Canadian Idol Fans Watching American Idol

[ross 1]

and yeah he did win.. so it's not like he doesn't have any fans, lol.

SleepinIn, I went looking for a YouTube video when I read this, but I couldn't find it. I saw it yesterday. It was Kris and Katy exiting Staples Center Sunday night, "surrounded by adoring fans," as they say. Fans getting autographs, taking pictures, etc. There was a huge bodyguard walking behind them -- at least, I'm pretty sure that's what that guy was. So, yeah, he's officially a celeb now, with plenty of fans.

Oh, yeah: and I was in the supermarket yesterday and there was a picture of Kris on the front page of the Globe (tabloid) with the headline: "Idol Kris Fights To Save His Marriage!" Ha.

What will the tabloids do with Adam's Kris crush? Hey, did that news even surprise you guys? I assumed Kris was his type based on the pix of his previous boyfriends.

Claude Kelly...I caught this news on TWoP. Just looked for his most recent "tweet." He wrote: "session done! on to the NEXT SESSION! shout out 2 ALL the Kris Allen fans that showed mad love...ur awesome!" (That was because of what he asked, earlier: "In the studio with the American Idol, Kris Allen.this guy is effin awesome! Are there any Kris fans out there?? Come say hi!")

Woah. Session done--? That was quick. I wonder what a songwriter for Kelly Clarkson wrote for Kris? *shudders* Funny, missaddicted, every time I hear Kelly's MLWSWY, I can't help thinking of you. I always think: "How can she like this song?" lol

Anyhow I really hope Kris doesn't end up with overproduced top 40 junk on his CD.

missaddicted, thanks for sharing those DC posts. I wasn't impressed by Adam's RS stuff, either. He should stick to singing. Not sure what he was thinking. I think Adam is all about his ambitions, and he figures being runner up on AI will only take him so far. I think he wants to seem edgy and adult, now. Mix it up, defy people's expectations. Get attention now, explain/apologize later. Hey, it worked for Jacob Hoggard. Only thing is, Jacob somehow remained likeable and funny, and Adam just seems crude and a little desperate.

This is an in-depth article from an Arkansas paper: From Conway To Glory.

EW magazine piece and cool picture: I missed this article originally, though I did end up buying People, because there was a story on Kris. Sad, eh?
Page 1, page 2.

Slezak: Rocker signed!

 

[missaddicted]

I wonder what a songwriter for Kelly Clarkson wrote for Kris? *shudders* Funny, missaddicted, every time I hear Kelly's MLWSWY, I can't help thinking of you. I always think: "How can she like this song?" lol

LOL! I guess I like overproduced top 40 junk sometimes! "Sometimes" being the key word here. Kelly is really the only female pop (top 40) singer that I like. Britney, Christina, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Miley, Fergie, etc, they all leave me cold. I prefer KT Tunstall, Missy Higgins and Lisa Hannigan. And Emily Haines, singer of the band Metric. I actually really like all of Kelly's most recent CD. I love "I Do Not Hook Up", her most recent single... which was actually written by our dear Kara and Katy Perry (please, kill me now!).

Now, I totally have the image of Kris as a kid singing and dancing in his room, listening to Michael Jackson. I can totally relate, having done the same thing as a kid!

Thanks for the Arkansas paper article, I'll have to read it tomorrow, it's getting late!

 

[SleepinIn]

I saw that exit video from the Staples centre!! It was crazy. I'm glad they have body guards ( and I don't know how long they last) but they really do need them. The public demands for their attention must be insane from both random folk and the press. I'd be hiding in a room somewhere afraid to go out, lol.

I don't mind Top 40 stuff at all - but it can't be all I listen to. I need to balance it off with other stuff that doesn't get the airplay.

BTW: (Metric and Emily Haines = Love) If anyone wants to sing a Metric song on Idol....well, -- love, love, love. I'd so vote for them. (or want to vote for them)

 

[SleepinIn]

That was a nice article from the Arkansas paper Ross. I had to laugh when they talked about his return to Arkansas and compared it to the King of Arkansas returning. lol - It was a little like that.

 

[ross 1]

That was a nice article from the Arkansas paper Ross. I had to laugh when they talked about his return to Arkansas and compared it to the King of Arkansas returning. lol - It was a little like that.

How did I miss that line? Must re-read...

Adam is supposed to be on 20/20 this week...whatever night it's on, I never watch it. Friday? Hm, do you think Kris can maybe say he's gay, just for a week or so? I mean, the publicity is fantastic. I'm sure Katy wouldn't mind. Or they need to make a baby, stat. Quintuplets. Then get into a public brawl. You know, the usual stuff.

(off topic: BTW, interesting discussion going on on TWoP-CI thread about how to "fix" CI when it returns, or if.)

I just hope they don't ignore Kris completely to promote Adam but I think in the long run Kris's talent is going to win some of the doubters over. He has too much talent not to.

I have a feeling this tortoise-hare thing will play itself out in the usual way. Kind of like Affleck being bigger than Damon for a while, but then people respecting Damon more overall as time went by.

LOL! I guess I like overproduced top 40 junk sometimes! "Sometimes" being the key word here. Kelly is really the only female pop (top 40) singer that I like. Britney, Christina, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Miley, Fergie, etc, they all leave me cold. I prefer KT Tunstall, Missy Higgins and Lisa Hannigan. And Emily Haines, singer of the band Metric. I actually really like all of Kelly's most recent CD. I love "I Do Not Hook Up", her most recent single... which was actually written by our dear Kara and Katy Perry (please, kill me now!).

You left out Pink. Btw, I thought you liked Poker Face.

I dislike Kelly intensely, as a singer, though she seems like a nice person. It may have to do with World Idol. Zack Werner's "shouting with tone" comment. Every time I hear her I think of that. I like somebody with a little nuance, artistry, vulnerabilty? I don't know. She's like a singing machine.

Of the stuff I hear on "pop" radio, I actually like 3OH!3's Don't Trust Me. It's kind of punky, which I like. And I like Kanye. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but even before Kris covered it I loved Heartless. That is a great song -- even if Kanye can't sing.

I keep meaning to say, I also loved the r & b stuff Kris (and you guys) loved. I liked MJ (and Janet J), Boyz II Men, TLC, ABC, Bel Biv Devoe, etc. Also, Stevie Wonder, big time (Kris also loved him). I am totally cool with Kris having his roots in this stuff. I hope he's "allowed" to be creative with his "soft rock" and can get some soul, r & b, or even hip hop into the mix. What I'm most afraid of is that they'll make him boring, musically. I hope he can be himself, and also be spontaneous and creative. He has great taste so I hope he has a big say in what he's doing. It bugs me a little that he's getting all the "usual" Idol singwriters. I don't know these people, but I don't like the idea that they write for various idols interchangeably. Jason Castro is getting Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat's collaborators! Kris should get those people! And also the songwriters for "Once," who wrote "Falling Slowly." Whatever their names are. (Btw, I got that move, Once, and I'm going to watch it this weekend. Supposed to be good.)

Guess that's all for now.

 

[missaddicted]

I'd be hiding in a room somewhere afraid to go out, lol.

Oh, me too!

(off topic: BTW, interesting discussion going on on TWoP-CI thread about how to "fix" CI when it returns, or if.)

Yes, it's a really interesting discussion. I didn't really have much to add yet to the discussion. You had a good point about the auditions, ross. And I really really like Ben, so I definitely don't want the show to get rid of him!

You left out Pink. Btw, I thought you liked Poker Face.

Yeah, I realized I left out Pink after re-reading my post later! And Poker Face? No thanks. Though her live version with the crazy dance moves makes it more entertaining and I don't hate the song as much now than I did before. Actually, I have to admit that I like Just Dance, but in a superficial way if you know what I mean (it's great to dance to!). I guess I have respect for Lady Gaga, because I do believe she's talented (more than Britney for example), but she does leave me cold. Too much "fluff" and not enough substance.

LOL at the battle between Zack and Simon during World Idol, I didn't know that! I'm sure in "real life", Simon and Zack must have totally opposed tastes in music. I kind of agree with the "shouting with tone" comment, and live, I do hear a lot of shouting in her voice that doesn't really do it for me. Also, about the artistry and vulnerability, I believe she showed plenty of that on her third album "My December", which she pretty much made on her own terms, which created a divide between her and Clive Davis. Anyway, I like that her songs are catchy, but it's probable that I will be tired of her CD in a year or so.

(What I won't be tired of in a year? This guy leaving his heart on stage (in Conway, Arkansas!):

YouTube - David Cook "Anodyne" Conway, AR 2/25/09

Sorry, I've been revisiting some of his performances from his tour and I had to post this!)

I keep meaning to say, I also loved the r & b stuff Kris (and you guys) loved.

Actually, I don't really like r & b. Except MJ when I was a kid. I like a few songs that fall in this genre, but they're more the exception than the rule. Same thing with hip hop.

I read the article about Adam in RS and it was actually pretty interesting, even if I don't really care that much about what he had to say. Bring on the good music and I'll be interested. Otherwise, I don't care that you lost your virginity at 21 (and that it was awkward) and that you might consider sleeping with a female groupie.

You know what is even more frustrating than watching all the hype surrounding Adam (compared to Kris). It's this:

He has great taste so I hope he has a big say in what he's doing. It bugs me a little that he's getting all the "usual" Idol singwriters. I don't know these people, but I don't like the idea that they write for various idols interchangeably. Jason Castro is getting Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat's collaborators! Kris should get those people!

Yes, exactly! I don't envision wanting to buy Jason Castro's album. But, he's working with great collaborators! I'm jealous for Kris!

 

[ross 1]

I'm sure you've seen this, missaddicted, and probably you, too, SleepinIn, but maybe the lurkers will appreciate it!

David Cook shout out.

Re r & b: Oh, yeah, you said before you didn't like it, missaddicted. I forgot!

I don't envision wanting to buy Jason Castro's album. But, he's working with great collaborators! I'm jealous for Kris!

I thought they might get people like that for Kris. It's still early. He's recording demos (I guess) but it's just the beginning. Let's hope.

I read the article about Adam in RS and it was actually pretty interesting,

I thought I saw a link on mj's, and then it seemed not to be there any more. Can you give me a link?

 

[missaddicted]

I thought I saw a link on mj's, and then it seemed not to be there any more. Can you give me a link?

Here it is: Better: You Can Actually Read It! | Gossip Candy

I thought they might get people like that for Kris. It's still early. He's recording demos (I guess) but it's just the beginning. Let's hope.

Yes, let's hope! Last year, I believe one of Cook's first writing sessions (or even his first) was with his own idol Raine Maida (who by the way has also written for other idols, namely Kelly!) and four of their collaborations ended up on his album. Cook actually had asked for some co-writers in particular (like Maida), so I hope that maybe Kris has done the same.

 

[ross 1]

Cook actually had asked for some co-writers in particular (like Maida), so I hope that maybe Kris has done the same.

My main fear is that Kris is not going to be demanding enough. He has nothing to lose by asking for everything he wants, so he may as well ask, right?

Thanks for the link.

These people at RS have been pimping Adam for weeks, for whatever reason. I saw the previous issue of RS today (with Lady Gaga on the cover). In covering the finale, they focused on Adam. The headline didn't even mention Kris ("Lambert Loses But Rock Wins") He doesn't even get a mention until the second paragraph.

Backtracking, a bit: I think I mentioned before, a few weeks ago I was in a record store and saw RS, and there was an article about Adam, How Adam Lambert Single-Handedly Saved AI, or something. This part especially annoyed me:

"Having Adam around seems to cheer everybody up, including the other singers, who know the pressure’s off. Hell, even Simon looks happy. Yeah, it’s supposed to be a competition, but part of Glambert’s charm is that by removing all the bogus suspense from the show, he’s made it watchable again."

When I read that, I was like: grrr. Of course he lost so now it looks ridiculous.

There was also (at least online), Allison Iraheta on Her Special Relationship With Adam Lambert , Will Adam Lambert Win “American Idol”? Giraud, Anoop, Lil Weigh In, and more. Now, the cover story. Wonder why RS is so invested in Adam?

 

[missaddicted]

I understand that you can be mad ross, but is it really worth it? I would also be happy if Kris and David had that kind of exposure, but RS won't be buying a million copies of Adam's record. Maybe he will be a big star or maybe not. Who knows?

I guess RS is invested in Adam because he is a "character" and he can sell magazines. But right now, there's a lot of emphasis on that character. Some may like (or even love) that character, some may hate it, but I would bet that most don't care one way or another. His music will have to be good for him to transcend that character. The media are fickle, they may find a new pet in a couple of weeks/months.

I think Adam makes for an interesting character, but I'm definitely not ready to say that he will change the musical industry or that he'll be an icon in 20 years or anything ridiculous like that. He may just end up as a one-hit wonder, just like so many before him.

 

[SleepinIn]

I understand that you can be mad ross, but is it really worth it? I would also be happy if Kris and David had that kind of exposure, but RS won't be buying a million copies of Adam's record. Maybe he will be a big star or maybe not. Who knows?

I really agree with this. First and foremost RS is trying to sell magazines. And Adam is going to do that for them right now. Whether or not the love affair with RS continues is entirely dependent on the music he puts out post idol. RS was all over Clay and Ruben too as I recall - it isn't really about the music. (I mean I know Adam is an amazing singer and all) It's about the Tv show American Idol - the biggest pop culture juggernaught that there is.

When they put out music that isn't dependent on their success on the show it will be about the music and that's when they'll have to really prove themselves. Because more than likely they won't have the Idol platform to stand on (aside from guest stops). But if RS wants to put you on their cover - You're not going to say no. (unless you have your own plan for world domination that you're not sharing)

Right now, Adam's getting all the press and that might continue to be the case in the future but we still have no idea of what type of music he might be interested in recording. (Or I don't anyway)

This is the video that made me think - yep.. King of Arkansas.. that sounds like they watched this.

American Idol Contestant Kris Allen Performs Live in Conway, Arkansas - Video

 

[ross 1]

Thanks, you guys...I got a little overheated! Thanks for the 'king of Arkansas" clip, SleepinIn! Wow.

I don't know... first there was the "vote questioning," which kind of put a damper on the win, then this RS stuff. I can't really put it into words, but it doesn't feel right. I just feel some people have an agenda, but then, I felt that on the show, too. It's just weird. With RS, it wasn't just that Adam is a character they can exploit, it was (and is) like they're building him up. Other stuff, too, I don't know. Can't explain it.

I'm in work, so, more later, probably.

 

[SleepinIn]

Idol always does this. They pick who they want, and that's who they'll push publicity wise.

I actually do think that while it's great publicity - Kris on the cover of RS would not be a good idea right now anyway. Already Adam is getting the inevitable backlash from the celebrities that haven't been on RS's cover in awhile stepping out and saying ..hey, hey wait a minute - who's this guy? What about me? I make music.. (like Gene Simmons and Rob Zombie) I think Adam can probably weather that better than Kris could since Adam had a TON of Idol push. I think it's better for Kris to stay the course, and win people over day by day. I'd like to see him on the cover of RS but I think I'd rather it be about his music. For Adam, his personality is so *boom* your eye automatically goes right to him and that personality is a huge part of his music.

I'm not sure if I'm saying this right - lol - but Kris is quieter and his personality sneaks up on you and it's just as magnetic but it's just inherently different. Am I rambling? lol I'll stop now..

 

[ross 1]

One thing that's funny (and good, in a way) is that a lot of fans of the show know next to nothing about Kris and are just discovering him now. And many seem to think he's a very cool guy. Even I am kind of surprised at what a cool guy he is. The more I see of his personality the more I like. I liked that he seemed shy, but I also like that, once he opens up, he seems anything but shy (I'm like this, myself, shy until I'm comfortable, then, not).

I actually do think that while it's great publicity - Kris on the cover of RS would not be a good idea right now anyway. Already Adam is getting the inevitable backlash from the celebrities that haven't been on RS's cover in awhile stepping out and saying ..hey, hey wait a minute - who's this guy? What about me? I make music.. (like Gene Simmons and Rob Zombie) I think Adam can probably weather that better than Kris could since Adam had a TON of Idol push. I think it's better for Kris to stay the course, and win people over day by day. I'd like to see him on the cover of RS but I think I'd rather it be about his music. For Adam, his personality is so *boom* your eye automatically goes right to him and that personality is a huge part of his music.

You're right. Kris on the cover of RS now would not be good at all. Adam at least has the coming out thing, and his status as an unusual Idol contestant, to justify the cover. It isn't really about his music. Kris would be there as the Idol winner, something a lot of regular readers would probably think is a joke. The article would be all about, "can he make it in the business?" and how green or naive he is, and yeah, there would be the inevitable sniping from actual seasoned pros.

It's really a very good thing not to be uber-hyped. You can make huge money all at once, but you don't want to be Ricky Martin. You want longevity, if you want a career as a respected musician. What Adam wants and what Kris wants are different things. I'm not even sure what Adam wants -- what do you think? I think he's seeking fame and fortune. Not even music, per se. Nothing wrong with that, either.

I agree that eventually it will be all about the music. I have no doubt Kris can make a great CD, but will he get the opportunity to, this time? Has anyone ever made a great Idol album? I guess David Cook has come closest. But that's what's scary. A chance to make a big CD, but you have to rush it out, record it in between tour dates.

 

[SleepinIn]

Yeah, you know you're right. (aren't we having fun agreeing with each other? lol) I'm kinda of surprised by how cool Kris actually is too. I knew I liked him, but to see the little bits of his personality being revealed and recognizing that he's well.. kick awesome (and I don't say that lightly) tis cool.

I'd say that David did probably get the best chance to make the CD he wanted to and I hope that Kris is able to do that too. Oh, the Idol Cd.. a blessing and a curse all at once.

 

[ross 1]

Yeah, it's fun to tell each other how right we are. (I like to be right. lol).

The Idol CD is a blessing and a curse, but then everything in life is like that, so, what the hell. It is what it is. Kris is already saying (not in so many words) "Don't expect greatness, at least I get to make an album." The thing about him is, though: he always seems to land on his feet. *crosses fingers*

SleepinIn, I meant to say, before (and didn't): your analysis of the RS cover stuff was great, and, also, it lifted my spirits totally. Dawg.

I'm now going over to mj's to check out Kanye's reactions to K's Heartless on The View. Peaceout.

 

[ross 1]

Malaysian radio station Hitz FM's battle of the No Boundaries recordings has ended with the announcement via Twitter that, after 500,000 votes, Kris is the winnner and Adam's recording is to be retired, "never to be heard again." lol

For some reason a lot of comments from Maylasia, the Phillipines, and places in that part of the world, are about how Kris sounds current and Adam sounds like the '80's. That seems to be a common theme of posts I read from there.

Ryan tweets he's in Boston for AI auditions (which are actually being held in Foxboro, MA, at Gillette Stadium). Short Boston Herald article about that, here.

I re-read some of Adam's RS article yesterday while standing in a record store. I'm beginning to wonder at the truthfulness of people on mj's blog. They say the issue is flying off the shelves and that they can't find it anywhere. I guess it depends on where you are. Where I was, there were plenty of copies, and people weren't fighting over them.

Btw, I'm now totally convinced RS skews everything to make Adam = cool and Kris = clod. Just read one of their more recent things that had the headline 'Allen "Flattered" By Lambert's "Hilarious" Crush,' which seems to twist Kris' words into something vaguely disparaging. The article states: "Still, the Allen-Lambert bromance was one of the best subplots of Season Eight, and Allen was shocked when Lambert wound up taking second place in American Idol’s final round." Um, not srtictly true. If you ask me, it was Rolling Stone that was shocked. (Here's another of their somewhat misleading articles about Kris.)

Anyhow, the cover story was pretty sensationalistic. Do you think they focused enough on drinking, drugs, and sex? I think they were trying to justify the cover headline, "Wild Idol." Typical of Rolling Stone to try to glamorize drinking/drugs.

I don't actually know what Adam is like but I suspect the 20/20 story was more accurate, more the real person. I enjoyed it mainly because he didn't come across as "bigger than life," like his fans describe him. He actually seemed like a pretty typical 27 year old American guy who's suddenly famous, and is still adjusting. (Most people I know don't even know who Kris and Adam are. So maybe "famous" isn't even accurate.) He even seemed a little stiff and uncomfortable being on 20/20, which is normal. I suppose I liked seeing these cracks in the mask.

 

[YukonJack]

Lambert came out.

That should make Canadians very happy.

 

[SleepinIn]

Lambert came out.

That should make Canadians very happy.

I really don't think he was ever in. The media weren't getting the soundbytes they wanted for their newscasts so I kinda think they manufactured this whole brouhaha over Adam coming out. Nevertheless, it really doesn't matter to me, in out, whatever -- if he makes good music then I'll buy it. That's the standard I judge any other artist on and it applies here to.

I know what you mean Ross. I know Adam is wilder than the average American Idol contestant.. but still he's on American Idol -- the truly wild probably wouldn't last on AI.

Adam's a talented guy with an amazing voice and a lot of charisma. The only remaining true rock star in the US.. probably not.

I became a fan of JD Fortune who was on Rockstar and I'd probably say JD is a little wilder than Adam, but at the end of the day both guys are just human beings trying to make it the music industry doing the best they can. It's not an easy gig and when every move you make is analyzed (which I'm kind of guilty of too) it's sometimes hard to remember that they are just doing what they can to make a living doing something that they love.

I was listening to an Idol podcast that was taped during the show and the people on it thought that Adam would win but almost all of them wanted Kris to win. It was pretty interesting.

And I'm not totally convinced that the people writing the headlines really watched the show. LOL I saw the quality of the news broadcast networks when JD left INXS one interview went round the world and yet the facts changed and slants were added. It was fascinating, and really emphasized that the internets sometimes breed lazy journalisim.

 

[ross 1]

I really don't think he was ever in. The media weren't getting the soundbytes they wanted for their newscasts so I kinda think they manufactured this whole brouhaha over Adam coming out. Nevertheless, it really doesn't matter to me, in out, whatever -- if he makes good music then I'll buy it. That's the standard I judge any other artist on and it applies here to.

I seems to me some in the media are interested in creating a celebrity (or as Perz Hilton says, "celebutard." Or whatever he says). The public usually goes along with it. Will this translate into album sales? Maybe, I don't know. How does Britney Spears sell albums, by being a brilliant musician?

How big a deal is it in the media about Adam coming out, anyhow? mj called it a "media frenzy" but was/is it? I don't know because I don't watch the gossip shows.
Though apparently he made the front page of the Boston Sunday Globe today. The Globe mentioned mj and, I think, interviewed her (she lives here).

I was listening to an Idol podcast that was taped during the show and the people on it thought that Adam would win but almost all of them wanted Kris to win. It was pretty interesting.

Do you happen to have a link? It sounds interesting.