American Idol, Should He Sway Or Should He Go?

Our original article on American Idol contestant Jose “Sway” Penala has set off a firestorm of controversy. Reality TV Magazine reported on information on various websites that indicated Jose “Sway” Penala was a member of the band 6th Day at the time of his initial American Idol audition. Information on the E-Real Records site also indicated that 6th Day was a band on their roster list, and a Filipino website reported on 6th Day touring Manilla with Sway as recently as September of 2005.

Activists lash out at 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell's cruelty

When "Idol" hopeful Anthony Andolino, 28, was dismissed by the judges after his audition that aired Tuesday night on Fox TV, Cowell remarked: "Just as well, we couldn't afford the food bill."
Sandy Schaffer of the National Association To Advance Fat Acceptance told "Access Hollywood" she found Cowell's remark "childish" and "stupid."
"The show seems to be saying you can't be gay, you can't be fat, you can't be anything different," Schaffer said. "It absolutely desensitizes the audience. It starts to make you feel this is OK."
Fellow judge Paula Abdul did not defend her colleague to "Access Hollywood."
"He's an ass. He's a pill," she said. "He says the dumbest things sometimes."

Taylor Hicks, Is He Too Old For American Idol?

It’s bad enough that Taylor Hick’s gray hair makes him look like he’s twenty years too old for American Idol, but even the age listed during his audition was over the American Idol cut-off limit. The maximum age for a contestant to audition for American Idol is 28, but Taylor Hick’s age was listed as 29.
A little internet research shows that American.Idolblog.com lists Taylor Hicks birth date as January 24, 1977. If this birth date is accurate, then Taylor Hicks just turned 29 and would have been within the allowable age range at the time of his initial audition.
Like Jose “Sway” Penala, Taylor Hicks has a CD out in at least some stores. In fact, Taylor Hicks might be the most experienced contestant that has made it through to Hollywood so far this season. While Taylor Hicks official website offers little information on him, it does show that he has spent some time at the Playboy mansion.
Taylor Hicks’ home state is Birmingham, Alabama. Contestants from Alabama have done quite well on American Idol in the past. American Idol 2 winner Ruben Studdard and American Idol 4 runner-up Bo Bice are both from Alabama. WBHM reports that Taylor Hicks has entertained with the likes of James Brown, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, Drive by Truckers, and Robert Randolph. According to the Birmingham Post-Herald, Taylor Hicks plays harmonica and has performed with Percy Sledge.
If Kellie Pickler is destined to be compared to Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks might wind up being called this season’s Bo Bice. Besides being from the same state and in similar age ranges, both Taylor and Bo seem to have an appreciation for Jim Croce music. However, while Bo Bice leans toward Southern Rock, Taylor seems to lean more toward Soul music.
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Idol Star Carrie Underwood to Perform

Country music star Carrie Underwood, the 2005 American Idol winner who went on to record the top-charting hits, "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and "Some Hearts," will perform Friday, May 12 at the Dixon May Fair.
Little Big Town, which recently scored a top 20 single and album, will open the Underwood concert at 8 p.m. in the fair's outdoor Concert Arena.
"This promises to be the biggest show since Faith Hill performed at the fair in 1999," Green said. "This is a family-oriented show. Carrie Underwood, especially, is a big draw among families who last year watched her win American Idol."
Underwood, 22, is one of country music's fastest rising stars. "Jesus, Take the Wheel" is No. 1 on the charts and her double-platinum debut project, "Some Hearts," also hit No. 1 since it was released last November.
Little Big Town, a four-member vocal group formed seven years ago, has finally achieved what it calls the right sound with the release of its second album, "The Road to Here," which includes the hit, "Boondocks."

'American Idol' star Constantine Maroulis set to rock Boston

Fans who discovered "American Idol" contestant Constantine Maroulis at Seacoast Repertory Theatre are better prepared for his performance with Pray for the Soul of Betty, in Boston, Jan. 30, than those who found him on TV.
One listen to the Maroulis band’s self-titled CD indicates the show is more akin to his role in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" performed at SRT, than his crooned tunes on the popular Fox program.
"I’m everything … I’m a Renaissance Man, someone that enjoys music, and theater, Shakespeare, loves dirty grunge rock, and the blues. I grew up with an eclectic mix in the house. My parents were Korean War era; my brother was into underground, my sister new wave. I love it all," says Maroulis, speaking precisely at 3:55, a prearranged time, from his Milwaukee hotel room, before showering and heading out for a sound check at the city’s Eagles Club.
"It’s great to get out and just rock ‘n’ roll, … no rules, rip it up. The fans seem to like it. It’s this other animal I can be. Make no mistake though, I’m looking forward to a successful solo career and continuing acting whether on television, film or stage."
But first there’s the Pray for the Soul of Betty concert, Jan. 30, at Avalon Ballroom in Boston. Fans can expect a mix of old and new Betty tunes, a few done acoustic style just for the show, and Queen, Bob Marley and U2 covers, to name a few.
The tour’s final show, Feb. 1, in Philly, will be Betty’s last for the foreseeable future, he says. For now Maroulis will concentrate on the solo album, and a television project. Maroulis is the first Idol contestant to pen a television show development deal. He’s signed with Kelsey Grammer’s production company, Gramnet, and ABC Television to put together a sitcom, based loosely on his life.
The TV show is "in a good place." Its first draft is completed, and both Gramnet and ABC seem to like it, he says.
"We’re excited. It’s similar to ‘Idol’ in that there’s something for everyone in the family. Kids will like it and moms and dads will approve and dig it. It’s a classic TV show. We’re bringing back the family traditional sitcom."
Then there’s the solo album. He’s not talking much about the project

'American Idol' favored for gold over Olympics

Fox has a little talent competition called American Idol, which, at its torrid pace, probably will become the first series in eight years to outmuscle the Olympics. The show faces the Games on five nights.
"I do think it will beat the Olympics," says Magna Global USA analyst Steve Sternberg, except during figure skating finals that involve the U.S. team.
All of which leaves rivals combing for leftovers, especially among young viewers and men, who tend to be less interested in winter gold.
"We're not throwing in the towel; we're still programming aggressively," ABC scheduling chief Jeff Bader says. "But the combination of the Olympics and American Idol creates some time periods where those programs will dominate no matter what airs against them."
Still, ABC plans mostly original series opposite the Games, although it will air a repeat of Lost's pilot Feb. 22 opposite the Olympics and a two-hour Idol.
In addition to Idol, which adds a Thursday semifinals results show for three weeks starting Feb. 23, Fox plans new episodes of 24 all month. WB's series will sit out the second week of the Olympics, and the network will air a weeklong movie marathon.