claytonic

merrieeee... That's what I always told my kids... In my defense, I'm only repeating dialogue... is that a mitigating circumstance???

(Well, watch out if you are a monster.....)

WOW CG those pics are magnificent... ALL of them!

00lsee, claytonic, I love you guys. Y'all are so sweet!

I have two 500 GB, three 320 GB, and maybe four 250 GB HDs (it's was the Iomega 250 one that went out last weekend) and Scarlett keeps tempting me with the 1 TB drives they have on sale - I backup EVERYTHING. Of course, the stuff on the one that went out was on CDs (I started backing everything up on CDs early in my fandom) - I'm now switching my backup to double layer DVDs and one of the 500 GBs.

Well, ain't that a classic case of trying to teach grandma how to suck eggs???

[Hope you guys know what that means - I once used it on someone for whom English wasn't her first language and she looked highly offended, especially since she was about 26 at the time and several years my junior.]

In other news, I'm to 94.5 GB in 2004, down from 95.3 GB! I thought I would be able to get rid of entire cities on tour, but haven't been able to do that. <sigh>

KAndre, what about a USB external drive? I have two of them, one is 120GB and the other is 250GB. They have come down in price a lot, a friend just bought a 250GB Seagate for A$100. So much easier to move them to their own HD. That is what I am doing with your DVDs, I am saving them to my 120GB HD and will view them from there, knowing that the Master copies are safely stored.

It appears after reading all the recaps yesterday, that there were 4 different incidents:

1. The gentleman who was taking pictures.

2. The group who yelled out during the Knights of Ni.

3. The McVargas Girls

4. The group who left during the curtain call to go to the barricades.

I think Clay had every right to be upset.

Kim

It would have been annoying AND offensive not just to the actors but to the audiences who frequent Broadway shows, it's a part of their life the way some people go to the movies (for example) every Friday night.

I imagine many of them would have been first time Broadway attendees(for Clay) and they may not realise that going live theatre/Opera/Ballet etc is not like going to the cinema. Actors are highly sensitive and nothing offends them more than having someone disrupt and compromise their work in front of a paying audience. Leaving during a curtain call is downright insulting.

I thought it was made clear what the 'rules' were, but I guess some slipped through the cracks.

If Kim were close with Charles, would she have been smiling when he was voted off? She just started to cry after Clay held her and she was flailing her arms around while he held her, not holding him back. I can't remember, maybe I taped it at the time, but I saw a better version of this and not only does Clay grab her and pull her to him by the back of her belt when she starts out again after Charles escorted her to the side, but before the pull, most guys look at each other in a way that indicated they were thinking of what to do. Who knew the gold had, I used to tape shows to watch later because I was in a property dispute with two different businesses and had to be in town court each Tuesday and Wednesday night, in case I had to testify. Won one and lost one. Wonder if I still have the tapes?

It is funny, Clay had an interesting relationship to Trenyce, who was good buddy to KimC. She was very supportive until the tour and the massive fan reaction for Clay. The worst thing I heard her say is that Clay and Ruben got extra help on the show and the others did not - help as in more time with Byrd and Orland - vocal coach and arranger, but never anything personal like Kim C. The tour was where Clay had to get a body guard and have separate meet and greets from the others because of the fans being rude to others, like passing before everyone and ignoring them untilthey got to Clay, themn walking away before having Ruben sign anything, and pretty manipulative to get into the M&Gs. Then there was the screaming during the show and leaving during others performances.

Kim was mostly comments like he was a diva and had to have his own way.....After the show when rumors started, she jumped in on Clay not liking girls because he did not fall all over her. At the beginning of the show, Kimberme had a thing going on with the guy who was supposed to become the hot sexy male contestant JD Adams (not voted in in his group despite undeserved praise), their relationship fizzled shortly after she ws voted on the show and he was not.

WOW this is all news to me. I am stunned that Trenyce would say that, I noticed that she and Clay seemed close, they were part of the same group waiting to be told if they were in the Top 32.

You're right, Kimbermeee should have been crying when his name was announced, not happily dancing and trying to steal the limelight when he was doing his last performance.

Well I will be watching Kimbermeee with different eyes and ears now. Her loss, HUGE loss....from what I know of Clay now .... the definition of "loyal friend" can be summed up in two words "CLAY AIKEN". He has shown such incredible loyalty to the people he loves and who stood by him. e.g. Quiana and a bunch of others who were important to him long before American Idol was even a concept.

Well, I have just finished watching AI2, the Final AND the Grand Finale.

Wow, it was so much better than AI3 which I watched from beginning to end ...at the same time as everyone else.

Although I had seen all Clay's performances either on YourTube or via downloads from Clack Unlimited, they were even more enjoyable seen in their proper sequence. I used to get confused with Clay's two performances of BOTW. Anyway, it may be 5 years old but it still holds a lot of magic, and I was really transported back and completely forgot it's all old stuff. I didn't like the ending much ... ONLY KIDDING! Sure I would have prefered Clay to have won but I can't imagine anyone not liking Ruben, he's just adorable. I'm not sure I would be this happy for Ruben if I'd been watching back then though!

I like KLo's natural hair (I am so envious of people with curly hair) but must say her straightened hair really suited her.

KAndre, thanks also for including the 2003 Christmas show... I really enjoyed it, and right at the end, when Clay was holding that lucky little girl from American Juniors and he was smiling at her, he suddenly looked like a young Danny Kaye!

Anyway, I've never watched so many videos in one weekend, especially during warm weather. I know I'll be watching it all again in a couple of months.

I haven't watched the tour videos, that will be next weekend... but I was wondering, was Vanessa included in the tour? I know that Charles was, but wasn't that because Josh wasn't available due to Marine duty? I really hate the way they made it the top 12 but only take the Top 10 on tour -I remember that Leah Labelle was utterly devastated when she (the first eliminated) wasn't included in the AI#3 tour. I know it's all about the money but I can't justify leaving out 2 people who had shared the journey with the other 10.

Anyway, it's back to normal life again, at least for a few more days....

the Playbill...click it twice

I just read that .... and noticed the mention of 2 being Clay"s lucky number.

By coincidence, this crossed my mind a couple days ago about Clay and the Number 2.

He auditioned in 2002

He had to audition TWICE, because he was 'cut' in Charlotte

He had to perform TWICE for the TV audience, before he was accepted into the Top 12.

He came 2nd to Ruben's win

It took TWO viewings of Spamalot before he was convinced to do it.

He has two backup singers (ok, this one's a bit lame.....nothing unusual about it)

He was raised by two grandmothers - although one wasn't related by blood

He had two Dads, although neither could be considered remotely adequate as fathers

He has two brothers, one step-brother and one half-brother

He has two sisters, one step-sister and one half-sister (now passed)

He now has two dogs

He has two 'careers', one as an entertainer and one as a humanitarian

The phone number to vote for him at the Final was 02

When Ryan announced the phone number to vote for him after the Final performance, Clay held up two fingers

Am I wrong about any of the above?

HA! I just edited my post to add

looks slyly at claytonic...

Lack of adequate fathers, there could be an disagreement there - but in general I think you're right - but I am the last person to know all things about Clay trivia!

LOL I'm big on trivia ....for me, it kinda represents the little details that make up the big picture. However, I admit I don't really know much about Clay's biological father and step-father, except that I got the impression from his book that he was rejected by both of them, and I don't really understand it. It's actually one of the reasons I feel protective of him, and get angry if I feel someone is causing him emotional pain.

Let's see if this works

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3654QH2Vbg8

How do you imbed youtube?

This is really not a good copy, but what you are seeing here - is Kimvberme rushing down and dancing with Charles - charles walks her back to where Clay is standing and you se a quick jerk of her body, which is Clay grabbing her belt (see, a preview of the WDC dance at the IT!) then grabs her to his body in a huge hug she can't escape. After he lets her go, you see her crying, she wasn't crying when she was dancing with Charles, so I don't think it ws his exit that brought her to tears. Kimberme then starts bad mouthing Clay in the near future.

WOW I see what you mean! I actually DID notice (from watching KAndre's DVDs) that she went up to Charles and started dancing with him and did wonder if they were very close or something but I didn't notice anything else. I can't see Clay grabbing her by the belt but his strong-hold hug now looks obvious to me, i.e. he's stopping her from stealing Charles' thunder. And yes, she does not look happy after that.

Did she REALLY bad mouth Clay shortly afterwards? What did she say!?!

Gosh, Clay sure looks out for others. No wonder we love him!

Couch

Some of the things you said articulates how I feel about Clay. I love his humour, I admire the way he deals with negativity and adversity, he's really been a fine example. His compassion and sensitivity for human suffering are probably what totally clinched it for me. I want to know everything about what makes this extraordinary man tick.

I can't believe how fortunate I am to have found this forum, so appropriately named. The generosity of spirit of the members in this forum has blown me away. It is currently 3am Sunday here and I have spent something like 16 hours since Friday night soaking up the DVDs KAndre burned for me just because I happened to mention in this forum that I felt deprived as I never watched AI series 2 because it wasn't screened downunder here in Ausclaylia. Although I had seen all of Clay's solo performances from YouTube or Clack Unlimited, seeing them within the context of the show makes me appreciate them even more. I had also felt 'deprived' reading LTS because I didn't know who he was talking about when he mentioned some of his favourite people who shared the Idol stage with him.

Some other members of this forum have also been so gracious with answering my questions via email and sharing information with me, and I truly appreciate everything, Clay has some amazing supporters.

I want to add that although I have over the years liked other artists, I've never been so focussed on just one artist before. Not a day goes by now without playing Clay's music.

From Wikipedia:

Is this true?

I quoted this to someone when I first read it, but no one takes Wikipedia seriously, so I would love some confirmation.

I also recall reading somewhere that Clay got something like 75% or 80% of the Wildcard vote from the viewers. Is this true? I mean, it is totally believable because he stood so far out in performance but that is a heck of a score under any circumstances!!

Why do I have the impression that some people in this forum don't like her?

Maybe because some don't? Fact is, I didn't like KimC the first time I saw her on a reality singing competition. She was also an also ran on PopStars the season before. As was Corey Clark IIRC. They both struck me as the "just tell me who I have to be to win" type. They weren't ever themselves. Professional auditioners as it were.

OK, I thought her voice was good though...and as for Corey Clark (what's IIRC?) ... I think he's a pretty troubled guy. Unlike almost anyone else, I am watching his early Idol performances for the first time KNOWING what happened later, and while I find Pawler Abbadabbbadoodle annoying at times, I think what he did to her was reprehensible. So I'd have to agree with you there, and I think he'd even compromise his own mother if it meant getting what HE wanted.

the Playbill...click it twice

I just read that .... and noticed the mention of 2 being Clay"s lucky number.

By coincidence, this crossed my mind a couple days ago about Clay and the Number 2.

He auditioned in 2002

He had to audition TWICE, because he was 'cut' in Charlotte

He had to perform TWICE for the TV audience, before he was accepted into the Top 12.

He came 2nd to Ruben's win

It took TWO viewings of Spamalot before he was convinced to do it.

He has two backup singers (ok, this one's a bit lame.....nothing unusual about it)

He was raised by two grandmothers - although one wasn't related by blood

He had two Dads, although neither could be considered remotely adequate as fathers

He has two brothers, one step-brother and one half-brother

He has two sisters, one step-sister and one half-sister (now passed)

He now has two dogs

He has two 'careers', one as an entertainer and one as a humanitarian

The phone number to vote for him at the Final was 02

When Ryan announced the phone number to vote for him after the Final performance, Clay held up two fingers

Am I wrong about any of the above?

Watching the first show of the series, i.e. Motown night, which I LOVE, I am Motown's biggest fan! (Amongst other things, I have read the biographies of Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Berry Gordy, Michael Jackson etc etc)

Just saw Kim C perform, and I really think she has a great tone to her vocals. Why do I have the impression that some people in this forum don't like her?

Also love Ricky's voice.

I am enjoying the REWIND series so much... it is wonderful to see the perform after knowing all their names, and then to see their personal comments and seeing how they look today. Gosh some of them (the women) really look so different now.

Simon clearly thinks Bonnie is country! And we know Simon hates country!

*

But he picked Carmen Rasmussen*, and he predicted (correctly) that Carrie Underwood would win! Both are more than a little bit country!

*KAndre, thanks to the Clack-Pack you put together for me, I have only just found out (10 minutes ago) that Carmen was Simon's Judge's Choice! I was so surprised!

OK, so I just watched the Wildcard show for the first time.... I have previously only seen Clay's individual performance but not within the context of the other performances, and WOW he was such a stand-out, surely everyone must have guessed that when the Judges did not pick him as their choice to advance to the Top 12, that he was clearly the viewer's choice.

Here's the part I am a bit confused about.... after he was announced the viewer's choice, I expected to see Ryan Seacrest call out the other finalists, one by one, and they run to hug Clay, one at a time... at least that is the vid I have seen on You Tube. Instead, they show each one come out and just stand in a line up. What the? I guess they had more than one intro.

QUESTION: They keep mentioning "TOP 10". WHY do they do that when it is relly "TOP 12"?

cotton... prayers said! You'll be nervous, but you'll also be fine! Whatever, Aunt Hilda will love it cause it's being sung with love!

I agree. Cotton, when i was reading your posts about your Aunt Hilda, it crossed my mind more than once how lucky she was to have had you in her life.

KAndre's Clack-Pack is in my Ausclaylian house!!!!! :nana:

Got home an hour ago, it is now just after 8.30pm and there is nothing else I need to do that can't wait until tomorrow ... It is Friday night here... guess what I am doing this weekend? Housework? Guess again... but no prizes..., sorry!

Thanks SO MUCH KAndre!

p.s. Ausdon, I will burn a copy for you ASAP so that your can find out what all the fuss is about and be for Spamalot!

I've been watching Idol via YouTube, and am seeing a lot of support for Ramiele. I think she has a better voice than Jasmine Trias, who she is being compared with.

HOWEVER, in my view, the biggest young talent out of the Philippines has to be Charice Pempengco.

In case you missed her on Ellen, here she is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5TafXFYCYg...feature=related

Ellen found her on YouTube, and that is how she got to be invited to guest on The Ellen Show.

She got the attention of some industry big-wigs, including Ed Shapiro, Clive Davis and David Foster.

Imagine, David Foster took her to see Celine Dion's final performance in Vegas, and is writing songs for her.

The maturity in her voice is unbelievable, and the only "criticism" is that she sings all those big songs exactly the way they were originally sung by Whitney, Beyonce, etc, but that's understandable as she has yet to develop her own style. You just won't believe that huge voice coming out of that tiny body. Wait for her to sing "I Will Always Love You" at the end of the vid.

Some of her YouTube videos have received several million views. Unfortunately some of those have been removed.

http://television.aol.com/show/american-id...features/losers

Anyone seen this?

As I was going through each one, I was wondering WHO they would have as the most successful Idol loser. Jennifer Hudson or Clay Aiken?

To my amazement, they never even mentioned Jennifer Hudson. I am totally puzzled... even Clay said that he used to be the most successful Idol loser until Jennifer Hudson won the Oscar.... (or words to that effect, perhaps not "won the Oscar" but certainly along the lines of her success with "Dreamgirls")

It pays to log on later - Just saw the video, what a riot - Clay was going to snitch, hee. Name address, everything!

Clay is incredibly funny, he has such a quick-witted mind. I love watching his interviews because he always makes me laugh. I wouldn't be surprised if his first movie is a comedy, although I'd love to see him do a strong dramatic role one day.

RUN TO WRAL!!!

the spamalot behind the scenes is up

click on little picture of Clay on the right side

he is soooo cute...so funny...great clip of Idol of my age...

That was just great! THANK YOU!

LOVE David Niven!

His book "The Moon's a Balloon" is so entertaining!

I challenge anyone to NOT feel sheer joy at watching this one...

For anyone who is interested, at my end of the world, we get your morning shows at 4am a day later. For example, right now it is 4am Thursday, and I've just switched on to watch GMA Wed morning your time!

OK, just so you know how much power Clay has in my life.... I used to ALWAYS watch NBC's morning show with Matt Lauer, which is on at the same time. That was until I watched Clay's interviews with Diane Sawyer on YouTube. When it became obvious to me that Diane is a Clay-struck as I am, I decided to ditch Matt on NBC for Diane on ABC, just so that I don't miss any snippets Diane may offer about Clay, especially since he is on HER hubby's show.

See how much control Clay has over my life?

No kids, no snow - Yay me!

Hey claytonic! A certain something has apparently left Sydney - are you anywhere close to that?

KAndre

I am beyond excited! I USED to live in Sydney, but am a bit over 1000 miles north of Sydney now, on the Eastern Coast of Oz.

I guess I won't be getting much work done around the house in the immediate future, and no one here will have to put up with me asking duh duh dumb questions again since I will not have many excuses left like "Woe is me, I never got to see AI#2"!

If you love dogs, this one is a MUST!

Views: 4,691,590 since Sept 06

This is one of my all-time favourite vids.

(Playbill)

Please do not feel guilty because you are able to go to many shows. I love reading the recaps since I will not be going. I never understand why anyone would begrudge someone for seeing shows. If I lived nearby I would see what I could. Just continue to see as many as you can and report back with every little detail.

Actually I really enjoy the recaps of those who go multiple times, because they can give us progress reports on what's changed, what Clay has done differently, how much he has improved/improvised. It also would be interesting for those who have only been once, they can keep tabs on what's changed etc.