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Subject: American Idol 2008 Thread

Posted by: Toral - [575542418] Tue, Jan 15, 2008, 20:04

I've never watched the first episode where Simon disses people before, but I am watching now. I'll check on the Michigan primary later....

I thot I might as well start the first thread.

Toral
ID: 575542418
Tue, Jan 15, 2008, 22:11

Interesting.

In this first stage, the judge who rolls the eyes most, who disses bad contestants most, who makes the most bitchy remarks about bad contestants, is not Simon, but is the judge who also is the most notoriously unwilling to criticize contestants in the later stages of the show -- Paula Abdul

Toral

TB
ID: 111048300
Tue, Jan 15, 2008, 22:20

This year wasn't as bad as last year. I still think they allow too many fruit loops to get some air time. Obviously they are encouraging this behavior by airing it each season. Too bad we don't get a chance to see more of the better singers. I'm guessing thousands of them are never given a chance and for each whacko they allow face-to-face time with Simon and crew, that's one less "real" singer who doesn't get their shot.

weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 01:49

I thought there were far fewer train wrecks the first night.
Last year it was 75-80% bad singers and people just willing to make fools of themselves.
This year it seemd like it was about 50-50.
Seemed like there was some decent talent the first night.

I dont know that having the bad singers is keeping anoyone from having a chance.
My understanding is a group of 4 goes in fromt of associate producers and the really good and the really bad get to come back and sing for the producers.
From there they pick who gets in to see the 3 judges.

TB
ID: 111048300
Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 02:10

I am in agreeance with you that it was about 50-50 this year, which meant a lot of decent voices. Even this years train wrecks weren't as bad as last year. The most annoying so far was glitter face and that's because it just wouldn't end. All that anger was fake airplay anyway. The dude who had his chest waxed was out there. He must not have any real friends because I can't imagine anyone ever letting him forget how retarded he looked. I felt bad for the guy that Paula and Randy turned their faces away from and laughed. I admit that I was laughing a bit at first too, but then it hits embarrassment for me and I feel bad for laughing.

The guy who sang the stalker song was cracking me up because he was funny. He didn't have a horrible voice either.

From what I heard, the mini-groups that go in front of the associate producers get a very short amount of time to make an immediate impression and it's been said by several people that some really good singers never make it past them. I guess they must not be the next great voice, but we've had some questionable winners already so you never know what they might do if they get a chance to go to Hollywood.

Speaking of which, I just saw Dreamgirls recently and Jennifer Hudson is a damn good singer. I was late to the idol party so never saw her sing before, but I can understand why some people thought she should have won. Eddie Murphy is a pretty good singer himself.

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Thu, Jan 17, 2008, 15:00

I had read where Idol 2008 was going to focus more on the contestants and have less with celebrity judges or weekly mentors where everyone works with the same performer and do a song from their library. They feel the focus has been taken away from the finalists over the last few years. Perhaps that is why we saw much more good auditions. That is good IMO, because I do not much care for the audition shows because of all the bad acts.

That being said, I can't get the song out of my head from the dude last night from Dallas with the white feathered costume.

♫ "I am your brother, your best friend forever" ♫

weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Sat, Jan 19, 2008, 15:40

The guy that works next to me is about to kill me cuz i keep sining it and he cant get it out of his head.
Along with:
"Let my people Gooooooo".

You also have the guy from Egypt who wants to love a girl from the "Hair to the nipple".

Will be keeping my eye on:
Kristy Lee Cook, Kady Maloy and the Underwood look-a-like.

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Jan 23, 2008, 15:20

Perrie Cataldo -- a smooth-talking "AI" contestant who crooned his way to Hollywood last night -- once had a secret weapon up his sleeve ... literally!

TMZ has obtained an arrest record revealing that Cataldo carried a handgun into a bar in Glendale, Ariz. back in 2006, after being kicked out for fighting. According to the arresting officer, Cataldo was "concealing" the gun under his clothing, and was confronted by security and arrested.

Cataldo plead no contest to carrying a concealed weapon (a misdemeanor) and was fined $568.

Cataldo went to serious lengths on last night's show to explain to the judges that he'd turned his life around since then. He revealed his baby mama was killed for being "at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people, doing the wrong thing."
FOX had no comment.

I hope that they give this guy a chance.
One of the great things about America should be that people who truly change should be given another chance.
(The other great thing about America is "we really are happy when someone we know does well".)
Give this guy the credit, he has stepped up to take care of his kid after the death of his son's mother.

Last nights funniest moment:
"Dang, Now I'm going to be on the rejects".

Nuclear Gophers
ID: 31012316
Wed, Jan 23, 2008, 17:05

That Perrie guy is a nice story but he isnt going to go far. Did not think he was that good. If he makes the final 24 its because of the life hes gone through.

Khahan
ID: 486552412
Wed, Jan 23, 2008, 20:34

Amy Flinn the 16 year old from Charleston - Simon was dead on with his assessment of her:

1. She was good enough to get to round 2
2. She was not as good as she probably thinks she is
3. She is annoying

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 10:07

Well, I think that's a bit much...:)

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 09:22

I though AI did a great job with thier first Hollywood show.
They changed the format this year:
None of those pathetic group songs.
Instruments allowed for the acappella round.
Singers given 2nd and 3rd chance before being sent home.

We also go to see more of the show from a competition standpoint and a lot less background stories.
At least you could see why some people made it and other were sent home.
I think that 16yo David Archelletta kid should go very far in the competition.
I didnt care much for his 1st audition but he impressed me last night.

It is my understanding that this year they will have 12 guys and 12 girls but the final 12 wont have to be 6 and 6.
It looks like next week we start to vote.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 14:59

Agreed weykool. Except I've liked every audition by that 16yo.

I think there should even be another round. The judges take teh sre things and put them into the top 24 and have one final round to try and get into the top 24. Perhaps they've heard them enough but there are some borderline people. One more round would have helped avoid another Sanjaya/Antonella-type mistake I think.

Tree
ID: 3533298
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 15:18

last night was a great show.

my favorite has got to be Josiah. he came across a bit too whiny last night, but i still dig him.

and i hate the future mr. president kid.

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 15:50

Ref:
I dont know that you can ever avoid having a Sanjaya/Antonella slip thru the cracks.
I remember Antonella's audition and she did fairly decent.
She had a couple of good songs when the show went live but it was the really bad one's that defined her.

This year we have Cristy Lee Cook.
It seems she can only sing Amazing Grace.
I saw another performance of hers on You-Tube and it was decent so it will be interesting to see if she can squeak in or not.

The last contestant who dismissed the band and then was sent thru made Sanjaya sound like Sinatra.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 16:03

Yeah that is Josiah. He's got a pretty decent voice, but was horrible there. I'm guessing he doesn't make the top 24. He was very good on the keyboards in Round 1. This is probably the ebst year ever. I've been pleasantly surprised.

Texas Flood
ID: 37082014
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 21:35

The future president kid looks like he should have been part of
DEVO. He may be this years Sanjaya, I actually think he sings a
little better. Nice to see some representation of blues and rock in
the competition. There is going to be some real talent in the final
24.

Tree
ID: 24111321
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 22:31

the future president kid didn't make it into the final 24.

TB
ID: 330252313
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 23:19

This year's group looks very promising. I was hoping Josiah made the top 24. I didn't think he could win it, but I was pulling for him.

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 23:27

...and neither did that whinebag Josiah! Thank God for small miracles. ;)

Tree
ID: 24111321
Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 23:58

i'm pretty shocked Josiah didn't make it.

TB
ID: 330252313
Thu, Feb 14, 2008, 00:03

I was pretty sure both the other young boys were going to make it, so having three young men was pushing it. Still, it was tough not to root for him. I hope he can reconcile with his family.

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, Feb 14, 2008, 00:24

Although I pretty much like the suspense part of getting the group down from 50 to 24, there were still way too many singers that made it that we're given little to no air time and therefore we hardly know them at all.

Certainly, Idol's producers know the top 24 before the season actually airs so why not give all of them equal amounts (if that's possible) of air time between them? I liked Josiah, thought he'd make it to the 24 and except for the last little 10 second spot, I had no idea who the other guy was that beat him. Still really don't know if the other guy was better than Josiah or not because we ended up wasting probably a total of 15-20 minutes on Josiah's life and background and absolutely zero on the other guy. How fair is that?

I think, however, this has been a pretty big issue for all previous Idol shows as well. I know you want to make them all interesting and pulling at heartstrings and all that nonsense but in the end it is a popularity contest contrived from the very beginning based upon the images projected from Idol itself. If there are no images projected of previous singers, did that person really sing? ;)

TB
ID: 330252313
Thu, Feb 14, 2008, 01:34

Only if a tree fell somewhere in a forest.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Feb 14, 2008, 15:49

I liked Josiah, but that last audition ruined any chance he had at the best 12 men. That geeky president-wanna-be was better and he didn't make it. I think the guys are stronger than the women at this point.

I also agree with the points 007 makes in 22 about equal time. Just any time on a couple of them would have been nice.

Tree
ID: 3533298
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 17:21

i firmly believe that Josiah was eliminated because he was a non-professional and a threat to win, ala Taylor Hicks et al, and the show wanted to avoid that sort of thing happening again.

that's why you have Carly Smithson Hennessey on the show, she of the failed record deal despite having millions spent on her and a record produced by the legendary Gregg Alexander...

that's why you have a guy who used to have a deal with Madonna's Maverick records. or a girl who was signed to Arista. One of Britney's first boyfriends...yes, THAT Britney.

oh, and then there's the guy who made it into the top 50, but dropped out when he realized they might find out that he was signed to Clive Davis' J Records BECAUSE HE WAS NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY!

yep folks, this year, the fix is in. it's a damned shame too. AI used to be fun...

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 17:46

Wow Tree. Thanks for that link. As Randy Jackson (and others) has stated many times, this show is supposed to be about discovering talent. Seems to me if they are already discovered than they shouldn't be on the show. But with that in mind, as long as the top 12 guys in qualify, I still didn't think Josiah would be the first alternate. Quite frankly, I feel the judges did him a solid by allowing him to continue to be in consideration after his final blown audition.

I really like my idea of having a "sing-off" for anyone not definitely in the top 12 for each sex. So it goes like this. The judges deem 9 men and 7 women have made the top 24. They tell those people. Then then go another round and say yes or no. Nos go home. Then they keep going until they can make a decision. Until they are down to 3 mean and 5 women. I mean it pains me that Simon was so upset with the geeky kid that he had to tell him he was outvoted. It's ok to be outvoted--but if someone is so sure, at least let them sing off to decide. It might only take a couple more hours. Again, this year's set-up was so much better.

weykool
ID: 2842717
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 17:54

I dont know about the "fix being in".

The problem is where is the line crossed from someone "undiscovered" and a "professional"?

If someone was signed to a record contract and they only sold 300 copies......doesnt that make them undiscovered?

Do we really want to hear from people who's only experience is singing in the shower or to some turkeys on a farm?

The link you provided is from VFTW.com
I have to take with a grain of salt anything that site says about Idol.
We would have never had to endure so many weeks of Sanjaya with out them.

Tree
ID: 131531518
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 22:12

The link you provided is from VFTW.com

because they were the first one to collect all the information that is being reported on other sites - it can definitely be found elsewhere, i just didn't want to do about 20 links.

btw, here's http://www.mcarecords.com/artistMain.asp?artistid=186 homepage from MCA Records....

and here's her video:

one of the reasons it failed? the teeny bopper audience it was aiming for wasn't terribly fond of a teenager singing about oral sex.

anyway, to me, this is about finding undiscovered talent. if you've had a record deal, you were discovered. and for whatever reason, it didn't work out.

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 23:06

Tree:

I think the problem is how are you going to define "undiscovered talent"
Your favorite Idol Daughtry was in a band and had cut a recored or two.
Taylor Hicks was in a group.
Melinda Doolittle had sung backup and while she was not the name on the record her voice was on millions of records.
Blake had been doing his beat boxing in bands for years.
I'm sure the majority of all Idol contestants have been in a talent contest.
What if they sang a couple of solo's at school or church would we disqualify them?

What rules exactly would you put in place to keep the so-called "professionals" out and still keep the "undiscovered talent"?????

Tree
ID: 131531518
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 23:46

What rules exactly would you put in place to keep the so-called "professionals" out and still keep the "undiscovered talent"?????

there is a huge difference between putting out a record, or being in a band, and having a deal with a Major record label.

anyone can put out a record. anyone can be in a band. but not anyone can get signed to a Major.

That's the line for me.

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 23:56

That's the line for me.

But that is YOUR line.

All of us would draw the line in a different place.
If the line were drawn as never having been paid to perform (the same criteria we use for amature athletes) then your boy Daughtry would not have a record deal right now.
I'm sure you could get just as many opinions as to what "Major Record Label" means as well.

What would yo do with some who signed with a record company but never recorded an album?

What if it was a "minor record company" but sold millions of copies?

The problem is you cant make simplistic rules for a very complex set of circumstances.

Tree
ID: 131531518
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 00:08

it's not a competition for amateurs. it's a competition for undiscovered talent.

if you had a deal with a Major, you are no longer undiscovered. you were discovered, and you didn't make it, for whatever reason.

and no offense, but there are no "opinions" as to what "Major Record Label" means.

There are four Majors left: Sony BMG, EMI, Universal, and Warner; and included within those Majors are all the different smaller and regional labels they own.

Those four companies make up 85 percent of all record sales in the U.S. FOUR Companies.

is it possible for a small label to have a hit? absolutely. it is a very rare occurace, but it does happen - usually in country and hip-hop as opposed to pop and rock. but even then, there is often some sort of relationship to one of the Majors that helps break the record.

no offense, but i work in the music/video business. i've been in it for quite some time, and this is an area i do have a bit of knowledge about.

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 00:11

Color me naive! I knew there were a few discrepencies in past years regarding previous contestants who had record deals or a professional contract, etc. (i.e. Taylor Hicks et al) but not to this extent.

However, I am of the understanding that all current year contestants must not have any type of contract or record deal in place at the time they are involved with Idol. That is to say, all those listed above by VFTW are not breaking any of Idol's rules. (But of course we all know that the Barry Bonds' and Mark McGwire's of the baseball world are considered "clean" by Major League Baseball's hierarchy because any transgressions of steriods, HGH, etc. was not against the rules at the time they took them, right? LOL)

Nevertheless, these revelations certainly taint was what once considered a pure, clean show of "unfounded talent". Now we know the truth: Joe C. Clown next door will never and can never be on a level playing field! The aura and myth that surrounded a "truly unheard of" to rise from the heap of inconsequential humanity to instant fame and fortune has been forever stained if not destroyed.

But I'll keep on watching anyway and so will you. ;)

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 00:45

no offense, but i work in the music/video business. i've been in it for quite some time, and this is an area i do have a bit of knowledge about.

You have reminded us several times of your music industry background.......No offense.....but your opinion is no more valid than anyone else who watched the show on a regular basis.
You see black and white....I see all kinds of shades of gray.

I think we would all like to see someone like Carrie Underwood come from out of nowhwere to stake her claim as the best idol ever.
The problem is being able to set reasonable rules that everyone can live by and still get someone with the talent to become successful.

chode
ID: 293141514
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 15:11

Wait, Tree's not into this season of Idol? Who will be there to make self-serving "I've said from the beginning" posts - not on the substance of the show itself but how his "predictions" (only the arguably correct ones, mind you) came to light? Who will churn out for us lengthy paragraphs of pretentious opinions and record sales statistics under the guise of "industry knowledge"?? I'm legitimately bummed. [Now he'll probably stick around in this thread just to spite me - sorry].

I completely agree on the lack of airtime for a fourth of the remaining 24 ... if I were them, I'd be a combination of just happy to be there/I'll just have to work a little harder to show off my stuff/feeling somewhat slighted that the TV audience knows absolutely nothing about me.

Based on what we've seen so far, and taking aside all the news bits and other fact-finding going on, I do like Michael Johns (reminds me of Gavin Rossdale) and Syesha Mercado (although I thought her voice-losing theatrics in Hollywood week were a little overdone). No love for Danny Noriega or Chikezie Eze, solely based on their personalities from the audition shows. Brooke White seems nice and I liked Simon's "Carly Simon" analogy. Asia'h could really go far. The "hot white girl" contingent is well represented by Alaina Whitaker, Kady Malloy, Kristy Lee Cook and Amy Davis ... and that will hurt those of them who can't distinguish themselves from the pack. And all of this is taken with the "I know I've only seen what the AI producers have decided to show me" grain of salt.

Looking forward to tonight!

Tree
ID: 541201918
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 19:28

Chode - do you actually have the ability to make a post without disrespecting someone, or are you so insecure of yourself that you can't help it?

and clearly i'm watching AI this year, i'm just disappointed that people who have had Major Label record deals are being allowed to compete. Even more so, Carly Hennessy Smithson was actually signed when Randy Jackson was the Senior VP of A&R at MCA, a connection that is way too large to ignore.

chode
ID: 293141514
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 19:57

Treesham I'm actually proud of you for not calling me names this time. (I'll let the "disrespecting" bit slide.) Cheers!

If you could just steer clear of the "I've been saying all along" and "Did I mention I'm in the music industry??" posts this season, that would be awesome. Thanks.

Toral
ID: 575542418
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 20:11

Oh fabulous. A 60s theme show. My favourite!

Toral
ID: 575542418
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 21:12

What I would really like to see on this show -- is for Paula to take a hammer out and smash Simon's arm, which is always over the back of her chair, moving forward and getting close into massassing her back, so much that Paula isn't sitting back in her chair.
Hammer or a saw.
Paula should know she needs to do this.

Performances uniformly terrible so far. Simon makes kareoke jokes, but after 7 guys, there has not been one with even a good voice. Love the songs, cannot respect the voices.

Now let's see what's going on in the Wisconsin primary.

Toral

Toral
ID: 575542418
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 21:56

It wasn't that I spoke too early. They salt/seed the lineup by putting the best voices at the end.

CLEARLY BEST:

Jason Castro ("Daydreaming Boy" +guitar)

ALSO GOOD:

Colton Berry ("Suspicious Minds" -- Presley)
Michael Johns ("Light My Fire" -- spectacular ending)
Danny Noriega ("Jailhouse Rock" -- Presley)

WORST:

Chikezie
Luke Menard

Lots more fun watching the girls. Much more fun to look at.

Toral

TB
ID: 330252313
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 22:31

Thanks Toral, now I don't even have to write anything up because I agree 100%. I guess I will add that I enjoyed David A. and I thought Jason Yeager was one of the worst.

Castro, Noriega, and Johns appear to my my early favorites but I also like Archuleta and Carrico. I think Berry has a pretty good voice too.

Toral
ID: 575542418
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 22:54

I thought David Archuleta had a great song choice and opportunity with "Shop Around" and didn't make enuf with it.

Jason Yeager made an extremely gutsy song choice with "Moon River". Unfortunately, he couldn't sing it.

I missed one name, and that must be Carrico --"One [Is the Loneliest Number]". I thot he and Noriega were the best of the first 8.

Toral

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 23:06

Round one goes to Michael Johns. Certainly, he has the best range, depth and stage presence than of the other eleven. However, I did enjoy Robbie Carrico and David Archuleta's performances as well and can see all three lasting quite far in this competition.

Castro's performance was quite good and to believe that he's only sung in public "five times" is a little hard to fathom. But he was definitely good.

Chekezie, Chekuzie, Jacuzzi...whatever his name is-----he didn't do it for me tonight. If he gets bounced, I'm okay with that. Menard and Haley are out of their league as well. I'd be okay with eliminating any two of these three right off the bat.

For the middle of the pack, there's just something about Colton Berry and David Cook that makes me not like them at all. They're okay singers but maybe it's perceived arrogance or whatnot. Still, they're good enough to keep another couple of weeks I suppose. I'm not a big fan of Ellen DeGeneres but I guess we can keep her kid around for a while. ;)

Who else? Oh yeah, Danny Noriega. You know, I actually liked his voice but I absolutely hated his performance on stage. I shut my eyes midway through and thought of how he'd sound on the radio. Surprising, it was okay with me. But to see him perform?...Uh, no!

Finally, we get to Jason Yeager. Don't remember him that much. LOL He was the one with the kid at the show, right? Pretty non-decript performance if I can remember any of it. Sorry, that's the best I could do.

I would like to say, in a final thought of contemplation, how much I detest Simon's playing around with Paula before, during and after each singer's performance. I think for the most part, he is pretty much correct in his assessments but his immature handling of (i.e. hands on her legs/thighs/back, etc.)and interruption of Paula and her "thoughts" are irritating to say the least. Paula has enough trouble saying anything worthwhile. Besides, I would prefer that they put the Dawg in the middle and let Paula speak her indecipherable gibberish at the beginning of each critique.

That way, Simon can't bother her; won't bother the Dawg and the show can have some sort of professionalism that is sorely lacking.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 01:12

I have four that I really liked:

The Jason on the guitar was my favorite. His voice was just great. He might have not been as great as David A was, but I liked his voice better. I thought 3rd best was the Aussie, Johns. I think the rocker Carrico was 4th best.

There were a few others that I liked and a several suspect. The worst was teh Garrett dude. I fast-forwarded though his song. It was so boring I couldn't handle it. Also didn't like Noriega's performance at all. Didn't hate his voice as much as the whole act. Also the orange suite guy chikeezie was also boring and the intonation in the lower register as he started out was telling. There were a couple that didn't get great reviews, but wouldn't mind seeing them move on so I can see them sing again. The dude that sankg Moon River and the Menard guy are two of them.

I guess the worst two for me were Chikeezie and Garrett.

Texas Flood
ID: 441201812
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 08:36

Best moment of the night for me was when Simon kind of called
out the faux rocker Robbie Carrico. He directly questioned
Carrico about being a rocker or if the skull cap, hair and beard
were just a look.

Gotta love Simon's brutal honesty. Carrico is hardly a rocker.

I kind of liked the Jim Morrison Aussie guy but thought his
rendition of the Queen song from the week before was much
better than last nights "Light My Fire".

It all seems meaningless as David Archuleta with his
Mousekateer good looks is a shoe in to possibly win it all.

Tree
ID: 3533298
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 08:59

Gotta love Simon's brutal honesty. Carrico is hardly a rocker.

you don't say.

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 09:57

I have mixed feelings about last night.

Overall I thought the performances were pretty good.
Most of the time my perception is dead on with what Simon says, but last night we seemed to be listening to different shows.

I thought Archeleta was only mediocre, but he is definately the favorite.

The rendition of Light my Fire was horrid.

The kid with the guitar was good but lacks the stage presence.

If you have the same last name as a Central American dictator.....why would you give your son the same first name?
You didnt didnt see the Casto kid being named Fidel......

Also what is up with the contestants trying to one up the judges?
You can diss the judges if you want but I think the record is about one week and then the boot.

Tree
ID: 191472017
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 21:49

OMG. Carly Hennessey just flat out lied.

her record label imploded and she just kind of got lost in the wind!?!?!

WTF? they spent more than 2 million dollars on her, and the record sold 375 copies. ugh....

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 21:57

I dont see the problem with Carly.

If she is really good and she wins then so be it.

If she sux she will be gone.

If you want to see your rules enacted then send a letter to AI.

Tree
ID: 191472017
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 22:28

i firmly believe that someone who has a contract with a major label should not be in this competition.

i mean, heck, she was signed when Randy Jackson was the head of A&R at the label. on a past season, we had a competitor booted out because he was signed to a label at the same time Simon Cowell was an executive there.

there is a serious double standard here.

Carly is a ringer, she was put in the competition to prevent another Taylor Hicks from happening, and it's ruining the show.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 23:56

FWIW, I liked that Riele chick the best. I actualy liked the top male voclas better.

TB
ID: 330252313
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 02:24

I liked a lot of the females tonight. The worst two for me were Amy Davis and Joanne Borgella. I'm pretty confident that I'm going to get tired of hearing Amanda Overmyer and Asia'h Epperson sing each week. I didn't care much for the performances from either Brooke White or Carly Smithson this week. I know Carly can sing, but the song did nothing for me.

Texas Flood
ID: 271152018
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 08:46

Simon nailed it again last night when he mentioned at the end of
the show that there were only 4-5 out of the top 24 that actually
had a shot at winning. This group of 24 has been way over
hyped. They aren't that hot.

Perhaps it was the whole 60's theme and the fact that these kids
really don't know the music from that period. I thought part of
it was the band and the back up singers. Maybe its the fact that
Randy Jackson didn't know that "Where the Boys Are" was sung
by Connie Francis, not Patsy Cline. Actually Randy, "Where the
Boys Are" was the theme from the movie titled "Where the Boys
Are".

I did like a couple of the girls, Amanda Overmyer, Carly
Smithson and Ramiele Maulbay were all quit good. Worst song
of the night "Tobacco Road" by Syesha. She was completely out
of sync with the band. To me she appeared to be doing a
completely different song. She can really sing but she just chose
the wrong song. She will never be a blues artist so why pick
a blues song?

Tonights cuts, anyone that claims to look like Ellen and
Chacheesie. From the girls side, just pick two of the blondes.

chode
ID: 293141514
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 10:42

I think the girls are overall much stronger than the guys this season, and can't figure out why the judges are saying otherwise ... for the life of me I can't really see anyone but Michael Johns and David Archuleta challenging to win it all on the guys' side. The girls are still to much of a crapshoot for me.

As for last night's performances, there was a lot of decent-to-good singing, nothing great. I'm finding myself at odds with a lot of the critiques however; saw nothing special about Ramiele or Carly, and actually liked Kady Malloy's voice (although the comments about her lack of personality were dead on, I think she's got a really good voice). Hated Amanda O. and find her schtick extra annoying - her voice sounds like a duck call to me.

Eliminated Guys: Garrett Haley and Jason Yeager
Eliminated Girls: Joanne Borgella and Amy Davis

Texas Flood
ID: 271152018
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 12:30

I also found it almost impossible to believe that Simon had never
heard "Baby Please Don't Go". My god its been covered by AC/DC,
Aerosmith, Chris Rea, Bob Dylan, Lightnin Hopkins and every blues
artist to ever pick up a guitar. A true classic by "Big Joe" Williams.

weykool
ID: 2842717
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 13:02

Chode:

I agree with most of your thoughts.
It seems you and I watched a different show than the judges.

I didnt care for Amanda either.
You introduce yourself to America singing scat?
I dont get that move.

Kady, Kristy, Aliana all did decent enough and should get another chance to show how good thier voices are.
The Aliana girl is almost a dead ringer for Carrie Underwood until she smiles and the gap in her teeth gives here away.

Eliminated Guys: Garrett Haley and Jason Yeager
Eliminated Girls: Joanne Borgella and Amy Davis
I have to concur.

TB
ID: 330252313
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 16:19

Not just scat, but bad scat. Looks like I watched the same show as you two.

I liked Kady Malloy's voice as well and hope she sticks around after tonight.

weykool
ID: 2842717
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 17:16

Not just scat, but bad scat.

Scat scat?

Texas Flood
ID: 271152018
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 21:35

Actually the rendition of "Baby Please Don't Go" was pretty close to
the Aerosmith version, scatt included.

I missed the show tonight. Who got voted off?

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 23:21

On the ladies' side, JoAnne and Amy got da boot while Garrett and ....in a surprise, Colton got knocked off for the men. I thought Jacuzzi was going to get the bounce but maybe next week.

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 23:28

By the way, I really liked Paula's video. Did Ryan say that tonight was the premeire of it? The song's been out for a while and I suppose Paula's still got some talent left. ;)

Meanwhile, is it possible for Simon to be any more unbearable? It is quite evident that he's only there for his own self-interest and has absolutely no concern for how his opinions are expressed nor accepted. His crude remarks to those leaving tonight was unwarranted IMHO. I've pretty much agreed with he's said in the past but he doesn't have any class does he?

Tree
ID: 57152225
Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 07:01

unless i'm mistaken, 3 of those 4 (Garrett, Colton, and Amy - not sure about Amy) got very little or no play during the audition process that whittled the performers down to 24.

if so, i think that lends credence to the theory there is somewhat of a fix in. remember, this is a popularity contest. you're voting FOR someone.

well if you really don't know much about someone, and you have a month's worth of info about his or her opponent, you're likely to vote for the opponent if they're a likable person...

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 08:29

Is the fix in or were those the worst singers.
Based on the performances Chode and I picked 3 out of 4 of those who went home.
So the numbers you cite dont really mean too much.
Can you honestly say that any of the 4 would have had a shot to win it based on their performance?
When Amy sang here farewell song Ryan should have said:
"Can you remind America why they voted you off"?
It was even worse than the first time.

If you dont like AI and you think it is all a set up ....then why do you watch?

TB
ID: 330252313
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 02:19

I picked three of the four as well. The other male I had going home was Luke instead of Berry. I actually thought Berry had a pretty good voice. Not good enough to win, but not bad enough to go home the first week.

Pro-tip for Idol wannabees: Do not sing Suspicious Minds. Bad things happen.

Tree
ID: 11146237
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 10:25

If you dont like AI and you think it is all a set up ....then why do you watch?

I don't like the way the U.S. government is currently run, but i still live here.

until this year, i don't believe AI was fixed, or at least geared toward a fix. but this season, it all changed, and it's quite apparent that AI is doing everything it can to prevent another Taylor Hicks from winning.

Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 11:40

I'm leaning towards Tree's assessment here. What struck me as questionable was Randy's hype of Carly's performance as the best of the top 24. I'm not saying that she isn't talented, but I thought she was far from the best. Granted, it's only my opinion, but no one else here seems to have pegged her as the best of the past week. According to the above links, Randy was a talent scout at the record company where Carly's career began and fizzled. That, to me, seems fishy.

Khahan
ID: 486552412
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 12:42

Post 63: Tree - that is really nothing new. The producers have always had subtle forms of control over the voting.

-Air time/exposure for their favorites in the form of access to personal information
-Air time/exposure for their favorites in the form of presenting them in commercials, ads etc
-Camera angles during a performance to hi light the good/bad of a singer as they see fit
-The 10 or 15 sec replays at the end of each show. They can take the best 10 secs or the worst to remind us of what people did
-Back up singers and arrangements of music can be manipulated to hide weak sections of a favorite performers or exploit weak sections of ones they don't want
-Randy, Paula, Simon getting comments and directly hyping who they think will/should/want to win
-The order of the performaners
-The order/way they announce voting results each week

There are probably tons more. But from my years of watching the show, those are the items I've keyed on as seeming to have been intentionally manipulated. But lets face facts. AI is a business that exists to make money. The producers are going to do everything they can do make sure they have the best chance to make the most money.

Anybody who is blind to that needs a wake up call.

chode
ID: 43411177
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 12:49

"Carly ... Randy ... fix ... another Taylor Hicks ... " Yah, we heard you. Six times in six days. You're on the record, duly noted. Move on.

Tree
ID: 11146237
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 13:07

Randy was a talent scout at the record company where Carly's career began and fizzled

not just a talent scout, but the SENIOR VP of A&R...

AI is a business that exists to make money. The producers are going to do everything they can do make sure they have the best chance to make the most money.

exactly. however, if the fix is in, there are serious ethical, and certainly legal questions here.

Yah, we heard you. Six times in six days. You're on the record, duly noted. Move on.

you give your opinion, i'll give mine. if you don't feel like reading what i have to say, the only one that is forcing you read what i write is yourself.

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 13:09

All that said it is still America that votes.
If you have ever watch Idol Rewind and compared the performances to Clarkson it is clear that Idol is doing much more to help the singers perform better.
Comparing Clarkson's performances to the last 3 season I doubt she would have made top 12 in any of those season.
But obviously with the right coaching she has done very well.
What is truly amazing is the number of contestants that have been able to have successful careers in the music industry.

If you dont like what the government is doing you can vote to change it or move to another country.
If you dont like the show.....nobody is forcing you to watch it...simply turn it off....you dont even need to leave the country to do that.
If you think the show is forcing someone on you then vote for another contestant.
Problem solved.

Didnt Taylor Hicks already have a musical career before Idol?
They put the percentages on the board when it was down to the final 3 and they were all within 1-2 percentage points.
I didnt care much for Daughty or Hicks and voted for McPhee.
Maybe Hicks was the Idol "plant" and it backfired on them.

Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 13:39

I agree that there have always been ways for the judges and producers to influence the direction of the show and the viewers' votes, but when a tangible connection can be made between a contestant and a judge prior to the beginning of the season, I think there is a problem. At the very least, it challenges the notion of fairness, imho.

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 14:30

If she isnt good enough....she wont win.
Period.

Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 14:54

If she isnt good enough....she wont win.
Period.

I agree with this in general, but that isn't really the point of the discussion for me. For me, it's about the integrity of the show. Win or lose, her case blurs the lines of fairness. I say blurs because I'm not 100% convinced. I'd like to see how the judges, and Randy in particular, handle her in their comments. I think its unfortunate that some viewers, myself included, have to consider all these allegations when weighing their opinions or simply trying to enjoy the show.

Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 37838313
Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 15:03

"The TV business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench through the heart of the journalism industry, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason."

Hunter S. Thompson

Khahan
ID: 361271318
Sun, Feb 24, 2008, 21:51

Uptown Bombers with regards to the whole of post 72 and the 'integrity of the show' comment in 74:

Do you really think this show EVER was fair and full of integrity? The producers have this show set up so that they have a saleable product afterwards. Plain and simple as that. They can change the rules whenever they want. Its in the fine print (it really is, you should read it). Sanjaya last year was a perfect example. He was horrible. And when a movement was started to further his cause look what they did to him: Wild Hairdos. Overly cheesy songs/acts. They made blatantly obvious efforts to screw him.

They may have their favorite and their favorite may not actually win. But they know who they don't want to win and that person definitely won't.

There is nothing 'fair' about it for all 24 contestants. Right now, its a competition between probably 5-6 singers and the rest are fodder to draw it out and give them ratings week after week.

Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Sun, Feb 24, 2008, 23:28

I acknowledged in my earlier post that the producers have ways of influencing the outcome. There has been, however, an established amount of influence that I have come to expect and accept. In my opinion, having a contestant who was previously signed by one of the judges ushers in a new level of influence that I am not quite ready to accept. I think that is a clear difference than the editing.

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 00:27

Why do you think it was the producers who influenced Sanjaya with the hairdoos and cheezey songs?
It seemed to me that was all his own doing.
I dont see anything as being more rigged than the voting influence of VFTW.com.
That is a fix job if there ever was one.

When Clive Davis remarked to Bo Bice that he looked forward to making records with him......do you think it was because Carrie was their "chosen one"?
America rejected the favorite of the producers and she has gone on to be the best Idol so far and probably ever.

We would be naive to believe that the producers cant have an influence.
But putting myself in their shoes it seems a safer bet to allow the competition to play out and see who has the voice, hidden star qualities, charisma, and most of all a fan following to become the next Idol.
If they cram Carly down our throats and she gets rejected for a second time......who is the biggest loser?

Tree
ID: 27133255
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 06:41

I dont see anything as being more rigged than the voting influence of VFTW.com.

how is that relevant? VFTW is CLEARLY and obviously an organized fan-campaign to get people to vote for the same person. they're not trying to hide anything, because they don't have to.

American Idol and its producers are the people giving out the cash and prizes. they have every reason to hide the fact the fix is in.

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 08:03

VFTW is using a loophole in the rules to achieve an outcome for their own agenda.
No different than IF the producers rigged the vote.
You claim it is a fact.....now who is the naive one.
I agree with Chode....your one line mantra is getting quite boring.....move on.
If you dont like the show dont watch.

Khahan
ID: 486552412
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 08:36

When Clive Davis remarked to Bo Bice that he looked forward to making records with him......do you think it was because Carrie was their "chosen one"?

No, but I even said that their chosen one may not win:
"They may have their favorite and their favorite may not actually win."

I don't think the final outcome is rigged. I don't think a winner is predetermined. I just think that the producers know who they want to go home and they make every effort to send those people packing.

I'm not so sure about Tree's allegations one way or the other. However, if they are true, again, I think its to help give them a bit of control so that they get the fodder out of the way.

Tree
ID: 3533298
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 08:44

VFTW is using a loophole in the rules to achieve an outcome for their own agenda.
No different than IF the producers rigged the vote.

seriously? you don't see a difference between THE ORGANIZERS OF THE CONTEST RIGGING THE VOTE and a group of fans organizing to vote their way.

this scenario is no different than, say, Major League Baseball allowing the fans to vote for the All-Stars, and the Texas Rangers Fan Club organizing a fan campaign to get Michael Young elected as shortstop.

there is a huge, huge difference between the contest organizers rigging the vote and a group of fans getting together to get the voting to go their way, and if you fail to see that, there is no point in belaboring this point anymore, because that is a VERY simple premise that is going way over your head.

I agree with Chode....your one line mantra is getting quite boring.....move on.
If you dont like the show dont watch.

no one is making you read my opinions. you're the one choosing to do so.

and i never said i didn't like the show. i like the show very much, and have been watching since the very first episode of season one. i just don't like how it appears to be rigged this season.

chode
ID: 43411177
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 09:00

"... there is no point in belaboring this point anymore ..." Yay!

Tree
ID: 3533298
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 10:38

because that is a VERY simple premise that is going way over your head.

chode
ID: 293141514
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 10:52

Oh, I understand it completely. I just think it's tired. Is that going over *your* head?

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 11:11

Oh, I understand it completely. I just think it's tired. Is that going over *your* head?
Ditto

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 11:49

IMO, I don't think someone who failed to get out of the starting gates should be excluded. Personally, I have no problem with pseudo professionals or people whose music careers have yet to hit big, in this competition, as long as they have no unfair edge over someone else, and follow the rules of qualifications and background checks. Why not give someone a break to hit it big and get them the exposure they need, while putting on a terrific family entertainment show in the process. The better the talent, the better the show.

However, I think if someone has any sort of professional relationship with any of the producers or 'judges' outside of the normal American Idol talent search, better to fully disclose it for no other reason than to make sure the public can decide if the competition is fair as presented.

weykool
ID: 2842717
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 12:09

I agree Jeff.
I was a little annoyed with Randy saying Carly was the best when clearly she wasnt.
If it was disclosed up front at to what her relationship to Randy was then America can decide.
My guess is with full disclosure that Randy would be less likely to do that again out of fear of backlash votes.
I would also include disclosure if one of the judges is having an affiar with one of the contestants.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 12:36

I think it's too early yet to be yelling the fix is in. I appreciate Tree's opinion and experience and he may ultimately have a point, but I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Sure, some get MORE benefit than others, but so far, I am not upset with any of the four who got outvoted. None of them did a good enough job.

Every year there has been someone who has been a fan-favorite who went out early. Some examples are Tamira Gray, Doolittle, Daughtry, Bice, etc. From AI's perspective, they really need to expose everyone. Ultimately they want to make money so whoever the fans like, that's who they want to market. Sure it helps if they can sing but why would they shove someone down our throats we won't buy? Perception is reality.

Obviously AI is making more money on Clarkson and Underwood than they are making on the other Idol winners. In fact, Daughtry is making more money than several other winners. Ratings are critical right now. Obviously the people with the best backgrounds or are more interesting are going to keep viewers to judge who can sing the best. If they find out that one of the people they haven't been covering gets support, I guarantee you AI will be all over them.

Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 12:43

Well, I agree with JeffG, but am surprised that you agree Weykool.

I've been trying to say the same thing (not as eloquently perhaps) and yet you response to me in post 73 was that the relationship between Carly and Randy didn't matter, or that any relationship mattered. Now in post 88, you want full disclosure.

I suppose I want more than full disclosure though, of professional or sexual relationships between contestants and judges/producers/Seacrest. I don't think those people should be allowed on the show.

weykool
ID: 2842717
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 14:44

Yes, I was annoyed by Randy's actions.
However, there is a big difference from being annoyed and claiming "the fix is in".
As Ref points out it is way too early to be claiming that.

As for wanting full disclosure, I think there is a difference of not letting her in the competition and wanting full disclosure.
My take on full disclosure doesnt change my post #73

Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 17:50

Fair enough.

On with the singing already. :)

TB
ID: 330252313
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 20:39

I agree, on with the singing. We should play a game with it this year.

The Game
After each episode you make the following picks:
1) Who was the best singer.
2) Who is going home for the week.
3) Who is safe.

Scoring:
1) If your best singer for the week stays you win 10 points and if they go home you lose 10 points.
2) For each correct safe vote you get 2 points and for each incorrect safe vote you lose 4 points.
3) If the person you pick to go home for the week goes home you get 10 points. If they are safe you lose 4 points.

Rules:
1) You don't have to vote for everyone, but you can only give each person only one label each week; Best, Safe, or Going Home.

Remaining Contestants:
Male -
Chikezie
Danny Norriega
David Archuleta
David Cook
David Hernandez
Jason Castro
Jason Yeager
Luke Menard
Michael Johns
Robbie Carrico

Female-
Alaina Whitaker
Alexandrea Lushington
Amanda Overmyer
Asia´h Epperson
Brooke White
Carly Smithson
Kady Malloy
Kristy Lee Cook
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado

Example:
After this weeks episode here is how I decide to vote:
Going Home - Luke Menard and Chikezie
Best - Danny Norriega
Safe - David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro, Jason Yeager, Michael Johns, and Robbie Carrico
No vote - I thought David Hernandez was a bit iffy so decide to not call him safe

The votes come in.
Luke Menard and Jason Yeager go home.
I get 10 points for picking Danny as my best.
I get 10 points for picking Luke to go home.
I lose 4 points for picking Chikezie to go home.
I get 10 points for correctly picking 5 safe contestants.
I lose 4 points for picking Jason Yeager to be safe.
Total for the episode: 22 points out of a possible 44.

Need any possible suggestions to rules or scoring changes before we go live this week. I will keep track of the scoring and post weekly results and standings if anyone else is up for playing along.

TB
ID: 330252313
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 21:01

I started a contest thread, which I can edit if we make any final minute scoring changes. I think it sounds like fun and want to wish you all the best of luck fighting for 2nd place.

TB
ID: 331502521
Mon, Feb 25, 2008, 23:00

Hey, I am going to bring the discussion portion over to this thread so we can keep the other one clear. It will help me keep track of scoring if we limit general discussion in that thread.

Just to clarify:
We name one and only one for the best.
We name the same number as going home as will be voted off for that week. (4 for the next two weeks and 1 after that)

Yes and yes.

We can name as many "safe" contestants as we want in order to maximize points. (perhaps the penalty for missing should be more....like -6?)

Yes on as many safe as we want. I thought the -4 was a pretty good penalty basically taking away two safe picks, but am okay with -6. Let's hear what others think before we make a final decision.

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Tue, Feb 26, 2008, 23:51

We picked a good week to start the competition. There could easily be a shocker going home this week.

So anyway, I liked both Chikezie and Hernandez this week. Archuleta did well and will probably get my vote for "best" in the competition. Something about Norriega makes me smile when he performs and root for the guy to do well. Good personality and he is a good singer. I also like Castro and thought he did better than the judges comments indicated. Carrico and Cook both sounded okay to me, but I'm not seeing myself buying any albums from these two wanna-be rockers.

The worst performance of the night for me was Luke Menard. I'm just not digging his voice or his performance. But a close second and maybe even tie for crappy vocals of the week was Michael Johns. He sucks on stage. I thought those movements he used were part of his Doors performance but it turns out we will probably see them every week until he goes home earlier than expected. He was my early favorite from Hollywood week, but I'm not seeing it in that performance. He probably won't go home this week so I will have to pick two of Luke, Jason Yeager, and Robbie Carrico. The one I don't pick probably won't end up on my safe list.

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 00:19

Loved Archuleta, Jacuzzi, and Hernandez' performance. Johns was above average in vocals but I agree that he sucks on stage; Carrico and Cook were solid. Didn't much care for Mr. Dreadlocks this week but there's other issues to care of for now.

Notably, it looks like Yeager is definitely gone. Menard can go too but if I had my druthers, I'd bounce Norriega out right now. He's okay vocally but he just creeps me out !

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 01:25

TB:
You bring up a good point and -4 should work.
I was just thinking about someone having a full slate and not being penalized enough for making a bad pick.
In your example if I have 2 Idols I'm not sure about if i decide to name them both if one goes home I lose -2....sounds good to me.
Also.....we should have a seperate list for male and female for the next two weeks?
So for "Best" we should have two names?

As for this weeks show.....I liked David Archuleta and think he will be around for some time but I wasnt as impressed as the judges were.
It seemed like the ones who were weak last week were very strong this week......Chikezie/Hernandez/Noriega/both rockers.
It could be very interesting to see what happens and there could be a few surprises.
Did no care at all for Johns/Yeager/Menard.
Castro was very ordinary.

Tree
ID: 4018275
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 06:40

Chikezie, Hernandez, Archuleta and Noreiga were my faves of the week. Jason Castro had a good bubbly energy, and i could see him as a pop star one day, but his singing wasn't at the notch of the above.

Chikezie and Hernandez both have a certain "attitude" about them, that, coupled with their singing, could take them far in this competition.

I agree with TB about Noreiga - there is something about him that makes you smile. personally, i think it's the weird combo of punk rock emo and stereotypical gay mannerisms that make him really likable. he can sing too, so i think he'll go far.

But the judges were right on about Archuleta. His performance was amazing, and to me, the second most memorable in the history of the show, behind Fantasia's "summertime". This was his Fantasia moment, and i hope his setting the bar so high for himself so early doesn't come back to hurt him in the long run.

i also loved the video of Kelly Clarkson going nuts for him. man, i love me some kelly clarkson.

100

Texas Flood
ID: 211152514
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 09:15

Unless Archuleta reallys screws up its his contest to win.
Hernandez was also very good but right now he's a distant second.

I thought there were a couple of decent performances by Chikezie
(nice comback) and Cook but the rest were average at best.

In the You suck category you can add Yeager and Noriega.

101

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 09:23

His "Fantasia moment"?
Seriously.....listen to it again....it wasnt all that great.
He could sing the phone book and the girls would go crazy.
I agree with TF that he is clearly the favorite....but if that was his best he wont win.
Dont get me wrong...I like him and wouldnt mind seeing him win....but that was not his "Archulta moment".

102

Texas Flood
ID: 211152514
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 09:23

I forgot to ask: How many get voted off this week one or two?

103

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 09:28

Two guys and two girl for the next two weeks.
Then we have 12 and it is 1 per week.

104

Tree
ID: 3533298
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 12:35

His "Fantasia moment"?
Seriously.....listen to it again....it wasnt all that great.

yea, that's why my entire office was abuzz about the performance - because it wasn't all that great. I believe it was Randy Jackson who was utterly blown away by it and called it one of the best he'd seen.

it was an absolutely incredible performance, and while he had been wowing people prior to this, this catapulted him into the stratosphere of someone who is very likely to have a very strong music career.

105

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 16:16

Once someone has received Simon's full seal of approval (i.e. "You're the one to beat", etc.), then that usually is a sure sign that THAT person will not win Idol. As such, his early crowning of Archuleta is worrisome for those that like this kid.

I won't say that his performance last night was up to Fantasia's Summertime performance. In fact, we here in our office only believe it to the best of last night. Nothing more.

But he's got the fan club base apparently and that alone can take him a long, long, long way. Ask my daughter. She'll tell ya! ;)

106

ChicagoTRS
ID: 4110481415
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 16:18

I think Idol would like to see Archuleta win. They have yet to have a singer to really capitalize on the young female teen fan base.

107

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 16:40

106....I concur completely. Plus it seems that Archuleta has that pure, innocent, shy tenderness that many will find endearing. Is this one of Donny Osmond's kids? LOL

108

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 16:49

Bond:
Actually Simon predicted that Carrie "would win and go on to sell more records than any other Idol".
This was after her performance of Alone by Heart.
When Archuleta's song is on You-Tube you will be able to compare his performance last night to Carrie and it will be clear that he still has something to prove.
Compare him to McPhee doing Somewhere over the Rainbow and you will see the difference.

All this gushing over his performance last night reminds me of a slan-dunk contest where they give out 10's for the warmup dunks.
How will they score it when he really knocks it out of the park? (And I'm counting on him doing just that)
Simon saying that taking on a Lennon song was risky was way over the top.
Yes the song can make an average singer sound horrible but come on...its not like trying to do Whitney, Celine or Heart.

109

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 17:06

LOL...Forgot about his adulation of Carrie. Now I don't remember what week she sang "Alone" in but certainly it was at least midway through, right?

FWIW, I remember his loving of LaKisha last year and although she did very well the first week or so, she never, ever achieved anything close to that.

Yes, of course, Archuleta has something to prove---as do all of them. Every single week. But it sure doesn't hurt to already have what I perceive to be a rabid fan base filled with adoring mothers and daughters who will actually vote for him numerous times every week REGARDLESS if his performance is breathtaking or not.

If you're looking for the best technical and sound singer out there...it's probably not him. But if you're looking to sell mega-records, have his posters all over every teenage girl's wall and have one top it off with an "Aw-shucks" attitude, then he is the one that you'll want to hitch your wagon too because he will probably be the anti-Taylor Hicks of them all: Someone that America will love and support after the lights have been turned off!

110

Toral
ID: 575542418
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 17:11

I had a feeling last night that I was going to be watching a different show than everyone else last night, and I was. I waited till today to check the utube replay on 2 performances to see if I thot the same way as I did last night, and I do. I will give my standard disclaimer that I claim to know nothing about music.

First, the 2 I wanted out last week I liked the best this week. Everyone agrees mostly about Chikezie. But I thot the best performance of the night was by Luke Menard. I suspect Menard's performance was a very polarizing one.

And I seem to be immune to the charms of David Archuleta. There's only one thing to say about his stylistic rendering of Imagine: he butchered it. Imagine is an extremely serious song and he sung it like he wasn't aware that the words in it had meanings. His voice was better than John Lennon's in his recording of it, but Lennon understood and believed what he was singing and it showed and that makes all the difference. I'd go so far as to say a dumb person can't sing Imagine, or appreciate a rendering of it... The guy who would probably sing it best was the brainy guy, the one who caused Paula to say "Girls like smart men."

I suspect that many folks who loved Archuleta love the song, and that helped him. I hate the song. It is in a 2-way fight for Worst Song Of All Time with Paul Anka's Havin' My Baby. But I appreciate its force, which comes from the meanings in it, and any rendering of the song must highlight those meanings.

Thw worst 2 last night were Michael Johns and Jason Castro, in a rather bland week with no terrible performances.

No flames please! just me O.

Toral

111

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 17:22

LOL Toral. No flaming from here. I know nothing about music either but I do know what I like and don't like. ;)

I, also, am not a big fan of Imagine and I'm thankful that Archuleta didn't sing the first verse.

Now I don't know if picking on Paul Anka is in vogue or not but I'm with you 100% in regards to Havin' My Baby.

But that got me wondering: What are some of the worst songs ever sung by any Idol contender? Not worst performances...but worst songs. I've got to think about that for a bit. Thanks Toral. ;)

112

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 18:40

It's great that we all have different opinions and different things trip our triggers. I am in total disagreement with some.

Noriega bothers the bejesus out of me and it's not just his efeminitiy, but his singing hasn't been good. I believe his voice is better than what he has shown, but I can't stand him thus far. Kind of hope he stays one more week just so I can truly figure out if he can sing or not. I thought Luke Menard did a good job with a very tough song, but I agree with the judges that he needs to pick a song that will truly show off his voice.

Two singers who have tones that are different that I really like are Castro and Archuletta. Castro wasn't as good this week but he wasn't bad. Archuletta was very good but not worthy of all the praise as "the best ever." etc. It's a balad for goodness sakes. Talk about safe. Still he pulled it off--just not all that. He'll get the most votes this week though.

In fact, i thought Hernandez was the best of the night. I also liked Johns and Cook. I didn't buy Carrico at all and he's hereby removed from my overall 4th best after the first week. I agree with the judges that Cook outrocks him big time. Chikeezie brought it. I was ready to see him leave last week.

The only act I truly hated was Yeager. I guarantee you that he is out this week. I thought he was the only one who truly stunk. I'm hoping Carrico (or Noriega as a backup) go this week but I gotta feeling it's going to be someone else. Menard hasn't wowed a lot of people but he really has the range and vocal ability. He just needs to show it or go home.

113

Toral
ID: 575542418
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 21:41

CLEAR BEST:

Brooke White

If you want to do a song associated with a particular performer, pick one associated with a record made by a songwriter with no voice and show that you can interpret it just as well.

Brooke -- Carly Simon -- You're So Vain
Slam Dunk.

I have Alaina Whitaker next, and then Asaih (notes, "could break glass") just over Kristy Lee. You're No Good was indeed a horrible song choice for her.

Only really bad was Amanda. Even Paula dumped on her for "excessive makeup". Basically a slightly overweight middle-aged woman dying her hair like a teenager and trying to act like she is one. Rather repulsive.
Score: 4. Must leave immediately.

Next worst? Not clear. I have at 7 Carily and Kady Malloy. Kady is pretty, and she is seeded late which probably means she is better; AI always seeds contestants (roughly) from worst voice to best.

Toral

114

Tree
ID: 531112718
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 22:14

Only really bad was Amanda. Even Paula dumped on her for "excessive makeup". Basically a slightly overweight middle-aged woman dying her hair like a teenager and trying to act like she is one.

how is a 23-year-old kid "middle aged"?

115

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 22:32

I agree with Toral on clear best and worst.

Maybe Kady is the 2nd one to go?

116

Toral
ID: 575542418
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 22:32

Amanda Overmyer is 23? She managed to look 43.

Cowell noted the same things about her hair, look and presentation.

Toral

117

Tree
ID: 531112718
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 22:49

oh. there was no question she looked awful tonight. but yea, she's only 23.

118

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 23:25

The only horrible performance for me tonight was by Amanda Overmyer, which leads me to believe that all the goons who like voting for the worst have found their candidate. I actually winced several times while she was singing and debated fast-forwarding through the rest of the performance.

I like Alexandrea Lushington and Kady Malloy, but I think they both struggled with hitting the right notes early in their songs and expect to see at least one of them go. I don't care for Brooke White, but have to admit she did a pretty good job with a song I find annoying.

I enjoyed the rest of the performances. Carly Smithson and Kristy Lee Cook both showed some good vocals this week compared to last week. I still like Alaina Whitaker even though I doubt we see her in the top 12. Asia´h Epperson's seems to have some problems with her control. I don't like the way her voice goes in and out. Syesha Mercado is yet another american idol who has been "discovered" somewhere else with TV commercials. She has a nice smile. Ramiele Malubay is going to sell more albums than whoever the winner of the show is this year. Maybe not in America, but I'm guessing she will be very popular overseas.

119

Bond, James Bond
ID: 591432722
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 23:45

Not really a great night for the ladies was it? First off, Amanda has to go and I mean right now! With her hair like it was, did she want us to think that she likes skunks? Pepi La Pue indeed! But since this competition is supposedly about one's vocal attributes, here's my take: She stunk!

My vote is to send Amanda and Alexandrea home. For whatever reason, it looks as if Alexandrea has lost all confidence. And if you don't have confidence in your own abilities, will anybody else?

If it wasn't for those two, I'd select Kady to get off my T.V. She's coming across as snobbish, uninterested and vain---a terrible combination. She's great at her impersonations and so forth backstage but when she's performing, it's as if she couldn't care less.

I agree that Brooke looked very comfortable and in her range this week. Carole King songs suit her well. Alaina, aka Carrie Underwood's younger sister has really grown on me. Maybe it's because I couldn't help but think after her vignette regarding her food separation issues, I could just see the green bean juice squirting through the gap in her teeth.....LOL Or, maybe it's because she is one of the best women vocalists this year. Probably the latter. ;)

Kristy was okay but certainly much, much better than last week. Syesha is solid and potentially the best of all the ladies IMHO but her personality grates me the wrong way. Asia'h gets on my one nerve but I reckon we'll keep her for a bit. Ramiele, aka Paula's daughter, was just okay but definitely needs to pick it up next week.

Finally, what can I say about Carly? This goes against everything I was hoping for but man, Carly actually did alright tonight. Guess we'll see her next week---much to my chagrin.

120

Bond, James Bond
ID: 591432722
Wed, Feb 27, 2008, 23:55

Ramiele Malubay is going to sell more albums than whoever the winner of the show is this year

WOW! Prediction of the year thus far. Guess you're comparing her to that Trias girl from a couple years back, right?

AI always seeds contestants (roughly) from worst voice to best

Forgot to comment on this earlier. From what I understand, this is not true. Now I'm not sure exactly how the first week singers are arranged but I do know that in the second week, the singers perform in inverse order of week one. For instance, Carly sang last, last week and this week she sang first. I suspect next week, if she's still around, that she'll sing somewhere in the middle. But I could be wrong about all this.

121

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 01:03

I thought the women were very average to below average.
I love Heart and was disapponted at Carly not doing it justice......until I heard Kady just butcher Magic Man....and make Carly sound decent.
I used to like Carry on my Wayward Son.....but now the song just repulses me....is it possible someone can make us miss Sanjaya?
A couple of the contestants thought it was devote a song to Simon Night with You're so Vain and You're no Good.
The two singers that picked the perfect song:
Amanda.....Carry on Wayward Somewhere Else
Alexandrea....If She Leaves us Now.

As a follow up to the guys....they have posted Archuleta on You-Tube.....I was right....it wasnt all that good.
Danny Noriega needs to lose the head snap......he reminds me of my sisters when they get into a tiff with each other.
When David cook started to tell Simon how the show works I thought Simon was going to kick him off the show right there.
One of the thing that endears Archuleta to his fans is his humility...and you can tell that it is genuine.
Confidence is great, but attitude will not get you very far.

122

Toral
ID: 575542418
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 03:29

When I saw Mr Bond's comment

agree that Brooke looked very comfortable and in her range this week. Carole King songs suit her well.

I froze. Because it's completely possible for me to mix up Carole King and Carly Simon.

But, checking, I find that I am right and Brooke's song is by Carly Simon.

Toral

123

Texas Flood
ID: 591472717
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 08:22

The girls show can only be described as a less than exciting.
"Me and Mr. Jones", give me a friggin break! I guess if I had to
buy a song from that group, by default I would select Brook
White's rendition of "You're so Vain". I've never been a fan of
Carly Simon and Brooke's effort was clearly the best of the
worst. She even looks a bit like Carly Simon.

I thought Carly Smithson was OK but the constant intentional
boob shake action was a little distracting. Her range was way off
from the original version of "Crazy on You", and she really
shrieked at times.

Kristy Lee Cook was decent. Her song choice of "Your're no
Good" was safe and much easier to sing than most, but at least
she looked great doing it. She's easily the best looking female
contestant on the show.

Overall I thought the best female would have not placed in the
top five guys this week. It was that bad, and at times it was
painful watching the show. I sure hope it gets better for the
women. I really don't see an idol in any of them.

I really thought Amanda Overmyer would be great to watch as
the show progressed, but she abandoned her bluesy persona,
dawned a halloween costume and stunk up the joint last night.
She's as good as gone!

124

Guru
ID: 330592710
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 08:57

Overmyer was clearly the worst, but I fear the VFTW crowd.

125

Texas Flood
ID: 591472717
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 09:24

I guess when I mentioned that Brooke looked like Simon I was
actually thinking of Carole King? I always get those two confused.

126

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 11:08

Guru is an Idol fan?

Who knew?

Welcome to the jungle Guru......and dont tell me Archuleta's Imagine was a defining momemnt.

127

Guru
ID: 330592710
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 11:19

My daughter got me hooked.

128

Guru
ID: 330592710
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 11:24

I don't know if Archeleta's was a defining moment, but I did think he was really, really good.

I actually liked Menard, although I know he's on the bubble this week. I'm not sure he has sufficient mass appeal - but I think he may have more talent than the average finalists this year. I heard his acappella group (Chapter 6) perform last summer, and they were great - so I have some advance bias.

129

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 15:53

122...Toral...Yes, that was a song sung by Carly Simon but the music was written by Carole King. That's what I meant...just said it badly. Sorry 'bout the confusion.

130

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 17:12

Carly Simon wrote and performed, You're So Vain.

In fact, she auctioned off the name of the person she wrote it about recently for a ton of cash--of course that person couldn't reveal it to anyone else.

Carole King's Tapestry has to be one of the top 100 albums of all time.

131

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 17:18

Holy Moly....I must really be all out of it. I was thinking and writing about the song It's Too Late not You're So Vain. LOL No need to look for the village idiot. I am he!

132

TB
ID: 330252313
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 22:17

I posted the standings in the contest thread. Please double-check your score and let me know if you think I messed anything up. Looks good to me. Those who got three correct picks for "Going Home" are out to an early lead.

I'd also say that Malloy and Menard are early favorites to be going home next week unless they really bring it. I hated to see Alaina Whitaker go home this week, but it was going to happen sooner rather than later.

133

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 23:06

I am dumbfounded how Overmyer stayed. Maybe it was the VFTW crusade?

134

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 23:53

Yeah I'm pretty ticked off seeing Alaina being dumped so early but that's what makes Idol, Idol. No way Overmyer deserved to stay but neither did Malloy. But it is what it is so we'll move on.

I do think, however, that Alaina did very, very well for her short time there and should be proud of her efforts. She can't help it that America doesn't know how to vote (i.e. Election Day 2000, Election Day 2004, Survivor tonight, etc.) ;)

135

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 00:50

I just checked out their site, VFTW did campaign for her:

Vote for Amanda Overmyer. 1-866-IDOLS-06 or text 'VOTE' to 5706. Her rendition of "Carry On My Wayward Son" was one of the worst vocals on Idol. Ever. In 7 seasons. It was amazingly VFTW. And her crazy outfit, fun hair, and everything else really added up to a VFTW victory for the ages beyond anything we could have hoped for. That means she's in real danger and we need to vote our tails off for her, because she could be going home. So dial all night if you must. We must get another performance like this next week!

136

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 00:54

VFTW also campaigned for Noriega:

Call 1-866-IDOLS-05 (or text 'VOTE' to 5705) to vote for Danny because he's definitely in danger this week. Even when he's trying to prove he can sing, he's still sassy and over the top fabulous. His singing was definitely pitchy this week, but the best part is always his stories and post-song sass. I mean, who else could be in a fake punk band that sucks and then agree with Simon while still giving us a patented head snap. Danny, you are too good to us. So vote your snappy fingers off, because if we lose Danny, we'll all cry. This show would be way too boring without him.

137

Dominos1
ID: 25155290
Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 01:55

Have to admit that this is the first year that I have actually taken the time to watch Idol.

HOW THE **** did the "Bride-of-Frankenstein" NOT get voted off tonight ?? She absolutely BUTCHERED her song last night !! I thought this show was about TALENT, not Old Horror Movie references.

138

TB
ID: 330252313
Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 02:59

It is a little about talent and a lot more about being a reality TV show where people pick a favorite early on and then blindly vote for them no matter how horrible they perform each week.

She will eventually go home, but a horrible singer or two always seem to outlast a few decent singers until the contestant pool shrinks a bit and the avid fans of the "decent" singers who got booted blame it all on the horrible singers and jump onto another bandwagon.

139

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 08:45

I think Amanda Overmyer may be this year's "Sanjaya". She is someone who is so significantly different from the rest of the contestants that she'll may carryover her own voting base (VFTW, sympathetic, and otherwise). She was not even bottom 3 for the females last night. She can take the hits and just do her own thing.

FWIW, my 9 year olf daughter and her buds all call eachother on the phone screaching every time David Archelletta is on screen. On Tuesday I put her to sleep right after Idols ended at 9PM, and 10 minutes later I hear her sneaking in the kitchen calling in more votes for David. Move over Jonas Brothers.

140

Guru
ID: 330592710
Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 17:09

[137] The answer lies in the voting process. Contestants do not get "voted off." They disappear when they don't get votes. That is a significant distinction, especially when the field is still relatively large.

At this stage of the contest, and continuing until we get the field down to the top 8 or so, the contestants that advance are those who are the overall favorites, plus those who are "cult" favorites. Anyone who is unique tends to survive. Uniqueness can relate to just about any attribute: the only country singer, the only hard rocker, the worst performer, the oddest performer, etc. The "vote for the worst" crowd can (apparently) singledhandly marshall enough votes to keep their candidates alive well into the top 12 period. But as the pool shrinks, their influence eventually gets overwhelmed by the "legitimate" votes.

So it would not at all surprise me if both Noriega and Overmeyer survive into the top 12, and probably for several weeks beyond that. Seems to happen every year.

If the voting rules were such that you voted for the contestant that you want to leave instead of the one you want to survive, then this phenomenon would be much less likely to happen. But it might also put some of the best singers at risk, if "VFTW" turned into a "VFTB (best)" initiative with the intent to eliminate the best singer in the early weeks.

Idol would probably get more accurate results if viewers could vote separately for both the best and the worst singer each week. But that adds a complexity that may not be warranted. And while the consequence of the current system is that some inferior talents survive well past their rightful time, the system generally self-corrects as the field gets smaller. If Noriega continues to be the worst, he might last until the final 8, but he couldn't make it to the top three unless the VFTW constituency is greatly expanded, which seems unlikely.

And frankly, Idol might welcome the idiosyncratic results. Controversy probably helps to keep the show in the forefront of everyone's discussion.

141

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Fri, Feb 29, 2008, 20:06

They could really fix it if every phone number was only allowed to register one vote. They wouldn't get to brag that 31 million votes came in, but they would have a better idea of who America prefers as their idol.

Hey, I like Noriega and don't mind seeing him stick around. I think he's a good singer, but he is a little bizarre.

I was thinking about it today and I guess I've already determined that I wouldn't buy an album from any of this years idols. I don't think they have the top talent like they've had in past years, but I also don't think they have many bad singers. Much smaller gap in the talent disparity.

142

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Sat, Mar 01, 2008, 01:04

The voting results have always bugged me because we have no way of confirming if they are accurate. If so, why not tell us what each person got? Why the big secret?

Ryan was kind enough to remind us that Kady was in the bottom three but what does that really tell us? Since she finished eighth in the voting, was she closer to number seven or to number nine? Obviously this means that Amanda was not numbers eight, nine or ten and consequently was kept alive by people who: a)don't like Idol or anything it represents of or b)are tone-deaf and judgment deficient.

In my view, I'd still like the judges to have a vote each or maybe Idol can install a system whereby the judges protect in unified voting say, the top half of their favorites and only those below that threshold would be eligible to be eliminated.

For instance, this week with ten singers performing, the judges could have protected Alaina by stating that she was one of their top five and therefore safe. TPTB's could simply have the judges reveal their top half each week during the last two minutes of the show and then let America go from there.

143

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Sat, Mar 01, 2008, 09:30

You are suggesting an "Immunity Idol"?
Dont they have that on another show?
I wouldnt mind having the judges votes count or allowing each of them to name someone safe.
However, I doubt Alaina would have been near the top.
Was she sent home before she deserved to go?
Yes, but in the end she had no shot to win it.

Unfortunately it sounds like we will be stuck with Amanda for a few more shows.....my guess is she makes top 8.
The question is will her hairdoos be as funky as lasts years VFTW's plant.

144

Great One
ID: 27154129
Tue, Mar 04, 2008, 09:04

Stripper Idol

145

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Tue, Mar 04, 2008, 23:30

Unlike the judges, I was not impressed with the show tonight. Outside of Arcuhleta and Hernandez, I though the boys were very, very weak.

And Paula's non-stop ramblings sure don't help. I thought Simon was going to hit her in the back of the head a couple of times. Now that would be MUST SEE TV! ;)

We keep hearing that this year's crop of 24 is "the best ever". Ugh! I just don't buy it. You've got a couple of solid participants but overall? Please. Give me season 2 and season 4.

146

TB
ID: 330252313
Tue, Mar 04, 2008, 23:41

When they were talking about their most embarrassing moments tonight, instead of talking about boogers, I imagined him talking about the world finding out he was a male stripper at a gay bar.

Tonights vocals:
Jason Castro - Probably the weakest male singer on the show, but I really like him. He picks good songs for himself each week and does a good job with them.
Danny Norriega - I hate that VFTW has him as their guy because it carries that stigma. I loved his song tonight and hated to hear Simon bash him. I hope he sticks around for a while.
David Cook - First week I really enjoyed his performance. Not that he's been bad, just never been really great.
David Archuleta - I'd bet my arm he is safe, but his performance was just okay for me.
Chikezie - He has a good voice, but didn't stand out this week and seems like an underdog unless he brings it strong every week.
Luke Menard - I still don't like his voice, but it takes a brave man to sing some Wham.
Michael Johns - I'm already at the point where I hate watching him sing. I'm imaging Bucky playing air guitar. Oh wait, wrong season.
David Hernandez - Last week was the only week I really liked any performance I've seen from him. Not sure if it was enough to keep him around another week.

I imagine there will be a lot of different opinions this week. I think I will be voting for Hernandez and Menard to go home, but I don't think Chikezie is safe either.

147

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 00:57

Wow! I see it almost the exact opposite of TB.

Castro was my early favorite and he didn't disappoint tonight.

I think Menard actually has a great voice, but man it is not transferring over to his song choices. I don't think he was bad at all, but I think he's in a huge hole because most everyone else was bad. I think by far the worst of the night was Noriega. I think everyone else was good. Chikezie may have been the weakest of the good ones but he does have a nice rich voice that I'm starting to dig.

I actually thought the show was pretty strong vocally save for Noriega. Some of the songs are another story.

148

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 01:54

I have to agree with TB.
I thought it was very average at best.
Even Archuleta was nothing special.
It will be very difficult to figure out who goes home this week.

When they were talking about their most embarrassing moments tonight, instead of talking about boogers, I imagined him talking about the world finding out he was a male stripper at a gay bar.

Perhaps that is something he is proud of.

149

Tree
ID: 3923655
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 06:49

I think by far the worst of the night was Noriega.

I don't get the haters on him. I love his snarky, pouty, coy, wise-ass, ways. And i love the drama of each week slowly building toward some great "OMG, he's gay!" sort of reveal, as if we didn't already know.

Paula called him "Fabulous", which was fantastic.

and here, are some christmas wishes to you from young mr. noreiga (wearing a sharp Distillers t-shirt, which endears him even more to me)...

NOTE: THIS CLIP CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE AND ASSORTED SENTIMENTS SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NOT APPRECIATE.

Merry Christmas, from Danny Noreiga:

150

chode
ID: 43411177
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 08:36

Yeah, a real prize that Danny Noriega.

From last night's show I liked David Cook best. He got to show off his voice, completely make a song "his own" and distinguish himself from the rest of the field - a true trifecta in AI world.

Most disappointing for me personally the past 2-3 weeks has been Michael Johns, someone I was rooting for early but who increasingly strikes me as a one-trick pony, in that his voice/presentation are pretty much the same week to week. I like his voice and persona, and think he'd make a fine frontman for some bluesy rock band, but he's got limitations and hasn't pushed forward as the star I thought (yet). Simon's analysis of him was dead on.

Weakest vocals of the night were Luke Perry Menard, Jason Castro and Chikezie Eze. Archuleta was just okay and I totally agree with the whole "lighten up/stop taking yourself too seriously" comments Simon offered. Hernandez was solid again. And it seems pointless to comment on Danny at this point, with the VFTW crowd backing him and all - I can't stop categorizing him as nothing more than this year's Sanjaya, but with more confidence. He's easily Top 12 and will probably go home around #6 or so.

Someone get Paula another drink!

151

Tree
ID: 3533298
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 08:58

Chode - you and i agree on something. amazing. Last night i was watching Michael John's sing, and the whole time i was thinking "i swear i saw this guy singing in a bar last week..."

he shined when there were a lot of bad singers, but now that there are a lot of good singers, his flaws are being seriously exposed.

152

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 11:27

I don't care that Noriega is gay or that he is a drama queen. I think he brutalized one of my all-time favorite songs in Tainted Love. I haven't liked even one of the songs he has performed in the top 24. If not for VFTW, he'd already be gone. Even with VFTW, he still could go home this week. Yeah, he was that bad. My guess is that he won't though.

153

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 11:34

Btw, I said from the beginning that my two favorite voices were Castro and Archuleta, but I think Archuleta wasn't all that last night but LOVED Castro. I even watched it again. Might be the Buckley effect, but I love that song and think Castro did a great job with it. He doesn't have the charisma that Archuleta and others have but if he can keep it up, he still has a chance. I thought it was odd that he would talk about "ripping off a dred" by mistake, but he is so shy. Unlike some attitudes about Doolittle from last year, his demeaner is clearly not an act. He needs to get out more!

154

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 11:43

Paula's most insightful point:
"You came out here tonight and you sang a song".
It is getting downright embarrasining.

I agree Noriega sucked and has done so every week and we will get to say the same thing next week.

Perfomance wise I thought David hernandez was the best.
My feeling is that the news that he was stripping for men will hurt him but if he was stripping for women he would recieve more votes.

If this is supposed to be the best group ever then they need to get their arses in gear and prove it.

155

Texas Flood
ID: 45140294
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 11:59

I thought the entire show bordered on being horrible last night.
I thought the only bearable performances were turned in by
David Cook and David Archuleta. That said, it would be difficult
for me to part with a buck to download either of those songs on
I-Tunes.

There was some great music in the 80's, and all of these bozo's
failed to find it.

Was it just me or was Paula stoned or drunk last night?

156

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 12:05

Was it just me or was Paula stoned or drunk last night?

It was you.

Paula was stoned AND drunk last night.

157

Ender
ID: 5963859
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 16:36

I thought Pauala's best (ahem, worst) was "You are imperfect, but even in your imperfection you are perfect."

WTF?

158

Skidazl
ID: 08131920
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 16:51

Cook was definitely my favorite last night, and my wife's(even enough for her to feel compelled to call in and vote)

I also liked Dreads. I had never heard the song before but it was very good.

Archuleta was ok, but nothing compared to the past 2 weeks.

Chikezie and Hernandez were worse than last week but still bearable.

Johns, Freak Boy and Menard were well below par and should be on the chopping block.

I never understood how people so "prominent" in the music industry can be so uninformed. I'm referring to Randy's comment about Johns' song being by INXS, when pretty much everybody I know knows it was the Simple Minds. Duh!!!

159

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 17:13

I told my wife last night that Hutchins was the lead for INXS, not Simple Minds. I now agree that he just got the wrong band, not the wrong singer.

Jeff Buckley's version

I am so sick of listening to all three judges at times. I mean it's the same things every night but at least they keep it shorter. Tired of Paula's ramblings.

160

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 17:35

My gawd, Paula is in serious need of a translator. She has become such an embarrassment to Idol and it's time to cut her loose.

Meanwhile, I wonder if the powers-that-be will somehow "adjust" the votes for Hernandez due to his um, mass exposure. ;) They dumped Frenchie a couple years back for her indiscretions of the past and if this doesn't at least equal that, then I don't know what does.

I've always maintained that the "official numbers" are pretty much messed with anyway so I guess we'll see Thursday night for sure.

I just can't see Idol allowing Hernandez to make the top 12 and going on tour this summer. But I've been wrong too many times to mention so who knows what'll happen.

161

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 18:02

Bond:

Do the top 12 go on tour?
I thought I read somewhere thit it was only the top 10.

162

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 18:25

Top 10 IIRC.

163

Skidazl
ID: 08131920
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 18:37

ref, thanks for the link, love that song...

164

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 18:44

Your right, my bad. It is the top 10. Guess Hernandez might get a reprieve for one more week. Guess we'll see if the firestorm flames out or not.

165

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 22:54

I must be living in a Simon bizarro world, because Simon thought the men were better than the women this week and I liked all of the female performances except for the one he raved about. I'd like to see Amanda Overmyer going home tomorrow night. Kady Malloy will be one of my two choices to go home, but the 2nd one will be a tough call.

166

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 23:10

Well I wasn't that impressed with the ladies tonight. But I will say that Syesha has moved to the top of my female list followed by Carly.

Kady might as well pack her bags cuz she's history. I agree TB that it's gonna be tough picking the other one.

Amanda did very well at exactly the week that she desperately needed to so she's probably safe.

If I had to guess right now, I'd choose Kristy Lee probably but I might change my mind in the morning after some more reflection.

167

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 05, 2008, 23:24

I thought the guys were better, but I agree with a tough call on who's going home. At least TB and I agree on who we'd like to send home. I don't know what the judges saw in Kady. I thought it was really bad.

168

Texas Flood
ID: 142267
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 08:56

Its amazing how we all differ in our opinions. I thought the girls
were much better than the guys. Tough to figure who goes
home after last night. I think anyone who does an exact cover
should be sent home immediately.

I'm more of a band kind of guy and prefer Blues, Rock, Metal, R
& B, and Funk. I have a hard time listening to Whitney, Celine,
Mariah or any of the other screaming meemies.

My favorites last night were in no order were:

The rocker- blues chick.
The girl with the tattoo, but hated the song choice.
Brooke White, she didn't scream at me.

At least I could remember these three. The rest were completely
forgettable.

169

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 15:01

I'm having a tough time figureing out who the second girl going home.

I don't nec, care if they do an exact cover as long as it's good. I looked at some of the others' predictions and at least one person is predicting a guy to go home who I'm leaning toward saying was the best. Now that's a true dichotomy of opinions.

To me the guys were really good but one stands out as bad. But given teh climate of the vote, I think there are two others who might go home as they were just good but not great.

The women had a couple who were great and several who were good or ok and one who was bad. So to me, trying to figure out which of the ok ones is going home is pretty tough. I've got it narrowed down to two, but leaning toward one right now.

170

Skidazl
ID: 08131920
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 15:51

Wow, I thought Amanda was just as bad as usual. I figure the judges said she was so good because they figured out a way to beat VFTW, by saying the worst was really the best...

I still want her gone, as well as Kady Malloy.

171

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 19:54

This weeks picks were tough and we aren't even at the top 12. I reread the threads we've had from the last two years and we seemed to have a good idea all the way to about the top 3 or 4. There was almost always somebody who just really sucked bad and seemed like an easy choice.

I switched my mind between Hernandez, Johns, Chikezie, and even Norriega go home in my 2nd slot. I think when more people see that youtube video, Norriega is done.

For the girls it was even tougher to find that second person going home. The only one I am confident is staying is Smithson.

172

Tree
ID: 43251616
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 21:17

it's a shame Noreiga is gone. that kid added a spunk to that show that hadn't been there.

and now, of course, we get some utterly boring chaps, like Johns.

173

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 21:24

America got it right sending Noriega home. I was afraid to pick him with the contest, but obviously had 2 of the bottom 3. Same thing in women's having 2 of the bottom 3. Actually had Epperson and changed it. I changed it because at the end of the day, I felt Epperson was better than Cook so that's how I picked.

174

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 22:18

Tree:

I know Noriega's personality entertained you but did you really think he was that good a singer to deserve the top 12?

I am glad to see him go and to see VFTW fail on the same night.

175

Tree
ID: 54223621
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 22:25

he was a better singer than michael johns. heck, he's a better singer than jason castro.

176

chode
ID: 43411177
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 23:47

Danny was worthless - I say good riddance. He and Sanjaya should tour together. Suck it, VFTW.

177

Texas Flood
ID: 142267
Thu, Mar 06, 2008, 23:52

I guess the question you have to ask is....Would you plunk down
cash to download a Noriega song, or god forbid an entire album?

I've watched Idol since season one, and own exactly one album,
Daughtry.

I'm curious, have any of you folks actually purchased any Idol
music?

178

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 00:12

RE: 175

Tree, with all due respect to your occupation, put down that pipe!!! ;)

179

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 00:17

Yep, I got Carrie's!

180

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 00:39

I am with Tree on Norriega. I looked forward to watching him every week and enjoyed his performances. Maybe some of you can't look past his personality and hear the voice, but he has great vocals. Sure, he's different than your average contestant but I liked the spark he brought to the show.

I've listened and relistened to this weeks show and just shake my head that some of you like Menard but hate Norriega. At least the kid has range.

TF, I swear you asked that same question in last years thread. I have Daughtry, Clarksons first 2 CD's, and think I am going to get Carries last one. I downloaded a few songs last year during the idol gives back as well.

181

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 01:06

For entertainment sake and talent, I'm sure I would have enjoyed Noriega's performances had he advanced over the next few weeks compared to the next few guys who will get cut.

I'm curious, have any of you folks actually purchased any Idol music?

For my wife and daughter - Clarkson's Breakaway, Underwood's Some Hearts, Daughtry. My daughter has Jordin Sparks album on her wish list.

We also have taken our daughter to the Idols Live concert tour every season since the second (top 10). I have to admit, that they are fun.

182

Texas Flood
ID: 142267
Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 09:00

TB, I may have asked that question before. I was thinking the
same thing as I typed it. My wife says I repeat myself often. It
must be old age starting to set in as I'll be 55 in june!

183

Toral
ID: 575542418
Tue, Mar 11, 2008, 22:03

Another oldies theme with Lennon/McCartney theme.

Best:

Brooke White
Chikezie
Carly Smithson

Brooks seems to be the most consistent performer, Chikezie and Amanda the most inconsistent.

Worst (in descending order):

David Cook
Michael Johns
David Archuleta

I am still immune to Archuleta's charms, whatever they are. I'd swear that he doesn't speak English and memorizes the lyrics phoeneticly.

Toral

184

Tree
ID: 26291117
Tue, Mar 11, 2008, 22:21

david hernandez was pretty awful, as was jasmine trias, or whatever her name is this year.

185

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 01:09

I thought the worst three were Archuleta, Hernandez, and KLC. Archuleta and KLC have their fan bases so probably safe. I enjoyed Chikezie and Smithson the most. Castro and White both had safe songs that fit them, but eventually there will be a week where they are both exposed vocally. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching them both but they are both limited on what they can do. David Cook, Johns, Malubay, and Mercado were all pretty decent. I guess Overmeyer was okay as well, but I'm tired of her voice.

186

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 01:42

For me the 3 best were:
Syesha
Carly
Brooke

From there it was average to pathetic.
Chikeze- Wasnt that song from The Jerk?
Ramiele- Her phrasing on songs is just terrible
Casto- ho hum
Cook-Out of tune and boring
Hernandez- Strong voice...weak performance this week.
Amanda- VFTW is good at what they do.....selecting the worst.
Johns- forgetable
Kristy Lee- Worst of the night.
Archuleta- Kristy saved him from being the worst.

This could be a crapshoot as to who goes home.
At this point it usually comes down to fan base.
Some good performances with low fan bases (Syesha/Brooke) and bad performances with big fan bases (Archuleta/KLC).

187

Tree
ID: 39233124
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 06:46

i thought Chikeze's was amazing. it was strong (not amazing) singing, but more importantly, it was one helluva performance. he took a huge risk, and it paid off.

i don't recollect the voting rules from here on in (one person?), but it should be some sort of combination of Ramiele, KLC, Johns, or Hernandez.

it could also be one of those weird weeks where Archuleta set the bar so high previously, he could get bounced this week, but i'm thinking it's Ramiele or Hernandez.

188

Texas Flood
ID: 5922188
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 12:10

Missed last nights show and am losing interest. All the hype about
this being the best crop of idols is just that hype!

189

ChicagoTRS
ID: 4110481415
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 13:53

I thought there was some very strong performances last night. The show started off especially strong...got weaker with the last 4 singers or so...

190

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 14:02

it could also be one of those weird weeks where Archuleta set the bar so high previously, he could get bounced this week,

Perhaps the bar is too low and he keeps tripping over it?
Dont get me wrong I am an Archeleta fan and would like to see him do well.....but "keeping it real".....he hasnt been that good the last two weeks.

191

Toral
ID: 575542418
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 14:13

thought there was some very strong performances last night. The show started off especially strong...got weaker with the last 4 singers or so...

I agree. The electricity seems to grow as the night goes on but with Johns KLC and Archuleta last night just kind of fizzled out. It could have been quite a night if it had ended with say Amanda, Syesha, Castro, Brooke, Smithson and Chikezie.

Toral

192

sarge33rd
ID: 99331714
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 14:17

I'm not a huge fan of this show and only watch it once in awhile. But I thought Chikezie blew and Hernandez/Archuleta were even worse. I'm a long ways from a country fan, ut I thought Cook did a great job countrifying 8-Days Week. I actually enjoyed her performance.

193

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 19:58

Man we are all over the place here. I actually agree with a lot of what Tree said--though I though KL Cook was horrid. Chikezie was the best IMM. Cool did a fantastic job on a song I really don't like that much to begin with. KLC should have went home last week, so I think she will go home tonight--though Hernandez was awful and should be in the bottom 2 or 3.

I think I am going to vote in the dark for next week since I won't be around.

194

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 20:28

Ref, you can always email me or call me with your votes next week and I will post them for you.

I just posted my picks for the week and looked at what everyone else posted. We are all over the place with our going home and who isn't safe. Parity?

195

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 22:46

TB, I went ahead and picked in the dark lol!!!

196

Simon says
ID: 362151218
Thu, Mar 13, 2008, 00:54

For those of you needing some Simon love,

Here ya go. Enjoy!

Not really surprised that Simon thinks this year is dull. But so many people have been bragging that it is the best 24, 12, whatever...in Idol history. I've gotta agree with my man!

197

Guru
ID: 330592710
Thu, Mar 13, 2008, 17:40

On Tony Kornheiser's morning radio program, he interviewed Chris Sligh (from last year's Idol show). Interesting interview.

Audio clip (8-1/2 minutes, MP3)

198

Simon says
ID: 362151218
Thu, Mar 13, 2008, 23:46

Was Hernandez being bounced out now, anything BUT a conspiracy??? Undoubtedly, he didn't do himself any favors when the news of his past indiscretions were revealed for all to see.

But I'm thinking that as bad as he was this past week, there was no way he's was anywhere near as bad as Kristy or Ramiele or even Amanda has been for the past few weeks.

I'm thinking the producers bounced him before he got to the top ten so he wouldn't be able to go on tour this summer. Anybody care to dicker differently?

199

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Fri, Mar 14, 2008, 00:48

I would disagree.
If you look at the contest thread there were 9 people who made picks.
Two people had him going home.
Three others did not include him in their safe picks
Two out of the remaining four picked everyone so it is unclear where they placed Hernandez.
That leaves two out of the nine who believed he should have stayed.

While KLC was the consensus pick (she was picked as either going home or not safe on all ballots) it was not that surprising to see Hernandez go home.
Perhaps she deserved to go home based on performance but there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration....like looks.

200

Simon says
ID: 362151218
Fri, Mar 14, 2008, 01:22

If looks were a guaranteed factor in whether a contestant survives or not, then explain the dismissal of Kady Malloy? Or, on the other hand, the victory of Fantasia or Taylor?

I cannot agree that is was not surprising to see Hernandez going home based simply on his voice. He is much, much better than either Miss Cook or Ramiele and although he wasn't going to win it (Carly is destined for the crown!), simply put, his past caused him problems that should not be overlooked.

201

Tree
ID: 33246146
Fri, Mar 14, 2008, 08:56

based on performance over the past few weeks, it was probably going to be KLC or Hernandez. The other two i mentioned previously also were in the running for worst overall, but not like these two.

i think it was guru who pointed out that right now it's not who gets the most votes, it's who gets the least that's important. KLC has a fan base. Hernandez probably HAD a fan base, but after the "Scandal", some of that fanbase probably eroded, and did him in...

202

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Fri, Mar 14, 2008, 22:38

I was going to go with Hernandez as my pick to go home but at the last minute picked Ramiele. Hernandez was my pick right after watching the show and I should have stuck with it. I only thought he had one good week.

203

sarge33rd
ID: 99331714
Wed, Mar 19, 2008, 14:20

<---Looks for KLC to go home after last night, though I'd personally prefer Ramiele to be the one to go after yesterday.

204

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 06:11

It was good to see Amanda Overmyer get voted out. Not only was she the worst singer in the competition but it has to make at least some of the clowns at vftw realize they just aren't that significant. I feel bad for KLC being bottom three again. Hopefully she can dazzle next week.

I thought Johns did a great job with his song this week and got some harsh criticism from Simon. I'm still not down with his stage presence, but the vocals were good. I've also realized that I like Brooke's sound. She seemed a bit corny this week (the dress outfit), but she has good vocals as well. Castro is goofy. The different facial expressions he uses when he sings are kinda wierd. It's like he smiles sometimes when he shouldn't be smiling and there is a lot of eyebrow movement going on. It wasn't shocking to see Smithson in the bottom three. I think she is the best female singer, heck best vocals in the competition, but she doesn't have the charisma to win it all. She needs to shut up when the judges are talking. Every year we see this and that person goes home early. Archuleta is a great singer for his age and if I had to bet the farm I'd say he is in the final 2 and eventual winner, but I feel like I am missing something by the way the audience and voters react. I just hear okay and not great.

205

Texas Flood
ID: 18255196
Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 09:14

Way too much Beatles for me. With a few exceptions we've had
to listen to these great songs get butchered.

Based on this weeks performances I would have sent 10 of 11
home, David Archuleta would have been spared.

Actually Amanda, Cook and Smithson are/were my three
favorites, but faux rock and blues are no way to win this
competition.

Cook if you're going to rock then rock! Do a face melting guitar
solo, but for god sakes put the stupid Steve Miller/Peter
Frampton voice box back in the closet.

This is Archuleta's contest to win and so far the rest have just
been taking up sapce.

I'm with TB, Brooke White has grown on me over the weeks and
she's a darkhorse to challenge St. David. I think she'll get
stronger now that the Beatle thing is finished.

206

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 09:53

Was shocked to see Carly in bottom 3. I'd thought she'd cruise to the final 4 with David A, David C, and Brooke.

Was not an Amanda fan, but KLC should have got the boot. The water cooler talk in my office seems to indicate that the families with the pre-teens were glad she was eliminated. (My 9 year old was hoping for Amanda or Jason to go, and absolutely loves David A and Ramiele).

KLC is a likeable person but IMO seemed like she was just going through the motions the two Beatles weeks. Maybe if she gets to work in some legit country songs, she'll get out of her funk.

207

weykool
ID: 2842717
Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 19:27

I think likeabilty is an important factor.
Contestants like Archuleta and Brooke White will get votes because they come across as humble and not arrogant.
As I said before the contestants who wag thier fingers at the judges dont last long.

Being able to sing is still most important but contestants who are good looking, have a good sense of humor, and are genuinly humble will tend to get extra votes.
It has to be genuine.
If you try to fake it like Dolittle did last year it ends up ultimately hurting you.

Besides Archuleta and Brooke I think Chikeze and Johns show genuine emotions.
KLC and Castro are on the others side of the spectrum as it feels like that are trying to put on an act.

208

Guru
ID: 330592710
Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 21:40

I don't think Castro is putting on an act. I just think he's an airhead.

209

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Fri, Mar 21, 2008, 00:35

If you try to fake it like Dolittle did last year it ends up ultimately hurting you.

In defense of Doolittle, I thought for the most part that she was genuinely humbled by the praise she was earning last year. Now, I don't know if she was comfortable with being the center of attention since she was used to being in the background but I think America loved her for who she was.

I don't think Castro is putting on an act. I just think he's an airhead.

I think I've gotta go with Guru here. Not sure what to make of the man ya'll name Castro but from what I've seen, he's from some world I know nothing of. Maybe that's a good thing though.

210

weykool
ID: 2842717
Fri, Mar 21, 2008, 12:41

I think in the beginning that the reaction to the priase Dolittle was getting real.
But after the judges give you high priase 4 weeks in a row and you act like "who me?" on the 5th time it just comes across as fake.
Sorry...I was a Dolittle fan and it made me uncomfortable watching her with the same reaction week after week.

As for Casto all his facial expressions and movements seemed contrived...like he is thinking about how to act instead of just letting it be real.

I am really starting to warm up to Brooke White.
I listened to "Let it Be" again and was thinking that would be something I would like to buy.
Last week the piroette(sp) was ill advised but the way she handled the criticizm was good.
She has to get over her performing jitters but it would be great to see her and Archuleta in the finals.

211

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Fri, Mar 21, 2008, 23:31

I know what you're saying with regards to Doolittle but I think even after you do hear the good remarks time and time again like
she did, I think there are those that are not built to believe or used to the positive reactions she was receiving and can be humbly blown away from it. Of course it could have been an act but I don't see it that way. Guess she's the only one that really knows for sure, huh?

As far as Brooke White, I could not be more displeased with the way she handled the criticism. How could she even hear it? She rambled all over the judges' thoughts without letting them finish what they were saying. I seriously hate it whenever a performer stands up there and starts interjecting their thoughts without allowing the judges to finish theirs. It's just rude.

Now I like her, somewhat, but her voice does not lend itself to a wide range by any means. But her image right now is squeaky clean and that can only help her. Well, until Simon takes her over to the dark side. LOL

212

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Sat, Mar 22, 2008, 13:16

I know it might not seem like there is a chance to catch up in the competition, but having a leader pick a best who goes home (which will happen when we get down to three or four singers) or had anybody picked Amanda to go home this week while nobody else did, that would have been a nice jump in the standings.

Plus it's our first season playing so we can add things next year. Idol doesn't always tell us who was bottom three, so it's tough to add that.

213

Donkey Hunter
Leader
ID: 916288962
Sat, Mar 22, 2008, 23:11

So basically the competition will get much better once Kristy Lee Cook gets the boot and we can differentiate again.

214

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Sun, Mar 23, 2008, 22:00

Totally agree there DH, I'm pretty sure everybody knows KLC is gone this week. As far as the differentiating goes, I almost put overmyer as gone just to be different in the contest last week, but I was so sure KLC was gone, I couldn't put myself up to it.

I think the only thing that saves her is if it's country week, because that is surely her niche.

I also think it a bit suspicious that Amanda was booted the week before the top ten, almost if the producers wanted to make sure she didn't go on tour.

215

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Mon, Mar 24, 2008, 13:16

I finally got to see the shows from last week. Looks like my pick in the dark prob would have been the same even if I had seen it. That's pretty sad. I don't have a problem with Amanda going home but if VFTW were in full support, maybe I'd have been right finally. It's jsut a matter of when KLC goes home. I still think Hernandez is MUCH better than her.

I agree with Guru. Castro is looking like he's closer and closer to Kelly Pickler every day. He just has no social skills and doesn't know how to act.

216

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 02:34

Johns and D.Cook did great jobs tonight. I liked what Carly did with Total Eclipse of the Heart much more than the judges did. Before Simon said that KLC picked a great song, I was thinking the same. People are going to vote for that song and lots of people are going to vote for her because she's been in the bottom three for weeks. I enjoyed the song. Syesha did a wonderful job as well. I do think we've seen her at her best the last two weeks.

Brooke was okay and I agree with the judges. It would have been better if she kept the band out of it. I didn't care for Archuleta or Castro. I like Chikezie and enjoyed his song, but I'm a little worried for him this week. Ramiele was all over the place and didn't do as good a job with that song as the three previous idol contestants who've sang it. Being in the dreaded first position, I think she is gone. I'll round out my bottom three guess with Castro and Chikezie.

217

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 03:09

TB:
I agree with your bottom 3 as far as this week's performance but I would still guess the KLC will be bottom 3 tomorrow night but the song choice will keep her another week.
Ramiele has been all over the place.
Her phrasing is off every week.
She breathes in the middle of phrases that need to be connected.
Archuleta and Brooke were just average.
I really liked Syesha this week.

I think there are 5 contestants that have little to no chance of winning:
Chikezie, Castro, Ramiele, KLC, and Johns.
I dont know that the other 5 will be the final 5 but these 5 would go down as worst idol ever if they somehow won.
Hard to imagine a worse idol than Hicks.

218

Texas Flood
ID: 332372318
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 08:44

I wonder if the judges knew that the David Cook version of Billie
Jean was a cover of a Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) arrangement?
Pretty damn good rendition just the same.

I went back and listened to Michael Johns Queen selection on
You Tube. This recording had the band tuned down and his
vocals were a bit rough in spots. Didn't sound nearly as good as
he did on the show last night.

I'm so glad the two weeks of Beatle Hell are over. Makes for a
much more interesting show.

219

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 16:57

Things I wonder about after last nights performances:

Was Paula dressed up for her "date" later that night with the former governor of New York?

Did Paula actually call Syesha the "dark horse" of the competition? LOL

Has anybody here ever heard of the song that Archuleta sang? Shouldn't Idol producers have a rule that a song actually has to be heard on the radio in the USA before it can be sung on Idol?

Can Michael Johns actually sing well any other song but one from Queen?

Would it now be considered unpatriotic to see Kristy voted out this week?

Doesn't Carly look more and more like Boy George every week?

220

Texas Flood
ID: 332372318
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 17:34

Bond, I thought Archuleta was terrible last night, and had that
been the first time I had seen the show I would have pegged him
as the worst of the top ten.

221

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 17:48

I wonder if the judges knew that the David Cook version of Billie
Jean was a cover of a Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) arrangement?

Actually, Seacrest introduced it as that. I agree great performance...

Can Michael Johns actually sing well any other song but one from Queen?

The Doors - Light my Fire

222

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 18:23

I liked Johns the best.

Ramielle has been horrible. Her and Castro have the most unique voices perhaps but they are losing me. Smithson also is losing me. In fact, she may replace KLC in the bottom 3 this week. I am not a fan of KLC, but doing a good job on a patriotic song is going to keep her IMM.

I actually thought Chikezie wasn't bad at all, but people can't relate to that song I think. I think he's in the bottom 3 for sure.

So my guess is that the bottom 3 will be Ramielle, Chikezie and Smithson but I haven't figured out which one I'm gonna say is going hime just yet.

223

Texas Flood
ID: 332372318
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 21:00

Ski, I went to You Tube and did see that Seacrest did credit Cornell
with the arrangement. Thanks TF

224

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 22:34

Man. I have never been this wrong on my predictions.

225

sarge33rd
ID: 99331714
Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 11:46

Top 4: (in no particular order)

Carly, Brooke, Johns and Cook

Final 2:

Brooke, Cook

IMHO, the best of the lot? Cook.
IMHO, the winner? Brooke

Keys on something Simon said after one of Cooks performances:

"IF this remains a telent competition, you may win the whole thing."

I dont see it remaining talent based, but ultimately as a popularity contest. In that venue, Cook loses to Brooke in the end.

226

weykool
ID: 2842717
Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 12:02

Doesnt "talent" take on many forms?
One could argue that being popular in and of itself is a talent.
A fleeting talent perhaps.....but a tlaent none the less.

227

sarge33rd
ID: 99331714
Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 14:05

Of course it could wk. BUT, this is supposedly a singing competition. In that context, I think Simons words are going to be prophetic. IF the public voted solely on musical/singing talent, Cook wins. If other elements enter into the voting decisions, then he loses to Brooke.

228

weykool
ID: 2842717
Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 15:04

The show is called American Idol.
An idol is much more than just a singer.

None of the Beatles were exceptionally good singers but nobody can deny their Idol status that defined an era of Rock and Roll.

229

sarge33rd
ID: 99331714
Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 15:18

are we REALLY going to argue about the point of the show?!?!?!?!?!?!?

230

Tree
ID: 3533298
Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 15:26

an idol is an object of worship.

i assure you, i worship at the alter of Kelly Clarkson more often than i do the alter of any of the Beatles, and it has very little to do with singing ability.

231

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 03:49

I thought Johns, D.Cook, Smithson, and Archuleta did well tonight. Syesha sounded pretty good, but I agreed with what Simon said. When I hear that song I expect to hear Whitney. KLC was in her element and I could picture that song being sung by her on a local country station. Castro and Brooke were meh and Ramiele was flat out terrible. Those are my bottom three, but we've seen that Syesha lacks a strong fanbase so it wouldn't be a shocker if she ended up there again.

I don't think any female can win this year, even though Smithson has great vocals. I wouldn't be surprised if the final three ended up Johns, D.Cook, and Archuleta. I will be surprised if Archuleta doesn't win based on his popularity.

232

Tree
ID: 2033024
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 06:36

D. Cook is the one to me that seems to be the most consistent. at this point, just about everyone left save for KLC and Ramiele is just about assured of some sort of decent record deal.

there are a lot of Josh Gracin/Bucky Covington types in this year's top 10 - i.e. contestants who won't win, but will get record deals and will sell a lot of records.

if Ramiele isn't eliminated tonight, then...blah...she was awful, although, as was pointed out before and has been said time and time again, NEVER EVER EVER EVER cover whitney or mariah on this show.

233

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 11:03

Well said Tree, totally agree about D. Cook. I just hope he doesn't end up this season's Daughtry. Although, that may be a blessing for him seeing how well Daughtry has done without the AI shadow(contract) looming over him...

I really like Ramiele and think she has a good voice, but I do agree, she has been horrible over the last few weeks. I think her fan base has kept her in this long.

Syesha is very good also, but as TB stated, her fan base doesn't seem very large, so she could surprise us this week, if it's not Malubay.

Johns, D. Cook, Archuleta and Smithson should be our final 4 with D. Cook hopefully coming out on top.

Looking at the contest thread, a couple picked Castro to go home, and that may be a big leap, because his fanbase seems to be quite large. BUT, if he does, that will give them a huge jump in the contest standings...

234

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 11:06

One last thing, KLC has been lucky with the country songs available the last couple weeks. As a country singer, I think she is very good, but outside of that genre, she is mediocre at best. She is gone next week if no country song is available....

235

chode
ID: 293141514
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 11:46

As I was watching the show last night when Jason Castro came onstage with his guitar and same old dopey look on his face, I actually said out loud "God this guy is such a one-trick pony." One of Simon's early criticisms of him - that his act stunk of midnight in the dorm room (or something to that effect) - was spot on ... no matter how hard Castro tries to be a musician ala Jeff Buckley or Jack Johnson or Ben Harper or Edwin McCain or whoever, to me he tops out as a mope with a decent act.

And that got me thinking, one of the great things about the format of this show is that it forces people to step outside their element and test their mettle as *musicians* as opposed to mere acts. As we progress through the weeks, the contestants who really only have one angle to offer the audience get outed (and ousted). And I do think there's a very distinct line between being a talent who "finds their niche" and trying to get by every week on the same schtick:

- Castro seems like the textbook one-trick pony case (although he does what he does ok). I felt this way about Blake Lewis's sound effects last season (although obviously 20 million people disagreed with me, so what do I know);

- Ramiele has a good voice but has clearly hit her ceiling. Her stage presence is zilch;

- Michael Johns was headed that way until the last few weeks, when he has shown much better range, performance, etc. I don't know if he's a stand-alone kind of talent, but I still think he'll make a very solid frontman;

- Archuleta, for all his fanfare, had better break out of his sappy Star Search mode or else be relegated to singing on Broadway or doing national anthems during his 20s;

- The past few weeks I thought Syesha had really turned the corner in this regard ... until the second half of last night's song when she totally waxed into Whitney's version of the song (huge no-no);

- KLC could wink and whine her way to a small-time country gig, but that's her absolute max. She reminds me of Bucky Covington or Chris Richardson in that way, only less talented;

- I'm still undecided about Brooke White. She has a very nice voice and can obviously play a few instruments, and could either be in the Joan Osborne/Shawn Colvin mold, or else fall the way of Haley Scarnato. What I do know is that she needs to STFU when the judges are giving their critiques;

- Carly Smithson and David Cook strike me as the 2 most likely "stars" from this bunch in the way of multi-dimensional talents and prospective fan bases. It seems like we all agree that of all the contestants, Archuleta is the best *lock* to do something beyond AI, if for no other reason than his seemingly crazy amount of support. But in terms of star power/marketability, I don't think he's got the chops to be a mega-star like Aaron Carter in his prime, and might not even rise to be Tevin Campbell. Cook and Smithson have the talent that so far has transcended the styles of music they're asked to do each week, and look comfortable doing it. Their age/maturity have a lot to do with their presentation, and it strikes me that they "know who they are" and will keep it up beyond a top-3 (or better) AI run.

Just my $0.02. Of course, all this is probably hyper-critical if you consider these guys came from "nothing" (meaning no one in the general public had ever heard of them, notwithstanding a few industry ins and upstart band efforts) to being people who, based on their exposure on the show (and some talent) will be able to sell a bunch of records and make some sort of livelihood out of music/name recognition, at least for a while (best case, see Katharine McPhee). So given that, they're probably all just happy to be here, in a sense. My point is really that those who want to springboard from AI to the level of stardom of Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood or Chris Daughtry (i.e. multiplatinum and winning Grammys) need to be much better than "acts", and the wheat is quickly being separated from the chaff.

236

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 12:11

Chode, what an excellant post. Completely spot on with all of the assessments. Castro is very limited in what he can do. I think Brooke is limited as well, but she is very good when she stays in her comfort zone. I'd like every contestant to shut up when the judges talk, but Brooke and Smithson are the two worst this season. I've warmed back up to Johns as well and would like to see him work on his performance/body movements a bit. I want to take back what I said about Ramiele very early in this thread. Maybe she ends up with a large overseas audience, but she is not as good as I originally thought she was. I'd put KLC above Chris Richardson, but below Bucky...unless she can play a mean air guitar. I find myself looking forward to Smithson and DC most each week and haven't been disappointed from either lately.

237

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 12:49

I thought the best last night was Syesha.
I am a Whitney and Heart fan and when someone butchers one of their songs I am the first one to stand up and say something about it.
In this case I thought Syesha did the song justice and it wouldnt surprise me if Simon apologized to her after he hears the playback.

I thought Archulta was good again but not great.
He will still get the chances to prove himself but I am beginning to wonder is he will win of if he will sell enough records if he does win.

Brooke left me wanting more.

I did not care for Johns, Castro, or D. Cook.

KLC did well enough to hang around for another week but will be going home sooner than later.

Carly certainly has the pipes but the personality I find very irritating.

This brings us to Ramiele.
Cute girl but it is time to say goodbye.
So much potential.
We wanted to like her but she has been very disappointing.

238

Tree
ID: 3533298
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 12:51

KLC could wink and whine her way to a small-time country gig, but that's her absolute max. She reminds me of Bucky Covington or Chris Richardson in that way, only less talented;

Bucky Covington has done alright for himself. He's on his way to his debut record going Gold, and he's had four singles on two different charts, including two top 10 country singles.

If someone aims for that goal and hits it, well, it's a fairly lofty one, so more power to them.

239

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 15:32

In the grand scheme of things, I'll bet there are many country stars who couldn't sing outside their genre and rock stars who couldn't do country, etc. So it stands to reason that if they are good inside of their element, then they could still be successful after AI. But with that being said, Underwood was still great outise of country. Clarkson was great outside of pop. Daughtry was pretty good outside of rock though him and Bice both pretty much tried to convert everything to rock--a la D. Cook.

In the end, AI wants to sell as mnay records as they can so regardless of the genre, they have to crossover to pop for mass appeal. Clarkson, Underwood, Daughtry have done this well. Whereas Fantasia, Studdard et al have done well in their elements but really haven't crossed over. With the record business as it is today, that's something to consider. How many other contestants are going to do multiple albums?

240

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, Apr 03, 2008, 15:25

Very good behind the scenes article about Idol:

LA TIMES Article

241

Khahan
ID: 46121614
Mon, Apr 07, 2008, 12:32

I have completely lost interest in AI: 2008. The Beatles one week was great. A second week of it may have been a bit much. Follow that up with ballad week (ugh always the worst week for me every year) and then Dolly Parton week.

But there is a ton of talent out there. I may sit down for this week and see if I can get back into it.

242

Toral
ID: 575542418
Tue, Apr 08, 2008, 21:10

The contest is set up to find someone who can sell many units, and I'm aware of that, so my opinions will be farther and farther away from the consensus.

CLEAR WORST

Jason Castro. The judges loved it, but that was the worst rendition of Over the Rainbow I have ever heard -- the only one that made me NOT want to go over the rainbow -- but stay right here. I would throw him out of the competition based on just that performance.

Nothing dramatically good or bad in the rest.

I thot the best singer tonight was Carly Smithson. Cowell, rightly enuf, called it an "angry performance". But angry performances can sell. Ask Sir Mick Jagger.

I thot Kristy Lee Cook was maybe the next best. Well chosen song and controlled performance.

Brooke White is my favourite in the bunch, and I like the song she chose. She was just OK tonite.

Again, I saw nothing of any merit in David Archuleta. He reminds me of a decent 17-year-old BB player who is allowed in the major league camps during spring training. Then after he goes 4 for 37, he has to be reassigned.

Toral

243

Tree
ID: 1353816
Tue, Apr 08, 2008, 22:43

Jason Castro. The judges loved it, but that was the worst rendition of Over the Rainbow I have ever heard -- the only one that made me NOT want to go over the rainbow -- but stay right here. I would throw him out of the competition based on just that performance.

you're kidding, right? i'm wondering if you heard the version it was based on, from Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole, because if you did, you might think differently.

(link here, in case embedding doesn't work)

i feel like you watched a different show. Carly Hennessey was disappointing at best. KLC was average. Brooke White was solid, and i think she might end up sneaking into the top 3.

whichever rocker opened the show as not good. the other rocker was above average, but not up to his normal level.

and again, David A showed why he is the talent to beat this year. yea, i'd like to see him do more up tempo stuff - let's see that cat swing - but he was just outstanding again.

but your comments about Castro dumbfound me.

244

Toral
ID: 575542418
Tue, Apr 08, 2008, 23:15

Thanx, Tree. Cowell mentioned that the rendition was based on this fellow's version. The Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole version was decently sung, and might be worth a 6 out of 10. Still would have been the worst of the nite. Re the video: there are some people for whom the inclusion of naked poor people makes a song of aspiration better; I am not one of them.

I am now more definite on throwing Castro out just on that performance, as his rendition was not only definitive but badly derivative. I can safely predict that Castro will never sell millions of units of crap like that.

As always I acknowledge that you know more about the music business than I do, and also more about popular taste (which is actually a scary thing to have to acknowledge).

Toral

245

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 02:45

I have to agree with Tree on Castro.
The first 20 seconds I was thinking you have got to be kidding me.
Then as he went on I liked it more and more.

David Cook was by far the worst.
That was just downright horrible.
If that was the first we had heard of him he would be gone.
Surprisingly I thought the other Cook was the best followed by Castro.
I also like Syesha and Johns.
Once again Archuleta and Brooke have failed to deliver that great performance I have been looking for.
Carly was forgetable....not good....not bad...just forgetable.

Tonight seemed like upsidedown night to me.
If you ranked the contestants in order of who has the best shot at winning.....and then inverted the list you would have my rankings for the evening.

Overall chance of winning:
D. Cook
Archuleta
Brooke
Carly
Syesha
Johns
Castro
KLC

Best performance last night:
KLC
Castro
Johns
Syesha
Carly
Brooke
Archuleta
D.Cook

Going to be a very interesting elimination.

246

Tree
ID: 2032194
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 06:34

there are some people for whom the inclusion of naked poor people makes a song of aspiration better...

As always I acknowledge that you know more about the music business than I do, and also more about popular taste (which is actually a scary thing to have to acknowledge).

on a side note regarding that record from Iz. When that came out, i was working in music retail, in Burlington, VT, which is very much of a public radio kind of town, or, at least was 12 years ago.

public radio did a feature on the performer and the song, and the next day, literally dozens of people came in asking about the record. no one in my department had heard the feature, or heard of the musician. his music was not listed in the store's database, and concerning Barnes and Noble's reputation for being more about the PBS/Public Radio crowd than the rock/pop crowd, this was surprising.

this was also in the infancy of the internet, so Googling it wasn't an option. but, i did my research, and discovered that at the time, Iz did not have *any* solo music available on the mainland U.S.

i tracked down Iz's record label in Hawaii, and made arrangements for my store to directly purchases 30 CDs. as a result, we were one of the first (if not THE first) stores on the mainland U.S. (discounting stores that specialized in World Music, because i refuse to believe that NO ONE carried this record) to carry this record, and it went on to become a huge seller - actually eventually becoming the first Hawaiian record to go Platinum.

the song was a monster hit before any video played, so the half-naked people in it hardly played a role.

and while i'd acknowledge it's a nice song, it's not my cup of tea, and yea, certainly a 700 pound man playing such a tiny instrument and singing with such a sweet voice is a nice gimmick, it was still a very big song for a long time, and over a decade after his death, you'll still hear it on tv shows and movies when they need some sort of emotional boost.

i dare say that in another 10 years, it'll surpass Judy Garland's as the "standard"...

still, it was pretty cool to be so intimately involved in something that started as trying to help out our loyal customers and ending up becoming a classic.

247

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 09:35

The Iz version of "Rainbow" may be as perfect a song as was ever performed, but the song itself is such a show stopper. I remember in season 5 Katherine McFee wowed the judges with the traditional performance that song.

Still, I never appreciated how important song choice was until the last few weeks. KLC who was perpetual bottom 3 got a real bump with "God Bless the USA" and then sticking with her strength in country music, and now Castro who was looking from the bottom up will get a nice bump too with "Over the Rainbow". Carly on the other hand should be sailing through to the final 4 put herself at risk this week, and Brooke who is always solid is starting to get too repetitive and will hopefully still keep her base.

248

Toral
ID: 575542418
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 11:54

i dare say that in another 10 years, it'll surpass Judy Garland's as the "standard"...

Western Civilisation will never sink that low.

The Iz version, listened to again, still isn't better than good karaoke.

249

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 13:33

I was wondering where I had heard that song before because it was reminding me of a movie.
Sure enough it was in 50 First Dates.
I dont know that it will replace the original but it isnt all that bad Toral.

250

Toral
ID: 575542418
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 13:55

It's competing with a masterwork, weykool. You might as well expect Danny Archuleta to sing what will be considered the new iconic Stairway to Heaven.

251

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 15:35

Not sure what point you are trying to make.
There are many songs that are redone.
Mariah Carey has made an entire career out of redoing other people's songs.
In her case most of the time she brings nothing new to the song.
Whitney redid "I will always love you".
I'm sure there are some people who dont care for her version and prefer the original.
If the new version isnt considered better than the origianl by everyone does that make it is no good?
We all have our personal preferrences when it comes to music.
I happen to like The Who's Pinball Wizard, does that mean I cant enjoy Elton's verion as well?

252

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 15:40

I agree with a lot of what Tree and wey said.

I thought Cook was absolutely horrible and Castro was BY FAR the best. I lvoe his voice--though he hasn't been good the last few weeks. I also like Archuleta's voice and got put in his place when he totally botched that Stevie Wonder song a few weeks back.

I think Syesha and Carly are overconfident. They aren't as good as they think they are. Syesha has got a nice voice but leave the Diva's alone! I think Carly is an angry person. Like Tree said, that doesn't mean she can't still sell records, but to me it feels like she think she should be entitled to win. One man's opinion.

I've not been very good at our little contest in figuring out exactly who is going home. When in doubt I use my gut. But who was the worst each week IMO, doesn't mean that's who is going home even if America felt that.

So here's how I would rank this week based on performance:

1. Castro
2. Archuleta
3. KLC
4. Johns
5. Syesha
6. Brooke
7. Carly
8. D. Cook

But with that said, let's make some assertions. There is no way DCook is going home. KLC should finally be out of the bottom 3 with that super performance. I do think three women will be in the bottom three: Syesha, Brooke and Carly.

Brooke has been stead and solid pretty much every week. I really like her. But lets face it, she's not spectacular. She never will be. She's just not as good as Carly or Syesha IMM. But she does have a lot better following than the other two normally. I have no idea who I am going to pick to leave. We have until Thursday. I honestly wouldn't be surprised with any of those three walking away. Based soley on recent voting maybe Syesha? I dunno. Going to think about it tonight some more.

253

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 18:14

A lot of good discusion and what's crazy is that I agree with a little from everyone and disagree with a little from everyone. Crazy season.

I like the angry Smithson singing, but she oversang the song this week. Wasn't good for me. D. Cook was horrible this week. Maybe he was getting a bit cocky. The song sucked and his vocals matched. I'm with Toral in that I've never been wowed by Archuletta. He has nice tone, but no range and I'm not in to listening to a 3 minute song with the same inflection throughout. Really, I just don't get the hype.

I like the version of the song Castro sang, but he wasn't as good as the Iz version and I'm tired of seeing the same thing from him weekly. He can't even hold a note. His voice falters. Brookes voice falters too much as well. I kinda got into her for a week or two, but I don't like her personality and it bothers me that she picks safe little songs each week, but is treated like she sang a masterpiece. At her very best, she has been entertaining, but she has never wowed me with her vocals. Seriously, does she have a single memorable moment on this show? Johns wasn't great, but I disliked him the least this week. I do like that he picks big songs every week and never sucks. KLC sounded the same to me this week as she has for most weeks, which was okay. She has a country sound that works for her. I liked Syesha and feel bad that she doesn't have a bigger fan base.

This week wasn't great. I didn't even save the show after watching it. Instant watch and delete. If I had to rank them, here is what I would put:

1. Johns
2-4. (tie) Syesha, KLC and Smithson
5. Castro
6. Archuleta
7. White
8. DC

Bottom three will probably be Brooke, Syesha, and Smithson with Smithson or Syesha going home.

254

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 19:14

To me, personally, I "liked" Syesha a lot, but I think her fan best is going to let her down this week and possibly send her home...

The best vocal for me was Kristy Lee Cook, and as long as she can keep singing country songs, she will be safe....

255

Toral
ID: 575542418
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 20:09

Of course I might be wrong...

And I don't know how to embed utube...

But THIS is how you sing "Over the Rainbow": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10w_sEcHlGs

Toral

256

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 20:10

I'm also glad to see that I am not the only one who didn't like Carly's performance. I'm a huge fan of Freddy Mecury's talent so I am probably biased against anybody redoing his songs, (Rodgers included), but that was not a good performance, IMHO.

2 things about wardrobe last night. A.) Would Carly please put on something with sleeves. I think she did last week and to me that was the only time she looked good. I think she is very attractive, but that tat is way too much for a girl, IMHO Also, does it seem like her irish accent is much stronger now than in the early shows? B.) What was with Paula's dress, it looked awful and all it did was pop out some cleavage and totally flatten eeverything else?

257

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 20:52

What about this version?
Best "Over the Rainbow" ever.

This guy wasnt all that bad either
He was the eventual winner in the contest.
Eventual winner of BGT

Why cant we get Amanda to replace Paula?

258

Wilmer McLean
ID: 1035990
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 21:05

My favorite version of "Over the Rainbow."

Eva Cassidy (1963-1996)

"There's an undeniable emotional appeal in hearing an artist who you know died (melanoma) in obscurity singing a song about hope and a mystical world beyond everyday life", wrote The Guardian.

Studio version:

Live version (1996):

260

Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 22:12

Since we're talking about American Idol, no love for Katharine McPhee's version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow"?

Hard to compare the classic version to the one Castro sang. I like both versions and thought that Castro was one the best last night.

261

Tree
ID: 30348917
Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 22:37

Toral - you only like Judy Garland's version because you're an old queen.

in all seriousness, of course that is THE version. i mean, it was written by Arlen and Harburg specifically for Garland, and specifically to showcase her particular vocal skills.

it was not an accident of chance she sung that song. two of the greatest american lyricists wrote it for her, specifically.

Eva Cassidy - definitely a heartbreaking story, and it was nice to see her eventually get her due.

Connie Talbot - a cute story, and definitely a great singer for a six-year-old. reminds me a bit of what Charlotte Church must have been like when she was barely more than a toddler.

Paul Potts - to me, this is one of the greatest stories to come out of all these singing contests, if not THE greatest story. here is a dude who does what - sells cell phones or something? - has bad teeth, looks like a rugby thug, and really, you don't expect much out of at all. you just hopes he doesnt embarrass himself.

and lo and behold, he opens his mouth, and out comes the voice of an angel. an awe-inspiring, tear-jerking, jaw-dropping, chill-sending, voice.

he draws a spontaneous standing ovation. he brings one judge to tears. he brings simon cowell to applaud in mid-song.

to me, he is the person these contests are designed to discover. yes, he had some opera experience prior to this performance, but at the time he entered the contest, he was working as a cell phone salesman, hadn't sung in 4 years, and was faced with financial difficulties because of tumor surgery and a bicycle accident.

Paul Potts is an immense talent, and an amazing story.

262

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Apr 10, 2008, 00:40

Paul Potts...HOLY CRAP!!!

That 6 year old...man oh man.

Thanks for the links Wey!

263

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Apr 11, 2008, 00:38

I was so sure they weren't going to send Johns home when he kept referring to the lwoest vote, a la last year's give back show. Yeah I was shocked. At least I got 2 of the bottom 3 lol!

264

Texas Flood
ID: 332372318
Fri, Apr 11, 2008, 08:43

Michael Johns got ripped!

265

weykool
ID: 2842717
Fri, Apr 11, 2008, 16:53

How did Johns get ripped?

Because he didnt finish in 5th or 6th like he had a shot to do?

He was not going to make it any further than that.

You could be saying the same thing about KLC/Syesha/Castro if any of them had been sent home based solely on this weeks performance.

266

Texas Flood
ID: 332372318
Fri, Apr 11, 2008, 17:10

It's only an opinion weykool, but WTF would I know about it?

267

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Fri, Apr 11, 2008, 20:42

I understood his meaning of "got ripped" as meaning they didn't send anybody home last year on this episode, but this year they did...

In that sense, he got ripped!

268

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Apr 12, 2008, 02:01

I didn't even think he should have been in the bottom three, let alone go home (others thought he was THE BEST of the week). So in that sense, one could say he got ripped.

I got an ITunes Gift Card a year ago. Never used it until recently--both because of Jason Castro. Got Hallelujah and now Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I got Buckley's and Isreal's versions respectfully though. I looked and saw that Iz has a full version which also sandwiches What A Wonderful World in it. So I bought that one. It's currently at #100 at ITunes. The shorter version (w/o WaWW) is currently at #13.

269

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 01:10

I thought everyone ranged from pretty good to very good this week. The bottom three will all be women, with any of them going home. I'd prefer to see Brooke go home. I'm going to fast-forward through her judges comments from now on.

270

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 01:38

...and I'm going to fast-forward through any of Paula's comments. ;)

I agree with you TB that three women will make the bottom three tonight. The shocker of all shockers is that none of them will be KLC!

Whatsupwitdat????

Does this mean that Kristy is the best woman singer left??? Egads! Boy I sure do miss Alaina now.

It's very much looking like a David v David finale isn't it? Can't see anybody else with any sort of momentum to disrupt this dynamic duo.

271

GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 09:14

Ditto what both TB and Bond said, but I still think I'm not willing to rule Jason Castro out as the Long Shot Upsetter.

And I just don't know who is going home, but do agree it will be a woman singer and not KLC.

Cliff

272

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 09:28

I feel like I am the only one who doesnt get David Lee Cook.
Half the time you cant even understand the lyrics.
I dont think the vocal talent is all that special.
I know I must be missing something.

I thought most everyone did a good job this week.
I still can help but get this feeling that we may get one of the worst Idols yet.
I think overall the talent this year has been one of the best.
However, I dont see anyone really standing out from the crowd.
They are all very good but I dont see anyone that I am thinking I cant wait till they cut an album that I really want to listen to.

273

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 11:33

For some reason my DVR didn't record last night. Only saw the last three and I thougt they were good. But in the recap I can see where Syesha, Brooke and Carly were bad. From just the 10-15 secs I saw I thought Syesha and Carly were the worst. I liked David Cook a lot. In fact the last three were good. For someone who felt that KLC should have been out long ago, she's getting better and better. Going to see if Youtube has those three up so I can figure out who I thought was the worst.

274

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 12:33

Just watched them all on Youtube. Archuleta was VERY GOOD. I thought Brooke rushed a lot. I couldn't wait for her song to get over--even though I liked the song. Really liked Carly's song but she ended unfavorably. Syesha does more runs than sing. I can't stand that. I think she has a better voice than Brooke but I like Brooke better on the show.

I think the singers were tiered with each tier clearly a cut above the tier below:

1st tier: Davids
2nd tier: Castro and KLC
3rd tier: Brooke, Carly and Syesha

275

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 15:26

First off, thank you Carly for putting on sleeves, too bad you don't do Mariah Carey well, and you still make those goofy facial expressions, looks like it is time for you to go.

As far as Brooke goes, I didn't think she was as horrible as everybody else thinks. I have always felt her voice was a bit pitchy, but it went with her style. She did the song her way, and if you could get past the comparing to Mariah, it was fine by me.

Now Syesha she definitely is not up to Mariah's quality, but she has the closest type of voice to hers, so I thought she was probably the one who was most compared to Mariah, which definitely worked to her disadvantage,and she did not come close to the real thing.

The guys definitely ruled the night and my prediction is we will have an all guy final 3, or at least an advantage 2-1.

276

Texas Flood
ID: 41322127
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 17:22

Last night David Cook hands down. I like Archuleta, but I doubt I
would ever buy any of his music. The one guy thats grown on me
over time is Castro. He's put up three of the better performances
in recent weeks and he has a style all his own.

As for the girls send any of them home, the sooner the better. The
tattoo chick, the screamer Syesha, and Brooke all annoy me. That
leaves me with KLC who should have never made it to the top ten.
Bring back that skunk head blues singer.

277

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 23:23

KLC wasn't going to win it anyhow so whichever order they go home is probably meaningless--except that KLC has gotten better and better while Syesha and Carly have gotten worse IMM. Brooke probably won't even get a deal with a big record label if any at all. I agree that the final three should be the guys, but it probably won't happen. The final four should have been the boys, but there is always someone who leaves well before their time.

278

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 21:31

Good:
Carly Smithson
Syesha Mercado
David Archuleta
David Cook

Bad:
Jason Castro

Horrible:
Brooke White

279

chode
ID: 43411177
Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 23:43

How did I lose ground to Bond in the Contest last week?

280

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Apr 23, 2008, 01:17

Looks like I screwed it up at a quick glance. I don't have excel on my home computer right now and can't access this web site from work so have been emailing back and forth to update. I will recheck from last week before updating this weeks. Hopefully I just mixed you two up or something.

281

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Apr 23, 2008, 01:21

Actually, at a longer glance I didn't update his "Safe -No" column from an 8 to a 9, which would mean his score is 4 less. I will fix it this week.

282

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 23, 2008, 01:23

Re: 278 I agree.

283

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Apr 23, 2008, 02:39

I thought by a mile Syesha was the best.

Carly was not able to reach the high notes on the chorus.
Not sure what Paula was listening to.
The verses were very good but the chorus getting butchered ruined it for me.
Archuleta was decent but not spectacular.
Once a gain I didnt get David Lee Cook.
Castro did not create a Memory.

It will be a shame to see Brooke go home this week.
I was really pulling for her and enjoyed hearing her the most.
Her problem is a matter of nerves.
She would definitly be able to go into a recording studio and cut a really good album.
The problem will be when she needs to go out on tour and perform live.
Last week when she got to the chorus she started rushing it.
This week you could see her thinking about what the judges were going to say about starting over.
You cant be doing that while you are singing.

284

Texas Flood
ID: 10336216
Wed, Apr 23, 2008, 12:05

Excellent, David Cook and Syesha
Good, Archuleta
Ok, Carly
Not so Hot, Jason Castro
You sucked, Brooke

285

chode
ID: 293141514
Wed, Apr 23, 2008, 12:20

Re: 281, you mean from an 8 to a 10?

286

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Wed, Apr 23, 2008, 18:58

Being a big ALW fan(seen JCSS at least 20 times and Phantom just as many), tonight was my favorite night yet...

That said, David Cook was awesome. Parts of it just blew me away. I felt he was the best, but had to put Syesha as the best in the Contest thread since I had Cook last week. But Syeshe was almost as good as Cook anyways(and I actually agree with Simon, she is sexy).

Archuleta was very good as always. I even liked Carly this week, seeing as she didn't butcher Jesus Christ Superstar like I thought she would. Plus she had sleeves on. I do agree that she did scream a bit in the middle, but the rest was pretty good, not quite Ted Neely, but good.

Castro, is just geting too boring for me. Show some life already. I like the song he did, but not by him.

And Brooke, she absolutely destroyed both the song and any longshot chance she had at making the finals. If she or Castro don't go home this week, it will show how much of a popularity contest this show really is.

287

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Thu, Apr 24, 2008, 03:01

I was sick to my stomache when both Brooke and Castro were safe.

288

Tree
ID: 40312244
Thu, Apr 24, 2008, 06:20

at least we don't have to see Carly's disturbing facial expressions anymore.

289

Guru
ID: 330592710
Thu, Apr 24, 2008, 11:14

...or her husband's disturbing face

290

Texas Flood
ID: 10336216
Thu, Apr 24, 2008, 11:50

Actually I find the Hobbittesque David Archuleta to be the wierdest
looking Idol. I find his constant smile to be quite annoying.

291

ChicagoTRS
ID: 4110481415
Thu, Apr 24, 2008, 16:49

I kind of agree on DA...I liked him at first but now I find all of his songs sound about the same. I really do not see him translating well commercially...he seems kind of "broadwayish" to me...

IMO David Cook is the only commercially viable contestant this year...and maybe Syesha...

292

sarge33rd
ID: 99331714
Thu, Apr 24, 2008, 19:37

DC is IMHO, and I know nada about the music biz, a highly marketable talent. Good range, great presence....

Should be the winner of it all this year.

293

Donkey Hunter
ID: 4341818
Tue, Apr 29, 2008, 20:47

Let me be the first to say this is the worst episode of AI ever. They are way too rushed.

Well now Paula is acting a fool. That saved it a little bit.

294

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Tue, Apr 29, 2008, 23:35

BEST EPISODE EVER!!!!

Paula Abdul claiming she had already heard Jason twice and giving a critique on a song NOT YET SUNG.....PRICELESS!!!!

Ok, we all know that the judges are there for the dress rehearsal and undoubtedly Paula had already made her notes and whatnot. But then for her to claim that the rattling off of her second song critique was actually meant for David Cook?....COME ON PAULA!!!! That wasn't cool.

What was cool was seeing Seacrest wetting his pants on stage while looking around for some sort of direction. LOL Live TV at its best!

Frankly, it was a really dumb idea for Idol to try to cram it all down our throats like they did. Everything was rushed; there was no consistency; Seacrest, for the most part, does an excellent job at hosting but it was frankly hilarous to see in the background, some of the Idols rush to their respective spots while Ryan's giving out the numbers. Not Ryan's fault there but the whole show seemed out of whack with this new arrangement.

Meanwhile, Jason has got to go home. And I mean right now! Don't even let him on the show tommorrow night. He was absolutely dreadful tonight. If he's not voted off, kick him off!

The two Davids and Syesha have shown enough to me that they deserve to be in the top 3. Will they? Nope! America's caught in some weird nanny-fantasy with Brooke and for whatever reason, keep voting for her. She needs to go next week.

295

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 01:33

I actually liked Castro's first song. His second song wasn't horrible but I didn't care for it at all. Brooke's first song was the worst of the 10 by far, but her second song was very good. Syesha was pretty good but didn;t liek how she took some of the songs up an octive. The 2nd song was kidna corny but she did it fine. The two Davids were good like usual.

I have no idea who is going home though. It's a total guess.

296

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 02:27

I thought Syesha was fantastic. which means she will be going home and I will be left with one idol I enjoy watching (Cook) each week.

I thought Paula was stoned.

I know I am behind on the standings, but I just got office 2007 in the mail. I will install tomorrow and update.

On the Eastwood scale:
Good - Cook and Syesha
Bad - Archuletta
Ugly - Brooke and Castro

297

Texas Flood
ID: 113532910
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 07:56

At this stage of the contest having a theme night is really stupid.
Just let them sing what they want to sing. Two songs are fine
but give them a little more time to preform.

Last night:

Cook and Syesha were excellent, Archuletta is a one trick pony
and sounds the same every week. Brooke and Castro should be
gone.

Syesha has really stepped up recently and should make it to the
top three with the two Davids. I can't help but think that Michael
Johns and Carly should still be in the competition. Castro has
has had some pretty good nights and I actually like him but
Brooke should have been gone weeks ago.

298

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 08:24

I know I am behind on the standings, but I just got office 2007 in the mail. I will install tomorrow and update.
Get ready to learn Excel all over again.

In honor of Paula:
Next week.........
Brook was surprisingly good.
DLC was solid.
Archuletta Baggins was his usual self.
Syesha rocked the house.

As for this week:
Castro sucked.
The rest did decent on one song and okay on the other.
I thought Archuleta's america was very good.
First song not so good.
Syesh was probably the best for me last night.

299

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 13:50

I know I am behind on the standings, but I just got office 2007 in the mail. I will install tomorrow and update.

We appreciate you even doing them for us TB...

Brooke totally screwed up I'm a believer. She definitely deserves to go home soon. Same with Castro, he sounds the same every week. Very boring.

That said, unfortunately I think this is the week Syesha's smaller fan base finally sends her home. I think she has definitely stepped it up the last couple of weeks and deserves to be in the top 3.

Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise for her since she won't be locked into the AI contract and will probably be picked up elsewhere.

300

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 19:50

Archuletta Baggins...lol

I played around with the 2007 excel demo so I figured out enough to do simple sheets like this scoring one. It bugs me that they changed so much. If I didn't get such a great deal, I wouldn't have bought it.

301

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 21:20

TB:

Dont say I didnt warn you.
There are some nice features that are better but the new menu layout really sux.
I hid the new menu and created a custom quick access bar where I put familiar Icons on it is so it looks like 2003.
But seriously that screaming and hair pulling you hear will be America switching over to Excel 2007.

302

cblack
ID: 23945316
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 21:38

CASTRO IS SAFE?!!??!?!?!!?!?!?!

This is obviously not a news flash to anyone here, but this show obviously has NOTHING to do with how the performers actually SANG!!!
Castro has been TERRIBLE for at least 3 weeks running!!!!!
AI just lost 1 viewer - not that they'll care!!

303

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Wed, Apr 30, 2008, 23:24

Who is it that keeps voting for Castro???? I didn't know the stoner crowd was that adept at texting in.

Brook's time has been up for some time now. I don't know if her ending as number five means that Simon successfully brought her over to the dark side or not but she did alright for herself.

TB....I love the Eastwood scale! We ought to use it next year. The good, the bad and the ugly...LOL!!!

304

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, May 01, 2008, 00:15

Well they got this one right. I keep picking who I think should go home and I'm wrong. So I pick Syesha this week--thinking Brooke has a better fan base and I'm wrong again.

305

Tree
ID: 193313017
Thu, May 01, 2008, 00:47

Jason's a good lookin' good. he's got the kind of eyes that SLAY teenage girls, and he's got the hair style that makes him look like a bad boy, but not so bad he's scary.

he'll be in the top 3. quite possibly the top 2, with David A.

306

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Thu, May 01, 2008, 01:27

#305

What are you doing posting here when you should be scouting players for Berzerk?
Good thing you know more about footbal than you do about pop music.
Castro will be gone next week and it will be David vs Baggins in the finals.

307

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Thu, May 01, 2008, 01:35

Syesha will probably be gone next week. IMO, she got a surge of voters this week when Simon made his comment that she could be in trouble. She might also be getting the votes from people whose idol has left, but when Simon said she could be in trouble I'm guessing that was a very calculated comment by him..

308

Tree
ID: 241814
Thu, May 01, 2008, 06:36

WK - hey, i'm scouting, i'm scouting! lol

syesha doesnt have the fan base the other three do. that's what i'm basing this on.

i'm curious as to how many facebook/myspace "i love jason!!!!!" groups there are as opposed to "i love that say yes girl!!!"

309

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Thu, May 01, 2008, 10:42

I would have never guessed when we were at the final 10 that when it got down to 4 that Syesha and Jason would still be around and Brooke and Carly would be gone. Chalk says they are the next two but who knows. Syesha may not have the fan base, but I think she may benefit being the only girl left in the voting next week. I remember from several occasions in past seasons that the one who is voted off from the final 4 had been an anticpated finalist (Daughtry, Tamyra Grey, LaToya London). If Jason or Syesha somehow makes final 2 over one of the other guys, the finals will be so anti-climactic.

310

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Thu, May 01, 2008, 20:28

Brooke and Carly?

Johns and Carly were my picks to be top 4 with Cook and Archuletta.

311

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Fri, May 02, 2008, 22:58

coming down to the wire in the contest, my gamble on Syesha going home definitely didn't pay off...

Not surprised Brooke went home, seeing how bad her last 2 weeks have been. But Ioo thought America kind of had a "nanny crush"...

Pulling for Cook to go home either next week or the following, just so he doesn't have to be strapped with the AI Contract. He is by far my favorite and my first idol I might even consider buying an album from. He is pretty much guaranteed to do very good on his own. Just like Daughtry.

While Cook is the best, I hope Syesha and Archuleta make the finals, Castro needs to go home ASAP.

312

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Sat, May 03, 2008, 03:07

Daughtry signed with 19 Recordings/RCA Records, which I want to say is the same one the idol winner has to sign with. If you put out a hot album, people are going to buy it.

313

Tree
ID: 241138
Sat, May 03, 2008, 10:16

yea - 19 Entertainment is indeed owned by Simon Fuller, the producer of American Idol.

two interesting facts about 19 that may or may not be well known.

1. the management division of the company used to manage the Spice Girls.

2. the name of the company comes from the paul hardcastle song of the same name, which was a huuuuuuge hit in the 80s. Fuller was managing hardcastle at the time.

314

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, May 03, 2008, 16:52

For as bad as my predicting has been each week, I had only Johns instead of Mercado wrong in the top 4.

315

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Wed, May 07, 2008, 09:12

There were 4 great performances last night from the final 4 on the Rock and Roll HOF week. Of course, two of those great performances were from Archuletta. I was starting to think David Cook was going to be the front runner, but David Archuletta far and away looked like he is destined to win this thing based on last night IMO. Both Davids will do well post Idol. I did enjoy Cook's "Baba O'Reiley" Who cover but thought the performance of the night was Syesha with Sam Cooke's "A Change". I hope both Cook and Sye can survive to the final 3 with Archie.

Jason may have a good following, but he would not have made it to Hollywood if either of those two efforts last night were his initial audition. Castro's song choices were horrible. He did decent enough to survive a few weeks ago with Neil Diamond's "Blue Jeans". If he could have done similarly with an Elton John song or something less indulgent than Marley, then I'd be less annoyed if he advances tonight. (There have been alot of final 4 elimination surprises in past seasons). Now if he is carried through because of his base I'll be angry.

316

Tree
ID: 3533298
Wed, May 07, 2008, 09:16

i agree. if Castro goes on, there really isn't any justice. based strictly on performance last night, he needs to go home.

i fear, however, that Sayesha - the best pure singer left - will be voted off.

that being said, i have little doubt that both her, and Archuletta, have long careers ahead of them.

317

weykool
ID: 2842717
Wed, May 07, 2008, 18:43

i fear, however, that Sayesha - the best pure singer left -

Stop the world I wanna get off.
Tree and I agreeing on music or politics?
The sudden implosion of the planet cannot be far behind.

318

Texas Flood
ID: 244167
Wed, May 07, 2008, 20:02

Mabye its just me but I really didn't like any of em last night.
Best song choice of the night was Archuleta. "Stand By Me"
should have been "Vote for Me". I just can't get past his hobbit
image.

Cook, of all the great Who songs he picks "Baba O'Rriley. He
could have done "We Won't Get Fooled Again" and when finished
smashed his Les Paul over Castro's head or better yet Paula's.
Her head is empty and the echo effect would have been
astounding.

Syesha, Proud Mary are there not better songs by Tina Turner
than this polish wedding favorite? All that was missing was the
three meat buffet and the plastic flowers on the table.

Castro, actually picked two of my all time favorites and
absolutely blew them up. That may have been the worst all time
crapfest from a top four performer ever!

Bye Jason you gave us some of the best and worst moments of
the season.

319

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, May 10, 2008, 02:30

Great post TF. Esp. agree with the Castro comment.

320

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Mon, May 12, 2008, 14:03

Looking for ideas on scoring changes for next years contest. I have one idea I'd lke to implement. For each different contestant selected as "best" for the week, you will get a bonus of 5 points. You can pick the same person each week, but the person who picks many different idols as their best of the week is going to get more points.

321

weykool
ID: 2842717
Mon, May 12, 2008, 16:57

TB:

I posted a suggestion about the bottom 3 in post #64 of the contest thread.
If your pick is bottom 3 you get points based on how many people picked that contestant.
The fewer people who had that person the more points you would get.

It could be a pure bonus points system where there is not a penalty for wrong picks of -1 for wrong picks.
I believe it was bottom 2 once they were down to 6 left.

Thanks for doing this it has added to the enjoyment to this season.

322

Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Mon, May 12, 2008, 17:18

what about getting docked points if your safe picks were not actually "safe"(bottom3,2) on the show?

Thanks for doing this it has added to the enjoyment to this season.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you TB...

323

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, May 14, 2008, 02:22

It's fun for me to track, and fairly easy, but the most enjoyment I get is the chat in this thread.

I thought Syesha was the best tonight, but the producers must want the Davids in the finals because the judges were not very nice to her.
Simon tells David A he did enough to make the finals and then he tells Cook he won the night.
Paula made a comment about how Syesha should be proud for making it to third.
The bash her about song choice on two songs she didn't get to pick along with her own selection of Fever. Syesha can come to my house and sing Fever anytime she wants. She can even pick what chair she wants me to sit in.

I'm going to guess that Cook wins it all.

324

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, May 14, 2008, 07:13

I agree TB.

Syesha was by far the best.
She also has one of the names where she could be known by just her first name like Madonna or Shakira.
This may be yet another season where the real winner is the one who doesnt win and isnt under the control of the AI machine.

I cant believe how bad David Cook is.
He will be right there with Taylor Hicks for worst idol ever.

325

Tree
ID: 3533298
Wed, May 14, 2008, 08:58

i also agree with you guys.

as i watched Sayesha perform, i was thinking...oh man, if tonight was the finals, Archuletta would have his hands full.

and then the judges give the night to Cook...wtf??

326

Texas Flood
ID: 21430148
Wed, May 14, 2008, 09:52

I thought all three were pretty solid last night. Syesha's first
song was great! The last two were decent with "Fever" being
much better than the penguin song!

Archuleta, same time, same show, the same every week, and the
same little hobbit since week #1. I've seen enough bring out the
hook!

David Cook singing the great Roberta Flack song and he pulls it
off! Amazing. Song #2 was a horrible choice. It was like he was
trying to play stump the audience and be ultra cool by choosing
something less mainstream. Number three was fine but he was
not in the zone.

I guess at this point we can make a case for everyone either
going or staying.

327

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, May 15, 2008, 00:11

Congrats on those of you who have wanted a David v. David finale.

I can't say that this has been that great a year but I have no problem with these two guys battling it out at the end.

Uh, Fantasia....Simon just called and he has just one thing to say: "What in the bloody hell was that?" LOL

After her, ahem, performance, look for the AI3 winner to NEVER grace us with her presence ever again! LOL If she was the one who competed with that mess last night, SHE'D be the one booted, not Syesha. ;)

328

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Thu, May 15, 2008, 01:18

Fantasia....That was a complete and utter mess.

Can this be the last year that the producers pick the song?

Produers: We would like you to sing ___________.
Judges: Very poor song choice, I would pack your bags.

If the judges are going to pick a song they should all get together and have a say in each song picked.
If they cant all agree on songs then the contestants get to pick.

329

weykool
ID: 2842717
Thu, May 15, 2008, 10:43

Late breaking news:

It looks like there was some sort of voting glitch and the phone lines from season 3 were left open.

The latest vote tally has Fantasia finishing a distant 3rd to:
"The other contestant"
and
"Anyone but F-ing Fantasia".

I will keep you posted as to who is eventually declared the official winner.

330

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, May 15, 2008, 12:54

Syesha wouldn't even have made it to the top 24 had AI not changed the show to give them another chance in Hollywood week at tryouts. Then she somehow did incredible with what voice she had left. She stunk for a long time, but gotta hand it to her was pretty good lately. As good as the top 24 was in compared to previous years, I just don't "love" the top few. Still I picked the Davids to be there from the beginning and felt they should be there after this week's songs.

Seems to me Syesha was thinking that she could do a McPhee and see if being sexy could get her into the finals. I don't think Fever was as bad as the judges said, but I do agree that's not the song you want to pick to get you to the finals. i.e Fantasia's 'Summertime" and McPhees "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." As Simon puts it, memorable performances.

Of the two guys left, Cook has had a couple memorable performances. Archuleta has been solid, but Castro had a couple of songs that will live on--even though he stunk it up some other weeks and is so damn goofy that he shouldn't be the Idol just for that.

We all have character flaws. I mean Hicks was kinda out there too, but Syesha thinks she is better than what she is. She just doens't have the voice of a Whiteny or Celine (who does though?). Still I liked her ALicia Keys and several other songs a lot. Archuleta...ugh..I hope he grows out of it. I think he will--but who knows. Cook seems like he's Too Cool For School.

I think the best voice is Archuleta. I think the best pop star is Cook. Archuleta's verison of Chris Brown was a disaster as was his attempt at Stevie Wonder. Cook has only had one disaster song. I think they both will put out an album--just don't know how successful they will be in the long run. Short run will sell records based on the popularity of the show. I really think the winner comes down to performance next week--though Arculeta probably has a little better fan base. JMO.

331

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, May 15, 2008, 12:54

LOL!!!!

332

Texas Flood
ID: 8442159
Thu, May 15, 2008, 20:39

I just don't see the star power in Archuleta, he's cute, cuddly,
and looks like a little chimp, hand puppet or gnome! I think he
plays to the middle school and jr high crowd but beyond that I
think he stalls.

I like Cook but he is a little Hootie and the Blowfish for me. He's
hardly a great front for a real rock band, and he's far from being
a guitar virtuoso but he is pretty entertaining and has some
potential for decent career.

I just prefer his style compared to Archuleta and in all honesty I
don't see either of these guys being huge long term successes.

333

Tree
ID: 3481520
Thu, May 15, 2008, 21:09

I just don't see the star power in Archuleta, he's cute, cuddly, and looks like a little chimp, hand puppet or gnome! I think he plays to the middle school and jr high crowd but beyond that I think he stalls.

that's EXACTLY why he does have star power. that is the target demographic for music sales.

i think Archuleta is going to have a long career.

334

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Thu, May 15, 2008, 21:48

I agree with Ref that the top 24 was the strongest group in a long time.
I think the top 12 was very strong as well.
But Ref said it right, the winner will be one of the weakest we have had.

I think Syesha will do as well or better as any 3 place finisher with the exception of of Daughtry.

My prediction is Achuleta will do very well.
I couldnt help but being reminded of teen stars my sisters swooned over like Donny Osmond or David Cassidy.
Teen/Tiger Beat type magazines could have him on the cover for many years to come.
While he doesnt appeal to me there are millions of teen girls who will be downloading anything that he puts out on I-Tunes.
These girls will put the Fan back into Fan-atics.
Will he be able to have a career after his "teen" years?
That remains to be seen.
The reason teen is in quotes is because a teen Idol's career can last well into their 30's.

I can see Cook having some early success but I really dont know that he will be able to sustain anything beyond a 2nd album.

335

Texas Flood
ID: 8442159
Thu, May 15, 2008, 22:00

Yeah you guys could be right, only time will tell.

336

weykool
ID: 2842717
Tue, May 20, 2008, 11:16

#327.

Did anyone see Simon on Leno last night?
His exatct quote when asked about Fantasia's performance:
"What in the bloody hell was that?"

337

Guru
ID: 330592710
Tue, May 20, 2008, 11:45

338

Texas Flood
ID: 124212019
Tue, May 20, 2008, 20:22

Round one, Archuleta by a mile!

339

Mike D
ID: 124271622
Tue, May 20, 2008, 23:44

ARCHULETA WINS IDOL!!!

340

Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Wed, May 21, 2008, 00:11

Nobody will vote for Archuleta becasue the phone lines are jammed.

341

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, May 21, 2008, 01:02

I enjoyed this seasons finale. I thought both contestants sang well and will be happy with either winning. I don't think Archuleta "won" the night. Really, I liked all of Cook's songs and thought the first two rounds were tied. I gave the third round to Cook for singing a third "new" song instead of doing a repeat song. What I really liked was that all three of his songs showed something different.

For the contest, I added something new for the final. If you already made your pick, go back in there and read up.

342

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Wed, May 21, 2008, 02:09

Here is your daily double, Bond:

Category is 16th Century Names.
Paul III roared at him, "I have waited 30 years for your services. Now I'm Pope. Can't I satisfy my desire?"

You have 30 seconds to post your answer. Click HERE to check your answer:

343

Tree
ID: 29426215
Wed, May 21, 2008, 06:33

Nobody will vote for Archuleta becasue the phone lines are jammed.

and that's exactly why Archuleta will win. his supporters ain't calling. they're texting.

344

Texas Flood
ID: 124212019
Wed, May 21, 2008, 09:28

I concur with Mike D. Gnomes everywhere will be voting for
Archie.

Guru, thanks for the you-tube link very funny stuff.

345

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Wed, May 21, 2008, 09:30

I thought both really brought their A game last night, I think Archuleta will win, but not at all be surprised if turns out to be Cook.

With two very different artists and very different fan bases, if the contest is as close as one might expect, I guess it comes down to who has the most 'power callers' and texters. I told my 9 year old daughter she could only stay up for 30 minutes after the show calling (for her fave - Archie), figure with busy signals she got about 20 calls through. I imagine many fans dialed and texted many more votes than that. I guess it is as fair as any other method that can be devised.

346

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, May 21, 2008, 14:52

I was rooting for Cook, but Archie jsut blew him away last night. I think Archie SHOULD be the winner. But, my concern is that those who don't want Archie or really like COok will vote big bunches for Cook now. I am wondering if Cook won't end up winning it. I Think if the judges wouldn't have been talking so much doom for Cook than Archie would have won going away, but now I think it will be extremely close and Cook could even win. Cook is good, but Archie was better and deserving of the Idol.

347

GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Wed, May 21, 2008, 15:48

Doesn't matter if Archie wins it or not.
Figure inside of 4 years he'll be a clone of Britney Spears.
His dad will ensure that.
This 17 year old shows the anxieties of someone 2 or 3 times as old.
And the pressure from his dad will ensure he doesn't do well.
No matter how hard they try to keep the dad away, he will screw this up.

Just my $.02

And I also thought along the lines of TB that Cook won it hands down.

Archie redoing Imagine just once again showed how unsure of himself he is.

Cliff

348

Tree
ID: 3533298
Wed, May 21, 2008, 17:02

Archie redoing Imagine just once again showed how unsure of himself he is.

come on now. re-doing one of the best performances in Idol history when it's the finale isn't a sign of being unsure. it's a sign of going to your money pitch when the game is on the line.

349

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, May 21, 2008, 17:16

Yeah, I've reading about Archie's dad for weeks. Seems everyone dislikes him. Idol banned hin from backstage after right before the live show he told his son to add in "All these beautiful girls" at the end of one of his songs and cost the show big money in royalties.

Like I said before, I have no doubt in my mind that Archie was the best and won the show. I just have this werid feeling that it's going to be really close and Cook might have gotten the most votes.

350

Tree
ID: 47422121
Wed, May 21, 2008, 22:03

wow.

351

Bond, James Bond
Sustainer
ID: 04352469
Thu, May 22, 2008, 00:02

Congrats to David Cook and his apparent legion of fans! But did he really beat Archuleta by 12 MILLION VOTES???? That's pretty darn impressive.

Seacrest said there was 97.5 million votes cast. That's insane. Why can't we make our political process work the same. ;)

Anything stand out in tonight's finale to anybody? Here's some of my preliminary thoughts:

Amanda Overmyer looks seriously like a fish out of water. How did we keep her in the top 12? LOL

Carrie Underwood!!! OMG! Best Idol Ever! She's got the whole package going for her right now.

Thought Cook jamming with ZZ Top was pretty cool. It looked awful natural to him.

Gladys Knight and the Pips....or was it the Pimps tonight??? LOL I laughed through that whole performance. Great stuff there. Jack Black was way too good.

Seacrest actually doing some tumbles with the dance crew? I can hear the producer screaming at his monitor..."WHAT IF HE BREAKS A NAIL? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO THEN???"

I thought Michael Myers was hilarous.

Michael Johns actually sounded the best I've heard him sound all year.

Castro ended up 4th??? Really??? Egads!

Cook's winner's song: YAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNN!

352

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Thu, May 22, 2008, 01:24

Carrie Underwood!!! OMG! Best Idol Ever! She's got the whole package going for her right now.

I support this statement.

I also really enjoyed the show even with all the "old" stars pimping their new albums and tours. Total flashbacks to my youth. Donna Summer still has some pipes. I'm not sure I mentioned this, but I don't care much for the album Jordin Sparks put out. Hopefully her next album has better songs. I enjoy her voice, but find it hard to imagine many fans can connect with songs they can't sing to.

Brooke sounded really nice with Nash, but I still find it hard to believe her and Castro made top 5. Wow on both of them having no rhythm as well. Same with Johns and Overmeyer. Seeing them trying to move around and dance with the group was harsh on the eyes. I did think everyone sounded great tonight, even (or especially) Castro doing Hallelujah. He had a lot of "bad" performances, in my opinion, but he also had one of the best this season with that song.

I'm surprised Jimmy Kimmel got invited back and will be shocked if we ever see him again on the show. I don't think he's as funny as he must think he is. More Sarah Silverman please.

What was up with Paula crying during George Michael's performance? I thought he was okay, but not enough to get teary-eyed over. I also thought Carrie did a better cover of the song during the Idol gives back episode.

353

Tree
ID: 38432225
Thu, May 22, 2008, 06:38

Jason Castro performed well this season. he had two of the best performances in Idol history. of course, he also had THE two worst performances in Idol history as well, which shows me that while talented, he needs a lot of work before hitting the level of consistency befitting a superstar.

regarding the winner, i'm still surprised. that being said, David Cook to me won because he stayed the course and did what the winner should be doing on this show - being a spectacular singer, but also getting better and stronger each and every week out there.

David Arch is going to be a star for quite some time, and while he started off strong, his talent curved upward at a considerably slower pace than Cook's.

if you put the two in a line graph, Cook's line SHOOTS upward, while Arch's barely moves up from its original level.

Simon had it right - it didn't matter which one won, because, for the first time in awhile, both were worthy heirs to the crown.

congrats to David Cook on an amazing job done.

354

Texas Flood
ID: 154452116
Thu, May 22, 2008, 08:16

Just a couple of thoughts on last nights show.

I was really surprised that Cook won and won big. I think many of
us picked Archie to win from the beginning. Archie was
predictable week after week while you were never quite sure what
Cook was going to be up to. Cook really grew as a performer over
the course of the season while Archie gave us the same thing time
after time.

I don't care much for pop singers and country pop singers are
way off my charts, but Carrie Underwood looked and sounded
great last night!

Loved Cook/ZZ top gig, although both Top and Cook looked a
little out of sorts. Different generations I guess?

Gladys Knight and the Pips, classic Jack Black and funny as hell.

Graham Nash and Brooke White, nice performance.

I still like Michael Johns and Carly, really nice duet!

George Michael, will forever be the guy in the early MTV videos
singing with Wham! Some things are just better left to memories.

Simon apology to Cook was warranted and its nice that he made
it. His comments on Tuesday were way to harsh and it sounded
as if Simon was openly rooting for Archie!

To me Mike Myers is no longer funny.

Overall, great show last night and I'm really happy for Cook. He
worked hard all season and I hope he has a great career. I'm
looking forward to his first album.

355

JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Thu, May 22, 2008, 09:57

I enjoyed the finale. It was good that they did not spend as much time on the audition rejects as they had on past seasons. The top 12 had some nice moments last night and Johns, Carley, Brooke, and even Jason were in very good form. I could have really done without the "Love Guru" bit and shameless promo, it started the show on a real low note. The Kimmel bit was unneeded and the "Pips" bit was funny but out of place on American Idols. There was something for everyone with the lineup of recording artists they brought in. From Gladys Knight and George Michael and ZZ Top from the 70s, 80s and 90s to The JoBros for the younger ones. Nice finale.

Cook is a worthy champion, and Archie probably is the best runner up to date (Guarini, Aiken, DeGarmo, Bice, McPhee, Lewis).

356

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, May 22, 2008, 17:42

The finale was ok, but no where close to as good as it was like 2-3 season ago with babyface and the like.

Really surprised Cook won by so much.

357

Texas Flood
ID: 154452116
Fri, May 23, 2008, 10:31

I forgot about that jackass in the white suit singing that beyond
stupid "brother" song! I wonder if idol donated to the USC music
program for that performance?

358

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Fri, May 23, 2008, 17:17

Carrie Underwood - Praying For Time

George Michael - Praying For Time

359

TB
Sherpa
ID: 031811922
Fri, May 23, 2008, 17:25

I think this was one of the hottest performances from the entire year, hell ever, on Idol.

Heart and Fergie - Barracuda

360

Texas Flood
ID: 384392510
Sun, May 25, 2008, 20:18

Nice Vid TB, I missed the Idol Gives Back show this year. Nancy
Wilson can hang with most of the front men of Rock. She was
doing it pretty much back when it was all guys.

361

Texas Flood
ID: 384392510
Sun, May 25, 2008, 20:21

Ann Wilson, Nancy is on guitar!

Forum: gentPage 296Subject: American Idol 2008 Thread

Forum: gent
Page 296
Subject: American Idol 2008 Thread