American Idle?
Is The Fame That "American Idol" Once Aimed To Give Its Winners Now Fleeting?
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Eye To Eye: 'Idol' Fame?
"Only On The Web": Only a handful of "American Idol" finalists have achieved fame at a level worthy of their title. Music critic Caryn Ganz explains why.
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Former Idol's Day Dream
"ShowBuzz RAW": Former "American Idol" runner-up Blake Lewis talks about the release of his debut album "A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream) and offers advice to this year's "Idol" finalists.
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'Idol' Dad Dropped
The father of "American Idol" contestant David Archuleta has been barred from rehearsals for being too overbearing. Maggie Rodriguez speaks with David's vocal coach Dean Kaelin.
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David Cook, right, beat David Archuleta, left, for the title of "American Idol" this season. What will the future hold for them? (Fox/Michael Becker)
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David Cook, left, and David Archuleta, right touch gloves as they prepare for the finals of "American Idol." (Fox/Michael Becker)
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"This show is about finding a star," he says.
American Idol has hit some sour notes, something that Wednesday night's two finalists understand.
"I think a lot of people see this show as a golden ticket and I don't think that's the case," David Cook said.
And David Archuletta: "You know, now you have to show how you can handle what's given to you."
Past winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood made it big - selling nearly 10 million albums apiece, and taking home Grammys. But other "Idol" winners' music careers have become, well, idle, CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy reports.
Fantasia Barino's album sales have plummeted. Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks were just dropped by their record labels. So was runner-up Katherine McPhee.Photos: Scenes From The "American Idol" Finale
Last year's winner Jordin Sparks has yet to set the charts on fire.Photos: "American Idol" Season 7
"Once they're no longer on TV every week you kinda forget about them and then they're back on the same playing field with everyone else whose trying to become a pop star," Caryn Ganz, who covers "American Idol" for Rolling Stone magazine.
Critics say the fact that someone like Hicks won the show but flopped at the record store is evidence that it's more a personality contest than one based on real talent.
Chris Daughtry lost to Hicks, but his debut album has gone multi-platinum. He's aware some think Idol contestants get a free ride to stardom.
"A lot of it comes across as great karaoke singers, it doesn't, you know, you don't know their background, you don't know how long they've been actually doing it," Hicks said.
"Idol" producers wouldn't comment on the show's track record, but last year one judge put it this way:
"Listen, it's just a reality show, people have to get over themselves," Randy Jackson said.
Even if the reality is that a lot of the Idol fame … is fleeting.
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Photos: Scenes From The "American Idol" Finale



How many people can name more than 1-3 past winners?
How many of the winners would you pay good money to see in concert?
His CD was not promoted properly but that didn''t slow down his tours. Mostly sold out and high energy , he is very fun to watch. He has a great voice, wonderful band and the harmonica is amazing. He will be a blast to see on Broadway. New CD and tour in the fall. And I have to laugh every time I think about how well his independent pre AI CDs sold. Money he didn''t have to ahare with AI. He was smart.
Kelly Clarkson
Ruben Studdard
Fantasia Barino
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Hicks
Jordin Sparks
Second, Taylor Hicks is a dynamic, charismatic entertainer, who has had 2 successful tours. His CD received some good critical reviews.
Jordin is just coming into her own--she is successful. Fantasia had a wonderful run on Broadway, and she is an exciting singer. Ruben has a mellow voice, which his fans love. Please stop trying to trash the dreams of these very fine singers----they all have fans who enjoy their music.
And finally, people at CBS--you should KNOW that success is not always defined in terms of sales and dollars spent. Otherwise Katie Couric would be #1.
Producing fabulous, unique, soulful music that is sorely missing on the radio stations is not considered success. That would be those same radio stations who are paid by the likes of the AI machine to play the pop *** they produce. I always thought it supposed to be about the music and about America''s choice. Obviously not. I''ll try to remember that.
Regardless...I am done with your show and I am SO DONE with AI. What comes around goes around....
Look out for the Karma coming your way when you show disrespect for someone with the class and grace of Taylor Hicks (and his fans).
Legendary music talent. Names that will live forever:
Kelly Clarkson
Ruben Studdard
Fantasia Barino
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Hicks
Jordin Sparks
Get real. Do you know anything about music? How many of these write their own songs? Fantasia? Gimme a break. You must be easily pleased if you think these folks are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Gimme a break, people.
How many of these "singers" would get a major recording contract/deal if it wasn''t for AI?
They''d be singing in a lounge at the Fargo Holiday Inn. They had their 15 minutes & now it''s over.
Record companies aren''t running a charity. If you don''t shift the units, you''re history. They don''t give a d a m n about your precious dream. Save your tears.
Hmmm... Did they have AI back in the days of Elvis, Beatles, Who, Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, etc? I guess they didn''t need it. They had...TALENT.
Your posts are at least consistently...racist. Do racists ever get to take a holiday?
I thought for a second you posted "allow God to guide u to your next life" which seemed interesting, but alas, all that you had to say was a thoughtless cliche. The "destiny" for the vast majority of the human race, actually probably all the human race, consists of more or less eating, followed by defecating, followed by a little wondering about why we are here, followed by death. For a second, I mistook the post above for something interesting that would have given insight about the "wonder why we are here" part of my life (having just eaten and soon to defecate) but no, another cliche from another minor intellect. Perhaps jellyfish have more to say than your average human.
With all due respect, the CBS News message board is not the location to search for thoughtful introspect. Even less would be to do so on the subject of American Idol.
Such a misguided quest is not worthy of the reward.
Posted by thisandthat1 at 12:40 AM : May 22, 2008
My teenybopper years were a long time ago, but I find it enjoyable to watch these talented (mostly) young people who are far less jaded and cynical than you apparently are. It''s a frame of mind to be treasured and enjoyed.
"A lot of it comes across as great karaoke singers, it doesn''t, you know, you don''t know their background, you don''t know how long they''ve been actually doing it," Hicks said. I watched the CBS News last night. It was''d'' that said the above, not Taylor Hicks. Futhermore, I would like to know where you found the cd''s of Taylor Hicks that you showed on your news show? I have looked high and low and can not find any of Taylor''s cds. In addition I wanted to know, did The Powers That Be from AI send those to you, or did you really find a music store that had those cds?
Are you one of those folks that likes to throw around the "R" word every chance you get? Prove that I''m racist.
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by jboxton
May 23, 2008 1:42 PM PDT
- Keithle1- I can prove you are a racist. I saw you walk past 2 homeless people last night. You kicked the black guy and gave the white one a dollar.
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