Some say it was Little David’s race to lose, and lose he did. Guess the cherub persona doesn’t have the same clout it once did. Damn, this country is getting nasty. Some people have a few theories as to what went wrong for the wee one. Here are five.
1. He Was the New England PatriotsMore than 97.5 million people tuned in to watch Super Bowl XLII, which featured the undefeated, incredibly hyped (and heavily favored) Patriots take on the New York Giants. And of that audience, do you think more people wanted to see the Pats win and secure their rightful place in history, or lose epically, in a big, bursting ball of flames? Basically, ever since February, when he took a seat behind the big black piano and belted out a version of John Lennon’s “Imagine” Archuleta was the “Idol” version of the Patriots: constantly hyped, shoved down everyone’s throats and crowned long before the season was over. Also like the Patriots, none of this was really Arch’s fault. Still, the damage was done. America hates a front-runner, which is why there was much rejoicing when the Giants upset the Patriots, and why, in the end, 12 million more people decided to cast their vote for David Cook.
Check the rest, and some Archuleta roots footage, after the jump.
2. He Was IncongruousDavid Archuleta mid-note? Graceful, skilled, soulful and powerful. David Archuleta mid-conversation? Gawking, stammering, awkward and goofy. In the history of “Idol,” there has perhaps been no other contestant who displayed such a disparity between the personal and the professional, and in the end, that cost him. We all loved Archuleta the performer, but after his 47th “aw, shucks” interview (highlighting his bizarre breathing pattern), we were ready to show Archuleta the person the door. This is basically the same thing that did in Melinda Doolittle last season.
3. He Was Al GoreOr, more specifically, his supporters were Florida Democrats. During the 2000 election, all five major networks called the state of Florida for Democratic candidate Al Gore at 7 p.m. EST, despite the fact that the panhandle of the state actually falls in the Central time zone, meaning that polls there would remain open for another hour. Theoretically, the fact that Gore was the presumed winner could’ve discouraged Democrats in the panhandle from heading out to the polls, since their candidate had already carried the state. Gore ended up losing Florida by a total of 537 votes. Could Tuesday night’s “Idol” telecast — in which all three judges basically crowned Archuleta as the “Idol” champ before polls had even opened — have had the same effect? Were Archuleta fans discouraged from voting because they assumed he already had the competition in the bag?
4. He Has a Creepy Stage DadThere’s no nice way to say this: Arch’s dad gave pretty much everyone the heebie-jeebies (the goatee, the hat, the resemblance to Kevin Pollak in “The Usual Suspects”) and his constant presence — not to mention the rumors that his brazen careerism made Joan Crawford and Dina Lohan look like concerned, caring parents — ruined the whole “diamond in the rough” thing for his son. Instead, many came to see Archuleta as a robotic singing machine that had been trained (forced?) to perform since the age of 12 (you know, when he was on “Star Search”) by his taskmaster father. And when “Idol” producers banned his father from the backstage area, well, let’s just say that didn’t help matters any.
5. He Was One-DimensionalIn the end, the biggest knock against Archuleta was that he never showed he had range outside the majestic world of balladry. His choices of songs never strayed much from tried-and-true schmaltz (Robbie Williams’ “Angels,” the Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road,” Neil Diamond’s “America”), and when he did try to stretch things a bit, the results were disastrous, like his take on Chris Brown’s “With You.” While all this may have made him a mortal lock for the cats-and-cardigans set, it didn’t endear him much to anyone between the ages of 12 and 40. There’s a reason the show isn’t called “Adult Contemporary Idol.” - James Montgomery
26 Mayıs 2008 Pazartesi
Usher To Confess…To Your Questions
We all know Usher tells it like it is; on 2004’s Confessions, he filled us in on what goes on between the sheets. His latest disc, Here I Stand, which you can listen to and read about, lifts the curtain on everything from what happens at the club to Usher’s newly domesticated life. Now the R&B phenom wants to answer one of your questions. Tell us something you want to know about Usher in our comments section. We’ll pick the best, and he’ll provide a video answer.
Maybe R. Kelly Really Can Fly
Today, the prosecution continued its attempts to unravel the defense claims of mistaken identities. Yet another former friend and classmate of the alleged victim identified her as the girl in the sex tape. Aubrey Hampton, now 23, testified that she not only recognized the alleged victim’s face, but also her mannerisms, including “the way she licked her bottom lip.” She also fingered the man in the tape as R. Kelly and testified that she met him through the alleged victim.
But a strategy for undermining the prosecution’s witnesses is taking shape as the defense attempts to call into question the very authenticity of the tape itself. If successful, all testimony identifying Kelly and the alleged victim would become meaningless. Previews of this conspiracy theory surfaced during cross examination. The defense apparently contends that one of the alleged victim’s relatives is Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards and that she released the tape (and possibly doctored it!) as part of a personal vendetta against Kelly over a music biz deal gone wrong.
The parade of witnesses with positive identifications may have a strong impact on the jury and score the prosecution more points. However, the defense will likely pose multiple questions in an attempt to plant the seed of reasonable doubt despite that testimony. What was the friend’s age at the time? How much time has passed between this testimony and the time that the friend watched the tape? How reliable is their testimony in light of the poor quality of the tape? What about the lack of any admission by the alleged victim to her friends of any inappropriate conduct with “the Pied Piper”? But most importantly, are the witnesses who believed that they were watching their former friend in a sex tape really just victims themselves of a personal vendetta? We’ll see as the evidence unfolds. Until then, I believe the defense is climbing out of the hole, and has closed the gap on its deficit from four points to one. — Mark Muro, Attorney
Score:Defense = +1Prosecution = +2
But a strategy for undermining the prosecution’s witnesses is taking shape as the defense attempts to call into question the very authenticity of the tape itself. If successful, all testimony identifying Kelly and the alleged victim would become meaningless. Previews of this conspiracy theory surfaced during cross examination. The defense apparently contends that one of the alleged victim’s relatives is Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards and that she released the tape (and possibly doctored it!) as part of a personal vendetta against Kelly over a music biz deal gone wrong.
The parade of witnesses with positive identifications may have a strong impact on the jury and score the prosecution more points. However, the defense will likely pose multiple questions in an attempt to plant the seed of reasonable doubt despite that testimony. What was the friend’s age at the time? How much time has passed between this testimony and the time that the friend watched the tape? How reliable is their testimony in light of the poor quality of the tape? What about the lack of any admission by the alleged victim to her friends of any inappropriate conduct with “the Pied Piper”? But most importantly, are the witnesses who believed that they were watching their former friend in a sex tape really just victims themselves of a personal vendetta? We’ll see as the evidence unfolds. Until then, I believe the defense is climbing out of the hole, and has closed the gap on its deficit from four points to one. — Mark Muro, Attorney
Score:Defense = +1Prosecution = +2
Diddy Makes Naomi Cry On Her B-Day
It’s reassuring to know that even celebrities have meltdowns, though we’re not really surprised when it’s coming from Naomi “Blackberry thrower” Campbell. The supermodel celebrated her 38th birthday in Cannes last night, and took the party onto Diddy’s yacht (wouldn’t you?) But a few hours later she emerged from the boat crying and looking well, like some crazy drunk chick we often see weeping outside of a bar at 3AM. Stars ARE just like us!Diddy and Naomi have apparently had some beef before, even though they’re also close pals. The rap mogul allegedly screamed at her last year in the middle of Jermaine Dupri’s Grammy after party. At least Naomi got to breakdown while dripping in diamonds as well as tears. Seriously, the sparkling on her wrists totally distracts from the water works in her eyes. We bet no one even noticed! [The Sun]
Mary J. Blige is Perfection
Ah, our queen. Mary J. Blige stunned last night in Cannes at the Cinema Against Aids benefit gala. Work that thing out!
Lindsay Lohan Gets Lovey with her Gal Pal
Is Lindsay Lohan finally making her alleged relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson public? The pair - who go everywhere together (except rehab) - are currently in Cannes together promoting, uh, nothing, and they were spotted looking very close and cuddly last night! Lindsay’s always been more than open about her sex life (remember her rehab boyfriend?), but she has yet to confirm the rumors that have been buzzing for a while that her and Sam are more than just good friends. These latest pics are pretty incriminating, if you assume that holding hands and nuzzling means they’re doing it. And damn, we hope it does! Hollywood is desperately in need of a new, fun couple to obsess about, and Pete and Ash and Paris and her twin aren’t cutting it. Bring on Lonson!
Ashanti’s Tips for a Bangin’ Summer Body
Since it’s the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day Weekend, when Ashanti stopped by the VH1 office, we knew we had to grill her on one topic in particular: her body. Ashanti’s weight has been the topic of much controversy in recent months, and in the video above, she sets the record straight on her eating habits, her fitness, the Page Six story that suggested she gained so much weight last year, she didn’t want to be photographed, the Master Cleanse and her body image. It’s actually a little amazing how open she is, considering how delicate the issue of weight can be to people. Ashanti’s looking svelte and better than ever, so pay attention: you might learn a few things.
R. Kelly: Mole or No Mole?
(The VH1 Blog knows very little about the law. So we’ve solicited Ross Lampe and Mark Muro, founders of the California law firm Muro & Lampe, Inc., to keep a running tab on which side has the advantage in the R. Kelly child pornography trial. Check back for updates.)
Yesterday, R. Kelly’s attorney Sam Adam Jr. suggested that the sex tape is fake by asking a key witness for the prosecution (Simha Jamison) whether she’d seen the Wayans Brothers‘ movie Little Man. “They took the head of Marlon Wayans and put it on a midget, and it looked real,” said Adam. “Didn’t it?”
Well, human bodies can also be manipulated. Has the prosecutor considered the possibility that R. Kelly’s current mole is a cosmetic surgery prop? (Note the photoshoped mole on R. Kelly’s forehead above.) If I were the prosecutor, I would want to examine the mole immediately. If the Michael Jackson prosecution team was allowed to examine his penis for evidence of distinctive marks after being accused by a boy of sexual impropriety, then surely a back exam to determine the legitimacy of a mole is fair game. With tax-payer money no object, the prosecution may want to consider hiring a top notch cosmetic surgery expert to examine the mole. Such an examination is risky, though. If the mole is found to be legit, then the prosecution’s case could be doomed (insert your own catchy rhyme here).
The prosecution should at least hire a team of investigators to scour archive photos and video of Mr. Kelly, sans shirt, to look for the present blemish. If anyone has a photo showing R. Kelly’s bare back, with or without moles, taken prior to 1998 (the earliest the tape is believed to have been made), e-mail it here. Court is not in session today. The score remains +1 for the defense and +2 for the prosecution. — Ross Lampe, Attorney.
Yesterday, R. Kelly’s attorney Sam Adam Jr. suggested that the sex tape is fake by asking a key witness for the prosecution (Simha Jamison) whether she’d seen the Wayans Brothers‘ movie Little Man. “They took the head of Marlon Wayans and put it on a midget, and it looked real,” said Adam. “Didn’t it?”
Well, human bodies can also be manipulated. Has the prosecutor considered the possibility that R. Kelly’s current mole is a cosmetic surgery prop? (Note the photoshoped mole on R. Kelly’s forehead above.) If I were the prosecutor, I would want to examine the mole immediately. If the Michael Jackson prosecution team was allowed to examine his penis for evidence of distinctive marks after being accused by a boy of sexual impropriety, then surely a back exam to determine the legitimacy of a mole is fair game. With tax-payer money no object, the prosecution may want to consider hiring a top notch cosmetic surgery expert to examine the mole. Such an examination is risky, though. If the mole is found to be legit, then the prosecution’s case could be doomed (insert your own catchy rhyme here).
The prosecution should at least hire a team of investigators to scour archive photos and video of Mr. Kelly, sans shirt, to look for the present blemish. If anyone has a photo showing R. Kelly’s bare back, with or without moles, taken prior to 1998 (the earliest the tape is believed to have been made), e-mail it here. Court is not in session today. The score remains +1 for the defense and +2 for the prosecution. — Ross Lampe, Attorney.
The 6 Scariest Celebrity Stage Parents
There, there, Jeff Archuleta. Feeling upset about your son David coming in second on American Idol? You’re not alone. Tons of celebrity stage parents feel shame when their child fails to live up to the exceedingly high expectations they’ve set for them! You’re in good company. The VH1 Blog has rounded up six of our favorite celebrity stage parents, who prove time and time again that even if you can’t make it in showbiz, you sure as hell can force your kids to live your childhood dreams! Success never tasted so sweet.
1. Dina Lohan - Why not ruin one daughter when you can ruin two?! This week Lindsay’s running around France forgetting what she learned in rehab, while Dina focuses on destroying Ali’s youth with her new reality TV show. Both are clearly idiotic career movies for the girls. But you know what they say, mother knows best!
2. Matthew Knowles - Beyonce’s dad created the uber-group Destiny’s Child before launching his baby girl’s massive solo career. Now he’s got a star-packed record label and Jay-Z as a son-in-law. Lucky!
3. Joe Simpson - He may be faulted for ruining his daughter Jessica’s relationships with Nick Lachey and Tony Romo, but you can’t say he didn’t totally reinvent her career with her reality show! Now if only he could do something about Ashlee’s hair.
4. Lesley Panettiere - Heroes hottie Hayden’s momager is a former soap star who hangs with Hayden at events and looks more like her daughter’s BFF than her mama. Hmmm… live vicariously much?
5. Lynne Spears - Britney’s mom splits her time between dealing with the pop tart’s daily drama and taking her younger daughter Jamie-Lynn to lamaze class. Whatever happened to the good old days of gold records and hit Nickelodeon shows? As they say in therapy - blame your mother!
6. Rocky - Rocky took stage parenting to a whole new level on VH1’s I Know My Kid’s a Star, spending the bulk of her time coaching her daughter Hayley into complete failure. Still, this mom claims she knows the industry, which means she’s headed to Hollywood faster than you can say “child stars enter rehab at an alarmingly high rate.” Good luck girls!
1. Dina Lohan - Why not ruin one daughter when you can ruin two?! This week Lindsay’s running around France forgetting what she learned in rehab, while Dina focuses on destroying Ali’s youth with her new reality TV show. Both are clearly idiotic career movies for the girls. But you know what they say, mother knows best!
2. Matthew Knowles - Beyonce’s dad created the uber-group Destiny’s Child before launching his baby girl’s massive solo career. Now he’s got a star-packed record label and Jay-Z as a son-in-law. Lucky!
3. Joe Simpson - He may be faulted for ruining his daughter Jessica’s relationships with Nick Lachey and Tony Romo, but you can’t say he didn’t totally reinvent her career with her reality show! Now if only he could do something about Ashlee’s hair.
4. Lesley Panettiere - Heroes hottie Hayden’s momager is a former soap star who hangs with Hayden at events and looks more like her daughter’s BFF than her mama. Hmmm… live vicariously much?
5. Lynne Spears - Britney’s mom splits her time between dealing with the pop tart’s daily drama and taking her younger daughter Jamie-Lynn to lamaze class. Whatever happened to the good old days of gold records and hit Nickelodeon shows? As they say in therapy - blame your mother!
6. Rocky - Rocky took stage parenting to a whole new level on VH1’s I Know My Kid’s a Star, spending the bulk of her time coaching her daughter Hayley into complete failure. Still, this mom claims she knows the industry, which means she’s headed to Hollywood faster than you can say “child stars enter rehab at an alarmingly high rate.” Good luck girls!
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