Chris Sligh courtesy Fox
This Wednesday's American Idol is a "Best of the Rest" recap of the Season 7 auditions we didn't see throughout each city. That got us thinking about some of the best auditions we've seen, regardless of whether the candidate went on to Idol greatness. Instead of a top-10 list, we thought we'd have a battle of the sexes: the best women's auditions versus the best from the men. — Erin FoxTop Five Women's Auditions5) Frenchie Davis, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" | Watch on YouTubeHoly crap, we think our ear drums just burst listening to her amazing vocal power. Randy and Paula gave her a standing ovation (Simon, of course, stayed seated but clapped as enthusiastically as he could), and if she hadn't been kicked off the show for those naughty pictures, there's no telling how far Frenchie could have gone. 4) Carrie Underwood, "I Can't Make You Love Me" | Watch on YouTubeWho knew this farm girl who sported the '80s wardrobe and glamour-shots makeup at her audition would become ...
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Chris Sligh
Though he barely made the cut for the American Idol top 12, Chris Sligh has no qualms about coming in 10th place in the reality competition. "I've actually got nine labels after me right now," says the curly-haired singer, who packed a portable recording studio to bring on the American Idols Live tour. "We're not allowed to sign a record deal until the end of August, but I've been writing songs and it's going really, really well." Here is what else the Greenville, South Carolina, native shared with TV Guide in the midst of venue-hopping.
TV Guide: How is life in Omaha?Chris Sligh: Omaha is actually pretty cool. We've got two days off here, the first time we've had two days off while on tour. I did a lot of scouring [to learn] more about the city and I bought a skateboard, so I've been skateboarding. It's great.
TV Guide:
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American Idol boss Ken Warwick assesses the new season.
Did one of this season's American Idol wannabes almost call it quits? Are those seeking to rock the vote succeeding? And is Sanjaya's "success" a liability for the popular singing competition? Idol executive producer Ken Warwick addressed those topics and more in a Tuesday conference call with reporters.
Late last week, upon Chris Sligh's ouster, the big story was that the big guy had allegedly inquired into dropping out of the competition a few weeks prior. TVGuide.com asked Warwick if he was in the loop on that possible departure — and his answer might surprise you. "Um, Chris Sligh sometimes talks out of turn, to be absolutely honest," Warwick told us. "I was neve
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Kimberly Caldwell and Rosanna Tavarez take on American Idol.
Was Chris Sligh the architect of his own undoing? Which of American Idol's nine finalists has the most momentum heading into "American Classics" week? And is an early favorite not doing what she needs to do for success? TVGuide.com asked Kimberly Caldwell and Rosanna Tavarez, the hosts of TV Guide Channel's Idol Chat, Idol Tonight and Reality Chat, for their expert takes on what's next for the most popular television show
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Chris Sligh, American Idol
Ah, the best-laid plans... South Carolinian Chris Sligh had planned to sing "Give a Little Bit" (first proffered by Supertramp and later covered by the Goo Goo Dolls) on last Tuesday's American Idol, but changed gears relatively late in the game — the previous Friday afternoon — by instead cueing up The Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." Explaining his perhaps critical misstep, 29-year-old Chris told TVGuide.com, "I wanted to challenge myself a little bit more. I just didn't realize it was going to be quite that much of a challenge." Indeed, Chris had difficulty "staying in the pocket," offering an off-rhythm rendition that wowed neither
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Chris Sligh had planned to sing Supertramp's "Give a Little Bit" on Tuesday's American Idol, but changed gears late in the game (last Friday afternoon) by instead cueing up "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." "I wanted to challenge myself a little but more," Chris tells TVGuide.com. "I just didn't realize it was going to be quite that much of a challenge." Chris had difficulty "staying in the pocket," offering an off-rhythm rendition that Simon deemed "a mess." Having revisited his swan song "probably 10 or 15 times" since, Chris tells us, "It wasn't great.... But honestly, it was not as bad as the judges made it seem." That said, "As soon as they gave me the spanking they did, I knew I was going home."As for the week's other headline-maker, Chris gives Sanjaya props for the "pony-hawk," saying, "I could never pull that off" — though it'd probably be fun to yank at it a few times.
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Finally, I got one: I won the American Idol office pool this week by predicting the timely demise of Mr. Sligh from our little show. I’m sorry to see him go before both Haley and Sanjaya, but he has been consistent only in his lack of caring and he was bound to get tossed off the island soon. I liked Phil on Tuesday night’s show. I know why he made it into the bottom three, but I’m hoping he can hold on for a couple more weeks. Haley remained, and I have no doubt it was the shorts and heels of last week’s show. “She's got legs, she knows how to use them!”The saddest moment in the show was poor Gina’s face (she looked simply crestfallen) as she was told along with Sligh that one of them was in the bottom three, and then they had to sit through that dreadful song of Gwen’s until they found out. I knew she'd be safe because her Pretenders cover on Tuesday was fantastic.Now, as I’ve mentioned previously, I always liked No Doubt, but Ms. Gwen&...
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No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani, who traded ska for yodeling, graced the Idols with her presence this week. She is one pretty girl. It’s hard to believe this is the same pleasantly plump high school student from the O.C. who started singing in a band as a teenager and is now married to Gavin Rossdale. Gwen has been performing to sold-out crowds for 20 years, but I don’t know that I would run to her first as a singing coach. But her divine presence meant it was "pop" week! (Not to be confused with "contemporary pop" week.) Yippee! LaKisha opened the show with Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” and it was pretty darn good. Not much else to say. She looked good and everyone loved her boots. Chris Sligh sang The Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" after joking that he knits and crochets in his spare time backstage. Gwen told him in rehearsal that his tempo was off and the judges agreed with her. In fact, we all did. It was a bland performance from Chris. He ha...
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I went to a TV Guide party last night instead of watching AI in real time. TV Guide hosted the “Sexiest Stars” party at Bar Marmont in Hollywood. (You can pick up the “hot” issue on newsstands Friday.) I spent quite a bit of time joking around with Jesse Spencer from House, asking where his fiancée “J-Mo” was. He was a good sport and referred to himself as “J-Spo”. I said it wouldn’t sell, but he is sexy. My good friends, after last night, we are tight. There were a lot of cuties. Shemar Moore, Eric Mabius, Mandy Patinkin... I cannot name them all. (That last one was a joke — tee-hee — but I love the M-Po!) I met a guy at the party who voted for Sanjaya over 30 times just to mess up the competition. I wanted to hate him, but he was so nice I had to push my feelings of anger aside. However, this sort of sabotage makes a farce out of the competition, and as easy as it is to make fun of the contestants, you want people there ...
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Wow, this show turned out to be very interesting. This week we revisited 40-year-old songs with Peter Noone and Lulu. Peter, former lead singer of Herman's Hermits, and Lulu, who sang one of my favorite songs ever, “To Sir with Love,” helped coach the contestants since neither Mick Jagger (not in a million years) nor Shirley Bassey (busy being a Dame) were available. I was expecting to hear “She Loves You,” “I Only Want to Be with You” or at least “Wild Thing,” to no avail. Perhaps there were licensing issues. Oh well, we did get The Rolling Stones, two songs by the Zombies and two Shirley Bassey tunes. Not bad for a Tuesday night. Haley went first, and all I could think was, “Got legs?” This is a smart girl because she knows she hasn’t got the singing chops of several of the others, but she does probably have the best legs and she knows how to use them. I am surprised no one rushed the stage. Did you see her catwalk? Even I cou...
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