Tidbits 4/23

• Syracuse Post Standard - MALE blog reader surprised at Clay's singing, sense of humor:

  I have to admit that he isn't what I expected. I looked around at youtube and there is a lot there of him. His voice is phenomenal. He's funny too. I'm going to try to find a concert near me. Mark, you really should put up more of these. Listen to this one.
  

• Foxes on Idol - In an article entitled "This Week in American Idol History: Halfway Home", Seasons 1-5 are discussed. Concerning Clay, it says:

  Songwriter Diane Warren was on hand as the top six performed her songs. This was the night that really defined the top three. Clay (“I Could Not Ask for More”), Ruben (“Music of My Heart”), and Kimberley (“If You Asked Me To”) were all exceptional that night and left Josh, Trenyce, and Carmen in the dust. Viewers recognized this as well, and sent Carmen Rasmusen home.

• San Jose Mercury News - Clay Aiken deserves more attention:

  A sigh of relief Sanjaya won't win "American Idol." Enough already!
  
  Not one word about UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken, who recently returned from Afghanistan. He requested contributions for classrooms, clean water and medical attention. His campaign aimed for $100,000 in 10 days. Pledges are now $145,000 in seven days, with Canada asking to be included.
  

• Los Angeles Loyolan - American Idol not American enough?

  During season four, incorrect phone numbers were shown for the contestants, forcing the show to discard those results and have a do-over. Somewhere out there, some fans still believe that Clay Aiken really won season two. The list of controversies goes on and on, but overall, none of these have proven anything close to fatal for the show.

• A few more blogs about Clay's UNICEF mission to Afghanistan:
• Southern Girl
• Chexxxy's
  

Screencaps, Video From Tonight's ET Appearance

Gerwhisp has posted caps and a video of Clay's interview with Entertainment Tonight about UNICEF, the Virginia Tech tragedy as well as his thoughts on Sanjaya Malakar. What a great segment!

- Download clip @ SendSpace

Clay Video and Interview at ETOnline

Today, Clay was at the ET set to talk about his UNICEF trip and his rooting for Sanjaya Malakar on AI6. But, in addition to Clay being on TV, this information can also be found at ETOnline.

Get ready for lots of surprises when you see Clay both on TV and online. First, the beard is gone. He must have shaved it off right when he got back home!! For some fans, this will be a time of rejoicing. For others, like myself, I am already missing the beard. But as I've said before, I love the Clay under the beard more, so all is well!

Coming as no surprise are the great things Clay has to say about his trip to Afghanistan. He reiterated again the hospitality of the people there, but also said that he was nervous about his safety there. He said that he and Diane Sawyer wanted to get together to eat, but they could not leave their respective hotels, even though they were only about a mile apart. Watch the video to hear more things Clay has to say about his trip there.

One more thing...what may shock many people is that Clay was actually rooting for Sanjaya Malakar and even hoped he would win AI6!! Now, I find myself cheering and whooping it up to hear him say that, because I was rooting for Sanjaya myself. As Clay said, you gotta love a guy who has the courage to get up before millions of people with a mohawk!! Seems our guy has been watching AI more than he might admit to!

Be sure to check out the interview, video, and picture of Clay at ETOnline. In fact, I think I'm on my way to watch it again!

Tidbits 4/19

Syracuse.com - Clay Aiken creating buzz as fans from "as far away at Alberta, Canada, and Oregon" flock to buy tickets to the July 18 concert.

• You don't want to miss 1inNebraska4Clay's beautiful photo essay titled "Can You Imagine?" CLICK HERE TO SEE IT.
  
• LBFCA is back in business - check out their new post -- "The PPs are Broken"
  
• MLive - Grand Rapids Symphony conductor tells us why he brought Clay Aiken to the Symphony in December -

  In December we brought Clay Aiken to perform with the symphony. It is a way for us to do something a little different and bring people who normally wouldn't attend symphony performances in. It is basically a rock concert inside DeVos Hall, presented by the Symphony.

• Houston Press - Claymates and non-Claymates clash ... one visitor says: ""If you've never been to a Clay concert, you don't know what you are missing. My guess is you only say these kinds of things about Clay to get hits in your blog. Okay, you got mine. Happy?"
  
• Express - random Clay mention in this article about a play - "He abandons his job and family to follow her on tour in a manner usually reserved for Clay Aiken fans."
• Washington City Paper on the elimination of AI6 contestant Sanjaya Malakar - "Anybody who gets enough exposure will eventually become a sex symbol. To wit: Clay Aiken and Sanjaya leave women weeping despite exuding less testosterone than a tutu."
• A few more tour mentions:
• Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
• Star Gazette
• Entertainment Weekly - a future of no more critics?

  Personally, I'm scared of a day when my giant corporate overlords decide my skills are no longer necessary, and they can make more money by just posting a giant scribble board with a sentence at the top of it like "RASCAL FLATTS SUX" or "CLAY AIKEN RULZ" and letting people go to town.

• Kinston Free Press- article about a girl who performed with Clay - "She recently performed a duet with American Idol star Clay Aiken in Raleigh." (was this at the BAF gala?)
• Yahoo News - bizarre article about an American Idol contest for lawyers... small Clay mention:

  "American Idol," spawned from the U.K. reality hit "Pop Idol," debuted in summer 2002. The program has become a cultural and ratings juggernaut (an estimated 28 million viewers tuned in Wednesday night to watch the departure of much-mocked contestant Sanjaya Malakar) and has launched the music careers of such Billboard chart-toppers as Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood.
  

• A few updates on the UNICEF fundraising efforts:
• Casper Lives
• Something That Really Happened
  

Tidbits 4/11

• Philippine News - In an article about Sanjaya voting conspiracy theories, Clay is mentioned as follows:

  The second consideration is the power of the prepubescent teenage girl/bored grandma vote. These two very different demographics tend to vote for the same contestants, on similar principles. Typically, the “Ohhh he is just tooo cuuuuuuuute. OooOOo! Look at the way he is shimmying across that stage – oh now he’s dancing with Paula! Isn’t that precious?” principle. This is the strongest theory, or the one that may account for most of his actual votes. Clay Aiken had the same voting block push him through to the top two of Season 2, except … well, Clay Aiken could sing. Never mind.

• Entertainment Weekly - another Sanjaya article -

  I am loving the whole Sanjaya brouhaha. Maybe that's because I can't get all in a tizzy about the voting on a televised pop music competition. Think about it: Does it really even matter who wins? Clay Aiken has outsold Ruben Studdard, early exit victim Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar, and it is Chris Daughtry, not Taylor Hicks, who is currently burning up the charts. So taking home the actual title of American Idol is not necessarily all it's cracked up to be.
  

• Albuquerque Tribune - article about TV announcer Don LaFontaine - "He cuts video, including a piece featuring Clay Aiken, Ben Vereen and other stars for the sweet 16 birthday party of his daughter, Skye."
• Rochester Democrat & Chronicle - lists Clay's Canadaigua concert date - "Clay Aiken, backed by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. July 19. Tickets ($23 through $45, with a lawn four-pack $72) go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday."
• Palm Beach Daily News - another tour mention ... West Palm Beach, FL concert - "American Idol heartthrob Clay Aiken with Orchestra, 8 p.m. Aug. 18, Dreyfoos Hall, $20-$100"
  
• Chart Attack - update on Canadian rocker Suzie McNeil. McNeil recorded a duet with Clay for ATDW - "she's managed to tour North America as back-up singer for Pink, record a duet with Clay Aiken"

• Carolina On My Mind - don't forget to check out this week's "poutporri".
  

Tidbits 4/10

Clay was mentioned on last night's Entertainment Tonight Canada in a segment about Rock Star INXS runner-up Suzie McNeil. McNeil recorded a duet of "I Want To Know What Love Is" with Clay last year for A Thousand Different Ways. Thanks, as usual, to gerwhisp for the cap. A video cap is available here.

• A few American Idol articles -
  
• Rutgers Observer - "Clay Aiken was runner-up to Season two winner Rubben Studdard and has a much better career (in terms of magazine covers, album sales and gossip) than his opponent."
• Daily Herald -

  Even with its pop focus, "Idol" has managed to churn out a diverse roster of talent, ranging from pop crooners Clarkson and Clay Aiken, R&B belters Ruben Studdard and Fantasia, country queens Underwood and Kellie Pickler and rocker Daughtry.

• Vancouver Province - is time up for AI6 hopeful Sanjaya Malakar?

  The judges, the media and, oh yeah, the rest of America with ears, know this guy has no place in the final grouping of a show that has turned out such talent as Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood. So the question is, how much longer will Sanjaya get to sing?

• Boston Herald -

  The winner is old news the day after the May finale. Taylor Hicks, Fantasia Barrino and Ruben Studdard haven’t lit the music world on fire. On the other hand, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken (who finished second to Studdard) and Chris Daughtry (who placed fourth last year) recognized “Idol” as an opportunity - and ran with it.

• FOX 16 - "Even Clay Aiken came in second and has blown by winner Ruben Studdard's record sales."
  
• Rochester Democrat & Chronicle - mention of Clay's July 19 concert in Canadaigua, NY - "Clay Aiken, backed by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. July 19. Tickets ($23 through $45, with a lawn four pack $72) go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday."
• MPNNow.com - another mention of the Canadaigua concert -

  Things turn more melodic when Clay Aiken rolls into town on Thursday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. The former "American Idol" contestant will be joined by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for a symphonic touch. Tickets go on sale April 14 and range from $23 to $45.
  

• George Washington University's The Daily Colonial - "After all, just as Clay Aiken lost in American Idol - as Kelsey Fly wishes to make abundantly clear - I’m guessing Spektor wouldn’t be GW’s top choice if every student had a direct vote on the matter."
• BuddyTV - AI6 finalist Chris Richardson photographed with MTV "Laguna Beach" star ~ mention of Clay and rumors surrounding his private life.

• ConCLAYve brings us a nice transcript of the new iTunes interview with Clay.
  

Tidbits 3/29

Scholastic News Online, a website aimed towards kids and teens has a very nice interview with Clay on being a UNICEF ambassdor:

Name one small way and one big way you help to promote UNICEF.

One small way I help is by encouraging people to support UNICEF. Every penny counts! UNICEF uses the money it raises to help improve kids’ lives around the world. It doesn’t take much money to help a child live a better life. For instance, just $2.50 provides a child with school supplies for an entire year. More than 121 million kids around the world are not in school. UNICEF gives school supplies, trains teachers, and rebuilds schools that have been destroyed in disasters. And just $17 immunizes one child for life against six killer diseases. Many kids around the world don’t get the shots they need to protect them from dangers like measles and tetanus. UNICEF saves more than two million kids’ lives every year through immunization and medicine.

• ABC 7 News - MIT researcher says people are motivated by love, not hate in terms of TV shows -

  "With 'American Idol' younger viewers have a chance to experience the best music of the past with an updated style and fresh faces which are sometimes nice to look at. I've always loved that aspect of the show. I also really like how it can take an ordinary person and turn them into a superstar. Take Clay Aiken for example. Here is a guy who had a very hard childhood, got picked on constantly, but because of 'American Idol' discovering his amazing talent, he is now loved by hundreds of thousands," she wrote in an e-mail.

• {A} - blog about the Six Degrees campaign ... nice TBAF mention:

  I also wanted to take a minute and talk about a scrapbooking connection related to the contest. The other top badge right now is raising money for the Bubel Aiken Foundation which "serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them. We will support communities and programs in creating awareness and opportunities for full inclusion where barriers break and doors open." That is totally something I believe in and something that is beginning to impact our lives more and more as Simon develops.
  
  One of the cool things about this organization is it has a scrapbooking connection. Scrapping 4 Inclusion is a fundraising arm for Bubel Aiken that organizes full day crops around the country that raise awareness and generate funds. Here is a link to their current events and more info on organizing an event in your area.

• Stuck In Idol - AI article, this paragraph about Melinda Doolittle has a nice Clay mention:

  This woman comes so ALIVE when she sings it’s such a joy to watch and listen to her. She makes it look so effortless and that’s the mark of a truly gifted professional. I just love her but won’t proclaim her the winner just yet — this show is waaaay too fickle (two words - Clay Aiken) and I don’t trust the voters either.
  

• New York Times - random Clay mention in an article about Pandora - the free online radio station that adapts to your musical tastes.

  Now that the free ad-supported service has been operational for 15 months, it can use the behavioral data of its six million listeners to add a new layer of suggestion. For instance, even if, on paper, the musicologists think it logical to pair a song by the "American Idol" superstar Clay Aiken with one by the Canadian folk balladeer Ron Sexsmith, several hundred listeners may give the juxtaposition a vote of no confidence.

• Superconcesionario - tips for starting a successful internet business... now here was an interesting idea:

  During the auditions of the second season of American Idol, a young man by the name of Clay Aiken stuck out because of his “nerdiness” and voice. I had a strong feeling he was going to become popular so I created a “vote for Clay Aiken site”. It had a message board and pictures. Some of his friends from North Carolina saw our site and asked our help to promote him.
  
  Because we were the first website to promote Clay, it ranked #1 for almost an entire year in Google. Because our site was at the top, we were able to make an Amazon link to his CD, and thousands of people bought through our Amazon affiliate link.
  
  We weren’t the first person to introduce Clay Aiken. American Idol did that for us. But, we were second.
  
  You never know what’s going to catch on. So, find things that interest you and be the place to go right after somebody scoops something.
  

• The Olympian / Orlando Sentinel - review of a new movie called 'Blades of Glory'... small Clay tidbit: "Heder plays Jimmy McElroy, the sissy- king of skating, all flamboyant costumes and "American Idol"-sappy routines. Think Clay Aiken on ice."
• Glens Falls Post Star- Sanjaya Malakar doesn't deserve a spot on the AI6 top 12 -

  Performances by the 17-year-old contestant from Federal Way, Wa., can be adequately summarized in a single word: suck. Unlike some of my lowbrow critical contemporaries, I'm not going to pick on his hair obsession and I won't scoff at him for making Clay Aiken look like a plainclothes G.I. Joe. I will however state the obvious; Sanjaya Malakar has no place in a legitimate singing competition.

• South Florida News Sentinel - why hairstyles make an Idol contestants and Idol -

  Clay Aiken's prominent ears were camouflaged with a new hairstyle by "American Idol" hairstylist Dean Banowetz, who is often credited with the singer's phoenix-like rise from the ashes of the second season.

• Pittsburgh Post Gazette - reader responds to the Post Gazette's article on why RCA doesn't promote Idols well -

  RCA has made all the right decisions regarding the "American Idol" contestants on whom to plug and whom not to. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are proof of that. And let's not forget, they pushed Clay Aiken, who didn't win, harder than they pushed Ruben Studdard.

• Something That Really Happened - "Clay Aiken: Lawsuits, Philanthropy, Concerts"
  

American Idol 2 - Remembering Clay's Performances - Top 10

As we have done for the past two weeks, we are remembering each week of Clay's performances on American Idol 2 in conjunction with this year's American Idol. This week the Top 10 performed, and we had a few surprises. Randy was actually left speechless, Simon was nicer than normal, and Sanjaya's hair, well, it was definitely a surprise. However, go back to Season 2 and there were no surprises there...Clay was in top form as he was every week!

It was Tuesday, March 25, 2003, and Clay was the last contestant to sing. For me, this was the first show of any of the American Idol shows that I had ever seen. I tuned in to watch a local girl I found out was on the show -- Kimberly Caldwell from Katy, Texas. Well, when I heard her, I wasn't really a big fan of her style of music. But I had heard via America Online of this skinny geeky guy with a big voice and I was curious. When Clay came out and first started singing, "Someone Else's Star", my mouth dropped to the floor. I had never heard such a voice! I thought it was the best voice I had ever heard. And I was totally taken in by those dreamy eyes that seemed to be looking straight at me right through the television screen and that sweet smile. Now, this is not my favorite song that Clay sang during the competition, but still, he totally wowed me with that crystal clear pure voice.

Randy, Paula, and guest judge Olivia Newton John all gave Clay a standing ovation. I remember when I first realized that Olivia Newton John was on the show, I thought, "What is she doing on a show like this?!" I had a preconceived idea of what American Idol was, and she was too big a star to be on such a show. But that went right out the door after I heard Clay sing and I was drawn back each week to hear him sing again. Well, our last judge, Simon, was not so kind with his remarks. He said, "I hope I can sum up because I thought it was very sweet but sounded identical to last week, had nothing to do with the show, identical to last week, could've swapped songs, very good." Now that I know how awesome Clay sounded the week before, I suppose I could take this as a compliment. Clay always sounded identical in that he was always awesome when he sang!

If you would like to download Clay's Top 10 performance of "Someone Else's Star", go to American Idol 2 Solo Performances at Clack Unlimited.

Next week we'll look back at the Top 9 and another great week for Clay!

Tidbits 3/26

Need something to spruce up your desktop? Here's a cool wallpaper from the CB'ers' PAHers. Get yours at the Clayboard.

• LBFCA - time to hit the ticket box offices, Claymates!
  
• Clay Aiken The Ideal Idol and berkleylovesclay on what might be in store for Clay ...

  What will Clay sing on the summer tour? Doesn't matter much to me, because he will be there, singing to me.
  
  Each and every tour has been different --- and I have enjoyed my experiences with every concert I've been able to attend. I don't know if it's "grass is greener" syndrome or not, but I wish I could have seen the JBT and the JNaT in person. Those seem like his very best shows as singer and as entertainer. With all of the wonderful memories I've had of Clay on stage, in person or via clack, I will never miss a concert tour if I can find a way to be there.
  

• PNN News - article on the 2007 TBAF Clay Aiken Able To Serve awards which were announced last week...

  The Bubel/Aiken Foundation and Youth Service America are pleased to announce the grantees of the Clay Aiken Able-to-Serve grants for National & Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. These awards of up to $1,000 support youth-led service projects in which youth with and without disabilities serve their communities together. A selection of the service themes include: emergency preparedness, building wheelchair accessible gardens, disability awareness, and building intergenerational relationships.
  

• Herald Net - In an article entitled, "Fair aims to aid disabled as they enter adult life", by Eric Stevick, there is a mention of a young woman with disabilities who got to meet Clay, "And she's a big fan of "American Idol" winner Clay Aiken and held his hand and personally thanked him for his work in behalf of the disabled when he performed in Seattle."
• The Trades - In "Grease: You're The One That I Want - Episode 11- Finale" by Sheila Franklin:

  All four finalists are impressive, and its admirable how all the previously eliminated Greasabees are getting into it. A bit of a flashback to fill space at the beginning, then David comments that he thinks that it is “Tom Cruise versus Ben Stiller.” That’s an odd comparison. I am thinking it is more like Clay Aiken versus a short Travolta personalitywise.

• National Ledger - Sanjaya Malakar "ruining" American Idol ...

  Continuing: Comparing themselves to Clay Aiken fans, the Claymaniacs, or whatever they prefer to be called; Fanjayas are flooding the phone to vote for Sanjaya each week. Ugh - now I'm not sure that I can eat. Will these fans, Howard Stern and Vote for the Worst.com be able to push him though for another terrible week?

• Washington Post - article mentions Clay's manager, Simon Renshaw.
• Foxes on Idol - this week in Idol history, AI5 -

  It wasn’t all bad, however. This was the night Taylor introduced Ray LaMontagne to Idol, singing “Trouble,” and Katharine sang Christina Aguilera’s “The Voice Within.” Paula and Randy loved Taylor, but while Simon couldn’t find fault with the performance, he criticized Taylor’s outfit, calling it “very Clay Aiken.” Paula and Randy weren’t as enthused over Kat’s performance, but Simon loved it and said, “This was the best so far and was almost as good as Christina’s.

• Buddy TV users on why AI6 underdog Sanjaya Malakar is so popular... "AI has become a vehicle to launch careers and celebrities, good, bad and questionable. Don't forget Clay Aiken, William Hung, etc. etc. etc. Underdogs seem to garner a lot of sympathy."
  

• Nothing here today.
  

Tidbits 3/23

• FOX 28 interviews Carmen Rasmusen, who competed on AI2 with Clay. She says the AI2 top 12 still keep in touch with each other:

  Fox 28 talked to Carmen Rasmusen who made the Top 12 on Season Two.
  
  The blond country singer tells us about her friends: Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken and Kimberly Caldwell.
  
  [The interviewer] says, "And you've been on American Idol Season 2. Especially when the show was brand new what was it like to go up against people like Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken and Kimberly Caldwell?"
  
  Rasmusen says, "I'm definitely a better performer now and that really taught me how to be comfortable in front of different audiences in front of a camera in front of arenas, huge stadiums of 10 to 15 thousand people. I performed in little radio rooms."
  
  [Interviewer] says, "I have to ask you with all the other people you competed against... Kimberly Caldwell, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Did you make friends? Do you still talk to them?
  
  Rasmusen says, "I still keep in contact with Kimberly Caldwell, Clay Aiken... I just saw Josh a couple weeks ago. We don't call each other as much as we used to... I'm so busy and they're busy."

• Charleston Post Courier - nice Clay mention in this sports article ...

  Like Clay Aiken, Memphis took advantage. John Calipari's Tigers defeated South Carolina in the 2002 NIT final and the program gradually built itself into a No. 2 seed in the current NCAA Tournament.

• Winston Salem Journal - AI losers become winners -

  Clay Aiken set the Idol precedent when he came in second to Ruben "On Wry" Studdard, now a weight-loss advocate and never-say-never soul crooner. More notable of late is the story of Jennifer Hudson, who was given the boot earlier in the competition than many expected. Hudson The Loser just won an Oscar for her role as Effie in the film version of Dreamgirls - and you can bet there is a Grammy in Hudson's not-so-distant future.
  

• Radio World Newspaper - American Idols have big radio impact ... "Other popular contestants include Fantasia Barrino, Josh Gracin, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Bo Bice, Mario Vazquez, Chris Daughtry, and 2007 Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson."
• Desicritics - why Sanjaya Malakar is still on American Idol 6 ...

  Look, race and Idol have shared a complicated relationship for a long time now whether it was Frenchie getting kicked off while Barba got to stay or Ruben Stoddard beating out Clay Aiken with the alleged backing of Oprah. But it is beyond ridiculous to say that there is a BPO pact to vote for him. It isn't just paranoid, it's insulting.
  

• Toledo Free Press - Kathy Griffin alert.
• A few mentions of that weird sign held up on AI6's result show this week by Brad Garrett which read: "Clay Aiken hurt me". We're still puzzled as to what the heck that means. According to People, the sign was not from Garrett himself, but was taken from someone in the audience.
  
• People:

  Blake Lewis showed his own quick comedic timing when he grabbed a sign from an audience member that read "Clay Aiken Hurt Me" punctuated with a frowning face and handed it to Garrett. The actor continued to ham it up with the sign, holding it when he took a seat in the audience.

• Entertainment Weekly:

  The Elimination... began with a bit of mugging from Brad Garrett, who came up to the stage to greet all the finalists during the ad break and then decided, spur-of-the-moment, to sit down with them. At which point Blake raced down to the audience and snatched the random "Clay Aiken Hurt Me" sign and gave it to Brad. (So Blake's a fan of the snark. Good to know.) When the Coca-Cola ad began, however, all the finalists stood up to watch, and somewhere in the shuffle (I couldn't see how, since the lights had gone dark for the ad), the Clay Aiken sign got pulled. Awww — no snark for you, Brad!
  

• Southern Girl & Clay's hair ...

  What's the first thing you notice about the opposite gender?
  
  Probably his hair. I'm picky when it comes to hair -- needs to be short and clean-cut, off his collar and nothing flopping down in his eyes. There are two exceptions to this -- pretend Boyfriend Clay Aiken and best-looking-long-haired-man Guy Penrod.

• Carolina On my Mind - Claymates, inspired by Clay's humanity, keep BAF #1 at Six Degrees fundraiser.
  

Tidbits 3/21

So I upgraded to Windows Vista last night. It took almost 2 and a half hours from start to end, but I think it was well worth it. The above is a screenshot of Vista's Aero Glass Flip3D feature... Nice!

• The picture seen to the right is being used by the Greek Theatre in LA to promote Clay's upcoming summer concert there... Looks new to me! HAWT!
  
• Lycos50 - down 3 this week to #19.
  
• Hollywood Reporter American Idol update ...

  Some winners do even better than that. Six of the artists discovered through "Idol" -- winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks, plus Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken -- have combined to sell more than 23 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

• CBC.ca (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ... most popular Canadian news website) - wonderful Clay mention in this AI6 article:

  Doolittle and Jones are both so ferociously good that they shouldn’t even be expected to show up on the Wednesday elimination show – which isn’t to say they’re safe indefinitely. Idol has a funny history with black women. Despite a song-list heavy on Mariah, Whitney and Chaka, Fantasia Barrino is the only African-American female to have won the competition and she hasn’t achieved the mainstream success of Season One winner Kelly Clarkson. (The only African-American man to win, Ruben Studdard, has been overshadowed by his runner-up, Clay Aiken.)
  

• Barre Montpelier Times Argus - American Idol hall of fame ...

  Other contenders require more help from products and flat irons. During Season 2, Clay Aiken's hair was transformed from messy-geeky to artfully tufted. Nowadays, he's evolved post-post-show into a much lengthier, lankier 'do.
  
  SEASON 2: Clay Aiken. His journey from geek to chic resulted in one of the best "Idol" makeovers ever. Do you love or hate his new lanky look?

• Press Telegram (via Billboard) - no doubting the impact of American Idol -

  Even with its pop focus, "Idol" has managed to churn out a diverse roster of talent, ranging from pop crooners Clarkson and Clay Aiken, r&b belters Ruben Studdard and Fantasia, country queens Underwood and Kellie Pickler and rocker Daughtry.

• St. Petersburg Times - back up singer Tanya Green got a "gig" with Clay - "She even managed to snag a backup gig with American Idol star Clay Aiken. " Green is now releasing her own CD.
  
• The Hotline - article about Sen. Hilary Clinton's campaign mentions Clay ... "Terry McAuliffe introduced the Clintons at 8:11. At 8:13, grown men are reduced to adolescents at a Clay Aiken concert, as they eagerly hold up their camera phones. Bill Clinton begins his introduction of Hillary Clinton at 8:14. Hillary takes the mic at 8:25 and Bill exits the stage."
• Shabby marketing on American Idol tonight... take a look at the sign being held by the cast of FOX's ready-to-be-cancelled show "Til' Death" ... it reads: "Clay Aiken hurt me". What a pathetic attempt to be funny.
  
• 411 Mania - not too good AI6 related mention - "Howard Stern is urging his listeners to vote for Sanjaya Malakar, who is of course the barely pubescent contestant of this season of American Idol. Which is quite hilarious really, as he's helping to destroy the legitimacy of the show and you just know he gets off on that. Hey if the people want a closeted girly boy with Farrah hair to be their idol so be it. It worked for Clay Aiken. "
• National Ledger - Rosie ... "Also she struck out at Kelly Ripa and lambasted for secretly wishing Clay Aiken had worn sanitized gloves when muzzling her, dubbing her a homophobe even though Clay insists that he is not gay."

• Chexxxy's Pearls - looking forward to an exciting summer with Clay!