Idol Chatter & Voice Views

*** Favorite Tweet from last 24 hours ***

brookewhite (Season 7):  “So, I Just now dropped my Christmas cards in the mailbox.”  Forgive Brooke for being tardy. She’s working on a new Jack and White EP.  And, if you hadn’t heard, she’s expecting her first baby.

*** Clay Aiken’s competition ***

OK, we already knew Clay Aiken would be competing on the new season of Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” when it returns on Feb. 12 (NBC). We didn’t know what competition he would face.

Wow, what a collection of blasts from the past. Try Lou Ferrigno, who played “The Incredible Hulk” on TV. Try Debbie Gibson, 1980s pop star who is now 41. Try Dee Snider, the Twisted Sister singer who is now 56. Try Cheryl Tiegs, the former Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover girl who is now 64.

I counted 18 contestants all told in a cast that also includes race car driver Marco Andretti, the grandson of Mario Andretti; Tia Carrere, a former Dancing With the Stars contestant; Victoria Gotti of “Growing Up Gotti” fame and Arsenio Hall, the former late-night talk show host.

Heck, the cast even includes Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe from 2008. Who?!?! For bios and photos of all the contestants, head here.

Meanwhile, Today has posted an interview in which Clay compares being judged by Donald Trump to being judged by Simon Cowell.

Speaking of Clay, he recently released a new single, “Bring Back My Love,” available on iTunes.  If you haven’t heard it yet, head here for a listen.

*** Kat preparing for starring role ***

Katharine McPhee was back in New York early this week doing publicity work and filming for “Smash,” the new NBC show that will premiere  at 10 p.m. Feb. 6, right after “The Voice.”

If you missed the news from months ago, Kat is starring on the show as an aspiring singer/actress hoping to land the lead role in a Broadway adaptation of the career of Marilyn Monroe.

And she’s been tweeting about the experience.  From Tuesday:  “Going to a fitting right after the holidays is just downright cruel .. hope my clothes fit.”  Then from yesterday:  “Shooting outside is unbearable tonight … especially when you’re wearing this.”  What was Kat wearing? Follow this link for her twitpic.

*** James Durbin reflects on Idol ***

Rolling Stone has posted a new interview with James Durbin in which he says he isn’t concerned about losing credibility as a rocker by appearing on a televised talent show like American Idol.

In fact, he encourages other rockers to give it a try.  And, despite being a rocker, he says he got no preferential treatment from Steven Tyler.

You can read the interview here.  By the way, James will appear on NY Ink on TLC tonight at 9 p.m.

*** X Factor record deals ***

Everyone knew Melanie Amaro would ink her $5 million recording contract with Epic Records shortly after The X Factor ended.  That has happened.

Now the Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Chris Rene will sign with the same label and is working on a fully produced version of Young Homie.

According to the story (head here to read it), Josh Krajcik and the show’s most annoying contestant (I refuse to include his name in this blog) will soon sign contracts with Sony Music.

Well, look at it this way.  In a recording studio, Chris Rene will have multiple attempts to get the notes right.  And I’m sure they can make him sound on key even if he isn’t.