Tidbits 3/22

Nice Clay mention in the latest issue (March 26 - April 1) of TV Guide. Thanks to the CB's alfrank04 for the scan.

• Almost a year after the AI5 surprise, Michael Sandecki ("Faiken") is still making headlines... check out his (weird) new look at People Magazine.

  The Clay Aiken doppelgänger sang on last season's May 24 finale and got the surprise of his life when Aiken joined him onstage. But since his big moment, the Phoenix-based Sandecki (who got rejected at his first Idol audition) has changed his look so as not to be mistaken for Aiken. Still, the aspiring singer – who does clerical work for an online school – isn't giving up his dream. "I eat, live and breathe music, and I'm going to make it somehow," says Sandecki. "But now I just want to be Mike."
  

• Sidelines Online - In an article entitled, "Idol Brings The Awwww Factor", the comment about Clay is, "Season two gave us "Idol's" only successful 'mom vote' candidate - Howdy Doody-esque belter Clay Aiken. "A strong wind would blow him away, yet he finds the strength to sing with the shrill gusto of Celine Dion. Awww."
• The Wildcat Online - In an opinion column by college student Damion LeeNatali, he says concerning Clay (while talking about American Idol), "Nothing in this nauseatingly repetitive spectacle resembles anything close to useful entertainment or genuine talent; really, the show has only produced two marketable talents - angry chick rocker Kelly Clarkson and the annoyingly flamboyant Clay Aiken.
• BuzzSugar wonders about that mysterious Idol sign shown last night ... "What was the deal with the person in the audience holding a sign that read 'Clay Aiken hurt me' with a frowny face drawn on?"
• The Common Voice - ridiculous article on why AI6 finalist Chris Sleigh has to lose weight in order to win AI, although we'll take the Clay compliment.
  

  Plus, remember this is a television show looking for someone who a record label can put out there in the public eye as a marketable product. At least with Clay Aiken, they got rid of the nerdy glasses and helped him look as polished as that beautiful singing voice he has. For Chris Sligh, it's gonna take some weight loss that livin' la vida low-carb could help him with. Unfortunately for him, it won't be quick enough to help him before his American Idol experience comes to an end.

• Landover Baptist - uh...

  The second place finisher during the show’s second year was Clay Aiken, a nancy-boy who has gone on to sell thousands of secular records to the Satan-worshippers of this country. Even Aiken’s most subtle mannerism seems to dare the Lord to let loose a fiery rain of Sodom-leveling brimstone.

• BuddyTV - America's Next Top Model looks somewhat like Clay Aiken? "Sarah is a cross between Cycle Two contestant April Wilkner and Clay Aiken."
• Winston Salem Journal - American Idol article ...

  Clay Aiken set the Idol precedent when he came in second to Ruben "On Wry" Studdard, now a weight-loss advocate and never-say-never soul crooner. More notable of late is the story of Jennifer Hudson, who was given the boot earlier in the competition than many expected. Hudson The Loser just won an Oscar for her role as Effie in the film version of Dreamgirls - and you can bet there is a Grammy in Hudson's not-so-distant future.
  
  Clay Aiken had - sorrrrry, has - his Claymates. Taylor Hicks is boosted by the Soul Patrol. Chris Daughtry has ... fans. Perhaps it's the nature of his name, pronounced "Dot-tree." Let's see, there could be the Dot Matrix, or maybe the Treehuggers. Nah. Just "fans" will do.

• Nothing here today.