Clay's Daily Double: Tidbits 2/20

Daily News Journal - "The show has already launched the careers of Hicks, who was last year's winner, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, among others."
Forbes - "But uncounted votes could easily change the results of the show, especially in close contests. In 2003, in the show's second season, winner Ruben Studdard beat runner-up Clay Aiken by about 130,000 votes of 24 million cast--a 0.5% margin."
Post Chronicle -
Even though I prefer the current format over the Pre-Season 4 format, the biggest thing I've missed in the semi's is the wild card round. There's always someone who falls through the cracks (and that has happened a LOT this season); let's not forget Clay Aiken wasn't originally voted in.
19 Entertainment PR for second season of American Idol Extra... season premieres on the FOX Reality Channel on Mar. 15. Maybe a Clay sighting?

ABC - carrying on the torch in Las Vegas...
Why hasn't America produced a big-time, schmaltzy, over-the-top male crooner in the past 40 years? Once Newton and Jones pass away, who's left to carry the torch? Clay Aiken? Somebody needs to get Harry Connick Jr. on the phone, pump him with some Botox, give him some sparkly jumpsuits and showgirls and tell him to get a Vegas act together.
The Press Enterprise - "2003: Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken will likely forever be linked because of their performances in season two. Although Studdard won, Aiken has had a more successful post-'Idol' career. When Studdard's first single, "Flying Without Wings," debuted at No. 2, he was outdone by Aiken's chart-topping "This Is the Night."

Clay's Daily Double