Tidbits 1/17

Clay's name and picture is now up at Spamalot's Characters page.

• Spamalot!
• Monster & Critics -

  Clay Aiken is set to begin his role in Broadway's Spamalot, which means he's doing a loads of interviews to promote the show.
  

• Reality TV Magazine - Clay ready for Broadway opening, chats with The View on January 22 -

  Clay Aiken Lands Broadway Role, Talks to The View
  
  Here are four words you never thought you’d see together: Monty Python and Clay Aiken. It’s true — American Idol season 2 finalist, Clay Aiken has landed a role in the Broadway version of Monty Python’s Spamalot.
  
  Aiken will grace daytime TV this week, talking to the ladies on ABC’s The View (provided he can get off the toilet in his dressing room, I suppose…) about his new Spamalot role on Tuesday, January 22nd.

• Jaunted -

  For the first time since his last album beloved by moms everywhere, "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken made headlines when his people announced he'd be joining the cast of "Spamalot" on Broadway.
  

• Newsweek interview ...
• X17 Online -

  Conversely, Clay Aiken opted for the Chris Crocker approach, telling ET "we have a presidential election going on, and for whatever reason this is what people are interested in. I think that is probably the saddest thing. Leave her alone, just leave her alone."

• Radar Online - "Those crazy pathetic ladies who are so protective of Clay Aiken, the wacky Sanjayanistas ... it's a disturbing glimpse into the psyche of this country."
• American Idol articles...
• Monsters & Critics -
  

  A strange, feral Kyle Reinnick sang "Never Again." He rocked some Pete Wentz-ish guy-liner and dragged a mural of his "kids" he works with. He looked like the result of a weird experiment that combined the DNA of Crispin Glover and Clay Aiken.

• MTV.com -

  'American Idol' Finds Clay Aiken And Jessica Sierra Look-Alikes -- Plus Actual Talent -- In Dallas
  
  Best Slam of a Former "Idol" Castoff: Kyle Ensley
  
  The politician-in-training reminded Simon and Paula of a former "Idol" runner-up, and Simon let him advance to Hollywood only after he pledged not to "do what Clay Aiken did," meaning no "weird things with his hair" or "red leather jackets."
  

• Washington Post -

  Back to Misfits: Kyle Ensley is this season's Semi-Charming Nerdy Boy Who Hasn't a Prayer and Who Will Quickly Get on Our Nerves. He wants to run for governor of somewhere, or become an "American Idol" winner, and blushes his way through the Queen number "Somebody to Love," which is sufficiently charming/ironic it gets him a ticket to Hollywood. But only after Simon asks him, "You wouldn't do what Clay Aiken did -- do weird things with your hair and wear red leather jackets?" Kyle assures him he has no weird-hair or red-leather-jacket aspirations and he heads off to Hollywood.

• After Elton -

  American Idol is back for its seventh season but if you're looking to catch a glimpse of the next Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken or Chris Daughtry you need to sit back, do your taxes, write a novel, contemplate what's living in Amy Winehouse's hair and then return in a couple weeks once the audition rounds are over.
  

• Pioneer Local has a fantastic article about the new book "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Lover's Soul", now available at book stores. The book is a compilation of stories from American Idol fans -

  One fan wrote about how reading a book by semi-finalist Clay Aiken about his abusive father gave her the courage to take her child and flee from her abusive husband.

• TV Squad -

  A combination of Kevin "Chicken Little" Covais and Clay Aiken, Kyle Ensley (21, Valiant, OK) is an aspiring politician who'd give it all up in a heartbeat. And just like Clay Aiken, I am stunned that this skinny kid with square glasses and a nice shirt and tie on it has some pipes. Simon is stunned too: "You weren't as bad as I thought you were going to be." Randy thought he was a bit too academic, but as long as he promised he wouldn't go all "Clay" and make his hair stupid and wear bad outfits, Simon and Paula put him through. His campaign slogan: "I think I should be your next American Idol because not only can I sing good but also I make good decisions." He's got my vote.

• Curlio -

  Kyle Ensley wants to be a politician. He does a political sort of promo video. This stuff usually ends in misery and the choice to sing Queen's "Somebody to Love" didn't help my initial cringe before he started singing. He actually was pretty good. Simon, too, was afraid it would be bad and was happy it wasn't as bad as he thought. He said yes (again a yes when I expected a no! Pod-People bring me back my snarky Simon!). Randy thought it was a bit academic and said no. After Simon elicted a promise from Kyle that he wouldn't do weird things like Clay Aiken did by changing his hair and look, Paula voted yes.
  

• Rocky Mount Telegram - article about Ruben -

  After beating Clay Aiken for the title, Studdard recorded his first album, "Soulful," which went on to be certified platinum. A year later, he released the gospel album "I Need an Angel," to pay tribute to the music he grew up listening to. His third album, "The Return," in 2006 returned to his R&B roots.

• The ConCLAYve - Ten funny things to check out this weekend ... SPAMALOT!
• Taking A Moment's Jemock presents some "tongue-in-cheek" Spamalot theater etiquettes ...

  The lights will dim just before a performance, and then the theatre will be completely dark. Show your knowledge by sitting calmly and don't panic or start yelling "OMG!! My EYES!!! MY EYES!!!!! I CAN'T SEE!! OMG! I'VE GONE BLIND!!! I CAN'T SEE CLAAAAAYYYY!!!!! I NEED A MEET AND GREET!!!! CLAAAAAAYYY!!! I've heard this with my own ears before, and let me tell you, it ain't pretty. I did NOT get a meet and greet, and the lights eventually came back on and my eyesight was restored.

• Carolina On My Mind - Broadway gets set for a Clay Aiken invasion -

  On every street corner, there's news of Clay Aiken's Broadway debut as Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot plus promising talk of a spring release for the new CD of original material. Needless to say, the excitement gauge throughout the singer's fan base is registering record peaks.

• Anew and Afresh -

  Seriously, folks, yesterday was an embarrassment of riches for the fangirl in me. Not only did I get promo photos of the return of my very favorite Eff-Bee-Eye agents, Mulder and Scully, but then promo photos of my pretend boyfriend Clay Aiken in SpamALOT surfaced and I went to a'squeein' all over again. And 'cause I'm a giving sort of person, I'm going to share them with YOU. ; )
  
  Clay's big debut in this Tony-winning, wildly popular Broadway show is this Friday, January 18, and I think he's set to play Sir Robin ("brave, brave, brave Sir Robin"), in addition to a couple of other characters, until sometime in May. And no, it's unlikely I'll make it up to NYC to see him, which is why I'm soaking up all the pre-debut promo stuff I can get.