Huntington Center hosting free viewing and block party for Idol on Wed

I never really watched American Idol before, but I finally started tuning in since Sinatra week because of Crystal.

Previously, the only other episodes I'd seen were a few during the season with the grey haired guy & Daughtry.

I've never seen a single episode of the show and frankly very turned off by the attention. As Idol has been around for so many years now, the honor of being a finalist on the show means so much less than it did previously. How many winners or finalists are still relevant in the music world?

Don't get me wrong, the girl can sing, but the non-stop Crystal coverage from many local media outlets has been excessive in my opinion. I wish only the best for her, but there are so many other issues and topics that need to be mentioned by sources that report "news."

Walleye, we need relief from the 'news' sometimes!! I don't watch it, never have, but it's always cool to have someone local make good. You know she's gonna be set after this. Even if she doesn't win, the publicity will give her a chance at a better life, doin what she does best. Not sure what one would consider 'relevant' but most of the winners and runners-up are making albums and touring, and they have people happy to see them, so more power to em, I say. This'll die down after next week, it's just entertainment, what's the big deal?

Wow...way to show your ignorance walleyewinger ...artists attached to idol are some of the biggest selling artists in music today! Ever heard of last years winner Adam Lambert? Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood...yes you are right...idol finalists really aren't relevant anymore!

And your right it is ridiculous to give this much coverage too Crystal...30 million people a week tuning in to something positive actually associated with Toledo...horrible!

Let's go back to focusing on the budget deficit, UN employment and trash fees!

How miserable is your life that you can turn something this positive for our area into a negative?

It's an escape...it doesn't mean you can't still focus on supreme court nominees, oil spills and the volatile stock market...there's room for it all!

heh heh, breadnbutter, AZ! lol

Since we are attacking each other for giving an opinion when it was asked, AZ, I think you need to check your facts. "Ever heard of last years winner Adam Lambert?" No, I must have missed that season with the rest of the world. Pretty sure he was the runner-up and the real winner hasn't done squat since. Suppose I will go back to my miserable, ignorant life and worry about unemployment, which is one word, not two by the way.

oh ya got me...unemployment is one word...and in your post you referred to Idols "winners or finalists" and I'm pretty sure whether he came in first our second Adam Lambert would still be a "finalist" and associated with American Idol??? Which wouldn't change my point at all???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Hudson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Hudson

er wierd double post.

(I'm not even an Idol watcher, but you can't help but hear the names of some former contestants & be aware of what they're doing.)

Last year's winner Kris Allen has a song getting lots of radio airplay right now - I hear it at least a couple times a day.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, aren't there a lot of former contestants who have appeared in Broadway shows, etc. You have to think that the Idol publicity helped get those opportunities.

I'm far from an Idol backer - I've been stubborn & refused to get into the show over the years just because "everyone else is watching.". (Same goes for Lost & Grey's Anatomy, lol, but I digress.)

But Walleye is being overly negative, I think. Even if every single former contestant isn't a pop music superstar, there are many who are making a solid living in the entertainment industry, due to the doors opened for them by Idol. I might not be a fan of the show, but at least I can recognize that.

I've never actually watched the show but have become interested because of Crystal. Here is an interesting sidebar
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-idol-value-20100518,0,912969.story
concerning formers.

I refuse to watch Karaoke, I don't care how popular it is. I wish Crystal the best and have heard that she is really good. I just don't feel that it is a productive use of my time to sit and watch people sing night after night.

"Ever heard of last years winner Adam Lambert?" No, I must have missed that season with the rest of the world. Pretty sure he was the runner-up and the real winner hasn't done squat since."

For someone who never heard of him....

Miserable lot..

TEAM BOWERSOX BABY!!!! WOOT!!!

What an odd topic for everyone to get volatile about. I think any coverage of something positive is a good thing.

As long as none of these activities are supported by tax dollars, I'm all for it. I could care less about the karaoke competition, but whatever can ignite our local economy I am for.

Hope she gets everything she wants out of life and is able to give her child a good life as well. Glad to see Toledo and one of it's local shine for a bit.

On topic though, where is the "Huntington Center" I'd be game for going if it's open to the public.

Huntington Center = Lucas County Arena.

I still think if they had to sell the naming rights, Hunington Arena, not center.

I totally agree that it should be named an Arena. We already have a "center" down the street-the Seagate Centre. Hunington "Center" could be anything-even a Bowling Alley!

Concert to raise funds for Bowersox bassist: http://www.toledofreepress.com/2010/05/23/concert-to-raise-funds-for-bowersox-bassist/

Agree center doesn't make me think of the new Arena but a convention center. But this sounds fun will try and make it.

Yawn. Few more days and this will be over. C'mon, guy can't buy his own plane ticket ?!?!?!

yeah this guy is kind of pathetic.

"yeah this guy is kind of pathetic"

Struck me that way too. Adult-up Frankie. Sell an earring or two, fly to Ontario, Cal save $100 and buy Ramen.

I guess I dont understand all the negativity on this post. Why cant people be happy for someone that has the potential to make it big? Its not like her singing sucks, cause it doesnt. Something bad happens in Toledo, people are mad. Something good comes out of Toledo, brings the spotlight on the good things in Toledo, and people are mad.

I like hearing all the "I dont listen to no karaoke buisness. Thats all there doing." Well, isnt that pretty much all singing? Just rehashes of old songs? But wait, Crystal has over 100 songs that she wrote herself, plus one they used on a nationally syndicated tv show last week!! I bet that pissed some people off.

I guess if we are not talking about good local food in the area, then people just get pissy.

claps for draven

Toledo Free Press tweet at about 6:25 p.m. today:

Our reporters are waiting for @Huntington_Ctr doors to open. They say the line to get in is a block long.

Thanks, JR for posting the tweet. We have a couple pictures on the Toledo Free Press Facebook Page -- and will have a special Crystal Bowersox edition out Thursday morning.

-Mike
Social Networking Manager
Toledo Free Press

Went to the event last night. Given the level of publicity for American Idol and Ms. Bowersox, I was kinda surprised at how few people were there. I'd estimate about 1,500 in an arena that holds 8,000.

And the lines around the block? Hardly. We got in a line, then got out, went across the street for a beer, walked into the arena and got a front row seat.

It's Toledo. A city that doesn't care and it shows. What more do you expect?