Adam Should Win American Idol

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2012-01-28T04:43:00.001-08:00

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[American_Idol_Extra] Will you be watching the new season? Are you glad it is back?

2012-01-18T10:22:00.000-08:00

Television Alert: American Idol Returns Tonight, 8 Eastern on Fox

Will you be watching the new season?

Are you glad it is back?

------------------------------------

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[American_Idol_Extra] Television Alert: American Idol Returns Tonight, 8 Eastern on Fox

2012-01-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Television Alert: American Idol Returns Tonight, 8 Eastern on Fox

American Idol' Returns for Season 11

It's Ba-a-a-ck!

The 11th season of "American Idol" arrives on Fox tonight, and host
Ryan Seacrest says for some viewers, the return can't come soon
enough.

"I've been hearing a lot of 'We can't wait,'" Seacrest told ABC News
Radio. "Actually, I've been hearing more 'I can't wait for 'American
Idol 'to come back this next season' than I've heard in two or three
years.'"

Seacrest says he finds that interesting, because there's so much more
competition, from shows like NBC's "The Voice," but, he noted, "From
what I hear, there's just something about the original, and the
Americana, that is 'American Idol.'"

Michael Slezak, TVLine.com's "American Idol" expert, agrees. "I think
anticipation is high for Season 11 because people were really let down
by what 'The X Factor' delivered," he told ABC News Radio.

So what's different about this new season?

Well, judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are no longer new, and
Seacrest says they're more seasoned.

"The first season…Steven and Jennifer, were still sort of trying to
understand what it is that you're looking for initially to go through
the process to be the Idol," the host explained. "But now that they
see what the process is, I think, they look at the auditions a little
differently. And 'tougher' wouldn't be the word, but they're much more
specific in what they want this year."

Echoing that, Slezak says that Tyler and Lopez have got to be more
critical in their judging this season. Last year, many viewers felt
they they spent all their time saying everything was "beautiful."

"I feel like that is the one thing that Season 10 was missing," noted Slezak.

Responding to calls for the judges to be tougher, Jennifer Lopez told
reporters, "We try to give them advice as we would want it to be given
to us….There's nothing wrong with a little tough love. But there's
nothing wrong with a little encouragement either, and a little bit of
making them feel great at the same time."

As for what kinds of contestants we'll see, Seacrest says Scotty
McCreery's victory last year inspired many country singers to audition
this time around, but that's just another example of how the show has
grown musically.

"When we started the competition, it was just pop," Seacrest said. "It
was strictly, mainstream, stereotypical pop and with each year it's
broadened out a little bit and now you see all walks of life
auditioning. It makes the show interesting."

Despite the diversity of the contestants, though, the last four
winners of the show have all been, as some pundits put it, "cute white
guys with guitars." Should something be done to prevent that from
happening?

Judge Randy Jackson says no. "This is not a show that we're saying, 'A
girl has to win,' or 'A guy.' This is not some, like, sexist, kind
of…thing," he said. "If it's another boy this year and that's the most
talented person in my eyes…that's who should win."

Ultimately, TVLine's Michael Slezak said, "What it's always boiled
down to on the show, is how good is the talent level for any 'Idol'
season?" He added, "Success or failure of the season hangs solely on
how good the singers are, and if they manage to get that right
collection of people together to make that magic happen."

The magic starts happening at 8 p.m. tonight, continues Thursday night
and again on Sunday night.

More:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/01/american-idol-returns-for-11th-season/

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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[American_Idol_Extra] Adam Lambert Arrested Outside Helsinki Gay Bar

2011-12-22T15:59:00.001-08:00

Adam Lambert Arrested Outside Helsinki Gay Bar
12.22.2011
By Adam Rathe
Singer and boyfriend Sauli Koskinen were nabbed by cops for assault
Adam Lambert wasn't taken to jail for Trespassing.

The American Idol contestant and recent Out100 honoree was arrested
outside of a gay bar in Finland early Thursday morning when he and
boyfriend, Finnish television personality Sauli Koskinen, were caught
fighting on the street, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The pair were spending the evening at Helsinki gay bar DTM and
reportedly got into a row in one of the bar's back rooms before they
spilled out onto the street, causing a scene and involving an ex-Miss
Helsinki in their fisticuffs.

They were hauled into a Helsinki jail and were held for questioning
related to four possible assault charges.

According to police, the two were released late Thursday and soon
enough Koskinen was already blogging about the incident.

"Celebrities are people too and fame is not easy," he wrote, according
to the mag. "Love is not always easy either, but it's forever."

Update: Adam Lambert weighs in on Twitter with his mathematical
assessment of the incident.

More:
http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2011/12/22/adam-lambert-arrested-outside-helsinki-gay-bar

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

------------------------------------

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[American_Idol_Extra] Ace Young (singer) born on November 15 1980

2011-11-20T17:06:00.001-08:00

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

------------------------------------

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Re: [American_Idol_Extra] What Scotty McCreery Earns for Winning 'American Idol'

2011-05-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

I don't see how you can say they gdt the short end of the stick? These guys are getting publicity they couldn't hope to get just playing some neighborhood bar or school talent show. Where else can they get national exposure to millions of people in just a few short months?

J Lo, Steven Tyler and other performers on the show put in years of hard work before they got that kind of audience. What the contestants (those that don't win or get contracts) do with their talent after the show is up to them, but they sure get a good leg-up to their careers.

Ryan, Randy, J Lo etc. get paid in the milliosn for the show, and they deserve every penny, based on the salaries of other shows and what they could be earning on tour.

Paul

From: stepladder27 <stepladder27@yahoo.com>
To: "American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com" <American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 8:24 PM
Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] What Scotty McCreery Earns for Winning 'American Idol'

I really wonder what the costs are of producing American idol, and what Ryan, Randy, JLo, and Stephen get paid. I have an idea it is way way in excess of $250 thousand. I think I read that Simon Cowell's new The X Factor will pay out $5 Million. The real performers and life of these shows are the contestants, and I think they get the short end of the stick. Maybe I am wrong.......

From: Tommy News <tommysnews@gmail.com>
To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com; TelevisionMoviesandTheater@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 7:25 PM
Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] What Scotty McCreery Earns for Winning 'American Idol'

What Scotty McCreery Earns for Winning 'American Idol'

Is winning "American Idol" becoming less lucrative?

This year, 17-year-old Scotty McCreery was declared the winner. He's
now due at least $250,000 in advances for winning the show and
recording the first album.

Because McCreery is a minor, producers had to take his contract to a
judge for approval. (The type of judge that wears a black robe -- not
the one who dances to salsa music on-stage.) It's not technically a
requirement, but most producers do so anyway to avoid any possible
future disputes over the contract's validity.

By saving themselves peace of mind, producers open these contracts up
for public inspection, and so Billboard took a peak at what McCreery
is getting for winning this season. Besides the $250,000 advance,
McCreery also will be earning tens of thousands of dollars more for
granting Idol partners likeness, merchandise and endorsement rights.

The sum is a good figure for someone who was unknown a year ago, but
McCreery might not be doing quite as well as previous winners from
past seasons. A contract submitted to a judge for Season 7 runner-up
David Archuleta revealed he was due to earn $360,000 for an album.
McCreery also seems to be accepting a "360 deal" that pretty much
allows producers and record labels to share in non-music related
revenue like merchandise.

Negotiations over these deals finish before the finalists are
announced. Each year, contestants on Idol host their own private side
competition to pick a lawyer who will represent them en masse. This
year, there were actually co-winners to that prize: Craig Marshall and
Gary Gilbert of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.

More:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/what-scotty-mccreery-earns-winning-192772

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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Re: [American_Idol_Extra] What Scotty McCreery Earns for Winning 'American Idol'

2011-05-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] What Scotty McCreery Earns for Winning 'American Idol'

2011-05-27T16:25:00.001-07:00

What Scotty McCreery Earns for Winning 'American Idol'

Is winning "American Idol" becoming less lucrative?

This year, 17-year-old Scotty McCreery was declared the winner. He's
now due at least $250,000 in advances for winning the show and
recording the first album.

Because McCreery is a minor, producers had to take his contract to a
judge for approval. (The type of judge that wears a black robe -- not
the one who dances to salsa music on-stage.) It's not technically a
requirement, but most producers do so anyway to avoid any possible
future disputes over the contract's validity.

By saving themselves peace of mind, producers open these contracts up
for public inspection, and so Billboard took a peak at what McCreery
is getting for winning this season. Besides the $250,000 advance,
McCreery also will be earning tens of thousands of dollars more for
granting Idol partners likeness, merchandise and endorsement rights.

The sum is a good figure for someone who was unknown a year ago, but
McCreery might not be doing quite as well as previous winners from
past seasons. A contract submitted to a judge for Season 7 runner-up
David Archuleta revealed he was due to earn $360,000 for an album.
McCreery also seems to be accepting a "360 deal" that pretty much
allows producers and record labels to share in non-music related
revenue like merchandise.

Negotiations over these deals finish before the finalists are
announced. Each year, contestants on Idol host their own private side
competition to pick a lawyer who will represent them en masse. This
year, there were actually co-winners to that prize: Craig Marshall and
Gary Gilbert of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.

More:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/what-scotty-mccreery-earns-winning-192772

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

------------------------------------

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Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

same as with Carrie Underwood, I thought she was boring on AI, but she has done well in Country. The last guy that won was boring too. Maybe it should be Boring American Idol in the future. No one interesting has won in quite a while if ever.

Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, and I'm going to be happy in it." — Groucho Marx

--- On Sun, 5/15/11, kim h <mswejh@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: kim h <mswejh@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
To: "American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com" <American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sunday, May 15, 2011, 6:13 PM

i think scotty will win too, altho he doesn't need to, to be successful in country. i'm sure if i liked country, i wud like him a lot--but i don't like country, so he just bores me. i wish haley wud win at this point, but i doubt it.

kim h

From: Greg Dempsey <gregdempsey@sti.net>
To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 11:30 PM
Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

I think one-trick pony Scotty will win. The judges, by sheer repetition, seem to have convinced the female audience that he's hot. Yet, in realty, he really doesn't have the look or likeability to be a country star anyway.

Yes, James has a lot of characteristics in common with Adam Lambert, including the fact that he was head and shoulders above anyone he was competing with, but didn't win anyway. I hope James has a successful recording career like Adam's.

Just my opinion. What's yours?

Greg

From: Lisa L

Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 5:31 PM

To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

That's not going to happen, I haven't watched it in a couple of weeks, been on the road, but I have heard what's going on. I don't know who will win, the ones left seem to be pretty much well matched. Average, unimpressive, etc.

--- In American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com, Brian M <gayroyal@...> wrote:
>
>
> I think James will win too-I dont know if anyone has mentioned it on here before but James has reminded me quite a bit of Adam Lambert most of the season. I never liked Jacob either.
>
>
>
> To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
> From: grbenny@...
> Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 11:55:31 -0700
> Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ï»¿
> I agree. James should win, although Loren has huge star quality, and amazing natural talent. James is so real and sincere. Everything he does, seems to come straight from the heart. And he delivers like it's his most important performance ever.
>
> I was never so happy to see someone voted off as I was when Jacob got the boot. What an arrogant, self righteous, corny, twit! He over-sang just about everything, and didn't seem to have a humble bone in his body. Ugh. I could barely look at the TV when he was on!
>

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

my opinions pretty much mesh with yours. I don't know why I even watch the show, but I've been watching it since season one and it's hard to break the habit. I won't be seeing it the rest of this season. On vacation, driving, visiting etc. Right now I'm in Vegas visiting my son and his family, too many other things to do besides watch Idol.

Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, and I'm going to be happy in it." — Groucho Marx

--- On Sat, 5/14/11, Greg Dempsey <gregdempsey@sti.net> wrote:

From: Greg Dempsey <gregdempsey@sti.net>
Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011, 11:30 PM

I think one-trick pony Scotty will win. The judges, by sheer repetition, seem to have convinced the female audience that he's hot. Yet, in realty, he really doesn't have the look or likeability to be a country star anyway.

Yes, James has a lot of characteristics in common with Adam Lambert, including the fact that he was head and shoulders above anyone he was competing with, but didn't win anyway. I hope James has a successful recording career like Adam's.

Just my opinion. What's yours?

Greg

From: Lisa L

Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 5:31 PM

To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

That's not going to happen, I haven't watched it in a couple of weeks, been on the road, but I have heard what's going on. I don't know who will win, the ones left seem to be pretty much well matched. Average, unimpressive, etc.

--- In American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com, Brian M <gayroyal@...> wrote:
>
>
> I think James will win too-I dont know if anyone has mentioned it on here before but James has reminded me quite a bit of Adam Lambert most of the season. I never liked Jacob either.
>
>
>
> To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
> From: grbenny@...
> Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 11:55:31 -0700
> Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ï»¿
> I agree. James should win, although Loren has huge star quality, and amazing natural talent. James is so real and sincere. Everything he does, seems to come straight from the heart. And he delivers like it's his most important performance ever.
>
> I was never so happy to see someone voted off as I was when Jacob got the boot. What an arrogant, self righteous, corny, twit! He over-sang just about everything, and didn't seem to have a humble bone in his body. Ugh. I could barely look at the TV when he was on!
>

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

i think scotty will win too, altho he doesn't need to, to be successful in country. i'm sure if i liked country, i wud like him a lot--but i don't like country, so he just bores me. i wish haley wud win at this point, but i doubt it.

kim h

From: Greg Dempsey <gregdempsey@sti.net>
To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 11:30 PM
Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

I think one-trick pony Scotty will win. The judges, by sheer repetition, seem to have convinced the female audience that he's hot. Yet, in realty, he really doesn't have the look or likeability to be a country star anyway.

Yes, James has a lot of characteristics in common with Adam Lambert, including the fact that he was head and shoulders above anyone he was competing with, but didn't win anyway. I hope James has a successful recording career like Adam's.

Just my opinion. What's yours?

Greg

From: Lisa L

Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 5:31 PM

To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

That's not going to happen, I haven't watched it in a couple of weeks, been on the road, but I have heard what's going on. I don't know who will win, the ones left seem to be pretty much well matched. Average, unimpressive, etc.

--- In American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com, Brian M <gayroyal@...> wrote:
>
>
> I think James will win too-I dont know if anyone has mentioned it on here before but James has reminded me quite a bit of Adam Lambert most of the season. I never liked Jacob either.
>
>
>
> To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
> From: grbenny@...
> Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 11:55:31 -0700
> Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ï»¿
> I agree. James should win, although Loren has huge star quality, and amazing natural talent. James is so real and sincere. Everything he does, seems to come straight from the heart. And he delivers like it's his most important performance ever.
>
> I was never so happy to see someone voted off as I was when Jacob got the boot. What an arrogant, self righteous, corny, twit! He over-sang just about everything, and didn't seem to have a humble bone in his body. Ugh. I could barely look at the TV when he was on!
>

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

Right about James! I think they need to find a better way to judge. Having it 100% public voting isn't cutting it. I think I am done watching for this round.

----- Original Message -----

From: Lisa L

To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 5:31 PM

Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

That's not going to happen, I haven't watched it in a couple of weeks, been on the road, but I have heard what's going on. I don't know who will win, the ones left seem to be pretty much well matched. Average, unimpressive, etc.

--- In American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com, Brian M <gayroyal@...> wrote:
>
>
> I think James will win too-I dont know if anyone has mentioned it on here before but James has reminded me quite a bit of Adam Lambert most of the season. I never liked Jacob either.
>
>
>
> To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
> From: grbenny@...
> Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 11:55:31 -0700
> Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ï»¿
> I agree. James should win, although Loren has huge star quality, and amazing natural talent. James is so real and sincere. Everything he does, seems to come straight from the heart. And he delivers like it's his most important performance ever.
>
> I was never so happy to see someone voted off as I was when Jacob got the boot. What an arrogant, self righteous, corny, twit! He over-sang just about everything, and didn't seem to have a humble bone in his body. Ugh. I could barely look at the TV when he was on!
>

__._,_.___

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Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
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[American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Just my opinion. What's yours?

Greg

From: Lisa L

Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 5:31 PM

To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

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[American_Idol_Extra] Re: Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

--- In American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com, Brian M <gayroyal@...> wrote:
>
>
> I think James will win too-I dont know if anyone has mentioned it on here before but James has reminded me quite a bit of Adam Lambert most of the season. I never liked Jacob either.
>
>
>
> To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
> From: grbenny@...
> Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 11:55:31 -0700
> Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ï»¿
> I agree. James should win, although Loren has huge star quality, and amazing natural talent. James is so real and sincere. Everything he does, seems to come straight from the heart. And he delivers like it's his most important performance ever.
>
> I was never so happy to see someone voted off as I was when Jacob got the boot. What an arrogant, self righteous, corny, twit! He over-sang just about everything, and didn't seem to have a humble bone in his body. Ugh. I could barely look at the TV when he was on!
>

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Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

I think everyone that is left is good
I think James should win, but I haven't picked one yet

Sent from my iPhone

On May 8, 2011, at 11:55 AM, "Gary Benny" <grbenny@comcast.net> wrote:

> being

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RE: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

I think James will win too-I dont know if anyone has mentioned it on here before but James has reminded me quite a bit of Adam Lambert most of the season. I never liked Jacob either.

To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com
From: grbenny@comcast.net
Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 11:55:31 -0700
Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

I agree. James should win, although Loren has huge star quality, and amazing natural talent. James is so real and sincere. Everything he does, seems to come straight from the heart. And he delivers like it's his most important performance ever.

I was never so happy to see someone voted off as I was when Jacob got the boot. What an arrogant, self righteous, corny, twit! He over-sang just about everything, and didn't seem to have a humble bone in his body. Ugh. I could barely look at the TV when he was on!

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Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

Not to seem like a big downer, but the field seems really weak to me, compared to previous years. I don't think most of the top 10 would have make it to the top 20 in the past. Not really sure why, but Simon not being there may have something to do with it.

Speaking of Simon. At first I really liked the new panel, but it seems kind of dull now. Steven Tyler is really quirky and interesting on a certain level, but he just likes everything and everybody! Kind of the same with Ms. Lopez. Randy is about the same I guess, but there don't seem to be many surprises or much controversy.

My 2 cents!

Gary

----- Original Message -----

From: guy

To: American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2011 9:25 AM

Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

I like the country singer, but I like James performances better... I think James will win... least thats who I am rooting for.

From: Lisa <lisalane2005@sbcglobal.net>
To: "American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com" <American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, May 6, 2011 9:11:28 AM
Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

James

Sent from my iPhone

On May 6, 2011, at 7:03 AM, Tommy News <tommysnews@gmail.com> wrote:

> Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
>
> --
> Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
> Have a great day,
> Tommy
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

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Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

I like the country singer, but I like James performances better... I think James will win... least thats who I am rooting for.

From: Lisa <lisalane2005@sbcglobal.net>
To: "American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com" <American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, May 6, 2011 9:11:28 AM
Subject: Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

James

Sent from my iPhone

On May 6, 2011, at 7:03 AM, Tommy News <tommysnews@gmail.com> wrote:

> Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
>
> --
> Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
> Have a great day,
> Tommy
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

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Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

James

Sent from my iPhone

On May 6, 2011, at 7:03 AM, Tommy News <tommysnews@gmail.com> wrote:

> Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?
>
> --
> Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
> Have a great day,
> Tommy
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

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[American_Idol_Extra] Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

2011-05-06T06:03:00.001-07:00

Since Jacob is gone, Who Do You Think Will Be The American Idol?

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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[American_Idol_Extra] Jacob Lusk Goes Home on 'American Idol'; Lady Gaga to Mentor?

2011-05-06T05:57:00.000-07:00

Jacob Lusk Goes Home on 'American Idol'; Lady Gaga to Mentor?
PRNewsFoto/Zumobi(LOS ANGELES) -- Jacob Lusk got the boot on American
Idol Thursday night, leaving just four contestants still in the
contest.

He sang "A House Is Not a Home" for his farewell song and continued
doing vocal runs after the song was over and as the credits rolled.
Lauren Alaina was in the bottom two with Lusk, but she'll be back next
week.

The top five opened the show with a group performance of The Turtles'
classic hit "Happy Together." Lady Antebellum also returned to
American Idol to debut their brand-new single," Just a Kiss," and
judge Jennifer Lopez took the stage for a highly-produced performance
of "On the Floor" with Pitbull. She also gave a sneak peek of her new
video for "I'm into You."

Speaking of videos, Lady Gaga's video for "Judas" was scheduled to
premiere on last night's American Idol, but it never aired. No doubt
the reason why is because it leaked online earlier Thursday, prompting
Gaga to officially release the video before the scheduled Idol
premiere.

If you were disappointed in the video no-show Thursday night, however,
there may be something even better in store for next week. After
Thursday's show, host Ryan Seacrest tweeted, "I only have one word for
our mentor on @AmericanIdol next week...Gaga." If true, that pretty
much says it all.

On Thursday's show, Seacrest also announced some of the audition
cities for American Idol's eleventh season. They'll be hitting St.
Louis on June 28, Portland on July 2 and Charleston, South Carolina on
July 22. More audition cities will be announced next week.

American Idol's top four return to perform for the nation's vote next
Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.

More:
http://www.670kboi.com/rssItem.asp?feedid=115&itemid=29665848

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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[Fox_American_Idol] The Best Season Yet!.......???

2011-04-05T08:55:00.001-07:00

Has this group died?

I started out the season thinking Wow! This group is great! And yet, as much as I like their voices, I have yet to be wowed by their performances past the top 24. What is happening here? None of them seem to be entertaining, and Steve has lost his charm. The show is starting to bore me and I think for as much as it seemed to redeem itself after last year's fiasco, it's headed back to disaster. I think part of the problem is they are not allowing the kids to be themselves. They're giving them WAAY too much coaching, picking how they will sing their songs rather than letting them do it. None of the performances have really sounded original to me. They seem do be singing someone elses style. Danger! Danger!

Where is everybody?

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The Amazing Widget (That Makes YOU Money)!

2010-12-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

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2010-11-23T20:14:00.001-08:00

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[American_Idol_Extra] Sing Along Sunday: "I'm Always Hearing Wedding Bells" in Tribute to The Late Eddie Fisher

2010-09-26T14:55:00.001-07:00

Sing Along Sunday:

"I'm Always Hearing Wedding Bells"

in Tribute to The Late Eddie Fisher

Eddie Fisher, whose huge fame as a pop singer was overshadowed by scandals ending his marriages to Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Connie Stevens, and Terry Richard died this week at the age of 82 weeks after suffering a broken hip from hip surgery complications. His fifth and last wife Betty Lin died in 2001.

Fisher on his NBC-TV series, 1954

Early life

Fisher, fourth of seven children, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Kate (née Minokur) and Joseph Fisher.^[1]^[2] His father's surname was originally Tisch or Fisch, but was anglicised to Fisher upon entry into the United States.^[3] To his family, Fisher was always called "Sonny Boy", a nickname derived from the song of the same name in Al Jolson's film The Singing Fool (1928).^[4]

Fisher attended Thomas Junior High School,^[5] South Philadelphia High School, and Simon Gratz High School. It was known at an early age that he had talent as a vocalist and he started singing in numerous amateur contests, which he usually won. He made his radio debut on WFIL,^[5] a local Philadelphia radio station. He also performed on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, a popular radio show which later moved to TV. Because he became a local star, Fisher dropped out of high school in the middle of his senior year to pursue his career.^[6]

Career

By 1946, Fisher was crooning with the bands of Buddy Morrow and Charlie Ventura. He was heard in 1949 by Eddie Cantor at Grossinger's Resort in the Borscht Belt. After performing on Cantor's radio show he was an instant hit and gained nationwide exposure. He then signed with RCA Victor.

Fisher was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, sent to Texas for basic training, and served a year in Korea. From 1952 to 1953, he was the official vocal soloist for The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own) and a tenor section member in the United States Army Band Chorus (an element of Pershing's Own) assigned at Fort Myer in the Washington, D.C. Military District. After his discharge, he became even more popular singing in top nightclubs. He also had a variety television series, Coke Time with Eddie Fisher (NBC) (1953–1957), appeared on Perry Como's show, The Gisele MacKenzie Show, The Chesterfield Supper Club and The George Gobel Show, and starred in another series, The Eddie Fisher Show (NBC) (1957–1959, alternating with Gobel's series).

A pre-Rock and Roll vocalist, Fisher's strong and melodious tenor made him a teen idol and one of the most popular singers of the early 1950s. He had seventeen songs in the Top 10 on the music charts between 1950 and 1956 and thirty-five in the Top 40.

In 1956, Fisher costarred with then-wife Debbie Reynolds in the musical comedy Bundle of Joy. He played a serious role in the 1960 drama Butterfield 8 with second wife Elizabeth Taylor. His best friend was showman and producer Mike Todd, who died in a plane crash in 1958. Fisher's affair and subsequent marriage to Taylor, Todd's widow, caused a show business scandal because he and Reynolds had a very public divorce. It was because of the unfavorable publicity surrounding the affair and divorce that NBC cancelled Fisher's television series in March 1959.

In 1960, he was dropped by RCA Victor and briefly recorded on his own label, Ramrod Records. He later recorded for Dot Records. During this time, he had the first commercial recording of "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof. This technically counts as the biggest standard Fisher can claim credit for introducing, although it is rarely associated with him. He also recorded the album Eddie Fisher Today which showed that he had more depth than his singles from earlier years had shown. The Dot contract was not successful in record sales terms, and he returned to RCA Victor and had a minor single hit in 1966 with the song "Games That Lovers Play" with Nelson Riddle, which became the title of his best selling album. During the time Fisher was the most popular singer in America^{[citation needed]}, in the mid 1950s, singles, rather than albums, were the primary recording medium. His last album for RCA was an Al Jolson tribute, You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet. In 1983 he attempted a comeback tour but this was not a success. Eddie Fisher's last released album was recorded around 1984 on the Bainbridge record label. Fisher tried to stop the album from being released, but it turned up as After All. The album was produced by William J. O'Malley and arranged by Angelo DiPippo. DiPippo worked with Eddie countless hours to better his vocals but it became useless. His final recordings (never released) were made in 1995 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. According to arranger-conductor Vincent Falcone in his 2005 autobiography, 'Frankly: Just Between Us', these tracks were "...the best singing of his life." Fisher performed in top concert halls all over the United States and headlined in major Las Vegas showrooms. He headlined at the Palace Theater in New York City as well as London's Palladium.

Fisher has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for recording, at 6241 Hollywood Boulevard, and one for television, at 1724 Vine Street.

Personal life

Fisher had five marriages and four children:

Debbie Reynolds (1955–1959; divorced)
- Carrie Fisher (born 1956)
- Todd Fisher (born 1958)

Elizabeth Taylor (1959–1964; divorced)

Connie Stevens (1967–1969; divorced)

Joely Fisher (born 1967)
Tricia Leigh Fisher (born 1968)

Terry Richard (1975–1976; divorced)

Betty Lin (1993–2001; she predeceased him)

In 1981, Fisher wrote an autobiography, Eddie: My Life, My Loves (ISBN 0-06-014907-8). He wrote another autobiography in 1999 titled Been There, Done That (ISBN 0-312-20972-X). The later book devotes little space to Fisher's singing career, but recycled the material of his first book and added many new sexual details that were too strong to publish before. His daughter Carrie declared, upon publication: "That's it. I'm having my DNA fumigated."

When interviewed, Debbie Reynolds will characteristically say that she could understand being dumped "for the world's most beautiful woman (Taylor)", previously a close friend. Taylor and Reynolds later resumed their friendship, and mocked Fisher in their TV movie These Old Broads, wherein their characters ridiculed the ex-husband they shared, named "Freddie."

Death

Fisher broke his hip on September 9, 2010 and died 13 days later on September 22, 2010 at his home in Berkeley, California, due to complications from hip surgery. He was 82 years old.^[7]

^Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Fisher_(singer)

The Lyrics

I'm Always Hearing Wedding Bells

I don't think I'm crazy
My feet are on the ground
But I'm always hearing wedding bells
Whenever you're around
When I'm out with people
I try to lend an ear
But I'm always hearing wedding bells
And wishing you were here
I never thought I'd fall
But when I saw you how quickly I fell
And darling that's not all
Your kiss rang a wedding bell
If I'm only dreaming
You'll make my dreams come true
On the day I'm hearing wedding bells
Walking down the aisle with you

I never thought I'd fall
But when I saw you how quickly I fell
And darling that's not all
Your kiss rang a wedding bell
If I'm only dreaming
You'll make my dreams come true
On the day I'm hearing wedding bells
Walking down the aisle with you

Eddie Fisher singing "I'm Always Hearing Wedding Bells" (Improved Picture Quality) (Aired 1953)

Click Here and sing along:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ2ubf-2BXg&feature=related

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] AI

2010-08-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

American Idol' judges will be picked by mid-September

Hope it works the link

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Nancy

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[American_Idol_Extra] Ellen DeGeneres Leaving ‘American Idol’, Jennifer Lopez Joining Judges Panel

2010-08-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

Ellen DeGeneres Leaving 'American Idol'

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By BRIAN STELTER

Published: July 29, 2010

LOS ANGELES — Walking away from a five-year contract worth tens of millions of dollars, Ellen DeGeneres said Thursday evening that she was leaving "American Idol" on Fox after just one season because it was not a "right fit" for her. In bowing out, she joins the infamous judge Simon Cowell, who departed in May.

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Ellen DeGeneres arrived for the season finale of "American Idol" in May.

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Ellen Degeneres, left, on American Idol in April.

The departures of two of the show's four judges denotes that a wholesale makeover is under way as "Idol," the nation's most popular entertainment show, heads into its 10th season this winter. Singer auditions are already under way.

The Web site Deadline.com said Thursday night that the singer Jennifer Lopez secretly reached a deal earlier this week to replace Ms. DeGeneres. Fox declined to comment but a person familiar with the deal confirmed the report.

More details about the changes to "Idol" could come on Monday, when Fox executives are scheduled to answer questions at a conference for TV critics here.

Hardly a day goes by without a new name being floated for one of the seats on the judges' panel, one of the most enviable jobs in television and music. Trade publications and entertainment Web sites have said recently that the musicians Harry Connick Jr., Chris Isaak, Elton John, Jessica Simpson and Justin Timberlake have all been considered.

Separately, people familiar with the show's production said this week that one of the original executive producers of "Idol," Nigel Lythgoe, is in negotiations to return in the same position. He would supplement, not replace, the other executive producers.

Mr. Lythgoe, who now produces and judges another Fox reality show, "So You Think You Can Dance," said earlier this year that if he were back in charge, he would replace every judge on "Idol."

Despite slowly sagging ratings, "Idol" continues to generate huge profits for Fox and the show's producers, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia. Each year it mints new pop stars and generates at least $800 million in advertising revenue.

The two judges who remain are Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

Because Ms. DeGeneres had a longer-term contract than they do, she remarked in a CNN interview in May, "I'm going to be the last one in there."

But in that same interview, she also said that she had a hard time hurting the feelings of the young contestants who try out for "Idol" but get voted off each week during the live telecasts. On Thursday, she cited that as one of several reasons why she was leaving.

Ms. DeGeneres said in a statement that she informed Fox "a couple months ago" that the show "didn't feel like the right fit for me."

"I told them I wouldn't leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next," she said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/arts/television/30ellen.html?ref=television

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

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[Fox_American_Idol] Come Share The Love on my new Paula Abdul Forum!

2010-07-31T19:09:00.001-07:00

I am a huge fan of Paulas. I am also a web/graphic designer by hobby. I looked around the internet to find Paula fan forums and found none that were active. Besides her official sites. So I created one. I put alot of time, energy and creativity into this site. Now all I need is members to join. So if your a fan of Paula's please check out my site and sign up so we can all share the love we have for Paula!
http://straight-up.users-board.com

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Re: [American_Idol_Extra] Ellen DeGeneres out on "American Idol"

2010-07-29T19:07:00.000-07:00

I never liked Kara and Donald Trump I would not watch.

I'm not a bitch. I just have a low bullshit tolerance.

--- On Thu, 7/29/10, Tommy News <tommysnews@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Tommy News <tommysnews@gmail.com>
Subject: [American_Idol_Extra] Ellen DeGeneres out on "American Idol"
To: "american_idol_extra" <American_Idol_Extra@yahoogroups.com>, "ent" <TelevisionMoviesandTheater@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Thursday, July 29, 2010, 8:35 PM

Ellen DeGeneres out on "American Idol"

Ellen DeGeneres is out on "American Idol."

DeGeneres will not return as a judge on the hit singing competition series, Fox announced Thursday. And more judge changes are in store as the network tries to stem the show's alarming loss of viewers.

Sources say the suits behind the scene wanted her gone. But, on Thursday, they handed her the knife, issuing a statement saying DeGeneres "has decided to bow out from her role as a judge on 'American Idol' next season" which included a quote from Ellen in which she said that a couple of month ago she told Fox and the show's producers she didn't think she was "the right fit" for the show.

Mmmmm. Yup.

The announcement even included a quote from the usually buttoned-down Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment at Fox Networks Group, in which he effused, "We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of 'Idol'."

Anyway, however it happened, the good news -- the thing for us to focus on -- is that Ellen is gone. Monday, Fox's day at Summer TV Press Tour 2010, is going to be major with the remaining "Idol" judges' status on everyone's minds, such as they are.

Sources say the exit of Ellen, who survived just one season on the show, is not the producers' last move. We already know Simon Cowell is gone, and Kara DioGuardi's contract had not been renewed as of press time.

And Nigel Lythgoe, who has returned to the show in an oversight capacity, had been advocating for a gut job. Lythgoe, who executive produced "Idol" for many years before leaving in summer of '08 to focus exclusively on "So You Think You Can Dance," was no fan of the judging panel.

This past season -- Ellen's first and, as it turns out last, Lythgoe was the show's most outspoken critics, telling pretty much anyone who would listen, including Zap2it.com last April, "I would replace the entire judging panel."

"They don't' have a great deal of chemistry at the moment," he said, stating the obvious, of Randy Jackson, Ellen, Kara, and Simon.

"It's uncomfortable to watch," Lythgoe said, speaking for us all, adding, "Ellen hasn't worked out as well as we would have hoped."

Ellen was a bad fit from the get go. The comic-turned-sitcom-star-turned-daytime-talk- show-host started her new "Idol" judging career on the same day Simon came to Winter TV Press Tour 2010 to announce he was quitting the show.

DeGeneres was never comfortable performing the responsibilities of an "Idol" judge. Cheerleader yes -- judge no, and her pre-written gags almost always fell with a thud on performance nights.

In that interview back in April, Lythgoe blue-skied that if he could get any judge lineup he wanted on "Idol" it would be: Usher, Elton John and Justin Timberlake.

Not coincidentally, their names have all turned up in recent speculation as to who will replace Simon -- and now, it would appear, Ellen -- on the singing competition, which has seen its ratings sink dramatically the past couple seasons, though it remains the country's most watched program.

But names of other pop culture names are being spit-balled as Reporters Who Cover Television play Let's Re-Cast Idol. The list includes Chris Isaak, Harry Connick Jr., and Jessica Simpson. And, let's not forget Bret Michaels, Howard Stern -- and, of course, Donald Trump .

More:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/07/ellen-degeneres-is-out-on.html

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] Ellen DeGeneres out on "American Idol"

2010-07-29T17:35:00.001-07:00

Ellen DeGeneres out on "American Idol"

Ellen DeGeneres is out on "American Idol."

DeGeneres will not return as a judge on the hit singing competition series, Fox announced Thursday. And more judge changes are in store as the network tries to stem the show's alarming loss of viewers.

Sources say the suits behind the scene wanted her gone. But, on Thursday, they handed her the knife, issuing a statement saying DeGeneres "has decided to bow out from her role as a judge on 'American Idol' next season" which included a quote from Ellen in which she said that a couple of month ago she told Fox and the show's producers she didn't think she was "the right fit" for the show.

Mmmmm. Yup.

The announcement even included a quote from the usually buttoned-down Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment at Fox Networks Group, in which he effused, "We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of 'Idol'."

Anyway, however it happened, the good news -- the thing for us to focus on -- is that Ellen is gone. Monday, Fox's day at Summer TV Press Tour 2010, is going to be major with the remaining "Idol" judges' status on everyone's minds, such as they are.

Sources say the exit of Ellen, who survived just one season on the show, is not the producers' last move. We already know Simon Cowell is gone, and Kara DioGuardi's contract had not been renewed as of press time.

And Nigel Lythgoe, who has returned to the show in an oversight capacity, had been advocating for a gut job. Lythgoe, who executive produced "Idol" for many years before leaving in summer of '08 to focus exclusively on "So You Think You Can Dance," was no fan of the judging panel.

This past season -- Ellen's first and, as it turns out last, Lythgoe was the show's most outspoken critics, telling pretty much anyone who would listen, including Zap2it.com last April, "I would replace the entire judging panel."

"They don't' have a great deal of chemistry at the moment," he said, stating the obvious, of Randy Jackson, Ellen, Kara, and Simon.

"It's uncomfortable to watch," Lythgoe said, speaking for us all, adding, "Ellen hasn't worked out as well as we would have hoped."

Ellen was a bad fit from the get go. The comic-turned-sitcom-star-turned-daytime-talk- show-host started her new "Idol" judging career on the same day Simon came to Winter TV Press Tour 2010 to announce he was quitting the show.

DeGeneres was never comfortable performing the responsibilities of an "Idol" judge. Cheerleader yes -- judge no, and her pre-written gags almost always fell with a thud on performance nights.

In that interview back in April, Lythgoe blue-skied that if he could get any judge lineup he wanted on "Idol" it would be: Usher, Elton John and Justin Timberlake.

Not coincidentally, their names have all turned up in recent speculation as to who will replace Simon -- and now, it would appear, Ellen -- on the singing competition, which has seen its ratings sink dramatically the past couple seasons, though it remains the country's most watched program.

But names of other pop culture names are being spit-balled as Reporters Who Cover Television play Let's Re-Cast Idol. The list includes Chris Isaak, Harry Connick Jr., and Jessica Simpson. And, let's not forget Bret Michaels, Howard Stern -- and, of course, Donald Trump .

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/07/ellen-degeneres-is-out-on.html

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] Sorry

2010-07-27T04:50:00.000-07:00

I got some e-mails from friends my e-mail was jacked , so gotta get a new yahoo account I am so sorry for this
I haven't been on here for a few days either
not happy about this either

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Nancy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] (unknown)

2010-07-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

http://jarehesa.angelfire.com/

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[American_Idol_Extra] SING ALONG SUNDAY: "Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess" by George Gershwin

2010-07-18T16:09:00.001-07:00

SING ALONG SUNDAY

"Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess" by George Gershwin

The cast of Porgy and Bess photographed by Richard Tucker. Oct. 10, 1935

Porgy and Bess is an opera, first performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. It was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and the play of the same name as the opera which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African American life in the fictitious Catfish Row (based on the real-life Cabbage Row) in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s.

Originally conceived by Gershwin as an "American folk opera", Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in the fall of 1935 and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers—a daring and visionary artistic choice at the time. Gershwin chose African American Eva Jessye as the choral director for the opera. Incorporating a wealth of blues and jazz idioms into the classical art form of opera, Gershwin considered it his finest work.

The work was not widely accepted in the United States as a legitimate opera until 1976, when the Houston Grand Opera production of Gershwin's complete score established it as an artistic triumph. Nine years later the Metropolitan Opera gave their first performance of the work. This production was also broadcast as part of the ongoing Saturday afternoon live Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts. The work is now considered part of the standard operatic repertoire and is regularly performed internationally. Despite this success, the opera has been controversial; some critics from the outset have considered it a racist portrayal of African Americans.

"Summertime" is by far the best-known piece from the work, and countless interpretations of this and other individual numbers have also been recorded and performed. The second best-known number is It Ain't Necessarily So. The opera is admired for Gershwin's innovative synthesis of European orchestral techniques with American jazz and folk music idioms.

Porgy and Bess tells the story of Porgy, a crippled black man living in the slums of Charleston, South Carolina. It deals with his attempts to rescue Bess from the clutches of Crown, her violent and possessive lover, and Sportin' Life, the drug dealer. Where the earlier novel and stage-play differ, the opera generally follows the stage-play.

The Porgy and Bess original cast recording was included by the National Recording Preservation Board in the Library of Congress, National Recording Registry in 2003.^[1] The board selects songs on an annual basis that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

On July 14, 1993, the United States Postal Service recognized the opera's cultural significance by issuing a commemorative 29-cent postage stamp, and in 2001 Porgy and Bess was proclaimed the official opera of the State of South Carolina.^[2]

"Summertime" is the name of an aria composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward. The song soon became a popular jazz standard.

Gershwin is said to have based this song on a Ukrainian lullaby, Oi Khodyt Son Kolo Vikon (A Dream Passes By The Windows), which he heard in a New York City performance by Oleksander Koshetz's Ukrainian National Chorus.

Gershwin began composing the song in December 1933, attempting to create his own spiritual in the style of the African American folk music of the period. It is sung multiple times throughout Porgy and Bess, first by Clara in Act I as a lullaby and soon after as counterpoint to the craps game scene, in Act II in a reprise by Clara, and in Act III by Bess, singing to Clara's baby.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summertime_(song)

Summertime Lyrics

Summertime, And the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' And the cotton is high Your daddy's rich And your mamma's good lookin' So hush little baby Don't you cry One of these mornings You're going to rise up singing Then you'll spread your wings And you'll take to the sky But till that morning There's a'nothing can harm you With daddy and mamma standing by Summertime, And the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' And the cotton is high Your daddy's rich And your mamma's good lookin' So hush little baby Don't you cry

Click these links and sing along:

Summertime (Porgy and Bess) - George Gershwin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DXaWCGspUA

Summertime Billie Holiday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4PSju9HYwU

Ella Fitzgerald - Summertime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j6avX7ebkM

Leontyne Price sings "Summertime"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMCw_FjSQuQ

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] should bret take ove simons place??????????????

2010-07-14T05:27:00.000-07:00



	The following video link was sent to you by: nancy
		Should Bret Michaels Take Over for Simon Cowell? - Tuned In - TIME.com

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Nancy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] Did AI producers run an illegal lottery

2010-07-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

Did 'American Idol' producers run an illegal lottery?

Tue Jul 13, 2010 @ 03:13PM PST

By Eriq Gardner

A case testing whether viewer contests on "American Idol" and "Deal or No Deal" were "illegal lotteries" has survived a key hurdle.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a decision to hear an appeal by Fox, Telescope, 19 Entertainment, Fremantle Media and other producers looking to challenge the merits of a class action lawsuit over these contests.

The decision sends the case back to the district court to hear more from the contestants, who allege the shows violated California laws on unfair business practices.

Each of these shows give viewers the opportunity to win prizes via a text message contest.

In the "American Idol Challenge," viewers answer a trivia question. In the "Lucky Case Game," viewers of "Deal or No Deal" choose a briefcase corresponding to the winning number.

Under California law, an illegal lottery has three elements: (1) distribution of a prize; (2) based on chance; and (3) an individual has paid a valuable consideration.

The plaintiffs, who didn't win the contest, argued that their 99 cent text message fee was that consideration. The defendants moved to dismiss the case because contestants were given a "free option" — to participate in the contest by going to the game show website. They argued there was no consideration.

The district court denied the motion to dismiss, and the defendants appealed.

The Ninth Circuit heard a tentative appeal, but it now rules that early appeals on legal questions can only be heard if there's "substantial ground for difference of opinion."

The appellate panel rules in the decision that the defendants haven't shown that substantial ground, nor have they cited any California law undermining the district court opinion.

For now, the contestants will get a chance to pursue victory in, as the Ninth Circuit puts it, "the high-stakes world of class action litigation."

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Nancy

__._,_.___

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[American_Idol_Extra] simon cawell says bret michael would be...................

2010-07-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

American Idol – Simon Cowell Says Bret Michael Would Be Great Judge

July 13, 2010 12:08 PM EDT

The man of the hour, Bret Michaels, made an appearance on The View this morning. Weren't we all wondering where he'd been? It's been probably a good month since we really heard anything about him. The good news is he appeared very healthy.

But the big news is that Bret was asked what all the rumors were about him being asked to judge American Idol. He noted all his health problems couldn't have come at a worse time. While it may have seemed that these rumors popped up because of his escalating popularity after his win on Celebrity Apprentice and health troubles, the truth is it had been talked about before any of that happened.

Bret admitted on The View that they had been in talks about him replacing Simon Cowell some time ago, and that when he went in to talk about the possibilities, that Simon Cowell gave him a great compliment, saying he thought "Bret Michael would be a great judge" for American Idol. Bret feels it would be wrong to just look for someone exactly like Simon saying, although he can be brutally honest, he's really looking for good talent. He thinks the show needs someone to be there for the right reasons.

Stopping short of saying yea or nay, Bret really never did say whether he was definitely out of the running for American Idol because of his health problems or whether it was even still a possibility or not. He did say in January he'll have surgery to fix the hole in his heart, meaning that could be fixed before the semi-final rounds start, and maybe even before Hollywood week.

After all, we know Bret, and after all those health scares he had, he was still up and moving, appearing on the Celebrity Apprentice finale, then the American Idol finale a few weeks later, and shortly after that back out on tour. I don't know what's involved in the surgery he needs, but it's hard to imagine anything holding him out of service for too long.

Incidentally, Clay Aiken was on The View today as well as a guest cohost, and he had mentioned not too long ago an interest in replacing Simon as well. Oddly, this was never brought up during this segment. Maybe the two of them could have an Idol-Off or something.

So the question still remains. Who will be the next American Idol judge?

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Nancy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] new here

2010-07-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

thanks for letting me join in

I am nancy

I am very addicted to AI ....lol

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[American_Idol_Extra] " I am America": The Tea Party 'national anthem'?

2010-07-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

We need to come up with a Progressive music video retort like we did with "The Gathering Storm" N.O.M. video! -Tommy

The Tea Party 'national anthem'?

The buzzy new single from Christian artist Krista Branch delivers a dose of Tea Party values in the form of song

posted on July 9, 2010, at 2:15 PM

Krista Branch sings "I Am America." SEE ALL 20 PHOTOS

Best Opinion: Fred Thompson, Huff. Post, Best Week Ever

The Tea Party now has a soundtrack. Krista Branch, a Christian musician and erstwhile "American Idol" hopeful, has released a patriotic new single, "I Am America," which melodically touts the Tea Party's brand of populism and fierce nationalist fervor. The song, which is available for download from iTunes, recently received a boost after Glenn Beck played it on his radio show. If you want to know why Tea Partiers are so angry, says former Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson on his website, then listen to this "catchy little tune," which "pretty much sums up what all the fuss is about." Catchy, yes, and also rather threatening, says The Huffington Post, with lyrics that "warn those who deride the Tea Party" of "consequences to face when 'judgment day'... rolls around." At least, says Sarah Walker in Best Week Ever, now Tea Partiers will know which song to sing when they're "out karaoking" with their friends! Listen for yourself:

Listen here:

http://theweek.com/article/index/204863/the-tea-party-national-anthem

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] Paul McCartney Performs with Ringo for Ringo's 70th Birthday at Radio City Music Hall

2010-07-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

A surprise birthday wish from Sir Paul! Happy 70th to Ringo.

Paul McCartney Performs with Ringo for Ringo's 70th Birthday

Former Beatle, Ringo Starr, celebrated his 70th birthday at NYC's Radio City Music Hall.

At the end, after the show appeared to be over, Paul McCartney came on stage and he, Ringo and the backup band played Going to a Birthday Party.

Beatles Ringo and Paul McCartney by gaviganj

Paul and Ringo. They're all we have left of the Fab Four. Good to see them together!

Watch here:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Paul-McCartney-Performs-wi-by-you-tube-100709-955.html

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] Jane Lynch, Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Colfer Get Emmy Nods, Full List

2010-07-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

Jane Lynch, Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Colfer Get Emmy Nods

By On Top Magazine Staff
Published: July 08, 2010

Seven openly gay stars received Emmy Awards nods as nominations were announced Thursday.

Half of the six men nominated in the Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series are openly gay: Chris Colfer who plays Kurt Hummel on Fox's musical comedy hit Glee, Neil Patrick Harris who plays Barney Stinson in CBS' How I Met Your Mother and Jesse Tyler Ferguson who plays gay dad Mitchell Pritchett on ABC's Modern Family.

Harris is also nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series category for an appearance on Glee.

Recently married Jane Lynch is also a double nominee. She's up for consideration in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category for her role as Sue Sylvester, the sharp-tongued coach of McKinley High whose mission is to ruin the glee club singers on Glee, and her guest appearance on CBS' Two And A Half Men has also been nominated.

Lily Tomlin's supporting role as Marilyn Tobin on FX's legal drama Damages was nominated.

Sir Ian McKellen's interpretation of Two on AMC's miniseries The Prisoner earned the veteran actor an Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie category.

Alan Cummings' guest spot in CBS' The Good Wife will also be considered when the Emmy Awards are presented live Sunday August 29^th on NBC.

http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=6004&MediaType=1&Category=16

Emmy Nominations: 2010 Full List

Getty

Sofia Vergara and Joel McHale

This morning, Sofia Vergara of "Modern Family" and Joel McHale of "Community" announced the nominees for the 62nd Primetime Emmy Award Nominations. New show "Glee" led the pack with 19 nominations, including nods for leads Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele, while AMC's "Mad Men" scored with 17 nods. On the miniseries side, HBO's "The Pacific" received 24 nominations. The awards will be handed out in Los Angeles on Aug. 29.

As usual, few surprises peppered the nominations. A few of note: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien picked up nominations for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special as well as Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music or Comedy Series — whereas Jay Leno's Tonight Show, which was submitted by NBC, was not.

Another snub: while almost every adult cast member of ABC's hit comedy "Modern Family" was nominated in supporting categories, patriarch Ed O'Neill was not — despite being the one to reportedly suggest that all the actors enter the Emmys race as supporting players. (O'Neill's former "Married… with Kids" co-star Katey Sagal also failed to score a nomination for her work on the fx show "Sons of Anarchy.")

On the happier side, relative surprise "True Blood" was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, alongside "Breaking Bad," "Dexter," "The Good Wife," "Lost," and "Mad Men." (Speaking of "Lost", star Matthew Fox picked up his first Lead actor nod for the show, which ended earlier this year.)

Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, from the critically-acclaimed drama "Friday Night Lights," were also recognized for their acting contributions to the show.

For a full list of nominations, check out Emmys.com.

Some of the nominees in the top categories:

Comedy series:
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Modern Family
Glee
Nurse Jackie
The Office
30 Rock

Drama series:
Breaking Bad
Dexter
The Good Wife
Lost
Mad Men
True Blood

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series
Lea Michele, Glee
Julia Louis Dreyfuss, New Adventures of Old Christine
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Toni Collette, The United States of Tara

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Steve Carell, The Office
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Matthew Morrison, Glee

Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Hugh Laurie, House
Matthew Fox, Lost (his first Emmy nomination)
Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Glenn Close, Damages
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
January Jones, Mad Men

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Chris Colfer, Glee
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Jon Cryer, Two And A Half Men

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Martin Short, Damages
Terry O'Quinn, Lost
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men
Andre Braugher, Men Of A Certain Age

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Jane Lynch, Glee
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Holland Taylor, Two And A Half Men

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Sharon Gless, "Burn Notice"
Rose Byrne, "Damages"
Archie Panjabi, "The Good Wife"
Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"
Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"

Reality Competition program:
American Idol
Amazing Race
Dancing With The Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series:
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Saturday Night Live
Real Time With Bill Maher
Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/07/08/2010-emmy-nominations-announced/

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] You Say It’s Your Birthday? Help Ringo Starr Celebrate When He Turns 70

2010-07-06T11:03:00.001-07:00

You Say It's Your Birthday? Help Ringo Starr Celebrate When He Turns 70

By DAVE ITZKOFF

Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press What do you get for the man who has everything? Ringo Starr drops a few subtle hints about what he'd like for his birthday.

Ever since Ringo Starr vowed, on a well-known cover of Buck Owens's hit "Act Naturally," that he'd become "the biggest fool to ever hit the big time," the renowned rock 'n' roll drummer has done all right for himself. As a member of the Beatles and as a solo artist, Mr. Starr has sold more than a few records, won some Grammy Awards and even had a minor planet named for him. But on Wednesday Mr. Starr will reach a very special milestone: he turns 70 years old.

As you'd expect, he plans to mark the occasion with a little help from his friends, and anyone else he can round up. Finding himself in New York on the big day, he is celebrating with a private event in the morning at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square; in the evening he will perform a concert at Radio City Music Hall with his All Starr Band.

Mr. Starr is also continuing a tradition — one that started with this 2008 Access Hollywood interview — of asking fans to say the words "Peace and love" at noon on his birthday. (Much easier than shouting the lyrics to "Octopus's Garden.") If you need to preserve your voice on Wednesday, you can also leave a message at the Beatles' Facebook page; follow Ringo-related Tweets at the band's Twitter page or using the hashtag #ringolove2010; and post and watch video messages on YouTube. (You can also post your birthday wishes in the comments below.)

Mr. Starr spoke recently about his impending birthday and some other recent accomplishments. Here are excerpts from the conversation.

Can I wish you a happy birthday ahead of schedule?

You can. And you can put the gift in the post or you can leave it at the concierge.

What would you like to get this year?

You know what I'm asking for: peace and love.

How are you feeling about the number 70?

As far as I'm concerned, in my head, I'm 24. That's just how it is. The number, yeah, it's high. But I just felt I've got to celebrate it. I'm on my feet and I'm doing what I love to do, and I'm in a profession, as a musician, where we can go on for as long as we can go on. I'm not hiding from it, you know.

When you were 24 what did you think you'd be doing at age 70?

I don't know, but when I was 22, actually, I remember this so well, and I was playing, and there was another band, and these people in that other band were 40, and I was saying, "My God, you're still doing it?" [laughs] Which doesn't look funny in black and white, but it was incredible, and now I'm waaaaay past 40. My new hero is B. B. King. I have a great line: B. B. is still playing, even though he is sitting down now. But hey, I'm sitting down already. You've just got to get on with it. I'd like to be out there pretending I'm only 55, but I'm not.

What seems like an advanced age to you now?

I think 90. But we'll see. It's a birthday at a time.

You've had a few interesting things happen to you over the last year. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is taking one of your drums.

They're taking a whole snare drum. I'm lending it to them because, it's well-documented, in 1964 that old Bill Ludwig, he presented it to me. I bought these Ludwig drums, and in the shop in England, the guy wanted to take the sign out, but I love everything American, the music and the instruments. So I made him leave the sign on. So I was a running commercial — on Sullivan, and all that touring of America, it said Ludwig drums. And so to thank me for that, they gave me this gold drum, and that's the one that's going into the Metropolitan for a year.

How does that make you feel, to have one of your possessions on display at the Met?

Well, yeah, cool.

That's it?

I mean it. I've had a couple of pieces of clothing in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn't too shabby, but come on, this is the Met.

It's cool. That's all I can say. It's very cool. I did a show there in January with Ben Harper, that's how we got friendly with them, and they have an instrument room with a lot of very crazed African drums, old pianos, and so they thought this would be good.

Are they letting you borrow anything from their collection in exchange?

Yeah, they're giving me Tutankhamen's tomb. No, they're not giving me anything. I'm being kind to them.

A few weeks ago the Vatican finally gave its approval to the Beatles. How did you feel about that?

It didn't affect me in any way, but I do believe that the Vatican have better things to deal with than forgiving the Beatles. I don't remember what it actually said — it had some weird piece in it, too. That they've forgiven us for being, what, satanic? Whoever wrote it was thinking about the Stones.

Are you ever surprised by the unpredictable ways in which the Beatles continue to resonate in the popular culture? There's a novel out now called "Paul Is Undead," which imagines that you're a ninja and your band mates are zombies.

I only ever see the covers and the titles. I don't read it all. But it's always on. There's nothing we can do about that. What's more interesting to me is that our records are still coming out. And they're the same records and the new generation gets to hear them, and as far as that's concerned, that's the most important thing to me. The music we make, it's still going on.

Do you get much chance to listen to all the Beatles covers that continue be produced?

You have to talk to Sony about that. They have the publishing and they'll give it to anyone.

You're using the occasion of your birthday to give a message back to your fans.

Yes, I want to spread the word that at noon, wherever you are — in New York, in L.A., in Paris, in London — I just pray that you'll put your fingers up and say, "Peace and love." I did it two years ago, it was the first time, and I did it out of Chicago because I was on tour. This year, we're playing Radio City, so we're doing it in New York. In Japan there were little get-togethers and it went worldwide, so that was great.

Do you think we've got a good chance at getting peace and love this year?

I think the more we promote it, the more chance we have of getting it.

More:http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/you-say-its-your-birthday-help-ringo-starr-celebrate-when-he-turns-70/

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] Sing Along for Pride Sunday: I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross

2010-06-26T16:36:00.001-07:00

The New York March may be webcasted on www.ourscenetv.com

Thre is also a 5th avenue webcam you can google for the url.

Sing Along for Pride Sunday

I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross

Happy Pride to You and Yours

We Remember!

With Love fron Tommy

STAN

"I'm Coming Out" is a hit single released by Motown singer Diana Ross in 1980, written and produced by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers for her album diana (1980).

The song was a hit, peaking at number five on the U.S. Pop Singles chart. It is also notable for being the first song usually performed at Ross' performances and concerts since 1980.

The song would be sampled as the years passed, most notably by Puff Daddy, who used a sample on the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1997 song "Mo Money Mo Problems". There's also been a cover by Marcia Hines. It was featured as a cover for the video game Karaoke Revolution as well.

Source:

www.wikipedia.com

The Lyrics

I'm Coming Out

Im coming out
Im coming
Im coming out
Im coming out
Im coming out
Im coming out

Im coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
Im coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

Theres a new me coming out
And I just had to live
And I wanna give
Im completely positive
I think this time around
I am gonna do it
Like you never do it
Like you never knew it
Ooh, Ill make it through

The time has come for me
To break out of the shell
I have to shout
That Im coming out

Im coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
Im coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

Im coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
Im coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

Ive got to show the world
All that I wanna be
And all my billities
Theres so much more to me
Somehow, I have to make them
Just understand
I got it well in hand
And, oh, how Ive planned
Im spreadin love
Theres no need to fear
And I just feel so glad
Everytime I hear:

Im coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
Im coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

Click these links and sing along:

I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9KXkDMEPag&feature=related

Coming Out in Central Park, New York City, 1983

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnl1yitzRhI&feature=related

Sing and Dance Along

Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out & Bonus Song The Boss 1981

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ZLbtWEQ54

In Loving Memory of Michael Jackson

Never Can Say Goodbye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbv-5h_oXZw

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] Sing Along Sunday For Pride Month: " I Am What I Am" from "La Cage Aux Folles"

2010-06-20T12:46:00.001-07:00

Sing Along Sunday For Pride Month

"I Am What I Am" from "La Cage Aux Folles"

Happy Pride Month to you and yours!

Get out and celebrate!

La Cage aux Folles is a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman. Based on the 1973 French play by Jean Poiret and subsequent 1978 French-Italian screen version (one of the most popular foreign films ever released in the United States), the musical focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his star attraction—and the adventures that ensue when Georges' son brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

The musical's 1983 Broadway production overcame competition from several strong new shows that season, including Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Sunday in the Park with George, Kander and Ebb's The Rink and David Shire and Richard Maltby, Jr.'s Baby, winning six Tony Awards out of nine nominations, including the top honors of Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. Among the forward-looking themes of the musical is the idea that gays can form stable, long-term relationships and raise children.

A gay-themed project was risky in the early years of the AIDS epidemic, even though many Broadway performers, crew members, and devotees were gay. But the creative team—all gay men—felt that such a show was the tonic needed by those suffering from the illness and to combat the overt homophobia that had surfaced in some quarters due to the threat posed by the epidemic.

Although La Cage was Broadway's first gay-themed musical, it was nevertheless a mainstream production. Laurents did not allow his lead characters so much as a peck on the cheek for fear that he might offend his audience. It was an old-fashioned production in the best sense: elaborate costumes by veteran Theoni V. Aldredge, exquisite sets, glamorous chorus girls (including mostly boys in drag), and a lushly romantic score. According to theatre historian John Kenrick, La Cage and the strong 1983 season was the last great Broadway season. After the next season's Big River, for "the first time since Oklahoma, a full decade would go by before a new American musical would pass the 1,000 performance mark."

Awards and nominations

1983 production

Tony Award for Best Musical (winner)
Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (winner)
Tony Award for Best Original Score (winner)
Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Hearn, winner; Barry, nominee)
Tony Award for Best Costume Design (winner)
Tony Award for Best Lighting Design (nominee)
Tony Award for Best Choreography (nominee)
Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (winner)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical (nominee)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical (nominee)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Hearn, winner; Barry, nominee)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations (nominee)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics (nominee)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music (winner)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design (winner)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design (nominee)

^Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cage_aux_Folles_(musical)

"I Am What I Am" is a song originally featured on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles (1983–1987). The song is found on the finale number of the play's first act, and performed by the character of Albin Mougeotte. The song was composed in 1983 by Jerry Herman, an openly gay man.

Gloria Gaynor Version

The song was later re-recorded and released as a single by gay icon and disco diva Gloria Gaynor in 1983, and proved to be one of the singer's best known hits among her fans. While pretty much unknown to the mainstream American public (it reached a peak position of #82 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart), Gaynor's version of "I Am What I Am" was a hit elsewhere, reaching no.13 in the UK charts, and would become the rallying cry of the Gay Pride movement, alongside another song of hers, "I Will Survive" (1979).

The Lyrics and Chords:

I Am What I Am

[La Cage Aux Folles]

[ Fm6 = ]

I am what I am, I am my own special creation
So come take a look, give me the hook or the ovation
It's my world that I want to have a little pride in
My world and it's not a place I have to hide in
Life's not worth a damn 'til you can say, hey world
I am what I am

/ A C#m F#m Esus4E7 / A C#m F#m Bm7E7 / AC#7 F#m /
/ Bsus4B7 Dm6 / A C#m F#m / BmE7 A /

I am what I am, I don't want praise I don't want pity
I bang my own drum, some think it's noise I think it's pretty
And so what if I love each feather and each spangle
Why not try to see things from a different angle
Your life is a sham 'til you can shout out loud
I am what I am

/ B Ebm Abm C#mF# / / BEb#7 Abm / C#mC#7 Em6 / B Ebm Abm / C#m7F#7 B - /

I am what I am and what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces
There's one life and there's no return and no deposit
One life so it's time to open up your closet
Life's not worth a damn 'til you can say, hey world
I am what I am

/ C Em Am7 DmG7 / / Cmaj7Dm6 Am / Am7/D-D9 Fm6 /
/ C Em Am / D7sus4 G7 C - /

Source:

http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/iamwhati.htm

Click these links and sing Along:

I Am What I Am - George Hearn - La Cage Aux Folles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lupNzpcpDRk

Gloria Gaynor - I am What I am

Sing and Dance along

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj8C43r4zm0

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

__._,_.___

__,_._,___

[American_Idol_Extra] 'Glee' season finale recap: Journey to the Center of the Birth

2010-06-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

'Glee' season finale recap: Journey to the Center of the Birth

No one stops believin' as New Directions finally heads to Regionals

By Darren Franich

Image credit: Adam Rose/Fox

HOLD ON TO THAT FEELING Mr. Schue reminds the glee club that the dreams that they dare to dream really do come true.

I've been trying to collect my feelings on the first season of Glee. It's difficult. For one thing, the experience has been spread out over the course of a year. There was awe-inspiring debut back in May 2009. Then the unsteady episodes in early fall — forget all the fake pregnancies, remember ''Acafellas''? But the show found its footing, and turned into a cross-platform phenomenon. ''Sectionals'' was just about perfect... right in time for a months-long hiatus. 

 The back nine episodes have been a mixed bag. That's to be expected. Glee was the out-of-nowhere underdog when it debuted. A cast of unknowns, most of them shockingly normal-looking? And in a musical drama, a genre that hasn't been successful since, lemme think, NEVER ONCE IN TV HISTORY? There's bound to be whiplash when a show like that turns into a phenomenon. Look no further than the first words of the ''Previously On'' narration on last night's season finale: ''I dunno anyone who'd miss an episode of Glee.'' Very cheeky, ''Previously On'' Narrator. Hubris alert! Icarus: meet the Sun. 

 Don't get me wrong. The back half had great episodes, and some of the show's best performances. I could watch Rachel's ''Run, Joey, Run'' video a million times and never get tired of it. Of course, not everybody liked ''Run, Joey, Run,'' and not everybody (myself included) liked the Madonna episode. Glee is practically designed to be as a mixed bag, when you consider how it tries to reflect something like the entire sweep of pop music history, from Judy Garland to Barbra Streisand to Madonna to Lady Gaga. Tell me how many times you've experienced this watching Glee: the kids start singing a song that you don't recognize, but someone you're watching it with says, ''Oh, I love this song!'' 

 To me, though, the first season finale, ''Journey,'' was just about perfect. Every essential plotline from the season reached a sense of closure (even the ones you might've wanted to forget: hello, Olivia Newton-John!) More than that, this was one of those high-energy episodes that narrowed its song focus (only four performances!) and found a just-right mix of cynicism and optimism, of banal reality and glam performance. Oh hell, I cried. How could you not? 

The episode kicked off with Mr. Schue proudly posting a flyer for New Directions' Regionals performance. Sue could sense his pride, and swooped in like a vulture: ''See you on Saturday,'' she said, ''I'm one of the judges.'' Schue complained to Figgins, but Figgins' hands were tied: Don't blame me, blame the Show Choir Governing Board, who went with celebrity judges this year. 

 Sue qualifies as a celebrity? Sue Sylvester, going way meta: ''I'm a legend. It's happened.'' Sue then created a new watershed moment in the history of jokes about Schuester's hair: ''I'm having a really difficult time hearing anything you have to say today, because your hair looks like a briar patch. I keep expecting racist animated Disney characters to pop up and start singing songs about living on the bayou.''

NEXT: Mr. Schue's man-tears

Unexpectedly, we jumped to a flashback to many months ago: Puck trying to convince Quinn to sleep with him. This scene was striking, and not just because of Puck's totally bananas Flashback Mohawk. (Did it really used to look like that?) Glee can go absurd, but the show is often surprisingly direct when it deals with sex. Puck's key line — ''You think either one of us is gonna give a damn about Finn in three years?'' — was unflinchingly cynical. (When Quinn asked about protection, he actually managed to make ''I got it, trust me,'' sound romantic, albeit idiotic.)

 Jump cut to the modern day, with Quinn rubbing at her pregnant belly. The mood was grim at New Directions' pre-Regionals pizza party. (Did they learn nothing from that lesson about funk last week?) Sue Sylvester was going to crush them. It was obvious. Tina cried. Schuester didn't get all the fuss. Mercedes tried to explain. ''Do you think Puck and Santana will even look at me once we're not in glee club anymore?'' Puck: ''She has a point.''

 Mr. Schue couldn't figure out how to inspire his kids. Thank heavens for Emma Pillsbury, who spoke to Will this week for the first time since her epic bitchslap five episodes ago. I was glad to see her return in such a big way. I don't hate Will Schuester as much as others may, but the guy's become mighty insufferable in this second half of this season. He becomes noticeably less annoying whenever Emma's around, if only because she's more believable as a voice of moral reason. She reminded him of the moment in the series premiere, when she showed him a picture of himself performing as a high schooler. It was the happiest moment in his life ''because I loved what I was doing.''  

 Will loves it when a woman tells him about himself. He was feeling romantic. Hands off, Schuester! Emma was dating a dentist with the decidedly dentist-like name Carl Howell (they bonded over their shared love of sterilizing tools.) Mr. Schue fled to his awful car. He was feeling low. And like so many other people in American history, only one thing could rescue him: accidentally turning on a radio station playing ''Don't Stop Believin'.'' He cried, but it was a good cry, a manful cry. (I should point out that my girlfriend found this scene deeply unmoving. Maybe it's a guy thing?)  

Meanwhile, in the land of teenagers, Finn chased down Rachel in the hallway. He tried to inspire her. ''You're a leader, Rachel! The way you're on everyone all the time is annoying, but it's also what keeps us going!'' I was all set for this plotline to drag on (we've seen variations on this all season), but Shazam! Rachel just kissed him, and smiled.

NEXT: The Journey begins

At this point, Mr. Schue gave a speech. Again, minor wince: how many inspiring speeches has this guy given this season? (Since there have been 22 episodes, I'm going to ballpark it: 22?) But by gum, this one actually was inspiring! ''One day, all of you are gonna be gone, and all of this, all of us, will be nothing but a hazy memory.'' I always find it interesting, and sad, when characters in fiction briefly pause to consider the possibility that everything they've experienced while we've been watching them will fade away into memory. (Not to get mega-meta, but some of what Will was talking about almost sounded like a unified theory of television: ''Life only really has one beginning and one end, and the rest is just a whole lot of middle.'')  

 It's the journey, not the destination, and so, friends, there was only one way the New Directions gang could take Regionals: 

 Journey Medley (''Faithfully,'' ''Any Way You Want It,'' ''Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin','' ''Don't Stop Believin')
Those goons from Aural Intensity got the judge lineup ahead of time: how else to explain the Olivia Newton-John/Josh Groban mash-up? Nerves backstage ran high. Mr. Schue made a funny about Finn's dancing, so at least someone has noticed besides us viewers. (The black-and-gold outfits: I want them.) [More on the finale's costumes here]. Finn and Rachel prepared for their big entrance. Rachel, adorably: ''Break a leg.'' Finn, adorably: ''I love you.''  

 It's difficult for me to imagine when Journey was an actual famous band. I've only known them at various stages of their retro-resurrection: their semi-ironic rebirth as the Great American Drunk-Singing Band (as portrayed brilliantly on Family Guy), the fully ironic choice to make them into the apocalyptic chorus at the end of The Sopranos, and their ecstatic re-rebirth as the first Glee megahit. I have the vague sense that Journey are fading back into the mists of pop culture: I just attended a wedding where more people sang along to ''Bad Romance'' than ''Don't Stop Believin'.'' 

But man, did this medley freaking rock, or what? (I thought about grading it in three parts, but every part would have just gotten an A, except for ''Faithfully,'' which would get an A+.) This episode was directed by series co-creator Brad Falchuk, and he clearly took some notes from Joss Whedon: note all the long takes, like the one which followed Finn into the auditorium, then tracked over to find Rachel awaiting him. 

 The little touches were great here, too. the Bearded One's red piano. The intermingling of ''Any Way You Want It'' and ''Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin''' as a boys vs. girls song fight. Puck momentarily taking over Finn's solo. Brittany spinning Artie. The brief cut to Quinn's mom in the audience. (If I wasn't already bawling, that would've done the trick.) The way that everyone in the audience stood up to clap along. And that key change in ''Don't Stop Believin'''! Swoon.
Grade: A  

NEXT: The best ''Bohemian Rhapsody'' since Wayne's World? Maybe.

The medley was so good it cured world hunger and solved Quinn's parental problems. Quinn's mom apologized for missing all her other performances, and said she left Quinn's father: ''Kicked him out, actually. He was having an affair with some tattooed freak.'' (I found this line incredibly funny.) The medley and confession were so powerful they made Quinn's water break.  

 ''Bohemian Rhapsody''
 Now, this is interesting. The final episode of the season, and the most eye-popping performance was given over to the opposing team. The Journey Medley certainly wins for pure emotional reaction, but I think the Glee creators were forcing us to see something: the Vocal Adrenaline people genuinely were better, more clinically proficient. This was a showcase for Jonathan Groff and a whole host of incredible background dancers, and they just crushed it.  

 And the choice to intercut this performance with Quinn's labor? Brilliant. Terrible. Then brilliant again. While Vocal Adrenaline danced up and down the stairs in various impressive ways, Quinn said, ''I want Mercedes to come with me, too!'' While Jesse crooned ''Mother! Just killed a man!'' Quinn screeched though labor. (''Puck! You suck! You suck!'' she screamed.) At some points, the lyrics of the song merged with what Quinn was saying. And then there was The Moment: Vocal Adrenaline formed a circle with Jesse in the middle, right as little Baby Beth entered the world.  

 It was weird, your honor. If nothing else, it was definitely the most visually arresting way to represent the birthing process I've ever seen outside of The Miracle of Life. But I kind of liked it. Somewhere, Freddie Mercury is nodding proudly, and saying, ''World, I forgive you for We Will Rock You.''
Grade: A    

 Rachel went to see her Birth Mama Shelby. She had a proposal. ''Come and teach at McKinley. You and Mr. Schuester could be co-directors!'' (Pause to imagine Ryan Murphy having roughly this same conversation in real life with Idina Menzel.) But Shelby wanted out of this crazy show-choir game. ''I need a house, and a garden, and a dog.'' Shelby strolled over to the baby wing of the local hospital to chat it up with Quinn and Puck. I was worried that her appearance would send Quinn into some kind of shame spiral, leading her to end up keeping Baby Beth. But no! In an act of storytelling alchemy that makes me love television, Glee merged two so-so plotlines into one beautiful finish: Shelby ended up claiming Beth as her own daughter. (Yes, this was ridiculous, but I'll buy that for a dollar.)  

 Now, though, we have to talk about the judges' room. As despairingly cynical as the judges were in ''Sectionals,'' the situation here was positively dystopian. Sue Sylvester, who has spent the entire season as the Great Anti-Glee Club Villain, was the least of New Directions' problems. Rod Remington was lost in memory of partying with Freddie Mercury back in the '70s, a time when people weren't so obsessed with labels. Josh Groban liked New Directions, but really wanted to learn more about Sue's relationship situation. (Remember when he slept with Mr. Schue's mom, or something? Seriously, did ''Acafellas'' take place in a parallel universe?)

NEXT: An unexpected overlap between Glee and The Wire

But full props here to Olivia Newton-John, who totally made up for playing herself a few episodes ago as a lame self-obsessed bore. This time, she gamely played herself as the Cruel Voice of Showbiz: ''Talk about blatant tokenism. That whole ragtag bunch of misfits thing is so 2009... are they a poor person's school?''  

 This put Sue in the strange, utterly unexpected position of defending the glee club: ''Not all kids are afforded the same things as others.'' Poppycock, said the real celebrities, who linked Sue to the kids' inherent loserdom. Oooh, a nationally-recognized cheerleading coach? A local TV personality? Big deal! You're still in Ohio, still a Lima loser. ''Some people just simply don't have talent,'' said ONJ. ''You have a lot in common with those kids: underachievers with delusions of grandeur.''

  I understand if some of you viewers feel like this twist was a bit silly or over-the-top. To me, it felt a bit like those rare moments in The Wire when some of that show's characters, who spent their whole lives struggling, would get a hint of just how meaningless their lives were to the people in power. (It was the Glee version of ''And I'm not even Greek,'' a brief peek at the dispassionately cruel great powers that run the world.) 

 I find Glee insufferable when it suggests that music and togetherness can solve every problem. (See a couple weeks ago, when we learned a valuable lesson about bullying and friendship and Gaga, or something.) This felt a lot more complex. Music and friendship don't necessarily turn losers into winners. But that doesn't make those things worthless. So it was sad to see New Directions get the Bad News Bears ending: defeated by the Vocal Adrenaline automatons and the Aural Intensity goon patrol. But it felt real. 

There followed a genuine Emma Pillsbury outburst: she gave Figgins a piece of her mind about handing over the choir room to the Model UN. Mr. Schue responded to her fiery passion with a patented Will Schuester Inappropriate Hallway Kiss. (That's just where they kiss, viewers: in the school hallways.) ''Dentist or no, this thing isn't over between us!'' he proclaimed. Witness the return of Romantic Schuester, and not the guy who fake-seduces people! 

''To Sir, With Love''
 The kids went around the room and listed off the single character trait that defined them when the show began. Tina had a stutter, Puck tossed kids into dumpsters, Santana and Brittany were elitist cheerleaders who hated all non-popular peons. Matt and Mike were even gifted with meager personalities, here at the end of all things. Matt: ''I was just another football player!'' Mike: ''I was afraid to dance outside of my room!'' (I realize I'm just parsing needles in haystacks here, but whereas Matt seems kind of dull, I really want to see more of Mike. Other Asian: speak!)

I realize that Finn is kind of a manic character who wavers regularly between submental doddering and nobility, but I lost it when he said, ''I didn't have a father. Someone I could look up to, model myself after. Someone who could show me what it really meant to be a man.'' (Message to Finn: Do as Schue says, not as he does.)  

The performance that followed was the polar opposite of the Journey medley: quiet, violin-heavy, with the bare minimum of choreography. But it was heart-grabbing, especially when Sue Sylvester appeared in the shadows. (She stood up there way back in the first episode, too, under very different circumstances.) You could already kind of guess how Sue was going to hand New Directions a second chance, but that didn't stop this requiem from being altogether moving. Glee can go intimate, too.
Grade: A    

 Sue walked into the choir practice room to chat it up with Mr. Schue. ''It's as barren as me in here, Will.'' She refused a handshake: ''I've seen that car you drive. I don't want to catch poor.'' It occurred to me, watching her throw great dialogue in Schue's face, that after a whole season of loving Sue Sylvester's every moment onscreen, I have never once really believed her as the show's villain. When Tim Stack talked to the Glee people for EW's cover story, Ryan Murphy noted that Sue wasn't even in the original pilot script. Her creation was suggested very strongly by Fox Entertainment prez Kevin Reilly. (Put this decision on the shelf next to former ABC Chairman Lloyd Braun's notion of making a fictional version of Survivor, which eventually turned into Lost. Studio execs aren't all bad!)

 The funny thing is, even though Sue was specifically added to be a villain, her villainy has always been the most nonsensical part of the show. There's no concrete reason for her to hate the glee club. Okay, blah blah blah school budget, but that seems a pretty meager consideration for the megafunded Cheerios. Then you're just left with more abstract reasons. Sue hates music? The Madonna episode proved that untrue. Sue hates inspiring people? Also since proven untrue: she just inspires people in her own way. Sue just hates Schuester and wants to crush him? Possible, but a weird arc to hang a show around.

 Really, the only reason Sue Sylvester works as a character is because of Jane Lynch, and boy, she made this last face-off speak volumes. I found the brief flash to the judges' voting incredibly moving. Sue said, ''I voted exactly how I felt in my heart about which team should win,'' in her typically sarcastic delivery. Schuester clearly registered that as, ''I put New Directions in last place!'' 

NEXT: We relish the thought of next year

So Sue played the Benevolent Despot and told Schuester that she had convinced Figgins to give the Glee kids another year. For one moment, the veil fell: ''You're a good teacher, Will. I admire you, and the work you're doing with your kids.'' Then it was back to Sue Sylvester, National Champion and author of the upcoming memoir, ''I am a Winner, and You're Fat.'' ''I relish the thought of another full year of constantly besting you.''  

 ''Somewhere Over the Rainbow''
 Will Schuester singing Israel Kamakawiwo'ole singing Judy Garland: did not see this one coming! Glee went out of its first season with one of its quietest performances yet. Will played the ukulele. Puck played guitar. The camera moved around the faces of the cast. Rachel put her head on Finn's shoulder. Artie and Tina looked in each other's eyes. Quinn smiled at Puck. Santana and Brittany held hands. Kurt wore a beret. (He also shared an unreadable glance with Finn.) Mute Mike and Mute Matt gave each other a mute high five. Somewhere, Josh Groban and Olivia Newton-John were sitting in a first-class cabin, living soulless lives and drinking soulless cocktails.  

 Message to Matthew Morrison: I never want to see you do hip-hop ever again. But this was beautiful.
 Grade: A    

 How did you feel about ''Journey,'' Glee fans? And, taking the long view for a moment, how did you feel about this madcap first season? Do you agree with Ken Tucker that the show needs to make some fixes during the summer hiatus? What was the more encouraging trend this season: the rise of Brittany, the fall of Terri, or the canonization of Kurt? What will Glee look like in season 2, and beyond? Sound off below!

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20361194_20392400_7,00.html

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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[American_Idol_Extra] Why Would Elton John Play Rush Limbaugh's Fifth Wedding?

2010-06-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

Why Would Elton John Play Rush Limbaugh's Wedding?

by Sodahead Celebs Posted 32 minutes ago

Did you hear the one about the multi-millionaire right wing broadcaster and anti-gay marriage crusader who got married for a fourth time in front of the crème de la crème of the GOP, capping the night with a serenade from one of the most famous gay pop stars on the planet?

No, it's not the set-up to a NSFW joke, it's a report on the weekend wedding of Rush Limbaugh, 59, and his latest wife, Kathryn Rogers, 33, who tied the knot in front of 400 guests in the Ponce de Leon ballroom (subtle!) of Florida's known Breakers hotel in Palm Beach. Among those in attendance were Karl Rove, Fred Thompson, Sean Hannity and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Oh, and John – the openly gay singer who has a civil partnership with longtime male partner David Furnish -- who was reportedly paid $1 million for the gig.

Do you think John should have taken the gig?

http://www.sodahead.com/entertainment/why-would-elton-john-play-rush-limbaughs-wedding/question-1049825/

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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[American_Idol_Extra] Get Ready: Partial List of Pride Events 2010, Global Calendar and Links, Please Forward

2010-06-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

Partial List of Pride Events 2010

Global Calendar and Links

Please Forward

Happy Pride to You and Yours!

Get out and celebrate your pride!

-Tommy

This is a Partial Listing.

Click the links for dates and more information.

There are more events that are not on this list.

Please forward this on to everyone.

http://www.interpride.org/global-calendar.php?page=1

InterPride is the International Association of Pride Organizers

InterPride is the international association for organizations that produce Pride Events around the world. Our member organizations are dedicated to producing Pride events for the global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) community.

Jun 3/10

Austin Pride

Austin, USA