TV / Film News

Back Stage Pass / American Idol Behind-the-Scenes

Source: Michael Ricci
May 22, 2008

Wednesday night's “American Idol" finale, in which David Cook was crowned as the winner of Season 7, was a TV entertainment spectacle comparable in scale only to the Oscars. Yet unlike that event, the “American Idol" crew has just one week to pull it together. Richard Rushfield -- the first journalist ever allowed to observe rehearsal's for the show's finale -- recorded this diary of the week leading up to the show.

SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, HOLLYWOOD. FRIDAY, 5 P.M.

If ...

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David Cook Crowned "Idol"

Source: All About Jazz
May 22, 2008

David Cook named season seven's American Idol

Victory after a two-hour finale packed with advertising tie-ins and appearances by Seal, Donna Summer, Bryan Adams, ZZ Top, Graham Nash, Jonas Brothers, a digital Gladys Knight, OneRepublic, former Idols Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks, as well as George Michael (who performed a sober “Praying for Time" after the final twelve ran through a medley of his hits). According to Idol, 97.5 million votes were cast for the two Davids, with Cook pulling ...

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David Cook: "American Idol" Winner

Source: Michael Ricci
May 21, 2008

07:13 PM PT, May 21 2008 When David Cook was announced as the winner of American Idol Wednesday night at the Nokia theater, it was just another twist in a season that has tested the still-vibrant franchise. The 25 year old became the first performer in the rock music mold to win, amassing 56% of 96 million votes, to 44% for 17 year old prodigy David Archuleta, who sings in the pop balladeer style that has dominated “Idol" ...

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Jack Sheldon's 'Jazz Odyssey' Exclusive Engagement

Source: All About Jazz
May 20, 2008

TRYING TO GET GOOD the Jazz Odyssey of Jack Sheldon Exclusive Engagement Opens May 30th

Compelling and Highly Entertaining of the Consummate Musician, Irrepressible Comedian, and Ultimate Jazz Survivor, Jack Sheldon. Leonard Maltin-Entertainment Tonight

Trying to Get Good exposes Hollywood's best kept secret - when the stars come out to play, it's Jack Sheldon who plays for them. Trying to Get Good takes a look deep inside the eternally tormented soul of an artist who's not ...

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Underwood All Time Most Popular 'Idol'

Source: All About Jazz
May 19, 2008

IDOL Fever Archuleta, Cook running neck-and-neck in poll; Castro most overrated

Country singer Carrie Underwood is the all-time most popular “American Idol" winner, and dreadlocked Jason Castro was voted the most overrated contestant this season, according to a poll released on Monday by AOL Television. With the most watched television show reaching its climax this week, finalists David Archuleta, 17, and David Cook, 25, are running neck and neck in terms of best performances of the seventh season, ...

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Just Who is This New American Idol David

Source: All About Jazz
May 16, 2008

The Next “American Idol" announced this Tuesday night on Fox is the December born David, well that much we know.

David Archuleta and David Cook--the Clean Teen versus the Bed Head by TIGI-coiffed rocker--should make for a final round marked by big notes and bitten lips. (Ann Powers, on the remaining 'Idol' contestants.)

Beneath the shaggy hair and mild-mannered demeanor of “American Idol" contestant David Cook is a seasoned musician who's rocked his way through the gritty club ...

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Syesha Mercado's Idol Long Goodbye

Source: All About Jazz
May 15, 2008

'Idol' elimination: Say So Long to Syesha

Syesha Mercado's long, bulletproof thrill ride finally came to an end Wednesday night on American Idol. Faced with the daunting task of outpolling the dynamic David duo (Archuleta and Cook), she didn't stand out sufficiently and justified Tuesday's unusual third-place prediction from ultra-optimistic judge Paula Abdul.

She auditioned for American Idol Season 7 in Miami, Florida singing “Think" by Aretha Franklin where she made it to Hollywood with all three judges saying 'yes'. ...

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David vs. David for 'Idol' Finale

Source: All About Jazz
May 15, 2008

AMERICAN IDOL Fans Vote Syesha Mercado Off Fox TV Show And then there were two Davids.

Syesha Mercado was voted off “American Idol" Wednesday night, paving the way for the expected showdown between David Archuleta and David Cook. Mercado was the last woman standing on the top-rated Fox contest. The big-voiced belter surpassed a more accomplished Carly Smithson, fan favorite Brooke White and statuesque country crooner Kristy Lee Cook. Who will snag the title next Wednesday? ...

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