'Idol' odds 'n ends: Ratings improve for second episode

The following are Idol-related odds and ends that happened this week:

>Although there was much ado about Season 8's premiere's ratings, which were the lowest since 2004 when the third season's special Monday premiere drew 30 million viewers even. Tuesday's premiere garnered 30.1 million, but Wednesday's follow-up episode was able to take in 30.2 million, up ever so slightly. The episode is the single-highest rated episode of any show on any network for the current TV season.

>Jennifer Hudson may not be singing the National Anthem at the Inauguration as some had speculated, but she will be fulfilling the duty at the Super Bowl on Sun., Feb. 1, in Tampa, Fla. She follows in Jordin Sparks' footsteps as the second Idol alum to receive the honor.

>Playbill.com yesterday announced that Diana DeGarmo will be starring as Dorothy in the Texas tour of the new show Oz the Musical. It will run from Feb. 5-28 and will be directed by veteran producer Todrick D. Hall, who also directed Oprah's The Color Purple on Broadway.

>Taylor Hicks appeared on Chicago's WGN News today to promote the release of his upcoming single and album in addition to his current national tour with Grease. Watch him perform "Gonna Move" below:

He also played the Grand Prize Game, for which he donated $500 to Chicago's Boys and Girls club for every ball he made in during the game.

>Mikalah Gordon is celebrating her 21st birthday Idol style. The Gone Country star will party at Mood in Hollywood tomorrow night beginning at 10 p.m., with Antonella Barba fulfilling hosting duties and Chikezie providing entertainment for the affair. It is open to the public.

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Ace to join the cast of 'Grease'

Season 5's seventh-place finalist, Ace Young, will join the cast of Grease on Broadway on Sept. 9 as Kenickie, best friend of one of the main characters, Danny Zuko. Ace is not only the second Idol alum to take part in this show, but the second Idol alum from the fifth season to star in it, as its champ Taylor Hicks is currently starring as Teen Angel.

Ace was obviously excited about taking the role, as he said of his debut on the great white way:

"That's a big side of me that a lot of people don't know. They didn't get to see that on `Idol.' You know, I have four older brothers. I was never trying to even care about what I was wearing. I was just trying to survive at the household."

Taylor's run is up Sept. 7, however, so they will not be in Grease at the same time. Ace's run will last until Jan. 18, 2009.

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Taylor thinks Cook "has a great shot"

After sticking his hands in cement at Planet Hollywood in New York, Taylor Hicks told OK! Magazine that he thinks "[David Cook] has a great shot [at success]." Taylor, who recently joined the cast of Grease on Broadway playing the role of Teen Angel, went on to say the following:

"The rock genre he's in is really... radio loves rock," he said. "I think it's going to work wonders for him. He's carved himself a little niche for his own identity, and I think he's going to do well."

Taylor will star in Grease until September 7. It is showing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

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Taylor Hicks to join the cast of 'Grease'

Taylor Hicks is the latest Idol alum to try his hand at Broadway. It was announced yesterday that the Season 5 champ will star as "Teen Angel" in the revival of the classic 1950s era musical Grease beginning June 6 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

Taylor is not the first former finalist to the Great White Way, nor will he be the last, as Tamyra Gray (Season 1, fourth place) starred in Rent and Bombay Dreams, Clay Aiken (Season 2, runner-up) was in Spamalot, Diana DeGarmo (Season 3, runner-up) played a supporting role in Hairspray, Frenchie Davis (Season 2) starred in Rent, Fantasia (Season 3, winner) was in The Color Purple, as was LaKisha Jones (Season 6, fourth place) among others.

Taylor is also reportedly working on another album after he was released from his contract by J Records earlier this year after his self-titled album failed to sell 1 million copies, stalling at 700,000 copies.

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