Attention American Idol 8 Fans!

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Major Announcement

As all of you know, we've been looking for a new host. Well, we've found one!

We've had a great ride on Blogger for the past two years, but it's time to move onward (and upward). Our new site (already up, by the way) has all of the commentary and footage you've come to expect from American Idle. And we expect season 8 to be our best ever.

As of December 15, all of the content on this site will be moved to:

http://www.americanidle.today.com/

Thank you again for your continued patronage.

- BJ

Lots Of Changes Coming To American Idol 8 - American Idol 8

Apparently we haven’t seen anything yet when it comes to changes on American Idol. The eighth season will have the most thus far, taking hints from their neighbor up north as well as borrowing ideas that seemed long over but are now renewed.

Here is the breakdown, according to another Idol blogger:

American Idol will be sticking to its Tuesday/Wednesday schedule - Not a surprise
There will be 3 weeks of auditions, down from 4 the past few years - YES!
Four weeks of auditions, particularly with the bad singers taking up the bulk, had become interminable.
There will be a Top 36, rather than a Top 24 - Hm…
The Wild Card Week will be re-introduced- Hm…
No Thursdays planned- and Hm…
There will be 2 weeks of Hollywood Rounds - In the past, there would be at least 3 episodes of Hollywood, which made for some really compelling TV.
I think the show really suffered when they cut these back to shoehorn in more crappy auditions. This is good news
There will be a Top 12 as in previous years - Just as it should be.
Promotional thrust will have fewer bad singers and more ‘aspirational’ singers. There will be no Idol Gives Back. - Fewer bad singers? Hallelujah.

First off, a few thoughts of my own here. Back-to-back days works better in my view and draws more viewers. So hurray for that. But only three weeks of auditions? Granted, all the singing wasn’t that great…but that’s not the point of the show, anyway. The point of the show was for all of America’s singers to be showcased, good or bad. I think this is a bad move from a marketing standpoint and is one that Idol will regret. Obviously the death of Paula Goodspeed had A TON to do with their decision here. The Top 36 idea has been essentially stolen from Canadian Idol. Whatever.

Other than that, the fact WildCard week is being reintroduced is good, because it will always leave us viewers on the edge of our seat wondering who’s coming back. I’m gonna throw out a name and that person is…David Osmond. While it may be true that Osmond is cut during Hollywood Week (and nobody seems to know for sure) I could see Idol trying to spruce up their ratings (and gain Mormon viewers). While you may well hear somebody tell Osmond he’s not good enough, in TV land that just means “Go back and we’ll call you when we’re ready.”

Finally, thank God somebody finally listened to me about Hollywood Week being too long (lol). Actually I don’t have that kind of pull. But I’m glad we don’t have to see what amounts to pithy soap operas with more editing than a porn film. It’s ridiculous and Idol knows it. It’s somewhat disheartening that Idol Gives Back is not gonna be a part of our viewing, but companies are cutting back, you know.

Amanda Overmyer Performs “Dude Looks Like A Lady” - American Idol 7 - Amanda Overmyer

I don’t know if Amanda Overmyer believes in self-fulfilling prophecies but she must if she has the cojones to perform “Dude Looks Like A Lady,” since the comparison has been made before.

LOL Anyway, in support of her new album “Solidify” Overmyer is performing at Chicago’s Elbo Room and it comes courtesy of Dave from Vote For The Worst. Thanks Dave. It's dark (per usual in a nightclub) but it's there and you can kind of make out Amanda's face. Sort of.

Now seriously, go out and pick up “Solidify;” it’s a good album with some excellent songs, and even though I like to tease an Idol every now and again, Amanda Overmyer is the real deal.

“American Stars” Holiday Tour Having Issues - American Idol - David Hernandez, Kimberley Locke, Chikezie, Vonzell Solomon, Diana DeGarmo

Remember how we told you the “American Stars In Concert For The Holidays” tour starring David Hernandez and Chikezie and others was in gear? Well, it is, but reports it’s been successful are premature. One newspaper is reporting that their local theatre slashed prices for its concert from $50 to $25.

But of course, in true PR fashion the person in charge of ticketing at the theatre said it was because of a weak economy. Yeah, whatever.

The tour itself is garnering mixed reviews, mostly good.

Michael Johns Sings “Another Christmas” - American Idol 7 - Michael Johns

We have some video of Michael Johns’ soon-to-be-released song “Another Christmas.”

Warning: It’s somewhat annoying because the first 50 seconds are comprised of the “filmmaker” yapping on her damned cell phone. Stop already and let us listen to the song. After the 50 second mark, you can hear the song and it sounds well constructed, with a clear message. I think it’s the modern version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

From what I could gather, the song sounds great and Johns may have a nice Christmas hit on his hands. He performed the song at Legoland in California recently during their annual tree-lighting. Looking festive in his Santa hat, Johns let his voice do the talking. Amen.

Nadia Turner Speaks Out On World AIDS Day - American Idol - Nadia Turner

Wow, it’s been a LOOOONG time since the ex-Miami Dolphins cheerleader has had her name in the spotlight. But on World AIDS Day, guess who’s back in it? If you said Nadia Turner from season 4, I’d call you a liar.

But here she is, talking to her friend (um, fellow actor) about keeping the glove on your man’s love handle when you’re doing the nasty. In other words, safe sex is the best way to avoid contracting AIDS, or the virus that causes AIDS.

Turner returned from a USO tour in Afghanistan in August and is currently recording tracks for a new album. So look for something from Nadia sometime soon!

On Turkey Break Until Monday, December 3

This blog's on vacation until Monday, December 3.

For up-to-date Idol news, go to www.americanidle.today.com

Thanks, BJ

Daughtry On “CSI: New York”? Yes, It’s True - American Idol - Chris Daughtry

Daughtry’s done a lot of things in his music career, gone platinum, won numerous awards and played sold-out arenas. One thing he’s never done, to my knowledge (if you wanna check on this, my mighty readers, go ahead) is star on a hit TV show.

He may get more work after playing a certain “Mac Taylor” character, one of 23 such Mac Taylor’s in the hit TV episode. He’s basically playing a jerk, but that’s the way things go in “Actorland.” He even gets into a shoving match with a different “Mac Taylor!!” (FYI it’s Scott Wolf from the hit FOX TV show “Party Of Five” from way back when.)

What’s more is he’s never played a bad guy to my knowledge, so it’s somewhat refreshing to watch him do a bit of a star turn on something other than picking up a microphone and screaming into it. He may be on to something here.

David Cook Discusses New Album On “Wal-Mart Soundcheck” - American Idol 7 - David Cook

With his new album out in stores today David Cook is on a promotional tour trying to get the word out about his self-titled gem. It's great! I already have it!!

You can also buy it here

He does so on Wal-Mart Soundcheck, which is geared toward having more knowledge of the making of the album, as well as the meaning behind some of his songs. For those who want the full experience, you can go to the site directly

David Cook's performance on Soundcheck
by soundcheck2008