Kris Allen Leaps To Forefront on American Idol

Kris Allen, when it was revealed that he was a member of American Idol's Top 13 this season, was supposed to be a middle-of-the-pack contestant, warming us up until the Danny-Adam finale.

In the last three weeks, however, Allen's Idol stock has been steadily rising, thanks to some very smart song choices that showed off his considerable talent. First, there was his wonderful, vulnerable take on the Bob Dylan classic "Make You Feel My Love" during the ill-advised Country week. Then there was his charming and wistful rendition of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" for last week's Motown show.

It was this week's performance, though, that launched Kris Allen into true contender status.

For the (honestly ridiculous) iTunes week, Kris chose Idol favorite "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers. Usually attached to his guitar, Kris switched it up, pulling out a keyboard. The change was inspired, helping him fulfill his desire of delivering a "moment" in his performance. Make that multiple "moments", since everything about the performance was effortless and perfect: the on-point vocals, the creative arrangement, and even the high note at the end. It all came together in a performance that brings to mind other Idol coming-outs, like Carrie Underwood in Season 4.

If Kris Allen can continue riding this wave of momentum, than he could surprise everybody and break into the finale.

UNbelievable: When Did The X Factor's Eoghan Quigg Become a Jonas Brother?

16 year-old Eoghan Quigg from Northern Ireland was a very popular contestant on the past season of The X Factor, the British talent show that bore Leona Lewis. He just barely missed winning this show in December, but his huge fanbase helped him score a record contract with RCA Records.

His self-titled debut is reportedly out next week, and his first single (minus charity single "Hero") "28,000 Friends" has been making the UK music channel circuit for the last few weeks or so.

Now, if you happened to press play above and close your eyes and listen to the first minute or so, you might just mistake Quigg for either Nick or Joe Jonas.

Why?

Because this song, about a girl who has 28,000 friends on all of the social networking websites and doesn't know who any of them are, could've been a castoff from either of the Jonases albums. In fact, considering their "musical growth", this song is even too lame for them. Which means that there should be no reason on Earth why Eoghan Quigg, who actually has a really good voice, should be singing this kind of crap (incidentally, the song was written by a former member of pop/rock band Busted, who the Jonas Brothers were inspired by).

He said that this is the direction he wants to go in for his music. If I was him, I would simply buy a map and turn right back around.

Eoghan Quigg will be released on April 6th.

Music Video Spotlight: "Untouchable" by Girls Aloud

I think Girls Aloud may have some kind of complex.

First, they were confined to these walled boxes in "The Loving Kind". Now, they are sexy alien vixens trapped in bubbles that are about to crash to Earth.

Yes, Britain's favorite girl group are playing space invaders dressed in sexy black PVC outfits. Sure, they're about to cause catastrophe as their bubbles blow holes into our planet, but when they look like that, do you mind that much?

I thought so.

"Untouchable" will be released on April 27th in the UK stores.

Legendary Soap Guiding Light May Be Cancelled in September

The future of the soap opera is looking bleaker every day.

TV Week and Entertainment Weekly are both reporting that CBS is planning for a replacement for Guiding Light, the longest-running soap opera and drama in broadcast history.

Although it's not set in stone, there seems to be little hope for the struggling sudser. Despite an extremely high-profile change in the show's production, as well as the return of fan favorite Grant Aleksander as Phillip Spaulding, ratings are still low compared to other daytime programs. Guiding Light averages about 2.5 million viewers a week.

Although I haven't really been watching Guiding Light much (since it's been a steaming pile of horse crap lately except for Aleksander), hearing of its cancellation just makes the ending of the soap opera all the more inevitable.

"90210" Star Dustin Milligan Is Dropped

For those who are watching The CW's 90210, prepare to see a little less of a certain character.

Actually, make that a lot less.

Dustin Milligan, who plays main character Annie's boyfriend Ethan on the remake, has been dropped from his contract, according to Entertainment Weekly.

"Everyone loves Dustin," said the insider to EW's Michael Ausiello. "There was just a feeling that the character had run its course."

The surprising firing comes on the heels of the installation of a new show head, Rebecca Rand Kirshner Sinclair, who promised huge show changes.

90210 returns this week after a winter hiatus.

Classic Download of the Day 3/30: "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush

Last week, I wrote about my newfound interest in the classic teen drama "Party of Five". I particularly spoke of a scene featuring the characters Bailey and Sarah in the hospital, that was one of the best moments of television I had ever witnessed.

Well, what helped make that moment (besides the brilliant acting of Scott Wolf) was the song playing in the background, "This Woman's Work" by British singer Kate Bush. You have to love songs that match a scene so perfectly. The passionately sorrow-filled lyrics about facing the hardships of adulthood and crisis, delivered a whole new layer of meaning to Bailey's tragic alcoholism that nearly killed his little brother and his girlfriend. The gradual, building anticipation created by the dramatic flourishes of the piano added an almost suffocating layer of tension to the moment. Yet, the folksy vocals from Bush provide a tender comfort that demands vulnerability at the same time.

"This Woman's Work" wasn't only used in Party of Five. In fact, the rollercoaster of emotions the song creates in the listener has made a perfect backdrop for some of television's most tense and powerful scenes. When a song is able to be used multiple times in multiple situations to deliver a common message, then it's clear that the song is truly amazing.

Rating: 9/10

Download of the Day 3/30: "Come Back To Me" by Utada

It's not very often that Asian singers make an impact in the United States. In fact, its one of those "once in a blue moon" things.

Well, Japanese artist Utada is trying to change that with her new single "Come Back To Me".

Hikaru Utada may be new here in the States, but in her home country, she is quite the pop icon. Her first album in Japan, First Love, is the best-selling album in Japanese history, attaining sales of 10 million worldwide. She has had 12 number-one singles on the Oricon Singles Charts (the Japanese equivalent to Billboard). She's essentially a national treasure.

She's tried at US success before, with her English album Exodus, but it went nowhere (it peaked at #160 on the album charts). Undeterred, she's back with a very important tool in her arsenal that should guarantee her success: Stargate.

The Norwegian pop producers, responsible for some of the biggest hits of the decade, helped the Japanese pop star make the most US radio-friendly single possible, while maintaining some kind of personality. The song has the Stargate trademarks: the repeating piano chords, the light drum machine, even those hand claps. What's different about the song is Utada herself. Clearly, English is her second language, which makes her phrasing truly interesting. Her vocals are really expressive; she can easily switch tones, from firm in the chorus, pleading in the bridge, and even a bit sexy in the spoken interlude. It's a fresh lyrical interpretation, which is definitely needed on today's radiowaves.

As you would expect from the song title, its about someone wanting their lover back. There's been a lot of that around, but some of the lines are quite interesting in their modernity, such as this lyric: "I wish that I could Photoshop on our bad memories because the flashbacks, oh the flashbacks won't leave me alone". It's also a bit unexpected to hear a song that clearly is about cheating and the effect has. Again, Utada plays the role well, while still coming off sympathetic.

While it's easy to lay the song's goodness on the producers, Utada is more than some studio magic with a face. She has her own style than comes through even through the thick cloud of US radio conformity, If she could maintain that individuality, than it shouldn't be hard for her to conquer the States like she did Japan.

Rating: 7.5/10

UK Download of the Day 3/29: "Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go)" by Noisettes

Noisettes made a valiant effort this week in dethroning Lady GaGa from the top of the UK Singles Chart. Alas, they had to settle for #2 as Great Britain held onto their poker faces for another week.

Still, their failure to reach the top spot shouldn't deter the trio or their fans; with an infectious single like "Don't Upset The Rhythm", they should be hearing Fearne & Reggie playing their song last on the Chart Show very soon.

"Don't Upset The Rhythm", the group's second single from their album Wild Young Hearts, is one of the funkiest pop songs that has come around in the past years. It's unabashed in its mixture of different genres; there's a little bit of everything on this track. There's some electro, R&B, pop, rock, even a dash of jazz from the spirited vocals of lead singer Shingai Shoniwa. It all comes together on this wonderfully rhythmic thrasher that is easily one of the most interesting songs of the year so far.

Keep your radios tuned in on both sides of the Atlantic, I hear a smash track laying anchor soon.

Rating: 8/10

Music Video Spotlight: "Not Fair" by Lily Allen

Speaking of her new single "Not Fair", the video was just released last week, and I have to say, its kinda brilliant.

The video is a parody of those old country-western variety shows, completely with stock footage of a host in a cowboy hat and a 60's audience.

Performing on the show is Lily Allen, dress in a white jumpsuit, dancing around the mic stand, with two cowgirl backup singers, a guy with a banjo, and various barnyard animals behind her (the constant shots of the chicken were oddly amusing).

Definitely one of the best videos of the year so far.

Download of the Day 3/26: "Not Fair" by Lily Allen

Lily Allen has never been accused of not speaking her mind.

No matter how awkward or taboo the topic is, chances are the British pop star has some opinion about it.

For her second single from her hit album It's Not Me, It's You, Allen tackles the very controversial, very important issue of sexual gratification.

Yes, "Not Fair" is about having a great boyfriend whose only problem is in the bedroom.

It's a serious issue, you know.

That's not even the best part of the song. In a move that's either inspired or ridiculous, the song is country. Yes, a country song about unsatisfying sex.

Although the genre choice was clearly satirical (when was the last time you heard a Dolly Parton song like this?), "Not Fair" is still very good. The song is fun to bop along to and it still "pop" enough to be catchy and radio-friendly.

Erm, scratch the last part.

I doubt radio stations on either side of the pond would find lyrics that directly and unabashedly referenced oral sex and "wet patches" socially acceptable. Still, the smutty lyrics help add to the charm of this banjo banger. And even if you decide to hop on your high horse and declare this song filthy, a part of you, regardless of how small, is kind of thinking that she is speaking the truth.

Rating: 8/10

Lewis Loves.... Party of Five!

The saying goes, "misery loves company".

Considering how terrible I felt last week, it only made sense that I would turn to one of the most melodramatic television series in history for solace. The series was Party of Five.

Starring pre-Lost Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Scott Wolf, Party of Five was a teen drama that went big on the drama. The show surrounded five siblings who were dealing with the aftermath of their parents' death in a tragic car accident. Charlie, Julia, Bailey, Claudia, and baby Owen were thrown into a massive whirlwind of responsibility, which made for some over-the-top storylines that would make a soap opera writer turn their head.

However, there were moments on the show where the story, the acting, and the overall mood was extremely affecting and powerful. Take, for instance, 18-year old Bailey's (Wolf) alcoholism in season three. In previous seasons, he was the person who held the family together, going as far as bailing 24-year old Charlie out of jail. The responsibility took its toll, causing the college student to search for support at the bottom of a Bud.

The true grit of the storyline came during the high-octane intervention episode. The episode (which can be seen, along with the rest of Season 3 at Hulu.com) was a tour de force in terms of teen acting, with Scott Wolf and Lacey Chabert in particular delivering excellent performances. The writing was higher than top-notch; not one cliche existed in the dialogue and some serious plot points that actually drove the story were revealed. It was an excellent 45 minutes of television.

But the best was yet to come.

The last 10 minutes of the next episode were absolutely brilliant. Bailey, full-throttle in his drinking, nearly killed his girlfriend Sarah (Hewitt) after she hopped in the car to stop him from driving while intoxicated. The final moment, with Sarah in the hospital, Bailey standing in the dark, and Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work" playing in the background, was one of the single best scenes I have seen on television.

So, Party of Five can be added to the list of television programs that are actually better than their genre would imply. I mean, it did win a Golden Globe in its first season.

Here is the scene with Bailey and Sarah in the hospital:






For the "Intervention" episode, watch below:

R.I.P.: Natasha Richardson Passes Away at 45

Tragedy has struck the legendary Redgrave acting dynasty.

Actress Natasha Richardson, daughter of acting legend Vanessa Redgrave and wife of Liam Neeson, was taken off life support and died this evening. The family spokesperson released the following statement:

“Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

Ms. Richardson suffered a severe head injury while vacation on the ski slopes in Canada. Although she appeared to be fine, she suffered from a hematoma that ultimately took her life. An hour after the injury, she was taken to a hospital before being flown to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. The New York papers reported that she was brain-dead on arrival.

Natasha Richardson was a highly respected actress, working on both stage and screen. She starred in films like Maid in Manhattan and The Parent Trap, but her true notoriety existed in theater. She won a Tony Award for her role in Cabaret in 1998, and appeared in many different Broadway productions.

Ms. Richardson belongs to one of Hollywood's most beloved families: the Redgraves. Her mother is the legendary Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, who was on-site at Lenox Hill to tend her daughter and grandsons. Her father was Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson, who passed away in 1991 of AIDS complications. Her aunt is Oscar-nominated Lynn Redgrave, and her sister is Nip/Tuck actress Joely Richardson.

My thoughts and condolences are with the Redgrave and Neeson family during this extremely difficult and tragic time.

"Idol" Worship: The Best of American Idol (3/17)

Here are who I thought were the best on last night's country episode of American Idol:

Kris Allen (Make You Feel My Love)
Like many contestants last night, Kris Allen decided to forgo his gimmick (the guitar, that I personally thought tarnished the classic "Remember The Time" last week) and sing straight though. There couldn't have been a better song choice that the pop classic covered by everyone from Billy Joel to Adele. Allowing himself to be vulnerable during that performance revealed a completely different side to Kris, a side that actually has an awesome voice. With that performance, he completely skyrocketed from bottom of the pack to serious contender.

Anoop Desai (Always On My Mind)
Speaking of comebacks, Anoop Dogg is BACK! After an honestly dismal showing during Michael Jackson week, the fan favorite proved Simon wrong by delivering a stunning vocal that no one expected. It was surprisingly powerful and unveiled a set of pipes that I never knew existed, especially considering previous weeks. Congrats to him for delivering a serious game-changer.

Danny Gokey (Jesus Take The Wheel)
The choice was annoyingly obvious (Danny is a choir director, after all). The verses were a bit low in pitch and not quite strong (the Leona Lewis syndrome). However, once he hit the chorus, he quickly became Danny again, powering through notes like it was absolutely nothing. Clearly still a front-runner, he just needs to choose songs that compliments his considerable vocal strength.

Follow Me On Twitter!

As you may have noticed, the amount of posts I have written has significantly decreased in the last few months. Honestly, I haven't been able to find much time to do so.

I have found a solution, though.

I have revived my Twitter account, where I will be doing mini-blog posts, in real-time, about major events.

I will still be blogging regularly, including my Download of the Day and my recent "Jackomania" posts. But, my instant thoughts on the small events will be on Twitter.

You can find updates on the top of the blog, under "Twitter Updates". Or, you can visit my Twitter at www.twitter.com/blewis1103

If you have your own Twitter and want to respond, please do so and I will reply back as soon as possible.

Thanks to all of those who have continued following me in the last year.

Girls Aloud are "Untouchable" on ITV's Dancing on Ice

Fresh off their trek up Mt. Kiliminjaro for this year's Comic Relief campaign, Cheryl Cole and Kimberley Walsh join their fellow Girls Aloud members to perform the group's new single "Untouchable" during the semi-finals of popular British program Dancing on Ice.

The five girls descended from the sky before launching into the song, which was danced to by Olympic gold medalists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

After disappointing performances of their last single "The Loving Kind", this one definitely puts the girls back on top (Nicola and Nadine particularly sounded spectacular).

Check it out below:

Jackomania Watch Part 3: All Fifty Shows Sell Out In Five Hours!

Hundreds of MJ fans line up outside of the O2 Arena Friday morning to score those coveted tickets. Over one million have been sold out.

This morning, hundreds of Michael Jackson fans queued up in front of the O2 Arena to snatch up tickets for the concerts of the decade.

By noon in London town, all of the tickets, an estimated 860,000, were totally sold out. It took only five hours, making Jacko's concerts the fastest selling in history. When added to those sold during the pre-sale, Michael has sold over one million tickets in less than a day.

Who says MJ isn't the King of Pop?

AEG boss Randy Phillips admitted that he "underestimated" the demand for the concerts, going as far as saying the 50-date residency will make the company "recession-proof for two years".

As for the potential length of this mega-tour, he told BBC 1 Newsbeat: "We never thought '50 shows' and frankly based on the queues on Ticketmaster, plus the 300,000 registrants we still haven't issued codes to, we could spend two years here. Mike asked me how long he would be in the United Kingdom for and I told him, probably long enough to get a British passport."

The director of Ticketmaster UK said: "We often talk about unprecedented demand, but this week we have witnessed a live entertainment phenomenon...This was undoubtedly the busiest demand for tickets for an event which we have ever experienced."

Phillips also revealed that Jackson, who has reportedly suffered from insecurity that led to many undeveloped performance plans, is "thrilled" by the response. He even alluded to the possibility of a world tour after the residency.

Download of the Day 3/12: "You're Not Sorry (CSI Remix)" by Taylor Swift

Honestly, I had fallen off of the Taylor Swift train lately.

The country teen caught my attention with her spectacular debut single "Teardrops on My Guitar". She strengthened her profile in my mind with her Olympic single "Change".

Then, thanks in part to her relationships with the inescapable Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, she quickly became overexposed and fell out of good graces with me (her lackluster vocal showings didn't help matters either). After a few weeks, I ended up shunning both her megahit "Love Story" and her 11 week chart-topping opus Fearless.

My Swift freeze (no pun intended) had me ignoring a very clear fact: Taylor Swift has undisputable talent. I use italics here because, unlike her Disney friends, her musical ability is not up to interpretation. There's a reason why her album topped the charts for weeks until U2 knocked her off.

Well, I was finally unthawed when I heard the remix to Swift's song "You're Not Sorry". The song was given a complete makeover to coincide with her appearance on hit TV show CSI. To match her character's fatal storyline, the song was stripped off its Nashville style and rebuilt as a dark ballad.

Listen to how much a TV appearance makes.

The remix, swathed in swishing synths and ghostly drumlines, is the most interesting thing she has released since her debut. She transformed a country bop ballad into a harrowing pop lament, swathed in swishing synths and a ghostly drumline. The lyrics, about leaving a stagnant relationship, are far more effective, and even a bit disturbing, with the new sound. When Taylor (whose voice also benefits from the remix) sings the line "you're not sorry", it sounds so dark and twisted, that Joe Jonas fans would probably fear for his life after hearing it.

Taylor Swift is a huge force in music right now, and if she continues to exhibit the crossover appeal that has aided the careers of Shania and Carrie before her, she will have nothing to feel "sorry" about.

Rating: 7/10

Jackomania Watch Part 2: "This Is It" Concerts Extended to FIFTY DATES!

Seriously MJ haters, the humble pie is in the oven for you.

The King of Pop has blown all expectations out of the water for his final London concerts. Originally a 10-date concert tour, excessive demand that downed two websites has forced concert promoters to extend it to a record-breaking 50 dates, the last taking place in February of 2010.

AEG Live has revealed that 360,000 tickets allotted for the pre-sale have already been sold, within 18 hours. This means that, before tomorrow's general sale, Jackson's concerts havethe fastest ticket sales in history. Jackson has broken other records, such as the highest attendance record for one city and the highest attendance for a group of arena shows.

There is a three month break between the first and second legs of the concert tour, which makes one wonder what Jackson will be doing during this time; it is unsure, although not unlikely, that Michael will use this time to perform elsewhere, such as the United States.

The pre-sale wasn't without its problems; UK Ticketmaster suffered a website crash when 2 million fans rushed to purchase tickets yesterday. Some fans who received pre-sale codes where turned down because of the overload, either leaving them without tickets or with bad seats or dates. Among the pre-sale buyers were scalpers, who purchased tickets and almost immediately jacked up prices into the $1000 range, when their face value is 1/10th of that. It hasn't stopped people from resorting to eBay and Seatwave to get their Jackson tickets.

AEG promoters have alluded to the possibility of a world tour if these concerts are successful, so here's to hoping that Michael does amazingly and he comes to NEW YORK (or Hartford, Connecticut)!

Album Review: Kelly Returns To Pop Prominence With "All I Ever Wanted"

In her latest chart-topping hit, Kelly Clarkson sings, "Cuz we belong together now, forever united here somehow, you've got a piece of me, and honestly, my life would suck without you".

While she claims the song is about a boyfriend, the lyrics seemed to be aimed at her pop-loving fans, who she scorned in 2007 with her gloomy, hitless album My December. They responded accordingly, staying home while Miley Cyrus flooded the stores opening week. One week later, her album came entered the charts at #2, behind the Hannah Montana soundtrack.

Clarkson clearly realized her error. The first American Idol winner teamed up some of pop music's best producers to deliver a huge mea culpa to the public. The result is All I Ever Wanted, a welcome return to the powerpop that transformed Kelly from reality TV star into formidable pop princess.

Kelly's return to pop was primarily aided by Max Martin and Dr. Luke, the producers that helped make her sophomore effort Breakaway a juggernaut at Top 40 radio. Also on the bill are Ryan Tedder, the mastermind behind 2007's most inescapable song "Apologize", and Howard Benson, producer of fellow Idol alum Chris Daughtry's debut.


The A-list production definitely paid off; All I Ever Wanted is filled with great pop songs that will put Clarkson back on radio's coveted playlists. Lead single "My Life Would Suck Without You" is a fun and feisty track, even if may sound a bit like her smash hit "Since U Been Gone". The familiarity is balanced by a new, positive take on relationships; instead of wanting him to burn, she admits that "they belong together". Continuing in that vein is "If I Can't Have You", a hard buzzing track about refusing to give up on her relationship. It's not completely lovey-dovey though; "Don't Let Me Stop You" is a powerful kiss-off to an uninterested boyfriend.

Even with her edge, Kelly is definitely more nuturing on this album. Second single "I Do Not Hook Up", which was co-penned by new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, shows that she is willing to support her broken-hearted friend, but she isn't going to accept a one night stand. She plays the hero again for the spectacular Tedder-produced power ballad "Save You". The final track, "If No One Will Listen" beautifully details the importance of helping someone trapped in turmoil. The song is her most moving since "Because of You" and showcases the powerful pipes that captivated the nation seven years ago.

That winning voice is never put to waste. Whether she's sorrowful and anguished on ballads like "Already Gone" and "Cry", or playful and flirty on uptempo bubblegum like "I Want You" and "Long Shot", she goes full throttle on the vocals, sounding energized and genuinely happy.

As great as the album is, its not without its filler. "Whyyawannabringmedown" is a screeching rock mess, even if has the best lyric on the album ("I'm not your love monkey"). Title track "All I Ever Wanted" and "Impossible" aren't very remarkable mid-tempos, even if the latter boast some interesting, synth-boosted sounds. "Ready" is simply forgettable. However, even they are still pretty good when compared to some of her radio competitors.

It is clear that she has learned from the mistake of My December. Instead of rebelling against her label, she worked with their needs, cultivating her best record in years.

Welcome back Kelly.

RATING: 8/10

Jackomania Sweeps World Again: SIXTEEN More Dates Added, New Single and Album, and American Idol Tribute

Anyone who doubted the commercial power of Michael Jackson may want to think again.

Since last week's announcement of the King of Pop's London comeback concerts, over 1 million people have registered for the pre-sale alone. On the day of the pre-sale, over 1.5 million fans across the globe crashed the websites of the O2 Arena and Ticketmaster UK in a desperate attempt to snap up tickets, according to Britain's Daily Mail.

The demand for tickets led AEG, the organizers for the concerts, to extend the concert series to a total of 26 dates, with more being added by the hour. The concerts currently run through July and August, ending in early September.

Sales of Jackson's records have also seen major spikes since last week's sensational announcement. UK music website Play.com saw sale increases of over 150% for Thriller, Dangerous, Bad, and Off The Wall, which saw the largest increase of 200%.

Across the pond here in the States, Jackomania is slowly, but assuredly taking over pop culture, The biggest sign of that was last night's American Idol episode, which was dedicated to him. The Top 13 contestants performed songs from his catalog, ranging from his first ever single "Rockin' Robin" to his Grammy-winning smash "Beat It". The Idol impact has driven 10 of Michael's songs into iTunes Top 100 Pop Songs already. The Essential Michael Jackson, a compilation released in 2005, sits at #22 on iTunes Top 100 Albums.

Speaking of MJ music, AEG head Randy Phillips announced that Michael will release a new single before the July 8th concert date. "Michael has got some new music and he is looking for a new way of disseminating his material to his fans," he told The Sun.

Michael officially parted with original record label Sony BMG in 2001, after he accused the company of lackluster promotion of his album Invincible and former label head Tommy Mottola of racism.

A week into the long-rumored and oft-doubted comeback, it appears that the Gloved One truly is the King of Pop.

American Idol Shocker! Top 12 Becomes Top 13!

OK, to be honest, I was kind of expecting it, but it was still a shocker nonetheless!

On tonight's Wild Card show, eight rejected contestants were given a second chance at the "illustrious" Top 12. They were expecting only three spots to be open, so there was a lot of tension going in.

After everyone sang, the judges made their deliberations and chose Jazmine Murray and Megan Joy Corkey. Well into Hell's Kitchen, Matt Giraud and Anoop Desai were the two left standing. The judges said Matt's name, leaving everyone shocked since Anoop was clearly the crowd favorite. Just as the shock was about to set in, Simon amended the decision, declaring the change to a Top 13. That meant that Anoop was in!

So, talk about a shakeup (I blame EW.com for ruining the surprise for me)!

Here is the official Top 13:

Kris Allen
Megan Corkrey
Anoop Desai
Matt Giraud
Danny Gokey
Alexis Grace
Allison Iraheta
Adam Lambert
Scott MacIntyre
Jasmine Murray
Jorge Nuñez
Lil Rounds
Michael Sarver

Starting next week, I will be officially covering American Idol Season 8, offering my opinion on the song choices, performances, guests, and of course the results.

Soapy Suds: Angie Comforts Ryan on All My Children

There is a common belief that masterful actors have the ability to help their fellow castmates reach a higher level when they share scenes.

Well then, I guess Debbie Morgan is a masterful actor.

Morgan, an actor with a career that spans over 25 years in mediums including film and television, returned to All My Children last year, playing Angie Hubbard. Since then, she has helped maintain a somewhat stable ground for the fledgling soap. No matter what kind of crap she is given, she turns it into screen gold, hence her Daytime Emmy pre-nomination.

Her true gift lies in her ability to elevate her costars to her level. Such is the case in last week's episode, where Angie treats Ryan Lavery's injuries after a rough night at the casino. What could have been a fly-by-night scene became a significant piece in understanding the loss that Ryan (played by Cameron Mathison) is suffering after Greenlee's death. While treating his injury, Ryan FINALLY opens up about Greenlee, and instead of spewing unsympathetic garbage about revenge, he expresses feelings of hopelessness, pain, and vulnerability. By the end of the exchange, he breaks down in Angie's caring arms.

What makes this scene particularly special is that for the first time in nearly eight years, Cameron Mathison isn't performing full throttle. His performance here, opposite Emmy-winning Morgan, is quiet and restrained, exposing Ryan's grief far more poignantly than the tirades against Zach that he has been forced to play in the last week or two. He resists the urge to over-express himself, making the scene powerful.

What's spectacular about Debbie Morgan is that, despite her powerhouse acting chops, she lets Mathison take the reigns of the scene, acting with him instead of against him. Their chemistry here is ace, giving Mathison his first viable, non-romantic acting partner since Julia Barr as Brooke English. I'm referring to the scenes with Brooke and Ryan in the hospital after his true love Gillian dies. Just like those, this scene is a truly special moment where everything, as understated as it may be, are terrifically in sync.

The King of Pop Is Back! Michael Jackson Announces "Curtain Call" Concerts in London!

It's 100 percent official, straight from the Gloved One himself!

Pop icon Michael Jackson announced today in London that he will be doing a series of concerts at the O2 Arena this summer.

In front of global press and approximately 2000 fans, Jackson declared that these concerts in July will be his "final curtain call", insinuating that he may never perform again. The vague statement officially makes the summer concert series the hottest ticket of the year.

"This is it, and when I say this is it, I really mean this is it," said the pop star, who appeared 90 minutes late to the press conference.

It is unclear whether Michael will perform here in the States, although I am sure it would be extremely desired.

The concert will be his first full-length one in 12 years; he toured last in 1996 and 1997 to support the HIStory album.

The concert series starts on Wednesday, July 8th. Tickets will begin selling on March 13th, with prices ranging from $70-$105 You can register for the pre-sale at www.michaeljacksonlive.com.

Here is the press conference (courtesy of BBC News):

Brandon's Best Of.... Girls Aloud!

I LOVE turning people onto music!

My new awesome friend Sabrina recently revealed to me via text that she has never heard of British girl group Girls Aloud. I, being one of the biggest GA fans here in States, felt it was my duty as a fan and blogger to open her eyes to their brilliant music.

So, she inspired my latest post series, "Brandon's Best Of..." where I choose the choice songs from a specific artist. This time is clearly Girls Aloud:

1. Call The Shots (Tangled Up, 2007) - If there was ever a song to start off a list like this with, it has to be this one. "Call The Shots" is arguably one of the best pop songs released on either side of the pond in the last five years. It's glitzy, slow-burning electro groove is perfection, and the chorus is damn near impossible to resist. Throw in five beautiful girls with five great, distinctive voices, and you've got a smash that has been played more times on my iPod than I can possibly count.



2. Something Kinda Oooh (Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits, 2006) - Who doesn't love a bit of mindless fun? That's what the girls had in mind with this instant 2006 hit. The lyrics make little to no sense, but it's pretty hard to not sing along with the electrified chorus. If you're not singing, you're probably dancing to its fast paced, buzzing, synth-drenched bassline. The rocker edge the song has makes it even cooler, and an easy dancefloor-filler.



3. The Promise (Out of Control, 2008) - In a daring move, GA dropped their trademark club thumpers for a little 60s throwback, a trend repeatedly by virtually every British artist last year. Still, the girls made the style their own, with an extremely high production value that drew comparisons to the Spectorian era of music. Then, of course, there is their bread and butter; the catchy chorus. Once you hear it, you'll need a hammer to knock the "promise I made, promise I made" lyric from your head.



4. Biology (Chemistry, 2005) - It's multi-song structure turned Girls Aloud into more than a reality TV group. How about pop innovators? The combination of different styles, genres, and even decades on one track was beyond the possibilities of a manufactured pop group. It's fun but fuddling lyrics just added to the aura of Girls Aloud. If you don't believe Girls Aloud are true artists, check this song out and come back to me.



5. The Loving Kind (Out of Control, 2008) - I'm not going to lie; I lost my mind when I first heard this song. A clear follow-up to "Call The Shots", "The Loving Kind" was a one-of-a-kind collaboration between mega-producers Xenomania and the Pet Shop Boys. The result was a beautiful combination of melancholic lyrics and optimistic disco production. Unfortunately, the public didn't get the brilliance of this song, causing it to stall at #10 on the charts.



6. Sound of the Underground (Sound of the Underground, 2002) - To the surprise of many new GA listeners, their first single was a dazzling pop gem. Instead, it was a dirty, gritty, angsty, pop/rock track about music that bothered the neighbors. Looking back seven years from its release, it may not be one of their best, but it does set a tone for the rest of their pop-busting career, and a must for GA newbies.



7. Whole Lotta History (Chemistry, 2006) - The girls rarely delved into ballads, and when they did, it came off a bit saccharine (see "See The Day"). This single, however, hit the right notes overall. It's sad and hopeful at the same time, thanks to some curious lyrics and extremely rich production.



8. Sexy! No No No... (Tangled Up, 2007) - If "The Loving Kind" is the sister of "Call The Shots", than this single is the ADD child of "Something Kinda Oooh". It's a rampant romp with electropop/rock beats and buzzes, and no chorus. That's right. These girls have the audacity to make a brilliant pop thrasher, with no chorus. No need to worry, though; the "no no no" hook is so catchy you barely notice.



9. Wake Me Up (What Will The Neighbours Say, 2005) - An interesting tidbit of information; Franz Ferdinand were actually inspired by this song. The electropop is shoved into the background as the guitar riffs takes the forefront on this dirty and dangerous single. The girls bathe in the feminist rebellion of this song, as they move into a new (and better direction) after this song.

American Idol Season 8: The Final Group of 12 (Who Rocked, Who Didn't, And Who Did I Have To Wikipedia To Write This Post)

As you may have noticed, I haven't written an American Idol Season Eight post at all, which is odd since I covered the series extensively last year.

The truth is, the last two weeks of semi-finalists were so uninspiring (generally speaking; there were a few exceptions, with "few" being the operative word), I didn't care to try. This week, however, revived my interest in the aging reality show.

There were many more moments of interest and excitement than there has been at all this year. I can safely say that almost everyone chose a song that worked for them, making for a very good show. It's a shame that many of these kids will fall to the axe on tonight's show. Here's my rundown of the best, the worst, and the forgettable:

Lil Rounds (Be Without You) - It was clear from her audition that the mother of three would be a favorite on the program. So, it was no surprise that the budding diva rocked the end of the show with a sassy rendition of May J. Blige's smash hit "Be Without You". Easily the best female vocalist of the seson, she performed with an energy that we haven't seen on this show since....well, definitely not this season

Ju'Not Joyner (Hey There Delilah) - I honestly thought this would be a disaster for Ju'Not, who fought against a painful elimination last year to stand on this stage. Yet, he turned the angsty, pop/rock hit into a mellow soul ballad, which is clearly his niche. His phrasing was excellent, and you could tell he was into the song. Although I'm fearful that he might be pushed aside come tonight, I doubt this is the last we will see of the smooth crooner.

Jose Nunez (Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me) - Another choice that I thought was pretty bad, at first. I forgot that Nunez, who was rudely told by the judges to erase his accent, had a powerhouse voice, and that he could carry the Elton John classic. Of course it wasn't perfect, but it definitely set him amongst the leading male singers of this year.

Scott MacIntyre (Mandalin Rain) - I'm not going to sugarcoat it, there were times when he let his voice go completely out of control. Still, he showed more passion that the entire first week combined (sorry Danny Gokey). It was great to watch, and I hope makes it to the next round.

Kristin MacNamara (Give Me One Reason) - I remembered her as the crying, dramatic girl from the Hollywood round, who was diagnosed with an identity crisis by Dr. Kara DioGuardi before being admitted to the top 36. Now, I will remember her as the girl with the shockingly great voice. Once again, DioGuardi's comments confused me: why should this brilliant singer limit herself to Kelly Clarkson material (a.k.a, the stuff she writes)? If she can sing Tracy Chapman with that amount of fire, let her.

Von Smith (You're All I Need To Get By) - This guy helped set the tone for tonight, in my opinion. Although he admittedly has style issues (not as bad early Clay Aiken, like Simon alluded to last night), he sounded great, and I thought he brought a fresh spin to the Motown classic. The vocals kind of reminded me of last week's Adam Lambert, except less shrieky and severe

Alex Wagner-Truman (I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues) -  If I had my eyes shut listening to this guy sing, I would've thought he was a lion devouring a gazelle. Opening the eyes, you see it's only the lanky, nerdy guy who showed off a great voice previously, trying to be something he's clearly not. When he was growling like a mad man, there were some good moments. Still, it was definitely entertaining to watch.

Kendall Beard (This One's For The Girls) - Good news for her; she's no Kristy Lee Cook. Bad news for her; her rendition of Martina McBride's song came off as sickeningly sweet with no kind of edge or interest. She looked the best of the night, though, and considering country music's growing presence (thanks Taylor Swift), it shouldn't be hard for the teen to get some attention. Hell, if Jessica Simpson could do it, so can she.

Felicia Barton (No One) - Felicia Barton is one lucky lady. Thanks to Joanna Pacitti's swift boot, she was given a second chance at glory. Too bad she didn't utilize it too much. Her performance was so forgettable, I accidentally mistook her for Taylor Vaifanua...

Taylor Vaifanua (If I Ain't Got You) - That's what you get for singing a song by the same artist as another forgettable contestant. Her performance was a complete snoozefest, so much so that there isn't much to write.

Arianna Asfar (The Winner Takes It All) - Poor Arianna. Actually, scratch that. The teen had to have known what was coming by choosing the 30-year old ABBA track (by the way, she pronounced the group's name wrong). There wasn't a vocal run in the world to save that rendition, or her Idol career.

Brandon's Picks for the Top 12: Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds, Ju'Not Joyner

I "Just Can't Get Enough" of The Saturdays!

These five girls are quickly becoming one of my favorite acts from across the pond (sorry Sugababes).

Mollie, Rochelle, Vanessa, Uda, and Frankie have become UK chart staples, thanks to their bouncy fun pop, continued with their latest single "Just Can't Get Enough", released in support of Comic Relief.

The song is great, but it is even better performed live, as you can see below:



My favorite Saturdays are Mollie (cuter than hell), Frankie (very spunky) and Vanessa (the girl can SING!). Which one is yours?

If you haven't picked up the single yet in the UK , it is available for download and on CD.

The Michael Jackson Comeback Is Coming (Seriously, It Really Is)!

Prepare for the news you've heard a million times, but never believed was true!

Michael Jackson is expected to announce a series of summer performances in the United Kingdom this Thursday.

The BBC (that's right, not a tabloid, but the BBC) reported today that the King of Pop will appear at the O2 Arena in London to announce a series of comeback concerts. British tabloids have been reporting of a Jackson residency for two years, but nothing has come of them. It is believed that the concerts are meant to generate nuch-needed cash for the struggling pop star, who recently had to auction itmes from Neverland Ranch to pay his debts.

Michael Jackson had his last real performance in 2001, at his Madison Square Garden tribute concert (which I attended, by the way, and it was truly spectacular). His last tour, HIStory, finished in 1997.

There is no news whether Michael will tour the United States.

Will his US fans flock to London to see what may be a series of historic events?

Jonas 3D Concert Movie Flops at Box Office: Is The Jonas Craze Dying?

Barbara Walters made an interesting point in her interview with the Jonas Brothers on her Oscar special: no one is a teen idol forever.

Many have calculated the expiration date of the three musical brothers: some said 2009 was their swan song, others proclaimed their future as limitless.

It seems like the former may have been right.

Jonas Brothers:The 3D Concert Experience, expected to top Miley Cyrus' 3D movie released last year, proved to be a colossal flop at last weekend's box office. The concert film brought in an abysmal $12 million in ticket sales, coming in second to Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail. Miley's Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour brought $31 million in its first week, with half the amount of theaters as her labelmates. Right behind the Jonases is the 8-time Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire, which was $500,000 short of usurping the #2 slot.

Disney was expecting a gross of $30-40 million, which makes the weekend results all the more shocking and disappointing, and begs the question, what happened?

Was it the $15+ ticket price, which is quite outrageous in these economic time (plus, why do people need to see a concert on film in 3D anyway)?

Were more interested in Madea's latest exploits?

Is the public shifting more towards Team Taylor Swift (her album Fearless sits atop the Billboard album charts for an astonishing tenth week, while "Love Story" enters the UK charts at #2)?

Or, has the inevitable ebbing of the Jonas tidal wave finally begun to take effect?

B-side of the Day (3/02): "Golden Rules" by The Saturdays

So, continuing the Girls Aloud comparison from their last Download of the Day post, The Saturdays have released their own version of "Memory of You", except its a bit more accessible than "The Loving Kind" b-side.

Available on the CD release of their Comic Relief single "Just Can't Get Enough", "Golden Rules" is a glitzy, bopping warning against the cheaters and liars, referencing the advice and wisdom that mothers bestow on their children. It's the new millennium's "You Can't Hurry Love"; except the Motown sound is replaced with the electropop disco that GaGa reigns over. The buzzing of the synths and relentless bassline should make this song an instant dancefloor filler.

If you weren't compelled to buy "Just Can't Get Enough" (what other reasons did you need: charity and a fun remake of an 80s classic), this one should definitely get you out to your local Tesco or Zavvi's (the song is only available in the United Kingdom).