Lisa Tucker

Lisa is recording a new album (under Ne-Yo’s label), but she still makes a date to watch Idol’s season-nine contestants try not to freak out in front of Simon Cowell and the rest of the judges’ panel.

Like Simon, she has her favorites and those she finds forgettable — and she has strong opinions on the guy semifinalists who performed last night. (Did you see? It was pretty rough).

“No one really blew me away,” the delightful singer/sometime actress said by phone from Los Angeles.

She chalked the male disappointment up to nerves — it is their first week live, after all — and also bad song choice.

Here’s Lisa on frontrunner Andrew Garcia’s cover of “Sugar We’re Going Down”: “I was really expecting him to do something out of the box and different. … Next week, he’s gonna take that criticism and do something about it.”

On slick R&B singer Jermaine Sellers (“Get Here”): “That song is just, like, an Idol song. (Editor’s note: It so is, and straight out of the Justin Guarini songbook too). I just wish he didn’t pick that song. … It made him seem older.”

On retro rocker Tyler Grady (“American Woman”): “There’s a fine line between being a gimmick and capturing an era. … If he didn’t dress like that, I’m not sure he would’ve gone through (to Hollywood).”

On big guy/new daddy Michael Lynche (“This Love”): “He’s really sweet. I wasn’t blown away by his performance. What lane would he be in?”

On Texas boy Alex Lambert (“Wonderful World”): “He was terrified up there — with just cause. I just want him to shake it off and come back next week.”

Although it’s still early in the season, Lisa graciously agreed to let us in on which guys she envisions in the finals: Andrew Garcia, Alex Lambert, Casey James, Todrick Hall and judge fave Lee Dewyze, whose gravelly soul voice she compared to Chris Daughtry.

As for tonight’s results show, which dude could Idol lose?

Lisa thinks Michael Lynche should go but predicts Jermaine Sellers might see the door instead.

What do you think? Are the guys a letdown — or do they rise to the challenge? Do you think the girls are better than the boys?

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I have to say that Justin was probably one of the most fun interviews I’ve ever done and he had a lot to tell me so I’ll just get right to it!

We talked about the current season of American Idol and he said that it’s “been a pretty amazing year.  It was the first time ever that the show had four judges, the judges save, which was a gentle rebuke of American opinion, and the first time contestants performed duets.”  He’s absolutely right!  When you look at it that way, it really has been an amazing season (whether you liked it or not!)!

When I asked about Paula Abdul’s performance last night, he said that he thought it was “absolutely awesome that she could do that after all the struggles and all the battles she’s had.  It just goes to show you what Paula Abdul is made of.”

I was curious about what he thought of the new fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi.  He said “Kara has been a great addition to the panel because she combines the strengths of all the judges.”  He’s got a point!

I mentioned that I briefly saw him at the private opening of the American Idol Experience and asked him what he thought of the event.  He said that he loved it and added: “I get to be in front of 30,000+ people a week as the virtual host of the pre-show.”  I don’t know if any of you have been through the attraction but I’d agree that being the virtual host is pretty cool.  He also mentioned that he got engaged while filming that footage and said that the wedding planning is going well and that he and his fiancée, Reina, would be getting married next spring.

I wanted to know about his video blog on Fancast and he explained that he adds videos twice a week and that he really enjoys it because “it’s just personal.  No glitz, no glam.”  I agree.  I love video blogs because it does feel like you’re seeing a more “human” side of celebs.  Know what I mean?  Check out Justin on Fancast!

Justin also talked about the demo called “I Can’t Live” which he wrote with Nashville songwriters, Shaye Smith and Tammy Hyler.  They were all together talking about the Twilight books and ended up writing a song that they have submitted for consideration for the New Moon soundtrack. 

I personally think it’s pretty great and I hope it gets included.  I love the fact that it was actually inspired by the storyline versus being added just because it’s a big name band (sorry, but “Decode” by Paramore for the first movie really made no sense to me even though I actually liked the song).  Take a listen and let me know what you think (remember, it’s a demo so it’s not perfect).

Justin revealed that he is working on a new project for “The JG Show” which will be 12-minute webisodes featuring Chappelle’s Show-style skits and more.  He’s also working on his third album so I am hoping to talk to him again about both of these exciting things that he’s working on.

Need more Justin in your life?  Here are some links:

• Follow Justin on Twitter!
• Check him out on his official site, MySpace or BlogTalkRadio
• Subscribe to his YouTube channel
• Watch his video blogs on Fancast

image: Newscom

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American Idol season 1 runner-up, Justin Guarini announced on his BlogTalkRadio show that he has joined the cast of the third season of CMT’s Gone Country. 

He follows in the footsteps of Diana DeGarmo (runner-up of season 3 of American Idol) who appeared on the last season of Gone Country.  It’s been great for her career and I think her new music really suits her.  Hopefully, Justin can find the same kind of success from being on the show.  Regardless, it should be interesting to see how he fits in to the genre!

[Photo Credit: Tony Phipps, CMT. An MTV Network.]

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After Idol was actually kind of a big vacation. (Laughs)  I had so many people throw free trips at me.  I went on a cruise to Mexico, I went to Aruba, and then I went to Key West for a week.  So I was nice and tanned for the finale.  And after that, I went on tour with Ruben Studdard, opened for him and Justin Guarini.  And then in October I had to have vocal chord surgery, so since October it’s been recovery.  And now, I finally have everything back underway and good to go. 

You can find out more great information like that over at BuddyTV. They’ve got an exclusive interview with Melissa and get her thoughts and opinions on Season 6 too.

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