American Idol

[KB]

I'm glad to hear they they are helping this woman. She certainly has had a lot of bad luck. Thanks for posting this....I don't watch Ellen and didn't realize they were helping her.

 

[tmm99]

RonBoyd,

Thank you SO MUCH for posting Ellen's youtube. I had no idea Ellen and Kara were doing this for this girl. I was actually really sad when she didn't make it to the top 24 because she is actually a very good singer, better than some who got picked. I guess she didn't get picked because there were other contestents in past seasons who were as good and sounded just like her. She lacked that little something that set her apart from the rest by choosing a different genre of music to sing, or the way she dresses/looks etc.

That's what I noticed this season more than the rest (maybe even in the past seasons but I don't remember.) The judges are leaning more on the potential "star" factor in deciding who should be picked for the top 24. Singing on some of the contestents were mediocre, but they either had a unique (unique or pretty/handsome) physical look about them or a singing style or choice of songs to choose.

Also, did you guys notice that Ellen never gave bad news to the contestents? All judges gave the "you didn't make it" talks, except for her. Maybe when Ellen signed up, she had them put in her contract that she would not be the one to break the bad news? (She didn't participate before Hollywood either, but then, I thought it was because she had other obligations (and not because she didn't want to say No to anybody, but maybe not.) Does anybody know?

Casey James is my favorite so far, amonst others like Chrystal Bowersox and Andrew Garcia.

YouTube - Casey James [HD] American Idol - Hollywood Round 1

I liked his singing style/type of music and it was nice to see someone actuallly playing the guitar instead of just playing the chords. And he is cute. (I wouldn't have picked him though by his Bubbly song performance.)

 

[aaronc879]

RonBoyd,

(She didn't participate before Hollywood either, but then, I thought it was because she had other obligations (and not because she didn't want to say No to anybody, but maybe not.) Does anybody know?

Casey James is my favorite so far.

Ellen signed a 3 year contract but she didn't get the job early enough to do the original auditions this year. She will be doing everything the next 2 years.

I agree Casey is the best of the guys so far.

 

[clifp]

I absolutely agree Simon has been a big part of AI's success. DH and I comment after the performances then sit back to see what Simon says. It just wouldn't be the same without him.

So last year I predicted that Paula would leave the show. I was somewhat surprised that the brought in Ellen cause I think 4 is an awkward number of judges. Plus it cuts in to the already small amount of time that show actually shows singing. (Is it my imagination or is this year the balance is 20% previews what will happen right after the break 30% commercials, 30% drama, 10% judges, and 10% singing?)

This years not as bold prediction is that Simon really will leave next year, they will have one more year of Idol and the ratings will tank and then the viewers will vote Idol off the airwaves.

 

[clifp]

Argh what happened to American Idol, the boys last night ranged from truly god awful, to almost ok, with vast majority falling into the just plain boring and forgettable.

Ok, maybe expecting an Adam Lambert, David Cook, or Tyler Hicks at this stage of the competition maybe to much, but I'd settle for a Sanjay...or even the crazy guy with the split personality and crazy costumes from last season. If it doesn't get better soon the rating will tank before Simon leaves the show. That was possibly the worse Idol night ever.

 

[W2R]

Argh what happened to American Idol, the boys last night ranged from truly god awful, to almost ok, with vast majority falling into the just plain boring and forgettable.

Ok, maybe expecting an Adam Lambert, David Cook, or Tyler Hicks at this stage of the competition maybe to much, but I'd settle for a Sanjay...or even the crazy guy with the split personality and crazy costumes from last season. If it doesn't get better soon the rating will tank before Simon leaves the show. That was possibly the worse Idol night ever.

Hey, that one guy (the one that Cara thinks is so hot) actually wasn't bad. Still, I think the girls are better than the guys this year. The opposite was true last year.

 

[FinanceDude]

It seems interesting that after 8 years of Idol, the first night of the Top 24, NONE does anything that memorable...............are they not reviewing previous years? The judges are getting cranky...............

 

[unclemick]

So you mean there really is something on tv after football and the weather channel?



I have trouble turning the car satelite radio beyond the 1960's.

heh heh heh - Although I do like the 1970's Rednecks, Whitesocks, and Blue Ribbon Beer.

 

[clifp]

Hey, that one guy (the one that Cara thinks is so hot) actually wasn't bad. Still, I think the girls are better than the guys this year. The opposite was true last year.

I agree Casey James was the best, which makes my point. For at least 50% of the audience (probably more since Idol viewers tend to be woman) a lot of Casey's appeal was his look, and how believable he was singing a love song. I agree with Kara that he was good ear candy, but he wasn't great by any stretch of the imagination.

Once again FD and I agree on Idol not a single memorable performance in the top 24...

 

[W2R]

I agree Casey James was the best, which makes my point. For at least 50% of the audience (probably more since Idol viewers tend to be woman) a lot of Casey's appeal was his look, and how believable he was singing a love song. I agree with Kara that he was good ear candy, but he wasn't great by any stretch of the imagination.

Once again FD and I agree on Idol not a single memorable performance in the top 24...

You're right - - I looked him up on the AI website and his name is Casey James. I thought he was pretty good.

My favorites so far were Siobhan Magnus and Lilly Scott. Some of the others seemed to have real potential and may improve by leaps and bounds as the season progresses and they gain some experience and polish.

At any rate, I am really enjoying this year's show and I am looking forward to finding out who the top 12 will be. If you don't like AI this year, there's always the Olympics....

 

[FinanceDude]

I agree Casey James was the best, which makes my point. For at least 50% of the audience (probably more since Idol viewers tend to be woman) a lot of Casey's appeal was his look, and how believable he was singing a love song. I agree with Kara that he was good ear candy, but he wasn't great by any stretch of the imagination.

Once again FD and I agree on Idol not a single memorable performance in the top 24...

I was expecting the Garcia kid to do something like he did in Hollywood week with Paula Abdul's "Straight Up".........then he didn't...........

I know its early, but I don't see any standouts like David Cook or Danny Gokey this year.........

 

[aaronc879]

Not impressed by anyone in the top 24 so far. My picks for people to go home are:
Girls: Haeley and Lacey. Haeley for sure should be gone. Lacey is one of a few others who could be the 2nd one to go.
Guys: Todrick and Alex. Tim could leave instead of Alex. Casey and Aaron were the best

 

[tmm99]

Lacey was the worst of the worst, for sure. I cannot sing and I can sing better than her. I liked Casey James the best. I was looking forward to Garcia but he wasn't any good.

 

[Htown Harry]

The board's been quiet for weeks...

What's missing on Idol this year? My answer - singers who show that they are having fun on stage.

In other news, the director of the Race & Sports Book at the Wynn, released his first round of odds for American Idol Season 9:

Crystal Bowersox, 7 to 2;
Siobhan Magnus, 4 to 1;
Michael Lynche, 7 to 1;
Lee Dewyze, 9 to 1;
Katie Stevens, 10 to 1;
Didi Benami, 12 to 1;
Casey James, 15 to 1;
Andrew Garcia, 18 to 1;
Tim Urban, 25 to 1;
[-]Lacey Brown, 28 to 1; [/-]
Aaron Kelly, 40 to 1; and
Paige Miles, 60 to 1.

 

[aaronc879]

The board's been quiet for weeks...

What's missing on Idol this year? My answer - singers who show that they are having fun on stage.

I don't think there's anything missing. Ellen is much better than Paula so there's no problem with the judges. Once Paige, Tim, and Andrew get eliminated the remaining 8 people might be the best top 8 ever in 9 seasons. There's a lot of talent this year.
Some people seem to be having fun on stage. Mike was having fun this last week and I really liked his performance. Casey and Didi also seem to be having a good time up there. I think most of the others are still a little nervous. Crystal, although very talented, needs to lighten up. She always has a frown on her face. I consider Siobhan to be the favorite right now because of Crystal's lack of personality.
I think Andrew still being there is sickening. He is clearly the worst and he's getting votes because of that fact like Sanjaya and Kevin Covais in years past.

 

[FinanceDude]

I don't think there's anything missing. Ellen is much better than Paula so there's no problem with the judges. Once Paige, Tim, and Andrew get eliminated the remaining 8 people might be the best top 8 ever in 9 seasons. There's a lot of talent this year.
Some people seem to be having fun on stage. Mike was having fun this last week and I really liked his performance. Casey and Didi also seem to be having a good time up there. I think most of the others are still a little nervous. Crystal, although very talented, needs to lighten up. She always has a frown on her face. I consider Siobhan to be the favorite right now because of Crystal's lack of personality.
I think Andrew still being there is sickening. He is clearly the worst and he's getting votes because of that fact like Sanjaya and Kevin Covais in years past.

I disagree........unlike the last couple years, there are no blow your socks off folks.

Gokey, Lambert, and Iraheta have WAY MORE talent than whatever top 3 AI ends up with this year...........

 

[W2R]

Siobhan is fantastic, and is my favorite so far. My second favorite, Lilly Scott, was eliminated two weeks ago.

I am enjoying AI this year. I think this week was a little rough, because they were getting used to the big stage PLUS the Rolling Stones songs apparently presented quite a challenge to those who are oriented more towards ballads. It was amazing how little awareness of beat/rhythm was displayed by some of the top 12 this week.

I don't like Didi, though.

 

[clifp]

I disagree........unlike the last couple years, there are no blow your socks off folks.

Gokey, Lambert, and Iraheta have WAY MORE talent than whatever top 3 AI ends up with this year...........

If I forget to comment on Idol, FD can fill in for me. I didn't watch the week before. But I figured this week, with my favorite group of all time, it has to be good right? Wrong.

Siobhan was good as was Crystal. The rest were between boring and down right awful. I wanted to cut the mike, bound and gag, wrap him in burka, and toss Tim Urban, into the Pacific ocean. Sometimes Idol performances bring tears to my eyes, this was the first when an Idol final performance brought tears of anger. I longed for Sanjay.

Let me know if it improves, it is officially off my DVR list. I still have mad love for Kara.

 

[clifp]

I happen to be getting HBO for a brief period of time, and I caught a terrific documentary.

Afghan Star, a winner at last year Sundance festival, tells the fascinating story of American Idol goes to Afghanistan. American Idol spends a lot of time showing the struggle contestant have to make it on American Idol and the pressure they when the get on the show.

Frankly, nothing any American Idol has been through compares to the struggle an Afghan Star has to go through, and that goes triple for the woman.

Afghan Star, is available on HBO this month, and next month via Netflix.

 

[Moemg]

I have watched American Idol this year and IMO they should send them all home and try again . I've seen better talent at a local Karaoke bar . I do think Ellen is a nice addition .

 

[tmm99]

Moemg,

I kind of have to agree with you (except for a few good ones.). After going through hundreds of thousands of people, these are the people judges picked?? It's either only lousy singers come to the auditions , or judges did a very poor job picking the final contestants.

But at the same time, when I watch real singers perform live on TV, many of them are really not very good (And I don't just mean Taylor Swift on the last Grammy.) BTW, even some of the really good singers sound terrible on TODAY - probably because they aren't used to singing so early in the morning!

So what does that tell me?? I don't know.
Maybe it's hard to learn a new song in just one week, unless you are very well trained? Maybe all these people are actually pretty good when they happen to pick a song that allows them to stay within their vocal range...?

I really don't know.

It's either I am getting bored with the show (I've been watching since Season 1), or many of the contestants sound pretty terrible this season. And annoyingly, Simon is becoming a softie. I do enjoy Ellen though - she is funny.

 

[ERD50]

Siobhan is fantastic, and is my favorite so far. My second favorite, Lilly Scott, was eliminated two weeks ago.

My view also, though I would throw Crystal into that mix. I also was disappointed to see Lilly Scott go, I thought she had a very unique sound that I wanted to hear more of. Though I can understand that she might not appeal to the 'texting' crowd. Hopefully, she does well within her niche.

I don't like Didi, though.

I don't know what to make of her, sometimes I think I kinda like the quirky approach to a song, other times I feel like I could sure do without that.

For the boys, the long hair guitar player that Kara fawns over is very good I think. We'll see.


from clifp:

I still have mad love for Kara.

Those 'doe eyes' just melt me. That, and she is super talented ( I listened to some her stuff on her website) and a very good judge for Idol. I think Ellen is a great addition, you just gotta love Ellen, she is so personable and so witty. Paula ( 'well, I love your shoes '), was worse than worthless 99% of the time, IMO. Big improvement.

-ERD50

 

[aaronc879]

When someone like Lee is the 4th best guy, you know it's a good season. Aaron, Mike, and Casey were all very good. None of them were as good as Crystal though. That was one of the best performanes in 9 season of AI. Katie picked a good time to have one of her best nights. She shouldn't be in the bottom 3. The bottom 3 should be Paige, Tim, and Andrew with Paige going home.

 

[W2R]

When someone like Lee is the 4th best guy, you know it's a good season. Aaron, Mike, and Casey were all very good. None of them were as good as Crystal though. That was one of the best performanes in 9 season of AI. Katie picked a good time to have one of her best nights. She shouldn't be in the bottom 3. The bottom 3 should be Paige, Tim, and Andrew with Paige going home.

I agree with you except Andrew should be going home. Any of those three would be fine, though.

Katie was fantastic!! So was Aaron. I thought Siobhan was good too, as always, and so was Crystal. I think Katie "won the night" for me, though. Finally I understand what the judges meant by her choosing a younger song and seeming younger - - it made a huge difference. For the first time I am not just waiting for Katie to be voted off any more.

Siobhan is still my favorite even though it wasn't her best performance (but it was good!)

 

[aaronc879]

I agree with you except Andrew should be going home. Any of those three would be fine, though.

I think this was the first week out of the last several where Andrew wasn't the worst. Based on just last night I think Paige should go home but I think Andrew is the worst overall and has the least potential so i'd have no problem at all if he went home.