Ryan Seacrest signs on to continue as ‘Idol’ host; most of the top 6 have Southern ties
Ryan will continue at least into season 12 of 'Idol.\
Fox confirmed that Ryan Seacrest will continue as host of “American Idol” at least through 2014 and season 13. He has been there since the beginning.
Hollywood Reporter says it’s worth $15 million a year, the same as his last contract.
Despite the fact Seacrest has his own production company, his E! News duties, a role on “The Today Show” during the Olympics and his morning radio show, he is sticking with what got him there in the first place.
The Dunwoody High School grad, who has taken the throne left by the late great Dick Clark, was expected to return so this news is not a surprise.
In the press release:
“Ryan has been with AMERICAN IDOL from the very first day. I can’t imagine the show without him,” stated creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “He is the consummate host and an exemplary professional. Having Ryan continue to be a part of the AMERICAN IDOL family is great news for everyone.”
And alluding to how easy Ryan makes a very difficult job look (as opposed to, say, poor, hapless Steve Jones), Fox reality show president Mike Darnell said he is “one of a kind…His ability to engage the viewers, keep the contestants at ease during intense moments and adapt to any situation, especially during the live shows, solidifies him as the absolute best in the business.”
AMERICAN IDOL: L-R: Top 6 contestants Jessica Sanchez, Skylar Laine, Phillip Phillips, Elise Testone, Joshua Ledet and Hollie Cavanagh on AMERICAN IDOL airing Thursday, April 19 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. CR: Michael Becker / FOX.
“American Idol” and the South have gone hand in hand over the years.
Kelly Clarkson. Ruben Studdard. Clay Aiken. Taylor Hicks. Fantasia. Kellie Pickler. Chris Daughtry. Scotty McCreery. Lauren Alaina. This part of the country draws the singers and the voters.
This year is no different.
Seven of the top 13 had Southern ties. Of the remaining top 6, five have Southern ties. Only Jessica Sanchez is a West Coast girl.
Elise Testone grew up in New Jersey, went to school in Charleston, S.C. so we’ll take her. Joshua Ledet is a Louisiana native. Phillip Phillips is from Leesburg here in south Georgia. Skylar Laine is from Mississippi. Hollie Cavanagh has British roots but lives in Texas.
I decided to look at the entire 131 contestants who have made the finals of “American Idol.” We will count the South as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Misssissippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, Louisiana South Carolina and North Carolina.
The percentage from those states: 48%.
Even if I exclude, Oklahoma (which is probably more Midwest and includes just Carrie Underwood), that drops to 47%. Some don’t consider Texas part of the true South. Drop that, and it falls to 40%.
In any case, it’s a disproportionate number considering in any given year, only two out of the seven or so audition cities are in the South.
We’ve done stories before on why this is. Theories abound. The church-going background of many Southern singers. The down-home likability of Southern contestants. The fact “Idol” has done better ratings wise in the South and probably gets more votes from that region. I’d say it’s a little bit of everything.
- The 25th anniversary Fox show Sunday featured a 3 minute clip about “Idol.” It made me feel extremely nostalgic, having lived through virtually every minute shown on screen:
Here’s a little radio airplay update:
Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” is still rising but is stuck at No. 8 and other singles are moving up faster. This could become the first single of hers that has not gone top 2. Then again, other times with other songs (think ‘Mama’s Song” in particular), momentum slowed, only to pick up later. So we’ll see.
Casey James’ “Let’s Don’g Call It a Night” is now at No. 20 on the Mediabase 24/7 country airplay chart but I don’t see much more upside there. At No. 35, Lauren Alaina’s “Georgia Peaches” is falling after peaking at 31. And Kelly Clarkson’s country version of “Mr. Know It All” (which I prefer) is at No. 41, rising quickly. Kellie Pickler’s “100 Proof” is now at No. 58.
Clarkson’s “Stronger” is down to No. 5 after peaking at No. 1 but remains No. 1 on the Hot AC. Adam Lambert’s “Better Than I Know Myself” is down to 22 after peaking at 16. Daughtry’s “Outta My Head” is at No. 35 with Carrie’s “Good Girl” at 36.
On the urban chart, Jennifer Hudson’s “Think Like a Man” peaked at 20 and is now at 19 at urban AC. Ruben Studdard’s “June 28 (I’m Single)” peaked at No. 16 on that chart.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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92 comments Add your comment
Deirdre
April 24th, 2012
12:18 pm
Scary moment for last year’s Idol champ:
‘American Idol” champion Scotty McCreery didn’t get the win while pitching for Garner High School in his latest outing, but he apparently came away unscathed after a scary moment on the mound.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that the country music sensation was pitching in the third inning against East Wake High School on Thursday when a one-hopper back to the mound hit McCreery in the throat.
McCreery retrieved the ball, threw out the batter and stayed in the game. Spokeswoman Beverly Keel of Universal Music Group in Nashville says McCreery wasn’t injured.
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
12:35 pm
Ah. Thanks Rickster! I see that several over there shared my opinion of her. I was wondering!
And hey, someone did one of my all-time faves! For the record, huge props to ANY future Idol contestant who picks Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know.”
sorry, not trying to be a brat, just love the song is all.)
(oh, ps, Rodney… it’s “we” know, not “you” know.
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
12:37 pm
Trivia question… Who’s the only Idol to perform that song on the show?
MyPatootie
April 24th, 2012
1:43 pm
I apologize for almost starting another Civil War last night. Just proud of my Southern heritage (born in Ga, lived in TN, now in SC) and don’t like it when other states get credit for being a true Southern state when they aren’t. I have lived in other states like CA, IN, FL, and even England for a year, and there is nothing that compares to living in the South. God Bless the USA, and especially THE SOUTH!
G
April 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
Yeah, I read that about Scotty getting popped in the throat. I heard that it improved his voice.
I believe that Maryland is technically south too. The Mason Dixon line is between Penn and MD. I’ve also heard of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia being described as Mid Atlantic too.
Deirdre
April 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
If you remember last week I mentioned that Colton had only given 1 Queen song that he was planning to sing this week and I said that there has to be another song and another theme. The second “theme” is a free choice. I think Idol is moving in the right direction with their themes. Letting the contestants occasionally choose what song they want to sing prevents the viewers from using the theme as an excuse why their favorite didn’t do well.
Look how great Hollie did with the Adele song. It was a song that she had sung often and was completely comfortable with. Then her next song didn’t go as well because Son of a Preacher Man isn’t really in her comfort zone.
Deirdre
April 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
G…you have a little bit of a mean streak in you.
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
G – Deirdre is right, mean streak!!
Patootie is talking about the Deep South. Where “Southern” is a way of life. Maryland just ain’t got it.
Sorry, couldn’t help myself!
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
Hey, no one’s answered my trivia question.
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
April 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
Jenny, Blake Lewis…
Deirdre
April 24th, 2012
2:26 pm
See…we were just waiting for k&cf…she can’t resist a good Idol trivia question!
JTesla
April 24th, 2012
2:30 pm
No K&Cfan, she wanted to know what Idol contestant sang that song.
Blake Lewis is a beatboxer, that wouldn’t fly on Idol.
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
Ding ding! I knew it would be K&CF!
(JT, didn’t you volunteer to give a prize for the correct answer?
)
Sam-A
April 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
K&CF: Right again as always! From Wikipedia:
Lewis’ beatboxing and scat singing skills had been featured occasionally throughout the competition, notably in the performances such as “Virtual Insanity”, “All Mixed Up”, “Time of the Season”, “You Give Love a Bad Name”, “You Should Be Dancing”, “This Is Where I Came In” and “This Love”. He had also rearranged songs including “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “You Give Love a Bad Name”. Although Lewis’ first performance in the semi-final weeks, “Somewhere Only We Know”, was pure singing and inspired judges to make comments about his contemporary vibe, his signature performance on the show was probably “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi.
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
2:58 pm
And I probably liked Blake better than most, in part *because* of “Somewhere Only We Know”.
I even voted for him to win against Jordin. Although in all truth, I was voting more against the judges, who pizzed me off terribly with the pimping of their young golden child.
Bilal Malik
April 24th, 2012
3:55 pm
It’s great to hear. His been the host since the first season so no one would deserve it the most but him. He must love the show very much just to abandon it the sudden.
http://www.maliklawgroup.com
Rickster
April 24th, 2012
4:04 pm
This could explain why ST is going back on tour with Aerosmith… he has to afford this car:
“Steven Tyler is set to take delivery of a $1.1 million roadster just in time for his summer vacation at the end of the season.
The Aerosmith lead singer will be the first owner of the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, a 1,200 horsepower monster with a theoretical top speed of 275 mph that’s built just outside Houston, Texas.”
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/04/24/steven-tyler-buys-wild-275-mph-ride/?intcmp=features#ixzz1szS0jVyw
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/04/24/steven-tyler-buys-wild-275-mph-ride/?intcmp=features
JTesla
April 24th, 2012
4:13 pm
And what did K&CF win for her correct answer? She won a trivia question contest!
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
***trumpets for K&CF***
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
April 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
LOL, JT!
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
4:28 pm
testing:
#9833 #9834 #9835 #9836 #9837 #9838
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
4:28 pm
well poo, that was supposed to be a string of musical notes. Never mind.
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
4:30 pm
♩
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
4:31 pm
♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭ ♮
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
4:32 pm
Trying to make trumpets for K&CF.
G
April 24th, 2012
4:37 pm
@ Deirdre and Jenny……ya got me all wrong.
Well…….I AM a drummer and people say we tend to be a bit moody.
Jenny
April 24th, 2012
4:48 pm
I was just kidding, G!!
Deirdre
April 24th, 2012
4:55 pm
We were both kidding, G.
G
April 24th, 2012
5:00 pm
I know…..I know……
Doug
April 24th, 2012
8:21 pm
Kris Allen, Arkansas
JTesla
April 24th, 2012
8:49 pm
LOL so I’m not the only one who forgot Kris Allen. That’s awesome.
Deirdre
April 25th, 2012
7:18 am
Morning!
It’s funny but most people remember Kris…he’s the guy who won instead of Adam.
Deirdre
April 25th, 2012
7:25 am
Here’s something to ponder. If we extended the Mason-Dixon line all the way across the country then ALL the winners are from the south with one exception. Lee Dewyze! Obviously this is where the voting got off-track!
Woodpappy
April 25th, 2012
8:45 am
See, I knew the South would rise again !
Othello
April 25th, 2012
9:06 am
Jenny, you are a strange bird.
Deirdre
April 25th, 2012
9:19 am
Our Jenny has a happy soul. For someone who doesn’t, I guess that would seem strange.
JTesla
April 25th, 2012
9:21 am
Sure most people remember Kris, but when making a short list of people from the South, a winner of a season should be included. I think that was Doug’s point… which I found to be funny.
Sam-A
April 25th, 2012
9:27 am
We love our Jenny around here!
JTesla
April 25th, 2012
9:51 am
I love Jenny because she is a strange bird. Like an emu or a penguin.
Sam-A
April 25th, 2012
10:14 am
Jenny is my long lost twin, with the following exceptions: Age, parents, and more telling, she can actually tolerate Joshua, and she thinks Fword’s “Summertime” was good – there we must part way totally.
Alex
April 25th, 2012
10:41 am
I would be okay if he were “Seacrest out”!!
blkshepherd
April 25th, 2012
3:14 pm
And this is News? First you list all he other projects he’s involved in, then you flaunt his last year’s take home pay of $15million. I mean did we Really need know how many more Millions Ryan takes home? Duhh Like who cares. He will never be Dick Clark whom by the way I never read anywhere How much he was taking home or his salary cap. Dick just Did his thing quietly. Everytime Ryan farts, you Rush to report it. Good for Ryan but like Alex said, I would be okay if he were “Seacrest out!” its Not about Seacrest or the size of his paycheck, or the Judges, its about the Contestants.