JennaZ

(Sigh) And I used to like it, too, although I haven't watched it in a while. Ah well, at least very few people are watching the show at all. I hate these kinds of references, but it's water off a duck's back to me. These things happen, as they do to many celebrities. Not worth more than a moment of anger. Though I probably won't be watching FNL again.

Sorry I can't participate in the Clack evaluations. The sound isn't workin on my home computer, and I don't feel comfortable downloading and reviewing video on my computer at work. Have fun, though! Lovely photos, ldyjocelyn! BTW: Looks like Megan didn't make it. (Link below) Good thing Clay's performances were already aired. As they will be showing re-runs, perhaps we'll have one more chance to see him there. NBCU Pulls Plug on Megan Mullally The low-rated talk show’s staff was told Wednesday that production would cease immediately. It will air through the end of January with a mix of originals and reruns, as had been scheduled.

Wonderful post, Ansamcw! Same here. There seems to be this perception that ATDW was something Clay did at gunpoint, and that it in no way reflects his musical taste or direction. While I may believe that RCA wanted him to do a covers album, I suspect there is actually more of Clay in it than some would like to believe. I think he did make an album he is proud of, even if it hasn't been the instant success wanted it to be. He's a smart guy. I believe he'll figure out what he needs to do to get where he wants to be. Now, where he wants to be may not be exactly where some fans want him to be. Absolutely. Too many forget that Clay is not the only celebrity who ends up in the tabloids, who gets dissed by comedians or misrepresented in the press. In fact, most of the biggest stars do. The Claycentricity of the fandom, however, gathers ever tidbit from every obscure source, concentrates them together, and imparts to each an exaggerated sense of significance. One thing you learn when you step back from the boards is that the entire world doesn't revolve around Clay Aiken, and many of the things that send fans into a tailspin never reach mainstream consciousness. Brilliant point. There has been a tendency to see things in a black and white world of heroes and villains. Clive and RCA are evil and have conspired with multiple forces to ruin Clay's career. David Foster and Warner Music will save Clay and elevate him to the stratosphere. Reality is more about incompetence than malice. I'm not sure, however, if enough fans have realized this. I suspect this is very true, and I think it will be very interesting to watch. Clay seems to be the kind of guy who reacts to setbacks with a glint in his eye and renewed sense of purpose. The boy who was cut from his high school play found a professional stage production to join. The student who was rejected at the Charlotte auditions chose a new song and blew away the judges in Atlanta. The contestant who was outvoted in the first round of Idol came charging back with a Wild Card performance that made him a favorite. And the man who lost the final ended up setting the sales standard for all idols to follow. Is this the kind of guy who would tuck his tail between his legs and crawl away from a career in music? I don't think so. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that he's already involved in a strategy to launch A Thousand Days. I agree. Even if Clay's career stays where it is...albums that consistently go gold, concerts selling out 1000-2500 seat theatres, a dozen or so television appearances per year, he'll still be giving us quite a lot to enjoy. Are we in love with Clay, or with the idea of supporting a superstar? I would hope that whatever happens, most will learn to cherish what he gives us, and not be disappointed with anything less than world domination.

My heart goes out to you, jmh. Seems like such a difficult situation. I'm sure you're doing everything you possibly can. I hope you find all the strength and support you deserve. I suspect that's true for a lot of us, here. It's certainly true for me. When the boards are a greater source of pain than pleasure, it makes you wonder, "What's the point?" I'm so grateful there's a place that isn't so angry and cynical, a place that hasn't lost its sense of joy. To be fair, the other boards were pretty pleasant during the concerts. However, the end of the year brought back a bit of the angst. Hopefully, Clay's statements will inject a little more glee into the fandom, at least for a moment. Don't feel shy about expressing your "funky thoughts." I think we all feel them. Thanks for bringing over the stats, playbiller. Good to know!

Happy New Year everyone! Muski, what happened to your mother was awful. I hope she feels better and more secure as the weeks progress. Playbiller, hope you feel better soon. What a sweet blog! Honestly, I saw it and saw only a friendly holiday greeting. The only words that gave me the slightest twinge were those where he said he hoped he would make the fans proud of him this year. So many fans have expressed bitterness and discontent over the album, its sales, and his handling of certain events. I can't help but wonder if he thinks he's disappointed them, because he didn't have the kind of record-breaking sales or huge critical acclaim many want for him, as if he had to be #1 at everything for fans to be proud of him. But perhaps I'm probably reading too much into it. I do have this feeling, though, that 2007 could be a very interesting year for Clay, one where he may be willing to try new things and take new risks. He's a very smart guy, and someone who I think is actually much more competitive than he wants to admit. I suspect we'll see more of him sooner than we expect.

My predictions, a bit less bold, but nevertheless: 1. Clay will return to Regis and Kelly, and it will be a hugely hyped event. 2. Clay will go to Asia where he will make televised appearances and prove to be more popular than expected. 3. He will make a guest appearance on at least one sitcom. My dream would be the reported musical episode of Scrubs. 4. He will tour ATDW and incorporate even more comedic banter than this winter, something which will be noticed by the national media and which will lead to other television opportunities. 5. He will write more songs, at least one of which will be previewed in concert. 6. He will blog, leave audio messages, chat, or post at the fan club with more frequency than this year. 7. By June, he will have a completely different look. 8. He will write an article that will appear in a national magazine, newspaper or online news site. 9. He will appear on Jon Stewart, Bill Mohr or both, where he will stun the host with his grasp of politics. 10. His support of a presidential candidate will be revealed, which will cause a certain percentage of his fans' heads to explode. The boards will rage with emotional political rhetoric and some will declare that they can no longer support him. But then, some really primo Clack will surface and all will be forgiven. And just for fun, I will predict that he will make a surprise appearance in a completely unexpected television show or movie, one that will have people buzzing for weeks.

That's my feeling, too. I suspect he may be afraid to reveal too much of himself emotionally, but I would not be surprised if digging deep is ultimately what propels him to the top. From the way Clay talks and blogs, it's clear to me that he has a real affinity for language. My other great wish is that he connects with a composer who really understands his gift and the best way to present it. Perhaps its David Foster, perhaps its someone else. Such a collaboration could be magic.

When I was a kid, I loved the variety shows. Donny and Marie. Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters. Sonny and Cher. Tony Orlando and Dawn. As I recall, these shows started with a comic monologue, included a few funny sketches, and featured the title artists singing different numbers every week, sometimes with guest artists, sometimes not. The music wasn't necessarily hip or edgy, but it was fun. I think having dance numbers by Benji and Donyelle would be great, and the potential interaction between them could be priceless.

People have predicted disaster before every.single.tour. It's tiresome, and oh, so predictable.

Also on my wish list: Lover All Alone is featured on Grey's Anatomy, causing millions to clamor for it on the radio and in stores. It makes a suprisingly rapid rise on the charts, and causes many to see Clay in a new light.

Oh I woudln;t be surprised if they invite him back...that will be a ratings boost for sure. the question is...will Kelly agree He could come out wearing a gag...or he can bring it the biggest bouquet ever. They can continue the same sharp and friendly combative humor they had on that show. I think it would be good for Ripa to do that to show that there really was no homophobic bone in her body...although I would hate to have to watch her hypocritical diva face... Yeah, I actually almost expect him to make a return, probably during February sweeps, because his appearance would create huge public interest. Kelly might not be pleased, but someone must have convinced her it was a good idea to apologize, and I'll bet that same person (her publicist, maybe) will persuade her to allow him to come back so she can play the gracious lady. BTW: It's FX that's doing "Dirt," a drama about a woman running a tabloid. My guess is that it will not be entirely sympathetic to celebrities. As for Clay's next CD, my hope is that whatever label he is with, he works with executives who truly understand his appeal and potential. What I've seen isn't really malice, just lack of faith and imagination.

So true, Couchie. Personally, between a talk show and a variety show, I'd rather have the variety show. While I do think that Clay's personality can create fans, I'm not sure it necessarily sells CD's without enough musical exposure. Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford both appear to have fans, but neither seems to have sold particularly well. People don't think of them as artists. They think of them as talk show hosts who sing. I have my doubts that music could be regularly incorporated in a daily talk show, particularly one with guests. I have a feeling many artists (especially the hordes that lip synch every performance) would prefer to promote their material without him singing with them. It's been a while since variety shows have been big, but the time may be ripe. Shows like AI, SYTYCD, and DWTS suggest that there is an appetite for performance based shows. Prime time exposure is potentially much greater than your typical syndicated daytime or late night talk show. Besides, such shows could be taped in the fall and spring, allowing for summer and winter touring. Yes, variety shows are a bit old-fashioned an unhip, but so is Clay. I think the right show with a good mix of family friendly music and comedy could do surprisingly well.

I do think that if anyone could make a variety show work, Clay could. In terms of health, I do hope he remains well during 2007. Clay has long seemed susceptible to health issues, between all the illnesses, allergies, and eye problems. I think he knows this, which is why he does tend to emphasize health, a sort of unusual thing for a young male. My fantasy -- a supporting comedic role in a television show or movie, one that would allow him to impress people with both his vocal and comic skills.

Hey y'all! RE: A talk show. I do think it could enhance his music career, although I must admit, the thought of him jumping into such a competitive arena makes me a bit nervous. However, I'd bet that any talk show he did would be radically different than others out there, simply because he's a very unique personality. I do suspect that the amount of air time he did get on talk shows this year may suggest that he is seriously trying to demonstrate his conversational prowess.

Thinking warm thoughts for all of you feeling ill in chilly areas. Here in LA, it's sunny and in the high 60's today. rckrllmom, it's nice to see you on this board. While I do think there is a lot of mutual respect and affection here, bottlecap is right in this: It's one of the reasons I've really grown to appreciate it. I do buy music of other artists, but primarily through downloads. Clay is the only one for whom I will buy a physical CD. In fact, for Christmas, I asked for (and got) a new iPod to replace my old mini-iPod that had reached its limit in terms of space. This resonates with me, couchie, as with much that you've posted. I figure the really important stuff will make its way here (thanks to all of you!). Besides, I find that my life is better with more balance. I'm reading more, now. Cooking more, now. Spending more time with the people in my life. At work, I actually do work. Interesting find regarding Ruben, playbiller. I must admit, though, part of me wonders whether his plans to release both this year are firm or merely hopeful. I've always liked him as a person, but I would be surprised if the label supported two more albums in 2007.

I don't think Handleman hates Clay and is deliberately trying to downgrade him. More likely, they just don't have enough faith in him as a big seller. They could be wrong (and they wouldn't be the first), but I just can't see anything being emotionally motivated. I also suspect that they've been focusing on the newer releases, especially those with a lot of current promotional support. FWIW, I've read that CD sales only account for a tiny, tiny portion of Wal-Mart's store revenue. If they're not maximizing that department's sales, it may simply be that they don't care that much. Of course, given Wal-Mart's financial woes this year, that may be a mistake.

So true. So very, very true. Quite frankly, most of the time, I hear about these things only on the fan sites. Lately, I find myself a much happier fan when I'm off the main boards. Celebrities are targets. It's a fact of life. Doesn't sound gross at all, to me. My mom used to make a turkey soup after Thanksgiving and it was quite satisfying. Hope you feel better soon, Georgia.

Heh, heh heh! I think you may have something there! Thinking warm, fuzzy thoughts for all of you feeling under the weather today. I have a feeling Taylor and possibly Fantasia will get a bit more promotion early next year (perhaps some televised football game, or on American Idol). In New Orleans, they told me Taylor was scheduled to be the Grand Marshall at the Endymion (sp?) parade during Mardi Gras. What will be interesting to see, though, will be whether the holiday season will have drained away potential sales (people are considerably poorer in January, although gift cards are bigger than ever), or whether Katherine's promotion will be closer to DAUGHTRY! or Diana DeGarmo. As for Clay, the new year may hold many surprises for us, or for him. What seems clear is that he is a bona fide celebrity who is still deemed newsworthy enough to make the entertainment headlines. I'll bet he has more planned than he's ready to reveal at this time. Thanks for bringing over the prettty, bottlecap!

I've been catching up... Internet access has been limited over the last week. I spent the 20th-25th with my family in Houston, and the 25-28th with my husband's family in New Orleans. So my ramblings may be a bit passe at this point. This board has been a breath of fresh air for me, too, for many of the reasons others have mentioned. When I was new in the fandom, I regularly visited and posted in 3-5 different boards. Eventually, that narrowed to 1 or 2, but in recent months, so much of the joy in the fandom seems to have been replaced by anger and bitterness. It's been wonderful to find a place that doesn't engage in the villification of RCA with such dogmaticsm and aggression. And though I hadn't intended this to be my home board, I've found that its temperment and speed are actually more in line with where I am as a fan. Before, I rabidly went from board to board, staying on the most active, because I needed an almost constant fix of Claytalk. I used to love the fact that at Clayboard, every time you refreshed, there were dozens of new responses. It was time intensive, but at the time, entertaining, and I was always afraid to miss something. Now, I realize that I don't have to be online 24/7. This board has great discussions, but they can take place over the course of days. And this suits me. I have a life with all its own issues, problems and concerns. I no longer feel the need to spend hours debating every little detail of his life or career. Which isn't to say that I don't worry about him, or long for the kind of industry respect or commercial success others have had. I just find that I get more out of this fandom when I concentrate on the pleasures, which are myriad, and the positives, which are many. BTW: Saw "Dreamgirls" yesterday. There was some great singing (by Jennifer Hudson, especially), although the movie does start to feel long after a point. One can't help but wonder whether she's so good in it because there are elements she can relate to. For some reason, it gratifies me immensely that an underdog like her is emerging as the film's biggest story. That Idol sales chart is very interesting. I guess we'll have to see how things shake up, ultimately, but I do find it intriguing that Taylor's sales went down during the busiest shopping week of the year, and that Fantasia, despite the Lifetime movie, is struggling. Personally, I've never been a fan of hers, but I would have thought that the movie (which a lot of people I know have seen) might have a had more of an impact. Still, I haven't seen her album on any endcap arrangements, locally. Plenty of Taylor, but no Fantasia. When it comes to promotion, I have to wonder if she's still Clive's darling, these days. Great photos, ldyjocelyn!

Wow! Stay off the boards for just a couple of days and you miss some great coversation! FWIW: The trade ad for ATDW gives me some hope that there is at least some possibility that the label doesn't view the album as "dead and buried." And quite frankly, I can see a sort of suspension of promotion the holiday season when the Christmas album is getting airplay and Clay's televised performances are of holiday songs. And maybe I'm wearing ldyJocelyn's lovely pair of lenses, but I actually think ATDW may have half a chance. There has been some anecdotal evidence that the not.just.us crowd tends to favor it. Is it played out? Honestly, it may seem that way to us because we've been listening to it since last summer. However, for the vast majority of people, its still a relatively new song. Not everyone has heard him sing it on the talk shows. As for touring, I suspect a lot may depend on the success of the holiday concerts. If promoters like what they've seen, they may be more likely to confirm spring dates. If any of them have actually been watching his show (and witnessing his comedic gifts), they may be even more inclined to book, especially if they're given some indication there will be national promotion. I have a feeling that plans are still in the works, but where and when may be subject to change. I know very little about the music industry, but my suspicion is that while there is a certain amount of strategic planning done months in advance, some opportunities come up unexpectedly, causing schedules to adjust accordingly. 2007 could be a surprising year. I do get this sense that more than ever before, Clay is flexing his comedic muscles. Slowly, here and there, people seem to be taking note. Perhaps 2007 will be the year it atually takes him where he wants to go. Oh, and nice pics!

What a lovely review from Grand Rapids! Thanks for bringing it over, bottlecap. Glad to see someone recognize his humor as well as his voice. Concerts -- I'm like atinal. AI Tour - 1 (Anaheim) Independent - 2 (Anaheim, Los Angeles) NAT - 1 (Houston) JNT 1 - (Los Angeles [Pasadena]) JNT 2 - (Los Angeles [Hollywood]) Total = 7 I'd love to go to more, but at this stage in my life, it's hard for me to justify the expense of travelling far for shows. Sadly, he hasn't done any pop concerts in the LA area for a while. For the Houston show, uh, it went something like this: (On the phone) ME: Hi Mom! MOM: Hi! What's new? ME: You know, Dad's birthday is coming up September 12. I was thinking of flying down there for his birthday and spending a week there. MOM: Oh, he'd LOVE that! You know, we're always willing to pay for your plane ticket whenever you want to come home. ME: Thanks! It'll be great to see you and dad. Oh.....and while I'm there...would you be interested in seeing Clay Aiken in concert? I'll buy the tickets. MOM: Uh, sure. ME: I love you! Good numbers, too!

Beautiful re-cap KAndre! You brought a lump to my throat.

Yeah, I don't think MySpace is primarily used as a substitute for conversations of a very personal or private nature. If past history is any indication, Clay's probably writing actual letters to Brett, although of course, they may take a while to get to him. There's e-mail, but if Brett's computer time is limited, he may appreciate quick messages on MySpace. My cousin's husband was stationed in Iraq, and he said he actually preferred receiving letters because he didn't have time to read through all his e-mail. While it's true that Clay may bring attention to Brett's web page by posting, it's also possible that both are comfortable with the sort of ancillary fame he gets as as Clay's brother. I suspect that if Brett had a problem with it, Clay would be much more careful about identifying him.

Great recap, KAndre! Sounds like you gals had a lot of fun! I can believe that Clay would post on MySpace. Apparently, he didn't put anything too revealing on there, and if he happened to be on the site to check up on his friends and family, he might think that a quick note while he was in the mood might be better than waiting for a good time to make a phone call. Besides, what bottlecap said makes a lot of sense to me: Glad to hear that he's been rehearsing. It's good that he had a full day to rest and recover.

It's great to hear from you, muski. I can't wait to read your full re-cap when you have the chance. I wish your experience with your daughter was more positive. It must be tough. Have a great time in New York, though. We'll be waiting...