American Idol fans will have to carry on without beloved judge Paula Abdul, who quit the show after 8 seasons this week.
There’s been some speculation that Abdul might end up on another talent reality show (”So You Think You Can Dance” being the most obvious), but for now the details as to why she left or what’s next for the ever-cheery Idol judge are few.
From this end we wish Paula the best in her new endeavors, whatever they may be. And so we award Paula Abdul a Fantasy T-Wearer Award today, with the “Retired Judge” T-shirt at right.
Speaking of Kris Allen fans, their groovily-named “Operation Ding Dong” illustrated how fans can mobilize and utilize Social Media to connect, coordinate and craft a movement toward putting their favorite crooner in the winner’s circle. With Kris Allen t-shirts to support such initiatives, fansites like KrisAllenation.com were able to bring likeminded fans together in huge numbers to propel their contestant toward victory.
Big congrats to all the Season 8 Idol contestants, as well as all the fans who got out there and got actively involed in making noise online – as well as, of course, making some great American Idol T-shirts.
Danny Gokey fans were stunned last night when their favorite Idol was eliminated, leaving Kris Allen and Adam Lambert to duke it out (or sing it out, as the case may be) in next week’s finals.
Kris’s placement in the final was called “a big ding dong,” the meaning of which is up for speculation. Perhaps it means that Kris is knock knock knocking on Adam’s door; perhaps it’s pointing out, as others have noted, that these two performers are at polar opposites in personal and performance style; or maybe it’s a simply a wakeup call for America to pay attention to these two seasoned performers in what some are calling the best Idol matchup to date.
Although Danny won’t be in the finals, he won’t soon be forgotten by the millions of people who were moved by his voice and his story. Who they’ll vote for next week, though, is anyone’s guess.
With Idol down to the Final Four, and things are heating up in Hollywood. ‘Round these parts, things are heating up for our community of designers. Late last week we gave the green light to Idol fans to create their own American Idol T-shirts, and so far the race puts the Adam Lambert T-shirts ahead of the pack in both volume and design innovation.
That being said, the show and the T-shirt-off are still anyone’s race. Perhaps Kris Allen and Danny Gokey fans are a little more laid-back about creative expression. Teenage rocker Allison Iraheta is trailing in volume, but then again it aint over until it’s over. Or until the eyelinered rock star or boy next door sings.
In the meantime, you can pay homage to your favorite Idol by designing your own Idol t-shirts. The rules of engagement are far less stringent than those faced by Idol contestants, but there’s one major common theme: be creative. Artistry is important.
We’ll be looking into the designs and, perhaps, predicting winners as the merchandise continues to give us clues.
Anoop Desaiples are despondent today, as the geek in the pink was voted off last night along with Lil Rounds. The double-elimination was a result of the judges’ save of Matt Giraud last week.
Anoop seemed to be an unlikely hopeful, showing up to auditions in his preppy college-boy finest. This understated everyman vibe was particularly jarring in this year’s glitzy Idol lineup, which is full of rock star style and glam and hair and makeup…
Seriously, though – this year’s lineup is arguably the best and most diverse Idol has ever assembled, and with so many contestants hitting the stage with their “looks” already highly crafted, Anoop stood out as the everyman hopeful. Anoop’s biggest competition this year was most likely Danny Gokey – not just because of their both of them hit that R&B, soulful vibe when they sing. Danny has a little more Michael McDonald in him (and a lot more Robert Downey Jr.), but both he and Anoop are hitting a similar vibe when they sing.
Lil Rounds started out as an early favorite; Randy’s favorite “you could sing the phone book” compliment was applied more than once. Unfortunately, Lil struggled with finding her identity as a solo performer; the judges kept on her about avoiding high-end “karaoke,” but ultimately Lil wasn’t able to distinguish herself enough to stay in the competition. The problem: this year it takes more than smoking vocal ability to impress the judges and – more importantly – the fans. With folks like Adam and Kris changing up arrangements in the spirit of the David Cook legacy, the contestants need an inherent understanding of and ability to transform song structure to stay competitive this year.
And so we bid a fond farewell to Lil and, most especially, to Anoop. We’re sorry to see you go, Noop Dogg, but hey: we’ll always have the T-shirts.
American Idol fans will find out tonight who the last 3 members of the Final 12 are. Last night, the judges announced that 8 previously eliminated contestants will duke it out tonight for the 3 open spots.
Anoop Desai fans celebrated when their favorite bluesy crooner was tapped as the last of the contestants given this second chance, and now are anxiously awaiting tonight’s broadcast. The details of exactly how the final 3 will be chosen, however, have been kept very vague. Will they sing for the slot? If so, do the judges decide? Is there an applause-o-meter? Will there be a dance-off? Will Tatiana and Kara DioGuardi have an ultimate cage match to determine her worthiness?
All these questions and more will be answered tonight. In the meantime, Anoop fans can of course sport their support with some Noop Dog T-shirts.
UPDATE: He made the cut – great news for Anoop and everyone who’s down with the Noop Dogg.
American Idol is always full of surprises, and this season’s first Vote-Off Results show was no exception. Some fans were shocked when audition standout Anoop Desai (a.k.a. Noop Dogg) didn’t make the top 3 cut.
No worries, though: Anoop is still eligible for a Wild Card spot, and is getting the out there on Noop Dogg T-shirts, buttons and other gear. Not that we expect Simon to be sporting a Noop Dogg T-shirt, but we do have a new black mens’ fitted T…
The format of Idol changed significantly this year. There are now 3 rounds of preliminary eliminations, in which groups of 12 are voted on by the public to determine which 3 people – one guy, one girl, and the next person with the most votes – move into the final 12 from that group. (For those disinterested in multiplication: that’s 9 people.)
The remaining 3 slots are given out as “Wild Card” spots, and that’s where Anoop’s (and his fans’) hopes lie. In the meantime, Anoop-crazed voters can keep track of him via his fan site.
Of course, if Anoop doesn’t capture a Wild Card spot he may have a future on the Food Network. Anyone who can write a 60-page thesis on Southern Barbecueand impress Simon Cowell with a Bobby Brown song may give Bobby Flay a run for his spatula.
American Idol fans will have to carry on without beloved judge Paula Abdul, who quit the show after 8 seasons this week.
All these questions and more will be answered tonight. In the meantime, Anoop fans can of course sport their support with some
