Free Republic

Japanese Pop Idol Recast as Junkie Earthquakes, tsunami tidal waves, typhoons, floods and landslides kept Japanese news gatherers busy over the Obon week when Japanese traditionally return home to pay respects to departed relatives who return briefly from the spirit world. It wasn't, however, any act of God that shocked the nation but alleged drug use by singer Noriko Sakai. Manufactured pop idols cranked out by Japan's powerful production companies have dominated Japan's music charts for decades. Sakai, who debuted at 15 in 1987 with squeaky voice, clean-cut image and cute nickname, Nori-P, was one of the most successful winning...

We all know that MSNBC has sunk to below sewer level in its disgusting, slobbering love affair with Barack Obama and its virulent and vile-mouthed hatred of Republicans and Conservatives. Less well-known is the overt racism displayed by its news affliliates in, where else, Chicago, when NBC-Chicago ran the following article by political writer, Steve Rhodes: No Senator SchakowskyLeaves field to rich white boysJune 8, 2009 North Side congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's decision - to be announced today - that she will not seek the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roland Burris is (seemingly) at its heart about money and...

A FROG that constantly changes colour is being worshipped as a GOD in India. Hundreds of curious followers flock to Reji Kumar’s home every day to pray and ask for miracles. Now one of the country’s top zoologists plans to study the rainbow frog. But Reji, 35, who keeps the creature in a glass bottle after finding it while out watering plants, is afraid it might CROAK first. He said: “My one problem is that this frog does not appear to eat. I keep trying to feed it but it doesn’t eat anything. I don’t know what else to give...

That's the argument raging online. "It's difficult not to wonder if Lambert's sexuality played a role in Allen's victory," the Chicago Tribune's TV critic writes. "Though he never said whether he was gay, pictures of Lambert kissing other men appeared on the Internet during Season 8. "If Lambert's popularity on Idol was any indication of how tolerant and accepting America has become, his loss may indicate there's still further to go," continues the Tribune writer. Adds pro poker player (and recent Celebrity Apprentice runner-up) Annie Duke: "I seriously think Adam lost just because he is gay. Bummed. Bummed. Bummed." Blog...

Newsweek speculated that there was a Christian voting bloc that would affect the outcome of the American Idol finale -- and others pondered that there  might be an anti-gay backlash against Adam. (Although no one but he knows for sure what his true inclinations are...)I'm not going to suggest that there wasn't a whole bunch of conservative folks voting for Kris -- I'm certain there were, considering that Idol is one of the few shows that (for the most part) is family friendly and appeals to all ages. But honestly that would be a "Pro-Kris" vote, not an "Anti-Adam" vote.Adam obviously was...

MILWAUKEE — The morning after being voted off America’s most popular reality show, Milwaukee’s Danny Gokey was already planning his next steps — and they don’t involve his music. "During this competition, I have not really put my hands into Sophia’s Heart Foundation," the 29-year-old "American Idol" finalist said in a telephone conference with reporters Thursday. "Right off the bat, I’m gonna call my team, we’re gonna start having meetings. I want to define our goals. "This foundation means so much to me — it is the legacy of my wife and myself here on the Earth," he said. "I...

Simon Cowell has invited President Barack Obama and his family to appear on “American Idol.” The cantankerous chief justice of the supreme show made the invitation via a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. “We would put out an invitation on a daily basis,” Cowell said. “I’d love him [Obama] to come on, his wife to come on, kids to come on. I could only picture now what it would be like if he actually turned up.” As to why the prez should go on the reality show, Cowell crowed, “He’s a rock star.”

. For Ladyinred

“Aware of an Idol” (The Ten Commandments)As we noted, today we begin the season of Lent. In church history, and particularly in our Lutheran tradition, there are several major themes associated with Lent, which often form the basis for services within this season. For example, penitence, repentance, is certainly a Lenten theme, and especially is that so on this first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday. Another Lenten focus is the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, drawn from all four gospels or from just one gospel. Tracking the Passion narrative often is done over a series of midweek Lenten services--we...

American Idol 2009 For Ladyinred

Fox's "American Idol" scored primetime's biggest numbers Tuesday, as auds seemed to tire of inaugural coverage. Sure, ABC did solid numbers for its coverage of the inaugural balls, but news specials on CBS and NBC were not competitive with entertainment programs in their time periods. According to preliminary nationals for Nielsen, "American Idol" dominated Tuesday's opening hour with an 8.9 rating/22 share in adults 18-49 and 22.4 million viewers overall. It was down sharply from last week's two-hour premiere, as expected, but also came in more than 15% below the show's second Tuesday episode of a year ago. Still, it...

NEW DELHI: With Democrat senator Barack Obama busy in the run-up to the US presidential polls, a group of well-wishers in the capital have decided to send him a symbol of his lucky charm, Lord Hanuman, to help him emerge victorious. Obama's representative Carolyn Sauvage-Mar on Tuesday received a gold-plated two-feet-high idol which she will pass it on to the Obama after it is sanctified. The idol is being presented to Obama as he is reported to be a Lord Hanuman devotee and carries with him a locket of the monkey god along with other good luck charms. An hour-long...

"American Idol" contestant David Cook was rushed to the hospital Tuesday night after experiencing heart palpitations throughout the day, TMZ reported. FOX declined to comment on the Cook story, the "American Idol" publicity team told FOXNews.com. Show medics said Cook's blood pressure was "far too high" and urged the aspiring "Idol" to seek treatment, but he did not want to leave until the show concluded, the Web site said. Doctors gave Cook medicine to bring down his blood pressure and released him after a few hours, TMZ said. He was taken to the "Idol" apartments and was "doing fine," People...

Idol contestant, Kristy Lee Cook, brings down the American Idol House tonight with rendition of Lee Greenwood's mega hit: God Bless the USA"Simon says: "Brilliant "

Good Video

Country music star and former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler shares the stage with Pvt. Andrea Mixon, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., during Kellie’s hit ‘Red High Heels’. Pickler visited Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Dec. 8, to help boost Soldier morale by singing six of her songs. Photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs. FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Though she may be best known for her red high heels, country artist and former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler traded her heels for something...

DALLAS, Texas — For the first time in "American Idol" history, a contestant went into labor while waiting with 3,500 hopefuls for her chance to become the next superstar — and auditioned anyway. On Monday, nine months' pregnant Antoria Gillon arrived at Texas Stadium with hopes of becoming the next "American Idol." However, as she waited patiently for her melodic moment, the 20-year-old hair stylist started having contractions. “I didn’t want to turn around after being there all those hours in the heat with people pushing,” said Gillon. “So my friend helped me walk through the line. I wasn’t going...

Funny commercial from an insurance company in Apeldoorn (The Netherlands), featuring Bill Clinton. E5vPDJY1xPE

'Terrorist Idol' Producers of the pop culture phenomenon "American Idol" know that they need good edgy human drama (alternating between personal achievement and total abject humiliation) to attract the tens of millions of viewers who tune in to the Fox TV show each week. Apparently, those in the "Blame America First" crowd believe that they, too, must provide fresh, new material every week in their efforts to undermine the war on terrorism. They're not just advocating surrender in Iraq. They're ready to run from the frontlines in Afghanistan waving a white flag. And don't even mention the threat from Iran...

'American Idol' says sayonara to Sanjaya NEW YORK - Sanjaya Malakar, the under-talented but unflappable singer who horrified and captivated millions in his improbable "American Idol" run, was finally voted off the show Wednesday night. When the result was announced, Malakar wiped away tears and got a big hug from LaKisha Jones, the next lowest vote-getter. "I'm fine," he told Ryan Seacrest. "It was an amazing experience." ADVERTISEMENT "I can promise you: We won't soon forget you," Seacrest replied.

BEIJING - Tears, wild hair and unhealthy songs are banned when China's latest version of "American Idol" goes on the air next month. "No weirdness, no vulgarity, no low taste," the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television said Friday in a notice to the producers of "Happy Boys Voice," according to the official Xinhua News Agency. The talent show, to be broadcast beginning May 1, is a sequel to the hugely popular TV contest "Super Girls Voice" in 2005, which drew more than 400 million viewers. The woman who won that contest became a popular singer in China. But...

Do you think this chocolate Jesus Christ statue is offensive? Yes No AND If singer Sanjaya Malakar wins this year's "American Idol" competition, would it destroy the show? Yes No Don't care

For four long years, life has been brutally unkind to most Iraqis, but Friday night they had one of those rare moments to focus beyond the daily violence that is swallowing their lives. One of their own took first prize in the Arab version of American Idol. In Baghdad, a city that becomes deserted and plunges into darkness after nightfall, residents who had electricity to watch televisions celebrated with gunfire that briefly pierced the quiet just before midnight. Wearing a turquoise evening dress, Shadha Hassoun, wrapped herself with the white, red and black flag of Iraq and broke into tears...

Simon Cowell Will Quit American Idol If Sanjaya Wins By Toshiba Reynolds Mar 10, 2007 American Idol judge Simon Cowell has doomed a wannabe singer's chance of winning the reality Tv talent show contest. Cowell has revealed he'll quit the show if he wins. The acid-tongued British svengali was admittaly stunned when contestant Sanjaya Malakar beat rocker Sundance Head for a place in the final 12 on Thursday night. Cowell says he'll leave the show if the Indian-American singer is crowned the next American Idol. The Minister of Mean says, "He's not going to win. I won't be back if...

I want to hear your comments about the American Idol contestant who sang "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the dixie chicks and was axed.

'Idol' contestant puts Michigan church in spotlightBy SALLY YORK   LaKisha Jones sang in the choir and was baptized at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Mich. (Fox photo)     FLINT, Mich. — For years, LaKisha Jones' powerful voice belonged to the members of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Now, with Jones emerging as the singer to beat on this season's "American Idol,'' it belongs to the world.But echoes of her joyful noise are reverberating all the way back to Mount Zion, where Jones shone in the choir and was baptized.The church phone is ringing nonstop with calls...

Jackson to appear on American Idol? From World Entertainment News Network February 13, 2007 2:16 PM EST Pop star MICHAEL JACKSON will appear on hit reality show AMERICAN IDOL and may even mentor contestants, according to media reports in the US. Jackson is currently working on a comeback and has turned to Idol creator SIMON FULLER to help revive his career. According to RealityTVMagazine.com, the star will have his own "Idol" theme-week and may mentor the talent on the show. Producers of the show have hinted for weeks at a "big event show" during the new season and during a...

Idol" Sparks New Controversy on Access Hollywood By Laura Saltman The show is only back two days and already "American Idol" is sparking controversy. Today the buzz all around my office is about how mean-spirited the show is during the audition rounds. While I was out having dinner, an email came over my blackberry from our music producer, Nancy Harrison, who was on the east coast watching the show, "I must say tonight's episode was quite disturbing. Two of the Seattle contestants--Kenneth and Jonathan--were clearly limited... and the judges still poked fun of them. I found this to be in...

NEW YORK (AP) - "Even the juggling was pathetic." With that cutting blow, Simon Cowell ended Jason Anderson's moment in the spotlight. Anderson, all of 16, stormed out of his "American Idol" audition into his family's arms, obscenities flowing as freely as the tears. High school can be vicious enough. But not as nasty as Cowell, who also told the would-be singer/juggler that he "summed up Minneapolis, mate - useless." The "American Idol" juggernaut has become ever more popular in this, its sixth season. But it sure seems meaner, too. At least that's the talk this week as the judges...

He croons songs including "Frosty the Snowman" on the festive CD 'Happy Holidays.' Billy Idol has stunned his diehard fans by ditching his punk image to record an album of classic Christmas songs. The rocker croons a selection of songs including "Frosty the Snowman," "Winter Wonderland" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" on the festive CD 'Happy Holidays.' And the British rocker insists he had no trouble hitting the right notes, because the songs just flowed out of him. He says, "These songs were a challenge to sing as so many other singers have interpreted them in their own...

NEW YORK - Coming in fourth place on "American Idol" isn't so bad. Chris Daughtry, who was voted off the Fox talent contest's fifth edition in an elimination round, has signed with music mogul Clive Davis in conjunction with 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by "Idol" creator Simon Fuller, RCA Records announced Monday. The 26-year-old North Carolina native will form a band "and has already begun to work with A-list collaborators" to write and record material for an album, expected to be released later this year. Daughtry turned down an offer to be lead singer for the band Fuel...

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 28, 2006 – Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines can now register for a shot at becoming the second Military Idol. 2005 Military Idol winner Sgt. William Glenn (center), an Alabama National Guardsman then stationed in Darmstadt, Germany, receives the winning check from Sgt. Maj. Willie Wilson of the Army Community and Family Support Center while emcee Leeann Tweeden and competitors watch. Photo by Kristy Davies   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation program is based on the premises of Fox's "American Idol." Contestants - whether they're from an active, Guard...

Well, here it is - the final show. The Silver Fox Soul Patrol vs. McPheever.

always for Tammy

I was watching the videos of the American Idol performances and I saw something completely unexpected during the Taylor Hicks performance of "Play That Funky Music White Boy." One audience member is holding a sign that isn't rooting for a contestant - instead it is rooting for our president!Here's the "W" sign, plain as day...It ain't doctored folks - check the video yourself. Now... I wonder how that slipped in? ;)

still for Tammy

Here is a post that was just deleted on the American Idol message boards. Notice that it refers to a DIFFERENT thread that was ALSO deleted: "User "armywife" put up a thread a couple of days ago that described how some troops in Iraq felt about the contestants' performances. She brought a unique perspective to the table since the troops had heard the contestants sing, but NOT seen what they looked like. The troops were from armywife's husband's unit, so NATURALLY many posts were added to the thread saying "God bless," wishing them a safe return, and being generally supportive...

This governor’s race is turning into the political version of “American Idol.” There are differences, of course - the interest level, for starters. A lot of people actually care who wins “American Idol.” And in the local version, the contestants don’t parlay their victory into millions of dollars. In the Beacon Hill version, you pay millions of dollars, and maybe you win. Our first contestant this morning is Lt. Gov. Kerry “Muffy” Healey. She’s all bent out of shape that Christy Mihos has decided to run as an independent. Apparently, Muffy hasn’t figured out she’s got a much bigger problem...

NEW YORK - Is "American Idol" homophobic? The Fox talent show elicited a response from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) after judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson made what the gay rights group deemed questionable comments on last week's premiere episode. On Tuesday's show, seen by a Nielsen-chart topping 35.5 million viewers, Cowell told one male contestant to "wear a dress" and Jackson asked another, "are you a girl?" "The real offense here was in the producer's decision to add insult to injury by turning a contestant's gender expression into the butt of a joke," said Damon...

LOS ANGELES - Former teen idol Leif Garrett is hooked on heroin, his mom says - and she blames hard-partying rock 'n' roll legends like the Rolling Stones for steering her son toward drugs. "Leif idolized rock stars ... that whole life of rock 'n' roll and drugs ... the Rolling Stones. He figured if they could do it, so could he," Garrett's distraught mother, Carolyn Stellar, told the Daily News yesterday.

PASADENA, Calif. - Singer Kelly Clarkson, who vaulted to fame as the first "American Idol" winner in 2002, is not letting any of her songs be used by new contestants on the show. A spokesman for Clarkson insisted it's nothing personal, but the stance prompted a public scolding from "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell. "I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there," Cowell said Tuesday. Clarkson has become a major star in the past year, with her hit "Since U Been Gone" earning both massive sales and critical respect, particularly from a rock...

for Tammy

FORT GORDON, Ga. (Army News Service, Oct. 25, 2005) -- Choked with emotion, Staff Sgt. William Glenn paused while singing the finale number “Courage” after learning he had been named the first-ever Military Idol Sunday at Alexander Hall. Hundreds of Soldiers worldwide competed to make it into the first ever Military Idol competition. Each of the 36 participating Army installations sent forth one competitor to the final Military Idol competition held here. VIPs judge finals, but audience selects After a week of head-to-head showdowns, being judged by country recording artist Michael Peterson, retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley...

"American Idol" Castoff Is Bill Clinton's Secretary in 'Monica! The Musical' in NYMF Kenneth Jones Playbill On-Line 2 hours, 54 minutes ago Frenchie Davis will play President Bill Clinton's White House secretary Betty Currie in the world premiere of Monica! The Musical! beginning Sept. 21 as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. The musical about the sexual scandal involving Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky has been seen in developmental stagings, including a May 2005 workshop in Manhattan. NYMF and P73 Productions, Inc. present the latest production at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Sept. 21-Oct. 2. Casey...

With Diddy at the helm, it was no surprise the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards was hip-hop heavy, but rockers Green Day ruled the night taking home seven awards. Green Day's album "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" earned the California punks seven out of eight awards during the ceremony broadcast live from Miami Sunday night, including Video of the Year, Best Rock Video, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and the coveted Viewer's Choice Award In accepting for Best Rock Video, vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong said, "It's great to know rock music still has a place on MTV." Former "American...

Mark Levy€Herald/Review Spc. Saquawia Funderberk with the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion belts out a soulful song during Friday's Military Idol Contest at the Thunder Mountain Activity Center on Fort Huachuca. FORT HUACHUCA - The post's Military Idol is up for grabs. The first of three rounds to find a singer who will represent the fort at a national military contest kicked off Friday night at the Thunder Mountain Activity Centre. More than 250 spectators came out to cheer on their favorite singer. An hour before the event, fashioned after the successful "American Idol" of TV fame, more than a dozen...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Army News Service, August 4, 2005) – The first round of Military Idol competition began this week on U.S. Army installations around the world. The program, a takeoff of FOX Television’s “American Idol,” will determine which Soldier is the inaugural Military Idol after a final week of singing competition Oct. 17 through 23 at Fort Gordon, Ga. To reach the finals, Soldier-vocalists must first win a competition on one of 36 installations. Depending on the number of local competitors, that process could take from one to eight weeks. The Military Idol program is the brainchild of Coleen Amstein,...

Beverly Hills -- Taking a page from Washington, the producers of "American Idol" and Fox TV hired an independent counsel to determine whether judge Paula Abdul had an affair with a contestant on the hit talent show. "Any allegations against this show we take quite seriously," Fox Entertainment President Peter Liguori said Thursday, calling the competition's credibility "extraordinarily important to us." Liguori refused to say if Fox and producers Fremantle Media and 19 Television would fire Abdul if the claims by Corey Clark, an unsuccessful contestant on season two, were found to be true. The probe's results are due soon...