Tidbits 2/14

• Lycos50 PR - Clay Aiken has strong #3 finish on this week's Lycos50-

  American "Idle":
  
  Clay Aiken (#3) sees his search interest nearly double this week, due in part to his Broadway debut playing the Eric Idle role in Monty Python's "Spamalot." Aiken has taken over the role of Sir Robin, originally portrayed by David Hyde Pierce when the musical first debuted on Broadway in 2005.
  

• New York Magazine - Clay's accomodation in New York? Report via liQcity.
  

  Long Island City: Rumors swirl that celebs like Clay Aiken, Plácido Domingo, and big-name d.j. Danny Tenaglia have bought into the swank new Arris Lofts. Then again, this blog seems devoted to swankifying LIC as quickly as possible.

• Raleigh News & Observer - North Carolina shut out from AI7 top 24 -

  Historically, North Carolina has had much "Idol" success -- with Fantasia, a High Point native, winning in season three, and Raleigh's Clay Aiken coming in second in season two. Season five featured three North Carolinians -- Chris Daughtry,
  

• Newsday interviews Lakisa Jones, the AI6 finalist now playing on The Color Purple on Broadway -

  Fantasia was in "The Color Purple" and now you are. Clay Aiken is in "Spamalot." Tamyra Gray did "Rent." It seems like "American Idol" has taken over Broadway. Is this the direction you saw yourself heading in?

• Philly Burbs - American Idol picks top 24 -

  It’s down to the final two boys, Colton “The New Anthony Federov” Berry and Kyle “The New Clay Aiken” Ensley, who always looks like he auditioning for his fraternity’s glee club.

• More American Idol -
  
• Sarasota Herald Tribune - "Past winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have both gone on to sell millions of records and win numerous Grammy awards, while such finalists as Chris Daughtry and Clay Aiken have had major success."
• Chicago Sun Times -

  5. Danny Noriega and Joanne Borgella. The pair are this season's Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson.

• Huffington Post -

  Colton Berry and Kyle Ensley -- another big surprise as Clay Aiken 2.0 Kyle is sent home over the strong objections of Simon.

• Variety -

  So we see a bunch of good singers, then a bunch of bad singers, then some singers who rock while playing instruments then some who should never be allowed near a keyboard or drum kit again. And then a terrifying promo to the local news station’s interview with Clay Aiken, who is starting to look like an old woman.

• Contra Costa Times - random mention ...

  So when this guy approached me recently, I was, as usual, skeptical. Then he laid it on me. And, after 30 seconds, I was giggling like Clay Aiken at a slumber party.

Image courtesy Clay - The Man

• The Clay nation celebrates Valentine's Day:
• Clay - The Man
• All That Is Clay Aiken -

  Today is very special day for some. Many gift cards, flowers, jewelry or candy.
  I read part of one blog that a gift of love songs would be a wonderful gift for today.
  That would truely be a "gift that keeps on giving".
  
  Clay's last CDwas a wonderful CD of love songs. Amazing.

• Chexxxy's Pearls posts some cool YouTube videos detailing the background and history of Spamalot.
  
• There Was A Man - Broadway.com interviews tells it "like it is"

  There been a second wave of promotion this week for Spamalot. First up was a fantastic interview for Broadway.com which you can find at this Link. The writer/interviewer Kathy Henderson could give that snooty Ariel Levy a lesson or two in getting a good interview out of her subject and treating them with respect.

• Carolina On My Mind - an interview you should definitely read -

  The buzz around Clay Aiken message boards is not so much about Valentine's Day, but an extraordinary interview on Broadway.com: Clay's the Thing! Spamalot's New Star Speaks Out.
  
  In only two days, some fans can quote lengthy passages from memory. All who have read it have favorite paragraphs, lines, replies. One of the best Aiken interviews ever - and, for sure, the best since the singer-actor stepped onto the Broadway stage Jan. 18 as Sir Robin in 'Spamalot' - Kathy Henderson's article has the Clay Nation grinning.