Home > American Idol > Archives > 2007 > December
December 2007
Spend New Year’s Eve with Blake and Jordin
If your plans for the evening involve a couch, a TV set and a cold beverage, then listen up.
Fox’s “New Year’s Eve Live” special, airing from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Fox 7, will feature live performances by “American Idol’s” very own Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis.
It’s a lineup that’s sure to have young girls across this great land squealing in delight.
Happy 2008!
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment
Chace + Carrie = true love?
First they spent Thanksgiving together.
Now they’ve been spotted canoodling on Christmas.
Could wedding bells be in the not-so-distant future for Carrie Underwood and boytoy (and Dallas native) Chace Crawford?
“His whole family loves her,” the ever-popular anonymous “friend” told Us Weekly. “They are really perfect for each other.”
Yet another “friend” tells the mag Carrie’s oh-so-happy to have ditched Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo earlier this year.
“She thanks her lucky stars she isn’t with Tony anymore,” said the shadowy source. “She thinks it’s a joke he’s with Jessica Simpson and sees him as a player. Carrie and Chace call him ‘the player’ and Jessica ‘the ditz.’ “
Can’t say we disagree.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment
‘Idol’ returns Jan. 15
In case the never-ending barrage of commercials hasn’t tipped you off, “American Idol” is coming soon to a TV set near you.
So plan to plant yourself in front of the tube Tuesdays and Wednesdays — and even some Thursdays — beginning Jan. 15.
The early auditions, where producers love to zero in on the freaks and geeks, will be the focus of the first eight — yes, eight! — episodes. Have those aspirin handy.
The show heads home to Hollywood Feb. 12, with the top 24 set to be revealed the following night. Then the top 12 will be unveiled March 6, with single eliminations beginning the following week.
Got all that? If not, check out this site for more details.
Idol chatter …
- Rumors are rampant that troubled “Idol” alum Jessica Sierra is pregnant.
TMZ.com and TheHollywoodGossip.com, among other sites, report Jessica, who spent Christmas in jail after violating terms of her probation, is quite pleased with the news.
The father, we’re told, is an unnamed rapper.
Stay tuned …
- This Christmas wasn’t so merry for Season 2 champ Ruben Studdard, who’s been dropped by record label RCA.
Lackluster sales did him in, according to industry sources.
No word yet on what this means for the Velvet Teddy Bear’s upcoming album with fan favorite Fantasia Barrino.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment
Our top 10 ‘Idol’ faves
As the year comes to a close, it seems everyone’s making a list.
So, of course, we want in on the action.
Without further delay, here’s our list of the top 10 songs from singers with ties to “American Idol”:
10.) “Tattoo,” Jordin Sparks. OK, this one continues to grow on us. Still, though, it barely makes the cut.
9.) “Breakaway,” Kelly Clarkson. The first of Queen Kelly’s four appearances. Deal with it.
8.) “Home,” Chris Daughtry. A smidge over-played, but still deserving of a spot on our list.
7.) “Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson. That gal in the car next to you … yeah, she’s bobbing her head to this one.
6.) “It’s Not Over,” Chris Daughtry. Who’s Taylor Hicks? Chris was robbed on “Idol,” but he’s having the last laugh now.
5.) “Never Again,” Kelly Clarkson. The first single from Kelly’s latest album is a lot darker than we’re used to … but it’s a keeper nonetheless.
4.) “Before He Cheats,” Carrie Underwood. Try not to pump up the volume when this one comes on. We dare you.
3.) “Invisible,” Clay Aiken. Yes, yes … Clay is scary. But the song is pure gold. There’s just no disputing that.
2.) “Wait for You,” Elliott Yamin. Elliott doesn’t get the attention he deserves. Let’s hope that changes in 2008.
1.) “Miss Independent,” Kelly Clarkson. Kelly is the “American Idol,” hands down.
Yes, we’re well aware some fan favorites are missing from our list — including Jennifer Hudson and Kellie Pickler — but we stand by our picks. Agree? Disagree? Drop us a line.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment
‘Idol’ Camp: Westward ho
It’s never too early to think about summer vacation, right?
If you’ve got kids ages 10-15, “Idol” Camp’s one option. Enrollment’s under way right now.
Several two-week sessions are planned throughout the summer months, according to a news release that arrived in our inbox. “Beautiful” Running Springs, Calif. — about 90 minutes east of Los Angeles — is the site for this year’s camp.
Total cost is around $3,000.
Austinite Lauren Martin was among last year’s 150 attendees, hobnobbing with musician Macy Gray and a slew of “Idol” rejects.
A good time was had by all — or so we hear.
Idol chatter …
- “American Idol’s” producers are branching out yet again, teaming up with CMT for a new show set to hit the airwaves soon.
“Can You Duet?” is a search for “the next great country music duo.” In case you’re up for a roadtrip, open auditions are set for Jan. 12 at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tenn.
Unlike “Idol,” “Duet” has no age restrictions.
No word on an airdate just yet. We’ll let you know when we hear something.
Permalink | |
Chris Daughtry: King of the world
We all know Chris Daughtry should have won “American Idol’s” fifth season.
Well, most of us.
But, instead, he was unceremoniously booted two weeks before the finale, where — gasp! — Taylor Hicks walked away with top honors.
Looks like Chris is getting the last laugh, though.
New figures out today from Billboard show ‘Daughtry,’ his debut album, topped the charts in 2007, selling 3.2 million copies.
Taylor? Let’s just say he’s nowhere to be found on the best-seller list.
Idol chatter …
- Don’t expect Fantasia Barrino to be called back to Broadway any time soon.
The New York Post reports the star of “The Color Purple” has missed 50 — yes, 50! — performances since summer.
That’s bad news for the show’s producers, who must offer refunds each night she’s not on stage.
The Post’s sources claim Fantasia’s frequent absences are because she’s “simply not up to the grueling Broadway schedule.”
Welcome to the real world, honey.
From College Station to Hollywood?
It’s almost time for “American Idol’s” seventh season!
Hope you’re as pumped as we are.
While the debut episode is still a little more than a month away, spoilers are already hitting the Web.
A particularly juicy one has a College Station resident making his way to Hollywood.
If true, it won’t be Jason Castro’s first time in the spotlight. He’s already made an appearance on “Cheyenne,” an MTV reality series.
In addition to singing a mean tune, he apparently plays the guitar and drums. Among the musical inspirations listed on his MySpace page: Kirk Baxley, Ray LaMontagne, Ben Harper, Keeping Lions, La Familia Castro, Carlos Vives and “all the great Dallas rock bands.”
Jason’s got two gigs lined up before year’s end — both in Dallas — but his schedule is wide open once January, a k a “Idol” time, rolls around. Coincidence? We think not.
Stay tuned. We’re just getting started. More spoilers to come …
Permalink | |
‘Not guilty, your honor’
Looks like the Hillsborough County, Fla., jail may be Jessica Sierra’s home for the holidays.
The troubled former “American Idol” contestant made an appearance in a Florida courtroom Thursday, where she pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges related to her latest arrest.
E! News reports she’ll remain behind bars until at least Dec. 20, when she’s set to make her next court appearance. Until then, she’s being held without bail.
Meanwhile, Jessica’s attorney told reporters he’s working to get her back into a rehab program … pronto.
Sounds like a good idea.
Update: The bad news just keeps on coming.
Now there’s word Jessica’s invitation to perform at a benefit concert for U.S. troops has been rescinded.
“While we appreciate Ms. Sierra’s past efforts to support U.S. troops, including performing for them in Iraq on Independence Day, it is quite obvious that Ms. Sierra needs to devote a great deal of time to putting her life back together,” Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson said in a statement released to media outlets.
Permalink | |
Attack of the Blake fans
Apparently Blake Lewis does have some fans out there.
Our Tuesday roundup of largely negative “Audio Day Dream” reviews sparked an avalanche of comments from the beatboxer’s diehard fans, many pointing out positive reviews they’d found in various corners of the Web.
Yes, there are some folks out there with good things to say. No one’s disputing that.
So, to appease the masses, here are some glowing words about Blake’s new album. Enjoy.
USA Today: “When he’s not beatboxing clever, Lewis nimbly negotiates ballads and rhythmic pop ditties designed to conquer the top 40 marketplace.”
New York Daily News: “Is it possible? Has ‘American Idol’ finally spawned a singer whose debut CD you could almost call hip? Blake Lewis, this year’s first runner-up (also known as “that guy who does the annoying human beat-box trick”), has actually come up with an album, ‘Audio Day Dream,’ that works perfectly as pop, but which also has a sense of — gasp! — edge.”
We also found this mean-spirited attack from Cleveland.com that was simply too good to pass up: “Note to all you Blakeophiles: Find a new crush. The cute little beat-boxer from Seattle has packed on some pounds and grown a beard. He looks like a chubby, hirsute Keebler Elf on the cover of his debut disc ‘Audio Day Dream.’ Before you write to complain, see for yourself when the CD hits stores Tuesday.”
Eek! We’re guessing someone was having a bad day when they wrote that.
In any case, it’s your opinion, dear consumer, that matters most. So continue to let us know what you think — good or bad.
Permalink | |
Blake beatboxes his way into stores
The reviews are in for “Audio Day Dream,” the debut album from Blake Lewis that hits stores today … and they’re pretty much unaninmous.
Unanimously bad, that is.
Yes, it seems almost no one’s a fan. Perhaps that’s why he’s had such a struggle securing radio airtime.
A quick sampling of what folks are saying:
Dallas Morning News: “Like the disc’s intentional acronym, A.D.D., Mr. Lewis can’t concentrate on one idea enough to do justice to any.”
Newsday: “He sounds too tightly wound, like he’s more driven by a fear of failure than a quest for musical greatness. It’s an understandable problem considering the pressure of delivering the album on time, but a little more daring and a lot more dreaming could have made ‘Audio Day Dream’ so much better.”
Seattle Times: “On ‘American Idol,’ Blake Lewis was different from everybody else. He sucker-punched cookie-cutters with a hybrid style. And no question his fondness for intriguing rhythm breakdowns and beatboxing makes for captivating live performances. But ‘Audio Day Dream’ doesn’t differentiate him from the herd of MTV mall-pop.”
Wondering what Blake himself has to say? Check out this quickie video from the Associated Press.
And on the off chance you actually plan to purchase “Audio Day Dream” today, feel free to give us your own review. We’ll be waiting …
‘Idol’ finalist behind bars yet again
Some folks just don’t learn.
Jessica Sierra, it seems, is one of them.
The Associated Press reports Jessica, a Season 4 “American Idol” finalist, was arrested early this morning in Ybor City, Fla., and charged with “disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating conditions of her parole on earlier felony battery and possession charges.” That’s her booking photo posted with this entry.
Details are still sketchy, but we’re told the trip to jail followed a “drunken confrontation with police and onlookers.”
Sounds exciting.
Seriously, though, Jessica just wrapped up her previous legal troubles less than two weeks ago. She was sentenced to a year’s probation and random drug testing after a man claimed she struck him in the head with a drinking glass at a Tampa, Fla., bar earlier this year.
If these new charges stick, several sites predict Jessica’s probation will be revoked, which could mean a lengthy stay behind bars. Stay tuned …
Permalink | |
