Skechers Signs American Idol Winner David Cook as Their New Spokeperson

Skechers has signed American Idol winner David Cook to endorse the brand globally. Smart move, I’d say. He’s as popular as Daughtry right now and should definitely have the sort of success Chris Daughtry has found.

Like Carrie, David will prove to be a perfect spokesperson. They’re both hugely popular, likable, mega-talented and can bring in droves of fans. Also, unlike Taylor Hicks, they won’t prove to be jokes played on the AI audience by the AI audience.

Don’t you know American Idol would love to purge him from the list of winners?

I’m surprised Jordin Sparks hasn’t gotten any endorsement deals. She would be a perfect make-up model, or a spokesmodel for Candie’s. She’s a ridiculously beautiful girl. She’s also very sweet, likable, and friendly.

Kelly Clarkson seems to have disappeared from the media again. I hate it when she goes missing. I wonder if her cd would have sold more and gotten more radio play if her record company had actually supported her. Personally, I think the answer’s yes on both accounts. When her cd came out, the buzz was everything she could hope for. She was on the radio all the time. Then the news came out that Clive Davis didn’t even like her cd and everyone who was supposed to “have her back” had a knife in it.

All of a sudden, Kelly was nowhere to be found. Ridiculous. She’s still one of the most talented singers and song writers around. I’ve put a few videos featuring Kelly to the side in the featured video slots… you know…. to kind of back up my rant.

Great stuff.

David Cook Opens Up About The Tour and Kimberly Caldwell

Deserved “American Idol” winner David Cook recently attended the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation’s annual Taste for a Cure Benefit in Beverly Hills. He said he was very glad to support cancer awareness because it has affected his family. His older brother, who just celebrated his 37th birthday (Happy Belated Birthday!), has cancer.

David and the rest of the “Idol’s” are getting ready for the show’s summer tour which begins July 1. He said he is looking forward to it because, “I get to hang out with nine of my best friends.”

He said that he and his girlfriend, Kimberly Caldwell, will keep in touch while he’s on tour. “Text and email will be my life the next few months.”

Ex-Idol Contestant Luke Menard is Battling Cancer

I know you remember Luke Menard from this past season on AI.  He had a wonderful smile and an amazing voice.  He was sort of quiet and didn’t get the coverage that a lot of the other contestants got.  Somehow he got lost in the shuffle of huge talents and fresh faces - even though his voice and stage presence were straight on flawless. 

Sadly, the 29 year old former American Idol contestant is battling Stage Two Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.  When he went to the doctor, Luke thought he had “walking pneumonia” but soon learned that his cough was much more serious than that.

When he was in the hospital in California (during the last weeks of the show), David Cook and Carly Smithson each visited him.

David Cook told People Magazine:

“I love Luke and I just wanted to show up and make sure that he understood that I love him and know that if there’s anything I can do for him and his wife, sign me up, you know?  Luke, Michael Johns, Jason Yeager and myself, we kind of buddy-ed up one day at Hollywood week.  We called ourselves the four horsemen. Any time one of your own is going through something as horrible as that, it makes everything else seem a little bit insignificant.

“Cancer,” Cook says, “is a very big part of my existence.  I’m excited to be put in [the spotlight] where I can hopefully do something to help other people.”

David Cook’s brother, Adam, has been waging his own war against cancer for ten years (brain cancer). 

Luke is back in his hometown now (Crawfordsville, Indiana) with his wife, family, and friends.  His cancer, Stage Two Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, has a 95 percent survival rate, with treatment.  While that’s extremely encouraging, Luke still has a lot on his plate to deal with, so keep him in your thoughts and prayers (as well as Adam Cook, of course.)

You can visit Luke’s MySpace  and show him your support.  His mood?  Determined. 

It Must be a Full Moon

The music industry has gone mad.  FIrst, we had Miley Cyrus posing in a come hither type pose for a Vanity Fair cover - a pose that is decidedly inappropriate for a 15 year old.  Accusations are flying around everywhere about who’s to blame, but I’m wondering why there’s any question.  Everyone’s to blame.  Miley, the photographer, the magazine that’s printing the picture and benefiting from publicity resulting from exploiting a child, and anyone that was on the set when she was being fitted for a sheet.  They’re all to blame and I hope people will let their disgust be known by never buying the magazine again. 

It tanked it’s reputation.

Marie Osmond has taken it upon herself to point her finger at Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.  According to People Magazine, Billy Ray wasn’t on set while those pictures were being taken and everyone close to the family says that he wouldn’t have allowed them.

Another star who’s pointing fingers and throwing out barbs is John Rich.  He stated that American Idol’s ratings were ”going down the toilet” because (in his words) the show’s scripted.  I don’t think it’s exactly scripted - but I DO know they push certain contestants down our throats. (More about David Archuleta later.)

Speaking of Paula, he weighed in on a big blunder that recently had all of us scratching our heads:

“‘American Idol’ infuriates me as an artist,” he told reporters. “They’re being fake about it. When you can’t make a cognizant comment about someone’s performance and you’re commenting on something that happened the day before, why don’t you just walk up on stage and slap them right across the face while you’re at it? As an artist, I would just flip them the bird and walk off the stage. She wasn’t even paying attention to what was going on.”

I have no idea where Paula’s head was that night, but his criticism is pretty unfair. She cares a lot about the contestants and I’ve never heard of anyone having a negative thing to say about her. All contestants, past and present, always talk about how sweet she is, how much she tries to help them, etc.

Granted, this year, the obvious propping of Archuleta and the unnecessary bashing of Jason Castro has turned even a die hard fan like me off.  In fact, if David Cook weren’t still in the race, I’d turn the show off and never turn it on again.  It was THAT uncomfortable to watch how they treated Jason.  It’s kids like him that allow the three judges to even have this show and lifestyle.  To belittle him and disrespect him like that was uncalled for. We all knew they wanted him out of the way for DA - just like they wanted Michael Johns and Carly Smithson out of his way.  Why does this show NEVER want the most talented people to be the last ones standing?!?!

 I’ve been a loyal fan of AI for years now - to the point of dropping EVERYTHING when it comes on.  I literally count the weeks until it returns when it’s on hiatus.  But this season has me thinking that next season will find me with better things to do.  I’ve grown tired of watching the show prop their favorites at superior singers’ expense.  When Simon stated that Archuleta “crushed” the competition, I spewed my Diet Dr. Pepper everywhere.  I’m not saying DA doesn’t have a really good voice - he does.   But, come on, he most certainly didn’t crush David Cook!  No way, never, nu uh.

Now the really weird news: David Archleta (a.k.a. The Chosen One) apparently has a stage father that puts all stage mothers to shame. The guy must be a real ass!

From TMZ: “Idol” sources tell TMZ Jeff has been a complete pain in the ass, interfering with the entire production. He has badgered producers, the band, vocal coaches and even other contestants. The final straw came this week, when Jeff wanted to change the lyrics to David’s first song, “Stand By Me.” Jeff insisted on adding a verse from Sean Kingston’s hit, “Beautiful Girls.” Producers sent him an e-mail telling him the lyrics could not be changed. They were beyond pissed when David sang the song with Kingston’s lyrics during the live show.

We’re told by changing the lyrics, it created problems with the song’s publisher and cost “A.I.” a lot of money.

Jeff was ordered to sit with “A.I.” lawyers on Wednesday, who told him he was “banned from being in the rooms where David was learning or rehearsing his songs.” It’s “Idol’s” position, since David is 17, he does not need a guardian — just a teacher. Jeff will be allowed to sit in the audience during the live show but he’s 86′d from anything backstage. Sources say the other contestants were fed up with Jeff and didn’t want him near them. Now they have their wish.

All in all, sources say Jeff is the stage dad from hell. BTW, he was banned on the set when David did “Star Search” a few years back.

Poor kid!  Dad needs to cool his heels before his son tells him to use them.

American Idol Does it Again

When will I STOP being surprised?!

Last night, one of the three best singers in the competition was sent home while far less talented people stayed. I was kind of worried that (after Simon and Randy worked their mojo) he’d be in the bottom 3, but I had no idea he’d be sent packing. His performance was SOOOO much better than everyone else’s - except for Jason Castro.

They kind of set him up for failure, though, by not only having him go first - but also by Randy and Simon ridiculously attacking him. Randy was nastier than I’ve ever seen him. The theme was to pick a song that inspires you, and yet both of them criticized him for song selection!!! DUH - he chose the song that inspires him…what was he supposed to do, lie about it and sing another song.

Besides, he totally nailed the song - perfect as always.

Riddle me this, Batman - why in the blazes (as if I didn’t know) does The Chosen One never have to go first? He won’t have to until the contestants are so few that it won’t come into play. It’s a trick the show uses to further their little chosen ones and it’s so obvious it makes my head hurt.

With or without the title, Michael Johns will be a success - just like Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry. He has the makings of a PERFECT lead singer, if there’s a band anywhere interested in the type of success Daughtry has had.

It’s such a weird relationship I have with American Idol. They drive me crazy sometimes, but I love the show to distraction. I just wish that the viewers would catch on to the tricks and actually vote for the BEST singers for crying out loud. NOT the one(s) the show/judges prop - the ones who are actually the best in the competition.

This season should have come down to Jason Castro, Carly Smithson, Michael Johns, and David Cook. What an amazing final four that would have been - certainly the best the show has EVER produced. But, nooooo, we’re going to be short changed. Again.

Why do they set themselves up to have the weakest top 4 every season?

Ack.

After the jump, below, is Michael John’s Performance. It was perfection.

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Repeat After Me: Never Sing a Song Whitney Has Sung

Just a little reminder of why one should never, ever, never try to sing a song that’s been sung by the greatest female singer of all time: Whitney Houston. The title bestowed upon her was, of course, given to her by yours truly - the biggest Whitney Houston fan since her own mom.

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David Cook’s Billie Jean on American Idol

David Cook and Michael Johns were nothing short of amazing last night.

I was so impressed with their vocals - and I LOVED the arrangement with Billie Jean.

American Idol Morphings

Click the link below for a little American Idol fun. People.com has taken some of this season’s contestants and shown a few famous people that could have gone into the equation in making them.

They’re really dead on! - Especially the one with my gal Carly Smtihson. Also, keep your eyes out for a “Hobbit Rocker.”

Celeb math: Idol Edition!

Simple Simon - Very Simple Simon

What was Simon smoking last night?!?!? First of all, David A. wasn’t quite as great as Simon made him out to be. He’s obviously Simon’s chosen one this year - for some reason - and he’s not even trying to hide it. He bashed practically everyone BUT The Chosen One. He was somewhat nice to Syesha, but he realizes she isn’t really much of a threat.

As for the real threats - Carly Smithson, David Cook, Jason Castro, and Michael Johns - he didn’t hold back. Granted, Jason and Michael’s performances weren’t their strongest, but Carly and David C were the best of the night! I’ve gone back and re-watched Carly, like, 6 times. She’s flawless and amazing.

Simon wasn’t only WRONG in his critique of her, he was a total ass. It wouldn’t kill him to treat these people with more respect - after all, if it weren’t for American Idol contestants like them, he’d be just another grouch.

A few more thoughts:

Kristy needs to go.

Amanda showed more personality and like-ability after her critical comments than she ever did after her positive ones. They should have ripped her apart long ago. I actually really liked her!

Poor Brooke White didn’t deserve the harsh comments either. She was a breath of fresh air and I thought her performance was great. Her voice was flawless and I liked the dancing!

Jason Castro - He’s one of my favorites, but wtf was with the outfit?!?! Another wardrobe mishap - Ramiele. Wow. Her performance was kind of odd, too. But I’ve got nothing but love for both of them, anyway.

Chickezie! His song started out amazing - I was getting all set in my chair thinking he was about to have a Marvin Gaye moment….then WHAM out of nowhere, the guitars start twanging and we go from Marvin Gaye to Hee Haw. Not a smooth or appreciated transition. Hopefully he’ll get to stay another week to redeem himself.

If there’s any justice left (and last week proved that there isn’t a heckuva lot) - Kristy Lee will get to go home to her horses, dogs, and whatever other furry darlings she has. Sweet girl, but she’s out of her league. So much so that it’s getting uncomfortable to witness.

I predict that the bottom three will be Chickezie, Syesha, and Kristy Lee, but that the right one won’t be sent back home.

The Sanjaya/Taylor curse lives on. To be fair, Kristy Lee’s worth 500 Sanjayas and 562,957,849,384 Taylors. I did the calculations and you simply can’t argue with the numbers.

Click HERE for another great pic of Carly Smithson.

Carly Smithson Sings Come Together

Carly Smithson is easily one of my top three ALL TIME favorite American Idol females. Before the season’s over, she may just be number one.

In more ways than one.

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