Video Beat EXTRA - AMERICAN IDOL SHOCKER? - APRIL 2008

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

It was somewhat of a surprise to the judges in contrast to the statements they made earlier in the week while being guests on the Larry King show - CONTENDER ASIA SEMIFINAL John Wayne Parr verses Russian Dzhabar Askerov - NBA ON TV - Recommended TV Listings

Sunday April 13, 2008

Michael Johns Eliminated

By the stunned look on Australian Michael Johns face it obviously was a shock to him when AI host Ryan Seacrest announced that he was eliminated. For Johns it was the first time he was selected for the bottom three, it was also his last.

It was somewhat of a surprise to the AI judges contrasted by their statements earlier in the week while being guests on the Larry King show they voiced their opinions of who they thought was the best in the competition. When Johns name came up they all liked his talent but they all were concerned if he knew who he was by his choice of songs.

Judge Randy Jackson was very expressive when he said he preferred John when he sang a song that had a soul/blues feel to it. They all noted that when Johns sang a song by the band Queen that they liked it but not as much as when he sang in a soulful blues style. After the elimination announcement Jackson went on stage and whispered something in Johns ear. Would Jackson be interested in producing Johns? Stay tuned.

On the Larry King show the judges were asked by King to give their opinions of the then remaining eight contestants. They all felt the dark horse Kristy Lee Cook could have a successful career as a recording artist but Simon Cowell continued to be adamant that Cook lacks personality. Jason Castro recognized for his dreads drew criticism from Cowell when he noted that "He (Castro) shows up every week and looks like he doesn't care."

The judges all felt that David Cook was a strong contender to win it all. "He's someone that I could listen to," said Cowell. They all agreed that they thought the final two would be David verses David (Archuleta) the 17-year-old sensation from Utah.

We felt that when Archuleta sang and played the piano on last weeks show he brought back memories of a young Elton John. His voice also has a Josh Grobin quality to it though not as big and full textured voice. The most credible thing about Archuleta's talent is he is unique and has a distinct quality of his own. Abdul noted that, "He's a 16-year-old savant," while taking a year off of his age.

King pressed the judges on the point that they previously stated that this was the best group of talent the show has ever had. We disagree but King's professionalism was brought to light when he pressed the point and extracted from Jackson that this was the most ORIGINAL group of talent of all the previous contestants.

The issue that the show provides a ticket to success drew an emotional response from the AI judges as they disagreed. Cowell was the most explosive when he pointed out that the best singers don't always win the competition and noted season five winner Taylor Hicks as an example. Cowell also stressed that being in the top 12 isn't a ticket to career success.

That was a good point as there is a discrepancy in what qualifies as being a success after we received the following press release.

Leslie Hunt, the Chicago songstress whom fans worldwide complained was voted off far too soon during American Idol's "Season of Sanjaya" in 2007, will be performing her own material in a solo act at Lilly's Bar on Friday, April 11th from 9:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

Hunt, whose new album is being released July 1, 2008, is performing throughout Chicago prior to the release, offering fans a sneak preview of her high-energy new songs, including "American Dream Man" and "Open Your Eyes," which she wrote and composed on her own.

For those who have never seen Hunt perform, the biggest surprise is her keyboard talent, which was never revealed on American Idol. Said Hunt, "If I have any regret, it's that I wish I had tried out this year instead of last year, since this is the year that contestants can perform with their own instruments. I think I could have gone even farther."

Friday, April 18th at 9 p.m. - 10 p.m., Hunt will be performing with her band at the U.S. Beer Company, 1801 N. Clybourn in Chicago. Hunt will also be performing the National Anthem before the Chicago CUBS Game on April 29th at Wrigley Field, which is as important to her as American Idol.

"I'm a big CUBS fan and live near Wrigleyville, so it's a great honor for me to sing the National Anthem before the game," she said.

Lilly's Bar is located at 2513 N. Lincoln in Chicago and their phone number is (773) 525-2422. For more information on Leslie Hunt's upcoming appearances, please visit her online at http://www.myspace.com/lesliehunt.

Hunt didn't qualify for the Top 12 and finished in the best of the rest category. It's down to the final seven and the next measure of American Idol success is to make it to the Top Six. Who will that be? Tune in or stay tuned.

NOTE

Within a week of being published our column on American Idol's Ramiele Malubay American Idol Say Bye Bye to Malubay leaped to the # 4 position on our all-time American Idol listings.

The American Idol judges revealed on the Larry King show that they all agreed to be the judges on two more seasons of American Idol.

AMERICAN IDOL RESULTS

12. David Hernandez

11. Amanda Overmyer

10. Chikezie Smith

9. Ramiele Malubay

CONTENDER ASIA SEMIFINAL

It's down to the final three in the Contender Asia reality Mauy Thai show after Thai champion Yodsaenklai knocked out Scotland's Sean Wright in the second round to qualify him for the final. This week former champion John Wayne Parr will face Russian Russian Dzhabar Askerov from the UAE in a semifinal bout to decide who will compete in the final for the $150,000 winning prize.

Parr who is in his ripe 30's age bracket is depicted by Askerov and the other fighters as being the OLD MAN who has lost the skills he possessed three years ago. Should Parr prove his critics wrong and face Yodsaenklai again he will be facing a man who defeated him on his Australian home turf.

Parr is ranked in the top ten of the WMC World ranking .He is an instructor at one of Australia’s leading Muay Thai gyms, Boonchu, where he looks after some forty students and a dozen fighters. The question is can he give the Contender Asia competitors a lesson?

NBA GAMES ON TV

NBA (National Basketball Association) games are televised in the Southeast Asia region on the Star Sports television Network on Friday and ESPN Saturday's. Start times vary depending on the start time in the region of the USA from where the games is televised.

TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia - Thailand time zone. Check your local listings for time and date in your area.

MONDAY

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

6:00 PM - TOP MODEL CYCLE 9 - Channel V - NEW EPISODE

10:00 PM - TOP MODEL CYCLE 9 - Channel V

TUESDAY

7:00 AM - TOP MODEL - CYCLE 9 - Channel V

11:00 AM - TOP MODEL - CYCLE 9 - Channel V

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

WEDNESDAY

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5 PM telecast

8:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN - NEW EPISODE

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5/7 PM telecast

11:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN - repeat of 8 PM telecast

THURSDAY

11:00 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of previous day

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW - Star World

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW - Star World - repeat of 5 PM telecast

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW - Star World - repeat of 5/7 PM telecast

FRIDAY

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - Star Sports

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW - Star World - repeat of previous day

2:00 PM - TOP MODEL - CYCLE 9 - Channel V

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

9:00 PM - NBA GAME - Star Sports - Replay of earlier game)

SATURDAY

7:30 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - ESPN

3:00 PM - TOP MODEL - CYCLE 9 - Channel V

5:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

7:30 PM - HI NET WORTH - (financial magazine show) - CNBC

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

12:00 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

SUNDAY

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

8:30 PM - HI NET WORTH - (financial magazine show) - CNBC

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

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