Fan Fare, What's New, Pussycat?
Here’s where you’ll find TJ photos and stories that don’t fit into any other categories. It is, as its name says, just for fans — and, hopefully, for fun.
CORRECTION: TiVO Alert: Tom On TV Monday, WEDNESDAY
Monday, September 11th, 2006On Monday’s edition of The Insider, Tom was interviewed recalling a fight he and his wife had. Certainly not a new interview topic for Tom, but there was news along with the story:
Tom will be singing on the first results show of Dancing With the Stars Wednesday night, September 13, 8 p.m. EDT, PDT, on ABC. We wonder: Will Tom be singing Stoned In Love? Will that CD be released here in North America? If so, it’s as good a place to debut it as any.
(If you want, let us people on the West Coast know what you thought, as tonight’s Insider was pre-empted by a presidential speech.)
Apologies for the confusion about when Tom will be on Dancing With the Stars.
September 11th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
I missed the Insider tonight…Can someone fill me in on Tom and his fight with his wife? Thanks…Looking forward to Dancing with the Stars…
September 11th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
This is very, very exciting news!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait. Actually, would love to see Tom dueting on the Celebrity Duets show. Or…wouldn’t he make a great judge on that show??? Marie Osmond is one of the judges on the show, and Tom once sang with her on his TV show in the 70’s. Would be so cute to see them duetting again after all these years.
September 12th, 2006 at 2:45 am
Tom just mentioned how his wife once found reports in a paper of him fooling around with other women. He basically dared her to hit him and she smacked him on the chin and started kicking him. They then changed subjects and he spoke of how near the end of Elvis’ life, he would try to call him on the request of Elvis’ bodyguards, but he wouldn’t respond to Tom’s phone calls. He obviously didn’t want anyone telling him to slow down. The interview wasn’t very long and Tom looked rested. Dancing With the Stars should be fun.
September 12th, 2006 at 5:37 am
As always, I’m a day late and a dollar short because the “tonight on the Insider” link is already showing what’s on Tuesday night and the archives on the website do not include Tom
However, I will make a point of watching “Dancing with the Stars” both tonight and tomorrow as the premiere is actually tonight and I’m confused what night is what…
Regarding seeing Tom on TV, “Celebrity Duets” would be great. I would also love it if “American Idol” would do a special “Tom Jones” night and have him on as a judge or at least let him coach the performers! Of course, no one can sing like Tom but it sure would be interesting to see what songs some newbies would choose to sing!
September 12th, 2006 at 9:22 am
I saw a rumor that TJ was going to be on “Celebrity Duets” so I have been watching. They said last week that the show will be announcing additional stars as they moves along. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and will definitely watch “Dancing” tonight. I agree “American Idol” needs a Tom Jones night and Sir Tom needs to be on more US TV!!! The UK management should get off their duffs!
September 12th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Love all the TV ideas that Tom should be a part of. Re Tom’s management booking Tom for TV shows, it might be an easier lifestyle than all the concerts he is doing night after night on such a continuing basis. His voice has to pay a terrible price in keeping up such a concert schedule. There is only “the one and only incomparable “Tom Jones!!!!” We have to admire the pace he keeps up trying to reach all over the world to his fans. Would we be willing for him to slow his concert schedule to be seen on more TV shows? Just a thought……
September 12th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
Well, Marian, that would depend —
Is it going to be Paradise Cove or This Is tom Jones? Is it going to be be Coast to Coast (the dreaded, disco-gone-wild “Canadian series”) or — we can only hope — The Right Stuff?
For quallity on TV, we’d sacrifice quantity of personal appearances. But, of course, we say that knowing Tom’s appearances in our home town are a staple of his schedule. Don’t know how we’d feel if we lived elsewhere.
But, oh……..The Right Stuff was just so incredible that another series like that would be worth giving up any number of personal appearances. It was honestly Tom at his very best.
September 12th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
I guess part of my point was how long can he keep up with the itinerary he has been following and still maintain his health. Tom covers thousands of miles getting to his various venues, spends a couple of days, and then is on planes or buses getting to the next event. Many people across the pond come to the states (at great cost) to see him, and likewise, many in the states go to his special events in other countries. Many of us travel cross-country to his concerts when his itinerary doesn’t cover our towns. It isn’t often that Tom cancels shows, but when he does, I really worry about his health and I hope to see him singing for many more years.
But….to answer your question, of course, quality TV. The Right Time was an exceptional production, and a re-production of the same calibre with many of the singers who have held true to their music could be featured. I think it would be a huge bonus to the TV world where not much of value is being produced.
I watch the Doo Wop series on public television, featuring many of the 50’s and 60’s singers. They appear in fantastic suits and dresses of the type worn when they were hot on the scene, and put on really great performances. These are the really lasting musicians and TV viewing at its best. And, oh, Sir Tom could make anything memorable and worthwhile. If his management ever decides to lessen his traveling, maybe they should consider a fitting series for Sir Tom.
September 12th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Sorry my reply was so long, and I know there is nothing like seeing Tom live and in person!!!!!!!! Hope I didn’t offend anyone in just posing such a suggestion.
September 13th, 2006 at 7:07 am
Hi Marian. You didn’t offend and I understand your suggestion. I would love to see Tom on tv more and that way more of his fans could see him. But I would really miss being able to see him in person and I don’t think that Tom would be as happy either. He lives for the audience attention and he wouldn’t get that attention on tv. I would love to see him have a show once or twice a year. A show where he has control or final say in the music, the performers etc. That way we could have the best of both worlds.
September 13th, 2006 at 11:29 am
if anybody has some recorded material to share, put it on http://www.youtube.com for everybody to watch. A new series of This Is Tom Jones 40 years later… would be nice a mixture of old guests (who were in the first series), new talent and maybe some new songwriting talent…
September 13th, 2006 at 11:39 am
I turned the TV on Monday and caught the middle of Access Hollywood when they mentioned Tom being on, so I left the TV on waiting. I thought I must have misheard when they said he’d be on, then the commercial came on that he’d be on The Insider. YAHOO! What a neat surprise to flip the tv on and get a mini interview. “The Insider” clip was as Vince said and when they said he’d be on with Dancing with the Stars I got a big smile. But I’ll tell ya, these hosts just don’t seem to be too interested in hyping him. I, too, seem to have gotten the day wrong and watched last night. Oh well. Will be watching again tonight.
I agree with the show suggestions he should go on. But I think there’s been a discussion before in here or over in the forum on the official site about him not liking Simon Cowell. Simon has dissed Tom several times on American Idol publicall\y. I think it would take a lot for Tom to do AI; to essentially swallow his pride. I think in the past I may have posted that Tom shouldn’t do AI if Simon is going to rip him, but I think now he should do it as a performer/coach. The amount of people he would reach, who would get a chance to see the “new” Tom Jones would be worth whatever Simon would say, and would be a excellent chance for Tom to show Simon has been wrong. (Up to three years ago I had a certain idea of who Tom Jones was, his persona, what he looked like and what his music sounded like. Then I caught a interview on 20/20 and went to listen to his album Reloaded and thought, “How’d I miss this guy’s voice? And, he looks so different now.” and have been hooked since.)
Just my opinion.
September 13th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Dana thanks for the info. I didn’t know about Simon’s attitude.
I’ll just enjoy tonight and hope for more sightings on the tube. I’m so excited. After seeing him in August I thought I would have to wait until Vegas in December before I’d get my next TJ fix.
September 13th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
I wonder.. will people know in 40 years time who is Simon Cowell.?? If you mention Tom around the world they will still know him.
September 13th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
All right, Andre!!
September 13th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
I just watched Tom on “Dancing with the Stars” He looks terrific. I wish he had been dancing, WITH ME…
September 13th, 2006 at 5:55 pm
YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tom on national prime time TV. That’s what we’ve all been talkin’ about. There have been many digs (out of frustration) for his UK management, but I for one want to say thank many times over to whomever was instrumental in getting Tom on Dancing with the Stars. We can only hope that this momentum will continue, and we will see more of the same in the future. Well done. One of may favorite parts of the show was when the camera cut to Tom just before a break. Is there anyone who can wink the way this man can? Not for me. He winked to me twice up close while signing an autograph in April, and seeing that wink tonight brought it all back as if it happened yesterday. HEAVEN You go Tom.
September 13th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
I saw Tom earlier this evening on Dancing With The Stars, and, as always, he looked terrific and sounded great. The only problem was that he only sang two “oldies”, It’s Not Unusual and She’s A Lady. How sad he wasn’t asked to sing more recent material that would have had the place jumpin’!
September 13th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
My goodness, and I thought I liked Simon; I certainly didn’t know he had dissed our Tom!!!!!!!!!! But I do agree when he slows down, he would make a great coach, or a judge/critic on such a show. Great ideas, everyone; I think we all agree we’d love to see him more even if it’s on the small screen.
I am going to try to find a link to thank ABC for having Tom as “the first among music’s most popular acts to perform on one of television’s biggest shows.” Well, we all know he is THE MOST POPULAR ACT!!!!
September 13th, 2006 at 10:03 pm
Tom is a class act; a truly remarkable singer and talent and shouldn’t go within a million miles of the Idol show or the Duets show — he is so much better than that. Of course, we all want to see more of Tom on TV but there are limits. I don’t want to upset anyone and I’m sorry if I sound rather snobbish — this is just my opinion!
September 13th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Though I am totally frustrated and however painful it is to worship a man you can see only once every ten years, I share your enthusiasm. Once again, thank you Ursula and Ellen for giving us a small room in TOM’s world
September 14th, 2006 at 6:41 am
Simon who?? Enough said.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:44 am
Tom looked positively delicious on Dancing with the Stars! In addition to the winks, he threw in a couple of hip swivels which shows the Man has still got it! Of course, I would have liked it even better if the show hosts took a moment or two to talk to Tom - I just love to hear him speak as well as sing!
However, I do have one, I guess, negative comment. I’m not sure if the show itself selected the songs, or if management instructed Tom what to sing, or if Tom himself chose to sing “It’s Not Unusual” and She’s a Lady, whoever it was missed a golden opportunity to show others that Tom is not just singing the same old songs!
So many times when I tell people I’ve been to see Tom Jones, I get the same reaction, “Good God! Is he still alive??” Of course, I quickly let them know that he’s not only still alive but still performing and producing new material.
I would have loved the performance even more if he had sung Stoned in Love, something from the Jools Holland CD, or even Kiss to show that Tom is more than “unusual.”
Regardless, it’s always so wonderful to see Sir Jones! And each time I see him, I find myself wanting to see more and more and more of him! December can’t get here soon enough!!
September 14th, 2006 at 6:52 am
Hi Deb.
I agree with you! An old song and a new song would have been even better. It seems to me I read somewhere, since it was announced on tomjonesinternational, that he would sing an old and a new song. I loved the reaction of the audience. And I really laughed when the female dancer ran up to him after he sang It’s Not Unusual. She threw her arm around him and he swung his around her. The male dancer came running up and he gave him a look as if to say no and then grinned.
September 14th, 2006 at 7:02 am
For what it’s worth, we’re totally in agreement with what Paula (comment #19 above) and Deb (#22) said. As much as we enjoyed seeing Tom, the show is cheesy and unworthy of his talent. And, whoever decided on his songs missed a grand opportunity to showcase the post-1971 performer.
On the topic of S.Cowell: We recall an interview in which Tom was asked his opinion of Pop Idol, the UK show that was the model for American Idol. He clearly and unequivocally didn’t like it and it’s manufactured “stars.” Our guess is that Simon — who seems the type to never forget — took offense.
Please come back here in a few hours for photos from last night’s show. Real life has intervened and caused a posting delay. We — and we hope you — will have more comments when they are posted. But we will say now, that regardless of the venue or the song choice, Tom looked amazing.
September 14th, 2006 at 8:11 am
I too agree with Deb, Tom did look absolutely delicious and I really thought that he was fantastic, and that the audience LOVED him (almost as much as those of us at home watching). I thought he sang great and ‘moved’ just enough for the fans and the world to let it be known that he’s still got it! My girlfriend and fellow Tom lover watched from another state and her 20 yr-old daughter came over special to watch with her and knew all the words to the songs. I love that the next generation is finding Tom through us fans! I was also hoping that he’d sing Stoned in Love but I’m thinking maybe he didn’t because otherwise the network would have been flooded with requests for it and it has not been released in the United States. Possible? Anyway, I definitely think that if you thought Tom Jones was dead, you now know he’s VERY MUCH ALIVE!
September 14th, 2006 at 8:17 am
Tom was great! He sounded great and looked as gorgeous as ever. It looks like he is finally over his chest infection/illness. I also loved the wink and especially loved the devilish look he gave the woman dancer as she and her partner came onto the dance floor at the beginning of It’s Not Unusual. And of course, loved the way she ran to him at the end. I’m sure that scene has been in all of our dreams, right?
I’m glad he got a great reception from the audience. I, too, wished they would have selected newer songs. His old songs are great but they seem very restrictive for his magnificient voice. Plus they seem to play the music way too fast for She’s a Lady. Glad he did his hip moves in the show. I always love it when he does that in concert and now I can replay my tape over and over and over…I think, tonight, he proved to the world he is “The Sexiest Man Alive”!
September 14th, 2006 at 8:56 am
Television is all about ratings….ratings = advertising dollars spent….advertising dollars = networks making a lot of money. If the TV networks were more tuned-in to American women (and men) and what they want to see on the tube, they would certainly put Tom Jones front and center!!!! I think the networks should be bombarderd with requests for more TJ. Not everybody can catch one of his tour dates, so the networks are missing a sure bet. The MAN has got it all. I’d even watch a erectile-disfunction commercial if TJ was showcased on the tube. Just a thought from my corner of the world.
September 14th, 2006 at 9:19 am
It was wonderful to see Tom live on U.S. television. He looked absolutely amazing. I agree that one classic and a newer song would have been a better showcase. Stoned in Love would have hit home to those that haven’t seen or heard him for years, that he is keeping up with the times and still blowing us away with those incomparable pipes. Respectfully, I was taken aback somewhat that It’s Not Unusual sounded restrained and She’s A Lady was waaaay too fast, but maybe that’s just my hearing going astray. Tom could burp onstage and I would still give him a standing ovation….I love his voice that much. I would just like to see him get the respect he deserves for his titanic talent. Some of the reviews of the show I have read have been less than stellar, and those folks can kiss my can as there is no current stage act that can rival Tom’s vocal ability when it is at full throttle.
On a different note, it was really something to see Tony with no hat on. Nice hunk of man he is.
There was a lady in my home that had not seen Tom since the 70’s and she was shocked to see him at his current age. She did, however, comment on what a sexy mature man he was. Amen to that!!! December can’t come soon enough.
September 14th, 2006 at 9:30 am
OMG…TJ WAS HOT AND THE VOICE IS BACK! I too only wish he would have sung a current tune. Many who haven’t seen him live think of him back in the 70’s when he is as hot and current as ever.
September 14th, 2006 at 9:57 am
Well said, SusannePDX!!!
September 14th, 2006 at 10:08 am
Hi All…
This deserves some verbal tongue lashing to this writer. Very nasty. Read on!
COMMENTARY By Linda Holmes/MSNBC contributor Updated: 10:43 a.m. ET Sept 14, 2006 The week’s third hour of Dancing With The Stars (ABC, Tuesdays/Wednesdays, 8 p.m. ET) brought the results from the first night’s competition and sent Tucker Carlson back to punditry. But before that, they had to figure out what to do with the other 58 minutes. Or, if you like, not counting commercials, the other 42 minutes.
The primary attraction of the evening was special guest Tom Jones, brought in to remind audiences that the dancing part of the entertainment was not, in fact, the corniest kind of entertainment they could be watching. They could be watching Tom Jones — in fact, all of a sudden they were watching Tom Jones, though he first seemed to be traveling semi-incognito under an unattractive goatee. First, they watched him sing It’s Not Unusual while a professional dancer with his shirt sliced down to there whirled around the floor with a woman wearing a dress made almost entirely of purple fringe, and later, they watched him sing She’s A Lady with the assistance of three helpful backup singers. It’s enough to make a crowd crave the smooth moves of Tucker Carlson.
Tucker did not, fortunately, dance again, but the judges did award an encore performance to Tuesday’s lovable breakout star Emmitt Smith, who got up again with Cheryl Burke to perform the spry cha-cha to Son Of A Preacher Man. The performance didn’t have quite the raw energy of the first night’s version, probably because he was no longer a jaw-dropping shock to those who originally expected him to be a heavy-footed clod. But the number was still the highlight of the entire hour. (Take that, Tom Jones. That is worth throwing underwear at the stage.)
September 14th, 2006 at 10:22 am
Tom probably turned her down!!!
September 14th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
Keith, All:
We considered posting that review but (1) anyone who gets google alerts saw it and (2) we just don’t think she is credible (She misspelled Emmett Smith’s name, for Pete’s sake.). We believe that negative criticism is not in itself bad. But her vitriol seems to stem from some kind of deep anger. And who is she, anyway? She is a freelance contributor (likely unpaid), with no credits listed. As someone who is a paid, professional reviewer, the first thing Ellen (and most professionals) does is reveal any bias she has and tries to balance her bias. She also makes it a habit to fact- and spell-check. This chick, obviously, doesn’t see the need to do any of this.
And, Laura, we don’t think your analysis is correct. We’d guess she’s an Engelbert fan.
September 14th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
I agree with everyone’s response regarding the song choice. I had a feeling they were going to do that; was wishing they wouldn’t. I’m disappointed. As our moderator has already said, a HUGE missed opportunity. Also I didn’t know the story about Tom’s response about Pop Idol, but I think I read somewhere that there has been words exchanged prior — whatever — who cares? (I mean regarding the tiff, not our moderators’ information, their time and effort. As a few have said, “Simon who?” Although I do feel Simon is dead-on very often in his judging of contestants. And he is brutally honest.) They’re both entitled to their opinions, as we are all.
I do have to disagree though, and others are probably going to jump on me, but I don’t think he was in fine voice. I think the infection did something. His voice seemed deeper and I thought I caught a slight crack when he went to go for a high note on Its Not Unusal. He caught it immediately. And he seemed to hesitate before going high again on She’s A Lady. I was thinking maybe the songs were chosen because there wasn’t much range to them and he could therefore get by on numbers most people knew and he could sing well. BUT still a missed opportunity to showcase newer material. I thought at the end, the only thing they didn’t do was drop bucketsful of lingerie at the end of his number — yeah, the show was a bit cheesy. BUT, it was still great seeing him on national tv; the wink was great!
I look forward to seeing him on other shows — hopefully with newer material.
September 14th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
I have had some interesting comments from both men and women who have not seen Tom in many years. To my surprise, the men have been largely unforgiving about the aging process. The women are embracing the maturing Tom Jones. The one thing they both agree on, however, is that the man, although not in full voice last night, can still sing his butt off.
September 14th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
I never watch Dancing With the Stars but my sister does. Knowing what a huge fan I am of Tom’s she informed me that he was going to be on. I couldn’t wait to see him, as his TV apperances are rare. I was surprised when the host kept mentioning him as “Tom Jones,” and not “Sir Tom Jones.” Isn’t he “Sir Tom” in the US too? I thought it was derespectful. Also, I was having a fit because they weren’t showing him during his first song, they were showing the dancers. The man is a superstar. It was beneath him. The second song was all Tom. I also wish that they had interviewed him. He’s really a very funny guy. He would’ve shown them what class was!!!
September 15th, 2006 at 5:14 am
I agree with Keith (#34). This freelance contributor must clearly be blind, deaf and dumb to have missed what was really going on — a fantastic singer and performer still able to put out top hits after 40 years. Shame, shame, she should have done her homework on Tom before writing the review.
September 15th, 2006 at 8:16 am
Let’s take action….I could not find a direct address to this writer, but have written to a couple departments at MSNBC. How many insulting reviews about Sir Tom can we stand????!!! We need to give them some feedback!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr……..
September 15th, 2006 at 10:08 am
Marian, please post the web address for MSNBC if you are able to locate it. I would love to send some feedback about this poor review. Thanks for your help!
September 15th, 2006 at 10:54 am
Chris:
You can voice (or write) your opinion at MSNBC.
Please let us know if you get a response.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:04 am
Chris, I have these addresses that were posted by a member on Tom’s other forum. I sent it to the Entertainment Department: Living@MSNBC.com or to the editor of MSNBC: letters@msnbc.com and write To the Editor in the subject line. As is my usual custom, I tried both addresses….in hopes of getting some feedback. I know I can’t lambast every writer who decides to write tacky stuff about Sir Tom, but thought this writer’s content was especially rude/cruel/vindictive. Who is “SHE” anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!