Tidbits 3/3

• Variety - American Idol is pissing us off ... "Similarly, with so many news outlets lobbying for a seat aboard the gravy train, few in the media dare identify "Idol" for what it is -- a karaoke sing-off designed to create and build up equity in bland pop acts such as Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken."
• SF Gate - concert review of a rock band Snow Patrol says they are "veering dangerously close to Clay Aiken territory." ... whatever that means.
• The Futon Critic ... article related article... I think this is a synopsis of the Idol press conference they had recently... "Paula notes that there hasn't been anyone quite like Ryan Starr since season one. Other favorite water cooler moments: the "panther" from this season, the kid who sang "Like a Virgin," the Clay Aiken look-a-like getting surprised by the real Clay Aiken."
• Access Hollywood - another Rosie/Clay/Kelly thing - "This is not the first on-screen fracas for Rosie. The outspoken host previously engaged in a war of words with Kelly Ripa (over Clay Aiken) and Donald Trump (over Miss USA Tara Conner)."

• The ConCLAYve on how Clay is much like Red Sox player Jason Varitek -

  And in the Dead of Winter, Clay beckons.....with a summer tour. Clay Aiken's fanclub announced today that he will be releasing information about a summer tour in a few days. Good thing I gave up that raise for an extra week's vacation. I'd like to think Clay's going to have some old players and some new players too.Clay is a lot like Varitek. He's very good at his job, he is smooth when talking to the media or being on TV and he has an even snarkier sense of humor. He can't throw though. Varitek has a rifle. That's OK, I've seen enough pictures and video to tell me that Clay has a.....sword.

• Too Much - getting set for a summer with Clay ... "Whoo hoo! I am so ready for a full tour of all his songs, not just Christmas. And to hear him talk. And to see him smile. And waste all my money on the road."