American Idol: The Results Show—- 03.14.07

Posted Mar 14, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Mar 14, 2007 at 10:22 PM

Tonight, we learned on American Idol: The Results Show (FOX/Wednesdays) that maybe - just maybe - Sanjaya isn’t so safe after all. Could America have finally gotten it right the first week of big-time eliminations? I was encouraged.

The first official results show had its share of bizarre moments. Following the obligatory recap of last night’s mostly lackluster performances, we’re treated to a ho-hum medley of Diana Ross and Supremes songs slaughtered by the finalists. It’s painful but fortunately for us, this is a thirty-minute show and it can’t go on forever. (Or can it?)

Fox continues to embarass its contestants with its weekly, hokey FORD-themed music video. I don’t even recognize the song but the kids are dressed as hippies and decked out in big hair (not a far stretch for Mr. Sligh) and it gets a chuckle or two from the home audience, I’m sure. But it’s time to find out what we all showed up for tonight - who’s going home. Or at least who’s in the bottom three. Okay, two of them since we want to drag out this process as long as possible to sell more commercial time.

Brandon Rogers and Phil Stacey soon learn that they are two of the unfortunates in the bottom two, but who will join them? Will it be Sanjaya Malakar (oh please, please, please let it be him!) Or poor Haley Scarnato who flubbed up her words, called herself a schmuck and cried like a river on last night’s show?

But wait! We don’t want to give up this information too soon, because there’s still time left for more commercials. So we are entertained by Diana Ross, who with a song list a mile long decides to do a pretty horrendous rendition of the Spiral Staircase’s “I Love You More Today Than Yesterday.” The song definitely doesn’t showcase her vocal strengths at all and it’s repetitious and dull. She’s lucky that the judges don’t have to comment but she’s a pleasant enough guest star and is soon gone leaving us to find out from Ryan what we really want to know.

So? Is it Haley or Sanjaya in the bottom three?Seems America has a sympathetic heart and spared hapless Haley this week (and this week only, I’d bet) to stick Sanjaya into the bottom three. The final few minutes are here and one person will be spared and sent back to sit with their chums. And it is… Phil and I’m pleasantly surprised that two of the weaker singers are up for the big chop since Phil has performed better than either of these two guys.

Ryan reads the verdict and it’s bad news for all of us. Sanjaya stays. How does this happen? Brandon doesn’t even get time to sing his final song as the credits roll off the screen.

What did you think of tonight’s elimination? Were you surprised by the bottom three? I’m not. I like Phil better than Haley but I think he may not be connecting with audiences. He can sing when he puts his heart into it but I just don’t think he’s got the whole package. I see Phil leaving in a week or two himself, with Haley right in front or behind him.

Be sure to visit the American Idol forum and speak your mind. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Voice Trouble Not New For Daltrey, The Who

Posted Mar 14, 2007 by Curtis Ross

Updated Mar 27, 2007 at 06:17 PM

TAMPA - Tuesday was an extremely rare instance of The Who canceling a show, but Roger Daltrey’s voice problems are nothing new on the veteran British rock group’s current tour.

Daltrey left the stage seconds into the band’s opening number at the Ford Amphitheatre. Fans and concert reviews from several of the December dates on the tour noted Daltrey’s vocals sounding weak and ragged.

‘‘He started out fine, but about halfway through he started making comments about his voice giving out,’’ said Gordon Hanson of Richfield, Minn., who saw The Who in concert on Dec. 8 in St. Paul.

‘‘His voice really gave out on ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again,’ ‘’ Hanson said. The song’s climax often features a sustained scream from Daltrey.
A review of the Dec. 11 show in Columbus, Ohio, says Daltrey’s voice sounded ‘‘rough - Joe Cocker rough.’‘

Daltrey ‘‘sounded as if he had gargled pea gravel backstage’’ before The Who’s set, the Columbus Dispatch reviewer says.

Daltrey told the Columbus crowd he had bronchitis, the review says. Guitarist Pete Townshend blamed the same ailment for the Tampa show’s cancellation.

Gregg Emerson of Toronto flew down for Tuesday’s concert. He said he had seen three concerts on the tour’s earlier leg.

At the Dec. 4 show in Toronto, Daltrey ‘‘struggled,’’ Emerson said. ‘‘He warmed up eventually, but it took an hour.’‘

‘His voice sounded strained,’’ Emerson said. ‘‘I’d have to give him an ‘A’ for effort.’‘

‘‘We knew Roger wasn’t feeling well,’’ said David Harb, director of marketing for Ford Amphitheatre, adding that the cancellation caught the staff as well as the audience by surprise.

The Who seemed determined to play until Daltrey’s ‘‘vocal challenges’’ - the description used by the band’s publicist, Rogers & Cowan - made it impossible.

‘‘The show must go on,’’ Harb said. ‘‘That’s the mentality of The Who.’‘

Tuesday’s show has been rescheduled for March 25. Tickets for the original date will be honored. Refunds are available at point of purchase. Call the box office, (813) (740-2446, or Ticketmaster, (813) 287-8844.

Were you at the show?

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American Idol—-03.13.07

Posted Mar 13, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Mar 14, 2007 at 07:13 AM

It’s the first official night of competition between the men and the women of American Idol (FOX/Tuesdays). Finally, we’ll see like never before just how much better the ladies are as the twelve finalists go head-to-head. I’m still reeling from some of last week’s decisions, like keeping Sanjaya to sacrifice Sundance or allowing Haylie to continue but taking talented Sabrina out of the running. No one said this show makes sense all the time. Hopefully, three months from now, the final winner will make sense.

We’re in a bigger venue with a larger studio audience and orchestra and a big diva as tonight’s theme: Diana Ross and her music. She seems to really understand her role as a mentor as she meets all of the contestants and tries to impart some wisdom and boost their confidence. She’s a good cheerleader.

So it’s time to hear some singers and as usual, I’ll be blogging as I watch. And after the show, don’t forget to share your thoughts on tonight’s show in our American Idol Forum. All opinions are welcomed. Click here to speak your mind!

But on to the singing…here we go!

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Brandon Rogers
“You Can’t Hurry Love”

I Say - I haven’t been knocked out by him the past few weeks but loved him in the auditions. It’s a pretty lackluster performance. I’m really surprised that someone who’s sung backup for so many famous singers struggles to carry a tune on one of the easiest possible songs to sing. And he can’t even remember the words. Geez. No big deal.

Randy Says – He reverted back to a background singer and calls it boring and uninteresting.
Paula Says – He did do some things right. Of course, she neglects to mention what.
Simon Says – Brandon sounded like a background singer to a background singer and tells him it was definitely not good enough.

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Melinda Doolittle
“Home”

I Say – I’m not familiar with this song from “The Wiz” but as always, Melinda sounds wonderful. She’s in a different league from these other singers. She hits the big notes and she gets the audience revved up, and she did it all with a song nobody knows. That’s talent.

Randy Says –She was really strong but it wasn’t his favorite performance.
Paula Says –She feels her joy and she’s so excited for her. (And yes, Paula is crying.)
Simon Says – Melinda made a boring song very good.

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Chris Sligh
“Endless Love”

I Say – As soon as I hear what he’s singing, I’m not excited about the idea. He jazzes up the tune but he still sounds boring. He looks really different without his glasses, too. He shouts much of the song and the tenderness is gone from the original ballad. I am not a fan of this version. If ColdPlay sang the song, it would sound like this. I normally enjoy ColdPlay but I don’t think I would like it if they did it either.

Randy Says – It was a mess and the changing melodies didn’t work for him.
Paula Says – She’s worried he’s trying too hard to sound contemporary
Simon Says – Chris took a beautiful song and turned it into a drone and says it was unemotional and uninspiring.

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Gina Glocksen
“Love Child”

I Say – Interesting song choice. It definitely gives Gina the energy she needs to still rock the stage. Absolutely the best song choice tonight. She gets to still be a bit of a rocker without screaming. She has some nice power and she stays in tune really well tonight. The end’s a bit pitchy but it’s still the best I’ve heard her sound so far in this competition.

Randy Says – It too wasn’t his favorite performance by her and that he didn’t feel energy. (What?)
Paula Says – She’s better than the performance tonight.
Simon Says – It was okay – not terrible or fantastic but she picked the right song for her.

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Sanjaya Malakar
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

I Say –He’s as animated as he usually is – and that would be bland city. He is by far the most boring performer I’ve seen make the top 12 since I started watching back in season 2. I cannot believe this guy made it. At least, he seemed to wake up by the end of the performance.

Randy Says – It wasn’t very good and thanks the background singers for singing. But he loves the different hairdos.
Paula Says – Diana Ross was right – he is just full of love (whatever that means) but tells him he needs more reckless abandon.
Simon Says – Diana Ross is going to be wailing in Beverly Hills when she hears that song and calls him brave.

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Haley Scarnato
“Missing You”

I Say – Anyone who reads this blog knows that I don’t think she deserves to be here any more than Sanjaya. She starts out really low and is hard to hear. She too forgets the words more than once and is all over the place with the pitch. It’s a mess and she probably just wrote herself a ticket home.

Randy Says – She sounded nervous and more pitchy than usual.
Paula Says – Haley looks lovely (you know what that means?) but she gives her a hard time for forgetting the words.
Simon Says –He didn’t think it was that bad and that her nerves held her back tonight but she had real star presence.

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Phil Stacey
“I’m Going to Make You Love Me”

I Say – It’s a bit sugary to start but as he gets into the song, he sounds more like Clay Aiken and that’s when even I like him. I wouldn’t have guessed that I would like him singing this one. But he does a nice job. I hope the judges give him his props.

Randy Says – The vocals were hot but the performance was boring.
Paula Says – He has strong vocals but it should have been a more up tempo performance.
Simon Says – It was okay but on the big notes, he shouts too much.

*******************
Lakisha Jones
“God Bless the Child”

I Say – This is the right kind of song for her voice. She sounds really old tonight and I cannot imagine her on the radio. She certainly carries a tune and has the power to stay in the competition still but as always, I’m just not a big fan of her singing style.

Randy Says – The vocals were unbelievable and she’s sensational.
Paula Says – Lakisha’s a beautiful performer and that’s the main thing. Okay…whatever.
Simon Says – People have either got it or don’t and she’s got it. He says she and Melinda are in a different league.

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Blake Lewis
“You Keep Me Hangin’ On”

I Say – It sounds like a combination of something from the ‘80s and “Night at Bald Mountain.” It doesn’t really showcase his vocals. He could have chosen a softer song and it would have shown off his tender sound we heard earlier this season with Keane. He’s a little too pitchy tonight.

Randy Says – He can sing better than that and don’t worry about making the classics contemporary.
Paula Says – He’s a good singer and he thinks that version could be a hit.
Simon Says – He didn’t get that rendition at all.

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Stephanie Edwards
“Love Hangover”

I Say – She sounds behind the song like she can’t keep up with the pace. She’s trying to make it sound so sexy that I think she’s losing sight of staying on pitch and getting the song out. I thought this would have been a good pairing but I’m ultimately disappointed.

Randy Says – Stephanie finished strong but he wanted to hear the fast part at the end.
Paula Says –She should strive to be better but missed the fast ending.
Simon Says – She chose the wrong song and didn’t match Melinda and Lakisha tonight.

*******************
Chris Richardson
“The Boss”

I Say – I loved this song when I was a kid and they NEVER play it on the radio. I’m hoping he can pull it off but I have my doubts. His voice sounds out of place in this disco song. He moves around in the audience which is a smart move on his part but he sounds weak and pitchy. I give the guy credit for going for it though. I don’t think he’ll get high marks from the judges.

Randy Says – Chris overdid it but that he thought it was half-good, half-bad.
Paula Says – He nailed the blend of bringing together the classic with the contemporary.
Simon Says – The vocals were dreadful.

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Jordin Sparks
“If We Hold on Together”

I Say – I’ve never heard this song before but she sings so beautifully. I really like her but I predict the judges will tell her that she shouted the big notes and got pitchy. It’s not her best performance and I could have named a dozen great Supremes classic she could have sung better. Darn it.

Randy Says – He is so impressed with her and says she is competing with Melinda and Lakisha.
Paula Says – She sung her heart out and it was fun to watch.
Simon Says – The song was gooey but thought it was a very good vocal.

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Okay, proof once again that the judges and I don’t always hear the same things.  So what did you think of tonight’s performances? Did you have any favorites? I think the disappointments stood out more than anything - in particular, Chris Sligh and Blake Lewis. Tomorrow night, Diana Ross sings live and we’ll find out which finalist goes home.  Stay tuned…

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Bubba the Love Sponge on Howard Stern TV

Posted Mar 13, 2007 by Walt Belcher

Updated Mar 13, 2007 at 07:10 PM

Bubba the Love Sponge Clem (formerly Todd) says that the only stipulation on Howard Stern’s crew was that they respect the wedding ceremony and not disrupt it.

Stern and his gang, including Artie Lang, Fred Norris and Robin Quivers, were on their best behavior when Clem, 40,  tied the knot with Heather Cole, 32, on January 13 at a Baptist Church in St. Petersburg.

“I was more nervous that my boss (Stern) was at the wedding than anything else,” Clem said in an interview Monday.  “Howard is such an icon for me.”

Cameras were rolling during Stern’s Tampa visit for “Bubba’s Wedding Special” debuting Wednesday (March 14) on Howard TV, a pay network carried on numerous cable systems including Bright House Networks.

About 200 guests attended the wedding. Hulk Hogan was the best man. The reception was held at the Gulf Port Casino.

The TV special begins with Stern and his crew flying down to Tampa from New York. Apparently, they stayed at the Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach.

The program includes a visit to Clem’s Tampa studio where he hosts an uncensored adult radio program on the Sirius satelite network. Clem said he had about 1.7 million listeners.

Howard TV offers about 40 hours of on-demand programming a month, most of it featuring his nutty staff.

Bubba said he has found love with a woman who understands the radio business and his radio persona.

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Disney’s “High School Musical” on Ice in Lakeland

Posted Mar 13, 2007 by Walt Belcher

Updated Mar 13, 2007 at 11:16 AM

  This just in:

Disney announced this morning that “High School Musical” will become a touring ice show.

  “Disney’s High School Musical: The Ice Tour” will open August 31 in Lakeland and travel to at least 100 cities in the next year, Disney officials said Tuesday.

  This is another spin off from the amazingly successful Disney Channel movie about two teens who star in their high school play.

  “‘High School Musical’ has been a smash hit in virtually every area of the entertainment spectrum,” said Thomas Schumacher, president of Walt Disney Co.‘s Disney Theatrical Productions. “The ice tour celebrates the fun and music in a whole new way.”

The production will feature “some of the world’s most talented skaters” performing music from the “High School Musical” soundtrack, said Nicole Feld of Feld Entertainment, the production company behind the ice show.

“With the ice as the dance floor, this event will be an unprecedented twist on a fan favorite,” she said.

Tickets for the U.S. dates will be available April 2.

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