Names
All Kris Allen wanted yesterday was a cup of coffee, but finding one in Hartford, where the reigning “American Idol’’ champ was performing last night with his fellow finalists from the show’s eighth season, was harder than expected. “Nothing is open on Sunday in Hartford,’’ he lamented. The Arkansas native (inset) did come to realize that perhaps the world was telling him to take a little break. The 24-year-old singer-songwriter could certainly use one given his insane touring-recording-promotional schedule. Having successfully achieved caffeine satisfaction at a Japanese restaurant, Allen was fully prepped to discuss the “American Idol’’ tour (coming to the TD Garden tomorrow), his as-yet untitled upcoming album (due in November), and the departure of Paula Abdul from Fox’s popular talent contest.
Q. Are you enjoying the tour?
A. I’m having the time of my life, seriously, no David Cook pun intended.
Q. You’re working with a wide variety of people on your debut from hip-hop producer-writer Salaam Remi to singer-songwriter Mat Kearney to Joe King of the pop-rock band the Fray. Should we intuit that the record will offer a lot of different styles?
A. I think we were experimenting with some things. The Salaam thing was definitely an experiment to see what would happen. And then [we hooked up] with people like Joe who are definitely along the same track. We’re doing some things that obviously make sense in people’s heads and we’re trying to do some things that didn’t make so much sense. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve had a great time with everyone.
Q. Do you have any dream collaborators?
A. I’m a big a John Legend fan, I think he’s incredible so that would be really nice. Since I was a kid I’ve always liked Matchbox Twenty and I think Rob Thomas is a great writer.
Q. How do you think “Idol’’ will fare without Paula Abdul?
A. I think the show will definitely miss her, but it is “American Idol’’ and it’s huge and it will go on, I am sure of that. I am glad that I was part of a year Paula was there though, to be honest, I thought she was incredible.
Q. You were the first person to win an actual trophy. Where do you keep it?
A. The real truth is I have not seen that trophy since I held it on the show.
Q. You’re not likely to get a real break for about a year. Have you come to some sort of peace with that?
A. I’m a pretty calm guy, so I came to that very quickly. Someone told me that, I think it was David Cook. He was like, “You’re not going to have a day off for a long time.’’ And I was like, OK. For me, I would like to go home and hang out with my family and friends, but I do also get to do exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life, so that’s kind of cool.
'Grown Ups' have a party
The film doesn’t officially wrap until Friday, but the “Grown Ups’’ gang threw themselves a little party at Felt on Saturday to celebrate the summer-long shoot. The VIP crowd included cast mates Adam Sandler (and wife Jacqueline), Chris Rock, David Spade, Kevin James, Colin Quinn, Norm MacDonald, and Maya Rudolph, as well as chef Todd English. About a group of high-school buddies who reunite after 30 years, the movie directed by Dennis Dugan was mostly shot in Essex and elsewhere on the North Shore. We’re told Sandler, in particular, is sorry to be returning to LA. The “Billy Madison’’ actor, who grew up in Manchester, N.H., enjoyed his rental house next to the Eastern Point Yacht Club in Gloucester so much that he’s offered to buy it from the owner. As one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors - he earned an estimated $65 million last year - Sandler can certainly afford the oceanfront manse. Though he’s a big movie star, Sandler didn’t act like a diva, according to locals. He often played basketball at the Gloucester YMCA, and was a regular at Long Beach Dairy Maid, the Chinese restaurant Dragon Light, and at Frank’s Sub Zone, where owner Frank Carini hung a framed poster for Sandler’s latest flick “Funny People.’’ “Nice guy,’’ says Carini, who served the actor steak tips. “We don’t get a celebrity like him in here very often.’’Rocked hard
Hmm. Judging from a photo of Steven Tyler and actor Chuck Slavin at Pembroke Center Liquors, the Aerosmith singer is indeed in no shape to continue the band’s summer tour. Tyler’s arm is in a sling as a result of a broken shoulder suffered when he fell off the stage in South Dakota. (Those Zsa Zsa Gabor glasses aren’t doing him any favors.) In an apology to fans via Twitter, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry made it sound like it wasn’t his idea to cancel the remainder of the tour. “I am so sorry about vocalist Steven Tyler having to cancel our Aerosmith shows,’’ wrote Perry. “I can’t say I’m sorry enough you guys are great fans to have.’’ Perry’s solo CD “Have Guitar, Will Travel,’’ featuring a German singer named Hagen, is out Oct. 13.A stand-up guy
“Baywatch’’ actor David Chokachi (above) broke out the board shorts for Saturday’s 30-mile stand-up paddle from Plymouth to P-town. The Cape Cod Bay Challenge was a fund-raiser for Christopher’s Haven.
A Vineyard home
Kathy Baker, who may be best known for her roles on TV’s “Picket Fences’’ and the film “Edward Scissorhands,’’ has made a temporary home in Vineyard Haven. The Emmy winner is starring in the Vineyard Playhouse production of “Memory House.’’ The show, in which Baker plays a mom who spends New Year’s Eve baking a pie while her daughter works on college applications, runs through Sept. 5. Wonder if President Obama and first lady Michelle will see the show during their island retreat next week.Wahlberg's close call
We’re told Mark Wahlberg is feeling better after being treated for smoke inhalation. The actor, in Lowell filming “The Fighter,’’ apparently inhaled a lot of smoke while shooting a scene last Thursday. RadarOnline.com reported that the newly married actor was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital the next day and released. Wahlberg plays “Irish’’ Micky Ward in director David O. Russell’s biopic, which also stars Christian Bale and Amy Adams.Around town
Comedian Dave Attell has two words for all of you Sarah Rodman of the Globe staff contributed. Read the Names Blog at www.boston.com/namesblog.
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