Video Beat MAX - LARRY KING TAKES ON AMERICAN IDOLS

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Runner-up David Archuleta revealed that American idol creator Simon Fuller discussed with him a record deal with Jive records. To Archuleta's credit in the way he disclosed the information he wasn't that excited about it and rightly so as in the music business there can be a lot of talk and no action. Archuleta's attitude was we'll see what happens - Recommended TV Listings

Sunday May 25, 2008

KING INTERVIEWS TOP 10 IDOLS

It's turning out to be an annual event when CNN talk show host Larry King interviews the contestants from American Idol. There will be two shows and Friday May 23rd in the USA was the first.

King opened up with the American Idol winner David Cook who was quite composed. When King asked Cook if he though he would win the competition Cook said, "David (Archuleta) did such a good job (the previous night on the talent show) that I resigned myself to being 2nd. When I hit 24 (the Top 24 finalists) I figured I'd stay a week and that would be it."

King dug into Cooks past and brought to light that Cook had a brother who has a brain tumor. Cook acknowledged the fact and noted that his brother has had it for the past 10 years. He said that he didn't want the topic to be public knowledge during the competition. He wanted to receive votes based on his talent and not be subject to receiving sympathy votes.

King then took on 17-year-old runner-up David Archuleta one on one as Cook went off camera. King asked the Murray, Utah high school student if he felt that the judges over the top exclamations of his performance the previous night hurt his chance of winning. The judges praised Archuleta's performances and played down those of Cook. Archuleta said he didn't feel that factored into the voting and that Cook was a deserving and very talented winner.

Archuleta also revealed that American idol creator Simon Fuller Simon Fuller discussed with him a record deal with Jive records. To Archuleta's credit in the way he disclosed the information he wasn't that excited about it and rightly so as in the music business there can be a lot of talk and no action. Archuleta's attitude was we'll see what happens.

Fuller is the guiding light to the success of former Idol winner Carried Underwood who appears to have achieved the most success of all Idol winners thus far. When she wins an award she, from our observations, always credits Fuller.

Most notably Archuleta revealed that when he tried out for the show at San Diego (California) stadium he and three other show applicants were given 20 seconds to sing. After they sang they were refused and sent off. As Archuleta was walking away one of the judges called out to him and asked him to come back and he was then informed that he made the cut. The next stage was to audition before Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson where he was given the approval to go through to the Hollywood auditions.

King called out the remaining Idols in pairs of two according to their order of finish. They sat with Cook and Archuleta and revealed their experiences on the show. Syesha Mercado acknowledged that she was surprised that she survived to reach the third spot given the number of times that she was in the bottom three. By our count she was in the bottom three or two eight of 10 shows. The last show all three of the finalists were called out before Mercado was informed that she was eliminated.

By checking through our American Idol finish chart below of the stories we published in the order of finish on the show Mercado was at the bottom in every show except position 11 when Amanda Overmeyer was eliminated and position nine when Ramiele Malubay was voted off the program.

King pointed out to Brooke White that she went a long way considering the number of mistakes she made throughout the competition.

The said that being a contestant on American Idol becomes an eight month process for those that make it to the top 12 and further. That includes the time they first audition to the final show. During that time they get to know each other quite well particularly when the reach the final 12 and are grouped as roommates.

Michael Johns appeared on the show via satellite from Las Vegas and confirmed that he was surprised that he was eliminated ( # 8) since he was never previously in the bottom three and felt he had a strong performance before he was voted off.

Chickizie pointed out that this was his fourth tryout for American Idol. The baggage handler at Los Angeles International airport is looking forward to building his music career that will be highlighted by being a member in the American Idol Top 10 tour that begins July 1st and will play in 50 cities across the USA.

The Idol group revealed some sad news as they sent their best wishes to Top 24 contestant Luke Menard who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

The most revealing aspect about this Larry King meets the American Idols interview compared to last season is that these Idols appeared to genuinely like and respect each other. Archuleta noted that Carly Smithson was like his mom. When King asked them various questions as to who was the class clown Michael Johns was the winner. When he asked who was the class brain they all agreed that Cook was the winner as well being the 2008 American Idol.

NOTE:

American idol judge Simon Cowell appeared on the Tonight show hosted by Jay Leno a few days prior to the final of American Idol. When Leno asked Cowell who he WOULD LIKE TO WIN Cowell replied David Cook. Why??? Because Cook is older and was working in a bar and that Archuleta was young and cute. He added that he felt Archuleta would get the teen and granny votes. Cook won by a 12 million vote margin taking 56% of the over 97.5 million votes cast. Perhaps Granny's don't use their cell phones to vote via SMS.

LARRY KING DOES AMERICAN IDOL

NOTE:

King is scheduled to Interview the American Idols again Monday May 27 in the USA. The Larry King program airs on a delayed basis in Southeast Asia. King's schedule is below so the best bet is to check in at the top of the show and see if the American Idol contestants are appearing on that day. His Friday telecast of the Idols was telecast the following Day (Saturday) in Southeast Asia.

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

4. Jason Castro

3. Syesha Mercado

2 David Archuleta

1. David Cook - WINNER

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

TUESDAY

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

THURSDAY

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

FRIDAY

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

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

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

SATURDAY

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - ESPN

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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