April 2008 News Archive (Page 3)

Following her performance of "Bye Bye" this week, Mariah Carey receives a kiss on the cheek from American Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

Think Simon Cowell was jealous?

Kristy Lee Cook won't be on American Idol forever.

After singing the Mariah Carey hit "Forever" on Tuesday night, the contestant who has seemingly lived in the bottom three every week was finally voted off the show.

She was joined in the bottom three by Syesha Mercado and Brooke White, as Cook shed a few tears when her named was announced to close the hour - but she then bucked up and asked: "Can I go ride my horse now?"

Here's a look at the performance that led to Kristy Lee's demise. Check her out singing "Forever" now:

Do you think American made the right choice in voting out Kristy Lee Cook last night?

We're still in awe of the performance of David Cook from last night.

But perhaps you're wondering how or why he chose to sing "Always Be My Baby." Well, USA Today has published an article that details the song selection process on American Idol. A few excerpts from it:

Each week, Idol's executive producers give contestants a list of songs licensed and approved for the show. The singers get more choices some weeks than others. Past finalists say the lists vary from fewer than two dozen options to a hundred-plus.

"Sometimes it would be four pages, sometimes it could be one page," says Josh Gracin, a Season 2 finalist.

David Archuleta - and his leather pants - went with "When You Believe" during Mariah Carey night.

The lists can contain minefields. The catalogs of technically accomplished vocalists— like Mariah Carey, Tuesday night's mentor — present problems. So do songs known to bring criticism from the judges (anything associated with a previous Idol) or ones that have a history of sending people home ("Wanna Dance With Somebody").

"The producers aren't out to get anybody," says Season 6 finalist Phil Stacey, "but they're not going to stop you from making a fool out of yourself."

Read the full article now.

We welcome all opinions on American Idol Worship. But we challenge anyone to disagree with the fact that David Cook put on the best performance of Mariah Carey night. By far.

With his cancer-ridden brother sitting in the front row - and tears welling up in David's eyes following his rendition of "Always Be My Baby - it was a special night for the Cook family. We wish them the best.

Take a look at Cook's performance now and let us know what you thought of it:

We'll post a more detailed review tomorrow, but tonight we simply wanna know:

Which was your favorite American Idol performance on Mariah Carey night? Leave a comment. Let us know.

Mariah Carey is the guest mentor on American Idol tonight. Syesha Mercado must be psyched. She can match pipes with one of the best vocalists alive.

How will the other finalists react to this diva? What songs will they sing? We're just a few hours away from finding out.

For now, check out the following thumbnail images of all seven remaining contestants. Click on each for a larger version...

Carrie Underwood performs her hit single “All-American Girl” during the 2008 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University on Monday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Somehow, our favorite American Idol winner did not take home any trophies on the night. How is that possible?!?

It will mostly be forgotten about the American Idol finalists take the stage again tomorrow night.

For now, though, talk within this show's world is still centered around the shocking elimination of Michael Johns last week.

"Johns' departure shows how much depth there is this year in the top eight," says Rodney Ho, an American Idol blogger for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Johns also suffered from going first — when viewership is lower and memories fade by hour's end — and from being good but not great or awful."

Don Waller, a member of USA Today's Idol coaching panel, thinks the Australian suffered in comparison with David Cook, the other remaining male rocker.

"Cook had taken his potential fans away already, as rock guys. Michael was getting overshadowed."

Four women and three men remain in a season where many said the men were better. Music consultant Tom Vickers expects a woman to go next, but he says Idol becomes difficult to predict in later weeks.

"Any year you get to the final eight and counting downward, it could be this one going this week or that one going next week," he says. "It comes down to song selection and how well you're able to connect vocally and express your personality."

Expect this week's performance to be more emotional than usual for American Idol favorite David Cook.

And, no, it's not because he's an especially huge fan of guest mentor Mariah Carey.

David's brother, Adam, will be in attendance during tomorrow night's live broadcast. As became known two weeks ago, Adam is suffering through his second diagnosis of brain cancer.

The Terre Haute Trib Star has an article about the brothers live on its site. Here's an excerpt from it:

It was a dream come true for a Terre Haute man as he and his wife left a cold and blustery Hulman Field on their way to California on Sunday.

Wearing a Valparaiso University Law sweatshirt and a navy baseball cap, and waving to friends and family, Adam Cook, with the help of a cane, boarded the Leer jet that would take him almost 2,000 miles to watch his brother, David Cook, attempt to become the next American Idol.

The trip nearly didn’t happen.

Adam Cook, 36, is undergoing chemotherapy for his second diagnosis of brain cancer, which has spread to his spine. A plan to travel to California to see his brother perform was grounded earlier in the week when Adam’s doctors told him he could not fly commercially in his condition.

Read the full article on Adam Cook now.

We'll return to our American Idol season seven news and views in a moment. For now, though, let's focus on our favorite Idol champion for a bit:

Which is your favorite Carrie Underwood look? Bangs or no bangs? Write in. Let us know.