Well, this ought to be interesting

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08222008/tv/simon__im_in_charge_125637.htm

I agree. I thought last season was the best group of top 10 they could ask for! I enjoyed last season so much! Well, besides worrying that DC might lose to Archie

I hope Simon doesn't try to make it a train-wreck type show You know, Nigel created a perfect show with "So You Think You Can Dance". Everyone that makes top 20 are wonderful dancers. They don't throw in any cannon fodder. ALL the judges offer constructive critiques than are never cruel. That show is a total pleasure the entire season. Well, except it is hard to watch any of the kids go - they are all so good. My hope is that Simon would want to make AI like that. All the kids so good you hate to see any of them leave. But I am thinking that is not the direction Cowell will go. I will be most pissed at him if he ruins this show that I so love

I didn't like parts of AI with Nigel as an executive producer, but I agree that he is a very good judge on "So You Think You Can Dance" and I think that the fact that he was a dancer himself and can critique from a personal and professional view is a huge plus. He can actually give expert advice. Simon, however, just wants to make money. I hope he doesn't think that ramping up the on-screen insults and creating dissention will improve the program. I think the ratings will be even worse if he does.

I didn't know the Top 10 from season 7 were on Larry King Live on August 21.

You can watch videos of their appearance here at this DC fansite.

http://www.david-cook.org/08-22-08-Larry-King-Live-t12684.html

It's in 3 parts and all the kids get to talk and answer questions. This is just such an excellent group of young artists!

Saw this on tv tattle:

'AMERICAN Idol" has just finished tap ing its first week in Hollywood - and the cast of wannabes includes an Osmond nephew, the reigning Miss New York USA and Jason Castro's little brother, according to reports.
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They were part of the so-called "Idol Boot Camp," in which roughly 200 contestants chosen from eight audition cities are winnowed down to half that number.
Among the first batch were David Osmond, Donny and Marie's nephew.
Osmond is the son of Alan Osmond - one of the original Osmond Family singers and sib to Donny and Marie - and the lead singer for the "New Osmonds" group.
He's also battled West Nile Virus, which left him with a form of muscular dystrophy, according to mjsbigblog.com.
Also in the first group of aspiring "Idols" was Michael Castro, younger brother of last year's dreadlocked "Idol" finalist Jason Castro.
He is not the only one with a connection to last season.
Hopeful Anna Kaelin, the daughter of David Archuleta's vocal coach, is also said to be a 'Boot Camp" survivor.
Her father, Dean Kaelin, served as the Archuleta family's spokesman last season when reports began to mount that Archuleta's father, Jeff, was becoming a nuisance behind-the-scenes by stage-managing David's "Idol" run.
Among the other notable contestants:
* Danielle "Danni" Roundtree, who was named Miss New York USA 2008. She lives in Queens and sings in jazz clubs, according to reports.
* Jackie Tohn, an actress from Long Island who's been working in Hollywood since she was 9. She's appeared in TV shows ranging from "The Nanny" to "The Sopranos," according to Wikipedia.
* And, for the first time, a husband and wife - Tom and Jennifer Korbee (she starred in a kids show called "Hi-5") - have both been passed through to the Hollywood round.
The "Boot Camp" round in Hollywood ended two weeks ago, Fox says, though it wouldn't confirm any of the contestant names that have appeared on the Internet. "Idol" kicks off its eighth season on Tuesday, Jan. 13 with a two-hour premiere.

I have known about Michael Castro auditioning for Idol, since the auditions. Of course nothing could be leaked about it, but it's been talked about!

Actually, David Osmond has multiple sclerosis, not muscular dystrophy. And yes, he was diagnosed after his bout with West Nile Virus. Ironically, his father also has MS.

Another "ringer" is Joanna Pacitti. About 10 years ago, she won the role of "Annie" in the Broadway revival. The auditions were shown as a TV special. Anyway, she got sick while the show was touring and ended up being fired before the show came to New York. In the ensuing years, she has pursued a singing career. She was signed to Geffen Records and has put out at least one or two CDs. My guess is they didn't do that well as she was released from Geffen last year.

According to Vote for the Worst,

Spoiler:
	Michael Castro was cut in the second round in Hollywood.

I'll bet Jackie tries out as soon as she's old enough.

Here is a You Tube of a guy named Adam Lambert who supposedly has done really well for the new season of AI. The guy is super cute with a great voice and seems to already have a huge following.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xxA81F278Y

It will be interesting to see how much support he gets from Simon since he is suppose to be a "goth gay" and we all know how much Simon loves gays! I still love my little Danny boy!

Here is another one that is really good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLlOFxzk-2A&feature=related

Interesting! I watched the second video first and from his profile, he reminded me of Sam Harris. Anyone remember him........I LOVE him!!

I remember Sam Harris!