Oh happy day.
Stankjaya got the boot.
The glee on Simon's face as he realized his season-long dream coming true was priceless.
After Chris' disastrous performance I thought he'd be going home (he's been in the bottom three twice before, suggesting his fan base is weak, and he was practically as bad as lil' Stanky last night). But he didn't even hit the bottom three. Apparently America agrees with him that "nasally" is a valid form of singing...
LaKisha also seemed to be on shaky ground and was the last one standing next to He of the Demonic Grin.
But all negatives aside, now that the kid is gone I have to hope he doesn't have a life of ridicule ahead of him. The nasty side of Idol is in the way it can build people up and then toss them aside with no regard. It's not completely the show's fault, it's also Sanjaya's and his family's for deciding to enter the competition and stay in under the pressure.
Hopefully he'll just move on to a life and career outside of music. But the temptation to cash in on fame while he has it may be too much to resist. And the attempts to do so will surely be painful.
But the competition will be a lot more fun from here on. I don't think it's a coincidence Melinda and Jordin are now the only two contestants to never land in the bottom three. I think we have our final two right there (barring a Daughtry-esque elimination "shocker").
Go Doolittle!
Showing posts with label American Idol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Idol. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
First decent Idol results of the season
Finally, one of the top 12 who really deserved to be booted actually was. Goodbye Haley, no one will miss you or your botched attempts at sex appeal.
And since Stankjaya is still seemingly Untouchable (offense intended), it was appropriate to see Phil and Chris in the bottom three.
Latin week was hideous. Country week is up next...
These Idol producers really know how to pick a theme well suited to their contestants, don't they?
And since Stankjaya is still seemingly Untouchable (offense intended), it was appropriate to see Phil and Chris in the bottom three.
Latin week was hideous. Country week is up next...
These Idol producers really know how to pick a theme well suited to their contestants, don't they?
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Idol thoughts
I’ve been silent on American Idol so far this season but it’s not because I haven’t been enjoying it. Melinda and LaKisha are terrific and Blake and Jordin help to keep the competition interesting. One exceptional, one near exceptional and two solid talents make for a more satisfying line-up than last season. With any luck they’ll be the final four…but who knows.
There is the Stankjaya problem. To give the Worst Top 12 Contestant Ever some credit: he does bring a bizarrely compelling quality of his own to the show. The producers must be watching all of this nervously. He’s pushing the limits of the any-publicity-is-good-publicity theory and his presence on the show blurs the line between the top 12 performance shows and the audition rounds like no one ever has before. All that credibility carefully cultivated by album sales, Grammy wins and even an Oscar win for former contestants could be in serious jeopardy.
Right now it’s a given that he’s going to outlast more talented people. Last week was the first time in over a month that someone significantly better wasn’t eliminated after A.J., Sabrina, Brandon and Stephanie were knocked out over the previous four weeks. And last week’s victim, Chris Sligh, didn’t start off horribly, he just fell apart under the pressure. Obviously he too should’ve outlasted Stankjaya in any normal competition.
Tonight is “standards” night and the contestants most in jeopardy have to be Phil Stacey and Haley Scarnato, who have both long outlasted their welcome (neither deserved top 12 placement). Phil did better than ever before last week but there’s no reason to think either of them have enough support to stay around much longer. Standards week could also do some damage to another mediocre contestant, Gina Glocksen, and Chris Richardson needs to avoid being boring.
I dumped even more general thoughts on the show so far into this photo gallery. And the page for the departed Chris Sligh.
There is the Stankjaya problem. To give the Worst Top 12 Contestant Ever some credit: he does bring a bizarrely compelling quality of his own to the show. The producers must be watching all of this nervously. He’s pushing the limits of the any-publicity-is-good-publicity theory and his presence on the show blurs the line between the top 12 performance shows and the audition rounds like no one ever has before. All that credibility carefully cultivated by album sales, Grammy wins and even an Oscar win for former contestants could be in serious jeopardy.
Right now it’s a given that he’s going to outlast more talented people. Last week was the first time in over a month that someone significantly better wasn’t eliminated after A.J., Sabrina, Brandon and Stephanie were knocked out over the previous four weeks. And last week’s victim, Chris Sligh, didn’t start off horribly, he just fell apart under the pressure. Obviously he too should’ve outlasted Stankjaya in any normal competition.
Tonight is “standards” night and the contestants most in jeopardy have to be Phil Stacey and Haley Scarnato, who have both long outlasted their welcome (neither deserved top 12 placement). Phil did better than ever before last week but there’s no reason to think either of them have enough support to stay around much longer. Standards week could also do some damage to another mediocre contestant, Gina Glocksen, and Chris Richardson needs to avoid being boring.
I dumped even more general thoughts on the show so far into this photo gallery. And the page for the departed Chris Sligh.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
That's all folks
So I'm finished with Idol for the season. At least when it comes to writing about it here. I may be finished with watching it too, although I probably will at least sample the performances over the next three weeks. It's not like I didn't expect Paris to be booted this week but now that it actually happened I'm left without a compelling reason to watch. The show usually sucks me in week after week because I'm curious to see what songs will be selected, who will be good, who will be bad and who ends up going home. But I've also always had a rooting interest in at least one (usually more than one) contestant. (Potentially embarrassing confession: I've voted for all four winners from previous seasons.)
I expect (and frankly hope for) Chris to win. I kinda think Taylor will be with him at the end, but it may be Katharine and either way I don't care. The "best" contestant left, in my opinion, is Elliott but he just doesn't have the all around package that makes for a deserving winner.
The good news is I really expect all of the top five to release albums. I think they're all serious enough, they all have enough fans, and the series-best ratings will help them. Of course if that does happen I only have plans to buy one of them.
It's just too bad that Idol's most watched season has been powered by its least interesting talent yet.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Goodbye Kellie Mae
I suppose I shouldn’t let the events of this week’s Idol go by without mention. After Tuesday night’s so-so "Great Love Songs" performance show I would’ve demanded two things:
1) That Paris place in the top three after delivering another flawless performance and
2) That Kellie Pickler finally hit the bottom three, especially after back-to-back weeks of outright sucking (which she readily admitted).
So I got half of what I wanted, and it was the more important half. I thought Kellie might get the boot but I didn’t want to be optimistic enough to really believe it. In my mind Elliott was doomed, not because he gave a bad performance (he didn’t, it was clearly one of the three best) but because his song was dull, and he performed too early in the show.
But maybe America was as "moved" by Elliott as Paula was and instead Kellie departed the show in the Carmen Rasmusen/John Stevens/Constantine Maroulis memorial slot of sixth place. Kind of fitting isn’t it? I’ll admit, now that she’s gone, that she was sort of entertaining for her stupid remarks ("I’m a mink!?" "On paper? What’s that?") and if she does have some sort of future in the entertainment business I won’t be too opposed, as long as singing isn’t a major part of it. (The great joke of both of this season’s country contestants is that if they had auditioned for the generally superior Nashville Star I’m positive they would’ve been rejected.)
As for Paris’ placement in the week’s bottom two, there’s nothing much to say other than the obvious: she deserves better. Hopefully she’ll hang on for a couple more weeks and maybe viewers will start to realize that Taylor, kinda like Kellie, isn’t worth keeping around.
But I doubt it.
1) That Paris place in the top three after delivering another flawless performance and
2) That Kellie Pickler finally hit the bottom three, especially after back-to-back weeks of outright sucking (which she readily admitted).
So I got half of what I wanted, and it was the more important half. I thought Kellie might get the boot but I didn’t want to be optimistic enough to really believe it. In my mind Elliott was doomed, not because he gave a bad performance (he didn’t, it was clearly one of the three best) but because his song was dull, and he performed too early in the show.
But maybe America was as "moved" by Elliott as Paula was and instead Kellie departed the show in the Carmen Rasmusen/John Stevens/Constantine Maroulis memorial slot of sixth place. Kind of fitting isn’t it? I’ll admit, now that she’s gone, that she was sort of entertaining for her stupid remarks ("I’m a mink!?" "On paper? What’s that?") and if she does have some sort of future in the entertainment business I won’t be too opposed, as long as singing isn’t a major part of it. (The great joke of both of this season’s country contestants is that if they had auditioned for the generally superior Nashville Star I’m positive they would’ve been rejected.)
As for Paris’ placement in the week’s bottom two, there’s nothing much to say other than the obvious: she deserves better. Hopefully she’ll hang on for a couple more weeks and maybe viewers will start to realize that Taylor, kinda like Kellie, isn’t worth keeping around.
But I doubt it.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
We won't always have Paris
Congratulations Paris! You give one of your best Idol performances yet (second only to, or maybe even tied with, "Midnight Train to Georgia" from the semifinals) and you're rewarded with... the bottom three!
It was no surprise to see Ace leave. He wasn't a total disaster like he was in Queen week and (almost) everyone else was at least decent, so what reason was there to vote for him?
It was also no surprise to see Chris in the bottom three. The change of pace may have made Simon proud but it didn't suit him. He sounded fine but for the first time ever he was completely generic. I don't like Chris but he's usually good at what he does. And sappy is not what he does. (I think it also hurt that he went first and everyone else was consistent, being at the top of the bill may have hurt Paris too.)
And it was no surprise that even though she gave the worst performance BY FAR that embarrassment to humanity Kellie was not in the bottom three. She may be dumb as a brick (do you think she even knows what a brick is?) but she somehow figured out that yes, her performance sucked. And she apologized. And her "fans" (whoever they are, these people scare me) probably thought she was cute as ever.
But HOW does Paris make the bottom three after NAILING Ella Fitzgerald's "These Foolish Things"??? ARE PEOPLE STUPID???
Oh wait, of course they are. Kellie and Taylor are now the only contestants to never make the bottom three. Obviously it's not talent that helps you succeed, it's having a big, slightly annoying, personality and never hiding it. (But, on the bright side, before we just assume these fools will be the final two remember that Smeagol/Constantine never made the bottom three until he was eliminated...)
The fact is it gets really interesting from here out. Logic would say Elliott goes next. All of the other remaining contestants have frequently, legitimately been called possible winners. But he and Paris have both been in the bottom three two times now. And even if they both are bottom three again next week they're going to have to be joined by a "fan favorite." And let's remember it was the round of six that did in Smeagol last season...
It's nice that the season is unpredictable, but it's too bad that's not because there's a lot of worthy performers.
It was no surprise to see Ace leave. He wasn't a total disaster like he was in Queen week and (almost) everyone else was at least decent, so what reason was there to vote for him?
It was also no surprise to see Chris in the bottom three. The change of pace may have made Simon proud but it didn't suit him. He sounded fine but for the first time ever he was completely generic. I don't like Chris but he's usually good at what he does. And sappy is not what he does. (I think it also hurt that he went first and everyone else was consistent, being at the top of the bill may have hurt Paris too.)
And it was no surprise that even though she gave the worst performance BY FAR that embarrassment to humanity Kellie was not in the bottom three. She may be dumb as a brick (do you think she even knows what a brick is?) but she somehow figured out that yes, her performance sucked. And she apologized. And her "fans" (whoever they are, these people scare me) probably thought she was cute as ever.
But HOW does Paris make the bottom three after NAILING Ella Fitzgerald's "These Foolish Things"??? ARE PEOPLE STUPID???
Oh wait, of course they are. Kellie and Taylor are now the only contestants to never make the bottom three. Obviously it's not talent that helps you succeed, it's having a big, slightly annoying, personality and never hiding it. (But, on the bright side, before we just assume these fools will be the final two remember that Smeagol/Constantine never made the bottom three until he was eliminated...)
The fact is it gets really interesting from here out. Logic would say Elliott goes next. All of the other remaining contestants have frequently, legitimately been called possible winners. But he and Paris have both been in the bottom three two times now. And even if they both are bottom three again next week they're going to have to be joined by a "fan favorite." And let's remember it was the round of six that did in Smeagol last season...
It's nice that the season is unpredictable, but it's too bad that's not because there's a lot of worthy performers.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Another One Bites the Dust
So Queen's Idol victim was fat-bottom-lovin' Bucky instead of We-Won't-Rock-You Ace. Even when a mediocre contestant goes home there's still something wrong with the choice. But I'm glad we don't have the performance-inept cowboy to kick around anymore, so I'll leave it at that.
It was certainly a better choice than what we had the last couple weeks. During my absence we lost someone who deserved it (Chicken Little), someone whose elimination was unfortunately inevitable (Lisa) and someone whose elimination still makes no sense at all (I was never a huge Mandisa fan but she was growing on me... and it's completely unfair that country caused her downfall while thoroughly terrible Kellie keeps flying high week after week without even hitting the bottom three; her dumbfounded reaction to Simon's "on paper" comment this week was the absolute end of the line, stupid isn't cute, it's stupid).
Right now there's only one person who I really look forward to each week. Paris really is a little dynamo, her performances since hitting the top 12 have been consistently engaging and entertaining. Her vocals aren't flawless but the roughness only adds to her appeal for me. And unlike the show's most consistent performer (Chris, blah) she never ceases to surprise. When she practically morphed into Tina Turner to rock out to Queen I was truly amazed. And this after a funky fresh "Work It Out" (most entertaining top 12 performance by anyone so far) and a soulful "How Do I Live" (in which she managed to find depth in a shallow song). No one else is worthy of such praise this year but I am very concerned about just how far she'll be able to go.
My other former co-favorites Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee are two different stories. Elliott is still solid, but he never makes a strong enough impression. Are his performances too simple? Are his arrangements too predictable? Is he just a little lacking in star charisma? I'm not sure what it is. I'd definitely rank him second only to Paris in terms of personal appeal but I can't exactly call myself a fan. Still I hope he stays around for several weeks to come.
Katharine, on the other hand, needs to do something great fast. She's always been inconsistent but right now I'm just bored with her. She's the most beautiful girl out there but that's the only thing separating her from the rest of the bland pack. And it's not enough.
It was certainly a better choice than what we had the last couple weeks. During my absence we lost someone who deserved it (Chicken Little), someone whose elimination was unfortunately inevitable (Lisa) and someone whose elimination still makes no sense at all (I was never a huge Mandisa fan but she was growing on me... and it's completely unfair that country caused her downfall while thoroughly terrible Kellie keeps flying high week after week without even hitting the bottom three; her dumbfounded reaction to Simon's "on paper" comment this week was the absolute end of the line, stupid isn't cute, it's stupid).
Right now there's only one person who I really look forward to each week. Paris really is a little dynamo, her performances since hitting the top 12 have been consistently engaging and entertaining. Her vocals aren't flawless but the roughness only adds to her appeal for me. And unlike the show's most consistent performer (Chris, blah) she never ceases to surprise. When she practically morphed into Tina Turner to rock out to Queen I was truly amazed. And this after a funky fresh "Work It Out" (most entertaining top 12 performance by anyone so far) and a soulful "How Do I Live" (in which she managed to find depth in a shallow song). No one else is worthy of such praise this year but I am very concerned about just how far she'll be able to go.
My other former co-favorites Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee are two different stories. Elliott is still solid, but he never makes a strong enough impression. Are his performances too simple? Are his arrangements too predictable? Is he just a little lacking in star charisma? I'm not sure what it is. I'd definitely rank him second only to Paris in terms of personal appeal but I can't exactly call myself a fan. Still I hope he stays around for several weeks to come.
Katharine, on the other hand, needs to do something great fast. She's always been inconsistent but right now I'm just bored with her. She's the most beautiful girl out there but that's the only thing separating her from the rest of the bland pack. And it's not enough.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
I mean, come on!
I'll try to make up for my prolonged absence shortly but I just want to ask, Ace is going home on Idol tonight, right?
[Joining him in the bottom three: Bucky and... Katharine (or Elliott?), although Taylor deserves it. I really hope Paris isn't there two weeks in a row, but if she is after last night I don't know what she could possibly do to survive.]
[Joining him in the bottom three: Bucky and... Katharine (or Elliott?), although Taylor deserves it. I really hope Paris isn't there two weeks in a row, but if she is after last night I don't know what she could possibly do to survive.]
Thursday, March 16, 2006
American Idiots
It was no surprise that Melissa left last night on Idol, she's seen this coming since the first performance week when she wisely called out the producers for her lack of screen time during the important audience-relationship-building audition episodes. She didn't deserve to go so soon but she didn't deserve to be around forever either, so at least she can be happy the judges praised her final performance on the show (Simon called it her best yet) and she's now the best singer ever to be eliminated first in the Idol finals.
What was shocking, of course, was who was in the bottom three with her. I couldn't even properly enjoy Ace's bottom three standing because I knew he was in no way worse than Kevin and Kellie, who both miraculously (or deviously?) escaped the bottom three.
And standing next to Ace and Melissa was Lisa, one of the best singers in the top 12. She tried to change up her style, going for a faster song, and she did well but maybe now she'll run back to the ballads.
It's possible that Lisa doesn't stand out enough, or that her fans are also likely to be fans of Mandisa or Paris or Katharine and were busy voting for one or all of those three instead. It's just too bad that some of the contestants who do stand out more than Lisa, do so because they're weak singers with big personalities, or just plain bad.
Maybe it's worth remembering that Kinnik and Gedeon were both much better than some of the top 12, but I guess America needs its "variety"...
What was shocking, of course, was who was in the bottom three with her. I couldn't even properly enjoy Ace's bottom three standing because I knew he was in no way worse than Kevin and Kellie, who both miraculously (or deviously?) escaped the bottom three.
And standing next to Ace and Melissa was Lisa, one of the best singers in the top 12. She tried to change up her style, going for a faster song, and she did well but maybe now she'll run back to the ballads.
It's possible that Lisa doesn't stand out enough, or that her fans are also likely to be fans of Mandisa or Paris or Katharine and were busy voting for one or all of those three instead. It's just too bad that some of the contestants who do stand out more than Lisa, do so because they're weak singers with big personalities, or just plain bad.
Maybe it's worth remembering that Kinnik and Gedeon were both much better than some of the top 12, but I guess America needs its "variety"...
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Pecking order
American Idol's top 12 took the stage last night and although it's still shocking to me that freaky Gedeon was not among the finalists last night did very little to change my opinions on anyone.
So before they start getting eliminated for real, here's how I would kick them out, one-by-one, if I was the only person who got to vote...
Week One
Kevin Covais, dubbed "Chicken Little" by the sadistic producers and his masochistic "fans," is so clearly out of his depth that it's actually insulting he's even in the top 12. The way he's taken to playing up his I'm-a-geek-but-now-it's-ironic-because-I'm-on-TV persona does him no favors. Would anyone seriously buy an album by this kid as anything but a gag gift? I'm not convinced he'll go tonight but there's no one who deserves it more.
Week Two
Ace Young is supposed to be the "good looking one" but is it weird that I find him more than a little creepy? He's not slimy like Constantine or a living Muppet like Guarini but it's no surprise that those are the two past Idols he's most compared to. Let's face it, it's never gonna get better than that George Michael song he did a month ago... I say cut him off as early as possible.
Week Three
Kellie Pickler is coasting purely on her Beverly Hillbilly personality (golly, you big city folks and your fancy indoor plumbing!!). Maybe more people will realize this after her completely disasterous performance last night. I would allow her to torture the viewing public for three weeks, but if I was really in charge she never would've made top 12.
Week Four
Bucky Covington seems more genuine to me than Kellie and he's never really awful, but he's never really good either. Simon's comments about finding guys like Bucky in bars all over America are pretty spot-on. (He's a prime contender to leave tonight.)
Week Five
Melissa McGhee is an underdog and I kind of like her. But she's no star and no great singer. Someone's gotta go every week... (back in the real world, she could even go tonight.)
Week Six
By this point I'm a little sick of Taylor Hicks' spastic dance moves and boring song choices. The audience starts to turn against me...
Week Seven
In the first flat-out shocker Chris Daughtry, who represents everything bland and bad about modern rock radio (not even music, radio), exits the competition. He cries a lot. I smile.
Week Eight
Mandisa is eliminated. America is outraged. I explain that although she is talented and likable there's still something missing. Don't ask me what it is, I still don't know.
And now I cheat. The four remaning contestants—Paris Bennett, Katharine McPhee, Lisa Tucker and Elliott Yamin—are my favorites, and I still can't decide which of them I like best. They've all had good weeks and bad, all have endearing personalities and none seem likely to actually win (but they're the only four I could see myself voting for). Alphabetical order is as good as any (and frankly represents where I'm actually leaning as of last night) but I'd want to see how each of them does or doesn't grow through the competition.
But I know that back in the real world I won't get that chance... damn you Chris!!
So before they start getting eliminated for real, here's how I would kick them out, one-by-one, if I was the only person who got to vote...
Week One
Kevin Covais, dubbed "Chicken Little" by the sadistic producers and his masochistic "fans," is so clearly out of his depth that it's actually insulting he's even in the top 12. The way he's taken to playing up his I'm-a-geek-but-now-it's-ironic-because-I'm-on-TV persona does him no favors. Would anyone seriously buy an album by this kid as anything but a gag gift? I'm not convinced he'll go tonight but there's no one who deserves it more.
Week Two
Ace Young is supposed to be the "good looking one" but is it weird that I find him more than a little creepy? He's not slimy like Constantine or a living Muppet like Guarini but it's no surprise that those are the two past Idols he's most compared to. Let's face it, it's never gonna get better than that George Michael song he did a month ago... I say cut him off as early as possible.
Week Three
Kellie Pickler is coasting purely on her Beverly Hillbilly personality (golly, you big city folks and your fancy indoor plumbing!!). Maybe more people will realize this after her completely disasterous performance last night. I would allow her to torture the viewing public for three weeks, but if I was really in charge she never would've made top 12.
Week Four
Bucky Covington seems more genuine to me than Kellie and he's never really awful, but he's never really good either. Simon's comments about finding guys like Bucky in bars all over America are pretty spot-on. (He's a prime contender to leave tonight.)
Week Five
Melissa McGhee is an underdog and I kind of like her. But she's no star and no great singer. Someone's gotta go every week... (back in the real world, she could even go tonight.)
Week Six
By this point I'm a little sick of Taylor Hicks' spastic dance moves and boring song choices. The audience starts to turn against me...
Week Seven
In the first flat-out shocker Chris Daughtry, who represents everything bland and bad about modern rock radio (not even music, radio), exits the competition. He cries a lot. I smile.
Week Eight
Mandisa is eliminated. America is outraged. I explain that although she is talented and likable there's still something missing. Don't ask me what it is, I still don't know.
And now I cheat. The four remaning contestants—Paris Bennett, Katharine McPhee, Lisa Tucker and Elliott Yamin—are my favorites, and I still can't decide which of them I like best. They've all had good weeks and bad, all have endearing personalities and none seem likely to actually win (but they're the only four I could see myself voting for). Alphabetical order is as good as any (and frankly represents where I'm actually leaning as of last night) but I'd want to see how each of them does or doesn't grow through the competition.
But I know that back in the real world I won't get that chance... damn you Chris!!
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Lackluster
This is starting to look like the worst season yet for American Idol, at least for me. My favorites are turning out to be highly uneven and the other presumptive frontrunners either don't interest me or fail to impress.
This week was marked by another disappointing performance from Paris (the "Conga" song selection was embarrassing, and although I still like her this worries me more than her attempt to "stretch" with a poorly chosen ballad last week) and the first disappointing performance by Elliott (the only guy I truly like). At least the judges loved him, I'm worried he may not even make the top 12.
Katharine was probably the highlight of the women this week, she confirmed her Kelly Clarkson-esque aspirations by daring to take on an Aretha standard (although by doing so she proved she's good, but not Kelly good). And for the first time since her audition I really loved Lisa's performance, even if the judges were thoroughly unimpressed. The way that Kellie continually gets a pass from the judges is starting to drive me crazy ("cute" does not overcome mediocre singing) and I have yet to be "wow"-ed by Mandisa, but I guess I'm almost alone in that.
On the guys' side only Gedeon was worth watching, but he's a little too bizarre offstage (what exactly was that clip package about? a painting involving the world and a record?? and he was so serious about it...creepy).
I've pretty much resigned myself to Chris winning this whole thing. He's the only one with clear "talent" who is consistent every week. Mandisa may put up a good fight, and if it actually comes down to the two of them I suppose she could win. But either way I wouldn't care much.
It's hard to predict exactly who will leave tonight but I'm guessing Melissa (who doesn't deserve it) and Ayla (who does) from the ladies and Kevin and Will (both deserving) from the guys (I would celebrate the elimination of either Bucky or Ace, but I expect them both to be safe for now).
I think Kinnik saved herself by showing some personality and picking a very safe Alicia Keys song (the same song that saved Vonzell when she needed it early on), but I'd expect her to be in the bottom three. Though the underwhelmed reactions that Paris and Lisa received from the judges could be dangerous.
Anyway after tonight we'll have a top 12 and I'll weigh in further next week.
This week was marked by another disappointing performance from Paris (the "Conga" song selection was embarrassing, and although I still like her this worries me more than her attempt to "stretch" with a poorly chosen ballad last week) and the first disappointing performance by Elliott (the only guy I truly like). At least the judges loved him, I'm worried he may not even make the top 12.
Katharine was probably the highlight of the women this week, she confirmed her Kelly Clarkson-esque aspirations by daring to take on an Aretha standard (although by doing so she proved she's good, but not Kelly good). And for the first time since her audition I really loved Lisa's performance, even if the judges were thoroughly unimpressed. The way that Kellie continually gets a pass from the judges is starting to drive me crazy ("cute" does not overcome mediocre singing) and I have yet to be "wow"-ed by Mandisa, but I guess I'm almost alone in that.
On the guys' side only Gedeon was worth watching, but he's a little too bizarre offstage (what exactly was that clip package about? a painting involving the world and a record?? and he was so serious about it...creepy).
I've pretty much resigned myself to Chris winning this whole thing. He's the only one with clear "talent" who is consistent every week. Mandisa may put up a good fight, and if it actually comes down to the two of them I suppose she could win. But either way I wouldn't care much.
It's hard to predict exactly who will leave tonight but I'm guessing Melissa (who doesn't deserve it) and Ayla (who does) from the ladies and Kevin and Will (both deserving) from the guys (I would celebrate the elimination of either Bucky or Ace, but I expect them both to be safe for now).
I think Kinnik saved herself by showing some personality and picking a very safe Alicia Keys song (the same song that saved Vonzell when she needed it early on), but I'd expect her to be in the bottom three. Though the underwhelmed reactions that Paris and Lisa received from the judges could be dangerous.
Anyway after tonight we'll have a top 12 and I'll weigh in further next week.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Oh those crazy judges
I'm glad the Idol contestants who I thought would leave are all gone now but the really interesting thing tonight was, of course, Paula. What the HELL was going on?!?
This show is never gonna end.
This show is never gonna end.
Songs Sung Blah
There’s something about these semi-final shows that inspires the American Idol contestants to become zombies—singing songs no one really wants to hear and looking a lot less impressive than they should considering they’re performing for 30 million-plus viewers. I have no idea what that something is but it was in full effect this week.
The girls were more of a mess than they were last week, if it wasn’t for Melissa’s energetic rendition of Reba McEntire’s "Why Haven’t I Heard From You" the show would’ve had no highlight at all. There’s no question that Katharine, Lisa and Paris are talented but they were all painfully dull this week (especially Katharine). I’d pick Melissa, Mandisa and Kinnik to join them in the top twelve but Kinnik is looking desperate (Gretchen Wilson!?) and either the thoroughly-mediocre-but-gee-ain’t-she-cute? Kellie Pickler or the overachieving Tracy Flick-esque Ayla Brown will wind up in the top 12 instead (odds are on Kellie). I’m still waiting for Mandisa to blow me away, but maybe she’s saving the good stuff for the finals?
Anyway my bets for those saying goodbye are Heather "shoot her now" Cox, who thought it was a good idea to sing Mariah Carey’s "Hero" and Brenna Gethers, who is sassy and all but is really out of her depth. (Again I think Kinnik is in trouble, and going country may have lost it for her, and I suppose people could be too bored with Katharine to care but she should be safe—she just needs to pull out all the stops next week.)
And then, over in Special Ed, the boys were really hurting (my ears and my soul). After Taylor demonstrated how quickly his whole weird Southern I-just-love-music-and-Ray-Charles! vibe can grow tiresome (especially when his vocals suck and his song choice is embarrassing— Easy? oh please), Elliott showed everyone what actual talent sounds like (but what exactly is this guy’s niche? and how on earth can anyone market it?). Then we had to suffer through eight other performers I’d be perfectly happy never seeing again. On the plus side, Gedeon probably secured himself a slot in the top 12 with a reasonably pleasant performance (but why has this show never found a great contemporary sounding African-American male?). And yes Chris knows how to perfectly imitate the worst of modern rock radio. If people like this crap as much as record companies believe they do he’ll go far. It’s just white noise to me.
Watching the other guys is really about waiting to see just how lame they’ll be. The lamest of the lame last night was David Radford, the "crooner," who seemed like he desperately wanted to be anywhere else but on stage. And "Sway" was also uncomfortable and awkward, though it was obvious he at least wanted to do better. Hopefully they’re both finished as of tonight, but it’s not like Ace, Will, Kevin or Bucky actually deserve to stay. Unfortunately that's who we're stuck with, for now...
The girls were more of a mess than they were last week, if it wasn’t for Melissa’s energetic rendition of Reba McEntire’s "Why Haven’t I Heard From You" the show would’ve had no highlight at all. There’s no question that Katharine, Lisa and Paris are talented but they were all painfully dull this week (especially Katharine). I’d pick Melissa, Mandisa and Kinnik to join them in the top twelve but Kinnik is looking desperate (Gretchen Wilson!?) and either the thoroughly-mediocre-but-gee-ain’t-she-cute? Kellie Pickler or the overachieving Tracy Flick-esque Ayla Brown will wind up in the top 12 instead (odds are on Kellie). I’m still waiting for Mandisa to blow me away, but maybe she’s saving the good stuff for the finals?
Anyway my bets for those saying goodbye are Heather "shoot her now" Cox, who thought it was a good idea to sing Mariah Carey’s "Hero" and Brenna Gethers, who is sassy and all but is really out of her depth. (Again I think Kinnik is in trouble, and going country may have lost it for her, and I suppose people could be too bored with Katharine to care but she should be safe—she just needs to pull out all the stops next week.)
And then, over in Special Ed, the boys were really hurting (my ears and my soul). After Taylor demonstrated how quickly his whole weird Southern I-just-love-music-and-Ray-Charles! vibe can grow tiresome (especially when his vocals suck and his song choice is embarrassing— Easy? oh please), Elliott showed everyone what actual talent sounds like (but what exactly is this guy’s niche? and how on earth can anyone market it?). Then we had to suffer through eight other performers I’d be perfectly happy never seeing again. On the plus side, Gedeon probably secured himself a slot in the top 12 with a reasonably pleasant performance (but why has this show never found a great contemporary sounding African-American male?). And yes Chris knows how to perfectly imitate the worst of modern rock radio. If people like this crap as much as record companies believe they do he’ll go far. It’s just white noise to me.
Watching the other guys is really about waiting to see just how lame they’ll be. The lamest of the lame last night was David Radford, the "crooner," who seemed like he desperately wanted to be anywhere else but on stage. And "Sway" was also uncomfortable and awkward, though it was obvious he at least wanted to do better. Hopefully they’re both finished as of tonight, but it’s not like Ace, Will, Kevin or Bucky actually deserve to stay. Unfortunately that's who we're stuck with, for now...
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Idolwild
So yeah American Idol is back on the air but I've ignored it here so far because the show didn't really start until this week (you know, when they opened up those phone lines...).
Simon Cowell has already gone on record that this year's top 24 is a little lacking in "amazing singers." Apparently the judges/producers were hoping to emphasize quirky "characters" over "talented singers" this year. Fair enough, since Idol is above all an entertainment show and it's never really produced more than two or three really interesting performers per season anyway. But what's really notable about this year's top 24 is how many of them truly suck.
The top 12 girls were first up in front of America, on Tuesday, and one by one they took the stage... and choked. Only Paris Bennett, Lisa Tucker and Katharine McPhee delivered cringe-free performances (although Melissa McGhee and Kinnik Sky weren’t that bad). Paris, in fact, was quite spectacular. Based on audition footage I had preferred Lisa but Paris’ vocals on "Midnight Train to Georgia" really shocked me (she wasn’t squeaky at all) and she’s a natural born performer (cue second-coming-of-Fantasia references). It’s performers like her who make the show worth watching.
Two girls go home tonight and I’d bet on "classically-trained" but painfully shy Stevie Scott and the truly awful Heather Cox as the two to go. Although the aforementioned Kinnik is probably in trouble as well (even though she was better than most) and Becky O’Donohue needs to hope her status as hottest-girl-on-the-show (boosted by recently resurfaced Maxim photos) buys her another week, because her terrible vocals won’t.
While the girls were pretty lackluster the guys were downright special (as in the Special Olympics). Elliott Yamin appears to be the one true standout, although oddball contestant Taylor Hicks has a decent voice (and unforgettable performance style), Chris Daughtry did the mainstream rock thing credibly and the ludicrously named Ace Young played to his strengths (with a George Michael song), but he should really cut out that creepy vacant male model posturing. The show already has Ryan Seacrest.
It seems ridiculously obvious that first-to-perform-and-instantly-forgettable Patrick Hall will leave the group tonight but who will join him? Bobby Bennett and Kevin Covais could be saved by the "Vote for the Worst" crowd (and, in Kevin’s case, viewers over the age of 90 with bad hearing, to paraphrase Simon). Gedeon McKinney is also hopelessly bland and could join Patrick on the way out. Basically anyone besides Elliot, Taylor or Chris could go and it would be fine, which only becomes truly terrifying when you realize six of these guys will make the top 12.
Simon Cowell has already gone on record that this year's top 24 is a little lacking in "amazing singers." Apparently the judges/producers were hoping to emphasize quirky "characters" over "talented singers" this year. Fair enough, since Idol is above all an entertainment show and it's never really produced more than two or three really interesting performers per season anyway. But what's really notable about this year's top 24 is how many of them truly suck.
The top 12 girls were first up in front of America, on Tuesday, and one by one they took the stage... and choked. Only Paris Bennett, Lisa Tucker and Katharine McPhee delivered cringe-free performances (although Melissa McGhee and Kinnik Sky weren’t that bad). Paris, in fact, was quite spectacular. Based on audition footage I had preferred Lisa but Paris’ vocals on "Midnight Train to Georgia" really shocked me (she wasn’t squeaky at all) and she’s a natural born performer (cue second-coming-of-Fantasia references). It’s performers like her who make the show worth watching.
Two girls go home tonight and I’d bet on "classically-trained" but painfully shy Stevie Scott and the truly awful Heather Cox as the two to go. Although the aforementioned Kinnik is probably in trouble as well (even though she was better than most) and Becky O’Donohue needs to hope her status as hottest-girl-on-the-show (boosted by recently resurfaced Maxim photos) buys her another week, because her terrible vocals won’t.
While the girls were pretty lackluster the guys were downright special (as in the Special Olympics). Elliott Yamin appears to be the one true standout, although oddball contestant Taylor Hicks has a decent voice (and unforgettable performance style), Chris Daughtry did the mainstream rock thing credibly and the ludicrously named Ace Young played to his strengths (with a George Michael song
It seems ridiculously obvious that first-to-perform-and-instantly-forgettable Patrick Hall will leave the group tonight but who will join him? Bobby Bennett and Kevin Covais could be saved by the "Vote for the Worst" crowd (and, in Kevin’s case, viewers over the age of 90 with bad hearing, to paraphrase Simon). Gedeon McKinney is also hopelessly bland and could join Patrick on the way out. Basically anyone besides Elliot, Taylor or Chris could go and it would be fine, which only becomes truly terrifying when you realize six of these guys will make the top 12.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Thursday, May 19, 2005
And then there were...
After thirteen weeks in front of the voting public Bo and Carrie are officially the last two Idols standing.
I'm glad to say they've been my two favorites from the very beginning (although the rest of that list pretty much fell apart as Aloha disappeared the week after my post and Anwar and the ultimately horrific Scott got worse with each performance; only Nadia, who left way too early, delivered on her early potential the way Carrie and Bo did).
It should be a fun finale (even though I'll be busy watching a competing network when the winner is revealed) and I'm looking forward to next week's final performance episode.
But, for the first time in four seasons, I won't be voting.
I think Bo has it in the bag, especially after this week's a capella performance, and I'll be happy to see him win. But, yes, no matter who actually wins I'll probably buy both of their albums (another first) and I hope they're both able to find songs worthy of the talent they've displayed over the past several months.
And to everyone I just made sick with that last sentence, aren't you glad the damn thing's almost over?
I'm glad to say they've been my two favorites from the very beginning (although the rest of that list pretty much fell apart as Aloha disappeared the week after my post and Anwar and the ultimately horrific Scott got worse with each performance; only Nadia, who left way too early, delivered on her early potential the way Carrie and Bo did).
It should be a fun finale (even though I'll be busy watching a competing network when the winner is revealed) and I'm looking forward to next week's final performance episode.
But, for the first time in four seasons, I won't be voting.
I think Bo has it in the bag, especially after this week's a capella performance, and I'll be happy to see him win. But, yes, no matter who actually wins I'll probably buy both of their albums (another first) and I hope they're both able to find songs worthy of the talent they've displayed over the past several months.
And to everyone I just made sick with that last sentence, aren't you glad the damn thing's almost over?
Friday, May 13, 2005
The week in Idol was pretty uneventful.
The biggest drama was with the judges: Paula seems to be unraveling at a rapid pace.
As for the contestants:
Bo was boring and then very, very good.
Vonzell was off and uninspired, but she cried. I don't think she really needed sympathy votes but probably got some anyway.
Carrie and Anthony were both fine, but the Ukrainian puppy dog clearly had the weakest fan base of the remaining four and was unsurprisingly eliminated.
Less than two weeks to the big finish we all deserve. Hopefully. (Vonzell's fan base can't be that big, right?).
The biggest drama was with the judges: Paula seems to be unraveling at a rapid pace.
As for the contestants:
Bo was boring and then very, very good.
Vonzell was off and uninspired, but she cried. I don't think she really needed sympathy votes but probably got some anyway.
Carrie and Anthony were both fine, but the Ukrainian puppy dog clearly had the weakest fan base of the remaining four and was unsurprisingly eliminated.
Less than two weeks to the big finish we all deserve. Hopefully. (Vonzell's fan base can't be that big, right?).
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
A little bit country, a little bit rock n roll
This week's episode of The Carrie and Bo Show was one of the best yet.
Can't we just have the finals now?
Can't we just have the finals now?
Thursday, April 28, 2005
What's going on?
So my least favorite contestant from the very beginning gets voted off of Idol and... I feel sorry for him?
How did that happen?
I guess this is how it happened.
For Scott to still be in the running while week by week the show has lost Jessica, Nikko, Nadia, Anwar and now even Constantine... It's baffling.
Sure, Jasmine Trias and Nikki McKibbin both sucked and they made it to the top three in their seasons but at least they had distinctive musical styles. Scott doesn't even have that, unless "ass" has become a distinctive musical style and no one told me.
But will Scott make it to the top three?
Part of what made me angry beyond belief last night was that he didn't even make the bottom three. Although he was this week's worst performer he still got more votes than Anthony and Vonzell. Neither of them were very strong this week but my god at least we know they can carry a tune. For all we know Scott may have got more votes than Carrie or Bo, or both.
Beware the giant, scary baby. He's coming for us all!
How did that happen?
I guess this is how it happened.
For Scott to still be in the running while week by week the show has lost Jessica, Nikko, Nadia, Anwar and now even Constantine... It's baffling.
Sure, Jasmine Trias and Nikki McKibbin both sucked and they made it to the top three in their seasons but at least they had distinctive musical styles. Scott doesn't even have that, unless "ass" has become a distinctive musical style and no one told me.
But will Scott make it to the top three?
Part of what made me angry beyond belief last night was that he didn't even make the bottom three. Although he was this week's worst performer he still got more votes than Anthony and Vonzell. Neither of them were very strong this week but my god at least we know they can carry a tune. For all we know Scott may have got more votes than Carrie or Bo, or both.
Beware the giant, scary baby. He's coming for us all!
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Please America, Do the Right Thing
Tonight's Idol gave a lot more ammo to the "no one's exciting this season" whiners.
No one was exciting tonight, but I'd say it had a lot more to do with the most boring group of songs ever picked by Idol contestants than with actual talent or ability.
This probably should've been Carrie's week but she's sounded far better. Which is a little unfortunate because she looked more comfortable than ever before (maybe just because she was singing her kind of country).
Mixed results also for Bo, who proved two things by performing Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be" (aka the One Tree Hill theme song): he can definitely hang with the "NOW" music crowd and contemporary pop rock songs sure are b-o-r-i-n-g.
Everybody else was bad, bad, worse and even worse. Vonzell retreated to her earlier shaky vocal days, even if only Simon noticed, and Anthony needs to give up trying to power sing and stick to the dance tunes.
But whoa, was Smeagol knocked down a peg or what? Going back to his faux rocker beginnings only underlined how awful he is. (Seriously how hard is it to improve on a Nickelback song?? It's freakin' Nickelback!!) If only the producers had the guts to put him on immediately following Bo, or immediately before, so the gap between the two would've been even more obvious. At least all the judges noticed his complete crappiness (even Paula!). This will be the biggest test of his fan base yet.
He could escape the bottom three though thanks to Vonzell, Anthony and... boy, oh, boy...
I think Defamer put it best last week by asking:
When is America going to vote off the off-key singing fat guy who looks like a giant, scary baby?
But it's anyone's guess what will happen when the two best contestants perform first and second and everyone gets a teary clip package with family members all but pleading with America to keep their baby in the running.
Even the giant, scary one.
No one was exciting tonight, but I'd say it had a lot more to do with the most boring group of songs ever picked by Idol contestants than with actual talent or ability.
This probably should've been Carrie's week but she's sounded far better. Which is a little unfortunate because she looked more comfortable than ever before (maybe just because she was singing her kind of country).
Mixed results also for Bo, who proved two things by performing Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be" (aka the One Tree Hill theme song): he can definitely hang with the "NOW" music crowd and contemporary pop rock songs sure are b-o-r-i-n-g.
Everybody else was bad, bad, worse and even worse. Vonzell retreated to her earlier shaky vocal days, even if only Simon noticed, and Anthony needs to give up trying to power sing and stick to the dance tunes.
But whoa, was Smeagol knocked down a peg or what? Going back to his faux rocker beginnings only underlined how awful he is. (Seriously how hard is it to improve on a Nickelback song?? It's freakin' Nickelback!!) If only the producers had the guts to put him on immediately following Bo, or immediately before, so the gap between the two would've been even more obvious. At least all the judges noticed his complete crappiness (even Paula!). This will be the biggest test of his fan base yet.
He could escape the bottom three though thanks to Vonzell, Anthony and... boy, oh, boy...
I think Defamer put it best last week by asking:
When is America going to vote off the off-key singing fat guy who looks like a giant, scary baby?
But it's anyone's guess what will happen when the two best contestants perform first and second and everyone gets a teary clip package with family members all but pleading with America to keep their baby in the running.
Even the giant, scary one.
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