Idol has its claws in David Archuleta
David Archuleta is American Idol’s bitch. Like the other contestants, he signed an incredibly restrictive contract. All of his public appearances and performances are closely monitored and approved by AI managers.
That became painfully clear for Archuleta and his rabid fans in Salt Lake City this week when the runner-up was forced to cancel a ’Thank You’ concert. It was to be this Friday night and the proceeds were to go to charity. But American Idol nixed the whole thing because of Archuleta’s “contractual obligations” to the show. It was an Idol-sanctioned event. Plus, Archuleta is scheduled to begin touring with his co-contestants on Saturday.
American Idol has a notorious contract. Clay Aiken was able to get out of his, but only with the help of a tough attorney. And remember Mario Vazquez? He was Top 12, but then quit the show reportedly because of the contract that, among other things, wouldn’t let him sign any deals until at least three months after the winner was crowned.
A few years ago, a writer at Salon.com reviewed the first season contract and concluded it was so restrictive that the contestants’ careers were “literally not their own.”
X-Files Believes in New Title
The title is out there.
Sci-fi mastermind Chris Carter has revealed that his franchise's much-anticipated big-screen sequel has been dubbed The X-Files: I Want to Believe.
"It's a natural title," Carter told the Associated Press. "It's a story that involves the difficulties in mediating faith and science. 'I want to believe.' It really does suggest Mulder's struggle with his faith."
Awkward though the title may seem to the casual viewer, the newly announced name should be instantly recognizable to fans of the long-running TV series.
"I Want to Believe" was the slogan that graced the UFO poster that hung in the basement office of FBI special agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson).
According to Carter, he and cowriter Frank Spotnitz had settled on the name from the moment they began penning the screenplay, but had to hold off on going public with it until 20th Century Fox decided whether or not it was a marketable title.
Studio execs only signed off on the title Wednesday morning.
I Want to Believe may also prove to be a familiar sentiment for fans who have waited 10 years for sequel to hit the big screen. The original X-Files movie opened in theaters back in 1998 and the series itself ended its nine-season run on Fox in 2002.
According to Carter, the follow-up, a stand-alone story revolving around a supernatural mystery rather than an extension of the show's sometimes obtuse mythology, aims to reward die-hard fans and attempts to appeal to general moviegoers not necessarily familiar with the TV show.
"The reason we're even making the movie is for the rabid fans, so we don't want to insult them by having to take them back through the concept again," Carter told the wire service, adding that he realized not everyone was equally engrossed in the original series.
"It has struck me over the last several years talking to college-age kids that a lot of them really don't know the show or haven't seen it. If you're 20 years old now, the show started when you were four…So there's a whole new audience that might have liked the show. This was made to, I would call it, satisfy everyone."
In addition to Duchovny and Anderson, the film features the motley crue of Xzibit, Amanda Peet and Billy Connolly, though little is known about their roles. The filmmakers have also kept a lid on whether X-Files mainstays like Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) or the Lone Gunmen will be appearing.
"We went to almost comical lengths to keep the story a secret," Carter said. "That included allowing only the key crew members to read the script, and they had to read it in a room that had video cameras trained on them. It was a new experience."
The X-Files: I Want to Believe is due out July 25.
Eva Mendes Headlines New York Comic-Con
Eva Mendes Headlines New York Comic-Con
In a night in which the geeks got the girls, sci-fi fans poured out in the droves to see the Eva Mendes headlined Comic-Con in New York City on Saturday night (April 19).
Mendes was among the celebrities on hand for the “rapidly growing sci-fi and comics convention that is drawing tens of thousands of rabid fans to the Javits Center - many dressed for the part in spandex, capes and cowls.”
“I consider myself a freak, so I’m right at home,” said Mendes, who took the stage alongside comics legend-turned-director Frank Miller. “Halloween is my favorite time of the year, so Comic-Con is right up my alley,” the 30-year-old actress added.
Eva and Frank made the trip to Comic-Con to promote their movie “The Spirit”, which is about a “rookie cop who returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City.”