TV Talk: Western Pa. teen continues to advance on ‘American Idol’

From failing to make it onto the show last season to now advancing three times this season, Morgan Gruber of Franklin Township, Beaver County, is on a roll.

In Sunday’s duets-themed episode, taped in December, platinum ticketholder Jay Copeland picked Gruber to be his duet partner, and they advanced to the show’s next round.

“He said the moment that he heard me, he knew we’d be awesome together,” Gruber recalled in a phone interview Friday.

Because Copeland had a platinum ticket, Gruber said she and Copeland had a few extra hours to choose and prepare their song. She selected “Shallow,” performed by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in the 2018 “A Star is Born” remake.

“As soon as I saw it on the sheet, I was like, we have to sing this song,” Gruber said.

Judge Katy Perry called the pair “phenomenally talented.” Judge Luke Bryan said, “When we find kids like y’all, then we swap into a whole ‘nother level of scrutiny that we start puttin’ y’all under. That’s just, ‘Welcome to the game.’”

But Perry added a note of caution.

“We need more from you,” she said. “You need to find that next level … on the next round.”

The judges’ most critical assessment to the pair, Gruber said: The duo need to work on their stage presence.

“I agreed with that,” Gruber said. “Sometimes I have a really hard time expressing my emotions on camera and just in general. Jay is so fun and energetic and I love that about him. We balance each other out so well.”

This whole “American Idol” experience has been a life-changer for Gruber.

“It’s definitely been surreal,” Gruber said. “I just can’t believe that I’m on it.”

Through to the ???????????????????????????????????????????????? round...

Both @TheeJayCopeland & @itsmorgangruber!#AmericanIdol pic.twitter.com/CY4Rjn2gw4

— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) April 4, 2022

From her audition trip to Austin, Tex., in October to filming episodes in Los Angeles in December, she’s already missed a fair bit of in-person school. But the production has teachers who work with 17-year-old Gruber when she’s in Los Angeles. Because she’s a minor, her work hours were limited relative to other, older “Idol” contestants.

“I can only work eight hours, I believe, but some of the contestants have been working for 12 hours,” Gruber said. “The teachers are really great and were super-helpful.”

With her continuing “Idol” success, Gruber has a few dates lined up for Western Pennsylvania performances, including the evening of April 9 at Koehler Brewery Pub in Ellwood City, April 16 at Carl’s Tavern in Wilkins Township. And on April 7 she’ll perform at the Passavant assisted living facility where she’s worked in Zelienople.

Due to her newfound “Idol” obligations, Gruber gave her two-weeks’ notice. Her last day is April 6, just before she performs for the residents.

“My residents support me, especially that decision, but it’s so hard because you grow such a great attachment to them. I love them dearly,” Gruber said, noting many were upset she wasn’t featured more in the March 28th episode.

“I had to look [the segment] up on my phone and keep replaying it because they’re like, ‘I missed you’ or, ‘Your clip isn’t long enough,’” Gruber said. “I really enjoy going to work and having conversations with them because they’re really so excited for me. They call their family members and they’re always saying things like, ‘Did you check your Facebook? My daughter wrote something on your page!’ They’re so cute.”

Kept/canceled/spun off

ABC picked up “The Rookie” and “The Good Doctor” for the 2022-23 TV season.

CBS renewed all three “NCIS” shows for next season.

ABC canceled “Match Game,” “Card Sharks,” “Celebrity Dating Game” and “The Hustler.”

Netflix ordered “Bridgerton” prequel series “Queen Charlotte” with Golda Rosheuval (Queen Charlotte), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Agatha Danbury) and Ruth Gemmell (Lady Violet Bridgerton) reprising their roles from “Bridgerton” alongside three young actresses playing younger versions of their characters.

FX ordered a second season of Ryan Murphy’s “Feud,” this time with an adaptation of “Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal and a Swan Sing for an Era.”

You can reach TV writer Rob Owen at rowen@triblive.com or 412-380-8559. Follow Rob on Twitter or Facebook. Ask TV questions by email or phone. Please include your first name and location.