AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
From USA Today...
The Associated Press and other news outlets reported over the weekend that David Archuleta's father has been banished from rehearsals by Idol producers.
The reports say that the action came after Jeff Archuleta demanded phrasing from Sean Kingston's Beautiful Girls be inserted into David's rendition of Ben E. King's Stand By Me last week. The change cost the show additional song-clearance fees. The AP cited an unidentified source associated with Idol who was familiar with the situation; an Idol spokesman declined to comment Sunday.
David's dad has been a strong presence behind the scenes, and observers wonder what effect the loss of backstage support would mean for David, 17, as the show enters its last two weeks Tuesday (8 PT, Fox).
It's hard to tell without knowing the family dynamics, says Charlie Toft, who covers television for film.com and is on USA TODAY's Idol coach panel, which offers weekly advice to contestants. "Of all the major teenage contestants Idol has ever had, David appears to be the most heavily programmed and least spontaneous, and his stereotypically showy way of singing suggests he and his father have been aiming at this goal for a long time."
Toft theorizes the ban might be a "shot across the bow" by the show, warning the family that if Archuleta wins, his career will be in the pros' hands.
Says Rona Elliot, former VH1 and Today show staffer and also a USA TODAY coach: "Sooner or later, David Archuleta will get the big picture and be royally ticked off at his father, and how his father's behavior not only alienated Idol's staff, but threatened his potential success."
In an interview with Us Weekly last month, Jeff Archuleta denied that he was a "stage dad" and said he was more a "music consultant" for David. "I'm definitely involved with my son, and I encourage him, but I think that's a lot different from forcing and threatening."
Toft says that whatever happens next "will be attributed to the dad turmoil. A good night will 'prove' Idol was overdue to take action, while a bad night will be seen as a sign that David can't hack it without his father.
"His fans will respond either way with power voting, so the net effect may be that David is now more bulletproof than ever."
FOODS TO BETTER YOUR MOOD
There are certain foods that have been proven to be able to actually alter our moods and make us happier. Here's a list of foods that dieticians and nutritionists recommend if you want to be in a better mood:
SALMON. Salmon has a lot of omega-3, which is good for your heart. But omega-3s can actually boost your mood and prevent depression.
MILK. You already know that milk has loads of calcium that can help build strong bones. But calcium can also ease your nerves so you don't feel stressed or anxious.
COFFEE. The caffeine can make you feel happy... but don't drink more than a small cup or you'll get feelings of withdrawal when the caffeine buzz wears off... and that can cause depression.
CHOCOLATE. Chocolate... especially dark chocolate... can cause you to get excited...
BRAZIL NUTS. These nuts have B-vitamins, which calm you down. They also contains selenium... which is a mineral that can prevent depression and put you in a good mood.
WHEY. This is the stuff you see in a lot of protein shakes. It contains tryptophan... which can put you in a good mood. (But it can also make you sleepy.)
SPINACH. There are tons of minerals in spinach that stop anxiety and depression (--like magnesium).
COMFORT FOODS. Okay, things like mac and cheese aren't really that healthy for you... but they do make you feel good. That's because we get emotionally tied to food, and when you reward yourself with food you like, you feel better.
You just have to remember to eat comfort foods in moderation.
But you definitely want stay away from FAST FOOD. It's loaded with processed junk that can actually be a downer and put you in a bad mood.
