Interview: Michael Orland, Pianist, American Idol Music Director

[cookie08ification]

Was hoping they would have talked a little more about Clay.  To me he's the biggest talent to come out of Idol, bar none.

[SamHarrisCOM]

@cookie08ification There's Pottery Idol now? I have to catch up on these shows.

[minijmin]

sam's so cool. thanks for the very interesting views. really enjoyed this.

[ToriKoz]

This computer thing is changing my life. I love learning about gay men living in California! California is so much more progressive than other states. I never got into American Idol, but I love what comes out of it. Adam Lambert and Jennifer Hudson are two artists that I love to listen to.

[ToriKoz]

I love watching you two guys. I love learning about gay men and what they are like in California. California is so ahead of everyone else and is so much more progressive than the rest of the United States. I know this is a long time ago, but I have been off the internet for twelve years and now I know what I was missing.

[kelsietaylor9]

Too great artists!!!!

[mdd77mdd77]

you guys rock, - love this sammy that you for this - please continue!!

and i agree STOP playing to the camera - play the character, and if the cam happens to pass ans said character notices then great!!! but ignore it 90% of the time. kisses chickens

[mdd77mdd77]

damnit, im new to SHcom, and now i have to watch every SINGLE friend friday, cause baby, gots da best friends!! YAY, i say yay, a lot, is there a support group?

[lifeatbay]

I totally agree with what Sam said about Adam, especially with his theater background helping him to improve his performance not detract from it. I hate it when Simon Cowell said that Adam was too theatrical. He was just speaking out of ignorance. Most singers from theaters have much better vocals than current singers heard on the radio. Love Sam, Michael, and Adam. They all are talented. When is your next FF video, Sam? Too bad I can't see your show "First Wives Club" in San Diego.

[OhSweetOz]

TOTALLY agree about the people in theater having better voices than most of those on the radio etc. their voices are more trained, controlled, and can endure much more. i hate when theater is considered a BAD thing =(

[Nobbyboy2]

Had to watch this 3 times! So funny!

[jrmandrial]

aloha! i'm a new fan to your vlog. and i LOVE it! long story short: i stumbled upon your star search performance here, and i couldn't believe it. i sooooo remember watching you win that contest AND getting your first album. it was with great pleasure and surprise that i found you here on youtube.

i am recovering from knee surgery and have been watching all of your posts. add me to the VLOG people.

do you ever come to hawaii?

[quester36]

SAMMY, you NEED TO RECORD Rainbows!!!! That was GREAT !!!!!!!!

[HotHotPastrami]

I LOVE (!!!) the two of you together!!! What a wonderful juicy being Michael is! I love his lips... And his mom! Another WONDERFUL interview! Sam, you are a JOY!!!!

[regamom3]

Sam, thank you for posting such interesting and fun interviews. I'm always amazed at how many people you know in the industry. I love watching your friend Friday's. Have a wonderful week !!!

[angieros]

Hi Sam! What a great vlog...so cute together hehe Great to see you back Sam...vloggin again. THANK YOU sooo much for the hello on Mindy's cam..you gave me goosebumps! Of course you too Todd!

What a show, what performers you both are...now get your butts down here to Florida so I can see you in person!

Lots of Love,

Angie (your gal in Florida)

[stevenwishnoff]

OMG you two MUST do the same exact interview as LIza and Lainie!!!! ROTFL, oh wait, you just did. HAHAHAHAHA I LOVE YOU GUYS

[ccm800]

HEY When is Sam Hais going to mentor on idol?????

[ccm800]

absolutely heartwarming

[susanlawrence56]

I sooo agree w/ Nobby!!! I feel like it was yesterday, when I was waiting anxiously for the next week's star search. Sam, you took my breath away!!! Two years ago, I finally got to see you in person with the Boston Pops and you still take my breath away!!! I've often wondered why American Idol hasn't tapped you as a mentor. This season of American Idol has been wonderful because of Adam. I'm sure he'll have an amazing career no matter what happens!

[artemismagna]

Mary Poppins was the first movie that I ever saw too!!!!

Michael Orland I LOVE YOU!!!! It was great to be able to hear your mother on the phone. I think that you are the best accompanist ever. And, the two of you together are so fun!!!

[Kjazzinphx]

Mary Poppins was the first movie I ever saw. To Sir With Love was the first movie I ever saw that I paid for with my own money.

[midtownjohn]

Awesome Friend Friday.  It is so cool to get a "Behind the Scenes" look at American Idol and meet a guy who is so passionate about music. Michael is definitely following his dream.

[newhampshirefree]

Oh my. I could have sat here for hours watching the two of you. I can't figure out who's more adorable.

We need to do lunch.

Perhaps someday it shall happen and we can make a sandwich, the three of us.

♥

[MidgeDog]

That was a great Vlog Sam! You have so many talented and interesting friends, that it's fascinating to watch you interview them. The song at the end was beautiful!

[nancywg09]

Because of Adam, now I am introduced to another great singer Sam Harris. Love Sam Harris! Love Michael Orland too!

[mwolfe3508]

Sam, (or Sam's Web Guy!) I love these, please keep it up, this is so enjoyable and funny and interesting. I cracked up when they called Michael 's mother!!. So funny. Thank you for bringing a little humor into my day.

~B

[edgyguy1426]

I love when Michael hits the 'Blue Steel' pose and then you follow.

[1DRock37167]

Fun! What chemistry the two of you have. Could Michael be your musical director when the talk show becomes a reality?

[grillgirll]

1DRock -

Yeah, except for Todd and Sam's chemistry is pretty amazing too. Watch some of the vlogs with Todd. Hysterical. They are like brothers. And the music they make. Well...

[1DRock37167]

Ive seen all of the episodes with Todd, I was thinking of him more as a sidekick:-)

[doucedeuce]

Wow! What a delight to watch. "You take the "o" outa country"....LOL!

[byelove3]

I love that Sam! thanks for that interesting fun interview!

[smilintoday]

thanks!

is it available to download/purchase?

[operagirl84]

Ador-a-bell, Michael. Love you and Harry.

[smilintoday]

great interview-what was the song played at the end of the credits? (Gospel song)

thanks

[sedohi]

Sam, the Mary Poppins coincidence was hysterical. Have you ever thought of doing a Friend Friday with one of your Vlog People? Like me! I'm going to see you with three of my friends at your SF concert on 5/9. It will be my 6th time seeing you. I've sung many of your songs in cabarets. All my friends know you because of me. Can't wait for the concert next weekend. -Sean

[sandy2he]

I loved this! Thank you for sharing Michael. He is fantastic! Soo fun and talented! Loved his Mom and dog too! Michael you and Sam are soo adorable together. Sam if you ever have a talk show, variety etc...Michael would be a great addition as the musical director and an on show talent. Love you Michael!

[shamac59]

Missed ya, Sam. This talky blog was soooo worth waiting for. Thanks for the fabulous Friend Friday!!!!!

[Laurie6977]

So nice to see another Friend Friday, especially with Michael Orland. I love hearing about AI and especially about the awesomeness that is Adam.

But what I'm most excited about is that this coming week I'll have two nights of Adam on AI and then on Friday I get to finally see and hear the awesomeness that is Sam in person at the Rrazz Room here in SF! I'm soooooo excited!

See ya in a week, Sam!

[Xenabuffyfan]

Oh I love you Michael O!

[clicksmarter]

Wonderful.

[bcdoula]

ABC gum...love it! You are awesome Sam and this was awesome. (Already Been Chewed)

[Nobbyboy2]

In the 8 or 9 or whatever seasons of American Idol, Adam Lambert is the first person in the shows history to electrify the country in the way that Sam Harris did on Star Search. Great talents have come out of the show, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daltry, but no one has blown people away in the way that Sam Harris had the whole country talking until Adam Lambert. Incredible god given instruments, both of them, but also star quality. The've both got the '"what the f...." factor!

[Billydude9]

I really like Adam and he's my fav but I'm finding that most people I know don't like him. You see he even ended up in the bottom two this week. Just saying that he is not electrifying everyone.

[LoveandPeace528]

Not true. What happens is that everyone thinks that Adam will win so they end up voting for their 2nd most favorite thinking that everyone else will save Adam. I think that's what happened with Clay. Whatever happens Adam will get a record deal no doubt and I'm sure bigger parts in Broadway shows so he's pretty much set in his career.

[VLPRESL]

nobby, i completely agree with you, in that nobody has come along since sam harris to electrify us as adam lambert has. i remember the feeling i got when i heard sam's voice for the first time on starsearch. i was shocked and my jaw dropped to the floor. i felt the same way with adam. it only took 25 years! sam was the first and the original... and now adam. wow! -vicki

[tdallasw]

Here! Here!! Sam should have been on AI as a mentor a LONG time ago. Michael, you have just GOT to make this happen. He is a natural fit considering his "Star Search" experience. Sam set the bar high 25 years ago. Take advantage of the popularity of his VLOGs and get him on there right away! Really enjoyed this weeks FF.

Love ya!!

[grillgirll]

And I second the mentor thing on AI. It's SOOOOO obvious!

[grillgirll]

I've said it before - THESE NEED TO BE ON TV!! Sam is hysterical and insightful and brings out the best in everyone he talks to. Michael Orland is a scream and what a great opportunity to meet people behind the scenes of AI. He clearly brings out the best in them. Nothing like this anywhere. the wit, the heart, the joy. Thank you Sam.

[moirailakhesis]

Interesting. Sam talks about Adam at 18:00

[candleshoemanor]

Holy cow! That was magical - you need to record "Always Chasing Rainbows!"

[romydale]

Thank you for sharing Michael with us.

[VLPRESL]

so here is the question. when are we going to have sam be a mentor for a week on idol? this just HAS to happen at some point. so glad you talked about adam. michael probably can't talk about his favorites but i'm guessing that adam blows him away as he does for all of us. speaking of the "upright cabaret", there are some amazing performances of adam singing there here on youtube. sam, so good to see another vlog from you again. we miss you! -vicki

[robertds1962]

LOVE

[wrheastlake]

great video really enjoyed the insight

[yayayoga]

What a FANTASTIC friend Friday!! Thank you Sam and thank you Michael for sharing a moment of your friendship. It was so much fun! xoxo

[djronniebruno]

What an awesome vlog. I felt like i was sitting there with u two. Interesting stuff.

[vendredi3]

Hee!  I want one of those doormats :)

[istersay]

Great video, you guys are hysterical. Been a fan of Sam for a long time, both of you keep up the good work, with a 'Spoon full of Sugar' .

[arcadata]

What a lovely rendition of "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows." Thank you!

[mindya12]

Yah!!! A great FF and Michael is adorable. Love him. You guys are so funny together. Glad to finally see you again Sam!!! xoxo

[sethocopia]

He's lovely, don't know him, but looks like good people.

[NefetiriSianNephele]

I love Michael Orland! and I love that you guys talked about Adam!

[TexJett]

Wow....so much talent in the room!!! Thanks for sharing Michael...what a fun guy.

[rts12a]

Welcome back!

I think Adam's the best too.

[scowndrel]

Damn, you just make me smile. Thanks.

[firefare]

There ya' go. Love it!