American Idol Rewind: Season 2

This weekend starts the second season of American Idol Rewind (syndicated-check your local listings). Now I can never get enough Clay Aiken, but I really wasn't planning on watching a retread of show where I already watched the original series and then again on video. I figured that fans would have clips of any additional clips of Clay, so I didn't have to waste my time with the whole show. That is only until I heard the magic words, "Clay Aiken narrates". Well, there go my my plans for an hour of my life every week. What Clay Aiken fan can resist the sound of his voice only when singing but when speaking.



Very nice opening credit for Clay which according to people who work in the industry is a negotiated credit and are quite limited.

He also gets a closing credit.





Clay was heard throughout the first show and by the accounts did a great job narrating. Sadly, I don't get to see the show until tomorrow. The producers were smart. They got Clay Aiken's fans to watch and they got themselves an excellent narrator who can inflect personality into the script.


There was a very nice press release for the show:

'American Idol Rewind' Returns in National Syndication on Saturday, September 29th
Friday September 28, 2:32 pm ET
Series Will Highlight Season 2 with Over 30 Exclusive Contestant Interviews & Never-Before-Seen Footage

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- American Idol Rewind is back, and this time the popular syndicated series will highlight Season 2, the year that put American Idol on the map with legendary talent and unprecedented ratings. Premiering Saturday, September 29th in most syndicated markets nationwide, American Idol Rewind will feature an introduction from Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard, narration by runner-up Clay Aiken and the best never-before-seen clips and interviews to-date.This year on American Idol Rewind, viewers will get to see all-new, exclusive interviews with over 30 contestants from Season 2 as they sit down and reveal what it was like to be a part of the American Idol experience. American Idol Rewind will catch up with Top 12 contestants -- Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Josh Gracin, Trenyce (Cobbins), Carmen Rasmusen, Kimberly Caldwell, Rickey Smith, Corey Clark, Julia DeMato, Charles Grigsby and Vanessa Olivarez -- as they reveal their personal take on what really happened during Season 2 and how they felt during the audition process and Hollywood Rounds.
In the September 29th premiere, viewers are greeted by Idol winner Ruben Studdard as he introduces the new season. Viewers will then hear from runner-up Clay Aiken, as he guides us through all seven audition cities and looks back on where American Idol Season 2 began its new search for the next music superstar. In New York City, Simon, Paula and Randy have high expectations, hoping the city that never sleeps will provide a wealth of talent. Between the bad and the very bad, it doesn't take long before the judges let the contestants know what awaits them in the audition room if they can't deliver. Some will make it through, others will head home and, in the tradition of American Idol, everyone will walk away with something to say.

Schedule:

Sept. 29: N.Y. Auditions
Oct. 6: Miami/Detroit Auditions
Oct. 13: Atlanta Auditions
Oct. 20: Austin Auditions
Oct. 27: L.A. Auditions
Nov. 3: Nashville Auditions
Nov. 10: Best of the Worst
Nov. 17: Hollywood Week Pt. 1
Nov. 24: Hollywood Week Pt. 2

December -- reruns of the auditions/Hollywood episodes.

Jan. 5: Group 1
Jan. 12: Group 2
Jan. 19: Group 3
Jan. 26: Group 4
Feb. 2: Wildcard Show
Feb. 9: Top 12 to 11
Feb. 16: Top 11 to 10
Feb. 23: Top 10 to 9
Mar. 1: Top 9 to 8
Mar. 8: Top 8 to 7
Mar. 15: Top 7 to 6
Mar. 22: Top 6 to 5
Mar. 29: Top 5 to 4
Apr. 5: Top 4 to 3
Apr. 12: Top 3 to 2
Apr. 19: Final 2
Aprl. 26: Finale

Clay Aiken, American Idol, Rewind, Season 2, narrates, narrator, opening credit, ending credit, press release

The Christmas Tour

Clay Aiken is putting together his fourth annual Christmas tour. He's said that the Christmas concerts are his favorites. I'm not surprised. No one sings Christmas like Mr. Aiken. As usual it's never easy being a Clay fan. Most tours dates are announced all at once so fans can make plans. Clay fans usually have to ferret out the information for themselves. We get it piecemeal info usually if the concert shows up on a venue website before it's officially announced. As of right now there are only four tour dates up on the Official Fan Club Website. Why? I have no idea, but here are some of the dates that have been unearthed by the team that could unearth Osama Bin Ladin if set to task (at least according to Clay).

11-26-07 Wichita, KS. -- Central Christian Church
11-28-07 South Bend, IN -- Morris Center
11-29-07 Waukegan, Il.-- Genesee Theatre
11-30-07 Kalamazoo, MI. -- James W. Miller Auditorium
12-02-07 Washington DC -- Warner Theater
12-04-07 Willkes-Barre, PA. -- The F. M. Kirby Center
12-06-07 New Brunswick, NJ -- State Theater
12-07-07 Albany, NY. -- The Palace Theater
12-08-07 Poughkeepsie, NY -- Mid-Hudson Civic Center - Mair Hall
12-09-07 Uncasville, CT. -- Mohegan Sun (not confirmed yet)
12-11-07 Red Bank NJ. -- Count Basie Theatre12-12-07 Easton PA -- State Theatre
12-13-07 Morristown NJ -- Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
12-15-07 Williamsport PA --Community Arts Center
12-19-07 Minneapolis, MN. -- Orchestra Hall
12-20-07 Minneapolis, MN. -- Orchestra Hall
12-21-07 Omaha, NE -- Slosburg Hall/Orpheum Theater
12-22-07 Merriville IN. -- Star Plaza Theatre


The concerts are performed with an orchestra and are very well received. The Williamsport Symphony wrote a very nice complimentary blog recently:

Dear Friends,

As the House Manager of the Community Arts Center, I am so pleased to welcome Clay Aiken and his fans back to our beautiful venue. The entire staff of the CAC had such a wonderful experience with not only Mr. Aiken, but with his wonderful Claymates and Claymaniacs last year. I believe that myself and the rest of the staff were moved not only by his talent, but his kind and loving nature. Not only is he an very talented artist, but a gentleman as well!We really hope to see all of you again at the Community Arts Center on December 15, 2007. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!

Best Wishes,
Lara Collins

BreonHouse Manager

Thank you Ms. Collins. That was very nice to read.

Clay Aiken, Christmas, tour, dates, Williamsport, Symphony

Is Clay Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

According to the Orlando Sentinel we'll find out during November sweeps.

Clay Aiken, Regis Philbin, Tony Hawk to play "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"
Fox has announced a celebrity edition of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" The players will include talk-show king Regis Philbin and two "American Idol" alumni, Clay Aiken and Kellie Pickler.

But no Larry the Cable Guy. Host Jeff Foxworthy joked last month that he wanted the Sanford entertainer for the show. "Our problem is we'll have to find out what to do with the other 58 minutes on the show," Foxworthy told TV critics. "I've known Larry for 20 years. He's not lasting long."

Instead, Foxworthy will ask questions of skateboarder Tony Hawk, Miss America Lauren Nelson and "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush. The celebrity episodes will air in the all-important November sweeps. The celebrities will play for charity. "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" starts its second season Sept. 6.

Clay will be playing to raise money for The Bubel-Aiken Foundation. In addition to the money won on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" the foundation is also ran a pledge drive based on how many correct answers Clay gets correct.

From the site:

Beyond receiving the amazing exposure the show will bring, the Foundation will receive at least a $25,000 donation from the show. Anything beyond the $25,000 that Clay earns by answering "elementary" questions will also be donated to the Foundation. He will need to answer 6 questions to get beyond the minimum. 11 questions correct means the Foundation will receive a $1 MILLION check from the show.

The Foundation is asking for pledges for each correct answer Clay gives on the show. Whether it's 50 cents or 100 dollars, every amount will help us get closer to our goal of 100 Let's ALL Play camps in 2008.

If you would like to make a pledge, simply email pledge@bubelaiken.org with your pledge amount. We would like to receive all pledges by August 27. Check back here regularly to see the total climb! You can make your donations online at www.bubelaiken.org or send in a check or money order to:

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation
ATTN: Smarter Pledge
8601 Six Forks Road
Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27615

The foundation's goal is to raise $1 Million for the 100 Let's All Play Camps. Clay taped the show on August 28th and did his part. The pledge drive is doing well as follows:
Current Pledge Total: $85,250.97
Actual Donation Total: $26,892.50
Last Updated: September 6, 2 pm
Pledge Total based on maximum potential of the pledges made.

While the actual drive is over, donations can still be made to The Bubel-Aiken Foundation. Just follow the link to the site : The Bubel-Aiken Foundation


Clay Aiken, The Bubel-Aiken Foundation, Are You Smarter Than A Fifth-Grader, camps, pledge drive, November sweeps