‘American Idol’ notes: ‘Idol’ in Louisville, Maddie Poppe, Kellie Pickler

AMERICAN IDOL - Music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Emmy(r) winning producer and host Ryan Seacrest were on hand when ABC's "American Idol" continued its search for the next singing sensation as auditions continued this week in Coeur d'Alene, ID. "American Idol" is returning to The ABC Television Network for the 2018-2019 season, after first making its return to airwaves as the No. 1 reality show launch for its inaugural season on the network during the 2017-2018 season. (ABC/Josh Vertucci)
LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST, KATY PERRY, LUKE BRYAN

Credit: Josh Vertucci

Credit: Josh Vertucci

AMERICAN IDOL - Music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Emmy(r) winning producer and host Ryan Seacrest were on hand when ABC's "American Idol" continued its search for the next singing sensation as auditions continued this week in Coeur d'Alene, ID. "American Idol" is returning to The ABC Television Network for the 2018-2019 season, after first making its return to airwaves as the No. 1 reality show launch for its inaugural season on the network during the 2017-2018 season. (ABC/Josh Vertucci) LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST, KATY PERRY, LUKE BRYAN

Originally posted Mondahy, October 29, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

Last week, "Idol" showed up in Louisville, Ky. for auditions with Luke Bryan, Katie Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Ryan Seacrest.

Earlier, Denver auditions were held at Wings over the Rockies, Air and Space Museum. In Idaho earlier this month, the producers chose Lake Coeur d'Alene. This time, they held auditions at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville.

Georgia's Caleb Lee Hutchinson, season 16 runner up, and top 24 finisher Layla Spring and her sister Dyxie came by Louisville to hype up the contestants. The episodes will air sometime in 2019 but dates have not been officially announced.

The judges became firefighters just because...

And Perry celebrates her birthday again while working “Idol,” this time turning 34 on Wednesday.

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David Cook's latest single is "Death of Me."

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As interim school superintendent Eve trims budgets, and now she's in her hometown where it's personal. Her handsome neighbor Liam is a music teacher and Eve feels his program must be cut. But luckily her friend is married to an IT guy, who's created a website for donations directly to save the Arts program. Launched during the tree lighting ceremony, where Liam's students will perform, the website could provide the Christmas miracle the town needs. Already the Universe is cooperating. Eve is back home and she, Liam and his daughter look like they might be celebrating many a future Christmas.  Photo: Wes Brown, Kellie Pickler   Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Katherine Bomboy

Credit: Katherine Bomboy

icon to expand image

Credit: Katherine Bomboy

Kellie Pickler will star in "Christmas at Graceland" November 17 on the Hallmark Channel in her first big starring role.

It was shot in Graceland and is filled with music from Elvis Presley.

Pickler plays Laurel, a Chicago-based business executive who travels to Memphis to secure one of the city’s oldest family-owned banks. She (of course) reunites with an old flame Clay (Wes Brown), a local music producer. He reminds them about the time they were a performing duo on the brink of stardom. She considers going back to music but wait, she has that job back in Chicago. Whatever will she do?

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Maddie Poppe performs during the production of "Live with Kelly and Ryan" in New York on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. Photo: David M. Russell/Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution ©2018 Disney ABC. All Rights Reserved.

Credit: David M. Russell

icon to expand image

Credit: David M. Russell

Maddie Poppe seems like the last person to get involved in any controversy but she has because she liked a Tweet that sounded transphobic.

But her reaction didn't do her any favors either. She unliked the Tweet, blocked people who criticized her and didn't apologize in any way, according to MJ Santilli of MJ's Big Blog.

Not a good look. Interestingly, Ada Vox - the first drag queen to make it to the top 10 on "Idol" last season - defended her.

Santilli also noted that she liked all sorts of Tweets that mocked liberals.

Anyway, she appeared on "Live with Kelly and Ryan" Friday to play her new single "Keep on Movin' On." It has a light country-folk feel. Early reaction on MJ's Big Blog? Pleasant but not hit material.

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Clay Aiken took last week off from Twitter and Instagram but I forgot to include this hilarious Halloween-themed video he and Ruben did last week: