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- A rare ‘Idol’ re-shuffle, plus the latest on Crystal Bowersox
- Ann Powers: The men, in their own world
- Exclusive Interview with Danny Gokey
- Carrie Underwood Scores 6 ACM Nominations
- Today in ‘Idol’: 10 girls go for broke; Adam Lambert takes ‘Leno’ stage … again
- Katharine McPhee: ‘Acting is still a huge focus for me’
- [Updated] ‘American Idol’ contestant Crystal Bowersox in hospital; boys will perform tonight
| A rare ‘Idol’ re-shuffle, plus the latest on Crystal Bowersox Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:08 AM PST
The last-minute change posed its share of logistical problems. For instance, viewers who texted their votes got an automatic reply thanking them for voting for the corresponding girl (if you're curious what the girls' order would have been — and it's telling, so we don't blame you — here it is: Crystal Bowersox, Haeley Vaughn, Lacey Brown, Katie Stevens, Didi Benami, Michelle Delamore, Lilly Scott, Katelyn Epperly, Paige Miles, Siobhan Magnus). And while some surmised that the guys would be at a disadvantage with one less day of rehearsal, that didn't seem to be the case. General post-show consensus is that the boys made significant strides since their underwhelming debut. Of course, it's not the first time "American Idol" has had to make last-minute adjustments to its broadcast — back in 2005, the show displayed incorrect phone numbers for three Top 11 contestants, Anwar Robinson, Mikalah Gordon and Jessica Sierra, which prompted a new performance episode and all the original votes to be thrown out. And Crystal is not the first "Idol" contender to take the 1.3 mile trip from the "Idol" studio to the hospital. While competing on season 7, David Cook spent some Similarly, season 6 winner Jordin Sparks was dealing with the death of her best friend while making her way to the Top 24. "I was just like, 'I don't know if I can go To date, a contestant has never taken a leave of absence on "American Idol," but back on season 7, then-executive producer Nigel Lythgoe (in addressing Cook's hospital stint) cited a U.K. "Pop Idol" contestant (Rik Waller) who was allowed a week off to recover from a throat infection. Whether Crystal had left the hospital by showtime (5 p.m. PST) was not entirely clear, so we ask you: If she's under doctor's orders not to sing on Wednesday, should Crystal Bowersox be allowed a week to recuperate? What would be a fair way to handle a front-runner? – Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter Upper photo: Season 9 "American Idol" semifinalist Crystal Bowersox. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox Lower photo: "American Idol" season 7 winner David Cook. Credit: Courtesy RCA Music Group
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| Ann Powers: The men, in their own world Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:08 AM PST
Last week, "American Idol" entered its always risky semifinal phase and plunged right into territory that made it seem like yet another remake of the "Poseidon Adventure". Our favorite television pleasure vessel sure seemed to be taking on water, and fast: Nearly every contestant cringed and caterwauled through foolish song selections, and the judges only made things worse with flat comments, rude clowning and utterly undisguised pessimism. The general tackiness of the two performance nights, followed by the voting off of Tyler Grady, the one kid confident enough to show some Sanjaya-style sangfroid, suggested that this season might capsize the franchise completely. But what is serial television, if not a renewable resource? The programs that make a lasting impact often flounder, only to be rescued by some new plot line, performer or simple twist of fate. Tuesday night's "Idol" felt like a save, if only a partial one. Forced to perform a day earlier than expected because of female contestant Crystal Bowersox's unexpected illness, the remaining male hopefuls came closer to finding themselves. There were memorable performances, and the judges seemed happy and hopeful. The guys mostly came through by focusing on the very idea of what makes a man powerful — a singing man, that is, whose charisma doesn't always fulfill the stereotypes of virility — and it added up to a valuable glimpse into the nature of pop masculinity right now. Michael Lynche set the tone with a gesture that, like the gentle giant himself, was both completely forthright and a little surprising. After admitting a youthful penchant for musical theater, he quickly reasserted his macho bona fides by announcing his selection: "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," by James Brown. The Godfather of Soul! It doesn't get more patriarchal than that. What was excellent about Big Mike's take on the signature ballad of funk's pomaded Zeus was the way it worked against the song's easy associations. Brown preached it like the gospel revisionist he was, punctuating every phrase with a near-operatic verve. (In fact, he once performed the song with Luciano Pavarotti.) Lynche started out with a band, but toned down the song's aggressiveness by leaning into its darker notes, recalling sophisticated bluesmen such as Robert Cray, whose music speaks of the burdens of traditional manhood as much as its power. Lynche's turn was the night's most sophisticated, but he had company in the game of employing pop's favorite male archetypes to gain emotional, if not always musical, ground. Not John Park, sadly, who just can't find the right vehicle for his rich, precise instrument. And not Andrew Garcia, the early favorite who stumbled trying on a few classic soul moves of his own. Elsewhere, though, guy-pop cliches abounded and were enlivened (marginally, at times) by the earnestness of the young strivers trying them on. The Rocker Dude appeared in version both Classic and 2.0. First, Casey James busted out a few squealy but potent electric guitar licks to toughen up Gavin DeGraw's bubbly "I Don't Want To Be"; and then, in the coveted final spot, Lee DeWyze laid claim to the one rock stance that has proved triumphant on "Idol" — the Nickelback groan — by covering Hinder's "Lips of an Angel" with such note-wrecking sincerity that it caused visions of Cookies to dance in Simon's head. The judge declared that DeWyze has the best male voice on the show, which is poppycock. What the former Extreme Karaoke regular has is that heavy, battered tone, the one that means manliness now, in an era of beaten-down average Joes. It will likely take him far, for better or worse. Maybe this year's generally panicked mood (both on "Idol" and in the larger world) is why DeWyze's mirror opposites, the gender benders, aren't faring well. Also, both are African American this year, and thus less likely to appeal to the Queen and Bowie fans, nostalgic for their youth, who supported the great Adam Lambert. I wish the Idol voters — and judges — would more readily applaud Todrick Hall and Jermaine Sellers for the risks they're taking. Hall's theatricality and overt challenges to the masculine paradigm — twice now, he's performed songs made famous by women — deserve more than the casual dismissals he's getting from the judges' table. And Sellers, though less cerebral, is exploring a falsetto range that, with proper vocal coaching, could be really exquisite. But, defensive as he is — he declared God on his side this evening, inviting Simon to church — he's never going to get there without at least one judge standing up for his pure talent. They're too busy, right now at least, encouraging Aaron Kelly and Tim Urban, this year's milk-fed pretty white boys, both of whom showed signs of getting into their lanes as teen idols on this show. Kelly ingeniously erased the context of a soul classic ("My Girl," by the Temptations), rendering it as clean as Tom Sawyer's fence. Urban, who seemed marked for death after a horrible turn last week, sold himself as the lost Jonas Brother, and this trick of association probably earned him another week. Puppy lovers, man's men, peacocks, dirty-sweet bad boys — the male Idols played their roles well, if predictably. As usual, however, the best turn of the night came from outside the frame. After a painful introductory segment in which he talked about vomiting before his performances — a tendency, sadly, more often pegged as feminine — Alex Lambert took his place under the spotlight armed with an acoustic guitar and a song by John Legend, a guy who wears his own masculinity lightly and without fuss. He sang, in that slightly strange, androgynous voice of his, without the slightest hint of swagger or bluster. He seemed thoughtful and sweet. A person worth getting to know better. – Ann Powers Photo: (Front Row, L-R) Tim Urban,
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| Exclusive Interview with Danny Gokey Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:08 AM PST This is a big week for Season 8s third place finalist Danny Gokey. He released his debut album, My Best Days, today. On Thursday, Danny will return to the American Idol stage to perform on the live results show. We caught up with the country crooner this afternoon to find out more about his album, his upcoming tour, his Idol performance, and more. When asked how he was feeling today, Danny said, Like a million bucks. This is a dream come true. Im so happy with everything. It was less than one year ago that Danny Gokey was an American Idol contestant, and now he has released his debut album. He explains that this past year has been Busy, busy, busy. I moved to Nashville and Im watching things fall into place. Im enjoying life. American Idol was more than just an entertainment show for me. It was a second chance at life. Danny has always made it known that one of his missions is to create music that touches people. Of all of his songs on My Best Days, he thinks people will connect with Tiny Life, I Will Not Say Goodbye, Its Only, and I Still Believe the most. He has already been hearing from fans today about these songs in particular. AmericanIdol.com had the exclusive world premiere of Dannys music video for My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me. He gave us a little back story about how the song and video came to be. Danny said when … read more
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| Carrie Underwood Scores 6 ACM Nominations Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:08 AM PST American Idol Carrie Underwood received six Academy of Country Music nominations this morning, including Entertainer of the Year! Carrie is the reigning Entertainer of the Year, and if she wins that category again, she will be the first female in Academy history to capture two Entertainer of the Year trophies. Carrie is also nominated as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for Cowboy Casanova, as well as Vocal Event of the Year for I Told You So with Randy Travis. In addition, she is nominated for Top Female Vocalist and Album of the Year for Play On. If she wins Top Female Vocalist, it will be the fourth consecutive year she has won the category. Carrie also won the 2006 Album of the Year for Some Hearts. Just a month ago, Carrie took home her fifth Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for I Told You So. Her Play On Tour kicks off next week in Pennsylvania. Find a tour near you. Congratulations, Carrie! Before Carrie was a trophy collecting star she was the resident farm girl on Season 4 of American Idol. View photos of her performing on Season 4.
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| Today in ‘Idol’: 10 girls go for broke; Adam Lambert takes ‘Leno’ stage … again Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:08 AM PST And then there were 20… If you're feeling at all squeamish about tonight's episode of "American Idol" (Fox, 8 p.m.), take comfort in knowing you are not alone. Last week's disastrous debut — on both sides of the gender divide — has left many in "Idol" land simply befuddled. Of the girls, a couple dazzled, but most disappointed. Among the few promising performers? Perennial favorite Didi Benami, the quirky Lilly Scott, beyond-her-years Katie Stevens and the earthy Crystal Bowersox. Though we're starting to get to know these contenders a little better — we've learned that Didi (real name: Vered) has roots in Israel and that Siobhan Magnus has an uncle who played bass for '80s metal band Stryper (wonder if he and Randy Jackson ever crossed paths back in the day) — some of us are still struggling to bond; wouldn't you agree? So the gals have a lot to prove tonight, and here's hoping it's not a repeat performance. Speaking of encores, Adam Lambert returns to greet Jay Leno and "The Tonight Show" stage for the second time in just over three months (Adam's ABC ban is apparently still in effect). The Season 8 runner-up shares billing with guests Shaun White and Sarah Palin (potential gag? you betcha!) and will perform the song "Music Again" from his album "For Your Entertainment" (NBC, 11:30 p.m.). And get ready for your next obsession, "If I Can Dream." "Idol" creator Simon Fuller's latest reality project is "The Truman Show" realized. A technological feat involving more than 60 cameras positioned throughout a Hollywood Hills mansion, where viewers at home can zoom in to see what one of five young hopefuls is doing at any given moment as they go about their lives and try to land the job of their dreams. Think: a truly voyeuristic version of "The Real World." Check out the "Journey to Hollywood" special below. It launches Tuesday on Hulu.
– Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter Photo: Season 9's Top 20. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox
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| Katharine McPhee: ‘Acting is still a huge focus for me’ Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:08 AM PST
Elsewhere on NBC, Kat will make a guest appearance on "Community" on March 11, playing Chevy Chase's stepdaughter and a potential love interest for Joel McHale's character. And, of course, who can forget her hilarious turn as Anna Farris' pregnant sorority sister in "The House Bunny." In January, Kat told Idol Tracker: "Acting is still a huge focus for me. I still meet with my acting coach, regardless of whether I have auditions. I just want to keep growing so that when a part comes along that I'm meant to play, I'll be prepared. It's just a matter of time until I find the right project." Perhaps that time is now. – Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter Photo: Katharine McPhee in 2007 (credit: Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times)
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| [Updated] ‘American Idol’ contestant Crystal Bowersox in hospital; boys will perform tonight Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:08 AM PST
[Updated 2:49 p.m.: A rep for Fox would not confirm if Bowersox has been hospitalized.] The remaining 10 girls had been scheduled to sing Tuesday night but instead the boys will perform. A show insider tells Idol Tracker that Bowersox is expected to perform with the girls on Wednesday. Another source says that Bowersox is battling "serious health issues." According Fox issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon: "Due to medical issues which would prevent Crystal The last-minute switch isn't expected to give the girls an unfair advantage with extra rehearsal time; the boys are said to be rehearsing for tonight's performance. – Denise Martin and Shirley Halperin Photo: "American Idol" season 9 contender Crystal Bowersox. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox
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Katharine McPhee is still in the throes of promoting her new album, "Unbroken," but that's not stopping her from stepping into the TV world. The Season 5 runner-up will play the lead role of Emily in a new NBC pilot called "The Pink House," reports THR. The comedy centers on twentysomethings John "Fitz" Fitzgerald and Rob
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