American Idol SEASON 8 Finalists

[Cooper]

...and then there were three...

 

Allison Iraheta, 17, has a long career ahead of her. It was a clever idea to have former contestant Chris Daughtry perform. He appeared on Idol 3 Seasons ago and was in the top 4 before he got booted. Chris has done very well for himself and earned a 3 platinum album award on his 1st hit.

 

Chris' appearance proves that Idol offers many opportunities to success even if you're not chosen to be the American Idol. I'm sure we'll be hearing more from Allison.

 

Three men remain, Kris, Danny, and Adam.

 

http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20090506/293.iraheta.americanidol.s8.050609.jpg

 

ALLISON IRAHETA singing "CRY BABY".

[+ Lucky]

This week the three contestants are feted by their home towns. For a look at Adam Lambert's San Diego "homecoming" check this article from the LA Times:

 

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2009/05/ap-report-lambert-gets-some-san-diego-love.html

[Cooper]

Danny, Kris, and Adam...

 

Oh, what a night! All 3 sang their best. Adam is still head and shoulders above the others but good performances by Danny and Kris. Not an easy call as to who will get the boot.

 

Now, what's up with those judges? Acted really silly throughout the night.

 

http://froggypic.com/image/05/6058a6e537a4655c668a0772d6e977f9.jpg

 

American Idol's top 3

[+ Lucky]

Those judges, especially Cowell and Abdul, have acted silly throughout the season. I would be glad to see them all fired.

 

I agree with Cooper that they all did well, especially on their final songs. I voted for Adam, but wouldn't be crushed if Kris makes it to next week.

[EXPAT]

GO KRIS ALLEN.

 

I was so impressed with his version of "Heartless". I voted 250 times for Kris after the show. I want him in the final with Adam. He deserves it. While Adam was excellent, we have heard everything he did tonight before. Kris' performance of "Heartless" was very memorable.

[+ purplekow]

I enjoyed Danny's "You Are So Beautiful" and I think he deserves to be in the final 2. I do think his first song, chosen by Paula, I believe, was a terrible choice and is similar to what happened last year when Sayesha was given a song from Happy Feet. It seems to me it would be more equitable if all the judges songs were put out for any of the contestants to sing and in that way, the judges may pick a song they feel will fit a particular contestant but the contestant isn't saddled with a mistake not of his making. I think Danny, after never being revealed to be in the bottom 3 (recall last week they said in no particular order when announcing who was staying) was thrown under the bus by Paula's choice.

[Cooper]

Two remain

 

It wasn't until the last 5 minutes of the hour long show that Ryan began to announce the results. With over 88 million votes counted, Danny Gokey, the sentimental favorite, was eliminated, leaving Kris and Adam as the Top 2.

 

http://froggypic.com/image/05/cb7e12a43ae402482038b43e67bdaddb.jpg

 

DANNY GOKEY, 29yo, from Milwaukee, singing "You are so beautiful".

[Cooper]

Is Adam a shoo-in???

 

Last night, Ryan mentioned that 88 million votes were cast and less than one million separated the top two. Have voters stopped supporting Adam thinking that he's a shoo-in? and, Who will the Danny fans now vote for? It should make for an interesting show down between Mr. Smooth and Mr. Rocker.

 

http://froggypic.com/image/05/fa3e92920bd08712a6b8f5ac1d42a1d4.jpg http://froggypic.com/image/05/14b832bf2dd3b6f7b767fb4fee67cf87.jpg

[Guest countryboywny]

I'm disappointed that Danny was voted off. He was my fave. I thought that surely Kris would go, he's ok but for me very forgettable. Adam is good, no question, I just can't get past the fact that he always sounds the same. All things considered, I don't share the opinion that this is the best Idol season ever.

 

Someone told me that they heard on a talk show that Kris was the #1 vote getter this week.. anyone else hear that??

[+ Lucky]

There's all kinds of gossip about vote counts, but what counts is what they announce on the show. I had heard that someone "in the know" had stated that Gokey finished 1st every week of the show. Lot of good that did him, if true, which I doubt. I didn't like Gokey that much.

 

As for the final two, well, they are both good candidates. It would be nice to see the (apparently) gay guy win. I noted that in the tour of the hometowns, Kris had his wife, Gokey kept mentioning his deceased wife, and Adam had no wife, girlfriend, or boyfriend. Adam has stayed mum on his sexuality during the show, which means he doesn't consider it an asset.

[Guest TNT Ted]

Adam has stayed mum on his sexuality during the show, which means he doesn't consider it an asset.

 

.. or maybe irrelevant.

[Bart]

Well I feel a bit bummed the hometown boy is gone but definitely happy for Kris. I do like his solo arrangements and hope he sticks to that in the finale. He has a great tone and very talented with instruments, but if he uses the orchestra, I would avoid the back up singers. The accoustics will be different when they move to the big stage next week. He needs to let his voice and artistic style show in all the songs for next week.

 

I think Adam has been a great addition to the show because he is a show and entertainment. I still do not think his style will translate to a solo album with music chosen for him. I believe that Adam will be star in either Vegas or as lead singer for a rock band. So not a lifestyle selection but the music adaptation fits Kris better. I think people will vote the best artist next week regardless. Both have been innovative with the music chosen. Given Chris Daughtry's success, the best thing for him was not winning the competition. So I am totally cool with the results and I think AI has a winner with either guy.

 

I definitely think this is one of the best seasons ever, because I think Danny or Matt could have won at least 4 of the other seasons, Allison too if she were old enough.

[+ Lucky]

.. or maybe irrelevant.

 

In a perfect world, his sexuality is irrelevant. But he didn't make the cover of Entertainment Weekly without the sexual angle making it a best-seller. The article discussed the subject in depth. I am sure that Adam wants to be judged on his talent, but the others know that in the campaign to win votes, the personal story is compelling for many voters. Thus endless shots of Kris' wife, which could also work against him, but it did serve to make the point that he is straight. If Gokey was only going for votes based on his talent, the death of his wife wouldn't have even been mentioned.

 

And, if his sexuality is irrelevant, is it mere talent that has him gaining such huge gay support? I doubt it, but hope so.

[EXPAT]

Katy Perry endorses Adam Lambert

 

Do you think it was fair for Katy Perry to be wearing this "Adam Lambert cape"? I'm surprised the producers allowed her to do that.

 

http://gaysocialites.com/photos/katy_perry_adam_lambert.jpg

[EXPAT]

Picture from the Adam Lambert after party in West Hollywood with Katy Perry and Perez Hilton:

 

http://img.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/img_0248__oPt.jpg

[Guest alanm]

Since Simon keeps talking about Adam ("Voters, don't assume Adam will automatically get to the finals."), I think AMERICAN IDOL needs Adam Lambert more than Lambert needs AMERICAN IDOL.

 

The show is hugely popular, but Simon does not want the best performer (Adam) ever on AMERICAN IDOL to finish second.

[Guest zipperzone]

Since Simon keeps talking about Adam ("Voters, don't assume Adam will automatically get to the finals."), I think AMERICAN IDOL needs Adam Lambert more than Lambert needs AMERICAN IDOL.

 

The show is hugely popular, but Simon does not want the best performer (Adam) ever on AMERICAN IDOL to finish second.

 

I am a huge Adam supporter. I think he should win for IMO he is the best singer and the most talented entertainer.

 

But Chris is the cuter of the two, cuddly, sexy and for many in "Middle America's bible belt" will be seen as the more moral of the two. Given that the large majority of the voters are teeny-boppers, his cuteness may well win the day for him. It's a crap shoot at this moment.

 

However, if Adam does come in as number two, financially it may be to his benefit. The winner is contractually tied to AI for a period of one year and can do nothing they don't approve - and probably has to kickback a percentage of his earnings to the show. The runner-up on the other hand is a free agent from day one and can make his own deals and start accumulating his bank balance, which in the case of Adam will be substantial.

[Cooper]

Backlash...

 

Do you think it was fair for Katy Perry to be wearing this "Adam Lambert cape"? I'm surprised the producers allowed her to do that.

 

http://gaysocialites.com/photos/katy_perry_adam_lambert.jpg

 

EXPAT, Thanks for posting the picture. Showing your support so obviously on air for one finalist over another is definitely a bad decision on the part of the producers. Support for Adam is not only coming from Katy Perry but from the AI produces and Judges. Can this help Kris? Here's some of what "Idol Gossip" has to say:

 

Is a backlash brewing against American Idol's Adam Lambert?

For three straight weeks, American Idol producers give Adam Lambert the final performance slot on Tuesday's shows. Simon Cowell tells Oprah Winfrey he thinks Adam will win the competition, then more or less instructs the Idol audience to vote for him. On Wednesday, Katy Perry wears a cape with "Adam Lambert" emblazoned in red on the back.

 

Hey, guys, I think we get the hint.

[Guest alanm]

Adam or Kris

 

Backlash aside, it is not fair to Kris to have Simon backing the other performer in such an obvious way. I can live with Simon's reminder on Tuesday that Adam's voters may be overconfident. But, the additional promotion of Lambert is too much.

 

I write the above as somone who wants Adam to win and become a big star. So imagine how Kris' fan may feel this coming week.

[Cooper]

America's most watched TV show

 

FACTBOX: "American Idol" still most-watched U.S. TV show

Sun May 17, 2009 10:24am.

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. television talent show "American Idol," in which viewers choose the nation's next pop star, reaches its eighth season climax this week with a finale between musical theater performer Adam Lambert, 27, and guitar- and piano-playing student Kris Allen, 23.

 

The show is the most watched television show in the United States, averaging 26.3 million viewers per episode this year over its five-month run.

 

Following are some facts about "American Idol."

 

* "American Idol" first ran in the summer of 2002 as an adaptation of the British hit TV show "Pop Idol." The winner gets a recording contract.

 

* The show's viewer-driven format has produced bona fide stars from its winners, including Grammy winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

 

Viewers vote through telephone lines and by text message, often multiple times. Each week the contestant with the lowest number of votes is eliminated. In last year's finale, a record 97.5 million votes were cast.

 

* The three regular judges -- U.S. music producer Randy Jackson, former pop star Paula Abdul and British record producer Simon Cowell -- were joined this year by songwriter Kara DioGuardi.

 

* Other former contestants who have capitalized on their fame include Chris Daughtry, whose band Daughtry made a multi-platinum debut album; Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for the movie "Dreamgirls"; Fantasia Barrino, who starred in "The Color Purple" on Broadway; and Clay Aiken, who appeared in musical "Spamalot" on Broadway.

 

"American Idol" is a joint production of 19 Entertainment, a unit of CKX Inc and Fremantle Media, a division of British-based RTL group which is controlled by media giant Bertelsmann AG.

 

The show is broadcast in the United States on the Fox television network, a unit of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. It is broadcast live or tape-delayed to more than 100 countries, including Pakistan, Israel, United Arab Emirates, China, Australia and South Africa.

 

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Eric Walsh)

[+ Lucky]

Contestant Ace and former winner Taylor Hicks also appeared on Broadway, in Grease.

[+ purplekow]

Runner up to Fantasia Diane DiGarmo has been on Broadway, I believe it was Hairspray and Constantine Maroulis is now starring in a Broadway production. There are several former contestants who have been successful on the country charts besides Carrie Underwood there are Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington and Josh (the marine cant recall his name who actually had two or three top 5 country hits). Eliot Yamin had one of the biggest grossing independent CDs which opened at number 3 on Billboard two years ago. Now granted there have been nearly 100 finalists over the last 8 years, there are many whose careers have not gone much further than the show, but about 20% having significant success and perhaps 5 major stars, that is remarkable.

[Cooper]

What ever happened to Sanjaya?

 

...and please let's not forget Sanjaya, (no picture is necessary). He's joining the cast of a new reality show called, "I'm a celebrity...Get me Outta Here".

 

Several "celebrities" are dropped off in the jungle, (in this case Costa Rica) and have to survive. Cast includes:

 

Sanjaya

Rod Blagojevich (yes, the former Gov.)

Geraldo Rivera

Heidi and Spencer

Duane Chapman, The Bounty Hunter

and....

Janice "I'm the 1st super-model" Dickenson.

 

Throw in Joan and Melissa and you have a hit show!

[EXPAT]

The courts won't allow Rod to do it since they filming out of the country.

[Cooper]

What's the Gov doing here???

 

The courts won't allow Rod to do it since they filming out of the country.

 

Not sure if he's doing the show or not but the promos are using him.

 

http://www.nbc.com/app2/img/500x495xS/scet/photos/292/3012/NUP_135040_1214.jpg

 

The Gov. with Heidi and Spencer

 

Others joining the cast are:

John Salley

Stephen Baldwin

Torrie Wilson