KRIS ALLEN IN AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW

American Idol Kris Allen provided an in-depth interview to Los Angeles Times' Fred Bronson -- links to three segments of the interview are provided below.

Interview Part One begins:

Season 8 “American Idol” winner Kris Allen was born June 21, 1985, to Neil and Kimberly Allen in Jacksonville, Ark.

Anyone who watched this season of “American Idol” had good reason to think you grew up in Conway, Ark., but that’s not true, right?

Kris Allen: I lived in Jacksonville for most of my life. My high school was in Little Rock, but I lived in Jacksonville forever until college, and then I moved to Conway.

Click here for remainder of Part One interview

When did you start watching “American Idol”?

Kris Allen: My wife and I don’t have a TV, so it was hard to keep up. But I was living with my mom last year around the time they were down to the Top Five of Season Seven and I started watching. And once you start watching “American Idol,” you really get into it. I didn’t know if I cared who won. It was interesting to watch and see what everyone was going to do. It’s a great show. And it catches you.

Click here for remainder of Part Two interview

You earned a reputation on “American Idol” for taking well-known songs and making them your own. Is that something you’ve always done?

Kris Allen: Yes. When you play in bars and you have to play for three hours, you have to play songs people know. I never wanted to just play a song that people know. I wanted people to think, “That’s a cool way to sing that song” or “That’s a cool way to play that song,” and so it’s always been a part of what I do as a performer.


Click here for remainder of Part Three interview

AMERICAN IDOL KRIS ALLEN ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS

American Idol Kris Allen answered some questions during a telephone interview with clevelandnews this week.

When asked whether winning American Idol had finally "sunk in," Allen responded, "I don't know if it's something that will ever totally sink in. The part that is definitely becoming evident is that I get to make an album. We're working on that right now. That's probably the biggest part for me, that I get to do something like that."

When Allen was asked which of the Idol finalists he hangs out with the most, he said that they all tend to hang out together a lot. "We have a lot of downtime at the arenas. We just joke around. Do nothing. Talk to each other. And then we spend a lot of time on the bus, watching "Family Guy" or DVDs. On our days off, me and Adam are usually doing things together."

Allen says that he and Adam Lambert are great friends, and it does not bother him to share the spotlight with the Idol runner-up. "I'm a low-key guy," he said. "I don't demand any attention myself. I'm not saying that Adam does. It just kind of comes with who he is. I lay low and do my thing."

Two former Idol winners have helped Allen a great deal, he said. "The two people I've probably talked to the most would be Chris Daughtry and David Cook. Those guys have been super-successful. Having success like either one of those guys would be great."

HOPE RESUMES THAT PAULA MAY RETURN TO AMERICAN IDOL JUDGING PANEL

American Idol executives and Paula Abdul are back in talks again. There are no guarantees that a deal can be struct to bring Abdul back to the Idol judging panel, but at least talks are a step in the right direction.

No doubt current American Idol Kris Allen and the Idol finalists will all be pleased if, in the end, Paula does return to the show. All of the Idol contestants have called Paula the "judge with a heart" -- and hoped that she would return to the show.

Alas, the list was revealed – and there was no Paula. But that only fueled speculation that perhaps Idol executives and Paula might be talking about her return to the show again.

“The people at the very top of ABC were really vocal about getting her (Paula) on board for ‘Dancing,” msnbc quoted a source familiar with talks between the network execs and the Idol former judge. “By not exactly keeping it secret, it made Paula’s value more apparent to Fox.”

The negotiations are called “talks” by msnbc – “since dubbing them ‘negotiations' suggests that one side is budging.

“Paula isn’t lowering her price in any meaningful way. She wants a Seacrest-level deal,” msnbc quotes the source. American Idol host Ryan Seacrest reportedly inked a three-year, $45 million deal.

“If there is a scenario that gets Abdul back on the show, it’s likely that her return would be limited to the live shows only, according to several people who are close to the talks. This will allow the original offer made by the show to stand, but Abdul would have a shorter time commitment,” offers the msnbc article.

ABC was extremely disappointed that they were unable to nap Paula. “They didn’t really want Tom DeLay as their most-buzzed-about contestant,” a source told msnbc.

Throughout the summer Abdul has always expressed that she wanted to return to the American Idol judging panel – and there has been chatter that her friend and fellow judge Simon Cowell has been supporting her behind the scenes. Judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi have apparently been supportive as well.

So with talks resumed and a real possibility that she might be back on Idol, it is no wonder that Paula sounds so happy in her Twitter messages.

One of Paula’s recent Tweets reads, “thx for all the support. Never give up on your dreams. Fight for what you believe in. And never stop believing in yourself. xxP”

Another reads, “The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.”

It seems that Paula may be thinking very positively these days!

KRIS ALLEN INTERVIEW

MTV Shows

American Idol Kris Allen took some time out of his busy touring schedule to answer some questions from his fans.

If Kris ever hosts a talk show, who would he want to have as guests?

Kris's response, "I would probably say Will Smith. Musical guest? Paul McCartney. And the other guest, let's put a girl in there. Maybe Jennifer Aniston. That's pretty good, right?"

What is Kris' top television show pick? "My favorite TV show ever is 'Boy Meets World.' Topanga's super-hot, man!"

And when Kris was asked about his seeming appreciation for wearing plaid shirts, he answered, "Plaid is in! Is plaid in? I don't know. I guess my eyes are drawn to it. I likt it. It's comfortable."

And Kris' least favorite moment as an Idol winner? It apparently had something to do with an unwelcomed French kiss.

AMERICAN IDOL TOUR, FEATURING AMERICAN IDOL KRIS ALLEN AND NINE FINALISTS, DRAWING HIGH ATTENDANCE

During the current economic crisis, there are some things that Americans will still spend their money to buy -- and it appears that among those items are tickets for the American Idol tour.

The tour, which features current American Idol Kris Allen and nine finalists, is reportedly selling 82 percent of tickets and has grossed $11.2 million which is about the same as last year's tour at the same point.

The first 19 shows of this tour averaged 9,456 attendees per city, very close to last year's 9,771 for the same period, according to Billboard Boxscores.

In the industry aboout 40 percent of tickets go unsold, Billboard senior touring editor Ray Waddell told USA Today. "They're doing better than average," he explained. "These are baby acts on their first national tour, even if they have had the best exposure you can get."

The tour numbers may be helped by the fact that both American Idol Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert were favorites with a huge fan base, and several of the other finalists developed significant followings as well. Also, there is the theory that it is helpful that seven of the top ten performers are guys since Idol concerts tend to draw a high percentage of girls.

Judging by Twitter messages and online reviews, fans have overwhelmingly been thrilled with the tour performances. And word-of-mouth reviews from one fan to another could also have an impact on ticket sales.

Besides Allen and Lambert, Idol finalists performing are Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre.

IS IDOL IN PAULA'S FUTURE -- AMERICAN IDOL OR IDOL AUSTRALIA?

Paula Abdul reportedly has been offered a chance to judge on Idol, but it is Idol in Australia, not Idol in the USA, according to newsday.

The Australian Idols show has “put a request to strike a deal with her in writing,” according to Radaronline. The Australian version of the show should feel like home to Abdul because it is similar to the American version – has four judges and follows an almost identical format.

But rumors are also circulating that there is at least a glimmer of possibility that Paula might return to American Idol!

“Don’t count out a return to ‘American Idol’ for Paula,” a source is quoted on Radaronline. “Sure there are bad feelings, but a last-second return is not out of the question.” That source revealed that Idol judge Simon Cowell has been very supportive of Paula “behind the scenes” – that fellow judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi are also supportive.

Abdul, of course, has been described as disappointed that she was earning considerably less money than her male counterparts, felt that some show connections failed to do enough to defend her against rumors that she feels cost her endorsement deals – and felt that the addition of DioGuardi to the judging panel was a message from producers that she could be replaced.

The Idol show offered Abdul $5 million, half of what she wanted and far less than earning of both host Ryan Seacrest and judge Simon Cowell.

But perhaps with a return to contract negotiations, the hurt feelings can be mended and a deal agreed upon.

And while American Idol winners, including current Idol Kris Allen, and contestants have overwhelmingly expressed disappointment and sadness that Abdul may not return to Idol, first season winner Kelly Clarkson feels that the situation is actually all about “drama,” reports MTV.

Clarkson, appearing on Morning Mashup Show, opined, “I totally think they’re doing that for drama. I know those producers – they’re doing that for drama. She’s totally probably going to come back.”

Meanwhile, there is no lack of interest in Paula from other possible suitors. And if the offers are good enough, what would it cost Idol executives to bring her back?

There have been rumors that Abdul has been offered a guest spot on “Ugly Betty” – as a temp at Mode who becomes friendly with Amanda. And it is a fact that execs for both “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing For the Stars” have said that they would love for Paula to join their shows.

IDOL EXECS MAY BE WILLING TO LET PAULA GO, BUT SHE HAS PLENTY OF OTHER SUITORS

Who will win the competition to have Paula Abdul headlining their show? "So You Think You Can Dance" wants her, possibly as guest judge and choreographer. "Dancing With the Stars" apparently wants her too!

Ryan, Simon and Randy all say they love Paula -- that they are stunned that Paula is leaving and wish that she would be back on the show. Fans love Paula. Contestants including American Idol Kris Allen loves her. And reports are surfacing that plenty of network execs, other than from Idol, think that Paula is the greatest thing since sliced bread!

"Now that Abdul is a free agent, she's already a hot commodity to networks looking to chip away at AI's ratings during this rare moment of weakness," read an article in Rolling Stone.

Back when Kara DioGuardi joined the American Idol judging panel, some fans raised eyebrows, and wondered if Fox was auditioning her -- to replace Paula. But in recent days both DioGuardi and Fox have said that was never the case -- that replacing Paula was never on the minds of Fox execs.

Still, in affairs of the heart, often the truth is shrouded in tales of "we still care about each other" and "we will always be friends." Fox's announcement of Paula's departure held that familiar tone. And of course, with break-ups, words get spoken and feelings get hurt. And generally those promises of "we will still be friends" lasts not much longer than it takes to speak those words.

Opinions seem overwhelming that Fox is making a mistake! Folks ask how could Fox let their arguably third biggest draw of their number one reality show simply walk away without really trying to keep her? Fans opine that Idol execs didn't mind coughing up big bucks for host Seacrest -- and will likely do the same for Simon when his new contract is finalized. But why not pay Paula? Is Fox like the fox in the hen house -- caught red handed for stealing Paula all of these years, now sheepishly hiding behind its insinuations that Paula is actually considerably less valuable to Idol than Ryan and Simon?!

Judging by the $3 million to $4 million dollar figures being tossed about as possibly Paula's most recent salary -- most Idol fans think that Paula has been Fox's biggest bargain of all!

Idol contestants love Paula and do not understand why she will not be back. They viewed her as "motherly" -- like the kindly mother hen with a watchful eye to make certain that they were doing well and treated right. They say she cared -- was the judge with a tender heart.

If anything, they say that Paula helped Fox! She made Fox look good -- giving Idol an appearance of feeling concern for its young contestants. And they say she helped Simon. Her tenderness countered Simon's sometimes harsh critiques, allowing him the luxury of speaking the harsher words without giving fans the feeling that the contestants were being picked on.

But no matter -- because it looks like there are plenty of suitors for the lady who has captured America's heart. Producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe has wanted Paula for "So You Think You Can Dance" from the get go -- saying that Fox was crazy to let her go and that he would be happy to welcome her as a guest judge/choreographer on his show.

ABC's entertainment president Steve McPherson said that he would love to see Paula as a judge on "Dancing With the Stars!" In fact, he said that he would love her either as a "participant or a contestant."

So why is Fox letting their gem walk away? Are they trying to save face after paying her a bargain salary for years? Or is Fox simply like the boy that has fallen out of love with the girl -- jilting Paula and trying to quickly move on to a new love?

Whatever the reasons, it seems that Fox's lovey-dovey feelings for Paula are not there -- and Fox is acting the boy that dumps the girl and can't wait to get out of town.

But if Paula does not suit Fox executive's fancy -- there are suitors who appreciate her sweetness and her cute, spunky and sparkling personality. Simply, where Fox may have fallen out of love -- there are plenty of others who feel differently!!

Perhaps, in the end, the best advice for Paula -- go with someone who loves you!!!!