Crisis averted. With a #1 single and album, Kelly Clarkson has been rescued from the “Might her career be over?” pile she was thrown on following the record company dispute that served as the backdrop to the campaign behind her third album, “My December”. And good for her. Although I don’t think she’s much beyond a very good singles artist, she seems like a perfectly normal, grounded girl.
So anyway, her new video. It’s for the song “I Do Not Hook Up”, which was co-written by “American Idol” judge Kara Dioguardi and Katy “I Kissed a Girl” Perry. It’s a cute little record, and the video has a fun vibe which adds to the song’s flavor. Needless to say, I like it a lot more with a visual attached to it than I did initially. Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think.
According to Billboard.com, changes might be in store for American Idol’s 8th season. If adding a fourth judge (Kara DioGuardi) wasn’t enough, here are the other rumored changes that are supposed to be announced later on Monday along with my thoughts underneath. (Feel free to add your thoughts below in the comments section.)
Less audition shows and more Hollywood shows.
To me, this is a strong move as I don’t usually pay attention to the goofy audition shows. However, I do know people who only watch the audition shows and lose interest once they move to Hollywood.
Instead of the top 24, there will be a top 36.
I’m not so sure this is as strong of a move. Usually, there are questionable selections in the top 24 and it’s not all that hard to whittle down. You can tell the difference and rarely am I ever surprised with more than one or two that make the final twelve. I wonder if they’re opening it up because they think they’ve missed on a few in the past?
The wild card round will return.
I always loved this idea. There have been some good choices by the judges and some bad ones as well (Carmen Rasmussen anyone?). But it adds a sense of unpredictability to the selections. It also gives the judges a bit of power to put someone back on that America gets wrong.
“Idol Gives Back” will be every other year.
I’m not necessarily a fan of that particular show, but I always thought the idea behind it was great and showed that while American Idol is usually all about American Idol, it can also be about giving back. I think it’s a mistake, but then again, maybe they think they need to focus on the core show this year.
What does everyone else think? The show is very long in the tooth, but it still delivers the ratings. Are these changes good for the longevity of the show?
Sheryl Crow (pictured here in concert this summer) continued lending star power to causes when she serenaded Senator Barack Obama with Strong Enough.   Crow previously had run afoul of Republican henchman Karl Rove and has spents campaigning for the Democratic candidate while using her summer concert tour to bash Bush supporters.   We appreciate the cancer survivor’s emotions, but wonder if that particular tune is just a little skeevy.
BNL Singer Crash Lands Plane Like A Stunt Man!
Meanwhile the BNL Train may have left the station early. Lead singer Ed Robertson and three other people survived a small plane crash according to CNN.  Robertson reportedly was piloting the plane in Ontario with his wife and another couple when Robertson (the tall, dark haired one) put his Cessna down without anyone getting a scratch. Fellow Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page (the blonde, pudgy one) is currently on bail awaiting trial for an arrest for cocaine possession earlier this summer.   Page’s issue is one for the courts, but landing that plane sounds scary-amazing.
American Idol Adds Talent To Judge’s Talent, America Looks For New Catchphrase
Industry bible Variety may have tried the hardest to draw a line between American Idol adding songwriter and music company exec Kara DioGuardi to its panel and the departure of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, but even the venerable entertainment site couldn’t pull off the connection.  There are still no details about the AI move, but we know our Movie/TV Help Web partner Ailsa is going to have to update her cast list to make room for Kara. What will a coherent female judge mean for everyone’s favorite karaoke show? My own internal poll shows indifference. George is excited whenever anyone behind the scenes makes it big, but GG thinks having someone else around will kill the Ryno-Simon banter.  Last year was a chore to watch for me, so I don’t know if I care.
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Either Way Things Work Out, JoJo Had A Bad Night
Did anyone see Jo-Jo (our bud from ’90s group Jodeci and K-Ci make the YouTube rounds? JoJo hits the ground, K-Ci says it was a “seizure” and nearly one thousand YouTube commenters say JoJo may not need anti-seizure medicine just yet.
K-Ci says it was a “seizure”…most sane folks think it was…um, something else.
Biggie Still Dead, Still Making Money For Other People
Faith Evans’ biggest claim to fame is most likely being Biggie’s lady, but props to Njai Joszor over at Singers Room for a great review of Evans’ tell-all book. Seems Biggie and Lil (Kim, not Wayne) stories were true, if you believe in Faith.
