Entertainment Tonight Mentions CNN UNICEF Special

A short segment on Entertainment Tonight mentioned the CNN special that will be on this Sunday, July 6. Clay will be included in this special, The Survival Project: One Child At a Time. In addition, ET mentioned that Clay (as well as Nicole Richie and Joel Madden) is supporting UNICEF's efforts in public service announcements.

In the short segment, Clay said, "Helping children have the basic needs to live is a no brainer." Be sure to tune in Sunday at 8 p.m.EST, with a repeat at 11 p.m. EST and 2 p.m. EST (July 7).

You can download the ET segment at Clack Unlimited. If you are able, leave a donation for Clack Unlimited so they can continue to supply these great videos for us.

A Great Interview With "Backstage" on CN8

Here's another great interview, this time by "Backstage with Barry Nolan". This is the first time for this writer to hear of this news show, but if this interview is a reflection on them, then they are a good show to watch!

The interviewer starts out saying that though Clay came in second on American Idol, his career hasn't skipped a beat. Then Spamalot and On My Way Here are mentioned. The interviewer calls the album "deeper and edgier" and Clay discusses how the album came about. She continues throughout the interview with positive questions. Even when she talks about the tabloids, its to ask him what he has learned and whether or not he has had to develop a tougher skin. To that last question, Clay says that its just about understanding what your job entails and not developing a tougher skin.

The interview is available for download at Clack Unlimited and at YouTube.

Here is the YouTube video:

Clay Laughs With Jay and Jack Black, Sings On My Way Here on Tonight Show

As the beginning of this article is being written, it is still about 15 minutes until The Tonight Show comes on. The following report from The Aiken Breakin' Broads site has me even more excited to see the show:

The early reports all seem to say that Clay looked fantastic on Leno -
great clothes and great hair. His segment is the last one. He does a little bit of his Spamalot accent, jokes around with Jack Black (the other guest), and sings perfectly!!

But what can we expect? Clay always looks fantastic and jokes around (can't wait to see him joking with Jack Black!). And sing???? Well, yeah!!!

Stay tuned for more details in about an hour!!

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Well, Clay appeared on The Tonight Show with at least his 5th hairstyle since he first went on 5 years ago. They laughed about this and Clay says he changes his hair about every 30 minutes. He told Jay that when it was darker it made him feel older. Jay said, "So how old are you now, about 40 or 43?"

Jack Black and Jay were both asking him questions at the same time. I get a kick out of Clay saying, "Whose doing the interview?" and look back and forth at both of them. Funny.

Clay did his British accent from Spamalot for Jay. He said he goes right into it when he arrives at the theater. I can imagine him doing that too! Then Jay asked him something about superstitutions and he told Jay about the time he said something about MacBeth when he was sitting with several of the cast, and they all gasped and said you were not suppose to say MacBeth in the theater. My teenage son who does theater at school agreed that this is true. Guess I'll make sure not to say "MacBeth" next time I'm at the movies!

Jay asked Clay if he had ever done theater before. Clay said he had been cut from the high school play his senior year but he didn't hold a grudge...even though he would like to announce that teachers address...and phone #...and name...on tv! But no grudge!! Then he gave the teacher the raspberries!! Pretty funny stuff!!

Clay and Jack Black were both funny laughing it up. I knew they would be. And they both sat with their foot under their other leg...a sign of being comfortable in their surroundings. Clay and Jack were still talking as they went to a commercial. Would love to know what they were talking about!

Clay sang On My Way Here beautifully. Quiana, Angela, and Sean were there. I guess Clay stole Sean from Broadway for a little while!



It was a great interview and a great performance. If you haven't had a chance to watch it yet, be sure to run to Clack Unlimited and download the show!





Thanks to Gerwhisp from The Clayboard for the screencaps.

MSG Network Interviews Hannah Waddingham...Includes Lots of Clay Mentions and Short Appearances

MSG Network recently interviewed Hannah Waddingham about Spamalot, and the interview was shown on Thursday evening. Though Hannah talked about many things concerning Spamalot, Clay had several mentions as well as some small videos of his parts in the musical.

The funniest thing Hannah said about Clay was that they both opened the same night, and she could have been nude with a flower pot on her head and no one would have noticed her! She said it was like Elvis was in the building!!

You can download the entire interview at Clack Unlimited, and it is also up at YouTube. The YouTube video is below.

Exciting News! Clay To Be On WRAL Wednesday, 2/27, at 5 p.m.

We have some very exciting news, which by the time this is out in print, most of you will probably already know. Clay's interview with Linda Loveland of WRAL in Raleigh will be on television Wednesday, 2/27, at 5 p.m. According to ClaytonClayniac at The Clayboard, a short clip was shown today:

They just showed a short clip of Clay in the recording studio in NY - he sang just a line or two from one of the songs on the new CD he's working on! Said Clay invited Linda Loveland to NY, and that interview will be shown tomorrow at 5pm! Also said that he will reveal the secret about his music that he hasn't told fans until now!!!

And now those clips are available online at Clack Unlimited! To download both video clips from tonight's news, go to Clack Unlimited.

Of special interest on these two clips are the following items:

• Clay said that 90% of people have not heard the songs that will be on his CD
  
• Clay's producer said, "I'm very optimistic that we'll have a record where people will go, 'Is that Clay...is that Clay Aiken?'"
  
• WRAL tells us that those watching their 5 p.m. news on Wednesday will get to hear exclusive cuts of Clay's new songs before anyone else.
  
• WRAL also says we will see what his new songs say about his life and his secret about his music that he has kept from his fans until now.

One more thing (and if you don't want to read the words to one of Clay's song...STOP RIGHT HERE!), on one of the clips, you can hear Clay singing part of one of his songs. The words he sings are, "...all worked out, faith has conquered fear..." Apparently this is a song written by Ryan Tedder, and here are the words (don't know for sure that this will end up on Clay's CD, but don't the words sound like him?).

NEW 2/28: You can listen to Ryan Tedder's version at this link.

On My Way Here
by Ryan Tedder

I turn my first step
On that black and white kitchen floor
I sometimes wonder if that house
Is even there, anymore
I had my first glimpse of love
When I was five
I watched two people split apart
But still the three of us survived

I’ve seen the best
I’ve seen the worst
I wouldn’t change what I’ve been through
I’ve touched the sky
I’ve hit the wall
But I did what I had to
Ooooohhhh

CHORUS:
On my way here
Where I am now
I’ve learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I’ve fallen hard
But I’ve been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here.

Oh yeah yeaaah

My address has changed
Almost every year
I've found that standing still
Can quickly make a lifetime disappear
I'd rather try and fail
A thousand times denied
And this, whenever you feel pain
It lets you know that you’re alive

I’ve been a fool
I’ve been afraid
Yeah, I’ve been loved
I've been lied to
I've been wrong
And I've been right
I stood up when I had to

Yeah Yeahhhh

On my way here
Where I am now
I’ve learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I’ve fallen hard
But I’ve been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here.

No guarantees
I believed that I would find
An open door or a light
To lead me to the other side
I guess that is why

On my way here
Where I am now
I’ve learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I’ve fallen hard
But I‘ve been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here

Yeahhhh
Oooooohh

Stay tuned for more information tomorrow after the Linda Loveland piece is televised!

What's Hot From Spamalot 2/12

• Our first hot Spamalot news of the night is a Fox News clip of Clay performing in Spamalot along with a short interview. They actually show several clips of him performing. You can download the clip at Clack Unlimited. Its a keeper for sure!
  
  And thanks to Joy2talk2U at The Clayboard for these wonderful caps from the video:
  
  
  
  
• Here's a story from WRAL.com. A reference to Britney Spears has been taken out of the song, "Diva Lament" by Eric Idle. The article says:

  Britney Spears is out, Posh Spice is in - as a lyric for the Lady in the Lake in the Broadway musical "Monty Python's Spamalot." Asked why the lyric was changed in the song "Diva's Lament," "Spamalot" author Eric Idle said Tuesday in an e-mail:
  
  "Because we don't laugh at sad people. Mike Nichols (the show's director) requested it and he's right. We changed the lyrics in London, on tour, on Broadway and in Las Vegas. We think that it's now too sad. Britney Spears is being tortured to death and we don't want to be on that side."
  
  The changes went into the various companies last week.
  
  What the Lady in the Lake (currently played on Broadway by Hannah Waddingham) once sang:
  
  "I am sick of my career
  Always stuck in second gear
  Up to here with frustration and with fears
  I've no Grammy no rewards
  I've no Tony Awards
  I'm constantly replaced by Britney Spears
  Britney Spears!"
  
  It's been replaced by:
  
  "My love life is a mess
  I've got constant PMS
  My career is about as hot as ice
  They hate me there backstage
  They say I'm too old for my age
  They're trying to replace me with Posh Spice
  With Posh Spice!!"

• We've got a cute review for you today from Claybug71 at The Clayboard:

  Hubby and I were walking by the area right at the time the show was to get out on Saturday afternoon. I had wanted to go by there if I had a chance and at least get some pictures. I knew I was going to the show on Sunday so I was going to get him to sign my playbill then. Now I'm so glad I went by there on Saturday since he did not come out on Sunday. I'm glad he didn't, by the way, because it was frigid cold. I don't think I've ever felt air and wind that cold in my life. I live in NC and I'm not used that weather like that. The wind was terrible.
  
  Just some quick comments on the show. We sat on the 2nd row center and I was very pleased with the view. I could see everything and had a good view of him in his first scene. It was my first time seeing the show and was so happy for him. He looked so comfortable in his role and on the stage. He was so funny. There were times I wondered how he kept a straight face. But I knew he was pretty good at doing that from his concerts. I had watched part of the movie a few months ago and wondered then if I'd really enjoy the play. But, just as I had hoped, the play is much better and way funnier than the movie. The cast does such a great job at entertaining. I loved his facial expressions. I also loved being right there and being able to see him that close up. I was laughing at the way he was running after those women. That was too cute!! I really enjoyed it and so did hubby. He was laughing quite a bit. I will tell a funny story real quick. I heard heard a woman tell the guy she was with that Clay Aiken the country singer was in this play. Then I heard the guy say no that's not him. She said, yes it was him. He kept arguing that it wasn't Clay Aiken the country singer. Finally the woman beside me turned around and said, "yes, Clay Aiken is in this play but he's not a country singer. He's from American Idol." He said oh I've never watched that. The woman beside me (sorry I don't know her name), turned around again and said, well, it's definitely him because many people in the audience came to see him. I thought that was funny that he didn't know who it was. I wish I knew what he thought after the play. Maybe someone may have been near by when this happened. My husband was chuckling over that.

  Here are some pictures taken by Claybug71 at the stage door:
  
  

Wildcard Show on AI2 Rewind This Weekend

AI2 Rewind has been airing on TV for the last several weeks, and this weekend the Wildcard Show was aired. Now we all know what an important show this was for Clay. Clay was brought back as one of the wildcard contestants to be voted on by America and chosen by the judges to continue on in the Top 12.

Most everyone knows how this played out. All the wildcard contestants sang another song, were judged by the three judges, and then four were chosen to return. America voted, and......CLAY WAS CHOSEN TO RETURN!! Of course, this really shouldn't have been a surprise. Clay sang better than them...he shined singing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me". Even Simon thought he was great! I believe that if America had not voted for Clay's return, one of the judges would have chosen him. He was that good, or should I say great!!

If you didn't get to watch the show this weekend, you can download several videos from Clack Unlimited. Take the following links there, and just look for the "WC" show on that page. Right click, and you will have these videos at your beck and call!

Clack Unlimited (look for "Wildcard" or "WC" item on each page):

• Interviews/Bios/Q&As/Clay Specific
• Solo Performances
• Judge Critiques
• Post-Performance Debriefs
• Results Show Readings-Clay
  

And check out the YouTube video of Clay singing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". Check it out and give it a hit and a comment if you'd like. You'll love it! I've already listened to it several times!!

Here's the YouTube video for you to enjoy:

Lots of Post "5th Grader" News - Check It All Out Here

There is so much out there about Clay appearing on Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader that rather than try to have a news article on each one or put it under Tidbits, I thought it best and more organized for your reading purposes to have it in one spot. Clay was a hit last night, as you will see from reading the following items:

• MSN TV - MSN TV has the whole episode of Clay on the show on its home page. Don't know how long it will be there, so check it out quick. Still, that's great publicity for Clay and hopefully a lot of people who didn't watch it Thursday night will watch it at MSN!
• Variety.com - Though Fox was in 4th place, 5th Grader still helped pull it up from last years sweeps. And 8.5 million viewers seeing Clay is nothing to sneeze at:

  Fox was deep in fourth place on the night with a pair of celebrity editions of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" that averaged a 2.5/6 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall. Despite lagging the competition, Fox was the only network to improve upon its performance of a year ago, rising 40% above opening night of the November 2006 sweep (1.5 rating in 18-49) when it finished fifth, behind the CW.

• Clack Unlimited - 5th Grader videos are available at Clack Unlimited, including a two part video of the whole show! This show is definitely one that needs to be saved!
• Amazon.com - According to reports, A Thousand Different Ways rose from the 4000's to a rank of 1646 after Clay's appearance. Merry Christmas With Love also rose from the 5000's and is now at 4402. Possibly this is due to Clay's appearance on the show. Makes sense to me!
• The Clayboard - Thanks to Gerwhisp from The Clayboard, you can find some outstanding pictures of Clay starting on page 4 of the AYSTAFG thread. Here are my favorites, but be sure and check the rest of them out:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Bubel Aiken Foundation - Those of you who made pledges to send money for every question that Clay answered correctly but have not sent it in yet, now is the time to do that! Clay answered 9 questions correctly, so multiply your pledge amount by $9. So far BAF has received $48,573.88 out of $87,274.30 that was originally pledged. You can make your donations online at The Bubel Aiken Foundation Donation Page or send in a check or money order to:
  
  The Bubel/Aiken Foundation
  ATTN: Smarter Pledge
  8601 Six Forks Road
  Suite 400
  Raleigh, NC 27615
  
  Remember to include the name of your Beta Alpha Chapter so that they will receive credit for your donation. If everyone sends in their pledged donations, that is almost an additional nine camps for this summer!

Another New Solitaire Video -- With Great Close-Ups!

Just when you thought there couldn't possibly be anymore videos, mp3's, or photos of Clay....SURPRISE!! Secretly Loves Clay has posted information about her video of Clay singing "Solitaire" at the Neil Sedaka Tribute at The Clayboard and has also included some beautiful closeup screen caps of Clay. This video, most of which has closeups of Clay's face, should touch every emotion that you have. Its amazing!

For those of you who would like to download this video, go to Clack Unlimited.

In addition, you can go to YouTube to watch her video and rate it there.

While you are at The Clayboard, check out Secretly Loves Clay's screencaps. Here are a few to whet your appetite. Be forewarned, they are amazingly gorgeous! And closeup!!

Jimmy Kimmel Mentions "The Claymates"

Claymates were mentioned on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, reports the CB's Sue4AllYouDo. A video cap is available for download at ClackUnlimited.

I'm watching Jimmy Kimmel and he just mentioned "The Claymates" !!!!! Such a sweetie !!! Anne Heche is on and she was referring to her fans as "Hechemates" which prompted Jimmy to ask "Is that like the Claymates??" He then went into this description of adoring fans of Clay Aiken....he said we are loving and caring, but don't cross us.....or something like that.....it was funny and cute and it got cheers from the audience, too!!!!! Just had to let you know, I thought it was adorable !!!!!! Thanks, Jimmy !!!!!!!