MTV News |
| Adam Lambert, Kris Allen 'American Idol' Showdown Starts Tonight Posted: 19 May 2009 04:45 AM PDT Whoever takes home the title, it will be the first time male singers have won back-to-back seasons.
No matter who is crowned the next American Idol on Wednesday night, season eight has already been one for the books. After a wild season that has included emotional breakdowns from almost-finalists, a comedian/singer who almost crashed the top 13 with his over-the-top shtick, the first top 13, a wild-card round, a judges' save and some serious bickering among the expanded judging panel, you'd think that whatever happens on the finale would be an anti-climax. But thanks to the surprise exit of early favorite Danny Gokey last week, Tuesday night's (May 19) sing-off between Kris Allen and Adam Lambert has injected some late-season drama into the still top-rated U.S. show. Host Ryan Seacrest said on Friday's "Larry King Live" that Tuesday's show will consist of a first round of the contestants' favorites from this season, followed by songs chosen by producer Simon Fuller and then a round in which they each sing this year's yet-unannounced winner's single. The format should give both guys ample opportunity to play to their strengths and have a shot at the big, emotional moment while tackling the predictably sure-to-be-schmaltzy and over-the-top winner's tune. Lambert, the stage veteran who has been playing to audiences since he was 8 years old, and Allen, whose friends say they often had to twist his arm to perform, couldn't be more different. The mild-mannered Allen, 23, who was turning into a bit of a judges' punching bag, staged a late-season surge that was capped with last week's well-received acoustic twist on Kanye West's "Heartless." The mellow, stripped-down take on the electro anthem secured Allen's ticket to the finale and looks to have provided a boost that could swell the ranks of his supporters. The clean-cut, married Allen has wooed a legion of young teenage female fans and, by some accounts, their mothers. The flashier Lambert, 27 (or 28 depending on whom you believe), has electrified the stage with a sexually ambiguous glam-rock persona that sets him apart from any finalist in the show's history. From his snake-charmer cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" to the first-ever performance of a Led Zeppelin song on the show, the bombastic "Whole Lotta Love," Lambert has kept fans and the judges guessing from week-to-week. He's even got his own devoted cult of hard-dialing fans, dubbed "the Glamberts." What will they have to do to tip the balance with their performances? "Kris definitely has some momentum going into the finale, but my point of view has always been that Adam will win," said Rickey Yaneza, founder of the popular five-year-old "Idol" fan site "Idol" fan site Rickey.org. "In order to get a good show, they have to do what they've done all season and not deviate from the script." For Lambert, that means a likely producer's pick that is similar to his lauded dramatic take on Tears for Fears' "Mad World," and a personal choice that displays his more rocking side but aims higher than the middling response to his take on Aerosmith's "Cryin' " from last week. Though Lambert set the stage early in the competition by creating (or borrowing) unique arrangements for well-known songs, Allen has proven to be just as crafty, changing up the disco staple "She Works Hard for the Money" into a bossa nova shuffle, even if he's gotten less credit for his creative flourishes. "For Kris, the danger for him is, if he goes head-to-head with Adam with singing calisthenics ... it's over. People won't be talking about him having a chance to win," Yaneza predicted, adding that while both singers appeal to the female demo, Lambert definitely speaks to an audience that enjoys a more rock-and-roll sensibility, while Allen's fans appear to prefer a softer sound. " 'Heartless' was what pushed [Allen] to the finale ... and he's been doing that anyway throughout the season, but it just happens that 'Heartless' was his best." But even while Yaneza said Allen can have a good showing provided he keeps it in his lane — mellow Jason Mraz/ John Mayer-esque ballads — he doesn't think that will be enough to win the competition. "You want someone to sing 'A Moment Like This' — a 'You sang your face off, dog' moment, and that's not his best style," Yaneza said. "It's nice that people think it's up in the air, because that makes for good TV ... but even if Adam falters, he is the more popular one and history shows that no matter what, the more popular singer wins. It was the same thing with David Archuleta last year: David Cook was just the more popular one." As proof of Lambert's greater popularity, Yaneza said that the traffic for Lambert stories on his site is easily two or three times bigger than anything he's ever posted on Allen. Regardless of who wins, when the dust settles on Wednesday night, "Idol" will have its first back-to-back male winner, its first (allegedly) openly gay champ or the first come-from-behind victor who vanquished the presumptive favorite. Are you an "American Idol" expert? Take our ultimate "Idol" quiz to find out! Plus, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Kristin Cavallari Says Joining 'The Hills' Is Like 'Going Home' Posted: 18 May 2009 03:05 AM PDT 'It's fun because I know the whole crew,' Cavallari says.
Although it's unclear what will happen when Lauren Conrad exits from "The Hills" and Kristin Cavallari joins the cast, Cavallari said that she's already in talks about just what her new role will be on the show. "We haven't decided who is narrating," she told MTV News about the possibility of taking over as the show's narrator once Conrad leaves. "They've said that that's what they kind of want, I think. It just kind of depends on how everything plays out. We have to start filming first."
Cavallari, who is no stranger to living her life in front of cameras thanks to her time on "Laguna Beach," is looking forward to returning to reality TV. "I'm actually kind of excited," she said. "It's fun because I know the whole crew. It's almost like going home. It's really comfortable. I know what to expect going into it, so I think I'm just more excited than anything." Like Cavallari, the current "Hills" residents are also excited to have her joining them. "I've been getting phone calls. I think it's great," Cavallari said. "The fact that the cast is really excited makes me even more excited. They've all been really sweet and are welcoming me with open arms. So it's been great." And although everyone has been great about her joining the show, her biggest cheerleaders come in the form of Speidi, who have already told MTV News how excited they are to welcome Cavallari. "Spencer and Heidi called me and they were just like going off," Cavallari said. "It's going to be great." Don't miss the next episode of "The Hills," airing Monday night at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Videos |
| Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner To Present 'New Moon' Clip At MTV Movie Awards Posted: 18 May 2009 07:59 AM PDT Sandra Bullock, Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Thomas Lennon, more announced as presenters.
Are you ready for a sneak peek at tomorrow's blockbusters today? Check out our new series "Behind the Screen" Sunday night at 11 p.m. on MTV for the broadcast premiere of the "Brüno" trailer, the very first visit to the set of Russell Brand's "Get Him to the Greek" and much more! The star-gazing, OMG-generating, anything-might-happen madness that is the 2009 MTV Movie Awards has just shot into the celebrity stratosphere: "Twilight" stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner will be presenting an exclusive, never-before-seen clip from their upcoming vampire sequel "New Moon" during the live broadcast. Joining the "Twilight" trio will be a group of newly announced Hollywood presenters: Sandra Bullock, Dwayne Johnson, Sienna Miller, Channing Tatum, Danny McBride, Abigail Breslin, Bradley Cooper, Thomas Lennon and Sofia Vassilieva. This high-powered crew will hook up with previously announced presenters Denzel Washington, Cameron Diaz, Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, Vanessa Hudgens, Leighton Meester, Jonah Hill and Lil Wayne. Eminem is set to take the stage, where he'll perform music from his new album, Relapse, and Kings of Leon will perform live on MTV for the first time ever, rocking out with their hit song, "Use Somebody." Heading into the Andy Samberg-hosted event on May 31 at 9 p.m. ET, "Twilight" leads all movies with seven nominations, including nods for Pattinson (Breakthrough Performance Male), Stewart (Best Female Performance) and Lautner (Breakthrough Performance Male). Several of the new presenters are also up for awards. "Get Smart" star Johnson will vie for Best Villain, McBride will battle it out for Best Fight (based on his "Pineapple Express" throwdown with Seth Rogen and James Franco), and Lennon will pucker up for Best Kiss (thanks to his lip-locking scene with Paul Rudd in "I Love You, Man"). For the first time in the 18-year history of the awards show, viewers chose the nominees for the Golden Popcorns. They can vote for the winners through May 27 by going to MovieAwards.MTV.com. Voting in the Best Movie category will stay open through the live telecast, so anything that takes place onstage has the chance to sway the eventual outcome. Will the vampires grab more trophies than the slumdog? What was the year's ultimate onscreen WTF moment? It's up to you to decide the winners of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. Vote now, and tune in on May 31 at 9 p.m. ET, when the big show airs live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. Check out everything we've got on "New Moon." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Paramore Battled Doubt, Each Other To Make New Album Posted: 19 May 2009 03:51 AM PDT 'I had doubts that it was the right record,' frontwoman Hayley Williams recalls of writing songs for the Riot! follow-up.
There was a point — midway through the writing process of Paramore's new album — when they almost gave up. Racked by doubts that they had anything left in the tank, struggling to write material that matched the ferocity of their breakout Riot! album and smothered by unspoken tensions that had simmered ever since they nearly split in early 2008, they were treading water in their hometown of Franklin, Tennessee. And with deadlines — not to mention a tour with No Doubt — looming on the horizon, the situation was getting dire.
"We went through a lot of heavy stuff as a band ... and it was nothing like, 'Oh, it's this situation on this day,' or whatever. It was just, personally, we were all growing up, and sometimes, when you're growing up, you're not always growing together," frontwoman Hayley Williams told MTV News. "And when you don't talk about it, there's even more of a gap. ... I've felt that a lot over the past couple years. We didn't ever talk about it because we didn't have time to talk about it. "So when we finally had all this time to write these songs, and, you know, [guitarist] Josh [Farro] and I hadn't written in a while — besides what we did for 'Twilight' — and all of a sudden, we were in a room together," she continued. "Like, 'Hey, let's write a record that's bigger than Riot! All these people are expecting it.' And it didn't feel healthy, it didn't feel like us, you know? It didn't feel like what we started for." And while the communication between bandmembers had all but dried up, Williams herself was batting with the fact that she might be communicating too much with her lyrics. She began to doubt her skills as a songwriter and a leader, something that might seem impossible if you've ever seen her onstage. But it was very real, and it was killing her and her bandmates. "I had doubts, not just for us as a whole, because ... I wouldn't want to play with anyone else, you know what I'm saying? I didn't have any doubts in them as much as I did in myself," she explained. "I was writing these lyrics, and they didn't feel good — some of it hurt, some if was like, 'Am I being too honest even with myself?' I had doubts that it was the right record." But, as luck would have it, they were visited in Franklin by album producer Rob Cavallo, who assured them that — deadlines be damned — they were right on track with the new album ... and that they had what it took to surpass the power of Riot! Then, the tension lifted. And "Ignorance" — a spiky slab of pure Paramore power pop (so much so that, according to the band, it's got the inside track to be the first single off their new album) — was born. "I remember talking with everyone, which was the first real conversation I felt we had in a real long time," Williams said. "We were all really honest with each other about where we had been with our lives over the past two years. Like, 'Hey, I lost touch with you. ... Let's backtrack a little bit.' And once that was done, it was back to the old us and back to the old reasons why we started a band and why we wanted to play music together." Recharged, Paramore packed up their gear and headed out to Cavallo's Calabasas, California, studio to begin work on the album. They've since wrapped production, and the still-untitled effort will hit stores in September. And Paramore, for the first time in a long time, are doubt-free and ready to be a band — and friends — again. "There were some doubts, for sure, but we're a better band for going through that," Williams smiled. "I don't know what happens next, but I — we — we're all ready for it." Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'Hills' Star Stephanie Pratt's 'Risque' Prom Dress Got Her In Trouble Posted: 19 May 2009 04:48 AM PDT 'I was like, 'It's high fashion, people,' ' Spencer's sister recalls.
It's May — you know what that means. It's getting warm, the flowers are blooming and the time-honored tradition of prom is back again. So get your corsages, turn up the cheesy music and fuel the limos, because this week we're catching up with your favorite stars and helping them relive their favorite prom memories. Some people remember the date they took to prom. Some people remember how awesome it was to spend the night with their friends. But for "Hills" star Stephanie Pratt, she remembers all the hot, brand-name fashions she wore to the big dance.
"I had really great prom memories, actually," Spencer's sister told MTV News. "One year, I wore an Imitation of Christ dress, this beautiful yellow dress." But it was a dress she wore another year that caused a "Footloose"-style outrage among school officials at her high school. "Another year, I wore, off the runway, this black dress that, like, went down to here, and it had laces, and it was right when low cuts were super popular," she said. "It was totally taped, but evidently it was too risqué. I was like, 'It's high fashion, people.' " The TV star, who also has her own line of handbags, said it was in high school when her love for all things couture started: "I was always in love with fashion, but people didn't get me." We'll have lots more celebrity prom stories rolling out throughout the week (and check out even more celebrity prom coverage on the MTV Buzzworthy blog)! |
| Are Eminem And 50 Cent Touring Together This Summer? Posted: 18 May 2009 01:23 AM PDT G-Unit's Lloyd Banks says 'there's conversations' about an Anger Management redux.
Are Eminem and 50 Cent touring together this summer? For now, fans can only hope — MTV News' requests to label reps for comment had not been answered at press time — but according to G-Unit member Lloyd Banks, there's been preliminary talk about possibly ramping up the Anger Management Tour again. "I'm in and out the office, and there's conversations," Banks told MTV News recently. "I'm just as excited as the fans are. The first Anger Management Tour, I wasn't a part of." Banks said that if Em and 50 do go out, he'll definitely be on the show with the rest of G-Unit. Eminem was recently a guest on BBC's "Friday Night With Jonathan Ross," and he told the host that he hasn't solidified his touring plans yet. "As far as touring, I haven't got that far to really figure it out yet. I haven't got that part," he said. "I'm kinda in album cycle right now and promoting. But we'll see how it goes." Em has been back onstage in promotion of his new LP, Relapse, which officially drops Tuesday. He performed on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Friday, will rock the Kimmel stage again this week, and he announced a special free MySpace concert in Detroit on Tuesday night. Em's new DJ, acclaimed producer the Alchemist, told Mixtape Daily that he really gets a charge out of seeing Em do the Relapse record "Underground." "When I first heard [Relapse], that was the song I said, 'This is gonna shut mutha----ers up.' Straight up. It would not be an issue," Al said. "Nobody would be like, 'I didn't like this, I didn't like the flow.' ... When we perform that song, Em takes a spot on the stage, and that's it. He picks a spot and dumbs out. There's not a lot of moving. "When we're rehearing the song, you know, 'This is gonna be something crazy.' He says, 'Turn the lights down,' they put the spotlight on Em, and it's just snap rap. In the current day and age, you don't hear songs like that. It doesn't seem like any of that other sh-- going on in the world or in the music industry was going on in his mind when he [made the song]. He was strictly into the craft. I don't think anybody is f---ing with that." Related Videos Related Artists |
| Tony Yayo Drops <i>Swine Flu,</i> Keeps Up Beef With Rick Ross Posted: 19 May 2009 03:51 AM PDT Plus: Red Cafe readies his Bad Boy debut, in Mixtape Daily.
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables Mixtape: Swine Flu Starring: Tony Yayo Key Collaborations: The tape is hosted by universal 'hood king Mac-A-Zoe, and Lil Boosie is featured on "My Cadillac." "I met Boosie at Buck's house," Yayo told us of their first encounter back in the day. "Between Boosie and Gucci, them n---as is my favorite in the South." Essential Info: OK, the obvious question: Why? "I think my flow ... everything is serious about me," Yayo said. "I feel my flow is serious; I feel like I'm the most underrated. Swine Flu is an epidemic. I'm about to start an epidemic ... I wanted to use what's relevant right now to get people's attention. I learned that from 50." Another thing he learned from Fif was to never stop the war.
Yayo says he got Mac-A-Zoe from the Zoe Pound to host the underground CD via a phone call from prison. G-Unit's personal public enemy #1 shouted out the Zoe Pound on the hit "The Magnificent," and has worked with Pound member Redd Eyezz in the past. "Being all the stuff that's going on with Rick Ross, I had to get Mac-A-Zoe to host the mixtape for me. Mac-A-Zoe said him and Ross used to be cool. ... I got in contact with Mac-A-Zoe through Sha Money. We're all Haitian — me, Zoe, Sha Money and Whoo Kid. Sha Money called me with Mac-A-Zoe on the phone. We're kicking it on the mixtape. He's basically saying Rick Ross is an impostor. I agree with him. This guy is talking about bricks, I'm 'phony Yayo' and I sniff coke and smoke crack. All this delusional sh--. I don't know where [Ross] is getting it from. But you're the n---a that's a cop. I'm gonna make a movie. Don't push my back to the wall where you try to make it seem like I can't eat, or try to destroy my brand." Like G-Unit member Lloyd Banks, Yayo says he's fed up with Interscope Records, but he still owes the label one more album. But Yayo isn't in a rush to drop an official LP — he's just excited about staying relevant on the mixtape circuit. "It's all politics," the Southside Queens native said. "I never thought Interscope cared about me anyway. G-Unit the label pushed me more than Interscope." Swine Flu comes out next week and a part two will follow shortly after. "Me, I don't see myself going to Hollywood and doing all that acting sh--," he said. "N---as know Yayo for wilding out and all types of crazy sh--. I'm going back to my street element." The Last Word on Ross: "This n---a got t---ies, thinking he looks better than me. He's confused. Then the n---a is on the cover [of XXL] with these fake Louis Vuitton glasses talking about swag. You gotta put that on the record. I been fly, I been doing this." Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this beef is going to end anytime soon. Mixtape: Hottest in the Hood.Com, Volume One: Welcome to Bad Boy Starring: Red Cafe and Diddy Key Collaborations: Diddy as the host, with Lloyd Banks, Juelz Santana, Lorel and Busta Rhymes on the "Hottest in the Hood (Remix pt. 2)." Fabolous and Paul Cain on "We In Here." "Take Off Your Clothes." Essential Info: Yup, we told you about this mixtape awhile ago. The Arm and Hammer Man, Red Cafe, is making moves. This mixtape not only celebrates more bread and much-needed promotion coming in with his signing to Bad Boy, but the Brooklyn bruiser has just started his own Web site. (Look at the title of the CD and we'll give you one guess what the name of it is.) While Red serves the curbs and cooks up that Bad Boy debut, he's getting his collaboration game up on everyone from OJ Da Juiceman, Cam'ron, Maino, Jadakiss, Rick Ross and the G-Unit. Yes. The G-Unit. "This project is star-studded," he said of his album. "I don't just grab people and put them on the record just to have a name on the record. If an artist come that I'm thinking is gonna sound good on the record and he don't sound good, even if he's five-times platinum, he can't be on that song. This is a work of art for me. Just for name, I can't have nobody come in and mess up my art. For the most part, that's how I move. I need every record to sound crazy and classic — or as close to classic — as possible." Other Heat This Week » DJ Drama - Gangsta Grillz: The Album, Vol. 2 |
| Eminem's <i>Relapse</i> Lyrics: What To Listen For Posted: 19 May 2009 03:51 AM PDT We decode the MC's dark rhymes, in which he discusses his struggle with addiction and Proof's death.
Relapse is Eminem's grand return to hip-hop after keeping quiet for almost five years. Em has publicly discussed his struggle with sobriety and his feelings about the death of his best friend Proof, who was fatally shot in 2006, but the Detroit MC goes even deeper into those emotions in the lyrics on the new LP. In the album's liner notes, Eminem dedicates Relapse to his late friend. He's said recently that he couldn't put together a song in tribute to Proof that he was satisfied with. Instead, he honored Proof by dedicating the entire album to him and drops tidbits here and there about his fellow D12 member. "With this record, and you can hear it, maybe he sort of references Proof in ways people who really know and people who really care will pick up on," said Sacha Jenkins, who collaborated with Em on the rapper's biography, "The Way I Am." "But he's also trying to pick up the pieces and move beyond and continue to create art in the spirit of his friendship with Proof."
Here, MTV News pulls out a few lyrics from Relapse in which Em sets the record straight or paints a clearer picture of his struggle. "Déjà Vu" "Stay Wide Awake"/ "Same Song & Dance" "Beautiful" "Insane"/ "My Mom" "Underground" |
| On 'The Hills,' Heidi's Cowboy Dad Hits The Big City Posted: 19 May 2009 03:51 AM PDT Plus: Audrina and Stephanie go on a double date with half a band, and Lauren gives Steph the boot.
Note to self: If I ever join a hair-gel-core band like the White Tie Affair and have the opportunity to guest-star on "The Hills," run far, far away. The positive aspect of getting exposure on MTV's biggest hit does not outweigh the negative of being edited to look like a complete and utter sleazebag. Let's analyze.
After "working" on the music video set of the White Tie Affair's latest track, "Generic Dance Rock Pop Song Sure to be Featured on a Future 'Hills' Episode During a Montage of Walking Shoe Close-Ups," Audrina and Stephanie went out on a double date with the band's guitarist, Perez Hilton Sean, and singer, Tiny Skinny Jeans Chris. It didn't take long before Stephanie smelled something fishy. Here's how the conversation went. My translation is in parenthesis. Sean: What's your story? (So, do you have a boyfriend or are you easy?) Points to Stephanie for getting the hell out of there like it was her internship at People's Revolution. Speaking of which, Lauren followed through with Kelly Cutrone's wish to have Stephanie's internship exterminated. The firing was fairly uneventful, save for Stephanie bursting into tears. Lauren felt guilty about the firing and later told Lo, "I don't know that I've ever made somebody cry before." You know that earthquake that just hit Los Angeles? The cause was Lauren's epic lie. Stephanie, meanwhile, ran into Heidi's arms. "Lauren fired me. Kelly is, like, sadistic! Like some sick, like, game, like, to have your friend fire you?" Actually, Kelly is known for her sadistic games. In fact, the Jigsaw character from the "Saw" films was based on Ms. Cutrone. Stephanie's lucky she didn't get that whole "foot hacksaw" termination. Aside from consoling Stephanie, Heidi had a busy schedule this episode. Her birth dad, Cowboy Bill Montag, was visiting from the Wild West to give Spencer a piece of his mind. Heidi warned Spencer that Cowboy Bill wouldn't deal with the typical Spencer shtick. "He's a really cowboy manly man. He's a real-deal cowboy. I would be shocked if he came out here without his gun." Heidi wasn't lying. Cowboy Bill was, in fact, a real-deal cowboy. He showed up to brunch wearing a cowboy hat, a handlebar mustache and everything else out of the "How to Look Exactly Like Sam Elliott" kit. Cowboy Bill wasn't too keen on their elopement, but Spencer won over his future father-in-law by telling him the story of the Cameron beat-down from earlier this season. "I massaged his face a little bit ... lightly." Papa Montag muttered something about the Code of the West and that Spencer would fit right in. Later, Cowboy Bill and Spencer went to the Santa Monica pier to chat about Spencer's intentions and whatnot. (Earlier, the cowboy expressed interest in killing rattlesnakes, so Spencer took him to a tourist hot spot.) In the end, Cowboy Bill ended up being a likable dude who gave Spencer his blessing, but not before mentioning his gun at least 45 times. We get it, Cowboy. With Papa Montag's approval, Spencer knew it was time to pop the big question ... again. And in typical Spencer fashion, he picked a perfect proposal scenario for a girl who's afraid of heights: a big Ferris wheel! (When I proposed to my wife, I took her to a tarantula farm. It's best to keep your love interest on her toes when you're going to propose.) When the "M" word popped up, Heidi laid out all the plot points for the remaining episodes of the season. "You need to apologize to my mom first. And you need to talk to Lauren and figure out something there. And I want a big wedding." Thanks, Heidi. Now we don't have to watch the rest of the show! Spencer agreed to follow through on all those plot points, but all that went out the window once he whipped out a ring the size of the greater Los Angeles area. "Heidi, will you marry me?" "With this ring, YES! This makes up for a lot!" Heidi squealed. (The moral of the story, kids? You can treat your girlfriend like a $2 hooker 99.99 percent of the time, and as long as you pony up 15 karats, she'll forgive you.) The future Mrs. Pratt ended her acceptance by firmly saying, "Till death do us part, not divorce do us part." So, Spencer, it looks like you'll have to murder Heidi if you want to get out of the marriage. I guess we have that to look forward to in season 15 of "The Hills." Don't miss the next episode of "The Hills," airing Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Videos |
| Kris Allen Vs. Adam Lambert: A Week-By-Week Comparison Posted: 19 May 2009 03:51 AM PDT We look back at the 'American Idol' finalists' past 11 weeks and see how they really match up.
Tuesday night's "American Idol" finale will have season-eight finalists (and roommates) Kris Allen and Adam Lambert going toe-to-toe in three rounds. Lambert is the odds-on winner come Wednesday night's results show, but we say Kris still has a fighting chance. Taking a cue from "America's Next Top Model," in which Tyra Banks does a side-by-side comparison of the two finalists' portfolios, we thought we'd break down Adam Lambert's and Kris Allen's "Idol" repertoire week-to-week to help determine who's really in the lead. Week One: The Semifinals Adam pulled out all the stops for his first live "Idol" performance, turning the Rolling Stones' classic into a down-and-dirty sex shuffle that belonged on the Sunset Strip. His superhuman range was on full display, as were his memorable fashion choices. Kris, on the other hand, came off like the quiet cute guy at your office who wows everyone at karaoke. Week Two: Michael Jackson Week On the big "Idol" stage, Kris was allowed to bust out his guitar to great effect. The debut of Kris the Troubadour was a smashing success, and he proved that he was more than just a pretty face. Adam's "Black or White," while an audience favorite, left us feeling a little "been there, heard that." Week Three: Grand Ole Opry Week Kris' tender crooning-on-the-edge-of-the-stage rendition had tweens swooning, but it was Adam's brilliantly salacious Johnny-Cash-meets-the-Pussycat-Dolls mash-up that had America's water coolers bubbling with excitement. Week Four: Motown Week Adam stepped up his game for the second week in a row and convinced the haters (like me) that there was way more to Adam than just hair dye and Axl Rose wails. His "Tracks of My Tears" showed a sincere vulnerability and a stunning falsetto, while his savvy Young Elvis makeover also helped him win over older fans. Meanwhile, Kris did a competent impression of a sensitive frat guy. Yawn. Week Five: Top Downloads Adam returned to his hair-metal roots, while Kris showed up the competition by saying, "Look, America, I can play piano, too!" Your move, Lambert. Week Six: Songs From the Year They Were Born Kris stumbled with a clunky Don Henley track, while Adam soared to new heights with the most buzzed-about performance of the season. It certainly helped that DVR viewers were forced to track down the show-closing ballad online, thus making Lambert go viral within hours. Admit it, by the time you woke up Wednesday, at least five people had forwarded you the clip with a "You gotta see this" note.
Week Seven: Songs From the Cinema Adam fell back into his "pick a lame rock song your parents like" groove and delivered his cheesiest performance to date. But Kris displayed impeccable taste by choosing the night's most contemporary tune, and he knocked it out of the park. Plus, anyone who turns on mainstream America to the "Once" soundtrack deserves a medal. Week Eight: Disco Week Somehow, Kris sang "She Works Hard for the Money" like he really, really believed it. What could have been a throwaway wink at the audience turned out to be a show highlight. Adam tried slowing down the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack staple but in the process eviscerated the melody and put us to sleep. Week Nine: Rat Pack Standards Both Adam and Kris were outperformed by Allison Iraheta and Danny Gokey on Rat Pack night. Adam was given some serious pimpage by the producers, though. His performance featured a moving staircase, a cushy final spot on the show rundown and a high note that went on for days. Since Adam was responsible only for the latter, we'll give him points for that. But otherwise, this week was a draw. Week 10: Rock Week Kris Allen was off his game in a big way. His Beatles cover was ho-hum, and his duet with Danny Gokey was the most awkward thing of the night (until Gokey's "Scream On"). But Adam came out with guns blazing, unleashing a swagger that had judge Kara DioGuardi proclaim him a "Rock GOD!" His final duet with Allison Iraheta was even more winning, with each of the singers pushing the other to mind-blowing, unstoppable levels of awesome. Don't even get me started on that adorable embrace. Week 11: Judges' Choice/Contestants' Choice Adam's night was less-than-stellar. During his Aerosmith song, he was (somehow) overpowered by a background singer and his cabaret-headlining take on "One" felt as out of place as Steve Martin performing a five-minute banjo tune about skipping class on "SNL." The judges had been pushing a Gokey/Lambert finale since week one, and Kris underwhelmed during Kara and Randy's selection, "Apologize." But before you could count him out, Kris grabbed his trusty old guitar and strummed through a star-making rendition of Kanye West's sad robot anthem, "Heartless," a tune Kanye himself had "performed" on an "Idol" results show weeks earlier. It showed guts. It showed "artistry." And it showed Gokey the door. Where does that leave us? According to my math, Kris Allen won five weeks, while Adam Lambert won five and a half weeks (the half point given to Adam's never-ending Rat Pack note). It's anyone's "Idol" crown this season, and it really boils down to the finish line. (Ryan Seacrest said himself during last week's results show that only a million votes separated Kris and Adam.) So, who will win "American Idol?" Until we hear these two talented performers sing Tuesday night, your guess is as good as mine! Are you an "American Idol" expert? Take our ultimate "Idol" quiz to find out! Plus, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| You are subscribed to email updates from MTV News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
Inbox too full?  Subscribe to the feed version of MTV News in a feed reader. | |
| If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: MTV News, c/o Google, 20 W Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
2 komentar:
dig this best replica designer bags check my blog luxury replica bags article source cheap designer bags replica
Discover More Here news Going Here here click site Dolabuy Goyard
Posting Komentar