Home(Back) On the Scene: An 'Idol' alumnus' no-holds-barred take
Mar 21, 2008, 08:59 AM | by Shirley Halperin
Categories: 'American Idol', An EW Exclusive!, On the Scene
What's it like to be a part of American Idol's studio audience as an alumnus? EW.com contributor and former contestant Jon Peter Lewis, who returned to Stage 36 for last night's elimination show, reflects on how the show's changed since he rocked Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation" on season three, and ponders where it's headed.
Did you see me Wednesday night? There I was, seated next to Chicken Little (a.k.a. Kevin Covais) catching up on the good old days... kind of. He's not really the talkative kind. But what he did have to say captured my attention completely. Somewhere in the ordinary getting-to-know-you chit-chat, Kevin mentioned that he's working on a movie at MGM studios. I think that's cool and he seemed really excited about it. I mean, he said MGM, like, 12 times in one minute. I think he's got a really good look for film. He could totally play the beta male roles. The story only got better and more disturbing from there, though. He started talking about how he recently moved in with Ace Young and then mentioned something about picking up Ace's womanizing leftovers? Yikes! Now that's a movie script waiting to be written.
All in all, it was fun to be back on the American Idol set and see a lot of familiar faces. I think I talked with Simon more last night than my entire time on the show. He said I looked healthy and I suppose that's high praise coming from someone who's sparing on his complements. I spoke with Randy and Paula too and, you know, the whole thing reminded me of a class reunion, except without the graduating class and a lot of more expensive upgrades to the school. It's amazing how little they got away with spending on my season. I mean, our stage was half the size and we didn't get a band. Don't think I'm complaining, though. Not really. I'm only having slight pangs of jealousy.
Speaking of which, the Neil is gonna be on the show, and that's pretty awesome, but I'm still not sure about how I feel about all the peripheral stuff they cram into an episode these days. I mean, it's starting to become a variety show and that's much less endearing than watching a Cinderella story. It's really easy to get lost in it all. There's the mentors, and they have to promote their new projects, the sponsors who have to have their Ford commercials and iPhone plugs, let's not forget about Kellie Pickler, who's pimping out her not-so-new record, and, of course, Idol Gives Back, which I can't decide if I love or hate since Idol seems to get a lot more back than it gives. Is it getting to the point where it's just one big commercial? Or has it always been that way? What do you all think?
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