To see the full calendar, go to CDD's page at Google Calendar:
A full list of upcoming events is also available at the CDD Claytracker.
Note: CDD does not necessarily endorse or subscribe to the editorial opinions of these websites/blogs.
Broadway Cares is auctioning off a Spamalot score signed by Clay via eBay. Bidding is currently at $1500 and is scheduled to end on Sunday. All proceeds of the auction directly benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. To learn more about the organization please visit www.broadwaycares.org.
There's no better way telling your mother how much you appreciate her than having Clay do it. ClayAiken.com has a cool Mother's Day e-Card you can send out to show your mother how much she means.
Clay was mentioned briefly on The Insider tonight in its daily poll.... will you be tuning into QVC to see Clay debut his CD on Monday?
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What great promotion for Clay's new album! American Idol visited Clay on the set of Spamalot and televised a 2 minute segment with Clay on last night's results show. Watch the video below, courtesy YouTube:
Clay Aiken's career track is an interesting one. For someone with my musical tastes and interests, he virtually disappeared after his season of American Idol was over. His act is really just not for me. Unlike so many other also-rans from the show though, a couple times a year, he pops up again. Clay is performing here. He's sold another million albums there. And along the way he's managed to build one of the most devoted fan bases anyone could ask for.
That brings us to the latest rise of Clay on to the radar for the rest of us. He's kicking off the release of his fourth studio album next Monday, with an appearance on QVC. I'm reminded of Arsenio and the old "things that make you go hmmm" bit. I'm not sure I get it, but we should probably just not question Clay's judgment. He seems to be doing alright. He's never going to have the media exposure of Kelly Clarkson, but he's not going to just fade away either.
Aiken's latest soul-crushing product
American Idol-manufactured niceboy Clay Aiken will don his sexiest ensemble for a night of consumerist prostitution with a live TV performance on QVC at 7 p.m. Monday.
Clay will play tunes from his new CD, On My Way Here, which you'll be able to order eight days before its May 6 release date. Info: www.QVC.com.
Claymates, start screaming
Clay Aiken will perform at 7 p.m. Monday at QVC's West Chester Studio Park, previewing his new record "On My Way Here," before its May 6 release. QVC is selling a version of the CD that includes a bonus CD/DVD for Claymates out there.
GearLive Television - AI reflects on successes of past idols on Broadway:Idol took a few moments to pay homage to two former competitors, Tamyra Gray (season 1) and Clay Aiken (season 2), who are both in current Broadway productions (“Rent” and “Spamalot,” respectively). Lakisha Jones, who is also starring on Broadway, was present in the audience for the footage.
Broadway performances were discussed and a montage of past Idols involved in stage productions came next. LaKisha Jones and Fantasia (The Color Purple), Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray), Tamyra Gray (Rent), and Clay Aiken (Spamalot) were all featured, but Tamyra and Clay had the most coverage.
Then, we're quickly confronted with the pasty complexion of Clay Aiken, the runner-up from Season 2 and still the darling of Claymates everywhere. He's in "Monty Python's Spamalot," which is also playing on the Great White Way.
Both "Idol" alums give us tours of their theaters and talk about how hap-hap-happy their lives are.
Since musical theater was highlighted this week, we were shown a clip of the Idol alums on Broadway. Diana DeGarmo (runner up Season 3), Fantasia (winner Season 3), LaKisha Jones (fourth place Season 6), Tamyra Gray (fourth place Season 1) and Clay Aiken (runner up Season 2) have all appeared in Broadway musicals.
Now we get to see how many former Idols have been on Broadway or are actually starring right now. Tamyra Grey is currently starring as Mimi in Rent and Clay Aiken is in Spamalot (OK, at least he has a reason for that awful hair).
Erin: "Idol" also wanted to remind the hopefuls that there is life after reality TV on Broadway. We get a heads up on Tamyra Gray and Clay Aiken in their post-TV careers as performers in "Rent" and "Spamalot," respectively. This is to reassure "Idols" that not all paths lead to the TV Guide channel, reunion shows and tabloid magazines where you talk about your illicit affair with Paula Abdul.
The evening also featured a performance from Cowell-produced British star Leona Lewis (who sang her international hit "Bleeding Love"), a trip to Broadway to visit ex-"Idol" contestants Clay Aiken and Tamyra Gray at their new gigs, a bizarre animated, zombie-like Ford commercial starring the contestants and yet another primetime appearance by President George Bush, who followed up his recent "Deal or No Deal" cameo by dropping into "Idol" with First Lady Laura Bush to thank Americans for contributing to the "Idol Gives Back" charity special.
We also got to catch up with some Idol alums who've made it on Broadway, like Clay Aiken and Tamyra Gray. I was happy to catch up with Tamyra, her "A House Is Not A Home" is still one of my all-time favorite Idol performances.
The “Where Are They Now?” segment with former “Idol” contestants on Broadway was solid. After mentions of Diana DeGarmo in “Hairspray” and Fantasia Barrino and LaKisha Jones in “The Color Purple,” we saw sit-down interviews with Tamyra Gray, who’s performing in “Rent” and Clay Aiken, who’s starring in “Spamalot.” Nice to see both of them getting props for their excellent voices.
Claymates also got their fix when the show visited Clay Aiken at Monty Python's Spamalot, where he's enjoying top billing and a new hairdo.
And to Clay Aiken and his great fans, let me say: He deserves every bit of success he's enjoyed and more. He's wonderfully gifted and the reality is, I needed the coaching more than he did. I apologize if what I said came across the wrong way.
and a taped segment featuring past Idol finalists Clay Aiken and Tamyra Gray talking about their respective runs on Broadway in Spamalot and Rent.
The episode included a boring performance by British singer and Simon Cowell discovery Leona Lewis and a quick visit with former "Idol" finalists Clay Aiken and Tamyra Gray, who are now starring in Broadway musicals.
Things could be worse for Carly. She’s now free to display her tattoos without viewer voting repercussions. She can go hang out with Michael Johns (Who wouldn’t want that?). She can avoid taking the Clay Aiken route and doing whatever the hell that was to his hair (I thought it was for the role in “Spamalot,” but, no! He wears a wig on stage).
Idol checked up on some of its alumni. Tamyra Gray is on Broadway, starring in Rent. Clay Aiken is now in Spamalot. I never liked Clay. The creepiness of his single was too much to handle. That whole “If I was invincible I’d make you mine tonight” and the theme of invisibility? Can you say rape?
I loved the segment on Idol alumni which focused on previous contestants who have performed or are performing on Broadway. Tamyra Gray was in Bombay Dreams and is now playing Mimi in RENT (that I would love to see). Both Fantasia Barrino and Lakisha Jones appeared in The Color Purple. Clay Aiken is still performing in Spamelot (I would love to see this as well), and Diana DeGarmo was in Hairspray.
We got to see Season 1’s Tamyra Gray as she performed in “Rent,” and Clay Aiken (creepy blond hair and all) as he sang in “Spamalot.” Neither one of these is a real surprise, since both were very expressive singers with giant voices.
In honor of Lloyd Webber week, we see how successful people who did not win "American Idol" have been on Broadway. Like Tamyra Gray and Clay Aiken, in "Rent" and "Spamalot," respectively.
We heard from season one's Tamyra Gray who placed fourth, and Clay Aiken who was runner up in the second season. They are both enjoying success on stage. Tamyra in Rent ... and Clay in Spamalot.
Season 1’s Tamyra Gray is currently appearing in Rent, her second Broadway show. Clay Aiken, who I think you may have heard of, is in Spamalot. Tamyra and Clay give us tours of their stages and dressing rooms. Tamyra likes putting away her own stresses and being someone else (she’s playing Mimi). Clay says Broadway is something completely different than anything he’s done before. His next album is out May 6th. Tamyra still gets recognized from American Idol and loves her life. Clay says he’ll keep doing what he’s doing as long as people like it.
Before we move on to more results, we get a little video piece on former AI contestants now on Broadway. First we have Tamyra Gray,now in her second show (RENT). And of course Clay Aiken, starring in SPAMALOT.
There was also a brief visit to New York to see how Idol alumni are faring on Broadway. Featured were Tamyra Gray, who appears in Rent, and Clay Aiken who is starring in Spamelot
And, in conjunction with this week's theatre theme, we had the pleasure of checking in with lost Idols Clay Aiken and Tamyra Gray, who have recently found fame on Broadway.
Ryan Seacrest said more than 38 million votes were cast after Tuesday's show. The Wednesday edition featured a sexy performance by Leona Lewis, a charming look at Clay Aiken and Tamyra Gray in Broadway musicals, and a tepid group sing by the six finalists. The song: Lloyd Webber's "All I Ask of You."
After a Broadway video segment with Tamyra Gray and Clay Aiken, Leona Lewis performed “Bleeding Love.” After Leona’s performance, Ryan Seacrest called Syesha Mercado and Brooke White to center stage. Seacrest revealed that Brooke White was safe and Syesha Mercado was in the bottom two.
We then get a clip of Idols on Broadway. Ryan mentions Diana DeGarmo, Lakisha, and Fantasia. But we get clips of Tamyra Gray and Clay Aiken who are both on Broadway in Rent and Spamalot respectively.
Clay Aiken has an album coming out soon, so he's decided temporarily to remember his Idol roots and take viewers on a backstage tour of Spamalot. How do we feel about Clay referring to himself in first-person plural?
At this point in the competition on "American Idol" in seasons past, Clay Aiken had already transformed from geeky, tufted duckling to slick, metrosexual swan. Viewers are continually reminded that this is the "best group of contestants ever."
Some big names have had roles in the production, including Clay Aiken as Sir Robin, but Hancher has not yet received a cast list of who will perform here.
Gracin's first CD was boosted by the power of "Idol," where he came in fourth place during the show's second season - the same season as Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard.
It’s not the path of, say, a Clay Aiken or a Kelly Clarkson of “American Idol” fame. But for Von Lee Smith, it’s a career path that seems promising nonetheless.
He thinks "Idol" could end up with an all-male finale — the first since season two, when Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard faced off.
"As someone who has purchased music by Daughtry, Clay Aiken, and other similar artists, you might be interested in Analog Heart, the self-released David Cook album available for download at Amazon MP3," reads an e-mail reportedly sent by Amazon to a user who posted it at David-Cook.org.
Clay's May is shaping out to be pretty hectic. Not only is he wrapping up "Spamalot", he's also going to appear on quite a few TV shows. Corabeth, who is in contact with RCA marketing, posted these dates for Clay's upcoming TV appearances -
Some bigger TV appearances so far noted below. He said this list does not include the obvious like ET, Insider, etc.CBS Television confirmed in a press release that Clay will be on Rachel Ray's show sometime in May:
Monday....4/28 QVC - 7:00pm edt
Wednesday...4/30 Tyra Banks Show - syndicated
Wednesday...5/7 GMA - 7:00 - 9:00am edt ABC
Thursday...5/8 The View 11:00 - Noon edt ABC
Monday....5/12 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 11:35pm edt NBC
Thursday....5/15 Jimmy Kimmel Live approx Midnight edt ABC
Monday.....5/19 The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson 12:35am edt CBS
I asked him about Kimmel and not performing and he said "instead of a performance, he's going to do something fun"
So the Kimmel appearance is definitely an album promo date but they have something else up their sleeve.
Adding:
Sometime in May - Rachel Ray
Big events and contests are only part of "Rachael Ray's" biggest May Sweep ever. The show is also welcoming V.I.P. celebrity guests; including, Barack and Michelle Obama, Regis Philbin, Maria Shriver, Patrick Dempsey, Valerie Bertinelli, Clay Aiken, Mario Batali, Ty Pennington, Michael Buble, Gordon Ramsay, "Ugly Betty's" Eric Mabius, Mary J. Blige, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Carrie Ann Inaba, the Jonas Brothers' mother and chef Ming Tsai.
Entertainment Tonight brings "Clay Aiken album news" -
Fan favorite CLAY AIKEN is preparing to wow the crowd again with his upcoming album, On My Way Here, when it hits stores on May 6 -- but Claymates won't have to wait until then to get a listen!
The singer will be debuting the album on Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. on QVC's QSessions Live, where he will perform all-new songs. Shoppers will also have the chance to buy their own copy of On My Way Here, which includes a special CD/DVD created just for QVC.
I love to listen to Clay Aiken sing. He a superstar in his own right. He's sold over 6 million albums. Co-authored a bestseller. Now he's singing and dancing in Monty Python's SPAMALOT. And Gather's proud to get the word out about his charity, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation - which helps integrate children with disabilities with their peers - and his work with UNICEF. Check out this Gather-exclusive webisode with Clay
If you're a Clay Aiken superfan, a Bubel/Aiken or UNICEF supporter, or just a curious Gather member, get your questions ready. Later this week, Gather will be interviewing Clay. And we need some fantastic questions! So get your thoughts together, and leave your question as a comment below or email your question to Music Editor. Then keep an eye out for his answers in the article that will be published soon in Clay Nation!
Former American Idol star Clay Aiken is making a splash on Broadway, and has a new CD coming out.
The North Carolina singer will wrap his Tony-award winning musical May 4.
His fourth album, On My Way Here, will be released two days later on May 6.
Clay Aiken has been capturing the hearts of music fans everywhere since he shot to pop superstardom nearly five years ago. Since then, Aiken has sold more than six million CDs, authored a best-selling biography, performed on Broadway and has left fans "Aiken" for more. The multi-platinum artist will once again be exciting fans when he makes his QVC debut on Monday, April 28 at 7 PM (ET).
Scheduled to appear on QVC's QSessions Live, Aiken is scheduled to perform songs from his much-anticipated new album On My Way Here, giving viewers exclusive insight into the inspiration behind the album. QVC shoppers will also have the opportunity to order On My Way Here, with a bonus CD/DVD created especially for QVC, eight days before its scheduled release.
"We are excited to offer our viewers this specially packaged CD, with a bonus CD/DVD that is only available through QVC," said Rich Yoegel, director of merchandising for QVC. "Fans will love that in addition to being able to order this one-of-a-kind release before street date, they can watch Clay Aiken perform live."
While this news will no doubt bring joy to all you Claymates, it definitely left us scratching our heads.
Clay Aiken is scheduled to appear and perform on—of all places—QVC next Monday to hawk his new CD (and fourth studio release) On My Way Here.
"Starting my career on national, live television, it seems fitting to be unveiling my new album live on QVC," says Clay. "To be able to connect with QVC's viewers and broadcast my performance to over 93 million households is an amazing opportunity."
Clay Aiken’s new “On My Way Here” album cover has been released!
Although the album won’t hit hits stores until May 6, the 29-year-old singer will perform all-new songs on Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. on QVC. Of course, all you Claymates will be able to buy the album too
"On My Way Here" has charted on iTunes, after the popular online music store began accepting pre-orders yesterday.
The album is currently:
Star Magazine published a review of "On My Way Here", reports the CH's ellenpoppy:
Star Magazine has reviewed the CD and given it 3 stars out of 4. The review's toward the back, in case anyone wants to check it out at her local newstand and maybe happen to leave the page open when putting it back. It's the new issue, I believe with "Britney's New Bikini Body" on the cover; we just received it today, but it will be on most newsstands tomorrow or Friday.
I'm definitely paraphrasing from memory here. I don't remember if "American Idol runner-up" was mentioned, but the AI reference was there with the mention to Ruben.
Quote:
Clay Aiken has often been the butt of jokes, but he has proven that he has staying power. (Looking at you, Ruben Studdard.)
His new CD is about [can't do it justice here because I just can't remember enough... something about the journey, adulthood... a positive mention, what Clay has said the CD is about, nothing negative at all]. The adult contemporary songs have two particular standouts in As Long As We're Here and the more upbeat Falling.
end Quote
3 out of 4 stars, people. Top of the page review, good placement. Covered what Clay has said the CD is about. Targeted two songs as standouts. Pointed out that he's become a career artist.
This, in a tabloid publication that hasn't been all that kind to him.
I'm definitely sensing a change this time around.
Clay will be making an appearance and a performance on QVC next Monday between 7 and 8 PM ET to sell "On My Way Here". QVC's website now has a detailed listing for the show, along with a video promo for the album:
CLAY AIKEN -ON MY WAY HERE/GADGETS & GIZMOS
Monday, April 28, 2008
07:00 - 08:00 PM ET
Multi-platinum selling singing sensation Clay Aiken is poised to release his first album of original material since his double-platinum debut, “Measure of a Man.” This eagerly anticipated new CD, “On My Way Here,” is set to release on May 6, 2008. Reserve your copy before it hits the stores, and receive a special 5-track Bonus CD created especially for QVC. He'll win your heart again, as Clay performs select songs from On My Way Here. Release date subject to change without notice.
If you love cool, clever, handy, gotta-have-it kind of stuff…you'll find it in Gadgets & Gizmos. Most items are small in scale, some are purely practical, others are practical and novel, and some are just-for-the-fun-of-it selections. There's always something that'll make you say "Why didn't I think of that!" Tune in and enjoy.
Reality TV World filed their review for Clay's new CD, On My Way Here, due in stores May 6. The review is a fair, balanced critique, although it isn't clear whether the reviewer based it on those 30-second snippets or from the actual full CD.
Sleepy But Smooth: A Review of Clay Aiken’s New CD, On My Way Here…
April 22, 2008 02:28:44 by Jennifer Brown
[...]
Clay definitely had something to say in this CD. He’s taken some heat for turning out some cliche lyrics; and indeed the theme of growing up, finding himself and finding his way is pretty in-your-face. It’s empowering, yes, but is very… mature. Doubtless Clay’s devotees in the adult contemporary crowd will rejoice with each song; but it’s doubtful he’s going to make much of a splash with the younger crowds based on this music.
This is not to say the music is bad. How could it be? Clay’s voice is richer and fuller than ever and all but flawless. Tracks like Sacrificial Love and Lover All Alone practically cradle the listener and others, such as Something About Us, are just screaming to be background music for a romantic date. [...]
If you’re looking for a real toe-tapper, you’re not going to find it here (Falling and Weight of the World try valiantly, but neither really gets there) . But Clay Aiken fans probably already know that and aren’t looking for something to dance to anyway. If you’re out for a buttery voice and a great message (who cares if it’s cliche?!) that will leave you feeling relaxed and empowered, Clay will not leave you disappointed.
Regardless, it’s easy to see how Clay made it so far in the American Idol competition. And his continued success is a definite argument against those who say the show can’t turn out a real talent.
Clay and Tyra Banks are featured in today's People Magazine StarTracks. Tyra recently visited Clay on the set of Spamalot to tape a special segment for her Tyra Banks Show. An air date has not been set yet. The same photo is also featured at JustJared.com.
f you're a bit underwhelmed by the current crop of American Idols, an old favorite is returning to your television screen and you won't have to put up with Paula to watch. Which favorite is it? It's the guy who's fans sent over dozens emails to let us know that their hero was going to be back on TV. That's right, it's Clay Aiken and he's going on a late night TV blitz to promote his new album.
Claymates will make a run on record retailers on May 6th, when Aiken's new album, 'On My Way Here,' is released and the following week he'll make two late night appearances to promote it.
First up, he'll head over to Burbank to appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 12th and then he'll make an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show on May 15th. We received conflicting information from the fans that wrote in about the Kimmel appearance. Some said Clay was performing and others said he wasn't. So we fired off an email to the show's publicist and she confirmed that "Clay Aiken is booked for an interview" only. The musical guest on that night will be Dierks Bentley.
While judge Simon Cowell often chastises contestants for sounding "too Broadway," all six will have to pull out the big numbers for the Broadway themed show. Despite Cowell's remarks, many former "American Idol" contestants have gone on to have successful runs on Broadway, including Fantasia and Clay Aiken.
Rasmusen's April 18 column gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how "Idol" works. She wrote of one experience waiting to consult the show's vocal coach while Clay Aiken was being coached.
"I could hear him going over and over his song, dissecting it. Finally, after about 30 minutes, the door opened. It was my turn. I walked in and sang my song about three times before being dismissed. Hardly the personal one-on-one attention Aiken had just received."
But who cares about costing an innocent bystanders hundreds of dollars? In the 2003 "American Idol" finale, 130,000 votes separated winner Ruben Studdard from the runner-up, Clay Aiken. A few days later, a phone company in the Midwest said it had received 240,000 misdialed calls during voting.
It's unlikely that the producers who saw the very pretty Kelly Clarkson triumph over the even prettier Justin Guarini that first summer ever envisioned anything like the tuneful but less-photogenic showdown between Season 2 finalists Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, much less the Season 5 victory of Taylor Hicks, a twitchy, gray-haired Alabamian whose personality charmed millions but who's been eating the dust of fourth-place contestant Chris Daughtry ever since.
You see the Ozzy track was playing on my iTunes when I clicked over to Pendulum's Myspace and one of their songs started autoplaying. It was a strange mix, but actually worked. Maybe we'll start a new online crazy with Myspace/iTunes antimash-ups? We're gonna go try Iron Maiden and Clay Aiken right now.
On My Way Here has landed at iTunes! You can now pre-order the entire album and receive a special iTunes pre-order bonus track, titled "It's In Everyone of Us". This track will only be included on pre-order versions of OMWH sold at iTunes, so make sure you order BEFORE May 6.
Download iTunes
Click here to launch iTunes and purchase OMWH.
Is it just me or are a lot of journalists a little bit clueless when it comes to interviewing Clay? Especially the part when they are supposed to come up with the questions. Well, thankfully, we're always here for them. Austin360 needs some help choosing questions to ask Clay during an interview tomorrow:
Chattin’ with Clay Aiken
By Gary Dinges | Monday, April 21, 2008, 02:22 PM
So it seems we’ve lucked our way into a 15-minute phone interview with Clay Aiken Tuesday.
He’s making the rounds to promote his new CD, which hits stores May 6.
What should we ask? We know you’ve got some really great questions, so send ‘em our way.
Post your queries for Clay in the comments section below, or shoot an e-mail to gdinges@statesman.com.
Then look for our writeup — and, hopefully, an audio recap — later this week.
Gather.com is the latest media outlet to receive exclusive Clay Aiken "webisodes", promoting the new album. In this webisode, Clay talks about UNICEF and the BAF.
LALate News has ran some wonderful coverage for Clay's new CD, On My Way Here. Here's some of the things they have said recently:
Songs often grab you deep down from your first listen, even if heard the first time in busy traffic, or in a crowded club, or even if just from a snippet, and when you hear that song, you stop, and ask, and maybe even shout, “what WAS that song?”
For LALATE, that song from this album could very well be “Something About Us” that appears to have a sweeping melody that captures the talent and beauty of Aiken’s vocal range. There is something about “Something About Us” that has captured LALATE’s attention ….
I work as a cataloger for a large public library system and came across a book titled, "5-Star Baby Name Advisor" by Bruce Lansky this afternoon. It's a book about the meaning of names you might choose to name your baby. Of course, I had to look up Clay and this is what I found. "First impression: People say Clay is a talented musician who's confident, calm, kind, and cute, much like American Idol winner, Clay Aiken."
You just never know where his name will pop up! Did you catch the phrase AI WINNER? Love it!
The CB's snarkystripes reports that OMWH was promoted on-air at Syracuse, NY's Y94-FM. The Y94 FM website has a button: "Clay Aiken is back!"I did not hear it, but my friend just called me and said she was driving in her car, had Y94FM on, and all of a sudden she heard a snippet played of "OMWH" and the promo simply said, "Clay Aiken has a new CD coming May 6....On My Way Here!"
ON-THE-AIR PROMO, PEOPLE!!!!!!!!
"He is going to be in the final three, hands down. If he doesn't win, he's going to have the Clay Aiken effect where he ends up selling a jillion records anyway."
-- Todd Herzog, "Survivor" winner
WRAL-TV news anchor Lynda Loveland is among five prominent local personalities pairing with professional dancers for charity.
Loveland, former WRAL News reporter Mark Roberts, radio DJ Brian Dawson, Miss North Carolina Jessica Jacobs and Elvis performer Keith Henderson will perform April 27 in the 2008 "Dancing Like the Stars" competition.
All proceeds from the contest benefit the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which was cofounded in 2003 by former American Idol alum and Raleigh native Clay Aiken. The nonprofit promotes the inclusion of children with disabilities in activities with children who are not disabled.
Clay Aiken (Season two)
The latest Idol finalist to invade Broadway, Aiken (currently putting the finishing touches on On My Way Here, a new album due out in May) appears through May 4 in the Mike Nichols-directed Monty Python adaptation Spamalot as the hapless Sir Robin.
Season Two – Reuben Studdard. This was probably the most controversial year because of the talent of the two finalists and the confusion regarding the votes. Reuben has had some success but was recently dropped by his record company. He will be in the touring national production of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Clay Aiken, the runner up, on the other hand has had two albums which was considered hits, been a guest host on many shows, and taken a turn on Broadway in Spamlot.
After auditioning in New York City and Omaha, Neb., for FOX’s hit reality series – which has made bona fide celebrities out of former nobodies like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken – Sidwell is now trying his hand at a different side of the “American Idol” rocket to superstardom.
David Archuleta. Most like Clay Aiken, with a Disney Channel influence. David's fans remind me of the Claymates of Season 2, who went rabid over Clay's debut to a triple-platinum status. Clay's success hasn't lasted through his most recent release (2006's "A Thousand Different Ways"), but he's still a very saleable commodity.
Selling yourself to an audience of mainstream Americans requires a little bit of repackaging. Think of how Clay Aiken remade himself back in the second season, and he just made it to second place.
Sure, Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson made us cheer and dial the phone until our fingers were raw (I nearly cried when my pick for 2004, Fantasia Barrino, won), but the real joy comes from watching those of you who don't have a chance.
“I’m not seeing the next Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson or Clay Aiken here,” she opined. “And the ones who have won in the past are boring. Jordin Sparks is a yawnfest. Melinda really should have won.”
