A commenter on this very Web site had a funny response to the wire story we posted about Kara DioGuardi’s departure from the “American Idol” judges panel – “This show went the way of the buffalo the minute it went from talent to drama.”
What’s interesting is that this is the only comment, because there was a time where just typing the words “American Idol” on a blog netted you at leaat 10 immediate comments – five “I love what happened!” three “I hate what happened,” one “Who cares about this show?” and one yelling at the guy who says he didn’t care about caring enough to comment in the first place.
But now, in the middle of media-hyped speculation about who will replace former judges Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres, the news that yet another judge has shuffled off this “Idol” coil rates one very “meh” response about why, essentially, everyone’s “meh” about this show.
And that’s OK – what show can maintain anywhere near the hype that “Idol” has for eight years? Very, very few. The commenter is right that the show’s taken a downward turn because in trying to shake things up, it’s focused on drama and head games (“Which of these kids is safe? We’ll find out…AFTER THE BREAK!”), dubious auditions and even more dubious casting choices rather than say “Can this person sing?”
Auditions for the 10th season of “American Idol” are kicking off in Nashville as wannabe contestants prepare for a show without judge Simon Cowell.
People began lining up for wristbands outside early Thursday morning. By 9 a.m., supervising producer Patrick Lynn estimated there were upward of 10,000 people waiting in the nearly 90-degree heat.
Contestants are mixed on Cowell’s departure. Some are relieved they won’t have to face him; others wish they could get his critique.
Wristbands will be handed out Thursday and Friday, with auditions beginning Saturday.
There’s another difference this year — the minimum age for contestants has been lowered from to 15 from 16. Lynn says the success of tween sensation Justin Bieber is part of the reason.
After a season judging singers on “American Idol,” Ellen DeGeneres is delving deeper into the music business with her own label.
The talk show host was announcing on her show Wednesday that she is starting a label called eleveneleven. Her first act will be 12-year-old Greyson Chance, who recently became a sensation on YouTube with his piano version of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi.”
There’s no word on when the label will start. It was formed with Telepictures Productions.
Besides DeGeneres, Greyson has some other strong people behind him: Madonna’s manager and Lady Gaga’s manager.
Before we begin, let me get this off my chest – am I the only one who’s bugged by the way “American Idol” insists on referring to the contestants as “boys” and “girls” when so many of them are not only technically adults, but parents? It’s weird and sort of condescending.
Lee Dewyze, “Fireflies” : I love the roughness of his voice. I just close my eyes and imagine him in a coffee house rocking out. It’s so authentic and heartfelt and beautiful. Love this guy. He’s like a scruffier Kris Allen, and there ain’t nothing wrong with that. Glad the judges mostly seem to get it, although Simon had the most interesting comment, that he’s better than the version of the song. And that’s really good criticism.
“Newsday”‘s Verne Gay did a story recently (that re-ran in the Palm Beach Post, BTW) about how “American Idol” has lost its way a little this season, largely because it doesn’t seem to have a lot of heart anymore. And he placed some of the blame on what he considers Kara DioGuardi’s disingenuous judging style, where you don’t quite believe her when she tries to be supportive or sweet. Not to pile on, but after catching her act Tuesday, I think it’s more than not believing her niceness – it’s that I don’t believe her because she’s so dang wishy-washy. Last week she flipped on Michelle Delamor from one day to the next, and Tuesday, she praised Siobhan Magnus but then, when Simon didn’t like the song 15 second later, piled on.
It’s baffling. Seriously baffling. The whole point of Kara, I thought, was to add some credibility and some current hitmaking savvy to the panel, and she has some moments of clarity. But how credible is she when she’s waffling all the livelong day? Also, she’s still doing that maddening thing she started during the auditions where she says “When I found out you were singing this song I wanted you clapped in leg irons and locked under Space Mountain so you couldn’t murder music like you do, ’cause girl, you know you do. But after hearing you sing and realizing I still had the use of my hearing, I didn’t want to kill myself, so good for you!” When Simon leaves next year, I want him to take her with him. Never in a million years did I think I’d be pining for the succinct clarity of Randy Jackson. Read the full story
About 15 minutes into a conference call with reporters, Randy Jackson had answered several questions about the ninth season of “American Idol,” including the guest judges who will chiming in during the audition episodes, new permanent judge Ellen DeGeneres and the showmanship of Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert. Those were expected questions, and sprightly answered, but there was something missing.
That is, until the next question.
“I know there are a lot of questions about Ellen, and the guest judges,” the male reporter asked. “But I think there’s also some contestants and some singing?”
Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock mug backstage after winning a People’s Choice Award for ‘The Proposal’. (AP) | Click here for more photos
The people have chosen vampires.
“The Twilight Saga,” ”True Blood” and “The Vampire Diaries” all sucked up trophies Wednesday at the 36th annual People’s Choice Awards.
“Twilight” won four trophies, including favorite movie, franchise and on-screen team for the dreamy trio of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, who also picked up the breakout male actor award.
The undead HBO fable “True Blood” and the soapy supernatural CW series “The Vampire Diaries” were respectively selected as favorite TV obsession and favorite new TV drama. Other winners in categories spanning movies, TV and music included “Inglourious Basterds” as favorite independent movie and Lady Gaga as favorite pop and breakout music artist. Read the full story
If you happened to catch Monday’s Ellen show, you got to see the first-ever performance by the duo of Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johanssen. By all accounts, their performance was tremendous… well, see for yourself. This is an exclusive Web-only second song by Pete and Scarlett, “Shampoo”, off their album, Break Up:
David Beckham is set to get a tattoo of Ellen DeGeneres.
The US TV talk show host has urged the British soccer star – who already has several inkings on his body – to consider a new etching in tribute to her.
When Ellen made the suggestion, David laughed and replied: “I’m very tempted.” Read the full story
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David Beckham is set to get a tattoo of Ellen DeGeneres.
