Tidbits 5/25

• A bunch of Clay mentions in these articles about sagging American Idol ratings... the finale drew only 30.7 million viewers. In 2003, Clay and Ruben's finale drew 38 million viewers.
• Associated Press wire courtesy CNN and ABC News - "This year's finale compares to the 30.3 million who watched in 2005, and 28.8 million in 2004. The showdown between Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard in 2003 attracted 38 million viewers, Nielsen said."
• ABC-TV Sacramento via AP -

  It's pretty much the same number of people who saw Carrie Underwood win in 2005 -- 30.3 million. It beats out the 28.8 million who saw Fantasia Barrino win in 2004, but doesn't come close to the juggernaut of 2003, when 38 million people tuned in to the Ruben Studdard-Clay Aiken finale.

• Orlando Sentinel -

  The numbers for Sparks were more in line with the victories of Carrie Underwood (30.3 million) and Fantasia (28.8 million). The peak for Idol came four years ago when 38.1 million watched Ruben Studdard edge Clay Aiken.
  

• And some more American Idol mentions:
• Foxes on Idol -
  

  As American Idol has become more popular, it has become less and less relevant who wins. Sure, we haven’t heard much from Justin Guarini lately. But Season 2 showed us that a runner-up like Clay Aiken can become every bit as successful, if not more so, than the winner. His first album sold 613,000 copies in the first week alone, and his subsequent albums have also done very well. Clay has had his own TV Christmas special and won several American Music Association and Billboard awards. Losing to Ruben didn’t slow his career down in the slightest. Clay’s fellow non-winners have also had post-Idol success. Josh Gracin’s debut album went Gold. And Kimberley Locke has had two #1 songs.

• Blogcritics on Jordin Spark's new single "This Is My Now"-

  It’s not shocking that the song is a dud because Idol’s rich history of crap-tacular ballads is a painful and nearly criminal one. Take for example, “Flying Without Wings” by Rueben Studdard. Please. With predictable R&B production values and greeting card lyrics, it’s a natural for weddings and graduations. And that’s not a good thing, people. We already have a surplus of tooth rotting anthems like this thanks to Diane Warren, author of co-dependency classics like “How do I Live Without You” and “Because You Loved Me”. Still, I guess the song works on multiple levels for both Rueben and Clay. For Studdard, the “wings” in question could be buffalo, while Aiken’s could be fairy.

• Sound Generator - "Sparks, who earns a recording contract with Sony BMG after the win, follows in the footsteps of Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken and the show's most successful export, Kelly Clarkson."
• OC Register - "Most importantly, will Jordin be insistent on pursuing her musical desires, the way Kelly and Fantasia and (though he lost his latest battle) Clay Aiken have?"
• Morris County Daily Record - "Season two's second-place finisher, Clay Aiken, proved more successful than the "Idol," Ruben Studdard. In 2004 he won Top 40 Male Artist of the Year."
• Richmond.com -

  How close were the results? Fox remains mum on this fact, but the good news is that it won’t make too much of a difference; Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken, Kimberly Locke, Elliott Yamin and others have proven that you don’t have to be the last singer standing to kick start your musical career.

• Detroit News -

  In more "Idol" news, Entertainment Weekly has compiled its list of the top 10 "Idol" performances ever, and even though the magazine has early deadlines, we're pretty sure Jordin Sparks singing "This is My Now" wouldn't have shaken things up much. Carrie Underwood's "Alone" takes their No. 1 spot, followed by Kelly Clarkson's "Stuff Like That There," Clay Aiken's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and Fantasia Barrino's "Summertime."

• AOL TMZ - random Clay mention by a commenter at TMZ's post about George Clooney in Cannes, France: "No, not everybody wants to kiss George C., I'd rather kiss Clay Aiken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
• Pocono Record reminds us that many American Idol contestants do have formal training: "And most "Idol" singers who went on to have careers have had training. Clay Aiken began his musical training early and also studied movement and dramatic presentation."
  
• The Weekly - Clay concert listing
• Baseball Toaster ... random mention: "Clay Aiken's evil twin, Tyler Clippard, makes his Yankee Stadium debut tonight. "

• Carolina On My Mind - American Idol finale a flop:

  The hodgepodge of Top 10 contestants, former winners, a somewhat random roster of entertainers, literally everything but the kitchen sink, ensured a circus-like atmosphere for Wednesday's American Idol Finale, sadly moving the key purpose of the results show to the back burner.

• Carolina On My Mind gives us a walk down memory lane to the AI2 finale week and last year's very memorable AI5 finale.
• The ConCLAYve's Michi tells us of her mother-in-law's passing and how she's using Clay's music to get through these tough times -

  I have been listening to a lot of Clay Aiken. I have literally needed to in order to get through this week. His voice soothes me. I listen to the hauntingly beautiful “Lover All Alone” and my tears fall freely . I am comforted by “I Will Carry You” and it reminds me of “Red” because she was always there for everyone.