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Post by 4Ms on Oct 14, 2011 3:10:11 GMT -5
We're Live-Blogging The Top 13 'American Idol' Performances!Posted 3/10/09 7:54 pm ET by Jim Cantiello in American Idol, Live Blog newsroom.mtv.com/author/jimc/page/19/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/10/were-live-blogging-the-top-13-american-idol-performances/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/10/were-live-blogging-the-top-13-american-idol-performances/#more-10244 Top 13 Black or White Michael Jackson Week 
Before we get to tonight's "American Idol" live-blog recap, I just want to say that I feel sorry for "Idol's" producers. They just didn't know what they were getting into with this Top 13 business, did they? Apparently, the "Idol-13" phone number actually leads to a phone sex line. (HA! I didn't even know those existed anymore!) And the dude who is in charge of putting all the phone numbers up on the screen now has an entirely new number to worry about. Here's hoping he doesn't put up the wrong number...again.
The other challenge is finding a theme that will be strong enough for 13 singers! Last year, we kicked off the finals with The Beatles, and now, "Idol" is beginning the competition with Michael Jackson. If someone sings the MJ/Macca collabo "Say Say Say," my mind will officially be blown.
But MJ is an odd choice, no? (And I'm not even talking about those allegations, or that baby dangling incident, or, you know, EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THAT DUDE BESIDES HIS MUSIC).
Just three weeks ago, the judges ripped apart semi-finalist Stephen Fowler for singing a Michael Jackson tune, so now producers decided it would be a good idea to let all 13 finalists do their worst? Okay...
But the more I think of it, the more I'm happy with their choice. In my crystal ball, I see Michael Sarver grabbing his crotch, Adam Lambert non-ironically shrieking "Sha'Mon!" and Scott attempting to moonwalk.
7:55 pm - Anyone miss last week's "Idol?" No worries! Catch up real quick with my "Idol in 60 Seconds" recaps by clicking here..
9:37 pm - Adam Lambert is a struggling singer in Hollywood. His parents names are Leila and Eber. Wait, Jose Eber is married?
9:38 pm - Adam's singing "Black And White." If he was in that music video at the end when all the faces are morphing together, he would probably fall in between Tyra Banks and that Asian dude with the middle part.
9:39 pm - I don't hate this! Neither does Paula, who is seen standing with her mouth wide open. She looks as stable as a Jenga tower. Don't fall over, girl! Or if you do, please do it while the camera is on you!
9:40 pm - Paula's head is exploding. Allow me to transcribe. "ADAM! TAKE IT! TAKE IT ALL IN! WOW! HUH! Okay, alright, Adam. I'm gonna say this and this, this is my opinion. Never in the history of "American Idol," all seven seasons leading up to now [holding back sobs, clutching her throat] have we ever, and I believe this truthfully, ever seen somebody so co- [gasping for air] comfortable, seasoned on that stage, I don't even notice the stage because my eyes are transfixed on you! Your innate, your in, your innate ability to know who you are as an artist and marry fashion and music as we do that, you got the whole package going on. ANNND I believe with all my heart that we'll be seeing you running [does a running hand gesture with her fingers] all the way to the finals."
9:41 pm - Okay, Adam Lambert did a pretty spectacular job tonight, don't get me wrong. But I still don't think of him as a "current" artist. As EW's Michael Slezak said, his vocals are more reminiscent of Kip Winger than, say, Chris Martin or Chad Kroeger.
9:42 pm - Kara hopes that Michael Jackson is watching tonight. I hate to break it to you, Kara, but on Tuesday nights, the leopard gets to control the remote at NeverLand, and he's a diehard "Mentalist" fan.
'American Idol' Recap:
Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, Danny Gokey Live Up To Hype
The top 13 try to put their stamp on Michael Jackson tunes.Mar 11 2009 9:45 AM EDT By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606721/american-idol-adam-lambert-lil-rounds-live-up-hype.jhtml
There may have been a seizure-inducing new set with more flashing blue lights than a K-Mart on the first-ever top-13 performance show Tuesday on "American Idol," but one thing stayed exactly the same: Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey and Lil Rounds killed it.
The three top contenders for this year's "Idol" crown didn't disappoint, each delivering a unique, totally different take on the night's theme: the catalog of King of Pop Michael Jackson.
Adam Lambert has emerged as the one to beat, and the Michael Jackson fan and musical-theater veteran leaned heavily on his falsetto for the funky "Black or White." His way-amped performance gave the song a "Rocky Horror Picture Show"-meets-'80s-hair-metal vibe that once again blew the judges away.
"Never in the history of 'American Idol,' have we ... seen someone so comfortable, seasoned on the stage. ... You've got the whole package," Paula said, bringing tears to Lambert's eyes.
"That was, to me, in a totally different league to everything else we've seen and heard tonight," Simon said, praising Lambert's ability to do an original take on Jackson and not be afraid to go over-the-top with it. Kara said it was so good she hoped MJ was watching the show.
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606721/american-idol-adam-lambert-lil-rounds-live-up-hype.jhtml
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Post by 4Ms on Oct 14, 2011 15:26:59 GMT -5
'American Idol' Recap: Jasmine Murray, Jorge Nunez Out
Despite New Rule
Kanye West and Kelly Clarkson also performed on the show.Mar 12 2009 10:13 AM EDT 21,934 By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606844/american-idol-recap-jasmine-murray-jorge-nunez-out-despite-new-rule.jhtml
Top 13 Ford Commercial: Queen's We Will Rock
Top 13 Group
I Want You Back / ABC Medley
Jasmine Murray & Jorge Nunez Leave
Before the bad news came, the top 13 shimmied through the traditional show-opening medley, touching on the Jackson 5 hits "I Want You Back" and "ABC," followed by another elimination show staple, the cheesy Ford product-placement "music video," which found the contestants' faces superimposed on the Los Angeles skyline as they sang Queen's "We Will Rock You" and a Ford vehicle roamed the city's empty nighttime streets. The next group waved to safety included Scott MacIntyre, Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds and judges' favorite Adam Lambert. But the news was not good for Anoop Desai, who got universally bad marks for his herky-jerky rendition of "Beat It," and Nuñez, who got slammed for his "corny," soft-focus take on "Never Can Say Goodbye."
The good news for the remaining 11 — Sarver, Iraheta, Allen, Giraud, Desai, Rounds, Corkrey, Grace, MacIntyre, Gokey and Lambert — is that after next Tuesday's performance, only one of them will get sent home.
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606844/american-idol-recap-jasmine-murray-jorge-nunez-out-despite-new-rule.jhtml
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Post by 4Ms on Oct 14, 2011 21:00:17 GMT -5
We're Live-Blogging The Top 11 'American Idol' Performances!3/17/09 8:00 pm ET by Jim Cantiello in American Idol, Live Blog newsroom.mtv.com/author/jimc/page/19/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/17/were-live-blogging-the-top-11-american-idol-performances/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/17/were-live-blogging-the-top-11-american-idol-performances/#more-10661   Adam Lambert- American Idol Top 11 Ring of fire (HD)
So throw on that cowboy hat and erase the memory of Phil Stacey, Josh Gracin, Kristy Lee Cook and Bucky Covington. Tonight ALL of our favorite "Idol" singers (and Adam Lambert) will be doing karaoke with a twang, and in Megan's case, a silly dance, too.
7:55 pm – Did you miss last week’s “Idol?” Catch up real quick with my “Idol in 60 Seconds” video recap here..
8:42 pm - "Twlight" is coming to DVD Friday! Adam Lambert can't wait!!
8:44 pm - Quote of the night, from the Mrs: "If Adam Lambert wins, I'm buying stock in flat irons." HA!
8:45 pm - Coke Real moment with Adam Lambert, who dyed his hair the color of Fruity Pebbles in honor of country week.
8:48 pm - OMG country music's nightmare just came true. A dude who kisses dudes...in nail polish...turning a Johnny Cash classic...into a middle Eastern sex jam. HAHA!
8:48 pm - IT BURNS! IT BURNS!
8:49 pm - I kid. This was actually pretty amazing, in all its subversive glory (even if Randy Travis' white-haired mama looked peeved). I liked it more than David Cook doing (Chris Cornell's) "Billie Jean."
8:50 pm - So, Adam Lambert just confused all of the South with his "strange" interpretation, while Paula just confused all the Northern intellectuals by saying Adam was both a "born natural" and a "quick study." How can he be both, Paula?!
8:51 pm - Simon thought it was "self-indulgent rubbish." Randy thought it sounded like Nine Inch Nails covering a country tune. Wrong, Randy. It sounded more like what Britney Spears would do if she covered that song on tour. Interestingly enough, Johnny Cash famously covered a Nine Inch Nails song. The country and industrial worlds have collided before. It's not as weird as you think.
9:57 pm - The phone number montage is depressing me. Michael Sarver? Safe by default. Allison sounds shouty, Lil sounds generic, Scott looks goofy, Alexis sounds confused, Gokey sounds constipated, and so does Matt. Luckily, we had Kris, Anoop, and Adam delivering solid performances (yes, I just praised Adam Lambert!). And Megan Joy (Corkrey)? Stunningly beautiful, flu and all. I'll cook you soup, girl!
But I wanna know what YOU thought of tonight's Grand Ole Opry themed episode! Are you happy Anoop stepped up? Was Adam brilliant or crazy (or both!) to futz with Johnny Cash's legacy? And do you think the judges are going to use their "save" tomorrow night? I think they might...
newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/17/were-live-blogging-the-top-11-american-idol-performances/#more-10661
Mar 18 2009 9:28 AM EDT 73,251 'American Idol' Recap: Adam Lambert Confuses, Anoop Desai Shines On Country Night
Lambert's 'Ring of Fire' rendition throws judges for a loop.By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607195/american-idol-recap-adam-lamberts-confusing-ring-fire.jhtml Country nights on "American Idol" are often the great equalizer. And Tuesday's Grand Ole Opry-themed show was no different, with such seeming also-rans as Anoop Desai and Matt Giraud stealing the show, while front-runners Danny Gokey and Lil Rounds hit their first real speed bumps of the competition. And Adam Lambert? Well, as usual he just kind of confused and delighted (almost) everyone with another over-the-top performance. Another front-runner who seemed likely to be tested on the country night was Broadway rocker Adam Lambert, who chose Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," which he gave a Middle Eastern flair that threw Travis for a major loop. With finger cymbals and a snaking guitar line guiding him, Lambert wailed the song in his signature falsetto, as if performing in an Egyptian country-and-western bar.
Kara said the whole thing was a bit strange and confusing but that she kind of enjoyed it, while Paula likened it to Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." "What the hell was that?" Simon wondered, calling the performance "absolute indulgent rubbish ... really, really horrific."
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607195/american-idol-recap-adam-lamberts-confusing-ring-fire.jhtml
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Post by 4Ms on Oct 14, 2011 22:12:46 GMT -5
Mar 19 2009 9:02 AM EDT 'American Idol' Recap: Alexis Grace Edged Out Of Top 10
'Jolene' singer won't be joining other finalists on summer tour.By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607281/american-idol-recap-alexis-grace-edged-out-top-10.jhtml Top 11 Ford Commercial Here It Goes, Again Top 11 Group Number T R O U B L E
It was a long night for Grace, who first had to participate in the obligatory, embarrassing sing-along — this week, to Elvis Presley's bouncy "Trouble" — followed by the other necessary piece of official business, the Ford music video. This time, the promotional clip was cued to OK Go's "Here It Goes Again" and involved the contestants having a water-balloon fight on a city street, which ... well, we're not sure what it had to do with the Grand Ole Opry.
...Adam Lambert, who survived despite Simon Cowell calling his Middle Eastern-tinged take on Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" simply "dreadful."
The top 10 will celebrate 50 years of Motown on Wednesday, with performances on Thursday by Motown icon Smokey Robinson...
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607281/american-idol-recap-alexis-grace-edged-out-top-10.jhtml
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Post by 4Ms on Oct 14, 2011 23:58:41 GMT -5
We're Live-Blogging 'American Idol' Motown Week!3/25/09 7:57 pm ET by Jim Cantiello in American Idol, Live Blog newsroom.mtv.com/author/jimc/page/19/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/25/were-live-blogging-american-idol-motown-week/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/25/were-live-blogging-american-idol-motown-week/#more-11577 
Tonight will feature the music of Motown, which is an absolute minefield. For every amazing "Misery" by Barrett Strong there are three obvious stinkers like "Sugar Pie Honeybunch" waiting to take down a contestant. Provided "Idol" didn't severely limit the song list, there's no excuse for anyone to sing a classic we've heard 400 times before on this show. I swear to Seacrest, if anyone sings "Aint No Mountain High Enough" I think they should automatically be booted. Even if it's my girl Megan Joy (Corkrey).
8:05 pm - "Idol" Road Trip!! They went to Detroit to visit Motown's HQ, and the screaming fans are all there to greet them. Woah, Detroit "Idol" fans are not an attractive bunch.
8:07 pm - Trip's over, back to work. Smokey Robinson is coaching this week. I would not do well under his tutelage. I'd be constantly distracted by his tight face and green eyes.
8:31 pm - Scott's doing the Supremes classic "You Can't Hurry Love" as a hokey lite-FM piano ballad. (As opposed to Phil Collins hokey lite-FM uptempo.) Scott: "Being a guy, coming out singing as Diana Ross, those are some huge shoes to step into." If Adam Lambert had said that quote, I would have totally expected him to come out on stage in drag literally AS Diana Ross.
9:31 pm - Adam Lambert is covering Smokey's "The Tracks of my Tears." Smokey's impressed. Will we be? I gotta hand it to this mess, I'm on the edge of my seat right now.
9:32 pm - Adam Lambert is delivering one of the best "Idol" performances ever, even though he looks like a cross between Young Elvis, Edward James Olmos and Max Headroom. Seriously, that was Top 5 EVER on this show.
9:35 pm - Standing O's all around. Amazing.
9:36 pm - Side note: when will "Idol" feel comfortable to properly identify Adam's cheering section as "Adam's Boyfriend and Family?" We always know when a "wife" or "husband" or "girlfriend" is in the audience. We've all seen bunches of pictures of those two making out. It's really adorable that he's there every week cheering him on. Why won't "Idol" let him be "out?" Or do you think it's a choice Adam and his partner have made to keep it under wraps?
newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/17/were-live-blogging-the-top-11-american-idol-performances/#more-10661
Mar 26 2009 9:25 AM EDT 141,993 'American Idol': Adam Lambert's 'Tracks Of My Tears' Steals Show
Smokey Robinson mentors contestants for Motown night.By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607780/american-idol-adam-lambert-steals-show.jhtml
A couple of things became clear on Wednesday night as the "American Idol" top 10 celebrated 50 years of Motown: The night's mentor, label legend Smokey Robinson, is one of the nicest look-on-the-sunny-side guys in the world, and, more importantly, no one is safe. As if last week's Grand Ole Opry round didn't prove that some of this season's favorites are a bit vulnerable, Motown week practically leveled the playing field.
A pair of singers who were expected to kill it and cement their front-runner status, Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey, got middling to not-great remarks, and the one singer whose over-the-top, pseudo Broadway metal sound seemed least fitting for the soulful smoothness of Motown, Adam Lambert, drew gasps (and the season's first standing O from judge Kara DioGuardi) with a heartfelt, restrained ballad.
And then there was wild card Adam Lambert, who made the gutsy call of the Robinson-penned "The Tracks of My Tears." After taking Johnny Cash to Marrakech last week, theater veteran Lambert completely switched things up again by closeting the goth-rocker look for a gray suit, a Chris Isaak pompadour and a tender, unplugged take on the classic song.
The restrained, vulnerable cover crescendoed with an extended falsetto wail at the end that drew a standing ovation from Robinson, Motown boss Berry Gordy and Kara. "One of the best performances of the night," she said simply, though Simon soon corrected her and called it the best performance of the night. The normally acerbic judge, who hated Lambert's "indulgent" performance the week before, praised his originality and song choice and said, "You, tonight, really have emerged as a star for me."
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607780/american-idol-adam-lambert-steals-show.jhtml
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Headlines of the Day
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Post by 4Ms on Oct 15, 2011 3:31:53 GMT -5
Mar 27 2009 9:12 AM EDT 17,670 'American Idol' Shows Michael Sarver The Door
Matt Giraud, Scott MacIntyre round out the bottom three.By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607931/american-idol-shows-michael-sarver-door.jhtml
Top 10 Ford Commercial Pocketful of Sunshine
Top 10 Group Motown Medley + Adam Results
"You Keep Me Hangin' On" The Supremes
"You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
When the results finally started coming in, Adam Lambert easily scooted through thanks to his stunning performance of "Tracks of My Tears,"... Click Photo for:
'American Idol' In 60 Seconds |
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Post by 4Ms on Oct 15, 2011 8:17:04 GMT -5
We're Live-Blogging The Top Nine 'American Idol' Performances!3/31/09 7:54 pm ET by Jim Cantiello in American Idol, Live Blog newsroom.mtv.com/author/jimc/page/19/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/31/were-live-blogging-the-top-nine-american-idol-performances/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/31/were-live-blogging-the-top-nine-american-idol-performances/#more-11908 Adam Lambert-
American Idol Top 9 Play That Funky Music (HD)Buy plenty of bottled water! Say goodbye to your loved ones! Go on a shopping spree you'll never have to pay off! It's “Top Downloads Night” on "American Idol." Contemporary music on "Idol?" CLEARLY the end of the world is near!! This very well could be our final "American Idol" live blog together!
The contemporary quandary is one that's always plagued the show. How are these contestants expected to compete in a current pop landscape after the show's over when all they've had to do up to that point is sing Barry Manilow and tunes from the Great Depression? It baffles me that TV's biggest show hasn't figured that out yet. Pop music is less about singing ability and more about image. Just ask Lady Gaga. (Oh wait! The contestants can because rumor has it, she's slated to appear in some capacity this week.)
Ironic, then, that America and the judges are finicky about showing love to "Idols" covering songs still on the radio. Sound too much like the original = failure. (Poor Felicia Barton!) But deviate too much and they send you packing anyway! (Ju’not Joyner and Dead Wife Guy's buddy never stood a chance!)
That's why I'm concerned for Allison tonight. She shines when she can connect to a song on an emotional level, and there ain’t that much emotion in Akon's catalogue. All signs point to a Kelly Clarkson cover, and it's nearly impossible to tackle one of those without sounding like you're rocking out at a karaoke happy hour.
Megan's doomed too, unless she can find a way to deconstruct a pop song and make it play to her strengths. I guess her strength is her beauty, so perhaps she'd be better off turning her song into an instrumental and just stand there and look amazing. Hell, I'd still vote for her!
MTV.COM user pickles had some hilarious ideas regarding Megan’s always-changing name. She wrote, “Whenever I hear Megan Joy, I always think of Almond Joy. Actually, if her name changes to Almond Joy next week, I don't even think I'd be surprised. She seems to have a new name every week. And the whole 'Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't...' phrase kinda suits her. Ooooh. Maybe she can get Lil on this whole name changing bandwagon and she could show up as Lil Mounds.” Hilarious! And delicious!
And lastly, sad news in the Gokey household, as Danny’s grandfather passed away this past week. But look at the bright side, Gokester. At least you have another corpse to dig up and exploit! That will help you last another 3-4 weeks easily.
But what's with all this projection?! Enough pointless predictions. Let's get live-blogging already!
9:09 pm - Old Adam Lambert is back singing "Play That Funky Music." I miss "RuPaul's Drag Race."
9:11 pm - America, welcome to the Bar Mitzvah from hell.
9:12 pm - Things that are more funky that Adam Lambert: LL Bean, Clay Aiken, Velcro.
9:12 pm - Paula compared Adam to Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler in a long soliloquy that she obviously memorized and wrote long before the cameras started rolling.
9:13 pm - Kara's trouble with numbers continues. "It's like Studio 57 up in here." LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!
newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/31/were-live-blogging-the-top-nine-american-idol-performances/#more-11908
Apr 1 2009 9:43 AM EDT 'American Idol' Recap: Adam Lambert Gets Funky On iTunes Night
Kris Allen and Danny Gokey gain ground; Megan Joy's 'in trouble.'www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608238/american-idol-adam-lambert-gets-funky-on-itunes-night.jhtmlBy Gil Kaufman Adam Lambert performs on "American Idol" on Tuesday
This is the point in the "American Idol" competition when it becomes clear who the front-runners are, and who is just biding time before they go home. And on Tuesday night, when the nine remaining hopefuls got to pick from the most popular downloads on iTunes, some — like Megan Joy and Anoop Desai — got tripped up by all that choice, and others — like Kris Allen and Adam Lambert — soared.
And what would Adam Lambert pull out after wowing the crowd last week with a soft, subtle "Tracks of My Tears."? With his pompadour in place again, Lambert boogied to the Wild Cherry disco classic "Play That Funky Music," throwing in some nimble spins, giving the song a slower, more soulful vibe and, of course, laying down some of his tongue-baring banshee wails for another crowd-pleaser.
The verdict? Paula was on her feet. "True genius does not fulfill expectations; true genius shatters it," she said, comparing him to Mick Jagger and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Simon called it "brave" and original, and said it showed that he had a good time.
The contestants are back tonight for the elimination show, which will also feature performances from last season's winner, David Cook, and dancing queen Lady Gaga.
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608238/american-idol-adam-lambert-gets-funky-on-itunes-night.jhtml
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Post by 4Ms on Oct 16, 2011 3:07:30 GMT -5
Apr 1 2009 11:40 AM 'Play That Funky Music': The Story Behind Adam Lambert's 'American Idol' Cover
Wild Cherry had a huge hit with the song during the 1970s disco era.By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608250/idol-songs-story-play-that-funky-music.jhtmlAdam Lambert performs "Play That Funky Music"
on "American Idol" on Tuesday night
Leave it to Adam Lambert to take one of the most recognizable and frequently spun hits of the disco era and make it his own. When the front-running "American Idol" musical-theater howler announced his decision to resurrect the 1976 disco funk hit "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry on Tuesday night, judge Randy Jackson said he was a bit concerned given the song's long history and ubiquity.
But, much like he did with Smokey Robinson's "Tracks of My Tears" the week before and the Johnny Cash classic "Ring of Fire" the week before that, Lambert put his unique spin on the tune by the Pittsburgh band, who hit #1 with the song in 1976 and garnered a pair of Grammy nominations for Best New Vocal Group and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.
One-hit wonders Wild Cherry was led by singer-guitarist-songwriter Rob Parissi, who formed the original group in 1970, cribbing the name from a brand of cough drops he was taking while battling illness. The first lineup split in 1975 before releasing any music, and Parissi threw in the towel for a while and began managing a local steak house.
But he soon formed a new lineup with more of a rock edge during the era when disco was blooming, and after legendarily being shouted down by fans at shows to "play that funky music," he wrote a song inspired by the taunts and was repaid with a massive hit that reached #1 on the Billboard R&B and pop charts. The group never reached those heights again and split up in 1979 after releasing a fourth album.
And much as he did with "Tracks of My Tears" last week, Lambert proved his innate artistry by taking the disco chestnut and making it his own on Tuesday night, adding in a rock edge and inserting some of his signature falsetto howls, much to the delight of the judges and audience.
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608250/idol-songs-story-play-that-funky-music.jhtml
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Post by 4Ms on Oct 16, 2011 3:34:17 GMT -5
Apr 2 2009 9:31 AM EDT Megan Joy Grounded In 'American Idol' Elimination
Tattooed mom makes bizarre bird noises, snaps at
Simon Cowell before her swan song.By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608330/megan-joy-grounded-american-idol-elimination.jhtmlTop 9 Ford Commercial Mixed UpTop 9 Group Song Don't Stop Believing   Before we could get to the good stuff, this week's Ford music video cranked up the creepy factor, playing mix-and-match with the contestants' faces and bodies, for a couple of gender-bending looks the audience won't soon forget. But the group lip-synch-along did prove one thing: If Journey ever want to get rid of their new lead singer, Allison Iraheta and Danny Gokey would both be great replacements.
On to the important stuff. Looking for novel ways to torture the contestants, instead of having them stand up individually, host Ryan Seacrest asked Megan Joy, Kris Allen and Matt Giraud to walk across the stage and stand in a group of three. He then had Lil Rounds, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert do the same at center stage. Scott MacIntrye, Danny Gokey and Anoop Desai followed suit, with a tease from Ryan that one group represented the bottom three.
Not surprisingly, Adam Lambert made it through again, thanks to his rockin' version of Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music."
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608330/megan-joy-grounded-american-idol-elimination.jhtml
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'American Idol' In 60 Seconds: |
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Post by 4Ms on Apr 19, 2012 13:34:57 GMT -5
We're Live-Blogging The Top Eight 'American Idol' Performances!Posted 4/7/09 8:00 pm EST by Jim Cantiello in American Idol, Live Blog newsroom.mtv.com/tag/american-idol/page/42/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/04/07/were-live-blogging-the-top-eight-american-idol-performances/newsroom.mtv.com/2009/04/07/were-live-blogging-the-top-eight-american-idol-performances/#more-12175
Adam Lambert - Mad World - Top 8 - 07/04/09
Uploaded by LatinglambertsArg on May 16, 2011
Sit back, relax and prepare to feel really flipping ancient, because it's "Sing A Song From The Year You Were Born" night on "American Idol."
Before the "Idol" live-blog begins, I'd like to take a moment and acknowledge how depressing it is that I am older than all but one "Idol" contestant this year. (Never thought I'd say it but thank God for Gokey.) It felt weird when I surpassed "The Real World" casts, it definitely flipped me out when I realized that I'm old enough to be Taylor Swift's dad (if I was a twelve year old stud who practiced unsafe sex). And now the only reality show where the contestants are in my age range features ballroom dancing and washed up has-beens. Hell, even Kim from "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" could have gone to my prom. I've got one foot in the grave, don't I? Before I know it I'll be watching "The Mentalist" and that 10pm Leno show.
Luckily I have you all to cheer me up, and last week you did not disappoint. MTV.COM user Porgadew had me giggling when he/she said, "Does anyone else worry that at some point before the season's over, Dunkleman's gonna push Seacrest down those stairs? I know it's very unlikely and very 'Showgirls,' but I just worry about these things." Amazing, Porgadew. Again, I feel old for laughing at a "Showgirls" reference since that movie was released just 2 years after Allison Iraheta was, but perhaps I'm just sensitive to the fact that it's my job to appeal to 14-22 year olds.
So let's contemplate the meaning of life and bitch about song choice together, shall we? Ready, aim, live-blog!
7:55 pm - Did you miss Megan Joy's caw-tastic farewell last week? Catch up with my latest "Idol in 60 Seconds" recap!
7:57 pm - And after you're done watching that, check out my colleague Gil Kaufman's article, where he suggests songs for the "Idols" to sing. He thinks Gokey should do Gary Numan's "Cars." Weeeird. (I also did a video companion piece to go along with the article. Are you hungry for ham?)
8:01 pm - It's "Idol" time! Seacrest and the judges did not come out at the top of the show. There's an angry dude in a suit sitting in the audience. I wonder if he's the voice-of-God announcer who's now out of a job. (I doubt it. It seems too planted. I bet he's a tie-in to a Fox show. Do they have a sitcom coming out called "Jerks In Suits?")
8:02 pm - Yay! I forgot that tonight's theme also means we'll see baby photos. (I am not looking forward to seeing Scott's.) This year, Seacrest has baby photos of the judges, too. Paula and Simon cheated, though. They're like 8 in their photos. I guess photography hadn't been invented back when they were infants.
8:03 pm - Rob Dyrdek's in the audience! What's happening, my MTV brother?
8:04 pm - Baby Danny Gokey looks exactly like Current Danny Gokey. Daddy Gokey, however, looks nothing like Danny Gokey. I wonder what the milkman looked like in Milwaukee.
8:05 pm - Um...speaking of cheating, Danny Gokey is singing "Stand By Me." Was he born in 1961? The fact that Mickey Gilley covered it in 1980 is irrelevant. I am boycotting this.
8:06 pm - Remember when the Gokester made fun of Matt in last week's results show for sounding like a sheep? Danny Gokey, meet karma.
8:06 pm - The last 15 seconds were passable. And I like his outfit. Other than that? It was flatter than an Olsen Twin.
8:08 pm - The judges are, predictably, gushing over Gokey. Even Simon spun his nasty critique into a positive. "The beginning was good, I thought the middle was lazy and the ending was terrific, so overall great."
8:13 pm - Real Coke Moment with Kris Allen. He's telling a story about how he recently rode a ferris wheel at a beach (say what?) and the "instructor" told him to say hi to Adam for him. Don't be offended, Kris. I hear Adam's into carnies.
8:14 pm - Kris wanted to be a taxi driver when he was younger. You talkin' to me, Kris? You talkin' to me?
8:15 pm - Kris Allen's choice from 1985? Don Henley's "All She Wants To Do Is Dance." All I want to do is go to bed. Yawn!
8:16 pm - Kara called his performance "jazz funk homework." Paula liked that he took a "melodically same notes song" and changed it up. Oookay. Simon called it "indulgent, boring, forgettable." I didn't hear what Randy said because I was too distracted by the dude with the shiny bright white teeth behind him. And is that Sara Gilbert behind him, too? Sigh, it's sad that I'm more excited by the audience members in the background, isn't it?
8:19 pm - Lil is named after her grandma, Lilly. That's adorable! I like her even more now.
8:19 pm - OMG and she's singing "What's Love Got To Do With It?" I love her even MORE now!
8:20 pm - Hmmm, but why is she wearing Tina's Mad Max makeup? That was a different album, Lil.
8:20 pm - This performance is a second-hand karaoke rendition. "I've been thinking of a new direction." Yep, and that direction is "home." Oh no, Lil!
8:22 pm - Uh oh, Paula Abdul starts with, "You look very hot tonight." Paula hated it.
8:23 pm - Quick. Someone grab Lil's baby and prop her up on stage. She needs the votes!!!!
8:24 pm - Make this stop! I can't remember a last time the judges were so hard on a contestant.
8:25 pm - Does it get any more adorable than Lil Rounds' accent? Lil, if you get voted off, I'll hire you to do all my outgoing voicemail messages.
8:30 pm - Anoop's spending his Coke Real Moment apologizing for being a douche last week.
8:31 pm - Yay! Anoop's parents got some screen time! They should get their own spinoff show.
8:31 pm - Anoop's singing "True Colors" beautifully. Him on a stool with a guitar and strings accompaniment. So pretty!!! My true colors are slowly showing...and I might just be an Anoop fan after all!
8:32 pm - Ack, Rickey Minor and the Dentist Drills kicked in, and it's a total Star 99.9 Phil Collins cover version arrangement now. No no no! NO! NO! NO!!!
8:33 pm - Wow, from a wonderful massage to a root canal in just two measures of music.
8:34 pm - The judges approve of gentle Anoop, except Simon is telling Anoop not to apologize for being a jerk in the future. Obviously Simon thinks that.
8:35 pm - Seacrest just made a "happy ending" comment. Was he thinking about massages, too?
8:39 pm - Wait a second, is that Channing Tatum movie literally called "Fighting?" That title was 100% focus grouped. Could it get any more generic? I hear that same movie producer has a musical in the works called "Singing," and a tearjerker in the works called "Crying." Interestingly enough, he has a horror movie in the works called, "Seacrest." What's that about?
8:40 pm - HOT MOM ALERT! Scott's mom is super hot! How is she only 4 years older than Scott?
8:41 pm - Scott's doing Survivor's "The Search Is Over." He's playing a guitar! This is totally appropriate! He is an "Idol" survivor. And I have to say, this might be my favorite Scott MacIntyre performance.
8:42 pm - Kara is dissing the Blind Guy for the first time.
8:43 pm - AHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Paula Abdul has lipstick on her teeth. Her transformation into Big Edie Beale is 99% complete.
8:44 pm - Simon wasn't feeling it either. He hated the guitar. (Paula said she'd prefer an acoustic, and Scott quipped, "It's my punk side coming out!" HA!) I liked this Scott performance! What does that say about me?
8:45 pm - Scott MacIntyre just admitted that he's "versatile." Gay men across America just threw up in their mouth.
8:46 pm - Allison was born in 1992. You know what song came out in '92? VIBEOLOGY!! Do it, Allison. Do it!!
8:46 pm - Hmm, instead she's picking Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me." Kimberley Locke had a big week in Season 2 with this track, and I still have that performance on my iPod. You better bring it, Allison!
8:47 pm - Allison is cooing "Turn down the lights, turn down the bed..." I feel like Chris Hansen is going to bust through the door any minute.
8:47 pm - She sang it flawlessly, but is anyone else totally confounded that a 16 year old is singing this song? It is so icky!!!
8:48 pm - Paula: "You know what's so great about having you in this competition? You just hear one note and it's undeniably Allison." Um...one could have said the same thing about Megan "Caw" Joy.
8:49 pm - I. Hate. Simon. Cowell. After an awesome vocal, Simon spends 3 seconds praising her vocals and the rest of his time dissing her lack of a personality. DOHHHHH!!!!
8:50 pm - And I'm starting to like Kara. Only because she gave the girl props. "To take adult content like what's in this song and make it believable and young like you did today, that's talent!" I have to agree with her. I also need to go back and re-watch her performance because I was so off-put by the juxtaposition. It's like if you heard a 6 year old singing a Pussycat Dolls song. Or this.
8:55 pm - Yikes! Matt G is doing "Part Time Lover," which killed Chicken Little in Season Five. It's much better than that, but the smooth jazz arrangement is making me gag a little.
8:56 pm - Okay, I'll give it to him. His vocals are on point.
8:57 pm - The judges have all but 2 seconds to give him praise. But boy, did they love him. I'm happy for Giraud and the Giraud Squad. (Cute name, fan club!)
8:58 pm - Gasp! I forgot we still had Adam Lambert to look forward to / dread, depending on what side of the fence you live on.
9:02 pm - Oh. My. RuPaul. Adam Lambert loved playing dress up as a kid.
9:03 pm - My co-worker, Monty, wins a bet. Since day one, he's been talking about how he knew Lambert was really a redhead with freckles. You win, Monty! HA!
9:03 pm - Adam Lambert is going all "Donnie Darko" on us, singing Tears for Fears "Mad World," but using the Gary Jules arrangement. The good news: it's "restrained" Adam, so my ears aren't bleeding. The bad news: it looks like he's sitting on a toilet on stage. What the...?
9:04 pm - CHILLS! CHILLS!!!
9:05 pm - Pity that anyone who Tivo'd this show is going to miss his performance thanks to "Idol" going over. Not fair. Not fair at all. That was stellar, save for a bum last note. Simon gave him a standing O. I'm a Glambert again! Go Adam!! That was amazing!!!
9:06 pm - This phone number montage is awful. Danny? Boo. Kris? Snooze. Lil? Nutbush City Boo. Anoop? Good. Scott? Not awful...except they showed his screechy high note. Ouch! And then it gets good. Allison: yay! Matt: yay! Adam: hip hip hooray!
But I wanna know what you think! Did a DVR screw your life up? Raise your hand if you're gonna have to watch Adam's performance at Rickey.org or mjsbigblog.com instead of your TV! Did Adam Lambert blow your mind? How did you feel about a 16 year old tackling such a mature song? Was Scott with a guitar and upgrade or a downgrade? And lastly, what profession do you suggest Paula Abdul's recently-fired makeup artist take up now that he/she's out of a job?
Hit me up in the comments. Instead of a shout-out in next week's blog, my favorite commenter of the night will get immortalized in a t-shirt! Yep, whoever cracks me up the most will get a big fat T-shirt shout-out in Thursday morning's "Idol in 60 Seconds" recap. The stakes just got higher, friends!!
Thanks for watching and reading. Maaaad worrrrllllld.
Apr 8 2009 9:22 AM EDT 'American Idol' Recap: Adam Lambert Owns Year-Of-Birth NightAllison Iraheta shows off artistry; Lil Rounds slammed for Tina Turner karaoke. By Gil Kaufman www.mtv.com/search/?q=gil%20kaufman%202009%20american%20idol%20recapswww.mtv.com/news/articles/1608781/adam-lambert-owns-idol-yearofbirth-night.jhtml
As if it wasn't clear before, Adam Lambert proved definitively on Tuesday night that he is the one to beat on "American Idol" this year — assuming everyone actually saw his performance and their DVRs didn't click off when the show went more than five minutes over.
Even if you missed Lambert, though, you saw some serious drama: Another top contender, Lil Rounds, was thrashed by the judges; Scott MacIntyre came in for his first serious criticism; and another favorite, Danny Gokey, did just OK on a night when the singers were allowed to pick a song from the year of their birth.
And, finally, well past the top of the hour, which might have caused some people to miss it, Adam Lambert, born in 1982, chose Tears for Fears' "Mad World." Only, in keeping with his David Cook-like desire to perform unusual twists on songs, he performed it as sung by Gary Jules in the cult flick "Donnie Darko." Seated center stage, bathed in an otherworldly blue spotlight and singing only in his keening falsetto, Lambert stopped the clocks by performing the already dramatic song with perfectly executed stagecraft and hitting a spine-tingling high note at the end. As he has almost every week, Lambert found a way to take a song and make it an event. Due to time constraints (and seemingly also because of the sheer power of the performance), Simon was the only judge to speak, and he simply gave Lambert a standing ovation. 'Nuff said.
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608781/adam-lambert-owns-idol-yearofbirth-night.jhtml
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