American Idol News Today 4/19/08

Here are the American Idol headlines for today.

“Bye-Bye” to Miss God Bless the USA
It’s Mariah-Carey-as-mentor week on AI. And I was all set. This was going to be a gold mine of weirdness, of loony Mariah Carey-isms. But something very strange is going on in Mariah-land lately. She seems to be…this almost hurts to write…not entirely out of her mind.

Back in the good old days of Glitter, “exhaustion,” TRL Popsicle-based entertainment moments, “Loverboy” videos that consisted of her caressing her own breasts to the exclusion of all other activities, and that monumental, flabbergasting Cribs appearance, you could count on Mariah for a sweet dose of reality-disconnection. via Advocate

American Idol Gambling Odds Have Archuleta And Cook Favored
David Archuleta is no stranger to being favored in the American Idol competition. He has been the odds makers choice since the finalists were announced, and continues to be a favorite.

He is now joined at the top, however. David Cook started out the live performances somewhere in the middle of the pack. He has consistently performed at a top level, and is now a co-favorite with Archuleta. Both contestants are +100 to win. via Casino Gambling Web

Podcast: David Cook’s brother went to “Idol” for all the right reasons
David’s very sick brother Adam Cook was in L.A. to see the show this week. The citizens of Terre Haute raised $80,000 to cover the costs of getting him out there, which we talked about earlier this week. I had once relied on a family member’s access to a Cessna to get myself medical treatment. And though Adam Cook’s cancer is much more serious than mine ever was, the reason was the same: getting aboard a commercial jet with compromised immune systems is a no-no. Plus, if I were to get sick, could we land in time to get me to medical care?

Terre Haute solved all those problems … and a heartwarming storyline was made possible. David Cook had tears in his eyes at the end. via Kansascity.com

Starr Report: At least for now…
OK, so now Paula Abdul will perform on the “Today” show, after canceling her original April 25 live performance (part of the show’s summer concert series). Abdul is now scheduled to appear on “Today” Friday, Aug. 29 - the first show back in New York following “Today’s” two- week sojourn to Beijing for the Summer Olympics.

Abdul’s rep said yesterday that, “She looks forward to performing for her loyal and supportive fans and being a part of the prestigious ‘Toyota Concert Series on ‘Today,’”- attributing the cancellation of Abdul’s April 25 “Today” performance to a “production commitment” on “American Idol.” via NY Post

Who’s Gov. Perry’s ‘idol’? Hint: he’s an Aggie
When Gov. Rick Perry said this week, “Don’t ask me who I voted for ’cause that’s none of your business,” he wasn’t talking politics, exactly.

Perry’s comments on the KVET-FM radio morning show “The Talk of Austin” with Bucky Godbolt and Bob Cole, were referring to “American Idol.”

Yes, the governor is a fan.

He strongly hinted that his favorite contestant is Jason Castro, a student at the governor’s alma mater, Texas A&M University. via Marshall News Messenger