January 2007 News Archive (Page 2)

American Idol has been solid so far this season. But MTV.com recently talked to a few insiders on how it could be even better ...

Taylor Hicks, season-five winner: "I would probably allow people to play instruments. For me, there's a couple different aspects to my entertaining, two of them being harmonica and guitar. That could be a cool possibility."

Randy Jackson, American Idol judge: "I could definitely live without [the celebrity guest judges]. I mean, the show works because it's the three of us on the panel, and what we do and how we interact. I think when people come into the arena that we judge in, it's often a little awkward and a little hard for them. I think people look at the show as a fan and go, 'I could do that. I'd love to be there.' It's almost like saying, 'I could be a pitcher.'

Actually, I couldn't. I don't even know if I could pitch Little League. I mean, yes, you could do it, but is it going to be great or are you just there for the TV face time?"

JoJo Wright, on-air personality at KIIS-FM, Los Angeles: "Give out a William Hung Award [to the worst singer] at the completion of the audition process. Perhaps have William Hung present the award, himself."

Paris Bennett, season-five finalist, pictured: "I love that people can call in and vote, but that is very, very controversial. So I'd redo the voting thing. And the genres they pick — our show was good, but we had these slow weeks, love-song week, and sometimes they're stupid."

Bryan-Michael Cox, songwriter/producer (Mariah Carey, Chris Brown): "I would focus more on the positive in the beginning. We think the negative stuff is hilarious, but when you're in the process of launching careers, you shouldn't take the seriousness out of it. You know, William Hung got a record deal, but that could have gone to someone with talent who could be building a career right now."

Todd Brabec, executive vice president/membership, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP): "It would be great to integrate contemporary songwriters into the show who can help write original material specifically suited to the finalists. They could show a behind-the-scenes look at the songwriting process and how it helps to shape the artist. I understand the producers are introducing a national songwriting competition into the mix this year, and that is a step in the right direction."

Ace Young, season-five finalist: "I'd change the food they gave the contestants. We didn't get much for breakfast, it was all crescent rolls and fruit. And I'd change the sleeping arrangements. We slept on beds smaller than a twin mattress and I shared a room with Chris [Daughtry] with my feet hanging off the bed. That was the worst thing about the whole deal."

Greg Wells, producer (Deftones, the Pussycat Dolls): "If I ran American Idol, I would immediately ban all Broadway show tunes from being performed."

The debut album by Katharine McPhee comes out today. What follows is a review of it by The Boston Globe ...

Six years into the process and they still can't get it right the first time.

They would be the folks charged with helping American Idol contestants make a debut album that just hits it out of the park. An album that isn't, without fail, composed of one big money track, a couple of good songs, and a lot of personality-free filler.

Last year's almost-Idol Katharine McPhee had better pray that top 40 programmers get behind her the way country radio did for 2005 champ Carrie Underwood if she hopes to make it to that all-important second album. Because like Kelly Clarkson before her, McPhee's debut doesn't do justice to what she likely has to offer.

Out today, this unbalanced but promising self-titled debut follows the established American Idol formula almost to the letter.

Although McPhee, a former student at the Boston Conservatory, was positioned as an old-fashioned vocalist on the show with her fan-favored rendition of "Over the Rainbow," she also excelled at lighter pop fare such as KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree."

The album's cabal of songwriters and producers - including, but not limited to, Timbaland protégé Nate "Danja" Hills , pop song doctor Kara DioGuardi , and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds - try unsuccessfully to cram both of those sides, and a few others, onto one record.

The first single, "Over It," is a soul-spiced, mid - tempo kiss-off of the sort that's been especially popular of late -- see Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable," JoJo's "Too Little Too Late" (by the same writers) and Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone. " It's a good style for McPhee. Yet her generic vocal makes it sound as if it could be a demo for any one of the above

An obligatory pair of big, blowsy Mariah Carey-style piano anthems should play to the core Idol audience, but they do nothing to illuminate who the 22-year-old California native is beyond a pretty girl with a pretty voice.

A few ill-advised flirtations with the type of sister-friend soul associated with Mary J. Blige -- impeccably produced by Hills -- only manage to make McPhee seem squarer than she actually is, and a lite-reggae number is best not spoken of again.

But for almost every ridiculous song like "Open Toes" - a slick dance track that's supposed to be in the sassy Christina Aguilera mold but, by being about shoes, is just silly - there is a gem like "Better Off Alone." This ruminative blues sounds relaxed and emotionally honest, and plays into strengths McPhee displayed on the show.

Nonsensically , McPhee and her handlers placed "Better Off Alone," as well as the dreamy Babyface contribution "Everywhere I Go," at the end of the album. Hopefully, next time McPhee will play to her strong suit instead of trying to play all her cards at once.

Cingular Wireless - now the new AT&T - has renewed its deal with FOX, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment to provide American Idol fans with mobile access to memorable moments from the show’s auditions.

For the next three weeks, the Cingular Video library will feature up to ten bad American Idol audition clips. To access the clips, consumers need to have a 3G phone and must sign up for the $19.99 MEdia MAX Bundle, which includes unlimited Cingular Video.

In addition to video content, ring tones are also available.

Throughout the season, AT&T’s wireless unit will be introducing new American Idol-themed content, as well as returning favorites such as IDOL Chat, IDOL Trivia and Live IDOL Tones, just to name a few.

The show’s last season generated more than 64.5 million text messages.

Kia Thornton was considered by man to be the most impressive contender to emerge from the New York American Idol auditions.

Makes sense, too: she's no newcomer to the music business.

Thornton was still in her teens when "Lately," a single she cut while a member of the R&B trio Divine, peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1998.

A second single, a cover of George Michael's "One More Try" made it to No. 29 a year later. The group toured internationally, supporting 'N Sync and Britney Spears, Thornton said.

Her dreams of pop stardom fizzled after her label went bankrupt, but Kia never stopped singing, finding an outlet in the choir at Englewood's Community Baptist Church.

Thornton's mother, Michelle Harrison, said the family was parked in front of the television for Wednesday night's American Idol broadcast.

"I'm just happy my daughter made it that far," Harrison said. "I'm very, very happy. I'm proud of my daughter. People are calling. Believe me, the phone is ringing."

Last week, we reported on Entertainment Weekly's early Season Six favorites.

With new American Idol auditions having taken place since then, here's an updated power poll:

1. Jason ''Sundance'' Head (new this week)
Burly, genial son of '60s hitmaker Roy Head was a bluesy delight delivering ''Stormy Monday'' in Memphis, inspiring Simon to predict likely passage to this season's finals.

2. Porcelana Patino (new this week)
With her bleached tresses, cheap bracelets, and brash personality, Porcelana is a lot to hande, but that husky, heartfelt rendition of Mary J. Blige's ''Love No Limit'' was just right.

3. Sanjaya Malakar (last week No. 2)
Younger half of a potent brother-sister combo tackled Stevie Wonder without sacrificing melody for melisma,; with the help of a stylist, there's no telling how far he'll go.

4. Melinda Doolittle (new this week, pictured)
It'd take a Grinch not to root for this 28-year-old backup singer, who fought off a mean case of the nervous shakes before her home-run audition of ''For Once in My Life.'' Still, lack of confidence may not look so cute in front of a live audience.

5. Antonella Barba (new this week)
Untrained half of last week's ''Jersey girl'' duo proved to be a surprisingly powerful vocalist with a great sense of rhythm on Denise Williams' tricky ballad ''Free,'' but is there enough genuine fire beneath that low-wattage facade?

6. Jenry Bejarano (new this week)

What's this? A 16-year-old who looks like Tyson Beckford's far hotter younger cousin? And who delivered an above-average version of Gerald Levert's ''I'd Give Anything to Fall in Love''? Yes, people, God does indeed play favorites.

7. Sarah Krueger (last week No. 1)
She's pretty, she's unassuming, and she gave a knockout rendition of ''Somewhere Over the Rainbow'' at her Minneapolis audition. But did her song choice (and delivery) make her look like a copycat of season 5's Katharine McPhee?

8. Rudy Cardenas (last week No. 3)
Watching Paula Abdul drool (and Seacrest go in for a half-hug) over the 28-year-old Venezuelan-born hunk was high comedy, but the guy's mighty fine rendition of Journey's ''Open Arms'' proves his Idol aspirations are no laughing matter.

9. Nicholas Pedro (new this week)
Yet another chap who had Paula salivating like one of Pavlov's dogs, but his ''Fly Me to the Moon'' proved he's more than a handsome face. Still, after botching his lyrics and bailing during last season's Hollywood round, his guts remain a question mark.

10. Shyamali Malakar (last week No. 4)
Sure, her jazzy take on ''Summertime'' wasn't at Fantasia Barrino levels, but at least she did it her way. Not only that, Sanjaya's sister is sassy without being mouthy, and her success would leave Simon regretting that ''nothing unique'' critique.

11. Rachel Zevita (new this week)
This hooky-playing high schooler brilliantly neutralized Simon's accusation of musical schizophrenia by pointing out that Idol wannabes need to tackle different themes each week. But while she aced the rock, AC, and opera genres, she desperately needs a tutor in Style 101.

12. Jory Steinberg (new this week)
Her plunging neckline grabbed Simon's attention, but it was a polished interpretation of Tina Arena's ''Chains'' that held it. Still, is this Canadian beauty who once sang for the queen of England just a pageant contestant in pop-star's clothing?

13. Matt Sato (last week No. 5)
This 16-year-old's tearful phone call to mom was the emotional highlight of Idol's first week, but if we're being honest, his compelling backstory upstaged a good, but somewhat oversung, rendition of ''California Dreamin'.''

14. Blake Lewis (last week No. 6)
Human beatbox with insanely spiky hair scored a ticket to Hollywood — bringing his dad to tears — with a crazy-skillful rendition of Seal's ''Crazy,'' but Simon had a point that the guy may not be quite as good as he thinks he is.

15. Denise Jackson (last week No. 7)
Her ''And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going'' had power but lacked subtlety — much like her hooched-out red minidress and black crocheted sweater. One also has to wonder, was that ''crack baby'' revelation too much too soon?

16. Chris Richardson (new this week)
The judges dubbed this 22-year-old Virginia native a Justin Timberlake look-alike (and sound-alike), but his overwrought take on ''A Song for You'' paled next to Elliott Yamin's version, to say nothing of Donny Hathaway's original.

17. Jordin Sparks (last week No. 8.)
Clearly has The Voice, but not sure this 16-year-old daughter of an NFL star has the emotional depth to go with it. Seriously, choosing a Celine Dion power ballad as audition material? Yikes. Could be this year's answer to Lisa Tucker.

18. Kia Thornton (new this week)
This 27-year-old seems inherently sweet, and her booming rendition of Aretha's ''Ain't No Way'' recalled early Faith Evans. As Paula pointed out, however, there's magic in knowing when to hold back — and that's not Kia's strong suit.

19. Perla Meneses (last week No. 13)
Her ''Call Me'' was middling, but a last-minute Shakira imitation, complete with come-hither jiggle, stamped her ticket to Hollywood. We'll be shocked if this hottie cracks the top 24, but a decent showing in our week 1 reader poll keeps her ranked — for now.

20. Sean Michel (new this week)
It takes chutzpah to introduce yourself to America by pointing out your resemblance to Osama bin Laden, Jesus, and Fidel Castro, and while his ''God's Gonna Cut You Down'' didn't please my ears, the dude is, at the very least, hard to forget.

American Idol hopeful Jory Steinberg has made it through to the next round of FOX's talent show.

25-year-old Jory, who auditioned in New York, impressed Simon Cowell with her rendition of the Tina Arena song "Chains," leading the smitten judge to remark:

“That was terrific. Why can’t they all be like that?”

The Ottowa-born singer, who now lives in Santa Monica, California, has been performing since she was a kid, having appeared in the stage hit Les Miserables. She also featured on the soundtrack of cult horror film I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.

Her other claim to fame includes meeting Queen Elizabeth when she was 11.

“If I can hang out with the Queen of England, I can definitely kick it with Simon Cowell,” Steinberg said prior to her successful American Idol audition.

By now, you're probably a bit familiar with this year's early America Idol favorites:

There's Sundance Head, the son of a former singer and the man that Simon said blew Taylor Hicks out of the water.

There's also Sanjaya Malakar, the quiet Indian brother of another contestant.

Now, we thought we'd help you get to know another hopeful that has moved on to Hollywood: Sean Michel. He's pictured below and we've provided a link to his MySpace page here.

Enjoy.

Forget Paula Abdul drunk for a minute.

Let's focus on Paula Abdul, Woman of the Year instead.

Indeed, American Idol descended on Las Vegas on Saturday to honor Abdul as she was named woman of the year by the Nevada Ballet Theatre. And she tried a little comedy on for size during her acceptance speech.

Paula poked fun at a bizarre pre-Idol interview with a local Seattle TV station earlier in the month.

"Don't ever give a swivel stool to someone who's very hyper and active because I will spin and spin and spin."

And who knew she was a master of sarcasm?

"I couldn't do it without the three men in my life," she said of fellow Idol stars Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest, who flanked her.

"Every time Randy Jackson opens up his mouth, I look like a Nobel Prize winner. Every time Simon Cowell opens his mouth, Borat sounds like a Nobel Prize winner... Ryan, I really do love him; almost as much as he loves himself. These three brothers are the best thing a girl can hope for, just ask my therapists."

Jennifer Hudson took home the Screen Actor's Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress last night.

"I just want to thank you for noticing little ol' me, and for accepting me," said Hudson, a former American Idol contestant who has also won a Golden Globe for her role in Dreamgirls.

Hudson is the favorite, by far, to finish her honored run at the Oscars in March. We wish her the best of luck.

Associated Press Writer Solvej Schou has been singing since childhood and performs professionally.

Last summer, she auditioned in Pasadena, Calif., for this season's American Idol - not as a reporter but as an aspiring contestant along with 10,000 other first-rounders. Here's her report ...

I've been singing since I was 4 and performing in bands since 15. Nothing, however, could prepare me for auditioning for TV's hit competition American Idol.

It was a chilly morning in August.

I slept through my alarm, set to 3:30 a.m. A friend's call half an hour later woke me out of my nervous sleep. After quickly shimmying into a bright red vintage dress, I rushed over to the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena for the Los Angeles area audition (airing on FOX on Jan. 31 at 9 p.m.).

Bleary-eyed and shivering in the pre-dawn darkness, I took a place in line along with 10,000 other aspiring contestants - from teenagers to those like me in their late 20s.

People brought their mothers, fathers, best friends and aunts. One read "Idol" judge Simon Cowell's "I Don't Mean to Be Rude, But..." Some piled on makeup. Others rehearsed their songs - loudly or whispering. Most everyone yelped and screamed at the FOX cameras twirling past.

I came alone (it was too early for everyone I knew) and murmured lyrics under my breath. Friends called to keep me company. My feet started to hurt.

I'm a blues-singing garage rocker at heart, not someone prone to trying out for a commercial endeavor such as Idol. Yet prodding from friends and family prompted me to give it a chance. Even my bandmates said, "Hey, why not? Go for it."

The song I chose to audition, "Rock Steady" by Aretha Franklin, was a favorite — soulful, sassy. Not as ubiquitous as "Respect," but still bold. I felt committed. I had already been wearing my Idol audition wristband for two days.

Once inside the stadium, after hours of waiting for the gates to open and then that mad dash inside, I found my seat, surrounded by a mix of saucy trash-talkers and shy couples.

Mostly, the tension was palpable — somewhere between wide-eyed hope and crushing anonymity. But there was also something else in the air: a joyful love of music. It felt easy to get caught up in that rush, regardless of the odds.

Questions looped through the crowd.

"Are Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul here?"

"No they're not."

"I heard they are!"

It turns out they weren't — by a long shot.

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