'American Idol' notes: Texas auditions cancelled, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Simon Cowell
This was posted Thursday, August 31, 2017 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
"American Idol" has cancelled its auditions in Texas due to Hurricane Harvey.
The auditions were only added recently. The ABC show was set to hold auditions in Houston Sept. 2 and in San Antonio Sept. 4.
There are plenty of others forthcoming including Shreveport, La. Sept. 4.
"Idol" stopped by Atlanta last Tuesday and drew about 1,000 contestants.
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Simon Cowell's comeback after "The X Factor" U.S. failure is complete. As executive producer, he was finally able to nab a spot on the judges panel of his own "America's Got Talent' last year and his presence has helped fuel the show's growing success. Already a massive hit since it debuted 11 years ago, it is on its way to having its most watched season ever, averaging more than 16 million viewers.
Sure, he's far kinder and gentler than he was on "Idol" but who cares? The show's escapism is a perfect antidote to all the depressing news on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News.
"I do believe part of our success is a little bit of an escape and a little bit of a safe zone," executive producer Jason Raff told USA Today. "It's a fun, entertaining show that takes you away from the headlines of the day."
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Adam Lambert's house is for sale for a mere $4 million in Los Angeles.
It's 3,799 square feet with four bedrooms and 3.5 baths. He purchased it for $3 million in 2014.
Variety provides the fancy descriptive:
The top floor master suite incorporates an entrance gallery, a sitting area with fireplace, a room-sized walk-in closet, two balconies and a vaguely Art Deco style bathroom with a combination of beige and black marble accents, an oversized soaking tub and a steam shower while the home's lowest level, with outside entrance, offers flexible space with guest bedroom, bathroom, and gym easily converted to a screening room or home office. Completely re-done by the vocally theatrical, three-octave pop singer, the tropically landscaped backyard includes a curvaceous swimming pool divided into two reflecting pools, a party-sized 10-person spa, a glass-gravel fire pit and a huge outdoor living room under a floating canopy.
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Andrew Weaver, who was in the top six during a special WSB-TV Atlanta Idol competition two weeks ago, didn't make the cut during his Atlanta audition at Piedmont Park. But his mom sent me a note and said they went up to Asheville, N.C. to try again and he got through!
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A cool '70s homage to shows like "The Streets of San Francisco" and "Kojak" to promote "The Voice" featuring Jennifer Hudson as the newest judge. Season 13 starts September 25.
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Danny Gokey welcomed a third child this week.
About the Author
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
