Suspense becomes excruciating for 'Idol'
| • | 'Idol' Tuesdays bring feast or famine to local restaurants |
| • | How to vote early and often for Trias |
| • |  Special: Hawai'i's American IdolRead the stories about Hawai'i's "American Idol" hopefuls, vote in our online poll and chat away on our discussion board. |
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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| Diana DeGarmo, left, Fantasia Barrino and Jasmine Trias are the last ones standing in the "American Idol" competition. To get to this point, they beat out the nearly 86,000 wannabes who auditioned last year, and have survived weekly singing contests since Feb. 10.
Associated Press |
• Tonight's format: No more "theme" shows for the three finalists, who'll each perform three tunes — one selected by the judges, a second picked by record executive Clive Davis and the third chosen by the singer.
• Reality check: People magazine last week zoomed in on reality series, including "American Idol," and wondered: "Can anyone explain the voting?" After last week's surprise by Jasmine Trias, speculation on Web sites taps a variety of conspiracy theories.
Viewing parties at 7 tonight
The show denies the voting's fixed, and makes one concession: The exit footage, where the one voted out watches the video package, is done in advance, not live, since there's no time for a quick edit. So all 12 finalists have had to prepare responses to losing — even if they survive — so that the clip is available in the time of need.
'American Idol'
• Claymates: Clay Aiken's become the most successful "American Idol" talent. With his "Solitaire" hit soaring on the charts and on the radio, and occasionally performed on TV, his ante's up in the paycheck department. Sources here have tried to lure him to Hawai'i for a gig; asking price is in the six figures. And word is out that he'll fetch $100,000 for an October performance at the North Carolina State Fair, earning double what Loretta Lynn earned a few years back.
