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Home , American Idol (season 2), American Idol (season 3), Anwar Robinson, Carmen Rasmusen, Clay Aiken, Constantine Maroulis

FOLIO LINE FOLIO LINE McClatchy-Tribune

SINGULAR SENSATIONS Even the “Idol” contestants who get booted long before the show’s finale often land a recording contract. Some — like winners and — become sen- sations. Others, not so much. Can you match each former contestant with the name of the single he or she recorded?

1. 2. Carrie Underwood 3. 4. Kelly Clarkson 5. 6. RJ Helton 7. Fantasia 8. 9. Look back at the people and music that have 10. A. “” B. “ (Brass Bed)” made ‘’ one of TV’s guilty pleasures C. “My Devotion” D. “Be a Heartbreaker” E. “” BY BECKY SHER At least for the foreseeable future, “Idol” SIMON SAYS F. “” McClatchy-Tribune is still a force in American pop culture. So He’s known for his G. “Jesus, Take the Wheel” why not look back at both the stunning and harsh critiques of con- H. “Baby Mama” ‘American Idol’ is silly moments of America’s favorite talent testants, but many fans I. “Gypsy Queen” crazily entertaining; show? Here, we present trivia in its purest agree, most of the time, J. “Because of You” as music, it’s dust- form — minutiae that might stump even the judge is mote inconsequential.” That was most loyal fans. How closely did you really right on the money. ANSWERS: 1. D; 2. G; 3. B; TV critic Ken pay attention during the show’s early sea- Match his assessments 4. J; 5. F; 6. C; 7. H; 8. A; Tucker’s assessment when Fox first intro- sons? Quiz yourself on these head-scratching with the contestant 9. E; 10. I Kimberley Locke duced viewers to its primetime talent show in details, and find out. who was forced to the summer of 2002. withstand it. THE ’ IDOLS The show is in its six iteration this year, Former “American Idol” winners, clock- Simon Cowell wise from top, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Every season, “American Idol” asks its con- and the first part of Tucker’s critique hasn’t 1. “I think everybody’s thinking the same testants to name their favorite pop artists. Their changed — for millions of Americans, “Idol” Underwood, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and . thing: So what?” answers — posted for all the world to mock on is still must-see TV. They tune in once, 2. “If you win this competition, we will have the “Idol” Web site, www.americanidol.com twice, even three times a week to see regular failed.” — sometimes offer a glimpse at the inspiration Joes sing everything from “Mandy” to “We 3. “I actually don’t know what to say. I for their performances. Are the Champions” in sometimes-spectacu- couldn’t remember you from the previous Can you match these “Idol” performers with lar, sometimes-humiliating fashion. Even round.” their favorite artist? after all these years, the show is consistently 4. “Karaoke with a capital K.” 1. A. top-rated, and its water-cooler status remains 5. “The song was terrible, but I 2. Scott Savol B. almost unwavering. understand why people voted for 3. C. Eminem Tucker’s other observation hasn’t her.” 4. D. proven quite as true. “Idol” has hatched 6. “I didn’t think you should be 5. E. John Mayer several bona fide stars whose contribu- here. However, based on that per- 6. Rickey Smith F. tions to the music industry have been formance, you were fantastic.” more than a bit consequential. The first 7. John Stevens G. Kelly Clarkson 8. H. Usher “Idol” winner, Kelly Clarkson, has won A. Kelly Clarkson two Grammys and a slew of other B. ANSWERS: 1. D; 2. H; 3. B; 4. G; 5. C; 6. A; 7. awards. Season 4 winner Carrie C. E; 8. F Underwood has garnered praise in D. the form of awards and nominations E. RJ Helton ‘IDOL’ TRUTHS as well. And several “Idol” alums F. Taylor Hicks have seen their albums and singles OK, “Idol” fans, see if you can keep your rocket to the tops of the charts. Of seasons straight. Decide if each of these state- ANSWERS: 1. D; 2. B; 3. A; 4. ments is true or false. course, many, many other contes- F; 5. C; 6. E tants have been than blips on the musical landscape, 1. Fantasia got high marks for her rendition of “Summer Lovin’” from “.” mere dust motes, to use Tucker’s PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ERIC term. GOODWIN/MCT 2. Josh Gracin was in active military service when he was an “Idol” contestant. 3. Matt McGrath, Olivia Newton-John and John Mayer have all been guest judges on “Idol.” 4. Judge Simon Cowell penned a book called “I Don’t Mean to Be Rude, But ...” 5. During an early audition round, Kimberley Locke and sang “” as a duet. 6. After appearing on “Idol,” guest judge alleged racism on the show. 7. Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood graduated from college after her “Idol” run. 8. has performed on “American Idol.”

ANSWERS: 1. False. The eventual winner wowed the judges and audience with “Summertime” from “Porgy & Bess.” 2. True. 3. False. Mayer has not appeared on the show. 4. True. 5. False. They sang “Band of Gold.” 6. False. It was who called ’s ousting racist. 7. True. She graduated from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma in May 2006. Josh 8. False. Gracin AFTER ‘IDOL’ For better or worse, many “Idol” contestants fade back into anonymity after the finale (occa- sional guest appearances at local malls notwith- standing). But some manage to catapult their “Idol” experience into another 15 minutes of fame. See if you can match these former contes- tants — and one host — with their post-“Idol” experiences: 1. 2. 3. 4. Jennifer Fuentes 5. Kimberley Locke 6. Jennifer Hudson 7. 8. Diana DeGarmo 9. 10. Frenchie Davis Diana DeGarmo A. Supporting role in Broadway’s “The Wedding Singer” B. Entrant in VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” C. Recurring role on Fox’s “ Public” D. Role in Broadway’s “” E. “” star F. “TV Guide” correspondent G. Supporting role in Broadway’s “” H. Guest star on NBC’s “Scrubs” I. mistress of ceremonies for Ringling Bros. J. Co-host of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ ” ANSWERS: 1. F; 2. H; 3. A; 4. I; 5. B; 6. E; 7. C; 8. G; 9. J; 10. D

SOURCES: WWW.AMERICANIDOL.COM; EW.COM

AMERICAN IDOL MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE