It's Top 9! I have a vague idea on theme (have they announced it yet?) no idea on the mentor, and I'm way too tired to check. But i'm not too tired to be here from about 8ish to 9:15ish as always, and my trusty DVR after.
Back...no tv so I'm using a live stream.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nomadness
which is showing a pretty funny episode of 2 and a half men right now.
Ok, it's on! I have heard spoilers on what they are singing and I think Danny, Alison and Mark are in good shape, Adam very risky, and a few people I'm not sure what it is. It's america's top Itunes downloads!
Anoop singing Caught Up by Usher, which is what the spoiler person said. I hate it, you can choose anything and you choose THAT? It wasn't even that well sung. He disagrees with Kara. A bit obnoxious after the performance, not interesting during the performance, and the comments bashed him.
No mentors btw.
Next is Megan doing Bob Marley. Jeez. Does she have a pressing engagement at home? Pencil in Simon not liking it. I's not Bob Marley, it's Lauren Hill. Boring as hell. She is getting hammered and rightly so. She wasn't bottom 3 last week but she will be hard pressed not to be in it this week. Simon hammers it as I thought.
I don't get it, sing songs people will like to hear. Every song in the world is on some Itunes chart. The night Chris Daughtry got eliminated he sang a song he liked, but that wasn't that well known. The last two songs i downloaded from ITunes were from BoA and Maino and I don't expect either to be sung tonight and I'm just watching (Obsessed and All the Above btw as if anyone cares) - I don't think the contestants have the same filter.
Next it's Danny and Alison. Danny i get his song choice but I don't like it. Alison i think picked a GREAT choice. It's Danny and Alison NEXT!!
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/tv/what_you_dont_see_162131.htm
Post talking about how much it looks like the two female judges hate each other. I got that last week. Paula looks so annoyed everytime Kara speaks.
Danny with Rascal Flats, who everyone likes. They are "modern country". I've heard that about Garth Brooks at one point, etc. Not a bad song. I see the potential for a huge ending to really take this home. He really knows his own voice. Good song choice. He took something not ridiculously popular and made it a Danny Gokey song. (Is he a closet country fan? Two weeks so far this year). Crowd loves it, Judges love it, Simon calls it his BEST performance, and Danny is back!
Alison with DON'T SPEAK. The greatest revenge song ever. Sing every night about how your bf left you and is a jerk with him playing in the band and needing you to sing this song to keep him making money. Then dump the band and go solo and make more money (making crappy music but that's another subject). Alison with the guitar. I hate her look. To be honest, she sang it ok but the arrangement was so-so and the performance wasn't blow away. Randy hates the outfit. Paula says "axe" about her guitar to sound hip. Simon blasts it but not too harshly. I think she's safe but that could have been a moment, and it was anything but.
Scott up next with PIANO MAN. No, that's just a pun (not by me). It's JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, played very, very slow. It's not bad at all. Definitely picked up near the end. He's a step below the better singers though. Kara loved it. Paula knows he's blind this week. Good for you Paula. Randy gets to say three words because they other judges are arguing. Maybe he will be safe.
Lil and Matt next. Adam is last? He has a real moment chance tonight. You'll see when they announce his song choice, it will be great or a HUGE mess.
It's Matt. My PC doesn't like Matt. So it's two words, pause, skip, pause. He is singing Surrounded. I am catching half of it and I don't love it to be honest. I'm not a Matt fan. It's decent. I predict it gets good praise and he is still bottom three tomorrow and people say, WHY, MEGAN WAS WORSE. Ooh, Paula doesn't like it too much. None of them do actually. Kara wants him to commit. She is kind of right, I can't classify Matt and in week 4 that's not a great thing.
It's Lil with a Celine Dion song. Well, she's on my I don't like list. I completely lost the stream but I saw the judges kill her. Randy comforting the kids after Ryan makes them cry.
Next it's Adam playing that Funky Music. His voice is very rock singer like, like Sebastian Bach or Rob Halford, how he goes into that high pitched screech. I like the arrangement, it's a bit more modern and arranged to show off his vocals. Reminds me of what David Cook did, took a song, and made it a David Cook song. Crowd is going nuts. Paula over the top with hyberbole. Adam gives the band props. He's the only one who remembers to thank the band , the mentors, etc. Kara is right, Adam has moved into that category where he's almost his own part of the show, Adam time.
Kris Allen last. I thought Adam was last because I don't even remember Kris. I hope he is good. I'll have to check him out tommorrow.
Good night! My clear favorites were Danny and Adam, Everyone else ranged from not bad to not good to awful.
JUAN
JUAN
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Results Thread!!!
My prediction: Bottom Three
Matt
Megan
Michael
(Scott with outside chance)
Out
Michael with Matt as next to last.
I doubt i can post because i think this site is down tonight. If not I'll post later.
I can post!
It was Scott, Michael and Matt, with Michael and Matt next, then Michael, then the idiots Kara and Paula acting as if making no decision could somehow save Michael (saying YES might have but saying nothing, no that won't work). I guess Megan's fans realized that she was in a ton of trouble. I don't think Michael had many fans, I doubt this even makes a ripple. He was still pretty happy, making the tour is a great thing and he will be on tour.
JUAN
Matt
Megan
Michael
(Scott with outside chance)
Out
Michael with Matt as next to last.
I doubt i can post because i think this site is down tonight. If not I'll post later.
I can post!
It was Scott, Michael and Matt, with Michael and Matt next, then Michael, then the idiots Kara and Paula acting as if making no decision could somehow save Michael (saying YES might have but saying nothing, no that won't work). I guess Megan's fans realized that she was in a ton of trouble. I don't think Michael had many fans, I doubt this even makes a ripple. He was still pretty happy, making the tour is a great thing and he will be on tour.
JUAN
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Idol Motown Week LIve Thread...
And away we go...MOTOWN....dramatic entrance begins! Ryan says we are not over the shocking elimination of Alexis. Well, I'm not because I lost my money but I think America may be. Kara points out Alexis just picked bad songs like every time. =P Paula wants them to challenge their artistic intergrity, like blind people running around the stage! Smokey Robinson mentoring...
First, it's MATT GIRARD. Ooh, first is not good. Let's Get it On? Is that what he song is called? He leaves the piano. This is tremendously so-so. Randy likes it. Kara gives lukewarm praise, which like Paula, means she thinks you suck. Paula continues to have a stick up her butt about the piano. Simon liked it.
This is Matt. Rickey.org always uses these little pics, I may steal them.
KRIS ALLEN singing How Sweet It Is. Tremendously so-so is the order of the day apparently. Eh...Matt was better. Paula is dancing, but i think that's the meds. Kara is happy Kris did Kris. They all like it much better than I do. Maybe i'm wrong on this? It's been so dull.
It's SCOTT. Ryan stirring it up by mentioning Paula and her meds mentioned Scott should take a risk (risking life by falling off the stage) by not using the piano. It's YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE. Slow intro like Kris. Also quite so-so. What is with this show? Better than the other performances I think just cause there is energy while the other two were so bland. Simon says he chose the wrong song again. I have so not in sync with anything today.
Paula says she has something and goes under the table. Everyone is scared.
MEGAN sings once in my life. UGH.... It sucks. She gets slammed. She is in definite danger of going home. There's not much more to say. Awful.
ANOOP to sing Ooh Baby Baby. It should be good if the rehersal is any indication. I like it. Definitely the best so far. He seems to get that you need to sing things people remember by the end of the show. Kara being too technical but she seemd to like it. Paula insults Anoop saying he's a legend in his own mind. Idiot. Simon says it's a great vocal but Anoop was a little boring. That's kind of true. I hate when they get all picky when everyone is awful prior. There is no consistency.
Someone (I missed who) after the break...
MICHAEL with Ain't Too Proud to Beg. Definitely trying to get rid of one of the weaker people with the order this week. (All the big guns are last, the people who don't need the better positioning.) It's probably the same as everyone except Anoop, which grading on a curve is ok but otherwise is very so-so. Along with Megan and Matt, Mike can go and I won't even notice. Paula doesn't like it. Very las vegas loungish she said. WOW. Criticism from Paula. Simon tells him he has no chance to win. This is true. It's been true all along.
LIL ROUNDS with Heatwave. Looks and sounds the part. Not over the top good (I'm wondering if she has that in her) but it's definitely the highlight for me (aside from Anoop I don't like anything so that's not saying much.) I'm waiting for her to break out, and she's not. There have been a long line of diva's on this show that we waited and waited and there moment never came. Judge's don't like it. Paula gives Kara such a nasty look for her criticism. I look forward for their first blow up. Should be epic. Paula looks like she hates her.
I'll be back at 10, kate's booktime beckons...
The rest I saw on youtube, but I'll give my thoughts.
Adam - Wow, he looks so different. Tracks of my Tears by Smokey Robinson. Great song choice, great look, singing really good. Plus you see him talking to the mentor and the questions he asks and he really gets it. Simon says he has emerged as a star. WHOA...nice. Where is the ITunes?
Danny - He's here with Get Ready. Fun performance, lot of energy, singing was good. I liked this. Not stunning like Adam was but you can't do stunning every week, and if Danny wasn't the best this week I think he's top few easy. Simon calls it amateurish. This season is weird, there is no one person they like, Adam got clobbered last week but is great this week, Danny opposite. It seems they want to keep a whole bunch of people strong.
Alison - With Poppa was a Rolling Stone. She wants to show her little "funk side" she says. I like her. WHOA. Really good. I don't like the song (kill me for that, I know) but I really enjoyed that performance. She can really, really sing. Judges are gushing. Kara complains she was in the bottom 3 last week, it's such a Paula comment. She didn't sing THIS song last week.
Really good show although I thought it started off really dull. My favorites, Allison, Danny, Anoop and Adam with Adam and Allison a cut above. Didn't like Kris much, but I think Matt, Michael and Megan are the bottom and I think Michael is in the most danger.
JUAN
First, it's MATT GIRARD. Ooh, first is not good. Let's Get it On? Is that what he song is called? He leaves the piano. This is tremendously so-so. Randy likes it. Kara gives lukewarm praise, which like Paula, means she thinks you suck. Paula continues to have a stick up her butt about the piano. Simon liked it.
This is Matt. Rickey.org always uses these little pics, I may steal them.KRIS ALLEN singing How Sweet It Is. Tremendously so-so is the order of the day apparently. Eh...Matt was better. Paula is dancing, but i think that's the meds. Kara is happy Kris did Kris. They all like it much better than I do. Maybe i'm wrong on this? It's been so dull.
It's SCOTT. Ryan stirring it up by mentioning Paula and her meds mentioned Scott should take a risk (risking life by falling off the stage) by not using the piano. It's YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE. Slow intro like Kris. Also quite so-so. What is with this show? Better than the other performances I think just cause there is energy while the other two were so bland. Simon says he chose the wrong song again. I have so not in sync with anything today.
Paula says she has something and goes under the table. Everyone is scared.
MEGAN sings once in my life. UGH.... It sucks. She gets slammed. She is in definite danger of going home. There's not much more to say. Awful.
ANOOP to sing Ooh Baby Baby. It should be good if the rehersal is any indication. I like it. Definitely the best so far. He seems to get that you need to sing things people remember by the end of the show. Kara being too technical but she seemd to like it. Paula insults Anoop saying he's a legend in his own mind. Idiot. Simon says it's a great vocal but Anoop was a little boring. That's kind of true. I hate when they get all picky when everyone is awful prior. There is no consistency.
Someone (I missed who) after the break...
MICHAEL with Ain't Too Proud to Beg. Definitely trying to get rid of one of the weaker people with the order this week. (All the big guns are last, the people who don't need the better positioning.) It's probably the same as everyone except Anoop, which grading on a curve is ok but otherwise is very so-so. Along with Megan and Matt, Mike can go and I won't even notice. Paula doesn't like it. Very las vegas loungish she said. WOW. Criticism from Paula. Simon tells him he has no chance to win. This is true. It's been true all along.
LIL ROUNDS with Heatwave. Looks and sounds the part. Not over the top good (I'm wondering if she has that in her) but it's definitely the highlight for me (aside from Anoop I don't like anything so that's not saying much.) I'm waiting for her to break out, and she's not. There have been a long line of diva's on this show that we waited and waited and there moment never came. Judge's don't like it. Paula gives Kara such a nasty look for her criticism. I look forward for their first blow up. Should be epic. Paula looks like she hates her.
I'll be back at 10, kate's booktime beckons...
The rest I saw on youtube, but I'll give my thoughts.
Adam - Wow, he looks so different. Tracks of my Tears by Smokey Robinson. Great song choice, great look, singing really good. Plus you see him talking to the mentor and the questions he asks and he really gets it. Simon says he has emerged as a star. WHOA...nice. Where is the ITunes?
Danny - He's here with Get Ready. Fun performance, lot of energy, singing was good. I liked this. Not stunning like Adam was but you can't do stunning every week, and if Danny wasn't the best this week I think he's top few easy. Simon calls it amateurish. This season is weird, there is no one person they like, Adam got clobbered last week but is great this week, Danny opposite. It seems they want to keep a whole bunch of people strong.
Alison - With Poppa was a Rolling Stone. She wants to show her little "funk side" she says. I like her. WHOA. Really good. I don't like the song (kill me for that, I know) but I really enjoyed that performance. She can really, really sing. Judges are gushing. Kara complains she was in the bottom 3 last week, it's such a Paula comment. She didn't sing THIS song last week.
Really good show although I thought it started off really dull. My favorites, Allison, Danny, Anoop and Adam with Adam and Allison a cut above. Didn't like Kris much, but I think Matt, Michael and Megan are the bottom and I think Michael is in the most danger.
JUAN
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Motown Night
Motown Night Tonight!! Lot to choose from..I'd think everyone could find something to shine at. You have to think Michael and Megan are in a lot of trouble but we will see.
Hopefully I can post later today.
Or the next day as it's now Wednesday! Idol soon...no song spoilers this year, idol is super tight with security.
A little something to tide you over if you log in early....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQU9OKL7Js4
Just music, no video yet. Elliot Yamin - Fight For Love. Nice song...
http://idol360.blogspot.com/
Obscure stuff like Antonella's single (remember her?) or Anoop's stuff with the UNClef's (reminds me so much of Andy from the Office and his group). I haven't listened but I will because i am nuts like that.
Be back in 2 hours...maybe in a new post since I cluttered this one.
JUAN
Hopefully I can post later today.
Or the next day as it's now Wednesday! Idol soon...no song spoilers this year, idol is super tight with security.
A little something to tide you over if you log in early....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQU9OKL7Js4
Just music, no video yet. Elliot Yamin - Fight For Love. Nice song...
http://idol360.blogspot.com/
Obscure stuff like Antonella's single (remember her?) or Anoop's stuff with the UNClef's (reminds me so much of Andy from the Office and his group). I haven't listened but I will because i am nuts like that.
Be back in 2 hours...maybe in a new post since I cluttered this one.
JUAN
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Let's say goodbye to Alexis (and my pool chances)
Let's say goodbye to Alexis. Alexis leaves on her second very bland, uninspired performance in the span of 2 weeks. At one point Simon compared her to how Kelly Clarkson looked at the beginning of the competition, and she wound up lasting only 2 weeks as she was never able to find her groove. Even last night, singing to save herself, she was just awful.
Joining her in the bottow was Allison and Michael. Allison was a victim of being too early in the show - when that happens you need to be memorable somehow (good or bad actually) or you get lost in the shuffle. Michael did some god awful country song so I wasn't suprised. I don't think he lasts much longer.
It's funny, the NY times person who writes on TV (and thus idol) wrote this scathing criticism of the "save rule" on idol and how idol was cheating to allow their pre-ordained "four" into the final four, and one of them was Alexis. I guess he should have watched the show last week to see anything Alexis had going for her was already gone.
As far as our pool goes. a bunch of people had her in their Top 5 including a bunch who had her first, like me! Losing your first at this point effectively kills you unless the other front-runners go too, which is not happening. Check out the points and the people who are way way behind, like me! And note they lost their first choice...still, it's too early for anyone to be comfortable although I'd feel much better if I still had all my five and Gokey up there 1st or 2nd.
Overall - Strange week. Adam decided to do the frontrunning mistake, doing something ridiculous and indulgent in week 11. Better to do it now than in week 5 or 6 when it could knock you out but still ridiculous. (If you missed it he did this vamping mess of a Johnny Cash song with a middle eastern sound and feel.) Lil Rounds doesn't seem to have any clue about the proper direction to take, and all the guys seem better prepared than any of the girls save Allison, who has no niche other than having a good voice. Danny was once again very solid, and could become a really strong front runner if no one else steps up their game.
Next week is Motown week. Not sure who the mentor will be or the former idol which will guest star.
JUAN
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Country Week!!
I; like Simon, HATE country music. Country week always sucks because Simon hates half the performances simply because they are country songs. Me too...and off we go with Randy Travis as our first mentor of the season.
Michael Sarver - does a fast song from the really popular country singer i cannot recall his name (yes, that's awful analysis). It sucks, its intelligible, Simon states as such, Michael says its ok because if he was perfect he wouldn't need the show. Yuck. It kills me because it probably wasn't bad but it's bad cause it's country!
Allison - Much better than Michael. Allison stylewise and personality wise is a million years ahead of where she was at the beginning. Can't say I liked it THAT much. Paula has real criticism. Simon gives lukewarm praise. Randy disagrees with SImon for the first time this year.
Kris - Wonder if his wife is there. GARTH BROOKS! That's the name i was thinking of. He's singing a slow song which I think is better for this style. Really good, Simon will like it as it's not country at all. And, he does!!! Kris gets super put over for this performance. Kris has joined the fray!
Lil Rounds - She looks much better this week. The contestants spend quite a few time together she says. She is going to hold back as to not R&B the song up. It's one of those obnoxious post 9-11ish american songs. LET FREEDOM RINGGGGGGGG...i don't love it at all. Simon hates it. Lil fights back. Don't fight back. Lil does say a good thing, that she'll pick better next time.
Ok, no more country. Take country, and change it.
It's Adam! Adam is super super nice. And he is doing RING OF FIRE from Johnny Cash, a strange arrangement with sitars and stuff. He tells Randy clearly he doesn't like country. Adam wins me over with that. Bizarre. Very well sung. Reminds me of a fallout boyish type thing, emo rock. I wonder if Simon will come across with the indulgent tag cause this is damn indulgent, but not bad because of it. The crowd LOVES it. Paula makes a Kashmir Led Zeppelin comparison. She is coherent or better cause of the drugs. Simon hates it to a large degree. Haha, he says indulgent. I have watched this show far too long.
Ok, i went through the rest on DVR.
Danny - Sang Jesus take the Wheel. LOVED it. He started out slow but he kills the power vocals. Really good, i may itune this. Looked like he was going skiing for some reason but aside from that I loved it.
Scott - Sounds real similar to last week. Pretty nice, nothing fantastic. Paula wants him to get away from the piano, apparently forgetting he's blind and will just be standing and staring. Simon calls her comments dumb. I agree. Lots of feel good praise today.
Alexis - Eh, Simon says we will forget her 10 minutes after she sang. We will. Nothing special at all. Alexis needs to step it up, all the momentum she had is gone.
Anoop - LOVED IT. He sang ALWAYS ON MY MIND which I like a lot. He sang it kind of R&Bish but not too modern. Simon praised him to death. It reminded me of Clay, in that he took what the judges said, used it, said he used it and it came over real well. To quote randy, ANOOP IS BACK!!!
Megan - If Megan can't do well at this she really deserves to go home. Sings a standard. Randy Travis likes it, although the way she looked during rehersal I think she could have sang anything. (She really looked great.) OH no, i hate the way she's singing. Her voice cracked and I don't like how she looked really. Everyone gave her great props though. Hmm....i totally missed the appeal I have to say.
Matt - Paula is sniffing Simon's arm. I liked this but it felt 15 seconds long. Kara is in the Paula role today, she loves everyone and everything. Simon things he outsang Danny tonight. WOW.
I think Danny wins today with Anoop and Kris not far behind. Matt a solid 4th. I think Alexis, Megan and Matt are in trouble. Despite what the judges say, I think Megan could be gone. Matt might be gone because he was so early in the show, who remembers that awful song?
BTW, have you heard Seether do Careless Whisper? Adam NEEDS to do that song and Kris Allen needs to do Deliah (by the 1,2,3,4's) at some point. Totally unrelated i know but he has too. 2 Perfect.
No more country music, yah. I just can't get into the fast songs.
Michael Sarver - does a fast song from the really popular country singer i cannot recall his name (yes, that's awful analysis). It sucks, its intelligible, Simon states as such, Michael says its ok because if he was perfect he wouldn't need the show. Yuck. It kills me because it probably wasn't bad but it's bad cause it's country!
Allison - Much better than Michael. Allison stylewise and personality wise is a million years ahead of where she was at the beginning. Can't say I liked it THAT much. Paula has real criticism. Simon gives lukewarm praise. Randy disagrees with SImon for the first time this year.
Kris - Wonder if his wife is there. GARTH BROOKS! That's the name i was thinking of. He's singing a slow song which I think is better for this style. Really good, Simon will like it as it's not country at all. And, he does!!! Kris gets super put over for this performance. Kris has joined the fray!
Lil Rounds - She looks much better this week. The contestants spend quite a few time together she says. She is going to hold back as to not R&B the song up. It's one of those obnoxious post 9-11ish american songs. LET FREEDOM RINGGGGGGGG...i don't love it at all. Simon hates it. Lil fights back. Don't fight back. Lil does say a good thing, that she'll pick better next time.
Ok, no more country. Take country, and change it.
It's Adam! Adam is super super nice. And he is doing RING OF FIRE from Johnny Cash, a strange arrangement with sitars and stuff. He tells Randy clearly he doesn't like country. Adam wins me over with that. Bizarre. Very well sung. Reminds me of a fallout boyish type thing, emo rock. I wonder if Simon will come across with the indulgent tag cause this is damn indulgent, but not bad because of it. The crowd LOVES it. Paula makes a Kashmir Led Zeppelin comparison. She is coherent or better cause of the drugs. Simon hates it to a large degree. Haha, he says indulgent. I have watched this show far too long.
Ok, i went through the rest on DVR.
Danny - Sang Jesus take the Wheel. LOVED it. He started out slow but he kills the power vocals. Really good, i may itune this. Looked like he was going skiing for some reason but aside from that I loved it.
Scott - Sounds real similar to last week. Pretty nice, nothing fantastic. Paula wants him to get away from the piano, apparently forgetting he's blind and will just be standing and staring. Simon calls her comments dumb. I agree. Lots of feel good praise today.
Alexis - Eh, Simon says we will forget her 10 minutes after she sang. We will. Nothing special at all. Alexis needs to step it up, all the momentum she had is gone.
Anoop - LOVED IT. He sang ALWAYS ON MY MIND which I like a lot. He sang it kind of R&Bish but not too modern. Simon praised him to death. It reminded me of Clay, in that he took what the judges said, used it, said he used it and it came over real well. To quote randy, ANOOP IS BACK!!!
Megan - If Megan can't do well at this she really deserves to go home. Sings a standard. Randy Travis likes it, although the way she looked during rehersal I think she could have sang anything. (She really looked great.) OH no, i hate the way she's singing. Her voice cracked and I don't like how she looked really. Everyone gave her great props though. Hmm....i totally missed the appeal I have to say.
Matt - Paula is sniffing Simon's arm. I liked this but it felt 15 seconds long. Kara is in the Paula role today, she loves everyone and everything. Simon things he outsang Danny tonight. WOW.
I think Danny wins today with Anoop and Kris not far behind. Matt a solid 4th. I think Alexis, Megan and Matt are in trouble. Despite what the judges say, I think Megan could be gone. Matt might be gone because he was so early in the show, who remembers that awful song?
BTW, have you heard Seether do Careless Whisper? Adam NEEDS to do that song and Kris Allen needs to do Deliah (by the 1,2,3,4's) at some point. Totally unrelated i know but he has too. 2 Perfect.
No more country music, yah. I just can't get into the fast songs.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Our first two contestants eliminated and "The Twist"
Goodbye Jorge and Jasmine.
Neither elimination is much of a surprise or does much to hurt the show. The surprise to me is that Anoop must be pretty popular, and that outside of the most popular contestants everyone is pretty much grouped together. So, it would surprise me to see Danny, Adam, Lil, Scott, Alexis, Allison or Anoop go in the next 3 weeks or so, but I think anyone else can go. 24 People in our pool were affected by this, with 2 people having both Jasmine and Jorge, and 1 person having Jorge first. Either of those situations is probably not good! Please find attached the first results file, and it can always be found (for those here in lovely (cough) Parsippany) up by the door to my office.
Great first week in my opinion. Outside of Anoop and Megan (for the people remaining), the bad wasn’t that bad and Anoop and Megan’s main problems were horrific song choices. The results show even was entertaining (Kelly Clarkson’s new cd is very good btw and light years ahead of the last one) and I have high hope for this group going forward, although I hope someone crashes the Danny / Adam party this season has the potential to become.
Next Week - Grand Ole Opry Week on American Idol
“America’s top-rated television show is about to join forces for a week with the "Show That Made Country Music Famous!" American Idol will feature a Grand Ole Opry theme on March 17 & 18, as contestants will select and perform songs popularized by Opry members! In addition, Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis will sing together on Randy’s classic hit and Carrie’s current single, "I Told You So," plus Brad Paisley will make the television debut of his new single, "Then," from his forthcoming summer album.” Basically it’s country week.
The Twist to me isn’t that bad. I was really scared early on because I know Simon has pushed (shocking I know) for more judge input in the show in general, and the intro, etc. this year was all very much like his British shows, where the judges are the show, not the contestants. (For those of you who might have missed it the new twist is any eliminated contestant, prior to 5 remaining, can be saved by the judges. If this occurs, the next week two contestants will be eliminated. It can only be used once.) I think I’ll call it the Jennifer Hudson rule, because for the life of me I can’t figure out anyone else who went out prior to 5 remaining that warranted saving. It is harder on the contestants, as they get essentially eliminated twice. It’s also such a joke at this point to ask “Are you saving Jasmine?” Of course not. (Note: I had the correct twist up on the blog 5 hours prior to the show! Nothing stays secret these days.)
JUAN
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
New Twist on Twist...
From Joesplace, the greatest idol spoiler of all..
"Ryan has Ken Warwick on his radio show and talked about the "new Rule" said they are introducing it to solve a problem that has been around since season one. He said they tried it out on the French version of Idol first and it worked so they are bringing it over here. French Idol had a one time Veto of an elimnated contestant. For instance, say someone that the judges love has an off night, or all fans think is safe so don't vote for and that contestant gets the boot. (Daughtry, for instance) The judges can bring that person back for the next show. On French Idol, the judges could only use this veto once throughtout the entire season. I blogged about it and put the Ryan/Ken interview at my blog. http://www.joesplaceblog.com But, thats basically the gist of it."
Hmm...i don't love it but the ONCE only time is not bad. I like it more than the judges protecting people though.
"Ryan has Ken Warwick on his radio show and talked about the "new Rule" said they are introducing it to solve a problem that has been around since season one. He said they tried it out on the French version of Idol first and it worked so they are bringing it over here. French Idol had a one time Veto of an elimnated contestant. For instance, say someone that the judges love has an off night, or all fans think is safe so don't vote for and that contestant gets the boot. (Daughtry, for instance) The judges can bring that person back for the next show. On French Idol, the judges could only use this veto once throughtout the entire season. I blogged about it and put the Ryan/Ken interview at my blog. http://www.joesplaceblog.com But, thats basically the gist of it."
Hmm...i don't love it but the ONCE only time is not bad. I like it more than the judges protecting people though.
Idol to jump shark? Twist tonight?
Everything must come to an end I suppose. Will it be tonight though?
Simon hinted at a change involving the judges. Immediately people thought of X-Factor, his british show and to say the reaction is negative is an understatement. I think most people just let his and Ryan's interplay go as nothing, but it really may be the end of the show.
X-Factor lets the judges give immunity to one contestant based on them performing to save themselves during the results show. So let's say we have bottom of Anoop, Jorge and Jasmine, and Anoop really should be the lowest.
Anoop sings and saves himselt. Therefore we keep him (who would have been a suprise elimination) and lose someone else.
It's kind of Dancing of the Stars-ish too, but the difference between Idol and that is people think Idol is real (even with the conspiracy theories) while Dancing is for fun.
If Idol does that I'll really lose a lot of interest in the show. Honestly, if I wasn't doing the pool I'd probably stop watching. Yes, the shock eliminations are annoying. But they allow dark horses to win. With this (changed) system, how do you get rid of an Adam or a Danny ever?
Hopefully the change with the judges Simon alluded to is Paula finally being fired (shot whatever) or something else, but if it's what I think, they really screwed up.
From a British X-Factor watcher...
"Well I am, British, and I'll try and clear a few things up.X Factor is a tacky Saturday night show where the judges are the star attraction. The lineup changes every year and everything is geared to focus on the panel, not the singers. Stupid voice-overs and ridiculous operatic music pollute the segments between karaoke backed (no live band) performances that are the last thing anyone cares about. The sob-stories are ten-fold, the host is a moron, and contestants idiotic pouting into the camera in their Matrix like pre-performance packages is vomit-inducing. None of this equals art or sophistication. It equals a colorful entertainment show, it's melodramatic, amusing, tacky and completely counter-productive.Idol has its haters over here, but at least it has created some genuine superstars; the format has done that. Does it not strike anyone as surprising that in five years the show's only created one superstar? And that was a stroke of luck.Despite the fact that X Factor is big in the UK far less people actually vote than they did on Pop Idol, because there's very little point. Ten million people voted in the Will/Gareth finale. I think they're thrilled if they even get a two or three million now. The point is, that show is a farce. It's a superstar-making show that doesn't create any superstars. They want to get more public interest and viewership on Idol by stripping the power of the public? Sounds like a smart ass move to me. Not."
JUAN
Simon hinted at a change involving the judges. Immediately people thought of X-Factor, his british show and to say the reaction is negative is an understatement. I think most people just let his and Ryan's interplay go as nothing, but it really may be the end of the show.
X-Factor lets the judges give immunity to one contestant based on them performing to save themselves during the results show. So let's say we have bottom of Anoop, Jorge and Jasmine, and Anoop really should be the lowest.
Anoop sings and saves himselt. Therefore we keep him (who would have been a suprise elimination) and lose someone else.
It's kind of Dancing of the Stars-ish too, but the difference between Idol and that is people think Idol is real (even with the conspiracy theories) while Dancing is for fun.
If Idol does that I'll really lose a lot of interest in the show. Honestly, if I wasn't doing the pool I'd probably stop watching. Yes, the shock eliminations are annoying. But they allow dark horses to win. With this (changed) system, how do you get rid of an Adam or a Danny ever?
Hopefully the change with the judges Simon alluded to is Paula finally being fired (shot whatever) or something else, but if it's what I think, they really screwed up.
From a British X-Factor watcher...
"Well I am, British, and I'll try and clear a few things up.X Factor is a tacky Saturday night show where the judges are the star attraction. The lineup changes every year and everything is geared to focus on the panel, not the singers. Stupid voice-overs and ridiculous operatic music pollute the segments between karaoke backed (no live band) performances that are the last thing anyone cares about. The sob-stories are ten-fold, the host is a moron, and contestants idiotic pouting into the camera in their Matrix like pre-performance packages is vomit-inducing. None of this equals art or sophistication. It equals a colorful entertainment show, it's melodramatic, amusing, tacky and completely counter-productive.Idol has its haters over here, but at least it has created some genuine superstars; the format has done that. Does it not strike anyone as surprising that in five years the show's only created one superstar? And that was a stroke of luck.Despite the fact that X Factor is big in the UK far less people actually vote than they did on Pop Idol, because there's very little point. Ten million people voted in the Will/Gareth finale. I think they're thrilled if they even get a two or three million now. The point is, that show is a farce. It's a superstar-making show that doesn't create any superstars. They want to get more public interest and viewership on Idol by stripping the power of the public? Sounds like a smart ass move to me. Not."
JUAN
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Top 13 - Michael Jackson Week!
Let the Top 13 begin! I'll post my thoughts soon if i can watch it live...
The stage is different. Paula says don't let it consume you! Everything looks new and shiny and big. Simon says DONT FORGET THE WORDS and DONT GET SWALLOWED BY THE STAGE although he means you have to shine and Paula meant to watch out for her hallucinations to physically eat you.
It's our idols! Alexis forgot her clothes apparently. Megan is way too red. They announce two people will be eliminated tommorrow. Simon says thats good for them because it gives them more pressure. (They just scanned everyone, Allison looks different and Lil Rounds too, one in a good way and one in a very bad way, that being Lil Rounds who looks like a pink peacock.)
Here's the Michael Jackson intro (in case you don't know him) and we are off!!! Lil Rounds is first!
Lil Rounds: The Way You Make Me Feel: It's not great to be honest. She sings really well (She is clearly going to be a Carrie, Daughtry, Clay like contestant that even when she is not spectacular her vocals are still flawless). I have to say good but not great. It was too close to the original arrangement, so it was flat to me. Randy disagrees completely and said she changed it completely which is not true at all. Kara rambles (hear you on the radio is her phrase today). Paula compliments her awful look. Simon agrees with me totally including the clothes. She's going to be a strong contestant but this was just good.
Ryan says to be careful when dialing so you don't accidentally dial an adult line. Ok, he didn't say that but that's what he meant!!
Scott: He has a blind sister even though there is no prior vision problems in the family. (Bad luck of the draw there). He is singing KEEP THE FAITH while playing the piano. I don't know the song at all. It came across better than Lil's just cause it was more original, it came across more as his song. Crowd LOVED it. Not fantastic but if it's a sign of things to come for him, it's a good sign. Simon didn't like the song choice. (Paula says something really bizarre about Norway).
Danny: Wow, the heavy hitters are out early. It's softrock time with Pretty Young Thing. OH NO, it speeds up. I was wrong. This is so strange that this man is singing the words "Tender Roni". I like his mix. It's showing off his vocals. I think it's much stronger than the first two performances, better song choice, great arrangement and he sang it well too. Paula declares him the winner. Simon calls the vocals brilliant and says he's a white guy with soul. Danny has a good personality too. He may win this despite Paula saying it. For a week 1 performance, that was GREAT.
Michael: I missed his intro. He is singing You are not Alone? It's ok. He is a good singer but he's nothing special and I hate that cocky smile he always has on his face. I'm not sure what to make of this, I don't think it changes my mind about him at all, that he's one of the weaker contestants. Simon makes fun, Michael must have mentioned he worked in the oil rig again. Randy says tonight so far he's one of the best (one of the best 4?). Kara has nothing original to say, it's just cliche's. What happened to her since auditions?
Paula is SO high today.
Jasmine: I'll Be There. She has a REALLY big voice all of a sudden. Very mature sounding. I like how she looks too, very 70ish, fits the song and how she is singing it. She gets lukewarm praise from the judges. She might be able to do better going forward though cause she can sing.
This is a good group.
Kris: Remember the Time. He plays guitar. I hate it. It's not bad per se, but it's kind of dull, strange arrangement. Kara says the girls love Kris. Paula rambles. Kris helped everyone else. Maybe that's why he sucked, he didn't help himself. DIE PAULA DIE. I'm so tired of her. Simon says it was interesting but a bit clumsy. Simon said he should have kept his wife hidden a few more weeks. Wife is upset. (Note: Simon is slick, he outed the wife so the little girls know Kris is married.) Eh...
Allison: Allison has 2 l's and i've been spelling it wrong till now. Her early videos remind me of videos i saw of a young Selina singing. Give it to Me is the song. The look and style is rock today. She seems to be very confident about what she can do and what she wants to do. She did very well. She can go far, having a solid niche is a good thing, and she can sing real well. Hell of a combination. The judges concur.
Anoop Dawg: He has a new look. He is singing Beat It. His voice isn't big enough for the song. He's going to get skewered. Even Paula is criticizing. Simon says it's horrible. First awful performance of the night.
It's JORGE!: All Puerto Rico is supporting him. I know I am, we never get a PR on this show. he is singing Never Can Say Goodbye. Good song choice for his voice and it's tone. (Are there enough people in Puerto Rico to have a Jasmine like effect I wonder? Hawaii carried her forever.) Not bad. He snag it well but there isn't anything overly special about it. Below the best today and ahead of the worst. Judges tell him he needs to do better.
Be back later or tommorrow, no more time tonight...
I come back and realize I didn't DVR it. What a pain. Youtube awaits, no judges comments though...
Megan was ok. She sang good but it was a little strange. I don't think she gets eliminated off this. She sang Rockin Robin.
Adam - WHOA. SO seasoned. That was really good. He kicked all kinds of ass there. WHOA once more. He sang Black or White, the energy was great, the vocals were great, his stage presence is good. I liked Danny better but I can't argue against anyone who said this was better. Again, just WHOA. Paula must have proposed after this.
Alexis - Very nice. A little overdone, not all of it worked (whereas all of Adam's worked). Her fans will love this and I think others will come way thinking it was strong too. One of the best tonight.
My favorites tonight (in order) are Danny, Adam, Allison, Alexis, Lil Rounds. I think Jorge, Mark, Kris and Jasmine are vulnerable, and my predictions are Kris and Jasmine out. Jorge did sing a perfect goodbye song though, never a good idea.
JUAN
The stage is different. Paula says don't let it consume you! Everything looks new and shiny and big. Simon says DONT FORGET THE WORDS and DONT GET SWALLOWED BY THE STAGE although he means you have to shine and Paula meant to watch out for her hallucinations to physically eat you.
It's our idols! Alexis forgot her clothes apparently. Megan is way too red. They announce two people will be eliminated tommorrow. Simon says thats good for them because it gives them more pressure. (They just scanned everyone, Allison looks different and Lil Rounds too, one in a good way and one in a very bad way, that being Lil Rounds who looks like a pink peacock.)
Here's the Michael Jackson intro (in case you don't know him) and we are off!!! Lil Rounds is first!
Lil Rounds: The Way You Make Me Feel: It's not great to be honest. She sings really well (She is clearly going to be a Carrie, Daughtry, Clay like contestant that even when she is not spectacular her vocals are still flawless). I have to say good but not great. It was too close to the original arrangement, so it was flat to me. Randy disagrees completely and said she changed it completely which is not true at all. Kara rambles (hear you on the radio is her phrase today). Paula compliments her awful look. Simon agrees with me totally including the clothes. She's going to be a strong contestant but this was just good.
Ryan says to be careful when dialing so you don't accidentally dial an adult line. Ok, he didn't say that but that's what he meant!!
Scott: He has a blind sister even though there is no prior vision problems in the family. (Bad luck of the draw there). He is singing KEEP THE FAITH while playing the piano. I don't know the song at all. It came across better than Lil's just cause it was more original, it came across more as his song. Crowd LOVED it. Not fantastic but if it's a sign of things to come for him, it's a good sign. Simon didn't like the song choice. (Paula says something really bizarre about Norway).
Danny: Wow, the heavy hitters are out early. It's softrock time with Pretty Young Thing. OH NO, it speeds up. I was wrong. This is so strange that this man is singing the words "Tender Roni". I like his mix. It's showing off his vocals. I think it's much stronger than the first two performances, better song choice, great arrangement and he sang it well too. Paula declares him the winner. Simon calls the vocals brilliant and says he's a white guy with soul. Danny has a good personality too. He may win this despite Paula saying it. For a week 1 performance, that was GREAT.
Michael: I missed his intro. He is singing You are not Alone? It's ok. He is a good singer but he's nothing special and I hate that cocky smile he always has on his face. I'm not sure what to make of this, I don't think it changes my mind about him at all, that he's one of the weaker contestants. Simon makes fun, Michael must have mentioned he worked in the oil rig again. Randy says tonight so far he's one of the best (one of the best 4?). Kara has nothing original to say, it's just cliche's. What happened to her since auditions?
Paula is SO high today.
Jasmine: I'll Be There. She has a REALLY big voice all of a sudden. Very mature sounding. I like how she looks too, very 70ish, fits the song and how she is singing it. She gets lukewarm praise from the judges. She might be able to do better going forward though cause she can sing.
This is a good group.
Kris: Remember the Time. He plays guitar. I hate it. It's not bad per se, but it's kind of dull, strange arrangement. Kara says the girls love Kris. Paula rambles. Kris helped everyone else. Maybe that's why he sucked, he didn't help himself. DIE PAULA DIE. I'm so tired of her. Simon says it was interesting but a bit clumsy. Simon said he should have kept his wife hidden a few more weeks. Wife is upset. (Note: Simon is slick, he outed the wife so the little girls know Kris is married.) Eh...
Allison: Allison has 2 l's and i've been spelling it wrong till now. Her early videos remind me of videos i saw of a young Selina singing. Give it to Me is the song. The look and style is rock today. She seems to be very confident about what she can do and what she wants to do. She did very well. She can go far, having a solid niche is a good thing, and she can sing real well. Hell of a combination. The judges concur.
Anoop Dawg: He has a new look. He is singing Beat It. His voice isn't big enough for the song. He's going to get skewered. Even Paula is criticizing. Simon says it's horrible. First awful performance of the night.
It's JORGE!: All Puerto Rico is supporting him. I know I am, we never get a PR on this show. he is singing Never Can Say Goodbye. Good song choice for his voice and it's tone. (Are there enough people in Puerto Rico to have a Jasmine like effect I wonder? Hawaii carried her forever.) Not bad. He snag it well but there isn't anything overly special about it. Below the best today and ahead of the worst. Judges tell him he needs to do better.
Be back later or tommorrow, no more time tonight...
I come back and realize I didn't DVR it. What a pain. Youtube awaits, no judges comments though...
Megan was ok. She sang good but it was a little strange. I don't think she gets eliminated off this. She sang Rockin Robin.
Adam - WHOA. SO seasoned. That was really good. He kicked all kinds of ass there. WHOA once more. He sang Black or White, the energy was great, the vocals were great, his stage presence is good. I liked Danny better but I can't argue against anyone who said this was better. Again, just WHOA. Paula must have proposed after this.
Alexis - Very nice. A little overdone, not all of it worked (whereas all of Adam's worked). Her fans will love this and I think others will come way thinking it was strong too. One of the best tonight.
My favorites tonight (in order) are Danny, Adam, Allison, Alexis, Lil Rounds. I think Jorge, Mark, Kris and Jasmine are vulnerable, and my predictions are Kris and Jasmine out. Jorge did sing a perfect goodbye song though, never a good idea.
JUAN
Notes on tonight...POOL PICKS DUE!!
Note: Pool picks are due today at 7pm! Don't be late or you will be left out.
Couple of notes on tonight.
-Most likely two people will be eliminated this week. There are 11 weeks of idol, and 12 contestants to be eliminated. So that points to double elimination, and the easiest time to do that is the first week.
-Idol needs to change the phone numbers for tonight. There 13th number of their usual 866 number belongs to a sex line. Haha...i'm sure they have a backup plan but that's just too ridiculous. I wonder if people dial the old numbers out of habit.
-Carrie Underwood has made a remake of Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue as the "goodbye" song for this season. Not sure if they use it always like they did last year with Daughtry's "Home" track. You can listen to a preview here.
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Sweet/dp/B001UQYEXW
JUAN
Couple of notes on tonight.
-Most likely two people will be eliminated this week. There are 11 weeks of idol, and 12 contestants to be eliminated. So that points to double elimination, and the easiest time to do that is the first week.
-Idol needs to change the phone numbers for tonight. There 13th number of their usual 866 number belongs to a sex line. Haha...i'm sure they have a backup plan but that's just too ridiculous. I wonder if people dial the old numbers out of habit.
-Carrie Underwood has made a remake of Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue as the "goodbye" song for this season. Not sure if they use it always like they did last year with Daughtry's "Home" track. You can listen to a preview here.
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Sweet/dp/B001UQYEXW
JUAN
Friday, March 6, 2009
My Preview! Top 13...
We have out Top 13. I'm kind of excited about this year, there are a few people that people seem to think are the chosen one, etc. That can't be possible, so that's a good sign! I think there are a bunch of contestants at this point who have potential to make a really long run if not win outright, so I'm definitely excited. First week is Michael Jackson week (and the results show will have both Kanye West and Kelly Clarkson).
Punk rock tattoos but coffee house singer vocals. In a current market where people like Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen are what is new and popular, she definitely has a chance to come across as new and contemporary. However, her vocals are some of the weaker in the competition, and like Anoop, she lost out to some people initially who also don't look like strong contenders. Megan needs to very quickly build her own niche, and she can wind up like Jason Castro, a real niche singer that can parlay a few good performances into a long run.
Adam gets the award for best scandal that wasn't as VFTW wanted us to be outraged he might be gay, which was greeted with a huge yawn as he shot by his round with ease.
THE TOP 13
23 years old, Memphis, TN
Lil Rounds has to be considered one of the favorites to win the whole thing and probably the strongest contestant out of the girls. She is a extremely polished singer, and had no trouble belting out her Mary J Blige number during her performance. Simon called her brilliant. Out of the three almost sure paths to the Top 13 (Her, Danny and Adam) she was the only one who really killed her performance. The other girls in this competition don't really match up vocally, and in unlike seasons past, there is no "battle of the divas" to contend with. In my opinion, she is the most likely to wow us week to week all the way through.
27 years old, Jasper, TX
Michael is the worker from the oil rig become Top 13 contestant. He has more countryish, rough vocals in amongst a group of males with much smoother vocals. Michael got voted in ahead of Anoop, so he must have a decent fanbase but I can't imagine him going very far unless he really wows everyone in the first two weeks. I can't see it.
Megan Joy Cortkey
22 years old, Sandy, UT
Punk rock tattoos but coffee house singer vocals. In a current market where people like Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen are what is new and popular, she definitely has a chance to come across as new and contemporary. However, her vocals are some of the weaker in the competition, and like Anoop, she lost out to some people initially who also don't look like strong contenders. Megan needs to very quickly build her own niche, and she can wind up like Jason Castro, a real niche singer that can parlay a few good performances into a long run.
23 years old,Scottsdale, AZ
Well, no pun intended it's easy to see what initially attacted people to Scott, his backstory of being the first blind idol contestant to move out of the preliminary rounds. He's been solid in every round which has enabled him to hold onto the large buzz he had initially. He's really likable, he has a good sense of humor and he is a great singer. Not a bad combination. Definitely could win but I would think he'd fall short - as solid as he's been there has been no real exciting moments from him yet that make me think there are more coming.
Well, no pun intended it's easy to see what initially attacted people to Scott, his backstory of being the first blind idol contestant to move out of the preliminary rounds. He's been solid in every round which has enabled him to hold onto the large buzz he had initially. He's really likable, he has a good sense of humor and he is a great singer. Not a bad combination. Definitely could win but I would think he'd fall short - as solid as he's been there has been no real exciting moments from him yet that make me think there are more coming.
23 years old, Kalamazoo, MI
Matt has made almost no impression on me at all. I guess bluesy is a good way to describe his voice, but the main impression it made on me was one of horror as he massacred Coldplay after I was happy he had chosen something less than 20 years old to sing. I don't think Matt has much chance at all, seems like an early round sacrifice to me.
23 years old, Conway, AR
Anyone who is a Kris fan may want to skip this paragraph. I really think Kris is in because he's a young guy and because of his looks. I didn't think his performances were anything special, but he was one of the people who had a nice fanbase early on and kept it regardless of what he did. There is no reason Kris can't go for a while in the competition, but I don't see him as any sort of contender.
Anyone who is a Kris fan may want to skip this paragraph. I really think Kris is in because he's a young guy and because of his looks. I didn't think his performances were anything special, but he was one of the people who had a nice fanbase early on and kept it regardless of what he did. There is no reason Kris can't go for a while in the competition, but I don't see him as any sort of contender.
BTW, Tatiana (the psycho) has a very large fanbase as there were so many complaints after the show about her being eliminated. To say I was surprised is an understatement. How someone who acted like a total psycho during almost every moment of the competition gatherd so much sympathy is beyond me.
20 years old, Carolina, PR
Jorge came out of absolutely nowhere to definitively take one of the top 3 spots during his week. If you recall last year, David Cook went from interesting Top 24 contestant to contender to win off ONE performance, Hello. The momentum gotten from coming out of almost nowhere can be great for a contestant, and while Jorge had nowhere near the moment David Cook had, he went from nowhere to strong contestant over the course of his 2 minutes. (Singing a song Clay Aiken made a staple in the competition no less.) For Jorge to progress far, he will need to come out and show his one great peformance was no fluke. If he can do that, he may do really well in the competition.
16 years old, Starkville, MS
We have not one, but two 16 year old girls in the Top 13 this year, and much to my surprise, both heavily endorsed my Simon. I think Jasmine is the kind of contestant that wildcard was for, someone the judges think will do really well and just underachieved in her initial performance. She did do really well in her Wildcard performance, discovering a really strong voice that none of us had seen up to that point. I'm really not sure what we will see from Jasmine, a 16 year old girl that looks like a popstar with a big huge voice should certainly be a factor in this competition, but until the wildcard round she looked like a young, nervous girl who just couldn't sing as well as the other girls. Very interesting.
We have not one, but two 16 year old girls in the Top 13 this year, and much to my surprise, both heavily endorsed my Simon. I think Jasmine is the kind of contestant that wildcard was for, someone the judges think will do really well and just underachieved in her initial performance. She did do really well in her Wildcard performance, discovering a really strong voice that none of us had seen up to that point. I'm really not sure what we will see from Jasmine, a 16 year old girl that looks like a popstar with a big huge voice should certainly be a factor in this competition, but until the wildcard round she looked like a young, nervous girl who just couldn't sing as well as the other girls. Very interesting.
28 years old, Milwaukee, WI
Danny Gokey had everyone won over really early in the season. His story was so sad (his wife's recent passing) and he was there with his friend, and he really seemed to just be taking in every step of the experience as much as he could. He's sang well in his audition, every time in Hollywood, and seemed a sure bet to the top 12 (which he is). Then a funny thing happened, he decided to sing another inspirational song, his friend flashed a picture of him and his wife, and people asked if he is looking for sympathy? My take - i can't see how you can expect someone recently widowed and whose wife would have liked him to do this not to have her forefront in what he is thinking as he is doing this. He does need to tone it down though, no inspirational song of the week. Everyone already knows who he is, he is good enough to get by on his singing from here on out. Definitely a contender.
21 years old, Chapel Hill, NC
Anoop has a very interesting road to the Final 13, him being the contestant that makes this a final 13 and not a final 12. (They've really tortured him, he was the last wildcard chosen and got eliminated before being brought back as the surprise 13th contestant.) I don't think this hurts him at all, and he has a few things going for him, he's likable, he comes across as dorky except when he's singing (ala Clay Aiken) and he's got a good nickname (Anoop Dawg) that his fans can use for him. I think he's a very strong contestant and is one very good performance from being around a very long time.
16 years old, Los Angeles, CA
Along with Jorge, Alison came seemingly out of nowhere to get voted into the Top 13. She also (like Jorge) sang an Idol standard, ALONE (torn to shreds by Carrie Underwood in a good way) and came through with flying colors. She is a interesting case, she's only 16 but Simon likes her (he usually doesn't like the young contestants) and she came across so badly at first, she looked awful and she sounded completely confused and overwhelmed talking to Ryan. That was pre-singing however. The next day she looked 100% better and was confident as she knew she'd get voted through, and she was right. I still don't see her going far, but I didn't even see her here and she moved into the Top 13 pretty straight away. I could be very wrong here.
Along with Jorge, Alison came seemingly out of nowhere to get voted into the Top 13. She also (like Jorge) sang an Idol standard, ALONE (torn to shreds by Carrie Underwood in a good way) and came through with flying colors. She is a interesting case, she's only 16 but Simon likes her (he usually doesn't like the young contestants) and she came across so badly at first, she looked awful and she sounded completely confused and overwhelmed talking to Ryan. That was pre-singing however. The next day she looked 100% better and was confident as she knew she'd get voted through, and she was right. I still don't see her going far, but I didn't even see her here and she moved into the Top 13 pretty straight away. I could be very wrong here.
21 years old, Memphis, TN
It's good to take what the judges say to heart. Case in point, Alexis. During Hollywood she didn't look that good (her hair color, her style just wasn't right) and her singing got away from the bluesy quality of her audition. Cue Week 1, she comes back with her current multicolored doo, a sexy bluesy vocal, and shot through to the Top 13. The judges loved her, with Simon comparing her to Kelly Clarkson at the same level of the competition. That's a huge compliment, and shot her to the forefront of everyone's minds in the first week. If she comes out great this week and recaptures that momentum from that first week, look out. I would call her a dark horse, but anyone with Simon's backing goes from Dark Horse to contender.
It's good to take what the judges say to heart. Case in point, Alexis. During Hollywood she didn't look that good (her hair color, her style just wasn't right) and her singing got away from the bluesy quality of her audition. Cue Week 1, she comes back with her current multicolored doo, a sexy bluesy vocal, and shot through to the Top 13. The judges loved her, with Simon comparing her to Kelly Clarkson at the same level of the competition. That's a huge compliment, and shot her to the forefront of everyone's minds in the first week. If she comes out great this week and recaptures that momentum from that first week, look out. I would call her a dark horse, but anyone with Simon's backing goes from Dark Horse to contender.
26 years old, Los Angeles, CA
Adam is the best vocalist in the competition probably. (He also looks like a Jonas Bros, not a bad thing. ) He has broadway experience, and it shows with how effortlessly he sings. He also is very over-dramatic, and after his last performance, I wonder if this is something he can avoid. (The judges complained, he did it anyway.) He is someone that should be an extremely strong contestant, but may really struggle when the theme is not a style he excels in. If he does manage to avoid some of the drama in his performances and finds a way to fit the styles around himself, he could not only do well, he could win this whole thing.
Adam gets the award for best scandal that wasn't as VFTW wanted us to be outraged he might be gay, which was greeted with a huge yawn as he shot by his round with ease.
All in all I think this is going to be a very exciting season. I haven't made my picks yet, but I will have them soon (they will be on the spreadsheet i send out). I find it funny, people always complain to me it's so hard to pick the winner, but that's kind of the point. If anyone is 100% sure who would win, they we'd all be sure. (Like the Carrie season, there was no point from her audition on that I wasn't 100% sure she'd win.) The 4th judge dynamic is interesting, I think it may hurt the weaker contestants in any given week as Paula tends to dominate the people who stink, until Simon SMACKS them down. It's not positive. (Simon seems to like a lot of the Top 13, Allison, Megan, Lil Rounds, Anoop, Jasmine, Alexis have all gotten his stamp of approval.) I still really like Kara as a judge, I don't understand why they don't invent something wrong with Paula and just remove her.
JUAN
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wild Card Round!!
I got to the party late today, so i just went through 30 minutes in 10 minutes, and so far i liked Jasmine and Von Smith. Megan was interesting but not that special, and I'm still not really a Jesse fan at all. I don't think she has any chance. I missed someone, i think Ricky Braddy.
Strange they are commenting but nothing else. Hopefully the choices make sense when compared to the comments.
Tatiana - "no one gets second chances once in a lifetime". I love that comment for some reason. She sings the same song again, Simon said she isn't getting voted through and they waste much too time. Kara insults her personality. Paula likes her. BYE BYE!!!
Do we have time to finish?
It's ANOOP DAWG. Singing My Perogative? That's not easy to sing. It's not bad, at all i don't love it but i really think he has a place in the Top 12 with his name on it that would be his unless he totally bombed, which this is far far from. Crowd reaction is best so far by a mile. Whoa, he mentioned Duke. Joel, where are you?
I predict Jasmine, Anoop and Megan.
Ok results...
Jasmine - YES!!!! (i like it)
Ricky - NO! (I didn't see him so can't comment.)
Megan and Tatiana - If it's one, then it's Megan which makes this stupid. Megan!
Um, is that last one not Anoop? Tatiana is crying. GO HOME!
We have like 30 seconds left....commercial...
Jesse NEARLY made it. She thinks that means she did. No, it doesn't.
And it's Matt!!! Not Anoop...
Simon to let Anoop know he is appreciated, and VERY appreciated as HOLY **** he is in the Top 12 which is now the Top 13. Well, there is the missing week! WOW, so bizarre. ANOOP DAWG!!!
Be back later with the Top 13! I need another column on my sheet.
JUAN
Strange they are commenting but nothing else. Hopefully the choices make sense when compared to the comments.
Tatiana - "no one gets second chances once in a lifetime". I love that comment for some reason. She sings the same song again, Simon said she isn't getting voted through and they waste much too time. Kara insults her personality. Paula likes her. BYE BYE!!!
Do we have time to finish?
It's ANOOP DAWG. Singing My Perogative? That's not easy to sing. It's not bad, at all i don't love it but i really think he has a place in the Top 12 with his name on it that would be his unless he totally bombed, which this is far far from. Crowd reaction is best so far by a mile. Whoa, he mentioned Duke. Joel, where are you?
I predict Jasmine, Anoop and Megan.
Ok results...
Jasmine - YES!!!! (i like it)
Ricky - NO! (I didn't see him so can't comment.)
Megan and Tatiana - If it's one, then it's Megan which makes this stupid. Megan!
Um, is that last one not Anoop? Tatiana is crying. GO HOME!
We have like 30 seconds left....commercial...
Jesse NEARLY made it. She thinks that means she did. No, it doesn't.
And it's Matt!!! Not Anoop...
Simon to let Anoop know he is appreciated, and VERY appreciated as HOLY **** he is in the Top 12 which is now the Top 13. Well, there is the missing week! WOW, so bizarre. ANOOP DAWG!!!
Be back later with the Top 13! I need another column on my sheet.
JUAN
Three More! Final Three chosen tonight - Wild Card Contestants...
Let’s welcome our next three finalists..
Jorge Nunez - The first person to really come out of left field and impress to the point that he made it. I was very impressed with him, and I was happy Simon retracted the “don’t sing with an accent” comment because it was stupid. If you have an accent, it will come out when you sing. Really likable, hopefully he can keep this up week to week as it would add another contender to the obvious ones already.
Lil Rounds - Clear contender to win it all at this point. Really great vocals, already very polished, seems more modern too unlike some of the strong voices early on in the past. Prior to her performing I thought she would be great, and she was.
Scott Macintyre – I thought Scott had a great shot to begin with, his story obviously has got him attention, and he is one of the better singers and already had a strong fanbase. Coming into this round with an already strong fanbase was a huge advantage, it’s one night or go home (unless you got wildcarded) so unless you really wowed everyone (like Jorge) you were hard pressed to win people over.
I have no arguments with any of the 3 picks this week. As for the show, I thought some of the contestants (Alex, the guy who sang Meatloaf who I like so much I can’t remember his name, etc.) got too cutesy with their performances, and were a little over the top. Clearly Simon doesn’t like that, doesn’t want that, so why people insist on trying it is beyond me.
Right to Left (Anoop, Jasmine, Jesse, Matt, Megan, Ricky, Tatiana, Von Smith)
WILDCARD IS TODAY. Our final three contestants will come from the eight above. I’m a bit surprised by the field of eight, it’s not necessarily who I would have picked (Arianna, Jeanine and Kai are three I may have picked, and I definitely don’t see why Jesse is back, among others.) I think Anoop Dawg is a lock as is Megan (look at the girls, it’s pretty weak) and I think Jasmine will get in as a second girl to give it a little more gender balance. I really think Anoop and Megan need to be awful to not make it in.
I am still not 100% sure what they are doing tonight. If it’s full songs, with band, etc. it has to be like rapidfire. There is no voting, so I guess they can skip all the Ryan interviews, etc. You have to think they have three people picked out, and will deviate only if forced by something awful. Note for future idol contestants: Everyone who tried to be witty, fought back all criticism, did a joke number, etc. didn’t come back. I think some people really tried to use their one performance as their 15 minutes of fame thinking they might come back.
As of 9 pm we will have out top 12 and the pool is on!
JUAN
Jorge Nunez - The first person to really come out of left field and impress to the point that he made it. I was very impressed with him, and I was happy Simon retracted the “don’t sing with an accent” comment because it was stupid. If you have an accent, it will come out when you sing. Really likable, hopefully he can keep this up week to week as it would add another contender to the obvious ones already.
Lil Rounds - Clear contender to win it all at this point. Really great vocals, already very polished, seems more modern too unlike some of the strong voices early on in the past. Prior to her performing I thought she would be great, and she was.
Scott Macintyre – I thought Scott had a great shot to begin with, his story obviously has got him attention, and he is one of the better singers and already had a strong fanbase. Coming into this round with an already strong fanbase was a huge advantage, it’s one night or go home (unless you got wildcarded) so unless you really wowed everyone (like Jorge) you were hard pressed to win people over.
I have no arguments with any of the 3 picks this week. As for the show, I thought some of the contestants (Alex, the guy who sang Meatloaf who I like so much I can’t remember his name, etc.) got too cutesy with their performances, and were a little over the top. Clearly Simon doesn’t like that, doesn’t want that, so why people insist on trying it is beyond me.
Right to Left (Anoop, Jasmine, Jesse, Matt, Megan, Ricky, Tatiana, Von Smith)
WILDCARD IS TODAY. Our final three contestants will come from the eight above. I’m a bit surprised by the field of eight, it’s not necessarily who I would have picked (Arianna, Jeanine and Kai are three I may have picked, and I definitely don’t see why Jesse is back, among others.) I think Anoop Dawg is a lock as is Megan (look at the girls, it’s pretty weak) and I think Jasmine will get in as a second girl to give it a little more gender balance. I really think Anoop and Megan need to be awful to not make it in.
I am still not 100% sure what they are doing tonight. If it’s full songs, with band, etc. it has to be like rapidfire. There is no voting, so I guess they can skip all the Ryan interviews, etc. You have to think they have three people picked out, and will deviate only if forced by something awful. Note for future idol contestants: Everyone who tried to be witty, fought back all criticism, did a joke number, etc. didn’t come back. I think some people really tried to use their one performance as their 15 minutes of fame thinking they might come back.
As of 9 pm we will have out top 12 and the pool is on!
JUAN
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Final Top 12
And it's....
VON SMITH: Bores me to tears. Simon seems to want to slam him even though he praises him somewhat by saying he's like Clay. I don't see it - i'm not sure Von can move on...
TAYLOR VAIFANU - Singing Alecia Keys. Nothing spectacular so far but I like it. Kara says its obvious has a voice. Very paula comment. Taylor is really upset. She says she is crying tears of joy...uh, no. She makes Ryan look like a midget which i always enjoy.
ALEX - He is going to sing Elton John for his long distance love. (She better get closer if he wins!) I'm not sure about this. Its a bit stylized which i think should get kudos, but its not being sang that well so I'm not sure what to think. I think judges will skewer. Simon says we had fun watching but not listening.
Who is the ringer tonight? Danny first week and Adam second....
Lil Rounds is a given tonight maybe?
Sorry i'm only posting approved comments. Someone decided to post stupid comments. Irritating. Hopefully after a week or two i can shut that off - clearly anyone who posts normally ill put everything up.
Now we have....Arianna doing Abba. WHOA. This will work or fail...bold choice. I like her, she's cute and she insulted Paula as old when i first saw her. I like it, i think she's singing it ok. Outside of a few cracks in her voice here and there. (And since this season we seem to be grading on a curve i thought it's ok.) Simon hates it. Jeez...although he says something true about everyone being in a time machine - i agree with that. THe only thing that bothers me about the criticism is when everyone is so-so, how are some people awful and some so-so. She appreciates they didn't mention her looks during hollywood, what an obnoxious comment. She is cute, not gorgeous, please...
Next, when we come back it's Ju'Not. His son is cute so i like him! Song choice is nice but he needs to turn it up soon, it's really sleepy and not that impressive, just pleasant. He should have done more with it at the end but I'd say best so far. Paula has heavy meds today, can't speak. Simon is irritated with her to a high level. Simon says its a little safe but he liked it. Ju'Not apparently needs to pee. MOVING ON!
Kristen and Nathaniel!
Kristen goes, she's actually very good BUT the song is so bland and boring that it doesn't get that much praise. I actually had trouble remembering who she was until Kara mentioned her purple hair color.
Nathaniel goes. I hate this. He sings Meatloaf but with no vocal range and kind of stylized. His grandma can't even give him praise without reserve. Ryan makes lots of gay innuendo's. So bizarre. Nathaniel might get some votes just from the sheer amount of time he got, do we have too much time to kill?
More to Come, maybe tommorrow as i need to read Kate some books...
Ok, i saw the rest of the show. I REALLY liked Jorge and Lil Rounds. I think both of them deserve to get through, which is weird as they were the last two. Because they were both good and that they were the last two, i think they both have a really good shot. I thought Felicia was good too. Turned out to be a solid show because the second half was that much better than the first half. I predict Jorge, Lil Rounds, and either Scott or Felicia, probably Scott. I didn't like him that much but people like him.
JUAN
VON SMITH: Bores me to tears. Simon seems to want to slam him even though he praises him somewhat by saying he's like Clay. I don't see it - i'm not sure Von can move on...
TAYLOR VAIFANU - Singing Alecia Keys. Nothing spectacular so far but I like it. Kara says its obvious has a voice. Very paula comment. Taylor is really upset. She says she is crying tears of joy...uh, no. She makes Ryan look like a midget which i always enjoy.
ALEX - He is going to sing Elton John for his long distance love. (She better get closer if he wins!) I'm not sure about this. Its a bit stylized which i think should get kudos, but its not being sang that well so I'm not sure what to think. I think judges will skewer. Simon says we had fun watching but not listening.
Who is the ringer tonight? Danny first week and Adam second....
Lil Rounds is a given tonight maybe?
Sorry i'm only posting approved comments. Someone decided to post stupid comments. Irritating. Hopefully after a week or two i can shut that off - clearly anyone who posts normally ill put everything up.
Now we have....Arianna doing Abba. WHOA. This will work or fail...bold choice. I like her, she's cute and she insulted Paula as old when i first saw her. I like it, i think she's singing it ok. Outside of a few cracks in her voice here and there. (And since this season we seem to be grading on a curve i thought it's ok.) Simon hates it. Jeez...although he says something true about everyone being in a time machine - i agree with that. THe only thing that bothers me about the criticism is when everyone is so-so, how are some people awful and some so-so. She appreciates they didn't mention her looks during hollywood, what an obnoxious comment. She is cute, not gorgeous, please...
Next, when we come back it's Ju'Not. His son is cute so i like him! Song choice is nice but he needs to turn it up soon, it's really sleepy and not that impressive, just pleasant. He should have done more with it at the end but I'd say best so far. Paula has heavy meds today, can't speak. Simon is irritated with her to a high level. Simon says its a little safe but he liked it. Ju'Not apparently needs to pee. MOVING ON!
Kristen and Nathaniel!
Kristen goes, she's actually very good BUT the song is so bland and boring that it doesn't get that much praise. I actually had trouble remembering who she was until Kara mentioned her purple hair color.
Nathaniel goes. I hate this. He sings Meatloaf but with no vocal range and kind of stylized. His grandma can't even give him praise without reserve. Ryan makes lots of gay innuendo's. So bizarre. Nathaniel might get some votes just from the sheer amount of time he got, do we have too much time to kill?
More to Come, maybe tommorrow as i need to read Kate some books...
Ok, i saw the rest of the show. I REALLY liked Jorge and Lil Rounds. I think both of them deserve to get through, which is weird as they were the last two. Because they were both good and that they were the last two, i think they both have a really good shot. I thought Felicia was good too. Turned out to be a solid show because the second half was that much better than the first half. I predict Jorge, Lil Rounds, and either Scott or Felicia, probably Scott. I didn't like him that much but people like him.
JUAN
Idol's Final Prelim Week - Pool to Begin!
Ok, Idol is determined to confuse me but I got it..
TODAY (Tuesday) – Final Top 12 Peform
WEDNESDAY – Results of Final Top 12 Announced (3 more contestants revealed)
THURSDAY – WILDCARD SHOW – 8 Singers Perform, top 3 get through (Judges choice). (Each judge picks 2 people to come back, only from the Top 36. They will vote YAH or NAH after the performance, and after everyone is done signing, they will choose from among the people who got YAH, with Simon as tiebreaker.)
So by end of Thursday we will have our Top 12. Which means the pool is on!! This week, not next. Is it just me or is Idol doing a poor job explaining all this?
RULES:
POOL RULES
Please read the rules, we have changed a few things this year. (Changes in RED.)
1) Pool cost is $10. ALL money goes toward the pot.
2) There will be a first, second and third prize. The amount (% of pot) will be set once we have a better idea how many participants we have. (I may add a fourth prize if we get beyond 65 people.)
3) We will pick the top five this year. (You will need to send me your picks for FIRST PLACE (WINNER), SECOND PLACE (First Runner Up), THIRD PLACE, FOURTH PLACE and FIFTH PLACE.) The top twelve will be mailed out March 5th.
4) Every week one of your picks remains (is not voted out) you receive points for that person depending on what place you put them in. First Place is 12, Second Place is 8, Third Place is 5, Fourth Place is 3, and Fifth Place is 2. For example, last year let’s say you picked David Archuletta to win idol. (He was the first runner up.) You would have received 12 points for him (you picked him first) for 11 weeks (he was 1 week short of the end), 108 points in total. This will be repeated for all five of your picks. Your points will be aggregated, and whoever has the most points wins. (Feel free to ask questions, I’ll send a more detailed example.)
5) There are 5 bonus points for getting into the top 3 (for each contestant you choose as Top 3) and 10 bonus points if they win. This is a response to complaints last year that picking the winner should have counted more.
6) All Picks and money will be due (to me) by 4:00 Tuesday March 10th.
7) The order of the eliminations is final. If two people get eliminated in the same show, they are tied, no matter what the order. (In case something happens strange…) The reason for elimination is irrelevant, if someone decided to quit the show, they are eliminated.
8) The more people we have the larger the pot is, the happier I am! Feel free to invite anyone to join the pool, in company or out.
9) Each week I will send out a sheet that has the leaders in our pool, how many points you have, etc.
10) Feel free to ask or forward me any questions you have.
11) So to recap, you should be handing me a piece of paper (or email) with your pickets for WINNER, runner-up, 3rd, 4th and 5th and $10 and a contact email.
By the way, Vote for the Worst has me at a bit of a loss. They are supporting Adam, because of his sexual orientation, and therefore it would be terrible and a joke if he won idol. I’m really, really not grasping their logic, it’s offensive, it’s homophobic, and I’m not sure in what way it makes any sense at all. And that’s the only time I will mention them unless they get sued or something that makes me happy happens to them.
I’ll resend emails Wednesday with our next three and Thursday with out Top 12!
TODAY (Tuesday) – Final Top 12 Peform
WEDNESDAY – Results of Final Top 12 Announced (3 more contestants revealed)
THURSDAY – WILDCARD SHOW – 8 Singers Perform, top 3 get through (Judges choice). (Each judge picks 2 people to come back, only from the Top 36. They will vote YAH or NAH after the performance, and after everyone is done signing, they will choose from among the people who got YAH, with Simon as tiebreaker.)
So by end of Thursday we will have our Top 12. Which means the pool is on!! This week, not next. Is it just me or is Idol doing a poor job explaining all this?
RULES:
POOL RULES
Please read the rules, we have changed a few things this year. (Changes in RED.)
1) Pool cost is $10. ALL money goes toward the pot.
2) There will be a first, second and third prize. The amount (% of pot) will be set once we have a better idea how many participants we have. (I may add a fourth prize if we get beyond 65 people.)
3) We will pick the top five this year. (You will need to send me your picks for FIRST PLACE (WINNER), SECOND PLACE (First Runner Up), THIRD PLACE, FOURTH PLACE and FIFTH PLACE.) The top twelve will be mailed out March 5th.
4) Every week one of your picks remains (is not voted out) you receive points for that person depending on what place you put them in. First Place is 12, Second Place is 8, Third Place is 5, Fourth Place is 3, and Fifth Place is 2. For example, last year let’s say you picked David Archuletta to win idol. (He was the first runner up.) You would have received 12 points for him (you picked him first) for 11 weeks (he was 1 week short of the end), 108 points in total. This will be repeated for all five of your picks. Your points will be aggregated, and whoever has the most points wins. (Feel free to ask questions, I’ll send a more detailed example.)
5) There are 5 bonus points for getting into the top 3 (for each contestant you choose as Top 3) and 10 bonus points if they win. This is a response to complaints last year that picking the winner should have counted more.
6) All Picks and money will be due (to me) by 4:00 Tuesday March 10th.
7) The order of the eliminations is final. If two people get eliminated in the same show, they are tied, no matter what the order. (In case something happens strange…) The reason for elimination is irrelevant, if someone decided to quit the show, they are eliminated.
8) The more people we have the larger the pot is, the happier I am! Feel free to invite anyone to join the pool, in company or out.
9) Each week I will send out a sheet that has the leaders in our pool, how many points you have, etc.
10) Feel free to ask or forward me any questions you have.
11) So to recap, you should be handing me a piece of paper (or email) with your pickets for WINNER, runner-up, 3rd, 4th and 5th and $10 and a contact email.
By the way, Vote for the Worst has me at a bit of a loss. They are supporting Adam, because of his sexual orientation, and therefore it would be terrible and a joke if he won idol. I’m really, really not grasping their logic, it’s offensive, it’s homophobic, and I’m not sure in what way it makes any sense at all. And that’s the only time I will mention them unless they get sued or something that makes me happy happens to them.
I’ll resend emails Wednesday with our next three and Thursday with out Top 12!
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