Post by jen on Jan 15, 2009 11:44:12 GMT -4
last year we followed mike slezak's Idol recaps and webisodes on EW.com, snooping out jason references and ringing endorsements. there were a total of 17, far more than any other Idol, including the champs, thanks to loyal dreadhead mike.
we (and slezak) are back at it for Season 9! with jason's current EP and tour, and his album set for release, the timing is perfect for all press, support, and encouragement.
Welcome to Season 9!!
Current Count: 8 ... blurbs and links start here:
(March 14)
From Idolatry on 3/14: slezak and cohost talk about jason's "hallelujah" performance and show a clip. they say tim urban's attempt didn't even compare.
www.ew.com/ew/video/0,,20312226_20312230,00.html?bcpid=44801794001&bclid=60711674001&bctid=71972924001
_______________________________________________________
(March 10)
From the 3/10 guy's night recap... on Tim Urban's cover of "Hallelujah":
"I could take a moment here to express my opinion that in deference to a certain season 7 contestant's seminal cover, ''Hallelujah'' ought to be retired from the Idol stage — along with 'Tasia's ''Summertime,'' Cookie's ''Billie Jean,'' and Adam's ''Mad World,'' to name a few. But why bring the Dreadlocked Idol's name into a paragraph about something so unsavory?"
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_20350437_3,00.html
____________________________________________________
(February 16)
Jason's in two slideshows on EW... one called the "28 Top Tunes From Idol Grads" that promotes "Let's Just Fall in Love Again" and another called "American Idol Grads: Your Next Favorite Song" where they promote "You Can Always Come Home."
i LOVE this song... no doubt my fave from the EP. so georgeous. and the pic in the slideshow ain't bad either! white shirt, suspenders, accessorized with a come hither look. anyway...
Next Favorite Song
www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20312226_20343933_6,00.html
28 Top Tunes From Idol Grads
www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20312226_20333687_6,00.html
____________________________________________________
(February 11)
Hollywood Week recap #2 - Slezak speculates about why on earth Michael Castro can't get any screen time:
"And what's the deal with the way Idol has spent the last four weeks teasing us with silent images of Michael Castro (brother of season 7 finalist Jason), only to pull the plug on the audio before he reached his solo on ''Get Ready''? Whether the dude was awesome, awful, or somewhere in the middle, I felt like as viewers, we deserved the courtesy of getting to hear for ourselves. But maybe there's some executive at Fox or 19 (a fan of the uni-monikered Chikezie, perhaps?) who harbors some sort of irrational grudge against the entire Castro clan."
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_20343434,00.html
____________________________________________________
(February 10)
A blurb about Michael with a Jason reference, nach.
Michael Castro I hope some of you guys are having fun with that drinking game where you take a shot every time the producers flash an image of Jason Castro's brother on screen, but don't allow a single sound to come out of his mouth. (Don't forget to take two Advil and drink two big glasses of water before bedtime!)
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_20343170,00.html
____________________________________________________
(January 29)
Idolatry video in three parts - Jason makes a cameo at the end of the third one demanding that Kristen B., frequent cohost, go on abbreviated maternity leave so she can quickly return to Idolatry.
popwatch.ew.com/2010/01/29/idolatry-american-idol-katy-perry/
(January 27, 2010)
Audition episode recap - Slezak wonders why we can't hear more singing during the audition broadcasts. This is found on page 3:
"Why not cut footage of the Jonas youth altogether and let us hear a few seconds of singing from Michael Castro — brother of season 7 finalist Jason Castro — who made it to Hollywood last year, and was shown getting a Golden Ticket again tonight without so much as a peep from his mouth?"
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_20339891,00.html
____________________________________________________
Season 8 blurbs and links:
Season 8: 17 references in recaps and Idolatry videos (celebratory smilies for the longer article re: jason's record deal ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D)
(and thanks very much to those who help keep this thread up by posting new links!)
(july 20) another paulagate reference... slezak debating merits of paula's possible return to idol for season 9:
"As for Paula, well, she certainly raised her game during season 8 -- especially compared to her abysmal season 7 showing, which culminated with the Paulagate incident (in which she critiqued Jason Castro's second number before he'd even performed it)."
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/07/american-idol-paula-abdul.html
____________________________________________________
(june 18) from slezak's post re: carly joining up with "The Fallen," a new band comprised of three former members of Evanescence.
"And paired with successful major-label discs from Davids Cook and Archuleta, an upcoming Atlantic set from Jason Castro, and anticipated indie releases from Michael Johns and Brooke White this summer, are the season 7 alumni rocking harder than any other?"
music-mix.ew.com/2009/06/carly-smithson-evanescence-fallen-yes-.html
____________________________________________________
(may 12) pre-top 3 performance night idolatry video
another kris/jason comparison. slezak anticipates kris will be sabotaged the same way jason was last year, but hopes that kris doesn't let it defeat him. he feels jason let the the judges get to him.
start at the 1:35 mark...
www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20007164_20174011,00.html?bcpid=3887239001&bclid=3343000001&bctid=22909350001
____________________________________________________
(may 6) top 4 performance recap
the similarities between jason and kris allen continue. poor kris was thrown under the bus a la jason:
"The smart money is probably on the ''tender puppy,'' seeing how the judges awarded him the ''Jason Castro Memorial Plaque'' tonight, presented to the contestant who was set up as cannon fodder, yet somehow caught America's attention in the semifinals, then created some of the season's best iTunes downloads, but now it's not cute anymore since he's challenging the production's pre-ordained pecking order. But I believe that on Idol, history is not doomed to repeat itself. As viewers, we learn and grow. Each season, we get better at spotting the manipulation, angrier when we're slapped in the face with bull****, more reactive when we spot injustice."
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20276858_5,00.html
____________________________________________________
(april 13) an article all about jason, all by himself!
well, this is the best one yet! jason castro SIGNED, HALLELUJAH!!! sayeth slezak. and of everyone from last season, he misses jason the most. SO DO WE! this was front page all day at ew.com. at the bottom of the article, slezak asks for comments re: who will be buying/preordering/getting-way-excited about this album. leave a comment and, as he said, raise a glass!
music-mix.ew.com/2009/04/jason-castro-at.html
____________________________________________________
(april 8) performance show recap:
"Your only goal as an Idol contestant, in fact, is to stay the heck away from 'em! True, these glassy-eyed beasts no longer sway out of time to the music (like they did for Jason Castro) or squeal frighteningly at a well-timed run (like they did to Archuleta), but they're still there."
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20270866,00.html
___________________________________________________
(april 2) results show recap (in which we were treated to several jason in the audience sightings, yawns and all
)
"And on the subject of reasons to live for Idol, I actually jotted down a few more during tonight's show: Randy didn't boo Simon's introduction. I spotted Alexis Grace and Jason Castro in the audience — although when are they going to let the Dreadlocked One take the stage and sing?"
yes, please, on the singing!
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20269515_3,00.html
~~~there was also a jason mention in the "on the scene" recap by whitney pastorek on ew.com:
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/04/american-idol-o.html~~~
____________________________________________________
(march 31) idolatry video
starting around the 5:40 minute mark. slezak and his cohost suggest kris allen should pull a "jason castro"-type performance, a folksy ballad like "hallelujah" or "daydream." a "showstopper" they said!
www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20007164_20174011,00.html?bcpid=3887239001&bclid=3343000001&bctid=18028991001
____________________________________________________
(march 26) popwatch re: group numbers
"Half the fun of results nights from seasons past was keeping your eyes focused on the contestants who clearly had no affinity for atroshe choreography (Jason Castro, Brooke White), and your ears attuned to the contestants whose off-pitch caterwauling killed any attempt at successful harmonizing..."
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/idol-lip-synchi.html
____________________________________________________
(march 17) tuesday pre-performance popwatch blurb:
"last season's trip to the Dolly Patron songbook drew some great performances from singers who hadn't really exhibited a country edge (namely, Jason Castro, Michael Johns, and Carly Smithson)."
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/american-idol-c.html
___________________________________________________
(march 17) tuesday night post performance blurb:
"I cannot say tonight's Grand Ole Opry-themed edition of American Idol gave us the kind of magical, "whoa mama I just saw a star up thar!" performance that we'd seen multiple times (think "Daydream" or "Hello" or "Imagine" or "Love Is a Battlefield" or "Crazy on You") by this point in season 7. But that's not to say I'm not excited by the take-home message of tonight's two-hour telecast."
a song reference counts!
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/randy-travis-id.html
____________________________________________________
(march 5) wednesday night recap:
talking about idol and how we should "rage against the machine," as it were...
"Indeed, for every thrilling David-vs.-David finale that restores your faith and fandom in the nation's most popular talent competition, there's usually an infuriating counter-agent: Paula's critique of Jason Castro last season — before the dude had even performed..."
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20263104,00.html
____________________________________________________
(february 18) tuesday night recap:
"My one big fear about the new format, though, is that it could punish a terrific singer like Ricky Braddy, who wins this year's Jason Castro Underdog Trophy, awarded to the contestant who isn't heard breathing a single note through the audition rounds and Hollywood Week, before making a strong first impression in the semis."
and that impression hasn't worn off yet! cheers to staying power!
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20259682,00.html
________________________________________________
(february 15) idolatry video:
when slezak is talking about how the return of the 3 groups of 12 singers will bring back some element of surprise to the top 12, he comments that last year everyone could predict who'd make the top 12, starting with jason! find it around the 2 minute mark.
link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid3887239001/bclid3343000001/bctid12452212001
___________________________________________________
(february 12) from the recap of wednesday 2/11:
"Still, if Stephen's nerves don't do him in like they did in Hollywood Week, or if Ricky proves to be the next coming of Jason Castro, it's possible Danny or Anoop could be left holding out for a wild card."
there's only ONE jason castro!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(february 9)
he referenced jason again in this week's idolatry video. they talked about how contestants are "oversinging" this season and how last season jason, brooke, and dc were "musicians" with originality rather than "bombastic" singers. slezak thought that was a great direction for the show to go in, but now it's regressing.
www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20007164_20174011,00.html?bcpid=3887239001&bclid=3343000001&bctid=10380019001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(january 14)
couldn't find the right thread to post this in, so here it is all by itself. love how slezak will find any way to mention jason - i'm so glad he's a fan!
this is about von smith's rendition of "over the rainbow":
Standing there in his white fedora and a black and white striped pullover stolen from Blake Lewis's wardrobe, Von proceeded to blast every last note from his mouth like he was aiming cannonballs at a brick wall. I'd suggest comparing Von's rendition to Jason Castro's hauntingly beautiful (and at times, practically whispered) season 7 ''Rainbow,'' except, really, there's no comparison.
this is the paragraph about mcas. not hugely flattering, but i loved the last line:
"Oh, and since we just mentioned Jason Castro a few sentences back, we must also mention that his pink-haired, vaguely cocky brother Michael auditioned tonight, too, offering a serviceable take on ''In love With a Girl'' that resulted in him scoring a golden ticket. Or maybe it wasn't his take on Gavin DeGraw's hit that did the trick. Maybe it was the fact that his famous brother accompanied him to the audition. How else to explain Simon dubbing the performance ''good-ish'' then advancing him to the next round anyway? (Also, newsflash for Ryan Seacrest: Jason Castro was not season 7's fourth runner-up. He was the fourth-place finisher. There's a big difference.)"
here's the recap... jason's stuff is on page 3:
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20252595,00.html
we (and slezak) are back at it for Season 9! with jason's current EP and tour, and his album set for release, the timing is perfect for all press, support, and encouragement.
Welcome to Season 9!!
Current Count: 8 ... blurbs and links start here:
(March 14)
From Idolatry on 3/14: slezak and cohost talk about jason's "hallelujah" performance and show a clip. they say tim urban's attempt didn't even compare.
www.ew.com/ew/video/0,,20312226_20312230,00.html?bcpid=44801794001&bclid=60711674001&bctid=71972924001
_______________________________________________________
(March 10)
From the 3/10 guy's night recap... on Tim Urban's cover of "Hallelujah":
"I could take a moment here to express my opinion that in deference to a certain season 7 contestant's seminal cover, ''Hallelujah'' ought to be retired from the Idol stage — along with 'Tasia's ''Summertime,'' Cookie's ''Billie Jean,'' and Adam's ''Mad World,'' to name a few. But why bring the Dreadlocked Idol's name into a paragraph about something so unsavory?"
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_20350437_3,00.html
____________________________________________________
(February 16)
Jason's in two slideshows on EW... one called the "28 Top Tunes From Idol Grads" that promotes "Let's Just Fall in Love Again" and another called "American Idol Grads: Your Next Favorite Song" where they promote "You Can Always Come Home."
i LOVE this song... no doubt my fave from the EP. so georgeous. and the pic in the slideshow ain't bad either! white shirt, suspenders, accessorized with a come hither look. anyway...
Next Favorite Song
www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20312226_20343933_6,00.html
28 Top Tunes From Idol Grads
www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20312226_20333687_6,00.html
____________________________________________________
(February 11)
Hollywood Week recap #2 - Slezak speculates about why on earth Michael Castro can't get any screen time:
"And what's the deal with the way Idol has spent the last four weeks teasing us with silent images of Michael Castro (brother of season 7 finalist Jason), only to pull the plug on the audio before he reached his solo on ''Get Ready''? Whether the dude was awesome, awful, or somewhere in the middle, I felt like as viewers, we deserved the courtesy of getting to hear for ourselves. But maybe there's some executive at Fox or 19 (a fan of the uni-monikered Chikezie, perhaps?) who harbors some sort of irrational grudge against the entire Castro clan."
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_20343434,00.html
____________________________________________________
(February 10)
A blurb about Michael with a Jason reference, nach.
Michael Castro I hope some of you guys are having fun with that drinking game where you take a shot every time the producers flash an image of Jason Castro's brother on screen, but don't allow a single sound to come out of his mouth. (Don't forget to take two Advil and drink two big glasses of water before bedtime!)
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_20343170,00.html
____________________________________________________
(January 29)
Idolatry video in three parts - Jason makes a cameo at the end of the third one demanding that Kristen B., frequent cohost, go on abbreviated maternity leave so she can quickly return to Idolatry.
popwatch.ew.com/2010/01/29/idolatry-american-idol-katy-perry/
(January 27, 2010)
Audition episode recap - Slezak wonders why we can't hear more singing during the audition broadcasts. This is found on page 3:
"Why not cut footage of the Jonas youth altogether and let us hear a few seconds of singing from Michael Castro — brother of season 7 finalist Jason Castro — who made it to Hollywood last year, and was shown getting a Golden Ticket again tonight without so much as a peep from his mouth?"
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_20339891,00.html
____________________________________________________
Season 8 blurbs and links:
Season 8: 17 references in recaps and Idolatry videos (celebratory smilies for the longer article re: jason's record deal ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D)
(and thanks very much to those who help keep this thread up by posting new links!)
(july 20) another paulagate reference... slezak debating merits of paula's possible return to idol for season 9:
"As for Paula, well, she certainly raised her game during season 8 -- especially compared to her abysmal season 7 showing, which culminated with the Paulagate incident (in which she critiqued Jason Castro's second number before he'd even performed it)."
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/07/american-idol-paula-abdul.html
____________________________________________________
(june 18) from slezak's post re: carly joining up with "The Fallen," a new band comprised of three former members of Evanescence.
"And paired with successful major-label discs from Davids Cook and Archuleta, an upcoming Atlantic set from Jason Castro, and anticipated indie releases from Michael Johns and Brooke White this summer, are the season 7 alumni rocking harder than any other?"
music-mix.ew.com/2009/06/carly-smithson-evanescence-fallen-yes-.html
____________________________________________________
(may 12) pre-top 3 performance night idolatry video
another kris/jason comparison. slezak anticipates kris will be sabotaged the same way jason was last year, but hopes that kris doesn't let it defeat him. he feels jason let the the judges get to him.
start at the 1:35 mark...
www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20007164_20174011,00.html?bcpid=3887239001&bclid=3343000001&bctid=22909350001
____________________________________________________
(may 6) top 4 performance recap
the similarities between jason and kris allen continue. poor kris was thrown under the bus a la jason:
"The smart money is probably on the ''tender puppy,'' seeing how the judges awarded him the ''Jason Castro Memorial Plaque'' tonight, presented to the contestant who was set up as cannon fodder, yet somehow caught America's attention in the semifinals, then created some of the season's best iTunes downloads, but now it's not cute anymore since he's challenging the production's pre-ordained pecking order. But I believe that on Idol, history is not doomed to repeat itself. As viewers, we learn and grow. Each season, we get better at spotting the manipulation, angrier when we're slapped in the face with bull****, more reactive when we spot injustice."
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20276858_5,00.html
____________________________________________________
(april 13) an article all about jason, all by himself!
well, this is the best one yet! jason castro SIGNED, HALLELUJAH!!! sayeth slezak. and of everyone from last season, he misses jason the most. SO DO WE! this was front page all day at ew.com. at the bottom of the article, slezak asks for comments re: who will be buying/preordering/getting-way-excited about this album. leave a comment and, as he said, raise a glass!
music-mix.ew.com/2009/04/jason-castro-at.html
____________________________________________________
(april 8) performance show recap:
"Your only goal as an Idol contestant, in fact, is to stay the heck away from 'em! True, these glassy-eyed beasts no longer sway out of time to the music (like they did for Jason Castro) or squeal frighteningly at a well-timed run (like they did to Archuleta), but they're still there."
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20270866,00.html
___________________________________________________
(april 2) results show recap (in which we were treated to several jason in the audience sightings, yawns and all
)"And on the subject of reasons to live for Idol, I actually jotted down a few more during tonight's show: Randy didn't boo Simon's introduction. I spotted Alexis Grace and Jason Castro in the audience — although when are they going to let the Dreadlocked One take the stage and sing?"
yes, please, on the singing!
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20269515_3,00.html
~~~there was also a jason mention in the "on the scene" recap by whitney pastorek on ew.com:
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/04/american-idol-o.html~~~
____________________________________________________
(march 31) idolatry video
starting around the 5:40 minute mark. slezak and his cohost suggest kris allen should pull a "jason castro"-type performance, a folksy ballad like "hallelujah" or "daydream." a "showstopper" they said!
www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20007164_20174011,00.html?bcpid=3887239001&bclid=3343000001&bctid=18028991001
____________________________________________________
(march 26) popwatch re: group numbers
"Half the fun of results nights from seasons past was keeping your eyes focused on the contestants who clearly had no affinity for atroshe choreography (Jason Castro, Brooke White), and your ears attuned to the contestants whose off-pitch caterwauling killed any attempt at successful harmonizing..."
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/idol-lip-synchi.html
____________________________________________________
(march 17) tuesday pre-performance popwatch blurb:
"last season's trip to the Dolly Patron songbook drew some great performances from singers who hadn't really exhibited a country edge (namely, Jason Castro, Michael Johns, and Carly Smithson)."
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/american-idol-c.html
___________________________________________________
(march 17) tuesday night post performance blurb:
"I cannot say tonight's Grand Ole Opry-themed edition of American Idol gave us the kind of magical, "whoa mama I just saw a star up thar!" performance that we'd seen multiple times (think "Daydream" or "Hello" or "Imagine" or "Love Is a Battlefield" or "Crazy on You") by this point in season 7. But that's not to say I'm not excited by the take-home message of tonight's two-hour telecast."
a song reference counts!
popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/randy-travis-id.html
____________________________________________________
(march 5) wednesday night recap:
talking about idol and how we should "rage against the machine," as it were...
"Indeed, for every thrilling David-vs.-David finale that restores your faith and fandom in the nation's most popular talent competition, there's usually an infuriating counter-agent: Paula's critique of Jason Castro last season — before the dude had even performed..."
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20263104,00.html
____________________________________________________
(february 18) tuesday night recap:
"My one big fear about the new format, though, is that it could punish a terrific singer like Ricky Braddy, who wins this year's Jason Castro Underdog Trophy, awarded to the contestant who isn't heard breathing a single note through the audition rounds and Hollywood Week, before making a strong first impression in the semis."
and that impression hasn't worn off yet! cheers to staying power!
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20259682,00.html
________________________________________________
(february 15) idolatry video:
when slezak is talking about how the return of the 3 groups of 12 singers will bring back some element of surprise to the top 12, he comments that last year everyone could predict who'd make the top 12, starting with jason! find it around the 2 minute mark.
link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid3887239001/bclid3343000001/bctid12452212001
___________________________________________________
(february 12) from the recap of wednesday 2/11:
"Still, if Stephen's nerves don't do him in like they did in Hollywood Week, or if Ricky proves to be the next coming of Jason Castro, it's possible Danny or Anoop could be left holding out for a wild card."
there's only ONE jason castro!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(february 9)
he referenced jason again in this week's idolatry video. they talked about how contestants are "oversinging" this season and how last season jason, brooke, and dc were "musicians" with originality rather than "bombastic" singers. slezak thought that was a great direction for the show to go in, but now it's regressing.
www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20007164_20174011,00.html?bcpid=3887239001&bclid=3343000001&bctid=10380019001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(january 14)
couldn't find the right thread to post this in, so here it is all by itself. love how slezak will find any way to mention jason - i'm so glad he's a fan!
this is about von smith's rendition of "over the rainbow":
Standing there in his white fedora and a black and white striped pullover stolen from Blake Lewis's wardrobe, Von proceeded to blast every last note from his mouth like he was aiming cannonballs at a brick wall. I'd suggest comparing Von's rendition to Jason Castro's hauntingly beautiful (and at times, practically whispered) season 7 ''Rainbow,'' except, really, there's no comparison.
this is the paragraph about mcas. not hugely flattering, but i loved the last line:
"Oh, and since we just mentioned Jason Castro a few sentences back, we must also mention that his pink-haired, vaguely cocky brother Michael auditioned tonight, too, offering a serviceable take on ''In love With a Girl'' that resulted in him scoring a golden ticket. Or maybe it wasn't his take on Gavin DeGraw's hit that did the trick. Maybe it was the fact that his famous brother accompanied him to the audition. How else to explain Simon dubbing the performance ''good-ish'' then advancing him to the next round anyway? (Also, newsflash for Ryan Seacrest: Jason Castro was not season 7's fourth runner-up. He was the fourth-place finisher. There's a big difference.)"
here's the recap... jason's stuff is on page 3:
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20252595,00.html
Thanks for posting this!!
