• 'American Idol' finalist Kimberly Caldwell joins Fox sports show '54321'

  May 12, 2003
  American Idol is so hot, even Fox Sports wants a piece of the action. Fox Sports Net has announced that it has hired Kimberly Caldwell, a finalist in the current edition of Fox's hit reality/talent series American Idol, as an entertainment correspondent ... for the extreme sports show 54321. Every weekday at 5:30 PM, 54321 mixes fresh video from the hottest skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and motocross events throughout the world with features, profiles, in-studio guests and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the lifestyle and trends that these sports envelop into a 30-minute package.

• 'American Idol' finalist Clay Aiken meets his Internet portrait artist

  May 12, 2003
  The Modesto Bee reports on one of the more interesting personal-interest stories from this edition of Fox's American Idol. Bee staff srtist Laurie McAdam drew two images of Clay on an Idol fansite that have become well-known among Clay's fans; as a result, she ultimately ended up attending an Idol taping with his mother, Faye Parker, and then had dinner with Clay and his mother after the show.

• Ex-'American Idol' contestant Frenchie Davis to appear in 'Rent' on Broadway

  May 11, 2003
  The NY Post reports that "American Idol" contestant, Frenchie Davis is Broadway bound. The 23-year old, plus-size singer with the outsized voice will appear as a regular in the Broadway production of the hit show "Rent" starting May 16.

• 'American Idol' finalist Clay Aiken gets advice from N.C. governor

  May 9, 2003
  One sure way to tell that a TV show is hot -- politicians want to stage photo opportunities with the stars. According to the Associated Press, American Idol finalist Clay Aiken learned this lesson Thursday in Raleigh, N.C., as he posed on the steps of the state capitol building with N.C. governor Mike Easley.

• 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal - "The Bee Gees Edition"

  May 8, 2003
  Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted the latest installment of his weekly 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal diva rant, an exclusive to the RealityTVWorld American Idol message boards.

• 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal - "The Neil Sedaka Hits Edition"

  May 6, 2003
  Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted the latest installment of his weekly 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal diva rant, an exclusive to the RealityTVWorld American Idol message boards.

• 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell to guest on 'The Simpsons'

  April 30, 2003
  The Fox network has been relentlessly using American Idol to plug its new reality show Mr. Personality. Now another cross-promotion is planned, with a little more appeal than Monica Lewinsky.

• 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal - "The Diane Warren Hits Edition"

  April 24, 2003
  Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted the latest installment of his weekly 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal diva rant, an exclusive to the RealityTVWorld American Idol message boards.

• First CD album from 'American Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson debuts at #1

  April 23, 2003
  According to the Associated Press, Thankful, the first full-length CD from Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first American Idol competition during the summer of 2002, debuted at #1 this week in music industry sales figures. Kelly Clarkson's CD sold just under 300,000 copies in its first week, easily outdistancing the higher-profile "reunion" CD from 1980s superstar group Fleetwood Mac, which sold less than 75% of Clarkson's total and had to settle for third place in its debut.

• 'American Idol 2' grand finale to air on Tuesday May 20th & Wednesday May 21st

  April 21, 2003
  FOX has announced that second season of "American Idol" will conclude with a two-part live grand finale Tuesday, May 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET Live/PT Tape Delayed) and Wednesday, May 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET Live/PT Tape Delayed) on FOX. Tuesday evening's show will feature the final competition performances between the two finalists. Wednesday's final episode will reveal the results of America's votes and the next American Idol. The two-night concert spectacular will be broadcast from the Universal Amphitheatre in Hollywood, CA.

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