Why Did Prison Break Have to Die?
June 18, 2009
Richard Foreman/FOX
Wenty is leaving us.
For good.
As was announced last week, Prison Break ends forever this spring. That means no more crazy conspiracies, no more Michael and Sarah nooky, no more Scofield-Burrows brotherly love.
So with all the fan love for this show here in the States and around the world, what killed Prison Break? Exec producer Zack Estrin tells me exclusively why the end is nigh, and what we can expect from the final days of Michael and Linc…
According to Zack, “We’ve always known that this would probably be our last season. And we’ve been approaching the stories as such.
“It was, and is, very important to the writers that this show have an ending. A completed story. Our fans have been so loyal and invested. We owe it to them as well as to these characters. And to just keep this tale spinning along forever would be irresponsible.
“Safe is never terribly interesting. Safe may last a little longer, but will it be remembered 10 years from now? I don’t know. But I believe Prison Break will be remembered. Has it been perfect? Of course not. But it’s been unique. It’s been provocative. It’s been iconic. And, most importantly, it’s been entertaining. At the end of the day, isn’t that the point of it all?”
Yes, but we reserve the right to sniffle about it just the same…Wenty, come back to TV soon!
As for how it will all wrap up, Zack says, “We have eight more episodes remaining—including a final two-episode ‘Break’ that will answer one final question that we’re left with at the end of 22.” Hmmm…What could that question be? Got any guesses? Post in the comments!
The final six of those eight hours begin airing April 17 on Fox. Will you be watching?
—Reporting by Jennifer Godwin
Source: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b79699_why_did_prison_break_have_die.html
How Kris Allen whipped Adam Lambert
May 22, 2009 |
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by Victoria Barker
LIKEABILITY - that was what gave Kris Allen an edge over hot favourite Adam Lambert in the biggest upset in the history of American Idol.
In a shock move, Allen, 23, a college student and church worship leader from Arkansas, beat Lambert, 27, a performer from San Diego.
About 100 million votes were cast for the finale, though it was not known how many each contestant got.
Allen was so humble, he even told judges at his audition in Louisville, Kentucky, last July that ‘there’s probably people out there who are better than me’.
And he was gobsmacked when Ryan Seacrest announced on Wednesday who had won Idol, saying: ‘It feels good, man, but Adam deserves this.’
This despite the fact that all four judges were so condescending when they told him that he should be proud of making it this far, after he struggled with the last song ‘No Boundaries’ on Tuesday’s show.
So, how did the underdog with a limited vocal range grab the title from vocal powerhouse Lambert’ Singapore Idol judge Ken Lim puts it down to Allen’s charm and ‘great connection with the audience’.
He added: ‘Kris is definitely more commercial and relevant in the music world today.’
Lambert’s over-the-top antics and ambiguous sexuality might also have worked against him. Allen, in contrast, is married and dresses normally.
Mr Simon Nasser, marketing director of Warner Music Singapore, said: ‘Adam may have been a bit too edgy for the mainstream public’s taste.’
Ultimately, Allen’s accessibility makes fans feel warm and connected.
Marketing executive Cheryl Denis, 22, gushed: ‘Kris’ smooth vocals are so easy to listen to. He seems really down-to-earth, too.’
Source: http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20090522-143092.html
‘Idol’ shocker: Kris takes season 8 crown
Simplicity triumphed over showmanship as Allen beats Adam Lambert
When Kris Allen was asked by the “American Idol” judges at his first audition if he thought he was the best singer in the competition, he replied by saying “You know, there’s probably people out there who are better than me.”
That was true in Louisville, where he first performed for Simon Cowell and company. It was true in Hollywood, when he advanced to the semifinals. It was true in his semifinal heat, when both Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta earned more praise and he tagged along as the third singer to earn the assigned spot among the 13 finalists.
But gradually, as the season progressed and Kris found his rhythm, the list of people better than he was grew smaller and smaller, and on Wednesday night he found out that according the “Idol” voters, nobody did it better.
The college student from Conway, Ark. was crowned the season eight winner, beating Adam in the finale. Along with the title, he wins a million-dollar record contract, a trophy shaped like a microphone, and the obligation to work with songwriter Kara DioGuardi to try and turn “No Boundaries” into something that doesn’t cause listeners to frantically change the station when it comes on the radio.
“Are you serious?” Kris asked after hearing his name announced as the winner. “I’m sorry, I don’t even know what to feel right now. This is crazy!”
Simplicity beat showmanship
He may have been the most shocked person on the stage, which would fit with his personality. But that belied the confidence that seemed to grow as he performed each week, to the point when anyone who thought Adam was a lock to win on Wednesday wasn’t paying attention.
This will be billed as a victory for the underdog, since Kris didn’t have the outsized voice or personality of his fellow finalist. However, he was a deceptively strong candidate all season, only landing in the bottom three once and drawing more and more fans each week.
The season ultimately came down to a study in contrasts between Kris, the acoustic maestro at home with just a chair and a guitar, and Adam, the performer who looked like he was born to strut across the stage in front of a cheering throng with all the bells and whistles a show like “Idol” can offer.
The two finalists seemed to genuinely get along. Each pointed to the other on Tuesday when the phone numbers were being read, as if to suggest they’d vote for their rival. Even on Wednesday, Adam looked gracious in defeat and Kris was complimentary in victory.
But that clashes with how they looked all season when the lights came on and the music started. Their performances Wednesday night once again showed how different they are musically. Kris sang with country star Keith Urban, two men sitting on stools and playing their guitars. Adam performed with KISS, with all the associated makeup and pyrotechnic trimmings.
Though Adam again was more memorable, there’s a reason that Keith Urban is on the radio now and KISS is not. Kris may be more of a down-to-earth performer, but anyone listening to any Top 40 station knows that kind of music is enormously popular. Adam is more fun to watch, but couldn’t wrangle enough votes to overcome that.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30856188/ns/entertainment-reality_tv/
How Adam Lambert didn’t win American Idol - anatomy of Kris Allen’s surprising win
Thursday, May 21st 2009, 9:50 AM
Winter/Getty
Adam Lambert sang with KISS on Wednesday night’s ‘American Idol’ finale, but he was denied the “kiss of victory.”
Winter/Getty
Kris Allen’s highs may not have been as high as Adam Lambert’s, but his lows weren’t as low, and that helped him come out on top.
His face was on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. His name was on the back of Katy Perry’s cape. His performances were praised to high heavens by the judges, week after week.
And he just lost American Idol.
Right now, Adam Lambert probably feels the same way Tom Brady did after Super Bowl XLII or Thomas Dewey after the 1948 presidential election. His Idol victory seemed just as pre-ordained as the New England Patriots’ perfect season or the Chicago Tribune’s infamous “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline. And yet, here we are, at the end of the night, wondering how Kris Allen managed to pull off the upset of a lifetime.
Here’s how.
Going into the finale, there was talk of “red state-blue state” politics at work, with Lambert’s painted fingernails, “guyliner,” and uncertain sexuality against Allen’s down-home, churchgoing sensibilities. Given the current political climate, that matchup appeared to favor Lambert, but a number of blue-state types may be “too cool” for Idol’s mass appeal, and unlikely to vote.
Still, it was music, not politics, that got Lambert and Allen to the finals, and while Lambert’s performances attracted headlines, Allen’s more understated style put him in position for the upset.
For all of Lambert’s hype, there were nights when his risks didn’t pay off. And when Lambert missed the mark, he missed by a wide margin. His performance of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” was termed “absolute indulgent rubbish” by Simon Cowell, and when he tackled Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild,” Cowell acknowledged that he could see where people would hate it. Even on critically-lauded performances like U2’s “One” and Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” his penchant for rearranging a melody to show off his range stood to rub viewers the wrong way. Lambert seemed to understand the problem, and chose his unassailable take on Tears for Fears’ “Mad World” for his encore performance Tuesday, but when it came to alienating viewers, the damage was done.
By contrast, when Allen’s risks didn’t pay off, they didn’t hurt him as much. Sure, his horn-heavy arrangement of Don Henley’s “All She Wants to Do is Dance” fell flat, but it didn’t have the same potential to offend as Lambert’s missteps. And, when Allen stripped down Kanye West’s “Heartless” to its bare acoustic bones last week, it gave him the boost he needed to overtake early favorite Danny Gokey.
Gokey’s elimination provided the final key to Allen’s victory. For all the musical differences between Allen and Gokey, their personalities have a similar appeal. Both are worship directors at their respective churches, and have the same well-documented “Middle America” appeal. That church background also came in handy when it came time to sing the coronation song, “No Boundaries.” Panel member Kara DioGuardi, who co-wrote the song, may not have wanted to judge Allen on it because of the range, but thematically, it was right in his wheelhouse. When Allen took his turn with the annual ode to overcoming obstacles and persevering, you could almost hear the church choir in the background, a la “I Believe I Can Fly,” spiritual ancestor of every Idol winner’s debut single. With Gokey gone, Allen had the best hold on the spirit of the song…and on the spirit of Idol’s viewership.
Of course, in the long run, all this might not mean much. Lambert’s devoted following will serve him well on the charts, while it remains to be seen just how much momentum Allen will carry from his victory. Still, while the future may belong to Adam Lambert - and the past almost certainly does - this moment, for better or worse, belongs to Kris Allen.
Vacancy for Immediate Employment
February 6, 2009
And he said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19, RSV)
Christ’s ministry, which is spreading the gospel message throughout the world as a witness before the end of time, is inviting interested candidates for employment as full-time disciples.
Job Description: A successful applicant will be involved in visitation, giving Bible studies, offering prayers, consoling, and guidance and counseling services. With the power he will get from the owner of the ministry—Jesus Christ—he will heal; nature will listen to him and the forces of the devil will be afraid of him. No hindrances as long as he depends on Jesus Christ.
Qualifications and Experience: A formal education is good but not really necessary. Experience is not vital as the Owner of the job will give you the necessary training before you start to work. Success on the job depends on following the footsteps of Christ.
Salary: The salary for this job is the best you can think of. It is eternal life in a sin-free environment.
Conditions of Employment: This job is a full-time one. It ends at death. No retirement. The working conditions that apply in ministries and cooperations apply to you and more: You have a unique Chairman who is able and willing to supply al lyour needs throughout your life as you engage in the ministry. In essence, you will not lack.
Who Should Apply: Everyone who is interested in saving souls from sin by bringing them to Jesus Christ.
Method of Application: Jesus Christ, who is doing the recruitment, is asking: “Whom shall I send and who will go for me?” (Isaiah 6:8). If you are interested, He will repeat these questions in your mind and you should answer as Isaiah did: “Here I am, Oh Lord, send me.” Jesus will then recruit you and make you a fisher of men.
Closing Date: This vacancy does not last forever. The moment you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts (Hebrews 4:7) and delay joining the unique ministry. Soon the Owner of the ministry will close recruitment. Afterwards, eternal rewards will be given to those who heard His call and enlisted in saving sinners.
Source: Omeonu, Chimezie A. This is the Way Adult Devotional Reading, July 16, page 205.
