‘American Idols’ tour prepares to hit the road

Taylor Hicks may be the latest American Idol, but fear not, “Idol” fans—the party isn’t over. As other television shows slip into summer-rerun doldrums, pop culture juggernaut “American Idol” will not be stopped. Beginning July 5 in Manchester, N.H., this season’s top 10 finalists embark on a national tour for the fifth annual “American Idols Live.”

Proving to be the hottest ticket this summer, this year’s “American Idols Live” is anticipated to run neck-and-neck with the season’s other mega tours, which include the likes of Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones. Blockbuster ticket sales led to additional dates and new stops, expanding “American Idols Live” to a 60-date tour, with the final show on September 24 in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.

No surprise, considering this year’s season of “American Idol” reportedly averaged almost 30 million viewers per episode, and was the No. 1 show in its time slot. According to the Yahoo Buzz Index, which reports hot Internet searches, “American Idols Live” is the most searched-for summer concert. And a recent report of Yahoo’s top five overall search terms featured four “AI” related phrases, including  “American Idol,” the names of this year’s winner and runner-up, Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee, and everyone’s favorite “is he or isn’t he?” Idol, Clay Aiken.

Along with Hicks and McPhee, this year’s “American Idols Live,” features the live-song stylings of finalists Elliott Yamin (third), Chris Daughtry (fourth), Paris Bennett (fifth), Kellie Pickler (sixth), Ace Young (seventh) Bucky Covington (eighth), Mandisa Hundley (ninth) and Lisa Tucker (tenth).

Unstoppable Idol
As a pop-culture phenomenon that started on free T.V., “American Idol,” continually proves itself to be something fans are happy to pay for. Together, previous winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, and runners up Clay Aiken and Bo Bice, reportedly have sold 33 million records. And let’s not forget anti-Idol William Hung’s $500,000-plus record sales, not to mention the “American Idols Encores” LPs released after each season, featuring the 12 finalists and the full versions of their signature numbers.

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Naturally, fans flock to “American Idols Live,” happily paying up to $71.50 per ticket plus service charge to see the performers we’ve rooted for (or ragged on) all season. Unlike any other reality show, this “American Idol” cross-country after-party gives fans the opportunity to commune and meet (at least, at a distance) the performers we feel we’ve come to know. No one wants to hang out with the obnoxious spouses of “Wife Swap” or any scruffy, smelly “Survivor.” But the chance to see Taylor Hicks bust out “Taking It to the Street,” (and see if he’s improved some of those bizarre stage moves that freaked out even his biggest fans) is another story.

Unlike the television show, “American Idols Live” won’t feature any input from the judges. No snappy insults from Simon Cowell — he won’t be there to pick on Kellie Pickler, and Taylor is free to wear that purple jacket so hated by Simon (but loved by Taylor’s fan following, the Soul Patrol). There won’t be any peppy weirdness from Paula Abdul, none of her bizarre elimination-round comments about melons, corn flakes, and fortune cookies. Randy Jackson won’t be there to call anyone “dawg,” and of course, no Ryan Seacrest. Then again, their absence could be part of the attraction.

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