TV Series Lounge

Here is an interesting news for everybody especially Stefano Langone’s die hard fans.

According to Star Magazine, American Idol finalist Stefano Langone, who spoke tearfully during the auditions phase about a car crash he was involved in which was caused by a drunk driver, was himself arrest for driving under the influence a year later.

The Kent, Washington native, a favorite of judge Jennifer Lopez this season, failed a sobriety test after being pulled over by a Washington State Patrol trooper for speeding and changing lanes without signaling.  Registering higher than the state’s legal alcohol test limit, he was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driven to police headquarters. Says the mag, quoting the arrest report: “While en route, Langone began singing.”

Langone only turned 22 last month. On Idol, he credited the accident, which forced him to relearn how to walk, for changing his life.

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

At one time, I thought Karen Rodriguez is the dark horse on this season. I think on the female contestants of the group, she is so capable of beating Pia Toscano. But that changes when Pia soared so high on her past two performances. Nevertheless, I think Karen left too soon.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, divas don’t always fare well on Idol. From Jennifer Hudson to Melinda Doolittle to Katharine McPhee, all came close to the crown, but just could not clinch it. Jordin Sparks, however, did, and curiously, Karen Rodriguez actually reminded me of the Season 6 winner a bit — both have that sweet everybody’s-pal disposition and each can certainly handle her ballads. But where Jordin Sparks shined was in the up-tempo numbers – Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker,” No Doubt’s “Hey Baby,” Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money” — and we never got to see that side of Karen.

In fact, the closest the Idol audience came to appreciating Karen’s pop flare was in the borderline horrid group number, a mash-up of Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild” and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” If this is the Glee-ification of Idol, then “Umbrella”/“Singing in the Rain” it was not. But I have to say, the one voice that did stand out, namely because it sounded so close to Gaga’s, was Karen’s. Perhaps had she forgone the Taylor Dayne one-hit wonder and opted for, say, Madonna’s 1989 smash “Express Yourself” (heh), we’d be seeing her again next week. Then again, pitted against Pia, Karen probably wouldn’t have lasted long anyhow, but she might have made the touring Top 10.

As things turned out, her last performance had one too many pitchy notes for this judging panel, but in speaking to reporters the morning after her 12th place elimination, Karen took comfort in having the support of Jennifer Lopez, whom she considers an inspiration. “[Jennifer] was rooting for me,” said Karen. “If it would have been all on her, I know she would have saved me. She told me.”

What other parting words advice did the judges offer? “Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson both gave me hugs and kisses and said, ‘You’re amazing. You’re going to go so far. This is only the beginning,’ ” she recounted. “And that just made me choke up. It was so many emotions, but it was all for good.”

So who will be next on American Idol?

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

Last Thursday night, Karen Rodriguez was sent home although it wasn’t unanimous from the judges. As the bubbly Latina exits the show, TV Guide spoke to her with this interview.

TV Guide: You sang in two languages, why?

Rodriguez: I wanted to stay true to myself. I wanted to show people that there is not a Latina-American right now doing the whole crossover thing, and I wanted to be that person. That was my purpose, to do that in front of millions of people.

TV Guide: Was it a strategic move, because the Latino population is growing?

Rodriguez: No, my thinking is that I wanted to represent for the Latinos, of course. But there’s not somebody my age doing that right now. My inspiration has always been Selena, and she passed away about 16 years ago. And 16 years without someone like her doing both languages — we need that right now. I needed that. I wanted to be that person. Of course Latinos are growing every day, but that wasn’t my thinking. I can’t do anything to control the votes. I can only be myself and hopefully that will transmit through the screen to all the viewers in America.

TV Guide: After the show, you said that you felt it was your time to go. Why did you feel that way?

Rodriguez: I was kind of mentally preparing for everything. I would’ve loved to stay a couple more weeks, but I was realistic about the fact that this was the best season and I made the Top 13. I auditioned through MySpace, which was unheard of. I auditioned online. But at the same time, I always live through the words, “Everything happens for a reason.” Right now that reason is not clear to me, but once opportunities start knocking… maybe it was my time to be free right now so when the opportunities come, I can find the things that I want to do, and I can shine more. I don’t have to win to be an idol.

TV Guide: The pressures are huge, being on this show. How did you manage not to get sick?

Rodriguez: The first time I sang “Hero” for Top 24, I had the flu, I had strep throat. So many things happen to our bodies, especially when we’re surrounded by 24 other people. So you’re gonna get sick. But a big part of it is mental health. I feel like you need to be mentally prepared for what’s to come. I’ve been singing since I was four or five, and I had it in my mind, clear, that this was where I wanted to be. Sometimes, the pressure is too much and people crack. But that never happened with me. The reason I might have left was because I didn’t have enough votes, but at least it wasn’t because I couldn’t handle the heat.

TV Guide: What was the most challenging part?

Rodriguez: To remember that this is just a competition, not the end of the world. I feel like some people can let that get to their heads. I wanted to use the time I had on the show wisely, and market myself the best I could. I didn’t let the heat of the competition get to my head. I didn’t look around and say, “Oh, my God, he’s better than me” or “She’s better than me.” There’s been so many American Idol winners that win, but we don’t get to hear from them after that.

TV Guide: I hear you dream of doing a duet with Jennifer Lopez’s husband, Marc Anthony?

Rodriguez: I remember being 10, 11, cleaning my room and listening to him on my iPod. And I remember how I felt when I watched his performance at Madison Square Garden on TV. And that man is so powerful. I remember meeting him Hollywood Week and I shook his hand and in Spanish, I told him, “It’s such a blessing to see you here.” I remember in Vegas, after one of my performances, he told me, “Forget about being on stage. Forget about the words. Just sing like no one’s there.” I told him one of my dreams was to sing with him and he hugged me and said, “Let’s pray so that that happens.”

TV Guide: So sing like no one’s listening?

Rodriguez: Yeah! That’s what he does on stage. He really is himself onstage and that’s why people love him. And I think maybe that’s what I’m lacking. But you can only gain that by doing more performances. I might not be the most amazing singer right now, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. And soon enough, I will become that artist.

TV Guide: Anything the judges said to you privately last night that really means something to you?

Rodriguez: Yes, Jennifer came up to me after the show and I said, “What was missing? What could I have done better?” And she said, “Nothing. You were perfect.” And that was amazing. If Jennifer Lopez is telling me that I’m perfect, then I know I’ve done a pretty good job.

So who do you think will leave next on American Idol?

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

American Idol sends off the first finalist home.

American Idol brought back the judges’ save last night, as the panel will have one chance to unanimously override the votes and prevent a contestant from going home over the next few weeks.

Alas, that did not make a difference for Ashthon Jones, who became the first season 10 finalist eliminated. As viewers listened to the new exit song – David Cook’s cover of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” – Jones broke down and was comforted by her former competitors.

So do you agree with Ashthon leaving?

Make sure to join the poll HERE.

American Idol fans, here is the latest news on what will happen later on American Idol 10 Top 13 performances. Will the performance be pre-taped?

It seems yes. According to TV Guide, American Idol will pre-tape Wednesday night’s performance show tomorrow, rather than have all 13 finalists sing live. In every season until now, the show has always gone live after selecting the final group. But this year, that group — the Top 13 — has become a little unwieldy.

According to sources close to the show, the pre-taping strategy is being put into play this week — and possibly next week, too — so that producers can be sure to fit all the performances and critiques into a two-hour slot. American Idol has had to accommodate 13 singers only once before, in Season 8.

The producers are also hoping to iron out some kinks in the sound levels, after some viewers complained that the band sometimes drowns out the vocalists. The show’s new musical director, Ray Chew, says he’s well aware of the problem. “What happens, especially during a live show, is that a lot of the contestants don’t have a lot of experience when it comes to mike technique,” he says. “And so they will change the level themselves. But we will make sure that we pay attention to that, because we want to make sure that America can hear them. I’m gonna go in and make sure they turn those vocals up.”

So are you in favor of pre-tape or live performances?

Make sure to join the poll HERE.

Watch your back, J. Lo! Karen Rodriguez wants to duet with your hubby: “Marc Anthony stops by sometimes and he gives me hugs and thumbs up. … He’s another one of my idols. If there is someone who I would love to sing with and do a duet with, it would be him.”

James Durbin is over the Adam Lambert comparisons: “I’m kind of tired of answering that question. We’re completely different people stylistically, tone-wise. The only similarity that we have is the high note. … He put his foot in the door; I want to try and put my foot straight through the door. He did some rock, I liked it. I want to do some metal like Iron Maiden, ACDC, Ozzy, Sabbath.”

It’s pretty easy to be friends with Steven Tyler, according to Lauren Alaina: “If anyone tries hard enough, they can have a connection with Steven Tyler. He’s really down-to-earth and he’s a great guy. ”

Scotty McCreery is not just a country boy: “People don’t know, but my first couple preliminary auditions before I went in front of the judges, I sang Frank Sinatra and John Mayer, so I do different stuff.”

Haley Reinhart knows the importance of song choice: “It would be cool to find out how to pick a great song because there are so many components: You’re thinking about the audience, how you’re going to connect with them and with the judges and with yourself. It’s such a big deal and you have a little time to do it.”

Casey Abrams doesn’t believe that practice makes perfect: “I don’t think about it. I have to keep it fresh. If I over-rehearse, it doesn’t feel right. Sing it once or twice. Let it rest. Maybe hum it in your head and then get it out of there. I want every performance to be different.”

Naima Adedapo has some big tricks up her sleeve: “I feel like I still have more to show America. I feel like I haven’t shown all of me yet. I have some things that I’m going to pull out of my pocket that I feel like people will be able to connect to immediately.”

Look out for original Stefano Langone compositions: “The music that I do the best is my own music. Not only because it comes from me, but the music that I write fits … my voice perfectly, so it’s the better way. So when I’m in the shower, I’m doing a lot of my music, but I’m also doing John Legend and Stevie Wonder as well.”

Ashthon Jones might have a small crush on Casey Abrams: “I would go to his concerts every day. He’s got a different style. … He’s hot, he’s cute.”

Paul McDonald has no idea what to expect — really: “This whole thing has been a surprise because, literally, I’ve never really watched the show. So I’m like, ‘Oh, cool, we’re getting eliminated now and there’s a big stage?'”

Thia Megia likes being the baby of the competition:  “It adds more to the excitement because, with the older contestants, they treat you like a baby, which is kind of cool for me. I’m enjoying it. It’s nice to represent the younger singers out there and the hopefuls.”

Jacob Lusk isn’t looking to be Idol’s next one-hit wonder: “Just really about maintaining your career and having longevity. For me, that’s what it’s about. I don’t want to be an Idol who wins or finishes up in fourth place, releases one album and then you never come back and never do anything else.”

Pia Toscano is staying clear of the show’s message boards: “I really try not to read anything. I just want to be sure of myself every week. You don’t want to read anything that can cloud up your mind.”

So who is your bet?

Make sure to join the poll HERE.

Who is your Season 10 Favorite?

• Who is Season 10 Winner?
• Finale Performances Review
• Carrie Underwood, Bono and The Edge on Season Finale
• Scotty and Lauren on Season 10 Finale
• Haley Fell and Recovered
• Jacob Lusk Voted Out
• Sheryl Crow to Mentor Final Five
• Casey Abrams Voted Out, No Save Available
• Carole King Performances
• Stefano Langone Voted Out
• Paul McDonald Exit Interview
• DeGeneres, Hanks and Hudson Shocked on Pia’s Exit
• Pia Saw It Coming
• Pia Toscano Voted Out
• Rock n’ Roll Performances Review
• Female Finalists in Danger Zone
• Naima Adedapo Exit Interview
• Thia and Naima Voted Out
• Elton John Performances Review
• Casey Abrams Hyperventilated After the Save
• Casey Abrams Voted Out, Saved by Judges
• Motown Performances Review
• Nick Jonas Surprises Karen Rodriguez
• Thia Megia Gets Support from Kapampangans
• Stefano Langone Sang When Arrested by Police
• Karen Rodriguez Left Too Soon
• Karen Rodriguez Interview
• Ashthon Jones Exits
• Pre-Taped Top 13 Performances
• Top 13 Interviews

On the road to Final 24, American Idol contestants sang The Beatles classics in Las Vegas. I can say that there are performances which brought me goosebumps and there are others as well who were just ordinary.

After such, the show went to the announcement of Final 24. Oh boy, this is one of the most intense part of the show. The emotions are there and we can really feel the same.

Following an hour of performances, the hopefuls were called in one-by-one to hear their fate from Randy, Steven and J. Lo. Would they be going home, or going on to the top 24? Overall, a quintet of singers advanced to the semifinals:

• Naima Adedapo
• Clint Jun Gamboa
• Ashthon Jones
• Paul McDonald
• Haley Reinhart

But it was the end of the line for other contestants, most notably Chris Medina, whose tragic story of a fiancee that suffered traumatic brain injuries in a car accident brought many viewers to tears a couple weeks ago.

Lopez experienced the same result here, breaking down as she informed Chris that he would not be advancing. JLo was really affected and we can see that on her reactions. I hope Chris continues his journey because he is definitely one of my favorites this season.

• Will Kara DioGuardi remain on the show?
• Will there be three or four judges?
• Have diva-like demands really disqualified Jennifer Lopez as a candidate?
• Can a cap be placed on how many times Randy Jackson can say the word “pitchy” per show?
• Will the competition make a major change from last season and find a large group of interesting contestants?