Archive through May 08, 2003
TV ClubHouse: Archive: American Idol (FOX):
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Archive through May 08, 2003
Seamonkey | Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:57 pm     I just listened on AOL.. wow.. |
Essence | Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 05:15 am     I felt the same way Ladytex. I sure pray that he recovers from this. |
Kitt | Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:56 am     I don't know if this has been mentioned here before, I've been away and haven't had time to read back through the 100s of posts! The article about Simon and his poodle was a fake, apparently a joke by his brother. |
Seamonkey | Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:31 am     I so much want Luther to recover and enjoy the success of his new CD.. and sing again. |
Hermione69 | Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:35 am     Me too, Seamonkey, me too. |
Essence | Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 06:59 pm     Posted 5/6/2003 1:25 PM link Experts analyze the 'Idol' final 4 Who has the inside track? USA TODAY's Bill Keveney gathered a panel of music-celeb judges to clue us in. Q: Why should viewers vote for you to be American Idol? Clay Aiken: "You can't campaign. You just hope. I really hope that people vote for me because they like what I do, because they feel what I sing is quality and is something that moves them." Joshua Gracin: "I can honestly say I'm the only one that's been myself on stage and off stage. I don't play no acts. I don't smile for the camera on cue. That's why some people think, 'Oh, he looks like something's wrong with him.' It's not that. If I'm happy, you'll know I'm happy." Kimberley Locke: "I want people to vote for me on talent and talent alone. Unfortunately, I don't think that happens every week. But the only thing I ask is that people vote on my performance." Ruben Studdard: "I don't really know what to say. I think I've proven I'm consistent every week. I'm just chillin'. I have so much fun on stage. I just get out there and do my thing every week." Pat Boone, former pop idol who has his own record label, Gold Label (www.patsgold.com): On Clay Aiken: "I like his quality of sincerity. He never seems like he's trying to impress you. He has the perfect voice, perfect pitch. He was like a tenor Tom Jones, at least on Build Me Up Buttercup. There's a confident little smile." Boone thinks that Aikin should win: "Clay has shown he is more versatile." On Joshua Gracin: "On Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, he had great pitch. I thought he did a great job. I really think he needs to go right into country. Josh has the best chance at a major career. I not only love him as a country artist, but as a Marine, there's a particular connection (with the country audience)." On Kimberley Locke: "I felt I Heard It Through the Grapevine was uncomfortable for her. She should try to sing songs with which she's comfortable. She has her own natural soul. Where the Boys Are is a hard song to sing, but she sang it beautifully." On Ruben Studdard: "Last (week), Ruben was incredible. ...On Ain't Too Proud to Beg, he was mellow and confident and supremely talented. There's a sound in his voice that I think he could sing the phone book and it would stir emotion." Boone predicts that Ruben will win: "I've loved him from the start. He's so appealing." Terry Ellis of En Vogue, who contributes to the album Church: Songs of Soul & Inspiration, out June 3: On Clay Aiken: "His vocals are absolutely incredible. He has such a powerful, classic sound. I could see him as a 2003 soulful Barry Manilow. He takes criticism extremely well, because he has completely evolved into an overall entertainer." She predicts that Aiken will win: "He's the bomb." On Joshua Gracin: "What I like about Josh is his masculinity. He's got that heart, as if he's performing in the movie Top Gun. He's got this down-homeness that I really love. He's got a good stage presence, except he seemed a little nervous. I would say to him, just be confident in your talent. It doesn't matter what other people are thinking." On Kimberley Locke: "I loved Kimberley's second song, Where the Boys Are. There was a sweetness and sincerity and a sense of nostalgia. On I Heard It Through the Grapevine, she sounded great, but like she was holding back a little bit. It would be nice if she gave you a little more. Her voice is sultry, solid and powerful." On Ruben Studdard: "He sings with so much heart and so much passion. He has this natural sincerity about him. On the ballad he sang, Ruben gave it a more 2003 pace. He had that whole Luther vibe about it, sincere, sultry and smoky." She believes that Studdard should win: He's "natural, almost like he was born on the stage." Doug Robb, lead vocalist for rock band Hoobastank, aiming for a September release on its second album: On Clay Aiken: "The guy looks like he should be a rock singer, but he sounds like he should be on Broadway. He has a great voice. When I say he seems like he's more suited for Broadway, that's not an insult at all. It's about it being theatrical. He's got a good look that the pop culture could embrace." He predicts Aikin will win: "(He) has more of the total package, as far as marketability." On Joshua Gracin: "I'm not really feeling his (performances). He has a kind of country feel. If they're trying to make pop stars out of these people, he doesn't encompass the whole package of what people would buy into. He's got a better chance if he doesn't win this contest to go pursue the country side. He obviously enjoys that more." On Kimberley Locke: "She has a pretty genuine feel to her. Her charisma is real, not put on just for the show. I think people can relate to her just being normal. She's got a really smooth, great voice and she knows how to use it well." On Ruben Studdard: "He's a good singer. There's something about him that is pretty real. I get the feeling he genuinely likes to sing and is doing this for the right reasons. I don't know if I get that same vibe from everybody else." Robb believes Studdard should win: "He seems like he's just enjoying the ride." Vitamin C, pop singer whose new single, Last Night, is due soon: On Clay Aiken: "I am so impressed by his growth (as a singer). He's gotten rid of the cheesy elements. He blew me away with Solitaire. He's a really good performer. He seems like an old-time teen idol. He seems comfortable moving around the stage. He doesn't lose concentration and he shares his enjoyment with others." She believes that Aiken should win: "Clay all the way!" On Joshua Gracin: "He has a spectacular-sounding voice. But I don't think Josh has found his whole persona as a performer. He will have a long recording career. I thought it was interesting, what he did with Bad Blood. Kind of cool. It was slightly outside the norm, opting into the country flavor." On Kimberley Locke: "I thought she was spectacular on Where the Boys Are. I thought she was OK on Grapevine, but I just didn't buy the song. Kimberley is really pleasant to listen to. She has great range. She can go from soft to loud and do it with great feeling. She seems at home with herself." On Ruben Studdard: "He's got a great voice. A lot of these singers are better than the average top 10 artist. But the tough thing about being a pop idol is that it doesn't have (as) much to do with the singing. It's the whole package." She predicts that he will win: "Ruben has the best stage presence." Weird Al Yankovic, whose new CD, Poodle Hat, will be available May 20: On Clay Aiken: In appearance, "it looks like he went from a huge dork to a not-quite-so-huge dork. I should know from experience. He's a talented singer, with enthusiasm and stage presence. That was a bravura performance on Solitaire. I thought Neil Sedaka was going to propose to him at one point. Clay seems like a young Barry Manilow with Ryan Seacrest hair." On Joshua Gracin: "He's got a very pleasant country voice. In Bad Blood, he seemed rattled. He might have forgotten a couple of words. He's still a very talented singer. He doesn't seem as confident. I certainly wouldn't want to be the one who votes Josh out. He looked like the guy who beats you up in gym class." On Kimberley Locke: "I thought she was wonderful. She's my second favorite, next to Ruben. She even made Where the Boys Are sound soulful. I can't offer any criticism. She was ear-delicious, as Neil Sedaka said." On Ruben Studdard: "He's a cross between Luther Vandross and Teddy Ruxpin. I like the way he gives props to his homies in 205. He's happy to be on stage. Makes it look effortless. Maybe he could have a salad once in a while." Yankovic predicts Studdard should and will win: "He's clearly the man." Ken Barnes, USA TODAY music editor: On Clay Aiken: "He's a smooth and powerful vocalist, but he painfully overenunciates every syllable and, as Simon Cowell says, is better suited for Broadway. Puppy-dog appeal could swing the popular vote, though." On Joshua Gracin: "The worse his performances get (and last week's Bad Blood was a nadir that eclipsed his infamous massacre of Kool and the Gang's Celebrate), the more belligerent he acts -- and the more popular he seems to become. Clearly out of his league talent-wise, but may hang on another week or two." On Kimberley Locke: "A solid singer, but non-musical factors (specifically her lack of teen-idol appeal) will probably hurt her." Barnes predicts she should win: "She's overcome a shaky start to become perhaps the most accomplished and versatile singer of the batch." On Ruben Studdard: "Ruben has the most natural singing ability, despite his lackluster uptempo performances." Barnes predicts he will win: "You have to consider him the front-runner, unless too many voters are turned off by his sometimes-sullen demeanor or tonnage." |
Snee | Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:16 pm     ooh, essence, thanks for that! interesting. very interesting. i have trouble buying into the people who think josh has a country recording career ahead of him. i love country (along with r&b, pop, hiphop...) and he's just not there yet. i say yet because he can grow. i've watched nashville star a few times and dang, those people can sing! josh wouldn't have made it there--or maybe the marine thing would have worked somewhat. |
Texannie | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 06:27 am     What a great article!!! Thanks for posting it! |
Foliage | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 06:45 am     thanks for the article Essence! I didn't get "ear-delicious" until I saw it spelled. dur. |
Hobbs | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 06:50 am     Great article. My only question is, why Wierd Al Yanovic? |
Djgirl5235 | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 07:08 am     My thought exactly Hobbs! |
Sherbabe | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 07:55 pm     I heard a radio interview this morning with the hair stylist on American Idol. Dean B. can't remember last name. He has a web site.....www.hollywoodhairguy.com on the guru link, it tells you what he does to some of the idols hair. he also said that Kim L and Clay A are very close to each other. That is nice to hear. |
Tabbyking | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:09 pm     hey, wierd al went to the same college my son is going to attend come september. also john madden. should i be worried? one who lets everything fly and one who won't fly at all....LOL |
Tabbyking | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:20 pm     just saw where wierd al says ruben is a cross between luther vandross and teddy ruxpin!! LOLOL my son had a teddy ruxpin when he was a baby and all the tapes and books to go with him...he used to sing, "who wouldn't love uncle walla?!" at the top of his lungs. it was supposed to be, "who wouldn't love a koala"......oh my heck. maybe my son has the yankovic talent?! |
Gracieo | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:06 pm     Everybody keeps talking about how Clay ought to be on Broadway (not that I disagree--I've seen a few Broadway shows and more than a few movie versions...the voices usually blow me away!!). Anyway, did anybody see that Frenchie will have a solo in Rent next year? You go girl!! |
Scorpiomoon | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:18 pm     From the article Essence posted: Ken Barnes wrote: "...unless too many voters are turned off by his sometimes-sullen demeanor or tonnage." I agree! Everyone can see/hear that Ruben has natural talent, but to me, he comes across as grumpy and miserable when he isn't singing. He rarely smiles and doesn't seem to have a "spark" personality-wise. I have often wondered what he would be like to live with. Is he a different person with his friends and family? Is he different when he isn't on the show? Or is he always so bleak? Paula is always saying how wonderful he is. Aside from his voice, I just don't see it. |
Ladytex | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:26 pm     . |
Rabbit | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:50 pm     Saw Kimberley Caldwell conducting an interview for "54321" on Fox Sports Net while I was channel surfing from my sick bed today. Did anyone notice that girl is kinda of cute and very comfortable in front on the camera? |
Tabbyking | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:00 pm     i think she's very cute. i'll bet she is very confident and comfortable after her years onstage in branson. i was also surprised she went before some of the others on AI. i thought she had a very good voice. sorry you are sick! |
Max | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:26 pm     I think she's adorable. Love the dimples! They remind me of my sister's cute dimples. |
Walker | Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 05:37 am     i totally agree scorpiomoon. |
Foliage | Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 07:12 am     this may already be posted, but I just found out about it. From Playbill.com Frenchie Davis, Once and Future American Idol, Is New Soloist in Broadway's Rent, May 16 By Kenneth Jones 07 May 2003 Frenchie Davis, the big-voiced singer who was ousted from TV's "American Idol" pop competition earlier this year will make her Broadway debut as the "Seasons of Love" soloist in Rent, starting May 16. Davis will be the soaring soloist in the Act Two opener of the Broadway smash, and will play ensemble roles, a spokesman confirmed. Davis, a hefty actress-singer with short-cropped hair and a rich belt, was seen as a favorite to win the Fox TV talent contest until producers kicked her out in February because she had appeared on an adult website. Jonathan Larson penned book, music and lyrics for Rent, the La Bohème-inspired rock musical that tells the story of East Village friends and lovers in the age of AIDS. Larson won the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize, posthumously. He died of an aortic aneurysm on the eve of the show's Off-Broadway run. Performances continue at the Nederlander Th |
Rissa | Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 07:18 am     Of all the voice 'types' out there, Frenchie's is definately the sort I gravitate towards the most. And Broadway is my passion!!!! This is great news for her and I am sure she will do an awesome job. |
Walker | Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 09:05 am     wow that is great,i'm so happy for frenchie..she's a great talent and a wonderful personality, i know she will do well, she may be the next nell carter. |
Maris | Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 09:16 am     Here is a very interesting piece of gossip from fox.com. Interesting because of the reference to Issac Hayes. Could he have something to do with next weeks theme? 2933,86324,00.html,link Idol Gossip: Oprah Visits the Set Yesterday I had the unusual experience of spending the day backstage at American Idol. I’m sure it's quite a scene on a regular day, but yesterday was off the scale because Oprah Winfrey arrived with an entourage so she could tape an episode of her show after Idol's taping. I was not there because I work for Fox News. Idol is on Fox network TV. No, American Idol tapes at CBS studios in Los Angeles, right next to The Wayne Brady Show. Literally, more like right on top of Wayne Brady. Their soundstages are side-by-side and they share a long narrow hallway full of dressing and make-up rooms. It was there, waiting to watch a taping of Wayne's fun show, that I got to see a slice of Idol. At one point, all the men of the show — Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson — were all in makeup chairs getting more attention than most women I know. There was a lot of primping for these popular guys. In the hallways were the finalists for Idol 2, including Clay Aiken, a spike-haired red-headed young guy who was practicing his vocalizing as he paced. Of course, I was a little surprised when I looked him up on the Fox Web site to discover that he started the show with much darker hair and eyebrows. "Where are you from?" I asked him. "New York," he shot back in a Southern accent. "No, really, North Carolina." But I think "Hollywood" is the answer now. Meanwhile, I spotted nearly all the participants who'd been voted off the show in recent weeks. They mill about with the still-active players and the hosts, all chatty and very friendly. As you may know, Josh Gracin was the latest victim of elimination last night. That leaves Clay, Ruben Studdard, and Kimberly Locke. Oprah's arrival added to the frenzy going on in the cramped space that Idol occupies backstage. The talk-show queen is a knockout in person, and even though she has a staff, there's none of the security nonsense that often accompanies big stars. Instead, Oprah's staff was courteous and undemanding. The funniest part of this was the CBS studio staffers, who kept telling everyone, "Oprah is coming. You'll have to clear the hallway. You can just have a peek." Hilarious. When she arrived, just the opposite was true. Oprah stopped and chatted with everyone, full of charm. When she ran into famed singer Isaac "Shaft" Hayes in the hallway, Oprah traded recipes for barbecued ribs. "Don't even ask her about ribs," Hayes said when they parted. (He owns his own restaurant in Memphis anchoring Peabody Place.) "She's serious about it." Winfrey did tell me she'll be reviving her book club shortly, which will be a relief to the ailing publishing industry. Her taped show with the Idol audience will air next week in syndication. |
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