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Song Choices from Hollywood Week – Group Night
Ellen addresses ‘tension’ with Simon
Today in ‘Idol:’ Ryan Seacrest’s ‘Rock My Town’ hits NYC
Big Mike’s dad clears the air
Songs forever ruined by ‘Idol’
Hollywood Week: Dos and Don’ts of group night
dannygokey: Did a radio show this morning & it streamed live via Internet. Over 15,000 people tuned in 2 see me perform! Visit www.kscs.com 2 rewatch ;)

Song Choices from Hollywood Week – Group Night

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 09:55 AM PST

On group night, the remaining 96 contestants were given a list of songs they could perform, and the groups formed based on what songs people wanted to sing. Some groups sang the same song, which created a competitive environment. Did you hear a familiar voice in the background towards the end of the show? Scroll down to see which former Idol finalists song was featured last night.

Here are the song choices from Hollywood weeks group night:

Title: A Beautiful Morning
Artist Version: The Rascals
Contestant: n/a

Title: All My Days
Artist Version: Alexi Murdoch
Contestant: n/a

Title: Irreplacable
Artist Version: Beyonce
Group: FAITH

Title: Get Ready
Artist Version: The Temptations
Group: TEAM AWESOME

Title: Bad Romance
Artist Version: Lady GaGa
Group: NEOPOLITAN

Title: Bad Romance
Artist Version: Lady GaGa
Group: DESTINYS WILD

Title: Superwoman
Artist Version: Alicia Keys
Group: SHADES OF COLOR

Title: Get Ready
Artist Version: The Temptations
Group: CONTEMPTATIONS

Title: ABC
Artist Version: Jackson 5
Group: LUCKY 7s

Title: Closer
Artist Version: Ne-Yo
Group: MIGHTY RANGERS

Title: Carry On My Wayward Son
Artist Version: Kansas
Group: THE PHOENIX

Title: Sweet … read more
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Ellen addresses ‘tension’ with Simon

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 09:55 AM PST

Keeping her promise to viewers of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," the veteran talk-show host and "American Idol" rookie offered an exclusive, behind-the-judges'-table peek at what's really going on between her and Simon Cowell.

There's tension there, all right. But would you believe it's of a sexual nature?

Click below for the hilarious segment, and good luck getting the thought of a Simon-Ellen-Kara hand sandwich out of your head.

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

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Today in ‘Idol:’ Ryan Seacrest’s ‘Rock My Town’ hits NYC

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 09:55 AM PST

There's another major weather system headed for the northeast — but this one's sizzling hot! Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta are in New York City on Friday night for Ryan Seacrest's "Idols Rock My Town," a free concert being held at Highline Ballroom.

The Big Apple won bragging rights to this contest, in which fans voted to bring the Idols to their hometown. Adam, who's in NYC for a slew of appearances, including his share of fashion week shows and an acoustic concert for VH1, seemed especially jazzed about the reunion. Via his Twitter account, Adam wrote that he was "so excited to share the stage" with Kris and Allison, adding that "it's been too long."

Check back here for photos and hopefully there will be some video clips to share this weekend. In the meantime, what songs would you want to hear from the beloved season 8 trio?

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

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Big Mike’s dad clears the air

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 09:55 AM PST

He’s endeared himself to millions of viewers, thanks to a bright-eyed play-by-play of the birth of his first son — and a strong voice to match those burly guns — but “American Idol” contestant Michael “Big Mike” Lynche’s progress has already been fraught with controversy.

It all started when Mike’s father, Marque Lynche, confirmed to a Florida newspaper that his son had made the Top 24 — a no-no according to “Idol” rules, which forbid contenders from sharing inside information about the show. Fox, following its long-standing policy, chose not to comment on Mike’s potential disqualification. And, as we saw this last week, Big Mike is still in the game and advancing.

Now, after “The View” suggested that Mike might not want to name his child after his father, the elder Lynche is speaking out, revealing that he hasn’t talked to his son in nearly five years and that “Michael is an honest young man.”

As for spilling the beans on Mike’s alleged entry to the Top 24, Marque Lynche insists that he was simply repeating a rumor he’d read online. His wife, Sharon Scott-Lynche, blames the brouhaha on a simple “miscommunication.”

More of that strange story at the St. Petersburg Times.

And here’s a Big Mike background refresher:

–Shirley Halperin

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Songs forever ruined by ‘Idol’

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 09:55 AM PST

We've had Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" stuck in our heads for a good 12 hours now, and not in a good way because this over-enunciated, overacted version is performed by a male (Hollywood auditioner — and acrobat — Jared Liewer) as if it was part of the "Cats" Broadway revival. It's going to take weeks to rid our mental hard drives of that annoyance, which made us wonder: What song has "Idol" ruined for you, whether through endless auditions or plain old tone deaf butchery?

We'll get things started:

Alicia Keys "Fallin' "

There were a few years there where it seemed like every other contestant tried out with that song. No wonder her album sold a gajilliion copies, but we'll bet even Alicia is sick to death of "Idol" hopefuls ruining her career-launching hit.

Whitney Houston "I Have Nothing"

Lil Rounds performed it, so did Katharine McPhee, Trenyce and three others. Clearly, they all didn't get the memo: Sing Whitney only if you can out-sing her. Otherwise, it will always be a pale comparison. Same goes for "I Will Always Love You," "Saving All My Love for You," etc.

Ricky Martin "She Bangs"

Having recently heard this song on a supermarket PA, we came to terms with the fact that there's no way to hum along without picturing William Hung in all his awkward, big-forehead glory.

Janis Joplin "Piece of My Heart"

Carrie Underwood did it justice. Nikki McKibbin? Not so much. You could say the same for Asia'h Epperson and any number of utterly forgettable early contenders. They should just retire this song permanently.

Alannah Myles "Black Velvet"

We never loved this bluesy hit in the first place, but it's been the kiss of death for so many "Idol" hopefuls, it's a wonder anybody chooses it!

What song(s) has "Idol" ruined for you? Chime in, we're dying to, er, hear!

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photo: Whitney Houston. Credit: Patrick Demarchelier.

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Hollywood Week: Dos and Don’ts of group night

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 09:55 AM PST

The second Hollywood Week episode flew by as nearly 100 hopefuls were paraded in front of a (mostly) deadly serious judges panel. Too serious. This is supposed to be fun! For us, at least.

Truth be told, it was kind of difficult to discern the truly outstanding from those who were just OK. In fact, there were so many head-scratching comments from the peanut gallery — Simon Cowell's, in particular — it almost seemed as though the judges' approvals were tacked on to the wrong performances. Case in point: Janelle Wheeler, whom we all had high hopes for but stumbled a bit during her verse of Ne-Yo's "Closer." Same goes for Hope Johnson and Mary Powers.

So in lieu of running down the Hollywood standouts (we'll save that for next week), here are some essential "Idol" lessons from tonight's episode that all future hopefuls should heed.

Do pick the oldest song out of the batch that's offered, if only to avoid the embarrassment of team Big Dreams' disastrous attempt at Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape." Kansas, the Temptations … both good options. Fleetwood Mac? Not so much. (Taylor Swift learned that lesson the hard way.)

Don't forget the lyrics! Duh. They named a whole show after that rule. And if you need to be told more than once, you clearly don't belong anywhere near the Top 24.

Do check your inner diva at the door. There's nothing worse than a contestant who feels entitled and in charge. As Derek Zoolander twice said, "No matter how many friends you lose, or people you leave dead and bloodied along the way …" Earth to Mary Powers!

Don't grovel. There's nothing less winner-like than a weepy auditioner who can't take rejection. You listening, Mark Labriola?

Do overshare major life events like the birth of your first child. Though visions of Big Mike's wife's water breaking and 8-centimeter dilation may be a TV turnoff to some, the producers clearly can't get enough of it.

Don't argue with the vocal coaches — they're there to help you. We're looking at you again, Mary!

Do come up with a better name than Team Awesome.

Do change your last name to Lambert. Or be born with it like 19-year-old Texan Alex Lambert. It will get you noticed, even when your team is dragging you down.

Do pick a Kara DioGuardi song … if given the option.

Do get plenty of sleep. Pulling an all-nighter is a one-way street to crappy vocals.

Do look like Casey James.

– Shirley Halperin

Photo: Hollywood contestants perform for the judges. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

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