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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2007 > October > 16
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
10/16: Nigel gabs about ATL auditions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
During a phone conference promoting “The Next Great American Band,” I asked Nigel a couple of quick questions about “Idol” auditions in Atlanta last week. (I’ll post later this week about his thoughts on the new show but we’ll keep this one to Idol.)
Five years ago, 46 people from the Atlanta “American Idol” auditions made it to Hollywood. Last week, only 49 people were even trotted before Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. (We don’t know how many made it to the next round.)
Lythgoe said that this isn’t necessarily a reflection of less talent emanating from the auditions. “We’ve been very very picky this year. We’ve just cut out a lot of crazies. The truth is once we have them on tape, we can use them in montages. It seems silly to waste the time of the real judges.”
Of the seven audition cities this year, he said San Diego was the strongest while Dallas was the weakest. “With Kelly Clarkson the only big star out of Texas, it’s truly the Lone Star state,” he joked. (Sorry, Nikki McKibbin. When I tried to come up with her name to Nigel, I blanked. Fortunately, he remembered her name after a few seconds of reflection. But she’s not a star despite finishing third that first year.)
He also repeated an earlier comment that “Idol” next year will focus more on personalities, less on guest stars and “Idol Gives Back” and Sanjaya’s hair and such.
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10/16: Clay Aiken joins Spamalot
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clay Aiken is jumping on the Broadway parade playing a role on “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” following other “Idol” alum such as Frenchie Davis, Diana DeGarmo, Constantine Maroulis, Tamyra Gray and Fantasia. Tamyra has even done two shows, first “Bombay Dreams,” now “Rent.” Fantasia is with “The Color Purple” until the end of the year.
Clay will join the cast January 18 as Sir Robin, a lead role, according to this Associated Press story.
Aiken will appear in the show, which is based on the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” through May 4, 2008. The musical’s book is by Eric Idle, an original member of the Python gang, and its score is by Idle and John DuPrez.
“Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice,” said director Mike Nichols. “Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character.”
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10/16: Kelly’s stripped down tour starts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After all the brouhaha over creative control, mixed reaction to her latest CD and cancellatin of her summer tour due to slow sales, Kelly Clarkson is offering a stripped-down tour, which started over the weekend at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. She comes to the Cobb Energy Arts Centre November 27.
USA Today offers some details of her “shortish” show.
The Daily News hated the dour, goth, shrieky Kelly, loved the pop/soul nuance-filled Kelly.
I’m looking forward to seeing her and comparing her performance to that of her Fox Theatre appearance in 2005.
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