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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

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Syesha Mercado’s Bright Future

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

Syesha Mercado Third-place season seven finisher Syesha Mercado is planning a big, post-Idol career - but it probably won’t begin on the Broadway stage.

recently told interviewers that fans often ask her if she’s going to appear on Broadway any time soon. TV Guide reports that this is also a popular question from Syesha fans. “I’m capable of doing so many things outside of Broadway,” Mercado answered. And she’d like to explore them. Mercado explained that Broadway might not be the best career choice for her, at least not right now.

“I love all types of music,” Syesha admitted, but said if she had to put a label on her sound it might be called “R&B/Pop.”

Of her time on Idol, Mercado felt that “Yesterday” was a turning point for herself and her fans, saying it allowed people to “see” her more.

As to the future, Syesha named Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce as women in the industry she admires. She also wants to have a “healthy and happy” life. Doesn’t sound like a bad plan. 

Read More | TV Guide

Remember American Idol’s Luke Menard?

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

Luke MenardHe had the right look and a generally good singing voice, but song choice hurt Luke Menard early in the competition. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, maybe a jarring recollection will: Menard is the one who sang “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” the 80s Wham hit. If he had sung anything different, it’s possible we would all know Luke Menard a whole lot better.

, 29, has been frequently in the audience during the seventh season of Idol, rooting his fellow contestants on from the sidelines. Recently, the former carpet-layer was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer. This sad news is somewhat lightened by one positive: this disease has a very high success rate of treatment. Menard, who is currently in L.A., has plans to return home to Indiana in the near future. 

Read More | MSNBC

American Idol Controversy: Songwriting Contest

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

Jordin SparksIdol watchers will probably never forget the moment in 2007 when finalists Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis (each at separate times, of course) belted out the ballad which won ’s songwriting competition, a first for the show. This is another of those deceptive Idol ploys - rather like Idol Gives Back - where fans might say “wow, FOX really does want to give people a chance and help others.” But let’s get real. This TV network doesn’t care about finding new talent. When it comes to American Idol, it’s all about the money.

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American Idol: The Top 12 Men Perform

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

Danny NoriegaAmerican Idol predictably opened Tuesday night with a plug for , and more self-congratulatory talk about how this is the best season ever - with the most talent. Judge Randy Jackson quickly seconded this opinion, throwing out a bunch of jumbled slang as he gave this review. Host Ryan Seacrest became contentious with Simon Cowell right away, proving that all the same old clichés will still apply to the show. Thusly, another season of Idol - featuring the most talented performers ever on the show (Seriously, y’all think that?) - began.

Poor David Hernandez got the undesirable starting position, appearing on stage bug-eyed and tongue-tied. His version of “Midnight Hour” was so forgettable for me, the only reason I remember the impression is because I took notes. said David looked nervous, but all in all the performance was “better than I thought it was going to be.” I’ll second that. I feel like this poor guy is just on the show to get voted off - soon.

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American Idol: 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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Read More | MTV

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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Read More | LA Times

American Idol: Dreams Don’t Die

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

Carly SmithsonTuesday night’s featured a trio of interesting contestants and stories that struck a chord, at least with me. Sure, there were more than three contestants vying for a place on the Idol stage, but three of these competitors really stuck out in my mind.

Young Blake Boshnak shares the same dream with his mother: make it through to Hollywood week. After eleven times singing in front of the judges (and eleven rejections), Blake says he’s going to keep chasing the dream and driving to different cities to try out. He may not have the pipes, but he’s got a lot of heart.

Another standout from the Tuesday (San Diego) auditions was sixteen-year-old David Archuleta, a young man who beat partial vocal paralysis to stand before the judges and belt out his best. He did, they loved it, and he’s made it through to Hollywood. Based on early producer comments on Idol’s , I believe this young man will be in the Final 24. I also believe he’ll in be in the final few to compete for the next Idol crown.

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Read More | E! Online

Number One ‘American Idol’ Stands Alone

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

American Idol auditions - PhiladelphiaSolidifying its reputation as the number one show in the U.S., ’s premiered last night to a staggering 33.24 million viewers. How did the other networks fare in the face of such stiff competition? Well, if you take all the viewers on all the other networks and add them together, you might get close to the numbers pulled down with just one episode of their hit. And it’s not over yet - Idol will return twice a week for the next few months.

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Read More | TV Guide

American Idol: Simon Cowell on Season Seven

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

Simon CowellThe audition portion of - arguably the best part of the whole bloody show - will begin airing next week, and judge (my personal favorite) will no doubt light into singers with his usual acerbic tongue.  But Cowell says even his criticisms are meant to be constructive.

Speaking from London (don’t worry - he’ll be Stateside in time for Idol’s seventh season), Simon explained it all in an interview: after listening to bad singers for seven years, it can all get rather trying - and sometimes, words probably do come out a little harsh. Really? Tell me more.  I can’t wait to listen to the Dreamcrusher at work.

The host said this year’s crop of talent is strong, young and more interesting. Than who - ? That’ll be hard to beat. Cowell called the cast “fresh” and “memorable,” but admittedly they don’t have a tough act to follow.

The judge went on to say that he might be finished with Idol when his current contract expires in two more years.  Good - maybe then he’ll do his own show.  That’s something I’ve been waiting on for years.

Read More | LA Times

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