It was a girls’ night out on American Idol Wednesday night.
‘IDOL’ CHATTER: What do you think of the season so far?
Syesha Mercado, Brooke White and, somewhat surprisingly in light of her recent comeback, Kristy Lee Cook were placed in the bottom three. Syesha, whose chances seemed to be vanishing (title of the Mariah Carey song she sang), and Brooke were quickly declared safe, and — long after most thought she’d be gone — Cook, 24, was eliminated.
“American Idol” said g’day to Michael Johns.
The Australian-born singer was eliminated Thursday from Fox’s popular singing competition as the contest was narrowed down to the top seven finalists following Wednesday’s “Idol Gives Back” charity event.
The dismissal came as a surprise to many since Johns had never been in the show’s bottom three vote-getters and no contestants were evicted after last year’s special “Idol” fundraiser. The hunky rocker, judges and his competitors all seemed stunned by the eviction.
Johns, 29, sang Aerosmith’s “Dream On” during Tuesday’s inspirational-themed performance show. Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson didn’t think the song choice suited Johns, although Paula Abdul thought the selection was perfect.
Carly Smithson and Syesha Mercado, who’ve both previously been in the bottom three, were the other lowest vote-getters.
Before the elimination, host Ryan Seacrest told the audience that “Idol Gives Back” had garnered over $60 million thus far — and reminded viewers that donations were still being accepted. Last year, $76 million was raised for underprivileged children. “Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe had earlier anticipated this year’s event would lure $100 million.
Ratings were significantly down for “Idol Gives Back,” which featured musical performances by Fergie and Miley Cyrus. Despite being the top-rated show Wednesday, 17.5 million viewers tuned into the second “Idol Give Back” special, down from last year when 26.9 million viewers watched, according to Nielsen Media Research.
MySpace, the world’s most popular social network, announced today that they are partnering with American Idol to engage MySpace members around the world to raise awareness and funds for IDOL GIVES BACK. The MySpace donation drive begins Tuesday, April 8 at 12:01 AM and IDOL GIVES BACK will air the following night Wednesday, April 9 (7:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The initiative includes a sweepstakes giving MySpace users a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to attend the American Idol finale and post-show party, and possibly have his/her name mentioned during the finale broadcast on May 21. There is no purchase necessary and full rules and details are available at MySpace. Also, MySpace announced today a new viral fundraising application tool designed specifically for IDOL GIVES BACK, which MySpace users can post on their profile or share with their friends that will drive awareness and track real-time donations.
“MySpace is extremely excited to be part of IDOL GIVES BACK for the second year in a row,” said Tom Anderson, President and Co-Founder of MySpace. “The MySpace community boasts over 110 million members worldwide who are actively engaged around music and promoting social awareness – making IDOL GIVES BACK an ideal partner. We are thrilled to be able to have this opportunity to create a community where we can drive awareness and raise funds for such an important cause.”
Through initiatives and sweepstakes, hosted exclusively on the IDOL GIVES BACK MySpace community, users are encouraged to make financial contributions and raise awareness for the IDOL GIVES BACK FOUNDATION. Find out more about IDOL GIVES BACK and the IDOL GIVES BACK FOUNDATION .
Download the widget and get official sweepstakes rules at MySpace!
Thank goodness Ryan Seacrest kicked off tonight’s edition of Idol Gives Back with the reminder that, at its heart, the event is all about raising money for disadvantaged children. In doing so, he gave me the perfect excuse to send my inner cynic to bed early, so he wouldn’t pester me all night with snarky asides like, ”Why does Fox insist on putting subtitles on the screen for foreigners who are speaking perfectly understandable English?” Or, ”If really wanted to give back, couldn’t they have shaved a half-hour off the telecast and not forced us to turn on our TV sets at 7:30?” Or, ”And why do folks continue to encourage Robin Williams?”
Okay, so yeah, clearly my inner cynic walked through the living room a couple times during the 150-minute telecast — he said he needed to get to the kitchen and refill his water glass. But for the most part, tonight was about sitting back and appreciating some pretty terrific musical performances — and the fact that I’ve been born into a life where I’ve got the luxury of doing so. Heck, who didn’t get a perspective check during that package with Forest Whitaker and his wife Keisha visiting a hospital in Angola, where that baby girl Maria was fighting a brave battle against brain swelling caused by malaria? The producers, of course, stacked the emotional deck by playing Sia’s ”Breathe Me” in the background, but I think I would’ve gotten choked up from the footage either way.
(Which reminds me: If you’d intended to make a donation and haven’t gotten around to it, you can end your procrastinating by clicking here. As someone who spent 99 cents to download Alexandrea Lushington’s semifinal performance of ”Spinning Wheel” off iTunes back in March, I figure I’ve got no excuse for failing to pony up myself.)
Oh, and speaking of ‘’show me the money!” plugs, I kind of enjoyed how Idol managed to appeal to pretty much every possible demographic with its pre-taped messages. You had George Lopez speaking in Spanish and appealing for the Latino dollar, Jimmie Johnson talking directly to the NASCAR crowd, and Kylie Minogue on the scene to ensure no gay wallet would be left unopened.
The musical guests, on the other hand, represented a slightly less diverse pack. In fact, if it weren’t for all the Idol Gives Back banners, you might’ve thought you’d stumbled across Fox’s Night of a Dozen Divas (and Snoop Dogg). (Someone get Jody Watley and Taylor Dayne on the line with Fox’s reality programming chief Mike Darnell! America needs this show!)
Anyhow, back to the event at hand, I have to admit: I went into the evening wondering if any of the big-name artists on the lineup might end up sounding a little, well, pitchy. I mean, come on, we’ve spent the last eight weeks dissecting every note, every song choice, every second of on-stage banter from the season 7 finalists. And starting next Tuesday, we’ll do it again for 12 more episodes. But, to go all Randy on you for a second, most of the performers did their thing, made it their own, worked it out. The highlights:
on Peter Lewis is primed for a big-time breakthrough courtesy of his new full-length album, Break The Silence.
The new album finds a more seasoned JPL balancing ’sitting in my bedroom all alone’ melancholia, with the inviting, offbeat wit that put him on the short list of Idol cult favorites. Silence was produced by Chris Garcia (Santana, Michelle Branch) and features the talents of drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, Indigo Girls) and guitarist Nick Lashley (Alanis Morissette, Natasha Bedingfield).
Emotionally charged and overflowing with brainy pop hooks, the debut single and title track, available now online, is an assured, infectious cut that recalls equal parts Ben Folds, Duncan Sheik and vintage Beatles.
Break The Silence will be in stores June 3rd.
With so many hits to choose from during Dolly Parton week, the Idols had their work cut out for them. They picked some great songs, and really seemed to have a blast with this week’s theme. Check out the song choices below:David Archuleta
“Smoky Mountain Memories”-Dolly Parton
David Cook
“Little Sparrow”-Dolly Parton
Jason Castro
“Travelin’ Thru” -Dolly Parton
Michael Johns
“It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right” - Dolly Parton
Brooke White
“Jolene” - Dolly Parton
Carly Smithson
“Here You Come Again” - Dolly Parton
Kristy Lee Cook
“Coat Of Many Colors” - Dolly Parton
Ramiele Malubay
“Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” - Dolly Parton
Syesha Mercado
“I Will Always Love You” - Dolly Parton
This Wednesday, April 2nd at 9:00pm EDT on FOX, Bucky Covington will return to “American Idol” in a taped interview from his new hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. He will update the show’s 30 million viewers on the latest happenings since competing on season five, including the release of his debut CD. The segment also features fellow AI alums Phil Stacey and Bo Bice.
Bucky is also excited to celebrate his second consecutive top 10 hit as “It’s Good To Be Us” jumps four spots to #9 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart. The song’s music video includes a cameo by freestyle motocross champion Cowboy Kenny Bartram, and is currently on CMT and GAC’s Top 20 countdown shows.
Bucky’s self-titled CD released in April 2007 and opened at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, with the biggest first week sales for any debut country artist that year. He wrapped 2007 as Country Aircheck’s #1 New Artist based on the strength of his top 5 first single “A Different World” and his current hit, “It’s Good To Be Us.” Bucky is currently on tour with Dierks Bentley on the singer’s “Throttle Wide Open” tour.
Billboard is reporting that, just as his stint starring in the Broadway hit “Spamalot” concludes, Clay Aiken will return with his first album of entirely new songs since 2003’s Measure of a Man. Clay’s next album, On My Way Here, was produced by Kipper, best known for his work with Sting and Chris Botti. The album will most likely include the title track and a song called “Ashes,” but no other details have yet been made available. Clay fans will be thrilled to know that he is expected to tour the U.S. this summer, beginning in July. Measure of Man debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. Since then, Clay has released 2004’s Merry Christmas With Love and 2006’s A Thousand Different Ways, which contained all cover songs.Look for the new album to be out on May 6!
According to Billboard, all three American Idol judges are represented on the Billboard charts this week. Simon Cowell’s label, Syco, has the No. 1 song on the Hot 100 with Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love.” Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are on a variety of charts, including Adult Contemporary, where “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” (Dream Merchant 21) opens at No. 29. This is Paula’s first AC entry in 12 years and five months, since “My Love Is for Real” peaked at No. 40 in June of 1995. Paula’s collaboration with Randy is her ninth Adult Contemporary chart entry over a period of 19 years.Billboard actually outlines Paula’s nine Adult Contemporary songs rank in order of chart peak:
No. 1 (five weeks): “Rush, Rush” (1991)
No. 5: “Blowing Kisses in the Wind” (1991)
No. 11: “Forever Your Girl” (1989)
No. 17: “Will You Marry Me?” (1992)
No. 26: “The Promise of a New Day” (1991)
No. 29 (to date): “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” (2008) [Paula Abdul & Randy Jackson]
No. 39: “Straight Up” (1989)
No. 40: “My Love Is for Real” (1995)
No. 45: “Opposites Attract” (1990) [Paula Abdul with the Wild Pair]
“Dance” is Jackson’s first AC chart appearance as an artist
American Idol Bottom Three in tonight’s Top 10 Results show:
Looking for how to download the best performances from this week’s Top 10 on American Idol? Click on your favorite singer to download this week’s Idol performance on iTunes right now!
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Click the singer’s picture to download their songs
