For a time, "American Idol" espoused the "diamond in the rough" theory. And on occasion, it works.
In the early years, some performers improved markedly while on the show, with Elliot Yamin from season five one of the most notable ones. But it is true. Most of the time, this theory fails.
Sam Woolf, for instance, didn't exactly magically turn into Adam Lambert. His improvement over the weeks was modest at best. While promoting "Dolphin Tale 2," Harry Connick Jr. told press:
"We all realize that the people you see on the day of the audition are not going to change that much. Even if you find this diamond in the rough, it's not like they're going to explode into this seasoned performer in six months.
"As much as we thought that would happen last year, it didn't happen. People who were timid, you think they're going to start coming out of their shell, but it really doesn't work like that…
So this year, they are seeking good performers from the get go. Ultimately, "Idol" has always dug up folks with stage experience. Taylor Hicks, David Cook, Phillip Phillips and Adam Lambert were not famous before "Idol" but spent plenty of time crafting their personas are much smaller stages.
While "Idol" did a good job season 13 in terms of casting the finalists, it wasn't the most compelling crew they've ever had by any stretch. (I'll have to rank the 13 seasons at some point. Off the top of my head, I might rank season 13 maybe 9th best or 10th best, certainly better overall than seasons 6, 9 and 12.) As always, "Idol" definitely need more folks who know how to work a stage, not just sing.
At this point, the show is no longer top of mind in the pop culture realm. I don't think they can do much to change that. The goal is to please the remaining viewers, which "Survivor" has been able to do with impressive success. I think the current judges' crew is capable of that.
We are still four months out until season 14 starts. Until then, we can follow Carrie Underwood as her baby bump grows, Clay Aiken compete for a House seat and Kelly Clarkson nurse an infant.
Speaking of babies, Carrie showed off her bump at a festival in Chicago. People has the photo.
Kelly, in the meantime, brought her three month old River Rose to the Garth Brooks concert in Chicago. She posted a photo on Twitter:
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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Chris Daughtry sang the theme song for Fox's new "Utopia" reality show, which debuted last night:
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Ryan Seacrest hosts CBS's "Fashion Rocks" on Tuesday, which means he has hosted shows on all four broadcast networks: "Idol" on Fox, "Million Second Quiz" on NBC, "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve" specials on ABC and now CBS.
"Fashion is always inspired by music," he told CBS Morning News. Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Hudson will be there.
He recounts below how he would see Joan Rivers in the hallway Fridays while she taped "Fashion Police." She even did her schtick off camera. She'd ask him, "That's a great shirt. Can people get it in men's?"
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Remember season 13 winner Caleb Johnson? His album debuted last month with 10,000 copies sold and quickly disappeared. Surprised? Not really.
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