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American Idol 8: Finale!

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Video

American Idol

Weeks of auditions, eliminations and memorable performances would finally culminate in a single evening of music and melodrama. Yes, it’s the finale of 8.

Various celebrities sat in the crowd as warmed up the episode. Almost 100 million votes were logged after Tuesday’s performance round.

A montage of Randy Jackson clips served as the dog’s intro, he who, for reasons quite beyond me, wore a bow tie for the evening. Kara DioGuardi moments followed, and I never realized she had such a tendency to use the word “sweetie.” She looked great for the evening, at least. The same can’t be said for Paula Abdul, who wore a hideous ensemble. Her clip showed her saying a lot of words, the meanings of which she likely doesn’t understand. Simon Cowell’s video tribute was, of course, the most entertaining of all.

The host then introduced the two stars of the evening: Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. The judges stood up for the men as they took the stage. Each wore white; both looked very different. The sound equipment was hardly functioning when the two touched based with Seacrest.

A gaggle of girls stood in Conway, Arkansas (Kris Allen country) to hear the results. Carly Smithson reported from Symphony Hall (what a sad gig), where Lambert fans gathered to await the final vote count. But each camp would sit through many more video clips, performances, and general hoohah before they would find out what they most wanted to know: who won?

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American Idol 8: Top 9 Results

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Video


The Top 9 results show began, appropriately enough, with a montage. The remainder of the episode would feature much more of the same, as it always does.

As eliminated contestant Alexis Grace watched, Ryan Seacrest announced that 36 million votes were tallied to bring us the Wednesday results. The host spent a few moments talking with on the subject of song choice. “Maybe it was too wide,” said Jackson, referring to the theme of Tuesday’s performance round.

“For me, it’s about knowing who you are, and delivering that confidence with conviction,” stated. “Go for it!” She advised the Idol group. “Anoop, Matt, Megan,” Simon Cowell went through a list of those he thought might want to worry about the upcoming results.

The Ford video (clip above) followed, another poorly-done attempt at entertainment set to music. Seriously, these are growing steadily worse as weeks progress.

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Slippery Stage: David Cook’s Got it Bad

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Video


American Idol 7 winner was in the midst of an upbeat rendition of “Hot for Teacher” when he took a bit of a tumble (view it at around 2 minutes into the above video). But though the Idol alum fell quite noticeably, he got right back up without missing a beat.

And Cook’s small mini-tumble still isn’t nearly so bad as ’s fall off the stage.

Read More | Vote for the Worst

American Idol 8: San Francisco Auditions

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Video


An winner, thus far, has never come out of the San Fransisco auditions, though runner-up Katharine McPhee (season 5) first auditioned here.

Will this be the year that an Idol is found in the city by the bay? Some of the auditions were promising…others were barely tolerable.

The evening kicked off with Tatiana Del Toro of the beautiful accent - which, evidently, she can turn on and off at will. She was a lovely girl in a terrible dress with a super-annoying giggle, but she showed up to her audition already predestined to succeed. Her psychic friend predicted that Del Toro would make it all the way to the Top 12. I also, once had a psychic friend, but had to give her up on account of the phone bills. At any rate, Del Toro pleaded with the judges and eventually won her way to Hollywood. Cowell found her “so dramatic,” but was a little more positive in his remarks, saying he voted yes “because you are wild, and I like it.” She’s also a little too savvy for Idol viewers - the girl showed up with her press kit.

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Read More | American Idol

American Idol 8: Music in Kansas City

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip


Idol‘s auditions continued in the Midwest, as the search for this year’s undiscovered singer raged on throughout the country. Season 7 winner David Cook paid a visit to the thousands who auditioned in his hometown, Kansas City, Missouri. Despite some confusion, it is indeed in Missouri. Another alum was also on hand, but not to whip the crowd into a frenzy. Last year’s fourth-place finisher was at the auditions with his brother. More on that development later.

Kansas City auditions began with Chelsea Marquardt, very blonde and very cute. Her voice was unfortunately very flat also. gave it to her straight, saying “you are not a very good singer.” That’s the breaks.

Ashley Anderson, as tall and willowy as a model, was a very good singer. Her beautiful vocals and perfect tone won over the entire panel and she skipped out the door with golden ticket in hand. Just like that, and Idol was off and running in KC.

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Read More | American Idol

Idol Divas Talk Tour

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip

American IdolThe five females who managed to snag coveted Top 10 spots on the seventh season of recently talked with reporters about the aftermath of the show and the beginning of the summer tour.

The tour kicked off in Arizona, the first of 49 cities which will soon welcome the group of crooners. Diminutive feels positive about the tour, saying there will be “no one to say you sang horrible.”

“It’s not about what a judge is going to say. It’s about the music and the fans connecting and having a great time,” offered .

Carly Smithson also felt cheerful, saying “it’s amazing. Nobody is going to judge us after we sing.” Third-place finalist Syesha Mercado likened the tour to “a mini-concert for each person.”

“We sing three songs each,” Brooke White said of herself and her fellow females, “David Cook five, Archuleta will sing four. I think a lot of people had the impression it was going to be a bunch of group numbers, but it’s not. We actually are going out as individual performers and do our own set, our own music.”

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Read More | LA Times

Idols Hit the Road

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip

Description

gives its contestants a grueling schedule during the weeks of shooting live performances, Ford video commercials and sessions with mentors. The show may be over - the hard work is not.

Even while the Idols sing a path across the U.S. (they’ll visit 49 cities in 72 days), some of the finalists will be pulling double duty and making records at the same time. Davids Cook and Archuleta, the season’s final two men standing, will both be working on tracks even as they woo audiences.

Thanks to a new deal with 19 Recordings and Arista Nashville, (who managed to astound judges and audiences with her unimagined longevity in the contest) will also be working on her debut album. The first single “15 Minutes of Shame,” is scheduled for an August 11 release. Cook was formerly signed to this same label years before, but never had the chance to record a single song.

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Read More | E! Online

David Cook Tackles the National Anthem

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, Sports, ABC, FOX, American Idol, Video

Despite weekly performances - and a revealing Guitar Hero commercial - nothing could apparently prepare David Cook for the challenge he tackled last night.

Idol‘s Season 7 champion said singing the national anthem before yesterday’s NBA game made him far more uneasy than any of his competition numbers.

“It’s the one song you don’t want to mess up. I’m going to try not to notice Jack Nicholson sitting in the front row and think about the lyrics.”


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Read More | People

A Week in the the Life: David Cook

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip

David Cook

He won national media attention, the love of thousands of new fans and the highly-coveted title of season seven’s . What could possibly beat any of these huge life achievements? David Cook’s Billboard results, that’s what.

Eleven songs hit the Billboard Hot 100 song chart this week - the most new tunes from any performer in the fifty year span the list has existed. “The Time of My Life,” which Cook crooned at the Idol finale, is Cook’s biggest hit of the week. The tune debuted on the chart in the number 3 position. Other Cook tunes listed include his rendition of “Dream Big” (15) and “I’m Alive” (99). He may not be at number one, but he certainly isn’t doing too bad, either. 

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Read More | E! Online

David Cook Going Off the Singles’ Market?

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Video

David CookSeventh season winner David Cook won hearts with his edgy look and sound, gaining notice early for his self confidence and unique stylings. But this single guy may not stay that way for much longer.

Last week, enjoyed a dinner date with second Idol season competitor Kimberly Caldwell (eliminated in seventh place). Don’t remember the name? You might also recognize Kim as the bubbly blonde who hosts on the TV Guide channel, notably the show Idol Tonight (a series dedicated to breaking down Idol performances and interviewing contestants). Cook recently told Regis and Kelly that “we’ll probably hang out again.” (You can see video of the two of them together after the jump.)

Don’t worry ladies, one date does not a committed guy make. You might still have a chance.

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Read More | E! Online

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