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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > April > 23
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
4/23: Idol top 6 results show - Carly Smithson is out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I left the baseball game early to catch the elimination as the Braves were losing. And Carly is a goner, too. MInor shocker: Syesha in the bottom two. But although my initial instinct was for Jason to go (and he deserved it), I knew Carly was in serious danger.
Bottom line: those fans for Brooke & Jason came out in droves after their relatively poor performances last night. And Syesha’s lack of a fan base reared its ugly head (and going first, obviously, didn’t help.). But Carly had a good performance and as recent weeks have indicated (see Kristy and Michael), good is bad. Bad is good. It’s all very George Orwellian!
I predicted Carly finishing sixth when the top 12 were announced and I got that 100% right!
Carly has a wonderful voice but she always had trouble translating her bubbly off-camera personality on camera. She always seemed a bit desperate, a bit needy, shadows from her past failed record. And we all know about the Psycho Bunny From Outer Space look even when she sang sweet, happy songs. (She was only starting to correct that problem recently.) She was seldom horrible but I don’t recall her ever really hitting it out of the park. And you have to wonder if the tattoo factor hurt her just a wee bit.
But in the end, she’s got talent, she’s got a good head on her shoulders and if she can find the right niche, she might get a real second chance at stardom.
“You can leave with your head held high,” Simon said.
“I’m not upset I’m going home,” said Carly, the former Fado Irish Pub waitress here in Atlanta from 2003 to 2005.
Next week’s theme: the final mentor Neil Diamond.
Belatedly, I’m catching the actual full episode, including a respectful group sing of the song Carly was going to sing first (maybe she should have stuck with it in retrospect?). There was a “what’s up with?” piece on Tamyra Gray (“Rent”) and Clay Aiken (“Spamalot”), who got to namedrop his upcoming album to boot. And Brit “X Factor” winner Leona Lewis does a victory lap before the man who “discovered” her Simon Cowell.
In other “Idol” news:
-No answer why David Cook’s little indie recording “Analog Heart” disappeared from Amazon’s MP3 site.
-We’ve talked before about how the vote totals are never released. The Arizona Republic explores the topic.. Here’s the most interesting tidbit—executive producer Ken Warwick had no clue they were never released, even after the season is over:
“If there’s any overt rule that says why (totals) shouldn’t be released, I’m not aware of it,” executive producer Ken Warwick said in an interview last week. “I was under the impression they were open to scrutiny.
“No one is saying you can’t look at them,” he added.
But then the paper got this weird note credited to Fox and show producers Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment: “The network and producers will not disclose voting tallies for the competition, as the release of such information would only serve to create additional rumor and speculation.”
Huh? Isn’t that backwards logic? Wouldn’t transparency blunt rumor and speculation?
-Do you remember Savannah’s Stephanie Edwards(right), who finished 11th last year? She was distinctly boring and overshadowed by Melinda and LaKisha. According to USA Today, she’s back at school chasing a psychology degree at Armstrong Atlantic State University in her hometown of Savannah, Ga.
“You need that backup and the education behind you,” says Edwards, 20. “It makes you a more well-rounded person.”
She does visit Atlanta to work on a pop/R&B debut, according to the story.
-Carrie Underwood, who will be at the Gwinnett Arena Thursday and Friday with Keith Urban for two sold-out concerts, is doing ads for vitaminwater.
-Tonight, competing with “Idol” is the Dove Awards, the Christian music equivalent of the Grammys. Three “Idols” are presenting: Phil Stacey, Mandisa and Chris Sligh.
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4/23: Idols live tour dates - Gwinnett Arena August 18
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(I’m creating a separate blog entry for this just so folks can find it easier down the road though it’s going to be quickly superseded by the results show entry.)
Mark your calendars. Locally, the “Idols Live” tour will return to the Gwinnett Arena for the fourth year in a row, this year August 18. Ticket info forthcoming.
“Idols Live” will feature fewer duets and group sings and more solo work, according to a story in USA Today..
From the exclusive USA Today story:
Using extensive lighting and giant video screens, producers are aiming to “create a distinct mood for each singer,” Pirie says. Artists will be “encouraged to play an instrument only if it’s appropriate to them.”
Though some of the 10 have songwriting credits, concertgoers won’t be treated to any of their originals this summer. “We really want the experience to echo the television show, so expect to hear a lot of the songs that did well during the season,” says Iain Pirie, head of 19 Recordings U.S., which organizes the tour.
