Real thin gruel for news today in “Idol” land.

• According to this item,, Jason Castro has recorded a version of “Hallelujah” for a Mexican film “Tierra de Tigres.”

• Idol Chatter notes that Jordin Sparks continues to make progress with “One Step at a Time,” which sold 41K copies, up 8 percent and 284K total. The single is now up to No. 22 on the Radio & Records top 40 chart, up four spots. I’d say it will definitely make the top 15, might be her third top 10 hit. “Tattoo” peaked at No. 5 and “No Air” peaked at No. 1. I don’t think this single will do quite that well but for a third single, it should help propel Sparks’ album closer to 1 million in sales. (She’s now at 864K.) Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” is up to No. 149, up 17%. Her single is climbing slowly up the urban charts, up to 28 in its fifth week in the top 40.

Carrie’s “Carnival Ride” sold 12K and is the top Idol at No. 42. Total sales: 2.26 million. Daughtry is at No. 87, with 4.16 million sold.

In his album sales tally, Ace Young fell off the chart, sales slipped from 4,100 to just 1,000. Ouch. Jon Peter Lewis sold just 300 copies of his new album “Break the Silence.” Bucky Covington, with a new third single climbing (slowly) up the charts, is now up to 1,400 in sales and 355K total. Josh Gracin, who just went top 10 with “We Weren’t Crazy,” sold 1,300, up from 1,200 and is now up to 57K.

• I missed “Nashville Star” this past Monday. Just forgot to DVR. I heard Coffey was finally ousted. No tears shed there.

• This concert review out of Pittsburgh noted that “Idol” skimped on the stage this year vs. a year ago. I’m curious to see it in three weeks because the producers have been notoriously cheap about stage design many of the years. The reviewer liked the two Davids and not much else:

Overall, these performances were lackluster and flat as the singers went though their ever-so-scripted concert. What happened to all of the charisma? Without a doubt, it fell in the lap of the 17-year-old wunderkind Archuleta, who in the second half of the show managed to give a genuinely nice and untainted performance in the middle of this debacle.

David Archuleta is getting his first single out later this week dubbed “Crush,” to debut on Z100 in New York Friday.

The top 40 station said it will be a mid-tempo tune, not a treacly ballad. We’ll see. More details here.

-EW reports that season six’s Melinda Doolittle has finally gotten herself a record deal with an indie label Hi Fi Recordings, home to Todd Rundgren. No street date yet for her album.

-MJ culled lengthy interviews with a bunch of the “Idols” to get tidbits such as Syesha and David C. moving to L.A., Ramiele and Danny Noriega planning to tour the Phillipines together and Ramiele meeting with Disney after the tour. Watch the videos here.

-TV Guide channel is in talks to pick up season three of “American Idol Rewind’ with Fantasia, Diana DeGarmo and Jennifer Hudson in the house. More here.

-There’s some suspicion online that Ryan Seacrest is in cahoots with Discovery Channel and “planted” that story about him getting “bitten by a shark” in time for the network’s big promotional “Shark Week.” Let’s see some physical evidence, Ryan!

Season three winner Fantasia, who was in town just a few weeks ago for some paid club appearances to celebrate her birthday, will be back in three weeks for a concert with comic Rickey Smiley. It’s an interesting comedy/concert combo at the Atlanta Civic Center Saturday August 23. Prices are $51 to a rather steep $95 each.

You can buy tix here.

Fellow season three contestant Jennifer Hudson is doing a small, private event for V-103 and its listeners this Friday August 1. Check here if you want to try to get in. I’ll try to get in myself and report how things go.

-Fellow “Idol” blogger MJ and I are in agreement: the original 1981 song by the Waitresses dubbed “I Know What Boys Like” was a hilarious goof, a memorable early ’80s new wave hit.

But now Katharine McPhee, in advance of her film “House Bunny,” has contributed to a remake of the song that is worse than the Hilary Duff version of the Go Go’s “Our Lips Are Sealed.” It’s in fact, just plain awful.

The origial possessed this languid, sarcastic lilt to it (“nya nya nya nya nya!” “Sucker! hmmmm….”). This new version has twisted the song with rap interludes, a dance beat and R&B-style, sucking virtually all the irony out of it. It’s something the Spice Girls would have rejected.

Listen and weep:

Here’s the delightful original:

Jay-Z, P. Diddy and Lil Kim did a rather raunchy version a few years back. Since it includes some R-rated words, I’ll just link to it. This version isn’t half bad, especially compared to the Kat McPhee verson. There are also videos on YouTube doing the song from Vitamin C and Shampoo.

I just got back from Chicago late last night and am getting my act together a wee bit late this morning:

Ryan Seacrest’s hosting job a year ago in the round of the Emmy’s was okay but this year, with the introduction of the new “reality program host” category, he will be joined by fellow nominees Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”), Howie Mandel (“Deal or No Deal”), Jeff Probst (“Survivor”) and Tom Bergeron (“Dancing With the Stars”).

More info at deadlinehollywooddaily.com, a great site for TV/movie inside dope.

-Did anyone out there make it to weekend appearances in metro Atlanta by Ace Young, Kimberley Locke or Chris Sligh? How did things go?

-Curious fact: Colbie Caillat, who has had two big top 40 hits with “Bubbly” and “Realize,” tried out for “American Idol” but didn’t even make it before the main judges. But she marketed herself through MySpace, got herself a record deal and is now a big deal herself.

-Jordin Sparks told a U.K. media outlet that she had a crush on “No Air” duet partner Chris Brown and was disappointed to hear he was dating Rihanna. That’s tough competition!

-Here’s the same article every publication writes about “Idol” auditions. Different city, same concept. This time, David Archuleta’s Salt Lake City.

-And this Rochester newspaper critic was not feelin’ the “Idols Live” tour at all..

I’d say this has been the most negative review I’ve seen this year:

In an evening of extraordinarily flat entertainment, the 10 Idols, lifeless as road kill, were overshadowed by the overly dramatic graphics introducing them on the video screens looming over the stage at the Blue Cross Arena.

Believe me, it doesn’t get better from there from Mr. Sourpuss Jeff Spevak.

He even noted that ratings have been in a “two year death spiral,” a wee bit of an exaggeration for a program that’s still by far the No. 1 show in America.

You have to wonder which boss he’s hating right now for forcing him to go to that show!

-And here’s a movie poster I came across at the journalist’s convention in Chicago featuring Jennifer Hudson in an upcoming film “The Secret Life of Bees”:

I’ve been off the grid for nearly 24 hours at this journalist’s convention. Ironically, the last session I attended was about being a multimedia journalist and how to manage your time. (Me? Manage my times?) Without my laptop, I was itching to get back on the grid and update my blogs. It’s now Friday afternoon, kind of missing the mark in terms of timeliness before everyone goes off to weekend activities. But here we go nonetheless:

Not surprisingly, even with slightly higher ticket prices, this season’s “Idols Live” tour in its early going appears to be easily outflanking last year’s less interesting season six group.

MJ has compiled the first five dates vs. the past six seasons. With such a small sampling, it’s hard to say how things will ultimately play out but in terms of attendance (percentage of arenas filled), this season will probably come in third behind season five (which was closest to sold out across the board of any season) and season four. That makes sense. Season five is my favorite, too.

About 92% of seats were sold in the first five dates his year vs. 68% last year, 100% in 2006(Taylor/Kat), 96% in 2005 (Carrie/Bo), just 51% in 2004 (Fantasia/Diana), 75% in 2003 (Clay/Ruben), 82% in 2002 (Kelly/Justin). If memory serves me correct, ultimately, season two had better attendance figures than season one.

With higher ticket prices over time, this year might still pull in more cash than season five. I hope the “Idol” singers get far more money than the season one crowd, too, especially since they are doing far more concerts, too. Even if they are each paid, say, $3,000 per concert (as well as food and board), that comes out to about a $180,000 payday. I have no clue how much they are paid for real. I’ll have to ask one of the former Idols who might be willing to spill that info for at least their season.

-USA Today got a backstage to life on the tour.

A day and night spent with this group reveals friendships that have only gotten tighter, voices that have grown stronger and aspirations that have flown higher.

These are those high school drama buddies at the end of senior year, kids impossibly high on talent whose only lament is that very soon now they’ll all scatter to the winds.

-Idol Chatter notes that Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” has made the top 200 downloads with 8,000 sold, up 36% over a week earlier and 33K total. The only other “Idol” song with upward movement is Jordin Sparks’ “One Step at a Time” with 38K sold, ranking No. 31, up from 39. The single is now up to 26 on the top 40 charts, according to Radio and Records..

Josh Gracin, in the meantime, notches his fifth top 20 country hit and third top 10 hit with “We Weren’t Crazy,” which took a whopping 40 weeks to reach that mark. Three “Idols” go back to back to back with Carrie (also on the chart with “Last Name” at 19) at 31 with “Just a Dream,” Kellie Pickler’s “Don’t Know You’re Beautiful” at No. 32 and Bucky Covington holding at No. 33 with “I’ll Walk.”

If I were in town, I’m sure I would try to see at least two of three Idols in town Saturday: Kimberley Locke at Wet Bar, Chris Sligh at Jimmy’s Mad Mad Whirled in Marietta as part of 104.7/The Fish family night, and Ace Young at Wild Bill’s.

Ace has sold 4,000 copies of his debut album in his first week, a relatively modest figure but he made it to No. 160 on the Billboard charts, according to Idol Chatter.. In case you want to check out his single, here’s “Addicted”:

-I’m curious to see if Jon Peter Lewis from season three will break the top 200 next week with his new CD “Break the Silence,” which came out Tuesday. I thought the single of the same name is pretty darned good:

-MJ dug up these interviews with Kristy Lee Cook and Michael Johns.. While Johns is leaning on going purely indie and releasing his own album, Kristy Lee Cook and 19 Recordings have already finished recording her CD over four days. Yes, just four days. Inspires confidence, eh?

Every day that I had off I recorded. I think it was like four days total, yeah in four or five days total I got my album done. So, now we’re just picking what sounds we want, mastering, mixing, photo shoots, we just did a photo shoot on my day off in Portland.

-Not surprisingly, AOL readers have voted Simon Cowell favorite TV villain (39%) and Paula Abdul worst TV judge. One third of those polled made “Idol” the best reality program.

I’m off to Chicago today for what is likely to be a very depressing journalists’ convention. (The biz isn’t exactly on a hot streak right now…) So apologies in advance that this won’t be the most scintillating Idol blog entry ever.

Trenyce is the third “Idol” finalist to join the national tour of “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” which comes to Fox Theatre this November.

She joins Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis on the show.

“When I heard Ruben was a part of it, I was excited because it has been such a while since we really got a chance to hang out,” she told blackvoices.com. “When I got the role and he called me and it took us a while to get off the phone because we were catching up on each others lives. He is like my brother. I love him so much. And then Frenchie, I hadn’t really seen her since I went to see ‘Rent’ a few years ago. It will be nice to see her again as well. I love the fact that we were all from the same season and now we are all reuniting on stage again, but in another capacity.”

Debra Byrd, the vocal coach for “Idol,” is helping out with the show as well.

-David Cook talks to the Detroit Free Press before Thursday’s “Idols Live” show.

As usual, he sounds like a decent guy:

Q: Is fame what you imagined it to be?

A: It is so much more than I could ever have imagined. I never want to be that person that turns anybody away for showing interest in my career and myself. In that aspect, I’m making the time for everybody. As soon as I got off the bus here, I went and dropped my bags off and went outside and signed autographs for 30, 40 minutes. The people that come to these shows are the people who put me where I’m at, so it seems like the very least I can do.

He danced around a question related to the fans “Cougars for Cook.”

-And the usual coverage of auditions here, now in Louisville, Ky..

Check this site out to see Jennifer Hudson on “Good Morning America” promoting her new album out Sept. 30 and singing “Spotlight.” Do you like her page boy haircut? The song sounds kind of old school R&B. I’m not sure it will become a big radio hit but it’s showing some signs of life. It’s climbing the charts, No. 14 on the urban AC chart and No. 31 on the broader urban chart, according to Radio & Records.

-I’m not sure what this means for Diana DeGarmo’s pursuit of a country career but she has nabbed yet another Broadway gig, this time in a revival of “Godspell,” according to playbill.com

[Gavin] Creel (as Jesus) and DeGarmo, who made her Broadway debut in Hairspray, will co-star in the eagerly awaited production of the Stephen Schwartz/John-Michael Tebelak musical, which will begin previews Sept. 29 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre with an official opening scheduled for Oct. 23.

She had two successful stints as Penny in “Hairspray” in 2006 and 2007, sandwiched by a lead role in the national tour of “Brooklyn: The Musical.”

She’s now living in Nashville, is signed to John Rich’s production company and recently performed a few potential cuts at the recent CMA Festival.

DeGarmo also recently appeared at Midtown gay club Wet Bar for a benefit:

-“Nashville Star” surprised me Monday with original songs. Honestly, I was bracing for a huge wad of turd but it actually ended up being the best night so far. I’m really glad Sophia and Lauren, the two 16 year olds, didn’t make it or we could have been truly assaulted. I even liked Ashlee Hewitt, who came up with a catchy song even if I’m still not a huge fan of her voice. Too bad she was eliminated before Shawn Mayer. Mayer’s song is your typical soaring Nashville ballad (Faith Hill, Martina McBride could cut it, as John the judge noted. Too bad she simply lacks the voice to pull it off properly. I agreed with John Rich that Gabe Garcia still has a major personality deficit, even if he created a radio-friendly song, which was decent, if a bit generic. Coffey’s voice is pretty poor and his song is amusing, but totally a novelty. Melissa Lawson, given she’s a novice at songwriting, did a fairly good job. I enjoyed it.

Would “Idol” ever dare do an original songs week? I think that would be fascinating!

-I got more info about Jordin Sparks’ appearance in Atlanta Sept. 1, speaking with Stephanie McCartt, the executive director of the U.S. 10 K run and the nonprofit organization which distributes monies to children charities.

She said this is the biggest act the group has ever booked for the race, that in the past they usually relied on local bands or cover bands. They first went after the Dave Matthews Band but since the founder Donald Whitney is an “Idol” fan, they sought out Jordin Sparks, since she’s supportive of children’s charities.

The organization managed to get her at a greatly reduced rate though she wouldn’t reveal the amount. The hope is Sparks will draw even more money than the cost of her coming. “It’s a family weekend, a family event, you can’t go wrong with ‘American Idol,’ ” McCartt said.

The concert is available only to race participants and volunteers. It’ll start at 9:30 a.m. on Labor Day and last an hour. It will be in the parking lot of Whitewater. She will also do an autograph session during the family entertainment festival the day before.

You can sign up for the race or volunteer here.

Here’s the mission statement for the nonprofit group:

One hundred percent of the profits from The U.S. 10K Classic and the Family Festival benefit children’s charitable organizations. These organizations are chosen as partners in an effort to make a difference in the lives of children in Georgia and from around the world. After all the running, skating, cycling, celebrating, entertainment and good times, the real bottom line is that this event was created first and foremost as an annual and growing fundraiser for children in need.

One of the beneficiaries is:

The World Children’s Center is a 710 acre planned community in Haralson County, Georgia for approximately 500 homeless, orphaned and/or neglected children from Georgia, the U.S. and the World. Groundbreaking commenced on January 4, 2007, with the first phase of homes to be built by National Builder of the year John Wieland Homes & Neighborhoods. When complete the World Children’s Center will consist of 100+ homes serving 500+ children with two surrogate house parents and up to six children in each home.

Jordin Sparks is coming to Atlanta to perform after the US 10K race, a charity event on Cobb Parkway in Vinings September 1 at a post-race concert.

If you volunteer for the race, you can get in free to see Jordin.

Here is the actual event, based on the Web site:

The U.S. 10K Classic is Atlanta’s premier multi-event road race, bringing runners, walkers, inline skaters, wheelchair athletes and professional cyclists together for a single cause - raising awareness and funds for children’s charities in Georgia and for the future development of the World Children’s Center.

I was out of town for her opening for Alicia Keys in late May so I’m looking forward to seeing her at this event.

-More reviews of the Idols live concert, now in the MIdwest, including Chicago over the weekend. MJ attended so she has extensive video and commentary.

This Chicago Sun Times reviewer was fairly evenhanded, though the writing was pretty flat.

The daily diss on Ramiele Malubay: Ramielle Malubay’s performance was completely forgettable. She’s got a great, big voice but needs to work on her stage presence.

The Chicago Tribune felt Michael Johns, Jason Castro and Brooke White took advantage of their time on stage while Brooke White and Ramiele Malubay didn’t.

Funniest line: Kristy Lee Cook, who looked and moved like an “Austin Powers” Fembot, warbled her way through a cringe-inducing cover of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Neither the Trib nor the St. Louis Post Dispatch from the night before was that impressed with David Cook. This from the Post Dispatch:

David Cook seemed to be a bit of a one-trick pony in his live performance, taking well-known hits such as Lionel Ritchie’s “Hello” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and giving them a veneer of brooding alt-rock. Cook’s version of his single, “The Time of My Life,” was forgettable in comparison.

-USA Today’s Idol Chatter noted the recent dearth of action, Idol wise on the charts. Only Jordin, Carrie and Daughtry remain in the top 200 in sales. “Carnival Ride” is up to 2.23 million, Jordin’s is up to 850K and Daughtry as hit 4.15 million.

Jordin’s “No Air” remains the top “Idol” download at 35, selling 34K, totaling 2.24 million. But her new single “One Step at a Time” is gaining momentum, hitting 39, up from 58, with 30K for the week and 206K total. It has also entered the top 40 chart, her third top 40 single. David C’s “Time of My LIfe” is now up to 640K in sales and is top 10 in both the Hot AC and AC charts. Kellie’s new single”Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” has yet to grab hold on country radio (it’s now at No. 35 on Radio & Records, just behind Bucky Covington’s “I’ll Walk” at 33) and fell off the top 200 downloads chart. Carrie Underwood’s latest single is “Just a Dream,” her fourth off the second album and it just debuted at No. 45.

Josh Gracin’s “We Weren’t Crazy,” which has been on the chart for more than 9 months is knocking on the door of the top 10.

I expect Ace Young will debut this week, though probably not terribly high. He has gotten decent reviews. (I saw 2.5 stars in the People magazine I flipped through at Wal-Mart over the weekend.)

Season three’s LaToya London was too busy to do a face-to-face interview but I caught her by phone after working out and on her way to lunch here in Atlanta. She’s in town for two weeks doing the national touring production of “The Color Purple,” which opened earlier this week at the Fox Theatre.

She was very nice, very polite but content wise, this interview wasn’t exactly “60 Minutes” or even “Entertainment Tonight” quality. On the quotability scale, Kellie Pickler, she is not. More like Kimberley Locke. In a nutshell, she started playing Nettie in “The Color Purple” last spring and signed on for a second year that runs through March of 2009. She’s clearly very good at that tough role and enjoys it immensely.

“It’s a beautiful story,” she said. “I don’t mind it at all. Every night, I still get moved by certain parts of the story. I never get tired of it.”

LaToya, an Oakland resident, loves the hot weather here. She’s been to Apache Cafe to see some bands but otherwise has no grandiose plans while she’s here. She isn’t into touristy places like the aquarium. “Just soaking up the sun, soaking up the city,” she said.

She gives props to the Fox Theatre for its “authenticity. I love the elevators where you have to pull the doors open.” Opening night celebs Tuesday? R&B and BET reality show star Keyshia Cole is the only notable one she remembers.

Since “Idol” in 2004, she’s kept fairly busy, doing plays and gigs. She was talented enough not to have to get a regular 9 to 5 job and isn’t averse to joining other “Idol” alums doing package deals like many are doing in San Francisco and Branson right now.

She wants to do funky R&B on her next album. (Her first album “Love & Life” was a blend of jazz and R&B and sold about 58,000 copies). She hopes to have it out by fall of 2009. “I’m taking my time and actually cultivating what I want to do this second time around,” she said.

London doesn’t sound as if she’s tight with that many past “Idols.” She was closest to Jasmine Trias, not Fantasia or Jennifer.

-MJ found this video of Elliott Yamin in the ATL: he’s working with our local R&B producer/impresario Jermaine Dupri at So So Def Records in Atlanta. After Dupri mocks Yamin over his Lakers shirt, Yamin razzes the Hawks.

“American Idol,” as usual, was nominated for best reality program. For the past five years, it has lost out to “The Amazing Race.” The show has one just one Emmy for a lesser category. The other three shows are the same as last year: “Dancing With the Stars,” “Top Chef” and “Project Runway.”

I am a huge fan of “The Amazing Race.” It wins because it’s an amazingly difficult show to shoot and intricately paced and choreographed. And it’s fun. It has never been a huge hit but draws a fairly steady fan base. “Idol,” seen singularly out of context, simply isn’t as impressive as “Amazing” to voters, especially those that probably don’t watch it.

The Emmy folks created a new category for best reality show host and naturally, Ryan Seacrest is nominated. He has a solid chance of beating out Jeff Probst (“Survivor”), Tom Bergeron (“Dancing With the Stars”), Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”) and Howie Mandel (“Deal or No Deal’).

-And it’s hard to believe but “Idol” has already started auditions today in San Francisco. Atlanta, as noted, is not part of the itinerary this year. For folks in this town who want to audition, the closest city is Jacksonville, Fla. Get more info here.

-Here’s some interesting factoids about Jason Castro. He’s really not a dope. He got a solid 1340 on his SATs and went to Texas A&M on a petroleum engineering scholarship. More here.

I’m not really following “So You Think You Can Dance” this season but if you are, mark your calendars for the victory lap tour, which hits the Gwinnett Arena Nov. 13. And by the way, I have a new laptop (or at least one who’s hard drive is making grinding noises.) So I’m back in business!

According to the tour press release:

Finalists participating include Chelsie H, Comfort, Courtney G, Katee, Kherington, Gev, Joshua, Mark, Twitch and Will. Jessica, who recently left the show due to an unfortunate injury, may return to the stage when the dancers embark on the nationwide tour.

Tix go on sale August 2 so check on ticketmaster.com as the date gets closer.

-And here’s the daily gratuitous dis about Ramiele Malubay, this time from MJ’s Big Blog review courtesy of Griffy from Salt Lake City:

Ramiele - She is so out of her league. Her performances weren’t terrible, but she just got drowned out by the crowd. Her onstage talking between numbers seemed super awkward. I think she is still sooooo nervous about all of this.

-How about this for random? Jordin Sparks is going to summer camp..

-Atlanta’s Sevendust isn’t stupid. Their latest single “The Past” features a guest vocal from Daughtry. Details here.

-Unions are trying to organize reality show employees, piggybacking on the “Idols Live” tour for publicity purposes. More details here.

-Forgot to mention that John Rich Monday during “Nashville Star” made it clear the producers of the show — not the judges — decided on the final contestants. And he was not pleased. Can you blame him?

-My numbers-obsessed friend Ken Barnes at USA Today posted the total sales of the various coronation songs here.. Given that back in 2002-03, most sales were CDs and now they are all downloads means a bit of an oranges to apples situation but Clay Aiken is at the top (and he didn’t even win!), followed by Kelly, Carrie and Ruben. Taylor is fifth but David Cook’s “This is My Time” will probably lapse it in a couple of weeks.

Sorry. My laptop hard drive started making this grinding sound yesterday so tech is moving all my info onto a new drive. In the interim, I’m using a “pool” laptop and it’s taking me a long time to get access to everything I need temporarily. So I’m sorry if I’m a bit slow today trying to access information. (And I can’t upload photos for some reason on this computer.) Hopefully, I’ll have my computer back by the end of the day.

Anyway, at the Television Critics Association press tour meeting that I’m missing in Los Angeles, Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly confirmed all the info we’ve already heard about “Idol” next season. The same judges and host are back, of course. The network is reverting back to more half hour results shows and there will be fewer audition episodes. We suspect they are going to expand the Hollywood auditions and do more “flashbacks” to the auditions from there. This probably means fewer bad bad singers, which appeals to most of the readers here but honestly, those episodes often bring in the biggest ratings so Fox is taking a risk there.

And given the success of Jason Castro and Brooke White, two contestants we know would not have made the top 12 without instruments, instruments are coming back. No surprise there.

While I tihnk “Idol” lost ratings simply because it’s seven years old and nothing lasts forever, Nigel Lythgoe blamed broader trends: “I don’t believe the ratings dipped for American Idol,” Nigel theorized. “I believe the ratings dipped for network television. And if you balance the whole ratings slide against American Idol, American Idol didn’t slip in comparison to everything else that moved downwards.”

Technically, he’s right. The dropoff in ratings for “Idol” was less than or on par many major shows such as “Desperate Housewives,” “House” and “Lost.” I’d say “Idol” lost about 8 percent of its total audience year over year, a bit more of its younger viewers.

-It’s been awhile since we’ve had a new “Idol” release. Well, season five finalist Ace Young finally has his day in the sun. He’s the ninth contestant out of 12 from that season to release a CD, the most of any season thus far.

He wished he had become successful without “Idol.” (How dare he say such things! :) )

“On ‘American Idol’ you sing other people’s songs and you get criticized for it,” Ace told the Boston Herald. “That doesn’t really create an artist.”

“As a songwriter, I’ve always been an artist first. The hardest thing for me was doing the show,” he said. “It’s a TV show first and a competition second. If I could have a career without it, I’d go that way. You get better support that way,” he said.

Does he think he’d be getting this much press without the “Idol” connection? Embrace it, Ace!

He received a Grammy nomination last year for helping co-write Daughtry’s hit “It’s Not Over,” so obviosuly Ace has some skills in the songwriting department.

And though Ace has the help of songwriter Desmond Child, his album lacks direction and focus, says the Dallas Morning News critic.

A fairly stout debut, but because Mr. Young tackles too much he fails to stand up - or out. Hey, Blake Lewis: You have company.

Here’s a more positive take on the album, courtesy of the Rocky Mountain News.:

His Michael Jackson tendencies - vocally and arrangement-wise - come through most on the single Addicted. He reins it in on the rest of the disc, letting his personality come through on songs like A Hard Hand to Hold.

-And yes, the “Idols Live” tour hits David Archuleta’s home and it’s pandemonium, I tell ya, pandemonium! Check out how much love he gets here.. And here via the Deseret News..

The screaming audience made it impossible to hear Murray’s “American Idol” runner-up sing his version of Robbie Williams’ “Angels.” It was obvious a lot of the 10,000-plus audience members were there to see the “American Idol” runner-up but not necessarily hear him.

-We thought two contestants were going to be canned tonight from “Nashville Star” but only one did after all. The final multi-person group (the lame teen duo Laura and Sophie) was finally eliminated. They will not be missed. John Rich was still angry at one of them (I don’t even know which is which) for rolling her eyes last week while Jewel was talking. I actually thought they did alright tonight with an age appropriate song by Taylor Swift but nobody will miss them except their family and friends.

This is the first night in which all the contestants sang actual country songs! And they were better for it. Ashlee Hewitt, the blonde gal, is like 100 other Nashville blond singers. I see nothing special about her and her “Cowboy Take Me Away” made me think of how great Paris did two years ago with that song during her initial audition. Gabe Garcia, who did a song by Georgia’s Billy Currington, is a virtual lock for final two, given his great voice, but the man simply lacks stage charisma. That won’t change. Coffey has stage presence but his vocals don’t cut it for this competition. I did feel for him as he sang “It’s Your Love.” He really brought some emotional weight to the song thinking of his mom. I enjoyed Melissa Lawson’s take on a great Martina McBride song but the judges thought she was over the top. Shawn Mayer? I couldn’t care less. She did okay with that Carrie Underwood song “Before He Cheats” but added absolutely nothing new to the proceedings. She’d get a good response at a karaoke bar.

LaToya London, from that diva trifecta which included Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson, is in Atlanta for more than two weeks for the national tour of “The Color Purple.”

I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet but probably will. Personally, I found her somewhat less interesting than, say, Trenyce or Vonzell Solomon but better than Jasmine Trias. Any fans out there?

If you want tickets, “The Color Purple” is at the Fox Theatre from Tuesday, July 15 through August 3. You can buy them here.

London plays Nettie, Celie’s sweet sister.

Any questions I should ask her if I get some time with her? I may actually attend the opener as well.

-MJ is reading blogs, Idols tour blogs. David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado and my favorite (or actually favorite to mock) Ramiele Malubay. First up for me is Ramiele’s because omg, it’s so fascinating! “Bare” with me now:

Tacoma, Washington!

Omg! Thank you so much to all the fans that waited outside for us. We tried to get to all of you, it’s just hard when they come by telling us “20 minutes, 15 minutes”, then we have to leave. WE try so hard to get to everyone. I also wanted to thank a family who gave me PUTO! Omg I ate it for breakfast and dinner, ahha. I love you guys.

Its so nice to come out to everyone. You really do make our nights and days better. Just bare with us, it’s really hard to get to everyone. And we don’t purposely skip anybody it’s just a really hard task. And sometimes some of us can’t make it out in the afternoon to sign its cause we’re either caught up or catching up on some sleep. Our schedules are crazy I’m sure you guys will understand though.

Also I wanted to put this out there… If any fans come out with signs or shirts of me I will most deff try to get MEET AND GREET passes for after the show to whoever I see first. I won’t be able to get all but fear not fans… my mission is to help get you in after the show!!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS! Bring more signs and stuff so I can have something to find you guys with :)

- Ramiele

David Archuleta likes to write haha instead of :) and he also likes the John Mayer version of “Free Fallin’.” And Syesha had an allergic reaction to some soap and her eyes were all screwed up. And she provides advice when critics go after you for pure gratuitous reasons (as in me and poor Ramiele):

Whenever someone is mean to you show them more love. Whenever someone hurts your feelings try your best to make someone else feel good about themselves. Take all the negativity thrown at you and use it for good.

-Every summer, television writers fly to Los Angeles so networks can pitch their shows and we can get access to stars we might not normally be able to meet. But alas, given the economic circumstances of the day, I haven’t able to go. A writer I really respect, Ellen Gray, from the Philadelphia Daily News, was still able to make it out there and George Martin, the Beatles producer, has been rumored for years to be a possible mentor. He told critics that no way he would ever do it, not his “cup of tea.” Oh, well. They’ve already done Beatles night twice, probably won’t need to do that again for awhile.

Have a great weekend, everybody! It was a pretty quiet week here in “Idol” land, save for all the tour reviews from the West coast.

MJ on her Idol blog must have a lot more spare time on her hands of late because she seems to be putting even more info on her Idol blog than ever, even off season. She’s reading other blogs, scanning Web sites, doing stuff I wish I had the spare moments to do, too.

For instance, she found Brooke White’s blog about the tour.. She gives a day in the life in a font that’s impossible to read. I tried but only got through a few grafs before my eyes bugged out.

She also dug up this item from EW from last week noting that besides Kristy Lee Cook and the two Davids, Kelly Clarkson is set for a new album before Christmas. No confirmation it will have a country twang but we’d all put money on that.

The story also noted that Daughtry is working on his sophomore album but he’s not rushing. “I don’t want to put out anything that is second rate or be accused of going through a sophomore slump,” Chris Daughtry told EW.com at the Hollywood premiere of Hancock. “So we’re taking our time on it.” Likely release is spring of 2009.

-Here’s the “Idols” doing a “Guitar Hero” commercial singing “We’re an American Band.”

And Paula Abdul doing an ET bit with the Idols tour in L.A.:

-OK! Magazine has a rumor that Kellie Pickler is lobbying for a spot on “Dancing With the Stars.” She’d be the first “Idol” alum on the show and she’d be amazing! We’d get to see her in ridiculously gaudy, tight dresses and she’ll get to be flighty and delightfully funny before 20 million people a week.

-Here’s the generally favorable Sacramento Bee review of the Idols Live stop.

And yes, the daily diss on Ramiele “Wake Me Up When She’s Done” Malubay:

One of the reasons Malubay didn’t make it past No. 9 wasn’t so much her voice, but her obvious lack of showmanship. If the audience did quiet some, it was during her set, becoming almost catatonic during her version of Taylor Dayne’s “Love Will Lead You Back.” Moving back and forth across the stage was an effort for her.

Ed Roland, who is buds with Michael Johns from his days in Buckhead, is working with “Idol” winner David Cook, according to Entertainment Weekly..

As you may recall, Cook sang “The World I Know” during “Idol.”

Cook is also working with Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace, another group he paid homage to on “Idol.”

In San Jose, the Merc dissed Cook’s performance during the Idols Live concert.:

Ironically, the qualities that made Cook stand out on TV are the very things that could hold him back in the music business. He came across like a one-trick pony, relying too heavily on the novelty of turning pop/R&B songs into brooding rockers.

At his best, he seemed to channel the worst of ’90s alt-rock, coming across like one of those generic frontmen from groups signed to record contracts just after Stone Temple Pilots and Matchbox Twenty arrived on the scene.

Fair? Unfair?

And since I’m unfairly targeting Ramiele, who should not have been in the top 10 (David Hernandez, where are you?), here’s another funny critique about her:

Things were so subdued, I could have sworn crickets were accompanying Ramiele Malubay on Taylor Dayne’s “Love Will Lead You Back.”

The San Francisco Chronicle was even less kind, clearly written by someone who didn’t watch Idol:

[Cook is] certainly a capable rock singer, not all that different from Chris Daughtry, but Cook’s decision to throw all those chugging riffs and sweaty metal vocals behind limp songs by Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson and Diane Warren seemed like the kind of thing that would have got him a round battering on the actual “American Idol.” Where is Simon Cowell when you need him?

-Ready to pre-order the new Jennifer Hudson CD nearly three months early? Amazon is giving you the chance.. And as Just Jared noted, is this photo of Jennifer Hudson a wee bit, um, photoshopped?

Joining Carrie Underwood (right), David Cook has nabbed a Skechers endorsement, the start of what should be a very lucrative couple of years for the “Idol” winer.

This is from the press release, which hard-working MJ over at her blog nabbed:

Launching in Fall ‘08, the campaign coincides with the “PopTarts American Idols Live! Tour 2008,” and the debut of David’s first post-Idol album on 19 Recordings/RCA Records. The SKECHERS Cook campaign will include print, outdoor and in-store.

I have to give her credit. She’s been all over the Idols Live tour coverage.

-If you want an unapologetically raving review of the Los Angeles “Idols Live” concert, check this L.A. Times blogger Richard Rushfield. This piece could have been written by an “Idol” publicist, it’s so over the top positive, almost comically so.

Yes, he even liked Ramiele! These are words I have never written nor will I ever:

Throughout the season, Ramiele brought a spirit of fun and youthful mischief to the show that made her unforgettable even after her early departure.

And he believes Carly Smithson to be the best singer in the show’s history. I beg to differ on that count. On a pure volume standpoint, she’s up there with LaKisha, Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia. But I’m not sure she really connects with the audience the way Kelly or Fantasia did (thus, her sixth place finish).

That might make a good question of the day— who’s been the best vocalist in “Idol” history from a pure pipes standpoint?

-Here’s a much better, actual review of the concert from Variety.

Not every “American Idol” finalist realizes it yet, but the post-broadcast tour is an extended audition that’s just as important as the first go-around that landed them in the money on the Fox TV show. This time, however, they are playing to audiences who pay for music, fans looking for stars to invest in down the road. Those who present coherent stage personas that connect with their “Idol” performances — the two Davids, Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Carly Smithson and, surprisingly, Chikezie — are helping their careers. Those who see the tour as a chance to reconnect with past televised glory — Kristy Lee Cook, Ramiele Malebay, Michael Johns — are wasting a golden opportunity.

(I do love how Variety magazine shortens words—“perf” for performance and “aud” for audience.)

And the writer was more realistic about Ramiele:

Ramiele Malubay, decked out in junior dominatrix wear, was weathered by her third song, her voice too thin to power through anything but soft accompaniment.

Plus, here’s an interesting U.K. take on Jordin Sparks. There, she had a big hit with “No Air.”

Chris Brown’s doing just fine with ‘Forever’, but Jordin Sparks, truth be told, is facing an uphill struggle. Nothing on her debut album is in quite the same league as ‘No Air’, and she doesn’t have much of a profile outside the US.