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January 29, 2004 'idol' again celebrates good, bad singers NEW YORK - Simon Cowell couldn't believe his ears. You'd think he'd be used to it by now. But the acerbic "American Idol" judge was railing again about the tone-deaf auditioners he, along with Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, is forced to endure. "People turn up who can't sing a note in tune," Cowell huffed on an episode last week, "and yet they believe they are the Second Coming." The Third Coming is more like it. Each contender on this third edition of Fox's talent tourney comes believing he or she is the next American Idol. Let others waste their breath campaigning to be the next American President (an unrelated contest that began in earnest with the Iowa caucuses the same day "American Idol" returned). Thousands bucking for pop stardom sing a different tune — though, much too often, it's just another melismatic knockoff of "A Whole New World." More audition clips from around the country will air on "American Idol" this Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST, leading up to the Going-to-Hollywood eliminations Feb. 3 and 4 which, in turn, will trim the field to 32 performers. Way down the road: an instant pop star jointly canonized by the three judges and the voting public; a new American Idol joining incumbents Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard, plus his just-as-famous runner-up Clay Aiken; someone unavoidably in your face and ringing in your ear who, today, you have never seen or heard and don't even know exists. All that is the majesty of "American Idol," whose third-season kickoff drew 29 million viewers — thus far the best start for any 2003-04 series. No wonder. Unlike nearly anything else on the air, "American Idol" gets to have it both ways. "American Idol" glories in both success and failure, in both the best and the worst available — which means the viewer gets to, also. To paraphrase Mae West, when "American Idol" is good, it's entertaining, but when it's bad, it's better. Just ask Cowell, who seems to enjoy nothing — and that includes admiring his biceps — more than dashing a bad singer's dreams. Here's a sample Cowellism, inflicted on Roland Maxharj, a Kosovo-born resident of Hartford, Conn., after he had finished wailing "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me": "Thank God you don't have to sing to get immigration status here." Or consider Jacqueline Roman of Brooklyn, who, in a masquerade of scat-singing, screeched through "Route 66." While Abdul and Jackson snickered like schoolchildren, Cowell flashed his wicked, lipless grin. "And THAT," he sneered, "is what YOU think we are looking for?" "I tried my best," she replied. Which, in her mind, should have been enough: earnest effort plus blind (or was it deaf?) faith. Shouldn't that qualify her for the next round? And what about Andrew Chester of Hudson, Fla.? Stumbling through "Sweet Home, Alabama," he couldn't even remember the lyrics. "You have wasted my time," Cowell informed him. "You have wasted your own time. You have wasted everybody's time." Outside the audition room, Chester was heartbroken. "This is everybody's dream — `American Idol' — to sing in front of America," he told the camera as he choked up. "I'm a good person, I know I'm talented. They just don't see it." Every good soul deserves a place in TV heaven, so why not Andrew Chester, who pledged, "Definitely be back next year." Among this season's 80,000 entrants, a precious few already have displayed real ability. John Stevens IV of East Amherst, N.Y., crooned a plush "Just the Way You Look Tonight." Lauren Enswiler of Moss Point, Miss., sizzled with "Summertime." But for the most part, they have been about as appealing as Howard Dean 's battle cry. Meanwhile, prospects are dim that a truly fresh, surprising performer will rise to the top, especially if past "American Idol" winners are any sign. (Though brand-new to show biz, Clay Aiken already seems primed to take up permanent residence in Branson, Mo., performing nightly at the Clay Aiken Theater.) The ideal of "American Idol" reminds me of something an art teacher used to tell her students to keep us honest: "You don't know what you like; you like what you know." I'm also reminded of a phrase used to describe the style of Celine Dion: "not to defy expectations, but exceed them." On "American Idol," where the customer is always right and singers scramble to fill the bill, the music you hear is the music you expect. The main surprises: When a performance of that music defies your expectations with addled, inspired awfulness. Bravo! » Posted by Igor at 1:59 PM | Discuss January 24, 2004 rock & republic takes fashion, music on tour NEW YORK (Billboard) - After 18 months in business, Los Angeles-based clothing company Rock & Republic is ready to break ranks with traditional fashion and launch its own tour. Sheryl Crow, Cameron Diaz, Jewel, Liz Phair, Sarah Jessica Parker and Hilary Duff are among the entertainers in the music and film worlds who have embraced the brand's sexy, progressive, rock'n'roll-inspired denim designs. While not official endorsers, such celebrities champion Rock & Republic out of sheer fondness for the brand, Rock & Republic chief designer/CEO Michael Ball says. Ball says the company posted gross sales of $6 million for 2003 and made money during its first 18 months in business. The clothes, he adds, are sold in more than 500 stores worldwide, including Bergdorf Goodman and Atrium in New York, Fred Segal and H. Lorenzo in Los Angeles, Holt Renfrew in Toronto, Harrods in London and Freeze in Tokyo. Rock & Republic is hoping to hike its hip quotient even higher once its tour, called Rock Fashion, commences next month during New York Fashion Week. Although no acts have yet been confirmed for the tour, each stop will include a fashion show and performances by rock bands and DJs, Ball says. "In this way, we are pushing the envelope of what constitutes a fashion show," he adds. After the initial tour, Rock Fashion will take in London Fashion Week (also in February), the 29th Toronto International Film Festival (in September) and other events. The estimated cost is $600,000, and the tour is not expected to make money. The events will be invitation-only. "These events provide amazing opportunities for press coverage. Previously, we teamed up with Coors Light and Cadillac for our Spring 2004 show," Ball says. "People like Trudie Styler and Paula Abdul make Rock & Republic tickets some of the most coveted during fashion week. And, of course, we are looking for sponsorship partners for the Rock Fashion Tour. "For me, this is all very instinctual," explains Ball, who sees a direct correlation between music and fashion. "In both industries, you have people who push the edge, who have new things to say and who have the freedom to do what they want. "Tight, baggy, sleeved, narrow; rock, rap, hip-hop, pop," he continues. "The same thread is running through worlds. There really is no deviation." Duff couldn't agree more. "I absolutely love the fit of their clothes," she says. "The jeans are cutting-edge, low-rise and tight -- just how I like them." But Ball, who sees the company name as a combination of music and freedom, acknowledges that he was skeptical when Duff's team first approached Rock & Republic for an informal alliance. "I associated her with 'Lizzie McGuire,' and I wasn't convinced that that was our audience." "But then I heard her album," Ball adds, referring to "Metamorphosis," Duff's Buena Vista/Hollywood album, which topped the Billboard 200 for a week last September. From that point, Ball was a changed man. "She can rock. She is precisely the kind of presence that expresses what we do," he says. "She has an edge; she is not 'Lizzie McGuire."' While Duff is receiving free goods -- she wears them during live performances and special events -- Rock & Republic is receiving valuable exposure. "Every bit of support is great," Ball notes. "At the end of the day, we're just trying to push the envelope -- and not sell out. Just like the artists we work with and the tour we are about to begin." » Posted by Igor at 4:32 AM | Discuss sales soft, but gains continue LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - In a truly odd sales week, it's hard to say which news is more shocking: That not even a single album sells 100,000, or that in a week when the top 10 rings 10.2% less than the one from the comparative 2003 stanza, album volume still manages to be ahead of that from the same week of last year. Talk about momentum. Even in a week when the top of the Billboard 200 looks puny, the music business ends up in the win column, the fourth week in a row that album sales beat those from the same stanza of the previous year. Taking advantage of the soft top 10 is OutKast, which bounces back to No. 1 for a sixth chart-leading week despite a 4% decline (3-1, 97,500 copies). How long has it been since a No. 1 sold less than 100,000? Well, to set the stage: Nancy Kerrigan was skating against arch rival Tonya Harding at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway; Los Angeles was digging out from the Northridge earthquake; Derek Jeter had not yet played his first game for the Yankees; and Mariah Carey was still married to then-Sony Music chairman Tommy Mottola. For the week of March, 12, 1994, Carey's "Music Box" notched its eighth and final week at No. 1 with a sum shy of 92,000 copies. Since 1992, there has been only one other week when a No. 1 fell shy of 100,000: In 1993, the soundtrack to Whitney Houston's "The Bodyguard" logged its 20th and final week at No. 1, with just 91,000 sold. In June 1991 -- during the second, third and fourth weeks that the Billboard 200 used Nielsen SoundScan data and the tracking service was still ramping up its store sample -- the No. 1 title sold less than 90,000 (one week by R.E.M.'s "Out of Time" and two by Paula Abdul's "Spellbound"). To borrow a pet phrase from ESPN Radio's Tony Kornheiser, "That's it. That's the list," meaning OutKast's "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" finds itself in very rare company. WEIRD MATH With the top of the Billboard 200 looking so anemic, one might speculate that catalog titles were the factor that led to this unusual same-week victory. That would be wrong, which leads us to two more statistical aberrations. Although total sales of the Billboard 200's top 50 titles are down 7.2% from those for the week of Feb. 1, 2003, the volume rung by overall current albums this time is 5.9% ahead of what current albums sold a year ago. Conversely, while each of the 50 titles on this week's Top Pop Catalog list sells more than the same-ranked album did during the comparative 2003 week, overall catalog sales are up by only 1.6%. » Posted by Igor at 4:10 AM | Discuss January 22, 2004 'american idol' has best debut of season LOS ANGELES - Fox's "American Idol" hit impressively high ratings notes in its third season premiere. The talent show drew 29 million viewers Monday, the best start for any series in the 2003-04 season, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research figures released Tuesday by Fox. Fox also enjoyed a solid debut for "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance," a reality series that debuted after "American Idol." The new series was watched by 19.6 million viewers. Final figures for both series, which helped Fox win the night among total viewers as well as advertiser-coveted younger ones, will be available Wednesday. "American Idol," which has produced three instant music stars in Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, was expected to provide a boost for the struggling network. Gail Berman, Fox's entertainment president, recently called the show Fox's "engine" and said it's as important to the network as "Friends" is to NBC or "Survivor" is to CBS. Last May's finale, in which Studdard narrowly beat out Aiken in nationwide voting, drew more than 38 million viewers. This year, an estimated 80,000 aspiring stars applied to be on the show. Contestants are again being judged by Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, with Ryan Seacrest back as host. "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance" features a woman out to convince her family she's serious about a questionable mate to win a prize. She's unaware that her "fiance" is, in fact, an actor making the task as difficult as possible. » Posted by Igor at 1:09 PM | Discuss January 21, 2004 david letterman show arriving pictures Paula-Online.com presents exclusive new pictures of how Paula arrived at David Letterman Show - New York City 1/20/2004 >>>Picture 1 >>>Picture 2 >>>Picture 3 >>>Picture 4 >>>Picture 5 >>>Picture 6 >>>Picture 7 >>>Picture 8 >>>Picture 9 >>>Picture 10 >>>Picture 11 >>>Picture 12 >>>Picture 13 » Posted by Igor at 11:17 AM | Discuss January 20, 2004 more paula appearances Paula Abdul will be Live this Thursday January 22nd on Living It Up with Ali & Jack. Paula will be on the show from 10:00am - 11:00am with an arrival time at 8:30am. Living It Up with Ali & Jack is located at 524 West 57th Street Between 10th & 11th Ave. For free tickets call 866-454-8687. » Posted by Igor at 10:51 AM | Discuss January 19, 2004 paula on tv Paula is going to be on "The View" Friday, January 23 and David Letterman on Tuesday, January 20. Tune in and set those VCR's! » Posted by Igor at 11:50 AM | Discuss 'idol' guys ghastly By Gary Levin, USA TODAY Short takes from the TV Critics press tour in Los Angeles: Girls are better than boys. At least that's the feeling from this year's crop of 80,000 would-be American Idols, who begin vying for the title tonight on Fox (8 ET/PT). Judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul said female auditioners were much better overall this year, but Cowell noted "the horrible statistic" that "a million people could apply for this show and you're still only going to find two good people." The rise of last season's runner-up, Clay Aiken, has "changed this competition forever," Cowell says, by proving that personality counts at least as much as talent. The fun, of course, is in the hunt. The audition segments have been stretched to five hours - three this week (tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday) and two more next week. "I wouldn't watch the show unless there were loads of bad people, because that's what I like watching," Cowell says. » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss January 18, 2004 fox's 'american idol' returns monday LOS ANGELES - In two years, Fox's "American Idol" has minted three new music stars in Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Now the televised talent hunt is trying for more. "American Idol" returns for its third season Monday — and not a moment too soon for the struggling Fox network. More than 38 million people watched Studdard beat Aiken in last May's finale, a bigger audience than the Academy Awards. "It's as important to our network as `Survivor' is to CBS," said Gail Berman, Fox's entertainment president. "It's as important to our network as `Friends' is to NBC. We need an engine." Fox isn't messing with the elements that made the show a success. Ryan Seacrest is back as host. Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and the caustic Simon Cowell return as the judges. An estimated 80,000 wanna-be stars applied to test their talents. That's a lot of excruciating music to sit through. "There's only two people every year, or in some cases only one person, who makes a difference, and that's the terrible thing about the show," Cowell said. "Of course, every one of the 80,000 think they're fantastic." Word to the wise: If you want to impress the judges, leave the Mariah Carey -like vocal histrionics at home. Abdul said it's like "a breath of fresh air" when a singer simply sticks to the melody. "It's about the sound of the voice," Jackson said. "The kids just don't know that. They're more impressed and trying to impress people with the vocal gymnastics." "A Whole New World" from the Disney movie "Aladdin" wins the judges' cringe award for the most-butchered song in auditions. Talent shows on TV have become commonplace in the wake of "American Idol." CBS has revived "Star Search," for instance, and NBC's "Today" show launched its own search for a star. None have approached the ratings impact of "Idol." "While others may try to copy us, they will never have the caliber of talent on or off the stage that `American Idol' has," Berman said. In this season's "American Idol" tryouts, the judges said girls held an advantage over guys. The show's producers say they're tinkering with the series to make its middle period better. Fans love the train-wreck auditions and the excitement of the finals, but interest lags in the stretch when 32 contestants are whittled down to 12. They also hope to make better use of guest stars, many of whom don't find it as easy as Cowell to crush singers' dreams and are boring as a result. "The good thing about `American Idol' — watching it and being involved in it — is that it has a sense of humor," Cowell said. "One of the things that's missing in the music industry at the moment is that people are taking themselves so seriously, it's not fun anymore." The judges believe Aiken changed the competition forever because of the way he played to the audience's emotions. Beneath his innocent looks was a fierce competitor, evident perhaps in how Aiken has overshadowed Studdard since the show ended. "He played to win, but you didn't think that," Jackson said. Even the ultra-confident Cowell thinks the show is better because it's the public, and not the judges, who make the final choice of American idol. "There's never a shortage of talent," Abdul said. "You find some of the best talent in the most remote parts of the country and, you know, there's always someone who drives to make it. And we'd love to see that happen." » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss January 17, 2004 paula new pictures Paula-Online.com presents exclusive new Paula pictures from Fox Broadcasting Company Winter Press Tour - 1/16/2004 >>>Picture 1 >>>Picture 2 >>>Picture 3 >>>Picture 4 >>>Picture 5 >>>Picture 6 >>>Picture 7 » Posted by Igor at 6:51 AM | Discuss January 15, 2004 "paula abdul: the complete history" and "driven" With the American Idol premiere looming, VH1 is rolling out the Paula... They have an hourlong special titled "Paula Abdul: The Complete History" airing soon and an entire "Driven" dedicated to Paula. Monday Jan. 19 11/10c PM VH1 Driven Presents: Paula Abdul chronicles this multi-talented star’s rise to fame from her early years to pop superstardom and beyond. The one-hour portrait reveals a woman with an indomitable spirit, a woman who persevered seemingly insurmountable odds to overcome her physical limitations as a dancer, her struggle with bulimia, failed marriages, and the stereotypes that abound within the entertainment industry to become one of the most beloved entertainers of our time. Paula Abdul’s career continues to transcend all boundaries from her current role as a judge on the television phenomenon American Idol to her days as a head cheerleader for the Los Angeles Laker Girls. As recording artist, she has sold over 25 million albums worldwide and racked up numerous awards. Her innovative videos sparked an MTV revolution, opening the door for today’s generation of singer/performers such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Paula Abdul: The Complete History Mon 1/19 11:00 AM 58 VH1 Paula Abdul: The Complete History Mon 1/19 10:00 PM 58 VH1 Paula Abdul: The Complete History Tue 1/20 12:00 AM 58 VH1 Paula Abdul: The Complete History Tue 1/20 7:00 PM 58 VH1 Paula Abdul: The Complete History Wed 1/21 12:00 PM 58 VH1 Paula Abdul: The Complete History Thu 1/22 4:00 PM 58 VH1 Paula Abdul: The Complete History Fri 1/23 6:00 PM 58 VH1 » Posted by Igor at 12:17 PM | Discuss January 14, 2004 cowell gets a soaking Simon Cowell has been drenched with water by a disgruntled contestant on American Idol. The soaking happened in the new series of the show - and Cowell had not even uttered a word. The unnamed contestant had just finished belting out a tune when Cowell, apparently lost for words, stood up and put his head in his hands, reports the London Evening Standard. The contestant walked towards the desk, where Cowell was sitting with fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, and appeared to be reaching to shake his hand. But Cowell realised he was trying to grab a cup of water and desperately tried to grab it back. After grappling for a few seconds, the young man pulled the cup away and threw the water all over him. The scene will be shown in the third series of American Idol which begins next week. Cowell, 43, has become the main attraction on American Idol and recently signed a multi-million deal for another three years of the show. Ten MPs recently signed a Commons motion branding him 'irresponsible' for judging some contestants on weight and looks as well as their singing. » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss January 13, 2004 chris rocks!: edgy comic shows no sign of mellowing Chris Rock is so boyish and charming, and so smart and aware, that he can say anything — no matter how outrageous — and not offend. He's got a winsome smile that makes even his most barbed comments — about "crackers" and crackheads, for example — seem not just harmless but almost compassionate. But, as he pointed out Friday night, in the first of three "Black Ambition Tour" sold-out shows at the Paramount (the other two were on Saturday), he's 38 now, married and the father of a young daughter. Much of his 90-minute routine had to do with those changes in his life, but he also got in some political zingers and pointed observations about pop culture. "I love Seattle," he said at the start, after a welcoming standing ovation. "Lotta cool dead people here — Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee." Recurring themes included the observation that clear heels, the favored footwear of strippers, is a sure sign of sluttiness, and that black people are mesmerized by tire rims — especially the spinning kind. His only ongoing physical bit had him rolling his eyes and head as if he were watching spinning rims, and it got big laughs every time. In his first appearance here in five years, he was right on top of current issues. "The '80s are back," he said. "Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Saddam Hussein — even Paula Abdul!" He added Sir Mix-a-Lot to the list, with withering jokes about the Seattle rapper's silly sex songs. Politics and President Bush were regular targets. On "lies" about weapons of mass destruction: "They can't even find a whiffle bat!" On presidential news conferences: "Gay marriage is the only thing Bush will answer a question about. 'Not on my watch!' " On the new governor of California: "Arnold Schwarzenegger can't even play a smart guy in a movie!" Rock's bit on Michael Jackson got not only laughs but gasps. He said M.J.'s latest sex scandal has made black people ditch him. "We love Michael Jackson so much, we let the first kid slide. This new kid — that's like finding another dead white chick at O.J.'s house." He pointed out the difference between being rich and being wealthy, saying a few "brown people" may be rich but only white people are wealthy: "Shaq is rich. The guy who signs his check is wealthy." "Oprah is rich. If Bill Gates' wealth dropped to her level, he'd jump off a building and slit his throat on the way down." Mario Joyner opened with a short set of generic comedy about sex, cellphones, prostate exams and an offensive bit about the necessity of "whuppin' children." Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312, pmacdonald@seattletimes.com » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss January 12, 2004 the hardest working guy on the air BY HOWARD COHEN hcohen@herald.com Time to welcome a new king. Ryan Seacrest, the new King of Media. Fellow radio jock Howard Stern gave himself that high-falutin' title, but he has nothing on this guy. This afternoon, the 29-year-old Seacrest debuts his live daily infotainment series on UPN, On-Air With Ryan Seacrest. Sunday, he replaced radio legend Casey Kasem as host of the radio countdown institution, American Top 40. And on Jan. 19 he starts his third season as the host of American Idol, the show that made him a household name and gave Simon Cowell an on-air sparring partner besides perky Paula Abdul. One gig Seacrest has ''put on pause'' for the time being: his DJ job on a Los Angeles radio station. Even he can't do everything. ''It's a good time now,'' Seacrest says, mastering the understatement. ''I have to prove I can do it. I've always been motivated, I've always had this internal drive,'' he says from New York where he's doing publicity. ``The most difficult thing was the How to Do It. If we knew the answer to that we'd all be superstars in the entertainment business.'' A solid work ethic helps. ``Every thing that I did [like] driving a radio station van at 16 was a stepping stone to get closer to what I wanted.'' BEING CASEY KASEM Replacing AT40's Kasem, who, after 34 years, will go on to host an adult contemporary version of the countdown show, is a particular thrill for the Atlanta-born Seacrest. ``In the '80s I would pretend to be him. On cassette tapes I did a countdown a la Casey.'' But the On-Air TV show is probably Seacrest's biggest gamble. He's not only the star. As executive producer it's his job to make sure things run properly. The airwaves are also filled with talk shows and the ground is littered with the castoffs, so Seacrest has tailored his show to be a little different. On-Air will combine entertainment news, interviews with pop stars such as Enrique Iglesias and probably an Idol or two, plus performances and interactive fan participation. Think MTV's TRL meets Entertainment Tonight. ''The beauty of our format allows us to be flexible,'' Seacrest says. THE LONGEST DAY The host's day will start at 7 a.m. to handle preproduction on the TV show. Rehearsal is at 10 a.m. Hair and makeup around noon. (And you know with Seacrest, the proud pinup boy for metrosexuals everywhere, this is the most important part of the day. However, he won't be bleaching his hair blond anymore, all that dying was reportedly causing it to fall off in chunks). The show will then tape live from a Times Square-like studio at the Hollywood & Highland complex, facing the famous Hollywood hilltop sign. ''There will be mistakes as in all live shows,'' Seacrest says. ``I think it's important we don't cover that up and it's OK for the audience to see that. After doing American Idol and being a radio guy, you learn to go with the flow.'' After taping, Seacrest prepares for the next day's program unless it's Monday and he has to dash down the block to film American Idol. Seacrest's behind-the-scenes tip regarding season three of Idol? Check out the female contingency this go-round he says. After watching some 70,000 contestants vie for a spot on the show the women proved quite good -- unless they freeze up on camera, he warns. You never know. ``There are some [contestants] like Clay [Aiken] we didn't think would be the shining star actually rising to the occasion and performing in front of people.'' To top it off, he tapes the syndicated AT40 tapes on Fridays. ''This is a business that consumes you [but] it's such a dream job,'' Seacrest says. ``It's not about the hours, it's about getting things done. It is an incredible lifestyle and job to have, that's why I'm trying to parlay it into so many things in pop culture.'' » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss