Groshan Fabiola asked:


Dolly Parton and American Idol fans are disappointed to hear that the country singer popularly known for her bumpers–err, “Jolene” hit back in the 1974 has declined an offer to become a judge on the reality singing competition.

The now 61-year-old Dolly Parton, who was born and raised in Sevierville, Tennessee, started performing at a young age and later on went to record various albums under different record labels. Some of her hits never made it into the Billboard Top 100, but her single “Jolene,” which was produced by Bon Ferguson, became a hit when it was released in 1974.

For its upcoming season, American Idol planned to produce an episode which was entirely devoted to the legendary country singer. FOX had invited her along to be a judge for the episode, however, she turned down the offer because she believed she was too nice to critique some wannabes from America’s most popular singing competition.

“I won’t be a judge. I couldn’t do that. I can’t tell people they aren’t doing a good job even if they ask me,” Dolly Parton said. “To tell someone if they’re good or bad, or if they **** isn’t me.”

Instead of serving as a judge on the Dolly Parton tribute episode, however, the country singer instead agreed to work with the contenders backstage by giving them tips and teaching them her songs.

In other American Idol news, Mandisa Hundley of season 5 celebrates her birthday tomorrow, October 2, and what more could she ask for as she blows her birthday candle when she’s topped the Christian albums charts with her first album, True Beauty. Aside from her singing career, Hundley had also written her first book entitled Idol Eyes, after her stint on the reality singing competition. Released in May 2007, Idol Eyes by Mandisa Hundley chronicles her struggles with low self-esteem and food addiction.

For more resources about Dolly Parton Declines to be American Idol Judge While Season 5’s Mandisa Tops Album Charts or for the full story of American Idol please review this link http://www.buddytv.com



Kelly

Erie Capipe asked:


If you have ever stopped and watched the show, you have no doubt noticed that there are several people who manage to be extremely successful without actually winning the show. With this in mind, how is it possible for people to ultimately be successful if they do not win? Who really were the winners on American Idol? Yet at the same time, there are several people who are capable of winning the show but yet never manage to find ultimate success. The horrible reality is most people are not capable of finding true success on the show.

With so many people trying out for American Idol each year it is extremely important to locate the best talent in the country. At times, this can be really easy to do, however on other occasions it can be much more complicated as people struggle to determine which contestants are really best. With a large number of contestants, there are plenty of opportunities to learn exactly what it is that you are looking for in a musician. Nevertheless, while we as viewers are afforded the ability to truly select what we want for the American Idol, it is much harder for the contestants to determine what they need to do to be truly successful.

For many idols, the dream of being truly successful is extremely hard to actually fulfill. For other contestants it is something that is extremely easy to accomplish. For example, contestants such as Chris Daughtry are capable of pulling the audience into their performances, which can make it extremely easy to go on to a truly successful recording contract. As you have no doubt noticed, there are several former American Idol contestants who have been faced with extremely bad commercial success after winning the show.

One of the best examples of this is the small size of the careers of winners like Fantasia, Taylor Hicks and even Ruben Studdard. While artists like Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks and even Kelly Clarkson have gone onto astronomical success. The newest winner, David Cook is just getting started after winning and it is unclear just how successful he will really be. With a truly great appeal it is possible that he can go onto become the next Carrie Underwood, but he could turn out to be the next Taylor Hicks instead.

Regardless of which end of the spectrum each contestant falls, there is nothing at all that guarantees success. Of course, the show itself always takes pride on ensuring that at least the winner is offered a recording contract, however much beyond this is left to the actual contestant and the type of music that they select to pick out. Many people might think that each of the winners will go onto huge success, but as prior indications have shown, this is sometimes far from the actual truth.

For the contestants who are lucky enough to find total success it is a great accomplishment. However, it is very important that the other contestants not be ruled out as well. There are often times when the contestants who do not actually win the show go on to be much better commercial success than the actual winners. Just take a look at Season 5; while Taylor Hicks was the actual winner, Chris Daughtry has been much more successful. This could even lead you to question whom ultimate won the show, while Taylor walked away with the number one position, Chris has walked away with awards, more money and much more commercial success.

Watching each contestant develop into someone that you are actually interested in watching grow professionally can be a lot of fun. There are several times when it is lots of fun to watch the underdeveloped contestants grow into actual artists. With plenty of opportunities to prove themselves, American Idol does allow plenty of great artists a perfect springboard for their musical career, how they choose to use their springboard varies, but after being sent home as a 4th place contestant I’m sure Chris Daughtry would agree that winning the actual contest is not all that matters.



Jo

D Ruplinger asked:


Yes, it was only a little less than five years ago, June 11, 2002, when American Idol was first televised and a show bigger and more popular than most people could have imagined was born. Today it would be hard to find a person in America who hasn’t at least heard of American Idol. Love it or **** it, it is an American icon of a show that doesn’t show signs of slowing down. In fact, it only seems to be getting bigger.

What was the first season like? The first two shows were dedicated to the judges, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell going to auditions (held in Chicago, New York, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles) and finding contestants to send on to Hollywood week. One hundred twenty one contestants made it to Hollywood to try to earn one of the 30 spots to move on to the rounds where the public started voting.

During weeks three, four, and five of the show, 10 of the 30 contestants performed. America voted and only 3 out of each group of 10 moved on. Then, on week six, five wildcard contestants returned to the show with the judges picking one of those contestants to go on, for a total of 10 contestants in the final rounds.

The following week, two contestants were sent home. Then the show started eliminating contestants one by one until there were only two contestants left.

Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini were the season one finalists. Kelly took the crown on September 4, 2002 and has gone on to become a very successful pop artist with a couple of Grammy awards to her name, several hit songs, and several highly successful albums. She’s become one of the top names in pop music.

After the first season ended, Kelly and Justin made a movie aptly titled “From Justin to Kelly,” but their American Idol popularity didn’t transfer to the big movie screen. The movie was a flop, although the poor plot may have had a lot to do with its terrible performance.

Although the runners up in later seasons of American Idol have had as much, and sometimes more, success than the winner, that wasn’t the case season 1’s runner-up, Justin Guarini although the American Idol rules at that time probably contributed to his difficulties. At that time the Idol rules didn’t allow Justin to release any albums or taking outside offers of any kind until Kelly’s album was released. He was forced to turn down several offers to appear on television shows, to model for Tommy Hilfiger, and doing the soundtrack recording for at least one film.

By the time Justin was allowed to release his own album, he was competing with the releases of the Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, the season two winner and runner-up. His appearances on the newly syndicated show, American Idol Rewind, seem to be helping him gain more notice again.

Tamrya Gray, who finished fourth on the show, has been doing okay. She has released her first album to tepid sales, but has had some success with several acting projects she has done.

Nikki McKibbin, who finished third the first season, has struggled since American Idol ended but she is finally getting back to her musical roots. Her debut album is slated to be released May 1, 2007.

The most current season of American Idol, season 6, will have several more episodes in it than the first season. Another notable difference is that during Hollywood week the judges (yes it’s still Randy, Paula, and Simon) decide who the top 24 contestants are. Then for three weeks, the guys and girls sing on different nights and only compete among themselves. Each week, 2 guys and 2 girls are eliminated. Then when there are 6 guys and 6 girls left, those final 12 will start to compete head to head, regardless of gender.

Even if you aren’t a fan of singing, you may want to watch the show just to see Simon Cowell, one of the judges, spew his very creative criticisms of the contestants each week. It’s a fun show.



Ruby

Groshan Fabiola asked:


This whole Antonella Barba thing has gotten way, way, way out of control. Think about it. This is an American Idol contestant, a 20 year old girl, who has done absolutely nothing wrong. Yet, people are calling for her head. Here’s the situation for those of you who don’t follow online gossip blogs. This girl, Antonella Barba, is a top 20 finalist on American Idol. She is in college and while in college, it looks like she had some racy photos taken of her. These photos don’t show any explicit nudity, and look to be taken only for private use. Somehow, they made their way to the internet, and now it has become a “scandal”.

Are you kidding me? Is this what our society has come down to? That a girl can’t dress scantily clad, have photos taken of her, without invoking the wrath of the masses. One of the big issues here is that people take offense to photos of her in a wet t-shirt being taken in the Washington DC war memorial. If you think seriously for a second, you will realize how ridiculous it is to be offended by ******* when war is a topic of discussion. The two are so far apart in the spectrum of life that people just need to relax.

Anyway, American Idol needs to make sure they do nothing rash, and leave this girl on the show. If they were to kick her off, how would that reflect on FOX and the American Idol producers. This girl has done nothing wrong and deserves to continue competing on American Idol.

For more information about American Idol or even about American Idol: The Antonella Barba Situation please review this website http://www.buddytv.com



Pedro

Groshan Fabiola asked:


Apart from budding talents, American Idol is known for its knack to popularize and sensationalize its participants. Its current sixth season has undeniably showcased a number of controversial personalities, whether about the show’s participants, its infamous judges or its former contestants. The most controversial at present is the finalist Sanjaya Malakar who has been the subject of several media outlets for nearly a whole month now.

Sanjaya, a 17-year old native of Federal Way, Washington, attended Shorecrest High School and transferred to Todd Beamer High School. However, he left school to pursue a career in the music industry. He tried out for American Idol in Seattle, Washington and has now made it as one of the top 9 finalists.

Aside from his questionable survival on American Idol, Sanjaya hits the spotlight once more with his much talked about “ponyhawk” hair, referred by host Ryan Seacrest. Apparently, the hype of Sanjaya’s hair prompted someone to take advantage of the all the hullabaloo and transform it as a lucrative opportunity. At present, a lock of Sanjaya’s hair is on Ebay with a starting bid of US $0.01.

The ad on Ebay says, “Find the Idol Grail…the Hair of Sanjaya! Now some of you may profess devotion to Melinda Doolittle or one of the other talented contestants that grace this stage but you all know, deep in your hearts, that the true star of this, nay, all seasons, is Sanjaya’s Flowing locks.

This is your only chance to own your very own piece of musical history!

Think of the possibilities; knitting, voodoo, tea! Don’t let this opportunity to pass you by, the Nigel-Troopers are now on alert so it won’t come again. Act now!”

Authentic or not, it appears that fans and spectators alike are getting wiser in moot offers such as this. So far, it has only obtained 1 bid since the order opened March 27.

For more resources about American Idol and especially about Sanjaya’s Hair on Ebay? Or American Idol Hoax? please reivew this website http://www.buddytv.com



Teresa

Groshan Fabiola asked:


If, in fact, Sanjaya would be hailed winner of American Idol season six, it wouldn’t be the end of the world…that is for anti-American Idol fans that are believed to have sabotaged the popular reality show by voting for the weakest contestant.

Over the past years, American Idol has been popularly known for showcasing talented and highly endowed artists just like previous winners such as Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino and Kelly Clarkson, as well as other finalists who have also established their names in the entertainment industry like Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson. Although there are some slips of a few unfavorable participants, the show, for the most part, has maintained an ideal concept of what takes to be an American Idol winner.

However, with American Idol season six, there seems to be a change of direction for the viewers of the said show. The viewers, whether comprising of pro-Idol fans, anti-Idols or even die hard Sanjaya fans has ultimately placed the controversial contestant to a pedestal. If there is even some truth to it, or even if it is just pure gossip, it’s hard to imagine the possibility of Sanjaya ending up as the champ.

While Sanjaya appears to be a very amiable person, this doesn’t change the reality that there are far better players on the competition who have been sent home. And as a result of Sanjaya’s retention over eliminated contestants who have shown more promise and potential, many viewers are disappointed and saddened by the unimaginable outcome. As a matter of fact, there is even an ongoing hunger strike assembled by some American Idol fans just to stress a point.

Sanjaya Malakar, 17-year old from Federal Way, Washington, performed with the Hawaii Children’s Theater prior to his inclusion on American Idol season 6. He auditioned in Seattle with his older sister however only Sanjaya penetrated the Top 24.

For more resources about American Idol or especially about Sanjaya Winning American Idol? please visit http://www.buddytv.com



Rebecca

YoItsTravo asked:


Does it cost any kind of money to wait in the immense line to tryout for american idol?

Pearl

Anthony Reyes asked:


American Idol is perhaps the biggest singing competition in America these days, and it’s really not hard to see why. Broadcasted over Fox Network in the United States, it is aired internationally in more than 100 countries outside the United States such as; Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and India. And with viewer ratings ranging from 9.9 million viewers during the first season up to 37.7 million in the sixth season, this singing competition, which has also been dubbed as a reality show, is undoubtedly one of the most phenomenal programs to be broadcast on television.

In fact, American Idol has come to be regarded by many as an authoritative television executive, a force to be reckoned with, such that even rival television networks have come to rearrange their program schedules around American Idol in order to diminish their losses. Fox has even accordingly used American Idol to publicize and promote its other programs during its airing. Needless to say, American Idol is a major advertising hotspot for some of the biggest companies and products in the United States.

American Idol was created by British show business mogul, Simon Fuller, in 2002 and the main thrust of the show is to search for the best singer in the United States through a succession of singing contests. Contestants are filtered from literally hundreds of aspiring American Idol hopefuls across the United States. During the initial auditions, contestants are screened and chosen by four judges; recording producer Randy Jackson, Grammy award-winning pop songstress, Emmy award-winning choreographer and dancer Paula Abdul, music manager and mogul Simon Cowell. Recently added, was the multi-Grammy nominated songstress and composer Kara DioGuardi.

Judges decide the top 24 contestants who then face off in a series of weekly competitions, each with different themes. Examples of themes that have been used include disco, big band, Motown, Billboard hits, and even featured singing artists like Dolly Parton, Elton John, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Queen, Barry Manilow, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, The BeeGees, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Rod Stewart, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Neil Sadaka. It is during this later stage of the show when the public vote is used to decide the top 12, eventually narrowing it down to the top 2 by voting a contestant out every week.

American Idol is hosted by Ryan Seacrest who used to host game shows for children. In the first season, he co-hosted the show with funnyman Brian Dunkleman.

First aired with little fanfare as a summer stand-in television show in 2002, American Idol has since developed and grown an immense fan base all through to its eighth season this year. Needless to say, the show has produced award-winning and popular singing artists, starting off with the winners of the first seven seasons, namely Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood, and David Cook. Noteworthy are also the runners-up of the first seven seasons, who are Justin Guarini, Blake Lewis, Clay Aiken, Diana DeGarmo, Katharine McPhee, Bo Bice, and David Archuleta.

 



Denise

Groshan Fabiola asked:


En route to a performance in Tulsa, Oklahoma, American Idol’s Clay Aiken came face to face with an irate woman and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). According to reports, the American Idol stalwart was aboard a Continental plane bound for Tulsa last Saturday, when a female passenger confronted him because he had placed his foot on her arm rest. Apparently, and understandably, the woman was upset over where Aiken had chosen to put his foot. While there didn’t seem to be any all-out brawl, there are reports that the American Idol runner-up did get a bit of a shove.

To add to the drama, the FBI got into the act. In line with the current terror alert in the U.S., the Feds came aboard upon reports of the mid-air fracas. The passengers were temporarily held and questioned regarding the incident. Fortunately for Clay Aiken, no charges were made and he did make his way to his concert in Oklahoma.

During the show, which took place at the Brady Theater in Tulsa, Aiken reportedly made light of the plane episode. Concert-goers were quoted as saying that the American Idol alum joked candidly about being beaten up by a woman.

In related news, the 28-year old Aiken explained how his foot “wandered” to the other passenger’s arm rest.

Aiken told Entertainment Tonight, “While sleeping on a plane over the weekend, my foot evidently found a home on the arm rest of the passenger seated directly in front of me. I didn’t realize I was causing the woman any distress until she woke me up with a quick hit to the chest.”

“Unfortunately, being that this happened on a plane, the FBI was called in to investigate and eventually we were all sent on our way,” the singer continued.

Finally, Clay Aiken thanked people for their support and assured everyone that he will try to avoid any repeat of the incident. “I’d like to thank everyone for their concern; I am fine and have taken steps to prevent any foot wandering in the future.”

For more resources about American Idol or for the full story of American Idol: Clay Aiken is Shoved on an Airplane; FBI Involved please review this link http://www.buddytv.com



Esther

the_ball_player32 asked:


I have at&t. They only offer David Cook’s be my baby for only like 10 seconds and i would like a long ringtone. Does anyone know where i can get the ringtone(or any other american idol ringontes) for free?

Rhonda