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Friday, May 7, 2010

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Aaron Kelly on his ‘American Idol’ experience, endorses Harry Connick Jr. as future judge

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

Pg160969

Aaron Kelly's exit interview Thursday morning was unexpectedly
inspiring, mainly because his journey truly is the "Idol" dream
realized, and proof that the machine works. 

The 17-year-old Sonestown, Pa., native got a prime slot at the
Orlando, Fla., auditions after he'd competed in Walt Disney World's "American
Idol Experience." Aaron explained the process Thursday:
"It's a great way to get a feel for what this competition is really
like. You go through a set of audition processes and the audience
actually votes you through." 

Aaron won the multiphase competition by being chosen as the best of
that day, then advancing to the finale. "From the finale, the audience
votes you through and the gold ticket from that puts you to the front
of the line for any audition," he said. "That was good for me
because I actually ended up being one of the first to audition in
Orlando that morning."

And the rest is Season 9 history. Now Aaron hopes he'll be asked to
promote the attraction. As for looking back at his "Idol" experience, it seemed no one is more surprised at how far he
made it than Aaron himself, which echoed what Big Mike told him
Wednesday as the two stood side by side in the bottom two. "He said, 'You
made it this far and it's all right. Good things are going to come out of
this for everybody," Aaron said. 

Pg179170 After the show, judges Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres expressed a bit of bewilderment
over Aaron's elimination, pointing to Casey James's "Blue Sky" as the
weaker of the two performances on Sinatra night. But no matter which
way it went, admiration for Harry Connick Jr. as a mentor was
unanimous. "He worked with us on such a personal level," Aaron said. "He did all the arrangements; he worked really hard making
sure that we all shined on our performance night. Just to have him care
so much, and such an iconic figure. … Harry Connick Jr. was incredible.
It was such an honor to share the stage with him."

Is it any wonder his name was being bandied about as a possible
replacement for Simon Cowell? Aaron, for one, thinks it's a good idea.
"He would be a great replacement for Simon," Aaron said. "He's very
honest and he's going to tell you straight out. I think Harry Connick
would fit the bill perfectly." When asked by "Extra's" Teri Seymour
about the prospect, fellow Louisiana native Ellen DeGeneres had this to
say: "He's a charming guy."

What do you think? Would Connick make a good judge? And are you impressed with how young Aaron is handling his fifth-place elimination?

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter.

Top photo: Aaron Kelly backstage at the March 31 results show. Credit: Michael
Becker / PictureGroup/Fox

Bottom photo: Aaron Kelly and Harry
Connick Jr. backstage at Wednesday's results show. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup/Fox

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Lady Gaga complains that her ‘Idol’ performance was ‘amateurly edited’

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

One might expect “American Idol’s” family-oriented audience to complain about Lady Gaga’s risque performance of her latest single “Alejandro” on Wednesday’s show, what with all the provocative guy-on-guy dancing and grand finale featuring a fire-winged angel dripping red liquid onto the star. But it was surprisingly Gaga herself who took issue with the performance. “FOX
POORLY + AMATEURLY edited+cut my performance/musical arrangement on idol” [sic], she tweeted on Thursday with a link to “Watch real version” on Perezhilton.com (see below). That take, which is longer than six minutes, includes a dance breakdown toward the end that was mostly omitted from Wednesday’s broadcast, along with another nearly two minutes of footage. 


Earlier in the day, Gaga complained via Twitter that Fox “chopped up my performance in 4 places” and directed fans to iTunes for the complete version. When contacted by Idol Tracker, the network had no comment.

But having been there for the taping last week, we can attest to a couple of things: one, the “Idol” staff seemed exceptionally accommodating of Gaga’s set, dancers and schedule. She ran through the six-plus-minute performance more than four times, keeping the studio audience in their seats an hour-and-a-half past the scheduled end time. Gaga was also very gracious in thanking those people for staying and allowing her ample opportunities to practice. We also reported last week about a sweet exchange that Gaga had with stage manager Debbie Williams. After complimenting Gaga on how far she’d come since last appearing on the show, Debbie described a beaming multi-platinum international pop star who, for a second, took stock of that very fact.

So where did things go wrong? Our sources confirm what we speculated Wednesday, that this long a performance would never fly in “Idol” time.” And it wouldn’t have been fair to deny Aaron Kelly one last encore, right? What do you think? Should “Idol” have kept Gaga’s intricate performance intact or was her “Alejandro” too much even at four minutes long?

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Visit Source


That’s life: Sinatra show slips to 17.5 million as ‘Idol’ hunts for late-season bounce

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

All right, if Lady Gaga and the Chairman of the Board can't bring 'em in, then "American Idol" really is off its game.

This, "Idol" fans, was not a good week for our favorite singing contest. The show has been exhibiting troubling signs of downward drift for several weeks now. But Tuesday marked a new low, with an episode dedicated to Frank Sinatra standards tumbling to an average of 17.5 million total viewers, according to Nielsen Co. That's the worst tally since the show's premiere season in the summer of 2002. 

Wednesday brought somewhat better news, with 19.6 million showing up to see Aaron Kelly handed his walking papers. But really, one might have expected a much bigger crowd, given that "Idol" is inside its final month and this week's show contained a special performance by Gaga. Young adults, in particular, seem to be bailing rapidly: the 6.5 rating/18 share among viewers ages 18 to 49 was "Idol's" second-lowest Wednesday number during the regular season.

Fox executives point out that "Idol" is off only modestly — 5% for the Tuesday shows — compared with last season. And it still clobbers anything it's up against.

But the evidence grows by the minute: "Idol" isn't the force it once was. Where's that late-season bounce?

And above all: What are the producers going to do after Simon Cowell leaves the building?

– Scott Collins

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Billboard.com Presents “American Idol’s All-Time Top 24”

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

This week, Billboard.com posted their list of the Top 24 to come out of American Idol. They posed the question, How have the contestants stacked up out in the wider waters of the music industry? They answered it by looking at album sales, individual song sales, and radio play counts (according to Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS as of April 17).

Here is their list:

  1. Kelly Clarkson
  2. Carrie Underwood
  3. Chris Daughtry
  4. Jordin Sparks
  5. David Cook
  6. Clay Aiken
  7. Kellie Pickler
  8. David Archuleta
  9. Fantasia
  10. Ruben Studdard
  11. Kris Allen</… read more
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Lady Gaga complains that her ‘Idol’ performance was ‘amateurly edited’

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

One might expect “American Idol’s” family-oriented audience to complain about Lady Gaga’s risque performance of her latest single “Alejandro” on Wednesday’s show, what with all the provocative guy-on-guy dancing and grand finale featuring a fire-winged angel dripping red liquid onto the star. But it was surprisingly Gaga herself who took issue with the performance. “FOX
POORLY + AMATEURLY edited+cut my performance/musical arrangement on idol” [sic], she tweeted on Thursday with a link to “Watch real version” on Perezhilton.com (see below). That take, which is longer than six minutes, includes a dance breakdown toward the end that was mostly omitted from Wednesday’s broadcast, along with another nearly two minutes of footage. 


Earlier in the day, Gaga complained via Twitter that Fox “chopped up my performance in 4 places” and directed fans to iTunes for the complete version. When contacted by Idol Tracker, the network had no comment.

But having been there for the taping last week, we can attest to a couple of things: one, the “Idol” staff seemed exceptionally accommodating of Gaga’s set, dancers and schedule. She ran through the six-plus-minute performance more than four times, keeping the studio audience in their seats an hour-and-a-half past the scheduled end time. Gaga was also very gracious in thanking those people for staying and allowing her ample opportunities to practice. We also reported last week about a sweet exchange that Gaga had with stage manager Debbie Williams. After complimenting Gaga on how far she’d come since last appearing on the show, Debbie described a beaming multi-platinum international pop star who, for a second, took stock of that very fact.

So where did things go wrong? Our sources confirm what we speculated Wednesday, that this long a performance would never fly in “Idol” time.” And it wouldn’t have been fair to deny Aaron Kelly one last encore, right? What do you think? Should “Idol” have kept Gaga’s intricate performance intact or was her “Alejandro” too much even at four minutes long?

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Visit Source


That’s life: Sinatra show slips to 17.5 million as ‘Idol’ hunts for late-season bounce

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

All right, if Lady Gaga and the Chairman of the Board can't bring 'em in, then "American Idol" really is off its game.

This, "Idol" fans, was not a good week for our favorite singing contest. The show has been exhibiting troubling signs of downward drift for several weeks now. But Tuesday marked a new low, with an episode dedicated to Frank Sinatra standards tumbling to an average of 17.5 million total viewers, according to Nielsen Co. That's the worst tally since the show's premiere season in the summer of 2002. 

Wednesday brought somewhat better news, with 19.6 million showing up to see Aaron Kelly handed his walking papers. But really, one might have expected a much bigger crowd, given that "Idol" is inside its final month and this week's show contained a special performance by Gaga. Young adults, in particular, seem to be bailing rapidly: the 6.5 rating/18 share among viewers ages 18 to 49 was "Idol's" second-lowest Wednesday number during the regular season.

Fox executives point out that "Idol" is off only modestly — 5% for the Tuesday shows — compared with last season. And it still clobbers anything it's up against.

But the evidence grows by the minute: "Idol" isn't the force it once was. Where's that late-season bounce?

And above all: What are the producers going to do after Simon Cowell leaves the building?

– Scott Collins

Visit Source


Aaron Kelly on his ‘American Idol’ experience, endorses Harry Connick Jr. as future judge

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

Pg160969

Aaron Kelly's exit interview Thursday morning was unexpectedly
inspiring, mainly because his journey truly is the "Idol" dream
realized, and proof that the machine works. 

The 17-year-old Sonestown, Pa., native got a prime slot at the
Orlando, Fla., auditions after he'd competed in Walt Disney World's "American
Idol Experience." Aaron explained the process Thursday:
"It's a great way to get a feel for what this competition is really
like. You go through a set of audition processes and the audience
actually votes you through." 

Aaron won the multiphase competition by being chosen as the best of
that day, then advancing to the finale. "From the finale, the audience
votes you through and the gold ticket from that puts you to the front
of the line for any audition," he said. "That was good for me
because I actually ended up being one of the first to audition in
Orlando that morning."

And the rest is Season 9 history. Now Aaron hopes he'll be asked to
promote the attraction. As for looking back at his "Idol" experience, it seemed no one is more surprised at how far he
made it than Aaron himself, which echoed what Big Mike told him
Wednesday as the two stood side by side in the bottom two. "He said, 'You
made it this far and it's all right. Good things are going to come out of
this for everybody," Aaron said. 

Pg179170 After the show, judges Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres expressed a bit of bewilderment
over Aaron's elimination, pointing to Casey James's "Blue Sky" as the
weaker of the two performances on Sinatra night. But no matter which
way it went, admiration for Harry Connick Jr. as a mentor was
unanimous. "He worked with us on such a personal level," Aaron said. "He did all the arrangements; he worked really hard making
sure that we all shined on our performance night. Just to have him care
so much, and such an iconic figure. … Harry Connick Jr. was incredible.
It was such an honor to share the stage with him."

Is it any wonder his name was being bandied about as a possible
replacement for Simon Cowell? Aaron, for one, thinks it's a good idea.
"He would be a great replacement for Simon," Aaron said. "He's very
honest and he's going to tell you straight out. I think Harry Connick
would fit the bill perfectly." When asked by "Extra's" Teri Seymour
about the prospect, fellow Louisiana native Ellen DeGeneres had this to
say: "He's a charming guy."

What do you think? Would Connick make a good judge? And are you impressed with how young Aaron is handling his fifth-place elimination?

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter.

Top photo: Aaron Kelly backstage at the March 31 results show. Credit: Michael
Becker / PictureGroup/Fox

Bottom photo: Aaron Kelly and Harry
Connick Jr. backstage at Wednesday's results show. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup/Fox

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‘Idol’ results show minute-by-minute recap: Aaron, going home he is

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

Pg179123

It was a relatively mellow Wednesday night in the "Idol"-dome as the top 5 and mentor Harry Connick Jr. embraced that timelessly smooth Sinatra swing. Over 32 million votes were cast, but in the end, the tween- and-grandma contingent was not powerful enough to save Season 9's youngest crooner, Sonestown, Pa.'s Aaron Kelly, from elimination. All the action leading up to that moment in Idol Tracker's minute-by-minute results show recap.

5:57 p.m. Though Corey the warm-up guy has been going for nearly 14 minutes, things must be running behind because not a single judge has arrived.

5:58 With one minute and 52 seconds to go, Kara DioGuardi makes her entrance wearing a wife beater and jeans ensemble that is entirely inappropriate for a big-band-themed night. On Tuesday, she looked stunning in a form-fitted black dress – was Kara's stylist off for the day?

5:59
Randy Jackson is moments behind and runs out while hanging on to an "Idol" staffer. With less than a minute to go, Ellen DeGeneres dashes for her seat. Simon Cowell, meanwhile, is taking his time. With 10 seconds to go, Ryan Seacrest shows his face and it's 5, 4, 3, 2 … applause! 

6:00
While the opening video package plays, Ryan takes position at center stage.

6:02 Ryan gets big screams for two announcements: Cinco de Mayo and Lady Gaga's upcoming performance, which was actually taped last week

6:03 As Ryan introduces the judges, four microphones are positioned behind him. Group number ahead as Lee DeWyze, Casey James, Mike Lynche and Aaron make their way on stage.

6:04 Sure enough, it's all about Rat Pack posturing and multilayered vocals as the top 5 run through a Sinatra medley of ambitious proportions. Kara, meanwhile, sits on Randy's lap and hops up and down like a 3-year-old — or like Paula Abdul.

6:05
Or maybe it's more rag-tag than Rat Pack. Still, the medley is surprisingly entertaining. We can thank Harry Connick Jr. for that.

6:07
With the contestants singing their last note from behind the judges' table, the first commercial break allows Lee an opportunity to gab with Ellen, while Kara runs off — maybe she's going to change?

6:08 Casey gives props to the big-band guys, then it's touch-up time for him and Aaron on the couch.

6:09 Seconds away from showtime, Crystal Bowersox shakes it out while Mike adjusts the tilt of his fedora.

6:10
We're back, and Ryan announces next week's theme: songs of cinema, with Jamie Foxx as mentor for the second time. Then it's Ford video time, as Crystal and Casey laugh and clap along.

6:11
Any mention of Wednesday causes Lee to hang his head down dramatically — every time.

6:12 As the behind-the-scenes video package plays, everybody watches intently, but we're personally excited to see Simon's stand-in, Nick, who said he reads Idol Tracker daily and faithfully! 

6:13 Crystal and Mike both look pleased with the end result.

6:14 Ryan launches into an extended Q&A, and the studio audience gets comfortable knowing it could take a while.

6:15 It's time to dim the lights, which elicits an audible "awww …" from the crowd. Hence, Ryan's remark: "You act like there's a twist here; we always do the results."

6:16 Lee is sent to center stage but receives such a deafening applause that we all know the verdict: He's safe.

6:17 Meanwhile, Crystal pulls a phone out of her pants pocket and starts texting from the couch! It couldn't wait? On the other side of the stage, Lee is getting comfortable on the most uncomfortable stool ever.

6:18 Time for another commercial break as Lee hops back to the couches to hang with his fellow finalists.

6:19 The judges make a break for the outside.

Pg178895 6:22 The Lady Gaga performance of "Alejandro" is projected on the massive "Idol" video screen. Crystal is grooving and singing along but also checking her phone occasionally.

6:26
Clocking in at well past four minutes, Gaga's is an exceptionally long performance in "Idol" time, and that's even with a good 20 seconds snipped off toward the end.

6:27 Speaking of snipping, Gaga was wearing all kinds of pasties under that fishnet, if anyone's worried about slippage or things of that sort, though it did seem like there was some strategic blurring going on for a second there.

6:28 When we head into another commercial break, four stools are placed on stage, as the Idols exit out the side.

6:32 With another video package ahead, stage manager Debbie Williams announces that this return was "judges optional." Still, one can see Simon's head bobbing its way through an ocean of people outside headed toward the studio.

6:33 Back and situated at the judges' table, Kara and Ellen laugh hysterically as Harry Connick Jr.'s comedy package plays. Ryan and Simon join in too.

6:35 It's Harry's turn at the microphone, no teleprompter lyrics required.

6:36 Thought: The judges might call this rendition of The Beatles' "And I Love Her" "sleepy."

6:37 Can't help but imagine Harry at his piano around 3 in the morning, hair disheveled, a Marlboro Light burning down to the filter, singing into the bottle of scotch he's been sipping on all night …

Pg178476 6:38 Harry's crack about Ellen elicits a faux look of shock from the sitting judge.

6:39 Medley No. 2 is upon us, but the Idols need some help with Harry's lyrics so they do get to follow along on the giant teleprompter.

6:40 A sampling of Lee and Crystal as duet partners sounds pretty good. Perhaps a repeat is on the horizon?

6:42 Harry's funny Frank Sinatra story feels about a minute too long, but the payoff at the end is worth the wait. And as the contestants noted on Tuesday night, Harry is great at voices, and we got to hear a bit of that talent as well.

6:44 Ellen runs up to the stage to hug her pal Harry. With Randy, that's three of Louisiana's most successful entertainment exports under one roof! 

6:45 After a quick bro hug with HCJ, Mike heads to the couch, where he chats with Aaron. Lee heads back to the stool, and Ryan walks over to wish him good luck. It's almost time.

6:47
A little girl in the audience is awarded an iPod Touch, and Aaron sits up to applaud her good fortune. He's a good egg, that Yoda.

6:49
Crystal hoots as Lee is pronounced safe once again, then heads over toward him. While Ryan reads Mike's recap, Lee tries to talk to Crystal, who has to shush him.

6:50
With two groups in position, Lee bows his head when Ryan asks him to choose. Fortunately, it's not "The Apprentice" and he's given a reprieve. 

6:51 Aaron and Mike are pronounced the bottom two and, feet away, Harry looks like he needs a hug.

6:53 For the show's last commercial break, Crystal and Casey look decidedly more relaxed – season 9's last girl standing even motions an umpire's safe signal from the couch – but Mike is pacing, and Aaron is doing his best to smile, maintain composure and wave at fans down below and up above.

6:54
One final touch-up for HCJ as Casey chugs an entire bottle of water. Ryan heads over for another man-to-man handshake with Mike and Aaron, and it's time for the results …

Pg179145 6:55 With eyes closed, Mike hears the good news – he'll sing another week; it's Aaron's turn to say goodbye. Off to the side, Crystal clutches her hand to her heart. (According to an Idol Tracker commenter, Mike's mid-hug comments to Aaron went something like this: "Listen, I want you to be proud. You are a winner, not a loser. You have every right to be proud, and you need to make your momma proud right now. Give everyone a big smile and hold your head up high.")

6:57
Lee is always first to console, and as usual, he looks ready to sprint toward center stage. But with the show running a little short, the big group hug will have to wait until Aaron's final performance – an encore of "Fly Me to the Moon."

6:59 Ryan moves in place to Aaron's last number, while Crystal wipes away tears as Aaron's goodbye package is played (complete with Yoda move), but it's all one ginormous bear hug at the end as the credits roll and the judges hop up on stage for well-wishes.

The pundits were sure it would be Casey's time to go. In fact, I heard he'd already started shipping stuff back home, so how did Mike and Aaron wind up in the bottom two? Was it the cougar contingent or Vote For The Worst's last-minute endorsement switch? Any and all theories are welcome.

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Top photo: Contestants Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, Crystal Bowersox, Casey James and Lee DeWyze perform during Wednesday's results show. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup / Fox

Second photo: Lady Gaga performs her hit song "Alejandro" on Wednesday's episode of "American Idol." Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup / Fox

Third photo: Harry Connick Jr. onstage at the top-5 performance show on Tuesday. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup / Fox

Bottom photo: Michael Lynche hugs eliminated contestant Aaron Kelly during Wednesday's results show. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup / Fox

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Next week’s ‘Idol’: Music from the movies; mentor Jamie Foxx, the sequel

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

It was just over a year ago that Jamie Foxx took his first turn as an "American Idol" mentor. He was tasked with shepherding Season 8's Final 5 — Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta and Matt Giraud — through Rat Pack week last year, and he returns on Tuesday to mentor Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox, Michael Lynche and Casey James on "hit songs from the movies."

Like Harry Connick Jr., Shania Twain and Jennifer Lopez from a few years back, Foxx was among the stars who really dove into the mentor's role, which always made for a better episode and, more importantly, performance. Who can forget Adam Lambert's white-suited showstopper, "Feeling Good"? (See video above.) Or the prep session beforehand when Foxx commented to Adam, "You don't care about who I am at all?"

Indeed, it's the self-deprecating mega-stars who always leave the best impression, and though this week's song selection is far from stellar — itching to hear "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" for the umpteenth time? — a good mentor can breathe new life into a tired track. So what song would you like to hear the Final 4 take on? Will Lee take another stab at Simon & Garfunkel with "Mrs. Robinson"? (My vote's for the theme from "Arthur" or "It Might Be You" from "Tootsie.") What are the chances Crystal will go for "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In"? The Janis Joplin version of "Summertime"? Or will they surprise us all?

And one last note about Foxx. Being a mentor isn't his only direct connection to "Idol." Besides starring in "Dreamgirls," which won an Oscar for "Idol" Season 3 alum Jennifer Hudson, four years ago at the annual Clive Davis pre-Grammy party, an A-List event celebrating the year in music, he and Season 3's eventual winner, Fantasia, blew the roof off the Beverly Hilton ballroom with a soulful, sexy and completely spontaneous duet. I was there, and it was on fire. Check it out below (Fantasia comes in at the 5:45 mark):

Song choices for "Hits From the Movies"

"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" – Bryan Adams
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
"A Whole New World" – Brad Kane & Lea Salonga
"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" – The 5th Dimension
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" – Christopher Cross
"Beauty and the Beast" – Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson
"Can I Have This Dance" – Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron & the Cast of "High School Musical"
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John & London Community Gospel Choir
"Can't Fight the Moonlight" – LeAnn Rimes
"Danger Zone" – Kenny Loggins
"Don't You Forget About Me" – Simple Minds
"Endless Love" – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
"Evergreen" – Barbra Streisand
"Eye of the Tiger" – Survivor
"Flashdance (What a Feeling)" – Irene Cara
"Footloose" – Kenny Loggins
"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" – Bryan Adams
"I'm Alright" – Kenny Loggins
"Into the West" – Howard Shore and Annie Lennox
"Iris" – Goo Goo Dolls
"It Might Be You" – Stephen Bishop
"Kiss From a Rose" – Seal
"Let the River Run" – Carly Simon
"Moon River " – Audrey Hepburn & Henry Mancini
"Mrs. Robinson" – Simon & Garfunkel
"My Heart Will Go On" – Celine Dion
"One Night Only" – Jennifer Hudson / Deena Jones & The Dreams
"Over the Rainbow" – Judy Garland
"Separate Lives" – Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
"Summertime" – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
"Take My Breath Away" – Berlin
"Up Where We Belong" – Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
"We Don't Need Another Hero" – Tina Turner
"You'll Be in My Heart "– Glenn Close & Phil Collins 

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Visit Source


For some ‘Idol’ alumni, Nashville flooding hits home

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

Nashville Nashville, home of country music, is also home to a fair number of "American Idol" alumni. So when the storms over the weekend flooded the town — putting landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry and its adjoining hotel under 10 feet of water — many of them were affected.

Kellie Pickler helped flood victims, appealing to her fans on Twitter to pitch in. In the midst of the storm, she tweeted, "Pray for Nashville. It's flooded. Bad."

Danny Gokey, who lives in the Hermitage area and played the Opry just days before the flood, watched the water rise around his house. "Even though we're on a hill, our backyard started filling up," he told USA Today. "I've never seen that much water — it started filling up pretty quickly."

Mandisa got stuck in Chicago as she tried to fly home to Nashville from Columbus, Ohio. When she finally got a flight, she couldn't believe what she saw as the plane descended, telling USA Today, "When you're in an airplane, you see your city with puddles of water everywhere. Then you get closer and you realize those aren't puddles, those are lakes. In the middle of interstates."

Melinda Doolittle's house, in Franklin, a town south of Nashville that got a fair amount of flooding, came out unscathed. "I am just fine," she told USA Today. "I did not get affected by this, personally. My home is completely dry — no leaking, nothing like that."

The foundation of Bo Bice's log cabin was damaged during the floods, but he told USA Today it could have been worse: "We're blessed that we live on a hill, so everything washed down. Unfortunately, our neighbors below us are really good friends of ours, and their basement got flooded." Echoing the thoughts of many, he added, "We've got good friends and family that are safe, and we're glad we didn't lose anybody. Our prayers definitely go out to those who did."

– Amy Reiter

Photo: Flooding in downtown Nashville on Monday. Credit: Larry McCormack / Associated Press

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For some ‘Idol’ alumni, Nashville flooding hits home

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

Nashville Nashville, home of country music, is also home to a fair number of "American Idol" alumni. So when the storms over the weekend flooded the town — putting landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry and its adjoining hotel under 10 feet of water — many of them were affected.

Kellie Pickler helped flood victims, appealing to her fans on Twitter to pitch in. In the midst of the storm, she tweeted, "Pray for Nashville. It's flooded. Bad."

Danny Gokey, who lives in the Hermitage area and played the Opry just days before the flood, watched the water rise around his house. "Even though we're on a hill, our backyard started filling up," he told USA Today. "I've never seen that much water — it started filling up pretty quickly."

Mandisa got stuck in Chicago as she tried to fly home to Nashville from Columbus, Ohio. When she finally got a flight, she couldn't believe what she saw as the plane descended, telling USA Today, "When you're in an airplane, you see your city with puddles of water everywhere. Then you get closer and you realize those aren't puddles, those are lakes. In the middle of interstates."

Melinda Doolittle's house, in Franklin, a town south of Nashville that got a fair amount of flooding, came out unscathed. "I am just fine," she told USA Today. "I did not get affected by this, personally. My home is completely dry — no leaking, nothing like that."

The foundation of Bo Bice's log cabin was damaged during the floods, but he told USA Today it could have been worse: "We're blessed that we live on a hill, so everything washed down. Unfortunately, our neighbors below us are really good friends of ours, and their basement got flooded." Echoing the thoughts of many, he added, "We've got good friends and family that are safe, and we're glad we didn't lose anybody. Our prayers definitely go out to those who did."

– Amy Reiter

Photo: Flooding in downtown Nashville on Monday. Credit: Larry McCormack / Associated Press

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America sends home another hopeful — and meets the judges’ kindly doppelgangers

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

Top5group We learned some important things on the "Idol"
elimination show tonight. Among them: Harry Connick Jr. is funny in a vaguely
discomfiting but also rather winning way. Sometimes the group numbers
don't actually stink. Sometimes the Ford music videos have a certain charm.
Sometimes Ryan Seacrest's manic energy can actually liven up the show, yet it's
never a good idea to ask one contestant to comment on other contestants'
chances.

But the most important thing we learned was …

… that there exist in a parallel rehearsal
universe four "stand-in judges" who are the real judges'
doppelgangers, and they say only nice things to the contestants. It's as though each of the judges has the opposite of an evil twin.

And when we saw Randy's stand-in doing a spot-on Randy?
"You worked it, you rocked it, you rwaaaah!" he said, or noises to
that effect, gesturing broadly. I mean, am I the only one who felt reality gyrate like a Lady Gaga backup dancer?

I mean, rwaaaah.

Oh, yeah, and we also learned that Aaron Kelly didn't make
it to the final four.

What Aaron was doing in the top five only America knows for
sure, just as only the voters know why they kicked him off on what was arguably one of
his better weeks. But it must be said, by the time Ryan finally put young Aaron
out of his misery it seemed like a mitzvah, frankly.

Just 17, as Ellen DeGeneres often noted, Aaron looked
petrified, and near tears, through the whole elimination shuffle. But after
Ryan handed down America's verdict and he learned his unfortunate fate, Aaron really appeared to be on the
verge of losing it. Thank goodness for whatever fellow bottom-twoer Michael
Lynche whispered in Aaron's ear in that long clinch of theirs, because after
untangling from Big Mike's embrace, Aaron managed a game smile and some
platitudes about having enjoyed the "Idol" experience.

Then he sang about being flown to the moon and the camera occasionally provided a glimpse of the final  four contestants clapping along: Casey, Crystal, Lee and Big Mike.

Not a bad lineup, America. 

– Amy Reiter

Photo: The top five as they were. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

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‘Idol’ results show minute-by-minute recap: Aaron, going home he is

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

Pg179123

It was a relatively mellow Wednesday night in the "Idol"-dome as the top 5 and mentor Harry Connick Jr. embraced that timelessly smooth Sinatra swing. Over 32 million votes were cast, but in the end, the tween- and-grandma contingent was not powerful enough to save Season 9's youngest crooner, Sonestown, Pa.'s Aaron Kelly, from elimination. All the action leading up to that moment in Idol Tracker's minute-by-minute results show recap.

5:57 p.m. Though Corey the warm-up guy has been going for nearly 14 minutes, things must be running behind because not a single judge has arrived.

5:58 With one minute and 52 seconds to go, Kara DioGuardi makes her entrance wearing a wife beater and jeans ensemble that is entirely inappropriate for a big-band-themed night. On Tuesday, she looked stunning in a form-fitted black dress – was Kara's stylist off for the day?

5:59
Randy Jackson is moments behind and runs out while hanging on to an "Idol" staffer. With less than a minute to go, Ellen DeGeneres dashes for her seat. Simon Cowell, meanwhile, is taking his time. With 10 seconds to go, Ryan Seacrest shows his face and it's 5, 4, 3, 2 … applause! 

6:00
While the opening video package plays, Ryan takes position at center stage.

6:02 Ryan gets big screams for two announcements: Cinco de Mayo and Lady Gaga's upcoming performance, which was actually taped last week

6:03 As Ryan introduces the judges, four microphones are positioned behind him. Group number ahead as Lee DeWyze, Casey James, Mike Lynche and Aaron make their way on stage.

6:04 Sure enough, it's all about Rat Pack posturing and multilayered vocals as the top 5 run through a Sinatra medley of ambitious proportions. Kara, meanwhile, sits on Randy's lap and hops up and down like a 3-year-old — or like Paula Abdul.

6:05
Or maybe it's more rag-tag than Rat Pack. Still, the medley is surprisingly entertaining. We can thank Harry Connick Jr. for that.

6:07
With the contestants singing their last note from behind the judges' table, the first commercial break allows Lee an opportunity to gab with Ellen, while Kara runs off — maybe she's going to change?

6:08 Casey gives props to the big-band guys, then it's touch-up time for him and Aaron on the couch.

6:09 Seconds away from showtime, Crystal Bowersox shakes it out while Mike adjusts the tilt of his fedora.

6:10
We're back, and Ryan announces next week's theme: songs of cinema, with Jamie Foxx as mentor for the second time. Then it's Ford video time, as Crystal and Casey laugh and clap along.

6:11
Any mention of Wednesday causes Lee to hang his head down dramatically — every time.

6:12 As the behind-the-scenes video package plays, everybody watches intently, but we're personally excited to see Simon's stand-in, Nick, who said he reads Idol Tracker daily and faithfully! 

6:13 Crystal and Mike both look pleased with the end result.

6:14 Ryan launches into an extended Q&A, and the studio audience gets comfortable knowing it could take a while.

6:15 It's time to dim the lights, which elicits an audible "awww …" from the crowd. Hence, Ryan's remark: "You act like there's a twist here; we always do the results."

6:16 Lee is sent to center stage but receives such a deafening applause that we all know the verdict: He's safe.

6:17 Meanwhile, Crystal pulls a phone out of her pants pocket and starts texting from the couch! It couldn't wait? On the other side of the stage, Lee is getting comfortable on the most uncomfortable stool ever.

6:18 Time for another commercial break as Lee hops back to the couches to hang with his fellow finalists.

6:19 The judges make a break for the outside.

Pg178895 6:22 The Lady Gaga performance of "Alejandro" is projected on the massive "Idol" video screen. Crystal is grooving and singing along but also checking her phone occasionally.

6:26
Clocking in at well past four minutes, Gaga's is an exceptionally long performance in "Idol" time, and that's even with a good 20 seconds snipped off toward the end.

6:27 Speaking of snipping, Gaga was wearing all kinds of pasties under that fishnet, if anyone's worried about slippage or things of that sort, though it did seem like there was some strategic blurring going on for a second there.

6:28 When we head into another commercial break, four stools are placed on stage, as the Idols exit out the side.

6:32 With another video package ahead, stage manager Debbie Williams announces that this return was "judges optional." Still, one can see Simon's head bobbing its way through an ocean of people outside headed toward the studio.

6:33 Back and situated at the judges' table, Kara and Ellen laugh hysterically as Harry Connick Jr.'s comedy package plays. Ryan and Simon join in too.

6:35 It's Harry's turn at the microphone, no teleprompter lyrics required.

6:36 Thought: The judges might call this rendition of The Beatles' "And I Love Her" "sleepy."

6:37 Can't help but imagine Harry at his piano around 3 in the morning, hair disheveled, a Marlboro Light burning down to the filter, singing into the bottle of scotch he's been sipping on all night …

Pg178476 6:38 Harry's crack about Ellen elicits a faux look of shock from the sitting judge.

6:39 Medley No. 2 is upon us, but the Idols need some help with Harry's lyrics so they do get to follow along on the giant teleprompter.

6:40 A sampling of Lee and Crystal as duet partners sounds pretty good. Perhaps a repeat is on the horizon?

6:42 Harry's funny Frank Sinatra story feels about a minute too long, but the payoff at the end is worth the wait. And as the contestants noted on Tuesday night, Harry is great at voices, and we got to hear a bit of that talent as well.

6:44 Ellen runs up to the stage to hug her pal Harry. With Randy, that's three of Louisiana's most successful entertainment exports under one roof! 

6:45 After a quick bro hug with HCJ, Mike heads to the couch, where he chats with Aaron. Lee heads back to the stool, and Ryan walks over to wish him good luck. It's almost time.

6:47
A little girl in the audience is awarded an iPod Touch, and Aaron sits up to applaud her good fortune. He's a good egg, that Yoda.

6:49
Crystal hoots as Lee is pronounced safe once again, then heads over toward him. While Ryan reads Mike's recap, Lee tries to talk to Crystal, who has to shush him.

6:50
With two groups in position, Lee bows his head when Ryan asks him to choose. Fortunately, it's not "The Apprentice" and he's given a reprieve. 

6:51 Aaron and Mike are pronounced the bottom two and, feet away, Harry looks like he needs a hug.

6:53 For the show's last commercial break, Crystal and Casey look decidedly more relaxed – season 9's last girl standing even motions an umpire's safe signal from the couch – but Mike is pacing, and Aaron is doing his best to smile, maintain composure and wave at fans down below and up above.

6:54
One final touch-up for HCJ as Casey chugs an entire bottle of water. Ryan heads over for another man-to-man handshake with Mike and Aaron, and it's time for the results …

Pg179145 6:55 With eyes closed, Mike hears the good news – he'll sing another week; it's Aaron's turn to say goodbye. Off to the side, Crystal clutches her hand to her heart. (According to an Idol Tracker commenter, Mike's mid-hug comments to Aaron went something like this: "Listen, I want you to be proud. You are a winner, not a loser. You have every right to be proud, and you need to make your momma proud right now. Give everyone a big smile and hold your head up high.")

6:57
Lee is always first to console, and as usual, he looks ready to sprint toward center stage. But with the show running a little short, the big group hug will have to wait until Aaron's final performance – an encore of "Fly Me to the Moon."

6:59 Ryan moves in place to Aaron's last number, while Crystal wipes away tears as Aaron's goodbye package is played (complete with Yoda move), but it's all one ginormous bear hug at the end as the credits roll and the judges hop up on stage for well-wishes.

The pundits were sure it would be Casey's time to go. In fact, I heard he'd already started shipping stuff back home, so how did Mike and Aaron wind up in the bottom two? Was it the cougar contingent or Vote For The Worst's last-minute endorsement switch? Any and all theories are welcome.

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Top photo: Contestants Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, Crystal Bowersox, Casey James and Lee DeWyze perform during Wednesday's results show. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup / Fox

Second photo: Lady Gaga performs her hit song "Alejandro" on Wednesday's episode of "American Idol." Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup / Fox

Third photo: Harry Connick Jr. onstage at the top-5 performance show on Tuesday. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup / Fox

Bottom photo: Michael Lynche hugs eliminated contestant Aaron Kelly during Wednesday's results show. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup / Fox

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Next week’s ‘Idol’: Music from the movies; mentor Jamie Foxx, the sequel

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

It was just over a year ago that Jamie Foxx took his first turn as an "American Idol" mentor. He was tasked with shepherding Season 8's Final 5 — Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta and Matt Giraud — through Rat Pack week last year, and he returns on Tuesday to mentor Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox, Michael Lynche and Casey James on "hit songs from the movies."

Like Harry Connick Jr., Shania Twain and Jennifer Lopez from a few years back, Foxx was among the stars who really dove into the mentor's role, which always made for a better episode and, more importantly, performance. Who can forget Adam Lambert's white-suited showstopper, "Feeling Good"? (See video above.) Or the prep session beforehand when Foxx commented to Adam, "You don't care about who I am at all?"

Indeed, it's the self-deprecating mega-stars who always leave the best impression, and though this week's song selection is far from stellar — itching to hear "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" for the umpteenth time? — a good mentor can breathe new life into a tired track. So what song would you like to hear the Final 4 take on? Will Lee take another stab at Simon & Garfunkel with "Mrs. Robinson"? (My vote's for the theme from "Arthur" or "It Might Be You" from "Tootsie.") What are the chances Crystal will go for "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In"? The Janis Joplin version of "Summertime"? Or will they surprise us all?

And one last note about Foxx. Being a mentor isn't his only direct connection to "Idol." Besides starring in "Dreamgirls," which won an Oscar for "Idol" Season 3 alum Jennifer Hudson, four years ago at the annual Clive Davis pre-Grammy party, an A-List event celebrating the year in music, he and Season 3's eventual winner, Fantasia, blew the roof off the Beverly Hilton ballroom with a soulful, sexy and completely spontaneous duet. I was there, and it was on fire. Check it out below (Fantasia comes in at the 5:45 mark):

Song choices for "Hits From the Movies"

"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" – Bryan Adams
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
"A Whole New World" – Brad Kane & Lea Salonga
"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" – The 5th Dimension
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" – Christopher Cross
"Beauty and the Beast" – Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson
"Can I Have This Dance" – Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron & the Cast of "High School Musical"
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John & London Community Gospel Choir
"Can't Fight the Moonlight" – LeAnn Rimes
"Danger Zone" – Kenny Loggins
"Don't You Forget About Me" – Simple Minds
"Endless Love" – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
"Evergreen" – Barbra Streisand
"Eye of the Tiger" – Survivor
"Flashdance (What a Feeling)" – Irene Cara
"Footloose" – Kenny Loggins
"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" – Bryan Adams
"I'm Alright" – Kenny Loggins
"Into the West" – Howard Shore and Annie Lennox
"Iris" – Goo Goo Dolls
"It Might Be You" – Stephen Bishop
"Kiss From a Rose" – Seal
"Let the River Run" – Carly Simon
"Moon River " – Audrey Hepburn & Henry Mancini
"Mrs. Robinson" – Simon & Garfunkel
"My Heart Will Go On" – Celine Dion
"One Night Only" – Jennifer Hudson / Deena Jones & The Dreams
"Over the Rainbow" – Judy Garland
"Separate Lives" – Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
"Summertime" – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
"Take My Breath Away" – Berlin
"Up Where We Belong" – Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
"We Don't Need Another Hero" – Tina Turner
"You'll Be in My Heart "– Glenn Close & Phil Collins 

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

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America sends home another hopeful — and meets the judges’ kindly doppelgangers

Posted: 07 May 2010 02:26 AM PDT

Top5group We learned some important things on the "Idol"
elimination show tonight. Among them: Harry Connick Jr. is funny in a vaguely
discomfiting but also rather winning way. Sometimes the group numbers
don't actually stink. Sometimes the Ford music videos have a certain charm.
Sometimes Ryan Seacrest's manic energy can actually liven up the show, yet it's
never a good idea to ask one contestant to comment on other contestants'
chances.

But the most important thing we learned was …

… that there exist in a parallel rehearsal
universe four "stand-in judges" who are the real judges'
doppelgangers, and they say only nice things to the contestants. It's as though each of the judges has the opposite of an evil twin.

And when we saw Randy's stand-in doing a spot-on Randy?
"You worked it, you rocked it, you rwaaaah!" he said, or noises to
that effect, gesturing broadly. I mean, am I the only one who felt reality gyrate like a Lady Gaga backup dancer?

I mean, rwaaaah.

Oh, yeah, and we also learned that Aaron Kelly didn't make
it to the final four.

What Aaron was doing in the top five only America knows for
sure, just as only the voters know why they kicked him off on what was arguably one of
his better weeks. But it must be said, by the time Ryan finally put young Aaron
out of his misery it seemed like a mitzvah, frankly.

Just 17, as Ellen DeGeneres often noted, Aaron looked
petrified, and near tears, through the whole elimination shuffle. But after
Ryan handed down America's verdict and he learned his unfortunate fate, Aaron really appeared to be on the
verge of losing it. Thank goodness for whatever fellow bottom-twoer Michael
Lynche whispered in Aaron's ear in that long clinch of theirs, because after
untangling from Big Mike's embrace, Aaron managed a game smile and some
platitudes about having enjoyed the "Idol" experience.

Then he sang about being flown to the moon and the camera occasionally provided a glimpse of the final  four contestants clapping along: Casey, Crystal, Lee and Big Mike.

Not a bad lineup, America. 

– Amy Reiter

Photo: The top five as they were. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

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