While in the middle of writing this American Idol roundup, I checked my Twitter stream and noticed that Danny Gokey is trending--along with the magical D-word.  All I see are tweets about him, and Michael Sarver, and homosexuality, and... well, here's why.  Also on today's round-up, stuff from the past (read: David Archuleta and Sanjaya Malakar) and the present.  Ready?


Item one: #gokeyisad--?  Danny talked about his life during and after Idol on a webchat with Comcast.  First, the quick stuff: he said he's been talking with 19 Entertainment and, while something's happening, he won't speak up yet since nothing's final.  Oh, and he shot down rumors that he'll be appearing on Dancing with the Stars, saying he's focused on his music and his charitable efforts.

But things got more interesting when the topic shifted to his beliefs, and how they conflicted with that of runner-up Adam Lambert's.  Yep, you know where this is going.

"Religious beliefs [was] the main topic," he said.  "But we did it in a very respectful way.  It was cool because we would never argue or frustrate each other, we'd just like to hear the other opinion on the conversation.  And at the end of the conversation, we'd respectfully disagree and we have a great, strong friendship."

Things got more serious when someone asked Danny about that behind-the-scenes video featuring him and fellow finalist Michael Sarver.  I didn't hear of this, but there was some furor over comments the two made on the video, that seemed to mock homosexuality.  (I think Adam was in the video too, but that's just what I heard.)

"I accept gay people, but people have to accept my beliefs," Danny said.  "We have to accept their beliefs, but they have to accept my beliefs. We agree to disagree.  I don't judge people, but at the same time, if they believe in what they believe, they have to accept me and what I believe.  But I accept anybody as they come.  That's my character and my personality."

And that's apparently why the folks at Twitter are posting comments with that hashtag.  #gokeyisad--, they say.  (I censored myself.)  Is this still a big issue?  I'll take your calls...

Item two: Archie's dad gets arrested.  Jeff Archuleta may have been somewhat controversial during his son David's run on the seventh Idol season, but right now?  Bah.  He was arrested by authorities after being charged with soliciting a prostitute inside a massage parlor.

He was busted in a raid last January in Midvale, Utah.  Police allege that during the raid, they saw a client receiving services.  "Two of our detectives went back to that room to stop the activity," police sergeant John Salazar said.  "Inside they found a female masseuse and male client.  At that time an interview ensued and the male client admitted to receiving sexual gratification from the masseuse."

Court documents identify that male client as the elder Archuleta, 41.  However, his lawyer said he was getting legitimate massage therapy for his back.  Nonetheless, he pleaded no contest, and was released after paying at $582 fine.

Item three: The judges get floating, yet.  Rumors have come around saying that all four of the show's judges--Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi--have finished negotiations and are set to return for Idol's ninth season.

Turns out, well, it isn't exactly the case: Paula's reps told E! Online that the rumors are untrue.  "Negotiations are continuing," publicist Jeff Ballard said.  "You probably won't hear anything until closer to September, when judges are needed back to go on the road."  So, who exactly is saying it's all done now?

Item four: Sanjaya gets closer to the truth.  I'll do this quickly because I'm guessing someone will do this, too, but it's Sanjaya Malakar, and yes, he's on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, and he's shushing people who say he's gay.

"I do hair, and I'll sit in the corner and knit," he said on the show.  "A lot of my friends refer to me as their 'straight gay best friend' because we'll go do things that stereotypically you would do with a gay guy ... a lot of people want me to be their gay best friend, and I make a really good gay best friend.  But I don't like guys, so it confuses people."

Wait, who's he being linked to on the show?  Holly Montag, right?  I actually don't watch this, so I don't know.

Oh, and I just realized the book-ending...




-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Sources: Comcast.net, US Weekly, E! Online, TVGuide.com
(Image courtesy of PR Photos)