American Idol returns on ETC

After twelve seasons,  â€œAmerican Idol” can lay its claim as the only TV singing competition show to produce numerous hits and award-winning recording artists. Combined, Idol finalists have released more than 200 albums, No.1 hits on the Billboard charts over 400 times, and garnered more than 250 million iTunes downloads.

This Jan. 2014, experience the road to fame as ETC brings you “American Idol XIII.” The second of the two day premiere on ETC happens tonight, live via satellite at 6 p.m. with a primetime telecast at 9 p.m.

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and featuring judges Harry Connick, Jr., Keith Urban, and Jennifer Lopez, along with in-house mentor Randy Jackson, the series continues its search across America to find the next singing superstar.

This year the show’s judges travel to Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Detroit, Omaha, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. With their years of experience as acclaimed artists, it’s up to them to narrow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who will sing in front of a live studio and TV audience. Then, from this stage forward, the viewing public determines who will advance to become a finalist and who will go home.

Locally, ETC lets you have your say via their Twitter (@etc channel) and Facebook (facebook.com/etctv) page where you could win great prizes from the channel or see your comments on-air. Just type in your thoughts with the hashtag: #aionetc

With the launch of “American Idol XIII” on ETC this Jan., Filipino audiences are introduced to a new batch of aspiring singers. As the audition process plays out, viewers slowly get a feel for who is their favorite, as well as learn more about the contestants’ back-story and why they joined the show.

Just like the contestants on American Idol, ETC wants to know “Who do you sing for?” as they give viewers their shot at fame with ETC’s Road To Fame Campaign.

If you’re a passionate singer or just want to share your voice with the world, simply upload a 15-second video of yourself singing a cover of your favorite music artist on Instagram and tell us “Who do you Sing For” with the hashtag: #aionetc.

ETC will then choose ten of the best performers from the hashtagged and uploaded videos to be aired during all-new episodes of “American Idol XIII.”

In the spirit of ETC’s hit musical shows “American Idol” and “Glee,” ETC is calling on the college students of Metro Manila to join Vocapella, an inter-school a cappella competition. Here is your chance to harmonize with your classmates and show off your true potential as performers for a chance of winning the grand prize of P200,000!

Joining is easy; just form a singing group of six members from the college you are currently enrolled in and video yourself performing a medley of songs. Entries must be 3-5 minutes. Once you are happy with your video, upload it to YouTube and send the link to [email protected] or thru snail mail to Solar Entertainment’s Office (2/F Worldwide Corporate Center corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City).

ETC will then choose the best entries and call on the groups to submit a second video performance that will be uploaded for audience voting on ETC’s website. The groups with the most votes will then perform against each other in front of a live audience and a panel of judges made up of music industry professionals. Performances will be judged based on harmony, song choice and arrangement, audience impact, costume and choreography.

ETC Vocapella will be launched next month, watch out for more details and updates thru ETC’s Facebook (facebook.com/etctv) and twitter (@etc_channel) and on-air.

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The Bootleg Beatles, the most successful tribute band in history, takes the spotlight anew as it holds three concerts. First stop is the PICC Plenary Hall of Jan. 17. This will be followed by another show at the SMX Convention Center Davao City on Jan. 18. Final leg of the three-day concert series happens on Jan. 19 at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Hotel and Casino.

The concert titled “The Bootleg Beatles in Concert” is produced by Viva Live and Red Stone Productions. For ticket inquiries, you may call Ticketnet (911-5555), SM Tickets (470-2222), Ticketworld (891-9999), PICC (789-4734) and Viva Live (687-72360.

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Kobe and Andre Paras, Kris Bernal, Jacky Woo, and Kevin Santos are the guest stars in tonight’s episode of Bubble Gang, the top-rating and long-running gag show of GMA 7.

Among the segments featured are the gags on treasure hunt; four versions of the spoof on Yakult commercial; Tatalino, an old wise man in the woods gives pieces of advice to those in need; Rick Kid, Poor Kid, a sketch on the difference between the lifestyle of a rich kid and a poor kid; dog trainer sketch – his girlfriend treats him as if he is a dog because of her work as a dog trainer; Mag-out na si Junior where Junior told his parents that he is gay but it didn’t work out well to make his parents believe him; Ikaw at ang Ina – a mother giving advice to her daughter; Aling Mary – a sketch on a lady who’s constantly hot-headed towards her clients; Artista Sketch – there are plenty of talented people in a certain place wherein they can sing, dance, and act but the ones who have been treated as an artist cannot sing, dance or act well. Finally, there is Gay Battle where two gays were fighting because of a guy but that guy already likes someone else.