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All My Children Discussion Group
Top 5--We are onto Neil Diamond week. This week the contestants will each perform two songs.
Last week we barely made it through Andrew Lloyd Webber week and saw the elimination of Carly. I have a few things about her that some might be interested in, a few other topics, just the show in general, and the main topic for discussion--What songs should the Idols sing?. As always, if you come up with something feel free to post it yourself or want to discuss something, just put it in a post.
The last couple of weeks it got a little crowded putting more than one thing in a post. I thought that I was conserving posts and you could always reply to anything in a separate post. But it just might be easier if I put separate posts on for almost all of them. That way you can reply right in the specific post. A few things that actually go together will be in one post and if it helps you if I number them, I will do that if that makes it easier to refer to. You can still put on your own individual post referring to anything here if you feel more comfortable that way. I will understand what you are referring to, I'm sure. We will see how it goes.
Posts below for discussion will be Neil Diamond song suggestions; Carly's album from 2002; Updates on Michael Johns, Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta's father, and David Cook's album; the Idol ratings problem; the Idol tour; and an extra on performance position.
Let's get to it!
Spoiler - Top 4 Theme - Songs that shaped/inspired Rock n’ Roll
http://mjsbigblog.com/spoiler-top-4-theme-songs-that-shapedinspired-rock-n-roll.htm
A reliable spoiler at Idol Forums spilled the beans.
At last, a theme broad enough that allows the contestants a little breathing room to choose a song that really reflects who they are as artists. Even though it’s a rock theme, there really is room to stretch the boundaries beyond rock n’ roll.
The songs will supposedly come from this list of songs
Just about every genre of music can be thrown into the R n’ R pot. This could be a very good week for the remaining Top 4. Just about anything would be better than this week’s speed-wreck.
Also, Natasha Bedingfield will be the musical guest for tonight’s results show. Have they given up on featuring past Idols? Maybe the producers are hoping that a known star will boost their sagging ratings…
Click on the link in purple to see a list of 500 Songs. I don't think they will have that many to choose from but at least they will have something different than what they have been singing.
On the Scene: The Paula Abdul 'Idol' gaffe heard 'cross the nation
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/04/on-the-scene-th.html
Simon Cowell called tonight's episode of American Idol "officially the strangest show we've ever done," and I don't know about y'all, but from where I sat inside the Idol studios at CBS Television City, I'd say Simon was referring to that glorious moment when, halfway through the show, Paula Abdul critiqued both of Jason Castro's songs after he'd sung only one.
It's all Nigel Lythgoe's fault!
Paula explained everything on Ryan's radio show this morning--
PaulaGate 2008: Ms. Abdul does some 'splaining on Ryan Seacrest's radio show
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/04/paulagate-2008.html
Before Paula explained her side of the story, Ryan gave a detailed explanation of what happened in the moments leading up to what's now been dubbed PaulaGate. He said that:
* The judges first learned they were only going to give their critiques after the Idol contestants' second songs when Ryan said as much live on air at the top of the show.
* Halfway through Syesha Mercado's first song, exec. producer Nigel Lythgoe appeared backstage. He informed Ryan and stage manager Debbie Williams that head of Fox reality programming, Mike Darnell, had just called to inform Nigel he wanted the judges to give their comments on all the contestants' first songs at the half-way point of the show.
* Ryan told Nigel that he was under orders from Darnell to make sure Idol didn't run long, as it would eat into Fox affiliates' evening news shows -- and at that point, the show was running three-and-a-half minutes over schedule. Nigel said he understood, but the round-one recap/critique was what Fox wanted, so out Ryan went, just as Syesha was finishing her final note.
Paula tells how she saw Jason by accident during dress rehearsal and wrote down some notes on both songs. She got confused because they were told they were going to critique two songs at one time before the switch. Simon gave up on taking notes because it was too hard to concentrate on both, and Ryan talks about the fly-by-nature of the show.
Go to the site to read the rest of Paula's explanation.
Here are a couple of links about the Idol ratings:
1. ‘Idol’ ratings dip exposes feet of clay
It had to happen sometime: American Idol is showing signs of mortality in its seventh season.
Ratings for TV’s top show are down 7% to an average 29 million viewers for regular episodes and down 10% among adults ages 18 to 49, the main currency on Madison Avenue.
That marks Idol’s first significant year-to-year decline, and it echoes similar falloffs for some other long-running reality series: CBS’ Survivor is down 10%.
Fox isn’t panicking. For the season to date, Idol still towers over the competition and remains bigger than it was in 2005. Because of it, the network will win its first season among total viewers, and its fourth among young adults.
But the show has been on a steady ratings slide in recent weeks. It lost 6 million viewers from the first top-12 episode March 11 to last week’s low 23.7 million, which marked its weakest Tuesday since 2004.
2. Blame ‘Idol’s’ ratings slide on bad song choices
Many of the tunes performed weren’t even released within the last decade
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24342302/
Just go down to Idol Headlines for 4/26 & 4/27.
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Neil Diamond Week - What Should The Idols Sing?
http://mjsbigblog.com/neil-diamond-week-what-should-the-idol-sing.htm
It’s down to the Top 5. The remaining Idols will sing 2 songs each on Tuesday. This week’s mentor is prolific songwriter and singer Neil Diamond.
His career spans 5 decades, beginning as a songwriter in the famed Brill Building writing songs for others. After scoring hits for the Monkees, (”I’m a Believer”) Diamond was signed by a record label and had his first hit “Solitary Man” on the record charts. After that, hits like “Kentucky Woman,” and “Cherry, Cherry” followed.
In the 70’s he had hits with “Cracklin’ Rosie”, “Sweet Caroline” and “Song Sung Blue”, “Longfellow Serenade” and “September Morn”. He and Barbra Streisand had a #1 hit together, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.”
Any others you wish to add? Who do you think will sing what? Remember, we don't know what is actually on the song list the contestants will have to choose from.
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http://www.ufomusic.org/articles/carly_hennessy_article.pdf
This is a little long (5 pages) but you can always skim through it. It tells all about how Carly was approached to do an album and what all was done to make that album a success, which it wasn't. She only sold 378 albums. Since her exposure on AI, this album, "Ultimate High is being rereleased.
Here is the YouTube video of the song, I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind". This is from 2002 which is pre-power notes and pre-tattoos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSxV6jgRWw
If you want to see any interviews of Carly after elimination, go to http://mjsbigblog.com/ and look down the page. There is an AI Extra Exit Interview and then there is her appearance on Regis & Kelly this morning.
1. Michael Johns Will Be Attending the White House Correspondents Dinner this Weekend - Post-Boot AI Extra Interview - VIDEO
http://mjsbigblog.com/michael-johns-post-boot-ai-extra-interview-video.htm
* Michael is going to be ESPN’s guest at the White House Correspondents Dinner this weekend.
* He thinks Paula’s comments have been right on the money this year. He wouldn’t say that for every year he’s watched the show.
* He was going to perform “Gesthemane” from Jesus Christ Superstar this week. For Neil Diamond week he would have like to sing “Sweet Caroline” or “Coming to America”.
* He was a guest of sports talk show host, Tony Kornheiser.
I'll put his picture of how he looked inside to save space.
http://mjsbigblog.com/idols-in-the-mags-3.htm
From the April 4th issue of TV Guide: (click on purple links)
* David Cook and his brother
* Idol Chat - David Cook and Michael Johns to collaborate on songs
About these two stories:
This week, TV Guide runs a one page piece on David Cook and his brother Adam. By now I’m sure most of you know about Adam’s advanced brain cancer and his trip on a medical jet–funded by folks back home–to Los Angeles to see his brother perform. To the casual AI viewer? It might be news, because David has never discussed his brother on the show.
Also in TV Guide, a little blurb about David Cook and Michael Johns–they plan to write songs together. Plus, Kristy Lee Cook’s recent engagement.
Regarding David Cook's album that was taken off:
After David Cook sold tons of copies of his album "Analog Heart" on Amazon.com this past week, the album has mysteriously disappeared from the site. Actually, it's not mysterious at all. David can't sell his own music while on the show, an always-in-place Idol rule.
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Update on Jordin Sparks
"Jordin Sparks is on vocal rest and is expected to make a full and complete recovery," according to a statement from 19/Jive Records. "Sparks has been going nonstop over the past two years and now she's going through the normal course of learning how to manage and care for her voice."
“Sparks has been going nonstop over the past two years and now she’s going through the normal course of learning how to manage and care for her voice.”
Two links you can read:
Jordin Sparks Fans Can Rest Easy:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585935/20080421/jordin_sparks.jhtml?rsspartner=rssFeedBurner
Jordin Sparks Silenced—for Now
http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=67b6c160-53da-46d3-a356-e02f3e3d34c2
PERSONAL COMMENT: Her condition is not life threatening but it does make one wonder about these power singers of today. She is only 18 and already is having vocal problems. Is society and shows such as American Idol promoting this and making young singers ruin their voices so early?
Jeff Archuleta Defends Jeff Archuleta
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/ilovetowatch/2008/04/jeff-archuleta-defends-jeff-ar.html
Jeff Archuleta talked to US Weekly to defend himself against Naomi Judd's assertions that he's "the worst stage dad."
I thought those that had asked about Jeff Archuleta last week would be interested in reading this one. What's your opinion on his statements?
IDOL EXTRAS:
1. 'Idol' singers who sing first may not last
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-04-20-idol-leadoff-jinx_N.htm
Something to think about.
For those that are interested in seeing the Idols on Tour:
2. Idol Tour Dates Announced
http://mjsbigblog.com/idol-tour-dates-announced.htm
"Well, Andrew Lloyd Webber night at "American Idol" has come and gone, and now only five contestants remain standing. What was more surprising than the performances — some of the shakiest of the season — was the elimination of Carly Smithson, the belty Irish native who I had hoped would be part of a final three that also includes the Davids, Archuleta and Cook. Although the contestants are usually given free reign in song choices, I think this particular evening would have benefited had Lloyd Webber been allowed to at least suggest possibilities for the young singers. Brooke White would have have better suited seated at the piano, singing "I Don't Know How to Love Them," although her rendition of "You Must Love Me" was no more disappointing than the original. And, I imagine Jason Castro chose "Memory" because it was the only Lloyd Webber tune he recognized, but he surely could have fared better with a less vocally challenging tune. That said, I did enjoy a few of the evening's performances. Despite a minor lyric fumble, I thought Archuleta's "Think of Me" was the standout of the night. It's unclear who created the pop arrangement of the Phantom tune, but it was a terrific adaptation, and Archuleta's vocals were as pure, smooth and beautiful as ever. Syesha Mercado brought life to "One Rock & Roll Too Many," although with such great songs for the picking (she could have really scored with "Unexpected Song" or "Tell Me On a Sunday"), it was difficult to muster too much enthusiasm for one of Lloyd Webber's least memorable offerings. And, David Cook again showed the power of his vocals in a shortened version of the Phantom anthem, "Music of the Night." I have to admit the most enjoyable moment for me was during the introduction of Lloyd Webber's career and a snippet of Patti LuPone's "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was heard in the background. Who ever thought La LuPone would be heard on "American Idol"? Now, that is good singing!"
. . . What were your thoughts about this week's performances? E-mail me at agans@playbill.com.
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