The hourlong premiere of “Two-a-Days” introduced a ragtag squad playing its heart out to prove itself on the field and off in a game that makes boys into men.

Unfortunately, that ragtag squad was crushed 50-29 by the show’s stars, the Hoover Bucs. The new teen reality series followed several players as they prepared for their biggest game ever, a season opener on ESPN, the first high school game televised by the cable channel.

But on MTV, endless drills and cussing coaches aren’t enough. You need pizzazz, you need oomph. You need … pimply melodrama.

(more…)

What can the Soul Patrol expect tonight at the American Idols concert? Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks is back with nine “also-rans” (provided Katharine McPhee doesn’t bug out, again) to perform before a sold-out show at the BJCC Arena.

If you missed out on tickets, or just want to see what you’re getting for your $36.50 to $66.50, we have a sneak peek …

(more…)

Taylor Hicks, the new American Idol, is caught in a whirlwind of media interviews. The Birmingham native spoke to reporters via teleconference earlier this afternoon about the meanest thing Simon Cowell said to him, why his dream woman should cook and what he would’ve sung (or not sung) on the show.

• The big secret

Honestly, I never watched the show until I was on it. While Bo (Bice) and Ruben (Studdard) were on “American Idol,” I was trying to work and perform. All the reactions were genuine because I didn’t know what was going to happen next. It was a great thing to go through not having watched it before.

• Going gray as a teen

I didn’t know what to make of it. It kinda just slowly grew on me, literally.

• Staying gray

Me and Dean the hair artist for the show had been battling back and forth on it. I didn’t change it when I was 18; I’m not changing it now.

(more…)

Congratulations to Taylor Hicks, the 2006 American Idol!

The 29-year-old Birmingham native won the title Wednesday night before an estimated 36 million viewers. And today, he’s front-page news across North America.

Check out the full gallery of nearly 200 newspapers covers, as well as our favorites on the jump.

(more…)

For “American Idol” fans, it’s all about soul as gray-haired Taylor Hicks won the title tonight.

The 29-year-old Birmingham native defeated Katharine McPhee in the final week of the top-rated reality TV singing competition on Fox. Hicks becomes the second man and the second Birmingham resident to win the “Idol” crown, following Ruben Studdard’s victory over Clay Aiken in 2003.

“Soul Patrol!” said Hicks onstage at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. “I’m living the American dream. Thank you, Soul Patrol. Thank you, America. Thank you to the fans. Thank you to the American Idols.”

Hicks wins a recording contract and is expected to release his first single, “Do I Make You Proud,” by June. Hicks and McPhee received new cars during the telecast.

(more…)

McPheever vs. the Soul Patrol. It’s the final showdown on “American Idol,” with Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks against Los Angeles’ Katharine McPhee. Each picked two favorites from earlier rounds, then sang new singles. Who won the hearts and minds of the audience in the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood … and more importantly, the audience across America?

Recap after the jump …

Updated with audio, video.

(more…)

It’s the final showdown on “American Idol.” If you want to join fans of Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks, you have a few options for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Updated with important info on Wednesday’s BJCC party.

(more…)

Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks took time today to talk with reporters via teleconference from Hollywood during the final week of “American Idol.” His competitor, Katharine McPhee, spoke earlier to the media. A few highlights:

• The next album

I would like it to be a really good representation of who I am as an artist. There’s gonna be some things I want to do creatively that I’ve never been able to get to do before “American Idol.” Possibly a little bit cutting edge — there are some things in my mind that would be cutting-edge music.

I just want really good songs. If I can feel it, it doesn’t matter if I wrote it or somebody else.

There’s a couple of albums that I’ve done before “American Idol” that I’m very proud of. I would like to re-release on a bigger scale, possibly re-record.

(more…)

The power of three was unleashed tonight on “American Idol”: three songs, three contestants, three phone numbers. Record mogul Clive Davis helped the judges pick the songs, while the singers finished with their own choices.

Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks put on some soulful showstoppers, looking like a lock with Katharine McPhee for the finals next week.

Recap after the jump …

Updated with video, elimination.

(more…)

Taylor Hicks received an Idol’s welcome on Friday.

The Birmingham native spent the day in town visiting with family, giving interviews and receiving gifts from city and state officials. The same day, Katharine McPhee visited her high school in Los Angeles and Elliott Yamin led a parade and took batting practice in Richmond, Va.

Tonight, all three resume competition for the title of “American Idol.”

But before Hicks takes the stage, let’s take another look at his whirlwind hometown visit. Plenty of photos and video after the jump.

(more…)

The Soul Man is heading home.

Not to worry. Birmingham native Taylor Hicks advanced to the final three this week on “American Idol,” facing a singing showdown with Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin for the title to be announced May 24.

But before the competition resumes Tuesday, the finalists are making promotional stops in their respective hometowns Friday. Yamin returns to Richmond, Va., and McPhee, well, she’s stuck in her hometown of Los Angeles.

Updated schedule.

(more…)

The “American Idol” final four took a roadtrip to Graceland to prepare to become Elvis impersonators for a night. Along the way, they met Priscilla Presley and record exec Tommy Mottola (but no fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, sad). Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks took on two classics … with mixed results.

Recap after the jump …

Updated with video, elimination.

(more…)

Five finalists fight it out with an “American Idol” Tuesday twofer, a song from birth year and from current charts. And Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks shows his playful side and his soulful side in songs older than most of the audience.

Recap after the jump …

Updated with audio, elimination.

(more…)

Springtime, and a young Idol finalist’s fancy turns to love songs. Gushy singer Andrea Bocelli and gushy songwriter David Foster were there to help put the six finalists in the mood. Did Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks feel the love?

Recap after the jump …

Updated with video, elimination.

(more…)

For those who think “American Idol” lacks standards, we counted at least seven tonight. Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks and the other six finalists took their shot at the classics, with a helping hand from Rod Stewart.

And the competition just got a little tougher.

Recap after the jump …

Updated with video, elimination.

(more…)