Smallscreen Features

American Idol recap: Grace and Gokey for sure, but who will be third?

By April MacIntyre Feb 18, 2009, 13:35 GMT

Television\'s No. 1 show, American Idol, returns for its seventh season when it premiered in January. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the hit series empowers viewers to discover America\'s next solo singing superstar by voting for their favorites to win the coveted American Idol title. Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom and a chance to be the next American Idol. The ...more

"American Idol" made waves last night as the first round of twelve got up on stage and strut their stuff.

The theme for the night was "Hits From the Billboard Hot 100" and the wide swath of material did not prevent the majority of finalists from picking really odd song choices for broadcast.

Stephen Fowler blew it with a lame "Rock With You."  The pretty girls Stevie Wright and Casey Carlson completely bombed too, but the platinum beauty with the crimson lips, Alexis Grace nailed her place in the finals with "Never Loved a Man."  She is an exquisite package.  Tatiana Del Toro did not bring the crazy, but she admonished viewers to "keep her dream alive."  Anne Marie Boskovich sang  "Natural Woman," but tackling 'Retha is a dangerous folly.  Brent Keith sang a song called "Hicktown."  The very likeable Anoop Desai could be the dark horse, securing a spot with Grace and Gokey from this first batch of finalists.

Danny Gokey will be the man to watch, as the widower sang "Hero" and closed out the show in a big way, bringing Kara and Paula to their feet.

Idol productions are currently facing the wrath of the WGA, which will be holding a rally tomorrow during a live broadcast of American Idol at CBS TV City to protest FremantleMedia North America's treatment of its Reality TV writers and other workers.

Deadline Hollywood reporter Nikki Finke reports that this demonstrations held by the writers guild in its continuing campaign to represent the writers behind unscripted shows.

A statement from the WGA:

"While Fremantle profits from Idol and its other shows, its writers, drivers, and other workers who make these shows successful do not. Many Fremantle workers do not receive benefits that are standard in the entertainment industry including minimum compensation, health insurance, and retirement benefits. Fremantle has also chosen to use non-union drivers who work excessive overtime without proper rest periods or drug and alcohol testing." The rally will begin at 3:30 PM PT sharp at CBS TV City’s Genesee Gate. Among those participating will be reality and game show writers, WGAW members, the Teamsters, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice, Professional Musicians Local 47, and other community supporters.

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