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JennaZ

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Everything posted by JennaZ

  1. First of all, I want to thank all you for your birthday wishes, and apologize for not responding sooner. I was offline for much of last week, and haven't had much time to catch up and post this week. However, I do appreciate the kind thoughts! As for the topic du jour: Honestly, much of what the M&G poster said feels credible to me, not only in that the radioplay info came from Clay, but in the rationale given. I do think that at some time, some radio stations were so annoyed by what they felt to be excessive spamming, that they decided not to play his songs. At the same time, I suspect that if programmers really believed in the material and the artist, such enthusiasm would not have been counted against him. I do think that for some, Clay was never quite "cool" enough for them, and so instead of believing that the response was representative of widespread, mainstream popularity, they saw it as the result of a small but obsessive minority. Personally, I can't completely blame fans for calling and e-mailing radio stations in the past. It was thought that listener feedback was something that was respected. Many stations had request lines and online mechanisms for engaging with their audience. Perhaps fan zeal was excessive, but we were a new fandom then, bursting with excitement and the desire to see Clay succeed. Except for those who made death threats (and I fully believe there were some), most did it innocently and earnestly, without intent to harass or annoy. But FWIW, I really doubt that spamming fans bear the primary blame for Clay's lack of radioplay. I also disagree that it's all about payola. I think Clay has been a challenge for RCA's marketing team because he is different, his musical tastes are not always closely aligned with what's currently popular in radio, and because he is perceived as appealing primarily to a larger demographic. And while Clay certainly does have younger fans, it's hard to deny that the majority of those who are visible in concerts and television appearances are over forty. I can see how Clay might be harder sell to radio, particularly in the Top 40 format. That said, I believe that the right song at the right time can overcome a lot of obstacles. Will his latest single be that song? I don't know. I think Lylekira had it right when she said, "The art of a hit record is something that can never full understood or everyone would be doing it." We will have to see. But who knows? Perhaps, by now, AC formats who have played his Christmas songs will be more open to his new material. Maybe some programmers will think that after five years, fans will no longer barrage them as intensely as they did before. And, hey, it's entirely possible that Clay may actually have a truly great song that does well in research and demonstrates genuine, popular appeal. You never know.
  2. While I have more admiration for those who help without expecting public recognition, I tend to believe that anything that results in a net positive outcome is worthwhile. I'm not interested in watching Oprah's reality show. However, if it does mean that some deserving people get needed assistance, it's OK by me. I don't really care if she gets richer if also means others have a better life. Besides, IMHO, it's not a bad idea to publicize the idea of helping other people. If all the show does is remind viewers that with a little money, regular people can make a difference, perhaps some will be inspired to do it on their own. For me, the bottom line is, what good is coming out of it? If a celebrity participates in a fundraiser purely for the publicity, but helps the cause get thousands more than without her participation? Still worth it to me. If a fan spends thousands of dollars on a charity auction item, more to own the item than to help the charity itself? I'm totally fine with that. If a corporation gives millions to a charity primarily for the good PR or because it's a good tax write-off, to me, the motive is less important than the fact that the charity gets money they probably would not otherwise have. Don't get me wrong. I still have far more respect for those who help others quietly. However, if the needy in the world only got support from those acting with the purest of motives, IMHO, far fewer people could be helped.
  3. So true. It always reminds me of Shel Silverstein's story, "The Giving Tree." For those unfamiliar with the title, the Amazon synopsis is here: It is sad how so many fans feel such entitlement. How, somehow, back door autographs are assumed to be part of the price of admission. How concert routings must conform to fan convenience instead of financial realities. How he should be expected to read the message boards to discern the mood of the fandom before posting his blogs. How we should be privy to every detail of his career whenever we want it. Through television, he's made public the inside of his home. He's shared his vacation photos, his tastes in books and television shows, even his excitement in his iPhone. He gives himself fully to every performance, no matter how ill or tired he might be. He has expressed his gratitude to the fans at countless concerts, on multiple blogs, in his book, and in person. And yet for some, it is never enough.
  4. What is it about Clay? What draws you to him? Is it just the singing? The very first time I saw him on the Idol auditions, it was the voice. I didn't find him attractive, but he did have that sort of underdog appeal that made me hope he would make it to Hollywood. As the season progressed, I began to fall for his looks and charm. After Idol, I was touched by his heart, especially in relation to children. That, and his delightful sense of humor, have anchored me since. Have you ever been this involved in another singer's career? Never. An actor, yes, but no one else in music. What is the other key trait that makes you get on a message board every day or download some clack. To be honest, I don't go on to message boards as frequently as I used to. I used to feel like I'd miss something if I wasn't on the message boards constantly. Now, I'm at a different place in my life. Clack is nice, but I don't need the constant fix. And was it the voting and the nature of Idol that invested you so much? I think it was more the fact that he lost, and that I wanted to make sure I had enough of him after the show.
  5. I agree that interviewers like Linda, who have known him a long time and have never asked him tabloid questions, will naturally tend to get more relaxed and open interviews from Clay. Those, like the Newsweek interviewer, who choose less friendly topics, are likely to get a more wary and reserved response. While I can believe that a covers album was not his first choice for a sophomore release, I do think that he was proud of it in his own way. I really don't think he would have chosen to sing so many of its songs on last summer's tour if his feelings toward it were as negative as some seem to suggest. That said, I can also believe that he may be more excited about this album than he was about the last, because it does seem to be more about who he is. I know that not everyone believes that it's necessary for an artist to make a "personal" album, but I do think that it does add something when an artist feels an emotional connection to the music he sings. I love the fact that he wants his next album to be about where he is in his life now. As for Ruben, I knew some fans would be upset that he would get the AI "good-bye" song. But with all of Clay's concert, Broadway, and sales success, it seems a bit petty, IMHO, to begrudge Ruben this one prize. It's as if fans of Brad Pitt were to be jealous that Jason Patrick got a role in a great film instead of him. Let Ruben have "Celebrate Me Home." Clay has plenty to celebrate on his own.
  6. RE: CD release parties. In the beginning, I thought the press releases and media attention were helpful in creating buzz. Now, I tend to believe that they should be purely for the fans to enjoy themselves, and not part of any effort to participate in the CD's marketing and promotion. If RCA or Team Clay choose to make these parties part of their plans, that's fine. However, no matter how many "experts" this fandom may have, I just don't think we're qualified or knowledgeable enough to foist ourselves into media mix. I haven't seen the WRAL video yet, but judging by the article, it sounds like we do have some exciting things to look forward to. ((cotton))
  7. Yeah, it's pretty funny, isn't it? Not too long ago, Warner was the label of choice. Now? Not so much.
  8. Great point, couchie! This role was a risk... the British accent, the comedic timing, the dancing... And it's gratifying to see at least one reviewer acknowledge this. I agree that it was a bold but brilliant move for him to choose Spamalot to make his Broadway debut. (((couchie))) Don't work too hard.
  9. Great review! Thanks for bringing it over. It's great to know that critics appreciate Clay's talent and charm. Thanks, too, KAndre, for sharing quotes from your article. It seems to me that, in likelihood, ATDW's gold status is an achievement, regardless of fan disappointment. I would bet that RCA does find Clay profitable, even if he doesn't go multi-platinum wit every album. I like Ruben as person, but honestly, I don't think he was dropped solely because of his 19 management. Fact is, even though the label could get his songs on the radio, he has never been able to generate much buzz after the show. I mean, people seem to like him, but there's not a lot of passion for him, which may make it harder for the label to have confidence in his future sales. I have to say, interest in Ruben has been waning for a long time, now, and his struggle to sustain even a modest concert career is evidence of that. Though Clay can be polarizing, he somehow always gets press. He may not be quite as popular as he once was, but the fact that he can still sell tickets indicates that he's still a profitable investment.
  10. The auditioning process has changed from Season 2 in that contestants no longer have to camp out at venues prior to being evaluated. Most venues prohibit people from sleeping on their property, and quite frankly, few have the space or sanitation facilities to accommodate tens of thousands of campers. Now, wristbands are distributed to contestants throughout the day before the auditions, so they can sleep in a hotel and return for their audition. Some local Fox stations do have contests which allow the winners to go directly before the judges. Charlotte had such a competition, in which Quiana won over Clay.
  11. Very classy statement from Tom Viola. I'm glad they recognize Clay's contributions to the organization, and the inappropriateness of the volunteer's blog.
  12. I think the embarrassment comes from the fact that he's on stage with all these other experienced theatrical veterans, all highly talented individuals, many of whom are highly respected within the Broadway community, and yet when he, a relative newbie, walks on stage, the audience goes crazy over every little thing he does. He may feel almost apologetic toward his fellow castmates, because he may feel they deserve as much adulation or more, but be because he's the "celebrity," he gets the most exhuberant response. It's a very modest mindset, which I find enormously appealing. I really don't think he actually means, "my fans are embarrassing to me because they're too over-the-top." I believe he's actually saying to Hannah and the others, "I'm embarrassed that I'm getting so much more attention because I know you deserve it, as well." I absolutely don't think he or the cast want the audiences to be quieter or less enthusiastic than they have been. My guess is that Clay is sensitive to the fact that "stunt casting" may cause resentment among regular Broadway performers, because they often don't get the mainstream recognition they deserve. Hannah may be a brilliant actress who is highly regarded on both sides of the Atlantic, but whose photo do they put on the side of the bus (or in that article)? I'd bet that one of the reasons he's been embraced by the cast is because he respects the talent of the others and tries to give them their due. If he were to strut around behaving like he deserves all the adoration, he'd probably be far less popular, and much less happy. And honestly, I think these seasoned performers know what it's like when celebrities are in a production. I'm sure it doesn't surprise them at all that Clay would get the biggest response. What probably has surprised them is how much attention has been showered upon them as well.
  13. Great list, muski! Clay does have so much going for him, so much to celebrate. LOVED the results of the Broadway Bears auction! I would have loved to have seen the stunned faces of those at the event.
  14. Mary is always with him at professional events. I suspect she's really a management representative (similar to what Vanessa was) who handles the logistical details of his career. Personally, I think that there is another person, a Spamalot publicist, who arranges these interviews and who may be present, but just is not visibly recognisable to the fandom. Spamalot is a multi-million dollar enterprise. It makes sense to me that they'd have a professional publicist to manage their press. But it's anyone's guess, I suppose. I never heard that Vanessa leaked the TITN video, only that someone from the place that edited or mixed the video let it out. Why was she supposed to have leaked it? To ruin or embarrass him? Sorry, I don't buy that. I think people just said that because they were angry with 19 and assumed that she (as an employee of 19) must have done it, because someone had "violated his trust." However, we really don't know all the people he's worked with. We, as fans, tend to just pick from those we see. The thing is, we really only see a tiny fraction of Clay's life. We really only know the people who are around him in public places. Because we focus on him so intently, there is a danger in believing that we know more than we do. It's like how some fans think that when we don't hear news about his CD, it's because he's not working on it. We're not with him 24/7. There is much we don't know--about his career and his relationships. That's why it kind of bugs me when fans feel they can say with authority things like "Kelly is not a true friend." Um...how much time have you spent with them together? Don't you think Clay would have a better understanding of her than fans who haven't spent five minutes with her? There was a time when fans seemed to know more than Clay did. I still recall that fan who told him the songs that were going to be on MOAM. I also recall the irritation he seemed to express that she would know something about his career that he did not. I think that had an impact on him, and that since then, he's wanted to be as in control and aware of his life as he can be. And that he's less willing to leak information until he feels it ready. But sorry, I didn't mean for this to come across as a rant. BTW -- I love that little beagle that won the Westminster Dog Show! I love Clay Aiken, too!
  15. Sometimes I think that the reason Clay is keeping the details of his album to himself is that he doesn't want it to be judged before it is heard. And we already know that even something as simple as the name of his producer can send the fandom into paroxysms of panicked extrapolation. I also suspect that the publicist we hear about is actually the Spamalot publicist, not the RCA publicist (or his personal publicist), which may explain why he talks more about the show than the album. I actually enjoy the mystery, right now. I don't need to to know all about the album, or hear about how it'll revolutionize the industry or doom him to oblivion, before I've listened to a note of it.
  16. Radio play is no guarantee of sales, but I think it's no coincidence that majority of the biggest selling albums tend to have radio hits on them. However, I've begun to wonder if Clay is really interested in being a music superstar. He may be content with moderate sales, if it means he can sing the kind of music that satisfies him. And RCA may be willing to accept this, as long as the costs don't exceed income, and revenues are within expectations. However, if he's unwilling to chase trends and conform to fit standard commercial niches, his fans have to realize that he may not necessarily get the benefit of the most expensive marketing strategies. Labels will only spend lavishly on those projects they feel will net them a large financial return. Someone like Clay who doesn't want to fit into boxes (and no longer has the weekly exposure of #1 show) may not seem like an obvious bestseller. Clay is already saying, "I'm not focusing on airplay." So no one should be shocked if there's no single released for airplay. But I can already anticipate the outrage that will inevitably arise if Clay doesn't get the kind of promotion that occurs with a single release. The usual crowd will cry out that Clive is out to sabatoge Clay, that RCA despises him, and that it's all so unfair that Carrie gets X, Y, and Z while Clay does not. Truth is, Carrie is a very commercial artist with very radio-friendly songs. I'm not 100% if that's Clay. Clay has a lot of talent, and I think, the potential to go far. However, staying true to yourself instead of conforming to corporate demands has its trade-offs. I suspect he gets that. I'm not so sure about his fans.
  17. I honestly don't remember that, but if he did say it, my guess is that he might have meant back then that he wasn't sure the album had radio-friendly single on it, but fans interpreted it to mean that RCA wasn't interested in pursuing radio play. I'm sure RCA would prefer to have a song on the radio, if possible, but if the material just doesn't appeal to programmers, I can see them foregoing expensive radio promotion.
  18. The Broadway.com article was a good one. There are so many things to comment on, but the one thing that really warmed my heart was the reception he was getting from his cast mates. He clearly knew, going in, that there could be some resentment toward him, but it's gratifying to hear that the other performers have not only welcomed him warmly, they respect and appreciate his contributions. Hannah's comment, coming from a seasoned pro, says a lot. It is interesting to hear his manager's approach to his career. It does help explain why Clay's stayed with him. A lot of managers probably would have pressured him to pursue options that were most lucrative to him (and themselves), rather than options which might have been more creatively fulfilling. Clay seems to have decided that he'd rather be true to himself than chase radio play at all costs. It's a risky move, but one you have to respect. ((Claygasm))
  19. I agree, justclay12. I think he knows that certain things drive the fans crazy (tugging at his shirt, grinding with Angela, grabbing the microphone, etc.) and so he does them to please his audience, but I have a feeling he doesn't personally feel sexy. I think he is slightly baffled as to why fans find him attractive, which is why he finds the response so funny. I do sometimes feel that there are those who actively look for something to angst about. I have no doubt that his friends would like to see him, and that they probably will before the end of his run. What always amazes me is how so many fans feel they are in a position to judge his personal relationships. He knows his friends better than we do. Why they worry about who is or is not his "true" friend is beyond me.
  20. Having seen the stagedoor video, I don't get what the fuss is about. They didn't seem particularly obnoxious to me, and Clay didn't seem to have issues with them. Sometimes, I think some people get jealous of anyone who gets a few extra seconds of his attention. (Still, FWIW, I checked another big board and it seems as though quite a few posters are now saying the girls weren't that bad.) ETA: keldanker, you are entitled to your opinion, and I respect that. I will admit that I was not there, so I can see how the video may not have shown everything. I think most fans would sit in the front rows if they could. Sadly, though, not everyone can afford the brokers fees and subscription fees it often takes to sit close, not to mention the plane tickets, hotel rooms, and car rental fees it takes to go to multiple concerts. I probably shouldn't say this, too, but I've also come to realize that there are sets of fans who know each other and who have the money and expertise to consistently get good seats -- and they offer such seats primarily to other people within their group. If you're within one of these circles, you will almost always get a good seat (although what constitutes a "good seat" varies. To some, anything outside the third row is unacceptable). If you're not and you don't have a lot of discretionary income, well, you'll have to content yourself with whatever the fan club will get you. I'm not saying there's anything particularly wrong with this. I've been the beneficiary of knowing someone, myself. It's only natural for friends to want to help out friends. But it does help explain why some people are always in the front, and others are not. If you are a younger fan (25 and under), not only do you lack the funds, but you may also lack the connections if you haven't befriended the right people.
  21. Yes, the Grammy's were given a waiver from the WGA. But the strike is likely to end this week, anyway. I thought Clay looked hot in the TITN video, but my guess is that he did not relate to the image presented in it. A part of me does wish, however, that it had been released. Ah well... Cest la vie... I do think great comedic actors are rarer than great dramatic actors, but sadly, comedy rarely gets the recognition it deserves. I don't expect Clay to win any awards from Spamalot, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does lead to other comedic roles.
  22. JennaZ

    Lost

    Wow! What an episode! Although it did raise some new questions, curiously enough, it also solidified some things for me. 1. The fact that Abbaddon sent in a team that included a physicist, an anthropologist, and a psychic suggest to me that his organization believes the island to be what, in fact, what it seems to be: a place where 1) the laws of physics may operate in unusual ways, 2) unusual things have been happening for a long time, and 3) ghosts and/or other supernatural manifestations may actually be present. Thus, what appears to be the ghost of Jack's father, may actually be the ghost of Jack's father and not merely some mental hallucination or other artificially constructed apparition. 2. The fact that the pilot was convinced that the body shown was not that of Seth Norris tells me that this organization may have spent an extraordinary amount of money and energy to keep people from looking for the survivors, and perhaps, the island. I think they're desperately trying to keep the island a secret, perhaps so that they can exploit it for their own gain. My guess is that they once had access to it, but lost contact with it when the Looking Glass station jammed signals. I predict that at some point after Jack, Kate, and Hurley leave the island, the signal will be jammed again, preventing outsiders from finding the island (and thus keeping anyone else from getting rescued, and preventing Jack from locating it later). 3. My guess is that only the "Oceanic Six" leave the island because that helicopter can only hold six or seven people (if you include the pilot). If they came for Ben, I can imagine him being one of the ones taken away. Once that helicopter leaves the island, it probably won't be able to get back. 4. It's interesting that Ben confessed that he didn't know what the monster was. Of course, it's mind blowing that he knew the identities of the "rescuers." Makes me wonder if no one really knows the full nature of the island. Also makes me think that Ben still has a lot more up his sleeve than we've been lead to believe. Should be a fascinating season to come...
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