Originally posted Friday, September 27, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Kelly Clarkson smartly taped a reunion with the original "American Idol" judges for her talk show, which aired Wednesday, September 18.
"I honestly believe we wouldn't be here today if you hadn't entered the show," Simon Cowell said. "The whole premise of the show is we had to find a star who would sell records."
Simon said watching Kelly sing a “Moment Like This” live during the finale in 2002, he thought she could become that big star.
Kelly said she had no idea up to that point that the show was a big deal until the live show happened. When she auditioned the first time, Kelly said she had no clue this was even a TV show. And when she was asked to sing a second song, Madonna's "Express Yourself"was off the cuff.
Simon also said he would love to work with Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul again. And as they joked around, it was clear the chemistry is still there.
“Our legacy, genuinely, are the artists who we discovered over the seven-year period,” Simon said. “That’s what I’m most proud of. The show’s ratings were great, that’s one thing, but it’s who has come through the process and has made it all worthwhile. And that’s why genuinely, if I could chose who to work with all over again, I would work with these guys again.”
Ratings the first week for "The Kelly Clarkson" show was solid, the best for a new talk show in seven years since Katie Couric (who ended up lasting just two seasons). She ranked 4th among 14 syndicated daytime shows. (Ryan Seacrest's show with Kelly Ripa is typically near the top.)
And here are some recent Kellyoke highlights from the past few episodes.
And Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Lori Kelly join Kelly doing a "Periodic Table" song:
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Credit: Eric McCandless
Credit: Eric McCandless
Lauren Alaina week two on "Dancing With the Stars" matched her week one performance score with a 19 on her pasé doble.
She ended with a split that received a huge reaction from the audience.
"I love seeing you come out of your shell," said Carrie Ann Inaba. "You seem conservative but not today! You are extremely flexible. Your shoulders a little high throughout." (6)
“I never expected a man to rip my skirt off on TV,” Lauren cracked.
Len Goodman: "It had a power about it, plenty of attack and determination. Occasionally, it lacked a little bit of shaping." (6)
Bruno Tonioli: "She's gone all nasty... and I like it! I loved it. Nasty suits you! But I have to say, it was a very strong and focused performance." (7)
She survived with Mary Wilson of the Supremes getting cut.
Lamar Odom and Sean Spicer are still around. Sean actually improved his score from 12 to 16 week over week.
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Credit: Jason Kempin
Credit: Jason Kempin
Season 16 runner up and Dallas resident Caleb Lee Hutchinson is headlining the North Georgia State Fair in Marietta at 7 p.m. Saturday night. The fair, at Jim R. Miller Park, is $5 for adults for entry and entertainment is included.
I recall seeing Kellie Pickler and Bo Bice at that fair successive years more than a dozen years ago.
In a quick interview, Hutchinson recalled going to that fair every fall in high school. Two years ago, he recalled seeing Trace Adkins there. Now he gets to do his own 50-minute set with his own band. He's now living in Nashville, recording and playing music, still trying to figure out his best path to release an album. He is also still dating Maddie Poppe.
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Credit: Nicholas Hunt
Credit: Nicholas Hunt
Seacrest last week confirmed a deal with “American Idol” as host for season 18. It came a little later than the deal with the judges Luke Bryan, Katie Perry and Lionel Richie but there was little doubt Seacrest would return. He’s nothing if not loyal.
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Jennifer Hudson, prepping for her movie role as Aretha Franklin in "Respect" shooting here soon in Atlanta, had to step down as a coach on "The Voice U.K" Meghan Trainor, who was already a judge on Fox's "The Four." (That show remains in limbo on Fox. It has not been renewed nor cancelled.)
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The American Authors ( "Best Day of My Life") have recorded a song that also features both season 16 winner Maddie Poppe and season 11 winner Phillip Phillips called "Bring it On Home." It is very peppy and sounds a lot like their breakthrough single.
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Simon Cowell's spin-off show "AGT: The Champions" will return next year with Simon, Howie Mandel and Terry Crews in place. But Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough are replaced by Heidi Klum (who is back) and Britain's Got Talent star Alesha DIxon. This year's winner Shin Lim offers up the judges via card trick:
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Former "Idol" judge J. Lo joins Shakira for the Super Bowl halftime show. Lopez is on a high right now with plaudits and Oscar buzz for her performance on the hit film "Hustlers."
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Katie Stevens, 26, from season 9 and star of Freeform's "The Bold Type" said she had a breast cancer scare recently, she told People.
The tumor that was found is benign but she said finding the lump led her into a panic.
She is currently planning nuptuals to music producer Paul DiGiovanni .
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