Idol Chit Chat - Milwaukee

Tonight is “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll” night on “American Idol.”  Tune in to FOX 6 tonight at 7 p.m. to see the final four take on music from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Click here for the complete list of songs the contestants had to choose from.

There’s a lot of Internet buzz (especially on fan forums) that this will be David Cook’s night to shine.

One blogger writes, “David Cook - what can't he sing this week? It's going to be his oyster.”

“David Cook seems to have held onto his credibility — about the type of singer he wants to be — throughout the competition, says Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Slezak. He hasn't lost any of that. If Mariah Carey week didn't do him in, what will? The thing is, you don't expect to see [rock covers of pop songs] during 'Idol.' We've grown accustomed to people belting big songs. Cook doing something you don't expect to see on the 'Idol' stage — I think that's given him a real edge."

What do you think? Will this be Cook's night to shine - or will a dark horse (Syesha or Jason) take the spotlight? What about David Archuleta? That kid has some pipes!  What are your predictions? Blog it below!

It's American Idol finale night...

It's the biggest night in Hollywood...

And you could be there...

LIVE!

MyFoxMilwaukee.com and FOX 6 are offering you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to "Fly Away To L.A." to attend this season's American Idol finale!

One lucky winner will receive a trip for two to Los Angeles, a three-night stay at the Sheraton Universal AND two tickets to attend the American Idol finale on Wednesday, May 21st.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

You can enter ONCE PER DAY. So click back often. By the way, tune in to American Idol every Tuesday and Wednesday night ONLY ON FOX 6.

After a shocking results show last week (did anyone else really think Michael Johns was going home?)… and ‘Idol Gives Back’… we’re in for another emotional night. David Cook’s brother, Adam, will be in the audience tonight. Adam is undergoing chemotherapy for brain cancer which has spread to his spine.  His friends even arranged for a chartered medical jet because doctors prohibited him from taking a commercial flight. Read more about the Cooks at the Tribune-Star.

Speaking of tonight’s performance show… the seven remaining ‘Idol’ contestants will be taking on Mariah Carey songs.  Who will sing what? Well, you’ll just have to tune in to FOX 6 at 7 p.m. tonight to find out.

Next time you mail a letter why not help ‘Idol Gives Back’ by using one of the special-edition American Idol postage stamps? Click here to check it out or to buy your own. Each of the 50 states will have their own exclusive designs and there will only be 2,000 sheets sold per state. This week, log on to purchase 20 Kelly Clarkson stamps for $19.99. (Net proceeds benefit the ‘Idol Gives Back’ charities.

Last week, Brooke White mentioned she would be missing her sister’s wedding because of ‘American Idol’ rehearsals. But that’s not stopping her family from finding a creative solution to the problem. Her family built a cardboard cutout of Brooke to take her place. Click here for the rest of the buzz from TMZ.com.

The TiVo folks had us all punked last week… saying that Syesha would be leaving ‘Idol.’ For the past four weeks, the TiVo system has correctly predicted who gets booted… based on traffic of which contestants get replayed and which ones get fast-forwarded. Oops.

Who’s going to get the ‘Idol’ boot this week? Tune in Wednesday to find out.

That's it for me this week. Make sure you check out the American Idol page on MyFoxMilwaukee.com for the latest on all things IDOL.

Until next week,

Web Producer Amy

Welcome back to another edition of your American Idol Chit Chat! I'm back from vaca and ready to catch you up on all things IDOL!

It's a huge week for American Idol. Not only are there three nights of Idol this week - there's also one super-sized star-studded event - IDOL GIVES BACK.

Tonight at 7 p.m. you'll see the top 8 finalists perform as they take on inspirational songs.

Then, be sure to tune in Wednesday for a special television event, Idol Gives Back. You'll see it ONLY on FOX 6 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. CDT. The special touts big-name stars like Snoop Dog, Miley Cyrus, Robin Williams, Amy Adams, Vanessa Hudgens, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood and more.

Want a sneak peek at some of the Idol hub-bub?  Ecorazzi.com hints that Brad Pitt was "speechless after a nearly 30 second screamfest when he walked onto the American Idol stage to tape a segment." Read more here.

Even Snoop Dogg gets in on the giving. Will his appearance on the feel-good show ruin his street cred? Read what he has to say and find out which star did cartwheels on-stage during a special taping for Idol Gives Back.

This Emmy Award-winning special will raise awareness and funds to benefit six charities, including the Children's Defense Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More, Save The Children, U.S. Programs and the Children's Health Fund. For more information on these charities or to learn how you can help, click here.

Thursday night, one more Idol hopeful will get the boot. Who will it be? You'll just have to tune in to find out.

In other Idol news this week.online casinos are betting that you'll see an all-male Idol Finale. Many gamblers are putting their money on the young David Archuleta, whose odds are -120. Not far behind is David Cook at +200 odds to becoming the next American Idol. Find out all the contestants' odds by clicking here.

What do you think? Share your thoughts on the Idol Chit Chat blog. Click here for more!

That's it for me this week. make sure you check out the American Idol page on MyFoxMilwaukee.com for the latest on all things IDOL.

Til next week,

Web Producer Amy

Welcome to another week of your Idol Chit-Chat Newsletter… you’re only place in Milwaukee for all the Idol gossip, news and other chatter!

Planning a trip to Hawaii anytime soon? You can enjoy a special Idol-themed hotel experience at the Embassy Suites in Waikiki Beach.  The Coca-Cola American Idol package includes 2 Coca-Cola beverages each night of your stay plus a chance to visit Hollywood for the American Idol finale. For rules, ticket information and hotel accommodations, go to www.embassysuiteswaikiki.com.

She’s a beauty school dropout with the pipes to make it as a star. The Associated Press reports friends of Brooke White say she “never had pop-princess fantasies as a little girl.” Learn more about White and her beauty school past – and why she almost didn’t audition for a high school musical – by visiting SFGate.com.

Is American Idol more than just a TV show or reality TV contest? It sure is infiltrating everyday life here in the USA. American Idol themed birthday parties are quickly becoming all the rage for kids – even overtaking Hannah Montana parties in popularity. Learn more about purchasing these party supplies and planning your own American Idol party by clicking here.

‘Idol’ castoff and former male stripper David Hernandez is in New York City to audition for the cast of a Broadway musical. When asked by TMZ paps about his tryout, all he would say was that he “was auditioning for a show called ‘Lease.’” We’re sure he was trying to be witty and yet elusive. Oh, and that he’s auditioning for RENT. Click here to watch the video.

What’s one thing you won’t hear judge Randy Jackson talk about? His Type 2 Diabetes. Since he won’t be talking about it on ‘Idol,’ he finds other ways to promote the cause – through PSAs and sharing his story.  Learn more by clicking here.

That’s it for this week’s American Idol Chit Chat. Don’t forget to tune in Tuesday when the Top Ten take the stage!

Until next time,

Web Producer Amy

PS- I’ll be gone next Monday, so Sr. Web Producer Cary will be taking care of Idol Chit Chat.

We now have concrete details about this season’s ‘Idol Gives Back’ special. FOX announced Monday that the event will raise awareness and funds to benefit six charities including: the Children’s Defense Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More, Save The Children and the Children’s Health Fund.

The event, scheduled to air April 9, will have a special start time (6:30 p.m.) and will be bigger and more ambitious than ever. Some of the already confirmed celebrities include: Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Mariah Carey, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend and Snoop Dogg. Click here for the latest information on ‘Idol Gives Back.’

Last week’s fallen contestant David Hernandez says song selection and not exotic dance moves led to the end of his ‘Idol’ run. Read more at Eonline.com.

But, could Hernandez’s demise have been the result of another contestant being “too hot to send home?” TMZ thinks it is possible in the case of Kristy Lee Cook. According to the web site, “several contestants were overheard discussing Kristy’s survival and the prevailing theory was that she was saved… because it’s too early to send home the hot chick.” Click here for more from TMZ.

It’s another Lennon-McCartney week for ‘Idol’ contestants. Watch it all Tuesday & Wednesday nights only on FOX 6!

And, don’t forget – if you missed a performance or want to save a copy for your iPod or other mp3 device, check out iTunes for both audio and video versions of your favorite ‘Idol’ performances!

Until next week,

Web Producer Amy

PS- don't forget you can sign up for this newsletter by clicking here!

So I know I haven't kept up with my Idol blogging... and for that I apologize. Here's this week's Idol Chit Chat Newsletter. If you'd like to sign up to get my weekly newsletter in your e-mail inbox, click here.

We're down to the 12 finalists on Season 7 of American Idol. Congrats to Amanda, Brook, Carly, Chikezie, the three Davids, Jason, Kristy, Michael, Ramiele and Syesha!

This week should be very interesting as things get down to the wire... who will make the final 10 and go on tour this summer? That's the first major hurdle for these Idol wannabes.

In 'Idol' news from around the globe... FOX commits to airing American Idol through 2011. Yes, that means another 3 seasons of Idol! For all the buzz, check out this article from MediaDailyNews.

The buzz on the web last week was one contestant's racy past. Photos have crept up of David Hernandez who worked as a male stripper for 3 years. No one (other than Simon of course) made any mention of the new discovery. Producers have declined to comment. Check out the scoop by clicking here.

But Hernandez isn't the only 'Idol' hopeful in the news... Chikezie has some major baggage in his past - literally. TMZ discovered some photos of Chikezie singing in the TSA Choir at LAX where he was a baggage handler. Check out the photos here.

Who's better - the guys or the girls? Many still think the ladies of 'American Idol' have an uphill battle to beat the boys. Click here for more.

Entertainment Weekly got a Q & A with the Top 12. Check it out by heading to ew.com or clicking here.

For your daily Idol news, head to MyFoxMilwaukee.com. We have an ever-growing archive of videos, photos, blogs and more! Click here to check it out!

Please share your Idol thoughts... what do you think of our top 12? Who's your favorite/least favorite?

An American Idol contestant chastised for never kissing a girl is firing back at host Ryan Seacrest. When 19-year-old Bruce Dickson auditioned in Dallas, Randy Jackson told him to “go kiss some girls,” while Simon Cowell warned, “Avoid Ryan on the way out.” CNSNews.com reports “Seacrest himself ended the segment… with these words: “Maybe next year he’ll come back less a boy and more a man.” Find out what Dickson’s response was… and some advice from a Playboy.com writer/editor by checking out CNSNews.com.

Looking for some Idol Do’s and Don’ts? MTV News has some suggestions. Gil Kaufman says that unless you’re just looking for some screen time, leave the face paint, original songs and sack of nail clippings at home. A few more tips: Don’t sing a song by a woman if you’re a dude, Do stand out and be humble & Don’t talk back to the judges! Read the rest at MTV.com.