Video Beat EXTRA - IT'S ON!!! AMERICAN IDOL'S FINAL 13

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

When Felicia Barton was announced as being recalled to the American Idol competition there was no explanation why or whose place she took. - The show will have different look as the Top 12 had been expanded to the Top 13 to accommodate the judge's appreciation of Anoop Desai's talents. He was eliminated from the Top 12 but Simon The Merciless Cowell surprisingly announced that the show will have a Top 13 for the first time in its eight year history with Desai being the 13th contestant. - Recommended TV Listings

Wednesday March 11, 2009

THE REAL COMPETITION BEGINS

When Felicia Barton was announced as being recalled to the American Idol competition there was no explanation why or whose place she took. In the past the show has had its controversies and this season is no exception. So… he's the deal…

Joanna Pacitti, who was originally selected as a semi-finalist, created controversy due to her having previously signed a recording contract with A&M and Geffen Records. But the real bugaboo was she was found to have been having a "private relationship" with 19 Management who are involved in the show.

In Asia that's they way much of their business is done but in the USA when you OR A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY are involved with any of management of a show you are not eligible to compete. After the news she was later disqualified, and replaced by Barton.

Barton, 26 (born March 6, 1982) is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky, singing "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae. She made it to the Top 54 and was eliminated. After the Pacetti revelation she was brought back to replace her. Barton was eliminated when competing in the 3rd group of the Top 36.

The show will have different look as the Top 12 had been expanded to the Top 13 to accommodate the judge's appreciation of Anoop Desai's talents. He was eliminated from the Top 12 but Simon The Merciless Cowell surprisingly announced that the show will have a Top 13 for the first time in its eight year history with Desai being the 13th contestant.

Given that the shows schedule is planned out in advance to accommodate other network scheduling and responsibilities to sponsors who pay for X amount of shows it will be interesting to see if there will be a double elimination round in order to keep the show on schedule.

The other interesting aspect of this season's program is that in the past there have been six females and six males in the final 12 competing for the title. This season the final 13 consists of five females and eight males. We wonder how that will work out. Will there be a double elimination round?

Should there be a double elimination round will that mean the departure of two of the male contestants? Yes we know America votes but are you counting the results? Stay tuned.

The final 13 are:

Kris Allen, 23 (born June 21, 1985) from Conway, Arkansas - a college student who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. He's best known for his group performance of "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 during Hollywood week with a group called White Chocolate. "Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson)

Megan Joy Corkrey, 23 (born August 5, 1985) from Sandy, Utah - a font designer/single mom who auditioned in Salt Lake City, Utah with the song "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." Cowell has expressed numerous times that Corkrey is one of his favorites. "Put Your Records On" (Corinne Bailey Rae) "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (KT Tunstall)

Anoop Desai, 22 (born December 20, 1986) from Chapel Hill, North Carolina - a college student who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. He impressed the judges when he auditioned in Kansas City. While at school he was one of the lead singers of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella vocal group that covered multiple genres of music. Desai was announced as the 13th finalist after the judges increased the finals into a Top 13. "Angel of Mine" (Monica) "My Prerogative" (Bobby Brown)

Matt Giraud, 23 (born May 11, 1985) from Kalamazoo, Michigan - a dueling pianist who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. For his audition, he sang "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin Degraw. His rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" in Hollywood made him a judge favorite. "Viva la Vida" (Coldplay) "Who's Lovin' You" (Jackson 5)

Danny Gokey, 28 (born April 24, 1980) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin - a praise and worship music director who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri along with best friend Jamar Rogers. Both made it to the Hollywood rounds, but Rogers was eliminated at week's end. Four weeks before the audition, Gokey's wife, Sophia, diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, passed away. His wife had motivated him to try out before she died. He is a judge favorite. "Hero" (Mariah Carey)

Alexis Grace, 21 (born June 9, 1987), from Memphis, Tennessee - a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. Has a young daughter and is engaged to marry the child's father. After her Top 36 performance, Cowell compared her to Kelly Clarkson. "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (Aretha Franklin)

Allison Iraheta, 16 (born April 27, 1992) from Los Angeles, California - a high school student who auditioned in San Francisco, California. In 2006, she won $50,000 and a recording contract after competing in a Telemundo reality show, Quinceañera. After her top 36 performance, Cowell declared Iraheta as "one to watch in this competition". "Alone" (Heart)

Adam Lambert, 27 (born January 29, 1982) from Hollywood, California - a stage actor who auditioned in San Francisco, California. Before auditioning for American Idol, he was in the touring and Los Angeles casts of Wicked. His renditions of "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Believe" made him a judge favorite. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (The Rolling Stones)

Scott MacIntyre, 23 (born June 22, 1985) from Scottsdale, Arizona - a visually impaired pianist who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. MacIntyre plays several instruments including the piano. Classically trained, he has been Internationally profiled on various TV affiliates such as CNN, national and local news, radio, and print media as pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. "Mandolin Rain" (Bruce Hornsby and the Range)

Jasmine Murray, 16 (born March 14, 1992) from Starkville, Mississippi - a high school student who auditioned in Jacksonville, Florida with the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. She was Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2007. "Love Song" (Sara Bareilles) "Reflection" (Christina Aguilera)

Jorge Nuñez, 20 (born May 12, 1988) from Cidra, Puerto Rico - a college student who auditioned in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and is the first Puerto Rican finalist in American Idol history. His idols are Luis Fonsi and Marc Anthony. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Elton John)

Lil Rounds, 24 (born November 14, 1984) from Memphis, Tennessee - a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Her house in Memphis was previously destroyed by a tornado on February 5, 2008. Since her audition, Rounds has been a judge favorite. "Be Without You" (Mary J. Blige)

Michael Sarver, 28 (born February 9, 1981), from Jasper, Texas - an oil rig roughneck worker who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. Is married, and has two children. "I Don't Want to Be" (Gavin DeGraw)

16 YEAR OLDS ARE IN

Allison Iraheta, 16 (born April 27, 1992) from Los Angeles, California - auditioned in San Francisco, California. In 2006, she won $50,000 and a recording contract after competing in a Telemundo reality show, Quinceañera. WILD CARD: -

Jasmine Murray, 16 (born March 14, 1992) from Starkville, Mississippi - auditioned in Jacksonville, Florida with the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. Murray is the second former Miss America's Outstanding Teen contestant to be a semi-finalist on this season of American Idol. She was Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2007.

MOST EXPERIENCED

The contestant with the most experience is Adam Lambert, 27 (born January 29, 1982) from Hollywood, California. Before auditioning for American Idol, he was in the touring cast of Wicked and has been acting in theater shows since he was a child.

SCHEDULE BACK TO NORMAL

The shows schedule had reverted to airing in Southeast Asia on Wednesday and Thursday nights after one week being televised on Thursday and Friday. Repeat telecast are noted below in our schedule.

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TV SCHEDULE

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

NOTE TIMES AT OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

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

7:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

10:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

11:45 AM to NOON - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

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

8:00 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

8:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

10:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

12:00 MIDNIGHT - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

4:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

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

12 NOON - FRONTLINE - Australia Network

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

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

11:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

12:00 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

11:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

??? - STAR SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK ALL of NBA TV SCHEDULE for Southeast Asia

12:00 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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

4:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

8:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

??? - ESPN SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK NBA TV SCHEDULE for Southeast Asia

7:30 AM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

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

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

7:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - (1 1/2 hr) Star World channel

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

11:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Star World channel

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