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American Idol 8: The Beginning of Hollywood

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

American Idol

Out of many thousands, American Idol 8 chose just one hundred and forty-seven to go to Hollywood. As Simon Cowell told them at the start of the auditions, “all we’re looking for…is a star.”

Indeed.

This year, the show sent each hopeful to an intensive singing “boot camp” where they rehearsed with vocal coaches. Surprise mentor Barry Manilow showed up to offer his advice and encouragement. The one who wrote the songs told each Idol hopeful to prepare well and make each tune their own.

And thus, the first day at the opulent Kodak Theater began.

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American Idol 8: Hollywood Spoiler!

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Rumors, Spoilers

American Idol 8 judges

Now that the audition episodes of are over, one grueling week looms before the contestants. Many of them will have only one more chance to grab for the brass ring and become full-fledged cast members of America’s hottest reality show. The only pity is that anxious viewers have to wait multiple episodes before they find out who will make it all the way past Hollywood…and on to the biggest singing competition there is.

Or…do we have to wait?

After a little research, the folks at VFTW are all but confirming their list of the Top 36 Hollywood Week finishers. Refreshed, updated and given the once-over, many of the names seem to be checking out. Could this really be a list of the 36 who will compete on the world’s biggest stage?

It certainly looks that way. To view all the names, check the site. 

(You can find all the American Idol 8 posts here.)

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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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Simon Cowell on Season 8 Changes

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

Simon CowellStill hard at work promoting the new season of , judge Simon Cowell hosted a conference call to let loose a series of comments on the upcoming changes for the popular reality program.

“I have no idea whether this is going to work or not,” Cowell admitted, when asked about the addition of to the judges’ table. “The thing I do support is at least trying new things. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Highly critical judge is even looking forward to bringing back the wild card round - an idea I hotly oppose. “I think it’s a good idea,” the judge waxed optimistic. “I wasn’t crazy about the process we went through the last couple years, where we were given a group of contestants that you were bored with by show five.”

And though no episodes of Idol have aired, Cowell does have the inside track. While we have yet to see any auditions, the judges have already been through Hollywood Week. He called the finalists “an interesting bunch.”

The judge also agreed with the decision to pass on Idol Gives Back this season. “I don’t think it feels right to tell people who are having trouble with their mortgage that they need to be giving money.”

(You can find all the American Idol 8 posts here.)

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American Idol 7: Twenty Four Will Sing, One Will Win

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

American Idol's Top 24

Like many fans, I’ve unblinkingly watched every single second of Season Seven’s broadcast. I’ve coached, I’ve judged, I’ve criticized, and now I’ve been completely blindsided by the show. Anyone else feel that way?

Why bother watching hours and hours - and hours - of audition footage if only a handful of the top 24 are featured? What’s with the confusion of , as I scramble to remember faces and names and scream “What ! How did he make it to the top 24? Why haven’t I ever seen him before at all?”

It’s no secret the judges and producers of Idol have their special favorites. On the flip side, they have contestants they can’t stand (remember ’s unabashed loathing of Sanjaya Malakar last year?). The massive amounts of air time devoted to some and the quick two-second glimpses of others aren’t an accident: it’s a not-so-subtle plot to influence votes, to get rid of the “extras” and keep only the ones producers want.

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American Idol 7: A Bittersweet Beginning

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

American Idol final 24

Way before ’s seventh season started, fans were treated to a PR blitz that capitalized on how different the show would be this time around. They believed; they watched; they weren’t disappointed. Season Seven certainly does have a different feeling and tone at times than previous episodes, and Wednesday’s final decision night struck a few sad notes.

One by one the fifty contestants were carried toward the judges who so menacingly waited. One by one they were told to take that long, disappointing ride back down without happy news to report. Enter Carly Smithson, devastating diva from Ireland who missed her Idol chance in season 5. She was the first female to win a Final 12 slot, and I breathed a sigh of relief. This talented lady has definitely earned her place. I was also pleased to see husky-voiced Amanda Overmyer and 16-year-old sensation David Archuleta join the final group. Poor blonde Brook White cried her whole way up in the elevator and grinned with relief the entire way down.

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American Idol 7: Changing Up Hollywood Week

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

American Idol's Final 24 - Masked

As of Tuesday night, the broadcast of ’s Hollywood Week began. After weeks and weeks of watching auditions, fans finally got the chance to catch up with some of their early favorites during this intense round of multiple eliminations.

One hundred and sixty-four singers piled into the theater rents out for the show, with a relative few of them impressing the judges in their very first round. Taking the stage one by one, each contestant sang for the judges’ general pleasure (or displeasure, as the case may be). Those who won approval from all three got to sail through the first elimination round, earning a respite before facing the judges again on the third day. It was during this first round the much-touted musical instruments appeared, though precious few seemed to find success with these devices.

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The Idols: Now and Then

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

Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol contestant is the only show on television which turns us all into music industry insiders. “He’s got some pitch problems,” you might say to a companion, or “Now, that was a poor song selection.” While Idol contestants audition before the judges, it’s really the viewing audience that’s offering the harshest criticisms. We’re carefully breaking down wardrobes, hairstyles, personality and sometimes singing too. But now that the Best of the Rest episode has aired, the hopefuls are on to Hollywood to display their talents for a much-hoped-for spot in the Final 24.

It’s a new season and today it’s all about the new faces and voices getting ready to grace the live Idol stage. But let’s not forget all those shining stars we rooted for in the past. Wondering what happened to that contestant from season three you adored and never saw again? Want to know how to find the singers who didn’t nab the most votes, but managed to nab your affections? Former Idol contestant (and media darling) will be hosting Idol Stars: Where Are They Now? on the TV Guide network. It airs Feb. 24 at 8 pm EST, but don’t worry, TV Guide has a bad habit of repeating all their programming until you’re quite sick of it. You’ll have tons of chances to watch.

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New Style for ‘American Idol’

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

American IdolWeeks before of started, judges and producers came forward to talk about the show’s new direction. Lackluster record sales and a bit of sag in the last year meant a change had to happen. Instruments will be added this season (at some point), and this year there’s much more focus on the singers instead of celebrity guests. More back story, more tears, more focus on the contestants. So…how’s it working out for Idol this year?

The reality show is consistently winning at the ratings game, though some of this is no doubt due to instead of entertainment value. But there is a subtle difference this year in the Idol auditions. Sans celebrity judges, the camera does seem to be finding contestants instead of stars. Early promises before the season started said viewers would see more talent than ever before…perhaps even the best Idol season ever. This week’s auditions ended in Miami (with Atlanta to begin next week). Have viewers already seen the next American Idol?

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FOX: Messing with American Idol’s Success

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

American Idol is considered by many to be America’s favorite reality program, and the ratings seem to support that claim. No less than 30 million tuned in to watch Jordin Sparks take last year’s crown, but this year the formula may be a bit different than audiences remember.

Season 7 will feature a new twist: guitars. Contestants on the upcoming season will be allowed to accompany themselves, and fewer big-name mentors will be booked. Show execs report that 160 will make it to Hollywood week during the first few airings of the show, though the standard format of 12 girls and 12 boys will still be invoked for the big-stage performances that follow.

(You can find all the American Idol 7 posts here.)

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