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All the news relating to American Idol |
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Key `Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe is moving on 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 |
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This article is about a month older than this discussion, but worth reading. 
‘Idol�?Tries to Keep Viewers Guessing LOS ANGELES �?Even after seven seasons, with ratings down about 10 percent from last year and some of the teenage fans who helped build the franchise in its early years shunning the show for its un-hip ubiquity, “American Idol�?demonstrated on Wednesday that it still has the capacity to surprise. For evidence, look no further than that an apology by the acid-tongued Simon Cowell for remarks that were “verging on disrespectful�?was only the second-biggest shocker of the “American Idol�?finale, after David Cook’s victory. The broadcast also attracted the show’s third-largest finale audience, an achievement in a season in which its ratings sometimes set record lows. The series also drove Fox to its first season-long victory as the most-watched network on television. Not least, Mr. Cook, 25, the surprise winner by a landslide 12 million votes over the judges�?favorite, David Archuleta, 17, might help to bring a much-needed boost to a franchise that, despite its recent weakness, is by far the biggest show on television. This year the “American Idol�?producers allowed contestants to play instruments in their performances, and it might have been the overall musical ability demonstrated by Mr. Cook’s rock-tinged riffs on the electric guitar that helped build the fan base that carried him to victory. Mr. Cook’s March 25 interpretation of the Michael Jackson hit “Billie Jean,�?modeled after a performance by Chris Cornell, the former frontman for the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave, transformed him from just another rocker who seemed headed for an early departure into a front-runner for the season’s crown. Wisely, Fox Broadcasting and Fremantle Media, the company that produces the show, are now looking for more ways to change both the rules and the presentation of “Idol�?to keep ratings from taking what is by now a regular midseason sag. “There will always be dips and valleys,�?Peter Liguori, the chairman of Fox Entertainment, said in an interview just before the Wednesday broadcast. “The mind-set of the producers is, let’s keep the spirit of the show intact, but what additions can we make for greater entertainment value, greater drama and greater tension. They’re really open to it and they’re aggressive.�?/FONT> Among the changes being discussed, according to people involved in the show’s production, who spoke on condition of anonymity because decisions have not yet been made, are lowering the minimum age for contestants, which is now 16. (Mr. Cowell predicted in a recent television interview that it would soon be lowered to 14.) In addition, the programmers are exploring whether to modify the several weeks of episodes that open the season in January. Traditionally those episodes are given over to taped segments of the previous summer’s stadium-size auditions. One idea under consideration is to start the season with an extended version of Hollywood Week, narrowing the field to 24 contestants from about 200, and interweaving those more intimate auditions with tapes of the first-round tryouts, which attract as many delusional fans eager to grab the spotlight as they do serious contenders. The “American Idol�?producers have also been soliciting opinions online, as they have in past years, about which of the three judges are most integral to the show and which might be expendable. Much public discussion has focused on Paula Abdul, whose verdict last month on a performance that had not yet occurred drew attention and some scorn. But it is anticipation of those unscripted moments that draws marginal viewers to the show; fewer fans, it would seem, tune in to hear Randy Jackson’s weekly admonitions about whether each performer stayed on pitch. The show’s producers have rarely revealed much about the voting margins during the season, with two notable exceptions. On Wednesday Ryan Seacrest, the host, dispelled any notion that this year’s race was close by announcing the vote margin �?but not, of course, the winner �?near the start of the broadcast. Similarly, in 2003, he announced that only 130,000 votes separated the winner, Ruben Studdard, from the runner-up, Clay Aiken. Even when a surprise elimination occurs �?as in early April, when Michael Johns was voted off the show �?the producers do not reveal whether it was caused by a momentary lapse by fans who assumed that their favorite was safe. Nigel Lythgoe, an executive producer of the show, said earlier this year that revealing all the vote totals would, in some years, rob the series of its suspense. In the fourth season, he explained, Carrie Underwood so dominated the voting, winning every week by a large margin, that disclosing the totals would have diminished viewership. But there is another side to that debate. Revealing vote totals could quiet skeptics who believe that the fix is in. Conspiracy theorists focused this year on the fact that the first 6 of the 12 finalists to be eliminated went in alternating male-female order. To their credit, the “Idol�?producers have demonstrated that they do not take themselves too seriously. The decision to include in the finale Renaldo Lapuz, the white-robed and tuneless originator of the song “We’re Brothers Forever,�?was a stroke of genius, one that will certainly inspire more jaw-dropping “talent�?to prepare their acts for next season’s auditions. (In the meantime, Mr. Lapuz can be booked for parties via his Web site, RenaldoLapuz.com). “American Idol�?is not likely to lack for promotion anytime soon, a fact made disturbingly evident in the backstage press room on Wednesday. There, Fox publicity agents cut short post-performance interviews with Mr. Cook and Mr. Archuleta so that other so-called reporters, most of them working for celebrity tabloids and fan Web sites, could take pictures with the two finalists and get their autographs. The biggest remaining mystery from Wednesday’s finale is what Mr. Cowell knew and when he knew it. By proclaiming Mr. Archuleta the winner by a knockout after Tuesday’s final performance, Mr. Cowell might have driven fans of Mr. Cook to vote more heavily. Some fans have speculated that the producers wanted Mr. Cook to win because he seemed to be the more commercially viable of the two finalists. The looming presence of Mr. Archuleta’s father, who was banned from rehearsals near the end of the season because of run-ins with the show’s producers, was also thought by the conspiracy-minded to have pushed the “Idol�?machine to embrace Mr. Cook. Mr. Cowell said on Thursday that he had changed his mind about the outcome of the performances after viewing Tuesday’s show at home that night. He denied that he knew of the final vote tally when he backpedaled moments before Mr. Cook’s coronation on Wednesday. “I didn’t know at that point who was going to win,�?Mr. Cowell said during the interview on Mr. Seacrest’s syndicated radio program. “But win or lose, it had to be said.�?/FONT> Mr. Lythgoe, in a separate interview with Mr. Seacrest on Thursday, said that Mr. Cowell’s remark was prompted by a more pedestrian concern. “Just in case he was wrong,�?Mr. Lythgoe said. |
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Bo Bice Begets Baby Boy
The youngest member of the Bice Squad has arrived. "American Idol" season 4 runner-up Bo Bice and his wife Caroline Fisher welcomed a baby boy on Tuesday, Aug. 5, reports Usmagazine.com. Baby Caleb is the couple's second son. The couple, who wed in July 2005 in Helena, Alabama, are also the parents to Aidan, who will be 3 in September. "[Caleb] is a good biblical name," Bice said at the "American Idol" finale show in May. "We stuck with that with both kids -�?good Irish and good biblical names." Last year, the 32-year-old rocker opened the record label Sugar Money and released his album "See the Light." |
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'American Idol' adds DioGuardi as fourth judge NEW YORK (AP) -- Scoot over, Simon Cowell. "American Idol" is adding a fourth critic to its panel of judges. Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi will sit alongside Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson when the eighth season of "American Idol" premieres in January, the Fox network said Monday. "For the past seven seasons, Paula has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges' table," said Mike Darnell, president, alternative programming of Fox, in a statement. "With Kara by her side, Paula has some backup and now there is going to be a lot more `girl power' on the show," Darnell said. DioGuardi's songs have been recorded by Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Pink, among others. "We are turning the heat up on `Idol' this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges' table," said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller in a statement. "She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America's most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show." Executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz said a fourth judge isn't a new idea. "We had originally intended for `American Idol' to have four judges," she said. "We've seen from our international series that having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and the viewers." |
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Why Did 'American Idol' Hire Kara DioGuardi?  Kara DioGuardi is the new American Idol judge. She's a prolific songwriter, clearly a smart woman, and from everything I've heard, is up to the challenge. The news hasn't appeared to resonate like I presumed it would. I guess the appointment is a little too abstract at this point; no one has really seen Kara in person just yet, and no one knows how this is going to work (the judges included) until America views her at the judging table, interacting with the Terrible Trio. If we can agree that it's currently impossible to say anything about how good Kara will be on American Idol, then there's just one thing to discuss: Why? Why did the American Idol producers decide that now was the time to bring Kara DioGuardi into the fold, at the tail end of the nationwide auditions? I listened in to a FOX conference call with Kara yesterday. I was impressed by her candor, and think she'll be quite good on American Idol. She has a matter-of-factness that should be appreciated by the audience. Kara's going to tell the singers if they are bad, but unlike Simon, she'll be giving constructive criticism and won't bite the apple of humiliation that Simon munches on every episode. One nugget of information from the call that I found telling was that Kara's hiring was really, really abrupt. She was called in, talked to the producers, and that was that. The American Idol brass knew Kara from before �?she has written and produced songs for a number for Idol alums �?but she didn't have any sort of try out, nor did she get a chance to interact with the judges before the hiring. So, again, why? Has Paula been even further off her game during the auditions? Did the Idol producers feel that they needed a back-up plan in case Paula completely imploded and had to be removed? Simon Cowell has the most clout of any of the judges (and it's not close), so you know that he signed off on DioGuardi's addition. Did he and Simon Fuller feel that current three-judge set up had become boring and stale? Did Simon finally give up and say, “You know what, maybe it is Paula's time to go?�?BR> Had this hiring occurred before the auditions began, there would be no need for conspiracy theories. It would have been heralded as another needed change to the format in order to keep things exciting. The timing, however, is the thing that perplexes me. The thing I keep coming back to that makes the most sense is that Paula must be becoming a problem. Why else would they so suddenly hire another woman, a woman who's clearly more intellectually sound than Paula, to sit down at the judges table in the middle of auditions? Another possibility is that Simon Fuller and the other Idol producers got the sense that the three judges, as a group, were sleepwalking their way trough the proceedings, and needed a little jolt. There's nothing like a little new blood to get old pros back on their game. We probably won't know much more until American Idol premieres in January. Until then, we can only speculate. |
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American Idol's Clay Aiken is Officially Gay  Sexuality is a touchy subject. Celebrities, since the beginning of time, have had their sexual leanings called into question. Some dodge the issue, some take it head on, others leave it ambiguous. No matter what you think celebrities owe to you, they have no obligation to let the public know where their sexual preferences lie. They don't. They don't have to tell you anything about their personal lives. Granted, in this day and age, with TMZ and US Weekly and the litany of invasive, scum-bag bloggers out there, famous people are having an increasingly more difficult time in keeping their private lives private. When the press sniffs sexual ambiguity, they get rabid. Ever since Clay Aiken hit the scene on American Idol, people thought he was gay. Fans have embraced the possibility, fans have become overly defensive about the possibility, fans have remained indifferent. Now, we have a definitive answer, thanks to People Magazine. Clay Aiken is gay. Yep, gay. You're going to have to deal with it. There's no denying it anymore. Perhaps this will crush some fans. It shouldn't. One always has to wonder why some celebrities, when a large portion of the public straight-up assumes they're gay, take so long to exit the proverbial closet. Who knows? Who cares? It is their decision, and their decision alone, and it should be accepted without question. Now, this story won't be fully confirmed until 7am tomorrow morning, when People Magazine will unveil the new magazine cover on their website. However, Perez Hilton got a hold of what is apparently the new cover, which you can see (with the Perez watermarks) above. People have confirmed that Clay Aiken and his new child (via artificial insemination) will appear on the cover, which leads me to believe that the Perez cover is legit. So, there you have it �? American Idol's Clay Aiken: Officially Out of the Closet. We can all go back to our lives now |
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PSSSSST Katie... 'American Idol 8' to Premiere January 13  FOX has quite a January lined up. Yesterday, FOX announced that 24 would return with its seventh season premiere on Sunday, January 11. 24's will be a two night, four-episode premiere. Today, it was revealed that FOX's calling card, American Idol, will premiere immediately following 24. American Idol 8 will get under way with a two night, four-hour premiere of its own. On Tuesday, January 13, the American Idol 8 auditions will debut with a two-hour premiere. Another two-hour audition episode will follow the next night, on Wednesday, January 14. It feels like American Idol 7 just ended. Now, we're only two months away from another five month onslaught of American Idol goodness. Prepare yourselves, Idol fans, your day of reckoning approaches. Details about American Idol's eighth go around aren't omnipresent. We can assume it will more or less be like last season. The biggest change is the addition of a fourth judge, song writer Kara DioGuardi. She didn't participate in all of the Idol auditions this season, as she was brought in in the middle of the process. Considering that Idol rarely airs the auditions in chronological order anyway, I'd guess that she'll appear in the season premiere, as FOX will want to acclimate the viewing audience to her presence. As for how the initial auditions will work now that there are an even number of judges, the word is that Simon Cowell will break all ties. This means that FOX is outwardly acknowledging what has been apparent to the general public since season one �?Simon Cowell is the most important judge. Another thing to pay attention to is the loss of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. Since he always acted behind-the-scenes, it's hard to know exactly what he brought to the table. Any changes in production could be a result of his absence. Not that Idol really needs to change anything. Despite lower ratings than earlier seasons, the series is still far and away the highest-rated in all of television. |
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American Idol: Paula Abdul's Stalker Kills Self Outside of Paula's Home  A woman was found dead in her car outside of Paul Abdul's house late last night, the result of an apparent drug overdose/suicide. The woman, who some are identifying as Paula Goodspeed, is thought to have been a stalker of Paula Abdul. The car she was found in, just mere feet from Abdul's Los Angeles property, had a Abdul-themed vanity license plate, and pictures of Abdul inside the car. Goodspeed previously auditioned for American Idol, and was even featured on an episode, though she was harshly criticized and sent away by the judges. Abdul and her people have known about the stalker for years, and have had numerous, albeit peaceful, run-ins with her.
Though the Los Angeles police won't release the name of the woman who was found dead, Abdul and her staff have been made aware of the identity, and have said that they've known about this woman for years. Still, this remains shocking and horrifying news that can't be easy for Abdul, especially as the new season of American Idol rapidly approaches.
Stalkers are one kind of crazy that I simply cannot empathize with. To be obsessed with someone to such a remarkable degree that you would follow them around and get depressed when they don't return your love is unfathomable to me. What is the end game for these people? Did this woman want Paula Abdul to be her best friend? Did she want career advice? It's all very confusing and terribly, terribly sad that a fan would actually kill themselves outside the house of someone they purport to love.
Fame has some negative side effects. While much of it can be tossed away as an acceptable trade-off to the fortune and visibility stars receive, no one should have to endure stalkers, especially suicidal ones. Abdul has to be horrified by this turn of events. What does it feel like to know that a person made the effort to get as physically close as they could to you before taking their own life?
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American Idol: Carrie Underwood Triumphs at the CMA Awards  The Country Music Association Awards was one amazing night for American Idol's own Carrie Underwood. A veteran of the country scene, she shared hosting duties with Brad Paisley during the event. What's more, she took home an award herself and performed one of her hit singles, “Just a Dream.�?nbsp; For the 42nd Annual CMA Awards, Carrie Underwood won the award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Despite that, she seemed more excited about taking the stage with Paisley for the hosting responsibility.
“Some of the all-time greats…have hosted this show, so I've got some massive—I mean, huge—boots to fill,�?Paisley said. When he turned to his co-host, he added “And also I believe Dolly hosted this show, so…good luck.�?nbsp;
“That's way too much for me to live up to,�?Underwood admitted. But during the CMA Awards night, she surely embodied the superstar lifestyle with her wardrobe. Changing her attire seven times for the occasion, her clothes ranged from a one-shouldered emerald green cocktail dress to a pink Grecian-cut gown.
Upon receiving the award for Female Vocalist of the Year (her co-host snagged the Male half of the accolade), Carrie Underwood beamed with pride. “Thank you, country music. I came here through an unconventional way and you guys didn't have to accept me at all. But everybody in town, everybody in Nashville, everybody in the country music community has been so great.�?nbsp;
The platinum-selling musician thanked American Idol, her supporters, and her loved ones, especially her mother who was present during the awards night. Underwood even quipped, “Mama, it's real hard to sing when you're in the second row crying.�?nbsp;
There's no doubt that Carrie Underwood deserved the honor. Her album, Some Hearts, is the biggest-selling American Idol album to date. It managed to gain 7 million records in sales, all across the United States. Three singles off the album yielded top spots on country music charts, ranking high on Billboard and even in Canadian hit lists.
Underwood was also recently interviewed by a Bakersfield publication over the phone, and she continued to discuss her career and her music. “I think that's one of the selling points of country music,�?she said. “There's something in it for everybody and if I'm not your somethin', then that's great, too. Then there's plenty of other people that you can go out and find out and love.�?nbsp;
Fans need not worry about Carrie Underwood. Her CMA Award and American Idol win are proof that she'll be going further in the industry. However, it's this girl's passion that will enable her to really make it through.
“I love what I do and I really hope to sustain this and I hope that in five years people aren't tired of me. I want to be able to have a good long career and see where it takes me. So far, that thought process seems to have worked. I'm ridin' the wave and seeing where it takes me.�?/DIV>
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Is Paula Abdul leaving ‘American Idol�? Judge has ‘no comment�?on report that she's transitioning out of show LOS ANGELES - Is Paula Abdul gearing up to abandon her judge’s chair on “American Idol�? According to a report by OK! Magazine, Abdul is planning to “transition�?out of her involvement with the FOX mega-hit to begin working on several new TV projects. “She knows that every season could be her last. Now she’s got a new secret venture that she’s really excited about,�?OK! quoted a source as saying. She is currently filming “Paula Abdul’s RAH Cheerleading Bowl,�?a cheer squad competition program that will air on New Year’s Day on MTV. When contacted by Access Hollywood, a rep for Abdul had “no comment�?on the report. Abdul has found herself in the headlines this week, after an obsessed fan was found dead near Abdul’s home in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Paula Goodspeed, 30, was found dead in her car parked near Abdul’s home on Tuesday. Abdul, 45, has been a judge on “Idol�?�?alongside Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson �?since the show’s debut in 2002. This season, the judging panel welcomes a fourth member �?Kara DioGuardi. The eighth season of “American Idol�?premieres January 13 on FOX. |
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American Idol: Is Paula Abdul on Her Way Out?  Paula Abdul's struggles have been well-documented. Not that they're horrible personal struggles, unless the pills/drugs rumors of years' past are true, but they are struggles nonetheless. Paula has long been lambasted as the weak link on American Idol's judging panel. Idol purists like to say that the show wouldn't be the same without Paula. These people, and I say this in as delicate and understanding a way as possible, are misguided. The “if it ain't broke, don't fix it�?school of thought is a dated idiom, and one that American Idol has never conformed to anyway. From releasing Brian Dunkleman into the wild after season 1, to the changing of the formats on an almost yearly basis, to the implementation of instruments last season, to the recent hiring of Kara DioGuardi, American Idol has always been aggressive in making their show a better one. Whatever you think of Paula Abdul, the time finally seems right for her departure. There was that whole messy business of Paula's stalker killing herself outside of Abdul's home. Paula Goodspeed, a super-fan who had been contacting Abdul, sending her letters and flowers, for the past three years, finally had enough of Abdul not returning the love and did herself in. What kind of emotional toll this will take on Abdul is impossible to say. It's not like the common person can empathize with such a bizarre situation. Abdul must be feeling some combination of sadness, shame, and relief. There is a rumor going around that Paula's departure from Idol may be imminent, as she also has another TV project in the pipeline. These rumors seem to pop up before every season of Idol, but this time, I think the possibility is more real. Paula Abdul is not very good at her job. She serves a purpose �?being the positive ray of light for even the worst singers �?but Randy Jackson has turned into a similar harbinger of positivity, the difference being that he does in a far more lucid manner. The producers and fellow judges all seem to really like Paula as a person, and I suspect this has delayed her inevitable dismissal. The problem, then, was two-fold �?finding the right time for her release, when personal embarrassment would be at a minimum, and being able to replace her at the drop of a hat. The latter issue is already in place with the hiring of Kara DioGuardi. And now, thanks to the possibility of another project (though, it may not really exist) and the stalker ordeal, Abdul has more than enough excuse to make a gentle exit Stage Left if she, or FOX, desired it. If Abdul does end up leaving American Idol before the season starts, the stated reasons will be personal. However, this will probably not be the truth. It will be a forced resignation, as no sane person would turn down a high-profile, high-paying job like American Idol judge. That being said, no time is more perfect that now for Paula Abdul to leave the show once and for all. |
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As Season 8 Gets Closer, 'Idol' Gets David Cook Plugs (and More Cars)  It never really felt like American Idol left us. Sure, the seventh season ended almost half a year ago, with David Cook triumphing over David Archuleta, but afterwards it’s still been a battle of sorts between the two. Or at least that’s what most people are playing up on, from chart positions to airplay to just about anything else. But soon we’ll be diverting out attention to another competition (or whatever they’ll brand it next): American Idol’s eighth season is coming on January 13, and it’s getting closer and closer. Of course, they’ll have to recruit some help in letting people know. (As if they have to: just mention the date and it somehow gets stuck in fans�?minds.) It’s only now, though, that they’ll be getting help from a former Idol winner. Expect new Idol plugs over Fox this weekend, featuring none other than David Cook, reflecting on his journey from little-known aspirant to internationally-famous singer. (If you haven't seen the promo, you can watch it at the end of the article.) But don’t expect Cook to be the only former Idol appearing in ads for the upcoming season. “We’re looking at doing some spots with some other past Idol contestants,�?said Joe Earley, Fox’s marketing chief. There’s no word, though, on who those could be. It’s also been confirmed that Ford will still be a major sponsor of the widely-successful talent search, despite the financial problems that have hit American car makers hard. Ford cars have been a ubiquitous presence on Idol, from outright sponsorships to those little recorded bits during results shows with the remaining contestants singing inside—where else?—the cars. It’s good news for everybody involved in the show: the car maker plunked in $78 million to sponsor Idol, from the aforementioned recorded bits to the commercials. But perhaps the most important thing to wait for is the stuff that we’ll actually be watching come January. Judge Paula Abdul couldn’t be more straightforward with what we should expect to see. In an interview on E!’s Daily 10, she quipped: “Simon’s man boobs got bigger.�?BR> Riiight. |
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'American Idol' Gets Theme Park Attraction  Surely you've probably wanted to join American Idol, but more often than not there seems to be something in the way. Maybe you think you're at your best during the time when nationwide auditions are not being held. Maybe you're a little anxious about how the judges will treat you. Or, maybe you've been rejected before, and you don't ever want to go to the ordeal of crying in front of the camera and swearing at Simon Cowell for being a “bleeping bleep�? Feel free to throw in your choice of words. But, after seven seasons, and with an eighth coming up, Idol is bound to creep beyond the television screen, and giving you a bigger chance of getting in, or at least experiencing it. Behold the theme park attraction. Disney Parks and Resorts, along with 19 Entertainment and Fremantle Media, recently announced the opening of The American Idol Experience, which will be located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The attraction, which will open on February 12, 2009, promises to do what it says on the can—give visitors the complete American Idol experience. Those who dare will go through a perhaps similarly nerve-wrecking audition process; they'll have to sing in front of a Disney producer, first a capella, and later with prerecorded music, just like in the show. Whoever is deemed to have enough “star quality�?will work with a vocal coach, hair stylist and make-up artist, before being whisked to the attraction's live stage, where they will perform before a live audience and a panel of judges. Sounds familiar? Whoever gets the highest amount of votes among the contestants will compete in a “grand finale�?show at Walt Disney World at the end of the day, and the winner of that contest gets a guaranteed slot at a future American Idol audition. “One of the most remarkable elements about American Idol is that for a brief moment each week, we can provide TV viewers the opportunity to imagine life as America's next superstar,�?Simon Fuller, 19 Entertainment head, said in a statement. “Disney's new attraction perfectly captures what we at American Idol feel is the heart and soul of this brand, real people getting a shot to make their dream a reality.�?BR> “Millions of people have imagined themselves standing on the American Idol stage,�?Jay Rasulo, Disney Parks and Resorts chair, added. “We're excited that we will be bringing this dream to life every day at Walt Disney World.�?BR> So, if you can't get yourself to audition, then this could be it. You get to experience the entire thing, albeit in a microcosm—and, if you're lucky enough, you might get shipped to the real thing. Consider your trip to The American Idol Experience as mere practice, if that's the case. Although probably seeing a judge act like Simon Cowell might end up making you laugh�?just a thought. |
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Season 7 'Idol' Wannabe Luke Menard Finally Cancer-Free  Amidst the many names that one encounters in one season of American Idol, I'm sure some of them are probably forgotten, especially as the competition moves forward. So, do you remember Luke Menard? You know, that guy who first appeared in the Omaha auditions last season and eventually cracked the final 24 before getting the boot on the same night that Danny Noriega was eliminated? You probably heard that almost right after he got the boot from Idol, he was diagnosed with cancer, and has since begun fighting it with multiple treatments. Of course, cancer is devastating news, especially for Menard, who just turned 30 at the beginning of the month. To be specific, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects one's lymph nodes. Thankfully, that condition is one of the easiest to cure, especially when detected early. And Menard—who has since continued performing with his a capella group Chapter 6—is happy to announce that he has been cured of the disease. “I'm cancer free according to my last test scan that I had,�?he enthused in an interview with Access Hollywood. “It's been exciting to get that news �?We were always praying for this news, to be cancer free. When you're going through chemo, it's kind of a one-day at a time thing. You don't know how you're gonna feel when you wake up in the morning and sometimes you're kind of sick and you're throwing up. It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.�?BR> The news serves as a little cherry on top of what could be described as a whirlwind year for Menard. He first auditioned for Idol in season 6, but didn't get past the first round. On his second try, he stormed through the auditions, making a mark in the Hollywood round and later being one of the top performers in the semi-finals, although it wasn't enough. Then came the cancer diagnosis, news which didn't bring him down, although there was his share of hard times. He's thankful to have met many friends during his short Idol run; they came to him upon hearing of his ordeal. “All the producers from American Idol, 19 Entertainment �? David Cook, who won [the show] �?he has been extremely helpful, even financially with medical bills,�?Menard said. �?9 Entertainment has helped out with medical bills, so it's been way more than expected.�?nbsp; When he arrived back home to Crawfordsville, Indiana, more friends came to his aid, especially when his medical insurance went short; they eventually set up numerous fundraisers to help him fight his battle. Throughout those times, he took refuge in one thing he's been passionate about: music. What else could it be? “It's kind of been my therapy throughout the last seven months, being diagnosed and then going through chemo and going through radiation,�?he said of his tours with his group, as well as his song writing, for himself and for many Christian music songwriters. “It's kind of been my outlet to get away from the hospitals, to get away from the doctors and just kind of get away from everything.�?BR> Now that the New Year is almost upon us, he hopes to continue with his musical aspirations, both as a group performer and a solo artist. Indeed, some good things still happen, even if you never exactly reached your goal, and even if your name's all but forgotten as time goes by. Whether the next season of American Idol would have such stories, of course, remains to be seen. |
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Kara DioGuardi Talks Paula Abdul and 'Idol' Tiebreakers  How many questions were raised when news of Kara DioGuardi being recruited as a fourth judge on American Idol? Sure, she's got what it takes—she's written so many hits, from established artists such as Kylie Minogue and Faith Hill to Idol graduates like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Katherine McPhee—but why exactly was she put into the show? Right after the announcement was made, there was much speculation that Paula Abdul was being eased out of her judge's seat, in light of her many recent controversies, and questions about whether she can still carry on judging duties or not. As Idol's January 13 premiere came closer, the folks behind the hit reality show have insisted many times that Paula isn't on her way out, and that Kara has been tossed in to shake up the dynamic. Sure, we took that, with executive producer Ken Warwick enthusiastic over how Kara does her judging, and how her opinions mix in with that of Paula's, Randy Jackson's and Simon Cowell's. But one can't help but still feel sneaky about it. It's somewhat touchy, after all—here comes Kara, then, to clear her side. Is she out to get Paula's spot? “Oh no,�?she simply told E!'s Kristin Dos Santos. “Why would I take her place? She's great. People love her, [and] I'm hoping they like me. I'm not worried about taking Paula's place. I'm trying to make sure people like me.�?BR> Perhaps it's hard breaking into an audience who's already used to seeing the way Randy, Paula and Simon deal with the wannabes and the wannabe-but-can'ts. But with her very rich background in songwriting and producing, it mustn't be a hard thing. Still, how will she deal with the contestants? “I have an opinion, I have something to say, I have a lot of experience, and I'm going to voice that,�?she said. “If there's a kid that I feel needs a tough approach, that's what I'm going to give them �?I'm always honest, I always tell the truth straightforward.�?BR> And, to her delight, the playing field is finally even, so perhaps we should expect a little more, err, intelligent discussion over who goes in. “Two guys, two girls,�?she said. “Sometimes the girls don't agree with the guys. Sometimes I agree with one or two of them, it goes back and forth.�?BR> But before, two yeses can get someone into Hollywood—what about now that there's a possibility of a stalemate? “The biggest change is that Simon is the tiebreaker,�?Kara revealed. “If you agree with him, great, but if you don't, there's definitely going to be some contention there. It's kind of minute by minute now with this new tiebreaking thing, everyone on the panel could seem to be getting along, and then he says he wants to put them through or not put them through, and all hell can break loose.�?BR> How would that turn out? American Idol returns to Fox on January 13 and 14 with a four-hour season premiere. Only then will we know if it'll work. I do hope so... |
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