Author Archive for Laura Tucker

We’ve been hearing for months that the top 24 of this year’s American Idol is the most talented. It began before the season even started, and we must have heard it several times during both shows this week. The obvious question is, is this really the best talent ever on the show, or is this just more empty promises, similar to The Bachelor and its “Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony Ever?” Here’s a rundown of everything we know of our final 24, from the first time we saw them until their bios popped up on americanidol.com.

Carly Smithson, 24, originally from Dublin, Ireland. She originally tried out in an earlier season and made it to Hollywood, but she didn’t get her visa in time. This time, armed with her visa, she tried out again, but Simon said she wasn’t as good as last time. Making it to Hollywood anyway, she saw a doctor about the problem and found she is allergic to her dog, so wore a mask around the house the entire week before Hollywood. She did well in Hollywood. As for her other talents aside from singing, she claims to be able to pour the perfect pint. Someone I want to know. Continued

Popularity: 27% [?]

The writers’ strike is causing some interesting programming changes on TV. We’re getting more and more reality TV and new game shows, in an effort to get some type of new programming on the tube. This is causing us to have an interesting matchup. American Idol, in a time slot and time never messed with because it works so damn well, and Big Brother, slightly different days and a new time of the year. The interesting thing is they’ll be competing against each other for our viewership.

It would seem that the other networks never had the guts to go against the big dog, American Idol, before. Every time they’re on, they’re at the top of the ratings. Nothing else airing at that time even comes close. Recently, before debuting this season, Simon was asked what he thought the effects of the writers’ strike would be on this season of American Idol, and he felt it wouldn’t have much bearing on it at all, since in the the last three or for years the other networks hadn’t put anything up against American Idol that even made a dent in their viewers.

However, that was before CBS decided to send in the big guns ablazing. For this time period of programming without writers, they decided to return early to one of their reality shows that takes up three hours on three separate nights of the week, Big Brother. Normally, it’s strictly a summer show, but they decided to try a winter/spring edition, and today are admitting that the reason the show is starting out in pairs is because they started it that way in fear the writers’ strike would end before they got the season off, and that way they could pull the plug and end it fairly quickly, getting rid of pairs as they went along.

However, the writers strike isn’t over yet, but there are inklings that it might be. Regardless, Julie Chen, host of Big Brother, is confirming that the show will run its course through the last week of April. That will take it through the meat of the American Idol season which usually ends some time in May. And why is this a problem? Because of Survivor being on Thursdays, that moves Big Brother to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, meaning two out of three days a week, they’ll be going head to head with American Idol.

So who’s going to win this showdown? It’s hard to tell right now. Much has been said about American Idol not doing as well as usual in the ratings, but it’s also been pointed out that the few percentage points they’re down is really nothing in comparison. They’ve had a rather lackluster audition season, but it’s expected to really take off this week now that they’re finally in Hollywood, and starting the final 24 performances next week. They’re just one Sanjaya short of having a blockbuster year.

Will Big Brother be able to make a cut into that viewing? It won’t matter to me, certainly, as I’ll just be TiVoing both, and the only decision for me will be which will I watch live, but not everyone will spend the time to do TiVo. What will your choice be?

For more information on American Idol and Big Brother 9, see SirLinksalot: American Idol and SirLinksalot: Big Brother 9.

Popularity: 26% [?]

I like to think I’m not that out of touch with what’s going on in the music world. Yet, the Grammy Awards never seem to be what I’m listening to. I listen to a top 40 station, as well as a few rock stations, a lite rock station, and some oldies stations, but I haven’t heard half the music that won awards last night. The artists and songs that were much more familiar to me went on to not win.

First of all, Amy Winehouse. I haven’t heard any of her music, and only know of her because of her legal troubles. Yet, she wins best new artist. I had heard of one of her fellow nominees, Taylor Swift, yet hadn’t heard the music of any of those up for new artist. Amy also won Best Pop Female Vocal Performance, and did so over names such as Christina Aguilera, Fergie, Feist, and Nelly Furtado. I’ve listened to Aguilera, have heard of Furtado, but am not a fan, and absolutely adore Fergie’s Big Girls Don’t Cry. So how does someone whose music I’ve never heard win Best Pop Female Vocal?

The same thing applies to Winehouse winning Best Pop Vocal Album over Bon Jovi, Feist, Maroon 5, and Paul McCartney. Record of the Year, too, over Foo Fighters, Beyonce, Rhianna feat. Jay-Z, and Justin Timberlake. Just don’t get it. And Song of the Year over Before He Cheats, Hey There Delilah, Like a Star, and Umbrella. Umbrella and Winehouse’s song are the only ones in that list I’d never heard before. Hey There Delilah was on the radio seemingly every hour on the hour.

Kanye West cleaned up at the awards as well, but at least I’ve not only heard of him and his music, I’ve listened. While his style isn’t generally what I’d listen to, I do enjoy his song Stronger, which won Best Rap Solo over 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Common, and T.I. I’ve heard of many of them, even though I don’t normally listen to rap. He also won Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group for Southside done with Common. He lost out on Best Rap/Sung Collaboration to Rhianna feat. Jay-Z, but won for Best Rap Song with Good Life over another song of his, as well as Crank That (Soulja Boy), a song I have listened to often thanks to my kids. West won for Best Rap Album as well. Vince Gill poked fun at him after picking up the award for Best Country Album, presented by Ringo Starr exclaiming he just got an award from a Beatle, then glanced over at West and asked if he’d done that one yet.

I couldn’t understand Daughtry not picking up a single award. None, despite being nominated in many categories. Every time you turn on the radio, you hear one of his songs, both on top 40 and rock stations. He lost to big rock names such as Foo Fighters, Maroon 5, The White Stripes, and Bruce Springsteen, so he at least has that to make him feel a little better. Fellow ex-American Idol Fantasia lost as well, but Carrie Underwood picked up awards for Best Country Female Vocal and Best Country Song.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was Herbie Hancock winning Album of the Year for his collection of Joni Mitchell tunes. He seemed just as shocked to win over Foo Fighters, Vince Gill, Kanye West, and Amy Winehouse, yet he wasn’t too surprised, as he managed to have a very long acceptance speech prepared which he was cut off from reading in full. Or at least, they tried to cut him off, but he kept on going, saying it’s been a long time since a jazz record won this big.

Perhaps I’m not out of touch, as I know several of these artists and their music, it’s just not always what I prefer to listen to. Yet, even the ones I prefer to listen to didn’t win. I guess in the end run, it’s not too much different than the Oscars, where the movies I watch never seem to win the big awards either. The awards must have much less to do with popularity than they would have us believe. Maybe it’s the Grammy Academy that’s out of touch with what people really listen to.

Popularity: 22% [?]

It’s almost as if they’re creating an all new super power or something. American Idol and Disney World have teamed up, odd since they represent different networks, American Idol on Fox and Disney being with both the Disney Channel and ABC. Yet, they’re putting all that behind to work together.

That’s right. Instead of standing in line with thousands to audition in front of American Idol producers with the hopes of standing in line again to audition in front of Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell, you can stand in line with hundreds to audition in front of a live audience at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and if you win, you’ll bypass the producers at the next auditions and go straight to the line to see the big three.

Duncan Wardle of Disney felt this partnership was important because of the cultural phenomenon that has become the Idol franchise throughout the world. He notes that both Disney and Idol are about making dreams come true. Simon Fuller, American Idol’s creator, adds they give TV viewers the chance every week to imagine what life might be like as a superstar, and he feels Disney’s new American Idol attraction will bring that to the forefront even more.

Visitors to Walt Disney World that choose to participate in this new attraction, expected to open by the end of the year, will get a chance to practice their song in sound booths beforehand, having chosen the song either beforehand on a website, or there at the park that day. If they pass this audition,they’ll have the opportunity to work with a vocal coach before performing in front of a live audience at the park. If they’re the big winner at the end of the day, they’ll continue on, auditioning in front of Paula, Simon, and Randy.

And if you’re not into glove and suspender-wearing mice, how about a cruise? American Idol is also teaming up with Royal Caribbean cruise lines. Late next fall, early winter, they’ll have several cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and headed to both east and west Caribbean. Everything on the cruise will be themed “Idol” with past contestants, parties, and more auditions. Winning this contest will get another ticket straight to the auditions with the Idol judges.

Before you get too excited, remember that Jordin Sparks won a similar type of local Idol competition to progress straight to the Seattle auditions. It certainly provides performers more options, though. If they’ve tried auditioning before, and can’t get past the producers, maybe they’ll have more luck in front of a bunch of vacationers that are tired of standing in line. Maybe.

For more information on American Idol, see SirLinksalot: American Idol.

Popularity: 30% [?]

It’s still hard to believe for us Big Brother fans that we don’t have to wait until summer, getting a bonus season this year thanks to the writers’ strike. We’re still walking around asking people to pinch us, to make sure it’s true. Yet, now that the cast is up at cbs.com, it’s getting a little easier to believe that this Tuesday we start all over again with a brand new cast. Armed with the knowledge that the houseguests will be walking in along with who the show considers their “soul mate,” here’s a quick introduction to them so you can know who everyone is as they walk into the house for the very first time.

Alex, 24, Staten Island, New York, a DJ Entertainment Company Owner. He was raised by a single mom, meeting his dad for the first time as a high school student, yet losing him at the World Trade Center during 9/11. With a bachelor’s degree in business, he’s pursuing his master’s in early childhood education. Being that he’s appeared on a billboard and in a music video, he must also do some modeling/acting. He likes watching soccer and hockey, and has five turtles. His favorite movie is Wedding Crashers. He seems extremely likable, and like a mixture of Nick and Eric from last season.

Ryan, 27, Columbus, Ohio, College Student. With a major in economics and business, Ryan claims to be popular and always the center of attention. He’s also loud, stubborn, opinionated and a troublemaker. Despite this, he has never voted, but plans to this year. He has an American Pit Bull Terrier named Jada. seeing himself as easygoing with a good sense of humor, he is a seeking a woman who is pretty, intelligent, and aware of what she’s doing in life. Yeah, good luck with that.

Parker, 26, Northridge California, Paparazzo. This guy graduated with a degree in radio/television from Soother Illinois and works as a photographer for TMZ. He also spent time in the military, but received a general discharge after not being able to conform to military standards. Also raised by a single mom, he claims to wear his heart on his sleeve, yet is also unpredictable, inappropriate … and authentic, as if all that goes together. His “power of persuasion” could come in handy in the Big Brother house. He once lost 45 pounds and has three tattoos. With two lizards for pets, he also enjoys playing the Ii and laughing at other people’s expense, another thing that could come in handy on Big Brother. He likes to watch Weeds and Desperate Housewives and his favorite film is American Beauty. This guy is quite interesting and could make it pretty far. Continued

Popularity: 33% [?]