Carrie Underwood nabs first film role; Idol ratings take a major dive
AP
Carrie Underwood: singer, variety show comic, sitcom guest star (an upcoming “How I Met Your Mother”) and now: movie star!
She’s getting married, too, right?
Variety reports that Carrie will be starring in a film with Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt called “Soul Surfer” about teen surfing champ Bethany Hamilton, who survived a shark attack. (She lost an arm.)
Teenager AnnaSophia Robb (”Race to Witch Mountain,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’) plays the surfer. Carrie will play a church youth leader. I wonder if that means she’ll be able to show off her pipes.
-Ouch! Clearly, “Idol” audition fatigue really set in big time Wednesday night, despite the fact we regulars liked seeing fewer crazies, more talent. “Idol” hit an audition low with just 20.8 million viewers and 7.7/20 in 18-49. This is down a whopping 20 percent from a year ago. Last year, we had only seven audition episodes (including an extra Thursday version week three.). So any comparison to a year ago is with a Hollywood episode.
-And since nobody asked, here’s “X Factor” winner Leona Lewis doing Simon Cowell’s song ‘Footprints in the Sand.’ Nausea never sounded so good.
-I finally glanced the top 24 spoilers. I didn’t see any Atlantans, unfortunately, but not everybody’s hometowns were identified so we’ll see. Some of the folks we saw last night, naturally, are on the list, including (SHIELD YOUR EYES–SPOILER AHEAD) the beefy dude (I won’t name him in case you have yet to shield your eyes and want to be surprised) who was rumored to have been booted because his dad confirmed his spot in Hollywood to the St. Pete Times. That rumor, if Joe’s Place is right, was not true. Perhaps he was given a hard warning instead.
I’ve never heard of anybody being booted for leaking their presence on “Idol” ahead of time although that is surely in their contracts.
- Brian Mansfield of USA Today’s Idol Chatter thinks we got this bonus episode last night partly because Hollywood Week started so late and that this show brought in folks who made the top 24 that didn’t get any airtime earlier. That makes total sense.
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31 comments Add your comment
JTesla
February 4th, 2010
1:09 pm
Thanks Rodney. It will be interesting to hear how Carrie does in a movie.
It’s odd that the ratings dropped, they should perk up during Hollywood as people tune in to see how Ellen does (or how much she bombs). It will be a nice change to see all the top 24’s auditions during the audition portion.
Mercedes S.
February 4th, 2010
1:26 pm
Thanks for including the song, Rodney. In comparison, I think Kara’s coronation song from last year was, in Randy’s words, a hundred million percent better. At least she didn’t try to steal Mary Stevenson’s religious poem from 1936. Simon’s version was way weaker, and in totally misses the twist of the last two lines of the original poem.
I think Carrie will do well on the big screen. She has given proof of her excellent comic delivery several times already.
As for he poor numbers of last night’s A.I., I had not planned to watch it, thinking it would just be a wasteful episode of bad singers. Had not even planned to record it. As my evening plans changed, I ened up on the TV-sofa anyway… and was pleasantly surprised by AI.
I hope Lacey Brown makes it. She was the girl who got cut next to Megan last year., Megan who was picked for her looks, not her voice.
kelly&carriefan
February 4th, 2010
1:46 pm
How many more things can Carrie be on at the same time? And while the movie does take place in Hawaii, ” church youth leader?” Sorry, boys, don’t think that bodes well for y’all…I’m saving judgement until I see it ’cause of course I’ll be checking it out.
“Since nobody asked,” huh? Well, this is one time where I’m glad I can’t watch youtube at work.
— TV Tattle
February 4th, 2010
1:52 pm
[...] call for Fox to grant equal competition rights to these stars who bring Americans such joy." "Idol" ratings dropping // Big Mike spared? // That was an "Idol" clip show! Carrie Underwood, movie star: [...]
kelly&carriefan
February 4th, 2010
2:15 pm
There’s a follow up to Mercedes’ comment earlier where the head of Taylor Swift’s label defended her Grammy performance by stating it wasn’t “American Idol.” Well, that didn’t sit well with Kelly, who responded with:
“Wow …..Dear Scott Borchetta,
I understand defending your artist obviously because I have done the same in the past for artists I like, including Taylor, so you might see why its upsetting to read you attacking American Idol for producing simply vocalists that hit ‘the high notes’. Thank you for that ‘Captain Obvious’ sense of humor because you know what, we not only hit the high notes, you forgot to mention we generally hit the ‘right’ notes as well. Every artist has a bad performance or two and that is understandable, but throwing blame will not make the situation at hand any better. I have been criticized left and right for having shaky performances before (and they were shaky) and what my manager or label executives say to me and the public is “I’ll kick butt next time” or “every performance isn’t going to be perfect” ……I bring this up because you should take a lesson from these people and instead of lashing out at other artists (that in your ‘humble’ opinion lack true artistry), you should simply take a breath and realize that sometimes things won’t go according to plan or work out and that’s okay.
Sincerely,
One of those contestants from American Idol who only made it because of her high notes
”
Um, Taylor vs Kelly? Not to mention, it was also a swipe at Carrie, and people who CAN sing. Oy.
JTesla
February 4th, 2010
2:42 pm
“One of those contestants from American Idol who only made it because of her high notes”
Awesome. Kelly is now my hero.
kelly&carriefan
February 4th, 2010
2:45 pm
JT, Yeah.
PS. The smiley was part of the original text. It can be found at her blog: iamkelly.wordpress.com
Mercedes S.
February 4th, 2010
3:10 pm
That’s telling the ceo; thanks, kcf!
Highlander
February 4th, 2010
3:59 pm
So Taylor Swift’s “performance” on the Grammys was due to a ‘technical problem’? She couldn’t hear herself. …She should be thankful!!
I haven’t seen her except on TV but EVERYTIME I have, she’s been off-key. Perhaps the ‘Tech’ problem is that she can’t sing without the help of ‘tech’nology!
Heather MacDonald
February 4th, 2010
4:12 pm
Highlander, we’re in COMPLETE agreement on Taylor’s need for technology to sing. K&CFan, LOVE the note from Kelly. I love the fact that she knows EXACTLY who she is and NEVER fails to speak her mind. She’s my hero.
Rickster
February 4th, 2010
4:17 pm
I heard an ad on the radio this morning for the upcoming “Chelsea Handler” show, and it said, “with special guest, Heather MacDonald.”
Is that ‘OUR’ H Mac??
JTesla
February 4th, 2010
4:36 pm
Heather MacDonald is bigger than this blog!
Heather MacDonald
February 4th, 2010
5:19 pm
In the immortal words of Jo Jonas, “yeah.” I didn’t know there was someone else runing around with my handle! I kinda feel bad for her if the best she can get booked on in Chelsea Handler. Nope, you guys are stuck with lil ole me. Not famous, kinda sarcatic me.
Heather MacDonald
February 4th, 2010
5:20 pm
And JT, I’m only bigger than a few trolls, not the blog! LOL
NSW
February 4th, 2010
6:24 pm
If the theater message boards are correct, Diana DeGarmo is going to join the cast of Broadway’s “Hair.” There’s also speculation about Rock of Ages. She’s 100% returning to Broadway and she did audition for Hair, but she might have also auditioned for Rock of Ages, hence the confusion.
JTesla
February 4th, 2010
6:35 pm
Great… thanks
??
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
February 4th, 2010
7:29 pm
,,,=^..^=,,, peeking in…. yes, i AM still alive…. it’s been rough not having a computer!!!! and i still cannot blog during work, but that’s ok, i haven’t got TIME now to blog even if i was allowed to!!! i hope it’s job security!!!
i’ve had to dvr AI audition segments, so even if i had a computer, most of you except JT would be asleep by the time i get to watch …. i am hoping that will change during the season but
OMG Lost is back….and i still haven’t found time to watch the opening episode, which i hear is dynOmite!
anyway, i’ll check in with you guys again soon, if i get some time to read the last freaking month of blogs!! i’ll comment, otherwise, i’ll just have to catch up on a day-to-day basis!
sure have missed you guys and dolls!!!
Deirdre
February 4th, 2010
7:48 pm
linny!!!!!! Hey girl!!! We’ve missed you.
And yes, I’m back from carpet duty. what an awful day!
Re Carrie, congrats on the film role. I hope she’s a better actress than she was on the “Christmas” special.
Re the ratings: I think most people expected an hour of awful and what we got was an hour(ok, maybe 40 minutes) of really good. Unfortunately Idol will see this as proof that people want to see the bad and the ugly when, imo, the bad and the ugly was what people expected and is the reason the ratings were down for that episode.
Congrats to Kelly Clarkson once again sticking up for herself and her fellow Idols. Idol snobbery only works when the artist you’re being snobby about can actually sing without mechanical help.
JTesla
February 4th, 2010
7:58 pm
Linny!!!
Harm
February 4th, 2010
8:43 pm
Way to go Kelly Clarkson!
WELCOME BACK LINNY!!!
Rodney Ho
February 4th, 2010
9:00 pm
I made the Kelly stuff a standalone blog entry. And yes, I saw Twitters about Diana nabbing yet another great Broadway role. She now knows where her strengths lie and either “Rock of Ages” or “Hair” would be great fun.
Rodney Ho
February 4th, 2010
9:01 pm
Who are the Losties here? Great show if you’ve had the patience to follow it.
Veronica
February 4th, 2010
9:07 pm
I don’t think they guy was taking a shot at Kelly or Carrie when he mentioned American Idol, I mean why is everything about those two? He simply said it isn’t American Idol and it’s not. The only idol fans with their panties in a bunch are Carrie and Kelly fans, no one else gives a sh*t. Taylor always sings like that and there were many acts that were just as sub-par. Why anyone would think he needs to bash Carrie to raise Taylor up is stupid. Taylor has beaten Carrie in every award this year minus one fan voted award so carrie isn’t a threat to Taylor. Now, if he said this during grammy voting I could see the argument but Taylor has already wiped the floor with Carrie not only in sales but awards. Carrie has yet to win anything outside the country field which means she’s very overrated herself. Additionally, the ratings of idol are down and I hope they continue to go down. Kelly is something else, during her most successful time “breakaway” she spent that entire streak acting as if she was never a part of idol, winning award after award never once mentioning them. Now all of a sudden she’s at their defense Give me a break. her 15 minutes were up 2 albums ago.
Lorraine
February 4th, 2010
9:14 pm
I think she will be great. Inspired. Well prepared – as she always is for any job she takes on.
She is a hoot. Lately I have been hearing the funnest comments from her – she cracks me up. A breath of fresh air. A inspiration and role model to young women in this country that so desperately needs more than just sad sack pouty spoiled baby Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears to obsess on. Carrie Underwood is a hard working, straight shooting, positive life leading breath of fresh air.
Bring it on, Carrie!
Harm
February 4th, 2010
9:25 pm
Me.Deirdre,Linny and Harriett are Losties, there are more, I can’t remember who all of them are.
Deirdre
February 4th, 2010
9:42 pm
Veronica…clearly the only person with their “panties in a bunch” around here is you! Carrie is a good singer live! Kelly is a good singer live. almost every top 12 singer on Idol for the last 8 years is a pretty good singer live.
I have NEVER (despite all her album sales and wonderful song writing) EVER heard Taylor Swift sing well LIVE. I may be wrong but what that tells me is all those nice notes she hits on her cd’s are manufactured. She may be a good song writer. She may be a wonderful person. And she may be extra-special popular right now thanks in part to Kanye West BUT, what she is NOT is a singer!
Julie
February 4th, 2010
11:03 pm
A Broadway centered Twitter (@broadwaygirlnyc) has unofficial confirmation that Diana is indeed joining the Age of Aquarius as a new member of the “Hair” cast.
jossaleen
February 4th, 2010
11:16 pm
veronica-
carrie didnt have a busy year in 2009 she took a break to relax, vacation,she focused on her charity ,and for the most part she was working behind the scenes, she was busy writing and recording her album in the studio, so its obvious to anybody with a brain the reason why carrie didnt win awards in 2009. her album “play on” came out nov.11 the “END” of 2009, you cant expect her album sales to be as high as taylor’s when taylor’s album has been out for all of 2009. you should know and understand your facts sweety, maybe next time you post you will sound smarter LOL…… taylor should be grateful because this is the only reason she had a chance to win anything over carrie,if carrie didnt take a break theres no way this “wannabe singer” could win. for the last year or so carrie has been working non-stop and she has been winning awards left and right and everyone forgot about miss “taylor cant sing swift”..because carrie was the one winning the awards right from under taylor. carrie is a very talented vocalist she doesnt need an autotone mic, or she doesnt have to jump around on stage like an idiot,or disguise her voice behind a guitar, carrie can sing acapella and sound flawless she leaves people in awe not in disapointment, as for taylor, well if your not a 16yr old girl, then all you are is disapointed with her vocal ability, if she has any ability at all. carrie doesnt need to be in the pop world either she knows who she is and she stays within her love, “country” although she isnt a traditional country singer she is a contemporary country singer, she is still country, if she did decide to go pop taylor would not be winning as much as she is, dont worry taylorfans carrie has said many times she is a country singer, she wont steal her awards in that genre. your right about one thing veronica, borchetta doesnt need to bash carrie to raise taylor up that is stupid, why would anyone think that when we all have kanye west to thank for that, she has gained sympathy awards,ever since the VMA’S she has been winning. you didnt actually think its because she CAN SING now did you…”wow” you are moron!….
carrie has quite the impressive resume of her own and she is still going strong, so i wouldnt count her out quite just yet,your crazy if you do that and obviously naive. shes back in the limelight and we’ll see who sweeps the awards from who…haha thats a no brainer!! in case you dont have brains…..that would be carrie of course!
Heather MacDonald
February 5th, 2010
7:34 am
Veronica, I was going to jump on the bandwagon and defend Carrie against your vitriol, but others have beaten me to it. So, I’ll just say that Carrie has more talent in her little pinky toe than Taylor Swift has in her entire body.
RxDawg
February 5th, 2010
11:59 am
Heather, most everyone on this blog that knows me knows that I am NO fan of Taylor Swift. However, she probably is a better song writer than Carrie. I’m pretty sure Carrie doesn’t write any of her music. For that, and only that, Taylor get’s a smidge of respect from me.
That said, she should let other people sing her music for her. In fact, for a long time the Nashville music buis didn’t want Taylor to sing her own music. However she was insitent on it and wa-la, we now have the Taylor Swift phenomenon. Giving tweens crappy music across the nation, yippee!
Highlander
February 7th, 2010
5:15 pm
RxDawg, Carrie has written (co-written) at least one song I know of, …her first hit off the new CD, ‘Cassanova Cowboy’.