picking pickler...

If you watched Monday's The View, guest-starring the Pickler (who was very cute and very funny and handled herself admirably) you know she blurted the fact that her CD will be on the shelves just in time for your Christmas shopping.

But you also know that what comes out of Pickler's mouth sometimes needs verification.

We have that verification. Looks like 19E/Sony records (the Nashville branch) has, indeed, Picked Pickler.

And if this RCA publicist knows what he's talking about, it seems the old contractual requirement that no one release a full-length CD until at least three months after the release of the winner's CD has gone the way of Brian Dunkleman.

Congratulations go to Pickler who, it seems, has become far more popular off the show than on.

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For Randy Jackson's Idol Insider from Saturday, click here.

take a little time to enjoy...

Looks like it's going to be American Idol week on The View.

Kellie Pickler is tomorrow's (Monday) scheduled guest host. Now, that oughta be a hoot, if she's as quick-witted as she seems to be, sitting next to Joy Behar. Randy Jackson is scheduled to be a guest on Tuesday, July 18. And the recovering Katharine McPhee is still slated to guest host on Wednesday, July 19, although The View's website still has the guest host listed as that annoying TBA.

Katharine is, after all, scheduled to join her colleagues on July 21 and chatting with the women on the show is not as vocally-challenging as belting out four or five songs, so one would assume she will appear. Now, what she'll say, well, that's a different story altogether.

Am I the only one who is grateful for the departure of Ms. Star? Show might actually be watchable this week.

monday news & notes...

The tour is getting great reviews, despite the generic aluminum foil set and is stopping next in Albany, NY (July 11) and in Hershey, PA (July 12). Of course most venues sold out of tickets within minutes of opening them up for distribution, so the only way to get tickets at this point is to go through those generous third-party vendors.

So I was curious (and evidentially bored, but that's a different story) so I decided to do some window (monitor?) shopping. The best seat ticket for Elliott's hometown, Richmond, VA on July 29 would set me back $585 per ticket. But if I wanted to go just down the road, so to speak, the night before in Washington, D.C., the best seat would cost me $1,535. If I wanted to wait until July 30 when the kids arrive in Greensboro, N.C., well, I would be waiting awhile, as no tickets are available. Best available in Birmingham, AL, Taylor's stomping grounds, are going for $825, the same price that tickets in Los Angeles, presuming Katharine has recovered by August 26, are selling for. Hmm. The $385 price tag for my own state fair is looking a bit more like a bargain.

Add Chris Daughtry to the 19/Arista stable of musicians, as he now joins Taylor and Katharine as a new labelmate.

American Idol, Season 5 picked up eight Emmy nominations, including best reality show. But we all know The Amazing Race will win. Again.

Poptarts, the official sponsor of the AI Tour is featuring behind-the-scenes videos of the kids as they go from stage to stage. Of course the catch is that you have to actually buy the Poptarts to get the codes that you need to unlock the videos. It helps to have grandkids who will actually eat the Poptarts, but I'm sure neighbor kids would be willing to make the sacrifice. Just be sure to buy the boxes that actually say "Webicodes." The one with American Idol Celebration splashed all over the front of the box contains nothing. Except the Poptarts, of course.

By all accounts Katharine McPhee is still on total voice rest, so her return (debut?) with the tour is still undetermined.

Got any news? Leave a link in the comments.

And happy summer!

and the tour begins...

And, of course, it hits the road without runner-up Katharine McPhee, who was McPhelled by illness. But I've been doing my best, stuck here far, far away from New Hampshire and Massachusetts where the show is in full swing, trying to find all the video goodies, so, at least, I can get an idea of the experience.

If you want full recaps, including song selections, be sure to check out MJ's Blog, since she is one of the lucky ones who had tickets for opening night and grabbed some fine photos. Plus, she's become a great gathering of tour-goers, each with their own accounts of the various stops on the PopTart road.

But, if you're wanting some videos, here's what I could round up:

Taylor = Do I Make You Proud

Taylor = Livin' For The City

Taylor = What's Goin' On

Taylor = Takin' it to the Streets

Taylor = Don't Let Me Down

Taylor = Hollywood Nights

Elliott = Trouble

Elliott = All My Love

Elliott, Ace, Chris, Bucky = Patience

Chris & Elliott = Savin' Me

Chris = Wanted Dead or Alive (Thanks Anon!)

I can't find videos of Chris, Bucky or any of the women, so if you find some, please leave a link in the comment section, and I'll add them to this list.

And if you're going to the show, let us know what you thought!