AIKEN NEWS NETWORK, JANUARY 14TH

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

GOOD MORNING....

TV GUIDE WAS A PICTURE ALBUM OF "WHERE ARE THEY NOW" CONTESTANTS

CLAY IS #7.

TV GUIDE-WHERE ARE THEY NOW

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Clay Aiken could have just been another name that meant nothing, like Candice Coleman, Rebecca Bond or Jacob John Smalley since he narrowly missed out on making it into season two's Top 12. Thankfully America had one more say and gave him their wild card vote. Then they kept voting and voting and voting for the unlikely heartthrob, all the way to the finals. But it was Clay's very first live appearance on the show that I love the most -- partly because I'm a sucker for Journey. Here is his soaring performance of "Open Arms" from the semi-finals.

NY POST-POPWRAP

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Think back to season two of American Idol with me. We had Carmen Rasmusen, the blonde kid with the shaky voice that somehow kept making it through week to week with unsavory performances. Kimberly Caldwell, probably best known for her TV hosting duties and dating current Idol David Cook than her stint on the talent show. The velvet teddy bear, winner Ruben Studdard, who oozed soul and made you just want to hug him!

And then there was Clay Aiken. He resembled the guy from high school that would get stuffed in the lockers. But like your mother used to always say, don’t judge a book by its cover. Clay opened his mouth to sing and the incredible voice that poured out amazed everyone.

NEONLIMELIGHT

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

HERE'S A SMALL CLAY MENTION...

The opening montage included Clay Aiken several times, giving him as much if not more screen time than any other previous Idol contestant -- a nice nod to the latest Idol finalist to come out. And the footage of some tweens anxiously watching the Season Seven finale and shrieking in pain when David Archuleta lost was my favorite moment of the night. Naturally, sappiness followed comedy: "The beauty of 'Idol' is the journey itself," intoned Ryan Seacrest.

HUFFINGTON POST

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HERE IS THE CURRENTS LISTING FOR AMAZON...

In Music

1. Twilight
2. Twilight: The Score
3. Bruce Springsteen
4. Slumdog Millionaire
5. Derek Truck Band
6. Taylor Swift
7. Enya
8. Hit Man: David Foster & Friends
9. Pink
10. Coldplay

12. David Cook

49. David Archuleta

51. Kelly Clarkson, March 17

83. Carnival Ride

87. Daughtry

5,216. On My Way Here $18.97 

6,104. MCWL $12.98

6,441. MOAM $8.97

16,800. ATDW $18.97 

THE CLAYBOARD

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

HERE'S A GREAT BLOG FROM "THERE WAS A MAN"

As we are starting a new year, I look back on 2008 as a time of change within the fandom. We've been on this road with Clay for over five years, and it's never been an easy path, but the best things in life aren't easy or handed to you on a silver platter. We experienced the highs of success and the lows of unfilled expectations. As a fandom, we've laughed, cried and had fun together. The fandom has forged individual friendships that go beyond Clay Aiken. Not all the faces and online names are the same or perhaps even quite as many, but for those of us still here, the best it yet to come.

THERE WAS A MAN

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

WELL, I GUESS THIS IS THE LAST POSTING OF PLAYBILL WITH SPAMALOT GROSSES IN IT....

Broadway Grosses: Jan. 5-11
By Andrew Ku
12 Jan 2009


All data provided by The League of American Theatres and Producers

Production
(Theatre) Weekly Gross Total Atten. Prev. Perf. Total Capacity Avg. Paid Admission Atten. %
       
All My Sons
(Schoenfeld) $705,418 8,278 0 8 1,052 $85.22  98.4%

August: Osage County
(Music Box) $343,057 5,188 0 8 979 $66.13  66.2%

Avenue Q
(Golden) $321,533 5,694 0 8 796 $56.47  89.4%

Billy Elliot
(Imperial) $1,221,123 10,931 0 8 1,421 $111.71  96.2%

Chicago
(Ambassador) $476,555 7,092 0 8 1,080 $67.20  82.1%

Equus
(Broadhurst) $486,186 6,687 0 8 1,206 $72.71  69.3%

Gypsy
(St. James) $796,378 12,408 0 8 1,707 $64.18  90.9%

Hedda Gabler
(American Airlines) $185,209 4,241 6 0 740 $43.67  95.5%

In the Heights
(Rodgers) $808,884 10,237 0 8 1,365 $79.02  93.7%

Jersey Boys
(August Wilson) $1,064,072 9,660 0 8 1,222 $110.15  98.8%

Mamma Mia!
(Winter Garden) $853,192 11,299 0 8 1,498 $75.51  94.3%

Mary Poppins
(New Amsterdam) $684,799 11,436 0 8 1,797 $59.88  79.5%

Pal Joey
(Studio 54) $375,881 7,085 0 8 1,002 $53.05  88.4%

Shrek
(Broadway) $849,652 11,187 0 8 1,735 $75.95  80.6%

South Pacific
(Beaumont) $950,130 8,315 0 8 1,041 $114.27  99.8%

Spamalot
(Shubert) $811,514 11,502 0 8 1,441 $70.55  99.8%

Speed the Plow
(Barrymore) $334,429 4,608 0 8 1,058 $72.58  54.4%

Spring Awakening
(O'Neill) $617,701 8,731 0 8 1,090 $70.75  100.1%

The American Plan
(Friedman) $144,887 3,082 8 0 650 $47.01  59.3%

The Lion King
(Minskoff) $1,030,694 12,400 0 8 1,654 $83.12  93.7%

The Little Mermaid
(Lunt-Fontanne) $736,172 10,665 0 8 1,520 $69.03  87.7%

The Phantom of the Opera
(Majestic) $733,231 12,057 0 8 1,615 $60.81  93.3%

Wicked
(Gershwin) $1,365,879 14,193 0 8 1,809 $96.24  98.1%

PLAYBILL