argument that he is gay - came out is that there would be consternation in the fandom and yes, many fans would be upset if only in a "I can't stand a liar" way. But in the end, I think most fans would accept it and if he got involved with a nice guy, would be very happy for him.

DC's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is number 1 on iTunes!!!

OK, now Archie's site states this is the song. Same title, but it is different. It is actually much better. Rather country sounding though.

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/david-archuleta-here-i-am-single-next-american-idol/3441441182

I don't know why they can't let the winner choose a song, one that would 'fit' their genre and voice.

OK, I'm assuming everyone here is now Jimmy Kimmel-friendly due to him and Clay becoming best friends.

No matter how you feel about him, this is funny. It's a spoof on an AI promo and then a mock interview with Jeff Archuleta. It's at the very beginning of his monologue.

Just go here. Click on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and then click on the second video down "watch now" (the one with Evangeline Lilly).

You'll have to endure the commercials (remember to "click to continue" at the top right). Then the credits. Like I said, he comes right out and does these jokes and it's worth sitting through the other crap.

Sky wrote:

I don't know why they can't let the winner choose a song, one that would 'fit' their genre and voice.

I agree Sky! DC has had several of his songs hit high on iTunes. They KNOW if they give him the right song he could have a big hit. NONE of these stupid AI coronation songs get much radio play. Only Kelly's have I actually heard on the radio. At least that one wasn't too bad. Oh, and once in a while I hear Fanty's "I Believe" when I am in Walmart.

AI and the contestants have more respect now, but those cheesy songs come out and then they are just made fun of

GE, it says I have to install something to watch it and my firefox will not let me install it. Let us know if it shows up on You Tube. I'd love to see it.

FC, I can watch on my Firefox. Have you tried opening in IE?

I think there's some sort of issue with his shows, because they keep getting taken off of youtube. I actually found something elsewhere that showed his opening monologue and it was gone within a day.

Thanks GE! I was able to watch using IE. Cute! Too bad it wasn't longer

I loved, "will she be going home?" "YES!"

Glad you could watch it. I thought you might like it.

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Finalist David Cook's theater chops set the stage for "Idol" success

By Misha Berson

Seattle Times theater critic



David Cook, 25, was active in drama in high school in the Kansas City, Mo., area.
On TV

"American Idol"
The two-night season finale airs 8-9 p.m. Tuesday and 8-10 p.m. Wednesday on Fox. "American Idol" is tape-delayed on the West Coast.

Sure he's got the great voice, the musical smarts and daring, the cute grin, the word-nerd appeal to fellow crossword-puzzle freaks.

But David Cook had a stealth weapon, as he rose above the pack to be a co-finalist for this year's "American Idol" crown.No, it's not that strange scarf Cook often wears trailing from his back pocket like a talisman.

His special mojo: theater training.

The 25-year-old Cook may be known as a hard rocker. But he took enough acting classes, and co-starred in enough student shows, to also qualify as a true Theater Geek.

His teachers from Blues Springs, Mo., have spilled the beans on how much the adolescent David loved to belt out those Broadway show tunes.

For evidence, get thee to YouTube, where you can watch clips of the teenage Cookie playing Riff in a high-school staging of "West Side Story" and taking pratfalls ("Make 'em laugh, make 'em laugh ... ") in a student version of "Singin' in the Rain."

Cook's drama chops gave him the chutzpah to croon that schmaltzy, soaring reverie, "The Music of the Night," from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" — and emerge unscathed.

Thespian versatility also gave Cook — and, to a lesser extent, third-place contestant and college drama major Syesha Mercado — a boost in other key ways.

So listen and learn, wannabe rock gods and "Idol" hopefuls. Here are some tips Cook may have picked up from his own personal "High School Musical" saga:

Tell the story: Cook's best performances on "American Idol" have been when he's chosen story-songs, and made them two-minute musical playlets.

Actors learn how to hook people fast with a compelling narrative. And Cook has used his facial expressions, dramatic arrangements and agile whisper-to-roar voice range to affectingly put across tales of a single teen mom ("Billie Jean"), a lonely Englishwoman ("Eleanor Rigby"), a guy waking up to life ("I'm Alive").

Play the part: Getting into character is, apparently, a foreign concept to even some of the most vocally gifted 2008 "Idol" contestants (such as Carly Smithson and Cook's co-finalist, David Archuleta). They don't seem to grasp that singing is, basically, acting via music.

Cook gets it. He played the swaggering, sexy dude with his covers of Free's "All Right Now" and the Beatles' "Day Tripper," then softened up as the wounded yet gracious ex-lover (for Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby") and the swoony swain (Lionel Richie's "Hello").

As "Idol" judge Randy Jackson once told Cook, with his usual eloquence, "Dude, I really kinda believed you right there, y'know what I'm saying?" Yes, Randy, we kinda believed him, too.

Look the part: Cook understands that, on camera, every outfit is a costume.

To sing "Day Tripper," shrug on that leather jacket. For Dolly Parton's bluegrass ballad "Little Sparrow," wear that humble, white, Sunday-go-to-meetin' shirt. And to stir up fan-girl frenzy, do your hip casual/formal thing: dark shirt, jacket or vest, tie worn over the collar.

And Cook's changing array of hair styles (head and facial)? Like another "Idol" wardrobe chameleon, Seattle's Sanjaya Malakar, Cookie kept 'em guessing by changing up his tresses — from scraggly emo locks and soul patch, to fashionably choppy designer 'do and scruff-beard.

Practice, chill, practice: For the actor to dissolve into the role, you shouldn't see the fluster.

While rivals like Brooke White and Jason Castro betrayed their nerves and inexperience by screwing up lyrics and choking on raw fear, Cook worked the stage (and camera) with assurance — the kind you get by rehearsing hard and performing since grade school. (And, yes, by playing a gazillion dive-bar gigs in Kansas City and Tulsa.)

Save the theatrics for the performance: Acting teachers often remind students to "leave it on the stage." And except for the odd method-acting genius (say, Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis), that's sage advice.

Thanks to "Idol" media frenzy, most Cook fans know: 1) He has high blood pressure, which spiked one night and sent him to the hospital after an on-air "Idol" performance; and 2) his older brother Adam is seriously ill with brain cancer, yet managed to travel to L.A. to cheer him on.

That old "show must go on" mantra may sound corny, but it's the credo actors live by. Since all is fair in love and talent contests, Cook could have milked his family situation for sympathy votes. He didn't, saving his passion for his songs.

Sure, he's only human, and got a little weepy when his bro was in the "Idol" live audience. But he shed those tears after finishing his song and taking a bow. Now that's a trouper.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

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A Roundup of Season 7 Finale Spoilers
Published May 17th, 2008 in American Idol, S7 Spoilers, Season 7 and S7 Top 12.

* David Archuleta and David Cook will perform 3 songs according to reliable spoilers on Idol Forums. One will be picked by Clive Davis (!!!) Wasn’t he recently banished to an island for irrelevant record executives? WTF??!!? One will be chosen by the contestants–either a reprise of a song already sung during the season, or something new. The third song will be whatever ghastly song wins the Idol Songwriters Contest. There are rumors swirling that there will be a twist regarding the coronation song. Maybe there will be two winning songs? Perhaps re-arrangements by the contestants will be allowed? If you remember, last year, Blake Lewis was forced to sing the horrid “Here Is My Now” just as it was written, and the results weren’t pretty. Hopefully both Cookie and Archie will be handed songs they can make their own.
* Paula Abdul will debut a song from her upcoming album, and the Top 12 will also be performing alongside Paula for a special group number. Oh goodie! Yahoo.
* Two Idols from each of the past 6 Seasons of Idol will be appearing on the finale. Bo Bice has already announced that he’ll be one of the twelve. Yahoo.
* Jason Castro told an interviewer from the TV Guide channel that each of the Top 5 will duet alongside a special celebrity guest. Castrocopia.
* The Jonas Brothers will be appearing. Finally, something the kids will love. According to recent Nielsen data, the kids haven’t been loving much about Idol these days.
* The band One Republic (responsible for the mega-hit “Apologize”. Ryan Tedder from the band recently wrote for Clay Aiken and Blake Lewis) canceled a gig in order to be available for the finale. Daily Press
* There was a rumor floating about that Bryan Adams would be one of the celebrity guests, but I cannot find the source of that rumor. Anybody???

http://mjsbigblog.com/a-roundup-of-season-...rs.htm#comments

DC has a beautiful AC tattoo that represents his brother.



He also has the ribbon for brain cancer tattooed on his chest. Obviously he is very dedicated to his brother and his condition.

Love the tatto pics and I saw the article in this mornings paper. Good one huh?

Yes excellent! Hopefully all the musical theater experience will help him with singing that crappy song

This is the song rumored to be DC's song. I have no idea if either of these songs are the winning songs or if they each have a different song (please let that part be true). All I know is this song is 1 million times better than the other one! This one DC could do really well! I actually LIKE this song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFmysGZKziI

Fox Facing Reality of American Idol Audience Loss

Apparently it doesn’t pay to makes promises to your audience, then have machinations behind the scenes to make sure it carries out as promised.

American Idol makes a habit of having one big elimination a season, from Chris Daughtry to Jennifer Hudson. But this season, they just couldn’t seem to hold on to the talent that had the bigger personalities. They promised us more personalities this season, but then gave these personalities tough themes to work with, ending in early dismissals of many that were thought to be serious final four, if not final two contenders.

Chikezie was pegged to go home early in the semi-finals, but then came on strong, especially during the Beatles weeks. Just when we were all falling in love with his style, he left. Michael Johns was an extremely handsome and personable transplanted Aussie, and while he struggled in the early weeks as well, he really came on strong. Just at the point we were making final two whispers, he got voted out. Despite Carly Smithson being repeatedly told she was the best female voice there, she was voted out before two of the weaker ones.

Then last week happened. Jason Castro, after continually being beaten down by the show, seemed to quit trying and just phoned his performance in. No one could blame him after being forced to sing Memory from Cats and receiving a critique from Paula Abdul before he even sang the song. Voters didn’t have a choice but to vote him out after that.

For whatever reason it all happened, it doesn’t seem to matter. The fans are speaking up … in the only way Fox will listen, by not tuning in. While American Idol is still number one and number two in the Nielsens, the Tuesday final three performance show, without Jason Castro, Carly Smithson, Michael Johns, or Chikezie, posted its lowest audience in five years. They can say all they want that we’re the ones that voted these people out, but if people are getting upset enough to not watch, then the public isn’t being represented.

Fox is noticing, but I’m not sure they realize it’s in the way that Nigel Lythgoe and his judges wanted to feed the two Davids down our throat. They’re already promising changes for next season, finally agreeing to go back to a thirty minute format for the results show. Apparently we can only take so many “creatively chosen” viewer questions and only so much of cheesy group numbers that force a rocker to do hideous disco dancing.

You’re on the right track, Fox. Keep going. You have many more things to change before you put the show back to the way we like it, back to the way it was when we, the viewers, made it number one.

http://www.troubledhollywood.com/?p=137