The producers of this show continue to mess with a winning formula. The auditions used to be the equivalent of getting your teeth cleaned. No one particularly enjoyed it but endured it as necessary. This season, by stacking all the audition shows with jokes and mediocrities until tonight...the LAST episode...the producers have made it into the equivalent of a colonscopy. I can honestly say I only watched the last couple of weeks so I could write this blog.
Things perked up a bit tonight as we actually saw some people who MIGHT be one of the top 24. I even found someone to profoundly dislike...the Tatiana clone...Amanda. Crystal was shown only briefly but I like anyone who sings Joplin. Also, I REALLY like that Lacey girl. I hope she doens't get thrown under the bus in Hollywood by being in some jerks group number.
We got the requisite sob stories of course. Didi, whose best friend died 3 years ago. PLEASE resist the tempation to do a Gokey on us with this. I don't want to hear Stand By Me come from your lips. Other than the sob story, she has a Meganesque quality in her voice and unfortunately, I thought I detected a little bit of that stupid Megan wobble in her performance.
The most fun contestant for me was Kimberly the girl who has a big heart. She cares about recycling and Africa. I suspect she voted for Obama too. I would have enjoyed listening to her inanities throughout the season but as big as her heart is....and as profound as thoughts are....she cannot sing.
Poor Shenee from Dallas whose mother had a dream. She was truly awful. At least she didn't sing Whitney.
Well....Hollywood week is next up! I HOPE we get some good performances! I am ready to see someone entertain us!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Stack Them Up In a Pile
All the candidates featured tonight are going to be fodder next week in Hollywood. I don't even have to look at the spoiler sites to figure this out. Victoria Beckham and Kara were voting people in because they looked good (yes Victoria we know you are no longer a musicial *artist* and are now a fashion *artist* but really...none of them looked that great and Simon was right about that 16 year old in the orange luau dress with the spray on tan...she looked like a pumpkin...or since she was thin...a carrot.) And Victoria, WTH with the unicorn hair? That is not an edgy look...it is a stupid look.
Seems like by this time last year I had developed a few favorites. I liked Adam Lambert's audition and thought Megan Joy showed promise (unfulfilled alas). I thought Lil might be really great too. This year, they all just seem so mediocre to me. Hopefully, they just did not show the ones who are going to really shine in Hollywood next week. I am anxious to see what Ellen adds to the party. I think she is incredibly funny as long as she is not getting political. I guess the good news is that I am not one bit attached to anyone and don't despise anyone (like Tatiana and Bikini Girl) so I will not be disappointed in any of the Hollywood results. But they better step up the entertainment value here...the sob stories are getting boring....I want to see some good performances and hear some good music!
You may have noticed, we changed the name of the blog. We hope you like it.
Tomorrow is supposed to be the very best of the auditions....maybe that will make more excited about this season.
Seems like by this time last year I had developed a few favorites. I liked Adam Lambert's audition and thought Megan Joy showed promise (unfulfilled alas). I thought Lil might be really great too. This year, they all just seem so mediocre to me. Hopefully, they just did not show the ones who are going to really shine in Hollywood next week. I am anxious to see what Ellen adds to the party. I think she is incredibly funny as long as she is not getting political. I guess the good news is that I am not one bit attached to anyone and don't despise anyone (like Tatiana and Bikini Girl) so I will not be disappointed in any of the Hollywood results. But they better step up the entertainment value here...the sob stories are getting boring....I want to see some good performances and hear some good music!
You may have noticed, we changed the name of the blog. We hope you like it.
Tomorrow is supposed to be the very best of the auditions....maybe that will make more excited about this season.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Cry Me A River!
How many sob stories can they fit into 50 minutes? Four tonight. The guy with the two babies who came from the projects. The guy with Tourette's Syndrome. The girl who may be raising her little brother alone because her parents divorced and abandoned them for their new spouses (or maybe not...maybe she is just like any other person whose parents divorce). And the coup de grace...the cancer survivor! According to the spoiler websites...none of these make it into the final 24.
The only one who was remotely interesting tonight was Todrick. Who make up the song about idol. He is a semi-professional guy so will make it into the top 24 (I cheated and looked).
Tonights show was interesting only in comparison to the spectacle that followed it on every network in the world. Which I did not watch. If the man has shut up about himself after an hour of blather, I may go see what the pundits think of him. I seriously considered watching the man talk and enduring it by playing a drinking game and taking a drink everytime he said *I.* I suspect I would not be able to type this if I had.
Next week on idol, evidently some woman comes in buck nekkid to the audition in an effort to upstage both bikini girl and Kara. I don't think Victoria Beckham will be amused.
Right now, I am just waiting for these stupid audition shows to end.
The only one who was remotely interesting tonight was Todrick. Who make up the song about idol. He is a semi-professional guy so will make it into the top 24 (I cheated and looked).
Tonights show was interesting only in comparison to the spectacle that followed it on every network in the world. Which I did not watch. If the man has shut up about himself after an hour of blather, I may go see what the pundits think of him. I seriously considered watching the man talk and enduring it by playing a drinking game and taking a drink everytime he said *I.* I suspect I would not be able to type this if I had.
Next week on idol, evidently some woman comes in buck nekkid to the audition in an effort to upstage both bikini girl and Kara. I don't think Victoria Beckham will be amused.
Right now, I am just waiting for these stupid audition shows to end.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Is This All LA Has to Offer?
Okay, I'm officially over the misfits. First up was the the guy with the IQ of 168 who was beyond annoying. After telling us how unique, special, brilliant, inspired, etc. he is about everything in the universe and possibly beyond, he is asked what he would title his album, should he win. *Hope*, he says. How completely and utterly banal. And, thank goodness his kind of hope died last week in Massachusetts.
Then there is the worship pastor who Kara and Avril don't think will have time to be a star. I thought he was ok but I don't think he is going to be in the top 24.
Then comes Damien singing that *other* Righteous Brothers song. Of couse he was atrocious and I wonder...did he fart at the end of it? Or did he just realize he stunk up the house figuratively?
Eighteen minutes into the show and we have not seen a woman audition yet, unless you count the random montages of those who *made it* or *didn't make it*. Finally, Mary (no last name given...I wonder why?) comes in and does a pretty good job. She will probaby crash and burn in Hollywood.
Then comes the Adam Lambert clone who is not Adam Lambert and doesn't make it.
Next day we get Katy Perry as a guest judge who I only heard of this past month. And a bunch more *bad* auditions. Andrew Garcia has a sob story. He grew up in the barrio. His father is crying. We know he will make it before he sings because they would never show his father crying unless he does make it.
Then there is sweet Tasha who is ok and makes it but I doubt she makes it through Hollywood week.
Finally, the big sob story of the night, the foster kid. I liked him actually but enjoyed Katy Perry telling Kara that his story didn't matter...it was whether or not he had talent. Katy Perry seemed to be pretty dismissive of all the judges. Thats ok, Katy, the time will come when you too will be a has been and will be thrilled to have a gig like judging American Idol. Or maybe she is already audtioning for Simon's seat next year. I bet he doesn't make it through Hollywood week either.
The good news is that AI is going back to the old format of a top 24 that we all vote on. No wild card etc. The bad news is that I have already seen the spoilers and know who is going to be in the top 24 pretty much. If you want to know ahead of time go to votefortheworst.com.
Also, it appears Ellen is not amused by Simon's diva work ethic and was pretty pissed off when he arrived 2 hours late for a Hollywood session after she had rearranged her own schedule to be there on time. Might be interesting to see how this plays out.
Then there is the worship pastor who Kara and Avril don't think will have time to be a star. I thought he was ok but I don't think he is going to be in the top 24.
Then comes Damien singing that *other* Righteous Brothers song. Of couse he was atrocious and I wonder...did he fart at the end of it? Or did he just realize he stunk up the house figuratively?
Eighteen minutes into the show and we have not seen a woman audition yet, unless you count the random montages of those who *made it* or *didn't make it*. Finally, Mary (no last name given...I wonder why?) comes in and does a pretty good job. She will probaby crash and burn in Hollywood.
Then comes the Adam Lambert clone who is not Adam Lambert and doesn't make it.
Next day we get Katy Perry as a guest judge who I only heard of this past month. And a bunch more *bad* auditions. Andrew Garcia has a sob story. He grew up in the barrio. His father is crying. We know he will make it before he sings because they would never show his father crying unless he does make it.
Then there is sweet Tasha who is ok and makes it but I doubt she makes it through Hollywood week.
Finally, the big sob story of the night, the foster kid. I liked him actually but enjoyed Katy Perry telling Kara that his story didn't matter...it was whether or not he had talent. Katy Perry seemed to be pretty dismissive of all the judges. Thats ok, Katy, the time will come when you too will be a has been and will be thrilled to have a gig like judging American Idol. Or maybe she is already audtioning for Simon's seat next year. I bet he doesn't make it through Hollywood week either.
The good news is that AI is going back to the old format of a top 24 that we all vote on. No wild card etc. The bad news is that I have already seen the spoilers and know who is going to be in the top 24 pretty much. If you want to know ahead of time go to votefortheworst.com.
Also, it appears Ellen is not amused by Simon's diva work ethic and was pretty pissed off when he arrived 2 hours late for a Hollywood session after she had rearranged her own schedule to be there on time. Might be interesting to see how this plays out.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A New Season
Tonight was the first night I really paid attention to the show....sorry. Had family emergency last week and fell asleep last night and missed first 30 minutes.
And, it has occurred to me that readers from last year might not remember the format of our blog. Auntee (that would be me) types in Red and KK types in purple blue. Or she did last year...she may change her color this year! But I'm going to stick with the red because I like attention.
OK...my thoughts on the season thus far...a bit sedate from what I have seen. No bikini girl, no Tatiana. A lot of mediocre singers and a few horrible ones. The auditions are my least favorite part of the show anyway...and they seem even more tedious this year. Maybe I miss Paula or maybe the talent (even the joke talent) is just getting monotonous.
So far what I've seen is same old same old...the drag queen who is not talented; the sob stories (autistic son...almost died of anaphalactic shock...paralyzed face...although I suppose the ex-con was a new twist on the theme); the best friend/sister duos; and the psycho who won't leave and has to be taken out by security (I'm about 85% sure that was all phony baloney staged). Last night I was not impressed with anyone who performed and got through. Tonight I thought the autistic boy's father was good and seemed to be a decent guy but I doubt he is *cool* enough to make it through Hollywood week and I sincerely hope if he does he will not do a Gokey and sing songs making sure we know all about his son. Germaine was good too. Also, the Troubled ex-con was impressive but I'm thinking he is going to be the Michael Sarver of the season and will lose the judges praise pretty quickly.
NONE of the women they showed impressed me at all. I hope that there was someone I missed in the earlier shows or someone that they didn't show who has a decent voice. The Jersey girls? OMG....Hollywood fodder for sure! I liked Shelby's personality but man...she butchered Norah Jones (although that is a hard song), and the three they sandwiched in whose names they did not reveal all sounded terrible to me. Surely there are more talented women out there than we saw tonight?
Hope next week is the last audition week.
As for the judges...Simon needs to get in the game or go home. Kara is trying to be less of a bitch but she really lacks the ability to read people if she could not see that the pyscho tonight was psycho and needed to be handled more carefully (which supports my view that was all phony baloney staged drama using some out of work actor). In fact...the more I think about it, I am now 95.9% sure it was staged.
Oh well...on to next week!
And, it has occurred to me that readers from last year might not remember the format of our blog. Auntee (that would be me) types in Red and KK types in purple blue. Or she did last year...she may change her color this year! But I'm going to stick with the red because I like attention.
OK...my thoughts on the season thus far...a bit sedate from what I have seen. No bikini girl, no Tatiana. A lot of mediocre singers and a few horrible ones. The auditions are my least favorite part of the show anyway...and they seem even more tedious this year. Maybe I miss Paula or maybe the talent (even the joke talent) is just getting monotonous.
So far what I've seen is same old same old...the drag queen who is not talented; the sob stories (autistic son...almost died of anaphalactic shock...paralyzed face...although I suppose the ex-con was a new twist on the theme); the best friend/sister duos; and the psycho who won't leave and has to be taken out by security (I'm about 85% sure that was all phony baloney staged). Last night I was not impressed with anyone who performed and got through. Tonight I thought the autistic boy's father was good and seemed to be a decent guy but I doubt he is *cool* enough to make it through Hollywood week and I sincerely hope if he does he will not do a Gokey and sing songs making sure we know all about his son. Germaine was good too. Also, the Troubled ex-con was impressive but I'm thinking he is going to be the Michael Sarver of the season and will lose the judges praise pretty quickly.
NONE of the women they showed impressed me at all. I hope that there was someone I missed in the earlier shows or someone that they didn't show who has a decent voice. The Jersey girls? OMG....Hollywood fodder for sure! I liked Shelby's personality but man...she butchered Norah Jones (although that is a hard song), and the three they sandwiched in whose names they did not reveal all sounded terrible to me. Surely there are more talented women out there than we saw tonight?
Hope next week is the last audition week.
As for the judges...Simon needs to get in the game or go home. Kara is trying to be less of a bitch but she really lacks the ability to read people if she could not see that the pyscho tonight was psycho and needed to be handled more carefully (which supports my view that was all phony baloney staged drama using some out of work actor). In fact...the more I think about it, I am now 95.9% sure it was staged.
Oh well...on to next week!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
BLOGGER AWOL!
Unfortunatey, I was unable to watch the program on Tuesday and missed all but the last 30 minutes on Wednesday. (Mr. Auntee does not think DVR is a reasonable expense for my TV). So, I can barely comment except to say that Simon appears to have mentallly checked out of the show contemplating his X Factor show next season (he physically checked out of several of the auditions on Wednesday...probably fielding important phone calls about X Factor or trying to find out what the most expensive watch in the world is). Kara seems to be more confident, but her *grooving* with the songs is a bit awkward...that is Paula's trademark, Kara, and you just look like a dork when you try it. Mary J Blige probably won't be making Idol judging her next career move (she looked bored to tears), but I'm happy Kara got to get her Mary J. Blige fix after barking at that poor contestant, Lil, last year to start singing like Mary J Blige. Randy seems to have new enthusiasm for his role, perhaps contemplating his is going to be the big *DAWG* when Simon leaves.
As for the contestants....well to be fair I didn't see many of them but I second Mary J Blige's opinion about the ones I did see, with the exception of the ineligible guy...Mr. *Pants on the Floor*. I hope he gains a bit of fame and attention for becoming a cultural warrior against *pants on the floor*.
Next week, barring unforeseen circumstances, Auntee will return with a more discerning commentary.
As for the contestants....well to be fair I didn't see many of them but I second Mary J Blige's opinion about the ones I did see, with the exception of the ineligible guy...Mr. *Pants on the Floor*. I hope he gains a bit of fame and attention for becoming a cultural warrior against *pants on the floor*.
Next week, barring unforeseen circumstances, Auntee will return with a more discerning commentary.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Yay for the Underdog!!
I'm not actually all that surprised, but I'm thrilled!!
I don't follow the official AI blogs (because I can't stand most of the posters), but I do read others. And as the AI season drew to a close, it started to become a consensus among even the most die-hard Adam fans that, while he's still amazing and talented, Kris really had grown and made a name for himself.
And once Gokey was out the door, who else would the homophobic viewers vote for? (maybe that came into play a little, honestly, but I mostly think Kris did it on his own merrit.)
Kris, on the other hand, was clearly surprised.
And what an AMAZING star-studded show. The best finale that I can remember!!
David Cook reminded me of why I would leave my husband if he'd just ask. He's amazing.
Lil Rounds was outsung by Queen Latifah. Duh. Why did I like her again?
The Black Eyed Peas have been my favorite group since before they won grammys back in the late 90s. They're amazing performers and I was psyched to see them.
Jason Mraz is my new favorite artist. And I sing all of his songs to my unborn baby everyday. I see Kris becoming a similar artist, actually.
Keith Urban's duet with Kris was awesome. KISS and Adam Lambert ... awesome!
And Queen?!? QUEEN!! What an amazing surprise!!!
I loved Megan and Michael with Steve Martin. So cute.
And Allison and Cyndi Lauper (who has gotten a little weird, hasn't she) was probably one of my favorite performances of the night.
Lionel Ritchie and Rod Steward tried. They did. I get that they're legends, and they do have some amazing songs. It was neat to have them there.
And I even enjoyed Norman, Tatiana, and Bikini Girl v Kara.
Thank you to our readers for following this season. See you again in January!!
I don't follow the official AI blogs (because I can't stand most of the posters), but I do read others. And as the AI season drew to a close, it started to become a consensus among even the most die-hard Adam fans that, while he's still amazing and talented, Kris really had grown and made a name for himself.
And once Gokey was out the door, who else would the homophobic viewers vote for? (maybe that came into play a little, honestly, but I mostly think Kris did it on his own merrit.)
Kris, on the other hand, was clearly surprised.
And what an AMAZING star-studded show. The best finale that I can remember!!
David Cook reminded me of why I would leave my husband if he'd just ask. He's amazing.
Lil Rounds was outsung by Queen Latifah. Duh. Why did I like her again?
The Black Eyed Peas have been my favorite group since before they won grammys back in the late 90s. They're amazing performers and I was psyched to see them.
Jason Mraz is my new favorite artist. And I sing all of his songs to my unborn baby everyday. I see Kris becoming a similar artist, actually.
Keith Urban's duet with Kris was awesome. KISS and Adam Lambert ... awesome!
And Queen?!? QUEEN!! What an amazing surprise!!!
I loved Megan and Michael with Steve Martin. So cute.
And Allison and Cyndi Lauper (who has gotten a little weird, hasn't she) was probably one of my favorite performances of the night.
Lionel Ritchie and Rod Steward tried. They did. I get that they're legends, and they do have some amazing songs. It was neat to have them there.
And I even enjoyed Norman, Tatiana, and Bikini Girl v Kara.
Thank you to our readers for following this season. See you again in January!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Shocked?
Holy Moley Guacamole! That was an unexpected end to the season. The Official AI Boards are livid that Adam lost and attributing it to homophobia and hate voters. All of which is, in my opinion, very rancid grapes and completely unfounded.
I know Adam has legions of fans. I really expected he would win until I saw the Dial Idol polls last night showing Kris with a slight edge and then I thought maybe Kris could pull it off. Here is what I think happened. Kris grew on people slowly. Adam was *out there* all season long and basically didn't *evolve* (arguably no place to evolve to) and people just weren't surprised by him anymore. When Gokey proved to be a one trick pony (breathless songs about losing the love of his life) and fans got bored with him they quit voting for him. Adam, strange as it sounds, got a little boring toward the end. That and the incessant pimping of Adam by all the judges and blatantly by Simon put a lot of viewers off. And America loves an underdog. Plain and simple.
With the exception of the Black Eyed Peas boom boom song I really enjoyed the entertainment. I would have liked to see more of Scott, Anoop, and Matt. Loved both Adams duet with Kiss and Kris's with Keith Urban. I like that Jason Mraz guy. I have never heard of him before. He had a big smile on his face after Kris won. I thought Megan, Michael Sarver, and Steve Martin were sweet. Rod Stewart should not have appeared in public and simply sung from back stage because he sounded a lot better than he looked poor old tubby man (in checks?). Allison and Cyndi Lauper. So good. Allison was so in awe of her and I was thrilled Allison got that showcase and that opportunity.
But, I cannot leave out Kara. You know, I was just sick when they brought bikini girl back with her newly enhanced chest ornaments and I thought dear lord, are they going to let her sing a whole song when I would rather have heard a song from one of the contestants who DID make it to the top 13. And then Kara came out and really DID show that bimbo a thing or two about singing and basically made bikini girl invisible. And foolish. I don't know about the flashing scene at the end but Kara does have a good body. She said she agreed to do it because they donated money to her charity so, its ok I guess. And realy, poor Kara, after the beating she is taking for that SONG today nearly everywhere (even Nigel Lythgoe said he hated it) she needed a pick me up!
Oh...also cannot forget that they let Danny Gokey have David Cook's song, Hello, and sing WAY too much for my taste. I dearly hope I never see his moon man face again.
Anyway everyone, thanks for taking the time to read all of our comments this season. Now I'm left with So You Think You Can Dance and Mary who screams a lot but in a good way. I cannot remember Mary's last name but she is adorable.
I know Adam has legions of fans. I really expected he would win until I saw the Dial Idol polls last night showing Kris with a slight edge and then I thought maybe Kris could pull it off. Here is what I think happened. Kris grew on people slowly. Adam was *out there* all season long and basically didn't *evolve* (arguably no place to evolve to) and people just weren't surprised by him anymore. When Gokey proved to be a one trick pony (breathless songs about losing the love of his life) and fans got bored with him they quit voting for him. Adam, strange as it sounds, got a little boring toward the end. That and the incessant pimping of Adam by all the judges and blatantly by Simon put a lot of viewers off. And America loves an underdog. Plain and simple.
With the exception of the Black Eyed Peas boom boom song I really enjoyed the entertainment. I would have liked to see more of Scott, Anoop, and Matt. Loved both Adams duet with Kiss and Kris's with Keith Urban. I like that Jason Mraz guy. I have never heard of him before. He had a big smile on his face after Kris won. I thought Megan, Michael Sarver, and Steve Martin were sweet. Rod Stewart should not have appeared in public and simply sung from back stage because he sounded a lot better than he looked poor old tubby man (in checks?). Allison and Cyndi Lauper. So good. Allison was so in awe of her and I was thrilled Allison got that showcase and that opportunity.
But, I cannot leave out Kara. You know, I was just sick when they brought bikini girl back with her newly enhanced chest ornaments and I thought dear lord, are they going to let her sing a whole song when I would rather have heard a song from one of the contestants who DID make it to the top 13. And then Kara came out and really DID show that bimbo a thing or two about singing and basically made bikini girl invisible. And foolish. I don't know about the flashing scene at the end but Kara does have a good body. She said she agreed to do it because they donated money to her charity so, its ok I guess. And realy, poor Kara, after the beating she is taking for that SONG today nearly everywhere (even Nigel Lythgoe said he hated it) she needed a pick me up!
Oh...also cannot forget that they let Danny Gokey have David Cook's song, Hello, and sing WAY too much for my taste. I dearly hope I never see his moon man face again.
Anyway everyone, thanks for taking the time to read all of our comments this season. Now I'm left with So You Think You Can Dance and Mary who screams a lot but in a good way. I cannot remember Mary's last name but she is adorable.
How many reasons do you need?
I really am pulling for Kris, the dark horse.
Adam's 1st performance of Mad World was one of the 1st times I actually admitted to liking what he did. And I liked it again last night. But, I had to agree with Simon: over the top theatrical. But, that's been Adam's gig all along, why change now?
Ain't No Sunshine was, in my opinion, one of Kris' best performances. Ever. It was awesome. Just him, behind the piano. No smoke, no weird trench coat, no platform lifting him from the stairs. Just voice.
I was annoyed by the song choices in the entire second round because it was clear to me that Simon Fuller was more interested in making a political statement than picking songs that would highlight the contestant's talents.
Change is Going to Come was fine. Whatever. I don't like the original song, I don't think it was fitting for Adam, and I was too annoyed to get into it.
I liked what Kris did with What's Going On. Was it huge and theatrical? No. But how would you make that song any bigger? And it's not supposed to be big! But again ... annoyed.
And both guys just blew in the last round. And it had nothing to do with them and everything to do with Kara's craptastic song. Although, I felt most sorry for Kris because he was ambushed with that song from the 1st note - he didn't stand a chance.
Why Kris should win:
1. He got ZERO camera time before the top 13. That's hard to overcome in a competition where people make choices based on who you brought with you to tryouts.
2. I'd buy his CD, have downloaded his songs, and would totally go see him when he performs at a small bar in Lawrence.
3. He makes every song different, without acting. He's not Broadway, he doesn't put on a "show", he just sings. But it's not always the stand there and sing ... he plays guitar, he plays piano, sometimes there's drums, sometimes violin. Never boring, just talent.
4. Because the judges don't want him to. Never have. It was inappropriate enough when Simon reminded America to vote for Adam last week. And when Katy Perry put "Adam Lambert" on her cape for her performance. But the last straw were the judges comments last night to Adam: "this show is about finding a star, you're a star, congratulations" v. their comments to Kris: "you should be proud of yourself for making it this far". I hope that America remembers who chooses the winner in this competition and votes accordingly. I did.
Adam's 1st performance of Mad World was one of the 1st times I actually admitted to liking what he did. And I liked it again last night. But, I had to agree with Simon: over the top theatrical. But, that's been Adam's gig all along, why change now?
Ain't No Sunshine was, in my opinion, one of Kris' best performances. Ever. It was awesome. Just him, behind the piano. No smoke, no weird trench coat, no platform lifting him from the stairs. Just voice.
I was annoyed by the song choices in the entire second round because it was clear to me that Simon Fuller was more interested in making a political statement than picking songs that would highlight the contestant's talents.
Change is Going to Come was fine. Whatever. I don't like the original song, I don't think it was fitting for Adam, and I was too annoyed to get into it.
I liked what Kris did with What's Going On. Was it huge and theatrical? No. But how would you make that song any bigger? And it's not supposed to be big! But again ... annoyed.
And both guys just blew in the last round. And it had nothing to do with them and everything to do with Kara's craptastic song. Although, I felt most sorry for Kris because he was ambushed with that song from the 1st note - he didn't stand a chance.
Why Kris should win:
1. He got ZERO camera time before the top 13. That's hard to overcome in a competition where people make choices based on who you brought with you to tryouts.
2. I'd buy his CD, have downloaded his songs, and would totally go see him when he performs at a small bar in Lawrence.
3. He makes every song different, without acting. He's not Broadway, he doesn't put on a "show", he just sings. But it's not always the stand there and sing ... he plays guitar, he plays piano, sometimes there's drums, sometimes violin. Never boring, just talent.
4. Because the judges don't want him to. Never have. It was inappropriate enough when Simon reminded America to vote for Adam last week. And when Katy Perry put "Adam Lambert" on her cape for her performance. But the last straw were the judges comments last night to Adam: "this show is about finding a star, you're a star, congratulations" v. their comments to Kris: "you should be proud of yourself for making it this far". I hope that America remembers who chooses the winner in this competition and votes accordingly. I did.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Pains and Hurricanes
Well, Kara you are a Pain and I wish a metaphorical Hurricane would blow you out of the Judges seat next year and deposit you back in obscurity. Joni Mitchell you are not. Or Carole King. Or anyone that matters really. Have you ever heard such a lame song?
Ok, on to the show. Adam's first version of Mad World was better. Kris' second version of Ain't No Sunshine was better. Simon Fuller was pretty cute with his song choices. Change Is Gonna Come was an anthem of the civil rights movement so let gay Adam sing that as a shout out for Gay Rights...plus its a big song. Lets give that little redneck Kris who goes to church a lot some anti-war folk song with about 4 notes in it. How was he going to make that song any bigger than he did? Add some trumpets to it or something? Especially on a week when he has to prepare 3 songs to perform.
Then they sing that bad song co-written by Kara (she wrote the lyrics) and certainly written with Adam and Danny in mind. I thought Kris did an admirable job with what he had to work with there but as the song was tailor made for Adam...is it any wonder the key was too high? I'm sorry Kara but pains and hurricanes are not rows and floes of angel hair and never will be.
I am voting for Kris because I like his phrasing. I won't be unhappy if Adam wins as he does have an incredible voice. Both seem like really nice people. I think one of the reasons I cannot bring myself to vote for Adam is the hysteria of his fans on the Official Idol Website forum boards. If you say anything nice about anyone other than Adam, you are crucified. I've started ending all my posts...on whatever topic....with the phrase *Adam is really talented* just so I won't get kicked off again.
Tomorrow will be the end of our blog :( until next year. Thanks to our followers who have suffered through our comments all this season.
Ok, on to the show. Adam's first version of Mad World was better. Kris' second version of Ain't No Sunshine was better. Simon Fuller was pretty cute with his song choices. Change Is Gonna Come was an anthem of the civil rights movement so let gay Adam sing that as a shout out for Gay Rights...plus its a big song. Lets give that little redneck Kris who goes to church a lot some anti-war folk song with about 4 notes in it. How was he going to make that song any bigger than he did? Add some trumpets to it or something? Especially on a week when he has to prepare 3 songs to perform.
Then they sing that bad song co-written by Kara (she wrote the lyrics) and certainly written with Adam and Danny in mind. I thought Kris did an admirable job with what he had to work with there but as the song was tailor made for Adam...is it any wonder the key was too high? I'm sorry Kara but pains and hurricanes are not rows and floes of angel hair and never will be.
I am voting for Kris because I like his phrasing. I won't be unhappy if Adam wins as he does have an incredible voice. Both seem like really nice people. I think one of the reasons I cannot bring myself to vote for Adam is the hysteria of his fans on the Official Idol Website forum boards. If you say anything nice about anyone other than Adam, you are crucified. I've started ending all my posts...on whatever topic....with the phrase *Adam is really talented* just so I won't get kicked off again.
Tomorrow will be the end of our blog :( until next year. Thanks to our followers who have suffered through our comments all this season.
Friday, May 15, 2009
A Special Treat For Readers!
Courtesy of Vote For the Worst I offer a video which sheds some light on Kara's charm.
http://www.veoh.com/search/videos/q/kara+dioguardi+family+gathering#watch%3Dv17188128cAmWDWxg
There will be a 15 second or so ad before the video starts and you may not make it to the very end (I haven't) but enjoy it as long as you can stomach it.
http://www.veoh.com/search/videos/q/kara+dioguardi+family+gathering#watch%3Dv17188128cAmWDWxg
There will be a 15 second or so ad before the video starts and you may not make it to the very end (I haven't) but enjoy it as long as you can stomach it.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
All thanks to me and Tee ...
Our fingers are sore, we redialed the night away, and we were triumphant!!
(Yes, I realize we were probably 100 out of 88 million votes. But I like to think we played a role. And our blog followers did, too, right?)
I'm SO happy that Gokey is finally gone!! No more looking at his smug face. No more watching him make that stupid heart with his hands. And no more dead wife card!! (I counted at least 4 "tragedy to triumph" comments in his visit home.)
And Kris deserved it!! He rocked in the final 3. He's rocked for quite some time now.
For the finale: only 1 million votes separate Kris and Adam?? Maybe this contest isn't as in the bag as we've all assumed.
And, yes, Tee ... Kara clearly mouthed "Oh my God" with a look of disdain on her face, when she realized Gokey was gone. What a bitch.
Dear Judges: Here's a reminder: you don't control the show. You can tailor your comments to plug your favorites for weeks and weeks, but ultimately it's not up to you. Thank God!
(Yes, I realize we were probably 100 out of 88 million votes. But I like to think we played a role. And our blog followers did, too, right?)
I'm SO happy that Gokey is finally gone!! No more looking at his smug face. No more watching him make that stupid heart with his hands. And no more dead wife card!! (I counted at least 4 "tragedy to triumph" comments in his visit home.)
And Kris deserved it!! He rocked in the final 3. He's rocked for quite some time now.
For the finale: only 1 million votes separate Kris and Adam?? Maybe this contest isn't as in the bag as we've all assumed.
And, yes, Tee ... Kara clearly mouthed "Oh my God" with a look of disdain on her face, when she realized Gokey was gone. What a bitch.
Dear Judges: Here's a reminder: you don't control the show. You can tailor your comments to plug your favorites for weeks and weeks, but ultimately it's not up to you. Thank God!
What Was REALLY Behind Simon's Remarks to Kara
According to MJ's Blog, which has sources inside AI, the reason Simon got all over Kara is that the judges were given the opportunity to *help* their contestants with their interpretation of the Judge's song choice at rehearsal. Simon was the ony judge who showed up to assist Adam in his preparation. So, when Kara ragged on about Kris not interpreting the song well, Simon threw it in her face that she hadn't done anything to help him. And well he should have!
Kara is really getting on my last nerve. Did she actually mouth *oh no* when Kris was named to the finals? Someone thought that she did.
I think it serves them ALL right. They have been pimping Dorkey all season long. Go Kris!
Kara is really getting on my last nerve. Did she actually mouth *oh no* when Kris was named to the finals? Someone thought that she did.
I think it serves them ALL right. They have been pimping Dorkey all season long. Go Kris!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Dorkey Vanquished!
Thank you Kris, thank you America. I won't have Danny Gokey to kick around anymore!
I don't know how many votes I put in last night but I voted for nearly an hour straight. I couldn't be happier with the outcome tonight. Fortunately, I was asleep on the couch during the first segment of Danny's homecoming. Am so glad we won't have to listen to him next week (except maybe in the results show).
I think his cheesy antics finally caught up with him. And I suspect there were more than a few Alison voters who went to Kris this week.
Did Ryan really say only 1 million votes between the top 2 this week? Maybe the outcome is not predetermined after all!
I loved the expression on the judges faces when they realized they weren't going to get their *dream finale* of Adam and Danny. I've decided Randy is my favorite judge. He seemed really happy that Kris was in the final. I bet he secretly doesn't like Gokey either.
I don't know how many votes I put in last night but I voted for nearly an hour straight. I couldn't be happier with the outcome tonight. Fortunately, I was asleep on the couch during the first segment of Danny's homecoming. Am so glad we won't have to listen to him next week (except maybe in the results show).
I think his cheesy antics finally caught up with him. And I suspect there were more than a few Alison voters who went to Kris this week.
Did Ryan really say only 1 million votes between the top 2 this week? Maybe the outcome is not predetermined after all!
I loved the expression on the judges faces when they realized they weren't going to get their *dream finale* of Adam and Danny. I've decided Randy is my favorite judge. He seemed really happy that Kris was in the final. I bet he secretly doesn't like Gokey either.
My fingers are tired ...
Kris Allen found a new fan in me last night. And I made it as clear as I could by hitting the redial button on my telephone for an hour. Straight. An HOUR. (I have no life.)
Plus, I downloaded his songs. Both of them. I love him. I do.
Apologize is an awesome song, and I was stoked when Kara and Randy picked it for him. I think he did an amazing job - we haven't seen him behind the piano yet, it was new and different. And he did change up the melody (a little), which I really liked. I was really pissed when they both gave him B.S. criticism when they're the ones who picked that song in the first place. I was beyond pissed when Kara got up and put her hands over Simon's mouth when he was the only one giving good comments.
My husband and I looked at each other with that "oh, no, this is going to suck" look when Kris said he'd sing Kanye's Heartless. We all remember how Kanye performed that song earlier this year. I WAS better than Kanye's version. And, see, Kara why he didn't stand behind the guitar and sing Apologize? He - unlike your other two contestants - tries to make each song sound different. This was, by far, the BEST performance of the night.
Gokey was ... Gokey-esque. Same old crappy dancing, same old raspy voice, same old Joe Cocker impersonations ... and same old stroking from the judges. Why are they pushing him so much?? Is it because they think Adam can beat Gokey easier than he can beat Kris, so they want to make sure Gokey makes finals? I HONESTLY can't figure it out (and I'm pretty smart) because I HATE this kid with the fire of 1,000 suns.
Adam's One was pretty fantastic. I have to give him props. I didn't care for the screaming - which there was plenty of - but over all, I liked what he did.
Cryin', on the other hand, was comparable to Gokey's impersonation of Steven Tyler last week. I don't think ANYBODY should be allowed to do Aerosmith, it's just never good.
I'm sad because I think Kris is going to go home. And if he does, I'll try to repress this entire season as just a bad nightmare - because it's wrong, wrong, wrong.
Plus, I downloaded his songs. Both of them. I love him. I do.
Apologize is an awesome song, and I was stoked when Kara and Randy picked it for him. I think he did an amazing job - we haven't seen him behind the piano yet, it was new and different. And he did change up the melody (a little), which I really liked. I was really pissed when they both gave him B.S. criticism when they're the ones who picked that song in the first place. I was beyond pissed when Kara got up and put her hands over Simon's mouth when he was the only one giving good comments.
My husband and I looked at each other with that "oh, no, this is going to suck" look when Kris said he'd sing Kanye's Heartless. We all remember how Kanye performed that song earlier this year. I WAS better than Kanye's version. And, see, Kara why he didn't stand behind the guitar and sing Apologize? He - unlike your other two contestants - tries to make each song sound different. This was, by far, the BEST performance of the night.
Gokey was ... Gokey-esque. Same old crappy dancing, same old raspy voice, same old Joe Cocker impersonations ... and same old stroking from the judges. Why are they pushing him so much?? Is it because they think Adam can beat Gokey easier than he can beat Kris, so they want to make sure Gokey makes finals? I HONESTLY can't figure it out (and I'm pretty smart) because I HATE this kid with the fire of 1,000 suns.
Adam's One was pretty fantastic. I have to give him props. I didn't care for the screaming - which there was plenty of - but over all, I liked what he did.
Cryin', on the other hand, was comparable to Gokey's impersonation of Steven Tyler last week. I don't think ANYBODY should be allowed to do Aerosmith, it's just never good.
I'm sad because I think Kris is going to go home. And if he does, I'll try to repress this entire season as just a bad nightmare - because it's wrong, wrong, wrong.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Without You (for Allison)
Taking liberties with a song I am so glad Gokey didn't sing:
*I can't watch...if watching is without you.
I can't blog...its no fun anymore
I can't cry because Idol is without you
I can't vote...I can't vote anymore*
I read on Vote for the Worst that Gokey said something after the first song which indicated he thought he was in the finals already. Anyone who could shed some light on this, let me know.
Adam was Adam. But to tell you the truth he is getting old to me. And for the first time, I understood those people who complain about his screaming (his preening has bothered me but never his voice until tonight).
Kara acted like a complete ass tonight. You know, there is a video on Vote For the Worst of her with her dad when she is like 10-11 years old. He is an insufferable boor wanting her to sing for the cameras and then trying to outsing her with his own singing. No wonder she seems to have a personality my mother would call *different* by which she meant *very difficult to like*.
Now for my Gokey story which may or may not be true but it has the ring of truth and I know KK will relate to this. A woman wrote into Vote For the Worst saying she was a waitress in a Red Robin restaurant in Gokey's hometown and that after his big homecoming about 40 people (who were his family and close friends from his church) descended on the restaurant without notice, stayed there for 2 and 1/2 hours and not one left a tip. KK once had a similar experience with a church group. They left her a prayer card for a tip.
I'm afraid Kris is going home tomorrow. I'm thinking I'm not even going to watch the finale. I just cannot bear to see Gokey singing again.
*I can't watch...if watching is without you.
I can't blog...its no fun anymore
I can't cry because Idol is without you
I can't vote...I can't vote anymore*
I really missed Allison tonight. The whole night just left me cold. I didn't get choked up, goosebumps or even reach for my pen to write notes about their performances. Very lackluster tonight I thought.
Well actually I voted quite a few times for Kris but my heart wasn't really in it. I thought he did a fine job but for one bad note on that song pick by Randy and Kara. So, I hope he made it into the finals (but I doubt it as Gokey's fans are just too maniacal). And, at least he sang a current song as opposed to Gokey's 40 year old song which must have been the only one on the list this week that would remind people his wife is dead.
I missed Gokey's first performance but it looked like standard Gokey Volare fare in the playback so I guess I didn't miss much. Could have predicted his second song choice or something like it . Did he look up to heaven as he sang? I could barely watch him. I think he is personally so distasteful to me he can do nothing right. I'm beginning to think maybe it was my remark about him making me throw up in my mouth that got me banned from the official American Idol Web Site. I haven't applied for reinstatement because you have to promise to be nice in the future and I cannot promise that. Sort of like promising to sin no more after confession. Its one thing promising God you will try harder. I just cannot stomach sucking up to some 20 something Idol moderator in order to post on that board.
I read on Vote for the Worst that Gokey said something after the first song which indicated he thought he was in the finals already. Anyone who could shed some light on this, let me know.
Adam was Adam. But to tell you the truth he is getting old to me. And for the first time, I understood those people who complain about his screaming (his preening has bothered me but never his voice until tonight).
Kara acted like a complete ass tonight. You know, there is a video on Vote For the Worst of her with her dad when she is like 10-11 years old. He is an insufferable boor wanting her to sing for the cameras and then trying to outsing her with his own singing. No wonder she seems to have a personality my mother would call *different* by which she meant *very difficult to like*.
Now for my Gokey story which may or may not be true but it has the ring of truth and I know KK will relate to this. A woman wrote into Vote For the Worst saying she was a waitress in a Red Robin restaurant in Gokey's hometown and that after his big homecoming about 40 people (who were his family and close friends from his church) descended on the restaurant without notice, stayed there for 2 and 1/2 hours and not one left a tip. KK once had a similar experience with a church group. They left her a prayer card for a tip.
I'm afraid Kris is going home tomorrow. I'm thinking I'm not even going to watch the finale. I just cannot bear to see Gokey singing again.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Poetic Justice?
Is how I prefer to think of last night (as opposed to the highway robbery it truly was.)
It was Rock Week. Daughtry, the best contestant to be robbed out of the Top-3 slot (beat out by the Gokey-esque Taylor Hicks) was back, flaunting his success. Gwen Stefani rocked the house with a killer tribute to "girl power". And Allison, our Rocker, sang the best rendition of Cry Baby ever done (sorry, Janis) with tears in her 17 year old eyes.
It was so, so wrong. And I only hope for Allison what I hoped for Daughtry at the time - that winning AI is not the appropriate career path, and she'll do much better on her own. And I truly believe she will.
Everyone start warming up your dialing fingers ... we can NOT allow a Gokey/Adam Finale!!!
GO KRIS! (Oh, how I hope he proves to be the dark horse after all.)
I couldn't conclude this post without a comment on Paula's performance: It was no Straight Up, but she can still dance (singing, I'm not sure about, since she didn't actually do that). I love a good comeback.
It was Rock Week. Daughtry, the best contestant to be robbed out of the Top-3 slot (beat out by the Gokey-esque Taylor Hicks) was back, flaunting his success. Gwen Stefani rocked the house with a killer tribute to "girl power". And Allison, our Rocker, sang the best rendition of Cry Baby ever done (sorry, Janis) with tears in her 17 year old eyes.
It was so, so wrong. And I only hope for Allison what I hoped for Daughtry at the time - that winning AI is not the appropriate career path, and she'll do much better on her own. And I truly believe she will.
Everyone start warming up your dialing fingers ... we can NOT allow a Gokey/Adam Finale!!!
GO KRIS! (Oh, how I hope he proves to be the dark horse after all.)
I couldn't conclude this post without a comment on Paula's performance: It was no Straight Up, but she can still dance (singing, I'm not sure about, since she didn't actually do that). I love a good comeback.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Dead Wife Wins; Talent Loses
Not an unexpected result, I suppose, but still aggravating. How many believe Danny really laughed when he heard his awesome scream?
Allison displayed incredible class and grace tonight (although I'm glad she shoved Danny in the group number). I'm hoping she wil have the same level of success as Daughtry.
Would it be too much to hope that the dark horse Kris can take out Danny Gokey next week? Probably. Oh well.
I am writing this from Santa Fe. Tomorrow I am spending 4 hours at the spa. As I did not buy myself a Christmas present this year, that is my treat to myself. Everything here is very expensive. For $16.00 I had one crab enchilada that was in a dish the size of a soap dish. I kid you not. Then they had the nerve to ask if I wanted plate to dish it out of the soap dish onto a second plate. I said no but they brought it anyway. So, I'm using a teaspoon to dish it from the soap dish to another small plate. I think there were about 5 good bites there which I stretched to 10 No chips either.
I hope the spa is good as tonite I go to bed hungry, sober, and nicotine deprived (oh yeah its a totally smoke free hotel too!) and having to listen to Gokey next week. Good times!
Allison displayed incredible class and grace tonight (although I'm glad she shoved Danny in the group number). I'm hoping she wil have the same level of success as Daughtry.
Would it be too much to hope that the dark horse Kris can take out Danny Gokey next week? Probably. Oh well.
I am writing this from Santa Fe. Tomorrow I am spending 4 hours at the spa. As I did not buy myself a Christmas present this year, that is my treat to myself. Everything here is very expensive. For $16.00 I had one crab enchilada that was in a dish the size of a soap dish. I kid you not. Then they had the nerve to ask if I wanted plate to dish it out of the soap dish onto a second plate. I said no but they brought it anyway. So, I'm using a teaspoon to dish it from the soap dish to another small plate. I think there were about 5 good bites there which I stretched to 10 No chips either.
I hope the spa is good as tonite I go to bed hungry, sober, and nicotine deprived (oh yeah its a totally smoke free hotel too!) and having to listen to Gokey next week. Good times!
Horror Movie ...
Unfortunately, I couldn't hear much of Adam and Allison's duet because I'd clawed my own ears off during Gokey's craptastic screaming. Steven Tyler should sue.
Adam is determined to make a fan of me yet. Tonight wasn't my favorite performance of his, but of the 4, he was the best. I didn't think it was as *original* as many of his performances have been in the past, but I agree with Tee that he absolutely did it justice. And frankly, I'm glad he's back to the black nail polish, tight pants, emo hairstyle look. Clearly, his fans like it - and I wonder if the slow it down / clean-cut look wasn't turning some of them off.
I love Allison more and more each week. My favorite part was when she quipped back at the judges - just a little, not obnoxiously - because she has gotten guff for her lack of personality. This was clearly her week - she's been "the rocker" from day one. And I think she killed it. I selfishly wanted her to sing Jefferson Airplane only because that song reminds me of my Dad, but I will agree with Kara that her voice is Janis Joplin-esque and she sounded fantastic.
Kris tried. I think, given the fact that he is clearly never going to even try to be a rocker, he did his best. He picked Beatles ... which was probably the best he could do. He tried to make the song a little original. And, honestly, I didn't think it was that bad. I still like him. A lot.
The best part about Gokey's performance was when my husband hurt his throat doing the perfect impersonation of the scream - I wish I could download an audio clip. All I can say is: WTF?!?! I am glad that the judges didn't coddle him again. I hate everything about him, that's all I've got.
Slash was a surprisingly good mentor. He wasn't as drugged out as I thought he'd be. And I laughed out loud when they showed him in the audience with his 18 year old arm-candy. God, he's awesome.
There's not much to say about Kris and Gokey's duet. I was annoyed when Gokey was like "it was hard to pick out a song that suits both of us" because I imagine song selection going something like:
Gokey: "That one's not about a dead woman"
Kris: "How about this one?"
Gokey: "But that one doesn't have any mention of dead wives"
Kris: "How about Renegade?"
Gokey: "Only if I can sing louder than you and dance in front of you."
Kris: "Fine."
(Yes, I realize I'm a horrible person.) I agree with Tee that Gokey is the one that stunk it up. And I only think Simon said Kris was worse because they're clearly pushing their own agendas.
Adam and Allison - I'm SO glad they got to sing together. I think their voices really did complement each other, they didn't try to out-do each other, and I loved the whole performance. I'm glad that's how they closed the show.
Sadly, I'm afraid Allison might go home this week. It's wrong in about 6,000 ways. It's obvious who I think SHOULD go home - but we all know that's not going to happen.
Adam is determined to make a fan of me yet. Tonight wasn't my favorite performance of his, but of the 4, he was the best. I didn't think it was as *original* as many of his performances have been in the past, but I agree with Tee that he absolutely did it justice. And frankly, I'm glad he's back to the black nail polish, tight pants, emo hairstyle look. Clearly, his fans like it - and I wonder if the slow it down / clean-cut look wasn't turning some of them off.
I love Allison more and more each week. My favorite part was when she quipped back at the judges - just a little, not obnoxiously - because she has gotten guff for her lack of personality. This was clearly her week - she's been "the rocker" from day one. And I think she killed it. I selfishly wanted her to sing Jefferson Airplane only because that song reminds me of my Dad, but I will agree with Kara that her voice is Janis Joplin-esque and she sounded fantastic.
Kris tried. I think, given the fact that he is clearly never going to even try to be a rocker, he did his best. He picked Beatles ... which was probably the best he could do. He tried to make the song a little original. And, honestly, I didn't think it was that bad. I still like him. A lot.
The best part about Gokey's performance was when my husband hurt his throat doing the perfect impersonation of the scream - I wish I could download an audio clip. All I can say is: WTF?!?! I am glad that the judges didn't coddle him again. I hate everything about him, that's all I've got.
Slash was a surprisingly good mentor. He wasn't as drugged out as I thought he'd be. And I laughed out loud when they showed him in the audience with his 18 year old arm-candy. God, he's awesome.
There's not much to say about Kris and Gokey's duet. I was annoyed when Gokey was like "it was hard to pick out a song that suits both of us" because I imagine song selection going something like:
Gokey: "That one's not about a dead woman"
Kris: "How about this one?"
Gokey: "But that one doesn't have any mention of dead wives"
Kris: "How about Renegade?"
Gokey: "Only if I can sing louder than you and dance in front of you."
Kris: "Fine."
(Yes, I realize I'm a horrible person.) I agree with Tee that Gokey is the one that stunk it up. And I only think Simon said Kris was worse because they're clearly pushing their own agendas.
Adam and Allison - I'm SO glad they got to sing together. I think their voices really did complement each other, they didn't try to out-do each other, and I loved the whole performance. I'm glad that's how they closed the show.
Sadly, I'm afraid Allison might go home this week. It's wrong in about 6,000 ways. It's obvious who I think SHOULD go home - but we all know that's not going to happen.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Clean Up On Idol Stage One!
Ironically, Danny Gokey has managed to require clean up services two weeks in a row. Last week, he managed to trash a kitchen (I'm not blaming him it was obvious staging to make him look oh so funny even though he just looked a little too eager to grab Allison). This week he completed the promise of his performance two weeks ago and not only farted the song but laid a huge steaming pile of it in the middle of the stage. Clearly he is not a rocker and that is OK. Neither is Kris. At least Kris avoided not only botching the low notes but the high notes as well. Was Gokey ever on key tonight?
So Simon goes on Ellen Degeneres and tells the world that Adam should win. Maybe it was the letter from the 13 year old EMO that made them treat Adam with the respect he deserves! Actually, he was phenomenal tonight but I don't think he was *original*. I'm not sure I would have wanted him to be. I mean even though I hadn't heard of Slash before (although I had heard of Guns and Roses I just didn't know he was the big star of it) I have heard of Led Zeppelin and I have heard that song sung and its not like Adam changed it up that much. He just did it justice.
Now on to Allison. I wanted her to sing Janis and I wanted her to sing one of her vulnerable songs and she did. I think Allison is channeling me truly. I didn't bawl but did get tears in my eyes this time. And she did change the timing up and she had some trills in there that Janis didn't have that made it almost Garlandesque to me. But hey, they had their marching orders and it was to trash Allison tonight because it was just too damn uppity of her to get more votes than Adam last week.
Kris is probably gone this week. Hard rock is not his thing and he was wise to choose the Beatles and of the two non-rockers he did the better in my opinion. Too bad he had to perform after Simon said he sucked in the duet. I didn't really get a good chance to judge Kris in the duet as the cameras were all on Gokey and they had Gokey's mic amped to overpower Kris but I do think that despite Randy's comments on the harmony that the harmony broke down in the last segment an the one I heard who was off key was Gokey.
I loved the duet with Adam and Allison. And I hope those two are in the finals. Despite Adam's faux pas last week (which seems to have bothered his fans more than it did him) he let Allison do her thing in the duet without trying to over power her (although I'm not sure he actually could have) unlike the Kris/Gokey duet which compared to Adam/Allison looked like warmed over vomit. More clean up on Idol stage.
If there is justice, Gokey will go. My guess it will be Kris. Neither shone tonight but Kris did a better job than Gokey.
And...I heart Allison with every *Piece of My Heart*.
So Simon goes on Ellen Degeneres and tells the world that Adam should win. Maybe it was the letter from the 13 year old EMO that made them treat Adam with the respect he deserves! Actually, he was phenomenal tonight but I don't think he was *original*. I'm not sure I would have wanted him to be. I mean even though I hadn't heard of Slash before (although I had heard of Guns and Roses I just didn't know he was the big star of it) I have heard of Led Zeppelin and I have heard that song sung and its not like Adam changed it up that much. He just did it justice.
Now on to Allison. I wanted her to sing Janis and I wanted her to sing one of her vulnerable songs and she did. I think Allison is channeling me truly. I didn't bawl but did get tears in my eyes this time. And she did change the timing up and she had some trills in there that Janis didn't have that made it almost Garlandesque to me. But hey, they had their marching orders and it was to trash Allison tonight because it was just too damn uppity of her to get more votes than Adam last week.
Kris is probably gone this week. Hard rock is not his thing and he was wise to choose the Beatles and of the two non-rockers he did the better in my opinion. Too bad he had to perform after Simon said he sucked in the duet. I didn't really get a good chance to judge Kris in the duet as the cameras were all on Gokey and they had Gokey's mic amped to overpower Kris but I do think that despite Randy's comments on the harmony that the harmony broke down in the last segment an the one I heard who was off key was Gokey.
I loved the duet with Adam and Allison. And I hope those two are in the finals. Despite Adam's faux pas last week (which seems to have bothered his fans more than it did him) he let Allison do her thing in the duet without trying to over power her (although I'm not sure he actually could have) unlike the Kris/Gokey duet which compared to Adam/Allison looked like warmed over vomit. More clean up on Idol stage.
If there is justice, Gokey will go. My guess it will be Kris. Neither shone tonight but Kris did a better job than Gokey.
And...I heart Allison with every *Piece of My Heart*.
Monday, May 4, 2009
A ha, ha, ha, ha!!!
Dear Coke and Ford,
I am a 13 year old emo with black fingernails and jeans that are 6 sizes too small. I've been growing out my bangs for 3 years so that they cover my face completely and nobody can see my eyes. And I only shower every 6 days so that my hair-grease is perfectly shiny, and I make sure to reapply my guy-liner 16 times a day. I usually write only dark poetry about cutting myself, but today I feel I must write to you.
I am writing because I think American Idol is mean to Adam. I am asking you to pull your Ford video and Coke cups from the show in protest.
They made Adam pick sides!! It was awful!! In that intense situation, it would have been impossible for him to do the math and realize that, with 2 on each side, he was in the bottom 3 no matter what.
I'm positive that Adam is not embarassed about the 6 pounds of make-up he wears each show, or that his tongue is creepy and white when he sticks it out to yell, or that his pants are so tight you can see his underwear lines on national TV. I'm also sure that none of the Broadway costumes that Adam has worn in the past were embarassing. But he had to be embarassed about this!
In Adam's name, please give up the millions of dollars your sponsorship of the show probably earns you annually.
Deepest appreciation,
13 year old emo kid
I am a 13 year old emo with black fingernails and jeans that are 6 sizes too small. I've been growing out my bangs for 3 years so that they cover my face completely and nobody can see my eyes. And I only shower every 6 days so that my hair-grease is perfectly shiny, and I make sure to reapply my guy-liner 16 times a day. I usually write only dark poetry about cutting myself, but today I feel I must write to you.
I am writing because I think American Idol is mean to Adam. I am asking you to pull your Ford video and Coke cups from the show in protest.
They made Adam pick sides!! It was awful!! In that intense situation, it would have been impossible for him to do the math and realize that, with 2 on each side, he was in the bottom 3 no matter what.
I'm positive that Adam is not embarassed about the 6 pounds of make-up he wears each show, or that his tongue is creepy and white when he sticks it out to yell, or that his pants are so tight you can see his underwear lines on national TV. I'm also sure that none of the Broadway costumes that Adam has worn in the past were embarassing. But he had to be embarassed about this!
In Adam's name, please give up the millions of dollars your sponsorship of the show probably earns you annually.
Deepest appreciation,
13 year old emo kid
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Adams Fan's Are Up in Arms!
And clearly, Perez Hilton is one of them. Allison's situation is no different from Archuletta's except that she won $50,000 less. David Cook had released his own album (which went nowhere) And St. Gokey was just up for some award from the Christian Music Association for one of his recordings (he lost btw). Yes, its frustrating when they bring in plants but as long as they are not obviously showing favoritism (like they did with Joanna Pancitti who forgot her words THREE TIMES in Hollywood) its just the way they are doing things.
As you know, I read and comment on the Official American Idol Fan Forum (I know, I'm sick). The Adam fans were in absolute shock that he could be in the bottom 3, let alone the bottom 2. They have 2 or 3 theories as to why this might be: 1) The producers lied and Adam wasn't in the bottom 3 let alone the bottom 2...probably Allison or Gokey was and Idol just wanted to create drama; 2) Adam's fans are so generous that they all decided to vote for Allison this week instead of Adam because they knew Adam was going to be safe; 3) Last Sunday every Christian preacher in the country told his congregation not to vote for Adam because he is gay.
They are also instigating a call/write in campaign to Ford and Coca Cola protesting the *humiliation* of Adam. As far as I can tell this consisted of asking Adam to choose which group he was in. Their rationale is that even though this routine has been used in every other season, they only used it on *safe* contestants and it was unfair to use it on Adam because he was in the bottom 3. Or that the routine is unfair in general. Of course they are completely ignoring the fact that Adam is, in idol history, the only contestant with the hubris to actually CHOOSE sides and that in doing so HE humiliated Matt and Kris. There is also a bit of rumbling about how awful it was of Kara and Randy to gloat that they were *right* in their critiques last week (even though it was poor Matt they were gloating about) but that usually consists of how mean Randy and Kara were to poor Adam who had to stand next to poor Matt and be humiliated by association with an occasional *oh yes, I felt bad for Matt too.*. These people are insane!
It really does make one want to reconsider voting for Adam in the finale unless of course its necessary to defeat Gokehead.
I heard about the duets too. I think it might be fun to see Danny try and fail to upstage Adam. I bet they will pair Danny with Allison in the hopes he will knock her out. And Adam with Kris with the same hopes.
As you know, I read and comment on the Official American Idol Fan Forum (I know, I'm sick). The Adam fans were in absolute shock that he could be in the bottom 3, let alone the bottom 2. They have 2 or 3 theories as to why this might be: 1) The producers lied and Adam wasn't in the bottom 3 let alone the bottom 2...probably Allison or Gokey was and Idol just wanted to create drama; 2) Adam's fans are so generous that they all decided to vote for Allison this week instead of Adam because they knew Adam was going to be safe; 3) Last Sunday every Christian preacher in the country told his congregation not to vote for Adam because he is gay.
They are also instigating a call/write in campaign to Ford and Coca Cola protesting the *humiliation* of Adam. As far as I can tell this consisted of asking Adam to choose which group he was in. Their rationale is that even though this routine has been used in every other season, they only used it on *safe* contestants and it was unfair to use it on Adam because he was in the bottom 3. Or that the routine is unfair in general. Of course they are completely ignoring the fact that Adam is, in idol history, the only contestant with the hubris to actually CHOOSE sides and that in doing so HE humiliated Matt and Kris. There is also a bit of rumbling about how awful it was of Kara and Randy to gloat that they were *right* in their critiques last week (even though it was poor Matt they were gloating about) but that usually consists of how mean Randy and Kara were to poor Adam who had to stand next to poor Matt and be humiliated by association with an occasional *oh yes, I felt bad for Matt too.*. These people are insane!
It really does make one want to reconsider voting for Adam in the finale unless of course its necessary to defeat Gokehead.
I heard about the duets too. I think it might be fun to see Danny try and fail to upstage Adam. I bet they will pair Danny with Allison in the hopes he will knock her out. And Adam with Kris with the same hopes.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Potential New Twist?
Are the top 4 going to get to sing their own rock song PLUS a DUET? How fabulous would that be?!?!
I'd love to hear Allison and Adam together. But, I know that they'll keep it fair by pairing the boring vocal stylings of Kris and Gokey with the stronger vocals of Allison and Adam.
How I hope this rumor is true! Slash + Duets = One Awesome AI
http://topidol.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/american-idol-top-4-theme-spoilers/
I'd love to hear Allison and Adam together. But, I know that they'll keep it fair by pairing the boring vocal stylings of Kris and Gokey with the stronger vocals of Allison and Adam.
How I hope this rumor is true! Slash + Duets = One Awesome AI
http://topidol.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/american-idol-top-4-theme-spoilers/
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Blasphemy!
Uh, oh, Allison. They're coming after you now that you were in the top 2 last night.
http://perezhilton.com/2009-04-30-american-idols-allison-iraheta-secret-past
So, she won another singing competition. She got $50,000. But she doesn't have a recording contract, and that's clearly what these contestants want.
I'm still 100% on Team Allison!!!
http://perezhilton.com/2009-04-30-american-idols-allison-iraheta-secret-past
So, she won another singing competition. She got $50,000. But she doesn't have a recording contract, and that's clearly what these contestants want.
I'm still 100% on Team Allison!!!
Apparently it's me ...
I think I'm going to start cheering for Gokey next week, because I'm clearly cursed. I JUST start to cheer for Adam, and look what happens!
Obviously, I would've liked to see Gokey in the bottom three before Adam. But when it gets down to it, they're all probably going to be there soon. There's only 4 left - that's just basic math. If Gokey avoids it all season, I might just avoid AI all next season (okay, that's clearly an empty threat).
As far as the stupid "pick sides" game that Ryan makes everybody play - I think Adam GOT that he was in the bottom three, and went over with the 2 that he thought were there with him. After all, Simon was all over Matt's performance last night, for some reason. And I'm actually glad that he didn't sit in the middle like some spoiled temper-tantrum throwing child - Pukaletta ruined that move for me forever. And Adam's closer to my age, he's not 16 - I'm glad he acted like an adult.
I also have to confess: I did not watch Matt's last performance (I was over him, anyway), only watched a small portion of Natalie Cole's performance (she's beautiful and wonderful, as always), and listened to about 3 notes out of Taylor Hicks (who I still can't believe beat Daughtry and Kat McPhee, but he IS funny in fast-foward). And, although I like the actual song "Blame It", I had to skip Jamie Foxx's performance, too (because without T Pain's live voice, it sounded like he was singing with a robot).
It was 10:00, I'm pregnant ... the DVR is my best friend. I apologize for my piss-poor blogging.
I may not know the Rat Pack - but Slash, I know!! His guitar riffs were burned into my brain during my dark early 90's rock phase - I could probably still air-play all 6:00 minutes of the solo in Sweet Child O'Mine. And more recently I love him on Guitar Hero (although it took me several tries to beat him). I'm dying to see how drugged out he is, and if he can actually function enough to give the contestants decent advice.
Obviously, I would've liked to see Gokey in the bottom three before Adam. But when it gets down to it, they're all probably going to be there soon. There's only 4 left - that's just basic math. If Gokey avoids it all season, I might just avoid AI all next season (okay, that's clearly an empty threat).
As far as the stupid "pick sides" game that Ryan makes everybody play - I think Adam GOT that he was in the bottom three, and went over with the 2 that he thought were there with him. After all, Simon was all over Matt's performance last night, for some reason. And I'm actually glad that he didn't sit in the middle like some spoiled temper-tantrum throwing child - Pukaletta ruined that move for me forever. And Adam's closer to my age, he's not 16 - I'm glad he acted like an adult.
I also have to confess: I did not watch Matt's last performance (I was over him, anyway), only watched a small portion of Natalie Cole's performance (she's beautiful and wonderful, as always), and listened to about 3 notes out of Taylor Hicks (who I still can't believe beat Daughtry and Kat McPhee, but he IS funny in fast-foward). And, although I like the actual song "Blame It", I had to skip Jamie Foxx's performance, too (because without T Pain's live voice, it sounded like he was singing with a robot).
It was 10:00, I'm pregnant ... the DVR is my best friend. I apologize for my piss-poor blogging.
I may not know the Rat Pack - but Slash, I know!! His guitar riffs were burned into my brain during my dark early 90's rock phase - I could probably still air-play all 6:00 minutes of the solo in Sweet Child O'Mine. And more recently I love him on Guitar Hero (although it took me several tries to beat him). I'm dying to see how drugged out he is, and if he can actually function enough to give the contestants decent advice.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sing Us A Song You're the Piano Man
I think if Matt had sung that song last night like he did tonight, Kris or Adam would be going home. This may explain Simon's critiques. He listens to the studio versions, forms his opinions, and then sort of zones out on the live performances. Because, I thought Matt did that song brilliantly tonight and I don't think it was only because I was relieved that my precious Allison was safe. I am quite sure he hit a lot of flat notes last night, put in way too many weird falsetto changes etc. Tonight, I didn't see that. Good for Matt going out on a good performance.
Adam, bless his heart, screwed the pooch tonight. Doesn't he know that in this situation he is supposed to sit on the floor between the two groups as did Melinda and Archie? Then, he cannot count. Its the BOTTOM three not the top three. So...you are in the bottom 3. He looked shocked when asked to move and told he was in bottom 3 and this will not bode well for votes because people like humility as false as it may be in Gokey's case.
Gokey is looking at other people's performances (and probably Simon's secret e-mail to him) and is now watching David Cook videos. Please Adam...in the name of truth, justice and the American way vanquish this dark spot from our TV screen!
Loved Natalie Cole. She looks great for her years and her history. Taylor HIcks. I don't know. I would probably like his music better if I could hear him sing over the band and if I didn't have to look at him. Searched frantically for the mute button while Jamie Foxx did his hip hop rap crap which was all some synchronized voice anyway. He was gracious about all the contestants. Bad Idol producers. He agreed to do this and took it seriously and through 2 shows Ryan forgets to promote his movie
Next week is rock. Not good for Adam because that will be two *theatrical* performances in a row. Lets just be frank here. When people say *theatrical* they mean he is acting too gay. I'm thinking go for it...I think Adam held back last night and that hurt you. And who in the heck is Slash and what does he/she/they know about Rock and Roll?
Still, I'm not sure America is going to forgive Adam for thinking he was safe tonight despite the evidence so...go Allison and go Kris. The forces of evil are about to descen on our land complete with heart shaped hands promoting Lenscrafters so step it up up up!
Adam, bless his heart, screwed the pooch tonight. Doesn't he know that in this situation he is supposed to sit on the floor between the two groups as did Melinda and Archie? Then, he cannot count. Its the BOTTOM three not the top three. So...you are in the bottom 3. He looked shocked when asked to move and told he was in bottom 3 and this will not bode well for votes because people like humility as false as it may be in Gokey's case.
Gokey is looking at other people's performances (and probably Simon's secret e-mail to him) and is now watching David Cook videos. Please Adam...in the name of truth, justice and the American way vanquish this dark spot from our TV screen!
Loved Natalie Cole. She looks great for her years and her history. Taylor HIcks. I don't know. I would probably like his music better if I could hear him sing over the band and if I didn't have to look at him. Searched frantically for the mute button while Jamie Foxx did his hip hop rap crap which was all some synchronized voice anyway. He was gracious about all the contestants. Bad Idol producers. He agreed to do this and took it seriously and through 2 shows Ryan forgets to promote his movie
Next week is rock. Not good for Adam because that will be two *theatrical* performances in a row. Lets just be frank here. When people say *theatrical* they mean he is acting too gay. I'm thinking go for it...I think Adam held back last night and that hurt you. And who in the heck is Slash and what does he/she/they know about Rock and Roll?
Still, I'm not sure America is going to forgive Adam for thinking he was safe tonight despite the evidence so...go Allison and go Kris. The forces of evil are about to descen on our land complete with heart shaped hands promoting Lenscrafters so step it up up up!
Danny and His Heart and Some Bon Jovi Gossip
One of the posters on the Wichita Eagle's blog questioned whether Danny has some side deal with Lenscrafters as they are running a commercial using that heart shaped hands thing right now. I knew it came from a commercial but forgot it was lenscrafters which would be an obvious tie-in with Danny and he did have his glasses back on. Wouldn't it be rich if St. Danny had some sort of below the table deal with Lenscrafters? On the other hand, he was making the moves on that Christian singer a couple of weeks ago (not clear if he wanted to know her for professional or personal reasons) so maybe KK is right.
And, KK, I actually worked with Jon Bon Jovi's first cousin. His name was Joe Bon Giovi which is how they spell their name in real life and he was a doll. I'm sure you and Jon would have made a lovely couple but for the age difference!
And, KK, I actually worked with Jon Bon Jovi's first cousin. His name was Joe Bon Giovi which is how they spell their name in real life and he was a doll. I'm sure you and Jon would have made a lovely couple but for the age difference!
Is the rat pack like the brat pack??
Because Tee gave you insight into her background, I feel compelled to do the same:
Other than Frank Sinatra, I couldn't name one memember of the rat pack. After I heard the theme, I had to Wiki. I'd heard a few of last night's songs before, and I like them. But I would not have been able to tell you why they were from the rat pack era (or, if "the rat pack era" is even the accepted terminology) and I could not name another song or artist that should have been featured.
I, on the other hand, grew up with the brat pack. The copy-cat posse of 80s superstars with big bangs, tight-rolled pants, and fingerless gloves. God, I loved the 80s.
Performances, from worst to best ...
Matt - I've been a fan of his ... I tried really hard to like it - especially after he built himself up as some sort of jazz superstar ("I've studied this, this is my week, I'm all over this") - which was stupid. But it was absolutely horrible!!! I'm no classically trained musician, but even I could tell that it was "pitchy" (to quote Randy). More than "pitchy", it was just AWFUL to listen to. Please go home, Matt.
Gokey - I wanted to put him at the bottom this week because I can't stand this kid, but Matt's performance was just that bad. I will say that this wasn't the worst Gokey performance I've heard. But what's with all of this "the vocals were better than they've been during the past few weeks" crap the judges whipped out? I didn't hear one bit of bad criticism over the past few weeks ... should there have been? Is somebody telling the judges to hold the bad inside for this tool? And I think that heart he made with his hands at the end was for his new girlfriend who he has to keep secret because it would trump the dead-wife card he's been riding around on (my husband says I'm mean.)
Kris - I like him, a lot. I like his voice, I think he's cute. I love that he really HAS become the "dark horse" in this competition and I'm pulling for him to uproot Gokey and compete with Adam in the finals. But ...
Allison - Is absolutely amazing! I would buy that song - hell, a whole album of songs like it - NOW. She looked beautiful, she's been working on her quirky personality (to become more camera friendly), and she has the best voice of anybody on the show. ANYBODY.
Best of the night: Adam Lambert - this kid is going to make a fan of me, yet. Damn him. He is a performer, isn't he?!? From the grand entrance down the red staircase, to his fancy white suit ... and that 20 second note - which, by the way, was NOT yelling - gave me goosebumps. Randy called it Broadway and Simon correctly quipped "that's like criticizing a cow for mooing" ... it's been Broadway all along, Randy. Apparently, people like it. And ... gasp ... I'm becoming one of them.
A note of Jamie Foxx - I was JUST talking to my husband about the lack of mentors this season (actually, I was really just missing my Bon Jovi week - I was supposed to marry Bon Jovi, you know?). And out comes Jamie Foxx - of whom I'm a huge fan. And I think he was an awesome mentor, gave good advice to every contestant, and really did make the show interesting.
Other than Frank Sinatra, I couldn't name one memember of the rat pack. After I heard the theme, I had to Wiki. I'd heard a few of last night's songs before, and I like them. But I would not have been able to tell you why they were from the rat pack era (or, if "the rat pack era" is even the accepted terminology) and I could not name another song or artist that should have been featured.
I, on the other hand, grew up with the brat pack. The copy-cat posse of 80s superstars with big bangs, tight-rolled pants, and fingerless gloves. God, I loved the 80s.
Performances, from worst to best ...
Matt - I've been a fan of his ... I tried really hard to like it - especially after he built himself up as some sort of jazz superstar ("I've studied this, this is my week, I'm all over this") - which was stupid. But it was absolutely horrible!!! I'm no classically trained musician, but even I could tell that it was "pitchy" (to quote Randy). More than "pitchy", it was just AWFUL to listen to. Please go home, Matt.
Gokey - I wanted to put him at the bottom this week because I can't stand this kid, but Matt's performance was just that bad. I will say that this wasn't the worst Gokey performance I've heard. But what's with all of this "the vocals were better than they've been during the past few weeks" crap the judges whipped out? I didn't hear one bit of bad criticism over the past few weeks ... should there have been? Is somebody telling the judges to hold the bad inside for this tool? And I think that heart he made with his hands at the end was for his new girlfriend who he has to keep secret because it would trump the dead-wife card he's been riding around on (my husband says I'm mean.)
Kris - I like him, a lot. I like his voice, I think he's cute. I love that he really HAS become the "dark horse" in this competition and I'm pulling for him to uproot Gokey and compete with Adam in the finals. But ...
Allison - Is absolutely amazing! I would buy that song - hell, a whole album of songs like it - NOW. She looked beautiful, she's been working on her quirky personality (to become more camera friendly), and she has the best voice of anybody on the show. ANYBODY.
Best of the night: Adam Lambert - this kid is going to make a fan of me, yet. Damn him. He is a performer, isn't he?!? From the grand entrance down the red staircase, to his fancy white suit ... and that 20 second note - which, by the way, was NOT yelling - gave me goosebumps. Randy called it Broadway and Simon correctly quipped "that's like criticizing a cow for mooing" ... it's been Broadway all along, Randy. Apparently, people like it. And ... gasp ... I'm becoming one of them.
A note of Jamie Foxx - I was JUST talking to my husband about the lack of mentors this season (actually, I was really just missing my Bon Jovi week - I was supposed to marry Bon Jovi, you know?). And out comes Jamie Foxx - of whom I'm a huge fan. And I think he was an awesome mentor, gave good advice to every contestant, and really did make the show interesting.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Fly Simon To The Moon!
Well, first let me say that I had a lovely day today and had absolutely no inclination that I was going to turn into a bawling idiot 15 minutes into the show. Second, let me say that Simon is a dishonest ass and should be flown to the moon and left there after his comments tonight.
OK, I was prepared to be very critical of Jamie Foxx as the mentor for Rat Pack week. What the heck does he know about the Rat Pack? He played Ray Charles in a movie but Ray Charles wasn't in the Rat Pack. Yes, Sammy Davis Junior was black and so is Jamie Foxx but Sid Vicious was white and so was Frank Sinatra so where is the connection? I didn't know that Foxx is a classically trained musician. And, despite my initial scorn, I thought he did a great job as a mentor tonight.
I was born too late. I should have been a young adult in the late 1950's and early 1960's when people went to nightclubs and drank martinis and listened to big bands and danced and men lit your cigarettes for you and you wore dresses with full skirts and petticoats and big collars and rhinestone buttons and perfume. And FM shoes. Instead I ended up in beer joints wearing overalls and a tee shirt and navigating my way to the bathroom between puddles of spilled beer and pee or wearing polyester pants and shiny polyester tops drinking pina coladas at some disco bar where strobe lights and the over loud bass amps gave you a migraine. And no one ever lit your cigarette let alone danced with you.
Ok, thats a lot about me but just trying to give the backstory for my complete emotional breakdown tonight.
My judgments in inverse order of praise.
I don't care what Simon said, Matt stunk the house up. I think the reason Jamie had no comments for him initially is that he saw no hope for Matt's murderous renditon of that classic. I think Jamie hoped he would be on key if he changed the key. Matt was not. It was breathless, off melody, off key, off everything. Notes and riffs all over the place like always. He may have had emotion behind it like Simon said. But *it* stunk.
I so wanted Danny to sing Volare, but alas he didn't follow my advice. HIs 24 hour *meditation* on Simon's comments that he was clumsy last week led Danny to conclude that he should probably stand still this week. He does the usual Danny stuff starting slow and mournful and then breaking into the big screamer notes at the end. Kara could hardly restrain herself. He started doing his emotional hand stuff at first but then stopped himself. The audience loved him and Danny showed how much he loves the audience by clapping for them because they clapped for him. Such humility. And a dead wife too. Well the majority of Americans are suckers. The last election proved that.
My new best friend Adam disappointed me. Not because he did a bad job but because h e didn't do a better job than last week. He seemed a bit off tonight. I didn't much like the song and don't associate it with Rat Pack but I may be ignorant about that. I expected something more unexpected. Still, for the first time, I saw the fat red-headed freckled face little boy within and I'm rooting for him to vanquish the evil Gokey.
Kris was so reminiscent of Sinatra tonight it gave me goosebumps. Not that he was imitative of him. But lets face it, Sinatra did not have a great voice but he had a good voice and exquisite phrasing. Kris gave me goosebumps in the first 3 bars. Damn that stupid random falsetto note. Without that, his performance would have been perfection for me.
For the last 2 weeks, I thought Allison had been singing songs too old for her. Who wants a 16 year old to sing about needing *hot stuff* tonight? Many on the idol boards wanted her to sing Stormy Weather. Like she can relate to some old jaded alcoholic broad whose abusive husband has left her for the umpteenth time. You will not believe me but I actually did post on those boards that I wanted her to sing *Someone to Watch Over Me*. To verify this go see what tee70 had to say about what she should sing.
So this is the performance that made me bawl. It may have been the Chinese food I had tonight which I'm sure was loaded with MSG. Or it may have been Jamie suggesting that Allison think of her family when singing it. Or it may have been the chardonnay I found when cleaning out my car earlier today.
Jamie earned his mentor pay by telling her to think of her family and not some boyfriend. And then, of course, I started thinking of mine, specifically my daddy, and then I started bawling. She did it Allison's way and boy if she goes home tomorrow because of Simon's comments I will be pretty ballistic. But if she does go home tomorrow, that should be her signature song on the tour. The best she has ever done in my opinion. I've watched Idol for 3 years and never bawled like I did tonight during a performance.
I really think it was the Chinese food.
OK, I was prepared to be very critical of Jamie Foxx as the mentor for Rat Pack week. What the heck does he know about the Rat Pack? He played Ray Charles in a movie but Ray Charles wasn't in the Rat Pack. Yes, Sammy Davis Junior was black and so is Jamie Foxx but Sid Vicious was white and so was Frank Sinatra so where is the connection? I didn't know that Foxx is a classically trained musician. And, despite my initial scorn, I thought he did a great job as a mentor tonight.
I was born too late. I should have been a young adult in the late 1950's and early 1960's when people went to nightclubs and drank martinis and listened to big bands and danced and men lit your cigarettes for you and you wore dresses with full skirts and petticoats and big collars and rhinestone buttons and perfume. And FM shoes. Instead I ended up in beer joints wearing overalls and a tee shirt and navigating my way to the bathroom between puddles of spilled beer and pee or wearing polyester pants and shiny polyester tops drinking pina coladas at some disco bar where strobe lights and the over loud bass amps gave you a migraine. And no one ever lit your cigarette let alone danced with you.
Ok, thats a lot about me but just trying to give the backstory for my complete emotional breakdown tonight.
My judgments in inverse order of praise.
I don't care what Simon said, Matt stunk the house up. I think the reason Jamie had no comments for him initially is that he saw no hope for Matt's murderous renditon of that classic. I think Jamie hoped he would be on key if he changed the key. Matt was not. It was breathless, off melody, off key, off everything. Notes and riffs all over the place like always. He may have had emotion behind it like Simon said. But *it* stunk.
I so wanted Danny to sing Volare, but alas he didn't follow my advice. HIs 24 hour *meditation* on Simon's comments that he was clumsy last week led Danny to conclude that he should probably stand still this week. He does the usual Danny stuff starting slow and mournful and then breaking into the big screamer notes at the end. Kara could hardly restrain herself. He started doing his emotional hand stuff at first but then stopped himself. The audience loved him and Danny showed how much he loves the audience by clapping for them because they clapped for him. Such humility. And a dead wife too. Well the majority of Americans are suckers. The last election proved that.
My new best friend Adam disappointed me. Not because he did a bad job but because h e didn't do a better job than last week. He seemed a bit off tonight. I didn't much like the song and don't associate it with Rat Pack but I may be ignorant about that. I expected something more unexpected. Still, for the first time, I saw the fat red-headed freckled face little boy within and I'm rooting for him to vanquish the evil Gokey.
Kris was so reminiscent of Sinatra tonight it gave me goosebumps. Not that he was imitative of him. But lets face it, Sinatra did not have a great voice but he had a good voice and exquisite phrasing. Kris gave me goosebumps in the first 3 bars. Damn that stupid random falsetto note. Without that, his performance would have been perfection for me.
For the last 2 weeks, I thought Allison had been singing songs too old for her. Who wants a 16 year old to sing about needing *hot stuff* tonight? Many on the idol boards wanted her to sing Stormy Weather. Like she can relate to some old jaded alcoholic broad whose abusive husband has left her for the umpteenth time. You will not believe me but I actually did post on those boards that I wanted her to sing *Someone to Watch Over Me*. To verify this go see what tee70 had to say about what she should sing.
So this is the performance that made me bawl. It may have been the Chinese food I had tonight which I'm sure was loaded with MSG. Or it may have been Jamie suggesting that Allison think of her family when singing it. Or it may have been the chardonnay I found when cleaning out my car earlier today.
Jamie earned his mentor pay by telling her to think of her family and not some boyfriend. And then, of course, I started thinking of mine, specifically my daddy, and then I started bawling. She did it Allison's way and boy if she goes home tomorrow because of Simon's comments I will be pretty ballistic. But if she does go home tomorrow, that should be her signature song on the tour. The best she has ever done in my opinion. I've watched Idol for 3 years and never bawled like I did tonight during a performance.
I really think it was the Chinese food.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Rat Pack Night!
Its official! The theme for next week is songs for the Rat Pack Era. For those younger readers, The Rat Pack was a group of Hollywood stars originally centered around the Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall social set. After Bogie died, and Bacall started dating Sinatra, Sinatra became the official *leader* of a group that finally evolved to include Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. The girl hangers on were Shirley MacClain and Angie Dickenson. I'm excited so long as they keep to the era and don't just trot out Sinatra 1970's songs like New York New York and Strangers in the Night. And, I suppose if HE really wants to he can actually sing Volare complete with sound effects! I would actually fall off my couch in spasms of laughter from which I might never recover if HE sang Volare next week!
The idol boards want Allison to sing Stormy Weather. I think that would be a huge mistake. I think she ought to sing one of Rosemary Clooney's songs beause her voice is sort of husky like Rosemary's voice is. And for younger readers, Rosemary is George's aunt and a far better entertainer than he will ever hope to be!
Welcome to our new followers, Bonnie and Steph. I am privileged that Steph can also call me Auntee. For Bonnie's information HE refers to the one I do not like.
Everyone reading is welcome to comment on our posts, even if you disagree.
And, they are going to sing 2 songs next week.
The idol boards want Allison to sing Stormy Weather. I think that would be a huge mistake. I think she ought to sing one of Rosemary Clooney's songs beause her voice is sort of husky like Rosemary's voice is. And for younger readers, Rosemary is George's aunt and a far better entertainer than he will ever hope to be!
Welcome to our new followers, Bonnie and Steph. I am privileged that Steph can also call me Auntee. For Bonnie's information HE refers to the one I do not like.
Everyone reading is welcome to comment on our posts, even if you disagree.
And, they are going to sing 2 songs next week.
Shock! Shock, I say!
No, not because of who went home. If you've been watching the show at all, you knew it would be those 2.
But because Allison was in the bottom 3. Wrong! It was just wrong! (I clearly didn't push the redial button enough.)
While I do realize she'll likely be voted off right after Matt, it would have been a travesty if Matt and Anoop got to stay and she didn't. I'm glad she's around for another week.
She and Matt both have to seriously step it up next week if they have any chance of performing again.
Kris appears to have fallen in with the "chosen" two ... it should be interesting to see if he can beat out Gokey for the coveted slot against Adam. I've vowed to vote for ANYBODY besides Gokey and Adam in the final 3. And now I know just how MUCH I have to push that redial button for it to count for something!
But because Allison was in the bottom 3. Wrong! It was just wrong! (I clearly didn't push the redial button enough.)
While I do realize she'll likely be voted off right after Matt, it would have been a travesty if Matt and Anoop got to stay and she didn't. I'm glad she's around for another week.
She and Matt both have to seriously step it up next week if they have any chance of performing again.
Kris appears to have fallen in with the "chosen" two ... it should be interesting to see if he can beat out Gokey for the coveted slot against Adam. I've vowed to vote for ANYBODY besides Gokey and Adam in the final 3. And now I know just how MUCH I have to push that redial button for it to count for something!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Anti-Climax
Well, Lil is out of her misery and they won't have Anoop to kick around any more. I was pretty scared for Allison and thinking you stupid judges you wasted the save on hat man Jack when you could have used it for her. I'm hoping Matt is next. The good news is that maybe next week HE will be in the bottom 3. How much meditating does HE have to do to figure out HE dances like a jerk?
KK, love the clip of Kara bursting in on Randy's time. Did you notice Simon giving Kara the finger disguised as a nose scratch? He learned move from our President.
Speaking of hat man Jack (well its nicer than referring to the reason he WEARS the hat)...a woman on the Idol boards today said that while Matt was singing *I I I I Stayin Alive*, her young kids substituted the words with *I I I I have a stupid hat on*.
Well on to next week . No theme announced that I have heard.
KK, love the clip of Kara bursting in on Randy's time. Did you notice Simon giving Kara the finger disguised as a nose scratch? He learned move from our President.
Speaking of hat man Jack (well its nicer than referring to the reason he WEARS the hat)...a woman on the Idol boards today said that while Matt was singing *I I I I Stayin Alive*, her young kids substituted the words with *I I I I have a stupid hat on*.
Well on to next week . No theme announced that I have heard.
Tee's not the only one ...
Who doesn't like Kara ...
http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/22/a-i-judges-issues-contempt-citation/
I think once you're on Simon's bad side, you don't have much longer.
(Yes, I do other things besides read celebrity gossip sites.)
http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/22/a-i-judges-issues-contempt-citation/
I think once you're on Simon's bad side, you don't have much longer.
(Yes, I do other things besides read celebrity gossip sites.)
I almost like disco
Disco night, overall, wasn't as bad as I anticipated. It could have been much, much worse.
Brilliant:
Kris - I've got him pegged to beat out Gokey for the final 2 slot against Adam. When I saw him sitting there with his acoustic guitar I couldn't help but think "what is he doing? this is going to be horrible." And then I downloaded it from iTunes (along with last week's song) ... I seriously love this kid now. He's figured out exactly what kind of "artist" he is and he's an awesome one!
Adam - I won't go as far as Tee and say I like him. But I was SURE he'd do a sped-up, yelling, dancing version of Staying Alive ... and was absolutely wowed when he calmed down ... during disco week! He really does have a nice voice. Although, I still think he belongs on Broadway and I guarantee I'll never download his songs.
Allison - I voted for her. A lot. Because, in spite of what the judges said, I LOVED her arrangement. Allison is a rocker. A rocker!! Did they *want* her to go out and do the sped-up version? Wouldn't that be "karaoke" like Lil? I thought the key was to take a disco song and make it fit you're style? Plus - did she POUR herself into those leggings? God, that was awesome. She's amazing in every way.
A tie for "not good enough to keep you around" goes to:
Matt - Seriously? You were voted off last week and that's what you come back with? I get that the title to the song is fitting for your situation. But did you actually listen to the song before you decided to perform it? That was ridiculous.
Lil - I really hated it. What she doesn't do - at all - is watch the contestants that the judges are constantly praising. See how their songs sound different than the original? See how they change the notes so that they're not just copying the original artist? Remember at the beginning of the competition when you threw in "pick up the phone and vote for Lil" in the middle of the song lyrics? Get it?
Anoop - Horrible. I will admit that he's looking more handsome now. I like what his stylists have done for him. And I liked him last week, so I'm glad he didn't go home then. But he deserves to head out now.
And the award for "I want to stick a key in my eye":
Gokey - I'm so over this douchebag I don't even know where to start. He's like some horrible 80's cliche - with his ridiculous dance moves and meticulously trimmed scruffy face. His song sounded more karaoke than ANY of the others. I hate him in more ways than I can possibly fit onto this blog.
Bottom three predictions: Anoop, Lil, Matt. Lil and Matt will go home.
Brilliant:
Kris - I've got him pegged to beat out Gokey for the final 2 slot against Adam. When I saw him sitting there with his acoustic guitar I couldn't help but think "what is he doing? this is going to be horrible." And then I downloaded it from iTunes (along with last week's song) ... I seriously love this kid now. He's figured out exactly what kind of "artist" he is and he's an awesome one!
Adam - I won't go as far as Tee and say I like him. But I was SURE he'd do a sped-up, yelling, dancing version of Staying Alive ... and was absolutely wowed when he calmed down ... during disco week! He really does have a nice voice. Although, I still think he belongs on Broadway and I guarantee I'll never download his songs.
Allison - I voted for her. A lot. Because, in spite of what the judges said, I LOVED her arrangement. Allison is a rocker. A rocker!! Did they *want* her to go out and do the sped-up version? Wouldn't that be "karaoke" like Lil? I thought the key was to take a disco song and make it fit you're style? Plus - did she POUR herself into those leggings? God, that was awesome. She's amazing in every way.
A tie for "not good enough to keep you around" goes to:
Matt - Seriously? You were voted off last week and that's what you come back with? I get that the title to the song is fitting for your situation. But did you actually listen to the song before you decided to perform it? That was ridiculous.
Lil - I really hated it. What she doesn't do - at all - is watch the contestants that the judges are constantly praising. See how their songs sound different than the original? See how they change the notes so that they're not just copying the original artist? Remember at the beginning of the competition when you threw in "pick up the phone and vote for Lil" in the middle of the song lyrics? Get it?
Anoop - Horrible. I will admit that he's looking more handsome now. I like what his stylists have done for him. And I liked him last week, so I'm glad he didn't go home then. But he deserves to head out now.
And the award for "I want to stick a key in my eye":
Gokey - I'm so over this douchebag I don't even know where to start. He's like some horrible 80's cliche - with his ridiculous dance moves and meticulously trimmed scruffy face. His song sounded more karaoke than ANY of the others. I hate him in more ways than I can possibly fit onto this blog.
Bottom three predictions: Anoop, Lil, Matt. Lil and Matt will go home.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Simon Says
Lil, Anoop, and Matt must be in the bottom 3 and that is probably what America will do. I would gladly throw he who shall not be named in the bottom three instead of any of the above. More on that in a moment.
Poor Lil. I thought she did great tonight. Much better than previous performances but the script had been written. They didn't really have much to criticize about the actual performance. Back to lack of artistry and originality and the arrangement wasn't any good. She has embarassed them by not living up to their pre-show hype and she must go. Now.
Kris blew me away tonight for the 2nd week in a row. I had no idea what disco was going to sound like with an acoustic guitar. I loved it and am going to vote for him tonight because I hope he makes it to the finals.
Allison was a bit of a disappointment to me tonight forthe 2nd week in a row but still a solid performance. They didn't like the arrangement but unlike with Lil, they praised her.
Adam Lambert is just in a class by himself. I wondered if he would do a slow tempo song (he seems to alternate) and I couldn't believe how different that song sounds when sung in the way he sang it. I have decided I like him. He also gave credit to the person who helped him with the arrangment which was a nice touch.
Can we throw Matt Giraud back? Please? As I was watching, I thought it was frantic, as much of an *all over the place* performance as Lil's, if not worse and there was not a darn thing original about it except that it sounded way way worse than the original. A cheeesy song choice, uninspired arrangement (but unlike with Lil that didn't matter to 3 of the judges because he can sing...I beg to differ!)
They finally gave Anoop the pimp spot. The boards have been all over the place decrying the unfair treatment of Anoop so maybe the producers wanted to throw his fans a bone. He has a slightly more edgy look. I anticipated that it would be called boring. Three of the judges liked it, but Simon wants to make sure Anoop is in the bottom three so he hated it of course. But, basically, Anoop is sort of boring.
Now for he who shall not be named (HE). One of my husband's favorite movies is a cult classic called Hollywood Knights about a group of teenagers engaged in all sorts of vulgar pranks on a Halloween night in the late 1950's or early 1960's. (Sort of like American Graffiti without the artistry and with bathroom humor). They are inspired to mayhem by the closing of their favorite hangout which is being torn down to make way for a park or something. The main character, played by Robert Wuhl, shows up at the highshool talent show and steals the show by farting along with the song *Volare*. (If you know the song, use your imagination). A young Fran Drescher also appears in this movie and is apalled at his behavior and starts screaming in her Fran Drescher voice *HE'S FAHTING THE SUONG!). Well, earlier this week I said on the Idol boards that HE would be praised if he farted the song. He did. In fact some of his dance moves would have made Robert Wuhl proud!. A more unoriginal, cheesy, karaoke performance I have seldom seen on idol. HE is someone I do not like and I will vote for anyone over him in the final.
Predictions: Lil goes. Probably Anoop. Maybe Matt.
Poor Lil. I thought she did great tonight. Much better than previous performances but the script had been written. They didn't really have much to criticize about the actual performance. Back to lack of artistry and originality and the arrangement wasn't any good. She has embarassed them by not living up to their pre-show hype and she must go. Now.
Kris blew me away tonight for the 2nd week in a row. I had no idea what disco was going to sound like with an acoustic guitar. I loved it and am going to vote for him tonight because I hope he makes it to the finals.
Allison was a bit of a disappointment to me tonight forthe 2nd week in a row but still a solid performance. They didn't like the arrangement but unlike with Lil, they praised her.
Adam Lambert is just in a class by himself. I wondered if he would do a slow tempo song (he seems to alternate) and I couldn't believe how different that song sounds when sung in the way he sang it. I have decided I like him. He also gave credit to the person who helped him with the arrangment which was a nice touch.
Can we throw Matt Giraud back? Please? As I was watching, I thought it was frantic, as much of an *all over the place* performance as Lil's, if not worse and there was not a darn thing original about it except that it sounded way way worse than the original. A cheeesy song choice, uninspired arrangement (but unlike with Lil that didn't matter to 3 of the judges because he can sing...I beg to differ!)
They finally gave Anoop the pimp spot. The boards have been all over the place decrying the unfair treatment of Anoop so maybe the producers wanted to throw his fans a bone. He has a slightly more edgy look. I anticipated that it would be called boring. Three of the judges liked it, but Simon wants to make sure Anoop is in the bottom three so he hated it of course. But, basically, Anoop is sort of boring.
Now for he who shall not be named (HE). One of my husband's favorite movies is a cult classic called Hollywood Knights about a group of teenagers engaged in all sorts of vulgar pranks on a Halloween night in the late 1950's or early 1960's. (Sort of like American Graffiti without the artistry and with bathroom humor). They are inspired to mayhem by the closing of their favorite hangout which is being torn down to make way for a park or something. The main character, played by Robert Wuhl, shows up at the highshool talent show and steals the show by farting along with the song *Volare*. (If you know the song, use your imagination). A young Fran Drescher also appears in this movie and is apalled at his behavior and starts screaming in her Fran Drescher voice *HE'S FAHTING THE SUONG!). Well, earlier this week I said on the Idol boards that HE would be praised if he farted the song. He did. In fact some of his dance moves would have made Robert Wuhl proud!. A more unoriginal, cheesy, karaoke performance I have seldom seen on idol. HE is someone I do not like and I will vote for anyone over him in the final.
Predictions: Lil goes. Probably Anoop. Maybe Matt.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)