The Train Wreck that is American Idol

[pchilson]

I'll quit prognosticating now, I haven't picked anything right yet.

[ROADMAN]

[younkint]

Originally Posted by superchicken_VI

I actually like Simon. I heard an NPR interview with him a few years ago, I think it was on Fresh Air, and he was interesting. Amazingly enough, he said he dislikes most pop music and the direction singers like Mariah Carey have taken it--full of melismas and no melody.

For a lot of the people on the show, he's the first person who has ever told them that they're not as good as they think they are. You get a lot of singers who have parents who are blinded (or should that be deafened?) by their love that they can't tell the kid that s/he sucks. So they live with the illusion that they're good. I'd rather have a judge like Simon who will tell you what was good and what was not good, than to have a judge like Paula who just likes what you're wearing and is trying to fit in her "Word a Day Calendar" word for today. As a music major in college, we got ripped new orifices by professors and other students in our repertoire classes every week--and it made us better. You don't get an "A" for effort, you get it for success.

Simon indeed torques people off, but as far as I'm concerned, he's the most professional. Back in the day, when I wielded a very mean Getzen, I played a lot of competition - ensembles, solo, you-name-it. One thing I distinctly recall is how cold some of the judges could be. They told you the truth, though ...even if it hurt, and that's one thing that pushed me forward to excel. Strangely enough, I never took it personally and to this day, I don't think Simon's remarks to me would faze me. I'd laugh, though.

You are correct about attitudes today. Many have never heard anything but praise. That reminds me of an interesting article in New York Magazine regarding this very subject, "How Not to Talk to Your Kids," online at: http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/

It's a good read.

[superchicken_VI]

I think that the best sellers out of this season will be the two Cooks, even though I don't think David will win. KLC is a nice piece of eye candy with a good voice, and with packaging will continue the "murder on Music Row." Hopefully her producers will get her some good songs, and we'll have some fun.

[allen st. john]

And best of all, you get to do one of my favorite things... pass judgment on people. :)

American Idol isn't entertainment, it's an interrogation technique.

But isn't this just a hybrid of The Gong Show (early rounds) and Star Search (later rounds)?

When I first heard Jesus Take the Wheel, I really thought it was an Imus-esque parody. And not a particularly good one.

[emu!]

Originally Posted by allen st. john

American Idol isn't entertainment, it's an interrogation technique.

But isn't this just a hybrid of The Gong Show (early rounds) and Star Search (later rounds)?

When I first heard Jesus Take the Wheel, I really thought it was an Imus-esque parody. And not a particularly good one.

The Gong Show...now THAT was entertainment! I never did find out who the "unknown comic" was. I'm thinking now that it might have been Jay Leno with a paper sack over his head.

[Jimo]

Did Syesha ever break into a song? What was all that cater-walling? I like to get a least a hint of the melody line--------------good grief!

Brooke's act is tired---she cries on every song she sings--wha--wha---She needs to get a job at Six Flags

Enchilada needs to get a job at Disneyworld

Cook will sell records

Castro--typical singer/songfighter of that ilk---------

[IronJoe]

Archuleta sitting in the middle of the stage was just weird. Especially when he didn't hear that he was supposed to go with the group on the left and then they came and sat next to him. I cringed in my seat like I was watching a Ben Stiller movie. Except it wasn't an act and it wasn't supposed to be that funny.

I'm tired of Carly yelling at me. Where's the woman from the Weakest Link when you need her? "You're the weakest link... goodbye."

I'll miss KLC. She wasn't the best but clearly wasn't as bad as the judges wanted her to be. I was surprised the "blow you out of your socks" line wasn't in her highlight reel.

[Virgman]

Originally Posted by emu!

I feel sorry for the contestants when I see those corny Ford commercials. They have to make fools of themselves, probably for $0. I can almost see the embarrasment on their faces.

This prepares them for the utter humiliation and groveling required in the music business.

[Califiddler]

Brooke should be playing in a piano bar somewhere.

[hekawi]

Originally Posted by emu!

The Gong Show...now THAT was entertainment! I never did find out who the "unknown comic" was. I'm thinking now that it might have been Jay Leno with a paper sack over his head.

his real name was Murray Langston. he actually had a decent career going in the 60s, but kinda fell off the charts....allegedly, he took the gong show gig in the 70s because he needed the dough, but was embarrassed to have to stoop to that level. so he put a bag over his head, called himself the unknown comic and the rest is history.

here's a clip of him in action:



if you're brave enough, seek out the gong show clip called "have you got a nickel" on youtube. the act was two young ladies who REALLY know how to enjoy popsicles. i'd post it here but i might get in trouble with the censors.

[Fendrcaster]

if you're brave enough, seek out the gong show clip called "have you got a nickel" on youtube.

I'm surprised the censors let that air back in the '70's!

[hekawi]

Getbent, if you ended up not watching last night because you knew Kristy Lee was getting the axe, then you missed seeing her in this outfit:



nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say-no-more!

[getbent]

hekawi, you are my brother from a different mother! thanks amigo... I guess tuesday's show was the lowest rated in Idol history... KLC needed that red state vote! Oh well... life is long! and my boy went 4 for 4 last night in his little game... KLC will survive and live to tittilate another day!

[hekawi]

It's Tuesday again, so another American Idol night. Honestly, i ain't looking forward to this one: Andrew Lloyd Webber show tunes (the only Webber i enjoy is round, metal and you cook steaks on it!).

maybe the kids'll surprise me. David Cook probably has another obscure grunge-band cover up his sleeve. Brooke will do OK, Carly and Syesha might takes things way over the top, Archuleta should dominate this kinda night, but the kid also could stumble mightily. The Dredded Jason...i dunno, could be lousy, or he could have another "Hallelujah". a real hit or miss night ahead i think.

[blue water girl]

YIKES!!!!!! Thank goodess you "hauled this big ole thread around front." I had totally forgotten that American Idol is coming on and in fifteen minutes here in Nashville. With Andrew Lloyd Weber tunes who knows what may happen tonight I, too, am not sure about this......

[Fendrcaster]

Well, after the first two performances, I expect Jason will be in the bottom three this week.

[Mark Davis]

Here are the songs they are gonna sing.

Syesha Mercado -- "One Rock & Roll Too Many" from Starlight Express
Brooke White -- "You Must Love Me" from the film adaptation of "Evita"
David Cook -- "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera
Jason Castro -- "Memory" from Cats
Carly Smithson -- "Jesus Christ Superstar"
David Archuleta -- "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera.

[blue water girl]

WOW -- not what I expected. A very interesting and worth watching night.

Jason will be in the bottom three and might be leaving. Brooke as well, but I never get my predictions right.

I actually enjoyed Andrew Lloyd Weber's comments to the singers- especially demanding that David Archuletta quit singing with his eyes closed

David Cook was hauntingly wonderful.

Syesha just wowed me with her song and her stunning appearance.

David Archuletta sounded the same as he does every week to me. He is a great vocalist, just not my type I guess.

My Carly was amazing tonight and looked beautiful and covered her tatooed arm with a very cool 60's style retro print dress and she is my favorite in the competition which I say every week. I don't necessary think she will win or even that she should really, but she is my kind of singer and I love her vibe.

[odiemann]

WOW -- not what I expected. A very interesting and worth watching night.

Jason will be in the bottom three and might be leaving. Brooke as well, but I never get my predictions right.

I actually enjoyed Andrew Lloyd Weber's comments to the singers- especially demanding that David Archuletta quit singing with his eyes closed

David Cook was hauntingly wonderful.

Syesha just wowed me with her song and her stunning appearance.

David Archuletta sounded the same as he does every week to me. He is a great vocalist, just not my type I guess.

My Carly was amazing tonight and looked beautiful and covered her tatooed arm with a very cool 60's style retro print dress and she is my favorite in the competition which I say every week. I don't necessary think she will win or even that she should really, but she is my kind of singer and I love her vibe.
blue water girl is offline Report Post Reply With Quote

I think you are close to spot on. The only thing for me is I really find Archuletta's voice limited in the lower register and he does not articulate well. His timing and musical sense are great, though.

Carly, David, and Sayeesha were the top for sure. Brooke or Jason should leave.

[Agarn]

that false start for Brooke may do her in. getting a "do-over" was cute when it happened to her a few weeks back, but at this stage of the game you've got to be a pro and have nerves of steel. not sure she can handle the pressure.

tonight, this is how i'd rank the performances:

1 David Cook (really liked that dramatic hard stop in the middle, showed a lot of control throughout the song)
2 Syesha (next stop broadway, this is what she should be doing)
3 David Archuleta (about what i expected)
4 Carly Smithson (she had fun with it and showed a lot of energy, but she's too screamy for my taste)
5 Jason Castro (he'll get through till next week by the skin of his teeth)
6 Brooke (been nice knowing you)

[Joe M]

Originally Posted by blue water girl

WOW -- not what I expected. A very interesting and worth watching night.

Jason will be in the bottom three and might be leaving. Brooke as well, but I never get my predictions right.

I actually enjoyed Andrew Lloyd Weber's comments to the singers- especially demanding that David Archuletta quit singing with his eyes closed

David Cook was hauntingly wonderful.

Syesha just wowed me with her song and her stunning appearance.

David Archuletta sounded the same as he does every week to me. He is a great vocalist, just not my type I guess.

My Carly was amazing tonight and looked beautiful and covered her tatooed arm with a very cool 60's style retro print dress and she is my favorite in the competition which I say every week. I don't necessary think she will win or even that she should really, but she is my kind of singer and I love her vibe.

I couldn't have said it better; everything you said about each performer/performance was exactly how I felt. I think Jason has too many of the teeny-bopper votes to be leaving. It's gotta be Brooke....

[WisconsinStrings]

I wouldn't buy a CD of David Cook doing that but the fact that he did it well says a lot. I hope he wins it all.

Syesha and Carly were my two favorite performances of the night. Syesha gets extra credit points for that dress too!

Quick question. What happened to the beginning of Syesha's song? Did she come in early? Did the bass player come in late? Am I hearing things?

[Fendrcaster]

Edit - wrong singer.