Well, I know how to pick a week off. It looks like I missed a good show last night and tonight I missed the final moments due to a phone call. Sam is saved. I haven't watched a replay but I suppose they might as well use it now as later. Glad Jessica was safe. I'm beginning to think Harry doesn't like her much. I'm still not a huge fan of Caleb and Dexter. Jena is fine and will probably win but I'm not that fond of her music either. Oh well....at least this season is not the debacle of last season. The judges are good, funny, and the kids seem nicer than usual...if not as talented as usual.
Hope next week is a good week and that I'm over this stupid headache!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Judges Do Not Save the Queen
I really thought they were saving the save for Majesty. Even as the weeks went on and America kept putting her near the bottom of the pack. I was surprised when they did not save her tonight but I think if they had it would not have made a difference. I didn't dislike her but I didn't get the love either. She gets to go on tour and that is great.
Poor CJ looked like he was about to cry during the entire show. I think he knew he was going to be in the bottom. JLo's face when Dexter was safe, was priceless. She was not pleased. Neither was I. I'm about done with him.
But I love love the new 30 minute results show. Fine to have an artist on but really, the hour format for the results show has been screaming to be shortened for the past 13 years.
Alex looked kind of worried tonight too. He is growing on me as a person. Caleb was a little shocked to be kept waiting so long to go to the lounge. I wonder if they called them to safety in vote order or random order?
I just hope next week is a good show.
Poor CJ looked like he was about to cry during the entire show. I think he knew he was going to be in the bottom. JLo's face when Dexter was safe, was priceless. She was not pleased. Neither was I. I'm about done with him.
But I love love the new 30 minute results show. Fine to have an artist on but really, the hour format for the results show has been screaming to be shortened for the past 13 years.
Alex looked kind of worried tonight too. He is growing on me as a person. Caleb was a little shocked to be kept waiting so long to go to the lounge. I wonder if they called them to safety in vote order or random order?
I just hope next week is a good show.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Starry Starry Night?
No, not quite. How could this judges panel, the best of all the seasons I have been watching, fail to bring forth a group with at least one MOMENT this season.
Tonight's theme *I'm With The Band* was a good one...especially when it was further explained to mean songs from actual bands as opposed to Bruno Mars, Adele, or whoever is the hot young soloist these days. And I think they all picked songs which suited them. Yet...I was bored. Is it me? I was watching Slezak's video blog with Melinda Doolittle (one of my all time favorite Idols) and they showed small clips of Kris Allen, Haley Reinhardt, Elise (last name forgotten) and even Melinda herself rocking out in their seasons. Not one of the performers tonight approached that level and with the exception of Elise's Whole Lotta Love....the clips they showed were not even the iconic moments of the respective performer's season.
I'm going in reverse order tonight because I suppose the two whose performances were considered the best by the judges and probably America were Caleb and Jena.
Caleb still bores me. He sounds like every generic lead singer of every generic rock band that plays at every generic bar or club in every generic town. I don't find him sexy and I don't think it is his size because I'm actually partial to men with a little beefiness to them. He seems like a nice guy, if a little too pleased with himself at times. He cheers on his fellow contestants. What is not to like? Nothing is not to like. What is to love? Nothing is to love. Even Led Zeppelin couldn't make me love him.
Jena, the teen belter really is good. I am not particularly drawn to her although she also seems like a good kid. Why does she not move me? The song, Wake Me Up, by Evanescence is one of my favorites from the last 20 years. I consider it a plaintive song. Jena sang it angry and loud. I suppose that is one interpretation of it. It is not one I particularly enjoyed.
CJ sang a song I do not know *If it Hadn't Been For Love* and he seemed to be mostly in tune until the middle and he went sharp badly. He was livelier than usual, and had the gritty soul in his voice. Much better than last week's performance. But not a moment.
Oh Jessica, Jessica, what am I going to do with you? I LOVE your voice. Put an expression on that face! I loved Riahnon (sp?). But you have to step up the emotion!!! It isn't a song you move around grabbing hands with (I hate that grabbing hands business anyway...it is so cheesy!). But couldn't you sing it like you are consoling your friend who you are in love with but who is hopelessly in love with a crazy girl who will never love him?
Sam chose a really good song and sang it really well but once again there was so little emotion to his performance that it had no magic whatsoever. At least it wasn't about putting a scar on his girlfriend's face like last week's song.
I have to say my favorite performance of the night was Malaya's Long and Winding Road. She has calmed down, she has improved, and she at least gave it some emotion. But to compare her with prior Idol's good performances? Not so much...at least to me.
Dexter should go home this week. I like the guy fine as a person. I even like listening to him sing. His performance of Boondocks was fine. He has a good country voice. But I don't find him that interesting. He is like a Hostess cup cake. You will eat it and think its just fine and dandy but its not creme brulee or tiramisu.
Oh Majesty...I fear you will be in the bottom 3 again. She sang Shake It Out by Florence and the Machine and she really tried to portray confidence. Here is my problem with her. Her voice seems to be all over the place. Every time she sings I cannot get comfortable because she wavers and warbles and I'm just waiting for her to hit a really bad note. She usually doesn't hit a bad note. But the stress of waiting for it mars her performance for me.
Alex was Alexy. I don't know the song Don't Speak either but if it was even remotely energetic sung by the original artist, Alex sucked all the energy out of it to make it sound like every other song he sings. Just like Phillip Phillips...I can never remember what song he sang from week to week because they are all Alexified and therefore all sound the same to me.
Bottom 3? I'm not sure who the third one will be...but I'm pretty sure Dexter and Majesty will be on the stools again. Perhaps Jessica or CJ will join them. Caleb and Jena are the only ones I'm pretty sure will be safe tomorrow.
I may be crazy. Maybe they were all wonderful tonight and I'm the tired lifeless one in the equation. But...I don't think so!
Tonight's theme *I'm With The Band* was a good one...especially when it was further explained to mean songs from actual bands as opposed to Bruno Mars, Adele, or whoever is the hot young soloist these days. And I think they all picked songs which suited them. Yet...I was bored. Is it me? I was watching Slezak's video blog with Melinda Doolittle (one of my all time favorite Idols) and they showed small clips of Kris Allen, Haley Reinhardt, Elise (last name forgotten) and even Melinda herself rocking out in their seasons. Not one of the performers tonight approached that level and with the exception of Elise's Whole Lotta Love....the clips they showed were not even the iconic moments of the respective performer's season.
I'm going in reverse order tonight because I suppose the two whose performances were considered the best by the judges and probably America were Caleb and Jena.
Caleb still bores me. He sounds like every generic lead singer of every generic rock band that plays at every generic bar or club in every generic town. I don't find him sexy and I don't think it is his size because I'm actually partial to men with a little beefiness to them. He seems like a nice guy, if a little too pleased with himself at times. He cheers on his fellow contestants. What is not to like? Nothing is not to like. What is to love? Nothing is to love. Even Led Zeppelin couldn't make me love him.
Jena, the teen belter really is good. I am not particularly drawn to her although she also seems like a good kid. Why does she not move me? The song, Wake Me Up, by Evanescence is one of my favorites from the last 20 years. I consider it a plaintive song. Jena sang it angry and loud. I suppose that is one interpretation of it. It is not one I particularly enjoyed.
CJ sang a song I do not know *If it Hadn't Been For Love* and he seemed to be mostly in tune until the middle and he went sharp badly. He was livelier than usual, and had the gritty soul in his voice. Much better than last week's performance. But not a moment.
Oh Jessica, Jessica, what am I going to do with you? I LOVE your voice. Put an expression on that face! I loved Riahnon (sp?). But you have to step up the emotion!!! It isn't a song you move around grabbing hands with (I hate that grabbing hands business anyway...it is so cheesy!). But couldn't you sing it like you are consoling your friend who you are in love with but who is hopelessly in love with a crazy girl who will never love him?
Sam chose a really good song and sang it really well but once again there was so little emotion to his performance that it had no magic whatsoever. At least it wasn't about putting a scar on his girlfriend's face like last week's song.
I have to say my favorite performance of the night was Malaya's Long and Winding Road. She has calmed down, she has improved, and she at least gave it some emotion. But to compare her with prior Idol's good performances? Not so much...at least to me.
Dexter should go home this week. I like the guy fine as a person. I even like listening to him sing. His performance of Boondocks was fine. He has a good country voice. But I don't find him that interesting. He is like a Hostess cup cake. You will eat it and think its just fine and dandy but its not creme brulee or tiramisu.
Oh Majesty...I fear you will be in the bottom 3 again. She sang Shake It Out by Florence and the Machine and she really tried to portray confidence. Here is my problem with her. Her voice seems to be all over the place. Every time she sings I cannot get comfortable because she wavers and warbles and I'm just waiting for her to hit a really bad note. She usually doesn't hit a bad note. But the stress of waiting for it mars her performance for me.
Alex was Alexy. I don't know the song Don't Speak either but if it was even remotely energetic sung by the original artist, Alex sucked all the energy out of it to make it sound like every other song he sings. Just like Phillip Phillips...I can never remember what song he sang from week to week because they are all Alexified and therefore all sound the same to me.
Bottom 3? I'm not sure who the third one will be...but I'm pretty sure Dexter and Majesty will be on the stools again. Perhaps Jessica or CJ will join them. Caleb and Jena are the only ones I'm pretty sure will be safe tomorrow.
I may be crazy. Maybe they were all wonderful tonight and I'm the tired lifeless one in the equation. But...I don't think so!
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Only Majesty and Dexter were Surprised Tonight
Well, MK is going back to San Francisco, her *hella* hometown. I have to say I'm sorry to see her go but not surprised. With the death slot and her miscue last night, it would have been a miracle if she survived...she didn't have the fan base to push her through a bad performance as evidently CJ does. I thought they just might save her but I think Harry was the hold out. I don't know if they are saving the save for Majesty or what. I sort of wish they had used the save but really...if MK hasn't captured the voter's hearts by now she probably never will. It is one thing to be saved after a good performance that the audience didn't get or after one flawed performance after a string of excellence. Its another to be barely hanging on each week.
Could America possibly be tiring of Dexter? I dearly hope so. I think he is probably a *hella* guy but he is no *artist* and lacks charisma. I wonder if the voters were put off by Majesty's poor breath control (2nd week in a row) or if it just thinks she is being coddled and pushed by the judges. Glad to see CJ gets one more chance to fix his intonation problems. Really glad to see Jessica wasn't punished for her song choice.
As for *I luh ya Papi*, JLo can dance and autotune can sing and if you think that was a live performance you can buy me a steak. I give her credit though. After it was over I tried sing saying the chorus to my cat, Monica. I cannot get the I luh ya luh ya luh ya Papi part out of my mouth. My tongue doesn't even twist...it tangles. If you can do it on the first try, I might buy you a steak.
Royal Teeth? Was that their name? Bad name. Odd group but maybe they will grow on me someday (who am I kidding...I will never hear them again unless they become the new Gaga). I thought the sound was bad and overpowered the vocals. The lead male vocalist looks like a weasel. He needs to gain some weight. Someone buy him a steak.
Don't know why I am obsessed with steak tonight. Probably the subpar chicken casserole I threw together for dinner.
Until next week...
Could America possibly be tiring of Dexter? I dearly hope so. I think he is probably a *hella* guy but he is no *artist* and lacks charisma. I wonder if the voters were put off by Majesty's poor breath control (2nd week in a row) or if it just thinks she is being coddled and pushed by the judges. Glad to see CJ gets one more chance to fix his intonation problems. Really glad to see Jessica wasn't punished for her song choice.
As for *I luh ya Papi*, JLo can dance and autotune can sing and if you think that was a live performance you can buy me a steak. I give her credit though. After it was over I tried sing saying the chorus to my cat, Monica. I cannot get the I luh ya luh ya luh ya Papi part out of my mouth. My tongue doesn't even twist...it tangles. If you can do it on the first try, I might buy you a steak.
Royal Teeth? Was that their name? Bad name. Odd group but maybe they will grow on me someday (who am I kidding...I will never hear them again unless they become the new Gaga). I thought the sound was bad and overpowered the vocals. The lead male vocalist looks like a weasel. He needs to gain some weight. Someone buy him a steak.
Don't know why I am obsessed with steak tonight. Probably the subpar chicken casserole I threw together for dinner.
Until next week...
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Wake Me Up When Its Over
I admit I have some reasons not to be in a real funny happy mood and I also admit that the songs on the top 10 Billboard list since 2010 or 2011 are not really *in my wheelhouse* but...I was a little bored tonight. However, one of the reasons I watch Idol is to keep somewhat current (o.k. Idol is hardly somewhat current but it is more current than MY life) so I was looking forward to tonight's performances. Sadly, I have a feeling this blog is going to make you want to sing *wake me up when its over*.
I had no idea what Harry was talking about when he said he was doing the nay nay during the earthquake. Fortunately, he corrected the spelling and I have google so now I know Nae Nae is a dance where you go into a half squat and bounce around. I think the original spelling Harry used is a more appropriate name for it because there ain't nay way it is attractive.
The first performer (in the death spot) was MK. How pissed were the producers that she wasn't in the bottom 3 and their precious Majesty and Sam were? Pretty pissed I would say. She sang Pink's *Perfect* a song I knew because I watched the Voice last year and saw Michelle Shamuel perform it 100 times better. And, Randy and MK owe a big thank you to Usher and Michelle because it was Usher's idea for Michelle to start the song singing into a mirror. So...I lost focus on the performance from the start and got it back only when MK missed the musical cue or forgot the words or whatever she did that made her sing out of sync with the chorus. This was not even close to a perfect performance and I predict bottom 3 again or even elimination for MK.
Dexter Mumbles comes on next singing Cruise. I think I saw the original band perform this on some show...perhaps it was The Voice again? Dexter's enunciation was better but basically his performance was no better than any half decent band in a honky tonk so I'm drifting further and further from this whole production. He will be safe because Ben's voters will probably gravitate to him. I would send him home to his dogs.
Jena loves electronic music and sang Clarity while the audience flashed some glow sticks around. It was probably one of the 2 or 3 best performances of the night but I didn't hear any electronic music. I may be crazy or I may be deaf. Jena is safe.
Alex sang The Story of My Life by One Direction and as much as it pains me to say it in as much as he is not my favorite, his was the best performance of the night. I had not heard this song (or Clarity) before and his performance made me want to look it up on Youtube. So...if I cannot sleep tonight I probably will. I'm also going to look up Clarity and see if I can hear any electronic music.
Bless Malaya's heart. I loved her conviction as she sang the much over-covered When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars. I think hers was the 3rd best performance of the night.
I was hoping the 2nd half would pick me up some so I had high hopes for Caleb covering Gaga's Edge of Glory. I agree with Keith who called it lumbering. I was thinking he wasn't on the edge of anything except maybe a good bowel movement as he sang it. Perhaps he was constipated.
Ah..my man CJ. I just love his heart so much. I was sorry he was sharp the whole dang song because he had so much conviction in his face it almost brought tears to my eyes. I hope he is safe.
And here comes Jessica. This girl needs some help picking songs. I get what she was saying about the dichotomy of the tune with the lyrics...but Harry was right...what emotion she gave us...and it was very little..was not in sync with the song about some kid with a gun who is getting ready to go on a shooting spree. Why she chose that song I do not know but it shows she doesn't get the game here. You choose songs that make the audience happy or sad...not songs that make them uneasy. I hope she is safe. Her vocal was stellar tonight but she has got to get some appropriate emotion going and sing a song the audience will love.
How scared were the producers about last weeks bottom 3? Scared enough to put two sleepy performances in the pimp spots. I'm about over Majesty. I thought her voice was breathy, her dynamics were forced, and that this was just not that great a performance of Wake Me Up. I had never heard the song and her rendition did not inspire me to Youtube. And Sam was no better. Better than last week but still timid as he sang We Are Young (also a song I do not know and am not inspired to look up). I imagine they will both be safe because their fans got a bit of a scare last week, but seriously, I wouldn't be sorry to see either of them go. They lulled me almost into a coma tonight.
My prediction is that MK will go home tomorrow and that Jessica might be in the bottom 3 due to song choice, not performance. I don't know who will sit in the 3rd stool.
I had no idea what Harry was talking about when he said he was doing the nay nay during the earthquake. Fortunately, he corrected the spelling and I have google so now I know Nae Nae is a dance where you go into a half squat and bounce around. I think the original spelling Harry used is a more appropriate name for it because there ain't nay way it is attractive.
The first performer (in the death spot) was MK. How pissed were the producers that she wasn't in the bottom 3 and their precious Majesty and Sam were? Pretty pissed I would say. She sang Pink's *Perfect* a song I knew because I watched the Voice last year and saw Michelle Shamuel perform it 100 times better. And, Randy and MK owe a big thank you to Usher and Michelle because it was Usher's idea for Michelle to start the song singing into a mirror. So...I lost focus on the performance from the start and got it back only when MK missed the musical cue or forgot the words or whatever she did that made her sing out of sync with the chorus. This was not even close to a perfect performance and I predict bottom 3 again or even elimination for MK.
Dexter Mumbles comes on next singing Cruise. I think I saw the original band perform this on some show...perhaps it was The Voice again? Dexter's enunciation was better but basically his performance was no better than any half decent band in a honky tonk so I'm drifting further and further from this whole production. He will be safe because Ben's voters will probably gravitate to him. I would send him home to his dogs.
Jena loves electronic music and sang Clarity while the audience flashed some glow sticks around. It was probably one of the 2 or 3 best performances of the night but I didn't hear any electronic music. I may be crazy or I may be deaf. Jena is safe.
Alex sang The Story of My Life by One Direction and as much as it pains me to say it in as much as he is not my favorite, his was the best performance of the night. I had not heard this song (or Clarity) before and his performance made me want to look it up on Youtube. So...if I cannot sleep tonight I probably will. I'm also going to look up Clarity and see if I can hear any electronic music.
Bless Malaya's heart. I loved her conviction as she sang the much over-covered When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars. I think hers was the 3rd best performance of the night.
I was hoping the 2nd half would pick me up some so I had high hopes for Caleb covering Gaga's Edge of Glory. I agree with Keith who called it lumbering. I was thinking he wasn't on the edge of anything except maybe a good bowel movement as he sang it. Perhaps he was constipated.
Ah..my man CJ. I just love his heart so much. I was sorry he was sharp the whole dang song because he had so much conviction in his face it almost brought tears to my eyes. I hope he is safe.
And here comes Jessica. This girl needs some help picking songs. I get what she was saying about the dichotomy of the tune with the lyrics...but Harry was right...what emotion she gave us...and it was very little..was not in sync with the song about some kid with a gun who is getting ready to go on a shooting spree. Why she chose that song I do not know but it shows she doesn't get the game here. You choose songs that make the audience happy or sad...not songs that make them uneasy. I hope she is safe. Her vocal was stellar tonight but she has got to get some appropriate emotion going and sing a song the audience will love.
How scared were the producers about last weeks bottom 3? Scared enough to put two sleepy performances in the pimp spots. I'm about over Majesty. I thought her voice was breathy, her dynamics were forced, and that this was just not that great a performance of Wake Me Up. I had never heard the song and her rendition did not inspire me to Youtube. And Sam was no better. Better than last week but still timid as he sang We Are Young (also a song I do not know and am not inspired to look up). I imagine they will both be safe because their fans got a bit of a scare last week, but seriously, I wouldn't be sorry to see either of them go. They lulled me almost into a coma tonight.
My prediction is that MK will go home tomorrow and that Jessica might be in the bottom 3 due to song choice, not performance. I don't know who will sit in the 3rd stool.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Buh Buh Buh Buh Bennie...Bye
Ben Briley who loves his wife and Elton John went home tonight in the number 11 slot. He will not make the tour and Gallatin, Tennessee is not going to be killing a fatted calf tonight (or maybe they will). On the bright side, he can put his baseball cap back on backwards and quit trimming his beard.
Something weird and wonderful is happening this season (so far). Maybe it has to do with the fact that you can only vote for one contestant 150 times so those that know how to use technology to submit thousands of votes per week for one contestant are stymied this season. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that the remaining people watching Idol this season are die-hard Idol fans and have long memories and discerning ears (ratings are down again in spite of the adorable Keith and magnificent Harry). But it seems like each week the right people are in the bottom 3 and the right person goes home and it is based on their performance and not on their popularity. I feel bad for Ben going home when he was trying to take a risk but that risk failed and someone should have stopped him (that means you Randy). I was not very critical of Majesty Rose's performance last night but the main Idol bloggers (and commenters) concurred that it wasn't really keen. A big old mess, in fact. And Sam, bless his heart, was not inspiring.
I don't know what Jennifer has against Jessica. I think she doesn't like indie performers and singer/songwriters. I do agree that Jessica has to step it up but the band messed up last night. Hard to know if she was 4th from the bottom or from the top but clearly, JLo was referring to her when she said *maybe a 4th one could have been sitting there*. Would they have saved Majesty? I think so. Should they have saved Ben? No.
So here is hoping that my girl Jessica emotes the hell out of what she sings next week and that CJ continues his upward spiral. I really am not that interested in any of the others except maybe for MK Nobilette. I'm glad she was safe tonight because I think it will give her confidence. I think Caleb is overrated, Majesty needs to find the right song instead of trying to be a belter, and Malaya still needs to calm down and quit screeching. Jena doesn't appeal to me at all but I see why she is getting votes and appeals to those who like her sort of thing. Alex is getting on my nerves by allegedly doing *risky* songs but in fact recycling songs sung in iconic performances by Idols past. Sam, bless his heart is a lightweight performer and should have waited a year or two before coming on the show.
I didn't catch the theme next week. I'm still an Idol fan. I hope they make it worth my while!
Update: Theme is top 10 Billboard. Also I didn't mention Harry and the Mali guy's performances. I liked them both. Mali is very interesting but what is it with these godawful ugly hats people are wearing these days.
another random thought....I wish I were young enough to put purple or pink or blue streaks in my hair. I'm encouraging all of the people I know under the age of 35 to put purple or pink or blue streaks in their hair. This is becoming an obsession of mine (and has been for awhile) made worse by Jessica Muese.
Something weird and wonderful is happening this season (so far). Maybe it has to do with the fact that you can only vote for one contestant 150 times so those that know how to use technology to submit thousands of votes per week for one contestant are stymied this season. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that the remaining people watching Idol this season are die-hard Idol fans and have long memories and discerning ears (ratings are down again in spite of the adorable Keith and magnificent Harry). But it seems like each week the right people are in the bottom 3 and the right person goes home and it is based on their performance and not on their popularity. I feel bad for Ben going home when he was trying to take a risk but that risk failed and someone should have stopped him (that means you Randy). I was not very critical of Majesty Rose's performance last night but the main Idol bloggers (and commenters) concurred that it wasn't really keen. A big old mess, in fact. And Sam, bless his heart, was not inspiring.
I don't know what Jennifer has against Jessica. I think she doesn't like indie performers and singer/songwriters. I do agree that Jessica has to step it up but the band messed up last night. Hard to know if she was 4th from the bottom or from the top but clearly, JLo was referring to her when she said *maybe a 4th one could have been sitting there*. Would they have saved Majesty? I think so. Should they have saved Ben? No.
So here is hoping that my girl Jessica emotes the hell out of what she sings next week and that CJ continues his upward spiral. I really am not that interested in any of the others except maybe for MK Nobilette. I'm glad she was safe tonight because I think it will give her confidence. I think Caleb is overrated, Majesty needs to find the right song instead of trying to be a belter, and Malaya still needs to calm down and quit screeching. Jena doesn't appeal to me at all but I see why she is getting votes and appeals to those who like her sort of thing. Alex is getting on my nerves by allegedly doing *risky* songs but in fact recycling songs sung in iconic performances by Idols past. Sam, bless his heart is a lightweight performer and should have waited a year or two before coming on the show.
I didn't catch the theme next week. I'm still an Idol fan. I hope they make it worth my while!
Update: Theme is top 10 Billboard. Also I didn't mention Harry and the Mali guy's performances. I liked them both. Mali is very interesting but what is it with these godawful ugly hats people are wearing these days.
another random thought....I wish I were young enough to put purple or pink or blue streaks in my hair. I'm encouraging all of the people I know under the age of 35 to put purple or pink or blue streaks in their hair. This is becoming an obsession of mine (and has been for awhile) made worse by Jessica Muese.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Extreme Makeover, Idol Edition
The new producer, Per (blinken? winken?), evidently got a come to Jesus call from the entertainment universe and did some fast clean up work on the Idols, their performances, and their wardrobes. A few of them needed very little and a few of them needed a lot, but like my mama used to say, when you look good and you know it you just do better. All of them did better this week with a few notable standouts. And they all looked about as good as their God given selves are going to ever look.
The show started with Sam Wolfe singing Come Together. I was wondering how this quiet shy guy was going to handle that song, which is known in Idol universe as belonging to Carly Smithson. He had much more energy, much more personality and while it wasn't a moment it was a whole lot better than his performance last week. Harry said it was an average performance and it wasn't Carly Smithson worthy, but at least the guy made some eye contact (and a little more) with the world. He didn't need a style makeover at all. He is just perfect looking.
Jessica chose The Sound of Silence which disappointed me a little bit. I thought she did a wonderful job and didn't notice the *something off* that JLo mentioned. Sadly, this is not a killer song from an audience perspective and I'm afraid her votes will suffer for it. I'm getting a little worried/irritated by her performance style. She almost has an indifferent look on her face. Now we know she isn't indifferent about her music so what is that about? If you look at her videos on Youtube (and she has quite a few) its the same blank face...I want to see some expression from her. Her hair and makeup were a little more polished but she really wasn't one of the slobs that needed a makeover. She is quite beautiful (I wonder if this is part of JLo's problem with her).
I'm going to say CJ was the most improved. He got a new guitar and I'm thrilled for him. I love that guy. And he gave it his all tonight with Can't You See. This was not Karoake and was damn near a moment. He didn't need much styling either since he abandoned that baseball cap a few weeks back and seems to like his fedora like leather hat.
They took Dexter to the woodshed, tied his carcass down, and cleaned him the heck up! No more backward baseball cap, no more tight tee shirt that shows his man boobs. He had a real hairstyle and while this guy is never gonna be a looker, he at least didn't look like he was on a casting call for a remake of Deliverance. I thought his rendention of Sweet Home Alabama was OK but nothing special. I don't think he is going much beyond karoake. I didn't have to worry about him mumbling the words because of course I know them.
Ben was also taken to the woodshed. Was he in a suit? The baseball cap was gone, his hair was slicked back and he almost looked debonair. Sadly, his Benny and the Jets should have stayed in the woodshed with his baseball hat. He just didn't give it the joy/energy/fun that the song should have. This song belongs to Haley Reinhardt in the Idol world and he didn't even begin to approach her version. Bad song choice. Not a great performance. He should be in trouble but probably will not be.
Majesty Rose sang Let It Go from Frozen and she really did look like she was doing a Broadway production. This girl baffles me. Sometimes I like her and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I think she is sincere and other times I think she is a phony baloney. This was a good performance I guess but I don't think its going down in Idol history.
They didn't cut Caleb's hair but I think he wore a suit. I really didn't focus too much because he still bores me. Jess said if Jack Black and Meatloaf had a son it would be Caleb. Yep...and I'm not a particular fan of them either. I don't hate the guy but I'm having a hard time getting excited about him. He sang Skyfall, a song I did not know and don't really care enough to learn better.
They almost made MK over too much. I didn't mind her sequined suit or that they took that ubiquitous backwards baseball cap off of her but they put on too much makeup and the hair just screamed *I'm a lesbian* too darn much. At least they didn't give her a mullet! I love this girl and I don't like to see her typecast as *the lesbian*. Jlo had to mention kd Lang? WTH? I thought she did a fine job on her song and was trying to connect and did at certain moments. I still think she will be in trouble though.
Ok, just when I'm not hating on Alex Preston all that much he does something like pick Falling Slowly and act like its this obscure arty song that no one has ever heard. We have heard it, Alex. Kris Allen did the ultimate solo version (yours did not measure up) and Lee and Crystal did the ultimate duet and we can put this song in the vault with Hallelujah...ok? I was so mad at him for picking this song and acting all high and mighty about it that I really didn't focus on the performance.
Jena Irene, who was in the bottom 3 last week, went back to her piano to sing a song from the movie Twilight which I did not know. I guess it was good. But she doesn't move me. I just don't like belters all that much. If I were doing her makeover I would tone down that helmet hair but I'm evidently in the minority on that as the stylists left it alone.
The pimp spot went to Malaya whose feet they almost nailed to the floor so she could calm down and sing one of the songs from Dream Girls. I think she was less screechy this week and I like her straight hair but sort of miss the cookiness of her curly mop hair. u I don't know if I would say this was a moment....but it was certainly a long ways up from where she had been 2 weeks ago with Runaway Baby and last week with the gospel song that turned into howling at the end.
Random thoughts: Does Randy's contract guarantee him so many minutes of air time each episode? What was the deal with him and Ryan and the hands. Do we think that Harry has any respect for Randy? Not only did he suggest last week that Randy was falling down on his mentoring, tonight he went into the *in it to win it* line which was about all Randy would ever say when he was judging other than *Yo Dawg* *I don't know what kind of artist you will be* shtick.
Another completely random thought: I don't like Taylor Swift.
I don't have any predictions for this week...I think maybe MK will be the one going home. I hope its not Jess and I'm pretty sure CJ redeemed himself. Maybe Ben in the bottom 3?
We will see tomorrow!
The show started with Sam Wolfe singing Come Together. I was wondering how this quiet shy guy was going to handle that song, which is known in Idol universe as belonging to Carly Smithson. He had much more energy, much more personality and while it wasn't a moment it was a whole lot better than his performance last week. Harry said it was an average performance and it wasn't Carly Smithson worthy, but at least the guy made some eye contact (and a little more) with the world. He didn't need a style makeover at all. He is just perfect looking.
Jessica chose The Sound of Silence which disappointed me a little bit. I thought she did a wonderful job and didn't notice the *something off* that JLo mentioned. Sadly, this is not a killer song from an audience perspective and I'm afraid her votes will suffer for it. I'm getting a little worried/irritated by her performance style. She almost has an indifferent look on her face. Now we know she isn't indifferent about her music so what is that about? If you look at her videos on Youtube (and she has quite a few) its the same blank face...I want to see some expression from her. Her hair and makeup were a little more polished but she really wasn't one of the slobs that needed a makeover. She is quite beautiful (I wonder if this is part of JLo's problem with her).
I'm going to say CJ was the most improved. He got a new guitar and I'm thrilled for him. I love that guy. And he gave it his all tonight with Can't You See. This was not Karoake and was damn near a moment. He didn't need much styling either since he abandoned that baseball cap a few weeks back and seems to like his fedora like leather hat.
They took Dexter to the woodshed, tied his carcass down, and cleaned him the heck up! No more backward baseball cap, no more tight tee shirt that shows his man boobs. He had a real hairstyle and while this guy is never gonna be a looker, he at least didn't look like he was on a casting call for a remake of Deliverance. I thought his rendention of Sweet Home Alabama was OK but nothing special. I don't think he is going much beyond karoake. I didn't have to worry about him mumbling the words because of course I know them.
Ben was also taken to the woodshed. Was he in a suit? The baseball cap was gone, his hair was slicked back and he almost looked debonair. Sadly, his Benny and the Jets should have stayed in the woodshed with his baseball hat. He just didn't give it the joy/energy/fun that the song should have. This song belongs to Haley Reinhardt in the Idol world and he didn't even begin to approach her version. Bad song choice. Not a great performance. He should be in trouble but probably will not be.
Majesty Rose sang Let It Go from Frozen and she really did look like she was doing a Broadway production. This girl baffles me. Sometimes I like her and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I think she is sincere and other times I think she is a phony baloney. This was a good performance I guess but I don't think its going down in Idol history.
They didn't cut Caleb's hair but I think he wore a suit. I really didn't focus too much because he still bores me. Jess said if Jack Black and Meatloaf had a son it would be Caleb. Yep...and I'm not a particular fan of them either. I don't hate the guy but I'm having a hard time getting excited about him. He sang Skyfall, a song I did not know and don't really care enough to learn better.
They almost made MK over too much. I didn't mind her sequined suit or that they took that ubiquitous backwards baseball cap off of her but they put on too much makeup and the hair just screamed *I'm a lesbian* too darn much. At least they didn't give her a mullet! I love this girl and I don't like to see her typecast as *the lesbian*. Jlo had to mention kd Lang? WTH? I thought she did a fine job on her song and was trying to connect and did at certain moments. I still think she will be in trouble though.
Ok, just when I'm not hating on Alex Preston all that much he does something like pick Falling Slowly and act like its this obscure arty song that no one has ever heard. We have heard it, Alex. Kris Allen did the ultimate solo version (yours did not measure up) and Lee and Crystal did the ultimate duet and we can put this song in the vault with Hallelujah...ok? I was so mad at him for picking this song and acting all high and mighty about it that I really didn't focus on the performance.
Jena Irene, who was in the bottom 3 last week, went back to her piano to sing a song from the movie Twilight which I did not know. I guess it was good. But she doesn't move me. I just don't like belters all that much. If I were doing her makeover I would tone down that helmet hair but I'm evidently in the minority on that as the stylists left it alone.
The pimp spot went to Malaya whose feet they almost nailed to the floor so she could calm down and sing one of the songs from Dream Girls. I think she was less screechy this week and I like her straight hair but sort of miss the cookiness of her curly mop hair. u I don't know if I would say this was a moment....but it was certainly a long ways up from where she had been 2 weeks ago with Runaway Baby and last week with the gospel song that turned into howling at the end.
Random thoughts: Does Randy's contract guarantee him so many minutes of air time each episode? What was the deal with him and Ryan and the hands. Do we think that Harry has any respect for Randy? Not only did he suggest last week that Randy was falling down on his mentoring, tonight he went into the *in it to win it* line which was about all Randy would ever say when he was judging other than *Yo Dawg* *I don't know what kind of artist you will be* shtick.
Another completely random thought: I don't like Taylor Swift.
I don't have any predictions for this week...I think maybe MK will be the one going home. I hope its not Jess and I'm pretty sure CJ redeemed himself. Maybe Ben in the bottom 3?
We will see tomorrow!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
I Would Say Ooh La La
In fact, I think I will say ooh la la. Emily Piriz, Angie Miller's half-baked clone, was in the bottom 3 and then to her complete amazement, found herself ooo oo oo oo ooo oo oo...going Home. I could not feel one bit sad. And here is why. I told you she was a passive/aggressive mean girl last week. This week, at the group dinner, she just HAD to say *Jess, they said you were sharp the whole way through your song!* in a fake sympathetic voice. Well sweetie, karma bit you.
As for the rest of the show, I thought the bit where Harry had to apologize to the contestants for being honest with them was a bit unnecessary. None of them were great last night. He wasn't sarcastically mean like Simon used to be, he gave them constructive criticism in a pretty kind way. Oh well. Keep it up Harry.
Phillip Phillips was fine...his performance contrasted with the contestants last night was indeed a demonstration of good v. meh, of but of course he has 2 years of touring under his belt. He still makes odd grimaces when he sings. I find it distracting. Good for him for his sucess.
Kodaline, Randy's pick for up and coming artist was just above meh to me. I'm not a fan of men singing falsetto ever and I'm really not a fan of them singing the entire song in falsetto. I'm glad they put the hashtag up with the band's name because I couldn't understand if they were calling them Coda Line, Coat of Lion, Tow the Line or what. I guess its supposed to be a clever transposition of Line of Code? Who knows.
Poor MK was in the bottom 3 again and I felt bad for her. I really thought Malaya or CJ might end up there this week but I guess JLo's goosies got Malaya over the hump this week.
As for the save, I would have been really irritated if they had wasted it on Emily Piriz. I was surprised the public voted her in the top 13 to begin with given what I perceived as her road kill version of Paris (Ooh La La) on the first live show. I think she thought she was pretty clever doing a JLo song but it evidently backfired. I have no doubt JLo wanted to save her (guilt because she went home on a JLo song?) but fortunately, at least one of the guys (and my guess is Harry who I think saw she was a lightweight compared to some of the others) said no. To be honest, however, based on last night's performances, I'm not sure ANY of them deserved a save.
Next week's theme is songs from the Cinema. I might know some of them.
As for the rest of the show, I thought the bit where Harry had to apologize to the contestants for being honest with them was a bit unnecessary. None of them were great last night. He wasn't sarcastically mean like Simon used to be, he gave them constructive criticism in a pretty kind way. Oh well. Keep it up Harry.
Phillip Phillips was fine...his performance contrasted with the contestants last night was indeed a demonstration of good v. meh, of but of course he has 2 years of touring under his belt. He still makes odd grimaces when he sings. I find it distracting. Good for him for his sucess.
Kodaline, Randy's pick for up and coming artist was just above meh to me. I'm not a fan of men singing falsetto ever and I'm really not a fan of them singing the entire song in falsetto. I'm glad they put the hashtag up with the band's name because I couldn't understand if they were calling them Coda Line, Coat of Lion, Tow the Line or what. I guess its supposed to be a clever transposition of Line of Code? Who knows.
Poor MK was in the bottom 3 again and I felt bad for her. I really thought Malaya or CJ might end up there this week but I guess JLo's goosies got Malaya over the hump this week.
As for the save, I would have been really irritated if they had wasted it on Emily Piriz. I was surprised the public voted her in the top 13 to begin with given what I perceived as her road kill version of Paris (Ooh La La) on the first live show. I think she thought she was pretty clever doing a JLo song but it evidently backfired. I have no doubt JLo wanted to save her (guilt because she went home on a JLo song?) but fortunately, at least one of the guys (and my guess is Harry who I think saw she was a lightweight compared to some of the others) said no. To be honest, however, based on last night's performances, I'm not sure ANY of them deserved a save.
Next week's theme is songs from the Cinema. I might know some of them.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Waiting On the Meh to Change
I'm flummoxed and disappointed. We have three judges who all get along and are making surprisingly insightful comments to the contestants each week (even JLo). We have a new paradigm for song choices and themes, allowing the contestants to go with what they want and rationalize it for us later. We are hearing some music we have never heard on Idol before. And its all a big MEH.
I have basically nothing to say about any of the performances tonight so I will do what Paula always did when she had nothing to say (about every time) and talk about how the contestants looked. Beyond that...I got nothing!
The theme for tonight was Home and we heard a little bit about why each contestant loves their home town, family and friends. Of course its only a coincidence that this theme was chosen the week that Phillip Phillips is returning to perform. There was very little Home in the song choices tonight but the theme was broad enough to include just about anything that the contestants wanted to sing because *it reminds me of Home*.
Jena Irene (her family messed up and mentioned her real surname of Aciotto or Prosciutto taking away some of the glamour) sang Suddenly I See. This was an upbeat song with a lot of words which I didn't really catch because I don't know the song so I didn't get the meaning of it. I suppose she sang it fine. Harry wanted more energy. I wanted less ham. I really wish she would ditch the coal black helmet hair and at least get some highlights or something put in. The color ages her and makes her look trashy. Maybe I associate dyed black hair with skankiness because all of the girls we considered fast in high school seemed to have dyed black hair and heavy eye makeup. We called them *hoods* back then. Its not a good look for anybody.
Alex sang a song I maybe have heard once or twice in my life, I Dont Wanna Be. It had a pretty good message but he did such an artsy fartsy performance of it I didn't really enjoy it. JLo appreciated he tried to do something different with it but indicated he had done it wrong. I'm not a fan of his bouffant hairdo. But he really has little to work with poor guy.
My girl Jessica sang White Flag by Dido. I don't know the song and I don't know Dido (maybe I have heard her name once or twice?) which is not Jessica's fault. She was not on tonight. I didn't notice her bad intonation until she bombed that high note...ouch. And she did lack some conviction in her delivery. She said she sings this a lot back home and maybe she has sung it too many times or maybe nerves got to her. I think she has added hair extensions which I don't approve of. I suspect she will be safe but if she does another one like this one she might find herself Slapout of time on Idol.
Dexter needed to redeem himself after that horrible mumbled performance last week and he did somewhat I think. At least i understood the words this week. Of course, I knew the words to Lucky Man so its hard to tell if his enunciation was better or I just didn't need his enunciation. I wish he wouldn't wear that white mesh hat backwards. It looks like he is wearing a hairnet serving swill in the food line at the state penitentiary.
Emily Piriz pandered by doing a JLo song. This is the first time Emily has mentioned she is Latina. I think Harry called it right when he said the song was too big for her. She looked fine. I still don't like her.
Caleb sang Working Man and sounded just like he did last week. Harry told him his performances were getting predictable. I harken back to James Durbin who was never predictable even though he was a rocker. Caleb bores me more and more each week and I normally enjoy the rockers.
Poor MK. She sang Drops of Jupiter which reminded her of her home in San Francisco. It was a sweet but not memorable performance and she does seem to lose focus during her performances. I'm pretty sure she will be in the bottom 3 again this week which is a shame because I do like her.
CJ, another favorite of mine, did marginally better this week with Wating on The World to Change. Keith told him its time to quit covering songs and make them his own. I think he will survive this week.
Sam Wolfe sang a song called Just One which was completely indistinguishable from the song he sang last week. Cannot complain about his looks or his voice but he is not bringing anything memorable to the stage either.
Malaya sang a contemporary Gospel song called Take Me to the King and she was doing fine until she stood up and started screaming. The judges were too kind to her I think.
Ben Briley seems like a nice guy. He really wants to do well. He sang Turning Home. The song had potential for a moment. It wasn't a moment.
Finally, Majesty Rose, who appears to be a judges favorite, sang Fix You. I didn't see anything wrong with it but it wasn't that special to me either.
Funny about Majesty who seems to be all sweetness and light. I noticed that when Jena was performing, Majesty had a sour look on her face and when the others stood and clapped for Jena, Majesty sat still. Wonder what that is about?
Maybe I'm crazy but I just think this week was meh. Maybe they need to start limiting the song choices and tightening up the themes again as these kids are going off the rails. Or maybe they shouldn't have put through so many kids.
I have basically nothing to say about any of the performances tonight so I will do what Paula always did when she had nothing to say (about every time) and talk about how the contestants looked. Beyond that...I got nothing!
The theme for tonight was Home and we heard a little bit about why each contestant loves their home town, family and friends. Of course its only a coincidence that this theme was chosen the week that Phillip Phillips is returning to perform. There was very little Home in the song choices tonight but the theme was broad enough to include just about anything that the contestants wanted to sing because *it reminds me of Home*.
Jena Irene (her family messed up and mentioned her real surname of Aciotto or Prosciutto taking away some of the glamour) sang Suddenly I See. This was an upbeat song with a lot of words which I didn't really catch because I don't know the song so I didn't get the meaning of it. I suppose she sang it fine. Harry wanted more energy. I wanted less ham. I really wish she would ditch the coal black helmet hair and at least get some highlights or something put in. The color ages her and makes her look trashy. Maybe I associate dyed black hair with skankiness because all of the girls we considered fast in high school seemed to have dyed black hair and heavy eye makeup. We called them *hoods* back then. Its not a good look for anybody.
Alex sang a song I maybe have heard once or twice in my life, I Dont Wanna Be. It had a pretty good message but he did such an artsy fartsy performance of it I didn't really enjoy it. JLo appreciated he tried to do something different with it but indicated he had done it wrong. I'm not a fan of his bouffant hairdo. But he really has little to work with poor guy.
My girl Jessica sang White Flag by Dido. I don't know the song and I don't know Dido (maybe I have heard her name once or twice?) which is not Jessica's fault. She was not on tonight. I didn't notice her bad intonation until she bombed that high note...ouch. And she did lack some conviction in her delivery. She said she sings this a lot back home and maybe she has sung it too many times or maybe nerves got to her. I think she has added hair extensions which I don't approve of. I suspect she will be safe but if she does another one like this one she might find herself Slapout of time on Idol.
Dexter needed to redeem himself after that horrible mumbled performance last week and he did somewhat I think. At least i understood the words this week. Of course, I knew the words to Lucky Man so its hard to tell if his enunciation was better or I just didn't need his enunciation. I wish he wouldn't wear that white mesh hat backwards. It looks like he is wearing a hairnet serving swill in the food line at the state penitentiary.
Emily Piriz pandered by doing a JLo song. This is the first time Emily has mentioned she is Latina. I think Harry called it right when he said the song was too big for her. She looked fine. I still don't like her.
Caleb sang Working Man and sounded just like he did last week. Harry told him his performances were getting predictable. I harken back to James Durbin who was never predictable even though he was a rocker. Caleb bores me more and more each week and I normally enjoy the rockers.
Poor MK. She sang Drops of Jupiter which reminded her of her home in San Francisco. It was a sweet but not memorable performance and she does seem to lose focus during her performances. I'm pretty sure she will be in the bottom 3 again this week which is a shame because I do like her.
CJ, another favorite of mine, did marginally better this week with Wating on The World to Change. Keith told him its time to quit covering songs and make them his own. I think he will survive this week.
Sam Wolfe sang a song called Just One which was completely indistinguishable from the song he sang last week. Cannot complain about his looks or his voice but he is not bringing anything memorable to the stage either.
Malaya sang a contemporary Gospel song called Take Me to the King and she was doing fine until she stood up and started screaming. The judges were too kind to her I think.
Ben Briley seems like a nice guy. He really wants to do well. He sang Turning Home. The song had potential for a moment. It wasn't a moment.
Finally, Majesty Rose, who appears to be a judges favorite, sang Fix You. I didn't see anything wrong with it but it wasn't that special to me either.
Funny about Majesty who seems to be all sweetness and light. I noticed that when Jena was performing, Majesty had a sour look on her face and when the others stood and clapped for Jena, Majesty sat still. Wonder what that is about?
Maybe I'm crazy but I just think this week was meh. Maybe they need to start limiting the song choices and tightening up the themes again as these kids are going off the rails. Or maybe they shouldn't have put through so many kids.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Class
I don't think anyone was surprised by tonight's elimination of Kristen O'Connor. I was surprised she made it this far. As I recall, I was surprised she made it to Hollywood. For some reason the judges loved her and didn't see the wooden pageant girl the rest of America saw. But I must say, hers was one of the classiest exits I have seen on this show. She didn't cry, she thanked the world and regrettably her emotional control may have been her downfall in the competition. That and wanting to sing Kelly Clarkson and Adele songs.
For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed the production tonight. The group song was current, Ryan was relaxed, the judges were funny when they should have been and serious when they should have been and didn't showboat at each other's expense, and the Dawg was marginally tolerable. We were also spared the Ford Video. I look back at last season when Ryan seemed in a perpetual bad mood and you know he has to be relieved at this year's dynamics. And I am so relieved that Keith survived last year's debacle. I am pretty much besotted with him along with every other woman in the free world (and maybe even Pussy Riot in Russia is too).
I found the *behind the scenes* look at the contestants a little forced. It did, however, confirm my opinion of Emily Piriz as the new Angie Miller. Everyone is having a nice time and then in her passive/aggressive way she says *oh we all get along so well I cannot believe someone is going home*. Way to pull everyone down with your fake concern Emily. Ugh.
As for the talent...at least last year gave us Candice Glover. I don't know why her album took so long to release but I hope it does well. I about cried when she sang Cried. I think its a great idea for the judges to promote new artists by giving them a showcase on Idol and Keith seemed very proud of Luke Bugg. I think I could acquire a taste for him as well. I worry about the dark circles under Mr. Bugg's eyes and hope they don't indicate a drug problem.
As for the two others in the bottom 3, I think Malaya's turn on the stool was justified. Girl just has to calm the heck down. They should give her a ballad next week and nail her feet to the floor. The only explanation I will accept for MK being in the bottom 3 is that a lot of people, like me, hated the song she sang and so didn't feel inspired to vote for her. If she does a good song next week (ballad..ballad...ballad) I think she will get voters back. I would have put Dexter on the stool instead of her. I have to say that CJ probably dodged a bullet this week too.
So, here is a toast to the classy Kristen...one of the few people in celebrity land whose name begins with a K who know the meaning of the word.
I do have to mention that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are remodeling their house in Bel Aire and have ordered gold plated toilets. Just thought you would like to know.
For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed the production tonight. The group song was current, Ryan was relaxed, the judges were funny when they should have been and serious when they should have been and didn't showboat at each other's expense, and the Dawg was marginally tolerable. We were also spared the Ford Video. I look back at last season when Ryan seemed in a perpetual bad mood and you know he has to be relieved at this year's dynamics. And I am so relieved that Keith survived last year's debacle. I am pretty much besotted with him along with every other woman in the free world (and maybe even Pussy Riot in Russia is too).
I found the *behind the scenes* look at the contestants a little forced. It did, however, confirm my opinion of Emily Piriz as the new Angie Miller. Everyone is having a nice time and then in her passive/aggressive way she says *oh we all get along so well I cannot believe someone is going home*. Way to pull everyone down with your fake concern Emily. Ugh.
As for the talent...at least last year gave us Candice Glover. I don't know why her album took so long to release but I hope it does well. I about cried when she sang Cried. I think its a great idea for the judges to promote new artists by giving them a showcase on Idol and Keith seemed very proud of Luke Bugg. I think I could acquire a taste for him as well. I worry about the dark circles under Mr. Bugg's eyes and hope they don't indicate a drug problem.
As for the two others in the bottom 3, I think Malaya's turn on the stool was justified. Girl just has to calm the heck down. They should give her a ballad next week and nail her feet to the floor. The only explanation I will accept for MK being in the bottom 3 is that a lot of people, like me, hated the song she sang and so didn't feel inspired to vote for her. If she does a good song next week (ballad..ballad...ballad) I think she will get voters back. I would have put Dexter on the stool instead of her. I have to say that CJ probably dodged a bullet this week too.
So, here is a toast to the classy Kristen...one of the few people in celebrity land whose name begins with a K who know the meaning of the word.
I do have to mention that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are remodeling their house in Bel Aire and have ordered gold plated toilets. Just thought you would like to know.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
This Is ME!
Oh I just knew my days as a blogger were not over yet. I have a new villian (or maybe 2) and so I'm on a roll again! So, this is ME!
First, I have to comment on the voting changes. For years on the AI official forum (which as you recall banned me for life for quoting Dorothy Parker last year...but it doesn't matter now because they have discontinued it probably because they banned everyone interesting and people quit posting out of sheer boredom) people have been begging the show to limit the votes to avoid conspiracy theories about super smart Asians hacking the AI lines to vote for Filipinos. Or gay haters at AT&T throwing away all the votes for Adam Lambert so Kris Allen could win. Well, now the votes are limited to 50 with each method. And you can text with any carrier (is AT&T no longer a sponsor....I think that may be the answer to this long time coming change). And, a new twist announced tonight....each contestant will keep their number all season long or for as long as their season lasts. This may prove problematic for long time viewers or old timers. To make things harder for old timers, they have switched to putting the vote information in small print during the performances...something I didn't notice until half way through the show tonight. And you can spend the whole show now voting instead of watching.
Overall, I think all of them performed better than they did last week which is understandable given that they weren't on pins and needles in a holding area waiting to sing or be chopped. Also, last week was the first time most of them had used ear monitors which may account for some of the *intonation* issues. So...a new start for them all tonight and they were supposed to choose songs which would tell the audience *this is me* as an artist. Most of them got the message but some of them seemed to choose a song they liked (or already knew) and try to make it fit. And by the end of the show I was pretty tired of hearing about the *journey* they are on. Why not just pick a Journey song and call it a wrap?
Contestant #1, Dexter, at least got the assignment right. He is a *fun* guy and he wanted to sing a *fun* song. I believe Ryan forgot to tell us what song it was and the original artist(s). This was unfortunate because he sang it like a manure salesmen with samples in his mouth. I could not get one word of the lyrics. I suppose his voice was fine enough but what is country music without the story? The judges are harping on him being unoriginal and I have to agree with them. But he is likeable and I think will get votes.
Contestant #2, Malaya, was full of energy. I just love this girl but I had hoped she would get some of that energy used up before she basically made a track meet out of Runaway Baby. She screamed it seemed to me. Stop that screaming Malaya. Calm the heck down. I don't want you to go home yet but this was not that endearing.
Kristen O'Connor, contestant #3, sang a Kelly Clarkson song, Beautiful Disaster. She said she was taking the lyrics and singing it about her instead of some guy. I think she knew the song and wanted to sing it and came up with a goofy explanation about why she did. It is just too easy to call this performance a Beautiful Disaster but that is what it was. Harry said she was out of tune. I wouldn't be sad if she was out of the contest but she is not a villain, just not any different from any other pretty girl singing in the Miss America pageant whose real life path is working for world peace by becoming a news anchor and not being a pop star.
Ben Briley, contestant #4, sang the first song I knew tonight, Folsum Prison Blues. He sang it very fast. He sang it very well. I would have preferred him making it a touch slower but it was good and he loved doing it. I think he will get lots of votes.
Keith and Harry disagreed about my guy CJ's performance (#5). I wish it had been a little stronger because I adore him. But he at least got the assignment right and related it to him being a little kid driving in the car listening to the radio. I hope he sticks around awhile. I like his *crying* voice too and want to hear it but he is basically an upbeat guy so it would not have been him to be morose.
The judges loved MK Robilette's Satisfaction (#6). I could never hear that song again and be happy. She sang it well I suppose but because I didn't like the song and didn't get how it related to her at all (other than to show she could do something besides ballads) I wasn't thrilled with her performance. She is beautiful though. I want to hear her sing a better song next week.
Majesty Rose, #7, sang Tightrope and gave a pretty plausible reason for doing so. She is growing on me. I thought hers was one of the best performances of the night.
Jena Irene, #8 sang The Scientist. I have no idea what this had to do with her either other than she knew the song because she has been singing it since she was nine years old. I'm putting this song on the list with Hallelujah, I Who Have Nothing, and any Whitney Houston song, as one which should never be sung on Idol again. She reminds me of Lauren Alaina and not just because she dumped her last name. Micheal Slezak, the TV Line Blogger, loves this girl. I do not. I'm not a fan of belters and I don't see why the judges don't hear the screaming when these diva wanna bees start belting. But they don't.
Alex Preston, #9, sang *A Beautiful Mess*. I cannot remember why he chose this song but it was, to use an overused Randy Jackson expression *in his wheelhouse*. I like the staging. He did a fine job and I think his fish faces were minimal tonight.
My favorite, Jessica Muese, sang a song I do not know but which I loved...the Crow and the Butterfly. I loved it. I love her. I want America to vote for her and not all those young kids. I'm afraid they will not.
My new villian is Emily Piriz who is rapidly becoming the second coming of Angie Miller, fakey smiles, eye sexing the camera, and flipping hair extensions and all. Slezak and Melinda Doolittle didn't get why she was voted into the top 10 and could only explain it at American feeling sorry for her because Harry was hard on her for picking that stupid ooh la la song last week. Harry still doesn't like her and I thought he was restraining himself tonight when he praised her performance. She sang Glitter in the Air by Pink and belted it enough that she will get the votes from those people who voted for Angie Miller last year and Pia several years before. ARRGH. I don't like her and I KNOW she spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting her little facial expressions to appear oh so appealingly Angie Miller (she probably watched her Youtube videos ad nauseum). The good thing is my snark now has something to quench its appetite.
Dear sweet Sam Wolfe, #12, is not going home for a very long time. He sang Unwell (again I didn't get why it is him). I think it could have had more passion but he is a kid and probably hasn't experienced anything more painful than stepping on a sea urchin. If I had a pink cell phone with rhinestones on the cover, I would have voted for #12 even more than the 50 votes allowed. As I do not, I voted for Jessica instead.
Caleb the Rocker, #13, got the pimp spot. He proved he can sing a rock song. He can swing around the microphone stand really well too. He still sort of bores me.
So, let me know if you agree or disagree with me on this first show.
I have no idea who is going home but I'm afraid it might be CJ. My hope would be Kristin or Emily but I think there are enough people who get impressed by screamers to keep them in this week.
Correction: I went back to my early audition blogs and see that I am wrong about Sam Wolfe and his life pain. His back story (which mercifully we haven't heard about since the audition) is that he lives with grandparents because his parents are *out of the picture*. So as perfect as he looks, and as perfect as he sings he hasn't had a perfect life. I bet if he has any success here one or both parents will reappear with their hands out. Let us hope he doesn't give them any money.
First, I have to comment on the voting changes. For years on the AI official forum (which as you recall banned me for life for quoting Dorothy Parker last year...but it doesn't matter now because they have discontinued it probably because they banned everyone interesting and people quit posting out of sheer boredom) people have been begging the show to limit the votes to avoid conspiracy theories about super smart Asians hacking the AI lines to vote for Filipinos. Or gay haters at AT&T throwing away all the votes for Adam Lambert so Kris Allen could win. Well, now the votes are limited to 50 with each method. And you can text with any carrier (is AT&T no longer a sponsor....I think that may be the answer to this long time coming change). And, a new twist announced tonight....each contestant will keep their number all season long or for as long as their season lasts. This may prove problematic for long time viewers or old timers. To make things harder for old timers, they have switched to putting the vote information in small print during the performances...something I didn't notice until half way through the show tonight. And you can spend the whole show now voting instead of watching.
Overall, I think all of them performed better than they did last week which is understandable given that they weren't on pins and needles in a holding area waiting to sing or be chopped. Also, last week was the first time most of them had used ear monitors which may account for some of the *intonation* issues. So...a new start for them all tonight and they were supposed to choose songs which would tell the audience *this is me* as an artist. Most of them got the message but some of them seemed to choose a song they liked (or already knew) and try to make it fit. And by the end of the show I was pretty tired of hearing about the *journey* they are on. Why not just pick a Journey song and call it a wrap?
Contestant #1, Dexter, at least got the assignment right. He is a *fun* guy and he wanted to sing a *fun* song. I believe Ryan forgot to tell us what song it was and the original artist(s). This was unfortunate because he sang it like a manure salesmen with samples in his mouth. I could not get one word of the lyrics. I suppose his voice was fine enough but what is country music without the story? The judges are harping on him being unoriginal and I have to agree with them. But he is likeable and I think will get votes.
Contestant #2, Malaya, was full of energy. I just love this girl but I had hoped she would get some of that energy used up before she basically made a track meet out of Runaway Baby. She screamed it seemed to me. Stop that screaming Malaya. Calm the heck down. I don't want you to go home yet but this was not that endearing.
Kristen O'Connor, contestant #3, sang a Kelly Clarkson song, Beautiful Disaster. She said she was taking the lyrics and singing it about her instead of some guy. I think she knew the song and wanted to sing it and came up with a goofy explanation about why she did. It is just too easy to call this performance a Beautiful Disaster but that is what it was. Harry said she was out of tune. I wouldn't be sad if she was out of the contest but she is not a villain, just not any different from any other pretty girl singing in the Miss America pageant whose real life path is working for world peace by becoming a news anchor and not being a pop star.
Ben Briley, contestant #4, sang the first song I knew tonight, Folsum Prison Blues. He sang it very fast. He sang it very well. I would have preferred him making it a touch slower but it was good and he loved doing it. I think he will get lots of votes.
Keith and Harry disagreed about my guy CJ's performance (#5). I wish it had been a little stronger because I adore him. But he at least got the assignment right and related it to him being a little kid driving in the car listening to the radio. I hope he sticks around awhile. I like his *crying* voice too and want to hear it but he is basically an upbeat guy so it would not have been him to be morose.
The judges loved MK Robilette's Satisfaction (#6). I could never hear that song again and be happy. She sang it well I suppose but because I didn't like the song and didn't get how it related to her at all (other than to show she could do something besides ballads) I wasn't thrilled with her performance. She is beautiful though. I want to hear her sing a better song next week.
Majesty Rose, #7, sang Tightrope and gave a pretty plausible reason for doing so. She is growing on me. I thought hers was one of the best performances of the night.
Jena Irene, #8 sang The Scientist. I have no idea what this had to do with her either other than she knew the song because she has been singing it since she was nine years old. I'm putting this song on the list with Hallelujah, I Who Have Nothing, and any Whitney Houston song, as one which should never be sung on Idol again. She reminds me of Lauren Alaina and not just because she dumped her last name. Micheal Slezak, the TV Line Blogger, loves this girl. I do not. I'm not a fan of belters and I don't see why the judges don't hear the screaming when these diva wanna bees start belting. But they don't.
Alex Preston, #9, sang *A Beautiful Mess*. I cannot remember why he chose this song but it was, to use an overused Randy Jackson expression *in his wheelhouse*. I like the staging. He did a fine job and I think his fish faces were minimal tonight.
My favorite, Jessica Muese, sang a song I do not know but which I loved...the Crow and the Butterfly. I loved it. I love her. I want America to vote for her and not all those young kids. I'm afraid they will not.
My new villian is Emily Piriz who is rapidly becoming the second coming of Angie Miller, fakey smiles, eye sexing the camera, and flipping hair extensions and all. Slezak and Melinda Doolittle didn't get why she was voted into the top 10 and could only explain it at American feeling sorry for her because Harry was hard on her for picking that stupid ooh la la song last week. Harry still doesn't like her and I thought he was restraining himself tonight when he praised her performance. She sang Glitter in the Air by Pink and belted it enough that she will get the votes from those people who voted for Angie Miller last year and Pia several years before. ARRGH. I don't like her and I KNOW she spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting her little facial expressions to appear oh so appealingly Angie Miller (she probably watched her Youtube videos ad nauseum). The good thing is my snark now has something to quench its appetite.
Dear sweet Sam Wolfe, #12, is not going home for a very long time. He sang Unwell (again I didn't get why it is him). I think it could have had more passion but he is a kid and probably hasn't experienced anything more painful than stepping on a sea urchin. If I had a pink cell phone with rhinestones on the cover, I would have voted for #12 even more than the 50 votes allowed. As I do not, I voted for Jessica instead.
Caleb the Rocker, #13, got the pimp spot. He proved he can sing a rock song. He can swing around the microphone stand really well too. He still sort of bores me.
So, let me know if you agree or disagree with me on this first show.
I have no idea who is going home but I'm afraid it might be CJ. My hope would be Kristin or Emily but I think there are enough people who get impressed by screamers to keep them in this week.
Correction: I went back to my early audition blogs and see that I am wrong about Sam Wolfe and his life pain. His back story (which mercifully we haven't heard about since the audition) is that he lives with grandparents because his parents are *out of the picture*. So as perfect as he looks, and as perfect as he sings he hasn't had a perfect life. I bet if he has any success here one or both parents will reappear with their hands out. Let us hope he doesn't give them any money.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
How Am I Supposed To Blog Without You?
I am nearly 100% happy pappy with the results tonight but I am slightly concerned that I don't see any one I can be snarky about this season (with the possible exception of Fish Boy Alex Preston). I would have liked to see Briana Oakley make the cut instead of Emily Piriz or Kristen O'Conner and I would have liked to see Malcolm in place of Caleb but overall, I think America got it right.
The 10 America liked, in order of announcement were:
Malaya the Tuba Player. I love her spirit, her glasses, and her braces. Not sad she went through.
Ben Briley. I don't know why he was on the cusp to begin with especially considering they put the Fat Albert Kid and Emmanuelle ahead of him. America is going to like Ben for quite awhile. He may get old to me but I'm not sad he went through.
Emily Piriz. I have no idea what her appeal is. Maybe she got votes based on her Hollywood performance because I cannot imagine last night's performance appealed to anyone. Not sad she went through but hoping to be not sad when she goes home at 12 or 13.
Alex Preston. He was going to be the one I snarked about all season until Spinny came along and took over the prime villian of the season slot. I don't think he is a villian but I think he might be a Phil Phillips clone...pained faced and all. I was reminded by Slezak's blog that Volcano was one of Phillips' moments. It was too much to expect that a musician as good as Alex is would not make the top 13 either through votes or a wild card. Sad he went through and will be livid if he wins but for now I can live with it on the hopes he will screw up royally at some point.
Jessica Muese. I will root for her for as long as she stays on because I like music and I like that she is not some sweet young thing who just wants to wear pretty clothes and makeup (cough cough Borea and Mariella). Not sad at all she made it through. Will be sad when she goes home.
Dexter Roberts. Pretty much a foregone conclusion he was going through. Not sad but not inspired either. Note to the stylists: tight fitting shirts do not help his appearance. Man boobs are never attractive.
Caleb Johnson. Aack...sort of sad he went through but my hope is he will be gone soon.
Majesty Rose. She deserved it even if she has a made up name. Not sad.
MK Nobilette. She was bound to go through either with votes or a wild card. I'm glad she got the votes because it proves that the AI voters are not all bigots as has been posited in prior years.
Sam Wolfe. What a sweet young man. He reminds me of my nephew (although my nephew cannot sing) who I miss very very much. Not sad at all about this one.
Now for the wild cards. I didn't agree with them giving Borea and Spinny a second chance but thank goodness they failed to impress. Jena Irene is a belter and I suppose we have to have at least one. Kristen still seems vapid and pageanty to me but we will see. And, I was happy to see my man CJ get in the top 13. I'm surprised he didn't get more votes because he is such a sweet heart.
Have to let a little snark out about Borea and Spinny. Borea comes on all OMG OMG OMG and then says *oh your going to get something from me* or some trash talk like that. She's flashing her eyes and her fake smile and making little head motions to show how *polished* she is as a performer but she just looks like a Toddlers and Tiara contestant (I really think she out Lauren Alaina'd Lauren Alaina in that respect). Thank goodness for Harry to bring the judges down to earth because I think last year's panel with Nicki in the lead would have given her a standing ovation and crowned her queen. Borea didn't get the message that there is a new sheriff in town and cutesy expressions and flashy makeup and clothes do not make up for the fact that she stinks up the stage. She wanted this experience to become the artist that she is and I guess she now knows that she isn't the artist America wants to see. I suspect her biggest regret is that she will lose out on the weekly clothing allowance. Maybe she got some red soled shoes to take home with her as a consolation prize.
And then comes Spinny. Spinny...the time for singing a song about loving ordinary or not ordinary girls and gazing soulfully into the camera like you are really a sensitive soul was last night. My faith in America is renewed somewhat that he didn't get voted through and had to sing for his life. And of course, we all know he would not even deign to practice with ordinary girls in the group rounds. I suspect he would have no girl less than a perfect 10 because anything less would reflect badly on HIM. Good riddance but then again...how am I supposed to blog without you?
I'm excited about this season.
The 10 America liked, in order of announcement were:
Malaya the Tuba Player. I love her spirit, her glasses, and her braces. Not sad she went through.
Ben Briley. I don't know why he was on the cusp to begin with especially considering they put the Fat Albert Kid and Emmanuelle ahead of him. America is going to like Ben for quite awhile. He may get old to me but I'm not sad he went through.
Emily Piriz. I have no idea what her appeal is. Maybe she got votes based on her Hollywood performance because I cannot imagine last night's performance appealed to anyone. Not sad she went through but hoping to be not sad when she goes home at 12 or 13.
Alex Preston. He was going to be the one I snarked about all season until Spinny came along and took over the prime villian of the season slot. I don't think he is a villian but I think he might be a Phil Phillips clone...pained faced and all. I was reminded by Slezak's blog that Volcano was one of Phillips' moments. It was too much to expect that a musician as good as Alex is would not make the top 13 either through votes or a wild card. Sad he went through and will be livid if he wins but for now I can live with it on the hopes he will screw up royally at some point.
Jessica Muese. I will root for her for as long as she stays on because I like music and I like that she is not some sweet young thing who just wants to wear pretty clothes and makeup (cough cough Borea and Mariella). Not sad at all she made it through. Will be sad when she goes home.
Dexter Roberts. Pretty much a foregone conclusion he was going through. Not sad but not inspired either. Note to the stylists: tight fitting shirts do not help his appearance. Man boobs are never attractive.
Caleb Johnson. Aack...sort of sad he went through but my hope is he will be gone soon.
Majesty Rose. She deserved it even if she has a made up name. Not sad.
MK Nobilette. She was bound to go through either with votes or a wild card. I'm glad she got the votes because it proves that the AI voters are not all bigots as has been posited in prior years.
Sam Wolfe. What a sweet young man. He reminds me of my nephew (although my nephew cannot sing) who I miss very very much. Not sad at all about this one.
Now for the wild cards. I didn't agree with them giving Borea and Spinny a second chance but thank goodness they failed to impress. Jena Irene is a belter and I suppose we have to have at least one. Kristen still seems vapid and pageanty to me but we will see. And, I was happy to see my man CJ get in the top 13. I'm surprised he didn't get more votes because he is such a sweet heart.
Have to let a little snark out about Borea and Spinny. Borea comes on all OMG OMG OMG and then says *oh your going to get something from me* or some trash talk like that. She's flashing her eyes and her fake smile and making little head motions to show how *polished* she is as a performer but she just looks like a Toddlers and Tiara contestant (I really think she out Lauren Alaina'd Lauren Alaina in that respect). Thank goodness for Harry to bring the judges down to earth because I think last year's panel with Nicki in the lead would have given her a standing ovation and crowned her queen. Borea didn't get the message that there is a new sheriff in town and cutesy expressions and flashy makeup and clothes do not make up for the fact that she stinks up the stage. She wanted this experience to become the artist that she is and I guess she now knows that she isn't the artist America wants to see. I suspect her biggest regret is that she will lose out on the weekly clothing allowance. Maybe she got some red soled shoes to take home with her as a consolation prize.
And then comes Spinny. Spinny...the time for singing a song about loving ordinary or not ordinary girls and gazing soulfully into the camera like you are really a sensitive soul was last night. My faith in America is renewed somewhat that he didn't get voted through and had to sing for his life. And of course, we all know he would not even deign to practice with ordinary girls in the group rounds. I suspect he would have no girl less than a perfect 10 because anything less would reflect badly on HIM. Good riddance but then again...how am I supposed to blog without you?
I'm excited about this season.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Some Guy With Guitar ...
is going to win American Idol this season. I'm not saying the men are better as a group than the women and I'm not saying I'm rooting for some guy with a guitar but its going to happen. Looking at this top 10 or 15 men, and comparing it to last season, it is pretty darn clear that they culled out any male talent last year in an effort to get a girl winner (just as everyone suspected/knew).
I have only one guy I really want to see voted into the top 10 or get a wild card and that is CJ Harris. I just love him. I love his smile (bad teeth and all) and I love his attitude and I love that he goes against the grain of doing overwrought R&B that every black male has ever done on this show. If you love R&B and you love runs then you will not agree with me. I can live just fine with that.
Before I start on the talent, I have to ask: Who does Randy Jackson have compromising photos of or who is he sleeping with to even get the *mentor* job let alone be promoted so heavily during the broadcast. Seems like his face was EVERYWHERE tonight. I am as sick of Randy Randy Randy as Jan Brady was of Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. And I didn't mention Daughtry and Lambert much last night. Good men. Adam really does look more handsome without a ton of makeup on but its strange seeing him out of costume so to speak isn't it?
Speaking of handsome...the men may have an abundance of talent but sadly they have a dearth of good looks. Many are very unfortunate looking. This pains me only because it means that my least favorite is one of the two who is not unfortunate looking and will probably get votes from stupid girls who think he is cute.
First up tonight was Caleb whose style makeover was not apparent to me. I'm the last person to criticize his excessive girth and at least he knows he should lose a few pounds but does he have to be all sloppy haired too? He believes he is the rocker of the group and he certainly shouts loud enough but all I could think of was James Durbin and how Caleb failed to measure up to him (let alone a REAL rock star). He sang Stay With Me, a song I and the audience knows well (except I keep thinking that the lyrics are *in the morning I'll just kick you in the head* instead of *kick you out of the door*). So in addition to James Durbin, all I was thinking about during Caleb's performance was how stupid it was of me not to know the lyrics to Stay With Me. He actually kind of bores me.
My man, CJ Harris was next. I really wish he had followed the mentor's advice and ditched the guitar because I was thinking about whether the guitar was any good instead of listening to the song. I think he did a fine job even if it wasn't a moment. And even before Ryan mentioned his root canal, I made a note that he had some work done on his teeth. Dental work is expensive and he doesn't look like he came from money so I hope either the show paid for it or paid him enough to get the work done. I think he will get votes.
The judges tried to explain putting Emmanuel in the top 10 by saying he was a performer. He seems like a fun guy with a pleasant personality and he isn't unfortunate looking but he does have a fat butt which doesn't look so good swaying around in a semi-twerk. I thought it was interesting that the coaches said *you won't get a do over* but JLo gave him just that after his performance was so bad vocally. I wonder if she fought for him as opposed to Maurice Townsend or someone who can sing, and then felt she needed to prove she wasn't wrong. I will be surprised if this isn't the last time we see Emmanuel perform. I don't know what he sang except it was a lot of drama and if my cat had been watching she might have been interested in some of it.
OK, sweet Sam Wolfe. He tried so hard to keep from putting his head down and look confident but didn't quite make it. He is tween candy and might have sailed to the confetti a few years back on his looks alone. Sadly, tweens don't watch Idol anymore. Old ladies like me do. But that boy can sing. Perfect tone, perfect pitch. I like him and hope he makes it through. He kind of had that Lauren Bacall look where he had his head down but his eyes came up (You do know how to whistle don't you Steve?). For those of you too young to remember Lauren Bacall, think of Princess Diana when she wanted to show the press how sweet and sad she was. If you are too young to remember Princess Diana then I have no idea who you are and why you are reading this blog.
Ok, George Lovett did sail under the radar. I do not remember him at all. He sang Grenade and really went drama queen on us. He said Joshua Ledett was his favorite Idol and that was pretty clear. Its also pretty clear he is not going to go as far as Joshua Ledett. The judges were not impressed. This panel, thanks to Harry's influence I believe, but maybe Keith too, is not impressed by over the top drama. JLo suddenly doesn't like it either even though she was one of the judges who jumped up in a standing O in prior seasons whenever anyone so much as did one run.
OK, here comes This Old Boy, Dexter. Dexter is not only unfortunate looking he has the name of a character who was a serial killer on TV. He is good and the song suited him obviously, but I'm with Harry that he is going to have to add something a little more special to be a big name in country music. He may be able to do that and I suspect he will make it through with the country voters backing him.
I was so hoping not to hear Alex Preston's name. He really is all about his instruments and I'm not referring to his voice. If anyone else had sung that song and was going in his musical direction, I would be rooting for him. He bothered me less tonight than in prior performances but he still makes a snarly fish face on some of his words. Maybe he will make it through. I'm going to lay off of him tonight because I have bigger fish to fry. I did like Harry's educational contribution about *ending on the 9*. It almost makes me want to take Music Theory 101.
Malcolm Allen almost made me cry. I like him a lot too. I don't know why they said he didn't feel the song. I thought he did. I also liked his expression *cool beans*. A good friend of mine used that expression a lot and it made me think of him. I'm afraid he is cool beans on toast though with the bad reviews he got from the judges.
I was surprised that Ben Briley was chosen for the vote off because I thought he was one of the stronger of the guys all along. Tonight was the first we have heard of his musical heritage (I think). Tonight was also the first time I saw his eyes. He wouldn't give up on that stupid hat but at least he put it on backwards (not a look I normally approve of) so we could see them. I was beginning to think perhaps he had little ferret eyes or something he was so determined to keep them out of sight. But they are actually quite nice eyes. I tried to do some research on his mother and grandmother and didn't find anything yet but I did learn that he is a public relations professional and college graduate which is entirely inconsistent with his *shucks I'm from the hills of Tennessee just down the road from Butcher Holler* (which is in Kentucky but you get my point) persona.
And finally, just as I was about to be all happy pappy and relaxed, they bring out the mean boy Spinny. HIS name should be Dexter. This guy will get the teen votes and maybe the frauen votes because he is one of the only guys who is not completely unfortunate looking in the competition and sings pretty well. Tonight he did not. Harry won my heart when he said *that was not good*. It won't matter. I have no faith that Idol voters will find him as repulsive as I do. I did notice that when given conflicting advice about whether to play his guitar, he followed Adam's advice. I think he sang something about love not dying. My soul was dying watching him.
All in all, I thought tonight's performances were about as rocky as the women's performances were last night. Given the circumstances, we probably shouldn't have expected anything else. I still don't understand why Savion Wright didn't make the top 31 over that little Fat Albert kid. I don't understand by Borea and Marielle got in the top 10 over some of the other girls. I really hoped with the new producer that Idol would get past its obsession with finding the new Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus by promoting these young kids over talent over 20.
I have only one guy I really want to see voted into the top 10 or get a wild card and that is CJ Harris. I just love him. I love his smile (bad teeth and all) and I love his attitude and I love that he goes against the grain of doing overwrought R&B that every black male has ever done on this show. If you love R&B and you love runs then you will not agree with me. I can live just fine with that.
Before I start on the talent, I have to ask: Who does Randy Jackson have compromising photos of or who is he sleeping with to even get the *mentor* job let alone be promoted so heavily during the broadcast. Seems like his face was EVERYWHERE tonight. I am as sick of Randy Randy Randy as Jan Brady was of Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. And I didn't mention Daughtry and Lambert much last night. Good men. Adam really does look more handsome without a ton of makeup on but its strange seeing him out of costume so to speak isn't it?
Speaking of handsome...the men may have an abundance of talent but sadly they have a dearth of good looks. Many are very unfortunate looking. This pains me only because it means that my least favorite is one of the two who is not unfortunate looking and will probably get votes from stupid girls who think he is cute.
First up tonight was Caleb whose style makeover was not apparent to me. I'm the last person to criticize his excessive girth and at least he knows he should lose a few pounds but does he have to be all sloppy haired too? He believes he is the rocker of the group and he certainly shouts loud enough but all I could think of was James Durbin and how Caleb failed to measure up to him (let alone a REAL rock star). He sang Stay With Me, a song I and the audience knows well (except I keep thinking that the lyrics are *in the morning I'll just kick you in the head* instead of *kick you out of the door*). So in addition to James Durbin, all I was thinking about during Caleb's performance was how stupid it was of me not to know the lyrics to Stay With Me. He actually kind of bores me.
My man, CJ Harris was next. I really wish he had followed the mentor's advice and ditched the guitar because I was thinking about whether the guitar was any good instead of listening to the song. I think he did a fine job even if it wasn't a moment. And even before Ryan mentioned his root canal, I made a note that he had some work done on his teeth. Dental work is expensive and he doesn't look like he came from money so I hope either the show paid for it or paid him enough to get the work done. I think he will get votes.
The judges tried to explain putting Emmanuel in the top 10 by saying he was a performer. He seems like a fun guy with a pleasant personality and he isn't unfortunate looking but he does have a fat butt which doesn't look so good swaying around in a semi-twerk. I thought it was interesting that the coaches said *you won't get a do over* but JLo gave him just that after his performance was so bad vocally. I wonder if she fought for him as opposed to Maurice Townsend or someone who can sing, and then felt she needed to prove she wasn't wrong. I will be surprised if this isn't the last time we see Emmanuel perform. I don't know what he sang except it was a lot of drama and if my cat had been watching she might have been interested in some of it.
OK, sweet Sam Wolfe. He tried so hard to keep from putting his head down and look confident but didn't quite make it. He is tween candy and might have sailed to the confetti a few years back on his looks alone. Sadly, tweens don't watch Idol anymore. Old ladies like me do. But that boy can sing. Perfect tone, perfect pitch. I like him and hope he makes it through. He kind of had that Lauren Bacall look where he had his head down but his eyes came up (You do know how to whistle don't you Steve?). For those of you too young to remember Lauren Bacall, think of Princess Diana when she wanted to show the press how sweet and sad she was. If you are too young to remember Princess Diana then I have no idea who you are and why you are reading this blog.
Ok, George Lovett did sail under the radar. I do not remember him at all. He sang Grenade and really went drama queen on us. He said Joshua Ledett was his favorite Idol and that was pretty clear. Its also pretty clear he is not going to go as far as Joshua Ledett. The judges were not impressed. This panel, thanks to Harry's influence I believe, but maybe Keith too, is not impressed by over the top drama. JLo suddenly doesn't like it either even though she was one of the judges who jumped up in a standing O in prior seasons whenever anyone so much as did one run.
OK, here comes This Old Boy, Dexter. Dexter is not only unfortunate looking he has the name of a character who was a serial killer on TV. He is good and the song suited him obviously, but I'm with Harry that he is going to have to add something a little more special to be a big name in country music. He may be able to do that and I suspect he will make it through with the country voters backing him.
I was so hoping not to hear Alex Preston's name. He really is all about his instruments and I'm not referring to his voice. If anyone else had sung that song and was going in his musical direction, I would be rooting for him. He bothered me less tonight than in prior performances but he still makes a snarly fish face on some of his words. Maybe he will make it through. I'm going to lay off of him tonight because I have bigger fish to fry. I did like Harry's educational contribution about *ending on the 9*. It almost makes me want to take Music Theory 101.
Malcolm Allen almost made me cry. I like him a lot too. I don't know why they said he didn't feel the song. I thought he did. I also liked his expression *cool beans*. A good friend of mine used that expression a lot and it made me think of him. I'm afraid he is cool beans on toast though with the bad reviews he got from the judges.
I was surprised that Ben Briley was chosen for the vote off because I thought he was one of the stronger of the guys all along. Tonight was the first we have heard of his musical heritage (I think). Tonight was also the first time I saw his eyes. He wouldn't give up on that stupid hat but at least he put it on backwards (not a look I normally approve of) so we could see them. I was beginning to think perhaps he had little ferret eyes or something he was so determined to keep them out of sight. But they are actually quite nice eyes. I tried to do some research on his mother and grandmother and didn't find anything yet but I did learn that he is a public relations professional and college graduate which is entirely inconsistent with his *shucks I'm from the hills of Tennessee just down the road from Butcher Holler* (which is in Kentucky but you get my point) persona.
And finally, just as I was about to be all happy pappy and relaxed, they bring out the mean boy Spinny. HIS name should be Dexter. This guy will get the teen votes and maybe the frauen votes because he is one of the only guys who is not completely unfortunate looking in the competition and sings pretty well. Tonight he did not. Harry won my heart when he said *that was not good*. It won't matter. I have no faith that Idol voters will find him as repulsive as I do. I did notice that when given conflicting advice about whether to play his guitar, he followed Adam's advice. I think he sang something about love not dying. My soul was dying watching him.
All in all, I thought tonight's performances were about as rocky as the women's performances were last night. Given the circumstances, we probably shouldn't have expected anything else. I still don't understand why Savion Wright didn't make the top 31 over that little Fat Albert kid. I don't understand by Borea and Marielle got in the top 10 over some of the other girls. I really hoped with the new producer that Idol would get past its obsession with finding the new Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus by promoting these young kids over talent over 20.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Its Just Emotion Thats (Not) Taking Me Over
Having missed last week's dramatic announcements of the top 31, I was unaware of this week's schedule change but miraculously seated myself on my broken down couch at 7:10 just in time to see the end of what appeared to be a showcase of Randy in his new role as mentor. He seemed to be just as inspirational as a mentor as he was as a judge but maybe they couldn't reach an amicable deal with him on remaining contract obligations? At least they brought in real people, Daughtry and Lambert, to do the actual mentoring as opposed to saying *give it your all*. Although some of the contestants' conversations with Randy were revealing.
So, I'm gathering that the top 15 women, after rush week, have been pared down to the ten ladies we will hear tonight. It also appears they have changed the voting rules allowing only a total of 150 votes using each method. They also changed the phone number after 12 years and even after 10 contestants, I'm not sure I have it down right.
A few general comments. What is it with these girls having stage names when they haven't been on a stage before? Majesty Rose, Jena Irene, and Bria Anai (Johnson). Shades of Lauren Alaina (who lost her real last name, Suddeth, somewhere on the road from Georgia to Hollywood with the assistance of her stage mom) and that is not one I prefer anyone to emulate. So, these contestants are coming on with one strike from me already.
Since I normally love the women/girls performances more than the boys, I was hoping for some emotional inspiration tonight. Sadly, it was sorely lacking with one or two minor exceptions. I'm going to go first with the ones I hope make the top 10/13 in no particular order.
Briana Oakley's was the first performance that moved me one little bit. She says she is somewhat of a perfectionist and the coaches said she needed to loosen up. She sang Warrior and I thought it was very good. The judges were not so impressed. I think the judges were crazy on this one. I loved her voice, I loved the high notes that Harry cautioned her against relying on so heavily (not all of them were huge high notes, some were subdued) and while I really wasn't very familiar with the song, I felt something from her. I'm afraid she is going to be lost in the shuffle though because she didn't get raves from the judges and because of the order in which she sang.
I waited a long time for them to call Jessica Muese's name and I watched her in the intervals and she was having a hard time being happy. I think she sensed doom as all the pretty young thing's names were called before her. But I loved her country song and twang and wanted the song to go on for awhile. I'm hoping country fans will vote her through and maybe her semi-emotional response at the end will get her some votes. She is interesting to me. I think she is an original.
I did not really remember MK Nobilette until she started singing and then I did. As she said last week, she is obviously gay and has obviously gay mothers. She moves me. I like that she is not over the top and I know she moved the audience. I'm thinking she ought to be a shoe-in for the top 10 but if she isn't, she will be a wild card. And rightfully so. And it doesn't hurt that she is really truly a beauty. I would have killed for that skin when I was her age.
I loved Malaya the tuba player in her auditions because she is just so dorky. Doesn't hurt that way back in the day when my grade school talked about having a band and giving band lessons I wanted to play the tuba myself. I never got the tuba and as I recall the whole band idea fizzled out from either lack of interest or lack of funds. Her rendition of Ray Charles' Hard Times was over the top but to me, it was over the top in a good genuine way as opposed to some other over the top performances I will get to shortly.
To me the rest of the performers were just also ran and fodder but sadly, I think some of them will impress the voters enough to be in the top 5.
Majesty Rose seems like a sweet girl. JLo clearly loves her (it helps she is not too pretty...JLo does not like any challengers to her fairest in the land image). I was not familiar with the song and it was just sort of so so to me. At least she didn't do a bunch of excessive showy runs and she does not strike me as a diva wanna bee so I'm ok with her.
Christen O'Connor is obviously a good person because she is a nurse but to me she is just another pretty girl with a pretty voice and awesome hair extensions. Her cover of Turn the Tables by Adele got more praise from the the judges than I thought it deserved. This song SHOULD have made me cry. It did not. I don't dislike her but I will be disappointed if she makes it past this round instead of one of my favorites.
Jena Irene got decent reviews from the judges but I thought her performance of Paint It Black was a HOT MESS! She sang it too fast it seemed to me and she had no friggin idea what the song was about other than *darkness*. If Mick Jagger had a grave he would be turning in it and I know Siobahn Magnus from Season 9 was cringing. I really do NOT get the judges fascination with her and while JLo thought she was sultry, I just thought her demeanor was trashy. Plus, she looked like she needed a shower.
Bria Anai (Johnson) has been on my hit list since her audition with her horrible stage mother. Bria is in love with herself and her talent and already thinks she can go toe to toe with Rihanna and Beyonce. When Randy asked her what she hoped to get out of the extensive musical and performance coaching they were offering her during rush week, her response was that she wanted to work on her styling..or more truthfully...she wanted the show's stylists to tell her how perfect her style is...sparkly lips and all. She also stated she wanted this experience to *confirm the artist that I am*. I would like to confirm her one-way ticket back home. But she confirmed her own brattiness when she got a sour displeased look on her face at Harry's criticism of her shouting over the top performance. (She thought it was a home run standing ovation worthy work of genius). If she lasts very long I will be calling her Borea. If that sounds a bit like diarrhea, well that is simply a coincidence. I have no idea what she sang because I was hating every note.
The producers chose to follow Borea with her nemesis Marielle who got the Lauren Alaina treatment at the auditions (you ARE the next American Idol). I was shocked with Harry and Keith did not go gaga over her Gaga/Miley inspired performance of Katy Perry's Roar. Or maybe it was a Katy Perry inspired performance. Either way it was derivative right down to the bare midriff, red high heels that broke (or she fell over) and semi-twerking. Keith was right to call it Karaoke. She may be in trouble, particularly after Borea's histrionics which usually impress the voters and I think they will divide the diva wanna bees' fan base.
And what was with Emily Piriz? I didn't see her Hollywood performance that the judges loved so much. But what a stupid stupid girl she was to sing the song that Harry said was too old for her and try to sex it up and rock it up. Clearly it is not who she is if she had to practice it in front of a mirror and Keith pointed that out. And it is a stupid stupid song to begin with. I bet it even sounded stupid when Grace Potter (whoever she is) sang it. She is going down I think.
As for Neco and Ben and the vote off....I didn't really care except Ben still needs to take that stupid hat off so we can see his face.
I'm obsessing over the word stupid tonight I guess...must be my 4 year old self surfacing.
So, I'm gathering that the top 15 women, after rush week, have been pared down to the ten ladies we will hear tonight. It also appears they have changed the voting rules allowing only a total of 150 votes using each method. They also changed the phone number after 12 years and even after 10 contestants, I'm not sure I have it down right.
A few general comments. What is it with these girls having stage names when they haven't been on a stage before? Majesty Rose, Jena Irene, and Bria Anai (Johnson). Shades of Lauren Alaina (who lost her real last name, Suddeth, somewhere on the road from Georgia to Hollywood with the assistance of her stage mom) and that is not one I prefer anyone to emulate. So, these contestants are coming on with one strike from me already.
Since I normally love the women/girls performances more than the boys, I was hoping for some emotional inspiration tonight. Sadly, it was sorely lacking with one or two minor exceptions. I'm going to go first with the ones I hope make the top 10/13 in no particular order.
Briana Oakley's was the first performance that moved me one little bit. She says she is somewhat of a perfectionist and the coaches said she needed to loosen up. She sang Warrior and I thought it was very good. The judges were not so impressed. I think the judges were crazy on this one. I loved her voice, I loved the high notes that Harry cautioned her against relying on so heavily (not all of them were huge high notes, some were subdued) and while I really wasn't very familiar with the song, I felt something from her. I'm afraid she is going to be lost in the shuffle though because she didn't get raves from the judges and because of the order in which she sang.
I waited a long time for them to call Jessica Muese's name and I watched her in the intervals and she was having a hard time being happy. I think she sensed doom as all the pretty young thing's names were called before her. But I loved her country song and twang and wanted the song to go on for awhile. I'm hoping country fans will vote her through and maybe her semi-emotional response at the end will get her some votes. She is interesting to me. I think she is an original.
I did not really remember MK Nobilette until she started singing and then I did. As she said last week, she is obviously gay and has obviously gay mothers. She moves me. I like that she is not over the top and I know she moved the audience. I'm thinking she ought to be a shoe-in for the top 10 but if she isn't, she will be a wild card. And rightfully so. And it doesn't hurt that she is really truly a beauty. I would have killed for that skin when I was her age.
I loved Malaya the tuba player in her auditions because she is just so dorky. Doesn't hurt that way back in the day when my grade school talked about having a band and giving band lessons I wanted to play the tuba myself. I never got the tuba and as I recall the whole band idea fizzled out from either lack of interest or lack of funds. Her rendition of Ray Charles' Hard Times was over the top but to me, it was over the top in a good genuine way as opposed to some other over the top performances I will get to shortly.
To me the rest of the performers were just also ran and fodder but sadly, I think some of them will impress the voters enough to be in the top 5.
Majesty Rose seems like a sweet girl. JLo clearly loves her (it helps she is not too pretty...JLo does not like any challengers to her fairest in the land image). I was not familiar with the song and it was just sort of so so to me. At least she didn't do a bunch of excessive showy runs and she does not strike me as a diva wanna bee so I'm ok with her.
Christen O'Connor is obviously a good person because she is a nurse but to me she is just another pretty girl with a pretty voice and awesome hair extensions. Her cover of Turn the Tables by Adele got more praise from the the judges than I thought it deserved. This song SHOULD have made me cry. It did not. I don't dislike her but I will be disappointed if she makes it past this round instead of one of my favorites.
Jena Irene got decent reviews from the judges but I thought her performance of Paint It Black was a HOT MESS! She sang it too fast it seemed to me and she had no friggin idea what the song was about other than *darkness*. If Mick Jagger had a grave he would be turning in it and I know Siobahn Magnus from Season 9 was cringing. I really do NOT get the judges fascination with her and while JLo thought she was sultry, I just thought her demeanor was trashy. Plus, she looked like she needed a shower.
Bria Anai (Johnson) has been on my hit list since her audition with her horrible stage mother. Bria is in love with herself and her talent and already thinks she can go toe to toe with Rihanna and Beyonce. When Randy asked her what she hoped to get out of the extensive musical and performance coaching they were offering her during rush week, her response was that she wanted to work on her styling..or more truthfully...she wanted the show's stylists to tell her how perfect her style is...sparkly lips and all. She also stated she wanted this experience to *confirm the artist that I am*. I would like to confirm her one-way ticket back home. But she confirmed her own brattiness when she got a sour displeased look on her face at Harry's criticism of her shouting over the top performance. (She thought it was a home run standing ovation worthy work of genius). If she lasts very long I will be calling her Borea. If that sounds a bit like diarrhea, well that is simply a coincidence. I have no idea what she sang because I was hating every note.
The producers chose to follow Borea with her nemesis Marielle who got the Lauren Alaina treatment at the auditions (you ARE the next American Idol). I was shocked with Harry and Keith did not go gaga over her Gaga/Miley inspired performance of Katy Perry's Roar. Or maybe it was a Katy Perry inspired performance. Either way it was derivative right down to the bare midriff, red high heels that broke (or she fell over) and semi-twerking. Keith was right to call it Karaoke. She may be in trouble, particularly after Borea's histrionics which usually impress the voters and I think they will divide the diva wanna bees' fan base.
And what was with Emily Piriz? I didn't see her Hollywood performance that the judges loved so much. But what a stupid stupid girl she was to sing the song that Harry said was too old for her and try to sex it up and rock it up. Clearly it is not who she is if she had to practice it in front of a mirror and Keith pointed that out. And it is a stupid stupid song to begin with. I bet it even sounded stupid when Grace Potter (whoever she is) sang it. She is going down I think.
As for Neco and Ben and the vote off....I didn't really care except Ben still needs to take that stupid hat off so we can see his face.
I'm obsessing over the word stupid tonight I guess...must be my 4 year old self surfacing.
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