NEW YORK -- Paula Abdul says she didn't figure out her purpose in life until she became a judge on Fox network's "American Idol."
"I knew since I was a little girl that I had this profound way of touching people. My purpose is bringing out everybody's best and being that cheerleader to other people's success," the 44-year-old singer-dancer tells OK! magazine in its latest issue.
"Being a judge on `American Idol' overshadows being a Grammy Award winner and selling millions of records," she says.
Abdul has been diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a chronic neurological disorder that causes severe pain.
"I have four titanium plates in my neck. I've had 14 surgeries over the years. I had an operation the same evening as the first season finale of `American Idol,'" she says. "It can come and go at any time, but I no longer have the intense nerve pain that is associated with RSD, thank God."
Abdul -- who says she was hit by a drunk driver in 1987 and injured in an emergency plane landing in the early '90s -- says she is treated with anti-inflammatory medications and has massage and acupuncture treatments for her pain.
"If I appear exhausted on television, it's because I am!" she says. "I have a lot of sleepless nights because I'm in so much pain. I was taking far more medication on earlier seasons (of `American Idol'), and nobody said anything. I try to say something and I stumble, and that's what people have picked up on. I'm not polished."
When asked how she responds to claims that her behavior during "Idol" is sometimes bizarre, Abdul replies:
"I'm sick of it. I've never been drunk. I don't do recreational drugs. It's defamation of character."
The choreographer and former Laker girl also says: "I'm a warrior. I'm not the best dancer, and I'm certainly not the best singer, but I am an entire package of a great performer."
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
'Idol' worship pays
The final two nights of "American Idol" helped Fox easily scoop up its network-record 16th consecutive victory among young adults.
In a May 20-27 frame that included the final three nights of the 2006-07 television season, Fox captured five nights in the 18-49 demo. In addition to the "Idol" nights of Tuesday and Wednesday, the net took Thursday behind the return of "So You Think You Can Dance" and also won Saturday with staples "Cops" and "America's Most Wanted" and Sunday with a NASCAR race.
The Murdoch net also cruised to victory for the week in all other key categories, ranging from persons 12-34 to adults 25-54 and total viewers.
Fox ended up winning the season by the largest margin of any net in five seasons, with its 4.0 rating among adults 18-49 topping CBS (3.7) by 8%, according to Nielsen. Net also won in all younger demos, while CBS prevailed in adults 25-54 and total viewers (Daily Variety, May 23).
Wednesday's 129-minute reveal of the "American Idol" winner towered over all other programs for the final full frame of May with an 11.5 rating/31 share in adults 18-49 and 30.73 million viewers overall. Ratings peaked in the final nine minutes -- no doubt frustrating viewers who had set their recorders to the scheduled two hours -- with a 36 share in 18-49 and about 39.2 million viewers overall.
Despite the gaudy numbers, this year's finale came in 19% below last year's in 18-49 (11.5 vs. 14.2) and 26% lower in 18-34 (9.6 vs. 13.1); among viewers 12-34, this "Idol" conclusion was the lowest rated to date.
"Idol's" Wednesday edition finished as the season's No. 1 program in 18-49, marking the fourth consecutive year that either the performance or results edition of the franchise has finished on top.
Net was hopeful that Tuesday's "Idol" performance show (9.7/27 in 18-49, 25.33m from 8 to 9:03 p.m.) would provide a nice launching pad for new unscripted skein "On the Lot," but the Mark Burnett-Steven Spielberg show settled for soft preview scores (3.6/9 in 18-49, 7.60m) before settling for much smaller numbers when it bowed in its regular Monday slot to kick off the current week (Daily Variety, May 29).
Elsewhere in the week for Fox, "So You Think You Can Dance" (3.7/12 in 18-49, 9.51m) wasn't as strong as its premiere of a year ago, but it beat out its mostly repeat competish on Thursday, while NASCAR's "Coca Cola 600" race did the same on Sunday (2.7/11 in 18-49, 7.50m).
Kicking off the week, the two-hour "24" finale (3.8/10, 10.30m) was down a sharp 31% from last year's.
ABC placed second for the week thanks primarily to "Dancing With the Stars," which won its timeslot both on Monday (5.3/15, 20.19m) and Tuesday (6.7/17, 22.96m).
Also clicking early in the week for the Alphabet were the two-hour finales of "The Bachelor" (4.8/12, 12.67m) and "Lost" (5.9/15, 13.86m). While the dating show was up vs. its most recent cycle, the drama was off about 20% from its year-ago finale.
On Friday, "National Bingo Night" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 5.51m) won its timeslot in demos and was in line with its OK week-earlier premiere.
CBS, whose key Monday and Wednesday series wrapped the previous week, had a quiet frame but was led by a repeat of "CSI" on Thursday (4.1/12 in 18-49, 13.79m).
On Tuesday, the season-ender of "NCIS" (3.4/10 in 18-49, 14.13m) placed second in its slot to Fox's "American Idol" but stood as the week's most-watched scripted telecast.
NBC opened well with the first-season finale of "Heroes" (6.2/15, 13.48m) -- the week's No. 1 scripted program in 18-49 -- but didn't do a whole lot the rest of the way save for the Tuesday season finale of "Law & Order: SVU" (4.1/11, 10.28m).
Not helping NBC's cause was a weak perf for "Friday Night Lights" on Sunday (0.7/2 in 18-49, 2.23m). Fragile first-year show is moving from Wednesdays at 8 to Fridays at 10 in the fall, so the net thought repeats Sunday at 9 was a good idea? Go figure.
TNT was the week's primetime cabler leader in key demos, as three of its NBA Playoff games between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons ranked among cable's top five programs in adults 18-49.
USA still eked out a victory among the cablers in total viewers, led by "WWE Raw" on Monday and boosted by some "Monk" repeats on Sunday.
And in the evening news race, ABC's "World News With Charles Gibson" remained hot (2.0/9 in 25-54, 7.78m), besting NBC's "Nightly News With Brian Williams" for a fifth straight week in all key categories. CBS' "Evening News" with Katie Couric was a distant third (1.5/7, 5.96m), again at historic-low levels for the program.
In a May 20-27 frame that included the final three nights of the 2006-07 television season, Fox captured five nights in the 18-49 demo. In addition to the "Idol" nights of Tuesday and Wednesday, the net took Thursday behind the return of "So You Think You Can Dance" and also won Saturday with staples "Cops" and "America's Most Wanted" and Sunday with a NASCAR race.
The Murdoch net also cruised to victory for the week in all other key categories, ranging from persons 12-34 to adults 25-54 and total viewers.
Fox ended up winning the season by the largest margin of any net in five seasons, with its 4.0 rating among adults 18-49 topping CBS (3.7) by 8%, according to Nielsen. Net also won in all younger demos, while CBS prevailed in adults 25-54 and total viewers (Daily Variety, May 23).
Wednesday's 129-minute reveal of the "American Idol" winner towered over all other programs for the final full frame of May with an 11.5 rating/31 share in adults 18-49 and 30.73 million viewers overall. Ratings peaked in the final nine minutes -- no doubt frustrating viewers who had set their recorders to the scheduled two hours -- with a 36 share in 18-49 and about 39.2 million viewers overall.
Despite the gaudy numbers, this year's finale came in 19% below last year's in 18-49 (11.5 vs. 14.2) and 26% lower in 18-34 (9.6 vs. 13.1); among viewers 12-34, this "Idol" conclusion was the lowest rated to date.
"Idol's" Wednesday edition finished as the season's No. 1 program in 18-49, marking the fourth consecutive year that either the performance or results edition of the franchise has finished on top.
Net was hopeful that Tuesday's "Idol" performance show (9.7/27 in 18-49, 25.33m from 8 to 9:03 p.m.) would provide a nice launching pad for new unscripted skein "On the Lot," but the Mark Burnett-Steven Spielberg show settled for soft preview scores (3.6/9 in 18-49, 7.60m) before settling for much smaller numbers when it bowed in its regular Monday slot to kick off the current week (Daily Variety, May 29).
Elsewhere in the week for Fox, "So You Think You Can Dance" (3.7/12 in 18-49, 9.51m) wasn't as strong as its premiere of a year ago, but it beat out its mostly repeat competish on Thursday, while NASCAR's "Coca Cola 600" race did the same on Sunday (2.7/11 in 18-49, 7.50m).
Kicking off the week, the two-hour "24" finale (3.8/10, 10.30m) was down a sharp 31% from last year's.
ABC placed second for the week thanks primarily to "Dancing With the Stars," which won its timeslot both on Monday (5.3/15, 20.19m) and Tuesday (6.7/17, 22.96m).
Also clicking early in the week for the Alphabet were the two-hour finales of "The Bachelor" (4.8/12, 12.67m) and "Lost" (5.9/15, 13.86m). While the dating show was up vs. its most recent cycle, the drama was off about 20% from its year-ago finale.
On Friday, "National Bingo Night" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 5.51m) won its timeslot in demos and was in line with its OK week-earlier premiere.
CBS, whose key Monday and Wednesday series wrapped the previous week, had a quiet frame but was led by a repeat of "CSI" on Thursday (4.1/12 in 18-49, 13.79m).
On Tuesday, the season-ender of "NCIS" (3.4/10 in 18-49, 14.13m) placed second in its slot to Fox's "American Idol" but stood as the week's most-watched scripted telecast.
NBC opened well with the first-season finale of "Heroes" (6.2/15, 13.48m) -- the week's No. 1 scripted program in 18-49 -- but didn't do a whole lot the rest of the way save for the Tuesday season finale of "Law & Order: SVU" (4.1/11, 10.28m).
Not helping NBC's cause was a weak perf for "Friday Night Lights" on Sunday (0.7/2 in 18-49, 2.23m). Fragile first-year show is moving from Wednesdays at 8 to Fridays at 10 in the fall, so the net thought repeats Sunday at 9 was a good idea? Go figure.
TNT was the week's primetime cabler leader in key demos, as three of its NBA Playoff games between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons ranked among cable's top five programs in adults 18-49.
USA still eked out a victory among the cablers in total viewers, led by "WWE Raw" on Monday and boosted by some "Monk" repeats on Sunday.
And in the evening news race, ABC's "World News With Charles Gibson" remained hot (2.0/9 in 25-54, 7.78m), besting NBC's "Nightly News With Brian Williams" for a fifth straight week in all key categories. CBS' "Evening News" with Katie Couric was a distant third (1.5/7, 5.96m), again at historic-low levels for the program.
American Idol: The Sanjaya / Ozzy Osbourne duet that never was
There is no escaping the constant fear of Sanjaya. It's not that Sanjaya Malakar is a scary fellow, or an intimidating presence. In fact, if one were to bump into Sanjaya on the street or at a party, he would probably be scared of you, regardless of who you are. The real fear is this: that he will never, ever go away. He has already exceeded what any rational pundit would have guessed was his staying power. He is an anomaly, someone whose appeal is altogether indescribable and unknowable, kind of like Carrot Top or Stephen A. Smith.
Sanjaya will be going out on the American Idol tour soon, after which he will likely cut an album with the highest bidder. After that, it's anyone's guess. He could become a national pop icon. He could star in a renowned Nickelodeon comedy about a singing hairstylist. He could go on to become the US diplomat to Cote D'Ivoire. You never know. Everything about and surrounding Sanjaya has been a complete mystery. For example, there's this story that surfaced today:
According to the New York Post, Ozzy Osbourne had been booked to perform on the American Idol season finale last week, but pulled out when he learned that he'd be performing a duet with Sanjaya Malakar. Reportedly, Ozzy said he didn't want to be on stage with “that hairstyle-challenged idiot”. Instead, Idol ended up bringing in Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry to perform an utterly reprehensible rendition of “You Really Got Me”.
A couple things about this story:
The New York Post isn't exactly a bastion of journalistic integrity, and they cite an unnamed source for the story, so take it all with a grain of salt. It certainly could be true, and it doesn't seem out of character for a man like Ozzy to lay a verbal smackdown on someone like Sanjaya.
Wouldn't that have been the absolute weirdest duet in the history of civilized man? If true, whose idea was this? What the hell were Ozzy and Sanjaya going to sing together? It's all quite astonishing, really.
So, that's your Sanjaya news for the week. Hopefully, this will be the last we hear from Sanjaya for awhile, but it probably won't be.
Sanjaya will be going out on the American Idol tour soon, after which he will likely cut an album with the highest bidder. After that, it's anyone's guess. He could become a national pop icon. He could star in a renowned Nickelodeon comedy about a singing hairstylist. He could go on to become the US diplomat to Cote D'Ivoire. You never know. Everything about and surrounding Sanjaya has been a complete mystery. For example, there's this story that surfaced today:
According to the New York Post, Ozzy Osbourne had been booked to perform on the American Idol season finale last week, but pulled out when he learned that he'd be performing a duet with Sanjaya Malakar. Reportedly, Ozzy said he didn't want to be on stage with “that hairstyle-challenged idiot”. Instead, Idol ended up bringing in Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry to perform an utterly reprehensible rendition of “You Really Got Me”.
A couple things about this story:
The New York Post isn't exactly a bastion of journalistic integrity, and they cite an unnamed source for the story, so take it all with a grain of salt. It certainly could be true, and it doesn't seem out of character for a man like Ozzy to lay a verbal smackdown on someone like Sanjaya.
Wouldn't that have been the absolute weirdest duet in the history of civilized man? If true, whose idea was this? What the hell were Ozzy and Sanjaya going to sing together? It's all quite astonishing, really.
So, that's your Sanjaya news for the week. Hopefully, this will be the last we hear from Sanjaya for awhile, but it probably won't be.
Sam Milby wants to try his luck in "American Idol"
At 23 years old and with two years of local showbiz, wala na ngang mahihiling si Sam. Moving to Manila from Plaridel, Bulacan, almost two years ago from Ohio, USA, Sam has made one of the biggest leaps from being one of the ousted Pinoy Big Brother housemates Season 1, to one of the most popular matinee idols today.
Sa ikli ng panahong itinagal niya sa local showbiz, nagawa na ni Sam halos lahat—a self-titled album that reached the platinum status and a follow-up album this August; three successful movies, with the fourth already in the works; a high-rating primetime soap debut na magkakaroon na rin ng Book Two; endorsements from some of the biggest and highest profile products; and recognitions and citations from several award-winning bodies.
Despite all his laurels, consistently low-key pa rin ang Filipino-American matinee idol. Sa ngayon, with a break from his hectic career sa pagtatapos ng kanyang soap opera na Maging Sino Ka Man at bago magsimula ang Book Two nito, kasabay ng next movie niya from Star Cinema, may one-month intensive tutorial siya sa Tagalog. Kailangan niya raw ito for him to stay in the business.
"I know that there will come a time that there will be new ones who will be introduced, better looking ones, younger, and better in acting," pasakalye ni Sam during the special solo birthday press con na ibinigay sa kanya ng Star Magic last Monday, May 28.
Dagdag pa niya, "I understand that this is a competitive business and I want to stay."
With his American roots, kataka-takang hindi siya sumubok muna sa Hollywood bago siya umuwi ng Pilipinas.
"When I was in the States, it was just figure-skating and school for me. Acting never crossed my mind and I never did any acting in school or even singing," sabi ni Sam.
For the record, two years in a row nang second placer si Sam sa figure-skating sa buong United States sa kanyang division.
"Because of my figure-skating, I have to be schooled home for about four years and just returned when I went to high school. I was a bit chubby then. I live in a community where we [he and sister Ada Milby] were the only Asians in our school, so it's hard for us just coping with school. Showbiz never entered my mind," kuwento ng matinee idol.
Now that he has tried showbiz here, gusto na niya ring masubukan ang Hollywood.
"Who hasn't dreamt of making it there? I'd like to try it out," pag-amin niya.
Dito niya nadagdag ang American Idol, ang popular na televised singing contest sa Amerika.
"I love the show," sabi ni Sam. "Specially the contestants at the start of the season. Imagine just being part of the line who would go through the line and meet Simon [Cowell] just to get his reaction.
"I know I'm not that good in singing but there are other contestants who are worse. Just the idea of being part of the show is something. I could just imagine Simon's face when I start to sing. But man, that's still an experience!" natutuwang sabi ni Sam.
Sa ikli ng panahong itinagal niya sa local showbiz, nagawa na ni Sam halos lahat—a self-titled album that reached the platinum status and a follow-up album this August; three successful movies, with the fourth already in the works; a high-rating primetime soap debut na magkakaroon na rin ng Book Two; endorsements from some of the biggest and highest profile products; and recognitions and citations from several award-winning bodies.
Despite all his laurels, consistently low-key pa rin ang Filipino-American matinee idol. Sa ngayon, with a break from his hectic career sa pagtatapos ng kanyang soap opera na Maging Sino Ka Man at bago magsimula ang Book Two nito, kasabay ng next movie niya from Star Cinema, may one-month intensive tutorial siya sa Tagalog. Kailangan niya raw ito for him to stay in the business.
"I know that there will come a time that there will be new ones who will be introduced, better looking ones, younger, and better in acting," pasakalye ni Sam during the special solo birthday press con na ibinigay sa kanya ng Star Magic last Monday, May 28.
Dagdag pa niya, "I understand that this is a competitive business and I want to stay."
With his American roots, kataka-takang hindi siya sumubok muna sa Hollywood bago siya umuwi ng Pilipinas.
"When I was in the States, it was just figure-skating and school for me. Acting never crossed my mind and I never did any acting in school or even singing," sabi ni Sam.
For the record, two years in a row nang second placer si Sam sa figure-skating sa buong United States sa kanyang division.
"Because of my figure-skating, I have to be schooled home for about four years and just returned when I went to high school. I was a bit chubby then. I live in a community where we [he and sister Ada Milby] were the only Asians in our school, so it's hard for us just coping with school. Showbiz never entered my mind," kuwento ng matinee idol.
Now that he has tried showbiz here, gusto na niya ring masubukan ang Hollywood.
"Who hasn't dreamt of making it there? I'd like to try it out," pag-amin niya.
Dito niya nadagdag ang American Idol, ang popular na televised singing contest sa Amerika.
"I love the show," sabi ni Sam. "Specially the contestants at the start of the season. Imagine just being part of the line who would go through the line and meet Simon [Cowell] just to get his reaction.
"I know I'm not that good in singing but there are other contestants who are worse. Just the idea of being part of the show is something. I could just imagine Simon's face when I start to sing. But man, that's still an experience!" natutuwang sabi ni Sam.
American Idol Taylor Hicks Mystery Woman: TV Babe Caroline Lyders
American Idol winner Taylor Hicks created quite a stir when he was photographed lounging and canoodling with an attractive and fit mystery blonde babe on a beach in Hawaii and the pictures were then published online. Taylor looked slimmed down and lean and the short haired blonde was gorgeous. Was it an American Idol love match for Taylor? And who is this woman?
American Idol Taylor Hicks Mystery Woman: TV Babe Caroline Lyders
American Idol Taylor Hicks Mystery Woman: TV Babe Caroline Lyders
The mystery woman has been revealed. Caroline Lyders the co-anchor of the weekday edition of WISN "12 News This Morning," has been identified as the woman in the photos.
***
A report from On Milwaukee notes: It didn't take long for Hicks' fans to identify the bikini-clad woman in the photos as Lyders and link to both her bio on the station Web site -- themilwaukeechannel.com -- and her interview with OMC.
"Yes, Taylor and I are friends," Lyders told managing editor Bobby Tanzilo Wednesday morning, "and as a journalist I respect your asking. But beyond that, I'd rather not comment on my personal life." TMZ.Com snarkily asks - "friends with benefits?" The item notes that Hicks played the Pabst Theater in March, but doesn't have any scheduled gigs soon in Wisconsin. He is playing the Genesse Theatre in Waukegan, Ill. on July 12.
American Idol Taylor Hicks Mystery Woman: TV Babe Caroline Lyders
American Idol Taylor Hicks Mystery Woman: TV Babe Caroline Lyders
The mystery woman has been revealed. Caroline Lyders the co-anchor of the weekday edition of WISN "12 News This Morning," has been identified as the woman in the photos.
***
A report from On Milwaukee notes: It didn't take long for Hicks' fans to identify the bikini-clad woman in the photos as Lyders and link to both her bio on the station Web site -- themilwaukeechannel.com -- and her interview with OMC.
"Yes, Taylor and I are friends," Lyders told managing editor Bobby Tanzilo Wednesday morning, "and as a journalist I respect your asking. But beyond that, I'd rather not comment on my personal life." TMZ.Com snarkily asks - "friends with benefits?" The item notes that Hicks played the Pabst Theater in March, but doesn't have any scheduled gigs soon in Wisconsin. He is playing the Genesse Theatre in Waukegan, Ill. on July 12.
Wednesday's Weekly Diatribe: American Idol Is Rapidly Turning Into A Joke
I am a huge ‘American Idol’ fan. I have watched every single episode of every single season. There was just something insanely captivating about watching everyday stiffs gradually turn into stars. Over the years, I’ve rooted on George Huff, remained indifferent to Chris Richardson, and shouted epithets at Kellie Pickler, but you know what. I can’t take it anymore. I am sick of this mass produced contest, and I’m not sure if I will even watch next season.
The first season of the Coke-sponsored Juggernaut was insanely interesting. None of the contestants had any idea what the hell they had gotten themselves into, and they behaved accordingly. The producers weren’t even sure if America would care. ‘Big Brother’ had just fallen on its face, and audiences were weary of British exports. The dynamic between the judges was fresh, and you could almost feel Simon’s dislike for Paula screaming its way through the television screen. Tens of thousands auditioned, and Uncle Sam eventually chose Kelly Clarkson as the first, and arguably only deserving, Idol. Then something changed.
By the third season, contestants began to realize exactly how many people were watching them. This caused a large percentage of performers to begin playing to the audience at home. These were no longer everyday people. In fact, most of them were just douche bags hell bent on getting famous. Why would I want to vote for any of these fame-grubbing Madonna wannabes?
It’s like ‘The Real World.’ The first season had genuine people of all shapes and sizes dealing with actual problems. Now the seven people they collect for each season are just a brain dead concoction of bulimics and future Betty Ford patients. Many of these train wrecks even attempt to use the show as a launching pad for fledgling careers. It’s ridiculous.
Sadly, ‘American Idol’s’ biggest problem isn’t even these questionable contestants. The last two seasons, in particular, producers and executives have turned the show into a joke. Between horrid faux Ford commercials, the ‘Golden Idol’ awards, and early editing focusing squarely on the worst singers, ‘American Idol’ is pretty much lampooning itself. No one even claims it’s a real singing competition anymore. It’s the bloated, over broadcasted, laughing stock of TV.
Before you rush to judge me, take a step back and realize that apparently, I’m not the only one who feels this way. This season’s live televised finale was watched by 20% less Americans than last year. It may still be the highest rated show on television, but the once untouchable beast is starting to show its wounds.
Let’s take Taylor Hicks for example. Last year tens of millions of people voted for him, but not even a million bothered to buy his record. Gone are the days where finishing in the top two would guarantee at least one widely purchased, money-making record. Honestly, the vast majority of ‘A.I.’ alums can only be described as complete failures at this point.
Now, let’s take Sanjaya. I realize that a certain percentage of the deaf American public fell in love with this asshole, but let’s take a step back and look at him for exactly what he is: a pathetic, word-forgetting, marginally talented, effeminate suckfest. I wouldn’t give this idiot a glee club solo, and American viewers decided that he was one of the ten best singers. Give me a break. Every time this prick stayed, while a legitimate singer got guillotined, just furthered the perception that this show no longer matters.
Right now there is millions of disenchanted ‘Idol’ fans just like me who are unsure if next year will be worth watching. I, honestly, hope producers begin recognizing this disillusioned fanbase, because one more year of declining interest and ratings may end up vaulting the singing competition off the apex of the cultural landscape and into a spiraling downfall.
The first season of the Coke-sponsored Juggernaut was insanely interesting. None of the contestants had any idea what the hell they had gotten themselves into, and they behaved accordingly. The producers weren’t even sure if America would care. ‘Big Brother’ had just fallen on its face, and audiences were weary of British exports. The dynamic between the judges was fresh, and you could almost feel Simon’s dislike for Paula screaming its way through the television screen. Tens of thousands auditioned, and Uncle Sam eventually chose Kelly Clarkson as the first, and arguably only deserving, Idol. Then something changed.
By the third season, contestants began to realize exactly how many people were watching them. This caused a large percentage of performers to begin playing to the audience at home. These were no longer everyday people. In fact, most of them were just douche bags hell bent on getting famous. Why would I want to vote for any of these fame-grubbing Madonna wannabes?
It’s like ‘The Real World.’ The first season had genuine people of all shapes and sizes dealing with actual problems. Now the seven people they collect for each season are just a brain dead concoction of bulimics and future Betty Ford patients. Many of these train wrecks even attempt to use the show as a launching pad for fledgling careers. It’s ridiculous.
Sadly, ‘American Idol’s’ biggest problem isn’t even these questionable contestants. The last two seasons, in particular, producers and executives have turned the show into a joke. Between horrid faux Ford commercials, the ‘Golden Idol’ awards, and early editing focusing squarely on the worst singers, ‘American Idol’ is pretty much lampooning itself. No one even claims it’s a real singing competition anymore. It’s the bloated, over broadcasted, laughing stock of TV.
Before you rush to judge me, take a step back and realize that apparently, I’m not the only one who feels this way. This season’s live televised finale was watched by 20% less Americans than last year. It may still be the highest rated show on television, but the once untouchable beast is starting to show its wounds.
Let’s take Taylor Hicks for example. Last year tens of millions of people voted for him, but not even a million bothered to buy his record. Gone are the days where finishing in the top two would guarantee at least one widely purchased, money-making record. Honestly, the vast majority of ‘A.I.’ alums can only be described as complete failures at this point.
Now, let’s take Sanjaya. I realize that a certain percentage of the deaf American public fell in love with this asshole, but let’s take a step back and look at him for exactly what he is: a pathetic, word-forgetting, marginally talented, effeminate suckfest. I wouldn’t give this idiot a glee club solo, and American viewers decided that he was one of the ten best singers. Give me a break. Every time this prick stayed, while a legitimate singer got guillotined, just furthered the perception that this show no longer matters.
Right now there is millions of disenchanted ‘Idol’ fans just like me who are unsure if next year will be worth watching. I, honestly, hope producers begin recognizing this disillusioned fanbase, because one more year of declining interest and ratings may end up vaulting the singing competition off the apex of the cultural landscape and into a spiraling downfall.
Former 'American Idol' finalist Elliott Yamin does music his way now
Last summer, Elliott Yamin toured the country on the "American Idols Live!" tour, playing sold-out arenas, staying in posh hotels and experiencing the luxury of having a massage therapist at your beck and call.
That was then, however, and this is his now. Yamin currently is in the middle of a 21-date club tour of the United States, which drops by Detroit's St. Andrew's Hall tonight.
What he loses this time around in amenities -- he is now calling his tour bus home, and last we checked St. Andrews didn't have an on-call masseuse -- he gains in creative freedom: This time it's his show, playing his music to his fans.
"It's my own little headlining tour," crows Yamin, on the phone from Los Angeles earlier this month. "I'm really thrilled to get out there and touch the fans and have a blast out there on stage."
This is a different Yamin than the shy underdog viewers were first introduced to on "Idol." But the blue-eyed soul singer slowly came out of his shell over the course of the show and endeared himself to viewers to the point where he ended up coming in third place for the season, behind Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee.
"I always lacked confidence growing up; people always had more confidence in me than I had in myself," says Yamin, adding the validation of the show's judges, viewers and coaches helped boost his self-esteem. "Being on the show helped me realize my talent, and being on such a broad stage really forced me to kind of shed that shyness. Now I live on that stage, man."
After Yamin wrapped his duties on the "Idol" tour, he went home to Richmond, Va., for several weeks before prepping his debut album. He worked on the self-titled release -- a mix of uptempo R&B and hip-hop-lite -- from October 2006 to February of this year, and it was released to positive reviews and healthy sales in March, debuting at No. 3 on Billboard's albums chart.
"We didn't go into the studio knowing what kind of record we were going to make," Yamin says of himself and his team of co-writers and producers, which included ex-House of Pain and Limp Bizkit turntable maestro DJ Lethal. "I had a basic idea, as far as I knew I wanted it to be real soulful, and I knew I wanted it to be a singer's type of record."
Yamin sang the first single, "Wait for You," on "Idol" several weeks ago, and the album has sold 217,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The singer stays in touch with his cohorts Hicks, McPhee and Chris Daughtry, and looks back fondly at his time on "Idol," saying it gave him the tools he needs to build what he hopes will be a long-lasting career.
"It was the best learning experience and the best training I could have gotten," Yamin says. "I take everything I learned, and I apply it to what I do now. It was the best crash course I could have ever received."
That was then, however, and this is his now. Yamin currently is in the middle of a 21-date club tour of the United States, which drops by Detroit's St. Andrew's Hall tonight.
What he loses this time around in amenities -- he is now calling his tour bus home, and last we checked St. Andrews didn't have an on-call masseuse -- he gains in creative freedom: This time it's his show, playing his music to his fans.
"It's my own little headlining tour," crows Yamin, on the phone from Los Angeles earlier this month. "I'm really thrilled to get out there and touch the fans and have a blast out there on stage."
This is a different Yamin than the shy underdog viewers were first introduced to on "Idol." But the blue-eyed soul singer slowly came out of his shell over the course of the show and endeared himself to viewers to the point where he ended up coming in third place for the season, behind Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee.
"I always lacked confidence growing up; people always had more confidence in me than I had in myself," says Yamin, adding the validation of the show's judges, viewers and coaches helped boost his self-esteem. "Being on the show helped me realize my talent, and being on such a broad stage really forced me to kind of shed that shyness. Now I live on that stage, man."
After Yamin wrapped his duties on the "Idol" tour, he went home to Richmond, Va., for several weeks before prepping his debut album. He worked on the self-titled release -- a mix of uptempo R&B and hip-hop-lite -- from October 2006 to February of this year, and it was released to positive reviews and healthy sales in March, debuting at No. 3 on Billboard's albums chart.
"We didn't go into the studio knowing what kind of record we were going to make," Yamin says of himself and his team of co-writers and producers, which included ex-House of Pain and Limp Bizkit turntable maestro DJ Lethal. "I had a basic idea, as far as I knew I wanted it to be real soulful, and I knew I wanted it to be a singer's type of record."
Yamin sang the first single, "Wait for You," on "Idol" several weeks ago, and the album has sold 217,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The singer stays in touch with his cohorts Hicks, McPhee and Chris Daughtry, and looks back fondly at his time on "Idol," saying it gave him the tools he needs to build what he hopes will be a long-lasting career.
"It was the best learning experience and the best training I could have gotten," Yamin says. "I take everything I learned, and I apply it to what I do now. It was the best crash course I could have ever received."
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