IDOL MADNESS: Friday Report

Spread the word to vote for your faves!

Remember, voting for all Round of 32 matches ends Thursday January 31, 11:59PM EST, so there's plenty of time to still vote!

Here are updates (as of 1/25 at 3:30PM EST) of the Round of 32 match-ups in all divisions. Click on any match-up to vote!

Cowell Bracket
#1 Kelly Clarkson vs. #9 Chris Richardson
Clarkson has her hands full with Richardson, but currently leads 67%-33%.

#2 Ruben Studdard vs. #10 Kellie Pickler
Pickler is trying to pull of her second straight upset; she leads Studdard 66%-34%.

#3 Tamyra Gray vs. #6 Jasmine Trias
Jasmine's fans have come on strong, propelling her to a 75%-25% lead over Tamyra. Where are Tamyra's fans??

#4 Jennifer Hudson vs. #5 Bo Bice
Today's featured match is a nail-biter, with Bice currently leading Oscar winner Hudson 55%-45%.

Seacrest Bracket
#1 Taylor Hicks vs. #9 Constantine Maroulis
Constantine's fans have certainly mobilized, but where is the Soul Patrol? Constantine is currently ahead 75%-25%.

#2 Clay Aiken vs. #7 RJ Helton
Perhaps the Claymates are too busy going to see their boy in Spamalot, because he's struggling with RJ, holding a slim lead of 52%-48%. Could an upset be brewing?

#3 Melinda Doolittle vs. #6 Vonzell Solomon
In this battle of the divas, Melinda is currently on top, 64%-36%.

#5 LaKisha Jones vs. #13 Bucky Covington
Bucky pulled off Round 1's biggest upset by sending Diana Degarmo packing; with a 72%-28% lead, will he do the same to LaKisha?

Abdul Bracket
#1 Fantasia vs. #9 Ace Young
Fantasia fans, where are you? Your girl is currently losing to Ace Young, 69%-31%!

#2 Jordin Sparks vs. #7 Anthony Fedorov
Last year's champ is ahead of Anthony Fedorov, but just by a bit; Jordin currently leads 58%-42%.

#3 Elliott Yamin vs. #6 Nikki McKibbin
In this battle of the third place finishers, Elliott is way out on top, 81%-19%.

#4 Kimberley Locke vs. #5 Blake Lewis
In Round 2's closest match, Kim and Blake are in a dead heat, with Kimberley enjoying an oh-so-slight lead of 50.2%-49.8%.

Jackson Bracket
#1 Carrie Underwood vs. #9 Mandisa Hundley
Carrie continues to roll, enjoying an 80%-20% lead over Mandisa.

#2 Chris Daughtry vs. # 7 Josh Gracin
Daughtry is having a surprisingly difficult time with Gracin -- right now he's only up 55%-45%.

#3 Latoya London vs. #11 Anwar Robinson
Anwar knocked off Paris Bennett in the first round, but as of now he's having trouble getting the best of Latoya. The Season 3 fourth place finisher is currently ahead 62%-37%.

#4 Katharine McPhee vs. #12 Gina Glocksen
After barely squeezing out a win over Jon Peter Lewis in the first round, Kat has her hands full with Gina -- she's barely leading 53%-47%.

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IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME

IDOL MADNESS: Monday January 14 Report

Voting is underway in IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME, and there's already been huge response!

Cowell Bracket Draw, Seedings and First Round Match-Ups

Here are updates on the Cowell Bracket's first round match-ups (all %'s as of 5PM EST):

#1 Kelly Clarkson vs. #16 Melissa McGhee

The original American Idol is currently wiping the floor with play-in winner Melissa McGhee, 92.7% to 7.3%.

#2 Ruben Studdard vs. #15 Stephanie Edwards

Season 2's champ Ruben Studdard has his hands full with play-in winner Stephanie Edwards. Right now, he's leading Edwards 68.2% to 31.8%.

#3 Tamyra Gray vs. #14 Chris Sligh

Chris Sligh's fans are coming on strong, but for now the Season 1 fourth place finisher is withstanding the challenge. Tamyra leads 75.8% to 24.2%.

#4 Jennifer Hudson vs. #13 Haley Scarnato

Oscar winner Hudson is not having a problem with Season 6' Scarnato, leading 81.1% to 18.9%.

#5 Bo Bice vs. #12 Lisa Tucker

Season Four runner-up Bice currently has 83.6% of the vote, far exceeding Tucker's
16.4%.

#6 Jasmine Trias vs. #11 Rickey Smith

Jasmine's fans have come on strong today, overcoming an early lead from Smith to surge to a 69.4% to 30.6% advantage.

#7 George Huff vs. #10 Kellie Pickler

There looks to be an upset-in-the-making here, as #10 seed Pickler is currently enjoying a 67.4% to 32.6% advantage over the lovable Season 3 fifth place finisher.

#8 Scott Savol vs. #9 Chris Richardson

Season 6' hearthrob is also looking to pull of an upset in the closest race this round. Richardson is currently leading Savol 63.3% to 36.7%.

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IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME

IDOL MADNESS: Cowell Brackets Seeding and First Round Match-Ups

Voting for this round ends Thursday January 17 at 11:59PM EST

We have seeded the candidates based both on their performance on the show and their accomplishments since then. Most of the finalists are seeded within 3 spots of their rank on the show (i.e. if a finalist was 3rd on the show, they can’t be seeded lower than 6th in the bracket) and we have made sure candidates from the same seasons can not face each other in the first two rounds.

Other than that, it’s pretty subjective and we have tried to keep it interesting and balanced. Now it’s up to you to vote! Polls are now open!

COWELL BRACKET

1st round match-ups:

#1 Kelly Clarkson vs. #16 Melissa McGhee
#2 Ruben Studdard vs. #15 Stephanie Edwards
#3 Tamyra Gray vs. #14 Chris Sligh**
#4 Jennifer Hudson vs. #13 Haley Scarnato
#5 Bo Bice vs. #12 Lisa Tucker
#6 Jasmine Trias vs. #11 Rickey Smith
#7 George Huff vs. #10 Kellie Pickler **
#8 Scott Savol vs. #9 Chris Richardson

**Featured match

We tried to keep all the brackets pretty even but if there was a “Bracket of Death”, it would be this one. #1 seed is the first ever American Idol, multi-platinum, 2-time Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson, who starts off the action against play-in winner Melissa McGhee from Season 5. Barring any upsets, she could face the only Oscar winner in the competition, #4 seed, Jennifer Hudson, in the Sweet Sixteen.

In the other half of the bracket, Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard could face tough competition from the likes of #15 seed Stephanie Edwards (Season 6), country favorite #10 seed Kellie Pickler (Season 5), and #3 seed Tamyra Gray just to get to the bracket finals. Whoever wins this bracket will definitely be a force in the Final Four!

Check back for my predictions on who will be victorious in their first round match-ups.

And remember, voting starts now!

Seed Name Season / Place
1 Kelly Clarkson 1 / 1
2 Ruben Studdard 2/ 1
3 Tamyra Gray 1 /4
4 Jennifer Hudson 3 / 7
5 Bo Bice 4 / 2
6 Jasmine Trias 3 / 3
7 George Huff 3 / 5
8 Scott Savol 4 / 5
9 Chris Richardson 6 / 5
10 Kellie Pickler 5 / 6
11 Rickey Smith 2 / 8
12 Lisa Tucker 5 / 10
13 Haley Scarnato 6 / 8
14 Chris Sligh 6 / 10
15 Stephanie Edwards 6 / 11
16 Melissa McGhee 5 / 12

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IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME

IDOL MADNESS (Cowell Bracket): Round of 64 #3 Tamyra Gray vs. #14 Chris Sligh

Opinion Polls & Market Research

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OTHER COWELL BRACKET ROUND OF 64 MATCH-UPS:

#1 Kelly Clarkson vs. #16 Melissa McGhee
#2 Ruben Studdard vs. #15 Stephanie Edwards
#4 Jennifer Hudson vs. #13 Haley Scarnato
#5 Bo Bice vs. #12 Lisa Tucker
#6 Jasmine Trias vs. #11 Rickey Smith
#7 George Huff vs. #10 Kellie Pickler
#8 Scott Savol vs. #9 Chris Richardson

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IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME

IDOL MADNESS (Cowell) Rnd of 32: #3 Tamyra Gray vs. #6 Jasmine Trias

Division: Cowell Bracket

The Match-Up: #3 Tamyra Gray vs. #6 Jasmine Trias

Idol Thoughts Prediction: Jasmine's fans came out in full force in the Round of 64 to propel their girl to a win over Rickey Smith. If Tamyra's fans don't come of hiding, the Season 1 fourth place finisher could find herself in a heap of trouble. I'm predicting Tamyra will squeak it out, 52%-48%.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Round of 32 Match-Ups:

Cowell Bracket
#1 Kelly Clarkson vs. #9 Chris Richardson
#2 Ruben Studdard vs. #10 Kellie Pickler
#3 Tamyra Gray vs. #6 Jasmine Trias
#4 Jennifer Hudson vs. #5 Bo Bice

Seacrest Bracket
#1 Taylor Hicks vs. #9 Constantine Maroulis
#2 Clay Aiken vs. #7 RJ Helton
#3 Melinda Doolittle vs. #6 Vonzell Solomon
#5 LaKisha Jones vs. #13 Bucky Covington

Abdul Bracket
#1 Fantasia vs. #9 Ace Young
#2 Jordin Sparks vs. #7 Anthony Fedorov
#3 Elliott Yamin vs. #6 Nikki McKibbin
#4 Kimberley Locke vs. #5 Blake Lewis

Jackson Bracket
#1 Carrie Underwood vs. #9 Mandisa Hundley
#2 Chris Daughtry vs. # 7 Josh Gracin
#3 Latoya London vs. #11 Anwar Robinson
#4 Katharine McPhee vs. #12 Gina Glocksen

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Theater News / Commentary

Rumor Mill: Is Fantasia Pregnant?

Year End: Ten Best Plays & Musicals of 2007

Howard, Rose, Rashad and Jones to Star in Broadway's All-African American Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Matthew Morrison to Join O'Hara and Szot in Lincoln Center Theater's South Pacific

Watch Video From Broadway's Back! Celebration

Download Idina Menzel's "Brave" NOW!

Theater Suggestions: Farnsworth, The Glorious Ones, Peter & Jerry and More

Omigod You Guys! MTV To Air Legally Blonde Musical

Fantasia Extends Stay in The Color Purple, May Star in New Musical

Lance Bass To Join Broadway Cast of Hairspray

Theater Notes: Spring Awakening, Grease, and Tamyra Gray in Rent

Will Jake Gyllenhaal Come to Broadway?

Tony Award Predictions Part 3: The Play Awards

Tony Award Predictions Part 2: The Musical Awards

Jordin and Melinda Stop in to See Fantasia

Tony Award Predictions Part 1: The Design Awards

Fantasia Will Perform on the Tony Awards

Fantasia Wins Theatre World Award for Best Broadway Debut

Spring Awakening and Coast of Utopia Lead Tony Nominations

Carrie Visits Anthony at The Fantasticks

Tamyra Gray to Join Broadway Cast of Rent

Ten Best First Finals Performances

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Sure, they've performed in the semifinals in front of a small studio audience, but stepping onto the bigger stage in the Top 12 (or Top 10, as the case was in Season 1) provides contestants with the opportunity to really take it up a notch and solidify their connection with the viewers, or, if they've yet to make much of a dent, provide them with one more chance to really grab the audience's attention.

Sometimes a strong first performance in the finals can sustain you for quite awhile, even if you never end up living up to the potential you initially showed (Carmen Rasmussen, Jasmine Trias). Alternatively, a rough or shaky first showing could find you trying to fight your way out of the Bottom 3 for weeks (Kimberley Locke, Jennifer Hudson).

So, in anticipation of the start of the Top 12 tomorrow, here is my list of the ten best first Finals performances:


1. Kelly Clarkson, "You're All I Need"
I fell 3/4 of the way in love with Kelly after she sang "Respect" in the semifinals, but it was this performance that sent me right over the top. Everything from her sassy sauntering around the stage, adorable facial expression, her 1-legged pants, and her AMAZING voice makes this one of my very favorite Idol performances of all time. This was the night I fell head over heels and never looked back.

2. Chris Daughtry, "Higher Ground"
If there was any question about whether or not Chris was going to be able to adapt his style to non-rock songs, this answered it once and for all. Despite the cheesy themes, he showed he wasn't going to compromise who he is as an artist.

3. Clay Aiken, "I Can't Help Myself"
Riding on the wave of momentum from having been the people's Wildcard choice in Season 2, Clay effortlessly continued his ascent into the hearts of millions of Americans with this effortless performance. He was gettin' close to having (at least part of) America right in the palm of his hands (and at the bat of his eye, of course).

4. Diana Degarmo, "Think"
I didn't always love Diana, but this performance featured some off-the-charts high belting. Say what you will about her, but this girl can sii-iii-iing.

5. Tamyra Gray, "Touch Me In The Morning"
Along with Justin Guarini, Tamyra was the clear favorite coming into the Finals in Season 1, and she handled that pressure quite nicely with this passionate, soulful performance. To this date I think the Kelly vs. Tamyra rivalry is the best the show has ever had (with Clay and Ruben a close second).

6. Trenyce, "Come See About Me"
Paula's wildcard pick Trenyce had nothing to lose when she came out lookin' like Janet Jackson and flirted her way through the Motown hit. While her facial expressions were a bit much on the smaller semifinals stage, on the big stage she looked like a pro.

7. Fantasia, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"
Quintessential Fantasia...slurring her s's and groovin' to Stevie Wonder. As good as it was, though, I don't think anyone could have known she had a "Summertime" lurking in there.

8. Taylor Hicks, "Takin' it to the Streets"
Featuring impressive vocals, spastic dance moves, and loads of personality, it was difficult not to be charmed by Taylor's, well, Taylor-ness. The song and performer were such a good fit it ended up becoming the B-side on his first single.

9. Jasmine Trias, "Inseparable"
Oh Jasmine, this performance was so promising -- if only you had lived up to that promise! Delivering a cool, innocently sexy version of the Toni Braxton song in Season 3, she showed off her gorgeous tone and did not go off pitch even for a moment. That was the last time that happened, thats for damn sure.

10. Constantine Maroulis, "You Make Me So Very Happy"
An odd choice for me, to be sure, since I am definitely not Constantine's #1 fan, but of all the Top 12 performances in Season 4, this, for me, was the best. I had found him awkward and poseur-esque in the Semifinals and wasn't expecting much of him, but he surprised me with a casual, well-sung performance that I, much to my own chagrin, enjoyed very much.

Did I include or leave off your favorite first finals performance? Leave a comment and let me know! And check out my list of the Ten Best Semifinal Performances.