Help Faye Parker Get Out Of "Jail"

Clay's mom has been locked up in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's "jail" until she raises $3000 for this worthy cause.

Donate money to help the 1 million Americans immobilized by this debilitating genetic disease. With promising treatment options in the works, your support is more important than ever.

Clay appeared on the annual MDA Telethon in 2003 and was given a now famous introduction from Jerry Lewis.

Click here to help free Faye from "jail"

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Clay's 2007 Greetings Now Up @ OFC

Clay's left a short "New Year's" message for us on the official fanclub. Fanclub members can listen to the snippet under the Media section of the website once logged in.

... and to get you into the mood for a new year, here's suz4's cool "My favourite things 2006" montage, posted to YouTube:

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Tidbits 12/30

Clay is featured in a new American Idol promotional e-mail and is also featured at AmericanIdol.com.

• Vancouver Courier names David Foster's Vancouver gala one of this year's best. Clay performed at the gala, held this past September.

  Best Gala (extra large)-David Foster and Friends Charity Gala Michael Buble, Olivia Newton John, Clay Aiken, Babyface, Bill Cosby, George Lopez, Daisy Fuentes and Matt Goss joined the Grammy award-winning producer for a truly, star-studded, Hollywood-style, charity concert and benefit.
  

• PennLive.com - write up about the song "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve", which Clay covered on MCWL.

  "What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?"
  
  Those are lyrics to a song which has been running through my head this evening, so I've decided to use that song title as the topic for my blog. I did a Google search for the song because I'm not sure who originally sang it. It looks like a group called The Orioles originally performed the song in 1948 but the song has been covered by Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis (see the link earlier in this paragraph), Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall and Clay Aiken, among others over the years.


• Not ready to give up on the 2006 Christmas tour yet? Check out NCClayfan's Photobucket slideshow.
  
• Reality TV World - catching up with idols - "Everyone knows what former American Idol stars like Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Hicks have been up to recently. But in its January 8 issue, US Weekly caught-up with more than 50 other former Idol contestants that have appeared as a finalist in the show's five-season history."
• Foxes on Idol - Idol sales update.
  
• Monroe Times - American Idol bad, runner-up worse (negative)
  
• Victoria Time Colonist - worst music of 2006... (negative)
• Inside Bay Area - stupid 2006?? " JULY - Clay Aiken named to the President's Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities."
• More Kelly Ripa/Clay mentions:
• Cape Cod Times
• The Spoof (satire)
  
• Richmond.com

• Nothing here yet!
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Tyra Writes About Clay In Online Journal

Tyra Banks had some nice things to say about Clay in her online journal:

Someone who has the cleanest smelling breath is Clay Aiken. I know cuz he came on my show, and I had one of the most fun interviews with him that I have ever had. I am so in love with him. He is so funny, loving and amazing. He even sang with me. Yes, we did a duet - I was awful, he sounded like an angel. Clay has the most loyal fans in the world. They call themselves "Claymates." I told Clay I am a "Clay-African American," meaning that I am an African-American that loves Clay Aiken. Get it? The show was so much fun! Oh yeah, I ask Clay the one question everyone was dying to know the answer to.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Goodbye 2006! Hello 2007!

Another fantastic year in the Clay nation has come and gone! From the amazing release of Clay's two new CDs to the unforgettable American Idol 5 appearance, we saw it all in 2006.

As we say goodbye to 2006, here is the CB's mamarose10's 2007 predictions, a Clayboard classic since 2003:

I looked at the calendar this morning and was alarmed to see that we are only two days away from a NEW YEAR!! Where does the time go?

Only two more days until 2007, and that meant it was time for me to seek out the Clayboard Crystal Ball and take my yearly peek at what predictions it would have for Clay and all of us during the coming year in Clay Land.

So I dug the Crystal Ball out from its hiding place in the secret cupboard behind the old upright piano at the Bakery, dusted it off and sat down to have a look.

Our beloved Clayboard Crystal Ball seemed somehow older and more worn this year as I gazed into it…yet at the same time that special shimmering flame that burns within its murky depths seemed clearer and brighter.

In past years, the Crystal Ball had seemed eager to share with me exciting little tidbits that the year ahead would hold for Clay and our Clayboard family. But this year, the ball seemed to have more important things to say to me and to share with all of us.

I sensed it had some simple truths it wanted to impart. And while I was looking for words of tours and TV appearances and new CDs, the Crystal Ball seemed instead to want to tell me all about Clay fans.

Now I wanted to tell the Crystal Ball that I know a little about Clay fans myself, having seen that they can stretch from a 17-year-old in my Girl Scout Troop to ClassAkt MK’s mom, BetterthanSinatra, who will turn 82 this year.

But the ball seemed insistent in making sure I knew that Clay fans come in all age groups, races, religions, shapes and sizes, and no matter how they can be categorized and scrutinized and lumped and sorted, what stands out and makes them Clay fans is their UNITY.

From the depths of the ball I read the words: "Other pop stars merely have fans, but Clay Aiken has a NATION, and a powerful nation at that. It is a nation UNITED by caring, by compassion, by pride, by hope, by faith, by time, by adversity, by trial, by loss, by victory, by joy and by love!"

"Clay fans MUST be proud of that, and PROUD of THEMSELVES," the Crystal Ball seemed to stress.

Wow, the Crystal Ball said a mouthful there. And it was typing in CAPS too!!! It must mean business!!

Things went dark for a moment or two in the depths of our special orb. I gazed in deep…thinking maybe that was all it had to say. But just when I was about to give up I saw the word "Strength" appear through a mist. The ball seemed to want to say something about strength and as the mist cleared a bit more I clearly saw the words.

The Crystal Ball said: "It is not really adversity that makes us stronger, although it does play a part. It is the love that builds beneath the adversity, the love and faith and support that the adversity brings forth in Clay fans that gives us strength and will continue to give us strength and stand us in good stead…for all the days of our lives."

I had to giggle at that last line. The Crystal Ball must be a "Days" fan and I made a mental note to try to get some soap predictions out of it in the future.

But now I sensed the Crystal Ball was growing weaker, and that our yearly time together was soon to end.

Through the mist, as I gazed deep into the ball, I could see something floating there and as it came clearer, I read the word "Bonds." Oh wow, I thought, "bonds"…as in stocks and bonds maybe?? Was I going to get some financial tip here (maybe to help me pay for future concert trips)?

But the Crystal Ball said: "No Dummy, not that kind of bonds."

The Crystal Ball continued: "I am talking about the bonds of Clay fandom. In 2007, do not forget the bonds you share because of Clay, the bonds you share with your fellow board members and all Clay fans, the bonds you share with the friends you have made BECAUSE of Clay and, most of all, the bond that all Clay’s fans share with him. What you have built together is stronger than you know, stronger than any one knows. It will withstand the test of time. Cherish your memories, hold onto the joy. Trust and believe in the future."

The glowing beam within the ball, whose power source I could never understand, was now sadly growing very dim.

I felt a little panicky! Did it not understand what I needed to see, what I needed to know? I gazed almost too hard into its depths, so hard my eyes were beginning to hurt, and just when I was about to give up, I saw it. I saw what I needed to see…ALL I really needed to see.

Swirling, ever swirling, very deep down in the ball, so deep I had to bend very close to see it, were the words:

"Do not fear. There is GREAT joy ahead! Clay will be fine. HE will ALWAYS be fine, because, after all, he has the best fans in the world. Just ask him. For he knows!"

And the Clayboard Crystal Ball went dark.

I wiped away the tear that had fallen on the now dark surface and carefully put our Clayboard Crystal Ball away until next year.

I am ready for 2007.

Happy New Year Clayboard!

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Tidbits 12/29

• Clay will be mentioned on Inside Edition today. The AI5 appearance was named as an "unforgettable 2006 TV moment". Check local listings.
  
• Ripa/Clay:
• Foxes on Idol:

  Clay didn’t have the best year, that’s for sure. His CD, A Thousand Different Ways, didn’t do as well as expected, and he was the subject of some pretty nasty tabloid fodder. But the brouhaha that resulted from his spontaneous shushing of Kelly Ripa brought Clay back into the public eye as a sympathetic character. He was, after all, just being his silly self and Kelly really overreacted. Rosie’s defense of Clay continued the controversy. All of this got Clay back on the entertainment TV junket, making lemonade out of lemons.

• New York Times (repeat, not new)
• Detroit News
• Pittsburgh Live

• ClayKat: photo montage tribute to Clay.
• Herald Dispatch blog - mixed bag for Idols this week ~ mentions DOOL, and ATDW.
• Seriously? OMG! WTF? - Days of our Lives mention. "I am so happy that Patch finally got his memory back and Kayla and him are really back together! They have always been my favorite couple on Days! And to have Clay sing to them tomorrow is just icing on the cake for me."
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Clay Mentions on The Insider & E! News

Ryan Seacrest on E! News said Clay is prepping for a new national tour in the new year. This clip was shown on last night's E! News. Thanks to the CB's gerwhisp for the cap:

Also, The Insider ran a short segment about Clay's Kelly Ripa feud, naming it 2006's #5 story. Again, thanks to gerwhisp for this cap:


Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

ATDW Nearing Half-Million Units Sold

Ken Barnes at USA Today's Idol Chatter blog says ATDW is nearing its 500,000 copy sold:

Dropped from 124 to 143 on the chart, but sold around 20% better, 23,000 compared to 19,000, and his total is 483,000, so close to half a million he can taste it. His Merry Christmas With Love album nearly equaled A Thousand Different Ways this week, selling 21,000 (22,000 the previous week; total 1.3 million).

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Tidbits 12/28

• The Official Fanclub has posted the 4th installment of the Virgin Megastore exclusive video. This video was taken at Virgin Megastore Los Angeles on September 26 when Clay signed autographs at the store. Installments 1 through 3 are also available. Fanclub members can access this video under the Media section of the fanclub once logged in.
  
• TV moments of the year - AI5 appearance:
• Reality TV Magazine - "#10 During the American Idol 5 finale, Michael Sandecki was giving his best Clay Aiken impersonation, when Clay Aiken himself walked out on the stage. Who can forget Michael almost going into shock on the stage?"
• Portland Mercury, Seattle Stranger:
  

  MICHAEL SANDECKI—THE GUY WHO HAD A CLAY AIKEN FREAK-OUT (from American Idol): Idol fans may remember Michael Sandecki as the Clay Aiken look-alike/number-one fan who auditioned for AI, but didn't go to Hollywood. However! When he was invited to sing "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" during the Idol finale as a tribute to Aiken, he went completely ape poop when the real Clay Aiken swished onstage! It looked like someone told him he'd won $50 million at the exact moment he accidentally stepped on a downed power line. In other words... awesome.

• Days of our Lives mentions:
• TV Fodder
  
• About.com - Ryan Seacrest upset about Clay Aiken/Kelly Clarkson gay question posed to him during radio interview.
• St. Paul Pioneer Press - Carrie Underwood article, small Clay mentions (negative)
  
• Scranton Times - article about a NC band which opened for Clay at Musikfest in 2004.
  
• TV Guide horoscope 2007 (negative)
  
• Kelly/Clay:
• The Day
• 411Mania
• NC Times
• My San Antonio mentions Clay topping Lycos' 2006 most-searched for list.
• My San Antonio - jokes?? Some random Clay mentions...
• Daily Press - 2007 predictions for the Grammys:

  The Rolling Stones win a posthumous achievement Grammy. Informed that the Rolling Stones aren’t dead yet, a Grammy spokesman says, “You’re kidding?”
  
  When the group lurches up on stage to accept the award nonetheless, a surprised and horrified presenter Clay Aiken screams, “Run! Zombies!”
  

• WGHP FOX-TV - OK... please give me a break! This is absolutely TERRIBLE journalism! Don't miss the other WGHP report, below this item, which is even more outrageous!
  

  Now, Clay has brought his drama to the Piedmont. Over the weekend he performed with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra for a Christmas concert. Apparently, Clay was scheduled to perform with a number of local artists -- all of whom were canceled from the show's bill at the last moment. So, only Clay performed.
  
  Clay certainly didn't win any fans over after that incident. Whether it was his call or "his people," it definitely was not a decision made in the spirit of holiday of giving. One of the scheduled singers, a local teen, said not only was he told he wouldn't be able to perform with Clay, but when the two took a picture together, Clay exhibited less than star-like qualities.

• ahem... and here's the FOX-TV report for you to judge yourself... Didn't people buy tickets to see Clay Aiken? And, this report mentions: "Crawford reportedly told Joshua he was being cut from the show because he was not singing Christmas tunes" DUH! It's a Christmas concert!
  
  I am not making this up:

  15-year-old Joshua Willard of Lexington was supposed to sing during Saturday’s concert. He rehearsed Saturday afternoon at the Greensboro Coliseum and was looking forward to singing on the same stage with Aiken.
  
  About half an hour after rehearsal, Willard said he was told his act had been cut from the show. Joshua said Lisa Crawford from the Greensboro Symphony relayed a message from Clay’s team. Crawford reportedly told Joshua he was being cut from the show because he was not singing Christmas tunes.
  
  "Clay's sitting there behind us kind of...barely touching us like he thinks we're diseased or something," said Joshua.
  
  Clay used to be Joshua’s idol, now he has a different opinion. “He is very snotty and I don't want to have anything to do with him," added Joshua.

• Nothing here yet.
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Us Weekly: Idols We Still Love

Clay is winning a Us Weekly poll which asked users who their favorite past American Idol was. Ryan Seacrest, in an interview with Us, said this about Clay: "Clay Aiken was the the ultimate Idol makeover story. He had a great voice from day one but his look and confidence grew out the success he had each week."

Clay Aiken
45% (1501 votes)
Carrie Underwood
23% (758 votes)
Kelly Clarkson
28% (938 votes)
Taylor Hicks
4% (130 votes)

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

"New" Clay & Quiana Photo

Quiana has posted a new photo of her with Clay on her MySpace page... they're both looking great!

Update: it's actually from September! I knew I saw this somewhere!

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Clay Mentions in Korean Newspaper

Thanks to the CB's Bloomingclay for these scans from Korea's Sports Seoul. The first scan translates into: " Clay Aiken just took off his glasses and changed his hair a little bit,but like in the movie 'Superman', a swot now looks like a prince."


Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Tidbits 12/27

• Lake County News Sun: Aiken's Christmas show a cash cow for Genesse Theatre -

  Rovine quickly added that "when people ask 'Did the show make money?' that's a fair question." One answer to that, he said, is that "we have never lost money on a show that we have promoted or co-promoted," and he added that most shows promoted by outside agencies -- such as when Clay Aiken was brought in by Jam Theatricals -- also make money for both the performer and the theatre.
  
  Aiken, the "American Idol" star who opened his Christmas tour at the Genesee on Dec. 1, sold 1,942 tickets and grossed more than $121,000. Rovine said "I guarantee you that will hold up against anyone else" on the singer's 18-show itinerary.
  

• Kelly Ripa/Clay:
• 365Gay.com
• The Day
• StyleWeekly
  

• There Was A Man - Clay Aiken's incredible Christmas tour, 18 nights of magic in photos.
• Southern Girl's thoughts on Clay's DOOL appearance -

  As for Claaaaay...well, no big surprise here, but I thought he did a great job! That song is probably my favorite off his new album, A Thousand Different Ways, and he sings it so tenderly and with restraint. Just lovely. Except for the caterpillars creeping over his eyes, he looked good, too. ; ) And in the realm of acting, I thought he was fine -- heck, he acted rings around the last two dudes to play Shawn Douglas (no mean feat there, but still...), and there was just a couple of obvious ad-libs that made me cringe slightly. For a guy who doesn't make his living acting, he more than passed muster as far as I'm concerned.

• Year end thoughts from...
• ... ConCLAYve:

  This was, undeniably, a tough year to be a Clay fan. We literally did not lay eyes on him for five months, from the end of December until the end of May. Nor did we hear much of him, either -- only ludicrous stories in the tabloids and lies perpetrated by the usual wannabes and bottom feeders who always seem to follow in the wake of celebrity.
  
  And when Clay finally did surface, spectacularly, on the AI5 finale, he seemed to have reinvented himself (OMG, who is THAT guy?), and proved, reassuringly, that he was still capable of creating incredible media buzz without saying a single word (Prince was on the show? Really?). We had been hearing vague things about his travails with RCA, as the new album we all eagerly anticipated was eventually released, with inexplicably poor support from them. Which was tragic, because it's so good. We fans were baffled and did our best, but wanted so much more for him. Controversy seemed to dog him, no matter what he said or did.

• Southern Girl
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Clay Topping Charts In Singapore

A bit of good news today from Singapore and our friends at Clay Aiken Singapore:

i dunno if this has been posted already...i think i've seen a thread about ATD being played in some Singaporean stations but not about it being NO.1 IN TRIPLE C CLIMAX (a program in a Singapore radio that highlights 10 most requested songs for a particular day). ATD has been no. 1 for 2 straight weeks but recently dropped to no. 2. In addition to these, WY is no. 2 in MTV Asia's top 10 covers of 2006 and is played very often in Mandarin MTV in Singapore.

(from the CB's mu99le)

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Days Re-Airing Dates & Times

If you missed today's episode of Days of our Lives, you can now download the caps at ClackUnlimited, or catch a repeat of the show at the following times on the SOAP Network:

• TODAY (12/26/06) 11:00 PM EST
• TOMORROW (12/27/06) 10:00 AM EST
• Sunday (12/31/06) 8:00 pm EST

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Tidbits 12/26

Thanks to the CB's mu99le for this new scan from Singapore's Teen Magazine. The magazine published a nice interview with Clay last week. I don't know about you, but that photo looks new to me!

• A few Days of our Lives mentions. The episode aired yesterday in Canada and will air today in the US.
  
• WRCB-TV
• Kansas City Star
• Newsday- celebs and their dogs -

  Clay Aiken and Raleigh, find a backseat in that stretch limo - all the way back, in fact. Human stars may use their pets as fashion accessories, but these five mini-stars come with their own accessories - matching jewelry and a trendy little Kate Spade-style handbag. They also have their own magazine that gives the gossipy back story about their celebrity lifestyles, and serves up plenty of doggy (and catty) dish.

• Kelly Ripa/Clay mentions:
• Indianapolis Star
• USA Today - 2006 in review:
  

  Clay Aiken, whose tousled new look, unveiled on the American Idol finale, drew breathless comparisons to … well, k.d. lang. He later tried to show Kelly Ripa who was boss by covering her mouth with his hand on Regis and Kelly so he could get a question in.

• Southern Girl shares on her Christmas - "I DID blow my careful eating to smithereens, however, but it's only one day and it's *Christmas* so I'm not going to get too worked up about it." (not really Clay related, but a fun read)
• Carolina on My Mind - North Carolina welcomes their idol home...
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Ripa vs. O'Donnell Named People Magazine's #1 YouTube Clip

Clay got caught in the middle of one of biggest "feuds" of this year. People Magazine named Kelly Ripa's divafest on "The View" as their #1 YouTube clip.

1. ROSIE VS. KELLY RIPA
Let the fur fly! Kelly Ripa calls in to confront Rosie O'Donnell on The View over Rosie's response to the Clay Aiken Incident on Live With Regis & Kelly (search "Kelly Ripa" and "Clay Aiken" on YouTube for that gem). The dialogue touches on flu season, homophobia and, of course Clay -- and you have no idea how much I hate myself for even caring.

So, as we watch these divas battle it out, here's Clay cracking jokes about the incident and as one blogger put it, "coming out smelling like a rose":



Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Entertainment Tonight In The "Clay"smas Spirit!

Update: download a very nice Clay Aiken Christmas clip at ClackUnlimited.com.

We don't know how this qualifies at news, but it's certainly a wonderful Christmas present from Entertainment Tonight. Clay is currently gracing the homepage of Entertainment Tonight's website, ETOnline.com. The story highlights Clay's 2004 Christmas special, "A Clay Aiken Christmas" which is available on DVD:

CLAY AIKEN's new 9,000-square foot home in Raleigh, NC, won't be standing empty this Christmas. The platinum-selling recording star took great pains to make sure that this year's Christmas tour finished up in time for him to get home to spend the holiday with his mother, FAYE, family and friends.

Before he headed out on the road, Clay began decorating his Christmas tree with ornaments sent to him from his fans.

"This one is from JENA and JUDY in Ohio [and says], 'Merry Christmas with love,'" the recording star tells ET.

Adding to the festivities for the former "American Idol" contestant was the re-airing of "A Clay Aiken Christmas," originally shot in 2004 and now available on DVD. Joining Clay on the holiday special, originally broadcast on NBC, were Grammy Award winner BARRY MANILOW, "Will & Grace" star MEGAN MULLALLY and gospel singer YOLANDA ADAMS.

"I met Barry for the very first time with the special," Clay commented back in 2004. "He was in the rehearsal studio playing 'Because It's Christmas' that we performed together. He and Yolanda Adams were standing there singing, and I had to step back. I said, 'You guys sing it once because I can't just jump in and sing with Barry and Yolanda, two of the greatest performers, right away. It was breathtaking to be in the room and rehearsing with them."

The special includes several songs from the platinum-selling Merry Christmas With Love, which includes a mix of modern and classic holiday songs, from "Mary, Did You Know?" to "The Christmas Song" to "Joy to the World."

"I believe Christmas is one of those holidays that is understood to be religious," Clay said. "For the TV special, we sang songs that were classically Christmas. Yolanda sang 'O Holy Night,' which one would agree is a Christmas song regardless of what your religion is. For me, I decided to perform 'Mary, Did You Know?' I believe those are the only two religious songs on the special. To me it is important to maintain my belief system no matter what I am doing, but it is also important that I don't ostracize any person's belief or religion."

When it comes to childhood memories of Christmas on TV, Clay's thoughts go to the claymation "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," but he is also a fan of the warm, cozy Christmas specials, such as those done by ANDY WILLIAMS. So, he wanted to capture that feeling for his own show, but give it a little more edge.

"The cameras are pulled out and you see how the show is being made," he explains. "At the same time you get a look backstage, a little behind-the-scenes action going on, but inside the set itself, it is very classically Christmas. It is about the music, the holiday season by the fire, mistletoe hung and that kind of thing."

Story copyright 2006 CBS Corporation Inc./Paramount Pictures

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

DOOL: Claynadians Receive Special Christmas Present

Update: ClackUnlimited.com now has a cap of this you can download! Woohoo!
» Download now

Christmas couldn't have been better for Claynadians! The Canadian simulcast of tomorrow's Days of our Lives episode, in which Clay guest stars, aired today on Global Television.

For any Claynadians who missed this episode today, and for my American friends, tune into NBC tomorrow (check local listings).

Here's a full report courtesy the CH's GooodBabyBrush:

THE CONCERT
Kayla and Steve arrive too late and the manager said they started early because of the storm. She said she’s got all she needs now with Steve back and they dance. The guy tells them they’re closing and Kayla steps into the ladies room first. Clay Aiken walks in asking where his car is to the airport as he doesn’t want to miss his flight. Steve introduces himself, assuring Clay not to be afraid of the patch..he’s not a crazy fan, LOL, and offers him a ride to the airport and his car is right outside. He explains they were late as they read THE STORY to the kids at the hospital. Clay said if you’re late, that’s a great reason. Steve tells Clay to tell him if he’s overstepping, but asks a big favor, explaining his wife is a big fan and they just got back together after 16 years…cue the commercial as Steve explains (apparently). Kayla returns and Steve seats her at a front table. Clay walks out and introduces himself to Kayla. Steve explains they’re driving Clay to the airport and Clay tells Kayla that Scott found a track to one of his songs and he’d like to sing one of his love songs as a gift from Steve to her. He sings the perfect song about a man giving the only thing he can..himself…as they watch lovingly and kiss…the song continues as we join the pub folks as Mimi and Max step aside to hug and kiss as Shawn watches a little jealously…until Belle and Claire join him and he smiles and takes his daughter and holds her…while Sami watches smiling and Lucas and Will join her. Pop Shawn kisses Caroline at the bar and Bonnie pours herself another drink (sigh). Chelsea watches morosely as Nick joins her and puts his arm around her and pulls her in for a hug. Bo and Hope kiss in front of the pub tree as the picture fades and

We RETURN TO THE HORTON HOME as Doug, Julie and Maggie look outside and smile. The camera pans on all the pictures on the mantle…Belle & Shawn, Jack and Jennifer, Sami & Lucas, Doug & Julie, Bo & Hope, Abby and then an old black and white of the Horton original family. Alice holds Tom’s picture and says “Merry Christmas Tom, my darling Tom. Merry Christmas to all those we love near to us far away..the blessings of this day will be with you now and all the days of our lives. As the camera shows her and Tom’s ornaments and the tree angel as we return to Clay finishing his song I CAN ONLY GIVE YOU EVERYTHING I HAVE as he smiles watching Kayla and Steve kissing.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible

Tidbits 12/25

• People Magazine quotes Clay about talking about one of his favourite movies from this year:

  Clay Aiken: The Queen – "Helen Mirren looks just like Queen Elizabeth. Acted like her! I thought it was very good."
  

• Grand Rapids Press has some compliments for us... awww.. thank you!

  Clay Aiken, the singing sensation who nearly won TV's "American Idol" in 2003, packed DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday with a sold-out performance with the Grand Rapids Symphony. Emissaries from "Clay Nation" were out in force for the Christmas program. By a show of hands, at least a dozen claimed to have been to more than 60 of his concerts. One owned up to 70, and another said she had seen him more than 80 times, which impressed Aiken. "I don't even like myself that much," he told them.
  

• Even on Christmas day, we can't escape the Clay/Kelly mentions:
• Contra Costa Times
• Detroit Free Press
• 365Gay.com
• My San Antonio - Christmas cheer? What Christmas cheer? "After weeks of battling mall crowds, nasty clots of traffic and Clay Aiken mangling "Silver Bells," I couldn't feel holly or jolly if you strung me up on the mantle with garland and tickled my soles with mistletoe and candy canes." uhh.... yeah.... whatever!

• ClaySpots wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, All Is Well, Merry Christmas With Love, Invisible