Tampa Bay Idol winner and runner-up move up

Samantha Leigh's shot at American Idol fame came down to about 15 seconds; the amount of time she got to blast through Aretha Franklin's Rock Steady during her audition today before American Idol producers in Orlando.

Leigh was the singer I helped choose for a special audition slot handed out through WTVT-Ch. 13's Tampa Bay Idol contest, working with four other judges to sort through 80 applicants and watching 10 finalists sing at a Brandon mall.

Turns out, she and second-place finisher Brad Iturriaga did well, moving to the next stage in Idol's audition process.

Leigh's win guaranteed an audition before the show's producers ahead of the 10,000 people who crowded around Amway Arena today, joining about 50 people who had won similar contests around the region or done well at Disney World's Idol Experience.

 According to Leigh, singers were split into groups and asked to sing when pointed at, standing before four casting producers. Generally, singers got through about 15 seconds of a tune before they were stopped -- nothing like the longer auditions with feedback they show during the Idol broadcasts.

(Here's Leigh with WTVT's Charley Belcher, me, WFLZ's Meredith and singer Belinda Womack last week in Brandon.)

"They tell you ahead of time not to introduce yourself, not to ask for feedback, they just point to you and you sing," said Leigh, 22, who works as a hairstylist and performs at Busch Gardens  in Tampa. "It was crazy, nerve-racking . . . almost surreal."

Leigh and Iturriaga will perform for the show's executive producers later this month -- Fox doesn't publicize those auditions the way they hype the big stadium cattle calls -- and won't face on-camera judges such as Simon Cowell, if they're lucky, until next month.

Leigh didn't even get to meet Idol host Ryan Seacrest, who was there to film some of the opening sequences for the audition shows. "I did get to stand 20 feet away from him," she said, laughing. "Maybe I'll meet him next time."

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Is there a difference between the stereotypes in Bruno and Transformers 2?

It's easy to look like a poor sport when you're talking about negative stereotypes in film and TV.

The latest flap along those lines involve two of summer's most anticipated movies: Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno and the whiz-band action film Transformers 2.

Some critics have already taken aim at Bruno, denouncing Cohen's in-your-face mockumentary centered on a cartoonishly effeminate and hyper-sexual fashionista as a gay minstrel show.

Writing in Salon, David Rakoff provides a typically caustic review, calling the Bruno character "an open hydrant of empty, venal ignorance" and denouncing the film as "bad for gays" over its too-broad attempts to provoke homophobic reactions from unsuspecting people.

Other critics have lodged similar complaints against Transformers 2, noting that two new robot characters, Skids and Mudflap, talk in a patios normally associated with young black people and are mostly ineffective, foul-mouthed characters used almost entirely for comedic effect.

Director Michael Bay shrugged off the criticism, saying ""We're just putting more personality in. I don't know if it's stereotypes — they are robots, by the way. These are the voice actors. This is kind of the direction they were taking the characters and we went with it."

Which raises an interesting question: When is such stuff considered stereotypical?

When Tracy Morgan voices a jive-talking hamster in the new animated movie G-force, is that a stereotype, or Morgan just doing what he does? Does that verdict change when you watch the commercials, where his character struts in front of the camera like he's doing a modern-day pimp walk?

 I'll be discussing these ideas at about 9:30 a.m. this morning, appearing on National Public Radio's Tell Me More. My verdict, as someone who has seen Transformers but not Bruno: It seems tough to lay the stereotype label on Bruno, which is specifically crafted to pile on all those gay stereotypes in one character to satirize how we all react to them.

That's a lot different than creating two stereotypical fictional characters -- like Star Wars' Jar-Jar Binks -- purely for comic relief in a movie focused on a totally different subject.

In this game, I think, you get points for intent. Tune in at 9:30 and see if anybody else agrees with me.

As Michael Jackson memorial saturation coverage begins, here's a playlist of overlooked gems

One of the the things I always hated about the weirdness that surrounded Michael Jackson's life was the impact it had on the public's perception of his work.

As the full court media press gears up for his memorial Tuesday, it's happening again. TV talking heads speculate on the fate of his fortune, his children, his doctors and his former home -- but not much energy left for what will be his most lasting product: his songs.

So here's my list -- compiled with help from a few friends on Facebook and Twitter -- of his most-overlooked tunes. While others are cranking Billie Jean and Thriller on Tuesday, these are the jams I'll be banging while the world's media descends to pick once more at his public image.

2000 Watts, from 2001's Invincible:
A club jam from New Jack king Teddy Riley and his boys, overlooked mostly because the slowed-down vocal track doesn't sound much like what we're used to from MJ. If he hadn't been chasing blockbuster hits, he would have put this jam in the clubs and watched all the haters jam out to one of his best late-era dance floor workouts.

This Place Hotel, from the Jacksons' 1980 album Triumph:
Besides the fact that it's a smoking, sultry jam, this tune shines as the kind of tune that powered his solo debut, Off the Wall; a sinewy, jazz-inflected R&B jam, with his trademark, easy to overlook vocal gymnastics. Even though the hook repeats the phrase "Heartbreak Hotel," the tune's name was changed to avoid confusion with the hit by pop rock's other King.

Working Day and Night, from 1979's Off the Wall:
Rock With You and Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough were bigger hits, but the real dance floor jam in my Gary, Ind., neighborhood from Off the Wall was this song, which perfectly melded producer Quincy Jones' L.A.-style funk with MJ's muscular vocals.

Jam, from 1991's Dangerous:
Much as people rave about Bad, this workout is Jackson's real attempt to really be bad -- hooking up with gangster funkster Teddy Riley to create a hip-shaking, head-nodding groove topped off with a master rap from Heavy D. Too bad the video features an odd duel with basketball king Michael Jordan.

Stranger In Moscow, from 1995's HIStory:
A textured and soulful ballad, it would have been one of his most touching slow jams -- if it hadn't been written about how he felt while touring Russia after child abuse allegations surfaced against him back in America.

P.Y.T., from 1982's Thriller:
Inexplicably panned by reviewers who loved the rest of MJ's biggest record, this funky pop confection was even left off early CD versions of that classic album. Too bad, because it now stands as one of MJ's best overlooked hits.

• 2000 Watts by Michael Jackson
• This Place Hotel by The Jacksons
• Working Day And Night by Michael Jackson
• Jam by Michael Jackson
• Stranger In Moscow by Michael Jackson
• P.Y.T by Michael Jackson

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How I channeled my inner Simon Cowell to help pick the Tampa Bay Idol finalists

In the middle of a day that eventually saw the demise of both Farrah Fawcett and the King of Pop, I gathered with a spirited crew of Tampa Bay area media and music people for a more positive purpose.

For the first time, I joined St. Petersburg Times music critic and colleague Sean Daly, MJ Morning Show personality Meredith, area vocalist Belinda Womack and WTVT-Ch. 13 feature reporter Charley Belcher on Thursday to help judge WTVT's Tampa Bay Idol contest.

The 10 folks we selected will perform in person -- and without music -- at noon Wednesday in the Westfield Brandon mall, to be judged in person by our motley crew. (And no, I am not planning on using the words "dawg," "pitchy" or "dude." Well, maybe dude.) 

This is one of the contests held by Fox affiliates nationwide to send a local person into a guaranteed audition slot at a nearby American Idol cattle call audition.

The winner in Tampa Bay, who will get a slot in the Idol auditions planned for July 9 at Amway Arena in Orlando, still face incredible odds -- they just get a ticket into the first rung of auditions before the show's talent producers.

Facing the show's star judges isn't even an option -- Randy Jackson Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi won't join the audition process until later in the year -- assuming they all decide to continue on the show.

But last year's Tampa Bay winner Cesar De La Rosa (left) traveled to the auditions in Hollywood; Idol winner Jordin Sparks got back into the contest as a local affiliate winner, after trying to audition off the street at a different cattle call.

So we sorted through about 80 eligible applicants and came up with a slate of 10 competitors and two alternates.  Our great hope: that the local Idol winner pulls a Jordin Sparks.

For anyone thinking of doing this again, let me offer a few pointers as someone who saw lots of audition tapes:

1) The background matters -- try to find a nice-looking space to film your video. And if you do it in your bedroom, at least make the bed and pick up the dirty clothes in the background (shudder).

2) Pick a song that has more than two notes in the melody and gets interesting early. Too many singers almost got doinked because the songs they chose took too long to get interesting. Also, try to pick songs that are familiar, but not typical audition fodder -- several applicants chose the classic ballad At Last, which can feel monotonous after the fifth time.

3) Look at your tape after you make it, and record it again if the tape didn't turn out well. We got one video where you literally could not see the face of the singer, because he was shrouded in shadow. Other recordings cut off the beginning of the performances or had other obvious, glaring problems. And make sure the video file, DVD or VHS tape actually works before you mail it.

Here's the list of Tampa Bay Idol Finalists – in no particular order:

    * Antoinette Smith, Tampa
    * Amy Weaver, St. Petersburg
    * Alexandra Amor, St. Petersburg
    * Syreeta Banks, Bradenton
    * Samantha Leigh, Tampa
    * Derrick “DeeJay Young Jr., Tampa
    * Brad Iturriaga, Plant City
    * Caroline Kelly, Wesley Chapel
    * April Slazas, Clearwater
    * Daniel Pate, Auburndale

Alternate #1
Krystal Lambert, Orlando
Alternate #2
Kelly Sykes, Tampa

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Could conflict over Billy Mays' death spark another fight between morning radio jocks MJ and Bubba the Love Sponge?

Tampa radio personality Todd "MJ" Schnitt says he talked to infomercial pitchman Billy Mays at about 10 p.m. Saturday, calling the host directly after hearing about Mays' rough landing on an airplane which blew a tire while landing in Tampa.

But Schnitt's rival in morning radio, Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, says he first broke the news of Mays' death online at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Schnitt announced it at 11 a.m. Sunday on WFLA-AM 970, after getting tipped to Mays' death around 9:30 a.m.

Schnitt's conversation could make him the last non-family member to speak with Mays, who died in his sleep after going to bed Saturday night.

He plans to feature Mays son, Billy Mays III, on his morning show for WFLZ-FM 93.3 Monday morning -- delaying his vacation by a day to memorialize the infomercial king.

 Schnitt (left) also taped a conversation with Mays' partner Anthony "Sully" Sullivan for airing Monday and spent time Sunday telling local media of his last conversation with the well known pitchman -- revealing that Mays had just signed a deal to represent Taco Bell in his signature style.  

"I just called him as a personal friend," Schnitt said, noting that Mays talked about getting hit in the head when the luggage compartments opened during the flight. "He sounded groggy . . . (but) he was coming off an OxiClean (commercial) shoot in Philadelphia . . . He said he was tired and he was going to sleep."

Will Mays' death become another bone of contention between Clem (right) and Schnitt, who sued his rival last year alleging "false, highly offensive and defamatory statements" against him and his wife?

I guess that's something we'll learn Monday morning.

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Were you on the plane?
Were you a passenger on the U.S. Airways flight from Philadelphia to Tampa on Saturday that blew out a tire on landing? If you were on Flight 1241, we’d like to talk to you. Please contact reporter Rebecca Catalanello, (813) 226-3383 or rcatalanello@sptimes.com.

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Talking Michael Jackson and the duality of his legend on National Public Radio

At the risk of overloading on Michael Jackson coverage, I'll post a link here to my appearance on National Public Radio's Tell Me More, where we waxed philosophical on the King of Pop during the roundtable Barbershop segment.

Initially, we were planning to talk this week about the craziness on Jon & Kate plus 8 (Jon Minus Kate Equals Hate, perhaps?), maybe slip in a little Ed McMahon and Mark Sanford material. But when TMZ declared Jackson dead at 5:20 p.m. Thursday, we knew all that had to change.

Check out my discussion with blogger/host Jimi Izrael, activist/writer Arsalan Iftikhar, columnist Ruben Navarrette and host Michel Martin.

I also appeared on WTVT-Ch. 13's Your Turn and offered some quotes to WMNF-FM for their news show later this evening.

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Shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem off radio this morning after two handguns were taken in car burglary Wednesday night

Don't worry -- Todd "MJ" Schnitt or Linda Bollea didn't get to shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem this morning.

Instead, the radio personality was off the air this morning after staying up late Wednesday night to help police after two handguns and an honorary sheriff's badge were stolen from his car Wednesday night.

Police have caught and charged two men and a juvenile with the burglary, which occurred at the Sunrise Lanes bowling alley on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. in St. Petersburg. The stolen items were recovered.

According to records from the Pinellas County Sheriff'soffice, Clem also lost one of the same guns briefly in 2004, when he left a fanny pack with the weapon and his concealed weapons permit in an area Taco Bell restaurant. The weapon was returned to Clem without incident.

We have a longer story on the site here. Click here and here to see information on Tampa Bay Mugshots about the guys arrested.\

Click below to see the press report on the arrest:

Weeks after American Idol ends, Tampa Bay Idol auditions begin

For more than a few seasons, I've burned to be the fourth judge next to Simon Cowell on American Idol.

Forget Kara: Had I been in one of those driver's seats, America might have made a difference choice a few weeks ago (okay, probably not). And now I'm going to have my chance to affect, however slightly, the course of the next Idol.

By helping judge the Tampa Bay Idol competition.

I blame pop music critic Sean Daly for getting me into this; he's the one who lit up the Idol discussions on WTVT-Ch. 13 during the show's run, and was nice enough to suggest me as a possible judge when they were looking for people to handle to local contest.

Each year, WTVT offers one audition spot before Idol producers to the winner of their Tampa Bay Idol contest. You can enter by sending a non-returnable video DVD or VHS videotape of an “a cappella” performance (singing without music) to WTVT at FOX13 TAMPA BAY IDOL 3213 W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, Florida 33609. You also need to fill out an entry form found here; tapes must reach the station by next Wednesday, June 24.

Sean and I will join longtime local singer Belinda Womack, Meredith from The MJ Show on WFLZ-FM and WTVT reporter Charley Belcher sifting through the tapes to choose 10 semi-finalists and two alternates.

The semi-finalists will sing during a competition at noon at the Westfield Mall in Brandon on July 1; the winner gets an audition before Idol producers -- not star judges Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson -- on July 9 in Orlando. WFLZ will provide a $100 gas card to cover transportation. 

A few tips: Videos should be no longer than 4 minutes. Entries from minors must be accompanied with a letter of written consent from his/her parent or legal guardian. Entrants must be aged 16 to 28 as of June 12, 2009.

After 30 years as a musician, including a record deal with Motown, time spent playing gigs everywhere from New York City to Japan and nearly 20 years as a journalist, I feel all my experience has prepared me for this moment.

And yes, I'm ready for lots of Randy Jackson jokes.

So send those entries in and maybe you could be the next Kris Allen -- or at least the next Sanjaya.     

Should Barack Obama's prime time health care discussion belong solely to ABC News?

Barack Obama is a president who has no problem playing the media game.

From allowing two dozen NBC cameras access for a slavering, two-night profile, to a lighthearted cameo in Stephen Colbert's week of shows from Iraq, Obama has shown a willingness to appear on camera in ways more traditional presidents have not.

But news that President Obama will discuss his new initiative to create a government-run health care program during a daylong series of programs on ABC June 24 takes a universal concern and makes it into a highly-promoted ABC News event.

 Which raises a question: Is that really appropriate?

For President Obama, it's a nice deal. ABC News plans to air Good Morning America, World News Tonight and a special edition of Primetime from the White House itself, with the 10 p.m. Primetime show featuring the President answering questions from people “selected by ABC News who have divergent opinions in this historic debate,” along with questions submitted via its Web site, ABCNews.com, according to a press release.

ABC officials, with the elevated ratings of Brian Williams' White House special dancing in their heads, will turn almost every ABC News platform over to the event, with Diane Sawyer interviewing the president for GMA, Charlie Gibson anchoring the evening news from the White House, both Gibson and Sawyer teaming up for the town hall on Primetime, Nightline continuing the discussion at 11:35 p.m., ABC.com soliciting questions starting Wednesday, ABC News Radio airing segments from the event and their radio magazine Perspective offering coverage.

Given the light touch of Williams' specials, will ABC News offer the kind of tough questions this debate deserves? Shouldn't the White House have organized its own town hall for broadcast on all major networks in prime time, to give this issue the attention it deserves? Will networks which offer critical coverage of the heath care initiative have to worry about getting locked out of the next big Obama media event?

Those involved would likely shrug off such hand-wringing, but it is disturbing to see the nation's first stab at real health care reform in more than a dozen years start off with such a cynical partnership between a politician and a network news division.

Here's hoping the debate we get is truly worth it.

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Linda Bollea claims cyberbullying and death threats from fans of Tampa shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge

Say one thing about Tampa radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem: He knows how to leverage a grudge.

Since returning to broadcast radio last year, he has sparked huge ratings by airing his gripes with enemies on air, mercilessly pummeling rival morning personality Todd "MJ" Schnitt and activist Mark Lunsford most prominently. In those cases, fans of the show known as Bubba's Army also got involved, calling in reports about Schnitt's and Lunsford's movements or their public behavior.

Now Linda Bollea has accused Clem and his fan army of harassment during her high profile divorce from wrestler Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea, saying her ex-husband is using the show's listeners to do his "dirty work," sending e-mails containing death threats through the MySpace online service.

"Bubba brags on air that he has a cult-like following and has instructed listeners to verbally attack Linda if they see her in public and they have," wrote Linda Bollea's representative Gary Smith in a press release issued Wednesday night. "Linda has suffered too many disturbing attacks and acts of vandalism to her personal property by these cult followers."

A longtime friend of Clem's, Terry Bollea often appears on his show, heard in the Tampa Bay area on The Bone, WHPT-FM 102.5, providing his perspective on a bitter divorce that made worldwide headlines after Rolling Stone magazine quoted him saying "I totally understand O.J." (a reference to Simpson, accused of murdering his wife and her young boyfriend in the early '90s).

Smith's release says Linda Bollea is considering joining the lawsuit filed by Schnitt against Clem last year, in which the rival radio personality made similar allegations about fans and how they were incited by the show to act against him and his wife.

Smith's release also accuses Terry Bollea and Clem of leaking home and cell phone numbers for Linda Bollea and her parents to fans, who leave threatening messages.

"I'm simply trying to move on with my life and these people won't let me live in peace," the release quotes Linda Bollea saying. "I just want them to leave me alone . . . These are dangerously disturbed people."

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