Video Beat Extra - Jason Castro voted off - AI Down to Final 3 - MAY 2008

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

This past week Jason Castro's luck ran out that was helped by his forgetting the lyrics to a song and he was voted off the show. For Syesha Mercado her toughness has been tested week after week as once again she was in the bottom two up for elimination. She has been in the bottom three or two all but two weeks since the competition went to the final 12 format. - NBA ON TV - Recommended TV Listings

Sunday May 11, 2008

WHO WILL IT BE FROM THE FINAL 3?

At last America got it right as the best three singers of the American Idol final 24 have made it this far to the to three.

This past week Jason Castro's luck ran out that was helped by his forgetting the lyrics to a song and he was voted off the show. In the process the clips shown of the final four AI's visiting Las Vegas to see the performance of Cirque Du Soleil that is based on the Beatles music Castro stood out like a superstar as the teeny boppers in the crowd that greeted the group went wild about Castro. Though he didn't win AI Castro has that fan appeal that could make him a music career for the teen set. His voice has a nice tone to it when he sings in a comfortable range.

Over the weeks he has had problems finding his center or his true identity as a singer. Given his appeal to teens he has enough talent but the question is does he have the drive it takes to work for it. If he applies the same negligent effort as he has in trying to remember lyrics his big time music career may have ended with American Idol.

For Syesha Mercado her toughness has been tested week after week as once again she was in the bottom two up for elimination. She has been in the bottom three or two all but two weeks or nominated seven out of nine weeks since the competition went to the final 12 format. The final three went to the final two when the show reached the final six. At that point only two were nominated for elimination.

Mercado has talent but this coming week could be her last as she is up against the two best in the competition David Archuleta deemed a prodigy by Neil Diamond and David Cook who has been the most centered of the talent as he has carved out a niche with his arrangements of songs recorded by other recording artists. His arrangements are so strong and support his renditions so much so that he could be successful in recording a CD of other recording artist's songs. In doing so it would be a rare occurrence in the music industry that seeks original material from an artist.

So who will be America's choice is up in the air. Both David's are deserving of the American Idol title. Archuleta has the best voice but is more difficult to picture as a mass hit recording artist as strange as it may seem, due to the superior quality of his voice. What audience does he appeal too?

Cook has more commercial appeal as he is a rocker that has a more definable audience. He has improved as the show progressed from the audition stage till now.

Quite frankly we are torn in trying to come to a conclusion with this decision. We prefer Archuleta's voice and personality but Cook has a certain quality that warrants paying attention to. He could be American Idol's next Chris Daughtry with one major difference being Cook might win the title.

AMERICAN IDOL RESULTS

12. David Hernandez

11. Amanda Overmyer

10. Chikezie Smith

9. Ramiele Malubay

8. Michael johns

7. Kristy Lee Cook

6. Carly Smithson

5. Brooke White

CRITICS PUT FOX EXECS ON THE LINE

With this season being touted as the best ever talent American idol ever presented had a tainted feel to it as wee failed to see the proof in the pudding. It raised the question, where's the evidence? In our research we came across an explanation as for FOX television chief Peter Liguori and AI series producer Nigel Lythgoe addressed television critics this past July trying to explain the shows apparent demise last season. The execs rationalized the shows overall success is based on television seasons which are popular in the United States.

Liguori pointed out, that there's still a feeling out there in the (American television) audience that there is a recognition of an American Idol season. He noted that there is football season, baseball season and Idol season. Sanjaya Malakar was brought to issue and the execs response was the show remained a success though the ratings were slightly down. A blogger likened Malakar's presence as one that would attract a viewing audience watching an auto accident.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW - HOLLY VALANCE?

While viewing season 2 of Prison Break currently airing in Southeast Asia the actress Holly Valance that played the part of Nika Volek the wife of Wentworth Miller who plays the lead role of Michael Scofield, seemed so familiar but I couldn't place her. The next move was back to research. As it turns out Valance was a recording artist from Australia who had a somewhat of a hit song "Kiss Kiss" that I played on the air during the time I was a DJ hosting the Cal Tex Drive Time Show in Cambodia.

Released in 2002, the song debuted at #1 in both the Australian ARIA and UK Singles charts in April/May 2002. Her next single, "Down Boy" peaked at #2 in the UK and at #3 in Australia. Her début album Footprints was released on October 14, 2002. It debuted and peaked at #9 in the UK and #15 in Australia. The album's third and final single "Naughty Girl" peaked at #3 in Australia and at #16 in the UK. In 2003, the first single "State of Mind" from Valance's second album of the same name debuted and peaked at #8 in the UK and at #14 in Australia, but the album didn't reach the top 50 of either country.

Valance quit the music business citing that she couldn't make any money at it noting that she didn't make that much money from the actual record sales. She pointed out that music wasn't fun anymore. Valance moved to Hollywood and took up acting.

If American Idol hopefuls think the music business is a piece of cake they are in for a big surprise as Valance is proof evident. She can sing and is great looking. As they say in Brazil 'Que passo?'

MORE PRISON BREAK

Though due to its adult content we don't recommend the show but it has a great cast who keep you riveted to the screen. Miller the main star of the show is no dummy, he attended Princeton University which is comparable to England's Oxford or Cambridge. Not only is he smart he can act.

NBA GAMES ON TV

NBA (National Basketball Association) playoff 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. Playoff games are now being televised Wednesday morning's on Star or ESPN Sports. The networks are related and they flip the programming around. Check your local listings for the time.

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

??:?? AM - NBA Playoff GAME - Star or ESPN Sports

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

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

THURSDAY

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

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - ESPN

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

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

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

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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