Posted Tuesday, May 15, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
The next possible "American Idol" Caleb Lee Hutchinson swept through the WSB building this morning as the show producers shot footage for his top three hometown visit.
Fred Blankenship, the Channel 2 morning co-anchor, was his host, greeting him in the lobby at about 8 a.m. He did quick interviews with Heather Catlin and me in Studio C, followed by a meet and greet in the WSB newsroom. He spent a few minutes doing an interview with Blankenship, then joked around with the B98.5 morning team before taking numerous selfies and photos with WSB staff back in the lobby. He took it all in with aplomb and a smile.
» MORE: Why Caleb could win it all
And he was thrilled when promotions gave him two WSB-TV caps. "My mom will be so happy," he said. "She'll have a matching hat with me."
When someone wanted a photo and Blankenship stepped in to take it, Caleb joked, "Is there a job you don't do?"
While waiting for an open bathroom, Caleb talked about how some folks mistake his hometown of Dallas, GA with Dallas, Texas. "I get messages like, 'Texas supports you!' "
» RELATED: Recap of the top-three announcement on 'Idol'
And Caleb, who lost 80 pounds the past year, said he has managed to maintain his diet in the midst of all the stress of "Idol." When I asked if he likes Sal's Pizza in Dallas, he said, "I gotta stay away from the pizza!" When he wants to eat something bad, he said, "I just go and do push ups."
Later today, he'll be visiting his home, then South Paulding High School (where he graduated in 2017) and then downtown Dallas to perform a free concert. Channel 2 Action News will be following the action throughout the day and I'll be there as well.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
About the Author
