I finally got a chance to see the VH1 Behind The Music episode of Season Three Miss American Idol finalist, Jennifer Hudson. It really was a great chance to re-live all of the exciting moments of her getting better and better each week. She did a spectacular job singing Circle of Life and Weekend in New England. What a shock it was when she not only ended up in the bottom two, but got sent home so early in the competition. There was such controversy back here in Chicago that night because of the tornado and the phone lines being down for so many fans who would have surely voted for her if they could have. Then of course, the show featured her fabulous return in the movie version of Dream Girls where she was outstanding in the role of Effie White singing And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going. This, changed things forever as she became: Oscar Winner, Jennifer Hudson!
After being brought to tears because of the pride in her amazing success, the show then took our tears to another level covering the tragic murders of her mother, brother and nephew. She has shown wonderful strength being able to carry on with her life, marrying a great man and having a new baby son.
It's also been a great week for the Supreme Miss American Idol, Season Four winner, Carrie Underwood who now has her 10th #1 smash hit song on the Billboard Country songs chart with Undo It. She is now in a very elite group of female country artists achieving this significant feat. Over on the Billboard HOT 100, Undo It is still going strong at #24 this week.
The only other Miss American Idols making a ripple on the Billboard HOT 100 this week are the Season 8 1st Runner Up Adam Lambert at #69 with If I Had You and the Season 3 winner Fantasia at #95 with Bittersweet.
Then of course we have all the news that came out this week about the revolving door of American Idol Judges. It's sad to see the fantastic Ellen Degeneres leave after only one season, but this really never was the perfect fit for her. She needs much more the 10 second sound bites of airtime to be at her funniest. I'm not going to miss Kara at all. She always seemed unnecessary and never really added anything special.
I think the addition of Jennifer Lopez might actually be a good thing. At least she has some pop music credibility to bring to the panel with her extensive history of success on the Billboard HOT 100. She has the following list of #1 hits to her credit: If You Had My Love - 5 weeks at #1 in 1999; I'm Real - 5 weeks at #1 in 2001; Ain't It Funny - 6 weeks at #1 in 2002; All I Have - 4 weeks at #1 in 2003. While these songs haven't really become classics, she knows quite a bit about creating the image and sound that is going to generate sales and airplay.
After the dismal reality that was American Idol Season 9, the show definitely needs a serious makeover. Lee DeWyze has barely made a ripple on the charts with his single so far and the outlook for his album is not good.
Showing posts with label Ellen Degeneres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ellen Degeneres. Show all posts
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Hollywood Week - Season 9
We have finally made it to Hollywood week in Season 9 and we'll have the names of this years top 12 finalists - IN ANOTHER MONTH!!!
While, we're waiting it was nice to see Ellen Degeneres sitting at the judges table for the first time. She was just as insightful and funny as I hoped she would be.
February is Black History Month so our very first black President of the United States invited some of the biggest names in music to perform a celebration of black music at the White House. In addition to legendary names like Natalie Cole and Smokey Robinson, the list included Oscar Winner and Season Three finalist, Jennifer Hudson. She sounded wonderful singing People Get Ready and Someday We'll All Free.
Jennifer Hudson also recently found herself at the #1 position on the Billboard Top Albums chart when she performed Let It Be on the Hope For Haiti Now album.
As we all know from watching Fantasia For Real, she is working very hard to get herself back on the top of the charts. Last week it looks like her record company finally convinced her to reconsider what her first single should be. Fantasia wanted it to be a song called Move On Me, but you just have to look at itunes this week and see that her new single is finally available for download and it's called, Even Angels. It's all the way down at #199 on the itunes sales chart, but at least she has something new out there. She needs something to help her deal with the stress from her ungrateful brothers.
Fantasia's manager arranged for her to meet with a Life Coach who helped her talk through her feelings around having to take care of her family. It was emotional and helpful, but it the next step involved having Grandma come and call for a family meeting. Everybody showed up except for her bratty, arrogant brother, Teeny. It was just more than he could handle at the time.
On his own terms, Teeny decided to secretly go see a performance of his sister in The Color Purple. After six years of letting her support him, he finally saw for himself how much work she has to do to keep the income coming in. He was amazed how she transformed herself into the character and sang so beautifully. This was a big enough realization to motivate him to come home and actually talk to Fantasia again. She was happy to have him back and willing to give him another chance under these conditions - he can move back into the house until January 1st. After that he'll have to move out and take care of himself. She told him she has faith that he will use this time to get his act together and be able to take care of himself.
Fantasia was so happy to share the news with Teeny's ex-girlfriend who immediately expressed that she has no faith that Teeny will be moving out come the first of the year....
While, we're waiting it was nice to see Ellen Degeneres sitting at the judges table for the first time. She was just as insightful and funny as I hoped she would be.
February is Black History Month so our very first black President of the United States invited some of the biggest names in music to perform a celebration of black music at the White House. In addition to legendary names like Natalie Cole and Smokey Robinson, the list included Oscar Winner and Season Three finalist, Jennifer Hudson. She sounded wonderful singing People Get Ready and Someday We'll All Free.
Jennifer Hudson also recently found herself at the #1 position on the Billboard Top Albums chart when she performed Let It Be on the Hope For Haiti Now album.
As we all know from watching Fantasia For Real, she is working very hard to get herself back on the top of the charts. Last week it looks like her record company finally convinced her to reconsider what her first single should be. Fantasia wanted it to be a song called Move On Me, but you just have to look at itunes this week and see that her new single is finally available for download and it's called, Even Angels. It's all the way down at #199 on the itunes sales chart, but at least she has something new out there. She needs something to help her deal with the stress from her ungrateful brothers.
Fantasia's manager arranged for her to meet with a Life Coach who helped her talk through her feelings around having to take care of her family. It was emotional and helpful, but it the next step involved having Grandma come and call for a family meeting. Everybody showed up except for her bratty, arrogant brother, Teeny. It was just more than he could handle at the time.
On his own terms, Teeny decided to secretly go see a performance of his sister in The Color Purple. After six years of letting her support him, he finally saw for himself how much work she has to do to keep the income coming in. He was amazed how she transformed herself into the character and sang so beautifully. This was a big enough realization to motivate him to come home and actually talk to Fantasia again. She was happy to have him back and willing to give him another chance under these conditions - he can move back into the house until January 1st. After that he'll have to move out and take care of himself. She told him she has faith that he will use this time to get his act together and be able to take care of himself.
Fantasia was so happy to share the news with Teeny's ex-girlfriend who immediately expressed that she has no faith that Teeny will be moving out come the first of the year....
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The People's Choice
The 2010 People's Choice Awards were on tonight and as expected, The Supreme Miss American Idol, Season Four winner Carrie Underwood has added yet another award to her collection. Based on the online voting process Carrie won the award for Favorite Country Artist. She was up against Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift and managed to come out on the top of the heap!
Season Five Miss American Idol 3rd Runner Up Chris Daughtry was in the category of Favorite Rock Band, but he ended up losing to Paramore. Season Three finalist and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson was in the category of Favorite R&B Artist but she was up against the biggest superstar of all-time, who of course ended up getting the most votes, Mariah Carey.
And in another instance where there was no competition, in the category for Favorite Competition Show it's no surprise at all that American Idol, still the highest rated show on TV, was clearly the People's Choice and the winner.
As we get closer to the start of the ninth season of American Idol we can look forward to meeting an entirely new group of finalists who will hope to someday be the people's choice. We can look forward to Ellen Degeneres joining as a judge and seeing if any of the music will make an impact on the charts this year. And as a matter of fact, the winner of the People's Choice award for Favorite Talk Show was the Ellen Degeneres Show!
Speaking of having high hopes of having chart impact, Season Five Miss American Idol 1st Runner Up Katherine McPhee is releasing a new album today called Unbroken. In her new video for the single Had It All she's almost unrecognizable from the finalist who stood next to Taylor Hicks when he won the crown as she has dyed her hair blond! Will the music buying public know it's even her? Next week we'll be able to see how well it sells to debut on the Billboard albums chart.
Also coming up this Monday January 11th is the premier of something new and completely different from Season Three Miss American Idol winner Fantasia. She will be starring in her own reality show on VH1. I can't wait to see it and see if she can get some more singles or albums back on the charts as a result of this kind of promotion.
Season Five Miss American Idol 3rd Runner Up Chris Daughtry was in the category of Favorite Rock Band, but he ended up losing to Paramore. Season Three finalist and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson was in the category of Favorite R&B Artist but she was up against the biggest superstar of all-time, who of course ended up getting the most votes, Mariah Carey.
And in another instance where there was no competition, in the category for Favorite Competition Show it's no surprise at all that American Idol, still the highest rated show on TV, was clearly the People's Choice and the winner.
As we get closer to the start of the ninth season of American Idol we can look forward to meeting an entirely new group of finalists who will hope to someday be the people's choice. We can look forward to Ellen Degeneres joining as a judge and seeing if any of the music will make an impact on the charts this year. And as a matter of fact, the winner of the People's Choice award for Favorite Talk Show was the Ellen Degeneres Show!
Speaking of having high hopes of having chart impact, Season Five Miss American Idol 1st Runner Up Katherine McPhee is releasing a new album today called Unbroken. In her new video for the single Had It All she's almost unrecognizable from the finalist who stood next to Taylor Hicks when he won the crown as she has dyed her hair blond! Will the music buying public know it's even her? Next week we'll be able to see how well it sells to debut on the Billboard albums chart.
Also coming up this Monday January 11th is the premier of something new and completely different from Season Three Miss American Idol winner Fantasia. She will be starring in her own reality show on VH1. I can't wait to see it and see if she can get some more singles or albums back on the charts as a result of this kind of promotion.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ellen DeGeneres is New Judge on 'American Idol'
American Idol has found its new Paula: Ellen DeGeneres.
The Fox series has announced a deal that would make the talk show host/comic the new fourth judge on America's top-rated show. She would replace Paula Abdul, who quit "Idol" over the summer due to a salary scuffle.
"I'm thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol," said DeGeneres in Fox's news release. "I've watched since the beginning, and I've always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote."
"I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the American Idol family," said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. "Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can't wait for this next season to begin."
"We're all delighted to have Ellen join our ninth season of American Idol," said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. "Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable. She is one of America's foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team."
DeGeneres has been a major "Idol" fan, featuring contestants from the show on her daytime chatfest on a regular basis. She also came close to guest co-host the show's "Idol Gives Back" charity special last year, but dropped out due to a scheduling conflict.
More recently, however, DeGeneres served as a guest judge on "So You Think You Can Dance," the sister show to "Idol" that airs in the summer.
The Fox series has announced a deal that would make the talk show host/comic the new fourth judge on America's top-rated show. She would replace Paula Abdul, who quit "Idol" over the summer due to a salary scuffle.
"I'm thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol," said DeGeneres in Fox's news release. "I've watched since the beginning, and I've always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote."
"I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the American Idol family," said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. "Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can't wait for this next season to begin."
"We're all delighted to have Ellen join our ninth season of American Idol," said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. "Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable. She is one of America's foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team."
DeGeneres has been a major "Idol" fan, featuring contestants from the show on her daytime chatfest on a regular basis. She also came close to guest co-host the show's "Idol Gives Back" charity special last year, but dropped out due to a scheduling conflict.
More recently, however, DeGeneres served as a guest judge on "So You Think You Can Dance," the sister show to "Idol" that airs in the summer.
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