• 'Idol' judge Simon Cowell says Clay Aiken's success due solely to choice of song

  September 10, 2003
  The sniping from American Idol judge Simon Cowell toward Idol runner-up Clay Aiken may have begun during American Idol 2, but it clearly isn't over yet. Entertainment Weekly (subscription required) reports that Simon dismisses Clay's chart success compared to Idol winner Ruben Studdard -- and even his platinum single -- as merely a consequence of Clay's decision to cover Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

• Clay Aiken single spends 12 straight weeks as Canadian #1, 11th week as U.S. #1

  September 4, 2003
  Clay Aiken's single just won't fade away. The American Idol 2 runner-up's debut, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night," celebrates its 12th straight week at #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Canadian Singles Sales chart, holding off the challenge from Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday" for the third straight week. In addition, Clay's single reclaimed first place from Hilary's single on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart, its 11th week at #1 in its 13th week on the chart.

• Clay Aiken single spends 11th week at #1 in Canada but remains #2 in U.S.

  August 29, 2003
  Despite the ongoing battle in Canadian Idol, an American Idol still rules the singles charts north of the border. According to the Nielsen SoundScan Canadian Single Sales chart, American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken holds the #1 spot for the week ending August 24, the 11th straight week, with his single "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night."

• 'American Idol' producers dream of 'World Idol' face-off

  August 29, 2003
  Apparently we aren't the only ones enthusiastic about the nationalisitic hook in Big Brother Africa, which brought together one houseguest from 12 different countries. E! Online reports that Simon Fuller, the producer of Fox's American Idol, CTV's Canadian Idol, the U.K.'s Pop Idol and various other worldwide Idols (including the first Arab Idol, called Superstar and won by 19-year-old Jordanian Diana Karzon), now envisions a global Idol featuring winners from the different Idol versions. The show is preliminarily being positioned as a two-hour special for the December holiday season, with the winner being announced a week later.

• 'American Idol' Ruben Studdard announces free concerts backing Alabama tax hike

  August 25, 2003
  Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't the only Rebublican wrestling with state tax hike issues. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is in the same situation -- but the Associated Press reports that Riley's Sept. 9 "Believe in Alabama" referendum to raise Alabama's tax rates has received backing from another well-known entertainer: American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.

• Release dates set for CDs from 'American Idol' Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken

  August 21, 2003
  In the wake of Clay Aiken's single falling from the #1 slot in the U.S. after 10 weeks on top, the Associated Press reports that release dates have finally been set for the full-length CDs from Clay and his fellow American Idol 2 finalist Ruben Studdard. Both CDs were delayed from their original August 19 release date, probably because the success of Clay and Ruben's singles made album quality more important.

• Clay Aiken's single continues to hold #1 in Canada for 10th week

  August 21, 2003
  Nielsen SoundScan reports that, although American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's single "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "This Is The Night" dropped to second in the U.S. for the week ended August 17, it continues to hold the top spot north of the border for the 10th straight week. On the Canadian Singles Sales chart. Clay edged out Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday," reversing this week's U.S. chart positions.

• 'Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken's single remains #1 in sales for 10th week in U.S.

  August 14, 2003
  The streak lives. American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken's million-selling RCA single, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "This Is The Night" remains #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart (presented by Canoe Jam! Showbiz) for the week ended August 10, its 10th straight week on top. For the second week in a row, Clay edged out Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday" for the top slot.

• 'American Juniors' CD single release flying up the Amazon charts on eve of August 12 release

  August 12, 2003
  As true "American Juniors" fan are already no doubt aware, the debut single from Fox's "American Juniors" will be released Tuesday, August 12 via Jive Records. The release will feature the reality talent show's 10 finalists singing the Cathy Dennis-written song "One Step Closer." Also included will be two mixes of the American Juniors performing a cover of Kim Wilde's 1982 hit "Kids in America."

• 'Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken's single hits 9th week as #1 in sales, by 157 copies

  August 7, 2003
  The margin keeps shrinking, but Clay Aiken remains #1. According to E! Online, Clay, who finished second on this spring's edition of Fox's American Idol, registered his 9th straight week atop the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart for the week ended August 3, but by his narrowest margin yet. Aiken's single, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night," which has already been certified platinum for sales of over 1 million copies, edged Hilary Duff's new release "So Yesterday" for the top spot by a mere 157 copies.

MORE RUBEN STUDDARD NEWS