Video Beat - Larry King meets American Idol's - June 2007

James Loving - National Radio Text Service Sunday June 3, 2007

When it comes to finding out what's up very few talk show hosts do it better than CNN's Larry King.

King took on the American Idol Top 10 contestants.

When it comes to finding out what's up very few talk show hosts do it better than CNN's Larry King. Many feel that King is the best in the business at interviewing guests. He admits that in many cases he doesn't know he's talking about when he interviews some guests but he has often pointed out that his job is to ask questions and find out what its all about.

Asking questions is King's strong suite. King's show is largely about subjects in America. It has a tendency to be involved in political subject matter. When there is a crime the show will spend a several shows on the topic. That is the shows down side. But when it comes to entertainment matters King is King.

American Idol was the subject last week as King took on the American Idol Top 10 contestants. Though the AI guests are young enough to be his grandchildren King weaved his interviewing magic to open them up, put them at ease and let them speak their minds on the subject American Idol.

AI winner Jordin Sparks and runner-up Blake Lewis were the first two to be interviewed as King cleverly took on the AI competitors in layers of two.

Sparks said about controversial judge Simon Cowell, "I like Simon because he's not afraid to say what he's thinking."

Lewis admitted that prior to entering the contest he had never seen the show before. He also noted that he didn't feel that he lost because "I'm number one being the first at number 2."

Sparks and Lewis were then joined on the set by the 3rd and 4th finishers Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones.

King asked what was the toughest thing about competing on the show and Jones responded, "The schedule was the toughest thing for me." Doolittle pointed out that the schedule involved rehearsing and doing interviews with the media.

Chris Richardson and Phil Stacy the fifth and sixth finishers followed them. Richardson pointed out that he previously tried out for the show but… "I couldn't make it past the first round."

Stacy is married and the father of two girls. He is the lead singer in the Navy rock band "Pride." He noted that the Navy has given him permission to go on a 64-date tour this summer and has been behind his efforts to be involved with the show.

As a viewer of the show Stacy said that he voted every year that it's been on the air.

There was a friendship that developed between the top ten and most notably Lewis, Richardson and Stacy who were roommates for the final two weeks of the show.

Then was the crowning King moment as he introduced the seventh and eight finishers. It was time for King to meet one of the most famous American Idol contestants of all-time and Simon Cowell's favorite contestant … The Sanjaya-Man… 17-year-old Sanjaya Malakar.

Sanjaya created quite a stir on this years contest as he was berated by Cowell as having no talent yet he was one of the judges that picked Malakar to be on the show.

Sanjay was a fashion plate as each show he came up with a different hairstyle and look that was capped off by his towering Mohawk that will probably go down in American Idol history as being the most memorable hairstyle ever on the show.

Sanjaya's popularity grew as the American Idol show went on as he became the fans favorite. Much to the displeasure of Cowell, Sanjaya wasn't eliminated until he reached the seventh position.

"It was all about his hair," Cowell blurted out prior to the American Idol final on the Jay Leno Tonight Show."

With all of that behind him King asked Sanjaya what he thought about all of the attention that he had received, "Overwhelming." Sanjaya replied.

Sparks noted Sanjay'a popularity in a positive way, "I couldn't even wait to see what he was going to do next" she exclaimed.

Haley Scarnato who finished eighth said there was no jealousy among the group.

The ninth and tenth finishers were Gina Glocksen and Chris Sligh.

Glocksen had nothing but praise for Sparks

"She has that X factor," she said "Jordin is always in tune, she's bubbly, glorious… she's perfect,"

Sligh figures he was a winner by finishing in the Top 10 that enables him to go on the tour.

Lewis also noted that he thought Sparks would win the title when they reached the final 24 contestants.

She has so much charisma and talent," he said.

King powered through the one-hour program that kept everyone involved and there was not a dull moment.

It's a typical Larry King performance that many consider the King of talk.

Larry King is on daily at 4PM in the Thailand, Cambodia time zones.

That is subject to change when CNN is often doing their WAR coverage and supposedly important BREAKING NEWS stories. Stay tuned….

MORE SIMON (SAYS) COWELL

When Cowell appeared on the Jay Leno show he pointed out that he could deal with the Sanjaya-Man in an environment such as being another guest seated next to him on a talk show such as Leno's.

Leno asked Cowell if it were true that if Sanjaya won the contest that he would quit the show as a judge. Cowell rolled his eyes and said that he couldn't since he was under contract but he dreaded the thought of having to be a part of a show that Sanjaya won considering that he didn't think Malakar was a good singer.

PLEASE READ-EM AND WEEP... A US $36 million contract is enough for anyone to tolerate Sanjaya's voice… even Cowell.

NOTE:

The Jay Leno show is televised Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evening in Southeast Asia on CNBC. Leno is a comedian.

The show is one of America's longest running talk variety show that started in the 1950's with Jack Parr. It reached its zenith when Johnny Carson took over the hosting duties.

Part 1 - Jordin Sparks WINS American Idol

LAKISHA JONES FELT THE VIBE

In the past we have questioned Cowell's ranting and raving in accusing Lakisha Jones of screaming. The criticism seemed uncalled for and we noted that Jones appeared to be primed to being set up to fail.

Jones admitted on the Larry King show that during that time she felt as if her quest to be the American Idol wasn't going to happen and she lost her confidence.

It was obvious, as she seemed nervous and tense after Cowell's unnecessary acrid comments. She was eliminated in the fourth position.

We have said before that Jones has the best voice of the final 12. We also noted that Melinda Doolittle had the combination of a great voice and technique and Sparks had a blend of both but her voice is not as strong. It is Sparks personality that sets her apart from the rest. She is deserving of the title.

***

Ten of the American Idol finalist will go on tour together this summer. For more information regarding the venue and dates please visit the American Idol web site: www.americanidol.com

AMERICAN IDOL COUNTDOWN To FINAL

12. Brandon Rogers

11. Stephanie Edwards

10. Chris Sligh

9. Gina Glocksen

8. Haley Scarnato

7. Sanjaya Malakar

6. Phil Stacy

5 Chris Richardson

4. Lakisha Jones

3. Melinda Doolittle

2. Blake Lewis

1. JORDIN SPARKS WINNER

IT'S ON!!!

THE APPRENTICE

Donald Trump's The Apprentice is on again Thursday nights at 9 PM on the Star World Channel.

For those viewers in Malaysia this is the same series that was televised last summer on the Malaysian TV 3 channel.

FEAR FACTOR

Fear Factor returns to the airwaves in a supposedly new Season 6 that will be televised at 8 PM on the AXN channel.

AXN has been running reruns of previous series the past few months. Is this new or not…well… tune in and find out. We did and it's a rerun.

TV SCHEDULE

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

Repeats of Top Model are flipped around by Channel V for undisclosed reasons.-

SUNDAY

12:45 PM - ASAP - TFC (The Filipino Channel)

12:00 MIDNIGHT - ASAP - TFC - (repeat of show televised at 1:00 PM) - Please note that this and ALL TFC SHOWS ARE SUBJECT TO TIME SHIFTS.

MONDAY

1:00 PM - TOMMY LEE Goes To College - Channel V

8:00 PM - FEAR FACTOR - AXN - Season 6

10:00 PM - TOMMY LEE Goes To College - Channel V

TUESDAY

8:00 AM - TRIBE - Bruce Parry travels & lives TRIBES around the world - Discovery

8:00 PM - ON THE LOT - STAR MOVIE channel - reality film making show

12:00 Midnight - ON THE LOT - STAR MOVIE channel - reality film making show

WEDNESDAY

8:00 PM - ON THE LOT - STAR MOVIE channel - reality film making show

THURSDAY

10:00 AM - ON THE LOT - STAR MOVIE channel - reality film making show

11:00 AM - WORLDS APART - AXN - (rerun of old series)

9:00 PM - THE APPRENTICE w DONALD TRUMP - - Star World Channel

FRIDAY

2:00 PM - WORLDS APART - AXN - (rerun of old series)

3:30 PM - THE APPRENTICE - Star World Channel

4:30 PM - CLICK (On line) computer Internet show - BBC

5:00 PM - TOMMY LEE Goes To College - Channel V

9:00 PM - ON THE LOT - STAR MOVIE channel - reality film making show

SATURDAY

8:00 AM - WORLDS APART - AXN

11:00 AM - FEAR FACTOR - AXN

1:30 PM - CLICK (On line) computer Internet show - BBC

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily @ 4 PM

7:30 PM - HIGH NET WORTH - CNBC - Business news magazine show

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